Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 10

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Chapter 10: Feigned Earnestness Before the Provincial Inspector: Turning the Tables

From: Hau Kiou Choaan, or The Pleasing History. Translated by James Wilkinson, edited by Thomas Percy (London, 1761)

Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1761 print. Page numbers preserved as [p. N]. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.

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[Volume II, Book II, Chapters IX-X]

CHAP. IX. *

OHU ET'guwin carried the paper of vcrfes to his niece. '* Well, said he, to oblige you I have made enquiry^ and find it to be true. It is a very dirty bufinefs f . When I told you before that this man was a cheat, and every thing that was bad, you would not believe me. Now I have brought a convincing proof of it. You will both find that he is fo ; and that he hath caused reflexions to be thrown upon us. She afked him, " What he meant ?"

• Chap. X. In the Tranflator's manufcript. t *' Very u^jly and naQy." Tranflator's M.S.

He

A CHINESE HISTORY. 22$

He anfweredi " As I went to the Cfe- hien'Sy I faw a croud of people reading a paper ; fo many, that I was not able to come near. I heard them fay there were more in other plaices. I went in search, and accordingly found one. I thought you would not believe me, fo I took it down and here hare brought it." The young lady having opened and read 'the paper, fell a laughing, and said to her uncle, ** JSr(W^-. boby or much joy !*' " Why, said he, do you give me joy ? What do you mean by it ?" She anfwered, " Because you^ that a litde while ago could neither write nor read, are now able of a fud- den to compofe and write verfes.** " Whatever others, said he^ might be difpofed to believe concerning me, you know very well my infufficiency, and Vol. II. Q^ Vw^

2u6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN,

how incapable I am of any such thing. You are difpofed to be mcny." ** It ia true^ &kl fhe, it was not you that made them, hoiKwO'kbi'tzu. They are the oflf- Ipring of his mafterly pencil *.** ** Alas! anfwered Sbtuy-gmvinyhc is looked upon as a man of letters : fo am I. But he knows as little as myself. Far from being mailer of his pencil, he knows not how to ufe it at all f." *• If he knows not how to handle his pencil, laid the young lady, he knows how 60 ufe his tongue. The compofidon

• In the Tranflator's M.S. it is. " He wroce

• • them with a great or mailer pencil.'*

f The Cinni/e Idiom is, " You muft not talk «' of his mailer pencil ; he knows not hew to ofe "a little one.'*

The Author of this Hidory intended to fink Aefe two charaders very low in the opinion of his Readers, by representing them fo illiterate in a country, where letters are in high repute, and alfo very commoti. Foe as themeajneft aisqr

Vtft

A Chinese history, ^i^

is altogether his own." ** Why, said Sbu^'guwin^ (hould you talk thus ? He is no enemy to Tieh-cbung-u^ what reason then could he have to abuie

him?*!

be candidates for degrees^ many apply to letters, who being rejected at the examinations, have nO other way to fubfift, but by teaching others. There are few men therefore but can write and read in some degree. It is no lefs uncommon to find a woman that can do either. This muft render the charader of Sbuey-fing-Jin the mor« extraordinary. ^ Yet a Cbitie/e' Moralift fays,' ^* You cannot commend a woman more, than td " fay (he is not learned.*' See P. Magal. p, 88. P. Semedo, p. 58. P. Dtt Halde, vol. 2. p. 50. Lettres edif. xiii. 353* The Cbine/e in writing ufe no fens^ hvitpemciU Inade of the hair of some animal, commonly a rabbit. 1 his pencil they hold not obliquely as painters ufe ; but perpendicularly^ as if they would prick the paper. The Reader perhaps needs Hot to be informed, that they write not from the left hand to the right, as we ; nor from the right hand to the left, as the Hebrews ; but in lints from the top of the leaf to the bottom, begin- ning at the right hand. The Cbine/t paper is not made of filk, as is commonly fuppoied ; but of the inward bark cf Bamtu and several other him ?*' ** Think not, replied (he, I am unacquainted with what pafles in the breaft of your son-in-law. He was alone the author of thefe verfibs. Nobody

trees ; and is remarkable, not only in that they can make it into (heets of extraordinary fize ; but alfo that, after it hath been written on and worn to pieces, they can work it over again, and from the Icraps make new paper. The Chitutfe paper hath a beautiful iilken gloss, but it is thin, brit- tle, and not at all durable, {hettres edif, xxi. 128.) Their ink (which is known in Eur9pt by the name of Indian ink,) is made of lamp-black, of which the beft is got by burning old pines. They mix perfujics with it to correct the fmell. Thefe ingredients are worked into the confiftenoe of pafte. which is then put into wooden moulds of the (hape they would have it. The Cbintfeftaniijb it a little polifhed marble, with a hollow at one end to contain water : in this they dip their fticfc of ink and then rub it on the fmooth part of the marble. The pencil, paper, ink and marhU^ are called by the Cbinefe^fsepau, or the four prt- eious things', which they pique themlelves on keeping very neat. Every thing which relates to letters is fo reputable in China, that even the making of ink is not esteemed a mechanic employment. P. Du Haldci vol. 1. p. 366—374,

befidts beddes him knows any thing of the stranger. But fine as their compofition may be, your niece, Sir, is a weak filly girl, arid fo far from being able to difcover their beauties, fhe cannot even comprehend their meaning. How then can fhe be touched or affe&ed by them ? You had better lay aside all thoughts of this kind, and not fpend your time to fo little purpose/*

Shuey-guwin was fo difconcerted, that he 'had not a word to offer farther on that head ; but he said, '« Niece, there is one thing I have to tell you. Think not that KwO'kbi'tzu will ever give you up ; or lay aside his thoughts of you. He waits for the fandtion of higher authority, than that of the Man« (^ I dariqes darines of this city. Yefterday the news arrived, that a Ngan-yuen or a Grand Vifitor is coming hither, whofe name is Fut^-ying \ one that was a pupil of his father's, and highly esteemed by him *. When he arrives, Kwo-kbe-tzU intends to apply to hitn for his authority to conclude the marriage : which he will have compleated at your own house. Now as your father is not at home,

and

♦ The employment of a Tutor or Pnaft^r is ac- counted very honourable in China, and many of thok, who afterwards arrive to the greatest poftsy employ in their younger years the inter** vals of fludy in inftiu£Hng the children of great men, efpecially if they have not much fnbftance of their own. The Parents maintain them , make them presents* treat them with great refpe6l» and every where give them the upper hand : Stew- fiigf our Master» our Do^er, is the name they give them. The Tutors not only teach their Pupils letters, but accompany them, and form their manacrt. — ^They ii^udl them not only in the

history

A CHINESE HISTORY. 23^

and as I am a private peribn widioitt any hahit> and you a young womaa of fixtcen or ieventeen years, how will you be able to manage this matter ?'*

• • Uncle, replied the young lady, this

Mandarine comes with the Emperor*! commiliion, and will doubtlefs aft con* formably to it. He is lent to fuper* vife the province, and to redtify what-- ever is amifs. But I imagine he will ex* ceed the bounds of his commilEony if

history and laws of their coantry, b«t in the ceremonies, falutes, compliments and rules of viiiting; thefe being no le(s the otrieds of flady^ and equally deemed to belong to learning. la return for all tlbs care, and pains their Piiptlt treat them with the greatest reverence, bowing to them with four proilrations, as to their Father, and never addre^g them with you or /• [See note above pa^. 190. and note vol. r. p. 202.} They alfo retain the higheft refpedt for them as long as they live. P. Da Halde, vd. i . p. 375, P. Scmedo^ p 36, 59, (y^y &c.

