The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-22 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN
AUSTRALIA.

The Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to castlemaine
(Australis), received the foll3wing address from the Chinese
population of the district :

- -
We of the hundred sing (people) of the great clear
nation (I 'hina), from the province of Canton and the
neighbouring districts, have anxiously waited, Royal
Sir, your arrival at Castlemaine to come forth and
welcome you, great England's lesser lord, 1,000 years
second in the temple below. We bow our heads to the
ground and let one heads hang down as a token of
reverence. We maintain that posture, and in great
swelling words give utterance. At this propitious
time the subtile influences are efficacious in the
ground, increasing its fertility, and men are becoming
eminent for virtne and talent. The earth yields more
largely her golden treasures. We acknowledge with
thank fulnesa the gracious love of the reigning dynasty
of England, which permits our merchants and all
others to follow their occupations here. We have a feel-
ing of profound veneration and respect, which leads us
to tube), and induce obedience to the Royal laws. With
serious attention we have endeavoured to act in ac-
cordance with them. When her Majesty, your sacred
mother, commenced her reign, like the time when
the three holy sages, Wong 1., Yaou, and Shun bung
the upper and inferior garments on their persons, BO
the whole empire wan forthwith subjected to order and
decorum. Royal Prince, you have gone out to
examine the distant part of the empire, and all the
people skip for joy in welcoming you. To look upon
the dragon ( Royal) countenance may be compared to
beholding the dark clouds and the sun immediately
bursting forth. We have followed you to the tigers
akin covered seat (the levte) with beat of drum,
vibrating stringed instruments, and blowing the
cheerful reed, mingling with I'very voice, singing your
virtue, which inn an high lAA the vault of heaven. Your
benign love is liberally diffused, and extends to all
things. The blessings and happiness you confer are
as the ocean. They mollify and enrich as, who are of
another country, although the subjects of this. 'rhe
people love you as the Kaum Hong tree which shaded
Chi I /1011 g the brother of the Emperor Moon, when he
stayed his horse to rest during his tour of inspection of
the empire. Following in your track sweet rains fall,
making no noise. All kindreda and people are
improved by your example, and thus military
operations cease, and literary pursuits are culti-
vated. We desire earnestly that your Royal house
shall, through all ages, remain unmoved, and
reign continually over a nation as rich and power-
ful! as England is at present. Prolong your stay with
us until the customs id the people in every nook of our
shores are inquired into and known by you ; then all
will be exhilarated with delight. When you return
to the Royal Court and take the corner place, we hope
you will sit down in joy with universal peace prevail-
ing. Oh ! how excellent anti admirable, how worthy
of praise is he to whom, with veneratiim, awe, and
humility we present our address. In the sixth year,
eleventh month of the reign of the Emperor Hong Che,
of the dynasty of 'rein —English calenlation of time,
1f167 years, twelfth month—at Castlemaine, by the
Flowery Nation (Chinese), this address was humbly
presented.