Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Chapter Information

Wiki Chapter	28
Translator's MS	Chapter XV
Volume	IV
Status	OCR cleaned — footnotes pending

Part of the Hao Qiu Zhuan Wilkinson/Percy translation (1761).

Hau klo CHOAAN. BOOK IV. CHAP 1. FH UE Y-keu-ys when he came home, ſaw to his great ſatisfaction his daughter grown up to woman's eſtate, and highly improved in her beauty and accompliſhments. He told her the troubles he had met with had not been able to render him unhappy, neither was he at all elevated by his pro-

• Cuar. XV. In the TranſlatorS manuſcript.

Vor. IV. 8 1 motion. motion. * My greateſt pleaſure, ſaid he, is to ſee you again, and to find you in health.” He concluded with telling her, that at court he had met with a young gentleman, whom he had choſen for his ſon-in-law, one who was in every reſpect anſwerable to his utmoſt wiſhes, It ſtruck the young lady that this might poſſibly be Tiebchungu

ſhe therefore anſwered, Sir,

you are far advanced in years: it is a great while ſince the death of my mother: you have no child but me: it is therefore my duty to ſerve you asl ong as I live: and however undeſerving I may be, I will never ceaſe to attend you.“ The Mandarine her father ſmiled and ſaid, You muſt not perſiſt in theſe reſolutions, however commenda22b65l7e5 they may be8. It wouvl1d bek vsery wrong to let flip' the opportunity of being happily married upon any fuch conſiderations. If my adopted ſon-inlaw were not a perfon of ſuperior merit, 1 ſhould hardly have made choice | of him: nay if he had the leaſt fault in the world, I ſhould not have accepted him without having firft conſulted you. But he is a youth of fine underſtanding, and of ſpotleſs integrity : he is deficient in no one valuable accompliſhment. I found him in all reſpects ſo unexceptionable, that I did not think it neceſſury to apply to you firſt for your conſent.” The young lady, who by this deſeription was confirmed in her opinion, that it muſt be the ſon of the Mandarine Tieb-ying, made anſwer, chat indeed nothing D'S B 2 could could be objected to ſuch a perſon as he had deſcribed : But who knows, added ſhe, whether there may not be other objections to the marria-gc eon - tract? whether it may be lawful—?“ Theſe words made the Lord Preſident recall to mind thoſe of the young gentleman, inſomuch that he could not help remarking their reſemblance: he therefore ſaid, Do you know the perſon of whom I ſpeak ; it is the ſon of the Supreme Viceroy.” *© Sir, ſhe ' replied,” had it been any one elſe, 4; would never have conſented : and as it is he, he never will agree to any ſuch marriage.” „Why not?“ ſaid her father. She anſwered, © Becauſe it would be to break through all the gangs due to that [honourable engagement, A CHINESE HISTORT. 5 gagement, and to violate its moſt ſolemn rites.] Shuey Leu y was ſur⸗ prized at theſe words: This youth, ſaid he, is of no ill deſcent; but pure and untainted as yourſelf : Why then do you talk of any violation that would accrue to the rites of marriage? With that Shuey-ping-/in" related ato him all that happened during his abſence. And now, added ſhe, after all this, how can ſuch an alliance take place without intailing everlaſting ſhame and diſgrace on us both?“ When he had heard this relation, her father was charmed with her delicac y and nice ſenſe of honours: If this. be true, ſaid he to himſelf, my. daughter hath not her equal among women, any more than Tieh cbung⸗uĩ st o . Fu a |

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6 Hau KIOU CHOAAN. be matched among men.“ Daughter, ſaid he aloud, I am glad to ſee you keep ſo cloſeltyo the paths of virtue: there is none but you fit to be paired with fo good and virtuous a youth as I have choſen. Heaven ſeems to have created you both for each other: this marriage was ordained to take place between you. I have engaged to ſee it performed: you muſt not therefore think r. n wrong or N in it.“ 7 8 the reſolutions of the fa - ther of Shuey-ping-/in, whom we ſhall leave at preſent, to inquire after wolbs tau, {her unſucceſsful admirer.] Mhen Chun: kicr eturned as we have feen] without ſucceſs, nothing could equal that youth's diſappointment : yet his friend exhorted him not to be caſt down: Tour father, ſaid he, hath petitioned the Emperor againſt Shueyken ye, and againſt an officer eſpouſed by him; who will both be ſentenced to loſe their heads.” KAzwo-kbe-izuliftened to this account with pleaſure, and they continued to indulge themſelves in the hope of being revenged for the ſlight put upon them, when at length * the 5 news

