Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 480

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TIENTSIN—PEKING.

天主堂

Tien-chu-tung.

ROMAN CATHOLIC.

#51

GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR EUROPEANS. Bister Superior M. Dutrouilh and six Sig

ters of Charity

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD

TEMPLARS.

Tientsin Lodge, No. 2.

Rev. G. T. Chandlin, D.G.W.C.J. C. Myers, V.D.G.W.C.T.

Rev. F. H. Coqset

KALGAN.

順雙

Chren-tong.

Tokmakoff, Molotkoff & Co., merchants Molchanoff and Kokovin, agents

PEKING.

The present capital of China was formerly the Northern capital only, as its name denotes, but it is now really the metropolis of the Central Kingdom. Peking is situated on a sandy plain 18 miles S.W. of the Pei-ho river, and about 110 miles from its mouth, in latitude 39 deg. 54 min. N. and longitude 116 deg. 27 min. E. or nearly on the parallel of Naples. A canal connects the city with the Pei-ho. Peking is ili adapted by situation to be the capital of a great Empire, nor is it in a position to become a great manufacturing or industrial centre. The products of all parts of China naturally find their way to the seat of Government, but it gives little save bullion in return.

From Dr. Dennys's description of Peking we quote the following brief historical sketch: "The city formerly existing on the site of the southern portion of Peking was the capital of the Kingdom of Yan. About 222 B.c., this kingdom was over. thrown by the Chin dynasty and the seat of Government was removed elsewhere. Taken from the Chine by the Khaitans about 936 A.D., it was some two years after- wards made the southern capital of that people. The Kin dynasty subduing the Khaitans, in their turn took possession of the capital, calling it the 'Western Residence. About A.D. 1151, the fourth sovereign of the Kins transferred the court thither, and named it the Central Residence. In 1215, it was captured by Genghis Khan. In 1264, Kublai Khan fixed his residence there, giving it the title of Chung- tu, or Central Residence, the people at large generally calling it Shun-l'ien-fu. In 1267 A.D., the city was transferred 3 lt (one mile) to the North of its then site, and it was then called Ta-tu-the Great Residence.' The old portion became what is now known as the Chinese city' and the terms Northern' and 'Southern' city, or more commonly nei-cheng (within the wall) and wi-cheng (without the wall) came into The native Emperors who succeeded the Mongol dynasty did not, however, continue to make Peking the seat of Government. The court was shortly afterwards removed to Nanking, which was considered the chief city of the Empire until, in 1421, Yung Lo, the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, again held his court at Peking, since which date it has remained the capital of China.

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The present city of Peking is divided into two portions, the Northern or Tartar city and the Southern or Chinese. The former is being gradually encroached upon by the Chinese, and the purely Manchu section of the capital will soon be very limited. The southern city is almost exclusively occupied by Chinese. The general shape of

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