Much hias been said and written at home in memory of our lamented friend, Dr. Legye, and all concur in expression of high regurd for his lifo and character. Wo are, of course, expecting a comprehensive review from Hongkong of what ho was, and what he did there for so many years, as o Christian Minister, as a Missionary, and as a Chinese scholar. Our notice on the Find, and confined to his labours. in the resent occasion is necessarily of a limited
latter point of view. In this respect he i the property of all, and may well be referred to by us, though at a distance from his sphere of labour.
On looking at the Inrge sories of works which he published from time to time, we amazed at their amount, variety, and, we may truly say, their high standard of excellence. They' are all bearing on China, its language and literature, and in those departments which specially related to, and most faithfully described, the history of the country in ancient times, its learning and philosophy in those days, and the practical lessons to be gathered from the whole, with a view to ascertain the actual condition of China in its most important aspects, as founded chiefly on its classic Titerature, which has exerted an unbounded xnd uniform influence all the ages through in making China what it is.
Dr. Legge has nobly sustained his Missionsty name and character in devoting himself as. he has done to this line of labour. He rightly disclaims all selfish considerations in the matter. His one overpowering motive has been to unfold tothe world the real status and position of China in an intellectual xnd_moral poi of view, and the elements of which it is composed, with the means by which it has been mainly brought about. In doing so he has had especially in mind his Missionary brethren, whom he was anxious to assist in their study of the Chinese Classies, so that they might form a correct estimate of their character and meaning, and be thus better qualified for carrying on the work in which they are engaged. On the necessity and utility of this, there can he but one opinion, and no man was better fitted for this great and arduous undertaking than he whom we are now called to memories. He seems to have been impelled to do it, and circumstances favoured the object in a high degree, that even long before his life came to a close, he was able to say—the work is done.
Tis an impressive sight which one is led to take of the long series of Chinese lassies, which in a translated form, he has left as a legacy to the world and to his Missionary "brethren. The manner in which the work has bee: done is in every respect highly to his credit as a distinguished Chinese scholar. He has not done itin a careless, hasty, or perfunctory way. He has shown the utmost fidelity la the matter of literal translation of the text throughout these numerous volumes, forming, in short, the whole of the Chinese bibliography which he set himself to accomplish, and not only so, he has added notes and prolegomena on the far-reaching topics suggested by the various books, and requiring a minute and extended acquaintance wita Chinese literature. He has done all this in a most faithful spirit. While not hesitating to express his own opinions on a number of points bearing on the authenticity and genuineness of the works, and the meaning of different passages, he has referred to the orthodox authorities on the subject, and given them all due respect, even when led to controvert their views and maintain his own. As to-the style of the translations, there las been no attempt on his part to adopt a form which might be more in accordance with the present mode of philosophic Innguage. He has been remonstrated with on this ground, but he has wisely abstained from it, and Kept himself to xs close and literal x style of rendering as possible. In this way he has kept to the exact sense of the original, and all readers are thereby indebted to him for having a clear and definite and faithful idea of the text placed before them. from which they may form their conceptions of the Chinese mind on the subject in hand. And here we do not hesitate to say that the careful study of these volumes in the translations furnished by Dr. Legge, will often awaken the surprise and admiration of the student, at the profound thought, the beautiful sentiment, and the moral, social, and politied insight presented by the text, aptly expressed by the translator, and readily accounting for the high appreciation of these tenchings of their ancient sages, and the standard of learning and civilisati characterising the empire at larg:
We can only add in_ memo esteemed and honoured friend that these works which he has left behind, and which have long been in the hands of students at home and abroad, place him foremost in the vantage ground of Chinese scholars. He was facile princens in his own department, and in his lifetime he has won the Crown of Honour to which he was entitled, and he will long be remembered and thanked by many fo whom his works will be a treasure in the prosecution of their Chinese studies and the Missionary labours in.-which they are engaged.
Wat. Mormueap.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.