From the time that the Dowager appeared to with power, ten years ayo, the has never' vigorously pushed himself to grasp power or control affairs. Hence some of his grent officials wrote him down " weakling.—Although he might be clever, he could not, they said, inspire awe, When however he decided on goveroment reform, he was not afraid te oppose the great, Ministers, When ho promulgated his intentions, he at ove Aemned his vicious xervaets, who had ved him. He moreover at once selected and taloned Ministers, and rards and paanishments, like rain torrents in a tertilic thunderstorm, Therefore, it is obvious that, of old, he did not direct' strong Government because he had not the opportunity. He therefore feigned stupidity and incompetence, and waited a favourable opportunity." The hour he began to prove his perspicuity and direct the nation, he was dethroned. From this, it is evident, that during the last ten years, he simply chose obscurity and patiently bore disgrace, because it was his only possible course,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.