( 4t8 ) 
will be pleafed with them, and will perhaps prefer them 
forUfe to the Confular Reckonings, wherein are found fo 
many difcouraging Interruptions. And if Medals have 
foinewhat more enticing and fplendid in them, there is 
a certain Simplicity always uniform in the Continua- 
tion of the Years of the Cycle neceffarily followed, 
which leads the Mind to Truth by an eafy Road, with- 
out much Ornament, Expence or Enquiry after Mo- 
numents. 
Another Property of this new Table, no lefs re- 
markable or uieful than the foregoing is, that this 
Table lays before the Eye all the Names of the par- 
ticular Epoques affumed by the Emperors of China 
for near two thoufand Years. For Han uou 7/, the 
hrft who took this Sort of Epoque, began his Reign 
one hundred and forty Years before Jefus Chrtfl. 
No body, to the belt of our Knowledge, has given 
Europe a fufhcient Account of the Nature of thefe 
Epoques, though they are very well worth explain- 
ing. . The Emperors of China have a particular Cu- 
flom, little known in Europe^ which, if Care be not 
taken, would infallibly fpread Darknefs and Confufion 
over Chronology and Hiftory. It is not allowed to 
pronounce the proper Name of any Emperor during 
his Life, which is looked on in fomeMeafure as inef- 
fable. This Refped continues even after their Deaths ; 
for then it is not by their proper Names they are men- 
tioned, but are confecrated (if we may ufe the Term) 
by a Surname, which is a Sort of Charafberof Canoni- 
zation. And under this Title are they received into 
the Burying-place of their Anceftors, and afterwards 
ranked in Hiftory* But in their Life-time, to fupply 
z the 
