Chap. II. 



ANCIENT TREE — HAWKERS. 



29 



straight up to the edifice, over an ornamental 

 bridge, which at one time probably spanned the 

 neck of a small lake, in which was cultivated the 

 sacred lotus (Nelumbium speciosum)^ but which was 

 now in these degenerate days allowed to get choked 

 up with weeds. Near this bridge a noble specimen 

 of the camphor-tree {Laurus campliora) lay pros- 

 trate on the ground, having been blown down by 

 a typhoon many years ago. The curious gnarled 

 and angular branches for which this tree is remark- 

 able when it is alive and standing, seemed more 

 striking in its prostrate and withered condition. 

 For many years this relic of former days had been 

 carefully preserved by the priests, and was now 

 looked upon by them and the -visitors as nearly as 

 holy as the temple itself. From the gateway up 

 to the doors of the temple numerous stalls were 

 erected for the sale of candles, joss-sticks, sycee 

 paper, and such things as are used in the worship 

 of Buddha. Others were of a less holy character, 

 and contained cakes and sweetmeats, toys, curi- 

 osities, and things likely to attract the notice of 

 the country people. It was curious to mark the 

 enthusiasm with which these pedlers endeavoured to 

 get off their goods. Every passer-by was pressed 

 to buy, and particularly those who had not their 

 hands full of candles, incenses, and other articles 

 which they were supposed to require. In many 

 instances I observed the venders actually laid hold 

 of the people, and almost forced them to spend 

 money on some articles ere they would allow them 



