Chap. II. 
VISIT TO A MANDARIN. 
27 
scenery, it will not be expected that I could have much 
success in my botanical researches. In the gardens 
there were several pretty shrubs, but the greater part of 
them were well known, such, for example, as the 
Jasminum Samhac, Oka fragrans, China rose, 
Chrysanthemums, and various other common species. 
There are, however, some very pretty roses on the i/T 
island, producing small double flowers of great neatness 
and beauty, although destitute of perfume. These I 
sent home to the garden of the Horticultural Society at 
Chiswick. 
Birds are very rare, and the species most meagre in 
number : indeed this may be expected, as there is no 
shelter for them. A small mina with white wings is 
met with in large flocks ; white-necked crows are com- 
mon, as well as paddy-birds, Indian kites, and two or 
three varieties of kingfishers. During my stay here I 
was much assisted by Captain Hall of the 41st N. I., 
who was fond of botany, and well acquainted with the 
localities of all the plants in the neighbourhood. 
One day I went in company with this gentleman and 
the Kev Mr. Abele, an American missionary, to pay our 
respects to one of the principal mandarins, and to see 
his houses and gardens. His residence is in the suburbs 
of the town, on the side of a rocky hill, close to the 
beach. When we entered the outer court we w^ere 
received by a number of oflicers of inferior rank, and 
conducted to a kind of office, where, after politely 
desiring us to sit down, they offered us their pipes to 
smoke, and snuff-boxes, or rather phials of glass and 
stone, containing something which was like Scotch 
c 2 
