The sanctity of the Temple of Heaven again seems to be in danger, for, as the Chinese Press tells us, the Peking Government University has petitioned the Ministry of Edveation for "permission to extend its activities and for the Temple buildings to be granted for the use of the University." It may be hoped that visions of past glories linger suliciently.in the minds of the authorities to preserve it intact for the present generation and for posterity. It is not the first time that the Temple has been in danger, and perhaps we cannot do better than re-publish a sonnet, written Sir Tan Hamilton, who visited China in 1912,-on the case in those days South of the Golden City—the Vor I wandered through a wood of cypress trees To where the Heavenly Temple waits, half-hidden, And waits in vain. for the Imperial knees.
Sad as a tomb by melancholy seas Lay pale and luminous that marble dream; porcelain wine-cup, winedraincd to the lees, So empty and forsaken did it seem Yet stay—across the altar something crawls—Rehold@ young China modelled on the West!
Upon the sacred stone his name he The wiiest prayer orth yet to Heaven addrest: Lhus—thyus—the glories of the past depart—And maggots writhe in a dead Bin pire's heart, Even if the reproach therein mentioned was removed, that is no veason why it should be renewed to-day.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.