56 SUEGE0N-GENER4-L C. A. GORDON, M.D,, C.B., Q.H.P., ETC., 



geography, and mathematics twice as well, and not in- 

 frequently can beat him at English composition ? Thanks to 

 faddists, we are doing our best to destroy the chances of the 

 average British boy by educating native youngsters, who 

 will take half the salary and live on a quarter of the sum 

 deemed necessary by a British youth. The ' educational 

 needs ' of the Chinaman are about met by the native ' Sin 

 sang' — if he is to remain In his present position, qtcd the 

 European. If he is to fulfil his apparent destiny of sup- 

 planting the latter in both the east and west, education 

 must, of course, have full swing. But we hardly think the 

 world, or at all events, Great Britain, is as yet ripe for this 

 pohcy."] 



The Liberal Professions. 



The professions termed liberal in Europe, are in China on 

 the same level as handicrafts, the members of both receiving 

 remuneration according to a similar scale. Thus the occupa- 

 tions of life are reduced to two categories, namely, those 

 connected with the Mandarinate (official classes), and those 

 relating to trade. The first-named of these is open by 

 pieans of competitive examination to all classes with four 

 exceptioris* ; and in various instances its mqmbers voluntarily 

 reverting to the second, 



Science and Letters, 



Above the equality of handicrafts and professions however 

 stand pre-eminently professors of science and letters, for 

 nowhere are they respectively more highly honoured than in 

 China, where old age is the only qualification placed on a 

 level with them. Some members of these two classes 

 become tutors, public writers, professors, &c. ; others turn to 

 commerce and agriculture, and in these various capacities 

 contribute to raise the intellectual standard of the people. 

 But alas ! of some it is stated that " they prefer to await a 

 chance, looking out for someone's disgrace and dismissal 

 — intriguing like the uuclassed, and becoming perfect 

 pests" — loafers in fact! objecting to, or incapable of honest 

 liandicrafts. 



* Namely, desceiidauts Mdtliiii three generations of prostitutes, actors, 

 executioners, and jailors. 



