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Sacred Instructions of the Ta Tsing Emperors.
Νον.
"I am here early in the morning; you assemble in my presence; let not the time be spent in idle ceremonies, but let business be dis- patched. The land is full of robbers; the people suffer under the hand of the oppressor; you must assist me in making an end of this miserable state of affairs, and then you will be ministers indeed."
Then he enters upon the different departments of the state, and gives to each its due meed of praise and censure. When speaking of religion, he plainly shows that he is a freethinker, but withal su- perstitious; for we see the man, whom we have been taught to vene- rate as an astronomer, bringing an accusation against the Astronomi- cal Board, for not having foretold an easterly gale.
Kanghe delighted in sermonizing about military affairs, and this is the topic upon which he dwells most diffusely. He was himself a warrior, who had fought in the deserts of Mongolia. His reign was filled with rebellions and insurrections. He therefore buckled on his arinor, traversed his wide dominions on the north, inspiring his soldiers with valor by his own example. And when seated in his cabinet, he delighted to expatiate on those events, and to review them in writing, commenting upon each campaign. He moreover prided himself upon his generalship, and minutely drew up the plans of attacks and operations, and when his officers succeeded, he got all the credit for the successful termination. A translation of these sermons would throw much light upon the history of the Man- tchou conquest.
The next essays consist of sermons upon compassionating the peo- ple, relieving their wants, directing their industry, strengthening their resolves, repairing the dykes, &c.:—all very proper when put înto execution, but very unsatisfactory when ending, as was general- ly the case, in fine words. When preaching to his officers about their duties, he abstains from all metaphors, and in straightforward language, tells them many things, which could not have been very palatable.
In discussing the nature of the laws, and particularly urging the execution thereof, so that the law should be supreme and rule the land, Kanghe makes many remarks at once shrewd and apposite. Perfectly aware that there existed many prevarications, he erected a stone pillar near one of the gates of his palace, where every one might state his complaints. The consequence was, that a host of pettifogging lawyers were always in attendance to present false ac- cusations, and involve the plainest cases in greater doubt. He was moreover grieved, that many soldiers of the eight standards, whom
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