each manual is marked by colloquialisms, and a bias in favour of a peculiar Province or District according to the origin of the Lodge. Most of the books which have come under my notice seem of great age, and many are blackened with use, and much dogs-eared; none are exactly alike, but what is deficient in some, is supplied by others.
I have chosen for my ground work a copy which, although differing considerably from that used by M. Schlegel, and less correct in point of dates, gives I think a more thoroughly Chinese account of occurrences, which as far as our present knowledge goes, are but hypothetical. While endeavouring to put the whole into readable English, I have preserved as much as possible the peculiar Chinese style of expression, which I trust will not diminish the interest of the story. For the benefit of readers not conversant with Chinese Chronology it may be necessary to state that the facts narrated in the story are supposed to have taken place during the reign of Kang-Hi, the 2nd Emperor of the present Manchu, or "Ching" Dynasty.
In 1644 Tsung-Cheng or Chuang-Lieh-Ti, the last monarch of the Chinese dynasty "Ming" (which had held the Empire since A. D. 1361) was driven from his throne by Shun-Chi the father of Kang-hi.
THE ORIGIN OF THE THIÊN-TI-HUI.
In the reign of the Emperor Kang-Hi, in the year Kah-Yin (A.D. 1664) the Western Eleuth Tatars invaded the boundaries of the Flowery Land, bringing trouble and devastation into the Middle Kingdom.
To avenge these injuries, the Provincial Government sent several large armies to subdue the Barbarians, but all was in vain, and, after losing several battles, the defeated General Koeh-Ting-Hui presented a memorial in person to the Emperor, humbly begging his Sacred Majesty to send an army to the relief of his people.
The Emperor held a consultation with his nobles, but for some time could not arrive at any decision; when a high Minister suddenly came forward, and humbly bowing said: "By the memorial of Koeh-Ting-Hui, the situation seems truly alarming. I would earnestly recommend compliance with his memorial, and beg your Majesty to at once send an army to recover the territories of our Sovereign Lord, and to protect the people committed by Heaven to your charge."
