Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-12-09

brighter day than has ever yet shone OIL
the "aowery land" and might their ears
but stay, have they not already caught
some of the notes of praise to the one only
living and true God? For morning and
evening ascends from that beleaguered city
the doxology:
Praise the True God who is the Imperial Supreme Ruler
Praise Jesus the Saviour of the world;
Praise the Holy Divine Inauence-tbe Holy Spirit-
Praise these three who compose one Trus God"
Indeed, these were the first sounds that
saluted my ears when 1 entered the gar
rison, for it was about sunrise, and they
were engaged in their morning devotions.
What words to hear in the most populous
pagan empire on the globe, and that, too,
from lips that five years ago were repeat
ing the senseless mummeries of idolatrous
superstition
We soon reached some spacious premises
that had lately been the residence Of the
chief mandarin of the city and surrounding
country, but was now the head quarters of
Lo-ta-y -yun, the commandant of the patriot
forces at this place. My escort led the
way through five successive buildings and
as many open courts, all in line from the
street, from which the inncrmost of all,
the sixth, is visible. The buildings had
large yellow curtains Haunting in the
breeze, On each side Of the passage through
them. Having reached the interior build
ing, which was in fact the dwelling, the
others being occupied by attendants, SOL
diers and servants, was here directed to
a seat in the large reception hall, which
was quite similar in its general features to
the one into which | had been ushered on
my first appearance in the garrison 1t
had ornamental lanterns of fantastic shapes
and rich embroidered hangings suspended
from the roof and about the sides of the
apartment. The court yard in front of this
was filed with rare and beautiful flowers
and plants in unique pots Of every size and
shape. l soon inquired for Lo-ta yun, and
on being asked why l wished to see him,
| replied shat I should tell no one but
himself in person. There was here as be-
r--- -.--l &c o-,ivus spectators VINO ex-
amined my hat and dress and hands, with
much the same interest with which you
would look at STANCE animal in a menag-
erie of some heretofore unheard Of species
1t was almost enough to make one doubt
of himself whether he were indeed of the
genus homo. Before many minutes man
of middle stature, apparently about As.
came out from an adj Looming room and took
a scat near me- lie was stoutly built, had
a wcllformed head, and a piercing black
eye that looked out from under pair of
prominent, over-arching brows One of
the attendants, who aftcrward acted the
part of interpreter for me, as he was kind
of secretary to the commandant, told me
this was L,.ta-yua. There was no appear
ance of an officer in his manner or dress
He had on a short blue silk Jacket, and
dark brown loose trousers. | had formed
such an idea Of the princely appearance Of
Lo, whose reputation for military sagaeity
and skill had spread his name widely abroad
that | did not believe this was the man,
and frankly expressed my doubts, refusing
at the same time to reply to his interroga-
tories, and requested again to see the
highest officer in the city, for l was re-
solved not to be thwarted in my design to
get an interview with Lo himself, if it was
in the power of perseverance to compass it.
| have since wondered at his forbearance
with my pertinacity, when he knew l was
so completely in his hands. He could
have had my head taken off at word, and
never have been called to account for the
act. could scarcely credit his repeated
assurances that he was the man whom |
sought to see, and it was not until his
attendants attired him in his official uni
form and he took his seat in the large
chair at the table in the middle of the hall,
and began to issue his orders to his attend
ants, that my doubts were quite removed.
l then informed him fully of myself, my
occupation and my object in visiting his
camp. At the same time 1 opened my
carpet-bag and laid its contents on his Ia
bic. The books were the four Gospels
and Acts, the book of Genesis, and many
other tracts and books on the Christian
religion. He appeared quite pleased in
looking at them, and said the doctrines he
believed were the same with ours. Notice
of my arrival had been sent to the second
officer in command, and he soon came in a
large handsome sedan, borne BY four coolies
and with quite train of soldiers and
attendants going before and following. He
came in, and seat was placed for him at
the right of Lo. The uniform Of the two
was nearly alike, being yellow silk CT
satin cap covering the whole head and
leaving the face only exposed. 1t had
binding of red satin all around the edge