any other heathen or Mohammedan nation that ever existed--or indeed than some now calling themselves Christian, as Abyssinia. They have, however, probably done all they can do, reached as high a point as they can without the Gospel; and its introduction, with its attendant influences, will erelong change their political and social system. The rise and progress of this revolution among so mighty a mass of human beings will form one of the most interesting parts of the history of the world during the nineteenth century, and solve the problem whether it be possible to elevate a race without the intermediate steps of disorganization and reconstruction. FOOTNOTES: [2] D’Herbelot, _Bibliothèque Orientale_, quarto edition, 1779, Tome IV., p. 8. Yule, _Cathay and the Way Thither_, Vol. I., pp. xxxiv., lxviii. Edkins, _Chinese Buddhism_, p. 93. [3] Or 21,759,974 sq. km.--_Gotha Almanach._ [4] Klaproth (_Mémoires sur l’Asie_, Tome II., p. 295) observes that the name is derived from the abundance of onions found upon these mountains. M. Abel-Rémusat prefers to attribute it to the “bluish tint of onions.” [5] Compare Rémusat, _Histoire de la Ville de Khotan_, p. 65, ff. [6] One among many native names given to the Kwănlun, or Koulkun Mountains, is _Tien chu_, 天柱 ‘Heaven’s Pillar,’ which corresponds precisely with the _Atlas_ of China. [7] Another interpretation makes Gobi (Kopi) to apply to the stony, while Sha-moh denotes the sandy tracks of this desert, in which case the name would more correctly read, “Great Desert of Gobi _and_ Sha-moh.” [8] Col. Prejevalsky, _Travels in Mongolia_, etc. Vol. II., p. 22. London, 1876. [9] Von Richthofen, _China. Ergebnisse eigener Reisen, Band I._ _Berlin_, 1877. [10] Report by Dr. W. A. P. Martin in _Journal of N. C. Branch of R. A. Society_, Vol. III., pp. 33-38; 1866. Same journal, Vol. IV., pp. 80-86; 1867; Notes by Ney Elias. Pumpelly’s _Researches_, 1866, chap. v., pp. 41-51. [11] See the account of Père Laribe’s voyage on this river in 1843, _Annales de la Propagation de la Foi_, Tome XVII., pp. 207, 286, ff. _Five Months on the Yang-tsze_, by Capt. Thos. W. Blakiston; London, 1862. Pumpelly’s _Researches_, chap. ii., pp. 4-10. Capt. Gill, _The River of Golden Sand_. [12] Staunton’s _Embassy_, Vol. III., p. 233. Blakiston’s _Yang-tsze_, p. 294, etc. _Chinese Repository_, Vol. II., p. 316. [13] Prejevalsky, _From Kulja Across the Tien shan to Lob-nor_, p. 99. [14] _Chinese Repository_, Vol. V., p. 337; Vol. X., pp. 351, 371. Williams’ _Chinese Commercial Guide_, fifth edition, second part, 1863. [15] Rémusat (_Nouveaux Mélanges_, Tome I., p. 9) adds a fourth basin, that of the Sagalien. The latter, however, scarcely deserves the name, having so many interrupting cross-chains. [16] _Penny Cyclopædia_, Vol. VII., p. 74. McCulloch’s _Geographical Dictionary_, Vol. I., p. 596. [17] Yule’s _Marco Polo_, Vol. II., p. 136. [18] _Sketches of China_, Vol. I., p. 245.