( 40 ? ) 
unreafonable to regard as Nonfenfe, and rejed fuchas 
we underftand not, purely becaufe we do not under* 
ftand them. 
And indeed when we clofely examine the twenty- 
two Letters in queftion, we perceive in feveral of 
them fomewhat very myfterious, which the^ Chlnefe 
themfelves prefent us with without underftanding them. 
For Example, ( 12 ,) 7^, the firftofthe HouT-LetterSy , 
fignifies with the Chlnefe both the Moment of Mid- 
night and a tender Babe juft born (wrapt up in his 
Baby-Cloaths. ) O//, the feventh of the Hour-Let- 
ters^ fignifies the Moment of Noon, and a Man 
lifted on a Crofs. This Letter fignifies Noon, accord- 
ing to the Primitive Meaning, which ftill fubfifts with- 
out ever having been difufed. It alfo fignifies a Man 
lifted on a Crofs, as is evident to the Eye of any Per- 
fon, who has the firft Tincture of the Charafters. 1 
know fome Difficulty may be raifed on this Point,, but 
it ffiall be refolved in its proper Place. 
Where have this People got fuch Ideas > They are 
incomprehenfible to them at prefent, and yet (it is 
ftrange) they preferve them precioufly, and ufe their 
utmoft Endeavours to find out theSenfe of them,, but 
.to no Purpofe. 
That ffe fignifies both Midnight and an In- 
fant juft come to the World y that Ou marks 
Noon and a Man lifted on a Crofs, are Fafts cited as> 
they are found in the Vocabularies, without 
Comments, Conjeftures, or any other of ones private 
Thoughts; which ffiould be the more furprifing to the- 
Reader. 
It 
