Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 98 (Color Image)

0098	Among the Celestials : vol.1

72 AMONG THE CELESTIALS. [CHAP. Iv.

in a new country. They are deficient in mili-

tary aptitude and spirit, the result of which

will probably be that they will have to give

way before one or other of - the more highly

organised military powers pressing on them.

Moreover, their strong conservative instincts

which bind them down to methods unadapted

to new requirements, and their lack of con-

structive imagination which indicates a merely

imitative ability, should lead us to suppose that

no very high form of development is likely to

occur. And their foolish superstitions often

stand sadly in the way of progress.

Yet, notwithstanding these decided draw-

backs, there are still sufficient grounds for

prophesying a great advance in coming years.

We have to regard the immensely powerful

influences now being brought to bear upon

the country. We have to take into account

those changes in the environing conditions

which modern science has effected. Up to the

present century Manchuria was surrounded on

the north by barbarous tribes. Coreans had

in ancient days made , frequent invasions, but

neither from across the Amur nor by sea had

pressure ever been brought upon Manchuria.

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