The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1908-07-18
TOMB OF CONFUCIUS
MODEST SHRINE MARKS GREAT
LEADERS, RESTING PLACE.
eeventy.seven Generations Of His
Family Have Lived In Place
Where iilustrious Chinese
Philosopher Was Born.

A new guide book buries this lacon.
ic paragraph among its descriptions OF
the German port Of Tsingtau and OF
about SO routes In the Shantung
province Of China:
AT Tshue fu, on passports and
cards presented to Duke Kung. permits
sion is granted to visit the temple and
tomb OF Confucius."
Many known tombs were very old
before that of Confucius was built. but
there is no doubt that Duke Kung can
show a longer pedigree than any other
person. He is the latest In the line
of the descendants of Confucius, ana
the family has lived for II generations
In the very place where the illustrious
Chinese philosopher was born and
died
The remarkable history OF this fam
lily is due largely to the attitude OF
the Chinese toward the descendants oil
the great teacher. The family Is the
only example OF hereditary aristocracy
in the empire. The head OF the house
is an independent nobleman. ranking
next to the imperial family. supported
BY the state on the rentals derived
| from nearly 100000 acres OF land, and
| distinguished by various special
honors and privileges. The governor
Of the province Of Shantung. in the
western part of which Confucius was
born, is required to PROSTATE himself
nine times when he pays his respects
| to the duke, but the few Europeans
| who have visited the place have been
simply and cordially welcomed though
making only their customary saluta,
ton. No other family In the world.
of course. has record Of having lived
for over 2,400 years in one place. Con-
fucius died in his birthplace 1855
years ago.
Four.ffths of the population OF the
little city that is hallowed by the dust
Of Confucius can trace their lineage to
the philosopher II the place Is to be
visited hereafter by the tourists who
will go to China in increasing numbers
as transportation facilities improve
there should be some agreement as to
the spelling Of its name. 1t Is spelled
in two ways in the guide book referred
to- and Legge, Williamson and some
other writer's on Confucius have their
own original considerations for the
} name of his birthplace. Political re-
: form in China should be accompanied
. by reform in the Occidental spellings
of Chinese place names.
, Sequestered among the mountains
of Shantung, the town has been al
) most unattainable by foreigners; and
even to-day few pilgrims, unsustained
, by firm purpose. will undergo the
! great discomforts of the journey there
. Six days are required to reach the
town from the railroad at Tsinan fu
The road is too bad for driving, and
the choice is offered to the tourist be
tween six days on donkey or In
wheelborrow. The place is called the
Mecca OF China, but many devotee'
from the western world are likely Il
a wait for the improvement of transpor
tation facilities.
Some hours before the city II
reached the visitor may see the larS'
J. cemetery in which the remains
=. Confucius and his descendants repose
n Near the top OF gentle eminenc'
|r Is a terrace to which stone stairwa.
g gives access. The terrace Is covered
with tagging stones. not in the best
II repair, for the surface is uneven, an
N at the further side of the tagging OF
!, posite the stairway rises tombston
a of ordinary height, embedded in MOI
" tar between cross pieces Of stone
c. The nat surface is covered with tn
inscription, and in front OF 1t are
n. stone prayer stool and a handsom
70 vessel in which incense is CONSTANT
g. burning.
This Is the modest and simple tom
r. OF the man who was deifed by hi
countrymen and whose temple
:. reared for his honor and worship, ma
" be seen In all the larger cities of tn
~ empire.