The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-29
THE CELESTLALS.
Celebration of the Birthday of TZu-ar
HHamE. tai. hOu, the Empress DOMaGer.


HEang-t tai hOu, the Empress DOwager.
A Boston correspondent writing from that
place on yesterday says:-"To-day Is the ami
versary OF very important event IN the record
of the imperial family OF the Hian Fung, and
was duly celebrated by the Chinese members of
the Embassy. This morning at an early hour
the attaches Of the Embassy dressed themselves
IN their official robes aud waited upon the
Tajens, who occupied the parlors used by Chih
Tajen. he occasion was the official recogni-
tions, according to the customs of their
country, of the birthday of Tzuan, Huang
tai-hou, or Empress dowager The En-
nercr Han Fnng, as is the custom with al
emperors of China, had three principal wives
first, the Empress OF the Middle Palace; second,
the Empress of the Eastern Palace, and third,
the Empress of the Western Palace. Tue En-
press OF the Middle Palace being deceased, TZu-
an, or Empress OF the Eastern Palace, is now
the senior Empress The birthday of Tzu-an,
calendar, on Chi-yen Chu-er Twelfth day of tha
seventh month), which this year corresponds to
this day (August 28) In China these anniver.
saries are the occasions Of great ceremony. All
the officials of the empire having the en'ree of
the palace are expected to observe certain
forms. Those living at the capital, before break
fast, dressed in Court att re, call at the palace
to pay their respects. Those at distance from
all the provinces send memorials up to the
imperial parsonage tie object of honor, "to
ask after bis or her health and peace of m nd"
TO these memorials reply is written with q
vermillion pencil, 'Cheu-an' II am welD. This
morning, after the attaches had paid their re-
spects to the Taiens, the entire party-Chih
Tajcn and Sun Tucn in front aud tho young
mandarins in a row in the rear, all facing
towards the north-knelt three times and bo we'd
nine times. The ceremony was performed in
silence and lasted bat few moments. At noon
ChIh Tajen and Sun Tajen, followed by The
young manda1ins, called upon Poo-Taien (Mr.
Burlingamel IN his private .parors. After each
taking Mr.. Burlingame's right hand in both of
their own, Chin Tajen, through MIR. Fung as
interpreter, Mr.. Brown not arriving till
late, with great solemuity said:-"We
cone in accordance with our custom to
inform you that this is the anniversary Of the
birthday of Tzu-an, Huang tai-hou empress
dowaeer Tzu an), and that the day has been
observed in the usual form by u.s." Mr. bur
lnngame replied:-I am glad to find in this
| distant land you continue to observe the customs
| of your own, for those who are loyal to their
own customs cannot be false to their govern
| ment. AS in the case of the birthday of the
Emperor, which occurred during our presence
| in San Francisco, | must again wish that the
Empress dowager may have many returns o
| such days. After a brief conversation the
| Tajens and young mandarins retired to their
apartments. The Embassy Will leave here the
| beginning of the coming week for New York
! tlom which port they will embark for Europe
| during the month of September