The new dynasty began with Shunchi, a child of six years, his uncle the Prince Hwai acting as regent.  Able and devoted, this great man, whom the Manchus call Amawang, acquitted himself of his task in a manner worthy of the model regent, the Duke of Chou.  His task was not an easy one.  He had to suppress contending factions, to conciliate a hostile populace, and to capture many cities which refused to submit.  In seven years he effected the subjugation of the eighteen provinces, everywhere imposing the tonsure and the “pigtail” as badges of subjection.  Many a myriad of the Chinese forfeited their heads by refusing to sacrifice their glossy locks; but the conquest was speedy, and possession secure.

The success of the Manchus was largely due to the fact that they found the empire exhausted by internal [Page 142] strife and came as deliverers.  The odium of overturning the Ming dynasty did not rest on them.  While at Mukden they had cultivated the language and letters of the “Inner land” and they had before them, for guidance or warning, the history of former conquests.

They have improved on their predecessors, whether Kins or Mongols; and with all their faults they have given to China a better government than any of her native dynasties.

Shunchi (1644-1662) passed off the stage at the age of twenty-four and left the throne to a son, Kanghi (1662-1723), who became the greatest monarch in the history of the Empire.  During his long reign of sixty-one years, Kanghi maintained order in his wide domain, corrected abuses in administration, and promoted education for both nationalities.  It is notable that the most complete dictionary of the Chinese language bears the imprimatur of Kanghi, a Tartar sovereign.

For his fame in the foreign world, Kanghi is largely indebted to the learned missionaries who enjoyed his patronage, though he took care to distinguish between them and their religion.  The latter had been proscribed by the regents, who exercised supreme power during his minority.  Their decree was never revoked; and persecution went on in the provinces, without the least interference from the Emperor.  Still his patronage of missionaries was not without influence on the status of Christianity in his dominions.  It gained ground, and before the close of his reign it had a following of over three hundred thousand converts.  Near the close of his reign he pointedly condemned [Page 143] the foreign faith, and commanded the expulsion of its propagators, except a few, who were required in the Board of Astronomy.

The favourable impression made by Ricci had been deepened by Schaal and Verbiest.  The former under Shunchi reformed the calendar and obtained the presidency of the Astronomical Board.  He also cast cannon to aid the Manchu conquest.  The latter did both for Kanghi, and filled the same high post.  Schaal employed his influence to procure the building of two churches in Peking.  Verbiest made use of