CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE 
 
 CHARLES WILLIAM WASON 
 
 COLLECTION ON CHINA 
 
 AND THE CHINESE 
 
Cornell University Library 
 BJ 2007.C5G49 
 
 Translations :forms of ceremonial, &c. 
 
 3 1924 022 993 400 
 
TRANSLATIONS. 
 
 FORMS OF CEREMONIAL, 
 
 S(c., 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DEATH OF THE DOWAGER UUEEP^, 
 
 AND OF THE 
 
 EMPEROR TAOUKWONG: 
 
 ALSO AN 
 
 ■ account of tfie GCettbraiteB ^omlatn ^otvier of Nanfiing* 
 
 BY 
 
 W. EAYMOND GINGELL, 
 Chitiese Interpreter, Her Majesty's Consulate, Foochowfoo: 
 
 LONPON: 
 
 LONGMAN AND CO. 
 CHELTENHAM: H. DA VIES, MONTPELLIER LIBRARY. 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tlie Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022993400 
 
TRANSLATIONS. 
 
 W. RAYMOND GINGELl, 
 
 CHINESE INTEEPRETER, HER MAJESTY'S CONSULATE, FOOCHOWFOO. 
 
TRANSLATIONS. 
 
 FORMS OF CEREMONIAL, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DEATH OF THE DOWAGER QUEEN, 
 
 AND OF THE 
 
 EMPEROR TAOUKWONG: 
 
 ALSO AN 
 
 glttount of tSe (JEtlrfirateU porcelain ©ofotr of Kanfetng, 
 
 BY 
 
 W. RAYMOND GINGELL, 
 Chinese Interpreter, Her Mcyesty's Consulate, Foochowfoo. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 LONGMAN AND CO. 
 CHELTENHAM: H. DAVIES, MONTPELLIER LIBRARY. 
 

 B. DA VIES, PKINTEK, MONTPELLIEK LIBRARY, CHELTENHAM. 
 
APOLOGY POU THE TRANSLATION. 
 
 The following Translations of Edicts and Announcements, 
 consequent upon the death of the Dowager Queen, and of the 
 Emperor Taoukwong, who died only one month and two days 
 afterwards, wiU, the Translator hopes, afford amusement to 
 some of his friends, and exhibit a few of the customs of this 
 peculiar people. 
 
 When quartered at Nanking, in 1843, he visited the Porce- 
 lain Tower, and obtained from a Priest of the Temple a colored 
 drawing of the edifice, with an historical account attached to it. 
 A translation of this may not prove altogether uninteresting. 
 The wonders spoken of in the account, and which all Chinese give 
 implicit credence to, the Translator did not see, perhaps such 
 beauties were hidden by the presiding divinity of the Temple 
 from the eyes of English barbarians. Be that as it may, the 
 Pagoda is nine stories high, and is formed of different colored 
 glazed porcelain bricks, and the stories were occupied by several 
 divinities, aU ready to respond to the solicitations of their wor- 
 
4 
 
 shippers. The form of the building outside is octagonal, whUe 
 the inside is square, and the walls of each story room is cased 
 with bricksj on which is stamped the image of the Goddess of 
 Mercy. Visitors to the celebrated. Tower, when the troops were 
 at Nanking, sadly and wantonly injured both its interior and 
 exterior, in order to boast of specimens. Of this the Chinese 
 complained to the English authorities who, as far as lay in their 
 power, put a stop to its further injury. The historical account 
 of its building and repairs, &c., is generally believed correct. 
 
 Cheltenham, 1853. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Announcement by the Board of Eites of the death of the 
 Dowager Queen, and forms of State Mourning 7 
 
 Proclamation of State Mourning to be observed by officers 
 and people promulged at Foochowfoo, by the Governor 
 General 9 
 
 Announcement by the Viceroy of the Emperor Taoukwong's 
 death, with directions for State Mourning, &c. &c. . . 18 
 
 Emperor's last Will, proclaiming a Successor to the Throne 33 
 
 Act of Grace on Accession of the Young Prince 38 
 
 An Adulatory Proclamation by the Young Emperor on the 
 late Dowager Q.ueen ; at the same time making known 
 Eoyal Gifts and Favours 36 
 
 An Accoimt of the celebrated Porcelain Tower of Nanking 39 
 
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE BOARD OF RITES. 
 
 The Dowager Queen at the hour shin (4 p.m.) on the 11th 
 day, 12th moon, 29th year of the Emperor Taoukwong, 23 rd of 
 January, 1850, became far removed; and the mourning suitable to 
 complete the forms of ceremonial for the occasion is laid down as 
 follows : — 
 
 In the inner apartments of the Imperial household the mourn- 
 ing observed will be — 
 
 The Emperor will cut off his tail (1) and wear deep mourning. 
 The (2) Hwang Kwei Fei (the first class concubines of the Emperor, 
 his Queen being dead) together with Kwei Fei (second class concu- 
 bines) as also the Fei and Ping and all below, viz., (3) waiting 
 maids (maids of honor) maids of the palace, and the (4) Tuh tsin 
 of the Princes — and Emperor's sons, will all divest themselves of 
 ear rings, and wear mourning. 
 
 The maids of honor, eunuchs, masters of the kitchen and the 
 males and females in the palace of the Dowager Queen, will all cut 
 off their hair, and sever the tails and wesir mourning. 
 
 As regards the paraphernalia and arrangements. The Nuy 
 
 (1) This Is done by rule. The tail is brought to the corner of the 
 mouth and severed at that point. 
 
 (2) Beside the Empress, his rightful Queen, the Emperor has four classes 
 of concubines and of each class he is at Kberty to take several. 
 
 (3) These also are ladies who minister to the Emperor's pleasure. 
 
 (4) Tuh tsin. A Tartar word, the sound of which is given in Chinese, 
 meaning wife of the Prince, or wives of the Princes — Princes Consort. 
 
8 
 
 Lwan E-wei (ofificer who escorts or accompanies the Royal carriage 
 as a guard of ceremony and adds to the state of the occasion) will 
 erect on the outside of the palace gates an E Kea (5) . 
 
 The board of works will have set up a ying fan (6) streamer on 
 the right side of the palace gates, and upon either side the nine 
 phoenix embroidered curtain or screen, while the white damask silk 
 curtain will be set up within the palace hall. 
 
 For twenty-seven days the Emperor will lay aside matters of 
 business, unless anything of great importance should occur, or there 
 should be a great military event, when the usual consideration will 
 be given. The Imperial mandates will be written with blue pencil, 
 and the different offices will employ blue impressions as seals, for a 
 like period of twenty-seven days. 
 
 The Princes of the Royal blood (Dukes) nobles — the civil and 
 military ministers, will all appear in white dresses for twenty-seven 
 days, and will leave their heads unshaven for a period of 100 days. 
 After the twenty-seven days have elapsed, and until the expiration 
 of the one hundred days, black coloured long dresses will be mourn- 
 ing, and the silk ornaments of winter and summer season, may be 
 worn on the hats, only when approaching the Ke (7) tables and the 
 Yeen side tables to the Dowager Queen, these ornaments will be 
 taken off. But from, and after the one-hundred days, and until the 
 expiration of the twenty-seven moons, the black colored Kwa, or 
 long robe, the colour of the under dress being of no moment, and 
 the wei maou hat, with silk ornament, may be worn. 
 
 (5) A stand or frame, on which is placed all things of parade used by the 
 departed, while alive, upon going out. 
 
 (6) A long pendant streamer used to invite home the manes of the de- 
 parted. The right side is specified as the ghosts of the departed are sup- 
 posed to enter on the right or east — while the living enter hy the left or 
 western side of the gates. 
 
 (7) Ke, a small square table. Yeen a long side table. On these various 
 articles are offered up, and incense burned through a period of 100 days, 
 those making offerings, &c. , wearing for that time a prescribed dress. After 
 this period the dress is altered, and the ceremony continues for twenty- 
 seven months. 
 
PROCLAMATION OF STATE MOUENING. 
 
 Forms of Ceremonial suitable to he adopted in the FoJcein Province on 
 the occasion of the Dowager Queen (8) having ascended to a dis- 
 tance on her long journey, carefully and respectfully laid down as 
 follows : — 
 
 The Min or Fokien province, is in receipt of public despatches 
 stamped with blue impressions, from the two boards. War and 
 Revenue, and an announcement on boards (9) from the Viceroy has, 
 moreover, been exhibited, who, in consequence of the treasurer of 
 the Che Kiang province, having forwarded a transcribed copy on 
 yellow paper, (10) of the last commands of her Majesty, became 
 respectfiiUy aware, that the Dowager Queen undertook her long 
 journey on the 11th day, 12th moon of the 29th year ofTaouk- 
 wong, (23rd of January, 1850,) at the hour shin (about 4 p.m.) ; 
 and in her Genii car mounted afar. Those matters requisite to be 
 carried out in consequence, are of course managed by rule, and have 
 already been communicated to the several offices, by the Lieutenant- 
 Governor ; and the civil and military have appeared in black caps 
 and robes. The summer and winter ornaments to the hats have 
 been taken off; and the pomp and display of office laid aside — the 
 umbrellas and screens (1 1) alone being used. Drums are not to be 
 beaten, nor are pipes to be blown ; neither are metal instruments to 
 
 (8) The Dowager Queen was a concubine of the Emperor Kea King, and 
 by promotion became Empress at the death of the Queen. She was not 
 the mother of the late Emperor Taoukwong. 
 