Q.4 he

2jt HAU KIOU CHOAAN,

heeomes here to offer any violence. Now marriage is an affair of private concern, and no \vay relates to the bu- lineis of his office : nor is he any ways required to interpofe in it. Should he therefore be wrought upon in the nianner you threaten, he may not per- haps fee himself in his pod at the ex- piration of the year. But he is a man of underilanding, and will not break the Emperor's laws : or even if he Ihould, let us not be aftaid.'*

• • You afieft to speak in a very lofty

ftrain, said her uncle ; and talk of not fearing. When you come before the Grand Yifitor, Ihould he speak but two words with authority and juftice, will not you be afraid ? Certainly you will be very

pmch

A CHINESE HISTORY, tjj

much frighted;^ " True, (he replied, when it is with juftice. Every bcxly is a- fraid that is guilty : but who is concern* ed that is altogether innocent ? You muft not talk of this Mandarine only : but was it the Emperor himself, I should not fear : nor will I be terrified fo far as to give myself up to the loss of my happinefs *." ** To me, said Sbuey^ guwiny you may talk in this manner. I( would excite thd laughter of any one elfe. What I tell you proceeds from friendfhip j regard it as you pleafe : but when the time comes» you muil not blame me : > nor can you deny I have given you warning." " It is an old faying, replied hisniecet

Every

• In the original, « To the loss of myfdf/^ Every one hath an underflanding, 4 memory, and a will to direct him *• If you do not comprehend this, there is another^ common faying that Every one knows his own necef- fity» whether it be hunger, cold, or heat. Be pleafed therefore, Sir, to manage your own affairs. Your niece knows how to observe that which is lawful, juft, and reaibnable. Whatever I do, whether it be well or ill, whether it prove unfortunate or happy, let it not afFedl you with any concern."

Thefe words seemed to Shuey-guwin

• The original literally is, " Every one is go- verned [fc. dire£ted] by an under (landing, a me- mory, and a will." The meaning of this Pro- verb is doubtlefs, as piven above. It contains a fine rebuke on such, as too forwardly take upon them to direa others.

like like the keen edge of swords dividing an iron bar. He looked very ftera and out of humour, and rifing up from his feat, said, " All I have told you proceeds from good will. A village mouth is good' phyfic *. You may hearken to my words or not, as you pleafe." He then went away, refoiving to urge KwO'kbe-izu to profccute the affair with the utmoft rigour f .

• That is. The advice is commonly whole-

some which flows from the mouth of the home- ly villager, whofe iimplicity of manners hath kept him unacquainted with the arts of falfe- hood : and therefore such advice is not to be re- jeded on account of the meanneis of its author.

+ Here follows in the original a very prolix and unimportant paragraph, wherein Skueyguwin relates to his son-in-law all that had pafled be- tween him and his niece, and confirms him io his resolution of applying to the Ngan-juen, &c. ^s there was nothing in the whole paflage worth retaining, the Editor hath fupprefTed it : a liberty he hath sometimes taken elfewhere.

It It was about two months after this, that the Grand Vifitor arrived. Kwo^ kbi-tzu went two leagues out of the city to meet him * : and made him a great many presents and entertainments. That Mandarine thought himself very much obliged by thefe civilities, and expreiTed a concern. that he did not know how to return them : telling hifn that as he was but juft arrived from

♦ When one of the faperlor Mandarines comes to take poiTeflion of his government, he is received with great pomp and state. When he 15 ready to set out froni court, many of the officers of the tribnnal go thither to attend him : others advance a great way to meet him, who as he pailes from city to city is honourably accom- panied both by jiorfe and foot: and atlealt a league before he comes to the place where he is to reside, two or three thoafand soldiers are marched oat to receive him After thefe follow all the Mandarines, and after them a vafl concourfe of people. P. Sen-.cdo, p. 128. P. Du Halde, &c.

tlie

A CHINESE HISTORY. 2^7

the court -f-, he had nothing to present him worth his acceptance ; he defired him therefore to point out some way in which he could do him fcrvice. KwO'kbe-tzu anfwered, "Sir, you arc

-f This will be accounted for, when we coo- sider the expenflve presents every Mandarine is obliged to make, who folicits for any govern- ment. There is not any government of a city or town, which does not coll the person, who is preferred to it, several thoufands of crowns ; sometimes twenty, sometimes 30,000, and fo ^ proportionably for all other offices great arki small. To be a Viceroy of a province, before a Mandarine can have his commiilion fealed, will cod him sometimes 70,000 crowns. All this, under the fpecious name of presents, is given to the minifters of flate, to the presidentsof the fix fupreme councils, &c. &c. On the other hand the great Mandarines of the provinces, to reimburfe themselves and to fatibfy their avarice, extort presents from thofe under them; and thefe again replenifh their purfes at the expence of the miierabie people. In (hort there is not any Viceroy, or Vifitor of a province, who at the end of three years does not return with fix or 700,000, and sometimes a million of crowns. So that it may be said of Chinas as it was of ancient Rome^ " All things are there set to fale." See P. Magal. p. 134, &c.

238 HAU KIOU CHOAAN*

a person of high quality and officei How can I prefume to afk you any favour ?•* ** Do not consider mc in that diflant light, replied the other, but rather as your intimate friend, to whom you may speak with intire freedom.** •* You do me a great deal of honour, replied the youth; there is indeed one thing which intimately concerns my welfare, and fits neareft to my heart. Could I but obtain your afliftance in

that *' The Mandarine defired

to be informed what it was. ^* My father, he replied, is in a public em- ployment ; which fo intirely engrofles his attention, that he hath none to bellow on the affairs of his family. For this reason, I am not yet married *."

• He means probably ** not married to his

fatisfadion :** or perhaps be does not flick at a a little falfehood. •• What, said the other, have you yet made no offer of marriage to any one's daughter ?" ** Yes, he replied, I have j but the lady whom I would wilh to mar- ry, hath refused me ; and therefore I iptreat you to interpofe in my favour.**

When tte Grand Vifitor heard thefe words he laughed aloud, and said,^ •* There is something very lingular and ilrange in all this. Your father is a mini- fter of the firft rate. You are a young man of quality. Who can rcfufe to marry with you ? Pray whofe daughter have you applied to, that you have been fo unsuccessful ?" He replied, " To the daughter of Sbuey-keu-yebj affiftant to the tribunal of arms." " Her fa- ther, said the Mandarine, hath long

becft

.44© HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

been banifhed into Tartary'^. Who takes care of his house ? Is it her mo- ther? She I fuppofo will not give her consent.'* Kwo-kbefzu anfwCKd, "Her mother hath been dead many years. There is no one left here beside this young person. It is (he herself who fefufes my offer." " How ! said the other, (he, who is a young maiden ! how can (he refuse you ? I fancy when you made your offer, or gave your prefcnr, fhe might know nothing of it.'* *' My Lord, replied the youth, fhe knew it

♦ The Original is Pien^tbing, i. C. outofCbtMMt or 'without the lAtalL Tranf.

Tartary is the common place of Banifhmcnt for the Chine/e, See P, Du HaUe^ 'voL 1 . 2^9. Lettres edifiant. x^vii, 114, ^c. How grievotis a punilhmcDt BaniQimcnc muil be to them, we may eafily conceive from their cxceflive sond- ncfs for their own country. [Sec Ogilbye, vol. 2. pag, 2. & 7.J

very very well : but hath always been en- deavouring to play me tricks/* " If it be fo, said the Grand Viiitor, why did not you apply to thtCbe-foo and Cbe-hienj and get them to manage this bufinefs for you ?" " I have applied to them both, said he, but fhe esteeming their ofEces but small, paid little regard to them. I therefore now have re- courfe to your lordlhip : and beg you will compleat this affair in my behalf. This will lay me under the greatest obligation as long as I live.** ** To promote marriage, said the Grand Vi* fitor, is a thing highly good and cha- ritable. I fee nothing wrong in the affair in queftion : arid therefore will undertake it for you. Who was your 242 HAU KIOU CHOAAN^

mediator or bridefman * before ? Per- haps he did not make the offer dearlyr underftood.** The other told him, it ^2i& xbt Pao.Cbe-bien^ who carried the preient himself to her house; which in her father's abfence, was received by her uncle: and that every body knew this to be matter of faft. ** If it be fo, replied the Mandarine, I will iflue out an order to-morrow, impowering you to go and carry her home to your house in order to marry her/' ^* Should I go for her, replied the other, (he would never be prevailed on

• The Cbinefe never marry (although the pa- rents of the young people be never fo inti- mate) without a Mediator, or one who goes between both parties : wherefore they chufe whom they plealc, there being as well men, as women, who perform this office. P« Semedo, p. 71. Lettres edifiant. x. 140.

to

A CHINESE HrSTORY. ^45

w enter the ch^ir : but vnmld doubt- fcfs contrive some way to efc^* I only beg the favour of you to let mtf go to het hotife and iolenAnke thi^ marriage there." The Grand Vifitor replied^ ** Very well : you may do fo." Having Sniped their difcotrfe 6ti thii and other fubjeftsy and th^e entertain* ment being: ended j Kwo-kbi-t^u re- tired.

