and deposited it in the monastery. The emperor Kienwan of the same dynasty, (who reigned A. D. 371 and 372,) removed this monastery to the riding of Assembled-joys, and named it "Longspear;" repaired the pagoda of king Oyuh, raised it three stories high, and deposited therein the relic. Afterwards Káutsung of the great Táng dynasty, in the year of his reign styled the Illustrious and Happy, enlarged and repaired the temple, and changed its name, and called it the monastery of Celestial Felicity. (This was about the middle of the 7th century.) Táitsú of the Sung dynasty, (who ascended the throne A. D. 960,) in the year of his reign styled Strong Virtue, changed its name, and called it the monastery for "Mercifully and graciously honoring the Faithful." In the time of the emperor Shun, of the Yuen dynasty, it was destroyed by fire. At length Yungloh, of the great Ming dynasty, on removing his court to the north, in the 10th year of his reign, in order to recompense the great favor of her majesty, the august empress, commenced its rebuilding, at noon, on the 15th day of the 6th month. On the 1st day of the 8th month, of the 6th year of Suente, A. D. 1430, it was completed, occupying in all nineteen years. He commanded Hwáng Lihtái, a vice-president of the Board of Works, to build, according to a plate-pattern in the palace, a precious porcelain pagoda, nine stories high, of five colors, and to name it the First Pagoda, to display the virtues of his deceased august empress mother. The pagoda was just 329 chih, 4% tsun high. Its top was overlaid with yellow gold and with wind-and-rain protecting copper, in order that its colors might for a long time be preserved untarnished. From its lofty (lit. nine heavens) dragon-head, were hung eight iron chains, on which were suspended 72 bells. On the eight corners from top to bottom were 80 more iron bells, making 152 in all. And on the outside of the nine stories were 128 lamps; below in the octagonal pavilion, and in the centre of the pagoda, were 12 porcelain lamps; all requiring 85lbs. of oil to light them. Upwards they illuminated the thirty-three heavens; and brought to light the good and evil among men, for ever banishing human evils. On the top were two copper pans of 1200lbs. weight; and a celestial vase weighing 600lbs. Eastward the monastery extended to the temple of the deified hero Yuh-tung-hái; southward to the great rice-market and the gardens of the Kwoh family; westward to the visitors' bridge; and northward to the brink of the Great river-its whole circumference being 9 li 13 pú (about three English miles). Hence it appears that the monastery was of great extent. Since the repairs of Yungloh (A. D. 1430), it has been the glory and flower of a hundred generations, and for ten thousand years it will continue to recompense favor; hence it has been named, the Recompensing Favor monastery. On its front is written FIRST PAGODA. Upon the whole body of the work there were expended $3,313,978 from the imperial treasury. Nine iron rings were placed on the top, the largest 63 and the smallest 24 chih (Chinese feet) in circumference, weighing 4800lbs. In the top of the pagoda, for warding off evil influences, were deposited: One pearl for illuminating the night; One pearl for keeping off [the evils of] water; One sacred volume of the god Tsijin. Also, during the present dynasty, these two imperial inscriptions have been written, and hung up on tablets: No two Religions. Chihwú's Spiritual Fane. Now in the 5th year of Kiáking's reign, in the 15th day of the month, the god of Thunder, while expelling a strange monster, chased him to this place, when instantly three parts of the nine stories of the pagoda were demolished. But the strength of the god was so awfully stern, and the influence of the Budhistic doctrines was so boundless, that the whole building was not destroyed. The gov.general and governor of Kiángnán prepared a memorial and presented it to the throne, requesting the emperor to advance money from the national treasury to make the repairs. The work was commenc ed on the 6th day of the 2d month, in the 7th year of Kiáking (A. D. 1801). On the 2d day of the 6th month the whole was completed, and the pagoda was as beautiful as if it had been entirely rebuilt. Respectfully engraved by the priests residing in the Recompensing Favor monastery. Note. For the foregoing translation we are indebted to a young friend, a missionary's daughter, who, at our request, has prepared it for the Repository. The ancient Nanking-called also Kinling-is the modern Kiángning. The Porcelain tower stands on the southern side of the city, and was repeatedly visited in 1842, by gentlemen belonging to the English expedition. A drawing of the pagoda as it then appeared-made by lieut. James