 (9) Outside the palace of the Viceroy is suspended a board, on which any 
 information, commands, &c., to be conveyed to the people is announced. 
 
 (10) Yellow colour' — the prerogative of the Emperor. 
 
 (11) A screen in the shape of a leaf, and carried before officers when out 
 of doors. It has a long handle. 
 
10 
 
 give forth sound; but all must reverently await the day, when the 
 Royal directions of the Queen Dowager shall arrive, and then go forth 
 to meet them, upon which the whole body will proceed to a public 
 hall, and there robe in white mourning garments, and the whole 
 assembly will lament and wail ; thereby being faithfully sincere in 
 grief, and conforming moreover to established rule. 
 
 It has been respectfully ascertained (by the Viceroy) that in the 
 42nd year of the Emperor Kien Lung, when the state went into 
 mourning for the dutiful and divine Queen of the " Law Giver,'' 
 (one of the temple titles of the Emperor Yung-chin), the Royal in- 
 structions of her Majesty then received and promulged were, on 
 that occasion, conveyed to the Min Province by a Te-tang (12) oflScer, 
 but that there was no Kaou She (13) officer delegated. It becomes 
 therefore highly necessary that an officer be deputed to obtain dis- 
 tinct information as to whether or no the Boards have in the present 
 Instance introduced a like rule; and all should respectfully and 
 sedulously prepare for the due management thereof. 
 
 The Judge and Treasurer of the Province have already deputed 
 Ho-tang-gnih, a Le-sze-tung-che (14) officer, and Chin-joo-shih, an 
 expectant Tung-pwang officer, who will, before hand, proceed with 
 all dispatch to Shwuy Kow (15) and there reverentially wait, and 
 obtain correct and exact information. Should a Te-tang officer be 
 the bearer of the tidings, the said Wei yuens, or delegates, will, 
 upon his arrival, respectfully escort the Royal bequest into the pro- 
 vincial city (Foochow). A messenger, however> being despatched 
 
 (12) A military officer or cadet waiting for preferment, generally sons of 
 officers wlio had hereditary rank conferred upon them. They are occasion- 
 ally employed by Viceroys to be bearers of despatches, &c. 
 
 (l 3) A special messenger, or envoy, to be the bearer of the Royal com- 
 mands. 
 
 (14) A civil magistrate and a Tartar of fifth rank over the Manchow 
 Tartars, and much feared by them from his being able to report upon the 
 officers' conduct. 
 
 (15) Name of a place inland, 200 li, about 70 miles, from the dty of 
 Foochow, and upon the banks of the river. 
 
11 
 
 before hand with the report, so as to enable the several officers to 
 proceed out of the city, and receive the Royal commands kneeling ; 
 thereby manifesting the most careful attention and concern. 
 
 When the Royal bequest of the Dovyager Queen is about to arrive 
 (near the city) it will be the duty of the magistrates of the Min and 
 Howkwan (names of two districts within the city) to obtain clear 
 information, and make the same known, in order that the several 
 officers dressed in black and on horseback may go out of the city in 
 procession and on the outside of the west gate respectfully wait in 
 the Ying-un-Ting (portico for meeting Royal favors). They will, 
 moreover, consider it their duty to prepare the Whang ting (16) or 
 yellow car and its E chang, attendant pomp or display, and to keep 
 all in readiness for the required moment. At the same time an officer 
 will be deputed to proceed, make all due enquiry, and respectfully 
 receiving in both hands the Royal writing, lay it in the yellow car, 
 and accompany it to the " portico for meeting Royal favors," where 
 the several officers in a body will receive it kneeling. Let there be 
 no ming tsan, (17) nor drumming, neither blowing of pipes ! More- 
 over, a Show ling, as also a Tso tsa officer, vfith some military officers 
 will follow and escort it in ; and the several officers assembled, will 
 continue kneeling until the yellow car has passed by the portico, 
 when they will mount their horses and follow (18). 
 
 In the first place the whole assemblage will proceed to the Minglun 
 
 (16) An open car, carried as a sedan with yellow curtains, and bearers 
 dressed in gsirments of the same color. Royal favors, &c. are alone placed 
 in them. 
 
 (17) Announcing with a loud voice the ceremonies to be observed, and 
 the proper time for enacting them. This is done by a person selected for 
 the purpose, who is enrolled at a magistrate's office, and to whom a hollow 
 button is given : he receives from the officers a small gratuity. There is 
 beside a Tsan le sang, or individual who attends sacrifices and burials, and 
 announces the exact time for the performance of the several rites. 
 
 (18) On occasions of state mourning, all the officers from the Viceroy 
 downwards, ride on horseback when going out to meet the announcement 
 instead of sedan chairs ; esteeming it an act of penance to do so. 
 
12 
 
 tang (19) in the College of the Prefecture, where they will, with 
 becoming respect, receive it kneeling. There will be further set up 
 in readiness within the hall, the Kung-gan offering table (20) and 
 the Seun-tuh-gan, (21) both having yellow hangings or drapery 
 around them. An officer will be, at an early period, appointed to 
 read aloud the document, as also two other officers to unbind or 
 open it. Let all be kept in readiness ! 
 
 Upon the commands of her late Majesty entering the city, guns 
 will be fired ; and upon arrival at the Minglun hall the document 
 will be taken and laid on the yellow table ; and the several officers 
 will be divided, the civil being on the east, the military on the west 
 side, all standing. Should there happen to be present any officers 
 who may be at their native place on account of a parent's death, or 
 who have given up service in order to take care of their parents, 
 these will take their places on the east side of the Sub- Prefects, and 
 form a class. The Tsin-sze and Keu Jin graduates, with officers of 
 nominal rank, Sang-yuen, or Sew-tsae, and Keen-sang graduates, 
 and the aged who have received marks of Imperial favor, together 
 with Tsochih officers, (22) will all be on the outside of the " second 
 gate," (23) each forming a class ; and will perform the ceremony of 
 kneeling thrice and knocking the head nine times ; after which they 
 
 (19) Minglun tang, a haU 'where all matters appertaining to the five re- 
 lationship, viz., between Prince and Minister, &c. &c. are discussed. 
 
 (20) A table on which is placed a stand with an incense pot before it, 
 ornamented with dragons and whereon the Royal document is placed. 
 
 (21) A table from which the Royal document is read. It is placed in 
 front of the other. 
 
 (22) Officers, who are distributed to the IBjirovinces by direction of the 
 board, and whose place of appointment is determined by their drawing a 
 slip of wood from a box on which is written a province. Should they, 
 however, draw the province of which they are natives, they draw again, as 
 officers are not permitted to hold trust in their own native province, lest 
 their relatives and friends might influence them in their official capacity. 
 
 (23) In these ceremonies distinction is made between officers sei'ving in 
 the place and those from other provinces ; the one standing inside, the other 
 outside of the second gate. 
 
13 
 
 will rise and set up lamentation and weeping ; then having changed 
 their garments for white, they will again perform the ceremony of 
 kneeling thrice and knocking the head nine times, rising up as before 
 and wailing. The foreign officers from the Loochoo country, will 
 wait until the other officers have enacted these ceremonies, and will 
 then, upon the outside of the second gate, perform the ceremony of 
 kneeling thrice and knocking the hezuJ nine times. 
 
 On receipt of the promulged Royal commands it is highly 
 necessary to have them read, and this should be done after putting 
 on the white mourning, and 'preinov.s to the second time of perform- 
 ing the ceremony of kneeling and knocking the head. The officer 
 who is deputed to present the Royal document with both hands, 
 will reverentially take hold of the Royal writing, and Vfith his 
 face westward, and in the erect position, deliver it over to the 
 officer appointed to read it, who, with face turned northward and 
 kneeling, will receive it ; then proceeding towards the table from 
 which it is to be read, and facing southwards — standing in the 
 middle and at the front of it — he will read aloud to all ; the civil 
 and military officers being on their knees, giving profound attention. 
 After it has been read the assembly vrill rise, and set up lamentation 
 and wailing, and then again perform the ceremony of kneeling thrice, 
 with nine prostrations. When all have risen up, the officer who has 
 read the document will take it in both hands, and replace it on the 
 table. Then the Viceroy, followed by the Treasurer, wUl ascend by the 
 eastern flight of steps, and advance towards the table, standing in 
 front of it, and the officer who delivers the Royal declaration, will 
 take it with both hands, and deliver it over to the Viceroy, who 
 kneels to receive it ; after which, rising up, he will hand it to the 
 Treasurer, who likewise receives it kneeling ; and he in like manner 
 will pass it to the Showling officer, who, on his knees with his face 
 turned northward, will receive it, and with becoming solemnity 
 place it in the " yellow car ;" and the two latter named officers will 
 then escort it to the office of the Provincial Treasurer. 
 
