Chap. XIV. 



A TAOUIST PRIEST. 



241 



Tsin-tsun to the hills ; and when we arrived several 

 travellers and coolies were sitting in the porch drink- 

 ing tea. The temple belonged to the Taouists, and 

 was inhabited by an old priest and his wife. The 

 priests of this sect do not shave their heads like the 

 Buddhists, and I believe are allowed to marry. 



The old priest received us with great politeness, 

 and, according to custom, gave me a piece of tobacco 

 and set a cup of tea before me. Sing-Hoo now asked 

 him whether he had a spare room in his house, and 

 whether he would allow us to remain with him for a 

 day or two. He seemed to be very glad of the 

 chance of making a little money, and immediately 

 led us up stairs to a room which, as we were not very 

 particular, we agreed to hire during our stay. 



This house and temple, like some which I have 

 already described, were built against a perpendicular 

 rock, which formed an excellent and substantial back 

 wall to the building. The top of the rock overhung 

 the little building, and the water from it continually 

 dripping on the roof of the house gave the impres- 

 sion that it was raining. 



The stream of " nine windings" flowed past the 

 front of the temple. Numerous boats were plying up 

 and down, many of which, I was told, contained 

 parties of pleasure, who had come to see the strange 

 scenery amongst these hills. The river was very rapid, 

 and these boats seemed to fly when going with the 

 current, and were soon lost to view. On all sides 

 the strangest rocks and hills were observed, having 

 generally a temple and tea-manufactory near their 



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