Page:China Under the Empress Dowager - ed. Backhouse and Bland - 1914.pdf/14

vi the pomp of a Chinese ruler was displayed; the audience with the Emperor took place after I had been to see the Empress.

"The day before my reception, I had called on the Foreign Ministers in Peking, making the acquaintance of the British Minister, Sir Claude Macdonald and of Lady Macdonald. They both showed a keen interest in next day's event; so much so that, in the course of conversation, Lady Macdonald asked me if I would mind conveying a message to the Empress Dowager on behalf of the ladies of the Foreign Legations then residing in Peking. I consented, whereupon Lady Macdonald requested me to ask the Empress whether she would be willing to receive the ladies of the Foreign Legations at any time, or on any day, that would be convenient to Her Majesty. I promised I would do my best, should a favourable opportunity present itself, but that I could not, of course, guarantee my success, knowing nothing of the circumstances under which I would be received nor being sufficiently acquainted with Chinese etiquette.

"The occasion did present itself, however, during a lull in the conversation, when I shot my bolt and laid the question before Her Majesty, who, after some considerable hesitation, answered that she was willing to receive the ladies in about a fortnight or three weeks' time.

"On my return to Peking, this news was received with much enthusiasm, and, as far as I recollect, the ladies were received some three weeks afterwards. Should there be any doubt about my statements, I am sure Sir Claude as well as Lady Macdonald will confirm them.

"The reason why I mention these facts is that, at the time, this interview created quite a sensation and was looked upon as a new departure in Chinee history, which, to the best of my knowledge, it was. Furthermore, I refer to them because there is no mention of these proceedings in the famous book China Under the Empress Dowager, which otherwise contains so many interesting details of the late Empress's life. Probably the Authors were