The New York herald., 1878-03-10
LITERATURE.

| LlIERAIU URE.
BOOKS OF THE wEEK-A NEW WORK ON
. cHINA--THE SOURCES OF MUSCULAR POWER
FRoupE's ''rHoMAs A. BECKETT"
| We have rarely read more interesting work on
China than thai written by John Henry Gray NJ A.,
ILL., d., Arcbdeacon OF Hong Kong, edited by William
| Cow Gregor and published by Macmillan K Co. The
author held Official position in China Tor twenty
years and consequently. has had opportunities or OBJ
servation that 90 not occur The ordinary traveller
His style Of writing exceedingly agreeable and Is as
| simple though In the torn OF letters home What
he tells III Just what the reader wants know He
does ramble of into history ol the country but
tells us Of the manners aud customs OF the people,
and relates personal anecdotes and incidents that
make his descriptions exceedingly graphic. gcn-
eral idea Of the cities and towns s given IN the
Introductory chapter. ~he streets OF the ciI-
les, towns and villages generally wider
in tho Northern than in the Southern provinces Of
tho Empire Those OF Pekin very broad. In tho
south the streets vory narrow. Many OF them.
indeed are so narrow to shut out in great mcas-
the rays OF tho sum- aud in some instances tney
partially covered during the hot season With
canvas, mating or thin planks. We are, however,
interested in the people than in the cities The
OF the hucss, this author, isa
book written strange letters, which are more COM
plex difficult for OF another race, religion and
Language TO dccphcr than thor singuiarly COM
pounded wOrd-symbols In the same indvid-
ual virtues and vices, apparently incompat-
ible, arc placoa side by side. Meckness gentle
ness docIlity, industry, contentment, chocr-
iuness, obedience 10 superiors, duuiulness to
| parents and reverence for the aged are
In and Tho same person the comparisons OF in-
sincerity lying, aattery, treachery cruelty Jealousy,
ingratituds, and dItrust OF others The Chi
nose a weak and tim I'd people, xnd.,n consequences,
like all similarly constituted races, they seek nat
ural refuge in deceit and fraud The author thinks
that II native Of tho Empire should acquaint himself
With the ways OF the commercial world" and
| .soc,ety" In England he would and much 10 shock
and surprise him In The '.wcslern barbarians" Un-
der tho political and social conditions OF the Chinese
t is extraordinary what amount Of good IS 10 De
found 10 their national character Thor religion Ia
mass OF supersiitons. Their government ~ an ire
| sponsble dcspotisn. Their Judges are venal: their
judicial procedure is radically detective, aud has
recourse in weakness tho naicon OF torturcs;
their punishmens are, many OF them, barbarous and
revolving; their police dshonest aud their prisons
dons cruelty. considerable mass Of the popu-
laton does know how TO read and nearly every
where there Is prejud,ced ignorance OF all that
lates TO modern progress. Their social life suffers
from baneiul effects OF poygamy and TO certain
extent OF slavery, aud their marriage laws and Gus
| toms nod women IN state Of degrading bondage
THIS, says tho author, Is grave bill of indictment
against tho religious political, civil and social lnsti
tutlons Of any nation, and yet Notwithstanding con-
titons SO lttie favorable 10 the developments OF civil
and social virtues the Chinese may fairly charac-
terizsd courteous. orderly, industrious peace
loving, sober ana pa.rouc people. Although Chinese
officials perhaps, class the most corrupt State
servants the world, there among them men of
high integrity and honor. These exceptional men
are held In much esteem by the people, who avail
themselves oil every opportunity OF dong them
honor s.During my residence in Canton" says tho
writer. III only mot such worthy. Ho was named
Acneopg, and for years Governor ruled over
the province OF Kwhngtu Criminals are sub
jecled to tho fearful torurcs that be thought
Of Chinese ingenuity has devised somo hideous pun
ishnents. many OF which arc described, and to some
Of witch The author eye witnoss.
Literary distinctions form avenue TO all posts
OF honor ana Importance China, and the reader will
DO surprised learn that there perhaps country
In which education, up Ia cortain point, Is more
| generally dnusad among the male population. The
system OF competitive examinations the TACT that
literary attaiuments necessary qualifications for
the highest political appont prove immense
stimulus national education. Although the State
docs much toward encouraging learning there Is
class OF the community ucated at It's expense,
noble birth, who resort 10 national insttu
ton established tor them Pckn. Education is not
confined in China, many suppose, TO the stronger
sex. In the south OF China there large number
Of semnaries for the board anu education OF young
ladies' presided over by tutors or govcrnesses and it
Is not dnd private tutors giving Instruction
10 young ladies in their homes The respect which the
Chinese pay to their written language almost
10 worship They never lose sight OF the fact that IL
|
sessed orthe literature Of the aucents The hterati
| employ men 10 traverse the streets OF towns and
villages to collect waste paper IRON dwelling
| houses and shops, lest fragments bearing Chinese
characters should be trodden foot. The paper
Is then burned IN temple, tue ashes deposited IN
vase and flung into tidal stream, that they may be
borne out 10 sea- There 10 M important country in
tue world In which liberty OF the press Is so litts
recognized as in China. Until quite recently there
| was nothing in tho shape oI Chinese newspaper
throughout tho length and breadth OF the land except
the Peking Gazette, now published daily, WHICH Is The
Official organ oi tho government 1t Is supposed TO
be the oldest newspaper In the world, having, IL is
said, been existence long before printing in.
vented IN Europe Tns Intelligence which IL contains
,s generally Of meagre nature aud has reference 10
government details. Little reliance can be placed
| on the vcracty Of It's statements copy
| or tho Gazette 10 forwarded 10 each provincial
capital, anu republishod there under The
sirict surveillance or the local government.
In each provincial capital court circular
Is published daily, containing The names OF
tho vis,tors Official and non-ofcla, who have called
at the vlccroys palace the preceding day. II aso
announces the birthdays OF the members OF tho I'M
periai family ana Of the local officials OF high rank
The people derive great deal Of their Information
to rscent events from newsletters sold on the streets
hut which are almost utterly unreliable. Dr. Gray
| draws with graphic pen the horrors OF poygamy
and tells how maidens will often commiy suicide
rather than marry. Suicide. by the way, 10 very
| common IN China, and women often going
! in parles of dozen or more anu throw
ing themselves into tho river Tho divorce laws
OF China are an on the side OF the men, women
| having few rights there tnat are buund 10 re-