Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-01
CRITICIZED FOR REvERS|ON
TO ANCIENT CUSTOMS
fees From Famous Open Altar
and Worships Heaven.
PERFORMS OLD CEREMONIES
Explains That He Does This Only as
Representative OF the State-Brii-
liant Spectacle as Timc-Honored
Observance Is Carried Out.

Observance Is Carried Out.
Correspondence OF Associated I'rcss.)
PEklNG. January 2O.--on the occa-
sion of the winter solstice. President
Yuan Shi-kai worshiped heaven and
offered sacrifices from the famous
open altar which was formerly consid-
cred the centre of the universe. lie
wore imperial robes. and performed
the ceremony in tho manner OF the
Ching and other dynastics OF the Drag
on Throne
For this revcrsion to ancient customs
OF imperial pomp. as for his worship
in Confdcian temples some months ago.
the President has been criticized in
some circles. although the press, which
is censored. explains and approves the
act. In proclamation the President
explained that he performed the core
mony only as the representative OF the
state. in which. he said. authority was
now vested The chief magistrates of
every district arc instructed to hold
similar ceremonies throughout the
country. and the people are enjoined
TO worship heaven in their homes.
This time-honored Chinese ceremony,
the first since the abdication OF the
Manchus. was conducted under the re-
publican administration with all the
glory and splendor that distinguished
II In the days Of the empire The
Temple OF Heaven itself is the first
show place in Peking. Within a vast
ihclosure covering many acres stand
10 81
buildings. the colors OF which are OF
great and varied beauty. The altar Is
white marble dais-or rather, three
all circular. set one upon another
There is no covering to It; 1t is open
to the sky.
rms white altar was brilliant
sight ms the sun rose on December o.
At every pillar OF the balustrade stood
a spear-bearcr with uniform and
plumes like modern European lancer
IN tuil array. In the Enclosure imme-
diately below were the musicians
weirdiy clad in blue robes studded with
stars; and their instruments were those
OF the days in which Confucius lived.
There v ere probably 200 of them There
was troop OF small boys playing reed
pipes with pheasant feathers five feet
long stuck 10 the ends. The stringed
instruments, giving forth music like
harps. were longer than anything
known in this day, some six and eight
feet Then there were bells Of the ex-
traordinary shape and tones OF those
treasured by museums. said to be of
the Chow dynasty. The drum stood
hiGh up on stout pole supported by
dragon heads at the base. Oyer the
drum was canopy Of red and gold.
The musicians stood In two groups
at the sides of the main aisle to the
altar, the southern aisle; and between
them ohicials. those who did not take
actual part In tho preparation OF the
sacrifices. stood in groups according to
their grades. ready TO kowtow at the
proper signal
Scattered round about this orderly
Arrangement of men in robes and hats
of style worn 1000 years ago, were
military officers and police, the police
In black and yellow. tho ordinary col
ors Of the present day. and the Mill
tary men In the brilliant modern uni
forms which the republic has adopted
from Europe.
III all the crowd there were but two
foreign civilians. one being the writer:
and this was the first occasion that "A
foreigner has ever been admitted to
this sacrifice.
Just az the sun rose the Presidents
motor car, surrounded by troop OF
officers on gnlloping MongolIan ponies
drew up At the last gate, but one-for
one must pass through many gates be-
fore reaching the altar Of heaven. The
President. likewise dressed in uniform
descended from the car and got into n
sedan chair. which was borne by eight
men through the gate and into n tent
like impromptu building. not the per-
manent structure In which the Emperor
used to-Tohe. In few minutes he
came out robed like those officials
who awaited him, except hat beneath
his over-gown of rich blue tho stripes
OF an imperial undcr-gown trailed, and
on tho over-gown wccr twelve conspic-
uous mcdnllions formed OF golden drag
ons and other symbols
The ceremony lasted for an hour
terminating with the burning OF the
sacrifices in great green tiled
brRZier beside the altar. Incens> the
hair and nesh of calf. tho finest silk,
and a tablet scaled and designed by
the President were put into the flames.
1t was bitter cold day, and no
sooner had the President passed out
OF the inner arches than the soldiers,
who had stood guard overnight,
broke ranks, some Of them climbing
up on tho sides Of the great brazier
and warming Themselves by the sacri-
fetal fires.