• The Chineſe author i puiſey'of great inconſiſtency

in this place: he had told us in the preceding book (pag. 150.] that it was fix months from Hu hiau's reprieve, to his victorious return: here he ſpeaks of them both, as happening fo near together, that the ſame meſ⸗ ſenger that came to tell of the one, brought news of the other.— The above 0 in che FTranſlator's MS. runs thus. While they were talking, chere came in a 3 . B 4 « ſervant news arrived that Shuey-keu-yt was recalled from exile, and promoted to a higher office; and all by the interpoſal of Tieb- chung - u; in return for which he had engaged to give him his daughteri nm arriage. The reportſo affected Kwo-kbe-tzu, that he raved and ſtampeſdd like a madmana,nd at laſt ſwooned away. By the aſſiſtance of the people, who came to his relief, he at * re- « ſervant from 83 they inquired what news « he had brought from court. He replied, No “good news for you, Sir. Why fo, ſaid his „ maſter? Becauſe, anſwered the meſſenger,

• Tieb-chung-u having got a reprieve for Hu-

©* hiau by offering himſelf ſecurity for him, that general] is returned with ſucceſs, &c : and both he and Shuey-keu-ye are preferred, and the latter hath given his daughter in marriage to Treh-chung-u.” The Editor hath endeavoured to remove this inconſiſtency, as much as he could without departing too much from the original. covered, covered, and retiring with Chun-ktt, ſaid, How indefatigable have I been ? what ſteps have I taken? what expence have I been at? and what perplexity have I ſuffered ? and at length Tieh-chung-u without any pains at all | hath carried off the prize. But, if I die for it, I will preventth e ceremony from being compleated. Come, faid het o his friend you mult ſet your wits at work for me.” „Alas! replied the other, when the was lone and friendleſs all our attempts proved ineffectual

her father is now advanced in

dignity, and will quicklbye at home; what likelyhood then is there now of ſucceſs?” „ Well, ſaid the youth, I can now have no hopes of ſucceeding myſelf: I ſhall be ſufficiently ſatisfied, | BO it ro HAU KIOU CHOAAN. if I can but prevent and diſappoint the other,” 5 We know very well, replied his friend, the nice and ſcrupulous temper of her father, and his advancement will render him {till more jealous of the reputation of his family; let us apply to | ſome of his acquaintance, and get them to inform him of the ſecret correſpondence between Tzeb-chung-u and his daughter: if he hears of this he will certainly. break off the marriage. But if he ſhould diſregard it, we then will get your father to apply to the Ko- tau or Public Cenſor *: whoſe com- 9181 plaint 1 The Ko-tau is a great Mandarine. who re- Jates to the Emperor whatever he hears amiſs of any of the Mandarines : he alſo tells the Emperor boldly of any error he is guilty of himelf. | | Tranſl. Or rather the officer here intended is the Pre- | ſident peror to take away his employment, and ſet aſide their nuptials.” Nrvokbi- tzu thought this a we-c lonclert ed ſcheme: and ſaid, To- morrow I will endeavour to make this matter as public as I can among all the Mandarines of the city.” * By no means, ſaid his | kdent of a F; 1 of "Yo ok whoſe buſineſs it is (not unlike that ameng the Romans) ta watch over the public manners, ſparing neither Emperor nor Mandarines.—In the diſcharge of this office, they often ſhew ſurprizing courage and perſeverance: ſome of them have perſiſted for two years together in accuſing a Viceroy ſupported by all the grandees; and without being diſcouraged by delays or oppoſition, have at length compelled the court to degrade him, to avoid incurring the public odium. The manner of their proceedings is to frame a memorial and preſent it to the Emperor, of which they afterwards diſperſe copies through all the provinces. As ſoon as this memorial is publiſhed, ther an accuſed is generally obliged to do | | ue plaint againſt him will cauſe the Em1 Hau* * KIOU:CHOAAN.” friefonr thde C,he. f ooa nd Che. bienk now | the Whole truth of the affair, and can contradict ſuacf ehpor t: beſides my will nowbe diſpoſetdo ſolicit the favour of Shut.e u. jc,w he will be upon the 905| Let us rather defer” it till there come two new magiſtrates, for the preſent will ſoon 800 to court to ſolicit farther pretuo things: the fr/? is to give in a memorial, not in his own defence, but containing an humble acknowledgment of his error: the ſecond is to retire from his Tribunal, and to ſuſpend all public execution of his office, till the Emperor hath anſwered his petition” either - ae or condemning him. Any exceſs in private buildings, any irregularity of manners, any innovation or contempt of ancient cuſtoms, falls immediately under their cognizance. And as in China a parent is reſponſible for his children, it would have been a capital crime in Shuey-keu-ye to have rewarded his daughter's incontinence by letting her marry her gallant. See P. Semedo, p. 126. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. pag. 70. P. as. p. 227. Lettres edif. Xill, p. 367, | e ferment." ferment. “ Well, ſaid the other, but although two new Mandarines ſhould arrive, they will inquire into the truth of ſuch a report, and the people of their audience will be able to ſet them right.“ If we conſider every objection, and are diſcouraged by it, replied Chun ti, we had better deſiſt and give up the affair. However 1 now recollect a more effectual means WY + than any we have thought of : when . I was atc ourt, I obſerved a very great intimacy between your father, and 7 4b 2 quay, the great Mandarine who was 1 5 > ſo diſgraced by your adverſary Tiab-

