"But as the chief is an ignorant fanatic, if not an impostor, and the bulk of his adherents are drawn from the dangerous classes of China, the result is the rule of the sword in its worst form....
"Their system differs in nothing, as far as I can learn, from the proceedings of a band of brigands organized under one head."
Mr. Bruce, it will be seen, went quite out of his way to enclose this "interesting account" from an "American Baptist missionary," but quite overlooked the reports of the British missionaries, which were entirely suppressed.
As for Mr. Bruce's reflections upon the "ignorance" of the Ti-ping-Wang, and the form of "brigandage," those who follow through this history will probably feel justified in questioning the accuracy of his conclusions and in condemning the spirit which dictated them.
The following are extracts from the "particularly recommended" account, and embrace the principal points:—
"We ran all night, and next morning anchored in the mouth of the creek which leads from the river up to the city of Nankin. On inquiring for some one with whom we could communicate, I was invited to enter the fort, and on doing so was received by a tall Kwang-si officer. He greeted me as his ocean brother, and drawing me down to a seat beside him in the place of honour, entered at once into conversation."
Upon entering the city, Mr. Holmes states:—
"We were received by a venerable-looking and very polite old man, whom we learned to call Pung-ta-jen (his Excellency Mr. Pung). He had been requested by the Chang-wang to entertain us with supper.... We found him exceedingly polite and affable, and I thought I could discern some appearance of real religious character, which is more than I can say for any other man I met."
Mr. Holmes was thus received by the Chang-wang:—
"On being seated, he began the conversation as follows:—