modify any difficulties which may actually | terminous districts are drained through lie in the way of acclimatizing (so to speak) Canton and Macao, whence a vast numthe Chinese upon a foreign soil with ad- ber of mechanics and petty tradesmen vantage to themselves and to those yearly go southwards to the straits and amongst whom they settle. It will be pre- Australia, and eastwards to California; and sumed, as a matter of course, that the these ports have been the chief centres of Chinaman has as much right to emigrate, the abominable traffic in coolies, which, and claim for his motto the maxim "Live fed as it has been by the refuse of a and let live," as any other denizen of this redundant population, has given to Chiearth's surface. Any one thinking other- nese emigration the low character which is wise must seek elsewhere than in this now universally attached to it. Swatow, paper for a refutation of his dog-in-the- Amoy, and Chinchew, although likewise manger doctrine. outlets of late for coolies, were points of escape for the adventurous Chinaman long before the country was opened up by treaties, or coolie emigration was rendered practicable by the complicity of the foreigner; and it was from these districts principally that in those early times junks carried away the tradesmen, mechanics, agriculturists, fishermen, sailors, and hucksters who had already formed large and thriving communities in Java, Singapore, Malacca, Penang, and a hundred other places in the eastern seas, when English guns first woke up the echoes upon the Chinese coast. Thus tradition and association have alike helped to maintain the character of the emigrants who hailed from these particular districts, and to this day they constitute the most respectable type of the migrating class, and are perhaps as little open to the charge of being the scum of the population as any emigrants in the world. From this it will be seen that whilst the refuse of the Chinese population does to a great extent foul the stream of emigration going on from the Chinese shores, there is nevertheless in it a vast, if not preponderating, element of that class who form the backbone of trade, and have as much interest in leading a quiet, well-ordered life as any colonist who leaves the shores of Great Britain for the purpose of bettering his prospects.

In dealing with the charges brought against the Chinese immigrant it would seem only necessary to give attention to the more material ones of vagrancy, immorality and insubordination. As regards those other traits which derive their importance from association rather than from any inherently objectionable features, it will suffice if their influence be not lost sight of when the question of remedial measures comes to be considered. If clannishness, patriotism, persistence in the habits and ideas to which one has been brought up, frugality, the desire to acquire money in order to lay it out at home, and a settled determination to lay one's bones on native soil, can be characterized as crimes or objectionable traits, then many are the Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irishmen, and Americans, who cannot afford to throw stones at the "heathen Chinee."

First, as regards the character of vagrancy ascribed to the Chinese immigrants as a class. This is to a certain extent merited, and it is a difficulty which, for some time to come at any rate, must beset the question more or less, seeing that it is of necessity chiefly the poor and wretched, who, finding existence at home impossible or intolerable, seek to better themselves by going abroad. But it is by no means the fact that it is solely the scum of the Chinese population who emigrate. It depends much upon the part of country from which they may hail. The chief, indeed the only, provinces whose populations have thus far shown a tendency to overflow seaward, are those of Canton, Fukien, and Chekeang, and the principal points of embarkation are (commencing from the west and going northward and eastward) Haenan, Canton and Macao, Swatow and Chaochow, Amoy, Chinchew, and, to a limited extent, Wenchow and Ningpo. The Haenan people make their way principally to the Straits of Malacca and that neighborhood, where they find ready and useful occupation as domestic servants. The province of Canton and some of its con

The notable immorality ascribed to the Chinese immigrant comes next to be considered. That the Chinese are without the vices common to mankind, no one can for a moment pretend to maintain; but the question is, are they so specially and hopelessly addicted to the grosser forms of immorality as to render it inexpedient to encourage their introduction amongst Christian peoples? This query may safely be answered in the negative. Morality, although, properly speaking, a virtue hedged about with unmistakable limits, is practically and taking the world as it goes, at best but an elastic term. There is not a single nation, be it ever so Christian

and civilized, in which immortality is not and are winked at by the executive; and indulged in to a greater or less degree, and opium-smoking has its votaries in the in which its practice is not tolerated by most respectable family circles. But all society so long as it is not obtruded too these blots and blisters upon society are, glaringly upon the public notice. Even in China as elsewhere, exceptions, not the religious and highly moral England has rule; and they are apt to attract the obsermuch to deprecate in this particular, and, vation of the superficial traveller or bookif one may judge by what is to be seen maker, while he shuts his eyes to, or every day in the streets, theatres, refresh- purposely ignores, the background of the ment bars and rooms, places of entertain-picture, where may be seen the Chinaman ment, and other public resorts in the as he is at home, an intelligent, patient, principal towns, the evil, instead of dimin- hardworking, frugal, temperate, domestic, ishing, seems to keep pace with the high- peace-loving, and law-abiding creature. pressure rate of advance which marks every phase of life. But China is heathen, and, taking her with this qualification, it may be safely asserted that her people act more strictly up to their limited lights, and that their immoralities are fewer and far less obtruded upon the notice, than is the case in countries which have been vastly more privileged in the way of teaching, examples, and opportunities.

