CHINA. sr 



are more than 200 in this vast inclosure. In the middle of a lake, 

 which is near hali a league in diameter every way, is a rocky island, 

 on which is built a palace, containing more than a hundred apart- 

 ments. It has four fronts, and is a very elegant and magnificent 

 structure. The mountains and hills are covered with trees, particu- 

 larly such as produce beautiful and aromatic flowers; and the canals 

 are edged with rustic pieces of rock, disposed with such art as exactly 

 to resemble the wildness of nature. 



The estimated population of Peking was carried in the last century, 

 by the Jesuit Grimaldi, as quoted by Gimelli Carreri, to sixteen mil- 

 lions. Another missionary reduces, at least that of the Tartar city, to 

 one million and a quarter. According to the best information given 

 to the late English embassy, the whole was about three millions. The 

 low houses of Peking seem scarcely sufficient for so vast a popula- 

 tion ; but very little room is occupied by a Chinese family, at least in 

 the middling and lower classes of life. A Chinese dwelling is gene- 

 rally surrounded by a wall six or seven feet high. Within this in- 

 clobure a whole family of three generations, with all their respective 

 wives and children, will frequently be found. One small room is 

 made to serve for the individuals of each branch of the family ; 

 sleeping in different beds, divided only by mats hanging from the 

 ceiling. One common room is used for eating. 



Nanking, which was the royal residence till the fifteenth century 

 (its name signifying the southern court, as Peking does the northern) 

 is said to be a considerably more extensive city than Peking, the 

 walls being about seventeen miles in circuit; but its population. does 

 not correspond to its extent. The most remarkable of its edifices is 

 the famous porcelain tower already mentioned. The well known 

 stuff called nankeen derives its name from this city. 



Canton is the largest port in China, and the only port that has been 

 much frequented by Europeans. The city wall is above five miles in 

 circumference, with very pleasant walks around it. From the top of 

 some adjacent hills, on which forts are built, you have a fine pros- 

 pect of the country. It is beautifully interspersed with mountains, 

 little hills, and vallies all green: and these again pleasantly diversified 

 with small towns, villages, high towers, temples, the seats of man- 

 darins and other great men, which are watered with delightful lakes, 

 canals, and small branches from the river Ta ; on which are num- 

 berless boats and junks, sailing different ways through the most 

 fertile parts of the country. The city is entered by several iron 

 gates, and withinside of each there is a guard-house. The streets 

 of Canton are very straight, but generally narrow, paved with flag 

 stones. There are many pretty buildings in this city, great numbers 

 of triumphal arches, and temples well stocked with images. The 

 streets of Canton are so crowded, that it is difficult to walk in them ; 

 yet a woman of any fashion is seldom to be seen, unless by chance 

 when coming out of her chair. There are great numbers of market 

 places for fish, flesh, poultry, vegetables, and all kinds of provisions, 

 which are sold very cheap. There are many private walks about the 

 skirts of the tov/n, where those of the better sort have their houses ; 

 which are very little frequented by Europeans, whose business lies 

 chiefly in the trading part of the city, where there are only shops 

 and ware-houses. Few of the Chinese traders of any substance keep 

 their families in houses where they do business; but either in the 

 city, in the more remote suburbs, or farther up in the country. They 



Vox. II, O 



