Interpretation. [Negative III] decides his movement by observing his own nature"-that is he does not depart from the path of reason.

Negative IV. Sees the light of the country, and is advantageous to be the guest of the King.

Interpretation. That "[Negative IV] sees the light of the country," because he aspires to be the guest. Positive V. Observes his own nature. If he is an honourable man, he will be free from blame.

Interpretation. To "observe his own nature" will be [for Positive V] the same thing as to observe the people.

Positive VI.

Observes his own nature.

honourable man, he will be free from blame.

If he is an

Interpretation. [Positive VI] "observes his own nature," because he has not yet obtained the peace of mind.

EXAMELE.

EXISTENCE OR NONEXISTENCE OF DIVINERS IN
THE COUNTRY.

Mr. Koyata Torio and I was discussing the "Eki" a whole day through one day in Winter of 1885. At last, our topic was turned upon the question, "Is there any in this country who has absolutely acquired the real divine power of the 'Eki,' or not?" Mr. Torio remarked, "The extensive country and her innumerable intelligent personages, among which there must be at least one or two, most probably." I said, "I have been studying the Eki' for more than twenty years, yet my power of divine intercourse is limited in the Negative I' of Kwan ()' only, and that still very shallow too. I have, moreover, not known nor heard of any

one who can truly intercourse with the Spirit after Confucius. Perhaps, in this time of bringing mere worldly principles, there will be no true diviner." After questioning and retorting each other several times, "Rather than to waste words upon the subject, determine it through the Eki,'" he said. I then divined and obtained the "Positive VI” of “Kwan ()," and the following interpretation :—

"The 'Positive VI' is an unoccupied ultraterrestrial land. Now this 'Kwan' is one 'Great Gon' as a whole, and is a diagram of celebrating the spirit. In the examples of many hexagrams, among the six lines, the upper five are regarded as the Heaven,' and especially the topmost. Though it is said that the 'Heaven' has no change, yet man is unlike the 'Heaven' and is always subject to changes. That is to say, the 'Heaven' only is 'bright and clear'; and there is no man who can accept its order. Again the topmost is the 'Position of Heaven' in 'the Three Sequences,' but it is 'Future' in time. Hence, at present, there is no true diviner, but there will be some in future.”

Here Mr. Torio nodded and said, as you say, from the change of the Positive VI' of 'Kwan,' there is none at present who can communicate with the Spirit. Though the ‘'Eki shall not be blesphemied by repetition,' yet I think I shall try the same, too." He calculated and obtained the change of "Setsu" into "Ju," with the interpretation;-" It says 'When he does not follow moderation, he laments. Free from blame.' The seeking of a true diviner now is in vain, and is like seeking spring flowers in December, or the crop of the year in mid-summer. It is the order of the Providence and no one is to be blamed for that."

The mystery was that the two divinations led into the same result: there is no true diviner at present.

XXI. JEI-KÔ (To cram).

Jei-kô. Auspicious, and advantageous to decide cases.

Exposition. This is Jei-kô: a substance is in the mouth. It will be only

auspicious after [the substance is ground. by] drawing [the jaws] together and chewing. The strong and the weak keep distinct from each other; they are open in their movements. The thunder and the lightning meet together and are brilliant. The weak element occupies the middle position and goes up. The position is not proper, but it is advantageous to decide cases of law.

Interpretation. The thunder and the lightning are [the emblem of] Jei kô. Kings of old accordingly made punishments clean, and proclaimed laws.

Positive I. Stops the foot by using fetters. Free from evils.

Interpretation. To stop the foot by using fetters, means to prevent one from moving.

Negative II. Bites the skin and destroys the nose, and will be free from blame.

Interpretation. [Negative II] "bites the skin and destroys the nose," because he sets himself over a strong

one.

Negative III.

Musticates dried flesh, and suffers from poison; somewhat inauspicious, but free from blame.

Iuterpretation. To suffer from poison, implies that the position is not proper.

Positive IV. Musticates dried bony flesh and obtains a gold arrow. It will be advantageous to be hardy and constant, and will be lucky.

Interpretation. It will be advantageous and lucky to be hardy and constant, because this element is not yet brilliant.

Negative V.

Musticates dried flesh, and obtains gold, and will be free from blame, if he is constant and cautious.

Interpretation. [Negative V] will be free from blame, if he is constant and cautious, because [his position] is proper.

Positive VI. Bears shackles and destroys the ear. Unlucky.

Interpretation. [Positive VI] "bears shackles and destroys the ear"—that is, his sense of hearing is made dull.

H

XXII. HI (To embellish).

Hi. Auspicious; somewhat advantageous to advance.

Exposition. Hi is auspicious, because a weak element comes to embellish strong ones. It is somewhat advantageous to advance, because a strong element separates himself and goes up to embellish weak ones. Such is the celestial embellishment. To be enlightened and to be at rest, is the human embellishment. Look at the celestial embellishment and forejudge the changes of the season. Look at the human embellishment and enlighten the world.

Interpretation. A fire burning at the foot of a mountain, is [the emblem of] Hi. Honourable men accordingly conduct the administration of affairs in a proper way; and do not pronounce biased judgments on cases of law.

Positive I.

Embellishes his feet, and leaving the car

riage takes to walking.

Interpretation. "[Positive I] leaves the carriage and takes to walking," that is, he does not ride in the carriage by choise.

Negative II. Embellishes his mustache.

Interpretation. "[Negative II] embellishes his mustache," that is he wishes to raise himself under the patronage of his superiors,

Positive III. Is embellished and glossy, and will be lucky, if permanently constant.

Interpretation. [Positive III] "will be lucky, if permanently constant," for he will be eventually free from insult.

Negative IV. Is embellished yet is white. A white