Calendar: 1855-1856 Page 42

38 ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 1855 It was mentioned in last year's Report that the Professor- ship of Chinese founded some years ago had been ealled into active operation by an appointment to the office of Super- numerary Interpreter of Chinese placed by the Earl of Cla- rendon at the Principal's disposal The General Court will learn with satisfaction that the movement thus begun still continues and that four regular lectures in Chinese have been given every week and have been attended by diligent and successful Students and this satisfaction will be increased by the information that similar marks of confidence on the part of the Earl of Clarendon have furnished an additional stimulus to the cultivation of this most difficult language In October last his Lordship was pleased on the recommendation of the Principal to appoint four more Students to the office of Inter- preter in Chinese and in addition to those he is about to select for immediate appointment three out of five Students whose names were in obedience to his instructions sub- י mitted to him by the Principal at the end of Lent Term The first appointment announced in the last Report was necessarily based upon the general character intelligence and acquirements of the Candidates but in the last two instances very strict examination was held in the Rudiments of Chinese and while those selected in October gave proof of very commendable diligence and progress considering the time allowed them for study those Students whose names are now before the Earl of Clarendon have made as might be expected much more considerable advance in this special subject and have stood the test of more searching and comprehensive examination The general result is that within twelve months there will have been appointed to offices of trust in China no less than eight Students of King's College London most of them well qualified to enter on the duties of their office in that country alter much shorter probation than is usually necessary Having thus stated the results derived from the old and accustomed tests of University distinctions and of occasional success elsewhere the Council have much pleasure in advert- ing to new and unexpected opening which has brought