Page:Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion volume 1.djvu/359

 during his lifetime by more than forty years of study and exercise. The books were brought. The Emperor purified himself and fasted three days; on the fourth day at sunrise he appeared in imperial array with the book of the new laws; this was laid upon the altar, offerings were presented, and thanks given to Heaven for the book. Upon this the laws were proclaimed, and, to the supreme astonishment and satisfaction of the people, it turned out that they were absolutely the same as the former ones. It is generally the case that at a change of dynasty the old laws remain in force with but little alteration. The second book was not opened, but the general was sent with it to a mountain, in order to promulgate it to the Sh&#259;n, and to impart the commands of the Emperor to them. In this book their installation and degradation were contained. The story goes on to say that the general had called the Sh&#259;n together on the mountain; this mountain lay in the region which was the original home of the new dynasty. The departed had assembled themselves on the mountain in accordance with the higher or lower rank which they held, while the general sat upon a throne in the midst of them, which had been erected for this purpose. He was splendidly attired and decorated with the eight Kua; the imperial standard and the sceptre, the staff of command over the Sh&#259;n, lay upon an altar before him, and likewise the diploma of the sage who thereby authorised the general to make known the new commands to the Sh&#259;n. The general read the diploma; the Sh&#259;n who had ruled