sides of the bridge can not be supplied unless the bridge be first finished, so the banks on both sides of the river were cut through, and a temporary bridge was built on the same level as the plane land at the foot of the bank. In order to provide for the overflow of water, some straw packages were kept near the apertures. Mr. Inoue said. to me, "Now that the bridge was swept away, by the flood, it will be foolish to build it, as the loss will become considerable, if it be swept away, the second time of inundation. Which will be the best, to build a temporary one above the banks, or as before on the level of the ground, or at an intermediate height? I wish to hear your opinion." I then divined and obtained the "Negative I" of “Sui ()," and answered :—

"Sui' is the hexagram of forming a pond on the earth, or it is an emblem of inundation. Now, the first changing it becomes Zui (),' and as 'Zui' means to follow an example, it will be best to throw one the same as before. The crossbeams may be connected with a chain and tied to the banks. Thus constructed, on removing the beams by the chain in case of inundation, the bridge will be saved from being swept away, and when the water subsides, they can very easily be rearranged.

In order to throw one above the banks, the posts must be heavier, and the whole will not bear itself against a flood. For, the change in the Negative II' is the hexagram of 'Kon. (.' It is of course well to build a strong iron bridge over the banks, as it leads to 'Kan ()' to do so, but it will not be convenient for present work, as it takes a long time to complete it."

The members of the council all agreed to "Zui” and a bridge on the level of the ground was built as before. In the next year, we found that this hexagram was not wrong.

WILL A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN BE ABLE
TO VISIT FOREIGN LANDS?

I

Late in Dec. of 1885, a Nobleman came to my mansion and we entered into an intimate conversation, till late at night, after which he said, "I have been ordered to go abroad, next spring, but as a great change is taking place in the cabinet, I am afraid that my excursion will be suspended. But I am very eagerly wishing to go, and can never be satisfied without success." answered thus, "You are thoroughly versed in Confucianism and in Buddhism, and as you are intrinsically intelligent and determined, the world is relying upon you as a hopeful government officer. But they are feeling very much distressed for you, as you have never been to Europe and America. As you are still young, the coming excursion will be productive of happiness and well-being of the whole society of this country." "Please sir," said he, "please divine whether I shall be able to go or not.' I divined and obtained the "Negative VI" of “Sui (#)."

6

"Sui' means to assemble, and it is now the time of all our foreign ministers' coming home and assembling in the cabinet. But you are now occupying the topmost position, which and the first are called occupied positions,' and are to be independent of any affair; so that you will have to go abroad. Now the change in the topmost is the 'Hi (which is the hexagram of going out; you will be sure to go abroad. The 'Negative VI' says, 'Sighs and sheds tears. Free from blame,' which is an emblem of caring for the country from outside; and as it says 'Free from blame,' nothing will happen which will trouble you both outside and inside the country."

Here, the nobleman said, "A few hours ago, I wrote to the Government and inquired of this matfer and I

shall have an answer shortly." We then went on with our conversations. After some minutes, he obtained an answer which told him that he is to go in spite of the revolutions, and that the attendants were nearly fixed upon. My friend admired the mystery very much, and said, "I know the first time that the art of divination is so exact. It indicates anything beyond the range of our imagination, and now I have no doubt as to its being an art of interviewing with the Almighty."

XLVI. SHÔ ‹ƒ To ascend).

Shô. Perfectly auspicious.

Use it

for seeing great men, and be not anxious. Lucky to undertake a southward expedition.

Exposition.

Weak elements ascend

at the proper season. Shô is weak and obedient. A strong element occupies a middle position and is in agreement [with Negative V]. Hence, "perfectly auspicious." It will be felicitous, if Shô be used for seeing great men, and if no anxiety be felt. "Lucky to undertake a southward expedition," that is, one's object will be carried out.

Interpretation.

A tree growing under ground is [the emblem of] Shô. Honourable men accordingly nourish their virtue in due order, and it becomes lofty and great by the accumulation of small things.

Negative I.

lucky.

Ascends with sincerity; exceedingly

Interpretation. "[Negative I] ascends with sincerity; exceedingly lucky"-because the superiors sympathize with him.

Positive II. If he be truthful, it will be advantageous to celebrate [Gods]. Free from blame.

Interpretation. It is happy that [Positive II] is

truthful.

Positive III. Ascends to an empty village.

Interpretation, "[Positive III] ascends to an empty village," that is, he has no misgivings.

Negative IV. The king offers sacrifices at Ki-san. (The name of a mountain, at the foot of which was the

capital of the kings of the dynasty of Shu, and where the welfare and happiness of the people are prayed for). Lucky and free from blame.

Interpretation.

"The king offers sacrifices at Ki

san "that is, he is obedient in serving [Gods].

Negative V.

stairs.

Interpretation.

Is constant and lucky, and ascends

"[Negative V] is constant and

lucky, and ascends stairs," that is, he entirely attains his

object.'

Negative VI. Ascends blindly.

be ceaselessly constant.

Interpretation. "[Negative VI]. and occupies a high position, but he rich.

Advantageous to

Ascends blindly," declines and is not