The news from China is not very important. The indemnity
question, though not yet settled, is believed to be in process of getting settled; and there are also said to be indications, though whether sham or real remains to be seen, that the Court is coming back. Meantime the Ostasiatische Lloyd gives some very curious particulars taken from native journals as to the life of the Chinese Court at Sian. Over the main entrance of the Palace is a signboard with the words "Temporary Palace," and all the chambers of the Palace are, we are told, lighted by "European safety-lamps and candles." The Empress is dyspeptic and suffers from insomnia—the old curse of the tyrant—but the Emperor is stronger and enjoys better health than in Pekin. [An Irishman might add—" that is, if he's really alive and not only a substitute."] At first the Court lived on ducks, poultry, and fish, but now things are better there is an occasional swallow's nest or shark's fin. The Emperor likes Shan-tung cabbage and eats little meat. "The Dowager. Empress prefers pastry." It is an appalling picture, that of a sleepless and dyspeptic Messalina devouring pastry by the light of a patent petroleum lamp.
