West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-02-13
THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE.
A kingwood Boys Travelling In China.
The Railroads, Hotels and the
Great Wall.
BY JASPER NKwroN CALVERT


/ - 80 ~ A"N NAA1f Wh0 NNulU kANC Us
information as TO the most interesting
places to visit. We found Mr. Squlres.
First Secretary TO Minister Conger. and
Second Secretary Mr.. Bainbridge. We
found these gentleman very aeeommo.
dating and cordial Mr. Squires had
been In the u. 5. Army. This was. per.
haps. the cause OF his cordial greeting
lie roughly directed us as to the best way
to sev the sights Of the city
Leaving the Legation. we went back
down the Legation street aud turned oa
TO the right going down to the wall OF the
City which Is but short distance back OF
the American compound The ascent
upon the wall is made by a lone. gradually
sloping approach. We found the passage.
way barred by gate and as we were at.
tempting to get through. an old Chinaman
came out of house nearby and unlocked
the gate; we paid him few cash" for
allowing US TO go upon the wall.
The view from the top was certainly OF
great interest. On the outside OF the wall.
beyond the immediate vicinity. are the
rolling hills. Way OF to the north arc
long line Of caravans camels loaded with
furs and many other commodities which
the Tartars and Russians produce. which
they bring down and trade for the Chinese
tea and other commodities which the
Chinese produce. This was the FIRST time
had ever seen such a long line OF camels
One old camel with a bell on his neck is
used as leader. Following him may be
from twenty-five to City in the same
caravan. Each one OF the camels has
thrown over its back immense loads of
these commodities. Accompanying each
! caravan may be ten or dozen men in
charge OF the oamels. AS they fle along
down under us outside OF the city wall.
and as they come to the city gate with
their noiscless tread and creep through.
nothing being heard but the tinkling Of
the bell. II was queer sight 10 MS. Along
the main ,horoughfare leading into the
principal streets OF the city. come and so
innumerabie cars, wheel-barrows, and
sedan chairs carried by men. mules or
ponies. These wheel barrows are one OF
the principal means Of locomotion in China.
| Especially il is so in pekin, where the
streets are so very bad. The wheels are
large. some as much as thirty inches high.
The frame is placed on the axil so as to
about balance The load is placed on
over the sides so that the Chinese can
push immense loads on them. Not only do
they carry garden truck on them but they
are used to carry people One sometimes
sees two or three women aud as many
children all piled on one Of these wheel
barrows. with one cooley pushing ALL
On the inside OF the wall is a vast ex.
pansc OF houses and streets. Most Of the
wide roofs on them. The streets OF Pekin
outside ofthe main cross streets are about
as crooked and as filthy as II is possible
for streets TO get. The view from the wall
perhaps shows up the interior Of the city
to disadvantage. But imagine one
OF MS living in a little mud hut or ap.
partment six by eight feet square. In
nearly all these houses there are large
families. Occasionally you will see
large and better looking house rise up
above the rest. II seems that the better
class OF people live near the center Of the
city
From the wall we could get good view
over into the Imperial city just back Of
the center Of the enclosure is a large
mound with some trees growing on il We
! WIZ fhABNhfA ANdA AtAtn ~ "a AfotlNt Oh
coal. placed there in case there is seige
This mound Of coal has been there for
many years and is said TO contain many
thousand tons OF coal.
As we were returning from the far side
Of tho city. We saw woman Of the high
class going through the streets She was
seated In sedan chair resting on the
backs Of two mules We heard the beat
ing Of a drum and presently fellow on
horse back came along clearing the way;
then followed the mules with tie chair
and bringing up the rear. were quite
number Of men boys and some soldiers
carrying lanccs and queer shaped battle
axes
As we went along the muddy streets
lined with all sorts Of filthy shops. a young
Chinese boy joined as. who had some
small birds which he was trying to sell US
lie seemed TO be quite good natured aud
enjoyed the fun we made
When we got back we met an old English
soldier Mr. Herring who Cor forty years
has been in china as an Atiache at the
British Legation having the general sup
criufcudency Of the domestic affairs lie
had beer IN China so long that he could
speak Chinese better that he could English.
As soon as he found out we had been in
the American army in the Philippines he
seemed 10 take great interest IN learning
of the affairs in the island. Tie invited us
20 30 20 his home and see his family as he
called it We gladly accented and when
wc arrived We found it consisted OF dogs.
cats birds a0d horses and his "boy" "a
queer family Every thing was neat and
i1 The best of shape lie ordered bis boy
10 bring out The drinks. but as We did not
drink liquor he ordered him 10 make us
some tea. After staying some time we
returned 90 our hotel in the evening we
were 30 GO with him out to the Pokin
observatory.
in eoing out to the observatory we
climcd up on thc east wall where We got
good view Of the NJ T.. church com.
pound Mr. Herring said they considered
tho Methodist church location as good as
there was in the city 10 certainly is very
fine Tor they are out near the edge Of the
city where they can easily buy other
property as thcg want 20 extend their
limits
Along the outer edge OF thc city. next
TO thc wall. Is good big place on which
there arc no houses Pokin is not as
donsely built as many other Chinese
cities as is Shan Hai Kuan and Che,
Foo. After thirty five minutes walk wa
J came TO the observatory These iustru
monts are marvcls of workmanship. and
arc made OF bronze. They we're put thcr,
A., by che Jesults about two huudscd year,
( ago and are said TO be wonderfully accurat,
INSTRUMENTS They stand On q eoit,