CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7] — Page 303

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

to learn something of Chinese questions through Journal intercourse with the Diplomatic Corps at Peking & the members of Dr. Hart's staff; but in Canton

VR.

Cadets

It would be better to send all Cadets to Peking first, and afterwards to Canton, as Sir F. Rocher Jespersen proposed to do with M. May.

It would be best to go to Canton first, as the Cadets would probably have their hardest work there,

and also because they would learn facts rather than theories at Canton, & facts should be learnt first, theories framed & adopted afterwards.

As regards M. May's suggestion of teaching other Cadets in a similar manner,

I agree with the fact as stated in the part of this Memorandum which I have penned, that when a man has mastered the Mandarin language at Peking, he can easily pick up the Cantonese dialects, Sir J. Bowring's proposal may be affirmed.

But I have always understood that the various Chinese Dialects were little distinct from the Mandarin Chinese.

If Mr. Mitchel Kennedy can master Mandarin Chinese in 18 months, it will be desirable that he should do so. I fear that he will fall between the two stools, and master neither.

Ja 29/2

9.166

20 Agt!

20

def.

Dr. Sit...

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to learn something of Chinese questions through Journal intercourse with the Diplomatic Corps at Peking & the members of Dr. Hart's staff; but in Canton VR. Cadets It would be better to send all Cadets to Peking first, and afterwards to Canton, as Sir F. Rocher Jespersen proposed to do with M. May. It would be best to go to Canton first, as the Cadets would probably have their hardest work there, and also because they would learn facts rather than theories at Canton, & facts should be learnt first, theories framed & adopted afterwards. As regards M. May's suggestion of teaching other Cadets in a similar manner, I agree with the fact as stated in the part of this Memorandum which I have penned, that when a man has mastered the Mandarin language at Peking, he can easily pick up the Cantonese dialects, Sir J. Bowring's proposal may be affirmed. But I have always understood that the various Chinese Dialects were little distinct from the Mandarin Chinese. If Mr. Mitchel Kennedy can master Mandarin Chinese in 18 months, it will be desirable that he should do so. I fear that he will fall between the two stools, and master neither. Ja 29/2 9.166 20 Agt! 20 def. Dr. Sit...
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to learn something of Cherian & Chinese questions thang Jeromnal intercomuse with the Diplomatic, Ordy at Sching & the members of Die Dr. Hart's staff; but incanton VR. Cadets wis همتا of sending Tching, would if not others to & be better to send all it G time to rack place first to Canton & afterwards to Tehing as Sie fr. Rover Jespores to do with M. May. It would be best to go to Canton frist, as the Cade to would probably Have their hardest work there, leay and also because they would facts rather than therries at be Canton, & facts should leant frist theories fremed adopted after wards- Oh ? Afferve as regards May Ja 292 Auggest Heating other Va scinclar buanna Cadets in a If 9.166 and 20 20 Agt! of the fact is as stated in the part of this Marthed ins def. which I have penil, that when a man has harmed the Mandarin language at behin cau Early pick up the Cantonese dialects, Sie J. Buren's purposal may he affirmed But I have always undentood that there various chinese Diabets bougrays. were lithe distint Me of Mr Mitchel Zanes cam kam Mandani Chinese seed in 18 months, it will be So. Vizz desirable the should do Johmed fear the will fall between the two this 2 kam neither. Dr Sitit in
2026-05-23 10:39:08 · Baseline
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to learn something of Cherian & Chinese questions thang Jeromnal intercomuse with the Diplomatic, Ordy at Sching & the members of Die Dr. Hart's staff; but incanton

VR.

Cadets

wis

همتا

of sending Tching, would if not

others to

&

be better to send all

it

G

time to rack place first to Canton & afterwards to Tehing as Sie fr. Rover Jespores to do with M. May.

It would be best to go to Canton frist, as the Cade to would probably Have their hardest work there,

leay

and also because they would

facts rather than therries at

be Canton, & facts should leant frist theories fremed adopted after wards-

Oh

? Afferve as regards

May

Ja 292

• Auggest Heating other Va scinclar buanna

Cadets in a

If

9.166

and

20

20 Agt!

of the fact is as stated in the part of

this

Marthed ins

def.

which I have

penil, that when

a man has harmed the Mandarin language at behin

cau

Early

pick up the Cantonese dialects, Sie J. Buren's purposal may

he affirmed

But I have

always undentood that there various chinese Diabets

bougrays.

were lithe distint

Me

of Mr Mitchel Zanes cam

kam Mandani Chinese

seed in 18 months, it will

be

So.

Vizz

desirable the should do

Johmed fear the will fall between the two this 2 kam neither. Dr Sitit in

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