THE COLLEGE OF THE WHITE DEER. 



525 



occupant to heaven-bestowed success. In consequence of the favor 

 thus vouchsafed to those who studied in this room, there was such a 

 great rush each season to secure it that vigorous quarrelling and even 

 murder ensued, so that it was relegated to an idol and since then no 

 student has been allowed to study there'. 



Mr. R. E. Lewis, of Shanghai, in his ' Educational Conquest of 

 the Far East/ recites the amusing experience of himself and three 

 American companions when visiting the grotto a few years ago. The 

 curiosity of the Chinese concerning all things foreign has often been 

 noted before, but the actions of these students may still be recalled 

 with interest: 



We stood in Chii Hsi's venerable college, and presently one, two, three, 

 hesitating, inquisitive men with long finger nails, approached, and stood awk- 

 wardly about. After a word of greeting we were shown the main eating room 

 where high square tables, benches with no backs, rice bowls and chop-sticks 

 were chiefly in evidence. Looking around for the ISew York man of the party, 

 we saw him still in the outer court, beset by two importunate students. They 

 had begun with his shoes, the laces and metal eye-holes being duly explained. 

 They took in his stockings, which were black, in curious contradistinction to a 

 Chinese gentleman's white hose. They fingered his white duck trousers and 

 coat, anxious to know T the cost. The chief Confucian inquisitor proceeded to 

 ask and to prove how many sets of garments a foreigner wears on his arms. 

 This coincided with the three coats which the Chinese expect to wear in 

 weather somewhat colder. When they had reached the New Yorker's pith-hat, 

 there was an outburst of ill-mannered laughter. This prince of Chinese investi- 

 gators held the piece of head gear in his hand and commented on its lightness 

 in comparison to its umbrella dimensions. He made this sally, ' What is your 

 honorable hat made of ? ' The New Yorker being yet young in China could 

 not recall the Chinese expression for ' pith,' and turned to another of the party 



Image of Confucius. 



