The sun had already gone down behind the neighbouring mountains and darkness was fast gathering about us when we drew near to the little village of Yithotze. The road wound along the steep bank of the river and just at the entrance to the village we came upon a curious-looking camp of beggars who had arranged their wheelbarrows and mara in such a Way as to form a rude tent, and were huddled around a smouldering' fire, preparing their evening meal, Our Tartat mies were shy and, remembering that © a horse is a vain thing for safety," we glanced at the odd-looking group of vagrants on the one side and the thirty-foot. precipice on the other, then dismounted and led the animals into the village, The place is but a snail hamlet, containing all told but fifteen or twenty families. The inhabitants are
cultivation of the rocky soil, Two or three farmers ani obtain a, scanty living from the teahouses supply refreshment to the travellers Passing along the highway that rans from Nanking to Fangyang. Just outside the town a little shrine to the Earth-god (the patron deity of the farmers) has fallen into ruins.
has been a long time since incense was offered there. Idolatry has been almost entirely abandoned by these villagers. Yet it would be small matter for congratulation if this were all that could be said. The Substitution of the name of Jesus for that of the Tw-ti Lao-yeh (Barth-god) without any change in the morals of the people could not be considered of any great advantage. Asa matter of fact, however, the change of morals has
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.