13. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE EMPRESS'S PORTRAIT
AFTER staying a little while at the temple, we
returned to the Palace, and the ladies said good-bye
and took chairs to the Palace gate, where
their own chairs were waiting for them. I then
went to report to Her Majesty in the usual way
what had been said by the visitors; whether they
had expressed themselves as being pleased with
the reception they had received. Her Majesty
said: "I like Mrs. Evans. I think she is a very
good woman. It seems to me that her manners
are quite different from those of the other American
ladies whom I have met. I like to meet
people who are polite.'' Then, referring to the
subject of the portrait Her Majesty said: "I
wonder why Mrs. Conger has this idea. Now
please explain to me what painting a portrait
really is.'' When I explained that it would be
necessary for her to sit for several hours each day
she was excited, and afraid she would never have
the patience to see it through. She asked me
what she must do during the sitting, so I explained
that she would simply have to pose for
the portrait, sitting in one position all the time
She said: "I shall be an old woman by the time
the portrait is finished.'' I told her that I had
had my own portrait painted during my stay in
Paris, by the same artist Mrs. Conger had proposed
should paint her own portrait (Miss Carl).
She immediately told me to fetch the portrait of
myself so that she could examine it and see what
it was like, so I gave the order right away to a
eunuch who was standing by to go to my house
and bring it. Her Majesty said: "I do not
understand why I must sit for the portrait
Couldn't someone else do it for me.'' I explained
to her that as it was her own portrait, and not
that of somebody else, they wished to paint, it
would be necessary for her to sit herself. She
then enquired whether it would be necessary for
her to wear the same dress at each sitting, also
the same jewels and ornaments. I replied that
it would be necessary to do so on each occasion.
Her Majesty then explained that in China it was
only necessary for an artist to see his subject
once, after which he could start right away and
finish the portrait in a very short time, and
thought that a really first-class foreign artist
should be able to do the same. Of course I explained
the difference between foreign portrait
painting and Chinese, and told her that when she
had seen it she would see the difference and understand
the reason for so many sittings. She
said: "I wonder what kind of a person this lady
artist is. Does she speak Chinese?'' I said that
I knew Miss Carl very well, and that she was a
very nice lady, but that she didn't speak Chinese.
She said: "If her brother has been in the Customs
service for so long, how is it that she doesn't
speak Chinese also?'' I told her that Miss Carl
had been away from China for a long time;
that in fact she had only been in China for
a very short time altogether, most of her work
being in Europe and America. Her Majesty
said: "I am glad she doesn't understand Chinese.
The only objection about this portrait painting is
that I have to have a foreigner at the Palace all
the time. With my own people gossiping they
might tell her things which I don't want anyone
to know.'' I told her that would be impossible
as Miss Carl did not understand Chinese at all,
neither did any of the people at Court understand
English, with the exception of ourselves
(my mother, sister and myself). Her Majesty
answered: "You must not rely too much on that,
as after spending a short time at the Court they
will soon learn to understand each other.'' Continuing,
she said: "By the way, how long will it
take before this portrait is finished?'' I told her
that it depended entirely upon how often she sat,
and how long each time. I didn't like to tell
her exactly how long it would take, as I was
afraid she might consider it too much bother, so
I said that when the artist arrived I would tell
her to get along and finish the portrait as quickly
as possible.
Her Majesty said: "I don't see how I can very
well refuse Mrs. Conger's request. Of course
I told her, as you know, that I would have to
consult with my Ministers, just to give me time
to think the matter over. If you know all about
this artist lady, and think she is quite all right
to come here to the Palace, of course she may
come, and I will tell Prince Ching to reply to
Mrs. Conger to that effect. First of all we must
talk over what we are going to do, for to have a
foreign lady staying in the Palace is out of the
question altogether. As a rule I always spend
the summer at my Summer Palace, and it is so
far from the city that I don't think she will be
able to go to and from the Palace every day, on
account of the distance. Now, where can we
put her? Someone will have to watch her all
the time. This is such a difficult matter that I
hardly know what to decide upon. How would
you like to look after her? Do you think you
could manage it in such a way that no one at the
Palace will have a chance to talk with her during
the daytime, but who is going to stay and watch
her during the night?'' Her Majesty walked up
and down the room thinking it over for quite a
while. Finally she smiled and said: "I have it.
We can treat her as a prisoner without her knowing
it, but it will all depend on your mother, your
sister and yourself to act for me in this matter.
Each of you will have to play your part very
carefully, and I mine also. I will give orders
to have the Palace Garden of Prince Chung
(the Emperor Kwang Hsu's father) fixed up
for Miss Carl during her stay here.''
This Palace garden is quite close to Her Majesty's
own Palace, about ten minutes' drive. It
is not in the Palace ground, but is quite a separate
Palace outside the Summer Palace.
