to his mother, they permitted him to proceed. While journeying, he was too poor to procure any food beyond the bare necessaries of life; and because he could not provide comforts and delicacies for his mother, he was grieved as if it had been his fault. He went and hired himself to labor; with the greatest diligence he adhered to his purpose to sustain his mother; and soon the stranger obtained an abundance of food and clothing. His success caused his mother to rejoice, and they were both delighted, she forgetting her former hardships in the joy that filled her bosom."

In the Han dynasty lived Hwang Heäng, who, when only nine years old, lost his mother, whom he loved so ardently and remembered so strongly that all the villagers praised his filial duty. He was employed in the severest toil, and served his father with entire obedience.

"When the heat of summer made it difficult to sleep quietly, the lad knew what would be for the comfort of his venerated parent. Taking a fan, he slowly waved it about the silken curtains, and the cool air expanding, enveloped and filled the pillows and bed. In winter, when the snow threatened to crush in the roof, and the fierce wind shook the fences, and the cold penetrated to the bones, making it hazardous to unloose the girdle, then Heäng warmed his father's bed, that he might not fear, because of the cold, to enter the 'place of dreams.'"

During the Han dynasty lived Ting-Lan, whose parents both died when he was young, before he could obey

and support them; and he reflected that for all the trouble and anxiety he had caused them, no recompense had yet been given. He then carved wooden images of his parents, and served them as if they had been alive.

"He remembers his parents, but cannot see them; he carved wood to represent their persons. He believes that their spirits are now the same as when they were alive, and his guileless heart trusts that their manes have entered the carved images. He cannot rest until he has made their statues, so strong is his desire to nourish and reverence them. He now reveres them, although dead, as if they were alive; and hopes that they will condescend to inhabit his ancestral hall."

During the Han dynasty lived Tsae Shun, whose father died when he was young, and who served his mother very dutifully. It happened that, during the troubles of the times, when Wang-mang was plotting to usurp the throne, there were years of scarcity, in which he could not procure food, and Tsae was compelled to gather mulberries, which he assorted, putting them into two vessels.

"Anxious and fearful, he seeks for food; unremitting in his exertions, he takes up his baskets, and wends his way to the distant forest, and penetrated into the thicket, where he finds many, mulberry trees. His hunger now has something to satisfy its cravings; he also remembers his mother, and that he must carry some to her. The ripe and unripe berries he does not put together, but divides them, so that mother and son can each have

their proper portion. The chieftain heard of his conduct, and highly praised him, conferring a gift upon him, and speaking of his filial piety to all around. Taking up his rice and flesh, Tsae returned home to his mother with the provision; and in joy, they even forgot that the year was one of dearth.”

During the Tsin dynasty lived Wang Tseäng, who early lost his mother, and his stepmother, Choo, had no affection for him. His mother was in the habit of eating fresh fish at her meals, but winter coming, the ice bound up the rivers.

"The river is firmly bound up by ice, and the fish are hidden in their deep retreats. Perturbed and anxious, Wang goes out to seek the fish, apparently forgetting that it was winter. His determination is irrevocable, and although it is at the risk of his life, he will go. He was not dismayed at the coldness of the snow, nor terrified at the fierceness of the winds. Even the wicked spirits were intimidated from injuring him, and durst not molest him. If metals and stones can be opened, shall ice be considered too difficult to rive? The frisking fish came upon the surface of the water, obedient to the hand of him who would take them out. A thousand ages cannot efface [the remembrance of] the crack in the ice, nor obliterate the fragrant traces of so worthy an action.”

In the Sung dynasty lived Choo Showchang, whose mother Lew, when he was seven years of age, because

she was hated by his father's wife, left the family; and mother and son did not see each other for about fifty years.

"Thus Choo exclaimed: 'I have a mother, but alas! separated, we abide in different villages. It was not the free will of my mother which led her thus to forsake her son, but the envious mistress compelled her to go. Without a mother, on whom shall I rely, and to whom pour out my sorrows and cares? Now I am grown older, and have become an officer, but as yet I have not been able to recompense the kindness of my parent. In what place among all the countries under heaven, does she live? I am determined to resign my office, and seek her abode, not deterred at the trouble of the search. To effect it, I will part from my family, and no longer be a companion with them. I will not return till I find my mother, and they need not wait in expectation of me!' Heaven directed his way, and he came into Tung-chow, where she resided. When the mother and son met each other, joy and grief together arose; for they had been separated for fifty years, mourning because they were so far apart. But now in one hour, all their long accumulated griefs were disburthened, and joy and gladness filled their hearts. Choo possesses the true heavenly disposition, and honors and riches cannot destroy his affection for his mother. He is more worthy of being praised than Wang-ling or Hwân-heaou.”

In the reign of Yuen-yew of the Sung dynasty, HwangTing-keen filled the office of prefect. He was of a very dutiful disposition, and although he was honorable and

renowned, yet he received his mother's commands with the utmost deference.

"Well written poetry flows along like rills meandering among the hills and valleys! This instance of a filial heart has not yet been brought into much notice. Daily he washed his parents' furniture; and both she who dwelt in the curtained room, (his mother) and he who remained in the hall, (his father) strove to express the merits of their son. It would be difficult to find another child that would have done so; all would be dilatory and unwilling, and where shall we meet another who would perform such drudgery themselves with alacrity and pleasure? Although elevated to an honorable position, he does not hesitate to perform those troublesome and minute duties, for he loves his parents: how can we suppose that he will change from what he was when young and unhonored!"