62 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



that privacy which a Chinaman scarcely knows how 

 to appreciate or respect. 



For two or three days we were occupied only with 

 examining our residence, and the country in the im- 

 mediate neighbourhood. Wong a Shui's house was 

 a fortified building, of 350 paces in length and 180 in 

 breadth. The outer Avails, which were about 30 feet 

 high, and which formed the sides of the first range of 

 rooms, had no windows, but were everywhere pierced 

 with loopholes for purposes of defence ; and there 

 were three strong gateways in front. The roofs of 

 the first range of rooms curved down on the outer 

 walls, meeting them about five feet from the top, 

 so as to leave a pathway, defended by a parapet, all 

 round the roof of the building, except where that 

 pathway was interrupted by the four large square 

 towers, which formed respectively the four corners, 

 and which were also plentifully supplied with loop- 

 holes. Inside there were about forty rooms of various 

 dimensions, some large and open, others small and 

 close : these were separated from each other by in- 

 tervening courts, usually connected by covered corri- 

 dors. In front of the residence there was a fish- 

 pond, and preparations were being made for the con- 

 struction of a garden, which was much required to 

 take away the bare aspect of the place, and which 

 Avas to be surrounded by a high Avail, also capable 

 of defence. These icai, as the Chinese call them, or 

 fortified residences, are very common in the south and 



