Their punishments are extremely severe; and in their judicial proceedings the decision is given upon the principles of ordeal. Some of their modes of trial are by causing persons accused to walk over red hot iron or burning coals; by immersing them in water; or by throwing them to tigers, on the supposition that the innocent will escape unhurt.

ans.

The Siamese are accounted more learned than their neighbours, yet they will bear no comparison to EuropeMusic and poetry form, in a manner, their ruling passion they are very fond of theatrical exhibitions, dancing, wrestling, and puppet shows.

CHINA.

THE KIAN-KU.

The Kian-Ku, Yang-tse, or Blue River, is the largest river, not only in China, but also in Asia. It rises in the mountains of Thibet, and traversing China from west to east, passing by the city of Nankin, flows into the sea, 120 miles east of that city. Its comparative course is upwards of 2,000 miles in length; in its progress through the different provinces, it assumes different names. breadth at Nankin is three or four miles. The country through which it flows is fertile, populous, and highly cultivated, and the river affords great facilities for com

merce.

Its

THE HOANG-HỌ.

The Hoang-Ho, or Yellow River, the second great river of China, is nearly as long as the Kian-Ku. It rises not at a great distance from the sources of that river, though not so far to the west. It winds far to the north into Tartary, then turning southerly, crosses China, and flows into the Yellow sea, only about 100 miles N. of the Kian-Ku, although in a part of their course the two rivers are upwards of 1,000 miles apart. It is broad and rapid, but in many places so shallow, as to be hardly navigable. It flows through some of the finest parts of China.

It

often passes its banks, so that it has been found necessary to raise dikes in many places on the sides of the river, and even round some towns.

PEKIN- -See Plate, No. 75.

Pekin, the capital of China, is situated in a very fertile plain, in the northeast part of the empire, 20 leagues distant from the great wall. It is a very large and populous city, containing, according to the information given to lord Macartney, 3,000,000; this, however, is supposed to be an exaggerated statement. It is surrounded

with walls, 30 feet high and 25 thick at the base, inclosing 14 square miles, exclusive of the suburbs, and is divided into two towns, one of which is inhabited by Chinese, the other by Tartars. A street four miles long, and 120 feet wide, reaches from one gate to the other, and is crossed by another of similar length and breadth. The other streets are narrow, and many of them can only be considered as lanes. They are kept very clean, and frequently watered.

The dwelling houses are built of brick, but are of only one story. The principal streets consist chiefly of rows of shops, which are painted, gilded, and magnificently adorned. Sky-blue, and green mixed with gold, are the prevailing colours upon the walls. The goods are not displayed within, but exposed in large groups in front of the houses. The streets are extremely crowded in consequence of the number of trades carried on in the open air, and multitudes passing and repassing. In this immense concourse there are no Chinese women; yet Tartar females are frequently seen.

Of the ornamental buildings are those usually called triumphal arches, but they appear to be erected as monuments to distinguished men. The imperial palace stands within the city, and is encompassed by a double wall, about four miles in circuit. It comprises a vast assemblage of buildings, which are more remarkable, however, for their number than their magnificence, some of them being only mean cottages.

NANKIN-PORCELAIN TOWER.

See Plate, No. 76.

Nankin, once the metropolis of China, is situated near the Kian-Ku, 500 miles SSE. of Pekin. The population was formerly estimated at two or three millions, but it is now much reduced, and the city has lost much of its splendour. It covers a greater extent of ground than any other city of China, but about one third of its area is now unoccupied. It is, however, the first city in China with regard to manufactures, the principal of which are crapes and silks, and thin stuffs, which, from this place, are called nankeens. It is also the most learned city in the empire; it furnishes the greatest number of doctors, and has the best furnished booksellers' shops. Its principal ornaments are its lofty and splendid gateways, and its porcelain tower.

The most remarkable object in Nankin is the celebrated Porcelain Tower, which may be regarded as a fine specimen of oriental pagodas. It is about 200 feet in height, and 40 in diameter, composed of nine stories, and mounted by 884 steps. It appeared to Mr. Ellis to be formed of white tile, having the appearance of porcelain. At the top is a large ball, which the Chinese assert to be of solid gold, though some suspect it to be only gilded. This structure bears the date of 1411, and is said to have cost £800,000 sterling.

CANTON.

It

Canton, situated near the mouth of a river, in the southern part of the couutry, is the great commercial port of the empire to which foreign vessels are admitted, being the only emporium of European commerce in China. is a large and populous city, having a population, according to some, of upwards of 1,000,000. The city is composed of three parts, separated by lofty walls; the houses present nothing remarkable, but great neatness; they are chiefly built of brick, consisting of only one story, and have no windows towards the street. The streets are continually crowded, especially with porters, there being no other means of transporting goods, than men's shoulders. People of condition are here carried in chairs.