or fretful: the fecond, not to be concerned or troubled: the third, not to talk too much: these carefully observed he would in a few days be well.

While this past at the house of Shueyping-fin, the Superior of the convent had learnt from the porter Bonzee, that the youth was gone. He at firft was amazed: "The escape of this ftranger, faid he to himself, is of little confequence; were it not for the anger of Kwo-kbé-tzu: who charged me not to let him go, and made me give him in his gruel and rhubarb*, fomething

to

* Rhubart, called by the Chinese Tai-whang, or High Yellow, grows in great quantities in many parts of China. The flowers resemble bells fcolloped on the edges; they are commonly yellow, though fometimes purple. The leaves, which are not unlike our cabbage leaves, only bigger, are fomewhat rough to the touch.

The

to dispatch him. These two days past he hath been very weak, and if he had taken but one other dofe, he could not have furvived it. Had he died, no trouble would have come of it, and all had been well. Should Kwo-kbé tzu in

The infide of the root, when fresh, is whitish ; but affumes its brown colour as it dries, which is done (inter al.) by hanging it on a ftring in the air: it abates fo much of its weight, that of feven pounds green, there doth not remain above one dry. The Chinese notion of its virtues is pretty much like ours in Europe: though they feldom ufe it crude or in fubftance. It tears the bowels they say, that is, it caufes gripes: and as the Chinese for the most part had rather not be cured, than nndergo great pain in the operation, they chufe to take rhubarb in decoction with abundance of other fimples. This is what is expreffed in the Tranflator's M S. by "Rhubarb Phyfic." Moft of the Rhubarb brought into Europe, comes out of the Provinces of Shen-fi and Su-chuen, being brought by fea to Batavia, and thence to Holland; or elfe by land to Kafkar, Aftracand and Russia; or through Thibet and Perfia by Venice to Italy.

P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 13. v. 2. p. 229. Martinius, p. 44. P. Kerch, &c.

quire for him now, what could I answer? and acquaint him

To-morrow I will go,

of it myself." "How is this? faid Kwo-khe-tzu, it was but yesterday you informed me he was fo weak, that a dofe or two more would do his bufinefs and now you tell me he is escaped. I fuppofe you have received money from him to let him go."

66

No, answered the Bonzee, I could

not dare to do that." "Then it is because of his father's rank and intereft at court. Do not you know that my father is higher ftill than he." "You do me great injustice, replied the other: I am intirely ignorant how, or where he is gone. It is the intereft of our order, to procure the favour and countenance of the rich and powerful where

we

we are settled: what folly then would it be in me to run after a ftranger, whom I know nothing of, rather than serve you who are the chief in the city where I live?" "It is not my business to hear you prate, faid the enraged youth; you must answer for this neglect to the Che-bien, who committed him to your care."

When they were come before that magiftrate, the Bonzee urged in his defence, how improbable it was he should let him go, after having given him poifon to kill him. "'Tis true, faid the Che-bien, you are acquitted of neglect. But where can he be gone? Did any perfon that he knew find him. Out?" " "Truly none, anfwered the

other.

other. Indeed the fervants of Shueyping-fin inquired about him once or twice; but they never came into the convent, or were near him." The Mandarine laughed, and cried out, "Now I know where he is. This ftranger hath not one acquaintance in the city; only the other day he met with that young lady, and did her a piece of fervice. She is of an admirable disposition, and doth not forget to acknowledge it. 'Tis fhe, who hath by fome means heard of his illness, and probably fufpects the caufe; 'tis fhe that hath fecured him. If you will take my advice, addreffing himself to Kwo-kbé-tzu, go to your father-in-law's, and there you will hear of him." "What you say, replied he, is very likely;