exertion to obtain the highest distinctions. Each etrains for the praise 

 which is thus accessible. They say of Shan, who was raised to 

 the throne by his talents and virtues : c Shan was a man ; I also 

 am a man; if 1 do but exert myself I may be as great as he.' 

 The stimulus thus given to energetic perseverance is immense, and 

 the effect in encouraging learning incalculable. 



" One of the most remarkable national peculiarities of the Chi- 

 nese, observes Sir George Stanton, ' is their extraordinary addic- 

 tion to letters, the general prevalence of literary habits, and the 

 honorable pre-emption which, from the most remote period, has 

 been universally conceded to that class exclusively devoted to lite- 

 rary pursuits.' 



" Even now, 2,300 years after the death of Confucius, several 

 individuals recognised as the actual heirs and representatives of the 

 sage are decorated with honorary distinction, and maintained in a 

 state of respectable independence at the public charge." 



My readers will, I trust, excuse me for the length of this extract. 

 I deemed it so pertinent to the points which I have so ardently 

 urged upon the public attention, so rich in interest and instruction, 

 that I ventured upon quoting more than the length or nature of my 

 letters might seem to allow. Although it is neither asked nor ex- 

 pected that our Government or people should imitate the example 

 thus set them by a nation which we cannot contend with in such 

 matters, yet some lessons may be learned from the spectacle of this 

 glorious republic of letters in that old and curious empire, with 

 which we are now beginning an intercourse calculated to benefit us 

 in other ways than commercially. 



I propose, gentlemen, to discuss the following points in my en- 

 suing numbers : I will endeavor to show, 1st. That the Constitu- 

 tion of the United States, and the acts of Congress in virtue and 

 pursuance thereof have made this District the permanent seat of 

 the Federal Government, and therefore nothing but an alteration 

 to that effect in the Constitution can change it. 2d. That so far 

 from having done too much for this city, Congress have not exer- 

 cised that full liberality and justice which policy and the rights of 

 its inhabitants demand. 3d. That this city being the metropolis of 

 the nation, and therefore national property, the people of this 

 country should feel directly interested in its improvement. And, 

 4th. To insist, therefore, upon a change of policy in its legislation 



