1850.
The Shwok Wan, or Etymologicon.
173
present Majesty's reign, which corresponds to A. D. 1839. He then held the office of literary chancellor in Kiángsú; he is now member of the Nui Koh or Cabinet, president of the Board of Revenue, &c., &c. The last part of his preface, as it is given in the translation, is a mere brief of the original, a repetition of facts elsewhere stated.
16. Chin Lwán. It is only from the two following Nos. 3 and 4, that I have gathered the little that I know of this gentleman. His own Introduction (No. 3.) will best inform the reader concerning the history and character of the man. These two numbers will also give the needful information concerning those gentlemen whose as- sistance Kí Tsiuntsáu and Chin Lwán secured in the preparation of this new edition. Referring the reader to those papers which are hereto subjoined, I will here close my desultory notes.
No. 3. Prefatory Introduction by the Editor Chin Lưán of Kiángkiá, dated 1839. In ancient times, the masters of polite literature held in high esteem the six methods of writing; and verily these are the true sources of the sound and meaning of words, the fountain from whence objects derive their names, and numbers their fixed limits. By means of these, the erudite scholar is enabled to understand the diversified transformations of the universe, with the various changes and modifications in the ceremonial, musical, criminal, and ethical codes; and the less learned is made capable of perceiving how the forms and sounds of words are derived, and how their sound and sense mutually affect each other, so that by these means he may comprehend the fine arts and all the various kinds of historical writings in their best style and profoundest signification. Thus great is their advantage to the young student.
scure.
Hü Shuhchung lived near the close of the Eastern Hán dynasty. When he saw how the ancient meaning and use of words had fallen into disrepute, he was grieved that even common discourse had become so corrupt and ob- As an intelligent man he was led to make the most thorough investi- gations; and as the result composed his Etymologicon in fifteen sections. Although I do not know how to understand his phrase túk shin chi—“ make known the divine will," yet the various alterations of the characters of the language, and the changes of the sounds, together with the regulations which have come down from the three dynasties, and the sound and meaning of [words used by the] border barbarians, are for the most part complete ; just as it is expressed by his son Hü Chung, "There is nought celestial or terrestrial, demoniacal or divine, of hill or river, herb, tree, bird, beast, creeping reptile, or of the curious and rare productions, of royal decrees or ceremonial insti- tutes, or of men and things in the world; which is not comprised therein."
From the Hán dynasty down to the present time, almost all the literati and men of talents, who have been thoroughly acquainted with classical literature, and have treated of the laws of the written character, have regarded this work as their standard. Yet there have been disorganizers, such, for example,
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