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on subjects he discussed. 
About bringing out a young Chinese genius 
out of any of these colleges and schools that 
abound in China. Yes, this would be of high 
and lasting interest. I myself am very doubtful, 
however, v^hether it soon will be done. ■ In med- 
ical lines they are getting already some very 
smart Chinese doctors; in our v/ork, however, no, 
not yet. They are still groping what to do 1 
^%at I have seen of young Chinese scientists v/as, 
that they had no grasp of Vforld-wide affairs; 
when they are left alone they fall upon unimport- 
ant details like counting the hairs on the tail 
of a mouse, v/hile studying the color of its skin 
in connection with surrounding places of hiding. 
I see your remark concerning V/ilson Popenoe 
and South China exploration. Well, any time you 
and he discuss this theme, please let rae know. 
Or, any time you come across a young fellow who 
y/ants to take up this exploration work as a life's 
devotion, please mention South China and the 
Himalayan countries as possible fields. — I feel 
the evening of life slowly descending upon me and 
the fearful sorrow which hangs all over the earth 
does not make life the same it once used to be. 
The loneliness and responsibilities, therefore, 
seem to become to me heavier and heavier and some 
time, not too far distant, I'll lay down this 
■ heavy cloak and will suggest a younger man to take 
it up. 
Well, I'll break off here for the time being, 
for I have to receive more pear seeds. We are 
having a wondrous beautiful day, quite warm and 
so different from what it has been these last 
weeks with rainy and dark weather. 
The new beechis are coming in, also Ichang 
lemons in many varieties and Tamopan persimmons, 
measuring over 12 inches in circumference. 
In a letter written the next day, October ?5, 1917. at King 
men, Mr. Meyer wrote: 
We here in China also live in troublous 
times; fighting going on everywhere; Szechuan 
full of robber -bands; Canton and surroundings 
in rebellion, outlaws in all provinces, just 
nov; it is unsafe to go outside Jehol even, so 
December 31, 1917. 
