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 Co