Within: two days die Grand Vifitor performed his promile,^ and f^M a cb9p or order to the Che-hieny as fellows^

• • I, the Ngan-yaen or Grand Vifitor,

• ^ signify, that as marriage was thcr

'* firft law or eontradt in the world;

•* the time for folemnizing irlhould

R * " not

• • not be neglcftcd : therefore as Kwa^
  • kbi'tzu son of Kwo-Jho-fu bath made

^^ offers and presents to the daughter ^* of Sbuey-kiu-ye^ which treaty of ^^ marriage was under the direftion " of you the Cbe-bieni the marriage^ ^* present being carried by yourself : ^' and it being requifite that they Ihould

• • now proceed to the completion of

^^ the fame, I therefore command aad

• • authorize the said Kwo-kbe-tzu^ now

•* in the abfenc^ of her father, to go ^ to the house of his bride and marry

• ^ her there : it being a thing good and

" laudable. And you the Cbe-bien arc

• • hereby required not to delay the

•* execution of this order beyond the <^ fpace of one month, under pain of ^f profecution for default thereof."

The

A CHINESE' HISTORY. 245

The Poo Cbe-bien when he had re- ceived this order and read it, faw plain- ly it was the contrivance of Kwo-kbe* tzu. Yet to go and lay open the whole affair, he thought would expofe him to that young man's rcsentment. On the other hand, the Grand Vifitor would be apt to call him to account, whenever the truth should be difcovered. After fomc deliberation therefore, he refolved to fend a private account to that Man- darine of what he knew of the matter: which was conceived in thefe terms.

" This is to acquaint your Excel- " lency*, in anfwer to your chop or

• • order : that I was indeed the perlbn

• Ngan TJbatJ, — Tifatj is as much as ExaUeney,

Tranf,

R 2 wha

246 HAU KIOU CHOAAN^

^' who undertook the treaty of mar^

• ' riagp you mention. The other pcr-

^^ sons concerned were Kwe-kbi-tzu and «* Sbutf'guwin. The young lady <^ ^^ pofed it, a$ a thing fhe difliked : for

• • which rcalbn it yet reofiains in dif-
• ' pute, and unfiniihed. Yefterday I
• ^ received an order to fee the mar-

" ri^e concluded, which it behoves ^< me to obey. But I am fenfible that " fhe is still very averfe to it: and

• ' therefore left any difficulty or dif-

" grace should happen, which may «* extend fo far as to refleft upon

• • your Excellency, I have ventured

" to give you this information ; which

• « I hope you will not take amils.

" Ncverthelefs be it done according to M your pleasure/*

When When the Grand Vifxtor received this letter, he was very ai^gry with the Cbe-bien. " What! said he, am I in this great office, and have every thing at my dilpofal, even life and death, and yet am not able to prevail in fo incon* siderable an affair, as the marriage of a filly girl, daughter of a banllhed cri- minal ? It would be an affrorit to my dignity to pay any,regard to her weak reasoninjg and trifling arguments." Accordingly he difpatched a fccond or- der to the Cbe-bietiy which was to thi$ purpose.

• ' \{ Sbuey-fi^'^fiii did hc^ cohsent

• • to the marriage, why did yoU make

" yourself the bridefman ? You fcem

^ determined to perplex and difturb.

R 4 ** me-

248 HAU KIOU CHOAAN-

•• mc. You are therefore hereby rc- " quired to go once more to her house, ^* and acquaint her that (he muft mar« •• ry KwO'kbi'tzu without farther dc-

• • lay. If (he refufcs, bring her before

•*' mc."

The Che-bien when he had received this second order, and oblerved it to run in very pofitive terms, such as would admit of no evafion *, went in the firlt place to the house of Kwo* kbi'tzUj and gave him notice that he was required to marry within the (pace of one month. He anfwered very joyfully, ** Ay, ay ! with all my heart/* From thence he went to the house of Sbu^'ping-Jin: and bade a servant in* form her, that be was come to ipeak

with with her by the Grand Vifitor's order. The young lady, who knew well enough what was in agitation, commanded two of her servants to fix up the curtain in the great hall ; and, as soon as it was let down, (he entered, TKen Ihe bade one of them go to the Cbe-inen^ and defire him to inform her in plain terms what was the purport of the order he had brought. He replied,

• ' It Is concerning your marriage with

Kwo-kbe-tzu. When I imerpofed at firft, you shewed such averfion to it, that he hath for a long time defiiled. But this great Mandarine, wlho is newly arrived, was a pupil of his father, and therefore hath been prevailed on to lend his countenance and afiiftance to have the marriage at length con[)pleated«

Yefterday Yeftcrday I received an order requi* ring me to give notice to you both, that it mull be concluded widiin the (pace of one month. I am juft come from the house of Kwo-kbi-tzUj whom I have advifed of it. And I now wait upon you on the fame account, that you may be prepared accordingly." The young lady replied, " Far am I from objeding to lb honourable a thing as matrimony. Only my fa- ther is not at home, and I have not his licence. I am not miftfefs of my- jelf, therefore beg you will do me the favour to go and acquaint his Excel- lency of it.** ** This, iaid the Che- bien^ is the iecond order I have received to this purpose. The firft I set afidc, and gave my rcasons for it. After

which which I received a ieVere reprimatKit together with this new order^ which is very pofitive. I cannot prcfumc therefore to fay any thing more to him. But do as you pleaie. I do not pretend to force your inclinations. I only give you notice, as I am in duty bound/' She begged the favour to fee the order itself, which, was fo abfolute and pofitive* He called his secretary, and bade him deliver them both to her servant. When fhe had pcrufed them, (he said to the Mandarine : *^Thc reason why I refused to marry Kwo- khe-tzUy was because my father was ab- sent, and I had not his consent. Should I marry without it, 1 am afraid he will be very angry with me when he comes hon^e. For my vindication thereforcr

be

252 HAU KIOU CHOAAN-

be pleafed to intreat the Grand Vifitor Co let the two orders remain in my hands: which will declare plainly the conduct of the whole affair; and that it is done by his Excellency's appoint- ment.*' The Che-bien consented to leave them with her, and promifed to ac- quaint the Grand Vifitor with her re- quefii, telling her he doubted not but that Mandarine would either permit her to keep them, or aflford some other way for her to shew the reasons of her condudt

• • How is this, said the Cbe-bitu

when he was withdrawn, that the young lady fo suddenly accepts of Kwo^ fdfi'tzul Is it this fuperior authority, which hath made her comply ? or hath

ihe ihe any other design which I cannot difcover ? I imagined flic had kept hcr- self all along for the handsomestranger.'* He went immediately to the Grand Vi- fitor and told him what fhe said. That Mandarine laughed, and was very well satisfied. " How came you the other day, said he, to fend me word that Ihe was very cunning and fubde, and altogether averfe to this marriage ? You fee now flie is all compliance. If flic defires to keep the two orders by her, as a juftification of her condud *, let it be granted.'* The Che-hien went immediately, and informed her of it. . " You muft not now, said he, change your resolutions. This is no longer the affair of Kwo-khe-tzu ; but relates to the Grand Vifitor himself. Let

your

254 HAU KIOU CHOAAN^

your house therefore be put in order, 2nd when the bridegroom can fix on a fortunate day, I wUI wait upon you with previous notice/' The young la- dy replied, ** As this is his Excellency's order, I (hall not dilbbey it or go from my word ; though be himself poflibly may." " How ! laid he, can 6> great a man vary in his resolutions? No, no ! that cannot be. You may depend on his (leadincfL Then withdrawing, he went to Kwo^khi-izu^ and gave him notice to chule a fortunate day to com- pleat his marriage. He believing that the young lady had coniented, was very joyful, and halted to provide and prepare things for his wedding.

