Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-12-18

MIR. Webster here gave some account of the
present Emperor, Of Tartar descent who is said TO
owe his present eminence to his gallant defence
of his father, who reigned during Lord Macart-
ney's visit to China. Il is said that much treas
ure has been accumulated in one of the Tartar
cities by the present dynasty, under the impress
ion that they may lose their power and be COM
PEELED 10 retire 10 their ancient home. The dread
ful ravages which attended the Tartar invasion
were mentioned, and the desolaiion Of whole
provinces, as stated by the Dutch Ambassador
then in the Empire. Few changes were intro
duced except the mode of wearing the hair, the
present mode being Of Tartar origin, and order
ed at once by The Tartar monarch, that no
differences might continue between the conquer
ing and vanquished race. This Tartar mode Of
wearing the harris not unlike that Of our Indians
a style which seems 10 have travelled round the
world-so that in our early wars the Indian war
rors with their scalp locks, met the powdered
cue Of French genilemans wig on the heads Of
French officers
There is no arstocracy in China. Birth and
wealth are less regarded there than with u.s. Pc
culiar respect belongs TO the Family Of the En-
peror, and to the disciples Of Confucius, who are
the learned men, but with these exceptions, ell
are equal Of one blood, are without distinction Of
birth or fortune. The highest places are confer
red as rewards Of good conduct and eminent schol-
arship. 1t is reported, however, that of late,
wealth has been used TO purchase literary de-
gree, and as consequence, employment by Gov
eminent.
Among the Chinese officers who visited the
American Ambassador, some Of the highest rank
appeared Of least consideration. There are nine
degrees Of rank, shown by the button on the top
Of the cap and the peacock's feathers which adom
the dress, the red button indicating the highest
official rank.
Various Boards of Commissioners are occupied
with the several branches Of public affairs. One
is termed the Board Of Foreign Affairs and De-
pendent States. This Board is said TO have been
that concerned in forming the recent treaty with
Great Britain; and il seems somewhat curious
fact, that on one side of the world, the Anglo
Saxon race, in the person Of the English, should
be ranked as tributaries by Tartar Sovereign,
while on the other side, the Indians of that Sow
ereign's race should seek protection from their
Great Father, the Anglo-Saxon President of the
United States.
1.-THE lecturer described very infinitely the GER
enonies Of the great dinner given by Keying to
our Ambassador Immediately after the signing OIL
the Treaty, which began with fruits and ended
with meats, and during which strange dishes almost
innumerable Of shark fins, deer muscles, birds
nests, &C., graced the feast, from which they re-
tired at one o'clock
The orator spoke particularly Of the rigid ad-
herence Of the Chinese 10 formal rules ofetiquette
Of the cards left by gentlemen "a good sized sheet
of colored paper,) of their letters, large OF small
as might be written on fine and ornamental paper
always enclosed in an envelope and sealed with
wax. He also spoke of the cheap literature Of
the Chinese, their Libraries and the value attached
TO education, and Of many arts and inventions
such as that Of printing, the mariners compass:
and gunpowder, long known to them before dis
covered by Europeans.
A filial regard for the government is planted in
the minds Of the people, and among all sentiments
that of respect for parents and superors is cher
ished as one Of highest duty Children are mol
ennobled for the virtues of their parents, but pa
rents are rewarded for the virtues of therchildren
Sons will interpose and ask that they may re.
ceive the punishment due 10 their parents. Mo-
is this unusual. The father is deemed TO have
higher claim upon his son than even a wife OF
children. The son like Eneas ofold would bea
his aged parent on his shoulders and leave hi.
wife and children to follow. Tombs and monu
ments are built in honor Of parents by the wealthy
The worship Of the dead is celebrated. Thei
tombs are built on the sides of hill-and thithe
on certain days relatives resort with food ant
-partaking Of the former in honor Of The
dead, and garanding their tombs with the latter
1t is a ceremony, dictated by affection, natural
beautiful and touching. We think Of the com
mand from the highest authority, Honor thy
Father and thy Mother.
The lecture concluded with observations on thu
History, Antiquity and Language of China. TIT
IL. H.
the Chinese to national existence as far back a
to within 1900 years OF the creation, was wei
founded, and that its original government patriar
chal, retained striking features of those prmar,
characters. The difficulties Of acquiring the Ian
| guage are immense, nor would the labors Of liz
fully conquer them. They are felt by the Chi
nese themselves, and constitute one Of the might
barriers against the influence Of other nations
Mr.. Webster sat down amid great applause.--[N
| Y. Journal Commerce.