Chap. XXIII. VISIT FROM MANDARINS. 
385 
of our long absence and the darkness of the night. 
We might have lost our way or missed our footing 
amongst the mountains and ravines. However, an 
excellent Chinese dinner was soon smoking on the 
table ; and although chopsticks had to supply the 
places of knives and forks, the air of the moun- 
tains had furnished me with a tolerable appetite, 
and made me quite indifferent to the deprivation. 
After dinner I was honoured with the company of 
some high officials of the district, who came to 
inquire what my objects were in visiting this part 
of the country; but as my servant had already 
informed them that I had come from the Yamun 
of the great English Minister, they were easily 
satisfied, and did not even ask for a sight of my 
passport. Sundry cigars and a glass or two of 
wine put them in capital humour, and we parted 
very good friends. 
When the mandarins left me the priests and 
others in the temple retired to rest, and shortly 
afterwards the only sounds which fell upon my ear 
were caused by the wind rustling among the 
leaves of the surrounding trees and the tinkling of 
the bells which hung from the eaves of the pagoda. 
Fatigued with the exertion of the day I retired 
early to rest, and nothing occurred during the 
night to disturb my slumbers. 
Next morning I was up before the sun, and en- 
joyed a view of the vast plain as it was gradually 
lighted up by the early rays. It was curious to 
see the light chasing away the darkness and ex- 
