Our objection to an English subscription for the relief of
Chinese distress has been very speedily justified. On Thursday it was reported that the distress was increasing, till millions were threatened with famine, and that the Emperor was married to a whole group of wives amid ceremonials which cost two millions sterling, raised by a private and costly loan. It will be argued, of course, that the expenditure, principally incurred in rails to great officials, is traditional, and could not be dispensed with ; but the Court of Pekin, when moved, dispenses with anything it likes, and finds excuses afterwards. We cannot see that Englishmen are bound to pay the poor- rate of China, in order that the Emperor's underlings may receive their accustomed gratuities on his wedding. That is not charity, but the unwise relief of unworthy persons from an obvious duty.
Previous page
