ETHNOLOGY, ETC., OF CHINA. 181 
the discovery of written characters; the manufacture of 
silk ; the invention of boats with oars; of wheeled carriages, 
and the training of horses to draw men also with having 
designed various implements, and as having wrought in 
metals. Under him the nation emerged into Y the hight of a 
sound social organisation. He erected an astronomical 
observatory ; rectified the calendar ; introduced coined money, 
and established a system of weights and measures. He built 
cities for his people, divided his country into principalities, the 
population into families, and organised communities. He 
appointed physicians to examine and prescribe for the sick, for 
it is recorded by Chinese historians that even in his day people 
suffered from without by the rigour of the seasons, and within 
from the passions which disturbed the mind; they died before 
their time. 
Caun Hv is credited with having “joined the priesthood 
to the State,” in other words instituted an “ Established 
Church,” albeit he reserved to himself the right of making 
“Sacrifices to Heaven.” He was versed in the science of 
Astronomy, and directed that the new year should be con- 
sidered thenceforward to coincide ‘‘ with the passage of the 
sun through the 15th degree of Aquarius.” According to the 
Chinese record, “ about this time divine and human personages 
mixed together and produced confusion.” * 
Ts Kwon enjoys the reputation of having been a musician 
and a polygamist ; his only recorded public act, the appoint- 
ment of ‘‘masters to teach his people virtue.” The brief record, 
as it stands, indicates the social condition which, even in those 
far distant times, prevailed among them. 
Two more names of pr imeval monarchs need here be 
given,—those of Yao aud Suun, the last of these so-called 
« Five Sovereigns and Three Emperors.” To Yao is assigned 
the conjectural date B.C. 2356; his reign extending to 102 
years ; a period less than that given to some of the Patriarchs, 
but far exceeding the limits recorded in authentic history. 
He it was who divided the early Chinese Kingdom into twelve 
provinces, presided over by as many “ pastors.” He instituted 
law courts and principles of procedure, such as continue in 
force at the present day ; and he began a plan for the systematic 
improvement of his country and people. 
‘fo SHunt is assigned the credit of having instituted the 
great agricultural festival which continues down to the present 
* The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair.— 
Genesis Vi. 2. 
+ Bevan to reign B.C, 2254; died B.C. 2207. 
