ON ITEMS OF CHINESE ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY. 57 



On Witty Compositions. 



With reference to books by literary men — It is declared to 

 be a dangerous affair to make comedies, romances, verses, or 

 other witty composition where, in enigmatical, dark terms, 

 the most eminent reputations are attacked. If such com- 

 positions are communicated to you, take care not to 

 discover that you have seen them. A man, after long and 

 serious reading should rather apply himself to a search into 

 the secrets of Nature, politics, or the art of rightly governing 

 the people " (rather than such pursuits as are above 

 alluded to). " I cannot endure " — so the dissertation* runs — 

 " certain expressions that are scattered through some books 

 and which never should be employed by an author who 

 values himself upon knowledge and politeness." But "I 

 do not blame a man for using terms that best testify 

 gratitude and modesty." Now, the writer despondingly adds 

 — " the fine sentiments which our sages have transmitted 

 to us are no longer laid before the reader, authors study 

 only to divert and amuse agreeably by witty strokes. Where 

 is the advantage of such writings ? " — It is not my present 

 object to inquire as to what extent these obfc,ervations apply 

 to other peoples than the Chinese to whom they weie 

 primarily addressed. 



A Charitable Physician. 



The following seems suitable for quotation in this place, 

 \iz. : In the " Collection of Maxims, Reflections, and Examples 

 of Morality " allusion occurs to the characteristics of " a 

 charitable physician," namely : — " Yen Yang had by his 

 application rendered himself a very skilful physician ; but it 

 was with a view to exercise his profession in charity. He 

 not only never refused his medicines to any who asked them 

 for their diseases, but if the patient was poor he also gave 

 him some charity that he might procure the necessary aids 

 in his sickness." A second instance was that of KiN Ko — 

 " a physician of great skill, to which he added great dis- 

 interestedness and an uncommon charity. AVhoever called 

 him he immediately ran to assist them, and this at all times. 

 He saved the lives of a vast many poor children, and he had 

 a singular talent for this. If any poor patient stood in need 



* Uv. Ilalde, vol. ii, i . G7. 



