CHAPTER XLII.

_THE MIDDLE AMUR._

Departure from Blagovestchensk.--The Zeya.--Climate.--A bath under difficulties.--Occupation of time.--Russian tea-drinking.--The Bureya river and mountains.--Delightful scenery.--Ekaterino-Nicolsk.--Distribution of books and Scriptures.--Reception and recognition of passengers.--Prairie scenery.--Shooting a dog.--The Sungari.--Chinese exclusiveness.--Course of the river.--The Amur province.--An excise officer.--Remarks on alcohol.--Teetotalism in Russia 531