International Weekly Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science - Volume 1, No. 5, July 29, 1850Various
Science
International Weekly Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science - Volume 1, No. 5, July 29, 1850
Various
Art -- Periodicals; Literature -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, it will
prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has just been
issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and condition of
other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never yet been dealt
against the ignorance and prejudice which has erected such a wall of
exclusiveness around three hundred millions of people. A Lieutenant
Governor is the author, and, by a commendatory preface, it is pressed
upon the notice of his countrymen by a Governor General--both of these
men high in office in the Chinese Government.
In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: "We knew
in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect to a Southern
frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when Western men produced maps
having a frozen ocean at the extreme South, we supposed that they
had made a mistake in not understanding the Chinese language, and had
placed that in the South which should have been placed only in the
North. But on inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,)
he said this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted."
It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in this work
is that usually received by European writers. The more prominent facts
of sacred history subsequent to the Deluge, are either alluded to, or
stated at length, much as they occur in the Scriptures.
It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the Chinese
a more definite and discriminating view of the different religions of
the world, than has yet appeared in the Chinese language.
Speaking of different countries of India under European sway, where
Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist together, the author
does not hesitate to say that the latter is gradually overcoming the
former, "whose light is becoming more and more dim." This is a very
remarkable concession, when we consider that the individual who makes
it is probably a Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of
China as Buddhism.
It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more extensive and
correct account of the history and institution of Christian nations
than has ever been published before by any heathen writer in any age
of the world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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