Continuing, Her Majesty said: "Now, you
will have to come with her every morning and
return to stay with her every night. I think this
is the safest way out of the difficulty, but be careful
with regard to all correspondence which she
may either receive or send away. The only
thing about it is that it will give you a lot of
extra work, but you know how particular I am
over things of this kind, and it will save a lot of
trouble in the end. There is another thing
you will have to be very careful about, and that
is to watch that Miss Carl has no chance to
talk with the Emperor. The reason why I
say this is because, as you know, the Emperor
is of a shy disposition, and might say something
which would offend her. I will appoint four
extra eunuchs to be in attendance during the sittings
for the portrait, so that they will be on
hand in case anything is wanted.'' Her Majesty
then said: "I noticed that Mrs. Conger was
watching you when you pulled my sleeve. I
wonder what she thought of it. You needn't
care, anyway. Let her think anything she likes.
I understood what you meant if Mrs. Conger
didn't, and that is all that is necessary.'' I told
her that perhaps Mrs. Conger thought I wanted
to advise her to refuse this request, but Her
Majesty said: "What does that matter? If it
hadn't been that you know the artist yourself I
would not have consented in any case. It is not
the painting of the portrait that I mind, but it
might give rise to serious results.''
The next morning I received a letter from
Mrs. Conger begging me not to prejudice Her
Majesty against Miss Carl in any way. I translated
this to Her Majesty, and it made her furious.
She said: "No one has any right to write
to you in such a way. How dare she suggest
that you would say anything against Miss Carl?
Didn't I tell you she was watching you when
you pulled my sleeve? When you reply to that
letter tell her whatever you like, but answer in
the same way she writes herself, or, better still,
you write and inform her that it is not customary
for any Court lady to try and influence
Her Majesty in this country, and that in addition,
you are not so mean as to say anything
against anybody. If you don't like to say that,
just say that as Miss Carl is a personal friend
of yours you certainly would never think of saying
anything against her.''
I therefore replied to Mrs. Conger's letter in
the ordinary way, making it as formal as possible.
Her Majesty then talked of nothing but the
portrait during the whole of that afternoon. By
and bye she said: "I hope that Mrs. Conger will
not send a missionary lady with Miss Carl to
keep her company during her stay at the Palace.
If she does I will certainly refuse to sit. The
next morning the eunuch arrived with my
portrait, and everyone at the Court had a
good look at it before I took it to show
to Her Majesty. Some of them were of the
opinion that it was very much like me,
while the others thought the painting a
very poor one. When I informed Her Majesty
of the arrival of the portrait she ordered that it
should be brought into her bedroom immediately.
She scrutinized it very carefully for a while, even
touching the painting in her curiosity. Finally
she burst out laughing and said: "What a funny
painting this is, it looks as though it had been
painted with oil.'' (Of course it was an oil
painting.) "Such rough work I never saw in all
my life. The picture itself is marvellously like
you, and I do not hesitate to say that none of
our Chinese painters could get the expression
which appears on this picture. What a funny
dress you are wearing in this picture. Why are
your arms and neck all bare? I have heard that
foreign ladies wear their dresses without sleeves
and without collars, but I had no idea that it
was so bad and ugly as the dress you are wearing
here. I cannot imagine how you could do it. I
should have thought you would have been
ashamed to expose yourself in that manner.
Don't wear any more such dresses, please. It
has quite shocked me. What a funny kind of
civilization this is to be sure. Is this dress only
worn on certain occasions, or is it worn any time,
even when gentlemen are present?'' I explained
to her that it was the usual evening dress for
ladies and was worn at dinners, balls, receptions,
etc. Her Majesty laughed and exclaimed:
"This is getting worse and worse. Everything
seems to go backwards in foreign countries.
Here we don't even expose our wrists when in
the company of gentlemen, but foreigners seem
to have quite different ideas on the subject.
The Emperor is always talking about reform,
but if this is a sample we had much better remain
as we are. Tell me, have you yet changed your
opinion with regard to foreign customs? Don't
you think that our own customs are much nicer?''
Of course I was obliged to say "yes'' seeing that
she herself was so prejudiced. She again examined
the portrait and said: "Why is it that one
side of your face is painted white and the other
black? This is not natural — your face is not
black. Half of your neck is painted black, too.
How is it?'' I explained that it was simply the
shading and was painted exactly as the artist saw
me from the position in which she was sitting.
Her Majesty then enquired: "Do you think that
this Artist lady will paint my picture to look
black also? It is going to America, and I don't
want the people over there to imagine that half
of my face is white and half black.'' I didn't
like to tell her the truth, that her portrait would
in all probability be painted the same as mine, so
I promised Her Majesty that I would tell the
artist exactly how she wished to be painted. She
then asked me if I knew when the artist proposed
commencing the portrait. I told her that
the artist was still in Shanghai, but that Mrs.
Conger had already written to her to come up to
Peking, to make the necessary preparations.
One week later I received a letter from Miss
Carl informing me that she proposed coming up
to Peking at once, and that she would be delighted
if Her Majesty would allow her to paint
this portrait. I translated the letter to Her Majesty,
who said: "I am very glad that you know
this lady personally. It will make it much easier
for me. You know there may be some things
which I may want to tell Miss Carl, but which I
don't want Mrs. Conger to know. I mean that
there might be certain things which I shall have
to say to Miss Carl, which, if Mrs. Conger heard
of them, would give her the impression that I was
very difficult to please. You understand what
I mean. As this lady is a friend of yours, you
will of course be able to tell her things in such
a manner as not to offend her, and I may tell
you again that if it were not that she is a personal
friend of your own I would not have her
here at all, as it is quite contrary to our custom.''
