Page:China Under the Empress Dowager - ed. Backhouse and Bland - 1914.pdf/188

 ancient Empire from the evils of a barbarian civilisation. It was speedily arranged that the guards in the Forbidden City should be replaced by men from Jung Lu's own corps, and that, in the meantime, he should return to his post in Tientsin and await further orders. The conference broke up at about midnight. The Emperor was due to enter the Chung Ho Hail of the Palace at 5.30 the next morning to peruse the litany drawn up by the Board of Rites, which he was to recite next day at the autumnal sacrifice to the Tutelary Deities. After leaving that hall, he was seized by the guards and eunuchs, conveyed to the Palace on the small island in the middle of the lake (the "Ocean Terrace") and informed that the Empress Dowager would visit him later. The following Decree was thereupon issued by the Empress Dowager in the Emperor's name:—

"The nation is now passing through a crisis, and wise guidance is needed in all branches of the public service. ourselves have laboured diligently, night and day, to perform  innumerable duties, but in spite of all  anxious energy and care  are in constant fear lest delay should be the undoing of the country.  now respectfully recall the fact that Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager has on two occasions since the beginning of the reign of H. M. T'ung-Chih, performed the functions of Regent, and that in her administrations of the Government she displayed complete and admirable qualities of perfection which enabled her successfully to cope with every difficulty that arose. Recollecting the serious burden of the responsibility  owe to  ancestors and to the nation,  have repeatedly besought Her Majesty to condescend once more to administer the Government. Now she has graciously honoured  by granting  prayer, a blessing indeed for all  subjects. From this day forth Her Majesty will transact the business of Government in the side hall of the Palace, and on the day after to-morrow ourselves at the head of  Princes and Ministers shall perform obeisance before Her in the Hall of Diligent Government. The Yamêns concerned shall respectfully make the arrangements necessary for this ceremonial. The words of the Emperor."

Another Decree followed close upon the above, cashiering the Censor Sung Po-lu, on the ground of his generally evil reputation and recommendation of bad characters (i.e.