戴鈞衡(1814-1855),字存莊,號(hao)蓉(rong)洲,桐城孔城人。少時聰慧(hui)絕倫,才(cai)華早(zao)具,寫詩撰文(wen)頗有(you)才(cai)氣。 20多歲(sui)時恃才(cai)自(zi)負(fu),刻印了自(zi)編的《蓉(rong)洲初(chu)稿》傳世,當(dang)時見到這初(chu)稿的人,都驚(jing)嘆不已,說(shuo)他是個奇(qi)才(cai)。
這本初稿傳到了家鄉(xiang)大學者方(fang)(fang)東樹(shu)的手中,方(fang)(fang)先生看了以(yi)后笑說:“十年(nian)以(yi)后,等他的學識(shi)磨煉到一(yi)定(ding)火(huo)候的時候,會自責的。”
此時,方先(xian)生正在(zai)研究詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)學, 著了一部詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)論--《昭(zhao)昧詹(zhan)言》,這部詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)論代表(biao)著桐城派的詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)論觀點。戴鈞衡(heng)從(cong)傳抄中(zhong)得以閱讀了這部書,潛心鉆研了三年,在(zai)這段時間內,沒有(you)寫(xie)過(guo)一首(shou)詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。 他從(cong)方先(xian)生詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)論中(zhong)得到了啟(qi)示,省(sheng)察(cha)到自(zi)己從(cong)前(qian)(qian)所(suo)做(zuo)的詩(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),實(shi)在(zai)太草率了,于是(shi)收回以前(qian)(qian)所(suo)刻(ke)的《蓉洲初稿(gao)》。踵府(fu)拜見方先(xian)生,請(qing)方氏(shi)收歸(gui)門下。
鈞(jun)衡(heng)在方氏(shi)門下攻讀(du)以后(hou),學識(shi)大進,文筆精純。道光二(er)十(shi)九年(1849),先生年三十(shi)六,赴(fu)南京鄉(xiang)試(shi),中(zhong)了舉人。此后(hou),攜詩(shi)文謁見京都(dou)(dou)顯宦大吏。當時侍(shi)郎曾國藩、呂(lv)賢基、通(tong)政羅悖衍、給諫陳慶(qing)鏞等京官都(dou)(dou)愿意和他交友。其中(zhong)曾侍(shi)郎更加(jia)賞識(shi)先生。
他在京(jing)都逗(dou)留了(le)一段時(shi)(shi)(shi)間,回到鄉里(li)后,更加(jia)篤志治(zhi)學(xue),想從(cong)經籍中尋找經世致用(yong)的(de)(de)道理。他在研讀《尚(shang)書》時(shi)(shi)(shi),認為秦(qin)代的(de)(de)伏勝,漢(han)代的(de)(de)歐陽生、大(da)小(xiao)夏侯、馬融、鄭玄,三國(guo)的(de)(de)王(wang)肅(su),隋代的(de)(de)顧彪(biao)等學(xue)者(zhe)(zhe)對《尚(shang)書》的(de)(de)解說,從(cong)現存的(de)(de)資料來看,大(da)都沒有超過《孔(kong)傳》的(de)(de)范疇,倒是后起的(de)(de)宋(song)代幾位大(da)家的(de)(de)見解卻有獨到之(zhi)處。不過他們(men)對《盤庚》等篇的(de)(de)解說都有失誤。于是他廣泛(fan)搜集前人疏注,去偽存真,寫了(le)《(書傳)補商》十六卷。刊印后獻(xian)給當(dang)時(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)名流(liu)學(xue)者(zhe)(zhe)。曾國(guo)藩得此書后,雖在軍旅之(zhi)中還時(shi)(shi)(shi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)誦讀,稱(cheng)贊(zan)這部(bu)書寫得好,發前人之(zhi)所(suo)未發,能夠(gou)幫助讀者(zhe)(zhe)解疑釋難(nan)。
戴氏師事方(fang)(fang)東(dong)樹日久,深得桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)派(pai)旨要,以繼承桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)派(pai)文(wen)(wen)(wen)統為(wei)己任。曾國藩在《歐陽生(sheng)(sheng)文(wen)(wen)(wen)集(ji)(ji)(ji)序(xu)》中推許他(ta)(ta)說:“在桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)者(zhe)(zhe)有(you)(you)鈞(jun)衡(heng)存莊(zhuang),事植之(zhi)久,尤(you)精力過(guo)絕人,自以為(wei)守其(qi)邑(yi)(yi)先(xian)(xian)(xian)正之(zhi)法,嬗之(zhi)后進,義(yi)無(wu)所讓也(ye)。”