Mr. Davis's Extracts from the Peking Gazette. 885 



nished. This evil practice, since it exists to such an extent in Ckih-le pro- 

 vince, must also prevail in others : let all the Viceroys and Governors be at 

 the same time directed to examine publicly, and inquire privately into the 

 existence of the abuse, and put an end to it altogether. They must take 

 care that purity prevails generally in the tissue of government, in order 

 that the public courts may be adorned with rectitude, and the accumulation 

 of abuses prevented. 



" Khin-tsze." (Respect this.) 



II. T/ie Emperor jnits off his Journey into Tartary. 

 An Edict written with the vermilion pencil has been respectfully received. 



1st moon, 20th day (19th February). 

 " I, the Emperor, had with feelings of awe appointed the tliird moon 

 for visiting and prostrating myself before the tomb of my father, the pro- 

 foundly wise Emperor,* in order to evince my sincere devotedness of 

 mind. But the province of Chih-le has during the last two years suffered 

 from scarcity ;• and even in the period of want, the strength of the people 

 was weakened by other calamities (probably meaning tlie inundations of 

 1823). I therefore direct that a stop may at present be put to the pre- 

 parations for the intended expedition. Again, with reference to the au- 

 tumnal himt of the present year, I ought to follow the established custom 

 of mv predecessors ; but, at the same time, it is necessary to be guided by 

 the circumstances of the times, and to act in conformity to them. The 

 expedition to Je-ho is also ordered to be delayed for this year: this is an 

 involuntary source of vexation to me ! I should not dare to adopt this 

 measure from a love of ease and indulgence ! 



" The civil and military officers of Chih-le ought to fashion their hearts 

 by mine. Let them punish and expel everything that is irregular and bad; 

 let them advance and encourage the worthy and capable. Every measure 

 that is ])rofitable for the people let them pursue with their whole hearts ; 

 let them extend the principle of soothing and compassionating, in order 

 that my little children may be saved from the extremity of distress, and 



• On the death of every sovereign a posthumous title is conferred : that of Kea-ldng, who 

 died in 1820, is Jin-tsung-juy-)nmng-tc, " tlie benevolent ancestor, the profoundly wise Em- 

 peror." For the Chinese characters see Plate XIII, No. 1. 



3 IC 2 



