New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-09
CHINESE LIFE AND CHARACTER

CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS by Mthnr ~
smith Illustrated; svo. PIP 3i2. Fleming H.
Reven Company.
To produce true impression of the character Of
a reople bv an analysis Of separate qualities undo.
such heads as Industry" "Politeness.' "'onserV-
atisn "Benevoence." Is difficult and the attempt Is
not likely TO have entirely satisfactory results Inc
author of Chinese Characteristics recognizes itS,
and has done his best to overcome the difficulties
inherent in his method He considers 1t. however,
the bes, way to reach a Just view Of the Chinese
The Celestials are people far removed In habits
Of thought from AngiO-SaNons that they axe apt
TO be misunderstood and made subjects OF either
indiscriminate condemnation or praise. To form
any right conclusion they must be studied minutely
and the real Of their emotions discovered IN
tne incidents which the foreigner finds IL difficult
10 comprehend. Mr. Smith. who for twenty
two years missionary Of the American Board.
and had opportunities 10 know the inner life OF the
people performs his task with painstakinG care.
He does give-nor does he pretend TO give
any new revelations concerning China. but simply
puts down the results Of his and others eN-
pcrience He writes with the evident intent TO
be Just but also with evident lack Of sympathy
with Oriental ideas. 1t is often charged That the
attitude of Europeans in China IS Of contempt,
and assumption that because the native ways
are strange they to be trampled on. Mr. Smith
is not open to that charge; but when he com
plains OF the Chinese habit Of misunderstanding
foreigners and Of an intellectual iurbidy which
leads them to use language which seems indefinite
the stranger. but is perfectly comprehensive to
the speakers countrymcn. he suggests the thought
that the intellectual turbidity and talent for mis-
understanding not all side. IT would
probably be quite difficult to get American
workman to build an oven or house In the Chi
style he found 1t 10 get work done Peking
in his way
The Chinese extremely Industrious. says Mr.
Smith. and ought to be most prosperous but
and sin corifV
poteness Is ceremonial and does not come from
the heart. The IL Of their bencvOlence
They live in extreme discomfort. judged only by
foreign standards but by their ideals: but their
conservatism keeps them In the old ways In suffering
they cheerful and in spite OF unhealthful living
have a wonderful vitality. Their OF mutual
responsibility is at once a cause OF their lack Of
sympathy ard their respect for Law. TO interest
ones self IN anoher's business. of charity
possibility for his acts: and the other hand. the
responsibility OF others is often check upon Il
would-be aw-bTeaker who does not wish his family
to suffer. There Is almost public spirit in China
and mutual suspicion invades families. The
apparent unity of families is by no means one Of
feeling.
Ia order to reform China the author believes the
springs of character must be reached and purified.
Conscience Is imprisoned In forms. There IL no
internal power which can break through the no
t0nal conservatism Diplomatic Intercourse with
Europe Will not help the people. Neither Will com
merce. the Introduction OF machinery. What Is
needed is a force from outside which free
China from the bondage dead ancestors and
equally dead customs. Forms which have no mean
Ing for those who practise them lead TO hypocrisy
and the vauing OF correctness above Righteousness.
Mr. Smith says China must have IA knowledge OF
God and conception of man" She needs only
one thing. and that Is Christian civilization