14 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. I. 
Tan-see, which is on the side of the Grand Canal on 
which we were now sailing. Tan-see is a bustling town 
of considerable size, a few miles to the north-east of 
Hang-chow-foo. The appearance of the flat country 
here was rich and beautiful. Still the mulberry was 
seen extensively cultivated on all the higher patches of 
ground, and rice occupied the low wet land. 
As we approached Hang-chow the vegetation of the 
country was richer and under a higher state of cultivation 
than any which had come under my notice in other 
parts of China. It reminded me of the appearance 
which those highly cultivated spots present near our 
large market-towns in England. Here were beautiful 
groves of the loquat (Eriohotrya ja'ponica), yang-mai 
( Myrica sp.), peaches, plums, oranges, and all the fruits 
of Central China, in a high state of cultivation. 
The country around Hang-chow-foo may well be 
called " the garden of China.'' The Grand Canal, with 
its numerous branches, not only waters it, but also 
affords the means of travelling through it. and of con- 
veying the productions for which it is famous to other 
districts. The hills in the background, the beautiful 
bay which comes up to the town and stretches far 
away towards the ocean, and the noble river which here 
falls into the bay, all contribute to render the scenery 
strikingly beautiful. 
On the evening of the 22nd of October I approached 
the suburbs of Hang-chow-foo — one of the largest and 
most flourishing cities in the richest district of the 
Chinese empire. The Chinese authorities have always 
been most jealous of foreigners approaching or enter- 
