The Grst object t" claim attention was a pagoda-shaped structure, worked in silk, nearly thirty feet in height, and borne by sixteen men, on which was hung a satin scroll inscribed in gold with the name, age and titles of the dead man, this beautiful work of art was presented by Sun Chung-tang and other Anhui officials in Peking, as a tribute of respect to their famous fellow-provincial. Following on the pagoda came the white cock in its cage, which is sup.
to lead the spirit of the deceased to its Cestination, accompanying the cock were two hawks, two dogs and four camels, the idea of these being to provide hunting facilities for the dead. After along procession of the usual accomjanimens of all tenerals of men of wealth and rauk, came the gifts presented by the Emperor placed in miniature kiosks to the number of tyen'y, each being borne by four men. 'These were followed by about fifty' wan ming sans" (complime-tary silk um-lirellas), and a large number of flags of various' colours. "These umbrellas and fas were sent from, all over the country by the late Viceroy's admirers and bore inserip'ions in gold, extolling his virtues and sixaci'y. Following on thee came detachments of prie-ts, Lama, Buddhist and T.oist, shawms how cosmop litan is China in the matter of religion. Next came the deceases's official chair and cart, his riding horses and the most highly rized furniture of his private room, all of which were guarded by " small deta-ment of Yuan Shih-k'ai's soldiers. Just in front of the bier, the embroidered canopy of which was very magnificent, walked the two chief mourners, Li Ching-fang, the nephew and adopted son of Li Hung-charly, and his own son, Li Ching-mai. Both w-re dressed deepest mourning, white linen robes over the ordinary white cotton ones, with rope waistbands a'd white caps bound with rope and eac.., supported by two attendants, walked under a white awning. Along the rout-, at certain intervals, were pavilions erected by various yamens desirous of dying honour to the memory of the dead. In each of these were placed a ch.ir on a raised platform, a table front on which was spread a feast and me-nse burners, and as the chief mourners and high officials passed them they entered and burnedincenseand made obeisancetothe spirit of the dead. Behind the bier, which was carried by sixty-four bearers, came the white chairs and carts of the ladies of the family. Lady Li, her young daughter, and the wife of Li Chang-mai were the three chief women mourners, and sometimes they gave vent to their grief in loud wailing which could be heard by the spectators on the roadside. The process sion was two or three miles in length and took nearly two hours to a given point. Prince Ch'un, in his capacity as Tepresentative of the Emperor, and many other Princes and high officials were resent to take part in this, the last scene in the career of one of the greatest states. men China has ever had. The body on its arrival in the province of Anhui will be placed in the family temple until next year, when it will be buried. The reason for this delay is that the burial ground of the Li family faces south and the present year, being considered unlucky for all such, the burial will have to be postponed until the next, which is supposed to be a lucky one, An Epidemic of Fires.
There has been quite an epidemic of fires in Peking during the last day or two. Two days ago ten Ciinese houses were burned down outside the Chien Men and yesterday a fire took place in the French barracks when two or three small buildings were gutted and ammunition exploded, and to-day " large pile of wood took fire in the Austrian Legation. At ime the neighbouring houses seemed in imminent danger, but by the help of the guards of the other Legations and their fire engines this danger was soon averted. Probatly the extreme dryness has something to do with these tires. We have not yet had. any spring rains and the crops have been burned up and the outlook for the farmers is most, gloomy.
The Russian Grand Duke Cyril, cousin of the Csar, arrived in Peking"
yy all the foreign Ministers and several and was received at the station Chinese Princes and high officials. Each Legation sent a guard of honour and also the Chinese. The Grand Duke is to be received in audience by the Emperor and Empress-Dowayer on Friday, and I hear. that he is to enter the palace by the main central gate instead of tue side one, as has hitherto been the custom.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.