Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/100

 96 Ling-Nam.

sinks to the bottom, and unsuccessful efforts to recover it are made, do we realise how deep itis, An expert diver at last seeures it, and reveals the fact. that the water is from fifteen to twenty feet deep in that crystal basin.

Retracing our steps, we take the main path up the hill, and soon come to the great Buddhist monastery, Hing~ wan-tsz. It is one of the largest, finest, most richly- endowed and neatly-kept monasteries in the south of China, Passing through massive stone portals, we enter the reception-hall, where ebony furniture, mirrors, vases, sereens, and illuminated scrolls adorn the room, Shaven priests in long dark-blue robes, with courtly manners, receive us, and invite us to a collation of tea and sweet~ meats. Wearied with the fatigue of the steep ascent, we ask permission to prepare our luncheon, which is quickly given, and a small pavilion a few steps down the hill is placed at our disposal. No animal food is allowed within the temple walls—a rule, however, not always strictly observed. Under the escort of a monk we inspect the cloisters, which have accommodation for three hundred priests. The various halls to the Three Precious Ones, to the Eighteen Disciples, to the Goddess of Mercy, and others common to all Buddhist temples, are shown us, and also the shrines of the founder of the monastery and abbots in succession. In one of the courts is shown a eamellia tree over one hundred years old, covered with scores of most perfect flowers, pearly white, with a delicate seashell pink in the centre. Behind the monastery a shaded path leads up to the top of the mountain some two thousand feet high, from which a glorious view of the country is gained.