Peking, Pechili province, China: Manchu ladies at a meal table. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.

Six seated women eating with chopsticks and bowls at a table in a courtyard. Two other women [servants?] standing. Right hand frame is crossed through with a large 'X'. The photograph shows a group of Manchu ladies enjoying a meal together in a courtyard. Thomson regarded himself extremely lucky for being admitted into 'the sacred precincts of the mysterious Chinese dwelling', where he had opportunity to gain some insights into the daily life of women in Beijing. His general impression of Manchu ladies was a favourable one: they did not compress their feet as their Chinese counterparts did, thus they could enjoy more freedom. Thomson was also impressed by their grace and beauty, and by their elegant and richly coloured dresses