No. 139.
Mr. Avery to Mr. Fish.

No. 21.]

Sir: Referring to my No. 17 of date December 22, 1874, in which the Emperor’s illness and the delegation of his functions to a temporary regency were noted, I have now the honor to give you the following additional information. As before stated, the Emperor was taken with the first symptoms of small-pox on December 9, and by one of those curious coincidences which the Chinese are always looking for, and to [Page 245] which they attach so much significance, the attack was thought to be connected with or referable to the transit of Venus on that day. The Emperor being a descendant of the Sun, nothing could occur to dim the purity of that orb which would not be portentous to its earthly representative. Then the planet as it crossed the sun’s disc was likened in size to a pea, which in Chinese is called tau, and the pustules of smallpox are likewise called tau, the characters which stand for the two words also resembling each other. Hence to the Chinese mind a clear connection between the transit and the imperial sickness.

On the twelfth day of the attack, regarded as the turning-point of the disease, a great religious ceremony was performed, partly as a propitiation to the Goddess of Small-Pox, partly as a thank-offering to her for the favorable symptoms then apparent. It should be observed that while this fell goddess is greatly dreaded and hated, it is the practice of the Chinese to affect a peculiar regard for her, and to avoid the use of any expressions which might possibly provoke her anger. Thus, when anybody is taken with the disease she personifies, friends do not condole with the patient, which might provoke a fatal result, but congratulate him. This superstition, which has its parallels in the beliefs of more polished nations, and is common to a certain stage in the cult of every people, accounts for the expression used with reference to the Emperor’s sickness, that he had “experienced the felicity of the heavenly lowers.” When it became apparent that the felicity was not to have an infelicitous termination, the imperial astrologers and physicians havii g been consulted, a great outlay was made for services at the temp es and within the palace. The most notable of these services was performed publicly outside of the imperial city, within the enciente of the front gate, where there is a government temple to the Goddess of Mercy, and in the presence, it is said, of forty or fifty thousand natives, including an unusual turn-out of women, who were dressed in gayest attire. The affair consisted of the burning of a great number of effigies of various kinds in honor of the goddess, who had graciously prospered the remedies used. There were nine effigies of divinities, representing not only the Goddess of Small-Pox, but those of nursing, parturition, descendants, measles, sore-eyes, &c. These figures, with others representing servants, &c., placed in twenty-seven sedan-chairs, and accompanied by effigies of horses, attendants, food, on tables, &c., were borne in great state to the place named and burned with much ceremony. The effigies were air made of sorghum stalks, covered with silk and paper of various colors, exhibiting much ingenuity and having a very showy appearance. Besides the goddesses and their attendants, in chairs, there were the mounted attendants, a dozen pairs of banners and state parasols, thirteen pavilions, with food and fruit, eighty-four tabhs, bearing clothing, nine large boats, (for ferriage over the Chinese Styx perhaps,) and three hundred trays of various articles useful to complete an outfit in the next world. These numerous simulacra, costing, it is said, several hundred thousand taels, were all consigned to the flames, translated, like Elijah, in a chariot of fire to the region of spirits.

There seems to be no doubt that this expensive offering was efficacious, for the Emperor is reported to be convalescent. He has, however, taken a hundred days’ respite from the cares of state, lasting from December 9 to March 18. The edict naming the Empress-Mothers as regents has been already forwarded. As soon as the disease appeared, the government made preparations for putting the throne in commission. On the 22d of December the edict referred to was followed by one giving the various orders necessary to carry out details, chiefly ceremonial, [Page 246] which are confided to the princes, (inclosure 1.) There are four princes imperial, all of them brothers of the late Emperor Hienfung, and having, of course, great influence in affairs of state. Their names are Tun, Kung, Ch’un, and Fau, all of them under forty-five years of age. In addition to this edict, the Peking Gazette, of December 24, contained four others in relation to similar matters, three of which, by a state figment, are issued by the Emperor at the order of the Empress Dowagers, and are supposed to give their commands. The first of the four is from the Emperor, and states that, on the outbreak of his disease, he was reverently obliged for the protecting care of their majesties for his person, in the least particular of which care they did not fail, even when it involved on their part sympathy and personal exertion of the highest degree, and a personal oversight and decision on all the various reports and memorials sent in from the provinces and boards. For all this extraordinary care His Majesty directs the board of rites to examine the statutes and select an appropriate title for each of them. This will indicate his sense of the great affection and care in the trying circumstances. The names and honorary titles of the empresses are: Her Imperial Majesty the Empress-Dowager Tsz-ngan, upright in liberality and excellent in congratulation; Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager Tsz-hi, upright in protection and excellent in nominating. The first of these ladies was the chief and only empress wife of Hienfung; the second is the present Emperor’s own mother.

