OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Anonymous-The Cat and the Peony

ANONYMOUS.
? 14th century
[From a work entitled Mo k‘o hui hsi “The Scholar Waves the Yak’s Tail.”]
OU-YANG HSIU
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Chang Kêng-Perspective

CHANG KÊNG.
18th century a.d.
[Author of the Kuo hua ch‘êng lu, published in 1739, a collection of short biographies of one hundred and thirty artists, exclusive of nine Buddhist priests, one Taoist priest, and ten women, followed by a supplement containing lives of seventy-two more artists, exclusive of six Buddhist priests and twelve women. The “Chiao,” mentioned below, is Chiao Ping-chên, who painted “according to the method of western foreigners,” and reproduced, with improved perspective, the pictures entitled “Agriculture and Weaving,” by Liu Sung-nien (a.d. 1195-1224.]
UNDER the Ming dynasty there was Li Ma-tou (Matteo Ricci), a native of Europe, who, being able to speak Chinese, came to the southern capital (Nanking) and lived in the western camp at the Chêng-yang gate. He painted a picture of the Pope, and depicted a woman holding a little child, declaring that this last was a representation of God. The projection and colouring of these were very fascinating; and the artist himself maintained that the Chinese could only paint flat surfaces, consequently there was no projection or depression (relief) in their pictures. We in our country, he said, paint both the light and the dark, so that the result shows projection and depression. A man’s full face is light, and the side parts are dark. If the side parts are coloured dark in a picture, the face will appear in relief. Chiao acquired this art, and modified his style accordingly, but the result was not refined and convincing. Lovers of antiquity would do well not to adopt this method.
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Chou Tun-I-The Language of Flowers

CHOU TUN-I.
a.d. 1017-1073
[A distinguished military commander, of whom it was said that he could judge of the number of an enemy by the accompanying cloud of dust. Both he and his son were slain in battle.]
LOVERS of flowering plants and shrubs we have had by scores, but T‘ao Yüan-ming (q.v.) alone devoted himself to the chrysanthemum. Since the opening days of the T‘ang dynasty, it has been fashionable to admire the peony; but my favourite is the water-lily. How stainless it rises from its slimy bed! How modestly it reposes on the clear pool―an emblem of purity and truth! Symmetrically perfect, its subtle perfume is wafted far and wide; while there it rests in spotless state, something to be regarded reverently from a distance, and not to be profaned by familiar approach.
In my opinion, the chrysanthemum is the flower of retirement and culture; the peony, the flower of rank and wealth; the water-lily, the Lady Virtue sans pareille.
Alas! few have loved the chrysanthemum since T‘ao Yüan-ming; and none now love the water-lily like myself; whereas the peony is a general favourite with all mankind.
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Ch'ü P'ing-Consulting the Oracle

CH‘Ü-P‘ING.
4th century b.c.
[A famous poet and minister of one of the feudal princes. Being unjustly dismissed from favour, he committed suicide by drowning, and his death gave rise to an annual spring festival, known as the Dragonboat Festival, at which an imaginary search for his body is made in every available stream of water throughout the Eighteen Provinces.]
THREE years had elapsed since Ch‘ü-p‘ing was dismissed from office, and still he was unable to obtain an audience of his prince. His fervent loyalty had been intercepted by the tongue of slander. He was broken in spirit and knew not whither to direct his steps. In his doubt he repaired to the Chief Augur and asked for a response. The Chief Augur thereupon arranged the divining-grass and wiped the tortoise-shell, saying, “What, sir, are the points on which you desire to be enlightened?”
“Tell me,” cried Ch‘ü-p‘ing, “whether I should steadily pursue the path of truth and loyalty, or follow in the wake of a corrupt generation. Should I work in the fields with spade and hoe, or seek advancement in the retinue of a grandee? Should I court danger by outspoken words, or fawn in false tones upon the rich and great? Should I rest content in the cultivation of virtue, or practise the art of wheedling women in order to secure success? Should I be pure and clean-handed in my rectitude, or an oily-mouthed, slippery, time-serving sycophant? Should I hold on my course like an impetuous charger, or oscillate, with the indecision of of a duck in a pool, to and fro as self-interest commands? Should I yoke myself a fellow in the shafts with Bucephalus, or shamble along by the side of Rozinante? Should I vie with the wild goose in soaring to heaven, or scramble for food on a dunghill with hens? Of these alternatives I would know which to choose. The age is muddy and will not be made clean. The wing of the cicada outweighs a thousand pounds. The priceless goblet is set aside for ​the delf cup. Flatterers fill high places: men of worth are ignored. Alas! who is there that knows my worth?”
The Chief Augur gathered up his divining apparatus and saluted Ch'ü-p'ing, saying, “A foot is oft-times too short; an inch, too long. The implements of my art are not adequate to your requirements. Think for yourself, and translate your thoughts into action. The divining-grass and the tortoise-shell would avail you naught.”
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Chang Chih-tung-In Praise of the Manchus

