686 Mr. A. Henry Savage Landor, [May 31, 



dressed in white cottons and military gaiters, while a horde of 

 secretaries, students and interpreters, in various fancy garbs, made 

 part of the distinguished crowd. 



The march through the palace being a military affair, it seemed 

 as if the Ministers were sulky, and attached no importance whatever 

 to the occasion. In fact, some appeared quite bored. 



The remarkable head of Dr. Morrison (correspondent of the 

 Londou Times) could be seen among the crowd. 



The chief buildings and the Emperor's audience halls occupied the 

 central part of the palace grounds in a line. The troops were not 

 made to march through these throne-halls or other buildings, but we 

 skirted them to the right, through various courts of more or less 

 magnificence, passing buildings of great age and out of repair, and 

 going through quaint rock gardens, until we came to a centenarian 

 tree of gigantic proportions. Its branches were so heavy that they 

 had to be supported by strong beams. Beyond that, through delight- 

 fully artistic grounds, was to be found a hill with curious grottos. 

 In the grottos were idols and statues of Buddha, besides a number 

 of silver and jade cups, vases, images, candlesticks and bowls. 



Each of the courts or passages through which we went had 

 massive gates that were opened by attendants as we approached. 

 These attendants, who had been besieged in the palace, seemed 

 famished and worn. Although apparently submissive, even servile, 

 any observant person could notice on their stolid faces an expression 

 of hatred and contempt for us as we went by. 



We reached the last and most northern court of the palace, and 

 here came the most impressive part of the procession. 



The Bussian general with his staff, the diplomatic body, and Lady 

 MacDonald, stood under the northern gate leading out of the palace. 



The Bussian band, an excellent one, took up a position in the 

 courtyard, while a strong force of Cossacks and Bussian infantry 

 stood under the gate and round the wall of the court. Presently the 

 defile before the Bussian general began, and with the first bars of the 

 Bussian National Anthem in marched the Bussian marines, infantry, 

 and a contingent from each of their regiments in Pekin. 



A finer, healthier, sturdier, better or more sensibly-drilled or 

 clad body of soldiers it is impossible to imagine. They marched 

 manfully across the court amid the " hurrahs " and wild excitement 

 of all present. Some marched out of the palace, but a uumber of them 

 were ordered by the general to remain inside the court. The object 

 of this was a charming politeness on the part of the Bussians towards 

 their Allies. The soldiers had been ordered to cheer themselves 

 hoarse as the contingent of each nation went by. 



Next to the Bussians the Japanese marched through — these 

 wonderful and absolutely perfect soldiers and officers who have 

 astounded the world by their bravery. In their white uniforms and 

 black and yellow caps, perfectly equipped, they marched slowly and 

 sensibly — a delightful display of precision and neatness. Baron 



