tions in China is, that the printing of native books by foreigners is strictly prohibited. The English press is free in Canton; so that two newspapers and one magazine are published there,without interference or molestation. But, while foreigners are permitted to "corrupt one another," as much as they please, they are not allowed to poison the minds of the natives by their "depraved productions." This does not refer to Christian books merely, but to all books constructed by foreigners in the native language; and it applies with equal force to the Society for promoting Useful Knowledge, and the chamber of commerce, as it does to missionary institutions. All that is attempted in this department, therefore, must be done outside the factories.
Again, when foreigners wish to engage type-cutters, they cannot stop in the streets and negotiate with them; for nothing could be done in such situations without attracting the attention of by-standers, who do not fail to report all that is done by strangers. Even in China-street, where foreigners usually buy their trinkets, the door is shut immediately a customer enters a shop, lest some police-officer passing by should notice and squeeze the native dealer; how much less could secret transactions be carried on in the streets devoted to native trade, where all would see and hear what it is wished that no one should know.
The only way, therefore, is to employ a Chinese broker, in whom confidence can be placed; who will come privately to the rooms of the foreigner, receive his orders for work, and get them executed in some distant village. But even then the arrangement must be made under great disadvantage; for large advances must be made before the work is commenced; a higher
