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Paul St's Apology in behalf of the Jesuits. MARCH.
ART. II. Paul Sû's Apology, addressed to the emperor Wánlik of the Ming dynasty, in behalf of the Jesuit missionaries, Pantoya and others, who had been impeached by the Board of Rites in a Re- port dated the 44th year, 7th month of his reign, (A. D. 1617.) [For the Chinese copy of this memorial, we are indebted to Wm. Leckhart Esq, medical missionary at Shanghái. It is, we believe, an exact transcript from one engraved on a marble slab, erected at the Jesuit's Church outside of the southern gate of that city, comprising the "Inscription" mentioned by Bishop Smith in his narrative. Ricci reached the capital of China early in the 17th century, and died there in 1610, aged 80. Pantoya was one of the ablest of his immediate sucessors, and Paul Sü his most illustrious pupil. "Like priest, like people." Sii's memorial shall speak for itself; and those who are interested in it can compare it with the copy of the original. How much of the principle and spirit of a Christian, was possessed by this illustrious disciple, we will not venture to say; some of his family still adhere to the faith of their ancient fathers, while others, it is said, are “ Christians.” Of Paul Sü himself, there are many mementoes in and about Shanghai; and in a temple half way between the magistrate's office and the south gate of the city, there is an image of him large as life, and where, by imperial appointment, he receives divine honors! For further particulars respecting Su and his re- nowned daughter Cardida, we refer our readers to Da Halde, Semedo, &c.]
Duke Su Wanting's Apology.
Sü Kwangki, guardian and tutor of the sons of the Imperial house, and Chancellor of the National Institute, respectfully presents this me- morial:
Knowing full well that the arts and sciences of the foreigners are in a high degree correct, your majesty's humble servant earnestly begs of his sacred Intelligence, the illustrious honor of issuing a manifesto in their behalf, so as to render his own felicity eternal, and give great tran- quillity to ten thousand generations. Your majesty's servant has seen, in the Governmental Gazette, the report of the Board of Rites, im- peaching Pantoya and others, your majesty's European courtiers. In that Report it is said, "Their doctrines are penetrating deep, and spreading wide, so that even men of eminence are believing in them;" and," although their discourses about astronomy are absurd, yet even scholars are falling into their cloudy visions." By thus specifying "men of eminence" and "scholars," ministers of the Board seem to fear that trunk and branches are being alike involved. Still they have failed to give the names of individuals. Now your servant is one of the ministers of the Imperial Court, who has been accustomed to dis- course with your majesty's courtiers on religious subjects; and he is one who believes in the many books they have published With them also he has been accustomed to investigate the laws of mathematics; his earlier and later reports thereon have all been laid before the Im-