Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 285

1842.

Dreams in the Red Chamber

261

was told, that every event had been carefully noted down, and hence the long stories that astonished the ecclesiastic. He was, however, so much taken with the contents, that he immediately copied the whole, and made of it the present volumes. So much for the origin of this work, than which none other can boast a more ancient descent.

There lived at a city called Kúsú a wealthy man, the son of a ma- gistrate, whose name was Chin Fí, or otherwise Chin Sz'yin. But one thing was wanting to make his happiness complete, for he had no son and only one daughter, whose name was Yinglien, and at the time the story begins only three years of age. Once being tired with reading, Chin fell asleep on his seat, and saw in his dream two priests, both of whom gave him an account of the wonderful stone, and even presented it to him to look at. But at that moment he awoke, and perceived that it was only a dream. Hearing in the street a great noise, he saw two noisy, roistering priests, resembling those he had just scen in his dream, foretelling him his fate, and frightening him with the gloomy prospects, that should soon darken his brightest hopes. Now this man being of a very jovial disposition, had many visitors and friends, and amongst others a poor scholar, named Ká Yütsun. The latter having no money for paying the expenses of a journey to the capital, was likely to lead a life of obscurity for the remainder of his days, if Chin had not generously advanced him fifty taels, with which sum he set out for the court

In the meanwhile, one calamity upon another besell the unfortu- mate Chin. His darling little daughter had disappeared, and could nowhere be found; the house also caught fire during an illumination and burnt down, so that he was obliged to proceed with his wife to his father-in-law's. Here he bought, with the remainder of his pro- perty a little estate, and as he did not understand agriculture every- thing went to ruin. When therefore a mad Táu priest announced to bit more fortunate days, he instantly followed him, leaving his wife in a most distressing situation. She found, however, a kind friend in Ká, the literati, who by her husband's kind assistance had passed the examinations, and having become the magistrate of that district, had married her maid. Cruelty and worthless behavior, however, brought him in bad odor, and he was finally accused of malversation, and lost his office. Being of a buoyant disposition, he laughed at his misfor- tune, and becaine a wanderer in the empire.

Under such circumstances, Ká met a friend, who had become a salt inspector, and beard from him a relation of the wonderful events which had befallen bis own family Whilst thus enjoying themselves

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