306 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON’S ADDRESS- ASIA. [May 24, 1858. 
A remarkable circumstance connected with physical geography, 
to which Mr. Lockhart directed our notice, and one that will doubt- 
less attract great attention, is the change which has taken place 
in the course of the Hwang-ho, or Yellow Kiver to the sea. In- 
stead of flowing to the south of Shantung, as formerly, this mighty 
stream has shifted its embouchure to the north of that promontory, 
falling into the gulf of Pih-che-le, 200 miles from its former mouth ! 
This is one of the many proofs of the decline of vigorous govern- 
ment in China. In earlier periods the embankments of the rivers 
were carefully watched and repaired ; but neglect has led to the 
breaking down of all artificial ramparts, and vast fertile tracts have 
consequently been sterilized. 
Although unacquainted with scientific geography, and the rela- 
tions between astronomy and geography, the Chinese possess, it 
appears, remarkable geographical and statistical accounts of the 
whole empire. A work called the Ta-tsing-yih-tung-che, one of many 
similar publications, enters minutely into the topography, locality, 
and limits of every province, city, town, village, and hamlet in the 
empire, and gives the minutest details regarding thepopulation, pro- 
ducts, commerce, and characteristics of the different places described. 
Of all the recent donations made to our Library, no one has more 
gratified me than the offering of Mr. Lockhart, of the Te-le-tseuen- 
che, or a compendium of elementary geographical science, in two 
volumes in the Chinese language, as prepared by his associate, the 
Eev. W. Muir head, and published at the expense of the late Mr. L. 
Dent, an English merchant. Translating the works of our most 
popular authors, and illustrating them with maps, diagrams, and 
drawings of animals, our good countrymen who have already issued 
two volumes, — one on political, the other on physical geography, — 
have thus taken the best method of breaking down the barriers 
which have so long separated us from this peculiar but most intel- 
ligent, ingenious, and laborious race. 
Had it not been for the present troubles in China, much would 
have been accomplished in the survey of the coasts of Tartary and 
Japan. For that purpose H.M.S. Actceon, under the command of that 
deeply-lamented officer the late Captain Bate, was despatched from 
England last year, but having been detained before Canton, the 
object of her voyage was postponed. Besides the knowledge of 
the course of the great rivers, we have yet to obtain an acquaint- 
ance with the northern coast-line to the gulf of Pih-che-le and 
Leaou Tung, as also with the whole of the coast of Corea. 
