09.08.2013 Views

CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

!pL [i| . Here,<br />

— 453 —<br />

The first <strong>of</strong> these is commonly known as Camp Hill, Kiin-shan<br />

Wang Chao-ying, head <strong>of</strong> the Vegetarian Society,<br />

promised the Long-haired rebels, Ch'ang-mao -J^ ^,<br />

that he would<br />

meet them on an appointed day, with 1500 <strong>of</strong> his followers, and<br />

deliver over to them the whole country North <strong>of</strong> the Yangtze. Two<br />

bonfires, lighted on the summit <strong>of</strong> the hill, were to be the signal<br />

to advance. The <strong>of</strong>ficials, however, discovered the plot, and the<br />

Venerable Elder was beheaded in punishment for his treachery (1).<br />

The second hill is called the Sword Hill, Kien-shan $j \\] ,<br />

from its rocky aspect, and its abrupt slope towards the Yangtse<br />

river, while a sharp peak, resembling an upturned sword, rises high<br />

in the air (2).<br />

The third hill is that <strong>of</strong> the Wolf, Lang-shan $ |Jj<br />

pies the centre <strong>of</strong> the semicircle, and according<br />

. It occu-<br />

to the Annals <strong>of</strong><br />

T'ung Chow, T'ung-chow-shi jj§ j]] ^j , rises to a height <strong>of</strong> about<br />

500 feet. Its North-Eastern side has still the shape <strong>of</strong> an abrupt<br />

cliff, against which the waves <strong>of</strong> the sea spent their fury during<br />

long ages. Nowadays,<br />

connected with the continent, it has become<br />

a favourite resort for sea-fowl and eagles. L<strong>of</strong>ty pines<br />

crown its<br />

summit, overtopped by the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ta-sheng's shrine, and a high<br />

square tower, whence the eye can wander over the vast plain stret-<br />

ching out to the North-West, and the majestic course <strong>of</strong> the Yang-<br />

tze, rolling<br />

its mud-laden waters to the sea.<br />

A whole village, composed <strong>of</strong> petty craftsmen, costermungers,<br />

and eating-house keepers (3\ has sprung up in the narrow gorge,<br />

which separates Wolf Hill, Lang-shan ^ |_L| , from that <strong>of</strong> the<br />

(1) This happened on the 14th July, 1863 (Letters <strong>of</strong> the Shanghai Jesuit<br />

Mission, n° 506). — New China Review. March 1919. p 45.<br />

(2) Like the Wolf Hill, Lang-shan U Ui . that<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Sword was finally<br />

connected with the continent in the 18th century New China Review.<br />

March 1919. p. 48.<br />

(3) All these are retainers <strong>of</strong> the shrine, and in the pilgrim season, cater<br />

to the needs <strong>of</strong> the thousands <strong>of</strong> devotees who throng to the place. New<br />

China Review. February 1920. p. 45-46.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!