National Republican., 1880-11-17
A Mandarln's Opinion OF English CiYliza-

A Mnndarin's Opinion OF English CiYlliza-
tion.
In 1876 the Chinese government sent 20 Eng.
land au embassy in order that the details Of
the treaty lhen lately m 1do might be better
understood aud tho home authorities more
fully Informed of the requirements and ex.
pectutiou5 OF the English govommcnt in tho
execution Of the treaty obligations. Asso.
ciated with tho chief minister was mandarin
named Lin Ta.Jen. While in England this
gentleman kept diary, which has been pub
lisGcd. Among other matters ne discusses
aud sets down his observations upon different
things, especially railways and mines, capital
and labor; few troops do great works, both
in exploration, protection aud conquest; suits
Of mail. lAbor.savug machinery. London doc
tors and midwyes, Joint stock companies.
OF the lastnamed he says that whilo in
China, TO do great work, Tie state must take
charge and pay out, which Is a bar to public
aud private enterprises requiring great
| capital; tho foreigners do great works by
| eaCh man putting IN q little money, aud when
a thousand club together the sum is large aud
| two or three mon do tbs work. In China
| fraud and deceit are TOO common the people
! viii not trust each other This Is q pity"
! lie says OF railway extension In the cast:
| "lhc passengers on the steamer from Tieutsin
all discussed the opening Of railways aud
mines in China and the consequent material
| development aud advancement Of Tho people
| Bur / found that the aim was not laid bare by
simply looking to tho well being OF the
| Chinese. After arriving at Shanghai / saw
| plan by a foreigner of projected railway
! from peiiin 10 the farther points Of India.
! then understood that this question Of railway
WIS ono not merely 10 acquire trade, but
| meant inevitable conquest. II our rules be
not resslute in resistance our people seeking
o.. 4 H.If nj -
play into tho hands Of these foreigners. The
barbarilus do not comprehend that our rule
| ismOral, not material, aud our civilization is
| the same
Of Englauds colonial extension he says;
! TO &c. possession Of statlOn6 for trade all
over the world and thus extend its commerce
is that nations ambition. Finding herself
unable TO properly garrison every point she
uses the Telegraph aud the railway, Thus
rapid communication saves great military
embellishments Blt Russia is pushing her at
several points. Soon England will not DO able
~ take care Of 10 many stations, but will be
IN the position Of the crcuclling wolf who IL
he moves forward, win tread on his deWlaD,
II back, on his tail"
Tic sploudor OF London, its crowds, public
buildings aud police charmed tho al
moud-eyed envoy greatly He was as
lOushGd TO hud that the great city had
no wall about II. The London Tines seemed
DO him 10 be managed wrong because it saved
80 much labor by machinery "Such Is the
struggle fJr existence that to an Eugli5hmlu
no inquiry is TOO insigliGCout too laboHous,
) no Journey too long or arluous; wife aud chill
drcu are loft for mOulH8 iu order that he mag
win money o. great fame" La discussing the
difference between European aud Chinese
civilization he concludes as follows: "Er0m
the time when the heavens vera spread out
and the oaith came into existence China
can boast OF q continuous limo Of groat
men; 80 that each mans wants hay,
boen better supplied each day than the one
before it, and our language immoasuraby OK
coils those Of Europe in strength and aexi.
q Dillty. Property Is wealth 10 the Foreigner
, moderation in bis desires TO tho Chinese; ma
| leria power 10 might TO the foreigner TO live