Tungcheng is quite a good town, with good shops and educational—_ institutions. Tt escaped looting in the Hunan fighting owing to the pluck of the Chinese minister at the Wesleyan Mission chapel. The southerners were rapidly approaching the town after overcoming all resistance, and when the news of their speedy advent reached the ears of the anxious people, the officials all fled and left the town at their mercy. Mr. Yang, realizing that this would mean looting, hurriedly got together some of the remaining merchants, ordered them to prepare food for the advarfeing army, whilst he and a few followers went out to meet the southern troops. They met them a few 7i from the town and assured them of a warm welcome, told them that food awaited them, and pleaded with them to abstain from looting, as all they needed would be given them. Pleased with this reception they acquiesced, and the town was saved the fate of the sister cities. Mr. Yang's plucky act was gratefully remembered by the officials and people, and the chapel is decorated with a large tablet recording their gratitude.
Our visit to Tungcheng was in order to open the enlarged mission premises, and the ceremony was attended by all the military, civil and educational officials of the town, who are most friendly and appreciative of the work done in their midst.
AS IN BOXER DaYS, Our return trip was made wid Yangloutung, and here we had some reminders that the state of things of 20 years ago has come round again. In our travels then, it being near the time of the Boxer troubles, we had an escort of soldiers. This experience was repeated, for the road to Yangloutung was dangerous, and the officials gave us a guard. The other experience was the prevalence of opium smoking. Years ago this neighbourhood was cursed with opium, and travellers found their coolies unreliable in consequence. This experience was again ours, for opium was to be obtained everywhere and was" freely indulged in.
The road from Shaping to Yangloutung was even more beautiful
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.