ABSTRACT
A few indications of the kind of study needed to get into the spirit of old China, to give a key that may unlock some doors of the treasure house. This chapter suggests the first place a study of Chinese art, and the crafts which arise out of it, including the making of pottery, cloisonne, lacquers and rugs, the type of architecture developed in China, the carvings in ivory, jade and wood, the weaving of tapestries, brocades and silks. It is very often stated that the teachings of the great sages contain practically nothing on the spiritual side of man's nature, and are almost exclusively devoted to the ethical. History again takes a large place in Chinese literature, though here the author was afraid it must be confessed that the bulk is more impressive than the historical insight of the writers. Everyone knows that Chinese social theory is based upon the Five Relations.
