The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-19
THE RUSSIAN CLERICAL MISSION TO Pc

ahead of England and France. Even before the di-
plomatists who, under the clauses of the Tein-
tsin treaty, to act as the representatives of
Western Europe at the Court of Pekin, have been
selected. the Russian Charge d Atfares already
beyond the Chinese frontiers. Not the diplomatic
Charge d Attaires properly speaking, but a fresh
edition of that called spiritual mission of Russian
orthodoxy, whose clerical members have been grad
ually superseded by emissaries of a more worldly
character. That mission being at present headed
by diplomatist of rank, even the very appearance
OF an ecclesiastical purpose has been taken off The
mission now is merely supplement to the embassy
about to be established. Considering the immense
interest connected with every circumstance relating
to the opening Of China extract from the Irkutsk
Official Gazette the following description of the de-
parture of the mission to Pekin:
At the end of July the Chino-Siberian frontier
town of Kiachta filled with strangers, who
locked in to witness the departure of Privv Coun-
cillor Perowski and Archimandrite (Archdeaconl
Gooree, with their staff, to Pekin The Archbishop
of lrkutsk and the head adiutant of the Governor
OF East Siberia, together with many officers and
priests, had likewise repaired to the town to give
the mission their official support far the from
tiers. Another class of guests consisted of troops
OF the Trans-Baikal army, encamped some miles
from Troizkosawsk, on the banks of the river Kee-
rau At this point were drawn together two cav
airy regiments of Cossacks, two other regiments of
regular cavalry, two batteries of the Trans Baikal
field artillery two Cossack batteries and battalion
of Siberian infantry of the line-atogether more
than 900 men, and commanded by Major-General
Nichaelowski.
Before all persons constituting the mission had
gathered at kiachta. the Russian merchants resid
ing at the latter place took the opportunity of
performing those Italian evolutions which are SO
much admired in the capitals of their native en-
pre. In the evening the troops were entertained
by the wealthy tradesmen of the town. The Chi
nese from Maimatchin (Which is only half a mile
from kiachta passed over the frontiers and hearth
ly participated in the merriment of their Russian
neighbors. To combine the useful with the apreea-
BILE, the commander of the camp ordered part of
the troops to quit the table, take arms and manu-
vre IN the presence of the assembled Ceestias.
The latter perfectly amazed at the order and rapid
1ty OF the evolutions, thought they had never be-
fore seen anything wonderful. Their astonish-
ment reached its highest pitch when the chief of
artillery, suddenly giving the German and Russian
word of command, ''Marche, Marche," caused his
guns to proceed in laundering gallop, then come
to sudden stand still, and fire. The matter ap-
peared to them perfectly supernatural. To give
vent to his feelings the Mayor of Kiachta, at the
end OF the military evoutions, requested the Rus
sian authorities to accept a present for those
wonderful fellows whose mannuvres had given
him and his countrymen so much delight, a slight
present OF tea, of the value of 700 roubles.
On the 4th and 5th Of August, the fete day of her
Majesty the Empress Maria Alexandrowna was GEL
ebrated by divine service lasting during the whole
of the night. On the succeeding day liturgy was
performed by the archbishop in the open field, and
afterwards in the church. The Chinese Mayor of
Maimatchin, having previously asked permission of
the Russian commander, was present at the service
with his and suite. 1t was the first time that
the highest Chinese magistrate at this part of the
frontier entered the church of Kachta He appeared
greatly struck with the splendid decorations of the
interior, and the various magnificent garments of
the Russian priesthood. He likewise seemed to take
much interest in the subject matter and tone of the
prayers. On the priests leaving the church at the
close OF the service, he expressed wish to pav his
respects to the Archbishop. This being acceded to.
he approached the dignitary of the Russian church
before the church door and, in the presence of all
assembled U-n1 and Nv yrofC IL:
ment. touched the forehead of the highly rev
erend father in Cod This example was initiated
by his sons, who kissed the hands of the Arch
bishop, and, like their father, rewarded with
a shake of the pricstly palm. As if not satisfied
with this-in Chinese high officials; a most extra
ordinary mark of condescenson-the Mayor (Diar-
goochief), at late hour of the dav requested the
pardon OF the Russian commissioner Of the frontiers
| in case he, by his demonstration of respect and
esteem, should have in any way offended or acted
contrary to the Russian customs.
| The three following days were again occupied
| with field manguvres and grand parades of the
| forces. Again the Chinese delighted beyond
measure. The sight of Il solemn cavalry march
executed under the inspiring music of the National
! Hymn, feature of the military festival to
| them; but the rapid movements and tremendous
roar Of the artillery appeared, nevertheless to re-
tain the first place in their feelings of wonder and
! bewilderment
On the 5th of August the members of the mission
were entertained at grand Dime. bv the mercan
| tile community of the place. In the evening of the
day the Russian diplomatsts priests and suite
were conducted to the Chinese temples theatres
and magazines of that half Celestial frontier town
| NJ. DeSpOt SlnOWltch, the Russian COmmissary O
the frontier, accompanied the guests on this excur
sion, and afterwards conducted them to pay vsi
to the Chinese Mayor at Maimatchin. There ever,
possible honor known in the Chinese code of cere
monia was bestowed on the Russians. The da,
! concluded with visiting in the society of the Nav
or's son number of the wealthiest Chinese mer
chants.
