PREFACE. 



It is now about five years since I submitted to 

 the public my ' Three Years' Wanderings in the 

 Northern Provinces of China.' Shortly after the 

 publication of that volume I was deputed by the 

 Honourable the Court of Directors of the East India 

 Company to proceed to China for the purpose of 

 obtaining the finest varieties of the Tea-plant, as well 

 as native manufacturers and implements, for the 

 Government Tea plantations in the Himalayas. On 

 the 20th of June, 1848, I left Southampton, with 

 many other passengers, in the Peninsular and Oriental 

 Company's steam-ship 'Ripon,' Captain Moresby, 

 I.N., and landed in Hong-kong on the 14th of 

 August. 



As I went far inland, and visited many districts 

 almost unknown to Europeans, I now venture to lay 

 an account of my travels and their results before the 

 public, Blessed with a sound constitution and good 

 health, I cared little for luxuries, and made light of 



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