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ANECDOTES OF FILIAL DUTY.
THESE instances of filial duty are very celebrated among the Chi- nese, and have done much to assist parents aud teachers in enforcing parental authority. All of the persons lived in ancient times, and their deeds have furnished many illustrations to poets and painters, and encouragement to the most humble in practicing obedience. It will be noticed that the practical character which runs through Chinese morals is seen in these anecdotes—almost every instance exhibiting some simple way in which love to parents can be shown.
The Filial Piety that influenced Heaven.
Ye SHUN, the son of Koo Sau, had an exceedingly filial disposition : his father, however, was stupid, his mother perverse, and his younger brother Siang very conceited. His actions are related in the Shang Shoo, in the Chung Yung, and in the works of Mencius. Those who speak of him say, that Shun cultivated the hills of Leih (in the pro- vince of Shansi), where he had elephants to plough his fields, and birds to weed the grain. So widespread was the renown of his virtue, that the emperor Yau heard of him, and sent his nine sons to serve him, and gave to him two of his daughters in marriage; and after- wards resigned to him the imperial dignity.
Affection showed in tasting Soups and Medicines. THE emperor Wăn of the Han dynasty, the third son of his father Kautsoo, was appointed prince over the country of Tại. His own mother Poh was queen-dowager, and Wăn was sedulous in his atten- dance upon her.
her. She was ill for three years, during which time his. eyelids did not close, nor was the girdle of his dress unloosed; and she took none of the soups and medicines prepared for her till he had tasted them. This benevolence and filial affection was heard of throughout the empire.
Gnawing her Finger pained his Heart During the Chau dynasty there lived a lad named Tăng Tsan (also called Tszeyu), who served his mother very dutifully. Tsing was in the habit of going to the hills to collect faggots; and once, while he
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