CHAPTER VI. 50 CONTINUATION OF THE PORTRAIT Advantages and Disadvantages of Painting in the Throne-room-- The Empress Dowager’s Voice--Chinese Opinion as to Portraits of Royalty--Walks with Her Majesty--Her Dogs--Their Pavilions--Cats--The Empress Dowager’s Gift of “Me-lah.” CHAPTER VII. 57 FESTIVITIES AT COURT The Celebration of His Majesty’s Birthday--Invitation from the Empress Dowager to be Present--Birthday Plays--The Imperial Actors--Birthday Decorations of the Palace Courts and Buildings--Presents--First Gala Performance--Luncheon in the Court of the Theater--The Mat-sheds at the Palace-- Visitors--Chinese Courtesy--The Imperial Theater at Summer Palace--Actresses--Customs of Manchu Women. CHAPTER VIII. 64 HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR Beginning of his Reign--The Name of an Emperor--The Manchu Dynasty--Personality of the Emperor--Appearance--His Orientalism--His Dreams of Progress--His Edicts--Despatches-- The Emperor’s Palace and Attendants--His Studies and Talents-- Early Rising--His Meals--Conventionalities Observed--Dislike of Public Functions. CHAPTER IX. 73 THE EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY Morning Salutations--His Majesty’s Throne-room--The Imperial Pearl-Buttons Denoting Rank of Officials--Manchu Buttons-- “Lever” of the Empress Dowager--Court Costume--Young Empress in Court Attire--Going in State to Audience Hall--Official Congratulation by High Officials and Princes--The Young Empress’s Palace--Presentation of Jade Emblem (Ruyie)--Young Empress’s Official Congratulation to the Emperor--Simplicity of Attire of Empress Dowager--Grand Theatrical Representation at Palace Theater--Imperial Congratulatory Poem--Splendid Costumes--Luncheon in the Court of the Theater--Children at Court--The Emperor’s Presents to the Manchu Nobles and High Officials--The Finale at the Theater--Spectacular Procession-- Thanks of the Princes and Nobles--Bowing to the “Great Ancestress”--The Procession to the Hall of Ancestral Tablets. CHAPTER X. 87 PEKING--THE SEA PALACE His Majesty’s Sacrifice to his Ancestors--The Empress Dowager’s Favorite Summer-house--The Sacred Picture--The United States Legation at Peking--Mrs. Conger’s Relations with Chinese Ladies--The Sea Palace--The Boats of the Lake--Our Resting-place at the Sea Palace--Promenade on the Lake--The Eunuch Li-Wun-ti--Memory--Story-telling--The Island--Temple Gardens--Two Temples--Cathedral within the Precincts--Theater.