Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 666

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Well watered. The chief river is called the Chú kiảng (Pearl river), on which Cauton is situated. Eist of Canton is the Tung kiing; to the west is the Si king, and north is the Peh king or North R. Chiuchau fú is a considerable city on the Hán kiáng 韓江

in the east of the province.

Canton, or Kwangchau fú, the provincial capital lies on the north bank of the Pearl River in lat. 23° 8′ 10′′ N. and long. 113° 14′ 30′′ E., nearly parallel with Havana, Muskat and Calcutta; its climate is however colder than that of either of those cities. The word Canton is a corruption of Kwangtung, derived in English from Kamiom, the Portuguese mode of writing it. The citizens them- selves usually call it Kwangtung Sang-ch'ing, i. e. the Kwangtung Provincial Metropolis, or simply Sung-ch'ing. Another name is the City of Rams, and a third the City of Genii, both derived from an- cient legends. It lies at the foot of the White Cloud Hills along the Jow banks of the river, about seventy miles north of Macao in a direct line, and ninety north-west of Hongkong. The population is estimated at somewhat less than a million.

Fatshán is a large town without walls on a branch of the Pear! River, twelve or fourteen miles above Canton. Its manufactures and trade are extensive, and it is said to contain more people and houses than Canton itself. It is about ten miles in circumference, and is reckoned to contain a million of inhabitants. This city and Canton are often designated together by their citizens as the Two Boroughs.

The island of Hongkong belonged originally to the province of Kwangtung. The peninsula of Macao is still within its jurisdiction. The island of Shangchuen or Sancian where Xavier died, belongs to this province. It lies south-west of Macao about thirty miles, and is sometimes visited by devout persons from that place.

The city of Shauchau fú iu the northern part of the province, in lat. 21° 55′ N, long, 113° 0' 30" E., and Shauking fú on the Fearl River west of Canton, in lat, 23° 04′ 48′′ N, long 112° 04′ E. are among the most important cities of the province. The latter was formerly the seat of the provincial authorities, until they were or. dered to remove to Canton to keep the foreigners under control. Nánhung chau situated at the head of navigation on the North River, where goods cross the Meiling in fat. 25° 11′58′′ N. and lòng, 113° 55′ 10′′ E is a town of some hote,” It is said that fifty thousand porters obtain a livelihood by-transporting packages, passengers and

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