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Chapter 7: Five Nights Without Transgression: Daring to Invite the Sage to Drink

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.

[Volume II, Book II, Chapters II-IV]

CHAP. IL

ALthough the young Lady with- drew to take repofe, her thoughts had fcarce any ceflation ; and no fooner. did day begin to dawn, but fhe arofe, and

  • The Cbinefe are very fond of Poetry, and

in their Romances, Novels, &c. often infert four or five Verfcs to enliven the narration. See DuHalde^ <v. 2./. 147.

N. B. The Reader ought to be informed, that in the Tranflator's M. S. the three firft of the above verfes were fo obfcurely written, with fuch interlineations, corredlions, &c. that the Editor was obliged to guefs at the meaning, or rather to fubflitute fomething equivalent. In other fmall pieces that will appear hereafter, he hath been fortunate enough to recover the exad ex* preffions of the Chinefe author.

D 3 kx. fee her fervants to prepare things for him; ilridtly charging them, not to ac- quaint him of the part flie took in it. Some time afterwards he attempted to get up ; but found himleif fo weak he was forced to lie down again; and having waflied his mouth, he drank a little gruel. By this time the fervant arrived with the phyfician, who feeling his pulfe* pronounced him out of dan- ger.

• The Chine/e challenge a fuperior (kill in the Pulfe to that of all other nations, and pretend by it to judge exafdy of the kind and degree of every difeafe; what part of the body is affedled ; whe- ther it be curable or not ; and if the latter, how many days, weeks and years, the patient may linger 'under it. They make a particular dif- ference between the pulfe of a man and that of a woman ; between the pulfe of tall and (hort perfons, of corpulent and lean ; between that of young, middle-aged, and old people ; between that m the fpring and autumn, fummer and wjoter. This variety of Pulfes the^ diriinguifh by fandry odd names ; fuch as the Juperficial^ tVt

Jit ding gen He farther told them, his illnels proceeded from eating fpmething which dilagreed with him, .but that he muft not take too much phyfick ; for that ome or two dofes would carry it ofi, pro- vided he was careful to obferve three things : the firft, not to be paffionate

Jlidingy they&«r, the tremulous^ the rollings the Scattered^ the leaping^ fwimmtngf ebullient^ Sec, They feel the pulfe in both hands one after the other : and this in fuch a manner as would make an ignorant perfon laugh. After having laid their four fingers along the artery, and prefled the wrift llrongly and uniformly, they relax a little, *till the blood hath refumed it's ordinary ik)w : then they grafp it again as before, which they continue by fits a long time. Afterwards, like perfons that would touch an harpfichord, they raife and fall their figures fucceffively one after another, fometimes ftrongly, fbmetimes feftly ; fometimes fwiftly, and fometimes ilowly ; till they have difcovered all the fymptons. They pretend that no ^.Iteration happens to the con- ftitution, which doth not produce a correfpon- dent change in the blood : and it is certain they have a furprizing fagacity on this fubjedl. See P. Semedo, p. 57. P. Le Compte, torn. I. p. 326. Mod. Univ. Hift. v\u. 19^. y:>^. F. Dtt Halde, vol. 2. p. \%i^. &c»

D4

o« or fretful : the fecond, not to be con- cerned or troubled : the third, not to calk too much: thefe carefully ob- ferved he would in a few days be well.

While this paftatthe houfe oiSbuey- png-Jifij the Superior of the convent had learnt from the porter Bonzee^ that the youth was gone. He at firfl was amazed: "Thecfcapeofthisftranger, faid he to himfelf, is of litde con- fequcncc ; were it not for the anger of KwO'kbe-tzu : who charged me not to let him go, and made me give him in his gruel and rhubarb*, fomething

to

• Rbubarhf called by the Chine/e Tai-nuhang^ or High Tello'Wt grows in great quantities in many parts of China. The flowers rcfcmblc bells (colioped on the edges ; they are com- snonly yellow, though fometinnes purple. The IcAves, which are not unlike ourcabbage leaver, M/y bigger, are /oxnewhat rou£h lo Oit xomcVv. to difpatch him. Thcfe two days paft he hath been very weak, and if he had taken but one other dofe, he could not have furvived it. Had he died, no trouble would have come of it, and all had been well. Should Kwo-kbi tzu in-

The infidc of the root, when frcfli, is whitifh ; bujt aiTumes its brown colour as it dries, which is done {inter al.) by hanging it on a ftring in the air: it abates £o much of its weight, that of feven pounds green, there doth not npmain above one dry. The Chinefe notion of its vir- tues is pretty much like ours in Europe : though they feldom ufe it crude or in fubftance. // tears the bonueU they fay, that is, it caufes gripes : and as the Chinefe for the moft part had rather not be cured, than nndergo great pain in the operation, they chufe to take rhubarb in de- codlion with abundance of other fimples. This is what is exprefTed in the Tranflator's M S. by " Rhubarb Phyfic." Moft of the Rhubarb brought into Europe, comes out of the Provinces of Shen-Ji?ccA Su-cbuen, being brought by fea to Bafavia^ and thence to Holland \ or elfe by \2xAx.oKaJkaryAJiracand2i\A Rujpa', or through Thibet and Perjia by Venice to Italy.

P. Du Halde, vol. i, p. 13. v. 2. p. 229. Martinius, p. 44. P. Kerch, &c.

42 HAU KlOU C HO A AN-

quire for h i m now, what could I anfwer ? To-morrow I will go^ and acquaint him of it myfelf/' « How is this ? faid Kwo^khe-tzu^ it was but ycfterday you informed me he was fo weak, that 3, dofe or two more would do his bu- linefs : and now you tell me he is ef- caped. I fuppofe you have received money from him to let him go."

  • ' No, anfwered the BonzeCj I could

not dare to do that/' " Then it is bccaufe of his father's rank and intercft at court. Do not you know that my father is higher ftill than he/' " You do me great injuftice, replied the other: I am intirely ignorant how, or where he is gpne. It is the intercft of our order, to procure the favour and coun- tenance of the rich and powerful where

we we are fettled : what folly then would it be in me to run after a ftranger, whom I know nothing of, rather than fcrve you who are the chief in the city where I live ?" " It is not my bufinefs to hear you prate, faid the enraged youth ; you muft anfwer for this ne- gleft to the Che-hien^ who committed him to your care."

