Showing posts with label morris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morris. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Is there life out there in the land of agents
This is nuts, who reads these, anyone, is there anyone out there, my email is mable1002000@aol.com I've sent out about 500 emails and letters to these so called agents who want so much, demand more and give nothing, such a waste of time, technology is going to waste of these self styled low life's, first they lead you on, they bring you in for the kill and then ask for money, one must wonder how many really god authors have gone unknown due to this bunch, please, someone, any one, tell me there is at least one good agent and one that is taking need authors. Why do these guys place ads if they don't want submissions???????
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Seeking an Agent
Hello out there, are there any agents out there any that are real, don't need to be coddled
any that are able to address an email without trying to sound grand or above the rest of the world, there must be some, there must be a few who know the rest of the world uses email, and use postage stamps for letters.
In this day and age of technology to much time is wasted using old methods of communication but oddly agent, or the ones I've contacted so far don't have the skills God gave as goose and so, I'm left to emailing or writing self important agents who are offended if there is more then one addressee on the email.
Yes, I am actively seeking an agent to help me publish more then 15 manuscripts, I've written about child abuse, I have first hand knowledge on that subject, about the male nude, the bible, history and poetry.
I wonder if there is an agent who I could talk with, review, develop or whatever agents do
and get a manuscript published.
What is an agent, I've now read all the local stuff about agents and it seems all over rated, naturally I am speaking for my personal experience, which to be honest is very limited
I'd like to meet an agent, contact with an agent for a year.
Now to be honest I have gotten letters from those that call themselves as agent and naturally they need 200 to 900 dollars to start what ever it is they do.
I've heard that agents are so busy that they feel they have a right to be rude, is there ever any reason to be rude?
I've looked over the 2000 names listed as agents and sent most of them an email
the replies weren't worth my time reading, most were angry that I would write or send an inquiry to more then one of them at a time, as if the world began and ended with them. How could have I been so mistaken.
And so, I will keep seeking that one agent, knowledge able, and willing to work.
well that is enough today, hope to hear from an agent.
any that are able to address an email without trying to sound grand or above the rest of the world, there must be some, there must be a few who know the rest of the world uses email, and use postage stamps for letters.
In this day and age of technology to much time is wasted using old methods of communication but oddly agent, or the ones I've contacted so far don't have the skills God gave as goose and so, I'm left to emailing or writing self important agents who are offended if there is more then one addressee on the email.
Yes, I am actively seeking an agent to help me publish more then 15 manuscripts, I've written about child abuse, I have first hand knowledge on that subject, about the male nude, the bible, history and poetry.
I wonder if there is an agent who I could talk with, review, develop or whatever agents do
and get a manuscript published.
What is an agent, I've now read all the local stuff about agents and it seems all over rated, naturally I am speaking for my personal experience, which to be honest is very limited
I'd like to meet an agent, contact with an agent for a year.
Now to be honest I have gotten letters from those that call themselves as agent and naturally they need 200 to 900 dollars to start what ever it is they do.
I've heard that agents are so busy that they feel they have a right to be rude, is there ever any reason to be rude?
I've looked over the 2000 names listed as agents and sent most of them an email
the replies weren't worth my time reading, most were angry that I would write or send an inquiry to more then one of them at a time, as if the world began and ended with them. How could have I been so mistaken.
And so, I will keep seeking that one agent, knowledge able, and willing to work.
