214 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. XII. 



time I thought I should be obliged to leave them 

 behind me, for the Chinamen could not see the pro- 

 priety of being burdened with what they considered 

 weeds, and of no value ; however, by dint of determi- 

 nation and perseverance, by sometimes using pro- 

 mises and sometimes threats, I got them carried 

 several hundred miles in safety, and at last deposited 

 them in the garden of my friend Mr. Beale, at 

 Shanghae. They are now in Europe, and are, per- 

 haps, the first plants which have been brought direct 

 from the Bohea mountains. 



The streams which flowed from the sides of the 

 hills now ran to the southward, towards the town of 

 Tsong-gan-hien, and I was doubtless at one of the 

 many sources of the river Min. After travelling 

 about thirty le from the pass, we approached a small 

 town named Ching-hu, where we intended to remain 

 for the night. We were now about seventy le from 

 where we stopped the night before, and, as our road 

 had been a steep and rugged one during the day, w 

 were tired enough, and glad of rest. 



Ching-hu is a small town on the banks of the 

 stream, which gradually swells as it glides onward 

 until it becomes the noble river we see at Foo-chow- 

 foo. The town is built in a ravine, and high, steep 

 hills rise on each side of it. As we passed down the 

 main street I observed three Canton men taking an 

 evening stroll, and apparently admiring the beauty 

 of the situation. Calling Sing-Hoo, I desired him to 

 take care not to go to the inn where these men were 

 staying, as I was not desirous of having any more 



