Chap. XVI. MOUNTAIN-PASSES AND TEMPLES. 
257 
down at the time, and which I now forget. We stopped 
here about two hours for refreshment, and, pushing on- 
wards, arrived the same evening at a small place amongst 
the Bohea mountains, named Tsong-so. Determined 
not to run the risk of meeting disreputable company, I 
ordered Sing-Hoo to go to the principal inn of the town. 
The landlord received me at the door, and conducted me 
to the upper part of the hall, on each side of which the 
bedrooms were placed. Having chosen one, and depo- 
sited my luggage in it, I returned to the hall and par- 
took of the usual beverage — tea. In due time an excel- 
lect dinner was set before me, and so ended in a peace- 
ful and agreeable manner a most exciting and disagree- 
able day. 
The next morning we had an early breakfast, and 
then continued our journey. The road was a good one, 
but, being entirely mountainous, it was very fatiguing. 
We crossed over three passes during the day. These 
mountains, like the Woo-e hills, seem to be the strong- 
holds of Buddhism. This morning, on reaching the top 
of the first pass, I found we were within the precincts 
of a temple. It was on the left-hand side of the road, 
while on the right there was a large tea-house for the 
refreshment of travellers ; a kind of awning connected 
the two buildings, and formed a covered way which 
served as a protection from sun and rain. 
A young priest, who observed us, ran and made a 
table ready and set tea before me. When I had 
finished tea he returned, carrjring a large book in his 
hand, in which subscriptions for the support of the 
temple were entered with the names of the donors. 
