[33] The use of this word casts suspicion on the authenticity of the verse where it occurs.
[34] See on this subject the truly admirable remarks of Karl Otfried Muller, in his Prolegomena zu einer Wissenschaftlichen Mythologie (Göttingen, 1825), pp. 282-284.
[35] C. C., vol. iv. p. 140.—She King, pt. i. b. 7, ode 13.
[36] C. C., vol. iv. p. 153.—She King, pt. i. b. 8, ode 4.
[37] In treating of the Sacred Books of the Confucian School in China, I rely entirely upon the admirable and (so far as it has yet gone) complete work of the Rev. Dr. James Legge. Although I have consulted other publications, I have not drawn my information from them, because it was at once evident that Dr. Legge's "Chinese Classics" was immeasurably superior to all that had preceded it on the same subject. Unfortunately, the very thoroughness of the work renders it voluminous; and it thus happens that the author has not fulfilled more than a portion of the promise held out at its commencement. It must be the earnest hope of all who are interested in these studies that the learned missionary will live to complete his design; meantime, we are obliged to confine ourselves to a notice of that portion of the Classics which he has translated. For Pauthier's French translation of the Chinese Classics (in the Panthéon Littéraire: "Les Livres Sacrés de l'Orient") embraces only that portion of the King which is to be found in the hitherto-published volumes of Dr. Legge.
[38] Of which an English translation by David Collie, entitled "The Chinese Classical Work, commonly called the Four Books," was published at Malacca in 1828.
[39] Sir J. Davis (The Chinese, ii. 48) reckons only nine King, those enumerated above. I presume that the remaining four enjoy an inferior degree of veneration.
[40] Yaou and Shun are the ideal Chinese emperors, and belong to a mythical age. Shun was not the legitimate successor of Yaou, who had raised him from poverty, and given him his two daughters in marriage. On Yaou's death, his son at first succeeded him, and Shun withdrew; but the latter was soon called to the throne by the general desire.
[41] Shoo King, b. 3, pt. iii. ch. i. pp. 6, 7.
[42] She King, i. 4. 1.