266 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. Chap. XY. 



We have traced in this manner the route which 

 the black teas travel on their way from Woo-e-shan 

 to Shanghae. The distance travelled and time occu- 

 pied will stand thus : — 





Le. 



Days. 





. . 280 



6 





. . 180 



4 





, , 100 



3 



Chang-shan to Hang-chow- foo . . . 



. . 800 



6 





. .500 



5 



Total . . . 



, 1860 



24 



Three le are generally supposed to be equal to one 

 English mile, and in that case the exact distance 

 would be, of course, 620 miles. I am inclined, how- 

 ever, to think that there are more than three le to a 

 mile, perhaps four, or in some parts of the country 

 even five. If this is the case we may be possibly 

 nearer the mark if we estimate the whole distance at 

 400 miles. In calculating the time it will be neces- 

 sary to allow about four days for time consumed 

 in changing boats, for bad weather, &c. This will 

 make the whole journey occupy 28 days, which is 

 about the average time. 



With regard to the next item in my account, — 

 namely, the cost and expenses upon these teas, — I 

 must confess that I cannot speak with the same con- 

 fidence of accuracy as I have done on the previous 

 items. Having myself travelled up and down their 

 rivers, and over their mountains, I was in no neces- 

 sity of depending at all upon Chinese statements 

 having reference to distance or time. Their state- 

 ments upon all subjects, and especially upon those 



