That part of West Honan which just south of the Yellow River is full of historic interest, for not only it reputed to be the birthplace of the Chinese race, but it contains Loyang, the most famous city. of mediaeval China and the capital during no fewer than six dynasties Some of the spirit of romance from that region has crossed the Yellow River and penetrated the land that Wes between that waterway and the Tai Hong Mountains, which separate Shansi from Honan. First there is Wen Hsien, the home of Ssu Ma-one of the most famous of the San Kuo heroes, and even to this day there may be found in that district people bearing the name Ssu Ma and claiming descent from that historic personage. Coming near= er to the mountains we come to the Brave of Duke Hsu, better known as Hsu Tien-kuan, ' "the Heavenly OMclal"" the name given to Prime Ministers during the Yuan Dynasty, and whose descendents are to be found in the village of Lifeng. Going north we come to Huai Hsien and the wonderful springs of Pai Chuan, tone of the beauty spots of China, Where may be found! the graves many ancient princes and emperor After this are many historic sites and laces, ending with the Waste of Yin at Anyang, from. which so many wonderful relies of the Shang Dynasty (106-1122 B.C) have been alscover Pilgrimage to Villa At present, however, we are not concerned with these ancient. things. but are on a pilgrimage to Ya (xg) "Hollow," a village of the Tat Hong Mountains. Leaving Chiaotso, the well-known mining town, we journey along the foot of the mountains for some two to three miles, and then fat the village of Kong Chwang turn northward, entering valley whicn outwardly differs little from hundreds ff other valleys in.he same mount al ange, but which contains much of Interest to us.
The road runs along the sides of the mountains and the country seems bare and inhospitable with just afew patches of cultivated land scattered here and there, while on the other side of the valley are one or two herds of goats seeking a precarious living from the scanty tufts of grass which come up from the rocky' soit. There are quite a number of travel-some bringing charcoal and other {owns of the pin, while with interest ata fcay of men who pass us with baskets slung over bam Boo poles, for they are enetying the famous grey clay, which In. the days ~ot the Sung Dynasty was used for the making) of porcelain but which how ued for various other purposes, the lins have long been deserted trid no attempt made fo Testa ther. ter atime we come to a temple the roadside, where a number travellers are resting, nnd. we decide tovoin them and tale sock of our the alder of which area Tew houses Just opposite is a narrow gully on
this we Warn isting Yang Fu
Giien' Is shaded from the sun" but
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.