When they were come before that magiftrate, the Bonzee urged in his de- fence, how improbable it was he fhould let him go, after having given him poifon to* kill him. " ' Hs true, faid the Che-hien^ you are acquitted of ne- gleft. But where can he be gone? Did any perfon that he knew find him out ?" " Truly none, anfwered the other. Indeed the fcrvants of Sbu^- fing'/tn inquired about him once or twice-, but they never came into the convent, or were near him," The Mandarine laughed, and cried out,

    • Now I know where he is. This

flranger hath not one acquaintance in the city •, only the other day he met with that young lady, and did her a piece of fervice. She is of an admirable difpofition, and doth not forget to ac- knowledge it. 'Tis (he, who hath by fome means heard of his illnefs, and probably fufpefts the caufe •, 'tis fhe that hath fecured him. If you will take my advice, addrcfTing himfelf to Kwo-kbe-izu J go to your father-in-law's, and there you will hear of him.'*

  • ' What you fay, repl ied he, is very

likely j likely ; 'tis flie hath contrived to carry him off. How fhall I hate her for it ? When I, that have courted her fo long, and with fo much love and refped, could not obtain the leaft return ; to have a ftranger fhe never faw, gain at once fo far upon her fondnefs, as to be admitted into her houfe ! " The Che-kien checked the haftinefk of his conclufions, and difmiffing the Bonzee^ told the other, that if their enemy was in the houfe of the young lady, they would confult hereafter how to proceed with him,

KwO'kbc-tzn hatting home, fent for Sbuey-guwin. ** Sir, and father-in-law, faid he, yefterday 1 heard that your niece had got a young man concealed in her houfe* I know not; if you are ^prifed of it ; or whether it be true or faife." *« Truly, faid the other, I have not been near her lately : for jfhe com- plains that I did not come to her afliftance when you carried her off: fo that I have been afliamed to fee her • frncc. But I know nothing of what you fpeak ; yet can cafily inquire/' He thenaiked, who it was he fuipefted: whether it was the young man, who refcued her at the Cbe-bieu^s. He was anfwered it was the fame : that he had been lodged at the convent, and there taken ill and likely to die : when of a fudden he difapjpeared, and jio one k^v*i what was become of him ; unlcfs ihe had received him into her houfe.

Shuey-^uwin promifed to inquire:

accord- accordingly he went, and calling for his youngcft fon ; bade him go into hi$ coufin's houfe, and fee who was there. She admitted him, as ufual ; and en« deavoured to conceal nothing from his knowledge. He returned therefore and told his father, that he faw a young man in a chamber at the eaft end of the houfe : who was fick in bed. Fur- nifhed with this information, Sbuty^ guwin opened the door and went him- felf. ^* You can lay nothing of blame to my charge now, faid he to his biece; nor am I obliged to concern my* felf about you. There is a very ill rc^ port abroad : but I am only your uncle, and have difcbarged my duty itt telling you of it," She replied, « If I have done any thing amifs, you art my uncle, and fhould both inform me of it and advifc me for the beft. I know not that I have been guilty of any thing wrong,"" I have always underftood, (aid he, that it is never cuftomary in this world, for a young man and woman to be together in the fame houfe, un- lefs very nearly related. You are a young maid : your father is not at home •, nor have you any brother elder or younger ♦. Why then do you en- tertain

• i. e. Coufin gcrman. — To what has been obfervedin a former note [vol. i. p. 103.] con* ccrninjr the care of the Chinefe to keep the two fexes feparate, it may not be improper to add the following extract from a Chinefe Author. " When a hoy is twelve years old, he ought to

  • • be forbidden to enter into the inner apart-
    • ment : in like manner a girl after that age,
    • ought not to have the liberty of iUrring from

•« it." And in another place : *' Boys and girb '* (hould not be allowca to meet together : nor '^ to fit in t)ie fiime p!ace : nor to make ufe of

"the; tcrtain a ftranger,'a young man whom none of us know •, and thus bring him home and nurfe him in his illnefs. You muft not fay. people talk of this without reafon : for I my felf that know it, muft fpeak of it ; nor can I fcreen you in fo fcandalous a thing.** Shuey- png'fin replied, " I have read in the books of holy men, that every one's adlions ought to correlpond with his thouo;hts. I have read alfo that a

"O

  • ' the fame moveables : nor to take any thing

" out of each others hands. A Sifter in-law " ought not to converfe with her Brothcr-in-

    • law. If a Daughter who is married makes
    • her parents a vifit, fhe muft not fit at the
    • fame table with her Brothers. Thefe rules
    • have been wifely eftabliftied to make an intirc *
    • feparation between the two fexcs."

The Chincfe are fo tareful on this head, that to prevent a man from going into an apartment, they need only fay, ** There are " women there."

P. DuHalde, vol. 2. p. 49. 50. &c. go HAU KIOU CHOAAN;

benefit received ought to be returned manifold : and on the other hand, that an injury may be pardoned; except whtn it is of a grofs nature, and thea there ought to be full fatisfadion. Oa » day when I was in quiet and peace at my own boufe difcharging the duties incumbent on mc, who (hould imaging that any deceit Ihould lurk under the name and order of the Em- peror ? I went out to receive it, when foddenly 1 was furprized and carried away. Where then was the friendlhip, where the affections of confanguinity ? The outrage was very notorious : yet whathen appeared in my behalf ? My ncareft relations were then abfent, al- though I was at the laft extremity, and thought pf nothing but death* As the

injury injury then offered me was too great ever to be forgotten, though my ene- mies were to be facrificed and their flefli offered to me to appeafe my re- fentmcnt*: fo neither (hall I forget to my laft hour, the benefit I received ♦ When the Chtnefe would exprefi mortal liatred, it is a common phrafe with them, " f " could have the heart to eat his flcih.*' P. Da Halde,v. !• page 626.

The Morality of the Chinefe Author in this and the preceding page appears in a very contempt tible light compared with the Chriftian^ which fo fbongly recommends the forgiveneis of inja^ ries and the return of good for evil. Yet hyp mxeht have learnt better from the great Doctor of his nation Confucius % who will be judged to have made no mean proficiency in Ethicks from the following pofition ; •« To recompenfe hatred with benefits is the virtue and piety of a " a noble [or enlarged] breaft." (Vide P. Cc«. flet, Cmfuc.p. io6, uhi flura.) It ought hew* ever to be obferved, that even this great Philolb- pher doth not infift upon this, as a duty : and hath neither backed it with any fandion nor re- commended it upon adequate motives* B^xvgl« from thofe who came to my afliftance. As to this young ftranger, he is neither my relation nor acquaintance : he is ut- terly unknown to me ; of another coun- try : yet hath he a heart like the fun, a difpofition pure as fire; and hath

deed where is this divine maxim taught with that precifion ; urged with that glowing benevolence ; or inforced from thofe fublime and affe^ing mo- tives, which it is in the month of the Saviouh of the world ?

Let not the Reader be offended to meet with a Hint of this kind in the margin of a Novel, or that he is deiired to glance his eye over the fol- lowing animat(2d and fublime Injundions : * * Love '* your enemies : bleft them that curfe you : do " gogd to them that hate you: and pray for

  • ' them that defpitefully ufe you and periecute

" you :'* " and your reward (hall be great, and '* ye fhall be the children of the Ilighcfl: for

    • he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil."

And again, ** If thy brother trefpafs againll ihce

    • fevcn time*: in a day, and fevcn times in a day
  • ' turn acjain to thee, faying, I rep<rnt; thou

" ihalt foroive him :'* *' for if ye forgive not

  • •' men tlicir trcfpafics, neither will your hea-
    • vcnly Father forgive yours."
Luke vi, 27, 28, 35. xvii. 4. Mat. vi* 15.

llicwn fliewn himfelf my relation, my coun- tryman, and friend, a hundred times more than they that bear thofe names. It is owing to him that I ftill preferve myfelf a virgin. For this generous adl he hjath been in danger of lofing his life by poifon. Now after all this, if through fear of cenfure I had refufcd him that affiftance, which he could ex- pe6t from no one elfe, I fliould have been more cruel than a tygrefs, more infenfi- blc than a favage beaft. But I have a proper fenfe of the obHgations I receiv- ed from him \ and therefore could do no lefs than bring him hither, and endea- vour to reftore him to his former health. That once recovered he may return if he pleafes into his own country. This is the method in which my duty prompted me E 3 . \a to repay his fervices ; and what I have done, I dare own in the face of Heaven, ipirics, genii or demons : nor doth my heart reproach me with the leaft crime or mifbehaviour."

