1835.] Memorandum of an Excursion to the Tea Hills. 99 



footing, and where they had consequently to pick out their steps as they 

 advanced. To assist themselves they gave the chair a swinging motion 

 with which they kept time in raising their feet. 



This was far from agreeable, and the first impression felt was that 

 it was done merely to annoy, but we very soon saw that the object 

 was different. The highest point of the pass 1 should conjecture to be 

 about 1200 feet above the plain, and the descent on the north side 

 to be nearly equal to the ascent from the south, say 1000 feet. At half- 

 past four we arrived at a rather romantic valley, which was to be our 

 halting place for the day. We proposed to the bearers to carry us on 

 another stage next day, but for this they had the impudence to ask 

 five dls. per chair, This of course we would not listen to for a mo- 

 ment, and were afterwards happy that we got rid of such rascals, as 

 good bearers and on moderate terms were procurable at the place. 

 The name of this village is Lung-tze-kio. It seems once to have 

 been a place of greater importance than now, exhibiting marks of 

 dilapidation and decay. Even the foot-path over the pass must 

 have been at one time an object of attention, as we found in 

 several places the remains of a sort of pavement, and of bridges 

 which were now neai-ly destroyed. The inn at which we stop- 

 ped afforded as few and mean accommodations as could well be 

 imagined, but we were able to get some fowls deliciously grilled, on 

 which, with the aid of sweet potatoes, and of the salt beef which we 

 brought with us, we made a most hearty repast. Among the people 

 who came to see us at the inn was a very respectable looking young 

 man, a student, who won Mr. Gutzlaff's heart by asking him for 

 instruction in religion. Unfortunately the whole contents of a box of 

 religious tracts, and other books had been distributed in the morning, 

 and Mr. G. was unable to supply him with any. The request was no 

 doubt prompted by the report of the people who had accompanied 

 us, and who had themselves partaken of Mr. G.'s liberality before 

 they volunteered. This young man strongly recommended to us to 

 alter our course, magnifying the distance of Twa-Bo to which we were 

 bound to 100 li or 30 miles, and telling us that at the distance of 40 li 

 or 12 miles to the S. W. we should find tea plantations of a very supe- 

 rior description. The exaggeration of the distance led me to suspect the 

 accuracy of the information in other respects, and I had heard enough 

 of contradictory evidence already, not to be swayed by it in the present 

 instance. 



Nov. 12th. — Got into our chairs at a quarter past six a. m. and 

 proceeded along a narrow rugged dell to a town called Koe-Bo. Several 

 nice looking hamlets were seen on the way. The people were engaged 

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