Page:Peking the Beautiful.pdf/156

 At the Wo Fu Ssă

S U A RIATION in design and style of architecture is seldom found in China Temples and palaces, as well as the homes of the people, are all built along somewhat similar lines and of much the same materials. The roof.-always the most striking feature of Chinese buildings -- instead Le of being subordinated to the general plan as in Vestern architecture, is the "essential feature, and all the art and prodigality of the Chinese builder is lavished on it alone. Supported on massive wooden pillars, the roofs are made of prodigious weight and solidity and covered with glazed tiles. The special feature is, of course, the tilt of the gables and corresponding sag of the lower edges of the roof." "There is an old theory," writes G. E. Hubbard, "which explains this peculiar shape. It is claimed that the Chinese roof is directly evolved from that of a nomad's tent." The quaintest feature of the peculiar Chinese roof construction is the "sets of 'roof animals' perched in single file along the lower ends of the diagonals. These creatures of glazed and colored clay are cast in a single piece with the tiles they sit on. A set con sists of anything up to a dozen. The highest on the ridge is an evil-looking dragon with a bushy tail and a fearsome pair of homs; in front of him are eight or ten nondescript beasts, which might be dogs or lions, erect on their haunches and cocking their ears with a comical ait of pertness; the last of the tow, at the extreme end of the ridge, is a little old man with a long beard sitting astride a hen" The origin of this curious family is given by Mr. Hubbard as follows: "la the time of one of the oldest of the emperors the land was grievouslų afflicted by the attentions of a mischievous sprite named Wong, who played all manner of evil tricks on the emperor and his subjects. At the emperor's orders a great hunt was organized for the capture of Dong, who was finally run to ground and brought in chains to the palace. But though you may catch a sprite no power on earth can kill him, and the emperor was terribly puzzled to find a prison where Wong could be boxed up for ever without possibility of escape. The Wise Men being called in consultation, this is the advice they gave: 'Let Dong be strapped to the back of a hen and the bird perched on the corner of the roof at too great a height to fly down: place a row of fierce beasts in her rear to prevent her from climbing up; she will thus be fixed for eternity and Dong will share her fate.' The advice of the sages was taken, and all over China to-day you can see the hapless Wong perched up on the roof on the back of his feathered steed." Our photo shows one of the halls, or "tiens," at the Wo Fu Ssū. The building was undergoing repairs at the time of our visit, and the interior was therefore stripped of every thing save the huge supporting pillars. The most interesting feature of this delightful little courtyard is the big iron bell suspended by chains from a limbof a wide-spreading tree.