ps and some other French
novelties. Her Majesty always looked over everything, and noticed
some of the presents were of very poor quality, and wanted to know the
sender's name. The eunuchs and servant girls also made her good and
useful presents. Her Majesty would select the articles she liked the
best, and order the rest to be put away, and she might never see them
again. I must say that Her Majesty liked and admired some foreign things
very much, she especially loved the French fancy brocades, for she was
making new gowns almost every day. She was also pleased with soaps and
powder that would beautify the skin. She always thanked us in a very
nice way and said how very thoughtful we were in selecting beautiful
articles for her. Her Majesty would also say something nice to the
eunuchs and girls, and that made everyone feel pleased.

The fourth day of the fifth moon was the day that Her Majesty gave
presents to us all, the different Princes, high officials, servant
girls and eunuchs. Her memory was something extraordinary, for she could
remember every one of the presents that had been given to her the day
before, and the names of the givers also. That was a busy day for us.
Her Majesty gave people presents according to the way they gave her. We
had yellow sheets of paper and wrote out the names of those to whom
she wished to give. That day Her Majesty was very angry with one of the
wives of a certain Prince because her presents were the poorest. Her
Majesty told me to keep that tray in her room and said she would go over
them and see what they were. I knew she was not pleased, for she had
a telltale face. She told us to measure the silks and ribbons in that
tray, and leave it in the hall. The ribbons were all of different
lengths, all too short to trim a gown, and the dress materials were not
of good quality. Her Majesty said to me: "Now you look for yourself.
Are these good presents? I know very well all these things were given
to them by other people and they of course would select the best for
themselves, and give me what was left. They know they are obliged to
send me something. I am surprised to see how careless they are. Probably
they thought as I receive so many presents I would not notice. They are
mistaken, for I notice the poorest the first, in fact I can remember
everything. I can see those who gave me things in order to please me,
and those who gave because they were obliged to. I will return them the
same w