well that is enough today, hope to hear from an agent.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Free Gallery Space for All Artists-Atrist Call
THe Beacham gallery is happy to open our space to the public, to all artists seeking a place to exhibit and sell their work. Our first years 2002, we open the gallery and museum in Weston West VA. At first we were sure it would work that but it did, grossing a very happy profit, we have since opened ta gallery in Aschaffenburg Geramny, Ixheim Germany, a small gallery in Boston and have just moved our gallery in Colorado to its new location, 2002 Monteagle, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, contact 719-390-6685 We welcome all artists. Local artist may leave their work for several months, while out of state artist may leave their work for a year. There is no Charge, no hanging fee, not commission, we had excellent donations that support the operating costs. The goal of the gallery is to provide to artists a space to exhibit where they otherwise have not had the opportunity. The gallery is a home setting, each room and wall exhibiting paintings and other medium mixed with natural furniture. This method allows the buy to visualize how the painting or art might look in there home. The method has proven popular and we hope top host many new artists as well as returning artists. We hope to hear from you soon. The Beacham Gallery
Monday, October 22, 2007
Female Saints of the Cross
notes from my manuscript :
Female Saints of the Cross
Frederick Von Thrauthemburg Morris
Female Saints
Women have played a great role in the development and making of the catholic religion. The history of the Church is full of many female Catholic saints, who received recognition for great deeds or meritorious conduct. Many lost their lives in defense of the catholic faith, while others were themselves the mothers of important saints. Many were also honored for their contributions to the Church and their community.
Throughout the history of the Saints, their tales, lives and deeds have come to us in many forms, some told over and over, some through church documentation while other information has come from historians passing down information through generations so that the data would not be lost. Unfornately, much of the early history has been lost, wars, fire and other events have destoried more then just civilians, they’ve also destroyed the history and cultures of the people of the time. Much of the information about the saints, their lives and events, are documented in bits and pieces, maped together to tell a story, the lives of the saints as we know them today. This text is not complete, it will never be as the the information is no longer available to us. This text is a gathering of information about the Saints as best we can put together, there are more then 10,000 saints in the history of the church, therefore those here are the ones we’ve been able to identify and document.
St. Ada, Feastday: December 4 - seventh century -Abbess and dedicated virgin, noted in France as a patroness of religious women. Ada was a niece of St. Engebert, the bishop who was murdered by his own cousin. Raised in a pious household and influenced by her uncle, Ada joined a convent in Soissons, France. She later became the abbess of St. Julien-des-Prés in Le Mans.
Bl. Adeline Feastday: October 20, 1125 - Adeline was the sister of Blessed Vitale, Abbot of Savigny and was introduced to the religious life by him or her. She rose to become the first Abbess of the monastery founded at Mortain in 1105 or 1115 by Count William of Mortain. The Rule followed by this religious house was that of St. Benedict together with a few observances drawn from the Cistercian tradition. Because of the color of their habit the religious came to be called the "White Ladies." After a life dedicated to prayer, mortification, and charitable works, Blessed Adeline was called to her reward in 1125. Such was her reputation for sanctity that shortly afterward she began to be honored as one of the Blessed and her remains were solemnly transferred (together with those of her brother and other religious) to Savigny.
St. Agape, Feastday: February 15, 273, Martyr and follower of St. Valentine. She belonged to a group of virgins started by St. Valentine. A church in Termi was dedicated to her until the twelfth century, and she is listed in early martyrologies.
St. Agatha - Feastday: February 5, although we have evidence that Agatha was venerated at least as far back as the sixth century, the only facts we have about her are that she was born in Sicily and died there a martyr. In the legend of her life, we are told that she belonged to a rich, important family. When she was young, she dedicated her life to God and resisted any men who wanted to marry her or have sex with her. One of these men, Quintian, was of a high enough rank that he felt he could force her to acquiesce. Knowing she was a Christian in a time of persecution, he had her arrested and brought before the judge - - himself. He expected her to give in to when faced with torture and possible death, but she simply affirmed her belief in God by praying: "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil." Legend tells us that Quintian imprisoned her in a brothel in order to get her to change her mind. Quintian brought her back before him after she had suffered a month of assault and humiliation in the brothel, but Agatha had never wavered, proclaiming that her freedom came from Jesus. Quintian sent her to prison, instead of back to the brothel -- a move intended to make her more afraid, but which probably was a great relief to her. When she continued to profess her faith in Jesus, Quintian had her tortured. He refused her any medical care but God gave her all the care she needed in the form of a vision of St. Peter. When she was tortured again, she died after saying a final prayer: "Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul." Because one of the tortures she supposedly suffered was to have her breasts cut off, she was often depicted carrying her breasts on a plate. It is thought that blessing of the bread that takes place on her feast may have come from the mistaken notion that she was carrying loaves of bread. Because she was asked for help during the eruption of Mount Etna she is considered a protector against the outbreak of fire. She is also considered the patroness of bellmakers for an unknown reason -- though some speculate it may have something to do with the fact that bells were used as fire alarms.
