erson of his own paternal cares; but another
Chinese, treating the same subject, records the munificence
of this prince in terms which proclaim still more
forcibly the disinterested generosity which prompted, and
the delicate considerateness which conducted, this extensive 10
bounty. He has been speaking of the Kalmucks,
and he goes on thus:--"Lorsqu'ils arriverent sur nos
frontieres (au nombre de plusieurs centaines de mille,
quoique la fatigue extreme, la faim, la soif, et toutes les
autres incommodites inseparables d'une tres-longue et 15
tres-penible route en eussent fait perir presque autant),
ils etaient reduits a la derniere misere; ils manquaient
de tout. Il" (viz. l'empereur, Kien Long) "leur fit preparer
des logemens conformes a leur maniere de vivre;
il leur fit distribuer des alimens et des habits; il leur fit 20
donner des boeufs, des moutons, et des ustensiles, pour
les mettre en etat de former des troupeaux et de cultiver
la terre, et tout cela a ses propres frais, qui se sont
montes a des sommes immenses, sans compter l'argent
qu'il a donne a chaque chef-de-famille, pour pouvoir a la 25
subsistance de sa femme et de ses enfans."

Thus, after their memorable year of misery, the Kalmucks
were replaced in territorial possessions, and in
comfort equal, perhaps, or even superior, to that which
they had enjoyed in Russia, and with superior political 30
advantages. But, if equal or superior, their condition
was no longer the same; if not in degree, their social
prosperity had altered in quality; for, instead of being a
purely pastoral and vagrant people, they were now in
circumstances which obliged them to become essentially
dependent upon agriculture; and thus far raised in social
rank that, by the natural course of their habits and the
necessities of life, they were effectually reclaimed from
roving and from the savage customs connected with a half 5
nomadic life. They gained also in political privileges,
chiefly through the immunity from military service which
their new relations enabled them to obtain. These were
circumstances of advantage and gain. But one great
disadvantage there was, amply to overbalance all other 10
possible gain: the chances were lost, or were removed to
an incalculable distance, for their conversion to Christianity,
without which in these times there is no absolute
advance possible on the path of true civi