Yet it is open to question whether the crime, excepting in seasons of famine, is, in proportion to the population, more common in China than it is in England.

H.A.Giles of H.B.M.Chinese Consular Service, one of the greatest living authorities on China, says "I am unable to believe that infanticide prevails to any great extent in China....

In times of famine or rebellion, under stress of exceptional circumstances, infanticide may possibly cast its shadow over the empire, but as a general rule I believe it to be no more practised in China than in England, France, the United States and elsewhere." (_Journal, China Branch R.A.S._, 1885, p.

28.) G.Eugene Simon, formerly French Consul in China, declares that "infanticide is a good deal less frequent in China than in Europe generally, and particularly in France." A statement that inferentially receives the support of Dr.E.J.

Eitel.