308 cHAprER 16 THE scrnNTrFrc REvoLUTToN

have a vague idea that something of the sort exists,

and surely would adopt one should it be shown
Rrvrrw Qursnol
to them. The quarries where they extract their clay l. Noting the style in which von Hun
Iie half a league to the east of Maniquarez. This rative is written, what conclusit
clay is produced by the decomposition of a mica- drawn about his intended audier
slate stained red by iron oxide. The Indian women function of science in the late eigJ
prefer the part most loaded with mica; and very early nineteenth centuries?
skilfully shape vessels of 2 to 3 feet in diameter 2, What methods does he employ a
with regular curves. As they do not know how to these differ from those of Coperni,
use kilns they place scrub from desmanthus, cassia or Newton?
and arborescent capparis around the pots and 3. What is the nature and subject o
bake them in the open air. practiced by von Humboldt?
4. Is there a purpose to his frequent <
of both the natural and the human
5. How does von Humboldt's discuss
ery differ from those of Raynal and

Hsu KunNc-cH/l
"Memorial Regarding the Jesuits"
Hsil Kuang-ch'i was a high official in the Chinese imperial court and a convert to
Christianity. St. Francis Xavier's ambitious plan of a Jesuit mission to carry Catholic
Christianity to the Chinese mainland was finally realized through the ffirts of
Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) and hk Jbllow lesuits in 1582. The endeavor is particularly
interesting because Ricci took a diplomatic approach to the process of conversion. Un-
Iike Xavier, who could be corfrontational in the face of opposition, Ricci preferred a
more latitudinarian approach. He saw, for example, no fundamental conflict between
Clristianity and Confucianism; the worship of God could be harmonized with the
worship of ancestors. Such a vision would eventually weaken the Jesuit mission,
plunging it into the so-called Rites Controversy, but it initially gained Ricci and the
lesuits a remarkable degree of toleration and access. He also mixed his efforts at reli-
gious conversion with the introductiolt of Western scientifc and mathematical ideas,
which were particularly welcome among members of the Confucian scholar-gentry.
One of these, Hsil Kuang-ch'i, became Ricci's convert. His memorial, written in 1617,
as relations between the Christian missionaries and the Confucian officials were be-
coming strained, argues the suitability of Western religious and scientifc values to ex-
pand the power of the Confucian emperor.

From Chinese Repository 9 (1850): 118-26; reprinted in Modern Asia and Africa, editedby
Willian.r H. McNeill and Mitsuko Iriye (NewYork: Oxford University Press, 1973), pp. 3l-43'
 HSU KUANG-cH'r: "Memorlal ltegardir.rg tl.re fesuits" 309

