of alchymy; and they fancy that, by the transmutation of metals, and the combination of various elements, they can produce the philosopher's stone, and the elixir of immortality. Some of them affect to have discovered an antidote against death; and when the powerful ingredients of this angelic potion sometimes produce the very effect which they wish to avoid, they say that the victims of their experiments are only gone to ramble among the genii, and enjoy that immortality above, which is not to be found below. Several of the Chinese emperors, deceived by the fair promises of these alchymists, have taken the draught, and paid the penalty. One of them having procured the elixir at an immense expense, ordered it to be brought before him; when one of his officers courageously drank off the full contents of the cup, in its way from the compounder to the throne: the enraged autocrat ordered the offender to be put to death; but he coolly replied, that all their efforts to terminate his existence would be vain; as, having drunk the elixir, his immortality was secure; or, the whole system was founded in error. This opened the emperor's eyes, the minister was pardoned, and the pretender driven from court.
The followers of Taou, like the Athenians of old, are "in all things too superstitious." While the Confucians have scarcely determined whether spirits exist or not, the advocates of eternal reason profess to have constant intercourse with, and control over, the demons of the invisible world. Chang Tëen-sze, the principal of the Taou sect, in China, who like the Lama of Thibet, is supposed to be immortal, or rather whose place is supplied by a successor as soon as the old one dies, assumes an authority over Hades. He appoints
