Domestic Life of the Tai-ping and the Kings. c^2>6 



in most arduous work, they get no pay, but are simply 

 clothed and fed. I remarked an extraordinary number of 

 beautiful young women in elegant silken stuffs from Sutsclian. 

 There were also prisoners of war from Sutschan and other 

 places, who, however, were by no means inclined to lead a 

 very Christian and moral life in the celestial capital. The 

 city of Nankin, as well as its suburb, the beautiful ancient 

 cemetery of the Ning dynasty, and the far-famed porcelain 

 Pagoda, are all utterly destroyed ; instead of the broad well- 

 paved streets of foimer times the stranger has now to pick 

 his steps tlirough heaps of bricks and rubbish. The palaces 

 of the kings of the Tai-ping dynasty are glaringly conspicu- 

 ous among all these ruins. They must have been entirely 

 rebuilt, for the old Yamuns and temples, like the whole of 

 the Tau-Tai City, have been demolished utterly. 



'^ The rebel chief inhabits a large palace. His household 

 consists of 300 female attendants. He also, in virtue of his 

 rank, has 68 wives supported for him. No one but the kings 

 (of whom there are 11 or 12, but only two are resident in 

 Nankin) is permitted to approach his sacred person. Probably 

 Hung is little more than a mere puppet in the hands of his 

 ministers. It is he who mainly keeps the rebellion on foot. 

 Discipline is far better maintained among the long-haired 

 insurgents than the imperial troops, and many of the younger 

 soldiers have pleasing manners. 



" The kings or Wangs, on the other hand^ seem exceedingly 



