The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-20
WALL OF PEKING
16 MILES AROUND
Naval Officer Once Rode
the Circuit on
Top.

The height Of the wall around the Tar
tar city OF Picking has been variously
estimated By different writer's. once
/ took an American naval officer. who
was visiting US, to walk on it. he be-
ing accustomed 10 tnaU sort Of work
made q rough measurement and pro-
nOunced the dimensions 10 be GO feet in
height CO feet broad at the bOJJou and
10 feet OF the top. II was a climb 10
get ND The eSCalade on the inner side.
but once having accomplished this. there
was 16-mile course, II you cared 10
make the entire circuit free from the
dust or mud Of the streets.
lE the peculiar climate II the sun was
shining, you would find Your wraps TOO
hot when walking on the wall, even
though the Thermometer was fer below
zero. and the frozen bodies Of dogs and
men might be lyiT 8 In the Shade be-
Meath The walking on the rough, stone
pathway was harI on the feet, and the
way was thiCklv s-rewn with the brieTy
shoots OF glCssy-leaVed, young date
trees, which were sprlnEing up through
every crack and crevice, greatly 10 the
detriment OF cur dress skirts. Walking
on the wall was truly the pursuit of
pleasure under difficulties. but IL was
so delightful TO breathe the untainted
air and be out of the crowded streets.
that we willingly encountered all oh
staCles rather than give up the exercise.
The little stone huts. stationed near
every one Of the gates, a mile apart,
and al all Of the esCala6es half way
between the gates, where lived the
guardians OF the wall. sometimes had
small plats IN which flowers and Vsgst-
ables were cultivated, by the old ban
nermeH who occupied them. The pass
ing years left in some places an acCum-
ulatiOn Of solid and vegetable mold.
which was sufficient TO uOUTish the roots
OF 1Hese plants.
It was only after a hard fight that the
foreign ministers, before our day, Suc-
Ceedad in persuading those in GGthOTity
10 allow their country people, men,
women and children, TO escape Occa-
siOnally from the city and inhale the
pure air on the wall Once, while we
were there. We came very very nearly
being deprived of II by the thougntless-
ness and fn.prUdeHce OF one Of our naval
officers. All horses. donkeys, cows, exc.
Amusement and dismay o. the poor, old,
useless sentiueis when early one morn
ing the unmistakable sound Of a galiOp-
ing horse broke upon their ears. They
EObbled as fast as possible to their
doors. making vain efforts to arrest
the rider, but he few past, answering
their challenge by laughing shake OF
the head and a shower of cash This
officer made the 16-1IilG circuit of the
wall meeting with no opposition from
the paralyZed and crippled antiques
whose duty it was TO defend it from all
uuwelcome intruders- OF course they
were p0Werless, and since, II this un-
heard-of performance should ever coma
Ia the knowledge of the officials. their
heads would probably pay the penalty,
they thought IL better not 10 report the
wild ride Of the outside barbarian, whom
no one knew. and who had left no trace
behind him except some scattered coins.
These were carefully collected by the
old bannermen and fear kept them 81
lelt.-Pacifc Era