New-York tribune., 1879-06-10

sale robbery and jobbery In the Palace ut pekin'
To serve their own purpose the eunucbs of the I'M
psrial residence set afoot rumor that the " FIRE
God had been seen hoyertng over the nome Oh ths
Empresses and it was thought that, 10 cohceai
their peculatious, these same eunnchs would NOT
hesitate to fire two or three of the buildings. by
order of the Empresses, military force was
massed near the palace. Then the sun and moon
presented a lurid appearance, betoken'hg' as
tLey thought, great calamity to the sovereign
and his dynasty. The bankers, raklng advantage OF
this concealed their wealth and proclaimed them
selves insolyent. The paper money in circulation
became half of it worthless, and the moiety de-
preciated 80 per cent. Under these circumstances it
was necessary for the Empresses Regentto do some
thing.
Naturally, they issued an Imperial edict. In
China there was nothing else to do. This docu-
ment, published =" to stamp out false rumors ana
aoating gossip gave the authority of the Astro-
nomical Board for the belief that the appearance
of the heavens need excite no apprehension, since
tne "True Principles Of Astronomy" state that
"when signs appear in the sun and moon portendlng
calamities they mean nothing, and may be as
regard d f within three days fall Of rain occur
Therefore the peop pie expected not only TO prac
tce yirtue" but to possess themselyesin quletness
"a the Empresses mean to do, since it is we'll known
that Grains have fallen abundantly" within the
time prescribed. Imagine the Smithsonian lnsti-
tuition advising the President to issue such proca-
nation Yet there is something democratic aDon'
it, for the Empresse5 declare 1t their b0undeh duty
to Law the actual condition of things before the
people in order that popular suspicion may be dis
armed" At the same time 1t is promised that
strict supervision shall be maintained over the
eunuchsn every part of the palace" The conspiraors
Al. lrraft lad
and their predictions rendered of no account by
recurrence to the true principles of astronomy"
The maxims of Confucius are to be reverently and
practically remembered but we do not see that
they are any moro to be regarded than the va
gares lunar and solar, of the Astronomical Board.
To the Chinese people, this shaping of the policy
of great empire IN accordance with the appearance
of the heavenly bodies, and the quantity OF ram
fall presents nothing absurd. But it is a serious
question how foreign nations carrying on great
trade with this singular land avail Themselves
of the recognized arts of diplomacy, when the Gov
ernment of one of the contracting parties Is con-
trolled in its decisions by the rubbish oil astrOlogy,
and by signs and Omens such as were laughed at oy
the wise Romans centuries ago. For it IS evident
that these delusions are not confined to the igno-
rant. but that they affect those who according TO
the Chinese standard are thoroughly edu-
Gated Here is no superstition peculiar 10
the masses of millions-it is shared with the COM
paratvely rohnel and elevated few lt is evident
that for wears to come q land with which all the
world trades producing numerous commodities
which all the world wants, must remain an anomaly
in the family of nations All commercial and d.
pomatic Intercourse with it must be governed by
circumstances and conditions nowhere else encouh-
tel ed or imposed. 1t is as if we should send AM
bassadors to the LHputa of Captain CULVER