CHANG CHIH-TUNG.
a.d. 1835-1909
[One of the most distinguished officials of modern times, popularly known as the Incorruptible, who raised himself by his learning and ability to the highest posts in the empire. In early life he showed great animosity to the foreigner, and declared that “these outer barbarians are as ravenous as wolves;” yet in the Boxer crisis in 1900, it was he who most materially assisted in saving European and American lives. His literary style was brilliant to a degree surpassed only, perhaps, in these days by Liang Ch‘i-ch‘ao. His chief work was on education, extracts from which are given below.]
​For the past two hundred and fifty years, the officials and people within the boundaries of the Four Seas, daily marching between high Heaven and Mother Earth, have been nourished in their growth by unremitting care, down to the present day. If we compare the history of China for the past two thousand years with the histories of western countries for the past fifty years, have their governments shown the generosity, the charity of heart, the loyalty, the sincerity of ours? Although China is neither rich nor strong, nevertheless all her people, rich, noble, poor, and humble ​alike, can pass their days in comfort, and rejoice that they were born into this world. Now although the countries of the west are flourishing, the sorrows of the masses, their sufferings, and the poison of wrongs, which press them on all sides without redress, cause them to watch their opportunity for breaking out and murdering their sovereign or assassinating a Minister, examples of which deeds are recorded every year. Thus we know that their form of government is most certainly not equal to that we have here in China.
# Gaines v. Hale/Opinion of the Court

* Court Documents
* Case Syllabus
* Opinion of the Court
United States Supreme Court
93 U.S. 3
Gaines v. Hale
The decision made by this court in Hot Springs Cases at the last term, 92 U.S. 698, has disposed of the principal controversy between the parties in this case, by declaring that neither of them is entitled to the land in question, and that the same belongs to the United States. As the decree of the Supreme Court of Arkansas, in the present case, does not contravene this decision, but refuses aid to any of the parties against each other, except as to the improvements erected by each respectively, and as to these, saves the rights of the United States, we do not perceive any error in said decree on any Federal question.
Decree affirmed.

## Notes

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
# Gaines v. De La Croix

* related portals: Supreme Court of the United States.
* sister projects: Wikidata item.
United States Supreme Court
73 U.S. 719
Gaines v. De La Croix
As we have mentioned in the preceding case, Daniel Clark died on the 16th day of August, 1813, and his last will not being found, letters testamentary on the will of 1811 were granted to Richard Relf, who remained sole executor until 21st of January, 1814, when Beverly Chew was included in the trust. De la Croix made two purchases of slaves of Relf while thus acting as sole executor. The first purchase was on the 16th of October, 1813, and the last on the 11th of December, 1813.
The will of 1813 being established and received to probate, Mrs. Gaines filed her bill against De la Croix. De la Croix, it will be understood, was the same person so frequently mentioned in the preceding case as Dusuau De la Croix, or the Chevalier De la Croix, one of the persons whom Clark appointed executor of his will of 1813, and tutor to his daughter Myra.
The same counsel who argued the preceding case argued this.
Mr. Justice DAVIS delivered the opinion of the court.

