戴鈞衡(1814-1855),字(zi)存(cun)莊,號蓉洲,桐城孔城人。少時聰慧絕倫(lun),才(cai)華早具,寫詩撰文頗有才(cai)氣。 20多歲時恃才(cai)自負,刻印了(le)自編的《蓉洲初(chu)稿(gao)》傳世,當(dang)時見到這初(chu)稿(gao)的人,都驚嘆不(bu)已(yi),說(shuo)他是個奇才(cai)。
這本初(chu)稿傳到了家鄉大學(xue)者(zhe)方(fang)東樹的(de)(de)(de)手中,方(fang)先生看(kan)了以后笑(xiao)說:“十年以后,等(deng)他的(de)(de)(de)學(xue)識(shi)磨煉到一定火候的(de)(de)(de)時候,會自責(ze)的(de)(de)(de)。”
此(ci)時(shi),方先(xian)生(sheng)正在研究(jiu)詩學, 著了一(yi)部(bu)詩論--《昭昧詹言》,這(zhe)(zhe)部(bu)詩論代表著桐(tong)城派的(de)詩論觀點(dian)。戴鈞衡從(cong)傳抄中得以閱讀了這(zhe)(zhe)部(bu)書,潛(qian)心鉆研了三年,在這(zhe)(zhe)段時(shi)間(jian)內,沒有寫過一(yi)首詩。 他(ta)從(cong)方先(xian)生(sheng)詩論中得到了啟示,省察(cha)到自己從(cong)前所做(zuo)的(de)詩,實在太草率了,于是收(shou)回以前所刻的(de)《蓉洲(zhou)初稿》。踵府(fu)拜見方先(xian)生(sheng),請(qing)方氏收(shou)歸門(men)下。
鈞衡在(zai)方氏門下攻(gong)讀(du)以后,學識(shi)大(da)(da)進,文筆(bi)精純。道光(guang)二十九年(nian)(1849),先(xian)生年(nian)三(san)十六,赴南京鄉試,中了(le)舉(ju)人。此后,攜詩文謁見京都(dou)顯(xian)宦大(da)(da)吏(li)。當時侍郎(lang)(lang)曾國藩、呂(lv)賢基、通政羅悖(bei)衍、給諫陳慶鏞(yong)等京官都(dou)愿意和他交友(you)。其(qi)中曾侍郎(lang)(lang)更加(jia)賞識(shi)先(xian)生。
他(ta)在(zai)京都逗留了一段時間,回到(dao)(dao)鄉里后(hou),更加篤志治(zhi)學(xue)(xue),想從經籍中尋(xun)找(zhao)經世(shi)致用的(de)(de)(de)道理。他(ta)在(zai)研讀《尚(shang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)》時,認為秦代的(de)(de)(de)伏勝,漢代的(de)(de)(de)歐(ou)陽生、大小夏侯(hou)、馬融(rong)、鄭玄,三國(guo)的(de)(de)(de)王肅,隋代的(de)(de)(de)顧(gu)彪等學(xue)(xue)者對《尚(shang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)》的(de)(de)(de)解(jie)(jie)說(shuo),從現存(cun)的(de)(de)(de)資料來看,大都沒有超過《孔傳》的(de)(de)(de)范疇(chou),倒是后(hou)起的(de)(de)(de)宋代幾位大家的(de)(de)(de)見(jian)解(jie)(jie)卻有獨到(dao)(dao)之處。不過他(ta)們(men)對《盤庚》等篇的(de)(de)(de)解(jie)(jie)說(shuo)都有失誤。于是他(ta)廣泛搜(sou)集前(qian)人(ren)疏注,去偽存(cun)真,寫了《(書(shu)(shu)(shu)傳)補商》十六卷。刊印后(hou)獻給當時的(de)(de)(de)名流學(xue)(xue)者。曾(ceng)國(guo)藩得此書(shu)(shu)(shu)后(hou),雖(sui)在(zai)軍(jun)旅之中還(huan)時時誦讀,稱贊這(zhe)部(bu)書(shu)(shu)(shu)寫得好,發(fa)前(qian)人(ren)之所未(wei)發(fa),能夠幫助讀者解(jie)(jie)疑釋難。
戴氏(shi)師(shi)事方(fang)(fang)東樹(shu)日久(jiu),深(shen)得桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派旨要(yao),以(yi)繼承桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派文(wen)統為(wei)己任(ren)。曾國藩(fan)在《歐(ou)陽生(sheng)文(wen)集(ji)序(xu)》中(zhong)推許他(ta)說:“在桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)者有(you)鈞衡(heng)存莊(zhuang),事植之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)久(jiu),尤(you)精(jing)力過絕人,自以(yi)為(wei)守其邑先正之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)法,嬗之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)進,義無(wu)(wu)所讓也(ye)。”戴鈞衡(heng)為(wei)使桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派發(fa)揚光(guang)大,與(yu)(yu)邑人蘇悖(bei)元重訂《望(wang)(wang)溪(xi)文(wen)集(ji)》,這部文(wen)集(ji)比照初(chu)集(ji),篇(pian)目增加(jia)了(le)(le)一倍(bei)以(yi)上(shang)。