Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-08-25
MISCELLANEOUS
From the New World.
T AOU * W AN G !,
EMPEROR OLE CHINA
EMPEROR OF CHINA.

TaoU KwANG was born in 1851, du-
ring the life of his father Keen-Lung,
at whose court Lord Mccartney and
! the news of happy termination of a
revolt in Thibet arrived nearly at the
same time. Of his early education we
are not favored with an account from
any original source, yet as every thing
is done in China after a well-adjusted
standard of uniformity, we shall not be
very far from hitting the mark, if we
attempt to ell up this deficiency by
conjecture. Among US a babe is clad
in a long white robe Of the purest
white, its head veiied with furbelows
ssof delicate muslin, and It's face susroun-
ded by tiara of beautiful lace. All
this seems to suit with the innocence
and tenderness Of it's age. In China
they manage matters differently. The
little one is soon preached, coated, and,
use homely but very significant
phrase, sbundled up'' in very gretes~
que, and to our eye, understanding man
ner. A cap Of fantastic shape, orna-
mented with an ainpyx,- or frontet of
polished metal is then put upon its
head. A wag once said, that Chi
5nese is born an old man, and from
thence went on to deduce the reason Of
that fondness for the antique and the
old fashioned so characteristic of the
Celestial Empire. For the dress Of a
child would suit "a person at fifty, or
at any subsequent age. Taou kwang
was, in all likelihood, dealt with after
this sort, so that his feet, like the rest
of the Chinese and Tartars, are not re-
narkable either for their easy gait or
graceful position. In China, boys Of
ten amuse themselves at some game Of
chance, but very seldom Join in any
active sport, to cheer the mind and in
.rigorate the body at the same time
Taou Kwang never, perhaps, in all his
youth, unbent his heart and his body
in the changefal eyolutions and careers
ofsboyish garnbols. In good time his
mind was called to the reading Of
books, and to the measuring up of
those maxirns, by which ruler is sup
posed to qualify himself for regulating
his own conduct, and for advancing
the happiness Of his subjects. The sup
ple bow, the demure look, and the hur-
RED step, formed no inconsiderable
mart of his nature. And though re-
= snect in a child or youth, is most
attractive quality, yet where education
IS made to consist i'll minute and fni-
~calMsgard to forms and ceremonies,
The mind is enfeebled by it; and the
heart, cramped in the first develop
ment of feeling, seldom assumes any
distinct and decided growth off own,
or puts on the habits Of independence
and resolution.
The first ID years Of Taou Kwang's
life were spent at the court Of Keen
Lung, his grandfather; man whose
lone reign Of go years showed that the
whole bent Of his mind was set upon
The subiugation Of all the neighborlng
Kingdoms and nations, and the extir-
rat;on Of not few Of them. Many a
rantive chief was brought to the Impe-
raj palace, and there made to writhe in
iii the agonies that ingenious malace
{ :. ea,;ld devise for them. Such specta-
e,es must have had a far greater effect
i steeling the heart Of the young prince
.hsn all the yirtuous lessons Of Confu-
s;an lore could in the way Of making