## Notes

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
# Gaines v. Hale

* related portals: Supreme Court of the United States.
* sister projects: Wikidata item.
United States Supreme Court
93 U.S. 3
Gaines v. Hale
ERROR to the Supreme Court of the State of Arkansas.
Submitted on printed arguments by Mr. W. M. Rose for the plaintiffs in error, and by Mr. Albert Pike, Mr. R. W. Johnson, Mr. J. B. Sanborn, and Mr. Frederick P. Stanton, for the defendants in error.
MR. JUSTICE BRADLEY delivered the opinion of the court.

## Notes

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
# Gaines v. Hennen

* related portals: Supreme Court of the United States.
* sister projects: Wikidata item.

## Dissenting Opinions

    Catron
    Grier
United States Supreme Court
65 U.S. 553
Gaines v. Hennen
[Syllabus from pages 553-555 intentionally omitted]
THIS was an appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the eastern district of Louisiana.
The case had been frequently before this court in various aspects; first, in 13 Peters, 404, then in 15 Peters, 9, 2 Howard, 619, 6 Howard, 552, 15 Howard, 473. In some of these reports large extracts are made from the record, illustrating the points of law and fact then under consideration, and also the evidence in support of them. All of this past history was brought again to the notice of the court in the argument of the present case, which cannot be again recited in the present report. The reader who wishes to understand all the points which are discussed in the opinion of the court must turn back to the preceding volumes above cited, and follow the case through its successive developments. He will then be able to appreciate the concluding remark in the opinion of the court, which is as follows:
'When hereafter some distinguished American lawyer shall retire from his practice to write the history of his country's jurisprudence, this case will be registered by him as the most remarkable in the records of its courts.'
It was argued by Mr. Cushing and Mr. Perin for the appellant, and Mr. Janin and Mr. Hennen for the appellee.
The record in this case consisted of a thousand printed pages, and the records in the preceding cases were introduced, also, into this. The reporter is saved from the almost hopeless task of following the counsel through this wide range of inquiry by the minute examination of the points of the case contained in the opinion of the court and dissenting opinion of Mr. Justice CATRON.
Mr. Justice WAYNE delivered the opinion of the court.

## Notes

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
# Flora's Lexicon/Bonus Henricus

ONUS HENRICUS, or GOOSEFOOT. Chenopodium. Class 5, Penrandria. Order: Digynia. The French people have given the name of their beloved king, Henry IV., to a beneficent and useful plant, which grows for the poor, and indeed seems exclusively to belong to them. In France it flourishes without any cultivation, and forms the asparagus and spinach of the poor; in England it is known also as wild spinach. The leaves are said to be of great service when applied to wounds. Happy is that king who deserves an homage so universal and so simple!
GOODNESS.
Shakspeare.
Shakspeare.
Shakspeare.
Shakspeare.
Thomson.
Shakspeare.
# Flora's Lexicon/Box

OX. Buxus. Class 21, Monœca. Order: Tetrandria. This tree is made symbolical of a Stoic, on account of the firmness of its wood, which, like the Stoics of old, cannot be warped. The box was formerly a favourite ornament for gardens, being planted in hedges and borders, which were trimmed into fantastical forms.
STOICISM. CONSTANCY.
Milton.
Dryden.
Virgil.
Willis.
Addison.
Dryden.
# Flora's Lexicon/Bryony

RYONY. Bryonea Dioicia. Class 21, Monœcia. Order: Triandria. The name Bryony, and the botanical one, Bryonea, are derived from a Greek word meaning to push forth, or grow rapidly. The root grows to an enormous size; in former times of ignorance and superstition, cunning impostors made use of it in their pretended miraculous doings, and sometimes artfully contrived to make the root grow sufficiently like the human figure to be supposed a magical resemblance. They effected this by placing a mould of the shape required round the roots of a healthy young Bryony plant, fastened with wires; and such is the rapid growth of the root, that the image would be formed in one summer.
PROSPERITY.
Mant.
Twamley.
Webster
# Flora's Lexicon/Camellia Japonica

