Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 265

1841.

Chusan Archipelago.

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pose. These haue women that doo tende vpon them, and doo paint and trim them vp, and they are such that with pure age did leaue that office. So by this order in all this kingdome, although it be great, and the people infinite; yet there is no poore that dooth perish nor begge in the streetes, as was apparent vnto the austere and barefoote fryers, and the rest that went with them into that countrie."

These extracts must suffice, The subsequent chapters of this first part of the book are occupied with moral and political topics. The remainder of the pages are filled with miscellaneous matters, curious and miraculous-at least, the author doth so aver. The story of Limahon, and the particulars of his attack on Manila, are related at great length. This roving pirate came into notice about 1570, and the narrative, 'done into plain English,' would be worth reading. The notices of several Spanish friars, who visited the coast of China about the same time, are not without interest and instruction. But we must close the book.

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very

ART. II. Chusan Archipelago: sailing directions, derived from

nautical surveys, made by H. B. M.'s squadron in 1840-41. [We are proud of being able to lay before our readers the collection of valuable details comprised in the following article; as surveys progress and extend, we hope often to have the pleasure of furnishing them with many similar communications. While making grateful acknowledgement for this paper, we beg to solicit from friends (and from strangers also) such addition- al information as it may be in their power to communicate.] THE Kew shan (or Quesan islands) are eleven in number, besides several rocks. The largest is three miles long, and its greatest breadth 1 mile; in some places, however, it is not more than a cable * or a cable and a half wide: the others are much smaller, varying from to of a mile in extent. They are thickly populated, probably to the amount of 1500 inhabitants, who principally subsist on fish. They have goats, pigs, and fowls. The sweet potatoe is cultivated upon most of the islands, and forms during the winter their principal article of food.

The geographical extent of the group is from lat. 29° 21′1⁄2 N., to 29° 28′ N., and from long, 122° 10′ to 122° 16′1⁄2 E.

A cable's length is one tenth of a mile.