Chap. IV. 
CHUSAN— TINGHAE. 
43 
in length, and ten or twelve in breadth at the broadest 
part. In approaching it the view of the numerous other 
islands which stud the sea in all directions is striking 
and picturesque ; noble mountains towering above the 
other land, and fertile valleys sloping gradually to the 
ocean. The island itself is a succession of hills, valleys, 
and glens, presenting an appearance not unlike the 
scenery in the Highlands of Scotland. At the head of 
every valley there are mountain passes, over which the 
inhabitants cross when they wish to visit the interior of 
the island. • The valleys are rich and beautiful, sur- 
rounded by mountains which in many parts are covered 
with trees, and in others under cultivation : these, in 
their turn, again open and expose other valleys no less 
fertile, rich in vegetation, and watered by the clear 
streams from the mountains. Thus the traveller can 
visit the whole of the island, his way winding through 
valleys and over mountain passes, until his prospect is at 
last arrested by the sea, of which he has had frequent 
glimpses during the journey. Did our island of Hong- 
kong possess the natural advantages and beauties of 
Chusan, what a splendid place it might have been made 
by our enterprising English merchants in a very few 
years ! 
The principal town is Tinghae, well known as the place 
twice taken by the English troops during the last war. 
It is but small, compared with any of the other five 
ports where foreigners are now trading : the walls are 
not more than three miles in circumference, and the 
suburbs not very extensive ; it contains about 26,000 
inhabitants. When I was there the island was in the 
