Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/134

 130 Ling-Nam.

winding staircase, with idols on every side, to the main cavern, which is devoted to the deity whose name it bears, Standing on the baleony of the temple built at the opening of this cavern a hundred feet above the water, we look down at the stream below, and out over the country around. The place was dedicated to Kwan- yin, and proclaimed a sacred spot by the Emperor Shun- chi, who sent. deputies with presents of a banner and other paraphernalia, and performed worship by proxy at the shrine. A large gilt image stands upon the main altar, dressed in embroidered robes, the gift of devotees. Tt has acquired the reputation of being a lucky shrine, and has received an enormous amount of worship in the past. Imperial patronage has fallen off, so that in these later times it is comparatively deserted. Its principal supporters are the merchants, who in transporting their goods seek the protection of this henign goddess, The natural beauty of the cave has been marred by the smoke and débris of incense and tapers, so that except in the remote chambers, difficult to reach, but few of its original attractions appear.

About thirty miles further up the river is another remarkable cliff of similar formation, called ‘Tan-tsz-ki, “Cannon-ball Barrier.” ‘The rocky wall rises in a sheer precipice eight hundred feet. The face of this great wall is filled with smal! caverns, in which yreat numbers of birds have built their nests, Bright little birds of fair plumage, and stately ospreys, and great eagles, seek homes in its inaccessible sides. As we passed it in the fading light of evening, when the purple tints that come with the setting sun were covering all the hills around,