Yangchow, May 11.
An Orphans' Home was opened a year ago by Mr. Djing Ch'uen Te, a prominent Mohammedan of this city. The orphans number 115, varying in age from nine to 16 years. They receive daily instruction in ie subjects taught in schools, including English and have regular training exercises in the -vell-kept grounds. It is hoped, when funds will permit, to buy looms and other equipment to teach the boys the cloth and shoemaking trades.
This morning special exercises were held to show what progress has been made in calisthenics. At 9.45 bugles and drums summoned the uniformed group, who marched in double file before the assembly room, forming two rows and standing at attention. Short talks were delivered by the superintendent and visitors, reminding the orphans of the importance of exercise in building up the individual and the nation. The instructor of physical training was held up as an example to indicate how bodily exercise Foes along with health and a ripe old age. (The teacher, Mr. Hoe, is 80 years old though he appears but 50. He comes from Ho-man province, his interests hero being in the salt Yamen. Chinese exercises have been his hobby since ho was a young man. His spare time during the past few months has been occupied with teaching certain of the orphans some of the forms of training that China has had from ancient times.)
After the formalities of speech making, people gathered on the; grounds, the exercises being conducted outside in a place shaded by a high tin roof.. A dozen boys, repeating the numbers commanded by their leader, went through some complicated arm and body drills, performing these in perfect unison. Then individuals followed showing good form in swinging spears, tong-bladed knives and other strange looking weapons copied from ancient models. The audience was stirred and the interest very keen when the old teacher himself appeared, performing difficult movements and describing circles, one moment sweeping the ground with both hands, the next moment raising the left, then the right foot into the air, striking each with the band—all with the dexterity and vigour of a young man. A nephew of Mr. Djing, founder of the orphan's home, and a young man Mr. Mee, son of a prominent busi-ress man, also gave exhibitions and proved themselves apt pupils of their four score year old instructor. Then followed sets of fencing, the spear being matched in order against a staff, long-bladed knives
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.