Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 828

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leaf contains an astrological diagram, intelligible, as M. Klaproth has remarked, only to those who may choose to be at the pains of exploring deeply the astrological reveries of China. After these fol- low two large tables occupying thirty-one leares, which show the moment of sunrise and sunset, and the times of commencement of the zodiacal half-monthly periods, in each province and dependency of China. The ephemeris follows next, occupying twelve or thirteen leaves, according to the number of lunar months into which the cur- rent year may be divided. The details of the ephemeris comprise the cyclic characters by which each day is distinguished, the moon's quarters, the places of several stars, the anniversaries of births and deaths of emperors and empresses during the reigning dynasty, and finally the particulars of what ought, and what ought not to be done' on each day. A table of 120 years, to show the age of an individual born in any year of the cycle,-to which is joined another table of astral influences, completes this book, of which the Chinese govern- ment is so proud, that it can not confer on any nation a more gracious gift than a copy of it.

The almanacs in common use have many additional items, gener- ally of the same nature as the preceding. That for the 1st year of Hienfung has a sitting effigy of the young emperor on the title-page, with the mystic emblem of the yin and yáng in his hand, to show that he rules over the world. The distich,

A new prince has mounted the height,

May the age flourish, and the year be fruitful;

is inscribed near it.

Among the additions usually given may be mentioned, drawings of the 28 lunar constellations, their names and auspicious or malign influences, and how much they affect human beings. Sixty forms of charms succeed them, with twelve pictures of children, and tables to calculate the horoscope of their births, according as they are born at such an hour of the twenty-four; lists of festivals, birthdays of gods, and sometimes a geographical notice of the provinces of China, are given in addition.