St. Agnes - Feastday: Janury 21, 304 Patron of the Children of Mary, St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. Agnes had made a promise, a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death! Since she was very beautiful, many young men wished to marry Agnes, but she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He had tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy. Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.
St. Agnes of Assisi - Feastday: November 16, Agnes was born in Assisi. She was the younger sister of St. Clare. At fifteen she joined Clare at the Benedictine convent of Sant'Angelo di Panzo. Determined to follow her sister's life of poverty and penance, she resisted her relatives' attempts to force her to return home, and was given the habit by St. Francis and sent to San Damiano with Clare, thus founding the Poor Clares. St. Francis appointed her abbess of the Poor Clares' convent at Monticelli near Florence in 1219. She established convents at Mantua, Venice, and Padua, and supported her sister's struggle for poverty in their Order. Agnes was with Clare at her death and died three months later, on November 16, reportedly as predicted by Clare. Many miracles have been reported at her tomb in Santa Chiara Church in Assisi.
St. Agnes of Bohemia - March 2, 1282, Agnes was the daughter of King Ottokar of Bohemia. She was engaged to Boleslaus when she was three and when he died, to Henry, son of Emperor Frederick II, when she was nine. She was overjoyed when Henry married the daughter of the Duke of Austria, as she had offered herself to God and hoped to live a life of austerity and virginity. Her brother affianced her to Frederick, and when in 1235 Frederick sent for her she petitioned Pope Gregory IX to intercede for her; when he did, Frederick released her from the engagement. In 1236 she built a convent for the Friars Minor in Prague, staffed by five nuns sent by St. Clare, and Agnes took the veil there. She was named abbess soon after and became renowned for her humility, aid to the poor, and her dedication to poverty. She died in Prague on March 2, 1282. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
St. Agnes De - Feastday: July 12, 1841, Vietnamese Christian martyr. She was born in Baiden and was raised in a Christian family. Agnes was arrested and died in prison at Namdinh on July 12. Agnes was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Female Saints of the Cross
Frederick Von Thrauthemburg Morris
Female Saints
Women have played a great role in the development and making of the catholic religion. The history of the Church is full of many female Catholic saints, who received recognition for great deeds or meritorious conduct. Many lost their lives in defense of the catholic faith, while others were themselves the mothers of important saints. Many were also honored for their contributions to the Church and their community.
Throughout the history of the Saints, their tales, lives and deeds have come to us in many forms, some told over and over, some through church documentation while other information has come from historians passing down information through generations so that the data would not be lost. Unfornately, much of the early history has been lost, wars, fire and other events have destoried more then just civilians, they’ve also destroyed the history and cultures of the people of the time. Much of the information about the saints, their lives and events, are documented in bits and pieces, maped together to tell a story, the lives of the saints as we know them today. This text is not complete, it will never be as the the information is no longer available to us. This text is a gathering of information about the Saints as best we can put together, there are more then 10,000 saints in the history of the church, therefore those here are the ones we’ve been able to identify and document.
St. Ada, Feastday: December 4 - seventh century -Abbess and dedicated virgin, noted in France as a patroness of religious women. Ada was a niece of St. Engebert, the bishop who was murdered by his own cousin. Raised in a pious household and influenced by her uncle, Ada joined a convent in Soissons, France. She later became the abbess of St. Julien-des-Prés in Le Mans.
Bl. Adeline Feastday: October 20, 1125 - Adeline was the sister of Blessed Vitale, Abbot of Savigny and was introduced to the religious life by him or her. She rose to become the first Abbess of the monastery founded at Mortain in 1105 or 1115 by Count William of Mortain. The Rule followed by this religious house was that of St. Benedict together with a few observances drawn from the Cistercian tradition. Because of the color of their habit the religious came to be called the "White Ladies." After a life dedicated to prayer, mortification, and charitable works, Blessed Adeline was called to her reward in 1125. Such was her reputation for sanctity that shortly afterward she began to be honored as one of the Blessed and her remains were solemnly transferred (together with those of her brother and other religious) to Savigny.
