became one. It was not transferred beyond the third generation, when it was again lost.
Then Tang, our ancestor, arose, who called forth able generals, ejected the distracted family of Sui, and became the founder of a new empire.
Thus it passed through twenty generations, for three hundred years; when Seang destroyed the reigning prince, and transferred the empire to another. Leang, Tang, Tsin, Han, and Cheu, are five families for whose different fates there were appropriate reasons.
Now the illustrious Sung arose, who received the throne when vacant, from Cheu. It then passed through eighteen generations, at which period the north and south empires were united in one.
At that time there were seventeen historical works, which contained an account of the preceding regular governments, and rebellions; whence may be known their rise and fall.
These historians examined and faithfully recorded the truth; and by then past transactions up to the present time, may