AMELLIA, or JAPAN ROSE. Camellia Japonica. Class 16, Monadelphia. Order: Polyanpdia. This splendid genus of flowers received its name from Geo. Joseph Kamel, whose name is written Camellus in Latin, a Jesuit, writer of a botanical work. It was introduced into England about the middle of last century, and has become a great favourite with florists, both in that country and the United States. There are many very splendid varieties to be found in the gardens and conservatories of Philadelphia.
MY DESTINY IS IN YOUR HANDS.
Moore.
Moore.
Moore.
Moore.
# Flora's Lexicon/Cardinal Flower

ARDINAL’S FLOWER. Lobelia Cardinalis, Class 5, Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. This elegant plant is decorated with bright scarlet flowers. It is indigenous in our country, growing on the borders of rivers and streamlets. It is a flower of singular elegance and richness.
DISTINCTION.
Webster.
Middleton.
Middleton.
Davenant
# Flora's Lexicon/Broom

ROOM. Genista. Class 17, Diadelphia. Order: Decandria. We presume that this plant has been made the emblem of neatness from the uses to which it is constantly applied. In our country villages, and throughout the country, it is known to every thrifty housewife as affording besoms for sweeping, whence originated the name of “broom” for those domestic cleansers.
There are many useful species of it. “The broom,” says Mr. Martyn, “converts the most barren spot into an odoriferous garden.”
NEATNESS.
Wordsworth.
Cowper.
Darwin.
# Flora's Lexicon/Butter-cup

UTTER-CUP. Ranunculus Æris. Class 13, Polyandria. Order: Polygynia. This plant contains many virulent qualities, which are said to affect cattle, especially sheep, and particularly the root, which has the property of inflaming and blistering the skin. Shakspeare mentions it as the cuckoo-flower in King Lear,—
And Clare, the Northamptonshire poet, alludes to its ungrateful qualities in some lines on the “Eternity of Nature:” detailing his morning’s walk, he says,
INGRATITUDE.
Dryden
Young
Marston
# Flora's Lexicon/Canterbury Bell

ANTERBURY BELL. Campanula Medium. Class 5, Penrandria. Order: Monogynia. This was a very fashionable plant some thirty years ago, and is still cultivated. It is used in Holland as an ornament to halls and staircases, and for placing before fire- places in the summer. For this purpose it is planted in large pots, and is trained in such a manner as to cover a large surface, and continues to flower for two or three months in shady places. When in full flower it is a very magnificent plant, rising in a pyramidal shape, not unlike that of the towering pagoda. It may be trained to almost any shape, and we presume that on this account it has been made the emblem of gratitude.
GRATITUDE.
Massinger
Shirley
Shakspeare
# Flora's Lexicon/Carnation

ARNATION. Dianthus. Class 10, Decandria. Order: Monogynia. We hope that disdain is as scarce among our countrywomen as the yellow carnation is in our native land. As disdainful people generally exact homage, and possess little amiability; so with this plant, it is the least beautiful and fragrant of its kind, yet requires continual care and attention.
DISDAIN.
Spenser.
Daniel.
Dryden.
Waller.
Dryden
# Flora's Lexicon/Cherry Tree

HERRY TREE. Prunus Cerasus. Class 12, Icosandria. Order: Monogynia. It is generally believed that the cherry tree was first introduced into Italy, 73 a.c., by Lucullus, who obtained it from a town in Pontus, in Asia, called Cerasus, whence it derives its specific name. The Romans brought it to England, though it is supposed that these have all been lost. There is no proof that cherries were in England at the period of the Norman conquest, nor for some time after; but Lydgate, who wrote about 1415, or before, says that cherries were then exposed for sale in the London market, as they are now in the early season. It is a very ornamental tree in the shrubbery and in woods, and is esteemed valuable, as encouraging the various species of thrush. We, of course, received it from Europe.
GOOD EDUCATION.
Dawes.
# Gems of Chinese Literature/The Duke of Chou-Against Drunkenness

