Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-05-02
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PRAYER OF TIE EMPEROR oy CHINA
FOR RAIN

| On tho 3lst Of May last, an od,oi,, m
Per was published by the Emperor OF chm,
lamenting the want of rain lie had p,r.
vlousiy directed sacriiices ~ the so.Is, AMI
" devoutiy Knocked his head on the ground
out without effect Ellis scorching anxiety
had continued night aud day. and hour sftcr
hour, no looked earnestly for rain, but none
had fallen" lie chad turned his Thoughts.
IN upon himself, and bi, government, but
hau iound nothing amiss." Ills own con-
duct" he says rather proudly, " ought 10 have
induced sweet harmony between the rain
bearing clouds above, aud the parehed cartI,
oeiow, but tins had not been the effect - and,
s@reiore' IN hrs Official paper, the Emperor
directs "a mitigation Of punishment for con-
victcd persons in tse province of Pck,n, lex
cept Tor great crimcs,") and orders that SAC
c,iscd persons should be brought 10 a speedx
and fair trial - that +" Imprisoned witnesses
should bc nj once confronted with the oppo
site parties, or be sat nj liberty Oh bail !" and
Chat '' all smaller offences lie immediately dis-
posed Of and the parties liberated" THUS
Che a'ids) wo may hope for timely, genial,
aud fruciify ing showers. Let the Criminal
Board immediately obey these commands
Respect this"
This last continuance was as Intellectual a,
all that had preceded it. The drought was
severe and continued still for many weeks.
The Emperor, Kings and Princes TASTED and
prayed once IN seven days, before affairs dedi-
| Gated To tho gods Of heaven the gods Of che,
earth, of the year, Of the land, OF the grain.
and finally to imperial heaven itself, and also
TO imperial eaSth,--with ~, me saints" His
Majesty, moreover, sent King 10 Tao Shan
the great mountain" in Shangtuug pro, ince,
WIN Iiberian matches, to pray for rain in
the Emperor's stead. But all was OF no avail.
ana al last on the 18th Of July, the Emperor
offered up the following
ID.
| Jsay, Iaou ksrsng, and offered up on the 2efh
dry Of he sir,h pso,.th Of he I2h pear Of his
rssn,-July 25th, 1882.
Kueeling, n me mortal hereby presented,
to cause affairs TO be heard
/ 500, Alas! Imperial Heaven, were not tho
world afflicted by extraordinary changes, I
would not dare 90 present extraordinary ser.
/ vices. Br this year the drought Is most un--
usual. Summer is past, and no rain has fallen.
Not only do agriculture and human beings
feel the dire calamity but beasts and insects,
herbs and trees, almost cease to live.
81, the minister Of Heaven, am placed over
mankind, and am responsible for keeping tho
4 world IN orler,- trsnquilixing the peo-
pie. Although IL is now impossible for me TO
sleep or eat with composure; although ] am
scorched Wits grief, and tfembie with ankle
y; still, after all. no genial and eopious show
ers have been obtained.
couo U ond Oucred rich
sacrifices, on the affairs Of the gods Of the
land aud the grain aud had 10 be thank
fui for gathering clouds and sligtt showers;
but not enough To cause gladness.
Looking up, consider that Heavens
heart Is bcnevoience and love. The sole cause
is the daily deeper atrocity Of my sine; bat
little sincerity aud little devotion. Hence Z
have been unable TO move Heavens heart,
and bring down abundant blessings.
Having reSDertf,tfIv rhe,1t an. -. .o.1.
find, that in the 9th year Of keeniung, my
imperial grandfather, the high, honorable,
and pure Emperor rcverenty performed a
great snow service | feel impclIcd by
ten thousand considerations, 10 look up and
assaii heaven, examine myself, and consider
my errors /; looking up, aud hoping that may
obtain pardon. I ask NV self,-whether IN sa-
CRITICAL services have been disre spec tfal
Whether or not pride and prodsgalIty have
had place in my heart, springing up there
ynobserved, Whether, from the length of
time, have become Temiss in attending 10
the affairs Of government; and have been
unable TO attend to them with that serious
diligence, and strenuous effort, which 0ughp
. Whether ! have Uttered irreVerebt words
and deserved apprehension Whether perfect
equity has been attained in comforting re-
wards and puDishments| Whether Ia raisin,.
n.ausoleunas and laying out gardens, have
distressed the people and wasted property -
whether "A the appointment Of officers have
; Failed 10 obtain fit persons. and thereby
, tlie acts Of government have been petty AMI
tVcNatiOus TO the people, Whether puni.i
mehs have been uBjusily inflicted or pot -.
, Whether The oppressed have found No means
OF appeal Whether in prosecuting hcteru-
doN sccts, the innocent have not been iavOiv-
ed' Whether or not the magistrates have
insulted tho people, and refused 10 listen Ia
their affair Whether va the successive Taili-
tary operations on the western frontiers there
may have been the horrors Of human siaugh-
ter, for The sake of imperial rewards " he
Their the largesses bestowed on tho afflicted
southern provinces were properly applied or
the people were Left 20 die IN the ditches -
!, Whether the efforts 30 eKtermmats OF partly
the rebellious mOuntsiDcers of IIoonan and
anton, we're properly conducted or whether
: they led 10 the inhabitants being trampIed o.,
as mirc aud ashes TO All these topics. l.,
WHICH my anxeties have been dirscled, 4
ought 10 lay the plumb line. and strepuO,isly
, endesVOr 10 correct what y wrong still r.
4 collecting that there may be faults which have
b not occurred u me la my meditation.
: PrOsirste bes Imperial Ilea,ca, Hras.
I Tssn, 10 pardon my ignorance and stupidity
and 90 grant me- seif-ronoystioB; for pyriasis
: of innOeent people arc involved BY NE. s4u-
gle man. Ms aims are nunlsrOus q - dit
cult 10 escape from them. sumner b pact.
and autumn arrived - Sad bbger viii ~
inpossible. knocking head. pray Impsria
Heaven, 20 hasten snd confer gracious dcliTef-
. anee, "a speedy sDd dninsly beneficial rain !,
= 10 save ibs peoples lives and h. some degree
redeem ny Hpuiiies. Oh Alas tmprfial
; Heaven observe these things i-Aiss on
: Imperial Heaven, ~ grscious W tssm. ava
inexpressibiy griescd, aiaFussd. and frixl.tss.
Cd hoysrontly this memorial y presented =,
. Wet Fsiaf.--Ws learn that MsioF n .leu.
tenant Colonsil "a RcasEr, of Ike tJei,yd