The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-05-30
Chinese Education In America.
Youths Companion.1

| lIouths Companlon.l
1t is not many years since it was uni.
versally believed that of all people the
Chinese were the least open to the in.
| fuence of modern progress, the most
| obstinate in adhering to their own an
cient custom and traditions. 1t used to
be dangerous for European or an
American to show himself in the streets
of Chinese city, and the chief dan
ger consisted in the hatred which the
Chinese had for all who attempted to
introduce any new idea or practice into
the Empire.
Within twenty years, however, a
great change has come over the
"Celestials" in this respect. As the
advantages of invention, of more rapid
locomotion, and better communication,
dof moderneducation, have gradually
become known to them, they have grown
more and more inclined to welcome the
intelligent stranger from the West, to
adopt many of his ways of doing things,
and ts-obtain for themselves some of
the benefits conferred by European
civilization.
There is no more striking instance of
this than the " Mission" which has been
established at Hartford, Conn.,, for the
education of large number of Chinese
youths. ga visitor to the city of Hart
ford, " says clergyman in recent ad-
dress, "will be likely to meet on the
streets groups of Chinese boys, in their
native dress, though somewhat modi-
fed, and speaking their native tongue,
yet seeming, withal, to be very much at
home"
On inquiry, the visitor would learn
that these boys belong to large "Mis-
sion," or school, which has been in act
i've existence for the past six years. 1t
is situated in large, handsome building
in oneof the pleasant quarters of the
city, and was erected by the Chinese
government at cost of fifty thousand
dollars.
Of the scholars belonging to the Mis-
sion there are now one hundred and
twelve. The whole expense of their
education, which is no less than one
hundred Thousand dollars year, is paid
by the Chinese government, and each
scholar is being trained through course
of study covering fifteen years, his final
destination being to become an official
of his own Empire.
The system of education at this re-
markable school is two-fold. They
are instructed both in the Chinese Ian
guage, literature, geography, history
and other learning, and in English and
the Western branches of study; in
Western mathematics, history, grammar,
geography, and SO on. They are gov
erned and trained by body comprising
two Commissioners" who have the
chief supervision and control of the
school, translator and interpreter, and
two professors.
The scholars are divided into classes
of twenty each, and only one class resides
and receives instruction at the Mission
at the same time. The rest are usually
attending school in the meanwhile
in neighboring towns and villages, or
receiving instruction in private fami-
The chief Commissioner in charge of
this singular institution, and whose idea
it was to establish it, is very note
worthy man. His name is Yung Wing.
Born in China of humble parents, he re-
ceived some education at the hands of
the wife of an English missionary. Then
he entered an English school at his ma
tive place, and made such rapid progress
in our language and elementary studies,
that he attracted the attention of a
wealthy and benevolent gentleman, who
brought him, at the age of sixteen, with
two other Chinese boys, to the United
States. He attended an academy in
Massachusetts, and in due time entered
Yale College.
In college he showed remarkable tai
ents, and won some prizes for English
composition, and graduated with honor
at the end of the four years course. He
became firm believer in Christianity
and for time thought of entering the
ministry, but finally turned his atten
tion to.other pursuits.
AtIast he hit upon the idea of found
| ing such Mission as that at Hartford
and having persuaded his government te
adopt it, he was properly selected as the
best person to put it into effect. Yuns
Wing is now about fifty years of age
and is net only an accomplished gentle
man, but fine scholar and an earnes
Christian.
The result of the education of so many
young Chinese, and of their return t.
take part in the affairs of the govern
ment cannot but be very important il
its influence on the future of tn
Celestial Empire" tits, perhaps, on
of the first and most effective steps to
wards bringing that ancient people VI
to the standard, and comforting upol
them the blessings of wisdom ant
Christian civilization, and perhaps to
wards converting a heathen people t
the truths of Christianity itself.