Entitled: Manchu Vista [1909] By TC Chamberlin [RESTORED]. Despite its age, the photograph was nearly perfect except for the need of a contrast boost. I did light spot elimination and then added a false duo-tone.

Thomas C Chamberlin was a noted geologist and educator. He founded the famous Journal of Geology in 1893, and was its editor for many years. The journal is an exceptionally well referenced title that remains in publication to this day. His work in US geology is widely recognized as being the bedrock of our current understanding in North American glaciation. He also served as the president of the University of Wisconsin. In his permanent collection of papers held at his alma mater, Beloit College, there is also a large body of photographs that he took whilst traveling on a geologic survey in China. The original picture above can be found at dcms.beloit.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/chamber/id/592/...

Quiet lane in a Manchu section. While it would be currently looked upon as racist and politically incorrect, the Manchu rulers were strict segregationists for fear of their being subsumed by the much larger Han population (much like how the Vikings invaders eventually became English or Norman, despite their having conquered them). The Manchu initially were fierce nomadic tribesman, similar in many respects to their Mongol neighbors. In order to maintain their racial and cultural purity, Manchus were forbidden to intermarry with Han, and lived in separate Tartar (older, alternate name for Manchu) enclaves. They were also forbidden to be merchants for fear that commercial dealings would divide their loyalty to the Qing state. Each Manchu family lived off imperial stipends and belonged to a clanish hierarchy called a "banner," so named after their distinctive clan flags. In times of turmoil, each Manchu family were required to send their soldiers in support of their banner when called upon by the emperor.