1 228 
THROUGH ASIA 
fully as its three predecessors had done. I wanted to 
have a young fir-tree fetched down from the mountains ; 
but the missionaries thought it was a heathenish practice. 
We sat and talked round the stove, and I retired early 
to my nest of furs in the cold church. Christmas Day 
was celebrated with an excellent dinner at Mr. Belcher’s, 
with plum pudding and Christmas presents. 
