Iw England it has long been the commendable custom among the well-to-do to finish a young] man's academic education by sending him on a foreign tour for a considerable period order to acquire knowledge and experience which will equip him better-for whatever public duties he may be called upon to perform. Now that all classes take part in the government of the country it would be a good plan, though somewhat expensive, to send all members of Parliament on a tour round the world. It would conduce to wiser home legislation, and a better comprehension of the problems of the Empire would be gained, for} what do they know of the Empire who only England know? -So in' the United States. Senators and Congressmen who have never travelled can hardly take an intelligent and sympathetic interest in the overwhelming! political and social problems disturbing other parts of the world. Indeed it may be doubted whether the International League of N: tions will accomplish the work that lies before it unless the nations come to know each other better with a friendly know. ledge that dissipates all misunderstanding and ill-will.
It is an encouraging sign of the times that Chinese politicians and Generals are beginning to see the value of this experience. A few weeks ago, General Hsu, "little Hsu" as he is affectionately' called by his friends, meeting with rather a chilly reception in Shanghai, announced that would spend some time abroad with the avowed hope of thereby! being able to render some service to his country. General Feng Vu-hsiang, whose notions of pol-tical and military fidelity hardly seem to-accord with ordinary, moral standards, has expressed a desire to visit America and Europe. If she. does go his country will miss him, for he an arresting figure. But having risen from the ranks in every sense of the word, it will do him good to get away for a time from the murky, mephitic atmosphere of political intrigue in Peking, which even Chang Tso-lin finds! uncomfortable, and the criminating praise of missionaries. However, General Feng seems to be an exception to the rule} that the children of this world look further ahead -in dealing with their own generation than the children of light. It is reported also that another tinguished politician and patriot, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, will_soon depart a political mission with the object of persuading the Powers: to revise the treaties which he thinks are so horribly oppressive to his countrymen. Dr. Sun i now an experienced traveller, the times have changed, and he is not so likely to lose his head in emergencies as when he travelled many years ago. It does us all good to revisit occasionally the scenes of our youth, and it is to be hoped that when' Dr. Sun is in England the mem-_ ones of the: great kindness he received there, and of his deliverance from the tender mercies: of his own countrymen, will do much to allay the bitterness with which he now assails a friendly' nation. There are other Chinese politicians, indeed we may say the! whole Chinese-parliament, who would bg. improved by foreign' travel and whose departure would not cause deep and lasting grief. We hope their friends will persuade them to make the vent and not urge any limit to their absence What should distinguished Chinese travellers make a good point of seeing when abroad?
Bacon tells. us that "the things to be seen and observed are the courts of princes, especially when. they give audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice while they sit and hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesiatic: the churches and monasteries, with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and fortifications of cities and towns; and so the havens and harbours, antiquities and ruins, libraries, colleges, disputations and lectures when any are; shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure near great cities; aymouries, arsenals, magaines, exchanges, bourses, warehouses, exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like; comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons treasuries of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities and, to conclude, whatsoever is mem: orable in the places where they As this list may be deemed too comprehensive, a judicious} selection should be made.
We recommend that when they visit England, they should visit the Court and note the affection and loyalty of the people to the: Royal family; careful study should be made of the parliament. which really represents the country and succeeds in passing beneficent laws every year; the courts of justice where no distinction is made between high and low, rich and but where impartial justice meted out to all and "squeezing" is unheard of; Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral with their monuments and other memorials to. preserve for all generations the names and exploits of famous' men, true patriots who gave unselfish and ungrudging service to their country; the magi hospitals arid dispensaries. ssu ported by voluntary contribution the public health service; the whole system of education; public libraries; the railway and steamip services; the ramification of good roads all over the country; the work of municipal councils, of which, however, a good example can bevseen in Shanghai. In brief, our travellers should study all that is good in our Western civilization. Of course they will also see the property and other evils of great cities, but they should at the same time. consider the earnest. efforts, - being! made to diminish these Let them observe all things with, open vision' and a wise dis evimigation and they will return to China, not supercilious and bitter like the "returned students" who can see' only the weaknesses of Western civiilation, but with minds enriched with ideas for the advancement of their country and with the determination to work faithfully and unselfishly to put these ideas into practical form. In view of this possible result, every encouragement shoud be given to Chinese' politieians to spend a long time in foreign travel for their own and for their country's good.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.