306 Mr. D APISES Eugraphia Sinensis. 



in my translation. It may be as well to notice, in this place, two or three 

 leading precepts, which, as they apply to the writing of every character in 

 the language, are more especially to be kept in mind. 



First, it is a rule both in printing and writing, that each character should 

 occupy about the same space in the page, or be nearly of the same size as 

 the rest, whether it consist of only one or two strokes, or of a great 

 number. 



Secondly, it follows from the above, that where the strokes are few, they 

 must be thickened and enlarged in proportion ; and that where they are 

 many, they must be proportionably diminished, and written close to one 

 another. 



Thirdly, in forming a character, it is proper to commence at the top, 

 towards the left hand ; thus, in writing Lin,* it is right to begin with the 

 horizontal stroke in the left portion, then to bring down the perpendicular 

 across it, next the left oblique stroke, and lastly the right : this being done, 

 the right hand portion of the character is completed in the same manner. 

 The remembrance of a few such rules greatly simplifies the subject, and, 

 joined to regular practice, renders the acquisition of a sufficient portion of 

 skill, for every useful purpose, by no means a difficult undertaking. 



But it is not alone for the purpose of learning to write, that Ciiinese 

 writing is to be studied ; without some practice in this way, it is impossible 

 to fix many characters in the memory, and no man can properly be con- 

 sidered to learn tiie language, who does not devote a portion of his time 

 to this important branch of the subject. 



No reasonable person, at the present day, will deny tlie necessity that 

 there is, for some few, at least, of our countrymen being possessed of a 

 competent and practical knowledge of the Chinese language. He who 

 ever carries his thoughts back to the past, will allow how ill we should have 

 fared without it, on many critical discussions with a people, of all others 

 the most extravagant in their assumptions, and the most difficult to manage ; 

 and he who can look beyond the present day to the future, may not only 

 foresee (as long as our government neglects to make some sort of provision 

 against such contingencies) the possibility of discussions still more embar- 

 rassing, and more difficult, than have ever yet occurred at Canton ; but 



• See Plate IV, No. ///. 



