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adept at the art. Gradnating in 1789, he was shortly aftenrardi sent to Eiangnan, and presently became magistrate at Nanking, where be greatly distinguished himself by the ?igonr and justice of his administration. A serious illness kept him for some time unemployed; and when on recovery he was sent into Shansi, he managed to quarrel with the Viceroy. At the early age of 40 he retired from the official arena and led a life of lettered ease in hie beautiful garden at Nanking, from which he obtained the sobriquet of ^ SI ^ ^ • His poems are still much read and admired. His letters, which have been published under the title of /J> ^ |1| j^, are extremely witty and amusing and are also models of style. He composed a famous cookery-book, known as |§ ^ ^. ^« which amply entitles him to be regarded as the Brillat-Savarin of China.

2558 Tiian Ming-sliaii jt^^ (T. H ^). Died A.D. 1321. A native of Ch4ng-ho in Chihli, descended from the old Toba family. Of exceptional precocity as a child, he distinguished himself both with his sword and pen, and rose to be a Doctor in the Han-lin CoU^ and President of the Board of Rites. He was employed upon the biographies of several of the Emperors, and was also known as a writer of essays. Canonised as ^ ^.

2559 Yuan Pao-chti TC ^ ^- Died A.D. 551. A grandson of Tflan Hung-yen. He was set up by Yii-w6n T*ai in 535 as first Emperor of the Western Wei dynasty (see Yuan Hsiu), and remained a mere puppet in the hands of his Minister, who really tried to rule the country well. He was succeeded by his son, known in history ^8 ^ *i^ ' ^^ *$* ^ » ^^^ ^^^ latter was deposed after a brief reign by Yd-w^n T*ai, who in 553 set up J^ Kuo, Prince of Ch*i, known in history as |^ *r^. The latter resumed the sur- name of Toba. In 557 he abdicated in favour of Yii-wto Chflo, son of Yii-wSn T*ai, founder of the Northern Chou dynasty. Ytlan Pao-chii was canonised as ^ ^.