戴鈞衡(1814-1855),字存莊,號(hao)蓉(rong)(rong)洲(zhou),桐城(cheng)(cheng)孔(kong)城(cheng)(cheng)人。少時(shi)(shi)聰慧絕(jue)倫(lun),才(cai)(cai)華早具,寫詩撰文頗(po)有才(cai)(cai)氣。 20多歲時(shi)(shi)恃(shi)才(cai)(cai)自(zi)負(fu),刻印了自(zi)編的《蓉(rong)(rong)洲(zhou)初稿(gao)》傳世,當時(shi)(shi)見到這初稿(gao)的人,都驚嘆(tan)不已,說他是(shi)個奇才(cai)(cai)。
這本初稿傳到(dao)了家鄉大學者方東樹的(de)手中,方先生看(kan)了以后笑說:“十年以后,等他的(de)學識磨煉到(dao)一定火候(hou)的(de)時候(hou),會自(zi)責的(de)。”
此時,方(fang)(fang)先(xian)生(sheng)正在研究詩(shi)(shi)學, 著了(le)一部(bu)詩(shi)(shi)論(lun)--《昭昧詹(zhan)言》,這(zhe)部(bu)詩(shi)(shi)論(lun)代表著桐城派的詩(shi)(shi)論(lun)觀點。戴鈞衡從(cong)傳抄中(zhong)得(de)以閱讀了(le)這(zhe)部(bu)書,潛(qian)心(xin)鉆研了(le)三年,在這(zhe)段(duan)時間內(nei),沒有寫過(guo)一首(shou)詩(shi)(shi)。 他(ta)從(cong)方(fang)(fang)先(xian)生(sheng)詩(shi)(shi)論(lun)中(zhong)得(de)到了(le)啟示,省(sheng)察到自己從(cong)前所(suo)做的詩(shi)(shi),實在太草率(lv)了(le),于是收回以前所(suo)刻(ke)的《蓉洲初稿》。踵府拜見方(fang)(fang)先(xian)生(sheng),請方(fang)(fang)氏收歸門下。
鈞衡在方氏門下攻讀(du)以后,學識(shi)大進,文(wen)筆精純(chun)。道光二十九年(1849),先生(sheng)年三(san)十六,赴南京(jing)鄉試,中(zhong)了(le)舉人(ren)。此后,攜詩文(wen)謁見京(jing)都(dou)顯宦(huan)大吏(li)。當時侍(shi)郎(lang)曾國(guo)藩、呂賢基、通(tong)政羅悖(bei)衍(yan)、給諫(jian)陳慶鏞等(deng)京(jing)官都(dou)愿意(yi)和(he)他交友。其中(zhong)曾侍(shi)郎(lang)更加賞識(shi)先生(sheng)。
他(ta)(ta)在京都(dou)(dou)逗(dou)留(liu)了一段(duan)時(shi)間,回到鄉(xiang)里(li)后(hou)(hou),更(geng)加篤志(zhi)治學,想從(cong)經(jing)籍中尋找經(jing)世致(zhi)用的(de)(de)道理。他(ta)(ta)在研讀(du)(du)《尚書》時(shi),認為(wei)秦(qin)代(dai)的(de)(de)伏(fu)勝,漢代(dai)的(de)(de)歐陽(yang)生、大小夏侯、馬融、鄭玄,三國的(de)(de)王肅,隋代(dai)的(de)(de)顧彪等(deng)學者(zhe)對(dui)《尚書》的(de)(de)解(jie)說,從(cong)現存(cun)的(de)(de)資料來(lai)看,大都(dou)(dou)沒(mei)有(you)(you)超過(guo)(guo)《孔傳》的(de)(de)范疇,倒(dao)是后(hou)(hou)起的(de)(de)宋代(dai)幾位大家(jia)的(de)(de)見解(jie)卻有(you)(you)獨到之(zhi)處。不過(guo)(guo)他(ta)(ta)們對(dui)《盤庚》等(deng)篇的(de)(de)解(jie)說都(dou)(dou)有(you)(you)失誤。于是他(ta)(ta)廣(guang)泛搜集前人(ren)疏注,去偽存(cun)真(zhen),寫(xie)了《(書傳)補商》十六(liu)卷。刊印后(hou)(hou)獻給當時(shi)的(de)(de)名流學者(zhe)。曾國藩得此書后(hou)(hou),雖在軍旅(lv)之(zhi)中還時(shi)時(shi)誦讀(du)(du),稱贊這(zhe)部書寫(xie)得好,發前人(ren)之(zhi)所未發,能夠幫(bang)助讀(du)(du)者(zhe)解(jie)疑釋難。
戴(dai)氏(shi)師(shi)事(shi)方(fang)東(dong)樹(shu)日(ri)久,深得桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派(pai)旨要(yao),以(yi)繼承(cheng)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派(pai)文統為(wei)己任。曾國(guo)藩在(zai)《歐陽生(sheng)文集序》中推許他說:“在(zai)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)者有(you)鈞衡(heng)存(cun)莊,事(shi)植之(zhi)久,尤精力過絕人,自以(yi)為(wei)守其(qi)邑(yi)先(xian)(xian)正之(zhi)法,嬗之(zhi)后(hou)進,義無(wu)所讓(rang)也。”戴(dai)鈞衡(heng)為(wei)使桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)派(pai)發(fa)揚光大,與邑(yi)人蘇(su)悖(bei)元重訂《望溪文集》,這部文集比照初集,篇目增加(jia)了一倍以(yi)上。