Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Risking Suspicion to Move the Sickbed: Repaying Kindness with Kindness
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. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.
[Volume II, Book II, Chapter I]
In the preceding Book we saw Tieh-chung-u conducted to a Pagoda or convent by the servants of the Cbe^ bien : a piece of refpedt, which seemcd attended with so much good will, that it took from him all suspicion of harm. But indeed his thoughts were entirely
♦ CHAP VI. in the Translator's manuscript.
2 HAU KlOU CHOAAN.
taken up with the lovely Shuey-ping-Jin ; whom he the more admired when he called to mind the apcpujit he ba4 rp* ceived of her wit and judgment, and the uncommon dexterity ^ith which she had set aside the tricks to ensnare her. " Certainly, said he to himself, this is a young Lady truly admirable ! If my father and mother, who would have me marry, could procure me such a wife, I fliould be the happieft man in the world. Kwo-khe-tzu cannot be blamed for endeavouring to gain io fine a woman -, but then had he no other means but violence ? That was not only criminal but foolish. Little did my heart fuggcft to me this morn- ing, that so uncommon an adventure would fall in my way \ that I should
CQKne
A CHINESE HISTORY. 3
tome to the fuccour of so fair a lady, and be the happy inftrument of ref- cuing her from danger !*' Amidft thefe pleasing refledions he yielded himself up to sleep 5 which the fatigues of the day rendered far from unnecessary; and which received no unpkafing inter- ruption from the image of Shuey-ping- ftriy who was the &bjed of bis dreams.
As (bon as he awaked in the morn- ing, he commanded his servant to pack up his bedQing and furniture, in order to depart. But the ^ Su> Vol. IL B a perior
• The Cbine/e title in the Translator's MS. is
^oo'jieu Ho-Jhang. The idolatrous Monks or
Prierts of Fo, called by the Portuguefc Bon^iLt (in the fmgular number Bonzo, from a Japanefe word, which signifies Religious f ,) are in China called Ho-Jhang. Thefe monks appear so iike feme cf the religious orders abroad, that F. Pranavz., ^ jefait missionary, can no othcrviifc "ajtcciiaxcc ^oi \x.,
t LeU ed. xxviij* 407,
4 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
perior of the Bonzees^ came to him and told him he mud not go: but must fpend a few days longer with
than by ruppofing the devil had in view to coun- terfeit the holy rites of the church. •* Thefc pricrts of fatan (says he. Let. ed, ij, 103.) **havc •* long robei which reach to their ancles, with
- vail sleeves* which exadly refemble thofe
- of some of the religious [orders] in Europe.
- They live together in their Pagodes, as in Con-
•* vents ; they go about the streets [a la qufte"] a
- begging as the mendicants [two and two to-
- gcthcr, says P. Semedo.] 1 hey rife in the
- ' night to worfhip [FO:] they fing toge-
•* ther in their choirs in a tone, which very much
- refcmbles our pfalmody or chanting/' — They
- go with their heads and beards (haven : (says
•• P, Semedo^ p. 89 ) They have several offices •* and prayers cgainft fire, tennpefts, mi ifortunes,
- and efpecially for the^'dead. Their caps are
" like ours, [meaning thofe of the jefuitsl; and
- their fprinkling brulhes without any difference
«* at all." They alfo • ufe large chaplcts of beads, praflife rigoroas fadings, andnever marry. Some of them arc hermits others folitary wan- derers, but the greatest part live in Convents. [See njcl, I./. 220. nctc,^ They have superiors whom they call Ta-HoJhang.OT Great Bonzees, who prc- fidc over their Conveuts, and govern them, but at large : diftributing the fcvcral offices among them, deciding their diJcrences, Sec. — After all, the Mc/r^i^fj in China are very much kept under,
- /Z/. Juib)res infra citat.
