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Review of Public Occurrences During the
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cial stations; following what is good, and obtaining the highest recompense. Being abroad and at home makes a temporary difference, but the incumbent duty in both stations is the saine. At home, manifesting the principles of good government, is also being in the government, I, the lieutenant-governor in patrolling and soothing thisfregion, am always toiling hither and thither about pub- lic affairs; I cannot get time to grasp the hand, and hold conversation with the learned gentry, and be always exhorting and exciting each other; but some- time, when I obtain an interview with you, I shall issue my commands, that you may enjoin those commands on other gentry; that every one may instruct bis own neighborhood, and all correct their own kindred. When one village is renovated, it will exhibit beautiful morals. By union, scores of villages will exhibit the same beautiful morals. Then a whole district, will, in every house, become the same. Scores of districts will exhibit beautiful morals, and every house in the whole province will become the same. Then he who carries a heavy bur- den will only have to call, and be sure to have help, like Tsiángpi of old: and when fording a stream, and in danger, he will only have to cry out, and some friend will come to his aid.
He alone who has no blemish himself, can perfectly mend others. That which I hope, is that the virtuous will take the lead of the vicious. Only the good man will receive entirely the advice given him. None ought, on account of talents possessed, to reject those who are not talented. In ancient times, Yenkiun ping let fall the screen at Chingtú, and all the men of Shu were renovated. Chingtsz’mei himself ploughed at the mouth of the valley, and all the people of Kwányíú followed his example. When a scholar and good man ́girds up his loins, and walks firmly, he becomes the leader of all in the country. No doubt, when people look up at his gate, they will desist from their conten- tions; when they hear his name, those who are wrong will feel ashamed. In all you, learned gentry, I have substantial hopes.
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Secondly. Plainness and economy should be greatly esteemed. Since I, the soother of the people, came to my present office, I have for two years observed and investigated the state of things among the people at Canton. I have looked at their airs, and inquired about their customs. I have secretly indulged intense sorrow; and been filled with extreme regret. And for nothing more than to see useful property thrown away for useless purposes; to see limited strength wasted on projects from which no benefit could accrue. In country places, the lasting occupations of husbandry and mulberry culture are still attended to with a spirit approaching to simplicity; but, in the town of Canton, at Fuhshau, and at all the places where markets are held, and official people live, there is a strife and emula- tion to exceed in gaiety and extravagance. At every anniversary of the birthday of a god or when plays are performed at masses for departed shades; or thanks- givings given for divine energies exerted in behalf of any one; or grateful pro- cessions with prayers are carried round, (all of which are what propriety does not interdict,) every one wants to boast of excelling, and to fight for great ex- pense; one imitates another, and in a worse degree. Some even go the extreme of erecting lofty and variegated pavilions; and for a great distance rearing flow- ery palaces. Fire trees and silver flowers fill the streets and stop the lanes. Men and women assemble promiscuously, greatly to the detriment of the public manners. The sums expended must be reckoned by thousands and tens of thous ands. And, in a few days, the whole is of no more use than mire or sand, and