戴鈞(jun)衡(heng)為(wei)使桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)派(pai)發揚光大,與(yu)(yu)邑(yi)(yi)人蘇悖元重(zhong)(zhong)訂《望(wang)溪文(wen)(wen)(wen)集(ji)(ji)(ji)》,這部文(wen)(wen)(wen)集(ji)(ji)(ji)比照(zhao)初(chu)集(ji)(ji)(ji),篇目(mu)增(zeng)加了(le)一倍以上。匯(hui)編后戴氏又寫了(le)《重(zhong)(zhong)刻方(fang)(fang)望(wang)溪先(xian)(xian)(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)全集(ji)(ji)(ji)序(xu)》,序(xu)中推崇方(fang)(fang)苞是繼唐宋(song)八(ba)大家(jia)和(he)明歸有(you)(you)光之(zhi)后振興古(gu)文(wen)(wen)(wen)的領袖人物,而(er)且在某些方(fang)(fang)面(mian)方(fang)(fang)氏對比八(ba)家(jia)與(yu)(yu)歸有(you)(you)光,有(you)(you)過(guo)之(zhi)無(wu)不及(ji)。他(ta)(ta)說:“我朝(chao)有(you)(you)天下數十年,望(wang)溪方(fang)(fang)先(xian)(xian)(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)出,其(qi)承八(ba)家(jia)正統,就文(wen)(wen)(wen)境核之(zhi),亦與(yu)(yu)熙甫(歸有(you)(you)光的字)異境同歸;獨其(qi)根柢經(jing)術,因事著道(dao),油然浸溉乎學者(zhe)(zhe)之(zhi)心,而(er)羽翼(yi)道(dao)教,則(ze)不惟(wei)熙甫無(wu)以及(ji)之(zhi),即八(ba)家(jia)深道(dao)如韓、歐者(zhe)(zhe),亦或(huo)猶有(you)(you)憾焉。”他(ta)(ta)又以桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)文(wen)(wen)(wen)論、詩(shi)論標準,與(yu)(yu)鄉(xiang)賢方(fang)(fang)存之(zhi)選編了(le)《桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)文(wen)(wen)(wen)錄(lu)》;與(yu)(yu)友人文(wen)(wen)(wen)漢光編輯了(le)《古(gu)桐(tong)(tong)鄉(xiang)詩(shi)選》。經(jing)過(guo)他(ta)(ta)們的整理(li)選輯,使桐(tong)(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)先(xian)(xian)(xian)賢大量的詩(shi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)珍品得以流傳后世(shi)。
當時(shi)戴名(ming)世(shi)文(wen)章仍在禁書之列,無人敢于問(wen)津。鈞衡甘冒清(qing)廷大忌,搜集戴名(ming)世(shi)遺篇,匯為《潛虛先(xian)生文(wen)集》。他在集目序中推崇名(ming)世(shi)說:“余讀先(xian)生之文(wen),見其境(jing)象(xiang),如太空之浮(fu)云,變化無跡;又(you)(you)如飛仙御風,莫窺行止(zhi)。”說他可以直追(zhui)莊周、李(li)白(bai)、司馬子長;又(you)(you)說:“足與望(wang)溪(xi)齊名(ming)。”
鈞衡不僅(jin)關注桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)文(wen)化,也極其重視桑(sang)梓教(jiao)育。 道光二十(shi)(shi)(shi)年 (1840),與同(tong)里(li)文(wen)聚奎(kui)、程恩綬等社會名(ming)流在桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng)縣(xian)東三(san)十(shi)(shi)(shi)里(li)孔城(cheng)中(zhong)街創建(jian)(jian)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),推舉廩生(sheng)十(shi)(shi)(shi)數人(ren)任董事,募(mu)捐得(de)大錢9000串零9820文(wen),興建(jian)(jian)校舍五幢,購置田產十(shi)(shi)(shi)數處(chu),于(yu)道光二十(shi)(shi)(shi)一年開課(ke)(ke)。鈞衡親自主持校政,登堂(tang)講學(xue)(xue)。每年大課(ke)(ke)考(kao)試(shi)(shi)(shi)兩次(ci),每月(yue)小課(ke)(ke)考(kao)試(shi)(shi)(shi)一次(ci),考(kao)試(shi)(shi)(shi)成(cheng)績優(you)異的(de),發(fa)給獎錢1600文(wen),優(you)秀(xiu)詩文(wen)由書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)匯采刊刻(ke)。書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)學(xue)(xue)生(sheng)赴縣(xian)考(kao)試(shi)(shi)(shi)屢居案(an)首。