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Rh frequently from the decisions of the editors themselves. They drew in preparing it from 134 writers:—3 of the Chow dynasty; 10 of the Han; 1 of the Tsin; 2 of the Suy; 13 of the T&lsquo;ang; 57 of the Sung; 12 of the Yuen; and 36 of the Ming.

According to their plan, there are subjoined to the text occasionally brief notices of the different readings, the pronunciation of characters, and the matter. Then follow the Commentaries of Tso, Kung-yang, Kuh-lëang, and Hoo Gan-kwoh (, styled [ Chinese text ]), for the most part in full; but the editors sometimes take it on them to curtail or even suppress them entirely where they think them to be in error.

Hoo Gan-kwoh was a scholar and officer of the Sung dynasty (born in 1,074; died in 1,138). His commentary on our classic, in 30 Books, is not intrinsically of much value, but it was received on its publication with great applause by Kaou Tsung, the first emperor of the southern Sung dynasty; and all through the Ming dynasty its authority was supreme. It formed the standard for competitors at the literary examinations. Having given those four Commentaries, the editors draw upon their host of Authorities ([ Chinese text ]), and conclude, when they think it necessary, with their own decisions ([ Chinese text ]).

6. There was published in 1,677, at the district city of Keun-shan, department Soo-chow, Këang-soo, a large collection of Works on the Classics, under the title of ([ Chinese text ]), taken from the name of the hall or library of the gentleman to whom the books belonged. The expense of publication seems to have been borne by a Manchoo, called Nah-Ian Ch&lsquo;ing-tih, with the style of Yung-joh ([ Chinese text ], [ Chinese text ]). The Collection contains 33 Works on the Ch&lsquo;un Ts&lsquo;ëw, all but the last by writers of the Sung and Yuen dynasties. I have had the opportunity of consulting:—

[i.], 'Commentaries on the Ch&lsquo;un Ts&lsquo;ëw.' ln 15 Books; by Lew Ch&lsquo;ang ([ Chinese text ]; styled [ Chinese text ]); born 1,019, died 1,077. The author had written an earlier Work on the Ch&lsquo;un Ts&lsquo;ëw, called [ Chinese text ]. The one under notice remained in manuscript, until the publication of the Collection in which we now find it. Still there seems no doubt of its genuineness. Lew draws largely on the three early Commentaries, but decides between them according to his own judgment, having adopted, however, the praise-and-censure theory from Kung-yang and Kuh-lëang.

[ii.], 'Commentaries on the Ch&lsquo;un Ts&lsquo;ëw.' In 20 Books, by Yeh Mung-tih ([ Chinese text ]; styled [ Chinese text ], and also called ). These last two characters are generally prefixed to the title of 

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