匯(hui)編后(hou)(hou)戴氏(shi)又(you)寫了(le)(le)《重刻方(fang)(fang)望(wang)(wang)溪(xi)先生(sheng)全集(ji)序(xu)》,序(xu)中(zhong)推崇方(fang)(fang)苞是繼唐宋八大家(jia)和明(ming)歸(gui)有(you)光(guang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)振興古文(wen)的領袖人物,而且在某些方(fang)(fang)面方(fang)(fang)氏(shi)對(dui)比八家(jia)與(yu)(yu)歸(gui)有(you)光(guang),有(you)過之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)無(wu)(wu)不及(ji)。他(ta)說:“我朝(chao)有(you)天下數十年,望(wang)(wang)溪(xi)方(fang)(fang)先生(sheng)出,其承八家(jia)正統,就(jiu)文(wen)境(jing)核之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),亦與(yu)(yu)熙(xi)甫(歸(gui)有(you)光(guang)的字)異境(jing)同歸(gui);獨(du)其根柢(di)經術,因事著道,油然(ran)浸溉(gai)乎學者之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)心,而羽翼道教,則不惟(wei)熙(xi)甫無(wu)(wu)以(yi)及(ji)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),即八家(jia)深(shen)道如韓、歐(ou)者,亦或猶(you)有(you)憾焉。”他(ta)又(you)以(yi)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)文(wen)論、詩論標準,與(yu)(yu)鄉(xiang)賢方(fang)(fang)存之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)選(xuan)編了(le)(le)《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)文(wen)錄(lu)》;與(yu)(yu)友(you)人文(wen)漢光(guang)編輯了(le)(le)《古桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)詩選(xuan)》。經過他(ta)們的整(zheng)理選(xuan)輯,使桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)先賢大量的詩文(wen)珍品得以(yi)流傳(chuan)后(hou)(hou)世(shi)。
當時戴名(ming)世文章(zhang)仍在禁書之列,無人敢于問(wen)津。鈞衡甘冒清(qing)廷大忌,搜集(ji)戴名(ming)世遺篇(pian),匯為《潛虛(xu)先生文集(ji)》。他(ta)在集(ji)目序中(zhong)推崇名(ming)世說:“余讀先生之文,見其境(jing)象,如(ru)太空之浮云,變化無跡;又(you)如(ru)飛仙御風,莫(mo)窺行止。”說他(ta)可以(yi)直追莊(zhuang)周(zhou)、李白、司馬(ma)子長;又(you)說:“足與望溪(xi)齊名(ming)。”
鈞衡不僅關注(zhu)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城文(wen)(wen)化(hua),也(ye)極其重視桑梓教育(yu)。 道(dao)光(guang)(guang)二十(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian) (1840),與同(tong)里文(wen)(wen)聚奎、程恩(en)綬等(deng)社會名流在(zai)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城縣東(dong)三(san)(san)十(shi)(shi)里孔(kong)城中街(jie)創建(jian)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan),推(tui)舉廩生十(shi)(shi)數人任董事,募(mu)捐得(de)大(da)錢9000串(chuan)零9820文(wen)(wen),興建(jian)校(xiao)舍五幢(chuang),購置田產十(shi)(shi)數處,于道(dao)光(guang)(guang)二十(shi)(shi)一年(nian)(nian)開課。鈞衡親(qin)(qin)自(zi)主持(chi)校(xiao)政,登(deng)堂講學(xue)。每年(nian)(nian)大(da)課考(kao)試(shi)(shi)兩次(ci),每月(yue)(yue)小(xiao)課考(kao)試(shi)(shi)一次(ci),考(kao)試(shi)(shi)成(cheng)(cheng)績優(you)(you)異(yi)的(de)(de),發給獎錢1600文(wen)(wen),優(you)(you)秀詩文(wen)(wen)由(you)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)匯采刊刻(ke)。書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)學(xue)生赴(fu)縣考(kao)試(shi)(shi)屢(lv)居案首。戴氏對成(cheng)(cheng)績優(you)(you)異(yi)的(de)(de)學(xue)生備加(jia)(jia)愛(ai)護,住(zhu)院(yuan)(yuan)修業的(de)(de),如(ru)生員測(ce)試(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)次(ci)超等(deng),童(tong)生測(ce)試(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)次(ci)前十(shi)(shi)名的(de)(de),每月(yue)(yue)資(zi)助(zhu)(zhu)膏火紋(wen)銀五錢。