Rev. Evan Morgan's Delightful ~Lecture at Royal Asiatic To members of the Royal Asiatic Society on Thursday the Rev. Evan Morgan delivered a most: nteresting paper on the 12th essay, of Huai Nan-tzu, the philosopher of the principality south of the Huai. His lecture was full of the aphorisms contained in these w ings, a few of which will be found below, The times, Mr. Evan Morgan said, were turbulent: intrigue, murder, massacre and usurpation of power were rife. Such conditions must have affected the sensi tive temperament of Liu An, the author of this book, and led him to examine a philosophy of life. Literature had fallen into decay, the spirit of militarism pervaded the country. Liu An had imbibed the teaching of Kuan Tzu and had consolation in the philosophy of Lao Jan. His wife had a very rare book called the Tao Te Ching—her book of devotions. Both she and her husband found in this the rule of life. It contained the best answer to the great quest of life. Liu An tested the truth of the sententious sayings by an examination of history and found that they held good in practical experience. Conformity to the Tao ensured success. The work of the Sages was artificial and therefore to be abandoned. The historical examples too helped us to understand the Taoist terminology—such phrases as non-action, non-knowledge.
Wispom or THE Aces.
The Essay opens with an inquiry as, to the meaning of the Tao, and the illustrative historical episodes deal with such things as a case of conscience. Intention is the criterion, multiplicity of laws useless. The ruler must be guided by first principles. The art of education is to teach how to see. Then there is advice to the avarice ious profiteer. True self-interest. Character, not heredity, is the essential. The inspired man the discerning man.
How to main- the tain the fruits of victory—not by the mailed fist. Not might but right. The King is the coming man. Militarism is baneful. The saviour of his country. Moral strength by the conquest of desire. Knowledge of the art of government insufficient. The Tao in books has lost its bloom. A wily old diplomat. The fish should not leave its pool. Tradition is no law of life. Conserve and concentrate your mind. Another case of Alfred and the cakes.
THieves, Wives aNp Kines.
Sportsmanship is" of the essence of the Tao. A word to horse-buyers. Sympathy, not brute force, the true art of governmen, Neces sity knows no law. Room for
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.