236 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. Chap. XIII. 



went on in the same manner as the former one. Like 

 most of my countrymen, I have a great dislike to the 

 Chinese sam-shoo, a spirit somewhat like the Indian 

 arrack, but distilled from rice. Indeed the kind 

 commonly sold in the shops is little else than rank 

 poison. The Woo-e-shan wine, however, was quite a 

 different affair : it resembled some of the lighter 

 French wines ; was slightly acid, agreeable, and in 

 no way intoxicating, unless when taken in immo- 

 derate quantities. I had no means of ascertaining 

 whether it was made from the grape, or whether it 

 was a kind of sam-shoo which had been prepared in 

 a particular way, and greatly diluted with water. At 

 all events it was a very agreeable accompaniment to 

 a Chinese dinner. 



During our meal the conversation between Sing- 

 Hoo and the priests turned upon the strange scenery 

 of these hills, and the numerous temples which were 

 scattered over them, many of which are built in the 

 most inaccessible places. He informed them how 

 delighted I had been with my walk during the after- 

 noon, and how much I was struck with the strange 

 scenery I had witnessed. Anything said in praise of 

 these hills seemed to please the good priests greatly, 

 and rendered them very communicative. They in- 

 formed us that there were temples erected to Buddha 

 on every hill and peak, and that in all they numbered 

 no less than nine hundred and ninety-nine. 



The whole of the land on these hills seems to be- 

 long to the priests of the two sects already men- 

 finned, but by far the largest portion belongs to the 



