Chinese Chronology and Cycles

CHINESE CHRONOLOGY AND CYCLES.

In The Chinese Repository original: "C. R. M."; likely referring to the scholarly journal or Medhurst's "China: Its State and Prospects", on page 281, Mr. Medhurst comments on the Shen-Yu-pai, or the Tablet of Yu: “To this day, it remains a matter of doubt as to how far such an inscription ever actually existed. At the same time, it is a mystery what common origin, if any, can be attributed to the various reputed facsimiles, copies, or tracings of the inscription which are undoubtedly to be found in various parts of the empire.” Mr. Medhurst provides a brief critical analysis of the inscription by Tang Xunfang original: "Tang Siün-fang", “a native of the area in which the original inscription is said to be found, and an individual of both rank and education.” Tang states that the commonly held opinion—that the tablet had been inscribed by Yu to commemorate his miraculous deeds—was entirely groundless.

Another ancient monument, or series of monuments, exists in the so-called "stone drums" of the Zhou original: "Chow" dynasty. An accurate account of these has been given by Dr. S. W. Bushell, a physician at the British Legation in Beijing original: "Peking", in the Journal of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (New Series, No. 8, page 133). They are believed to date back to the time of the ruler King Xuan original: "Hsuan-wang", who reigned from 827 to 782 BC. They were first discovered in Shaanxi original: "Shensi" province between 627 and 649 AD, within the ancestral territory of the Zhou dynasty, during the early part of the Tang dynasty. Dr. Bushell, with great fairness, presents the arguments for and against original: "pro and con" their authenticity used by Chinese archaeologists, and concludes