Year: 1862

to his countrymeu. His house was a
once opened as a lyceum. All were wei
coined young aud old, rich and poor
civilians and soldiers. With these h,
lectured and taught upon morals, history
and especially the practices under thei


simple kings Of old, Yao and Chun.


When made Prime Minister Of Justice
the first act Of his administration was tc
cut off the head of one of the most dis
tinguished courtiers, man of notoriously
bad influence. An envious plotter ai
court tried to break his hold over the
mind of the prince, by sending some
actors to represent the most alluring and
obscene plays before him. The minister
at once ordered them to be imprisoned
and executed, as breaking the great
moral law Of the empire. OF the Office
of judges, he said: 1T is their duty to
punish the guilty, but in Furnishing them,
they ought to make them understand
that they love them, and that they would
be glad from the bottom Of their hearts,
if it was in their power to dispense with
furnishing them without invading justice.


His administration throughout was
stern and prompt, and he was enabled in
the course of it to put . stop to an i'm
portant rebellion.


Many instances of his skill and justice
are related. Some, in their ingenuity,
not unlike Solomon's judgment with the
two mothers. The kingdom fourished
under him, and the name Of the phiioso-
pher began to be reverenced through all
the neighboring courts. The resignation
OF this ministry was effected by rather
remarkable device. A neighboring rival
prince, wishing to upset ministry SO ia
vorable to the prospects of Lou, tried
every parliamentary or oourtier like
means, but in vain ; until he hit on the
plan of sending a deputation Of the most
beautiful dancing girls in the empire
No party reformatory or conservative,
could withstand them. Politics, economy,
new theories of rectitude and governing
were scattered to the wind at sight of
the beautiful faces, and the minister of
justice retired in disgust. In his plain
wagon drawn by bullocks, and with his
twelve now constant disciples, he crossed
over to the kingdom of Duel. Tho
king welcomed him with great honors,
sent him handsome presents, and gave
him house, but never spoke of appoint
ing him minister, the old difficulty being
in the way, wherever the stern moralist
appeared among the courts. The king
could not give up his unlawful aniows.-
Some of the wisest men besought the
prince that Confucius should be placed at
the head Of affairs, aud the reforms begin.
The same old reply, which conservatism
makes in ali sges-"There is quiet now;
reforms would only disturb. do not
love change"


Again the reformer and teacher left
the court to walk and teach among the
people. Like the great teacher of all
and instruoting as he walked over the
country. In his journey to the kingdom
of Kin, his party were attacked by the
peasants of koang, who mistook them
for tax-gatherers. They were driven
back and delayed; saying to his disciples,
Heaven has raised US up to recall to the
memory of men the ancient doctrine OF
Ouen-ouag. Do you believe it is in the
power of the men of Koang to prevent
us from fulfilling our destinyP"


AS he drew nearer, the peasants ex
claimed at once, They are sages 70 and
conducted them honorably on their way


His wandering, homeless life had been
sometimes painful to him. On one occa.
sion, near strange city, separated from
his disciples, he was seen by peasant
who reported to his friends, searching
that stranger of noble aspect was walk
ing about near the gates, ''like a dog
without master"


"EIe is right" said Confncius, on hear
ing this, ~ have the fidelity of dog
and am treated like one. But it matter!
not in what manner men conduct them
selves in my regard, l shall not depart
from the affection which bear them
and will hasten always to do them al
the good which is in my power. If l dt
not receive from my labors the fruitI
which would do right to expect, viii
at least have the consolation Of having
fulfilled my duty"


To his disciples, when near the close o
Ills Ilc, uc eaiu, ih pohouAitthtS his Woih


solemnly to their care:


1t is a long time, my disciples, tha
you have been attached TO me, and hav
recognized me as your master. / hav
made every effort to acquit myself in tn
best manner of the obligations which
have contracted with you, in accepting
, you for disciples. You have followed me
you have psrtaken of my works and m.
pains, you have been taught what it be
7 hooves man TO know when he wishes T.
, fulfil exactly the duty imposed on hin
I during his sojourn upon earth. In tn
I deplorable state in which things are tc
4 day, and the view Of the aversion me
e show everywhere to the reform Of mar
+ ners and the renewing of the Ancicr
9 Doctrine, you ought not to hatter YOU
q selves with being able to recall the mas
Q of men to the pra,tics Of their dutie
you are witness of the little success whic
9 l have had in the enterprise which hay
n undertaken, and in which / have n;
Is ceased to work during the whole OF
!. long life. What yoa cen do with son
z hope Of success, is to contribute TO pr