Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-08-09


Nearly five months ago we were able to
describe the prelimlnaries Of the delicate
operation OF choosing wife for the
young emperor of China, and this morn.
Ing we are In a position TO announce that
the board Of rites has been Instructed, In
CONJUNCTION with tho court astrologers,
to select an suspicious day in the frst
month Of the next Chinese year for the
assumption of government by the emper-
or In person. As the Chinese year does
not commence till some time between the
2lst OF January and 10th OF February, be-
ing decided by the first new moon
after the sun enters Aquarlus, they need
not be hurried In their deliberations, aud
as they have so recent a precedent for all
the details OF the ceremonial as the ao-
cesGion under precisely mllar circum
stances OF Kwangsu's predecessor in
1873, the Imperial ministers and the wise
doctors OF the Hanlin should experience
little difficulty In executing the behests
OF their youthful sovereign. In the first
place, the Emperor Kwangsu will order
the board Of rites TO publish an edlct in
his nome stating that the empress regent
mas directed Rim to "assume the super
intendence OF business and at the
same time this department win pub
lish a full programme OF the ceremony
and the date on which II Is to be held.
This precaution * the more necessary
AZ the proceedings are exceedingly inTi-
cate, and all taking pat Ia them, not eX
GLIDING the emperor, have TO master their
roles by heart The inaugural proclama-
ton is delivered before the whole court
and as many OF the provincial oillcals AZ
can safely be summoned to the capital.
AS Kwangsu's father IL stu living, the
usual ceremony Of the emperor prostrat-,
Ing himself at his fathers altar Will, Of
course, be omitted, and the exceptional
position CT the young prince dsc ndins
the throne after long minority viii lead
10 several other notifications OF the
traditional coronation. But, AT
any rate, Kwangsu. before Gas
sending the summit" as the act OF
mounting the throne II termed IN Chiuu,
viii bis respects TO his mother, the
Empress Regent and this viii seem far
from an empty form when We rccollect
how wisely aud through what critical cir
cumstanccs the Empress Isl Thsi has
borne her share Tor twenty years in the
administration. When KwHngsn has rene
dered this agreeable trouble to his
mother she Will take her scat before
the court, and the golden chariot viii be
made ready for him. Here, again, super
sutton steps in, aud not until the a.
trologtr, or officer Of the board Of
astronomy, proclaims the ausplclous
moment 10 have arrived may the emperor
enter the golden chariot which Is TO bear
him 70 the Palace Of Peace and Protec
ton In that building the most interest
ing portion Of the ceremony Is held, for
there the official world Of China is ar
ranged In tho strictest order Of prece
dence for the purpose OF paying homage
TO the new ruler. That homsge IL signi-
aec by nine prostrations. These are re-
peatcd after the emperor has taken his
seat on the 'fthrone Of gems" and many
other observances OF minor importance
are enforced 10 show the solemnity Of
the occasion aud 10 inspire the plandarins
and people OF China with due feeling Of
awe and respect for 'the Son Of Heaven"