Appealing to a Heart of Stone.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 September 1890, Page 2

Appealing to a Heart of Stone.

I A traveler from Lienkiaug, in the Foochow Prefecture, relates the following queer custom prevalent there among the superstitious people. Just outside the city gate of Lien* kiahg is a lake, in area over 100 king (a king is 100 mow ;or 15.18 acrea). By the lake is an ancient tomb of some distinguished officer of State before which, as guurdians, stand facing each other two colossal statues, one representing a civil, the other a military official. The former has his back to the lake, and his face to the west ; the latter has his back to the hill, and faces east. Long years have they stood there, in lifelike attitudes, absorbing the warmth of the sun by day and bathed in the pure rays of tho moon by night, until at last, in popular belief, they have become ling— acquired life and power. The people have recourse to the stone civilian in all love troubles. The perfumed smoke of incense cuils round his kindly, thoughtful face, and complaints of 3O".jugal unha|ipiiießß, longings of suffering lovers for a meeting, are whispered into the cold ear of this mandarin, but o;i!y whispered, and not to be overheard by his military colleague, who stands there, forbidd • ing and frowning, a 9 if ho had sterner affairs to attend to than \.oor lovers woes. — Homeward Mail.