76 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. V. 
courts, of which a glimpse is caught in passing through, 
are fitted up with this rockwork ; dwarf trees are planted 
here and there in various places, and creepers hang down 
naturally and gracefully until their ends touch the little 
ponds of water which are always placed in front of the 
rockwork. 
These small places being passed, we are again led 
through passages like those already noticed, when the 
garden, with its dwarf trees, vases, rockwork, orna- 
mental windows, and beautiful flowering shrubs, is sud- 
denly opened to the view. 
It must be understood, however, that all which I have 
now described is very limited in extent, but the most is 
made of it by windings and glimpses through rockwork 
and arches in the walls, as well as by hiding the boundary 
with a mass of shrubs and trees. 
Here old Dr. Chang — I believe that was his name — 
was spending the evening of his days in peaceful retire- 
ment. When I called upon him he was extremely polite, 
and, after making a great many very low bows, requested 
me to take the seat of honour by his side. The servants 
were then ordered to bring tea, a beverage which is 
offered to every stranger, and which was of the very 
finest description. Messengers were sent round to all 
the old man's particular friends, who each hurried to see 
the foreigner. One by one they dropped in, until the room 
was nearly full. The servants, who seemed to think 
themselves quite as good as their masters, mixed with 
the company, and made their remarks upon me with 
the greatest freedom. Everything about me was ex- 
amined and criticised most minutely, particularly my 
