The National tribune., 1901-07-04

HUN. JOhN LA
AMERICAN MINISTER TO SIAM.
Mythology plays an important part il
the ancient history of China as it does
in that of the older European nations
Going back TO the fabulous times of 800,
600 to 100000 years, it first begins tc
tell story of some truth about 33 cen
turies before Christ Fuh-hi, who reigned
2900 b. c., is commonly regarded as the
first real man whose name stands out in
the long dim line of ancient Kings. Be
fore him as human monarch were ages
of supernatural giants. There was Pwan
ku, who formed cosmos from chaos. Fol
$4,000 years he labored chiseling into def
mite form the rude, ShapeleSs earth. He
was followed by three sovereigns who
during another period of $50 centuries,
prepared the earth for ordinary life. I'm
der the suggestive and appropriate names
of the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Human,
their deeds are sung in Chinese legends.
In these tales we are told how they
evolved the relations of the sexes, gov
ernment and order, and taught men to
eat, drink and sleep. They enticed fire
from heaven, and with it cooked the raw
food of the soil for the better support of
their proteges who were populating the
valleys and plains and mountains they
had created.
There are no more interesting myths
in the poetry and song of the ancient
Greeks and Romans than can be found
in the fanciful narratives of the Chinese
romancers; and, If we investigate care
fully the relations Of China in the remote
past to western Asia, we may be even
convinced that the legendary lore of the
former antedates the latter in its inspira-
tien and first rehearsal to charmed and
credulous ears.
EIGHT GREAT EYPERoRs.
ITrl II, -
and his seven successors held sway for
nearly 500 years, an average of q CEN
tury each The atmosphere of myth stin
remains here. unless in the repeated songs
of their achievements some lesser lights
of their dynasty are forgotten. From
the number stands out Hwangti, 'the
founder OF China" as he is often por-
trayed, although the same honor is given
to many others and claimed by more
Hwangti's capital was in Honan, and he
is described as extending the empire from
Pechili to the Yangtze, while his son even
extended the boundaries into Manchuria
or the north and Tonkin on the south.
He is given the credit of originating
the famous Cycle of Cathay," the arbi-
trary period of 60 years, in honor of the
61st year of his reign: and he established
a regular calendar. But a greater deed
was the regulation Of weights and meas
ures according to the decimal system. He
carried the same principle into the govern
ment of his kingdom, making 10 towns
one district, 10 districts one department,
10 departments one province, and 10
provinces one empire. He built highways
upon land, and boats to navigate the riv-
ers, and generally was q wise and pro-
gressiVe monarch.
He was following in the footsteps of
Fuh-hi, who instituted the laws of mar
riage and methods of agriculture and fish
ing.
The Tyre and lutte were invented by
him to make his people cheerful and con-
tent. Chinese characters were devised
and family names were then first known.
While all these stories providing the
necessities and of adapting the realities
of life suggest a degree OF truth, there is
woven in with them a large measure of
romance that colors their historical value.
Fub-hi attributed all his successes and
glorious achievements to the dragon-h horse
that came out of the Yellow River bear
ing O scroll on its back, and possibly in
this fable we have the crystallization in
legendary history of the dragon concep-
tion, which plays so important a part in
contemporary Chinese romance and real
ity-which adorns their flags and cloth
ing, Is the central figure of their art,
and is remembered in their prayers.
But the glory Of Fuh-hi and Hwangti
Is oYershadOwed by the renown of that
galaxy Of Chinese heroes, the Emperors
Yao. Shun and Yu, whom Confucius and
Mencius, China's two greatest sages, have
made immortal.
Yae and Shun reigned approximately
B. G. 23J0-2200. and their names and
deeds are known to every Chinese boy aud
girl The child of mandarin or coolie will
glibly describe their greatness, as the son
OF millionaire or pauper in America will
tell You about Washington or Lincoln.
Ii Is well TO note in this connection that
the Characters which are admired and
remembered in China today as in the past
are generally men of highest attainments
and lofty motives. The Sterner records
of history tell of evil as well as good men
but the popular narratives, songs, and
poems, together with the deep philosophic
works Of Chinas wise men, give little
consideration TO other than the great and
good. Thus has there been continuous
and notable influence for the DEVELOPMENT
and betterment of the Chinese ppoples
from the earliest times, which has had
marked effect upon the life Of the empire
through its ups and downs Of the past CEN
turies. 1t elevates the Chinese far above
and beyond any position as barbarians.
II demonstrates the existence of power
ful civilization more years before the birth
OF Jesus of Nazareth than have elapsed
since that chief event in all history
startled and amazed the pagan world.
After Yao and Shun came the mighty
W NhllifS HuOSe reign were TWO events
that will never allow il 10 sink into en-
tire oblivion. The first was the terrible
inundation Of the greater part OF the then
inhabited empire by China's sorrow, the
Yellow River The second was the dis
covery of the manufacture Of wine. Which
has been the worst for mankind might be
difficult TO determine! Yu. after he had
enjoyed his first experience with the bey-
erage, saGely remarked, ''The days will
come in which some Of my successors
through drinking this, will cause infinite
sorrow to the nation" Yu WAS the found
er of the Hia or Hal dynasty. which con.
trolled China from 2200 TO 1918 Il. c..
The records Of Chinese historians are
not definite in naming the year when the
Chinese settlers first arrived in their new
home, but it was in these early semi
legendary years. BY some the time ia
placed before the days of Fuh-hi or as
contempOraneous with his reign. Others
contend that they came about 300 II q
antedating the reign of Yu: but nearly ali
agree that the Chinese were not natives.
they came, If We are to take the word of
Confucius, from the valley OF the En-
pirates or from the regions Of the Cas-
plan Sea. Journeying for 4 new land and
home, they persisted in their eastern nil
grimage by n northern route and entered
China through the valley of the Hoanpbn
or Yellow River, until finally they were
stopped by the boundless waters Of the
Pacific. '''
The fact that the Chinese were not in
digenous adds vastly to interest in the
Study Of the growth of the empire. II es-