and sent requests for a book. The little boy who ferried us ashore, said, “I ask no money, only give me a book." On another occasion, at our anchorage near Mintsing, Mr. Gutzlaff and myself proceeded to a valley in the neighborhood, but nobody would have any cominunication with us. Yet after distributing among them some copies of the Address to the Chinese nation, they became friendly and ready to render any service. Next morning they assembled in greater numbers, with more earnest expressions of good-will; but it was not thought proper to attract a greater concourse by distributing tracts, and many of them went away unsupplied. On our retreat, while lying aground, the people were importunate for books, and the persons who agreed to aid in getting off the boat did it on the express stipulation of a book for each one, besides the promised reward. The arrival of the officers prevented distribution here.

But it was after our return to the vessel, that the most extensive opportunity was enjoyed of putting into circulation the various books. Through the kindness of captain McKay, during three successive days we landed and distributed them without any restraint, aud to the extent which our strength permitted. On the first morning, I landed with a good supply, and with a seaman to assist in carrying them to a village one or two miles distant. As we approached, many inhabitants assembled in front of an idol temple to receive them from my hand. They then led the way through their village, and as I passed through the narrow streets, I left a book at each door. They were eagerly but properly received, and when all were gone, I was invited to enter a house and take some refreshment. The next day, Mr. Gutzlaff and myself landed at the same place with a greater quantity of books, and distributed them in the same village, and in another beyond. They were eagerly received, and the only complaint was that they were angry with Mr. Gutzlaff for taking any to the other village. On our return most of the people were in their houses reading the books. A teacher was explaining one of the hymns of Dr. Morrison's sheet tracts to the bystanders. The beautiful island of Hookeäng we visited on the third day, with a very large number of books. Mr. Gutzlaff and myself took different routes to the large village which is on it, but had scarcely entered it before the people became so pressing that to prevent being quite plundered, I was obliged to climb a wall above their reach. This did not prevent their tearing the books from each other's hands, and occasionally injuring the book by that means. Mr. Gutzlaff went through a street and distributed them as regularly as a boisterous crowd permitted. But the whole truth would not be said, if room were left to suppose that religious books and instruction were all the desire of the people. More than once when giving away the sacred word, we were surrounded by a set of miserable, pale-faced slaves of opium, importuning us to give them a morsel of their favorite narcotic; and when they ascertained that the ship actually carried it for sale, it was inpossible to make them believe that I had not got some about my person, nor was it easy to escape their pressing intreaties.

These examples are sufficient, if need be, to show the willingness of the people to receive and read foreign religious books. In ordinary cases it is not possible to distribute regularly in a town or a large village; the eagerness of the crowd is so great that no man can withstand the forcible application of the people for books. But this disposition will be misunderstood, if any one attributes it in general to any extraordinary interest in religion. It seems to me neither a new nor a local feeling; but but from Kwangtung to Shantung the same spirit of curiosity generally prevails, and it would probably have been the same ten years since as at this time. Let us not suppose that it is owing to the religious sensibilities of the nation being particularly excited at the present time; but rather to the national curiosity being awakened, and finding an opportunity of being cheaply gratified. This excitement of curiosity must be chiefly attributable to the exertions which have been made upon the maritime parts of China during the last three years; and among the thousands and even millious who during that time have heard or read of the gospel, it would indeed be strange that not one inquirer should be found, who was moved by better motives, and by truly religious feelings. I do not therefore mean to exclude the opinion that there may be frequent instances of this sort; but only to say that the same eagerness exists where neither missionaries nor their books have been knowu.

