CHAPTER XIII

The Founder of the Ch'ing dynasty--A broken-hearted widower--The Louis XIV. of China--The Will of Kang-Hy--Young-t-Ching appointed his successor--The character of the new Emperor--Mission of Lord Macartney--He refuses to perform the Ko-too, or nine prostrations--Interview with Young-t-Ching--Results of the Mission to England--Accession of Kien-Long--He resolves to abdicate when he has reigned sixty years--Accession of Taou-Kwang--The beginning of the end--An adopted brother--War against China declared by England--The Pekin Treaty--Prince Hassan goes to visit Queen Victoria--The Regents and Tung-Che--Foreign Ministers compel the young Emperor to receive them 235