Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 202

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The Shwok Wan, or Etymologicon.

APRIL,

Chih, and in a diamond edition by Má of Shihmun: both these editions were disordered, erronevus, defective and spurious, and the whole body ar- anged so as to render their perusal painful.

Tun Tsán (the writer of this preface) having read the notes on the Etymo- logicon by Yin Máu-tăng, and knowing that Kú Tsienlí and Wing Jinfu of Wú, had in the possession of their respective families ancient manuscripts which were exceedingly clear and exact, for a long time kept this fact to myself. Máu King Sienluh of Hokien, having a mind solely devoted to the study of Hü's work, thoroughly investigated the commentary [of the young- er St], and studied it with great intensity.

In the year 1837, being raised by imperial appointment, to the literary chancellorship of Kiángsú, I proposed to the aforesaid gentleman of Hokien to accompany me; though at first on account of his age, he was deterred by the length of the journey, yet having in mind the works of Wang and Má and the chance of getting a sight at them, he was pleased to order his car- riage. It was in the ninth month that we arrived at my office and met with the superior of the Ki-yáng Institute, Dr. Lá Shinki, and inquired about the Etymologicon. In former days the Doctor had been fellow-student with Kú, and immediately wrote to Ku's grandson Suitsing to borrow the book. Hav- ing obtained it, and on comparing it with the copies of Wáng and Má, it ap- peared that both in the text and notes, a great many characters had becn added to Kú's copy. Thus under the radicals wood and heart, several tens of characters in the seal form of writing, had been added; so of others. Some, wanting in the works of Wang and Má, were found to be complete in Ku's work. Further, upon inquiry, the Doctor was able to ob- tain from Wang Sz'tung a copy printed in the time of the Sung dynasty; this gentleman obligingly presented a part of this copy to me for inspection. It was contained in case fourth, extending from Sect. 32d to the 40th; the rest of the work was wanting. On comparing this with the MS. copied from an edition printed in the Sung dynasty, they were found for the most part nearly to correspond; we thus knew that Ku's copy was a veritable edition of the Sung dynasty. I was delighted at having obtained this copy, and wish- ed to cooperate with my friend, Máu of Hokien. In the meantime, in com- municating with Chin Lwán, the governor of the province, regarding thin matter, he was found willing to guaranty the expenses of the publication. I then requested Dr. Li Shinki to undertake the superintendence of the copying and printing of the work.

As to the original copy of the 25th chapter of the commentary [by the younger Sü] which was wanting, its place was to be supplied by an authen- tic copy of that of Kú.

Further, I requested the Doctor to have whatever had been quoted from the commentary, and was contained in the Tonic Collection, carefully copied and formed into a Supplement, in order to supply defects, and to preserve the amallest fragments. Moreover, the Doctor himself directed his pupils Ching Peiyuen and Hiaking of Kiángyin, and Wú Júkang of Wu-kiảng, to com- pare and examine these writings.