228
A Chinese Chrestomathy
goes beyond what is pure and elevated.'
APRIL.,
Those who in ancient
times were called wise men, are now esteemed fools.' Among the
sages Confucius is preëminent, and they thus celebrate his praises :
孔子孔子大哉孔子 孔子之前從無孔子 孔子之後更無孔子 孔子孔子大哉孔子
Confucius, Confucius, how great is Confucius!
Before Confucius, there never was a Confucius!
Since Confucius, there never has been a Confucius!
Confucius, Confucius, how great is Confucius !
Chapter 5th relates to 'Domestic Affairs,' and is divided into twelve sections. The first gives an account of the manner of renting houses in China; the second enumerates, in alphabetical order, all the va- rious apartments and parts of houses, and these are moulded into phrases which are in cominon use. All the most common articles of furniture are specified, in the same manner, in the third section; the number runs up to 252. Articles of dress and of the toilet are speci- fied in the same way in sections fourth and fifth. Section sixth is in dialogue, and comprises phrases for the bedroom. In section seventh, 174 articles of food are enumerated, also in alphabetical order. Sec- tion eighth is in dialogue, with the steward of the house, afford- ing a large variety of such phrases as are in daily use. Phrases for the breakfast table are given in the ninth section; those for the dinner table in the tenth; and those for the tea table in the eleventh. Rules for visiting, observed by the Chinese, are given in the twelfth section.
In chapter 6th,
mauner.
Commercial Affairs' are treated of in the same You have first described the method of renting shops and warehouses; next you have 236 commercial articles and terms enu- merated, and when necessary defined; the regulations of the govern- ment for the native pilots are next given; then all the different kinds of teas are specified; dialogues on buying and selling goods, descriptions of Chinese coins, and all the varieties of silk, then fol