CHAPTER XV.

IMPERIAL PROCLAMATION.

Porcelain Flower-pots, Garden-seats, Images, Bowls, Jars, Vases.-Proclamation.—Favours bestowed by the Emperor. -Gracious Gifts.-Promotion.-Sending Sons to the National College. Restoration of Rank and Pay.-Candidates for Distinction increased.-College Residence diminished.A Button of the Sixth Degree of Rank bestowed.-Sacrifices offered to the Dead.—Crimes forgiven.-Old Soldiers relieved. Diligence in tilling the Ground rewarded.— Old Age honoured.-Pay to Manchow and Mungkoo Tartar Soldiers and Chinese Troops.-Attention to the Destitute.

THERE are not many things in the Chinese Collection that give me more pleasure than the porcelain. The beautiful flower-pots and gardenseats, the elegant ornaments and images, and the splendid bowls, jars, and vases which are profusely grouped together, never fail to call up in my mind scenes of Eastern magnificence. They lead me, step by step, through the mansions of the mandarins, and the palace of the Emperor, till I see Taou Kwang himself on his Imperial throne.

Though I have given you the ceremonies ob

JOYFUL PROCLAMATION.

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served on the accession of Taou Kwang's mounting the throne, at full length, yet is there another document that I wish to lay before you. It is the He Chaou, or Joyful Proclamation of the Emperor, on his receiving "from Heaven and revolving nature the government of the world." There is so much seeming moderation, justice, and charity in the edicts and proclamations of the Celestial government, that if we had not some knowledge of the past to guide us, we might be led to suppose that Chinese emperors ought, as a matter of right, to rank as the most virtuous specimens of humanity.

The following is the Joyful Proclamation to which I have alluded:

"Our Ta-tsing dynasty has received the most substantial indications of Heaven's kind care.

"Our ancestors Tae-tsoo and Tae-tsung began to lay the vast foundation (of our empire). And She-tsoo became the sole Monarch of China.

"Our sacred ancestor, Kang-he; the emperor Yung-ching, the glory of his age; and Këen-lung, the eminent in honour, all abounded in virtue ; were divine in martial prowess; consolidated the glory of the empire; and moulded the whole to peaceful harmony.

"His late Majesty, who has now gone the great journey, governed all under heaven's canopy twenty-five years, exercising the utmost caution and industry. Nor evening nor morning

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THE DRAGON CHARIOTEER.

was he ever idle. He assiduously aimed at the best possible rule, and hence his government was excellent and illustrious; the court and the country felt the deepest reverence, and the stillness of profound awe. A benevolent heart, and a benevolent administration were universally diffused; in China Proper, as well as beyond it, order and tranquillity prevailed, and the tens of thousands of common people were all happy.

"But in the midst of a hope that this glorious reign would be long protracted, and the help of Heaven would be received many days, unexpectedly on descending to bless, by his Majesty's presence, Lwan-yang, the dragon charioteer (the holy Emperor) became a guest on high.

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My sacred and indulgent father had, in the year that he began to rule alone, silently settled that the divine utensil, the throne, should devolve on my contemptible person. I, knowing the feebleness of my virtue, at first felt much afraid I should not be competent to the office; but on reflecting that the sages, my ancestors, have left to posterity their plans; that his late Majesty has laid the duty on me-and Heaven's throne should not be long vacant-I have done violence to my feelings, and forced myself to intermit awhile my heartfelt grief, that I may with reverence obey the unalterable decree; and on the 27th of the 8th moon, I purpose devoutly to announce the event to Heaven, to earth, to my ancestors, and

FAVOURS TO KINGS AND DUKES.

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to the gods of the land and of the grain, and shall then sit down on the Imperial throne.

"Let the next year be the first of Taou Kwang (reason's glory).

"I look upwards and hope to be able to continue former excellences. I lay my hand on my heart with feelings of respect and cautious awe. When a new Monarch addresses himself to the empire, he ought to confer benefits on his kindred, and extensively bestow gracious favours. Whatever is proper to be done on this occasion is stated below:

"First.-On all persons at court, and those also who are at a distance from it, having the title of Wang (king), and downwards; and those of, or above, the rank of a Kung (duke), let gracious gifts be conferred.

"Second.

On all the nobles below the rank of Kung, down to that of Kih-kih, let gracious gifts be conferred.

"Third.-Whether at court, or abroad in the provinces, Manchow and Chinese officers, great and small, civil and military, shall all be promoted one step.

"Fourth.-Those officers whose deceased parents have received posthumous titles of honour, shall have those titles increased, to correspond with the promotion of their sons.

"Fifth.-Officers at court of the fourth degree of rank, and, in the provinces, those of the

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PARDON OF OFFENDERS.

third, shall have the privilege of sending one son to the national college, Kwo-tsze-këen.

"Sixth.-Officers who have been deprived of their rank, but retained in office, and whose pay has been stopped or forfeited, shall have their rank and pay restored.

"Seventh.-Let the number of candidates to be accepted at the literary examinations in each province, be increased from ten to thirty persons. Eighth.-Let the required time of residence in the Kwo-tsze-keen College be diminished one month on this occasion.

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“Ninth.- Let all the Keu-jin graduates be permitted, as a mark of honour, to wear a button of the sixth degree of rank.

"Tenth.-Let officers be dispatched to sacrifice at the tombs of departed emperors and kings of every past dynasty; at the grave of Confucius, and at the five great mountains, and the four great rivers of China.

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Eleventh.-Excepting rebels, murderers, and other unpardonable offenders, let all those who may have committed crimes before daybreak of the 27th of the 8th moon (the day of ascending the throne) be forgiven. If any person again accuse them with the crimes already forgiven, punish the accuser according to the crime alleged.

"Twelfth.-All convicts in the several provinces who have been transported for crimes committed;