Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1883 — THE EMPEROR OF CHINA. [ARTICLE]

THE EMPEROR OF CHINA.

A Rich and Luxurious Home—The Young , Monarch’s Education. The ruler of the 2(50,000,000 of which the Chinese nation probably consists is now within five years of his majority, and is an occupant, while yet a min'or, of the same apartments in which the Emperor lived who preceded him on the Dragon throne. There, says the North China Herald, he eats with goldtipped chopstioks of ivory. There he sleeps on a large Ningpo bedsted, richly carved and ornamented with ivory and gold. Like one of those living Buddhas who may be seen in a lamasery on the Mongolian ffiateau, he is kpelt to by all his attendants and honored as a god. The building in which the Emperor resides is called Yang Hsin Tien, arid is a little to the west of the Ch’len Ch’iu Men in the middle Ci the palace. At the back of the central gate, on the south side, is the great reception hall. When ministers of state and others enter for an audience, at 4, 5 or 6 in the morning, according to custom, they have to go on foot to the center of the palace, over half a mile, if they enter by the east or west gate, and when -they—get on in years they can-appreciatethe Enjperor’s favor, which then by a decree allows them to be borne in a chaiy instead’ of walking. . ■ —— " The rooms of the Emperor consist of seven compartments. They are providedwith the divan or k’ang, the peenliar institution of North China. The k’angs are covered with red felt of native manufacture,, and the floor with European carpets. The cushions all have embroidered on them the dragon and the phoenix. Pretty things scattered through the rooms are endless in variety, and are changed in accordance with any wish expressed by the Emperor, in all thirty yards long by from eight to ten yards deep, and are divided into three seperate apartments, the throne room being the middle one. Folding doors ten feet in height open into each of these apartments to the north and south in the center of each. The upper part of these doors is in open work, in w’hich various auspicious characters and flowers are curved. At the back paper is pasted, to admit light to the rooms. The front is ornamented with gilding, sculpture and varnish of various colors. These doors remain open even in winter, because during that season a thick embroidered curtain of damask is hung in the door way, which by its weight keeps its place close to the door posts and prevents cold air from entering In summer this is re placed by a curtain admitting the breeze on account of its being made of very thin strips of bamboo. The silk threads used in sewing the stripes of bamboo together through are, of various dolors, and, passing through the whole texture of the curtain from the top to the bottom, are very agreeable to the eye. These summer and winter curtains are rolled up to give air to the rooms when required. Exit and entrance are effected on each side of these /curtains by side jdoors. Along the Whole front of thirty yards there is a covered flight of steps fifteen feet wide. The roof over this rests on two rows of pillars. The pillars shine with fresh vermillion, both within the rooms and on the steps outside, and are decorated with sculptured work, partly gilt and partly varnished. The ‘.Emperor -was vaccinated when an infant, before his high destiny was thought of, otherwise it would have been difficult to vaccinate’him, for, his person being sacred when Emperor, no lances can touch him. The Princess, his mother, goes t® see him once a montli/Tind kneels when she first speaks to him, but rises afterward. His father does so too. The Emperor studies Chinese daily for. an hour and a half, and Manchu also for an hour and a half. He spends two hours in archery and riding, and in winter amuses himself with sledging.