C H A Pi CHAP. X.

THE Grand Vifltor seeing Aae Shuty-phtg-Jin had accepted his order, was very well pleafed, and having now been a few days in pofleflioa of hi» poft, opened his gates to admimfter juftice. The firft day that he gave au- dience^ about fifty came to present their petitions. He received them all, and ap- pointed them to attend a few days after, when thciy should have them considered, AH the company retired except onC; young woman, who remained upon her* knees. The servants erf" the audience on both sides bade her depart. She didi not obey them : but rifing up went flill nearer to the tribunal. And then cried- aloud, ** I am the daughter of one under

2s6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

condemnation. For this reason I did not get up and depart : not daring ta hWc my fclf or fly from jufticc. I came here this day to end my life. By this means I (hall neither dilbbey your Ex- cellency's orders, nor yet oflfend my own honour.'* With thefe words fhc drew forth a knife or poinard» and was going to plunge it in her bofom *. The fight

• It is worth obfervation that the Chine/e^ who are the moH; cowardly people in the world, are inach addided to Suicide, and none more than the females and moft pufillanimou^ among them : and yet the love of life is one of the foi- bles of their chara6ler» in which they exceed all other nations ; carrying it to such a height, that it is reckoned unpolite to mention Death in their hearing. — It is certain their language afibrds a thoofand periphrafes to foften the expreflion. Something bath happened to him: He is retired ^frr off in afcending : He hath repo/ed bis chariot [or, as we (hould {^.y^ finijhed his carreer^ Uz. are phrafes they would ufe to avoid fayine a person // dead: and thefe even in their Edids and Memorials. Lettres cdifiant. xxiii. 98. P. Du Halde, i. 280, 502, 544, 525, &c.

of

A' CHINESE HISTORY, tsj

of this- very much surprized the Man-J darine, who aflced. Who Ihc was, and what was the matter ? " If you are injured, said he, I will redrefs you.** At the fame time he ordered his people to prevent her from' doing herielf any mifchief. She* replied, that flie was daughter of the Mandarine Shuey-keu-ye^ who was at present under sentence of banifhment. *'. I am nov, proceeded fhe, in my fevcnteenth year. My mo- ther being dead and my father at a diftance, I remain alone in my house a poor helplefs maiden^ obferving the laws of virtue and modefty, as it be- comes all young ladies to do. While I thus paft my time in innocence, .fuf- pe6t ing no harm, I have been treacherouf^ Jy perfecuted by a youth, named Kwo- ' Vol. IL S ^ khUzu^ hbi'tzUj who hath contrived a hundred ways to enfiiare me ; all which I have fiill endeavoured to avoid. For ibmc time pall he hath foreborne to trouble me : but there is lately arrived a Man* darine of great power and rankf who was bis father's pupih With this gen- tleman hath Kwo'kbi'tzu lodged a pe- tition, and obtained his favour : inlb- much that the firft thmg he did after bit coming, was to do vblence to my in- clinations by commanding me to marry this young man, contrary to sdl reafbn and law : [for be hath obtained no licence of father or mother: neither hath any oiediator or bridefman in- terpoledr} Two orders have been de- livered out for that purpose. Thefe I could not oppofej as being a young

woman iroman lone and friea(tieft. But when I faw them^ I was even bereaved of my life with apprehenfion and ftar« Find- ing at length there was no other retkie* dy, I sent my servant with a pecidon to Pe-kh^j with orders to ftrike on the Emperor's drum *. He hath accond^ ingly been gone three days. This pro* cedure I imagine you can never par* don, and am i^e^e cotnc here with

It firm

• Besides the Drmki, some of the aneieiitlm-

perors had a Bell fixed at the gate of the palace, and a white Table. So that he, who chok not to speak with the Emperor in person, wrote hii teqneft on the latter, and it was inftantly carried to him. Bat whtever would fjpeak with him rang the bell or beat on the ^um, and thejr were prefencly brought in and had personal ail*, dience. It is recorded of one of their firfl £»•' perors, that one day he rofe from t^bk twice at the foend of the bell, and another dav hk the bath three times to receive l^e complunti cf thte poor. P. Du Haldettv^L i./. 146.

It is pity fo eaecelient an inilitmioa k b4 k»iger S 2 ^ le^

i6o HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

a firm resolution to end my Kfe in your prcfcncc.'* As soon flie had spokea thefe words, flie again attempted to ftab hprself with her poinardr

The Grand Vifitor did not much .i^ard. what fhe (aid about Kwo-kbe-

kept up. The (frum still remains, bat its ofe hath long been difcpntinaed. P, Semedo tells OS that (Jaring his residence, of two and twenty years, he never remembered it beatep upon above once ; and then he that did it had his anfwer in haftinadoeSf for having difturbed the Emperor, who was half a league off.

This father was in China before the conqneft of the Tartars in 1644, when the reigning family liad quite (hat themselves ap from aB public ac- cefs, which was the caafe of their ruin.

The new fucceflion of Emperors of the 7ar^ tar race have observed a very different condod, - often (hewing themfelvcs to the people, and at- tending to their grievances, but they have not revived the ancient pradice in qudlion, noe- wichstanding that the remembrance of it is still kept up.

P. GaubiU whofe corions defcription of iV- /zi/, but when he heard fhe had dif- patched a fcrvant to Pe-king^ and law her fo refolutely determined to kill her* self, he was feized with the greatest apprehenfions. He begged her to for- bear; faying, "How fliould I know what you have been telling me? TiU now I never learned how the affair

king was publifhed laft year in the Pbilofophical T'ranja^iotu^ tells us, that in the Pavillion, qallcd Tchoua-Aou-tingy there is *' adrum, and thatMan-

• ' darines and soldiers keep guard there day and

^^ nighit. In ancient times when any peribn had not jaftice done him, and thought him* '« self opprefTed, he went and beat this drum ; at

• • the found of which the Mandarines ran, and
  • were obliged to carry the complaint of the

[^ party opprefTed to the great men or minifters, " [rather to the Emperor. . Fid, Author, infra

• • atat.] At present the ufe of the drum is abo-
  • liihed : but it hath been thought proper to pre^
  • ferve this ancient monument of Chine/eg^
• ' vernmeat."

