TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.
I. Memoir concerning the Chinese. By John Francis Davis, Esq., F.R.S., M.R.A.S.
Read May 17, 1823.
The Empire of China furnishes a subject of investigation, highly deserving the attention of the antiquarian and the philosopher; and one which, in proportion as it has been little attempted, affords the ampler field for research. It may in some measure be considered as a reproach to this country, that, notwithstanding our having a much greater interest in the subject, we should have permitted the learned of France and of Germany to anticipate us on many points of inquiry: although the labours of the last twenty years, and more especially of the last ten, have gone far towards giving us the first place in the ranks of Chinese literature; and much more may be expected from the future.
I shall endeavour, in this paper, to take a cursory view of such facts connected with the earlier history of the Chinese, as may be depended upon, in order to obtain a correct idea of the antiquity of their empire, and their advancement in knowledge, points on which the most vague and unfounded notions have been prevalent; and the view may not be without its utility, in shewing what parts of the subject stand in need of further investigation. Great as is the antiquity of the Chinese, it has still been extravagantly overrated. The best-informed and most reflecting among themselves reject, as unprofitable fables, the earliest traditions of their history:[1] and indeed the
