Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 152

1834

Notice of the Works of Sa Pangpo

MARCH

upholding the opinions of the ancients, and considering them still ap plicable in the present day. He worries his sovereign with memorials, points out to him how he may raise himself to the glorious state of faultless antiquity, and stickles at every improvement, because he can- not trace it in the classics. He hates foreigners, on account of their being beyond the transforming influence of the celestial empire, and argues against the trade with Corea, because it would contaminate the purity of the sons of Han.

But this writer is a paragon of literary accomplishments, and whoever wishes to become a first rate scholar must imitate him in every particular. His works therefore stand very high in the estima- tion of the learned, and a single quotation from him is better than a Jong argument. His writings are short, the twenty-six volumes before us being a complete miscellany. We have first an eulogy in praise of a city, followed by a ditty upon wine; and shortly afterwards a trea- tise upon punishment and rewards, quite in the style of Yáu and Shun, with a reference to whom he commences the lucubration. In those golden times, virtue was promoted by immediate rewards, and praises sung in its favor; whilst vice was repressed by the punish- ment it received, and the wailings with which it was accompanied. In fact public opinion then did everything in support of the good morals of the country.

Sú Tungpo likewise writes essays upon the examinations, which at that period were held nearly in the same manner as they are now; he makes Confucius a pattern, whom every candidate for govern- mental honors must resemble and whose fitness must be judged according to this great model. We have also some touches upon the Chun Tsau, which our author considers the most perfect and excel- lent production, perhaps for not containing a single remark, aud merely giving us the names of ancient kings and princes both real and fictitious. But the publication of this work wrought wonderful changes, and the times immediately succeeding were quite different from what they afterwards have been. The reason was, that every body seeing this long series of names laid open for public perusal, began to fear, that he would likewise be immortalized for his crimes, and rendered infamous throughout all ages. He therefore straight · way became virtuous, and to this shamefacedness the growth of virtue at that time is to be ascribed. Listen to this, ye legislators of the west, and especially ye agitators of Spain and Ireland! If you wish to render the people virtuous, publish chronological tables, and then the whole nation will be renovated