Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-24
TN n m,h1po,s WIFE.
Her Intense Interest In Everything THAT
Concerns the Nation.

Concerns the Nation.
A refreshing little incident occurred
during their stay ut their old home,
the palace of Kioto, says the Chau-
tauguan. Together they rambled
through the gardens, recalling their
early days among the familiar trees
and shrubs and we are told that the
empress was invited to go up the
stairs OF the "shishinden, the august
audience hall, where the Mikado of old
used to administer public affairs and
where no female had yet set fout.
1t is their daily custom to dine to-
gether in the evening and undemon-
strative as We naturally are it Is said
that no sign ia wanting to show That
they enjoy more than their share of
coDjugal felicity. Reports also say
that there never was a woman truer to
the old teachings in respect to the
womanly disposition and demeanor.
Space would not allow US to narrate
even what little we know OF the daily
life OF the Empress. ThUse who have
| had the pleasure of seeing the suite OF
| imperial chambers will be able to sur
mise that there is more or less Of COM
promise between the foreign and native
in the style of living in the imperial
household. The Empress Dowager alone
chooses to live in the old native style.
1t is said that the Empress has de-
cidedly simple tastes, both in matters
OF table and wardrobe.
Having no children around her, one
would naturally think that the EN-
press would be lonely. yet she has a
great deal to occupy her mind. She
has her duties toward the ladies' of the
house, tina least uf whom does not
escape her gracious attention. The
strict decorum of the court, however,
excludes all but those of noble birth
from being near her attendants.
She has always EXPRESSED intense
interest in all that concerns the nation,
whether it be question OF the year {
rice crop or one of momentous diplo'
matte issue. She therefore keeps her
self informed on all important subjects.
The Japanese plenipotentiary, on the
occasion of the recent treaty ratifica'
tiops at Chez Foo, was given specia
audience after his return. he is MOI
the only person who has been taker
by surprise at the intelligent ant
sagarious questionings of her majesty,
Little need be said about her literar,
accomplishments. Everybody knowI
that her special talent lies in thu
domain of the national literature. On
OF her poems has been set to music ant
is sung by school children all over thu
land. Critics are agreed on the fac
that her style is decidedly classical
Very recently beautiful composition
in the form Of diary was inade public
which is interesting not only in poin
Of literary value, but ALEC on accoun
Of the noble sentiments it expresses.
Her majesty has always assiduousl.
, patronized woman's education AM
, there have been no better incentive t.
ambitious girls all over the empir
/ than her visits to the woman s higl
, normal school Of Toxic.
, Everybody is 50 familiar with tn
! numerous deeds Of charity, by mean
] of which her majesty has set ex
ample to the women OF the empire tina
i only slight mention is necessary.
Her liberality toward the poor an
distressed is unbounded, whether mani
tested in the form of money gwen
, the sufferers from fire and earthquake
of floss silk sent to the freezing soldier
\ in north China or in the shane {
bandages of her own rolling and th
substitutes for amputated limbs give
!, to native veterans and Chinese car
4 Eiyes.