have curtains. I think we had better take the roof off, then perhaps
she may be suited." However, we fixed up the curtains to Miss Carl's
satisfaction.

When Her Majesty examined the portrait to see how it was progressing,
she said to me: "After all the trouble we have had over this picture, I
am afraid it is not going to be anything very wonderful. I notice that
the pearls in my cape are painted in different colors; some look white,
some pink, while others are green. You tell her about it." I tried to
explain to Her Majesty that Miss Carl had simply painted the pearls
as she saw them, according to the different shades of light, but Her
Majesty could not understand that at all and asked if I could see
anything green about them, or pink either. I again explained that this
was simply the tints caused by the light falling on the pearls, but she
replied that she could not see any shade except white. However, after a
while she did not seem to trouble any further about the matter.

Situated in a room near Her Majesty's bedroom in the Sea Palace was
a Pagoda, about ten feet in height, made of carved sandalwood. This
contained various images of Buddha, which Her Majesty used to worship
every morning. The ceremony consisted of Her Majesty burning incense
before the Pagoda, while a Court lady was told off each day to kowtow
before the images. Her Majesty told me that this Pagoda had been in the
Palace for more than a hundred years. Among the different images was one
representing the Goddess of Mercy. This image was only about five inches
in height and was made of pure gold. The inside was hollow and contained
all the principal anatomical parts of the human body, made out of jade
and pearls. This Goddess of Mercy was supposed to possess wonderful
powers and Her Majesty often worshiped before it when in any trouble,
and maintained that on many occasions her prayers had been answered. She
said: "Of course, when I pray to the image, I pray earnestly, not the
same as you girls, who simply kowtow because it is your duty and then
get away as quickly as possible." Her Majesty went on to say that she
was quite aware that many of the people in China were discarding the
religion of their ancestors in favor of Christianity, and that she was
very much grieved that this was so.

Her Majesty was a firm believer in the old Chinese superstitions
connected with the Sea Palace, and during one of our conversations she
told me I was not to be sur