The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-22
Tho DOT at the Summer Palace,
Pekin.
[The United Service.l

Adjoining these temples or joss-houses
were the apartments OF the Emperor and
his suit. They were equally magnificent in
architecture. but better for loOting from the
rare and costly devices on everything in the
way OF furniture. Solid gold and silver ana
precious stones Of every hue glistened on
the arms and backs OF chairs, and lounges
and pictures, and vases. Jade and agate were
dispensed profusely aroSnd in he shape OF
knobs for door-handles, and on vases, DC.
| remarked that all the furniture was OF
European manufacture, and afterward
studded with these precious stones and
metals. One apartment our fellows calico
the watchmaker's," it being entirely de-
voted to clocks and watches, which were.
in similar manner with the furniture. all
covered with pearls and other stones. The
clocks and watches were principally OF
American manufacture, but the vases, per-
feet beauties, were for the most part OF
brass and blue enamel-"th the lost art y
and nowhere to be found except in the
possessiOn Of the Emperor. ltw IS all very
easy to pocket a watch, or chop-stick, or
an agate cup, or a nugget OF gold or silver !;
YES, even some of the iosses were small
enough to be carried by our soldiers, Some
of these losses were very valuable, being
solid gold inlaid with precious stones,) but
when it came to vases and iade-stone cary
inrs. il was a horse OF another color, and
our men really did not know their value,
but there were others around who took
advantage OF the occasion. Some large
mercantile houses had their agents along,
evidently expecting something OF the sort,
and when they came across soldier tug
cling away ut a large vase or jade, why,
they simply bought it from him on
| the spot by giving him a note OF hand
on their firm, to be paid at sight, ana
| I may here say, in this respect, that
/ every note so gwen was in every instance
nrol.ptlv met on presentation afterward
| Everything was in such reckless profusion
that the eve was daZzled, and one could
| not make UP his mind what to seize on
| dro,ping one thing TO take up another
| which he thought was OF more value thar
the last. The Emperor OF the French Qht
Hate Napoleon hi had splendid col
lection. the majority Of which he got a.
nre,cnt from General MOntauban, the
| commander Of the French forces IL
China. and her Majesty Queen VIC;
! fnria and his Royal Iiighness the Prince
~ Wales have each collections Wplcf
GOV, olwovs be seen at Windsor Gas
tie and Marlborough House. One OF the
most beautiful specimens OF lade that
saw there belonged TO Major Probyn, v
g commanding the First sikh Irregular
cavalry Probyn's Horse. 1t was oator
about two feet long and laGe-stone, win
y solid.gold handle and studded YIN pre-
| cious stones. II | remember right he seS.
| il hon.e as a present to her Majesty. A
CORPORAL Of The Sixtieth Rifles FOUND
nearl necklace, witch he took home tC
london, and believe sql1 it there ioi
! Gro Every one had sOmetihue Gr othel
which aIterward brought money II he ciio.t
70 sell. OF course in many instances
presents were m2de OF this loot, a.
in INV own case | had boxes made ant
hired Pekin coolies to cariS them TO th'
Taku forts, bad them put on boafe ? man
of-war in which ] had cousin nrst heu
tenant. who took them 10 England Tor me
| had a very fine collection. composed e. o
{" vases, Jade. agate. and 2osses,I WIN
ivory and gold cbOp.sticks, nuggeis
] cold. and gems OF various descriptions
With silk and crepe in galore; but the pes
in ,ay collection was, think, a nlne'stor>
naeods made OF "tbe lost art IL was 0
bronze, wAa blue enamel run H.. sen
| al OF these to my i9ther's house in lrelahu
where they are highly priced