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Article ACCOUNT OF KIEN-LONG, EMPEROR OF CHINA. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of Kien-Long, Emperor Of China.
lated vast treasures , as if he still distrusted the hold he has of China , where , indeed , he is considered as a stranger . Throughout Asia , men are not so much distinguished by the places of their nativity , as by the races from which they sprung . Though the Emperor Kieu ,-Long be the fourth in descent from him who successfully invaded China in the last age , and though the last three succeeding generations were ail born in Pekinyet thev are universally regarded bi their
, subjects , and they regard indeed themselves , as Tartars . Their pi incipal ministers , their confidential servants , the chiefs of their armies , most of tlieir wives , concubines , domestics , and eonuchs , are of that race . Every male in China . of-Tartai parents or descent , is allowed a stipend from his birth , aud is registered among the : ervants of the prince . These form his body-guards , to whom his personal safety is f
confided . Such a preerence of iaitars , apparently partial and impolitic , was deemed absolutely necessary in the commencement of the ( h'nasty , ' when the conquest of the country was not complete , and little reliance was to be placed on the fidelity of those who had been vanquished . It became , however , the source of additional disaffec tion , which , in its turn , called for the continuance of the measure which produced it .
' It is still a common saying in the provinces of China where those invaders most abound , that not half a dozen natives are assembled to gather for an hour , before they begin to clamour against the Tartars . The sovereigns of the present dynasty have , hitherto , ostensibly conformed to , rather than exclusively adopted , the Chinese manners ., laws , -and language , [ t is , perhaps , scarcely to be expected that it will continue long enough upon the throne to melt entirely into Chinese
, The present dynasty has already lasted almost as long as the average of those which preceded it . As each , indeed , on ed its origin to talents and " activity , taking advantage of favourable circumstances , so it seldom survived the weak struggle of indolence and incapacity against calamity or disturbance . . The principle of hereditary ri ght , so Ions ? "the support of other thrones , does not appear to have been
ingrafted into the minds of the Chinese , who seem to look to power only , which is a ' less stable tenure , as the foundation of authorit y ; but hitherto the Tartar Princes , of the present dynast }' , have continued to maintain their ' s with a steady and strict hand ; and the desire of perpetuating the stability and uniformity of their government has directed them to the choice of their successors , with a view to effectuate their purpose with the greater certainty . The present
Emperor deiermined some time since upon a measure , which might not be attended with a similar consequence in other countries ; that of resigning his crown , at a period , which , though at that time distant , his vigorous constitution rendered it probable he should survive : thus enabling him to place beyond risk the accession of him whom he miht appoint to be his heir ; and whomwhether his
sonbnag , , y ture or adoption , the sentiments of filial piety , which in China , are not to be shaken even by a throne , as well as those of gratitude and affection , would , engage to follow the example and advice flu ' s predecessor . And it is likely that Kien-Long will have had the gratification of enjoying , in another , the dignity and power he has com muni-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of Kien-Long, Emperor Of China.
lated vast treasures , as if he still distrusted the hold he has of China , where , indeed , he is considered as a stranger . Throughout Asia , men are not so much distinguished by the places of their nativity , as by the races from which they sprung . Though the Emperor Kieu ,-Long be the fourth in descent from him who successfully invaded China in the last age , and though the last three succeeding generations were ail born in Pekinyet thev are universally regarded bi their
, subjects , and they regard indeed themselves , as Tartars . Their pi incipal ministers , their confidential servants , the chiefs of their armies , most of tlieir wives , concubines , domestics , and eonuchs , are of that race . Every male in China . of-Tartai parents or descent , is allowed a stipend from his birth , aud is registered among the : ervants of the prince . These form his body-guards , to whom his personal safety is f
confided . Such a preerence of iaitars , apparently partial and impolitic , was deemed absolutely necessary in the commencement of the ( h'nasty , ' when the conquest of the country was not complete , and little reliance was to be placed on the fidelity of those who had been vanquished . It became , however , the source of additional disaffec tion , which , in its turn , called for the continuance of the measure which produced it .
' It is still a common saying in the provinces of China where those invaders most abound , that not half a dozen natives are assembled to gather for an hour , before they begin to clamour against the Tartars . The sovereigns of the present dynasty have , hitherto , ostensibly conformed to , rather than exclusively adopted , the Chinese manners ., laws , -and language , [ t is , perhaps , scarcely to be expected that it will continue long enough upon the throne to melt entirely into Chinese
, The present dynasty has already lasted almost as long as the average of those which preceded it . As each , indeed , on ed its origin to talents and " activity , taking advantage of favourable circumstances , so it seldom survived the weak struggle of indolence and incapacity against calamity or disturbance . . The principle of hereditary ri ght , so Ions ? "the support of other thrones , does not appear to have been
ingrafted into the minds of the Chinese , who seem to look to power only , which is a ' less stable tenure , as the foundation of authorit y ; but hitherto the Tartar Princes , of the present dynast }' , have continued to maintain their ' s with a steady and strict hand ; and the desire of perpetuating the stability and uniformity of their government has directed them to the choice of their successors , with a view to effectuate their purpose with the greater certainty . The present
Emperor deiermined some time since upon a measure , which might not be attended with a similar consequence in other countries ; that of resigning his crown , at a period , which , though at that time distant , his vigorous constitution rendered it probable he should survive : thus enabling him to place beyond risk the accession of him whom he miht appoint to be his heir ; and whomwhether his
sonbnag , , y ture or adoption , the sentiments of filial piety , which in China , are not to be shaken even by a throne , as well as those of gratitude and affection , would , engage to follow the example and advice flu ' s predecessor . And it is likely that Kien-Long will have had the gratification of enjoying , in another , the dignity and power he has com muni-