Cuma and India have been very frequently compared, with results differing very much according to the point of view of the writer. Much depends on his experience of the people and the country. A mau, for instance, who had been accustomed to Bengal would draw a comparison more favourable to the natives of Chekeang; whereas one who had lived in the Panjab would look down on the peasant try of Kiangsu. It is difficult to draw an exhaustive comparison where so many different races are concerned. Decidedly the Chinese, as a people, have the palm for plodding quiet perseverance, and plain matter-of-fact intelligence; but there is 2 manliness, fire, and pride about the better races of Hindostan which are searched for in vain among the Chinese, and which attract far more than any qualities observable in the latter. Espevially is this the case in the rulers. China has not been without warlike sovereigns; but they have generally been Tartar con querorsor their immediate descendants; and these conquests have always happened at a time when the native Ruler and people were so sunk in effeminacy, that there was little glory to be had in battle with them. While it was only a question of time for the new dynasty to sink into the condition of its predecessor; to fall again, in turn, before the first man of energy and ambition who dared to shake the throne. The decay of the Sung dynasty before the assaults of Kublai Khan, the fall of the Mongol conqueror's descendants before the rebellion of Hung-wu, and the collapse of the Mings before the attack of the Manchus, are all cases in point, It was only by Foreign aid that a similar fate was averted from the Manchus, after the rising of the Taepings; and very many will be found to question the wisdom of upholding a dynasty which is clearly ripe for its fall. Taokwang was the last Emperor who deserved the name, and retained any of the manhood of his race. His son Hienfung was an effeminate debauchee, and Tung.che showed every inclination to sustain the character of his father. What the baby who is now supposed to reign, under the style of Kwangsii, will turn out, it is impossible to foretell; but it is in the last degree unlikely that any good can come of harem education, or any manliness or vigor be looked for ina lad whom it will be everybody's interest to keep in tutelage. Practically, for the last fifteen years, China has been governed by a woman, and barring unforeseen circumstances, that is likely to be her fate for fifteen years more. Neither do we look upon it as altogether unfortunate that this should be so. Assuming the maintenance of the present dynasty, it is botter that the chief power should be in the hands of an energetic woman, than in those of a puppet. It is not the first time in Chinese history that a woman has succeeded in grasping power. A notable instance was during the Tang dynasty and though the Empress Wu-haa has left a bad reputation for pride and cruelty, she understood how to maintain the authority of the crown, repelforeigninvasion, and quell domestic sedition, far better than could have been done by the indolent Emperor Kautsung, whom she so completely effaced, and practically succeeded on the throne.
Contrast with the recent condition. of the Imperial Court, the following picture drawn by Mr. Rousselet of the Maharajah Scindiah, as he saw him ten years ago in his own capital "Mounted on a magnificent stallion "of Iman, he went through all the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.