The Living Age Volume 192

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 Excerpt: ...embankment which protects the country on the north side of the river from inundation. It is a great work of earth and stone, showing no little skill and an enormous amount of labor in its construction. On its summit runs the highroad from Hankow, or rather Han-yang, the suburb across the Han River, to I-chang, viA Sba-sze. The road and embankment does not altogether follow the course of the river, but is carried as nearly as possible in a straight line. The system with which some Chinese State works are carried out is well exemplified in this case, for every hundred yards or so along the road stands a stone bearing a number or mark, so that should any portion become damaged by flood or otherwise, the authorities in whose department it lies to repair know the exact spot to which workmen must be despatched. One of the sights to be seen upon the Yangtze steamers is the " China saloon," formed by the lowest of the tier of decks, and closed in by high bulwarks--the tier above forming its roof; so that, with the exception of the engine-room, the China saloon occupies the whole size of the steamer. Round the bulkheads and along the centre are arranged berths one above the other; but bedding and all such things are brought by the native passengers, who, being great travellers, and in spite of their hatred of the foreigners, do not disdain his steamboats, and crowd in great numbers on to these ships. Sometimes many hundreds are on board at one time. The sickly smell of opium which pervades these saloons is most unpleasant, to which the savor of John Chinaman himself adds a piquancy not altogether to be appreciated. Yet in spite of this it is well worth while to visit one of these places, and see the Celestial en voyage. A thousand queer things we saw in ou...