180 



SNOWY VALLEY, 



Chap. IX. 



we had now arrived, was seen winding its way 

 amongst the hills, and hastening onwards to swell 

 the noble river which flows past the city of 

 Ningpo. 



When we arrived at the top of the pass we found 

 ourselves at the entrance of the Snowy Yalley, 

 which lay a little beyond, and nearly at the same 

 elevation, estimated at about 2000 feet above the 

 level of the sea. This valley is surrounded on all 

 sides by mountains. At one point is the pass 

 which I have just noticed, and at another is an 

 opening for a small mountain-stream, which, as it 

 leaves the valley, falls over a precipice of rocks 

 into a glen some three or four hundred feet below, 

 and forms the noble falls we had come to see. The 

 temple of the Snowy Valley, an old and dilapidated 

 Buddhist building, occupies the centre or upper 

 end of the valley, and to that we proceeded in 

 order to procure quarters for the night for our- 

 selves and our coolies. Here we found our old 

 Chinese friend ready to receive us, and, with the 

 priests of the monastery, gave us a cordial and 

 hearty welcome. It was now late in the afternoon, 

 within an hour of sunset ; but as our baggage had 

 not arrived, we determined to go out and visit the 

 upper part of the falls, reserving the lower or 

 glen view until the following morning. To our 

 surprise, Mr. A-chang — who had walked all the 

 way, and who we supposed must be very tired — 

 intimated his intention of accompanying us. We 

 therefore set out with him as our guide, and in a 



