(2) In a Decree published by the Emperor it is declared that when he ascended to the Throne in his childhood, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager ruled the country as Regent. For many years in an unexampled manner she gave herself to the severest labour, toiling day and night and Knowing no rest. When two years ago the Emperor began to govern in person, Her Majesty affectionately consented to exercise supervision over his acts, and still continues her arduous toil, Her Majesty has now decreed that in the second month of next year he shall assume complete control of the State, Appreciating Her Ma: jours feelings of thoughtful humility, filled in his heart with mingled sentiments of gratitude and distress, as he reflects that, devoting herself to the ood of the State, Hler Majesty. has on for thirty years consumed by trouble and anxiety without the Ree ibility of an instant's repose. As Her has with kindly words again been pleased to make known her commands, he cannot dare to disobey. With awe and care he will give his whole heart to the multitudinous affairs of the nation, hoping to repay the love of Her Majesty, his holy mother, who nurtured and instructed him, But as in these times of difficulty the weight upon his shoulders will be doubly heavy, he hopes and trusts that the officers of the Government, great and small, will share his feeling of responsibility, and continue unswervingly to afford him their most loyal assistance. In conclusion he desires the Yaméns concerned to consider carefully what ceremonies should be performed on the occasion of his assumption of sole power,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.