Thus much for the Chinese from a collective point of view. What this paper, however, has more directly to do with is the low character of that portion of the people which emigrate. Here circumstances and associations have to be taken into consideration, and the two facts already noticed—namely, that it is chiefly. the poor and wretched who leave the country, and that no respectable females accompany the men - go far to explain how it comes to pass that they appear to be addicted to so many and such serious vices. This tendency, however, seems to have been more markedly observed in the case of those Chinese who have migrated to San Francisco, and to a certain extent also in the Australian communities. It certainly cannot be said to characterize those who have found their way into the Malayan archipelago, owing no doubt to the fact that, finding themselves among kindred dark-skinned races, they have in most cases married, settled down, and become serviceable members of society. Their successful introduction amongst such races would go far to prove, at any rate, that, given the necessary encouragement and protection, as well as reasonable facilities for attaching themselves to the soil, they are capable of becoming as contented and useful workers as they are in their own country.

It has been too much the habit with some travellers, newspaper correspondents, and other hasty observers, who have ventured to write about China, to pander to the preconceived notions of their readers by mocking at the pretended mental and moral characteristics of the Chinese, and representing that, with all their loud talking about codes and maxims of renowned sages, they are, practically and without qualification, a dishonest, treacherous, cowardly, cruel, and degraded people. But it is as false as it is unmanly so to picture them. As a matter of fact, and making due allowance for the proportion of evil which must exist in every community, they regard the writings of their sages with all the reverence which we give to Bibles and liturgies in the West, and in the main carry out the excellent principles therein laid down most strictly in their social economy and personal relations. How otherwise could vast communities exist, as they do in China's thou- As regards the insubordination and imsand cities, person and property secure, patience of restraint ascribed to the peace, happiness, and plenty universal, Chinese immigrant, there is also someeducation encouraged, local and general thing to be said both for and against. A trade flourishing, business contracts sa- frequent and well-founded occasion for cred, poverty exceptional, and vice only to complaint against the Chinese on this be found if sought out in its own special score has been their tendency to form haunts? It is true, famine and flood secret associations, which, originally conperiodically devastate huge tracts of coun- stituted in China for political purposes, try, rebellion decimates whole provinces are apt, when entered into abroad, to defrom time to time, official rapacity and cru- generate into conspiracies to resist unpopelty find their victims, alas! too frequent- ular government measures, or to deterly cases of robbery, murder, infanti- mine disputes between clans or factions by cide, embezzlement, abduction, and other resort to force. In fact, the instant and crimes are not uncommon; gambling-implacable severity with which any athouses, brothels, and opium-dens thrive, tempt to form a hoei or secret society in

China is met by the executive, however self or his neighbors with any obligations neglectful or venal otherwise, and the com- beyond what may be needful to keep parative immunity from interference which body and soul together. Such a thing as such associations have usually enjoyed an association for keeping streets clean elsewhere, except when brought into and in repair, facilitating traffic, improving notoriety by some overt act of resistance the drainage, securing general comfort and to lawful authority, have had the effect of health, and otherwise promoting the pubfostering the growth of the evil amongst lic welfare, he is not accustomed to, and Chinese communities abroad; and until it is difficult to force upon his comprehenthe same precautions are taken by foreign sion. No doubt he carries this prejudice governments to check the tendency in the with him into foreign lands, and thinks to bud, as is the practice in China, these so- live free of such superfluous luxuries, as cieties must always form a hot-bed of in- he does in his own country. But the trigue and machination against the public remedy of this weakness is a mere quesweal. There seems to be but one remedy tion of time and effort. It is not so very for the nuisance, and that is to prohibit long since Western people were content by the severest penalties the formation by to exist amidst surroundings fully as the Chinese of any clubs or associations wretched, filthy, and obnoxious as anywhatever whose books and proceedings thing now observable in Chinese cities; are not open to periodical supervision by and the reformation which has since the police authorities. Apart from this proved possible in their case gives reason proneness to club together for defensive to hope that the Chinese are not incapable purposes, and which may be ascribed to of a similar regeneration, could similar ingovernmental maladministration, rather ducements and opportunities be afforded than to any impatience of restraint in-them. A proof of what is practicable in herent in the Chinese character, there is this respect may at this moment be quoted every evidence to show that the China- in the Chinese quarter of the foreign setman, in his own country and in his normal condition, is willingly submissive to constituted authority, and gladly accepts its obligations and restraints, so long as his rights as a man and a citizen are not unreasonably entrenched upon. Indeed, in- Assuming the premises above set forth stances may be pointed out, all over China, to be sound-namely, that the Chinese as in which large villages, which in Europe a race are not hopelessly degraded nor inwould rank as towns, pass a peaceful subordinate to reasonable restraint, that and unobtrusive existence, free from the on the contrary they show every evidence, supervision of either civil or military offi- when in their own country, of being an cials, and governed solely by a system of industrious, intelligent, frugal, temperate, "ancients" or elders, by whom every dis-peace-loving, and orderly people, and that pute or difficulty is easily adjusted.

