FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



ment is erroneous. Roads abound — the most insignificant village 

 is connected with the one next to it. 



No sooner were we rested, therefore, than we longed to be 

 off. Except in the outskirts, where we picked up commercial 

 information, there was little to repay inspection in Ssumao itself. 



Pagoda in Ssumao. 



Most Chinese towns are alike, — the same shops, the same trades, 



the same alleys with their wooden signs, and pagodas displaying 



hideous dragons. There was no CTettino- about in the streets 



without a loafing retinue, and no remaining indoors without a 



crowd of idle gapers. Drive them out with a stick at one door and 



they flowed in again at another, to the sore trial of one's temper. 



86 



