See Vol.II.of Voyage aux Indes, in 4to.
** As long as the Chinese shall in writing make use of their present characters, they can be expected to make no progress in civilization.

The necessary introductory step must be the giving them an alphabet like our own, or of substituting in the room of their language that of the Tartars.

The improvement made in the latter by M.de Lengles, is calculated to introduce this change.

See the Mantchou alphabet, the production of a mind truly learned in the formation of language.
In some parts of Europe, indeed, reason has begun to dawn, but even there, do nations partake of the knowledge of individuals?
Are the talents and genius of governors turned to the benefit of the people?
And those nations which call themselves polished, are they not the same that for the last three centuries have filled the earth with their injustice?
Are they not those who, under the pretext of commerce, have desolated India, depopulated a new continent, and, at present, subject Africa to the most barbarous slavery?
Can liberty be born from the bosom of despots?
and shall justice be rendered by the hands of piracy and avarice?
O Genius, I have seen the civilized countries; and the mockery of their wisdom has vanished before my sight.

I saw wealth accumulated in the hands of a few, and the multitude poor and destitute.