many points of similarity, differences nevertheless exist in the number of their courts, and in the details of the various kinds of edifices. Thus the magisterial yamen has usually four courts; the first three, with the apartments attached to them, comprising the various offices required for administrative pur- poses; while the fourth, with its buildings, is sacred to the mandarin and his family. But it is impossible to treat, at the conclusion of a chapter, of a subject which would worthily fill a volume; nor can I do more than bestow this passing glance at the Valley of Tombs, which marks the resting-place of the last Chinese dynasty.
In conclusion, I venture to hope that — so far as my years of travel *and personal observation suffice — I have given the reader some insight into the condition of the inhabitants of the vast Chinese Empire. The picture at best is a sad one; and although a ray of sunshine may brighten it here and there, yet, after all, the darkness that broods over the land becomes but the more palpable under this straggling, fitful light. Poverty and ignorance we have among us in England ; but no poverty so wretched, no ignorance so intense as are found among the mil- lions of China.
