By Lieut. Hon. H. N. SHORE, R.N.
Some ten miles north of Peking, in a valley where silence reigns
supreme, is situated one of the most remarkable and imposing burial
grounds in the world. Here, nestling along the slopes of the inclosing
mountains, which form a natural amphitheater, are a series of vast
mausoleums where lie buried the emperors of the last Chinese dynasty.
This was the celebrated Ming dynasty, which continued from 1366 till
1644, when, after a sanguinary struggle lasting for twenty-seven
years, it succumbed to the Manchu Tartars, who, under the title of the
Tsin dynasty, have occupied the throne to the present time.
[Illustration: THE AVENUE.]
It has been very truly remarked of the Chinese that they have probably
expended more labor over their public works than any other nation of
antiquity; and assuredly when any great national work is undertaken,
however rare the occurrence, it is invariably carried out on a scale
of unparalleled magnificence. It was, therefore, only fitting that the
tombs containing the emperors of their own native dynasty should be
constructed on a scale commensurate with the wealth and extent of the
empire whose destinies they swayed for nigh 300 years. The valley
contains altogether thirty tombs, each of which stands in the center
of a wooded inclosure several acres in extent, surrounded by a high
wall, with an imposing gateway. The largest and most celebrated is
that of Yen-wang, whose body reposes in a lofty building resting on an
immense brick mound pierced by a slanting tunnel, whose curious
acoustic properties entitle it to be ranked as a "whispering gallery."
In front of the mausoleum is a hall measuring 220 ft. long by over 90
ft. broad, which contains the emperor's tablet. The roof of this
building is supported in the center by thirty-two pillars, composed of
single trees 60 ft. high and over 11 ft. in circumference, which are
said to have been brought from Corea. The transport of these enormous
blocks must have been a work of no ordinary difficulty, more
especially in the absence of good roads. According to the description
of a missionary who recently witnessed the moving of a somewhat
similar object, it would seem that the Chinese followed the practice
of the ancient Egyptians, as depicted on their tombs, and in a country
where labor is abundant such a method would be natural.
An inscription near the entrance states that this tomb, among others,
was repaired by the Emperor Kienlung, who reigned in the early part of
last century; but like every other ancient building in China at the
present day, it is fast going to ruin for the want of ordinary care,
large trees being permitted to grow out of the very roof itself,
although there are several attendants residing in the inclosure;
while, doubtless, certain officials are entrusted with the care of
this splendid mausoleum, and draw their salaries regularly. But
_laisser faire_ is the order of the day everywhere in the neighborhood
of Peking, and nothing is ever repaired nowadays by any chance.
[Illustration: THE ROAD TO PEKING.]
A part of the original scheme, which shows the magnificent scale on
which the whole thing was planned and executed, was a fine paved road,
carried over streams and rivers by marble bridges and extending the
whole way from Peking, a distance of ten miles. On approaching the
valley where the tombs repose the road passes under three handsome
"pailaus," or gateways, and then through one of the most imposing
avenues that was ever constructed. This avenue, which extends for
about two-thirds of a mile, is flanked on either side with colossal
stone figures at intervals of about 50 yards, representing men and
animals in the following order: Six men, apparently warriors and
priests, in pairs, standing; four horses, four griffins, four
elephants, four camels, and four lions, the first pair in each set
standing, the second recumbent. As the Chinese have never achieved any
great distinction in the art of sculpture, the representations of
animal life are, needless to say, somewhat caricatured. But the
conception of the whole was magnificent, and the effect of this long
avenue of colossal figures standing in silent grandeur is as
impressive as anything that ever emanated from the genius of the
Chinese race.--_Ill. Naval and Military Magazine._
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