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162

Astor House Hotel Ltd., Tientsin
Tel. Addr.: "Astor" Tientsin
A.B.C. 4th and 5th Edition,
A.I and Western Union Codes Used

Oct 13, 1910

Tientsin,  19
N. China

adjust myself to a lot of inconvenience. Our little expedition will carry its own beds, cook stove, eats, drinks etc and I estimate that about two months will be spent in interior travel - i.e.- we hope to be back in Peking about Decem 15th or a little earlier of the flooded rivers do not interfere. Some mail may reach us, but we do not expect any. Important telegrams however, the Manager of the Peking branch of the Hongkong , Shanghai Bank, will attempt to forward to me, but as I shall be away from telegraph offices frequently while enroute, telegrams too, will be difficult to deliver. My address will remain care of Hongkong, Shanghai Bank Peking for the present. The more I see of the Chinese people the greater is my respect and esteem. Someday they will again be what they were centuries ago - world-leaders in many ways. In a shipment which I am now forwarding from here, I am sending a small sculptured stone figure of Hotie [[Hotei]], the God of Happiness, which is intended as a New Year offering to the Yondotega Club. You will doubtless attend the New Years dinner and may I ask you to present it to the Club at that time, with my compliments. Stephen will unpack it and turn it over to you. If you for any reason do not attend the dinner will

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