Barrow's Travels in China
An Investigation into the Origin and Authenticity of the ‘Facts and Observations' Related in a Work Entitled ‘Travels in China by John Barrow, F.R.S.'

Proudfoot's 1861 attack on Barrow's earlier work used new documentary evidence to challenge his claims to accuracy and importance.

William Jardine Proudfoot (Author)

9781108045636, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 July 2012

184 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.24 kg

William Jardine Proudfoot (c.1804–1887) published his critique of Sir John Barrow's Travels in China (1804; also reissued in this series) with the agenda of exposing the latter as unreliable and unjust. Barrow had accompanied Lord Macartney on the first British mission to the Chinese Imperial Court (1792–4), in a party that also included the official astronomer, Dr James Dinwiddie, Proudfoot's grandfather. Comparing Barrow's account to that found in other records, Proudfoot concludes that the earlier work was 'a great humbug', ascribing to Barrow the 'powerful motive' of self-promotion. In a work full of vitriol against its subject, Proudfoot's concern is to honour the memory of the mission's members, whom he felt Barrow belittled and vilified, and also to point out factual inaccuracies, accusing him of seeking amusement rather than truth in his anecdotes. Read alongside Barrow's work, it makes for an interesting, scornful, and often entertaining counter.

Preface
Preliminary Inquiry: 'Powerful motive'
Claims to science
Do-nothings of the embassy
'Lot of few to go to Pekin'
Palace of Yuen-min-yuen
Diodati, interpreter at the palace
'Serious charge
Emperor's birth-day
Old eunuch
Old eunuch
October 1st
Parodies on Lord McCartney
Dismissal of the embassy
Investigations of 'Facts and Observations': Sentiments on the 'facts and observations' extracted from the Travels
Eclipse at Tonchoo
Scorpions at Tonchoo
'Canton Ulcer'
'Foreign Devils'
'Want of fellow-felling'
Inhumanity, 1st illustration
Inhumanity, 2nd illustration
Inhumanity, 3rd illustration
Ill-treatment of women
Vessel upset on rice mill
Specimens of exaggeration illustrating the capabilities of the 'motive'
Rash assertions good enough for 'facts'
Poyang Lake and Barrow Swamps
Sandy Islands of the Poyang
'Sink of China'
Lake Cining
Barrow Swamps of Shantong
'Immense aqueduct'
Grand Canal
Grand Canal - the Comptroller's 'Endeavour'
Uniform of Kiangnan
Soochoo beauties
Lake Taihoo
Trifing notabilia
Shingmoo confounded with Poosa
Parker's lens
Gardens of Yuen-min-yuen
Pedestrian feat
Glacis on Grand Canal
Accommodation Bay
Chinese roads
Specimens of remarkable observations
Cannon
Whims of Pechelee
Waste lands
Civilities to the embassy
Barrow's journal
Engraved representation of lion
Amusing anecodtes of the 'Authentic Account' improved on and rendered worthless by Barrow
Unassailable incidents
Mysterious adventures
Palatial incidents
Barrow versus Staunton: Official volumes
Keeto whirlpool
Cholera morbus
Visit to Tinghai
Chinese pilots
First impressions
Country on the Pyho
Soil around Pekin
Barrow versus the official maps: Geographical and statistical contradictions
Blundering in dates
Bungling
Lord McCartney's journal: Bears marks of having been improperly dealt with
Opportunities for information: comptroller never at a loss
Retrospect: inquiry finished
Conclusion: inconsistencies of the 'interesting episode' inexhaustible.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]