The sun., 1879-03-23
THROUGH CHINA TO BURMiH


One OF the most efficient and hard working
OF our missionary societies is the China Inland
Mission. founded about thirteen years ago. In
recent number of the journal OF the society is
the narrative Of journey made by one OF their
missionaries, the Rev. John Mccarthy, right
west from Chen -kinng. at the mouth Of the
lang-tze- kiang, through the provinces OF HUI
peh and Sy-Chucn. and south and west through
kwei-Chan and Nunnan to Bhamo in Burmah
Starting from Chen -Kiang in January. 1877.
NJ r. Mccarthy went by steamer and boat TO Wan.
on tho eastern border OF sy-Chuen. finding the
people everywhere friendly. The friendliness
was especially noticeable after passing the
boundary OF HUI peh. in Sy-Chuen. From Wan
Mr.. Mccarthy walked scross the country some
2dO miles west to the perfectura city of Shun-
King. visiting many walled cities towns and
villages 10y the way.
THIS part OF Sy-Chuen is most densev popu-
Gus. at distances OF n little more than mile
or so apart The people seemed very industri-
ons, and hardly "A spot of land was uncuitivnt,.d
me mis- up TO their very submits being covered
with vegetntiOn-whcat. beans, peas, rape the
poppy, and rice being the principal crops.
brisk trade ~ carried on. cotton, salt. iron.
sulphur. H.. beiug brought back from Wan IN
exchange for tho above vegetable products.
Mr.. mccarthy went on. walking most OF the
way To- kwei-Nang Flu. in the kwei- Chan prov
lncc. II took him tw"nty-siX days. Here he
found large tracts OF land uncultivated towns
ioWer. tue people more scattered. and worse
housed and clothed than those previously met
wan; wearing the Chinese dress. and having
nOihinR strange or novel about him. he had
every opportunity OF mixing freely with the
people. Mr.. Mccarthy says that II would bo
dincutt TO picture the desolaton OF great part
ol the kWei-Chan province in consequence of
the many years internal strife. Whole districts
hayc been entirely dopopulatod, the people being
either slaughtered or scattered. The Govern
mont. To encourage immigration instructed the
MnndHrins to help all who needed il by free
grants Of laud, or l0nns Of money and cattle.
- lA N nstalX
and SO matters remain in much the same cond-
ton from yenr TO yenr. Tho poppy wns tte only
plhnt Mr. Mccarthy SAW under cultivation.
Opium smok ing seemed hero to be- universal.
At kw"- Yang Flu Mr.. Mccarthy found tho
fr"nch missionaries very strong. and their
converts numerous. Indeed, all through the
provinces ot Sy-Chuen and kwet- Chan their
followers must he reckoned 10y thousands.
lhrN nave pln''s ot worship in nli the citirs
and many Of the lnrger towns. and the mission
aries appear 10 have very considerable lnlu-
en'o. Al the capital Of kWol-ChAn there are
two chthedrals aud in some Of the shops rruci-
hAgs hhd other things us'd IN worship may be-
their adherrns must be numerous
Westward from kwei-Yang Fu. desolation
ana dllapldhtlon were oNerywhero met with,
u" only exception being the district and city of
Ngnn-Shun fu. The city itself is populous
ana busy place, and, next 10 the capital. the
most important city in the province. Thou
sands attend the fairs held monthly outside the
walls Ot what must once have been n pOpulOuS
suburb. Largo quantities Of opium are taken
down to Canton, ana even to Shanghai.
Mr.. Mccarthy continued to Hnd everything
and every body pleasant and agreeable rs he con-
tnued Ibis Journey through lunnAn province.
lie mover found any difficulties with officials.
and never hnd to appeal to them for help. He
stayed ten days ut Nunnan Flu. whore he met a
French missionary. who gave him Il glowing
account OF the climate. II seems to be the most
braring and temperate climate he has yet eN-
perlenccd in any part Of China. The mission
AIRY told Mr.. Mccarthy that II was well known
mat the former GoNnrnor had given instruc-
tons at FIRST To- have Mr.. Mqrgary murdered on
MS Journey TO Bhamo, but that II was aterward
decided not 70 modest him unless ho attempted
10 return. Everywhere there WAS evidence of
me severe struggle through which the province
had passed during the rebellion. The people
generally arc in q deplorable condition.
From Tall To MOmien is really the most fer
tle part OF the country MIR. Mccarthy met on
tho way with langGa-Iin the highest military
authority OF lunnan. He is said to be tho
wrnlhlHst man in lunnan, as a great deal Of
me Ihnthhy property has fallen into his hands
| lie employs large numbers OF men to carry cot
ton from Burmah. Indeed it would seem that
the great bulk Of the carrying trade of YunnAn
Is IN tho hands of few Maudarns and this
may account Tor their unwillingnrss 10 sne the
| route opened to others. Tho people for the
most nQrt are delighted nt such a prospect
Mf. mccarthy seems To have been induced to
continue his journey across the frontier into
! Burmah solely on account of the perfect friend
| Illness OF officials and people. who regard the
missionaries as real friends. He wns well re-
coived even by the dreaded Kak- -yens. and ar
rived In safety at BhAmo on the 26th OF August,