CHAPTER II.

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EASTERN PROVINCES, 49-141

Limited knowledge of foreign countries, 49; Topographies of China numerous and minute, 50; Climate of the Eighteen Provinces, 50; Of Peking and the Great Plain, 51; Of the southern coast towns, 53; Contrast in rain-fall between Chinese and American coasts, 55; Tyfoons, 56; Topographical divisions into _Fu_, _Ting_, _Chau_, and _Hien_, 58; Position and boundary of Chihlí Province, 60; Table of the Eighteen Provinces, their subdivisions and government, 61; Situation, size, and history of Peking, 62; Its walls and divisions, 64; The prohibited city (_Tsz’ Kin Ching_) and imperial residence, 67; The imperial city (_Hwang Ching_) and its public buildings, 70; The so-called “Tartar City,” 72; The Temples of Heaven and of Agriculture, 76; Environs of Peking, 79; Tientsin and the Pei ho, 85; Dolon-nor or Lama-miao, 87; Water-courses and productions of the province, 88; The Province of Shantung, 89; Tai shan, the ‘Great Mount,’ 90; Cities, productions, and people of Shantung, 92; Shansí, its natural features and resources, 94; Taiyuen, the capital, 96; Roads and mountain passes of Shansí, 97; Position and aspect of Honan Province, _ibid._; Kaifung, its capital, 99; Kiangsu Province, _ibid._; Its fertility and abundant water-ways, 100; Nanking, or Kiangning, the capital, 101; Porcelain Tower of Nanking, 102; Suchau, “the Paris of China,” 103; Chinkiang and Golden Island, 105; Shanghai, 106; The Province of Nganhwui, 109; Nganking, Wuhu, and Hwuichau, 110; Kiangsí Province, 111; Nanchang, its capital, and the River Kan, 112; Porcelain works at Kingteh in Jauchau, 113; Chehkiang Province, its rivers, 114; Hangchau, the capital, 115; Ningpo, 120; Chinhai and the Chusan Archipelago, 123; Chapu, Canfu, and the “Gates of China,” 127; Fuhkien Province, _ibid._; The River Min, 128; Fuhchau, 130; Amoy and its environs, 134; Chinchew (Tsiuenchau), the ancient Zayton, 136; Position, inhabitants, and productions of Formosa, 137; The Pescadore Islands, 141.