Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 30 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

0030	Among the Celestials : vol.1

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io AMONG THE CELESTIALS. [CHAP. I.

inevitable roughness of travel, one appreciates

its many advantages. As a rule a private room

can be obtained, the necessaries of life are

easily procurable, and fodder for the animals

is always ready. These inns are generally

well-built houses, and are a real boon to the

native travellers and merchants. There is

usually one long room, with a low platform on

either side and a passage down the middle.

On these platforms, or kangs, which can be

warmed underneath, the guests reclining or

squatting at the low tables which are placed

on them eat their meals and chat volubly the

while. At night the travellers sleep in long

rows, cheek by jowl, along the platforms.

At 120 miles from Newchwang we reached

Mukden, the capital of Manchuria, and at one

time the seat of government of the present

reigning dynasty of China. Our reception

there was not pleasant, and as we rode through

the streets in search of an inn, we were followed

even into the house by a hooting, yelling crowd.

A Chinaman has no regard for privacy, and

these men showed considerable annoyance

because we would not let them into our private

room, and allow them to stare at us, examine

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