Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-02
A VISIT TO NANKING.
Interesting Experiences Of nm American
Consul i'm the Ancient Capital of the
Chinese Empirc.

Consul i'm the Ancient Capital of the
Chinese Empire.
| WASHINGTON, August LA. c. Jones
United States Consul to Chinkiang, China, has
written to the State Department an interesting
account of a visit he recently made to Marking.
the ancient capital of the Chinese Empire, to
confer with Taotia Liu. Foreign Minister, re-
garding interests of American citizens within
his consulate, the result Of which, the Consul
says, was most satisfactory. OF the city of
| Nanking, its condition and material interests,
Consul Jones says: "a credelated wall of built
brick and stone 60 feet in height, and it is said
20 miles in circumference, incloses the city. In
one or two parts there are evidences of
repair, but generally it is intact, and in an ex-
cellent state Of preservation, considering that
IL was built over ], 900 years ago. Much OF the
area enclosed by this wall has lapsed into a
savage state and become the resort of wild
game. The city. no doubt. was once very
great one; there are evidences OF 1t everywhere
IN the thirteenth century it was the capital of
the Empire. 1t is still of vast extent, and from
wnat L saw of its recent condition and the
many ruins OF ancient palaces and temples and
paved roads that once were populous and busy
streets, could well imagine its former great
ness.
An Emperor's Tomb.
"The present population is estimated at 600, 600
The capital was removed from Marking to
Peking in the Ming dynasty in 14ll. / visited
the tomb of the first Ming Emperor, in pict-
uresque valley a mile or two outside the walls.
Leading up to it on the plain are a number of
colossal stone figures of warrio2S elephants,
camels, lions, ETC., in more or le2 dilapidated
condition. The ample grounds which inclose
the tomb were at one time ornament
ed with stone and marble bridges,
kiosks and tablets, the remains of
which are scattered about the grounds buried
in rank growth of wild shrubbery and trees.
ancient
landmarks OF China are ruins. 1t seems never
TO nave been the policy OF China to rebuild or
repair. Near here was the great first pagoda,
built way back in the centuries, at cost OF
3OOO.0OO taels Its material was porcelain
brick, the top overlaid with FURNISHED copper
and ornamented with jewels. No vestige Of it
remains.
An Ancient Seat of Learning.
'rhe city is now the capital of the Department
of Vangtszee where resides with a large num-
Der OF officials, the Viceroy Tseng. who governs
the department, consisting of the provinces of
Anohui, Kiangsu and Kiangsi, with popula-
tion all told of 100000 600. 1t has always been
noted as the seat of learning of the Empire,
from the presence of scholars and learned men,
and a place where colleges, universities and
Libraries are established. It is the head
quarters also of the Viceroy's army and
navy. In an industrial way there is an
arsenal here, where small arms and
ammunition are manufactured, and which en-
ploYs l,0O0 workmen and machinists, all native
talent. There are also here extensive manu-
factories of ribbons, silk. satin and velvet.
'Kankeen'-a fabric well known to the youth
OF America 40 years ago-is made here from
the yellow cotton plant, which is extensively
cultivated on the river bottoms. There is
translucent paper from vegetable pith. This
paper is much used for painting water color
pictures by native artists. Being the literary
center, the annual examinations of candidates
for all civil and military positions are held
here.
The Examination Hall
which went to see, has accommodations for
10000 students. Under cover of the hall are
long rows, or streets of cells, about three and a
half feet deep and three feet wide in which
the candidates are confined from three to nine
days. They are given the subject. pen, ink and
paper and closed in. At the last texaminationthere
were 5000 candidates for the 146 vacancies
the most part, is poor, and distinguished
more than anything else for hostility to the
foreigner and swash-buckler, and when in force
@ gave the auth arthorlfies & great deal Of trouble in
tom of every disturbance and outrage, and on
account of their conditions it is rare that they
can bebrought to account"
OF American missionaries their work and in
fuence, Mr.. Jones says: There are 80 Amer
leans in Nanklng connected with the mission
ary societies, including women and children.
with ample grounds and have every comfort.
They are the only foreigners living at Marking.
The only annoyances to which they are subject
in passing, and occasionally to have
their windows broken by the gam
ins while engaged at their practice
and give little trouble to the authorities s The
central mission of the Methodist church has
a hospital at Marking. where the Chinese are
This is practical Christianity. which the people
understand and appreciate. The different
sects of missionaries and their hostility to each
mind of the heathen. and induces him to stick
to his original gods"
A Visit to the Viceroy.
The person of the Viceroy and some Of the
customs of the country are thus described: II
arrived at the quarters of the Viceroy, and
was received by His Excellency in person. who
took both my hands in his and led me into the
audience chamber and to a seat beside him.
He is slight, delicate-looking man. 90 years of
age, but he looks much younger. He is not
gray, and has strong face. with very
kindly eyes. His dress was a long
robe of a golden hue almost transparent,
elaDorateiy worked gold clasp. It was he who
re-took Nanking from the TAPPING rebels Is
years ago, and he still suffers from wounds re-
ceived in that achievement His family is a
and military annals Of China. The interview
was a very interesting and pleasant one to me.
The conversation ranged over a wide field, ex-
hibiting upon his part a thorough acquaintance
of affairs at home and abroad.
Hospitality of. Mandarins.
II spent four days at Marking, and was
practically the guest Of the Viceroy. who
showed me considerate and delicate attention.
A civil and military mandarin, with their fol-
lowing of orderlies, messengers, ETC., were sent
to take up quarters at the same mission in
order to be near and to be of service to me.
All this was cumbrous, IL convenient and had
its inconvenience. But it is their idea of cere-
mony and hospitality, and l had to accept it,
On my departure, had to conform to another
custom no less obligatory which was to fee
everybody, from the two Mandarins in attend
ance to the guides, conductors and coolies who
accompanied me everywhere. to the amount Of