rocks, one of which is said to represent a tiger at rest, and winch gives the name to the river. On each side are numerous forts having large tigers' heads painted on the embrasures, in order to frighten pirates. This channel is commonly used by Portuguese lorchas coming from Macao, and by junks from the north or neighbouring ports of Namoa, Hong Kong, Lintin, etc.; but the native trade of Canton with Macao, the island of Hainan, and all the southern coast of China bordering the Anan kingdom, "Tonkin and Cochin China," is made through an inner channel called by the natives TaHwang-Kao, and by the English "Broadway River." It communicates with Whampoa and thence with Bocca Tigris. It was by one of its arms that the English fleet reached the Choo-Kiang in 1840, and rendered useless the different bars constructed in different parts of the river. There are many arms of the sea flowing in different directions, with numerous creeks and inlets: thus forming an estuary.

The Broadway River is seldom taken by foreigners who have nothing to do in the interior of the country, and who are more exposed to the attacks of pirates on account of the narrowness of the channel and the consequent want of wind. It is frequented only by those who wish to visit the interior of the country, to observe the culture of the land, and become acquainted with the habits and customs of the people.

On the 25th November 1844, M. Jules tier, and M. Isidore Hedde, two gentlemen connected with the French mission to China, embarked on board a native junk, which had been hired for the purpose of going to Macao by the inner passage, but when they got ou board, the master of the boat told them it was at that time impossible to proceed by that passage, as there was neither wind nor water enough, besides which the part was infested by numerous pirates who were seizing and plundering every one they met, and that it was therefore necessary to pass by the Bogue, which was more secure, and by which the travellers might reach Macao in 20 hours. M. Itier replied that it was now too late to attempt to impose on them with such tales, that the boat had been hired to proceed by the inner passage, and that he insisted on going by that road, and added, pointing to his pistols, "We have something there that will bring bad men to reason." The master of the boat on this shook his head and proceeded to make preparations for departure.

The wooden anchor was soon weighed to the song of Hay ho, Hay ho, repeated in chorus by the crew; the sail, made of matting, was unloosed and the noise of the water and of the oars soon told

They then took posses

the travellers that they were under weigh sion of the cabins reserved for passengers, placing a Chinese boy, named Ai Yun, who accompanied them, on the outside to watch the movements of the crew. They loaded their guns and pistols, and placed them in readiness in case of attack from pirates; and to guard against any treachery on the part of the crew, they had provided themselves with poniards which they carried in their breast pockets, a precaution which was thought necessary from the fate of the unfortunate crew of the French ship Navigator, who, while lying not far from this spot, were murdered to the number of 20, one aloue escaping by jumping overboard. Over the door of the cabin occupied by the travellers was written a Chinese sentence, signifying, “I ลเท a friend of the God of the Sea; my guns frighten pirates: I receive only happy passengers." On either side of the door were placed two large round lamps of coloured paper bearing this inscription, “Good mind, good journey." Mats were placed for beds, and knapsacks for pillows, on the top of which were placed coverlets of cotton or printed silk, which gave the place a very gay appearance. In the fore part of the boat were placed eight rowers, who kept singing in chorus, and one men at the stern directed the helm. It was about six o'clock in the morning when the "fast boat," as she was called, started. They left to the right the channel of TaKiang, which leads to Fu-Shan, a town containing a million of inhabitants, almost wholly occupied in silk-weaving. They also left behind them on the same side the Fa-ti, or flower-ground, so remarkable, and such an object of attraction to foreigners. They also saw on the left the large "Packhouses," or Honan tea-manufactories, and they proceeded in the inner passage in company with several junks, which however soon after left them proceeding up the numerous creeks which branched off into the country-in all directions.

