here we had
eighteen feet as we came up, we cannot find fourteen now,' are the
ominous words which Captain Osborn has just addressed to me as he
reached the deck from a surveying expedition.... It looks a little
serious, for I fear there is a worse place beyond.

[Sidenote: Peasantry.]

_December 14th.--Six P.M._--I went on shore this morning when there
was no prospect of moving.... We took a long walk, conversing with the
peasants who live in a row of cottages with their well-cultivated
lands in front and rear of their dwellings; the lands are generally
their own, and of not more than three or four acres in extent I should
think, but it is difficult to get accurate information from them on
such points. We found one rather superior sort of man, who said he was
a tenant, and that he paid four out of ten parts of the produce of his
farm to the landlord. They gave me the impression of being a well-to-
do peasantry. Afterwards I walked through the country town of Paho,
which is built of stone, and seemingly prosperous. The Rebels had
destroyed all the temples.

_December 15th.--Four P.M._--At about one we had passed the village of
Hwang-shih-kiang, and were entering that part of the river I described
as a fine site for a Highland deer forest, when the 'Lee' hoisted the
'negative' (the signal to stop). She had got on a rock, where, on our
way up, we had found no bottom at ten fathoms. I landed immediately,
and found the people engaged in quarrying and manufacturing lime from
the hills on the right bank. We had a pleasant walk; the day being
beautiful, and the scenery very fine. They sell their lime at about
17$. per ton (200 cash a picul), and buy the small coal which they
employ in their kilns at about 25$. (300 cash a picul). I wish I could
do as well at Broomhall!

[Sidenote: Hunting for a channel.]
[Sidenote: Literary degrees.]

_December 17th.--Ten A.M._--The gunboats are hunting for a channel....
I am going ashore. On this day last year I embarked on board this ship
for the first time. What an eventful time I have spent since then!
_Four P.M._--I have returned from my walk, but, alas! no good news to
greet me. Only eleven feet of water, where we found seventeen on the
way up.... Our walk was pleasant enough, though it rained part of the
time. Some of the gentlemen shot, for the w