ClIAP. XII. 
RECEPTION AT A TEMPLE. 
191 
It was evidently kindly meant, so, taking it in the same 
kind spirit, I lighted my pipe and began to smoke. 
In the mean time our host led me into his best room, 
and, desiring me to take a seat, he called the boy and 
ordered him to bring us some tea. And now I drank 
the fragrant herb, pure and unadulterated, on its native 
hills. It had never been half so grateful before, or I 
had never been so much in need of it ; for I was hot, 
thirsty, and weary, after ascending the hill under a 
burning sun. The tea soon quenched my thirst and re- 
vived my spirits, and called to my mind the words of a 
Chinese author, who says, " Tea is exceedingly useful ; 
cultivate it, and the benefit will be widely spread ; drink 
it, and the animal spirits will be lively and clear." 
Although I can speak enough of the Chinese language 
to make myself understood in several districts of the 
country, I judged it prudent not to enter into a length- 
ened conversation with the priests at this temple. I left 
the talking part of the business to be done by my ser- 
vant, who was quite competent to speak for us both. 
They were therefore told that I could not speak the lan- 
guao^e of the district, and that I came from a far coun- 
try " beyond the great wall." 
The little boy whom I have already noticed now pre- 
sented himself, and announced that dinner was on the 
table. The old priest bowed to me, and asked me to 
walk into the room in which the dinner was served. I 
did not fail to ask him to precede me, which of course he 
" couldn't think of doing," but followed me, and placed 
me at his left hand in the " seat of honour." Three 
other priests took their seats at the same table. One of 
