The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-10

geographically considered the situation is
perfect. II has mountains to the north
| to ward off evil influences from that d.
| rection, and TO the east there is the pro-
! lection of the sea; on the west there are
also high mountains. but to the south
there is open the cheering vista of plains,
teeming with millions of people, and fer
tile fields covered with fruits and grains
for the support of men. Their historians
rightly say, The Black Dragon and the
White Tiger unite in their support of the
favored locality We do not need to read
Marco Polo to learn that Cambaluc. the
city of the Great Kahn, was a magnifi-
cent capital, judged by whatever stand
ard We wish. Perhaps no city of the
world at that date was laid out on mors
extensive scale. Its walls were pierced
by sixteen gates (there are only fourteen
regular gates now), and were nearly
forty miles in circumference. At present
the entire circuit, including the southern
city, is about twenty-eight miles The
moats we're filled with clear water from
the Black Dragon and other perennial
springs bursting from the base OF the
northern mountains. the same springs sup
plying the Emperor's table at the present
day.
The Capital Transferred.
The first Emperor of the Ming. Who
drove out the invading Nongeis, A. d. 1850.
transferred the capital to Nankin, on the
Great River, where it remained for several
decades, but his nephew, the third En-
peror. Yung Lo. carried back the imperial
seal to Pekin. In the year A. d. 1I04, the
Emperor Yung Lo thought the city as
erected by the Mongols was on too large
scale, so he elided mile or more OF
the walls on the north and a less distance
on the east. The remains OF the old walls
can be seen at the present day. The
streets had been built originally from sixty
TO hundred feet wide, so Yung Lo con-
structed covered sewers by the side OF the
roads and cleaned and beautifed the city
in many ways. For himself this Emperor
built a tomb. the NEST magnificent and
enduring among all the tombs of the Ming
Emperors.
LAS the city was occupied BY the Mon
sols for nearly two centuries, the Chimes :
had been Obliged to content themselves
with a residence in the south suburb.
This Chinese Emperor. Yung Lo, thou2ht
that now the Molgols being expelles. these
people in the south suburb, teiIg Chine s..
should become en- int graz part o. the city
and should enjoy all its advantages. So h !.
inclosed it with a substSGtal va !. piaro ed
by four gates. This is the orig OF e
two cities. northern ard southern. or On =
nese and Tartar. which distinction Dtta rs
a: the present day.
When the Manchus swept down from
the north and overthrow the reigning dy-
nasty. in 1874. they left the cities Ieniin-
ing as they were. and from that day to this
have added nothing to them nor beau;ifed
them in. any wise. Pekin consists praoti-
cally of four cities. There is the sou thern
or Chinese city. with a population esti-
mated at half million people. These req
pie are merchants from ell parts OF the
Empire, transient visitors and expectant
officials. some of them waiting for an in
terview with the Emperor Most CT tae
wholesale business OF the capital is done
here. The Board of Trade, which settles
the price OF silver and grain, is locstzd
here. Here are found also the Temple OF
Heaven, the most ancient OF Chinese al.ars,
also the altar of tne god Of agriculture AMI
the seasons. These are immense Enclosures
and occupy good portion OF the entire
space OF the city. The railroad station is
about three miles outside the south tie
OF the city.
The Tnrtar City.
The northern or Tartar City is fifteen
miles in circumference. with three gates
on the south side. and two gates each Oh
the east. north and west sides. No whole
sale business or manufacturing is dona~in
this city. the stores being for the con-
venience OF the Tartar population. who
are the retainers of the Emperor, and most
Of whom receive a monthly stipend from
the palace. The Emperor's civil list for
Pekln alone is nearly $4,000 per month
Here are the dukes princes. viscounts,
etc. connected with the Emperor or some
OF his predecess, s. There are also Mon
gol mobiles receiving their monthly allow
n lii
Here is the largest Lamasery in the En-
pire, with 1900 shaven- pated priests. Near
this is the great Temple TO Confucius. also
the celebrated Hall OF the Classics. with
the rows Of stone tablets on which are
engrayen the texts OF the sacred books
Twelve hundred temples of all varieties
and twenty three Mohammedan mosques
are found in this city.
1T is. withal. a strictly Oriental city:
filth and offal abound. the cutters ere
fountains Of malaria. The city has few
attractions. but grows interesting with ac-
quaintance and well repays study.
In the centre Of the a5ove-men-
toned city about four miles In circumfer-
ente, surrounded by a high. thick wall
crowned with yellow tiles. is the imperial
city. entered by four gates. called. respect
lively. Front and Rear Gates. East and
West flowsry Gates. WitAn this city are
supposed to dwell the relatives OF the i'm
perial family and the immediate retainers
OF the Emperor. perhaps 50c00 in number.
In the northeast portion of this city is To-
Gated the new Imperial University. In
buildings formerly erected as residence
for princess, daughter OF the Emperor
Tao Kuang, at the beginning of this cen
fury.
Inside the West Gate.
Inside the west gate is found the Ro-
man Catholic Cathedral, fine building in
a large area. with gardens. theological
school. an orphanage with 500 children ana
a museum. These grounds were given il
exchange for the old cathedral presented
by Rang Hsi. 17l0 A. D.. much nearer the
palace grounds. hence more distasteful to
the Empress Dowager vino now March,
1880 holds the reins of power in Peldn.
The Catholics agreed tG the transfer, but
not till they had scared a satisfactory
location and bonus of $500. 900. Finally,
- expedite their movements, indeed to
persuade them TO keep their agreements
an extra $4,000 had to be given. There
nay be some historical reason for the En-
press Dowager's determined hatred of for
eigners.
'Irs side the imperial city. surrounded by
a wide moat filled with clear water from