St. Agape, Feastday: February 15, 273, Martyr and follower of St. Valentine. She belonged to a group of virgins started by St. Valentine. A church in Termi was dedicated to her until the twelfth century, and she is listed in early martyrologies.
St. Agatha - Feastday: February 5, although we have evidence that Agatha was venerated at least as far back as the sixth century, the only facts we have about her are that she was born in Sicily and died there a martyr. In the legend of her life, we are told that she belonged to a rich, important family. When she was young, she dedicated her life to God and resisted any men who wanted to marry her or have sex with her. One of these men, Quintian, was of a high enough rank that he felt he could force her to acquiesce. Knowing she was a Christian in a time of persecution, he had her arrested and brought before the judge - - himself. He expected her to give in to when faced with torture and possible death, but she simply affirmed her belief in God by praying: "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil." Legend tells us that Quintian imprisoned her in a brothel in order to get her to change her mind. Quintian brought her back before him after she had suffered a month of assault and humiliation in the brothel, but Agatha had never wavered, proclaiming that her freedom came from Jesus. Quintian sent her to prison, instead of back to the brothel -- a move intended to make her more afraid, but which probably was a great relief to her. When she continued to profess her faith in Jesus, Quintian had her tortured. He refused her any medical care but God gave her all the care she needed in the form of a vision of St. Peter. When she was tortured again, she died after saying a final prayer: "Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul." Because one of the tortures she supposedly suffered was to have her breasts cut off, she was often depicted carrying her breasts on a plate. It is thought that blessing of the bread that takes place on her feast may have come from the mistaken notion that she was carrying loaves of bread. Because she was asked for help during the eruption of Mount Etna she is considered a protector against the outbreak of fire. She is also considered the patroness of bellmakers for an unknown reason -- though some speculate it may have something to do with the fact that bells were used as fire alarms.
St. Agnes - Feastday: Janury 21, 304 Patron of the Children of Mary, St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. Agnes had made a promise, a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death! Since she was very beautiful, many young men wished to marry Agnes, but she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He had tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy. Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.
St. Agnes of Assisi - Feastday: November 16, Agnes was born in Assisi. She was the younger sister of St. Clare. At fifteen she joined Clare at the Benedictine convent of Sant'Angelo di Panzo. Determined to follow her sister's life of poverty and penance, she resisted her relatives' attempts to force her to return home, and was given the habit by St. Francis and sent to San Damiano with Clare, thus founding the Poor Clares. St. Francis appointed her abbess of the Poor Clares' convent at Monticelli near Florence in 1219. She established convents at Mantua, Venice, and Padua, and supported her sister's struggle for poverty in their Order. Agnes was with Clare at her death and died three months later, on November 16, reportedly as predicted by Clare. Many miracles have been reported at her tomb in Santa Chiara Church in Assisi.
St. Agnes of Bohemia - March 2, 1282, Agnes was the daughter of King Ottokar of Bohemia. She was engaged to Boleslaus when she was three and when he died, to Henry, son of Emperor Frederick II, when she was nine. She was overjoyed when Henry married the daughter of the Duke of Austria, as she had offered herself to God and hoped to live a life of austerity and virginity. Her brother affianced her to Frederick, and when in 1235 Frederick sent for her she petitioned Pope Gregory IX to intercede for her; when he did, Frederick released her from the engagement. In 1236 she built a convent for the Friars Minor in Prague, staffed by five nuns sent by St. Clare, and Agnes took the veil there. She was named abbess soon after and became renowned for her humility, aid to the poor, and her dedication to poverty. She died in Prague on March 2, 1282. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
St. Agnes De - Feastday: July 12, 1841, Vietnamese Christian martyr. She was born in Baiden and was raised in a Christian family. Agnes was arrested and died in prison at Namdinh on July 12. Agnes was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Manuscript Notes - Life of a Princess
Below are some of my notes (279 pages) of notes for my new book.
