a time. She said to me: "I don't see anything at all
wonderful in foreign accomplishments. Take for instance this portrait
which this lady is painting. I don't think it is going to be at all a
good picture, it seems so rough. (Her Majesty did not understand oil
painting). Then again why should she always want to have the things
before her while painting them. An ordinary Chinese artist could paint
my dress, shoes, etc., after seeing the things once. She cannot be very
much of an artist in my opinion, though you need not tell her that I
said so." Continuing, Her Majesty said: "By the way, what do you talk
about when you are posing for this portrait of mine; although I don't
understand what she is saying, still I can see she has a lot to say. Be
sure not to tell her anything connected with the Court life and do not
teach her any Chinese. I hear that she often asks what different things
are called in Chinese, but don't tell her. The less she knows the better
for us. I can see that she has seen nothing of our ordinary Court
life, as yet. I wonder what she would say if she were to see one of the
eunuchs being punished, or anything like that. She would think that we
were savages, I suppose. I noticed the other day, when I was angry, that
you took this lady artist away. This was very wise of you; it is
better that she should not see me in a temper, she might talk about
it afterwards. I wish this portrait was finished. The cool weather is
coming on and we have to open up the boxes and get our winter clothes
ready. You girls need winter clothes I know as you have none but foreign
dresses. Then, again, my birthday is next month and there will be the
usual celebrations. After that we return to the Sea Palace, and what can
we do with this artist? I suppose she will have to go back and stay at
the American Legation and come to the Sea Palace each day until the work
is finished. This will be a lot of trouble as it is not ten minutes'
drive as at present, but nearer an hour's drive. And even if this can be
satisfactorily arranged, what about the Winter Palace in the Forbidden
City? Try and get to know how long she expects to be before it is
finished." This gave me an opportunity to tell Her Majesty that Miss
Carl was just as anxious to get the work finished as she was to have it
finished, but explained that Miss Carl had very little time to paint as
Her Majesty could spare very little time to give personal sittings, and
again, when Her