West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-02-13


Chicago sent a number of Professors and
students here to make some importan
observations. The different parts are
very well preserved only the iron par
belng rusted.
Leaving the observatory. We went
around by an old baildng witch con
tanned very old water clock II is quite
an interesting contrivance. We could Sc,
from the door but were not allowed to gc
in to examine IL. We then went on around
TO the Pekin University grounds. This
perhaps. is one OF the most remarkable
institutions in the world. There arc
branches In all the Vice Royalties. The
examinations are very rigid and include a
knowledge of the Chinese classics II
they pass this first examination the
successful candidates which are always
small per cent OF the number applied
are then sent 10 Pekin where they again
pa an examination. This one is much
nd rigid than the former ones. The
total number az the University OF pekin.
/ | think. IS about $4,000. After they pass
these hnal examinations their number goes
down TO very small per cent of the
original applicants. The successful can.
didates are treated with all the honors
that their native province can bestow.
After they have passed the examinations
they then wait for high position in the
Empire. The Niceroys OF the different
provinces are graduates of this University,
as we'll as many other men Ia the high
employ of the government We went 10
the keeper OF the grounds. thinking as our
old English soldier friend knew Chinese
so well that we would be sure to be
admitted to the grounds but we were very
much disappointed. Nothing that the old
sergeant could say had any effect on the
Chinese keeper However. we did get TO
look through the gate at the hundreds OF
little movable stalls, just large enough
Tor one person 10 sit in. The applicants
at the examinations are required 10 sit
down in these stalls and stay there until
they have finished subject The grounds
are walled In by big wall about ten feet
high These stalls are set in rows making
! IL look very much like a camp Of soldiers.
only that the stalls are square. about six
or seven feet high, aud the roof sloping TO
the back OF the booth. The font OF the
stall IS lett open for the applicant to get
in. IL was a queer sight TO us and made
us very glad that we did not have To pass
exams I'm as drcarya place as this seemed
to be. We turned and as We went out
through the gate OF tho outer wall. we had
to give the old gate keeper "a few cash "
The soldier was SO augered az the old
fellow not letting us in that he did not
want TO give the old Chinaman ANYTHING.
Then we wended our way back through h
the city TO the Legati6s street
The next day "Ftz' aud went over to
the American University compound TO
make an investigation OF that Institution
of learning. The University Of pekin.
This Is the biggest foreign institution OF
learning in China. and is sustained mostly
/ by subscriptions and donations from the
home church The rest Of the income Is
gotten from fees from the Chinese boys
who are able TO pay Tor their own
education. They have quite large
number of substantial bulldngs The
main college building which is the Chapel.
has just been built and Is quite a credit.
able structure The auditorium and lecture
room. when thrown together by opening
sliding doors, will accommodate abouf
Zoo people. This building was built
nearly entirely by3oung Chinese students.
and the work will compare very fayorably
with like work In America. II seems
rather strange TO MS who have been taught
! all our lives that the Chinese are so
! ignorant and dull. to such creditable work
| done by these young men. DR. Lowery
| quite frequestly spoke in the highest terms
| OF hts Chinese boys lie seemed 10 be so
! proud OF the wor he was doing He took
/ us into several OF the recitation rooms
! where they were having classes Nearly
! all the teachers are Chinese. The moment
the door would open the pupils would all
rise to their feet. (This was not for our
! special benefit but for DR. Lowcry) After
visiting the different recitation rooms we
went up to the dormitory. Here we saw
how Chinese bows live While they do not
| have 50 many luxurics as the average
| American boy. still they have very comfor.
table rooms. and seemed TO be treated far
| better than they would have been az home.
/ A room contained small bed which was
/ kept quite clean. ard two small tables.
! After this DR.. Lowery took us over to his
/ home and introduced us TO Mrs Lowery
and his daughters Their home certainly
/ Is In great contrast TO the buildings in the
/ neighborhood. This home contained all
the nice things that 90 TO make up a
comfortable and pleasant home In
another house we met a number Of the
teachers. who were graduates Of the
University Of Michigan and who knew
Dr. Paine. Dr. Lowery Is from Delcware
Ohio, and is graduate Of Ohio Wesleyan.
Before we left. Mrs Lowcry invited as to
dinner that evening As we had no
engagement we were delighted 90 accept
the invitation I'VE left. going back to
our headquarters
As We boys had not expected to come in
contact with civilization we had ief al
our belongings az Che FOO. fi bad been
eight days since we bad shaved and. ol
course we we're not in very good trim fof
dining out with white folks SO the next
thing for us TO do was 20 get shaved
This was a harder job than we bad an.
ucipated but after 50 long a time vs.,
were enabled TO get with some Chinamar
who told us Ola good barber and sent oul
for him. But any one who has no, seen
Chinese barber has any idea Of what che,
look like Presently fellow stepped DO
the door, and the store.kcepor WHO knew
some English. said There's yonr barber
lie went in the back room and got cos
Of water isat down on box The barber
wet my face and rubbed little soap on lt
and commenced with bis little razor. which
reminded me more Of a pruning knife thai
any thing else. The blade. instead OF th,
edge being convex was concavc SO thattb,
edge would go over thc scalp Of obi,
Chinamsn. thought could stand mos
anything but when De began TO go ovc
my face with the razor. t seemed tha
] rver, hair ,ys. ~, .,,i,,.. ,.,, t. 49, $500