The Dowager-Empress of China on December 13th re- ceived the
ladies of the Diplomatic Body in the hitherto secluded Palace. Every honour was paid them ; they were welcomed by the highest Mandarins, presents of pearl rings were made to each of them, they were refreshed with tea, the Empress drinking out of each lady's cup, and they witnessed the performance of a tedious play acted entirely by the eunuchs. The Empress " in an outburst of emotion" embraced all the ladies, and even patted the British Ambassadress, Lady Macdonald, on the cheek. The visit is supposed to be a grand diplomatic triumph, and, doubtless, broke pleasantly the monotony of ladies' lives in Pekin, but we confess we read the accounts with the keenest regret. Considering the history of the Dowager-Empress, her conduct to the Emperor, her recent decrees for the execution of reformers, and her deadly hostility to genuine reform, we think that in bowing before such a figure the diplomatic ladies, to indulge a caprice, lowered all Europe in the eyes of semi-barbarians. The unhappy Emperor, who was present all through, stood persistently mute. One wonders, if he could find even a thousand men devoted to him, what his first order would be.
Previous page
