Chap. VII. 
PEAK OF KOO-SHAN. 
Ill 
trees of any size ; but the path was lined with many- 
beautiful shrubs, among which the Azalea was most 
conspicuous. It was spring-time, and these charming 
flowers were just bursting into bloom. I have often ! 
seen them highly cultivated in England, and they 
certainly produce a most gorgeous effect in our green- 
houses and at our flower-shows ; but my taste leads me 
to admire them more when growing wild and free on 
the mountain side, peeping out from amongst the 
brushwood, or mingling their glowing colours with 
other flowers, and gaining additional beauty by the , 
contrast. ^ 
My progress onwards was at last arrested by a steep 
precipice, where the walk ended, and on the top of which 
a summer-house had been erected. I entered the house, 
and sat down upon one of the benches placed there for 
visitors. The view which I now obtained was one of the 
grandest I had seen for many a day. Above me, towering 
in majestic grandeur, was the celebrated peak of Koo- 
shan, 1000 feet higher than where I stood. Below, I 
looked down upon rugged and rocky ravines, in many 
places barren, and in others clothed with trees and 
brushwood, but perfectly wild. To aflbrd, as it were, a 
striking contrast to this scenery, my eye next rested on 
the beautiful valley of the Min, in which the town of 
Foo-chow-foo stands. The river was winding through 
it, and had its surface studded with boats and junks 
sailing to and fro, and all engaged in active business. 
Its fields were green, and were watered by numerous 
canals ; while in the background to this beautiful 
picture were hiUs nearly as high as Koo-shan, from 
