Taoyin for the Hotung Division, is proceeding leisurely to his appointment at Yuncheng. Every city and village along the road turns out to give him a reception, and in return he delivers a speech. A special feature is the parade of} boy scouts. This is the latest development, and although a critic may find many defects in the present equipment, the comparatively smart appearance of the lads is very striking.
Two or three years ago, boy scouts had never been seen or even heard of, and when one suddenly comes upon a squad of them in bright mustard apologies for khaki, even if their breast pockets fall below the waist and their shorts are long enough to cover wadded trousers beneath, the effect is still sufficiently startling. At Pingyang-fu, the line of schoolboys extended seven 7i -outside the city, while in other hsiens the police were for the time replaced by boy scouts, who, after a week's practice, spent four days waiting for the great man's arrival and departure, discharging their duties as to the manner born.
Mr. Tsui's addresses echo Governor Yen's policy of exhortation. Henceforth, all must do their duty as citizens, exhorting their neigh-hours instantly to become good and law-abiding. Golden pills and opium are for ever taboo in Shansi, and the home is the starting place of all true reform. Mr. Tsui himself tells of the strict discipline which prevailed in his home in Sheoyang and attributes his success in lifo to the parental wisdom exercised upon him.
Readers accustomed only to big functions in coast ports or provincial capitals would greatly enjoy a new China public meeting in a little Shansi town or village. Italian cloth or taffeta, silk frock coats, home made bowler hats, and gold striped trousers which never have and never will be pressed, catch the, eye, while bugle bands, created perhaps at short notice, and impromptu—handclapping for the first time, with attempts at cheers or Japanese "'banzais" greet the ear. Girl guides are not yet in evidence, but the material from which they will evolve gets the place of honour on the platform. Ribboned wool caps and terrifically hauled in waists, from which floppy skirts hang wearily, forecast the coming of the fashion-plate lady at an early date. In striking contrast! are the village militia -guards—; "men with muskets," indeed, and the worst specimens of both—useful enough in their way, on ordinary winter nights in their villages, but rather expensive! when sent as guards of honour for a high official for whom they have to wait—and eat while waiting four days or more.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.