mmmrnmm • •. • ■ 'i • • •• •. a • -J. • • • • • . •; 'uš. Mf '.--itk- : / Vltf •• »t»:' • äU'. W » « rf— r.. e- - r- . 1-- . < 1 '' .z AN HISTORICAL, geographical, AK» rHILOSOPHlCAL, OF the CHINESE EMPIRE; COMfREHEKDlNO A DESCRIPTION OF THK FIFTEEK PROVFKCES OF CHINA, CHINESE TAK.TARY, TRlDUTAaY STATES; NATURAL HISTORY OF CHINA; GOVERNMENT, RELIGION, LAWS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LITERATURE, ARTS, SCIENCES, MANUFACTURES, &C. BY W. WINTERBOTHA „„ , K. i^ vc i: VL To whicK i. aJdcJ, ^HIBIiiOTHKK A COPIOUS ACCOUNT V >" '''" „ LORD MACARTNEY'S EMBASSY, COMPILES FROM ORIGINAL COMMUNIC^tioi^S. LONDON: PRINTED ?0E, AND SOLD EY THB EDITQR; J. RIDCWAY, TORK-STEEET; ANO W. BUTTON, PATSEKOSTSR-ROW. Mm^i rn?-»» -•a ADVERTISEMENT. From the expenfivc preparations made foi the late Embafly to China^ the Britifh nation was certainly led to expetfl that a commercial inter-courfe would have been opened between the two nations, which might have proved of the utmoft importance to both. Thefe hopes have, however, been fruftrated and difappointed for the prefent, but the Embaffy has given rife to a laudable fpirit of inquiry with retpi-<5l to the Chi-nefe empire, which we have no doubt will ultimately prove advantageous to Britiih commerce. To aid the inquirer in his purfuit, and to furnifli the public at large with the means of obtaining a general knowledge of China, as well as to gratify their curiolity with rcfpcčl: to the Embaify it-fclf, tills volume was compiled. The propriety of blending thefe two objet^ls will be readily admitted, when it is confidered, that whatever may have been the abilities of the perfons who attended the cmbafTv, or liowever copious the accounts given of it by them, it was impoffiblc for them to obtain any proper idea, or furnifh any information of the Chinefe empire, in general, from their own obferv^^ition. This, their fituation abfolutely precluded, having, to life the language of Mr. Andeifon in his account of that EmbafTy, « entered it like paupers, le-mained in it like prilbners, and quitted it like vagrants," The EJitor has only to add, that in fompIHrg. this work:, he has invefligatcd different accounts with iinpartiality, ilripped the accounts of vi-fionary miJTionaries of their abfurditics ; and by colle/^ing fa^ts refpedllng the natural liiftory, population, government, laws, cufloms, religion, iitrraturc, fcicnces, manufactures, &c. of the Chi-iiefe empire, he hopes he has cua-bled the reader to form a ])retty correfk opinion of a nation, in inany inflanccs the mod aftonifhing of any recorded in llie page of hiftory. With refpeft to the ac^rount of the Embafly, he has only to fay, the materials from wliich it was compiled, were furnifhed to the publiflier by one who formed a part of the fnite attendant on the Eml)alfy, and has every proof th^t tjie author was an attentive obferver. The map is laid down from the Jefuits maps, made from, ačlual fnrveys, and inchides the whole of China, Chinefe Tartary, and the tributary kingdoms. CONTENTS. •I.—CENEÜAL HISTORY OP CHINA, O ESC(lRITY of tlic Climrie origin—CliSiwfi: fabulous account of ctidr firft monarch^, lie. i—;.—Different dynaftics of tlie Cliinclc cmpcrori aiiJl perioda of their rci^ii, 5—Kcign of Shi-lioang-ti, and the liuiUing of th, jmit wall, &__Accoun:of tlie KiUn Tartart, 7.—Wars iKUvren the Kiuii and Ciiinefc, li.'J—Oeltrudlion of the Kitan Taitars, to.—fcHa^j'liliiiticnt «f tiic Kin, ji/J.—Wars of ihe Chlncfe with llic tin, iil'i.—Invafum o tiiina by the NJogijls üoiier jcrghli Khnn, li—tnipire of the Kin de« ftruycJ, ig__Mogul Taitnvs aftcnd the thiune of China, ifi—Oriven fiom it again l>v Cliu, tS—Tartars a^iiii oliLain poftlTion of th; throne ut China, 30__Grief account of tiic Chiiitrc hiftory Cu the prcfciit ciiiu, iiii II.—GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHIKESK EMPIBE. Crigin of its name, 35__Extent, bonndarics, nnj divilion?," —Province of Ptthcli, 37.—City of Pe-kin, 37—Dcfcription of the tity, its trade, Its, 3S__Othfr capital eitles in tfiis province, 43,—General obfe; vations on thf province of Ptclieli, 46,—Vrowoce of Kiangnao, j;.—Its frinrip J town«^ —Account of the iiland uf Ifongmiii^, 64—I'lmiicc of Khnsfi, 64.-—Its principal fown57-—eharaaer of tho' Tunquiucfc, 363.—Tonquineß vifits and entertainments, 165.—Their jjliyficims, i67,-»-Thcir religion, l68__Account of fome independent mountaineers in Tonkin^, 173.—-Agricultureof the Tom'ujhefc, 174,—WilJ and tam« animals of Tonking, ijd.—Cochin Ciiina, 177__Trade of Ciithin Cliina, jSl—Kingdom of Thibet, iSi.—Lama Princes, 184, and rSi^__Sin„'iilar cuitom of female jinlygamy, 187.—Charafler of the phy-« fiüans and ])rierts of Thibet, 190.—Country of Hahjt, igiv—Ifies of I,ico:i-li.ic'—-Vilbinnus mnduif of the Bonzes illuilrated, 346.—Tiiei* penances, 347.—Other Cliiiwfi; fuperiUcionf, J51,—Jews cftablilhed in China, 358,—'Their worlhip hooksj &c, iiitt—MahonHtum, 361,—Me-ihod of inercafing thsir number, Tin.—MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE CHINESE; Marriages, 364,—Slavery, 3C8.—Liberty of women, 371.—EJucatiim of children, 373,—DrelTes of both fejies, 376.—Buildings and furniture, jSov —Public .ind private rejoitings, 3S1.—Private iBverfions, enlertainmrntit and ceremonies, 3S6.—FuiieriJ righti and ccrtmoniet, 395.—Principie« iiiid mannen of buyiu£ and feliing, 397.—Singular inftancci of dcxtcrüi» frauds, 39Ü. 3X.—LITERATURE, ARTS, ANO SCIENCES OF THE CHINESE-. lan^aue, 40t.—Poetry, 403—Drama, 404.—Works of erudition, 405,— College of the Harlin, 406,—Ailrononiy, 407^P.ipeT, ink, printing, f-c, 412.—Silks, jjUfj, anj porcelain, 416.—Mediciiw, 431.—Muße,. i!i.—Suite iliiVrr.taiKi, 13.— Aiiival nt Mtt'ow, ibiii.—Dcfcrip'ioii "f I'.iP iowii, ih'il__Intii'ifnt;il ocmrrcncrs, 14.—Remarks. ijn Chincfe owkery and food, /b/t^.—Mr. AnJcrfoi/s defcri^«ioft of Chincfe jurki, 16.—Culloms of vclTcls navijatiiij Cl.incfe rivers, 17.—S^il from W«tow, tS.—Iiicidcnwl occorr-nccs and dcrcriinkm of the voyngc, I'ii'A— I'liifoKu; Sri;, nf [lie Cl.irttro foUlicrs, i^.—Ariivnl of ihc cmbiiry at Tyeii-finjf, ii—^Dcfcriprion nf tile city, &c./i/J—EntertaiiimchC uf the cmliaffy htre, 13 —M.inncr of towing Chincfe junks, 14.—Fartiitr rcmnrics on Chi-nefc r^ovifioiis, i?—Arriv.il of thj cmbafly at Tongtchcw, 17.— Dcfcription of trie (alacc :iliöt£ö! for the cinbalTy, —Chiocfc wnrfhip, 19.—Dtfcrrpi ioni of the city niiJ inciJcnta: circnmftsnccs, 30.—Death of Mr. Ejdes, 31.— Funeral of Mr. Eatics, 32.—Chincft graves, 33.—Departure from Tong-tdic^i', /Vflii—Arrival at Kiang-fuii, 34—Ridiculous appearance of theem-b^fly,' itiJ.— Anivil xt P-:.kiny 35.—Obfcrvattons on the city 4f Pc-ki* aii^l manners of the pensile, {6/fl,-—Arrival at the palace of Vci]men-manyct4-Bifii, 37.—Deü-ription of the palace. itiU.—Tieaitiicm of thecmbany and incidaital occnrreiicci at iliis place, 38.—Oepartuie for Pc-kin, 46__Ar- lival at Pc-kiii, ii>rii.—IJcfcriptinn of the new rcfidence of ihecmliafry, 41. Ordcta for the ümlxtiäiuiDr tn proceed to Jehol, 43.—New arrangement of the tmhaffy, ihid.—Gri.tcfinie appearanqeof the altendänts, 44.—Diftrefs of the enibaffy for a piiliiliiiin, iM.—I>.'parture for Jehol, 45.—Dcfcripilon of thi journey, /W.—Arrival at the jreal wait, 4S.—Singular inllancc of Tartar hulli^nJry, ;o.—Arrivnl at Jehol, 53.—Deftription of the irefidencc of the cmb-.Ny, jiiW.—S'mgutar ciVciimftatrccs refpeiti'ng the treatment of the em-fcaflTy, 54.—Dcfcripuon of the picfenti brought from Pe-kin, 55—Interview of the Ambaflador with the Emperor, 56.—Some account of Jehol, ^7.—Amhiffador's fccnnJ vifit to the Emperor, 58,—Ceremonies on the tm- jieror's hirih-day, __Dcfcriplioii "f fhe Emperor, Hid.—AinballadDr'j Jri- diente of leave prior to the Court"? return to Pe-kin, 60—Rcfu't and deter-uiinatinn of the Chinefe Eiiipcrur, Mb/.—SinjjMlar piefcnl of the Emperor ti> tlic King of Gre.it Biit.iin, 61__Orders iflued hy Lord Macartnty relative to (he conJuftof his attendants in China, 6$.—Iiiftances of an undue eitr-tiit ut power, 69,—Dcpirturt from Jeliol for Pe-kiii, 70.—Circiimftanwi goNTEtJTS. pf the journc/t 71,—preparation'! for a lung refidra« in Fc-tin, 711.—Arrival of tbe Emperor, 73.—Dqarture of Captain M.ickintofh for Canton, iW—Incidental circumftanccs, 74.—Order for the enibad'y 7C.— Coiifuiim of the emkiffy, MjJ.—Sini;u!ar tondnfl of ihc Graiid ChouSan, 78.—Drjiartiire of the tinbiny frorii Pe-ltiiij 79-—Arrival at Tongtchcw, iW.—Departure from Toiigtfhtw, /Wi—Kind condufl of the condüftinf mandarin, 81__Defcriptioti uf the Ch'mele p ih'J,—Dcfcription of the country, Si.—Arrive jt Niccj'oumce;ivjng, 86.—Dcfcription of the mandarin's palace, iic, i/'/J.—Artivc at a town of fingul.ir ajipcarancc, S8,—• Arrive at ^nar,stehew, 90.—Culund Bcnfon and others leave the embalTy to proceed to Chuf.m, —Mcthiid of filhirg in Chin») 98.—-Embiafry difcin^ bark, 101. -Curiom dcfcri^irlon of the embulTv on horfeback, loj.—Ein-^ally ngaiii embarks, 1C4.—Singular pagodn. Hid.—Singula- mountain, 106. _Difcription of an alh.nifliiiig illuiuination, —Curi .us mouiicain of ICoanfMigiiaum, 107.—Arrive at Clinton, no.—Some account of Canton, jiiJ,—Trea-mert of the amhaf^UJor, H'iJ.—AinbofTHdor proceedito Whim-poa, 11 i<—Ch'.raftcr of the coniiucUn^ m^ndann, —He takes leave. Hid.—Lord M.-ic.ii tiity lands at Macao, iiid.—Dcfcription of Macao, itiiJ, .—The interpiTter leaves ihe emLalTy, UJ—Lo.il Macartney r,nd reiinut embark for Europe, i/iiJ.— Run foul of tlw grand fleet in PnrlU id Road;, iiid.—Defcription of the country thrnujh whi.;h Colonel Benton palTed it^ ^is roe;e t* Chufan,/W.—Siiigulnr machint ufeil in nav^ation^ 114, DIRECTIONS TO THE" BINDER. Map to face page . , , , . ^ x Standard and warlike inltrumentj to face . , , 27«, The (Jate of drefles, and the plate of ornaments on the di tffeg, to facc , , . . . . • 37Ä Emperor Li hU carriage of ceremony, to face . 386 Obfervatnry at Pekin, to fece .... 409 Tnfirumenti of ^ufic, pkte one and two, l;p face , 416 GENERAL HISTORY OF CHINA. Xhk origi!) of alt nations is involved in obfcurlty and f.ible; but that of the Chintfe perhaps much more fo than any other. Every nation is inclined toaffume too high an antiquity to itfelf, but the Chinefe carry theirs beyond all bounds. Indeed, though no people on earth are more ex-nil in keeping records of every memorable tranfailion, yet iuch is the genius of the Chinefc for fupcrftition and fable, that the firfl: part of their hiftory is defer vedly contemned by every rational perfoji. What contributes more to this uncertainty of the Chinefe hiftory is, that neither we, nor they themfclves, have any thing but fragments of their ancient biftorical books for about two hundred and thirteen years before the Chtiftian a?ra, the reigning emperor Si-hoang-ti cauf.-d all the books in the empire to be burned, except thofc written by lnwyers and phyficians. Nay, the more effedually to deftroy the memory of every thing contained 'n them, he commanded a great number of learned men to be buried alive, left, from their memories, they fliould com-niit to writing fomething ofi,he true memoirs of the empire. The inaccurncy of the Chinefe annals is complained of even by their moft rcfpefted author Confucius himfdf; V'ho alio affirms, that before his time many of the oldeft materials for v/riring fuch annals had been deftroyed. B According to the Chiiicfc hiftorics, the firft monarch of the whole univcrfe (that is, of China), was callcd PuoN'-KU, or PuEt^-cu. This, according to fume, was thefirft mail i but according to Bayer and Menzclius, two of the grcattft critics in Chinefe literature that have hitherto ap-psareJ, the word fignifics the higheß antiquity. Puon-ku was fucceedcd by'I'iene-hoang, which fignifics the empc~ rorofheavtn- They call him alfo the intelligent heaven, the fupreme king of the middle heaven, l^c. According to lome of their hiftorians, he was the ijiventor of letters, and of the Cyclic characters by which they determine the place of tlie year, Tiene-hoang was fucceedtd by Ti- hoang, the emperor of the earth, who divided the day and night, appointing thirty days to make one moon, and fixed the winter folftice to the eleventh moon. Ti-hoang was fucceedcd by Gine-hoang,/wiT^/^B offnen, who with his Jiine brothers fliared the government 5,mong them. They built cities, and furrounded them with walls; made a dift-inc^ion between the fovereign and fubje^ts; inftituted marriage, i^c. The reigns of thefc four emperors make up one of what the Chincfe called ki, " .iges," or " periods," of which there were nine before Fo-i-ii, whom the mofl; fenfible writers acknowledge as the founder of their emjiire. The liiftory of the fecojid ki contrudicls almoft every thing faid of the firft; for though we have but juft now been told that Ginc-hoang and his brethren built cities fuiToiuided with walls ; yet, iii the fuccecding age, the people dwelt in caves, or perched upon trees as it were in nefts. Of the third li we hear nothing ; and in the fourth, it feems matters had been ftill worfe, as we arc told that men were then only taught to retire into the hollows of rocks. Of the fifth and fixth we have no accounts. Thcfe fix peiiods, according to fome writers, contained ninety thoufand years ; according to others, one million one hundred thoufiind feven hundred and fifiy. of china. 3 In the feveiitli and eighth kh they tell us over again what they hud faid of the nrft ; namely, that men began to leave their caves and dwell in houfes, and were taught to prepare clothes, Wf. Tchjne-FANG, the firft monarch of the eighth ii, taught his ilibje^Sts to take off the hair from Itins with rollers of wood, and cover themfdves with the fkins fo prepared. He taught them alio to make a kind of web of their hair, to ferve as a covering to their heads agairift rain. They obeyed his orders with joy, and he called his fubjefe people ch/hed^with filns. rlis reign is faid to have iafted three hundred and fifty years; that of one ofhis fuccefibrs, alfo, named Yeou-tsao-chi, lafted more than three hundred; and his flmiiiy continued for twelve or eighteen thou fand years. But what is very furprifmg, all thefe thaufands and millions of years had elapfcd without mankind's having any knowledge of fire. This was not difco-vered till towards the clofe of this period, by one Souigine. After fo ufeful a difcovery, he taught the people to drei s tl'.eir vidtuals ; whereas before, they had devoured the flefh of animals quite raw, drunk their blood, and fwallowed even their hair and feathers. He is alfo faid to have been the inventor of fiihing, letters, Wf. In the ninth period we find the Invention, or at leafi: the origin of letters, attributed to one Tsang-hie, who received them from a divine tortoifc that carried them on his fliell, and delivered tliem into the hands of Tsakg-hie. During this period alfo, mufic, money, carriages, merchandize, coinmercc, i^c, were invented. There are various calculations of the length of thefe ii or periods. Some niake the time from Puan~ku to Confucius, who flouriflicd about four hundred and feventy-nine years before Chrift, to contain two hundred and f;venty-nine thoufand years; others, two millions two hundred and fcvcnty-fix thon-Hind ; fomc, two millijns feven hundred and fifty-nine thouland eight hundred and fixty years; others, three "iillions, two hundred and feventy-fu thoufand j and fomc B a no icfs than ninety-fix millions nine hundred and fixty-one thoufand, feven hundred and forty years. Thefe extravagant accounts are hy fome tlioiight to contain obfcurc and imperfect hints concerning the cofinogony and creation of the world, iJc. Puon-ku, the firft emperor, they think, reprefcnts eternity preceding the duration of the world. The fuccceding ones, Tiene-hoang, i'i-hoang, and Gine-hoang, they imagine fignify the crcation of the heavens and earth, and tlie formation of man. I'lie ten H, or ages, nine of which preceded Fo-hi, mean the ten generations , rcccding Noah. What we have now related, contains the fuhftancc of that part of the Chincfe hiftory which is entirely fabulous. After the nine ii or " ages" already taken notice of, the tenth commenced with F0-Ml; and the hiftory, though fti 11 dark, obfcure, and fabulous, begins to grow fomcwhat more confiftent aiid intelligible. Fo-hi is faid to have been born in the province of Shenfi. His mother, walking upon the bank of a lake in that province, faw a very large print of a man's foot in the fand there j and, being fur-rounded by an iris or rainbnw, became impregnated. The child was named Fo-hi; and, when he grew up, was by his countrymen elečled king, on account of his fuperior merit, and ftyled Tvent-tse, that is " the fen of heaven:" He is faid to have invented the eight yua, or fymhols, confift-ingoftlirec lines each, which, difterently combined, formed fixty-four charaiHiers that were made ufe of to cxprefs every thing. To give thcfe the greater credit, he pretended that he had fceji them inlcrribeJ on the back of a tlragon-horfe, an animal (hapcd liicc a horfe, with the wings and fcales of a dragon, which arofe from the bottom of a lake. Having gained great reputation among his countrymen by this prodigy, he is faid to have crcated mandarines or officers, under the name of drngom. Hence we may aflign areafon why the emperors of China always carry a dragon in their banners. He alfo inftiluted mani- a^e, invented mufic, regulated the drcfs of tlie fexes, &c. Having cftablilheJ a prime minifer, he divided the government of his dominions among four mandarines, ^nd died aftar a reign of one hundred and fifteen years. After Fo-hi followed afucceflion of cmptrors, ofv/honi nothing remarkable is recorded, except tliat in the reign of Yau, the fevcjith after Fo-hi, the fun did not fet for ten days, i'o that the Chinefe were afraid of a general conflagration. This event the compilers of the Univerfal Hlrtory take to be the fame with that mentioned in the hook of fofiiua, when the fun and moon ftood llill for about the fpace ofa day. Fo-hi they will have to be t!ic fame with ' Noah. They imagine, that after the deluge this patriarch remained fome time with his defendants; hut on their wicked combination to build tlie tower of Jkbcl, he fepa-rated himfelf from them, with as many as he could periuadc to go along with him ; and that, ftill travelling eaftward, he at kft entered the fertile country of China, and laid the foundation of that vafl: empire—But, leaving thefe fabulous and conjciSural times, we fliall proceed to give fome account of that part of the Chinefe hiltory which may be more certainly depended on. As the Chinefe, contrary to the praöiceof almoH: all nations, have never fouglit to conquer other countries, but rather to improve and content thcmfelves with their own, their hiftory for many ages furniflies nothing remarkable. The whole of their emperors, abHrafting from thofe who are faid to have reigned in the fabulous times, arc comprehended in twenty-two dynaflies, mentioned in the tollowiug table. Emperors. Before Chrift. I. Hyci, containing - 17 - - - 2207. a. S bang, or Ing, - . 2.8 - - - 1766. Chewy - _ - 35 - - . 1122, 4. Tfm, - - - 4 - . - ,.48, 5. Han, - - - -23 - - _ 206. Emperors. After Chrifl. 6. Hew-han, 1 7. r/in, - , ' 'S 465. 8. Song, f} 22 c. 9. rj:. - . 5 479. JO. Lyang, - 4 502. i I. Chin, 4 - 557- 12. Swi, 3 - - 13. I'wang, - 20 618. 14. IhW'Iyang, 2 907. 15. Hcw-tang, 4 - 923. 16. Ilcw-lfin. 2 936. 17. He-w-htin, 2 9+7- 1S. HelV'chcw, 3 9Sr. 19. Song, iS 960. 10. Ivie/i, 9 laSo. 21. Mffi.', -16 1368. Tj.ng, - 1645. This table is formed according to the accounts of the Jefuit'Du Haide, and is commonly rcckoncd tobe the moft authentic ; but according to the above mentioned Iiypotbdisof the compiicrs of thcUniverfal Hiftory, who malie Th/ cotcmporary witli JoQuia, the dynafty of //ya did not commencc till the year before Chrift 1357; and to accommodate tiic hiftory to their hypothefis, great alterations muft be m;ide in the duration of the dynafties. The mofl: intcrcfiing particulars of the Chincfe hidory relate only to the incurfions of the I'artars, vvlio at lad conquered tiie whole empire, and who ftill continue to hold tlic fovereigntv; though by transferring the feat of the empire to Pe-kin, and adopting the Chincfe language, manners, &c. Tartary would fccm rather to have been conqiier^-d by China, than China by Tar-tary. Thcfe incurfions arc fald to have begun very of china. 7 early j even in the time of the emperor Shun, fucccfTor to Yau above mentioned, in wbofc reign the miraculous fo!-flice happened. At this time, the Tartars were rcpulfec!, and obliged to retire into thctr own territories. From lime to time, however, they continued to threaten the empire witli invafions, and the northern provinces were often actually ravaged by the Tartars in tile neighbourhood, Abcwt two hundred and thirteen years before the Chrillian lera, Shi-hoang-ti, having fully fubducd all the princes, or kings as they were called, of the ditFerem provinces, bccamc emperor of China with unümift-d power. He divided the whole empire into thirty fix provinees ; and hnding the northern part of his dominions much incommoded by the in-vafionsof the neighbouring barbarians, hcfent a formidable army againft them, wliieh drove them far beyond the boundaries of China, and to prevent their return, he built the famous wall which feparates China from Tartary. After this, being elated with his own exploits, lie formed thede-fign of making pofterity believe that he bimfelt had been the firft Chhicfe emperor that ever fat on the throne; and for this purpofe, ordered all the hiflorical writings to be burnt, and eaufed many of the learned to be put to death, as already nncntioncd. What cffed tlie great wall for fome time had in preventing the invafions of the l^artars, we are not told ; hut in the tenth ccntury of the Chrirtian a;ra, thofe of Kitan or Lynn got a footing in China, The Kitan were a people ofwertcrn Tartary, who dwelt to the north and north-caftof the province of I'cclieli in China, particularly in that of Layu-tong lying without the great wall. Thefe people having fubdued the country between Korea and Kaihgar, became mueii more troublefomc to tlie Chinefc tlian all the otlier Tartars. Their empict^ commenced about the year 916, in the fourth year of Mo-ti-kvan-ti, fccorki emperor of the t4th Chincfe d yiiäfiy called Hew-iyanG, In 946, Mingt-song, fecond emperor of the fifteenth dynafty, being dead, Shcking-tang, his fon-in-law, rebelled agajnrt Miiigt-fong, his fon and fucccffor, whom he deprived of his crown and life. This he aCcompUlhcd by means of an army of fifty thoufand men furnjflied by t!ie Kitan. Fi-ti, the fon of Mingt-fong, being unable to rcfift the ufiirper, fled to the city Ghey-chew ; where (hutting liiinftlf up with his family and all his valuable cffe6ls, he fct fire to the palace and was burnt to allies. On his death, Shf-king-tang affumcd the title cfempcrori founded the fixtecnth dynafly; and changcd his name to that of Kaut-Ju. But the Kitan general refufing to acknowledge him, he was obliged to purchafc a peace by yielding up to tile Tartars fixtcen cities in the province of Peche-li, be-fidcs a yearly prefent of three hundred thoufand pieccs of lilk. This fubmiffion fervcd only to inflame the avarice and ambition of the Kitan, In 959, they broke the treaty when IcaCl expefled, and invaded the empire afrefii. Tei-"vang, the emperor at that time, oppofed them with a formidable army ; but through the treachery of his general l,yew-chi-ywen, the Tartars were allowed to take him prifoner. On this, Tfi-vang was glad to recover his liberty, by acccpcing of a fmall principality ; while the traitor bccame emperor of all China, and, changing his name to Kaut-su, founded the 17th dynafly. The Tartars, in the mean time, ravaged all the northern provinces without oppofition, and then marched into t!ie fuudiern. But being here flopped by fomc bodies of Chi-ncfe troops, the general thought proper to retire with his booty into Tartary. In 962, Kaut-fu dying was fuc-cccded by his fon In-ti. The youth of this prince gave an opportunity to the eunuchs to raife commotions; efpeci-ally as the army was employed at a djlbnce in repelling the invafions of th? Tartars. Thii army was commanded t>y Ko-ghcy, who defeated the enemy in fcveral battles, and thus rcflored peace to the northern provinces. In the mean time, In-tl was flain by his eunuchs, and the enri-prefs placed his brother on tlie throne: but Ko-ghey returning in triumph, was faluted emperor by his vidlorious army ; and the cmprcfs being unable to fupport the rights of her fon, was obliged to fubmit, while Ku-ghey, affuming; the name of Tay-tsu, founded the eighteenth dynafly. Nine years after this, however, the grandees of the empire, fetting afide Kong-ti, the third in fucceflion from Tay-tfu, on account of his non-age, proclaimed his guardian, named Chau-quang'yu, emperor ; who affuming the name ofKAU-Tsu, founded the nineteenth dynafty, called Son^ot Ißv^. Under this monarch the empire began to recover itfelf; but the Kitan ftill continued their incurfions. The fuc-ceffors of Kau-tfu oppofed them with various fuccefs; but at laft, in 978, the barbarians became fo flrong as to lay to a eonfiderablc city, Tay-tsonq, fuccelTor to Kau-tfu, detached three hundred foldicrs, each carrying a light in his hand, againft them in the night time, with orders to approach as near as pofliblc to the Tartar camp. The barbarians, imagining, by the number of lights, that the whole Cliinefe army was at hand, immediately fled, and, falling into the ambufcades laid for them by the Chi-refe general, were almoft ail cut to pieccs. This check, however, did not long put a ftop to tlie ravages of the Kitan. In the year 999, they laid fiege to aeity in the province of Peche-li ; but Ching-tsong, fucccffor to Tay-tfong, came upon them with his army fo fuddenly, that they betook themfclves to flight. The emperor was advifed to take advantage of their conflerna-tion, and recovcr tlie country which liad been yielded to them ; but inrtead of purfuing his viaory, he bought a peace, by confcntingto pay annually one hundred thoufand Uel, about thirty four tiioufand pounds, and two hundred C fhoufand picccs of filk. The yauth and pacific difjmfitjort of Jin-tsono, fucccflbrtoChing-tfong, revived thecou-ragt; of the K i tan ; and, in 1035, war would have been renewed, had not the emperor condcfcended to as fhameful a treaty as that concluded by his father. Two years after, the Tartars demanded reflltulion of ten cities in tlic province of Peche-li, which had been taken by Ko-ghey, founder of the eighteenth dynafty 5 upon which Jin-tfong engaged Co pay them an annual tribute of two hundred thoufand taels of filver, and three hundred thoufand pieces of filk, in lieu of thefc cities. From this time tlie KitaT remained in peaccable poffef-fionof their Chincfe dominions till the year 1117. WUey-tfong, at that time emperor, being able ncitlier to bear iheir ravages, nor by himfelf to put a flop to them, re-fülved upon a remedy which at lafl proved worfe than the difcafe. This was to call in the Nu-che, Nyu-che, ur Eiiftcrn Tartars, to' deftroy the kingdom of the Kican. From this he was difTuaded by the king of Korea, and nioft of his own minifiers; but, difregarding their falu-tary advice, he joined his forces to thofe of the Nu-che. The Kitan were then evpry where defeated; and at laft reduced to fuch extremity, that thofe who remained were forced to leave their country, and fly to the mountains of the weft. Thus the empire of the Kitan was totally deflroyej, hut nothing to the advantage of the Chinefe; for the Tartar general, elated with his conqueft, gave the name of Kin to his new dominion, alTunied the title of emperor, and began to think of aggrandizing himfelf and enlarging his empire. For this purpofe, he immediately broke the treaties concluded with the Chinefe emperor ; and, invading the provinces of Pechc.Ii and Shen-fi, made himfelf martcr of the greater part of them. Whey-tfong, finding himfelf in danger of lofuig his dominions, mafs of their baggage. This good news filled the court with jov i and the people who had retired into the capital for its dcfcnce, left it again, and went into the country : but, in a few days afti r, the vanguard of the Moguls, who had been fcnt by the emperor Oktay, appeared in the iield, and carried off a great number of thofe that had quitted tlie city. In January, 1232, Oktay pafTing the Hoang-ho, en-campcd in the diftrifl: of Kay-fong-fou, capital of the Kin empire, and fent his ^rensral Suputay to bcfiegc the city. At that time the placc was near thirty miles in circumfer-cncc; but having only forty tlioufand foidiers to defend it, as many more from tiie ticighbouring citics, and twenty thoufand peafants, were ordered into it ; while the emperor publiflicd an afFcfling declaration, animating the pea-pie to defend it to tlic laft extremity. Oktay, having heard with joy of Toley's entrance into Ilo-nan, ordered him to fend fuccouis to Suputay. On the otlier hand, the Kin generals advanced witli one hundred and fitly thoufand men to relieve tliC city ; but being obliged to divide their forces in order to avoid in part the great road which Toley had'obfiruiSted with trees, they were attacked by that prince at a difadvantage, and, after a f;iint rcrtfla[u;e, defeated with great (laughter, and the lofs of both tlieir generals, one killed and the other taken. The emperor nüw ordered the army at Tong-quan and other fortified places to march to the relief of Kay-fong-fou, They aliem-bled accordingly, to the number of one hundred and ten thoufand foot and fifteen thoufand horfe ; and were followed by vaft numbers of people^ who expefled by their means to be protedled from the enemy. But many of thefe troops having deferted, arid the reft being enfeebled by the fatigues of their march, they difperfed on the approach of their purfuersj who killed all they found in the highways. After this the Moguls took Tong-quan and fome other confiderable pofts; but were obliged to raife the lieges of Qucy-tc-fou and Loy-ang by the bravery of the governors. Kyang-ihin, governor of Loy-ang, had only three or four thoufand foldiers under him, while his enemies were thirty thoufand ftrong. He placed his Worft fol-Jicrs on the walls, putting himfelf at the head of four hundred brave men ; whom he ordered to go naked, and whom he led to all dangerous attaeksi He invented engines to caft large ftones, which required but few hands to play them, and aimed fo true as to hit at an hundred paces diftanee. When their arrows failed, he cut thofe Üiot by the enemy into four picccs ; pointed them with pieccs of brafs coin \ and difcharged them from wooden tubes with as much forcc as bullets are from ä inuflcet. Thus he harraffed the Moguls for three months fo grievoufly, that they were obliged^ notwithftandtng their numbers, to abandon the cnterprizci Oktay, at Lift, notwithftanding his fucceffes, refolved to return to Tartary ^ and ofFercil the Kin emperor peace, provided he became tributary, and delivered up to him twenty-fcven families which lie named. Thefc offers were very agreeable to the emperor ; but Suputay, taking no notice of the treaty, pulhed on the fiege of the capital Vfith more vigour than ever. By the help of the Chineft Slaves in his army, the Mogul general foon filled the ditch | D but all his efforts fcemcd only to Infpirc the bcfieged wrrii new vigour. The Moguls at that time made ufe of artillery, but were unable to make the kaft imprcfllon upon the city walls. They raifcd walls round thofethey bcficg-cd, which they fortified with ditehcs, towers, and bat- , tlemenrs. They proceeded alfo to fap the walls of the city ; but were very much annoyed by the artillery of the bcfiegcd, efpeeially by their bombs, which finking into the galleries, and burfling under ground, made great havock among the miners. For fixteen days and nights the attack continued without Intcrmiffion ; during which time an incredible number of men perifhed on both fides; at length, Suputay, finding that he could not take the city, withdrew his troops, under pretencc of conferences being or> foot. Soon after the plague began in Kay-fong-fou ; and rnged with fuch violence, that, in fifty days, nine hundred thoufand biers were carried out, befides a vaft multitude of the poorer fort who could not afford any. In a fliort time, two unlucky accidents occafioned a renewal of the war which now put an end to the empire of the Kin. Gan-young, a young Mogul lord, having af-fumed the government of fome cities in Kyang-nan, and killed the officer fent to take pofTeflion of them, declared for the Kin. The emperor unwarily took fjan-young into his fervice, and gave liim the title of Prince. Upon this Obtay fcnt an envoy, attended by thirty other per-fons, to enquire into the afHiir ; but the Kin officers killed them all, without being puniflied by the emperor. Suputay, having informed his maflcr of all thefe proceedings, was ordered to continue the war in Ho-nan. Shew-fii now commanded his ofiicer« to unite their iroops for (he defence of the capital; but before his orders eoitld be obeyed, they were attacked and defeated, one after another, by the Moguls. This obliged him to raife foldicrs from among the peafant*,. for whofe fubßflence ttie people w*re taxed three tenths of the rice they pofTcfTed. The city began now to be diftreffect for want of provifions ; and as it was hut in a bad poflurc of deft nce, the emperor marched with an artny againft the Moguls, His expedition proved unfortunate ; fur, fending part of Iiis army to befiege a city cailed Wy-chcw, it was totally cut in pieces, and Suputay a fccond time fat down before the capital. On hearing this news, the emperor repaffcd the Hoang-ho, and retired to Quey-te-fou. Here he had not been long before the capital was delivered isp by treachery, and Suputay put all the males of the imperial race to death ; but, by the cxprefs command of Oktay, fpared the inhabitants, who are faid to have amounted to one million and four hundred thoufrind families. After this difafter tiie unhappy monarch kft his troops at Qucy-te-fou, and retired to Juning-fou, a city in the fouthern part of Ho-nan, attended only by four hundred perfons. Here thediftance of the Moguls made him think of livhigat cafe ; but while he fiattcred himfclf with thefe vain hopes, the enemy's army arrived before the city and invcfted it. Tlw; garrifon were terrified at their approach ; but were encouraged by the emperor, and iiis brave general Hu-fye-hu, to hold out to the laft. As there were not in the city a fuSicicnt number of men, the women, drelTed in mens clothes, were employed to carry wood, ftones, and other .neccffary materials to the walls. All their efforts, however, were inefFedtual. They were rcdiiced to fuch extremities, that for three months they fed on human flefh i killing the old and feeble, as well as many prifoncrs, for food. This being known to the Moguls, they made a general aflault in January 1234. The attack continued from morning till night i but at laft the affailaiits were rcpulfcd. In this aflion, however, the Kin loft all their beft officers ; upon whicli the emperor rcügncd the crown ioChcng-lin a prince of the blood. Next morning, whWc V 2 the ccrcmony of invefiing the new emperor was performing, the enemy mounted the fouth walls, which were defended only by two hundred men ; and the foiith gate being at the fame time abandoned, the whole army broke in. They were oppofed, however, by Hu-fye-hu ; who, with a thoiifand foldiers, continued to fight with ama?,-Ing intrepidity. In the meantime Shcw-fii, feeing every thing irreparably loft, lodged the ft al of the empire in a houfe ; and then caufina; (heaves of ftraw to be fct round jt, ordered it to be fet on fire as foon as he was dead. After giving this order he hanged himfelf, and his commands were executed by his domeftics. Hu-fye-hu, who ftill continued fighting with great bravery, no fooner heard of the tiagieal death of the emperor, than he drowned himfelf in the river Ju ; as did alfo five hundred of his moft refolute foldiers. The fame day the new emperor, Cheng-lin, was flain in a tumult; and thus an end was put to the dominion of the Kin Tartars in China. The empire of China was now to be ftiared between the Song, or fouthern Chinefe, and the Moguls, it had been agreed upon, that the province'of Ho-nan fhould be delivered up to tlic Song as foon as the war was finifhed. But tliey, without waiting for the expiration of the term, pr giving Oktav notice of their proceedings, introduced their troops into Kay-fong-fou, Lo-yang, and other con-fiderable cities. On this the Mogul genera! rcfolved ta attack them ; and repafilng tlie Ifoang-ho, cut in ptcccs part of the garrifon of Lo-yang, while they were out in fearch of provifions. The garrifon of Kay-fong-fou like-wife abandoned that place ; and the Song emperor ds-graded the officers who had been guilty of thofe irregularities, fending ambafladors to Oktay, at the fame time, to dcfirc a continuance of the peace. What Oktay's anfwcr was we arc not told, but the event fhowed that {ic wag not fatisfied ; for in 1235, he ordered l;is fecor,d fon prince Kotovan, and his general Chahay, to atrack tlie Song in Se-cfiwcn, while others marched tawaid* the borders of Kyang-nan. In 1136, the Moguls made great progrcfs in the pro» Yince of Hu-quang, where they tCKik fcveral cities, and put vaft numbers to the fword. This year they introduced pnper or filk money, which had formerly been ufed by Chang-tfong, fixth emperor of tlie Kin. Prinec Kotovan forced the parages into the diftri<£l of Hang-chong-fou in the province of Shen-fi, which he entered with an army of five hundred thoufand men. Here a terrible battle was fought between the vafl army of the Moguls and the Chinefc troops, who had been driven from the pafHiges tliey defended. The latter confifted only of ten thoufand horfe and foot, who were almoft entirely cut off; and the Moguls loft fuch a number of men, that the blood is faid to have run for two leagues together. After this vidtory the Moguls entered Se-chwen, which they almoft entirely reduced, committing fuch barbarities, that, in one city, forty tlioufand people chofe rather to put an end to their own lives than fubmit to fuch cruel conquerors. In 1237, the Moguls received a eonflderabic chcck before the city of Gantong in Kyang-nan, the ficgc of which they were obliged to raife with lofs. In 1238 they befieged Lu-chew, another city in the fame province. They furrounded it with a rampart of earth and a double ditch; but the Chinefe general ordered their intrcnchments to be filled with immenfe quantities of herbs llecped in oil, and then fet on fire, while he fhot ftones upon thcni fi-om a tower feven ftories high. At the fame time a vigorous fally was made; and tlic Mogul army being thrown into the utmoft diforder, were obliged finally to abandon the ficge, and retire northwards. In 1239, thefe barbarians were oppofcd by a general tailed Meng-Jiong, with great fuccefs; who, this and the following year, gained great honour by his exploits. While he üveil, the Moguls wtre never able to make any cotiridcrable prngrcfs ; but his death, in 124.6, proved of tiie jjreatclt deliimcnt to the Chincfc affjnrs ; and foon after the Tartars renewed the war with more vigour and fiiccefs than ever. In 1255, they re-entered the province of Sc-chvi'cn but flill met with vigorous oppofitiün in «his quarter, hccnufc the Chinefe took care to have Se-chwen furnidied with good troops and generals. Though they were always beaten, being greatly infcrlnr in number to their eneniifs, yet they generally retook the cities the Mnf:iils had rcduccd, as the latter were commonly obliged to withdraw for want of provifions and forage. In 1259 they undertook the fiegc of Ho-chew, a flrong eity to the weft of Pe-kin, defended by Vang-kyen, a very able officer, who Gommanded a numerous garrifon. The ßegc continued from the month of February till Auguft: during which time the Moguls lofl: an immcnfc number of men. On the roth of Augurt they made a general afiault in the night. They mounted the walls before the governor had intelligence ; but were foon attacked fay him with the utmofV fury. The Mogul emperor Meng-ko, himfclf came to the fcalade ; but his prefence was not fufiicicnt to overcome the valour cf Vang-kycn. At the fame time the fcaling-Iadders of the Moguls were blown down by a ftorm ; upon which a terrible flaughtcr enfucd, and amongft the reft fell the emperor himfelf. Upon this difafter the Mogul generals agreed to ruife the fiege, and retire towards Shen-fi. On the death of Meng-ko, Hqpiiay, or Kublay Khan, who fuccecdcd him, laid liege to Vu-chang-fou, a city not far diftant from the capital "f the Song empire. At this the emperor being greatly alarmed, diflributcd iinmcnfc funis his troops ; and, having raifed a forniidiibic amy, marched tcthc iclief of Vu-chang-fmi' Unfortunately the command of this p.rmy was committed to the cavc of Kya-tfe tau, a man vvirbout either coui-age or experience in war. He was bcfides very vain :iiidi vincli£tive in his temper ; often ufing the bcft o9icers ill, and entirely overlooking their merit, which eaufod many of them to go over to the Moguls. The fit-g. of Vi;-chang-fou was commcnced, and had continued aconfidrrable time, when Kya-tfc.t;ui, afraid of its being loft, and at the fame time not daring to take any cfTcčtual fiep for its relief, made propofals of peacc. A treaty was accordingly concluded, by which Kya-tfe-tau engaged for the emperor to pay an annual tribute of about fifty thoufand pounds in filver and as much in filk ; ae-knowledgirg likewife thefovereignty of the Moguls over the Song empire. In confequcnce of this treaty, the Moguls retreatetl after the boundaries of the two empires hail been fixed, and repaffed the Ky-ang ; but one hundred and fcvcnty of them having ftaid on the other fide of the river, ^verc put to death by Kya-tfe-tau. I'his minirter totally conccated from the emperor his having made fuch a (Tiamtful treaty with the Moguls ; and the hundred and fcventy foldicrs maffacred by his order, gave occafion to report that the enemv had been defeated ; fo that the Song court believed that they had been compelled to retreat by the fuperior valour and wifdom of Kya-tfe-tau. This proved the ruin of the empire ; for, in 1260, the Mogul emperor fent an oiiiccr to the Chinefc court to execute the treatv according; to the *erms agreed on with Kya-tfe-tau. The minifier dreading the arrival cf this envoy, imprifoned him near Nankin ; and took all poffible care that neither Hiipiiay, nor Li- "ong the Chinefe emperor, Ihould ever hear any thing of Iiim. It Was impoJTible fuch unparalleled condu6> could fall to produce a nev^ war. liupilay's courticrs incclTantly preffcd him to revenge himfclf on the Song for their treac1i-> crous behaviour; and he foon publifhed a manifefto againft them, which was tbllowed by a renewal of hofli-lltics in 1268. The Mogul army amounted to three hun-liret! thoufand men ; but notwithflanding their numbers, little progrefs was made till the year 1271. Syan-yang and Fan-ching, cities in the pruvince of Se-chew, had been befieged for a long time inefFcauaily ; but this year an Igur lord advifed Hupilay to fend for feveral of thofft engineers out of the weft, who knew how to caft ftoncs of an hundred and fifty pounds weight out of their engines which made holes of feven or eight feet wide in thcftrongell walls. Two of thefe engineers were accordingly fent for ; and after giving a fpecimen of their art before Hupilay, ■»ere fent to the army in 1272. In the beginning of 1273 they planted their engines againft the city of Fan-ching, and prefently made a brcach in the walls. After a bloody corifiidt the fuburbs were taken ; and foon after the Moguls made themfelves raafters of the walls and gates of the city. Neverthelefs, a Chinefe officer, with only an hundred foldiers, rcfolved to fight from ftrect to ftreet» This he did for a long time with the greateft obftinacy, killii'g vaft numbers of the Moguls; and both panies are faid to have been fo much overcome with thirft, that they drank human blood to qucnch it. The Chinefe fet fire to the houfes, that the great beams, falling down, might cm-barrafs the way of their purfuers; but at laft being quite wearied out, and filled with defpair, they put an end to their own lives. After the taking of Fan-ching, all the materials which had fcrved at the liege were tranfported to Seyen-yang. The two engineers polled tliemfelvts againft a wuudcn retrenchment raifed on the ramparts. This they quickly dcmoliftied ; and the btfieged were fo intimidated by the noife and havock made by the Rones caft from thelc terrible engines, that they immediately furrendered. tn Pe-yen, an officer of great valour, and endowed with many other good qualities, was promoted to the command of the Mogul army. His firil: exploits were the talcing of two ftrong cities : after which he paHlid the great river Ky-ang, defeated the Song army, and laid fiege to Vu-chang-fou. This city was foon intimidated into a fur-render; and Pe-yen, by retraining the harbarity of his foldiers, whom he would not allow to injure any one, foon gained the hearts of the Chinefe fo much, that (Iveral cities furrendercd to him on the firft fummons. In the mean time the treacherous Kya^tfe-tau, who was fcnt to oppofe Pe-yeii» was not afliamed to propOfe peacc on the terms he had formerly concluded with Hupilay j but thefe being rcjeiEtcd, he was obliged at length to comc to an engagement. In this he was defeated, and Pe-yen continued his conqueft* with great rapidity^ Having taken the city of Nankin, and fume others, he marched towards Hang-Chew-fou, the capital of the Song empire. Peace was now again pro-pofed, but rejected by the Mogul general; and at lafl: the cmprefs was conftrained to put hejftlf, with her fon, then an infant, into the hands of Pe-yen, who immediately fejit them to Hupilay. The fubmiflion of the emprefs did riot yet put an end to the war. Many of the Chief officers fwore to do their utmoft to refcue her from the hands of her enemies. In confequence of this rcfolution they diftribüted their money among the foldiers, and foon got together an army of forty thoufand men. This army attacked the city where the young emperol" ICoiigAtfong was lodged, but without fuc-after which, and feveral other vain attempts, they raifed one of his brothers to the throne, who then took upon him the name of Twon-tsoNC. He was but nine years of age when he was raifed to the imperial dignity, and enjoyed it but a very fliort time. In 1377 he was in greater danger of perilhing, by reafun of the Ihip «i boaj-d >»hich he then was being caft away. A great part of his E troöps jjfiiflicd at that time, and he loon after maJe oiTer? of fiibmiffion to Hupilay. Thtfe, however, were iwt aceeptcd i for, in 1278, the unhappy Twon-tfong was obliged to retire into a little defert ifland on the coaft of Quan-tong, where he died in the eleventh year of his age. Notvi^-ithftanding the pi'ogrefs of the Moguls, vaft territories flill remained to be fubdued before they could becomc mafters of all the Chinefe empire. On the death of I'won-tfong, tlierefore, the mandarins ruifed to the throne Iiis brother, named Te-ping, at that time but eight years of age. His army confifted of no fewc than two hundred thoufandmen, but being utterly void of dtfcipline, and entirely ignorant of the art of wai, they were defeated by twenty thoufand Mogul troopä- Nor was the fleet more fuccefsful i for being put in confiifion by that of the Moguls, and the emperor in danger of falling into their hands, one of the officers taking him on his flioulders, jumped with him into the fea, where they were both drowned, Moft of the mandarins followed this example, as did alfd the minifter, all the ladies and maids of honour, and multitudes of others, infomuch that one hundred thoufand people are thought to feave perifhed on that day. Thus ended the Chinefe race of emperors j and the Mogul dyniifty, known by the name of commenced. Though no race of men that ever cxifted were in general more remarkable for cruelty and barbarity than the Moguls ; yet it doth not appear that the emperors of the Ywen dynafty were in any refpcA worfe than their predece/Tors. On the contrary, Hupjlay, by the Chinefe called Shi-Tsu, found the way of reconciling the people to his government, and even of endearing hinifclf to them fo much, that the reign of his family is ta this day ftyled by the Chinefe the wife govtrnment. This he accompliflied by keeping as clofe as pofTjblc to their ancient laws and cuftoms, by his mild and juft government, and by his rttgard for ihtif learned men. He was indeed afhanicd of the igno- ranee and barbarity of his Mogul lubjefls, when coni-pared with the Chincfe. The whole knowledge of the former was fumincd up in their fktll ia managing their aims and horfes, being perfeäly dcftitute of every art ur fcience, or even of the knowledge of letters, kt 12.65» he had caufeU the Mogul chara£ters tobe contrived. In 12S0, he caul'cd fonie mathematicians to fearch for the fource of the river Hoang-ho, whicli at that time wa* unknown to the Chiticfe themlelves. In four months time they arrived in the country where it lifes, and formed a map of it, which they prtfented to his majeity. The fame year a treatifc on aftronomy was publiflied by his order j and, in 1282, he ordered the learned men to repair froin all parts of the empire to rxaminc the (tate of literature, and take meafures for its advancement. At his firft accefRon to the crown he fixed his rcfideiica at Tay-ywen-fou, the capital of Sben-fi i but thought proper afierwitrds to remove it to Pe-kiii. Here, being informed that tlie barks which brought to court the tribute of the fodthern provinces, or carried on the trade of the empire, were obliged to come by fea, and often fuffered Ihipwreck, he caufed that celebrated canal to be made, which is at prefent one of the wonders of the Chinefe empire, bjtng three hundred leagues in length. By this canal above nine thoufand imperial barks tranfport with cafe, and at final! expence, the tribute of grain, rice, filks, i^c. which is annually paid to the court. In the tliird year of his reign Shi-tfu formed a dcfign of reducing t!ie iHaiids of Japan, and the kingdoms of Tonqnin anJ Cochiii-tjhina. ßoth thefc eriterprifes ended unfortunately, b4t the flrft remarkably fo j for of one hundred thoufand pcrfons employed in it, only four or five efcapcd with the melancholy news of the deftruflion of the reft, who all perilled by ihipwreck, Shi-Uu reigned fifteen years, diesi in the eightieth year of his age, and was fuccccded by hi.s graudfpn. The throne continued in the Ywen (iMnily till E a the year 1367, when Shun-ti, the laft of that dynaftjr, was driven out by a Chinefe named Chu. During the above period the Tartars had become ciiervated by long profperity; and the Chinefe had been roufed into valour by their fubjedlion. Shun-ti, the reignijig prince, was quite funk in Hoth and debauchery, and the empire wat opprefTed by a tyrannic miniftcr named Ama. In June 1355, Chu, a Chinefe of mean extradtion, and head of a fmall party, fet out from How-chew, pafTed the Kyang, and took Tay-ping. He then afiociatcd himfelf with fome other mal-contents, at tlic head of whom lie reduced the town of Tu-chew, in Kyang-nati. Soon after he made hin^fclf mafter of Nankin, having defeated the Moguls who came to its relief. In December 1356, he was able to raife an hundred thouiand men, at the head of whom he took tha city of U-ehew, in the eaft borders of <^ang-fi j and here» affembting his generals, it was refolved neither to commit daughters nor to plunder. Tha moft formidabls enemy he had to deal with was Chen-yew-!yang, ilyJed " emperor of the Han." This man being grieved at the progrefs made by Chu, equipped a fleet, and raifed a formidable army, inorder to reduecNan-ehang-fou, a city of Kyang-fi, which his ancagonfft had made himfelf mafter of. Tha governor, hcrwever, found means to inform Chu of his danger ; upon which that chief caufed a fleet to be fitted out at Nankin, in which he embarked two hundred thoufand foktiers. As foon as Chen-yew-ylang was informed of his enemy's approach, he raifed the fiege of Nan-cliang-fou, and gave orders for attacking Chu's naval force. An engagement enfued between a part of the fleets, in which Chu proved vičtorious; and next day» all the fquadrons tiaving joined in order to conic to a general engagement, Chu gained a fecond vi<£lory> and burnt an hundred of the enemy's veffels. A third and fourth engagement liappened, in which Chu was vičlo-tious i and in the lart, Chcn-ycw-lyang himfelf was killed, hia fon taken prifoncr, and his generals obliged to furremltr tliemfelvcs, with all their forces and velTels. In January 1364., Chu's generals propofed to have him proclaimed emperor } but this he declined, and at firft contented himlelf with the title of king of U. In February he made himfelf mafter of Vu-chang-fou, capital of Hu-qiiang ; where with his ufual humanity, he relieved thofe in dlftrcfs, encouraged the literati, and would allow his troops neither to plunder nor deftroy. This wife conduct procured him an eafy conqueft both of Kyang-fi and Hu-quang, The Chinefe fubmitted to him in crowds, and profeffcd the greateft veneration and refpect for his pcrfon and government. All this time Shun-ti, with an unaccountable negligence, never thought of exerting himfelf againft Chu, but continued to employ his forces againft the rebels who had taicen up arms in various parts of the empire ; fo that Chu found himfclf in a condition to afTume the title of emperor. Tiiis he cliofe to do at Nankin on the firfl: day of the year 1368. After this his troops entered the province of Hu-nan, which they prefently reduced. In the third month, Chu, who had now taken the title of Hong-vou, or Tay-tfu, reduced the fortrefs of Tong-quan; after which his troops entered Pe-cheli from Ho-nan on the one iide, and Shan-tcng on the other. Here his generals defeated and killed one of Shun-ti's officers ; after which they took the city of Tong-chew, and then prepared to attack the capital, from which they were now but twelve miles dif-tant. On their approach the emperor fled with all his family beyond the great wall, and thus put an end to the dynatly of Ywen. In 1370 he died, and was fuccecded by his fon» whom the fucceUbr of Hong-vou drove beyond the Kobi or Great Defert, which feparates China from Tartary. I hey coiitmued their incurfions, however, for many years; nor did they ceafe their attempts till 1583, when vaft num-of them weri; cut in pieces by the Chinefe troops. I'hc twenty-firft dynalry of Chinefe empcror!*, foimrlci in 136S by Chit, continued till the year 164.4, when they wci-c iigMn expelled by the Tartars. 'J"he laft Chiiicfc cmpci'Oi' was named Wliay-tfong, and afcended the throne in 162b'. He was a great laver of tlie fcienccs, and a (avoiircr of the ChriAians ; though much additted to the fuperßitions of tiie Bonzes. Hs found hiinfeif engaged in a war with the Tartars, and a numbt-r of rebels in diricrcnt provinces. That he might more eftcStuaily fupprefs tljc latter, he refolveii to make peace with the furnier and for that end fent one of Iiis generals, named Ywcn, intoTartary, at the hcid of an army, with full power to iiej^ociate a. j)cac2 ; but that trriitor made one upon fuch fliamcful terin^j that the cnrperor refuled to ratify it. Ywen, in order to oblige his mafter to comply with the terms made by him-iclf, poifoned his beft and moft faithful genera!, named Ma.u-ven-long : ajid then deflred the 'I'artars to march di-reflly to Pe-kin, by a road different from that v/hich ha tcK>k with his army. This they accoidingly did, and laid liege to the capital. Ywen was ordered to come to its relief; but, on his arrival, was put to the tortuve and flran-glcd ; of which the Tartars were no fooiier informed, than ]t!;ey raifed the fiege, and returned to their own covintry. Xn 1636 the rebels above-mentioned compofed four great artnies, commanded by as many generals; which, however, were foon reduced to two, commanded by I,i and Chang, Thcfe agreed to divide the empire between them j Chang taking the welkrn provinces, antl Li the ejftern «ones. The Inter feiaed on part of Shqi-fi, and then of Ho-nan, whole capita!, named Kiiy-fong-fou, he laid fiege to, but was repiilfed with lofs. He renewed it fix months after, but without fucccfs; the befisged chooHng rnthcr to feed on hLüTian fiefli than fun'emler. The imperial ioice-sconi-iboiuater to its aJurvance, tht; general made no doubt f.f belli;; i;b!c: to dfdrroy the rtbels nt once, by breaking Ij.fii bur,l:s of -Jie Ycilow jR.iveri but unfortunately the rebels efcaped to the mountaijis, while the city was qiiitv; overflow'ed, and three hundred tiiouCind of tiie inhabitants peri filed. After t!us difafter, Li marclicd into the provinces of Shen-li and flo-nan ; where he put to death all the mandarines, pxadted great funis from the officers in placa, and fliowed no favour to any but the populace, w'loni he freed froTn all cnxes : by this nicani hs drew fr) many to his in-tersft, that he thovight himfclf ibong enough to afilime the title of emperor. He next advanced towards the cipitai, which, though v.'c!l garrifoneJ, was divided into factions. Li had taken care to introduce before hand a number of his men in difguife ; nnd by thcfe the gates were opened to him the third day after his arrival. He entered thi- city in triamph at the head of three hundred thoufand nien; Whilit the emperor kr!;-t himfclf (luit up in his pnlacc, bu-ficd o'-,ly with fLiperfliiioiii. it was irjt lor.;> Perlja, or Egypt, might lay the ground fur 1 this is t!,; opinioii of Da Halde, and Grotlcr. F2 35 general HISTOHV But according to Navarrettc, the name has its origin Irf India, or Pcrfia, from a, fpecics of ftlk cailcci Chin, from wliciice it was brought to Eurojie by the Portugucfe. The Chijicfc thcnifclves, however, call it Tchong-koue, or Chonu-qlta, that is the niiiiclle kingdom, for till their in-tercourfc with Europeans iiatl rcilificJ their gcogrnjihy, tliey imagined that their country was fituatcd in the centre of the earth, and that all other kingdoms hy fcaltcrcd around iti EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, .