Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1898 — EMPEROR A NIGHTHAWK. [ARTICLE]

EMPEROR A NIGHTHAWK.

FrcqaeatlyßeeciTet Visitor* Between Three and Four In the Morula*. The emperor of China is one of the hardest-worked men in the world, and according’ to a curious custom that I have never heard explained he turns day into night, writes a correspondent of the Chicago Record. Some of the most important events in his daily programme take place after midnight, and he frequently receives visitors by appointment at three and four o’clock in the morning. When Li Hung Chang returned to Peking from his tour around the world the emperor received" him and heard his reports between four and five o’clock a. m. He has often received ambassadors at similar hours. The emperor’s work day begins at one o’clock p. m. He first sees the members of the privy council, then he devotes an hour or two to the consideration of their reports and recommendations, and then he receives the members of the official boards, viceroys, governors and other officials who have come to Peking to be presented or to pay tribute or receive instructions. He sits upon a throne upon a raised platform. They kneel before him with their foreheads touching the floor until he commands them to lift their eyes. They are kept in this posture so long that the old men always pad their knees with cushions. The emperor dines about sunset, and has the third meal of the day at midnight. Sometimes he retires as early as one or two o’clock a. m., but he is often at work until daylight.