Cuar. [X.] AMONG THE CHINESE. 159 
purpose of examining their botanical productions. 
One morning .I started off through the town, in 
the direction of these hills; and after walking 
between two and three miles, I reached the suburbs 
on the side of the town, opposite to that where the 
foreign factory stands. The sounds of “ Fankwei,”* 
with which I was assailed in the early part of my 
walk, had now nearly ceased, and I began to 1ma- 
gine that I had got out from amongst the imper- 
tinent boys and low Chinese, whom one continually 
meets in the back streets of Canton. Iwas now on 
a good road, amongst fields and gardens, and had 
an excellent view of the surrounding country, and 
hills. How very strange, thought I, that the 
foreign residents in the factories never avail them- 
selves of the opportunity of coming here, when 
they might enjoy the fresh air, and see the 
country, which would help to relieve the mono- 
tonous life they are compelled to lead. 
As I was walking quietly along, I met a Chinese 
soldier on horseback, who by gestures and words 
did every thing in his power to induce me to re- 
trace my steps. I knew nothing of the Canton 
dialect at this time, and as I thought he only 
wished to prevent me from taking a walk in the 
country, I paid no attention to him, but passed on- 
wards. Soon afterwards, however, I began to sus- 
pect the ill intentions of several groups of ill-look- 
ing fellows who seemed to be eyeing me narrowly 
* Literally, “ foreign devil.” 
