Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/71

59 TA1-TS0UNG, FOUNDER OF THE THANG DYNASTY. 59 happy memory, of Balkb, a town of Tokharistan (Tur- kestan), raised this tablet of stone, on which are de- scribed the benefits of our Saviour, and the preaching of our fathers in the kingdom of the Chinese. Adam, Deacon, son of Yezd-bonzid, Chor-Episcopus ; Mar-Ser- gius, Priest, and Chor-Episcopus ; Sabar-Jesu, Priest ; Gabriel, Priest, Arch-deacon, and Ecclesiarch of Kom- dam and Sarage." At the period mentioned in the inscription of Si- ngan-Fou, China had recently undergone an important revolution, which brought into power the dynasty of Thang, the most celebrated and most illustrious of those which have governed the Chinese empire. The founder, Tai-Tsoung, although scarcely twenty- three years of age, had subjugated almost all the pro- vinces ; but instead of seizing on the supreme power for himself, he caused his father to be proclaimed em- peror. This act of filial piety won for him the enthu- siastic admiration of the people ; and when, in 627, he succeeded to the imperial throne, he became one of the greatest princes of the Chinese monarchy. He annexed to the empire, or rendered tributary, all the neigh- bouring States. In 629, the whole of Tartary was subject to his authority, and the chiefs unanimously yi elded to him the title of Celestial Emperor. He died in the year 649, at the age of fifty-five, after having reigned twenty-three years. The dynasty of Thang produced a numerous suc- cession of distinguished princes, who raised China to the highest point of civilisation it has ever reached. At no other period did literature and the fine arts attain an equal degree of splendour ; and even to the present day, the antiquaries of China, and those of