What is the Chinese Polytechnic Institution? Where is it, and what is it for These and a dozen other such questions are now being ushed by those who have heard of the arrival of Mr. Cosmo Innes Burton, So. F.C. 8., F.RS.E., ete., and his! charming wife, who are about to take up their residence in this out-of-the-way semi-Chinese building. To answer these questions fully and satisfactorily would require a pamphlet of some size. We only propose to give a rough sketch from the four Reports already issued, of the origin, progress and present condition of this establishment, as to make its new line of departure the understand that the themes more easily understood by the general Viceroy of Chilli in connection with the public; and especially by those. who feel prize essay department of this Shanghai interested in the advancement that China; Polytechnic, on the last occasion, require is undoubtedly making. no inconsiderable knowledge of chemistry The late Sir Walter Medhurst, it will be and electricity, to enable an educated remembered by many Shanghai residents, native to write upon them. 'There has been was the original promoter of the scheme. a considerable demand for translations of At first it was only intended to form a' works on such subjects, for it is hoped that reading room for the natives. Foreigners H.E. Li will criticise each essay in his own id Chinese subscribed funds; but before handwriting, as he did with the last year's the scheme was fairly started it resolved subjects.
Every Chinaman who has the itself into the form of a Polytechnic Iustitu- necessary knowledge wishes naturally to be tion where the arts, sciences and manu- brought'before the notice of that powerful factures of the West could be illustrated statesman. It will be interesting to see the and taught. Tt was hoped that on a small Viceroy's notes on this set of essays, which cole it would resemble the well known is just ready to be forwarded to him from establishment, of a similar name, that used the Polytechnic. This prize essay scheme to exist m Regent Street, London. alone, as we have more than once pointed When brought before the notice of the out in these columns, is calculated to be-higher officials by Mr. Hsu, an enterprising come a powerful lever, properly and judi-member of the Committee, considerable viously used, for the intellectual uplifting sums were contributed by them; so that it became possible to buy a piece of land bordering on the Old Race Course, to erect a large native building which was formally opened in June 1876, and to supply a large and valuable collection of scientific appartus, About vine-tenths of the funds coming from Mr. Hsu's endeavours, the direction and management were greatly left in his hands. ~The result from tnancial point of view was most satis ta tory. The laud and buildings only occup ing a portion of the land, the remainder was leased or built upon' so as to give small but permanent income. Unfortunately Mr, Hsu died before seeing any of the fcvit of his exertions, and his mantle does not seem to have fallen on any of his fellow-countrymen connected with the Institution.
By exercising the st however, the income has accumulated till the funds are now just sufficient to cover the expenses of a foreign Prof sor and to support him while laying the foundation of a high-class technical School. The Committee appear to been most fortunate in their selection of a Professor, who is for the time being the guest of Mr. J. Macgregor, of Meesrs. Jardine, Matheson and Ca. While contending with the difficulties of the language he give free elementary science lectures at the I tution, and commence a small class of English-speaking Inds and young men. The three subjects Mr. Burton is engaged to teach ultimately are mining, metallurgy aad mineralogy. At first he will of course have to conduct classes in elementary physics and especially chemist as a preparation for the advanced studies. Considering the demand for Chinese possessed of skill in mining and metal-surgical operations, there is every reason to hope that with a professor of such antecedents and experience, and testimonials of the highest order, a large and flourishing Institution will geow up that will be a credit to this commercial metropolis of China, and will ere long be almost self-supporting wish Mr. Burton and all the pro—moters of this enterprize that full measure of success that they undoubtedly deserve, The patience with which the Committee has held together, year after year, content with small results while slowly accumulate ing funds, is worthy of commendation, The present Committee is a very strong one, consisting of the following names, which in themselves are a suflicieut guarantee that the Institution will be well looked after Messrs. WY. V. Drummond (Chairman), John Fryer (Hon. Secretary), Tong-mow-chee (Treasurer), N. McLeod, M.D., J. Edkins. D.D., P. G. von Méllendorff, R. E. Bredon, G. Brown, W. Bullard, Wang-chun-foo, Wang-tsz-ching, Hwa-jen-ting, Ho-tan-shu, Hsu-chun-san, Chang-liwan-lun, Hsu-pao-chu, As an instance of the desire on the part of the more enlightened of the higher officials to promote Western sciences, we of China,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.