The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-05-26


entered city that had been planned by
master mind Instead of the narrow
and crooked lanes of Canton and the 9TH
er cities of the South, | beheld broad,
straight streets extending from wall to
wall and crossing each other at right an
giles. This grand plan was the thought
| of the great Kublar Khan, but since his
| time minor changes have been made
which render it's streets in few places as
intricate as those of other cities.
Commencing at the Central Southern
Gate, we pass up the Meridian avenue
northward across the Chinese city, to
gate in the Tartar city, and thence on in
the straight line to the principal gate in
the Imperial City and the Palace.
THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN.
The buildings and palaces ofthe great
est interest in the Chinese city are the
Temple of Heaven and the Altar of Agri-
culture. The former is situated in a spa
cious oval Enclosure, about two miles in
circumference, on the eastern side OF the
avenue leading north from the middle
|south gate.
Within the outer wall is second, and
within that a third enclosure.
At the time was in Picking it was
closed by special order of the Emperor.
but after having visited all the largest
cities and seen the finest buildings In the
empire, did not intend to be satisfied
with merely looking at the finest temple
at distance. So hired cart to take me
to the front gate, which was locked and
deserted A short distance beyond this
gate the sand had been drifted against
the wall until it had reached the top.
Ascending this sand bank | found sim
liar one on the inside, and thus the outer
wall was passed
Crossing some distance over an open
area came to gate in the second wall,
but before | could get up to it the guard
closed it, and, though offered them the
small sum generally required in order to
open all such forbidden placesto foreign
ers, they refused to allow me to enter
Thence followed along the wall until !
came to second gate where good nat
ured Chinaman was on guarG, and while
he was looking at my dress | passed by
him, and was going on toward the centra
temple when he and an assistant obliged
me to return in spite of an offer OF the
usual bride.
Determined to succeed at all hazards, |
continued along the wall until | CHANGED
to come to a tree that had a branch rest
ing on the top of the wall. Climbing
this tree, made my way out on the sec
ond wall successfully, but to get down on
the inside was obliged to walk for half
mile on the smooth glazed tiles that
formed the roof of the wall until | came
to another tree near enough to allow me
to get down by its branches and thus l
passed the second barrier Between the
spot where | stood and the third wall
was grove of large trees which allowed |
me to make my way unobserved until i |
came to gate, which fortunately had
been left ajar Opening this slowly and
softly, passed on through part of the
long suit of rooms, where the Emperor
and his attendants live for three days be-
fore he performs the yearly sacrifice, and
where l think l may safely say no bar
barian foot had ever trod before. At the
end OF the series of rooms came to a gate
that was half open, and, passing through |
that, found myself before the temple it.
self The temple is circular, about thir-
ty feet in diameter and fifty feet high 1t
stands on hill composed of three terra
ces, which are each ten feet high, encased |
with white marble and richly ornament |
ed with carved b8lustrades.
The ball at the top Of theashort spire IS
gilded, and the roofs are covered with
blue tiles. which have a rich tint of sap
phire and contrast so beautifully with
the white marble beneath that this tenn
pie my be unhesitatingly pronounced
the most magnificent editice in the whole
empire. A large tablet suspended under
the caves of the upper roof on the south
side of the structure contains the name
and title of Shangti, 1.-The, Most High |
Ruler; and to him the Emperor, as Son
of Heaven, makes yearly sacrifice for
himself and his people. This ceremony
appears to be the last lingefing shadow
of the primitive belief that shines forth
distinctly in the most ancient writings
of this most remarkable people, whose
snrdid love of money and material gain
has in the course Of many generations SO
supplanted all thought of an omnipotentI
ruler above, that their capacity for such
high conceptions has become seriously
and permanently dwarfed.
THE TEMPLE OF AGRICULTURE.
West of the Temple OF Heaven, across
the Meridian avenue, is the Temple to
Earth, or as it is more generally known
to foreigners, the Temple of Agriculture.
There are really four separate affairs in
different parts of the grounds. The one
that | visited, after passing through a
Lumber of different enclosures was a.
small square structure about six feet high
bv thirty feet square On the front and
back side were steps leading up to the
top which was bordered by balustrade-
According to my guide and several ma
tiyes who appeared to have charge Of the
grounds, it is in the area sourro lnding
this temple that the Emperor assisted y
ID Z,