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chung: u. The wife of this noble- man a was newly dead, and he was looking "i out for a young and handſome woman 1 i * to ſucceed her, Diſpatch letter * 1 * =

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13 4 Aach as he would, notuithſtanding xy HAU KIOU CHOAAN. fote to your father, and deſire him to recommend Sbuey-ping:ſin to him; for although Tieb-chung-u hath made propoſals of marriage, it is not concluded. Thus your father will at once -oblige his friend, by helping him to a young and handſome wife, and you will be revenged on your adverſary ; whoſe reputation will alſo ſuffer by the diſappointment: at the ſame time the whole affair will be conducted withoi diſturbance or danger.” There is one difficulty attends this method, faid abs youth: Tah-quay's confinement is 7 yet expired, and no body is ia cel to converſe with him openly: ſo my father can only viſit him in av and therefore cannot aſſiſt him his his power.” This is very true, ſaid bun- kec, (and will ſomewhat retard | the attempt, ] but I have ſtill another reſource, which is not liable to the fame objection. Your father hath alſo contracted a cloſe intimacy with one of the great Eunuchs of the palace; one of whom the whole court ſtands in awe, as being about the Emperor's perſon, and having his ear. This gentleman, who is called * Chou-tbay-kien or the Eunuch of danger, hath a niece who is very ugly, and not yet married. Ger your father to recommend Jie chungu as a fit huſband for her; he will not dare to reject the offers of ſo power-