On the third day of the second-fifth moon
Prince Ching informed Her Majesty that the
artist had arrived at Peking and was staying
with Mrs. Conger and wished to know Her Majesty's
pleasure in regard to commencing the
portrait. Now I must explain that the Chinese
year varies as to the number of moons it contains.
For example, one year contains the ordinary
twelve months or moons. The following year
may contain thirteen moons. Then the two years
following that may contain twelve moons only,
and thirteen moons the next year, and so on. At
the time of the proposed visit of the artist the
Chinese year contained thirteen moons, there
being two fifth moons in that year. When
Prince Ching asked Her Majesty to name the
day on which Miss Carl should commence her
work, she replied: "I will give her my answer
to-morrow. I must first consult my book, as I
don't want to start this portrait on an unlucky
day.'' So the next day, after her usual morning
audience Her Majesty consulted this book for
quite a time. Finally she said to me: "According
to my book the next lucky day will not occur
for another ten days or so,'' and handed me the
book to look myself. Eventually she picked out
the twentieth day of the second-fifth moon as
the most lucky day for beginning the work.
Next she had to consult the book again in order
to fix on the exact hour, finally fixing on 7
o'clock in the evening. I was very much worried
when she told me that, as by that time it
would be quite dark, so I explained to Her Majesty
as nicely as I could that it would be impossible
for Miss Carl to work at that hour of the
day. Her Majesty replied: "Well, we have
electric lights here. Surely that would be sufficient
light for her.'' Then I had to explain that
it would not be possible to get such good results
by means of artificial light as if it were painted
during the daytime. You see I was anxious to
get her to change the hour, as I was sure that
Miss Carl would refuse to paint by means of
electric light. Her Majesty replied: "What a
bother. I can paint pictures myself in any kind
of light, and she ought to be able to do the same.''
After much discussion it was finally settled that
10 o'clock on the morning of the twentieth day
of the second-fifth moon should be the time for
Miss Carl to commence to paint this portrait, and
I can assure you that I felt very much relieved
when it was all settled. When the eunuch
brought in my portrait, he also brought in several
photographs which I had had taken during
my stay in Paris, but I decided not to show them
to Her Majesty in case she should decide to have
a photograph taken instead of having this portrait
painted, as it would be much quicker and save
her the trouble of sitting each day. However, as
Her Majesty was passing on the veranda in
front of my bedroom the next morning she
stepped into the room just to have a look around
and, as she put it, to see whether I kept everything
clean, and in good order. This was the
first time she had visited me in my own room,
and I was naturally very much embarrassed, as
she very rarely visited the rooms of her Court
ladies. I could not keep her standing, and I
could not ask her to sit down in any of my own
chairs, as it is the Chinese custom that the Emperor
and Empress should only sit down in their
own special chairs, which are usually carried by
an attendant wherever they go. I therefore was
on the point of giving an order for her own stool
to be brought in, when Her Majesty stopped
me and said that she would sit on one of the
chairs in the room, and so bring me good luck.
So she sat down in an easy chair. A eunuch
brought in her tea, which I handed to her myself
instead of letting the eunuch wait upon her.
This of course was Court etiquette, and was also
a sign of respect.
After she had finished her tea, she got up and
went around the room, examining everything,
opening up all my bureau drawers and boxes in
order to see whether I kept my things in proper
order. Happening to glance into one corner of
the room she exclaimed: "What are those pictures
on the table over there,'' and walked across
to examine them. As soon as she picked them
up, she exclaimed in much surprise: "Why, they
are all photographs of yourself, and are very
much better than the picture you had painted.
They are more like you. Why didn't you show
them to me before?'' I hardly knew what to answer,
and when she saw that I was very much
embarrassed by her question, she immediately
started talking about something else. She often
acted in this manner when she saw that any of us
were not quite prepared for any of her questions,
but she would be sure to reopen the subject at
some future time, when we were expected to give
a direct answer.
After examining the photographs for sometime,
which by the way, were all taken in European
dress, Her Majesty said: "Now these are
good photographs; much better than the portrait
you had painted. Still I have given my promise,
and I suppose I shall have to keep it. However,
if I do have my photograph taken, it will
not interfere at all with the painting of the portrait.
The only trouble is I cannot ask an ordinary
professional photographer to the Palace.
It would hardly be the thing.''
My mother thereupon explained to Her Majesty
that if she desired to have her photograph
taken, one of my brothers, who had studied
photography for some considerable time, would be
able to do all that was necessary.
I would like to explain that I had two brothers
at Court at that time, who held appointments
under the Empress Dowager. One was in
charge of all the electrical installation at the
Summer Palace, and the other, her private
steam launch. It was the custom for all the
sons of the Manchu officials to hold certain
positions at the Court for two or three years.