See Philof.Tranfaa. Roy. Socfor 1758, par^

2d. P. Semedo, pag. no. P. J)a H4d

vol. i.p, 474, 523, *c, S 3 ftood. ftood. But you have great reaibn kr wbkt you fay. You muft not oStf any violence to yowself. I will take care you (hall have juftice done you. Yet there it one thing I muft observe : you fay you have licence of neither father nor mother ; to far you are right : but that you had no mediator or bridefoian, is not true/* ^^ The Pao Ck^km% replied the young lady, was io* ^eeed a bridefman, but not to me. He was (bch to my M^^ my uncled daughter f: znd her hath Kwo-khe-izu accord- f Itisowineco theremaiotof thepatnarchal tn^lsdty* wnkh (b still remarkabljr pmrails in the domeftic and political condoft of the Cbinefi^ and not to ^y defeA in their langoage^ Aat a Niece occasionalty calls her Knch father^ iwd her €9ufiH3 brctbersf and that an Uncle calls hit nuet daughter f &c. It if perhapf owing to a coo- 9 Sit Littresid^* xv, 164. xxia, 31. A CHINESE HISTOKY. 263 accordingly married, and long since car* ricd home to his house." «* If it be ib, said the Mandarine, you have great reason on your side. But why did < not you deliv'er in a petition to me, and inform me truly of the cafe. Had this been done, the laft order had never been ifilied out. Why were yoq fo a concorrence of both tfaefe caoset, t&at feme of the wild nations of North America do th« fame. See an account of the Iroquois in Lettns edifiant* xii. 144. As to the Cbinefey there is no nation in the wotld where the various degrees of confangui* nity are more accurately defined b)f particular names. We only ufe the word uncU to signiiy the Brothers of both Father and Mother : but in the Chinffo langu^ there are words not only to diftingniih die Brothers of the Father from thofe of the Mother (as in the Za/m) but alfo thofe which are Younger or Elder, than the Father ctr Mother. . la \il|e,mi^Mitf tlm h^ve four diifer^t words to express the Grana« father and Grandmother of bo^ sides. With the fiame cxa£tneis tb^ express all the other degrees ni sanity* See P. Magal. pag* 102. hafty to fend away a petition to Per king ?"' " I Ihould not have taken thcfc measures, fhe replied, h^ I not feen how abfolute your la(t order was: wherein too plainly appeared the inr tereft my adverlary had gained in you.. Now if I had fcnt up no petition to the court, but had died here in obfcu- rity, every thing had continued in impenetrable darknefs, and there had remained nothing to clear up my fame jand conduft/* He told her, the injury fhe complained of was not of such confequence, but that he could have redrelled it ; io that fhe needed not have applied to the Emperor, or have carri- ed matters fo far. ♦* As this, added he, is a trifling affair, I can hardly conceive how a petition could be drawn up j]p without enlargement or milrepre-^ sentation ; which muft fall very heavy upon you when it comes to be read *.** She replied, " Why should I need to put any thing in it but matter of fadt ?'* Then taking ^ paper put of her • It may be thought a paradox to fay, that the Chineje can inflift punilhments or confer jrewards after death : and yet *tis certain they aifea to do both. The Chinefe are remarkably folllcitous about their fepulturej there are even sons who will fell themselves in order to beftow funeral honours on their parents. Thefe honours are therefore by way of punifhment sometimes denied the defun^l, and their a(hes are burnt and fcattered in the air. The Chinefe are no Icfs greedy of rank and title \ thefe again are sometimes can- , celled after thdr death; and their memory W declared for ever infamous. On the other hand, it is not unufual for the Em- peror to be^ow both title and rank upon thofe who ^o longer exift to enjoy them : he iflues out patents by which he raises thedeceafed to the dig- nity of Mandarines, and annexes honourable dif- fin^sons to their names. Nay when he is dif. . ppfi?4 •65 HAU KIOU CHOAAN. her bofom, ihe presenttd it to hinit as a true copy of what (he had sent. He caft his eye over it, and found it conuined a brief and fuccinft relation of the injuftice done her, and by whom : informing his majcfty, that before this could have reached his hands, (he (hould have furrendered up her life, by killing pofed to reward the fervlces of his departed mi* niften by uncommon honours to their memory, it is not nnfireqiient by express patents to confer marks of dimndion aHp on their fathers and grandfathers, and even female anceftors. [Set copies efjucbfatpeti in P. Dm IbUe, ^ 27 1 .] It is alfo coftomary to enCt grand fepnlchres for the deserving at the pnbUc ezpence, and for the greater honour the Emperor sometimes writdi thdr elogium with his own hand : but the noft signal mark of favour is to dednt then Saints, to build them temples^ and to liKrifice to theoi among their idols : bvwtf bdng as aifily com* snunicated in ChiMa, as the quality of a Count or Marqab is in fomc couutriet cfEmr^. Lettres edifiant. xr. 131. 7dx» 78, Sec. P. Da Halde,vol 1. 3o6,352,&ubiiiupra. P.Le Compte, ii. 59, &c. . herself A CHINESE HISTORY; 267 facrielf before bis tribunal : and that (he fern her flave to fall down at bis feet in or^r to petition for redrefs: and that tiiough fhe (hould be laid in her tvunb, her fliade would dill retain a grateful sense of the juftice his majefty would do to her memory ♦• - The ^ The literal tranflatioii is, <' that although ^' ihe wai laid in her tomb, fhe fhoold (Ull hav«

• • a nalefttl remembrance of the juftice his
  • najeft^ would do to her."

AlHioagh it appears not that either Ctrnfudus^ iOr the other ancient Chme/i lawgivers, ever incaU ^ated any notion of a fotare state, and ahhoagk the mo^m Liarati generally treat it sill as iSofm ; [Set note aht*ve fag. 169.] yet various ^odtioes rebdng to it prevail in Cbinm, The moft general is that of the B&tnues or f<dkfwers of FO, who teach that there is a pa- radife or delightiful abode in the weft, whem f O waits to receive [the moft diftinguiflied of] his votaries, and to make them partakers of his blifs. On the other hand, that there is a hell beneath the earth, the abode of Ten or evil /fifitt^ Ktfii under the dominion of a Yin-^niang^ or The very fight of the addrefs of this petition threw the Grand Vifitor into a cold fweat, and made him fhudder.. At firft he was difpofed to chide her fevcrcly or king of demons \ and that they^ tliere are £«- ban or spirits of defiiry^ whofe bufinefs it is to convey the souls of men into their bodies at the moment of their birth, and to dra? them away at the moment of death to the fobterra- neous dominions, where [if thev have defenred it] they are cruelly tormented by [the] other spirits. They believe bell to contain nine fe-' veral compartments, and that after the ibol hath paired through them all, it tranfmigrates into a new body * : if it hach behaved well in its former state, into that of a man, a prince, &c. if otherwise, into that of a beaft, &c. They be- lieve even brutes to be capable of futore rewards and punifhments; and that if they have been either more or lefs cruel than is fuitable to their nature, they either become human creatures, or lofe all exiftence. Thefe opinions are fo pre- valent in Cbina^ that it is a coomion ezpremon of • TO the author of this do3rine lived 500 jean before Pythagoras, luho may therefore tvell bt fufpofed to barve picked it up in bu travels into hidia^ (imong the followers offO, inTi. Bracbmans or Brammst fevcrely for a precipitancy fo fatal. But fearing it (hould drive her to ex*' tremities, he thought it better to footh her •f acknowledgment for any favour. If after ntf deaths my soul Jhall pafs into the body of a dog or a horfej I Jhall be at your fer^ce* P. JDu Halde» vol. 2. 67. The feft of Tao-tfe alfo acknowledge a future glory and a heU : the glory to be conjoined tO the body, not only in the other life, bVit in this i pretending that by certain exercifes, meditations, or, according to some authors, by certain chy- mical secrets, a person may renew his youth and childhood, and even become one of the Sien-jiny that is, fortunate ones of the earth, [or ac- cording to P. Du Halde] immortal men, or flying immortalsf fo called because they never die, but fly from one mountain to another. This fe£t alio make some profeilion of belief in a metempfycho- fis. Sec P.. Du Halde, vol. 2. p. 16S. See alfo on the above articles, P. Semedo, p. 90, 87. P. Du Halde, i. 646, 673, 675, Ac. P. Magal. p. 74, &c. Such is the bed account of this fubje£t which the Editor hath been able to collect from va> rious writers concerning China, who arc all of them very confufed and obfcure on this article. It may perhaps give the Reader the cleared notion of what the Chinefe generally believe concern- her with gentle speeches. ** Whdil I came here, said he, I was utterly ignorant concerning the soul and a ftitare (late, to fobjoin a few paSages from the writings of the Cbinrft themfeivcs in their own words.

• < Tlie reason [for setting op the image or ^
• < tablet of a deceaTed anceftor, in order to re-

verence it] faith a Chine/e writer quoted by P. Du HaltUt •* is, bccaufc the soul or fj^rit of <' the dead being invifibk^ a child stands in need

• ' of a fenfible objed to put him in mind of hit

«* parents." Vol. 1.^.300. »» in a Chinefe novel, given by the fame aathor, k is fiiid df a Mandarine's Udy, " She fainted ^ away, and remained a long while in that con-

• ^ dicion, as if her thret fmds had intirely left

" her.'* Vol. 2. p. 162. In a memorial which a Mandarine makes Xm one of the Emperors, he thus apologizes for the freedom he had taken. '* Being old and readj

• ' to join your father mder tht earthy I would

prevent the reproaches he would make me «* did I hold my peace/' Ibid. vol. i. pag. 567,

• ' Although I (honld not punifh him, (Cutli

the late Emperor Yong-cbing in a decla- ration concemmg one of his minifters) ^* the

• • soul of my father, 'which is iu hettvim \JJm
  • tienchiting] dottbtlefs fees dearly his cri*
  • minal conduft, and will cause icanly to del-

••cend igrtorant of this affair. Kwo-kbe-tzu drew mc dcsigncdly into it. I thought

• • cend opon him the chaftifement he deserves.'*

Lettrcs edifiapc. xxiL 194.

