ep, and the throne itself lay
before him as an alluring prize. Having skilfully laid his plans,
Lieouyu, at the end of two years, gave the weak Kongti to understand
that his reign was at an end, and that he must step down from the throne
which a stronger than he proposed to ascend.

Kongti made no resistance to this arbitrary demand. He knew that
resistance would be useless, and resigned his imperial dignity in favor
of the peasant who by his sword had carved his way to the throne. The
ceremony was an interesting one. A broad scaffold was erected in a field
adjoining the capital, and on it was placed a gorgeously decorated
imperial throne, which Kongti occupied, while Lieouyu, attired in royal
garb, stood below. In the presence of the assembled thousands of
Kienkang, the capital, Kongti descended from the seat which he had so
feebly filled, while his strong successor seated himself on the throne
amid the plaudits of the approving multitude. In the presence of the
great officials of the realm Kongti paid homage to Lieouyu, thus
completing a ceremony which was without parallel in the history of the
Chinese empire. With this act the dynasty of the Tsins came to an end,
and was replaced by that of the Songs, of which Lieouyu was the first
and worthiest representative.

Of the ceremony of investiture the principal feature was the assumption
of the imperial cap or crown, which has long been the chief mark of
royalty worn by the Chinese emperor. This is a cap of peculiar shape,
round in front and straight behind, and ornamented with one hundred and
forty-four precious stones. From it hang twelve pendants consisting of
strings of pearls, of which four are so arranged as to hang over the
emperor's eyes. This is done, it is said, in order that the emperor may
not see the accused who are brought before him for trial.

[Illustration: Reproduced by permission of The Philadelphia Museums.
WATER CART. PEKIN, CHINA.]

It was in the year 420 A.D. that Lieouyu ascended the throne, assuming
with the imperial dignity the name of a former emperor of renown,
Kaotsou, and naming his dynasty the Song, from his princely title.

As for the deposed emperor, the new monarch had no thought of leaving
any such dangerous element in his path, and Kongti was called upon "to
drink the waters of eternal life," the Chinese euphuism for swallowing
poison. Kongti, a devoted Buddhist, declined the fatal draught, on the
ground that self-murder was in opp