The Portland daily press., 1886-09-28
CHINESE ROYALTY.
The Journey of the Emperor to the
Tomb of his Ancestors.
a Prince inspects the Modern Inn
provements in China
Pekin Letter to N. Y. Times

| a Prince inspects the Modern Inn
provements in China
| Pekin Letter to N. Y. Times.
Although living at the foot of the dragon
throne, what little we learn of the habits
and doings of the Court of Pekin is general.
| ly confined to the formal announcement Of
the Court circular, which appears daily in the
Pekin Gazette or the more elaborate butmuch
less reliable gossip, with which our teach
ers and Chinese writers may regale u.s. Any
glance which we sSttSsin of the Court is there
fore most acceptable. and this yeaf-we have
been particularly favored in this respect, for
on one occasion the Emperor and the EN-
press Dowager left the palace and visited
the outside world, and again, later on, the
father of the Emperor stepped ferth and
mixed with the throng not only of his coun-
trymen but of the willy, irrepressible West
ern barbarian.
The trip of the Emperor and Empress was
to the Eastern Mausolea, about 100 miles
from Pekin, where they meant to worship at
the tombs of their ancestors In itself trip
pomp and splendors which an imperial prom
enade implies in this land of fOrmaliSms,
was thing to be dreaded and opposed by
those who had to find the funds wherewith
w uldk6 tll6 96C6SSdIy dETduS6Ill6ub. L uc
streets of the capital along which the En-
peror and his train were to pass had to be
thoroughly repaired and road built all the
way to the tombs, and troops had to be
clothed and lodgings provided. 1t was the
work of months, and nearly 100000 was
expended before or during the journey
When the day for leaving Pekin came the
streets by which the Emperor had to pass
were lined with troops. Every house and
shop along the line of march was closed, and
1-a1rf IL %to
street he followed was crossed by another
high screens were erected so that none might
see in. The Emperor and Empress left the
capital escorted by all the Princes and Min
listers, with four high mobiles walking beside
the young Emperor's chair, whose eight
bearers were changed every few minutes.
A large number Of mounted soldiers, who
were part of the escort, shot arrows at any
one whom they could see peeping out from
the houses at the imperial progress.
Outside of Pekin this strictness in keeping
off sightseers was relaxed, and the road was
lined with people, who prostrated themselves
as the party passed by. Petitions were re-
peatedly presented to the Emperor by luck
less girls or women suffering from some un-
redressed grievance, and although their cases
were inquired into the petitioners were all
handed over to the Board of Punishments
and exiled for three years for intruding into
the imperial presence. A pretty story is told
of peasant woman having approached the
EIlpT6SS, WHO SUo Thought WAS a SOuueSS-
for she is sometimes called Hsi Fo-yeh, or
the Western Buddha, just as the Emperor is
called Tang-chia Fo-yeh, or the Buddha of
the present day-and burned incense to her.
The woman prayed that her aged mother
might have many years yet to live The En-
press told the Prefect of the place to take
good care of the mother, making him per-
sonally responsible for her welfare.
Four days brought the imperial party to
the Tung Ling or Eastern Mausolea, where
o4,l
before the tombs of the Emperors Tao Ku-
ang and Hsien Feng. At the tomb of Tung
Chih, the son of the Empress, she burned in
cense while sitting down and did not pros
trate herself. 1t is said that she sat there
silently weeping for long time, wrapped in
those sad thoughts which all mothers know
who have lost their only child. AS night
was falling her attendants led her away.
The following day the royal visitors started
on the return trip, reaching Pekin after an
absence of 10 days.
The second appearance of royalty this year
was the voyage of Prince Chun, the father of
the Emperor, to Tien-Tsin, Cho-Foo, and
other fortified places in the vicinity. l. asst
year the Prince was made President of the
Board Of Admiralty, and it was in connec-
tion with this service that he undertook the
tour of inspection. The Prince is hand
some man, about 40 years old, and a fine
specimen of the Manchoo race. His thick
black mustache, his bright eyes, and the
attracted every ones attention and helped
not little to win the sympathy of those who
saw him. 1t was not only on account of the
Prince being the father of the Emperor that
curiosity was excited among foreigners, but
because it was the first time since China had
turned her face toward what we deem prog
reSs that a member Of the reigning dynasty
had come to examine the results which it
had brought forth. 1t would be of little in
terest to those far away from here to be told
all tha details of the down from Pc
kin, or Of the reception of the Foreign Con-
suls at Tien-Tsin which took place on the
18th of May, and of the endless more or less
interesting anecdotes which are already cur
rent. will only mention the review of the
army corps, which that pillar of the State,
the Viceroy of Pe-Chee-Lee, Lii Hung Chang,
has organized at Tien-Tsin- Infantry, cav
airy, and artillery, about 5000 men, are all
armed with the most approved pattern of
Western guns and drilled according to Eu-
ropean tactics. They were drawn up in
long lines in the plain near Tien-Tsin, and
looked neat and soldier-like in their dark
uniforms, with black turbans and white ac-
coutrements. As the Prince, with Lii Hung
jackets, (the highest military decoration in
China) came riding up to the front the troops
presented arms and the band played. The
Prince alighted in pavilion erected for the
purpose, and signal was given for the ma
nGuvres to commence; Hardly had the sig
nal flag been waved before all the troops
were on their knees and great shout arose.
The soldiers were wishing the Prince well
come Then followed the usual maneuvres,
performed with all the precision of Guard
regiment in London or Berlin, the cavalry
and artillery being especially noticeable for
the rapidlty and accuracy of their move
mentS.
The forts around Tien-Tsin, at Taku, and
at Port Arthur were also inspected, by the
Prince. At the latter place the English Adj
miral rushed in from Che-Foo, had an inter
view with the Prince, got photographed with
him, and left. 1t is said that the Prince felt
some anxiety about receiving the bold Ad-
miral and his staff, for he feared the hand
shaking that he thought must be the neces-
sary accompaniment of their presentation.
Leaving Port Arthur the Prince went over
to Che-Foo, where Chinese and foreigners
alike had made great preparations to receive
him. Here he met the French Admiral and
his fleet, and what with his own fleet of six
teen fine ironclads, the sight was very i'm
posing. The gallant French Admiral visit
ed the Prince, who was polite enough to tell
him he regretted that the hour was so late
that they could not be photographed, and Lii
Hung Chang returned the visit in the Princes
stead.
Hardly had the Prince returned to Pekin
before we could perceive that the innOva-
tions made had met with his approval and
at least of our Western ideas, for he ad-
dressed the Empress, asking that special ia
vors be conferred on Capt. Lang Of the Brit
ish Navy, who has command of the Chinese
fleet, and Herr Won Hamelkin, of the Ger
man Army who has directed the military
works at Port Arthur. The result is that
the former has been made Brigadier-GeneI-
al and the latter has received button in cor
al, third Glass; and great things are expect
ed of them in view of the imperial bounty.
THE STATE.
KENNEBEC COUNTY.
A German sailor, by the name of Francis