The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-03-28
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DR.. Legge, an English divine, after devoting
many years TO the Chinese language, has recently
brought out an English translation OF the Chinese
classics. This volume furnishes the reader with
means for solving the principal Questions relating
to Confucius, the founder of the Chinese religion.
1t appears from this work that he was contIn-
uaily wandering about in search of employment,
and was often rebuked by meaner men for his
detection under refusal. On one occasion an IT.
reverent spectator of his canvassing for power
compared his troubled appearance 10 the discon-
solate look of 4 stray dog" We find him
acknowledging that he was not unaccustomed
b. To be overcome of wine - and perhaps he was
led to that indulgence by n desire TO wash away
his regret for the loss of Office. He was not over
truthful, for on one occasion he did not hesitate
to violate an oath, excusing himself In the very
words which brought such reproaGh on Euripides,
:. My tongue swore, but my mind was unsworn.'
He was not 4 brave man, for he turned pale at n
clap of thunder, and migrated from any place
where he unprecedented danger. He was not n
continent man, If the rule qua s'eIcuse S'dccuse be
true, for he had to justify himself with reference
to visits which gave great offence to his disciples.
We find him uttering shrewd remarks as to the
difficulty of managing concubines, which shows
he had experience in that line. He divorced his
wife. He was, however, amiable, in general
sincere, and really earnest TO improve. according
TO the little light vouchsafed to him. The best
thing that is said of him is, that h. would
angle, but not use a net he shot, but not ct birds
perching." Finally, his character may be best
understood from the following extract, which
gives an account of his death
Early one morning, we are told, he got up, and
with his hands behind his back, dragging his
staff, he moved about by his door, grooming over:
The great mountain mus, crumble;
The strong beam must break;
And the wise man wirher away like a plant.
After a little. he entered the house and sat
down opposite the door. Tsze-kung had heard
his words, and said to himself, IF the great
mountain crumble, TO what shall L look up? Ii
the strong beam break, and the wise man wither
away, on whom shall | lean? The master, | fear,
is going to be ILL., With this he fastened into
the house. Confucius said to him, :. Ts'ze, what
makes you so late? According to the statutes of
Eea, the corpse was dressed and cofined at the
top of the Eastern steps, treating the dead as if
he were still the host. Under the Yin, the cere-
mony was performed between the two pillars, as
if the dead were both host and guest. The rule
of Chow is to perform it at the top of the Western
steps, treating the dead as if he were a guest. |
am a man of Yin, and last night 1 dreamt that l
was sitting with offerings before me between the
two pillars. No intelligent monarch arises there
is not one in the empire that will make me his
master. My time is come to die" So it was.
He went to his couch, and after seven days ex-
pired. Such is the account which we have of the
last hours of the great philosopher of China. His
end was not unimpressive, but it was melancholy.
He sank behind q cloud. Disappointed hopes
made his soul bitter. The great ones of the en-
pire had not received his teachings. No wife nor
child was by to do the kindly Offices of affection
for him. Nor were the expectations of another
life present with him as he passed through the
dark valley. He uttered no prayer, and he be-
trayed no apprchensions. Deep-treasured in his
own heart may have been the thought that ne
had endeavored to serve his generation by the
will of God, but he gave no sign. "The mount
ain falling came to naught, and the rock was re-
moved out of his place" So death prevailed
against him and he passed his countenance was
changed and he was sent away.