14 
 
 On this same day, at the hour of shin (4 p.m.), the hour when the 
 Dowager Queen died, all the officers will proceed as before to the 
 Ming-lun-Hall, and in a body perform the ceremony of kneeling 
 thrice and knocking the head nine times ; after which they will 
 lament and wail, and then again kneel thrice with the nine prostra- 
 tions. On the 2nd and 3rd days the like ceremonies will be also 
 observed. 
 
 When the Royal bequest shall arrive, the civil and military officers 
 — as also those who have purchased nominal rank — will all appear in 
 plain white garments for 27 days. After this period, and within 100 
 days, they will wear black mourning dresses, and lay aside the 
 cap ornament or fringe. Over this time, and within 27 months, 
 they will wear black clothes or colored dresses, — but the color of 
 the under robes matters not. During the approaching summer 
 season, hair fringe to the hats vnll be worn. The male portion of 
 the people will now at this time remove their hat ornaments, and 
 the females their head-dresses, and for 27 days (24) wear black 
 clothes. 
 
 Officers — men of all classes, and the people will all and every one, 
 from the day when there was important matter in the midst of the 
 Palace (alluding to the Queen's death) refrain from shaving their 
 heads for the space of 100 days. Officers of the 3rd rank and all 
 above, for the space of one year, must not marry out their daughters, 
 neither will their sons take wives : neither will they have feasts or 
 attend assemblies or musical entertainments for 27 months j but in 
 the event of their being a marriage to be celebrated, after the period 
 of the year has elapsed, then on and for that occasion is music 
 admissible. 
 
 Officers of the 4th rank and all below that grade, for the period 
 of 100 days, will neither marry their sons or their daughters ; and, 
 
 (24) The Viceroy and all o£5cers during 27 days of state movurning 
 should sit (excepting while hearing causes) upon the ground, and not on 
 chairs. 
 
15 
 
 during one year, they must neither give or receive entertainments, 
 nor have music. They can, after the period of the 100 days, should 
 there be a marriage of either son or daughter, have music for such 
 an occasion. The army and populace, for the period of a month, 
 will refrain from marrying sons or daughter, and for 100 days will 
 have no music. Should the Royal declaration arrive a month (after 
 the demise of the Queen) it will be expedient nevertheless to com- 
 mence reckoning the 27 days from the date of its arrival, and then, 
 after this period of mourning is over, will they (the army and popu- 
 lace) be permitted to marry sons or daughters. 
 
 Now, military bugle calls, — the bells in Budhist Temples, and of 
 other edifices dedicated to the worship of departed spirits, — guns, 
 which announce the hour of morning and evening, are not classed 
 as music. Beyond 100 days, and within the space of one year, at 
 the times of opening and closing seals of office (25), as also on pro- 
 ceeding to take up office, and receiving a seal, the badge dress will 
 be worn (26), and court beads put on, with the Ming tsan (see note 
 17). On the 1st and 15th day of the different months (27), ordinary 
 clothes (28) will be worn, but not the court beads. 
 
 For the space of one year, rain hats and cloaks, sitting or kneeling 
 cushions, without reference to the rank of the officer, will all be of 
 a black color. After this period, the rain hats, cushions, and um- 
 
 (25) This is annually done at the close of the year for a given period, 
 and during this time but little business, excepting of importance, is 
 transacted. 
 
 (26) That is a dress with a bird or beast embroidered on the breast, 
 accoriing as the individual is civil or military. 
 
 (27) On the 1st and 15th days of every moon, the officers proceed to, 
 and bum incense in, the Temple dedicated to Confuscius — to the God of 
 the Wind — Patron of Learning, &c. &c., and on these occasions the court 
 dress and beads are worn. 
 
 (28) That is dress without the ornaments of the badge or the dragon, 
 woven petticoats. 
 
16 
 
 brellas of state will be of a colour in accordance with the officer's 
 rank (29) ; but the rain cloaks will still be used of a black colour. 
 
 Upon forwarding a Peaou (30) (a prayer or congratulatory offer- 
 ing or address to the Emperor on occasions of joy, and sent by 
 either the Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, or Tartar General, &c.), 
 or at times of paying worship to a Pun (a stated report on Govern- 
 ment affairs required by law), on these occasions, during the 100 
 days, black clothes will be worn, — salute guns will not be fired, 
 neither will drums be beaten nor pipes be blown. 
 
 After the 100 days, and within the period of 27 months, whea 
 making obeisance to a Peaou, the court dress will be worn ; and 
 when acknowledging a Pun, the ordinary dress to be worn (that is 
 the outside dress having no badge, and the robe or long under petti- 
 coat without the dragon) with court beads, attended with the Ming 
 tsan ceremony, as also salute guns, and upon the road approach to 
 be announced (311. At the expiration of the 1^ months everything 
 will proceed as usual. 
 
 After the period of 100 days, and within the space of the year, 
 salute guns may be fired on opening and shutting the gates of the 
 city morning and evening ; also upon officers issuing forth from 
 their offices and when going to sit in judgment, and criers may 
 announce approach ; but no instruments must be beaten or blown, 
 
 (29) The mats or cushions which the officers use at times of sacrifice, 
 &c., are in strict conformity with the rank of each. A viceroy, or 
 Lieutenant-Governor, uses red — Treasurer, Judge, or Taoutae, red with 
 hlue edging — a Prefect and Magistrates, red edged with grey, and all 
 officers below these, red edged with hlack. Civil and Military officers use 
 the same. 
 
 (30) Whenever a memorial or any other document goes forth for the 
 Emperor, the officer memorializing enacts the ceremony of kneeling thrice 
 with the nine prostrations — the same as he would if In the presence of the 
 Emperor, considering that he la as it were conversing with his most sacred 
 majesty. 
 
 (3)) Officers of higher ranks, whenever they go out of their offices, have 
 the same announced by three salute guns, and criers, to clear the road, 
 proceed them. 
 
17 
 
 neither must metal Instruments give forth sound ; neither will the 
 1st and 2nd evening drum be beaten. Over the 100 days, the drum 
 which announces the officer about to sit on trial can be struck (32). 
 
 The civil and military officers will appear in white clothes for 
 27 days ; and should they, during this time, be required to sit on 
 the magisterial bench, it is suitable that they assume the cap with 
 ornament and appear in black dress, and after the business is closed 
 to reassume the white dress. 
 
 When the Royal commands of her late Majesty shall arrive, the 
 Treasurer's Secretary will be directed to have these observances 
 immediately engraven and copies struck off. 
 
 The several matters of ceremonies to be performed, attendant on 
 the promulgation of the Royal commands, should be eJl conducted 
 in accordance with regulation. Proclamations will be printed, and 
 orders will be issued to send them to the different Prefectures and 
 Chows, from whence they will be handed on to their subordinate 
 districts, that all maybe clearly Informed thereof, enabling them 
 to know and maintain the same obediently. 
 
 (32) This drum is only struck one or two strokes, and vinaccompanied by 
 other music ; whereas the 1st and 2nd evening drums are attended or 
 accompanied by pipes. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE VICEROY. 
 
 On the 12th day of the 2nd moon, the Viceroy Lew and Seu, Lieut. - 
 Governor, issued a joint proclamation on boards as follows: — 
 
 On the 15th day of the present month, we respectfully received the 
 Royal declaration of the far journeying Monarch, and with poignant 
 grief, learned that his far journeying Majesty, on the 14th day of the 
 first moon, 25th February, 1850, in his dragon chariot became a guest 
 above ; and it is therefore suitable to announce the same. Wherefore 
 this notification ; and we look to the civil and military officers, as also 
 to the soldiers and people, to make themselves acquainted with the 
 same, and we accordingly make known that, from the 14th day of 
 the 1st moon, the day on which within the palace there occurred an 
 important event, the 100 days will begin to reckon ; during this 
 period the hair of the head will not be shaven. The civil and 
 military officers of the provincial city (Foochow) will commence 
 their reckoning from the 15th day of the 2nd month, the day on 
 which the Royal announcement was received ; and for the period 
 of 100 days they will neither marry sons or daughters ; neither for 
 the space of one year will they have any kind of music. The army 
 and populace, during 100 days, will also have no kind of music ; 
 and for the period of one month they will neither marry sons or 
 daughters. The several civil and military officers, together with the 
 soldiery and populace of the outside Prefectures and Heen districts, 
 will respectfully reckon from the day on which the Royal declaration 
 reaches them ; and for 1 00 days the said civil and military officers 
 will neither marry sons or daughters ; and will have no music for 
 the space of one year. The soldiery and populace will likewise have 
 
19 
 
 no kind of music during 100 days ; and will neither marry sons or 
 daughters for the space of one month. Let each obey implicitly ! 
 Disregard not these special commands ! 
 
