Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 660

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wealth, and influence, Hángchau rivala Súchau, and for excellence of manufactures and beauty of position probably exceeds it. This city was the metropolis of the country during the latter princes of the Sung dynasty. It maintained its splendor during the sway of the Mongols, but began to decline when Hungwú made Nánking his capital. The manufactures of silk are those for which it is most celebrated abroad.

The city contains among other public buildings a mosque, bearing an inscription in Arabic, stating that it is a temple for Museulmen when traveling, who wish to consult the Koran. There are also several others in the city, it being the stronghold of Islamism in China. This city is the same as the famous Kinsai mentioned by Macao Polo. Its population is estimated at more than a million.

Ningpo fú is the next important eity to Hnágchau in consequence of its foreign relations. It is well situated for trade and influence at the junction of three streams in lat. 29° 55′ N. and long. 121° 22′ E.' The river thus formed called Tátsieh (erroneously written Tahiáh),' flows on to the ocean eleven and a half miles distant. Its population has been estimated at from one fourth to one third of a million, or even more including all the suburban and floating inhabitants. It is moreover an ancient city, aud its anpals afford very full informa- tion upon subjects which interest the Chinese antiquarian.

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The circumference of the walls is about five miles. The govern- ment of the city is in the hands of a prefect, who also oversees the whole department. An intendant of circuit, superior to the prefect, has an office in Ningpo; but the immediate superintendance of the city is in the hands of the district magistrate of Kiu, assisted by a police and military force. The most striking building in the city is the Tien-fung ták, or Celestial-Offering Pagoda, or Tower of Ningpo; a hexagonal seven-storied building, upwards of 160 feet high, which, according to the annals of the city, was first erected 1100 years ago, though during this period it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Its preservation is considered necessary to protect the fortunes of the city. The most elegantly furnished edifice in the city is a temple dedicated to the popular goddess Má Tsúpú, the Amphitrite of Chinese mythology; it was founded by Fuhkien men in the 12th century, but the present structure was erected in 1690, and largely endowed through the liberality of its patrons.

Chinhái is a district town at the mouth of the river Tatsieh, iu lat. 30° N. and long. 120° 40′ E. It is so situated by nature and fortified

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