292 



THE rSUNG-LI-YAMEN 



" Diplomatic secrets are fairly impossible in such an atmosphere. Every 

 secret convention and concession is soon blazoned abroad. Every word the 

 British ^lini'ster uttered at the Tsung-li-Yamen was reported to the Russian 

 Legation with almost electric promptness, until the envoy threatened to sus- 

 pend negotiations and withdraw. Wily concessionaries know each night where 

 their rivals are dining and what the)' have said ; whether any piece of written 

 paper has passed, and what has gone on at each legation in Pekin and each con- 

 sulate at Tientsin. Every legation keyhole, crack, and chink has its eye and 

 ear at critical times, and by a multiplication in imagination one arrives at an 

 idea of what the palace may Ije like." 



30 



J Miles 



MAT .SHOWING THK CULMBY I'lluM TA-KU TO PEKIN 



