And finally, for those of national concern, the Central Government is responsible. In the last case, the Provincial authority is generally instructed to see to it that the monuments or landmarks are well preserved. But the Provincial authority has no right to alter them in any manner unless it gets permission from the Central Government. In regard to those of Provincial concern which are situated in a District, the District authority acts as agent for the Province which reserves the right of control over them. It is the same with the Community if it is instructed to act as an agent for the District. In such a way, the historical monuments are well cared for except in the time of a civil war when anarchy prevails. But as soon as peace is restored, those which have been ruined are generally reconstructed so far as it is within the financial means of the authority that owns them; either the Community, District, Province or Nation as the case may be.

During the Taiping Insurrection (1850-1855), anarchy prevailed in all the southern Provinces and many temples and public buildings of historical importance were destroyed under the merciless fire and plundering of the infuriated mobs. When the war was over, those places which had been partly destroyed were repaired or rebuilt; those which had been razed were replaced with new ones in some cases, and in other cases, ever out of existence. China values her historical monuments so much that she would not let them disappear unless beyond her control.

It must be understood that in China all the historical places are public property. Any person who attempts to destroy any portion of the public property is under the penalty of arrest. When repairs are needed, the fund for that purpose is either derived from the public treasury or from voluntary subscriptions. In this way, the historical places are kept up for centuries.

The architectural historical monuments of China may be divided into four general groups, namely, the pagodas, the tombs, the memorial arches and the bridges.

The pagodas are considered by some foreigners as the most characteristic of China's landmarks. There are probably twenty hundred in the whole country. They always have odd numbers of stories, usually ranging from seven to nine. The oldest ones

seem to date back early in the eleventh century, or probably earlier. Mr. Frederick McCormick, in the Geographical Magazine for October, 1912,* says of the pagodas:

"Nothing can interfere with their grace and beauty. Denizened by birds and often dotted with vegetation, they are the pride and inspiration of the townspeople. They stand for generations like sentinels, often long after the temples to which they have belonged have disappeared."

Two notable pagodas are those which stand on either side of West Lake in the City of Hangchow. One of them is Prince Su's pagoda. A good tradition once being formed, it perpetuates itself. Generations may pass and come; a good tradition lives long. About five years ago, when the Provincial Assembly (then newly created, corresponding to the State Legislature of the United States), of the Province of Chekiang, found that the Prince Su's pagoda was enclosed by the fence of a hospital, it appointed a committee to investigate the matter. It developed that an American missionary bought a lot somewhere near the Prince Su's pagoda, and there he built a hospital and made a fence enclosing the pagoda. The public found a good deal of inconvenience in paying visits to it, and therefore made complaint to the Legislature. The latter took action and responded to the complaint. But it was found that the enclosure was necessary for the benefit of the patients of the hospital. Here the idea of philanthropy and public amusement and historic preservation came into conflict. A compromise was sought by passing a bill of appropriation and purchasing the hospital with its lot. This liberal action on the part of the Legislature may be taken as a fair example showing how the Chinese people are interested in scenic and historic preservation.

The tombs, constituting the second class of landmarks, are of course particularly sacred in character and some are very old. The tomb of the Great King Hsia Yu (2255 B. C.) has been well preserved for more than four thousand years. This King was the greatest engineer in the ancient time. Before he ascended to

*Mr. McCormick's article entitled "China's Treasures." in the National Geographic Magazine for October, 1912. is of fascinating interest and is profusely illustrated. It gives an excellent idea of the historical landmarks of China.

the throne, he was appointed by his predecessor to manage the floods in the valley of the Yellow River. He drained off the water of disastrous floods and canalized rivers. After thirteen years' hard work, he succeeded in his great enterprise. The people do not forget his great service. His tomb, which is regarded as sacred, is on a hill in the District of Shanyin, Province of Chekiang. There is a magnificent temple of the oriental characteristics standing beside his tomb. In spring, people make yearly pilgrimage there.

The tomb of Confucius in Shangtung Province has been kept up for centuries. The Provincial treasury supports its main

tenance.

The Ming Tombs, or Tombs of the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, near Pekin, have been taken care of for nearly five hundred years. A visitor cannot help having feelings of wonder when he sees along the "Holy Way" the memorial arches, the pillars, and the marble animals in the forms of "Standing Camel," "Kneeling Camel," "Standing Elephant," "Standing Horse," Standing Lion," and "Kneeling Horse" of the Ming Tombs. The memorial arches (Pai-Lao), which compose the third class of landmarks, are to be seen almost everywhere in China. They were either erected to the memory of the widows who refused to marry again; high officials who served the country or had done good service to the people; those who got the highest honors in the Civil Examination; the devoted sons or daughters who sacrificed their own life for the sake of their parents' in peril; or those who lived to a hundred years of age. Some of these monumental structures are composed of three arches each, while others have as many as thirteen.