^c. China, properly fo called, according to Grofier and üu-Halde, comprehends from north to fouth eighteen degrees ; its extent from eaft to weft being fomeAvhat lefs. The adjacent countries fubje£ted to the Chinefe government, fuch as the iflands of Hainan and Formofa, Tartary, &c. are not included in this eftimation; for, reckoning from the moft Ibiithern point of the ifland of Hainan to the northern extremity of Tartary. which is under the dominion of China, wc fliall find that the territories of this emperor arc more than nine hundred leagues in extent from north to fouth, and about fifteen hundred from eaft to weft, reckoning frojn the eaftern fea as far as the country of Cnjg/ir, conquered by the Chinefe in I7;9. According to Guthrie, China is fituatcd between 20° and 42® N. latitude, and 98" and 123 El longitude- It is bounded on the north by Tartary, from v/hich it is feparatcd by a wall five hundred leagues in length ; on the caft by the fea ; on the weft by [ofty mountains and defarts and towards the fouth by the ocean, the kingdoms of Tong-^king, Laos, and Cochin-» china. It is divided into fifteen provinces 5 the northern are Chen-si, Chan-si and Pe-tcheli. Chan-tono Kiang-nan, TcHE-kiapig andFo-KiEN extend along the fliorc of the caflern fea. The provinces of Quang-tong Quang-si, Yun-nan and Se-thüen terminate' the empire on the fouth and north. Hc-nan', Hou-QuakCj of china- 37 Koei-Tchou and Kianc-si occupy the middle fpacr. Ofcach of thcfe provinces we fhall now proceed to give a ceiieriii account. <9 PROVINCE OF PE-TCHELL Pe-tchcH, T-cheli, or Li-pa-fau, is tlie principal province of the whole empirc;and its capita!, Fe-kingorPekin, is beco;nc the orfe from being ficn who w.ilk iiithem; they are always kejit ftiut during the night, and feldom opened evjn to thoi'j who are known: if they arc, the perfon to whom this indiif^ence is graiitcd inuftcarry a laiithorn, and give a fufficium reafon for his gohig 01! t. In the evening, as fooii ;is tl'.s foJdicrs arc warned to their quarto's by beat of drum, two fentinels go ^ndcomc: froiü on: guard-rooiTi to another, muk i ng u continual noifo with a kind of eaitanct, to- {l\c\v that thcyare not aflecp. They permit noonc to walk abroad in the night ti;-iic. They even cxAmtns thüfc w'iiom the emperor difpatches on bufi, iiefs, ajid if their reply gives thelcaftcaufe of fufpicioii, they ha\'e a right to convcy tlicni to the guard-room. The fdjiers in each of tlie guard-rooms are obliged to anfwcr c/ery time thj fentinels on duty call out. It is by thefe regulations, obfervcd with the grcateft flriftnefs, ihat jjeacc, filence, and Lfcty reign through-O'.it the whole city. The governor is alfo obligt-d to go the round; and the o.Ticcrs Rationed on the walls and in the towers over tlie gates, in which arc kept large kettle-rirun-vE, that are beat every time tht guard i» relieved, are rontinuJly difpatching fubalterns to examine the quarters fcelonging to the gates where they are pafted. The leaft neglect is punilhed nsxt morning, a,nd the ofFicer who was otv guard is cadiiered, '('his police, which prevents nocturnal apeniblies, would appear no doubt extraordinary in Europe, and, in a: I probability, would not be much rcli filed by our young men of fwtune and kdics of quality. But the Chinefe think jullly; they confidcr it to be the duty of the mag:Urates of a city, to prefer good order and pub-, lie Ei anquillity, to vain amufcni::nt3, which generally oc- r,ifion manT p.ttempt? rigainft th^ lives a:id prcpcit^ of the citixens. It is tr'r, the fappcrt of this poiice cofts the emperor a gre-t deal; p::rt ct the foldiors we have mentioned being maiiteincd for this purpofe ojily. They are ail infiintry, aiid their pay is gcncrL-.IIy v.Ty high ; tlwir employment con fifts not only in watching for thcfc v/ho may occf.fion difVur^rtncc in fhr r.V.'.y '.iraf, or WLilk abror.d during the niH-t; th'jy muft alfj f.iki: ciucthat tlvj ftrccts are ktpt r.nd fvvept every day; that thc7 a.re wntcrcd morr.ing siad cvciung iji time of dry weather; and thiit cvory nuif^iicc is removed ; they litivc orders aifo to af-iift in this labour thcmiblvcs, nnd to clear the kennels, that the- warcr !i,we n. free CG'Jrf.^ The emperor's pr.iacc ftiinds in rheniiüdle of tlw Tar-tr.r city. It f.rcfentr. nrodigiou? aircmbUigc of vaR build-ingE, cxtcnfive courts and niarninccntgm'dens, L'.ixl isfliut up on ali iid;<; by ^ doabk; wall, the intervening fpac^ being cccupi.'d by houfcs belonging to the olficers of £he court, cunnch?, r.Tid different tribunrds. To fprric cf thtfe is aüigncd trie cf providing ncccfl-irie? for ths ufi cf the emperor ; ethers n.re for dc'.erminitig difputcSj and piiniOiing friuitscon-.mittr-d by rlie doindlicf of the imperial family. The eztcricr circumference f this immenfe ■palr.ce is r cl:r;ncd "t abt.iit feven Enjlifli niik^, The iiop.-riai priice of Pe^kin docs not fjil to flrikc beholders by its extent, grr.ndeur, and the re^-^Lr dif-pofition of its apaitinents, and by tlie finguir-r ftruc-■t'.ireof its pavilion-.oyfs, ornamented at cr.di corner wiJh c?.rv'j'.] pint-band, the Iow't extremity of v/bich is turn-fd tspv/.a-ds ; thrfe roofs ;irc covercd v;ith varnilhed tiles üi-fo beuiitiful a yellow colour, tiiat, at a dift.u-.ce, they Tiiake Lis fplcndid -.ur apncarniicc as if ti.ty v/crc gilded. ■Eelow the upper roof, there is another of cqu:;! brilliancy, T'Vhich hr.ngs flopirig froin tlic wall, fujiport.:d by a grc-'a "unibor of beam:, daub.d over with ^recn varni(h*and '"t^^i-fperfed with j^ilt fgurcs- This kcojid loof, with G tlie projection of the firfV, fornis a kind of crown t:t in order; it hns tv.-O cities of the ftcQnrf, and fiftcn of the third clifs in itF. difkicl, and remarkable for notliing bat the ncatntr« of its ftreets and its fituation b^tft-etn r.va rivers, from whcncc it deri vet its narne- ichin-tin'g-fou. ■ Tchiri-ting-fcu is a Inrge city about four miles in circum-ftrefice : its figure oblong fqsinre. Its jui'if(li£>ioii is very txtenflvc, cciTiprehcnding thirty-two cities 5 five of which ire of the fecfind, and twenty ftven of the third clafs. Noith-ward fröm it lie ieveral mountains, where, the Chinefe fay, many fimples and curious plants are 10 be found. On thefe mountains there are alfo feveral -monuments or temples erected irs honour of dtceaCid heroes; among v/hich is one cDnfccrated to t'le memory ef the firlt empcror of th?. (!ynafly of Han. " CHUN-TE-rOU. Chun-te-fou hss but a final! diihi£l; for there arc only nine cities of the'third clsfs under its jurifdißion ; but all very populous. The adjacent country is pl*a-fant and fertile, owing to the number of rivers and JakfS that water and refrefli jr. Its fiHi are vjriousj and its crav/-fifli are celebrated ; it produces a fine delicate Vmd of fand, ufed in the manufacture of an inferior kind of China-ware, and in poliüiing precious ftones. It abounds alfo with touch-floncs tor .gold, reckoned the bed in the empire, QJTANG-riN'S-FOU. Quaiig..ping.foil is (ituatcd in the rsorthcvfi part of Pe-tcheli, het-w-een the provinces of Chang-tong and Ho-nan, and has nine,cities of the third clafs dependent on it i al3 its plains are wlII watered by rivers. Amoiift its temples, there is ^nc dedicated to thofe men, whOy OF CHINA, the Chincfe pi-etend, difcovered tiie fecret of rendering :hcnif;;lvcs immortal. The countiy is agreeable around it, »nd its waters arc v/tll ftorsd with fifn. tai-mikc-fou. Tai-mingvfou has one city of the fecond clafs anJ eighteen oi' ihe tljird, in its di/hif^. It prefcnti nothing remarkable. It Hes near to Qiinng-ving fou, and the country around it iB peculiarly fruitrul and -jj^icitable, vusc-fing-foy. Yung-ping-fou is very advantagcoafly Htuatcd in the neighbourhood of tlic fca. The lurrounding mountains produce abundance of tin. But its foil is not very fcr^ tile. Here is a paper manufaflory» and not far from rl'.c city is a fortrcfs named Chan-hai, which may be called tile key of the province of Lcao-ton;;. Tbii fortrcfs is near the great wall. Yung-ping-foü reckons in its dif-triči only one city of the fecondj and five of the third clafs. fuey-hoa-fqu. Fuen-hoa.füu la a city celebrated for its extent and the number of its inhabitants, as well as for the beauty of" its ftrccts and triiiinphal arclifs, h is f.tuatcd near the great wall, amipfi mountains, and lias under its jurifdic-tion, belides two cities of the fccond, and eight of the third clars, a great number of fos'trcffus, which bar tlie entrance of China againft the Tartars. It would be unneceflary if not circfomc to the reader to enter into a defcripdon of the cides of the ftxond chifs, Ijut ther4 is one which though wiihout any jurifdiiliun over others, is beyond coinparifon more populous and richj and has a greater trade than any of tliofe w c have mentionc^ it is featfd on the fpot where the Rt)yal Canal wliicl; comts fron:i Lin-tfin-chew, joins the liver of Pe-kit-ij is calicd Tyen-fing-we)'. H3re the great mandarin rc-ficlcs, on whom the ofiiccrs who fupcrintend the fait made alorg the eoafts of Pe-tchcli and Chang-ton depend, and at this port all the fiu'ps which fetch timber from Eaftcrn Tartary unload. Pe-tchcli has few mountains. Its foil is fandy, and prnJuces vrry little rice when compared with the fouthcrn provinces, owing to its fmall number of canals, but all other Vinds of (j:rain abound, as well as the greater part of the- fniit-trces we have in Europe. Cattle ^ve alfci in great jilenty, and the rivers arc fu|l of fiHr. It pays an annual tribute to the cinpcror, which, according to Father Martini, confills of fix hundred and pnc thoüfand one hundred and fifty three bags of rice, wheat, and aiiUet; two hundred and twenty four pounds of linfeed ^ forty five thoufand one hundred and thirty five pounds of fputi (ilk; thirteen thoufandfeven hundred and forty ci^ht pounds of cottop ; eight million feven hundred and thirty fcvcn thoufand two hundred and forty eighttruffcs of firaw for the horfes belonging to the court, and one hundred and eighty thoufand eight hundred and feventy jneafurej of fait, cach containing one hundred and twenty four pounds. Tliis tribute is prcportioijably mucli inferior to that paid by other provinces. Tlic face of the country here being flat and level, per-inlts the ufe of a kind of carriage, the condruiilion of ■which appears to be father lingular. Father Martini, one of tlie firft mifiionaries in China, thus defcribes it : " They ufe," in the province of Pc-tcheli, " a kind of chariot with one wheel, and conftrudled in fucli a manr " ner, that there is room in the middle for only one per- ' " fun who fits as if on horfeback; the driver puflies behind, and by means of wooden levers, makes tiie cha-«' riot advance with fafcty and expedition. This has per« haps given rife to the report of ckarlots driven in that of china. 47 *' country by the wind, wliich thcChincfe clireft over " land with fails, as they do fiups at fca." A Krenc'a miffionary, who travcrfcd this province in 1768, fccnis to hnve made ufc of the fame kind of carriage. " Wc " quitted the canal," fays he, " to travel in carts, v liich is " cuftomary in this part of China; but it is difagrccablc " beyond dcfcription. The cart is amazingly clumfy, and " lias a great rcfcnililancc to the carriage of a gurs ; there " is room in it for only one pcrfun, who is frcqucntlr " obliged to fit crofs-lcgged, as our taylors du in Europe ^ " it jolts prodigioufly ; and, while tlic traveller is cxpofc j " to the fcorching rays of the fun, fuch clouds of" t fccm to agree with its latitude. Although Pe-tchtli extends no farther than to the fortv-fecund degree of north latitude, yet al! the rivers tlicre are fo nuich frozen during four months in the year, that liorfes and waggoru with the hcavieft loads, may fafely pafs them, and it 14 remarkable (hat tlic %vhok' body of ice is fornicd in one day, though fcveral are ncccifary to tliaw only thfl furfacc. Wha-t may appear no kfs cstraordlnarv is, tliat during theft fcvcre frofts, that fliarp and pi;.c)iing cold which accompanies the jiroduflion of icc in Europe, is not felt ia this province, Thefe phenomena cannot bo accounted tor, but by attribaring them to the great ijiiaiuity of nitre which isfouml difpuii-d throughout this provinco, and to the fcrenity of the ftv, which, even during winter, is feldom obfeurcd by a cloud. This phyfical explanation appears to be confirmed by experiments made by Father .Amiot Pe-kin v;hich convinced him, that in this capital neiglibourhoüd, as far as fc?en or eight leagues around, the v.-ater, air and earth equally abound with r.ltrc. With regard to fhc -.vater, the facility ^rlih T/hieh itfreex-es, the fclidit}' of the ice and its duration, evidently announce the prcfcnce of nitre. A tub fiiled with water, placed '' war one of Reaumur's thermometers, had itsfurfp.ce Immediately frozen, when the mercury flood or.ly one: " degree above die freezing point ; r.nd -s^'hen it floorV " three degrees below frcc/.ing, the water becania a foiid iTjafs of ice, if the diameter of the vciTel diii r.ot cxcecd " a foot and a half, r.nd the depth of the water four or " five ijiches. This water, when the weather '/.'as fir.e, " continued in the faT-'z-ftate of congcbfion,. as long as " the mercury in the thermometer did not rife higher " than three degrees above (o) ; when the mcrcury rofi; «''iiijlier, it then began to dtlToive, bat fo flovvlr, that " t;vo or tl.ree days v-ere fcareely fiifncient to refiore it to its former fl'-iidhy." To this experiment, Fatiie-r Amiot add'5 another, made in the fiimmer of fhc year 1777 ; wliioh appears to have been attended to with ths greateft pofiible accuracy. It rr.ay be proper to obfcrve, before \vc relate it, that during the year 1777, there was a longer continuance of hot wcathi^r tfsan is genefally obferved at Pc-k;n. In tlie courfe of the months of jimc iind July, tl'.e tiicrmomctcr contitiual'.v rofc from the twenty fixth to the thirty iecnnd and thirty third degrees above 7,em-, on the 23d of jaly, at three in the afternoon, the thermometer rufe to thirty four degrees, and remained at that h-.'ight until ludf p: govurnois hiis uodur bis jurifditiion feven fou., or cities of the ftrll clufs. NAN-KIN. Kiang-ning-fou, or Nan-kin, is the capital of this provinco; and by the ancient Chiijcfc it is faid to have been one of the molt beautiful and flourifhing cities tn the world. When they I'peak of its extcjit, they Jiiy, if two horfenicn fhould go out by the fame gate in the morning, and ride round it on fiillfpeed, taking different dircčHons, they would not meet before the evening. This account is evidently exaggerated ; but it is ccrtain, that Nan-kin furpaffed in extent all the other cities of China. Its walls are faid to be fifteen leagues and a half in circumference. A French-mifiionary, lately arrived from China, fpeaks of this celebrated city in the following manner; " Wc arrived at Nan-kin on the 2d öt June. 1 was very defirous " of feeing this city, which is reckoned the largeft in the world. The fuburbs through which we pafTed are very " long, but not populous ; the houfes ftandat fomediftajice " one from another, having reeds, pools of water, or plan-<' tations of baniboo between them. We took a view of the city from the fifth ftory of theporcelain tower, which com" uiands an extcnfive profpeö; but it diti not appear Eo us, > A tsiil c^iialln Tjlut to an oi:r.cc of filveij whkhin ChiM is wsrA « to tie ahöve two thirds as large as Paris. Wc could not « reconcile this with the accounta generally given of its " iinmenie extent; but ihi- next morning expbinet! the mat" tcr, Wc hiid triivcllcd a full league fi om Nan^kin, when " wc perceived, on a fudJeii, t!ie walls of a city lifing junidlt « moimtains, and aj^ipcairing :is if ccmcntjd to the rocks, " Thcfe were tlie walls of Nan-kin, which, leaving the « city where it now ftnnds, have, as it were, retired thither, " and indole n i'pacc of hftccn or ftxtecn leagues, twelve or " thirteen of which nre not inhabited." Nan-kin Is Htuated at the difhmceof a league from the river Yang*tfe-kiang, from whence barks come up to it hy means of canals ; it ia of an irregular figure ; the mountains which are within its circumferencG having preventeJ its being built oil a regular plan, k was formerly the isn-pcrial city, and for this rcafon, it was called Nan-kin, which fignifies The Southern Court; but fince the fix gran« tribunals have been transferred from hence to I'e-kin, it is called Kiang-ning-fou in all the public acis. This city has loft much of its ancient fplcndour ; it had formerly a magnilicent palace, no vedige of wbith is now to be fccn. Its obfervatory is necleclcti, and alniofl de-ftfoyed \ of its temples, tombs of the emperors, and otUer fuperb monuments, nothing reinali-is but the re-tnembrance, being all demolidied by the Tartars, who firrt invaded the empire. A third of the city is dcfertcd, l>ut the reft is well inhabited. Some quarters of it are extremely populous and full of bufincfs. The ftrects arc not fo broad as tliofe of Pe-kin ; they arc, hcwvever, very l^eautifu! and well paved, and abound with (hops richly furniflicd. In this ciiy refides one of thofe great mandarins callcd Tfong-gtou, who takes cognisance of all important affairs, on appeal from the tribunals of bolh the govern-"lentsaftlie province, and alfo from thofc of the provincs of Klang-fi. The Tartars have a numerous garfifoil her?i commanded by a general of their own nation, and they occupy a quarter of the dtyj fcparatcd from the rcfl by a fingle wall. The palaces of the mandarins here are neither fü large» nor fa well built as thofc in the capital eitles of other provinces. Nor are there here any public edificcs corref-ponding to the reputation of fu celebrated a city, excepting its gates, which arc beautiful, and fome idol temples, among which is the famous porcelain tower. It is of an o6^3gonal figure, each fide being fifteen feet in front, it it is two hundred feet high, and divided into nine ftories by finglc floors within, and without by cornices at the rife of the archcs and fmall projeflions covercd with green-varniftied tiles. There is an afcent of forty fteps to the firft ftory, and between each of the others there are twenty-one. The tower is the talleft and moft beautiful of all thofe to be feen in China, The breadth and depth of the river Yang-tfe-klang for" merly rendered the port of Nan-kin very commodious 5 but at prefent large barks, or rather Chinefe junks, never enter it ^ whether it be, that it is fhut up by fand-banks, or that the Chinefe, out of policy, forego the ufc of it, in order that navigators may infenfibly lofe all knowledge of it. In the months of April and May a great number of excellent fifli are caught in this river, near the city, which are fcnt to the ecnperor's court ; they arc covered with ice, and tranfported in (hat manner by barks kept entirely on purpofe. And though Nan-kin is more than two hundred leagues fromPe-kin, tbefc boatsmakefuch expedition, that they arrive there in eight orten days. All the way there arc ft;iges where the men are relieved, during the filhing fcafon. Nan-kin, though the capital of the pro- vlnče, has under its particular jurIfdi£lion only eight cities of the third clafs, sou-tcheou. Sou-tchcou is the fccond city in this province ; it is one of the moft agreeable in China ^ and by thofe Europeans who have fc-en it, has been compared to Venice, with this difference, that the latter is built as It were in the fea, and Sou-tchcou is interfcfled by canals of freih water, fo that you may pafs through the ftreets by waicr as well as by land. The branches of the river and canals arc almoft all capable of bearing the largeft barks, which, according to Du Halde, may fail through the city to the ocean in two days. From this city a trade is carricd on, not only with all the provinces of the empire, but with Japan. There Is not, perhaps, in the univerfe, a country more delightful, either from the pleafantnefsof its fituation, orthc jnildncis of its climate; the air is temperate, proviliuns plentiful, the foil fruitful and well improved, and the manners of the people gentle, fo that the city is confidcred as a place of pleafure, and the paradife of Cliina, Above, fays the Chinefc authors, is the cekßialparadtfe ; but the paradife of this world is Sati-ttheou. The brocadcs and embroideries made here are in great requeft throughout the whole empire. Its jurifdidllon extends over only eight cities ; one of which is ef the fecond clafs, and the reft of the third ; butali thefe cities arc beautiful, and about two or three leagues in circumference each. song-k-iang-rou. This city is built clofc to the water ; the prodigious quantity of cotton clotli here made, is very fine, and ^■Uh which it fupplics, not only the empire, but alfu countries, renders it very celebrated, and ca-jfcs L it to be mui;li frequented. This city has only four otliei'ft under its junfdičlion, hut which for mngnitude and com TncrCe may compare with moft in China. TCHlN-TCHEOU-rOU. Tcliiii-tcheoü fou is fituated near the canal through wlilch all barks going from Sou-tchcou to Kiaiig niuft pafs. According to Du Halde, it is adorned with triumphant arches, and the fides of the canal leading to it are lined vitli hewn ftone. It is celebrstcd on accourrt of its trad«? and waters, which Sie faid to give to tea an agreeable and pleafant tafte 5 it has dependant on it five cities of the' ihird clafs, in fome of which a particular kind of earthenware is made^ whichthe Chinefe hi'^hly value. Pretending that tea prepared In thefe veflels acquires a fuperi'-or quality, hence they prefer this piain eartlven-watc ta }he moft elegant porcelain. TCHl:l-KIANO-FOU. Tchin-kiang.fou is the key of the cnnpirc on the fca toaft; here a numerous garrifon is always kept, and though it is fmall, conrpared with fomccitics vre havef defcribed ; its fituation, trade, an-d the beauty of itis walls' give it a pre-eminence over tire others of tliis province ; but its jurifdttSion is very confined ; for it has authority ovci" only three cities of the third clitfs. It ftands on the fiVks of the Ta-kyang, \fhich }s here a mile and a half over, aral a little to the eaft of a canal cut ag far as the river. Six paces from the bank in the rivet" ftands a hiH, called Kin-0>an, or goldert-hill, on the top of it is a tower fcver:il ftories high, and its Ihores are be-fet with idol temples and houfcs of bonzes. On the op-pofitc fide of (he river ftantis ^ua-chcw, which, thon^^l'i fimply denominated a placc of trade, may yet rank wit'' many cities.- hoai-noan-fou. Hoaungan fem is fituated in a marfli, and cnclofed by a triple wall: as the ground on which it flands is lower than the bed of the canal j and in many parts only fupportcd by a bank of earth, the inhabitants live in continual danger of an inundation. The fuburhs extend to the diflance of a league on each fide of the canal, and form at tlieir extremity a kind of port on the river Hoang-ho. This place is very populous, and every thing in it annoiinccs an aflivc anJ brifk trade, A rnandarhi who hae the infpeition of the canals and navigation, and who is one of thofe obliged to fupply the court with neccflary provifions, rcfides here; be has a niimber of officers under him who have here proper ftations allotted to them. This city has eleven others under its jurifdiflion ; two of which are of the fccond, and nine of the tiilrd clafs, yANQ-TCHEOU. This city enjoys a mild and temperate air, and the country around in pkafant and fertile. It is populous, and two leagues in circumfcrence, built on the fide of the royal canal, which extends from the Ta-kyang and runs northward to the Hoang-ho or Yellow River, As it is intcrfcdled by a number of canals, it has twenty-four ftonc bridges, cach of wliich confifts of feveral arches. There is always fo great a crowd on the bridge which forms a commynication with the eaftern fuburbs, that it has been found too narrow ; and a ferry-boat has been cftabliflicd at a fmall diHanee, which is fcarce fufficient for the confluence of paifengcrs, although the breadth of the canal is r,„iy thirty paces. T. he inhabitants of this city are accounted very volup-'itous, and it is faid that they carry on a traflic in women ; 'li^y educate with great care a certain number of ytjung li'flS) wl^o arc taught mufic, finging, drawing, and every i a branch of education fuitable to their fex ; thefc are afterwards fold at a high price to fome of the principal nobility, who add them to the number of their concubines, The author quoted, when fpcaking of Nan-kin, thus ex-preffes himfelf of Yang-tchcou. " It is one of the " mod beautiful and largefl: cities I ever beheld. The farmtrs of the fait revenue have built here a pleafure-«• houfc for the emperor, which ftrikcs with more afto-nifhmcnr, as nothing has been feen hitherto equivalent " to it; it is built ;iftcr the model of Hai-tien, another " country-houfe, two leagues diftant from Pe-kin, where " the emperor commonly relides. The palace of Yang-tcheou occupies more ground than a moderate city ; it " is acoUctftion of artificial mounts and rocks formed by art; ** of valleys and canals, fometimes broad and fometimes " narrow, bordered infomc pljce^ with cutftone, in others with rocks fcattered promifcuoufly; a vaft affemblage of " buildings, each different from another, of halls, courts and galleries both open and enclofed j gardens, parterres, " cafc ad es, elegant bri dges, pa vilions, grove s an d tri umphal " archcs. Each piece, taken feparately, is tieither bcau-" tiful nor laid out with tafte; but the mMltiplicity of " ohjefls is ftriking, and makes the beholder at lafl ex, " claim. This ihe habilation of a pmerf'ul maßer V WGAN-KING-FOU. Ngan-king-fou is the capital qf the wcftern part of the province ; its fituatior\ is delightful. It is governed by a mandarin as a particular viceroy, who keeps a large garrifon in ^ fort biiilt on the banks of the river Yang-tfe-kiang, and which commands the lake Poy-ang, The commerce and rjchcs of this city ^-ender it very confider-ablc ; and every thing that goes fron;i the fouthern part of China to Nan-kin muft pafs through it. The country belonging to it is level, plcafant and fertile : but under it® jurifdidion there arc only fix cities of the third clafs. of china; 6i MOEI-TSHEOU. This is the moft fouthern city of the province, and one of the richeft of the empire ; the people are economical and temperate, aitive and enterprifing ; and they boaft of their tea, varnifli, ink, engravings, and earth for China, •ware, which are indeed the moft eftqemcd in China. It has fix cities of the third clafs dependent on it; and the mountains which furround this canton contain gold, ül, ver and copper mines, NINC-KOUE-TOU. Ning'koue-fou is fttuatcd on a river that falls into the Yang-tfe-lcyang ; has nothing remarkable but its maiiii-facSories of paper, which is made of a fpecies of reed, of which there are feveral. It has under its jurifdictioii lix cities of the third clafs. tchi,tcheou-fou. Tchi-tcheou-fou is furrounded by a hilly country; its principal refource is in its fituation on the river Yank-tfc-Ifiang, by which it can either furnidi or draw from the other provinces every neceflary or luxury. It has fix cities of ihe third clafs belonging to its diftrift, but of no great note. TAY-PING-FOU. Tay-ping-fou is alfo buüt upon the banks of theYang-tfc-kiang, and its plains are watered by a number of navigable rivers, which almoft inclofe it, and render it very opulent. Its jurifdidlion extends over only three cities, of which Vou-hou-hien is the moft confiderable in point of opu lence. fonc-yang-fou, This city is fituatcd on a mountain near the Yellow river, ,and enclofes with its walls feveral fertile little hills. Its jurifdiiiion is very entenfive, being eighty leagues from eaft to weft, and fixty from north to fouih; com-fr<;hendiiig eighteen cities, five of which are of the iccouid. ajitl thirteen of the thiid clafs, bcfidcs a number of vil-lagc'i, or rathsr p[;iccs of trage, fettled osi the river for the convenience of iiicrchniits and colSecliiig of dues. As this was the hirth-place of tlic einpci or Hong-vou, chicf f)i' the preceding t'vuaftV) this prince forjned a defign of rendering it a ir,agnificL'ut elty, 1» order to make it the feat of eiiipirc. After having cxpcllsd the wcftern Tar^ tars, wlio had taken poflenion of Cliiiia clghtv fsvcn years, hs trjnsfirred his court hither, and named the city Pyongyang ; tliat is to fay, The placs of ihe Back's Spknitcr. His inte.ntion was to beautify and enlarge it; but tlie incqija-lily of the ground, the fcarcity of freili water, and the vicinity of his father's tomb, made him changc his dcrign, and by the unanimous adyicc of his principal officers, this prince cRablifhcd his conrt at Nan,kiii, When he had formed this refolutiori, a ftop was put to the intended woi ks; the iinpcrial palace, which was to Jiave been en, clufcr! by a triple wall; the walls of the city, to which a circumference of nine leagues were aligned; the canal a that were marked out and begun, all were abandoned; and nothing was finifiied but three monuments, which IHli remain; their extent and magnificence fuiHciently flicw what this city would hayc been, had the emperor purfued )iis original defign. The firll of thefe monuments is the tomb of the father of Hong-vou, to decorate which no expcncc was fpared, por any thing which filial afteciion could invent; it is called Hoav.g-lin^ or the Ji?«ya/ ToviL The fecond is a tower built in the middle of the city, which is of an ob, long foniii an hundred feet high; and divided into four ffories raifed on a maflive pt|e of bpck work. The third is a magnificent teniplc erc^ed to the idol Fo, At firft it Vf-as only a little pagod, to which Ho;ig,voi!, at the age of feventecii, retired after having loft his parents, and whero he was admitted as an inferior domeftic; but having foon. t)e9ome wcarjf of this kuid of lif?} h? t'lJiftcd T/vith tht; th^cj' of a tend of robbers wlia h:id revolted fjom the T;irtars,-where Sie fuun gave proof of his v;ilour ^nti talents. Ay he wai bold i.iid eiiHjriiri-rin|;, the general whufe oücem hv Ii:;d gained, made cholpc of him for Iiis foa-rii-Uw, r.iul foon after he was dcclarcd Iiis faccelFor by the unanimous voice of the troops. The new clitef, feeing himftlf at the head of a large party, had the prefumption to afpire ta the tliioiie, and having gained numerous party to his intcreft, took his nieaiures accordingly. The Tiuturs, iiifprmcd of the progrcfs cf his arms, fent a numerous army into tlie field; but he furprifed and attack^'d them ■with fo much impetuofity, that they were obliged to fly ; and, though they fevcral times returned tu the charge, ibey were ftiJI defeated, and at length, after a clofe pur-fuit, driven entirely out of Chinas Soon after he mounted the throne, he caufed the fuperb temple which we have mentioned to be raifed, out of gra^ titudc to the honzes, who had received him in his diftrefs, and afligned them a revenue fufficient for the maintenance of three hundred perfons, under a ehief of their ow^n feilj whmn he eonßitutcd a mandarin, v/ith power of governing them, independent of the officers of the city. Thispagod, called Long-hing-^oeT was fupportcd as long as the preceding dynafty Lifted; but that (rf the eafterti Tartars', which has fucceeded have fnftcrcd it to fall tu ruins ; at prefent there arc to he fcen here only about sv feore of priefts, who arc almoft reduced to beggary. LIN-TtHEOU-iOU. ^'in-teheou-fou, is the laft eity of the firft dafs ; it has nothing to diftinguifli it from others, but the excellence: of the grain and fruits with which it abound;. Its mountains arc covered with excellent timber, and its jurifdic, diction comprehends eight eitles ; two of which arc of the fecondj and lix of the third clafs. 64 general description ISLAND OF TSONG-MING. The iHand of Tfong-mlng belongs alfo to the province of Kiang-nan, from which it is feparated only by an arm of the fea, about five or fijclcagues broad. Formerly this country was a fandy dcfart, to which criminals were baiiifhed. Thofe who firfV landed on it began to till the earth, that they might not periih witli hunger, and fome poor Chinefe families emigrating thither, divided the ifland among them j they afterwards invited others to fettle, and gave them part of the land, on condition of an annual rent of the produce» fo that in lefs than in ten years the ifland was peopled and cultivated. It now contains one city of the third rank, and fcvcral villages. Some parts of it produce wheat, rice, barley, cotton, citrons and feveral other fruits ; but its principal revenue arifes. from fait, which is made in fuch abundance, that the ifland can fupply moft of the neighbouring countries. I'his fait is extracted from a kind of grey cartii, which is found difpcrfed by acres in different parts of the iflandg efpecially in the north. The method of making this fait, according to the accounts we have, is curious. " The earth is fmoothed, and raifed in a Hoping form, that the water may not fettle « upon it. When the fun has dried its furface, it is carried ofi-' 2nd liiid in heaps ; which are carefully beat " on every fide ; tjiis earth is afterwards fpread out on " large tables a little inclined, and a quantity of frefh " water is poured over it, which, as it runs ofiT, carries « with it the faline particles into a large earthen vefTel, " into which it falls, drop by drop, from a fmall canal made on purpofe.. The earUi, being thus freed from its fait, is placed apart, and when dry is pulverifed; « after v/hich it is fpread over the foil from which it was " taken; and at the end of fome days it is fouad im" pregnated) as before with a great quantity offaUne par* " tides which arc a fecoiid time extrailed in tlie fains " manner." While the men arc labouring in the Held, the women " and children are employed in boiling the fait water; " they till large iron bafons with it, in which it thickens " and changcs gradually into a very white fait, which " they keep continually liirring with an iron fpatula, until " the aqueous part is entirely evaporated." Other parts of the ifland yield the inhabitants two crops per annum; one of corn in the nwnth of May, and the other of rice and cotton in September. The air in this part is healthful and temperate, the country delightful, and interfered by a great number of canals, which are carefully kept in repair. There are a great number of mandarins in this country; but the governor is one of thofe who are called Uterati-, he adminifters juflice, receives the tribute jwid to the emperor, gives paffports to fhips, and pafies fen-tence of death on criminals. When the people have occafion for rain, or fine weather, he proclaims a general faft; butchcrs and inn-keepers are then forbid to fell any thing under the fevereft peiralties; they however in general take care to get rid of their provifions, by privately bribing die oHicers of the tribunal, w)iofe bufinei's it is to enforce the obfcrvance of this order, 'l^he mandarin afterwards walks in procelTion, accompanied by his fubalternS) to the temple of the idol whom they intend to invoke; he kindles on the altar two or three fmall aromatic twigs, which being done they then all fit down, and pafs the time in drinking tea, fmokirrg and conyerfiuion, for an hour or two; after which they retire. father Jac^uemin relates., that in his time the viceroy of one of the provinces, becoming impatient becaufs rain had not been granted to his repeated requefts, fcnt' iiifcrtor mandarin lo tell the idol from him, that if it 'tot ruin before a certain day he v,'o\dd drive hitn from K the city, and caiife his temple to be rafeJ. No rain having fnlleii before tlie day mentioned, the viceroy, in a grcLit paffion, forbade the people to cany, according to ctiftom, their ofFerings to the idol, and ordered the temple to be fliut and the gates f^-aled up; which was irn-mcJiiitcIy executed. This idaiid cxtctids from fouth-eafl to nortli-weft, and IS about twenty leagues, in length, and five or fix i/i breadth. PROVINCE OF KIANG-SI. This pi'ovince is bounded on the north by that of Kiang-lian, on the weft by Hou-quang, on the fouth by Qi^tang-toi:g, and on the eaft by Fo-k.icii and Tche-kiang. Tiic fiountry is extremely fertile, but it is fo populous, that it can fcurcdy fupply tl;e wants of its inhabitants : on tMs account, they are very economical and fordid ) wliich tx-fvifes tlicm to the farcafms .ind raillery of the Ct'.incfe of the other provinces; however, they have the charačter of being a people of great folidity and acutencfs, and have the iaknt of ryin^ rapidly to the digniltes if ike ßitic. The mountains of this province are covered with fimples, and contain in their bowels mines of gold, filver, lead, iron and tin; the nee it produces is exceedingly fine, and the wiiie made here is by the Chinefe reckoned among the heft Ü1 the country-. The porcelain made here is alfo the iuKft and mofl valuabk of any in the empire. Tlie river Kan-kyang divides this province, which contains thirteen cities of tlie firfl: clafs, and levciiry-ciglit of the fecond and third. nak-tchang-foui This city is the capital of the iiiovince, has no trade but that of porcelain, which is made in the neighbourhood of Jao-tchenii, and exceeding good. Jt is the refidence of a viccroy, and coinpreherftls in its diltriiit eight cities» fcvcn of which are of the thii'tl clafs, and only one of the fecond. So much of the country around is cultivated, that the pailurcs left arc fcarccly fufficlcnt for the Rucks. JAO-TCHEOU-FOU. Jao-tchcou-fou is fituatcd on the northern bank of the I'lver Po, which difchargcs itfcif at a fmall dlftancc into the lake Po-yang- It commands tcvcii other tilics of the third clafs, and is particularly famous on account of the beautiful porcelain made in a village belonging to Its dif-tfict, called King-te-tching, In which are colleflcd the beft workmen in porcelain j tliis villngc is as populous as the largeft cities of China. It is reckoned to contain a million of inhabitants, who confume every day more than ten thou-fand loads of rice. It extends a league and a half along the banks of a beautiful river, and is not, like many others, a col-Icdionof Itraggling houlcs intermixed with fpots of ground; on the contrary, the people complain that the buildings are too crowded, and that the long fti-aets which t'.isy form are too narrow i thofc who pafs through them imagine thcin-felves tranfported into the niidft of a fair, where nothing is heardaround, butthenoife of porters calling out to make way. Provifions are here exceedingly dear, becuiife every thing confumed is brought from a great diftance ; even wood, fo neccflliry for the furnaces, is a£tually tranfportcd fi om the diftance of an hundred leagues. This village, notwith-ftanding the high pricc of provifions, is an afylum for a great number of poor families, who have no means offub-fifting ill the neighbouring towns. Children and invalids find employment, and the blind gain a livelihood by pound-iiig colours. Tlie riyer in this place forms a kind of hur-bour of about a league in circumference, and two or three rows of barks placed in a line, fomctimes border the whole «xtent of this vaü bafon. King-te-ching contains about five hundred furnaces for W4klng porcelain, all employed: the llamas and clouds of K ^ fnoke, whicli rife from them in different places, fhcw at a diftance the extent and Cizc of this celebrated village. Strangers are with difficulty permitted to fleep here ; they mufb either pafs the night in tlie barks which brought them hither, or lodge with their friends, who are obliged in fuch cafe to anfwer for their conduft. Thus they maintain order and iiifety in a place, the riches of which might other-wife excite tlic avidity of a number of banditti. KOANG-FlN-FOa. Koang-fin-fou is furroundsd by mountains, the greater part of which are lofty, and abound with fine cryftal, others are divided into ploughed lands, many of which are but little inferior to the valleys, and fome are covered with forefls. There is fome good paper made in this city, and the candles here are deemed the beft in the empire, Its jurifdiction extends over fevcn cities of the third clafs. NANG-KANG-rOU, KIEOU-KIANG-FOU, KIEN-TCHAKG- FOU. Thefe cities have nothing remarkable but their lituation. The firft is built on the banks of the lake Po-yang, the fccond on the fouth fide of the river Yang-tfe-kiang, and the third on the frontiers of the province of Fo-kien. The firft has four others of the third clafs under its jurifdiiStion, and the two lafi have five. At Nang-kang-fou and Kicon-kiang-fou they manufaöure flight fummer cloathing from a fpecies of hemp that grows near them, and the country in general, produces plenty of rice^ fruits, wheat, &c. though the former is not very good. vou-TCHEOU-FOU. This city was formerly one of the moft beautiful in China ; but fince the invafion of the Tartars it has been a heap of ruins, which however ferve to convey fome idea of its ancient raagiiificL-nce. The air here Is pure, the people are ačtivc nnd iiidiittrious, and the fields wull cultivated. Its diftria: is about twcnty-fiv;.' leaguus in extent, and its government eff.braccs fiK cities cf the tlin4 clars. lin-kianc-fou. Lin-kiang-fou is fituatcd on the banks ofthe river Yu ho j Its ibil is good, and the climate is [ieaitliful; but it is much dcfcrt'jd, and the inhabitants live very poor, To that the Chi-nefe fay, by way of fneer, one hog would hefuffidtnt is main-iain the vahok city iiva dap. It has four cities of the thii d dafs belonging to its diftricl. One of its villages, at about three leagues diftant on the banlcs of the river Kan-kyang. is the generali mart for all the drugs fold in the empire i this makes it a place of lome note, KI-NCNAN-FOU, CnOUI-TCHFr.tJ-FOU and I'UEN-tcheou-fou. Thefe are ciiics very coniniodiouily fituated upon the banks of different rivers, and in cantons equally fertile. The mountiiins of the iii ft contain gold and fdver mines, and nine ciiics of the third rank are within its dif-tridl i the diftricl of the fccoiid reachcs over three ci tics of the third clafs, and in its mountains are found the lapis !a7-uji, and the third furnifties the reft of China with abundajicc of vitriol and alum, while its dirtriit extends over foUf pities of the third claf?. kan-tcheou-fou. Kan-tchcou-fou has every appearance of a flourifliing trade, and its rivers, poi t, riches and population, all con-fib-ite to attraa: ftrangcrs. A day's journey from this city the nver forms a rapid current, almoft twenty leagues in length, flowing vv-ith {^reat impetuufity over a number Of icattered rocks that arc level with the water. So that travellers here are in great danger of being loft, unlefs tlicy are conduced by a pilot of tlie country; after this palllsgc the i fver becomes three or four tiirics as large as the Seine at Rouen; and is continually covtrcd with loaded barks and other vcfirls under fail. Near the walls of the city is a very long bridge, compofed of an hurjidred and thirty boats joined together by ftronj; iron chains. The fuilaiii-hoiifc is near (his bridge, where a receiver conftantly refides, to vifit all barks, and examijie if they have paid tlic duties impofed on the commodities with which they ai e loaded. Two or three moveable boats are fo. placed, that by their means the bridge can be opened or fhut, to give or refnfe a pafliiye ; and no barks are ever permitted to pafs until they have bteti examined. In the territory belonging to this city, a great number of ihofe valuable trees prow, from which varnifh diftils. Its dil"- •—I ' tzici: is extenfive, containing twelve cities of the third clafs, kan-ngan-fou, This city is fituatcJ in the moft fouthern part of the province ; it is.bi;autifut, populous, and commercial, for here all the mcrchandife muft be landed that goes to, or comes from tTw province of Quang-tono, and is much frequented. It has dependant on it four cities of the third clafs. province of fo^kien. The province of Fokien is not very extcnfive; but its rich-CS entitle it to be ranked among the moft (lourifhing of tho empire. Its climate is warm *, but flie air is fo pure, owing to the fca breeds» that no contaj^ious djfeafe was ever known to prevail here. It is bounded on the north by the province of Tche-kiang, on tlie weft by Kiang-fi, on the fouth by Qitang-tong, and on thceiift by the Chinefe fea. Its produftions arc mufkin abundance, prccious ftoncs, quick-filver, iron^ and tin. Tools of fteel ncceftary for every art, filk ftulfs, cotton and linen, and cloths of furprifing finenefs and beamy arc made here. The mountains of this provinc? arc likcwifc faid to contuiii tin, gold, and filvcr mines; l)ut the latter aie foi bid to be opened, uiidi;r pain of death- It has tew plains; bat indufrry has fi;rtiliz,L(J the mountains, the greater part ot" which arc difpofed in the form of amphitheatres, and cut into terraces that rife one above another, and which have to an European a very novel apjjcnr-atice. The valleys are watered by rivers and fprings, which fall from the mountains, which the Chintle hufbandman diftributes with great fkill, on his rice; tliey iikcvvifc raiie the water to the tops of t)ic mountains, and convey it from one fide to another, by pipes of bamboo, plenty of which are found in this province. Molt of the grains and fruits of the other provinces are likewife found here. The inhabitants of Fo-kicn carry on a confitlcraWe trade V?ith Japan, the Philippines, Java, Caniboya, Slam, and the ifle of Forniofa, which renders this country extremely opulent. It contains nine /»K, or cities of t!ie firft claf", and fijcty hien^ or cities of tlie third clafs ; among the former they reckon ']'ay-wan, the capital of the ifland of Kormofa, as well as the ifles of Pong-hu, between Forniufa and the port of Hya-incn, which is alfo in its diftrid. fou-tcheou-fou. Fou-tchcou-fou is one of the mofi coiifiderablc cities In the province, with refpetl to the beauty of its fituation, good-nefs of its foil, tUe extenfivenefs of its trade, che Jiu niber of its literati, the convenience of its rivers and port, and the magnificence of its principal bridge, which has more than an hundred arches, conltrudted of white ilone, and ornamented with a double balullrade throughout. This city is the re-lidciw^of a viceroy, and it has under its j urifdiction nine cities of the third clafs. TSUEN-TCHEOL'-FPU. This city is little inferior to the jirecedijig ; Its fitun'ion, trade, extent, triumphil lurches, temjrles, ic. f^cure ii a diltinguiftied rank among the inoft beautiful cities of China. Within its diltri£l are fcven citie? of the third clafs. Not far from this city is a bridge remarlcable for its extraordinary fize and thefingularity of its conftruftion, which was built at the expencc of one of its governors. Father Martini fpcaks of it ill the following words; " I faw it twicc, and always « with alioiiinimcnt. It is built entirely of the fame kind « of blaekilh ftone, and has no arches, but above threfe «' hundred large ftone pillars, which tonninnte on each fide in an acute angle, to break the violence of the current " with greater facility. iive ftones of equal fize, laid tr.infvei k'ly from one pillar to another, form the breadth of " the bridge, each of which, according to the meafuremont " I made in walking, were eighteen of my ordinary ftcps " in length; there are one thoufand of them, all of the fame " fiic and figure : a wonderful work, when one c!.)nfideis " die great number of thefe heavy ftones, and the manner " in v/hich they arc fupported between the pillars ! On " cacli fid-- tliere arc buttrelTes or props, conftructedof the fame kind of ftone, oil the tops of which are placed lions " on pedeftids, and other ornaments of the like nature. " Itis tobe obferved, that in this defcription, I fpeak on" ly nf one part of the work (that which is between the fmall city ofLo-yangand the cjftle built upon the bridge): " for, beyond tlie caftle, tlierc is another part equally ilu-" pendous as the firfl." KIEN-NINC-FOU. This is one of thofe common cities which prefents nothing remarkable. It Itands on the fide of the river Min-ho, and has a pretty good trade, lying in the way of all fliips that pafs up and down. At the time of the conquefl: of China by the Tartars, it fuftaiiicd two fieges, and refolutely refufed to fubmit; but, fome time after, being taken, all the inhabitants were put to the fword. Having been Hnce re-cftabliflied by the fame Tartars who dv;ftroyed it, it is noM/ rinkcd amongft cities of the firfl: clafs, which is tlx n:ore aftoüifhiiig, as it has nothing to diftinguifli it from oidlnnry cities. Ei^rht cities of the thirJ ciafs belong to Its dillričt. ven-ping-fou. This city rifts in the form of an amphitheatre, upon the brow of a mountain wafli^d by the river Min-ho ; it is for-» tified by inacccffible mountains, which covcr it on every fide, and all the barks of the province pafs by the foot of its wall?, to go to their different places of dcftination. The water of the mountains is conveyed by canals into every hoLife, which few other cities can boafl. It has under its jurifdidtion fcven cities cf the third clafs ; among v/hich is Cha-hlen, commonly called The Silver CZ/y, on account of the plenty occafioned by the fertility of its lands. ting-cheou-fou, hing-hoa-fou and chao-ott-fou-Thefe cities prcfent nothing curious to the traveller. Seven cities of the third clafs depend on the former, two on the fecond, and four on the third, which is a place of ftrength, and ons of the keys of the province. Hing-hoa-fou, though it has but two citics within its tJiftrliS, has a number of village-., and pays the nioft confidcrabk tribute of ricc of iiny other city in the province. tchang-tcheou-fou. Tchang-tcheou-fou is a city very confiderable on account of its trade with the ifles of Eikotiy, Pang-hou, and Formoja. The milRonaries found here fonie veftiges of the Ciiriftian religion, and Father Martini fays He faw in th« houfe of one of the literati an aid parchment book written in Gothic diaracfers, whit« contained in Latin the greater part of the fcriptitres. This Jcfuit offered a fum of money for it; but the owner r^fufed to part with it, though lie had no knov^-ledgcofchriflianity, becaufe it was » book 'i'vhivh had besn long preferred in hiy family, and L 74 general description which he faiJ his anccftors had always caiificlered as a very great curioiity.—'J'his city, which is the moft fouthcrn in the province, has ten cities of the third rank in itsdiftrici, the inhabitants of which, for the moft part, have a confider-able talent for commerce. Befides thcfe cities and a number of forts belonging to them, this province has under its jurifdiiiliion k celebrated port, cotnniojily callcd Hia-tncn, or Jimoiiyt and the illcs Qi Pang'hiif and Tay-wan., or Fcrtncja. ISLAND OF I-MÜUY- Tilc port of Eniouy is pro])crly hut an ancl^orlng-piacc for lliips, inciofed on one fide by the ifland from which takes its name, and on the other by the mainland; but it Is fo extenfive, that it can contain feveral thou-fands of vcflels ; and the depth of its water is fo great, that the largeft fliips may lie clofc to the fhore without danger. In the beginning of the prefent ccntury it was much frequented by European vefiels j but at prcfunt few vifit it, the trade being carried to Canfan. Here, however, the emptrof keeps a garrifon of iix or fevcii ihoufand men, commanded by a Chinefe general. A large rock which ftands at the mouth of the road divides it almofl: as the Mhigant divides the harbour of Breft. It is vifible, and rifes feveral feet above the fur-face of the water. About three leagues difbnt is a fmall iflnnd, with a natural arch In the middle which admits light from the oppofite fide : from this circumftance it is named The Perf orated Ißand. The idand of Emouy is celebrated on account of its principi pagod, confccrated to the deity Fo. This temple is fituattd in a plain, terminated on oJic fide by the fea, and on the other by a lofty mountain. Before it the fea, flowing through difterent channels, forms a large iivet of vvatci, bordered wkli turf of the müft beautiful verdure. The front of this edifice is one hiimhcd ami eighty feet in leti^th, and its gate is adorned with figures In relief, the ufual ornaments of the Chinefe architecture. Oil entering, a vafl: portico prcfcnts itfelf, with an altar in the middle, on which is a gigantic flatue of gilt brafs, rcprul'eiiting the god Fo, fitting crofs-Ieggcd. There arc four other ftatucs at the corntrrs of this portico, eigh-tesii ft'ct high, although ihcy reprcfeiU people fitting. Thcfc ftatucs are each formed from a fingle block of fTione, and they bear in their hands different fyinbols, which mark their attributes, as formerly in Athens and Rome the triil;nt and cadnceus diftinguinicd Neptune and Mercury. One holds a ferpent in its arms, which is twilfed round its body in fcvcral folds; another has a bent bow and quiver; a third prefents a battle-axe, and the other a guitar, or iiiftruinent of the fame kind, Crofling this portico, there is an entrance to a fquarc outer court, paved with large grey ftones, the leaft ten feet in length and four in breadth. At the four fides of this court arife pavilions, which terminate in domes, and have a communication with one another by means of a gallery which runs quite round. One of thefe contains a bell ten feet in diameter; in the other is a drum of an enor-rnous fize, which the bonnes ufe to proclaim the days of new and full moon. The two other pavilions contain the ornaments of the temple, and often fervc for the accom^ modation of travellers, whom the bonzes are obliged tq receive. In the middle of this court is a large tower, which ftands by itft-jf, and terminates in a dome, to which the afcent is by a beautiful ftone ftaircafe that winds round it. This dome contains a remarkably neat temple; thg ceiling of which, is ornamented with mofaic work, and the ■^alls covered with Ihme figures in relief, rcprefpntini^ and monfters. The pillars which fupport the roof this tidiiice arc of varnifbed wood, whiv;h on R-itivals are orr^mciitcd with fnall flags of diferent colours. The pavement is formed of little fliells, and its diltereiit compartments prefent birds, butterflies, flowers, The bonzes continually burn incenfe upon the altar, and keep the lamps lighted, which hang from the cciling. At one extremity of the altar is a brazen urn, which when ftruck fends forth a mournful Ibund, and on tlx- oppofitc fide is a hollow machine of wood, of an oval form, for the fame piirpofe, v'yz,. to accompany witli its found their voices when they fing in praife of the tutelary idol of the paged. The idol Poujfa is placed on the middle of this altar, on a flower of gilt brafs, which fervcs as a bafe. He holds a young child in his arms, and feveral fubaltcrn deities are ranged around him, who fhcw b)f their attitudes their rc-fpec grcatcfl adepts in chicancry of airy in China; they are fo well vcrfed In the laws, that the governors of ihe provinces and great mandarins chüofc their Siang-cong, or fccrclaries, from among tiiem. Half a league from tlic city is a tomb, which the Chi-ncfe fay is that of the great Ju. Near the monument a magnificent editicc has been raifcd by order of the emperor Chang-!it, who vilitcJ it in the twentieth year of Iiis reign, to fhew his refpctl to the memory of that cha-rafter. 