Sti Kwdngki, gutrrdian and tutor of the sons of the is not one in a thousand so accorlplished, or one
hnperial house, and Chancellor of the National L-r- in ten thousand so talented as these meu. Now the
stitute, respectftrlly presents this memorial: reason of their coming thousands of rniles east-
Knowing full weii that the arts and scieuces of rvard, is because l-realing that thc teachers, thc sages
the foleigners are in ir high degree correct, your and worthies o1'China, served Heaven by the cul-
majesty's humble servant earnestly begs of his sa- tivation of personal virtue, just as the teachers
cred Intelligence, the illustrious honor of issuir.rg a in their respective natiolrs by tl-re cultivation of
rnanifesto in their behalf, so as to rendel his own persor.ral virtue, served the Lord of Heavcn, and
felicity eterr.ral, and give great tranquility to ten knowing that there was this correspondence in
thousand generations. Your majesty's servant has principles, they desired, notrvithstanding the diffi-
seell, in the Governrnental Gazette, the report of culties ar.rd dangers by land and by sea, to give their
the Board ol Rites, impeaching Pantoya and others, seal to the truth, in order that r.r.ren might become
your majesty's Europeiln courtiers. In tl.rat Report good, and so realize l.righ Heaven's love to man.
it is said, "Their doctriues are penetrating deep, Accordir.rg to their sayings, the service of the
and spreading wide, so that even men of eminence High Rr,rlel is a prime duty; the protection of the
are believing in them;" and, "althougl-r their dis- bociy and tl-re salvation of the soul are grand es-
course s about astronomy ilre absr"rrd, yet even sentials; fideiity, filiai piety, compassion, and love
schotars are failing into their cloudy visions." By are to be ur-riversally exercised; the refornation of
tlius speci$ring "men of eminence" and "scholars," errors and the practice of virtue are ir.ritiatory
r.ninisters of tl.re Boald seem to fear that trunk and steps; repeutance and purificatior.r are the requi-
branches are being alike involved. Still they have sites lor personal improvement; the true fecilicity
failed to give tl-re narnes of individuals. Norv your of life celestial is the glorious reward of doing
servirnt is one of the mir.risters of the Imperiirl good; and the eterual misery of earth's plison is the
{r
Court, who has been accustor"ned to discoulse with bitter recompense of doing evii. All their com-
l{ your r-najesty's courtiers on religious subjects; and n.rands and injunctions are in the highest degree
he is one who believes in the many books they have compatible with the prir.rciples of Heaven and the
I published. With them also he has been accustomed feelings of rnen. Their larvs can cause uren to do
I to investigate the laws of mathen.ratics; his earlier good r-r-rost truly,, and to depart frorn evil most
and later reports thereon have ali been laid before completely, for that which they say of the fzrvor of
tl.re Lnperial presence; and tl.rus also your servant the Lord of heaven's producing, nourisl.ring and
is among those who have "discoursed about as- saving, and of his principles of rewarding the good
tronorny." If, tl.rerefore, youl majesty's courtiers trre ar-rd punishing the evil, is perfectly plain and most
to be found gr"rilty, how call yoLlr servant hope to strictly true; sufhcient to move the hearts of meu
be so fortunate as to escape uncondemned by the and to excite in them the love and confidence, the
r.ninisters of the Board? fear and dread, which uaturally sprir.rg from inter-
As your servant for years past has been thus ac- nal rectitude.
customed to engage in discussions and investiga-
tions with these courtiers, he has becorne well
***
acquainted with them, and knows that they are not If there be an absolute desire to have men do
only in deportment and in heart wholly lree from good in perfection, then the knowledge of serving
aught which can excite suspicion, but that they are Heaven, communicated by your urajesty's cout'-
indeed worthies and sages; tl-rat their doctrines irre tiers, is truly competent to rep.rir ancl augtnent the
most correct; their regimer-r most strict; their learr-r- royal Institutes, to strengthen and maintain the arts
ing rnost extensive; their knowledge most refined; of the literati, and to restore and correct the laws
their hearts most true; their views most steady; and of Budha. The proof of this is, thtrt the natior.rs of
that among the people of their own nations, there Europe which are contiguous to each other, and
 ,,,$!!${$i$!m@s$r* .-
310 cHaprtn l6 THE scrENTrFrc REVoLU'rroN

more than thirty in number, receiving and practic- If his sacred intelligence would deign gr
ing this religion, during a thousand and some hun- ciously to receive our apology, grant a manifesl
dreds of years up to tl-re present time, ivhether great and for a short space of time and or.r pelfect equ;
or smail, have alike been kind to each other; ity with the disciples of Budha and doctors of tl
whether high or low, have alike enjoyed reposei T6u sect, allow these courtiers to remain [in tl
their prescribed boundaries have required no empirel to plomulgate their doctrines and urge o
guard; nor has their sovereignty been hereditary; their reformation, it is humbly conceived that, et
throughout their whole don-rain, there have been many years have elapsed, the hearts of men and th
no deceivers nor liars; the vices of lewdness and ways of the world, will be seen to have undergon
theft from of old have never existed; no one would a steady and gradual change, progressing till a
venture to take up an article dropped upon the length there shall be one grand refornation, an(
highway; and even gates and doors of cities and perfect virtue become universal. Then every lav
houses it was not necessary to have closed by night. enacted shall go into effect, and no command giver
As to revolt and anarchy, rebels and insurgents, not shall be opposed. No unfaithful minister will then
only were there no sucl-r things and no such per- be in the capital or in the provinces. The manners
sons, but even such terms and such nattes had no of all the people without exception will be such as
existence. Thus for a long time, have these nations to render them worthy of being employed in the
enjoyed tranquillity, and their governments have imperial service. Tl-re glorious felicity enjoyed by
been well regulated. All their inhabitants have been your majesty's sacred person will be infir.rite, and
thus intensely watchful only lest they should, by the peace of your blessed empire perpetuated to a
falling into error, become guilty of sinning against myriad generationsl
the Lord of Heaven. Accordingly it is most clear Now since it might be difficult to secure full
and most manifest that their laws assuredly can confidence were your majesty's servant allowed a
cause nren to do well. hearing, or suspiciolls might be entertained by
Such is the religion and such are the manners those who are spectators, and thus cause much de-
and customs set forth by your majesty's courtiers; bate, your majesty's servant, therefore, would re-
and having repeatedly, and in the most thorough spectfully suggest three modes of examination to
manner, exainined their discourses and investi- ascertain the truth regarding said these courtiers,
gated their books, your majesty's servant knows and also three modes of surveiilance, all which
that they are all perfectly free from error. herewith l.re begs to submit for your majesty's con-
sideration. The three modes of examination are:
Isf. Let all the courtiers, whose names have
During the seventeen years these courtiers have been included in the memorials, be called to the
enjoyed your majesty's support, no course has been capital; and let a selection be made of your
opened by which they could requite the favors so majesty's ninisters both in and out of the capital;
generously bestowed upon them. Though they let all these jointly translate the standard works
have earnestly and heartily desired it, yet they have that have been brought frorn the West; iet subjects
found no means by which they could display be- be taken up in detail-what is said on serving
fore your majesty the virtues they cherish, and the Heaven and loving man, what relates to natural
constancy they have maintained. But knowing and moral philosophy, to the systems of civil gov-
these, as your majesty's servant has dor-re, should he ernment, to astronomy, to mathematics, to physic
keep silence, he would be ir.rdeed guilty of an act of and medicine, to agriculture and irrigation, to po-
criminal concealment. Hence he has been so rash litical economy, &c.;-ar.rd let a distinct treatise be
and so presumptuous as to cone forward as their prepared on each of these; and then let his majesty
intercessor. command the nrinisters of his own palace, in gen-
 Hsu KUANG-cH'r: "Memorlal Regarding the Jesuits" 311

