Tue father of His Imperial Majesty the of the last Emperor but one (Hien-fung), Emperor of China, Prince Chin, brother uncle of the late Emperor Mng-chih, Lord High Admiral of China, &c., &c., has just been graciously pleased to come forward as an author. A short sea journey by steamer from Taku to Port Arthur, Wei-hai Wei, Chefoo, and back may not seem a very great event to Europeans who are in the habit of making ocean voyages almost every year of their lives, but the occurrence is portentous in the Manchu annals as being perhaps the very first time that a prince of the reigning dynasty has entrusted himself in anything larger than a river ferry-boat. Add to this the facts that the Manchus proper see and know as little of the sea as the Swiss; that the imperial princes have scarcely ever left Peking since the first conquests (except to go north on hunting excursions); that the Prince who has now made the exception is the Emperor's father; and that the vessels in which he has travelled are steam monsters introduced by the despised barbarian; and it will be seen that the event is sufficiently unique to call forth the quaint imperial muse in commemoration of it. It is not likely that all the poems published in the present thirty-cent pamphlet were actually comby his Imperial Highness; and indeed the names of two Chekiang scholars are given as editors: the probability is that the ideas are all those of the Prince, and that the errors or excresconces in rhyme and literary taste, (which the mutilated nature of the Peking dialect renders almost unavoidable), have been well pruned and rounded off by the two polished scholars of the south,—rich in rhymes, rich in divers and picturesque tones. The first poem is in reply to one from the Grand Secretary Pao-yun, who sent a valedictory ode to the Prince. The last two Jines are so profound and obscure that the Prince has to explain the references contained therein, which are to the capture of King Theebaw by the British, and the offer of a certain foreign military officer to take service with China. The second poem was called forth by the visit from his brother, the Tenth Prince, who came to say good-bye on a wet day. Then follows another reply to the indefatigable Grand Secretary Pao-yun, who came to wish the Prince God-speed_on the eve of his departure from Peking. The fourth represents the reflections in which the Prince indulged as he left the "summit "of what is good"
"Oh! This China of four thousand years and more Whose civilisation and excellence extend to the utmost parts!
What a change has taken place with the course of fate!
During five reigns the sadness of our dynasty hus been undispelled.
What credit to us,—their crossing seas and continents on these terms?
How different from the forms of submission in the time of Ya!
I fear that my abilities are unequal to our great tasks, But at least I have enjoyed the benefit of Her Majesty's counsel.
'A note explains that the "barbarian envoys" have brought their tribute without following the proper ancient forms ever since the reign of Kia-king. Perhaps this language may be excused on the ground that literary elegance requires that foreigners must be called "barbarians." 'I'he embarkation at Trung-chou, the gliding down the river at night, the anchoring at Ma-tion village, the meeting of a steam-latch sent to welcome him, his first trip on board of a steam-launch, the anchoring at Yang Ts'un, and the visit of welcome from the Viceroy Li at P'u-kou, form the successive subjects of the next effusions. Then come the passing by Tientsin city, the putting up at the Haikwang Sz Monastery, and the exhibition of the electric light after dinner. The audience granted to the eleven Consular officers calls forth a poem which deserves quoting in full Jnbber-jabber, what a clatter of uncouth sounds to the ear One cannot accept all that General Tib said of the ends of the earth, But, barring a dotting of the hat, they have no other courtesies And what on earth is the history of this clipping of the hair!
Our gallant Tartar-General stands here in his plumes.
There stands our Grand Secretary of eight-bearer quality.
It is really too ridiculous this interpretation scene And then each man is followed by a walking-stick There is a doubt about the last line, which may refer to the swords worn with full-dress wnifonm. 'The Prince explains in a note that he now "understands that, previous to the Freach Napoleon the st, the custom was to wear the hair in a queue, and that the Japanese have rendered. usselves the' butt of wise men by imitating the western costume." The Prince received his guests standing, supported by the Tartar Lieut.-General Shen and the Viceroy Li. After this, come @ to the Military College, a sail in the Haean to and the anchoring off the forts. looks out upon the sea, the Prince exclaims My journey afloat on a naval review is no great achievement Compared with the wandering, of Chang Kien in search of new lands."
The sail to Port Arthur was enlivened by Mr. William Foster's pianoforte recital and singing, which touched the Prince's heart, and made him feel as sentimental as the philosopher Chu did whenever he heard the chiming of bells. The views of the islands, visits from the Chinese commandants at Port Arthur, telephone practice at that stronghold, review of troops, photography, etc., employ the Prince's pen until the gallant Admiral Hamilton suddenly appears uninvited upon the scene From ancient times diplomatic intercourse has been our pride Let us not make our pride in exhibitions of warlike power Thanks for coming so far, the bearer of your country's behests, And for your conversation relating to untutored lands.
genuine, and you will reach the genuine hearts of others If you have hidden motives you cause mien to stand aloof The explanatory note says: "He came to see me with ten men-of-war under his command. I told him that China and England must both perfect their drill, and ever cultivate the blessings of peace, so as to preserve a good general situation in Asia,; to which he said:—Quite so.'" There are two more lines having reference to a photograph, in which the three exalted officers stood as before, "and we put Admiral Ting on the left, and Hamilton on the right, with the other officers, seamen, foreigners, etc., ranged according to rank." After witnessing Krupp gun and torpedo practice, the Prince starts for Wei-hai Wei, and is delighted with the spectacle a mirage on the way "Lhave heard much about the mirage, But I never read of it without " certain doubt.
What a coincidence! On the very day I sail I get a glimpse of fairyland, Houses and towers come and go, Mountains and trees appear and dise appear 5 As though I were conversing with the spirits.
Ahnne Life is just as fleeting One night at sea, arrival in Chefoo, and visits from the incoming and outgoing Governors of Shantung and from Admiral Riewnier now follow "As regards receiving visits from Western officers, His Excellency Li first tells them that the Prince's rank precludes him from offering them a seat, or returning their visits, which he himself and General Shen duly acknowledge. In thus exalting me they very properly uphold China's: dignity: Starting at night-time from Chefoo, the party arrive at Taku, and witness more torpedo pra The Prince here recalls, (in somewhat impenetrable lan-rage), previous unpleasant events at: taku, when Prince Sangkolinsin " vowed he would never retire alive, but at last did his patriotic duty in that sense in compliance with the Emperor's ande A storm breaks out directly after hi arrival, and the Prince returns thanks for protection at the ''ample of Neptune. He then inspects the docks, enjoys a view of Koku, reaches his old quarters at Tientsin, and holds a review.
"Barbarians and Chinese of both sexes flock to see me." He visits the Arsenal, the Shrine of a faithful Sung statesman who resisted the Prince's own ancestors, the Golden Horde of Niichén Tartars, enjoys a brisk sail up the river to Pu-kon, and a chat with General Shen; gets a fine view of "that old city" Chang-chia Wan, and reaches Teng-chou in safety. The little volume winds up with some elegancies by the Viceroy Li, the Secretary Paoyiiu, and others. Taken altogether, this collection of metrical experiences is not com posed in an easy style: perhaps it ig
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.