cal lists, which sometimes connect the families of man with demigods and gods. Various books of the Scriptures, and especially those of Genesis and Chronicles, prove that the Jews were most careful in preserving their genealogical records, which were carried back not only to Abraham, their national ancestor, but up to Noah and Adam as the common ancestors of all human races. They seem to have continued to guard their genealogical documents in private or public collections during the time of the 2d temple. This practice ceased with their dispersion after the conquest of Judæa by the Romans, and even the Cohenim and Levites (descendants of Aaron and of Levi), who are still distinguished from their non-Levite brethren by the exercise of special honorary religious functions, are known as such only by being acknowledged as descendants of parents who exercised the same. The inequalities of rank and right which prevailed during the middle ages made genealogical inquiries highly important, and it was then that researches of this kind assumed the form of a science, which became closely connected with heraldry. (See HERALDRY.) The work was generally done with little criticism, the chief object being to trace the origin of families in the remotest antiquity. Similarity of names led to connections with Roman or Greek heroes, including those of the Trojan war. A similar practice had been in use among the poetical genealogists of Rome. Rüxner's "Book of Tournaments" (Simmern, 1527) is full of examples of that extravagance so common in the numerous productions of the 15th century. Critical genealogical studies were not begun before the 17th. Duchesne, Hozier, Laboureur, and others in France, Dugdale in England, Rittershusius and Spener in Germany, completed the reform of the science. Their works were followed in the 18th and 19th centuries by those of Douglas, Betham, Gordon, Burke, Imhof, Gebhardt, Gatterer, Koch, Hübner, Lewis, Hormayr, Oertel, and others. The various genealogical almanacs published at Gotha since 1763 also contain valuable information.

GENESEE, a river of W. New York, rising in Potter co., Penn., near the boundary between the two states, flowing N. W. and N. E. for 145 m. through Alleghany, Wyoming, Livingston, and Monroe counties, N. Y., and falling into Lake Ontario, 7 m. N. of Rochester. It is not a navigable stream, but abounds in varied and romantic scenery, and has 5 falls in different parts of its course. The upper falls, 3 in number within a distance of 2 m., at Portage, in Livingston co., are respectively 60, 90, and 110 feet high, and for 3 or 4 miles the river flows between perpendicular rocks 400 feet high. Just above Rochester is a series of rapids, terminating in a fall of 100 feet, and 4 m. from the mouth of the river is another fall of the same height. From the head of the rapids there is a feeder to the Erie canal, which crosses the Genesee at Rochester by a freestone aqueduct, of 9 arches, each of 50 feet span. The Genesee

valley canal, which follows the course of the river for some distance, crosses the river at Genesee Falls, near Portage, by a similar work, and the Buffalo and New York city railroad has a bridge 800 feet long and 234 feet high near the same place.

GENESEE. I. A W. co. of N. Y., drained by Tonawanda creek; area, about 486 sq. m.; pop. in 1855, 31,532. It originally formed part of Ontario co., from which it was separated in 1802. It then comprised all that part of the state lying W. of the river of the same name. The surface is almost level, and the soil, consisting chiefly of a very sandy loam, is well suited both to grain and pasturage. Salt springs exist in several places, and iron, limestone, and water cement are obtained. It is a famous wheat growing district, and the Genesee flour has a high reputation. The productions in 1855 were 771,615 bushels of wheat, 437,052 of Indian corn, 299,809 of oats, 167,274 of potatoes, 41,398 tons of hay, 919,130 lbs. of butter, 105,873 of cheese, 80,056 of maple sugar, and 4,130 of tobacco. There were 46 saw mills, 22 grist mills, 1 brewery, 5 woollen factories, 2 carding establishments, 9 tanneries, 1 oil mill, 4 furnaces, 1 machine shop, 6 manufactories of agricultural implements, 61 churches, 143 school houses, and 5 newspaper offices. The Buffalo and Rochester and the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls railroads, and a branch of the Erie railroad, traverse the county. Capital, Batavia. II. An E. co. of the southern peninsula of Mich., drained by Flint and Shiawasse rivers; area, 500 sq. m.; pop. in 1850, 12,031. Its surface is undulating, covered with extensive oak-openings in the S. part, and densely wooded with pine and other timber in the N. The staples are grain, hay, and lumber. The productions in 1850 were 134,021 bushels of wheat, 128,326 of Indian corn, 84,334 of oats, and 16,964 tons of hay. There were 7 corn and flour mills, 6 saw mills, 2 iron founderies, 1 woollen factory, 2 newspaper offices, 4 churches, and 3,876 pupils attending public schools. The unfinished railroad across the state, from St. Clair river to Lake Michigan, passes through this county. Capital, Flint. Organized in 1836.

