April 22nd.—The Board of War petitions the Emperor to appoint officers to see that the day of abstinence is properly observed, and His Majesty nominates eight officials for that purpose—The Sacrificial Board also petition the Emperor to appoint a Reader of Prayers for the occasion, and His Majesty confers that appointment upon K'hing-fuh 3 ie)
(2) Paon Yuen-shin a) A by 3) presents a supplementary petition. Chang Shoo-ping informs the petitioner that in the 9th year of the present reign he received the Imperial commission to enlist six Cantonments of troops to protect the River in Shanse province; and he has now occupied his post for three years. Clu the past winter he received frequent communications from his mother, whose thoughts were constantly reverting to him, and who resides in the distant province of Kéang-soo. Owing, however, to the sover rity of the winter, and the importance of his duties, he could not venture to ask for leave of absence. Now, the ice being melted, and business being lax, he asks for three months leave to visit his mother. He puts an officer in his place, to discharge his duties during ence. His Majesty grants the petitic (8) Paon Yuen-shin (fff BR YR) De-Ralf of Lo K'hing-ngaou, tie Treasurer of uty Governor of Shanse, petitions on be-
the province. The Emperor gave pert sion to this official to return to his native place and put on mourning for the death of his mother, and allowed him 100 day: leave of absence for that purpose (see Gi zetto for April 13th.) The petitioner, however, begs on his behalf, that he may be permitted to resign his office and com-Btajesty declines answering immediately. plete the full period of mourning. His
April 23rd.—The Deputy Governor of Chih-kéang, named Yang Chang-scun, petions in reference to the falling down of the stone embankment at the Eastern sea bar-within the boundary of Neon-sin, This disaster was caused by the violence of the waves, and the petitioner has repaired the damage by degrees, by driving piles and forming a new bank. Also, at the Western sea barrier, within the boundary of Ung-sin, the embankment was destroyed by mountain torrents, and this has been iso repaired by the petitioner in the same way. The petitioner forwards the accounts for these repairs. His Majesty replies that the matter is laid before the Board of the effect that a recently appointed (2) Shwuy-leen-kung-tang petitions to
Taou-tae has arrived at his post. The former Taou-tae of Fung-t'éen-foo, Kin-chow-foo, and the Shan-hae barrier retired from his post in the second month of the past year in consequence of the death of one of his parents, and King-with the Toon-tae of Kéwkéang (JU7T) was ordered to fill the vacancy. His Majesty acknowledges the receipt of the petition.
24th.—The Sacrificial Board presents a petition to the Emperor praying for the appointment of officials to distribute the sacrificial offerings—(see Gazette for April h); and His Majesty has appointed four officers for that purpose. This Board also petitions that Princes may be appuinted to offer prayers and sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, Ancestors, and the Gods of the land. His Majesty has appointed the Princes C'hing (Bf), Vu (ff) Kum (F@), and Shun (JI).
(2)- An Imperial Edict. Wang K'haet'ae petitions with regard to his special duties. He prays that the custom of purchasing office may be abolished, as also the practice of permitting public officers to remain unemployed; that recommendations of officials may be restrained within proper limits as to their number; that former anti-extortion allowances may be continued; that the number of graduates chosen at each examination may be more limited; and that the army may be well Grilled. Each of these suggestions argue ability in the petitioner, and we command the proper Boards to consult carefully on these matters and to report. Respect this, (8) An Edict states that Lew Chang-yew and Fung-tsao have petitioned the Emperor to bestow rewards upon certain officials killed in engagements with the rebels at Sze-ngan-foo and Chin-ngan-foo, and that His Majesty has referred the matter to the proper Board. Respect this, Ming-ngan petitions with regard to the late robbery of the seal of office belonging to the Board of Punishments at Peking. The petitioner states that the thief has been arrested, tried, and condemned to be beheaded; and he prays that both himself and the officers who had charge of this seal may be handed over to the Board for punishment. Four officers
sion, by night. The petitioner frequently are appointed to guard the seal in suecesexhorted these officers to carefulness in the discharge of their duty, and yet, the seal, together with a jacket, were' stolen on the 22nd of the first month of the present midnight. The culprit, it appears, me money to one of the servants of the Board, who was unable to repay him, but told him that the seal of the Board was made of the best silver, and advised him to steal it and repay himaell. The petitioner prays the Emperor to issue order for the punishment of both these men according to their respective deserts, His Majesty orders the Board of Punishments to consult about the case and to r¢ port. (See also Gazette for March 25th.)
25th.—To-morrow the Emperor will pass through the K'éen-tsing-mun and the How-tso-mun gates, and will ascend to the Chung-no-teen' temple to examine the statistics of the Empire. Afterwards His Majesty will return to the palace by the same route. Let all preparations be completed at 8 o'clock a.at.
April 26th,—Shaou Hang-yn FF) the Deputy Governor of Shen-se, presents a petition. Fang K'he-been, the Che-been of Chang-gan, hasbeen promoted to be Deputy prefect of Ning-shen, and the petitioner prays that the vacant -poat may be conferred upon Chang Kwé-kenn the Chehéen of Hwa-yin, in consequence of his superior talents and knowledge of business matters, Whilohe has occupied his present post, he has not appropriated any portion of the taxes to his own private uso, and he has completed all business con nected with his Yamun,—His Majesty refers the case to the Board of Civil Appointment, (2) The post of Che-been of the district ing is vacant, and the same offi-0 Emperor to confer the appointment upon Hoo Yuen-cheon, who present Che-been of Vu-lin, as this official isa scholar, and has never been accused of any irregularity.
27th.—Kug Kwang-tsin the Che-been of Tsing-peen, reports to the same official that the walls of the city, which are more than four lo in circumference, having been much injured by the attacks of the Mahomedan insurgents, and their instant repair being absolutely necessary for the protection of the inhabitants, subscriptions were collected, and the restoration of the wall was commenced on the sixth day of the second mouth of the past year. officer of the first. rank, 28th.—Le He-neon () an
and General for the defence of Wuli-chow of Fah-keen and Chéh-kéang provinces, (ie JH) petitions that the post now vacant, of acting Captain of the Naval force in Dich-fang, may be conferred upon T'sae Hing-pang, who is at present a lieutenant in that service. This officer, although formerly degraded, was again restored to his rank by the Emperor, and has now for a length of time discharged
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.