the corps and interviews and correspondence with the Tsung-li Yamen absorbed the attention of these two bodies.
The foreign representatives insisted, first, that the audience should not be held in the tribute hall; second, that the letters from their sovereigns should be placed by them in the hands of the emperor; third, that there should be a separate audience for each minister and his suite, in place of a reception of the diplomatic corps in a body, with one spokesman and one interpreter; and fourth, that new ministers might present their letters on arrival, in place of waiting till the annual New Year's reception, as was contemplated in the edict. On the first two points the diplomats were only partially successful. It was determined that the first audience should be held in the "Pavilion of Purple Light," but in after years in a suitable hall in the main palace. It was contended that, according to immemorial law, no person could present a paper to the emperor except upon his knees. It was therefore decided that Prince Ching, president of the Tsung-li Yamen, should descend from the platform upon which the emperor was seated, take the letter from the foreign minister at the foot of the steps, and lay it upon the table in front of the emperor, and then kneel to receive his majesty's reply. It may seem trivial to the reader that a considerable part of the time of the three months' deliberation was over the precise stage of the ceremony when Prince Ching should kneel. The diplomats successfully contended that he could not make that obeisance until the letter of their sovereign or chief had left his hands, as until he placed