 Forms of Ceremonial to he observed upon the respectful receipt of the 
 Royal declaration of the Emperor who has ascended on his long 
 journey : — 
 
 When the Royal declaration is about to arrive, there will be pre- 
 viously set up, in the upper part of the Ming lun hall, in the College 
 of the Prefecture, one Whang gan, or yellow table, and a Whang kea, 
 or yellow stand, which will be placed thereon, and these will be 
 kept in readiness that the Royal writing may be thereon laid. In 
 the next place a long narrow side table will be spread, and five 
 descriptions of fruit oflFerings will be presented. In the front of the 
 table there will be set up another yellow table, upon which will be 
 placed or offered a yellow damask covered incense stool, and thereon 
 a jar, incense pot, and plate, a pair of large candles, incense from 
 sandal and other perfiimed woods ; and in the front will be spread a 
 white curtain screen, beside a. pair of white gauze lantherns ; and 
 the imitation paraphernalia of show or parade used by the Emperor 
 when going abroad, will also be spread out and arranged, as like- 
 wise a reading desk or throne. 
 
 When the Royal declaration shall arrive, the Tartar General, 
 Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant- Genered, and the Civil 
 Governor, leading the civil and military oflBcers, all being dressed in 
 white long cotton dresses and ready on horseback, will proceed out 
 of the city to the portico for receiving Royal favors in the western 
 suburbs. A dragon car will also be made ready, with its attendant 
 paraphernalia of show. When information is obtained that the 
 Royal writing is approaching, the Prefect will go forward to the 
 Hung san bridge and, in conjunction with the delegate who vrill be 
 deputed to meet it, take the Royal document and place it in the 
 dragon car. The paraphernalia will be in advance, while two 
 
 B 2 
 
20 
 
 Show ling officers, two Tseen and two Pa tsung (military officers of 
 small rank) will be directed to continue on either side of the car, 
 escort and follow it in. 
 
 Upon the approach of the Royal writing to the portico for receiv- 
 ing Royal favors, the Tartar General, Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, 
 Lieutenant- General, and Civil Governor, heading the civil and 
 military officers, as likewise the gentlemen scholars, and the aged, 
 who have received Royal favor, will, in a body, stand on the right 
 hand side of the main road, forming a row. They will all kneel to 
 meet it ; and set up wailing and lamentation. There will be no 
 Ming tsan, no drumming, nor fifeing. After it has passed by, they 
 will all rise up, mount their steeds and follow ; and when the Royal 
 behest enters the city, salute guns will be fired. The officers will 
 first advance to the Ming lun hall and form a row, standing on the 
 outside of the gates, and when the document arrives at this point, 
 they will kneel to receive it in the same manner as on the first occa- 
 sion. When the dragon car has entered, the several officers will 
 also pass in. The Prefect will then ascend by the left flight of steps, 
 and advancing in front of the dragon car, while the officer appointed 
 to escort it, facing southward and in a standing posture, will lift out 
 the Royal writing, and hand it to the Prefect, who with his face north" 
 ward and kneeling, will receive and reverently place it upon the stand 
 which is on the " offering yellow table" at the upper part of the 
 hall. This done he will retire backwards to his proper place, passing 
 out eastward. The Tartar General, Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, 
 Lieutenant-General, and Civil Governor, will stand at the head of 
 the civil and military ; the civil standing on the eastern, the military 
 on the western side, forming a row. Should there be any officers 
 who have on the death of parents laid aside office for three years, or 
 who have resigned office in order to nourish their parents, and who 
 are in their native place, these will range themselves separately on 
 the east side of the Sub-Prefect. The Tsin sze and Keu jin gradu- 
 ates, as also those who have purchased nominal official rank ; the 
 
21 
 
 Sang yuen and Keen Sang graduates, the old who have received 
 marks of Royal favor, together with the Tso tsa officers (sent by the 
 boards to the diflferent provinces to await vacancies) will each form- 
 ing a separate class station themselves on the outside of the second 
 gate. All being thus stationed, the Le sang, or Master of Cere- 
 monies will cry out, " Pei pan," steuid in ranks. AH having done 
 so, he will then say, " Kneel ;" " Knock the head and rise." The 
 ceremony of kneeUng being performed thrice, and on each occasion 
 of genuflexion the head to be knocked on the ground three times, 
 the Le sang crying out each time the proper moment for the cere- 
 mony. After the sound of lamentation and wailing has ceased, the 
 foreign officers from the Loochoo country will last of all go through 
 the ceremony of kneeling thrice and knocking the head nine times, 
 on the outside of the second gate. After this the Prefect will, as 
 on the former occasion advance, by the left flight of steps, towards 
 the yellow stand, from off which he will take the Royal writing, and 
 facing westward, in the erect position, will deliver it to the officer 
 appointed to read it, who receives it kneeling with his face north- 
 ward. He will then rise and with becoming respect, holding the 
 document in both hands and passing through the middle, vrill ascend 
 the reading forum, and proceeding behind the table from which it is 
 to be read, will there stand erect facing southward. Then the Pre- 
 fect vyill as before go out backwards by the left flight of steps and 
 retire to his proper place. The Le sang will then cry aloud, "Kneel," 
 ■whereupon the Tartar General, Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, Lieu- 
 tenant-General, and Civil Governor, eis also the whole body of officers 
 will kneel. The two Tso tsa officers as guards of the writing on 
 either side will then respectflilly and carefully open the scroll, upon 
 which the Director of Ceremonies will cry out, " Read aloud the 
 Royal writing." This the officer, who is deputed, will do in an erect 
 position, the whole assembly kneeling in profound attention. After 
 the document is read there will be a cry of lamentation and grief, 
 and then all will rise up. The Le sang will then precede the Viceroy 
 
22 
 
 and Treasurer, who will advance, by the left hand flight of steps, 
 towards the front of the reading forum and there stand with their 
 faces northward. An officer will then approach the front part of the 
 reading forum, and the one who has read the document, will take 
 the Royal commands in both hands and hand it to him, and he will 
 deliver it to the Viceroy, who kneeling and still facing north, will 
 receive it. He will then rise up and turn, facing west, while the 
 Treasurer will advance and, facing northward, kneel, while the 
 Viceroy delivers it to him. Having received it, he will then rise up, 
 and holding the Royal document in both hands, and entering by the 
 centre door, will respectfully lay it on the stand which is on the 
 yellow table. This done, the Le sang preceding the Viceroy, fol- 
 lowed by the Treasurer, will return to their proper places the same 
 way they entered, and the Le sang will then cry aloud, " Kneel ;" 
 " Knock the head ;" " Rise ;" whereupon the whole assembly of 
 officers will perform the ceremony of kneeling thrice and the nine 
 prostrations, after which there will be the cry of lamentation and 
 grief. The foreign officers from the Loochoo country will then go 
 through the same ceremonies on the outside of the second gate. 
 After these ceremonies have been enacted, the several classes will 
 disperse. 
 
 Last of all, the Treasurer, accompanied by a Show ling officer or 
 subordinate, will take the Royal document and respectfully place it 
 in the yellow car, and escort to his official residence; and after 
 copies of the transcribed writing have been struck off, and circulated 
 through the subordinate districts of the Min Prbvince, an officer 
 will be delegated to re-deliver the original royal writing to the 
 palace of the Viceroy, who will, by Government post, address a 
 dispatch and return the document to the Boards. 
 
THE EMPROR'S LAST WILL. 
 
 A TRANSCRIBED COPT OP THE ROYAL COMMANDS. 
 
 The Emperor, created and appointed by the revolving decree of Hea- 
 ven, goes on to state in his Royal declaration : — 
 
 I have received from my Royal Father, the Emperor, Jin tsung 
 juy, overspreading and containing favor. To me was bequeathed 
 the " divine vessel," the Throne. For 30 full years have I held the 
 reins of Government. I look up and ponder on the family precepts 
 of my divine line ; and, in all things, respect heaven's decrees and 
 imitate my ancestors, — my chief aim has been to be carefully dili- 
 gent in the government of my kingdom, and to cherish a tender 
 regard towards my people. Dare I then be othervsrise than diligent 
 without intermission in the morning time — solicitously careful at 
 eventide — and every day indefatigable in exertion ? It is by these 
 means I have continued on my imperial eminence until now. I 
 have been at all times ready to attend to matters connected with 
 the State and to read addresses and memorials, and on important 
 subjects have summoned and received counsel from my ministers 
 and servants. I have taken food when the sun has been low de- 
 scending, and at night have taken rest in my robes. (1). Thus 
 daily has it been for 30 years. I dared not give myself leisure nor 
 indulge in luxurious ease. As the first in the empire, I have set 
 the example in temperance and economy. 
 