The second edict, of which a translation is inclosed, (No. 2,) orders a humane mitigation of criminal penalties, which may or may not be carried into effect, as a token of reverential gratitude on the part of the Emperor. The noble declaration that “it is the first duty of a humane government to pity the multitude of prisoners,” is probably “more honored in the breach than the observance.”

The third edict, of which a precis is given, (inclosure 3,) grants increased pay to the Emperor’s uncles, the princes before named, and various honors and largesses to others. The fourth edict elevates five of the imperial concubines to higher rank and pay in the Emperor’s harem. Altogether, the various edicts referred to afford a curious glimpse of the inner life of the Chinese imperial court, and show how much more solicitude is bestowed upon personal and ceremonial matters than upon the graver responsibilities of power.

I have, &c.,

BENJ. P. AVERY.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 21.—Translation.]

Regulations for carrying on the ritual.

From Peking Gazette of December 22, 1874.

Your majesty’s minister, Prince Tun, and others, kneel and beg to state that they, have carried out the orders received, and now report upon them.

On the 11th instant Prince Kung and others memorialized the throne to the effect that as your majesty had an attack of the small-pox, it was incumbent that complete rest and quiet should be had by withdrawal from cares; and to attain this end the request was made that as to all religious worship and sacrifices at the state temples and altars, audiences to officers introduced by various yamun, and other functions of a ceremonial character which the regulations require, Princes Tun and Fan and the high ministers of the presence be ordered, in conjunction with Prince Kung, to draw up the necessary regulations to carry this into effect.

The imperial rescript was received: “Let it be done as requested.”

These princes and ministers thereupon jointly consulted upon the matter, and carefully [Page 247] blowing the prescribed order for carrying out such things, drew up the following rules, which they reverently submitted to the imperial inspection and humbly awaited their approval. An imperial rescript was received in due course: “Let it be done as requested.”

1.
The great sacrifices observed at the state altars and temples commencing the 9th of December, until the 18th of March next, shall be reverently performed by princes specially deputed for this purpose.
2.
When His Majesty goes to make the New Year’s visit at the Empress-Dowagers’ palace, it is requested that he will himself perform the customary ceremonies.
3.
Officers whom the rules require to be presented at court are to be received at the hall of the inner council by princes or high ministers specially designated for this duty, and such persons are not to wear their peacock plumes until after the 18th of March, Officers who come to the capital from the provinces are to be received and examined by princes or high ministers, and on the next day the general council will send up a report for directions as to their appointments or removals. Officers stationed at the capitol asking for an audience are to be informed that it is for the time deferred-until public notice be given that audiences are granted, when their official cards will-again be handed up.
4.
On the 8th inst. Prince Kung and others personally received His Majesty’s orders that Li-Hung-tsao should receive the replies to memorials daily presented, and reverently inscribe the same upon all memorials. It being now highly important that the sacred person should be relieved from all care, for the sake of quiet, it is requested that the same mode still be observed with respect to the daily documents, and that Li-Hung tsao be directed reverently to inscribe the replies upon them, while Prince Kung do tin same upon those written in Manchu. The proper rescripts will then be applied, for and issued in due course.
5.
Until the 18th of March next, on the occurrence of days of mourning, [for imperial ancestors,] when it will be incumbent for the princes and high ministers to be called into the presence, and also to pass in through the Kien-tsing door, let all those upon whom this duty in any way falls, wear their ordinary court-dress and beads.
6.
Acts of ceremony and ritual of every kind which occur during the twelfth moon of this year and the first moon of next year, ought to be pretermitted, and we now request that all which can may be so done; but whenever it is necessary to appoint a substitute to reverently perform such as must be done, at the proper time we will accordingly report upon it, and an officer can be deputed. As to arrangements within the palace and making out lists, we will consult upon the proper names to be inserted which shall be submitted for His Majesty’s decision.
7.
It being customary at New Year’s time to bestow honorary autograph tablets containing the character for happiness or longevity, His Majesty will appoint Hanlin scholars of the south library reverently and carefully to write them.
8.
The Mongolian princes and beys who come annually intheir turn to Peking, each having their appropriate duties and requirements, are to be received, and their wants attended to, according to the statutes and usages, for which His Majesty’s orders will be requested at the proper time.
9.
It is proper to request that the state banquets which are usually conferred shall be for the time omitted; but the donatives and largesses which are always granted to the tribes beyond the frontiers and to envoys coming from Core a and other countries, shall be distributed as usual according to the statutes.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 21—Translation.]