They were perfectly free to walk about the
grounds of the Palace, and saw Her Majesty
daily. Her Majesty was always very kind to
these young men, and chatted with them in quite
a motherly way. These young fellows had to
come to the Palace each morning very early, but
as no man was allowed to stay all night in the
Palace they of course had to leave when they
had finished their duties for the day.
When Her Majesty heard what my mother
said, she was very much surprised, and asked
why she had never been told that my brother
was learned in photography. My mother replied
that she had no idea that Her Majesty wished to
have a photograph taken, and had not dared to
suggest such a thing herself. Her Majesty
laughed, and said: "You may suggest anything
you like, as I want to try anything that is
new to me, especially as outsiders can know
nothing about it.'' She gave orders to send for
my brother at once. On his arrival Her Majesty
said to him: "I hear that you are a photographer.
I am going to give you something to
do.'' My brother was kneeling, as was the custom
of the Court, whilst Her Majesty was
addressing him. Everybody, with the exception
of the Court ladies, had to kneel when she was
speaking to them. Even the Emperor himself
was no exception to this rule. Of course the
Court ladies, being constantly in attendance,
were allowed not to kneel, as Her Majesty was
talking to us all the time, and it was her orders
that we should not do so, as it would be wasting
a lot of time.
Her Majesty asked my brother when he would
be able to come and take her photograph, and
what kind of weather was necessary. My
brother said that he would go back to Peking
that night, to fetch his camera, and that he could
take the photograph at any time she desired, as
the weather would not affect the work. So Her
Majesty decided to have her photograph taken
the next morning. She said: "I want to have
one taken first of all in my chair, when going to
the audience, and you can take some others
afterwards.'' She also asked my brother how long
she would have to sit, and was surprised to learn
that only a few seconds would suffice. Next
she enquired how long it would be before it was
finished, so that she could see it. My brother
answered that if it were taken in the morning
it could be finished late the same afternoon. Her
Majesty said that was delightful, and expressed
a wish to watch him do the work. She told my
brother that he might select any room in the Palace
to work in, and ordered a eunuch to make
the necessary preparations.
The next day was a beautiful day, and at eight
o'clock my brother was waiting in the courtyard
with several cameras. Her Majesty went to the
courtyard and examined each of them. She
said: "How funny it is that you can take a person's
picture with a thing like that.'' After the
method of taking the photograph had been fully
explained to her, she commanded one of the
eunuchs to stand in front of the camera so that
she might look through the focusing glass, to
see what it was like. Her Majesty exclaimed:
"Why is it your head is upside down? Are you
standing on your head or feet?'' So we explained
when the photo was taken it would not
look that way. She was delighted with the result
of her observations, and said that it was
marvellous. Finally she told me to go and
stand there, as she wanted to have a look at me
through this glass also. She then exchanged
places with me, and desired that I should look
through the glass and see if I could make out
what she was doing. She waved her hand in
front of the camera, and on my telling her of it,
she was pleased.
She then entered her chair, and ordered the
bearers to proceed. My brother took another
photograph of Her Majesty in the procession as
she passed the camera. After she had passed the
camera she turned and asked my brother: "Did
you take a picture?'' and on my brother answering
that he had, Her Majesty said: "Why didn't
you tell me? I was looking too serious. Next
time when you are going to take one, let me
know so that I may try and look pleasant.''
I knew that Her Majesty was very much
pleased. While we were at the back of the
screen during the audience, I noticed that she
seemed anxious to get it over, in order to have
some more photographs taken. It only took
about twenty minutes to get that particular audience
over, which was very rare.
After the people had gone, we came from behind
the screen and Her Majesty said: "Let
us go and have some more pictures taken while
the weather is fine.'' So she walked the courtyard
of the Audience Hall, where my brother
had a camera ready, and had another photograph
taken. She said that she would like to
have some taken sitting on her throne, exactly
as though she were holding an audience. It
took us only a few minutes to have everything
prepared in the courtyard. The screen was
placed behind the throne, and her footstool was
also placed ready for her, and she ordered one
of the Court ladies to go and bring several gowns
for her to select from. At the same time I went
and brought some of her favorite jewelry. She
ordered the two gowns which she had worn at
the audiences when she received Admiral Evans
and Mrs. Evans, to be brought in, and also the
same jewels as she had worn on those respective
occasions. She had two photographs taken in
these costumes, one in each dress. Next she
wanted one taken in a plain gown, without any
embroidery. She then ordered my brother to
go and finish the pictures which had already been
taken, as she was anxious to see what they were
like. She said to my brother: "You wait a minute,
I want to go with you and see how you work
on them.'' Of course, I had not considered it
necessary to explain to Her Majesty the process
of developing the pictures, the dark room, etc.,
so I explained to her as well as I could the whole
thing. Her Majesty replied: "It doesn't matter.