 When the throne was handed down to me, I promulged com- 
 mands written by my own hand, and my principal care was to 
 guai'd against an inordinate love of music — carnal pleasure — and a 
 
 ( l) Figuratively expressing his unceasing application and care for the state. 
 
24 
 
 desire for wealth ; every amusing pleasure and exhibition — love of 
 trifles and the smallest prodigal display, I denied and forbade my- 
 self. And this is known to the ministers and people of my empire. 
 The current of my thought bears me back to years that are past 
 when, in the western borders, there were small petty troubles, 
 caused as it were by insects. But leaders were sent forth who 
 punished and reduced to subjection causing all to be settled and at 
 peace. (2.) But how dare I boast of the military skill and prowess 
 of the army ? Then again there was the small petty country on the 
 south east hne of coast that in consequence of traffic caused confused 
 quarrels. (3.) I reflected that the ancient kings deemed kindly 
 feeling towards mankind of the highest importance. How, then, 
 could I bear that the " innocent infants" (4) should be harassed 
 and assailed by sharp swords and pointed weapons? Therefore, 
 did I cast off my trifling displeasure and completed (with the coun- 
 try meaning England) a liberal faith or treaty. 
 
 The boundaries became tranquil, and the men from afar cherished, 
 so has it continued for 10 years ; and the end has been that injurious 
 and noxious flames have disappeared. The people have each fol- 
 lowed peaceably his avocation in life. Tlius have I, with unwearied 
 zeal, had always a tender regard to the people's case and feelings j 
 and now, peradventure, all are enabled to make allowance for my 
 action or decision on that one point. (5) 
 
 I humbly take to myself the shame of being the cause of the l*te 
 
 (2) Alluding to the rebellion of the Mahomedans in the 7th and 8th years 
 of his reign. 
 
 (3) Alluding to the quarrel with. England. 
 
 (4) A word of tenderness for the people. 
 
 (5) Alluding to the faction at Peking which existed between the Tartar 
 and Chinese ministers, on the subject of a Treaty with England. Wong- 
 see, a minister of State opposed Mo-chang-ah, a Tartar minister. Wong- 
 see was for war — but the Tartar advocated peace. The Emperor sided 
 with the peace party, and Wong-see in consequence hung himself. Hence 
 the apology. 
 
25 
 
 calamitous drought and flood; (6) involving my people in the 
 visitation. Morning and evening did I grieve in heart, and toiled ; 
 neither was I sparing of the state coffers in order to rescue the 
 urgent misery of my people. The ministers of the different Pro- 
 vinces prayed for remission of taxes, and craved that largesses may 
 be bestowed during these calamitous times. Could I do otherwise 
 than shower down my grace and favor ? 
 
 This also natives both of inside and outside Provinces are well 
 awcire of. 
 
 I have attended on and ministered to the wants of the Dowager 
 Queen, these 30 years ; and studied that which tended to the com- 
 pletion of her pleasure. This have I carefully and cautiously done 
 without dimunition, holding a diligent regard to the regulation of 
 affairs, and an entire heart to the performance of proper ceremonies. 
 Seldom had I to make allowance for any error of undutifiilness. 
 
 My limbs and frame were once firm and strong; but from last year, 
 at the junction season of spring and summer, my health suddenly 
 failed. 1 redoubled attention towards recovery, but my lost health 
 returned not again. Upon returning to the Palace, (7) in the 
 12th month of last year, I learnt with the most poignant grief that 
 the Dowager Queen had taken her far journey, and I beat my breast 
 and stamped my feet in agony — and, broken up by grief, gradually 
 did my form become attenuated and worn. Latterly I have drawn 
 my breath with greater difficulty, and my disease has daily assumed 
 a severer form. 
 
 My thoughts float back through the last 30 yesirs whilst upon the 
 
 (6) During the close of tlie years '49-50, in several of the provinces, in 
 consequeace of long continued heavy rains, the country in many parts be- 
 came inundated, destroying the rice crops — and, of course, raising the price 
 of rice enormously. Hundreds were drowned and starved to death. On 
 this occasion the Viceroy of Foochow applied to the British Consul at that 
 port requesting, if British vessels brought on cargoes of rice, they may be 
 sold to the officers of the Chinese government. The year previous, the 
 country in many parts had suffered from long drought. 
 
 (7) The Emperor had been to his summer residence. 
 
26 
 
 Throne. 60 and 9 years have I to record on the scale of longevity. 
 Then at what have I to repine ? I only consider that a connecting 
 link (successor) is of the highest importance, and that ■with all hsiste 
 I ought most carefully to select a yuen lang (8) to succeed to and 
 take charge of my extensive patrimony. 
 
 On this day, at the hour raaou 5 a.m., I especially summoned 
 Tsung jin foo tsung ling, (9) Yu tseen ta chin. Ministers always in 
 the Imperial presence, the Keun ke ta chin. Ministers who have 
 direction of the army, and the Ministers of the cabinet, and in my 
 own person handed them the Imperial decree, in vermillion pencil, 
 setting up my fourth son, Yih Cho, as heir apparent to the Throne ; 
 at the same time giving my injunctions to Princes and Ministers to 
 direct their whole hearts in assisting him, vfithout a compassionate 
 thought of aught beside. Having done this a few hours only, my 
 spiritual breath became broken or scattered — and is not this the 
 Voice of Heaven summoning me hence ? 
 
 The natural disposition of the heir apparent is benevolent and 
 dutiful ; his virtues are firmly implanted ; he is therefore well com- 
 petent to hold the charge confided to him ; and he should forthwith 
 be placed upon the Throne in order to succeed to the Empire. 
 
 Heaven created the people, and from among them set up Princes 
 to manage and be their governors. 
 
 He who incessantly displays an anxious desire to maintain a 
 strenuous opposition to error, and at the same time knows how to 
 stimulate by admonition, is well calculated to judge of mankind, 
 and imderstands well how to soothe and tranquillize the people, 
 such a one must be ever competent to protect my extensive 
 patrimony. 
 
 There are yet rules by which to observe men. The Emperor 
 should be clear as an unruffled mirror, and just as a balance, so that 
 
 (8) A paragon of excellence from among the Princes. 
 (9) An officer who has charge of the King's family — generally a Prince. 
 
27 
 
 the ugly and handsome, the light and the heavy, may each see and 
 judge of himself thereby. Then without selfish ends will he benefit 
 the world. 
 
 I am fuither desirous that you civil and mUitary Ministers should 
 have clean and unspotted hearts, each being diligent in his allotted 
 charge or calling ; and that you should direct your attention in 
 assisting the young Emperor to bring the State to the highest degree 
 of eminence. Oh ! how then wiU my cherished thoughts be in a 
 greater degree comforted. (10) 
 
 Let the state mourning of white, be in accordance with the old 
 established rules, viz. for 27 days, and then laid aside. And let the 
 same be promulged throughout the empire, that all may hear and 
 know. 
 
 lith Day, 1st Moon, 30th Year. 
 25th Feb., 1850. 
 
 (10) The Emperor after death is supposed to be cognizant of what passes 
 in this world. 
 
ACT OF GRACE ON ACCESSION OF THE YOUNG PRINCE. 
 
 UPON THE ACCESSION OF THE YOUNG EMPEROR. 
 
 The Emperor appointed by the revolving decree of Heaven goes on to 
 
 observe in his Royal announcement : — 
 
 Our great pure dynasty has received the kind fostering regard of 
 heaven ; and through the line of Tae tsoo (1) and Tae tsung was 
 the large foundation first commenced. She tsoo united the whole 
 under the summer region. Shing tsoo. She sung, Kow tsung and 
 Jin tsung, hy their overflowing virtues produced in the manners of 
 the people, invisible changes ; thus binding closer the unanimity of 
 the people, and redoubling the splendour and brightness of the 
 State. My Royal Father, the far removed monarch, held the reins 
 of government for 30 years, and during this time he at night lay 
 down in his robes ; and when the shadows of evening fell, took food, 
 seeking with sedulous care tof bring about a highly flourishing rule. 
 He regulated with exactness the oflScers ; and diffused abroad their 
 merits, and thus was the whole state rendered respectful and digni- 
 fied. His gracious acts were deep, and his enriching kindness 
 plentiful, penetrating and reaching to all the world (within the 
 royal domain). By these means, all — both inside and outside the 
 kingdom, were regulated with peace and tranquillity, and the host of 
 black-haired people shared in the happiness that reigned. 
 
