nese, (*) This vice infested, gradually, the whole empire. It is least found in the Southern pro- 

 vinces, but increases towards the Northern provinces, showing clearly its origin. ( 2 ) 



The Hungleague rightly considers this degrading corruption as the principal cause of the de- 

 generation of the Chinese empire and therefore punishes it with DEATH. (Code of 72 Laws, 

 art. 21 & 70). 



The two cradles of the Hungleague, the provinces of Canton and Fuhhien, were also those which 

 most resisted theTartar sway and till the present day it are these provinces, which most hate 

 those nomadic usurpers. The natives of the latter pro vin ce, still wear a kerchief wound around 

 their head, in order to conceal the badge of subjection — the cue. As the inhabitants of these 

 provinces were masters of the coast, they equipped large fleets, wherewith they made inroads 

 on the coastplaces. Two of the most famous leaders of those expeditions, were Ching-dd-lung 

 (1640) and Kow-sMng his son, better known by the name of Koxinga. 



The latter, wanting a stronghold to repair and equip his fleets, attacked the isle of Formosa, 

 drove the Dutch out of their settlements, and founded a regular kingdom. 



Since that time the Hungleague became better known. The sacred edict of the Emperor 

 Yung-ching , speaks of it under the names Incenseburners ( 3 ) and White-lotus-sect ( 4 ), names which 

 the people, probably, gave to this league, as it calls itself Hungleague, or Heaven and Earth-lea- 

 gue. It takes also the name of Three-tmitecl-league , ( 5 ) because the league is based upon the 

 bonds existing between Heaven, Earth and Man. 



These three names are the only ones, that may be applied to the league: all the other 

 names are only watchwords. The statutes of Shaniung, found in Japara, have given us the clue 

 to these names. 



The first chiefs of the lodge there, were six men living in the district of Lung-chau ( 6 ) on 

 the ridges of the Hau-hwui montains. ( 7 ) They were called: Htmg-lchi-hai, Hwang-hhi-tsing , 

 Cliau-yuen-tsing , Ckin-li-c/iang , Su-yuen-hiun and Ching-chi-lung. ( 8 ) Each of them took a different 

 w r atchword. ( 9 ) Hung took the watchword I-hing ( 10 ), patriotic rise, or rise of justice. Hivang, 

 the watchword Hai-shan ( n ), Sea and Land. Clvau, the watchword Ta-tao ( I2 ), large knife or sword. 

 Chin, the watchword Siao-tao ( 13 ), the small knife or poniard. Su, the watchword Ping-yen ( u ), 

 Handle and eaves; and Ching, the watchword Tung-tsze ( 15 ), the boy. ( 1G ) 



(!) W. Williams, Middle Kingdom. II, 224. 



( 3 ) For further particulars on this subject, my article on Prostitulion in CJdna, printed in the XXXIII Vo- 

 lume of the Transactions of the Batavian Society of arts & sciences, may be consulted. 



( 3 ) ^ § Wan-hiang. 



( 4 ) Ó Hl Üt ^ liaü kia0 ' ^ — *&" ^ San-hoh-hwui. 



( 6 ) «i au m i 7 ) # jë m 



( s ) » « «. s * «. a 7t n . t» m w. m ït ». % « fi 



(9) gg Hao. (10) || J^ (») j$ ^ (i*) -^ Jj 



( 13 ) /h 7i (14) W tJt ^ 5) HL ~ï* (16) The statutes of Shan - 



tung mention also, that the four last brethern died on the Ramhead-Mmd. l~Èéi ïpg 



