# XXXIII: Continuation of the St. Louis Portrait—Spring Days at the Sea Palace explained — With the Empress Dowager of China

> Chapter companion for With the Empress Dowager of China by Katharine A. Carl.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxiii-continuation-of-the-st-louis-portrait-spring-days-at-the-sea-palace
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters