The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-10-05

hands of the Chinese except when ag-
gressive, like the American savages.
AS the ancient Chinese spread out over
vast territory cut up by mountains and
rivers petty Kingdoms or feudal states
were established. For long periods the
country was rent with war and strife
either between the petty kingdoms
themselves or between single states
and the empire. Sages writing of that
time give picture similar 70 that
found in the Arthurian legends of Brit
ain. Finally strong man arose who
proclaimed himself universal sover-
eign. He was opposed by the literary
classes, and with bold hand he com
manded the destruction of all litera-
ture excepting works of divination and
medicine. Next he built roads and
bridges to connect the different states
into closer union. AT this time the
Tartars We're threatening the empire
on the north, and the emperor, Shih,
constructed the famous wall, which re-
mains as monument to the so called
Chin dynasty.
The Han dynasty, which succeeded
the Chin, ruled for four centuries and
well into the Christian era and gave to
modern Chinese civilization it's dis
tinctive impetus. Literature was re-
stored to it's old place, science and art
patronized, great enterprises set going
and among other achievements the
first suspension bridges in the world
constructed.
What the Chinese development would
have become but for the aggressions of
the Tartars on the north can only be
conjectured. The HISTORIAN Chris
tians gained foothold in China, and
monument still standing in the ancient
Chinese capital of Sian-fu attests their
cordial reception. The religion i'm
ported from India was at first discour-
aged, then tolerated. No effort was
spared on the part of the rulers to re-.
store ancient beliefs and traditions as
interpreted by the great Confucius.
,"China for the Chinese" was the watch
word then as it has been since, but in
spite of all the Tartars broke through
the wall of stone and modified the ma
terial progress of the Middle Kingdom
without, However. upsetting Chinese
philosophy and morals.
Picking became the capital city of
China as late as the thirteenth century,
when the Mongol conquerors set up
their court there. Subsequently Hang
chau was the capital until the restora-
ton of Chinese rule, when Nankin be-
camesthe seat of government. Picking
was again selected as the capital early
in the fifteenth centpry. Next to Sian
flu. the ancient capital, Nankin is the
most typical Chinese city. Before the
coming ofthe Mongols the rulers made
| this Il secondary capital. Being in cen
trail China, it was beyond the reach of
influence from the northern invader.
Nankin, situated on the Grand canal
between Picking and Canton, was a
great commercial center. The cloth
called .'nankeen" was largely manu-
factured there. During the TAPPING re-
| bellion the finest portion of the city
was destroyed. The principal street,
| lined with handsome buildings, was
laid in ruins. and the vandal rebels,
finding that they were to be driven
| from the chosen city of the "Sun of
Heaven" who was their leader, wreck
ed the magnificent porcelain tower
which had beautified the chief plaza
more than 400 years. The tower was
Of an octagonal form and comprised
nine galleries or stories. A chime of
f44 bells delicately suspended at the
corner of the cornices and from the
pinnacle sent forth music when played
upon by the winds.
Unlike the people who derive civili-
zation from Greece and Rome the Chi
nese look backward in their own coun-
try for types to worship and for pre-
cepts. They know nothing of the wise
1