346 SPRING IN NORTH CHINA.  [Cuar. XIX. 
CHAP. XIX. 
SPRING IN THE NORTH OF CHINA.— NEW FLOWERS. — JOURNEY 
THROUGH THE COUNTRY. — MOTLEY GROUP OF FELLOW-PAS- 
SENGERS.—A MORNING SCENE IN A CHINESE JUNK.—TARTAR 
CITY OF CHAPOO.— SHOPS AND TRADE.— CROWDS OF PEOPLE. 
—A VISIT TO THE MANDARINS. —A FREE PASSAGE ONWARD 
OFFERED — THEIR OBJECT IN THIS. — MEANS TAKEN TO 
THWART THEM.— LEAVE CHAPOO FOR SHANGHAE.—COUNTRY 
AND TOWN OF PING-HOO.—SILK DISTRICTS VISITED.— CULTI- 
VATION OF THE MULBERRY.—- MANAGEMENT OF THE SILK- 
WORM. — ARRIVAL AT SHANGHAE. — CONSUL’S LETTER EN- 
CLOSING ONE FROM THE TAOUTAE, OR HEAD MANDARIN.—A 
MOST SATISFACTORY REPLY ! 
Ir was the commencement of spring when I re- 
turned to the north of China. In this season of the 
year no country can be more agreeable or healthy 
than this. The air is bracing, the sky generally 
clear, and the mornings are delightfully cool. Be- 
fore long, vegetation progressed with wonderful 
rapidity, far surpassing any thing of the kind I had 
ever witnessed in England. By the middle of 
April, deciduous trees and shrubs were covered with 
leaves, barley was in full ear, and the oil plant 
(Brassica sinensis) was seen forming masses of 
golden yellow, on the hill sides and on the plains, 
where the air was perfumed with the fragrance of 
its blossoms. 
My object during this summer was to make a 
