Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 620

1841.

Sacred Instructions of the Tu Tsing Emperors.

603

Great additions of territory having been made to the Chinese em- pire, Kanghe immediately comes forward to show his knowledge of geography, and in one of his speeches asserts, that there was not a famous river or mountain of which he could not indicate the name.

The emperor wrote about the establishment of posts for conveying dispatches throughout the empire, he rebuilt the graves of the former emperors, put down the large bands of robbers that traversed the country, and in fact directed all matters with a steady hand,—his whole life was a continued series of arduous exertions.

In the speeches addressed to foreign princes, Kanghe is as rude as Taoukwang. He feels extremely exasperated against the king of Cochinchina, who refused to be reverentially obedient, and did not deliver up some prisoners that had taken refuge in his dominions. The Russians, who had encroached upon his territory, he threatened with destruction, if they did not immediately abandon their ill-gotten lands. All the Mongol princes received distinct directions how to behave under circumstances of peculiar interest, and when the small; pox had broken out in their camp, and brought thousands to the grave, Kanghe actually established a quarantine, and would not allow a tribute-bearer to approach the imperial city:

Kanghe's style is easy, in many instances elegant, and the sub- jects upon which the imperial author treats are always interesting. The present collection is the best commentary upon his reign, and after deducting the delusions created by systein, we cannot but award a fair clain of celebrity, to one of the greatest emperors that ever graced the Chinese throne.

Yungching's was an ephemeral reign, but he also indulged in writing sermons, which are indeed very formal, and the contents shallow. His remarks, upon sacred virtue are unique in their kind. He praises the favorable omens that appeared at the commencement of his government, and speaks very favorably of his own enterprizes. Foud of ceremony, he expatiates upon the literary parties, which were given in his palace, at which the greatest scholars were present. He was a man of form, who delighted in everything that was in strict keeping with the rules of etiquette, and was desirous of im- printing the same character upon the whole court.

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His speech on piety is a valuable document, because it exposes the governmental creed in the clearest manner. The creation and pre- servation of all things depends upon the five elements, and the con- troling power over the same are the yin and yang, which may like- wise pass under the name of demons and gods.