Chap. XVIII. 



A CELEBEATED TEMPLE. 



303 



on the northern side, which we had now to descend. 

 This temple, they said, was called Shan-te-Maou, 

 and was situated amongst the most beautiful mountain 

 scenery, besides being a famous place for refreshment 

 and rest. It was evidently a place in high repute 

 amongst the Chinese, so we pushed on for it, deter- 

 mining to dine and spend the remaining portion of 

 the day there. We had not gone very far when our 

 road led through some beautiful bamboo woods. 

 These and other large trees told, in language not 

 to be mistaken by the Chinese traveller, that we 

 were within the precincts of the Buddhist temple. 



Shan-te-Maou is built upon a steep hill-side. As 

 we approached it, the temples were seen on the right- 

 hand side of the road, and the refectory on the left, 

 while the space between was thatched over to afford 

 protection from the sun and rain. The temples 

 were in three grand divisions, each rising one behind 

 the other up the hill-side. They were crowded with 

 images, many of which were very large. The refec- 

 tory was also upon a large scale, and was evidently 

 a source of considerable profit to the priests of Buddha, 

 who inhabit this mountain. In its centre there was 

 a large space, roofed over, but open at the sides, and 

 crowded with tables, forms, and chairs for the guests. 

 On each side there were kitchens, bake-houses, and 

 all the appurtenances of a large inn. 



As the place was so beautiful, and its productions 

 so interesting to me, I determined to halt for a day or 

 two at this temple, before bidding adieu for ever to 

 the Bohea mountains. The good priests had no 