The Life of a Princess
Of
China
By Frederick Von Thrauthemburg Morris
The folowing is the story of Princess Der Ling of China,
Princess Der Ling (Chinese: 德龄, pinyin: Dé Líng)m, (1885-1944), was a Manchu noblewoman, daughter of Lord Yu Keng (裕庚). Lord Yu Keng was a member of the Chinese Plain White Banner Corps (正白旗). After serving as Chinese minister to Japan he was appointed minister to the French Third Republic for four years in 1899. He was known for his progressive, reformist views, as well as for his unvarying support of the Empress Dowager Cixi. In 1905, Lord Yu Keng died in Shanghai.
Yu Keng's daughters were Der Ling and Rong Ling (the future Madame Dan Paochao of Beijing), therefore they were afforded a western education, having studied dance in Paris with Isadora Duncan. Upon return from France, Der Ling became the First lady-in-waiting to Empress Dowager Cixi, as well as a translator. She stayed at court until March 1905. In 1907, Der Ling married Thaddeus C. White, an American.
The title Princess, was not one Der Ling was born to, but one she adopted. The use of this title create controversy for her in both China and the United States. Through the urging of friends Der Ling wrote down her unique experience in court in her memoirs Two Years in the Forbidden City, which were published in 1911, and wrote about the experience through her next seven books. It is these text that I use here to retell her story. All credit for this book and everything in it, must be accredited to the Princess as she was able to put to paper historical insights into life at court that only someone with first hand knowledge would be able to support with facts and candor. Der Ling's service to the Dowager Empress, essentially a world that has disappeared, now gives us a picture of life as it was at the time, an insiders point of view even if she takes great pain to support and put a positive spin on the reign of a notorious ruler .
Here then, in her own words, is the story of Princess Der Ling. “MY father and mother, Lord and Lady Yu Keng, and family, together with our suite consisting of the First Secretary, SecondSecretary, Naval and Military Attaches, Chancellors, theirfamilies, servants, etc., altogether fifty-five people, arrivedin Shanghai on January 2, 1903, on the S.S. "Annam" from Paris,where for four years my father had been Chinese Minister. Ourarrival was anything but pleasant, as the rain came down intorrents, and we had the greatest difficulty getting our numerousretinue landed and safely housed, not to mention the tons ofbaggage that had to be looked after. We had found from previous
experience that none of our Legation people or servants could be depended upon to do anything when traveling, in consequence of which the entire charge devolved upon my mother, who was without doubt the genius of the party in arranging matters and straightening out difficulties. When the launch from the steamer arrived at the jetty off the French Bund, we were met by the Shanghai Taotai (the highest official in the city), the Shanghai Magistrate and numerous other officials, all dressed in their official robes. The Taotai told my father that he had prepared the Tien Ho Gung (Temple of the Queen of Heaven) for us to reside in during our stay in Shanghai, but my father refused the offer, saying that he had telegraphed from Hong Kong and made all arrangements to go to the Hotel des Colonies in the French Concession. We had had previous experience staying in this temple while on our way to Japan, where my father went as Minister in 1895, and did not care to try it a second time. The building is very old and very much out of repair. It was a beautiful place in its prime, but had been allowed to go to rack and ruin. The custom is that the magistrate has to find a placeand supply the food, etc., for high officials when passingthrough, and it is not exactly the thing to refuse their kindoffer, but my father was always very independent and politelydeclined all proffers of assistance. At last we did safely arrive in the Hotel des Colonies, where myfather found awaiting him two telegrams from the Imperial Palace.These telegrams ordered my father to go to Peking at once, but, asthe river to Tientsin was frozen, it was out of the question forus to go by that route, and as my father was very old and quiteill at that time, in fact constantly under the doctor's care, theonly accessible way, via Chinwangtao, was equally out of thequestion, as it was a long and most tedious journey and quitebeyond his strength. In view of all these difficulties, hetelegraphed that, after the ice had broken up in the Peiho River,we would come by the first steamer leaving Shanghai for Tientsin.
