Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-06-05
E.ectglE'cs ON China.
BY MISSIONARY WILLIAMS EDUCATION
AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.
LECTURE ".

AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.
LECTURE
In these, which are Of very ancient
date, China ranks first among heather
nations. Bat their literature is detic-
lent in what is improving, and fails to
secure well balanced mind. 1t has
reference to office, hence that of fe-
males is neglected al six
years Of age, and is enjoined by their
writers, by many enlightened prccepts.
The first name given to the child with
some ceremony, is called "the milk
NAME" usually the name of a flower
forgirls, of some manly virtue for boys.
Parental government is that OF passion.
not of affection. The girls have no
name bat the milk name; they associ-
ate with the boys till eight years Of
age, when they enter the female a.
lpartmenis. The boy on entering
school takes his ''book name" with
mnch ceremony; accompanied by his
father he is led TO ''the tablet Of Con-
fucius," where they kneel and suppl
cate a blessing upon the boys studies.
Schools are NIL private; no colleges; o.
pen at sunrise with homage to Confu-
cius, called "the teacher and pattern
of ten thousand ages" before whose
tablet candles and incense burn perpet-
Ially;- diciplinc is severe; the pay OF
the best tutors is about $500 II year
The first book has IFS letters written
on II black ground, which are traced
by the young pupil upon thin paper,
the letters showing through; the sounds
he learns from thu teacher repeating
them over Classics are only taught,
of which there are five books. His.
tory, Geography, Religion and Natu-
raj Philosophy are not taught here,
and keeping accounts ard letter-wri-
ting are taught in shops; all study a.
loud. The boys school name is usu-
ally retained through life. The fami-
Ily surname usually numbers $50, a.
mong which intermarriagcs are forbid
den. Some surnamcs amount to 30,-
600, and one is distinguished by his
continuous given name. In solicitation
the proper name is not called, but such
as "noble honorcd one" for father. or
"noblc loved one'' for daughter. The
memory is so burdened in education,
that il prevents the talent OF invention;
hence they are not an inventive peo-
pie. The literary examinations are
four in number and degree. The first,
all males may attend, held in district
towns: 10000 or 10000 assemble at
Canton. The successful candidates
are posted up and said "to have name
in tie district" The first degroe is
often purchased, and by government
much profit is realized, in this way
The second examination is at the pro-
,ineiaI capital, conducted by two ex-'
amincrs from Picking, the Literary
Chancellor ard ten other officers, in
large hall arranged in cells holding
5000 persons. The first trial is on
three themes and one poem; the second
on five themes Of higher order; the
third on FIVE questions Of political econ
omy. They 90 into the cells the night
before and come out the night after The
examination, without food; seventy
only can be successful, and their names
are cried off at midnight from the high
towers, and posted up the next day.
The third degree IS conferred OF Court,
all who receive it being eligible to Of
fee. A failure docs not prevent one
from another trial, and therefore, some
times father, son and grandson stand
side by side, competing for the same
prize. The system has a good effect
in keeping up the standard Of educa-
/ ton. The fourth degree is an Office.
There is little in Chinese books that
will repay the reading to foreigners;
they have few religious, historical,
medical or biographical works; their
literature is more properly divided into
ethics, typography. history, poetry and
novels. Confucius was contemporary
with Ezra, and he is held in the high
est yeneralion throughout China
They have numerous proverbs, such
as--"To win a cat and lose cow"
expresses the folly Of going to law
"Iyory does not come from a rats
mouth" The number Of Chinese
characters is 44,440, Of which 1900
arr uow obsolete or du0licatcs.