The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-10-31

II that history Is OufS--OI DIS
idea of civilized socety-of the first voyage to
India as discoveries as if the teeming millions of
China had no existence till discovered by Por-
tuguese navigator. He, the lecturer, could not
speak of Chinese civilization alone, but also of
its high antiquity. China had for ages cultivat-
ed the arts, literature, and the sciences. The
language of Confucius, the contemporary of Hero
dotus,sis now the vernacular tongue of this great
people. The discovery of gunpowder, and of the
mariners compass. the manufacture of silks and
porcelains, the invention of the printing press,
and even the circulation of bank notes, had their
day in China, centuries ego. The lecturer did
not know OF any thing that was not possessed by
the Chinese anterior to the history of Europe
except the steam engine.
Our word g China designating the land OF
the Chinese, is unknown to their language and is
of Portuguese origin. Mr. Gushing here gave
the three names by which the Chinese designate
their country and also the English ranslations of
them, which he said were quite faulty. Two OF
them are translated, one the g Central Land,' the
other the sc Central Flowery Land" the third es-
capped our eal. The Chinese Empire consists of
two great classes of people-the Chinese, who in
habit eighteen provinces of China proper, and the
Tartars, divided into Manchou, Mongo Tartars,
&c. 1t has been estimated that China contains
population of $50 900, 900 souls-by many this es-
innate is doubted, but those who doubt concede
population of 250 900, 900, deducting Gd Hbituna
from the census takenby the Chinese themselves.
slight analysis of the facts in the case will put
an end to all speculation. One will see in China
vast multitude of human beings, all active and in
dustrious. A comparison of the territory of China,
its climate, its laws, customs, and habits of the
people, with those of other nations, will soon
convince one that the empire is the seat of vast
population. A portion of China lies on the trop-
les, where two crops easily produced every
season. No beasts of bdrden to be seen in
southern China. All transportation is carried on
on the canals, or on the backs of men. The boats
on the canals tracked by men-no horses are
to be seen, except what are in use for the Tartar
cavalry, and but few buffaloes, which are used for
ploughing some peculiar soils. These facts prove
that the country is capable disappearing dense
population. 1t is not the case in China as in this
country-they have not to produce in one crop
sufficient to support them the year round, or to
sustain beasts of burden, that consume much
as men of the agricultural products Of the coun-
try. The land is one entire cultivated garden,
except the large grounds left for the burial of the
dead. These facts would leave nothing to deduct
from the estimation of the Chinese as to their own
population. But there others. The abstemi-
BUSINESS Of the Chinese is They also eat
CATS rats, dogs, Sc There is an immense emf
grafton constantly going forth. In southern Chi
there more productbe articles Of fruit than
in almost any other section of the globe. 1--WE
understood Mr. Cushing to say that the banana
produces as 1873 to of our wheat, and A to l
of our potato
To recall to mind the population of Europe, will
. serve to dispel any doubts may entertain
to the correctness of the estimate of the poDula-
ton of China. China covers large space as
Europe, and why not contain as large population
if the nomadic regions of the north are scarce in
population, the tropical religions of the south
make up for the dehciency-it Europe is capable
of sustaining $50 900, 900 Of people, why not Chi
a larger population possessed ofsuperior advan-
tages to Europe To "a European accustomed to
look at Europe divided into IS distinct govern
ments, with population of but $50 900 900, the
idea of a country under government, with
population $50 900 900, is perfectly astounding
When we consider the facts of the immense
population of China, that its government and laws
have endured for centuries, we come to ask what
is the form of its government, and what the prin-
ciple of its social organization. The exterior
form is a hereditary monarchy. The reigning
sovereign bears particular name, not his own
name, but the name of his reign, as 1t is deemed
sacriligious to pronounce the name of the SOW
ereign after he ascends the Throne The prOmi
nent, and it may be said, almost the only, princ-
pie of government is the paternal reation-the
emperor is called the father OF his people, and the
idea OF paternal relation runs through all the hab
its, laws and customs of the people. 1t is fiction
notwithstanding, but beautiful one.
The radical idea in the social organization of
the Chinese, is generation of parents. Annual
offerings made at the graves of their ancestors,
and children are most rentessly punished by their
parents for any disrespect shown to them
The government consists of the Sovereign-a
Cabinet Conditioned of the Army, the great
general Council,-sx supreme boards of Reve-
nue., Rights &c.,-Council for the Tartars-
Council for the general inspection OF Officers
the high Court Of Appeals-Council for examine
ton OF Candidates for public ofiices-Council of
the Governors, &C., Of provinces, and the Army.
There is one curious fact in this organization,
and that is the expedient adopted to secure the
full submission OF China to the Tartars. The Chi
nese were permitted to remain just as they were
previous to the invasion, but a Tartar was APP
pointed for every Chinese in the government and
this secured the Tartar power.
The sovereign power is of a religious as well
as a political character. When presented to the
Emperor he individual must PROSTATE himself
three times to the ground, rising each time and
touching the ground each time he prostrates him
self This may be seen going every day
among the common people in the streets, who are
constantly bowling at their affairs, idols, &C. The
ceremony carries with it the idea of total submits
sion, mingled, it may be, with religious devotion
The offices OF government are bestowed upon
merit, intellectual and moral-they are not he