June 14 , 1858 .] 
ADDITIONAL NOTICES. 
363 
rivers which, in connexion with it, form a continuous chain of inland navigation 
from the most southern parts of the empire. This city is, in fact, the empo- 
rium, and may he called the port, of Pekin. The concourse of vessels was 
so great for two or three miles abreast the city, that it was with difficulty 
the junks with the embassy on board were able to pass through them. The 
population was said to be 700,000, all seemingly as busy as a hive of bees. 
The course of the river as far as Tiensing runs nearly east and west, and 
is very winding, as will be seen on reference to the chart ; above Tiensing 
it runs nearly north and south. Near Yung-Swin , about 30 miles above Tien- 
sing, the river becomes more shallow, and the tidal action ceases, from which 
place the junks had to be towed against the stream for the rest of the way to 
Tong-chou, distant by the river from Tiensing about 95 miles, or from its 
entrance about 180 — in a direct line perhaps not more than 90 or 100 at 
most. The operation of towing was performed by gangs of men of fifteen or 
twenty for each vessel, according to its size, who ran along cheerfully, singing 
as they went — stout, sturdy fellows collected for the occasion. The vessels 
passing up the river above Tiensing seemed innumerable — chiefly with cargoes 
of grain and salt for Pekin. 
They reached Tong-chou on the fourth day after leaving Tiensing, and 
shortly before arriving there, had a view of the mountain ranges of Tartary 
in the far distance, stretching across the horizon from east to west. So far the 
country on either side, as far as the eye could reach, had been one vast flat, for 
the most part low swampy grounds, cultivated in the vicinity of the towns and 
villages with rice and millet, and studded with willow-trees. The banks of the 
river appeared in several places to be considerably raised above the level of 
the adjacent lands, and great care was observable to strengthen them against 
breaches by any flooding of the waters. In some places sluices were noticed 
for letting them out for the purposes of irrigation. 
Tong-chou is a very considerable city, surrounded on all sides, except that 
facing the river, by a high wall and ditch, the usual defences of Chinese cities. 
At this place, the river being no farther navigable, the embassy was landed in 
order to proceed to Pekin, distant about 12 miles, a fine broad and paved road 
leading to the capital. It may here be observed, that although there was 
sufficient water in August to allow the large junks to proceed so far, upon the 
return of the embassy early in October the river was found to have fallen so 
much as to be barely passable for boats for some way below Tong-chou ; and 
in the winter it was said to be frozen, and the navigation for a time suspended 
in consequence. 
2. Notes on the Zambesi, from Quillimane to Tete. From the Portuguese, 
by J. Lyons M‘Leod, Her Majesty’s Consul for Mozambique. 
After leaving Quillimane, on the left hand ascending the river, we arrive at 
Inhasuja, which is about 2 leagues from Quillimane. Here a stream runs to 
the sea. On the same side of the river we next come to Interro, about 3^ 
leagues farther, where there is another stream running to the sea. From this 
plaGe about 4 leagues is Maenboosha ; about 4 leagues more, Mangara, where 
there is another stream running to the sea ; 3 leagues farther is Chataunga ; 
4 leagues onwards Mejerumba ; and 6 leagues farther is Mazaro, at the Boca do 
Ptio. A long musket-shot from Mazaro, on the same side of the river, but 
looking down the Luavo, is Maruro. 
The tide reaches Mangara, which is about 12 or 13 leagues from Quillimane. 
It takes three days going from Quillimane to Mangara by water, by land 
one day. 
