Chap. XVII. THE PAGODA OF WAN-SHEU-SI. 361 



districts are much infested with thieves, but the 

 respectable Chinese country farmer is generally- 

 very timid in his nature, and would much rather 

 incur considerable expense in making his house 

 secure than run any risk of having it plundered, 

 or to be obliged to defend it. 



When I had completed my examination of this 

 part of the country^ and made some interesting 

 entomological collections, I bade adieu to the hos- 

 pitable villagers. My object was now the pagoda 

 I had seen in the distance when nearing Hoo- 

 chow, with the large tree growing by its side, both 

 together forming the most striking landmark in 

 this part of China. It was only two or three miles 

 west from where I had been sojourning for the 

 last few days, and about two miles from the south 

 gate of the city. By means of canals and small 

 creeks I was enabled to get my boat nearly to the 

 foot of the hill on which the pagoda stands. It 

 being late in the evening when we arrived there, 

 I slept near a small village at the head of the 

 creek, and made arrangements to ascend the hill 

 early next morning. 



Some time before daybreak my servant Tung-a 

 brought me a cup of tea, which I drank and then 

 made preparations for our journey. It seemed we 

 had anchored at the place to which worshippers 

 come in their boats when they are going to the 

 temple and pagoda. We found an excellent paved 

 road leading up to the monastery of Wan-sheu-si, 

 which is situated in a romantic hollow, a little 



