No. 65.
Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.
Peking, March 22, 1873. (Received May 23.)
Sir: Among the many duties devolving upon the Emperor of China after he enters upon the active duties of his high office, a visit to the tombs of his ancestors, to offer sacrifices according to Confucian rites, is not the least important.
It is now announced that the present Emperor will make such a visit early in April, starting on the 1st and returning on the 9th proximo. It is understood that one of the objects of the visit is to select an appropriate location for this sovereign’s tomb. He will be accompanied on the journey by the princes and other high officers in the capital and vicinity, and the cortege will be escorted by a large body of troops. The imperial tombs are distant about one hundred miles from Peking.
An imperial decree issued a few days since names a prince, one grand secretary, two presidents of boards, and one high military officer, who will jointly have charge of all governmental affairs during the Emperor’s absence. The proposed excursion is, in the estimation of the Chinese, an important event in the history of the young Emperor; it will be the first time His Majesty has ventured outside the walls of Peking since his return here from Jehol in 1862.
I have, &c.,