170 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. X. 
In ordinary circumstances these appearances would 
have been very discouraging. But I had " counted the 
cost of all these things before I began to travel in China. 
I never expected to find my way strewed with luxuries ; 
I knew the people were not very remarkable for cleanli- 
ness in their dwellings, and I was therefore in some 
measure prepared for all the inconveniences to which I 
was subjected. The only way was to make myself as 
comfortable as the circumstances would admit of. 
I therefore called Sing-Hoo, and desired him to sweep 
my bedplace before he unpacked my sleeping mat and 
other articles for the night. Whilst this was going on the 
host informed me that dinner was ready and placed on 
the table in the centre of the hall. The fare was plain 
and homely. There was a large basin full of boiled rice, 
with other smaller ones containing fish, eggs, and pork. 
The vegetables consisted of cabbages and bamboo. The 
latter I thought extremely good, and always ordered it 
during the remainder of our journey. 
I did full justice to the rice, eggs, fish, and bamboo, 
and left the other articles for Sing-Hoo, who seemed to 
enjoy them with equal relish. Dinner being over, the 
dishes were removed, and tea set upon the table. Our 
labours for the day being over, pipes were lighted, and 
the smoke rose in wavy curls to the roof of the inn. 
