Viewing page 238 of 469

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[underline]] Chapter X. [[/underline]] 21^[[2]].

however, the turmoil and confusion in public affairs and the state of civil war which then prevailed seemed certain to retard our work seriously---perhaps even stop it altogether.  We had also to consider the determined hostility toward our enterprise displayed both by Chinese conservatives and by persons with financial interest in the sale of ancient Chinese objects of art.  I came to feel therefore that it might be best were I to return to the United States during the winter and discuss with Mr. Lodge the situation as I saw it.  An old Japanese proverb declares, "It is always darkest at the foot of the lantern".  I feared that in China, where I had been continuously for the past year and a half, I was perhaps unable to see matters in their correct perspective and proportions---that Mr. Lodge, viewing them from a distance, would be in a position to appraise them more clearly and justly.  Incidentally, the physicians at the Peking Union Medical College's hospital had for some time been telling me that I stood in need of a complete rest, preferably in the form of a long sea-voyage.  On October 9th, therefore, I cabled Mr. Lodge, suggesting that I return for a brief visit to Washington.
  The following day Mr. Wenley and I went by train to Tientsin.  There we discussed with Père E. Licent, of the Musée Hoang ho Pai ho, and with our old friend Dr. V. K. Ting, the prospects for archaeological work in China in anything like a reasonably near future.  We also investigated the matter of procuring a motion-picture camera for use in connection with our field operations.  On our return to Peking a day or two later---a journey which, owing to troop movements, required 25 hours in place of the normal four or less---I found awaiting me a cablegram from Mr. Lodge, approving my suggestion that I return to the United States during the approaching winter.