CHINA. 1751. 273 



was a fair every day, at leaft during the flay of 

 the Europeans in this country, which is from 

 July to February, 



In China are faid to be 58 millions of inha- 

 bitants, all between 20 and 60 years of age, 

 who pay an annual tax. It is reported that 

 many were ftarved to death this year on ac- 

 count of the bad crop, and that great numbers 

 were come from different provinces to get their 

 livelihood here. Notwithft anding the induftry 

 of the people, their amazing populoufnefs 

 frequently occafions a dearth. Parents who 

 cannot fupport their female children, are al- 

 lowed to caft them into the river ; however, 

 they faften a gourd to the child, that it may 

 float on the water ; and there are often com- 

 panionate people of fortune who are moved 

 by the mournful cries of the children to fave 

 them from death. Le Comte relates, that in" 

 the conquer! of Nankin by the Tartars, wo- 

 men were fold in bags, and he who had bought 

 an old woman, call both bag and woman into 

 the river 2 . The boys which cannot be 

 brought up by their parents are educated at 

 the expence of the public. 



z Le Comte, p. 301, 



Vol. I. T The 



