CHAPTER XII.

POLITE LITERATURE OF THE CHINESE, 674-723

Character of Chinese Ornamental Literature, 674; Works on Chinese History, 675; Historical Novels, 677; The ‘Antiquarian Researches’ of Ma Twan-lin, 681; Philosophical Works: Chu Hí on the _Primum Mobile_, 683; Military, Legal, and Agricultural Writings, 686; The _Shing Yu_, or ‘Sacred Commands’ of Kanghí, 687; Works on Art, Science, and Encyclopædias, 692; Character and Examples of Chinese Fiction, 693; Poetry: The Story of Lí Tai-peh, 696; Modern Songs and Extempore Verses, 704; Dramatic Literature, burlettas, 714; ‘The Mender of Cracked Chinaware’--a Farce, 715; Deficiencies and limits of Chinese literature, 719; Collection of Chinese Proverbs, 720.