The following lectures were given in pursuance of a determination I came
to some six years ago in Hong Kong, viz. that if I lived to return to
England I should take some steps, either by public lectures or by the
publication of a book, to expose the mischievous fallacies disseminated by
the "Anglo-Oriental Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade." About
that time nearly every mail brought out newspapers to China containing
reports of meetings held in England condemnatory of the Indo-China opium
trade, at which resolutions were made containing the grossest
mis-statements and exaggerations as to opium-smoking, and also the most
unfounded charges against all parties engaged in the opium trade, showing
clearly, to my mind, that not one of the speakers at those meetings really
understood the subject he spoke about so fluently. I have now, happily,
been able to carry out my intention. Unfortunately, I was deprived of the
opportunity of delivering these lectures in Exeter Hall, which was not
only more central than St. James's Hall, but where I could have selected a
more convenient hour for the purpose than the only time the Secretary of
the latter Company could place at my disposal, the reason being that the
Committee of Exeter Hall refused to allow me its use for the purpose of
refuting the false and untenable allegations of the Anti-Opium Society, an
act of intolerance which I think I am justified in exposing. I trust,
however, that any drawback on this account will be compensated for by the
publication of the lectures. I am well aware that this volume has many
imperfections, but there is one respect in which I cannot reproach myself
with having erred, and that is, in having overstepped the bounds of truth.
I have the satisfaction of knowing that all I have stated in the lectures
is substantially true and correct, and with such a consciousness I
entertain a confident hope that they will prove in a humble way
instrumental towards breaking up the Anti-Opium confederacy, the objects
of which are as undeserving of support as they have proved mischievous in
their tendency.