CHINESE ERUDITION 43 



a small island off the mouth of the Yangtse-kiang, 

 adjoining others which held 



" Anthropophagi, 



And men whose heads do grow beneath 

 Their shoulders." 



Such a belief is common among the Chinese. 

 He professed the liveliest admiration for George 

 as a lion slayer, and on a secretary obsequiously 

 inquiring what such beasts might be was only too 

 delighted to display his superior knowledge. 



" Oh," said he, " just like those stone beasts out- 

 side the gate," effigies which resemble nothing so 

 much as a couple of grossly overfed pug puppies 

 wearing ecstatic grins. 



We visited the pawn-shops, those store-houses 

 of strange and wonderful things, and bought some 

 furs and curios. Unfortunately the boat which 

 was taking them back to Hankow was attacked on 

 its voyage down the river, our boxes were rifled, 

 and had it not been for the energetic action of a 

 revolutionary official, we should have lost every- 

 thing. As it was, one box was lost entirely, though 

 the others turned up in London ten months later. 



It was at Sian that I first recollect that familiar 

 sound at night in a Chinese town, the rattle of the 

 watchman going his rounds. Every self-respecting 

 establishment employs such a man, who is supposed 

 to keep thieves from the door. They are paid 

 sums varying up country from seven to nine 

 shillings per month. They very commonly pay 

 over a proportion of their wages to the local king 

 of the thieves, who promises for his part to hold 

 them immune from any burglarious attack. This 



