300 



FINE RICE DISTRICT. 



Chap. XIV- 



canal we came to another on a higher level, and 

 had our boats drawn up an inclined plane by 

 means of two rude windlasses. Here a fresh diffi- 

 culty awaited us. This canal was so full, owing to 

 the late rains, that our boats could not pass under 

 the bridges without having the roofs taken off. 

 As it was now nearly dark, we made up our minds 

 to remain here for the night, and make a fresh 

 start early next morning. 



The natives in the surrounding villages now 

 came flocking to our boats in great numbers. They 

 seemed a more respectable set than most of the 

 country Chinese with whom I have been in the 

 habit of mixing. They were well clothed, appa- 

 rently well fed, and had a cleanly appearance 

 about them, which, it must be confessed, is rather 

 rare in country districts in China. Their houses, 

 too, were large and well-built ; many of them were 

 neatly whitewashed with lime, and had a sort of 

 comfortable look about them which expressed in 

 language unmistakeable that their owners were 

 " well to do in the world." 



In this part of the country the staple article 

 of summer-cultivation was rice. The land seemed 

 exceedingly fertile, and this no doubt had something 

 to do with the well-being of the inhabitants. I 

 have observed this frequently exhibited in a most 

 marked manner in China. Wherever the country 

 is fertile, or when it produces an article of great 

 value in commerce, such as silk or tea for example, 

 there the natives as a general rule have more com- 



