Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/152

 1 40 CHINESE LITERATURE

literature. A year before his death he completed the Wen Hsuan, the first published collection of choice works, whole or in part, of a large number of authors. These were classified under such heads as poetry of various kinds, essays, inscriptions, memorials, funeral orations, epitaphs, and prefaces.

The idea thus started was rapidly developed, and has been continued down to modern times. Huge col- lections of works have from time to time been reprinted in uniform editions, and many books which might otherwise have perished have been preserved for grate- ful posterity. The Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms by Fa Hsien may be quoted as an example.

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