 | CHAP. VII.*
*CHAP. IX. In the Translator's manuscript.
Hau Kiou choaan |  |
CHAP. VII.[62]
ALTHOUGH Tieh-chung-u was
not a little offended at the impertinence
of the old man and the Man-darine
of the village, yet sometimes he
could not forbear laughing at the ridiculous
distress in which he was involved;
and when supper was brought,
made no scruple to eat and drink heartily:
then ordering Siow-tan to get ready
his bed, without any ceremony lay
down to sleep.
The moon[63]
at this time was near
happened that he awoke about midnight,
and opening his eyes, saw very
clearly, Thao-chéé sitting on his bedside;
who perceiving him to stir, stretched
forth her hand to embrace him. Upon
which he started and said, "Forbear,
woman! How can you offer at an indecency
so ill becoming your sex?"
This said, he turned himself about
again to sleep. The girl was so confounded
at this rebuke that she answered
not a word; but went and laid herself
who did not sleep a wink
all night, but sat watching without,
heard him reprimand the girl for her forwardness:
by which he clearly perceived
him to be a modest and virtuous youth;
and no way inclined to any thing bad[64] .
"I am now convinced, said he to
himself, that this woman's running
away was all her own contrivance. The
stranger is faultless, and I have certainly
wronged him." For which reason
he would gladly have set him at liberty;
but reflecting that he was the
Mandarine's prisoner and committed to
his custody, he contented himself with
saying, "To-morrow, when we go before
set the matter right."
At break of day the old man carried
with him a purse of money, and went
to the Mandarine to desire him to
drop the affair, and not bring it before
a superior tribunal. The Man-darine
[willing to shew his power] answered
him sternly, "Did you send me
hither, or invest me with this office,
that I am to be directed by you in
the execution of it? The order[65]
was
written out last night, and you must
all go this morning before the Tao-yéé.
Come; come; let us set out." The
old man seeing there was no remedy,
brought the persons in his custody
out with them followed by a great
crowd of people.
Now it happened to be the birth-day
of the Tao-yéé, and a great number of
Mandarines were come to visit him in
compliment to the occasion: but as
the trumpets had only sounded the first
time[66]
, and the gates were not yet thrown
When therefore they saw the concourse
of people coming, they sent to know what
was the matter: and were told that a
young man had run away with another
person's concubine. The people that
were present asked him, how he, who
seemed to be a gentleman, could be
capable of such an action. Tieh-chung-u
made them no answer. Then they
asked the girl if that was the person,
who had inticed her away. She replied,
to do it." This answer she gave to
every one that asked her; which did
not a little please the Mandarine of
the village. It happened that at the
same time arrived the Pao Che-hien[67]
from whom Tieh-chung-u had so lately
parted. He likewise was come to
visit the Tao-yéé, and to compliment
him on the occasion of the day. As
he came out of his chair, he looked
round and saw the crowd that was gathered
about the youth. Upon which he
sent to the Mandarine of the village[68]
to inquire what was the matter, and
gentleman? He came up and told
him, that he had been taken along with a
young woman, whom he had seduced;
and that having been brought before
him, he was willing to carry him to a
higher tribunal. When the Che-hien
heard this, he was very angry and said,
villainous trick is played him. Do
you know that his name is Tieh-chung-u,
son of the Tu-cha-yuen or Superior of
the viceroys[69] . He was at my city,
and was pressed to marry a young lady
of the first rank there, which for particular
likely that he would come to a paultry
village and take up with such a dirty
thing as this? No: there is some villainy
at the bottom." "I know nothing
of that, said the other: but he
was brought before me by the old man,
who was injured: and the woman herself
accuses him of being the cause of her
elopement. However I have not pretended
to determine any thing about
it: and for that reason have brought
them hither."
The Pao Che-hien then ordered his
people to look out for a convenient
place, where he might sit down and
examine into the matter[70]
. When he
have but just now left my city: how
is it that you have caused this crime to
be laid to your charge?" Upon which
he told him all that had happened.
