In the haste and terror of flight no provision was possible, and the Court left Peking without money or outfit. The Dowager Empress had merely the clothes she wore and a cotton handkerchief round her head. On reaching Auashih one of the Prince's carts was exchanged for a mule litter, but not till Hsunhua was reached were official chairs obtained. At a halt was made and an outfit was exter parised. The Taotai there strongly represented he: 'y that all the troubles of the State and the capture of the capital were unquestionably due to the insane councils of Prince Tuan and the notorious Kang Yi. "You ought," he said, "to "punish these men at once, and see to set your kingdom in order; otherwise the Foreigners may occupy the land." The Empress was very much impressed by the fearless and outspoken address of this In-tendent, but said he had better keep quiet she' was surrounded by too powerful men to allow her carrying out his advice even if she wished. "The reward to the Taotai was dismissal when the Court arrived at Taiyuanfu, When the edict reached him, that courageous official said he would rather have it so as it w: s unwise tungpu another halt of several days, was to serve such a set. On pushing on to Ta-
made and a regular transport, supplies, trid outfit arranged. Every article was now dragoned and of imperial yellow—the sedan chairs, garments, bedding, and fittings. Every day the list was increased and the wealth of the Court multiplied as the various stages were passed. It was the ruling of her Majesty that nothing used by the Imperial household could ever be used by others. To carry out her principle she simply ordered that all the furnishings provided by the officials at the various stages be examined as to quantity and quality and then listed, packed ana carted along. Thus, while the Court started in two carts from the north, by the time Hsianfu was reached the accumulated furnishings—bed quilts, door screens, carets, cushions, curtains, ete., that been provided for her comfort at the various places passed, took some 800 big carts to carry. The followers, like the luggage, also gradually increased. By the time the sixth stage was reached in the flight, the Imperial household comprised 17 female slave attendants, 59 eunuchs, a miscellaneous retinue of officials of all ranks, and the army of Yung Lu. The parasitic eunuchs soon numbered 200, and then the old lady gave the order that no more were to be entertained. As these miserable, sneaking scoundrels each re-coives an allowance of $60 per month besides the squeezes made, it is not surprising that the Empress said: "You deserted me in the hour of my distress, and now, to serve your own interests, you come back to crowd my Court. Enough; no more shall be allowed to come." and so the xumher is still limited to-300. The Imperial retinue were not allowed to commandeer and spoil the populace on the route. As at Hennhua the Emoress had four decapitated as a warning to others, A eneuch had stolon " mule, another servant a donkey, and still another some carts. Their heads were Aisplayed on the scones of the thoft. At Houma an official of the fit rank and his secretary were put to death for kee nine back part of the price to be naid for the hire of carts. The Tinctlime ofeie] was sentenced to death for soving that the elaborate satins and sithe that doaarated his retention roams were honwht with his awn money whereas they were paid for hr the people. Another officer was dismissed as in the excitement of an audience he lost his etiquette and able lady kept a firm hand on her large following.
Ab aM, breakfast was prepared, and (ne other Ineals Were SuMply a repeuion due SHLIE MAL HE UesCLayuiVR UL Line UBE meal Will give an idea or now tue Court was catereu 10r on tue Journey, very stage wad lo provide te rouuming:—4U0 castles OF pore, % cabbes OF Suark's Dns, 2 MueRS, 10 lums, LUY EgEs, O 4. EL PICALES, catties OF Musurvoiis, 4v coccies OF LOUr, un cacties 01 Nice, Bu cavuages, and a speci ned allowance OF Wine, Sauces, Vegetaules, Vinegar, and fruit, Un arrival, tue house-hoi Cuoks set to preparing tue viands in (we various courses and alyer tue waste of the Orient, Wen ready, ne various dishes—ustudy 82 in MuMVEr—were simULLeousiy served up on four large tables placed side by side. Her Majesty took ner seat opposite the door and at the centre of the square. The Emperor then humbly took ints place on her left and at the side of the tables. He, however, had to stand during meals, as it was inconsistent with the superior dignity of the Dowager to nave anyone sit im her presence. hose solitary dignitaries day by day took their meals togater; all the others were served with meals in other rooms ranged according to rank or importince—the Empress, une Imperial Consort, and fa-a-kd, occupying the tables spread in the side rooms on the right-hand side of the Court's. No table covers or special plate were used, but merely particular furnishings that, were supplied at the places passen. On reaching Hsianfu the gentry presented her Majesty with a silver ought for her table which cost Tls. 1,800—a welcome and necessary gift.' From Taiyuanfu the journey was uneventful, save for the splendid pomp,—equipage and state that marked the Imperial progress from place to place. It took three ruys for the entire p.ocession to pass any given place. First came the numerous ofticials and followers appointed to prepare the residences and arrange for the stay of the Court. Then followed the Imperial sedans and bodyguard and following. Next day followed the troops and riff-raif that accompany an army. On entering any place the populace lined the streets on their knees with their beads bowed, not daring to face the Imperial glance. Outside the residence prepared knelt the military officials, and within the gates the 1 officials of the district. On the Royal sedans being lowered the courts were cleared and strong guards placed at all the gates, no one being allowed to enter without permission. Even those high officials in constant attendance would have to wait outside the door for her Majesty's pleasure, and on entering her presence make their address on bend: ed knees. Personal attendants in serving tea or anything have to place it on a tray of special chape and attached to the left arm. The tray is covered with an Im. perial cover which the attendant uncovers with his right hand while he kneels and extends the tray to her Majesty. The etiquette of her Court is rigidly maintained in the minutest details.
The compulsory removal of the Court has done immense good in opening the eyes of the Imperial family to the condition of the people and the state of the country. They did not see things in their ordinary and dilapidated circumstances, as every of-fort was made to make the worse appear the better cause. The reception buildings which they stayed en route were repaired. A little lime, paper, paint, and pictures make a rotten shanty look wonder fully grand, especially when newly fur-hished up. Then the roadways were all levelled and sprinkled with a sufficiency of water to make them look well kept. The post-houses along the highways were all re-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.