B.C. LIST OF LEADING EVENTS. 2356-2254.-The age of the Emperors Yaou and Shun, when probably the earliest chapters of the Shoo King or Historical Classic were written. 2204.-Establishment of the Hea dynasty. 1621.-Commencement of the Chow dynasty, which lasted down to B.C. 249. 551.-Birth of Confucius, who gave distinct shape to Chinese political and social ideas, and also the period of Laou, the founder of Taouism, or Chinese Rationalism. 240-184 A.D.-The first Empire, which comprehended all that part of modern China which lies north of the Yang-tsze, and founded by Che Hoang-te, the builder of the Great Wall, who attempted to destroy all copies of the Classics. 166.-Alleged Roman Embassy to China. A.D. 184-260.-The period of the three states which struggled with each other for supreme power, when the Chinese character reached its highest martial development. 260. The second Empire, founded by the Tsin dynasty. 416.-China again divided into a northern and a southern kingdom. 420.-Nanking made the capital. 585.-The northern and southern kingdoms united. 627.-Reign of the Emperor Tai-tsung, of the Tang dynasty, who established the system of literary examinations, drew up the Celestial Code, and extended his sway into India and to the shores of the Caspian. 1260.-Peking made the capital. 1270.-Marco Polo visits Nanking and Soochow. 1281.-China conquered by Kubla Khan and the Mongol Tartars. 1368. The expulsion of the Tartars and establishment of the Ming dynasty. 1506.-European vessels first visit China. 1616-1644.-China conquered by the Manchu Tartars, and the Tatsing, the reigning dynasty, established. 1637.-First English vessels visit China. 1684.-The East India Company establishes an agency at Canton. 1813.-Birth of Hung Sew-tsuen, the Tai-ping monarch. 1837.-His first trance and proclamation of himself as a heavenly prince. 1842. The treaty of Nanking made between Great Britain and China. 1850.-Hung Sew-tsuen proclaims his temporal sovereignty. 1853. He takes Nanking and makes it his capital. A.D. LIST OF LEADING EVENTS. xxix 1856.-Murder of the Eastern King. 1858. The Allies take the Taku forts, and obtain from the Emperor the treaty of Tientsin. 1859. The Imperialists nearly suppress the Rebellion, and defeat the Allies at the Taku forts. 1860.-May.-The Tai-pings break out of Nanking, take Soochow, and occupy the country towards Shanghai. June.-Ward originates the "Ever-Victorious Army." August.-The Tai-pings attack Shanghai and are repulsed by the Allies. September. The Taku forts taken from the Imperialists by December.-Allies tell the Tai-ping monarch not to attack 1861.-Hostilities suspended on the part of the Allies towards both Tai-pings and Imperialists. August. The Emperor Hien-fung dies. September.-Prince Kung makes his coup d'état. November.Tai-ping attempts towards Hankow frus trated. 1862.-January.-Tai-pings again attack Shanghai, and are repulsed by the Allies. February.-Ward again takes the field. Allies determine to drive the Tai-pings out of the thirtymile radius round Shanghai. February-June.-The Allied forces co-operate with Ward May.-Captain Dew, R.N., drives back the Tai-pings from September.-Ward killed; Burgevine takes command of 1863.-January.-Burgevine dismissed, and Captain Holland, R.M.I., takes command of the E.V.A. February.-Captain Holland defeated. The province of Chekiang is in great part restored to the Imperialists by the capture of Showshing. March.-Colonel Gordon takes command of the E.V.A. May.-Captures Quinsan. August.-Burgevine joins the Tai-pings. A.D. 1863.-September.-Gordon invests Soochow. October.-Burgevine surrenders to Gordon. December.-Fall of Soochow. Execution of the Wangs. Gordon resigns command. 1864.-March.-Gordon resumes command and retakes the field. May.-Chanchu fu captured. June. Suicide of Hung Sew-tsuen, the Tien Wang. August.-Execution of the Chung Wang. Wuchu evacuated by the Tai-pings, who disappear from Establishment of a camp at the Fung-wang Shan, near 1865.-April. The remnants of the Tai-pings driven out of Chang- May. Sankolinsin killed by the Nien-fei. - Tseng Kwo-fan made Generalissimo of all the Imperial June.-Death of Burgevine. July. The Tai-pings finally disappear in the mountains between The Nien-fei give much trouble in the valley of the Yellow Prince Kung made Inspector-General of all Military Camps, 1866.-Defeats of the Nien-fei and Mohammedan rebels. A Chinese Commissioner sent to Europe, and received by her 1867.-Improved state of China. The Nien-fei again give trouble, and escape through the lines of 1868.-Lí crushes the Nien-fei in Shantung, but some parties of them LIST OF ENGAGEMENTS BETWEEN THE TAI-PINGS AND DISCIPLINED IMPERIALISTS, 1862-64. K. TSIPOO April 17, 1862 K. NAIZEAN April 27, 1862 K. KADING C. NINGPO May 1, 1862 K. NAJOW K. CHOLIN K. KINSAWAI C. YUYOW K. SINGPOO C. TSEKI C. FUNGWHA General Staveley and Force, and Brit- General Staveley and Force, and Brit- General Staveley and Force, and Brit- Captain Dew and Encounter, &c. &c. May 17, 1862 Bdmiral Protet killed. British and French Forces; French May 20, 1862 July 17, 1862 1862 { K. POWOKONG Sept. 21, British and French Forces. Captain Dew and Contingents. Ward killed; Captain Dew and Con- Captain Dew and Contingents. Captain Dew and Contingents. Colonel Gordon and Chinese Troops. |