Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-31
From the FIoweryI Land.

ADVENT uF CHINESE COMMISSIONERS AND
STUDENTS IN PURSUIT OF KSowLKDGK-THK
BAkRILRs OF TRADITION GRADUALLY
Among the passengers on the Pacific mall
steamship Japan, which arrived from China
this fore DON, were thirty Chinese students,
ranging from ten to fourteen years of age, in
chsrge OF two Commissioners and a teacher OF
tie same nationality, who are designated on tue
lit Is guardians The party proceeded TO the
Occidental Hotel, where several OF the leading
Chinese merch ants OF the city and q member OF
the Bulletin staff were readily granted an audi
enCe. The senior commissioner, hwOng Xxi
Chin, aflable and intelligent man of about
thirty five years, and one who occupies a high
position in his own land, conducted a CONVERSE
ton In Dglish with remarkable ability, onsid-
ering the fact that he has never before visited
America, and manifested familiarity with
and regard for the grammar OF the language
which is often lacking in the average American
citizen. The visitors in the suite of apartments
occupied by the guardians iHcluded the venera-
bic Chinese CleIk OF the Bank OF California,
whose cOpious and comprehensive explanations
OF various failures OF this educational enter
prise were highly acceptable TO all concerned.
Associated with Mr.. Chin, in the capacity of
commissioner, is Xxi Chan He, another distln-
guisbed Chinese official, aud LUn L KoOng,
school master OF considerable reputs in Shang-
hal. The burden Of conversation fell upon Mr..
Chin. Regarding the practice that has OBJ
tanned of dispatching Chinese students to Anne
TiCs, the commissioner said that his country
aimed 10 obtain q thorough kno gied re of our
people through a medium controlled by herself.
The students we're selected from among the
brightest and mCst sJudiOus pupils of schools in
Shanghai, which he termed the central and
most important port OF China. Many districts
were represented in the ranks OF the students
from the fact that SGangha was one Of the edu-
catiOnal fCCi, and attracted students from diff
feIeDt directions. The choice OF students l.
conducted under the auspices OF the govern
nsHt IN a strictly impartial manner, and in
wolves the Old ,IeherSOnian test: Is he honest?
j. he Capable2 The selection il based upon the
results Of "A competitive examination, which Is
fai he &
Nj. Chin desired 10 impress upon his auGi-
tOTSln Unmistakable terms, and he appeared to
thoroughly understand its assimilation with
the principles Of modern republican Institutions.
After Jurisdiction Ct the students is effected,
and 6D ihdCrse me at has been published by the
proper officers of the empire, the list OF names
Is sent TO the Office OF the American Legation 1t
Pekin, fer the approval OF the nitet States
Minister. diplomatic correspondence betW en-
the minister and department OF state in the en-
piTe, and the minister Of the department OF state
in America concerning the prOl Osed visit of the
students 10 this country, continues tor the OTthO
dOX period, and the departure finally takes
place. The present delegation of students were
the recipients Of numerous COuTtesies at Shang-
bal "a few days prior TO the sailing Of the steamer
The mayor of the city rendered them a recep-
ton. at which were the Mandarin OF court
dress. Mr.. Chin says that the affair was bril-
liant and interesting. A feature of the demon
stratiOn was the address of the mayor to the
students, in the course of which he eNhOrted the
lads to remember that the mother country had
paid the expenses OF this expedition in pursuit
OF learning, and TO her was due a great debt of
gratitude. Her young people going into a
strange land should be particularly careful to
30 conduct themselves that China would
lot be mentioned save in terms of respect.
The students should be studiOus and Obedient,
and remember the reverence due the traditions
Of the empire. The reception given by the
mayor was followed by an Interview with Con-
sui general Seward, who also gave the students
friendly advice. The passage 10 San Francisco
was devoid Of special Incident, and the health
Of the party continued uuimpiired. The stu
dents were destined for Hartford (COuA.) At
that point measures have been taken for their
instruction upon a plan inaugursted months
since. The sixty Chinese students now in Con
neCtcut are divided into six divisions, and at
tend different academies within easy reach of
Hartford. A Chinese school is in session in th at
city, and this institution demands the attention
OF the divisions, in regular succession, two
weeks at a time. Thus for every eight weeks
of English study the students have two weeks
OF Chinese. The idea of this division OF study,
as explained by Mr.. Chin, Is in order that the
students may follow the example OF their ances-
tors III Clinglng TO the opinion that there is no
place like home. The party will remain here
until Tuesday next, and may be the rsciDj eEtS
Of public receptiOn.-SaR Francisco Bull ettH,
list INST,