ſeconded in the Weſt, by the fortunate era of the reſtoration of letters, and of the introduction of the moſt important of the improvements in navigation in modern Europe.
As a new ſpirit of curioſity and enterprize had been thus excited, and means apparently adequate to its complete gratification diſcovered, it might naturally be ſuppoſed that one of the firſt objects would have been that of taking advantage of the additional facilities which ſeemed to have been afforded for a communication with the Chineſe empire; that the early accounts, however vague and imperfect, which had been given by caſual travellers, of its extent, magnificence, and political importance, would have ſoon led, in the ordinary courſe of events, to an intimate acquaintance and a regularly eſtabliſhed intercourſe with that remote and recently diſcovered, but, at the ſame time, highly intereſting portion of the civilized world.
At the end, however, of ſeveral centuries, theſe expectations are ſtill but very imperfectly realized. This Great Empire, too well aſſured of the competency of its own natural and artificial reſources, to be induced to ſeek, and, if not too powerful, at least too diſtant and compactly united, to be liable to be compelled to enter into alliances and cloſe connections with the Powers of Europe, has never as yet, except in a precarious and limited degree, admitted of any species of intercourſe with them. It continues to this day wholly regardleſs and independent of thoſe nations of the Weſt, whoſe general ſuperiority in policy and in arms has triumphantly extended their power and influence over almoſt every other exiſting ſociety of mankind.
A conſiderable portion of the intercourſe which actually ſubſiſts between China and the Nations of Europe owes its origin, as is well known, to the influence of religious motives; and was eſtabliſhed under rather favourable auſpices, by the indefatigable zeal and appropriate talents of the early miſſionaries of the Catholic church. Theſe eccleſiaſtics, having been for the moſt part of the Society of Jeſus,
