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Daphnis left the herd to Alexis, and led his friend through meadows, by the grove of Terminus, hung with the clustering hop. They continued their way. On the right of the narrow path, the grass reached their knees. On the left, the corn grew; the ears waving above their shoulders. They came to the calm shades of fruitful trees, among which a neat cottage stood. In this cool and pleasant place, Daphnis spread a small table, and brought a basket of fruit, and a refreshing jug of wine.

"Tell me," said Micon," where is the monument thy father built, that the first cup may be emptied to the memory of so worthy a man ?”

"Here, friend," answered Daphnis, "this peaceful abode, what thou now beholdest, is the monument of his fame. This was once a barren place; his industry made it fruitful; his hand planted these orchards; to him our thanks, we, who are his children, and all our descendants, for all our enjoyments, for all the good we give and receive, for these to him our thanks are due. The blessing of the virtuous man rests upon us, and fructifies these fields, these meadows, and these silent groves."

"Here is to thy memory, then, Oh, noble shade !" said Micon, and emptied his cup. "Oh worthy monument, conducive to the prosperity of virtuous descendants, the founder of which, though dead, is still beneficent!"

It seems to me that a better passage could not have been selected from the works of the poet, for the monument erected to his memory: nor could it have been trusted to a more masterly hand than that of Trippel, who, recollecting that his labours were for the Lonour of a countryman, must have found his faculties roused; and it is evident that he executed his task

conamore.

At present this monument is placed under a large awning, on the great walk; and it is intended to be erected in a circular grove on this very walk; which is beautiful and very much frequented, particularly every Sunday

after dinner. In the afternoon, on Thursday, the youth of Zurich are accustomed to assemble here. It is a spacious place, adorned with the linden, poplar, wild ash, and other trees; and lies between the Siehl and the Limmat, which, at the end of the walk, fall into each other. The minister Bodmer delighted in this walk. I remember having seen him here, surrounded and respected by the young and the old.

SECT. CIX.

STOLBERG.

PRESENTATION OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE CHINESE EMPEROR, AT HIS SUMMER RESIDENCE IN TARTARY.

On the day of the ambassador's presentation to the emperor, most of his family attended. No marked preference was perceptible, or extraordinary respect shewn to any one of them above the rest. On that morning, the ambassador and gentlemen of the embassy went before day-light, as was announced to be proper, to the garden of the palace of Zhe-hol. The emperor was indeed expected not long after the dawn of day. This hour of meeting, so different from that of nations which had passed through the various stages of civilization, to the period of indolence and luxury, brought back to recollection the usual hunting occupation of this people, whose daily chase began as soon as the rising sun enabled them to perceive and pursue their prey.

Before the emperor's arrival, the ambassador's small tent was filled with a succession of persons, whom curiosity excited, or civility induced to visit him. Among them was a brother of the emperor, a plain unaffected man, somewhat above the middle size, and past the middle age; two of the emperor's sons, and as many grandsons; the former well looking men, courteous and inquisitive; the latter young, tall, and remarkably handsome. Soon after daylight, the sound of several instruments, and the confused voices of men at a dis

tance, announced the emperor's approach. He soon appeared from behind a high and perpendicular mountain, skirted with trees, as if from a sacred grove, preceded by a number of persons busied in proclaiming aloud his virtues and his power. He was seated in a sort of open chair, or triumphant car, borne by sixteen men, and was accompanied and followed by guards, officers of the household, high flag and umbrella bearers, and music. He was clad in plain dark silk, with a velvet bonnet, in form not much different from the bonnet of Scotch Highlanders; on the front of it was placed a large pearl, which was the only jewel or ornament he appeared to have about him.

On his entrance into the tent, he immediately mounted the throne by the front steps, consecrated to his use alone. The princes of his family, the tributaries and great officers of state being already arranged in their respective places in the tent, the president of the tribunal of rites conducted the ambassador, who was attended by his page, and Chinese interpreter, and accompanied by the minister plenipotentiary, near to the foot of the throne on the left hand side, which, according to the usages of China, so often the reverse of those of Europe, is accounted the place of honour.

