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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6TH MARCH, 1869.
97
must be admitted that some of the greatest life problems are utterly ignored by him. We are told indeed that such was his sincerity in his religious observances, that he worshipped the spiritual existences as if he actually stood in their presence. "But when Ke-loo, an inquisitive disciple, interrogated the master touching religious worship and a future life, the memorable.
answer which has been handed down for the instruction of after ages is of the most vague and evasive character,
While you are insufficient for the service of men, how can you serve spirits? While you do not understand life, what can you "know about death? Tsze-kung, another disciple, on one occasion asked for a general rule of life in a comprehensive form. "Confucius replies:- Sympathetic benevolence is the rule. What you would not have others do to you, do not practise "towards them.' A maxim worthy to immortalize the sage; and indeed the code of ethics he laid down is for the greater part unobjectionable, even from a Christian stand-point. Had man nothing but a moral nature, his teachings might be well adapted to secure the end proposed."
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44
58. This is the passage as it stands, without note or comment. If it tells against Confucianism, let what it says for it be fairly considered. Because the Missionary finds it defective, must the Educationist ignore it? Is it not rather matter for congratulation that he has, in a system of such marvellous purity, a foundation ready laid to his hands? It is no argument against it to say that the people do not act up to its requirements. Chinese as well as Roman has to confess
aliudque cupido,
Mens aliud suadet: video meliora, proboque:
Deteriora sequor.
59.-Education in Hongkong is in its infancy; but, grounded on such principles as have been described, it has a germ of vitality in it which will in due course bear fruit. Time is needed to mature it. The whole revenue of the Colony devoted solely to the purpose for a series of years would not, unless education were made compulsory, bring the schools up to level with those in England.
60.--With so much in the way of explanation, and in a great measure of defence, I hope to be able in future Reports to return once more to a candid statement of the defects of the schools, and to the consideration of such plans for their improve- ment as may from time to time suggest themselves,-I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary, &c., F., &c.
TABLE I.
FREDERICK STEWART, Inspector of Government Schools.
NUMBER OF SCHOLARS taught in the Government Schools during the year 1868 and actual Expense of each School.
1, Aberdeen,
2, Bowrington,
3, Central School,.
4, Girls' School,
5, Little Hongkong,.
6, Ma-t'au ts'ün,
7, Mong-kok ts'ün,.
8, Shau-ki wán,
9, Stanley,..
·
10, Tang-lung chau, H.,
11, Tang-lung chau, P.,
12, Webster's Crescent,
13, West End,
14, West Point, H.,
15, West Point, P.,.
16, Wong-nai chung,
NOTE.-H.-Hakka. P. Punti.
Boys.
GIRLS,
TOTAL.
EXPENSE.
388-9828384828
පෑ : පය
32
28 92
$ c. 127.00
357.00
272
8,336.66
56
546.00
19
50.00
38
50.00
20
50.00
38
127.00
37
319.00
30
120.00
42
185.83
37
295.00
4.6
245.00
60
:00:
322.00
73
240.00
28
168.60
815
101
916
11,539.09
TABLE II.
Outlay for the year,
Deduct fees from scholars at Central School,
.$11,539.09 1,299.35
Total,......
10,239.74
$11.18.
$25.87.
$ 4.98.
1, Average Expense of each scholar at the Government Schools,
2,
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3,
27
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Central School, Village Schools,
NOTE-Item 2 should perhaps be two dollars less, and item 3 one dollar more. The Head Master of Central School being also Inspector
of Schools, part of his Salary should be charged against the Village Schools.