A CHINESE HISTORY. 5
them, " If you had come of yourself,
proceeded he, you might have ufed
your pleasure : but as you are recom-
B 3 mended
and so little eAeemed, that to keep up the fuc- ceffion they are commonly obliged to buy poor children of fevcn or eight years old, whom they bring up : they are so mucn despised, except by the vulgar, upon whofe fuperftition they pradlife, drawing them to their Pagods on long pilgrimages &c. that they are very humble and fubfervient to the great. But altho' they are generally great hypocrites, and have little real virtue, they arc however so careful of their exterior, as to be seldom deteded in fcandalous vices. F, Semedg tells, that during his residence of two and twenty years, he only heard two ill ilories of them : and one of thefe was doubtful. He even says, that the greater part of them are very patient and meek, &c. This is mentioned because the modern Je/uits affe£l to speak of them as guilty of such profligate and bare-faced villainies as are no way credible in a country under any kind of government, and where they have no other afcendant than what they gain by their personal behaviour. For the worfhip of Foy altho' the moft popular of all others, is barely tolerated in China ; v/hithcr it was not introduced out of India till sixty-5ve yc^s after the birth of Christ,
6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
to this place by the Cbe-hUriy let me increat you to day and hear what he hath to say : perhaps he will make an
entertain-
The account of Fq is briefly this : his mother, who conceived upon sight of a white elephant in her flcep, was delivered of him thro* her left side. As soon as he was bom he flood up &c. and pronounced thefe words. No one except myself, either in hetwen or earth ought to be fworftnpped. At the age of feventeen, he married three wives. At nineteen he Retired to flndy under four fages, At thirty he became Fo [or a deity] called by the Indians Pagod: and from thence- forth wrought miracles, &c. At feventy-nine he died, or paiTed into an immortal state accord- ing to his difciples; of whom he left eighty thoufand, and amone them ten of more diflin- guished rank. Theie pnblished ^st thoufand volumes in his honour : relating that their mailer had been bom eight thoufand times, and that his foal had fuccd£ve]y pafiTed into different a- nimals.
N. B. He left Five commandments behind him* I. Not to kill any living creature. II. Not to take another's goods. III. Not to commit any impurity. IV. Not to tell a lie. V. Not to drink wine.
P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 650. 672. and P. Semtdo, p. 89. &c. Picart, vol. tv. 228.
P.Lc
A CrflNESE HISTORY. 7
crtttirtaihrftehty aiiti be glad to convcrfc with ybii before you go." " I haVe
p. Le Compte, torn 2. p. 117. See alifo Martifiiiis, Cdiiplet, &c.
As the Monks or^riefts of the {c6io£ TaO'ts'esLre foriietifflcs c2l\ed!Boh'zees, it'niay not be improj)er to give a short account of them. They are a kind o( Epicureans or ^teitj^s, teaching tKat happinefi coniifts in a calm .which fufpends all the opera- tipijs of the soul: they are much addidled to alchyiny*, boaftihg tt) have dilcovfered an elixir that will render them immortal : they are alfo griar jiretenders td magic, and a familiar inter- course with demons. They hold a plurality and fobibrtiination of go^s, wliich' are all corporeal. They live together in communities : do. not marry: ijfe chaplets : are cloathed in yellow: wt^^ a kirid of litttd crovvri : and are always called to sacrifices and funerals.
Thrdr founder lived abdu't the time of Confu- ciuSf and wa5 called Lao-tf e, or the insaw^ oU Trufn^ from his coming into the worli with white hairs : thcfy pretend his. mother went with child of him eighty years. His books are extant, and said to coT^idh many noble maxims.
P. Semedo, p. 87. P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 64S.' 669. P. Couplet proemTal declar. Picart ubi fupra. & Author, fupra citat. .
Nieuhoff tells us (p. 59. that feme of the Tao- ts'e marry : and P. Maga/ha'n. calls thofe of this feft by way of diftindlion The married Bonzees. See his Hiil". p. 207, 220, &c.
