* 
Cuar. VILI.] CITY OF SHANGHAE. 119 
the gate was opened: and whether they actually 
believed us to be beings of another world, or sup- 
posed we had another army at our back to take the 
city a second time, it is impossible to say, but quick 
as lightning they both turned their backs and fled, 
leaving us to shut the gates or admit an army, if 
we chose. We walked quietly home, and neither 
saw nor heard any thing more of the bold guardians 
of the night. 
The city of Shanghae is surrounded with high 
walls and ramparts built upon the same plan as all 
other Chinese fortifications of this kind. The cir- 
cumference of the walls is about three and a half 
miles, and the greater part of the inside is densely 
studded with houses; the suburbs, particularly all 
along the side of the river, are very extensive. Al- 
though the gates of the city are closed soon after 
dark, the people are allowed to pass through after- 
wards on the payment of a few “cash.” When the 
gate is opened to one, a whole crowd are ready to rush 
through along with him, the first only paying the 
“cash.” Such is the custom, so that if a poor man 
comes to the gate he has only to wait until one 
richer than himself arrives, when, the fee being paid, 
they pass through together. Joss-houses are met 
with in all directions, both in the city and suburbs ; 
at certain parts on the ramparts, also, these temples 
are built and crowded with idols, where the natives 
come to burn incense, bow the knee, and engage in 
the other ceremonies of heathen idol worship. For- 
tune-tellers and jugglers are also in great request, 
14 
