“_A busy town is Tientsin, A land and water thoroughfare; Traders, as thick as clouds, flock in; Masts rise in forests everywhere._ “_The official’s chair, the runner’s cap, Flit past like falling rain or snow. And, musing on the boatman’s hap, His doubtful shares of weal and woe,_ “_I note the vagabonds who live On squeezes from his hard-earned due; And, boatmen, for your sakes I give A public register to you._ “_Go straightway there, your names inscribe And on the books a record raise; None then dare claim the wicked bribe, Or waste your time in long delays._ “_The services your country claims Shall be performed in turn by all The muster of the boatmen’s names Be published on the Yamên wall._ “_Once your official business done, Work for yourselves as best you can; Let out your boats to any one; I’ll give a pass to every man._ “_And lest your lot be hard to bear Official pay shall ample be; Let all who notice aught unfair Report the case at once to me._ “_The culprit shall be well deterred In future, if his guilt is clear; For times are hard, as I have heard, And food and clothing getting dear._ “_Thus, in compassion for your woe, The scales of Justice in my hand, I save you from the Yamên foe, The barrack-soldiers’ threat’ning band._ “_No longer will they dare to play Their shameful tricks, of late revealed; The office only sends away Boats--and on orders duly sealed._ “_One rule will thus be made for all, And things may not go much amiss; Ye boatmen, ’tis on you I call To show your gratitude for this._ “_But lest there be who ignorance plead, I issue this in hope to awe Such fools as think they will succeed By trying to evade the law._ “_For if I catch them, no light fate Awaits them that unlucky day; So from this proclamation’s date Let all in fear and dread obey._” It is scarcely necessary to add that wall literature has often been directed against foreigners, and especially against missionaries. The penalties, however, for posting anonymous placards are very severe, and of late years the same end has been more effectually attained by the circulation of abusive fly-sheets, often pictorial and always disgusting. Journalism has proved to be a terrible thorn in the official side. It was first introduced into China under the ægis of an Englishman who was the nominal editor of the _Shên Pao_ or _Shanghai News_, still a very influential newspaper. For a long time the authorities fought to get rid of this objectionable daily, which now and again told some awkward truths, and contained many ably written articles by first-class native scholars. Eventually an official organ was started in opposition, and other papers have since appeared. An illustrated Chinese weekly made a good beginning in Shanghai, but unfortunately it soon drifted into superstition, intolerance, and vulgarity. * * * * *