PENAL LAWS OF CHINA.
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Section XIX.—Offences of Astronomers[1].
All the members of the astronomical board[2] at Pekin, and other persons recognised as astronomers, or observers of the heavenly bodies, when convicted of offences punishable with temporary or perpetual banishment, shall only suffer 100 blows, and redeem themselves from further punishment by the payment of the customary fine; by which indulgence they are enabled to return to their profession.
Nevertheless, this regulation shall not extend to any persons who are under sentence of banishment for treason or rebellion; for poisoning, murdering, wounding, robbing, stealing, killing by magic, for any such offences as may subject the party to the punishment of being branded.
Two clauses.
- ↑ This designation must of course be understood in a qualified sense, adapted to the low state of the science at present in China, owing to the ignorance and superstition of its professors, and the neglect or indifference of the government towards it. Still, however, this section of the laws, containing an exception expressly in favour of astronomers, and for securing to the state the benefit of their labours, is an honourable tribute to the excellence and utility of the science, and a proof that its cultivation is still considered in China an object of national importance.—It is also to be observed, that under the patronage of the enlightened Emperor Kang-hee the European missionaries at Pekin printed and published in the Chinese character several useful works connected with this science, some of which, particularly a beautiful edition of a table of logarithms, are at present in the library of the Royal Society.
- ↑ According to the Chinese imperial kalendar, this board, usually termed by the missionaries the Tribunal of Mathematics, consists of seven members, among whom three are Europeans, and the rest Tartars or Chinese, including the president, who is always a prince of the blood. There are also other boards or departments subordinate to the principal one, consisting, according to the kalendar, of seventy-five persons in the whole, all of whom are, either Tartars or Chinese; but although the names of only three of the missionaries appear on the official list, all those who are retained in the service of the Emperor at Pekin, are employed according to their capacities, and are decorated with the buttons denoting official rank.
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