The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-12-14

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and moving along a street, compared with
which Pennsylvania avenue, ii Washing
ton, is, narrow lane, when we had gone
a mile and half, we. turned at right
angles to the right, when, proceeding a
quarter or half of a mile further, we
reached the quarters which the Govern
ment had assigned. for our residence. A
wall ran along in front, excluding all
sight Of the houses from the street for
they were a auster, instead Of one, and
were owned and occupied a few years
since by the Prime Minister, who lost
them by confscation for the crime of
defeating the rebels, 1t is called "Lau-
iuentang,' Or the Hall ofthe Loutsz1-a
name given inshonor of Loutsz, who was
the founder of one of the religious sys-
TENS and sects of China First was the
wall on the street, at the end Of which,
on the hight, a gate opened into stables
located in that quarter. Another gate on
the left openedsinto long narrow space
between the street wall and long paral-
lei building for the use Of servants and
for Offices Beyond this was another
court, with a wall separating it from
another and larger court, in which were
several trees, and handsome building
called the " Reception Hal, = in which Mr..
Ward held his interviews with the Impe-
rial Commissioners when they called upon
him, and his Secretary and interpreters
their interviews with inferior officers
when they come to transact business.
| Back Of this edifce was another wall,
with central gate, which opened into a
court fifty feet by seventy-6ve, a fine
building being erected on the right and
left hand for domestic purposes, and in
front large edifce, but, like all the
others, of one story only, which was the
principal house, and, with its wings was
| above one hundred feet long. It was
constructed of brick painted blue, the
roof curving in the Chinese style, and
covered with handsome tiles, while the
caves projected eight or ten feet over a
/
platform, sustaining handsome pillars
running in front Of the house from end to
end. In the rear of the house was ex-
! tended Well-made block of buildings,
| for the use of domestics OIL children, while
back of the central court and the house
on the right side Of it was large area,
part Of it occupied by small houses for
the cooks and kitchen, and the rest as a
!, yard for fowls, sheep, provisions, and
fuel. All the courts were covered with
!. fag-stones, while over two Of them, and
| they the largest and most important to
our party, mat awnings were thrown,
supported by, bamboo poles, and raised
thirty feet above the pavement They
were. SO constructed that, by, pulling a
rope, great windows could be raised OF
shut, either to exclude the sun or admit
the air, as circumstances might require.
Not a pane Of glass was to be seem
strong seni-traasparent paper being used
instead s aud handsome thick and strong
paper covered the walls and the ceiling
attached to wooden framework, and not
Ito boards or plastering. Much handsome
] carved work orn rla the inside part
ttions, while both front and rear elegant
Flattice-work, covered with paper, and
taking the place windows, reached
from three or fonr feet above the hoor ~ -
the height of the rooms. All Ws' 'ea'
end tasteful, even to us, and n'usl nave
/ been magnificent accordpa - n.neee
Ideas Nothing met "a e'7S ~ oA'n
superior TO III an PPs