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thing relating to Chinese literature. For, what is required to meet the question is not breadth, so much as depth. And in the words of the Hindoo poet:
"Ekashchandro tamo hanti na cha taraganairapi."
"One moon does more to dispel the gloom than a thousand stars."
Assertions, or even private opinions, "ad captandum" only, will fail to convince men who look below the surface. But they may, as in this case, perhaps, mislead others, who, having no better opportunity to judge for themselves, will, at once and cordially, decide on doing "the right thing"; and, as a pious act, freely—
"Dant veniam corvis; vexat censura columbas."
It seems, therefore, to be the duty of every one who may hope to assist, even a little, in this cause, to do so simply and candidly, with a view to God's glory alone. That is our apology for offering our opinion at all. But we do so with diffidence; for we run the risk of an encounter with "giants of Gath," in the shape of Committees of men, our seniors in years as well as in learning and experience. They, too, leave us a very forlorn hope of escape, since we are told, at page 10, line 18, that no compromise will do. Either we must side with "Shin," and live, or die with "Shang-Te"! And yet, to quote the writer's words, we have "no choice left in the matter," but,
