Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-11-24
LYNCHBURG THURSDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER a. 1889

aud unprotected, with the intention of eommen-
cling Christian mission there; but he dares not
return in view of tho transportation Of the Chinese
in consequence Of tho late outrages; nor did MIR.
Atchson think it judicious to remain IN Pskn,
from tho intense jealousy and suspicion of all for
egners on tho part of tho government and the on
cials Of the metropolis, occasioned BY the same oc
eurrcnces. The indignation and seorn ofth civ
ilixcd and Christian world should be poured upon
the ambitious and reckless individual whu alone
has brought about this mischief
tPetin Correspondents " Journal " Comas,cN1
The country was very fine in the culture and
productions, while temples and monuments lined
the road. Oh which gased with admiration In
passing. till al lenGth We reached u government
house, where all were required To aight and entsr
tho great imperial city. which was only two miles
ahead in our carriages. a usage required.
Tho road begins in tho great streets at the en-
trnnce of the CITY. which 10 paved with large flag
stones. oftsn separated by violent concussion and
often worn into deep holes. Of tho width Of the
feocs Of the wheels which had rolled over IL. and
when tho wheels sunk into them. either in rapid
motion or by slow drop, pulling the mules yio-
lenty back. tho coacussion was like = sudden dis
location. Thus for at least two miles We proceed
cd. till We reached tho western gate OF the city.
when we imagined tho dstur bance Of the stones
would be less from the less use 10 which tho
stones had been subject. But hero We found our.
been magnificent in its early days, and worthy Of
the old Romans 1t had been built over 200 years,
since which II has received no Improvements or
repairs.
The Garth has been thrown up to such perfect
level that it was impossiblo 10 detoct the least
elevation or depression for the entire distance
from Tunp chow to pekin. door does not OK
hibit more perfect level Tho width Of tho road
il about 23 ieet the stones oi whiohit IL eonstruc
cd being often II leet long. by 2 and "a wilo and
hewn with such precision M TO make n work ut
solid masonry The stones are brought from tho
mountains. and being Of unequal solilty. somc
were more easily docomposed by atmospheric
agency, or worn away by tho rolling Of tho wheels
which passel over them. Thus from tip to bot
tom by tho FROST which Ia here intense in winter,
or hy violsnt concussions the settling or sliding
Of tho earth in which they rested; or else deep
hocs'hnd been worn nut. which worc hllcd with
standing water; or more frequently and dis
astrously tho wheels lad worn out jusi their even
width between two stones. between which little
space had been created by the acciden nj starting
of one or both ofthc stones in horixonu direction
when the wheels struck and sank into such holes,
tho concussiun wis fearfnllv violent to tho rider
ns well ns to the cairiage
Upon leaving pertsangn tho morning. our
feet mndc IL fine spectacle up IN the water as our
savml,nde Ind douo upon tho land, thirty six
'unks ani smaller boats being NIL drawn up close
70 tho shore, and rondy TO follow our Ministers
Junk tho moment the immense aud terrible gong
gave the sigoal oi departure. Each mandarin had
his junk aud servants. while somc OF the Junks
were used FOR baggage, provisions and other pur-
poses. Mr.. Wards junk has its history. IL was
built hundred years ngo. and was occnpird as q
house as vol ~ Mandarin passenger boat, and
had on bonrd three generations Of owners. via:
the grandfather. aged 90, and two wy,s, and tho
son and his two wives. and four children. his own
ngc being 40 The grandfather bad an oldor
brother on board. nged o. years. md fairly an at
tache 10 the Junk, since he was born In II. had
lived in it, aud never left it, nnd will Till his
body is borne from thence To the house oi silcnce
instead of the noisy Babel in which he has lived
So long. Tho Junk il an hcir loom, having belong
ed t, the family from the beginning
Onward We move, but not by wind, or steam, or
horse, or mule power. it is simply the power Of
hu,nnn bone and muscle which starts long trains
Of ,hirty-six junks from their slunbers, moving
them slowly but snrely against n current which
runa two and half miles an hour. and also ofesn
against the winds as they turn tho endless angular
ponts made by tho sinuosties IF tho river. A
long rope Of sometimes GO yards, is attached T.,
the top OF tho mast which is sesel by men called
truckers" who sometimes walk on one bank and
then on the other, ns tho depth current directs.
zach mnn having little yoke ON his shoulder,
which is connected by u smaller rope to the main
one. Thus these fine. looking muscular iron fnlhll
the Office Of horses and mules, which could DO
reality used, and "lrack" these heavy iunks from
the Gull 10 Tung-chow. distance Ut about 20O
miles. Sometimes tho wind fnvorr, and then in
aanly they spread their one spare sail. and catch
tho precious breeze, which, however. they can gen.
sraliy atillzs for o few minutes only, as new a'r
gular point is to be doubled about every two miles.
when the wind may 10 contrary. When doscend'
ing tho current comes in MD oi the Lumtlc track.
sr. nnd though he may not font down 10 bis junk.
small demands ave made upon his bone and mus
ole. Our junk had sometimes sixteen and some
times twenty trackcrs and others ten and twelve,
and some less.