File:China, in a series of views - displaying the scenery, architecture, and social habits of that ancient empire (1843) (14763447775).jpg

Identifier: chinainseriesofv3to4allo (find matches)
Title: China, in a series of views : displaying the scenery, architecture, and social habits of that ancient empire
Year: 1843 (1840s)
Authors: Allom, Thomas, 1804-1872 Wright, G. N. (George Newenham), 1790?-1877, editor Fisher, Son, & Co., publisher
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Publisher: London, Newgate Street Paris, rue St. Honoré : Fisher, Son, & Co.
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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voids the great ;When cloyd with merited applause. He seeks the rural eahn retreat;Does he not praise each mossy cell,And feel the truth these numhers tt-U ? KiKAL Elkgance. There are two distinct cities within the walls of Peking, one occupied by Chinese, theother by Tartars exclusively. In the latter of these are the chief public offices, severalsacred institutes, colleges, halls, and, lastly, in the very centre of this labyrinth, theimperial palace and gardens. Three spacious gates pierce the imperial wall, openingcommunication with the external or Chinese city, which is also fenced and fortified; andan inner enclosure, called the prohibited wall, surrounds an area of about two squaremiles, devoted entirely to the imperial household, and only entered by his majestysretinue or his visitors. The mural defences of the palace are built of bright redvarnished bricks, covered with shining yellow tiles, whence they are also styled TheYellow Wall, and are upwards of twenty feet in heiglit.
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I ^^ ^t t ^ i ^ I ^^ GARDENS OF THE I.MPERIAL PALACE. 47 The inner surface of the enclosure is varied by the construction of artificial moun-tains, the excavation of lakes with little islands floating on their tranquil bosoms, andrunning rivulets, interrupted occasionally by picturesque cataracts; summer-houses andpavilions adorn the margin of the waters, and impart an interest to the numerous islands ;and the grouping of fanciful edifices, with clusters of trees, and masses of rock-work,necessarily produce a most agreeable illusion with respect to both distance and mag-nitude. One great reservoir, or lake, supplies the minor basins within the gardens,and its surface is constantly animated by the arrival and departure of pleasure-junksand barges belonging to the attendants and retainers of the palace. Pleasure appears to reign supremely in these fairy lands, and, were judgment to begiven by the eye alone, that siren would be successful. But inquiry will soon correctthe hasty conclusio

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