ClIAP. IX. 
TEMPLE OF TEIN-TUNG. 
137 
tion with ourselves, and crowded with passengers, kept 
very near us for a considerable portion of the way, in 
order to satisfy their curiosity. A Chinaman never 
walks when he can possibly find any other mode of 
conveyance, and these persons were consequently much 
surprised to see us apparently enjoying our walk. 
"Is it not strange," said one, "that these people pre- 
fer walking when they have a boat as well as our- 
selves ? " A discussion now took place amongst them 
as to the reason of this apparently strange propensity, 
when one, more wise than his companions, settled the 
matter by the pithy observation, " it is their nature 
to do so ; " which was apparently satisfactory to all 
parties. 
It was nearly dark when we reached the temple, and, 
as the rain had fallen in torrents during the greater part 
of the day, we were drenched to the skin, and in rather 
a pitiable condition. The priests seemed much surprised 
at our appearance, but at once evinced the greatest hos- 
pitahty and kindness, and we soon found ourselves quite 
at home amongst them. They brought us fire to dry our 
• clothes, got ready our dinner, and set apart a certain 
number of their best rooms for us to sleep in. We were 
evidently subjects of great curiosity to most of them, who 
had never seen an Englishman before. Our clothes, fea- 
tures, mode of eating, and manners were all subjects of 
wonder to these simple people, who passed off many a 
good-humoured joke at our expense. 
Glad to get off our clothes, which were stiU damp, we 
retired early to rest. When we arose in the morning the 
view which met our eyes far surpassed in beauty any 
