E-text prepared by Henry Flower
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
([http://www.pgdp.net])
from page images generously made available by
Internet Archive
([https://archive.org])

Note: Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See [ https://archive.org/details/middlekingdomsu01will]

[Transcriber's Note]

Images with blue borders are linked to higher-resolution versions of the illustrations. Move the cursor onto the image and click to see the higher-resolution image.

Some characters might not display in this html version (e.g., empty squares.) If so, the reader should consult the original page images noted above.

Large tables have been reformatted to fit smaller screens.

Page headers are formatted as sidenotes.

[In the drawing is represented the Emperor Hienfung, attended by his principal ministers, kneeling before the shrine of Hwang-tien Shangtí. Though no foreigner has witnessed this ceremony, a few words concerning this native representation will make plain the chief objects of worship.]

Upon the triple altar, or Tien Tan (Volume I., p. [76]), the central temporary shrine is dedicated to Hwang-Tien Shangtí, or ‘Imperial Heaven’s Ruler above.’ Upon the Emperor’s right, nearest the chief pavilion, are tablets to his ancestors, Tienming, Shunchí, Yungching, and Kiaking; the corresponding opposite house is similarly devoted to Tientsung, Kanghí, Kienlung, and Taukwang. The small buildings behind and below these are the Taming chí Wei, the ‘Altar of the Sun’ or ‘Great Luminary’ (on the right), and the Ye-ming chí Wei, or ‘Altar of the Night Luminary.’ The last structure on the worshipper’s right contains tablets to the Chau-tien Sing, or ‘All Stars;’ to the Urh-shih pat Suhsing, or ‘Twenty-eight Constellations in the Ecliptic;’ to the Peh-tan Sing, or Ursa Major; and to the Muh, Kin, Shui, Fo, and Tu, or Five Elements—‘Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth.’ Facing this building on the left are shrines to Siueh-sz’, Yü-sz’, Fung-sz’, and Lui-sz’, the superintendents of Snow, Rain, Wind, and Thunder.

IMPERIAL WORSHIP OF SHANGTI ON THE ALTAR OF HEAVEN AT PEKING.

FROM A CHINESE PAINTING

論總國中