Page:Essays on the Chinese Language (1889).djvu/170

156, though chien (箭)-tao arrow way, is perhaps used more commonly. This latter, however, is also used for an archery course generally, and another name for the same is hou (侯)-tao, a shooting course. A jetty or landing-place is also often called a ma-tao, and the name is extended to a mart or trading centre; for these latter, however, ma-t'ou (馬頭) is a more correct expression. There are generally three parallel walks or passages in Chinese imperial and official premises. Of these, the middle one is always the chief, and is called the chung (中)-tao, or middle way, This in imperial premises is reserved for the use of the emperor, and hence chung-tao comes to mean Imperial road, the Emperor's passage. Another term which also means middle or imperial way is yung (甬)-tao, but this is extended also to the raised walk which in a mandarin's yamen leads from the great outer gate to the middle of the principal hall. The paths reserved for the emperor are also called yü (御)-tao, yü being a term applied to all things imperial. In old times a course was reserved for the emperor to ride or drive in at or near the capital, and it was kept clean and clear except in bad years. This course was called ch'ih (馳)-tao, or "riding road;" and the ch'ih-tao of Ch'in Shi Huang Ti was famous for its length. The term, however, is now used simply as equivalent to chung-tao, and signifies the t'ien-tzŭ-tao or Emperor's way; and it is also sometimes used in a sense still less restricted to denote a post-road. Again, the term lien (輦)-tao denotes certain walks or passages within the palace inclosures, which are supposed to be carriage roads. When the emperor goes to his harem or other place of amusement, he is, according to some accounts, conveyed along these in a sort of perambulator drawn by his eunuchs. This name was, however, early transferred to the heavenly regions, and accordingly lien-tao became the designation of a cluster of stars at the "east foot" of the constellation Lyra, one function of which is to preside over the festivities of the Chinese emperor. A ch'ing (淸)-tao is a clear route, that is, one free from people, as when the emperor and certain high officials are passing. The routes prescribed for tribute bearers going to the capital and returning