The following day we had our first business engagement at the Foreign Office, semi-foreign in its appointments, and in which Shen Taotai 1s delightfully " At Heme." We arranged the route north to Kuihuacheng, ete., and listened to the narrative pertaining to our dozen or more Mission stations in the far north, interwoven with many personal reminiscences of Nanking, Kalgan, ete. He was so charmingly frank and business-like; he not only won our respect: but our hearts also. Everything was explained in detail, very nich information voluntarily given, and wwe were impressed with his genuine desire mako matters right with the Missionary Boards, as far as was in his power. He al-confided many of his personal plans, and desires to elevate the people of Shansi, which province he declared was "all for business and cared nothing for education." As he discussed his newspaper project, and methods of getting it before the public, system of postal communication throughout Shansi, his interest. in Dr. Richard's new University scheme, his military police, and other plans for internal development, we felt that the golden azo for China was dawning in one statesman': heart, and could pray for more Shen Taotais throughout the length and breadth of this vast empire. It was inspiring to listen to the aspirations of this Chinese Mandarin, Are there not many such, if we but knew? The following day—New Year's contract was drawn up, and invitations ceived for an " official tiffin" on the following day, issued in the name of the Governor, the Provincial Treasurer taking his place, during H.E.'s absence in Peking.
passing, I may say, we were most happy to present to H. E. Shen an elegant illuminated English Bible; and te leave for H. E. the Governor a copy in Chinese, similar in type to the one presented the Dowager, and in handsome binding, A Pleasant Banquet and an Amiab'e Host We were so thankful to God for the speedy and successful termi Board's claims, that mood for the banque Sowerby, who from long residence in China, and natural tact and ability, is an eminent authority on things Chinese, posted us as to the etiquette to be observed, and repaired with us, as also Messrs. Drake and Turner, at the appointed hour. An imposing group in sable furs and "buttons" and "feathers" welcomed us—the Fant'ai, Nict'ai, two Taotais, and several others—and in less than two minutes, H. E. Shen had put us so entirely at our ea: that we felt as if we had dined with Chinese officials of state all our lives. The dinner was foreign to all intents, and nicely managed. I shall not soon forget the crimson hangings, embroidered chairs and table draperies, gauze lanterns and decorations. The menu was made doubly attractive by the pretty way in which H. OF. explained each entry that T might jot it down on my bill of fare. The use of the propos nal phrase in the Chinese language, instead of our possessive adjective, has altars had a charm all its own: and never did T en-
yuan fu," "mushrooms Ral joy anything more than " grapes "charka' fine of Formos: and birds?
He gave us many an insight into recent events in Shansis and as we visited ensive ruins of the Mission com-j pounds we could but "weep with those that weep." We were informed that the atmosphere, at the time of the snores, was strangely dark; and thst many mysterious Hights were seen in certain localities, inexplicable 0 natural principles. The general belief i tha: supernatural agencies—demoniae ho-ts—were actively engaged ct that period all over Shansi province. The pres. sure was great on soul and body, almost tangible in its intensity, And the remark bie preservation of some in the danger-cts denoted angel guardianships unmistakably, So many deaths sasters have occurred in homes where the " missionary loot" was brought that it has become a proverb among the people. Surely "we wrestle not" so much " against flesh and blood " as against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. We climbed the wail near the little South te, and had a good look at the city. Tt ery old. Decay is written all" over Ring out the el, ring in the new Ring out the false, ring in the true." e"N.-0. D. N." in Shansi. were delighted to receive for peru sal from Shen Taotai a book in which were pasted mai wspaper clippings from the XC. Daily News" and "Herald" Taiyuanfu and His Excellency. We were thus posted easily and quickly concerning many things." Tus executive ability very marked. We were particularly" impressed with the dispatch and energy ho displayed. There is no "ming tien" about him. The moment a thing was to be done, a min was called and conimissioned todo it. FE. Shin docs not nevd a memorandum book.
Preparations for our Journey Northward, nests of Funam." with "pineapples of Canton," and "sweetmeats of Shanz hai." Mr. W—and I had the seats on either side of the Fant'ai, and did our best to be entertaining, not bein able to speak Chinese: but he was quite overshadowed by the amiable Shen, whose Knowledge of English as well as Chinese made him the dominant spirit. He was affability personified, chatting and inter-proting right and left with missionaries and officials; and ax we sat there, hour after hour. course after course, it was astonishing how mane themes were discussed, We visited the realms of polities. literature, art and science. vse pall ion and morals. andi in the midst of it all were photographed. much to our enioyment: as also. again in' the conrtrard. after the henquet. We returned home in the hest of suints, and the next day discussed toa "finis" the many items Insinoss which bronzht us to Shansi: so entertaining was this last conference that we quite forgot the dinner hour and kept Mr. Sowerby iraiting until two hours past the time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.