osition to his religious sentiments.
This is the only instance in Chinese history in which a deposed ruler
refused to accept the inevitable fate of the unfortunate. To quaff the
poisoned cup is the time-honored way of getting rid of an inconvenient
ex-monarch. This refusal of the deposed emperor led to sterner
measures, and he was murdered by the guard which had been placed over
him in his palace.

Lieouyu was not destined long to occupy the throne which he had thus
secured. He was already growing old, and a short reign of three years
ended his career. As a monarch and a man alike he displayed sterling and
admirable qualities. His courage on the field of battle, his frugality
and earnest devotion to duty in every position which he reached, won him
the widest commendation, while he was still more esteemed by his
subjects for his kindness and devotion to the foster-mother who had
nourished him when deserted by his own parents, and who had the
remarkable fortune of seeing the poor child who had been abandoned to
her charitable care seated on the imperial throne of the realm.

_THREE NOTABLE WOMEN._

In the year 503 began a long war between the princes of Wei and the
emperors of China, which continued for nearly half a century. Of this
protracted contest we have only three incidents to relate, in which,
within a few years, three heroines rose to prominence and in various
ways showed an ability surpassing that of the men of their age. It is
the story of these three women that we propose to tell.

Chanyang, a stronghold of Wei, had been placed in charge of Ginching,
one of the ablest soldiers of that kingdom. But the exigencies of the
war obliged that officer to make an excursion beyond its walls, taking
with him the main body of the garrison, and leaving the place very
weakly defended. Taking advantage of this opportunity, one of the
Chinese generals marched quickly upon the weakened stronghold,
surrounded it with a large army, and made so rapid and vigorous an
assault that all the outer defences fell into his hands without a blow
in their defence.

At this perilous juncture, when the place was almost in the hands of its
foes, and the depressed garrison was ready to yield, Mongchi, the wife
of the absent commander, appeared upon the ramparts, called upon their
defenders to make a bold and resolute resistance to the enemy, and by
her courage and animation put new spirit into the troops. Inspired by
her, they bra