Manchurian Books

The few houses that belong to Europeans, the places of business, and
the barracks, are all outside the town, upon small hills. Large
sheets of artificial water, surrounded by splendid stone
balustrades, and shaded by alleys of the mighty tulip-tree, occupy a
portion of the valley. On the side of one of these basins, stands
the famous Buddhist temple of Dagoha, which is built in the Moorish-
Hindostanee style, and richly ornamented.
On my leaving the coach, one of the passengers was kind enough to
recommend me a good hotel, and to call a native and direct him where
to conduct me. When I reached the hotel, the people there said that
they were very sorry, but that all their rooms were occupied. I
asked them to direct my guide to another establishment, which they
did. The rascal led me away from the town, and, pointing to a hill
which was near us, gave me to understand that the hotel was situated
behind it. I believed him, as all the houses are built far apart;
but on ascending the hill, I found nothing but a lonely spot and a
wood.


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