 | CHAP. IX.*
*Chap. X. In the Translator's manuscript.
Hau Kiou choaan |  |
CHAP. IX.[88]
SHUEY-guwin carried the paper of
verses to his niece. "Well, said he,
to oblige you I have made enquiry,
and find it to be true. It is a very
dirty business[89]
. When I told you
before that this man was a cheat, and
every thing that was bad, you would
not believe me. Now I have brought a
convincing proof of it. You will both
find that he is so; and that he hath
caused reflections to be thrown upon us.
She asked him, "What he meant?"
I saw a croud of people reading
a paper; so many, that I was not able
to come near. I heard them say there
were more in other places. I went in
search, and accordingly found one. I
thought you would not believe me,
so I took it down and here have
brought it." The young lady having
opened and read the paper, fell a
laughing, and said to her uncle, "Konghoh,
or much joy!" "Why, said he, do
you give me joy? What do you mean
by it?" She answered, "Because you,
that a little while ago could neither
write nor read, are now able of a sudden
to compose and write verses."
"Whatever others, said he, might be
disposed to believe concerning me, you
know very well my insufficiency, and
You are disposed to be merry." "It is
true, said she, it was not you that made
them, but Kwo-khé-tzu. They are the offspring
of his masterly pencil[90] ." "Alas!
answered Shuey-guwin, he is looked upon
as a man of letters: so am I. But he
knows as little as myself. Far from
being master of his pencil, he knows
not how to use it at all[91] ." "If he
knows not how to handle his pencil,
said the young lady, he knows how
to use his tongue. The composition
Shuey-guwin, should you talk thus? He
is no enemy to Tieh-chung-u, what
reason then could he have to abuse
unacquainted with what passes in the
breast of your son-in-law. He was alone
the author of these verses. Nobody
stranger. But fine as their composition
may be, your niece, Sir, is a weak
silly girl, and so far from being able
to discover their beauties, she cannot
even comprehend their meaning. How
then can she be touched or affected
by them? You had better lay aside all
thoughts of this kind, and not spend
your time to so little purpose."
Shuey-guwin was so disconcerted, that
he had not a word to offer farther on
that head; but he said, "Niece, there
is one thing I have to tell you. Think
not that Kwo-khé-tzu will ever give
you up; or lay aside his thoughts of
you. He waits for the sanction of
higher authority, than that of the Man-darines
arrived, that a Ngan-yuen or a Grand
Visitor is coming hither, whose name is
Fung-ying; one that was a pupil of his
father's, and highly esteemed by him[92] .
When he arrives, Kwo-khé-tzu intends
to apply to him for his authority to
conclude the marriage: which he will
have compleated at your own house.
Now as your father is not at home,
any habit, and you a young woman
of sixteen or seventeen years, how will
you be able to manage this matter?"
"Uncle, replied the young lady, this
Mandarine comes with the Emperor's
commission, and will doubtless act conformably
to it. He is sent to supervise
the province, and to rectify whatever
is amiss. But I imagine he will exceed
the bounds of his commission, if
Now marriage is an affair of private
concern, and no way relates to the business
of his office: nor is he any ways
required to interpose in it. Should
he therefore be wrought upon in the
manner you threaten, he may not perhaps
see himself in his post at the expiration
of the year. But he is a man
of understanding, and will not break
the Emperor's laws: or even if he
should, let us not be afraid."
"You affect to speak in a very lofty
strain, said her uncle; and talk of not
fearing. When you come before the
Grand Visitor, should he speak but two
words with authority and justice, will not
you be afraid? Certainly you will be very
when it is with justice. Every body is afraid
that is guilty: but who is concerned
that is altogether innocent? You must
not talk of this Mandarine only: but
was it the Emperor himself, I should
not fear: nor will I be terrified so far
as to give myself up to the loss of
my happiness[93] ." "To me, said Shuey-guwin,
you may talk in this manner.
It would excite the laughter of any
one else. What I tell you proceeds
from friendship; regard it as you
please: but when the time comes, you
must not blame me: nor can you
deny I have given you warning." "It
is an old saying, replied his niece,
memory, and a will to direct him[94] .