f ula courtiera s her uncle. Now when

8 Chen or C bass beate. danger, and hb fins a Eunuch. Tranſl, 5 he ZZ7— he is once married to the Eunuch's niece, undoubtedly ſo great a Mandarine as the Lord Preſident of Arms, will never give him his only daughter for a ſecond wife or concubine.“ Kwo-kbe-izu was ſo pleaſed with this advice, that he reſolved to write to his father immediately : But this affair, ſaid he, is of too much moment to be intruſted to a common ſervant; ſhall I once more intreat you to embark | in it?“ His friend readily aſſented: Il | and being furniſhed with money and q other neceſſaries once more ſet out for the court. 4 [While theſe lite were contriving Y cha lived retired in his coun- => Ds houſe: where he purſued his ſtu- bNay6eCeF2N8N2 ,2A1W2CC8N O2 T ER E n e Nre e ML2B8ů82rYRr2m>x8.²WY 2(F2W u3*Ya1 \ e u t8 S2ů l « rnnn A CHINESE HISTORT. 17 dies with ſuch application and ſucceſs, that at the time of the examination of ſtudents, he was admitted to the degree of Kiu-jin, or Licentiate * : this happened in autumn, when the examination is made through all the provinces. And ſoon after when the |ſ econd] examination was held at court he offered himſelf again, and appeared to ſuch advantage that he was created Doctor of Law, and put foremoſt on the liſt. He was ſoon after made one of the firſt doctors of the empire, being choſen into the royal college or Han-lin +, and appointed by the Emperor to be one of the tutors to his ſon. He had no- attained his twenty ſecond year*I , and 2 See note, vol. . pag. 8. Kc. "+ Sec note, vol. 3. pag. 75: Kc. This may ſeem inconſiſtent with what hath Vol. IV. S been | fon ſhould not ſet aſide. | and his father and mother only waited. for Shuey-keu-ye's return to court, in order to compleat the marriage, which they reſolved the nice ſcruples of their CHAP? been formerly ſaid, of the ſlow progreſs of the Chine/e in their ſtudies; and of the length of time required for them to paſs through their ſeveral degrees. See vol. 2. pag. 86. 98. c. But it ſhould be obſerved, that there may be exceptions to this general rule in favour of extraordinary Genius, or uncommon aſliduity.—P, Parrenin tells ue, that he has known inſtances of young men that have been made not only Doctors, but Hau- lin [or members of the royal college,] before they were twenty years of age, — But theſe were extraordinary inſtances: andthe promotion of theſe young Doctors was owing not only to the force of genius, and the advantage of a happy memory, but in part to the great care and expence their parents had beſtowed on their education. I knew, ſaith he, the father of one of theſe young men, who was not only a Doctor himſelf, but had always at his table three other Doctors, to whom he allowed handſome ſalaries for taking care of his ſon. The one of theſe taught their pupil to compoſe in proſe and verſe; the other to form curious characters:

• E year was now elapſed which

Shuey-keu:y6 had been allowed to ſpend in retirement: when the Emperor iſſued out an order for his return to court: upon the firſt notice of which the Mandarine7 j eb-ying wrote a letter, to intreat him to bring the young lady along with him. pon: recen of rafters : the third infruted W in hiſtory and politics. Ihus by way of converſation they in- _ billed into his mind and heart the knowledge of the laws, the principles of morality, the virtues of the great Emperors, and the examples of a rare fidelity towards the prince, which hath rendered certain families illuſtrious: and as the youngm an had a lively and apt ſpirit, he quickly ecame as learned as his malters.” See P. Farrenin & letter, dated Aug, 11. 1730. 1 Leteres edif. æxi.\ 204: C : 2 © this, this, he told his daughter, that as ſhe was now grown up to woman's eſtate, he intended ſhe ſhould accompany him ro the court. Shuey-ping-fin teſtified her compliance: To what purpoſe, faid ſhe, am I your daughter? I mighta s well not have been born to you, if I muſt remain always at a diſtance. It is very fittingI ſhould attend you but then 1 muün humbly intreat one fayour.” He aſked what it was. She replied, If at court any offers ſhould be made about the completion of the marriage with 7 eb. chung -u, that yu will be pleaſed not to conſent to it.” The old Mandarine ſmiled at her requeſt, and aſſured her that he would do nothing that ſhould be prejudicial either to her happineſs or fame. He 83 . ae then

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. q Fare then aſked her, to whom he ſhould devolve the care of his houſe and effects. She propoſed her unclea st he propereſt perſon to have direction without doors, but recommended him to leave the government within to the care of &. uc geong. He followed her advice, and having made ſuitable preparations departed for Pe- ing, where in little more than a month he arrived. As ſoon; as he had performed his firſt duty iin waiting on the Empero 7. all the great officers came to viſit him, and among the reſt the Mandarine Tich-ying : who afterwards ſent his ſon to pay him the ſame compliment. Al- | though the young Mandarine Tieh in Uhr:v iſiting billet which he had dif C 3 pitched 22 HA KIOU CHOAAN. patched Before him, called himſelf only couſin, and not ſon-in law, as he ſhould have done, Shuey-keu-ys attributed it to his modeſty, and admitted his viſit. The old gentleman was mightily pleaſed to ſee him become a great Mandarine, and grown a very perſonable man *, which made him think him the more ſuitable match for his daughter, eſteeming them both only born for each other. Let this young and nn pair, Gn he to himfelf,)

