their proper portion. The chieftain heard of his conduct, and highly praised him, conferring a gift upon him, and speaking of his filial piety to all around. Taking up his rice and flesh, Tsae returned home to his mother with the provision; and in joy, they even forgot that the year was one of dearth.”

During the Tsin dynasty lived Wang Tseäng, who early lost his mother, and his stepmother, Choo, had no affection for him. His mother was in the habit of eating fresh fish at her meals, but winter coming, the ice bound up the rivers.

"The river is firmly bound up by ice, and the fish are hidden in their deep retreats. Perturbed and anxious, Wang goes out to seek the fish, apparently forgetting that it was winter. His determination is irrevocable, and although it is at the risk of his life, he will go. He was not dismayed at the coldness of the snow, nor terrified at the fierceness of the winds. Even the wicked spirits were intimidated from injuring him, and durst not molest him. If metals and stones, can be opened, shall ice be considered too difficult to rive? The frisking fish came upon the surface of the water, obedient to the hand of him who would take them out. A thousand ages cannot efface [the remembrance of] the crack in the ice, nor obliterate the fragrant traces of so worthy an action."

In the Sung dynasty lived Choo Showchang, whose mother Lew, when he was seven years of age, because

she was hated by his father's wife, left the family; and mother and son did not see each other for about fifty years.

"Thus Choo exclaimed: 'I have a mother, but alas! separated, we abide in different villages. It was not the free will of my mother which led her thus to forsake her son, but the envious mistress compelled her to go. Without a mother, on whom shall I rely, and to whom pour out my sorrows and cares? Now I am grown older, and have become an officer, but as yet I have not been able to recompense the kindness of my parent. In what place among all the countries under heaven, does she live? I am determined to resign my office, and seek her abode, not deterred at the trouble of the search. To effect it, I will part from my family, and no longer be a companion with them. I will not return till I find my mother, and they need not wait in expectation of me!' Heaven directed his way, and he came into Tung-chow, where she resided. When the mother and son met each other, joy and grief together arose; for they had been separated for fifty years, mourning because they were so far apart. But now in one hour, all their long accumulated griefs were disburthened, and joy and gladness filled their hearts. Choo possesses the true heavenly disposition, and honors and riches cannot destroy his affection for his mother. He is more worthy of being praised than Wang-ling or Hwân-heaou."

In the reign of Yuen-yew of the Sung dynasty, HwangTing-keen filled the office of prefect. He was of a very dutiful disposition, and although he was honorable and

renowned, yet he received his mother's commands with the utmost deference.

"Well written poetry flows along like rills meandering among the hills and valleys! This instance of a filial heart has not yet been brought into much notice. Daily he washed his parents' furniture; and both she who dwelt in the curtained room, (his mother) and he who remained in the hall, (his father) strove to express the merits of their son. It would be difficult to find another child that would have done so; all would be dilatory and unwilling, and where shall we meet another who would perform such drudgery themselves with alacrity and pleasure? Although elevated to an honorable position, he does not hesitate to perform those troublesome and minute duties, for he loves his parents: how can we suppose that he will change from what he was when young and unhonored!"

CHINESE MORAL MAXIMS.*

Though the good man be plunged in want, his virtue still remains to him.

The poverty of others is not to be ridiculed, for the decrees of destiny are in the end equal; nor are the infirmities of age a fit subject for laughter, since they must at last be the portion of us all.

Though the white gem be cast into the dirt, its purity cannot be (lastingly) sullied; though the good man live in a vile place, his heart cannot be depraved.

If you do not entreat their assistance, all men will ap、 pear good natured; if you do not want to drink, it makes little difference whether the wine be dear or cheap.

It is not easy to stop the fire, when the water is at a far distance: friends at hand are better than relatives afar off.

There are only three great rules to be observed by those who hold public situations, viz: To be upright, to be circumspect, to be diligent. Those who know these three rules, know that by which they will insure their own safety in office.

* Taken from a work compiled by John Francis Davis, F.R.S., China, 1823.

A man's prosperous or declining condition, may be gathered from the proportion of his waking to his sleeping hours. Unsullied poverty is always happy, while impure wealth brings with it many sorrows.

The fame of men's good actions seldom goes beyond their own doors; but their evil deeds are carried to a thousand miles' distance.*

The sincerity of him who assents to everything must be small; and he who praises you inordinately to your face must be altogether false.

Petty distinctions are injurious to rectitude; quibbling words violate right reason.

Though powerful medicines be nauseous to the taste, they are good for the disease; though candid advice be unpleasant to the ear, it is profitable for the conduct.

To show compassion toward the people by remitting the severity of the taxes, is the virtue of the prince; and to offer up their possessions, sinking their private views in regard for the public, is the duty of the people.

The advantages of wise institutions can be sought for only in an inflexible observance of them.

If a man does not receive guests at home, he will meet with very few hosts abroad.

There are plenty of acquaintances in the world, but very few real friends.

The evidence of others is not comparable to personal experience; nor is "I heard," so good as "I saw."

We should make it the business of our lives to control

"The evil which men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones."

-Shakspeare.