Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 230

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story, the halls of which are usually of the whole height of the fabric, without any concealment of the beams or rafters of the roof. On this account, the beams are often carved, and, as well as the rafters and tiles, painted. The tiles are sometimes glazed with a colored varnish. Terraces are often built above the roofs: and, when sur- rounded by a breast-work, afford in the cool of the day a pleasant and secure retreat, where people can ascend to enjoy a purer air, to secure a wider prospect, or to witness any event that transpires in the neighborhood. These terraces are not, perhaps, very unlike the flat roofs of other orientals. In some other points, also, there is a coincidence between the houses of the Chinese and those which are noticed in sacred literature. * * *

Temple of Honám.

This was originally a private garden; but afterwards, several hundred years ago, a priest, named Chíyueh, built up an establishment, which he called “the temple of ten thousand autumns,” and dedicated it to Budha. It remained an obscure place, however, until about A. D. 1600, when a priest of eminent devotion, with his pupil Ahtsz', together with a concurrence of extraordinary circumstances, raised it to its present magnificence. In the reign of Kánghí,and as late ¡as A. D. 1700, the province of Canton was not fully subjugated ; and a son-in-law of the emperor, was sent hither to bring the whole country under his father's sway. This he accomplished, received the title of pingnán wáng, “king of the subjugated-south," and took up his head quarters in the temple of Honám. There were then thirteen villages on the island, which he had orders to exterminate for their opposition to the imperial forces.

"Just before carrying anto effect this order, the king Pingnán, a blood-thirsty man, cast his eyes on Ahtsz', a fat happy priest, and remarked, that if he lived on vegetable diet, he could not be so fat; he must be a hypocrite, and should be punished with death. He drew his sword to execute with his own hand the sentence; but his arm suddenly stiffened, and he was stopped from his purpose. That night a divine person appear- ed to him in a dream, and assured him, that Ahtsz' was a holy man, adding “you

you must not nnjustly kill him." Next morning the king presented himself before Ahtsz', confessed his crime, and his arm was immediately restored. He then did obeisance to the priest, and took him for his tutor and guide; and morning and evening, the king waited on the priest as his servant.

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