THE JESUITS IN CHINA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 9, 2 March 1899, Page 31

THE JESUITS IN CHINA.

Herr George Franzius, a German naval officer, recently published a book in which he refers to the Jesuits in China, and particularly to their settlement at Ki-ka-wei. He says : — ' Their ob-Bervafcory in this place, so favourably known, is, of course, of general interest and usefulness, being the centre of all meteorological observations made in Eastern Asia and which has been of great service to vessels through the warning of impending storma sent out from here. A library of 20,000 volumes, open for general use, and which is said to contain many valuable Chinese manuscripts, is, I am sorry to say, not generally appreciated and utilised. The collections of valuable zoological specimens belonging to the Fathers are at the present time in quarters not wholly adapted to the purpose, but they are shown the visitors most cheerfully and free of charge. One hundred Chinese student', divided into three classes, receive such instructions as will enable them to pass the public examination, entitling them to teach. But the moat useful labour probably is accomplished by the Jesuit Fathers in connection with their orphan asylum, where a few hundred boys are taught almost every conceivable handicraft, and are educated according to the precepts of the Christian religion.'