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History of the Ming Dynasty.

Nov.

dees, and officers of all grades, traitroous ministers, thieves (Lí Sz' ching is placed first), and chiefs of the aborigines in China, inter- course with Japan, Lewchew, Camboja, Siam, and various Malay states, Sumatra and Java, with the Franks and the Dutch, with Ben- gal, Mongolia, Tartary, Medina, and other places.

In the history of the kings, we have a kind of biography of the mo- narchs. Hungwú's origin and adventures are minutely detailed, and as they have already been noticed (see vol. VII., page 353), we pass to Kienwan, who was distinguished for his filial piety. He refused to appear in his robes of state for three years after his grandfather's death, or to eat anything but congee, in order to honor his illustrious predecessor. Whether he really kept his vow, we do not know, but a prince who was so punctilious in the observance of rites, could most cruelly persecute his uncles from mere jealousy. Of Hunghi, the historiographer says, "he honored heaven, acted up to his principles, was simple and sincere, virtuous, extensively learned, dignified and martial. An ornament to the sages, and fully versed in filial piety. His youth was marked by a solemn deportment, a fondness of retire- ment, and exactitude of word and deed. He exercised himself in archery; he was fond of scholars, and was never wearied in convers- ing with them."

A translation of a short passage will give an idea of the style. “In the first year of Lungking, the first month on the second day, the emperor sacrificed at the great temple. After the lapse of some days he officiated at the Tuitsung ming hall. In the second month, he presented his offerings to the gods of the land. About this time he raised the concubine Chin to the rank of empress. Chin l'kin, vice- president of the Board of Civil Office, was created director of the Board of Rites, and minister of the Wanyuen hall (the same rank that Kishen held), whilst Cháng Küching, vice-president of the Board of Rites, became vice-president of the Board of Civil Office, and mi- nister of the eastern hall, being also created a counselor of war. Sacrifices were offered in the Tuitsung yu chí palace. The robbers attacked Kwángning, and general Wáng Chítáu defeated them."

The history is told throughout in this edifying manner, and if a sinologue was never before plagued with headache, we think he can have a touch of it by patiently perusing these annals, and we safely recommend them for their soporific qualities. The interminable intrigues and cabals are minutely described, and if Táukwáng has no better court than the Ming princes, he must be one of the most A host of women, of course all of them happy men in the world