elal assembly, to decide whether they are correct or truth concerning said courtiers. The three modes
erroneous. And if indeed they be subversive of the of surveillance are these:
cardinal virtues and opposed to the classics, in- 1sr. Regarding the item of expenditure-which
volving wicked doctrines and sinister means, then has specially subjected your majesty's courtiers to
let the said courtiers be immediately dismissed and suspicion-both those who suspect they make sil-
expelled; and your majesty's servant will willingly ver and gold, and those who suspect they are sup-
abide the punishment appointed for those who aid ported by the barbarian merchants Iat Canton],
and abet the deceivers of his majesty. are in error. Having voluntarily left their homes,
2d. The words of the courtiers agreeing with and not engaging in any lucrative occupation, they
those of the literati, but being at variance with are of course the recipients of what has been con-
those of the Budhists and Triuists; therefore all who tributed. At present, however, their entire provision
are of those two sects, hate and detest them, and for food and clothing comes from contributors in
spread abroad slanderous reports, greatly to their Europe; and in its transmission, by exposure to
injury. Needful it is, then, to decide which is right winds and waves, to robbers and pirates, much fails
and which is wrong; and to beg your majesty will to reach its destination, thus causing them great
please command that these courtiers and the most distress. Yet during these twenty years [since their
notable of the Budhists and Tiiuists write in dis- arrival], they have not received from the people a
cussion, make the most thorough investigation, single thing, a single cash; and yet they fear that
and strive and seek to come to an agreement. Then, some, not being observant, will suspect they re-
as before, let his majesty direct that statesmen from ceived it for nought, or had obtained it by deceit or
among the literati, in general council, decide on the fraud, thus adding iniquity to transgression, espe-
merits of the case; and if the courtiers are not pre- cially as large demands were made on them by
ferred for what they have said, or if they have rea- their extensive and varied intercoLlrse. By the pres-
soned fallaciously, or have been nonplused; then let ent scheme, besides allowing to them a stipend as
them be immediately dismissed and expelled, and heretofore, from youl majesty's Court of Banquets,
let your majesty's servant be punished with them. let orders be given that these courtiers may receive
3d. As it would be difficult in the translation of a measured amount of contributions [from the
their books to know where to stop, and as the Bud- Chinesel for food and clothing, and let them be ai-
hists and Tduists may perhaps not have the men lowed to follow their own convenience, since, in
Icompetent to take part in this], let your majesty's their disinterestedness, they will never consent to
courtiers be instructed to draw up a compendium receive aught beyond what is sufficient for their
of their religion, in detail, stating its prohibitions personal use. A sufficient support being thus pro-
and injunctions, with its requisitions and rewards. vided, orders may be given that the barbarian mer-
Let this, with some thirty of the volumes that have chants at Canton forward no more presents, and
been already translated, and ten or more of the that the money, which is sent on from Europe, on
original volumes, be together submitted for your its reaching the custom-house, may be intercepted
majesty's inspection, and if these be found contra- and remanded. In this way all communication
dictory, and opposed to the principles of reason, [with Europe] will be cut off, and every suspicion
incompetent to urge men to do good, and to guard removed.
them from evil, to change and improve their man- 2d. As your majesty's courtiers, in whatever
ners and custolns; then immediately let these place they may reside, are competent in the most
courtiers be dismissed and expelled, and let your faithful manner to instruct both the scholars and
majesty's servant be punished with them. the people, whether they be poor and mean, or rich
These are the three modes of examination and honorable; henceforth, therefore, in whatever
[which are here suggested in order] to ascertain the place tl-rey choose to reside, Iet them be allowed the
312 cHAprER 16 rHE scrENTrFrc REVoLUTToN

