BOOK OF RITES. The Li, "Book of Rites," or Li king, " Classical Book of Rites," is one of the ancient books accepted by the Chinese as Classics. The Rites are those of the Imperial dynasty that was reigning in the time of Confucius (551-479 B.C.), and was founded in 1122 B.C. Prof. Parker states that the Book of Rites or Book of Abstract Principles has never been changed organically. And he quotes Confucius as saying : " The dynasty (1756-1122 B.C.) preceding that under which we live (1122-255 B.C.) continued the abstract principles of that before dt (2205-1766 B.C.), and handed over the same principles to the dynasty now reigning." The Book of Rites was only in parts edited by Confucius and his dis ciples. A few quotations will give some idea of the nature of the work. " Every tree has its appointed time to perish, and every beast its appointed time to die, and he who cuts down a tree or kills an animal before their time is guilty of unfilial conduct (Douglas). . . . A
woman is unable to stand alone, and therefore when young depends on her father and brothers, when married, on her husband, and after his death, on her sons (Douglas). . . . Sacrifice is not a thing coming to a man from without; it issues from within him. and has its birth in his heart. When the heart is deeply moved, expression is given to it by ceremonies; and hence, only men of ability and virtue can give complete exhibition to the idea of sacrifice " (Legge's translation of the "Book of Rites "). See R. K. Douglas, Confucianism and Taouism; H. A. Giles, Religions of Ancient China, 1905; H. J. Allen, Early Chinese Hist., 1906; E. H. Parker, Studies, 1910.