Chap. XIL 



COLD WATER TEMPLE. 



263 



seemed to lead down to a cave or some such sub- 

 terranean place, and desired me to walk down. As 

 it appeared perfectly dark to me on coming from 

 the bright sunshine, I hesitated to proceed with- 

 out a candle. On this being brought, I was much 

 disappointed in finding the steps were only a few 

 in number and led to nowhere. It appeared that 

 in the more prosperous days of the temple there 

 had been a well of clear water at the bottom of 

 the steps, but now that was choked up with stones 

 and rubbish. I was able, however, to procure 

 a little water nearly as cold as if it had been iced. 

 The stones in this part of the building were also 

 very cold to the touch, and a strong current of 

 cold air was coming out of the earth at this par- 

 ticular point. I regretted much not having my 

 thermometer with me to have tested the difference 

 of the temperature with accuracy. On the floor of 

 the temple a motley group of persons was pre- 

 sented to my view. Beggars, sick persons, and 

 others who had taken refuge from the heat of the 

 sun were lolling about, evidently enjoying the 

 cool air which filled the place. It appeared to be 

 free to all, rich and poor alike. There are some 

 large clay-slate and granite quarries near this 

 place ; and I afterwards found several springs of 

 water issuing from the clay-slate rocks quite as 

 cold as that in the " cold water temple." 



Having spent several days in the town of Ni]:)g- 

 kang-jou, I determined to proceed onwards to a 

 large temple situated amongst the hills to the 