Sbutf 'ping 'Jin faid farther : " I Ihould be glad to know who they are, who are fo bufy with my fame, that you thus think it incumbent on you to fcrutinize into my condud. If you have really a zeal for my reputation, I fhall find you a more important occa- lion to exert it. I muft intreat you to go and find out thofe villains that counterfeited the Emperor's order, and to bring them to juftice before the Vice- roy. Their crime will certainly occafion the lo(s of their heads. My father per*

baps Haps will one day return, and when he ' knows you have done me this fervicc will doubtlefs acknowledge it/*

Sbuey-guwin ftood for ibpie time in fa much confufion, that he had not one word of excufe to offer. At laft he recovered himfelf fb far as to tell her that he would have come to her afSftance at the time ihe mentioned \ but being only a private inhabitant of the city, without any de- gree, quite ignorant of letters and un- able to difcourfc, he could no ways have helped her, " k was not for me, faid he, an unlettered ignorant man, to ap- pear: nor was it in my power, as I am invcfted with no Jiabit *. In thefe

  • That is, am without the Mandarine's badge,

kc. The Tartars fince their conqueft of Ujina

have

S6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

. dcgeneVatc days, there are few wife and many ignorant : few juft and many un- JLift. But every body cries out how wrong it is for a young man to be enter- tained by a young woman in her own

houfe,

have changed none of the ufages or fafhions of the Empire, except in fbme particulars of their Drcfs. The ancient Habit of the CJnjiefe may be fcen in P. Semedo, Marti,;ius, Sec, Of its prefcnt form the following is a brief defcription. They formerly took great delight in their Hair ; but the Tartars have made them ihave their heads ,all over, leaving only one lock behind, which they either let hang down braided in a kind of queue, or clfe make up into a roll and tuck under their Caps. I'hefe are made of fine matt or rat- tan, lined with fatin, and adorned on the top with a tuft of red hair or filk : but in winter they wear. a warmer fort edged with fur. There is ano- ther kind of Cap peculiar to the Mandarines and Literati, miide of pailcboard covered with fatin, &c. As for the poor people, they cither go bare-headed, or wear a Cap not unuke the crown of our hat. The Chineje never uncover the head when they falute.

Their \'cfls arc long enough to reach to the ground, and fo wide as to fold over their hrcail?,

bwin":

A CHINESE HISTORY, si

houfe, and alone. It is even becobie the talk of children. '* '* Common re- ports, anfwered the young lady, are like the clouds which are every day to be feen. They that would a£t up- rightly

being faftened on the left fide by four or ^v^ I buttons. The Sleeves are very wide, and long enough to come down to the fingers ends: hence upon occafion they ferve as a Pocket for papers, &c. [SeeDuHalde, v. 2 p. 104. 108.] But befide this they have a Pouch or Cafe, containing their purfe, their knife, eating- fticks, and pipe, which is of brafs, &c ;' this is faftened to their Girdle ; which is a broad filken fafh, whofe ends hang down to their knees. In fummer they wear under the veft a pair of linen Dra\yers; and during the winter they put on Breeches of quilted fatin, (kins, &c. Their Shirts, or rather Waillcoats, which are oftaffaty, are very wide and fhort; and to keep their garments from fweat in fummer, fcvcral wear next their fkin a filken Net. They go with their necks bare in Tiot weather; but cover them in cold, either with a fatin Cape fevved to the veft, or with a Tippet of fur, &c.

When they go abroad, or make a vifit of con- fequence, over their under garments^ which ^\^ rightly Ihould iK>t be moved by fuch trifles. UnclCj I will not fail^ to clear wp every ftcp of my condud.*' " I came here, replied he, out of a friendly intention. There is a great deal of

Teafon

nfvsiWj of linch ^i* fatiA, they wear a long Alk GoWq# coromonly blae, with a girdle about diem ; And over all ft (hort Coat of a oUck or violet (;o- loWf r^chingonly to their knees, but very wide, with large and fhort fleeves : they have alfo theif little Cap on (haped like a (hort cone, and covered with loofe waving red hair or filk ; laflly^ 41 Fan in their hand and Boots on their legs. Thefe are commonly of blue or purple iktin, with a very thiek kie ditched with packthread, and covered over with fhagreen filk or doth, without any heel, and with the foot turning upi Within thefe boots they wear a kind of Stockinss of ftuff ititched and lined with cot-

  • ton : whereof part comes above the boot, and

liath a broad border of plufh or velvet. On Journeys (hctr Boots are made of neats or horfes leather.

Every Mandarine hath upon his deaths fome lEmblem of his dignity, embroidered before and behind. That of the Civil Magiilrates is ufual- ily a bird : that of the Military, either a dragon. reafbn in all you have faid.'* Then he haftcd awajTj being afraid to ftay any longer, left (he Ihould be too hard for him, or fting him with reproaches for which there was too much foundation.

tygcr, or fomc fierce creature : thefe latter wear alio broad Swords hanging on their left fidtf with the point forwards.

All Colours are not be worn indifFercntly; none but the Emperor or Princes of the blood may wear yellow : fatin^ with a red ground, it afieAed by cert£(iil Mandarines on days of ceremony ; but they are commonly dre/Ted in black, blue, or violet. The People arc gene- rally clad in black or blue calico.

Bar what principally dHlinguifhes their DoAort

and other Literati j Mandarines^ &c. is the prodi-

nout length of their Nails, which are fometimes

2moft as long as their fingers ; they take great

pleafure in keeping them clean, and prevent

them from breaking by putting on little (heaths

or cafes. Such is the Account given by fome

authors : but P, Du Halde tells us it is only on

their little fingers that they let them grow fo fottg.

Sec P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 282. &c. P. Le

Compte, torn, i.- p. 202. Mod. Un. Hifti

viii. p. 274. 209. &c. Ogilby, v. 2. p. 41 a

6o HAU KIOU CHGAAN;

CHAP. IIL*

OHuey-guwin had fo intirely perfuaded himfclf he (hould now catch his niece tripping ; and that he fhould not need above two words to filence her ; that he was quite confounded to hear her juftify herfelf fo handfomely. At his return home hd found a fervant from KwO'khe-izu^ who told him his mafter defircd to fpeak with him. He went to him, and the firft thing he faid was, " The ftrangcr Tkb is certainly at my niece's houfe ; and his coming there was requeftcd by htrfelf, in order to make him returns for the affiftance he aflforded her." Ile.nplied in a rage,

    • How can fne who is a maiJ.cn, dare

to

^CIIAP. VI L in the Trandator'smaxvufcn^^x.

