March 16th.—­We are at anchor off Chinhae at the mouth of the river which leads to Ningpo.  We have just returned from a walk on shore.  We passed through a small walled town, and climbed up a hill to a temple on the summit, from which we had a magnificent prospect.  On the east and north, the sea studded with the islands of the Chusan group; on the west, a rich plain, through which the river meanders on its way from Ningpo; on the north, a succession of mountain ranges.  We were accompanied by some curious but good-natured Chinamen, who seemed anxious to give us information.  A very dirty lad, without a tail, proved to be the priest.  After looking about us for some time, we entered the building; which contained a sort of central shrine, in which were some gilt figures of large size, besides rows of smaller gilt figures round the walls.  I observed a number of slips of paper with Chinese characters upon them; and being told that they were used for divination purposes, I asked how it was done:  upon which one of the Chinamen took from before the shrine a thing like a match-holder, full of bits of stick like matches, and kneeling down on a hassock, began to shake this case till one of the bits of stick fell out.  He picked it up, and finding a single notch upon it, selected from the slips of paper which I had noticed the one which had a corresponding mark.  We carried it away, and I intend to get Mr. Wade to translate it that I may send it to you.  The other Chinamen present seemed very much amused at what was going on.  They do not appear to have a particle of reverence for their religion, and yet they spend a good deal of money on their temples.

Wade’s teacher (so the Chinaman who aids him in the work of interpretation is styled) has told him that the lot which fell to me at the Buddhist temple is the No. 1 lot, the most fortunate of all.  Their system of divination is rather complicated, but, as I understand it, it appears to be that Noah, or some one who lived about his time, discovered eight symbols on the back of a tortoise.  These, multiplied into themselves, make sixty-four, which constituted the Book of Fate.  It appears that my lot is the first of the eight, and therefore the best that can be got!

[Sidenote:  Ningpo.]

Ningpo.—­March 18th.—­We arrived here yesterday, and I have been walking both days about the town with Mr. Meadows, the author, who is vice-consul here.  I am disappointed with the city, of which I had heard a great deal.  But the people are even more amiable than at any other place I have visited.  Oliphant has rejoined us in high spirits, after his visit to Soochow.  I cross-examined a Church of England clergyman about his converts.  When pressed, he could only name one who seemed to be conscious of the want which we believe to be supplied by the Atonement.  About 100, however, including children, attend churches in Ningpo, of whom thirty have been baptized.