If you do not comprehend this,
there is another common saying,
that Every one knows his own necessity,
whether it be hunger, cold, or
heat. Be pleased therefore, Sir, to
manage your own affairs. Your niece
knows how to observe that which is
lawful, just, and reasonable. Whatever
I do, whether it be well or ill, whether
it prove unfortunate or happy, let it
not affect you with any concern."
These words seemed to Shuey-guwin
an iron bar. He looked very stern
and out of humour, and rising up from
his seat, said, "All I have told you
proceeds from good will. A village
mouth is good physic[95] . You may
hearken to my words or not, as you
please." He then went away, resolving
to urge Kwo-khé-tzu to prosecute the
affair with the utmost rigour[96] .
It was about two months after this,
that the Grand Visitor arrived. Kwo-khé-tzu
went two leagues out of the city
to meet him[97]
: and made him a great
many presents and entertainments.
That Mandarine thought himself very
much obliged by these civilities, and
expressed a concern that he did not
know how to return them: telling him
that as he was but just arrived from
him worth his acceptance; he desired
him therefore to point out some way
in which he could do him service.
Kwo-khé-tzu answered, "Sir, you are
How can I presume to ask you any
favour?" "Do not consider me in that
distant light, replied the other, but
rather as your intimate friend, to whom
you may speak with intire freedom."
"You do me a great deal of honour,
replied the youth; there is indeed one
thing which intimately concerns my
welfare, and sits nearest to my heart.
Could I but obtain your assistance in
that —" The Mandarine desired
to be informed what it was. "My
father, he replied, is in a public employment;
which so intirely engrosses
his attention, that he hath none to
bestow on the affairs of his family.
For this reason, I am not yet married[99] ."
made no offer of marriage to any one's
daughter?" "Yes, he replied, I have;
but the lady whom I would wish to marry,
hath refused me; and therefore I
intreat you to interpose in my favour."
When the Grand Visitor heard these
words he laughed aloud, and said,
"There is something very singular and
strange in all this. Your father is a minister
of the first rate. You are a young
man of quality. Who can refuse to marry
with you? Pray whose daughter have
you applied to, that you have been
so unsuccessful?" He replied, "To
the daughter of Shuey-keu-yeh, assistant
to the tribunal of arms." "Her father,
said the Mandarine, hath long
takes care of his house? Is it her mother?
She I suppose will not give
her consent." Kwo-khé-tzu answered,
"Her mother hath been dead many
years. There is no one left here beside
this young person. It is she herself who
refuses my offer." "How! said the
other, she, who is a young maiden! how
can she refuse you? I fancy when you
made your offer, or gave your present,
she might know nothing of it." "My
Lord, replied the youth, she knew it
to play me tricks." "If
it be so, said the Grand Visitor, why
did not you apply to the Che-foo and
Che-hien, and get them to manage this
business for you?" "I have applied to
them both, said he, but she esteeming
their offices but small, paid little regard
to them. I therefore now have recourse
to your lordship: and beg you
will compleat this affair in my behalf.
This will lay me under the greatest
obligation as long as I live." "To
promote marriage, said the Grand Visitor,
is a thing highly good and charitable.
I see nothing wrong in the
affair in question: and therefore will
undertake it for you. Who was your
he did not make the offer clearly
understood." The other told him, it
was the Pao Che-hien, who carried the
present himself to her house; which
in her father's absence, was received
by her uncle: and that every body
knew this to be matter of fact. "If it
be so, replied the Mandarine, I will issue
out an order to-morrow, impowering
you to go and carry her home to
your house in order to marry her."
"Should I go for her, replied the
other, she would never be prevailed on
contrive some way to escape.
I only beg the favour of you to let me
go to her house and solemnize the
marriage there." The Grand Visitor
replied, "Very well: you may do so."
Having finished their discourse on this
and other subjects, and the entertainment
being ended; Kwo-khé-tzu retired.
Within two days the Grand Visitor
performed his promise, and sent a chop
or order to the Che-hien, as follows.
