The Lion and Dragon: Britain's first embassy to China

Narrative 11: Life of Macartney

Though the main diplomatic aims of the Embassy were not achieved, it was nevertheless a great success in gathering a considerable body of knowledge about contemporaneous China. In the course of its mission the Embassy became aware of the need by the Chinese to have all their actions sanctioned by a higher authority, and that authority itself was a guiding principle in Chinese life. As in England this principle was physically enforced.

William Alexander. The Costume of China. 1805. 142.f.16

John Barrow. Life of Macartney. Vol. II 1807. G1972