The Chinese National Observatory
T R OM the earliest times the Chinese, like most Eastern people, have been interested in astronomy and astrology. For ages, the court astronomers have been men of the highest standing and were reverenced alike by Th e princes and people. The Imperial Almanac, which it was their duty to AS ) prepare, "was a publication followed, trusted, and reverenced as sacred os as scripture," and the observations it contained regulated every important act in the life of untold millions within the borders of the Celestial Kingdom. By all, froma the humblest subject, to the emperor on his gilded throne, its dictates were accepted without a question. The present observatory, or Kuan Hşiang Tai, as it is called, was established in Peking during the reign of Kublai Khan, in the year 1279, and is located on top of the city wall. In those ancient times it formed the southeast angle of the capital. But when Yung Lê, the first Ming emperor to establish his capital in the north, tore away the old Mongol wall in 1409, he extended the city south to the present line of the Hatamen and Ch'ien Meru At the same time he rebuilt and remodeled the old observatory on the wall. Native astrologers were put in charge of this National Observatory, and they made their calculations from huge bronze instruments of rather crude design. Later on, the Arabs were placed in charge, and they made all the observations for the official calendar until early in the seventeenth century, at which time the remarkable talent of Father Derbiest, a Jesuit missionary, was discovered by the court, and he was placed in charge. For many years Father Verbiest served as president of the Mathematical Faculty, and the Observatory was under his control until his death in 1688. Under his able direction, Many new instruments cast in bronze vere erected, and some others were brought over from Europe. With these new instruments, this famous missionary was able to introduce "Occidental science in mathematical circles in place of a semi-superstitious study of the four quadrants and the twenty-eight constellations of native science," For his distinguished services to the court and people of China, Derbiest was "granted a title of nobility and presented with a tablet," which is now preserved in the French legation. His connection with the Honorable Board, and his popularity at court, gave great influence, it is said to the Jesuit fathers who first settled in China. The beautiful dragon-wreathed instrument shoun in the plate opposite is undoubt edly one of the masterpieces cast by Chinese artisans under the direction of Father Derbiest. It is the most richly omamented instrument in the famous group that sur mounts the upper platform of the broad brick terrace on the wall. These fine old instruments are still consulted occasionally by students of astronomy from the government universities, and are at present under the care of the Department of Education. Page 28
