Excerpt from Chinese Philosophy: An Exposition of the Main Characteristic Features of Chinese Thought

The essay, which appeared first in The Monist, Vol. VI., No. 2, is an exposition of the main characteristic features of Chinese thought: it is a sketch, not an exhaustive treatise, and still less a history of Chinese philosophy. It purports to serve as an introduction to the intricacies of typically Chinese notions, explaining their symbols and revealing their mysteries in terse and intelligible language. The brevity is intentional, for the essay is meant to give a bird's-eye view of the Chinese world-conception.

While appreciating the remarkable genius exhibited by the founders of the Chinese civilisation, the author points out the foibles of the Chinese and traces them to their source. It is noteworthy that in spite of its candid and unreserved criticism, the essay was well received by the Chinese authorities and was granted the rare honor of being recommended by the Tsungli Yamen of Peking, the Imperial Foreign Office.

In reply to a copy of this article forwarded through the American representative to H. M. the Emperor of China, the Tsungli Yamen, returned the following informal communication:

The Tsungli Yamen To The Hon. Mr. Denby.

Informal. Pekin, May 6th, 1896.

Your Excellency:

We have had the honor to receive Your Excellency's note, wherein you state that by particular request you send the Yamen a copy of The Monist - an American Magazine. Your Excellency further states that it contains an article on "Chinese Philosophy" and the author asks that it be delivered to H. M. the Emperor.

In reply we beg to state, that the article in question has been translated into Chinese by order of the Yamen and has been duly perused by the members thereof.

The article shows that the writer is a scholar well versed in Chinese literature, and has brought together matters which indicate that he fully understood the subject he has treated.

The book will be placed on file in the archives of the Yamen.

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