26 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. I. 
this was done to our satisfaction we left the inn and 
walked down to the boat, which lay alongside of one of 
the wharfs at the river side. Several other passengers 
had also arrived, and we were all to sleep on board, as 
the boat was to start at daybreak on the following 
morning. To me this had been an exciting and adven- 
turous day, and I was not sorry when the darkness closed 
around us and we all retired to rest. 
The river Tcien-tang-kiang, on which I was now, has 
its sources far away amongst the mountains to the west- 
ward. One of its branches rises amongst the green-tea 
hills of Hwuy-chow, another near to the town of Chang- 
shan, on the borders of Kiang-see, and a third on the 
northern side of the Bohea mountains. These streams 
unite in their course to the eastward, and, passing Hang- 
chow, fall into the bay which bears the same name. All 
the green and black tea comes down this river on its way 
to Shanghae, and at Hang-chow is transshipped from the 
river boats into those which ply upon the Grand Canal. 
The importance of Hang-chow-foo, in a mercantile point 
of view, is therefore very great. All goods from the 
south and westward must of necessity pass through 
this town on their way to the large and populous 
districts about Soo-chow, Sung-kiang, and Shanghae. 
In the same manner all foreign imports, and the products 
of the low countries, such as silk and cotton, in going to 
the southward and westward, must also pass through 
Hang-chow. It therefore appears to be like a great 
gate on a public highway, through which nothing can 
pass or repass without the consent and cognizance of the 
authorities. 
