Chapter 2 ●General sequence

●General sequence -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Qian Gurong A class of characters called "shuhua" is now being written, read and spoken by more and more people. However, if we want to study when this style of writing originated, who it was created in, or what book it first appeared in, there is no definite theory.Including the title of "shuhua", the origin of its use and continuation seems to be equally unclear.I am afraid that it, like other styles, was formed gradually after a long history. China has a tradition of writing inscriptions and postscripts for books (collections) since ancient times.The form of inscriptions and postscripts is generally relatively short, and the content is correspondingly extensive, such as edition, binding, purchase and collection, impressions and experiences after reading, etc., are all involved.Some even used the topic to make some comments on the political situation and social customs at that time.It can be described as eclectic and the most flexible.Generally, every time a book lover acquires a new book, he will inevitably write some topics about the book while reading and enjoying it.This kind of writing may also be the origin of the so-called Shuhua in later generations.However, compared with the traditional inscriptions and postscripts, most of the current Shuhua focuses more on the evaluation and elucidation of the content and meaning of the book. This is also inevitable, because some important topics in the traditional inscriptions and postscripts, such as editions, There is almost nothing to say about recent books.

This can also explain from one aspect that the style and content of "Book Talk" has its own characteristics of changing with different times.However, the level of the author's skills and character is clear at a glance in the book. Calligraphy seems to be an academic essay, but it is actually very difficult to write well.It first requires the author to have rich reading experience.If you don't read much, you can't judge the quality of books.Reluctant discussion is often aimless and misses the point, and this is related to the author's knowledge.The value of calligraphy is to reflect the author's unique experience in tasting books. It not only provides knowledge about books, but also needs to study knowledge and express one's own opinions.Even in the statement of facts and materials, we can see the originality of the author's analysis and choice.Therefore, the masters in Shuhua are often the masters in learning.Intensive review of Boyue can also be used as the basic requirement for Shuhua authors.In addition, although there are no fixed rules for the writing of Shuhua, strictly speaking, there are considerable constraints.It should be the spirit of the style of the book talk to make a statement with evidence, be concise, clarify the quality of the book, and indicate the path.It is a taboo to talk about books with empty comments and excessive branches.Naturally, the words in the book must also be interesting, so that people can taste the author's temperament between the lines and experience the joy of reading.But this often makes people smile with every word and sentence. If you just focus on expressing emotions, even if the words are quite readable, you will miss the purpose of the book.

Among modern scholars, Ye Dehui, Fu Zengxiang, Zhou Zuoren, etc. can be called famous scholars of "shuhua". Very impressive writing.For example, Wang Guowei, Liang Qichao, Liu Shipei, Lin Qinnan, Liu Bannong, Cai Yuanpei, and Gu Jiegang included here are all outstanding authors.The author himself may not be aware of this, but it is still beneficial to today's readers.From it, we can not only appreciate the academic realm and taste of books in recent times, but also see the evolution of the style of calligraphy in modern times. Although I usually like to read inscriptions and postscripts, calligraphy and other texts, I am not a person in this way.Now Zhejiang People's Publishing House plans to publish this set of "Near People's Shuhua Series", and has the order of the editor-in-chief, and ordered it to be the preface. I will do my best to help, so I will briefly present my contempt, so as to teach readers.

April 20, 1997