CHAPTER VI
RETURN TO CHINA
In entering upon my life's work which to me
was so full of meaning and earnestness, the first
episode was a voyage back to the old country,
which I had not seen for nearly ten years, but
which had never escaped my mind's eye nor my
heart's yearning for her welfare. I wanted very
much to stay a few years longer in order to take
a scientific course. I had taken up surveying in
the Sheffield Scientific School just as that
department was starting into existence under
Professor Norton. Had I had the means to
prosecute a practical profession, that might have
helped to shorten and facilitate the way to the
goal I had in view; but as I was poor and my
friends thought that a longer stay in this country
might keep me here for good, and China would
lose me altogether, I was for this and other
reasons induced to return. The scientific course
was accordingly abandoned. The persons who
were most interested in my return to China were
Pelatiah Perit of Messrs. Goodhue & Co., mer-
42
