Peking to Lhasa : vol.1 / Page 74 (Color Image)

0074	Peking to Lhasa : vol.1

44 PEKING TO LHASA

given a miniature feast of wine, brandy and

biscuits.

And so the first great stage of his journey

was accomplished. He had covered 1818/- miles

(4364 by train and 1382-1 by road). Of this dis-

tance he had walked 11161 miles. The journey

occupied 103 days from Tientsin, and he spent

£188 on the way, exclusive of the stores he had laid

in for the journey. The actual transport (train,

chairs, coolies, cart, mules, boat) cost £126.

Chengtu is one of the pleasantest cities in China,

with clean, fairly well - paved streets, covered

arcades and good shops. It is reputed to have

422,516 inhabitants. Pereira stayed here in a

charming Chinese house (now the British Con-

sulate) with a nice garden, and was welcomed at

a series of entertainments. First, on June 3, was

a great celebration of the King's birthday at the

British Consulate. This, he says, was very well

done by Mr. Hewlett. Flags were flown and an

official reception was held from 11 to 11.30. In

the afternoon were sports for children, of which

there were seventy (English and Canadian) over

four years of age. Then there was a patriotic

march with the flag as well as songs and recitations

to keep up the love of country. All was very

effective, and if everybody took the same trouble

all over the world as Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Brace

(working for the Y.M.C.A.) took, we would not, he

thought, be having so much trouble at home.

Then he had a round of Chinese feasts which, in

accordance with Chinese etiquette, he was expected

to attend. At these big official feasts countless

heart-burnings in regard to the correct seating of

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