84 EAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. [Ch. V. 



at the same time proper means to avoid public collision or 

 private revenge. The vice-consul, however, a kind and well- 

 intentioned man, possesses but little of this determination, 

 and is unfortunately too ready to humour their prejudices, 

 and show respect to their most outrageous feehngs and 

 wishes, which have more than once bred riot both at Tam- 

 suy and at Ke-lung. 



At length we got clear of the turbulent crowd, and having 

 placed our materiel in a boat, we found the " Serpent" at 

 anchor near the mouth of the harboiu", and at a consider- 

 able distance from the town, which was the principal 

 reason why we never returned to it, although it is to be 

 regretted that no photograph was taken from the lulls 

 behind, which commanded so unusually fine a prospect. 



