Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 594

1841.

Morrison Education Society.

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many extracts from the newspapers of the day, froin Murray's Cyclo-- pædia of Geography, and other foreign works, some of them relating to China. The efforts made to secure the services of this youth, while yet his education was but half completed, are good evidences that the Chinese, even in the highest stations, appreciate the value of an acquaintance with foreign languages and literature. The youth was kindly treated by the commissioner, well remunerated, and en- joyed good opportunities for improving his knowledge of his own language. He was kept thus employed till Lin's removal from office, and has since, in accordance with his recommendation, been engaged in the study of the historical and classical writings of his own coun- trymen. His English studies, however, have not been at any time, and still are not, entirely neglected. Many items of information obtained through this medium, were sent up to the imperial court; and it was the intention of the commissioner, to publish to his own. countrymen the results of his inquiries concerning foreign nations. He is understood to have taken all his papers with him, on leaving Canton, and he may perhaps, erelong, arrange and prepare his materials for publication.

From the inquiries made, in obedience to a resolution passed at the last annual meeting, respecting Chinese schools beyond the boundaries of the empire, very few returns have been made, and but little information gained.

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School-books are still a great desiderata. The Chinese Chrestoma- thy, containing a series of easy lessons on reading, writing, geography, mathematics, architecture, the liberal arts, natural history, domestic and commercial affairs, etc., will, it is hoped, be found useful as a school-book for those who have made some progress in learning English. Another, and a smaller work, comprising a large variety of common conversational phrases, in the composition of which Mr. Brown was engaged a part of the time during his visit to the Straits, will doubtless be found equally useful. It is now passing through the press at Malacca and some of the sheets, forming the first part of the book, are already in the hands of the boys under his tuition.

'The state of the funds of the Society will be seen by the treasurer's report, accompanying this. Since the organization of the Society, no special efforts have been made to increase its funds. The sums originally subscribed were thought to be sufficient for making a fair beginning; and, further, strong confidence was entertained that, on a teacher being procured, scholars collected, and the business of edu- cation fairly commenced, it would not be any very difficult matter, in

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