The Chinese and Japanese disregard of accuracy is characteristic of all Orientals.
Beggars were so numerous, and became such a menace to the community, that their suppression was called for; they were driven from the streets, and confined within the walls of the temple and grounds beyond the south gate, and fed by common charity.

Huddled together in rags and misery, they took famine fever and perished by hundreds.

Seventy dead were carried from the temple in one day.

Of 5000 poor wretches who crossed the temple threshold, the Chinese say that 2000 never came out alive.

For four years past the harvests had been very bad, but there was now hope of a better time coming.