The principle of ce-operation is one which enters largely into the life of the nations of the West, and although within the present century it has produced wonderful fruit, it is probable that other and even more important of it results are to be witnessed in the not distant future.
here is reason to suppose that the Chinese were prectiettly familiar with the principle of ce-operation, at time when the comniunities which ultimately developed into what are now the great ions of the West, were still in u pri-initive state. The Chinese discovered for themselves this principle as they discovered gunpowder, the art of printing, and the compass, In the application of all the latter discoveries, they have been greatly surpassed by the meu of the West) but in hina ce-operation, ssu far as it yows, pos sesses a quality of efficiency which is not equalled by anything to be found in Occidental lands. In what it is able to accomplish, as well as in what it fails tu accomplish, Chinese ce-operation is an interesting study, likely to repay the attention' which way be bestowed upon it, by those who are interested in the China people. Hitherto this subject appears to have attracted the attention of foreigners in Ohina, mainly in its commercial aspect An interesting paper on ' Chinese Gull or Chambers of Commerce, and Trades Unions" by Dr. D. J. Macgowsn, was printed in the Journal of the China Branch of Royal Asiatic Society (Vol. XXI., No. 83,1886), in a foot-note appended to which, may be found references to many reports, and articles more or less relevant to this branch of our topic, by commissioners of Customs, consuls, sinologists, and publicists, An elaborate essay on the commercial law of the Chinese was published several years since in the China Mail, and reprinted during the past year.
Fally to comprehend the workings of ce. operation in China, is to understand fully the Chinese and all their ways, a task tu which not only no one foreigner, but no combination of foreigners is as yet equal, Without attempting anything so rash as a comprehensive account of Chinese co-opera ion, it is sufficient to offer afew notes upon this~broad topic. The-reader will beat in mind, that as was long ago remark. ed ly Me: 'T. Meadows, "note" upon subject is by no means-a full account of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.