1t having become known that the 7tk of Angus
was the date appointed for the departure of th
mission, the population OF kiachta assembled in th
streets in the night previous to that dav, to b
ready to take last look at the delegates of the En-
peror. At nine o'clock in the morning Divin
service was performed in presence of the diplc
matte travellers and military and civil authorities
but only comparatively few of the crowd assemble
without could gain admittance into the sacred ed
hce. The Archbishop preached on the text, Gle
your light shine before men that they NAV Sc
your good works, and glorify your Father which
In heaven" He interpreted the meaning of thi
so as to contrast it with attempts at proselyt
ism carried on mainly by means of theoretical ar
gument. At the end of his sermon the preache
alluded to the immense Importance of the Chimes
empire, and requested all Christians present t.
pray for the conversion of the neighborin!
heather.
The moment had now arrived when the member
of the mission had to leave Kiachta, and with
Russia. Emerging by one from the portal O
the church, they dehled foot through the street
vi anu escorted DV the authOfl
ties and troops. curious fact, and one highly il
Illustrative of the means by which the Russian EN-
pire has been founded, and is still extended is tn
circumstance of the three officers commanding tn
Russian troops on this occasion. NM. Busse Kuge
and Devgnier, being two of German and one @
French extraction.
The mercantile population took the lead in tn
procession, the crowd bringing up the rear and tn
salVos OF artillery sending tn nr roaring sautes int
the Celestial empire. The impression produced O
the Chinese was all that could be wished. Chimes
carriages awaited the Embassy at the gate of Ma
matchin to convey them to the first station Germ
At the latter place the travellers met their tran an
were received by the Mongolian officers who had t
accompany them to Urg (Oorgee).
A dinner was given at Toronto, Canada, on Sat
urday last, in honor of Lord Bury, who visits Cans
da in the interest of the Galway line of steamers
and the Grand Trunk Railway, well as for
pleasure tour. His Lordship made a speech, il
which he stated that he was empowered to enlis
the sympathies of Canadians in the Galway line
and that if successful in the undertaking the Con
pany were prepared to bring weekly line to Que
bee. His Lordship added:
''The enterprise, however, does not stop here
Arrived on the shores of the New World | hope t
see railroad established between Halifax and Que
bee, and ! am the bearer of powers to arrange tn
terms, and upon which this undertaking can be car
red out. Cheers 1t seems to Inc that this is pre-
ject very important to Canada. 1t is so important
her to have highway to the seaboard throug
British territory that think it would be fair 70
her to assist in the undertaking. while at the sam
time in its features in political point Of view it
an Imperial measure, and such think am au
thorzed in believing that the Imperial authoritie
look upon it, and if we bring the Province t
look upon the project with favor, we shall have n
difficulty in bringing the Imperial authorities t
regard it in the same light. Statesmen on the othe
side of the Atlantic not blind to the advantag
| of having safe and easy access to most import
ant Colony through British territory. Cheers.
have been present at deputatiOns which waited o.
the Colonial Secretary and the Chancellor of tn
Exchequer and these Ministers always stated tina
they waited before giving definite answer to hea
something definite from the Colonies, and it is m
business here to obtain that definite answer. Yer
reasonable terms will be offered to you, and if yo
will accept them you will soon railroad froi
here to the Atlantic"
THE JAPAYEsE.-A letter from Nangasaki says
"Nangasaki, and everything japanese, bears
striking contrast to everything Chinese. You car
not be five minutes in Japan without seeing it is
progressive nation-the country towns houses an
people, all show this. The streets are wide an
paved in the centre, houses open throughout o
the ground floor, with mating, formed in frame
fitting neatly all the rooms. On this they 81
sleep, and eat, and everything is kept scrupulousl
clean. Behind each house is a small garden, with
few green shrubs, and occasionally fine tree.
The japanese are eager for knowledge. Neve
was there people more ready to adapt themselvt
to the changes and progress of the world than the
are. 1t is curious that while some of their custom
are what we would deem very barbarous, and Will
they are ignorant Of many common things-wh
they still rip themselves up and shoe their horse
with straw, because ignorant of any other method
they have jumped to the knowledge of certai
branches of science, which it has taken nations
Europe hundred of years to attain At Nangasal
they can turn out of their yard engine for raj
way or steamer Japanese captains and engineer
IN nj ubi n,