PEKING. 
Chap. XXII. 
Our way led us along the eastern walls of the 
palace, and we soon reached one of the gates which 
led into the Imperial city. Entering this gate, we 
found ourselves close upon the Royal palace, which 
was surrounded by an inner wall and had its gate 
strictly guarded by soldiers. Into this sanctum 
sanctorum we did not attempt to penetrate. Pass- 
ing onwards, we soon reached the northern end of 
the palace, and were then close upon King-shan or 
“ Prospect Hill.” And very pretty this little hill 
looked, crowned as it is with temples, summer- 
houses, and trees. Rounding it, we turned to the 
south and went along the outside of the western 
wall of the palace. This is perhaps the most in- 
teresting part of Peking, and is well worth a visit. 
The roofs of the different palaces and temples, with 
their quaint forms and yellow tiles glittering in 
the sun, were particularly striking and interesting. 
Here we also found the Lama Mosque, surrounded 
by trees, and giving an Indian character to the 
scenery. Although we could not enter the sacred 
enclosures, we got glimpses of pretty gardens with 
rock-work and artistic bridges, which gave us very 
favourable impressions of its internal beauties and 
made us long for a nearer view. But, as already 
stated, although foreigners have liberty to wander 
all over the Imperial city, they cannot enter the 
grounds of the palace, nor King-shan, nor the en- 
closures in which the Lama temples and mosques 
are situated. 
Leaving the walls of the Emperor’s palace be- 
