Book XIV.
Chap. 8, & 9.speculative life, and endow them with immense revenues. These men, who live in the midst of a plenty which they know not how to enjoy, are in the right to give their superfluities away to the common people. The poor are berest of property; and these men indemnify them by supporting them in idleness, so as to make them even grow fond of their misery.
CHAP. VIII.
An excellent Custom of China.
THE historical relations[1] of China mention a ceremony[2] of opening the grounds, which the emperor performs every year. The design of this public and solemn act is to excite[3] the people to tillage.
Farther, the emperor is informed every year of the husbandman who has distinguished himself most in his profession; and he makes him a Mandarin of the eighth order.
Among the ancient Persians[4] the kings quitted their grandeur and pomp on the eighth day of the month called Chorrem-ruz to eat with the husbandmen. These institutions were admirably well calculated for the encouragement of agriculture.
- ↑ Father Du Halde, history of China, Tom. 2. p.72.
- ↑ Several of the kings of India do the same; relation of the kingdom of Siam by La Loubere, p. 69.
- ↑ Venty, the 3d emperor of the 3d dynasty, tilled the lands himself, and made the empress and his wives employ their time in the silk-works in his palace. History of China.
- ↑ Hyde religion of the Persians.