• That is, dy was 1 fat nad jolly. —

«The Chine/e, ſays P. Le Compte, differ from us in their idea of beauty and comelineſs. - They require a man to be large, corpulent and burly: to have ala rge forehead, little flat eyes, a ſhort noſe, Lars rather of the largeſt, a little mouth, a long beard and black hairs. A man according to them is well made, when he fills his eaſy chair, and by his grav ity and bulk, e a large an pompous figure.“ ee tom. 1. Pag 191. object object never ſo much to the marriage, we old folks will over-rule them, and make them happy in ſpite of themſelves.” | After ſome converſation Tieb-chung-u took his leave and retired. As ſoon as he was gone, the ſecretary belonging to Shuey-keu-ye's tribunal came in and ſaid, Sir, I have a relation, who is ſervant to the Mandarine Tabquay; he hath been here to tell me that, as his maſter is confined, he could not viſit your Lordſhip, neither could he ſend a billet of compliments in due form, but he notwithſtanding preſents his ſervices and wiſhes of good health: he told me farther, that abquay having loſt his wiſe, is very de- „„ ſirous firous to marry again; and hearing that you have brought the young lady your daughter with you to court, he intends to get the Mandarine Kzo-/þ5- ſua to come in his behalf, and conclude a marri·ac ogntreac t for her. © Well ! ſaid Shuey-keu-ye, and what anſwer did you make to Tab-quay's ſervant?” 1 told him, ſaid the other, that ſhe had been long engaged to the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u. Upon which he inquired when the marriage was to be concluded; but I was not able to inform him. Of this our diſcourſe, I thought it my duty to inform your Lordſhip.” The Mandarine ordered him, if any one e ſhould hereafter queſtion him on that 5 ſubject,t o tell them that the nuptials would be celebrated within the ſpace | org £ * 1 3 | 75 Nen EFMeRset s : of two days. This Mandarine, ſaid Shuey-keu ye to himſelf, is a perſon of very ill character, his propoſals are only meant to give us diſturbance. But ſhould he applyt o the Emperor himſelf, there will be nothing to fear, as my daughter is already. diſpoſed of : however it is better to have the marriage completed to prevent the worſt that may happen.“ He then went to his daughter's apartment, and told her ſhe muſt not think it unreaſcnable, that he renewed the ſubject of her union with Tieb- chung -u, for that it was neceſſary it ſhould take place immedi- | diately. Then he relatedt o her all that hisſ ecretary had told him: Now, ſaid he, if we do not haſten. the com- Pletion of your marriage, this Tag- 15. N quey guay may perhaps involve us in a great deal of trouble.“ It inſtantly occurred to the young lady, that Kwo-kbzzu or his father were at the bottom of this buſineſs. She communicated her conjectures to her father, And yet, added ſhe, if ab- quay ſhould perſiſt in giving us diſturbance, upon proper application to his Majeſty it may perhaps involve him in freſh diſgrace, and be a means of renewing his former puniſhment.” The wiſeſt courſe, ſaid Shuey-keu-ye, is not to oppoſe an enemy, but to avoid him. If we conclude this marriage out of hand, his deſign will be defeated. —Before his daughter could reply, there came in a ſervant, to tell him that the Supreme Viceroy had ſent PCgeOM6RRSoAetAePRYrnSO PtEeO ſent his ſervice, and begged he would ſavour him with his company at his houſe, for that he had urgent buſineſs to communicate to him. This is a good opportunity, ſaid Shuey-keu-ye ; J had thoughts myſelf of going thither. I will therefore lay all ceremony _ aſide. Let my horſe be got ready,” He accordingly went as faſt as he could. As ſoon as he alighted, the Mandarine Tieh-ying took him by the hand, and led him into the hall: This morning, ſaid he, as I was coming from court, I met the Eunuch Cheuthay- kien; who making me a very low bow, ſaid, he begged a favour which he hoped I would noOt Mr efuſe hioms: that he had a niece. whomh e ſhould be gladto have married to my ſon. I told him it could not be, for he was already engaged. He replied, © Whar though he is engaged to Shuey-ping-/in, it ſignifies little, as the marriage is not yet completed.” Theſe Eunuchs, added the Mandarine Jeb, are ſaucy impertinent raſcals, and preſume upon the great employ ments they fill: therefore to be plagued no more on this ſubject, L have ſent to your Lordſhip that we may get the wedding concluded as ſoon as poſſible. What. ſaid Shuey-keu-ye, have you then met with this trouble? Such another application hath been this day made to myſelf.“ Upon which he related all that his e had told him. N ow. ſaid ſaid he, this> bling the caſe, et us put an end to the affair. When the marriage | ceremony is once over, even his Majeſty's order will not be of force to ſet it aſide. Nay let it be concluded this very day: and yet my daughter will hardly be prevailed with; ſhe arues againſt breaking the laws of decency and cuſtom.“ „My ſon, ſaid the other, talks in the ſame ſtrain.““ After all, ſaid Shucy-keu-ye, I believe | they ſecretly love each other: we muſt/ not therefore regard their objections,” but exert our paternal authority.“ “True, ſaid the Mandarine Ticb - and yet if theſe impertinent applications had not been made to us, we might have indulged them with longer time: but as it is, there is not an hour to be | loft: 30 Hab KIOU CHOAAN. . loſt: I believe they would hardly be brought to give up each other, and therefore will, now comply with our deſires. Here they parted. The Mandarine Treb-ying inſtantly: ſent for his ſon, and related to him all that happened both to the Preſident of Arms and to himſelf. Now, ſaid he, this being the caſe, if you don't conſent to marry the young lady, you will cauſe a great deal of trouble both to her and yourſelf; which there are no other means to prevent Or avoid.