THE

MYSTIC FLOWERY LAND.

UNIV OF

Being a True Account of an
Englishman's Travels and Adventures in China

BY

CHARLES J. H. HALCOMBE.
LATE OF IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS, CHINA.
AUTHOR OF "CALLED OUT," "TALES OF FAR CATHAY,"
"THE LOVE OF A FORMER LIFE,"

ETC., ETC.

WITH NOTES BY THE AUTHOR.

AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED.

LONDON:

LUZAC & Co.

PUBLISHERS TO THE INDIA OFFICE.
1899.

UNIV OF

To

MY NUMEROUS EUROPEAN AND CHINESE FRIENDS

IN

THE IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS SERVICE

AND ABOARD

THE COASTING STEAMERS IN CHINA

THIS WORK IS

MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

IN REMEMBRANCE

OF MANY BYGONE HAPPY DAYS SPENT IN THEIR COMPANY.

"Friendship, mysterious cement of the soul,
Sweetener of life, and solder of society,

I owe thee much: thou hast deserved of me
Far, far beyond what I can ever pay."

755657

TO VINU AIMBOTLIAD