108 TEMPLE OF HONAN. 



about them, was close to the landing place ; and 

 passing some miserable fruit and eating stalls ad- 

 joining, we noticed, a large, clean, open space, 

 planted with trees, and having in the centre a 

 broad pavement of granite, kept very clean. The 

 quietness that reigned within formed a pleasing 

 retreat from the noise and bustle without. 



This paved way brought us to the first por- 

 tico ; here we beheld, on huge granite pe- 

 destals, a colossal figure on each side, placed 

 there to guard the entrance to the Temple of 

 Buddha ; the one on the right in entering is 

 the warrior Chin, ke, and on the left is Ching, 

 Lung.* After passing these terrific, colossal 

 guards, we entered another somewhat similar 

 court to the first, also planted with trees, and a 

 granite foot-path, which led to one of the temples. 

 At this time the priesthood were assembled, 

 worshipping, chanting, striking gongs, arranged 

 in rows, and frequently performing the ko-tow, 

 in adoration of their gilded, senseless deity, of 

 which a number of small and colossal figures, 

 of the god Buddha, decorated a very handsome 

 temple. 



The priesthood performed their devotions by 

 themselves, for there was not a Chinese present 



* See Notices concerning China, published at Malacca in 

 1823, p. 10. 



