132
REV. MR. KRONE
To the left of the temple of Confucius, is the temple of “Kwan-kung”關公—the God of War; and on the right another one dedicated to "Man-tai", the God of Literature. Behind the latter is the hall Ning-lun, in which the public examinations are held. The literati and elders meet here on special occasions. In the vicinity of these edifices is the temple of “Sha-nung”神農—the God of Agriculture; and before it extends a piece of ground, on which the chief magistrate has to plough a few furrows at the beginning of spring, in accordance with an ancient custom. Near the sea-shore is a large space of ground, which serves for drilling the military, and on which the military examinations are also held. On it also a hall is erected for the accommodation of the officers.
Not far from this place is a Buddhist temple, which contains images of the three Buddhas, and of the eighteen Lo-hou, which are Buddhist demi-gods. In front of the three Buddhas is a tablet, before which the devotees worship the reigning dynasty. On this tablet is the inscription "Ten Thousand years!" Farther above this is another tablet with the characters "Protect my black-haired people." The chief magistrate is obliged to repair here once a month, and to prostrate himself before these tablets.
Other edifices worthy of notice are, a five-storied pagoda, a temple to the well-deserving mandarins Wong and Lau, and an altar to the Gods of Land and Grain. Outside the town is the execution ground, and here, in 1854, many rebels were decapitated, and there might be seen at times the heads hung up in baskets as a warning to the people.
The fort and city of Kowloong are sufficiently known, and there is but little to say of them. The low walls and miserable forts have often been visited by foreigners. The environs of Kowloong contain some curious mementoes of history, of which the rest of the district is destitute. Ping-tai, the last of the Southern Emperors of the Sung dynasty, fled with the remnant of his faithful adherents to the province of Canton. Near Kowloong he attempted to build himself a palace, which however he was unable to complete, and the situation is now marked by a temple to "Pak-tai”北帝—the God of the North. One of his high officers died here, and his tomb is situated on a hill, which is called to this day Sung-wang-tai. These three characters are engraved on
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132
REV. MR. KRONE
To the left of the temple of Confucius, is the temple of “Kwan- kung”關公 kung” M2‚—the God of War; and on the right another one dedicated to "Man-tai". the God of Literature. Behind the latter is the hall Ning-lun, in which the public exami- nations are held. The literati and elders meet here on special occasions. In the vicinity of these edifices is the temple of “Sha- nung".—the God of Agriculture; and before it extends a nung”神農 piece of ground, on which the chief magistrate has to plough a few furrows at the beginning of spring, in accordance with an ancient custom. Near the sea-shore is a large space of ground, which serves for drilling the military, and on which the military exami- nations are also held. On it also a hall is erected for the accom- modation of the officers.
Not far from this place is a Buddhist temple, which contains images of the three Buddhas, and of the eighteen Lo-hou, which are Buddhist demi-gods. In front of the three Buddhas is a tablet, before which the devotees worship the reigning dynasty. On this tablet is the inscription "Ten Thousand years!" Farther above this is another tablet with the characters 1A, “protect my black-haired people." The chief magistrate is obliged to repair here once a month, and to prostrate himself before these tablets.
Other edifices worthy of notice are, a five-storied pagoda, a temple to the well-deserving mandarins Wong and Lau, and an altar to the Gods of Land and Grain, Outside the town is the execution ground, and here, in 1854, many rebels were decapitated, and there might be seen at times the heads hung up in baskets as a warning to the people.
The fort and city of Kowloong are sufficiently known, and there is but little to say of them. The low walls and miserable forts have often been visited by foreigners. The environs of Kowloong contain some curious mementoes of history, of which the rest of the district is destitute. Ping-tai, the last of the Southern Emperors of the Sung dynasty, fled with the remnant of his faithful adherents to the province of Canton. Near Kowloong he attempt- ed to build himself a palace, which however he was unable to complete, and the situation is now marked by a temple to "Pak-tai” 北帝, -the God of the North. One of his high officers died here, and his tomb is situated on a hill, which is called to this day Sung-wang-tai 1. These three characters are engraved on
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