Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 176

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A Chinese Chrestomathy

MARCH,

the work is provided that, in so doing, the occasion be improved renewedly to draw attention to the study of the Chinese language. An officer, connected with the present expedition to China, coming suddenly one day in contact with a body of the people, was heard to exclaim-in imitation of Richard when sorely pressed for a horse—

An interpreter! An interpreter !

My regiment for an interpreter !

During the long intercourse which has existed between foreigners and the Chinese, immense damages, and even the loss of human life, have no doubt been caused by their mutual ignorance of each other's speech. Half a century ago it was difficult to find any man who could speak both English and Chinese. When Macartnay's embassy was about to leave the shores of Britain, in 1792, "one office was still vacant, which was as necessary, as it was difficult to fill up—that of Chinese interpreter-and translator: no man capable of that employ- ment, then existed throughout the British dominions." Four Chi- nese secretaries' were attached to the embassy of lord Amherst in 1816: viz. “F. Hastings Toone, esq.; J. F. Davis, esq.; Thomas Manning, esq.; and Rev. Robert (the late Dr.) Morrison.”

At pre- sent there are connected with the British authorities in China the fol- lowing gentlemen; John Robert Morrison, esq.; Rev. Charles Gutz- laff; Robert Thom, G. Tradescant Lay, Samuel Fearon, and Wal- ter H. Medhurst, junior, esquires. No foreigner living has enjoy- ed better opportunities for obtaining a knowledge of Chinese than the son of Dr. Morrison; and the office he has long held and now holds, as Chinese secretary and interpreter, is good evidence of the high estimation in which his acquirements are held by those best able to appreciate the same. In August, 1831, immediately after the death of his father, he was appointed to this office, one of no ordi- nary difficulty and responsibility, and the constant and faithful dis- charge of its duties justly claims, we think, some honorable acknow- ledgment from the government of his country, in these its palmy days of honors. Of Mr. Gutzlaff's acquirements, as a Chinese scholar, it is unnecessary for us to say one word: his writings are his truest and best testimonials. It reflects much honor on both Mr. Thom and Mr. Fearon, that they gained nearly all their knowledge of this lan- guage, while engaged in commercial and other business, and since they entered on the offices they now hold; and the success of these gentlemen may be held up for others-an example worthy alike of commendation and imitation. As a general linguist, and naturalist, Mr. Lay has earned for himself a good reputation : the field here before