No territory has since been
added, and none lost, if we except the cession of Formosa to Japan
and of Hong Kong to Great Britain. The cessions of seaports to
other powers are considered as temporary leases.
After a magnificent reign of sixty years, Kienlung abdicated in
favour of his fifth son, Kiak'ing, for the whimsical reason that
he did not wish to reign longer than his grandfather. In Chinese
eyes this was sublime. Why did they not enact a law that no man
should surpass the longevity of his father?
As to Kiak'ing, who occupied the throne for twenty-four
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years, weak and dissolute is a summary of his character.
The next four reigns came under the influence of new forces. They
belong to the era of transformation, and may properly be reserved
for Part III.
[Page 147]
PART III
CHINA IN TRANSFORMATION
[Page 149]
CHAPTER XXVII
THE OPENING OF CHINA, A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS--GOD IN HISTORY
_Prologue--Act 1, the Opium War--(Note on the Taiping Rebellion)--Act
2, the "Arrow" War--Act 3, War with France--Act 4, War with Japan--Act
5, the Boxer War_
PROLOGUE
If one were asked to name the most important three events that took
place in Asia in the last century, he could have no hesitation in
pointing to the extension of the Indian Empire and the renovation
of Japan as two of them. But where would he look for the third?
Possibly to some upheaval in Turkey, Persia, or Asiatic Russia.
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