"Well, said the other; and did not
you inquire the name of the young
man, whom you met with this woman?"
"He replied, I did. He is
cousin to the old man, and his name
is Suan-yin." When the Che-hien heard
this, he called for Lee-thay-cong and
the girl; and reprimanded the former,
saying, "Are not you ashamed,
thus advanced in years, to take so
young a creature to be your concubine?
and govern her, so she struck up an
intimacy with your cousin and would
have run away with him. And now
when people have endeavoured to
restore her to you, you abuse them
for it. Is it thus you repay the
services which are done you? Your
age protects you or I would have
you bastinadoed[71] . Tieh-chung-u interceded
for him and the young woman,
and desired they might be released:
After which the little Mandarine
of the village came up and made his
reverence, asking pardon for what he
had done.
Then the Che-hien said to the young
gentleman, "Yesterday I was desirous
you should stay with me longer, but
could not succeed. To-day I have
the good fortune to meet with you
again, and as you are detained by this
day or two with me." The other told
him he was so complaisant he knew
not how to refuse him. The Man-darine
charmed with his compliance,
said, "With your leave then, I will
go and present my compliments to the
Tao-yéé, and instantly come back to you."
When he had given his present to
that magistrate and wished him joy on
his birth-day, he returned home with
Tieh-chung-u and made a splendid entertainment
for him. When they were
at table[72]
he every now and then made
discourse: which was ever in her praise.
"Sir, said the youth, all you say of
you as my friend, and shall tell you
one thing very truly. When I saw her
the first time at your audience, her
beauty made the deepest impression
on my heart. But afterwards when
my ill fortune involved me in trouble,
and she was pleased to take me
into her house, where she treated me
with all the tenderness of a sister: then
was I forced to relinquish my hopes.
For my having been her guest so long
hath caused a suspicion, which, although
at present it seems forgotten,
would not fail to revive, should such
a marriage take place; and we should
both be involved in disgrace and unhappiness.
Do not urge me therefore
any more on this subject, left you
I never will think of it. After what
hath passed, to prosecute this marriage
would be against all good order." The
Che-hien urged him no farther on the
subject. When therefore they both
had drank 'till midnight, they retired
to rest.
In the morning when Tieh-chung-u
was about to prosecute his journey,
the Pao Che-hien ordered his servants
to bring him twelve shoes, or pieces of
silver; which he presented to the young
gentleman in order to defray his expences
on the road. When he would
have returned him thanks, he prevented
him, saying, "This is not worth
mentioning: I only desire you to hear
go travelling about the world in this
manner. You had better return to
your house, and pass your time with
books in study. And when the day
of examination arrives, you may come
to be made a great doctor, and have
your name famous throughout the
world. But if you proceed in your
present method, you will never acquire
reputation and glory." "Sir, said
the youth, I thank you for your good
counsel; and shall not forget it."
Then bidding adieu to each other, they
parted.
When Tieh-chung-u was got upon
the road, he could not help reflecting
on the change so visible in the Che-hien's
with which he had urged him
to prosecute the marriage. "Is it,
said he to himself, from any private
views of his own, or from a sincere
inclination to serve me? Whatever
were his intentions, I have said nothing
that can bear an ill construction."
Then he reflected on the lovely features
and fine person of Shuey-ping-sin; as
well as on her great ingenuity and
sense. "What a capacity must she
possess, would he say; to extricate herself
out of so much danger? Again,
what goodness must she have, when
I had left her house so abruptly upon
the discourse of her uncle without taking
leaving of her, that she did not
resent it: but on the contrary sent me
woman would have been highly affronted
at my going away in so unhandsome
a manner. Whoever can obtain
her will be very happy. I am the most
unlucky of all mankind. Had I been
fortunate, I should have come to the
city where she lives like myself, without
any disturbance. Then I might
have heard of her in such a manner,
as with a good grace to have proposed
a treaty of marriage, and might
perhaps have succeeded. But as my
acquaintance commenced with her
through trouble and misfortune, there
is no touching upon such a subject.
