she is desirous of sending it to the St. Louis Exhibition, in
order that the American people may form some idea of what a beautiful
lady the Empress Dowager of China is." Miss Carl is the sister of Mr. F.
Carl who was for so many years Commissioner of Customs in Chefoo.

Her Majesty looked surprised, for she had been listening very carefully
whilst this lady was talking. She did not like to say that she did
not quite understand, so she turned to me, as had been previously
arranged,--a sign for me to interpret. I did not, however, do so
immediately, so Mrs. Conger told her missionary friend to repeat the
request in case Her Majesty had not quite understood it. Her Majesty
then said to me: "I cannot quite understand what this lady says. I think
perhaps you can tell me better." So I explained everything, but I knew
that Her Majesty did not know what a portrait was like, as, up to that
time she had never even had a photograph taken of herself.

I must here explain that in China a portrait is only painted after
death, in memorium of the deceased, in order that the following
generations may worship the deceased. I noticed that Her Majesty was
somewhat shocked when the request was made known to her. I did not want
Her Majesty to appear ignorant before these foreign ladies, so I pulled
her sleeve and told her that I would explain everything to her later.
She replied: "Explain a little to me now." This was spoken in the
Court language, which the visitors were unable to understand, it being
somewhat different from the ordinary Chinese language. This enabled
Her Majesty to form some idea of the conversation, so she thanked Mrs.
Conger for her kind thought, and promised to give her answer later. She
said to me: "Tell Mrs. Conger that I cannot decide anything alone, as
she is probably aware that I have to consult with my Ministers before
deciding anything of an important character. Tell her that I have to
be very careful not to do anything which would give my people an
opportunity to criticize my actions. I have to adhere to the rules
and customs of my ancestors." I noticed that Her Majesty did not seem
inclined to discuss the subject further at the moment.

Just then the head eunuch came in and, kneeling down, informed Her
Majesty that the boats for the ladies were ready to take them across the
lake, to see the temple. This action on the part of the eunuch was owing
to his having received a signal from one of the Court ladies, whi