16. When any of the ruler's kindred were guilty
of offences, notwithstanding their kinship, they were
not allowed to transgress with impunity, but the
proper officers had their methods of dealing with
them:—this showed the regard cherished for the
people. That the offender was punished in secret[1],
and not associated with common people, showed
(the ruler's) concern for his brethren. That he
offered no condolence, wore no mourning, and wailed
for the criminal in the temple of a different surname,
showed how he kept aloof from him as having
disgraced their ancestors. That he wore white, occupied
a chamber outside, and did not listen to music,
was a private mourning for him, and showed how
the feeling of kinship was not extinguished. That
one of the rulers kindred was not subjected to
castration, showed how he shrank from cutting off
the perpetuation of their family.
17. When the son of Heaven was about to visit the college, the drum was beaten at early dawn to arouse all (the students). When all were come together, the son of Heaven then arrived and ordered the proper officers to discharge their business, proceeding in the regular order, and sacrificing
to the former masters and former sages. When
- ↑ This refers to the statement in paragraph 8, that members of the ruler's kindred, instead of being executed or exposed in the court or market-place, were handed over to be dealt with in the country, by the foresters' department. On that department and the duties and members of it, see the Kâu Lî, Book I, 11; IV, 64-69.
next. Some of the critics endeavour very ingeniously to account for its having been designedly placed where it stands.