'i his province has under its jurifditlion eight cities of the third clafs, in moft of which they make a wine cfiecmcd tliroughout the empire. tai-tcheou-fou and kin-hoa-fou, Tlic firü of thefe eitics ftands on the fide of a river in a country furrounded with mountains, and is neither fo rich or confidcrable as thofe before mentioned ; it has however fix cities of the third clafs in its jurifdiäion. Kin-hoa-fou alfo Hands on the fide of a pleafant river, ant! carries on a eoniulerable trade with many other provinces of the empire, in dried plumbs, rice, hams, and wine. It has been famed for the courage of its inhabitantfi, who long withflood the power of the Tartars. It has eight eitics of tlie third clafs dependent on It, fome fituatcd on the mountains, and fume in the ofci^ fields. kvu-tchf.ou fou amd yf. n-tc h eou-fou . T)ic fir'"! of thefc cities is the moft fouiliern one in the province, boriiering on Kyang-fc and Fu-kic[i; its jurif-dii':^iiju cKlCikIs over five cirics of the third clafs, but they contain nothing remarkabk, Yen-tcheou fou is of ftjU lefs importance; its ji:rifdifli()n extends over fix fmall citks of the third rank. Some coppcr mines nrc however found here, and the vavniih tree; ihoy alfo manufacture l^apcr, which is generally eftecmed. OUEN-TCHEOU-FOU AND T C H tJ-TC H EOU-FOU- The firft of thefe cities (lands in a marflsy foil, near the fea ; its buildings arc handfome, and it has a convenient harbour für batks and tran:'ports thx plains around it are fertjlc, but fome of the mountains arc frightful it has live fmall ciiies dependent on it. Tchu-tcheuu-fou is furrounded with vaft inoiintains ; its jurlfditHon is^,ver ten cities of the tliird clafs. Ricc here iü plenty, owing to the diSeulty of tranfporting of it to other parts; and the pine trees on the muuntains grow to an enormous PROVINCE OF HOU-QUANG. This province Hes neatly in t!ie centrc of the empire; the river Yang-tfc-kiang travLTfes it from wcfl to eaft, dividing it into two parts, it is celebrated for its fertility fo much, that the Chintfe call it the itore-houfe of the empire; and it is a common fayinj^ among them, that Tht prov'nicc of Kifing-fi wo'M furnijh China with a break-faß; but that cj Hou fjww^ filsni mM J'^pl'ly en-mgh to m.iim-r.hi all the inhmitanti of the em fire. Some princes of the race of Hong-vou formerly rcfidcd in rhis province ; but that familv was entirely extirpated by the Tartars when thev conquered China. This country boafe much of its cotton tloths, iimplcs, gold- M 2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION mines, wax, and paper, the latter of which is mide of the t)ambQO-reed. The northern part of the province contains eight fouy or cities of the firft clafs, and fixty of the fecond and third. The fouthern comprehends feven of the firft clafs, and fifty-four of the fecond and third, exclufivc of forts, towns and villages. VOU-TCHANG-FOU. Vou-tchang-fou, is the capital of the province, the rendezvous at different times of all the commercial people in China. This city, as well as the reft of the province, fufFered greatly during the laft wars; but it has rccovcr-cd fo much, that it is now inferior to none of the others, in extent, opulence, or population. Every brancli of trade is carried on hoe, and its port, fituated on the river Yang-tfe-kiang, is always crowded with vefTels. The beautiful cryftal found in its mountains, the plentiful crops of fine tea which it produces, and the prodigious fale of the bamboo-paper made here, contribute to render it famous. Its extent is compared to that of Paris, and it embraces in its diftrict one city of the fecond, and nine of the third clafs, befides fortified towns and fortreffes. HANG-YANC-FOU, AND NGAN>LO-FOU. Thefe cities are populous and commcrcial, but they prc-fent nothing remarkable, except the firfl-, in which is a. very high tower, raifed, according to vulgar tradition, in honour of a young woman, whofe innocence was declared by a flriking miracle : the branch of a pomegranate-treCt which file held in her hand, inftantly became loaded with fruit. It is fituated on the Yang-tfe-kyang, and has only one city under its jurifdiition; owing to its commercial advantages, its inhabitants are very rich. Ngan-lo-fou is built on the bordtrs of the river Han, in a vaft plain, its commerce with Vou-tchang-fou contributes to the riclies of its iiihnbitants ^ and it has jurifUi£t;on over two cities of the fccond, and five of the third dafs. siang-yang-fou, youen-yang-fou, te-ngak-fou. The firft of thefe cities flands on the river Hau, and fharts in moll of the advantagss of the bft city we mentioned, wit!i rcfpei^t to trade; one part of its territory is mountainous, and abounds with mincrais, and gold is faid to be f.nind mixed with the fand of its rivers; its dif-trliSl comprehends one city of the fjcond and fix of the third ciafs. Youen-yati|j-fou is tlie mod tiortherii city in the provinci-', fituatod on the Han, and iJiclofed with mountains, from whcncc fomo good tin !ias been obtained; it has fix cities of the third clafi within its jnrifdiiition. Tc-ngan-fou is built on the banks of a river which falls into the Yang-tfe-kyang j the country around it is inclofcd on the north by mountains, and the fouth by rivers and canals. It has fix cities of the third clafs in its jurif-di(Stion, and is remarkable for a fpecLcs of white wax, which they (iiy comes froni an infe£t, and from which they niak.5 candles. kin-tcheou-fou, and hoahg-tciieou-fou. Neither of thefe cities differ much from thofe laft defcribed. The jurifdičtion of the former extends over two cities of the fecond chifs and eleven of the third ; the latter over one of the fecond iuid eight cf the third. It is built on the Yang-tfe-kyang, ai^d as a place of trade is of importance. Thefe arc all the cities in the northeru divifiQn of this province. The fouthern dlvifion contains fevcn cities of the fnfl; clafs, fix of the fecond and forty-eight of the third of diofc Ofthefirftclafs, the principal is tchang-tcha-fou. ' This city Is fituated on a large river, w'aich has a com-oiuaication with am extenfivc Jake, cilleci Tong-ting^hou. It has under itr. jurißtdiinn one city of the fccond and eleven of the third dafs. The inhiibitaiits of one of thefe citits v.'erc the inftitutors of a grand feftiva!, which is celebrated in the fifth month, through dl the provinces of the empire, with great poinp and fplsiidour. The mandarin V/ho governed the city having been drowned, the people, who adored him on account of Iiis virtue and grc.it probity, jnftitutcd this feftival in honor of hiai, and ordered it to be folemnized by fportK, feafts, and combats on tht: water. A nrl this ft;flival, which at firft was peculiar to the city, at length extended over tlie whole ejnpirc. Long, narrow boats, covered with gilding, are preparet< for this foletnnity, Vi'hich are CiJIed Lo)jg-lche',u.^ becaufe they reprefent the figure of a dnigon; and rewards are be-ftowcd upon thofs who are viclorlous: but, as diverfions of tliis kind have bccome dangerous, they are forbid by many of the mandarins iu their rtfpecliye provinces. YO-TCHEÜU-FOU. This city is built on the banks of the river Yang-tfc-kiang, and may be ranked ainong the wcalthieft in China. It ij,'exc::eding populous, and a place nf great trade. One city of the fecoad claims, and fevcn of tht ti\ird, are under its jurifdiition. The other.cities of the province have nor ihmg remarkable ; their names are Fan-kingrfou, Heng-tcheourfou, Tchang-t'.vfoUj Tching-tcheou-fouj and Yongrtcheou-fou. PROVINCE OF HO-NAN. E%'ery thing that can contribute to render a country delightful is found united in this province; the Chinefc therefo e call it Thng-hoa, or The Middie Flowerit is bounded on the north by Pe-tche-Ii and Shan-fi, on the well by SiiL-ii-fi, on the fouth by Hou-quang, and on the eaft i>y Chang^ton, and watered by the Hoang-ho, or Ye!{öw Iii ver. .. The ancient einpcrors, invited by the mlldncfs ■ of the cliraatc and the beauty niiii fertility of the couiui'yj iixtJ their refidence here for Ibine time. The abundance of its fruits, paftures ;niJ corn, ths orreminacy of its inha-bitantf;, and the cheapiiefs of proviiions, have prcvc-nteJ trade fiombeing fo floLtrilhing here, as In tJic other provinces of the empire. The; who]e country, excepting towards the weft, is flat. There arifes along chain ofmountlins covered with thick forefts; and the land is in fuch a high ftatc of cultivation, tliat it appears like an immcnie garden. BeficJes the river Hoang-iio, which travcrfes this province, it is watered by a great immber of fprings and foun-t;iijis ; it has aUb a valuuhlc lake, v/hich ijivites to its banks prodigious numbers of workmen, a^i it is fuppofcd its water has tht property of communicating a luitre to filk, which cannot be imitated. Excluhve of forts, caf-tlcs and placcs of ftrength, this province contain;; eight cities of the iirft dais, and an hundred and two of the Ibcontl and third. In ojic of thcfe cities named i^üti-yang, U a kind of lerpcnt, the fkin of which is m;irkcd with fmall white fpots; tills ikin the Chlnefe phyficiaiis fteep in wine, and uic it .ifterv/ards as a fcmcdy againft the palfy. CAl-rONG-rOU. Cai-fong-fou i.s tlie capitvU of Ho-nnn; It is ßtuatcd at the dlfi-iuice of fix miles from the river Hoarig-ho ; but the ground is fo low, that the riVer is higher than the city. To prevent inundations, ftrong banks have bc:.'n raifcd, extending more than thirty This city vv;is,be- fieged in 1642. by an a; niy of an himdrsd thoufaiicl rebels, headed by one Ly-tecK:iuiig. The corn:i-.ander of ihc troops' k-nt to relieve it, form^id the deiign tf drowuLng the enemy, by breaking down the large bank of. H;,au--ho: m this firata^cm he ilieceeded : but t!^e inundation was fu ^'lolent and fiidden, that it Is afij-rtcd that three hundred t^i^ufiind inhabitants p^-rilhed on the cccalion. 88 general'description By the ruins which ffilJ fubfift it is evident that Cai-fong-fou murt: then have been three leagues in circumfcrencc. It has been rebuilt, but in a ftyle far inferior to its former magnificcnce. Nothing now diftinguiflies it from the inferior cities but the extent of its jurifdiaion, which comprehends four citics of the fscand, and thirty of the third ciafii. kouei-TE-FOU. Kouei-te-fou has under its jurifdidion one city of the fecond, and f:x of the third clafs. It is fituatcd in an extenfive and fertile plain between two large rivers, and nothing is wanting to render it opulent but an iiicreafe of its inhibitants and trade. The air here is pure, the earth fertile and the fruits excellent, while the inhabitants are remarkably mild, and treat ftrangers with uncommon hofpitality. TCHANC-TE-FOU. This is one of the mofl northern cities of the province. Its diftrift is of fmall extent, but the foil is I'ich and fruitful ; there arc two things here remarkable; th^ firft a fifh refcmbling a crocodile, the f^t of wliich is of fo fingular a nature, that when once kindled it is fc.irce poffible to extin-guilh it; the fecond a mountain in the neighbourhood, fo fteep and inacceffsble, that in time of v/ar it affords a place of refuge to the inhabitants, and a fafe afylum from the in-lults and violence of the foldiery. Tchang-te-fou contains in its diltridt one city of the fecond and fix of the third daft. ^ OUEI-K.IUN'-FOU AND HOAIKING-FOU. The territories of thefe provinces, which are not very cxtenfive, abound with fitnples and medicinal plants ; they have nothing elfe remarkable, but both thcfe have under their jurifdi£lion fix cities of the third clafä. HONAN-rOU. Honan~fou is fituat;d amidll mountain*; and between three river?. The Clujiefe formerly believed it to betJw ccnfic of the earth, bccaufc ir v^as in the mi-lcilc of their tMiipirc. Jtsjuriidiitioii is cxtcniiVi^; comprciieiidiiig one city üf the Cccoiid and thirt^^ca of the third clJs : ona of thcfe citics, named Tcng-fong-hicii, is fainuus on account of the tower crcßtd by tlm cijk-bratcd 'fchcyu-lsn^ for un obicrvatury ; tlierc is ftlll to be fi;en iji it ;in inltruinent which lie made iiL- of to find the Oi'Adow :;t noon, for aftmnomical piirpofüs. Tchcou-koiig lived above a thou-f;ijid years before the Chriftiiia and the Clüncfc pretend Uuit he was ths inventor of tlie mariner's coinpafs. nan-yang-fou and yunikc-fou. Thefo cities ha\x- under their jurifdiction tweiity-tu'o others, of which the former has two of the fecond and fix of the tliird clafs; and the latter, t\vrj of the fccond und twelve of the third. Provifions ;u'c fo abundant in the firft, that numerous nrniics have remained in it without the inhabitants fc-dice pti ceivsng the Icaft fcarcity, though its dilhicl is fmall; and the latter is not Ids fruitful. Wc-have nothing tlfe particularly woj'tliy of attention concerning them. * PROVINCE OF CH.\N(t-TONG. This province, wliich was the bij tli place of Confucius, is bomuLd on the eafl by Pc-tchc!i and part of Ho-naii, on the fouth by Kia;ig-nan, on the caft by the fea, and on the north by thj fame and part of Pe-tch:;!i. It is divided into iix diliričb, containin^j fix tidbs of thc-^irft cbfs and an hundred and fotirtccii of the fccond and third. B^fidcs thife, there are along ths coalt fifteen or fix.teen forts, fcverai vilia^jcs of coniidcrable note, on account of th.ir commerce, and a iiuiTiber of fm.ill iflaiids, the gT.-atsr part of which h:ive h.irbou/s very conveiajnt for the Chinefcju:U:s, v/hich pafs from th?ncc tj Corca or Leaa-tcui^. N Bcfides the grand Imperial Canal which traverfes tins province, and by which the commodities of the fouthern parts arrive at Pe-kin, it contains a great many hikes, ftreams and rivers, vhich contribute to the ornimcnt and fecundity of its plains; ftill however it has much to fear from drought, as it feldom rains here, ind locufts, which at times make great devaOation. Tlierc is no country in the univcrfe perhaps where game is more plentiful, or where hares, pheafants, partridges and quails are cheaper. For the inhabitants are reckoned the keencfl fportfmen in the empire. The lakes producc fifh in plenty, and the earth yields an abundant increafc of fruits and grain. The Imperial Canal adds greatly to the richcs of the province. Through this canal, as wc have before ob-fcrved, all barks from the fouth of China, which arc bound to Pc-kin, muft neccflTarily pafs ; their number is confiderable ; and they tranfport fuch quantities of mcr-chandifc and provifions of every kind, that the duties ccllcflcd on thiS canal alone, amount every year to more than 450,000!. ftcrliiig. All thefe barks pafs from the Yellow River into the Imperial Canal at So-tfien ; from fhcnce they go to Tci-ngin, and afterwards to Lin-tcin, where they enter the river Oei. In the courfe of this navigation arc a ^.^cat number of locks, which the want fif water fufr.cicnt to carry large barks has rendered necef-fjrv. 1'he übfiacks which nature oppofed to the execution of this magnifccnt work, the flrong and long dikes by which it is contained, its banks decorated and often lined with cut rtonc, and the ingenious mechanifin of its locks, all render it an objefl of admiration to the European traveller. There is found in this province a fpccies of infe£l much refembling European caterpillars, which produces a coarfe kind of fiik, fvom which very firong fluffs are made, and as thefe ftufTs arc very durable, they have an extcnfive falc throughout China. tsi-nan-fou. Tfi-nan-fou is the capital of this province ; it is fitu-4ted foutb of the river Tfing-ho or Tii; it is large and populous, and is much refpctled by the Chinefe on account of its having been formerly the refidcncc of a long fcries of kings, wliofe tombs, rifing on tlie neighbouring mountains, afford a beautiful profped^. Here a quantity of that inferior filk fluff we have before mentioned is made. Tfi-nan has under its jurifditlion four cities of the fecond and twenty-fix of the third clafs. They have nothing rcmaikable, excepting Yen-tching, where a kind of glafs is made, fo delicate and brittle, that it cracks if cxpofed to tlie leaft extra fliarpnefs of the air. yen-tc.heou-fou. This is the fccond city of the province, it is fituated between the Ta-chin-ho and Hoang-ho rivers ; the air is mild and temperate, which renders it an agreeable place of refidencc. The diftričt of this city is very extcnfivc ; having under its jurifdiilion four of the fecond and twenty-three of the third clafs : one of thefe cities, named Tci-ning-tcheou, is little inferior, if any, tp the capital, cither in extent, number of inhabitants, riches or commerce. Its eligible fituation for bufinefs upon the banks of the Grand Canal, invites to it a great number of (Irangers ; nolefs celebrated is Kiou-feou, the birth place of Confucius^ where fcveral monuments are ftill to be feen, erefted in honour of this eminent man. A third city, in which we are aflTurcd that great quantities of gold were formerly col-leflcd, and which perhaps gave occafion to its name of KinVian^ or Thf Go^en Countryy is likewifeof fome note, tong-tching-fou. This city is famous for its riches and trade, being fitua-t^fl on the great Canal, with a level country, producing N 2 plcntr oFp;raiii and fruits of all kinds, which procure in exchange whatever the other provinces fupply. Itsjurif-(ličlron extends over three cities of tl\e fecond and fifteen of the third clafs ; among thefc Lin-tcin-tcheou is the moR rem;irk;xble : it is fituatcd on tlic great Cnnal^ iind is much frequented by vefTtls ; it may be called a general iiingaxinc for every kind of merciiinulile. Among the edificcs -admired here, is an od>agonni tower, divided inta eight florics, the walls of which are covered on the outfide with porcelain, loaded with various figures neatly executed ; and within lined with poliilicd marble of different colours, a fiair^cafe, conftruÖcd in the wall, con, dutfls to ail the ftories, from which there are paifages that lead into magnificent galleries of marble, ornamenteJ with gilt haludrades, which cncompafs the tower. All the cornices and projections are furniflied with little bells, ■which, when agitated by the wind form a very agreeable harinony. The higlieft ftory contains an idol of gilt copper, to which the tower is conlecrated. Near this tower are fome otiicr idol- temples, tlie architecture of which is exceedingly beautiful. tsin-tcheou-fou. This city is inferior neither in extent nor riclies to the preceding. Its principal branch of commerce is fith, which arc caught in fuch abundance on its coaft that a very confidcrable profit arifes from the falc of th^ir (kins only. Tiie jurifdiction of this city cxtendj; over one of the fccond and thirteen ol tlie third clafs. tek-tcheou-rou, and lai-tcheou-fou. Thefe arc the two lufl: cities of the firlt clafs in this province ; they are remarkable for nothing but their fituation : esch of rhem has a convenient harbour, a numerous gar-rifon and feveral armed veflels to defend tlie coall- Ojiq City of ilic recoiicl, and fuven of the tliird clafs üeptnd on the form (J r : Lhe juiiltiictioii of the l^itLcr extends over vcn ; of v/hjch two arc of the lüCüiid cLifs. PROVINCE OF CHAN-SI. Chan-fi is one of the fniallcft provijices of the empire ; it is bounded on .lie eaft by Pc-tch::li, oji the ibuth by Ho-ran, on the wci't by Clien-fi, and on the norlli by the L]r£;;it wall. According to Chincic tradition, the firft iahabitiints fixed their icfidL-nce in this province. Its climate is healthful and agreeable, and ihc foil fiuitful. It furnifhts abund;mce of niufk, porphyry, marble, lapis lazuli and jafper of various colours: iron mines, fait-pits and cryftal aj'e alfo common here. 'I'he province is full of mountains ; fome of wind; are iiricukivated, and have a wild and frightful appearance; others are cut into tcrraccH, and from top to boltcm cn-vercd with corn ; on the tops offonic arc found vidt plans, equally fertile wiih thericheft low-Uuids. The inhabitants; of this province are civil, and in general ftrong made, hut exceedingly ignorant. Vines grow here, which produee the bert fruit in tliis par: of Alia. The Chinefe dry tlicfc grnpes and fell them in the other provinces. The mountains abouni! wiih coal, which the inhabitants pound, and form jnto fmall cakcs by mining with vvnter i it is not very inflammable, but when once kindled, afibrds a ftrong a .d lafting fire: it is ufed prircipallv for heating the fiüvcs, which are con-llrudkd with briek, as in Germany, hut here tb.ey them the form of finnll beds, and fiecp on them during the night. Tliis province comprehends five cities of tlic firft elafs and ei-^!ity-five of the fecond ar.J third within its dillria. TAI-YUEN-FOU. This city is the capital of the province : it is ancient, and about three leagues in circumference. It was formerly the refidence of the princes of the family of Tai-ming-tchao, but it has much of that fplendour which it thca had : nothing remains of their palaccs but heaps of ruins. The only monuments entire are the tombs of thefe princes, which are feet; on a neighbouring mountain. This burying-place is magnificently ornannented ; all the tombs arc of marble or cut ftone, arsd have near them triumphal arches, ftatues of heroes, figures of liojis, horfes, and different animals. Groves of aged cyprefies, planted chequer.wife, preferve an awful and melancholy gloom around thefc tombs, and make the fpc£lator feci the lit-ilenefs of human grandeur. Tai-yuen-fou has under its jurjfdliftion five cities of the fecond and twenty of the third clafs ; it has alfo a fmall Tartar garrifon under an oiKcer called Ho-tongJa. It has manufačlories of hard-ware, and fluffs of different kinds, particularly carpets made in imitation of thofe of Turkey. PIN-HIANG-FOU. This city is not inferior to the capital, either in antiquity, the richnefs of its foil, or the extent of its jurifdic-tion, which extends over fix cities of the fecond, and twenty-eight of the third clafs, befides a number of popu-Jous villages. Near Ngan-y is a lake, the water of which is as fait that of the fea, and from which a great quantity of fait is made. LOtJ-KCAN-FOU. Lou-ngan-fou has under its jurifdidion only eight citie? of the third clafs; but it is agreeably fituated n^a'' füurcc of the river Tfo-tfang-ho ; the country around^ -full of hills, but the land produces all the neccflaries of life. FUEN-TCHEOU-rOU, This is an ancient and cominercial city; It is built on the banks of the river Fuen-ho, from whence it has its name ; its baths and fprings, almoft as hot as boiling water, draw hither a great number of Urangers, which adds tu its upn-Icncc. Its diClridl is fmall, liaving only one city of the lecond, and fcven of tlie third clafs, moft of which lie between the river Hoang-ho and the Fuen. TAI-TONG-FOU. This is a place of ftreiigth, built near the great wal!. Its fituation renders it important, bccaufe it is the pluce niofl: cxpofcd to the iiicurfions of the Tartars ; it is therefore Ibongly fortified, and has a numerous garrilbn. The territory of this city abounds with lapis lazuli, and medicinal herbs; fonic of its mountains furnifh a puculiar flone of a deep red color, which is fireepcd in water and ufed for talcing impreflions of feals, &cc. tliey fumifli alfo a particLilar kind ofjai'per, exiled yu-c/je, which is as white and beautiful as agate; marble atid porphyry are alfo common; and a coniiderable trade is carricd on in fkins, which ara drsfied lierc. Tlie jurifdičhon of Tai-tong-fou comprehends iijur cities of the fccond and icven of the third clafs. PROVINCE CF CHEN-SL This province is divided into two parts, the eaflcrn and the wcftern i and contains eight cities of the firft clafs, and an hundred and fix of the fecond and third. It is bounded on tiie eall by the Hoang-ho, v/hich fcparat.'js it from Own-fs; on the fouth by Sc-tchuen and Hou-quang; on the north' by Tartary and the grtet wal], -^nd on the weft by the country of the Moguls. Chcn-fi had formerly- three viceroys; but ^it prcfuJir tt has only two bcTidcs the govcrtiors of So-ichcou and Kaii-tcheoii, which are the fiiotigcft places in the country. The province in general is fertile, cominerciat and ridi. It produces little rice; but plentiful crops of wheat ami millet; it is, however, fisbjcft tu long droughts, and fLimctiines evcrv thing that grows in t!ie ficldj is ilerimyet! Fiy lotiiils, whicli in return tlie Chinefe eat boileü ; ieveral wild aijiiTuiIs, as bears, tygcrs, arc aUb found in the woods. This country abounds with drugs, rhubarb, nmlk, ciniuhar, wax, lioncy, and coals ; of the latter it contains mex'iaufrible veins ; it is faid alfo to contain rich goldmines, v/hith are not allowed to be opened: gold-duft is waflied down among the fand of the torrents and rivers, and a number of people obtain their fublllfcncc by cdllueljjijr it. 'I'he natives of this country have the character of being more polite and aflable to (h'angtrs, and of porii'.fling greater genius, than the Chine(e of the other northern provinces. sj-ng an-folt. This is the capital of tlw jirovinee, and, Pc-kin excepted, oi:e of the n-.olt beautiful and largeft cities in (Jliirui; its wails are thick, high, and lour leagues in cii-ciinUerence; they are flanked with a great nuiuber of towers, a baw-fliot diliar.t one fro:n the other, and fur-rounded hv a deep ditch. Some of its (^ates are ma^nifi-tent and remarkably lofty. It was for m;uiy years the court of the Chinefj Emperors, and tliere is Hill to be feeu ;i palace where they refsded. The reft of the buildings iuive nothing to dilhn-guifii tiicin fronr tbofe of other cities. Tlic- houfes are • lowuiui iii conftriicled ; :uid the fiirnitiire inferior to tint In ihe fjuthern provijices : porcelain is veri- rare, and the varnilli is caarfj. The inhabitants «re in general more robnft, braver, b.tter ciiiculated to end'.u'c fatigue, and of gre;iter ftatiLrc; than the people of moft of the other provinces. The greater [lart of tlie Tartar farces deftiiied foi- the defence of the northern part of the empire are in garrlfon here, under a genenil of their own nation, and they occupy a quarter of tl' with the whole province, ruined and almofl deftroycd by rhe civil iv^rSj -.yhich prcctded the bit invafion wf the Tartars. Its temples, briiigcs, and the ruins of its ancicnt; palaces, are ftill objciSs of admiration to ftrangers, but neither its commerce nor inhabitants have any thing which diftinguifiies it from other cities, its lituation is however exceedingly plcafant, and well watered. It has imder its jurifdiciion fix citics of tlie fccoiid cbfs and twenty, five of the third, PAO-NI NG-FOU, CIIUN-KING-FOU and SU-TCHEOU-FOU, Thcfe are very ordinary ciu:s, of whic>. little is mentioned by geographers but the names, I'h^' rirll is plea-fantly fituatcd between two rivers, ani! comprch^ijds in its diftrict two cities of the fecond and eight of the tliiid clafs, the fccond, two of tlie fecond and fevcn of the third clafs; and the third, which is fituiitedon the banks of the Yang-1 fi-fcyang, is a place of fome trade, having a communication ■with inplt of the principal towns in the province, and has ten citics qf the third clafs in its diftrift, tchonc-kinc-fou. Tchong-lting-foy is one of the moft commercial citics of the province. Its Htuatioa is at the confluence of two remarkable rivers ; one of which, c:i!icd Hin-cha-kiang, or golden /and, receives in its courfe all the tributary ftreams from the mountains which rife on the neiglibour-ing confines of Tartary. The other is the Ta^Jciang, or Yatig-tfe-ltiang, the fource of which is beyond tiie boLm-darics of China. Tchong- king-fou is built upon a mountain, and the hpufes rile in the ft^■m of an amphitheatre i the country is fruitful, the air is wholefomc temperate, and the rivers are ftoved with fifli. Th« city is celebrated for a particular kind of trunks made of canes, interwoven in »he manner ot bafket work, and painted of divers colours. |t has in its diftri^: three cities of the fecond and elevea ^f the thii-d clafs. 103 general description koei-tcheou-fou akd ma-hou-fou. The fil-ft of theft cities ftands on the Yang-tfe-kyang, and has acuftom houfe for recsiving the duties on goods brought into this province. Its trade renders it rich, but its inhabitants arc clowniHi, particuhiriy thofc who inhabit the moutitainows parts of the dlftrici:; its jurifdiftion ex-tff.ds over one city of the fccoad, and Jilni.' of the third clafs, .Ma-lioii-fau is fituated on the Kin-fha-rkyang, and ranks of ftime importance as a place of trade, though its jurift diction extends over only one city of the third rank. i.okc;-gnanvfou, and t.ktn-y-fou. Tlitfc cities offtir nothing remarkable to view, the firft vas formerly confidcrcd important as a placc of dcfcnce and ihc key of the province, and as fuch iud the command of lovcrai fnrts, its diflrict includes three citics of the third clafs- The fecond lies on the borders of ^uay-fau, and may, in cafe of neceffity, ferve to defend that provinct; on that fide ; it has two cities of the fucojid and four of iho rhird clafs in its diftrict. TONGU-TCHKN'-FGU. This is a fortified pkcc, tht; inhabitants of v/hich are pll folditirs, v/ho have followed the profeffion of arms from farhe; to Jon, Befides their pay they have lands aiEgned them near the cities they inhabit, and in time of peace they are diftrihutcd in thq frontier garrifons of the empire. Ucfid^s cities of the firft clafs, this province contains alfa (brrie of the fcccpd, which have feveriil important fortrclL's under their jiirifdii^ition,- fuch arc T'ong-tcheouen-tchcou, Kia^ting-tcheouj a'ld Ya-tcheou, which camm^inds the frontiers of the province towards Thibet, PROVINCE OF QUANG-TONG, This is the moft confiderable of the fouthcrn provinces of China: it is bounded on t!-c north-cafl by J'o-kien, 911 itie norili liy Klang-fi, 011 the weft by Qiiang-fi atiJ the kijigdoin of Toiig-king ; the reft is wafhijcl by the fca. It is diverfifit'd with philiis momuains, and the land is fufHcleiitly fl'rtile to produce two crops of com yearly. Trade and the fecundity of the foil fiipply this province ■wich every iiecsfiary and luxury of life: its products are goldj precious-iloncsj ftlk, pearls, eagle-wood, tin, quick-Jilver, fugar, co])per, iron, llcd, liikpctrc, ebony, and abundance of aromatic woods- Eciidcs a great many of rhe fruits of Europe, and of tiiofe wliich gi'dw in the Indies, it produces fcvcral v.-hich MC «et-uliar to itfclf: of which we fhall have occafitfn to fpeak hereafter. The coafts abound with fifti, and rha oyftcrs, crabs and tartoifes arc of an iminenf-' ft'/e. A prodigious number of taniC duclcs are raifed in tlib province ; they load a great niiniber of finali barks vvith them and carry them in flocks to feed on the fra-fnorc, at low watfr, where titey find llirimps, oylters and other kinds of fliell fifh. Sin^ll fleets srcni-rally go jjt company, and the ducks mix together on tb.e iliorc ; but when ■night approaiches, cach owner by beating on a bafon, cc]-Icifis his own flock to his boat without further trouble. 'i"hc Chincfe ia!c large quantities of their flcfli in fuch a manner that it lof-'S nothing of its original flavour; they alfo polTcfs the art of faltlng tln-ir egg^s by coverin;j them with a coat of clay mixijd with fait. The climate of this province is ivnrm, bur tlie is pure, and the people are mbuit, heidthy, and induftri'ni.-,, it is afll-rttd, that they polluls in an eniijieni degtcc thctaknt of iniitaliun. This province fulFcreJ much ditri^ig the civil wars; but at prefent it is as ItüurÜhir.g as any ia the cmplro; and, as it is at a great diHjnce from c.m. t, its govjrnmejit is important. The victi'oy of if hi^s alio the coinn;:uid of Qiiang-ßj and on that accouii: r.--iidcs 2*: ChaO'kin;_f, »JI Older chat he may more coJiveiiiently illuc his oi.kis to eitSicr of thcfc provinces. There jlre a number of troojis kept in this province, to check the iacurfions of rolibcrs and plnites, who, without this precaution, might hisrt and interrupt its trade, and for tiio fame reafon, a gi'Cüt jiumber of fortrefles have been biult along tlie coaüs and in the interior parts of the country. Quang-tojig ir, divided into ten diftriits, which con t,i i a ten citics of the firft clafs, and eighty-four of the fuccnd and third. QUEN-TONG OR CAN-TON, This k the capital of the province, and is a large, populous Eind wealthy city< It ftands on the banks of the river Taa, or ^'reat river, which, near the citj^, is wide and fpacious. T'he wall of the city is high, and about fix or feven miles in cii'um fere nee, though hot more than one-third of the ground is occupied by bitildiiigs, the other parts being appropriated to plcafure grounds or fifh ponds. The country is e:itrenicly plcafant, and towards the eafi: hilly, ft> as to command a beautiful profpettof the city and iuburbp, the compafs of iviiich, together, is about ten miles, and Its diftricl extends over one city of the fecond and feven-tetn of the third clafs. The buildings of Canton are in general lov/, confifting of one ftory atid a ground Hoof-, which is covered with earth or red tiles, in order to keep it cool; but the hoiifes of the mo(f rcfpcftable merchants and mandarins are comparatively lofty, and well-built. In different pai ts of the city and fuburbs are jofs hoitfes or temples, in which arc placcd the images worfliippecl by the Chinele: before whom are placcd, at partiruhn- feafons, a vaft variety of fweetmeats, oranges, great jilenty of food ready dreffid, and a!fo incenfe, which is kc]it perpetually burning. I'be ftreets of Canton arc long and narrow, paved with flat ftones, adorned at intcri-als with triiiEnphal arches, which have a pkafing effccf, and nnich crowded with people. both fides are fliops, appropriated to the i'alc of different commodities: and a kind of awniiij is extended fi OMi houfe to houfe, which prevents the fun's rays from incommoding either inhabitants or pallčngcrs. At the end of every Ikect is a barrier, which, with the gates of the city, are fliut every evening. In China Street, which is pretty long, and confid^rably wider than the reft, rcfide merchants; whofe trade, fo far as refpei^s China, lackered ware, fans, kc. is wholly confined to Europeans- Mofl: of them fpeak the foreign languages tolerably well, or at Icaft fufficiently intelligible to tranf-acl buünefs. Befides thefe merchants, there is a company of twelve or thirteen, called the Cohang ; who have an exclufive right by appointment from authority to purchafe the cargoes from the different (hips, and alfo to fupply them with teas, raw filks, &c. in return. The eftablifli-meiit of the Cohong, though injurious to private trade, is admirably well adapted for the fecurity of the ditFerent companies with which they traffic; becaufe each individual bccomcs a guarantee for the whole; fo that if one fail, the others confidsr themfelvcs as refponüble. In Canton there are no carriages ; all burdens are carried by porters acrofs their flioulders on bamboos ; as are alfo tlie principal people in fedan chairs, and the ladies always. The ftreets of Canton may be traverfed from morning till evening without feeing a woman, thofc excepted who arc Tartars, and even thcfe but very feldom. On the wharf of the river, which is commodious and pleafiint, ftand the factories of the different European «lations, viz. the Dutch, French, Swedes, Danes, Kng-^'fh, Sic. In thofc refide the fupcrcargoes belonging to their rcfpeftive companies, who are appointed to difpofs ot the cargoes brought to mJ.rkct; to fupply the fhips with others from Europe in return; and during tlieir abfence, to contract with the merchants for fuch articles as may be judged necefiary for the next flest. Between relidents of the fi^.ctories the mof: perfect cordiality X' f'ubfifts ; in each a common and fpkndid table is kept äf tne company's exptncc, and vifils arc n;ciprac;illy cx-cluiigcd; fo that nothing is wanting to make a refidence at Canton agreeable to un Kuropean, but th^ pleafurc naturally refulting from the fociety of women. The fide of the river next the clTy is covered with boats, whicK form a kind of town or Hrcets in which live the poorer fort of the Chiiicfe, or rather the defcendants of the Tartars. Some of the men come on Ihore in the morning to their rcfpedlivc employmentSj and In thofe fampans, or boats which are not Itationary, the womtrn anJ idfo the men carry pafleiigei'S from place to place in the lame manner ns is done by wherries on the I'hames. On this river live many thonfand fouls who never are permitted to come oil fiiore; whofe only habitation is their boat; in which they eat, drink, ficep, carry on many occupations, keep ducks, &c. and occafionally a hogj The niatmfaftures of Canton are principally carried on in the fubarbs; though it has been frequently fiippofed that they were conhncd to the city ; and this, by fome writers, has been given as a rcafon why Eviropeans arc not permitted to enter within the gates. Eut this is a miftake ; and perhaps the true rcufon for this very fingular reftraijit is, that the houfes in which they keep their women are chiefly within the city. At Wampoa, a large commodious place for anchorage, and which is about twelve or fourteen miles from Canton, tlie European veffels lie and unload their cargoes^ which arc tranfmittcd by lighters to the factories; and by the fame conveyance rtccive their rcfpedlive freights.-Between this place and the city are three hoppo^ or cuftom-houfes, at v.'htch the boats paffir.g and rspaiTing arc obliged to ftop, and undcrL^io, vviih its paflengers, examination, iji order to prevent fmuggling- The lighters juft mentioned, and alfo the captain's pinnace, sre, however, excepted; ihs former having proper officexs on board for the pur- pofc, and the latter being narrowly watched and examined the landing. The weather at Canton is in fummcr extremely hot ; and in the months of December, January, and February, cold : the country is neyerthelefs plcafant and healthful, aboundinfr with all the neeeflarics and delicacies oT life, C? ' which may he procured on terms much cheaper than in Europe. The nimber of inhabitants has been eflimated at one million ; and though fonie calculations have made the number confiderably lefs, Mr. Andcrfon, in his account of the late cmbaffy, fuppofes it Is iinder-ratcd. Four leagues from Canton is the village of Fo-chan, the largcft and pcrhnpr, moft populous in the world ; it is called a village on account of its not being inclofed. by walls, and not having a particular governor. It carrics on a great trade, and contains more houfes than Canton itfeif. It Is reckoned to be three leagues in circumfercncc, and to contain a million of inhabitants. At the entrance of the bay of Canton is the celebrated Portugucfe port commonly called Macao, fituated in lat, 22° 12'. The city is built on a fmall illand, or rather a peninfula, joined to the reft of the ifland by a fmall neck, inclofed by a wall. The Portuguefc, as wc have before obferved, obtained this port as a reward for the afllftancc they gave the Chinefc againft a celebrated pirate, who in-fcfted the neigiibouring fcas, and had laid fiegc to the capital of the province. Some travellers have alTerted, that this city had no in. habitants but pirates when the Portuguefc formed an ef^a-bliflimcnt on it, and that they were only permitted to build huts covered with ftraw : however this may have been, they fortilied (he pUce, and furrounded \t with flrotig walls. Macao has now a Portuguefc governor, and a Chinefc «mandarin ; the palace of the latter is in the middle of the ? Z city; aB(l the Portuguefe pay a tribute of a hundred thoufand ducats per annum for tlic liberty of choofing their own jnygiftrates, exercifing their religion, and living according to their own laws. The houfcs here arc built after the European manner, but are very low. The city is defended by three forts, built upon cmlnenccs: its works, are good, and well fupplicd with proper artillery. CHAO-TCHEOU-FOU. Chao-tcheou-fou is the fccond city in the province of Qiiang-tong. It is (ituated between two navigable rivers. The furrounding country produces abundance of rice and fruits, the paftures, on which numbcrlefs flocks are feen feeding, are alfo numerous, and the coafts teem with filh; but the air is iinhealthful i hence contagious ciiftempers, wl)ičh generally prevail here from the middle of Oilober to the beginning of December, fweep off a great number of the inhabitants. There is a celebrated monaftery of the bonzes at about three miks diflancc ^ and nothing cat\ be more delightful than Its fituation. It Hands on the centre of a mountain, called Nan-hoa, from whence there is a charming profpc£l of a defert, whieli ftretches out into an immenfe plain, bordered with hills, the tops of which are covered with fruit trees, planted in regular order, and intermixed wkh groves, the foliage of which is always green. The origin of this monaftery is traced back eight or nine hundred years; the bonzes pretend-that its founder prai^Vifed the mofl edifying aurtcrity; but if fo, his fuccdTors but badly follow his example ; for it ia afferted, that they abandoa themfelves to every kind of debauchery, and the people who formerly vifitcd thia place on pilgrimage, iiave complained mi^ch of tlieiF thefts and robberies ; thcfe latter abufes have however been, correfled, and devotees may now vifit the place in fafety. This city lias under its jurifdidion fix cities of tlie third clafs, near one of which grows a kind of black reed, of which feveral mufical inftruments arc made, that cannot be dilllnguilhcd from thofc made of real ebony. nan-hiong-fou and hoei-tcmeou-fou. • Both of thcfe are trading cities, and tiie firß in parti-, cular is much reforted to ; it ftands at the foot of a mountain, from whcncc two large rivers defcend, one of which runs to the North, and the other to the South. The dif-triif^ of this city includes only two others of the third rank. Hoci-tchcou-fou is almoft furrounded with water, and the country abounds with fprings: its jurifdidllon embraces, one city of the fccond, and ten of the third rank. tchao-tcheou-fou and tchao-king-fou. The firft of thefe cities ftands near the mouth of the: river Han-kyang, the fea flowing up to Its walls: it has a magnificent bridge on the ead: fide, long, and proper-(ionahly wide: there are eleven cities of the third rank within its diftrifl-, which is feparated from the province of Fo-kicn by high mountains, and which is in general fertile.—Tchao-king-fou Is fUqated ontheTa-ho, and its port is fpacious, being at the confluence of three rivers, one of which flows to Can-ton, between which and this '^'ty botli fides are covcred witii large villages, Tchao-king has within its jurifdi6lion one city of the fecund and five of the third clafs. kao-tchfou-fou, The tide flows up to this city, and Chinefe vcfTcls of burthen may fail up to it with conveniency. Its fuuation is In a delightful and fertile country ; and in its neifrli-bourhood is found a fmgular kind of ftone, refcmbling marble, which reprcfents, naturally, rivers, mountains, wndfcapes, and trees ; thefe flones are cut into (labs, and into tables and other curious pieces of furniture ; crabs are a!fo caught oji the coafts here, which have a great rtrfemblance to the common fort, and which are faid to have this fingularity, that when lakca frcrn, the water, they become petrified v/ithcut lofing any thing of iheir nafiiral figure.* Kao-tchcou has in its diftridt one city of the fecond and five of the third clafs. rien-tckecu-iou, and loui-tciieou-fou. Both thefc cities are on the fca coafF, and have very convenient harbours. The diftricl of the former borders ftn the k ingdom of 'j'ong-kiug, from which it is fcparat-cd by inacceflible mountains; it embraces one city of the fccond cSafs and two of the third. The fecoiid is fe|>a-rated from the ifland of Hai-nan ojily l)y a narrow ftrait, v.'htrc there was formerly a pearl tidiery. The diftrji^.t oi this city is not more extenfive tlian that of the forBier, having only three cities of the third clafs, but it abounds with fmall iiftiing towns on the couO:, KlUN-TCHEOU-FOU. This is the capital of the idarul of Hai-nan, which be-Inngs to this province. This ifland has oji the north thf> povince of O^iang-fi; on the fjulh the channel formed between ihe bank Paracel and the eaftem coaft of Cochin-china; on the weft, the fame kingdom and part of I'ong-, Jting 1 and ou the eall, the Chinefe fea. Its extent from eaft to weft is between fixty and fc-veiity leagues, and from north to fouth forty-five; being about an hundred and fixty leagues in circumfercncc. KiLin-tcheau-fou, its capital, Hands on a promontory, and Clips anchor at the bottom of its walls, Two different tlnds of mandarins command here, as in the other provinces of China : the firft arc called literati; the fecond, piandarins of arms, or military officers. Its jurifdidicn *■ ViJe Du H.i!dc atid Croficr. txtends over three cities of' the fecond clafs arid ten of the third. The gre:iter part of the ifland is under the doiiii-nion of the emperor of Cbim; the red-is Ind^pesidcnr, anti inhabited by a free i>e:>ple, who h-ive never yet been fubducd; Compelk-1 to abandon thdr phins and fields t'j t!ie Chincfü, they have retreated to the mountains ill the centre of tho iilawl, where they we fheltereJ from the ijiiults of their intruders,, though they fonnerly held a correfpondcnce with them. Twice ä year they cxpofed, ill an ap[Tointcd pbce, the gold which they diig froin their mines, v^ith their eagle-wood and Calam-h^i fo much cftwmed by the Orientals, Tliey appfjinteti a diiputy to villt the frontiers, to examine the c}oths an»f other commodities of the Chiiieft', whofe principal traders repaired to the place of exchange fixed on ; and after the Chintfe wares were delivered, they put into their hands witl) the greatelt fidelity what they had agreed fw. By this barter the maiuLu-iivs made, immenfc prDfit<, bi!t the emperor Kang-hi, informed of the prodigious quantity oi" jipld whicli palFed through their hands, foil\ade his iub-jeits, under pain of djath, to have any communication with thefe illanders; fome private einifliiries of the neighbouring governors ftill find the meaüis of having inter-t'ourfe with them j but the advantages of this clandeftinc tiade is little, in comparifon of that which thsy formerly gained. The natives of this ifland are defcribed as very «Reformed, fmall of ihture,. and of a copper colour : both Ifen and women we:;r their hair thruft through a ring on their forehead; and above they have a finali üraw baf, from which hang two firings that are tied under the chin. Their drefs conlifts of a piecc of dark-blue cotton cloth, which reaches from the girdle to their knees : the wollen have a ki[id of robe of the fame llufl", and mark their faces from the eyes to the chin with bl'jc rtripai nude with indigo. Asnong the animals of this ifland a curious fpecies of large black apes is found, they have the fhatic and fca-ttu'cs of a mail; and are faid to be very fond of women : among the birds there are crows with a white ring round their nacks : ftarlings with a fniall crefcent on tbeir biJls ; black-birds of a deep blue colour, with yellow ears rifing half an inch, and many other birds, remarkable for their colour or fong. Eefidcs mines of gold and lapis lazuli, which cnrich the illaiid of Hai-iian, it produces in abundance various kinds of curious and valuable wood. The predecefibr of the prefunt emperor caufed fomcitofto be tranfport-ed to Pe-kin, at an immcnfe expencc, to adorn an edifice which-'he jiJended for a maufoleiim. The molt valuable is called by the natives hoa-li, and by the Europeans, rofe or violet-wood, from its fmell; it is very durable, and of fingular beauty; it is therefore refcrved for the ufe of the emperor. Hai-nan, on account of its fituation, riches and extent, clefcrves to be ranked among the moft confiderable iHands of Afia. Not far from thence is another fmall ifland, commonly called San-cian. It is celebrated by the death of St. Francis Xavier, whofe tomb is ftill to be feen on a fniall hill, at the bottom of wliich is a plain, covered on one fide with wood, and on the other ornamented with feverai gardens. This ifland is notadefert, as fome travellers have pretended: it contains five villages; the inhabitants of which are poor people, who have nothing to fubfift on but rice and the fifl] which they catch. THE PROVINCE OF QUANG-SI. This province is fituated betv/een thofe of Quang-tonj, IJou-quang, Koei-tcheou, Yun-nan and the kingdom of Tong-king ; it is inferior in extent and commerce to moft of the other provinces ; however, it is fo abundant in rice^ t},at It fiipplies the pro; ince of Qiiang-tong with a con- J?del"able portion of its confiimptioii. The mountains, with which it is covered, efpeciaily towards the north, abound with mines of gold, filvcr, copper and tin. Some years back tlic governor of one of tKe cities of the firft dafs prefentcd a memorial to the emperor, in which he prnpofed a plan for preventing the ijiconvenicnciKS dreaded from the working of thefe mines: he ftatcd, ^mong other things^ tliat the people of the country had oflercd to open them at their own cxpcncc, and to admit no one to work in them without a piitcnt from his mandarin, and four fureties to anfwer for good behaviour. The emperor having read this memorial, referred it for examination to the hau-pon, or court of finances.^They approved of the plan, on condition, that, accor^g to what had been practifed upon fimilar occafions, forty per cent fhouhl be give[i to the emperor, and five per cent, to the officers and foldiers who preftded over the works : the emperor afterwards took them wholly to himfelf, and caufcd them to be opened at his own expcnce. There is a very fingnlar tree grows In tins province i inftead of pith it contains a foft fubftance, which is a kind of meal, and the bread niade of it is faid to be exceed«-'ngly good. Paroquets, hedge-hogs, the rhinoccros and a prodigious number of other wild animals, curious birds and uncommon infects are found in this province, which contains twelve cities of the firft clafs and eighty of the fecoiid and third. (iUEI-LING-FOC. This city, which is the capital, has its name from a flower tailed^,«/J it grows on a tree rcfembling a laurel, and exhales fo agreeable an oduur, that it perfumes the whole ■country arouiid» Quei-ling-fou is fituatcd on the banks of a river, which «OWS i-itothe Ta-ho; but with fuch rapidity, andamidft ^■aileys fo narrov/ that it is neither navigable nor of any mihty to comnierce. This city is large, and partly buüt Q. after the itiodcl of the aticient European fortrefles; buf It is much inferiur to ttie capitals of moft of the otlier provinces. There are a number of birds foitnü rn the territories fcelojiging to this city, the colours of which are fo bright and vitriegated,- that theart-ifts, to add to the 1-uftre of their filks, interwcuve With them fomc of their feathers, which have a f^lendour and beauty that cannot be imitated. Quct-ling has under its jurifiiidtion two cities of the fecojii ajid fevcn of the third clafš. The other cities of the province prefent nothing remark--Jible ; Chey have little or no trade, the inhabitants,- chiefly 'rartars^ are a kind of half barbarians, and in genera! the dlftricls are far from fruitful. Lieou-tcheou-fou, Kin^ yueii-fouy Se-nguen-fou and Ping-lo-fou are fiirroundej -with dreary moiHitains.- Oa-tchcou-fou, Sin-tcheou-fou, Nan-ning-fou, Tai-ping-fou, Sc-ming-fou, Tchin-ngan-foii, and S e-teh in-foil arc rather more pk-afantiy fitua-ted, but none of them claim ä more particular dcfcrip-tion: altogether ha.ve thirty other cities of the fc-cond clafs, and forty-one uf the third, within tlieir jurif* sliitioHi PROVINCE OF YUN-NAN. The province of Yuii-nan is bounded on the north by Se-tchuen and Thibet i on the weft by the kingdoms- of Ava and Pegu ; on the fouth by thofe of Laos and Tong-king; awd on the caft by the provinces of Quang-fi and Koci-tcheou. It is reckoned one of the mofl ferti!« and opulent iit China V its inhabitants are brave, robuft, affable and fond of the fciences; its rivers are fuited for commerce or pleafure, and its mines of gold, copper and tin, its rich-iiefs in amber, rub'ies, fapphires, agates, pearls and precious ftones, marble, muflc, filk, elephants, horfes, gums* mcdiciniil plants and linen have procured it a high rcpu- tation. Its commercc is immcnfe, and its riches are faid to be inexhauftiblc. This province has under its jurifdi£Hon twenty-ou® cities of the Urft dais aid fifty-five of the fecood and third. YUN-NAN-FOy. This city, which is the capital of the province, is fituated on tlic borders of a large luice; it was formerly ceitbratcd for its extent asid the beauty of its public edifices. Within its walls were magnificent buildings, and v/ithGut them vaft gardens, toinhs, triumphal arches and elegant fquarcs were every where ft-en ; but the Tartars, ill their different invafioiis, deftroyed all thefe mo-Jiutnents ; and the city at prefent contains nothing remarkable: it is, however, the refidence of the governor of the province, as it once WLiS of a Chinefe prince. It has ^ confiderable trade in filjc, metals, &c. atid comprehends in its dißriiH: four cities of the lecond ciafs and feven of the third. With rcfpečl: to the other cities of this province, they afford little defcrving notice, we flull therefore only cnume-rate thqm, they arc Ling-ngan-fon, Tali-foUjTchou-hiung-fou; Tchink-iang-fou, fCing-tong-fou, Qi,!;uig-naa-foii, (^lang-fufoit, C!njn-ning-fou, Ka-tfing-fou, Yao-ngan-fou, Ko,king-foii, Vou-ting-fou, Li-kiaiig-to-fou, Yucn-kiang-fou, and Mong-boa,foii. Of thefe the fixth, feventh, »inth, fourteenth and fifteenth have nodiitrich belongi^ig t« them: all the reft have under their j urifdiftioii twenty-One citics of the fecond and iixteen of the third chifs, province of koei-tcheoa This is one of the fmalleft provinces in China. It is bounded on the fouch by Qiiang-fi i on the eaft by Hou-n^ang; on the north by Se-tchuen i and on tlic v/eft by '»i-nan. The whole country is almoil a defert, aiul t^Vered with inacceHibtcjmountains; on which accouiu it has bcenjuftly callcd the Siberia of China. Tiie people who inhabit a great purt uf it are mountaineers, un-fubdued and accuilonied to iiulepenclcnce, niid arc little lefs ferocious than the favagc animals among which they live. The n-.andarins and governors of this province, are In general difgraced noblemen, whom the emperof docs not think proper to difcard entirely, on account of their alliances, or the ferviees which they have rendered to the ftate ; he therefore often lends them here with their families, and numerous garrifons arc entrufted to their charge, ta over-awe die inliabitaiits of the, country; but hitherto thefe troops have been found infufficient to thoroughly fubdue thefe untraitable mountaineers. Frequent attempts have indeed been made to accompllfli this objcft, and new forts have from time to time been erefted in tbcir country; but they keep themfelves fhut up among their mountains, and feldom ifliie forth, but to de-ftroy the Chinefe works, or ravage their lands. Neither filk ftufls nor cotton cloths are manufadtured in this province but it produces a certain herbj nearly, rcfembling European hemp, the cloth made of which is ufed for fummcr drefles. Mines of gold, filvcr, quick-filvcr and copper are found here; of the laft metal thofe fmall pieces of money which are in common circuiatioti throughout the empire, arc made, Koei-,tcheou contains ten cities of the firft clafs, o£ v;hich Koei-yang is the capita!, and thirty-eight of tlic fecond and third. Koei-yang is faid to have been formerly the refidence of the ancient l.-ings : and the remains of temples and palaccs, ftill to be feen, proclaim its former maghifitence; but thefe monuments are infenfibly nigul-i Bering and falling to pieces. The Chinefe in this province arc more taken up with defending themfelves from the incurfions of the mountaineers than in prcfsrving remains pfanticjuity on whicü they fet no value: their houfes arc built of earth and brick, and the greater part of the eitles in this province are but heaps of cottages badly difpofed : the other nine cities arc called Se-teheou, Se-nan, Tchin-yuen, Chc-tfien, Tong-gin, Ngan-chan, Tou-yun, Piiig-yucn, and Ouei-ning. Some of thefe are lituatcd on the banks of agreeable rivers, and in fertile valleys, and a great quantity of lami might he found which would yield a confiderable produce were it improved; but the mountaineers ftrike a terror into the Cliincfe, which keeps t!