I want to go and see the room, no matter
what kind of a room it is.'' So we all adjourned
to the dark room in order to see my brother work
on the photographs. We placed a chair so that
Her Majesty could sit down. She said to my
brother: "You must forget that I am here, and
go along with your work just as usual.'' She
watched for a while, and was very pleased when
she saw that the plates were developing so
quickly. My brother held up the plate to the
red light, to enable her to see more distinctly.
Her Majesty said: "It is not very clear. I can
see that it is myself all right, but why is it that
my face and hands are dark?'' We explained
to her that when the picture was printed on
paper, these dark spots would show white, and
the white parts would be dark. She said:
"Well, one is never too old to learn. This is
something really new to me. I am not sorry
that I suggested having my photograph taken,
and only hope that I shall like the portrait painting
as well.'' She said to my brother: "Don't
finish these photographs until after I have had
my afternoon rest. I want to see you do it.''
When she got up at about half-past three, it did
not take her long to dress herself, as was her
usual custom, and she went immediately to where
my brother had the papers and everything prepared.
He then showed Her Majesty how the
printing was done. There was plenty of light,
as it was summer time, and as it was only four
o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was still high.
Her Majesty watched for two hours while my
brother was printing, and was delighted to see
each picture come out quite plainly. She held
the first one in her hands so long while examining
the others, that when she came to look at
it again, she found that it had turned quite black.
She could not understand this at all, and exclaimed:
"Why has this gone black? Is it bad
luck?'' We explained to her that it must be
washed after printing, otherwise a strong light
would cause the picture to fade, as this one had
done. She said: "How very interesting, and
what a lot of work there is.''
After the printing process had been finished,
my brother placed the pictures in a chemical
bath, as usual, finally washing them in clean
water. This caused Her Majesty even more surprise
when she saw how clear the pictures came
out, and caused her to exclaim: "How extraordinary.
Everything is quite true to life.''
When they were finally completed, she took the
whole of them to her own room and sat down on
her little throne, and gazed at them for a long
time. She even took her mirror in order to compare
her reflection with the photographs just
taken.
All this time my brother was standing in the
courtyard awaiting Her Majesty's further commands.
Suddenly she recollected this fact, and
said: "Why, I had forgotten all about your
brother. The poor fellow must be still standing
waiting to know what I want next. You go
and tell him — no, I had better go and speak
to him myself. He has worked so hard all the
day, that I want to say something to make him
feel happy.'' She ordered my brother to print
ten copies of each of the photographs, and to
leave all his cameras at the Palace, in order that
he could proceed with the work the next day.
The following ten days it rained continually,
which made Her Majesty very impatient,
as it was impossible to take any more photographs
until the weather improved. Her
Majesty wanted to have some taken in the
Throne Room, but this room was too dark, the
upper windows being pasted over with thick
paper, only the lower windows allowing the light
to enter. My brother tried several times, but
failed to get a good picture.
During this rainy period the Court was moved
to the Sea Palace, as the Emperor was to sacrifice
at the Temple of Earth. This was a yearly ceremony
and was carried out on similar lines to all
other annual ceremonies. On account of the
rain Her Majesty ordered that boats should be
brought alongside the west shore of the Summer
Palace. On entering the boats, Her Majesty,
accompanied by the Court, proceeded to the
Western Gate of the city, and on arrival at the
last bridge, disembarked. Chairs were awaiting
us and we rode to the gate of the Sea Palace.
There we again entered the boats and proceeded
across the lake, a distance of about a mile.
While crossing the lake Her Majesty noticed a
lot of lotus plants which were in full bloom. She
said: "We are going to stay at least three days
here. I hope the weather will be fine, as I
should like to have some photographs taken in
the open boats on the lake. I have also another;
good idea, and that is, I want to have one taken
as `Kuan Yin' (Goddess of Mersy). The two
chief eunuchs will be dressed as attendants. The
necessary gowns were made some time ago, and
I occasionally put them on. Whenever I have
been angry, or worried over anything, by dressing
up as the Goddess of Mercy it helps me to
calm myself, and so play the part I represent. I
can assure you that it does help me a great deal,
as it makes me remember that I am looked upon
as being all-merciful. By having a photograph
taken of myself dressed in this costume, I shall
be able to see myself as I ought to be at all times.''
When we arrived at the private Palace the
rain ceased. We walked to her bedroom,
although the ground was still in bad condition.
One of Her Majesty's peculiarities was a desire
to go out in the rain and walk about. She would
not even use an umbrella unless it was raining
very heavily. The eunuchs always carried our
umbrellas, but if Her Majesty did not use her
umbrella, of course we could not very well use
ours. The same thing applied in everything.
If Her Majesty wanted to walk, we had to walk
also, and if she decided to ride in her chair, we
had to get into our chairs and ride as well. The
only exception to this rule was when Her Majesty,
being tired walking, ordered her stool to
rest on. We were not allowed to sit in her presence,
but had to stand all the time. Her Majesty
liked her Sea Palace better than her Palace
in the Forbidden City. It was far prettier, and
had the effect of making her good tempered.
