representatives of an effete civilization after a few years' acquaintance with
western ways can meet our home talent on its own ground and carry off
the prizes of scholarship.''


A British consular official, who spent many years in China and
who speaks the language, declares that in his experience of the
Chinese their fidelity is extraordinary, their sense of responsibility
in positions of trust very keen, and that they have a
very high standard of gratitude and honour. ``I cannot
recall a case,'' he says, ``where any Chinese friend has left
me in the lurch or played me a dirty trick, and few of us
can say the same of our own colleagues and countrymen.''
The Hon. Chester Holcombe, who quotes this, adds--``The
writer, after years of experience and intimate acquaintance
with all classes of Chinese from every part of the Empire, is
convinced that the characterization of the race as thus given
by those who at least are not over-friendly does it only scant
justice.''[13]


[13] The Outlook, February 13, 1904.


Many quote against the Chinese the familiar lines--

``----for ways that are dark
And for tricks that are vain,
The heathen Chinee is peculiar.''