96
The Emperor Taoukwang
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FEB.
down the incense-dome: the proclamation being placed there also, in the middle of the dragon-dome. The proclamation-bearer shall then kneel once, and bow to the ground thrice; after which, taking the proclamation in both hands, he shall lay it on the yellow-table, which is placed on a high stage. The dragon and incense-domes shall be removed, and set down directly in front of the gate of Celes- tial Repose. The officers, civil and military, shall arrange them- selves at the southern end of the golden bridge. The master of the ceremonies shall say form ranks;'-also, 'enter.' The officers, civil and military, shall accordingly form ranks, and the venerable elders of the people, a little behind, shall form themselves into two files; and all stand facing the north. The herald-minister shall then ascend the stage. The master of the ceremonies shall say— 'an edict!' Then all shall instantly fall on their knees. The herald shall next read the proclamation, in the Chinese language, after which he retires to the table. The words bow' and 'rise' being pro- nounced (by the master of the ceremonies), and answered by three genuflections and nine prostrations, from all present, the proclama- tion-bearer, taking the said document in both hands, shall place it again in the cloud-capt basin, and suspend it, by an ornamental cord, from the bill of the golden phoenix. The judge of the Board of Rites, receiving the same, shall set it again in the dragon-dome, and going out by the gate of Exalted Purity, the procession shall be led on as formerly, by the officers of the Board of Music, behind the imperial insignia, but without playing, to the office of the Board of Rites, where, an incense-table being placed, the president of the Board of Rites shall bring forward the judges, who shall kneel thrice, and bow to the ground nine times.. These ceremonies all finished, let the proclamation be reverently printed, and promulgated throughout the empire.. Such is our statement laid before your majesty."
The imperial pleasure, has been received thus: 'Act according to the statement. Respect this.'"
Shortly after the new emperor had assumed the reins of govern- ment, he issued another paper. It begins abruptly, and some of the first words of the original are probably wanting.
No. 4.
“Mine is not a vacant office. For a long period the whole empire receiv- ed from the late emperor the most gracious beneficence; the utmost liberali. ty in times of distress; and the most perfect admonition and correction. It sometimes happened that individuals willfully violated the laws; but when the time of signing death-warrants occurred, he examined the papers con- taining the cases of capital offenders with the utmost care; and if any way of saving them could be discovered, he exercised benevolence beyond the laws. All my people should be dutiful to their parents, respectful to supe- riors, ashamed of crime, and cherish a dread of punishment, to aid me in imitating his late majesty, wllo showed a love of the lives of others, such as heaven displays. Now, in consequence of all the kings, Tartar nobles, great statesmen, the civil and military officers, having said with one voice, Heav-
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