314 RETURN TO CIIUSAN. [Cuap. XVIL 
CHAP. XVIL. 
RETURN TO CHUSAN. —ITS SUPPOSED UNHEALTHINESS. — MOR- 
TALITY AMONGST THE QUEEN’S TROOPS WHEN FIRST STATIONED 
THERE. SALUBRITY. —1TS ADVANTAGES OVER 
HONG-KONG AS A BRITISH SETTLEMENT. — NEW PLANTS FOUND 
ON THE ISLAND, — PO. —GARDENS OF THE MANDARINS. — 
TOMBS OF THE CHINESE. — SITUATIONS SUPPOSED TO BE THE 
BEST. — SOOTHSAYERS EMPLOYED. — THEIR METHODS OF 
WORKING ON THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE.— MR. LAY CON- 
SULTED AS TO THE BEST SITE FOR A GRAVE, — INSCRIPTIONS 
ON THE TOMBS. —— PERIODICAL VISITS TO THEM BY RELATIVES. 
— DIFFERENT MODES OF INTERMENT. — COFFINS EXPOSED IN 
THE FIELDS. —KEPT IN HOUSES. — TOMB NEAR SUNG-KIANG- 
FOO. — FAVOURITE FLOWERS FOR PLANTING ON THE GRAVES. 
My first visit to Chusan in 1843 was during the 
autumn and winter, but in 1844 I had an op- 
portunity of exploring this beautiful island, at 
intervals, from the commencement of spring, until 
the close of the season. _At this time the first 
impression regarding the unhealthiness of the 
climate had been entirely removed, and the island 
was looked upon as the most healthy in the Chinese 
seas 
It will be recollected that when the island was 
first occupied by our troops, the mortality was so 
great that the place was pronounced by every one 
to be the most unhealthy in China. Many a brave 
soldier fell a victim to the malignant fever which 
