( 4^4 ) 
Tliofe who have no Inclination to know what h'aspaf- 
fed in China, who read not its Hiftory nor Accounts, 
who fludy not its Religion, Arts, Sciences, Govern- 
ment, nor Policy, have no Need of this Table j but 
whoever applies himfelf to the Study of the different 
Articles juft mentioned, may be affured that he will 
draw fuch Helps hence as Experience alone can enable 
him to fet a juft Value on. For at firft Glance of the 
Eye one will fee therein the Beginning and the End of 
all the Reigns, the Duration of the Dynafties, the 
Succeffion of the Chinefe Monarchy ; and that one 
will therein difcover, as in a faithful Looking-Glafs, 
the Faults of Chronology difperfed in feveral Authors: 
But the principal Advantage is, that this Table, con- 
formably with the moft valued Hiftory, fixes the true 
Epoque of the Chinefe Empire to four Centuries or • 
thereaboutsbefore the Birth of our Saviour. By the true 
Epoque of the Empire underftand not the Beginnings 
of the Nation, which it is credible (as we have re- 
marked before) remount to the next Ages after the 
Deluge ; but the Beginning of the Monarchy, which 
is the Time, when the Incidents that happened in 
this Nation, appearing grounded on certain Proofs, 
deferve the Cr^it of learned Men. This important 
Point < once cleared up, ought to put an End to the 
Difputes of the Learned on the fabulous Antiquity of 
China » Excellent Wits, capable of greater 'Fhings, 
will henceforth difdain to employ their Lucubrations, 
in fuch frivolous Scrutinies. 
VI. An 
