Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 443

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Account of the Mont:nous at Chapu

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morals of the Chinese sage we cannot help comparing them with the morals of the New Testament, and we cannot, without great effort, if it is at all possible, appreciate the depth of ignorance and darkness where he sat

When one comes into close contact with the intellect of a Chinese, (not his desires, his passions or his feelings,) he is surprised at its general feebleness, its bigotry, and its little power to receive knowledge or grasp any subject; and a sentiment of contempt for such impotence of mind is apt to arise. He is surprised at the predominance of the animal propensities over the human in the inner man the high and noble sentiments of the mind and heart have been so contracted and stinted that their chords give forth no response when touched. This people exhibit much that is commendable in the duties and relations of life, and in their intercourse with one another acknowledge the force of obligations which are everywhere the bonds of society, but all seems to be done from habit, because it has been taught them. Their minds seem neither to have the power to understand the excel- lence of what is right in their teaching, nor the strength to throw off what is silly and superstitious: both the good and the bad are alike obligatory and alike followed. We know that "every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights," and when we recognize his teachings in the writings of a Confucius or Mencius, it is a proof that he has not left himself without some witnesses even among this people. He raised these men up to act as the leaders of this mass of mind, and in giving so much success to their teachings, has shown the insufficiency of such instruction to lead men to Him- self.

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ART. HI. A brief account of the Mantchou Tartars at Chapú. By G. TRADESCvnt Lay, interpreter to sir Henry Pottinger's special mission.

Thɛ Mantchou Tartars occupy a division of the city which is parted from the rest by a wall of brick, remarkable neither for strength nor elevation. It was not intended, perhaps, to serve as a defense against any sudden assault from the townsmen, but to keep the Tartars to one spot and always in the same relative position one to another, that on any emergency they might be able to march forth in order of bat-

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