New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-29
Describing CHINA And ITS PEOPLE,.
PRESIDENT ANGEL, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN, BEFORE THE DRAINING

ROOM CLUB
The members OF the Drawing Room Club were
fortunate enough listen 10 unusually interesting
lecture upon "Chna and the Chinese at their pleas
ant rooms, No. sol Fifh-ave., last evening. 1t was
delivered by President Angel, Of the unlversi OF
Michigan, who represented the United States as MIN
lister for several years in China and enjoyed eNcep-
iOnal opportunities To learn about the people ana the
country.
The Chinese, President Angel said, among other
things, were people worthy Of serious study. Their
country covered an area OF more than twice that OF
the United States 1t contained great mountains
capped by eternal SHOWS, rivers comparable 10 tle
Amazon and Mississippi plains rs rich as those OF
Illinois, and mines OF gold and silver 1t contained
quarter Of the population OF the globe. Despite tho
numerous dialects, the people were As homogeneous
as those of the United States. Their literature
celebrated for its morally It's volume. The
cOuntry's civilization was the Oldest In the world
save that OF Egypt IL the one nation whose
high officers all scholars.
1t was difhcu or the foreigner 10 Judge Of
many things in China, said the speaker. rs he was
seldom allowed 10 get any Insight into the home It'
OF its people The Chinese were also naturally elusive
Of examination. Among the chief chara cterstics
Of the pcopl, President Augc named their IN
dustry. They accomplished much, although they
never In a hurry. They always acted a, II they
had pl nty OF time in the past and expected plenty
time in the future. Foreigners were always struck
the speaker added, with the absCnc, Of what they
deemed necessary elements Of social lie one gr at
cause OF tho difference the scclusion Of the
women. The Chinese also suffered from the lack
Of means Of communication. such rs newspapers,
telegraph wires and railroads. which aided the
formation Of public opinion. The Constitution Of
the Empire also made political activity unnecessary.
The Chinese laid great stress upon pollteness. III
was taught indeed almost a. part Of the religion
Fial respect and obedience were also apparent In
every family. Tho people were temperate. During
President Angeles entire mission he Ind only seen
They were wonderfully fond Of flowers and pets, and
IL WIS not uncommon for wOrlingmcn To- carry little
pet bird, about with them that they might sin, to them
while at work.
President Angel in tlr Chinese system Of cduca
ton one OF the causes Of their stagnaon. Their cdu
cation consisted chiefly in the study II the sacred
books. These they committed TO memory almost.
Every three years the great National examinations
were held at the capital, and those who passed were
eligible 10 appointment To- the highest offices In the
country. IL was difficult. however. to pass these
examinations, and ont Of 1900 who tried II when
DR.. ANGEL was I'm pckln only 100 were successful.
Tho Consul General ~ China IN York, Shcn
tn" club. He Thanked resident Arg gel for his praise
~ his nation and said that he had been iattercd and
cTatlHcd by the speakers remarks. lie expressed
di~~ats with the position of the Chinese IN
his country. but said that the people OF his nation
looked 70 the women Of America for Justice.