• ' By digging up the dead (faith a Mandarine

in a pablic edia) ^* by ftealine their bones, and

• • by mixing them with thole of beafts, they
  • would cause tbt finis of the defund to call

'< forth bitter cries/* Lettres edifiant. xv. 1 3 1 .

• • If the person gnilty of imbruing hit hands .

^ in the blood of anothery be not punifhed with ^* death, (faith a Cbimfi author) the ghoft (manes ' lot,) of him, who was murthered, and which \ cries for juftice, will never be at red.** P. Da Halde, vol. 2 p. 15;. We inay condnde this long note with ob« fervingy that no people are more fuperftitious than the CbinifiUL the ardcle of apparitions, fpedtres, &c. and that they^ have a ridiculous opinion that the (bul of a aiminal, when he is executed, in paffiqg out of the body falls upon the firflpersons it meets with, on whom it vents ill its fury and loads with curfes; efpecially thofe who have contributed to its punifhment. And hence it is, that as soon as they fee the flroke of death gjven, they run away with all their might, Lettret ^ifiant. xxvii. 398. See abb P« Da Halde, voL i. p. $84. n. 646, 671. vol.2, p. 78, 84, 123, &c. Lettrcs cdif. XV. 134. I wa$ 272 HAU KIOU GHOAAN, i wa$ doing a good afiion in pro^ mocing a marriage. It was out of friendfliip and benevolence that I in- terpofed. I find I have been miftakcn ; and was mifinfornied as well about the consent of your father and mother, as about the intervention of the bridefman. Lady, proceeded he, return home to your house. Reft eafy and quiet. Think no more of the tricks which have been played yoii : for I wiH set forth an order forbidding any one to moleft you, or to concern themfclves in any wife farther on the fubjedt of your marriage. In return for which I mud intreat you to difpatch a meflcnger away to bring back your petition.** She replied, ** To deliver out such an order as you mention is all I can 2 expefk A CHINESE lilSTORY. 273 rfxpedt bv defire of y6ur Excellency; and Will be such a mark of your goodncfs as will defcrve my bcft thanks. But how (hall I cause rtiy servant to re- turn, when he hath been gone already three days on his journey ?'* ** I will undertake to do that, anfwered he, if you will but give me a defcription of his person and drefs/' Then cal- ling some of the moil capable men of his audience, he" difpatched them away, with an account of the person they were to purfue, commanding them to travel night and day with all imagi- nable fpeed, 'till they had overtook him and brought him back with the young lady's petition. She then took her leave, and went home in a chair, which the Granjl Vifitor had prepared 2^74 HAU KIOU CHOAAN; for hen There at present we (halt leave her and return to the Cbe-bien^ Sbuiy-guwiUf and his son-in*laWt none of whom had the leaft notice of what had happened. Qn the contrary the latter of thefe was very joyfully employed ia pre- paring things for his wedding, and ia chufing out a fortunate or good day. Of which, as soon as it was concluded on, he gave notice to her uncle ; wha accordingly went to acquaint her with itr and to give her joy. At this Sbutf^ ping'^n laughed, and fsdd, <^ What do you mean by a good day, and by giving me joy ? Do you mean in this world w the other*?" Sbuey-guwin replied^

• la orig. Kin fifth Lyflnb.

«« Ohr A tHtNESE HISTORY. iy$ ^^ Oh niece ! you may make a jcft of it to me : but you muft hot trifle with the Grand Vifitor- Do you consider that he is a great Mandarine and whatever he fays is the fame as if fpokcn by the Emperor himself. He hath power over life and death *," " She replied, how should

• It belongs to the Fifitor to catifc the fcn«

fences of death pafTed throughout the whole pro- vince to be put in: execution : in order to which he afsigns the city whither, on a day appointed^ ail thofe that are condemned shall be brought to him, and there he is presentcd with a lift of their names : then taking his pencil he marks fix or fe- Ven of them, (if he prick down more he is count- ed cruel) thefe are presently carried to execution, the reft returned to their refpcAive ptisons. It belongs alio to this Mmidarine to vifit the walls^ caftles, &c. He sets forth with a great train and pomp, having banners carried before him, and other ensigns of majefty. 1 his is ufually per- formed every year. P. Semedo, pag. 129. It fcems to be this officer, whom P, Du Haldi defcribes under the name oi Ngan-cha-tfe orTha chief criminal judge of a province, [vd.a.p. T a a99.3 ^T^ HAU KIOU CHOAAN. should I make a jeil of any thing to you, who are to me as a father. But the Grand Vifitor that is now, is not the fame that was the other day. He it quite changed, and become anodier person. To jeft with the former is a thing of no confequence." ** If 299.] But according to this laft aathor, anlefs in iome extraordinary cafes, wherein the Emperor permits execution on the fpot, no Mandarine, oi even Superior Tribunal, can pronounce definitive ientence of death. The judgments pafled on all persons for capital crimes are to be exami- ned, agreed to and fubfcribed by the Emperor. The late Emperor Yong-chim gave OFdere in 1^25, that none ihould be put to death till after his trial was presented to him thsee times* When the crime is very enormous, the Emperor in f^gning the dead warrant, adds : Js Joom a# this order Jhall be receiitedj let him he executed without delay. Otherwife he writes. Let him he kept in prijon^ *till autumn and then executed. There being a day fixed in autump, whereoa all capital offenders are put to death thronghout the empire. See P. Du Halde, vol i^p. 313. you you meant to make a jeft of him, said her undc, why did you accept the orders he iffued out." " Uncle, said Ihe, I took them merely to make a jeftofthem." She had hardly spoke before a fer- vant entered to acquaint her that the Grand Vifitor had sent a paper of de- claration. She afked of what nature. ^^Doubdefs, said her uncle, it is to haften the completion of your marriage. Let me go out and fee what it con- tains." The young lady aflentcd. He accordingly went into the great hall, and seeing the officers, aiked them what they had to fay to his niece. *• I fup- pofe it is to require her to prepare for her wedding." The officers told him it was not ib. ** Our mafter the Grand Vifkor, said they, having been but a short time arrived, knew not how aflfairs flood with regard to th« marriage of this young lady. He ue* ver fufpeded but (he had licence from her father and mother to marry, and that the bridefman had been accepted* It was but yefterday he was informed of the truth. He now gives out this order and declaration^ forbidding any one to concern himself or meddle with her, whether by laying claim to her, or otherwile forcing her to marry againft her inclinations/*. Sbuey-guwin ieemg the decbration and hearing what the ofHcen f^, was rca- (}y to die with fear, and utterly unable to to atifwer one word: but taking the paper he went in and gave it to hia niece. " Here, said he, is a declara- tion from the Grand Vifitor ; I know not what it contains." She accordingly opened it and read as follows^

• • Whereas the Mandarine Sbuey-^
• • keu-ye * when banifhed into a diftant

• • country,

• In tlie original his title is ^ven at lengthy

viz. The Ping-pu Sbuey-Jhe-lang, That is, " Sbui^^ affiftant to the tribunal of arms.'* The adminiftration of the Chine/e government is chiefly managed by fix fovereign courts at Pe-kingt called Leu-pu^ whofe power and autho- rity extend over all the provinces of the empire* Each of thefe councils hath a president, whom they call Cbang-Jhu*^ who is a Mandarine of the firft rank. It.hath alfo two aiiiftants or z£* T 4 ieflors;

• Writttn Cham-Xu and Xi-lam, ly P. Semeio^

tfier the manner rf the Pertt^efe ; njoitb tubom X htUbtbe Jbundof SH; andlArfl^G. Tbe mt at^ tending te this bath caused firange confufion in the oribograpfy of Cbinefe names. See Dion. Kao, p« j»4. note. tf«rf Mod, UmY,ffifU^iu,i^*i^%^w^fc«i«w* ft^o HAU KIOU CHOAAI^. ^f country^ left at home one only « daughter, who hath not yet been ♦• presented in marriage ^ > apd whereas

• • fhe, who is left thus a lone and
  • defolate, keepeth her house qu^ct*

•' ly in his abfence, and observeth «< all the duties becoming a young ^f yroman : I hereby require and com-

• • • rpand

ff flbrs I oat of the left hand, called Co-fije-lang ; the other of the right, called Geu-jhe-laMg \ theie are Mandarines of the second order. Ex- cepting only that of Co-lau^ thefe are the higheft «Bd moft profitable offices of the whole empire ; fo that when a Viceroy of any province, even the moft principal, is to be preferred, he esteems. Umself well provided for, if he be bat made aflefibr of one of thefe councils. Which are at follows : 1. Ui'pn^ or tribunal of Mandarines. [See note p. 17b.] 2. ^-/if, or tribunal of the treafury. 3. Vi'fut or tribunal of rites. [See note p. 170.] 4* Ping-pUp or trfbfmal of arms. [See toI. i. note p. 69.]