B A ^^
S HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
no acquaintance or c rrefpondencc with that magistrate, said the youth : all I know of him is from the business of ycftcrday, which was too fcandalous to be the foundation of an acquaint- ance : he is no way obliged to invite jne, or I to go to him. Why then may not I depart ?** *' True, Sir, said the other, no obligation in this cafe lies upon you; but there doth upon me, and I (hall incur his resentment if I do not firft advife him of it." He had fcarcely spoke, when a person cam* from the Cbe-bien^ with a red paper of invitation, requesting Tieh-cbung-u to go and dine with him. •* Do you see. Sir, cryed the Superior of the Bonzees^ suppose you had gone : where could I have found you? Am I now to blame ? Well, pray sit down, while I go and
A CHINESE HISTORY. 9
order fomcthing *Dr your breakfaft/*
This was hardly finiflied, when a fer-
vant came into the room ; who being
afkcd whence he came, answered that
he belonged to Shuey-fing-ftn^ and wa5
lent by her to inquire out the lodging
of the young gentleman * to whom
file was yefterday so much obliged;
that flie might know where tp send a
present to him, and to thank him for
the great trouble he had met with on
her account. ** Go home, answered
ITieh'cbung-Uj and give my moft relpedt-
ful service to your lady : tell her what
I did yefterday was only to make the
- In the original Tieh-fiang-coon, See vol i.
p. 1 14. note. It may not be unnecefTary to add, that Siang-coon or cu7igy is properly applied only to such as have taken the degree of Batchelot ; but commonly given in compliment to others. See P. Couplet. Confuc. p. 123.
10 HAU KIOU CHDAAN.
itrect even, that was riigged and un- even. Whatever service I did her was iherely accidental : arid Ihould I fiifFcfr Her to send me any prrsent, it cannot but loon be known : which will caufc some ill refleftion; perhaps give room to fufpeft us of unlawful correfpond*- etice : Ihe rtiuft therefore hy no means do any such thing. Your miftrcfs, who, with all the delicacy of her own fex. Hath all the capadty of ours f, will be lenlible of the propriety of this refusal. lam one that cannot see any body suffer
t In the original it is " Tho* your miftrcfs is a
- woman with all the delicacy of her fex in her
- person, flic hath a mafculine capacity."
This is a very high compliment among a people, who entertain so unfavourable an opi- nion • of the ladies understandings. Nieuhoff tells us, that in a Pagoda at Pe-king is to be seen the following epitaph : Pajfingers : here is m Lady^ luho had nothing female in her : all *was Mojculine I all fwas gcnerou: \ all a prodigy. Vid. AmbaBl page /jj.
A CHINESE HISTORY, ti
injustice without resenting it to the ucmofl;; and am therefore by no means^ intitled to a present^ nor will tak^ fa* much as a thread*. I now go to thc» Cbe-bien^Sy and to-morrow from this place. Give my refpedts to your lady, and tell her to watch, as she would againft the fpring of a tyger."
Her servant reported all this, with- out omitting a fyllable. *' Is it pof- fible, said flie, with a heart glowing with gratitude and admiration ; Is it poflible the world should contain a youth of so much integrity and courage ! O that I was but a man, that I might go along with him and make him my
• Pieces of silk, &c. are usually given as pre-
/«nts in China. See P. Sexnedo.
