FOREWORD N every port of the Orient the outposts of the restless, aggressive West touch the lines of the IN impassive East. Consuls, military and naval officers, merchants, missionaries force the ideas and ideals of the West upon the reluctant East. Many of these representatives of western civilization are true to the high standards of the nations and religions from which they come. Many others fall to the level, and below the level, of those they live among. This story is an attempt to picture this life where the East meets the West, in one small port and for the one short period covered by the Franco-Chinese War of 1884-85. Of the characters one, Dr. MacKay, is unhesitatingly called by his own name. geant Gorman and one or two others of the subordinate figures are drawn from life. The rest, including the principal actors, are purely imaginary. OWEN SOUND, Ont. Ser T. F. |