The ambassador held the large and magnificent square box of gold, adorned with jewels, in which was inclosed his majesty's letter to the emperor, between both hands lifted above his head; and in that manner ascending the few steps that led to the throne, and bending on one knee, presented the box, with a short address to his Imperial Majesty, who graciously receiving the same with his own hands, placed it by his side, and expressed "the satisfaction he felt at the testimony which his Britannic Majesty gave to him of his esteem and good will, in sending him an embassy, with a letter and rare presents; that he, on his part, entertained sentiments of the same kind towards the sovereign of Great Britain, and hoped that harmony should always be maintained among their respective subjects."

This mode of reception of the representative of the king of Great Britain was considered by the Chinese court, as particularly honourable and distinguished: ambassadors being seldom received by the emperor on his throne, or their credentials delivered by them into his own hands, but into that of one of his courtiers. These distinctions, so little material in themselves, were, however, understood by this refined people, as significant of a change in the opinions of their government in respect to the English, and made a favourable impression upon their minds.

His Imperial Majesty, after a little more conversation with the ambassador, gave, as the first present from him to his majesty, a gem, or precious stone, as it is called by the Chinese, and accounted by them of high value. It was upwards of a foot in length, and curiously carved into a form intended to resemble a sceptre, such as is always placed upon the Imperial throne, and is considered as emblematic of prosperity and

peace.

The Chinese etiquette requiring that ambassadors should, besides the presents brought in the name of the sovereign, offer others on their own part, his excellency, and the minister, or, as the Chinese called him, the inferior ambassador, respectfully presented theirs, which his Imperial Majesty condescended to receive, and gave in return others to them. Those presents were probably, on both sides, less valuable in the estimation of the receivers than in that of the donors; but were mutually acceptable, upon the consideration of being tokens of respect on the one part, and of favour and good will upon the other.

During these ceremonies, his Imperial Majesty appeared perfectly unreserved, cheerful, and unaffected. Far from being of a dark and gloomy aspect, as he had been sometimes represented, his eyes were full and clear, and his countenance open. Such, at least, it appeared during the whole time of the interview with the ambassador, which was lengthened by the necessity of interpreting whatever was said by either party,

which rendered the communication extremely tedious. His Imperial Majesty, adverting to the inconvenience arising from such a circumstance, inquired from Hochoong-taung, whether any person of the embassy understood the Chinese language; and being informed that the ambassador's page, a boy then in his thirteenth year, had alone made some proficiency in it, the ambassador had the curiosity to have the youth brought up to the throne, and desired him to speak Chinese. Either what he said, or his modest countenance, or manner, was so pleasing to his Imperial Majesty, that he took from his girdle a purse, hanging from it for holding areca nut, and presented it to him.

Purses are the ribbands of the Chinese monarch, which he distributes as rewards of merit among his subjects; but his own purse was deemed a mark of personal favour, according to the ideas of Eastern nations, among whom any thing worn by the person of the sovereign, is prized beyond all other gifts. It procur ed for the young favourite the notice and caresses of many of the mandarines, while others perhaps envied his good fortune. This Imperial purse is not at all magnificent, being of plain yellow silk, with the figure of the five clawed dragon, and some Tartar characters, worked into it.

Throughout the day the Emperor's attention to his European guests did not abate. During the repast, he sent them several dishes from his own table; and, when it was over, he sent for them, and presented with his own hands to them, a goblet of warm Chinese wine, not unlike Madeira of an inferior quality. He asked the ambassador the age of his own sovereign: of which being informed, he immediately replied, that he heartily wished him to equal himself in years, which had already amounted to eighty-three, and with as perfect health. He was indeed yet so hale and vigorous, that he scarcely appeared to have existed as many years (fifty-seven) as in fact, he had governed the empire. When the festival was entirely over, and he descended from his throne, he marched firm and erect,

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