>em in the neighbourhood of their fortreffes. This prevince however furnjflies the bcft horfes in China, and an immenfe number of cows and hogs arc raifed ; and fonie excellent wild poultry, ijf a moft cxquifite tafte, arc every where to hp found. In dcfcribing the fifteen provinces of China, we have contented ourfelves with pointing out the principal cities which they contain. The author of 7a the Great and Confucius has given the whole number, according to the account whtcb be Jays a learned mandarin cauled to be •publifhed for the ufe of government. Although it is imr l)offible to warrant the correflnefs of this hft of the citics and monuments of China, we lhall give it a place here. There arc reckoned to be fpur thoufand four hundred and two walled cities in China, which are divided into two clafles—the civil and military. The civil clafs containing two thoufand and forty-five, and the military two thoufand three hundred and fifty-feven; the civil clafs is again divided into three others; one hundred and fe-vcnty.five of the firft, which the Chinefe call fou; two hundred and fcventy of the fecond, which are called tcheou; and an hundred and fijcty of the third, which are diflin, £iiiflicd by the name of hien." " The military cities are divided into fcven clafles; there are reckoned to be fix hundred and twenty-nine of the firft, five liundrcd and fixty of the fecond, three hundred and eleven of the third, three hundred of the fourth, one hundred and fifty of the fifth, an hundred of the fixth, and three hundred of the fcveiUh. Soldiers are quartered in feme of tliefc cities, and a certain quantity of land af, figned them in the ncighbouihood for their fupport. The frontiers and fea coafts are defended by four hundred and thirty-nine caftles, .well fortified, and kept in good order: there arc alfo along the fame coafts two thou-fand nine hundred and twenty towns, many of which are equal in extent and population to fcvcral of the walled citics. With regard to towns and villages dif-perfed throughout the interior parts of tlie country, we are aflTurcd t)uit they are almoPt innumerable, and that the greater part of them are rich, commcrcialj and populous " " Puiilic infiitutions in China correfpond with the extent of the empire. There arc one thoiifand one hundred and forty-five royal hofpitals, or lodging-places, dedincd for tlie ufc of the mandarins, governors of provinces, officers of the court, couriers, and all thofe who travel at the expence of the emperor. The towers, triumphal arches, and oihcr monuments, erefled in honour of good kings or illuflrioLis heroes, are jn number eleven hundred and fifty-nine. The virtues of women, as well as thofe of the men, are entitled to public honours in China: tviu hundred and eight monuments are to be feen there, con-fecrated to the memory of a certain number of females, ■who, by their modefty, virtue, and attention to the duties of their fex, have merited the eilcem and veneration of their tcllow citivxns. Two hundred and fevcnty-two celebrated libraries are continually oyen to, tiie lito- rati and men of genius, and the fchools or coHegcs tftablilhcd by Conßtdus, and thofe founded in honour of himt arc multiplied as much as cities and towns." GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CHINESE TAR T A R Y: EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, Chinese Tartary Is bounded on the north by Sibe-^ ri;i, on the caft by the gulph of Kamtfchatka and the eafteni fea ; on the fouth by China, and on the weft by the country of the KalmoukSj who are cftabliOied between the Cafpian fea and Cafghar. The difterent tribes which at prefent inhabit this country were formerly comprc-JiendeJ under the general name of Mmngal or Mogul Tartars. That they arc a war! ike and formidable nation is evident from the concjucft: of Indoftan, and the fuhjec-lion of China under the condudt of the famous Zlnghif-kan. After liai'ing taken poffefllun of the latter einpirc, and fupportcd a Tartar emperor there for an hundred years, they were expelled by thu Chinefe in 1368. The fugitives took difterent routs: fome going towards the callcrn fca, where they eftabliihed thcmfeives between Cliina and the river Saghalien; the reft returned wefl* ward to their former country, where, intermixing with the Moguls who bad remained, they foon refumed their anci-cnt manner of living ; thole who fettled towards the caft, fbiind the country alnioft a defert and without inliabitants, hence they retained the cuifouis which they had imbibed in China: ai:d hcnec ihe origin of the UifFcrencc of tTiefe two Mogul nations in language, government, religion and cuftoms. Thofe of the wcit Itill reuin their ancient jiamc of Mouiigal or Mogul Tartars: the others ^arc known by the name of Maiitchew or Eaftern Turtars. Thus Chiiieil; Tartar/ may be conlidered as divided into two parts—t!ie eaftern and vveflarn, agreeable to wliich we ihall purfue uur defcription. EASTflRN CHINESE TARTARY. This divifioti ofTaitary extends, north to fouth, from the forty-firft to the fifty-fifdi degree of north latitude; and cad and weft, from about the hundred and thirty-fevcnth degree of longitude, as far as the eaftern fca, being bounded north by Siberia, fouth by the gulph of Lea-tong and Corea, eaft by the eaftern fca, and wsftb^' the country of the iVIoguIs. After their expulfion from Chijia in 1368, the Tartars, who camc to this part, immediately began to build towns and villages, and to cultivate the earth after the manner of the Chinefe, among whom they had lived : the greater part of tliem have, therefore, remained fixod, and are in general more civilized than the reit of the Mogul nation. 'I'hey were at firft governed by particular each independent of the other ; but fince the Kan of Ningnuta took poJljiTi-on of China, tlie emperor, who is ftili one of his defcend-ajits, has reduced under his dominion al! the other kans of this part of Tartary : ai-.d governs it immediately by hiin-fclf, fending governors and officers, as into the other provinces of" the empire, at his wiil. It is divided mtu three grand departments, vix. Chen-yanGj Ki-rin, mid Tcitcican. chei^-yan'öi Chcn-yang comprehends all the ancient Leno-tong, extending to the great w;iil, whicli bounds it on the four!i j Wojithceaft, north and welt it is cndofed bv a palilade, R better calculated to defeiitl the country againft robhers than to flop the march of an army : it is csnftruiled only offtakes fevcn feet high, without any batik of earth, tlitch, or the finallcft fortificiitioji; tior are the gates any better, the guards at which coiifift only of a few foldicrs. Chen-yartg is the capital city of the country : the Mant-chew tüi'tars have adorned it with fcveral public edifices, and provided it witii magazines of arms and ftorc-houfes. It is confidercdas the prtiicipnl place of the nation ; and fince China has been under the Tartar dominion, tlie fame tribunals have been eftabliflied here as at Pc-kin, exceping that callcd Lii-pou : thefe tribunals arc compofed of "I'artars ojily; their determination is final; and the Tartar characters and language is ufed in all their a£ts. Chen-yang is built on an emit-ience; and is coiifidered as a. double city; one enciofed within the other! the interior contains the emperor's palace, hotels of the principal mandarins, fovereign courts and the different tribunals ; the exterior is inhabited by tradefnien, and thofe whofe employ. ments or profeffions do not oblige them to lodge in the interior ; the latter is almoft three miles in circumference ; and the walls which enclofc both are more th:in nine miles round: thtife walls were rebuilt in 1631, and repaired fc-veral times under the reign of tlie emperor Kang-hi. Near the gates of the city are two tombs of the f.rft emperors of the reigning family, built in the Chinefe manner, and furroiinded by a thick wail furniüitd with battlements j.they are entrulled to the careofftveral M::ntchcw mandarins. 'I"he r-jft of the cities of this province are of little coii-fiderition ; they are for the moft part ill built, and without any othiT dtfcncc than a wa 1, half in ruins, or conftru£t-cJ of earth bedt together; an exception muft however be made with refpeil to the city of Kong-hoang-c'lin^, which is j:0|)ulou , and a place of great trade, arifirig from its Iii.Ui.ti. n 0.1 Ü1C frontiers of Coiea. Being near iht cii- trancc of that kingdom, the king's metrongers, and of his fubjcdls as are dcfuous of trading in the cpipire, muft ji^fs it; oji tliis account, it is frequented by a great number of Chincfe ; who arc in fume manner the faöors of the merchants of the other provinces. Tlicrc arc in this country many mountains ; fomc of which aboynd with metals and wood fit for building: the land is in general fertile, producing wheat, millet, leguminous plants and cotton, Immcnfe herds of oxen and flocks of Ihcep arc fecn feeding in the valleys. KI-RIN. Ki-rin, the fecond department of Eaftcrn Chincfe Tartary, is bounded on the north by the river Snghalien, on the eaft by the fea, on liie fouth by Corea, and on the Weft by the palifadc of the province of Leao-tong. This country is rendered extremely cold by thenuuiber of forcft^ with which it is covcrcd. It is thinly inhabited, containing only two or three ill-built cities, furrounded by plain mud walls. Plenty of ^in-Jeng grows here, as do inoft of the fruit trees of Europe ^ and here, the emperor fends thofc criminals who arc condemned to lianiihmentby the laws. Ki-rin is fituated on the river Songari, and is the refi-, dencc of a Mantehew general, wh'o ii invefted with all the powers of a viceroy : at the dillance of forty-five leagues towards the north-caft, on the fame river, is the city of Pitouni, ftill l.fs conHdei able than the preceding ; having f'-'arcely any inhabitants but Tartar foldlifs and Ciiinefc condemned to baniniment, A third city, which mav be confidcrcd, as the cradle of the prefcnt imperial family, is called l^ingouta. It is fur-rounded by a fcncc of plain ftakes driven into tlie earth, which toucb pach other, and are twenty feet high : with-' ^iJt this paüfado, there is another of the fame kind, K « 124 general dkscription a Icagnc in circumfercnce, vich four gates correfponding to the fcur cardinal points. This city is the rcfidence of a licui-cnant-general, who is a Mantchcw Tartar, and v hofe jurifdictiun cxtcmls over the ncighhoiiring country and all the villages of Yupi tufc, with fomc other petty nations that inhabit the banks of the rivers Oufouri and Saghaliin, and along the fca coaft. The Tartars ofYupi-taru arc of a peaceful difpofition, hut flupid and clownifli. They fow nothing but a little tuhacco in fomc of the fields furrounding their villages, Itninenfe foreOs, alinwft impenetrable, c;tcnd tiicmfi-K'Cs as far as the eaftern-f'"a. 1 hi;ir country, whicl\ is about four hundred and fifty miles in length, contains tsnly fmall villagi:s, the greater jvirt of vvliich arc fitiiated on the banks of the river. The l^^nvniatre of th-.fe Tartars is different fronr that of © O the iMantchews, anJ is dillinguiQicd by the name of Fiattd: it is in al! probability tlie fame vlfh that fpoken by Hic other more northerly 'J'artars who live beyond the iriuuih of th^; river SagUalien. The!e Tartars do not fliave tlicir heads, they wear their hair tied in a knot with a ribband, or inelofcd in a hag I hind. They appear to be l;fs ciownifa than the Mant-cliE^s, employing much of their, time in hunting.fables, of the ikiiis of which they are obliged to pay a certain tribute. tcit-ci-car. The mofl northerly of the departments of Eaftern Chl-ncfe Taitary is that of Tcitcicar — This is a modern city built hy the emperor of China to feeure his frontiers againll the Mufcovires. The country is occupied ^y diPu'rent Tartar tribes; the principal of which arc the Mantehcws, Solons and tlie Tagouris the ancicnt inhabitants of the country. The two latter tribes fiibmltted to the Mantehcws, and implored their affiflance agiinft the Mufeovites, who had made them-fclves formidable to the Tartar nations who inhabited the banks of the Sagha-Ueti-oula, and the Scnsan-ouh, as well as to tliofe on the little rivers that fall into them. Tlie city of Tcitcicar is fortified by clofe palifadcs and a v/;ill of Larth. The; fp;ice enclof;J by the foniiL-r cceit taiiii the iriiiuiiiils and the houf^ of tho Tartar general; tliat between tiic palifuJes and tlie wall is occupied by the füldiers tlic l.'ü^-tar garnfon, merchajits and tradefiricn^ the greater part of whom are Chiiitfe drawn here by the hopes of gain, or condemned to exile for their crimes: tJicir houfcs are only of earth, but form pretty large ftrccts. The jurifdictioii of Tcitcicar extends over the new cUics of Mergueivand SaLhLilieii-ouja-hotuii, cr Ci/y if it-c Black ^iver : the latter is tlie moil populous, rich, and impoitant, on account of its fituailon. it {lands on the fouthfi-n bank of the river üaghalien, commanding a plain in which fevcra] villages have been built, a;id fecur-ing to the Maii/tchew T:4rtJrs the [jalTefTion of extenfu'e deferts covered with woods, in which a great number of fables are fciiuc'- The Mufcovites would have foon become maOers of thefe valuable forces, if the fort of Yafca, ere£tt:d h.igher up on the river Sa?,haiicn, had been fifT-r.'d to remain i but, by the treaty of pcace in 1681} lyrtween the Ruffians and Chiiief?, it v/as agreed that it Ihould be d?nioli{hed, that no caufe of umbrage or coin-plamt might be left to the Tartar hunters. This agreement docs not, however, prevent the Tartars fronfi keeping Ori£t watch on their territories; ant) they keep advanced guards conftanily pofied in proper places, and a number of armed barks on the river Saghalien. The Tagnuris, who are the oldeft inhabitants of the country, are tall, flrong, and accuftoined to labour; they build thcmfelves houfcs, cultivate their lands, and fow corn ; although they are furrounded hy Tartars who live under Icnts, and who are entirely ignorant of agricul-tiirc. öt' chinese TArtary. 12/ The Solon Tartars arc robuft, braver, and more ingo* nious, than the Tagouris; they are almoü all hunters; thcir women mount on horfebaek, handle tlie bow and the javelin, and follow in the chace ü:sgs and other wild animals. About the beginning of Oflober they take their departure to hunt fables clad in fhort clofe garments i(f wolf's fkin; their beads are covcrcd whh caps of the fame ; and their bows are fLif[)ended at their backs, Tliey take witli them fevcral hurfcs loaded with faeks of millet, and their long cloaks made of foxes or t}'gcrs {l-[ins, with whieh they defend ther;ifelvcs from the cold di'ring the night- The fable (kins of this country are valuable ; but the obtaining of them expofes the h'inters to ditv^rs and fatigues ahnoft unparalleled. Neither tlie riijorous coli of winter, whieli freezes tiie largert rivers, the dread of tygers, which muft be encountered, nor the death of many of their companions, prevents thefe people from returning every year to this dangeroire occupation. Tbe moft beautiful (kins are put apart for the emperor, who buys a certain number of them at a ftated pricc; tlie reif are fold high, even in the country, being immediately bought up by the mandarins and merchants of Tcircicar. Pearls are found in fomc of the rivers vvhicii difchargc themfelves into the Saghaiien-riula. This tifhery reqiJire^ little preparation: as thefe fmall rivers are generally very fliallow, the divers plunge to the bottom of the water, and eolleft whatever oyfters they can, as chance dirci^s, returning to the bank, with their load. Tins pcarl-fifViory belongs to the emperor ^ but xi\c pearls are fnriU, and not of fine water ; a kind much jmre Ucautif.jl arc foutul in fomc otl.cr rivers of Tartary wineh flow into the ealfeni fsa. 1 he emperor however fends every year to this hfhe-ry a certain number of nien chofen from the tiglit Tartar bands. The tlicce hrft, which are the muft gidcbroiiei and numerous, furnifli thirty-ihree compames ; the other five thirty, fix. Each company has a captain and fer-jcant ; three fuperior officers command the whole, and a certain number of merchants, well acquainted wich the nature of pearls, accompany thern. All thcfe companies for their pcrmlffion to filJi muft every year pay to the emperor eleven hundred and forty pearls, whicli is the fixed tribute. The three firft companies iurnifn five hundred and twenty-eight ; and the five laO, five hundred and lixty-fix. Thcfe muü be pure and without bkmifli, othcr-wiTü they are returned, and others required in their flead. Tlie pearls are examined at the return of thcfe companies and, if they arc few in number, the officers arc pu_ nifiifd asgulky of ncglizence, and their pay either flopped for a w hole year,, or they are cafhicred. Tlie Mantchews difperfcd throughout Eaftern Chinefe Tartary have neither temples nor idols ; they adore as they cxprcfs it the Emperor of Heavsn, to whom they offer fa-crifices ; but finic they have entered China, foine of them vforfiiip Pg and other idols of the CJiinefc. They are liowever in general attached to their ancient ri:ligi(m ; which they conlider as the caufe of iheir ačliial grcatnefs and the caufc of the profpcritv of their arms- Nations H ho luve becomc conquerors, have in general had the vain ambition of being thought dcfetndcd from an illuflrious origin. Tiius when the Mantcliew Tartars faw themicK'cs mailers of China, they gave themfeives a celefiial exrai^ion, and placed a god at the head of their race, 'i he following fah!c concerning their firft fovereign, is related hy them, and, aUbisfoundin fome of their tiicfi aufhentic books : " On the top of the white mountain tovrards the riilng " of tliR fun is a celcbrUcd lake, called PauJkoim, as well «'as that part of the nuuinra in where if is fuuarcd. We " have learned by tradiuun, that the daugtitcr ot Hca- vcn, having dcfccnded on the banks of this lake, tafted a red fruit, eat fomc of it, conceived, and afterwards " brought fonli a fon of the finie nature with herfclf. " As this wonderful child was endowed withcek-ftial gifts, he fpolic the very moment after his birth ■ his figure was wonderful, and every thing in it difplayed niajefly " and grandeur. When he grew up, he amufcd himfelf " fometimcs in travcrfing the lake in the trunk of a tree, w^hich was hollowed uut in the form of a boat. One " day, having fuffcred himfelf to be carried away by the " current, the boat ftopped of itfelf at that place of the river which fervcd ns a port to the people on cach fide *' of it, and as a magazine for their different commoditiesi " It happened at th-.t time, that tumultuous aflemblics " were held everyday in the neighbourhood of this place, " for tlic elcčting of a fovereign ; three chjcfs of families " difputed with cach another for the honour of command" ing the reft ^ each had his partifans almoft ecjual in nuin-" ber and ftrcngth ; on wliich account they could nat " agree; neitlier being willing (o yield, and eadi confi-" dering his party as the hioft powerful. One of the company having gone afide to draw water from the " river, beheUi with aflrinilhment this young ftranger. " After having contemplated him for fome moments, he " hartened back to his companions, to inform them of " what he had fecn, When he was near enough to be " underflood, A titlracie! cried he, a miracle! Let tt% " ff/c our fUfputf s t Heaven hjelf wißjes i o put au end h " '^'cm ; ii hntbßnt us a hing, in the perfm of an extraor-" youth, whom I have j uß jecn an tke river. Te s, it " " i-^iaven lißlf ^hich halb ßnt him: / judge from " ^ ^^^-iifßen. IW ivhat otherpuri>oß mdd a young . " man of this na/ure le permitted to hmdhere? On thefc " words, the wliole miiltitudc fiockt.d to the (liore to enjoy the fpcflacle which had bee:: announced to them : S " thofe who arrived lirfV, turning tovards the reft whd followed, cried out, Nothing is mare true ; this is really " a miraculous child; this is the kt'/o whom Heaven ßnds us—tve have occaßonjor no other. " Thcic words jiaiTed fuccciTtvdy from mouth to mouth, " and every the right of appeal from the fentence of his prince, who is obliged to appear in perfoii whenever he is cited. The Mogul nation under the Chinefs £;ovcrnmcnt,- is divided inta four principal tribes, the Moguh^ properly fo caütd—tiic Kalkas, Orions, and the T'artars of Koisnor. THi- MOGUIS. According to the map of Cliinefc Tartary tnken frorn the iiieinoirs of the Jefuits, who fii l^ ga\'e us an accoisn*: of it, the country of the iVIoguls extends more than nine hundred miles fro:n call to weft, and fix hundred 'fr^rt north tofouth: it is enclofed between the country of the t^rtous, the great wall, Eaftern Tartary and the coumry the Kalkas; thefe people arc divided ijjto forly-ni,« or (taiidards; every Ifaiidiud comprel-isnding an irid'e-terminate number ot companies, each confifling of ojic hundred and fifty heads of tliivdlics ; and as thefe fjmiÜL-s are generally numerous, each company n;ay be reckoned at one thoufand individuals; bsrfidej thefe forty-iuiu Ihiudards, there are five others, commanded by officers ivhom the emperor of China fciids thither. Thebeft cultivated canton of all the Mogul territories is the diftricS of CsrtMng^ near the great wall; liere tl>e emperor goes every year to enjoy the pleafure of huntinsr, here he generally pafles the fummerj and here he has caufed feveral beautiful ploafure-houfcs to be built, the principal of which is Geha, This prince poflcfTes exten-five domains in the country of CartcbJng and along the great wall Vfhich belonged to his anceftors, to whofe lot they fell in the partition that was made at the time of the cornjuelt of Chinai The emperor turns thefe patrimo-poiTeffioiij to good account by means of farmers which he fends thitlier, the produce of them being appropriated to the fuppoit of his houftiold ; for he never touches the revenues pf the ftate^ v,-hich are depofited in the public treafury, for the payment of the troops and officers of the empire. The number of cattle kept on theftf royal farms is imnienre ; the mtflionaries have informed tis that from accounts furnifhed by fome of the officers belonging to the paftures, they reckoned one hundred and ninety thouiand fheep, divided Into two hundred and twenty-five flocks, and almoft as many oxen and cows, divided into herds, each containing an hundred ; the number of ftallions kept is füll more confiderable, Thefe farms, ftuds and flocks make more impreffion on the minds of the Tartar and Mogul princes, and render them mach more fenlible of the grandeur and power of the emperor, than all the man-nificencc of his court at Pekin. vJ the k alk as. Thefe Tartars, v/bo are faid formerly to have cam/ pofed a numerous tribe, confifiing of more than fix hundred thou land familie;, inhabit to the north of the Mogul Tartirs. Th;:ir conntry, which reaches as far as the kin;;.-«iom of the JHeuths^ h near nine hundred miles in extent from caft to weft. It was in this region, towards the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, that the city of Karakurit the fiat of the empire of Zinghis-kan, and of that of his fucceflbrs, was fituated. Thefe people live under tents along the banks of t'le rivers which water tlieir country; the moft confider-able of which are the Kerlon, Toulä, Tony and the Se-lingue; their banlcs are well inhabited, and they flow-through extenfive plains, covered with rich paftures i their waters are wholefomc, and abound with excellent fifli, particularly trout. The Kcr!on rims from weft to eaft, and falls into the lake Koulon-nor, the waters of •which difcharge themfclvcs into the river Saghalten by that of Ergonc. The Kcrlon is not deep ; being in almoft every part fordable : it does not excced fixty feet in brcadrh, but its banks afford the beft part ure si in Tartary. On the northern fide of it are the ruins of a large city, built by the Mogul fucceflbrsof the famous Coblai-kan; this city appears to have beenfquarc, and about two leagues in cir-cumfcrencc; its foundations, fome pieces of the walls, and two pyramids, half in ruins,' ftill. fubfift ^ it was called Para-hotun, or The Cit^ ef the Tyger. ' The river Toula runs from eaft to weft, and is broader, deeper and more rapid than ihe Kcrlon ; its banks are furrounded with woods and beautiful meadows, and tlie mountains which hang over it on the northern fide arc covered with forefis of aged firs. This river, after having received the waters of the Selingue, lofes irfelf in the lake ofFai-cal, the largcft in all Tartary. This lake is in the territories of the Mufcoviccs, and even the Sctingue does not entirely belong to the Kalkas ; for the RuHians are matters of the lower part of the river, near which they have built a fmall city, called Selingcikoi. The water of the Touy Is pure and wholefome ; it waters plains as fertile aü the Toula, and after having traverfcd fevcral T very extcnfive cantons, fuddcnly lofcs itCclf in the bofoul of the earth. The vaft dcfcrt which the Chincfe call Cfsama, and the Tartars Cob't, occupies ahnoft all the Ibuthern part of the country of tiie Kalkas. This dcfcrt is cflimated to be more than three hundred miles in length from caft to weft, and almoft the fame iii breadth from north to fouth, and even more towards the wcftern part; it prefcnts nothing but imtncnfe plains of fand, ititerrupted here and there by fome little hills, on whieh arc feen a few buflics, but not a fingle tree. This dcfcrt is in general dry, and dcf-titutcüf paffurage and water of every kind, cxcept a fmall numbf.r of poms in which the rain is coUeflcd, and a few bad wells, that arc fometimes to be met with. Its fituation is very high i the cold here, on that account, is fevere, and continues very long, Tlie great quantity of faltpetrc with which the fand is impregnated greatly contributes to this temperature, and on digging only a few feet below the furface, the earth may be found frozen In every fea-fon of the year. The neighbouring Tartars, when they traverfe thcfc fands, generally make ufe of camels, becaufe thefe animals require little food, andean live without water for feveral days. In 1688 a war was carried on by the king of the Eleu-thes againft tlie Kaikas, wliicii a!mo(t deftroyed the whole nation. To avoid the purfuit of a fuperior enemy, they fought the affiftancc of the Chinefc arms, and offered to fubmit to the empire. Knng-lii undertook their defence, conquered tlic king of the Elcuthes, and retained the Kalka Tartars under his dominion, after having conferred upon their princcs different titles of honour. The Kalkas have amoi>g them one of thofe grand lamas callcd heii-ioučtou ; he is lodged under a large tent, and ihewfi himfelf to the public, lying on a kind of altar, of chinese tartary, i39 where he receives with the grcatcft indifFcrence the adoration of the Tartar tribes. He falutcs no one, not even tlie princcs, but receives homage from them with the tiignity of a god. The infatuation of the Tartars, and their ftupid veneration for this lama, occafioii a prodigious concourfe of ftrangers at Iben-Pira, where he refidcs. Boiizcs from China, In-doftan, Pegu, ant! many other far more diftant countries may be feen tliere: and tlie great number of tents that arc crcdted around his, form a kind of city, or fair, to whicli Mufcovite merchants fometimes go to trafEc. This hou-toučfou is liowevcr but a lama of the fecond order; for a lama who rcfides on the river Lafa in Thibet is acknowledged his fuperior; and is generally confidered as the high-prieft and fupreine chief of the Tartar religion. the oetous. The country of the Ortous, who inhabit to the north of the great wall, and to the weft of the Moguls properly fo called, is three hundred and tliirty miles in extent from eaft to weft, and feventy from fouth to nortli. Thefe people arc divided into fix ftandards, comprehending one hundred and lixty fix companies, each compofcd of an hundred and fifty heads of families. The Ortous arc of a free difpofition, extremely lively, and fcldom fubjeft to melancholy, on which account they have been called the French of Tartary. The emperor Kang-ht^ in the courfe of his expedition »gainfc the Klcuthes in i6g6, made fome ftay among the Ortous, of whom lu- gave tiic following account iti a letter which he wrote to t!]t; prince, his fon, who had remained at Pe-kin; "Hitherto," fays he, " I had no " juft idea of the Ortous : they are a very polite nation, and have loft nothing of the ancient manners of the " true Moguls. All tlieir princes live in perfect unioii T 2 " union one with another, and know not the difference of mine and thine. A robber is never heard of among " them, although they take no precantions to guard their camels and hotfes: if by thancc one of thefe aninnals fhould ftray, the perfon who finds it takes proper carer " of it until he difcovers the owner, and reftorcs it to him " without accepting the leaft gratuity- The Ortous are " intelligent in every thing, efpecially in the manner of " rearing cattle. The greater part of their horfes are " mild and tradable. The Tchahar, who live to (he north of the Ortous, are celebrated for breeding them " with care and fuccefs i 1 believe, however, the Ortous " furpafs them in that refpe'ft; but, notwithftanding this advantage, they are fcarccly fu rich as the reft of tiie Moguls. They handle the bow very ungracefully, and " in general acquit themfclvcs badly in all exercifes of " this kind ; but their bows are remarkably ftrong, and they hit a mark with wonderful addrcfs. The air of this country is exceedingly wholefome, the waters arc excellent, and the provifions here have ar» cxquifite " taftc." tartars of kokonor. Thefc Tartars, who are Eleuthes or Kalnioucks by nation, and who ajc at prefent fubjeiSls of the emperor, occupy an extcnfive country to the weft of China and the province of Clien-fi, from which they are feparateJ by lofty mountains. They take their name from a lake ill this country, called in their language Kokanol, or Koko?:or^ and which is one of the largeft in Tartary. They are fubje£l to eight princes, each independent of the other, ani all of the raco of the kan of the Elf-uthes Tartars. Thefc people derive their principal riches from the goli which is found mixed with the fand of their rivers, and above all with that of Altang-ko!, or the Golden River, which furnilhes in gold duft the principal revenue of the princes of Kokonor, whofe valTals during fummer arc employed in collecting it. A man during the four months employed in fearching for this gold, may colltfl', on an average, ten ounccs, and even inoie of it, according to his aiSivity and addrcfs. The whole procefs of this labour is very fimple: the men carry the fand from the bottom of the river, wafli it a Jittic, and, retaining what appears to be gold, throw away the reft ; that which is retained is afterwards melted in crucibles, and the gold is reckoned to be exceedingly fine; the Tartars however fell it for only fix times its weight in filver. Abuiidancc of gold is alfo found in feveral other rivers which water the neighbouring ftates of the grand lama, and great quantities of it ai'c tranfported to China. Another principal article of the trade of Kokonor is a kind of napped woollen fluff, called niamifaftured by thefe Tartars, who have the art of dying it of different colours ; long drefles are made of it in the country, and it is generally ufed at Pe-kin for covering feats. The Hoang-ho, or the Yellow River, has its fource in this corner of Tartary. Befidesthe above, theChinefe Empire was extended In Tartary by the conqueft of the kingdom of the Elcuthes ^759) by the arms of th« prefent emperor Kien-lonc. The whole nation of the Eleuthes, known in Europe and Ruflia by the name of Kalmoucks, may be divided into three branches, alt proceeding from the fame flem. One of thefe arc the Tartars of Kokonor, of whom we have already fpoken ; but the moft weftcrly and at prefent the nioft powerful and numerous, occupy the country contained between the Cafpian Sea, Mufcovy, Samarcand, and Cafghar, which extends caftwards as far as a vaft chaia of mountains, fuppofed to be a continuation of Caucafus. Annually during winter thefe Tartars encamp on the (hore of the Cafpian Sea, near the village of Aftracan, where they 'i42 general description carry on a confiderabic trr.de. The third divifion Inhabits to the eaft, from the chain of mountains before mentioned, as far as another cliain of lofty mountains, tlie moft con-fiderablc of which arc called Altai; many large rivers have their fources in this mountain, the principal of which are the Oby and IrCis. The country which thefe people inliabit is very extcnfive, bordering on the north with Mufcovy, and on the fouth with tlie territories of the Ulbec Tartars: thefe arc the people w hoin Kien-long has obliged to fubmit to the Chinefc government. We fliall not enter into a detail of the origin, progrc/s, and various events of that war ; but contcnt ourfelves wirli mentioning the refult of that conqneft, and defcribing the new territory procured by it to the Chincfc Empire, as weil as the revenue arifing from it, ßefides tlic country wliich properly formed the kingdom f)f the Eleuthcs, this llate pofTefled fevcral other confi-ticrabJc territories, wliich have in like manner yielded to the conqueror: among this number are Little Boukaria and the cities of Cafghar and Yergitcn, whh all their dependencies. The following information refpecling this country is drawn from the letter in wliich the L'hincfe general gave an account of his expedition to the emperor. The general infurnis tlse emperor, that " befides the principal cities of the Mahometan canton, Hashar and Jerktm, they had taken feventeen cities, great and fmall; and ftxteen thoufand villages and hamlets; and that in all tlie diflricl of Ilafliar there were about fifty or lixty thoufand families." Hafhar is fituatcd a little to the fouth-eall of Pe-kin, and dilbnt from Sou-icheou-, a city of Chen-fi, the wefteni-moft of China, about fix thoufand }ys, or eighteen miles. It is foinething more than thirty miles in ciicumferencci; but its population is not propOitioJiable to its extent: it coil-. of chinese tartary^ 143 ta'miiig, according to the account taken by the Chintfc general, no more tiun two tliouhsnd five hundred families. To the eafl of HaHiar arc Ouchci and Akfou,;..nd between Halhar and Akfou, thero are three cities and two Urge villages : the number of inhabitants in tlicfe cities and villages amount !ii all to about fix thoufoiid families. Weflward from Hdfliar lies AntchUtn, between whicfi there arc three cities, and two confiderabls villages; con-taijuiig together about tv;o thouliind two hundred families, Hafliar is to tlie nortli of Jerkim, and between them lie tv^o eitles and two villages, v/hich together contain nearly four thoufand four hundred famUies. When Kalilari'Tjcreng, the laft kriig of the EkuÖKs, reigned over thefe Mahometans^ the tribute which the pcni)le of Hafliar were obliged to pay him amounted to öyco lenhe, or 2010/. fterling; this princc received alfo, by way of tribute for the territories dependent on this city, 40,598 pathma of grain, or 19404x0 Chinefe buflicls, 1463 tcharal of cotton, or 14630 Chinefe pouJids,and 365 tcharaJi of faffron, or 3G50 pounds. Befidcs what wc have meiitloiied he received alfo a tribute from the Cojacki and tlie Thcahlaches. Thelu two nations were obliged to pay annually the fum of 26000 /fnif, or 7800I : one year to be furn flied by the Ccjaks-the next by the T'i^hQhohachcSt 'Fho body oT niercli3.nts, and thofe who deal in cattle, provifions, and other things of the f-me kind, paid a feparate tribute of 2o;;oo teuh, or 6000/. per annum; they were befides obliged to furnsih four pieces of tapeftry, four pieces of velvet, twenty-fix pieccs of plufli and other fluffs, and the fame n'jniber of pieccs 01 felt, which the lumas and Mufco^ itcs ufe for their head-drelTcs. Befidcs the ufual taxes which tlie Eteuthes paid in tommon with others, every ten fair.ilies among ih'jni were «obliged to furnini ten ounces of gol^ i v/ho had gar- 144 general DESCRlPTfOJf dens or vineyards were obliged to furnifti dried raifins, to the quantity of a thoufand pounds for every füven gardens or vineyards. Thofe wlio properly conipofed the body of merchants paid uvcry year, feparat'. Iy and independent of other tribute, five hundred pounds of red copper; thofe who carried on trade with Outntoußan (Indoflran) or in Mufcovy, had to pay on their return a tenth of their profit. With regard to foreign merchants who came to traffic at Hafhar, they paid only a twentieth part of their gain; fuch was the ufage which the Chincfe general found eftabliflied here. It feldoiii, however, happened that all thefe taxes were well paid. The general farther informed the emperor that the inhabitants were fewer in number and much poorer than they were in the time of Kaldan-TJereug, and that, owing to the misfortunes of the war, they were become juft objefts of pity. He further ftates the foil of this country as far from being rich : in_good years producing feven or eight returns; in common'years, only live; and in bad years, three at moft. other tribes subjected to the chinesjä government. To the preceding fubjeil^s of the Chinefe Empire we muft ftijl add, the Si-fans-, the nation of the Lo-los, and the Miao-tje mountaineers. si-fans. The Si-fans, or Tou-fans, dwell to the weft of China and the provinces of Chen-fi and se-tchuen. Their country is a continued ridge of mountains, cnclofcd by the rivers Haang-ho on the north, ta-long on the weft, and y'ang-tfe-kiang on the eaft, betweeji the thirtieth and thirty-fifth degrees of north latitude- The Sl-fans are divided into two kinds of people j the oriÄ äre called by the Chinefe Black Si-fans, the other TeUotv—mmcs given them, not from a difference of colour ill their perfons, but from the different colours of their tents. The black are the moft clowhißi and wretched: living in fmall bodies, and governed by petty chiefs, depending upon a greater. The Yellow Si^-fans are fubjefl: to families, the old-eft of which bccomes a lama, and allumcs the yellow drefs. Thefe lama-princes have the power of trying caufes, and punifliing criminals; but their government is by no means burthenfome; ayidprcvided that certain honors are paid thern, and they receive pimSiuaUy the dues of the gad Po, which amount to very little, they moleft none of their fubjccts. The greater part of the Si-fans live in tents; but fome of them have houfes built of earth and brick. Their habitations are not contiguous; forming at moft büt fmall hamlets, confifting of five or fix famiiieSi They feed a number of flocks, and w^t none of the neceflaries of life. The principal article of their trade is rhubarb, which their country produces In abundance. Their horfes are fmall; but well fhaped, lively and robuft. Thefe people arc of a noble and independent fpirit, and it is with relu(51:ance that they acknowledge the fu-periority of thej Chinefe government, to which they have t>een fubjeßcd : if fummonod by the mandarins, they rarefy appear; but the goveinmeut, for political reafonsj winks at this contempt, and fearing to ufe force, endeavours to keep thefe intraflable fubjecls under by mildnefs and moderation: it would, indeed, be difficult to employ rigorous means, in order to reduce them to obedience, as their Wild and frightful mountains, the tops of wliich are alWays covered with fnov/, would afford them places of fhel-tt'r, from wliich they could never be driven by force. The cuftoms of thefe mountaineers arc totally different f^'om tliofc of the Chincfc. All their religion coi'.i'iils in U their adoration of the god Fs, to whom their attachrricnt is great, and their fttpcrftitious veneration extends even to his minifters, oti whom they have confiJcreil it as th;;ir duty to confer fuprcmc power, and the government of the nation. Some of their rivers wafli down gnld mixed with thrlr fands: they form it into vafos and finali l>atucs, of which they often make ofi'crings to their idol; it cvcji appears th;it the ufe of gold is very ancient among them ; fpr Chi-ncfe books relate, tliat under one of tlie emperors of the dynafty of Hun, an officer having been fent ti> them to complain of the ravages committed by foine of tiieir chiefs, they endeavoured to appeafe him by making him a prefcnt of a piece of gold plate, which the officer refufcd, telling the Si-ftins, tliat " tice ferved itp in golden diflies was to " him infipid food." Thcfc people have loft much of their ancient fplendour. At prcfeiit, thty are confined in a wild country, where they have not a finale city, but tliey enjoyed formerly an extenfivc dominion, and formed a powerful atid formidable empire, the chiefs of which often gave great uii-cafmefs to the Chinefe emperors. They were then in ppf-fcffion of fcvcral tra£ts of land toward the caft, which at prefent make part of the provinces ai'Se-tchuen and Chen-fi; they even at one period extended their conquefts to China, and rendered thcnifchx'S makers of fcveral cities of the fe-cond clafs, of which they formed four principal governments; in the well, they feixcd upon al^ the countries which lie beyond the river Ya-hn^, and rcach as far as the boundaries of Cachcmir ; but inteftinc divifions infen-fibly weakened this great monaj'chy, and at length brought it to ruin, according to the Chinefe annals about the year 1227; flnte that .time, the Si-fans have retired to their native moiintainf, v.-here, from being aconqiierii'S and polifhed people, they have again funk in a ^reat degree into their original barl^arit)'. 1,0-J. OS. The Lo~hs arc difperlcij thfoughout the province of Tufi-nan., and compoft; a particulai- people, difthnSi: fiotn the Chiiicfe. They were foimei'ly governed by their own forcreigiis ; hut they fubmicted to the emperor of Cliina, on condition of having the feals, and enjoying for ever all the honors of Chinefc mandarins. The emperor on Iiis part ftipulated that they ftiould be dependent on the governors of the province in civil affairs, in the lame manner as Chincle mandarins of equal rank ; that they fl>ou!d receive from him the invefture of all their lands; in whichj however, they were to cxcrcife nojurifdii^tlon without his cohfent; the emperor engaging on his part to iiiyeft none but the neareft heirs of cach family. 'I'he Lo'loi are in general well made, and enured to labour. They have a particular language of tlieir owji, and a manner of writing limilar to that of the bonzes of Pegu and Ava. Thctc cunningpri^s having infinuatcd thenifelves into the favoii»- of the richeil: ajid moft powerful of the La-las, introduced among them the worfliip and religious ceremonies of their country ; they have even induccd them to build large temples, tht architedure of which is entirely different from that of the Chinefe. The princes of the Lu- hs arc abfolute maftcrs of their f^ibječts, and have the right of piinifliing them, even by tleath, without waiting fjr the anfwer of the yiccroy, and there are no def[iots more readily obeyed by their ßaves, than thefe lords by their fuhjeäs. Thefe princes have a number of officers attached to their pcrfonal ft-rvice; and they appoint the Commanders tö ali the troops which they have under their infpeftion j this army, which is a kind of militia, is compijled of cavalry and infantry, artned with bows and lances, and fome-t'lnes mufquets. Tlvj iron and'copper-mines contained the bowels gf their mountains, ennbJ? them to luako U2 their own afinour. Thefe mountains are faid dfo to abound with mines of gold and filver. The drtfs of the Lo-los confifts of plain drawers; a of cotton, which hangs down to their knees, and a fti-aw hat; their legs are entirely bare, and they wear only fandais: their princes drefs after the Tartar fafliionj and generally ufe filk-ftufFs. The women have a long robe, which covcrs their whole body down to their feet; above which they tic Ji fmall cloak that reafhcs no further than the girdle. In this drcfs they appear on horfebacfc at marriage ceremonies, ox when they pay vifits, accompanied by the females in thtir train, alfo on horfebaclc, and by their fevcral domcftics. m1^\0-tse mountaineers. Under the name of Miao-f/e are cpinprehendcd feveral tribes differing from each other only by fome particular cuftoms. They arc difperfed through the provinces of Se-Uhuetit Kdti-tchfoii, Hou-quang, ^uartg-ß^ and on the frontiers of the province of ^lang-tong. From their mountains they formerly made incurfiojis into the flat, open country, although the Chinefe built caftlc? and fortrelTcs in feveral places, and fiirnifhed them with numerous gar^ rifons for the purpofe of reftraining them. They were for 3 long time contented with putting a flop to their ra-r vages, without declaring war againft them; and when they committed any a£ts ofhoftility, they thought it fufH-cient to drive thcni back to their mountains, without attempting to forcc them from their places of retreat. The Miao-tfe lived under the government of princes, vho pofielTed the fame authority ovcf- them as thofe of the La-ks have over their fubjecls; they fupported a houfc' fiold, and a regular militia, and liad under them feveral petty feudatory lords, whq were obliged to levy troojis |br thcin whenever they received orders. The uf'.i.il ;u'ins of the Mlao-tje arc bov.-s and hnlf-pikics. Their horfcs ure much efltcmcd by the Chincfe, .uid ičll for an exteffive price, 011 atcouiU of c!ie iiimblentfs ami agili+f with waich ihcy climb the :T\oiiiJtains. When they chole officers from amonaft themfjlv-s thecainlidates v/crcublio-ed to ride full fpeeii down the ftcc;5crt declivities, and to ckar at one lca]i w^Jds; liitches in which krge iii'üs ;irc kindled. The jVIiäo-dc, v/ho inhabit the province of Koti-lcheou^ towards Liping-foii, have houfes built of brick, but of only one (lory, and in thcio wer part, they keep their horfes, oxen, cows, iheep and hogs, l^hefe Miao-tje are collccled into villages, and live in great harmony v^ith one- another. They cultivate the earth, make a coiirie fiHt of muflin, aiid manufadlure a kind of carpcts, which are j^ood and well woven, Md which ferve to coi'er thcni tlunng the night. The Chincfc, who keep up a correfpondeiice with thcfe Miao-tie, pitrchiife the timber of their forells, whirh they cut down in their mount.-jns, and deliver to theluiycr by rolling it into the river that travcrfes their country. When thepurchafer receives' it, he makes floats of it Mid carries it olf, after having left the price, which confiAs of a certain number of cows, oxen and huftaloes. The Miaa~!ji employ the fki ns of thcf^2 animals for making breaft-phites, which they cover with thirt plates of ftcel or topper: thefc brcafl-plaCes are heavy, but cxcecclin^ly ftrong. The ordinary drcfs of thcfe Mim-iji cojiIjÜs of a pair of drawers, and a kind of jacket which covers over their brea^h i hofc who are difperfud in that pirt of Hou-quar:g ncarcfl to fi^j; provinces of ^uang-toug and tJioiigh they fccmed to acknowledge the jurifdičtioii of the Chintfc madarins, were Ih reality for a long time inJc-pcndent. 'I'hcy gQ bare-footed, and by being accuf>9mcd to running among their mountains, theydimb the ftcepcft rocks, and walk over the roughcft gi'ound, without fccU ing the kaft incwivcnlcnce. 'l"he head-drefs of llieii' woijn;ii is very fingular. Thty pjaci tninfv-erlely upon their haads, a fiiiidl piece of board, of about a foot in Icngtli, asul five or fix inches in breadth} aver tills they fprcad their hair» and fix it to the wood by itieai'iü of wax. I'lic Mino-tjc women confider this as an elegant head-drefs, and do not (ccin to perceive the feftniint to which it tlibje6ls thtin; f'l' they cannot lie do^A-n unlels they place f-)inet!iing to fvipport thL-lr necks; »rid they are luider tlic jiccefluy of turning their heads every mosncnt when tliey walk, to avoid the buflies with which their country is povered. The difficulty is ftill greater when they comb tlieir hair, which is three or four pnies in a year; on tlitfe occaficins they sre obliged to remain whole hours before a large fire to melt the wax; nfcer tliey liave cleaned their hair, they agaii; drefs it in the f.imc manner. Thjs kind of hair bonnet is however ufedrtiily by the young-females, for thof-: who arc advanced in life pay lefs attention to drefs, and are contented wi-h. only turning their hair up and tying it in a knot on tbfe top of dieir iieads. Thofe Mias-iji ivho live towards the ■rniddlc, and foiithern part of theproyingc of Koei-tcheou, are fubjedi to tl-.e inada,ins of the jtrovince, and make a part of the Chinefe people, wliofe cudums th'jy hayc in general atlopted ; a particular hcad-drt ls, different from jiie cap commonly worn by tlic Cliinele, being the only mark of diftinctioii which they have preferved. Otliers arc governed by hereditary mandarins, who are coiifidcrcd ns naturalized, although Chinefe by extraftjon, being de-.4;endcd from fubaltern officers of the army of Hong-von, ^pn whom, as a reward for their forviees, the government .of a certain number of villages taken from tlic Miao-:fe was conferred. 'I'iicfe jictty princes, or mandarins, judge in the firli: infhnce, the caufe-s af their vaflals, whoni tliey have a right of punifting, but not ciipitaUy. Aa appeal however mayb.e carried inunediiitcly fromtlieir tri-! Initial to that of rlie T^hi-fcit, or governor of a city of th.^ firft clafs, who may reverfe the fcnteiicf, or flay the proceedings. According to the accouiits of the Cliinefe the whole Miao -tje nation are a refHefs and baiharoiis people—m^n without faith or probity, aiiJ above all, jiotorioiis plun^ (lerers; but Father Regis and the other milTionaries whn made a map of their cuvnui'v, do not gi^'c them (.be latvn? charačlcr.—They on the contrarv detlarc, that they found tliem an active, laborioiis and obligijio; people, asid remarkably lioiieft and puii6lual iii reftoring wliatcvcr cficfts they had cntnifted to their care. Thcfe-formidable mountaiiiecrP, who may be faid to have enjoyed liberty and independence for two thoiifand years, have been at length completely fubječied. 'this «vent miift, in the judgement of tlic Chinefe, farm erne of the moft memorable epochas in tlieir hiftory; and the naivx of Kien-loko will no doubt he ranked by them among their-moft celebrated emperors; hi» aftive genius, f. isitful in refourecs, and firm and perievering in its plans, bry tlic Chiiiefe Kaa-li and by the A'lantchev/ Tartars Sol-hn^ is a large peniiifula, extendi-J lictv/ccn Chin;i and Japan, bounded on t1ic nortli l>y einliefe Tarhiry, on tlie call'by the ocean and iflcs of Japan, on the foutb by the occan, and on the weft by the gulpli and province oF Leao-iang. Tiiis kingdom is reckoned to be fix hundred miles from norlli to ibuth, and three hundred from eaft to wcfl. All accefs to it by fea is dangerous and difficult, from the great number of flioals wliich furroiind its ccads. Its leaft diftajice from Japan is only twenty-five leagues. The origin of the Coreans is very ohfcure: it appears that the cmmtry was at firft iiihabltcd by ditFerent tribes, the principal of which were the Me^ Kio-kiouli and the i lens i the laft fubdivided into three hordes—the Mahan-, P'ten-han^ and Chin-han. Theie inli;ibitants of Corca at hrft compofed feveral ftates, fuch as that of Tchaoffien^ anii ttiat of Kaa-li-. but, in [n'oceis of time, thtry became united under the fame government, and formed ons king-duni called Kno-U. This kingdom is governed by a fovercign, v/ho exer-cifes abfolute authority over his fubjects, thou;rh he han- Mf is a vafTa] and tributary of tlic emperor of China. As foon as this priiicc dies, the emperor dsputcs to his Ion tv/o mandarins, to confer upon him the title of ioiit'-vang, or iing. When the king of Corca has no immediate heir, or is afraid that the fuccefllon may occafion dif-titrbance after his death, he appoints his heir, and folicies the emperor to confirm his nomlnatlpn. 7'lie prince receives on his knees the itivefliture of bis rtates, and pays the emperor's envoys the funi of -eight hundred taü!'', hefidcs diftributing other cufloniary prefjnts. The mi-nifter of Corca then repairs to Pekin, to proftrate liimfeif before the emperor, and pref^nt him the tribute; and fuch is the ftriclnefs of the Chinde court, that the princefs M-lio has efpoufird t!ie king, cannot afTume ihe title of eaiaac:. Ki-hohang-ü-, emperor of China, having 1^8 general dk^cniption newly conquered chem, aff'-mbled üpv.-.a'd' of f,v-e Imiulrcd thourand pcrfons from d■f^■el■crl^ parts of his i; :iplrc, and ffnt them ijito the foutbc. n extremiticr, of the provinces of Quang.fi, C;iji-to)i, Tong-king, and Cochin-china. The ai'rival of fo numcrous a colony fillcil this country with Chinefe families, who gradually intrndur-d the characters, governtncnt, and religion of the Chincfc. But the Tcnquincfe, about fifty years before the Chrif-lian aera, leagued thcmfelvcs with the people of Cochin-china, and united their forces to fhake off the Cbiiiele yoke. Two 'I'onquiiiefc ladies, who were fiftcrs, put ihcmfelves at the head c.f the revolted troops: they pof-feffed all thofe charms calculated to infpirc their followers with the ftrnngeft enthuGafiii, and all thofe warlike qualities iieccflary to form the heroine. They ordered the frontier towns and polls to be fortified, difci^Tliiied a numerous rirmy, and in the moft endearing manner animated the foldici's to defend their country. Mciyven^ the geneial, who was fent againfl: them with a formidable army, flood U\ i)w-d of all his courage and talents. Kvei'y ftcp was refolutely difputcd with him ; and he could not advance but by gaining frelli battled. In every aftion, the two htroines difplayed equal judgment rjid bravery ; but they at length feli, v/ith their .irms in their hands, in a bloody battle, fought near the lake 'Sy-hou, The Toiiquinefe troops were cut to pieces, and Tong-king was fubdued. Tiie Chinefe general, to commemorate his victory, catifed two brazen pillars to be ereiSled on the boundaries that feparate Tong-khig from the province of ^mn^T-fi. Tliey ftill rcmsiin, and have the following infcription ; When thi:j} pillars ßüil be äeßrojed^ T'ong-khig will ferlß). The Tonquinele at pr;,fent confider this ir.fcripiioq as a prophecy, and thefe columns as inoiiuments to ^vhich the delliiiy of their kingdom is infeparably attached ; they iherefore take the greatefl: care to preL-rvc tlium. I''ew countries have been fubjecl to more revolutions than Tong-king: fometimes quietly fubmittin^ to the Chinefc authority; fometimes abandoned to revclt^ and ruled by ufiirpers eagerly bent on deftroying oiie .mother ; fomf^timcs torn by intcrtine or foreign wars ; fometimes humbled ; and, at others, giving laws to its neighbours ; for fevtral cent'^rics it fecnis to have been particularly cxpofed to pohtical conviilfions. China, wearied of the wars which ftie had Aipported, and harraflčd by th? rcftlcis and turbulent difi;ofilion of a people fo exceffively jealous of their liberty, abanilonet! the projcdt cf cnfiuving the l^onquinefe, and confented that it fhould be governed by its own kings, provided they acknowledged themfelves lier tributaries. 'I'his was agreed to; and it is faid, that the firfi: tribute v/hich the Tontiuincfe paid, confifted in 'three iVatues of golJ, and as many of filvcr, which they engaged to fend every fevcn years to the emperor. The throne cf Tang-king was for two hundred and twqnty-two years occupied by eight princes of a family ca!hd Ly ; but in 1230, this family becoming cxtinft, the fovercign authority parted to the family of Tchin^ which likewifc bccame extinct in 1406. The emperor of China, Ton^-ic then again reduced Tong-king into a Chincfc province, and appointed a governor-general and officers für all the departments cf war, commerce, juftice, &c. A map of Tong-king, a lift of its inhabitants, and an inventory of the principal effečfs found in it, were carricd to court, and prefented to the emperor. According to ihefe accounts, the number of inhabitants amounted to three millions one hundred a>nJ twenty thoufand families, rhere were alfo found in Tong-king two Imndrcd and thirty-five thoufand nine hujidrcd oxen, iio: fes, and elephants; thirteen millions fix hundred ihouf^iid tan of rice {a ian weighing »n hundred and twenty Chinofe pounds) ; eight thouiand fix; hundred arid feventy barks, and two millions five hundred and thirty-nine thoufand eight hundred pieces of armour. That part of Tong-king where the emperor had nc-glefted to placc ftrong garrifons, foon gave new proofs of its love of fi-eedom; the people agaiji to(>k up arms ; and an able officer, named Lyli^ put himfclf at ihc head of the Tonquinefe. After a great number of battles, the fucccfs of which was various, Lyli undertook to pcifuatle the emperor, tha^ one Tchin-hao was a branch of the royal family of Tchin. Tchin-hao was proclaimed king ; and theChinefe troops were ordered to evacuate Tong-klng. Lyli was now the abfolute mafter of Tong-kiiig; and Tchin-hao, who was but the {hadow of ^ king, dying v/itbout ilTue in 142B, the emperor cieclarcd Lyii hereditary governor, and received Iiis deputies, prefcnLs, and a folemn adt, by which he acknowledged himfelf a tributary and va/Tal of the empire. His fon, who fucceeded him, obtained the title of king. This family enjoyed the throne until the beginning of the fixteenth century, when an ambitious individual had the boldncfs to dcclare himfclf a defcendant from the royal fiimily of Tchin : the Tonquinefe rofe in his behalf, the reigning prince was aflafiinated, and the ufur[x:r afTumcd the fovereign authority. Another revolution quickly followed : a grandee, named Mo-teng-ymg^ raifed a forcc, attacked the ufurpcr, and entirely defeated his army, and, in concert with the other grandees of the ilate, cauCed Li-ning, the nephew of the aflhflinated prince, to be proclaimed king. The new king carried his grntitude for this fignal a!ß^ anibafladoi'S to foreign ftates arc always chofcn. • 7"he Tonrjwinofc in their vifits and entertainments are very ceremonious. The perfon who pays the vifit flops at the gate, and gives the porter certain ioofe leaves of paper, containing eight or ten pages, in which are written in large characters his name and titles, together with the Intention of bis vifit. I'lufe leaves are of different foj ts and colours, according to die rank and quality ot the pcj"-iijn to be vifiCed. If the mafter of the houfe is abfent, the paper is left v^ith the porter, and the vifit is confidered as concluded. A magillrate, when he pays a vifst, muft be clothed in a robe of ceremony proper to his employ, ment; and thofe who have fome diiHiiflion, thcmrh they hold no public oiTice, have :dlb parLicular vifiting dicO'cs; iind they cannot difpcnfc wirh the ufe of thenij without trnnfgrcfling the eihiblifted rules of civility. The perfon vifited receives at the door the pcrfjn who pays the vifit: they join hands ivhen they accolt one ano-ihei-, and, by their gelhu'es ;done, Jbew a thoufuid maiks of politcncfs, 'i'he mailer of the hoiife invites bis vifitor to cjiter, by pointing to tlie door; the pci fon who p;iys the vifit, as foon as feated, again teih the motive which brought liim diil;!icp: the maiVej- of the houfe li(k-ns \\'ith iniScb gravity, arid from time to time inclines his body, according to the rules of politenefs. Servants afterwards, clothed in drefies of ceremony, bring a triangular table, npon which are pUced cups ot tt-iv, together wiih boxes of betel, pipes aiui tobacco. Whcfl the vifit is ended, div: raailoi- of the houfe re- conclufts his gueft to the tnlddls of the fEreet, where they renew tlieir reverences, bows, elevation of hands, and other c^-mplimcnts; when the ftranger is departed, and already advanced a good way, the mafter of the houf;: fends a footman after him to pay him a frefli complimcnt and fomc time after the vifitor, in his turn, firnds; back another to thank him, whicli terminates the vifit. It is not only in vifits that this troubicfome pc)litcneCs is difplaycd ; but in all their actions which have any relation to fociety. Tlie Tonquinefe, in eating» inftead of forks, ufe fmall fticks made of ebony or ivory, with the extremities ornamented with gold or fiWer: they never touch any food with their fingers; and, when at table, they appear to eat in unifon; the motion of their hands and jawbones fccming to depend upon feme particular rules. They never ufe napkins, nor are their tables covered with a cloth ; they arc only finTouiidcd with lonj embroidered cnrpcts, which hang down to the floor. Every perCm lias, a table for himfflf, unlcfs too great a number of guefts obliges two to fit together. 