1765. Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, were finally confirmed to the English by treaty.-Since that time, the British empire in India has been gradually extending and consolidating, until it embraces nearly the whole continent of India, from the Indus to the Himalaya mountains. 7. China. About China we have but little to advance; nor would indeed the ancient revolutions of that country be interesting to us. Fo-Hi is accounted the founder of the monarchy: the lawgiver of the Chinese: 20 years after the deluge. The regular history is said to begin with Yao. The dynasties or families, that have successively held the throne, amount to 22, the first being Hia; the last or the present house, Tsing: 1646 -47. The dynasties generally end in some weak or wicked prince, who is dethroned by an able subject. Sometimes the monarchy is divided into that of the south, (which is esteemed the ruling and superior inheritance,) and that of the north. The ancient history of the country is wrapped in darkness and fable. One of the dates which has been given as the era of the monarchy is, B.C. 2132, six years before the birth of Terah.But the historical period of China does not ascend above the Greek Olympiads. We may now notice a few particulars. B.C. 770-320. Chew-Kew dynasty; period of fighting kings, who ruled over many little states, and were continually at war with each other. 477. Confucious died: a teacher of religion and morals. 256-207. Chi-hoang-ti, a Chinese hero, (contemporary with Hannibal), began the house of Tsin. He united the great wall as a protection against the Tartars; 244 &c.-The wall was 1500 miles in length; from 20 to 25 feet in height. Honân his capital. 217.—A.D. 24. The Western Hang dynasty; and from A.D. 24-220, the Eastern Hang. The princes of this dynasty extended their conquest, to the west, and took part in the affairs of Central Asia. 206. After ages of anarchy and despotism, the dynasty of the Han was the era of the revival of learning. The fragments of ancient literature were restored, and the preservation of books secured by the inventions of paper, ink, and the art of printing. 141-87. Vouti (5th emperor of the Han dynasty,) a victorious sovereign: his wars were against the Huns. 97. Sematsien published the first history of China. A.D. 65. The religion of Buddha, or Fo, introduced into China. 220. China divided in three kingdoms; reunited 280, by Wu-ti. 265-420. He founded the Tsin dynasty: a family of bad rulers. 416. China divided into two kingdoms: Nankin capital of the south, and Honân of the north. 617. The Tang dynasty. During the reign of the first emperors of this line, particularly under Tai-tsong I. (626), China grew very powerful. His successors gave themselves up to pleasure, &c.: internal distractions were the consequences. 957. China was torn by internal commotions, and almost every province had a separate ruler. 1180. Subjection to Zingis-Khan; he seized the five northern provinces. 1260. Kublai-Khan subjected them. Under the Tang dynasty, arts and sciences flourished in China: several of the emperors were learned men. 1279-1368. The Mongolian dynasty. This was the first time that the whole of China was subjected by foreign princes. After internal wars and divisions, Chu, (Tai-tsoo IV.), a private individual, delivered his country from a foreign yoke, he founded the dynasty of Ming; (1868-1644;) 16 sovereigns, most of them men of merit. 1646-47. The present dynasty of Tsing was formed; descended from the Niudshee Tartars, now called Mantchoos. 1840. The war between Great Britain and China forms an epoch in the history of the latter, leading, we trust, to the most beneficial results, especially in a religious view. THE WESTERN WORLD. Middle Ages. A.D. 476—1494. A.D. 476. The Roman western empire ended by the deposition of Augustulus. Ten Barbarian kingdoms were formed on its platform before A.D. 490. Here we have the time of the Barbarian Kingdoms. A.D. 476-800. 1. The Anglo-Saxons: Britain: 446, &c. 2. The Franks: part of France: Clovis: 486. 3. The Allemanni: Metz their capital: both sides the Rhine. 4. The Burgundians: Burgundy, French Switzerland, Savoy, &c. 5. The Visigoths: South-western France; Spain, except Gallicia. 6. The Suevi: Gallicia; most of Portugal. 7. The Vandals: the African province; Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica. 8. The Heruli: Italy: Odoacer: 476. 9. Bavaria in Germany: Theodon: about 493. 10. The Ostrogoths: Pannonia: (soon masters of Italy.) Our outline of Italian History must be very defective; for Italy perhaps above all the European kingdoms has been the theatre of variety, change, and strife. 1. Italy. First Period: from Odoacer to Alboin, A.D. 476-568. 1. The Heruli: a people of Scandinavian origin. 476-493. Odoacer: "not unworthy of his high station."— Ravenna the capital.-The kingdom exhibited the sad prospect of misery and desolation. 488-492. War with Theodoric. 493-526. 2. The Goths: Theodoric, Ostrogoth king of Italy. He was an Arian, but tolerating.-Ravenna his residence. He enacted many salutary laws.-As much happiness was enjoyed as under the best emperors.— The death of Boethius and Symmachus. 526. Athalaric king: Amalasontha (his mother) regent. Justinian interferes in the affairs of Italy. 534. Theodatus, king: a weak prince: 536. Vitiges, king. 536. Belisarius (Justinian's general) enters Rome. 537-38. Seige of Rome by the Goths.-Milan destroyed by them. 539. Ravenna taken by Belisarius. Vitiges, prisoner. 542. Totila, Gothic king. He wars successfully against the Romans. 547-49. He takes Rome; is master of Italy. 553. Defeat and death of Teias, the last Gothic king. 553. Franks and Allemanni invaded Italy. Narses. 554. Defeated by 561-63. Disgrace and death of Belisarius. 554-568. Italy under the Exarchs of Ravenna: Narses the first Exarch, 15 years; then Longinus.-A Duke was stationed for the defence and military command of each of the principal cities, by Narses. The 20 years of the Gothic war had consummated the distress and depopulation of Italy. Second Period: from Alboin to Charlemagne, A.D. 568—771. 3. Lombards: a fierce people discovered for the first time about the days of Augustus and Trajan between the Elbe and Oder.-Pavia their capital. 568. Alboin invited into Italy by Narses, form Pannonia. He erected Friuli into a dukedom: such till 1797. He made Beneventum a duchy.-Lombardian Italy was divided into about 30 fiefs, under dukes, counts, &c. The Lombards introduced the Feudal government.Ravenna, Romagna, the Pentapolis, and most of the lower parts of Italy were unconquered: and Rome never made a part of the monarchy of the Lombards, but was governed by a patrician or Greek duke, sent from Constantinople. Alboin applied himself to legislation, and to the civilization of his subjects. 573. Alboin murdered by his wife Rosamond.-Clepho, king. 574. Clepho murdered. Ducal aristocracy of thirty tyrants during ten years. 584-90. Autharis, Lombard king.-Conquered the invading Franks and Allemanni: master of Italy. |