Most of our readers are aware that hereditary rank is still enjoyed by the descendants of the sages Confucius and Mencius, the representative of the former probably tracing his pedigree through more generations than any other family on the face of the earth. The care with which ancient records since the time of Confucius have been preserved, with the one short exception of the persecutor ''sin shi Hwangti, gives an authority to these genealogies such as we can seldom look for elsewhere. Few, however, are aware that a third family exists in China to compete with those of the two sages, and that an individual holding an hereditary kingdom, not over flesh and blood but over spirits and evil influences, is to be found in the centre of China." Mr. Kopsch, in the last number of the China Review, enlightens us with regard to the Tien-shi or Master of Heaven, whose office has been hereditary in a branch of the Chang family since the first century. In a valley of the "Dragon and Tiger" mountain in Kiangsi, in the prefecture of Kwangsin-fu and about 27 miles from Kuweiki, lives a man, the representative of Chang Taowling who, in the first and second centuries, gained a reputation for his marvellous power over the demons by which the empire was afflicted. It will astonish few who have made any acquaintance with the Taouists, to learn that all manner of miracles have gathered round the birth of the original Chang. His virgin mother dreamed that a spirit from the Pole Star descended during her sleep and presented her with a fragrant flower, and that on waking she found a heavenly odour pervading the chamber. In due course Chang Taowling was born on the T'ien-muh (Eye of Heaven) mountain. Readers of the Peking Gazette will, even nowadays, find miracles scarcely less astounding recapitulated as having happened within the last few years, so that the story of Chang's birth need not appall our feelings. However, Chang was to all appearance a very ordinary individual, and owed his rise to an accident of fortune. Something had gone wrong with the empire in the second year of Yung-ping (A-D. 60) and, as wise men do in the present day, the Emperor advertised for a prize essay. Chang took the prize, and got promoted to the governorship of Kiangchow. Writing prize essays and administering government were then, as now, two different things, and Chang had the good taste to retire. Bent on regenerating mankind, he sot himself to discover the elixir of life and to learn the art of witchcraft. Consistently refusing office, he got to the Dragon and Tiger hill, where he succeeded in compounding a certain mystic pill, and discovered certain writings which enabled him to regulate the destinies of the five sacred mountains of China, and the calls by which he could summon demons and spirits, Still brimming over with philanthropy, and hearing that in Szechuen was a district sorely troubled with evil spirits, he set. off for that distant province. There the Supreme Being descended and gave him his commission as Master of Heaven, including sword and magic seal of office. At the age of 123 years he died, leaving to his son his commission and the other objects given tohim from above. One Emperor after another has seen fit to confirm the hereditary title; some from superstition, and some doubtless merely asa matter of policy, wishing to keep on the side of government individuals whose ghostly power was, at all events, believed in by large sections of the people. One of the Tangs confirmed in an earthly manner the title of Master of Heaven, while another gave the denomination of True Man to the representative of the exorcist. Nor was the present dynasty behindhand, and the holder of the title was invited to attend at the Imperial Court in Peking, where all honours due to his station' were heaped on him. He was kept employed too in his peculiar duties, and was sent to offer sacrifices at the five sacred mountains, as well as to exorcise evil spirits which had gained the ascendency in other parts of the empire, Amongst other spots he had to visit the Tungting Shan, to drive away a crimson monkey, whose shade, we hope for the good of excursionists, does not still haunt that romantic spot. But all greatness must have an end. The Emperors were perhaps too kind, and elevated the Changs above measure; at all events they suc-curbed to those seductions which usually prove fatal to Oriental greatness; they became dissipated and ran heavily into debt; and, losing their good name amongst men, the spirits seem to have followed in treating them with contumely. Whatever the reason, the pencil which once slew a million demons at a stroke did not suffice to rout the Taipings, and the then Tien-shi ignominiously' fled. However in due course he was restored again, and the curious in these matters will probably be glad to hear that he is
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.