with an idol and offerings on board, drifted down the China sea, and was picked up at Malacca. The Chinese venerated it as a wondrous relic, and made it the occasion of many sacrifices and superstitions.
The Taou sect worship a variety of idols, some of which are imaginary incarnations of Eternal Reason; and others, rulers of the invisible world, or presiding divinities of various districts. Among the rest, are the "three pure ones," who are first in dignity; the "pearly emperor, and Supreme ruler," the most honourable in heaven: the god of the north, the god of fire, with lares and penates, genii and inferior divinities without number.
We now come to the consideration of the third religion in China, namely, the sect of Buddha. The account given of the founder of this system is as follows; Sakya Muni Buddha was born in the twenty-fourth year of Chaou-wang, B.C. 1027, at Magadha, in South Bahar; in his nineteenth year, he thought of quitting his family connections, and becoming a recluse, but was at a loss whom to adopt for his spiritual guide. He attended the four schools, but was not satisfied with them, because by all their studies old age, sickness, and death could not be avoided; when one night a celestial being appeared at the window, saying,—"Young prince! you have long talked of quitting your family: now is the time; come away!" The prince, hearing this, cheerfully passed over the city walls, and went to the hills to cultivate virtue. After sixteen years' probation, without following the directions of a master, he entirely repressed the vicious propensities, until he became without feeling, and completely perfect. After escaping the infirmities of age, and avoid-
