236 



Page 17, line 27. — It would lead us too far to explain this geomantic expression. Let it suffice 

 to know that the ten branches and twelve sterns run through the Chinese chronology, divination, 

 geomancy, etc. The explication of the geomantic rules observed in building houses, graves, 

 bridges, etc, would fill a book which would be, at least, thrice the size of the present work. 



P. 21, 1. 10. — //Sun, moon, mountains and streams", means the Empire (mountains and 

 streams) of the Ming-dynasty (sun-moon). (Compare p. 35, note 4.) 



P. 23, note 1. — Dragons, tigers, tortoises and snakes are the common symbolical animals 

 on Chinese flags, etc. 



P. 24, note 8. — We go t this prophecy with its explication from our old Chinese friend and 

 teacher in Amoy, Ang-sien-si (££ -^ ^). well known to Chinese students residing in that 

 place, and better still as the scholaT by whose valuable aid the excellent Bible-translation of 

 Rev. J. Stronach was effected. 



A great number of the prophecies concerning the future of the Chinese Empire are 

 found in the book named //Drawings made back to back" (^ ^ |g| J, This book, of 

 which only manuscript copies exist, and the j)ossession of which is punished, now, by 

 death, which makes it exceedingly difficult, nay, impossible to get a copy of it, was 

 made by Yuen-tJdan-Jcung (^ ^ j^ ) and IA-slmn-fung Idf5 ^ JÜL)t two officers of the 

 Emperor Thai-tsung of the :Z/tay-dynasty (627 — 649). The future of China is written in it 

 under allegorical and prophetical drawings. The name was given to it because these two 

 men sat down with their backs turned to each other, whilst composing their drawings. Af- 

 ter they had each finished a dra win g they showed it to each other, and when they were 

 alike they preserved them. 



P. 31, 1. 3. — That this is the right interpretation of these four characters appears from four 

 lines of poetry, found loose in the handbook, running thus: 



^ M: JÉ. Heaven's name is flourishing. 



^Jt M: [f£ Earth's name is prosperous. 

 B $É •$& Sun's name is grandchild. 

 Ef jj& 1^ Moon's name is Thang (China). 

 The inscription on the flags delineated on Tab. xm, fig. 1, 4, 7 & 10, on Tab. xiv, fig. 

 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, and on Tab. xv, fig. 1,2, 3, 4 & 5, running Hing-wang-hwui-shing , 

 which we have translated on pp. 36 — 40 by: „ The flourisliing league is victorious", may per- 

 haps be rendered also by: //The Heaven-Uart/i-leagne is victorious;" as liing-wang may stand 

 for tldan-ti. 



P. 110 — 111, note 1. — ^ tfjfc j|l fc. San-mei-chin-ho. San-mei, or better San-mo-ti 



(zEl |ÉË ^tll/j ' 1S * ne Chinese transcription of the sanscrit expression Samddhi, which means 

 iythe terminus of meditation", when the meditator lias lost all idea of his individuality , so 



