STATE OF THE BUDHIST PRIESTHOOD.

443

has enjoyed the imperial patronage. It was erected to emblazon the glorious deeds of the goddess of mercy, who is said to have honoured this spot with her presence. On the island are two large, and sixty small temples, which are all built in the same style, and the idol of Kwanyin holds a prominent station among her competitors. We were told, that upon a spot not exceeding twelve square miles, (for this appears to be the extent of the island,) 2000 priests were living. No females are allowed to live on the island, nor are any laymen suffered to reside here, unless they be in the service of the priests. To maintain this numerous train of idlers, lands on the opposite island have been allotted for their use, which they farm out; but as this is still inadequate, they go upon begging expeditions not only into the surrounding provinces, but even as far as Siam. From its being a place of pilgrimage also the priests derive great profits. Many rich persons, and especially successful captains, repair thither to express their gratitude and spend their money in this delightful spot. For this reason the priests have large halls and keep a regular establishment, though they themselves live on a very sparing diet. We never saw them use any meat; few are decently dressed;

and the greater part are very ignorant, even respecting their own tenets. We saw many young fine-looking children, whom they had bought to initiate them early into the mysteries of Budhism. They complained bitterly of the utter decay of their establishment, and were anxious to obtain from us some gift. To every person who visits this island, it appears at first like a fairy land, so romantic is every thing which meets the eye. Those large inscriptions hewn in solid granite, the many temples which appear in every direction, the highly picturesque scenery itself, with its many-peaked, riven, and detached rocks, and above all a stately mausoleum, the largest which I have ever seen, containing the bones and ashes of thousands of priests, quite bewilder the imagination.

After having examined all the localities, we endeavoured to promulgate the doctrines of the gospel. Poo-to, being a rendezvous for a numerous fleet of boats, gave us great facility in sending books to all the adjacent places. Nor were the people very slow in examining us and our books. When their minds were satisfied upon the subject, they became excessively clamorous for christian books. At first I had brought my stores on shore, but finding that the

APPLICATION OF PRIESTS FOR BOOKS. 445

great crowds bore me down and robbed me of every leaf, I entered into a boat and sat down, while multitudes of boisterous applicants were on the shore. They now waded and even swam in order to get near me, and carried off in triumph the precious gift. Thousands and thousands of books have thus been scattered, not in this place only, but they have found their way into the provinces, for some persons took them purposely for importation. He who oversees and directs all, will send these harbingers of salvation with eagle-swiftness to all parts.

In order to satisfy my mind respecting founding a depository for Scriptures and tracts in one of the temples, I took my station in the great hall which leads into the large temple. At this time I had taken the precaution of guarding my back by the wall, that I might not be thrown down by the crowd. Within a few minutes the priests thronged around me. Though they were urgent, they behaved politely, and begged, almost with tears, that I would give them a few How joyfully did they retire with the

tracts.

books under their arms!

Thus we passed many days here, and the demand for the word of God, not indeed as such, but as being a new doctrine, increased daily more

}

and more.
We afterwards visited several other
islands belonging to the Chusan group, which
teemed with inhabitants. There are less ob-
stacles here to the promotion of the gospel than
in many islands in the Pacific. They are far
more populous, and their inhabitants are very
thriving people, noways deficient in natural
understanding. English vessels visited them
occasionally, during the last century, but they
have never been accurately known by any Euro-
pean navigator; therefore we took the trouble
to explore them as far as circumstances would
permit. The great Chusan has high towering
hills, and splendid fertile valleys, some of which
are alluvial ground. There are perhaps one
million of inhabitants. Besides other places on
its coast, we visited Sin-kea-mun, a fishing vil-
lage, with a harbour sheltered from all winds,
but the very seat of iniquity. The natives here
crowded on board; they wanted books, and in-
sisted upon having them; my great stock being
almost exhausted, they offered money and be-
sought me not to send them empty handed away.
On one occasion I had taken some on shore;
several sailors acted as my safe-guard, to prevent
my being overpowered by the crowd. We ran
for a long distance to escape their importunity,

DESCRIPTION OF SHIH-POO.

4.47

but finally they overtook us, and I was literally plundered. Those who gained their point, returned shouting, whilst the others left me with a saddened heart, and uttering reproaches that I had not duly provided for their wants. For days I have been solicited, but I could not satisfy the craving desire. I promised to return with a larger supply, and hope that God will permit me to re-enter this sphere.

After staying a considerable time on the coast of Seang-shan, on the main, we reached Shih-poo, in latitude 29° 2, on the 1st of April. I can scarcely do justice to this place, delightfully situated as it is at the bottom of a bason, having one of the best harbours in the world, entirely formed by the hand of God. Hitherto the weather had been very boisterous and cold, a thick mist filling the air. We had been weeks without seeing the sun; even in March, and in this latitude, we had storms. But now the spring was approaching, the wheat fields stood in the blade, and the blossoms of the peach-trees perfumed the air. To ramble at such a season surrounded by such scenery is true enjoyment, and draws the heart powerfully towards the Almighty God. The mandarins had now given up. the principle of disturbing us from mere