once.  Such  a  procedure  was  doubtless  necessary,
but  it  did  not  accord  with  international  usage  among
civilised  nations,  and  it  illustrates  the  pass  to  which
things  had  been  brought  by  the  practice  of  the
Chinese,  who  in  war  and  politics  were  really  un-
civilised. Accordingly  the  British  Admiral,  appear-
ing off  Canton,  shelled  the  Yamen,  or  palace  of  Yeh,
breached  the  city  wall,  and  landed  a  party  to  enter
the  city.  But  not  having  enough  land  force  to
occupy  the  city  he  withdrew,  having  thus  left  his
mark  on  it.  Various  operations  followed  in  the  Can-
ton waters,  a  few  British  ships  engaging  victoriously
large  numbers  of  Chinese  war-vessels.  The  Chinese
evinced  much  determination  in  fighting,  and  the
English  did  just  what  might  have  been  expected  from
them  in  positions  of  much  difficulty.
