MON IHLY U1.VIEW OF LITERATURE. 575 



The sixth section treats of government and legislation. At page 201, 

 speaking of fundamental principles of government, Mr. Davis remarks, 



" It is well known that parental authority is the model or type of political 

 rule in China — that natural restraint to which almost every man finds him- 

 self subject at the earliest dawn of his perceptions. Influenced, perhaps, by 

 a consideration of the lasting force of early impressions on the human mind, 

 the legislators of the country have thought that they should best provide for 

 the stability of their fabric by basing it on that principle which is the most 

 natural and familiar to every one from infancy, and the least likely ever to be 

 called in question. 



" There is nothing more remarkable in their ritual, and in their criminal 

 code, than the exact parallel which is studiously kept up between the relations 

 in which every person stands to his own parents, and to the Emperor. For 

 similar offences against both he suffers similar punishments ; at the death of 

 both he mourns the same time, and goes the same period unshaven ; and 

 both possess nearly the same power over his person. Thus he is bred up to 

 civil obedience, ' tenero ah uiigui,' with every chance of proving a quiet 

 subject at least. Such institutions certainly do not denote the existence of 

 much liberty ; but, if peaceful obedience and universal order be the sole 

 objects in view, they argue, on the part of the- governors, some knowledge 

 of human nature, and an adaptation of the means to the end. 



" In the book of Sacred Instructions, addressed to the people, founded on 

 their ancient writings, and read publicly by the principal magistrates on the 

 days that correspond to the new and full moon, the sixteen discourses of 

 which it consists are headed by that which teaches the duties of children to 

 parents, of juniors to elders, and (thence) of the people to the Government. 

 The principle is extended thus, in a quotation from the sacred books ; — ' In 

 our general conduct, not to be orderly is to fail in filial duty ; in serving our 

 Sovereign, not to be faithful is to fail'in filial duty ; in acting as a magistrate, 

 not to be careful is to fail in filial duty ; in the intercourse of friends, not to 

 be sincere is to fail in filial duty ; in arms and in war not to be brave is to 

 fail in filial duty.' The claims of elders are enforced thus : — 'The duty to 

 parents and the duty to elders are indeed similar in obligation ; for he who 

 can be a pious son will also prove an obedient younger brother ; and he who 

 is both will, while at home, prove an honest and orderly subject, and in active 

 service, from home, a courageous and faithful soldier • • • • May you all, O 

 soldiers and people, conform to these our instructions, evincing your good 

 dispositions by your conduct and actions, each fulfilling his duty as a son 

 and a junior, according to the example which is left you by the wise and holy 

 men of former times. The wisdom of the ancient Emperors, Yaou and Shun, 

 had its foundation in these essential ties of human society. Mencius has 

 said, " Were all men to honour their kindred and respect their elders, the 

 world would be at peace." ' 



" But the Government does not confine itself to preaching ; doinestic re- 

 bellion is treated in nearly all respects as treason, being, in fact, petit treason. 

 A special edict of the last Emperor went beyond the established law in a case 

 which occurred in one of the central provinces. A man and his wife had 

 beaten and otherwise severely ill-used the mother of the former. This being 

 reported by the Viceroy to Peking, it was determined to enforce in a signal 

 manner the fundamental principle of the empire. The very place where it 

 occurred was anathematized, as it were, and made accursed. The principal 

 offenders were put to death. The mother of the wife was bambooed, branded, 

 and exiled for her daughter's crime. The scholars of the district for three years 

 were not permitted to attend the public examination, and their promotion 

 thereby stopped. Themagistrates weredeprivedoftheiroflSceandbanished. The 

 house in which the offenders dwelt was dug up from the foundations. ' Let 

 the Viceroy,' the edict adds, ' make known this proclamation, and let it be 

 dispersed through the whole empire, that the people may all learn it. And if 



