Peking, Dec. 2.
The officials in charge of ceremonial affairs at the Presidential Palace are now busy preparing for the great function to take place at the Altar of Heaven at the Winter Solstice. I understand December 23 will be the day upon which President Yuan Shih-kai will give an account of his stewardship to Heaven, and prior to that date the whole ceremony will be carefully rehearsed by those who will take conspicuous place in it. So far as can b> gathered foreigners will not be admitted, though there are many curious ones who will do their utmost to obtain a view of the In deeoribing the old ceremony Professor Robert K. Douglas haa written that, "On the evening before the winter solstice the emperor is borne in carriage
cincts of the temple, whence, after offer-drawn by elephants to the mystic preing incense to Shangti, the Suprem Ruler,' and to his ancestors, he proceed to the hall of penitential fasting. Th he remains until 4.45 a.m., when, dressed in his sacrificial robes, he ascends to the second terrace. This la the signal for setting fire to the whole burnt sacrifice, which consists of a bullock of two years old and without blemish. The Supreme Ruler having been thus invoked, the emperor goes up to the highest terrace, and offers incense before the sacred shrine, and that of his ancestors. the same time, after having knelt thrice, and prostrated himself ni he offers bundlen of silk, jade cups, and other gifts in lowly sacrifice. A prayer is then read by an attendant minister, while the emperor kneels in adoration, to an accompaniment of music and dancing. While the remains on his knees, officers appointed for the.purpose present to him the flesh of Tap. wines and the cup of happiness.' Thrice he prostrates himself before the sacred then receives them with solemn sacrifice the emperor office of Vice-regent of and by common consent is acknowledged to be the ce-ordinate of Heaven and Earth, amd the representative of man in the trinity of—which those two powers form the other persons.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.