Christian doctrine set the people to studying about it, not only
in Peking but throughout many of the provinces, as was indicated
at the time by the number of Christian books sold. As early as
1891 he issued a strong edict ordering the protection of the
missionaries in which he made the following statement: "The
religions of the West have for their object the inculcation of
virtue, and, though our people become converted, they continue to
be Chinese subjects. There is no reason why there should not be
harmony between the people and the adherents of foreign
religions." The Chinese reported that he sometimes examined the
eunuchs, lining them up in classes and catechising them from the
books read.

One day three of the eunuchs called on me with this same
horticulturist, for the purpose no doubt of seeing a foreigner,
and to get a glimpse of the home in which he lived. One of them
was younger than the other two and above the average intelligence
of his class. A few days later the horticulturist told me a story
which illustrates a phase of the Emperor's character which we
have already hinted at--his impulsive nature and ungovernable
temper. He had ordered a number of the eunuchs to appear before
him, all of whom except this young man were unable to come,
because engaged in other duties. When the eunuch got down on his
hands and knees to kotow or knock his head to His Majesty, the
latter kicked him in the mouth, cutting his lip and otherwise
injuring him, and my informant added:

"What kind of a man is that to govern a country, a man who
punishes those who obey his orders?" Indeed there was a good deal
of feeling among the Chinese at that time that the Empress