We left Shanghai on the 22d of February and arrived at Tientsin onthe 26th, and, as before, were met by the Customs Taotai of the port and numerous other officials (the same as when we arrived at Shanghai). There is a very curious custom of reverence, which must be performed by all high officials on their return from abroad. Immediately upon landing on the shores of China, arrangements aremade with the nearest Viceroy or Governor to receive their obeisance to Ching Sheng An (to worship the Emperor of Peace), a Taotai being considered of too low a rank for such an honor. As soon as we arrived, Yuan Shih Kai, who was then Viceroy of Chihli Province at Tientsin, sent an official to my father to prepare the time and place for this function, which is an extremely pretty one. When arrangements had been made, both my father and Yuan Shih Kai dressed in their full ceremonial robes, which is the dragon long robe, with a reddish black three-quarter length coat over it, chao chu (amber beads), hat with peacock feather and red coral button, and repaired at once to the Wan Shou Kung (10,000 years palace), which is especially built for functions of this kind, where they were met by a large number of officials of the lower grades. At the back centre of this Temple, or Palace, stands a very long narrow table on which are placed the tablets of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, on which is written, "Wan sway, wan sway, wan wan sway" (10,000 years times 10,000 years times 10,000 years). The Viceroy, or in this case Yuan Shih Kai, and the other officials arrived first. Yuan stood at the left side of this table and the others arranged themselves in two diminishing lines starting from the front corners of the table. Soon afterward my father came and knelt directly in front of the centre of the tableand said, "Ah ha Ching Sheng An" (Your servant gives yougreeting). After this ceremony was over my father immediatelyarose and inquired after Their Majesties' health, and Yuan repliedthat they were quite well. This closed the function. We stayed in Tientsin for three days, arriving in Peking on thetwenty-ninth. My father's condition was much worse and he begged for four months' leave of absence, in which to recuperate, which was granted by Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager. As our beautiful mansion, which we had built and furnished just before leaving for Paris, was burned during the Boxer Rising of 1900, entailing a loss of over taels 100,000, we rented and moved into a Chinese house. Our old house was not entirely new. When we bought the place there was a very fine but old Chinese house, the palace of a Duke, standing on the ground, and by some clever re-arrangement and building on, it was transformed into a beautiful foreign style house with all the fine hardwood carving of the old house worked into it. By using the words "foreign style," it is meant that, in so far as the Chinese house could be made to look like a foreign house, without tearing it down entirely, it was changed, that is the doors and windows, passageways, furnishings, etc., were foreign, but the arrangement of the house itself and courtyard was Chinese. This, like all Chinese houses in Peking, was built in a very rambling fashion, and with the gardens, covered about ten acres of ground. We had just finished furnishing it and moved in only four days when we left for Paris; and it has always been a great sorrow to my family that we should lose this magnificent place, after having spent so much time and money in building and beautifying it. However, this is only one of the many trials that a high official in China is called upon to bear.
The Life of a Princess
Of
China
By Frederick Von Thrauthemburg Morris
The folowing is the story of Princess Der Ling of China,
Princess Der Ling (Chinese: 德龄, pinyin: Dé Líng)m, (1885-1944), was a Manchu noblewoman, daughter of Lord Yu Keng (裕庚). Lord Yu Keng was a member of the Chinese Plain White Banner Corps (正白旗). After serving as Chinese minister to Japan he was appointed minister to the French Third Republic for four years in 1899. He was known for his progressive, reformist views, as well as for his unvarying support of the Empress Dowager Cixi. In 1905, Lord Yu Keng died in Shanghai.
Yu Keng's daughters were Der Ling and Rong Ling (the future Madame Dan Paochao of Beijing), therefore they were afforded a western education, having studied dance in Paris with Isadora Duncan. Upon return from France, Der Ling became the First lady-in-waiting to Empress Dowager Cixi, as well as a translator. She stayed at court until March 1905. In 1907, Der Ling married Thaddeus C. White, an American.
