from France and that he would have to be careful and take
things easy until he got stronger again. She was pleased that he had
shown appreciation of her interest in my sister and myself.

Preparations were now commenced for celebrating the birthday of His
Majesty, the Emperor Kwang Hsu, which was to take place on the 28th of
that month. The actual date of the Emperor's birthday was the 26th of
the sixth moon, but this day, being the anniversary of the death of a
previous Emperor of China, we were unable to hold any festivities,
and so it was always celebrated on the 28th day instead. The official
celebration lasted for seven days, three days before and four days after
the actual date. During that time the whole of the Court dressed in
official robes, and no business of any kind whatever was attended to.
This being the Emperor's 32nd birthday, and as the full celebrations
only took place every tenth year, i. e. On his 20th birthday, his 30th
birthday, and so on, the festivities were not carried out on a very
grand scale. However, it was quite sufficient to interfere with all
business, and the usual morning audiences did not take place during
these seven days. The Empress Dowager herself was the only person who
did not dress especially during these celebrations, and who did not take
any active part in the festivities. Another reason why the celebrations
were not carried out on a very large scale was the fact that the Empress
Dowager, being alive, she took precedence, according to the Manchu
custom, over the Emperor himself, in fact she was the actual ruler of
the country, the Emperor being second. The Emperor was quite aware of
this fact, and when the Empress commanded that preparations be commenced
for the celebrations, the Emperor would always suggest that it was not
at all necessary to celebrate the occasion unless it happened to be a
tenth year, and would very reluctantly agree to the festivities taking
place. Of course this was more out of politeness on the part of the
Emperor and to conform to the recognized etiquette, but the nation
recognized this birthday and naturally celebrated according to the usual
custom. During this period, therefore, the painting of the portrait was
postponed.

When the morning of the 25th arrived, the Emperor dressed himself in his
official robe-yellow gown, embroidered with gold dragons and coat of a
reddish black color. Of course, being the Emperor, in place of the
usual button on the