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CHAPTER XIII.
YÜN-NAN FU TO TALI FU.
I passed out of the north gate of Yün-nan Fu on January 29th, and after travelling for an hour or two over the plain, crossed the encircling range of mountains by the Pichi Kuan or Jade Fowl pass, west of the city. The road then took us over undulating country, partially cultivaled, to An-ning Chou, where I spent the night, and on the next day through heath-like country of a hilly nature to Lao-ya-kuan.
I suppose the road, which, be it remembered, is the main line of communication across the province from the capital to the frontier of the empire, is the most execrable example of a highway which it is possible for the mind of man, with its necessary limitations, to con-
