Dear Editor:

Thank you for the free copies of your magazine, which I have enjoyed reading for some months.

Since reading it, I've gained some knowledge about Taiwan, especially the culture. We overseas Chinese have the same cultural background as yours, such as weddings, temple festivals and so forth, but we don't burn a lot of heavenly money: That would be a waste!

I regret to tell you that from now on our camp commander won't allow refugees to receive books, newspapers and magazines. All printed matter is confiscated except letters. The August issue is the last one I received.

Once again, thanks for your kindness in helping me as well as my fellow refugees learn more about Taiwan today. I wish all of you good health and the continuation of your magazine.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　A refugee Thailand

Dear Editor:

As a train buff, I read your extensive articles on the secondary railroad lines in your country with great interest. Thanks to that "dossier," I have been able to improve my knowledge of railroads in the Far East, which was previously limited basically to Japan and its high-speed lines.

As you noted in the beginning of your report, a new era has begun for an old mode of transportation. High speed will allow railroads to win points against its traditional enemies (automobiles and airplanes), which have evolved so much that they now find themselves saturated. Profitability will demand the sacrifice of secondary or less profitable lines, but community associations will certainly be able to do something. It is not a phenomenon unique to your country. In Spain, with the recent inauguration of the first high-speed line, the closing of secondary lines has "come back in favor," as occurred in the mid-1970s.

Thank you for your good work.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Alvaro Martin Dina Spain

Dear Editor:

Since your articles on trains appeared in the June issue, I have been forwarded many precious letters from train buffs, allowing me to make many new friends. Thank you!

As for the BK24 steam engine at Chengkung University that Mr. Chang Chia-lu of Pingtung mentioned in his letter, the casing hasn't been dismantled. The engine is displayed to show the mechanical anatomy. It's the only one left of its type and is very precious.

In addition, on page 19 of the same issue it said that the Tengyun No. 1 was manufactured in Germany and transported to Taiwan from the mainl and, where it ran between Shanghai and Wusung. According to my research, that is a mistaken idea that arose at the beginning of the Japanese occupation and has been passed on ever since. The Shanghai-Wusung railroad was 2 ft. 6 in. (762 mm) in width while Taiwan's was 3 ft. 6 in. (1067 mm), and there was nearly ten years' difference in age, which makes it practically impossible. This doubtful historical case will be discussed in detail in Taiwan Railroad Legends, to be published by the China Times Press.

Finally, thank you again for your articles and your concern for Taiwan trains. May they have a beautiful tomorrow!

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Hung Chih-wen Taipei

Dear Editor:

In the July issue, you mentioned that a columnist in a British news paper had written that the actions of conservationists advocating the closing down of a 100-year-old zoo is an example of the "vanity of human benevolence," that zoos used to be a symbol of mankind's love for animals, that they were set up for us to get close to animals and that children can learn about animals there and get close to them.

There is room for discussion on how zoos should be operated so that they are more suitable for children and conform more closely to human needs. But are people who approve of closing them down just vain humanitarians? Is it humane to exploit and destroy the natural environment, where animals live, for our own purposes and then put up cages in cities where we imprison other living creatures? Is that the reason we coup ourselves up in apartments like bird cages? Is there still anyone willing to believe that children can learn from a zoo how to get along with animals? Or how to treat them?

Undeniably, in the environmental protection movement, as with any trendy cause, there are bound to be some who cry out against various long standing ways of using animals, often without being able to make a cogent argument why. But that in no way negates the laudable idea, after much thought and reflection, of wanting to change the way we get along with other creatures. There is still much room for discussion about whether zoos should be closed, but those trying to maintain a little conventional dignity must be careful in censuring others as inhumane. Children may not be grateful to us for closing zoos, but if zoos use destroying the natural environment as an excuse to exist, then the next generation will be even less grateful, I'm afraid!

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Liang Li Taipei

Dear Editor:

I am a longtime reader of your magazine. After reading the piece by Huang Mei-hsu in the Potpourri section in issue 5, volume 17, on how reading silently and reading aloud are two different things, I really had the same feeling.

Reading aloud is truly a fine art. It takes method, rhythm, pitch and tone to bring out all the various emotions in the words and phrases. Good readers are like gifted singers, and hearing them read is like listening to music. I remember when my teacher taught us Li Ling's Reply to Su Wu, he read through it aloud and then explained it. We were captivated, as though transported. When he read "I was born in a land of propriety and decorum," his tone was exalted and proud, and when he read "but joined a people of ignorance and vulgarity," it sank and sounded miserable and hopeless. When he came to "I grieve for myself all the more," it was unbearably sad, and the way he drew out the last word was heart rending. The sound lingered in the air like a sob. I was only eight years old at the time, so I understood more of the sadness from the sounds than the words. It was only later, after coming to Peru and longing for my country day after day, that I was truly able to appreciate it. Far away and lonely in a foreign land, I came to feel that Li Ling's emotional state must have been much like that of us overseas Chinese today, and so I often read that piece aloud to myself whenever I have the time. The sounds were so sad that when she was small, my daughter would often cuddle up to me and plead, "Daddy! Stop reading. It makes me sad." This shows that reading aloud does indeed have quite an effect on others.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Jo-yu Peru

Dear Editor:

In "Stories About Chinese Herbal Medicine" in the June 1992 issue, you mentioned that Cinnabar contains mercury and yet is sweet and nontoxicin nature. But in the premiere (April) issue of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Greater Los Angeles, it stated, "Cinnabar is toxic and contains mercury... which can be fatal." So is cinnabar toxic or nontoxic? Please clear this up and print your answer to avoid misguiding readers.

The caption on page 124 of the July issue (overseas edition) read, "Remember these anti-TB stamps?" [The word in the Chinese text was yu piao, or postage stamps.] TB stamps were issued to raise money and weren't used as postage stamps. I remember that some people tried to use them as postage stamps at the time, and the Post Office had to put out a press release to clear things up.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Yu Ting-i United States

Editor's Reply: The medicinal properties described in Stories About Chinese Herbal Medicine are taken from information published in Chinese Pharmacology, by the National Institute for Compilation and Translation, and from Chinese medical dictionaries. It is noted that the medicines are to be used by prescription only. We trust readers won't be misled.

Cinnabar contains mercuric sulfide, which has a calming, sedative effect, but it shouldn't be taken in excess or for too long to avoid mercury poisoning. Thank you for pointing this out.

[Picture Caption]

This is a picture of the "Big Boy" steam locomotive in Cheyenne, Wyoming, sent to us by J.E. Burczyk, a reader in the United States.