ing his own fervant to follow, he departed fo fuddenly, that Shuey-guwin was not fufficiently apprized to prevent him. Who having run after him to defire him to return, but without effect, remained behind very blank and confounded: infomuch that he was afhamed to return to his niece, but went home muttering to himself, “This young man hath very little of the gravity of a student. He is rough and headstrong, and and feems more like one of the fword.”

Shuey-ping-fin from the moment her uncle left her, forefaw what would be the refult of his officiousness; and imagining her guest might not be very well provided for his journey, ordered twenty

taels

*

taels of fine filver to be brought,

together with fome pickles and preferved fruit. Then giving them to an old servant named Shuey-yeong, the

*The Leang or Chinese Ounce, called by the Portuguese Tael, confifts of ten Mace or Mas, which the Chinese call Thien; [Lettres edifiant. xvi. 345.] fo that according to the Tranflator's valuation, vol. 1. pag. 14. a Taël of filver is about 6s. 8d. English. The fame valuation is also given in a curious Paper relating to the Japan Trade in Harris's Voyages and Travels, folio, ed. 1744. vol. 1. pag. 305.

The French Miffionaries have eftimated the Chinese fums by French Money; but this hath fuffered fuch great fluctuations in its value by different Arrets of Council, that the Taël hath occafionally been valued (1) at 4 livres 2 fols 2 deniers; (2) at 5 livres; and (3) 7 livres 10 fols. See (1) P. Le Compte, ii. 11, 78. Lettres edifiant. 1. 74. xvi. 381, &c. &c. (3) Ditto xxv. Pref. x.

i.

&c. &c.

It is hoped that this exactnefs will not be deemed impertinent, as the want of it hath betrayed fome of our Writers into mistakes and contradictions. See Engl. Trans. of P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 73. and compare Mod. Univ. Hift. viii. P. 34. with p. 158.

ordered him to wait without the gate of the city, and to wait for the young ftranger; and when he came by, to present her service to him, and defire him to accept of this fmall prefent for his use on the road. The fervant immediately went as directed, without making any one privy to his defign.

Tieb-chung-u having left the house of the young Lady returned to the Pagoda or convent†, and fent his fervant to inquire for their bedding and furniture. The Superior of the Bonzees hearing he was there, ran to the door to fee him and "Sir, pay him his compliments.

faid he, the day that you went from hence in fo abrupt a manner, and for

+"Called Chang-fhiou-u-rven." Tranflator's MS.

which I can affign no reason, you made me incur the Che-kien's anger, who reprimanded me very feverely. To-day I am very fortunate to meet with you. And if I fhould let you go again, that Mandarine would doubtlefs blame me." "As to what hath happened, replied the youth, I fhall take no notice of it: but ftill will you prate? I tell you plainly I will not today enter your convent; neither drink your Cha*. And as for the Che

of

bien,

* That is TEA. [See note vol. 1. pag. 209.] It may not be improper to give here a fhort account of this plant, which of late years is become fo confiderable an article in our diet and traffic.

There are many forts of TEA in China, but they may all be comprehended under two: viz. the Green, or Song-lo cha, fo called from a mountain of that name in the province of Kiang-nan where the beft fort of it is cultivated: and the Bobea, or, as it is pronounced by the Chinese, the Vu-i-cha, K 3 which

bien, I will never fee him more. Go. inftantly, and fetch hither my bedding and furniture, for I will not stay." "Your effects, faid the other, are already given to your fervant. But

though

which takes its name from the mountain Vû-ifhan in the province of Fo-kien. It is doubted whether thefe two kinds are effentially different, or originally the fame, only cultivated in a different manner: however it is agreed that their leaves are gathered at two different feasons in the year; the Bohea a month or five weeks earlier than the Green, while the plant is full of fap; whereas the other by being left fo much longer 'till its juices are dried up and infpiffated by the warmth of the fun, changes its colour to a fine green. Hence we may account for the difference of their qualities: the Green being rough and raking the ftomach: the Bobea more smooth, foft and healing; upon which account the latter is chiefly in request among the Chinese.

Tea is propagated commonly by fowing: which is performed in the fecond moon in the year; when having prepared their ground they throw nine or ten feeds into a hole, from which one, or two, or fometimes more fhrubs will fpring. Thefe at a proper feafon are tranfplanted in rows upon