Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 286

20

Dreams in the Red Chamber

MAY,

there arrived tidings of his restoration to office, and he therefore set out for the capital, taking with him the little daughter of his host, Taiyu, a child of great learning and intelligence. The author gives us a great idea of the splendor reigning in the capital, which we suppose to be for the most part imaginative. On reässuming his dignity, Ká was considerably startled with a case of violence com- mitted towards an unoffending female. This innocent damsel had been sold to a party, but the wretch that kidnapped her, disposed of the girl a second time, to a young unprincipled man, of high birth and powerful connections. The former purchaser would however not so easily part with her, and therefore to obtain possession of the trea- sure some force was used, and a inan killed in the scuffle. The gentleman was therefore accused as the murderer, and brought be- fore Ká. The latter did not hesitate to pronounce judgment, but the difficulty was, how to execute the sentence. On further examination he found, that the delinquent had such influential friends, that the slightest proceedings against him would involve the magistrate in im- mediate disgrace, and no measures for his apprehension could therefore be taken. At this juncture it was ascertained, that the unfortunate girl, who had occasioned so much noise, was Yinglien, the kid- napped daughter of Chin Sz'yin, a circumstance which increased the anger of K, on account of his being unable to rescue her from her debauched suitor, though then but a child.

We are first made ac-

'The story becomes now more intricate, quainted with the state of female society amongst the higher classes, and the general pursuits of these ladies. They seem to be after all the most trivial beings, chattering like magpies about nothing curi. ous, and peering into every nook and corner, the while doing mis- chief, and exercising kindness by turns. There is no end to finery, gewgaws, knicknacks, and dress, and the young ladies freely express their opinions about all these matters.

The

As an episode, we find at last a dream in the red chamber. individual is the lady Panyu. She lies down to sleep, is met by a nymph, and instantly carried into the fairy land. Everything that can create delight is there presented to her wondering eye. Of jas- pers, rubies, and pearls there is no end. There are sparkling foun- tains of clear nectar, trees that bear ambrosia, and nymphs of perfect beauty, and exquisite form to wait upon the stranger. But all this could not satiate the visitor; she must have some amusement for her mind. To this end she is first shown into a spacious hall containing sundry scrolls, with many curious inscriptions, consisting of sublime