168 TEMPLE OF TEIN-TUNG. [Cuar. X.- 
- The Chinese are quite philosophers after their 
own fashion. On our way to the temple, when 
tired with sitting so long in our boat, we several 
times got out and walked along the path on the 
sides of the canal. A great number of passage- 
boats going in the same direction with ourselves, 
and crowded with passengers, kept very near us 
for a considerable portion of the way, in order to 
satisfy their curiosity. A Chinaman never walks 
when he can possibly find any other mode of 
conveyance, and these persons were consequently 
much surprised to see us apparently enjoying 
our walk. 
“Ts it not strange,” said one, ‘‘ that these people 
prefer walking when they have a boat as well as 
ourselves?” A discussion now took place amongst 
them as to the reason of this apparently strange 
propensity, when one, more wise than his com- 
panions, settled the matter by the pithy obser- 
vation, “It is their nature to do so;” which was 
apparently satisfactory to all parties. 
It was nearly dark when we reached the temple, 
and as the rain had fallen in torrents during 
the greater part of the day, we were drenched to 
the skin, and in rather a pitiable condition. The 
priests seemed much surprised at our appearance, 
but at once evinced the greatest hospitality and 
kindness, and we soon found ourselves quite at home 
amongst them. They brought us fire to dry our 
clothes, got ready our dinner, and set apart a 
certain number of their best rooms for us to sleep 
