Such is a brief sketch of the state and progress of Education in this newly awakened and progressive empire. The facts stated are worthy of our careful study. They will no doubt be read with interest by educationists in this country, who, in many cases, have not been aware of the remarkable strides which this ancient, but energetic and spirited people have been making during the last few years to overtake the civilization, and partake of the refinement of the modern nations of our old and new worlds.

It was an appropriate coincidence that the Chinese and Japanese national exhibits were placed side by side in the main building. Their proximity suggested an interesting comparison, not only as between the evidences which these exhibits presented of industry, taste and skill, but also as to the differences which exist in the national and social condition of the people of each empire. In the Chinese department, or exhibit, there were abundant evidences of industry and ingenuity of invention and imitation in symbolizing, in vases, urns, and tripods, the national religion and mythology, of the country. In the Japanese department, there were the same evidences of patient labour, skill and ability in combination, as illustrated in the grotesque ornaments and articles exhibited. But there was, nevertheless, strikingly apparent in them, a refinement, a cultivated taste, and evidence of propriety, as well as a wonderful adaptation in reducing the mythological fable and traditional legend to real tangible shape. In the Japanese department there were also palpable indications of the presence in the national mind of foreign ideas, which had taken form and shape in various ways, but which were thinly disguised in a native dress. In the Chinese department scarcely a ray of light from modern European civilization seemed to have penetrated the mind of the artist or artificer of the grotesque figures, or fashioner of articles of domestic and social life, exhibited. In the Japanese exhibit the evidences were many and striking of an anxiety, on the part of the leading minds of the empire of the present day, to enlist on their side those potent means of intellectual life and vigour, which in Europe and America have proved such powerful auxiliaries to national enlightenment and elevation. In the Chinese collections there was nothing of real, substantial value to indicate that the thought of a higher and better civilization than their own had entered the minds of the people, or even existed in the world. Thus were the characteristics of these two ancient nations presented to the minds of visitors from all parts of this continent. It was a curious and instructive study; full of lessons of great interest to those who were never before brought into contact with modern eastern life. It dissipated many a prejudice, cleared up many a doubt as to facts, disproved many a theory, and brought out into strong relief the essential differences between two Asiatic nations of kindred type, which in the popular mind, were often confounded together or mixed up, as far-off people, in a dim haze of uncertainty.

It would, however, be unjust to the Chinese people to assume that because the Japanese exhibit at Philadelphia was essentially superior to that of the Chinese in its evidences of refinement, taste, ingenuity, and skill, that, therefore, they (the Chinese) were making no efforts to take higher intellectual rank among the nations of the world. Far from it. They, like the Japanese, have been aroused and stimulated, although more slowly, by contact with European and American civilization. They have been later in the field; but they are taking effectual steps to place themselves, like Japan, in the front rank of Eastern civilization. From a paper published in an educational periodical at Chicago, by the Hon. B. G. Northrop, a

distinguished authority on questions of this kind, and who, I believe, superintends the education of the Chinese in Connecticut, we quote the following passages, explanatory and illustrative of the steps which have been taken by the Chinese Government to deal practically with the great question of the extension of popular education in that vast empire. He says:

"Every scholar who saw the magnificent exhibits of China and Japan will more casily orient himself, and henceforth study the geography and history of those countries with livelier interest. Still more will a new charm and vividness be imparted to all delineations of the nearer nations of Europe. It was a great and grateful surprise to all, that in the three departments of bronze, lacquer, and ceramic works, Japan was unrivalled. The brightness and intelligence of the one hundred and fifteen Chinese students whom I escorted from Hartford to Philadelphia, their quiet and gentlemanly deportment, and still more their examination papers and English compositions, shown in the Connecticut Educational Exhibit, have already modified public sentiment as to the character and capacity of that most populous nation of the globe. These written exercises are pronounced by eminent educators, including many State Superintendents of schools, among the most remarkable papers of the kind in the Exposition. The Bureau of Judges for Educational Exhibits, of which Sir Charles Reed, of London, was President, gave a special award to this work of Chinese students, in the following words: The work shown is generally good, some of it of very extraordinary excellence, showing on the part of the pupils, not only great proficiency and ability but, remarkable command of the English language, and thoroughness in their studies. By introducing into the schools of this country so large a number of Chinese youth, the Chinese government has rendered a great service to the people of China, and contributed somewhat to the solution of a question of vast importance to this country.' These promising Chinese students already favourites in the choicest schools and families of New England, and winning prizes for their proficiency, in competition with American boys-ought, by their example and achievements, to counteract the prejudice against their race, current along our Pacific coast, and thus, in the words of the Judges' award, 'contribute somewhat to the solution of a question of vast im; ortance to this country.'