I am very unhappy. Her age is exceeding
suitable, and so is her condition
and temper to mine." As he
his servant intreated him to mind his
way, which they should be in danger
of losing, and begged of him not to
be so much cast down. "Siow-tan,
said he, I was thinking of Shuey-ping-sin,
what a lovely and what a sensible
lady she is: and how great is my misfortune
not to have known her but
through troubles and disturbance[73] .
Were I to search the world through,
I should never meet with one of so
many perfections, and such transcendent
goodness." "I believe, Sir, said he,
her equal is not be found under heaven[74]
." "Now, said his master, I will
the examination is held, will offer myself
a candidate. If I come off with
credit and success, I shall have fulfilled
my duty to my father and mother.
Whether I am promoted to an office
or not, I shall be unconcerned, provided
I can but acquire a name. Then
will Shuey-ping-sin hear of it, and be
convinced how steadily I adhere to my
word, and how punctually I follow
the advice she gave me."
Having confirmed himself in these
resolutions, he put forward on the
road towards the city of Tah-ming, the
place of his birth.
It may perhaps divert the Reader to mention
here, that as our Rustics have fancied the dark
shades in the Moon to represent a man with a
bush, lanthorn and dog, &c. So the Chinese have
conceived them to resemble a rabbit or hare
pounding rice in a mortar. And in their first books,
which are put into the hands of children, the
Moon is so pictured. Again, as we paint the
Sun with a human face, the Chinese represent it by
a cock within a circle, &c.
Vide plura apud P. Du Halde, vol. 1. pag.
374. et al. auth.
Near the great gate of a Mandarine's palace
are two small towers, wherein are drums
and other instruments of music; on which they
play at different hours of the day, especially
when the Mandarine goes in or out, or ascends
the tribunal. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 284.
When they sound the first time, the Manda-rines,
&c. who wait without to receive orders,
are to be in readiness: when the second time,
they go in to do business: when the third time,
the gates are shut again. Trans.
N. B. It is a usual compliment to a Governor,
&c. on his birth-day for all the other Mandarines
of the place to visit him. At the same time the
principal inhabitants of his district frequently go
in a body and salute him at his palace. When
the latter are admitted into his presence, one of
them taking wine lifts it up on high, and with
both hands offers it to the Mandarine, and says
aloud by way of wish; "This is the wine that
brings good luck." "This is the wine that brings
long life." Then another presents sweetmeats,
saying, "This the sugar of long life." &c. This
ceremony is afterwards repeated by the rest.
See P. Du Halde, vol. 1. 294.
In the original, "Zhe-quan, or little Man-darine
of the village."
Mandarine, or rather Mandarim, is a Portuguese
word signifying commander; from Mandar
(q. à mandare Lat.) to rule, command, &c. Under
this general appellation the Portuguese (who
first entered China) have comprehended all the
degrees of Chinese magistrates and officers, military
and civil. In the language of the country
they have the title of Quan or Quan-fu, Ruler, President,
from their authority; and that of Lao-
(or Lau-) yee, i. e. Lord or Master, on account of
their quality. This last is properly the title of
Literati of the first rank, whether in any employment,
or not, but is sometimes given in compliment
to others: even Shuey-guwin is in the original
of Page 124, mentioned by a servant under
the name of Shuey-u-lao-yee.
P. Du Halde, vol. 1. 2, &c. Lettres edif.
vol. iii. 132.
Although the Translator's interpretation of
this Title hath every where been retained, it
seems to be inaccurate. Tu-cha-yuen is the name
of a tribunal; the Mandarines that compose it,
being controllers of the court and all the empire.
Tieh-ying was probably either president or first
assessor of this tribunal. The former of these is
equal in dignity to the president of the six superior
tribunals, and is a Mandarine of the second
order: and the first assessor is of the third, &c.
Their employment is to take care, both at court
and over all the empire, that the laws and good
customs are observed; that the Mandarines perform
their functions justly and truly; and that
all the people do their duty. They punish slight
faults in their own tribunals, but great offences
they report to the Emperor. It is from this court
that every three or four years visitors are dispatched
over all the empire.
