Appreciation of China's Three Milleniums by Dr. Essen M. Gale at R.A.S. Meeting The impressiveness of the work of Chinese historians throughout thirty centuries was demonstrated by Dr. Essen M, Gale in a lecture before the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in Wu Lien Teh Hall on Thursday afternoon, Mr, A, D, Blackburn, President of the Society, was in the chair.
The speaker disclaimed any intention to bring forth new light in an old field but in accordance with the Confucian maxim "A man keeps chet ishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new" wen ku erh shih hsin, it would be of value, hho observed, to review again during the hour the stupendous achievements of Chinese historical writing. - A {eature of the lecture were the special editions of the principal Chinese his erical works placed on exhibit and Mlustrating in visible form the remarks of the lecturer. These handsome editions were provided through courtesy of the Commercial Press, Lid. An historical chart showing the development of Chinese culture was shown on the screen to. illustrate chronological changes. Dr. Gale part may be confidently stated that the Chinese are among the most histor: feally minded of all peoples of the earth, Other peoples recall at a few recurring anniversaries outstanding, Incidents of their country's history. But the Chinese—however unread he may be—has been continuously tra least by the theatre or the story teller in the surring episodes of historical tradition, its heroes and their doughty deeds. "The drama, the hovel, the raconteur of tea house, temple court, and market place, provide a popular but universal form of historical instruction. Yet this all eps down from an upper stratum of genuine histori@i scholarship which has distinguished Chinese letters from ariiest recorded times. The abundance of historical material and com-literature was largely made up of records or annals.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.