appears very vague and the figures seem to be unreliable. The war contribution is covered by increasing the land tax by 3o %. No wonder that Europeans are unpopular.
Talking of Europeans, I. cannot refrain from mentioning the work of the missionaries at Si-an-fu. The Roman Catholic mission, run by Franciscan monks, is the most important. Their headquarters, situated in the village of Tung yuan fang, a day's journey N of the town, cannot fail to arouse admiration, especially if you happen to come from the Wild West of China. In the whole province there are about 23,00o Roman Catholics distributed at many missionary stations. Bishop Goette, who died quite recently, was to a large extent the, founder of the fine philanthropical institutions of which the mission may justly feel proud. Everyone is full of his praises, even Protestants. There is a hospital with airy rooms and too beds in the town. The dispensary is well equipped and there is an appreciable number of daily callers. A nun, Italian by birth, acts as senior doctor and matron. It is strange that there is no actual doctor. When an operation has to be performed in their neat operating theatre, one of the English Baptist missionaries is called in. A school, originally intended for the daughters of mandarins, hut now open to other children as well, is run by the nuns. In another young Chinese are taught English. It is superintended by an exceptionally amiable English Franciscan, Father Hugh. — The church is imposing and the whole place with its rosebushes, flower gardens, airy courtyards and white houses gives an impression of cleanliness, order and peace that makes a visit there in the midst of the dust and dirt of China a real pleasure. — Father Gabriel, an excellent simple and broadminded Breton,
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