THE NEW EMPRESS OF CHINA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 16 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW EMPRESS OF CHINA.

As is well-known, tho young Emperor of China has chosen as his bride the daughter of hie mother's brother, the ruler of Chao. Although the marriage does not take plaoe till 1880, a vast number of artists and handicraftsmen are being employed upon the trousseau and presents for the bride. The latter are upon a scale rarely equalled, and the very description of them must set all brides besido themselves with envy. The special betrothal gift is a gold seal, the handle of which is formed by the fingers of two dragons, richly set with preoioui stones. One month before the wedding the brido will receive 10 riding horses with full equipment, 10 gilt helmets and cuirases, 100 pieces of the best Bilk, and 200 pieces of the best woollen cloth. Her wedding gift will bo 200 ounces of gold and 10,000 taels (a tael is about ss) of silver, one gold tea service, two silver owers, 1000 pieces of the finest silk, 20 horses with equipment, and 20 without, and 20 saddles, &c, for packhorses. The parents and brothers and servants of the bride also receive most costly presents. An especial importance in the trousseau is given to the bride's head dress or bonnets. The court headdress for the winter has a band of sable fur, and the head piece is made from red velvet, and in the centre of this, which is divided into three parts, hang from each part 3 oblong pearls of especial beauty and 17 ordinary pearls ; whilst the central part has also a pearl of extraordinary value set in gold, over which rises a gold Phrenix. Around the head are 7 other golden Phoenixes, each jewelled with 7 large and 17 smaller pearls. Upon the back of the hat or bonnet, under the head, sits a gold pheasant, beset with 16

pearls. The tail of the pheasant is set with 302 small and 5 large pearls, and is divided into five parts, iu the centre of which is set a choice lapis lazuli, surrounded with pearls, a headdress hardly likely to bo very widely imitated.—Yorkshire Post.