12 HAU KIOU CHOAAN-
friend ! or could but thank him as I ought for theservices he hath done me! But alas ! I am a woman, and custom forbids any such thing. Bcsides I know but very little of him : neither is my father at home, or any guardian friend to make proper acknowledge- ments for what he hath done. But the bread of this youth glows with a noble ardour, and is as pure as the deareft cryftal. Should I procure my uncle to go and visit him, something wrong might happen. He hath refused the present, I offered him by my fer- vant : what if I send him a copy of verfes to express my thanks ? This too might be mifconftrued by the world, as too bold and forward.'* She re- volved a thoufand ways in her mind*
but
A CHINESE HISTORY. 13
but could think on none, which (he might venture to put in execution. At last (he concluded to get intelligence of every thing that passed in relation to him, hoping some occasion would offer to manifeft her gratitude. She accordingly sent people every hour to hear what happened. One returned and brought her advice, that the young gentleman was gone to dine with the Che-bien. Another, that that Magiftatc had kept him till night, and made him so deeply in liquor as to know nobody. The next morning flie sent to see if he was departed, and was told, that hav- ing drank hard over-night, he was not yet rifen. She sent again \ and was informed he could not depart that day: being detained by an invitation from
f 4 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
•the Che-foo, '* This is a young man of ranky said (he to herself, and he muO: comply with chefe ceremonies and cuf* £oms/* When two days had elapfed, j(he again sent to inquire after him. Her servants brought answer, that the night before, the Superior of the Bon- zeis had made an entertainment of Lent* for the young ft ranger, and that
he
• This probably means no more than what we call a lenun Eotertatnlncnt : for it does not ap- pear that the Bonzeejhsive periodical times of faft- ing. They rd'rain all their life- time from the ufe offlefh, filh, cj^gs, wine, onions, garlick, and every thing that iieats the blood. Yet they have upon occafjon Fcafb of such provifions as are allowed them. Nothing however can be more rigorous than the failing and difcipline of the Bonzees : who fccm to sacrifice thenifelvcs to the public good. They will drag heavy chain?, faflened to their arms and legs in fnch a man- ner, a5 to wound them every step they go: they will beat their heads againll llonCcS, till they burft out with bloody in order to extort ainii
fiom
A CHINESE HISTORY. 15
he not being ufed to such diet, was very much indisposed : " He keeps his bed, proceeded he, and can neither drink tea, nor eat rice: every thing
from the people. Their pretence however for thefe fevericies, is to do penance in this life, th<ft themselves and their votaries may be the better provided for in the next : which they suppose to con(ift in a tranfmigration into other bodiee.
As it is well known they dnre not touch flefh, the Reader will fmile at the (lory told by P, Le Compte of their feasting on ducks, of which they had defrauded a peaianc, under pretence that the souls of their father, were tranfmigrated into them. This may (hew, what credit is to be given to some other flories told of the Bonzees by the Jefuits,
\Compare P. Le Gompte, torn. 2. p. 117. nvlth p. 120. Compare al/o P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 653. nijitb p. 656. lin. 16. See al/o p. 654. 655. &c]
Before we conclude this note, it may be pro- per to observe, that the MiiTionaries at firft aifui* JJiied the habits of the Bonzees, but finding thofc wretched difciplinarians in small repute among the Mandarines, &:c. they afterwards chofe to appear in the garb of the Literati, and stiled themselves Dolors of the iVefiern Lawu : by which means they were greaily refpedted, whi'c thty were permitted to reiide in China. Vidt \jix. cd. viij. 218. &c. P. Semedio, MaiUw. ISc
Vol. II. dSzvA"^
i6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
ofsends his ftomach, infomuch that he is light-headed/' At this Sbuey-pwg- fm began to fufpeft some mifchiet: " A little harmlefs diet, said Ihe, could never occasion so fudden and danger- ous an illness.'* She therefore sent back her servant to gain more exadt .^ intelligence, and to see if there were any phyfician with him. She was informed there had been» and that it was his opinion, his illness proceeded as well from his having catched cold as his having been guilty of some little cxcefsi but that he had given him a medicine, * that would reftore him
on
• Phyficians in China never write any prc-
fcriptionsy but commonly give their own medi-
cines: a boy carrying after them a cabinet with
five drawers ; each divided into more than i'orty
Utdc fquares, and all of them furniOied with
mcdiciDCs ready prepared. NVVimu v\i«>| Vvni
A CHINESE HISTORY. 17
on the morrow. When the morrow came, ihe was informed that he had been v^vy ill all nighty and was become so weak he could not rife from his bed. All her fears and suspicions were
felt the palfe, they make up two compofitions^ one to be taken on the ipot, the other after- wards. Their medicines are only simples ; in the u(es of which, and in the knowledge of the pulfe, their whole art confifts. Blood-kttingis very rarely pradUfed among them ; and the ufe of Clyilers was not known till they learned it from the Portuguefe at Ma-cao^ which they there- fore call " the Remedy of Barbarians." The CirculadoQ of the blood is {aid to have been known to them fron^ time inmiemorial; bat ^om their averHon to diflefUng, and ignorandi of Anatomy, they have made no improvements from it. The profession is chiefly handed down from father to ion, tho' they have good ancient Books of the art, Extra^ from which may be seen inDu Halde. Their fees are very moderate; but they never repeat their viiits unlefs sent for : so that the patient is at liberty to change his phyHdan. Vid. plura apud Du Halde, vol. 2. p. iSg,
&c. P. Semedo, p. 56. Mod, Un. Hift.
