This is a follow-up question of Where can I find modern account of Macartney Embassy to China (1792–1794)?
After Lord Macartney returned from his mission to the Qianlong Emperor, he made a poignant but quite accurate assessment about Chinese had become semi-barbarian (I am Chinese and I say these with only admiration for him).
The translated Chinese words “自从北方或满洲鞑靼征服以来,至少在过去150年里,没有改善,没有前进,或者更确切地说反而倒退了;当我们每天都在艺术和科学领域前进时,他们实际上正在变成半野蛮人”
"Since the conquest of the North or the Manchurian Tatars, at least in the past 150 years, there has been no improvement, no advancement, but only backwardness; when we advance in the arts and sciences every day, they are actually becoming semi-barbarian."
BTW, his companion Sir John Barrow made the similar comments in his book "Travel in China", "While they are by nature quiet, passive, and timid, the state of society and the abuse of the laws by which they are governed, have rendered them indifferent, unfeeling, and even cruel"
He only made a small mistake about Manchurians as Tatar (Mongol descent)
But, given my experience with this other question, I would like to see his original words.
Another poignant but quite accurate assessment was "中华帝国只是一艘破败、疯狂的战船。如果说已在过去的150年间依旧能够航行,以一种貌似强大的外表威慑邻国,那是因为侥幸出了几位能干的船长"
”The Chinese Empire is just a dilapidated and crazy warship. If it is said that it has been able to sail in the past 150 years and deter neighboring countries with a seemingly powerful appearance, it is because a few capable captains were lucky enough to be able to sail."
I do believe Lord Macartney said those words. Many published books, papers (in Chinese) about the Macartney mission quote those words. So I don't have any doubt, like when I asked "Did Lord Acton ever say freedom faces four major challenges"?
I just like to see his original words. Thanks!