clamorous for books; but they were so ravenous, and caught at them so eagerly, that we were obliged to restrain their avidity, and distribute them from the boat, while the applicants waded into the water to obtain a supply. Being now rather faint and hungry, we relished a little salt beef and biscuit; and with a supply of water from a neighbouring brook, we were enabled to proceed on our delightful tour.

With a fresh stock of books, we walked about two miles in land, to a large village, accompanied by a number of persons, who had begun to feel interested in our undertaking. Our heralds soon brought out the inhabitants, begging for books. "Give me one;" "and me another," was the cry, from a score of voices at the same time. We therefore took the volumes out of the bag, and supplied each outstretched arm, as fast as we possibly could. Still the hands were so numerous about the mouth of the bag, that we were obliged at length to hold the books on high, and let those have, who were best able to reach them. Finding that they were likely to overpower us, we removed to a threshing floor, at the entrance of the village, where there was a fresh set of people; who, in compliance with our earnest and frequent remonstrances, were a little more sedate and quiet, than on the previous occasion.

Their anxiety to obtain books, however, must not in the least be ascribed to any knowledge of, or relish for, their contents; but merely to an eager curiosity, to get possession of something that came from abroad, and an insatiable cupidity, to obtain what was to be had for nothing. After having supplied them liberally, we stood up in the midst of the threshing floor, and with a loud voice, proclaimed the news of salvation to

CHAPTER XVI.

PROCEEDINGS AT KE-SAN-SO.

PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE-EVENTS ON LANDING

SUSPICIONS OF THE PEOPLE-ARRIVAL AT THE TOWN-EAGERNESS FOR BOOKS-DISPUTE WITH AN OFPICER-A TEMPLE AND A STAGE-PERMISSION TO PURCHASE PROVISIONS-TOUR THROUGH THE VILLAGES OBJECTIONS OF A CONFUCIAN-HOSPITALITY OF A PEASANT-RAPID DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS-A CHINESE FORT-1 - EXCURSION TO AN ADJOINING BAY-EXHIBITION OF AN ARMED FORCE-INVITATION OF THE MANDARINS-SECOND VISIT TO THE TOWN-ANXIETY TO SEE THE STRANGERS DISCUSSION ABOUT CEREMONIES - INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPAL MANDARINS QUESTIONS PROPOSED OBJECTIONS TO OUR ENTERPRISE-ADVICE of the GENERAL -DISCUSSION ABOUT PRESENTS-CONVERSATION ON POLITICS-MAGISTM TERIAL DIGNITY AND MEANNESS-PRESENTS RECEIVED AND RETURN MADE-DISTURBANCES ON BOARD.

ETIQUETTE OBSERVED

On the 16th of September, 1835, we reached the harbour of Ke-san-so. This bay is defended by the high and bold cape of Che-a-tow, and the Kung-kung group of islands, on the north and west; while in a southerly direction, it deeply indents the main land. It derives its name from a village at the bottom of the bay, which is a place of considerable business, where many trading vessels touch on their way to the province of Peking. On entering the harbour, we were not aware of a very dangerous sand-bank, stretching from one of the islands towards the main. It was towards evening, when we arrived, the sails were taken in, and we were merely going a-head by the force of the vessel's way, when just as we were about to let go the anchor, the mate observed some birds on the water, not half a cable's