"Barly in June it was doubtful whether it would be possible to distribute any "2- lief in this province that suffered the most from the famine that swept the N. W. provinces. The Committee that was formed by Dr. A. Smith allotted a portion of the New York funds to Shensi on the under-Standing that its administration be undortaken only by foreigners. The Amba: sadors gave permission to go into the i terior if the Chinese were friendly and the way opened out. On the 22nd of June party started for Taiyuanfu, the scene of the inhuman massacres last year. On arrival there, through the good offices of Taotai Shen, the Governor of Shensi was communicated with, and soon permission was granted to proceed to Hsianfu. On the 26th August Major Pereira, Dr. J. A. C. Smith, and myself reached the Western capital. We were as well received as we had been protected and cared for all along the route, The journey was made with a minimum of discomfort, despite the weather. On arrival we were visited by all the acting officials. The Governor did us the honour to invite the chief officials to meet us at dinner and we also had the distinction of being the first foreigners to meet the members of the reconstructed Foreign Office (Wai-Wu-Pu,) of which Wang Wen-shao, tue successor to Li Hung-chang, was the President. An Imperial Edict had been issued announcing that we were going to distribute relief and commanding all officials to treat us with respect. This Edict received considerable opposition from those Ministers of State who have in all their career offered uncompromising resistance to everything connected with foreigners. Later on the Literary Chancellor was very anxious to inform us of the substance of an interview he had with the Empress Dowager E. D.—And some foreigners have been here distributing relief—Yes; they are at present en-din the work.
E. D.—It is very good of them to come at such a time. I heard of their arrival and gave strict orders that the officials were to treat them courteously and render tance. Have you met them?
L. C.—Yes, I have' met them and talked with them for some time. There is one of them who is quite at home in the language and classics of our land.
D. here expressed her pleasure and surprise.
L. C. (continuing)—And what is more, two of them have come up (i.e., from Sanytianhsien, where we were distributing re-especially to see your Majesty start.
D.—That is exceedingly courteous It would have been more befitting in me to visit them than that they should come to see me off.
The officials from first to last rendered effective help. The one to whose unfailing courtesy and spontaneous initiative we owed the most was the Intendant T'ang, the Manager of the Government Relief Office. By his resourcefulness, capacity, and practical aid, he both officially and person~ ally rendered immense and invaluable aid. He at once placed his experience and staff at our service and did all he could to further the"interests of the relief. But for the help the officials gave, it would have been impossible for us to 80 cfiectually and quickly cover—the field and afford relief. Some twenty-six officials in all actively assisted us. Then there were seventeen Christians—leaders and teachers—and four foreigners:—Dr.
A.C. Smith, of the Baptist Missionary
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.