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Sketch of the Lafe of Confucius

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If perchance I catch an old bird; it is because he follows the young "You have heard him,” said Confucius turning to his disci- ples ;

the words of this fowler afford us matter for instruction. The young birds escape the snare only when they keep with the old ones ; the old ones are taken when they follow the young: it is thus with mankind. Presumption, hardihood, want of forethought, and inatten- tion, are the principal reasons why young people are led astray. Inflated with their small attainments, they have scarcely made a com- mencement in learning, before they think they know everything; they have scarcely performed a few common virtuous acts, and straight they fancy themselves at the height of wisdom. Under this false impression, they doubt nothing, hesitate at nothing, pay atten- tion to nothing; they rashly undertake acts without consulting the aged and experienced, and thus securely following their own notions, they are misled, and fall into the first snare laid for them. If you see an old man of sober years so badly advised as to be taken with the sprightliness of a youth, attached to him, and thinking and acting with him, he is led astray by him and soon taken in the same snare. Do not forget the answer of the fowler, but reflect on it occasionally.”

Having completed his observations at the capital, Confucius re- turned by way of Tsí, to his native state Lú, where he remained ten ycars, His house now became a sort of lyceum, open to every one who wished to receive instruction. Ifis manner of teaching was to allow his disciples or others to come and go when they pleased, ask- ing his opinion on such points, either in morals, politics, history or literature, as they wished to have explained. He gave them the liberty of choosing their subject, and then he discoursed upon it. From these conversations and detached expressions of the philoso- pher, treasured up by his disciples, they afterwards composed the Lun Yu, now one of the Four Books. Confucius, it is said, numbered upwards of three thousand disciples, or perhaps we ought to call them advocates or hearers of his doctrine. They consisted of men of all ranks and ages, who attended upon him when their duties or inclina- tions permitted, and who materially assisted in diffusing a knowledge of his tenets over the whole country. There were, however, a select few who attached themselves to his person, lived with him and fol- lowed him wherever he went; and to whom he intrusted the pro- mulgation of his doctrines.

After several years of retirement, Confucius was called into public life. The prince of Lú died, and his son, entertaining a great respect for the philosopher, and esteem for his instructions, invited him to

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