Smyrna times., 1859-11-24
The Americans in Pekin.


change Of RatifcatiOns.
The Journal Of Commerce of Saturday
long and interesting letter from Pekin, fir
which we make the subjoined extracts. A lar
portion of the letter is devoted to a minuta ,
tall OF the discussions between the Chine
commissioners and Mr.. Ward relative to rite
to be observed on his presentation. Mr.. Wa
being unwilling to conform to these rite
was not presented. We are told, howeve
that the Emperor was very desirous TO la,
Mr.. Ward presented, having evidently been Fl
vorably impressed by what he had learned
America and Americans, and wishing to Sc
the first Representative of that nation and tbs
continent who had ever appeared in his capita
The Emperor, whose name is Heinfuno. is
young man, being only % years old, and in ad
dItlon to naturally good powers of mind, de
votes himself as one of the minis.a<s stated
earnestly to business every day, early and late
with them.
CHINA Wednesday, Aug. 10, 1859.
My last communication left US ara govern
ment house. Ii is about two miles outside nj
r
eyes; So thick were the trees and groves be.
tween them and US on this great main. eytend-
ing from the Gulf to the CITY, which nowbera
has either elevation or depression. Here those
dlsmOunted who had been favored with horses
ana others craWled oat of their dens who had
D'en Gagged IN them; aud all, having rested one
hour and taken cup of tea, which is uniformly
offered instead OF wine and other liquors. re.
turned TO their carriages, forgetting aches and
bruises IN the thought of the shortness of the
distance which remained, and the wonders
which were so soon to starlle our vision. On
ward we moved, every one solemn, silent. his
heart beating quicker, till at last il fairly throb
bed with the big emotion when, there there
rose the walls, and there the immense bastion
lowered over the gate, armed with tier above
uer OF cannon, and we had fairly reached Pc
kin
ACRES OF ALMOST NAKED HUMAN BEINGS,
Long before reaching the walls, however. we
were surrounded by crowds W hom no man could
number. They did not come there they seemed |
to have grown there; they did not move, thew
only stood-acres and acres, and field after
held OF human flesh and bones, compacted into
one solid body, out of which grew innumerabe |
heads, arms and shoulders. II added to the i'm.
presslVeness of the scene, that not one wore y
shoulders with shirt or coat; not one wore a
vest to protect his bosom single article con.
stltuted the whole of their dress and wardrobe
"a piece of blue cotton made into an Oriental
peltIcoat, and tied about the loins and reachinp
below the knees. All that met the eye, there
iOre' was naked flesh, gllstening with the
sweat. which oiled it as the sun shot down his
burning rays; while those thousands and thou.
sands OF piercing, prylng, steady eyes, aud up
turned faces, all without a smile and solemn
In their wonder, indicated that all was not n
mass of flesh there; mind was there humani.
Y was there; our brothers were there-alnos,
the population OF a common city was seen ont
side OF the walls; nor can any estimate of the
amount OF the population within amaze and
siagger me, when saw what there was around
one gate IN one suburb only, without Not one
shou. was raised not one voice was heard, not .
one foot or hand was moved. The last European
embassy was that of Lord Amherst in Isle
AZ years ago, more than the period of a gener-
ahon-and most of the living population of Pc
kin had never seen Ia white man. We passed
under two imposing portals, something like tri- J
umphal archways, about half mile from the
city, which, however, with the walls, the ga tes.
the bastions, the towers and other objects of in
terest within and without the city, must be the
subject of another letter.
IN THE ClTY-THE PRIME MINISTER'S HOUSE
NOT PANE OF GLASS. l
Passing through the Russian wall by the \
" Eastern Gate," Chaou- yeOg-men, we entered il
the Tartar division of the city, and moving 7
along street, compared with which Pennsyl. :
sania avenue In Washington, is a narrow lane
when we had gone mile and a half we turned I
at right ang les to the right, when, proceeding n
a quarter or a half of mile further, we reach.
&c the quarters which the government had as
signed for our residence. 4 wall ran along in r
front, excluding all sight of the houses from the n
street; for they were in cluster, instead Of
one, and were owned and occupied few years
since by the Prime Minister, who lost them by P
for The crime of not defeating the s
rebels.
Back of this edifce was another wall with a =,
central gate. which opened into court so feet y
Ol 10, a fine building being erected on the "
right. aud lett hand for domestic purposes, and
10 front large edifce, but. like all others, of =.
Oae story only, which was the principal house, u
aud with its WINGS was above 100 feet long "
1t was constructed of brick painted blue, the b
roof curving in the Chinese style, and covered g
with handsome tiles, while the caves projected
or 10 feet over a platform, sustaining hand
some 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 L
use Of domestcs or children, while back Of the
central court and the house on the right side +,
OF II was large area, part of it occupied by
Small houses for the cooks and kitchen, and the
rest as yard for fowls, sheep, provisions and r
fuel. All the courts were covered with flag. h
stones, while over two of them, and they the T
largest and most important to our party, mat
awnings were threwn, supported by bamboo
poles and raised 80 feet above the paVement-l S
They were so constructed that, by pulling a 4
rope, great windows could be raised or shut,
either to exclude the sun or admit the air, as
circumstances might require. Not pane of v
glass was to be seen. strong semi-transparent
paper being used instead.
They were feasted in the most approved Chi !
nese style, and at one entertainment, at, which v
only the fhraa Chinese Cammissinnera Mr. |