LEGGE, James

[s. 409] : Born at Huntly, Aberdeen- Scotland, in 1815; graduated at King’s College and University, 1835. After studying at High bury Theological College, London, he was appointed in 1839, by the LMS, a mi ionary to China, and reached Malacca in December of the same year. In 1840 he took charge of the Anglo Chinese college, founded by Dr. Morrison and Dr. Milne. In 1843 the Society decided to change the college into a theological seminary for the training of native ministers for China, selected Hong kong for the seat of the institution, and appointed Mr. Legge as its president. He did some of his best work in this school, altho he finally left it because he was not satisfied with the result of his work as a teacher. Some of the best and most useful native workers in the mi ion were trained by Mr. Legge. In 1867 he visited England, and while there was presented by the government of the colony with a service of plate “in acknowledgment of the many valuable services freely and gratuitously rendered.” A number of the Chinese inhabitants presented him with a costly and beautiful silver tablet, made after the Chinese fashion. In 1870 he received from the University of Aberdeen the degree of Doctor of Laws. In this year he returned to Hong kong. In 1876 he was elected profe or of Chinese languages and literature at Oxford University. Dr. Legge took a prominent part in 1847 in the discu ion concerning the proper rendering in Chinese of the words God and Spirit, and published a volume in 1852 under the title of shire, I/aoa 891 Lepers “The Notions of the Chinese concerning Ood and The work of preaching to the Chinese was that which Dr. Legge loved best. But the work which has made him renowned over all the Spirits.” earth is the edition which he brought out of the Chinese cla ics, with the Chinese text, a translation in English, notes critical and exegetical, and copious prolegomena. For these and translations of other important Chinese works, he received, on occasion of its first award, in 1875, the Julien?rize from the Academic des Belles Lettres et nscriptions of the Institute of France. Mi Review of the World, Vcl. XI., 284. 409