The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-17 00:00:00

RUSSIAN MI3SiON IN CHINA.

(EXRACT OF A LETTER FROM ST. PETERS2URGH7

DATED DECEMBER 12.)
None of the European Powers have more re-
gular or more uninterrupted relations with China
than Russia. These relations have subsisted on
the some footing since 1798, or since the conclu-
sion of the first commercial treaty between the two
the Russian Government
with four eccle-
siastics, Pekin a hotel,
ethlmarsop itcrhehesu.
churches,
right of
tolatftiistaitlrraeci ani
trnya
jar:
dn
and as many young men destined to ac-
quire the Chinese and Mandchou languages, for
the purpose of serving, on their return, as in-
terpreters on the frontier or in the offices of the
Minister for Foreign Affairs. By the. stipula-
tions of the original treaty, all these persons
should reside at Pekin only for ten years, but
generally the ecclesiastical suite and the pupils
of language remain for thirteen years. Till:
lately little attention was paid to the• kind of
persons selected for the Chinese mission. They
were frequently individuals of mean talents and
limited education. A few of the Russian

terpreters brought up in China have hither-
to rendered real services to their Coun-
try and to literature, such as Leontiev and,
Vladikine. Of the last mission, which has
just returned, f must speak differently. The
Archmandrite Hyacinthe, who was at the
head of it, carried to Pekin more natural talents
than any of his predecessors, and has gained
higher claims to distinction by his indefatigable
study of the Chinese, and his extensive know-
ledge of other languages of - the interior of Asia.
Thirteen years spent in the capital of China,
and employed in stubborn literary labours,
have enabled him to accomplish works which
will surprise those best acquainted with the
Chinese language, literature, and history.—
I shall merely enumerate a few of those works,
which would appear from their number and
importance to be rather the united transac-
tions of a learned society than the productions
of a single individual. The chief of thern
is a History of China from the year 2357 before
Christ, to the year 1633 of our era, which is com-
prised in nine folio volumes. Another is a Geo-
graphical and Statistical Description of the Chinese
Empire, accompanied with an exteesive.map in the
five principal dialects. spoken in China. The
next in importance is a translation 'of tl:e
works of ConfuciuS into Russian,-with an ampie
commentary and learned notes. .13esides..these,
he has 'composed a dictionary of the Chinese
and Russian languages., in two volumes ; four
works on the Geography and History of
and Little Bucharia ; a History of in, Mee,:oe
Han tribes; and a translation of the Code of laws.
given by the China Government to the Mongolian
hordes under its dominion ; a detailed Description
of the city of Pekin ; and an Account of the lly-
&an lie works executed on the banks of the Yellow
River and the great Cauul of China.. In addition
to these labours, the Archmandrite Hyacinthe
has enriched the literature of his country with
several treaties on the manners, the customs,
the arts, and sciences of the Chinese. It 15
said by his friends, that this learned person pos'
sesses extensive literary treasures, of which his'
present position k little calculated to forward
the publication. Whether from the freedom of
his political opinions, or from the want of that
legitimate superstition which is now so much ill
demand in the Russian church, be has been of
dered to leave the capital, and to reside in a coo'
vent near Archangel. It is hoped that he Will
be recalled by the Emperor, after expiating h'
libersl sentiments or conduct by a proper pe'
oaace.

~_
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