Her Majesty ordered us to retire early that
day, as we were all very tired after the trip, and
said that in the event of it being fine the next
day, she would have the proposed photographs
taken. However, much to Her Majesty's disappointment,
it rained incessantly for the next
three days, so it was decided to stay a few days
longer. On the last day of our stay it cleared
up sufficiently to enable the photographs to be
taken, after which we all returned to the Summer
Palace.
The day after our arrival at the Summer Palace
Her Majesty said that we had better prepare
everything for the audience to receive the lady
artist (Miss Carl). She told the chief eunuch
to issue orders to all the other eunuchs not to
speak to Miss Carl, but simply be polite as occasion
required. We Court ladies received similar
orders. Also, that we were not to address Her
Majesty while Miss Carl was present. The
Emperor received similar instructions. Her
Majesty gave orders to have the Gardens of
Prince Chung's Palace ready. She then said to
us: "I trust you three to look after this lady
artist. I have already given orders for food
to be supplied by the Wai Wu Pu. The only
thing that I have been worried about is that I
have no foreign food here for Miss Carl.'' She
ordered us to have our stove taken over to Prince
Chung's Palace in case Miss Carl desired something
cooked. She said: "I know it will be very
hard for you to take her to the Palace each morning
and return with her at night, besides having to
watch her all day long, but I know you do not
mind. You are doing all this for me.'' After
a while she smiled, and said: "How selfish of
me. I order you to bring all your things to this
place, but what is your father going to do? The
best thing will be to ask your father to come and
live in the same place. The country air might
benefit him.'' We kowtowed and thanked Her
Majesty, as this was a special favor, no official
nor anyone else having been allowed to live in
Prince Chung's Palace previously. We all were
very pleased — I could now see my father every
day. Hitherto we had only been able to see
him about once a month, and then only by asking
special leave.
The next day Her Majesty sent us to Prince
Chung's Palace to make all necessary arrangements
for Miss Carl's stay.
This Palace of Prince Chung's was a magnificent
place. All the smaller dwellings were quite
separate from each other, not in one large building,
as was the custom. There was a small lake
in the grounds, and lovely little paths to walk
along, exactly like the Empress Dowager's Summer
Palace, but, of course, on a much smaller
scale. We selected one of these small dwellings,
or summer houses, for the use of Miss Carl
during her stay, and had it fitted up nicely, to
make her as comfortable as possible. We ourselves
were to occupy the next house to Miss
Carl, in order that we might always be on
hand, and at the same time keep a good eye on
her. We returned to the Summer Palace the
same evening, and told Her Majesty just how
everything had been arranged. She said: "I
want you all to be very careful not to let this
lady know that you are watching her.'' She
seemed very anxious about this, repeating these
instructions for several days prior to Miss Carl's
arrival.
I felt very much relieved when the day before
the audience arrived, and everything was finally
fixed to Her Majesty's satisfaction. She
ordered us to retire early that evening, as she
wanted to rest and look well the next morning.
When morning came we hurried over everything,
even the usual morning audience, so that
we could be ready when Miss Carl arrived.
While I was standing behind the screen, as
usual, a eunuch came and told me that Mrs.
Conger, the artist, and another lady had arrived,
and that they were now in the waiting room. By
that time the audience was about finished. The
chief eunuch came in and told Her Majesty that
the foreign ladies had arrived and were waiting
in another room. Her Majesty said to us: "I
think I will go to the courtyard and meet them
there.'' Of course, at all private audiences Her
Majesty received the people in the Throne Room,
but as Miss Carl was more of a guest, she did
not think it necessary to go through the usual
formal reception.
While we were descending the steps we saw
the ladies entering the gate of the courtyard. I
pointed out Miss Carl to Her Majesty, and
noticed that she eyed Miss Carl very keenly.
When we arrived in the courtyard, Mrs. Conger
came forward and greeted Her Majesty and
then presented Miss Carl. Her Majesty's first
impression of Miss Carl was a good one, as Miss
Carl was smiling very pleasantly, and Her
Majesty, who always liked to see a pleasant
smile, exclaimed to me in an undertone: "She
seems to be a very pleasant person,'' to which I
replied that I was very glad she thought so, as I
was very anxious about the impression Miss Carl
would make on Her Majesty. Her Majesty
watched Miss Carl and myself as we greeted
each other, and I could see that she was satisfied.
She told me afterwards that she had noticed
Miss Carl appeared very glad to see me
again, and said: "We will handle her pretty
easily, I think.'' Her Majesty then went to her
own private Palace, and we all followed. On
our arrival, Miss Carl told me that she had
brought her own canvas. This was a piece about
six feet by four feet. I had told Miss Carl a
little previously that Her Majesty refused to sit
for a very small portrait and that she would like
a life-size one. When Her Majesty saw the
canvas she appeared to be very much disappointed,
as in her opinion even that was not large
enough. We placed the tables ready for Miss
Carl, and Her Majesty asked her to choose the
position in which she wished to paint. I knew
that Miss Carl would have great difficulty in
choosing a good position on account of the windows
being built so low, there being very little
light except low down near the ground.