'ITic pcrfon who Invites to an entertaijimcnt, fends, tlw evening before, to his intended gucfts, a few leaves, of invitation, in which is contained a kind of bill of fare. On the day appointed for the entertainment, he fends early in the morning a paper like the former, to remind the guefts of their invitationj and when tlic hour of re-pall approaciies, he fends a third paper, with a fervant tn conduit them, and to acquaint them how impatient he is to fee them ; wlien the company arc afTenibled, and are about to fit down to table, the maftcr of the houfe takes a cup of gold or filver, and, lifting it up with both hands, falutcs the pcrfon of the greateit rank on account of his employment: he then proceeds to the outer court, where, after having turned himfelf towards tl\c Ibuth, and offered wine to the tutelary fpirits who prefide over the houfe, he pours it out in form of a libation. After this cercmony. every one approaches the table deftined for him, but before they fit down they warte above an hour in paying com-piimciitB i and the maftcr of the houfe has no fooner done with ßne, than he begins with another.—When they have occafton to drink, complinients begin afrcfli: they drint a great deal, but flowly, and at feveral times ; ajid when tliey begin to grow merry, difcufs various topics ; ani fumetimes play at fmal! games, in "which thcfc who lofe arc condemned to drink. Comedies and farces are often rcprefentsd during thefc Jepafis; but they are always intermtxed with the moft wretched and frightful mufic. The aßors in thefc do-meftic comedies are boys between the age of twelve and fifteen, who, like European ftroHers, go from province to province, and are every where confidercd as the dregs of the people. They have, however, nioft aftonifhin^ memories ; they carry their theatrical apparatus along with them, together with a volume containing their comcdics^ generally to the amount of forty or fifty, which they pre^ lent; and when a piece is fixed on, they immediately perform it, without any preparation. About the middle of the entertainment one of the performers goes round to all the tables, and begs of the gufffts ; the fervants of the houfe do the fame, and carry to their mafters whatever money they rcceivc; a :ieW rcpaft is then difplayed before the company, which is def-tined for their dcm?ftics. The end of thuL- entertainments is generally fuited to the beginning. The gucfts praife /» dstail the excellence «■■f the diflies and the pcilitenefs and generofity of their hoflr, v.'ho, on bis part, makes a number of excufes, and begs pardnn, v/ith many low bows, for not having treated them according to their merit. The Toiiquiitef; ptiyficians pretend that tliey can dif-cover the greater part of difesfes hy ths beatin^ of thi pulfe alone, which they feel in chrc-c parts on each fide of the body. For the moll part, they ufe nothing liut roots, or fim-ples, in tht compofition of their mcdiciiies : but for headaches, fevers and Jyfenterics, they commonly prcfcribe the juice of a certain fruit, which is (aid to have a wonderful cffeiä in the cure of thefe dilbrders. The purple (ever, which is fo very dangerous in Europe, is faicl never to be fatal in Tong-kiiig.—Groiiei" gives the fallowing account of their treatment of it: They take the pith of a certain reed, dip it In oil, and apply it to the purple fpots on the body: the flcfh then burfts, the corrupted blood is fqneezed out, and the cure is finiihtd by rubbing the wounds with a little ginger. Bleeding is not much ufcd in Tong-king : this is the laft refource of the phyficiaiis ; who never liave recourfe to It, until they arc well afiurcd of the ineflkacy of other remedies. The religion of the Tonquincfe is a mixture of the Chtnefe and other fuperftitions.—Some of thtm btflieve in the immortality of the loul ; while others confine this to the fouls of th'.- jislf ojily. They wbrfliip fpirits, with •which they imagine the air to be Hllcd, admit the doctrinc of tranfmigratioti, believe the world to be eternal, and acknowltd!!;c one iuprcnic being. I'he literati follow the do6trine of Cuifucitis, and conform to the cuftoms of the-Chinefc in their religious ceremonies. Theie are few cities wiüch have not one temple, at Icaft, raif^d to Confucius. I'he ftatue of this celebrated philofopher is always fcen in the molt honourable place, furroiinded by thof^; of his ancient difciples, placed around the altar, in attitudes which mark the rclpciH: and vcnenition they formerly had for their mailer. All the magiftrates of the city a'-fcmble there on the davs of new and full nioon, perfoi m a few c;r>;monIcs vvhicli cynfift in oftc: ing prcfcnts on the altar, burning perfumes, and making a nunib/r of genufle£tioiis. At horh the equinoxes, they offer up folemn facrifices, at which all the literati are obliged to aflift. The priell, who is commonly one of thofe mandarins callcd literati, prepares himfelf for this ccremoiiy by fafting and abftinence: the evening before the facrifice is made, he provides thč rice and fi uits which are to be oflcred, aad difpofes in proper order on the tables of the temple every thing that is to be burnt in honour of Confucius, whofe altar is ornamented with the rlcheft filk fluffs, and his ftatue is placed on it, with feveral fmall tablets, on which his name- is infcribed in charadters of gold. He then pours warm wine into the ears of tha animals intended for facrifice; if they lhake their heads, they are judged proper, but if they make no motion, they are rcjeclcd. Before they are killed, the priefl bends his body vei'y low ; after which he cuts their throats, referving theii' blood and the hair of their ears till tlia next morning, when the prieft again repairs to the temple, where he invites the fpirit of Confucius to comc and receive the homage and offerings of the literati, while the refl of the miniftcrs light wax candles, and throw perfumes into fires prepared at the door of the temple. As foon as the prieft approaches the altar, a maffer of ceremonies cries out, with a loud voice, Let the blood and hair of the ßaiightered heafls beprefentcd. The priefl then raifes witlj both hands tlie vcffcl containing; the blood and hair, and the mailer of the ceremonies fays, Let this bkod and hair buried. At thefe words all the affiflants rife up, and the prieft, followed by his minifters, carries the vefTel, with much gravity and refpeft, to a kind of court which is before the tejnple, where they inter the blood and hair of the animals. After this ceremony, the flclli of the vidims is uncovered, and the maftcr of the ceremonies cries out, fet the fpirit of the great CoNFUCius defend! The Pricfl imnicdintely lifts up a vefTel filled with fpnituous Z liquor, fotne oF which hi; fpriiiklcs over a luiman ngure rsadc üt ihaw, at ihc lUmc time protioiiiuiiig thefc woi Js : ny virtuf!, 0 Confucius! arc ^recil, ctdmirahk, and " exidkjU. If kings govern their fufje.Vs zvilh efjuit^, it " is m!y by the nfdßance if thy Jaws anil incamparable doc '' trine. Wt offer up this facrifice to thee, aiicl our r,ßennv " is pure. May thy fpirit, then, conic dcwn among us, and rejoice us ly its prrf/nce." When t!:is fpcech is cnJcJ, he then offers a piccc uf fi!k to the fpirit or Coiifiitius, and aftwTwards burns it in a brazen uin, faying, with a loud voice, " Sincc the formation cf men, until this dny, who is " he ftmong them, ivho huth hctn aide to Jttrpnfs, or even " cqml the perfections oj Confucius P 0, Confnciits! eill " ihnf we offer thee is umvorthy cf thee : the t 'ßc nnd Jrndl of /hefe meats have nothing expii/ite; hut we offer them " t: thee, that thy fpirit may hear us," This fpecch bjiiij fini filed, THE PRIE'ST imiNKS THE ntyjoti, wliilc one of his minin-LTS addrefles this prayer to Confucius ; "//j " have made theje offerings to thee with [ik/fjure ; and we " are perftiaded, that thou wilt grant us every hind of good, ^^ favour, ertul honour." The priefl' then difh'ibiitcs among the aßißatits the flefh of the facrifices; and thole who cat of it believe that Confucius will load them with bleffiiiijs, and preferve them from every evil. The i'dcrifice is now terminated by re-conduLlIng the fpirit of the phüüfopher to the place from which it is fuppofjd to luive de-fccnded On the firft day of every new year, the Tonciuincfe cc-lebratc a foiemn feafl i» hojioiir uf thofe who during their lives performed illufti'ioiis actions, or diftingulfhed them-fe'ves by their couragc and bravery. On this occafion more than forty thoiiiaiul fdJiers arc drawn up in a plain, to which all the princcs luid mandarins ate ordered to repair, and where the king himf.-If attends them. Afttr facrificing, incciifc it, burnt before a Jiunibcr of idtarf, on which ai'e hifcribcd the names of the gtiiciiils and great men ij) cominemoratloii ol" whom ihcy axe then affcinbSL-J. I'kc kin^, princes, and all ihc [^r^ndccs of the court, afterwards iuclinc thcmftlves before each of the altars, ex-ceptijsg tho/'e which contain tliü names of rebülUous generals, agaiiifl: whlcli the king dlfchargcs five arrows, 'flic v/hoie Gcremotiy coMcludüs with the firing of canjimi and mufquctry, in order to put to flight all the fouis. 'I'here are three particular idols to which the 'f'lmqui-nefc render the moft fuperftitioiis homage—uKSpirii-if /.he Kitchen, the Maßer af Arts, and the Lm J of the Phh:f ■where they rtftde. The Spirit of the KiiihLn takes its oj'i-giii from the following CaJc, jji'cf^rved hy tradition in the country: " A woman having feparatcd from her hufoa'vi " on account of feme difconteut, married a f^cond time. " Thia a£tion gave her former huiliaiid ft> much uiieafii-icr-, " that he put ;tji end to^his days by throwing hiinfelf into a large fire. The unfaithful fjioufe, toiichcd with rc-f pentance, v/ent and expiiited Iter fault by throwing f hcrf-Mf likcwilc into the Jame fire. Her feeond huf-baud being iiifonned of it, hailciicd thither :ilfo; but " finding his wii'e reduced to ailjcs, he was Co much affečt-" ed with grief, that he ruffed ijito the middle of the fame " tire, aiii was deftroyed in an ijülant." This J'pirii is believed to animate three ftonos, of whicli the Toaquinefe form their hiiarth ; and tlieic three ftoneü they worJhip oa the firft day of every new year. The idol Mußer of Arli Ls the image of one oi" the literati, whom the people of Tong-kiiig Indicve to liave been the moll ingcjiioiis, leai iied, and wife, of rniiji, kind. Merchants in^'okc it before they traflic ; fifhcrmcn, before they throw their nets ; and artills, before they begin ajiy work. The idol called UrJ of the Pkre where they rcßde is as much reverenced as the preceding. ^Vhea any one iuteuds tü build a haufc, he confiders tliat die grotir.d upon whielt lic builds, though it is the property of the king, may have foine other mailer, who, though dead, preferves the fame right as he enjoyed during his life- He therefore fends for a magician, who by beat of dniin invites tlie foul of the deccafcd mafter to come and take up its abode under a finall hut prepared for it, and where it is prefentcd with gilt papei-, perfumes, and fmall tables covered with dainties. The ob;ci9: of this ccremony isfo far to engage tlie friend-fliip of the ancient proprietor as to fuffer a new tenant to poflefs hi^i field. Some of the Tonquinefe arc fo fuperflitious, that when they are about to undertake any journ;y, they infpcit the feet of a chicken: others, after they have fet out, becaufe they hsve fncczed once will fuddenly return ; but if they fnesze twice, they chink themfelves obliged to double their pace, and return with the greateft hafte poiTible, There are fome who divide the-earth into ten parts, and from time to time pay a degree of adoration to each : others divide it into five, one of which is fuppofed to be in ihs middle. They pay their homage to the north drellad in black, and ufe black utcnfils In their facrifices ; they clothc themfelves in red when they adore the fouth; in green, when they fucrifice to the eaft; in white, when they invoke the weft; and in yellow, when they pay their adorations tg the middle part. When a Tonquinefe is about to purchafc a field, undertake a journey, or marry one of his children, he goes and confults a conjurer ; before this conjurer or magician gives an anfwer, he takes a book, but he opens it only half, as if he was afr.ud of fnficring profane eyes to fee what it contains. After having afkcd the age of the perfon who comes to confult him, he throws into tire air two fmall picccs of copper, on which are engraven, on one fide only, ccrtain cabaliltical figures or charaiSters. If they fall with tlio figures turned towards the earth, it prefiges misfortune; but if towards the heavens, tire omen is happy. Tlicrc are other magicians, wko arc only coiifnltcd for tb.c cure of Jift;afjs. If lie announces that the (lif.;afe proceeds from f()irit3, they call them wicked genii, and pretend to fliut them up in earthen vales j if it comes from the Jovil, they invite the old gentleman to a grand feail, aflign Jiiin the moft honourable jilacc, pray to him, and oftjr hin* prefents; hut if the difeafe does not nbate, ihey load him ■vvith injuries, and fire mufkets to drive him from thehoiife-If it is the god of the fea who has occafioned the dilk-ni-per, they repair to the banks of Tome river, where they öfter np facrifices to appeafe him, and ii'.treat hjin to quit the lick perfon's chambcr and return to tlie waters. Whc^ ther the Ittk perfon finds himfelf hiittcr or not, the magician takes his leave, loaded witli gold and prefents. There arc in the country of Tong-king a number of inountaiiieers, who, having lhakcn off the yoke of pvery nation, and retired to iuiecelTible momiLiinw, leading a life refi-'mbling thofe ferocious wild bealts which inhabit the fame rocks with them, form a kind of rcpublj(„, cf which their pr'uß is the head. This chief has devifed a particular fyftem ot religion and rites, which have no limilarity with thofe of the Tonquinefe. In the houfcs of the priefts their gods deliver oracles. A great noife a;!-iiounces their arrival; and thefc mountainet^rs, who, while Waiting for tiicm, pafs the time in drijikijig and dancing, immediately fend forth loud fhouts of joy, which are uiorc like howlings than acchmations: they cry out, l-nthcri art thou ahead)- come f" A voice then anfwcrs, " Be «f " goof/ cheer, 7ny chilJi eii, eat, drhtl, avd njcicc ; it is I whs " P^^curc you all thofe ndvantnges you nijny-'" After tl'xfc words, to which they liften with filetice, tliey ag^iiii return to their drinking. 'J'hc jrods now become thirlly iji their turn, and alk for fomcthing to driük; vafes ornamented ■With flowers are immediately prepared, which tlic prieft i-e-cejvcs to carry them to the gods; for he is the oiiiy perfcHi permitted to approach to, or conv^fe with then:. Tiisy have one god wha is reprefeiitcd with a bald hc:!<.l, iind a!) liiiliiclcy couiitcn.incc, which infpires horror. This deiry iic'.'cr attends afibiibÜL's with the rcll, to rccdve the homage of hii vvorfliippci'S, becaufc he is coniinuaily employed in comUictiiig the fouls of tht; dead to the other world. Sometimes this god prevents a foul fj-om quitting the cotuitry, cfpccially if it be that of a ymmg man-, in fuch cafe he plunges it into a lake, where it re-inaiiis until it is purified ; but if this foul is not tractable, ar.d refills the will of the goJ, he fbUs in a paffion, tears it to picccf, and throws it into another Like, where it remains without hopes of ever bL'ing liberated. coiiiman opinion of the Patadife of thcfe mountaineers is, that a great quantity of largo trees are found there, whirh diftil a kind of gtnri, with which the fouls arc noin iihed; together with delicious honey, and fifh of a prodigious fize ; pnd that apes are alfj jilaced there to anu'.fe the dond; and pn eagle fuffieieiuly large to flicltcr ill Paradife from the heat of the fun, hy his extended ■wings. 'i'he whole country of Tong-king enjovs a fertile foil, and a healthful and temperate climate. Uefides the lice common to the reit of India, rrnd which they cultivate in the fairx manner, it produces five other kinds. The firft ■a Jmall riccy the grain cf which is long, thin, and tranfpa-rent; the fecund is a lov^, tl'ick ri,:/-, the grain of which is rotind; the third is rfJ rue, fo called becaisfe its grain is covered with a rcddilh-colourtd pellicle. Thele three kinds of rice require much water, and never grow but in lands frequently o\'erflov.'tJ. The dry rür, as it is called, froin its gfowing in a dry f)il, and having no occafioH for any water but wh.it falls fiom the lieavens, is of kinds, hath producing; a grain as white as fnow, and which coniHtnte the principal article of tlie Tonqnijiefc trade v.ith China.- Neither of thefa fpecies are ever cultivated but c:i tlx h.iUs and mo'-ntains, where thev are fown in- OF THE TRIßUTAHY STATES. I75 fi-ne manner as Išuropcati whait, about the end of December or bey-'iiiaino; of January, at which time the rainy f^-a-fon ends. This rice is gtnerjlly three months on thc-groiind, ajul is very prodiiflive. The "roiiqulncfe cüiploy a i'peciis of biiffaloL-s iii thsii-asrlculturc, which arc very brgr;, anJ more vigorous than oxen in wrm countries; and extrloatc thimX-ives with lefs difficulty from th-j dirt and clay. T lie y have ua occafion for .any machines to innndate their fields, a chahj of mountains hanging over thülr plains, from one er.d ol the kingdom to the other, abound with fprings and rivv.ljt: , tiiar in tlicir natural courle wafer their grounds. Another important objeS of cultivation in Tong-kiir.; is the fugar cane, of which the country prqduccs kinds; the one large, growing exceedingly i^'gh, with itü joints at a great dilhnci; from cach other; it always appears green, and contains abundance of'jLiic.-e, 'f'he other is fmaller and .{harter ; when ripe, it is of a yollow colour; it afl'ords lefs liquor tlian the firft, but this liquor abounds v/ith more fugar. The Tonquinef.- liavc but few good fruits ; the bci^ are pnie-apples, oranges, and a fpccies of red figs, muih cl". teemed. They have allb a fpecles of hgs mueh rff.-ir.biiiJö ^'lofe of Provence, both in tafte .ind figure: thde ^nflcad of growing on the branches, fpring up fron^ tlie root of che tree, and ibmetimcs in fuch abuiid.incL- tl\at twenty men might eaiily fatisfy rheir hunger with thein. Inhere arc fcveral large tress in Toiig-iiing, th- brandies of which are covered with llowcrs, but bear neither leaves nor fruit. Thde is -.mother kind, tlie branches of whl-h bend naun-ally down to the earth, where they take root, and from which other trees fpring up, and i.;irjine in like manner. The Tonquinefe alf,, cuUivate the mulberry and varnifli ^'■ees, cotton, tea, indigo, faftum, and pepper; they have greens, and Teem to have lefs dcllrc of proem ing them; tJicy ncglečt the viae, though it is the natural proüu£tion of thj:ir country; but vlicy employ great carc in railing a pbiit called t fat., which> being put into a ftutc of fermeiit-aiion, throws up a Tciim of a green colour, of great uie iii dying, givitig n beautiful and durable green. Elephants arc very coinmon in Toug-king, and many of them are kept for the ufc of the king. Neither lions nor Iheep feen throughout the kingdom ; but there are a prodigious number of flags, bears, tygers, and apes-Among the birds of this couutiy is a fjiecics of goldfinch» vhich, for the.melody of its fong is Uiftinguiflvjd by fhc name of the cekßial bird its eyes fparklc like the molt brilliant ruby; it has a round and pointed hill, an azure ring round its neck, and a tuft of party-colourud feathers tin its head. Its wings, when i* is perched, appear variegated with beautiful fhades of blue, green and j'eUow, It makes its iiell in clofe thickets, and breeds t'.vice a year; it conceals itfelf in ttinc of rain ; but, as foon as the rays of die fun begin to dart through tlie clouds it immediately riuits its retreat, aiid, by its warbling, proclaims to the labourers the return of fine weather. This bird is faid to he a mortal enemy to the hs-kitn, anodier fnigular bird, whieh is found in marfhes. As foon iis it perccivcs the ko'hsfn, the feathers of its neck Hand ere£l:, it extends and .igitatcs its wingSy opens its bill, and makes a noife like ihe Ijjliing of a Icrpent; its attitude is that of a bird ready to dart on its prey, and its whole body indicates a kind fli tei'ror, mixed with fury; but whether it be, that it feels the infcrioiity of its ifrengtli, or whether fuch is itsi"' fiin£l, it only looks at its enemy widi a fixed and diforderci «■ye, without ojicring an attack. 'I'liis country ;\bounds with game of all kinds, fuch as ^lag?, antL'lopes, wild goivts, peacocks, hares, pheafants, i.very perfjn is free to hunt,but the divcrfion is dangero'JS Oik account of ihc tU[ihants, rhinoccrofts, tyqers, and other voriiclovi;: wlüch inhabit the iorclh. The dorrc-fLic animals raifed here, arc horfes, for travelling ; luifFa-locs, for tilling the grouiiii; oxen, hogs, goats, fowls, ■gcefe änd ducks. COGHIN-CHINA. We have already mentioned, that Cochin-china liad a fhare in the early revolutions of Tong-king ; that, fubjeit lit fir/1: to the Chinefe government, engaged aftcirwards in rebellion, and expofed to different ufurpers, thcfe two ftates had been compelled to return to tliejr former dependence, after the fucccfsful expedition of general May-ven, about the year 50 of the Chrirtian era. The imperial authority, after its re-cflablifl-imcnt, fubfiftcd in Cochin-china till the year 263; wto a nobleman, named KfeiUcn, undertook to free his country from a foreign yoke. He caufcd the Čhitiefe governor to be maffacred, and ufurped the throne, of which he afterw'ards retained peaceful poffcffion. His grandfon Fan-y, tiuring his reign sdopted a (lave, named Guen, born at Kouang-nang in Tong-king, « horn he caufcd to affume the name of Fan-ouen. This foreigner, admitted into the royal family, acquired foon, by this adoijtion and his Intrigues, an unlimited power, and after the death of his benefai^or, ha feizcd the throne. To fignalize the commencement of his reign, and to gain the cftecm «f his fubjedls, he entered Tong-king at the head of an army in the year 3471 took pofftffion of Kouang-nan, his native country, and ravaged all the territories of Tiin-hoa. The defcendants of this fuccefsful ufurper kept poffef^ fion of the throne of Cochin-china until 653. But we have little information refpecling the reigns of the: different princes: wc only know, tlirtt they v.'erc^ very punflual in paying their tribute to the emperors. The Chinefe hiftory Ies equally defeflive with regard to the fuc-f^eed ing kings, we learn, lit tic of Cochin-china, till 1179, ^benthc piiuce who filled the throne turned his anus Aa i;8 GENERAL ÖESCRIPTIÖN agaiiift CaiTiboya, entered it at the head of an army, anJ committed great dcvuftatlons. The king of Camboya dilTt'inbled his rcfcntmentj that he might put himfelf into a better flate of obtaining revenge. He paft eighteen i'cars, without any adl of hoQility ; but, in 1197, he attacked the king tjf Cochin-china, made him prifonefj and dethroned liiiii ; and, after ravaging his territories, cftabltfiicd a lord of Camboya on the thi'onc, but tliii change of government did rtot long fuhfift. The king of Cochin-china havitig learned In 1280 that ilie Mogul Tartars were hccome rhaRers of Ciiina, fent without delay tcJ the new emperor, deputies loaded with prefcrlts, in ordei- tö pay that prince homage. Thefe deputies were honourably received ; but the eniporor did not content himfelf with tribute ; he carried his pretenfions farther and fent fomc of the grandees of his Court to Cochin-china, to form a tribunal which alone ftioüld be eiitruüed with the government of the kingdom. About two years afterwards, Pouti, the king's fon, f:red with indignation at feeing a cOUJicil of foreigners give laws to his country, refufed to acknowledge their auftiority, and prevailed on his father to imprifon the grandees who by order of the emperor ccrmpoftd this tribunafl. As fooii as tlic e;npcror was informed of this outrage', he caufcd a fleet to be ctjuipped in the ports of tlie ]iro-vincc of Canton, in which he t-mbarkcd a number oJ 'J'artar and Chineie troops under the command of Sotou'-This flea aJ rim! at Cochii;-chiiia in 1284, Sotou laiideJ hi.s array, niarohsJ towards the capital, ajid made himfeff inaH-er of it. 'J.'licf king and his funs, took refuge in tlK; mour.rains ; frcm whencc they difpatched fceret orders, to aüctr.ble large bodies -jf troops in different places, while they fortified themfelves in a fmall town, the gates of wliicti were Jjftiidcd by fome ftroiig works, and batterK-s rf cauiioii. They iheu privately put to death the Tart«* ajjd Chincfe lords who coinpofed the tribiiii;i! cllabliflicd by the emperor; and tlieir whole aim was dlrciSed ta amufe Sotou, and to delhoy his army. With this di;figii they fent hnn rich prulcnts for himfL-lf and Iiis troops, anJ ?Lt the fame tiine afiured lum, that fjr the future they would comply with the will of the emperor. Sotou fufFered liimfdf to be deceived by this .liipa-rent fubmifTion; but, bcin^;; footi after iiirornicd by ti d'.'-fcrter, of the maflacre of the Tartar and (^^hincfe iiobilitv, of the iutiisiiics of the kintr and Iiis fon, and of the march o o ' of a formidable army to cut ofF bis retreat, lie perceived that he had no time to lofe; tic therefore :r.ade his troops advance, arid laid clofe ficge to the furti-fied town. The attack and defence were equally rtf.)-lute; but the difadvantagc of the grouiid, and the obfti-nate refiftance of the befiegcd, having occarioucd a great flaughter among his troops, Sotou tlsought It prudent to retire, left he fhould lofe his wiiole army. The king of Cochin-china, to gaiji time, now fcnt deputation to the Emperor of fome of the jraiidees of his court, to afTnre him of his refpeßful fubmiiTion; but the bad fuccefs of tjie expedition had fo chagrined ;hc Cbinefe monarch, that lie refufed to admit tiie anibafTadors to his prefencc, and gave orders to his fon, to al^enible an army, and to lead them in pcrfon againft t]jc king of tlochinr-china. Sotou was commanded at the fame time to join the prince, and act under his command- All thefL-J'reparations ended in a few si£ls of hoflility, and fome ravages committed by the troops of Sotou t the emperor Chi-tfou died before ho could reven;jc himfelf, and tlie kings of Cocliin-cliina maintained their independence, h paying the ufual tribute, which they ftill fend to the emperor. The Alogul Tartars being expelled from China, the new emperor fcnt notice to the king of Cochin-cfiiiia, of his »cce.Tion to the throne, and, what had until that time been A a 2 wiüi- l8o GENERAL DESCRIPTION without example, caufud facrifices to be offered up in hobour of the fpirits of mountains, forefh and rivers. Itataha, who was then reigningi f^i^t his tribute to the new monarch, from whom he received in. return magnificent pre-fciits. But the fricndfhip between tliefe tv/o courts did not long fubfift. About the year 1380 the king of Cochin-chins, contrary to the advice, and even, orders of the emperor, ijivadcd the territories of Tong-kiisg. Tills war employed the reft of his reign, and continued under thofe of his fuccelTors, for it was not terminated until 147X, when, after a defpcrate and dccifivc battle, the Icing of Tong-king bccame abfo-lute mafter of Cochin-china. His enemy had cxpofcd hiin-fclf too much in battle ; be was, therefore, taken prifoner» and the whole country was obliged to fubmit to the conqueror. The Chinefe hiftorians fpeak little of Cochin-china after this revolution; we however know, that it again recovered its independence,and continued afterwards tobe governed, as it is at prefent, by its own kings. In 1671 the Ton-quinefe fet on foot an expedition againft this country. An army of eighty thoufand efTeitive men fecmed to promife fuccefs and an eafy cotiqueft; the troops of Cochiji-chiaa a nounting cuily to twenty-five thoufand. Tlie two armies met and engaged, and the battle continued three days; but, notwithftanding their foperiority in number, the Ton-tjuinefc loft feventcen thoufand men, and the enemy gained a complete viflory. Sinccthat time, the Tonquinefc have remained peaceably within their own boundaries, whilt; Cochin-china has aggrandized hcrfelf by fubduing the mountaineers, and even tlic kings of Tfiampa and Canw boya, whom flic has compelled to become tributaries ta her. The people of Cochin-china have a common origin with the Tonquinefc, and they differ very Uttle in their maii^ OF THE TRIBUTARY STATES,^ l8l ■jicr of living, laws and cuftoms, which they have in a great part borrowed from the Chincfe. In four iflanJs fituatcd near the coafts of this country are found thofc cckbratcd nefts (o much fought after for fcafuJiiiig ragouts. To the eaft of thcfc illes, there are five others, that are fmaller, where prodigious numbers of turtles arc found, the flcfli of which is exceedingly delicate. The articles of trade in moft efteem, and for which there is readieft file at Cochin-china, are ^dtpetrc, ful-phur, lead, fine cloths, barred or flowered chints. Pearls^ amber and coral were formerly in great requcft there; but at prefent the two lalt only are faleable; and this is not the cafc, unlefs the beads of coral are roLind, well po-liflied, and of a beautiful red colour. The amber muft be extremely clear, the beads of an equal fizc, and not larger than an ordinary nut. The principal exports of Cochin-china are filks, fugar, ebony and Calamba-wood, thofe nefts before mentioned, gold in duft or in bärs, which fells for only ten times its weight in filver; and laftjy, copper and porcelain, tranfportcd thither from China and Japan. European merchants complain of the demands made in this country for entrance, clearajice and anchorage. Tliefc duties, however, amount to only four per cent. On the arrival of a fhip, nothing can be removed from her until flic has been infpctflcd; the cuftom-houfe officers unload her, weigh, and count the fmalletlpicces, and take polFeffion of what they find niofl valuable, in order to fend it to the king, who keeps wbat he thinks proper, and returns tlic value. If the king only took this libjirCy, no great lofs wou]d cn-fue; but it is that the grandees of the court follow his example, whiie thcy are not quite io pun^iual in tlrcir payments. Thi; prime articles being thuf difpofedgf, tlie ordinary goods fcarcc fuid a purchafcr. i82 general description This ijKonvciüence, tliough unavoidable, docs not however appear to be without remedy. When the Dutcii /cut to Cochii!-china, froi" Surat and Coromaiidel, veflck Josdcd witli cloths, lead and laltpetrc, their cargoes were ftifFcrcd to remain entire, bccaufe they had tajcyn the precaution to pay every year a certain lum for each veffej tlvi.t entered. Other nations might have liad recourr? to the fame expedient; but, by attempting to free them-fej-vcs from a fmalj duty, »Ii,ich it would perhaps have ^en prudent to pay, they gave a flab to their comr Dicrcc. Tlic Japanefe coin is the only money current in Goch; a-chjna : it is paid and received by weight. T he money of the country is copper, as large as our common counters, of a round figure, with a hole in the middle, by tvhich jc may be ftrung in the fame manner as beads. There js no country where mereiiants are more liable to be deceived with regard to the value of money; the pieces being unequal in figure and quality, andtliedifH^ culty of determining |hcir value, iwdiich Is regulated only Jiy a finv charadcre that are ftampt upon them is great. Prudence, therefore, requires that they fliould have ho^» pert and fkilfyl people to afceitain the value of thcfe pieces, pthcrwife they run a rifquc of becoming dupes to the merchants of Cochin-china, who majic a merit of being ^ble to cjie^t an European. THIBET. Thibet is known under different names, the Chinefö call it Tfang; the Tartars, Barantola, Bouttan, and Tangout, and both diftiriguifli it alfo by the name of (hö kingdom of Lafa, bccaufe it is in the country of Lafa that the dalai lama keeps his court. This vaft kingdom is reckoned to be nineteen hundred and twenty miles in ex-r tent from eaft to weft, and nineteen hundred and fifty from iiorth to fouth. It is enclofed by the country of Kokbnor, the provinces of Se-tchucn and Yim-nan, thi iiingdoiTi of Ava, tlie flates of the Mogul, Uuk,;uia, ancl ihc great dcfcrt of Cofci. Wc kan-i nothing cfcrtain of dilKn(3: of the hiflory of Thibet, tin about the year 420 ; when, we are toKf, that a prisicc known by the title of Toafan, fahdiiCd tfre provinces of Chcn-fi and Se-tchiitn', arid extended his conquefts, fo as to make himfelf inaftcr of Thiliet, where this conqucror and his fucccflbrs reigsicd for more tbr.i\ 3 century, without having any cbrnmunication with China. Long-han, a Toufan, prince and fovereign of Tiii'oet, about the year 634, font ambaiTadors Co China. Scvc;^ years after, the faniö prince cfpoufed the emperor's daugii-ter ; and tJiis alliance added fo much to his power, that he was enabled to fubjugatc all the nations to the weft oi' China. This power of the l^oufan princes fubfificd for near two hundred j^ears; but it gradually decniiefi", and was ahiioft entirely annihilated about the year towards the end of the dynaiiy of Tang. Several inv.di ftates were then formed in Thibet. The prieüs ihfenlibly ciecame poflcSTed' of vaft domains; and tlie fuptriors uf fevcral nionalleries, by degrees, rendered thcmfelvcs jb powerfnr, tliaf fhcy cxercifed an authority alinofl fovereigii within their diftri^as. It however is evident, that there was always a prince who had the title of King of Thibet; and Inder the dynafty of Song, they were tributary fo ChinLi. Thibet eontfnucd to decline n\ore and mort"', until Chi-tfon, fiift emperoi^ of t!ie (iynafty of Vvcn, divided the country iiito fevcral provinc«, the principal of which was Ouffe-hang, the moft ft rtile part of Thiliet, and thai Vilich enjoyed tlie mildcft climate. In this province La!a, now tieconie the ordinary rclidence of the fovcvcign lama, •s rituatcJ. ^vas ihci^t in Oulft-hai^g a bonze, or prieft, named Paffepa- The emperor conferred- on liim tht; title of priiicc, honoured him witii a golden fcal, and permitted him to eftablifli tribunals in the country of Cuflc-hang, and other parts of Thibet. He obtained alfo the titles of tutor to the emperor, do^or ®f the empire, head of the law, and even that of ouang, which fignifies king or prince. Mis fiicceffors were honoured with the fame titles, and werCj like him, tributary to the emperors of China. In 1414, about the middle of the reign of Yong-lo, eight other bonzes received the title of ouang, with tke fame prerogatives as thofe before mentioned. They were ftyled great doftors, maftersof the law, and zcidous propagators of that law ; but thefe pompous titles did not exempt them from paying the tribute which had been impofed on them. The bonzes of Thibet, about the year 1426, affumed the title of grand lamas, and ihe moft powerful among them, named Tfong-kepa, made Lafa the place of hi» rcfidence, and was acknowledged chief of all the lamas. Iiis fucceflbr appointed a typa or prime minifter, whom lie entrufted with the government of his ftates, and the next in order was the firft who took the diftinguifhed title of dalai lama, by which he was raifed far above the reft; for dalai fignifies morally and phyfically extended, great, and almoft without bounds. The lama princes were not yet however fole fovercigns of Thibet. About the beginning of the laft century, ® prince, named Tfang-pa-han, poffelTed great part of 'N to the weft of Lafa. His power extended as far as ths fources of the Cjangcs, and over the country of Siriniga""» watered by tlic fame river. Father Andrada, a Jcfuit, who in 1624 was at the court of this prince, affures us, that he was a zealous protedtor of the Chriftian rcligi«"» and that he feemed greatly inclined to embracs it. 1 ^^ of the tributary states. 185 Tartar hlftorj' of the fame period corroborates this cir-cnmftance; for 'it relates, tliat this princc defpifed the lamas, abandoned the law of Foy and fought every op-portunitv of deftroying it. The dalai lama, inceiifed at not receiving the homage of Tfang-pa-han, formed a league with the Tartars of Kckonor, whofe prince, named Koiichi, entered Thibet at the head of a powerful army, •attacked Tfang-pa-han, defef,ted and took him prifoner, and, fome time after, caufed him tobe put to death. To this Tartar prince the dalai lama was indebted for his fovereignty over all Thibet, for far from appropriating to himfelf the fruits of his vičlorv, Kouchi dcclarcd himfelf a vafial of the lama, and received from him the title of han, which he had never before enjoyed. This prince, to continue his proteflion to the lama, and fecure to tlim the quiet poffeflion of his neV/ conquefts, eftablifliei himfelf, together with his troops, in the neighbourhood of Lafa. His fons had no great inclination fur returning to a country that their father had abandoned : they therefore followed his example, and remained in Thibet. In 1642 the dalai lama fcnt ambafladors to Tfong-tc, father to the firrt emperor of the prefent dynafty of the Mantchew Tartars, threw himfelf under his protečlion, and paid him tribute. Ten years after, the dalai lama himfelf went to Pe-kin, and paid homage to the emperor. He was loaded with honours, received a golden fe.1l and magnificent prcfents from the emperor, and was confirme J in his title of dalai lama. Kang-hi, being dcfirous of honouring thetypa or prime miniflcr of the dalai lama, declared him a prince in 1693, and granted him a golden feal. This minifter however far from being attached to the intcrefls of the emperor, fecretly betrayed him, and fccondcd the ambitious views of Kaldan, king of tlie Ktcuihes, who was a dcclarcd enemy to the Mantchew Tartars. He endeavoured to per- B b .fuadc the grand lama not to go to Pe-kin, to wliich place the emperor had callcH him ; and when the dalai lama died, he kept that event fo fecret, that the cinpcror was not infortned of it for a long time afterwards, Thefe intrigues were at kngth difcovercd, and in 1705, Latfa-ban, juince of the Tartars of Kokonor, caufcd this perfidious minincr to be put to death. The emperor Kang-hi fent fome of the grandees of his court to I'hibet, to govern it, in conjunto China from Ha-ml 4 but, Tai-fßng, having Jubdufd the kingdom of Hci-mi, ordered vine-plants of the /pedes called majou, to he removed to China, and planted in his gardens, and got f(tme perfons inßruäed in the man-tter of milking this wine, the ufe a/which proved peculiarly Jerviceai/le to him. Luxury having weakened tiie dynafty of Tang, the Mahometans, who had made -a rapid progrefs in the countries fituatcd between Perfia, Gobi and the Cafpian fea* advanced as far as Ha-mi, and completed its Conqueft. After this event, this country had princes of its own, but dependent on the Tartars, who fucceiTively ruled thefe im-menfe regions. The Yuen, or Tartar emperors, again united the country of Ha-mi to the province of Chen-fi » and this union fubfifted until 13Č0, at whieh time the emperor formed it into a kingdom, on eondition of its princes doing homage and paying tribute; and in 1404* the king of Ha-mi was honoured with a new title and A golden feal. After a conteft of feveral years for the fue-ceflion to the throne, this kingdom fell a prey to the king of TäU-culh'fan, This yoke foon becoming uneafy, the people of Ha-mi revolted from their new mafters, and made conquefts from them in their turn. Since this epochs, the country of Ha-mi has been fucceffively expof-ed to anarchy, or governed by its own prinecs. The prince who filled the throne in 1 £96, acknowledged him-felfavaffal of the empire of China, and fent as tribute to Pe-kin camels, horfcs and fabrcs. Kang-hi received his homage with the ufual ceremonies, and publiflied a diploma, which cflabliflied the rank that the king of Ha- mi fliouid hold among the tributary princes, the time when he fhould come to render homage, the nature of the prefents neceffary for his tribute, the number of auxiliaries he was "bound to furnifh in time of war, and the manner of his appointing a fucceffor. All thefe regulations have fubfiftcd till the prcfent time. The country of Ha-mi, though farrounded by dcferts, is one of the moft delightful in the world. The foil produces abundance of grain, fruits, leguminous plants, and pafture of every kind ; and the rice which grows here, i$ particularly eftecmed in China ; pomegranates, oranges, peaches, raifins and prunes have here a moft exquifite tade i but there is no fruit more delicate or more in rcqueft than the melons of Ha-mi, which are carried to Pe-kin, for the emperor's table, Thefe melons are much more ■wholefome than thofc of Europe, and have this Angular property, that they may be kept frefh during great part of the winter. But the mod ufeful and moft eftcemed produftion of the country of Ha-mi, is its dried raifins, which are of two kinds. The firft, which are much ufcd in the Chinefc medicine, feem to have a perfed refemblancc to thofc known in Europe by the name of Corinthian. The fe-cond, which are in much greater requcft for the table, are fmaller and more delicate than thofe of Provence. Some of the emperors have caufed plants to be tranf-ported from Ha-mi to Pe-kin, and planted in the gardens of the palace. As thefe plants have been cultivated with extraordinary care, they have perfe£lly fuccecded, and the raifins produced by them are exceedingly fwcct, and have a moft exquiiue flavour. Altliougli the country of Ha-mi, the latitude of which 42^ 53' 20", Vies fiirther towards the north than fcveral of the provinces of France, we are afiured, that its climate is more favourable to the culture of vines, and that grapes are far fuperior. At Ha-mi it never rains, and C c even dew and fogs are fcarcely ever fecn : the country is watered only by the fnow which falls in winter, and by the water of this fnow when melted, which is colleitcd at the bot:oms of themonntains, and prcferved with grcnt care. The method of drying grapes in Ha-mi is more fimplc than that pra(£Hfed in the provinces of China. The people of Chen-fi hold them over the fteain of hot wine, and often boil them a few fcconds in wine in which a little clarified honey has been diluted. In the kingdom of Ha-mi they wait until the grapes arc quite ripe ; they then cxpofc them to the fcorching rays of the fun ; afterwards pick them, and leave them in that manner until they arc quite dry. Thefc grapes bccomc fhrivelled, without lofing any of their fubftance, and without growing flat. The kingdom of Ha-mi contains a great number of villages and hamlets ; but it has, properly, only one city, which is its capital, and has the fame name as the country. It is furroundcd by lofty walls, a mile and a half in circumfercnce, and has two beautiful gates, one fronting the caft, and the other the weft. The ftrcets of this city are ftraight, and well laid out; but the houfes, which tontain only a g round-floor, and are for the moft part conftruiSlcd of earth, make very little (hew: however the fercnity of the (ky and the goodncfs of its fituation, in a beautiful plain, watered by a river, and furroundcd by mountains, which alfo (belter it from the north winds, renders it a moft delightful and agreeable refKlence. On whatever fide it is approached, gardens are fecn, which contain every thing that a fertile and cultivated foil in the mildeft climatcs can produce. The furrounding fields are enchanting i but they do not extend far ; for on fcveral fides they terminate in plains, where a number uf beautiful liorfesare fed, and a fpccics of flieep, which have large flat tails that fometinics weigh three pounds. The country of the tributary states. i95 of Ha-mi appears to be abundant in folTiU and valuable minerals: the Chlnefe have, for a long time, procured diamonds and gold from it, and at prefent, it fuppllcs tlicm with a kind of agate, on which they fct a great value, The inhabitants of tiiis fmall flate, arc brave, capablc of enduring fatigue, very dexterous in all bodily cxercifcs, and make excellent foldicrs ; but fhcy are fickle and foon irritated ; and, when in a pafiion, arc extremely fcrocious and fanguinary. ISLES OF LIEOU-KIEOU. Thtfe iflcs form a powerful and cxtcnfivc empire, the inhabitants of which are civilized, and ought not to be confounded with other favage nations difperfed throughout the iflands of Afia. The emperor Kang-hi refolvcd lo fend an ambaffador to the king of Lieou-kieou, and for this purpofe chofe one of the great ug, or for flight ornaments: the emperor being the only perfoa who poflefles any quantity of gold plate. Iron, lead and tin mines are conimon, and thefe metals SI'S fold at a low rate throughout the wbolc empire. The copper-mines of the provinces of i'unrtan and Kofi-tchou have furniihed, for a great number of years, all the fmdi coin that is firuck in the empire. According to Grofier, the Chinefe have a kind of copper which they call pe-lo)tg^ or white coppcr, fo pure and fine, that it approaches near to filver. This copper, he fays, is naturally white vvhen taken from the mine; and when it is broken into g>-auis, is found ftill whiter in the interior part than on the urface. He informs us that a number of ex[>crlmL-nts have ^<■>1 made at Pe-kin, which fafficiently .prove, that tl,i3 docs not owe iti whiienefi to-a;iy mixture. Dif- fereiit kinds of works are made of it; but, to foften it an4 render it kfs brittle, the workmen are obliged to mix with it a little zinc, or fome metal of the fame kind. Thofe who are clefirous of preferving its fplendour and beait-tiful colour, add to it a fifth part of filver. This copper is found in the province of Yun-nan. The Japanefe bring to China another kind, which is yellow, and fold ia ingots. It has a great refemblance to gold, and is ufed by the Chinefe for making different toys. Notwithftanding the aflertion of experiments having proved to the contrary, we are inclined to think both thefe latter are mixtures and not pure copper; if not, there can be little doubt but the change is produced by the infiuence of fome neighbouring mineral, perhaps not yet noticed. T!ie Chinefehave another kind of copper, which they call tje-hy-tong, or copper which comcs ofitfelf. It is nothing elfc but coinier waflicd down from tbc tops of the mountains, and which is afterwards found among the pebbles and fand left by the torrents when they bccome dry. Qiiarries and coal-mincs are abundant in every province of the empire. Coals are found in great plenty in the mountains of the provinces of Cheii-fij Chan-fi and I'c-icheli. Without this fupply, fire-wood, which is fcarce and very dear, would not be found fufficient for the con-fumption of the northern provinces. Lapis büuU is fuund in feveral cantons of the province of Yun-yan, in the whole province of Se-tchucn> and a dilh iet of the province of Chan-fi, called Tal-tong-'fo"' it differs nothing from that imported into Europe. ChaO'^' furniOies a moft beautiful kind of white jafper much tek^' blingagate; it is tranfparent when polifhed, and fome'j diverfificd with fpots ; the Chinefe call it Tu-che. The moft beautiful rock cryftal of China is dug froio mountains of Tchang-tcheou-fou, nnd Tchang-p«"''"^ in the province of Fo-kisn, fituated iji latitude 24 ' The ai tiili of thcfc tv/o eitles arc very ingenious in ting it, and form it into buttons, feals, figures of aiiimaJs, and other trinkets. Yun-nan furnifhcs fomc real rubies, but they are exceedingly fmal!. There is fold yearly in the capital of this province a number of other precious ftones ; but they are faid to be procured from other places, efpecially from the nciehbouring kingdoms of Ava and Laos. It is certain, that there is, at the dift^nce of two hundred fenes or cords from tlie city of Mohang-leng, the capital of Laos, a mine of precious ftones, from which rubies are faid to be dug that art fometimes as large as a walnut. Kmeralds arc alfo found tiiere ; and it is faid, that the king of Laos has one in his polTefTion which is equal in !izc to a moderate orange. A rivulet runs acrofs this mine, and detaches feveral precious ftones, which it waflics down with its current. Quarries of marble arc very common in China, efpecially in the province of Fo-kien. But the Chinefe artlfts are nnt fo wi;tl acquainted as Europeans with the art of working it. Small pieces of it are however fometimes found among the mei cliants, which are polifhed in a fupe-rior manner, fuch as the fmall tablets ufed as ornaments 'n their fi;ftivais named ticn-tlan. They arc very elegant, and variegated with different colours, which, though not liv'cly, reprefcnt, naturally, mountains, rivers, trees and ^'umals. Thcfe tablets are made from marble procured from the quarries of Taily-fou j ar.d the moft beautifuj P'eccs are always chofen for that purpofe. Among the various ftones known in China, there are that have obtained the name of fonorous, and of which the Chinefe make mufical inftruments. They dif-coufiderably from one another in beauty and in tli« -'^^^gth and duration of their tone, but what is very fur. ^ ' this difference of tone cannot be difcovered either y the different degrees of their h:irdncfs, weight, finenefs of d?'"' qualities which might be fuppofcd to -tWTTiine it. Some ftones are found rcmrj^^ably haid; E c M(fhich are very fonorous i and others exceedingly foft, whicfi Iiave an cxcelljnt tone; foine that arc extremely heavy., emit a very fwect found; and others, that are as light as puiiiicc-ftone, have alfo an agreeable tone. Thefc ftoiies have different names given them by the Chincfc. The (lone called yu, is the moft celebrated, valuable and beautiful ofthis clafs. They are chiefly found in clwimcls made by torrents, and in the rivers which flow at tiie bot» toms of the mountains of Yu-nan, Koci-tcheou, Chen-(i, Y-ly and Yo-qiien. They rcfemble externally thofe [jcb-bles which arc found in tiie llreams and torrents that rufh down through the clcfts of the mountains. The largeft that the mtflionaries faw in the imperial palace, were two fact and a half or three feet in length, and otie foot eight cif ten ■ inches in breadth ; and tbefe were confidered as match-lefs pi^es. The yu arc alfo found in the earth, in valleys near mines, and in the fillures made by torrents in the fides of the mountains, 'i'hefe differ froni others bccaufc their furface is not fo finooth, nor their texture, of fo fine a gr:iln. Five different properties are remarked in the foaorous yu*, hardnefs, weight, colour, grain and found. Beautiful yu are fa hard when cut and poliflicd that ili^; belt tempered iteel glides upon them without making an/ impjeflion. 'I'hc weiglit of ihc yu is proportionable to its hardncls An unpolifhed block is preferved iji the emperor's palace, two feet fix inches in length, and fix inches in breadth, aud which to appearance one man could eafily lift; but tour are neccffary only to move it. The colour mod efleemed it prefent in thefc ftones i« thit of whey; thofe that are next, are bl ight blue, a7.ure> indigo, citron yellow, orange, logwood-red, pale green, fea green, deep green, cinder grey, &c. The Chinefe i-t moft value upon/« which is of one colour only, v;ithoiit veins or fliades, unlefs it be variegatud in aji agreeable jmnncr witli five coiuurä» - ^ The harrieft and hcavieft has always the fiiieft grain-But what kind of yit is the moft ftmoroirs has never yet been dattnniiied, 'i^he nltou-ycou-che^ or ox fat ftone, is the fccond kind of fonorous Itonc knowji in China, ic has neither the hardnefs, weight nor fwect tone of ihe yu^ and it is more common, and much lefs eftcemed : how-tver, it is very r;tre to find large pleccs of it. That which is in grcatcft reqiieil-, has really the colour of the Et of beef, and is of one lhade, without clouds or veins. 'J'his i^one is a prodii^lion of the province of Yun-nan, and is found in the enrth near mines, in valleys, Or at the bottoms of the moNntains. Its exterior coat is rough, and of a dirty colour, between cheinut and green; below this, t+iere is a fccond, refembliag curdled milk ; after whidi comes another, tins^ed with yellow, that becomcs deeper as it approaches the centre. The yu emits fparks when ftruck with fteel: the nieoti-yeou-che docs not. This ftonc f(;en'.s more to rcfcmble agate; and it (lerhaps maybe an ajate of a peculiar kind. None are fonorous but thöfc which have a beautiful yellow colour, without traiifparent veins ; it is however far from being fo fonorous as the yu. The third kind is named hiaag-chf, and emits fo metalJic a found that it might be taken for a compofition. Some of tl)ein arc found black, others grey, green, and variegated with white. The blackelt are the moll fonorous. It Is brought from thelakeof Tche-kiang, and appears to be a kind of alabalter, the colour and jiature of wliich have been changed l^y the water that h;is penetrated it. There is a fourth kind refembling marble in its vciti^s, which are grey, black and dirty wiutc oji a milk-white ground. '1'he greater part of thcfc Ilones have tranfparent fpots, which fliew that a vitrification has commenced. They appear to be fomething between talc and cryftal, and it is remarked, that their tone is often interrupted, and of very ßiort duration. The nafuralifts of Europe have we believe, never yet attempted to difcover, whether fome of our ftones may not have the fame properties as the fenorous ftoiies of the extremities of Afia. It however appears, that the Romans were formerly acquainted with afonorous ftoneof theclafs of hiang-che. " Pliny," fays the abbe du Bos *, « when " fpeaking of curious ftones, obferves, that the ftone called calcophonas, or brazen found, is black ; and that, « according to the etymology of its name, »t fends forth « a found much refembiing that of brafs when it is flruck. « The paflage of Pliny is as follows; Calcophonas nigra « fß; JedilliJa, arts tinnltum reddii. Lib. 37. Seft. 56." Soi^ie fonorous ftones fent into France, roufed the curiofity of the chemifts there, who thought proper to inquire to what clafs of ftones they may belong, and the late duke de Chaulnes applied with particular attention to this refearch. The following is the refult of the experiments w/hich he made on a kin^ f in the cabinet of Mr. Berlin: « The Academy of Sciences, Mr. Rome de Lille, and " feveral other learned mineralogifts, when aflced, if they were acquainted with the black fl:one of which the Chi" nefe king were made, for anfwer cited the pafiage of «Pliny mentioned by Böethius de Bo 11, Linnsus, and «t in the Diftionary of Bomare, and added, what Mr. « Anderfon remarks in his Natural Hiftory of Iceland, " refpe£ting a bluilh kind of flone which is very fono-rous. As the black ftone of the Chincfe bccomes of a " bluifli colour when filed, it is probably of the fame fpecies. « None of the reft who were confultcd had ever feen it. ** The Chinefe ftone has a great refemblance at fird fight to black marble, and, like it, is calcareous; but " marble generally is not fonorous. It alfo externally M refembles touch-ftone, which is a kind of bafaltes, and • Vide Refleftion« on Poct'.y Jnd Painting, A muficiJ inftrument made of this ftont. « the bafultcs found near volcanos; but thefc two ftonts " are vitrifications. " Its relemblance to black marble induced mc to make " foine compai ativc experiments. It is not pholphoric ; " neither is blaclc marble. It has no efFcd upon a fuf-" pended iron bar; and confequently contains no iron in " its metallic ftate; but when diffolved in acids, to try " whether it contained any particles of that metal, it pro" duced a ftrong efFervcfcencc, which feenied to indicate " it not to be entirely free from them. As black marble " did not prcfent the fame phaiomcnon, the fonorous ftoue " was examined more attentively by a magnifying glafs, " when fcvcral fmall points, rcfombling pyrites, were " difcovercd in it, to which this dilFereiice was attributed. " When diffolved in nitrous, marine, or vitriolic acids, it " always prefents the fame phenomena as black marble; " with vitriolic acid it makes a greyifti magma, and leaves behind it a black fubftance that is not foluble in nitrous " or marine acids, and which, as in black marble, is a real ** inflammable bitumen. " Black marble and fonorous ftone, when calcined, " become entirely white, and yield a very ilrong calx; " but it lofes its bitumen by theačlion of fire. Sonorous " Itone, however, appears to contain lefs of tlie phlogiftic and colouring matter; for a precipitation of it, by " means of fixed alkali, is fomewhat whiter, and has " more, of a bkieifh caft tlian that of black marble. " When tried by volatile alkali, it contains no copper. " Other precipitations of it, by ditierent fubftances, exhibit " the fame appearances." The duke having proceeded thus far in his analyfis, endeavoured to procure fome farther information from the ftone-cutters. Tl^y lepljed, that blue-coloured marble was very fonorous, and that they had feen large blocks of it which emitted a very ftrong found; but the duke having ordered a to be conClruded of this kiiid of ttone, it did jwt polTtfi that prf>f>ert)r. By trying the black marble of f landt;rF, a-piecc was at lengtii obtained which emitted an agreeable iMind : it was cat into a Hug, wliich is almoil as fijnoroits thofe of China, From thsfj obfervations t^iff duke concludes, thüt the ftones of wliich the king are formd, are not'ilng e]fe but a black kind f>f marble, the conlVituent parts of which.'are the fjme as thofe of the marble of Europe, btjt that {ome difference in their orga-jnš^atiorv renders them mort or lefs fonoious. The duke f.irther obferves, that " the Chincrfe make tHn^ of cryfi,:!, and that one of thi'? kind is to be feen "at St-Br^ce, in the cabinet of M. d^ ].: Tour, fccretary " tf> the king; and that they aifo employ a kind of aki-" bafter, fome pieces of which M. Beitjii received from « China, (haped like the irn^ made of black ftoiie, that were faid to be very fonorous, but they do not appear to have any found ^t all; lai>ly, that the ftotic yu, of which ** the Chinefc corilfnift their moft beautiful king, is nothing " elfj but a fpecics of agate." China abounds with potters earth of various kinds, and of a^H cdours, fome mixed with gravel, feme with fand, and fome fingiil.iily formed by nature; the mod valuable' are thofi iifjd in the manufactory of porccliun. The bafis tvf this article is produced by the mixture of two for:s of eartli, ojie called pi-tiin-tfe^ and the other kac-Un ; the latter is intermixed with fmall fhininj particlcs ; the fbr-rjcr purely white, and very fine to the touch. Thefe firft materials are carried to the manufactories in the fliape of bricks. The fe-tu»-tß, v/hich is fo fine, is nothing e!fe but fragments of rock taken froin certiiiii cjuarries, and reduced topdwdcr^ Every kind of ftonc is not fit for this purnofs. 