The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-10-20

+ OF America are prone to
\N look with contempt upon
Y the Chinese, both as ma
tion and individually, and
we do not, as rule, credit them with
any particular brightness. Strictly
speaking, the Chinese are not an edu-
Gated people: that is, there is not as
much attention given to the education
of the masses of the people as in Ameri-
ca nor is the school system as exten-
sive. The per cent of illiteracy is very
low, however, and the Chink who has
not knowledge of the three historical
RS is indeed hard to find. We accept
as criterion the hordes of coolies
poured into this country during the
early days of Western upbuilding and
choose to ignore the fact that the bet
ter class of Chinese are highly educat-
ed, equal, Intellectually to the people
of our Western civilization. Those
who doubt this should study carefully
the history of the fight made by the
Six Companies against Chinese exclu
sion, and learn how Chinese diplomats
resisted and foiled the efforts of the
entire West for nearly fifteen years.
The early education of the Chinese
child is received in private schools, the
government giving no assistance to
primary education. Private schools
are numerous, however, and the little
Chinks acquire a knowledge of their
written language, (no small task in it.
self with it's many characters) and the
first principles of arithmetic. For the
lower classes this is deemed sufficient,
but for the better class of Chinese it is
only the beginning.
The higher education is separated
into three divisions, corresponding
somewhat to our grammar schools,
high schools and universities. The
two first named are supported by the
provinces in which they are situated,
but the universities are kept and con-
trolled by the central government it.
self.
Much attention is given to the study
of the philosophers, Chinese proverb
, teaching that, "Man gains wisdom on
ly by studying the wisdom of Others
Law, astronomy, medicine and di.
plomacy, together with higher mathe'
matics and chemistry help to make uI
the Chinaman's studies during his uni
versity course. All pupils in the
school supported by the government
are chosen through competitive exam
nations, for merit only; and after en-
tering the university they have all thei
expenses paid for them.
The Chinese ideas of innoculatins
L the budding mind with knowledg'
T. would seem strange to Western trained
u eyes and ears, for the unfortunate lit
tie Chinks do all their studying stand
i ing up as it is not considered goot
form for the youngsters to remain
;. seated in the presence of ''wise man.
~ In China all teachers are wise! Again
% the studying is done entirely aloud ant
70 the babel of voices continues, evel
u during recitations, something tina
- would drive our American teachers t
4 distractions; but the Chinese peda
gogues evidently like it, for the luck
less lad who ceases to make his shar
OF noise is .'persuaded" with the aid o
= the teachers busy rule.
Probably the most important Chimes
l. university is that at Pekin, known a
the Imperial Pekin University, tn
~ each Chinese city of any size boasts
college supported by the emperor. Th
I'd Imperial University of Tien Sien RI
IT Gently sent party of twenty studen,
q. to Harvard in this country, they hay
OF ing secured scholarships. This inc
dent, perhaps, illustrates the extent {
Is, the Chinese system of education bette
TX than mere description, as most {
l us approximately understand whs
he degree of perfection is necessary to s
cure admission to our big Easter
". school.
And let me here relate little inc
dent that took place in Washington,
c., not so very long ago. AS is We
known, the Chinese do not take kind
er to pencil and paper for solving pro
lens In arithmetic, preferring instel