Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 654

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Besides the Yellow river, which forms a part of its boundary, the provinse is intersected by several smaller rivers, among which are the Hü-to River, which flows easterly into the Pei ho in Chihli, thẻ Tsin and the Fan ho which pass from north to south near the centre of the province, and empty into the Yellow river. The Sángkien ho drains the northern part of Shánsí. near the Wall;, in that region are some lakes.

Shánsí is remarkable as being the original seat of the Chinese people; and many of the places mentioned, and scenes recorded in their ancient annals, are found within its borders.

Province of Honán.

Hunan

i. e. South of the River, anciently called Yen and Yu, the central region of China, borders to the north on Chibli, Shánsi and Shantung, south upon Húpeh, east upon Kiảngnán (Kiángsí and Ngánhwui), and west upon Sheusi, Its greatest limits to the north, are lat. 37°; to the south 31° 30′; to the west 6° 20 west of Peking; and to the east 25′ east of Peking. The northern part stretches into the provinces of Chihli and Shantung. The Yellow river runs through its whole breadth, The rivers in thẹ north are the Cháng Ho, and Wei Ho; in the south there is the Hwái tho the Ko ho, the Shaho with several

• others which flow eastward into Ngánhwui. The Lobho is the largest tributary of the Yellow R. on the south. The capital Kái- fung fú lies near the Yellow river, and has been, submerged two or three times by its overflowing.

Káifung fu, the capital of Honán, is situated in lat. 34° 52′ 05′′ N, and long. 114° 33′ E., about a league from the southern bank of the Yellow river, whose bed is here elevated above, the adjacent coun- try, and consequently in danger from the freshes and bursting away of the river's banks. This city is noted as the principal seat of the Jews in China, of whose present coudition and numbers ¡little, is known; and also as the capital of Fuhhí the founder of the Chinese monarchy.

The city of Honán having the same name as the province, is in fat. 34° 43′ 15 N. and long, 112' 27′ 40′′ E, The Chinese formerly believed it to be in the middle of their empire. Tangfung hien in this department is famous for the tower built there by the celebrated #stronomer Chakang. This person lived more than a thousand years ›before Christ, and the Chinese ascribe the mariner's compass to him.