The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-08-13

coming wave. There was no rest for US:
the noise, loud talking, shrieking, and
passage to and fro through our boat, were
things past description: and when the
famous tidal-wave did come, the sailors
greeted it with shouts, as well they might,
for it was a grand sight,-the grandest
ever saw! 1t was a lovely, bright, moon
light night, and the water sparkled like
diamonds. When the wave had passed,
we made our second start. This was
about A. NJ, and we made rapid run
of two hundred Il the following day, not
stopping, till 10 P. NJ. The crew took
advantage of the favorable wind and full
sails, to make up for the previous nights
loss of rest and they lay in front Of the
boat, basking in the sun, fast asleep, like
so many "darkies" in the heat Of summer
What magnificent scenery we passed
through! You would have enjoyed in
tensely, sight of it. This day was full
of hard work for the men No wind, al
though they uttered many a shrill shrek,
calling upon it to come But it needed
not their call, and they had to get out
and pull, standing in water up to their
waist. We disembarked and took good
long walk on high table-land, where
there were fine crops Of wheat, some al
ready harvested-rice, and am sorry to
say poppies We gathered delicious rasp-
berries: the air was fragrant with honey
suckle and wild roses, and filled with the
sweet music of birds. Who says that the
flowers in China, have no odor-the birds,
no song-the fruits no taste?
The second night we stopped at little
village having a boat alongside that had
left Hangchow with us. The passengers
in it came to buy books as soon as we cast
anchor. Mr.. Stuart saw one Of the pur-
chasers with the Evidences Of Christianity,
which he had bought to read on the way.
He bought several of the books Of the
New Testament Our trip, you know, is
evangehstic, as we'll as for the benefit Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Stuart's health. They were
both suffering with chills, and their chill
dren also suffering from malaria. So it
was considered best to 60 somewhere
and this trip was suggested am quite
well, and don't need the journey; but
came, in order to keep well. The Stuarts
already feel the benefit of the travel, /
am happy to say.
We have had a charming time-such
delightful weather, and how we have en-
Iioyed it. We are going to Gyn-Chow
where Mr. Stuart and Mr.. Helm used to
live. You will have some idea of the
rapidity of the current, when I tell you,
that in going from Hangchow to Gym
Chow, we rise from 800 to 1000 feet
above sea-level. The river at Hangchow
is several miles wide; but after two day s
travel, it flows in a deeper and much mar
rover channel, and with very rapid
current. The grandeur of the scenery
far surpasses that along the Hudson, be-
tween New York city and Albany. After
passing the Narrows, the river again
widens, and is often quite shallow, and
rises several feet at each rapid. At these
rapids. the men take long poles, with a
solid piece of wood at the top, like a
crutch, and an iron spike at the other end
They each have one: they stand in the
front of the boat, put the pole in the wa
ter, the other end on their shoulders, and
push till they lie fat on the deck, each
uttering at the same time, fearful yell
like "a wild Indian. The boat is open
from stem to stern. 1t is true there are
loors; but they are hung on the mating
that takes the place of roof One cold,
windy night, Mrs Stuart on account Of
her baby, limited that the door might be
shut. But such an unreasonable request
had not been made for years, and there
was so much difficulty about getting the
door down, that the attempt was aban-
doned, and the wind had its way
HANGcHow, June Cd.
We have Just returned from our de-
Hghtful excursion, and 1 find your letter
awaiting me. Many thanks for it, SC
NICE long, kind, and interesting, it is
| expected to see Mrs. Lanes letter in
the Central Presbyterian you sent, q dc
not see the Central regularly but failed
to do so;-found instead my oeOa ! X x
And now, with love aud thanks,
Most afeetionately yours,
HELEN KIRKLAND.