Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 649

TONQUIN.

Anciently an independent kingdom, but since 1802 a province of Annam, is situated between lat. 19 deg. and 23 deg. N. and long. 102 deg. and 108 deg. 30 min. E., bounded on the north by China, on the west by the Laos country, on the south by Annam, and on the east by the Gulf of Tonquin. The country near the sea is a rich alluvial plain, well watered by numerous rivers, and produces large crops of rice, while sugar, cotton, spices, indigo, silk, and various other articles are raised. It is believed to possess valuable mines of silver, and gold is also known to exist. By the Treaty of Hué, dated the 6th June, 1884, the Annamite Government placed Tonquin under a French Protectorate, and its affairs are in future to be administered under the supervision of French Residents. The country is, however, still in a very disturbed state. Tonquin is divided into seventeen provinces, namely, Quang-yen, Hai-duong, Bac-ninh, Thai-nguyen, Lang-son, Cao-bang, Tuyen-quang, Hong hoa, Son-tay, Ha-noi, Ninh binh, Hung-yen, Nam-dinh, Thanh-hoa, Nghé-an, Ha tinh, and Bo-chinh. Hanoi, the capital, is the chief town of the province of the same name, and appears on old maps as Ke-sho. The population is estimated at from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000.

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HANOI.

Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin, once an independent kingdom, but since 1882 a province of Annam, is situated on the Song-koi, or Red River, 110 miles from its mouth. The city is built close on the river, here about a mile in width, and, being embowered in trees, presents a pleasing appearance on being approached by water. The citadel occupies the highest site, and is surrounded by a brick wall twelve feet high and a moat. Five gates give access to it, and in front of each is a redan strongly defended and manned by troops. Three of the five gates have been walled up since the occupation of the citadel by the French in 1882. The Govern- ment buildings and barracks are all inside the citadel. The city is situated between the citadel and the river. The principal streets occupied by Chinese are wide and the houses well built of brick; in the other quarters of the city the shops and houses are mat erections. The streets, with the exception of the Chinese quarter, are mostly unpaved, and in wet weather are simply impassable on account of the mud. The French have, however, made great improvements in this way. The street leading from the river bank to the citadel is well metalled and great part of the town is now lighted with oil lamps, while substantial brick houses are springing up in all directions. Before the war there was plenty of life and business in Hanoi, and the shops and markets were well supplied with native goods and produce. The Chinese then numbered more than 3,000. The French Settlement is separate from the city proper, and stands on the river bank to the south of the native town. The French are now constructing a grand circular boulevard running round the outskirts for a distance of 13 miles. This boulevard will be connected with the city by seven roads with an aggregate length of over 14 miles, all of which are to be planted with trees. The population of the city was estimated before the war at from 60,000 to 80,000; great part of it was destroyed during the troubles, and the town was almost deserted. Now, however, the population is probably as great as ever it was.