University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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THE LINGUIST 49 'Not for three years to cross the liberties,' and I realized it was easy to Obey, because we who seek knowledge ought to consecrate our lives to knewledge, as the nuns who consecrate their lives to religious .work. The third article, 'Not for three years to speak to any man' was the easiest. I thought we would not speak with any men until we had as much knowl- edge as they can get. Then they would not dare to say that women have H0 minds to study as men do, and they would have to admit that women really are equal to men. So my first day in Princess Ida's college ended. BEING A GUEST ' T was a bright and sunny morning, but it was very cold. My mother and I walked through several frozen streets to my grandmothers home. As We went along, we met many children playing on the street. They all WOre their beautiful new clothes, new hats, new shoes and new gloves. Their faces were full of joy. Some were playing tops, some were kicking feathers, some were playing kites on the small hill, and some were blowing 01' beating drums All shops were closed, except those selling fruit and Candy. When we approached the house, we heard the bands playing merrily in the different homes. As we arrived at thc two wooden gates we knock- ed on them. An old gate-keeper with a pleasant face, and dressed in the Old fashioned new clothes, came out and opened the gates. As soon as he- Sflw us he bowed to us and said Happy New Year. Just as we entered the big hall, my cousins came out and welcomed US. They all had on their best clothes. Some were pink, some red, and Some were embroidered with many beautiful flowers and butterflies. They Were very glad and bowed down before us. My mother presented many gifts which were packed in red papers. Then we entered the parlor. There my grandmother, aunt and uncle Were waiting for us. They introduced to us all the guests in their home, The family meeting was very warm and affectionate. The dinner was announced shortly after our arrival. It was held in the beautiful dining room, which was decorated with ivy and evergreen. The old famous pictures were hung all around the room. There were two large red candles lighted on the long table, and a great

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48 ENGLISH ESSAYS My turnips are very nice-big and fresh. Four coppers a gui, is the answer. I Too much, too much, three coppersl says the buyer. Not enough! answers the seller and goes away and erics again Turnips and eabbagesf' During that time every buyer bargains clamorously with his or her seller. They go here and there and are so busy that it is hard for rick- shaws to make their way through the street and the rickshaw coolies have to shout, Here come the rickshaws-let them go-otherwise you will be rushed down! From dawn until seven o'elock every morning hundreds of such sounds strike our ears, and if you will only come with me you will hear them for yourself. A DAY IN PRINCESS lDA'S COLLEGE ANY times I had heard about Ida's college, then I began to long to be a student there. At last my hope was fulfilled. When I entered the college, I could not tell how happy I was. When I entered the door I saw above it, Let no man enter here on pain of death. I was thrilled by this inscription. I said to myself, HI-Iow happy I am because I ean study in this college for women alone, and no man has a right even to peep in. I saw the Head, the Princess Ida, and could not help admiring her for she was a grand and dignified woman, yet her voice was natural and sweet, and her movements gentle. After this an ofiicer read the college statutes to me, sueh as, 'Not for three years to correspond with home', 'Not for three years to cross the liberties', ' Not for three years to speak with any man' , and some more. When I heard 'Not for three years to correspond with 11011103 I thought that rule was too hard for me to obey. It 599111041 too big gi sacrifice for me to leave my parents for three years-such a long time-- without giving them even one word. But I thought it over, then I realized that in getting anything worth while one has to pay a correlative price. Since I wanted to get knowledge that could make me equal to men who had always considered us WOIIIGII HS il1f0l'i0F 'CO them, of course I would have to sacrifice something. Then I thought of the second article

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50 ENGLISH ESSAYS cake set in the centre. On the other tables we found many delicate foods which were abundantly spread. I was happy to find my old friend oil lobster, in the great feast. Though I had not eaten it for a long time and had nearly forgotten the taste, yet I was reminded of it when I saw it. - After we Hnished our feast, we returned to the parlor at which we first arrived. There we talked a little while, and took some fruits and tea. Then we said Good-bye to each other, and returned home in the sedan-chair. A KING OF TANG There looms a lordly pleasure tower o'er yon dim shore, Raised by some king of Tang. Jade pendants at his girdle clashed, and golden bells Around his chariot rang. Strange guests through sounding halls at dawn go trailing by, Gray mists and mocking windsg , And sullen brooding twilights break in rain on rain, To lash the ragged blinds. The slow, sun-dappled clouds lean down o'er waters blue, Clear mirrored, one by oneg Then drift as all the world shall drift. The very stars Their timeless courses run. - How many autumn moons have steeped those palace walls! And paled the shattered beams! Where is their lordly builder n0w? A Lord of dust? An Emperor of dreams? WANG Po, A.D. 648-676.