Etaur years ago Sir Rutherford Alcock wrote from Pekingto Mr. Medhurst that of the desire for progress which the Chinese Mission then in Europe declared was ea ardent and general with the rulera of Obit there was no evidence here. If any hopes are built upon its existence, therefore, I fear there is nothing but disappointment in store for those who indulge in them. Projectors of telegraph lines, railroads and other plans for the sudden developement of the resources of this country yare but losing their time, while the Government here shows no disposition to entertain their projects. I think it is in the interest of all who are so occupied that they should know the truth, than be deluded by false hopes and expectations of changes which are still far in the distance;"—and the eight years that have intervened have wrought little change in the situation. Unless we count the recent introduc. tion of scientific mining in Formosa, we cannot recal an instance of genuine progress for progress' sake, Great sums have been wasted upon arsenals and ships, but only from a mistaken ides of reaching an equality with foreigners in warlike strength merchant steamers have been bought, bat again chiefly with a view to oppose foreigners; and of a willingness to introduce railways and telegraphy there is scarcely more sign now than at the time Sir Rutherford penned the wholesome homo truths we quoted at the outset. A short line of telegraph was erected from Foochow to Pagoda Anchorage, under pressure of impending war with Japan; and the existence of the Woosung railway fora year was tolerated under pressure of a throatening war with England; but no step forward las been taken from a sheer impulseof intelligent appreciation. There are men here and there, like Hung-chang, who are beginning to have some conception of the value of ships, machinery, and other scientific appliances; but the gleam of intelli. gence is stifled, even there, by the jealous dislike of foreigners which enters in wherever the finger of a foreigner can be discovered. China is, in fact, as backward now as when foreigners first began to have intercourse with the people; and is falling more and more behind other nations as these are gradually appro-printing the inventions which Chinese officials are too vain, or too conservative, or too timid, or too stupid to adopt.
There has been a great deal said lately about the Woosung railway, and the prospect of its extension. Rumour has even declared that the removal of the existing plant to Formosa was decided on, and that more substantial material had been ordered to replace it, and to extend the line Soochow-wards. We cannot learn that there is is any truth in the report. That thers was some talk of banishing the line to Formosa, we believe; but even that design is said to have fallen into disfavor; Ting Futai having returned from his recent visit to the island with a less favourable idea of the project. And the real question just now, at Nanking, is said to be whether the line shall not be rooted up altogether, at the close of the year.—After all, the Viceroy may be right! He came here with a reputation which is found to have been very much overrated; but he may still have a fairly correct idea of his own and his couutrymen's abilities. He may know that the Chinese are not capable of managing railways, and that if they attempted to do so they would have a smash and bring discredit on an institution which is now in perfect order. They like the little railway to Woosung immensely, and come scores of miles to have aridein the "fire-dragon carriages;"" but it is managed by foreigners at present, and is safe; and of course foreigners cannot be allowed to continue managing it, because—well, because they are foreigners. They may be tolerated on board the C.M.S.N. steamers, because those steamers are supposed to be occupied in doing harm to other foreigners; and what more clever than to use diamond to cut diamond? but unhappily there is no second railway to be ruined; and as, of course, foreigners cannot be allowed to work it, and if Shen Pao-chen is persuaded that the Chinese cannot—what remains but to tear it up? Railways have been constructed and are working successfully in Japan, Egypt, Tarkey and other backward countries, but China thinks they won't suit her; and perhaps she is right. Chinamen sre the best judges of their own capabilities; and so long as half the land is occupied by graves, in a manner totally incomprehensible to civilised nations, there is of course the impossibility of avoiding these. It is far better to let the ground lie waste for the benefit of the ancestral bones, than it is to occupy it with ronds designed only for the convenience of the living. The Viceroy may be quite right in thinking China should be content with a back seat among nations, and not trying to do what is beyond her,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.