[The following is not a translation; it is not even an ordinary paraphrase. It is an attempt to give the spirit of an ancient document by picking out the more interesting sentences and stringing them together, omitting such portions as would require long explanations and be wearisome to the general reader. Dr. Legge has given in his Chinese Classics, vol. III, p. 399, a full translation with copious notes. It only remains to add that the Duke of Chou was a younger son of king Wên, the founder and posthumously first ruler of China under the feudal system which lasted for eight hundred years; and that this edict was issued by order of the Duke's elder brother and second actual sovereign, reigning as King Ch'êng.]
​ THUS saith the King:―“Make known these important commands in the State of Mei.
“When our great and good father, King Wên, laid the foundations of our empire in the west, daily and nightly he warned his officials, saying, ‘For sacrifice you may use wine.’ And whenever God has favoured the people, it has been because wine was in use only at the great sacrifices. But whenever God has sent down His terrors, and the people have become disorganized and have lost their moral balance, this has always been due to indulgence in wine. So too when States, small and great alike, have similarly suffered, misuse of wine has always been the cause of their downfall.
“Hearken, then, to these instructions, all you high officers and others! When you have done your duty in ministering to your parents and serving your sovereign, then you may drink and eat until you are tipsy and replete. Again, when after constant examination and a course of virtuous conduct you have ministered with sacrifices to the spirits, then you may proceed to indulge yourselves with festivity. Thus, you will be serving your sovereign, God will approve of your great virtue, and you will never be forgotten by the royal House.
“The drunkenness of the last ruler of the House of Yin, and of his creatures, caused the resentment of the people to be heard on high; and God sent down calamity on Yin, because of these excesses God is not cruel; people bring punishment on themselves.
# Gems of Chinese Literature/Sung Tz‘ŭ-Inquests

SUNG TZ‘Ŭ.
Middle of 13th century a.d.
[A scholar who is known for a work entitled “The Washing Away of Wrongs.” It is a handbook of instructions to coroners; and until recent years it was always carried by magistrates to the inquests over which they had to preside. Its opening words may perhaps help to dispel certain false ideas as to the value of human life in China.]
THERE is nothing more important than human life; there is no punishment greater than death. A murderer gives life for life; the law shows no mercy. If punishment is wrongly inflicted, the mind of the judge cannot be at peace; therefore, confession and sentence are entirely dependent on examination showing the wounds to be genuine,―genuine wounds, with a confession that tallies. Thus, one life given for one death will cause those who know the law to fear the law, crime will be less frequent among the people, and human life will enjoy a more complete protection. If an inquest is not honestly conducted, the wrong of the murdered man will not be washed away, and new wrongs will be raised up among the living. One murder leads on to two murders, or even more; hate and vengeance follow one another, with pitiable results of which no man can foresee the end.
# Gems of Chinese Literature/The Hung Lou-Mêng-A Popular Physician

THE HUNG LOU-MÊNG.
17th century a.d.
[Author unknown. Placed in the Chinese Index Expurgatorius in consequence of its denunciation of official abuses. As a novel it ranks among the greatest of any nation, for originality of plot and varied delineation of no fewer than 400 characters. The name means “Dream of Red Upper Storeys (q.d. of wealth and power);” but it is known to foreigners as “The Dream of the Red Chamber.”]
JUST then a maid came in to say that the doctor had arrived, and to ask her ladyship to take her seat behind the curtain. “What!” cried her ladyship, “an old woman like me? Why I might easily be the mother of your prodigy! I am not afraid of him. Don’t let down the curtain; he must see me as I am.” So a small table was brought forward and a pillow placed on it, after which the doctor was called in. He entered with downcast eyes and made a respectful salutation to her ladyship, who at once stretched out her hand to rest upon the pillow, while a stool was arranged for the doctor to sit upon. Holding his head aside, the doctor felt the pulse for a long time, by-and-by doing the same with the other hand. He then bowed and retired.
“Her ladyship,” said the doctor to some members of the family, “has nothing the matter with her beyond a slight chill. It is not really necessary for her to take any medicine. Give her light food and keep her warm, and she will soon be all right again. I will, however, write a prescription, and if her ladyship fancies a dose, have it made up and give it to her; but if she would rather not, well it will be all the same in the end.
* ↑ In order not to look at the patient.
* ↑ Chinese doctors recognize no fewer than twenty-four varieties of pulse, and always test both wrists.