7 1887.
This experimental philanthropic undertaking has new been in active operation for three years. A report having been requested from various quarters the following sketch of its origin and progress has now been drawn up. It is hoped that the information will prove interesting to all who have the welfare of the Chinese at heart, useful to those who may wish to ce-operate in this scheme, as well as encouraging to others who may prefer to commence similar work under a different organisation.
The Chinese Scientific Book Depot was established for the purpose of facilitating the spread of all useful literature in the native language throughout China, and especially of books, maps, and other publications of a scientific or technical character, The number of such works, issued by the Chinese Government at Peking, Shanghai and other places, as well as by missionaries and philanthropic societies had already become somewhat considerable, while no reularly ongunised system for their sale and distribution had been established. The demand for such books was evidently fast increasing and the need fora Central Depot with branches at the more important cities naturally suggested itself.
fay in which this need could be best supplied was at first dificult to think out. It was noticed, however, that what the Chinese really value they are prepared to pay for at its full cost. The better classes, at least, are too proud to receive eleemosynary aid even in obtaining books that would impart useful knowledge, Sel support was therefore the motto which was placed first and foremost in the organi tion of this Depdt. No subscription list was circulated; no appeals were made to the many wealthy' Chinese or Foreigners who would gladly have come forward with their aid in money. No Foreign Conmittee of management or conventional staff of officers was appointed. There was no flourish of trumpets, or parade of a long list of the names of patrons. On the contrary it was resolved not to obtrude the foreign element at all, but to keep it in the background, To overcome Chinese prejudices, all sound and instructive works of native origin were placed side by side in the same catalogue with those published through the inst mentality of foreigners, A small but suitable building was hired and fitted up for the purpose, Chinese fashion, next door to the Slanpuv office in the Hankow Road, and overlooking the Cathedral Compound, This Depot was formally opened under a native manager with a small staff of assistants after the Chinese New Year in 1886, It was supplied with a small stock of books to begin with. No attempts were made to attract attention beyond an adver-isoment in the local native papers and the issue of a catalogue. The arrangements were all of the plainest and simplest kind so as to allow of abundant and permanent growth and expansion as opportunity afforded. It was confidently expected that the small trade discount allowed by publishers would be sufficient to cover all expense:
'The result has answered the most san-guide expectations. 'The working expenses, amounting to over forty dollars per month were fully covered during the first year by the profits on the sale of over four thousand five hundred dollars' worth of Books, charts ete, This was a large sum considering how cheaply Chinese books are sold, many of them costing only five to ten cents per volume. A stock collected from all available sources, foreign and native, to accumulate and the book shelves hi to be enlarged for its accommodation, During the second year it was felt that a branch depot might safely be ventured upon at Tientsin, A suitable building was lent for the purpose by the London Missionary Society upon condition that reli-fe'stands on sue of the most important ious works might be sold as well as others.
thoroughfares leading to the city and was found after a fair start to be able to pay its own working expenses. The Rev. 4 has exercised a friendly oversight of the Chinese staff in charge. A second branch dopét was established at Hangchow under the fostering care of Dr. Main, of the Church Missionary Society's Hospital, while
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.