匯編(bian)后(hou)戴(dai)氏(shi)又(you)寫了《重刻方(fang)望溪先(xian)(xian)生(sheng)全集序》,序中推崇方(fang)苞(bao)是(shi)繼唐(tang)宋八大家(jia)(jia)(jia)和明(ming)歸有(you)光之(zhi)后(hou)振興古(gu)文的(de)(de)領(ling)袖人物(wu),而且在(zai)某些方(fang)面(mian)方(fang)氏(shi)對比八家(jia)(jia)(jia)與歸有(you)光,有(you)過之(zhi)無(wu)不及(ji)。他說:“我朝有(you)天下數十年,望溪方(fang)先(xian)(xian)生(sheng)出,其(qi)承(cheng)八家(jia)(jia)(jia)正統,就文境核之(zhi),亦與熙(xi)甫(歸有(you)光的(de)(de)字)異境同歸;獨其(qi)根柢經術,因事(shi)著道(dao),油然浸溉乎學(xue)者之(zhi)心,而羽翼道(dao)教,則不惟(wei)熙(xi)甫無(wu)以(yi)及(ji)之(zhi),即八家(jia)(jia)(jia)深道(dao)如韓、歐者,亦或(huo)猶有(you)憾焉。”他又(you)以(yi)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)文論、詩論標(biao)準,與鄉賢(xian)方(fang)存(cun)之(zhi)選編(bian)了《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)文錄》;與友人文漢光編(bian)輯了《古(gu)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉詩選》。經過他們的(de)(de)整理選輯,使桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)先(xian)(xian)賢(xian)大量的(de)(de)詩文珍(zhen)品得以(yi)流傳后(hou)世。
當(dang)時戴名世(shi)文(wen)章仍(reng)在禁書(shu)之(zhi)列,無(wu)(wu)人敢于問津(jin)。鈞衡甘(gan)冒清廷大忌,搜集戴名世(shi)遺篇(pian),匯為《潛(qian)虛先生(sheng)文(wen)集》。他在集目序中(zhong)推崇名世(shi)說(shuo):“余讀(du)先生(sheng)之(zhi)文(wen),見其境象,如太(tai)空(kong)之(zhi)浮云,變化(hua)無(wu)(wu)跡;又如飛仙御(yu)風,莫窺行止。”說(shuo)他可(ke)以直追莊周、李白(bai)、司馬子長;又說(shuo):“足與(yu)望(wang)溪齊名。”
鈞衡(heng)不(bu)僅關注(zhu)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)文(wen)(wen)化(hua),也極其重視桑梓教育。 道光二(er)十(shi)(shi)年(nian) (1840),與同(tong)里(li)文(wen)(wen)聚奎(kui)、程恩綬等(deng)社會名流在桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)縣東(dong)三十(shi)(shi)里(li)孔城(cheng)(cheng)中街創建(jian)(jian)(jian)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),推(tui)舉廩生(sheng)(sheng)十(shi)(shi)數人(ren)任董事,募捐得大錢(qian)9000串零9820文(wen)(wen),興建(jian)(jian)(jian)校舍五(wu)幢,購置田產十(shi)(shi)數處(chu),于(yu)道光二(er)十(shi)(shi)一(yi)年(nian)開課(ke)(ke)。鈞衡(heng)親自(zi)主持(chi)校政,登(deng)堂講學(xue)(xue)(xue)。每年(nian)大課(ke)(ke)考試(shi)(shi)兩次(ci),每月小課(ke)(ke)考試(shi)(shi)一(yi)次(ci),考試(shi)(shi)成(cheng)績(ji)優異(yi)的(de),發給獎錢(qian)1600文(wen)(wen),優秀詩(shi)文(wen)(wen)由書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)匯采刊(kan)刻。書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)學(xue)(xue)(xue)生(sheng)(sheng)赴(fu)縣考試(shi)(shi)屢居案首。戴氏對(dui)成(cheng)績(ji)優異(yi)的(de)學(xue)(xue)(xue)生(sheng)(sheng)備加愛護(hu),住院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)修業(ye)的(de),如生(sheng)(sheng)員測試(shi)(shi)三次(ci)超等(deng),童生(sheng)(sheng)測試(shi)(shi)三次(ci)前十(shi)(shi)名的(de),每月資(zi)助(zhu)膏火紋(wen)銀五(wu)錢(qian)。