A CHINESE HISTORY. 6i

to take a man into her houfe ? Sir and father-in-law, you are her uncle and neareft in blood: you muft chaftife and take her under your care. It is your indiipcnfable duty.** "Alas! faid the other, I have talked to her, and not fpared to chide her. But (he hath a tongue, and knows how to ufe it. She hath a mouth, whofc words are keener than the edge of a pen- knife or razor. I had fcarce uttered one word, when fhe immediately anfwered with arguments fetched from ancient and modern authors, and backed with a multitude of reafons ; infomuch that I could not open my mouth." Kwo-^ khe-tzu was curious to know the parti- culars of her defence. The other re^ lated what he could remember. At

^z HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

which he damped and raved like a madmarip ^* This, faid he, is all a pre- cence. This comes only fromher mouth and not from her heart Can you be» lieve what (he fays ?" <* I believe her DOt, iaid her uncle: but what remedy can wc have ? There iy nothing blameable of which we can accule her y nothing wrong or clandeftine to lay to her charge/'

    • Yefterday, (aid Kw-khe-tzu, I talked

over the affair with my friend Cbun-kii. He tells me this young man is remark- able for the beauty of his perfonj and is of opinion, that be feeing your coufuif who is tikewife very handfome, mac^ that difturbance at the Qbe-bieifs only to be uken notice of by her. Do you think all this which followed was mere- ly to thank hiei foi^iiii civility, or to

reward reward his virtue T This is only a pr^-- tcnce to decei vc the world. She hath a more fecret motive for her condu£t» For how is it poffible ! A young man and woman, both very handlpme, to be alone together in the fame houfe ! If diey were faints they could not be in- nocent/* " To talk here, faid Sbuey^ guwiftj will anfwer no purpofe. Let me go home : I will fend a fervant girl to her houibi who fhall conceal berfelf^ and obferve what converfation pafler between them. If we can but dil^ coyer any thing wrong ib her conduft^ we (hall then have realbn to take her m hand.**

KwO'ibe-Jzu approving of his de« fign, hehaftedhometc^puttt in»ecu- tion. He waited *till it was night ; then opening the door that led to his niece, and calling to him a girl of quick apprchenfion, he bade her fteal away foftly, and conceal herfclf in a place where they laid wood : thence to keep a ftiarp look-out, and if poITible to obferve every thing faid or done. She obeyed, and placed hcrfelf as direft- ed. When it was paft midnight, and Shuey-fing-fm was retired to her chamber, the girl returned home. Her mafter inquired what news fhe had brought. She told him the young gentleman was fomewhat better, but ftill kept his bed : where every thing he eat or drank was brought him. He alked how his niece difpofcd of herfelf: and was anfwered fhc remained in the hall with-

' our, out, and was taken up in giving orders to the fcrvants', whom (he employed in boiling tea, in making broths, and Other offices of that nature. He in- quired if fhe went into the young man's chamber. She anlwcred 5 " No : I ob- ferved* that all paffed by means of a fer- vant, who came in and out of his apart- ment/* When fhe had related all this, and more to the fame purpofe ^ Sbuey- guwin faid, " Is (he then fo circum- fpeft and blamek(s f ? Is there no more

room

• Without an indre knowledge of the form and manner of the Chinefe Hoafcs, it is not eafy to fay how far the account in the text is incon* fiftent with probability. It feems ftrange that a perfon concealed in a Wood-hole, &c. fhould know all that paiTes in the houfe. It fhould however be obierved, that the hou(es in China^ being only one flory high, mud render fuch an attempt more pradUcabJe than with us.

t In the original. " Is (he fo clean ?" Thi^ Vol. ir. F ^-k^j room for fufpicion than this ? I can never believe it. You have certainly bee bri- bed, and what you tell me is not the truth.** She aflured him it was, and of- fered to confirm it by her folemn oath. He then difmiflcd her, but every night fent people to procure intelligence ; who always brought him the fame ac- count. At length he went to his Ibn- in-law; who eagerly inquired what news he brought him. **Four nights to- gether, faid Sbuey-guwiTij I have planted people to hear and fee all that paffed : but I can difcover nothing in the lead

tsSy metaphor^ which prevftHs in mod of the caitern languages, often occurs in the Bible, fee Job. ifi.ii.. Id. 25.4. Prov. 20.9. Joh. 15.3.&C. N. B. Many other Chine/e exprefljons {^aftly correfpondent to thofc in Scripture will occur in this Hidor.y : which the Editor would not pay To bad a compliment to the Reader's (agacity, ftf CO fuppofe it neceflary always to point out.

a^nifip

A CHINESE HISTORY. 6^

imifs, nor catch up a fyllable that will bear an ill confttuAion. My niece is certainly very juft and pcrfeft." "Ah! Sir, faid Kwo-khe-tzUy this can only pafs upon weak and filly people. Neither in ancient times nor modern could I ever hear of but one perfon, Leeu- biaU'Wboey^ who was perfeAly up- right. But if all be true that you fay of your coufin, then there will be twa. But I have not fo much faith* On the contrary, let me go to the Cbe-bien^ and get him to fend for one of her maids. By putting her fingers to the torture*, • The Torture inflifted on the Hands of crhnr^.als is performed by placing between their fingers three (inall pieces of wo^, called Tean-, xui or. rather Toan-zu ; having fqueezed thefe one againft another, they are tied together very hard with thin cordsi and fealed round with. he will quickly make her confefs the truth ; and theo you will be convinced. Nay, added he, wait but patiently at home, obferve her well, and you will foon have an opportunity of being un- deceived.'*

As foon as he was gone, Kwo-kbc-tzu went to the Cbe-bien^ and told him all that had pafled in the houie of the young lady. " Yet I cannot, faid he, believe thefe fair appearances. I beg, Sir, you will be pleafed to order one of her women to be brought before you. From

paper. In this torment, the aiminal is left for fome (pace of time.

P.Duh[a1de,r. i.p. 313. P.Semedo,p. 143. Ogilby, V. 2. p. 436.

N. B. Thefc are odled in another part of this Hiftory Tormenting Sticks^ which probably is the meaning of the Chinffe name.

h-r her you may extort a confcflion of the truth.'* •* Dilpofed as I am to fervc you, replied the magiftrate, I cannot do what is irregular and contrary to juftice. If you would have any one brought before my tribunal, there mufl firft be lodged a petition, fetting forth upon what account an examination is required. This bufinefs relates to a young lady of quality, and therefore is to be managed .with decorum. What you have hitherto related of the flran- gcr and her, affords no proof of mi(be- haviour; and therefore what pretence have I to apprehend them ?" " What, Sir ! faid the other, will you let this affair fleep then ? You that are the fa- ther of this city, and fuperintend the manners of the inhabitants ! Will you, F 3 ^^^

yi) HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

then permit a young man and woman to live together under one roof in lewd- nefs ? To overlook this, is to confent to the violation of the law." *' Ccruinly, anfwered the Che-bien^ whoever is guilty of the crimes you mention, violates the law. But if what you tell me of thcfc twoyoung people be true, they have been guiltyofnothingimmodeftorblameable. Far from breaking the law, they have rather ftrengthened it. You cannot forget how difcreetly Shutf-ping-Jin aft- cd before; and how far (he exceeded our opinions of her. Doubt not there- fore but (he will keep clear of indeco- rum, although (he may have taken this ftranger into her houfe, to nurfe him in his illncfs.*' " Alas ! faid Kwo-khe-tzu, have I then difturbed my reft, and been at

all all this trouble and pains to obtain her ; and muft lofe her fo cafily ? Pray, Sir, let me prevail on you not to give her up yet » but contrive fome way to know the bottom of this bufinefs/* **Be not fo uneafy, faid the Cbc-hien. I have a lervant of my audience, named Sban-yeo'y a fellow of fuch deXtcrity and flight, that he can run up a wall, open a lock, or creep through the moft impervious cranny. It is but now that I have found it out. I have juft ap- prehended and fent him to prifon, in order to chaftife him. This man will I fend for, and granting him a pardon, will difpatch him privately to the houfe of the young lady. He (hall be a fpy upon them ; and if he can difcover any thing that is wrong or criminal, you F 4 iKva>}

