A RECEPTION OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS OF CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 4 February 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

A RECEPTION OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS OF CHINA.

AN INTERESTING FUNCTION.

Reuters Pekin agency under date of December 14 cabled the English press a most interesting- account of a reception given the ladies of the diplomatic corps in the city.

After numerous difficulties and delays (says this account), due in great measure to the question of interpreters, the promised reception of the ladies of the Diplomatic Body by the Dowager Empress took place at the palace yesterday.

The event was a noteworthy innovation, and it is only fair to Lady Mac Donald, wife of the British Minister, to state that it was she who was chiefly instrumental in arranging the preliminaries of a ceremony calculated to destroy many of the barriers which have heretofore excluded Europeans from intercourse with the Imperial Court.

The wives of theseven foreign Ministers assembled at the British Legation and proceeded together to the palace^ the route they followed being kept clear by the police. At the entrance to the precincts of the palace they were met by a group of gorgeously-apparelled mandarin ft.

Leaving their own chairs, the ladies were conducted in palace chairs to the electric tramway and conveyed to the great hall, where stood a number of

LADIES OF THE COURT

who had been' deputed to escort them to the audience chamber.

Here the Dowager Empress was seated on a dais, behind a small table decorated with chrysanthemums and apples; the Emperor being seated on Her Majesty's left.

The ladles of the Diplomatic Body ranged themselves in front of the dais, and Lady Mac Donald as their doyenne, stepping forward, read in English an address expressing the pleasure of the party at the opportunity thus afforded them to offer to the Dowager Empress their congratulations on Her Majesty's birthday, nnd the hope that the precedent would bo followed by the ladies of China.

The Dowager Empress graciously returned thanks. Lady MaeDonald, followed by the rest of the ladles, then mounted the dais and bowed to the Emperor and Dowager Empress. The latter presented to each of the ladies a gold ring set with pearls, which her Majesty herself placed on their fingers.

After this ceremony the foreign Ministors' wiveH retired to an adjoining hall, whore a sumptuous Chinese luncheon was served, the PrincoHS ChlnK presiding. The Interpreters lunchod at a smaller table. The Indies were then escorted to an adjoining room for a brief Interval of rest.

Returning presently to the banqueting hall the ladieu found it

CRW'DED WITH PRINCESSES and palace attendants, and a little later the' Dowager Empress entered, accompanied by tho Emperor'« wife.

The Dowager Empress is described by those who were present as having a determined face, Hdmewhat Hallow, but relieved by a charming1 smile. Contrary to tho Chinese custom, her Majesty's face is not painted. The Emperor's wife is described as being very pretty, with, however, a sad and subdued expression.

With the foreign ladles the Dowager Empress conversed nfCably, expressing a hope that they had enjoyed their visit. When tea was served her Majesty drank from the name cup with each Minister's wife, and shortly afterwards, giving way to an outburst of womanly emotion, she embraced till her visitors in turn.

The party next adjourned to tho theatre, traversing numerous gorgeous corridors. Tho palace theatre ia a huge hall with a platform In the centre, and is surrounded by boxes enclosed in plato Class. At the commencement of the proceedings the stage was filled by a crowd of high mandarins, who on the appearance of the Emperor and Dowager Em-.

press

KOWTOWED TO THEM THRICE

The play, which lasted a considerable time, was acted by palace eunuchs. It was followed by acrobatic performances, after which the party returned to the dining hall, where a wonderful assortment of Chinese sweetmeats, tea, and wine were served.

The Dowager Empress afterwards again appeared and bade adieu to her visitors, saying she hoped to see them again. The ladies were escorted back to the gates of the palace with the same ceremonies as had been observed on their arival, and returned home late in the afternoon. All received' presents before leaving.

Throughout the proceedings the Dowager Empress displayed the utmost cordiality. Her Majesty was especially gracious to Lady Mac Donald, and once.while conversing with her, patted her playfully on the cheek.

The effect of the visit on the public mind will undoubtedly be very great, the Chinese regarding such a departure from ancient usage as more significant than any political chance.