Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The Bossier Banner
Benton, Bellevue, Bossier County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
About two years ago, a three-mile miniature toy railway was gifted to China's young Emperor in Pekin via Li Hung Chang. Despite opposition from advisers fearing desecration of the sacred city, it was accepted to avoid offending the French, who had defeated Chinese forces. The Emperor enjoys riding it, and it has influenced recent decrees. (248 characters)
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
A Line Three Miles Long Which Diverts the Chinese Emperor.
About two years ago they presented a complete miniature railway to the Emperor through Li Hung Chang, and the line, which is about three miles long, is laid down within the imperial city. The young Emperor is very much interested in its workings, and spends a great deal of his time in riding to and fro in the beautifully appointed little carriages.
He was greatly struck with the toy railway, and its influence upon the recent decrees has been very considerable. The old reactionary party among his advisers were adverse to the miniature line being laid down within the precincts of the sacred city, and it was very near being returned to the donors. But the government was afraid lest it should give offence to the French, who are greatly feared and respected since they burned and sunk the Chinese fleet at Foochow and inflicted such disastrous defeats upon the Chinese legions in the South.
In the end the present was accepted but the high authorities would not allow any foreigners to have a hand in laying down or working the model railway. The result was when they started the little engine they could not stop it, and great consternation was occasioned to the occupants in the palace by their inability to control the strange contrivance of the foreigners, which dashed along the line till it was pulled up by coming in contact with a mound of earth.
Since then, however, a French driver has been procured, and the Emperor is a frequent traveler upon the cars.
Shanghai Letter.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Pekin
Event Date
About Two Years Ago
Key Persons
Outcome
the toy railway was accepted despite initial opposition; the emperor frequently travels on it and it has considerably influenced recent decrees.
Event Details
A complete miniature railway about three miles long was presented to the Chinese Emperor through Li Hung Chang and laid down within the imperial city. The Emperor is very interested and spends much time riding in the little carriages. Initial resistance from reactionary advisers nearly led to its return, but fear of offending the French, respected after their victories at Foochow and in the South, prompted acceptance. No foreigners were allowed to lay it down or work it initially, causing an incident where the engine could not be stopped until it hit a mound. A French driver was later procured.