I spent 250 days to roughly read the book-The spirit of the Chinese people which was written by the author,Thomson.Though my English is not good enough to comprehend the thoughts in the book completely,I still obtain some knowledge or feelings from it.It's about three aspects as follows.

  Initially,it's my feelings on the content.Thomson talked about much in which there are three parts leaving a profound impression on me most.Firstly,the spirit of the Chinese people.This part says about the necessity of the sense of honour which makes sure of the existence of all society and civilization instead of depending on instable force or fraud.I do think so.I consider it's moral or mental factors which come from the bottom of everyone's heart that hold the society stably and permanently.It also says about the State Religion in China which Confucius taught.That is loyalty to the emperor,filial piety to parents,ancestor-worship and inviolability of marriage and absolute submission of the wife to the husband.Maybe some like loyalty to the emperor are outdated or improper now,but I think at that times the State Religion is really a factor which made Chinese people wild and China stable.Secondly,the Chinese woman.It's a part introducing the traditional Chinese woman who is kind,considerate and gentle.The Chinese woman written by Thomson follows traditional rules and sacrifice for her husband and family so that she make sure of the harmony in the family.Thus Thomson and I both think the Chinese woman is 'beautiful'and difficult.（All beautiful things are difficult.）Thirdly,Chinese scholarship.From this part,I know that Chinese is really difficult for Europeans to learn wholly.As the author said,even the sinologue who knows more than ordinary Europeans cannot utterly master the Chinese language.I think it is because the Chinese language depends on Chinese culture which is extensive and profound.

  Additionally,it's my thoughts on the author's expression.First,I'm sure that Thomson is really an intellectual man in languages for his sentences and words written in French and German somewhere in the book.In fact,I find on the Internet that Thomson mastered nine languages of different countries.Second,Thomson's English grammar and words is a little different from nowadays,which shows a new world to me.I have ever read similar expression in Tagore's Stray Birds.Maybe it is some old English usage.Third,Thomson made a larger number of illustrations in this book.So there are quantities of repeated phrases appearing over and over again which make me gradually understand the author's writing purpose.Ithink it's an easy and useful writing method for us.

  Lastly,it's my remarks to Thomson who was showed in this book.First,he was intellectual and knowledgeable.For example,he knows many quotes by famous people in many countries and the traditional Chinese 'Religion' taught by Confucius.What's more,he wrote these down in this book in English,making it possible for more people all over the world to know about the real Chinaman and the spirit of Chinese people.At that times when Thomson lived,we,Chinese,really need someone who mastered other languages with the ability of expressing his real opinions on the real Chinese man and the spirit of the Chinese.So he was a great scholar in my heart.Second, to some degree,he was also an conservative man in China,I think.For instance,he showed that he had a belief in Confucius and insisted old  rules for Chinese woman.He even agreed that a man have not only a wife.Maybe these don't have the judgement of true or false,but as far as I'm concerned,I cannot agree with him.

  In a word,this is absolutely a distinguished book for English learner to read and for us to know that times' history and the situation of Chinese culture.But it still has many outdated content which requires us tell carefully from it.