They are not made for the astronomical system
introduced by the Jesuits, but are altogether conformable to the system
introduced by Kublai's astronomer Ko Show-king.... I will mention one
thing which is quite decisive as to the Jesuits. The circle is divided
into 365-1/4 degrees, each degree into 100 minutes, and each minute into
100 seconds. The Jesuits always used the sexagesimal division. Lecomte
speaks of the imperfection of the division on the Jesuit-made instruments;
but those on the Mongol instruments are immeasurably coarser.
"I understand it is not the ornamentation your friend objects to?[4] If it
is, I would observe that there is no evidence of progress in the
decorative and ornamental arts during the Ming Dynasty; and even in the
Jesuit instruments that part of the work is purely Chinese, excepting in
one instrument, which I am persuaded must have been made in Europe.
"I have a Chinese work called Luh-King-t'oo-Kaou, 'Illustrations and
Investigations of the Six Classics.' This was written in A.D. 1131-1162,
and revised and printed in 1165-1174. It contains a representation of an
armillary sphere, which appears to me to be much the same as the sphere in
question. There is a solid horizon fixed to a graduated outer circle.
Inside the latter is a meridian circle, at right angles to which is a
graduated colure; then the equator, apparently a double ring, and the
ecliptic; also two diametric bars. The cut is rudely executed, but it
certainly shows that some one imagined something more perfect. The
instrument stands on a cross frame, with 4 dragon supporters and a prop
in the centre.[5]
"It should be remembered that under the Mongol Dynasty the Chinese had
much intercourse with Central Asia; and among others Yelewchootsae, as
confidential minister and astronomer, followed Chinghiz in his Western
campaign, held intercourse with the astronomers of Samarkand, and on his
return laid some astronomical inventions before the Emperor.
"I append a notice of the Observatory taken from a popular description of
Peking, by which it will be seen that the construction of these
instruments is attributed to Ko Show-king, one of the most renowned
astronomers of China. He was the chief astronomer under Kublai Kaan" [to
whom he was presented in 1262; he was born in 1231. - H. C.]
"It must be remembered that there was a special vitality among the Chinese
under the Yuen with regard to the arts and sciences, and the Emperor had
the choice of artizans and men of science from all countries.
