China: Its History, Arts, and Literature/Volume 3/Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Note 1.—Translated by Mr. E. H. Parker.
Note 2.—Ouchterlony in his "Chinese War" describes an incident of the meeting between the Chinese and British plenipotentiaries outside the walls of Nanking after the conclusion of the peace negotiations: "Major Anstruther, of Ningpo celebrity, was introduced to Ilipu at the latter's particular desire. When in charge of the Chehkiang province, the Imperial Commissioner had shown much kindness to the gallant officer during his imprisonment. The mandarin Chu, who had on many occasions diversified his unsavoury prison fare by piquant courses from his own table, was also present, and with great cordiality greeted his old friend, who had won his heart by presents of some of his admirable sketches."
Note 3.—Translated by Mr. H. A Giles.
Note 4.—There were anchorites before the time of Laotsu. Confucius more than once condemned such a manner of searching after truth. But the promulgation of Laotsu's doctrines gave a great impetus to the habit.
Note 5.—Faber's "Mind of Mencius."
Note 6.—The six conditions of sentient existence are called the six gati, or paths of transmigration, by the Buddhists, from whom the Taoists borrowed the idea of metempsychosis and the tortures of hell. These paths are devas, men, asuras, beings in hell, pretas and animals, the three last being called the "Three States."
Note 7.—Mr. H. A. Giles remarks: "Yet this belief has not prevented the establishment, especially on the Yangtse, of institutions provided with life-boats for the express purpose of saving life in these dangerous waters. So true is it that when the Chinese people wish to move en masse in any given direction the fragile barrier of superstition is trampled down and scattered to the winds."
Note 8.—For a minute and excellent account of these things, see Smith's "Village Life in China."
Note 9.—The taking of this oath is a favourite subject with Chinese artists.
Note 10.—Vide "Triad Society," by Mr. William Stanton.
Note 11.—One of these proclamations, in which the five principal Taiping leaders have ranks bestowed on them, says (Medhurst's translation): "Besides the great God, our heavenly Father and supreme Lord, there is no one who can be called Shang and no one who can be called Ti. Therefore from henceforth all you soldiers and officers may designate me as Your lord, and that is all; you must not call me supreme lest you should encroach upon the designation of our Heavenly Father. . . . Our Heavenly Father and Celestial Elder Brother alone are holy; therefore from henceforth you must not call me holy," etc. This seems to contradict effectually the assertion of Mr. Holmes, the Baptist missionary, that the Taiping leader claimed and received worship as a god from his followers.
Note 12.—"I could not help being struck with his appearance as he went on in this earnest strain," wrote Dr. Medhurst. "Bold and fearless as he stood, openly denouncing the views of the people, his countenance beaming with intelligence, his upright and manly form the very picture of health, while his voice thrilled through the crowd, they seemed petrified with amazement: their natural conscience assured them that his testimony was true; while the conviction seemed to be strong among them that the two great objects of his denunciation—opium and idolatry—were both bad things and must be given up. He spoke an intelligible Mandarin with an occasional touch of Canton or Kwangsi brogue. His modes of illustration were peculiar, and some of the things which he advanced were not such as Christian missionaries were accustomed to bring forward. The impression left on my mind, however, was that a considerable amount of useful instruction was delivered, and such as would serve to promote the objects we had in view in putting down idolatry and furthering the worship of the true God."
Note 13.—Mr. A. Michie in "The Englishman in China."
Note 14.—The name given to a vessel partly of Chinese and partly of foreign rig. Such ships were much affected, since they could be easily worked by a Chinese crew.