“Perhaps a promise from the Chinese court, that should an ambassador ever go from thence to England, he would perform it in the king’s presence, might have enabled him to do it. These remarks will probably convince the reader that the English government acts as every civilized government ought to act, when she endeavours to cultivate a good understanding, and liberal intercourse with China, while, using those endeavours, she never contemplates yielding homage, and wisely refuses to perform by her ambassador, that ceremony which is the expression of homage. “The lowest form by which respect is shown in China at this day, is _kung-show_, that is, joining the hands and raising them before the breast. The next is _tsa-yih_, that is, bowing low with the hands joined. The third is _ta-tseen_, bending the knee as if about to kneel. The fourth is _kwei_, to kneel. The fifth is _ko-tow_, kneeling and striking the head against the ground. The sixth, _san-kow_, striking the head three times against the earth before rising from the knees. The seventh, _luh-kow_, that is, kneeling and striking the forehead three times; rising on the feet, kneeling down again, and striking the head, again, three times on the earth. The climax is closed by the _sun-kwei-kew-kow_, kneeling three different times, and at each time knocking the head thrice against the ground. Some of the gods of China are entitled only to the _san-kow_; others to the _luh-kow_; the _teen_ (heaven) and the emperor, are worshipped with the _san-kwei-kew-kow_.” [Sidenote: BEGGARS.]