1845.] RAMBLE IN THE COUNTRY. 61 



attendance with fans to cool us, as well as to drive 

 away the flies. After having partaken of refreshments, 

 the trays were removed, and train bearers entered, placing 

 before each of the guests a wooden tray, containing small 

 presents of the productions of Loo-Choo, each tray labelled 

 with the name of the Officer, and containing the list of con- 

 tents. They consisted of specimens of silk, of six varieties, 

 but of very poor material ; six pieces of stout cotton, very 

 coarse, and evidently printed by block; fans, paper, 

 umbrellas, and ajar of Sake, and were sent off to the ship 

 the day following, by one of their boats. Our repast con- 

 cluded with tea, after which I was very agreeably surprised 

 by the question, " Would I like to take a walk, to see 

 the country ? " As this could only be effected by going 

 directly through the town of Napa, I consented. The 

 crowd was not troublesome and we had reached the end 

 of the causeway, leading into the town, when I recognized 

 my old friend and ally at Pa-tchung-san, Shanghai (Beau- 

 fort). He was manifestly afraid to speak, but the distress 

 in his eye was too evident. I stepped out from my 

 party, and shook him by the hand, but one of the police 

 in the most brutal manner, raised his arm to strike him, 

 thinking, possibly, that the act was his own. My up- 

 raised arm prevented this taking effect, but, the poor 

 fellow was huddled away amongst the crowd, and I 

 could not again see him. 



Entering the town, we suddenly found ourselves in the 

 midst of the market, and as our appearance had not been 

 foreseen, we found the damsels scampering in every 

 direction, leaving their goods to the mercy of the males. 

 This was the only opportunity we had of seeing anything 



