Dear Editor:
I recently read When West Meets East: International Sinology and Sinologists (Ⅰ) in the Sinorama book series. I got a lot out of it, but there was one recurring imperfection that I'd like to mention. The term tien-yeh kung-tso (field work) was mentioned in many places. I think it would have been more appropriate to call it shih-ti kao-cha. What do you think? I don't think most Chinese readers would be able to figure out tien-yeh kung-tso unless they know English. Also, the character li in li-min-kuan on line 3 of page 247 should be written with the jade radical, I believe. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Ling Chih-min
Canada
Dear Editor:
In the November 1991 overseas edition there was an introduction to the 1992 appointment diary on chinoiserie in Europe. The historical remains of Chinese-style buildings in Europe in the pictures were marvelous to look at. I am a Taiwanese who has lived in England for many years and holds British citizenship. My husband (a Britishborn overseas Chinese) and I have collected 10 pieces of ching-hua porcelain from government-operated kilns that were sold to England during the reign of the Chien-lung emperor in the 18th century, and we would like to let you take pictures of them to let your readers all over the world enjoy these exquisite and lovely pieces of Chinese artwork that have more than 200 years of history in England, ever since the 18th century.
Kuo Hsiu-lan
United Kingdom
Dear Editor:
There's a candy store on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco that specializes in candy from all over the world (mainly chocolate). Inside are barrel after barrel of candy in all different flavors. Each customer that comes in takes a shopping basket and grabs up a handful of candy here or picks up a few pieces there and then has it weighed at the door. I love the fairy-tale feeling you get as soon as you walk in--it's like returning to the sweet and colorful world of childhood. What especially gave me a thrill was to see our flag there--the red, white and blue of the Republic of China--the flag we saluted every morning and afternoon from elementary school to high school.
"Meeting an old friend in another country" --it turns out that that saying can also apply to the feelings of excitement, joy and inexpressible pride, coming across our national flag in a world of candy.
Yu Li-ching
United States
Dear Editor:
The articles on trains in the June issue were most interesting. With everyone's efforts, I hope that secondary lines, which have been neglected for so long, will be given a new life.
There seem to have been some oversights in the list of places where retired trains are on display. For your information:
1) DT652 and CT259 are not in the Tainan Gymnasium but are located between the rugby pitch and the archery range in Tainan Athletic Park. The park is quite far away from the gymnasium.
2) The explanation of T and K in the engine models was mistaken. T stands for Tender Steam Locomotive, which carries a car for coal and steam behind the engine, while K stands for Tank Steam Locomotive, where coal and water are carried on the engine itself.
In addition, there is an LCK31 at the Peipu Plant of Kuanglung Marble Corp. in Hualien. That was an LCK30 model used on the eastern line during the narrow gauge period. And there is a BK24 on the Kuangfu campus of Chengkung University in Tainan. That was one of the BK10 models imported during the early part of the century. Unfortunately, the casing has been dismantled.
Finally, could I ask you to tell me where I can buy Hung Chih-wen's book?
Chang Chia-lu
Pingtung
Editor's Reply: Mr. Hung's book on trains has not been published yet, but we will forward your letter to him.
