133
ACCOUNT OF THREE DAYS EXCURSION ON THE
MAINLAND OF CHINA.*
*I
Having for some time desired to take a trip on the mainland, and having been invited to the German Mission stations at Li-long, and Ho-how, I had waited several months for an opportunity. Mr Lechler, a German missionary had arranged an excursion, and kindly came and invited me to be one of the party. So I went to headquarters, and got leave. Unfortunately, the time was immediately before the New Year's Examination, and at the utmost I could not be back till the day before: and as the Governor's prizes of two watches and two telescopes were to be distributed at the Examination, and it was to be a very grand affair, it was rather an awkward time to go away. However, I knew that I might not get another chance, so I determined to go at any sacrifice. The party was to consist of five, viz. the Colonial Chaplain, the Rev T Stringer, the missionary; the Rev R Lechler; Capt Drummond of the 99th, and myself.
I made little or no preparation for the journey till the morning we were going to start. Then I hired a man to act as servant, cook, and coolie and [to] carry my luggage: and got a Chinese travelling basket, which held all my bedding, clothes, and all that was necessary for the journey. Then at half past ten on Wednesday morning, January 28th, I began the journey, equipped in my oldest clothes, and a white umbrella. Our place of Rendezvous was on the Bonham Strand. After waiting at the place appointed, for several minutes, the party slowly arrived one by one, and when we had mustered all hands, we proceeded to the Chinese passage boats. I had some fun among the Chinamen on the wharf by buying about twenty oranges. A whole crowd gathered round, and as I spoke Chinese to them, it was fine fun. The fellow tried to cheat me right and left: so I said to him and those round: "he sees I am a foreigner, and so he wants to get the advantage over me," then I took up his ticket from the basket, and read "All these oranges 6 cash each (without the peel)." So I said "now you all see his ticketed price" and yet he wants me to pay more than double, because he thinks I cannot read Chinese. "Now what shall I do to him?" The poor fellow looked very sheepish, and the crowd began to jeer him, so he said I might have as many as I liked for 5 cash each. So I bought a stock for the
1
133
ACCOUNT OF THREE DAYS EXCURSION ON THE
MAINLAND OF CHINA.*
*I
Having for some time desired to take a trip on the mainland, and having been invited to the German Mission stations at Li-long, and Ho-how, I had waited several months for an opportunity. Mr Lechler, a German missionary had arranged an excursion, and kindly came and invited me to be one of the party. So I went to head quarters, and got leave Unfortunately the time was immediately before the New Years Examination, and at the utmost I could not be back till the day before: and as the Governors prizes of two watches and two telescopes were to be distributed at the Examination, and it was to be a very grand affair, it was rather an awkward time to go away. However I knew that I might not get another chance, so I determined to go at any sacrifice. The party was to consist of five, viz the Colonial Chaplain', the Rev T Stringer', the missionary; the Rev R Lechler; Captn Drummonds of the 99th, and myself.
I made little or no preparation for the journey till the morning we were going to start, Then I hired a man to act as servant, cook and cooly and [to] carry my luggage: and got a Chinese travelling basket, which held all my bedding, clothes, and all that was necessary for the journey. Then at half past ten on Wednesday morning January 28th I began the journey, equipped in my oldest clothes, and a white umbrella Our place of Rendezvous was on the Bonham Strand. After waiting at the place appointed, for several minutes, the party slowly arrived one by one, and when we had mustered all hands, we proceeded to the Chinese passage boats. I had some fun among the Chinamen on the wharf by buying about twenty oranges. A whole crowd gathered round, and as I spoke Chinese to them, it was fine fun. The fellow tried to cheat me right and left: so I said to him and those round: he sees I am a foreigner, and so he wants to get the advantage over me, then I took up his ticket from the basket, and read "All these oranges 6 cash each (without the peel).” So I said "now you all see his ticketed price" and yet he wants me to pay more than double, because he thinks I cannot read Chinese. Now what shall I do to him" The poor fellow looked very sheepish, and the crowd began to jeer him, so he said I might have as many as I liked for 5 cash each. So I bought a stock for the
1
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