7he eohur of thnt wh'rrh h i^ood, fay the Chinefe, a-yt^bt to incltnc a Ihl'e iowarth green. A Sarge iron fäi'b i:> itii'd for h-e;;klng th.-fc; pieces of rock ; they are after-WTirci-i put into niortar^; .irid, by mciins of levers headed, vlti ibai; t.nd bound round with iron, they are rcdiiccfi to a viry fine powder. Thele levers arc p;it in aciiosi either by tlie labour of meti, or by water, in the bme manner as the beaters of Eiiropsan paper mills, 'I'he liulir afterwards collected is tiiruwii into a veiiet Jull oi' wattr, :uid ftirred with ;ui iron fhovcL Wlien it has been leäx to fettle for fome time, a kind of cream riftS on the top, about four inches in thicknefsj which is ficiiiimai ofF aji^j poured into another vcfle! filled with water; the water in the firli: veffel is repeatedly Ifirrcd, and the cream whicjj rifes is ftill colledled, until nothing but t!ie cmrfe -dregi, v/hich, by their own weight, precipitate to the bcktiüii!, reniiiin: thefe dregs are then carefully collected, and pounded anew. What was taken fj'om the fuH- vefTt] is now fuJTeroJ to remain in the fecund until it is formed into a kind of cru/l at the bottom, whea the water is poured by gently inclining tlie vefiel, that the fediuient iii;iy iK>t l>c diiiurbed, and the paile is thrown into lar^^e moulds prio-per for dryin- it. iSufore it is entirely haid, it a divitiei^ into fmall Iqviare cakes, which are fold by the hundred. 'I'lie luu-liii^ which is alfo ufed in iHe coin^Jufitiun ciJ porcelain, retju-ires lefs labour thaj\ the pe-tun-tjr^ naturc having a. greater fiiare in the preparation of it. Then; are large mines of it in the bofjins of certain mountains, the exterior llrata of which confiftf of a kind of red I'nefe mines are very deep, and the kao-lin is found in fmall lumps, rliat are formed into bricks, after liaving goiie ■through the fjiite procefs as the pe-tun-tie. It is wolu the kaq-lin tlrat fine porcelain derives all its Ibeng-th, 'I'hc Chinefe have difcuVered, wittiiii thefe few yeaf;, a new fubilauce proper to be employed in the compoi'dou of porcelain, k is a fpecies of chulk, called hoa-che, fror., which the phyficiaps of China prepare a kijid ui drau:r!it, raid to be di;ta-rive, aperient, and cooling, 'rhe maT^n-flitturers of porculabi have thought proptr to emp!<>y tbii iUic iiiilewl üf k.iü-i;n. It is «-'^iled hm Ltc-uf. it h glutinous, and has a great refemblance to fisap. Porcelain made with hoa-che is very rare, and much dearer than any other. It has an exceeding fine grain, and, with regard to the painting, if it be compared with that of the common porcelain, it appears to furpafs it in a very confiderable degree. Hoa-che is feldom ufed in forming the body of the work; and tl\e artift is fometimes contented with making it into a very fine üzt, in which the veflel is plunged when dry, in order that it may receive a coat before it is paintt'd and varniflied, by which means it acquires a fuperior degree of beauty. When hoa-che is taken from the mine, it is wafhed in rain or river water, to fcparate it from a kind of yellow earth which adheres to it. It is then pounded, put into a tub filled with water, to diflblve it, and afterivards formed into cakes like kao-!in. We are afllired, that hoa-che, when prepared in this manner, without the mixture of any other earth, is alone fufilcient to make porcelain. It fcrves inftead of kao-lin, but is much dearer. FRUITS, LEGUMINOUS PLANTS, ÄTC. China produces the greater part of the fruits which we have in Europe, and feveral other kinds peculiar to the country. Apples, pears, prunes, apricots, peaclies, quinccs, i'gSj grapes, pomegranates, oranges, walnuts, and chtfnucs, arc found every where in abundance; but there is no good fpecies of cherries in the coujitry; and in general, excepting grapes and pomegranates, the fruits whicli they have in common arc much inferior to thofc of Europe. The Chinefe have feveral kinds of olives, but they do not extradl oil from them, on what account we know not, whether it be that this fruit in China is not proper for that purpofc, or that they arc igiiorant of the art of making it-When they want to gather their olives, they bore a hole «n the trunk of the tree, which, after having put fome fait into it, they ftop up, and, at the end of a few days, the fruit drops of itfclf. Oranges were firft brought to Europe from China; for Vhich v/e arc indebted to tlic Portuguefe. Of düä fruit tlie Chinefe have a great number of kinds. Lemons and citrons are very common : but the Chinefe pay particular attention to tho culturc of a kind of Icmon-trcc, the fruit of which is of ilie fize of a walnut, round, green, and four, and are faid to be excellent in ragouts. Thefe trees are often planted in boxes, to ornament courts, halls, and apartments, The Chinefe have a very fmall fpecies of melons, which are yellow within, and exceedingly fweetj and whiclt are eaten with the /kin, as we fomctimes cat apples in Europe. They have alfo another kind, ftil! more ellcemed, which arc brought from that part of Tartary callcd Hami. Thtfe melons, as we have already obferved, may be kept frefli for five or fix months. Great care is taken every year to make a proper provifion of them for the emperor's table. The tf*-tfe are a fpecies of fruit peculiar to China, th.it grow in almoft all the provinces. There are difl'erent kinds of them. Thofe of the fuuthern parts of the empire arc remarkably fweet; their feeds are black and flat, and the pulp is fiimy and extremely juicy. In Chan-ii and Chen-fi the tfe-tfc are larger, firmer, and richer, and much fitter for being kept. The tree which pvoduc;:s this fruit is very beautiful; it is as tall and bufliy as a middlijig fi^.cd walnut-tree; Its leaves in fpring and fummer are ot a bright green, but in auttimti they appear of a beautiful red. The fruit Is the fize of a common apple ; in proportion as they ripen, they afllime an orange-colour i and when they are dried, they are as fwcct and mealy as figs. Two kinds of fruit with which we are not acquainted, are found in the provinces of Fo-kien, Quang-tong, and Quaiig-fi. The firft, called ll-tM, of the fize refervcs an appearancc of frefhnefs ; but lofes inuch of its flavour. That this prince might tafte them In the higheft perfection, the trees themfelves have been fomctimcs tranf-ported to the capital in boxes ; and they have been fo well tnanagei, that, when they arrived there, tlie fruit was near its maturity. Another kind of fruit peculiar to the fouthern provinces, is the long-yen, or dragon's eye; it is of a round figure, has a ycllowiih /kin, and its pulp is white, tart and juicy, and is very agreeably flavoured. 'I'he Chinefe diftinguifli three kinds of apricot trees ; the apricot-tree with double flowers; the apricot-tree that produces fruit, and the wild apricot-trec. The apricot-tree with double flowers, is cultivated in gardens; the Chinele divide this tree into fuur pvincipal clalTcs; which are the miJIefuIia, pale yellow, milk wliites and the common, the buds of which at firft appear red ; but the flowers whiten as they blow. Tliere are dwarf apricot-trces with double flowers, which are i lacod for ornament in apartments, where they flower during winter. The rcfi arc planted on little mounts in gardens, and have a very beautiful efiecl in fpring. The apricot-trce bearing fruit, and the wild apricot arc fimilai- to thole of Europe, frorri the kernels of the latter tlie Chincfe extrail; a good oily wliicli may be fubftituted for that ufcd at table i it is> leaft, much fupci-ior to the oil produced from wahiuts which is burnt in kimps. The Chinefe peafaiits warm th(jir ftoves with what remains of the ftones, and collecl: the cinders for manuring their land. The barren mountains wliich lie to the weft of Pe-kin, are covered with thefe trees; and the oil extracted from their kernels, render the peafants as rich as thofe who live in the low lands. Apricots in China, as in Europa, are gencraily the earlicft fruit of fummer. The Chinefe prefcrve them both dry and liquid ; liut they always wait until the fruit is quite ripe. Ecfides this, they prefs out the juice, boil and clarify it, and form it into a kind of lozenges, that may be kept as long as they choofe, and which, when diflblved in water, make a cooling and rc-freihing beverage. China produces abundance of grapes; it is not, therefore from a want of this fruit, that the Chinefe make fu little ufe of wine. Thofe who believe that the vine was jiot known in the Chinefe empire luitil very late, and that it was carried thither from the weft, labour uiider a gj'eat miftake, for all the literati a(fert, that the vine has been known and cultivated in China from the remoteft anti-»juity, and it is certain, that there were vines in Chan-fi and Chen-fi feveral centurics before the Chriftian era i ^t^c! that a fufficiency of them were cultivated to make abundance of wine. Groficr fays, that in the large Chinefe herbal book it is tiid that wine made from grapes, was the wine of honour, which feveral cities prefentcd to the emperors, their governors and viceroys. In 1373' emperor Tai-tfou accepted fomc of it, for the laft time, from 'J'ai-yuen, a city of Chen-fi, and forbade any more to bs prefented, faying, / dnnk little ivine, and I am iwivUlhig, that what I do drink, Jhould accaßm any harden to my pinple. The vine has howcvor, like the empire ilfelf, experienced its revoVution, it has often been included In the Uli F f 2 of profcribed trees and fhrubs that impeded agriculture, and the extirpation v/as at times carried fo far in many provinces, that the remembrance of it was forgotten. Witli regard to the prefent ftate of the culture of vines in China, we know froin unqueftionable authority that the emperors fCang-hi, Yong-tching and Kten-long, now on the throne, have caufed a number of new plants to be introduced from foreign countries; that the three provinces of Honan» Chan-tong and Chan ft, have repaired their former lofTes; that the large cities of Tai-yuen and Pin^-yang in Chan-fi, are become famous on account of the-great quantity of dried grapes that are procured from their environs, and that the province of Pe-tcheli, at all times fruitful in vines, produces fo many at prefent, that there are fourteen of its diftriös ci-lebratcd for their raifins, which arc preferved and fold in Pe-kin at a very moderate price. As roots and greens are the principal nouridiment of the people, ths-'y fpare no labour to procure them good. Befides thofe kinds common in Eui'ope, they have a great number of others, in a great meafure unknown to us, at leaft to the nation at large. Among thcfe is a fpeeics of onion, which are not produced from feed, as ours are.-Towards the clofe of the fcafon, fame fmall filaments fpring from the ends of the leaves, in the middle of which a white onion is formed, like thofe that grow in the earth. This fmall onion again {hoots forth leaves fimilar to thofe which fupport it; and thefe new leaves bear ajiother onion on their points, but in fuch manner, that the leaves and tlie onion become fmaller as they are farther difiant from the earth. Rue, forrel, cabbage-plants and other greens, when tranfportfd from India to China, either die or degenerate before the end of two or three years. The Chinefc, however, have real cabbages j but they never grow into s. head. They have alfo had parfley for a long time ; but it lofes the tafle and beauty which it has In Europe. Among the pot-hcrbs which we have not, and for which it is faid the Chincfc are to be envied, is a plant called pe-tfai. It is much ufed, and bears fume refcm-blancc to the Roman beet; but differs frotn it in its flower, feed, tafte and fize. The beft pe~tjai grows in the northern provinces, where the inhabitants leave it to be foftened by the hoar-frofts. The quantity fown and con-fiimcd is very great indeed ; and in the months of OiSo-bor and November the bridges of Pc-kin are aimoft blocked up by waggons which continue pafling from morning till night, loaded with this plant. The Chinefe make provifion of pe-tfai for winter; pickling of it, and mixing it with their rice. The Chinefe cultivate even (he bottom of their waters, and the beds of their lakes, ponds and rivulets, produec crops that to us arc unknown. Their induftry has found out refources in a number of aquatic plants, feveral of which, as the pi-tß, or water-ehefnut, and iht lien-hoa, arc the greateft delicacies of a Chinefe table. The Government has caufcd this latter plant to be cultivated in all the lakes, marfhes and wafte grounds covered with water, which belong to the ftate. And the emperor has ordered all the canals which ornament his gardens, to be planted with it; and the greater part of the ditches round Iiis palace are full of it. The flowers and verdure of this plant cover thofe two innmcnfc flieets of water in the centre of Pc-kin, and which are only feparated by a bridge, where every body may pafs, and from which there is an excellent view of the gardens belonging to the imperial palace. The pl.fj, grows only in the fouthern provinces oi Chma; it foon dies at Pe-kin; its leaves are as long as thofe of the bulrufh, but hollow, and formed into a pipe like the top of an onion. Its fruit is found in a CQver formed by its root, in which it is iiiclofcd, as a chcfnut tn its liuft. And when this bulk is broken, the fruit may be extracted, without hurting the pbnt. It is cx-cccdina.!y wholefome, and has a moft delicate tafle. It is given to Tick people to chew, as it is very cooling for the mouth. trees, sfirues and plants. China contains almoft every fpecics of trees that arc known in Kurope, but fliall only noticc particularly thnfe peculiar to the country, or, at kaft, fuch as arc not to be fotiiui in our weftecii climates. TAi-LOW-TRi'E. Among the extraordinary trees, wc cannot but diliiiiguini tliat whicli produces tallow. Tbis tree is of the fize of a .cherry-tree ; its branches are crooked j its leaves are fhaped like a heart, aiid ofa bright red colour i k has a fniooth bark, a fhort trunk, and a round biifhy.top. The fruit is contained in a hulk divided into three fphcrica! fegments, whieli o[x:n when it is ripe, and dilcovcr three white grains, of tliu fizc of a fmall walnut, lij esch of thefc is a flone, and tht; pulp with which thefa ftones are covcred, has all the properties of tallow, ajul its colour, fniell and confiflejjce are e>caclly the fame. The Chiiicfc make candlcs of it, mixing it only witli a litt!c linl'ced-oil, to render it fafter aiid fweeter. Did they purify it as tallow is purified in i'ljropc, the candles made from it would not be interior, but, as this precaution is iicgle£led, they have a more dllagrteable finell, produce a thicker fmoke, and afford a fainter light, Wax-trlJi. I'he Chitiefe procure from certain trees a kind of wax, nearly equal in quality to that made by. bees, which they call pe-la. This wax is depofited by fmall iiifečls, oil two kinds of trees ; no other aifording them proper noiirilhmeiit. The firfl: is fhort and buöiy, and grows in a dry, fandy fgil, called by the Chinefe iffn-Ja-chu. 'J^heotherfpecics is larger, thrives only in moit^ placcs, and is named choui-k-chu. of china, 223 The kan-!a-chuy is of a fhriibby nature, and cafily propagates ; Wills may be covered, or hedges be form.-ed of it; it equally well endures heat and cok], anJ thrives, without the leaft culture,, in tbe barreiiefl- ibil. The finali infers thr.t make tl;e ps-ld, do not mturally frequent thefe trees ; they mufl be placed iipoFi.tSiem but this is not diflfcitlt J and, after a tree is once-ftociced, it always retains them. Towards the beginning of winter, fmall tumours arc perceived upon the lan-hi-chu that haver already produced wax, which contijiuully increafe, until Vhcy bccome of the fi/.e of a fniall walnut: thefc arc fo many neils filled with the eggs of mfedl:?, aWndipsM-tchong, or la-tchang. When the warmth of fpring makes the true; flioot forth its blollbms, it alfo gives life to the i!ife£J:s that cover it. Then is the proper time to depofit neds on thofe trees which have none. I'o do this the Chincfe makR fmall bundles of ftraw, on each of which they put feven or eight nefts ; they afterwards tie thefe to the branches, taking care to place the nefts immediately on tlie hark. If the fhrub is fwefeetin height, it is capable offupporting one or two nefts on eacl^ of its boughs. After thefc Ln-lecls are hatched, they run upon: tha branches^ difperle themfelves ov(^ the leaves, and perforate the bark, under which they retire ; but come forth at the proper feafoti for inaking their wax. About the middle of June, this wax begirs to appear upon the kan-Ja-chu. A few filaments, like thofe of fine 'oft wool, are perceivcd rifiiig from the bark, around the body of the infefl:; by degrees, thefe filaments form a kind of down, which becooits thicker, and iiicreafes in fize during the heats of fummer. This crull covers the ii^ea, and defends it from tlie heat, rain and ants. The Chinefe fay, that, if the wax were left too long on the tree, the Inka^ would not make their .nelT. Care mufl, thcreiore, be taken tg gather it before (hü iuli hoar This wax is white and bright, and preferves its tranfl parency to the depth öf an inch. It is carried to court, and t!iere refervcd for the ufc of the emperor, princes mid chief mandarins. An ounce of it added to a pound of oi! the mixture acquires a confiftcncy, and forms a wax little inferior to that made by bees. The phyficians employ it in curing feveral difeafcs; ai:d when applied to wounds, it makes the flefli heal in a very fhort time. Varnish-tree. An opinion long prevailed in Europe, that the celebrated vamifli of the Chincfe was only a com-pofition, which the Chinefe had the art of making. It is row known, that they are indebted to nature and their climate only, for this liquor, which gives fo much luftrc and beauty to many of their manufactures. It is nothing elfe than a reddifh gum which diftils from certain trees called tfi-chu. They grow in the provinces of Kiang-fi and Se-tchiicn; but thofe which are found in the territories of Kan-tchcou, one of the moft foutherly citics of Kiang-fi, produce the moft valuable varnifh. The tß-chuy the bark and leaves of whch refemble the iifli, bears neither fruit nor flowers. It is, when full grown, about fifteen feet in height; and the circumfer-cncc of its trunk, about two feet. The Chinefe propagate this tree by cuttings, but they do not procurc varnifh from it until its trunk is nearly five inches in diameter, a fize which it feldom attains in lefs than fcvcn or eight years. Varnilh extrafted from a tree fmaller, or of Icfs age, has neither the fame body or fplendour. This liquor diltils only in the night time, and during the fummer fc^ifon; for the varnifli produced in fpring or autumn, is always mixed with a great deal of water, and in winter it does not flow at all. To obtain the gum, they make feveral rows of infi" fioiis round the trunk, proportioned to the vigour of the tree. The firft row Is at fevcn inches from the earth, and the reft at the fame diflance from each athcr, to the top of the trunk, and fomctimes on the boughsj which arc of fufficient ftrength ant! fizc. Into thcfe incifions, which are made towards evening, they it\fcrt a fhell, and next mo.rnmg they collet the var-•nifli that has fallen into them; tlie f.>llowing evening they are again inferred; and this operation is continued ■until the end of fummer. A thoufand trees yielding, on an average, in one night, near twenty pounds of varnifh. This varniflij for the moft part, is not extraifted by ■the proprietors of the trees, but by merchants, who pur-chafc them for the feafon, at three-pence per foot. Thcfe mercliants afterwards hire woi-kmen, to attend to them, to whom they give an ounca of filvci per month, for their ■Jaboiir and maintenance. While the vai nilh diftils, it exhaleR a malignant vapour, the bad cfte£ts of which are often feverely felt, and can ■only be prevented by prcfervatives and great precaution. The merchant who employs thtfe workmen, keeps by him a large vafe filled with rape oil. In which a certain quantity of thofe ficiliy filaments found in hog's lard have been boiled. When the workmen arc going to fi>: the ihells to the trees, or colledl: the varnifli, they rub their face and hands with this oil, with great care; and after eating, they waOi their whole bodies with warm water, in which the bark of the cheliiut-tree, fir-wood, cryftalized falt-petre, and other drugs, have been boiled. When at work near the trees, they put upon their heads a cloth bag, in which there are two holes, and cover the fore part of their l>odies with a kind of apron made of doe-ikiu, fufpended from their necks with ürings, and tied round them with a girdJe. They alfo wear boots, and have coverings on their arms, made of the fame kind of fki'i. The hib'oiirci-who fhould negkčt ihcfe precautions would foon he pu-nifhed for his rathncfs. The diforder fhews itfelf by letters, which become of a bright red colour, and fpread ill a very flwrt time; the body fwells, and ilie ikin burfls Gg and appeafS covcred with an tinivcrfiil kprofy. The iiti« happy vidlirn could not long endure the excruciating pains which he feels, was not a fpecdy remedy found in thofe prefervaci ves we have before mentioned. The feafon of collefting varnifh being ended, the merchant having drained it, puts It into fmall cafks, clofely Hopped. A pound of it cofb him iibout one Ihilling and cight-pence fterling; and he generally gains cent, per cent, upon it, and fometimes more, according to the dif-tance of the place to which he tranfports it; befides this he fells the dregs of it to the druggifts, who ufe them for certain purpofes in medicine. Iron wood.—This tree rifes to the height of a large oak ; but it differs both in the fize of its trunk and in the fhape of its leaves. Its wood is fo exceedingly hard and heavy, that it finks in water; It is faid that the anchors of the Chincfe fhips of war art made of it. Nan-mou.—Travellers dcfcribe this tree as the ccdar, ■which it probably is. It is one of the talleft in China; its branches ihoot up vertically, and grow from the trunk, only at a certain height, and terminate in a bufh or tufted top. The Chinefe confider its wood as incorruptible.—^/j^h tue are deßrous, fay they, of ere Hing an edifice to laß for every we muß emphy snly the n/tn-mou. Great ufe, therefore is made of this wood In building the emperor's palaces, where all the pillars, beams, and doors are made of it. Rose wood.'—This tree furnifhes the moft beautiful and valuable wood ufed by the Chinefe artifts. It is of a very dark colour, flriped and variegated with delicate veins, which have the appearance of painting. It is employed for making difterent pieces of furniture, which are in greater recjuuft, and coft more, than thofe that are var-^ jiifhed, Camphire tree.—The tree from which camphire is procarcd, is alfo a produdtkon of Chijia, and. It is tiidj that fome of them are found above an hundred cubits in height, and fo thick, that twenty perfons cannot enclofe them. The trunks of thcfe trees, when old, emit fparks of fire; but their flame is fo fubtle, that no danger is to be appre- heniied from it. The method ufed by the Chinefe for obtaining camphire, is as follows:—They take branches frefli from the tree, chop them fmall, and lay them to fteep in fpring water for three days and nights. After they have buen thus foaked, fhey are put into a kettle where they are boiled for a certain time, during which they continually ftir them w^ith. a ftick of willowwhen they perceive that the fap of thefe fmall chips adheres to the ftick, in the form of whits frort, they ftrain the whole off, throwing away the dregs and refufe. This liquor is then poured gently^ into aix eai-then bafon well varnifhed, in which it is fuffered to remain during the night, it is then found coagulatad, and formed intoa folid inafs. To purify this firft preparation, they procure fome earth from an old wall, which, whem pounded and reduced to a yery fme powder, they put into the bottom of a copper bafon; over this layer of earth they fpread a layer of camphirc, and continue thus until they have laid four ft rata. The laft, which is of fine earth, they cover up with the leaves of the plant po-ho, or pennyroyal, and over the whole place another bafon, which they join very clofcly to the former, by means of a kind of red earth that cements their brims together. The ba-fons, thus prepared, are then put over a fire, which is fo managed as to preferve the hoat equal on all parts. Whea the bafons have been expofed to the neceflary heat, they are taken off and left to cool; after which they are fepa-rated, and the fublinuted camphire is found adhering to the cover. This operation is often repeated two or three times, for the purpofc of having the camphire more pure; The cam-'' ^hi-^ .;e£tca is then put between two «^ai-üien vcflsls, the cd^es of which are furrounded with " Gg 2 fcvcral bands of wet paper. The vefiels arc kept for about an hour over an equal and moderate fire; and when they are cool, the camphire is found in its utmoft perfection, and ready for ufe. This method of procuring camphlrc, may be prailifcJ' in all feafons of the year, which could not be the cafe, were it cxtraiftcd like other refinous fuftances, that only flow during a certain flicrt fpace of time. Bcfides, by lopping the branches of the camphirc tree, lefs hurt is done to it than by making incifions, which are always Injurious, Si ang.—Thefiang grows to the height of a chefnut tree^ and bears a fruit which fcrves, in dying, as a fubrtitute for the gall-nut; it is inclofed in a double hufk ,of the fize of a chefnut, which it a!fo refembles in colour. The exterior huik is that which is ufcd properly for dying. Hogs will feed upon this fruit, although it has a dilägreeable tafte» The fumg grows witii little culture, to the north of Pe-ktn and in the province of Tche-kiang; and there can be little doubt but it would thrive iiythe barren and mountainous regions of Europe. Lo-ya-song.—This name is given to a kind of pine, found near Keou-ouai^ beyond the great wall. Its trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit, exaftly refemble thofe of our common pines; but it is, diftinguiflicd by fcveral fingulari-ties: all its leaves fall in autumn; its wood is exceedingly hard, and fit for various purpofes ; but the fap it contains is poifonous. Thüfc who are employed i» autting this tree, muft take great care that no drops fpurt out on the (kin} for it raifes blifters and pimples wliich cannot eafily be cured. If its root, which is of a reddifh colour,, is put into water, it foon petrifies; it is then ufed for fliarpen-Ing the fineft and beft-tempered tools, This petrificatioi» dianges its figure fo little, that it cannot be perceived, unlefe examined very clofdy; but its weight is confida-rably augmented. Lcng-ju-shu.—The trunk of this tree Ts equal in thiclcnefs to a large plumb tree, and divides itfcif into two ®r three principal branches, wh ch are fubdividcd into others that are much fmallcr. Its bark is of a reddifh grey colour, and fpotted like that of hazel. The extremities of its branches are knotty, very unequal, and full ^ f pith. The trunk of this tree furnifhes planks which are employed in ninking of furniture. The f uit, which refcmblcs our cherries before they are ripe, grow from long, green and fibroMS pcdictes. The (kin of this fruit Is very hard, Ipecklcd in feme placcs with fmal! red fpots, and containing a grecnifli fubftancc, which, by maturity, is convcrt«d to a kind of jelly. The Chincfe rub their hands with it in winter, to prevent chilblains. Tcha-ke.—This tree has no bark on its trunk or branches j it grows on the northern coafts, and if it is thrown into the fiie, when green, it burns as readily as the drieft wood. If made into charcoal, it kindles very eafily, produces a ftrong heat, without fmcll or fmoke, ar.d lalls much longer than any other kind. Tchu-kou.—This tree is much valued by the Chlnefe, as its inner rhind furniflies them with the greater part uf the paper which they confume. When its branches are broken, the bark peels off in the form cf long rlbbonr. Were we to delcimine the fpecies to which this tree belongs, by its leaves, we Ihould clafs it with tlie wild mulberry-tree, but, by its fruit, It more rcfcmbles the fig tree. fi uit adlicres to the branches, without any ftalk, and, when pulled before its maturity, appears, like t^e fig, to be full of milk. This tree grows on tlic mountains, and in a rocky foil. Kin-Kouang-tsee, or sour jUJUBE.-^Thls is a krge tree, the leaves of which are long and fharp-pointed. Its flowers have a greenlfh tint; and the fruit it produces refcmble large jujubes ; on account of their beautiful yellow colour, they are called pU^n jujuk:. Tins fruit, when dried, retains a fourifh tafte ; and the goIJeri colour changes to a delicate red. The ftone is hard, and fliaped like a heart, as well as the kernel which they contain. Thcfe Jloncs were formerly ufi;d by the fiiperftitious votaries of idols, for making chaplets, on which fuvcral figures were engraven. It is fiid to have been originally brought from Bengal, and that great difficulty was found at firft to rear it in China; but !t is fo naturalized at prefcnt, that it rif^rs to the height of the talleft fruit-trees. Its wood is hard, and of a very fine grain. 'i'se-song-yuen-pe, or juniper cypress.—Thls is one of the fingularities of nature; it partaking of the properties of the juniper and of the cyprefs tree. Its Irunk is about half a foot in diameter, and fhoots out, almoft where it fpriiigs from the earth, a great number of branches^ which extend on all ftdcs, and are divided into others that form a top extremely thick and bufhy, Thefe branches are lo^idcd with leaves; fome refembling thofe of the cyprefs; others thofe of the juniper: the htter are long, narrow, and prickly, and are ranged along the branches in rows of four, five, and fometimes fix each; hencc, when the branches are viewed lengthwife, the leaves appear like ftars, with four, five, or fix rays, the leaf neareft the eye exaftly covering that which is next to it, and leaving tiic intervals between the rows perfecily open. The fniall branches, or twigs, which are covered with thcfe juniper leaves, are generally found below the principal boughs; and the branches that fhoot out from the upper part of the fiime boughs, bear cyprcfs leaves. There are found whole branches whicli refemble thofe of the cyprefs; ;;nd there are others, that, in like manner, have an affinity to the juniper alone ; there are fomc, alfo, which partake of the nüturc of both ; and, lalHy, there are otherSj that bwr only f^W cyprefs leaves, graftcid) ^ it were, on the end of a juniper branch, or a fmall jumper twig, is fometimes fccn fpringing from a cyprefs bough. The bark of this tree is very rough and unequal, and of a grayifti brown colour, inclining to red. Its wood is like that of the juniper j but it is of a rcfmous nature. The leaves fmell like cyprefs, and have fomething of an aromatic flavour, but fliarp and bitter. This tree bears a fmall, round green fruit, a little larger than that of the juniper: it conta'ns two reddifli grains, fhapcd like a heart, which are as hard as a grape-ftone. Bamboo.—The hamhoo is a kind of reed, which grows to the height and fize of large trees. Its leaves arc long, tind bend backwards towards the points. The trunk is hollow, and divided at certain fpaces by knots, but it is very flrong, and capable of fuftaiiiing an enormous weight. Bamboo-reeds arc bored and ufed as pipes to convey water; when fplit lengthwife and divided into thin (lips, they are woven into mats, trunks, and various other works; paper is alfo made of a ccrtain pafte procured from them, after they have been bruifed and fteepcJ in warcr; the Bamboo grows in all the provinces of China, but is moft plenty in the province of Tche-klang, where whole forces are found of it. Acabia,—The acaftu of Am erica is common in Clilna. The Chinefe authors pretend, that the feeds cxtradtcd from its pods are employed with lucccfs in medicine. Tea-plant.—Among the aromatic fhrubs of China, that which furniflies tea holds the firft rank. It is not, however, known by this name in the country, but is c:;llcd tcha-, and, by corruption in fome of the maritime pro-vmces, tha, tVom wliicli is derived our word ten, iather le Comte, in bis memoirs, has given us a very accurare dcfcription of this ihrub,—' Tea,' fays he, ' grows « in Üie valleys, and at the bottoms of the mountains. * Rocky ground produces ilie bcft; and that which is ' pliuucd in a light fo:l is next in quality. The worft is * found in earth of a yellow colour; but in whatever place * it is sultivatcd, care muft be taken to cxpofe it to the * fouth: it then acquires more vigour, and bears three ' years after it has been planted. The root of the fhrub is like that of the peach tree; and its flowers referable ' the white wild rofe. When I entered the province of * Fokin, I was ftewn, for the firft time, the tea plant, ' upon the declivity of a little hill. It was only about ^ five or fix feet in height. Several branches joined toge* ther and feparated towards their upper extremities, formed * a tufted top alinoft like that of the European myrtle. * The trunk, though to appearance dry, bore branches * that were covered with beautiful green leaves, narrow ^ and tapering towards the points, about an inch and a * lialf in length, and indented round the edges. The * oldeft, which appeared of a whitiih colour below, were * brittle, hard and bitter. The young ones were foft and *■ pliable, of a reddifli tint, fmooth, tranfparent, and very * agree-ible to the tafle, efpecially after they had been * chewed for fome time. As it was then in September, I * found on them three kinds of fruit. On the young and * tender branches I obferved fmall fcft berries, of a green ^ colour, filled with very minute yellow grains. On the ' reft of the branches the fruit was as large as beans, but * of different fliapes; fome were round, and contained a * pea; others long, and inclofing two; and feveral were *■ triangular, and contained three, The cuter rind which * inclofed this feed was green, fmooth, and very thick. * Under the fecond, which was white and thinner, was a ' third pellicle, exceedingly fine, that covered a kind of ' nut adhering to the rind by a fmall fibre, from which it * derives its nourifhment.' When this fruit is young, its « tafte is fomewhat bitterifh ; but, two or three days after * it has been gathered, it lengthens, changes to a yellovt? * cclour, appears dry and fl'.rivelled like an old filbert, and « becomes very oily and bitter. I found alfo upon thefc: ' trees a third kind of old and hard fi-uit, the black exterior ' rintl of which, being half open, difcovered within a hard, * brittle Imfk, exactly like that of a chefnut; but it was ' fo flatted and dried, that after 1 had broken it, I could ' fcarcdy difcovcr any vcftige of fruit. In fome of them L foLsrid this fruit rcduced to powder ; aird in others, I ob' fcrved a very fmall nut, perfectly dry and half covetcd ' with its firft pcl'ide. Among thefe fruits were a great * number called female, which had no germ. I'hofe that < have a germ, if they are t)wn, will produce trees ; but * the Chinefe generally make ufe of flips for raifing plants. ' That I mie;ht be better acquainted with the nature ' of this tre:, I had the curipfity to tafte the l)arJc of the ^ tniiik and branches; I alfo chewed the wood and fibres, ' both of which appeared to bji'e no bitternefs, and even ' after a confiderable time, I only perceived a tafte fome-' what like liquorice, but very iaint.' The Chinefe dillinguiih fcve.al kinds of ten, but they al! may be reduced to the four following ; the Song-Io tcha, the Vou-y tcha^ the Lou-ngan tcks^ and the Pou-eiiL tcha. Tlie firft takes its name from the mountain Seng^hy iituated in the province cf Kian^-nun, 'I Iiis mountain is not very extcnfive, but it is entirely covcrcd with thefj ul! the leaves by handfuts, but pick tl-.em one by one, and take every precaution that they may not break them. Jn this manner they gather frora four to ten or filtcca pontids a day each perfon. 1 he fecoiul crop is colleif^ed in the ferond Japancfc ptcnth, about the end of M.irch or beginninjr April. At thiS feafon foi-ne of the leaves are yet in tlieir r,Towth, and others have .-attained to perfection ; they are, liowevcr, i4ll gathered indifcjriminately, and afterwards picked and fcrtcd, according to tlieir age and fize : the yotinpeft, ■which arc carefully ftparatcd from the reft, are oftcü Ibid for imperial tea. Tea gathered at this fcafon is calk-d Too-tfiaay or Chinefi tea^ bccaiifc the people of Japan in-Ajfe it, and drink it after the Chiiiefe manner. The third asd laft crop of tea is gaihcrcd in (he third Japanefc month ; th.U is about our juiie. The leaves are then very numerous and thick, and have acquired their full growth. This kind of tea, which is called Ben-tftan^ is the coarfeft of all, and is rcferved for the common people. Some of the Japanefe colle^V tea only at two feafons of the year, which correfpond to the fccond and third, already mentioned; cithers have only one gi.'neral gathering, towards the month of June : however, ihey always form different allbrtments of their leaves. The moft celebrated tea of Japan is that which grows jicnr Vd-fi^ a fmall village fituated dole to the fea, and rot far diftant from Meaca. In the diftri£l- of this village is a mountain, bearing the fame r.nnie, the climate of which is faid to be oclrcinely favourable to the culture of tea; it is inclofed by a hedge, and furrounded with wide ditches, to prevent accefs to it; and the tea fnrubs that grow on this mountain are pLmtcd in regular order, and divided by different avenues and alleys. The care of this place is entriifted to people who are ordered to guard the leaves from dufl-, and to defend them from the inclemency of the weather. The labourers who arc appointed to collcfl: the tea, abfbin from every kind of grofs food for fome weeks before they begin, that their breath and perfpiration may not in the Icaft injure the leaves. They gather tliem with the mcft fcriipulous nicety, with very fine gloves on their hatids, without wiiich they jiever touch it. When this choicc tea has undergone the procels ncceffary for its preparation, it is cfcorted by the fupcrintcndant of the mountain, and a ftiong gisard, to the emperor's court, and rcft-rvcd for the uTc of the imperial family alone. Cotton tref.—Cotton forms one of the moft confiderablc branches of the commerce of China, and is cultivated with fuccefs in the fouthern provinces. As footi as they have renpcd their grain, they few cotton in the fame field, after having turned up the earth flightly with a rake. When the rain or dew has moiftened ihe ground, a fhriih fprings up, which rifcs to the height of two feet. The fiowers apjiear about the beginning or towards the middle of Auguft; they arc generally yellow j but fometimes red. To the flower fucceeds a kind of fmall button, which Increafcs in the form of apod, till it acquires about the f:ze of a walnut. About the fortieth day after the fiowcr has appeared, this pod burft?;, divides ufelf into three parts, and difcovers three or four fmall cotton balls of a hri5!;ht white colour, fomething like thofe produced by filk-worms. Thefe fmall downy balls adhere to the bottom of the pod, which is half open, and contains feeds for the following year. As all thefe fmall grains arc ftrongly attriched to the filaments of the cotton, the Chiiicfe n-.ake ufe of a machine for the purpoie of feparating them. It is compofed of two cylinders highly polifl\ed, one of wood and the other of i.on, about a foot in length, and an inch in diameter, placed together like European flatting-inills. With one hand they put the firft in motion, and the fecond by the foot; with the other hand they apply the cotton, which is drawn in between them by their motioji, and patles to the other fido, while the grains that arc left behind quite bare, fall to tHe ground Th: cotton, thus freed from its feeds, is carded and fpu„^ and afterwards mads into cloth. Kou-chu.—The fhrub called hu~chu bears a great refennblancc to the fig-tree, both in the form of iti branches and leaves. From its root fevcral Hioots ge, nerally fpring up, forming I'in'i of bufli i but fomctiu.e^ it confifts of only one fhoot. The wood is fort anJ fpongy, ar.d covcrtd with bark like that of the fig-tree. Its leaves arc deeply indented, a:id the colour and texture of their fibres are exafllv the fame as thofe of the fig-tree; hut they are hirger, thicker, and much rougher to the touch. This tree yields a milky juice, which the Chlnsfe ufe for laying on gold-leaf in gilding. They make incifions in the trunk, into which they infert theedgcs ofafhell, to receive tJie fap, which they ufe with a fm:\l! bnifh, in delineating the figures they intend for the decoration of their work. They then lay oji the gold-leaf, which is fo ftrongly attracted by this liquor, that it never comes off. Tong-t sao.—Stiangers arc generally ftruck with the beauty of the artificial flowers made by the Chiiiefe, bur if theChinefe furpafs European artifts in thefe kinds of works they are indebted for their fuperiority to the ir.aterials they employ. Neither fdk, cotton, nor any kind of paper or cloth, is employed in the compofition ®f thefe flowers. The fuhllance of which their leaves arc formed, is the pith of a certain fhrub, called by the Clii-nefo tong-tfcia. It is a kind of cane or bamboo, inucti. refcmbling the European elder tree; but its pith is whiter, clofcr, and lefs fpongy. The ti?ig-tfao grows in dark, fliady places, and rifes to the heigiu of fix feet; its leaves rcfembling thofe of the nympha;, or water lily; but are thicker. Its trunk is divided, like the bamboo, by knots, between which are comprehended feveral pipes, each about a foot and a half long, and which art general ly largeil: towards the root of the plant. Th^s }hrub is cut every year; and it fhoots up a ne'V ßem the year following. It is tr:infportcd in barks to Kiang-nan^ widere the jfith is extracted, and prepared for t)ie hajids of the workman. "When taken from the pip'^^ it muft be preferved from moiftuie, far vvithout this precaution, it would be entirely ufelefs. Betel and toeaCCO. The Chinefe, in imitation of almoft all other eaftern nations, ufe the betel-luaf as a Sovereign remedy for thofe diforders which attack the breaft and ftomach. The bnd grows like ivy, and twifts around other trees. Its leaves are long and fliarp-pointcd, broad towards the ftalk, and of a pale-green colour. The Chinefe cover them wltli quicklime, and wrap them around the nut areca, which in fliape greatly refcmbles a nutmeg_ They chew thefe leaves continually, pretending that they ftrengthen the gums, comfort the brain, expel bile, nourifli the glaJids of the throat, and ferve as a prefervative againft the afthma, a difeafe very common in the foutheru provinces. They carry betel and areca in boxes, and prefent it when they meet one another in the fame manner as foldicrs and other Europeans, who have habituated themfelvcs to tliis filthy cuflom, do tobacco. The ufe of tobacco is not fo extenfive in China as in Europe, but the country produces it in great abundance. The Chinefe do not reducc their tobacco to powder, be-caufe they only ufs it for ftnoking. They gather the leaves when they arc very ripe, and csrd them almolt in the fame manner as wool. They afterwards put them under a piefs, where they fqueeze them together like the turf made from the refufe of the bark in tan yards. Belvideee, or chenopodium. The belvider« Springs up about the end of March, its fhoots rife to the height of eight or nine inches, in the ihape of a child's fill half Ihut; it afterwards extends itfelf, and fends forth a number of branches loaded with leaves like thofe of flax; and as it grows, its branches arrange themfelves naturally in the form of »pyramid j its leaves, yet tender, abound with juice, have a very agreeable tafte ; ^d may be eaten as a failud with vinegar, to which the 1 i Chinefe often add a little ginger; being prepared like otlier leguminous plants, and halted with meat, it gives it an agreeable and pleafing flavour; when in its full heauty, its leaves become hard and unfit for the tabic 5 but iiouiifliment is then found in its root^ which lias fsrveJ often 3S a refüurce in times of famine and fcarcity, being reduced to powder ar.d made into bread- The Chinefe Herbal cites an exainple of four mounj taiiieers, who lived on nothing but the leaves, roots a:id fialks of the belvidere, with which their country abounded^ ajui enjoyed perfeč^ health to a very great age. It alfo adds, that to render this plant ftrong and fiou-rifliing fire muil be fet to the grounds which are covered with it, as its own afhes are the beft manure, and fupply it with a nourifhing moiHure, flowerikg-trees. ou-ton"g-chou. Among the trees whieh nature feema to have deftined for the ornamenting of gardens, few have greater claims to notice than that which the Chinefe call O«-tong-chu. It is of a large fize, refembling thefycamore. Its leaves are large, and proceed from a Ihillt about a foot in length, and is fo bufliy and loaded with fuch bunches of flowers, that it excludes the rays of the fun. About the month of Augiift, fmall clufters of leaves begin to {hoot out from tliiC extremities of the branches, which are entirely dilFerent from thofe on the other parts of the tree ; being finaller, whiter and fofter, and fupply the place of flowers,. On the edges of thefe leaves grow three or four grains, of the fize of a pea. Thefe grains contain a white fubftaiice? the tafte of which greatly refembles that of an unripe wabuit. This is the fruit of the plant, but we have no uc-connt of any ufe made ot this tree but for ornament. Molien. This is another flowering tree, the branches cf which are few in number, very flender, full of and i;overed with red bark iiitcrfperfed with fmall white fpots. It bears few leaves: but they are large, and very broad at the lower extremity, and adhere to pedicles, which feem to inclofe the branch. This tree blows in the month of December, and produces large flowers, formed of feven or eight fharp-pointed oval leaves, from the extremities of which procced long filaments. Some of the flowers are yellowj others red, and others white. All the leaves fall when the flowers appear, or when tliey are ready to blow. La-moe. This fhrub refembles laurel, both in its form and fizc ; but its branches are more extenfive, and its leaves are attached, two and two, to ihort pedicles. The fi7.c of thefc leaves decrcafes in proportion to their diflancc from the extremities of the branches. Its flowers are produced in winter; they are yellow, and of agreeable fmell, refembling that of rofes. Tcha-hda. The Chinefe diftinguifli four kinds of tli? tree which they call tcha-hoa. It bears fome refemblance to the Spani{h laurel. It is an evergreen, the leaves grow in alternate rows along each fide of its branches. They artg is cylm- dric, and flioots forth a number of brnnches of a purple tint towards their bafes, and full of knots, which arc alfo of a purple colour round the edges. It throws forth a number of flioots, the talkft of which are about two feet and a half in iielghth. Irs leaves are much indented, of an oval form towards the ftalk, pointed at their up^ per extremities, and full of fmall prickles ; they grow al. moft oppofite each other on the branches, at the fame diftance as the knots. Their colour above is a deep green, that below is much lighter, and almoft efFaccd by their fibres, which are large, and of a delicate purple. The flowers grow in bunches at the extremities of the branches. Each flower is compofcd of four petals, two great and two fmal), refenibling in colour the bloom of a peach-tree, and of nearly the fame figure as the blof-fom of the cherry-tree. The two largeft arc eementcd one upon the other, in the form of a purfe. I'he piftll is compofed of bright yellow grains, which feparatc gradsi-fllly one from another by the lengthening of the filaments to which they adhere ; they then open into little bells, and compofe a fmall yellow tuft, fapported by a flender Halk, which rifcs above the petals. The calix, which fuftains caeh of the flowers, is compofed of two purple-coloured leaves. In proportion as the flowers grow and incrcafe in fize, the two leaves of the calix open, become pale and dry, and drop off. The flowers, fup-ported by fmall ftalks, feparate one from the other, and produce of themfelves other flowers, which rife up from a new calix. ' The autumnal hai-!ang is with difBculty propagated from feed. It thrives beft in a fandy foil, and care niuit be taken to refrcfh it only with pure water. It cannot endure the fm in any fcafon, it is, therefore, always planted below walls that arc expofed to the north. It generally begins^ to flower about the end of Auguft, and af- ter it has produced feed, its branches are cut down, it rom-.nonly Ihoors forth new ones before the fpring fol-lüwlüg ; but it is nccelTary to heap up gravel and pieccs cf brick round its roots, to prevent them from rotting, Cjreat pains are taken to cultivate this tree at Pe-kin, 5:ut it docs not thrive fo well there as in the fouthcrn I'rovinces. The fmcll of its leaves lias an affinity both to the rofc and viokt; but it is weaker, and never extends to any great diftance. Moü-tah, or Peony-shrub. This is a wild Ihrub Jmprovcd by culturc, and lias been knov/n in China for joui'tceii hujidred years. It is fometiines called hoiuouarig^ :a£lly like that of a worm. It has the head, eyes, bodv, different rings which the fkin forms upon tlie back, &c. pf that reptile. This refcinblance is more par;ietilarly ftriking .when the plant is young and frcfh; tor if k be kept any time, efpecially when expofed to the air, it becomes bbckifh, and foon corrupt:, on account of che foftncfs of its iubftunce. it is about ninc-tciii!is of an inch thicknefs, and of a yellow ilh colour ; it is very rare in China, where it is accounted an exotic, and is feldoin to k met with but in the emperor's gardens. It however K k 2 grows in Thibet, and is alfo found, though in fmall quantities, in the province of Se-tchut», which borders on Thibet. The properties of this root are almoft the fame as thofe attribated to gin-feng, except that the frequent ufe of it does not, like gln-fmg, occafion bleedings and hemorrhages. It ftrengthens the ftomach, and is f^.id to reftore and invigorate debilitated conflltutions. San-tsi. This plant grows without cultivation in the provinces of Koci-tcheou, Yun-nan and Se-tchuen. It fhoots forth eight ftcms, which have no branches ; that in the middle, which is higheft, has three leaves at its extremity ; the other fevcn have only one each. From this determinate number of leaves it has its name, Jan-fft, or three and Jeven. All thefe ftalks proceed from a round root, about four inchcs in diameter. From this root fpring others, which are oblong, fmaller, and covered with a rough, hard rind ; the interior fubftance of which is foftcr, and of a yellowini colour. Thefc little roott are what is generally ufed in medicine. The middle ftem only bears flowers; thcfe are white, they grow from its extremity, in the form of grapes, and blow in the month of July. When the Chincfe are deiirous of propagating this planti they cut the root in flices; thefe they put into the earth about the vernal equinox, and in the fpace of a month, i« fhoots forth its ftalks ; at the end of three years, the pla"*^ has acquired its utmoft fize. The Chinefe phyficians uf*^ the Jan-tJi for wounds and fpitting of tilood : and conö-dcr it as a fovereign fpecific in the fmall-pox. Some of the miffionaries affert, that they have feen the blacked and mod virulent puftules become bright and of a beautiful red, as foon as the patient has fwallowed fomo "f root. Cassia-tree. The cafTia-trce is found in that part of the province of Yun-nan which borders on tlie fcuigdo«* of Ava. It is very high, and bears long poJs: on that account, the Chinefe liavc given it the name of ichang-h-iß-eha, the tree with oblong fruit. 1 hcfe pods arc longer than thofe fecn in Europe. GiN-SESe. The moft cfteemcd of all the plants uf Chiiu is giii-ßng, which the Mantchew Tartars call or-h9ta, the quten rfplants. The Chincfc phyficians fpeak of it with a kind of cnthuliafin, and enumerate, without «nd, the womlcrful properties wliich they aforibc to it. The root of gin-feng is white and rough ; its ftcin is fmooth and very round, and of a deep-red colour. It» height is various, according to the vigour of the plant. From the extremity of the ftalk procecd a number of branches, equally diftant one from the other, and, in their growth, never deviate from the fame plan. Each branch bears five fmali leaves full of fibres, the upper parts of which are of a dark green, and the lower of a ftiining whitifli greeti. All ihcfc leaves arc finely indented on the margin. A particular ftem of this flower produces a fmali clufter of very rouod red berries ; bul not fit for eating. Their ftone, which refemblcs thofe of other fruits, is very hard, and contains the germ from which the plant is propagated. Gin jeiig is eafily diflin-guiflied by its form, and the colour of its fruit, when it has any ; but it often happens that it bears none, though its root may be very old. This plant dccays and fprings up every year. The Chincfc never fow the feed, beeaufc it has never been Itnown to grow. It is probable tiiftt the germ of this plant is flow in opening, and that the hufk which contains it remains lon-r in the earth before It fends forth O any root: fome g!»-feng roots are found which arc ne«-thcr iongcT nor thicker than tl^c little finger, although they have fucccfllvcly produecJ more than ten or twcirt flems ill as mnny ycais. 