Chap. XV. ITS DECAY. 



323 



siderable importance, and has taken the place of 

 Kan-poo as the seaport of the provincial capital. 

 But there is scarcely any foreign trade carried on 

 at Chapoo. No ships bring "merchandise from 

 India." It is chiefly remarkable for the large 

 trade done in wood, brought up from the province 

 of Fokien, and also as being the only port in the 

 empire that trades with Japan. 



It is just possible that long before the days of 

 Marco Polo Hang-chow-foo itself was a seaport; 

 then as the river gradually became unsafe Kan- 

 poo sprang up, which in its turn again gave place 

 to Chapoo. And it seems equally certain that in 

 the course of time — that time may yet be far dis- 

 tant — if the depositions at the mouth of the bay 

 continue, Chapoo itself will have to give way to 

 some place nearer the sea. 



The city of Kan-poo seems a very ancient place, 

 judging from the appearance of its wall and ram- 

 parts. They are built of large square stones, much 

 worn by time, and are rather in a dilapidated con- 

 dition. Overgrown in many places with long 

 grass, reeds, and brushwood, and much broken, 

 they have a hoary look about them which insensi- 

 bly carries the mind back to bygone ages, and to 

 generations which have long since passed away. 

 They appeared to be nearly three miles in circum- 

 ference, but the space enclosed is not nearly 

 covered with houses, and also includes many gar- 

 dens and green fields. In our walks through the 

 city we found it contained a number of clean re- 



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