Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/50

 46 Ling-Nam.

form the permanent garrison of the city, and receive a Government allowance, in consideration of which they hold themselves in readiness to answer any call for service. Their part of the city shows a marked contrast to the purely Chinese portion, Their houses are smaller and poorer, and an air of neglect, thriftlessness, and decay spreads over all.

Near the office of the Tartar general rises, in stately proportions, the “ Flowery Pagoda,” a wonderful structure nearly two hundred feet high, built thirteen hundred years ago, and recently repaired at a public expense of $40,000. Across the narrow street ure the grounds of the English consulate, formerly a part of the Tartar general’s court, where some member of the consular body always resides to vindicate the perpetual right of the English to enter at will, and live, if so disposed, within the city walls. Gardens, pleasure grounds, a park with deer, and a line of houses in Chinese style, with apartments furnished with European comfort, where the Duke of Edinburgh and other distinguished visitors have been entertained, make it an attractive place. The tower of the “Smooth Pagoda” next invites us, and entering the enclosure at its base, we come upon a Mohammedan mosque, and learn that this peculiar pagoda, unlike in shape to any other of Chinese origin, was built by the early followers of the false prophet, who extended their conquests to the east in the seventh century. It was used for centuries as a minaret, from which the hours of prayer were called, but has fallen into decay, so that no one dares ascend to its top. Inquiring of the teacher whose little school adjoins the entrance-hall, we learn