書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)生(sheng)(sheng)監赴(fu)金陵(ling)參(can)加三年(nian)一(yi)度的(de)鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)(shi)者(zhe),每人(ren)每科資(zi)助(zhu)30000文(wen)(wen)。桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)創建(jian)(jian)(jian)未到三年(nian),成(cheng)績(ji)卓著,頗負(fu)盛名,桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)、舒兩縣士子負(fu)笈來游的(de)有數百(bai)人(ren)。當時主持(chi)安徽學(xue)(xue)(xue)政的(de)羅悖衍曾于(yu)道光二(er)十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)(1847),督學(xue)(xue)(xue)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng),看了《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)課(ke)(ke)藝(yi)》和《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)志》以(yi)后對(dui)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)倍加贊賞(shang),說他們能“務根(gen)柢(di),而崇(chong)正(zheng)學(xue)(xue)(xue)”。道光三十(shi)(shi)年(nian)(1850),羅氏升(sheng)任通政使(后為戶部尚書(shu)),撰寫(xie)《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)記》褒揚戴鈞衡(heng)等(deng)人(ren)興辦(ban)教育卓有成(cheng)效(xiao)。《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)(xiang)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)記》羅尚書(shu)的(de)親筆碑(bei)刻至(zhi)今猶(you)存于(yu)孑(jie)L鎮中心小學(xue)(xue)(xue)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)內。
戴鈞衡(heng)寫了(le)一部《桐鄉書(shu)院(yuan)志(zhi)》,對書(shu)院(yuan)的興建(jian)、課業、考查、獎勵都記載得十分詳實,為(wei)安(an)徽省不可(ke)多得的書(shu)院(yuan)志(zhi)書(shu)。
桐(tong)鄉書院(yuan)至光緒三(san)十二年(nian)(1906), 新學堂成立才告廢止。戴氏在書院(yuan)中所興建的(de)曠懷園和(he)漱芳(fang)精舍(she)故址,至今依稀可辨(bian),所建的(de)朝陽樓至今完好(hao)無損,現為桐(tong)城市(shi)重點文物(wu)保護(hu)單(dan)位。
戴鈞衡不僅是(shi)一(yi)位(wei)飽學鴻儒,還有經緯治世之才。清咸(xian)豐帝(di)施(shi)行新(xin)政,廣開言(yan)路,他列(lie)舉了當時國家(jia)利弊,請在京(jing)人士代呈(cheng),恰(qia)逢太平天國起(qi)事(shi),所呈(cheng)各款,清廷無暇及此。
太(tai)平軍(jun)破岳陽,戰(zhan)艦(jian)沿江而下(xia),占領安慶,進逼桐(tong)城。戴(dai)氏惑于清廷宣傳(chuan),敵(di)視(shi)太(tai)平軍(jun),赴臨淮避亂兼請援軍(jun)。 不多時,桐(tong)城被(bei)攻(gong)陷,妻小死(si)于兵厄(e)。當(dang)時先生客(ke)旅懷(huai)遠,聞(wen)訊嘔血而死(si),時年(nian)四十有(you)三。遺骨葬于孔城鎮(zhen)紅廟村丁(ding)家(jia)沖(chong)。曾國藩為(wei)題墓碑“大清舉人戴(dai)君存莊(zhuang)之墓”,現(xian)為(wei)桐(tong)城市重點(dian)文物保護單位。著有(you)《味經山館詩(shi)文鈔》、《公車日記(ji)》、《雜記(ji)》等刊行于世。《清史稿》有(you)傳(chuan)。
先生遠離邪佞,為人正直(zhi)(zhi)不阿。他(ta)在文集里多(duo)次闡(chan)明了他(ta)的(de)(de)做人準則。他(ta)于所撰(zhuan)的(de)(de)《朱建(jian)論》中,先簡述西漢朱建(jian)本是一位正直(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)官員(yuan),不與邪僻之人交(jiao)友,后(hou)來(lai)母(mu)死無錢治喪(sang),接受(shou)了佞臣(chen)審食其的(de)(de)饋贈,并為審食其消災弭禍。文帝誅殺審食其,朱建(jian)也畏(wei)罪(zui)自(zi)(zi)刎。戴氏(shi)在文章(zhang)中發(fa)表感慨(kai)說:“嗚呼!以百金之故,喪(sang)名失(shi)節,遂殺其身,士(shi)君子取與之間,宜何如哉(zai)?”這篇文章(zhang)既是勸戒了當世(shi)士(shi)人,也是自(zi)(zi)戒自(zi)(zi)勵的(de)(de)一篇作品。