"I, the Ngan-yuen or Grand Visitor,
signify, that as marriage was the
first law or contract in the world,
the time for solemnizing it should
son of Kwo-sho-sú hath made
offers and presents to the daughter
of Shuey-keu-yé, which treaty of
marriage was under the direction
of you the Che-hien; the marriagepresent
being carried by yourself:
and it being requisite that they should
now proceed to the completion of
the same, I therefore command and
authorize the said Kwo-khe-tzu, now
in the absence of her father, to go
to the house of his bride and marry
her there: it being a thing good and
laudable. And you the Che-hien are
hereby required not to delay the
execution of this order beyond the
space of one month, under pain of
prosecution for default thereof."
The Pao Che-hien when he had received
this order and read it, saw plainly
it was the contrivance of Kwo-khé-tzu.
Yet to go and lay open the whole
affair, he thought would expose him to
that young man's resentment. On the
other hand, the Grand Visitor would
be apt to call him to account, whenever
the truth should be discovered. After
some deliberation therefore, he resolved
to send a private account to that Man-darine
of what he knew of the matter:
which was conceived in these terms.
"This is to acquaint your Excellency[102]
, in answer to your chop or
order: that I was indeed the person
you mention. The other persons
concerned were Kwo-khé-tzu and
Shuey-guwin. The young lady opposed
it, as a thing she disliked: for
which reason it yet remains in dispute,
and unfinished. Yesterday I
received an order to see the marriage
concluded, which it behoves
me to obey. But I am sensible that
she is still very averse to it: and
therefore lest any difficulty or disgrace
should happen, which may
extend so far as to reflect upon
your Excellency, I have ventured
to give you this information; which
I hope you will not take amiss.
Nevertheless be it done according to
your pleasure."
When the Grand Visitor received
this letter, he was very angry with the
Che-hien. "What! said he, am I in this
great office, and have every thing at
my disposal, even life and death, and
yet am not able to prevail in so inconsiderable
an affair, as the marriage of a
silly girl, daughter of a banished criminal?
It would be an affront to
my dignity to pay any regard to her
weak reasoning and trifling arguments."
Accordingly he dispatched a second order
to the Che-hien, which was to this
purpose.
"If Shuey-ping-sin did not consent
to the marriage, why did you make
yourself the bridesman? You seem
determined to perplex and disturb
to go once more to her house,
and acquaint her that she must marry
Kwo-khé-tzu without farther delay.
If she refuses, bring her before
me."
The Che-hien when he had received
this second order, and observed it to
run in very positive terms, such as
would admit of no evasion; went in
the first place to the house of Kwo-khé-tzu,
and gave him notice that he
was required to marry within the space
of one month. He answered very
joyfully, "Ay, ay! with all my heart."
From thence he went to the house of
Shuey-ping-sin: and bade a servant inform
her, that he was come to speak
The young lady, who knew well enough
what was in agitation, commanded two
of her servants to fix up the curtain
in the great hall; and, as soon as it
was let down, she entered. Then she
bade one of them go to the Che-hien,
and desire him to inform her in plain
terms what was the purport of the
order he had brought. He replied,
"It is concerning your marriage with
Kwo-khé-tzu. When I interposed at
first, you shewed such aversion to it,
that he hath for a long time desisted.
But this great Mandarine, who is newly
arrived, was a pupil of his father, and
therefore hath been prevailed on to
lend his countenance and assistance to
have the marriage at length compleated.
me to give notice to you both, that
it must be concluded within the space
of one month. I am just come from
the house of Kwo-khé-tzu, whom I
have advised of it. And I now wait
upon you on the same account, that
you may be prepared accordingly."
