1812
Portrait of Shwaháu
453
民嶸兆
unbecoming. The reader of history will always be pleased with sim- ple narrative of things that have been or are; conjectures, fancies, and the like, he can easily make for himself. How Chinese authors obtained a knowledge of the particulars they relate of the five em- perors,―the cotemporaries of Adam, Noah, &c., we know not. When what they say existed or occurred, if there be any reason for repeating it, we will repeat, and "put it on record" as they have done. But where there are no evidences of credibility to be found, then we may cease to repeat what they would fain have us believe.
The genuineness, the integrity, and the credibility of Chinese early writings, both historical and philosophical, deserve a degree of at- tention which they have never yet received, either from native or foreign scholars.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.