Chap. IV. 



A MANDARIN'S GARDEN. 



79 



The place had no pretensions to what in England 

 would be called a fine garden ; but it was evidently 

 considered unique by the Chinese in this part of the 

 country. Small square courts were seen here and 

 tb^re, ornamented with rockwork, and planted with 

 the favourite flowers of the district. The fragrant 

 olive, moutan, sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica), 

 and other common shrubs, were met with in great 

 abundance. Some pretty ponds were filled with the fa- 

 vourite water-lily. But the most interesting plant of all 

 was a new evergreen holly, with leaves somewhat like 

 the Portugal laurel, very handsome and ornamental.* 



Amongst the buildings there was a pretty small 

 pagoda, which we ascended, and from its top had 

 an excellent view of the surrounding country. The 

 whole place had evidently been laid out for the pur- 

 pose of giving plays and fetes on an extensive scale. 

 Summer-houses, ornamental towers, balconies, and 

 ancestral temples, were scattered over the grounds. 

 The tout ensemble had an imposing appearance, and 

 was just such as the Chinese most admire. Guides 

 conducted us through the place in the same way as 

 at the show-houses in England, and also expected to 

 be paid for their services. The resemblance went a 

 little further, for we were passed on from one guide 

 to another, and each had to be paid. 



On the hill sides in this part of the country I met 

 with many plants which are rare in other parts of 

 China, at least on the hills nearer to the sea. The 

 fragrant Chimonanthus, which is now such a favourite 



* Seeds of this were procured here and sent home to England. 



