156 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. IX. 
Yuk-slian is a walled town of considerable size, and 
I should imagine contains from thirty to forty thousand 
inhabitants. It appears to be a larger place than Chang- 
shan ; and, like that town, it stands at the head of a navi- 
gable river. All the merchandise of the Bohea moun- 
tains, and of the countries east of the Poyang lake, which 
is destined for Hang-chow- foo, Shanghae, and other 
town in that district, is landed here, to be carried 
across to Chang-shan by coolies. Hence these two towns 
appear to be the connecting links between two most 
important rivers, as well as between the richest coun- 
tries of China. One of them is connected with the great 
black-tea country, and the other with the green-tea dis- 
tricts, and also with those rich silk and cotton lands near 
the coast ; and the importance of these two towns and 
rivers will be further appreciated when I state that 
through their agency large quantities of our manufactures 
find their way into the heart of the country. 
Passing over a fine stone bridge, we were soon at the 
walls of the city. Having entered the gates, we pro- 
ceeded along one of the principal streets. It was 
crowded with people, all hurrying to and fro, and appa- 
rently engaged in active business. The shops were of 
the same kind as I have frequently described, and I am 
not aware of any particular kind of manufacture being 
carried on in the place. Like their neighbours at the 
head of the other river, the inhabitants seem to be busy 
enough in housing and carrying the merchandise brought 
here to be sent onwards. The western suburb is very 
extensive, and adjoins the river. To this part of the 
town we bent our steps, and soon reached the Hong-le, 
