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Rh between themselves. It ended more from the exhaustion of the combatants than from any real superiority on the part of Ts‘in.

While the downfall of Chow has led me thus to speak of the success which must inevitably attend the efforts of the combatant whose resources are the greatest, if the contents of my volume led me to trace the history of China downwards for a few more years, it would be as evident that, while material strength is sure, when not deficient in warlike skill, to gain a conquest, it cannot consolidate it. The brief existence of the Ts‘in dynasty seemed but to afford a breathing time to the warring States, and then China became once more horrid with the din of arms. Most of the States which had contended over the throne of Chow again took the ﬁeld, and others with them, until, after sixteen years more of strife and misery, the contest was decided in favour of the House of Han, which joined to force of arms respect for the traditions of the country, and a profession at least of reverence for the virtues of justice and benevolence.

6. An incident occurred during the time of duke Sëang which deserves to have attention called to it, as illustrating the saying that ‘there is nothing new under the sun,’ where we should not expect its illustration. The strife between Ts‘oo and Ts‘in was then at its height; and the States generally were groaning under the miseries which it occasioned. It occurred to Hëang Seuh, a minister of Sung, that he would be deserving well of the country if he could put an end to the constant wars. The idea of a Peace Society took possession of his mind. He was by no means without ability himself, and had a faculty for negotiation and intrigue. He was, no doubt, sincerely desirous to abate the evils which abounded, but we are sorry to find that he was ambitious also 'to get a name' for himself by his measure, and had an eye to more substantial advantages as well. How his scheme worked itself out in his own mind we do not know; but after long brooding over it, he succeeded in giving it a practical shape, which may have been modiﬁed by the force of circumstances.

Being on friendly terms with the chief ministers of Tsin and Ts‘oo, he first submitted his plan to them, and procured their assent to it. In Tsin they said, ‘War is destructive to the people and eats up our resources; and it is the greatest calamity of the small States. Seuh’s plan will perhaps turn out impracticable, but we must give it our sanction; for if we do not, Ts‘oo will do it, and so improve its position with the States to our disadvantage.’ Similarly they 120]