Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 586

568

Topography of Shántung.

Oct.

We were

feet of the mountains which lay at a distance on our left. now approaching that part of China which is exposed to the disas trous overflowings of the Yellow river; perpetual sources of waste. ful expenditure to the government, and of peril and calamity to the people. So incurable, indeed, have been the destructive sallies of this great stream, and so useless is it (from its violence) for the pur- pose of internal intercourse, that it well deserves the name of Chi- na's Sorrow. The European trade at Canton has been heavily taxed for it. We observed the repairs of the banks diligently proceeding under the superintendence of the proper officer. For this purpose they use the natural soil in combination with the thick reedy stalks of the káu-liáng, or gigantic millet, of which the harvest had not long since been completed. This appears to be the mode in which the Yellow river is checked and confined throughout its boundaries in this part of China. The Weicháng hú, or lake through which the canal might be said to run, when we passed on the second, mingled its waters with our stream, the piers being nearly submerged; and we were carried along with such rapidity, that the only thing requir- ed was to guide and check our barges. This was done by taking ashore a small anchor from each boat, with which a man ran along the bank, and occasionally brought up the vessel's head by striking the fluke of the anchor in the ground, while we floated down stern foremost." Vol. I.,

Vol. I., page 260.

Confucius was born in Shantung, in the department of Yenchau, in the district of Kiufau—“ an unparalleled honor."

"Confucius! Confucius! How great is Confucius!

"Before Confucius there never was a Confucius! "Since Confucius there never has been a Confucius! "Confucius! Confucius! How great is Confucius !"

See

Foreigners in modern times have seen but little of this province. Messrs. Medhurst and Stevens, in the American brig Huron, visited one or two of the places on the each side of the promontory. vol. IV. pp. 308-335. Macartney and Amherst's embassies both passed down the Canal, on their return from the northern capital, visiting the cities of Lintsing, Tungcháng, &c.