The title Princess, was not one Der Ling was born to, but one she adopted. The use of this title create controversy for her in both China and the United States. Through the urging of friends Der Ling wrote down her unique experience in court in her memoirs Two Years in the Forbidden City, which were published in 1911, and wrote about the experience through her next seven books. It is these text that I use here to retell her story. All credit for this book and everything in it, must be accredited to the Princess as she was able to put to paper historical insights into life at court that only someone with first hand knowledge would be able to support with facts and candor. Der Ling's service to the Dowager Empress, essentially a world that has disappeared, now gives us a picture of life as it was at the time, an insiders point of view even if she takes great pain to support and put a positive spin on the reign of a notorious ruler .
Here then, in her own words, is the story of Princess Der Ling. “MY father and mother, Lord and Lady Yu Keng, and family, together with our suite consisting of the First Secretary, SecondSecretary, Naval and Military Attaches, Chancellors, theirfamilies, servants, etc., altogether fifty-five people, arrivedin Shanghai on January 2, 1903, on the S.S. "Annam" from Paris,where for four years my father had been Chinese Minister. Ourarrival was anything but pleasant, as the rain came down intorrents, and we had the greatest difficulty getting our numerousretinue landed and safely housed, not to mention the tons ofbaggage that had to be looked after. We had found from previous
experience that none of our Legation people or servants could be depended upon to do anything when traveling, in consequence of which the entire charge devolved upon my mother, who was without doubt the genius of the party in arranging matters and straightening out difficulties. When the launch from the steamer arrived at the jetty off the French Bund, we were met by the Shanghai Taotai (the highest official in the city), the Shanghai Magistrate and numerous other officials, all dressed in their official robes. The Taotai told my father that he had prepared the Tien Ho Gung (Temple of the Queen of Heaven) for us to reside in during our stay in Shanghai, but my father refused the offer, saying that he had telegraphed from Hong Kong and made all arrangements to go to the Hotel des Colonies in the French Concession. We had had previous experience staying in this temple while on our way to Japan, where my father went as Minister in 1895, and did not care to try it a second time. The building is very old and very much out of repair. It was a beautiful place in its prime, but had been allowed to go to rack and ruin. The custom is that the magistrate has to find a placeand supply the food, etc., for high officials when passingthrough, and it is not exactly the thing to refuse their kindoffer, but my father was always very independent and politelydeclined all proffers of assistance. At last we did safely arrive in the Hotel des Colonies, where myfather found awaiting him two telegrams from the Imperial Palace.These telegrams ordered my father to go to Peking at once, but, asthe river to Tientsin was frozen, it was out of the question forus to go by that route, and as my father was very old and quiteill at that time, in fact constantly under the doctor's care, theonly accessible way, via Chinwangtao, was equally out of thequestion, as it was a long and most tedious journey and quitebeyond his strength. In view of all these difficulties, hetelegraphed that, after the ice had broken up in the Peiho River,we would come by the first steamer leaving Shanghai for Tientsin.
