Chap. II. 



THE "GAKDEN OF CHINA." 



31 



oranges, and all the fruits of Central China, in a high 

 state of cultivation. 



The country around Hang-chow-foo may well be 

 called "the garden of China." The grand canal, 

 with its numerous branches, not only waters it, but 

 also affords the means of travelling through it, and 

 of conveying the productions for which it is famous 

 to other districts. The hills in the background, the 

 beautiful bay which comes up to the town and 

 stretches far away towards the ocean, and the noble 

 river which here falls into the bay, all contribute to 

 render the scenery strikingly beautiful. 



On the evening of the 22nd of October I ap- 

 proached the suburbs of Hang-chow-foo — one of the 

 largest and most flourishing cities in the richest dis- 

 trict of the Chinese empire. The Chinese autho- 

 rities have always been most jealous of foreigners 

 approaching or entering this town. It is generally 

 supposed that, in addition to the natural antipathy 

 which they manifest to the " outside barbarians," 

 they have a custom-house here in which they levy 

 duties on merchandise imported or exported by 

 foreigners, which duties are opposed to the terms of 

 the treaty of Nanking. They know well enough 

 that, if foreigners were allowed to come here, this 

 system of extortion would soon be exposed and 

 broken up. 



As I drew nearer the city, everything which came 

 under my observation marked it as a place of great 

 importance. The grand canal was deep and wide, 

 and bore on its waters many hundreds of boats of 



