66 EHTU 
the river stopped at Etu, twenty miles below Ichang, 
which is situated on the bank of a river flowing into the 
Yang-tze, and which I had on a former occasion ascended 
for about ten miles ina steam launch. The town stands 
high up on the right bank, well out of the way of floods, 
and a considerable trade is carried on with Ichang in 
the vegetable varnish before mentioned, opium, and 
garden produce. The banks of the river Etu are rocky 
and rugged, but every available spot is cultivated. The 
water (except during floods) is remarkably clear, 
and the bottom of stones and shingle. On the left bank 
of the Yang-tze, and nearly opposite to the town of 
Etu, a branch from the main road from Pekin comes 
down to the river bank. 
On my return to Ichang I found the boat progress- 
ing satisfactorily; but before giving a description of 
how she was fitted up, I should say that, having heard 
of the most unsettled state of the country about Chung- 
king and its humid and unhealthy climate, I decided not 
to take my wife and little ones up there as I had origin- 
ally intended, but to send them all home. I therefore 
arranged for their passage, saw all the packing done, 
and regretfully saw them off for home on March 22. 
The boat upon which I was to depend so much had 
now better be more fully described. To commence 
with the most important part after the hull, which was, 