“ Sir, replied his fon, whatever you command,ti s my duty to obey you. I am only concerned at the haſtineſs of the proceedings. As to: the Eunuch's application, it is certainly the contrivance contrivance of Kwo-ſho-ſu : but what ſignifies his propoſing ' his niece to me? he will but loſe his labour.” « Well, ſaid his father, although you can ſo eaſily reſiſt this attack yourſelf, you muſt give the young lady ſome aſſiſtance in her difficulty.“ Sir, ſaid the youth, be pleaſed then to acquaint the Mandarine her father to give it out that we are married. This will ſtop the mouths of theſe people, and reſcue us from their impertinence: at the ſame time, we may within doors remain ſingle till a more favourable juncture, The Mandarine Tieb approved very well of his ſon's diſcourſe: and did not inſiſt upon his further compliance. Pro- | _ vided, vided, ſaid he, you can but ſatisfy the world that you are married, you may act in private as you pleaſe.“ Then he commiſſioned proper people to chuſe out a fortunatdeay for the celebration of their nuptials. | 02 H Ap. In: A ARLYo n the morrow the Manda- & 4 rine Shuey-keu-ſyenet a letter to the Supreme Viceroy, which he opened, and read to the following effect. Af- & ter I had talked with your Lordſhip yeſterday, I went home and propo- « {ed to my daughter the completion &« of the marriage; which ſhe could by no means be brought to conſent to: % however, NNgge er F777 OnN A* PPT A CHINESE: HISTORY: 5 3 ce however, after:a great many argu- “ments, at length ſhe yielded that 6 it ſnould be reported abroad ſhe racks) married to your ſon; on condition that at home ſhe ſhould till «continue in her preſent ſtate. I have therefore ſent to conſult your Lord- « ſhip, whether you think this will be „ {ufficient. 92 105 The Mandarine Tieb-ying was highly pleaſed with the letter: but could not help thinking it very extraordinary that this young couple ſhould both adopt the fame opinions. Certainly, ſaid he. Heaven hath deſigned this pair for each other: there is a wonderful ſimilitude in their fortunes, r. IV. D manners manners and ſentiments. But yeth,e added, if they do not live under the ſame roof, it will ſoon be diſcovered that they are not married: I will therefore ſend my ſon to reſide in the houſe of Sbuey-keuy.“ ; and then whether they are married or not, their true ſituation will not be known abroad.” He accordingly ſent to aſk the other's opinion concerning this propoſal : who intirely approved of it. They ſoon after viſited each other, and chuſing a fortunate day celebrated the marriage; at which a great numbero f Mandarines aſſiſted with the higheſt ſplendour and magnificence. Tieb- chung -u went in ſtate to the houſe of the bride, c⁵„AAne²EwtriCgi g"Lsd ,eC s.A Mandarines. When he: arrived-atth e door, the Lord Preſident came out in perſon to receive him: and after the uſual ceremonies were over, there was a great entertainment prepared for the gueſts, The bridegroom however left them, and was led into rhe i1n ne*r | | As it was now evening, the rooms were lighted up with greateſt ſplendor: and as ſoon as he was come into the ſecond hall, SHuey ping: iu entered alſo, followed by a long train of female attendants. She received him with the fame eaſy chearfulneſs, as ſhe would have received a friend: ſhe bewaged no particular emotion or G ˖· uĩ =» geſturebu,t accoſted him witah d ecent and becoming freedom. Sir, ſaid ſne, I am ever ſenſible of the former benefits I received at your hands: and wamsy li fe to be laid down in your behalf,i t would not diſcharge the debt I owe. you. By my father's order I have the good fortune to meet with you here this day; which af⸗ fords me an opportunity of b returning you thanks for the ſerviceyso u have done me.“ Then making a deep court'ſy ſne preſented him with a ſeat. Tiebbung- u ſeeing the graceful eaſe with which ſhe accoſted him, and the beauty of her perſon ſet off with the richneſs and exactneſs of her dreſs, thought her handſomer than ſhe had even appeared n i ; A CHINESE / HISTORY. 3 to him at their firſt encounter: he was ſo raviſhed with the ſight of her, that he thought ſhe could be nothing leſs than an angel from heaven. When he had recovered his ſurprize, hay replied, Madam, the benefit I have received at your hands is ſo great that I want wordsto expreſs it: A deep ſenſe of it is however engraved in my heart, and is the ſubject of my daily thoughts and nightly dreams, By your father's permiſſion, I have the good fortune to meet with you here this day, to pay you my acknowledg ments.” This ſaid, he ſaluhtere wdit h great reſpect. Then a carpet wasſ pread, and they both together performed the _ uſual ceremony of bowing their heads D ge they down to the ground. After which retiring to two different tables they 3 threee of wine to each other. e Er iehi # thus addreſſed the young lady, Madam, I am ſo much obliged to you for all your favours, eſpecially for the good inſtructions you gave me, that I ſhall | ever retain them in my memory. It is owingt o you that I am arrived to the great honours conferred upon me, If I had not had the happineſs ' of meeting with you, I ſhould very likely have been ftilla w anderer.” * Your preſent advancement, ſaid the young lady, was not owing to any thing 1 could fay ; which was but trifling. A mere child might by chance point 3 . Out d7La2koo, ren7 a by-$;R*. * 5N* p n : q oEF7BE5Wp3\*7 | S5a 14 Y O e nC C 4*E*e84TT8-"D 23— 8—* B1 Y RY-, R i O 3 P E R 3E FT yPFebLiWetRe )LAne L d LsUA RSES pb0R1 Sy43 .38Wr 8F—:2 1 5d N 55 A CHINESE HISTORT. 39 out the way to thoſe that had loſt it. | The ſourcoef your reputation was your redreſſing the injury of the young lady, who had been forced away; and your appearing in behalf of the General, Huhiau

