The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-21

would throw strong influence in such
direction If the opportunity be given to
them. When the country is rid Of the
Maneau dynasty she viii rise. Il IS true
that the Emperor, though not strong
man. is progressive; but it is doubtful if
his surroundings will ever be such as to
give him liberty to eet according to the
convictions which he has appeared to
have. The DoWager fears the Powers and
hates them.
I'm the two years preceding the ediets
of 1888. promulgated by che Emperor, Chi
ma really made considerable strides. The
system of education was actually re-en-
forced by 2 few works from the Society
for the Diffusion Of Christian knowledge.
The world knows how the grip OF the En-
press well nigh ended the Emperor's life
and that officials high in favor lost their
heads.
The stories of the Dowager's fight from
Pekiu are not as dreadful as was the long
siege of the city. True, she was compelled
to spend three nights upon hard brick
floor. but the majority of those who were
. shut in the besIeged legation for two long
months were not only upon hard floors,
bGt we're poorly fed and suffered other pri-
vations that I viii not euumerate. And
while she thought only Of herself at that
time, they (the prisoneTsl each and all,
considered the weakest among them. plan
ming for the SICK and for the children
Il have met many OF those who we're
shut IN fskin. One lady is in the house
with me. She and her baby reached Shang-
| hal after 1t was over. worn in strength
and ver52 emaeiated. She and her husband
were aElong those missionaries who refus-
ed to be separated from the Chinese Chris
tiaBs swhen the Legations thought IL would
be impossible 10 receive so large a num-
| Der into their compound At length. when
it was decided to undertake the charge, the
time was short and most Of them went
with only what they wore or could take in
their hands In the confagratiOn that sue
teeded my friends lost everything they
left behind-elothing. furniture, books, and
all else. It IS touching 10 hear them speak
of the, generous gifts from those who were
more Fortunate
HuddIed in a Church
"Tbe little church of the legation was
built for the comfortable seating of forty
people. with provision for few more that
might be present On special occasions, 1t
was built for winter use rather than sum-
| mer. for in the hot weather there. as ey-
| erywhere else. the people are of for
| change and rest. so that the ventilation is
not large But during those seven or eight
| not weeks over seventy persons lived night
! and day in this church. and were thankful
| for the shelter.
! squads. They had neither gpace nor uten-
| sis for the needs of seventy people at one
| tii..e and scarce as vas the variety of the
dishes. yet even one vegetable or one max
| ing of bread or OF coffee or tel. would have
] necessitated larger vessels for over three
| score people than they possessed
My friend smiles over her frst starch
ed shirt waist after the allies entered Pc
kin Somehow starch was obtained and
happy course Of laundry work was the re-
suit. / dare say at the time they thought
buI little about it. bu. when relief came
the old comforts and pleasures were re-
| sumed. ! have heard that the oppression
| OF The close atmosphere in the church was
sometimes so great that several slept upon
the veranda near by, risking mimic balls.
which came at night as well as day. But I
have not heard that any complained for
! lack Of starch or any luxury OF that sort
Al the close of the siege they we're re-
duced to z very small quantity of food.
| The canned milk for the babes would have
lasted but a day or two. Five children
| (fcreign) died. and at one time the death
rate among the children of the Chinese
! was seven a day Besides the discomforts
and suffering, the fright of women and
| the disappointment to all were a severe
| strain
The Chinese waters look businessliae.
| When we steamed from the sea into The
4
our eyes was imposing. German. English
French. American, and Russian gunboats.
with eoIors flying, met our eyes some
bound for Manila and Some to remain
near by
Hope for the Nation.
we can but hope that this Government.
just out Of centuries of darkness, viii not
be permitted TO fight her way down to
utter ruin Christian Chinese have proved
their own strength-ratheT the strength of
their faith May not this test be an as
suranee Of something better for the nation
when a good government is placed within
their reach? In other words, does it not
mean that this people are capable OF great
things2 Left without the support Of their
friends. thousands of them have during
the past summer maintained their integ-
rity Ia quietness and courage. and, TO my
mind. it is the harbinger of the day when
millions of this people viii have the re-
spect of the world.
This is ehrysanthemum season. and
wien these flowers ara seen in their glo-
~ they are ma gniicent. The ferns in
the garden upon the BuRd are beautiful.
I saw g rose tree thai attracted me- It
had long passed the bush stage and was
a fne tree, with handsome roses. Per-
simmons. too, are a. their best 1 Go not
say too much when say they are as good
as Florida oranges.
I was at a fine Chinese wedding few