"The imperial party was carried on special trains on the railway to within two miles of the city wall. There an improvised station had been erected on the spot where the former buildings had been destroyed by the Boxers. Over the platform extended an awning of yellow silk. On one side of the platform were the tents for the accommodation of the emperor and the royal family; and on the other side were the tents for the provincial and metropolitan officials. The road thence to the palace was leveled and covered with fresh yellow earth.

Inside the city the foreign-drilled troops of Yuan Shih-k'ai lined each side of the street. The soldiers were dressed in heavy marching order, and made a fine appearance.

The Ch'ien-men great street was crowded with thousands of Chinese; but, unfortunately for them, just before the time appointed for the emperor to pass they were all unceremoniously driven from the street, and orders were given that all shop-doors should be closed. It was also expected that all windows would be curtained to prevent the people within being seen, but the execution of this order was easily evaded. A thin gauze covering was placed over the windows, through which the spectators could be as distinctly seen as before.

After the imperial baggage had passed, followed by the military escort of infantry and cavalry, with General Ma at their head, the first chair to appear was that of Prince Ching, preceded and followed by a large number of attendants on horseback. Shortly afterward the cry was passed along the street by the policemen that the emperor was approaching. The soldiers immediately kneeled and presented arms. It proved to be a false alarm, and after three of the emperor's horses, with yellow saddles and blankets on, had passed, the soldiers and police resumed their upright position.

As the emperor approached, there was perfect quiet on the street. Soldiers and police were again on their knees. He was borne by eight bearers. The chair was surrounded by an escort of a hundred or so of officials.

After a suitable interval came the empress dowager, surrounded by a much larger and more imposing cavalcade than accompanied the emperor. On her left rode Yuan Shih-k'ai, the viceroy of this province, and on her right Ts'en Ch'un-ch'uan, the governor of Shansi. It was reported that the empress dowager entered the city with fear and trembling, not knowing what foul trap the foreigners had laid for her capture, but certainly her face gave no such indication. She was attracted by the faces of so many foreign ladies at the windows of the dispensary, and turned toward them with an expression of the greatest interest.

Other chairs and carts contained the empress and members of the imperial family, and soon as they passed the crowds of officials and people filled the street from side to side. Often there were six carts abreast, and locomotion was almost impossible.

Inside the circular inclosure of the Ch'ien gate a halt was made, and the emperor entered the shrine of the God of War to worship. The empress dowager worshipped in both the temples -- that of the Goddess of Mercy as well as the God of War. She was attracted by the crowds of foreigners on the city wall watching the procession, and she stopped and bowed to them."