Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 126

1850.

Topography of the Province of Húpch.

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VII. The department of Hwangchau occupies all the southeastern corner of the province north of the Great river, having Wúcháng fú on its north, and Ngánhwui on its east. The situation of the chief town is highly favorable for trade, and much of the traffic of this fertile region find its way to it. In the district of Lotien is a famous foun- tain, whose waters are highly prized for making good tea. Opposite the city itself, in the river, rises the island of Peh-kwei, or White Tor- toise I., noted for the number of large tortoises found on it, which are often kept by persons about their houses; a species of very small size is also common, which are domesticated, and even carried about the person. The Chinese fable that a soldier was once pursued by his enemies on this island, and to escape them leaped into the river, when one of the huge tortoises lying near the shore took him, as the dolphin took Arion, upon his spacious back, and safely carried him to the op- posite bank. The grateful soldier fed the reptile for a while, and then set him at liberty.

VIII. The department of Kingchau fú is situated on the south. ern borders of the province, between Hányáng and Íching fú, and south of Siángyáng, forming one of the richest and largest depart- ments in the province. Its quarries are noted for the fine quality of inkstones they furnish-an article the Chinese literati are very curious in. A Manchú garrison is maintained at this city, which is regarded as one of the keys of China.

IX. The department of I'ching was made up from portions of those around it, Yunyáng and Siángyáng on the north, and Kingchau on the east. Its natural features are like those departments, and its chief town and most of the others, lie near, or on the Great river. All this region is famous for the contests here waged in the declining days of the Hán dynasty.

X. The department of Shínán occupies the southwest corner of the province, west of Íchúng and Kingchau; it formerly all belonged to

the latter.

XI. The inferior department of Kingmun is a small section of country partitioned off from Kingchau fú; the chief town lies on a branch of the Hán kiáng, a little southwest of Ngánluh. It extends westerly from the river, and in its products does not vary much from the surrounding regions.-It may be remarked, that the capitals of fú in this province are situate deither on the Yángtsz' or the Hán rivers; consequently they are all of them very eligibly placed for trade.

The productions and manufactures of Húpeh are varied and abund- aut. Gold, silver, tin, iron, mica, copperas, crystal, marble, argillite, and other minerals, are found in its mountains; fruits, tea, cotton,