278 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XVIII. 
table at the side of his bed, and the little lamp "was 
standing by the side of it. The heavy fumes of opium 
still filled the apartment, and made me glad to get out 
into the open air. 
What a change was now presented to my view ! I 
had been looking on a pitiable depraved specimen of 
man — " the lord of creation f I now looked on creation 
itself The air was cool, soft, and refreshing, as it blows 
at this time of the year from the south, and consequently 
comes over the sea. The dew was sparkling on the 
grass, and the birds were just beginning their morning 
song of praise. 
When I returned from a morning stroll I found the 
old mandarin up at breakfast. About this time an edict 
had been promulgated by the new emperor, not only 
condemning opium-smoking, but threatening with severe 
punishment all who indulged in the habit. Any officer 
in the service of Government, who was an opium-smoker, 
was to lose his appointment and also his rank, and the 
disgrace and degradation were to be extended to his 
family and children for some generations. But the 
most curious part of the proceeding remains to be told, 
and shows -how very considerate his Celestial Majesty is 
to his subjects in matters of this kind. The celebrated 
edict was not to be enforced for some months. The 
opium-smoker had begun the year smoking, and he was 
to be allowed to continue to smoke until its close ! Of 
course an edict of this kind was sure to create a con- 
siderable sensation, not only amongst the Chinese, but 
also amongst the importers of the drug. The best 
