The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-12
CRAWLING BACK TO PICKING.


Hsian Letter in North China Herald.
At dawn to-day trumpeters sounded the
call to get ready Immediately the gates
of the city were opened and carts, carriers,
and couriers began TO move By 7:30 the
streets were crowded with spectators Good
order was maintained, and a clear roadway
left and kept open by the cavalry that lined
the streets on either side. The different
UniformS-yellow, red, blue-the Variegatcd
banners that fluttered in the breeze. the
glittering swords and tridentS. had q fine
scenic effect as the bright sun began to
shine on the throng. By 1:45 the advance
cavalry passed. Then came the eunuehs In
carts, followed by yellow Jacketed OF
ficers with flowing plumes and prancing
ponies Then the royal sedans, used last
year, were carried past, each containing
some important trophy. Next came the
royal mounted bodyguard, ordering the
crowds to kneel. and instantly they Hoped
on to their knees. Soon the outrlders pull
ers, bearers of the first yellow dragoned
chair were in view. The Emperor was
pulled by twenty and borne by sixteen men,
dressed in decorated silk gowns. His char
was richly draped with embroidered satin
and decorated with jade jewels. His Ma
jesty sat bolt upright, with features that
were fixed statue. He looked only
straight ahead, as if unaware of the lines
of his kneeiing subjects, or more likely
afraid he might not manifest the self
possession that is the ESSENTIAL mark of dig
nifty and rank. He was looking well, and
all assert much better than on his arrival
last year.
His chair was followed by that of the
"Old Buddha," as the DOwager is famil-
iarly called She was dressed (or rather
"drowned') in dragoned yellow satin. Her
face is long and wan, with high cheek
bones, big mouth and thick lips. Her eyes
cleaned like fire. She was as awake ana
alert as the Emperor seemed inert and in
different. Nothing escaped the sharpness
of her vision. The beggars received tablets
of silver and the curious glances of scorn.
Every one remarked how careworn she
looked, and that she was quite ten years
older since last year. Her personal bag
gage occupied the next few filters and re-
lays of bearers.
tenance of the Dowager was the young face
of the Empress. Her chair halted for
little, and as IL was open, there was time
for a good view. She seemed rather en-
barrassed by the crowds and stole nervous,
furtive gances on either side. She looks
an innocent, ordinary officials daughter,
but the paint, powder and gew-gaw spoil
a pretty face. She was followed by the
chief cOncubines-women of muscle and
evident will, but destitute Of brains and
character. After their baggage came the
heir apparent but he invisible. Then
the royal princes of the blood, and finally
the minister of the Grand COuncil-Yung
Lu. These men had the bearing of refine
ment so conspicuous by its absence in the
others. Then next passed a train OF carts
with the innumerable attendants that are
at once the glory and the disgrace of an
Asiatic court.
BY 8 a. m. the south gate was reached.
1t was necessary, according to the feng
shut of the route, that the south, not the
east gate (Which is the direct and near
way), be the exit from the city. so a de-
tour was made. At the gates the gentry
presented yellow silk umbrellas and the
DOwager again INDUCED in scattering her
silver sticks. The southeast corner of the
city was rOunded-a halt made in the east
ern suburb to pray in Taoist temple for
a prOpitiOus journey-a prayer in which the
bitterest foe would willingly join without
deceit.