VIII. 194. &c. Le Compte, Martin. &c.
Vol. IL C itfy«
i8 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
now confirmed. *^ He is indeed, said ihe, fallen into the snare/* She re- volved in her mind how to m&, : her heart inclined her to go and lend him ' afiiftance ; but her fex and her youth rendered it impossible : and yet Ihe re» fledted that there were none beside her- iclf intereded ia his welfare ; and th^t all he suffered was for her fake. Strong- ly moved with concern and compaflion, she at last resolved to exert herielf in his favour, be the cqnfequence what it would. She called therefore her fer- vant, and inquired of him what atten- dants the young flranger had with him. She was answered, only one, and he a boy of fourteen or fifteen years. She inquired about his understanding and capacity : and vyas told he was a very
sensible
A CHINESE HISTORY. 19
fenfiblc and likely youth. " Well dien, said (he to her fcrvants, go two of you : one remain with the maftcr, while the other brings the servant to me." When he was come, the young lady inquired of him, what was the cause of his master*s illncfs ? " My master, said he, hath hitherto en- joyed exceeding good health, till he went to the Cbe-bien's -, where he drank wine, and became very fick after it : then going to the JB^^z^^'ifeast, he grew still worfc and worfe." She then in- quired whether he yet retained his me- mory and fpecch : and was answered, he did. " Well then, haftcn home, added she, and with my service, tell him in his ear from me j that thefe in- vitations boded no good: that hi« C 2 com\u^
20 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
coming to my relief, and rcfcuing me from violence, hath made Kwo-kbe-tzu very much his enemy : that he and ^the Cbe-bien have juggled together to do him mischief : and that they only carried it so civilly towards him, left he should present the counterfeit order to the Viceroy. Not daring to aflault him openly, they have put something in his wine or his rice to kill him : and if he is not careful of what] he cats or drinks farther, to-morrow he may be a dead man.** Si$w-tan liftencd with great attention. " Your lady- fhip, said he, is certainly right j for if there hath been no soul play, why fliould he receive no benefit from the phyfic he took last night, but on the contrary hath been a great deal worfe ?
And
A CHINESE HISTORY. 21
And yet the Bonzee would force him to take it. Nay as I was coming away, he was preparing more phyfic for him to drink. But L will go and prevent* it, and set my master to fcold at him, and teach him not to bring any more of his ftuflf.'* " By no means, replied the lady ; only tell your mailer, to throw away unperceived whatever they give him. The Bonzee*s part in this affair, is not of his own feeking : he must have been hired to it with money. Should your maftcr quarrel with them now, what will he be in their hands? as a fheep in the claws of a tyger. He must for the present have patience. Haften home therefore, and inform him, that when it is night, I will order a chair to be set down quietly at C 3 ^%
22 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
the door of the convent : afllft your mailer to get into it, and come with him to my house : a good apartment shall be prepared for him ; and when he hath recovered his health, then he may repay thofc people the injury they have done him." Siow-tan bowed in token of obedience. When he was gone a litde way, she called him back: •* There is one thing yet, laid flie ; your mailer, being a gentleman of good reputation, and one of ftrid honour and virtue, perhaps may not think well of coming to the house of a young woman, and may be afraid of giving room for censure : but tell him to wave his fcruples on this preiTing occasion ^ and remind him, that it was formerly the cuilom for women and men to
con-
A CHINESE HISTORY. 23
convcrfe together without blame : and even should there ^rife ahy o^n this oc- caQon, he is a nf>an of so touch re- folution and spirity as to b^ im- moveable to aity thing of that kind, as a tree that hath taken root is to a boiilerous wind : be is one that can hold faft the helnl in the greatcftftorm. Go now, said she, and remember all I told you/* He promifed not to forget a fyllable.
