For them, the individual, unless he be an offender, does not exist. They serve some abstract creation of their own imagination, to which they give the name of Crown, or British empire; their objects in life appear to be the possession of a mastery over the Chinese language, and some practice in diplomatic pursuits. They are always gentlemen, usually men of brains, and occasionally men possessing some force of character. But they belong to a well-defined high social caste; they are sinologues, and so full of Chinese, that not only their sympathies, but their proclivities even, are tinged with the tone pervading the Celestial empire. There are no consulates in China possessing the aloofness which characterizes the British; all Consuls but the British consider the needs of the individual out in China; they guard the interests of their nationals, and do all they possibly can to push ahead their enterprises, and so help the individual to become wealthy and influential, and thus valuable to the country to which he owes allegiance. The American Consulates are in marked contrast to the British, because the American representatives are first of all American citizens, men who have a knowledge of the world and its ways, who look upon commerce and business as things deserving interest, attention, and development. American Consuls have not even a nodding acquaintance with the Chinese language, and know next to nothing of Chinese customs, laws, literature, or ideals; but they do know quite well what the American citizens need, and they do their utmost to secure for their nationals all they are justified in obtaining. No business is too small for their attention, no enterprise too great or too daring for their consideration. It is because of the aid they are to business men and to commerce that American trade has advanced so rapidly in the markets of China. People are anxious to be in American businesses, or to have Americans in business with them, because of the assistance the American consular service extends to those of their nationals who are engaged in lawful commerce, and the American Consul no less heartily than the British penalizes those of his compatriots who abuse the people of the country in which they live. I was told that in one treaty port, in so short a time as two months, more than fifty British subjects had applied to the American Consul for advice or assistance, or to inquire in what manner they could become American citizens, or acquire the right to the protection and support of the American flag.