 It was the ardent wish of all, that his illumined record, should 
 
 (1) Tae-tsoo — Tae-tsting. Two Tartar Emperors, father and son, pre- 
 vious to the conquering of China by the Tartars, and from whom the pre- 
 sent line of Kings sprung. 
 
 She tsoo — Temple Title of the Emperor. . Shun che a. A. 1643. 
 
 Shing tsoo ditto ditto Kang He a.d. 1661. 
 
 She tsung ditto ditto Yung ching .. 1773. 
 
 Kow tsung ditto ditto Keen lung . . 1 735. 
 
 Jin tsung .ditto ditto Ke King .. 1795. 
 
29 
 
 be long extended ; and that he might perpetually receive the abun- 
 dant blessing of heaven. But alas ! who would have imagined that 
 on the 14th day of the 1st moon, I should be set up by the Imperial 
 word, as heir to the kingdom ; and that e'er half a day had elapsed, 
 he would suddenly ascend in his dragon car ; and that the " divine 
 vessel" would become attached to my worthless body ? I myself 
 consider that my virtues are spare and deficient ; and I deeply fear 
 my inadequacy to the charge; but then again I reflect that the 
 throne has been handed dovm through a line of divine kings, and 
 that my Royal Sire has entrusted to me the heavenly seat, and that 
 it must not long remain unfilled. With a strenuous effort, therefore, 
 I repress lamentation and grief, in respectful accordance to his per- 
 fect commands. 
 
 On the 26th day of the 1st moon, I respectfully announced to 
 heaven and earth, in the Temple of Ancestors — and to the gods of 
 the land and grain, that I had taken my seat on the throne ; and 
 that the ensuing year would be the 1st year of Heen-ftmg (the 
 young Emperor's Imperial title) . 
 
 I look up and vnsb to be associated with the good acts of the 
 former kings ; and I lay my hand upon my heart — but fear with 
 soUcitous care for the result. 
 
 The occasion of our accession is a suitable opportunity to publish 
 the extension of well adapted acts of grace ; and those which 
 should be extended are arranged in separate divisions on the left. (2.) 
 
 I. — On all the Princes of the Royal blood, both inside and outside 
 the metropolis, extending to the Dukes, the Royal favor will bestow 
 some present. 
 
 II. — The Princesses, both inside and outside, extending to the 
 Kih-kih (3), will each receive a present conferred through Royal 
 favor. 
 
 (2) Chinese is written from right to left, and perpendicularly. All sepa- 
 rate items or articles alluded to in the body of a document are written at 
 the end, or on the left. 
 
 (3) Sons emd daughters of Princes. A Tartar word given in Ciiiaese. 
 
30 
 
 III.— Manchow Tartar and Chinese Civil and Military officers of 
 all ranks, both inside and outside the metropolis, will each be raised 
 one step. 
 
 IV.— All denomination of officers, both inside and outside the 
 metropolis (not excepting those who may already have had honors 
 conferred on them in accordance with the rank they then held), who 
 have been promoted, as also those who have changed office (alluding 
 to those who have been degraded), may all obtain honors (4), 
 according to the new rules. 
 
 V. — At the metropolis, civil officers of the fourth rank and above, 
 and those of the third rank and above, outside the metropolis : 
 military officers of the second rank and above, both inside and out- 
 side Peking, will, in accordance vrith the rank ihey at present hold, 
 each have the overshadowing kindness cast on one son, who will 
 enter the College for the Nobles Sons, and be instructed. 
 
 VI. — Civilians, both inside and outside the metropolis, from the 
 fourth rank downwards, — and military, from the third rank, who 
 have been degraded, who have been deprived of office, — those who 
 retained office, yet lost rank, — as also those who have had their 
 pay stopped (5), or who have forfeited their salary, are all graciously 
 permitted to resume their position. 
 
 VII. — We wait the Board of Rites to memorialize, and give 
 clearly the number of Keu jin, who present themselves at the gene- 
 ral Triennial Assembly at Peking, for examination in the Tsin-sze, 
 gratuateship ; and their request for the Imperial pleasure to delibe- 
 rate on an increase, over and above the usual fixed number. 
 
 At the Triennial Provincial examinations of Sew tsae for the 
 
 (4) Every tenth birthday of the Emperor, and upon the accession of a 
 new King, honours are conferred upon the parents of the officer — the same 
 rank and title as he himself holds. Some have posthumous honors con- 
 ferred on great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. These posthumous 
 awards are held out as incentives to uprightness in official stations. 
 
 (5) This is sometimes done for the life-time of an officer, but his allows 
 ance, distinct from his pay, is still continued. 
 
31 
 
 Keu jin graduateship ; the larger provinces will have allowed an 
 increase of 30, the next in size 20, and the smallest size provinces 
 10, in addition to the usual number. The IVIanchow and Mung koo 
 Tartars will have an increase of 6, and the Han Keuen (6) an 
 increase of 3 Keu jin allowed above the usual number. 
 
 VIII. — In each separate province, to the fixed number of thos^ 
 who attain the lowest literary degree — there will be graciously 
 extended an increase of 7 names to the large class pubhc schools 
 (7), 5 to the smaller, and 3 to the smallest. 
 
 IX. The Kung sang and Keen sang Collegians of Kwo Tsze keen 
 (colleges for Chinese and Tartars), as also all those engaged in 
 instruction in the Kwan heo College (for Tartars only) have one 
 month of their time given them (8) . 
 
 X. — Each separate provincial public school for the Literati, with- 
 out reference to its being attached to a Foo, Heen, or Chow (names of 
 districts), or to a Wei (a district so called on the banks of the yellow 
 river), will, for the present year, be permitted to make the first on 
 the list of Sew tsae, (styled Ching kvmg), a Gan kung, (9) and the 
 second on the list a Suy kung. (10) 
 
 XL — Each individual recommended from a Foo-choo, Heen or 
 Wei district, as worthy the style Heaou leen fang ching, (1 1) will 
 
 (6) Han Kuen — a certain number of Chinese, from the outside provinces, 
 came into the country (Cliina) with the Emperor Shun che (First Taitar 
 Emperor of the present Dynasty), and their descendants are designated 
 Han Kuen. 
 
 (7) Ta Heo "I 
 
 Chiing Heo I- Public Schools or Colleges of different sizes. 
 Seaou Heo J 
 
 (8) Each of these is obliged to be in the college three years before he 
 can become an officer of Government, one month of this time is remitted. 
 
 (9) Gan knng. A title of literary honor only granted by ao. Emperor on 
 his accession. When a Sen tsae obtains this honor after being in the Kwo 
 tsze College three years, he becomes qualified to serve as a Government 
 officer. 
 
 (10) Suy kung. A yearly title conferred on the first in the Sew tsae list, 
 who goes to Peking for his probationary term of three years. 
 
 (11) "Filial, uncorrupt, and upright." 
 
32 
 
 be allowed as a temporary measure to wear, as an ornament of 
 distinction, a button of the 6th rank, in order to be in readiness if 
 required : and strict inquiries must be instituted as to whether he is 
 justly entitled to lay claim to the style. Let there be no irregular 
 selection ! 
 
 XII. — Officers will be delegated to make sacrificial offerings in 
 conformity with old established customs, at the sepulchres of the 
 successive line of kings — at Keuh le, (12) as also at the five moun- 
 tains and the four rivers. (13) . 
 
 XIII. — Officers, soldiers and people, who have been guilty of 
 minor offences, excluding those who have concerted plans of insur- 
 rection and rebellion ; sons and grandsons who have been privy to 
 the murder of a father or grandfather, mother or grandmother ; 
 wives and concubines who have destroyed their husbands ; slaves 
 and handmaidens who have murdered their masters ; those fsunilies 
 who are not without three of its members guilty of crimes punish- 
 able by death; those who have "plucked life;" (14) who have 
 maimed men (intentionally) in either body or limb ; those who have 
 premeditatively taken life ; those who have poisoned by the Koo 
 insect ; (15) who have injured by evil spirits (bewitched) ; who have 
 employed poisonous medicines to kill ; pirates ; and those who pro- 
 fess unnatural powers (witchcraft), forming or constituting the ten 
 
 (12) Keuhle. The birth-place of the sage Confucius In the Keuh fow 
 district of the Yun chow prefecture, in Shan tung province. 
 
 (13) Wong ho, Keang ho, Hwuy ho, Han ho. Four rivers in the north 
 of China, and which carries away its dirt. 
 
 (14) Tsae sang. A crime exists in China, though happily rare, of a most 
 revolting nature. A female when enceinte is murdered — her body cut open 
 and the embryo taken out, from which it is said a valuable medicine is pre- 
 pared. The Translator, while at Amoy, heard of a case of this nature, 
 which took place upon one of the adjoining hills. 
 
