Page:Peking the Beautiful.pdf/38

 An Imperial Gateway ON THE outer, or southern, portion of the Forbidden City, almost midway between the Tien An Men and the lofty battlements of the Wa Men, stands the superb structure known as the Tuan Men - shown from 2 between the trees in the opposite plate. This quiet, enchanting spot is set be in the midst of a "series of immense paved courtyards divided one from the other by high and massive walls, above which are erected imposing pavilions with yellow-tiled, overhanging roofs, flanked by great towers built in the same style and similarly roofed with Imperial yellow." This huge pavilion and its courtyard constitutes one of seven such gateways that line the royal avenue-a half mile in length-between the great "Front Gate" of Peking and the sacred precincts of the "Purple City." This southern approach is the grandest and by far the most impressive of all the many fine approaches to temples and palaces within the walls of the capital-one eminently befitting the abode of a "Son of Heaven," and the sovereign of nearly one fourth of the human racel To most Westerners, a gate is merely a door. The word is not generally associated with architecture or great buildings. Not so in China! Here "a gate" often proves to be a vast monument -a masterpiece of architecture and Oriental art In the Imperial and Forbidden Cities these so-called gates rival in beauty of design and richness of omamen tation, even the finest of the palaces and throne halls. In China the Bible student leams to appreciate in a new way the descriptions of Eastern life and Oriental customs recorded in that most ancient of all books. Much of the detail of Bible stories, once hazy and obscure, are here made plain in the charming book of Esther we read of Mordecai the Jew, "who sat in the king's gate," and we pity the poor man, thus compelled to pursue his duties in the midst of the humble surroundings that the word "gate" suggests to the Western mind. But from China we see him sitting, not in a gate, but in the midst of regal splendor; with probably a palace at his disposall The Tuan Men is a lofty edifice, surmounting a massive red wall, which serves as its foundation. From the shining balustrades of polished marble to the peak of the gently stoping roofs of "golden" tile, this beautiful gateway is in a state of excellent preservation. The harmony in the rich Oriental decoration is perfect. The massive wooden pillars that support the roof, as well as the delicate tracery on windows and doors, are painted a rich maroon, while the eaves are elaborately decorated in shades of white, blue, green, and gold. Unfortunately the three huge passageways which pierce the walls of the foundation are hidden by the luxuriant foliage which adorn these outer imperial courtyards. For a further description of the gates and palaces of the Forbidden City, see pages 30, 50, 82, 80, 102, and 116. Page 32