• i. e, twho brfb neiter |tt accc^e^C my w^iudprti^

A CHINESE HISTORY. 2S% ^f mand the Cbe-foo and Cbe-bien to ^* take particular care that (he be no

• 5 way molefted •, and that no one be
• > fufFered .either by force pr other un-
• •* fair pra6]tice to endeavour to marry

•* her. y pon the firft notice that any

• .* prefun^e to aft contrary to this Order,
• .* let me be advifed, and I (ball profe-

•-' cute them with the utmoft rigour.'* 5. tting-pUy or tribunal of crimes. [SlC vol. 3. chap. 7. note.] 6. Kong-pu, or tribunal of public works. Subordinate to thefe are forty -four Tribunals^ each of which hath a President and at leaft iiX Councellors. P.Du Halde^ voK i. p. 24S. P. Semedo, p. 12^ N. B. it may be proper to mention here once for all, that the Mandarines are throughout thi| hiflory always mentioned either with the title of their office fnbjoined to their firft name, as, " The Shuey-Jhe-lang ;" The Tieh-twyuen ;" ♦•The KwO'Mo-tfif "The Fung-ngan-yuen,^ ^c. Or elfe with the addition only of Laoyc^* as •* Shuey-lao-ye^ &c. [See note p. 1 84.] but to pre- v.ent confufion, the Editor hath chofen to retain f very where their proper name only. When 2S2 HAU KIOU CHOAAN. When Ihe had read it, fhe fmiled and said : " What is this to the purpose ? This is not to frighten men but mon- keys. However, as it is a proof of his good will, I ihail esteem it a great favour.** Then fhe ordered her fcr- vant to put two taels of filver in a red paper for the officers that brought the declaration, and five mace'^ for the offi- cers* servant. Thefe Ihe delivered to her uncle to give them. Not knowing bow to refuse her, he quietly went and presented it to them, with his niece's thanks. Then he came back IP her and said, " You were not mif- taken when you said this Nfandarine would change his sentiments. It is certain he hath now done it. But how ♦ Two!r^/f arc i3s.4d.-FivcJfiK^aic 38. 4d, is comes he, that was before fo prefling for the conclufion of your marriage, to 4give out now fo contrary an or- der? This is what I cannot compre- hend." His niece replied, " Wheroi is the difficulty in this matter ? He was then but juft arrived, and eftceming me a poor filly girl, thought it was o£ no cpnfcquence what became of me. Then he only regarded Kwo-kbe-tzu^ But being now better informed ; and finding that Oiould he perfift to offeif me injuftice, it would endanger hit office; h^ hath altered his measures.*'

• • Your father, said Sbuey-guwiUy is

not at home to protedl you. What can you do of yourself } Can he be afraid of you V* She fmiled and ^^ ^^ Unde, you mufl: afk no far-^ ther ther queftions. In a few days you will be better informed*'* Upon this he left her, his imagi* nation being wholly bufied in unra- Telling an affair which seemed to him of infcrutable intricacy. Unable to fathom fo great a myftcry, he went to inform Kwo-kbe-tzu of it. To the latter it appeared fo incredible, that he openly profefledhe could not be- lieve it. *^ Do you think I would deceive you, said Sbuey-guwinf Was not I there myself? And did not I give her present to the iervants ? If you have any doubt of it, I would have you apply to the Grand Vifitor himself. This r would alfo advife you to do, in order to learn the motives of bis con*. dua,*' duft.** This advice appeared fo rea- ibnable to Kwo-kbe-ixu^ that he ordered his chair and went immediately. That Mandarine had hitherto re- ceived him with the greatest kindnefs ^ and notwithstanding the moft urgent bufineis, always had him admitted. But now he sent an excuse, and said he had fo many petitions and other affairs to difpatch, that he could not fee him. Finding he could not gain ad- mittance, KwO'kbe-tzu bowed and with- drew. The next morning he pre- sented himself again, but still was an- iwered that the Grand Vifitor was pre- vented from seeing him by unavoid- able bufinefs. He returned four or five days fucceffiyely, but conftantly recei- 2 vcd 4J« HAU KrOU CHOAAK. Vied the fame cxcufe. Surprized at this change, and enraged at the re- peated mortifications he met with, " I will fend a letter, said he, to my father at court, and acquaint him of the abufe and contempt I receive. He was very much provoked and mortified : but what farther relates to him will be feen at large in Book the Third, The End of Book the Second* ADDt- [ 28; 1 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTION^. PAGE 10. lin. 3, note referring to the •vacrd [cven^]

• This expreflion is familiar to the Cbinefe^

In the Shi-ktngi one of their canonical books^ it is spoken in praise of an ancient Emperor, that " his way is ftraight.'* P. Du Halde, v. i. /. 409. The fcriptores abound with this metaphor^ [See P/. 5. 8. J/ai. 40. 3. and S9' 8. Lam. 3. 9^ Mat, 3. 3*^ Hebf 12. 13.] which is fo obviousr that we are not to wonder that it hath even been* adopted by the Indians of North America. In? a late conference their warriors told one of our governors, " that they had been sent to make the path ftraight, and to accommodate differences/' See account of the conferences of OSi, 19. 1759* Dated CharleS'Tonjun, South-Carolina, No*u, l-»— ' Lond, Chron. Jan. 26. 1760. Page 23. lin. 2. note [blame *.]

• The Chinefe have some notion of an ori-

gioal (late of innocence. Their hiftorians teach- that, before the time of Fo-hi^ their firft Emperor and Legillator, the two fexes cloathed alike, and OOnverfed togedier without rellraint. See P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 137. 41 1. Mart. Hift. p. 23.&G, Pag. 288 ADDITIONS and Pag. 9'2. AddtttOD to the note. N. B. In what light the Cbiue/e consider fo- reign nations will appear from the following words oi the late £mperor Tong-cbing [who died 0£t. 7. 1735O in a speech he made to the Jefoites. *' I am Sovereign Matter of The king-

• • dom of tU middk : all other dates great and

'* small fend me tribute : I take a pleasure in '* giving them inftmflions : if they profit by tht^m,

• < well and good ! if not, I am not concerned
• « at it.'* See Lettres edif. Rec. xviii, pref. xxxi'v.

And even in the lad vol. of Je/uites Letters publifhed fo lately as 1758, we find the fathers in order to pave the way for a new embafly firom France^ endeavoarkig to prevail with the Chinsfe miniftry, not to conuder his mod chridian majedy, as *• tributary to the Emperor, but to

• • treat him upon the footing of an equal : nei-

<* ther to look upon his preienu, as tribute ; cr <* thofe of the Emperor, as the bounty of a fa- ^* perior. Nor again to regard his letters, as fup.

