The  popularity  of  the  new  literature  is  also  shown  by  the
figures  for  all  of  China.  Twenty-five  old  style  libraries  had
109,903  readers.  Two  hundred  and  thirty-eight  with  modern
books  had  2,718,910  readers.1

THE   SOCIETY    FOR   THE  DISCUSSION    AND   INVESTIGATION
OF   EDUCATIONAL  AFFAIRS

In  order  to  arouse  interest  in  general  popular  education  and
social  reform,  the  Society  for  the  Discussion  and  Investigation
of  Educational  Affairs  was  established  by  the  Board  of  Educa-
tion. According  to  the  regulations  of  the  society  the  different

1  See  Appendix  for  complete   tables.
EDUCATION  157

topics  to  be  discussed  are  novels,  dramas,  and  public  speeches,
the  three  sections  of  the  society  each  paying  special  attention  to
one  of  these  subjects.  The  members  of  the  novel  branch  inves-
tigate old  and  new  novels,  arrange  for  the  writing  of  new  ones
and  attempt  to  improve  the  class  of  novel  being  written.  They
also  seek  to  have  important  novels  in  other  languages  translated
into  Chinese.  Those  interested  in  the  drama  investigate  the  old
dramas,  any  new  ones  that  are  published  and  those  that  are  sold
at  the  markets;  devise  means  for  having  plays  translated  into
Chinese,  and  act  as  inspectors  of  moving  pictures  and  newly
made  phonograph  records.  Those  who  belong  to  the  section
having  to  do  with  public  speaking  not  only  make  a  careful  study
of  the  public  addresses  that  are  being  given,  but  also  devise
means  for  making  valuable  material  available  for  those  who  wish
to  make  public  addresses.  They  act  as  inspectors  of  news  items
and  pictures.
