A DRAGON BRIDGE.
Quite a common form of stone bridge, in which every pier is surmounted by a dragon, the national emblem.
A DRAGON BRIDGE
THE ZIG-ZAG BRIDGE
OF SHANGHAI.
Its name indicates its peculiar character. It makes nine zig-zags across the water to the most celebrated tea house in Shanghai, and, perhaps, the most fashionable tea house in China. It is the resort of mandarins and people of the upper classes. Women are never seen at the tea houses. They are patronised by men only. Women, indeed, are very little seen in public at all. The absence of the female element is a marked feature in Chinese life.
THE ZIG-ZAG BRIDGE
OF SHANGHAI
THE GARDEN OF THE
GUILD OF BENEVOLENCE, CHUNG KING.
China is the country of guilds. All workmen and traders have their guilds. To this rule there are but two exceptions—the water-carriers and the trackers (men who drag the boats up the rapids); these alone have no trade organisation. These guilds, or trade unions, are as complete and as effective for good or harm as anything we know in this country. They watch most jealously the interests of their craft. But the guild enters into the life of the people at every turn. The charities of the Empire, which are numerous, are conducted by guilds. There is, perhaps, little personal charity and benevolence; it is safer to leave these to the guilds. But there is scarcely a town of any size that has not its Guild of Benevolence. Soup kitchens, clothing for the living, coffins and burial for the dead, hospitals, free dispensaries, orphan and foundling homes, life-boats, and many other charities are the outcome of these Guilds of Benevolence.
THE GARDEN OF THE
GUILD OF BENEVOLENCE,
CHUNG KING