When he returned, he found his master asleep. He waited till he awoke, and then looking round to see that nobody was neaf, acquainted him where he had been, and of all that had past. Tieh'cbung-u was surprized. " How, said he, could I be so bereaved of C 4 twj
24 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
my undcrflandingy as not to perceive the situation I was in ? Then calling for his cloaths, he would have gone to the Cbe-bien. " By no means, said his servant ; the young lady advised the contrary on account of your present weakness : but day a little longer, and a chair will come and carry you to her house, where you will be taken care of" ^ieb'cbung-u was overjoyed at this offer,
- ' And yet, said he, I am a young
man, and she a young maid ; how can I go to her house, without occasioning fcandal? Rather than that, I would even die here •, then I fliould leave no refleftion behind me.** On this Stow- tan reported to his master what she had said to him at parting-, which made such an impreiTion on his mind, that
he
A CHINESE HISTORY. 25
he cried out, he was willing to go. " Surely, said he, this young lady hath the fortitude and judgment of a philofophcr. Her capacity exceeds all comprehenfion."
Scarce had he uttered thefe words, when the Superior of the Bonzees brought a cup of phyfic, and delivering it to SioW'tatty said, " If your matter will drink this he will be well, and need not take any more.'* " Heaven re- ward you ! replied the boy ; when my maftcr gets up, I will give it him to drink.*' " Do so, said the Bonzee^ and then I will bring him some cong-gee or gruel." But no sooner was his back turned, than he threw it away : for which his matter commended him.
26 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
Towards the clofe of the evening, SioW'tan went out of the door of the convent, to look for the chair, and saw it waiting attended by two fer- vants. He went to inform his master, but found him so faint, that he was not able to raise himself up ; however Slow- tan got on his cloaths, and watching an opportunity of doing it unpcrceived, took him on hi& back, and put him in- to the chair. As soon as he law him carried away, he returned to the con- vent, and calling to the Bonzte, who bad charge of the gate*, told him, that he had got his master carried to the house of a friend, who would take care of him, and recover his health:
• In the original Lc-w-Ho-fiang^ or porter fiithcr. Transf.
and
A CHINESE HISTORY, a;
and therefore he committed to his charge the key of their apartment, that they might find all their furniture lafe, when ihcj (hould come for it.
In the mean while Tieh-chu^^u^ as he was carried along, perceived with no small emotion, that a great deal of pains had been taken in the furniture of the chair, and every other accommoda- tion : and he »had fcarcely got half way, when he was met by two grand lanthorns* very finely decorated with
the
- In the night it is not ufaal to carry flam-
beaus as in Europe before the Mandarines, but fcveral very large handsomeLanthorns, on which are written in capital chara£bers» the tides and quality of the Mandarine, with the order of hia idatuiarinme, All^his relations cause thefe titles, &c. to be written on the lanthorns carried be- fore them in the night. Once a year, a Feaft of
28 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
the Chop or infcription of Sbuey-ping* fin. " Surely, said he to himself, flic hath a very great value for me, to do me so much honour." With regard to her, as soon as flie was advised of the arrival of the chair, flie ordered it to be brought into the hall, which was
Lanthorns is celebrated throughoat the empire, when every house is lighted op with them paint- ed of several faihions : some of which coil a vaft fum of money. Thefe Lanthorns, which are very large, and are adorned with beaotifnl car- vings, gilding, &c. confifl (bmeofthem of fe- veral panes of thin silk, made transparent by a £ne vamifh, whereon are painted figures, kc others are roand, made or a blue transparent horn, very beautiful to the sight. From the top and corners hang rich ftreamers. In some of them are represented figures, fhips, horfes, peo- ple, Sec, put in motion by imperceptible threads, Uc, The whole is accompanied with curious fire-works, in which the Chinese excel : they having had the ufe of gunpowder long before it was known in Europe.
