New-York tribune., 1900-07-01
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
AN AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPRESS
DOWAGER OF CHINA
SENATOR woLCOT-T's READY REPA ARTEE-CoN-
DITION OF TIE GOVERNMENT ARCHIVE+AN
ESTIMATE OF PORTO RICO.

Washington June 30-Public attention every
where centres on the determined little woman
sitting on the throne in the Forbidden City Of
Peking. who is endeavoring to direct and con
troll disorgaEized and rebelIious empire The
following account, written by one of those who
participated IN the memorable audience granted
by the Empress Tsi-An 70 the wives Of the
diplomats resident at her capitalize first and
only audience Of this kind ever granted by the
supreme power IN China-is therefore not with
out interest:
We, the ladies' who represented the Legations
of America, ENGLAND, Germany France, Rus
sIa. Holland and Japan. assembled at the Brit
ish Legation on Tuesday forenoon and started
from there IN our own chairs the streets being
guarded by the Imperial troops. At the gates
of the Forbidden City the party were met by
members Of the TsUng-li- Yamen and various
other high officials. Leaving our own chairs, we
We're conveyed over the bridge in others spa-
clally provided for the purpose and later on We're
transferred 70 an electric railway which carried
TO the reception hall Here were Era
cIOuslE received by Princess Ching. attended by
other members OF the Imperial family. and We're
pI-eree the ceremonial cup OF Tea from Ll-e
reception hall We We're conducted straight to the
presence Of the Empress D0Wager. and, much
70 our surprise, into that OF the Emperor also
Lady Macdonald. who took precedence. read 4
graceful little congratuatOTy address in Eng
lsh % Her Majesty on her birthday. for we had
been invited 10 celebrate that ausptCi0us 0cca-
sion, u which the Empress responded in an ad-
dress equally felicItous, and We then advanced
n =
ing coUrtesies We made before them both the
Emperor and Empress shook warmly by the
hands. the Empress slipping upon cur fingers
exquisite rings set with large pearls.
We were then entertained at luncheon by the
Princess Ching. and while we were seated the
Empress came in quite informally. chatted with
Us in the fraukesJ and most aTniahle manner
and introduced the EuperOT'S wife After
luncheon were entertained with some e.abO-
rate theatrfcaIs. then served with the ubiquitous
tea ard sweets the Empress coming in 70 bid
Us farewell and TO express her pleasure and
satisfaction at our visit She was most anna bic
and as . mark OF especial favor took a SIP II
tea from each Of our cups and kissed upon
the cheek Before leaving the palace we were
presented with rolls Of valuable silk. i set Of
maid combs. d painting done silk by Her
Majestys own hand and several other gifts.
The whole affair was a great success, and
something TO be always remembered There
was nothing perfunctOry about II. the pleasure
he Empress expressed at being privileged to
entertain Us was real. and she made a most ex-
cellenr impression I have never seen her equal
for tact and C0mplaiSance- Do not believe all
the terrible thirgs you hear about Tsi-An.
Senator Wolcott is one OF the readiest debaters
n the upper house. ard has few equals at
repartee- His rejoinders are pointed as d
rapier but his thrusts are given with supreme
good nature Shortly before the Senate I'd
journ-d the junior Senator from Colorado had
a little tilt with Nj Allen, 0S Nebraska, which
sounded fierce TO the oaIookers in the galleries.
but ended happily, Nr Allen and Mr. Wolcott
when the tournament was over leavirs the Sen
ate Chamber arm in arm. The PopuLst Scion