Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-12-12
THE HERoINEs OF ToNKiN.
A Splendid Temple Dedicated to
Two Girls Who Won Enduring

TWO Girls VINO Won Enduring
Fame.
A little out OF the city OF Hanoi, in
Tonkln, Is remarkably handsome
pagoda In which live twenty women.
They seldom leave their chosen home.
and they subsist upon the contributions
OF visitors and upon some small reve-
nues which the temple receives from
tho government, Some OF them are
young and pretty, and IN intelligence
and attainments they are all above tho
common people. They are recluses,
and their mission is 10 perform tle
work OF the temple and to keep n light
constantly burning before tho lito-sizo
statues OF two young women whose
patriotic heroism Is thus honored, and
martyrdom for their country kept alive
In the hearts OF the people, though
they lived nearly nineteen centuries
ago. Their career greatly resembles
that OF Joan OF Are.
In the year 81 OF tho present era,
Tonkin was suffering under tho op.
prossivo rule OF China, who had driven
her legitimate kings from tho throne.
Tonkin was Chinese province. ruled
by Chinese funct.onaries, aud the
people groaned under u heavy yoke.
Two young sisters, OF noble family,
named Chin Sc and Chin Eul, took adj
vantage OF tho widespread discomfort
TO stir up revolt Remarl<abla for
their energy aud bravery, and greatly
admired for their bravery and splendid
horsemanship, they placed themselves
ut the head OF II volunteer army, and
drove tho foreigners pel-mell out Of
Tonkin. For u time IOnkln was her
own master, tho sisters were idolized,
and the people received them with
acclamations and gratitude.
Tho news travelled TO Pekin OF tho
disgrace two women had inflicted upon
tho Chinese arms, and tho Emperor
koang III sent "a great army under ono
OF his most famous soldiers TO teach
Tonltin and her female generals u tor
riblo lesson. When tho army reached
Tonkin the sisters aud their warriors
met the Chinese host on the frontier,
and contested the ground stop by step.
performing proligies OF valor, The
decisive battle finally took place on
the outskirts OF the capital. Tho Ton
kinese mt first had the best OF the fight.
but In the crisis OF tho battle some OF
their generals passed over TO the emo
my. This treason gave tho victory
TO tho Chinese. The two sisters fell
from their horses piercsd with spears
rs they were leading last charge In
tho vain effort TO check the Chinese ad.
vance.
The memory OF their patriotism and
feats Of arms has been perpotuated In
the costly temple. High walls surround
1t, and only those can enter who have
permit Within are many carvings
and paintings, done In the best style Of
Tonkinese art, depicting scenes In tho
brief but glorious career OF the two
sisters. A great couch Is shown, which
Is supposed to b. similar TO that upon
which the sisters sat when they gave
audiences. Specimens of ancient
weapons OF warfare hang on tho walls.
There are life-siaed paintings TO rep
resent the horses upon which the sisters
rode, and one wall Is entirely devoted
to painting OF the two elephants which
always marched ut the he I'd OF tho
army OF the hcroiues. Tho statues OF
the sisters stand upon bases Of stone,
and they are richly robed In silks,
Before them burns q lamp, and the re-
cluses " the temple are very careful
to keep tho 4 mo constantly blazing.