Cuar. XX.] MINGAN, 367 
Chinese are often taunted with their indifference to 
the religion which they profess ; and yet the earnest 
and devout manner in which they burn incense, and 
worship at their holy places, would put to the blush 
many of the professors of a holier and purer faith. 
The scenery at the mouth of the Min and towards 
Foo-chow-foo is striking and beautiful. The river 
itself varies much in width and depth, according to 
the district through which it flows. Near its 
mouth, and at some parts where the country be- 
tween it and the hills is flat, it is not less than a 
mile in width; but at other parts, where the 
mountains come almost to the water’s edge, the 
river is narrow, deep, and rapid. There are two 
or three such places between the mouth of the Min 
and the city of Foo-chow-foo. The whole of this 
district is hilly, many of the mountains being at 
least 3000 feet high; and at this season of the year, 
when thunder-storms were almost of daily occur- 
rence, the effects produced by them amongst these 
mountains were grand and sublime. 
It is evident that the Chinese greatly dreaded 
our visiting this place during the war. I observed 
that forts had been built on all the most com- 
manding positions on the sides of the river; but 
most of them were now without guns, and had 
already become dilapidated. 
The little town and fortress of Mingan, a few 
miles up the river, is beautifully situated on a hill 
sloping down to the water; and the position is so 
strong by nature, that, if manned with English 
