Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 139

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Chronology of the Chinese.

2. 五帝紀 Woo TE KE.

Names of the Sovereign.

1. 伏羲 Fuhhe.

2.

MARCH;

Cotemporary Chinese Events.

Fishing, grazing, &c., instituted.

Shinnung.

Agriculture commenced.

3.

Hwang te.

Calendar adopted.

少昊

4. Shaouhaou.

5. 顓頊 Chuenhcuh.

!

6. 4

3

Kuh.

7. 堯

Yaou.

8. 舜

Shun.

Destruction by a deluge, K 洪水 hung shwuy wci hwan.

Fuhhe, Shinnung, IIwang te, Yaou, and Shun are regarded, by most historians, as the five sovereigns. During this period, from 2852 B. C. to 2204, very little can be ascertained concerning the persons who then lived, or the events that occurred; in Chinese his- tory, a few particulars are recorded, handed down by tradition. They are worthy of notice, chiefly because they are so frequently referred to by the Chinese in all their writings."

The capital of Fuhhe is reputed to have been situated on the southern bank of the Yellow river, in the province of Honan, near the present provincial capital Kacfung foo, lat. 34° 52′ 5′′ N., long. 1° 55′ 30′′ W., from Peking.

Shinnung, the Divine Husbandman, known also as Yen te Shin- nung, is chiefly renowned for his attention to agriculture.

To Hwangte credit is given for several useful inventions, of which that of the cycle is the most notable. The honor of inventing letters, the calendar, &c., are claimed for him and his principal ministers. He was born in Kaefung the ancient capital.

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· Of Shaouhaou called also Shaouhaou Kinteën, of Chuenheuh called also Chuenheuh Kaouyang, and of Kuh called also Kuh Kaousin, little comparatively is recorded.

· Of Yaou and Shun, volumes have been written; they are by the Chinese even to this day regarded as the illustrious patterns of all that is good in everything...