China and the Chinese. By the Rev. J. L. Nevius.
(Sampson Low and Co.)—Mr. Nevius was for many years an American missionary in China, and his book has a distinct value as a record of his experiences. That he is quite free from class prejudices, that he never uses the con- ventional language, which, however true it may be, is out of place in a book of this kind, we cannot affirm; but he is on the whole a candid and liberal observer ; certainly he takes a more favourable view of the Chinese character, than visitors from the West have commonly done. There is much interest in the miscellaneous information which he has collected, though it is not put together with any skill of arrangement. The chapters, for instance, which describe Chinese Spiritualism and the methods of divination are valuable. But one turns naturally to what Mr. Nevius has to say about the success which Christianity has hitherto had in China, and about the prospects which it may entertain for the future. The Roman Catholic missions have been at work, though not without interruption, for many years. These number at present something less than a million converts. This success Mr. Nevins acknowledges without grudging, though he is inclined to attribute it in part to the resemblance which is found between tho forms of Buddhist and those of Roman Catho- lic worship. Protestantism has hitherto done nothing to be compared with this. Four thousand is the total of converts which the missions can boast. These, it seems, are to a great extent of the literary class. One hopeful feature is to bo noticed. Some years back there were few converts besides those who derived pecuniary benefit as interpreters, &c., from the mission. New independent communities are being formed. The chapters on this subject are evidently truthful, and will repay perusal.
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