Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 699

1841.

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Memorial from Lew Yunko of Chěkeäng.

681

P. M.; but when the Chaoupaou and Kinke hills and the district town were lost, his master, seeing he could do no more, went to the water's edge, and looking towards the celestial gate, and performing the ceremony of obeisance to the emperor, he immediately plunged into the water, to die with an undeviating adherence to the line of duty.

“But the soldiers, having dragged him out of the water, carried him out of the town, and conveyed him to the public office of Ningpo, and there changed his clothes, and gave him to drink (some medicine), he being scarcely able to breathe; they then pursued with urgent haste their course on foot, and on the next day, about 1 P. M., having passed the city of Yuyaou about 4 or 5 le, Yukeen expired; and now he had brought the corpse to the provincial capital to be prepared for the grave.

"His master left no sons, but had directed that his nephew, Tihchin, the son of his younger uterine brother, the hereditary duke Yuhang-styled Ching- yung-a secretary of the Military Board, should succeed him in his estates; such are the circumstances; after I had read the petition, my tears began to flow, and I could not control my grief.

"A coffin of thick wood was immediately bought, his official colleagues as- sembled, to attend the shrouding of the body in a proper manner, which was adorned with many costly ornaments and grave-clothes.

At the present time, as the province of Chěkeäng is to be defended against the barbarian banditti, the whole province is filled with false rumors, and cir- oumstances are extremely pressing, and it is not convenient to keep the coffin of the said great minister long in the province; therefore Hwangneën, who is wait. ing for the appointment of a chefoo in the province of Keängsoo, and Lan Wei- wan, the magistrate of Chaouwan, and captain Kwantae) of the city of Keäng- ning, have been directed to accompany the domestic (of the deceased) to the governor's office in Keängning (Nanking); to manage the funeral.

As the said great minister, from the commencement of the time when the barbarian rebels began to excite disturbances until now, urged with sharp words their utter extermination, and was earnest in his plans to manifest the dread ma- jesty of his country, although the power of the rebels is great, and their will and determination fixed and strong; yet now, because the earnest wishes of his heart have not been fulfilled, his strength failed him, and he died a victim to his duty; a catastrophe' worthy of the deepest commiseration !

: Looking up I fervently beg that the celestial favor will graciously bow down and confer abundant compassion, in order to stimulate ministers to a like dėvo- tion, and to soothe the 'faithful spirit (of the deceased), then the ministers and people of the empire will heartily bear (the same fate).

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The said great minister left orders that his nephew, Tihchin, should be his Heir. On interrogating his servants, I have learnt that he is yet of tender age, and that he resides in Keängning' with his relations, who are all females; he having no other relations and no faithful and sincere adherents on whom he can depend (with him).

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further beg the favor that it be permitted, when the coffin reaches his native place, to allow Yuhang to superintend the funeral rites.

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As to the public papers of reports of the said great minister when in life, and the réplies containing the imperial will, by me they have been reverently opened, and they all relate to the military affairs of the province of Chěkeäng, and I forth.

VOL. X. NO. XII.

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