exercise of tl-reir appropriate functions; and let the purposely offended, and who after having been
magistrate treat them r'vith becorning coultesy, al- warned and admonished by their associates and
lowing tl-rem to influence and guide whomsoever teachers, will not reform, then iet these be reported
they please. Should the magistrate, in any case, be to the magistrates that their names may be re-
unable to repose confidence in them, then let them moved from the register. Should any be informed
command the scholars and people-selecting sucl.r agair.rst by their own associates before their names
as have character and property,-to unite in com- are removed from the registers; or shouid the of-
panies of ten or twenty families, and give bonds of fenses of any one, committed before entering this
security to the magistrate for them. Should it in- religion be subsequently discovered; in all such
deed happen that any of the teachers, losing their cases, let tl.re criminality be restricted to the of-
virtue, conduct themselves in an irregular manner, fenders themselves, and let their associates be in no
harboring vain purposes, uttering wicked words, way implicated. By this means) officers of govern-
and displaying a want of principle, then let them, n-rent will have reliable registers for reference, and
according to what has been proposed, be expelled all the people can clearly see that due examination
and banished; and let those who gave bonds for has been made; and though the number of disci-
thern, sirare in their guilt. Such as are without any ples be small, each in l.ris own sphere will be use-
bonds for their security, must not be allowed to re- ful.***
main in the country. x * * Your majesty's servant, with profoundest rever-
3d. Ifthe native securities unite to conceal and ence, begs to lay the foregoir.rg clauses before l-ris sa-
hide offenders so as to rnake it difficult to repose cred Intelligence, to scan ar-rd to select, and to cause
confidence, tiren again, let the magistrates be in- to be carried into effect such as shall be deemed de-
structed at any time they please to make careful in- sirable. Being younger than the rninisters of the
vestigertion. After l.raving former offendets at once Board of Rites, he would r-rot presume to place
exposed, then let all such native scholars and peo- himself in collision with them nor oppose their
ple, as have rnaintained a pure and elevated course words. This only he does: after the most thorough
of conduct, be allowed to choose their own teach- and careful investigation he cleariy sees, Iand testi-
ers; and iet these teachers, each being furnished fies] that for perfecting the administration of the
from the magistracy with a stamped and duly au- empire, and securing peace and good govelnment,
thenticated register ir.r duplicate, be reqr-rired, by nothing can surpass this that is tar,rght by your
means of these to make, at the magistrate's office, majesty's courtiers. * * *
a continued report. At the year's end, 1et each mag- As it regards the improvement of the impelial
istrate carefully examine all those who have fol- Calendar, that is also a matter of little importance.
lorved these teachers, and afterwards transfer into a Being as he is, however, one of those ministers who
separate register, the names of all such as either are appointed to attend on his majesty, how can
have not been accused, or if accused have not been your servant dare rashly to plead in their behall in-
found guilty. Once in three years let there be a gen- sult and deceive his princely Father, and expose
eral examination; and let tire magistl'ates and himself to condign punishmentl If ministers of the
teachers freely comr.nend all those who, having fol- Board would but examine and inquire thorougl-rly,
lowed this leligion, are not only free from all error as your servant has done, then he apprelrends that
and crin-re, but have rnade marry and commendable they wor.rld not be behind him in advocating their
advances in well doing: let them also ascertain the cause.
nurnber, and determine the degree of criminality Your servant ir.r rashly presuming to approach
of such as are guilty of wicked conduct; and let the Heavenly Majesty, is overwhelmed with infinite
those who gave bor.rds for the same, in like manner fear and dread, while he earnestly awaits the impe-
receive due punisirment. If there be those who have rial mandate in reply to this memorial.