4
Chinese History.
JAN.
Ancient Learning [the Ne Plus Ultra of Ancient Lore]. This ny relative published, with an introduction of his own. Already it has circulated through the whole empire: as a corrector of youth, and as a work servicable to those of more advanced learning, its merits are neither few nor small.
"In the spring of this year I received an imperial commission, appointing me lieutenant-governor of Yunnan; and Tsootsae with his friends the Chows, Tsingchuen and Singjò, having prepared a draft of their work, entitled History Made Easy, sent it far away to me. Upon a cursory perusal of its-leading parts, I found it modeled after the Kang Muh, as compiled by Wang and Lew, with brevity and diffuseness, elegance and plainness, blended in an admirable manner. Selecting a chapter at random and carefully perusing it, I found that no principles had been omitted, no books left unconsulted; so that the readers, without examining other writings or consulting their friends and teachers, could comprehend it and form a connected chain of events. And I was also pleased to find that I now under- stood in the minutest details that of which before I had only obtained general ideas.
The terms "Made Easy," are fitly and correctly applied to it; and as a corrector of youth and a work servicable to those of more advanced learning, its merits far surpass the Koo Wan Kwan Che. Will not its popularity, therefore, excel in an equal ratio? I quickly directed its publication, having prepared for it this Introduction.
"Written by Tsunle Leihyen, uncle to the [principal] author, lieutenant-governor of Yunnan, assistant director of military affairs in Keenchang and Peihtseě and of the military stores in Szechuan and Kweichow, and one of the principal members of the Censorate, on an auspicious day, in the spring of 1712.
(L. S ) "Seal of Woo Tsunle Leihyen."
Here ends the commendatory essay of the patron of Woo Tsoo- tsae, Chow Tsingchuen, and Chow Singjo, the three joint authors, or rather compilers, of the History Made Easy. Immediately after the Introduction, we have from Woo Tsqotsae the following-
Preface.
"When a youth I had a strong inclination to read historical works, but had advanced even to old age, without having read through a single one: and why? Because, being naturally very dull, and unable quickly to comprehend what I read, it was, even while trying to understand it, suddenly forgotten. Moreover, my know-