66

To take advantage of this trait of the Chinese people is our duty as Christians, and thereby to introduce the knowledge of the Chris tian religion. While the coast is accessible to them who minister to their depraved appetites, it is not right that the field should be given up to that traffic. Nor is it to be supposed that a scrupulous adherence on our part to mild and equitable measures will fail of producing some good effect on the people and on the government. When the people see that we are their friends, that we do them no injury, that we heal their sick without reward, that we give them religious books and instruction without money and price, that we seek not so much theirs as them," and that this course of benevolent action is persevered in amidst all inconveniences, there must be a sensible effect produced. The inquiry will be made, what do these things mean? As to the law against intercourse with foreigners, I acknowledge no allegiance to such law, so far as the legitimate means of preaching the gospel are concerned. We have a more sure mandate to preach the gospel in all the world, than the monarch of China can plead for his title to the throne. By what right are the millions of China excluded from the knowledge of Christianity? They are most unjustly deprived of even an opportunity to make themselves happy for time and for eternity, by an authority which is usurped, but which they cannot resist; and there they have been from age to age idolaters, and are so still, cut off without their own consent from that which makes life a blessing. Against such spiritual tyranny over men's consciences, and rebellion against high Heaven, I protest; and if we take upon ourselves the consequences of governmental ven

It is not to the

geance, who will say that we do wrong to any man? government of my own beloved country that I look for protection from danger, or redress of such wrongs; nor do I ask the bloody hand of war to prepare the way for the heralds of the Prince of Peace. As our commission rests on these words of our Lord, "go ye and teach all nations," so is our confidence founded on his accompanying assurance "all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," and "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

ART. V. Literary notices. 1. Dissolution of the library of the British factory in China; 2. Books presented to the Morrison Education Society; 3. Report of the Anglochinese college, Malacca; 4. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

1. FROM "a catalogue of the library belonging to the English factory at Canton," it appears that the foundation of that library was laid in 1806, in consequence of the unanimous adoption by the members of the factory, of the plan contained in the following paragraph. "The utility and advantages of establishing at Canton, by subscription, a library comprising a moderate collection of works of acknowledged value and respectability; together with an annual contribution of all the most desirable new publication, which are at present, generally either not imported at all, or multiplied by unnecessary repetitions, must be obvious to most of the English residents in China. The number of private collections already made by individuals, not only affords a satisfactory ground for supposing that their respective engagements are favorable to a disposition for reading, and admit the leisure it requires, but also renders it probable, that they would be inclined to concur in laying the foundation of a library, which being accomplished by united efforts and general consent must shortly far surpass in extent, variety, and adaptation to general use, any collection that has hitherto been in possession of, or attempted to be formed by, any European in this country. The president of the select committee having been pleased to grant a very commodious room to serve as a repository for the books, in the event of the plan being carried into effect; those gentlemen who are inclined to give their sanction and support to this useful and laudable undertaking, are requested to sign their names, and state the contributions they may be pleased to make in money or in books, in order to lay a foundation for the library, exclusive of their annual subscriptions; the amount of which it is proposed to regulate and determine at the first general meeting of the subscribers, who will be invited to

attend as soon as the list is completed, for the purpose of electing a committee of managers, and decide on such other measures for the benefit of the institution, as may be then recommended to their consideration."

The catalogue before us was published in 1832, and contains the names of about sixteen hundred different works, most of them comprising two, four, five, or more volumes each, amounting probably to a total of about four thousand. Many, if not most, of these were choice, select books; and were conveniently arranged under the following subjects: 1. divinity, law, and philosophy; 2. biography, history, travels, and voyages; 3. arts, sciences, commerce, and politics; 4. classics, antiquities, translations, and philology; 5. poetry, drama, and novels; and 6. miscellanies. Such a library, if well managed and made accessible to the public, in such a place as this, must ever be regarded as of great value. Hence, we were not surprised, on the breaking up of the factory last year, when the library came into the hands of a few individuals, that efforts were made to perpetuate the institution, and to render it available to all the foreign residents in China. We regret exceedingly, as many others do, that these efforts were not successful. But the deed is done;' and the valuable collection is scattered, not so widely, however, we trust as to be beyond the hope of at least a partial recovery. In this hope, we are encouraged by what has already been done.

