But possibly the most interesting paragraph is the following:—'"These few insignia ficant nations that lie on the outskirts of the illustrious land are thorny and Wild and all barbarous. Before the European countries existed Chinn was sage-educated. The teachings of Confucius at last reached unto their barbarity and reaching reformed them. England alone forgets from what she sprang. Even now it is only a small island on the borders of Europe. Yet an Englishman ventures to come and instruct ws! Why; we have been her teachers. At present the learning of Europe, naming Astronomy, Geography, Science, Arithmetic, Chemistry, Electricity, Light,' Mechanics, is in the opinion of the enlightened of China a mere toy for children. The recently erected telegraphs, railways and ships have conveyed to Europe the doctrine of our sages. For have not European scholars come-to China and translated into the languages of the West the whole of our classics for their instruction and so have been fulfilled the words wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever frosts and dews fall, all living beings unfeignedly honour and love Confucius.' Truly if England does not speedily repent China will rise in wrath and at one angry breath England will cease to be."
Then concludes an exhortation to the scholars to have nothing whatever to do with either me or my subjects for competition essays. Rather they ought to put away the depraved and follow orthodox doctrine, the unmistakable hint being (as was confirmed by a secret meeting of the scholars last night) to get rid of me. Then the signature—Master of the Club of Orthodoxy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.