Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's Mission to China and Japan in the Years 1857-59: Volume 1 (Cambridge Library Collection - East and South-East Asian History) - Softcover

Oliphant, Laurence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108045820 ISBN 13: 9781108045827

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2012

Synopsis

In 1857 Laurence Oliphant (1829–88), lawyer, journalist, diplomat, and sometime spy, later Liberal MP, satirical novelist, and, for a time, adherent of the religious mystic Thomas Harris, became private secretary to Lord Elgin (1811–63), accompanying him to China, and thence to Japan, on a mission to protect and extend British trading interests in the region. Oliphant's 1859 account of the trip was published in two volumes. Volume 1 deals with the events of the Second Opium War, from the 'Arrow Incident', discussed in retrospect, to the Treaty of Tientsin, as well as an early diversion to India to suppress the Mutiny. The work is a mixture of travel narrative - Oliphant had previously written about his travels in the Crimea (also reissued in this series) - and political analysis. It provides both an informative account of the war from a privileged vantage point and a window upon Oliphant's colourful career.

About this title

Book Description:

In 1857 Laurence Oliphant (1829–88), lawyer, journalist, diplomat and sometime spy, became private secretary to Lord Elgin, accompanying him on a diplomatic mission to Japan and China, aimed at extended British trading interests. His 1859 account provides a highly informative analysis of the negotiations from a privileged vantage point.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1108045820
• ISBN 13: 9781108045827
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 526