Sept. 10th.—A Vermilion Decree, Bo made known to all the Princes and Ministers in the Court that from the time ent, on the 26th day of the first moon of when We personally assumed the govern-
last year (23rd February, 1873) until now, or speech has been held by Us with noo of Kung, his language has boon in very many respects unbecoming. We ordain that. by special grace ti substituted (for other contemplated punish ment?) deprivation of his Imperial Princedom of the first class with hereditary succession in the same degree for ever, an that he be reduced to the grade of Wang (Prince of the second degree), still continuing to do duty as a member of the Grand Council of State, Teal-cheng also (eldest son of the Prince of Kung) to be deprived of his rank as Beileh Hein Wang, by way of punishment and admonition.
(2) A Decree, Whorons a mandate was heretofore issued directing the Comptrollers of the Household to commence the restoration of the more important portions of the works at Yuan-ming Yuan; what was intended, was to provide a place for the entertainment and temporary lodgment of their Majesties the two Empresses-dowager, to the end that their comfort be secured and [Our] filial regard be satisfied. Since the operations were begun in the course of the present year, We have inspected them in person several times, and have perceived the works to be of such vast proportions as to forbid their completion within any limit. period, Inasmuch as at the present tin the resources [of the people} are embarrassed and financial supplies are deficient,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.