P. Magal. p. z22. Lettres ed.if. xxv. 253, 255.
A Mandarine may in some cases act out of
his own district, and can inflict the Bastinado
any where; in the street, upon the road, or
wherever he finds occasion.
See P. Du Halde, v. 1. p. 311. Letters edi-fiant.
Rec. 22. p. 244. P. Le Compte,
tom. 2. p. 28. P. Semedo, p. 240.
The Bastinado may be called the daily bread
of the Chinese, being inflicted on all ranks and on
all occasions: it is bestowed on the bare breech
with an instrument many feet long, called Pan-tse,
being a thick piece of split Bambû (a hard
massy and heavy sort of cane) which is rendered
flat on one side and broad as one's hand. If
the number of blows does not exceed twenty, it
is esteemed a fatherly correction, and not at all
disgraceful: for the Emperor himself causes it to
be inflicted on persons of distinction, and behaves
to them afterwards as usual. A very small
matter will incur this fatherly chastisement, as
the giving abusive language, a few blows with
the fist, &c. After the correction is over they
are to kneel at the feet of their judge, bow their
bodies three times to the earth, and thank him
for his care of them.
When a Mandarine sits in judgment he hath
before him on a table, a Case full of small Sticks
or Tallies, and is attended by officers called Upi,
holding these cudgels in their hands rested on
the ground: who when the Mandarine throws
down these tallies, seize the offender, lay him on
his face on the ground, pull his drawers over his
heels, and give him alternately five blows a-piece
for every tally on his bare skin. In slight cases
the offender may by a dexterous bribe procure
them to lay their blows on lightly: or even hire
others to receive them in his stead.
When they are laid on very severely before
the great tribunals, seventy, or eighty blows will
dispatch a person, and many die under them. (P.
Semedo.) At other times 200 have been received
without loss of life. (Lettres edifiant xix. 69.)
A Mandarine never stirs abroad without being
attended by these Lictors, and if a person does not
dismount when he passes by, or happens to cross
his road, &c. he is sure to receive five or six blows,
which are over in a moment.
Parents give this correction to their children,
Pedagogues to their scholars, and Masters to their
servants: for they never use whips.
All kinds of punishment, &c. begin with this
as their first course, and it is so common, that all
bestow it, all receive it, and all have felt it. So
that as Japan is said to be governed by the Catana
or scimitar, China may be said to be ruled
by the Pan-tse or Battoon.
P. Semedo, p. 141, &c. P. Du Halde, vol. 1.
p. 311. P. Le Compte, tom. 2. p. 60. Lettres
edifiant. Rec. 19. p. 437.
Anciently the Chinese used neither Tables nor
Chairs, but sate and eat squat on the floor, like
all the other Eastern Nations: but ever since
the dynasty of Han (which ended about 180
years before Christ) they have used both Chairs
and Tables: of which they they have many
very beautiful and of several fashions. At their
great Entertainments, every guest hath set before
him a little neat square Table beautifully japanned,
on which are served the several dishes
designed for him, either in bowls of the same
japanned stuff, or of china. In some cases, when
the great number of guests constrains them, they
set two to each table. These Tables are set off
in the fore-part with silk ornaments of needlework
or pieces of linen, hanging down from
the edge: but have neither table cloths nor napkins.
For the Chinese never touch their meat
with their hands, neither use knives, forks, nor
spoons; but only two small Sticks of ivory or
ebony tipped with silver: all their meat being
minced small. These Sticks are called by the
Chinese Quay-tse, and by some of our Voyagers
Chopsticks, which they manage so dexterously
that they can take up a grain of rice with them.
How they contrive to eat soup with them will
be shewn in a future note.
P. Semedo, p. 66, &c. P. Du Halde, vol. 1.
p. 299, 301, &c. Mod. Univ. Hist. viii. 277.
| CHAP. VII.*
*CHAP. IX. In the Translator's manuscript.
Hau Kiou choaan | |