The New York herald., 1874-07-20
AN IMPERIAL PILGRIM.
The Emperor OF China as a Pilgrim At
the Tolnbs of His Ancestors-A Very
Costly Act OF Reverence.

The Emperor OF China as Pilgrim At
the ToInbs Of His Anccstors-A Very
Costly Act OF Reverence.
From the China Telegraph G.ondon), July 6]
From time to time we have heard much
about the projected journey OF the Emperor OF
China to visit the tombs Of his ancestors and the
preparations that were being made In order that
it might be carried out in behttlng man ner.
What with raising funds from the Impoverished
province of Chilli for the repair OF the tombs. and
what with inspecting roads, inns, &C., the Cover
nor General, Ii Hung-Chang tbetter known to
foreigners as Ii Fnta the yanquisher or the
TAPPING rebels), must have had al anxious time
OF it. although these western tOmbs. OF which we
have lately heard so much and which are situate
in the district OF l-chOw are only some eighty miles
distant from Peking, in southwestery direction.
TINS long talked OF journey Is now an accomplished
fact, and rom the detaiis winch we have received
It appears to US to be hopeful lor a more enlight-
ened regime under the present youthful occupant
OF the Dragon throne. 'Ihere can be no DOUBT"
says PeKing correspondent, ''that the Emperor
appeared on the occasion under the most favora-
able circumstances before his people. They saw
him returning to his capital from the good work OF
praying at the tombs OF his ancestors; appearing
on horseback In manly way, his lace br0nzed
en- route noticing the aged men mo were present
among his numerous subjects in way most graft
wing to them. Knowing the reverential feelings
which ne Chinese people entertain Tor their
Emperor He may surmisc that the spectators OH
this occasion. when they return 10 their homes,
many OF tne5e Sltudteu III Tue Iu0St QISlanJ paftS
or China, will not fail to recount what they saw
the 18th Of April, 1874 OF His Majesty and OF his
acts. Looking at the matter from purely utill-
tartan pcnt 9! view, the Emperor, actIng, doubt.
less, ON the advice OF prudent counsenOrs has
done two very wise things; he has shown himself
strictly obscrvant Of those most ancient and
dearly cherished traditions OF the Empire-rever-
ence Tor the dead aud the aged-which are the
best traits In the Chinese character; and further
which we hold to be great point he has shown
himself publicly to his people, for his journey, we
Eather was performed In broad daylight and not
in the usual hOle-aRd-cOrner fashion In which
during the past winter he paid his nocturnal visits
to the Temple OF Heaven.
There is one point. however, In connection with
this pilgrimage or the Emper0rs which, in our
opinion, Is deeply to be regretted, and that Is
Its enormous cost, which We cannot but
regard as, to very great extent, SIM
pie waste. The sums required to meet the
prOdigal expenditure on the occasion have been
wrung from a population which at the best OF
times is not over rich, and which at this particular
juncture must, owing to various circumstances,
be more than usually poor. Unfortunately, too,
We cannot hope that the expenditure OF these large
sums has done the good to the lab0ring classes OF
the district that would have accrued to them from
Similar causes In most other countries, for there
can be little doubt that the greater part OF the
money, nomnally EXPENDED on the repairs OF the
tomns AND the making OF roads, has really found
It's way into the pockets OF corrupt and dishonest
oHIcjats "