GENESEE COLLEGE. See LIMA.

GENESEE FALLS, a township of Wyoming co., N. Y., on Genesee river, about 50 m. E. S. E. from Buffalo; pop. in 1855, 1,098. It is situated in the midst of some of the finest scenery on the river, and is much resorted to by summer tourists, for whose convenience there are several hotels. It is in the immediate neighborhood of the upper falls, and on the line of the Buffalo and New York city railroad and of the Genesee valley canal.

GENESIS, the name of the first book in the Bible, denoting, in Greek, "the generation," i. e., the account of the generation or production of all things. In the Hebrew it is called Bereshith, signifying "in the beginning," because it commences with that word. Its history goes back to the very earliest ages of the human race,

and covers a period of at least 2,370 years; giving an account of the creation, the fall of man, the religion, arts, settlements, genealogies, corruption, and destruction of the ante-diluvian world; of the repeopling and division of the earth, the dispersion of its inhabitants, the call ing of Abraham, the rise and progress of the Jewish nation, &c. By most critics Moses is regarded as the author of the book of Genesis, though many suppose he derived a large part of his materials from written documents coeval, or nearly so, with the events recorded, being infallibly guided by inspiration in the entire work. This theory of the use of preexisting documents by Moses is very ably discussed, as are all the important questions relating to the book, in Turner's "Companion to Genesis" (New York, 1841), and also in the "North American Review" (April, 1826), "Biblical Repository" (Oct. 1832), and "American Baptist Magazine" (1832). A few additions are supposed to have been made to Genesis after the death of Moses, probably by Ezra, who closed the canon of the Old Testament. The book of Genesis was distinctly recognized by Christ, and is cited in the New Testament literally 27 times, and substantially 38 times.

GENEST (in this country commonly written GENET), EDMOND CHARLES, a French diplomatist, born in Versailles about 1765, died in Schodac, Rensselaer co., N. Y., in July, 1834. Although his father was attached to the court and his sister was Mme. Campan, a lady in the service of Queen Marie Antoinette, he made himself known by his republican opinions. In April, 1789, he was appointed chargé d'affaires to the court of St. Petersburg, where his situation soon became uncomfortable; in 1791 he was notified by Count Ostermann, minister of Catharine II., that he had better not appear again at the court; and in July, 1792, he was formally dismissed. On his return to France, he was appointed ambassador to Holland; but before he had repaired to his post, he received (Dec. 1792) his nomination as minister to the United States. He arrived in April, 1793, at Charleston, S. C., where he was cordially welcomed. On May 20 he had a triumphant reception in Philadelphia; the citizens presented him with an address congratulating France upon obtaining the freedom she had helped the United States to secure. Encouraged by these demonstrations of popular feeling, Genest thought he could easily persuade the American people to embark in the cause of France, notwithstanding the proclamation of neutrality recently issued by President Washington. He openly maintained that the United States were in duty bound to side with France against England, and he bitterly denounced the American government for their want of sympathy toward the French republic. He even went so far as to fit out privateers from the port of Charleston, to cruise against the vessels of nations then at peace with the United States, and to project hostile expeditions against Florida and Louisiana, then colonies of Spain. In consequence of

these imprudent measures Washington demanded and obtained his recall; but Genest decided not to return to France, and accordingly settled in the state of New York, was naturalized, and married a daughter of De Witt Clinton. One of his grandsons was graduated at West Point and served in the U. S. army.

