The sun., 1890-11-23
CHINESE SOHELS.
Interesting Hici.situdes OF ThI. Literature
In the Land OF COutucius.
from n, Aorh tnma ne,u,a.


from ne Norfh tH;na Iie,dtd
The writing OF this class OF literature began
in the thirteenth century. and continued to be-
favorite occupation Of Chinese writer's for
about three centuries. After this it was felt
that enough had been provided. and the pro-
duction almost ceased. Tho authors con-
cealel their names. The moral teaching Of
tho Confucan school was too powerful for
those who loved to give ecn to their imagina-
venture on publicity. 1t was never, with The
cor sent OF the always dominant moral philoso-
rhers that novels grew TO the position of
influence they now possess III China
This hostility has by no means ceased. Quite
recently there appeared in Chinese news
fucinnst against novels. He is deeply I'M
pressed with The ne d o. continuing tho cru
commsnc"i by one thien da,ing Ing rGa'oss iba Iass
century when lie founded school in Soochow
for me Promotion Of the healthy study OF the
SO prevalent that they amount t. fourth es-
tatc in the realm nnl teach nE the Conf4cian,
the first, second aud third. But in
stead "f nculcuting virtue, they lead
en ro i y yps @ aa or bears
the moral in'luenc, for evil OF Chinese works
OF imasnnatiCn n . T.. he SAY says , not greater than
should lead a ienti1ns lie, aud .rorresent
these things produces disastrous results on
public morality. the many cnses Of crime ia
the courts and the number OF those who adopt
This author was followed by Shih who set
noye and every sort Of Vicious iiteratMro on o.,
which he could Ias hands, and esrecaly the
blocks from which they were printed. For
the 3 he made wide search, In the hope of OK
tlngui-hing the evil at its source. In order to
spare funds. and then sold cloth ling, and even
his witcs ornaments in order that the work OF
destrnetion might be more comEle,e. Oth,rs
examples: thrv rrcutcd public opn-
ion. ana The con.eI eIuence was that rerre-
iirms went tosether to the city temple. burnt
incense, aud made VOW MOTTO, engage in the
trade ,h u Immoral books; a an n office was opened
buvinE up III" blocks ol all immoral book. in
sndins uIye , ineIe Wa Is an mmense de-,
il became harl to meet with vicious publiru-
tons This was, however, nearly half cen
tnry ago. and the evil rosa again Twenty,iv.
yenrs ago In" then Governor o. the district
issued q new Drnclamat on rniterating the
order prohibiting immoral lublisati,ns,
with Il bad inliuencr. Snch reading AS they
furni Ii has more inhl.ence in leading young
nas wonE tSa "s tns G2bmEsnT bs u rr wT Ter
the teaching OF the saGes. Tho foreign read
er of Chinese books Ol an imaginative kind
cause they contain beautiful characters both
of men AMI women, which exhibit IN admIrn-
is hsa sSd Of traysrv a sE puFy t Of lie
can be n" doubt OF the bal influence oi many
Of the native hooks which iamiliarihe the
hold up successful cri mo to sympatheic ai-
mrntion. il must also be remnmhered that
Of the Chinese thew haNs among them the firm
friends OF Il high morality; Inc national con
sci nee aud / s national II, eraturo alike testify
with uniai, i,ering Noig, 10 mo di!iy o. every pne
to Je moral lust, ana II nIlillhur.