Ancient Shop Fronts Give; Way to Plate Glass host Our Own Comesronoexr Hangchow Mar. 28.
Hangchow is undergoing the process of being made as neat and elean' as a new pin, Sometime ago, fa decree was sent forth, of the "Obey and tremble" kind, that the' "Out ward appearance" of the whole township must be immediately trans formed,... commensurate with the dignity' of a community which styled itself "Heaven below." The officials fare determined that Hangchow shall maintain its reputation as a place that charms.
With the general order of Spring cleaning, the artisans have not much to complain of, for masons, white washers, painters and carpenters, are plying their trade on every hand. But trade in general continues to be poor, flat and thin, Shopkeepers are vyyinig with one another to change the drab activity which goes to make up their common round of daily life. All kinds of methods are being used to draw customers to their stores. The ancient shop frontage Is fast being swept into the limbo of the past, and the modern plate glass Is taking Its place. The Hangchow allo: with his smart clothes, is making the people dress conscious and the {raditional national costume with its graceful lines is fast disappearing aneath the shallow crust of fashion.
"Tonsorlat Artist Fashion exhibitions inthe shops, and the trim Teather shoes for ladies, fare a. great attraction. "Children's clothing Is also undergoing a change with snips and snaps of suitings, and the school boy, with his learned tache ease and motor cap, walks the street with the air' of "great importance, The old time barber has Been educated into a "tonsorial artist" Judging from "the beauty pictures which advertise his ability the manner of dressing the hair.
The Now Life slogans are as prom: nent. and vigorous as ever, moct-{ng the eye at every turn, The propaganda is an effort to tone up the morale of the public who are ex: Horted to be strong, clean, healthy and courteous. The policemen of Hangchow have become a force to be reckoned with, as the rickshaw coolie Knows to his sorrow. The main artery, of the city is completely cleared of all meandering vehicles of every description and no touting is allowed, This Is a wonderful change as compared with a short time ago when almost every corner of the city was a welter of confusion, There is no. mistaking the progressing tle ney of the Police. They. are kept busy all day long correcting errors fof behaviour on the street, and incidentally qiving the countryman a shock when he finds his cigarette suddenly snatched from his mouth.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.