The Sentinel=record., 1915-02-07
CHINESE PRESIDENT
 OFFERS SACRIFICES
| ON OCCASION OF THE WINTER SOLSTlCE YUAN SHlKAI
 WORSHlPpED HEAVEN.
lie Wore Imperial Robes and Per formed Ceremony in Manner of Dy- nasties of the Dragon Throne.

the winter soIsdce President Iuau 5hi-kM Vorshpped Heaven and o. fered sacrifices rom the famous open altar which was formerly considered tue center of he universe Ue wore imperial robes and performed the ceremony in the manner of the Ch.ug and other dyuasies oi tine Dragon Throne
 For this reyersion To ancient GUS toms of imperial pomp as for his "or- ship m CaufHcian Temple ama months ago. the president has been criticised in some circles, a.tn9leh the press. which is censored, explains and approves the act. In a proc.ama lou. the president explained that he performed the ceremony only as inc representative of the state, in which, he said. authority was now vested The chief maaisJrat. of every district are instructed 10 hold similar cere monies throughout the country and the people are eniomed to worship Heaven in their homes.
 
 mouy the first since the abdicatiau of the Nauchus, was conducted under the republican administration with all the glory and -plendor that distiu guished t in the days of the empire The Temple of Heaven itself is the first show place in Picking. Within a vast enclosure covering many acres stand the temple the altar. and many minor buildings. the colors of which are of great and varied beauty. Tho altar is a white marble dias or rath- CT, three, all circular, set one upon another There is no covering to it.
 it is open 10 the sky.
 This white altar was brilliant sight as the sun rose on December 23 Al every pillar of the ballu-trade stood 8 spear-bearer with uniform and plumes like modern European 1 lancer in fuu array In the enclosure ! Immediately below were the musi- clans Nierdly clad in blue robes stud | der with starr, and their instruments were those Q. the days in which Con. ucius lived There were probably 1.-two hundred Of them. There was a troop of small boys playing reed pipes with pheasant feathers five feet | long stuck Co the ends Tho str.ugej Instruments. giving forth music like harps. were longer than auyhlus i known in this day. some six and eight feet Then there were bells of l the extraordinary hape and tones or those treasured by museums. said
 to be of the Chow Dynasty The drum stood high up ou a stout pole support
 ed by dragon heads at the base. Over 1 the drum was canopy of red and gold
 The musicians stood n two gIoWs
 at the tides Of the main aisle to the altar the southern us.e and he tween them officials. those who du not take actual part il fife prepara- ton of le sacrifices. stood u gr9u according to their grades ready lo LoWtov at the proper signal
 Scattered r5aad about this o.dar'F arrangement ol man In robes and hats o style worn two thousand
 years ago we're military o'Hoers and police. Dhc police in black and yellow, tho ordinary colors of the present day and the military men u the hri- naat molan uniforms which the Ie. public has adeed from Europe
 In au ,ne craNd there were but two foreign ciIGaus. one being the writer. aud ttis was 1e lr5j occa. sion that foreisuer aas ever been admitted lo this sardioe
 Just as tAe un .0sc the presidents motor car surrounded by troop of officers ou pnopiua No1Roliau
 ponies. drew up a the last gate bu one for one must pass through many gates before reaching the altar of heaven The president, likewise dressed in uniform, descended from
 the car and got into a sedan chair which was hor1e hy eight men Through he gate an into tenthke imprompu building, moi t1p peima. neut structure in which the emperor used to robe In few multes n came out robbed Ike those officials
 who awaited him, except that be meath his oyergoWn of rich blue the stripes Of au imperial under robe trailed aud on the oyelNosn were l2
 con picuous medaGons formed of -oldeu dragons and other symbols.
 Tue ceremony lasted for an honr.
 terminating with tae burning Of The
 sacrifices ia great green.tyled bra. zier beside the altar. Incense. Che
 hair and flesh of calf the finest silk. and a tablet sealed and designed
 by the president were put into the 1 flames.
 It was bitter cold day. and no
 sooner had the president passed ort
 of the inaer arches than the soldiers
 who had stood on guard over niabt
 broke ranks some Of them climbing
 mp on the sides of the great brazier
 and warming themselves by the sacri- 1 licial fires