The experiment has proved successful beyond a doubt.  Old women and young children have in this way come to read the Scriptures and other books in a few days.  This revolution must go forward with the spread of Christianity; nor is it too much to expect that in the lapse of ages, the hieroglyphs of the learned language will for popular use be superseded by the use of the Roman alphabet, or by a new alphabet recently invented and propagated by officials in Peking.

In conclusion:  Our missionaries have made our merchants acquainted with China; and they have made foreign nations known to the Chinese.  They have aided our envoys in their negotiations; and they have conferred on the Chinese the priceless boon of scientific text-books.  Also along with schools for modern education, they have introduced hospitals for the relief of bodily suffering.

    W. A. P. M.

PEKING,
  Aug. 4. 1906.

[Page 292] II.

UNMENTIONED REFORMS[*]

[Footnote *:  Written by the author for the North-China Daily News.]

The return of the Mission of Inquiry has quickened our curiosity as to its results in proposition and in enactment.  All well-wishers of China are delighted to learn that the creation of a parliament and the substitution of constitutional for autocratic government are to have the first place in the making of a New China.  The reports of the High Commissioners are not yet before the public, but it is understood that they made good use of their time in studying the institutions of the West, and that they have shown a wise discrimination in the selection of those which they recommend for adoption.  There are, however, three reforms of vital importance, which have scarcely been mentioned at all, which China requires for full admission to the comity of nations.

1.  A CHANGE OF COSTUME

During their tour no one suggested that the Chinese costume should be changed nor would it have been polite or politic to do so.  But I do not admire either the taste or the wisdom of those orators who, in welcoming the distinguished visitors; applauded them for their graceful dress and stately carriage.  If that indiscreet flattery had any effect it merely tended [Page 293] to postpone a change which is now in progress.  All the soldiers of the Empire will ere long wear a Western uniform, and all the school children are rapidly adopting a similar uniform.  To me few spectacles that I have witnessed are so full of hope for China as the display on an imperial birthday, when the military exhibit their skilful evolutions and their Occidental uniform, and when thousands of school children appear in a new costume, which is both becoming and convenient.  But the Court and the mandarins cling to their antiquated attire.  If the peacock wishes to soar with the eagle, he must first get rid of his cumbersome tail.

This subject, though it savours of the tailor shop, is not unworthy the attention of the grand council of China’s statesmen.  Has not Carlyle shown in his “Sartor Resartus” how the Philosophy of Clothes is fundamental to the history of civilisation?  The Japanese with wonderful foresight settled that question at the very time when they adopted their new form of government.