china's place in ancient history : A FRAGMENT. 107 



established their military power in the midst of their surround- 

 ings, and from that circumstance adopted for themselves the 

 name of Chung Kwoh, or, " The Middle Kingdom."* 



Here are a few characteristics of Chow-sin, the last of his 

 dynasty, and no wonder that he was so : " Of strong mind and 

 passions, he excelled in all kinds of wickedness, his vices 

 nourished by his empress, an infamous but beautiful woman, 

 every vice found in her an advocate and promoter. "f The 

 atrociousl}^ wicked deeds perpetrated by Chow-sin are detailed 

 in works on Chinese history, though unfit for mention here. 

 The tributary princes combined their forces to rid themselves 

 of the monster ; under one of themselves, Wou Wang, the 

 confederates marched their forces against him, and speedily 

 overcame the Imperial troops. Thereupon Chow fled to Ins 

 palace, which being set on fire, he perished in the flames. 



Thus hastily have the events in China's history during 

 close upon five centuries^ been glanced at. In a similarly 

 hurried manner must a summary be made of those recorded 

 in other regions of the then civilised world, namely : — 



The several nations of Greece§ rose in power; wandering- 

 tribes from the north (Scythians) migrated to that country, 

 and to others more favoured by climate and in soil than 

 their own. Troubles in Egypt led to further emigration 

 therefrom, chiefly to the land of Ion.|| The Phoenicians 

 had established Tyre, and themselves became an important 

 maritime power : their name among the early Greeks, 

 synonymous Avith fraud, deceit, and treachery. In Egypt 

 the Israelites had increased in numbers and strength, and so 

 excited the fears of the reigning monarch.^ The Exodus 

 took place B.C. .1491 ; the hosts of Manephtah were destroyed 

 in the " Red Sea " ; the Israelites spent forty years in the 

 desert, during wliich period the Ten Commandments were 



* To the empress Ta Kia, wife of Chow Sin, the last monarch of the 

 Shang dynasty, is said to be due the method of contracting the feet of 

 Chinese girls, which has continued to the present day. She also is said 

 to have introduced what has ever since been known as " the Feast of 

 Lanterns." Du Halde, vol. i, js. 292. 



t Gutslaffs Histori/ of China, vol. i, p. 162. 



X Namely, from B.C. 1636 to B.C. 1122 = 514 years. 



§ Mentioned in Scripture under the name of Javan, son of Japheth 

 Gen. X, 2. 



II Ion, i.e., Javan, Greece. 



% Rameses II. In the space of 215 years from about 70 persons the 

 family of Jacob had increased to 600,000 fighting men, or a gross popula- 

 tion of more than two millions. 



