80 



CHINESE GARDEN. 



Chap. V. 



little garden containing a number of choice plants 

 in pots, such as azaleas, camellias, and dwarfed 

 trees of various kinds. The ground was paved with 

 sandstone and granite, and, while some of the pots 

 were placed on the floor, others were standing on 

 stone tables. Small borders fenced with the same 

 kinds of stone were filled with soil, in which were 

 growing creepers of various kinds which covered 

 the walls. Here were the favoured Glycine sinensis^ 

 roses, jasmines, &c., which not only scrambled 

 over the walls, but were led inward and formed 

 arbours to afford shade from the rays of the noon- 

 day sun. In front of these were such things as 

 Moutans, Nandina (sacred bamboo of the Chinese), 

 Weigela rosea^ Forsythia viridissima, and Spirwa 

 Reevesiana. In opposite corners stood two noble 

 trees of Oka fragrans, the celebrated "Kwei-hwa," 

 whose flowers are often used in scenting tea ; 

 while many parts of the little border were car- 

 peted with the pretty little Lycopodium coesium, 

 which I introduced to England some years ago. 

 This pretty fairy-like scene was exposed to our 

 view as we sat sipping our tea, and with all my 

 English prejudice I could not but acknowledge 

 that it was exceedingly enjoyable. 



The reception-room was hung with numerous 

 square glass lanterns gaily painted with flowers 

 of all hues ;" several massive varnished tables 

 stood in its centre, while a row of chairs was 

 arranged down each side. Between the chairs 

 stood small square tables or tepoys, on some of 



