New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-12
An EMPRESS,S GIFTS.
Hiss Karl Tells Y. ". c. n. about
Wonderful Chinese Je1oels.

The only unmarried girl in the world who re-
sembles the American girl in her freedom ana
her social Importance, according to MISS har4s
is the Manchu girl Miss Karl is the American
artist who painted the portrait OF the Empress
Dowager of China which exhibited at St
Louis. Yesterday afternoon. IN the course Of
paper which she read at the waIdorf-Astoria
for the benefit of the Young Women's Christian
Association she gave a highly hattering word
portrait of "the Old Buddha," the Chinese
love TO call the Empress Dowager, In which.
among other things, she touched on the inde-
pendence enjoyed by girls OF the Manchu'
the race to which her majesty belongs.
THE Manchu girl may marry If she chooses"
said Miss Karl but many remain unmarried
voluntarily the Manchus being the only ORR
entail race so far as 1 know. where this condi-
ton exists. The Chinese regard the birth Of a
daughter as a misfortune, The Manchus are
different. They want son. but welcome
daughters. and allow them much personal free
dom and voice in family matters. The result
of leaving them thus untrammelled is that many
OF them develop great executive skill and
powers of initiative"
Miss Karl said the Empress Dowager,s great
force and resolution of character might in part
be traced to this atmosphere of liberty and
respect which surrounds the Manchu young
woman.
Although the audience was dying to hear how
It feels to live eleven months in a Chinese palace
and go boating and lunching with an Empress
Dowager, Miss Karl did little to Quench their
curiosity. Instead she led them through the
intricacies of modern Chinese statecraft. Just-
flying the Empress Dowager and the Emperor
for their part in the Boxer uprising. and laying
the blame for the latter upon the whole of
Christendom." Aferward Miss Kari explained
that She was not down on missionaries at all, as
she had many good friends among them.
Miss Karl wore some wonderful jewels over
her black and white gown, and when the paper
had been read some of the women ventured to ask
her about them. Nearly all had been presented
to her by the Empress, they found
one of the most significant was the Star of the
Double Dragon, with silver rays radiating from
a coral centre. which worn on broad Grim
son ribbon passing from the left shoulder under
the right arm.
This" said Miss Karl carries with it official
rank"
The button of the palace was lovely creation
of coral and seed pearls, with the flaming pearl
Of dynasty in the middle-pearls. as the speaker
told them, being the special symbol of the reign
ing house.
ornament composed of two carved branches of
scarlet coral held by two large pearls, was a
hair ornament of the Empress. In fact, she TOOK
IL out of her hair to give TO me.
A long chain Of amber beads hung from her
neck below the waist At intervals they We're
prnctrred by great balls OF bright green jade.
That carries with it the official rank Of the
second mandarin degree" explained Miss Karl.
The bangle Of black wood studded with pearls
which she wore on her left arm was of scented
wood she added. the wood being supposed to
perfume the flesh it came in contact with
seyyben the Empress gave me a sable cap"
went on Miss Karl, "she had this ornament
made to decorate the top" The ornament looked
like a necklet Of jade and pearl in swastika de-
sign interspersed with dragons. Miss Karl wore
# near the top of her stock. just above string
of handsome. graduated pearls also the gift of
the Empress.
Later there were tea and music in an adjoin-
ing room with the following young women, in
Chinese costumes lent by Miss Karl, assisting
Miss COrneIia Katherine Hall. Miss Helen
Bangs Miss Marjorie Kendall, Miss Kathleen
Harper. Miss Louise Hammond, Miss Katharine
Kendall Miss T. c. Grant Miss Nancy Harris,
Miss Mozele Price and Mrs. Harold Prior.