Les Chinois Che: Bux. By E. Burd, Chairman of the French Municipal Cou Shanghai, with 12 full-page illustrations, In paper, 18mo., 357pp. Paris: Armand Colin & Ca. 1899. (4 franes.)
This book is not only interesting but valuable, M. Bard has evidently taken immense pains to make himself nequainted with his subject, and has been unusually successful in selecting the must. prominent chnructeristies of the peuple and their government. Jo writes in an easy style with an impartiality and yood sense which make him very pleasant reading. The book is decidedly wu important addition to French literature dealing with China and will no doubt meet in France with the reception it deserves. We do not propose to criticise any of M. Bard's statements regarding customs and so forth, beexu: vary so much what is true of one place may be untrue of another. Individual experiences, too, are apt to be regarded as universal truths, The points on which we differ from Mf.
are so few and so unimportant that we prefer to leave them on one side, and to call attention to the important chapter on Lo Péril Jaune. apter discusses the possible competition of China and Japan with the manufactures of the West, and the author, who is entitled to be heard with attention, shows that there need: be no "fear on this score. He shows how, in both' countries, lack of capital, indifferent and careless labour, mismanage: ment coupled with nepotism and want of strict integrity, make it impossible th large concern can be run produce goods of high quality marks also on the increased taxation which would be involved by western methods of government are well worthy of attention. He is probably correct in stating that the people would have to pay more, even taking into account, the present irregular exactions of the officials It is true that government in Chi run "on the but we think he loses sight of the tan honest and intelligent ad would so develop the resources the lo that increased prosperity would somewhat heavier taxation an supported burden. The range of subjects treated is wide, and they are all well done; M. Bard has written a most interesting and satisfactory book, and one which does him wreat ered he illustrations are w chosen add to the value of the volume.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.