History of the Two Tartar Conquerors of China; Including the Two Journeys Into Tartary of Father Ferdinand Verbiest, in the Suite of the Emperor Kang-Hi from the French of Pere Pierre Joseph D'Orleans to Which Is Added Father Pereira's Journey Into Tartary (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...left considerable power, resolved to avenge the crime. In order to secure her revenge, she had the cunning to engage the murderer to pay her a visit, under pretext of consulting with him upon an affair which concerned the court. He came, and he found there the punishment due to so many crimes, being despatched 'with a poniard as he entered the apartment of this princess. The prisoner, who up to this moment knew nothing of what was passing, learned this news by accident, for the room in which he was confined being rather near his kitchen, he overheard the cooks, who were talking over the affair, and who related so many of the circumstances that he made out the whole history. He had not yet lost hope, but this incident was enoiigh to destroy it. "I am lost," he cried;" this violence, executed at such an unfortunate moment upon an officer of the emperor's, will be laid to my charge, and 1 shall not be forgiven." In fact, it is thought that this hastened his death, for a short time after two Tartar mandarins appeared, who had made the journey from Pekin in seventeen days, and who brought to the prisoner the fatal present of the piece of white stuff which the Chinese emperors give to criminals of rank whom they condemn to death. Some persons relate that two executioners strangled him, and that he refused the impious honour of dying by his own hand, alleging as an excuse, that it was not permitted to men thus to put an end to their own lives. His habits of intercourse with the Christians had inspired him with this sentiment, for he loved the ministers of the gospel, and during their exile in Canton he always had two Jesuits with him. He often said that the love of women was the only thing which prevented him from receiving baptism. He exhorted...