Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/74

 66 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

and state the case, and beseech his help to capture the offender. When he is caught, theatrii als are given in his honor, or a large tablet presented to the temple."

" Mr. Hwang, of Ta-Shin hsien, was an overseer of the scholars of a i district. He and his wife were very virtuous and delighted in doinLj good works. During his term of office he had cut several sets of blocks of good books, and printed several thousand copies and distributed them gratuitously. Mrs. Hwang had the blocks of the Yii-li cut ; she had a large Dumber printed and gave them away. She also bought and set at liberty several thousands of birds and fishes. They had five sons, and all of them, during the reign of the Emperor K'ang Shi (a. d. 1662-1723), attained high honors as civil and military mandarins."

In regard to this latter extract Mr. Clarke observes that the scholars of every city are under the charge of an overseer, by which means concen- trated opposition can be brought against Christian missionary effort. " In many parts of China the virtuous people have what is called a Fang Sen Hwie, /. e. a 'Society for Liberating Life.' It is believed that animals, birds, fishes, and insects are possessed by some one's spirit ; if their death is prevented, the spirit obtains some mitigation of the pains of hell ; there- fore much merit is obtained by setting at liberty living creatures. A meet- ing of the members is convened every year. If near the water, as at Ta-li fu, they have a picnic on the water, and fishermen do a good trade by selling live fish cheaply, and their purchasers throw them into the lake. Sometimes sparrows are bought, but I have never heard of an ox or horse being bought for this purpose. First, it would be too dear, and, secondly, it would soon be recaptured. It can be seen that the Chinese believe that distribution of relief during a time of famine is reckoned a meritorious act."

Extracts from the Yu-li or Precious Records (continued from No. xliii.) : —

Reward for Preventing Suicide. (No. 6.) — " Mr. Tai Shung, M. A., of Fuh Liang, lived in a room near a stream. One night he heard a spirit say near his window, 'To-morrow a woman is coming to drown herself, and I shall thereby secure a substitute.' Tai kept watch, and saw a woman come to the stream. She was weeping bitterly, and her hair was hanging about her shoulders. He asked her : ' What is the cause of your sorrow ? ' She replied : ' I am in great trouble. My husband is a notable gambler and a drunkard, our house is bare, and he proposes to sell me to a life of shame. I am well connected, and rather than disgrace my family I will drown myself.' Hedissuadedherfromherpurpo.se and invited her into is house. Within a short time her husband arrived, and upon seeing her used very abusive language. Tai reasoned with him, and said : " If you are really so very poor, do not sell your wife, I will lend you some money.' husband and wife burst into tears, accepted the offer, and returned to their home. The same night Mr. Tai heard some strange sounds. A voice said : ' Curses be upon you for spoiling my chance ; ' whilst another

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