CHAPTER XXX. 253 HER MAJESTY THE EMPRESS DOWAGER Her Family--Presentation at Court--Fifth Wife of the Emperor Hsien-Feng--Favorite of Empress Mother and First Wife--Birth of a Son--Death of Emperor Hsien-Feng--Empress of Western Palace--Co-Regents for Young Emperor Tung-Chih--Friendliness of the Two Co-Regents--State of China at Beginning of Regency--Intrigue--The Anti-foreign Princes--Prince Kung-- First Political Act of Young Empress of Western Palace-- Support of the Princes of the Blood--The Emperor Tung-Chih Begins to Reign--Death of Tung-Chih--Resumption of the Regency by the Empress Dowager--Minority of Kwang-Hsu--Death of Empress of Eastern Palace--Policy of Empress Dowager--The Emperor Kwang-Hsu Begins to Reign--His Policy--The War with Japan--Change of Policy by the Emperor--The Progress Party-- The Ultra-Conservatives--Return from Retirement of the Empress Dowager--The Emperor’s Edict--So-called Coup d’État--Rout of Progress Party--Punishment of Ringleaders--Effect on the Emperor--Reign of Emperor “Assisted” by Empress Dowager--The Secret Society of the Boxers--Its Growth--Boxers in the Capital--Boxers among the Princes of the Blood--The Outbreak in Peking--Reported Cause of Outbreak--The Emperor and Empress Dowager’s Attempt to Check Movement--The Imperial Military Forces--Position of Legation Quarter in Peking--British Legation--Return of Their Majesties to Peking--Edicts Issued-- Arrival of Allies in Peking--Flight of Her Majesty and the Court--The Route to Singan Fu--Hardships Endured--Incidents. CHAPTER XXXI. 270 HER MAJESTY THE EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONTINUED) Her Charities--Incident of the Boxer Rising--Widows’ Petition to the Empress Dowager--Her Majesty’s Action thereon--Her Extravagance--Extravagance in the Palace--Efforts of Past Emperors for Economy--Cost of Food in the Palace--Her Majesty’s Personal Extravagance--Her Jewels--Wardrobe-- Examples of Her Economy--Her Patriotism--Scheme of Taxation-- Her Penetration--Her Judgment--Her Prejudices--Sarcasm--Her Determination--Tact--Social Instinct--Reception of Young German Prince. CHAPTER XXXII. 279 THE CHINESE NEW YEAR Greatest Festival of the Year--Decorations of the Palace-- Imitation Money--New Year’s Presents--Work on Portrait--Some Changes--Removal of the Court to Sea Palace--My Studio at Sea Palace--New Year’s Audience of Ladies of the Legation-- Congratulations--Lantern Festival--The Illuminated Procession--The Double Dragon--The Flaming Pearl--Fireworks in the Palace--Day Rockets--Old Customs as to the Fireworks in the Palace Grounds.