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ly-shaped stocking, she proceeded slowly to unwind the long black bandage with which her foot (or what remained of it) was tightly wound. The bandage was several yards in length, and under this were other colored strips. When all were removed, the foot had a wedge or stump-like appearance, that almost destroyed its identity. The heel was elongated, the instep highly arched, and the great toe was very prominent. The other toes were drawn in under the foot, and so tightly and perseveringly compressed, that the bones were absorbed, and no vestige of the toes remained, but four flat pieces of skin. Although the foot was so small that one's hand could easily cover it, the ankle was proportionately thickened, and the whole had an appearance far from beautiful. This strange custom of "little feet" has prevailed in China for centuries. The painful process of binding the feet is commenced at six or seven years of age, when the child's foot is fully formed. The little girls present a pitiable sight, as they are sometimes seen on the street, richly dressed and attended by a servant, but hobbling slowly along, crippled for life by this unnatural and cruel fashion. When the feet have been bound for several years, the young woman is forced to continue the habit; for the

under side of the foot is rendered so sensitive and pinched, that she cannot stand up when it is left unbound.

Medical missions have proved a most effective means of reaching the respect and appreciation of the Chinese, and indeed of all the Asiatics. Modern surgery and medicine may just as well go with the gospel, as the gift of healing went with the apostles. In the joint work of curing men's bodies and saving their souls, we have the example of the Great Physician, who not only taught the people, but "healed all their diseases." In presenting the benefits of modern surgical skill to the Chinese, we are all the better able to lead them into an acceptance of the truth and teachings of Christianity. Connected with the dispensary is a chapel where preaching is conducted, while the patients and their friends are waiting. Their sense of gratitude for the kindness shown leads them to listen to the gospel gladly, because it has prompted such help and succor to their physical as well as their spiritual infirmities.

While in Canton, the Chinese admiral made me several calls, and left his card, which was ten inches long, of bright red color, and had his name, "ChowChing," inscribed upon it. He invited me with

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much ceremony to visit his own house, where he wished to make many inquiries concerning the progress achieved by Japan in naval affairs during the past few years. War had very nearly arisen between the two countries, a short time before, on questions of dispute connected with the island of Formosa, and military and naval preparations had been made on a large scale. The war was happily averted, however, by Minister Okubo's skilful diplomacy at Pekin. The admiral sent his sedanchair for me, and another for my friend who was to act as interpreter. The eight bearers carried us briskly through the city, clearing the way through the narrow and crowded streets by a peculiar cry that the people seemed to understand, for they slipped out of the road and into the nooks and corners with far more meekness and respect than would have manifested itself had we tried the same style of rapid transit through a crowd in Broadway, N. Y.! The sedan-chairs were carried on elastic poles, which gave an easy, springing motion as we jaunted along. The interior was furnished with silk curtains, bamboo slats, and a cosey little seat. The occupant can look out upon the world, without himself being seen.

Arriving at the admiral's house, we were ush

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