Indeed, it appears
from a small treatise, written in China more than a hundred years before
M. Polo, that at the time the Chinese author wrote, all devout men,
entering a temple, used to perform the K'ow-ch'i, and considered it an
expression of veneration and devotion to the idols. Thus this custom had
been preserved to the time of M. Polo, who did not fail to mention this
strange peculiarity in the exterior observances of the Chinese. As regards
the present time it seems to me, that this custom is not known among the
people, and even with respect to the Taouists it is only performed on
certain occasions, and not in all Taouist temples." (Palladius, pp.
53-54.) - H. C.]
NOTE 4. - "True politeness cannot of course be taught by rules merely, but
a great degree of urbanity and kindness is everywhere shown, whether owing
to the naturally placable disposition of the people, or to the effects of
their early instruction in the forms of politeness." (Mid. Kingdom, II.
68.) As regards the "ornate style of speech," a well-bred Chinaman never
says I or You, but for the former "the little person," "the disciple,"
"the inferior," and so on; and for the latter, "the learned man," "the
master," or even "the emperor." These phrases, however, are not confined
to China, most of them having exact parallels in Hindustani courtesy. On
this subject and the courteous disposition of the Chinese, see Fontaney,
in Lett. Edif. VII. 287 seqq.; also XI. 287 seqq.; Semedo, 36;
Lecomte, II. 48 seqq. There are, however, strong differences of opinion
expressed on this subject; there is, apparently, much more genuine
courtesy in the north than in the south.
NOTE 5. - "Filial piety is the fundamental principle of the Chinese
polity." (Amiot, V. 129.) "In cases of extreme unfilial conduct, parents
sometimes accuse their children before the magistrate, and demand his
official aid in controlling or punishing them; but such instances are
comparatively rare.... If the parent require his son to be publicly
whipped by the command of the magistrate, the latter is obliged to order
the infliction of the whipping.... If after punishment the son remain
undutiful and disobedient, and his parents demand it at the hands of the
magistrate, the latter must, with the consent of the maternal uncles of
the son, cause him to be taken out to the high wall in front of the yamun,
and have him there publicly whipped to death." (Doolittle, 102-103.)
NOTE 6. - [Mr. Rockhill writes to me that pocket-spitoons are still used in
China. - H. C.]
[1] "In the worship carried on here the Emperor acts as a high priest. HE
only worships; and no subject, however high in rank, can join in the
adoration." (Lockhart.) The actual temple dates from 1420-1430; but
the Institution is very ancient, and I think there is evidence that
such a structure existed under the Mongols, probably only restored
by the Ming. [It was built during the 18th year of the reign of the
third Ming Emperor Yung Loh (1403-1425); it was entirely restored
during the 18th year of K'ien Lung; it was struck by lightning and
burnt down in 1889; it is being re-built. - H. C.]
[2] In 1871 I saw in Bond Street an exhibition of (so-called) "spirit"
drawings, i.e. drawings alleged to be executed by a "medium" under
extraneous and invisible guidance. A number of these extraordinary
productions (for extraordinary they were undoubtedly) professed to
represent the "Spiritual Flowers" of such and such persons; and the
explanation of this as presented in the catalogue was in substance
exactly that given in the text. It is highly improbable that the
artist had any cognizance of Schott's Essay, and the coincidence was
assuredly very striking.
END OF VOL I.
[Illustration: MARCO POLO'S ITINERARIES No. IV
(Book I, Chapter 36 to end & chief part of Book II.)]
[Illustration: PLAN OF SHANGTU
From an Eye Sketch by Dr. S W Bushell 1872]
[Illustration: Archway erected under the Mongol Dynasty at Kiu Yung Kwan,
N.W. of Peking.[1]]
[1] On the walls of this archway is engraved the inscription in six
characters, of which a representation accompanies ch. xv. of Prologue,
note 1.
End of The Travels of Marco Polo Volume 1 - by Marco Polo and Rustichello of Pisa
