From Our Own Correspondent, Hochow, Kansu, Feb. 19.
This city has come into possession of a curious photograph which is not placed on exhibition in our local artists' gallery, but on the contrary, is found in the Taoist temple of Ten Thousemd Years on the hillside to the west of the city. It is supposed to be a likeness of Lu Tsuh or Lu Tsong-pin, a Taoist deity and thereto hangs a tale. The story is a weird one and idantly tended to stir up 'y interest in the hearts of the faithful.
The narration runs on this wise. A letter purporting to have come from Shanghai some time since gave directions as to what should be done in flits particular instance, These wera followed and resulted in this. picture. Somehow this in formation reached a certain Mr Teng, a Hochowite, in the govern: ment employ in Lanchow, who wa3) told that, at a particular time on a designated day, he should observe the heavens and his efforts would be rewarded by seeing the god in the clouds': this to be followed by the use of his camera. This gentleman is very high in the esteem of his fellow-townsman on account of his literary attainments and in things religious one learns he is an ardent disciple of China's ancient cults. However, more in detail concerning this matter. On the top and the sides of the photo words to the following effect are written: "The likeness of the ruler who protects and can be depended on, respectfully making prostrations at the mountain gate in the monastery of Mani at Uchuen, Lanchow, from one to three o'clock p.m. on the seventh day of the seventh moon." (The Virtuous Rightects Alter is also mentioned), Lu Tsong-pin has 4 temple speci-tically dedicated to him inside the city, where he holds supreme sway Thither people resort to make vows in order to have their ailments cured, and if the' malady disappears, then the vows are paid. Lu Tsuh is sometimes on a par with Li Lao-tsu, the chief god in the Taoist galaxy of worthies. This Fu In Ti Chin (the trust-worthy and protecting ruler) is descended from a very ancient ancestry, as far back as the Tang dynasty, with the rank of a B. A. To-day finds his image worshipped in the White Cloud Temple and his picture in the Temple of Ten Thousand Ages Tue Colonial Secretary of Hongkong, the Hon. Dr. Clawd Severn, om.c., and Mrs. Severn have left for Home,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.