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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
801


composed for her amusement, by throwing them from a lofty balcony.

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All fell fluttering to the ground excepft two, by Sung Chih*wSn and ShSn Gh*iian-ch4; but after a while that by the latter poet went to join those down below. Sung's poem was found to end with the two following lines:

Ah, giieve not that the moon has dimmed her light; Her place is taken by the Pearl of Night!

alluding of course to the presence of Chao Jung.

Wan Kuang-t*ai ^ 5fe ^ (T. H ^ . H. ;(55 J^ ). Graduated 2120 in A.D. 1736. Author of the f^^f^f^i ^ work containing details of families mentioned in the History of the N, Wei Dynasty^ and of a collection of poems published under the title of ^ J^

Wan Pao-Ch^ang :j^ ^ '^. 6th cent. A.D. A famous musician, 2121 whose skill was such that after a banquet he would often delight the* guests by playing with his chopsticks upon the dishes and bowls in which their food had been served. Author of the ^ |^ . Wan Ssu-ta ij^^^^ (T. %^). k.D. 1632-1683. A natiye 2122 of Chehkiang, distinguished as a critic and writer on classical and hisfbrical subjects. His edition of the Spring and Autumn Annals was unfortunately destroyed by fire. He set to work to replace the manuscript, and had made great progress with the work when he died. It was completed by his son. Wan Ching.

WanS8U-t*ung H^^ (T. ^^). A.D. 1642-1702. A 2123 native of Chehkiang, of precocious talent, who devoted his energies to the study of history, especially that of the Ming dynasty. In 1679 he was employed in Peking as a private assistant on the historical commission. Every point was submitted to him, his marvellous memory supplying exact references. He was the owner of a large library, and wrote several historical and biographical works. He was known to his pupils as the ^ ^ ^ ^ ,