CHAP. XIX.

ACCOUNT of a Controverfial Difpute difpute which happened in CHINA.

IN

N the beginning of the reign of the great emperor Cam-hi, a mandarin of the city of Canton hearing a great noise and outcry in the houfe adjoining to that he dwelt in, fent to know if they were murdering any one; but was told that it was only a Danish almoner, a Dutch chaplain, and a Jesuit disputing together; upon which he ordered them to be brought before him, and enquired of them the occafion of their quarrel?

The Jefuit, who was the firft that spoke, said, that it was a very grievous thing to him, who was always in the right, to have to do with people who were always in the wrong; that he had at first began to reason with them with the greatest coolness; but that, at length, he could not but own his patience had left him.

The mandarin then reprefented to all three, with all imaginable candour, how neceffary it L 2

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to obferve decorum and good manners even in dif putation; he told them that no one ever gave way to heats or paffion in China, and defired to be informed of the nature of their difpute?

My lord, faid the Jefuit, I take you for judge in this affair. These two gentlemen refuse to fubmit to the decifions of the council of Trent.

I am surprised at that, replied the Mandarin. Then turning towards the two refractory parties, Gentlemen, faid he, you ought to fhew a 'deference to the opinion of a great affembly; I do not know what the council of Trent is; but a number of perfons must always have opportunities of knowing better than one fingle man. No one ought to imagine that he knows more than all others, and that reafon dwells only with him: this is the doctrine of our great Confucius; therefore, if you would take my advice, abide by what the council of Trent has decreed.

The Dane then began to speak in his turn. Your Excellence, faid he, has delivered yourfelf with great wisdom and prudence: we have all that refpect for great affemblies that we ought;

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ought; and accordingly we fübmit entirely to the opinions of feveral councils that were held at the fame time with that of Trent.

Oh! if that is the cafe, faid the Mandarin, I ask your pardon, you may doubtlefs be in the right. So then, it seems you and the Dutchman are of one opinion against the Jefuit.

Not in the leaft, anfwered the Dutchman, this man here (pointing to the Dane) entertains notions almoft as extravagant as thofe of the Jefuit, who pretends to fo much mildness before you. Sblood! there is no bearing this with patience!

I cannot conceive what you mean, said the Mandarin; are you not all three Chriftians? are you not all three come to teach the Chrif tian religion in our empire? and ought you not confequently to have all the fame tenets ?

You see how it is, my lord, faid the Jefuit: these two men here, are mortal enemies to each other; and yet both of them difpute against me; this makes it clear, that they are both in the wrong, and that reafon is on my fide.

I do not think it is fo very clear, replied the Mandarin, for it may very well happen that you are all three in the wrong. But I should be glad to hear your arguments fingly.

The Jefuit then made a long difcourfe, while the Dutchman and the Dane at every period fhrugged up their fhoulders, and the Mandarin could not make any thing of what he heard. The Dane now took the lead in his turn, while his two adverfaries looked upon him with manifeft figns of contempt; and the Mandarin, when he had finifhed, remained as wife as before. The Dutchman had the fame fuccefs. At length, they began to talk all three together, and broke out into the moft fcurrilous revilings. The honest Mandarin could hardly get in a word; at length he difmiffed them, saying, If you expect to have your doctrine tolerated here, begin by fhewing an example of it to each other.

At leaving the houfe, the Jefuit met with a Dominican miffionary, to whom he related what had paffed; and told him, that he had gained his caufe; for you may be affured, added he, that truth will always prevail. The Domini

can

can replied, Had I been there, friend, you would not fo eafily have gained your caufe; for I should have proved you to be an idolator and a liar. Upon this, there arose a violent dispute between them; and the Jefuit and the Friar went to fifty-cuffs. The Mandarin being informed of this fcandalous behaviour, ordered them both to be fent to prifon. A fub-mandarin asked his Excellence, how long he would please to have them remain in confinement? Till they are both agreed, faid the judge.. Then, my lord, anfwered the fub-mandarin, they will remain in prifon all their days. Well then, faid the Mandarin, let them ftay till they forgive one another. That they will never do, rejoined the deputy, I know them very well. Indeed! faid the Mandarin; then let it be till they appear fo to do.