New-York tribune., 1909-05-01

from North China to Burma. through Tibetan
e P. Dutton & Co
FROM EDINBTRGH TO, INDIA AND BURMA
PIP 403. E P. Dutton & Co.
The author Of From Picking 10 Mandalay' Is
man of serious tastes, member OF the Royal
Asiatic Society and a district officer and magis-
trate at Wei-Hai-Wei. His Journey from North
China to Burma through parts OF Chinese IT,
bet and Yunnan was not undertaken with any
scientific political purpose, but altogether for
the travellers own amusement and information.
Incidentally. Of course. he did learn much that
IS valuable TO outsiders and his book deserves
careful reading He traversed road which
has not been before described in print, and after
he left Wan-Hsien in North China, lived among
the natives and ate only native food. He was
accompanied by three Chinese soldiers and by
successive relays of baggage carriers, but his
excellent knowledge Of the Chinese language
obviated any necessity for guides and inter
prefers and gaze him many delightful expert
ences He rubbed up his requirements in the
Tibetan language, by the way, and have a
glimpse of his venerable native teacher putting
out his tongue at him in most respectful ap-
plause whenever the pupil distinguished himself
by pronouncing or spelling correctly. That the
traveller never met with inhospitabe treatment
is thing worth remembering. Local officials
everywhere were courteous and helpful, 9nd
even the Tibetan lalnas We're pleasantly inclined
toward him. He went as lightly equipped
possible, but had no serious discomforts-he was
at least able to eat the rough food "tsamba-"
This is a fearsome thing "parChed barley meal
mixed with yak butter and the peculiar con
coction which the Tibetans believe to be tea,
and. kneaded 10y cne's own fingers into a thick
paste" We may note that in the North China
mountain regions one need suffer from cold.
There is an abundance Of coal and Mr.. John
ston describes It burning well and giving out
considerabl ble heat with hardly any smoke.
one Of the most agreeable stations of the
Journey was that Of Mount Omei. the sacred
mountain set thiCkly with Buddhist monas
terles and temples. The monks were good to
the traveller. but If he had had TO face
lonely camp in the snow and ice the ascent
would have been worth while. For it is region
of wonderful mystical beauty. and our author
makes us realize it TO the full. IT is from this
mountain that may be seen sometimes the
veIIous floating aureoie in the mist which is
called the GLORY of Buddha." Ithas five colors,
the Chinese say. Mr.. Johnston not fortu-
nate as TO see this, but the views that were
spread out before him were almost equivalent
The chapter on Mount Omei and Chinese
Buddhism is full Of interesting comments on the
question of religion in China. The author con-
cludes that ION the whole it seems improbable
that the dogmas. at least, OF any OF the Chris
tian churches will ever find general acceptance
on Chinese soil," and he adds: THE moral and
spiritual regeneration Of China Is likely
TO be brought about by the growth of g Neo-
Confucianism frankly accepting such adapta-
tions as the social and political conditions OF
modern times may render necessary; and If this
is insufficient to satisfy the spiritual aspira-
tions of the people there may arise reformed
Buddhism drawing its inspiration either from
the simple faith of Burma, Siam and Ceylon
or-far more probaoly-from one OF the complex
systems Cnear in kinship to those of China, but
with a vitality of their OWN that have evolved
themselves upon the soil of Japan In the
pages devoted TO Burma the author ranges him
self beside Mr. Fielding Hall in his favorable
opinion of the people. 1t seemed TO him that
mot a single essential Of true civilization
there wanting"
The Scottish artist MIR W. G. B. Murdoch.
has also many genial things to say OF Burnah
in his gossippng volume. He has. in fact set
down the story Of his experiences in a persis-
tently cheerful mood. seeing most Of the chances
and changes OF travel on their bright side he |