2
No official of any standing accompanied the remains of his dead Sovereign beyond the city walls, and the unhappy Kuang-Hsu went to his last resting-place carried by bearers who smoked, chatted, and laughed-an object of as great indifference to his subjects in death as he had been in life.
While the last rites were being performed to his memory at the Western Tombs a series of entertainments commenced in Peking in honour of the special missions,
The next day, the 2nd May, a lunch was given by the Wai-wu Pu at the Botanical Gardens, and on the 3rd May the Prince Regent entertained Prince Fushimi and the other special Envoys at a banquet in the palace. This was far the most interesting of all the functions that took place, and was historically important as being the first occasion on which the ruler of China ever sat down at table with foreigners. The protocol of September 1901 had provided for such a contingency, but had never been enforced in practice.
I was seated nearly opposite to the Prince Regent, and had an opportunity of holding some conversation with His Highness, and of observing his demeanour, which was very gracious and amiable towards his guests. The general impression which one formed of him was that, with all his amiable qualities and evident desire to please, le scarcely possessed the strength of character and firmness of purpose so necessary in the ruler of a country like China. His uncle, the first Prince Kung, who concluded our early treaties and practically ruled the country for a quarter of a century later, was a man whose dignity of bearing and attitude of command made a much more favourable impression upon those who knew him than his nephew, the present Regent, does, but it would be manifestly prudent to reserve any expression of opinion regarding the latter until he has had time to reveal his character by his acts.
At the close of the lunch the Prince Regent gave each of his guests bis photograph, and asked for one of theirs in return.
On the 4th May a lunch was given at the new Wai-wu Pu to Prince Fushimi, the special Envoys and their staffs, some 120 persons in all, and on the following day a garden party was given at the Japanese legation.
On the 6th May Prince Fushimi did my wife and myself the honour of attending a garden party at this legation, to which the other special Envoys, the foreign community, and the leading Chinese officials were invited. This was the only invitation, apart from his palace engagements, which His Highness accepted in Peking, and he was good enough to express the pleasure it had given him to visit the legation of an allied Power and to hear again the Highland music, which was played on this occasion by the band of the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders.
I have, &c.
585
J. N. JORDAN.