112 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. VII. 
amongst which the river runs, and where it is lost to 
the eye. 
A sight which is much prized by the Chinese is the 
view of sunrise from the peak of Koo-shan. Many 
sleep in the temple, and by torchlight reach the summit 
of the mountain in time to see the rising sun. I can 
easily imagine what a striking effect would be produced 
upon the mind of a Chinaman — particularly if a native 
of an inland province — when he saw for the first time 
the sun rising apparently out of the ocean. 
Pleased with what I had seen, I lingered for a long 
time amongst this beautiful scenery. At last my servants 
reminded me that it was time to take our departure 
for Foo-chow, so, bidding adieu to the priests, we 
descended to the plains. When we reached the foot 
of the mountain we found our boat waiting for us, and 
with a fair tide we soon sculled up to the bridge of 
Foo-chow. 
Being engaged to dine with my friend Mr. Compton, 
who resided inside the city, and between two and three 
miles from the bridge near which I was staying, I lost 
no time in securing a sedan-chair, and hurried to his 
house. These chairs are the cabs of Foo-chow : every 
one who can afford it goes about in them, just as we in 
England do in the hackney cabs of our large towns. 
The gates of the city are always locked soon after 
dark, and the keys taken to the house of one of the 
high mandarins. When I had been in the city on 
former occasions I had always hurried out before 
nightfall, for fear of being locked in, for here the gates, 
when once closed, are never opened until morning, 
