6¼ feet, and 5 feet respectively. At the time of sacrificing, the tablets to Heaven and to the Emperor’s ancestors are placed on the top; they are two feet five inches long and five inches wide. The title is in gilt letters; that of Heaven faces the south, and those of the ancestors east and west. The Emperor, with his immediate suite, kneels in front of the tablet to Shang-te, and faces the north. The platform is laid with marble stones, forming nine concentric circles. The inner circle consists of nine stones, cut so as to fit with close edges round the central stone, which is a perfect circle. Here the Emperor kneels, and is surrounded first by the circles of the terraces and their inclosing walls, and then by the circle of the horizon. He thus seems to himself and his court to be in the centre of the universe; and, turning to the north, assuming the attitude of a subject, he acknowledges in prayer and by his position that he is inferior to Heaven, and to Heaven alone. Round him, on the pavement, are the nine circles of as many heavens, consisting of nine stones, then eighteen, then twenty-seven, and so on in successive multiples of nine till the square of nine, the favorite number of Chinese philosophy, is reached in the outermost circle of eighty-one stones. As might be expected, careful distinctions are made in the sacrifices. The animals ordinarily used for food by the ancient Chinese, and the fruits of the earth known to them, are almost all included. But productions recently introduced into the country are not offered. To Heaven alone is offered a piece of blue jade, cylindrical in shape and a foot long, formerly used as a symbol of sovereignty. But the great distinguishing sign of superiority is the offering of a whole burnt sacrifice to Heaven. [Illustration: THE SACRED ALTAR OF HEAVEN, AT PEKING.] After the same style of building, and used as a part of the worship of Heaven and earth, is the Temple of the Sun, at Peking. This temple has been dedicated by the Chinese to the sun as the great source of light and heat, and it has been put under the protection of the god of fire. Farmers frequent this temple in dull, cold weather, to pray for the sunshine to ripen their grain and fruit, and the people generally pray to this god for protection against fire. The fourth day of every month is a high day at this temple, and it is then crowded with worshipers. On this day, a band of music is provided, and, in addition to the ordinary priests of the temple, extra priests go about swinging incense, and conducting many other imposing services. In the spring of every year, the Chinese pay great honors to agriculture. The Emperor proceeds to the park surrounding the Temple of Agriculture, at Peking, and in a plot of ground reserved for the purpose, and in the presence of the grandees of the empire, he guides the imperial plow, and uses the seed-planter, rake, etc.