Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume II.djvu/106

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92

CHAP. III.

The Missionaries expelled from Tchao-King.—Farewell of the Christians.—Refusal of Indemnity.—Establisliment at Tcliao-Tcheou.—Monastery of the Flower of the South.—Founder of this Monastery Father Ricci refuses to lodge in it.—He founds an Establishment not far from Tchao-Tcheou.—First and singular Disciple of Father Ricci.—The Missionaries change the Costume of the Bonzes for that of the lettered Class.—Father Ricci sets off for Pekin.—Accidents on the Road.—Arrival at Nankin.—Returns to the Capital of Khiang-Si.—Scientific Labours and Celebrity of Father Ricci in that City.—His Relations with the Viceroy.—The Mission of Tchao-Tcheou besieged by the Bonzes.—Tranquillity restored.—Father Ricci named Superior of all the Missions of China.—Father Ricci sets off for Pekin with the President of the Supreme Court.—Agitation in the City of Nankin.—Imperial Canal.—The Yellow River.—Arrival at Pekin.—The Missionaries deceived.—Forced to quit Pekin.—Sufferings on their Return.—Beautiful Chinese Town.—Fetes of the New Year.—Father Ricci's Dream.—Preaching on Mathematics and the Sciences.—Observatory of Nankin.—Chinese Explanation of Eclipses.—Literary Solemnity.—Philosophical Discussion.—Palace haunted by evil Spirits.

The hopes which Father Ricci now thought, not without reason, lie might indulge in, were, however, not yet destined to be realised. For a long time still had he to sow in tears and sorrow, before it was granted to him to reap in joy, and the sudden gleam of courtly favour that had shone on him from the attentions of the imperial commissioner was but the immediate fore-