"Positive II. The bolts securing wheels to the shaft are taken away from a carriage." "This is [a step of mean and free from blame." Means that their followers follow the example.

"Positive III. Drives a good horse. Advantageous to be hardy and constant. If he daily practices the arts of divining and guarding, it will be advantageous and agrees with positive III." That they take up that accupation, namely, clearing land, and any other profitable pursuits.

"Negative IV. [Ties] a leading-stick to a calf. Perfectly lucky." "The perfect luckiness of negative IV consists in joy." That the governors of Prefectures should indicate for them any beneficial

manners.

"Negative IV. [Manages] the fangs of a castrated swine. Lucky." "The Luckiness of Negative V consists in a bliss." That they are varying their former condition, and proceeding towards being rich and properous.

"Positive V1. How [vast] is the space of the Heaven! Auspicious." "This refers to an extensive prevalence of the moral principle." That at length our land becomes glorious, powerful, and strong.

Above is my divination as to the National Assembly. Our sagacious Government have already executed the following three measures:

1. That in the 23rd. of Meiji open the National Assembly, that is, Imperial Diet.

2. That permit to them, the military class, a loan of 80,0000 yen.

3. That secure interest for the share of several railway companies.

All of these are measures which turn the evil "Hi" and "Haku" into the happy "Taichiku.” But to make our land much more strong, powerful

and glorious, there remains a good deal of items which ought to be discharged by both our government and people.

XXIII. HAKU (To take away, to deprive).

Haku. Not advantageous to ad

vance.

Exposition.

Haku means to take

away; it being implied that the weak cause changes in the strong. "Not ad

vantageous to advance," because smallminded men prosper. [Negative VI] is obedient and is at rest, in order to observe the state of things. Honourable men attach importance to the principles of decline and prosperity, and of fulness and defectiveness, or in other words, to the course of the heaven.

Interpretation. A mountain levelled down to the ground, is [the emblem of] Haku. Superiors, accordingly, show considerations to inferiors, and make their homes secure.

Negative 1. Deprives a bed of its supports. Unlucky, if not constant.

Interpretation. "To deprive a bed of its supports," is to begin the work of distinction from below.

Negative II.

Deprives a bed of its bottom. Un

lucky, if not constant.

Interpretation. "[Negative II] deprives a bed of its bottom," because he has not yet the co-operation [of Negative III].

Negative III. Is free from blame in the time of Haku.

Interpretation. "Negative III is free from blame in the time of Haku," because he separates himself from the elements both above and below him.

Negative IV. Is about to injure his own skin after destroying a bed. Unlucky.

Interpretation. "[Negative IV] is about to injure skin after destroying a bed "—that is, a

his own

calamity is impending.

Negative V. Keeps [the negative elements together like] so many fishes arranged with a skewer passing through them, and courts favour like a courtier. Advantageous in every respect.

Interpretation. To court favour like a courtier, is sure to be in the end free from blame.

Positive VI. Is [like] a large fruit which has escaped being eaten up. An honourable man, will get a vehicle; while a small-minded man will lose his cottage. Interpretation. "An honourable man will get a vehicle "—that is, he will have people to ride on, (meaning that he will get the confidence of the people). "A small-minded man will lose his cottage "—that is, he is utterly helpless.

XXIV. FUKU (To return).

Fuku. Auspicious, Free from obstacles in going out and coming in. Friends may come without occasioning any blame. Going along a road, [Fuku] returns back in seven days. Advantageous to advance.

Exposition. Fuku is auspicious, because a strong element has returned. [The latter] moves and advances in an orderly manner; he is, therefore, "free from obstacles in going out and coming in." To complete a journey over a road back and forth in seven days, is the course of the Heaven. It is advantageous to advance, because the strong element prospers. In Fuku is seen the purpose of the heaven and the earth.

Interpretation. A thunder under the ground is [the emblem of] Fuku. Kings of old accordingly closed turnpikes at the Winter Solstice; when tradesmen do not go out, and the sovereign does not attend to the affairs of his realm.

Positive I. Returns before long. He will not come to remorse. Perfectly lucky.

Interpretation. [Positive I] returns before long, because he is virtuous.

Negative II. Returns in an admirable manner Lucky.

Interpretation. The luckiness of returning in an admirable manner, consists in [Negative II] paying court to goodness.

Negative III. Incessantly returns. Free from blame, though dangerous.

Interpretation. It is dangerous incessantly to return, but it is, from its nature, free from blame.