Travel journal, [copied 1803 or later].
Found In:
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library > Travel journal, [copied 1803 or later].
Description
- Title
- Travel journal, [copied 1803 or later].
- Creator
- Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806
- Abstract
-
Holograph diary recording Macartney's embassy to China between September 11, 1792 and January 15, 1794. The first volume narrates his journey to China; embarking on board a man-of-war from London, he lists the members of his train; describes his stop in Madeira, where he dines with the governor, visits the gardens, and attends a ball. He then stops at Tenerife, where he learns of "barbarities committed by the blacks" in St. Domingo; and continues with stops at St. Iago; Rio de Janeiro; and the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. Throughout, he provides summaries of the island's history, inhabitants, agriculture, and interesting flora and fauna. The volume concludes with two essays on trade and commerce, one on avarice and the other explaining differences of custom and manners between Chinese and Europeans which cause difficulties in conducting trade. This latter treatise is preceded by a petition by "Tong-Foo and Buble-me-qua" asking for aid in recovering debts owed them by English merchants
The second volume begins with a brief summary of the journey from England, but focuses primarily on his time in China. He describes, in detail, the reception he receives from the local dignitaries upon his arrival in China; the activities and machinations of the court and courtiers; the architecture; social life and customs; missionary work in China; British foreign relations with China; and especially his own opinions concerning cultural differences in negotiating with various members of the court. The volume concludes with his opinion on how to preserve the diplomatic ground lately gained in China. At the beginning of the first manuscript is an inscription, "This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away some tedious hours of a very long sea voyage."
- Description
-
In English.
Watermark on paper: 1803.
Marbled endpapers in vol. 1.
Binding: vol. 1: full vellum. Vol. 2: half vellum; back board is covered with marbled paper. Written on spine of vol. 2: Embassy to China. - Provenance
- For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator.
- Extent
- 2 32 x 22 cm. v. ;
- Extent of Digitization
- This object has been completely digitized.
- Digitization Note
- Pages 139 - 150 wanting.
- Language
-
English
Collection Information
- Repository
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Call Number
- Osborn fd12 1/2
- Container / Volume
- 1
Subjects, Formats, And Genres
- Genre
- Diaries
- Resource Type
- unspecified
- Subject (Geographic)
-
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises)
China
Great Britain.
Great Britain
China.
Madeira Islands
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean)
Tenerife (Canary Islands) - Subject (Name)
- Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
- Subject (Topic)
-
Diplomatic and consular service, British
Travelers' writings, English
Commerce
Court and courtiers
Description and travel
Foreign relations
Politics and government
Social life and customs - Subjects
-
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806
Diplomatic and consular service, British
Travelers' writings, English
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises)
China > Commerce > Great Britain
China > Court and courtiers
China > Description and travel
China > Foreign relations > Great Britain
China > Politics and government > 18th century
China > Social life and customs > 1644-1912
Great Britain > Commerce > China
Great Britain > Foreign relations > China
Madeira Islands > Description and travel
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) > Description and travel
Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean)
Tenerife (Canary Islands) > Description and travel
Access And Usage Rights
- Access
- Public
- Rights
- The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
- Citation
- George Macartney Macartney, Travel Journal. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Identifiers
- Orbis Record
- 7042013
- Object ID (OID)
- 32484510