2. It is known to many of our readers that, not long after the death of the late venerable Dr. Morrison, suggestions relative to the formation of an institution, to be called the Morrison Education Society,' were circulated in Canton and Macao: between twenty and thirty signatures were immediately obtained, and a subscription of about five thousand dollars collected. With a view to promote the object in question, by increasing the subscription and making inquiries as to the best method of carrying into effect the proposed plan of education, a provisional committee was formed who engaged to act, until a general meeting of the subscribers in China shall be convened to form a board of trustees, "which meeting shall be held on or before the first Wednesday in March, 1836." We have been led tʊ nake these remarks by a desire to suggest to the friends of education the expediency of establishing a public library in China. This plan was brought to our notice by the following letter, (which we publish with Mr. C.'s permission,) addressed—

"To the Rev. E. C. Bridgman, corresponding secretary to the provisional committee of the Morrison Education Society.

"My dear sir,-On the dissolution of the British factory, it became necessary to make some disposition of the library belonging to the members of that establishment; and it was proposed to give the whole collection to the Morrison Education Society. The arrangement, however, not meeting with the concurrence of all the proprietors, a division of the books was determined on; and while I regret that so excellent a suggestion should not have been adopted, I am still B

VOL. IV. NO. H

Happy in performing with my share, what it was my anxious wish should have been done with the whole, by presenting it to that admirable institution. The very injudicious method pursued in the division of the works, has allotted to me volumes of comparatively little value. Such as they are, I present them to the Morrison Education Society; with an ardent hope that I may live to see an institution, which so distinctly marks this enlightened age, attain, under your fostering care, the full realization of its philanthropic intentions, by promoting virtue and happiness through the blessings of education. I am, My dear sir,

"Respectfully and faithfully your's,
T. R. Colledge."

"Macao, May 21st, 1835.

3. The Report of the Anglochinese college for the year 1834, came to haud too late to be noticed in our last number. The first pages of the Report are very appropriately occupied, in giving a brief view of the life of the founder and late president of the college. By the death of Dr. Morrison, the Anglochinese college has been bereaved of its chief supporter, and an increased weight of responsibility has devolved on its surviving friends and guardians. The patrons of the college are: sir George Thomas Staunton, bart. &c. &c,; colonel Farquhar, late resident of Singapore; the hon. E. Phillips, late governor of Penang; and the hon. J. Erskine, late member of council, Penang. The trustees are: Rev. R. Morrison, D.D. (deceased); Rev. J. Clunie, L.L. D.; Rev. J. Bennett, D.D.; Rev. H. F. Burder, D.D.; Rev. J. Fletcher, D.D.; Rev. J. Morrison, D.D.; W. A. Hankey, esquire; Joshua Wilson, esquire; John Robert Morrison, esquire; and the treasurer and secretaries of the London Missionary Society, for the time being. The officers of the college are; Rev. Dr. Morrison (deceased), president; Rev. John Evans, principal; Yaou, seen säng, Chinese native teacher; Rev. John Evans, treasurer; Master Edwin Evans, librarian: the duties of professor of Chinese, which office is now vacant, are discharged by the principal, pro tempore.

"Since the publication of the last Report," say the writers of the one before us, "another change has taken place in the officers of the college. The Rev. S. Kidd left in the beginning of 1832, for the purpose of returning to England in consequence of ill health. After Mr. Kidd's removal, the Rev. J. Tomlin, then in Siam, was solicited by the president to come to Malacca, to superiutend and attend to the duties of the college until, as was supposed, Mr. Kidd's return. During the intervening time of Mr. Kidd's removal and Mr. Tomlin's arrival, the Rev. J. Hughes, Malay missionary, kindly volunteered to discharge the duties in the English department, and to superintend the college. The present principal was appointed to the situation by the trustees in England, November, 1832; he arrived at his station August, 1833, and on the 1st of May, 1834, his predecessor resigned the charge into his hands. Had the Lord been pleased to spare the life of our late president a few months longer, it was his intention to lay before its friends and supporters a retrospect of the