464 Voyage of the Novara. 



instructed are imparted to them in their native language, 

 English is entirely omitted. Interesting and extraordinary, 

 however, as it is to hear American ladies imparting instruc- 

 tion in the Chinese language, this method of teaching has 

 many draw-backs, and the mission itself and society in 

 general would derive far more advantage, if these poor 

 females should be instructed in English, thus widening the 

 horizon of their knowledge. 



In the boys' school, also supported by the mission, another 

 method of teaching is in use. The children learn an epistle 

 first in Chinese, afterwards in English, when they are called 

 upon to translate the Chinese into English. Thus we heard 

 one lad rehearse the Book of Ruth, first in Chinese, and then 

 in English. He was then examined in English upon the 

 meaning of certain passages, when he replied with great 

 accuracy in the same language. Education in these schools 

 is mainly intrusted to ladies. Two of these, Miss Jones and 

 Miss Conover, displayed remarkable attainments in Chinese, 

 besides their really marvellous store of information. None 

 of the teachers are married, while none of the wives of the 

 missionaries interfere with the school, but employ themselves 

 in superintending the education of their own children. We 

 found forty Chinese boys receiving their education at the ex- 

 pense of the mission, whose j^arents have to sign a wi'itten 

 engagement that they will not withdraw their children from 

 the institution for a period of ten years, in fact, till the com- 

 pletion of their education. This precaution is absolutely 



