At three o'clock, rain fell and it seemed that the night's parade would Ihave to be postponed. But it did not ain Tong. At seven, people of all classes and students' of all schools, bringing lanterns, gathered on the playgrounds of the Provincial Yang-thow. Middle School. After the lanterns were lit the procession marched three times round the rack. Then the parade started through the main streets of the city jot Yangchow. More than 100 Jorganizations took part in the parade. with more than 10,000 people. The [procession was two miles long and fratched more than two hours.
"There were some peculiar lanterns, J—the newly re-built Five-Arch Bridge, tanks, motor cars, a locomotive, warships, steamships, aeroplanes, Jcannons, a dragon lantern which was more than 100 feet long, tigers elephants, a waking lon, signifying the New' China, lanterns cut out, of watermelons, and many other aisplays. At intervals, there were bands Jand Chinese orchestras, two of which Jwere organized by very young boys There were stilt walkers and other performers in disguise.
In spite of the wet pavements and Jaull "weather, more than 50,000 Spectators lined the streets. Never before in Yangchow had there been Jsuch an occasion as this.
One thing must be noted here—that is, people Kept good order. JAithough "there were streams of people and big crowds, they gave way when the commander-in-chief of the parade approached. The streets of Yangchow are very narrow. the Jwidest part being less than twenty feet. There was scarcely any push jing or quarreling. The parade iwas peacefully held throughout, Turnishing an indication of the new spirit which is pervading the people.
Hangchow, May 9.
Hangchow Buddhism is exceeding proud and lofty these days. "King of the Wheel", from Tibet, is, its honoured guest and the whole surroundings of the Ling-Yin monastry reek with Incense and burning. It is many a long day since this cult of "The Empty Door" presented its ritual in such flaunting and garish dreds, 'The approaches to the guest halls are canopied with yellow cloth and garlands, and over the main stone' staircase a temporary "Hall of Exposition" has been crocied, together with an ornate throne, from Which the tenets and ritual of the re~ igion are Unfolded to an interested throng.
Admission to the lecture privilege of entering ele, is by ticket purchased at the "Hall of Long Life". For the sum of one dollar your name will be in-Serlbed on a miniature tablet and five dollars will get it set down on a tablet ornamented with gold. To have the name thus recorded is a kind of insurance and a guarantee of happiness and Jongevity. Incidentally, this procedure is a source of rich Income "to the promoters of this "Conference of the Buddhist Demons" which is being so largely advertised. Certain sections of the progressive scholarly class have raised a voice of criticism against this exhibition Which they consider to be purely perstitition. Their battle ery "Why this waste of money and dup: ing the populace when our leaders are out to rid the land of bewildering myths and errors?"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.