戴(dai)氏對成(cheng)績優(you)異的(de)學(xue)(xue)生(sheng)備加愛護,住院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)修業的(de),如生(sheng)員測(ce)(ce)試(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)次(ci)超等,童生(sheng)測(ce)(ce)試(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)次(ci)前(qian)十(shi)(shi)(shi)名(ming)的(de),每月(yue)資助膏火紋(wen)銀五錢。書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)生(sheng)監(jian)赴金(jin)陵參加三(san)年一度(du)的(de)鄉試(shi)(shi)(shi)者,每人(ren)每科資助30000文(wen)。桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)創建(jian)(jian)未到三(san)年,成(cheng)績卓著,頗負盛名(ming),桐(tong)(tong)(tong)、舒兩縣(xian)士(shi)子負笈(ji)來游的(de)有數百(bai)人(ren)。當時主持安徽(hui)學(xue)(xue)政的(de)羅悖衍曾于(yu)道光二十(shi)(shi)(shi)六年(1847),督學(xue)(xue)桐(tong)(tong)(tong)城(cheng),看了《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)課(ke)(ke)藝》和《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)志》以后(hou)對桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)倍加贊賞(shang),說他們能“務根柢,而崇正學(xue)(xue)”。道光三(san)十(shi)(shi)(shi)年(1850),羅氏升(sheng)任通政使(后(hou)為戶部尚(shang)書(shu)(shu)),撰寫(xie)《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)記(ji)》褒揚戴(dai)鈞衡等人(ren)興辦(ban)教(jiao)育卓有成(cheng)效。《桐(tong)(tong)(tong)鄉書(shu)(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)記(ji)》羅尚(shang)書(shu)(shu)的(de)親筆碑刻(ke)至今猶存(cun)于(yu)孑L鎮中(zhong)心小學(xue)(xue)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)內。
戴鈞(jun)衡寫了一部《桐鄉書院志(zhi)》,對書院的興建、課業、考查、獎勵(li)都記載得十分詳實,為(wei)安(an)徽省(sheng)不(bu)可多得的書院志(zhi)書。
桐鄉書院(yuan)至(zhi)光緒(xu)三十二年(nian)(1906), 新學堂成立(li)才告廢(fei)止。戴氏在書院(yuan)中所(suo)興建的(de)曠(kuang)懷園和漱(shu)芳精舍故址,至(zhi)今依(yi)稀可辨,所(suo)建的(de)朝陽樓至(zhi)今完好無損,現為(wei)桐城市重點文物保護單位。
戴鈞衡(heng)不僅是一位飽學鴻儒,還有經緯治世之才。清咸豐帝施行新政,廣開言路,他(ta)列舉(ju)了當時國家利弊,請在京人士代呈,恰逢太(tai)平天國起(qi)事,所呈各款,清廷無(wu)暇及此。
太平(ping)軍破(po)岳(yue)陽(yang),戰艦(jian)沿江(jiang)而下,占領安慶,進逼桐(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)。戴(dai)氏惑(huo)于(yu)清廷(ting)宣(xuan)傳,敵視太平(ping)軍,赴臨(lin)淮避(bi)亂兼請(qing)援(yuan)軍。 不多時,桐(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)被(bei)攻陷,妻小(xiao)死(si)于(yu)兵厄。當時先生(sheng)客旅(lv)懷遠,聞訊嘔血(xue)而死(si),時年(nian)四(si)十(shi)有三(san)。遺骨(gu)葬于(yu)孔城(cheng)(cheng)鎮紅廟村丁(ding)家沖。曾國(guo)藩(fan)為(wei)題墓碑(bei)“大清舉人(ren)戴(dai)君存莊之墓”,現(xian)為(wei)桐(tong)城(cheng)(cheng)市(shi)重(zhong)點文(wen)物保護單位。著有《味經山館(guan)詩文(wen)鈔》、《公車日記(ji)》、《雜記(ji)》等刊行于(yu)世(shi)。《清史(shi)稿(gao)》有傳。
先生(sheng)遠離邪(xie)佞,為人正直(zhi)不阿。他在文集里多次闡明了(le)他的(de)做(zuo)人準則(ze)。他于所(suo)撰(zhuan)的(de)《朱建(jian)(jian)論》中,先簡(jian)述西(xi)漢朱建(jian)(jian)本是(shi)一(yi)位正直(zhi)的(de)官員,不與邪(xie)僻之人交友,后來母(mu)死(si)無錢治喪,接受了(le)佞臣審食(shi)其的(de)饋贈(zeng),并為審食(shi)其消災弭禍。文帝(di)誅殺(sha)審食(shi)其,朱建(jian)(jian)也畏罪自刎。戴(dai)氏在文章中發表感慨說:“嗚呼!以(yi)百金之故,喪名失節,遂殺(sha)其身,士君子取與之間,宜何如(ru)哉?”這(zhe)篇(pian)文章既是(shi)勸戒了(le)當世士人,也是(shi)自戒自勵的(de)一(yi)篇(pian)作品(pin)。