1842.
Topography of Shúnsi.
617
2435, or about a century before the flood. It is in vain to speculate on the Chinese chronology of those early times. All their records must be fabulous or traditional, and of little value.
In the portraits, the artist has contrived to exhibit a gradual im- provement in physiognomy, costume, &c., quite in harmony with what might be supposed to be the actual improvement of society. In their writings, however, the native historians are so lavish of praises, and attribute so many great and useful inventions to each of these patriarchs, that their respective claims to authorship are made to clash with each other.
Chuenhiu-"the eminent and noble”—was born in Sz'- chuen, and succeeded his father Sháuháu at the age of twenty; began the exercise of royal authority in Chilí, not far from Peking ; but built his capital in Shantung. He was a worshiper of-or one who offered sacrifices to-the Most High-i. e.
hiáng Shúng Tí.
He died at the age of 97.
ART. VI. Topography of Shánsí; situation and boundaries of the province; its area and population; its subdivisions, mountains, rivers, lakes, plains, productions, &c.
THOUGH One of the smaller divisions of the empire, Shansí is yet no mean province. In it the progenitors of the black haired race. built their habitations, laid the foundations of the Central Kingdom, and commenced a succession of celestial dynasties. It is situated between latitutes 35° 15′ and 42° 10′ N.; and between longitudes 0° 50′ and 6° 30′ W. of Peking,-reckoning from the extreme points on the Chinese maps. It is bounded, on the east of Chili and Hónán; on the south, by Honn; on the west by Shensi; and on the north by Chahar in Mongolia. The whole western, and half of the southern boundary, are formed by the Yellow river. This river, at the southwest, as it comes down from the north, turns almost at right-angles, and flows to the east. The province is nearly in the form of a parallelogram, of which the river is one of the longest
sides.
It contains 55,263 square miles, or 35,371,520 English acres, supporting a population of 14,004,210, which gives 252 souls to
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