SIR,—Owing to an accident, I have only just seen your
issue of January 23rd, in which there is a letter from "E. D." on the above subject. Your correspondent does not, however, mention anOther occasion on which the destiny of China was apparently at our disposal. I refer to the time closely following on .the burning of the Summer Palace, when the Mandarins in the North virtually offered the government of the Empire to Lord Elgin. He did not, as we know, accept it; but if French susceptibilities could have been got rid of, it was quite within his power to have reorganised the Empire on European principles. What would have been the outcome of such action on Lord Elgin's part it needs a wise man to say; but there might have been some cheek then given to Russia's silent but steady advance, and the present impasse might
never have arisen.—I am, Sir, &c., J. G.
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