Page:Through China with a camera.pdf/340

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deadly projectiles in the hands of his own men than they could ever have proved in the ranks of an enemy. They were badly cast with coarse iron, and their dangerous imperfections were filled up with black-leaded clay. So my humble opinion is that before the Chinese can hope to take a position among the civilised Powers of the world, they must acquire something of simple honesty, and unlearn much of the science of deception by which they study to enrich themselves, while making ready to conquer their foes.

Kin-Shan " or " Golden Island," " Silver Island," and the mouth of the Grand Canal were the last objects of interest I saw on the Yangtsze river. The Grand Canal may be set down as the greatest public work of the race who wasted years of needless labour in constructing the Great Wall to shut out the barbarous hordes, who, after all, are masters of the Empire. But this huge artificial waterway is now useless in many places, and utterly broken down ; although it might have proved of incalcul- able service in draining off the great waters of the Yellow River, which have, from time to time, spread their desolating floods over the vast productive plains of the interior.