a very circuitous route. Every few hundred yards, a mountain stream pours out from the rock to refresh the weary traveller in his ascent.
The climate is generally warm. Yet nothing compared with what one might expect from the accounts given. As yet the thermometer has averaged about 82° during the fortnight I have been here. In a week or two the weather will be about like an English spring, and keep about the same till April. The scenery around contains a fair proportion of foliage, which remains all the year. The college is supposed to stand on the healthiest spot in the island. The library is considered one of the coolest rooms to be met with, and here it is I am now writing. This month is a rainy month generally. It never rains but it pours. The rain descends in sheets, but it is soon over and in ten minutes the weather is generally as fine as ever, and everything dry. Sickness is remarkably little this year. The cemeteries in “Happy Valley” however testify as to the former mortality that prevailed. Yet above two-thirds of this is owing to drink. One perspires so much that an unnatural thirst is excited, especially with new arrivals. I was in a shocking state the first week. The quantity of water I drank was enormous, although I checked myself as much as possible. Now however I have got over it, and drink no more than I should at home. I can consequently quite understand how so many are carried off. It requires a power of mind of no ordinary degree, in a person who drinks moderately in England, to restrain himself here. Thanks however to the Tea-totaller's system, and to Anna, I am beyond the reach of that danger.
The temperature of the island seems entirely to depend upon the wind. When there is no breeze the air gets close, and one feels a lassitude, and weariness; but when there is only a little breath of air in motion it is all right and comfortable. The soil, although generally of no great depth, is remarkably fertile. In Happy Valley are several fine market gardens, taken care of by the Chinese. They are admirable gardeners. Everything is done by them with the greatest regularity; and they are warm advocates of father's system of manuring the ground. This plan is extensively, and in fact almost entirely, used throughout China. I hope to get the college ground in order, and do a little gardening on my own account.
There is at present a good supply of fine horses, which can be got cheap, on account of the war up the country. They are almost entirely used for riding. The Chinese answer every purpose of beasts of burden.
[49
a very circuitous route. Every few hundred yards, a mountain stream pours out from the rock to refresh the weary traveller in his ascent.
The climate is generally warm. Yet nothing compared with what one might expect from the accounts given. As yet the thermometer has averaged about 82° during the fortnight I have been here. In a week or two the weather will be about like an English spring, and keep about the same till April. The scenery around contains a fair proportion of foliage, which remains all the year. The college is supposed to stand on the healthiest spot in the island. The library is considered one of the coolest rooms to be met with, and here it is I am now writing. This month is a rainy month generally. It never rains but it pours. The rain descends in sheets, but it is soon over and in ten minutes the weather is generally as fine as ever, and everything dry. Sickness is remarkably little this year. The cemeteries in “Happy Valley" however testify as to the former mortality that prevailed. Yet above two-thirds of this is owing to drink. One perspires so much that an unnatural thirst is excited, especially with new arrivals. I was in a shocking state the first week. The quantity of water I drank was enormous, although I checked myself as much as possible. Now however I have got over it, and drink no more than I should at home. I can consequently quite understand how so many are carried off. It requires a power of mind of no ordinary degree, in a person who drinks moderately in England, to restrain himself here. Thanks however to the Tea-totaller's [sic] system, and to Anna," I am beyond the reach of that danger.
The temperature of the island seems entirely to depend upon the wind. When there is no breeze the air gets close, and one feels a lassitade, and weariness; but when there is only a little breath of air in motion it is all right and comfortable. The soil, although generally of no great depth, is remarkably fertile. In Happy Valley are several fine market gardens, taken care of by the Chinese. They are admirable gardeners. Everything is done by them with the greatest regularity; and they are warm advocates of father's system of manuring the ground. This plan is extensively, and in fact almost entirely, used throughout China. I hope to get the college ground in order. and do a little gardening on my own account.
There is at present a good supply of fine horses, which can be got cheap, on account of the war up the country. They are almost entirely used for riding. The Chinese answer every purpose of beasts of burden.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.