DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF EDUCATION. PROGRESS OF WESTERN EDUCATION IN CHINA AND SIAM. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF EDUCATION, _Washington, August 3, 1880._ The attention of school officers and teachers is invited to the following interesting accounts of the progress of western ideas and educational methods in China and Siam, forwarded to the Department of State by the United States minister at Peking and the United States consul at Bangkok, respectively. JOHN EATON, _Commissioner._ WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1880. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO WESTERN EDUCATION IN CHINA AND SIAM. * * * * * I. CHINA. _Mr. Evarts to Mr. Schurz._ DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, May 12, 1880._ SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the benefit of the Bureau of Education, copies of dispatches Nos. 600 and 612 from our legation at Peking, detailing the progress of western education in China. The inclosure with No. 600, being printed matter, is too voluminous for copying, but will be sent for perusal if desired. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WM. M. EVARTS. * * * * * _Mr. Seward to Mr. Evarts._ No. 600.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, _Peking, February 21, 1880._ SIR: There has lately been published in the North China Daily News, at Shanghai, a statement, from the pen of Mr. John Freyer, of work done in the "translations department" of the arsenal at Shanghai. This so-called arsenal is a large establishment, in which vessels of war are built, guns cast, and small arms made. It employs, or did employ a few years ago, on the occasion of my last visit to it, about fifteen hundred hands. These were all Chinese, with the exception of some half dozen superintendents and specialists. It had grown to these dimensions in a very few years, and appeared likely to receive the continued support of the government.