THE EMPEROR OF CHINA AT HOME.

Western Star, Issue 840, 3 May 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE EMPEROR OF CHINA AT HOME.

The ruler of the 250,000,000'0f which the Chinese nation probably consists is now within five years of his majority, and is an occupant, while yet a minor, of the same apartments in which lived the Emperor who preceded him on the Dragon Throne. There he; eats with gold-tipped chopsticks of ivory; there he sleeps on a large Ningpo bedstead, richly carved and ornamented with ivory and gold, the same on which the noble-minded Emperors Kang Hsi and and Chien Lung used to recline after the day’s fatigue last century and the century before. Like one of those living Buddhas who may be seen in a lamasery on the Mongolian plateau, he is knelt to by all his attendants, and honoured as a god. There is this difference, that the respect felt for him is more profound than for them. The seclusion in which he is kept also is far more complete. The building in which the Emperor resides is called Yang Hsin Tjcii, and is a little to the west of the Ch’ien Ch’mg Med in the middle of the palace, s.t

the back of the central gate, on the south side, is the great reception hall. When Ministers of State and others enters for an audience at four, five, or sis in the morning, according to custom, they have to go on foot to the centre 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 appreciate the Emperor’s favour, which then by a decree allows them to be borne in a chair instead of walking. The rooms of the Emperor consist of seven compartments. They are provided with the divan or k’ang, the peculiar 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 Em- y peror. The rooms are in all thirty yards long by from eight to nine yards deep, and are divided into three separate 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 centre of each.

The pillars shine with fresh Vermillion, both within the rooms and the steps outside, and are decorated with sculptured work, partly gilt and partly varnished. The Uoppo, who lately returned from Canton, gave the Emperor a present valued at bOOOdol. It consisted of chandeliers, holding 500 wax candles each. His Majesty has also some electrical machines and numberless foreign curiosities.— North China Herald.