him. Every journey that is accomplished must facilitate successive discovery in the same line of country. Probably as fast as one line is made good geographically, fresh lines may present themselves, and new vistas will be opened to the astonished gaze of geographers. At length, with all the constancy and courage which arduous travel never fails to inspire, the enquirers of the future will doubtless explore this plateau till it becomes as well known as the Alpine regions of Europe. CHAPTER III. POLITICAL LESSONS OF CHINESE HISTORY. [Paper read before the Royal Historical Society, in London, Political and strategic geography of China-Mongol invasion turning-point in Chinese history-Early Chinese civilization before that event-Gallant and patriotic resistance on the part of the Chinese against their Mongol invaders-Mongol conquest of China completed A.D. 1270--Character of Mongol rule there- Restoration of native Chinese dynasty-Its decay after lasting two centuries Local insurrection of a strange character arising Prepares the way for accession of the Manchus - Origin of the Manchu Tartars -They overrun China after a noble resistance by the people — Their dominion established over China - Character of their rule up to the nineteenth century - Eminent sovereigns of their race-Beginning of their degeneracy. - In undertaking to address you regarding the political lessons derivable from the history of China, I must ask you to allow me to bring my survey down to the end of the eighteenth century only, and to stop at the commencement of our present nineteenth century. The reason is this, that Chinese history, from about the year 1800, involves several problems which have been and still are agitated among politicians, and some controversies of a moral, social, or economic character, which are far from being exhausted. Such topics would, doubtless, be regarded by you as unsuitable in the present address. Still, an impartial retrospect of the past cannot fail to assist us in understanding the present, and gauging the immediate future of a vast people in whose affairs British interests are largely concerned. Moreover, to essay such a task is all the more desirable, in that Chinese history, though striking and interesting when its leading features are grasped, is but little known popularly, and even to the sight of cultured people is perhaps involved in mist and confusion. Yet with many there is springing up an uneasy consciousness that as China is growing fast in importance, its antecedent conditions merit examination. Before presenting to you those parts of Chinese history which are really the turning-points in the career of the nation, I must call to your remembrance certain salient points in the political and strategic geography of China. These points will immediately be apprehended from a glance at the map prefixed to this address. In the first place, beginning at the north, pray observe the headwaters of the river Amûr and its affluents. There was the birthplace of the Mongolian power, probably the most destructive and terrific force that has ever appeared in human history, and which overcame China together with many other countries. In the next place, let your attention be turned to a comparatively small river which flows into a gulf to the north-east of Peking. Its valley was the original home of the Manchus, who, from the humblest beginnings as a petty Tartar tribe, conquered China after a contest lasting only a single generation. In the third place your notice must be claimed for the range of hills immediately north of Peking, stretching from the sea-coast westwards till they join the mountains which overhang the desert of Mongolia. These mountains formed the line of demarcation between the Chinese proper, who were people of the plains or valleys, and the Tartars, including the famous Mongols, the Manchus, and other cognate tribes, who were people dwelling in the mountains or the elevated plateaux. The tribes dwelling beyond this range were to the Chinese what the barbarians beyond the Alps were to the Romans-at first subdued by civilised force, but ultimately rising against the civilisation to which they had bowed, and victoriously overthrowing it. It was along the winding ridge of this range that the great Chinese Wall was built. In the next |