. ( 199 ) 
' ft 
3. That it is eftabliftied on many Obfervations of 
Eclipfes, which are marked therein, and are found 
very conformable to the Aftronomical Calculations of 
the raoft learned Aftronomers of the later Times. 
4. That all the Parts of the ancient Chtnefe .Hi* 
ftory have been writ by Authors contemporary with 
the Kings, whofe Lives they have left us. 
5. Confucius y whofe Authority ought to be 
of great Weight on account of his Probity and Virtue, 
never called this Chronology in Doubt, but always 
fuppofed it very true. 
The Author of the Memoirs has but copied after 
other Writers more ancient than himfelf. A Reader 
who has never been out of Europe, and fees thofe 
Things affirmed with fo much Confidence, thinks 
there is no Reafon to doubt of them. Thus has the 
Fable been introduced without Oppofition, by De* 
grees it gained the Afcendant, and is fo eftabliffied at 
this Day, that one fcarce dares attack it. 
Neverthelefs the following Propofitions are indubita- 
ble, and contradidory to the five Propofitions juft now 
cited. 
I. The Chronology in queftion is made up of Parts 
ill linked together, and that have no Connedion ; and 
abounds with abfurd Contradidions. 
X. It is entirely fabulous in its Beginnings and Pro- 
grefs ; entirely fabulous in its Principles, and in the 
Confequences drawn from thence. 
3 . It is not built on any Obfervation of Eclipfes : 
The Eclipfes marked therein, and the other Aftrono- 
inical Charaiders by which the Author would fain 
eftabliffi it, are contradided by the Tables and Cal- 
culations of the moft learned Aftronomers of thefe 
later Times. 
Hhh X 
4. The 
