In this connection, and on the occasion of my taking leave of the consular
service, I would beg, sir, to recall to your recollection the Chinese
educational scheme I had the honor, when at home in 1877, to propose for
Harvard University, a scheme which now promises to be successful, and one
which, I feel assured, will provide our consulates in two years with the
interpreters so much demanded.
In order to remind you thoroughly of my scheme, I take the liberty of
inclosing printed copies of my correspondence with President Eliot, of
Harvard, on the subject.
I have now the gratification to add that a Chinese gentleman, who is fully
competent for the teachership, will arrive at Cambridge in time for the next
October course of instruction; and I boldly, though most respectfully, would
ask the government to consider the propriety of signifying to President
Eliot, without great delay, its willingness to appoint from the class a
certain number of scholars to permanent and promising positions in our
legation and consulates in China; and now that the Chinese have established
a legation in Washington, the government may think well of appointing
regular Chinese interpreters therefrom to the State Department.
[Inclosure 1 in Mr. Knight’s
letter.]
Mr. Knight to Mr.
Eliot.
Boston, February 22,
1877.
proposal for teaching chinese at
harvard university.
Dear Sir: A commercial and official experience
in China for the past fifteen years has convinced me that a great
mistake has been made by residents in not acquiring a knowledge of the
language of the Country on their arrival, rather than depend thereafter
on the so-called “Pigeon English” for communication with the people of
that great Empire. The changes which have taken place the last few years
in China, where our commercial and diplomatic interests are increasing,
and where I am confident they will continue to increase until they
exceed in importance those of other occidental nations, have made this
error most painfully evident.
Since my return to this country the knowledge that many European
universities, and that of Oxford as well, had established professorships
of Chinese, and that Yale College contemplated doing so with the view of
appointing Dr. S. Wells Williams,, L. L. D., to the chair, has drawn my
attention, as you are aware, sir, to the desirability of some provision
being made for introducing instruction in the Chinese language into
Harvard University.
Few, if any, who have had experience in China during the last ten years,
will dispute my assertion that for young men who will study with the
view of pursuing a certain career away from their native land, China
offers an exceptionally rare field for success and honor. To be
practical, I may say that our legation at Peking will offer two
permanent positions, that of secretary of legation and Chinese
interpreter, and that I am assured that our consulates will hereafter be
given to capable men who have made the language of the country their
study.
To those who prefer a commercial life, there will be a number of
opportunities open, as both merchants and bankers there recognize daily
the necessity of independence from the Chinese shroff or treasurer, on
whom now they must chiefly depend.
The foreign Chinese customs service (in which already Harvard has four
graduates,
[Page 236]
one, who after
about twelve years’ service, is now a commissioner, in the enjoyment of
a salary of nearly £2,000 per annum, and three others, who have made
such excellent progress in two years in the language and in gaining a
knowledge of their duties as to receive $150 per month) will have, I am
sure, a number of excellent positions for those who have the forethought
to study for them. But for those whose aim will be for a distinguished
career in some profession, China, it is my belief, will prove the most
satisfactory country for eminent success and honor.
The one small railroad, of but eleven miles, now running from Shanghai to
Woosung, in China, is but the opening wedge, it is commonly believed, to
vast lines across the Empire, equalled only at present in our own
country, and this fact should stimulate students who will follow the
profession of civil engineering to study for fame in that direction, and
to assist in opening up, by the aid of surveys, telegraphs, and
railroads, that vast empire to civilization.
It is well known that China is as rich in minerals as is our own favored
country, and the employment of an English expert in the coal fields of
Formosa and the constant assertion by all who best are qualified to
express an opinion that the Chinese must and will employ foreign mining
engineers should be sufficient to induce some to learn the language with
the determination of pushing their fortunes there. To those who will
enter the law school of Harvard, China presents a field for a most
lucrative practice. Already do the lawyers at Hong-Kong and the treaty
ports in China, now mostly London barristers and solicitors, realize the
value of their Chinese business, and feel greatly the want of the
Chinese language, in the person of an intelligent and honorable
foreigner in their offices. And as more ports are opened and mixed
courts established for the adjudication of cases between foreigners and
Chinese, it may well be expected that those who become lawyers may
advantageously go out from this country, where the profession is so
crowded, to one where its honors are as yet so lightly competed for.
Having pointed out that, in visiting China, young men may find many
opportunities for furthering their interests in a pecuniary point of
view, it is not to be forgotten that in doing so they will extend the
means of communication between the Western world and a large portion of
the human race, which is now practically excluded from the family of
nations—an honorable office. Moreover, there is in China an almost
untouched field for the traveler, the scientific man, and for many
others, which might well attract many minds, apart from the
consideration of emolument, for they would find an unexplored country
and an unexplored literature, both of vast extent, and although in
science we should teach, it is far from improbable that we may in the
arts be able ourselves to acquire some valuable empirical knowledge
which has come down from a remote antiquity.
I do not propose to you at present the establishment of a Chinese chair,
as I am not aware how far an appeal to the public would be responded to;
but I think the main object in view may be reached by bringing from
China one or two native teachers, by the aid of whom, with the excellent
books now attainable, any resolute scholar may acquire a knowledge of
the language by a system generally pursued by students at Peking. This
would involve but a very moderate annual expense, and if it meets your
approbation, I shall be happy to see what can be done in the community
with regard to funds.
I am, &c.,
