University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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THE LINGUIST 95 t00k several hours to become accustomed to the jar of the train, though by 11:30 there was more than one cry ef when do we eat? The tea-boy kept us supplied with hot water, heated on a portable charcoal stove, With which we removed some of the recently acquired dirt about which 'at this stage of the trip we were somewhat concerned. 7:30 P. M. was bedtime. There was much excitement amid the unrolling of pu gais, and many repetitions of the tune, where am l. going to sleep. To feel comfortable coiled up on inadequate floor space is an aft. It is to be deplored that we had not practiced sleeping on the floor at home in preparation. 13 f' 1 , v f . March twenty-second. One day nearer Peking. We know each other very much better than we did: proof, we recognized each other after the dust-storm--aye, even Oonvivially performed our ablutions in the same lJi1SlU- WG arrived in Tientsin too late to be attached to the passenger train. but that made no difference, for we gaily trnndled in on the gud of a freight. March twenty-third. h The first glimpse of Peking was received just as the Sun was rising- Before us passed a camel caravan withall Shaggy and moth MUCH- but bound for what lands of mystery. -

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94 THE YEAR March tlrst. The school visited Nanking's model prison, and a model prison it is indeed, for cleanliness, the teaching of tradcs, the possession of hospital facilities for the sick, and the general plan of reformation rather thall punishment are emphasized. March sevc nth. Everyone was out for the volley ball game between the teachers and the girls! .Bobby had plenty of strength, Mary her usual form. but everyone rooted for the teachers who didn't need it, winning two out of three games. March eleventh to fifteenth. Dr Frank Rawlinson. editor of the C'lzii1es'c Recorder. lectured to the student body for two periods each day on Some Chinese Religious Concep- tionsf' An hour of general discussion followed. Dr. Riawlinsorfs long years in China and his varied contacts make his information very valuable. Every day. Four minute speeches on Travel- Seen at the 'l'nf'l4y l'1U'iY ing to Pekin made Easy. 'March twenty-first. 7:30 A. M. OIT for lfeking, bedding rolls, lunch, old clothes, high hopes, fat poekctbcoks, lingering memories of examinations,--all actually off for Peking. From Hsiakwan we ferried across the Yangtse to Pukow, where the private ears that were to house us en route to Peking were sidetracked. Two third class cars with seats along the side for twenty people, can hold forty-five each, on occasion. VVc defy anyone to find at more comfortable seat than the S0ft Side of a pu gai. On the dot of 10 lx. wi. the whistle blew, and we were off without even an all aboard. It

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96 THE YEAR Since it was Sunday, the day was full of rest. and bath tubs full of h0f' water. ' March twenty-fourth. ' Morning. First to Coal Hill to look out across the city, and to acquaint ourselves with the city, to peep over the wall onto the shimmering yellow roofs of the Forbidden City. 'Then to Pei Hai and the imperial pleasure grounds about the lake that Kubla Khan drained. We wandered among the rock caverns, and found the colorful Dragon screen, alone and perfect before the ruins of a forgotten temple. T Afternoon: Our destination was the Temple of Heaven and the Altar of Heaven, that mounting pile of chaste marble where thc Emperor went yearly to take upon himself the sins of his people, and petition for their pardon. Words are mere shells in describing its terraced balustrades, the brilliance of the blue tiles, and the ancient trees that hang over its encircling rosy walls. Early to bed was essential, but the bedsrwere as hard as the floor of the car had bG8l1. Somehow we didnt seem to fit. Gordon Curtis decided to sleep on the floor on his pu gai, and he claims the floor was softer than the bed. i Tuesday. p Morning. The Forbidden City was entered by a gate that swings wide open only on special occasions, for it is inside this wall that the deposed boy Emperor lives in seclusion. Within also is a million dollar collection of Chinese art-jades, lacquers, bronzes, and potteries of delicate design and fashioning. We left the gold-green spaciousness of the Emperors throne room, awed by its magnificence. Afternoon. 'iThat's where my money went for at Mrs. Stewart'S home there was a bazaar where Peking wares were in display: beads, brass, silver, fur, Mandarin coats, and linens. Wednesday. Morning General Feng's camp was invaded by automobiles carrying 150 foreigners, including students from the Peking Language school. The camp was a model of cleanliness and industry. We appreciated the Gencral's courtesy in meeting 113 P0I'SOlmlly.