In an official despatch he describes it as 'a solitary rock of about 300 feet in height, picturesquely clothed with natural timber and ruined temples, around which are to be seen, at all hours of the day, groups of bonzes, in their grey and yellow robes, devoutly lounging, and conscientiously devoting themselves to the duty of doing absolutely nothing.'

Last of all, we were conducted to the garden, where the bonzes, at their death, are burnta particular mark of distinction, as all other people are interred.

There are more than a hundred bonzes who reside in the temple of Honan.

These are renewed every evening, and whatever the goddess may leave is the perquisite of the bonzes.

The bonzes, who numbered about a hundred, lived in luxury; and visitors were sure to be received by one of them from the moment of entry, and to be invited to take tea and cakes.

The bonzes made this fault known to them; and they began their seven days' fast anew, before returning to make their devotions.

As soon as night came, she was locked in the cell, and the bonzes insisted that a member of her family must pass the night before her door, so that none might entertain the least suspicion of an entry to her.

When the women were sound asleep, the bonzes came softly into the cell, and to such purpose that, when their victims were aroused, it was already almost too late.

Now the women were young and sound: the bonzes were strong and vigorous.

The Lord Wang attempted to stop him, but he broke loose, and soon the drums and bells were sounding to do honor to the magistrate, while the bonzes formed in two ranks and bowed as he passed along.

Then, concealing his true design, the Governor said: "I have learned of the great reputation of this Holy Retreat, and I intend to ask the Emperor to grant you a tablet of honor inscribed with the names and particulars of all the bonzes of the district.

He went out in perplexity and, after the usual formalities, again stepped into his palankeen, which was accompanied to the gate by all the bonzes.

The bonzes shut themselves into their own apartments.

It must be said that all bonzes have no mean talent in the matter of cloud and rain; and this one was full of vigorous manhood.

The first bonzes who heard his shout made haste to arrange their garments and receive the visitor.

But the Governor dryly ordered him to summon all the bonzes, and to show him the Convent register.

Somewhat alarmed, the Superior ordered bells and drums to be sounded, and the bonzes, snatched from their sleep, ran up in groups.

"Indeed these bonzes are very conscientious!" Lord Wang pointed out the guilty ones, and caused them to be put in chains, asking: "Whence come these marks of red and black upon you?"

" Since they had agreed to the mission, the two women rendered a plain account of the events of that night, showing the pills which the bonzes had given them, and also their boxes of vermilion and black.

He ordered all the bonzes to kneel, and said: "These unhappy ones whom you have convicted are without excuse.

But the two harlots again affirmed that they at least had received them during the visit of the bonzes.

The bonzes had some thought of resisting; but they had no weapons and were outnumbered.

The warders consulted with each other, and finally, when night came, led the Superior and three of his bonzes back to the monastery.

Thus heavily laden, warders and bonzes alike returned to the prison, and held a feast.

The troops of police were numerous and well armed, and the bonzes were quickly overcome.