neceffary to produce the defired effe£t. I f we pafs from thofe employed
in manufaftures to artifts'of a fuperior clafs, as painters,
ftatuariea, SV. in thefe matters they feem to be (till more defedtive;
their painters, though very numerous and in great efteem, rarely
fucceeding in the drawing or colouring human figures, or in the
grouping of large compofitions; and though in flowers and birds
their performances are much more admired, yet even in thefe.
fome part of the merit is rather to be imputed to the native bright-
nels and excellency of the colours, than to the lkill of the painter;
fince it is very unufual to fee the fight and lhade juftly and naturally
handled, or to find that eafe'and grace in the drawing, which
are to be met with in the works o f European artifts. In fhort,
there is a ftiffnefs and minutenefs in moil of the Chinefe produdti-
ons, which are extremely dilpleafing : And it may perhaps be
truly afferted, that thefe defedts in their arts are entirely owing to
the peculiar turn of the people, amangft whom nothing great or
Spirited is to be met with.
I f we next examine the Chinefe literature, (taking our accounts
from the writers, who have endeavoured to reprefent it in the
moil favourable light) we fhall find,’ that on this head their ob-
ilinacy and abfurdity are mod wonderful.- Since though, for many
ages, they have been furrounded by nations, to whom the ufe of
letters-was familiar, yet they, the Chinefe alone, have hitherto ne-
glefled to avail themfelves of that almoft divine invention, and have
continued to adhere to the rude and inartificial method o f reprefen
ting words by arbitrary marks; a method which neceflarily renders
the number o f their characters too great for human memory
to manage,_ makes writing to be an art that requires prodigious
application, and in which no man can be otherwife than partially
flailed j whilft all reading, and underftanding o f what is written
is attended with infinite obfciirity and confufion,; as the connexion
between thefe marks, and the words they reprefent, cannot be retained
in books, but muft be delivered down from age to age by
orafitradition : And how uncertain this muft prove infuch a complicated
plicated fubjefit, is fufflciently obvious to thofe who have attended
to the variation which all verbal relations undergo, when they are
tranfmitted through three or four hands only. Hence it is ealy to
conclude, that the hiftory and inventions of paft ages', recorded by
thofe perplexed fymbols, muft frequently prove unintelligible j
.and confequently the learning and boafted antiquity of the Nation
muft, in numerous inftances,' be extremely problematical.
However, we are told by many of the Miflionaries, that tho’ the
fkill of the Chinefe in fcience is confeffedly much inferior to that of
the Europeans.) yet the morality and juftice taught and pradtifed by
them are moft exemplary : So that from the defcription given by
fome of thefe good fathers, one fhould be induced to believe, that
the whole Empire was a well-governed affeaionate family, where
the only contefts were, who fhould exert the moft humanity
-and focial virtue. But our preceding relation of the behaviour
•of the Magiftrates, Merchants and Tradefmen at Canton, fuffici-
cntly refutes thefe jefuitical fidtions. Befides, as to their, theories
o f morality, i f we may judge from the fpecimens exhibited in
the works of the Miflionaries, we fhall find them frequently employed
in recommending ridiculous attachments to certain frivolous
points, inftead of difcufling the proper criterion of human adtions,
.and regulating the general conduft of mankind to one another, on
reafonable and equitable principles. Indeed, the only pretenfion
of the Chinefe to a more refined morality than their neighbours,
IS founded, not on their' integrity or beneficence, but folely on
tbe affected evennefs of their demeanor, and their conftant attention
to fupprefs all fymptoms of paffion and violence. But it muft
be confidered, that hypocrify and fraud are often not lefs mif-
xhipvous to the general interefts of mankind, than impetuofity and
vehemence of temper : Since thefe, though ufually liable to the
.imputation of imprudence, do not exclude fincerity, benevolence,
■ refolution, nor many other laudable qualities. And perhaps, i f this
.matter was examined to the bottom, it would appear, that the
calm and patient turn .of the Chinejie, on which .they fo much
„ -value