rallel or procured in fo fhort a time, in any other country.
Every thing here, in fait, feems to be at the inftant command
o f the ftate; and the moft laborious talks are undertaken and
executed with a readinefs, and even a chearfulnefs, which one
could fcarcely expeit to meet with in fo defpotic a government.
According to the arrangement, on the 21ft o f Auguft, about
three o’clock in the morning, we were prepared to fet out, but
could fcarcely be faid to be fairly in motion till five, and before
we had cleared the city o f ‘Tong-tchoo, it was paft fix o’clock.
From this city to the capital, I may yenture to fay, the road
never before exhibited fo motley a groupe. In front marched
about three thoufand porters, carrying fix hundred packages;
fome o f which were fo large and heavy, as to require thirty-
two bearers: with thefe wTere mixed a proportionate number o f
inferior officers, each having the charge and fuperintendence o f
a divifion. Next followed eighty-five waggons, and thirty-
nine hand-carts, each with one wheel, loaded with wine, porter,
and other European provifions, ammunition, and fuch
heavy articles as were not liable to be broken. Eight light
field pieces, which were among the prefents for the Emperor,
clofed this part o f the proceffion. After thefe paraded the
Tartar legate, and feveral officers from court, with their numerous
attendants ; fome on horfeback, fome in chairs, and others
on foot. Then followed the Embaffador’ s guard in waggons,
the fervants, muficians, and mechanics, alfo in waggons; the
gentlemen o f the fuite on horfeback, the Embaffador, the Mi-
nifter Plenipotentiary, his fon, and the interpreter, in four ornamented
chairs ; the reft o f the fuite in fmall covered carriages
on
on two wheels, not unlike in appearance to our funeral hearfes,
but only about half the length; and laft o f all Van and Chou.,
with their attendants, clofed this motley proceffion.
Though the diftance was only twelve miles, it was thought
advifeable by our condudlors to halt for breakfaft about half-way;
for, as heavy bodies move flowly, what with the delay and
confufion in firft getting into order, and the frequent ftoppages
on the road, we found it was eight o’clock before the whole o f
the cavalcade had reached the half-way houfe. Here we had a
moft fumptuous breakfaft o f roaft pork and venifon, rice and
made diihes, eggs, tea, milk, and a variety o f fruits ferved up
on maffes o f ice.
T h e porters and the heavy baggage moved forwards without
halting ; and having ended our comfortable repaft, we followed
without lofs o f time. We had fcarcely proceeded three miles,
till we found the fides o f the road lined with fpedtators on
horfeback, on foot, in fmall carriages fimilar to thofe we rode
in, in carts, waggons, and chairs. In the laft were Chinele
ladies but, having gauze curtains at the fides and front, we
could fee little o f them. Several well-looking women in long
filken robes, with a great number o f children, were in the fmall
carriages. Thefe we underftood to be Tartars. A file of.fol-
diers now moved along with the proceffion on each fide o f the
road, armed with whips, which they continually exercifed in
order to keep off the crowd that increafed as we approached
the capital, and, at length, was fo great as to obftruft the road.
W e obferved, however, that though the foldiers were very
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