Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/17

 as to prevent their republication. Modern writers, too, have not always been clear and satisfactory in their statements. The accounts of the population, for example, are found to vary from twenty millions up to the "mystical numbers" 333 millions.

The numerous discrepancies and contradictions that stand recorded on many a page of foreign books, will prove "a, strong incentive to consult, and to ascertain, as distinctly as possible, the competence and credibility of the most approved native authorities. These, at the present time, can be obtained in great numbers, and on every subject, whether physical, moral, political, commercial, literary, or religious. On these several topics, and others also, historical and statistical works will be required, to exhibit alike the past and the present. Sufficient weight has not, generally, we think, been give to native authorities. While we would allow them their proper influence, we shall try to avoid the opposite extreme. We have no very strong expectations of finding much that will rival the arts and sciences, and various institutions of the Western nations. We do not expect to find, among all the almost numberless tomes of the Celestial Empire, data of such value and authority, as shall enable the wise men of the age, 'to correct the chronology, or improve the morality of Holy Writ.'

On natural history, inquiries may, with great propriety and advantage, be directed, to the climate, its temperature, changes, winds, rains, healthfulness; to the soil, its mineral, vegetable, and animal productions, its fertility and state of cultivation; and also to the productions of the rivers, lakes, and seas.

As to commerce, it will be specially interesting to notice its progress from the past to modern times; observing, particularly, the advantages and' disadvantages of its present state.

Inquiries in regard to the social relations, will require a careful investigation of the constitution of society; and, in connection with an examination of