Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 241

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A Chinese Chroztancathyg

ART. IV. – A Chinese Chrestomathy in the Canton Dialect. By E. C. Bridgman. Macao, S. Wells Williams. 1841. Super-royal octavo. pp. 728. (Continued from p. 161.) PRELIMINARY to a notice of the Chrestomathy, some desultory ob- servations were thrown together in the last number, regarding those who are now studying the Chinese language. The number of stu- dents thus engaged, as was there shown, is by no means inconsider- able; and, considering the time they have devoted to the study, and the means they have enjoyed, we see no cause to complain of the proficiency they have made. Looking, however, at the present cxi- gencies of the case-in a political, commercial, or religious point of view-who will venture to say that the men and means employed by foreigners in the study of this language are one half, or even a third part, of what they ought to be? A moment's consideration of exist- ing circumstances will serve to make more evident the desirableness of increased attention to this subject.

For political purposes, five times the present number of men are now needed; and probably ten times as many as are now employed could find immediate and ample demand for their services. When lord Jocelyn had been only six months with the English expedition in China, and when its operations had not one fifth of their present extent and magnitude, he thus wrote on this subject:

"One of the greatest difficulties and drawbacks to the expedition has been the want of interpreters; and it is a requisition of such vital importance for all future negotiations, that some steps ought to be taken to remedy the evil. There is no doubt that most of the disagreements between the soldiery and the people, and likewise our want of supplies, arose from the difficulty of making bargains and agreeing upon prices, when there were no linguists to interpret between the parties.

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This is strong testimony; and every intelligent man connected with the expedition will, we doubt not, give the same. Similar, and even stronger, language than that of lord Jocelyn, we have often heard ex- pressed regarding the want of interpreters. Had proper means been adopted, and sufficient inducements held out, many years ago, these present embarrassments would have been avoided; and instead of five, the British government might now command fifty interpreters. It must be acknowledged, however, in excuse, that many years ago, they had no conception of the necessity there would arise to employ We know that the East India Company did afford some

So many.