400
exemption from all Taxes.
In less than eighty years the Tartars became so numerous that every available space in the new town was occupied. In the old town there is much ground still vacant. The circuit of the walls of the entire city of Pekin measures about fifty-two Chinese lys (about 18 British statute miles). Those of the new town are unrivalled in the Empire for their height (stated in Staunton's account of Macartney's Embassy to be 40 feet high, 20 feet thick at the base and 12 at the Summit, with a considerable batter on the inside), width, and solidity, or of any other city in China.
Ramps of easy slope lead to the summit, which is wide enough to enable horsemen to ride at their ease upon it. At frequent intervals there are guard houses - the towers are within good range of the demilines in front of them, and at regular distances there are towers on a much larger scale for containing reserves of men.
The gates of the town are well arched. Above them rise extensive superstructures nine stories in height, each floor being provided with loopholes or embrasures for guns. The lowest story forms a large hall.
In front of each of the gates, which are nine in number, there are places of arms three hundred and sixty feet wide, and bounded by a semicircular wall of the same height and thickness as the rest of the enciente.
The entrances from the country are in prolongation of the roads and the latter are commanded by nine-storied towers similar to those just described. The works command both the exterior and interior of the town, and no other citadel or fort is required to complete the defences.
The streets of the town are straight, they are a hundred and twenty feet wide. There are generally shops on either side, but the fronts of the houses are badly built and are of no great height.
The streets are much crowded, the number of horses, mules, donkeys, and camels is so great that it is a matter of some difficulty to pass along them.
The governor of Pekin is a Mantchou Tartar of distinction, he is called "Kiou Men-Tou" or the general of the nine gates and exercises both civil and military functions.
The police are not numerous, but the order and tranquility that prevail among so vast a population is astonishing. Robbery or violence occur but rarely. All the large streets, which extend in a straight line from one gate to another, contain guard houses, and soldiers armed with swords and with whips in their hands are stationed day and night to chastise any who cause a disturbance and they have power to arrest any who resist their authority.
The cross streets are furnished with latticed gates at each end so that all that passes within them can be seen from without. Guard houses are placed opposite to these in the principal thoroughfares. The gates are shut during the night by the soldiers on guard, and are only opened to those who carry a lantern and who have some urgent errand.
As soon as the close of the day is announced by the tolling of a great bell, small parties patrol from one guard house to another, sounding a species of clapper to warn the inhabitants to retire to their homes.
This system secures peace, silence, and security.