The reign of Kang Hsi, the second ruler of the Tsing dynasty, is famous as the longest recorded in' Chinese history, and the completion of its sixtieth anniversary, in 1721 was commemorated by a national fete on the highest scale of Imperial Splendour. Doubtless the details of this event are duly recorded in Chinese archives, but it was not until they were in great pant repeated on another, and scarcely less august, occasion thirty-one years afterwards that the Western world. caught even a glimpse of their pomp and magnificence.
1752, Kang Hai's grandson Kien Lung then occupying the throne, the Empress-mother completed her sixtieth year, and as it had been an ancient custom to celebrate such an anniversary with national rejoice ings, it was resolved that the proceedings should be on a par with those carried out on the previous occasion. Of the actual fete there exist but the scantiest particulars, nut the account of the preparations is full of curious and interesting matters.
Kien Lung was: then sojourning with his mother at his suburban "house of pleasure," about twelve miles from Peking, and the main feature of the occasion was to be the procession, of almost more than mortal state, in which both were to proceed from their private residence to the palace in the centre of the Tartar district of the city. The governing idea seems to have been that the Imperial yaze should encounter nothing which had ever been profaned by the eyes of the vulgar. Both palace and country-house were, of course, surrounded by their own extensive gardens, and it was determined to invest the entire route with the same characteristics. In short, the Imperial progress was to be made from end to end through a garden specially created. The last three months of 1751 were devoted to this work: a period none too long, but that half the nation seem to have been concerned in it, All the painters, sculptors, architects, builders, carpenters, and gardeners of Peking and the neighbouring. provinees were engaged in their several departments, with the one object of charming the eyes and ears of the most voluptuous Court in the universe." Modern eyes are sufficiently familiar with the fantastic features of Chinese landscape gardening. Our old friend the willow-pattern plate presents us with a typical condensation of them, and we have only to expand and adapt the idea to scenic requirements. This system was applied to the whole line to be traversed by the process sion, and the domestic and commercial frontages on the way were completely masked by built up" scenery, much of which was made realistically ' practical ble." In its course appeared many'solid buildings, peristyles, pavilions, colonnades, galleries, and amphitheatre, surmounted. with costly trophies and banners. The most important of these were studded with artificial gems, while the general effect was heightened by the lavish employment of mirrors of polished metal. As the ground lent itself to the purpose, mountains and valleys, lakes with islands and bridges, and trees, and fountains were introduced, To other portions of the route a wilder character was given; rocks arose, and wild' beasts appeared, represen! ed by children dressed in skin sand trained for the occasion: The more regular garden vistas were amply stocked with property " fruit-trees and flowers.
'The Peiho river was available for about third of the route, and its utilization would obviously give a distinct note of variety both to scenery and equipage. Accordingly, both banks of the stream were speedily covered with buildings' of every possible character, which gave a striking pleasure to the beholders." Wherever the river broadened or curved, houses, theatres, and galleries were erepted on piles, to
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.