The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-01-29
g Chicken Feather. +"


The following is the Chinese account
of the late interview between the En-
peror of China and the foreign ENJOYS
at Pekin
Since his naiesty's assumption of
power. rain and Sunshine have succeeded
each other in due season, and the pub
lie mind has been TRANQUILITY at rest.
As regards the audience of the foreign
ENJOYS, what they wanted at first was
to be carried in sedan chairs within the
great gate of the palace (TIai-ho Meu),
and to enter the reception hall wearing
their swords. They demanded that the
emperor should descend his throne,
and, with his own hands received their
letters of credence; but upon this the
grand secretary, Wen-hsiang, smashing
his tea-cup into fragments, sternly OPP
posed the idea and thus it came to be
agreed that the audience should take
place at the Tszu-kuang Ko on the 9Th
day of the 9th month. The ceremonies
were rehearsed on the preceding day at
the Tsung-li Yamen. This was done iu
an informal way, amid chatting and
laughter, and no particular attention
was paid to the matter. On the day it.
self the entire brigade of guards was
on duty at the west park. gate, in bright
array and with drawn swords. The
French, American, British, Russian,
Prussian, and Austrian representatives
in all twelve persons from six different
countries-were all permitted to wear
their swords, and we're introduced by
heads of departments from Tsungn
Yamen within the gateway of the park.
As they passed each enhance in success
sion the gate was locked. On reaching
the foot of the dais, the high function
aries of the Tsung-li Yamen led them
up the steps. His majesty hay
ing assembled the throne, the ENJOYS
were led to the space at its foot, when
they performed the ceremony of inclin-
ing the body. They did not kneel. By
the side of the steps there was placed a
yellow table, and the ENJOYS stood in
rank to read ont their credentials, the
| British having the leading place.
When he had read few sentences, he
! began to tremble from head to foot,
and was incapable of completing the
| peFusaL The emperor again asked,
| You have bes ought permission to see
me time and time again what is it you
have to say 2 but again he was unable
\ to make an answer. The next proceed
ing was to hand in the credentials, but
in doing thishe fell down on the ground
| 5AA16 uAlGI SlI1cJ anu uOJ IL SJ 11dD1o SOuAu
he articulate. Upon this Prince Kung
/ laughed loud at him before the entire
court, exelaiming, Chicken-feather :
and gave orders 70 have him assisted
down the steps. He was unable TO
move of his own accord, and sat down
on the floor, perspiring and painting for
breath. The whole twelve shook their
heads, and whispered together no one
knows what. When the time came for
the assembly y. at the banquet, they still
remained incapable and dispersed in
| hurried confusion. Prince KUng said
/ to them; you would not believe that
it is no light matter to come face 10
face with his majesty; but what you
have to say about it to day? This is
what we Chinese call chicken-feath-
err and it will be a joke for the
whole emrire 7 AT the time (of pre-
sentation) the throne. was not more than
a few PAGES of, and yet, as 1.-THE envoys)
themselves declare, they did not get
sight of the celestial visage. Every
body says there must have been some
divine apparition before their eyes, to
cause them to tremble and be afraid, as
it turned out"