int We have repeatedly expressed our regret that foreign residents who have leisure and information do not contribute more freely than they do to enlighten the public on those various topics of interest connec ted with China about which so much ignor rance prevails. We are reminded by almost every article in English periodicals and newspapers that we take up, of the confused and misleading notions which obtain at Home, and we are obliged to acknowledge that, though bound to us by treaties and trade, China is still appropriately named Far Cathay."
No one knows the Middle Kingdom better than our present Consul, His father was one of the small band of really profound sinologues, and he has himself resided 20 long in the country, that he speaks with emphatic and peculiar authority on all questions connected with the language, literature and customs of this populous and mysterious land. Tt is therefore with feelings of great satisfaction that we welcome the little book named at the head of this article, only wishing that it were longer. Mr. Medhurst has studied the art of packing up his facts and conclusions in the smallest compass, and has not wasted award. In less than 200 pages of easy print, he has thrown fresh and interesting light on the position of foreigners in China, the Missionary question, Opium smoking, the character and habits of foreign residents, and many of the social institutions of the Chinese. Two subjects are prominently brought *forward in the work, and two classes of renders are addressed. The author is primarily anxious to' inform the English public, and thus much of his information is a twice-told tale tothe resident in the East, but the latter portion of the book contains facts that are new to most of us; and, ns weneed not tell those who listened to Mr.
Medhurst's capital Lecture on " Street Literature "—these facts are presented in a thoroughly graphic and readable style. We proceed to give a few extracts, begining with a vindication of ourselves from the wholesale accusations of violence and lawlessness that were once so fashionable, and are still occasionally heard, "As regards the mercantile residents in China generally, it is almost an impertin. ence to advocate their innocence of some of the characteristics which have been ascribed to them. Commercial integrity perhaps as much the rule with them, a5 with communities of the same class and Tike importance in this country. As for any tendency to be agureasive against the Chinese, it dues not need much considera. tion to be convinced of the fact that estate of war cannot possibly promote the pecuniary interests of any honest well established commercial firm, whilst there is little opportunity for the development of individual aggressiveness, inasmuch as British Supreme Court has been established at Shanghai, with branch provincial Courts at the ports, and the Chinese are only too ready to use"all the niceties of English law in the defence of their rights."
British Merchants have ranson to thank our Consul for this honest avowal, Here is a good suggestion on another topic, which comes in very opportunely just now, We have often hinted that, if the present disorganized condition of the Labour Market continues, the coolie may probably be the coming man, Mr, Medhurst has some apposite remarks to the same effect, at the close ut his chapter on the "Character of the Chinese "This remarkable aptitude shown by the Chinese for skilled s well as physical labour, is worthy the serious attention of both employers and workmen, in these da} of strikes in every department of Bri skill and industry. If the Chinaman thus compete with our artisans and working men in his native country, notwithstanding the many disadvantages which must attend the exercise there of his intel" ligence and strength, what will he not be able to accomplish when encouraged and taught to riyal a foreign antagonist on his own ground, and at a more moderato rate of remuneration than the latter can afford to demand? Should matters go on as they are now doing in England, the Jabouring and manufacturing classes must not wonder if they find themselves, ere very long, displaced and distanced by the hitherto despised, but none the less practical, useful, and labour-loving Chinaman."
On the often talked of Missionary Question, the little volume before us contains some shrewd hints, embodying in an unpretending way the results of long and instructed experience, There is no disposition to take aside, or to re-produce the utterances of the religious or irre: ligious party. Mr, Medhurst is not isposed to sneer at Protestant Missionary efforts, neither is he inclined to favour that fanatical and inconsiderate disregard of prudence, which has shipwrecked so many efforts of the evangelizera of Eastern people. He does ample justice to the introducers of the Gospel, and he is at the same time loyal to the inalienable rights of common sense, s0 that he never rushes into indiscriminate advocacy of everything bad, good, and indifferent, that is done in the sacred name of Religion. It seems to us that the voice of truth and soberness is specially audiblein the following remarks:
Another mistake which the Protestat
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.