The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
SOLEMN SCENES
 IN CHINESE COURT Members of Diplomatic Corps
 Present Condolences FUNCTIONS FOR THE DEAD Diplomats Pass From One Hall to. An other to View the Bodies of the
 Late Empress Dowaeer
 and the Emperor.
FUNCTIONS FOR THE DEAD

Pekin, November 2O.-The ceremony at the imperial palace this morning, when members of the diplomatic corps present. ed the condolences or their respective gov ernments on the deaths of the Emperor and the Dowager Empress of China, was one of the most impressive ever wit messed in Pelsin. It was attended with a degree of solemnity and pomp that will long be remembered by every foreigner in the capital, who had the good fortune to be present. A noticeable feature of the proceedings was the presence of every member of the imperial clan, as well as every official, who lately has been re- ported dead or eliminated from the con duct of affairs of state This was the answer Of tho government to the rumors of suicides and deaths current in PeSin for the past week.
 Prince Ching. for the first time since the passing away of their majesties, ap- peared officially as the head of the for eign board.
 The heads Of the various governmental departments were present with the mem bers Of the imperial clan, and In addi- tion several thousand minor officials, all dressed in white, had assembled at im- perial command to witness this homage of the foreign governments of the world through their aeerediated diplomatic rep resentstives here. At the conclusion of the functions in honor of the dead the diplomats paid homage to Prince Chun the regent.
 bodies n iaSf eacn in a separate hall The catafalque Of the Emperor was on a dais in the Chien Ching hall and was draped in black satin, embroidered with dragons. The large image of a bird above the throne, emblematic of the glory and beauty that good government sheds over the world, was covered with white cur tain, as also were the numerous mirrors in the throne room. While satin screens set at oblique angles to the catafalque shut ou. from the view of the foreign representatives a numerous gathering of mourners, palace attendants and servants. Prince Chun, the refent stood at a table beside the catafalque of the Emperor.
 The Dowager Empress lay in state in l her own private palace, called Huang 1 Chi Tien, where she received the congrat- ulations of the diplomats on November on the occasion of her 74th anniversary. 1 The diplomats passed from the hall l where lay the body of the Emperor, to | the palace of the Dowager, and they were | preceded by Prince Chung, who covered | the distance with lnmistakable evidence | of haste The catafalque Of her majesty
 also WAS hanlzed by white screens Be-
 hind that on the left were grouped all
 the women of the imperial clan, attended
 by their serving women and they all were 1 plainly visible to the foreigners.
 1 The men of the imperial clan were be- l hind the screens on the right hand side 1 The mourning dress of the court is ex- 1 acty the same as that worn by the popu- | lace. Practically every official in Pelin, 1 together-with many men of high standing who expect office, we're present. Prince Ching, president of the foreign board, 1 was conspicuous for his alertness. Yuan Shi kai, member of the grand council, it was noticed, limped from the effects of a recenl accident. There were present in addition every official or mem Der of the imperial family who recently has been reported i'll, dead by his own hand, or stranged from the government and the desired impression of official solidarity at Picking, which it was most evident this occasion was intended to con- vey, was imparted successfully.
 The appearance of Prince Chun was noted by the foreigners present with the greatest interest. The praises of the regent nave been sung during the past few days in fulsome terms and as a result cautious diplomats were prepared for something different from what these eulogies had led them to expect par ticularly in the light the edict published yesterday accentuatng the powers of the regent In appearance the Prince was a disappointment. He bears strong re-