CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES. Q7 



each manual is marked by colloquialisms, aud a bias in favour of a 

 peculiar Province or District according to the origin of the Lodge. 

 Most of the books which have come under my notice seem of 

 great age, and many are blackened with use, and much dogs- 

 eared ; none are exactly alike, but what is deficient in some, is 

 supplied by others. 



I have chosen for my groundwork a copy which, although differ- 

 ing considerably from that used by M. Schlegel, and less correct 

 in point of dates, gives I think a more thorough!}- Chinese ac- 

 count of occurrences, which as far as our present knowledge goes, 

 are but hypothetical. While endeavouring to put the whole into 

 readable English, I have preserved as much as possible the pecu- 

 liar Chinese style of expression, which I trust will not diminish 

 the interest of the story. For the benefit of readers not conversant 

 with Chinese Chronology it may be necessary to state that the 

 facts narrated in the story are supposed to have taken place du- 

 ring the reign of Kang-Hi, the 2nd Emperor of the present 

 Manchu, or " Ching" Dynasty. 



In 1644 Tsung-Cheng or Chuang-Lieh-Ti, the last monarch 

 of the Chinese dynasty " Ming" (which had held the Empire 

 since A. D. 1361) was driven from his throne by Shun-Chi the 

 father of Kang-hi. 



THE ORIGIN Of THE TH1EN-TI-H ( J . 



In the reign of the Emperor Kang-Hi, in the year Kah- 

 Yin ( A.D. 1664 ) the Western Eleuth Tatars invaded the 

 boundaries of the Flowery Land, bringing trouble and devasta- 

 tion into the Middle Kingdom. 



To avenge these injuries, the Provincial Government sent se- 

 veral large armies to subdue the Barbarians, bnt all was in vain, 

 and, after losing several battles, the defeated General Koeh-Ting- 

 Hui presented a memorial in person to the Emperor, humbly 

 begging his Sacred Majesty to send an army to the relief of 

 his people. 



The Emperor held a consultation with his nobles, but for some 

 time could not arrive at any decision ; when a high Minister 

 suddenly came forward, and humbly bowing said : " By the 

 memorial of Koeh-Ting-Hui, the situation seems tru'y alarm- 

 ing. I would earnestly recommend compliance with his memo- 

 rial, and beg your Majesty to at once send an army to recover 

 the territories of our Sovereign Lord, and to protect the people 

 committed by Heaven to your charge." 



