opportunity of satisfying their curiosity and scrutinizing this
female dragon ad libitum. Another said: "It will be broiling hot
on that June day, and it will be better to keep at a safe
distance from her, with plenty of guards to protect us, or we may
be broiled in more senses than one." The chairman looked worried
at these suggestions, but still kept her dignity and her
equilibrium. Then a mild voice suggested that it was customary in
all audiences for those presented to courtesy to the one on the
throne. "Courtesy!" broke in an indignant voice, "it would be
more appropriate for her to prostrate herself at our feet and beg
us to forgive her for trying to shoot us, than for us to courtesy
to her." It was finally decided, however, that the same
formalities be observed as were followed by the ministers when
received at court. I give these incidents to show the temper that
prevailed among the members of some of the legations at Peking at
the time of this first audience.

"When a few days later we followed the long line of richly-robed
princesses into the audience-hall, all this was changed. As we
looked at the Empress Dowager seated upon her throne on a raised
dais, with the Emperor to her left and members of the Grand
Council kneeling beside her, and these dignified, stately
princesses courtesying until their knees touched the floor, we
forgot the resentful feeling expressed in the meeting a few days
before, and, awed by her majestic bearing and surroundings, we
involuntarily gave the three courtesies required from those
entering the imperial presence. We could not but feel that this
stately woman who sat upon the throne was every inch an empress.
In her hands rested the weal or woe of one-third of the human
race. Her brilliant black eyes seemed to read our thoughts.