Confucius, Philosopher of the Chinese

THE EPISTLE

...[majesty] original: "-tis," likely completing "majestatis." of such a victory, which no one before had dared to attempt in such a way, nor even to hope for; truly, future generations will scarcely be able to believe it, and they will certainly never be able to sufficiently admire or proclaim it.

I, indeed, struck especially by the incredible fame of this one achievement and victory, have come here from the furthest shores of China original: "Sinarum.". Having successfully crossed the vast Ocean, I consider the great effort to have been well worth the prize, because it has been my lot to see with these eyes those things which rumor had spread everywhere—though I found that rumor was actually less than the reality itself. How sweet it will now be for me, by God's favor, to sail back across so many seas, to revisit my most longed-for China original: "Sinam.", and there to proclaim those miracles of which I have been an eyewitness! Truly, the memory of them will wipe away the sense of so many labors and dangers, erase their memory, and make the path for my return easier and, as it were, smooth it out. Already I seem to see myself in the midst of a most joyful assembly of new converts Neophytes: individuals recently converted to Christianity, specifically in the Jesuit missions of China. flocking toward me, and even of the pagans original: "Ethnicorum," referring here to the non-Christian Chinese population. themselves, as I recount what I have seen here. I see them standing by with ears and minds alert, hanging on my words, stunned at the magnitude and novelty of these things, while at the same time congratulating You, GREAT KING, as well as the Church and France.

With what joys, then, will they be moved when they hear that their own Confucius has been held in such high esteem and honor by You, that You willed him a place among the other books of the Royal Library? They will learn that he has been gifted with the Latin language; that his image, his books, and even the records of their own princes have been printed not just on those wooden blocks which China uses, but on copper plates and with the most elegant type. They will hear that he, who until now was known only within the Chinese Empire, is soon to be spread through France, and from France throughout all of Europe, to be held everywhere by all in such high regard as is his due. What great [joys]... original catchword "MA-" likely leads to "MAGNAS" (great) or "MAXIMAS" (greatest) on the following page.