Chap. XXI. CHINESE OBSERVATORY. 353 
for the reception of the good seed which may 
be sown either by himself or by those who come 
after hiih. 
In the afternoon I went, in company with 
Dr. Lockhart, to visit the Observatory, a place . 
famous for its collection of astronomical instru- 
ments, and for the fine view of the city which can 
be obtained from its summit. It is placed inside 
the Tartar city, and close to the eastern wall. On 
entering its precincts we presented our cards and 
were politely received by the keepers. In their 
room they showed us a map of the world, prepared 
under the direction of Father Ricci upwards of 
two hundred years ago. We then ascended a 
flight of steps leading to the top of the Observa- 
tory, which is fully sixty feet above the level of 
the ground. Here we found a number of large 
astronomical instruments beautifully cast. Large 
celestial globes, quadrants, and other instruments, 
particularly attracted our attention. These were 
evidently the work of foreign missionaries, and 
had probably been imported from Europe. If 
cast in China during Father Ricci’s time, they 
are well calculated to excite our wonder, but 
this I think can hardly have been the case. 
An iron rail of beautiful workmanship surrounded 
the whole. 
The view from the top of the Observatory on a 
clear day is exceedingly fine. Looking south- 
wards the Chinese city was seen to stretch for 
miles away in that direction. To the west and 
2 A 
