rendering of the British National Anthem that was ever heard around the seven seas.  The gem of the proceedings was a presentation of two lovely bouquets by the English ladies of Harbin.  I never felt so much the necessity for adopting the Eastern custom of kissing all the ladies you are introduced to as at this one supreme moment of the journey; it was a real test of the power of restraint.  But the ladies’ husbands were there, and everything passed off quietly, even though some wretched fellows took snapshots of the presentation for home production.  I inspected the several guards of honour, and General Plisshkoff returned the compliment, while the famous “25th” band discoursed what was declared to be the sweetest music that had been heard in Harbin since its history began.  Tea was served in a specially decorated marquee on the platform and all the men were given presents of one sort or another, and the town gave itself over to tumultuous enjoyment, happy in the thought that at last one of the Allies had appeared on the scene, a faint indication that a desperate effort was about to be made by the oldest and most trusted nation in Europe to conjure order out of chaos.  The officers were entertained by the British Consul, and preparations were made for a ceremonial march through the town next day.  This turned out a great success and greatly impressed the inhabitants.

The day following we were entertained by the Chinese Governor, a very courtly old gentleman, and the local Chinese general at the headquarters of the Chinese administration.  The band was in attendance, and during the meal dealt with some of the British military choruses which have spread themselves round the world.  Of course we all joined in, as only Englishmen can, and this became so infectious that even the staid mandarins unbent and added their quota to the noise.  It is surprising to note the resemblance between the solemn Chinese and the self-centred Englishmen.  The solemnity of the one reacts upon the other, and both become what neither is in reality nor can be separately.  After our hard work and harder fare on the Ussurie this gorgeous banquet was equal to a month’s leave, and we let go with a vengeance.  What the Chinamen thought about it next morning I do not know; for myself, I only remembered the kindness of this act of friendship and the camaraderie of the whole affair.  How strange that we should feel more at home with these pukka Chinamen than with others we have met who are supposed to have much closer affinity.

Immediately after leaving Harbin we crossed the finest bridge of the whole journey to Omsk.  It carries the railway over the River Sungary, which meanders about over the enormous yet fairly well cultivated plains of Northern Manchuria.  It is not my intention to describe either the peoples or the countries through which we passed, but no study of the blending and dovetailing of totally different races into the different types that we particularise under the names of Chinese,