might deluge the vicinity of Hankow. Well, first of all, it rose slowly until it had submerged its banks ; thence it made excur- sions along the outlying streets ; crept up like a silent foe till it had breasted the fortifications ; and finally made the captured settlement over to a sort of watery sack. The inhabitants retreated to their garret fastnesses, while pigs, poultry, and even cattle were sheltered in boats, or found refuge in the bedrooms on the upper floors. At any rate it was a convenience to "Paterfamilias" to have his milk-cow next door to his nur- sery, and chanticleer perched upon a friendly bedpost to screech the approach of day. But when the novelty of these domestic arrangements had worn off, and when the richly-papered walls began to weep through a lacework of fungus, and the limbs of the polished furniture to show symptoms of dissolution; when silken hangings grew mildewed and pale, and the boundary walls tottered and sunk with a dull splash into the red stream, the insecurity of the position pressed heavily upon the despondent inhabitants. The halls and staircases became docks and landing- stages where visitors might disembark, and a dining or drawing- room made a much better plunge-bath than one could have imagined. Bachelors, too, while they indulged in a morning swim, could call at the bank to enquire the rate of exchange, or dive to their breakfast beneath the doorway of some hospit- able friend. At length the water reached its height; and then to the relief of all began slowly to recede. It is apprehended that but for a back wall (erected originally by the Chinese Government at a cost of ;^8o,ooo, as a protection against organ- ised raids from the banditti of the plain) which acted as a breakwater, the entire settlement might have been swept into the Yangtsze by the strong reflux currents from the Han. The business at Hankow has never come near the anticipations
