The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-10

TO China and the Chinese, an exceedingly
Interesting work, descriptive of the objects
in the Chinese collection in London
THE education and literature OF the 'sCeles
tial Empire" form. beyond comparison, the
most interesting and instructive point of view
IN which the Chinese can be- contemplated
We cannot, indeed, praise The kind of edu-
cation practised in China. The studies are
confined TO one UNMARRIED routine, and to de-
viate IN the smallest degree from the pre-
scribed track would be- regarded as some.
Thing worse than mere eccentricity. Sci
ence. properly speaking, is not cultivated
a, all. There is no advancement. no thirst
ing after fresh achievements Of knowledge,
no bold and pying Investigations into the
mysteries Of nature. Chemistry, physiology,
astronomy, and natural physiology, are
therefore at low ebb. The instruction
gwen in their schools is almost wholly Of a
moral and political complexion, being de-
signed solely to teach the subjects of the EN-
pre- their duties. Within the allotted circle
all are educated. all must be educated -
According to Mr. Davis. statute was in
existence TWO thousand years ago, which re-
CURED that every town and village. down
even TO few families, should have COM
mon school: and one work. of date ante
rior to the Christian era. speaks Of the an
cien systsn of instruction.
1 remarkable passage from The closing
pau OF an address OF the ancient cheiftain
Shun TO his successor va. found in the
n
only show the pure system of instruction at
that earl y day, but prove also the, int1uity
oil it, author -
Prom the mouth come peace and war.
Peace l. mild, bat war is destructive from
the words OF the mouth, then. are these two
diverse effects. How greatly ought such
springs of evil and oil good 10 be feared ~
These words must have been uttered more
than four thousand wears ago. They remind
Us forcibly of the inspired penman, "Out
Of the same mouth proceedeih blessing and
cIrsng.
There are annual examinations Ia the
province, and triennal examinations at Pc
kin, which are resoned 10 by throngs of am
bilious students. The whole empire is a
university, a mighty laboratory of scholars
The happy men who pass successfully
through the several necessary ordeals are
honOred with distinctions. They are feast |
ed at the expense OF the nation; their names |
and victories are published throughout the |
empire; they are courted and caressed: and
they became, ipSo facto, eligible To all the
Offices within the gift Of the sovereign. The
most learned are appointed to the highest
degree of literary rank, the 50 Han-ln or
membership Of the national college. All
this means that the emperor NAV pluck |
ont the true talent of the land. and en-
ploy il in the administration Of his govern
ment. The fourteen thousand civil manda-
rims are, almost without exception, the beau
esprits-the best scholars of the realm.
The highest literary graduate is entitled
10 wear a white stone brought from India,
called Z" ebay hew,' on cap, as dis
iinguishng mark. The success Of literary
examination is by them termed plucking
a branch Of the fragrant olive" denoting
the attainment of the rank of "keu-in
because that flower is in blossom in autumn,
when the examination occurs. Educated
talen; here enjoys It's ust consideration. All
other entities to respect, all other qualifca-
tons for office. are held as naught, compared
with this This, undoubtedly, in connex.
ion with the rigid enforcement Of the doc
trine of responsibility, is the true secret Of
the greatness and prosperity, the stability
and repose, of the Celestial empire. For,
as DIR. Milne truly remarks, they are the
ambitious who generally oveTturn govern
ments; but in China there is road open
10 the ambitious. without the dreadful alter
native Of revolutionising the country. Ii is
merely required OF man that he should give
some proof Of the possession Of superior
abilities; certainly not an unreasonable re-
QUESTION.
Ia education, the Chinese glory is the in
culeation OF social and political duties
Their teaching is chiefly by authority.
Hence the great use made of maxims.-l
These are suspended upon the walls of
every apartment, where they are constantly
seen and read from early childhood to de-
crepit age. They say, 'NGood sayings are
like pearls strung together: inscribe them
on the walls OF your dwelling, and regard
them night and day as wholesome admoni-
TONS"
The Chinese are reading people, and
the number Of their published works is veryt
considerable. In the departments Of NOR
ais, history, biography, the drama, poetry,
and romance, there is no lack of writings
" such as they are" The Chinese Maieria
Medica of Le-she-chan comprises forty octa-
70 volumes. Ofstatistical works, the num-
Der is also very large. Their novels are
said to be, many Of them, excellent pictures
OF the national manners. The plot is often |,
complex, the incidents natural, and the char +
astsrs well sustained. The writing OF the !,