The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-11-08
VOL 9, No, TO- Whole No. 432,

tory is ours--of oar civilization The unique idea OF
civilized socieiy--of tho first voyages to India
discoveries ms If tho teeming millions OF China had
no existence ill severed by Portuguese navigator.
He, the lecturer, would not speak Of Chinese civi-
cation alone, hut also Of its high antiquity China had
for ages cultivated tho arts, literature, and the scen-
The language of Confucus the contemporary
of Ierodotus, ia now tho vernncuar tongue of this
great people, The discovery OF gunpowdor, and of
the mariners compass, the manufacture Of silks and
porcelans the invention of tho printing press, and e.
ven the circulation of bank notes, had their day in
China, centuries ago. The lecturer did not know Of
anything that not possessed by the Chinese ante
rior toeih history of Europe, except the steam
CINE.
Our word 'China - as designating tho land of the
Chinese, is unknown to their language, and ia Of Por
tugueso origin. Mr. Gushing here gave tho three
names by which the Chinese designate their country,
and also the English TRANSACTIONS Of them, which he
said were quite faulty. Two of them translated,
one tho "Central Land the other the Central Flow.
cry Land''-the third escaped our ear. The Chi
Empire consists Of two great cnsses of people
the Chinese. who inhabit eighteen provinces OF China
proper, and tho Tartnrs, Manchou, Mongoi Tarurs,
sc. 1t Inns been estimated that Chnn contains pop
nlaon of $50 900 geo souls-by many this estimate
~ uOubled DOt thOsc VINO douht Concede q pOpula-
ton of $50, 900 900, dcducting ad Hbaum from the
census taken by the chinese themselves slight a.
nasis of The facts in the case will put end TO all
speculation. One will see in China a vast multitude
Of human beings, all active and indus,rioueA compar-
ison Of the territory of China, its climate, its lave.
customs, and habits OF the people, with those Of other
nations, wall convince that the empire is the
seat Oft vast population. A portion OF China lies
the tropics, where two crops easily produced
cry No beasts of burden 10 be seen in
southern China. All transportation is carried on
the canals, or the backs OF men. The boats
tho canals tracked by men--uo horses
TO be except what in use for
the Tartar cavalry, and hut few hnfIaoes,
which are used for Ploughing some peculiar sols.--
These facts prove that the country capable Of sup
porting dense population. 1t is not the case in Chi
in this couniry--they have not to produce in
crop, sufficient support them the year round,or
TO sustain beasts Of burden that consume much az
men ofthe agricultural products or the county,
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 rromthe estima
tion of the Chinese their own population. But
there others. The ahsemiousness OF the Chi
nese is one They also eat eats, ra,s, dogs, &C.
HSTe - an NHRheHsc tiblSThlIon COHsidHtly eOnp
FORTH In southern China there are more rroduc,ibs
articles of fruit than in almost any other section ofhe
globe.
The radical idea in the social organization OF the Chi
nese, is veneraton OF parents. Annual offerings
made the graves OF their and children
most reIeptlessy punished by their parents for any
disrespect shown to them. .........
The government consists OF The Soveregn-a Cab
met Council Council Of the Army, the great general
Council six supreme boards of Revenue, Rights,
SC, Council for tho Tnrars-Council for tho gener-
al inspection ocOilicers-th high Court Of Appeals
Council for examination of Candidates for public Of
fices-Councl Of the Governors, &c.. of provinces.
and the Army .
There is one curious fact in this organization, and
that is the eSpedient adopted to the full sub
mission Of China to the Tart0rs. The Chinese were
permitted remain just they previous to the
invasion, but Tartar appointed for every Chi
in the government, and this secured the Tartar
power. .. .... 'f,t.. .I ra.r -'... rH .a= AT.
The sovereign poweris of religious well as
political character When presented to The Emperor,
the individual must PROSTATE himself three times
the ground, rising each ime and touch ing the ground
each time he proslrntes himself This may be
going every day among the common people in tho
Streets who are constantly bowling their affairs idols
&c. The ceremony carries with it the idea of total
submission, mingled it may be, with religious dcvo-
ton.
The Offices OF government bestowed upoa
merit, intellectual and moral-they heredita-
ny. There are but few ttular families, and they
among the Tarnrs they. however, enjoy no especial
privileges.
Scholars constitute the first rank in the Empire
Amer passing the examinations which strict,
the meri,orious appointed to the inferior Of
Gees of government employ through good behavior to
rise TO the highest in The gift of the government In
China an official is punished by degrading him from
his rank. In this country, in navy FOR instance,
the case is different. Iran officer behaves badly he
- suspended with or without pny, Sc, but an officer
is never degraded, for instance, from captain to
Midshpman. In China this is the mode Of punish
ment, it is the universal tenure ofoiioe. And man,
has to commence anew, elgiSe again to the highest
Offices, if he conducts we'll aa oan' a'i .tEs a's
The stated agricultural festivals arc great feature
with the Chnese-it is at these times that the Emper
or Jriyas tho ouoh before His whole Court. an ex-