New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-01-11
English and chinese Vocabulary.

The following article viii be read with inter-
est in connection with the glimpses We ave OBJ
tanning in various ways Of the interior of Chinese
liie Mr. Robert Thorn, Consul at Ningpo the
author of this valuable wofk, is brother to the
Rev. David Thorn, whose theological writings
have met with much acceptance, wherever they
have penetrated among Va. 1t appeared in the
journal des Debsts OF 24,h June, 1914, and is
understood 10 be from the pen OF Mr.. Stanisas
Julien, member of the Institute, and Professor Of
Ancient Chinese in the Collagc of France, with.
out question, the first European Sinologue OF The
day:
The B;b!:otheque R0yale TAT Paris has just had
transmitted TO ii rom Canton work, which, ii We
are not misaken, bids fair r. open up Emma TO us III
q way fay more etficacious ihau even the force OF
arms has doue And this, by enabling the lnhahi-
,ants OF the Celestial Empire 10 acquaint them
Selves without any other assistance iian mat "hich
itself affords, with Tire ideas and scientific attain,
ments which prevail in Europe. The work alluded
10 iss Chinese and English Vocabulary, published
Tor the use OF the Chinese. Ii IL headed by pre-
lace 10 Chinese, written in moderate ana conciiiG-
tory tone, which the Emperor must have resd win
no less interest than satisfaction Should II have been
brought under his notice. This last-named circem-
stance is by 10 improbable, as, according 10
The Hoaekong Gazette, o, the Goth October. ls4S.
considerable number OF copies had been forwarded
10 the Court OF Pekin; and as information has been
received since their arrival, of many Of The high
ianc,onaries Of that capital having read and havirg
osen delighted with the work Hitherto, the almost
exclusive object of Sinologues has been compile
dictionaries Tor the service of Europeans, but the
opening Of four new ports has given birth TO new
wants, aad, among its other conse quences, has Gre
ated a sort OF necessity Tor the publication OF Tie
vocabulary which we have now the pleasure OF an
houncing. Ii was an idea al once heppy and bold
10 ann at furnishing the Chinese with the oppor'u-
nt'y oil acquiring, through the medium OF their own
language, an acquaintance with that OF England.
nnt an immense difficulty had 10 be encountered IN
attempting to re, forth to the eye the sounds OF
1o,eisn tongue, the pronunciation OF which is so
Stoitiary, by employing for that purpose the signs
oil language trhich has no aiphabrt
10 triumph over this obstacle, and others which
.eed nor DC enumerated, nothing less required
,han me learning and experience Of man who has
mad ms abode in China for The lest ten years. and 10
whom Inc spoken language of the Chinese is as ia
miliar es his vernacular tongue. The author is Dir
Robert ihom, whose abilities are well know
throughout Europe, the gentleman who, in ronnec-
ton with .hs younger Morrison acted as interpreter
10 SIR Henry Pottingor during his negotiations with
The Chinese Pleupotentiares; and this, not only in
arranging The terms Of the recent peace, but like
wise in since discussing and settling the articles Of
that commercial treaty which now throws China
open TO European enterprise and activity. To him
me public was previously indebted for his edition of
1t.sops Fables in Chinese and English, and for an
interesting tale translated from the Chinese.
Ihe volume now before us presents, first of all, a
paradgma, or specimen sheet, on which each letter