GENET (genetta, Cuv.), a digitigrade carnivorous mammal, of the family viverrida, inhabiting Africa, and occasionally found in southern Europe. The dentition and structural characters are the same as in the civet, the principal difference being that the anal pouch which contains the glands secreting the odorous substance is much less developed and prominent in the genet than in the civet. The common genet of Barbary (viverra genetta, Linn.; G. vulgaris, Cuv.) is of an ashy gray color, with blackish spots; the tail is nearly as long as the body, with long hair and 10 or 11 dark and light rings; the length of the body is about a foot and the tail about the same, and the height 5 inches. It is only semi-carnivorous, and will live in captivity wholly on vegetable food. The claws are sharp, semi-retractile, and well adapted for climbing; the anal secretion has a musky odor; as in other nocturnal animals, the pupil is vertical. The habits of the genet are like those of the weasel tribe; it is easily tamed, and is sometimes employed to catch rats and mice in houses; the period of gestation in captivity is about 4 months. The pale genet (G. Senega lensis, Fischer), or fossane, resembles the first species, and is of a reddish gray color, with pale spots above the eyes, brown bands and spots on the body and limbs, and an obscurely ringed tail. Both species prey upon small mammals, birds, and reptiles, and are not averse to fruits. Several other species are described.The only representative of the family viverride in America is the ring-tailed civet cat of Mexico and California; it is neither a civet nor a genet, though most resembling the latter, but the bassaris astuta (Licht.). It is about the size of a small domestic cat, but with a more slender and elongated body, pointed fox-like nose, projecting ears, large, prominent, and lustrous black eyes, and long annulated tail. The dentition differs from that of viverra in having the inner process of the upper carnivorous tooth more developed, with the anterior lobe of the lower shorter. The color above is brownish yellow, mixed with gray, and white beneath; tail whitish, with 6 or 8 blackish rings; the hair on the body is short and thick, but much longer on the tail; there are 5 toes on each foot, and the sharp claws are half retractile. In its erect ears, sharp nose, and cunning look, it resembles a little fox, whence the generic name; in its movable muzzle it approaches the civet and coati. It is found from the Red river in Arkansas and San Francisco through the temperate parts of Texas, California, and Mexico, where it is occasionally seen leaping about on the trees, as lively and graceful as a squirrel; rather shy in its habits, it usually stays in or

near its hole in a tree, generally some kind of oak, whence it makes short excursions in search of small animals, birds, insects, and various nuts. This animal is easily tamed, and is often kept as a pet by the Mexicans, Indians, and California miners. It brings forth in confinement 4 at a birth. It is a pretty, cleanly, and playful animal, and not unfrequently seen in menageries.

GENEVA, a post village of Seneca township, Ontario co., N. Y., beautifully situated at the N. W. extremity of Seneca lake, 200 m. W. from Albany; pop. in 1855, 5,057. It is on the Auburn and Canandaigua branch of the central railroad. The principal street runs parallel with the bank of the lake, at an elevation of 100 feet, and from many of the residences terraced gardens extend to the shore. It commands a fine view of the lake and of the surrounding country. Geneva is handsomely built, and contained in 1855 about 50 stores, 1 steam flouring mill, 1 saw mill, 2 furnaces, 1 bank, 3 printing offices issuing weekly newspapers, and 8 churches (Associate Reformed, Baptist, Dutch Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Universalist). The Episcopal church is a fine stone structure in Gothic style, and was built at an expense of $25,000. Hobart Free college (called Geneva college till 1852) was established here in 1824, under the direction of the Episcopalians, and in 1858 had 5 professors, beside the president, 96 students, and a library of about 8,700 volumes. Geneva medical college, founded in 1834, has 6 professors and 16 pupils. Steamers ply daily on the lake between Geneva and Watkins, touching at intermediate places.

GENEVA (Fr. Genève; Ger. Genf; It. Gineera), capital of the Swiss canton of the same name, celebrated for its religious, historical, and literary associations, and its picturesque scenery, situated on the confines of France and Savoy, on the high road from Paris to Italy, at the W. extremity of the lake of Geneva, where the Rhone issues from it in two rapid transparent streams which unite after passing the town; pop. of the canton in 1850, 64,146 (34,212 Protestants, 29,764 Catholics, and 170 Jews), and of the town and its suburbs 38,000. The railway from Geneva to Lyons (distance 1683 m.) was opened March 15, 1858, and a railway to Coppet, once the residence of Mme. de Staël, was commenced in July, 1858. The river Rhone divides the town into 3 parts, one of which is an island. The largest of the other 2 parts is situated on the left bank of the river upon a site about 90 feet above the level of the lake. The Quartier de St. Gervais on the right bank is chiefly inhabited by the working classes, and is the seat of industry and trade. The most elegant part of Geneva is the new Quartier des Bergues. Since 1850 most of the fortifications have been converted into promenades and quays. The prosperity of the town having been considerably increased by the industry of the population and the affluence of strangers and travellers, the general appearance of Geneva