254 KATURAL HISTORY This plant has at »11 times been the principal rklic» of Eaftcrn Tarrary, whv« it grows. It is found between the thirty-ninth and forty-fevcnth degrees of northern latitude, and bt^tw-ecn the tenth and twentieth of eaftcm longitude, reckoning from the meridian of Pe-kin. This extent of country is occupied by a chain of fteep mountains, covered with almoft impenetrable forcfls. It is upon the declivities of thefe frightful nioutitaiiis, and in their forefts, in the nclghbourhoiiJ pf fifjunes made by floods, below rocks, at the roots of trees, and in the middle of herbs, of every fpecies that this plant is found. It never grows in phins, valleys, or marfliy ground, or in the bottoms of the clefts made by torrents, or in places that are too open. If the fore ft happens to take fire, and to b.a confumcd, this plant docs not again appear for three or four years. It delights in the fliade, and every where feems defirous of Iheltcriiig itfclf from the rays of the fun- No private perfop is allowed to gather gin-fcng : it belongs entirely to the emperor, who fends ten thoufand foldicrs into Tartary every, year to colledl it. The following order is obferved by this army of hcrbalifts—Aftcv having divided the ground, each troop, compofed of an hundred men, range tiiemfelves in a line, with certain intervals between every ten. They then advancc gradually in the fame-perties attributed to this root by the Chinefe phyßeian» are yery numerous: it is mild and temperate in its ope* ration, it contains nothing hurtful, and has no need of any čorreftive. Tliey rccommend it in difeafes of the liver and breaft, fur the aRlinia, dropfy, fiipprcffion of urine, for flatulencies, and for dillblving phlegm. They affert that it flops vomitings, prevents convulfions in children, and that, by flrengthcning tlie reins, it procures females a fafe and eafy delivery. As the foit-Un grows always in the neighbourhood of pines, it might probably be found in Europe, were proper fearch made for it. Ti-hoang. The Chinefe give this name to the root of the large comfrey: the beft of which is found in Hinan-, in the neighbourhood of the city Hoai-king. The roots of this plant, when dried, are about the fizc of a finger, but much longer. The Chinefe phyficians af-cribe to them many falutary properties; and the" ule of them has become very common in all the provinces of tha empire. Rich people take pills of t'l-haang every morning, as people in Europe drink ten, colFce and chocolate. Some cut it into thin flices, and ufe it in decodlion, or when baked in the fteam of boiling water \ others pound it, and forn\ it into bolufes, which they fwallow with vv-arm water. I-'ive other kinds of plants, or ingredients, arc commonly added to it, which are aromatic, cordial, diuretic, acid and a little fyporific j but tlie ti-hoang is always the bafis of thcfe pills. Wc have now mentioned the moft particular of the trees, plants, flirubs, &e, that ornament thq Chinefe gardens, or arc ufed in the Materia Medica ; thefe countries are, however, a world of which wc are too ignorant, and which fome very fortunate event can alone bring us acquainted with. qijadrupeds, birds, butterflies and fishfs. The mountains and vaft forefts of Cliina abound with every fptcies of wild anin.als, fuch as die rhinoccros, tle^ L 1 pliants, leopards, tygers, bears, wolves, foxes, buffaloes, camels, horfes, wild mules, Beavers, fables and ermines are alfo found in the northern provinces; but the ficins whicli tlicy furiiifli arc mueh inferior to thofe procured from Siberia. Game is common in Cliiiia. The fquarcs of Pe-kin, in winter, arc filled with different heaps of voiatile, ter-rcdrial and aquatic animals, hardened by cold and per-feflly fecurc againft all corruption. Prodigious quantities of elks, flags, deer, goats, wild boars, hares, rabbits, fquirrcls and wild rats, geefc, ducks, patridges, pheafants and quiils are fecn there, as are alfo feveral kinds of game, not to be found in Europe. The Chinefe horfes have neither the ftrengfh, beauty, nor fwiftnefs of ours ; and the inhabitants of the country have not the art of breaking them properly : thofc in the military fcrvice are faid to be fo timid, that they betake tlien.felves to flight whenever they hear the neighing of the Tartar liorfes : bcfides, as they are not ftiod, their hoofs are foon dcftroyed; fo that, in fix years, the bcft horfe becomes unfit for fervlce. Camels, both wild and domeftie, are found in the north caft part of China, and the fat found in the bunches of the wild camels, which is named hunch-oil^ is much ufed in the Chinefe medicine. There arc feveral fpecics of apes in China. A fpecies named ßv-ßn, differ from the reft in their fize, being equal to that of an ordinary man. They walk witli facility on their hind legs; and all their adlions have a fingulaf conformity to thofe of the human fpceies. The moft beautiful quadruped of China is a flag, which lä about the fize of our middle-fi2.cd dogs. The princes and mandarins buy tliem at an cxceffive priec, and keep tlwm as curiofuies io their gardens. Tlicy have alf» another fpecics, of an enormous fizCj vhich they call the horfe-ßng. Iti China is alfu found the mufi-decr, or as the Chlttirfe c.-ill it tly'i hlang-ichang-tfc. Tliis aiutml is very coinmoji, and is met with, not only in the fouthern provinces, but allVi in thofc which are to (he weft of Pe-kin, but tlic fincft arc found in the kingdom of Thibet: it has no horns; and the colour of its hair, which is lo!\g and rough, an-proac]:es near to black or dark brown; under thübelly and tail it is white. The bag which contains its niufk, which is found Jn l-be male only, is formed of a very thin membrane covercd with a kind of hair exceedingly fine and fofr, and formed on the holly. The flefli of the female deer is well-taikd, and is fervcd up at the moft delicate tables of theChinele. The Jefuits inform us that in the thick forcftsofTar-tary, to the nort!i of the great wall, there is found a fpe-cies of ßying-fox. They dcfcribe his wings as being only thin membranes, which extend from one foot to another, and reach to lus tail. This animal never flies but by darting himfelf from the top of one tree to another, which is lower: he has not the power of raifing himfcif, and of flying as he mounts. A kind ofßying-mt they fay is alfo feen near Kem-ouai : it is larger than a common raf, and has wings like thofe of the fox already mentioned ; it is doubtful whether either of thefe arc any thing elfe than diffcrL^nt fpecics of the flying fquirrels. China lias birds of every fpecies: eagles, falcons, pelicans, birds of paradifc, fwans, ftorks and paroquets, which are iufctior to thofe of the Weft-Indies neither in the variety nor beauty of their plumage, nor in the facility With which they learn to fpcak. Infeits of almoft every fpecies are found in Chiiw, and the butterflies or rather moths found on the mountain Z/-fiou-ckan, fmiated in the province of ^uang-tong, are fo ouith priitd, tliat üiey ai-e lent tu cyuiC. 'l^bey ai'8 ui' L 1 'J> greater fizc than thofc of Europe, their wings are much bj'oadLT, their colours are variegated in an extraordinary manner, and they have a lurpririjig brightnefs. Thefe butterflies or moths remain ino(ionle(s on the trees iji the day-time, and they fufFer themfclves to be taken without difHculty. In the evening, they begin to flutter about, almoil: in the fame manner as bats, whjch fome of them feem to etjual in fize, on account of the extent of tlieir wings. 'I'he Chinefe alfo boaft much of the butterflies found o;i the mountains called Sl-chan, in the province qf Pe-tchdl 'i but they are fmall, and not fo much valued as thole of the mountain Lo-feou-chan. The filk infe£ts are different from filk-worms, refem-ble caterpillars, and are fo.und in great numbers oix the trees and in the fields of che province of Chang-tsng. They propagate without any care, and feed indifcrimi-nately on the leaves of the mulberry, and on thofe of other trees. They do not fpin their filk circularly and in the fame manner as common fillt-worms, which form theirs into balls: they produce it in filaments and long threads, which, being carried away by the wind, are caught by the trees and bufhes: the Chinefe colleiSi: thefe threads, and make a kind of ftufF of tliem, called kien-tcheouy inferior in hiftre to thofe manufactured of common filk; it niig]-it be taken at firft fight, for coarfe woollen ftufF or drugget: it is, however, much eftcemed in China, and fold there fometimes for more than the richeft fattin. This ftufF is clofely woven, it never cuts, lafts very long, wallies Hice linen, and, when manufadtared with care, is fearce fufceptible of being fpottecl, even with oil. The infv'Cts which produce this fmgular filk are of two kinds ; one larger and blacker than filk-worms, and called//fl«^'»-kien-, the other linaller, and known by the name of i'fO' I'isr.. The filk of the firft fpccies of thefe worms is of a reddifli grey ; that of the fecond is blacker, and the clotli jnade of thern partakes of both thefe colours. Ou-roEY-TSE. This is a name which the Chincfo give to a kind of ncfls made by certain infcfts upoii the leaves and branches of the tree called yen-jowtje. Thcfe iiefts ai-e much iifcd in dying, and the phyficians employ them in medicine. Some of thcfe nefts were brought to Europe, and put into the hands of the celeliiated Mr. Geolfroy, who, after having examihed them with the utinoft attention, thought he perceived fome conformity in them to thofe excrcfcenccs which grow on the leaves of the elm, and which the peafaiitry call dm hIadJers; he found thefe nefts fo fliarp and aftringent to the tafte, that he confiJered them as far fuperior to every other fpecics of galls ufed by the dyers. The Chinefc are however fatisficd that infefts which produce a kind of wax, con-ftruit for themfelves on the branches and leaves of Cliis tree tliefc little retreats, where they wait for the time of their metamorphofis, or, at leaft, depofit in fafety their eggs, which compofe that fiiie dull with whicli the cu-focy-lje are filled. Some of the ou-pocy-ife arc as large as one's fift; hut thefe are rare, and are generally produced by a worm of extraordinary flrength, or which has aliociatcd with another, as tv/o filk-worms are fometimes feen ÖiuC up in the lame ball. The fmalltiit ou-poty-tjc arc about the fize of a chefnut; and in form either round or oblong ; at firfl: thev arc of a dark green colour, which afterwards changes to ydlow ; and the hufk, tJiough pretty firm, becomcs then very brittle. The Chinefe peaEnits collea thcfe ou-poey-tfe before tlie firfb hoar-frolts. They tako care to kill the worm inchifcd in the hu(ks, and for this purpofe expofe them for fomc time, to the fleam of boiling water. The Bit-pocy-lfe are uftid at Pckin, for giving paper a durable and deep-black colour; i» tj,e provinces of Kiang-nan and Tclie-kiang, where a great deal of beautiful fattiji Is madg, they are employed for dying tlic filk before it is put on tiic loom. The Chiiicfe literati alfo blackcn their beards with theni w^hcn tJicy bccomc white. The mcclicinal propeitles of the m-poty-lßy if v/c can believe the Chiiiefa phyficians, are very numerous» l^hcy introduce them into the coinpofition of many of their remedies. They recommend them as an excellent fpecific for curing infiainmatiuns and ulcers, and for countcracfing the cffečfs of poifon; and they fay they employ them with fuccefs in the dropfy, phthifis, cpilepfy, catanhs, ficlcncfs, fluxions of the eyes and cars, and in many other diforders. It is inipoßible to give a lift of the different kinds of fift to be found in the lakes, rivers and feas of Cliina. The mijTionaries, to whom we are indelited for the greater part of tlie knowledge we have concerning this empire, have not thi'own fuffieient light upon, any branch of natural hirtory. They, however, allure us, that they ohterved in China moll: of the diffcrcjit kinds ftcn in Europe; -befides which there is a filh called tcha-hla-yu-, or the filh in armour, which the Chinefe liighly cliecm. They give it this name, becaufe its body is defeiuUd by fharp fcales, ranged in ftraight lines. The fleih of this fiöi is very white, arid it taftes almoft like veal. It generally weighs forty pounds. When the weather is fine, they catch another kind of fifli, fo extremely white, that it is called thaflour-fiß}. It is, above all, remarkabk for its black eye-ball?, which appear as if fet in two circles of the mofl brilliant fdver. Tliis fiili is found i" fuch abundance iwi the coaft of the province of Kiang-na», that four hundred pounds weight of them are fomctimes taken at one haul with a net. The coafls of the province of Tche-klang fwann with a. fpccies of fifh which have a great refemblancc to the Newfoundland cod: an incredible quantity of them is confumcd oji the fca coaft of Fo-kien, belidcs what arc faltcd on the fpot, to be tranfported to the interior parts of the country. They are taken from the acts, and ftowcd iii tlie IiolJs of the veflois, between layers of fjlt, and, not-wirhftaiidiiig ttie cxceffive lieats, they ;irt; thus tranrportcd to the remote ft provinces of the; empire. The miffioiiiiries fprak of nnothcr kind of flfh, th= figure of which is as rioi^Lihif as it Is frightful and diCgulU ijig. The Chiticfc, tliey call it hal-fmg; it makes one of their favorite dilhes; and tlierc is fcarcely any entertainment given at whidi it is not fcivc-d up- It is generally leen floating near the fca-coafts of Chang-tong nnd Fo-kien, where tlie mifliunaries at full: took It for a lump of iiumimatc matter; but, hiivlng made foinc of the boys belonging to their veflel catch it, they perceived that this fliapelcfs mafs w-s a living and organized being. It fwara about in the tub itUo which they fitft threw it, and lived for a lontr time. The Chinde failors informed the O iniJTtonarics, that this fifli has four eyes aiul fix feet; but, on examining it with attentLon, tficy could only difcover two places where it appeared to have fight: for it feemed fraid when any thing approacbcd them. If every thing that enables t'lie hai-feng to move Is to be confidered as feet, a number of fmall cxcrcfcences, like buttons, dif-perfcd over its body, may be accounted as fuch. It has no bones, and it dies on being prelTed. This fi(h is eaßly preferved, when put into fait; and it is tränfported in that maimer, and fold ns a delicacy throughout the whola empire : it docs not, however, appear to have been much relinked by the miflsonarics. The Chinefe have a falt-%vatcr fi(h which they call ming-fou-you, that is literally the ßjh zuhb a bright helly. It has a round head, and a mouth like the beak of a faU con. It has eight legs round its head, but neither fcales, tall, nor bones. The Gcsgraphy of MouUen adds, tliat it has two tufts of a beard, which rcfcmble two bunchcs of cord, which it ufes to attach itfelf to the bottom of th« ft^a» or to a rockj durin^T a ftormj or when tlic waves a« 3 too ftrong or too much agitated ; hence fprings the name iiimri, which the Mantchcw Tartars give it, fignifying « moored bari. The fmall fifh called gold and filver fifli, are kept by the Chinefc for ornament in fmall ponds in their gardens and courts. In warm countries thefe fi(h multiply fafl:, provided carc is taken to collcčl: their fpawn, which floats on the water, and which they almoft entirely devour. This fpawn the Chinefe put Into a particular veffel ex-pofed to the fun, and prefervc there until vivified by the heat: gold-fifhj however, feldom multiply when they arc kept In clofe vafes, hecaufe they are then too much confined. In order to render them fruitful, they muft be put Into refervoirs of conridorable depth, in fomc places at Icaft, and which are conftantly fupplied with frefli water. At a certain time of the year a prodigious number of barks are fecn on the great river Yang-tfe-kiang, which go thither to purchafe the fpawn of thefe fifli. Towards the month of May the neighbouring inliabitants fhut up the river in feveral places with mats and hurdles, and leave only a fpace in the middle fufRcient for the paffagc of barks. The fpawn of the fifn, which the Chinefc can diftinguifii at firft fight, although a ftranger could perceive no traces of it in the water, is flopped by thefe hurdles. The water mixed with fpawn is then drawn up, and after it has been put into large veflcls, it is fold to merchants, who tranfport it afterwards to every part of the empire, and difpofc of it by meafurc to thoib who ar« defirous of ftockiiig their ponds and refervoirs. VIEW OF the POPULATION AND GOVERNMENT of CHIN A: population. 'NE of thofc things which have been thought the moft incredible by Europeans in accounts of China, is its cx- tcnfive population, but which does not appear to liave been much exaggerated. Father Amiot toolc great pains to ijiveftigatc this fubjc£l, and fixed the population of China in 1743 at two hundred millions, and though we cannot agree with his rcafoning on diflerent fetements, it wiii be impoHibte to put his account back more than twenty mi!- lious, if fo much. We pollefs, however, a more complete enumeration, taken from the accounts of the tribunal of lands, received in France in 177g. By this enumeration it Jippears that the population of China in 17&1, was as follows : Provi.icc of Pe-tcheli, Ivcluding Leas-tong IS>S9i,793 Kiang-naii, two divffms - " 45i922,439 Ki-Jng-f, _ . - 11,006,640 Fo-kien . - 8,063,671 Iche-iciang _ - - 15,429,690 Hou-quang - - - Si,819,320 J\1 m Ho-nan, Jws divißons Cbang-tong - - - Chan-f< - . ■ - 9,768,189 Cheii-fi, incluf/iijg han-fm - 14,699,457 Se-tchucn 2,782,976 Q^iang-tong 6'797>597 Quang-fi - - - Yim-nan - 2,07^,802 Koei-tcheou 3,402,722 ToEal 198,214,553 This rcgifter was accomp^iniEd with a comparative fbte-ment of the population In the preceding year, 1760, iji which the immbcrs were dated at 196,837,977 ; tlici-e was therefore an ijicreafc of 1,376,576 in the coiirfc of one year ojily. But, upwards of thirty years have elapfed fince t'le cpoclia of this numeration ; and, as there caji be no doubt of the population of China havijig, for a long time paft, been progreffively increafing, we prefunic, that this empire contains at prefjnt upwards of two hundred and twenty millions of inhabitants. It will, no doubt, be allowed, that there is no empire in the univerfe v/hich contains fo many people united in the fame focietv, and cnverneJ by the f.imc laws. SOVEKr-ign' authority. No monarch in Europe poffcfiTes power fo unlimited as tbc ibvereign of this numerous nation. All autliority 'S veiled in him alone: he is the iindif]iutcJ mafter of the lives of his fubjeiis, and thus placed iii a fituation to become t!ie j^reatel} tyrant in the world. No fentence of death pronounced by any of the tribunals can be executed without his'confcnt. Every vcrdu^ in civil aftairs is fuhje^t to the fame revifion ; and no de-tcrmlnaiioji is of any forcc until it has been confirmed by his afijJil. On the C3ntr:;ry, whatever ftiitence hepafii'» is raccutcd without diiky. His ediiSts are rcfpected througli-out the whole empire as though they proceeded Jroni a divinity, and are iinnicdiatcly puhliflisd and rcgiflcrcU without tili; lead: remonfli-ance. This ablblute power iji the head of the Chinele empire appears to be as ancicnt as the empire itlcif, ajid all tlie revolutions which have taken place have tended to confirm it. The emperor alone has tile difpofal of all the officcs of ftate; whp are v.;h(jlly dependeni on his pleafure. No cm-ployinejit is however purchufud in China; merit, for the moli part, railes to place, and rank is attached to plate only; thus whatever may be the dcfpotic power of the cm-pcior, the government has an eminent advantage over moll of the governments of Europe : the cilices and honours of which are as liücable as their other mercantile commodities. Qn this principle, of merit only i^naiifying for office, the emperor has the right of choofmg a fucceffor either among his children, the refl: of his family or from among his own fnhje£ls; thus Chun, prime minifter of the emperor Yao, was chofen by that monarch to fucceed him, OJi account of his fuperior abilities. . Should the fuccefibr named by the emperor be wanting in that refpsaful fubmiffion which he coiiceivcs is due to him, or manifc-ft ibme natural weakuefs of which lie was "■)t before Cufpedled, the (Uitig hand that raifed him to-V/ards the throne can remove him from his exalted ftation. in fuch cafc another fucceflor is chofen, and the former is entirely forgotten. The emperor Kang-hi, one of thelateft an4 belt of the Chinefe emperors, thus excluded his dd.(l fon frpm the throne, though he had once nominated hiai his fuccefibr. A prince of the blood is generally elteemed in China; yet the emperor can prevent thofe fri>"'> affiiming that title who have a natural I'ight to it, but if they are permiti'-'d enjoy their rank, th.ey have neither iniluence nor powci; , ihcy pofllfi a ijvenue proportioned tu their di^jaity ; ind ' M m 2 have a palace, ofEcers and court; but they have lefs nittlio-rity than the lowcft of the mandarins. The mandarins, whether ofletters, or of arms, compofe exactly what are called in flurope the nobility, 'I'Jiere are only two ranks in Chinn, the nobility and the people, but the former is not hereditary. Thcfe mandarins may iji cafes of neccility, remonftratc with the emperor, either itidividu-aliy or as a body, upon any action or omiflion on his part which may be contrary to the interefts of the empire. Their remonftrances are fcldoin ill received, but the emperor referves to himfclf the right of paying that attention to them which he thinks they deferve. From this view of the fovereign authority, it is evident that nothing limits its power ; but the emperors find, even in this extent of power, the ftrongefl motives for not abufing it. Their private intcrcft, and that of the nation, are in-feparably united: and one cannot be coiifulted without the other. The Chincfe confidcr their monarchy as a large family, of which the emperor, who ought to govern with parental affečiion, is the head. The prince himfelf, in his education, imbibes the fame principles ; and it mini be admitted, that no country was ever ruled by more good jjrinccs, or ever produced fewer bad—Such arc the fruits of the education they receive, and fuch is the leffon which this nation holds out to all thofe who are friends to a monarchical form of government. China contains about fifteen thoufand mandarins of Ict-terf, and a fHll greater number who afpire to that title. Their influence mufl: be very powerful, fmcc it ti'i*" umphed over the Tartars, who conquered China, who fubmittcd to the laws and cuftoms, ajid, what is flill morcj adopted the character and genius of the people whom they fubječlcd. makdarins of letters. To arrive at this degree, it is nccefTary to pafs through feveral others j fuch as th;vt of bachelor or tjai)-, o ^ licentiate {hm-girt), and of dodor {tßng-Jsü). Tlie two jirll", however, are only ahfolutely neceilary; but even thofc Oil whom the third is conferred, obtain for a time only the government of a city of the fecond or third chifs. There arc eight orders of mandarins 1» China. The firfl is chat of the calao. Their number Is not fixed : but wholly depends on the will of the prince. Miiiifters of ftate, prcfidents of the fiipreme courts, and all the fuperior officers of the militia, arc chofen from among this order, the chief of which is called fA««^/?«»^, an4 is prefideat of the esnperor's council. From the fecond order of mandarins, called tc-hiaß^ are fele£ted-ihe viccroys and prefidents of the fupreme councils of the different provinces. Tcbottg-chueOi or ßhaol cf mandannSy is the title given to the third order; one of the principal fundions of which is to ad as fscretaries to the emperor. The mandarins of the fourth order, ftyltd y-tchum-iaOy when no particular government is entrutted to them, or v/hen they belong to no fixed tribunal, have to keep in repair the hasbours, royal lodging-houfcs, and barks of which the emperor is proprietor, in their diftrift. The fifth order, ping-pi-tao, liave tlie infpcflion of the troopr-The fixth, tun-lien-haoy liave the tare of the hi;rhw.iys. The feventh, or ho-iaa, have the fuperintcndence of the livers ; and the eighth, itikd hai-tas, that of the f;a-coa(ls. I'l ftiort, the whole adminiftration of the Chinefe empire is entnided to the mandarins of letters ; from among who;Ti are cbofcn the governors of provinces, of cities of the firll, fecond and third clafs, and the prefideats and members of all the tribunals. The homage which the people pay to every mandarin 'in oHice is nearly equal to that paid to the emperor. For as it is the received opinion of the t^hincfe, that their monarch is the father of the wJioIe empire, I'o it is their opinion tliat the governor of a pro- vince is tile father oi" that piovincc, and that tlie mandarin who is governor of a city is alio tbc Lthcr of tiut citj-. mandarins of arms. The mand,n-ins of aims arc never indulged with the fr.ia!!-eft Iharc in the government of the ftatc ; even the infpeiEtion of tile troops, as we Imve before obferved, belongs to a tlafs of ths mandarins of letters : however, to be admitted to the rank of ninndui in of arms, it is nectfliiry, as for that of mandarin of letters, to have pafičd througli three degrees. Strength of body, agility in perforniing tlie different military exercii'es, and a readinefs in comprehending and executing orders, are all that is required; and in thefo eonfift the various cxaniijiations which cajididates arc obliged to undergo before they can be admitted to that rank. The mandarins of arms have tribunals, the members of which are fclecftd from ntnong their chiefs. The principal of thtfe tribunals is fixed at Pe-kin, and is compofed of five different clafles.—The firft, named Heou-fou, formed from the mandarins of the j-eur guard. .—^The fecond, called Tfa-fou, formed of the mandarins of ^he left wing—"I'he third, named Yeou-fou, forined of the mandarins of the right wing.—Tlie fourth, called Tchong-fou, compofed of the mandarins of the advanced main guard.—The fifth, called Tfien-fou, confifts of the mandarins of the advanced guard. Thefe are fubordijiate to a fuprcme tribunal of war, likewife cftabhfhed at Pe-kin, called long-tching-fou, the prcfident of which is one of the great lords of the empire, v/hofc authority extends over all the officers and foldiers of the array. This prefident has a mandarin of letters, who is a fuperintendent of arms, for an aflcfTor. tie has alfo for coimfcllors two infpCc^rs named by the'emperor. When thefe four perfons have agreed upon any meafurej, Cieii- refolutioii muft beiubmitted to che rcvifion of another fupreme coiii't, called Plng-fou, and whidi is entirely of a civil nature. And fuch is tke jcaloufy occafioned by mi-Jitary power, that the Ping-pou has under its jurifdi£tion the whole militia of the empire. The power of the chicf mandariri of arms in the field is eciiiivalcnt to that of our commanders ia chief. Under him he has a ccrtiiin number of others who ad as lieutenant-generals ; other mandarins uifchargc the dutj' of colonels ; others tliiit of captaijis; and laftiy, others that of lieutenants and eiifigns. There are reckoned in China between eighteen and twenty thoufajid mandarins of war : their number confe-(]uently is fLiperior to that of the mandarins of letters; hut the importance of the latter makes them confidered as the principa! body of the empire. forces, military discipline, arms of the troops, different kinds of fortifications,&c. ■ . T!ie troops of the Chinefc empire amount to more than fevcn hundred thouüind. The pay is about two-pence halfpenny, in fine filvcr, and a meafure of rice, per day. The pay of a horfeir.an is double that of a foot foldier. The emperor f^rniflies a horfc, and the horfeman receives two measures of fmall beans for his daily fubfiftencc. All arrears of the officers or men arc paid every three moiitlis, and nothing is left due to the troops beyond that term. The bcft foldiers of this empire arc collefted from the three northern provinces. Thofe fuppliL-d by the reft are feldom called forth: they remain quietly with their familieS) enjoy their pay, and have feldom occafion to remember chat they are foldiers, c::ccpt when ordered to quell an inCurreclioii, accompany a mandarin governor, or to appear at a review. At every review their arms are carefully iinfpe^ted. Thofe of tiic cavalry confift of a helmet, a cuirafs, a lane; large fabre. Foot foldiers arc anncd with a pike and ifabre ; fame with fiifees, atid others with bows and arrows. If any of thcfc arc found in bad condition, or in the ]üa^^ rufled, the neg!e£l is puniflicd by thirty or forty blov/s with a (Irick, if the culprit is a Chincfe; or with as many laflies, if he is a Tartar. Bcfides the fuperior officers of thefc troops, whom we have already mentioned, there arc twenty-four captaiiis-gcncral, and as many colonels of horfc, crcated by the Tavtai's, as a kind of infpcflors appointed to watch over the conduct of the Chinefe officers. Though there is reafon to believe that the ufe of artillery is very ancicnt in Chijia, it appears to have been tu-tally loft about the beginiiing of the laft century. Three or four cüjinons were to be feen at the gates of Nan-kiii but not a fnigle Chinefe at that period was to be found who knew bow to ufe them. In 1621, when the city of Macao made a prefent of three pieces of artillerv to the emperor, it was found neccflary to fend three men alfo to load and fire them. The Chi^iefe were then made fcnfible that artillery might be employed with great fuccefs pgaiiift the Tartars, who, having advanced as far as the bottom of the great wall, had been inftantly difperfed by the three cannons fcnt from Macao. The mandarins of arms therefore gave it as their opinion, that cannons were the beft arms they could ufe againft tiefe barbarians: but the difficulty was in procuring them, the Chinefe fcarcely knew how to point and (ire a great gun; and much lefs the art of cafting them. F. Adam Schaal, a Jefuit niiffionary, however, rendered them this fervice. And fomc time after. Father Vtrbiefl, another Jefuit miflionary, undertook, by order of the emperor, to caft a new fet; and, it is faid, that he raifed the Chinefe artillery to the number of three hundred and twenty pieces j he alfo taught them the method of fortifying towns, of CQnftru£ting fortrcfles, and oferc£liiig other edifices, according to tlic rules of modern architecture. • * . -«i*-' I r r r:. , % • i>i . - .-.«fV... - .' • - , ■ 'A'". The Jefuits fent from Europe to China were not only zealous mi ITioiiaries, büt tlicir zeal was united with talenta which jirocureJ them aJmiflion to the centre of an empire, till then fliut againft: every ftrariger. There are reckoned in China more than two thouf.tnd places of arms, divided into fix different clafies; viz. fix hundred of the firfb; five huiidreJj and upwards, of the fecond; three hundred of the third; about an equal number of the fourth; an hundred a.nd fifty of the fifth ; and three hundred of the laft. To thefe may be added about three thoufand towers, or cafties, difperfed throughout the whole empire, all of which are defended by garri-fons. The fortrelTes of China derive their principal ftrength from their fituation, which, in general, is well chofen. They have, befides a rampart, a brick-wall, towers, and a ditch filled with water. Nature hath fortified a great extent of the frontiers of this empire; the fea borders fix of the provinces; but it is fo fliallow towards the fhore, that large vefll-lscannot approach it: inaccefiible mountains cover it on the weft, and the remaining part is defjndcd by the great wall. This ftupendous monument of human art ami indiiftry excccds every thing that v/e read of in ancient hiftory. The pyramids of ligypt are little, when compared with a wall which covers three large provinces, {tretches aiong an extent of fifteen hundred miles, and is of fuch an enor-nious thick.nefs, that fix: horfemen may eafily ride abreaft upon it. It is flanked with towers, two bow-fliots diftant one from the other, which add to its Itrength, and render it much cafier to be defended. One third part of the able bodied men of China were erfiployed in conftrucHng thiä Wall, and the workmen were ordered, under pain of death, to place the materials of which it is compofed fo 'Clofely, that the leaft entrance might not be K-ft f(jr nny inftrument N n GOVERNMENT ot-' iron. This precaution cotitributed much to the foliuity of the work, which isftHl iti a great meafure entire, thougfi builc two thoufa.ntl years ago. This celebrated wall is not onlycarrtcd throughthclow lands and valleys,butalft» over hills, and up the fteep brows of the higheft mountains. F. Verbieft, who had the ciiriofity to take the altitude of One of thofe upon which part of it is built, found that St was one thoufind and thirty-fix feet above the level of the fpot u[wn which he flood. The execution of this v/ork, therefore, muft have coft imnienfe labour, fince It was often neceffiiry to tranfport the materials, of which it is, confcuited, through a defart country, and to convey them to enii;iences inacccfliWe to horfes or carriages-Father Marthu, in his Chinefe Atlas, fays that this wall-begins at the Gulph of Leao-tong, and reachcs to the mountains near the city of Kin, on the Yellow River j and that, betv/een thefe two places, it meets with no interruption, except to the north of the city of Suen, in tiie province of Pe-tcheli, where it is intercepted by a ridge of hideous and inacceflible mountains, to which it in cloiely united, and by the river Ho-ang-ho, which pafles through it in its courfe to the fea. He adds, that for other rivers of inferior ftze arches have hecii conftruitcd, liicc thofc of a bridge, through which they find a paflage. It has no kind of fapport but what is iifually given to ordinary walls, r.nd it is alrnoft of the fame focm, not only where it flrctchcs acrofs plains, which are very rare in that country, but even where it is carried over hfgh Hio'intains. An intelUgcnt traveller (Mr. i5tll],who, iis 1719, accompanicd Capt.' Ifmailof ;n Iiis enüially to Fe-kin, teüs us, tlist it is cai'ried acrofs rivers, and over thtf tops of the higheft hills, without the leart interruption» keeping nearly along that circular ridge of barren rocks which inclofcs the country; aivd, after running about twelve hundred miles, ends in impaliable mountains and fcndy dcfai-ts. Accoi'ding to his account, the foundat:»:^ tonfifla of large blocks of fquare flones bid Iti mortiir; but all the reft is conih'ucted of brick. The whole is ib ftrong, and well built, that it fcarcdy needs any repairs, and, in fuch a dry climate, may reniaiji in the fame condition for many ages. When carried over ftecp rocks where no horfe cau pafs, it is about fifteen or twenty feet high, and broad in proportion ; but when running through a valley, or crofling a river, you behold a Urong wall, about thirty feet high, with fquare towers atccrtain inter-i-als, and embrafures at equal diftarxes- The top of the wall is flat, and paved with cutflonei and where it rifes over a rocli. or eminence, there is an afcent by eafy ftunc ttairs. He adds—" This wall was begun and completely finiflied in the fliort fpace of five years ; and it is reported, the " labourers flood fo clofe for many miles, that they could " hand' tlie materials from one to anotlier. This 1 am the " more incHned to' believe, as the rugged rocks among " which it is built mull have prevented all ufe of carriages ; « and neither clay for making bricks, nor any kind of cement, could be found among them."—This barrier, fince the re-union of the Tartars and Chinefe, is aimolt become ufeiefs. Tire Tartars, who perhaps have loft fome of their military ardour, form the flrongcft and braveli part of the Chinefe militia. Every Tartar born in the ordinary clafs is enrolled from his cradle, and when of age to carry arms oiuft be ready to take the field on the fhortelt notice. The emperor's fon, and every Tartar of diftinction muil tie acquainted with the management of a horfc, know how to handle a bow and itrrow, and to perform, at Icift, tlic elementary evolutions. superior tribunals. The principal of tliefetribunals istiie Emperor's Grand Council, compofed of all the niinifters of ilate i prefidents afTeilws of the fix fovercign courts, of whic'i we arc GOVERNMENT abjut to fpeak, and of thofe of three other tribunals, which we fhall alfo havcoccalion to mention. This council is never afiembled baton affairs of the greateft importance, for in ordinary cafes, the Emperor's Piivate Council is fubftituted for it. The fix other fuperlor tribunals of China are efta-blifhecl, liice the preceding, at Pc-kiji, under the general denoininLition af teou-pou- The firrt is callcd/n-^s«. This tribuna! furniflies mandarins for the diffLTcnt provinces, watches over their conduct, keeps ajournal of their tianf-actions, and informs the emperor of them; who puiilQies or rewards according to its report. This tribunal is fubdivided into four otliers. The firft has the care of felcčling perfons who, on account of their learning, talents, and morals, are proper for filling the different offices under government. The fecond has the examining of the condufl: of the mandarins. The third affi.xcs a fen! to all public aßs, gives to each of the mandarins the fsals belonging to his dignity and employment, and examines the fcals of the different difpatch-es addrelled to the court. The fourth inquires into the merit and condu£l of the grandees of the empire, as well princes of the imperial blood, as others on whom titles merely honorary are conferred. The principal objcft of the Chincfe government in this eftablifhment is, that the different departments be properly infpe£led, every tranf-ačtion be thoroughly inveftigatcd, fuitablc rewards given to the deferving, and punifhnient inflicted on the guilty adequate to their crimes. Hiu-pou is the name of the fecond court. This tribunal has the fuperintendcnce of all the finances of the ftatf. It is the guardian of the treafures and domains of the em-j-eror: it keeps an account of his revenues and expences, gives orders for the payment of penfions and falaries an--rexed to certain offices, and for the delivery of rice, pieces of filk, and money, which are diftributed among the gress* lords, and manJarlns of the empire. The coining of money, the management of public magazines, and cuftom-houfes, ami the collcöion of the duties, are al! undci- its infpečlion ; it likcwife keeps an cxait regiftcr of the families that compofc this vaft empire. This court has to aiTifl: it fourteen other inferior courts, which arc dlfperfud throughout the different provinces of China. The third court, called Li-pou-, is the court of Cerc-inonies. Ceremonies form, in part, the hafis of the Chi-iicfc government. It is the duty of this tribunal, therefore, to fupport, and enforce the obfervance of them ; the arts and fciences are alfo placed under its tnfpcčlion, and it takes charge of the repairs of temples, regulates every thijig that relates'to the annual nicrificcs ofl'ercd up by the emperor, and even to the entertainments which the emperor gives; he alfo confults it when he is about to grant favours, or confer honors. This 'I'rihunal alfo icceivcs, lodges, treats and difniilTcs ambafladors; and takes care to preferve tranquility among the different religious feds tolerated in the empire. It has four fabaltcrn tribunals to affift it. The Tribunal of Arms, called Ptng-pon, forms the fourth fovcreign court. It comprehends ux its jurifdifti-on the whole militia, and all the fortrefles, arfjnais, maga-■'■lines and ftorehoufes of every kind ; it infpe£ts all the nanufadtoj ics of arms, examines and appoints officers of every rank, and is compofcd of mandarins of letters only, are the four tribunals dependent on it. The fifth fuperior tribunal, named Hong.poii, is the Criminal Bench, or General Court for all the Criminal Affairs of the Empire, Fourteen other tribunals arc ap-poitited for Its aflillance ; but they are all fubordinate, and under its infpcöion. The fixth fovcreign court, named Cong^po,,, or the / I'uhlic Works, has the charge <,f lin-vcying iina keeping in repair the palaccs of the emperor, princes and viceroys, the buildings wliere the tribunals are held, the temples, tombs of the Ibvereigns, and all otlier pub-lie monuments. It has, likewifc, the fuperintendence of the ftrcEts, public highways, bridges, lake?, rivers, barks> and every thing that relates to navigation ; and a!fo, of the towers deemed necellary for maintaiaisig pcacc and fafety in the interior parts of the empire. It lias four inferior tribunals for a Jilbnts in the difeharge of its duty. 'I'hc firlt, forms defigns and draws plans of public works ; the fccond, has under its direction all the workfhops in the different cities of the empire ; the third, iurveys caufeways, roads, bridges, canals, rivers, &c. and the fourth, takes care of the emperor's palaces, gardens and orchards, and receives their produce, 'I'iie members which conipofe all thefe different infe-jior tribunals arc half Cliiiiefe and half Tartars ; and each has two prefidejits, one of which is always a Tartar born. None of thefc tribunals have abfolute power in their own jiirifdii^tion : the dsciRons of one can have no effcSHon of the whole empire: its members have the power of remonftrating with tlie emperor, whenever the intereit of the public, or that of the priticc, renders it .neceflkry. Their infpeftlon extends alfo over all lawyers and military men, in puhlic eniployrnents, "nd over every clafs of citizens. In fliort, they arc, ftrictly fjicaking, places! between the prince and the mandarins between the mandarins and the people; bctweeir the people and families; between families and individuals; and Ihey unite, generally fpeakiiig, to the Imporunce of their office the möft uncorruptible [irobity and invincible coii-ragc. The fovereign may, if he proceeds to rigour, take away their lives; but many of them have patiently fuf-fered death, rather tlian betray the caufe of truth, or wink abiifes. It is not therefore fuflicient to get rid of one, 'n ord^r to gain a point; they muft all be treated' in the fame maimer, for the laft. would tread with the fame rc-folution in the iteps of thofe who had gone before him. Titere is ftiu another tribunal, which exifts, we believe, no where but in China ; it is the tribunal of Priiices, ;md is compofed of princes only. Some of the ordinary mandarins indeed belong to it as fubalterns, whofe bufmefs is to draw cafes and other writings necffiVry for dctei-mining any The names of the chiMr^."!! of ll^e imperial family are iiifcribed, as foon as they are born, in tlie rcgiftcrs of this tribunal; and to it are configned the dignities and titles which the emperor confers upon thtm. This tribunal is the only court where they can be tried; and, in cafcs of accufation, it abfolves or puniflies them, according to its pleafure. There is anotlier tribunal no Icfs peculiar to China than the two preceding, but better known than either: it is the Tribunal of Hiilory, called Han-lin-yverh It is compofed of the greatcft gcniufes and of men of the mofl: profound erudition in the empire; to this tribunal is cntrufted the education of the heir apparent to the throne, and the compilation and arranging of the general hiftory of the empire. This lait part of their office makes them formidable even to the emperor himfclf; for his attempts to opprels, or feduce them, would be configned to hiftory, in fpite of all his efforts to the contrary. From this body are generally chofen the ca-laa^ or man-darisrs of the nrlt clafs, and tlie prefidents of the fuprcme tribunals. Civil Laws. The Ci\inefc have, taken moft of their civil laws from their canonical books of morality, and filial piety is their bafis. Sonie decrecs of the emperors, rcfpedfing the ob-fervance of certain ceremonies, which cuftom has cfta-bliflied, form the reft of the code. Every mandarin who is a governor of a provinco or city, is obliged, twice a month, to inftručl: the people afiijmbled round him, and to recommend to them tire ob-fervance of the following articles. I. You mull; pnt in practice the duties prtfcribed by filial piety, and obftrvc tliat deference which is due from a younger to an elder brother. By thefe means only can you learn to fet a proper value upyn tliofc oblis'-^tiojis which Nature impoll'S wn i^H men. ll. You muft always pveferve a refpcftful remembrance of your anceftors: hence will refuk conflant pcace and union ill your family. HI. Let harmony and concord reign throughout every village : by this, .quarrels will be baiiiflied, and law-fujts prevented. IV. Let thofc who cultivate the earth, and breed filk-worms be eftecmed and refpeitcd, you will then want neither grain for your nourifhment, nor clothing to covcr you. V. Let fi'ugality, temperance, modefty and prudent cconomv, bccome the objects of your refleiftion, and regulate your condufl- VI. Let the public fchools be carefully maintained ; and, shove all, let youth be inflrufled early in the duties of life, and formed to good morals. VII. Let every one attejid to his own bufinefs, and to the duties ofliis office: they will ther> be better dilcharged. VIII. Let religious fe£h be carefully extirpated as fcion as they fpring up: it might bs too late afterwards. IX. Let the terror of the penal laws be often held up tö the people. For rude and uatraflable minds can be I'eftrained by fear only. X. Endeavour to acquire a perfect knowledge of the rules of civility and poUtcnefs : thefe tend to maintain concord. XI. I^t the education of children, and particularly of younger foiis, be tlie principal objedt of your attention. XII. Avoid llander, and abftain from nsalicious accusations. ^Jil- Concejl none of thofe criminals who, on account of their crimes, iiave been bani!hed from fociety, and condemned to a wandering life: by concealing them, you become their accomplices. XIV. Be punftual in paying tlie duties and taxes Im-pofäd by the princc : this will free you from tlie opprefs O 0 Hon of thofc who colledi: them, and from \''Cxatious law-fuits. XV. Be careful to act in concert with the magiftratcs of the diftrict to which you belong, and to fecoiid thcif efforts in difcharging the duties of theif office : by thefe means, they will be enabled to detečl the guilty and to prevent robbery and theft. XVI. Rcftrain every fudden emotion of pafGon ; and you will avoid many dangers. From the manner in which thefc ordinances arc delivered, it is evident that the fovereigns of China give even to their laws and regulations the form of maxims and precepts. Every law in Europe is preceded by a preamble, fetting forth the reafon of enafling it; but in China the law invariably precedes the explanation of the motive. Thofe laws which concern marriage are very extenfive. A Chinefe can have only one lawful wife; and it is neceflkry that her rank and age fhould be nearly equal to his own ; but he may have fevcral concubines, without any formality whatever, except firft paying to their parents, if they have any, a certain fum of money, and entering into a written engagement to treat their daughters well. Thefe concubines are totally dependent on the lawful wife, their children are confidered as hers ; they addref9 her as mother, and give this title to her only. After her death, they are obliged to wear mourning for three years, and to abfent themfclves from public examinations, but the death of their natural mother fubjciRs them to the «bfervanee of none of thefc regulations. A widower, or a widow, may enter a fecond time into the matrimonial ftate without paying niuch attention to any of the preceding regulations. A widow who has children becomes abfolute miflrcfs of herfcif: her parents can neither compel her to marry again or to remain in a ftate of widowhood. Widows do not enjoy the fame privilege -when they have no male children. The parents of their firft htif-band can place them in marriage, -without their confent, or knowledge. They are authorifcd by the law to do thie, in order that they may indemnify themfelves, for the money they have coft their former huftands. This flriflly fpcaking is felling them: however, if they are left with child, this traffic is fufpended ; and it cannot take place if they bring forth a fon. To this law there are two exceptionsthe firft when the parents of the widow atTign her a proper maintenance, and rcimburfe tliofe of the deceafcd huihand ; the other, when the widow embraces a religious lift;, and becomes a bonzefs. Divorces are granted in China, In cafcs of adultery, mutual diflike, incompatibility of tempera and difpofi-tions, indifcretion, Jealoufy, abfolute difobcdience, fterility, or hereditary and infcčlious difcafcs. A hu(band cannot fend away or fell his wife, until a divorce has been legally obtained. If this regulation is not ftri£lly obferved, the buyer and feller become equally culpable. if a wife, acknowledged as lawful, withdraws from her family, the hultand fues ; fentence is pronounced, and he may fell the fugitive, who by this fentence cca,fes ta be his wife, and becomes his (lave. The law prote£ls alfo the wife who is abandoned by her hufband. If he abfcnts himfclf for three years, (he is at liberty to lay her cafe before the mandarins, who can authorife her to take another huiband, but if fhe anticipates their confcnt, ihe is cxpofed to the moft rigoroua puniaiment. O 0 a If a young woman has been bclrotlicdto a young marij and if prefcnts have been given nnd rcccivcd by the parsnts of the intended hufbnnd and wife, that young woman can have no other huftand, and If fhe marries another the law declares fuch marriage null. If, in the room of a young wonnan (hewn to ti\u female confidant whofe bufinefs is to make up the match, another be fubflitutcd ; or if tlie daughter of a free man marry his flavc ; or, if any one gives his flave to a free woman and perfuadcs her parents that he is his fon or relation the marriage is null and void ; and all thofe who have liad any iliare in carrying on the fraud are feverely punifhcd. Every mandarin of letters is forbid to marry into any family refiding in that 'province or city of which he is governor. The marriage is not valid if he trefpalfes againfl this law; and he himfelf is condemned to be feverely baftinadocd. It is unlawful for a Chinefe youth to marry while he wears mourning either for a father or mother. If pro-rnifes have been made prior to the death of his parent, every engagement ceafes upon that event, and the man is obliged to give information of it to the parents of his intended bride. Marriage is alfo fufpendcd when a family experiences any fcverc misfortune : fuch as a relation being thrown into prifon; but this regulation may be fet afide, provided he gives his confent. Two brothers cannot cfpoiife two fificrs ^ a widower is not at liberty to marry his fon with the daughter oi the widow whom he efpoufesj nor is a man permitted to marry any of his own relations, however diftant the degrees of confanguiiiity may be between them. Every father of a family is refponfible for the condučt of his children and domeflics. All faults are iffiputcd to liim which it was his duty to prevent. No mother in China ]ins the right of making a will. Adoption is aiithorifed by law, and the adopted cliild enters into all ths rights of a lawful foil, aftimes the name of the pcrfon who has adapted him, wears mourning, if he happens to die, bccomes his heir, and has a fliare of ins money and effefls, if any are left, as well as the reft of his children: a right only is referved to the father of making a few difpofitioas in their favour. Children, whether adapted or not, fuccccd to the eilatcs of the father, hut not to his dignity or titles: the emperor alone can continue or confer thele- Cuitom iias rectified anioi;g citi-icns of the higher and middling dafTes, a law which authorized a father to fell his foil, and the fale of children Is at prefent rather tolerated tiinn authorized among people of inferior rank, who Hre forbid to fell tliem to comcdians, or Co thofe of mCKji and profligate lives. A fon is always a minor during the life of his father, who is abfoUitE nialier of whatever he iias inherited from his anceflrors, or acquired by his own iadullry. A fo:i is liable for the debts contracled by his father, thofe of gaming excepted. A father's laft will cannot be fet afiJe on account of any error in the form. Slavery is autliorifed in Ctiina; but tlie power of the mafter is entirely confined to what concerns his ftrvice. He would be puniQied with death, were it proved, that had taken advantage of his power, to debauch the diiughter or wife of his flave. Nilmlbundmancanbe haralTed for the payment of taxes, after he lias begun to till the caith; that is fronl about the middle of fpring, to the begimiing of harvel}, •Such are, in general, the eftabliflied laws in China, le-lative to civil affairs. With regard to ccrtain temporary ediitsiflued by different emperors, it can only be faid many of them have difcovercd wifdom and aii stttntion to ths public wtl^^re ; and others would ccrtainly never have appeared, in a country where the pcrfons ijioft intereOcti li-aiJ poffcflcd any fliarc in the government, ien.\l laws, and pkocedüre in chimikal matters. Tlic tDodc of prncctlurc in criminal cafcs among tho Ciiincfc is exeetding flow ; and this, as tlie acciifcd per-fon is kept confiantly in prifon during the whole procefs, is a great evil, to fay the Jcall of it ; but this flowncfs bccomcs of[('n the fafcguard of tliofe who are unjudly ac-cufcd ; and tiine frequently unveils the truth, which muft always be unfa%'Our;iMc to the guilty. Every perfon accufcd is examined by five or fix tribunals eacli of them examines the procefs ^ and their in-quirios are not only direfled againft the accufed, but alfo the accnferand the witnefles. The Chinefc prifons arc not dungeons, difgufling with filth and obfcurity, like ihofe of many European nations: they are fpacious, and have a degree of convenience not generally found in fuel) places. A mandarin is obliged to infpei5t them, and to fee prifoners properly treated, to fend for phyficians, and to fupply them vith remedies at the emperor's expcnce. If a prifoncr dies, the mandarins muft inform the em-pcroT, who oi'tcn orders fome of ihe higher mandarins to cxamin.' whfihiT he has faithfully difcharged his duty. 'I he diiFcrtnce ot the Chintfe punifhments is regulated by tiie dilTerenr degrees of d^.linquency. Some of them Tvill appear, however, exceedingly fcvcre and rigorous, as no doubt they are. The flighicft of all their punilliments Is the hafihadQt nfcd only for chanifing thnfc guilty of trivial faults. The crii-ninality of the oficnder determines the number of blows %vhich he receives, but the loweft uumbcr i&tvk'cnty. The emperor otders tins punifhment to be inflifled upon fome of his courtiers ; but this does not prevent them from Ijeing afterwards received into favour. The baton, or pan-tßf, ufed for this puniaiment, is a piece of bamboo, a little flatted, broad at the bottom, and polifhed at the upper extremity. Every mandarin has nuiherity to life it at pkafiire, \vhcn ar.