Chap. XII. 



MOUNTAIN-PASS. 



211 



stopped at these places on our way, and refreshed 

 ourselves with a cup of the pure bohea on its native 

 mountains. During the ascent I walked nearly all 

 the way, being anxious to inspect the natural produc- 

 tions of the mountains. My chair-bearers were de- 

 lighted with this arrangement, the more so as they 

 are not accustomed to anything of the kind from their 

 countrymen. 



We arrived at last at the celebrated gates or huge 

 doors which divide the provinces of Fokien and 

 Kiang-see. The pillars of these gates have been 

 formed by nature, and are nothing less than the 

 " everlasting hills " themselves. The arched door- 

 ways of the place bore a great resemblance to the 

 gates of a Chinese city. As we passed through the 

 archway I observed a guard of soldiers lounging 

 about, but they did not take any notice of us, or 

 attempt to examine our baggage. We were soon 

 through the pass, and in another province. The 

 province of Kiang-see had been shut out and left 

 behind us, and our view now opened on Fokien. 

 Never in my life had I seen such a view as this, so 

 grand, so sublime. High ranges of mountains were 

 towering on my right and on my left, while before 

 me, as far as the eye could reach, the whole country 

 seemed broken up into mountains and hills of all 

 heights, with peaks of every form. 



While gazing with wonder and admiration on the 

 scene, my attention was arrested by a solitary pine- 

 tree of great size, standing about a hundred yards 

 from the gateway. No other trees of any size were 



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