has been much improved within the last 20 years, and further measures are contemplated for its enlargement and embellishment. The rapid passage of the Rhone beneath the 5 bridges which connect the different parts of the town gives great animation to Geneva. The environs are extremely grand and beautiful. The glaciers of Chamouni are within a short distance. Mont Blanc, in clear weather, is a principal feature in the landscape. Among the public buildings of Geneva are the hôtel de ville; the Rath museum, named after the Russian general Rath, who was born in Geneva; the museum of natural history, containing De Saussure's geological collection, Haller's herbarium, Pictet's collection, the fossil plants of Brongniart and De Candolle, and Dr. Jurine's specimens of the fossils of St. Gothard; the public library, which contains many volumes of Calvin's MS. sermons and letters, letters of Beza, St. Vincent de Paul, and Rousseau. There are many institutions for the promotion of religion, science, literature, and art. An English church and a synagogue were opened in 1853, and a new Roman Catholic cathedral was erected in 1858. The principal church is that of St. Peter, which contains the monuments of Agrippa d'Aubigny and of Henri de Rohan, and in which Calvin preached. Geneva has celebrated private schools which attract many pupils from abroad, and commercial, industrial, artistic, and musical schools. The university of Geneva was founded in 1368, and reorganized in 1539 by Calvin and Beza. The college attached to it resembles the English Eton and Westminster school, and is conducted by 11 masters (regentes), under the direction of a rector, a principal, and the professors of the university. The studies at the university embrace belles-lettres, the different branches of philosophy and science, divinity, law, and medicine. Merle d'Aubigné, the historian of the reformation, is director of the theological school, which now numbers 40 students, 10 Genevan, and the rest mostly French. More than 1,000 youths are annually educated in the college and university; the annual salary of many of the professors hardly exceeds $300. The excellent system of education which prevails in this institution, and its high religious and moral tone, cause it to be attended by many students from foreign countries, especially from France and Great Britain.-Geneva has long been celebrated for its manufacture of watches, jewelry, and musical boxes. The manufacture of watches dates from the 16th century, and at the end of the 18th century 6,000 persons of both sexes were employed in it. At present the number is diminished to about 3,000, though from improvements in the process of manufacturing and in the skill of the workmen, the annual production of gold and silver watches is much larger than formerly, amounting to over 50,000. There are also manufactories of velvet, silk goods, India stuffs, hats, leather, cutlery, firearms, chronometers, mathematical, musical, and surgical instruments, Geneva became a free port

in 1854; a crédit mobilier bank was established in 1856, and a central bank for mechanics' mutual aid societies in 1857. The transit trade is considerable, and the neighborhood of France and Sardinia gives rise to an active smuggling trade; the forwarding, commission, and banking business, especially the latter, is of great magnitude. Geneva is also the principal telegraph station and the focus of the railways of Switzerland, and the central point of the federal postal and customs union.-Calvin lived in Ge neva, and Servetus was burned at the stake in the champ de bourreau, the ancient place of execution, outside the walls. John Knox was made a citizen of Geneva in 1558. Among the distinguished persons born in Geneva were Jean Jacques Rousseau, Necker, the naturalists De Saussure, Deluc, Bonnet, Huber, and De Candolle; Dumont, the friend of Mirabeau and of Jeremy Bentham; Sismondi the historian; and Gallatin the American statesman. Sir Humphry Davy died and was buried in Geneva. Guizot the French statesman, whose mother found an asylum in Geneva, received his early education there.-Geneva is supposed to have formed part of the territory of the Allobroges, and to have been subjected to the Romans about 122 B. C. The republic of Geneva originated in the municipal institutions of the town, to which Charlemagne granted certain privileges, subordinate, however, to the bishop, who was called prince of Geneva, and who was an immediate feudatory of the German empire. Dissensions occurred on many occasions between the citizens and the bishops on one side, and the counts of Genevois, who ruled the adjoining province of Savoy, and who claimed jurisdiction over Geneva, on the other. After the extinction of the line of the counts of Genevois, the dukes of Savoy were appointed their successors by the German emperor Sigismund (1422). Hence the claim of Savoy upon Geneva, from which the Genevans could only free themselves after several centuries by alliances with other Swiss states and by the aid of the reformation. The bishop of Geneva was expelled in 1534. Through the zeal of William Farel, the new service of the reformed religion was established in August, 1535. But the old parties, the partisans of Savoy, and the national party, most of whom were converts to the reformed religion, reappeared under new forms and fomented discord. Farel prevailed upon Calvin, who came to Geneva in Aug. 1536, to remain there. In a short time Calvin made himself the temporal as well as spiritual ruler of the town. Geneva became the leader of religion and the model of morals in Europe, the home of literature and learning, and the metropolis of Calvinism. An attack of Charles Emanuel of Savoy upon Geneva (Dec. 12, 1602) was gallantly repelled, and the victory then achieved is still commemorated. The independence of Geneva was solemnly recognized by the house of Savoy in 1754. In 1798 the town was occupied by French troops and incorporated with France as a part of the depart

