Page:Album of photographs of Peking and its environs.pdf/84



The astonishing indifference of the Chinese authorites to the state of the roads in and about the imperial city is here well illustrated, in portions of this vast metropolis the ravages of time is such as leaves the appearance of its having suffered a recent bombardment.

Apathetic by nature and education the celestial citizen traverses its neglected streets apparently quite regardless of the inconvenience caused by the inequality of the roads; here and there, a fallen slab may obstruct the direct route but as it is nobody's business to remove the obstacle each driver guides his vehicle by it as best he may.

The British Legation is situated on this ruinous highway.