Fitzjames, is now in our possession, and from it the block for the accompanying picture was prepared. Its entire height is 261 feet, and the diameter at the base 96 feet 10 inches, as given by lieut. Fitzjames. It will be remembered, by some of our readers, that certain individuals among the visitors in 1842, went armed with chizzels and hammers, and brought away large masses of the porcelain. So great were their depredations, that the English plenipotentiary saw fit to direct a sum of money to be paid to make the repairs. For some general notices of pagodas, see volume VI, page 189 and sequel; an account of this pagoda by Le Comte was given in the first volume, page 257. Some further particulars of it are also subjoined, which describe the base as resting on a massy foundation of brick-work raised ten feet from the ground, surrounded by a flight of twelve steps; the lowest story, which is much the largest, has a circumference of one hundred and twenty feet, giving to each face fifteen feet; all the other stories are of smaller dimensions, and decrease in breadth as they ascend, but are of equal height throughout; the whole building is terminated by a large pole, which, rising from the centre of the eighth story, passes through the ninth, which it exceeds thirty feet; and this is surrounded at the distance of three or four feet by the convolutions of an immense iron hoop, sufficiently remote to appear in the distance like rings, diminishing as they ascend, in the manner of a cone, and surmounted by a gilded ball; each story has projecting roofs. covered with tiles of a green color highly varnished; the walls are faced with coarse porcelain slabs; and in the interior, one hundred and ninety steps lead through its different compartments, which are filled with gilded idols, placed in niches of the walls. ART. VI. Journal of Occurrences: John F. Davis, governor of Hongkong; other new appointments; count de Ratti-Menton's correspondence with the Chinese authorities; ordinances Nos. 7 and 8 of the Hongkong government; French and United States' squadrons in the Chinese seas; Kiying again appointed high imperial commissioner; commercial concessions made to the Portuguese; the American flag-staff in Canton; rebuilding of the British factories opposed by the populace; northern ports; extracts from the Pekeng Gazettes; drought; sickness among the Chinese; vaccination among the Mongols. Nor On the afternoon of the 7th inst., H. M. steamer Spiteful, commander Maitland, arrived at Hongkong, having on board, as passengers, J. F. Davis, esq., and other gentlemen. Sir Henry Pottinger's strong desire to leave China had long been known. A successor was expected. But that the election had fallen on a member of the late hon. E. I. Co.'s factory, no one here probably ever dreamed. can we suppose that Mr. Davis himself ever anticipated such an appointment. Soon after the steamer's arrival, when it was rumored that John Francis Davis had come out as sir Henry's successor, and was to be plenipotentiary, governor, superintendent, &c., &c., people doubted what they heard. And it was not until they witnessed the honors given on his landing at 7 A. M. the next day, that the inhabitants of Hongkong were satisfied they were immediately to have a new governor. It was soon after noon, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1844, at the Government-house, Victoria, Hongkong, before the Legislative Council, that Mr. Davis was sworn into office. In making this appointment, the British government have, we think, acted wisely, and done the best it was in their power to do. Mr. Davis first came to China at the early age of eighteen. In 1816, he accompanied lord Amherst to Peking. In 1832, he became president of the select committee of the E. I. Company's factory in China. In 1834, October 11th, on the demise of Lord Napier, he was placed at the head of H. B. M. commission, as his lordship's successor. On the 21st of January, the following year, having delivered over to sir G. B. Robinson the seals of his office, he embarked, with his lady and family for England, where, retired from the bustle of public life, he has been a careful spectator of the distant and various scenes here enacted. Probably no man in the British empire could come better prepared for the high functions of plenipotentiary, &c., than Mr. Davis. And we wish him success. For the colony's sake too, we wish Mrs. Davis and family had come again to China. On the 10th, the following appointments were made: the hon. Frederic William Adolphus Bruce. esq., to be colonial secretary; Robert Montgomery Martin, esq., to be treasurer; and Robert Dundas Cay, esq., to be registrar of the supreme court. Mr. Davis' several commissions were published in the government paper, soon after his arrival. |