However, Miss Carl finally placed the canvas
near the door of the room. Her Majesty told
Mrs. Conger and the rest to sit down for a while
as she wanted to change into another gown. I
followed her into her bedroom. The first question
Her Majesty asked was how old I thought
Miss Carl was, as she herself could not guess
her age, her hair being extremely light, in fact almost
white. I could hardly refrain from laughing
outright on hearing this, and told Her
Majesty that Miss Carl's hair was naturally of a
light color. Her Majesty said that she had
often seen ladies with golden hair, but never one
with white hair, excepting old ladies. She said:
"I think that she is very nice, however, and hope
she will paint a good portrait.''
Turning to one of the Court ladies, she ordered
her to fetch a yellow gown as although, as she
put it, she did not like yellow, she thought it
would be the best color for a portrait. She
selected one from a number which the Court lady
brought, embroidered all over with purple wisteria.
Her shoes and handkerchiefs matched.
She also wore a blue silk scarf, embroidered with
the character "Shou'' (long life). Each character
had a pearl in the center. She wore a pair
of jade bracelets and also jade nail protectors.
In addition she wore jade butterflies and a tassel
on one side of her headdress, and, as usual, fresh
flowers on the other side. Her Majesty certainly
did look beautiful on that occasion.
By the time she came out from her room Miss
Carl had everything prepared. When she saw
how Her Majesty was dressed, she exclaimed:
"How beautiful Her Majesty looks in this
dress,'' which remark I interpreted to Her
Majesty, and it pleased her very much.
She seated herself on her throne, ready to pose
for the picture. She just sat down in an ordinary
easy position, placing one hand on a cushion.
Miss Carl explained: "That is an excellent position,
as it is so natural. Please do not move.''
I told Her Majesty what Miss Carl said, and
she asked me whether she looked all right, or not.
If not, she would change her position. I assured
her that she looked very grand in that position.
However, she asked the opinion of the Young
Empress and some of the Court ladies, who all
agreed that she could not look better. I could
see that they never looked at Her Majesty at all,
they were too much interested in what Miss Carl
was doing.
When Miss Carl commenced to make the
rough sketch of Her Majesty everyone watched
with open mouth, as they had never seen anything
done so easily and so naturally. The
Young Empress whispered to me: "Although I
don't know anything about portrait painting,
still I can see that she is a good artist. She has
never seen any of our clothes and headdresses,
and she has copied them exactly. Just imagine
one of our Chinese artists trying to paint a foreign
lady, what a mess he would make of it.''
After the sketch was finished Her Majesty
was delighted and thought it was wonderful for
Miss Carl to have made it so quickly and so accurately.
I explained that this was a rough sketch
and that when Miss Carl commenced painting,
she would soon see the difference. Her Majesty
told me to ask Miss Carl whether she was tired
and would like to rest; also to tell her that she
was very busy all the day, and would only be
able to give her a few minutes' sitting each day.
We then took Miss Carl to luncheon, together
with Mrs. Conger, and after luncheon we accompanied
Her Majesty to the theatre.
After Mrs. Conger had departed I took Miss
Carl to my room to rest. As soon as we arrived
there, Her Majesty sent a eunuch to call me to
her bedroom. Her Majesty said: "I don't want
this lady to paint during my afternoon rest.
She can rest at the same time. As soon as I
am up you can bring her here to paint. I am
glad that it looks like turning out better than
I had anticipated.'' I therefore told Miss Carl
Her Majesty's wishes in this respect and that
she could paint for a little while, if she chose to,
after Her Majesty had had her rest. Miss Carl
was so interested in Her Majesty, she told me
she didn't want to rest at all, but that she would
like to go on with the painting right away. Of
course, I did not like to tell her anything the first
day, as it might upset her, and did not say that
this was a command from Her Majesty. After
a lot of maneuvering I got her to give up the idea
of continuing straight off, without offending her.
I took her out on the veranda as the eunuch
was preparing the table for Her Majesty's dinner
in the room we were then occupying. The
Young Empress kept Miss Carl busy talking, I
acting as interpreter. Soon one of the eunuchs
came and informed us that Her Majesty had
finished dinner, and would we please come and
take ours. On entering the room I was very
much surprised to see that chairs had been placed
there, as this had never been done previously,
everybody, with the exception of Her Majesty,
taking their meals standing. The Young Empress
was also very much surprised and asked
me whether I knew anything about it. I said
that perhaps it was on account of Miss Carl
being there. The Young Empress told me to
go over and ask Her Majesty, as she was afraid
to sit down without receiving orders to do so.
Her Majesty whispered to me: "I don't want
Miss Carl to think we are barbarians, and treat
the Young Empress and the Court ladies in that
manner. Of course, she does not understand our
Court etiquette and might form a wrong impression,
so you can all sit down without coming over
to thank me, but be natural, as though you were
accustomed to sitting down to dinner every day.''
After Her Majesty had washed her hands she
came over to our table. Of course we all stood
up. Her Majesty told me to ask Miss Carl
whether she liked the food, and was pleased when
Miss Carl answered that she liked the food better
than her own kind. That relieved Her Majesty.