The young lady replied, "Far am
I from objecting to so honourable
a thing as matrimony. Only my father
is not at home, and I have not
his licence. I am not mistress of myself,
therefore beg you will do me the
favour to go and acquaint his Excellency
of it." "This, said the Che-hien,
is the second order I have received
to this purpose. The first I set aside,
and gave my reasons for it. After
together with this new order, which
is very positive. I cannot presume
therefore to say any thing more to
him. But do as you please. I do not
pretend to force your inclinations. I
only give you notice, as I am in duty
bound." She begged the favour to see
the order itself, which was so absolute
and positive. He called his secretary,
and bade him deliver them both to
her servant. When she had perused
them, she said to the Mandarine: "The
reason why I refused to marry Kwo-khé-tzu,
was because my father was absent,
and I had not his consent. Should
I marry without it, I am afraid he will
be very angry with me when he comes
home. For my vindication therefore,
to let the two orders remain in my
hands: which will declare plainly the
conduct of the whole affair; and that
it is done by his Excellency's appointment."
The Che-hien consented to leave
them with her, and promised to acquaint
the Grand Visitor with her request,
telling her he doubted not but that
Mandarine would either permit her to
keep them, or afford some other way
for her to shew the reasons of her
conduct.
"How is this, said the Che-hien
when he was withdrawn, that the
young lady so suddenly accepts of Kwo-khé-tzu!
Is it this superior authority,
which hath made her comply? or hath
discover? I imagined she had kept herself
all along for the handsome stranger."
He went immediately to the Grand Visitor
and told him what she said. That
Mandarine laughed, and was very well
satisfied. "How came you the other
day, said he, to send me word that
she was very cunning and subtle, and
altogether averse to this marriage? You
see now she is all compliance. If she
desires to keep the two orders by her,
as a justification of her conduct; let
it be granted." The Che-hien went
immediately, and informed her of it.
"You must not now, said he, change
your resolutions. This is no longer
the affair of Kwo-khé-tzu; but relates
to the Grand Visitor himself. Let
and when the bridegroom can fix on
a fortunate day, I will wait upon you
with previous notice." The young lady
replied, "As this is his Excellency's
order, I shall not disobey it or go from
my word; though he himself possibly
may." "How! said he, can so great
a man vary in his resolutions? No,
no! that cannot be. You may depend
on his steadiness." Then withdrawing,
he went to Kwo-khé-tzu, and gave him
notice to chuse a fortunate day to compleat
his marriage. He believing that
the young lady had consented, was
very joyful, and hasted to provide and
prepare things for his wedding.
The Chinese Idiom is, "You must not talk
of his master pencil; he knows not how to use
a little one."
The Author of this History intended to sink
these two characters very low in the opinion of
his Readers, by representing them so illiterate in
a country, where letters are in high repute, and
also very common. For as the meanest may
be candidates for degrees, many apply to letters,
who being rejected at the examinations, have no
other way to subsist, but by teaching others.
There are few men therefore but can write and
read in some degree. It is no less uncommon
to find a woman that can do either. This must
render the character of Shuey-ping-sin the more
extraordinary. Yet a Chinese Moralist says,
"You cannot commend a woman more, than to
say she is not learned."
See P. Magal. p, 88. P. Semedo, p. 38. P. Du
Halde, vol. 2. p. 50. Lettres edif. xiii. 353.
The Chinese in writing use no pens, but pencils
made of the hair of some animal, commonly a
rabbit. This pencil they hold not obliquely as
painters use; but perpendicularly; as if they would
prick the paper. The Reader perhaps needs
not to be informed, that they write not from the
left hand to the right, as we; nor from the right
hand to the left, as the Hebrews; but in lines
from the top of the leaf to the bottom, beginning
at the right hand. The Chinese paper is
not made of silk, as is commonly supposed; but
of the inward bark of Bambû and several other
trees; and is remarkable, not only in that they can
make it into sheets of extraordinary size; but
also that, after it hath been written on and worn
to pieces, they can work it over again, and from
the scraps make new paper. The Chinese paper
hath a beautiful silken gloss, but it is thin, brittle,
and not at all durable. (Lettres edif. xxi. 128.)
Their ink (which is known in Europe by the
name of Indian ink,) is made of lamp-black,
of which the best is got by burning old pines.
They mix perfumes with it to correct the smell.
