Book XVII.
51. Chap. I. Chih-jui [OMITTED].
The discussion on the phœnix and the unicorn is continued.
Wang Ch`ung impugns the opinion that these animals are not born
in China, but come from abroad, when there is a wise emperor.
They grow in China, even, when there is no sage.
52. Chap. II. Shih-ying [OMITTED].
This chapter treats of the various lucky omens of the Golden
Age:—the purple boletus, the wine springs, the sweet dew, the
Ching star, the monthly plant, the phœnix, the unicorn, and of
some other fabulous animals.
53. Chap. III. Chih-ch`i [OMITTED].
The praise of antiquity, its high virtue and happiness is unfounded.
There is nothing but fate. Human activity is powerless.
