Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 404

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FOOCHOW

會教美以美 T*** Mei-e-mei kow-wui'

AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH MISSION.

Rev. Nathan Sites

Rev. Franklin Ohlinger

Rev. Nathan J. Plumb

Rev. M. C. Wilcox Rev. G. B. Smyth Rev. J. H. Worley

Miss Kate A. Corey, M.D. Miss Lizzie M. Fisher

Miss Carrie I. Jewell

會公道傳部美

Mei-pu-chwen-tao kung-wui.

AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

Rev. Caleb C. Baldwin, D.D.

Rev. Charles Hartwell (in city) Rev. Simeon F. Woodin Rev. J. E. Walker (Shao-wu) Rev. Geo. H. Hubbard Miss Ella J. Newton

Miss Emily S. Hartwell (in city) Miss Hannah C. Wo dhull Miss Kate C. Woodhull, M.D. Miss Elsie M. Garrets n

WENCHOW.

Wên-chow-fu, one of the five ports opened to foreign trade by the Chefoo Convention, is the chief town in the department of the same name occupying the south-east corner of Che-kiang province. The city is situated on the south bank of the river Ou-kiang, about twenty miles from its mouth, in lat. 27 deg. 18 min. 4 sec. N., long. 120 deg. 38 min. 28 sec. E. The site is a well cultivated plain, bounded on all sides, but at a distance of some five miles, by lofty hills. The walls are said to have been first erected during the fourth century, and enlarged and re-built by the Emperor Hung-Wu in 1385. They are formed of stone, diagonally laid at the foundation, and partly also of brick, and measure about four miles in circumference. The streets are wider, straighter, and cleaner than those of most Chinese cities. They are well paved with brick and kept in careful and constant repair by the householders. They slope down on either side to water ways, which in their turn communicate with canals permeating the whole city. The streets therefore are not only easily kept clean, but this is specially accomplished by bands of scavengers, who go round every morning at daylight, sweeping and removing dirt or refuse. Wênchow, in this particular, is unique among Chinese cities, which are chiefly remarkable for their excessive filthiness. There are numerous large nunneries and temples in Wênchow. The Custom-house, outside the chief gate, known as the Shwang Mên or "Double Gate," the Taotai's Yamên, the Prefect's and other public offices in a cluster, and the Foundling Hospital, all near the centre, are the other chief public buildings. The latter institution, built in 1748, contains one hundred apartments. It is supported by the interest of invested subscriptions and the rental of alluvial lands presented to it by the Government. The number of foundlings on the establishment's books at one time varies from two to three hundred. When of suitable age the boys are either articled to tradesmen, or adopted; the girls are betrothed as wives, or employed as house servants. There is also a Beggar's Asylum outside the south-west gate. It was built during the 14th century, and is supported by the State. The monthly allowance for each recipient is one tael and a half, but it is reported that few avail themselves of the charity. Among the objects of greatest interest and curiosity to the stranger are two pagodas situated on Conquest" Island abreast of the city. They are both of great antiquity and, with the houses close by, were some time the retreat of Ti Ping, the last Emperor of the Sung dynasty, when seeking to escape from the Mongols under Kublai Khan. The British Consul and the Customs tide- waiters occupy apartments on the island used by His Majesty, who has left behind him autographs preserved to this day in the adjoining temple. The estimated population of the city is from 80,000 to 100,000.