"This educational scheme is a new departure for the oldest and largest nation of the globe, and initiates a national movement most significant and prophetic, promising to expand into broad agencies and vast results. These ambitious students, when equipped with the best education-academic, collegiate, and professional-which America can give in a thorough course of fifteen years, will return to China as the exponents of the highest civilization, and become the benefactors of their country by introducing modern science, inventions, and internal improvements. This far-reaching plan bas enlisted the cordial sympathy of the most intelligent minds in our country. It was a fit expression of this national feeling when the President of the United States honoured these students with a special reception at Philadelphia, personally greeting each one, and the President and Director. General of the Exposition, Presidents of colleges, and other eminent men, addressed them in Judges' Hall. It is a compliment to Connecticut that Hartford is selected as the prominent head-quarters of the Chinese Educational Commission, for the support of which the Chinese government has appropriated one million and a half of dollars.

"One feature of the Chinese and Japanese Exhibits is worth noticing, as showing either a radical difference of type between the Occidental and Oriental mind; or else, what is far more probable, the difference between the results of the imperfect, traditional, fossilized education of the great empires of Asia, and that education of Christian civilization which we enjoy. Close observers have remarked that, while in the exhibits of the so-called Christian nations, the displays of skill were largely inventive, that is, devising new means and appliances for increasing comfort or productiveness, the skill of Oriental nations, perhaps no less wonderful of its kind, showed itself to be feebly inventive, being essentially and laboriously imitative, a reproducing of old ideas in innumerable forms of minute expertness in handcraft. Invention implies increase of power and growth of ideas and character. Mere imitation keeps a nation repeating itself for ages.

VII. EXHIBIT OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

One of the most remarkable and unique collections at the International Exhibition was that contained in the United States Building. It was remarkable for the great variety of Government industries and enterprises which it represented, as well as practically illustrated. It was unique, from the fact that it included in it material examples, or tangible evidences of the national interests, which the United States Government had practically to do with. It illustrated also in some degree, the material, social, and intellectual life of the American people, so far as that complicated life was in any way touched upon, or affected, by the Executive Government. In this aspect the whole exhibit was a curious and instructive study. It brought directly into view of the people the practical machinery of Government, so far as it related to material things, and presented in a tangible shape things which had to do with the details of national life, and the administration of Government,

This great and comprehensive exhibit of the American people, presented on so extensive a scale, was in reality a series of grand object lessons, most interesting and suggestive. It showed at a glance the extent of that great workshop with its many departments which the nation possessed, and in which it produced-while from its immense store-house, it dispensed -the various articles and material required for the use of the nation. The National Exhibit was indeed a National Depository on a vast scale, in which nearly every trade and industry were represented, but which were, of necessity under the control of the Government.

In speaking of this striking exhibit, the editor of the Pennsylvania School Journal regards it as:

Certainly the best organized, and perhaps the most instructive exhibition on the Centennial grounds." Further he says: "as a whole, and in its various departments, the result of order and method are everywhere apparent.".

In the belief that a brief description of this great exhibit, in the many scientific and educational aspects which it presented, will prove both interesting and instructive to persons connected with education in our Province, I have condensed the report of it which appears in the Pennsylvania School Journal. The editor says:

"The exhibit, taken together, was a practical miniature representation of the executive department of the United States Government in active operation. The completeness of the display, its systematic arrangement, and the labelling of everything in the Government building, were features which did not fail to impress the observant visitor most favourably.

"A visit here is a revelation of wonders connected with the Army and Navy department, the Department of Agriculture, the Post Office, Patent Office, Signal Service, Ordnance Bureau, Lighthouse Board, and all the subordinate departments and bureaus that are in any way connected with the Government.

"Here may be seen a wonderful collection of curious specimens of shot and shell, small arms of all kinds, ship's guns and howitzers, Gatling guns, and other terrible engines of naval warfare, that will show the world how well we are prepared to defend the flag that flies over building and house-top far and near. Then there are specimens of every description of naval stores, from a ship biscuit to a sheet anchor. Marine engines and boilers are also exhibited, showing what improvements have been made by the Bureau of Marine Engineering. Immense cables, with mammoth iron links and hawsers, so big that they look strong enough to hold the ship to her anchor though the four winds of heaven were blowing her away. Beautifully finished models of every class of ship on the naval list.

"Lifeboats and rafts of all kinds and shapes are also exhibited;

contains the relics of the Polar expedition under Captain Hall.

and a handsome case

"In the Naval section are also on view the various hospital appointments used in the