The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-09
OBITUARY.
Au-Iu-rn, ENpREss OF CHINA.

yesterday, says :-AdNlceS from emma say tnaL Que
OF the WIDOWS or the late Emperor died on the 27th
OF March.
The death OF Ah-lu tie, the young and recently
widowed Empress OF China, thus announced,
may be regarded, so far as the internal
peace or the Middle Kingdom is concerned,
as rather fortunate event she was pos
sessed OF considerable strength OF character.
aud Tor Monaghan woman was uncommonly well
read. During the brief period that she shared the
Dragon throne with Tung-che she exacte from
all around her the most unqualified re-
spect and obedience, and gave promise
OF becoming an influential power in the
councils or the Empire. The death OF her
boy1sh husband. nearly three months since, ieav-
ing no issue. complicated the question OF the
succession in such a manner that the Empress
Dowager and the Empress Mother seized the
opportunity OF recovering the power they lost on
the occasion OF the late Emperor attaining his
majority in 1872. These two old and ambitious
ladies succeeded In putting aside Ah-lu-tc, who,
as 1t will be seen, was entitled from the Chinese
standpoint become Regent The result was
most n.ortiiy1ng and disneartening to the young
widow, who had large following among the
people, and the treatment she received I'M
douDtedly had the eject OF shortening her days
THE SISTER OF THE NOON
Ah-u-te the Sister OF the Moon came OF an I'M
fortunate family. she was the daughter OF Chung
the button OF the fourth rank, when is equal TO
that OF project OF a province. Chung-cnI Is OF
Mone descent and oannerman OF me Pam
Blue Banner. lie Is a son Of Said-hanga, who was
a noted Official at the beginning ol the reign OF
Hlen-fung, the late Emperor's father. He lost la
vor, however, by his Inability 10 suppress the
Tapping rebellion IN 1853. tie was degraded and
retired nto private life. In 1851 the greater part
or ms property was connscated by the govern
ment. The father vi the late Empress was known
as having been the nrst graduate at the triennial
examination for Doctors degree held IN 1865.
1ung che had no voice in the selection OF ms
wlle and the members OF his harem. Inat BUSH
ness was undertaken Tor aim DY the Empress
Dowager and the Empress Mother, the former
being the chlldless widow OF his iather and tine
latter one OF hss coneuolnes; but the natural
mother oil the young Emperor Ah-ln-te, as stated
was distinguished Tor her remarkable Intelligence
and lair personal appearance she was CHOSEN
by the female regents, together with three con-
cubines zone OF whom was the aunt OF Tung-che),
aud on the 10th OF october, 1872. the marriage
solemnlty took place, attended with great pomp
aud sp.endor, according TO Tartar customs. At
that tlme Ah-Iu-te was eighteen years Old, having
been born IN 1854. The Emperor was TWO years
his Junior, siXee being the age when majority ID
reached IN CHINA.
MARRIED LIFE
The young Emperor's married lie ii Is said
was lree rom cares. lie introduced many reforms
and was the first Chinese monarch WHO received
foreign ambassadors without their going through
the degrading ceremony OF koton. The Empress
took part ~ deliberations relative 10 matters
OF State, and her opinions and a1vlce were re-
carded with great respecL. Among anecdotes
told her Is this-that one morning shortly after
her marriage sne was exhlpItLng her capablty IN
wiring making quotations from books for
her husband. who was greatly pleased with the
beauty OF the characters she formed. While thus
engaged an onlcIal announced breakfast. Turn
ing aside with indignation she demanded why
she snoulu be interrupted IN the delights OF lera-
ture Dy sucn common place AFFAIRS as eating and
drinking. Early last January Tung-cne was at
tucked VITA smallpox, and on the l7th OF tnat
RESULTS or THE EMPERoR's DEATH.
This an unexpected event, and brought for
ward the two eX-Empress Regents, determined TO
secure a new lease OF power. The regular pro-
ceeding should De TO nominate child Tor adoption
By young An-n-te, VINO Would become er-ogcto
Regent curing his minority. one OF the grand
sons of the celebrated Prince kung was regarded
as tle most likely candidate. IL was necessary ID
this case that the caid should be OF later geoer-
alton than the deceased Emperor, IN order 10
maze the adoption consistent. But the old EN-.
press WIDOWS had influence enough 10 secure the
cnoice oil tue cousin OF Tung-chc, a lad OF the same
generation, whom they adopted themselves IN
oruer TO bring nun into the direct line. The name
OF the new Emperor IS Tsal-tlen. son or Yin Hwan,
tue Prince OF Ch'un, commonly known as the
Seventh Prince being
THE SEVENTH SON
or the Emperor Toakwang The boy has not yet
reached the fourth year OF his age. HIS mother IS
a sister OF the late Emperors mother, 50 the
latter is aunt from the outset and mother by
adoption OF the new monarch. Besides TINS, ne
Gent expresses adopting the lad as such on
their own and their late husbands behalf In
THIS complicated condition oil Things, which II Ii
rather difficult 70 unravel It VIII be seen that All
lutte was completely put aside, and that the two
bold women nave carried their point and estao-
llshed themselves In power much In the same
daring laanner as they odd In 1851. Tne young
Empress just deceased TOOK The business very
much 10 heart, and few days afterward IL was
rumored that
SHE HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE
in disgust. She was clearly entitled to adopt Q
son and Immediately become Regent. One or
Prince kung's sons was the natural heir, but
thts would not suit the ambitious women VINO
coveted supreme authority. Tranquility was not
at all assured. IL was thought possible Ah-lu-te
miggt bear a son. who would become the
centre OF a powerful ana aggressive faction, and
the great Chinese mandarin, Li-Huna-Chang. it
well underst0odronly waited tile opportunity
OF Tartar dynastlc quarrel 20 rise aud Oy force OF
arms seize the retus OF government himself. The
death OF the young Empress dissipates APP
parently, these apprehensiOns ProcIamations
nave been issued IN the name OF Tsa-i1en. and up
To latest dates his authority was acknowledged
bY the representatives OF The Christian Powers.
The latter are deeply Interested IN the mantle
nance or peace IN China. Any interruption OF IL
would result IN grave consequences 10 the COM
merce OF the world. Poor Ah-lute, however, may
be reckoned q victim 10 the overtowerlng ambition
OF ber very remarkable mothersin law. she sur.
WED her impenal consort only three Montns.