7£ HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

may then lodge a petition, and he can back it with his evidence. But if no- thing wrong can be difcovered, whereof to accufe them, you muft be content to drop all farther purfuit/* Kwo-kbe-tzu was exceedingly pleafed, and faid, ^^ Sir, if you are in earned I fhall be vaflly obliged to you, and confider you at once as my father and mother/*

When he was gone, the Mandarine fcnt his people to fetch Sbanyeo to him out of prifon. As foon as he was brought, he bade him come near, and whilpered in his ear to the following cflfeft. ** You have been guilty of great mifdemeanours : by which you have forfeited your office in this court of audience. Yet having an occafion

to

A CHINESE HISTORY. 7^

to employ you at prefcnt, if you are faithful in it, I will grant you a pardon. Go then to the houfe of the young lady Shuey-ping-fin. Contrive to get in, and conceal yourfelf fomewhere, whence you may fee and hear all that pafies. She hath received a young man into her houfe, and I would gladly know upon what footing they are together. Go therefore and bring me an exadt ac- count. But take notice, if 1 find you have in the leaft impofed on me, ypu muft not expeft to live any longer."

  • ' Sir, faid Shan-yeo^ I dare not offer

to deceive you. Expeft a faithful ac* count of every thing I can either fee or hear." This faid he withdrew.

CHAP.

5r4 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

CHAP. IV.

ly^WO'kU'txu hearing that the Cht- hien had fcnt to get intelligence, kept at home, but ,was very impa- tient to know the refult. With re- gard to Sban-yeo^ having received his orders, he durft not delay; but went immediately to take a view of the houfe in order to find out a place to get in at; then returned and waited till night. When it was dark he climbed over a wall, and got within the doors : where he heard people in the kitchen, who werepreparingan entertainment forT'/Vi?- chung'U^ talk of his recovery. Thence he crept into the hall, which was not yet lighted up. There he got up and

hid landhicj himfclf upon one of the beams*, whence he could fee all that paffed below. He had not been there long before he. heard Shuey-ping-Jin order her fervants to hang up a curtain of mother of pearl f acrofs the hall. She commanded the firft table to be fet for her gueH without the curtain -^

  • In order to conceive this, we ought to re-

tnember that the C hitiefe Yioxxks arc but one ftory high, and that the Halls in which they re- ceive vifits are quite plain, having no other or- nament than a fimple range of wooden pillars, which are either painted or varniflied. Thefe ferve to fupport the main beams and timber- work, which they often leave quite naked under the tiles, without any ceiling.

P. Le Comptc, torn. i. p. 226. P. Du Halde, &c.

t Probably fome kind of lattice- work, orna- mented with Mother of pearl. Oyfter (helh made very thin ferve the Chinefe inllead of glafs, not only in the windows of their Houfes, but alfo in fome of their imperial Barks.

P. D« Halde, vol. i. p. 286, &c.

2iXA and two lighted tapers to be placed up- on it. Afterwards (he ordercd'a fecond table*, but without any light, to be fet for herfelf within the curtain, fo that (he could fee every thing through it, un- feen herfelf. There was alfo a fine car- pet fpread without on the floor. And two fervants were ordered to ftand between the tables to deliver every thing that was fpoken. When all things

• The Chine/e obfervc great ceremony in pla- cine their Tables. Tranf.

At great entertainments the Tables are ranged on each fide the hall, in fuch a manner that the goells may face each other, as they fit in their arm-chairs. The Chinefe are alfo particularly cxad to place the Tables either more forward or backward ; higher or lower ; according to the rank Of their guefts : the preference being given (cater is paribus) to the greateft flrangers, and to thofc who come farthell, &c. This may ierve to explain the compliment in the next page but one.

F. DuHalde, vol. i. p. 299. 301, &c.

were were prepared and fet in order. Stow- tan was called, and bid to defire his mailer to walk into the hall, ^ieb- cbung'U by this time was greatly recover- ed from the illnefs, into which the poi- foned draughts of rhubarb had thrown him ; which caufed him to rejoice, ^s well as to acknowledge the favours he had received from Shuey-ping-Jin. She herfelf was no lefs affefted with joy that he was reftored to health, and that ftie had been wanting in nothing to exprefs her fenfe of the favours he had conferred upon her. When Stow- tan therefore came to his matter with the young lady's compliments to invite him to the entertainment, he inftantly obeyed. He came out of his cham- ber, and was greatly pleafed to fee

the the exaft order in which every thing was difpofcd : infomuch that he com- mended ic aloud. Shuey-ping-Jln fent her fervant to dcfire him to fit down in the moft honourable place, telling him it was his proper due. Then or- dering her carpet* to be fpread within- fide the curtain, (he fent to tell him, that ftie was paying her refpefts to him. When Tiehcbung-u was told by the fervants the honours (he was doing him, he faid he had moft reafon to pay bis acknowledgments to her. They

• At a firll Vifit, the vifitant as well as he that is vifitcd, if they are of equal rank, for a greater mark of refpedl and afFcdion, have a Carpet brought and fpread before them, and after ihry have performed the full Salute, (See note \oi. 1. p. 201.) they kneel down and hit the ;[;roiiiid with their foreheads four times, and this Lhcy do both together.

P. Semedo, p. 59. OoUby, vol. 2. p. 44.:.

accord* accordingly made four falutes to each other*. When thefe were ended, the young lady thus addrefled him from behind the curtain. " My father un- happily for me is abroad. You, Sir, are unmarried as well as myfelf. Your coming to my houfe hath occafioned people to talk very freely. But as I have received too great a favour for me ever to forget, I have been very de* firousi of making a fmall, though very unequal return for it ; and as for peo- ple's talk, I pay no regard to it. Had

  • It hath beea mentioned in a former note,

that the Salute of the Chinefe Women is con- lined to a filent Court'fy. (See vol. i. p. 103.) Though this is their general cuftom, it ought to be obferved, that an fome particular occafions, they alfo kneel, as well as the Men, and in that pollure make an obeyfance with their head to the ground three or four times, as civility fhall require.

P. Scmcdo, p, 58. P. Du Halde, v. i. p. 293.

8o HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

I neglected to a£fc as I have done^ I mull have been worfe than a favage ani- mal. It gives me extreme joy to fee your health in fo great a meafure refto- ed. I could not help teftifying it by a fmall entertainment; which trifling as it is, I hope you will partake of ; and at the fame time pardon the meannefs of it." Tieh-cbung-u replied, " Lady, you (land alone in the world. There is none to be found like you for wif- dom and perfedion. I thought of nothing but death, when I lay in the convent. I was void of all help, as a horfe or an afs that is fallen into a pit. I little thought you would come with fo much piety and goodnefs to my aflift- ance. I can hardly look upon you as one of thefe latter times. You arc

rather

A CHINESE- HISTORY. 8i

rather one of former ages rifen again. This goodnefs and virtue it is not in my power to reward in the leaft as it deferves. Be pleafed therefore to fit down, and let mc bow before you with the moft humble acknowledge ments.'* The young lady defired him not to talk in this manner : for that what ihe had done was but a trifle, and mere- ly no more than her duty required. " How wretched muft I have been, added flie, if I had not met with you in that critical moment? How much then does it behove me to thank you, as my generous proteftor ? I ought to bow down to you, as the only man in the world, that had virtue and refo- lution enough to refcue me." Thefc words Ihe fcnt her fervant to tell Vol. II, G- \v\xs^>

S2 HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

him, and at the lame time to inform him (he was making her compliments. He got up and returned them in a pro- per manner. This done they fat down,, and (he ordered her fervants to carry him wine ♦. After he had drank three fmall cups, (he began to inquire what brought him that way ; and what bu- iinefs be might hare in the province

of

  • Thlf is the greatcft mark of Courtcfy before

difcourfe. Tranf. See alfo P. Du Halde^ nj, i, ji. 600.

