The Savannah morning news., 1900-11-11
RARE SIGHTS N PEKIN.
Further Description Of the Palace NJ
the SON of Heaven. ana of "a. Tenn


From the London STANDARD.
Pekin. Aug. 2s-The troop. naroh.a
through the palace grounds in as direct
a line as possible from the south gate 20
the north. traversing the various hal a
and courtyaris en- route When they had
passed the outer north gate on their way
back to their respective camps, the ma
jority OF the o<hcers together with he
ministers and other civilians. we're con
Quoted to the Empress DOwagers recep-
ton room Here We found Chinese sweet
meats and Refreshments OF every Kind
spread out on small. low tables on the
verahda. and tea WIS handed round iy
the palace attendants. a great many Of
whom had been left behind Tho guests
evidently found these sWeetmeats 90 their
liking.
General disappointment was EXPRESSED
on entering the powEaers apartments.
The rooms were all small the sleeping
apartment being very ike that 20 b.
found In any ordinarily wealthy Chinese
house a large mirror oupos .te the door
OF the reception room gave IL an air Of
distinction. while two Or three OF milar
size stood round the room. Several Brit
ism officers deposited visiting cards IN one
room was Tesplendent with color and gilt
The throne itself was very much like an
ordinary round backed chair, but the
back was made OF maFveiousiy inter
mingled dragons richly gllded. The room
contained four immense mirrors IN mag
nificiently carved blackwood frames. sew
eral geographical globes OF Chinese make.
huge Cloisonne vases. massive black@o God
chos,s. etc. al 81 exceptional magnif-
In
rooms on each side were large numbers OF
Chinese books. valuable pieces OF Jade.
and richly carved boxes ana from the
presence OF a large number OF Chinese
pens aud sets OF writing materials these
rooms may. on stale occasions, have been
| used for secretarial duties.
The court yards throughout the Forbid
den City are entirely paved. and the steps
leading up 10 the scores OF huge halls, to-
gether with the low walls surrounding the
| latter, are all made OF Pekin marble. The
court yards are fun OF immense iron ont
brass tubs. bronze turtles. and storks.
twice the natural sizel. and here and
| there diminutive elephants the size ~
| lambs with figures Of an animal unknown
20 natural history. though somewhat ie-
sembitng a lion. Standing on the ~teps
outside one Of the most elevated halls our
/ Dyes were dazzled by a very sea OF vel
| These form the roofs OF innumerable halls.
IAN more or less dirty. empty. and die
rsod), temples. or dwellings or palace Of
| ncials, minor Princes. and attendants.
Most OF the marble. whether steps. walls,
or pedestals. Is richly carved. the dragon
being the predominant feature 10 every
design. The palace grounds are pictur-
esque and quaint rather than strictly
beautiful Great care Is expended on their
HIN NNnHNN
OF them. though just now there were
Eight Indications Of neglect. The paths
| ard roadways were wecded. but the
! coarse grass had not been cut quite re-
| Gently. and gave certain wil1ness 10 the
parkhke expansc. with It, magnificent
] srnsa dotted about with countless Groi-
I toes ana shrines and interlaced with
walks. rustic bridges and miniature lakes.
/ kegonias were In bloom, ana the pcrHim-
mons were Just beginning 20 be tinted oy
the sun. and viii ia . few days hang
their luscious spheres amid the wealth OF
green foliage.
After we left the palace the gates again
/ closed and the sacred buildings and
/ grounds were eft untouched. There 10 70
| occupation BY the allied forces and no
one can get in without an order from his
minister AL property belonging 70 the i'm
periai family has been respected. and
everything has been left exactly az II was
when the court He'd. save for few small
/ nementos which the visitors brought
away with them There are hundreds OF
rctainers left 10 guard and look after the
palace. and not few Mandarins are still
living there ! saw blue and red button
/ Mandarins standing round, who were very
I courteous TO al the foreign devils" but
/ their private sentiments had better not
I DE inquired INTO. Apart from the process
/ sion. the martial music. ana the cheers OF
I about 1000 soldiers. there was no demon
stratlon and no speeches were delivered.
/ Lady Mac Donald and few other ladies
! were prcscnt
The tempie Is on the left hand leaving
! the city, and 10 surrounded ~ an Inner