Under this category may be ranged another characteristic noticeable in the Chinese immigrant, namely, his contempt for, and resistance to, municipal arrangements for the public good. This is a feature of social economy quite foreign to a Chinaman's ideas of what is necessary or expedient in the general interest. In China, if a charitable or wealthy individual expends his spare funds in a public work, or if the government, or a club, or an association of householders more immediately interested take upon themselves to erect a bridge, pave a roadway, widen a street, improve the drainage, and such like, the general public gratefully accepts the boon, and avail itself of the advantages afforded. But, failing the occurrence of any such fortunate contingency, the Chinaman is content to take matters as he finds them, and never dreams of burdening him

tlement of Shanghai, where the arrangements for the public welfare, supported and aided to a great extent by the Chinese population, would do credit to many a European town.

that portion of them which emigrate do not as a rule come from amongst the dregs of the population the question very naturally presents itself, how it comes to pass that these people, when they go abroad, become metamorphozed into such vicious, obnoxious members of society as to be positively hurtful to any community amongst whom they settle. The reason is obvious to any one who has studied the Chinese in their own country, and is not inoculated by party or national prejudice. It is that the many commendable traits by which their character is marked have not been sufficiently understood or encouraged, whilst their bad points, developed unfortunately by adventitious and unfavorable circumstances, have not been dealt with in the manner best calculated to work an effectual remedy. Misappreciation and mismanagement have in fact been to a great extent, if not altogether, the true

with more than one foreign government with a view to the legislation of emigration and its conduct upon humane and properly recognized principles. Nothing can have a more mischievous effect than the attempts which have been made both in America and Australia to legislate upon the subject independently of the Chinese government, and to place restrictions upon the influx of Chinese which are utterly opposed to treaty stipulations, and which foreign governments would certainly never tolerate in the case of their own subjects resorting to Chinese territory. Then, again, an entirely different system will need to be introduced in respect to the treatment of the Chinese who settle upon

source of all our troubles with Chinese immigrants. And how can it be expected to be otherwise, when a government undertakes suddenly to bring within the scope of its legislative enactments tens and hundreds of thousands of an entirely alien race, without having them in any way represented in the executive, or without taking the precaution to see that some one member of the ruling power, at any rate, is familiar with the language, customs, and habits of thought of the people governed? A move in this direction has fortunately been made of late in Hongkong and Singapore, and with on the whole favorable results, considering the partial nature of the measures adopted. But until this reform was introduced, and as is even now foreign shores. Every administration, the case in Australia, the West Indian islands and the United States, it may safely be affirmed that there was no one in official circles who comprehended one word of the spoken or written Chinese language, and that the members of the government one and all were utterly ignorant of the peculiarities of the people whom they were set to govern. Here at once would be a fruitful source of mutual misunderstandings between the governing and governed, leading inevitably to exaction and harsh treatment on the one side, and to shrinking, isolation, discontent, and despair on the other.

within whose jurisdiction Chinese happen to place themselves, should lose no time in supplying itself, as a sine quâ non, with respectable interpreters, competent both to speak and write the language — such men, in fact, as those who, under the enlightened policy of the British Foreign Office, have done so much of late years to smooth away the asperities of our relations with China itself - men who, on the one hand, can, by their experience of the Chinese character, pilot the government into a discreet threading of its many intricacies, and on the other, by their familiarity with the language, court the trust and confidence of the people themselves.

Happily there seems to be a remedy for this untoward condition of affairs, and one Another most effectual method of connot beyond the reach of accomplishment, ciliating the Chinese, and inducing content if only the proper course be taken to adopt in their minds whilst under an alien rule, and apply it. Much may be effected in would be to hold out encouragements to the first place by efforts to improve the individuals from amongst their own numtype and condition of the Chinese who ber to merit the distinction of taking a emigrate, and by encouraging female emi-part, however limited, in the administragration in the case of those countries tion of their affairs. The Chinese are, as where the Chinaman finds himself thrown has been advanced at the commencement among peoples of alien race to himself, as, of this paper, an eccentric people. Their for instance, in the British colonies and mental architecture is so entirely different western American states. This result can from that of any other race as to be simonly be attained by international arrange- ply unique, and to attempt to lead them to ment with the Chinese government, and, a result by any other process of thought or more than one Western power being con- argument than that to which they have cerned, it would be a happy thing if con- been accustomed is to court almost cercerted action could be brought to bear so tain failure. Hence the wisdom of humor. as to secure unity of purpose in the gen- ing them to a certain extent; and this is eral interest. The Chinese government, nowhere more necessary than when dealalthough always intolerant of the efflux of ing with them from an administrative point their people from their own dominions, of view. The Dutch, with their usual have of late learned to accept the inevi- acuteness, have detected this peculiarity, table, and to show an interest in the wel- and met it in Java and their other Eastern fare of their expatriated subjects, as has possessions by appointing what are called been evinced by the commission sent a "capitan Cheena" over certain sections few years ago to South America to inquire of population, a species of small court into the condition and treatment of their magistrates, in fact, to whom are relegated people there, and by their negotiations all cases, civil and criminal, of a petty na