The times., 1899-01-09
A STARTLING INNOVATION.
European Ladies' Entertained by the
Emprcss DoMngcr of Chinn.

tsntertufued the
Empress DownEer of Chinn.
The Pckin correspondent OF the London
Times writes to his paper that after nu-
merous difficulties and delays, due in great
measure TO the question OF interpreters
the promised reception of the ladies of the
diplomatic body by the dowager empress
at last took place at the palace. The event
was a noteworthy innovation, and it was
Lady Macdonald. wife of the British min
lister. who was chiefly instrumental in ar
ranging the preIiminaries of a ceremony
calculated to destroy many OF the barriers
which have heretofore excluded Europeans
from intercourse with the imperial court.
The wives of the seven foreign ministers
assembled at the British legation and pro-
ceeded together to the palace, the route
they followed being kept clear by the po-
lice. At the entrance to the precincts OF
the palace they were met by a-group OF
gorgeously appareled mandarins. Leaving
their own chairs. the ladies were conducted
in palace chairs to the electric tramway
and conveyed TO the great hall. where
stood a number of ladies of the court who
had been deputed to escort them to the
audience chamber. Here the dowager EN-
press was seated on 4 dais behind small
table decorated with chrysanthemums and
apples the emperor being seated on her
maiestys left.
The ladies of the diplomatic body ar
ranged themselve in front OF the dals, and
Lady Macdonald as their doyenne,
stepped forward. read in English an ad-
dress expressing the pleasure of the party
at the opportunity thus afforded them to
/ offer to the dowager empress their con-
I gratulations her majestys birthday.
/ and the hope that the precedent would be
| followed by the ladies of China.
| The dowager empress graciously re-
| turned thanks. Lady Macdonald followed
| by the rest of the ladies. then mounted the
| dais and bowed to the emperor and dowa-
| ger empress. The latter presented to each
/ of the ladies gold ring set with pearls.
| which her majesty herself placed on their
| fingers.
After the ceremony the foreign minis
ters' wives retired to an adjoining hall,
! where Il sumptuous Chinese luncheon was
served the Princess Ching presiding. The
/ Interpreters lunched at a similar table
| The ladies were then escorted to an ad-
| joining room for a brief interval of rest.
Returning presently to the banqueting hall
/ the ladies found it crowded with prin-
! later the dowager empress entered, ac-
companied by the emperor's wife. The
dowager empress is described by those
| who were present as having a determined
face. somewhat sallow, but relieved by q
| charming smile. Contrary to the Chinese
| custom. her majestys face is not painted
| The emperor's wife is described as being
| very pretty with, however, sad and sub
/ dued expression.
empress conversed affably, expressing a
hope that they had enjoyed their visit
When tea was served her majesty dranl
from the same cup with each ministers
wife. and shortly afterwards, giving way
to an Cutburst of womanly emotion. sht
embraced all her visitors in turn.
The party next adjourned to the thea
tire, traversing numerous gorgeous corri
dors. The palace theatre is huge hall
with a platform in the centre, and is sur
rounded by boxes inclosed in plate glass
At the commencement of the proceeding
the stage was filled by crowd Of higl
mandarins who. on the appearance of tn
emperor and dowager empress. kowtoxe'
to them thrice. The play which lastet
considerable time, was acted by pa'ac
eunuchs. 1t was followed by acrobat
performances. after which the party re
turned to the dining hall where Chimes
sweetmeats. tea and wine We're served.
The dowager empress afterward agai
appeared. and bade adieu to her visitors
saying she hoped to see them again. Tn
ladies were escorted back to the gates o
the palace with the same ceremonies a
had been observed on their arrival. an
returned home late in the afternoon. Al
received presents before leaving. Through
out the proceedings the dowager EN-
press displayed the utmost cordality
Her majesty was especially gracious t
Lady Macdonald. and once while con
versng with her patted her p'ayful!y o
the cheek.
The effect of the visit on the publ
mind will. undoubtedly, be very grea
the Chinese regarding such departur
from ancient usage as more signifcan
than any political change.