210 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XIII. 
whole package was then covered with oil-paper. The 
latter precaution was taken to screen them from the 
sun, and also from the prying eyes of the Chinese, who, 
although they did not seem to show any great jealousy 
on the point, yet might have annoyed us with imper- 
tinent questions. Early in the morning, our arrange- 
ments being completed, we bade adieu to our kind 
host and hostess, and set off across the hills in the 
direction of Tsin-tsun. 
Tsin-tsun is a small town built on the banks of one of 
the branches of the river Min. This stream divides the 
northern ranges of Woo-e-shan from the southern. The 
town is built on both banks of the river, and is con- 
nected by a bridge. Here are great numbers of inns, 
eating-houses, and tea-shops for the accommodation of 
the tea-merchants and coolies. A great quantity of 
tea, produced in the surrounding hills, is brought here 
for sale, before it finds its way to Tsong-gan-hien, and 
thence across the Bohea mountains to Hokow. 
When I arrived at Tsin-tsun I felt strongly inclined 
to go down the river Min to Foo-chow-foo. This could 
have been accomplished in about four days without 
trouble or inconvenience, as the whole journey could be 
performed in one boat. There were two objections, 
however, to this route ; one was that I should not have 
seen much more new ground, and the other was the 
difiiculty of getting away from Foo-chow when once 
there. 
After weighing the matter in my mind I determined 
neither to go down to Foo-chow-foo, nor to return by the 
way I came, but to take another route, which led east- 
