I have every reason to believe that the most influential men of this
government are deeply interested in the college, and that they appreciate
the efforts of Dr. Martin and his associates more perfectly than ever
before. It is not too much to say that the statesmen of China now recognize
the fact that this country is far behind those of the West in the arts and
sciences. This has been apparent since the war of 1859–’60, more
particularly in military matters and in the more directly useful sciences.
They thought at first that it would be enough for them to use foreign
appliances, either those purchased abroad or those constructed here after
foreign models, but they are gradually learning that there can be no
satisfactory development which is not founded upon education and the
diffusion of knowledge. So we have their first poor beginnings, the
educational mission to the United States, important enough in itself, yet
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too little for a great empire in
the condition of this one, and this high school of which I am writing.
But they are beginnings, and there is that in the forces of civilization
which will realize them and make them “the beginning of a time.”
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Martin to Mr.
Seward.
Peking, February 5,
1877.
Dear Sir: Some months ago you did me the honor
to ask for a few facts relating to the present state of the Tûng Wen
College.
The tardiness of my response you will no doubt excuse when I assure you
that it has been occasioned by a desire on my part to wait, until
certain measures under consideration should take their place in the
category of facts.
This they have now done, and as you read them (under the head of recent
developments) you will, I think, agree with me that they are auspices of
progress in a wider sphere than that which the college is usually
considered to occupy.
The operations of this institution are restricted to a comparatively
small scale, because the demand for what we may call the new education
is as yet very limited, but its location gives it importance, and its
influence is evidently on the increase.
1. students.
We have on our rolls 101 names, distributed as follows:
| In the English school |
38 |
| In the French school |
28 |
| In the German school |
17 |
| In the Russian school |
10 |
| Not studying foreign languages |
14 |
Of these, fifty-six are in the scientific department, and divided between
the classes of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and political science,
most of them making use of text-books in foreign languages. The standing
of these last in Chinese scholarship is also respectable, as evinced by
the fact that more than twenty of them have been admitted to compete for
the higher degrees in the examinations for the civil service, and that
three of them have won the second degree, and one has taken the honors
of the third or highest of the general grades.
2. professors.
We have ten professors, of whom six are foreigners and four Chinese; and
when our corps of instruction is completed by the filling of a chair now
vacant, we shall have eleven.
To these are to be added three regular tutors, all Chinese.
3. work of the college.
Besides the giving and receiving of instruction, which naturally
constitutes the chief work of a school, our professors are largely
employed in the preparation of books, in which they are aided by our
more advanced students. Works on physics, chemistry, and diplomacy,
(translated mostly from foreign text,) thus prepared, have been
published under the auspices of the college, and the French code, a
Universal History, Woolsey’s International Law, and other books are now
in process of translation.
4. printing-press.
We have within our grounds a printing-office, which goes by the name of
the “College Press,” with fonts of type both Chinese and Roman, and six
hand-presses. While doing official work under the direction of the
foreign office, this establishment is designed in part for the printing
of translations made by our professors and students.
Besides the books above named, it has recently issued a reprint of an old
work on
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mathematics; and is now
engaged in printing autographic poems of the Emperors of the Tatsing
dynasty.
5. destination of our
students.
Oar students are all regarded as in preparation for the government
service, and are supported at the expense of the government, somewhat as
the cadets in American military schools. It is only lately, however,
that they have begun to be drafted away for official employment. One of
them has been sent to the province of Hunan as examiner for mathematics;
the opening of such examinations, in the provinces, being of itself a
very significant fact.
Two of them have gone as interpreters with the embassy to England; two
have been named for America; and others will be connected with the
consular service, or attached to the legations soon to be established in
the various European capitals.
The establishment of these two services opens to an honorable career, of
which, until lately, they had no prospect, and our young institution
accordingly feels the influence of this movement as a garden feels the
breath of spring.
6. recent developments.
- 1.
- Steps have been taken to fill our vacant chair of astronomy by the
appointment of Professor Mark Harrington, of Michigan
University.
- 2.
- Buildings, plain, commodious, are to be erected in the spring for
a chemical and mechanical laboratory.
- 3.
- Our examination hall is at the same time to be enlarged with a
view to extending the scale of our operations.
- 4.
- The number of our students is to be increased by the drawing of
regular levies from the government schools at Shanghai and
Canton.
- 5.
- A curriculum of studies extending over eight years has been
published by authority of the Tsung-li Yamên.
In conclusion, I cannot resist the conviction that the Tûng-wen College,
after an infancy of seven years, followed by a seven-years’ struggle for
existence, is now entering on an era of comparative prosperity. The high
authorities of the imperial government take an increasing interest in
its success, and the final examinations of the Chinese year (now drawing
to a close) were attended for three days in succession by cabinet
ministers and heads of departments who constitute the council for
foreign affairs. Hoping you will excuse the meagerness and brevity of
these details, I remain, &c,
W. A. P. MARTIN,
President of the
Tûng-wen Kwan.