ment of Leman. After the overthrow of Napoleon it joined the renewed Swiss confederacy, (March 20, 1815), and several places which had formerly belonged to France and Savoy were added to its territory. A new and more liberal constitution was adopted, May 24, 1847, to remain in operation until 1862. Geneva was the first Swiss state to introduce trial by jury (1844), and exerted a liberal influence upon the national councils in the promulgation of the federal constitution in 1848. The canton sends 3 delegates to the federal council of the cantons, and furnishes to the Swiss confederacy a contingent of 2,199 men, 280 horses, 20 pieces of artillery, and about $9,000 in money. The annual revenue and expenditures of the canton average respectively about $300,000. The constitution guarantees religious freedom to the Roman Catholics. The Protestant churches are governed by a consistory, which is elected for 4 years, appoints an executive committee of 5, and is composed of 25 lay members and 6 clergymen. The compagnie des pasteurs, which comprises all clergymen and professors of theology, presides over the religious instruction of the Protestant population, and controls ecclesiastical appointments. The administration of education is in the hands of the government, but the parishes are called upon to contribute toward its support. The predominant language is French. The peasantry speak a patois which resembles somewhat that spoken in the neighboring districts of France, Savoy and the Pays de Vaud.

GENEVA, LAKE OF, or LAKE LEMAN (Ger. Genfer-See; Fr. Lac de Genève; anc. Lacus Lemanus), one of the largest lakes of Europe, extending in the form of a crescent, with its horns towards the S., between Savoy on the S., and the Swiss cantons of Geneva, Vaud, and Valais. Its N. bank forms an arc about 53 m. in length, without reckoning the sinuosities; along its S. shore it measures 46 m.; and its breadth varies from 8 or 9 m. in the middle to 4 m. near the E. and 1 m. at the W. extremity; area, 82 sq. m. Its greatest depth is nearly 1,000 feet; its average depth is from 300 to 600 feet. Its elevation above the sea is 1,150 feet, but in summer, when the Alpine snows melt, it sometimes rises as much as 6 or 8 feet higher. At other periods it presents in particular parts of the lake, most commonly near Geneva, the curious phenomenon of a rapid rise and fall of from 2 to 5 feet in the course of 25 minutes. These changes of level, called seiches, have never been fully accounted for, but are supposed to be owing to the unequal pressure of the atmosphere upon different parts of the surface of the water. They are independent of the wind, and most frequent when the clouds are low and heavy. The lake is never frozen over, though ice forms in winter near its lower extremity. Its waters are pure and of a bright blue color, like those of the Mediterranean. The Rhone enters it at the E. end, a dark, muddy stream, and leaves it near Geneva perfectly pellucid and of the finest

azure nue. The debris brought down by this stream are deposited around the upper end, and have made considerable encroachments upon its basin. Port Vallais, 14 m. inland, was formerly situated on the shore, and the waters are said to have extended even as far as Bex, 12 m. up the Rhone. From Savoy Lake Geneva receives the Dranse, and from Switzerland the Venoge and the Vevayse. It has fewer fish than other Swiss lakes, but contains excellent trout, pike, carp, and perch, and a kind of salmon. Steamers ply daily between Geneva at the W. and Villeneuve at the E. end. The scenery, though lacking the dark grandeur of the bay of Uri in Lake Lucerne, and the sunny softness of some of the Italian waters, is an unfailing theme of admiration to travellers. On the N. are beautiful vine-covered hills, dotted with cheerful villages; opposite rise the abrupt cliffs of the Chablais, rearing their heads 5,000 feet above the lake. The majestic Alps are seen beyond them through the openings, and the shadow of Mont Blanc sometimes lies upon these waters. On the E., between the lofty summits of the Dent de Morcles and the Dent du Midi, about 9,000 feet high, a narrow pass opens into the Valais, while at the W. end the lake narrows almost to a point, and terminates among the pleasant slopes on which stand the city and suburbs of Geneva. The lake of Geneva is famous in literary history as the scene of the Nouvelle Héloïse, and for the abode in its vicinity of many celebrated authors, among whom may be mentioned Voltaire, Rousseau, Gibbon, Madame De Staël, Byron, and Shelley.

