We have lately made two bri¢f references to the theory, held by 'a few Japanese scholars, that the great Mongol Conqueror, Genghis Kbav, was identical with the medieval adventurer Yoshitsane, who, having quarrelled with his brother Yoritomo in 1184, fled to Yesno, and thence, as the story goes, to the mainland of Asia, The question lung been mooted of late yenrs by some of those ingnisitive and intelligent islanders who have now began to visit all western countries and to meddle with all forms of human knowledge. Genghis Khan was a hero such as Japan loves, a man bold in his enterprises, quick in action and successful in carrying out his plans. Assuming the title of Khan or Emperor of the Mongol tribes at a national assembly held at the head waters of the Onou not far from Urga and Kiachta in the year A.D. 1206, he carried on victorious wars for twenty-three wars with all his neighbours, till 1227, when he died. His history has been written by Chinese, Persian, and Arabic authors. His family name was Gin-wen. They say he was a Mongol and they give liis ancestry for eleven generations. Uncertainty hangs over some of the links and tiames recorded, and the account given is not very circumstantial and exact; but the criticism that would deny the Mongol origin of Genghis, and explain the names in his genealogical roll as Japanese in disguise, must have very strong grounds indeed before it can be entertained even as a hypothesis by any European savante.
Although Genghis was the founder of the Yuen dynasty, it was not till thirty. three years after his death that his grandson Kublai, having completed the conquest of China, assumed the Imperial title without waiting for election by the princes of the tribes in a lawful assembly. His dynasty lasted for 108 years, time long enough to admit of ceitain marked effects on China, resulting from that increase of intercourse with western nations which a strong empire helps forward. The way was open for travellers between east and west, and ideas were propagated as they would not be before in the days of small kingdoms and divided interests. But this was not the idea of Genghis, who shewed no liberality of spirit or farseeing reflectiveness, such as distin. guished Alexander of Macedon and certain other great conquerors. Genghis
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