13S 



Trie Liquor Question. 



Another account goes back to 2154 B. C, in the reign of Chung- 

 K'ang: " He and Ho had neglected the duties of their office, and were 

 sunk in wine in their private cities, and the prince of Yin received the 

 imperial charge to go and punish them." He and Ho were ministers 

 of the board of astronomy, but through their licentious indulgences 

 unfitted themselves for their duties, and, in consequence, the people, 

 dependent on them for knowledge of the times and seasons, received 

 no light and guidance. An eclipse comes on them unawares, and the 

 astronomers are too much intoxicated to notice it. The prince of Yin 

 assembles his troops and delivers an address to them, in the course of 

 which he says: "Now, here are He and Ho. They have entirely sub- 

 verted their virtue, and are sunk and lost in wine. They have violated 

 the duties of their office, and left their posts. They have been the 

 first to allow the regulations of Heaven to get into disorder, putting 

 far from them their proper business. On the first day of the last 

 month of autumn, the sun and moon did not meet harmoniously in 

 Fang. The blind musicians beat their drums; the inferior officers and 

 common people bustled and ran about. He and Ho, however, as if 

 they were mere personators of the dead in their offices, heard nothing 

 and knew nothing; so stupidly went they astray from their duty in the 

 matter of the heavenly appearances, and rendering themselves liable 

 to the death appointed by the former kings." 



Again, 1122 B. C. The Emperor Chow becomes dissolute, " being 

 lost and maddened with wine." His pernicious example is so generally 

 followed that the viscount of Wei finds it impossible to rule in his 

 principality. He seeks the grand and junior tutors, and inquires 

 what can be done. They give him no help. The dynasty is too cor- 

 rupt to be changed, and nothing but its overthrow can be looked for. 

 The account proceeds: "King's son, heaven in anger is sending down 

 calamities, and wasting the country of Yin. Thence has come about 

 that lost and maddened condition through wine. He has no reverence 

 for things which he ought to reverence, but does despite to the aged 

 elder, the old official fathers." 



In the " She-King " are many allusions to the habits of the people. 

 The custom of drinking healths about 1496 B. C. is thus described : 



" In the tenth month they sweep their stack-sites, 

 The two bottles of wine are enjoyed, 

 And they say, let ns kill our lambs and sheep, 

 And go to the wall of our prince, 



And wish him long life, that he may live forever." 