These ingredients are worked into the consistence
of paste, which is then put into wooden moulds of
the shape they would have it. The Chinese standish
is a little polished marble, with a hollow at one
end to contain water: in this they dip their stick
of ink and then rub it on the smooth part of
the marble. The pencil, paper, ink and marble,
are called by the Chinese, sse pau, or the four precious
things; which they pique themselves on
keeping very neat. Every thing which relates
to letters is so reputable in China, that even
the making of ink is not esteemed a mechanic
employment.
P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 366—374.
The employment of a Tutor or Preceptor is accounted
very honourable in China, and many of
those, who afterwards arrive to the greatest
posts, employ in their younger years the intervals
of study in instructing the children of great
men, especially if they have not much substance
of their own. The Parents maintain them, make
them presents, treat them with great respect, and
every where give them the upper hand: Siewsing,
our Master, our Doctor, is the name they give
them. The Tutors not only teach their Pupils
letters, but accompany them, and form their
manners.—They instruct them not only in the
history and laws of their country, but in the
ceremonies, salutes, compliments and rules of
visiting; these being no less the objects of study,
and equally deemed to belong to learning. In
return for all this care, and pains their Pupils
treat them with the greatest reverence, bowing
to them with four prostrations, as to their Father,
and never addressing them with you or I. [See note above pag. 150. and note vol. 1. p. 202.]
They also retain the highest respect for them
as long as they live.
P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 375. P. Semedo, p 36,
59, 63, &c.
The original literally is, "Every one is governed
[sc. directed] by an understanding, a memory,
and a will." The meaning of this Proverb
is doubtless, as given above. It contains a
fine rebuke on such, as too forwardly take upon
them to direct others.
That is, The advice is commonly wholesome
which flows from the mouth of the homely
villager, whose simplicity of manners hath
kept him unacquainted with the arts of falsehood:
and therefore such advice is not to be rejected
on account of the meanness of its author.
Here follows in the original a very prolix
and unimportant paragraph, wherein Shuey-guwin
relates to his son-in-law all that had passed between
him and his niece, and confirms him in
his resolution of applying to the Ngan-yuen, &c.
As there was nothing in the whole passage worth
retaining, the Editor hath suppressed it: a liberty
he hath sometimes taken elsewhere.
When one of the superior Mandarines
comes to take possession of his government, he
is received with great pomp and state. When
he is ready to set out from court, many of the
officers of the tribunal go thither to attend him:
others advance a great way to meet him, who as
he passes from city to city is honourably accompanied
both by horse and foot: and at least a league
before he comes to the place where he is to
reside, two or three thousand soldiers are marched
out to receive him After these follow all the
Mandarines, and after them a vast concourse of
people.
P. Semedo, p. 128. P. Du Halde, &c.
This will be accounted for, when we consider
the expensive presents every Mandarine
is obliged to make, who solicits for any government.
There is not any government of a city
or town, which does not cost the person, who
is preferred to it, several thousands of crowns;
sometimes twenty, sometimes 30,000, and so
proportionably for all other offices great and
small. To be a Viceroy of a province, before
a Mandarine can have his commission sealed,
will cost him sometimes 70,000 crowns. All
this, under the specious name of presents, is
given to the ministers of state, to the presidents of
the six supreme councils, &c. &c. On the other
hand the great Mandarines of the provinces, to
reimburse themselves and to satisfy their avarice,
extort presents from those under them; and these
again replenish their purses at the expence of
the miserable people. In short there is not any
Viceroy, or Visitor of a province, who at the
end of three years does not return with six or
700,000, and sometimes a million of crowns.
So that it may be said of China, as it was of
ancient Rome, "All things are there set to sale."
See P. Magal, p. 134, &c.
He means probably "not married to his
satisfaction:" or perhaps he does not stick at a
a little falsehood.
The Original is Pien-thing, i. e. out of China,
or without the wall. Trans.
Tartary is the common place of Banishment
for the Chinese. See P. Du Halde, vol. 1. 229.
Lettres edifiant. xvii. 114, &c. How grievous
a punishment Banishment must be to them, we
may easily conceive from their excessive fondness
for their own country. [See Ogilbye, vol.
2. pag. 2. & 7.]
| CHAP. IX.*
*Chap. X. In the Translator's manuscript.
Hau Kiou choaan | |