Hangchow, June 17.
Yesterday one of the prettiest occasions, for which our West Lake is famous, took place on the slopes of the Keh-lin san (hill), in the "Parsons' Retreat." As the name implies this house has been prepared to give to tired clergy and their wives and families the periodical rest and change from work which will fit them the better to carry on their labours, especially during the hot weather.
The builder and host was Dr. Main, who, with Mrs, Main, planned this happy occasion from the time the Retreat was finished. Invitations were sent to every clergyman, owning a Fastorate, native and foreign, in the So, when the arranged—hour arrived there assembled on the landing-stage on the West Lake, to avai] themselves of the house-boats provided the kind host, @ merry company of some forty odd adults whose good cheer was not only an advertisement for their profession, but an earnest of the hearty appreciation with which Dr. Main's generosity will be received. 4
The day was perfect, the boats glided over blue waters, dappled with dloudshadows, and wa were almost when we were landed at the foot of Keh-lin, There, however, still mora elaborate preparations had been made for enjoyment of the guests. Mis. Main, assisted by Miss Tsay, waited on the hungry horde with the most delicious of and cakes and iced lemonade. The guests were then summoned to the draw-groom, apd there Dr. Main, in a happy little speech, made known the full maeaning of what, certainly, is a surprise packet. He was too modest in his explanations, so the Rev. Nyi Liang-pain ade it clearer to the audience the full purpose of their generous friend in the erection of this beautiful home.on the hill-side. He—took—paragraph by paragraph the "Rules for the Home" of which each prevent had a copy in hand. These "Rules" are: I. That the house be a free gift to tired clergy and teachers in the five churches for the period of two weeks at a time: ie. board, bedding and rent, with the full use of every. thing, including the employment servants on the premises to "cook the rice," ete. If not too numerous more than one family can be in residence at time. Residence chal be in, the order lof seniority in Hangchow. The only restrictions made are: That respect be id to furniture and ornaments; and that children be taught that cleanliness comes next to godliness by the proctioa fas well as precept of tha parents, Already the house is "let" for next week. Could cur lovely hills be put, to a bet ter use? Would that the Government Jauthorities who spend much breath and ink on disputations as to rightful ownership of grave plots, and ancestral sites would take 3 lesson and profit. by this trae appreciation of their hill-sides!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.