 (15) Koo tuh. There is a prevalent belief among the Chinese that cer- 
 tain persons collect as many different poisonous insects and reptiles as 
 possible, put them all together into a vessel, where they prey upon one 
 another until only one is left. This one is called Koo ; and the smallest 
 portion of its urine is said to be instantly fateil I 
 
33 
 
 wickednesses, which are all punishable with death and cannot be 
 forgiven ; those who have been guilty of crime against military law ; 
 those who have secreted runaways deserving death, such likewise 
 cannot be pardoned ; — and brought to light up to the 26th day, 1st 
 moon, 30th year of Taoukwong — as also those not detected or dis- 
 covered ; those already adjudicated, and those which have not been 
 adjudicated, will all be mercifully forgiven and no more remembered. 
 And should there be any who shall bring forward a complaint 
 against any one of these persons so forgiven, the crime with which 
 he charges shall be fastened on himself. 
 
 XIV. — ^Those criminals from the several provinces transported to 
 the distance of 3000 li ; and those who have been banished beyond 
 the frontier, and who on clear enquiry have reached their place of 
 destination three years, and during that time have kept the laws, 
 and have been quiet and well behaved ; as also those criminals who 
 have passed the age of 70 years ; will be liberated, and graciously 
 permitted to return to their native place. 
 
 XV. — Those enrolled under the banners — the Tartar domestics in 
 the Imperial household — as also the Paou E, or armour men, who 
 have embezzled the property of Government, and who were required 
 to make good the whole amount, and whose family property, there- 
 by, upon clear enquiry, proves indeed bankrupt, will have full 
 remission extended. And to those likewise who have had to share 
 in refunding ; to those also who have had to refund on account of 
 others, and thus indirectly implicated, a gracious forgiveness is 
 extended. 
 
 XVI.— All officers who have had to refund money to Government 
 on account of public service, and sons and grandsons who have to 
 make good to Government sums of money for a father or grand- 
 father's defalcation, will, upon due investigation, be graciously 
 forgiven. 
 
 XVII. — Officers and men in the Banner regiments who have 
 received an advance of pay, either consequent on an expedition or 
 through any visitation, will not be required to account for the same. 
 
34 
 
 XVIII. — Both Tartar and Chinese soldiers who have distinguished 
 themselves in the ranks, and from wounds or old age are resting 
 from toil, shall, beside our overshadowing love, upon mature deli- 
 beration, have additional favors graciously bestowed. 
 
 XIX. — In each Province, upon families of five kindreds united 
 together in one house, as also upon those who have lived to see 
 seven generations, beside an inscription board (16) additional favors 
 will be graciously bestowed. 
 
 XX. — In each Foo, Heen, Chow, and Wei district, where are any 
 who have given their diligent attention to ploughing and sowing 
 (husbandry), the local officers will to such signify their great appro- 
 bation in order to stimulate to active energy. 
 
 XXI. Exclusive of the armour bearers of the five Banners at 
 Peking and those of the Tso ling officers, the armour men of the 
 eight Banners of the Manchow and Mung Koo Tartars, Han Kuen, 
 and Guards of the Imperial Palace, cannon men, and foot soldiers 
 of the nine gates of the Imperial Household, will each have one 
 month's pay given them. (17) 
 
 XXII. — Persons serving in the ranks of the army, who are of the 
 age of 70 and above, aie allowed one son to remain at home and 
 take care of them, who wiU be exempted from serving the State. 
 Those of 80 years and upwards will have given a button of the 
 8th rank — those of 90 and above also a button of the 8th rank — 
 those of 100 years and upwards a button of the 7th rank — of 
 120 and above a button of the 6th rank — while those of 100 to 120 
 
 (16) Inscription Board — a board with a couplet — or perhaps only two 
 or three characters on it — bestowed on an individual, sind generally alluding 
 to the act or circumstances which makes him deserving of such a gracious 
 condescension of his Sovereign. It is usually memorialized for, by the high 
 ofScers, and the individual has to pay largely. 
 
 (17) The pay of the soldiers in outside Provinces is greater than the pay 
 of the troops at Peking. 
 
35 
 
 will, as on previous occasions, be recommended ; and money towards 
 erecting a triumphal arch way (18) will be given. 
 
 XXIII. — The managers and directors of charitable institutions, in 
 the several Provinces, will see that proper and sufficient necessaries 
 are supplied to the aged widows and widowers, to the orphans and 
 the childless, and to the deformed. 
 
 Alas ! I have received this connecting line of succession, and 
 therefore are benevolent acts extended to the uttermost boundaries 
 of my empire. But assist me in the duties which I bear, and in 
 soothing and tranquillizing the host of people. Princes and all de* 
 nominations of civil and military servants should one and all lay 
 open his mind and feelings, giving his assistance and support in any 
 vast scheme or perplexing doubt, and thus display the interminable 
 blessings of our State for ever and ever. Let this be promulged 
 and announced throughout the whole empire; that all may hear and 
 know. 
 
 26th Day, 1st Moon, 30th Year. 
 8th March, 1850. 
 
 (18) These archways are given under similar circumstances as Inscription 
 boards, viz. : to heroes, to the very aged, and to young chaste widows who 
 have declined marrying again. 
 
AN ADULATORY PROCLAMATION BY THE YOUNG EMPEROR. 
 
 BY THE LIEUT. GOVERNOR OF FOKIBN. 
 
 On the 3rd of the Sth Moon a transcribed copy on yellow paper was 
 respectfully received ; and the Emperor, appointed by the revolving 
 decree of Heaven, in his Royal announcement, states : — 
 
 1 have pondered on feminine compliant and chaste qualifications 
 that they may be declared as fit ensamples of imitation and instruc- 
 tion ; and on the fame of the great virtues of the ' carnation colored 
 stone apartments;' (19) and on the reasonable and complaisant 
 acts (of the former kings) handed down as an overshadowing pro- 
 tecting screen for others to repose under; that the 'bright sea 
 mirror' (20) might look up and behold the great fame made mani- 
 fest to the world. 
 
 My thoughts dwell upon the secret virtues of the absent when 
 n the ladies' side apartments, and on the sheltering and protecting 
 love. (21) Benign qualities were propagated throughout the 
 State by the effects of example, gradually enlarging and spreading 
 changes in the manners of the people. 
 
 But these most excellent acts of virtue were venerated by the 
 Court, and thus did the whole firmament resound with the fame 
 thereof. 
 
 With profound respect I consider that the virtues of our Royal 
 
 (19) Certain apartments in the Palace of the Queen, so named. 
 
 20. Metaphorically the people of all parts of China ; as the sea flows 
 all around it* 
 
 (21) Metaphorically — bamboo shade under which the weary might rest. 
 Literally, " Bamboo shadow's love," even as the large and full grown 
 bamboos protect and shade from the sun the tender young shoots : alluding 
 to the affection of the Queen. 
 
37 
 
 female ancestry are becoming patterns of reverence and harmony to 
 instruct and spread abroad mildness and obedience. My thoughts 
 wander back to former years, when our Royal Sire, the far removed 
 Monarch, received the decree of fate (to be Emperor) through a 
 successive line of kings, now 30 years since — a period fraught with 
 uninterrupted joy. (22) Who would have thought that the 'Spring 
 Brightness' (23) would be so suddenly extinguished, and that the 
 " Gem Palace" (24) would be only left behind as a memento to be 
 fondly dwelt on ? Could it be thought that the day, which all so 
 love, (25) would never arrive, but that unexpectedly the spirit would 
 return to the " Pearl Gate," (heaven), causing poignant grief? 
 
 Already has the ceremony of conferring extra honours been 
 arranged ; but it is suitable, also, well adapted acts of benevolence 
 should on this occasion be extended, and they are arranged on the 
 left as follows : — 
 
 I. — The burial places of the successive line of kings and em- 
 perors, as also of the former sages and divines, will be well looked 
 to, repaired, and guarded by the local officers. 
 
 II. — Every denomination of officer, both inside and outside 
 Peking, not excepting those who may have previously received titles 
 of honor in accordance with their present rank, will all in confor- 
 mity with their present titles, obtain further honors. (26) 
 
 III. — Dutiful sons and good grandsons of Manchow Tartars — 
 righteous husbands who have not again married — chaste widows 
 who have remained single, will receive a mark of Royal favor, upon 
 
 (22) During this period the late Emperor's filial conduct to the Dowager 
 Queen was unremitting. 
 
 (23) One of the designations of the late Emperor. 
 
 (24) Name of one of the palaces. 
 
 (25) The time when peu-ents arrive at an age to be nourished and pro- 
 tected : and which should be tenderly looked for and cherished, as the days 
 pass by and return not again. 
 
 (26) Posthumous titles of honor of same rank and title as the officer con- 
 ferred on parents, grand parents, and great grand parents. Officers of the 
 first rank have these posthumous honors conferred on all. 
 