See Du Halde, vol. i. p. 253, 271, 290, &ۥ Mod. Un. Hid. v. viii. p. 253%
lighted
A CHINESE HISTORY. 29
lighted up so as to equal day. She then placed herself on one side, and ordered four of her women servants to open the chair, and help Tieh-cbung-u into a bedchamber prepared for his reception.
As fbon as he was set down, he call- ed for his fcrvant, and ordered him to prefcnt his compliments to the young lady, and intreat her to pardon his not paying his refpefts to her at his coming into her house : which nothing but his weakness could have made him omit. He then tried if he could walk a little, but being prefcntly tired, laid himfclf on the bed.
Sbuey-ping'/in ordered her people to
carry
so HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
carry him tea, as alfo Gin-feng^^ and other cordial reftoratives: but they finding him asleep, did not offer to dii^urb him. Then sending dl the men servants a^ay to' bed, except two
old
- In the original it is " Gin-feng^ Long-yen^
The Ging'fengy or human plant y ft) called from the fancied refemblance of its root to a human body, is in such requcft in Chinas that an ounce of it fells at present for feven times its weight in filvcr. The bed of it is found in Eaftern Tartary, where it is called Orhota i. e. the firft or quiin of plants. The liar tars ufc it$ leaves infUad of tea : but that which is alone ufed in Phyiic is its Root, which is about half as thick as the little finger, but fomcthing longer, of a light yellow. It is fwect and agreeable to the cade, although it Ifaves a little /mack of bitter. It is esteemrd the mod fovereign of all cordials and redoratives ; and it takcR by way of decoc- tion. P. Jartouxy (to whofe dcfcription and drawing of the Gingjeng we fliall refer the reader, (tcjefitst'^avelsy 'vol. z, p, 424. P. Du HaUe, 'vol, I /. 321.) tells us, that after taking it, he found his pulfe beat quickcrr and livelier, his appetite keener, and himfclf pof-
fcfP-d
A CHINESE HISTORY. 31
old men 5 she bade them, together with their wives and her other female attendants, to wait on her in the great hall, where she fpent the night in getting ready things for him againil he awoke.
It
fefled of unccMnmon eafe and aptitude for buii- nefs. That once finding himself on a journey greatly fatigued, and his ipirits exhauiled to such a degree that he could fcarcely sit on horfeback, he took foine of the root, and in an hour after his feeblenefs was quite gone. ** To try its " goodnefsy faith a Chinese Author, two per-
- tons are ^t to walk together ; one goes with
- Gin-feng in his mouth, the other without;
'* at the length of half a league, the former
- ' will not find himself at all out of breath,
- when the other is tired and breathlefs." Th«
Chinese call the befl sort, the golden cwellset round with precious stones : and give the Gin-feng other names exprelfive of its high charafter, such as, the spirituoussimple ; the pure spirit of the earth ; the fat of the fea ; the medicine ivhich heftofwt immortality^ &;c.
Videplura apudY. Du HaV.e,*V 2. p. 215. 245. P. Lc Compte, tom.'l. 341. ^ uhi fupra,
- ' The Long-yen, the Translator says in a note.
j2 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
It was midnight before he opened his eyes, which he had no fboner done, when he was struck with the beauty of the room and the elegance of its fur-
- is a fruit, which, after the Li-ebee is over,
- comes on the same tree.^ Bat he is mifUken.