The Chinefe Wine is not made of the juice of tke grape» for tkeic they only preferve and ufe asTaifins : bat of a particular kind of Rice, differ- ent from that which is ette n. From this they have liquors both brewed and dialled ; as alfo. from wheat and other grain. They have like- wife wines exprefled from feveral kinds of fruitSy as well as made of the liquor which diflills from die palm and other (och trees, when tapped at the proper feafon : but that made from Rice is mod generally drank.

^Adit thefe the Chuuft have a flrong fort of

fpirit. of Shan-tong. He told her he came there in the courfe of his travels, which he had undertaken with the appro- bation of his father. This excited her curiofity {o far, that fhe ventured td inquire what might occafion him to travel. Tieb-cbung-u told her^ that when he was at court he had refcued a young woman out of the hands of

fpirity which is dillllled from the flefh of Mutton^ Lambj &c. but this is chiefly in requeft among the Tartars.

Although Tea is the ordinary drink of the Chinefgj they are faid to be exceffively addidted to (pirituous Liquors.

N. B. It is the common role of the Chine/e to eat cold and drink hot Not only their tea» but their wines are heated before they drink them. At their feafts there are fervants always ready to pour hot wine into their cups out of « veflel for that purpofe> and to put back that which is cold into others of Cbina^

P. Du Halde, vol. i* p. 30©. 303. Mod. Un, Hift. vol, 8. p. 279.

Gz ^^^-^ a gr^at Mandarine, named Tab-quay^ and had caufed him to be fentenccd to three years imprifonment : " My father, added he, fearing he might hereafter refcnt this diigrace, gave me leave to travel. In the courfc of which, I had like to have fallen into worfe mifchief. Who could imagine there were fuch evil pcrfons in the world, as this Che-hien and young Mandarine ? That they (hould attempt to kill me ! However, as I am happily recovered, with your leave I will go to-morrow and find out the Che-bien. The in- jury he endeavoured to do me fhall not pafs unrciented. I will (hame him before all the inhabitants of the city. I will drag him from his audience, and beat hira found Iv in the face of

ih- the world. I will afterwards carry him before the Viceroy of the pro- vince, who is a particular friend of my father's, and him will I get to take away his office in open court." The young lady replied, " To pro- cure the difgrace of the Che-bien will be an eafy matter ; which will appear to be in confequence of his own evil aftions: neither will it be wondered at, as your difpute with him that day was notorious to all the city. But confider, Sir, the degeneracy of the times. There are only two words in our days by which both the peo- ple and Mandarines regulate their conduft, and thofe are Riches and Power. The Cbe-hien faw my father was difgraced, and fcnt afar off into G 31 ^^\€\^ foreign countries. The father of Kwo- kbe-tzu was advanced to the higheil dignity. What wonder then if he was afraid to olBfend a youth of fuch con- nexions ? Had he refufed him his aflift- ance^ he might fear he would get him removed from his office. Confider, Sir^ it is a poft, which it cod him a long courfe of itudy to obtain. He muft have fpent fifteen or twenty years in paOing through his degrees* before he ix>uld be advanced to it. Judge then how dreadful the lofs of it muft appear: and wonder not if he was tempted to ufe even indired means to fecure it. Upon the whole, I think you had better pardon him; and give yourfelf no farther trouble

  • See note vol. i. pag. 8»

about about a man, who is rather the objeft of your pity.*' At thefe words, fo confiderate, and yet proceeding from the mouth of fo young a lady, Tieh- chung'U ftood aftoniflied ; yet was per- fedly convinced of their propriety. At length he broke filence and faid : " Hi- therto I have been too much the fport of paffion : too little under the guidance of reafon. Hitherto I have been ac- cuftomed to perfift inflexibly in any reiblution I had once taken up, whe^- ther right or wrong. I now perceive the raftinefs and folly of my condu6L When I undertook your refcue from Kwo-kbe-izUy 1 confefs with (hame, it proceeded rather from the natural heat of my temper, headftrong and paflion^ ate, than from motives more laudable. Your words have now made an im- preffion on me never to be effaced. I am flruck with conviflion; and to fhew what a convert you have gained in me, I (hall quit the Cbe-bien and think of him no more : and of this I dare give you my folemn oath. Su- premely fortunate do I think myfelf in meeting with you, not only for the benefit I have received at your hands ; but that you have been to me a preceptor, and given me inftrudions which I ought never to forget.'* " Sir, faid the young lady, you (hew your- felf pofTcffed of great refolution and virtue; and indicate a very confider- ate and forgiving difpofition.** Every word that (he fpoke was treafured up in the breaft of ^ieb-cbun^-u^ and con- firmed firmed him in the placable fentiments he had adopted. •'Madam, faid he, 1 muft not be fparing in my thank? for the many favours I have received^ To-morrow I delign to go from hence.**

    • I brought you here, faid the young

lady, on account of your illnefs; and having fo allowable a motive was re- gardlefs of common cenfure. Now you are recovered take your own plea- furc either to go or ftay. I cannot pretend to lay any reftraint upon you. And yet methinks to-morrow is very fudden. Favour me with your com- pany a day or two longer. We fhall then have time to talk over at large thofe good fubjefts on which we have dif- courfed." ** Lady, replied Jteb-cbung- Uj if it be agreeable to you that I fliould

^o HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

ftay, I will with great picafure defer my departure two days longer.** Ha- ving thus ended talking, (he ordered lier fervants to fill out wine. When he had drank he faid, ^'My coming from abroad was with my father's ap- probation, in order to avoid any trouble at court. As it hath been my good fortune to meet with one of fo much ingenuity and wifdom, as yourfelf; 1 fhould be glad of your advice which way I had bcft to go. Pray give me your opinion.** She replied, *' You may travel through the world in per- iuit of knowledge, but if you would be truly wife, you had beft remain at home*.

The

• As the only Knowledge in rcquefl in ChinA is that of Morality, and of the Government,

ililtory, The primitive doftor Chang-lee^ who underftood every thing, lived reciufe.

Your

Hiilory, Rites and Literature of their own Empire' fo this can neither be promoted by Travel, and is only to be attained by a fevere application to their own private lludics. [See note beJow p. 99.] Hence the chara^er of a hard ftudent is greatly >-efpe£led among them. One of their Dodors from his reciufe life was called by way of honour Pi-hu, or The Doaor oftbejhut door. ' See P. Du Haldc, vol, I. p. 386.

