With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
XXXIII: Continuation of the St. Louis Portrait—Spring Days at the Sea Palace explained
The Empress Dowager consults almanacs to set an auspicious date for finishing the portrait, choosing April 19th before four o'clock.
What happens
The Empress Dowager consults almanacs to set an auspicious date for finishing the portrait, choosing April 19th before four o'clock. She closely supervises the painting of accessories and jewels, often requesting changes. Spring arrives at the Sea Palace, with the Empress taking promenades, inspecting new buildings, and enjoying a Japanese jinricksha. Kite-flying begins, and the author witnesses the Emperor plowing the first furrow in a private ceremony.
Themes in this chapter
Observation and Interpretation
Carl observes the private plowing ceremony and other palace customs, interpreting them for a Western audience.
Cultural Identity and Tradition
The chapter highlights Chinese traditions such as kite-flying, auspicious dates, and the Emperor's agricultural rites, emphasizing their importance in the palace.
East-West Encounter
The introduction of Western inventions like automobiles and railways, and the construction of a hall for entertaining foreigners, show the blending and tension between Eastern and Western influences.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Consults almanacs for auspicious date to finish portrait, supervises painting details, requests jewel changes, enjoys spring activities, flies kites, and inspects new buildings.
- Katherine A. Carl
Works on the portrait, agrees to finish by April 19th, observes spring scenes, and witnesses the Emperor's plowing ceremony.
- Emperor Kwang-Hsu
Inspects new buildings with the Empress Dowager and performs the private plowing ceremony in the Palace grounds.
Key passages
“There began now to be some discussion as to what would be the most propitious date for finishing the portrait.”
They started discussing the best date to complete the portrait.
Highlights the importance of choosing an auspicious date.
“The jewels in the headdress, all official, were the subject of much deliberation.”
The official jewels in the headdress were carefully considered.
Shows the Empress's attention to detail in the portrait.
“The days were lengthening now, the trees beginning to bud and the flowers in the courts to bloom.”
Spring was arriving, with longer days and blooming flowers.
Describes the change of season at the Sea Palace.
“I was to see the Emperor plow the first furrow of the year!”
I was about to witness the Emperor's ceremonial first plowing of the year.
Highlights the significance of the agricultural ceremony.