Why, the face of social life is completely altered. Instead of gravity, dignity, and an undivided attention to the duties of daily life, everything is rendered restless, confused; there seems to be no natural order, nor scarcely natural (cultured) decorum. But we must not be misled. Nature is too strong to be pushed aside--and with cultivation, even though imperfect, the moral instinct lives and saves. Habit, too, "is a second nature;" (as our divine Confutzi says); and what would be so overwhelming, if at once done, being usual, necessarily _has been_ subordinated to some rule--and made, at least, tolerable. And now, in drawing these _Observations_ to an end, perhaps, I may add, in respect of my poor and unworthy thoughts, that if I have said amiss, and which offends, I beg our Illustrious will pardon. To our _Literati_, exalted in wisdom, there is but little to which they may curiously look--but to _our people_, if any there be with whom some discontent may have been caused by too close intimacy with _Missionaries_ in our ports; by these let my poor _Observations_ be studiously pondered--that they may praise the Sovereign Lord of Heaven, who has given them to live in the _Central and Illustrious Kingdom_; where a true morality and a true worship are known; and where due ORDER AND PEACE, resting upon the unchangeable Heavenly order and peace, are established! Here, are no brutal worship of Force, and admiration of bloody plunders. Content to the due ordering of affairs, and with peace within, our Illustrious Realm seeks no aggrandisement, dreams of no conquests; and _wishes to do nothing but good_. It has no fears for its own position, nor jealousy of others. It is simply calm, strong, wise, and self-poised. It demands no more from others abroad than that it may peacefully live; and _be treated with that respect which it accords to those who practise moderation and virtue_. FINIS. Barrett, Sons & Co., Printers, 21, Seething Lane, London, E.C. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Observations Upon the Civilization of the western Barbarians, by Ah Chin-Lee