The Youth's instructer [sic] and guardian

his secretary, with papers, as official documents, in his hands. Against the wall is a small table, with writing materials upon it, and an elegantly-shaped porcelain jar with a bunch of beautiful feathers in it. On the walls are silk scrolls, with appropriate inscriptions, as ornaments. These, it seems, say, "A nation depends on faithful Ministers for its tranquillity :" and, "Men's sons should rest on filial piety as their particular duty." The maxim, Every one to his taste, is applicable to countries, as well as to individuals. With us, the walls of a room are ornamented by the productions of the fine arts: the Chinese have these silken scrolls with moral maxims. Could we be sure that these maxims were heeded, and that this constant presentation was not a matter of form, producing little, if any, impression, we could dispense with the absence of what might improve the taste. Taste, when good, is good: but moral principles are better. But we fear that formal statements of this kind, possessing only a sort of metaphysical or conventional obligation, exert very little influence. In all our studies concerning China, we are continually meeting with instances of formal and magnificent littleness. Wooden cylinders, with a black patch at the end in imitation of the muzzle of a cannon, may, when protruded from the embrasures of a fortress, look very formidable at a distance, but their power to keep off an English storming party is quite another question.

The dresses of these Mandarins are very superb. Their robes are stiff with the embroidery which is wrought on them, a large portion of it being gold thread. Their vests, also, or under-garments, are exceedingly splendid; and to our English eyes, accustomed to the sight of clothing, not less comfortable indeed, but much plainer in appearance, the style is as impressive as it is showy. Altogether these gentlemen look really very grand; and when we saw them, we did not wonder at the theatrical character of Chinese life. The Mandarins are, in reality, the nobility of the empire; not hereditary, but official. Education is conducted in reference to such appointments to what may be considered as the Chinese magistracy. There are, it seems, nine orders; and these are distinguished by certain marks about the dresses of the

wearers. There is a ball or button worn on the top of the cap; and this is of different colours. The embroidery on the back and front of the robes is likewise differently coloured. And by these methods different gradations of office are marked. The principle of government is the same throughout. The plan is, at first sight, very plausible. The whole system of rule is patriarchal. The empire is a family. The Emperor is the common father of the country. The subordinate rulers occupy an analogous position. The people are said to be ruled parentally; but, unhappily, in the working of the scheme, there is much that is arbitrary and tyrannical on the part of the rulers; and the effect is the production of a formal childishness on the part of the ruled, which is, in reality, equivalent to a regular debasement. The great evil is, that there is not the check constantly existing where there is the universal diffusion of the belief in the personal existence and personal rule of that great and glorious Being who is, as our Creator and Proprietor, Sovereign and Lawgiver and Father. Where this belief exists, there is what may be termed a known infinity, towards which the outgoings of the mind may be directed. Too often the principle may be inoperative; but it is there, and in its own nature tends to expansion and elevation. Where it is absent, the mind is fettered and cramped in material forms. Nothing in reality greater than man furnishes a single idea. In China, the very notions of divinity partake of this limited formality. The Chinese speak of heaven as something divine; but the visible heavens, only contemplated as visible, and with all the confused vagueness of the notion, as limited, do not impress the beholder as they would if their grandeur were considered as symbolizing, truly, though imperfectly, the greatness of Him who makes the heaven his throne, and the earth his footstool. We confess we do not like to hear a sort of Chinese way of speaking employed by British Christians. The sacred word God brings before the mind a truly existing and intelligent Person. "Heaven help us!" "Heaven be praised!" are ejaculations objectionable for their vagueness, even though that were all. If we speak with serious thought, let us say, "God be praised." If we do not, the ejaculation is not the less wrong because

another word is used. We should never take the name of the Lord in vain; but when it is proper to refer to him in our speech, let us use the word which expresses the truth, and which, by its very sacredness, while it does this, will powerfully contribute to keep us at the utmost distance from either audacious or thoughtless profanity. And both are to be conscientiously avoided.

As to the figures in the case, we could almost say, as to these Mandarins in the apartment, into which we are now (in our memory) looking, they appear to represent life as nearly as, by such a method, it can be represented. And the character of the accessories-chairs, table, inkstand, capstands, jar, with the back-wall of the room-powerfully strengthens the description. We almost fancy the venerable old gentleman, from his splendid arm-chair and its rich crimson drapery, is courteously bidding welcome to his junior brethren, who, cap on head, (for that is one way of showing respect in China, as the left hand, not the right, is the honourable side,) are saluting the older brother. We have seen pictures of Mandarins before, but they never gave such an idea of the reality as we received while looking through the glass-front into this elegant roomlet. To have a perfect one, we suppose we must be on the spot, and see the living men themselves; but this we shall never do, and therefore we must be content with what Mr. Langdon assists us to obtain. And for this we are thankful.

Here is a room with Another with literary

But we must quicken our pace. priests, soldiers, and gentlemen. gentry. Ay, and here is one in which there is a party of ladies, with two of their female domestics. There, tragedians and jugglers. And after these an itinerant barber, a ditto shoemaker, a ditto blacksmith, &c., all at work. We must look at all these somewhat particularly.

MISSIONARY FACTS AND PRINCIPLES.

BESIDES the direct arguments in support of Christian Missions to the Heathen, there are some which are very important, although, particularly, subordinate or collateral.