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XXX. THE RULERS OF CHINA. *

E can only liken the Manchoo-Tartar administration unto a huge octopus, its numberless feelers extending to the uttermost parts of the so-called "Celestial Empire," in the shape of avaricious time-serving mandarins, each one sucking away at the substance of the nation, cramming himself with ill-gotten gain, feeding the insatiable core at Pekin with the smallest percentage allowable, and keeping for himself as much as he possibly can keep with any degree of safety.

These mandarins receive only a nominal salary, but are given carte blanche to obtain unlimited emolument, which they most ingeniously contrive to do by submitting the unfortunate civilians to a system of undue taxation, or "squeezing," as it is very appropriately termed in "pidgin-English." As a writer on Chinese characteristics wisely observes: "No wonder the naturally astute Chinese appear so particularly cunning and deceitful to Europeans! The possession of money is a sure attraction for the mandarin vultures; so that, beyond the pale of the foreign settlements at the Treaty Ports, throughout the country every native merchant and civilian is bred up to habits of mendacity, and particularly to conceal his real income and condition."

In consequence of the unlimited power of these mandarins, most of whom are of Tartar extraction, China, under its present rulers, will never be a safe or fruitful field for missionary enterprise. Missionaries are regarded by these officials as the pioneers of

*This originally appeared in the columns of "St. Paul's", August 24th 1895.

civilization, and the harbingers of reform and enlightenment. They pave the way for commercial pursuits, and once the hated fang-quai-"foreign devil "-introduces the "barbarous" inventions. of the West, the mandarin will no longer be able to levy his taxes and live in princely opulence on the ignorance and credulous stupidity of his servile subjects. So he teaches them to regard our ingenuity as witchcraft, to strenuously oppose the doctrines of our enterprising missionaries and to drive them from the land. Most of the anti-foreign riots originate thus. Every high official is supposed to keep a certain number of well-trained soldiers ready for immediate service, if required, and he is allowed by the Government to withhold a large sum from the revenue for this express purpose. In nine cases out of ten, he keeps the necessary number of uniforms and arms, generally the most primitive weapons, bought by the gross as old iron, but dispenses with the soldiers, only retaining a limited staff for his yâmen, and pockets the amount that should be expended in their support. Should he be notified of a visit from some high official or censor, or be required to despatch a military expedition, against the Japanese, for instance, he sends out his petty mandarins, runners, and "braves" to raise a regiment, or even an army, as the case may require. This they do by pressing into the service a number of coolies, who are then equipped and driven away like sheep; and when sent to the front to face an enemy are verily butchered like them.

The further north an official is stationed the more soldiers he is obliged to keep; the reason of this is obvious, and requires no explanation. The pay of an ordinary Chinese soldier is from three to four Haikwan taels (about nine or twelve shillings) per month, out of which he must board himself. But by the time the money has filtered down through the fingers of the officials to the poor "brave" there is rarely more than a half left, if so much. He cannot obtain redress or even seek it without endangering his life, hence the many rebellions and resulting massacres we repeatedly hear of, especially in the north of China. The numerous secret societies are thus strengthened by the continuous enrolment of members inured to hardship and incensed against

their own Government, which they endeavour to drag into disgrace, disrepute, and degradation, and to finally overthrow, by raising against it the enmity of other nations. This they attain by committing the most heartrending atrocities, in which they are often countenanced, if not encouraged, by the local mandarins, who greatly fear the secret societies, and merely have their own interests at heart.

Every branch of civil, social, political, religious, and military organization in China has become so manifestly defiled since the advent of the Manchoo-Tartars that it is worse than useless for us or our zealous missionaries to think of rectifying or alleviating the evil. A complete change of dynasty seems the only efficient remedy, in fact, the only course that affords any prospect of peace and happiness for China, and for the safety and welfare of Europeans resident there. As the Chinese themselves sigh and say: China, when once more ruled by Chinese, will become a more prosperous, more civilized, and, in all probability, a Christianized country.

But, with regard to "Christianity," having seen much of the creeds and customs of Eastern nations, I consider it is presumptuous on our part to denominate a man "heathen" because he is not of the same religion as ourselves. I believe that, whether he be a disciple of Jesus Christ, or a disciple of Confucius, Buddha, or Mahomet, if he follows and observes the tenets of his faith, and acts according to the dictates of his conscience, he is on the right road. It seems absurd and uncharitable to think otherwise.

To my friends and readers I will now say au revoir-not good-bye. For I trust that we shall meet again some day, if not personally, in the pages of some future work. But the roving spirit is again growing upon me, and away on the remote horizon of my mind the peaceful valleys and endless hills-stretching away to the world's end as it were-tempt me to once more turn my eyes towards the mystic Southern Cross.

Some are free, unfettered and restless, others do not cherish

this hope-shattered life too dearly, and not a few wish to forget what might have been and to bury remembrance for ever in Lethean fields of fame. To those I say come and wander where you will to your very hearts content. Rub the rust from your gun and revolver, roll up your tent like an Arab and as silently steal away with me to those far-off sunny regions where the broad Pacific breaks. There you will learn that there are things more lasting and glorious than the lingering pressure of a shapely hand, and joys more real and thrilling than a loveimpassioned caress. There we shall find matter for many and many a volume of poetry or prose. And when you see the vast mountains looming away in long futurity, and you know that the shady valleys lie far beyond, you will look fixedly ahead and, pushing ever onward, forget the past and present alike in dreams of the great Some Day.