The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-10

H'W' 1T .. A0WtSS, rare dHdche TO the US. Nus
sion to China, ON The
CHINESE LANGUAG
To FRANCIS MARKoE, Jun, Esq, Corresponding Sc
cretary Of the National Institute, for the Promotion
Of Science, &c, Washington.
DEAR SIR:
The events which, within the last few years, have
taken place in China have given to the language Of
that country an importance which it never before
possessed. As the language of vast and very an
Gent empire, which has flourished for ages in an
advanced state of civilization, Ga civilization pecu-
liar. original, and essentially different from that of
Christendom) it always presented curious and in
teresting study Yet, as long as Chinese pride and
prejudice repelled all intercourse with foreign ma
tons, the study of this language, offering no pros
poets of great practical utility, was naturally conn-
ed to very few persons. But now that, thanks to
the arms and the diplomacy of Europe and Ameri-
ca, new and more extensive relations have been es-
tablshed with China, knowledge of its language
becomes interesting and useful alike to the philoo
gist, the missionary, and all those whom CONNER
cial or other pursuits may call to that country
These considerations, and the belief that, in the
absence of better sources of information even fee
bic attempt to convey idea on the subject, may
not be unacceptable, induce me to address to the
National Institute the following brief essay on the
Chinese language.
The art Of writing, the most potent instrument of
CIVILIZATION conferrlng the magic power of commu-
ncating thought and feeling the remotest regions
of the earth, and OF bequeathing the experience and
wisdom OF one age to generations yet unborn, has
so powerfully impressed certain minds, that they
can ascribe Its origin to nothing short of special
revelation. The limits intended for this essay do
not permit me to enter upon such an extensive field
of inquiry, nor is 1t considered necessary. Specu-
lations the origin of things hidden in the darkest
recesses OF time, however pleasing they may be to
the imagination, be conducive to no great prac-
teal results.
1t is sufficient for the present purpose to assume
(and the assumption, it is believed few will be dis
writing in China, like that of the same art amongst
other nations; like that of language ITSELF had its
origin in the inherent powers of the human mind
stimulated by necessity That the of this as
well OF all great inventions of mankind is in the
ever active and creative faculties with which man Is
endowed, and which impart to him the capacity for
Improvement and civilization,
The Chinese have preserved some obscure trad-
preface to the Rang Hs Ts' Iien, or Dictionary Of
(the Emperor) Rang He, the following passage is
found
In ancient records" says the Chinese lex,cogra-
pher, it is stated that in very remote antiquity
they recorded events by means of knots tied with
cords. In subsequent ages the philosophers changed
this method they substituted writing in its stead,
in order to be able to instruct the officers, and 60
vem the people"
The invention of writing is ascrbed by popular
tradition to Hcang re, or the Yellow Emperor, the
third sovereign Of China, and whose reign, accord
ing TO our chronological computations of its records
terminated about three centuries and half before
the Flood. The first idea of forming graphic signs
the Chinese also say. was suggested by observing
the marks on the shell of the tortoise BE- contem
plating certain consultations, and by the prints Of
the footsteps of various birds and beasts.
Whatever value we may attach to these traditions,
an attentive examination of the ancient characters
of the Chinese language, and of those now in COM
use, is alone capable of giving the true his
oiy NJ most s Of he ancient Cbinese i il
easily observed that they originated in heroglyph-
cal or pictorial figures. Every character being
ed to indicate Thus, for instance, the ancient
character ~On sun, was figure repre-