But further, as all the nations bordering upon China are barbarous and uncivilized compared to themfelves, they have no inducement to travel abroad. And heijce they have learnt to hold all other countries in moft fovereign contempt, fuppofing their own Empire to comprize not only the bed, but the greateft part of the habit- able world ; on which account they call it Tien- hia^ or all under heaven, [See note vol. j . p. (}6i\ They likewife give it the name oiChong-que^ or the kingdom of the middle^ from its fuppofed fitua-. tion in the midft of the earth, which they be- * lieve to be four-fqnare. This opinion one of the Miflionaries humoured fo far, as to place China in tiic center of a Map of the World which he drew up for their ufe. In their own Maps they were wont to allow a vaft extent to China^ but to place all other Kingdoms, (fuppofed to be fe^i venty-two) at random round it like very little iflands, diigracing them wit\i n3L\c\iXo\i& Xi-MSit^ Ifnd defcripuons: fuch as, Sioo-gin-^ttp.ot ^^ Your father is promoted to a high office at court, where there can be

Kingdom whofc inhabitants are all dwarfs, and fo little that they are conflrained to tie themfelves together fevcral in a bunch for fear of being car- ried away by the eagles and kites : Chuen-Jin- que or the Kingdom whole inhabitants have all a hole in their breafts, into which they flick a piece of wood and fo carry one another from place to place, &c. &c. See P. MagaL Of latter times fince they have underflood fomething of Europe^ they have added it to their maps, as if it were one of the Canary iflands, or fome little barren fpot. And hence it was that the Viceroy of Can- iong in the year 1668, after he had fpoken of the embafly of the Portuguefe in a memorial which he fent to the Emperor, added thcfe words, ** Wc

    • find very plainly, that Europe is only two little

•* iflands in the middle of the fea." Wc are told however, that fince the Europeans have been con- verfant among them, the Chinefe have in a great sneafurc forfaken thcfc errors.

Before wc quit this fubjedl, it may be worth while to give one plcafant inflance of their na- tional Pride : which is, that as they never fend AmbafTadors to foreign Princes; fo whatever comes from them, whether letters, piefents or envoys, all pafs for tribute and a mark of fub- miffion. And henceforth fuch Kingdoms are kx. down in their hiftory among thofe, which are tributary to China*

P. Magal, p.6i,2. P. DuHalde, vol. i.p. 45. ^37' .^94' ^68. Confucius, p. y !!;c.

A CHINESE HISTORY, gj

no want of learned men. To what end then would you fatigue ycurfelf in going to other countries ? In my opi- nion you had better return back to your father, who can with great eafe procure you a place in the Emperor's fcrvice." Tieh-cbung-u was charmed with what fhe faid, and made her his compliments upon it. ** Madam, faid he, you fpeak with a great deal of judgment. What you have faid to me to-day, hath awakened me from a lethargy, in which- 1 have been bu- ried from the hour of my birth/* Then a great cup* of wine being

pre-

• The Cups which the Chinefe ufe for their wine are cither of filver, porcelain, or fome pre- cious wood : and are prefented on filver of japan- ned Salvers. At the beginning of an entertain- ment the Cups they drink- out of are very fmalU

wax

94 ' HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

prcfented to him by her order, he drank to her, and proceeded, " How hath it been poflible for you, who are but a young lady, to have laid in a flock of hiflory and letters fufEcient for a man of learning?" " Alas, Sir, faid (he, what I fay is but weak andchildifh. How fliould I be acquainted with letters ?'* All this, [and much more,] having paflcd between them, the youth began to think he had drunk enough, and

not holding much more than a fpoonful : about the middle of the feafl thefe are changed for lar- ger. The Chtne/e drink in great form. At their folemn entertainmeats, the maitre cThcul on one knee fays with a loud voice, " You are " invited gentlemen, to take the cup." On this every one takes his cup in both hands, and having iirft moved it up to his head, and then down be- low the table, they all put it to their mouths at once, and drink ilowly three or four times. Af- ter the fame manner upon like notice the whole company flourifhing their ivory llicks take up their meat all together. P. Du Haldc, V. I. p. 299. 3 CO.

was was fearful of ftaying longer, left he fcouW be guilty of any ill manners. He rofe up therefore to take his leave. She told him, (he would not him detain longer, left it fhould prove injurious to his health : but he might do as he pleafed. Then (he 9rdered, her fcrvant to carry candles before him, and light hinr to his chamber. His fervant Siow-tan met him, and laid, " *Ti& well. Sir ! You, that have been (ick fo very lately, to fit up and indulge yourfeif in this manner ! It is BOW ten o'clock*.'* Sbuy-ping-fm com- manded

• Ixt the origioaU Oufbiab-chung i. e. Ji^jt firuck hell. Tranf.

The Chinefe, as well as (bmc other Nations of theEaft,.dividethe natural day into twelve Hours, which they begin to reckon from about mid- night. So that one Hour of their reckoning i3 equivalent to two of ours, Thefe Hours [at

S6 HAU KIOU CHOAAN,

manded the fervants to wait on hitn till he was in bed: while others had

Icaft among the vulgar] are called by the names of twelve fjgns or animals : and their fortune-tel- lers, 8cc, afcribe to each a predominant power or quality according to the nature of th« animal from which it is denominated.

See a very learned difTertation on this fubjeft annexed to P. Martinii Atlas Sinenfis^ written by the celebrated Golius.

In this difTertation is given a curious Table of the Chinefe charadlers by which their Hours are diilinguiihed : from which we fhall extradl a Lift of their names, together with the correfpon- dent Hours of our reckoning.

I. f ».

II. Cheu.

III. Yin.

IV. Mao.

12. I. Midn.

2. 3.

4. 5.

6. 7.

V. Shin.

VI. Su.

VII. V.

viir. t'i.

8. 9.

to. II.

12. 1. Noon,

. 2. 3.

IX. Zh-m.

\.Yeu.

XI. Sio.

xn. uui.

4. 5.

6. 7.

8. 9.

10. II.

From this Table it Ihould fecm that the Tran- flator hath fallen into a miilake above. Perhaps the word, which he hath written Hiahj is the lame with XII. Hai here : which will anfwer his in- terpretation in the text.

N. B. The Chinefe meafure their Hours by a kind of Water-glafTes, in like manner as the Ancients by their Clefjydrx,

orders

A CHINESE HISTORY. <)^

orders to remove the tables. After which (he withdrew to her own apartment.

Shan-yeo ^{tx^in^ all that had pafled, and finding nothing farther to detaia him, defcended, and leaping over the. wall retired home to his houfe to fleep. The next morning he prefented him- felf at the Che-bien^s audience. That magiftrate would not Ipeak with him in publick, but ordered him to wait in a private apartment. There Shan-' yeo related to him every thing he had feen and heard at the houfe of Shuey^- ping-Jin. When he came to defcribe at large the refentment which 3/>i&- cbung'U had exprefied for the ill ufage he had received, and the particular manner in which he threatened the Cbe^

