The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-05
A CHINESE NOVELTY.
THE EMPEROR PERSONALLY RE-
CENES FOREIGNERS.
A Splendid Spectacle on a Fine Day.
The Curious Ceremonies-AnO Odd Look
ing Procession-An Account of the Re-
/ ception to the Minister'S.

bright sun and crisp, keen air About IL
o'clock, as had been agreed with the yamen,
the ministers and their suites set out As
each legation followed at short distances
the others On their way down, the whole
formed mass of thirgy-one sedan chairs
that carried the members of the diplomatic
body, attended by four mounted servants
in full dress, from each legation, as well as
one or two mounted Chinese officers sent
! to guide each representative to the Flu Hua
| Men Tor Gate of Flowery Prosperity, where
the ministers of the TsungIi Yamen were
to receive them.
In all the total of the cortege was about
sixty mounted men and over 200 chair
| bearers. Crowds of Chinese collected along
the route to watch this novel pageant pass;
the dark green chairs, with the silver
| knohes on the roofs glistening in the sun,
the glimpses of the plumed hats and brill
liant uniforms Of the ENJOYS and their
suites, and the crowds of horsemen accom-
panying the line, appearing to them sol
emn and remarkable spectacle.
About II O'Clock the Flu Hua Men was
reached, outside of which double line of
soldiers kept the road The chairs pro-
ceeded through this gate to the inner gate
Of the palace grounds, about hundred
! yards off, where the ENJOYS ahghted and
were received by the ministers and secre
taries of the Tsung-li Yamen
ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION.
After the exchange of greetings the party
were conducted through the gate when
the marble bridge was seen about 200 yards
ahead. This bridge divides the northern
from the middle division of the lake which
runs north and south through the palace
grounds. On its eastern bank, within q
high wall, was the Forbidden City, only
the roofs of the buildings and the Coal
hill being visible from the Flu Hua Men
The paved road followed by the ministers
after entering the gate ran about fifty
yards southwark along the western bank
of the middle lake toward the TIE Kuang
10 (which is near the water), then turned
of to the right to the Shin Yi-g Kung,
one of the temples where in summer the
emperor prays for rain. The view from this
small temple is picturesque, the grounds
being full of old trees, which give the gar
dsns monastic appearance.
Both sides of the path were lined by sol
diers and military officials in full uniform,
who remained silent and stationary as the
ENJOYS passed. When, however, the lat
ter had entered an inner room of the Shih
Ying Kung, where refreshments had been
prepared the little court of the temple be-
came packed with palace and other un
derlings in official hats. who evinced dog
ged curiosity at the spectacle of the for
eigners, but remained fairly quiet and did
not venture within the door.
THE HALL
In few minutes Prince Ching arrived,
and the party remained smoking, chatting
and tasting the delicacies on the table for
about an hour. The room had been adorned
with foreign carpet, and was warm and
comfortable, while the prince and minis
tiers were in their most affable vein.
Finally move was made to the bank of
the lake. Along it runs broad ceInented
road, on which is laid a narrow guage line
of rail on which, pushed by men, not
drawn by steam power, the emperor some
times takes an airing.
The TIE kuang 10 Tor Shining Purple
HalD is a pavilionhke hall, facing south
and standing perhaps fifty yards back from
the lake The style of its architecture and
ornament is the same as that of Chinese
temples generally, bright yellow tiled
roof with wooden caves gorgeously carved
and painted in red, yellow and green
The whole height of the building is
about fifty feet Three fights of white
stone steps, with carved stone balustrades,
lead up to a large terrace ia front of the hall
doors, of which there are FIVE on Tia south
ern face of the hail. The middle door and
middle steps being reserved for the en-
peror's use, the ENJOYS passed up the east
ern flight of steps and entered the door to
the right hand of the central one.
-Four tents, elegantly provided with
stoves, carpets, tables and chairs, had been
erected under the eastern side of the hall.
Here the ministers and their staff awaited
the summons to the imperial presence.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was as follows: According
to the agreement the ministers entered and
stepped forward to between the dragon
pillars 1.-TWO pillars at about six feet from
the platform on which the emperor sat-,
making on their way the three obeisances
usually made at a court in the presence of
the sovereign Prince Ching, kneeling by
the side of the emperor, then introduced
the minister by name, the latter thereupon
reading an address, which was repeated in
Chinese by his interpreter
On its conclusion the minister advanced
with has letter OF credence to the foot Of
the estrada, where he found himself at a
distance OF eight feet from the emperor,
when Prince Ching, descending the side |
steps, took the letters of credence from the |
minister, reascended the estrada. and max |
ing deep bow laid them on a table irnme- |
diately in front of his majesty, who bowed |
in acknowledgment Thereupon the min
lister bowed and retired TO his former posi- |
ton.
The emperor then addressed reply to
Prince Ching. who listened kneeling, and |
then the prince, descending the steps with
his arms spread cut like wings. according |
TO classic Confucian style. repeated it aloud /
to the interpreter, who In turn translated
1t TO the minister
His majesty then bowed to dismiss the
audiences whereupon the minister retired,
bowling as before--Chinese Times.