After dinner was over I told Miss Carl to say
good-bye to Her Majesty. We courtesied to
her, also to the Young Empress, and said good
night to the Court ladies. We then took Miss
Carl to the Palace of Prince Chung. It took
us about ten minutes' ride in the carts. We
showed Miss Carl her bedroom, and were pleased
to leave her and get to our own rooms, for a
good night's rest.
The next morning we took Miss Carl to the
Palace, and arrived there during the morning
audience. Of course Miss Carl, being a foreigner,
could not enter the Throne Room, so we
sat down on the back veranda of the Audience
Hall and waited until it was over. This, of
course, prevented my being in attendance each
morning, as usual, and was a great disappointment
to me, as I was unable to keep in
touch with what was taking place. Moreover,
during the time I had been at Court, my one
object had been to endeavor to interest Her
Majesty in Western customs and civilization. I
believed that to a great extent Her Majesty was
becoming interested in these things, and would
refer the subjects of our conversations to her
Ministers, for their opinions. For instance, I
had shown her photographs taken of a Naval
Review at which I was present in France. Her
Majesty seemed to be impressed, and said that
she would certainly like to be able to make a
similar display in China. This matter she consulted
with her Ministers, but they gave the
usual evasive answer, viz.: "There is plenty of
time for that.'' From this you will see that Her
Majesty was not able to introduce reforms
entirely alone, even though she might desire to
do so, but had to consult the Ministers, who
would always agree with Her Majesty, but
would suggest that the matter be put off for a
time.
My experience while at the Palace was that
everybody seemed to be afraid to suggest anything
new for fear they might get themselves
into trouble.
When Her Majesty came out from the Audience
Hall, Miss Carl went up to her and kissed
Her Majesty's hand, which caused her great
surprise, although she did not show it at the time.
Afterwards, however, when we were alone, she
asked me why Miss Carl had done this, as it was
not a Chinese custom. She naturally thought
that it must be a foreign custom, and therefore
said nothing about it.
Her Majesty then proceeded on foot to her
own Palace, to change her dress for the portrait.
It was a beautiful morning, and when
she had posed for about ten minutes, she told
me that she felt too tired to proceed, and asked
if it would be all right to ask Miss Carl to postpone
it. I explained that as Miss Carl was
going to be at the Palace for some time, the
postponement of one day's sitting would not make
much difference at that time, although I knew
that Miss Carl would naturally be disappointed.
Still, I had to humor Her Majesty as much as
possible, otherwise she might have thrown up
the whole thing. Miss Carl said that if Her
Majesty wished to go to rest, she could be working
painting the screen and the throne, and Her
Majesty could pose again later on if she felt like
it. This pleased Her Majesty, and she said that
she would try to sit again after taking her
afternoon's rest. Her Majesty ordered me to give
Miss Carl her lunch in my own room at twelve
o'clock each day, my mother, my sister and myself
keeping her company. Dinner at the Palace
was usually taken about six o'clock, and it was
arranged that Miss Carl should take dinner with
the Young Empress and the Court ladies at that
hour, after Her Majesty had finished dining.
Her Majesty also ordered that champagne or
any other wine which Miss Carl preferred, should
be served, as she said she knew it was the custom
for all foreign ladies to take wine with their meals.
Where she got hold of this idea, nobody knew.
I was sure that Her Majesty had been misinformed
by somebody, but it would have been bad
policy to have tried to tell her different at the
moment. She disliked very much to be told that
she was wrong in any of these things, and it could
only be done by waiting and casually introducing
the subject at some other time.
After Miss Carl had gone to rest during the
afternoon, Her Majesty sent for me and asked
the usual question, viz.: What had Miss Carl
been saying? etc., etc. She seemed particularly
anxious to know what Miss Carl thought of her,
and when I told her that Miss Carl had said
that she was very beautiful and quite young looking,
she said: "Oh! well, of course Miss Carl
would say that to you.'' However, on my assuring
her that Miss Carl had given this opinion
without being asked for it, she showed very
plainly that she was not at all displeased with
the compliment.
Suddenly Her Majesty said: "I have been
thinking that if Miss Carl can paint the screen
and the throne, surely she ought to be able to
paint my clothes and jewels, without it being
necessary for me to pose all the time.'' I told
her that would be quite impossible, as nobody
could hold the things for Miss Carl to get the
proper effect. To my surprise she answered:
"Well, that is easily gotten over. You wear
them in my place.'' I hardly knew what to say,
but thought I would get out of the difficulty by
telling her that perhaps Miss Carl would not
like such an arrangement. Her Majesty, however,
could see no possible objection on Miss
Carl's part, as she herself could pose when the
time came for painting her face. So I put the
matter as nicely as possible to Miss Carl, and it
was finally arranged that I should dress in Her
Majesty's robes and jewels whenever Her
Majesty felt too tired to do the posing herself.
In this manner the portrait of the Empress
Dowager was painted, and with the exception of
just a few hours to enable Miss Carl to get Her
Majesty's facial expression, I had to sit for two
hours each morning, and for another two hours
each afternoon until the portrait was finished.