An imperial ediet.

From Peking Gazette of December 24, 1874.

We have received the following gracious commands from their majesties the Empress-Dowagers Tsz-ngan and Tsz-hi:

His Imperial Majesty having had the fortune of an attack of the small-pox this month, we have looked upward, trusting in the unseen protection of the Empyrean that all would be entirely prosperous and lucky, and, therefore, Our reverential gratitude for the results is very deep. Reflecting in consequence that the first duty of a humane government is to pity the multitude of prisoners, it is but right that on this occasion a special exhibition of favor be shown and extraordinary grace be manifested.

Let, therefore, the board of punishments and the provincial tribunals take all those cases already examined, where the criminals are still detained in prison, (not including heinous, unpardonable crimes, and those usually set down as beyond revision,) and consult upon them, in conjunction with the ministers of the general council and of the board of punishments, considering carefully their various degrees of guilt, and afterward [Page 248] presenting the list to His Majesty’s inspection, with a view to their melioration and discharge.

Prisoners who have been sentenced to various degrees of exile and banishment, and to bambooing, or other lesser punishments, should also all be alike mitigated, or their eases ended at once, in order that the dew of this special grace may soon reach them, and they be able to enter at once upon a new course of life.

By this means Our tender care for the myriads of our people will be manifested, and our earnest desire that kindness may be shown them beyond what the law allows. Respect this

[Inclosure 6 in No. 21—Translation.]

An imperial edict.

Precis of a third decree of the same date

We have been honored by the following gracious edict from their Imperial Majesties the Empress Dowagers:

His Majesty having been, by the unseen protection of the Empyrean, happily brought through an attack of the small-pox, for which the whole empire is rejoiced, it is meet that unusual grace be shown and largesses be granted to many persons.

Let Prince Tun and Prince Chun both receive double the stipend allotted to a prince imperial, and Prince Kung three times the stipend, he having now twice the legal allowance; let the two princes royal, Fan and Hwui, receive the stipend of princes imperial; let the two beili princes, Tsai-ching and Tsai-chi, have their stipends increased to equal that of a prince royal; that of three other ministers of the presence increased to that of a beili’s, with additions to the stipends of two Mongolian princes.

Let the four members of the general council (Wàn-siang, Pao-yun, Shun Kwél-Fàn, and Li Hung-tsao) all receive double-eyed peacock feathers, as well as Ying-kwéi and Chunglun of the imperial clan office, and Kwēi-ling of the censorate. Let the vice-president, Yung-luh, be made junior guardian of the heir apparent, and Ming-shen be advanced to be senior guardian; both of them, with Kwéī-pao and Wan-tsz, to wear double-eyed peacock feathers, as also may the acting president, Kwang-shau, the vice-president, Sü Tung, and the brevet minister, Yung Tung-yuh.

Besides the above-mentioned, and other heads of various boards who are promoted, and three who are promised advancement on the first vacancy, the decree closes with:

“Let all princes and dukes and officiate at the capital, of every grade, have two steps conferred on them in the roll of merit, and all the soldiers in the eight banners and infantry receive half a month’s pay. In this way Our earnest desire to exhibit the kind and gracious feelings of this occasion will be shown. Respect this.”