The Li-cbtey fUled by the Cbinefe, " the king of fruits,** is aboat the fize of a nat ; of an oval fenn; with a rind rough like shamen. Itf stone is long, and covered with a K>ft, juicy pulp, very agreeable to the tafte, but like no miit known in Europe. It is said to be the mod delidons fruit in the world. Next to it is the
Long-yen or dragons eyCf which is round with a imooth and greyifh rind, a liule inclined to yel- low. Its pulp is white, juicy, and a little acid. Thefe fruits are dried, and fold all over the em- pire, like prunes with us, being esteemed very wholibme, and proper to be given to fick folks.
P. Le Compte, torn i. p. 152. P. Du Halde, vol. I. p. 8. 84. NieuhoflF, p. 90. Denys Kao. p. 182. &c.
With regard to the Leab-mie^ all the informa- ti#n the Editor could meet with about it, is com- prized in a (hort note of the Translator's, which seems to carry the etymology of its name.
- ' That Leab-mee is the root of tlie great
•* leaf in the water.'*
niture.
A CHINESE HISTORY. 33
niture. Siow-tan was sitting 6y the bed side, who perceiving his mailer awake, afked how he found hiniielf. He told him he was much better, and inquired why he did not go to reft. " Sir, re- plied his servant, I have not fat up alone; for neither the Lady of this houie, nor any of her servants, have taken repofe, but are bufy in the hall preparing things for your recovery.** " Why do they do so, said Tieh-cbung-u with concern ? how can I fufFer them to be at all this trouble, and to do so much on my account ? " Thefe iwo words were hardly spoke, when the servants re- turned with the tea and the cordials, which they brought to his bed side and intreated him to drink. He found the tea difagr^ed with him, but was much plcafed with the Ginfing^ and the other Vot U. D it^o-
34 HAU KtOU CrtOAAN.
rcftoratives : and when he had drank Con gee or gruel, he desired the servants to give his mofl: humbfe relpefts to their Lady^ and tell her that she had taken him out of the mouth of a tiger.
- Yes, proceeded he, my life is intirely
owing to her, and therefore I ought to have her welfare in regard above alt things in the world : fot this reason I am fc concerned at the trouble (he gives her- self, that if (he thus persists in putting her own hands to every thing, it will increalc my illneis/' One of the girls named Tjung-Jiew^ who had the olBce of house- keeper, answered. *' My Lady attri- butes all you fufier to the alTiftance you afforded her : and if you do not recover your health, will not enjoy any herself. It is now two days since (he ke&rd of your iUnefi ^ from that time
file
A CHINESE HISTORY. 35
she hath had no pleasure or iatisfa<5Uon in any thing, and hath been even quite indisposed : but since you are come here, and there is hope of your recovery, ihe is much better. And as to a iittic tea or the like, so far from giving her trouble, (he thinks this the ieaft {he can offer you." "If my illness hath made your Lady indisposed, replied Tub-cbunj^-UfXhc trouble (be gives her- self on my account deprives me at oace of health and quiet.'* To fatisfy him, flie promifed to prevail on her mif- refs to take repole •, and then retired. While his servant was making. up his bed he opened the curtains; *'How delicate and perfumed is every thing here! said he to himself. The care that is taken of me exceeds even that of a D 2 tender
36 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
tender parent." He thencomposed him- ftlf to reft with great complacency.
When the servants had related to Sbuey- ping'fm all that had past j (he judged that he now was out of danger. Then appointing a phyfician to be setched in the morning to feel his pulfe, and or- dering one or two old women servants to lie in the hall^ to be ready to hear and get him what he might want, (he retired to her chamber.
^be lucid dew falletb to t be ground ; tuS
isnotloJl\ Itfpringetb up in tender grafs and goldeti
flowers : From clear and JpotlefsaSions^ tbus arisetb
same and bappinefs.
fP'bere
A CHINESE HISTORY. 37
Where Jhall now he found so virtuous a pair ? Only thoughts of gratitude that night em- ployed them *.