Page:China- Its State and Prospects.djvu/35

Rh sixty learned men, wishing to make posterity believe that the dominion of the world commenced with himself, the first universal emperor of China. The object of obliterating all remembrance of antiquity was, however, defeated by the subsequent discovery of the books of Confucius, in the wainscot of an old house; and the intention of perpetuating his rule to succeeding generations was also frustrated by the demise of his son, only two years after his own death, by which means the empire passed into other hands, and his dynasty became extinct. Though the writings of Confucius were recovered, yet they were much injured, and, in many parts, defective; which has greatly detracted from the integrity, intelligibility, and, in the opinion of some, from the credibility of the whole.

During the life-time of this monarch the famous Chinese wall was erected, in order to keep out the Tartars, who then infested the northern frontier. Almost every third man was drafted, throughout the empire, for the accomplishment of this undertaking; and being but poorly supplied with provisions, many of them died in the work. Hence the Chinese call it, "The ruin of one generation, and the salvation of thousands." However true the first part of this sentence may be, the latter is not so exactly correct, as the Tartars have several times invaded China, notwithstanding their wall, and are now in possession of the empire. Still it is a stupendous work, stretching over fifteen hundred miles of country, crossing hills and rivers, and provided with gates and towers, at certain intervals, so that if well manned and guarded, in a country where artillery is seldom employed, it might still be serviceable in keeping out an enemy, were not the