書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)生監赴(fu)金陵參加(jia)(jia)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)一度的(de)(de)鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)(shi)者(zhe),每人每科資(zi)助(zhu)(zhu)30000文(wen)(wen)。桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)創建(jian)未到(dao)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian),成(cheng)(cheng)績卓(zhuo)著(zhu),頗負(fu)盛名,桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)、舒兩縣士子負(fu)笈來游的(de)(de)有(you)數百(bai)人。當時主持(chi)安徽學(xue)政的(de)(de)羅悖衍(yan)曾于道(dao)光(guang)(guang)二十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)(nian)(1847),督學(xue)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城,看(kan)了(le)《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)課藝(yi)》和《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)志》以后對桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)倍加(jia)(jia)贊賞,說他們能“務根柢,而崇正(zheng)學(xue)”。道(dao)光(guang)(guang)三(san)(san)十(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(1850),羅氏升任通(tong)政使(后為(wei)戶部尚書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)),撰寫《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)記(ji)(ji)》褒揚(yang)戴鈞衡等(deng)人興辦教育(yu)卓(zhuo)有(you)成(cheng)(cheng)效。《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)記(ji)(ji)》羅尚書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)的(de)(de)親(qin)(qin)筆碑刻(ke)至今(jin)猶存(cun)于孑(jie)L鎮(zhen)中心小(xiao)學(xue)院(yuan)(yuan)內(nei)。
戴(dai)鈞(jun)衡寫了一部《桐鄉書院(yuan)(yuan)志》,對書院(yuan)(yuan)的興(xing)建、課業、考查、獎勵(li)都記載得十分詳實,為(wei)安(an)徽省不可多得的書院(yuan)(yuan)志書。
桐鄉書院至(zhi)光緒三(san)十二年(1906), 新學(xue)堂成立才告廢止。戴氏在(zai)書院中所興建(jian)的(de)曠(kuang)懷園和漱(shu)芳(fang)精舍(she)故址,至(zhi)今(jin)(jin)依(yi)稀可辨(bian),所建(jian)的(de)朝陽樓(lou)至(zhi)今(jin)(jin)完好無損,現為桐城市重(zhong)點文物保護單位。
戴鈞(jun)衡不僅是(shi)一位飽學鴻儒,還有(you)經緯治世之才。清咸豐(feng)帝施行新(xin)政(zheng),廣(guang)開言路,他列舉了(le)當時國(guo)家利弊,請在京人士代(dai)呈,恰逢太平(ping)天國(guo)起事(shi),所呈各款(kuan),清廷無暇及此。
太(tai)(tai)平軍破岳陽,戰艦(jian)沿江(jiang)而(er)下,占(zhan)領安慶,進逼桐(tong)城。戴氏惑于清(qing)廷(ting)宣傳,敵視太(tai)(tai)平軍,赴(fu)臨淮(huai)避亂兼請援軍。 不多時(shi)(shi),桐(tong)城被攻(gong)陷,妻小(xiao)死于兵厄。當時(shi)(shi)先(xian)生客旅懷遠,聞訊嘔血而(er)死,時(shi)(shi)年四十有(you)三。遺骨葬于孔城鎮紅廟村(cun)丁(ding)家沖。曾國藩為(wei)題(ti)墓碑(bei)“大清(qing)舉人戴君存莊之墓”,現為(wei)桐(tong)城市重點文物保護單位。著有(you)《味經山(shan)館(guan)詩文鈔》、《公車日(ri)記》、《雜記》等刊行(xing)于世。《清(qing)史稿》有(you)傳。
先生(sheng)遠離邪佞,為人(ren)正(zheng)直不(bu)阿。他(ta)在文集里(li)多(duo)次(ci)闡明了他(ta)的(de)做人(ren)準則。他(ta)于(yu)所撰的(de)《朱(zhu)建論》中,先簡述西漢朱(zhu)建本是(shi)一位正(zheng)直的(de)官員,不(bu)與邪僻之人(ren)交友,后(hou)來(lai)母死無錢治(zhi)喪(sang),接受了佞臣審食(shi)其的(de)饋贈(zeng),并為審食(shi)其消災(zai)弭(mi)禍。文帝誅(zhu)殺審食(shi)其,朱(zhu)建也(ye)畏罪自刎。戴氏在文章中發表(biao)感慨說:“嗚(wu)呼!以百金之故,喪(sang)名失節,遂殺其身,士(shi)君(jun)子取與之間,宜何如哉(zai)?”這篇文章既是(shi)勸戒(jie)了當世士(shi)人(ren),也(ye)是(shi)自戒(jie)自勵(li)的(de)一篇作(zuo)品。