Chap. XVIII. 



KEFLECTIONS. 



309 



beings, which is probably owing as much to the 

 sedentary lives which they lead as to the nature of 

 their food. 



On the morning of the third day, after refreshing 

 myself with a cup of the pure bohea, probably the 

 last which I shall drink on these mountains, from 

 which it gets its name, I bade adieu to the priests and 

 left the temple. Leaving my men to finish a substantial 

 meal of rice, I strolled down the hill by myself. The 

 road had been made in a zigzag manner, owing to the 

 steepness of the hill. Now I was in a dense tropical- 

 looking forest, and now by some turning of the road I 

 obtained a view down into the valley, which was 

 covered with rice-fields of the most luxuriant green. 



Looking up behind me, I got a glimpse of the 

 temple peeping out from amidst the rich woods which 

 surrounded it. The sun was shining gaily upon it, 

 and making the tiled roof sparkle as if covered with 

 precious stones. It looked more like an enchanted 

 palace than the dwelling-place of man. And yet it 

 was melancholy to think that, however fair and 

 enchanting to look upon, and however beautiful the 

 scenery around it, a cloud more dark than the thun- 

 dercloud rested upon it, for it was but "an altar 

 erected to the unknown God." 



When China is really opened these mountains may 

 become important stations for the labours of the 

 Christian missionary. It will doubtless be a sacrifice 

 of no ordinary kind for men to immure themselves 

 and their families in such places, far away from any 

 means of communicating with their friends or rela- 



