[139] Any disembodied spirit whose conduct for a certain term of years is quite satisfactory is competent to obtain this reward. Thus, instead of being born again on earth, perhaps as an animal, they become angels or good spirits, and live for ever in heaven in a state of supreme beatitude.
[return to text]
[140] Our author occasionally ends up with a remark of this kind; and these have undoubtedly had their weight with his too credulous countrymen.
[return to text]
[141] A.D. 1682.
[return to text]
[142] The usual occupation of poor scholars who are ashamed to go into trade, and who have not enterprise enough to start as doctors or fortune-tellers. Besides painting pictures and fans, and illustrating books, these men write fancy scrolls in the various ornamental styles so much prized by the Chinese; they keep accounts for people, and write or read business and private letters for the illiterate masses.
[return to text]
[143] Kuan Chung and Pao Shu are the Chinese types of friendship. They were two statesmen of considerable ability, who flourished in the seventh century B.C.
[return to footnote anchor 143]
[return to footnote anchor 655]
[144] Say about £10. See No. II., [note 42].
[return to text]
[145] The term constantly employed by Confucius to denote the man of perfect probity, learning, and refinement. The nearest, if not an exact, translation would be “gentleman.”
[return to text]
[146] Literally, “a young lady whose beauty would overthrow a kingdom,” in allusion to an old story which it is not necessary to reproduce here.
[return to text]
[147] The Lady of the Moon. See No. V., [note 49].
[return to text]
[148] See No. VIII., [note 64].
[return to text]