LIII. ZEN To proceed).

Zen. It will be lucky for women to marry; advantageous to be constant. Exposition. Zen means to proceed. "It will be lucky for women to marry." She works her way and obtains a rightful position, and she will achieve success by advancing. Follow righteousness in proceeding, and you will be able to reform a country. The position

(the Positive V) is strong and middle. Zen is at rest and meek, and it also moves but does not get embarrassed.

Interpretation. A tree lying on a mountain is [the emblem of] Zen. Honourable men accordingly continue firm in their noble virtues and improve the manners of the people.

Negative I. Storks proceed to the edge of the water. Young ones are in danger. There will be murmurings, but free from blame.

Interpretation. There will be no cause for blame, when young ones are in danger.

Negative II. Storks proceed to a rock, and there they eat and drink, and enjoy themselves. Lucky.

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Interpretation. "They eat and drink and enjoy themselves," that is, they do not eat and drink without working for it.

Positive III. Stocks proceed to the land. A busband goes and does not come back. A woman is pregnant but is not supported. Unlucky. Advantageous to defend foes.

Interpretation. "A husband goes and does not come back," that is, he separates himself from the vulgar

mass.

"A woman is pregnant, but is not supported," because she has departed from the path of righteousness. "Advantageous to defend foes," or in other words, to keep one's place by following a moderate course. Negative IV. Storks proceed to a tree. They may get on flat branches. They will be free from blame. Interpretation. "They may get on a horizontal branch, or in other words, if they are obedient and meek.

Positive V. Storks proceed to a hill. A woman does not conceive for three years. But nothing can defeat [Positive V]; and he will be lucky.

Interpretation.

"But nothing can defeat [Positive V]; and he will be lucky," that is; he will attain his object.

Positive VI. Storks proceed to the region of clouds. Their wings may be taken for models. Lucky. Interpretation. Their wings may be taken for Lucky "-because their wings can not be

models. deranged.

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EXAMPLES.

INTERMIXTURE OF FOREIGNERS.

The good or evil of the Intermixture of Foreigners, one of the greatest questions in the Treaty Revision, was at present a matter of great dissertation. I divined for the result and obtained the "Negative 1" of "Zen

." The "Figuration" says, 'It will be lucky for women to marry; advantageous to be constant." This hexagram represents the time in which the "youngest son" marries the "eldest daughter," and the house flourishing thereby. Now, our country is grad

ually advancing like a youngest one, and though still too early to marry, but is at a time in which she is obliged to betroth. The hexagram intimates an eldest daughter inheriting the house, and putting it in order. 'Advantageous to be constant," as she is come from outside, she is not yet skilled in the household prescriptions; so that, in order to flourish the house, she must be constant and virtuous.

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The symbol is taken from the stork's proceeding on the land from the sea. The stork is a wading bird and a bird of passage, of a great size, and of pure white plumage. Its flight in flock is very regular and orderly, the younger following the older, and calling on the latter, when they are afraid of being separated from the flock, and the former decreasing their speed for the younger. The Caucasian's navigating and seeking lands are following the symbol of the stork, and their advancing in civilization and leading the younger is the time of "Zen" (to proceed gradually).

The "Negative I" says, "Storks proceed to the edge of water. Young ones are in danger. There will be murmurings, but free from blame." Now, the "edge of water" is the position which one occupies first in landing, so that this represents the time in which we opened the five ports, and allowed the foreigners to reside at convenient portions of the land. As the feelings of men are different for different races, about the intermixture of foreigners some of our common-witted people might feel an inadequate feeling and condemn the imtermixture at first; but it will be all right in the end, thus it says, 'Young ones are in danger. There will be murmurings, but free from blame.'

The "Negative II" says, "Storks proceed to a rock, and there they eat and drink and enjoy themselves. Lucky." The rock is a rather elevated ground near the shore, and this element is situated at its proper

position, and shows the intimation and conciliation of our middle class with the foreigners.

The "Interpretation" to "Positive III" says, "Storks proceed to the land. "A husband goes, and does not come back,' that is, he separates himself from the vulgar mass. 'A woman is pregnant, but is not supported,' because, she has departed from the path of righteousness. 'Advantageous to defend foes,' or in other words, to keep one's place by following a moderate course.' Now, "Positive III" is at the top of the lower complement, and is in contact with the Government officers of the 'Negative IV. As the stork is naturally a water bird, it can not rest on the dry land, and is endeavouring to mix with the Government, and interfere with the politics.

The "Positive III" is positive and honourable, while "Negative IV" is negative and obedient, so that it is the time in which the third will advance to the position of the fourth line. Thus "A husband goes and does not come back,' that is, he separates himself from the vulgar mass," which means to ascend higher from a lower position. In the position of the fourth, the number of officers can not be unlimited, and some of the present officers will be made half-pay, and will thus fulfill the duty of nurturing the people, thus, "A wife is pregnant, but is not supported." If so, although they may be serving the Government by consulting with foreigners, some slanders might follow them, so that they must be careful and keep themselves honourable. Thus, Advantageous to defend foes."

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The "Negative IV" says, "Storks proceed to a tree. They may get on flat branches. They will be free from blame." Here, the friendship will become gradually increased, the political system improved, and the foundation for maintaining the country established.

The "Positive V" says, "Storks proceed to a hill. A woman does not conceive for three years. But nothing can defeat [Positive V]; and he will be lucky.” This element represents the position of the Imperial Household. Unless the Household adjusts itself to the external circumstances of the world, it, with its grand authority, will not be able to maintain itself in independence. It is now the time of employing European and American scholars, and of improving our political administration. But as our manners and customs are different from theirs, the people will become anxious of losing their nationality. At this time, if the Imperial Household unites with the Government and adjust itself according to the opportunities, with an elevated and farseeing prospect, the political system will become tablished in four or five years, and the country will arrive at its safest position. The emblem is thus, thus the "Interpretation" says, "But nothing can defeat Positive V; and he will be lucky, that is, he will attain his object." This means that they are a little disagreed in minds. "Nothing can defeat means that it will be all right, if they do not quarrel for slight accidents.

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The "Positive VI" says, "Storks proceed to the region of clouds. Their wings may be taken for models. Lucky." During the course of six years from the first, the civilization of Europe and of America will greatly be introduced, the administration and jurisdiction will be completed, and the foreigners will come to intermingle with us in the interior of this country. This will be the wings of the country and the model. Thus the "Interpretation" says, "Their wings may be taken for models. Lucky, because their wings can not be deranged."

The "Great Interpretation" says, "A tree lying on a mountain is [the emblem of] 'Zen.' Honourable men accordingly continue firm in their noble virtues