Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/287

 10. In this month there takes place the inauguration of spring. Three days before this ceremony, the Grand recorder informs the son of Heaven, saying, "On such and such a day is the inauguration of the spring. The energies of the season are fully seen in wood." On this the son of Heaven devotes himself to self-purification, and on the day he leads in person the three ducal ministers, his nine high ministers, the feudal princes (who are at court), and his Great officers, to meet the spring in the eastern suburb ;