We left Shanghai on the 22d of February and arrived at Tientsin onthe 26th, and, as before, were met by the Customs Taotai of the port and numerous other officials (the same as when we arrived at Shanghai). There is a very curious custom of reverence, which must be performed by all high officials on their return from abroad. Immediately upon landing on the shores of China, arrangements aremade with the nearest Viceroy or Governor to receive their obeisance to Ching Sheng An (to worship the Emperor of Peace), a Taotai being considered of too low a rank for such an honor. As soon as we arrived, Yuan Shih Kai, who was then Viceroy of Chihli Province at Tientsin, sent an official to my father to prepare the time and place for this function, which is an extremely pretty one. When arrangements had been made, both my father and Yuan Shih Kai dressed in their full ceremonial robes, which is the dragon long robe, with a reddish black three-quarter length coat over it, chao chu (amber beads), hat with peacock feather and red coral button, and repaired at once to the Wan Shou Kung (10,000 years palace), which is especially built for functions of this kind, where they were met by a large number of officials of the lower grades. At the back centre of this Temple, or Palace, stands a very long narrow table on which are placed the tablets of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, on which is written, "Wan sway, wan sway, wan wan sway" (10,000 years times 10,000 years times 10,000 years). The Viceroy, or in this case Yuan Shih Kai, and the other officials arrived first. Yuan stood at the left side of this table and the others arranged themselves in two diminishing lines starting from the front corners of the table. Soon afterward my father came and knelt directly in front of the centre of the tableand said, "Ah ha Ching Sheng An" (Your servant gives yougreeting). After this ceremony was over my father immediatelyarose and inquired after Their Majesties' health, and Yuan repliedthat they were quite well. This closed the function. We stayed in Tientsin for three days, arriving in Peking on thetwenty-ninth. My father's condition was much worse and he begged for four months' leave of absence, in which to recuperate, which was granted by Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager. As our beautiful mansion, which we had built and furnished just before leaving for Paris, was burned during the Boxer Rising of 1900, entailing a loss of over taels 100,000, we rented and moved into a Chinese house. Our old house was not entirely new. When we bought the place there was a very fine but old Chinese house, the palace of a Duke, standing on the ground, and by some clever re-arrangement and building on, it was transformed into a beautiful foreign style house with all the fine hardwood carving of the old house worked into it. By using the words "foreign style," it is meant that, in so far as the Chinese house could be made to look like a foreign house, without tearing it down entirely, it was changed, that is the doors and windows, passageways, furnishings, etc., were foreign, but the arrangement of the house itself and courtyard was Chinese. This, like all Chinese houses in Peking, was built in a very rambling fashion, and with the gardens, covered about ten acres of ground. We had just finished furnishing it and moved in only four days when we left for Paris; and it has always been a great sorrow to my family that we should lose this magnificent place, after having spent so much time and money in building and beautifying it. However, this is only one of the many trials that a high official in China is called upon to bear.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Manuscripts
I currently have a variety of manuscripts that need an agent, some of these titles include,
A Tour Guide of Old Germany
Nudes
A Photo Journal of Male Nudes for Artists
A Photo Journal of Colorado
Queen Victoria
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
I've Always Known
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone at 719-390-6685
I am also listed at Boundlessgallery.com
The Beacham Gallery
Askart.com
LULU.com
A Tour Guide of Old Germany
Nudes
A Photo Journal of Male Nudes for Artists
A Photo Journal of Colorado
Queen Victoria
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
I've Always Known
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone at 719-390-6685
I am also listed at Boundlessgallery.com
The Beacham Gallery
Askart.com
LULU.com
From Chapter 3 of "I've Always Known"
Suddenly I heard a sound behind me; I started to turn when my father grabbed me by the throat, lifted me off the ground, and pulled me close to his face. He growled at me that if he couldn’t make a man out of me, he’d kill me. With that said, he threw me as far as he could, I smacked against a tree and withered to the ground. “Get the ‘F’ up and get that pole into the water before I stick it up your ass.” I crawled to my feet and cast the line into the water. I stood at the edge of the water waiting for God to strike me too. I knew, as never before, I knew, that I was different,
Suddenly I heard a sound behind me; I started to turn when my father grabbed me by the throat, lifted me off the ground, and pulled me close to his face. He growled at me that if he couldn’t make a man out of me, he’d kill me. With that said, he threw me as far as he could, I smacked against a tree and withered to the ground. “Get the ‘F’ up and get that pole into the water before I stick it up your ass.” I crawled to my feet and cast the line into the water. I stood at the edge of the water waiting for God to strike me too. I knew, as never before, I knew, that I was different,
Manuscripts
Currently I have 9 manuscripts listed on LULU.COM needed to put them somewhere and it was fun creating a book from start to finish, was also able to create art books of my paintings to send to galleries in Europe which have helps sales go through the roof.
Paintings at Boundless Gallery
This painting is one of 50 available at Boundlessgallery.com, I'm happy to report that my exhibit in Asia has been very positive selling more then 27 paintings todate.
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