Vol. II. H hicn\ hien •, that he would come and difgrace^ him in his own audience, and then carry him before the Viceroy of the province : that magiftratc, confcious of his guilt, was feized with the moil vifible terrors, and ftartihg up order- ed the doors of his audience to be- fliut, and notice to be given that he would hear and receive no petitions that day. ** Sir, iaid Shanyeo^ you need not tremble nor be concerned, for the ftrangcf will not come to-day, not- withftanding his threats. The young lady hath pcrfuaded him not to do it ; and hath fcrftened his refcntment. She told him, that you were a man of but few letters*, and knew not what it was to afpire to virtue and greatnefs

of

• Thus the Chineft fignificantly exprefs " a Man ^ofmodeoitc Learning." T\\c Bx?A« w '\^ v^^- of -foul ; that to take away your office, which you had acquired with fo much ftudy and labour, would render you very miferable : and therefore urged him to have compaffion on you and forgive your injuftice/* Having re* lated thefe and all the other particu- lars of their converfation, he faid, " This Sir, was the principal fubjeft

of

fumed is not to be informed that the Chinefe do not, like all other Nations, write with an Al- phabet of a certain number of Letters, whicli by their various combinations form fyllables and words ; but with Charaders each of which iingly (lands for a whole word, or rather for the idea lignified by that word. Now, as the number of our Ideas is almoll infinite, we are not to be ailonifhed, if that of their Charaders amount to near 80,000, although the words of the Chine/e language do not exceed 330. For the Chinefi Eloquence is addreffed to the eye and not to the ear, and confills not in fpeaking, but wri- ting ; hence all their public addreiTes arc tranfad- cd by petition and memcrial. As therefore all H 2 ^w

ICO HAU KIOU CHOAAN.

of their difcourfc; which was carried on with great refpeft and courtcfy: (he thanking him for the benefit fhe had received by his coming to her affiftance ; and he acknowledging her goodnefs to him during his illnefs. And as for any thing more, any thing fccret, or clandelline, there was not the lead fhadow of it,"

their books, &c. arc in thefe Chara6lers, he who knows the greatcft number is the mod learned and moil capable man. And as thefe Charac- ters are not only numerous, but cosn plicated, (every complex idea being exprcfled by a cha- racter compofed of many fimple ones) it mud be a work of time and vait application to acquire at once a competent knowledge of them, and a (kill in uiing and compounding them with faci- lity. It is raid however, that provided a perfon knows 10,000 Charadlers, be may exprefs him- felf upon mod common occafions, and be able to read a great many books. The generality of the Learned underftand but 15 or 20,000, and few Doflors above 40,000.

See P. Du Halde, vol. i. p. 363. 364. &c.

Whei^

A CHINESE HISTORY. loi

When the Cbe-hien found what good ofEccs the young lady had done him, and that he was thus refcued from dan- ger, he rejoiced and faid, *' Shuey ping- Jin is a woman of great goodncfs and underftanding. She hath done this to make me amends for the civility I fhewed her in fending her home from my audience in my own chair. But was there nothing toward the latter end of their difcoufe that would bear an ill conftruftion ?" *• Nothing at all, replied the other : their converfation turned altogether upon fine reafonings, and arguments fetched from hiftory and ancient times : and the whole was conduced with the niceft obfervance of decency and good manners." The C^-hien paufed for fome time, and H 3 ^^ at iaft cryed out, " All this is furely incredible! Is it poffibk for a young lady, beautiful and blooming as a rofe, and a youth (hining as cryftal, to be together in one houfe ; to converfe together, and drink wine ; both obliged to each other; both witty and inge- nious; and yet in all their converfa- tion not to let fall one word of love : but inftead thereof to prefer ve all the fandity of hermits and holy men ? this can never be believed. Certainly you have been hired to conceal the truth ; and fomebody hath given you a bribe for that purpofe." ** Sir, faid Sbanyeo^ I have no manner of relation to the parties in queftion; neither do they know any thing of me. Which way then (hould I rece:ive a bribe from

them? them ? Be affured every fyllable I have told is neither more nor lefs tl^an the truth." The Cb^-hien could not help being flruck with admiration and delight at fo extraordinary a couple. ^* Both in former times, and till now, faid he to himlelf, never were two fuch perfons as thefe for integrity and good- Tiefs ! If this account be true, the virtue of Tieb'chung'U is very rare, and the learning of Shuey-ptng-fin no left un- common. If I were a Mandarine of Superior rank, I would prefcnt an ac- count of them both to the Emperor^ in order that they might i)e celebrated* as they deferve/'

Then

  • It IS cuftomary with the Chine/e to celebrate

Perfons remarfc:able for their virtue with parti- xular honours, eredling triumphal arches to their

H 4 TRftXWSt^^ Then calling to Sban-yeo^ he faid, 1 hope all this you have told me is true. According to my promife I pardon M^hat is pad f. But if I find you have been guilty of any falfefhood, CKpeft the moft fevcrc punifliment." He then djfmifled him, bidding him take more care for the future.

The Che-hien reflefted on the con* verfation which had been reported to him, and their fenfible remarks on the two words Riches and Power : how every body followed wherever they led, and how difHcult it was to refifl their

memory, and infcrting their ftory into the to- pographical hillory of the place where they lived. See many extradls from fuch hiftories in P. Du Ualdis colledion.

t The Chinefe idiom is, " You arc without any aime hitherto.'*

attraftion. attraftion. '*Thefe two, faid he, arc no ordinary perfons. The parents of them both are of exalted rank. How could I be fo miftaken, as to endea* vour to hurt them ? If the young Aran* ger had obeyed the didtates of his juft refentmcnt and carried me to the Vice- roy, I fiiould have been dripped of my office ; and it would have been then too late to have implored the affiftance of Kwo-khe-tzu*s father, I myfelf am in no ordinary charafter ; my rank of Chin-tzu^j or Doftor of Law, fhould require fome dignity to be maintained ; which can only be done by juft and

• See note vol. i. p. 8. This is the fame with Tsin-s or tse\ as it is written by P. Du Halde. It is To difficult to reduce Chinefe words to European oithography, that we are not to wonder at the greatelt variations in our manner of writing them.

See P. Du Halde, vol. 2, p. 140. wife aftions. Why flipuld Hiches and Power be the fole obje6b of (py regard ? which are things of no real value in themfelves, and may be the occafioo pf the foreft evils. While I was r^gard- iefs of my own reputation and fafcty, this young lady hath continued me in the poflTcflion of both/' He pro- ceeded farther and faid : ** Tieb-cbungu is a youth of great capacity, integrity and jufticc, and if this young lady doth not marry him, (he will never again meet with one fo worthy of her. Again, Shueyping'ftn^ to the greatefl: vivacity of wit and judgment hath added an uncommon knowledge of books and literature ; where then will be found a bride fo proper for this young gentle- 0ian? I imagine I fhould do much

better better to take part with this accom^ plilhed pair, and to bring about a marriage between them."

In the midft of refleftions of this kind he was interrupted by the arri^ vai of KwO'kbe-tzUj who was impatient to learn what news lie had for him. The Che-bien gave him a very impar- tial account of all that had paflTcd, and faid: "Sir, you muft not look upon this young lady as an ordinary perfon. Her underftanding and capa- city fecm equal to that of the wifcft, fage, and Ihe will hardly difpofe of her- felf upon common terms. Be per- fuaded therefore to think no more of her, but look out for another.'* Kwo- khe-lzuy having heard all the particu-

5 ^"^^^ lars as related above, and finding nothing would bear an ill conftruc- tion, knew not what to anfwer. He even b^;an to think leriouny that all his endeavours would be to no purpoie. "Without however making any reply to the dilcouraging advice of the Cbc-bierij he took his leave of him and withdrew. His abfence was by no means difagreeable to that Man- darine, who immediately fcnt a fcr- vant to inquire after ^ieb-cbung-Uj with orders whenever he ftirrcd out of the young lady's houie, to bring him advice of it.

C H A P.

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