theſe were actions ſo brave, that

none beſide yourſelf were equal to them. You alſo got my father reſtored to the Emperor's favour: a benefit that can be never repaid. .H ow happy am I then, that I can now offer you my ſervice ! But, Sir, permit me to propoſe one wordo rt wo. When I invited you to my houſe in orderto attend you in your illneſs, Heaven knows we were void of all bad intentions; but the malignity of the world led them to ſpeak. very ili of us abroad: and ſhall we now for the ſake of a few days D 4 . of mirth and pleaſure, obſcure the remaining part of our lives? In my opinioni tw ould be much bettert o ſtay, and ſee this cloud paſs over beſore we conclude the marriage farther. Theſe are | my ſentiments, and I ſhould be very glad if yours were the ſame.” Tich-chung-u hearing this, made her a very low bow, and told her, he highly approved of her opinion; which he hada s much wiſhed her to adopt, as a ſhower of rain is deſired in a timeo f drought. It is true, ſaid he, the commands of our parents would be ſufficient to warrant our completing the marriage: but as it would cauſe a deal of reflection, I am intirely of your opinion that |: 1 it will be better to wait a little while 1 1 longer,” A CHINESE /HISTORY. 4k | longer.“ < Our parents“ impatience, ſaid the young lady, proceeds from the impertinence of Tab- quay and the Eunuch: [but your regard for decency and good order merits my regard, and greatly heightens my opinion of you.“ The people you mention, anſwered he, know nothing about us; and are unacquainted with our affairs: they are incited to trouble us by Kwo-ſho Ju; but when they ſee the ſtep we have taken, their mouths. will be ſtopped, and they can proceed no farther.” And yet, ſaid Shuey-ping-2 they may ſill ſhew their ſpiteb y raiſing ill and calumnious reports of us. Upon all theſe accounts it is beſt to forbear a while.” „ For my part, ſaid Tiebchung- u, when] came ill into your houſe, I thought 1 thought none knew of it but four, namely, Heaven and Earth, you and myſelf” It is uſual with the Chine/e to\ freako f The Heaven and The Earth, as intelligent beings, or divinities. Thus in their books it is ſaid, Heaven hears and ſees every thing. [P. Du Halde, v. T. p. 407. u.] And in their imperial edicts, The protection of [ Tien-ti] the Heaven and the Earth, which comes from on high.“ [ibid. p. 528. But the Jaeſuites alledge that a theſe are only phraſes to ſignify the Deity, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth. It is very remarkable that the CY have no particular term in all their language that ex- Preſsly denotes the Supreme Being, or anſwers to our word GOD. Hence they have been branded with the character of profeſſed atheiſts, But whatever their Zzterati may be at preſent, it is certain that the CHingſe have had from the earlieſt antiquity various forms of expreſlion, and a multitude of religious rites, which prove their belief of a Divine Providence. |S ee note, Among the other buildings conſecrated to religious worſhip, there are at Pe-king two very ſuperb ones. Ihe one is called Tien-Tang, or The Temple of Heaven; the other 7 :i-tang, or The TRI of the Earth, To theſe the Em- Peror 3 A

