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248
THE LÎ ki.
BK, III.
27. The (appointed)heir-sons of the feudal princes inherited their states. Great officers (in the royal domain) did not inherit their rank. They were employed as their ability and character were recognised, and received rank as their merit was proved. Till their rank was conferred (by the king), (the princes) were in the position of his officers of the chief grade, and so they ruled their states. The Great officers of the states did not inherit their rank and emoluments.
28. The six ceremonial observances were :-capping; marrying; mourning rites; sacrifices; feasts; and interviews. The seven lessons (of morality) were :-(the duties between) father and son ; elder brother and younger; husband and wife ; ruler and minister ; old and young; friend and friend ; host and guest. The eight objects of government were :-food and drink; clothes; business (or, the profession); maintenance of distinctions; measures of length ; measures of capacity; and definitely assigned rules.
but preparing by mental exercises for appearing before the king is also intimated by the phrase.
A son, generally the eldest son by the wife proper, had to be recognised by the king before he could be sure of succeeding to his father.
See page 230, paragraph 1.
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