In a recent lecture to the China Society, Mr. Cantlie stated the fact that the average size of the Chinese brain is greater than that of any other race; and certainly the students who have come over to Europe show a capacity of not only keeping up with our students in their work, but frequently of surpassing them.
The whole civilised world looked on with astonishment and admiration at the rapid evolution of the Japanese nation in recent times, and now the Chinese Empire has resolved to make a similar change. It has a much more difficult task to achieve, and one which, on account of the size of the Empire, is likely to have a far greater importance for the world at large. The Chinese are strongly animated by the spirit of patriotism; they have great qualities of heart and mind, and a set determination to carry through the necessary reforms. In the dark ages of the past they were the pioneers in art, science, and philosophy; therefore one can with hopefulness look forward to a yet nobler future, and trust that the new era which is beginning may be one of ever-increasing greatness for the Celestial Empire.
TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL CHINESE DYNASTIES
Legendary Chinese history extends from the twenty-ninth to the tenth century B.C., the first dynasty emerging from the mists being the
| Chow dynasty | 1122 to 249 B.C. |
| Han dynasty | 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. |
| Tang dynasty | 618 A.D. to 906 A.D. |
| Sung dynasty | 960 A.D. to 1279 A.D. |
| Yuan (the Mongol) | 1280 A.D. to 1367 A.D. |
| Ming | 1368 A.D. to 1643 A.D. |
| Ching, or Ts’ing (Manchu) | 1643 to the present day. |
FOOTNOTES
[1] The legend of the Willow Pattern (introduced into England by Minton in 1780) is as follows:—Koong-Shee, the daughter of a wealthy mandarin, fell in love with her father’s secretary, Chang. She had been already affianced to a wealthy suitor, so her father shut her up in his house close by the tea-garden. Koong-Shee begged Chang to help her to escape before the peach came into blossom, and he succeeded in doing so. In the willow pattern they are seen escaping across the bridge. They were followed, alas! by the irate suitor to a distant island, where he set fire to their house. The spirits of the lovers were transmuted into doves, which are seen hovering over their old haunts.
[2] A society has been formed in China this year (1908) for the purpose of preserving ancient monuments, as they are suffering not only at the hands of travellers, but of native officials.
[3] The first Chinese settlers are said to have come from the shores of the Caspian Sea, bringing with them the silkworm and the mulberry.
[4] Five missionary societies have combined to provide a good teaching staff. It is to be hoped that several other such union colleges may be established in different parts of the Empire.