The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-10
THE CHINESE.

We repud'Rte the doctrine of the Jesuits, that
the end justifes the MEANS" the reverse Of the
maxim, "not to do harm, that good may come of
IT," But the fact is, that the gross and abominable
outrage which the British have perpetrated against
China is likely to terminate in the ameioration of
her condition, and in the liberal extension Of the
commerce of the world. Thus, it sometimes hap
pens in the mixed condition of human affairs,
that the intention and the tendency of events are
essentially different from each other, and that good
sometimes arises out of evil The attempt to force
the powerless Chinese to chew opium in defiance of
their own commercial laws, led to war between the
two countries But this, whilst ii reflects the deep
est discredit upon the British character has ended
in opening five ports of the eta Using" Tor Chinese)
empire, not only to Great Britain, but to the
United States, and to France. Every subsequent
step has contributed to liberaze their inter-
course with foreign States, and to extend the
commerce Of the world. Mr.. Gushing has inn
proved upon the treaty of Sir Henry Pottnger; and
what each nation gains, is extended, upon the
most liberal principles, TO the rest Of the world
We not the last to profit by the advantage; and
venture to predict that the enterprise of
mercial character will be the first to advance our
interests enlarge our trade, and stimulate the
dormant spirit of the late snail-like inhabitants OF
the Celestial empire with something like activity.
There is no limit, indeed, which we can now place
upon the progress of the Intercourse. We shall
become better acquainted with her arts and her
manufactures, her literature and her archives, her
curious records, and all the mysteries of her
antiquity.
Already we are sending one Of the most enlight-
ened citizens of our own country (Mr Alexander H
Everett) who is to embark in few days in the Co
lumbus frigate; and the language Of China, which
was formerly sealed book to other nations may
be gradually analysed, reduced to simple elements,
and be easier read and spoken, it is better under
stood At present, it is worse than Hebrew to our
unlearned sarans, though the French scholars are
applying the touch of analysis to its alarming HE
rogyphcs, and discovering new modes of revealing
its obscurities. What, for example, can appear
more incomprehensibe to our unlearned vision than
the copy of the "Pekin Gazette" which is now be-
fore us, and for which we are indebted to friend in
Norfolk, and which he requests us in very polite
note to accept He tells that it is the oldestnews-
paper of the world J" and that he procured it few
months since in China.
He says ~
"My knowledge of the language is so slight, that
cannot undertake to translate the contents. It is
dated 'Iaou kwang, twenty-Grst year, tenth month,
twentieth and twenty-frst days."
Iii defes his powers of Interpretation, it certain
ly escapes our own. We have no "Rosetta stone''
to assist in developing its hidden meaning, such as
was applied by Champollion in interpreting the
orl,, 80 For he ho,,
of those who willing to study the Chinese Ian
guage we have to state that new progress is maxi
ing by the French scholars; and we advise those
about to visit that country to profit by the hints
which were communicated to few weeks since
by Mr.. Gliddon, in the following terms:
"In reply to your query about the progress effect
ed in Chinese history and literature by the sinaogues
of Europe, believe the shortest way Of ascertain
ing all that has been done is to read the curious
| works of Monsieur G. Panihier, who, at Paris,
stands forth, in Chinese subjects, as Champolion in
Egyptan--a giann Panther is a wealthy young
blood Of noble family, who devotes himself to sci
encc for itself He is Chinese, Sancrit, and Eg-
tian scholar and translator, who in one mind con-
colleges know, but Qf university educatons not
radically aered) what colleges will not teach for the
next century!
81 have read his
"sLivres Sacres de l'Orient.
"sSinico Egyptiaca.r
"'Origine des Alphabets,' &c.
"sPhilosophie Chinose
"But his great history Of China, from Chinese an
nails, have not seen.
"Pantiier in Paris, and Birch in London, are the
leading sinaogues. The latter wrote me, last month,
that he was going to publish Chinese romances; and
| sent me a copy of his Chinese map of Picking,
translated, by which any one might buy lots in the
imperial city!
ION the continent, (not in England, which is be-
hind the age in these Matters, there many other
Chinese scholars, whose labors opening not only
ancient Chinese history, $4,000 B. CD by transa-
ting indigenous Chinese historians, but are throwing
immense light the history Of Central Asia in the
earliest times, derived from Chinese travellers and
historians! only know the works Of Prapey and
Iardot for the subject is out of my little line and
only read for collateral information
"Were Mr.. Everett, should order from Paris
all the works on China--of PANTHER FIRST and then
| of Remusat, lardot and Puravey.
"When he reaches China, Gnizhof will readily
direct his researches to proper materials there.
| "This is all that my very limited knowledge on
China indicate in the school of oriental
studes wherein, in regard TO China, Hndostan,
Arabia, Numdia, Etrura, Assyria, &C., &c, &C.,
there is the same movement as has taken place in
| Egyptian subjects.
"We .4ngio-.Sarons have to confess our ignorance
and to go to school anew in these oriental subjects
for il is only of very late years that zoe have thought
it possible, that each nation may have known some
thing about their history than is contain
ed in classical fables, and begin to read each peoples
indigenous literature"
THE ANNIVERSARIES OF THE RELIGIOUS
SOCIETIES IN NEW YORK CITY.
A few days ago, the readers Of the Union were
promised synopsis of these interesting meetings,
and we accordingly commence by spreading before
them, this evening" account of the proceedings Of
the New York (city) SUNDAY School UNION, made
up from the report of the New York Express. That
paper describes the afternoon session as follows;
"The Broadway Tabernacle was filled to overflow
ing yesterday afternoon with the children belonging
to this Union, with all their banners and badges and
vast assemblage of the friends of the cause AT.
ter hymn, beautifully sung by the children, ac-
companied by the organ, the Rev. Mr.. Haines, of