New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-12
SKETCHES OF LECTURES
REALITIES OF CHINESE LIFE.
by THE REV Mr.. sYLE.

by the REV Mr.. sYLE.
This was the subject OF the lecture Tuesday evening
before the Episcopal Mutual Benefit Society, delivered
by the Rev Mr. Syle, OF the Chinese Mission.
The lecturer apoogzed for the mperfections of his dis
course he having been called upon only yesterday 20 take
the place of Bishop Williams, who was prevented from
fulfilling bis engagement by Illness. The apology was un
Necessary for the almost exemporaneous performance
proved one of the interesting OF the The
sneaker ho rce ls45 has been stationed missionary
at shanghai spoke Of the change which has taken place
in the amount Of general knowledge upon China and OF
the fact regular adyces from that country appear
in our newspapers nste ad OF the tales and sketches ud
rous and groesque which formed the staple OF their
Chinese matter The country was described as truly mag
nfcent nearly large the United States, containing
3OOOCOOOO Of people nearly third of eerhs population,
under the rule of the longest established government In
existence speaking or rather using common language
Jealous and exclusive in their intercourse with other
lions. A.
The treaty of 1872 at the close of the Opium War,
opened five ports to foreign Intercourse Other treaties
with France and the United States followed From that
time China open to the establishment of Christian
Missions, and be the speaker went out. His lecture,
therefore would be the simple lessons taught by his
observation and experience lie then spoke first OF the
Government; The Emperor at Pekn, is absolute beneath
him eighteen Governors or rather satrap as they cores
pond almost precisely to those ancient Persian dgnare
rule the eighteen Provinces below whom in turn tho
various orders of Mandarns There Legislative body
Whatever. If in any Province some new law ia needed,
Sstrap sends in petition TO that effect to the Emperor,
which lie referred to the Board or Bureau, and il ap
proved Of single word to that effect written upon gives
il legal force and sent back 10 the Satrap whence 1t
came who receives il and puts in execution when il is
his good pleasure to do. All officers of Government
ceive their appointment directly from the Emperor and
are dependent upon him. There nothing which in any
resembles tlectOnnO hereditary nObity-no Man
DARN holds Office in his native place but every Office
holder down the constable, from other
place Province than that in which he actshence there
be sympathy between public unctionary and the
people among whom he dwells strong esprit do corps
taking its place and separating the new official completely
Again every public officer in China ia responsible for
any breach of the laws within the limits of his authority
and whether constable Sarap liable 10 punishment and
loss Of oe in his vigilance il insucento prevent
crime Consequently il i the interest of officials
zeal all breaches Of the law. The constable bushes up
crime if he not his superior docs and his Superior
in turn and Again the entire Government is
ned by system of checks and espOnageOr instance,
there are five chief Mandarns in Shanghai each spy
upon the Others. When Commissioner is sent from
FekiDg to any particular province, spy Is attached
to his train The first thing done reaching the place Of
destination, therefore is for Plenpotenay and spy to
TO good understanding read each others letters
make ali proper discrepancies in them 10 hide the COLLISION
and then share the spois SO it with the army snd in
oil public stations.
A ludcrous picture drawn Of the Chinese army,
whose officers the mems wages their salaries the
men themselves being obliged to support life by their la
Dor. case mentioned where the Chinese fortified
themselves at the foot Of hill and when tho British
troops fanked them and appeared the top the Chinese
Commander complained that his enemies did not fight ac
ooIdng to rule On another OCCASION in night retreat
each soldier as he ed up rising ground carried liant
ern The speaker was once in danger upon the river.
Two batteries mounting hundreds of cannon fred
at floating target of some IS feet diameter The target
was uniDjured, but boats at distance hardly escaped
In the administration Of the laws there oral exam
nation Of Witnesses all proceedings being carried by
written peadiDgs but criminals sometimes examined
by torture Whoever has anything do with law rues it,
be he in the wright wrong Hence various devices TO
settle quarrels without resOrting 10 the tribunals com
mode is, for two ligant TO a room and call
upon the assembled visitors as Jury the gants
paying for the tea drank during the trial The case IA
decided the longer the process the greater the e
pense. Foreigners considered fair game The car
Ienter who was at work on the Bishops house cast
into prison. frivolous charge, with the expectation
Of eItorDg money from the missionaries for his release
Mr. Sye called upon the authorities having with some
difficulty obtained through the American Consul perms
sion TO do so. Immediate bel wac promised-but the
help which the poor obtained wes fifty blows for ao-
pealing to foregnerso well laid that death ensued
Another detailed in which DR. Medhurst and
two companions attacked and beaten when distrbu
ting tracts by certain bOatmen Nothing but the rmness
of tie British Consul who blockaded the Pekin grain
juDbs, finally brought the criminals to punishment
The oppression under which the common people live
depicted in lively eolor and cases in point rela
ted. The Chinese medical practice described in its
various FORMS and reference made TO treatise on the
pulse, by native physician. They have no surgery In
local diseases they have considerable skill.
1t appeared from the account given that the public char
tiles Of the Chinese are by contemplate either
in lumber ex;ent. By at Shanghai the dead are
buried, the poor clothed medicine aud medical advice
given, bridges built lanterns placed in the streets, &c
There Humane Society for saving drowning persons
Founding Hospital, which many children parents
having the right Of nfsntcide and actually practcng H.
For instance nurse in the family of the speaker had de-
famine and foods drawn a1d the modes Of ameIora
ting the cor dition Of the sufferers described
In speaking Of their religion the system Of Confucius
was described cold and heartles stocism leading 10
Pantheism or Atheism. Ths il the State religion About
the time Of the Christian commission was sent west
about the advent Of the greater teacher of whom
by some means, tradition existed in China THIS com
mission went further than India and carried back
Boodhsrn which, as il has heart in IT, is the best
fora Of religion for the people Of China 1t L curious
that this resembles ROmanm in its rites and ceremonies
Rosaes are used in prayer bells in the temples holy
water masses are said. There are monks and mans ana
the priests are tonsured Funeral ceremonies were de-
scrioed many Of which are founded upon belief in Ne
yehosis Mr. Syle gave some instances of this be
hei. An old beggar supposed he was born blind be.
cause IN former state OF existence he was thief
IoD6erior murderer An Albino servant was supposed
~ his fellow servant TO have been sheep: a yoqno
man purchased an OK, and carefully tended aud fed him
on be DIED having been told that the soul of his father
was 10 that animal The effect Of this belief i extremely
oegracng and runOus to all higher aspirations The
"oshp Of ancestors the universal idolatry the potenes
Oh me peope-equa ii not superior that Of the French
ceerenee TO age, marriage points in the life Of the
Chnese merchants, and the language written and spoken
were successfully touched upon
IN speaking oil the education Of malss he stated that
amer passing successfully the first examination thew taa
degree which exempts them from punishment bv Ito
A