• • plicatory petitions, nor to give to the anfwertf

V which ihould be retamed, Che name of orders " intimated to him from the Emperor." But we don't find that thefe applications met with any success. See Lettres edtf. ifc Rec. 28. fref, /, xxiit\ Page 96. Note. The Reader is defired to cancel the Ujt eight lines of this Note, <vix.from [From this table, &c.] to the end; and in their Jiead U read, as follows. The CORRECTIONS. 289 TYitJirft of thefe, or f «, begins as soon as the clock with us hath struck eleven ; the fame is to be observed of the reft. Each of thefe hours hath smaller divifions aod fubdivifionSy anfwerable to our minutes, &c. It is remarkable that, whereas we reckon our Hours by numbers, but have particular names for our Months, the Chinefe on the contrary compute their Months by numbers, but ailign particular names and characters to their Hours. Thus we fay, January, February^ &c, but the Chinefe fimply. The firfi or fecend moon : on the other hand we only diftinguilh our Hours by one, tiuo^ or three o^clock, whereas the Chinefe have a peculiar arbitrary name for each, as in the table. If the Chinefe excel us in some invention?, they fall vaftly short of us in their manner of giving notice of the time of the day : their only method being as follows. In each of their cities is a tower, wherein their Hours are meafui^d by a kind of Ckpfydra or water clock : where the water running out of one veffel into another, lifts up a board marked with the names of the hours. As soon as a new hour is begun, one or more persons, who are ftationed there for that purpose, immediately give public notice of it, by Itriking upon a prodigious large drum ; and at the fame time set up in public view a tablet or board, whereon the name of the cur- rent Hour ib painted in characters of gold half a a yard long. Vid. Bayer, torn. 2,p 336.] To have done once for all with their com- putations of time, we may observe briefly, that the Chinefe compute their ann^iU b^ C^cU* ^\ Vol. if. \3 "t.^^^ 290 ADDITIONS AND fixtjr years, as the Greeks did by Oljmfi .s / and that the Chine/e cinl year, which commen- ces about the twenty-fifth of January, coniiftt bat of 354 days, and is set right with the coarfe of the uin, by inferting an intercalaiy Month every third kud fifth year. And efpecially be it remarked, that althoagh the Chine/e keep no Sabhath, or feventh day of reftf they heverthelefs divide the weeks like «5, according to the order of the planets, reck- oning the twenty- eight days of every Month fncceflively by feven and feren thronghout the year : [See P. Du Haldey v. 2 /. 132,] there- by confirming that remark of learned men, that there is hardly any nation under heaven, among whom some tradition of the world*s having been created in feven days may not be difcovered, by the arbitrary divifion of their time into weeks of feven days. Vide Selden. Jus Nat. y Gent, lib. 3. cap. 22. -^Huet. demonftrat. E'vang. prop, 4/ cap. 11./. 26^.Gro^tius de veritaf. lib. i. /e^. 16^ Page 131. Note, add: N. B. Th< Editor hath been informed by m j;entlcman lately come from China, that the Tad is always edimated at 6s. 8d. Englilh. See a(/a the TrarjJlator*spref. to P. Du Haldi^fol. v. i. /. 'viij. and Dampiery ^vol. 2. Supplemt. p. 61. Page 136. Note, add: N. B. See alfo a very exa6t, though some- what different, acLOutit ^i ^v^ ^m^\i.% Ever. CORRECTIONS. 291 1^, ^en (for such the Tea-fhrub is) in Kampfer's Hift, of Japan. Supplemt. Page 169. Note, atiJ. N. B. The great progrefs of the religion of Fo among the Chinefe^ is perhaps to be ac^ counted for, from its fupplying the dodrines of a future date, fo agreeable to the mind of man. This at lead was the cafe in Japan. \See K<tmp^ fer, p. 248.] As for the fed of Tao-t/e, they have evidently borrowed their notions on this ittbjcft from the other. See page 269. note. Pagei94. lin 12. [filver * ;] • Our merchants give the name of fices Co thofe wedges or oblong pieces, into which the Chinefe commonly caft their gold. [See notes, ^oL 4. pag, 109. y pag, 153.] but it is not ufual with them to give tbb name to their wedges of iilver : however there is no doubt but thefe are meant by the exprefTion in the text. N- B. Thefe "Jhoes of filver" are perhaps the fame with what Kampfer calls ** Shuets of iilver:" one of which, he fays, weighs about £ve ounces, and is worth about a pound of (lerling. ijee Hift. of Japan, page 318. Page 290. The little marginal note fliould run thus. N. B. ^e Chinefe mirroun ore of -^dijbed Jtt\^ KJ2 A D D I T I O N S, &c. (Sec P. Du Haldc, i. 196. Lcttr. ed. xxviij. 194.) not but the Cbinefe manufaSlure a kind of glafiy but ijoe are told that it is more brittle than ours^ breaking nvhen exfofed to toojbarp an air. P. Du Haldc, i. 105. Mod. Univ. Hilt. viij. 73. Page 280. Note, lin. 14. 2. The Hupu or Tribunal of the Treafury. [This court hath the care of the public treafury, finances, &c. together with the private ellate, revenues, and expences of the Emperor. It pays the falaries and penfions of all the flate ofncers : and keeps the rolls and regifters which are made every year of all the families, number of men, mealure of land, and the duties thence arifing to the Emperor. See P. Du Haldcj i, 249. Mod. Uni*v, Htft. *viij. I46.] Page 281. Note, lin. 3. 6. The Kong'puy or Tribunal of public- works. [This court iuperintends all the Emperor^s buildings : and takes cognizance of all the tow- ers, bridges, causeys, dikes, rivers, canals, high- ways, and ftreets throughout the empire. P. Du Halde, Mod. Uni<v. Hift. Wr. ubi/u^a.'\ THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. ERRATA in Vol. II. pAGE 5. line 12. of the Note r. tdls Uff. Ibid. L -* loft but 2. for wmtherr. where. /. 7. bottom r. N. B. Nieuhoff (p. 59.) P. Magalhaens and for 2zo. r. 230./ 8. /. 16, dele gJ Bnd.f. 17. /. 9. r. ufc. /. 23. /. 6. r.for that hath r. which hath./. 38. /. 5. r. weak that he. /. 39. noteL 12. /ir figures r. lingers. /. 42. /. 3. r. with it myself." N, B, After theje twordsjhould have been a break^*^ p. 44. /. 10. ^c, r. service : ihe» who is of an ad- mirable difpofition, doth. Ibid. /. 16. r. advice^ added he addrefling. /. 55. note forzmr. ** Am. r. with./. 6"/, L 7. r. Lieu'hiau-nvhey, /. 68. «i/#, ^/p /i6^ three laft lines, p. 83. w/f, /. 9. after wines, add^ and spirituoos liquors. /. 99. /• 7. dele all the. /. 104. note^ /. I. for into, r. in./. 130. /. 4, r. prevent it./, r^i. note, I. 16. r. (2) Lettres edifiant. p. 132. /. i./cr wait r. go, /. 143. /. 6. delesecond hath. /. 144. «0/f, /. I. r. dUFerently. /. 146. ^r^/^^ /. 3, r. Liv. XVI, /^///. /. 10. II. r. where nature hath fo much force, that morality hath. /, 150. note, I, 22. r. Even a person. /. 151. «tf/r, /. 10. after cavaliers, add and yet they always go on foot./. 156. /. 3. from bottom dele to and. /. 167. note/L 6. add 2^j, p. 185. w/f, «//. r, xxv. 143.^ 286./. 197. L penult, r. exceedingly./. 198. /./#- nult/for original r. Tranflator's MS. /. 201. /. 15. for thefe r. which. /. 206. note, /. 2. for it r. each piece. /. 228. note, I, 2. after Cize, add (frequently 12 or 14 feet long) /. 237, note^ /. 5. after town. Vol. ir. <Ui

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VOLUME III

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OR The Pleafing lfi/lory. A TRANSLATION FROM THE CHiNESE LAN GU AGE. To which are added, I. The Argument or Story of a Chinefe Play, II. A Collection of Chinefe Proverbs, and III. Fragments of Chinefe Poetry. WITH NOTES. JI n'y a pas tie mtilleur fllb_YUI Jes' inJlruire tie la Chi1re, f'" par la Chine mime: car par la on tjJ fur tie ne fa point tromper, Jans la connoifsance Ju genie et ties ufages tie uttt nation. P. Du Halde, tom. 2. p. 258.