The bridges form the fourth class of landmarks. When Marco Polo visited China sometime during the Thirteenth Century, he was fascinated with Lu-Kyu-Chao which he called the Bridge of Pulisanghin. In his record, he says:

"It is 300 paces in length, and it must have a good eight paces of width, for ten mounted men ride across it abreast. . . . It is all of very fine marble, well built and firmly founded.

Along the top of the bridge there is on either side a parapet of marble slabs and columns, made in this way. At the beginning

of the bridge there is a marble column, and under it a marble lion, so that the columns stand upon the lion's loins, whilst on the top of the column there is a second marble lion, both being of great size and beautifully executed sculpture."

The bridge was built over Hwan-Ho, or the Yellow River, flowing about ten miles west of Pekin towards the southeast and joining the Peho, or the North River, at Tientsin. This bridge was begun in 1189 and was five years a-building. On August 17, 1688, according to Magaillans, a great flood carried away two arches of the bridge and the remainder soon fell. The bridge was soon renewed. During the reign of Kienlung (1736–1796) it was repaired. As it stands now, it is a very long bridge of nine arches spanning the valley of the Yellow River and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Landscapes of remarkable natural beauty are also carefully protected in China. West Lake, previously mentioned, which was idealized by Marco Polo, may be cited as an illustration. The West Lake is a natural public garden for the City of Hangchow, which the Venetian called Kingsay or "The City of Heaven," now the Capital of the Province of Chekiang. To quote Marco Polo:

"Inside the City (Hangchow) there is a Lake which has a compass of some 30 miles; and all around it are erected beautiful palaces and mansions of the richest and most exquisite structure that you can imagine, belonging to the nobles of the City. There are also on its shores many abbeys and churches of the idolators. In the middle of the lake are two islands, on each of which stands a rich, beautiful and spacious edifice, furnished in such style as to seem fit for the palace of an emperor."

The lake is about three miles from north to south, and about five miles from east to west. About two centuries before Marco Polo visited there, two dykes had been built which are still in good condition at the present time. One dyke called Beh's Dyke runs lengthwise, separating the inner and outer lake. The other is called Su's Dyke. It is parallel to the former and about half of its length, starting from a hill-foot which projects into the lake, and leading westward to the opposite shore. There are three bridges on Su's Dyke and six on Beh's, all at regular intervals.

The poetic symbol for Su's Dyke is "Su's Dyke in the Spring Morning," while for Beh's Dyke, it is "Six Bridges with Mist and Willows." The "Evening Bell near South Hill" is another Nature picture in the West Lake.

In the sumer time, when the sun is sinking behind the Thunder. Peak, you will find anglers sitting idly on the steps of the timeworn bridges under the aged willows. The temple bell of the Great Buddha rings once, echoed by the neighboring hills and then sinks into silence. One more the bell rings, once more echoed, and again sinks into silence. If one is familiar with the beautiful legends of the Chinese Maidens' love and the lovers' tragedy that are inseparable with the history of the West Lake, he will feel the real beauty of the "Paradise on Earth." The Chinese proverb says:

"There's Paradise above 'tis true,
But here below we've Hang and Su.”

Here Su means Suchow, about a hundred miles away from Hangchow. When these two Cities are coupled together, the Chinese call them Su and Hang. These two neighboring Cities are in the middle of the beautiful tea and silk districts, and with every advantage of inland navigation and foreign trade, combined every source of wealth and prosperity, and were often thus coupled together.

THE EQUESTRIAN STATUES OF THE WORLD.

From January 6 to February 6, 1913, a remarkable loan exhibition of paintings, pictures, medals, coins, statuary, porcelains, books, manuscripts, curios, etc., relating to Joan of Arc was held in the American Numismatic Building in New York City under the auspices of the Joan of Arc Statue Committee; the Museum of French Art, Institute in America, and the American Numismatic Society. The exhibition was held partly with a view to stimulating public interest in the undertaking of the Joan of Arc Statue Committee to erect a statue of the Maid of Orleans in New York City.

The Honorary President of the Committee is Mr. J. Sanford Saltus, the President Dr. George Frederick Kunz, and the Honorary Vice-Presidents MM. Gabriel Hanotaux and Pierre Loti.