the garden of Yueng-mmg-yuen; and, during the entertainment, I caused to
be brought, in presence of all the court, the various articles I designed for
hiim, and which-1 added to those already presented.
After the entertainment he repaired, with the principal persons of his
suite, to the IVIiao of the ampliation of charity, and to that of Concord. He
offered up prayers in the one and in the other, for the prosperity of my reign,
and for the benefit add happiness of every living creature.-
The Punjun Irtinnee, in undertaking a journey of twenty thousand Iy s, to
contribute to the celebrity of my Ouan-cheou*, did more than sufficient, to
entitle him to all the distinctions, that could evince my sense of his kindness;
hut the air of satisfaction and pleasure, which diffused itself on all around
him, and which he himself manifested, whenever he was admitted to my
presence, impressed on my ttaind, one of the most exquisite gratifications it
ever felt. I remarked, with a peculiar sentiment of affection, that he never
'Once’spoke to me on the sulject of his return. He seemed disposed to fix his
abode near my person. But, alas ! how uncertain art the events of this
life!O
n the twentieth of the tenth moon, the Punjun Irtinnee felt himself
indisposed. I was informed of it, and instantly sent my physicians to, visit
him. They reported to me that his complaints were serious, and even
dangerous. I did not hesitate to go to him in person, in order to judge
myself of-his situation. He received me with the same tokens of pleasure,
that he had ever shewn when admitted to my presence; and from the vrords
full of satisfaction, with which he addressed me, I might have conceived that
he was in the complete enjoyment of health. It was, however, far otherwise;
and the venom of the small-pox, had already spread itself through all parts of
his body.
The second day of the eleventh moon, his disorder was pronounced to be
incurable. The Punjun Irtinnee suddenly changed his corporeal dwellingf.
The afflicting intelligence was immediately communicated to me. The shock
* Seventieth birthday.
f This is the consecrated term, to say that he had ceased' living, or that he died. P. Amiot.
Overcame ip4> ! With a heart full of the miost poignant-grief, and eyes bathed
in tears, I repaired to the yellow chapel, wjhere; wiffl} my own hands, I burned
perfumes- to him,... d
li;, .Although I am well awar,e,,.that to qojngijapd ft} fggjj^re; but.as.ffle same
thing to the Punjun,Irtinnee,,yet, when I reflect, that} he made\a',mpst long
and painful journey, fi^thej^plefp.prpp«» 6fedp(ingJroqg_ur; tO( the day ofjny
Ouan-chepu; and that after having; -fulfilled „dial,object, it.-wa^|ripthis, fate,to
tranquillity,- as Ijn d hoped,.tcr.tjjig; place,of his -ufeual abode;- this
reflection, I $ay, is distressing,to me .beyond alfqxpr^ssion., ■ |I$)f6o;B$qlp'me
in,some degree^or, at least;; to^attempt^some alleviation of niy griefs, I have
resolved’to render memorable, the day of his regeneration. I Joamedffor^ the
guard ofjhis body ChaQgjtpftappasjSojuirJjoup^ife; and4some;pther, g^agd^es;
and gave-them .particular orders for t h e , - p o n s o f a receptaclel|gr)4i^
wmthy-'p£ sueh ’pre)eiou^,|remaiiis, which f lie in the interior.' 4? thp,^yellow
temple. I gaye directions also for making a shrin^gfg^ld^ in which-should
be deposited the body,ofuthe Irtinned. This yvVs executed by th&twepty-fiifsf
day. of ffie twelfth moon. I then regulated. ffiet hundred Say'sJ.of -pfayerj
counting from that day, on whiofthe.disappeared. It was o’lily to.'allpvia'te,;
Jho^e^r little, the griefin which my heart was .overwhelmed,;thjt I |Lcted so.
1 also caused several towers to be erected in different places, which I considered
as so many palaces that ’he might h^ye planned hinisblf for,- varying
,his abode, or such as I might have assigned fo.,him for ’0s;’ recreation.!, I
hestpyted hoyndes, on.his behalf,, to the most eminent of his disciples^
the principal Houtouktous. I gave them soutchous.of pearls, with permission
to wear them; and I particularly distinguished the brother of Jrdnnep, by
conferring on him the title of prince of tie efficient pfayer.' ,1 did not
neglect the Tchasak Lamas, in the distribution of my gifts. Several amongst
them, were decorated with honourable titles, and received from me, soUtchous
of pearls, pieces of silk, and other things, with whicVthey appeared to be
gratified.
My design, in entering with you into this detail ,»ts, to'pX'&Vetto yoli the
estimation in which I hold whatever is connected with you, ;§ad' the profound