Horae Sinicae: Translations from the Popular Literature of the Chinese

by Robert Morrison

HORÆ SINICÆ:

 

TRANSLATIONS

 

FROM THE

 

POPULAR LITERATURE

 

OF THE

 

Chinese.

—————

BY THE

REV. ROBERT MORRISON,

Protestant Missionary at Canton.

—————

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE BLACK AND PARRY, LEADENHALL STREET; J. BLACK,
YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN; T. WILLIAMS AND
SON, STATIONERS’ COURT; AND JOSIAH
CONDER, BUCKLERSBURY,

By C. Stower, Hackney.

———

1812.

ADVERTISEMENT.

 

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This volume contains a selection from the books which are most generally read by the people of the vast empire of China, and regarded as the elements of morals and liberal knowledge. It is presumed that such a publication will be acceptable to the British public, as contributing a portion of gratification to the attention and curiosity which have been excited, within the last twenty tears, with regard to that extraordinary nation. The interest which has been taken in the perusal of the Ta Tsing Leu Lee, translated, and so ably illustrated by Sir George Staunton, cannot fail to attach to this smaller and more humble, yet not less genuine, exhibition of the literary taste of the Chinese, and what is considered a respectable mediocrity of attainment among them. Their prevailing sentiments are here developed, in documents of unquestionable fidelity; and no inconsiderable light is thrown upon their characteristic manners, and their general tone of intellect and morals.

The translator, the Rev. Robert Morrison, is a person of established character and talents. With the benevolent design of introducing and promoting scriptural christianity among that astonishing population, which probably comprises a third of the human race, he has devoted the flower of his life; and has now spent several years, first in England with an accomplished Chinese as his tutor, and during the last five years at Macao, Canton, or other favourable situations, in the assiduous and indefatigable study of the oral and the written language of China. To his attainments, Sir George Staunton and the gentlemen of the British Factory at Canton, have, on various occasions, borne honourable testimony: and his probity, prudence, and conciliatory manners, in circumstances at all times delicate and occasionally very difficult, have procured him the esteem and confidence of his own countrymen and of the natives with whom he has had intercourse.

Among other evidences of Mr. Morrison’s integrity and circumspection, and of his extensive acquirements in the Chinese language, it is a pleasing fact that these qualifications have enabled him to render various and important services to the British agents and officers, in their transactions with a people so remarkable for their jealousy of foreigners, and want of confidence among themselves.

The principal object to which he devotes his zealous and persevering labours, is to produce a correct version of the Holy Scriptures into the Chinese language. More anxious to render his work faithful, and respectable in the eyes of the well educated Chinese, than to display rapidity of execution, he has not announced any large progress. He has published the Acts of the Apostles, from a Roman Catholic version, improved by his own careful revision; and subsequently the Gospel of Luke, the fruit of his own labour. In the same cautious manner, and constantly availing himself of the aid of a learned Chinese whom he has retained, he is proceeding to the remaining books of the New Testament.

The genuineness and authenticity of the Specimens of Chinese Literature exhibited in the following Translations, are guaranteeds by the Directors of the Missionary Society, to whom they were sent by the Translator, and with whose permission they are now published.

London, June 25, 1812.

CONTENTS.

 

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San-Tsi-King; the Three-Character Classic; on the utility and honour of learning .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		5
Ta-Hio; the Great Science .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		19
Account of Foe, the Deified Founder of a Chinese sect .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		41
Extract from the Ho-Kiang .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		53
Account of the Sect Tao-Szu .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		55
Dissuasive from feeding on Beef .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		65
Speciments of Chinese Epistolary Correspondence .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .          .		69

N. B. The brief Literary Notices, and the Notes, are by the Translator.