Chapter XIV 

 THE GREAT UNPROGRESSIVE PEOPLE 



THE Chinese are a standing riddle. Other great civilisations of Antiquity 

 antiquity after reaching their zenith, have declined, have sunk Chinese 

 into decay and disappeared. Chinese civilisation, if it has not 

 reached its limit, has made a pause of enormous duration in its 

 onward course. But it has not declined : it remains what it was 

 ages back. 



Confucius was born B.C. 55 lf ^ n B c - 22 tne great Shih 

 Hwangti usurped the imperial throne, built the great wall, and 

 swept away the feudal princes. In a remote antiquity competi- 

 tive examinations were established and became the only gate of 

 admission to the bureaucracy that surrounded the emperor. 



The great Chinese inventions date from the distant past. 

 Gunpowder was in use long before it was known in Europe. 

 Printing also ; with us it is, comparatively speaking, but a 

 mushroom development of modern times. Canal-making is one 

 of their ancient arts. Irrigation has been brought to perfection 

 on mountain sides ; every drop of water is pressed into man's 

 service before it reaches the valley at the bottom. Though our Their 

 methods of cultivation are in some ways far beyond theirs, yet 

 they have developed a unique system, the success of which is 

 undeniable. What comes from the soil must return to the soil. 

 And the result of this circular system is that we do not hear, as 

 in other countries, that the land is being exhausted. In another 

 sphere they have achievements to show that are by no means 

 despicable. The virtues of family life have flourished among 

 them and it is easy to find examples of filial affection among the 

 Chinese that it would be difficult to match in Europe. In 1854 

 the father and mother of one of the rebels were arrested. The 

 son hearing that his parents were to be punished for his mis- 



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