The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-11-25
PEKIN's ALTAR OF HEAVEN.
Description of a Famous Chinese Temple Re-
Gently Destroyed by Fire.

Description of a Famous Chinese Temple Re-
Gently Destroyed by Fire.
LONDON, Nov. A.-The mail which has
just arrived in London from China brings
news of the total destruction by fire. on
Sept. Is, of the famous Temple or Altar of
Heaven at Pekin. 1t was at first believed,
says an article made up for the London
Times, Int was so reported to the throne.
that the ediice had been struck by light
ming; but. according to later information
telegraphed to Hong Kong. two men were
arrested as the incendiaries. The fire APP
pears to nave begun at 5:15 p. NJ. on the 18th,
and by 4 o'clock on the morning Of the 18th
the temple was a heap of smolder.ng ruins
Immediately before the fire the capital was
visited by an extraordinary storm of hail,
rain and lightning. Houses were flooded,
roads rendered quite impassable. and hail
fell In thick showers. The temple is de-
scribed as being nlnety-nlne feet In height,
with a triple roof of blue tiles. which was
repaired "a century ago. 1t differed from
Buddhist pagodas IN that the roofs were
circular and placed one above the other. 1t
was erected over an altar, and is believed
to date from the fifth century of our era.
1t was used in the first month of the
Chinese calendar. when, at the opening of
spring. the Emperor leaves the palace 10
pray for a fruitful year. 1t contained the
tablets of the imperial ancestors. as well as
that of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.
The ritual involved the sacrifice on the
altar by fire of one selected bullock: the
Emperor knelt on the round central stone
OF the altar and Frustrated himself before
the tablet to the Supreme Ruler; one bull
lock was slaughtered in honor of each i'm
perial ancestor worshiped aud the carcass
placed before the tablet, and a PRAYER was
read from a scroll. which was then burned
ascend in flames n smoke. All this will
be performed as usual at the proper time.
but the altar will be in the open air. which
will be a return 10 the primitive practice.
a roof not being essential
MIR. Simpson, an ARTIST of the Illustrated
London News. is one VI the few foreigners
who have seen the lrside of the edifice, but
he was not permitted 70 enter IL. he de-
scribes it as made of wood and standing on
an elaborate su~peTst-ucrure of marble.
-Four very high. round pillars supported
the central and hisL--r roof. Twelve
smaller olumns s'lsta-aea the second,
which only reacT 1d from the four inside
pillars. SO that tie si,ole height of the
highest roof was left visible. Twelve still
smaller wooden colrmns formed the outer
circle and supported the lowest roof. which,
like the second. only rooted the space be-
tween the pillars whi ID sustained il and
the circle of pillars next to them: All this
woodwork was deliberately painted and
gilt. The tiles on tte aafs were all of a
deep. ultramarine 5irs tnt. adds Mr.. SirDp-
son, il was all vers dirty .ad dusty. and ON
the outside grass an0.s-~eJs were growing
through joints III tl.a save'arnt.
An imperial lccgrz ar.ributes the dis
aster to lightniLg AID csst s: The event
is regarded by che s..npsr,r as a solemn
warning, and his mind Is filed with awe.
He calls upon his Offices with earnestness
and sincerity to aid hra in the unceasing
efforts which he will make, even more than
before, TO secure the good government or
the country" 1t is feared by foreigners IL