^r one forgets to falute him, or when he adininiitCTs public jurticc. On fucli occafions, he fits gravely behind a table, upon whicli is a bng filled with fiiiall flicks, wiiilc a nii.mber tft'petty officers Oand round him, cach fiirnillicd M-jrh fomc ot thefe pan-tjies, and waiting only for his fij^nal to make ufe of them. The mandarin takes from the bag one of thofe flicks which it contains, and throws it into tiie hall of andience. The culprit is then fcizcd, and flretched out, with his belly towards the ground ; Iiis brecehcs are pulled down to his heels, and an athletic domeftic applies five fmart blows of his pnn-tjie; another fuc-ceeds, and beftows five more, if the mandarin draws another fmall baton from tlie ba;:, and tlius, by gradation, until he is pleafed to make no more (ignals. The offender, Nvhohas undergone this chaltifomcnt, muit then throw him-felf on his knees before the judge, incline his body ihr« times to the earth, and /hank him far the care zvhir/j he iiihs of bis education. It is difficult to conceive liow a peo-pie not the tkipes ot the moft abjeft flavery and fiiperfti-fion, can be brought quietly to fubrait to this avbitiary fxertiori of power. ^ The punifliment of the wooden collar is alfo ufcd in China. This wooden collar is compofed of two pieces of hollowed flut in the miildle, which, when put to-pthcr, leave lufHciciu room for the neck of an individual. They are laid upon the flioulders of the criminal, and jomcd together, in fucli a manner, as to prevent his feeing feet, or putting hi^ hands to his mouth; he is thus rendered incapable of eating without the, aflifiance of another, ar.d is obliged to curry his burden night and day. Its weight is from fifty to two hundred pounds, regulated according to tlie nature of the crime. For robbery, having broken the peace, difturbed a family, or being a notorious gambkr, the duration of this puniflimcnt is generally three months. The criminal is not at liberty to take Üielter in his own houfc : he is flationed in fome public fquare, at the gat« of a city or tenn-plc, or of the tribunal In which he was condemned. When the term of his punifhment is expired, he is taken before the mandarin, who exliorts him in a friendly man-uer to amend his life, and, after he has rcceivcd twenty found blows, he difcharges him. Other crimes, of an inferior nature to homicide, arc puniflicd by banifliment into Tartary, by condemning tiie guik)' to drag the royal barks for three years ; or marking the cheeks with a hot iron. Robbery between relations is more feverely puniflicd tlian w hen committed on a ftranger. If any one gives information againft his father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, uncle or cldcft bcothcr, he is condemned to receive an hundred blows of the pan-tße, and to be baiüHicd for three years, if the aecufatiou is juft: if it prove falfe, he is flranglcd. Criminal intercourfe between relations of different fexes is puniflied in proportion to the degrees of confan-guinity between them. Deficiency of duty to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother, is condemned by the law, and puniflied by an hundred blows of the pau-tßc ; if abufire language is ufed, the offender is ftrangled ; if he lifts his hand againft tlicni, he is beheaded ; and ifhe wounds or maims tliein, his flefh is torn from his bones with red-hot pincers j and he is cut into a tiioufand picccs. If a younger brother abufes his elder, he is conJcmned to reccivc an hundred blows of tlie pan-tße. If he ftrikcs him, he is condemned to exile. The burying place of every family is facred, unalienable, and cannot be fcized. The trees growing upon it cannot, on pain of death, be cut, cxcept when they are decayed ; and even then, not until a mandarin has in-fpedlcd them, and attefted their condition. Robbery of thefc burying placcs, even of the fmallcfi: of their ornaments, is punifhable as facrilcgc. Tlie man who in an accidental quarrel happens to kill his adverfary, is ftrangled without rcmilVion. A rope, about fix. or fcven feet in length, with a running noofc, 'is thrown over the criminal's head ; a couplc of domeftics belonging to tlic tribunal puU it ifl different dircftions, then on a fudden quit it 1 a few moments after, tliey give a fecond pull, which generally finilhcs the bufinefs. In certain parts of Cliina, the operation is performed with a kind of bow. The criminal is placed on hi» knees, the firing of the infirument is put round his neck, which being flrongly comprcffcd by tlie elailieity of the bow, he is inftantly ftrangled when the executioner gives it a fmart pull towards him. Beheading is confidercd by the Chincfc as the moft dif-graceful of all punifliments. It is referved for the moft defperate affaffins only, or for thofe crimes equally atrocious as murder. Tn he cut in a ihoujand pieces. This is a punifliment wc believe unknown but in China. It is deftined for ibte cnmmals, rebellious fubjefls, and children who maim their parents. The criminal is tied to a poft ; the executioner fcalps the ikin from his liead, and pulls it over his eyes ; he afterwards tears tlie flefli from different parts of his body, and never <^uits this horrid labour until fatigue "^^"dcrs htm unable to procecd. He then abandons what Pp remains of the body to tiic ferocity of the people, finifli what he has left undone. Much has been written in Europe againft the torturing of criminals; eitiier in the comrtmi or (xtraordlnary manner, and the cuftom is in general happily fiippreffcd ; but they are both pradtifed in China, and even the ordinary torture is extremely fevcre; it is applied to the feet anJ hands: for the feet an inftniment is ufed which confiüs of three crofs picccs of wood i that in the middle is fixed, the two others turn, and arc moveable; the f>;ct of the criminal arc put into this machine, which fqucc7,es them fo clofe, that the ancle-bones become flat. The torta re applied to the hands appears to be kfs painful ; fmall pieces of wood are placed diagonally between the fingers of the culprit; his fingers are then firmly tied with cords, and he i?; fuflered to remain for a ccrtain time in that painful fifuatlon. The extraordinary torture is horrid ; it oonfirts in making fmall gafiies in the body of the ciiminal, and tearing off his (kin ii:i ihe form of thongs: this puniniment is ufed in cafcs of treafon, or when, tlie criminal's guilt being clearly proved, it is deemed neceflary to compel him to d i fco ver his accomplices. No fcntcnce of death is ever put in execution until it has been approved and confirmed by tiic emperor. A copy of the proeefs is laid before him ; a number of other copies arc alfo made out, both in the Chincfe and Tartar languages, which the emperor fubmits to the examination of a like number of dodors, either Tartars or Cluncfe. When the crimc is great, and clearly proved, the emperor writes at tiis bottom of the fcntence, " When you reccive " thia order, let it be executed wiihout delay." When the crimc, tliough punhhablc by death according to is ranked only in the ordinary clafs, the cmptT""" at the bottom of the fcntcnce, " Let tne criminn' be de- taincd in prifon, nnd exe.;utcd in autumn." The emperor n^'vcr writes an order fur any execution until he has prepared himfelf by farting. This inonarch, like all other fovcreign princes, has tlie power of pardoning; but he very feldom lifes tliis prerogative : there are, liowever, feme exceptions which law or cuftom dired him to make; they however are not grounded, as in Europe, on fome favourable circuinftanecs in the cnfe, but on fome relative fituation of the culprit, as flioulti he prove the heir of an ancient family, &c. A jailor who cxercifes cruelty and oppreflion towards his prifoners ; a fubaltern judge who fubjeßs a criminal to any rcitraints but thofc authorifcd by law ; a fupcrior judge who affumcs a power of adding to the rigour and feverity of the law, are all puiiid-iet!, and their fiigh^cft puniihmcrit always is to be depofed. In crlmcs where the puniÜiment is not capital, the near relation of an accufed perfon acknowledged to be guilty, is pornaitted to put hinifcif in his place, and to undergo the pLiiiKhment infiifted by the law. F.'du Haide cites a cafe of a !bn, whofc father was condemned to be bafii-nadoed. The young man threw his arms around the body of his father, and with tears begged to be puniflied in his ilead. The mandarin, touched by the noble gene-rofity of the youth, pardoned the criminal: fo highly re-fpeaed is (ilial piety in China, 'J'he relations and friends of all perfons aceufed, wtiaf-ever their crimes may be, are permitted to vifit tlicm in Pi^'fon, and to give them every afiiftance in their power: they arc even cncouraged to this, inllead of being prevented. internal police of the cities. Every city in China is divided into different divifions. An officer is appointed for caeh divilion, who is anfwcrable ior every thing that pafles contrary to good order; and r P 2 he ncglc^s to make proper inquiry into any irregularity, or to inform the mandarin governor, he is fubje£led to the fame puniffiment as thofc who are refraiSory. Every father of a family is obliged to anfwer for the condudl of his chüdrcn and domeftics, hecaufe he is veft-cd with every kind of authority over them, fliort of life or death. Neighbours are obliged to give every help and afiiftancc 3n their power to one another, in eafes of robbery and (ire, ftfpeeially if thefe accidents happen in the night-time. Every city is furnifhcd with gates, and all the flrcets are barricadoed as foon as night commenccs, Centinels are ported at proper intervals, who flop all thofe who walk abroad in the night-time, and a number of horfe-men are generally Rationed on the ramparts, who go the rounds for the fame purjiofe. Seldom, however, do petv jple of any chara£>er espofe themfelves to the dancrer of falling into the hands of the police. Ä'/gi/, fay the Chincfe magirtratcs, /s defignedfar repoje, and ihi day fur labour. Watch is likcwifc kept in the day-time at every city, to obferve thofc who enter: for this purpofe a guard is Rationed at each gate ; paflTcngers are carefully examined, and if they arc difcovercd to be flrangers, they are immediately carricd before a mandarin, and often detained until the will of the governor is known. The hackwardnefs of the Chinefe to admit ftrangers among them, arifcs from a fuppofition, that in procefs of time, an alteration of manners, cuftoms, and ceremonies, might refuk from fsich an intercourfe, and give birth to quarrels, party difputcs, and fedition, and at length over-» turn the government. When, to revenge an infult, a quarrel takes place, eacii throws afide the ftick, or whatever other weapon he may have in his hand, and they dccide it with their fifts only i but they frequently go before a mandarin, and beg htm to fettle the difpute for them. The magiftratc, after having examined into the merits of the cafe, orders t!ie moft culpable to receive a found bafiinading, and fometimes even both of tiiem. None but militar)'people are permitted to wear arms in public, and tl'iofc only during adtual war: at other times they mud: appear like plain citizens, cxcept when they attend a review, mount guard, or accompany a mandarin. Prortitiites arc not permitted to remain within the walls of any city, but they may rcficJe in the fuburbs, though they murt not keep a houfc of their own. Some individual is esprefsly authorifed to afford them lodging; iie muS^ watch over and obfcrve their conduö ; and if there' arifes any noife or quarrel in his houfc, he alone is rcfpoTifible, and puniflied for it. Every city of Ciiina, and fometimcs even an ordinary-town, has an eftablifhmcnt, called by the Chincfe fan«-poii, where money may be immediately borrowed upon pledges. No preliminaries are neeeffary, the tranfaflion is concealed, and the borrower may remain unknown. If he clioofes to tell his name, it is written down ; if he docs not, no further queftions are afked him. Thofe who belong to thefe offices take an exafl defcription, when the cafe requires it, of the figure of the perfon, that tliey may be able, ia any event, to give an account to the police. The ufual intercft of money in China is faidtobe thirty per cent, which is a proof that coin is very fcarce. At this ^ate money may be borrowed at the Tang-pou. Every pledge is marked with a number when left at the office, and the office mnft be anfwerable for it; but it is forfeited the very day after the term mentioned in the note of agreement is expired. Every diverfion that tends to promote or encourage idk-pefs, is abfolutely forbidden to young people ; and ahnoft tbc whole of their time is Jevotqd to ftudy. Sach a mode of education would no doubt be highly difgufling to our youth ill Europe ; but in a country where merit alone conducts to dignity and iionnur, and wlierc ij^norancc is iifgleiRed and defpifed, encouragement overcomes difguft-, and no applicatioii is eonfidercd as a hardfliip. ♦ general police. The roads arc in general very broad; they are paved 'in all the fouthcrn, and in fomc of the norihtrn provinces. Valleys have been filled up, aijd paßages have been cut through rocks and mountains, iji order to n^iake highways, and to prcfcrve thcni as nearly as pofllijle on a level. They are frequently bordered with very lofty trees, and fomelinies with walls eight or ten feet in height, in which openings are left at certain intervals, which give a paiTage into erofs roads. On all the great roads covered feats arc rredled at proper diftances, where the traveller may flielter himfeif froin the inclemency of winter, or tlie heais of fummer, which are often exceflivc. Temples and pagodas are alfo frequently to be met with, to which admittance is always granted in the day-time, though often refufcd in the night, the mandarins only having the right uf refting in them as long as they think proper. The inns are fpncious and fufficicntly numerous on the principaJ roads ; but they arc badly fupplied with provifions, and pafiengers who have no beds with them tnuft flccp on a plain mat. The Chinefe government has publifhed an itinerary of the whole Chinefe empire, which comprehends every road and canal from the city of Pe-kiii to the remotcft ci-trc-miticsof China, On all the great roads there are towers, on the tops of which watch-boxcs are conflriiaed for the convenience of fcntinclsj and flag-üaffs raifed in order that they may make certain iignals in cafe of any alarm. Tlicfe towers, which arc fquarc, and gcneriilly built of brick, felciom esLceecl twelve feet in lieiglit. 1 however, hnve battkments when they are built upon any of the roads which coiidua to court, and they arc alfo provided with very large bells of caft iron. I'hey fcrve alfo as poft, houfes, and the fuWiers convey the letters on l;orfcback from one to the other, guarded by fix other horfc fol-dicrs. Conveyance of every kind is eafy in China ; and travellers find little dilliculty in getting their baggage tranfported From one place to another. In every ciiy there are numbers of porters aiTociated under a common chief, who regulates their engagements, lixcs the price of their labour, receives their hire, and is refponfible for every tiling they carry. When porters are wanted, he furnifhes as many as may be necciTary, and gives the fame number of tickets to the traveller, who returns one to each porter, when their work is done. Thefe tickets they deliver to their chief, who immediately pays them from tlic money he received in advancc. This eftablifnmcnt is dircded by the general police of the empire. On all the great roads the traveller finds in every city feveral offices of this kind, that have 1 fettled correfpondence with the next through which lie intends to Purfdc his route. Before Iiis departure, he carries to one: of thefe offices a lift of thofe things he wants removed, ■»^■bich isimmcdiatdy infcribed in a book ; and if he has oc-cafion for two, tliree, or four hundred porters, he jmmc-dhtely obtains them. Every thing is weighed by the chief, and the hire U five-pence per hundred weight for one day's carriage. An exaft rogifier of every article is kept in the offiec, and the traveller pays t!ic money in advance, after which he iias no occafion to give liimfclf any trou-'^äc ; on his arrival at tlic Jiext city he finds Jus baggage at the correfponding office, where it is delivered to hind with tl^e nnoft fcrupulous fidelity. The police alfo rt-gulates the cuftom-houfcs; bccaufa every thing is managed on the emperor's account. The officers belonging to thefe ciiftom-houfes are exceedingly civil: they have no concern with any clafs of people but merchants, whom they never diftrefs hy rigorous exadli-ons. Travellers are not ftopt here until their baggage is examined, although the officers arc authorifed to do fo ; nor is the fmalleft fee required from them. Duties are paid, either by the piece, or by the load : in tlie former cafe, credit is given to the merchant's book, and no further inquiry is made. finances. Thegreaterpartof the taxes in China are paid in commodities. Thofe who breed filk-wormspay their taxes in filk, the hufbandmen in grain, and the gardeners in fruits, &c. This mode of impofing taxes is far from detrimental to tlie government, as in every province there are in its fer-vice numbers of mandarins, officers, foldiers, and pcn-fioners of ditlerent kinds, who are furniffied with every necelTary for food and clothing, fo that the articles col-lefted as taxes, are nearly all confumed In thofs provinces in which they arc levied. If my thing remains, it is fold on the account of the emperor, and the amount is depofited in the imperial treafury. The taxes paid in money, arifc principally from the fib c;f fait, which belongs cxcliiuveiy to the emperor ; frotn the duties paid by veffeis on entering any of the ports; from the culi:0!ns and ether impofis on various brandies of manufa£lurc. Thefe excepted, the trader contributes little towards the exigencies of tlic ftate, and the mechanic full Jefs. The weight of the permanent and perfoivjJ taxes therefore falls on the hufbaadmati. Befities the confumption in each diftriiEl for diftharging the ort!iiin.'y expences of government, a referve is made to anfwcT accidental demands. A proper ftatement of t«xcs pnid in the provinces, of what is referved in the different cities, or contained in the principal treafuries'of the empire, is Cubmittcd annually to the examination of the grand tribunal of finances, which revifes the whola and keeps an account uf what is confumed, and of whatever fiirplus may be lefti The emperor's revenue atnounts to more than forty-one millions fterling, which might be cafily increafed by nev/ impnfuions 5 but the Chinele emperors feldoni exercife this privilege. They feem to confider it the principal glory of a prince, to be fparing of the property of his fubječls, and to provide for the exigencies of the ftatc, if poflible, without having recoUrfe to fo difagreeable an expedient. The annual expcnccs of government are immenfe; and the emperor directs ihem as he thinks proper; thefe expences, however, are regulated in fuch a manner as never to be augmented but in cafes of the utmofl: neceffity. Indeed, adminiftration often makes great favings, which ferves to increafe the generd treafure of the empire, and prevents the impofition of new taxes when war becomes unavoidable, or unforefecn calamities defulate the empire. The currciit coin of China confifts only of one kind ; it is denominated a caxce, and is made of copper. It is ot a round figure, and about nine-tenths of an inch in dia~ ßietcr, has a fmall ft^Liare hole in the middle, and is in-lcrilit;J Willi t^yo Cluiicie words on the one fide, and two 1 artar words on the other. In fome of the provinces it IS miidc of that white coppcr we have before mentioned. Silver has no proper figure, its value is regulated by weight only, 1 he Chiiisfe government does not think that gold or lilvcr money add to the richnefs of a fete. China con-many mines of gold and fdvcr; few, Iwwever, arc Q.q permitted to be opened, but thofc of iron, copper, tin, amT lead are worked, as their prodii£lions arc judged neccflary and ufeful. With rcfpcft to commerce, the Chirefe entertain an' opinion that it is ufeful only fo far as it eafcs them of their fiiperfluities, aiid procures them neceflaries: on this account, they confider even that which they carry on at Canton as prejudicial to the interefts of the empire. " They take from us" fay thuy, " ourfdkt^ teas, ami our " porcelain : the price of theje articles is raifed through " all the provinces ; fuch a trade., therefore^ cannot he " hencficial. The money brought tis hy Europeans^ and the high-priced bauhies -which accompany it, are mere ^^ fuperßuitie s to fuch a Jlate as ourst JVe have no iccafion for more bullion than uohat 7nay be nectffary to anfiver " the exigencies of government^ and to fupply the relative, wants of individuals." The only commerce which tile Chinefe confider of anji ndvantage, is that which they keep up with Tartary and Ruflia ; as it furniflies them, hy barter, with tlioft- furs fu much ufed in all the northern provinces. The dil'putcs between the RufEans and Chinefe, concerning the limits of their refpcčtive empires, fcem to have firft paved the way for that commercial intercom fu which has fubfifted between them fnice the peace con-chided in 1689. This treaty was figncU on the 27th 01 Aiigufl: of the above year, under the reign of Ivan and Peter Alexiovitz. The chief of the embafly on tlie part of Ruflia was Golovin, governor of Siberia. Two Jefuits, Pereira and Gerhillon (the former a native of Portugal, the latter of France), were deputed by the emperor of China; and the conferences were held in Latin, v/ith a German in the Ruffian ambaffador's train, who was acquainted with that lat)guage. By this treaty the Ruffians kifl: a large territory, beiides the navigation of the rivef Amoor, called by the Mantchcw Tartars, Saghalien-oula-f 511 return, t)iey obtained what they had long defired, a regular and permanent trade with the Chinefe. The fiift intercourfc between Raffia and China commenced in the beginning of the fevcntseiith century, at which period a fmall quantity of Chinefe merehandize was procured by fome RufTian merchants from the Kalmouck Tartars. The rapid and profitable fide of thefe commodities encouraged certain wayvcdes of Siberia to attempt a direft and open commitiiication with China. For this purpofe feveral pcrfons were at different times deputed to Pe-kiji; and, though they failed of obtaining the grant of a regular commerce, their attenipts were, however, attended with fome important confequences. The general good reception which the agents met with, tempted the Ruffian merchants to fend occafional traders to Pe-kin. By tliefe means, a faint connection was preferved with that metropolis. The Chinefe learned the advantages arifing from the Ruffian trade, and were foort prepared for Its fubfe-<]iient cftablifhment. This commerce, carried on by intervals, was entirely fufpended by the hoftilities on the river Amoor ; but, after the treaty of 1689 (in which both fides fwore eternal peace, and prayed, that the Lord^ the Sovereign of Ail Things, might puniß thoß, hy a Juilden death., whoßouidfirß think of rekindling iheßames »f -war)^ the Ruffians cngajrcd with uncommon alacrity in their favourite branch of traffic. The advantages arif-ing from it were foon found tobe fo confiderable, that I'cter I. farmed a defigji of flill fariher enlarging it. For tliis purpofe, in i692,hedirpatched to Pe-kin IJbrand Ides^ native of the dutchy of Holflcin, then in his fervice, who requcfted, and obtained, that the liberty of trading to China, which, hy the late treaty, had been granted to nidividuals, might be extended to caravans. • After this arrangement, caravans went regularly from Ruflia to Pe-kin, where a caravanfary was allotted for their reception i and all tlieir expences, during their cou- a GOVERNMENT tinuance in that metropolis, were JefraycJ by the emperor of China, The right of fending thcfe caravans, and the profits arifing from them belonged to the crown of Ruflla. In the mean time, private mcrchanis continued, as before, to carry on a fepai ate trade with the Chineff, not only at Pe-kin, but alfo at the head quarters of the Moguls, 'i'he camp of thel'e roving Tartars was generally ftatioiicd near the confluence of the Orhon and Touia, hctvi^cen the fouthern frontiers of Siberia and the Mogul defert. A kind of annual fair was held at this fpot, by the Ruffian and Chincfe merchants, who brought their refpeclivc commo-ilities for fale. This rendezvous foon became a fceiie of riot and confufion; and repeated complaints of the drun-kenncfs and mifconduft of the Ruffians were trajifmitted to the Emperor of China. Kang^ht, cxafperated by thefe complaints, and by the frequent reprefcntations of his Aibje£ts, threatened to expel the Ruffians from his dominions, and to prohibit them from carrying on any commerce, cither in China, or in the country of the Moguls. This circumftance oceafioned another cmbafTy to Pc-kin in the year 1719. Capt. Ifmailof, the ambafJiidor who was deputed to accommodate matters, fucceeded in his negcciation : he ajjufted pvery difficulty, to the fatif-faction of both parties; and, 011 his departure, Laurence Lange was permitted to remain at Fe-kin, for the pur-pofe of fuperintcnding the conduct of the Ruffians. The refidence of this gentleman in tliat metropolis was, however, but fhort; for he was foon after compelled to Jcave China and return. His difmilTion was owing partly to a fudden caprice of the Chinefe, and partly to a mifunderftanding between the two courts, refpeding fome Mogul tribes who bordered upon Siberia. Thcfe tribes had thrown tbcmfelves under the proteaion of Rufiia, and were demanded by the Chinefe. Their re-queft was not complied with; and this refufal, added to the dilbrdeily eonduft of the Ruffians, who again begaa trj indulge thcmfcives in their exceffes, fo exafperated the Chincfe, that an order was iflucii, i» for' their ex- pulfion and all iiitcrcouile between the two nations immediately ceaftd. Affairs continued in this ftate till 1727, when a Dalmatian, in the fcrvice of Riiffia, was difpatched to Pe-kin. Matters were again accommodated by a new treaty; a caravan was allowed to go to Pe-kin every three years, provided it confiftcd of no more than an hundred iierfons; and that, during their ftay, their expences fliould be no longer defrayed by the emperor of China. A permilTion was at the fame time obtained by. the Ruffians for building a church within the precincts of their caravanfary ; and, for the celebration of divine fervice, four priefts were allowed to refide at Pe-kin. The fame favour was alfo extended to fomc Ruffian fcholars, for the purpofe of learning the Chinefo language, in order to cjualify themfelves for interpreters between the two nations. This treaty was concluded on the fpot wliere Kiatka now ftands, by Count Ragufmfki, and three Chincfc plenipotentiaries, on the 141h of June 1728. It is the hafis upon which all the fubfequent tranfačtions between Ruffia and China have been founded. Since the year 1755, no caravans have been fcnt to Pe-kin. Their frrJl difcoiitinuance was occafioned by a mifunderftanding between the two courts of Petcribiirgh and Pe-kin; and, though a reconciliation afterwards took place, they have never fmce been re-cftablifticd. The prefent Emprefs of Rufila, fenfible that the monopoly of the fur-tradc, which was entirely confined to the caravans belonging to the crown, and prohibited to individuals, was prejudicial to commerce, in 1762 wifely g;ive up, Iti favour of her fubjefts, the exclufive privilege which the crown enjoyed, of fending caravans to Pe-kin; and Kiatka, a phice near the Ruffian frontiers, is now the centre of coini;icrcc between the two ji;U!0)is, This cOTTimercc is entirely a trade of barter. The Ruflians are prohibited to export their own coin ; aiiJ they find it mort; advantageous to tiike goods in exchange, than to receive bullion at the Cliiiicfe ftandard. The principal commodities which Ruilia exports to China arc furs of different kinds, the moll valuable of whick src thofe of fea otters, beavers, foxes, wolves, martens, fables and ermines. The greater part of thefe fkins are brought from Siberia and the newly-difcovercd ifiands ; but, as they cannot furnifh a fupply equal to the demand, foreign furs are imported to Petcrfburgh, and thencc tranfported to Kiatfca. England alone furnilhes a large quantity of beaver's and other fkins, chiefly procured froin the American fcttlements. According to Mr. Coxc, the number of fkins exported to Peterlburgh in the year 1777, amounted to twcnty-feven thoufand three hundrec! and fixtecn beaver, and ten thoufand feven hundred ajitl three otter ftins. l"hc Ruffians a!fo fend to China cloth of various kinds, hardware, and live cattle, fuch as camels, horfes. See. The commodities procured from China arc raw and manufa£tured filk, cotton, porcelain of all ibrts, ihubarb, niufk, The government of Ruflia has re- ferved to itfelf the exclufivc privilege of purchafmg rhubarb: it is brought to Kiatka by fome Bucharian merchants, v;ho have entered into a contraft to fupply the crown with it in exchange for furs. Tho exportation of the beft rhubarb is prohibited by the Cblnefc, under the fevereft penalties; it is, however, procured in fuffi-Cfcnt quantities, fomctimes by clandeftineiy mixing it with inferior roots, and fometimes by means of a contraband trade. Great part of Europe is fuppücd witli this drug from RuiEa. interior administration. In this vafl empire there is kept a regifter or genera', enumeration' of all tlic people by families, diftriiSs, and provinces, comprehending every individual without regard to age, fex, or rank, Befidcs this, there is a fccond, which is partial, containing only the lower clafles of people, from fixteen to fifty. This laft roll fcTves to regulate evory thing relating to vafTalajre, to fa.ci!itate public furveys, anJ to alTift the operations of the police, &.'c. By means of thefe regifters, a fpeedy and certain method is always found of alccrtaining the fituntioiiof families or individuals in all circumftances, in which government or private perfons may be intererted. They alio enable the government to judge what number of people have perifhed by J inundations, earthquakes, or epidemical diftempers; to determine what funcours are neceilary in years of fcarcity ; to know the ftate of agriculture i how far manufaftures can be extended ; and what number of military people each canton can furnifli. 'I'he government has alfo an accurate and minute account of all the lands in each diflria, of their diftercnt degrees (if iertiHty, and what is cultivated in them. Public ma;-;a7ines and granaries, furniflied with every kind of prcvifion necellary for relieving the diftiefies of ihc people, in cafe of public calamities or unforefeen dif-afters, are erei^ed in the different provinces. Adminiftra-tion are always provided againft every event; and as they are acquainted witli the minuteft expence neceffary to be incurred, every thinw is done in proper feafon wiih ^lignity, and without emban-afTment. Every mcafure is «^aiTscd into execution with the conient of the emperor, ^cmorials are prefcntcd to him by the dilterent tribunals, in which they propofe plans for promoting the happinefs of people and the welfare of the ftate, and he receive» or rejeas them as ha thinks proper. Thefe tribunals are entrufk'd with the execution of thofe fchemes which are approved; they keep an exaJi: account of the money expended, and Jay their documents, properly atteüed, be-Jiim. Legal formality is cloiely adhered to in all tranfafllotii;, and a watchiul eye is kept over every de-, partnient of the ftnte. The Chinefe goveinment determines, in the miniitell manner, tlic drefs for each ftrafoii, and likcwife the price of thofe drefles for every age and condition. The emperor himfelf is not excepted in thcfe regulations : his drcfles of ceremony are more or lefs fumptuous according to the religious, political, or domeftic ceremonies for which he ufes them. The particular drefs for each ciafs is fo accurately dcfcribed in the fiimptuary code, as to diftinguifli, on the firlt view, the riuik and condition of thofe who wear it. Of palaccs the emperor iias a great number. Each capital of a province coittains one, wliicli is made the refi-dence of the viccroy. There are fume nlfo in cities of inferior note, which arc appnipj iatcd for the ufe of tliofe mandarins who enjoy jjlaces under government. Bridges have been multiplied in China in proportion to the number of its canals and rivers : they confifi: of three, five, or feven arches ; the centre is from thirty to forty feet wide, and raifcd very high, that barks may cafily pafs without lowering their mafts. The utility of canals muft be s;rcat in countries where cultivation is carried to its utmofl extent, as is the cafe in China, and it enjoys the advantage of having a greater inimber of navigable canals than any other country. Thefc canals are from twenty to thirty yards in breadtli, and generally bordered with cut flone, which has the appcarnnce of fiate-coloured marble. The expence of conftrudiing and repairing thefe canals is defrayed by government, which thus affords each province the ready means of tranfporting its fuperfluitiesi to another, and of receivmg in return a fupply of comir.oditieB as it may want. Agriculture is the principal refourCe of the Chinefe, who confidcr it as the firft and moft honoui'able of alJ proteflions. The people are allowed to ufe a portion of tlie grain of every crop, for the purpofes of brewing and dlftllla-tion; but if the.harvcft happens to be bad, an order is iillicd for the fufpenfion of thefe operations. The Chinefe emperors do not confine thcmfelves to the publlftiing of regulations refpefting agriculture, but they encourage it by their own example; of this the celebrated ccrcmon)?, in which the emperor tills the earth with his own hands, has been often mentioned, and may be confidcred as a proof. This ceremony is as follows : Spring begins in China always in the month of February, but not regularly on the fame day. This epocha is determined by the tribunal of Mathematics. That of Ceremonies announces it to the emperor by a memorial, in which every thing ncceflary to be done by the prince on that occafion is mentioned with the moft fcru-pulous minutenefs. He firft names twelve of the moft Diuftrious pcrfons in his court to accompany him, and to hold the plow after he has performed his part of the ceremony. Thefe are always three princes of the blood, and nine prefidents of fujircme courts. The places of thofcwho arc too old or infirm to undergo this labour may be fupplied by their aflefTors, but they muft always be authorifed by the emperor. This feftival is preceded l)y a facrifice which the fove-rcign offers up to the Chang-ii, or Supreme Being. The emperor prepares himfelf by three days falling, and thofe who are to attend him fubmit to the fame regulations. Others are appointed by the emperor on the evening before the ceremony, to proftrate themfeives at the fepulchre of his anccftors, and to acquaint them that on tlie day following he intends to celebrate a grand facrifice. i he place wliere the emperor öfters up the fpring facrifice, IS a Imall mount, a few furlongs diftant from the ^'ty, fi;cy fee: in height: this elevation is exprefsly pre- Rr fclibcd by the rules of the ccremony, anJ cannot be dtf-penfed with. The emperor, who facrifices under the title of fovereign pontiff, invokes the Chajjg-ti^ and prays for abundance in favour of his people. He then dcfcends, accompanied by the princes and prefidciits, who arc to put their hands to the plow al(!ng with him. T"iie fitld fot apart for this purpofe is at a (Iiiiill diftancc from themounr. Forty labourers are fclcaed to yoke the oxen, nnd to prepare the feeds wliich the cmptror muft fow. Thefe fucds are of five difFcreiit kinds, and fiich as are ccnfidcrcd as the moft ufcful and neceflary, viz. wheat, rice, millet, beans, and another fpccies of miilet, called by the Chincfe Cao-leang. Thefe are brought to the fpot in niagniiiceiit boxes, carried by perfons of the moft diiHngulflicd rank. The emperor takes hold of the plow, and turns up fe-veral furrov.'s. The princes do the fame in fucccffior!, and after them the pix-fulents. The fovereign then throws into the earth the five kinds of feed before mentioned, after wljich four pieces of cottoji cloth, proper for making tlrefTes, arc liiftiibnted to each of the labourers who af-fiftcJ in yoking the oxen, and who prepared tlie feeds. The liime prefent is made to forty other peifons, more advanced in years, who have been only fpcciators of the rereinony, '^I'his ceremony certainly fbrikes the minds of the labouring people, and greatly contributes to encourage tlicir induftry. We cannot jt-idge of the Chinefe poafantry from thofe of Europe; cfpucially in wliat relates to tlw advantages, acquired by education. Free fchooüs are very numerous in every province of Cliina, and many of the villages are not deltitutc of tliis advantage. The fon=i of the poor are there received as readily as thofe of the rich, and their duties and ftudies sre the iamej the attention of Jie fters is equally divided between them; and from the mofi-tibfcuic fource tahnts often fpring, which afterwards ir-aks a, confpjcuons figure on the grand t.-f lifi'- li"-'^"'-'-^ nothing is more common in China, than to fee the fon of a peaf.inc, governor of that province iti which his father long toiled, in cultivating only a few acrcs. The Chinefe have been greatly repi oachcd for their inhumanity in murdering and expoling their children. And iieiEher the one nor the other is authorifcd by any law, both, and particularly the latter, are f.inft, as ft^ilows : * I, fuch a mandarin, degraded * three, four, or fix fteps, t^jrcardjn^ os tht cfifi may be^ order and conioiand,' The ini|>ei£tor of a province has a very extenfive atrtho-jitj over diefe inferior mimdarins. He can, by his own powitr, deprive them of their employments, If their of-fencc be great; and he only confijlts the court in cafcs wiicre injmediate piinidimenC is not ncceMary. The faihci", fori, brodicr, uncle, and giiuidfoiT, arc never a(önitEed together into »ny cf the tribtiiuls zt Fe-kifl i ttiatioos ill tlic žbiB-dj (ieg,ree catiiwt iia.vo a feat at tbc. fjiijc timtr hi any ci' the proviuciil tribuuals. All mandanns, whether Tartars or Chincfc, of a:niSj or of letters, are obliged, every three years, t« give in cxaft account of the faults they have committed in dit charging the duties of their office. This confeffion is examined at Cfuirt, if U comes from a mimdarin belonging to a!iy of the four firft clailes ; but the cönfefTions o'f the TT.andariiis in the lower clalTcs, muft be laid before the provincial tribunal of the governor : government all« makes private inquiry to diicover whether in this con-feiTion ftrict regard has been p:!id to truth. Thefc informations r.re addrefled to the Tribunal of Mandarins, and are there carefully examined ; the merits and demerits are carefully weighed in the balance of juftkrc^ nnd the names of the examined mandarins are afterwards formed into three clafles. The firft confifting of thofc for whom rewtrds and preferment are intended; the fe-cond, of thofc wbofe conduct dcfcrves reprehcnfioji, and to whom gentle admonition, accompanied with a few oblique hints refpedting their future condu^, will be given ; and the third of thofe whom it is intended to fuf-pend for a certain time, or to remove for ever from thcit cmploymejus. We have already given an account of the war eflabU/h-ments, ajid military difcipline of China. We fiiall, lioiv-ever, add a few v/ords on that fubjciEl as for as it relates to the interference of government. Nothing is neglected by admlniftration that c;ui tend to excite emulation amon^ the troops, or engage them to reipeii): the civil laws. A great part of the Tartar farn'.lies are lodged in bar-rricks, creöed in the fubiirbs of Pc-kin, or in the adjacent country, where every common foidier is allowed a feparater apartntent for the iifc of his family, wnd there arc houles for the officers, fuited to (heir r.mk, ai'.d even public ichooh, where the Tartar youth receive a proper education. The principal military offices are iield by Tartars: this precaution is taken to maintain tlicir ccnqc-L-f!:, inds- pendent of the fuperiority v/hich they have over the Chš^ nefe, in point of warlike genius. In times of war an exa£l journal is kept of every military trarifaftion, and thofe are particularly mentioned, who have given proofs of remarkable courage, or difplayed examples of fuperior fkill. Promotion is the confequence to thofe who have fignalized themfelves, if they furvive ; if not, the rewards which they have merited are conferred on their widows, children, or brothers. Neither the father of a numerous f:imily, an only fon, nor the fon of an aged widow, is obliged to perforin military fervicc, uniefs the ftate be in great danger, or in cafes of the molt iirgent neceflity. Government then advances money to thofe who enlift ; they alfo " receive double pay; the firil: for themfelves, and the fe-cond for their family: and this they enjoy till their return. Tiiat efieem In which militiry men are held in time of danger, fcems, in China, to ceafc, almoft the inftant that the dajiger is over. Oji thefe occafions government bellows, with a lavifh hand, diitin£tions, rewards, and honcurs of every kind; and it extends its favours tu the loweft military clafs. Does a common horfe or foot foldier fLill in battle, his hair, his bow, or his fahre, is trani-niitled to his family, to be intercd, inftead of his body, in the fepukiire of his anceftoi-?. -An eulogLum, fuited to wirat he has atchieved, is added, to be engraven on the tomb in which thefe relics are depofited. A ftili greater Clare of difrimSlion is beftowcd on officers who have fallen in dcfcnce of tlicir country. Either their whole armour, their afhes, their bones, or their entire bodies, are conveyed to their relations. Their rank, or the manner in which tlicy have diftinguiflred themll-lves, generally fcrves as a rule upon tliefj occafuins : ceremonies are performed in commenjoration of fome, and monuments are ereflcd to others. The body of an officer, or the hair of a common loldicr, is thus ofieii Cr^nfported, to the diftancc of a thoufand or fifteen hundred leagues. The latter, as weil as the former, is iHL-ntioned with honour in the Gazette: his name thus pafles before the eyes of the public, and tht^ice into the General Hiftory of the empire. The deo-radation, or difitiiiTion of a fuperior orHcer in Ö ' China, can neither fix a ftigma on the character of his fon, nor in the ieaft impede his promotion. When the fon is aflced by the emperor refpecting his family, he will reply, coolly—My father tuas difgractdfor a certain cß'ence ; T»y grandfather was beheaded for fuch a crime; and yet, this acknowledgement is not in the lealt detrimental to the pcrfon who makes it. We have already had occafton to mention in this work, the princes of the blood in China, and as Europeans tpay form very, falfe ideas refpecting their fituation, credit and influence in adminiftration, we (hall offer a few additional remarks. All their privileges confift in certain rights of reprefentation, and in being tried by their peers only. They cannot depend upon that dirtinction which is conferred by riches, or annexed to place. Every thing in tliis methodical empire is fubmittcd to an examination. The yellow girdle only is what thefe princes inherit by birth, and this right belongs only to thofe who are defcended in ^ right line fiom the reigning dynafty. The names o( their chiidien, whether girls or boys, the year, month and day of their birth, are infcribed in a large yellow book, particularly appropriated fjr this purpofe. An orange girdle is the difliriguiÜiing mark of collateral princes; and the names of their children are regiftered in a red book. The emperor alone determines the furnamcs of princes of the reigning branch. When the princes and princeffes of the lafl: clafs have »ttaiiied to the age of flfteen, they prefent a petition tj the emperor, requefting permifllon to marry. Princes of tiie direct line may omit this formula j but if they are defirous of being connected by m^jriagc wiUi any of cha S i' Mogul or Kalka princes, they muft firfl: obtain the emperor's coiifent. The rank even of the emperor's fons, except of his immeciiate fuccefior, dimiiiiflies one degree every generation. At tiie fevciUii, the ddüft of thefe branches only has a title to wear the yellow girdle; the reft find thcm-felvcs funk to the rniik uf plain citizens. An hereditary fovereignty pafles, with all its rights, fioiTi one ekkft fon to anuiher, unlefs the poileffor forfeits his title by being guilty cjf fome crime. In fiich a cnfe, the emperor appoints to the fuccefiion, either one of his younger brothers, or a coufin; but thefe muft be chofen from the fame branch, as the lawful branch cannot be deprived of this right) unlefs all thofe are condemned who compofc it. The only hereditary authority of the other princes cxifls among the troops called the Tartar bands, where they enjoy that rank which they derive from their birth : in every thing elfe, they arc on a level with others ; at ftated periods) they are fwbje^ed to a military examination; and they arc always promoted or degraded, according to their knowledge and fkilL The heir apparent, and the princes, Iiis fons, undergo the fame trial, with this only diftinftion ; fchools are eftablifli " your fields, but lately I'jwn, are already loaded with an abundant crop. Let thanks, therefore, be given to the " Chung-ti, wiio enables us,fo foon to enjoy his.benefi-' " -cent gifts. For this reafo'ij I will not wait until the " end of autumn, to prefent myfelf bcfoic him, iinii " thank Iiiin for fo fudden a fertility." Bad priiiccs intervened Eimongft a fucceflloii of good emperors ; und a Li-vang forgot the examples of his pious aiicellors,' and g.ive Irimfelf up to the capricc of his pride. " 1-he Chi-hh^ obfcrves, that " the fiknce of the Chang-ti appeared theji to be an enigma, and it might have been faid, that Jiis Supretne Providence had helled itfelfevery tiling profi>erctV. with this wicked prince ; the people were ijiti-■midated': even the cenfors of the empire applauded his errors.—What, then, is there no longer j uftice in Heaven? Shall the impious enjoy, peaceably, the fiuit of their ciinies ? Atteiid, and you will foon (l^e, that the Chang-t\ keeps Iiis "JiriTv fo long at'refl:, in order only to ftrike wiih redoubled force : for the people, harrafied by oppreUioii, rofe up againft that tyrant, killed the flatterers who fuiTOundcJ his throne, and would have fa-crificed the priiicc htmfelf to their fury, •hail Hfei not efcapcd by .a precipitate flight." ■ The emperor Ton^tching^ who fucceedal Kang-hi, in 1722, furniflies us with a fufficient proof, that the fame ■fcntiments refpeding the being of a CJod were held in veneration during his reign. The foilowing decree pub-Jifhed by him, throughout the whole empire, forms a kind of confeffion of faith, and a declaration of what he viewed As the religion of his fubjefts. Tlie occafionof Its publication is fufHciently exprelfed in the preamble. " Some of the principal ofKcers of our provinces have " given a wrong interpretation to the meaning of our orders, tranfsnittcd to them, rcfpefting the means of preventing the damage occafioned in the country by deftructive infects, and have underftood them in 11 fenfe quite different from our intention. They have erro-" n^urty concluded, that, I have fiiHen into the ridiculous " error of thofe who believe iji tlie fpirlts called couei-chin, " as if I imagined, that prayers offered up to thefe pre" tended beings, could remedy our prelent afHictions. " A^y meaning, tlicrefore, is as follows; T t a " Between the TUn or Supreme Btin^ and man there " is a relation, a certain and infallible correfpondencc, " as to what concerns punifliments and rewards. When " our plains are defolated, either by inundations, drought " or infects, what is the caufe of our calamities ? They are " perhaps occafioaed by the emperor himfelf, who devi" atcs from that integrity and juftice fy neceflary for good " government, and thereby lays the Tien under the necef-" fity of employing thefe punifliments, to bring him back «' to a fenft of his duty. Perhaps they may be occafioned " by the principal officers of the province, upon which « thefe misfortunes have fallen, in not confulting thepub-" lie good, and neglecting to take juftice as the rule of their conduct—Aiid may not thefe calamities be owing " to the governors of cities, who neither act with equity, " nor give the people good examples or fuitable inftruc-*< tion; oj- becaufe, iii certain provinces and diflricts, they " violate the laws, contemn eft;iblilhed cuftoms, and lead w difordcrly lives ? The heart of man being thus corrupted, " that happy union which ought to fubfirt: between him « and the Tien, is interrupted and difturbed, and endlefs " misfortunes overtake us: for, \vhen men come fhort «< of their duty, that beneficent regard which the Tien had for them, becomes changed. " Convinced of the truth of this infallible doctrine, " when I am informed, that fome province fuffers, either by long drr>ught, or exceifivc rains, I fearch my own " heart carefully, examine my pafl conduct, and think of " reforming thofe irregularities which may have crept in" to my palacc. Evening and morning, and all the day " long, do I confine myfelf within the bounds of fear " and refpect. I endeavour to give the Tien convincing « proofs of my uprightnefs and piety; in hopes that, by « a regular life, L ftall be able to make the Tien changc " the refolution which he hath formed, of punifhing us» « It is in your power, O ye great ofSceis who govern « prcn'inccs! it is in your power to aflift me; it is in " yours, ye people, foldiurs, and others, of whatever quali-« ty or coridirion ye be, it is in your power to acquit your-« felves alfo of this duty: humble yourfelves with fear ; " examine your own conduct; ftrive to attain to perfec-" tion ; aid and mutually exhort one another; reform your " manners; endeavour to correct your errors; repeat of « your crimes; follow the paths of truth; fhun thofe of " error; and be aflured, that if we, on our parts, perfectly difchargc our duties, the 7i/rt will fufFer hinifclf " to be moved by our wcll-rcguhted conduct, and will " grant us his peace and protection. Thefe injunctions I " cannot too often repeat. To prevent calamities, there are no means more certain, than to keep a firrict watch " over ourfelvcs, to live in fear, and toftrive for perfec-" tion. When they tell you to pray, and to invoke fpirits « what do they mean ? It is, at moft, only to implore their mediation, to reprefent to the Tien the finccrity « of our refpea, and the fervour of our defires. To pre" tend, therefore, in any manner, that thefe prayers, and « thefe invocations, can remove our calamities, and avert " misfortunes, while we lofe fight of our duty, negle^S to « watch over our own conduft, live not in fear, and have not our hearts filled with rcfpečt towards the Tien, in order " to move him, is attempting to draw water from tlie " flream, after having (hut up its fource; it is omitting the eflential part, and attaching ourfylves to that which " is acccflary only. How can you hope, by fuch a condu£h, to obtain the accomplifhment of your defires " Hear tlien again, wliat I think; I am clearly and " fully perfuaded, that there is, between the 7ien and cc man, a reciprocal union, and perfecl; correfpondence. " it for your inftruclion, O ye great officers ! it is for " you, that 1 have not difdained to take up my pm, and to explain my thoughts in the cleareft maimer I could, "> prdcr that you „lay coiiforni yourfelves to the fenti- _« rrjents which I have esprefleJ- Tliis is the Oiily caufe ef the prcftiit inftriiction," The prefent cm^xsror, wlio fucceeded Yoii-tcliing in 17^.6, holds the time fentimcntsi and thus tliis dofliine of .the exigence luid attributes of the Supreme Being, and of the woffliip and homage due to hiin, has fubfifted in China without change, diuing a long feries .of ages. Indeed, rf wc ior.fitk all the monuments and canonical works of this jyation, and it'we fcarch the ancient part of its annals, we ^ill. not difcovcr ihe kaft veftigc of idolatry. The Chii-atfe hiltory, fo minute in its details, and fo particular m p-:jiiiting out:every innovation in eftabliflied cuftonis, makes ■IK) nieution of any ftiperftirious rite, contradictory to the worfliip which we have, attributed to the ancicjit .tJhiiifcfe:..li;id theire been any fuch', it would have un^ jiknihtcdly fpoken oi'thein with the ^tme cxactuefs.as chat Vfith which jt relates the eftablifiitiient of the feet of the ^ao-ffa^ and,tlie intnoductioii of the religion of the idol i^ff, an idol hioiight from India in latter ages. '' ' The exiltivrtCy .of the Tribunal of Ceremonies, ha* wkhopt doubt greätly cwntribuicd to tlic prefervation of the ancient rtligioiis doclrine; for to this tribunal is af-figned the care of infpeding every tiling that relates ta religious woifiiip : it is obliged to prevent innovations; to lupprcfs popular fuperftitionp, and to chaftife, anct brand vvitii fonne mark of infamy, impious or licentious ■writers. Their fcvcrity never p.irdons infults offered to' Ihe Deity, or to good manners. The ancient dodlrine of the Tien has always found fupport in this tribunal i and to the conftant uniformity of its decrees may be at-tributpd its hcin" at prefent the cftabliflied and prevaillnS religion. The mandarins, wlio form this tribunal, may foinctimcs, In fecret, and !n their houfes, give thcmfeivcs up to fuperftitious pracliccs; but this perfonal attachment to particular ačls of worlhip has no influence over their puWic conduit; when tlicy fit on ilieir bcnches, they know^ no other religion but that of the ftale. The firft facritices which the Cbinefe mfHtutsd in honour of the Chang-tii were ofFercJ up to him on a or Altar, in the open fields, or on fome mountain.» Around the Tan was ralfcd a double ferice, called Kian, compofcd of turf and branches uf trees. In the fpaoe left between tliefences, wire crcčled tw o kßVr altars on the right and left, upon which, immediately after the fs-crificc offered up in honour of the Tien, they ftci-ificHl-alfo to the Cbcn^, that is to fay, to the fupcrior fpiiits' of every rank, and to their vlrtui>us anceJiors. Tne fo-; vercign alone, whom they confidcrcd as the high priel^ «f the empire, facrificed on the Tan, III the early ages, when the empire, confincd within narrow boundaries, prcfcnted only a fiiiall fia£e and a" riling population, a fmgle mountain was fufficicnt fi-;r the faci'ifices of the Ühanv-ti. But in proeefsof time, :lie eir,--pire being confidcrably enlarged, H^ang-t> appointed lour principal mountains^ fituated in the extremities of hi« ftates, and corrcfponding with the four tjuarters of the world, to be ever after places particularly confo^tc3, and fet apart for the religious worfliip of the whole natitjri-In the courfe of every year, the princc went fuccrffively t^ «ffcr upfacrihce upon each of theft mountains, ojsdthems^ took occafion to fliew himfelf to his people, and to inform himfelf of their wants, that he might endeavour ti' relieve them. Since the emperors Yao and Chun, dißVixnt iio-tions have hren entertained refpe^ing thcfu faaific«.' We read in the Chou-hing, and otlier frajmcnu of ths' ancient Chincfe. hidorv. tiwt Chun ordained, ift, Tli-ii' at the fecond moon, in which the vrnal c^pln^x kll, th^ fovcrei^n flioiild repair to the mountain Tei-chun, iii the * Tan fijjnlfiis t rfluiij Jitsp of floms ur Lavh. «afterji part of China, and there offer facrlfices on a Tan within the fence of the KiaOf to beg that Heaven -would deign to watch over the feed in the earth, then beginning to fpring up. 2d!y, That at the fifth moon, in which the fummer folftice happened, the fovereign fhoultl perform the fame ccremonies on the fouthern mount, and implore Heaven to diffufe warmth through the bowels of the earth, to add vigour to its foftcring power, and give effed to its nutritive qualities, ßdly, That at the eighth moon, at which time the autumnal equinox fell, facri-ficc fhould be ofFered on the weftern mountain to procure an abundant crop, and to prevent infers or deflruflive vermin, drought, or exceflive moifture, winds, and all injuries of the air, from deftroying the rifing hopes of the labourer. And lafUy, That at the twelfth moon, after the winter fnlfticc, facrifice fhould be offered up on the northern mountain, to thanb Heaven for all the bleflings received in the courfe of the year, and to folicit a continuance of them through that which was about to commence. This cuflom fubfiftcd a long time after Hoang-ti. The emperors of the dynafty of Tcheou added fonie other ceremonies, and a fiftli mountain, which was fuppofed to form a ccntre to the other four. Since that time they have beei* called the five Ta, or mountiins of facrificc. This inflitution, which fubjcctcd the emperor to regular journies, was however found to be attended with certain inconvenicncies, to obviate which, a fpot was confecrated in the ncighourhood of his palace, and fubftitutcd for the Yo on all occafions/ when it was either inconvenient for the fovereign to repair to the mountains of facrificc. At this place an edifice was erccted, which at once repre-fentcd the Kiao^ the Tan and the Hall of Ancefioth and ia fiis the emperor olFcrcd the accuftouied faciifice. The Hall of Anceflors made part of this edifice, be-caule it was necefiary for thofe who offered facrifice to the Chang-li, to repair firft to this hall, and acquaint their anccftors what they "were about to perform. Thither alio they returned after facrificiiig, to thank them for the protection they had procured from the Chang-fi, who had not dif, ■dained to receivc the homage of their vows. They then nfFered up a facrifice of thaiikfgiving, and performed certain ceremonies, to fliew their refpcct. This edifice received a different name and a new form under eacli of tlie three firft dynafties. ThcH;'cn-£e—ccleßml doSiors. fou-li, fiftli emperor of the dynafty of the Han, (liewcd a palTionnte dcfire tor the ftudy of thcfe myftericB. Death had deprived Iiim of a favourite miflrefs, whom he ardently loved, and one of thcfe impoflors, found means, by incan- tations, fo to work on his imagination as to give him a fancied light of the woman whom he fo tenderly loved ; and this fancied apparition attached him more and more to the extravagant notions of the new feet. Grieved at this infatuation, one of the grandees of the empire, being in the emperor's prefcnec when the myderious bcver:igc vas brought him, fiiddcnly fcixcd the cup, and drank up iha whole liquor. Enraged at this act, the monarch caufed htm to be arrefted, and gave orders for putting him to death. Tour order is of no avail, faid the courtier, ■without any emotion ; it is not in ycttr fnvcr H deprive me of life, ftnce / have noiv rendered rvyf'lf immortal: hov.'' evtr, if I am fliU fulječl to the power of death, ynir ma-jeßy oiues vie much ohli^atton, fince ym viuß thcrcly be convinced, thill this liquor has ml that virtue which is at tri-huted to it, find that theje impoßors deceive you. This an-fwer favcd the courticr's lif^.', but it did not reform the monarch. lie often drank the litjuorof immortality; but Iiis hcaltli began to declinc, and, after being made fcnfibic of his mortality, he died, fadly deploring his own folly and credulity. The death of the emperor did not retard the progrcis of the fcctr' Tcmplesj confecratcd to f^iirits, reared tficr 1-icads In every corncr of the empire ; and two of the nno(t celebrated of xXx^Taa-ßi were authorifcdto maintain public worftiip there, after the form wliich had been- appointed for them. They likewife diilrlbutcd and fuld to the people fmall images, upon which were rcprcfented thaf immenfe crowd, both of men and fpirits, with which £hcy had peopled the heavens, and which they named Sien-gin _Immortiils. Thcfe were worHiipped as fo many rfiftinct deities, independent of the Supreme Being r in like matincf feveral of the ancicnt kings were mctamorphofcJ into gods, and alfo invoked. Under the Tang, this fuperflition fill! continued. Tlie founder of that dynafty erected and confccrated a magniH-cent temple to Lao-tfe hhiifclf; and ar.-other emperor of the fame family caiifcd the ftatiie of this philofopher to be j5lacL-d with great pomp and folemnity in his palace. The doftors Tao-fie iiicreafed in number, and bccnn;e more powerful than ever, under the dyn:cfty of Son^. Every fraud and deceit that cunning could fuggefl-, or Iilgc--nuity invent, were employed by thcfe impoftors, to incrcüfc the reputation of their dodttine, and to infmuate rhemfclves into the confidence of princes. On' a durk night, thej-fufpendcd, at one of the gates of the imperial city, a book of inyftic charaflers, and magical figures. At brcat of day, they fent notice to the emperor of the Aidden rtp-. pearance of this book, and publicly dcelarcd that it had fallen from heaven. Tiie credulous monarch, followed by a numerous train, immediately rqiaired, on foot, to the fpot, in order to take polVcflion of the precious volume. nnd, liaving received it into his hands, in the moft refpeil-iul manner, he cai'ried it, as in tnuniph, to Iiis piihce, and fliut it up in a goWen box. The eighth emperor of the (lime dynafly carrii.-