38 
 
 the officers under whose jurisdiction they may be, making close 
 nquiry and obtaining correct information, and memorializ ing ; the 
 Board of Rites having duly ascertained its correctness. 
 
 IV. — The Kung and Keen-sang graduates in the Pekin College, 
 as also those matriculating there, have one month of their time 
 remitted. 
 
 V. — Those from the metropolis and the several provinces banished 
 to the frontier and to a distance of 3000 li, as also others sentenced 
 to banishment of less severity, will, after due distinction has been 
 made, have their punishment commuted 
 
 VI. — All inmates of poorhouses in the different provinces, who 
 have none on whom to depend — such as old widowers', widows, 
 childless, and orphans, as also the deformed, will be amply supplied 
 with necessaries ; and to this the governors of these institutions 
 will direct attention. 
 
 VII. — ^The local officers will select ground and set up cemetries 
 in the diflferent districts to be appropriated to the use of the utterly 
 destitute without the means to inter their relations, and who have 
 no friends or relatives who can bear the expense ; and will cover 
 over and bury the old bones* and not allow them to appear to sight. 
 Let this be propagated throughout the empire that all may hear 
 and know. 
 
 June, 1850. 
 
 * Periodically, men are sent round to the different burial p-ounds, by 
 government, to cover over any bones which may have become visible from 
 the graves having tumbled in. This event is usually announced, through 
 proclamations, by the local magistrates, and is esteemed a great boon. 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATED TOWER OF NANKING. 
 
 May all evil influence be repressed ; and may there be a state of 
 tranquillity and comfortable repose. 
 
 A Sketch of the Kiang Nan; vitreous, and precious, Budhist 
 Pagoda, dedicated as an act of gratitude. 
 
 On making research into the old historical records, mention is 
 made that " on the outside of the ' congregated Pearl Gate ' of the 
 Kin Ling city (ancient name of Kiang Nan — Nankin) there is a 
 temple, within which is the pagoda to Ah yu Wong; but we know 
 not from whence this Wong divinity came." The writings record 
 nothing more on this subject. It is, however, now justly designated 
 an immense temple. Sun Woo (name of a sovereign of the third 
 century) first erected the temple, and repaired the Ah yu Pagoda, 
 which latter building his grandchild Haoun destroyed. 
 
 About the middle of the reign of Tae Kang, (1) of the Western 
 Tsin dynasty, a person named Lew sa ko, obtained at Chang Kang, a 
 place in Kiang Nan province, a Shay le tsze, (2) and placed it within 
 the temple, and Keen wan te (3) accomplished the raising of the 
 pagoda three stories by the miraculous Shay le tsze which had been 
 preserved within the temple. 
 
 During the middle of the reign of Ta Tung, (4) there was an 
 exhortation to repair the Ah yu Wong Pagoda, and the name was 
 changed to the Chang Kan Pagoda, and the temple was called the 
 
 (1) Title of first monarch of the dynasty, about A.D. 216. 
 
 (2) A sort of miraculous gem or charm, said to drop from the head or brain 
 of a Budhist priest, after he has been tested, and perfected, by penances, in 
 the laws of Budliism. 
 
 (3) 8th monarch of the Eastern Tsin dynasty, about A.D. 322. 
 
 (4) Imperial title of the 1st monarch of the Seang dynasty, A.D. 457. 
 
40 
 
 Chang Kan Temple, (from the name of the place in which the 
 miraculous charm was found.) During the Sung dynasty, the 
 temple was named the Teen He, or Temple of Heavenly Blessings. 
 In the Yuen dynasty, during the reign of Che Yuen, (5) the name 
 was changed to Yuen Hing Teen he tsze un Tsing Chung, or the 
 Temple of Principal Esteem — Heavenly Blessings, Compassionate 
 Favour, and Bistinguished Fidelity. Che Shun (6) again repaired 
 it; and at the close of Che Yuen's reign, a.d. 1347, it was again 
 destroyed by fire. In the reign of Yung Lo, (7) on the 15th day of 
 the 6th moon of the 10th year, 1412, the work of rebuilding was 
 commenced at noon, and on the 1st day of the 8th moon, 6th year 
 of Sheuen Tih, (8) a.d. 1431, the work was completed ; thus oc- 
 cupying a period of 19 years in its construction. 
 
 The Imperial decree was given to Whang Leih Tae, an usher of 
 the board of works, to have it built in imitation of the royal palace ; 
 and to raise a precious pagoda, 9 stories ; and to have it built of 5 
 different coloured glasses, thereby rendering famous the virtue of 
 the former emperors, as also of the dowager queens. 
 
 The pagoda is just 32 chang (*) 2 covids, 4 inches and 9 fun in 
 height. The top of it is adorned with a gilt ball, of wind and rain 
 copper, so that its colour will never change. At the upper part of 
 it are, also, 9 dragon heads, suspending 9 iron'chains, to which are 
 attached 72 bells ; and from the top to the bottom, at the 8 corners, 
 are 81 iron bells, making in all 153. On the outside of the 9 stories 
 there are 128 lanterns, and below, in the octagon temple, and in the 
 heart of the pagoda, there are in use 12 glass lanterns which, when 
 lit, consume 64 catties of oil (about 90 lbs.), and throw theil 
 
 (8) 1st monarch of the dynasty, A.D. 1285. 
 
 (6) Imperial title of the 8th monarch of the Yuen dynasty, 1336. 
 
 (7) Imperial title of 3rd monarch of the Ming dynasty, A.D. 1402. 
 
 (8) Imperial title of 4th monarch of the Ming dynasty. 
 
 * A chang is 10 covids, and a covid is little more than a foot: two 
 covids 6 inches (Chinese) make an English yard. Our author, therefore, 
 makes the height of the Porcelain Tower nearly 369 feet ; but the true 
 height is within a foot or two of the London Monument. 
 
41 
 
 refulgence to the 33 heavens. Their light penetrate amid all men, 
 good and bad, and they illumine the very depths, and for ever 
 remove calamity out of the way. At the top, there are two copper 
 pans, weighing 900 catties (1200 lbs.), and a plate, 450 catties 
 (600 lbs.) The boundaries of the building extend eastward to the 
 resting place of the spirit of U-tung-hae ; southward to the garden 
 of Ko-at Ta Sung hing ; westward to the Lae ping Bridge ; and 
 northward to the Ta ko river or stream. The Temple has an 
 extensive interior. Though the splendour of one hundred gene- 
 rations may follow in succession, and other dedicated acts of 
 gratitude take place through myriads of years, yet will this one 
 alone be worthy the name of the " Paou un Pagoda." (9) The 
 inscription board (10) bears on it the characters "Te yih tah," the 
 first of Pagodas. 
 
 The building cost 2,485,484 taels (11.) The nine iron balls 
 measure 6 chang 3 covids in circumference, and form a weight of 
 3600 catties. In its top is placed a pearl, which is luminous at 
 night, against pestilential and demoniacal influences. There is also 
 a pearl against water (flood), one against fire, one against wind, and 
 one against dust. There is also a piece of gold weighing 40 taels 
 (a tael is little more than an ounce), a pecul of tea (160 lbs.), and 
 1000 taels of white silver, a piece of Ming Heung whang stone, (a 
 valuable medicine), weighing 100 catties ; also a valuable precious 
 stone, 100 strings of the cash of Yung lo reign, two pieces of yellow 
 satin, a set of books of Te Sang divinity, one of O me to Fuh (Budha), 
 one of Shih Kea Fuh, and a set of Tsee Yin Fuh (all Budhistical 
 works) . These are all preserved in the temple. 
 
 On the 29th day of the 6th moon, 12th year of Kea King, at noon. 
 
 (9) " Precious Pagoda — dedicated as an act of gratitude." 
 
 (10) All public buildings in China have inscription boards heinging over 
 the principal doors, with a few characters with some poetical allusion 
 descriptive of the attributes of the divinity (if a temple), or of the landscape, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 (11) £719,179 3s. 4d. about. 
 
42 
 
 A.D. 1807, the god of Thunder expelled the hobgoblin that had 
 taken up his residence in the temple, and at the instant the whole 
 of the 9 stories became damaged; but owing to the superior majesty 
 and over-inspiring awe of the guardian spirit of the temple, and as 
 the laws of Budh are not to be subverted, so the entire building was 
 not destroyed. The Lieutenant-Governor sent up a due memorial 
 of this circumstance, and in the 13th year of Kea King, 1808, on 
 the 6th day of the 9th moon, the repairs were ag^n commenced, 
 and on the 10th day of the 12th moon completed. 
 
 Now we would enquire if the building of this vitreous Pagoda was 
 not accomplished by the assistance of divinities, who then would 
 have been able to do it ? 
 
 H. Davies, Printei, MontpeUier lAloxaxy, Chelteiiham.