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>= o 855 ? myſelf.” «Well, fad me, if Heaven hath ee = thing, it will — — "os every year in great tate, and with his.own hands offers ſacnfrce to The Heaven, and to The Earth, at which times he lays aſide his robes, and appears in a plain veſtment of black, or ſky-c toured damaſk, This is an office ſo eſſential to his dignity, that for any one elſe to perform it, would be at once to aſpire to the throne, The Emperor's ſacrifice to the Earth is attended with a ceremony, which deſerves particular notice. On a certain dayi n the ſpring he appears in the character of a huſbandman, and with two oxen who have their horns gilt, and with a plough finely varniſhed, &c. he ploughs up ſeveral furrows, and afterwatds ſows them with his own hand: his principal Lords afterwards do the like, 'till they have — the whole ſpot ſet apart for that purpoſ:e P . Magalhazns tells us, that at the ſame time the Empreſs with her ladies dreſſes him a homely dinner, which they after- -wards eat together, &c. This ceremony hath been obſerved from time immemorial in order to encourage agriculture, the profeſſion of which is deemed very honourable in China, and there are annual rewards propoſed to ſuch as excell in it. See P. Du Halde, vol. 1, pag. 275. 660. F. Magal. ch. 2 1. Martin. Hiſt. p. 11. &c. Our Our parents commands would juſtify our union in the eye of the world: but as there is this ſecret reaſon for our ſorbearance, we muſt only feign to be huſband and wife: this may paſs with the public, till the difficulty is removed that prevents us from being ſuch in reality. The young Mandarine was charmed with her diſcretion, and ſaid, Your ingenious reaſoning informs my mind, at the ſame time that itA irengrhens |[ my reſolutions, in virtue *, n | 2 Thus they held converſation on their Patent circumſtances, and on the great regard that ought to be paid to honour In the Tranſlator's M. S. it is, * Strengthens my regard to the great law of nature.“ and and virtue: they alſo related the various paſſages that had happened, as well through the perſecution of Kwo-kbe- 224, as through the plots of him and his father. They were very pleaſant and chearful: and having drunk juſt enough to put them in mind to have the tables removed, they roſe up, and retired into two ſeparate chambers. So that their marriage was no otherwiſe completed than as to the outward appearance, and belief of it. | What happened in conſequence of _ theſe meaſures will be found in the following chapter, [1517 9Vp51 | y = I * * 9O>i C | CHAP. IE 8 ad is hear completedhi s marriage with Shuyping- fin, was notwithſtanding greatly in love with her: and thata s well for her wit and good ſenſe, as for the beauty and gracefulneſs of her perſon. He was ſo charmed with her converſation thath e could not endure tſot ir abroad : which being related to their reſpective parents, they were extreme- Iy well pleaſed. e Let us leave them thus enamoured of each other, and return to Tah-quay and the Eunuch Chou.