GENEVIÈVE, SAINT. I. The patron saint of Paris, born in Nanterre in 419 or 422, died in Paris in 512. When St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre, preached in Nanterre, he was struck by her air of sanctity, and by his counsel she entered a convent. Living in Paris in 449, she is said to have predicted the invasion of Gaul by the barbarians of Asia; and when 2 years later Attila passed the Rhine and terrified Paris, she exhorted the citizens to courage and piety, assuring them that the city would not be attacked. The prophecy, justified by Attila's sudden departure, caused her to be regarded with reverence and affection by the Parisians. Such was her renown that Simeon Stylites at Antioch in Syria was accustomed to ask every one from Gaul that he saw for news of her. She passed her life in austerities, prayer, and pious works, and many miracles were attributed to her agency even after her death. A church dedicated to her was begun by Louis XV., but as it had not in 1791 been used for Catholic worship, it was adopted by the national assembly for the Pantheon. In 1852 this church was consecrated to St. Geneviève, whose festival is celebrated in it on Jan. 3. II. Duchess of Brabant, and countess palatine, lived early in the 8th century. She is the theme of many medieval traditions, according to which she was falsely accused of adultery, lived 6 years alone in a wild forest, and was then dis

covered by her husband, who was following the chase, and who was reconciled with her by finding the nuptial ring still worn on her finger.

GENGHIS (or ZINGIS) KHAN, an Asiatic conqueror, born about 1160, died in Aug. 1227. His father was the chief of a horde, consisting of numerous families or clans, and tributary to the khan of eastern Tartary. When born, the child had his hand full of blood; and pleased by the interpretation of this sign as a prediction of conquest and glory, the father procured for Genghis, or, as he was then called, Temudjin, an able teacher, who soon developed in him a talent for government and war. Temudjin was only in his 14th year when he succeeded his father, and after some reverses he made himself master of the neighboring tribes, 70 of whose chiefs are said to have been thrown into kettles of boiling water at his command. Against a league of more numerous tribes he was also victorious, but was unable to subdue them, and compelled to invoke the protection of Vang or Ung, the great khan of the Keraite Tartars. Temudjin supported him in his turn in different wars, and was rewarded with the daughter of the khan in marriage. But his bravery, liberality, and success soon made him an object of envy and fear; a war ensued, in which the khan lost his army on the battlefield, and his life while in flight. Another enemy of Temudjin, Tayan, khan of the Naiman Tartars, met with a similar fate in and after the battle of Altai, which gave Temudjin a great part of Mongolia and the capital Karakorum. In the next spring he held a great assembly of his nation at Blun-Yuldad, his capital, where the representatives of all the hordes appeared and proclaimed him their great khan. It was then that, obeying the words of a shaman (inspired man), who promised him the conquest of the earth, he adopted the title of Genghis (greatest), and gave to his people that of Mongols (the bold). He now organized their civil and military system, and laid down a code of laws which is still known in Asia under his name, and is based upon the belief in one God and the monarchy of one great khan, to be elected from the reigning family by the kurultai, or assembly of the nation. It grants great privileges to the nobles, allows polygamy, forbids to conclude peace except with the vanquished, and commands the delivery of arms into the hands of the government in times of peace, and when no national hunts are held. He granted equal rights to every religion, and admitted men of talents or merit to his court, whatever their creed. Appreciating the wisdom of other nations, he caused many celebrated books to be translated from foreign languages. But the ambition of the conqueror, surpassing the wisdom of the lawgiver, prompted him to new expeditions. The annexation of the Ugrian or central Tartars served to complete the conquest of Tartary; he now commenced that of China, passed the great wall, vanquished the opposing armies, devastated the country, and took, in 1215, Yeh-king (now Pe-king) by