﻿BOOK OF THE CHINESE. 20J 



ever, of an individual are so limited, and the field of 

 knowledge is so vast, that I dare not promise more 

 than to procure, if any exertions of mine will avail, 

 a complete translation of the Shi King, together with 

 an authentic abridgement of the Chinese laws, civil 

 and criminal. A native of Canton, whom I knew 

 some years ago in England, and who passed his first 

 examinations with credit in his way to literary distinc- 

 tions, but was afterwards allured from the pursuit of 

 learning by a prospect of success in trade, has fa- 

 voured me with the Three Hundred Odes in the orig-i- 

 nal, together with the Lun Yu, a faithful version of 

 which was published at Paris near a century ago; 

 but he seems to think, that it would require three or 

 four years to complete a translation of them ; and 

 Mr. Cox informs me that none of the Chinese to 

 whom he has acce c s, possess leisure and perseverance 

 enough for such a task; yet he hopes, with the assis- 

 tance or Whang Atong, to send me next season some 

 of the po^ms translated into English. A little en- 

 couragement would induce this young Chinese to visit 

 India, 2nd some of his countrymen would, perhaps, 

 accompany him ; but though considerable advantage 

 to the public, as well as to letters, might be reaped 

 from the knowledge and ingenuity of such emigrants, 

 yet we must wait for a time of preater national 

 wealth and prosperity, before such a measure can be 

 formally recommended by us to our patrons at the 

 helm of government". 



