Chap. XIII. THE TEMPLE OF QUAN-TING. 



283 



noticed, there was said to be a Heang-loo^ or 

 incense burner, of fabulous size, which no one had 

 ever seen or were likely to see ; and a large white 

 horse was said to reside somewhere in the moun- 

 tain called T^hae-bah-san, which rises to the height 

 of 2000 feet behind the old monastery of Tein- 

 tung. All these were simply traditionary stories, 

 which are believed by the vulgar and ignorant, 

 but, as my informant said, are laughed at by men 

 of education and sound sense. 



Not being able to find the golden bell, and as 

 the sight of the spot where it was supposed to be 

 had not produced the imjoression which my com- 

 panions and guides had supposed it would, they 

 dropped off, one by one, and returned to the 

 temple, while I was left alone to ramble amongst 

 the wild scenes of these mountains. There was, 

 however, little time to spare, and I was most 

 anxious to secure the services of Mr. Wang the 

 moment he had finished his culinary operations. 

 I, therefore, returned to the temple, and arrived 

 there soon after the group who had taken me to 

 see the golden bell, I found them explaining to 

 the priests and other visitors how disappointed I 

 had been, and how incredulous I was as to the 

 existence of the said bell itself. 



The temple of Quan-ting has no pretensions as 

 regards size, and appeared to be in a most dilapi- 

 dated condition. In one of the principal halls I 

 observed a table spread and covered with many 

 good things, which were intended as an offering 



