The peculiar circumstances which surround a Chinese from his birth, and continue to form his character in advancing to maturity, point him out as a suitable specimen of one of the wide extremes to which members of the same great family may diverge, through the modifying influence of educational habits, irrespective of Christian principle. A European, introduced to one of the more powerful nations of the East, and sufficiently interested in it to investigate the mental and moral characteristics by which it is distinguished, must first apply himself to the language, not only as the best means of opening original sources of knowledge, but as the surest method of conducting his literary researches among the people to correct conclusions; because, while it is by studying modes of speech in Europe that distinct traits of national character are fully developed, so a knowledge of the language of an oriental nation-especially that of China-is still more essential to the development of its peculiar characteristics. The writer having for several years been conversant with the Chinese, among whom, through the medium of their best authors and native expositors, he learned their language, national literature, and customs, though no longer animated with the hope of usefulness that first directed his studies, still preserves those impressions of interest which tended so powerfully to subserve his higher aims. These strongly urge him to recommend for more extended study what many foreign Chinese scholars, with himself, would designate the power and elegance of the symbolic system. For, however nòble any object, philanthropic or scientific, may be in itself, its attainment is greatly facilitated, when the means by which it is to be secured are agreeable to the tastes and sympathies of its promoters. Being favoured with access to Chinese works belonging to the Morrison Library in University College, the writer has endeavoured to render his previous acquisitions, combined with appropriate illustrations from native authors, subservient to the elucidation of the several subjects discussed in this volume; with what success others must determine. The work was designed as well for the general reader as the student of Chinese; and, therefore, both in the philological and other parts, it has been the author's care to avoid mere technical phraseology, and to convey Chinese thoughts to the English mind through a plain, intelligible medium. The symbolic system especially favours such design, since it appeals to the mind, through expressive pictorial images, and altogether dispenses with the cumbrous illustrations of alphabetic etymology, where numerous sounds, frequently ungrateful to the ear, without conveying ideas to the mind, are adduced in proof of the genealogy of a word, which, whatever may be its hidden qualities, has certainly no external attraction comparable to that of a pictorial symbol. The author commits this work to the candid consideration of his enlightened countrymen, as a means of exciting attention to the important topics which it embraces, for the two-fold purpose of extending Chinese literature in England, and promoting English literature, both sacred and secular, in China. For the portrait of the Emperor of China at the beginning of the volume, the author is indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Morrison, who favoured him with the loan of an original Chinese drawing, from which it is taken. CAMDEN TOWN, June 23rd, 1841. CONTENTS. ORIGIN AND GENIUS OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE-OBJECTIONS TO ITS IDEOGRAPHIC NATURE OBVIATED BY DEDUCTIONS FROM FACTS- A SKETCH OF THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF CHINA-CHARACTER OF HER |