The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-27

do. None but the members Of the court
and their attaches Is allowed to enter the
palace. The military guard Is composed
of chosen soldiers, all the servants and
attendants, are persons whose lives are
spent in the palace, and who are not al
lowed to leave Il. The hands that have
ministered TO the emperor Of China are
never allowed to perform similar service
for ordinary beings, and no servant leaves
the Forbidden city. When a servant be-
comes too infirm to perform his duties he
receives a pension. II the officials desire
to get rid OF him for any other reason
they cut off his head
The impression among the foreigners at
Pekin, which is based upon casual gos-
sip from members Of the court, Is that
the present emperor Is an improvement
In both morals and abilities over his pre-
decessor, who exhausted his vitality by
dissipation, and was not more than half
witted. There are other signs also that
the emperor Is a person of considerable
frmness and determination, although he
is necessarily ignorant Of everything that
occurs outside the Forbidden City, ex-
cept so far as Information leaks through
those who surround him. The rigid ell
quette of the court does not permit any
one but his wives to have familiar CONVEX
sation with hkn, and they are more igno-
rant than he.
The emperor Is educated in the Chinese
classics and especially la the maxims Of
Confucius, upon which all Chinese NOR
ais philosophy and Jurisprudence are
based, and several years ago he undertook
to study the English language Two stu
dents of the Tung-Wen college, OF which
DR.. Martin, an American missionary, was
president, were his teachers ana he took
lesson every morning az 1 o'clock. Al
first they were required to perform the
kotow In his presence, which means that
they were compelled 10 conduct their les
sons on their knees with their foreheads
pressed 10 the floor. but the Inconvenience
OF this posture was soon realized, and the
emperor gave them permission 10 stand
upright In his presence
Two teachers instead OF one were Sc
lected for the same reason that the min
listers and other officials OF che govern
ment always walt upon the emperor IN
pairs. No man II allowed TO see him alone.
This custom bad It's origin not only Ia the
Chinese love Of ceremony, but also IN
suspicion. II one Of the ministers had
private Interview with the emperor he
might misrepresent affairs to him or
make accusations against his colleagues,
or he might even assault the sacred per-
son. Therefore as prccautlOn the emper-
or never secs any one alone. and two tu-
tors were sent In order 20 avoid any possi-
blllty or Improper communicated Fur
thcrmore, the constant intrlgues al the
Chinese court require the officials to keep
close watch Of each other.
The tutors represented that the omper-
or bad remarkable memory and learned
English rapidly. They reported that he
WIS able TO read and tank English after
year or more Of instruction. but there h
no way OF corrOborating their assertions.
The emperor is not physically strong,
and there is fear that he mas constltu-
tlonal ailments that Will shorten his life
lie has a physician who has been educa-
ted In the modern science OF medicine. and
who keeps close watch OF him, although he
still adheres 10 the supersttlons and
practices OF the ancients He believes In
incantatona, conJuring and oh that aort
OF thing. Native Chinese doctors are like
the medicine men OF the Indians They
depend a good deal upon charms. amuieta
connections Of gcrpenta' teeth and birds
tongues and other hoathcnish comblna-
lions.
The emperor has been trying TO build
up his constitution hy exercising on horse
back and at archery. Tie Is said 10 be
very skillful with The bow, ana Of late
years De hns practicod a good deal with
shOiguns and rifles His exercise ~ re-
siriotcd ana prescribed By the etiquette
Of the court and is taken under the a.
rcction OF an official board with the great
est degree Of Formally possible. which