II
short of stature, possessing an ordinary Cochin
Chinese physiognomy, and marked by the small
pox. According to Cochin Chinese notions, he is
well-educated; that is to say, he has a considerable
acquaintance with the written language of
China, and with the laws, religion, usages, and etiquette
of that empire, which are viewed as models
by the Cochin Chinese and Tonquinese. His succession
to the throne took place without bloodshed
or opposition; and it is stated that he behaves
towards his relatives not only with forbearance,
but with generosity. None of them are immured,
according to the custom of other Eastern
countries ; and even the pensions paid to them by
his father, which, in accordance with the parsimonious
habits of that prince, were upon a very
wretched scale, have been augmented by him.
His Majesty proceeded in 1B21 to Tonquin, for
the purpose of meeting a Chinese deputy from
the Court of Pekin, and there he received a regular
investiture of the Governments of Tonquin
and Cochin China from the hands of that officer»
as a lieutenant or viceroy of the Emperor. In
the performance of the ceremony, from his servile
partiality to Chinese manners, lie submitted to
the Imperial deputy’s taking rank of him—a concession
which the more manly and independent
spirit of his father had always refused; and'owing
to which, he was never regularly invested, according
to ancient usage,