Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 524

486

Animadversions upon Philo.

Ser.

ART. III. Animadversions on the Philological Diversions of Philo, by W. H. Medhurst Sen., in his Inquiry into the proper mode of translating Ruach and Pneuma, examined in a Note by Philo. Communicated for the Repository.

PHILO presents his compliments to the Editor of the Chinese Repository, and requests the favor of his publishing the accompanying Note, touching sundry animadversions recently made on an Article which appeared in the Chinese Repository for Sept. 1849.

NOTE.

'

THE object of the Article in question was to illustrate some of the various meanings and uses of the Chinese word Fung, translated wind,' 'breath,' ' spirit,' ' messenger of Heaven and Earth,' etc. As this word had been used for Ruach and Pneuma by those illustrious missionaries, Morrison, Milne and Marshman, in their versions of the Sacred Scriptures, and as some missionaries still prefer it, Philo thought that a few examples, selected from standard authors, exhibit- ing its uses, would be acceptable to the general reader; and he has the satisfaction of knowing that what he wrote has been commended by men of high erudition in Chinese. The animadversions are to be found in a pamphlet entitled "An Inquiry into the proper mode of translating Ruach and Pneuma, in the Chinese version of the Scriptures. By W. H. Medhurst Sen., Shánghái : printed at the [the ?] Mission press: 1850." Of the spirit and manner of these animad- versions, Philo will say nothing; but their want of accuracy on some points, he can not low to pass unnoticed. The value of testimony, in every case, depends on its being accurate. Without this quality, philological pursuits, however extensive, are worthless and may prove very hurtful.

The principal animadversions have been directed to three of the quotations, which shall be here repeated, and each may form a separate

case.

Case First. The Producer of all things is Fung, or Spirit.

也物萬動以風

The translation of tung, the third word in the sentence, is here the

cause of offense. The critic translates the whole sentence thus: "wind is that by which all things are put in motion;

" and remarks, in a note, "Philo has mistranslated the above sentence; " and then

adds:

"We cannot imagine what #uthority Philo could have for rendering tung the producer: Morrison gives him no warrant for so doing. Tung, as an

|