L
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The Emperor Taoukwang.
FEB.
consins, &c. Hitherto men from afar, albeit richly imbued with his great favors, have known, or had the means of knowing, but little of the son of heaven.' Once we saw what was said to be a portrait of his august person; and once we had in our possession an auto- graph, written with the vermilion pencil. A great many and very diverse sayings, touching the character and conduct of H. I. M. we have heard first and last; but having failed to write them in a book at the time, we dare not now trust to memory for a portraiture of one whose person and character are so sacred as his majesty's are. Could we borrow the note-books of certain historiographers, then perhaps a faithful and full picture might be given. But being without these ample materials, we hope our readers will not be displeased with the few fragments we have been able here and there to collect.
We subjoin three state papers, to which we add a few explanations and some brief notices.
No. 1.
The chainber of ministers (Nuy Ko) has received with due respect the following imperial edict :
"From the late emperor, who has now gone the great journey, I received the utmost possible kindness and care; and from him I derived my being; his gracious kindness was infinite, like that of the glorious heavens above. Although his benevolent life had been continued more than six decades of years, his celestial person was still robust, and his energy and spirits undi- minished. I, the emperor, who continually waited on him in the palace, desired his days to be protracted, and hoped he would reach his hundredth year. This year, on a tour, he was to solace with his presence Lwangyang, in Tartary, and I, the emperor, followed in his train. His sacred person was on the journey as strong as usual, till he happened to be affected by very hot weather; however, he still ascended his chair without weariness; but finally he became ill, and after three days, a great encroachment on life was apparent. I, the emperor, beat the ground with my head, and called on heaven to bring him back-but, in vain! With reverence I meditate on his late majesty's reign during twenty-five years,-how effectually he sup- pressed banditti and rebellion, and gave tranquillity to millions of common people. Night and day he diligently labored; and never idled away a single day. His official servants, and the black-haired race, all looked up gratefully to his benevolent rule, under which they enjoyed the happiness of a glorious tranquillity. Now, when but a few days of his tour had elapsed, the great event has occurred; the dragon on horseback has ascended and be- come a guest on high. All creatures, endued with blood and breath, mourn with grateful feelings, proceeding from the most perfect sincerity; and how much more deeply do I, the emperor, feel; and how much more durable will be my grief, who have received such vast benefits, ten thousand times re.
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