There are two forts erected on each side of the river, which bear the name of the district " Nan-hae." Near this spot is erected a stockade, or bar, formed of stones and stakes, to prevent any large vessel from going up. This obstruction has been raised since the late war with the English, who reached Canton by this channel. From the Chinese having since barred the entrance, and mounted cannon in the fortifications on the banks, it is probable that should a new war take place it would not be so easy again to take Canton. Further up the river is the fine site of Ta-Sin, where there is a ta, or many-storied pagoda, and a great number of Miao "temples" dis tinguished by their groves of beautiful trees. On the front are erec

ted two poles bearing silk flags of different colours, symbols of authority which in China is understood to reside at first in Heaven, or in the Sovereign, who is on earth the representative of God, and after in the magistrates or the father of a family, and always in a natural hierarchy.

On the left, at the bottom of an extended plain, divided into plantations of sugar-canes, tobacco plants, and rice fields, there may be seen a high tower, which is said to be dedicated to Kwan-gin, the goddess of mercy and pardon. As the trees were not clothed with foliage the face of the country could be readily seen. M. [tier, who was well skilled in mineralogy and geology, observed that the hills were composed of a compact grey stone, probably belonging to a secondary class of rocks. The stone was fine grained, and contained a large proportion of quartz. Lying immediately beneath the grey stone was the old red sandstone. This stratum was found vary. ing from a bright red fine-grained rock, to a coarse mixture full of large pebbles and quartz. At the foot of the hills a detritus has been formed by the succession of ages, which, by the industry of the Chinese, has become very rich and productive. The soil of all the plains in this neighourhood is mostly alluvial, but on the declivites of the hills it is decomposed sand-stone of reddish colour. Near Shi-pae, a pretty village inhabited by busbandmen and fishermen, granite rocks appeared, but the general characteristic of the country is primitive. Our travellers there heard several cannon-shot fired by several junks, but there was no danger of pirates attacking Europeans in the day time. Besides, Robert Fidele, the servant of M. Itier was on duty mounting guard on the deck with a gun on his shoulder, whilst Ai Yun, the Chinese boy, was entertaining the crew with relations of the wonders performed by French weapous.

At one o'clock, though the tide was unfavourable, they arrived at Wae-chong, where they saw large heaps of shells which had been burnt to make lime; some of them were very thin and transparent, and are used instead of glass for windows, giving a much pleasanter light.

Further on, on the right, is the village of Cheun-chan, in a channel full of barks and boats dressed out with flags, and full of people striking on the gong. A boat here came off bringing sweet potatoes, plantains, and fish, but the sellers were not allowed to come on board in consequence of their knavish appearance.

At three o'clock they passed opposite Pwan-Poo, a pretty village on the right bank, where there is a fine joss-house, surrounded by

Pagoda trees (ficus indicus). On the sides of the Channel are rice grounds, bordered with mulberry-trees. This is the entrance of the silk territory. On the right is the charining town of Tz'-ni, in which there is a custom-house. On the opposite side to the south-west is a pyramidal tower built on the top of a high mountain called Taliang-shan; it is said to have been erected to the memory of SeelingShee, Hangti's legitimate consort, who is said to have taught the people, 4500 years ago, the process for rearing domestic silk worms. The river here becomes considerably wider, its breadth increasing from 600 yards to from 3,000 to 5,000 yards, and dividing into two branches. Our travellers took the one to the westward, where the country displays all its riches; the mulberry tree, cotton, and ma plants are seen in every direction. This is one of the best places for the rearing of silk-worms in the Kwang Tong province.

We must here stop to point out the extent of that interesting territory named Shun-te-hien, or Shunte district, one of the most industrious and populous in China. It extends in a circular area the diameter of which may be estimated at 24 miles. It has in its vicinity the following districts:-Nan-hae and Pwan-yu to the north; an estuary on the east; Hiang-shan towards the south; Sin-hwui to the south-west; and Nan-hae to the west, and north-west- Its chief town is Shun-te-Ching, situated in 24 deg. 49 min. 25 sec. N. lat., and 48 deg. 55 min. E. long. of Greenwich. It is a walled town, containing several thousand inhabitants, and has a market for all the raw silk and the silk cloths from the surrounding country. The Hong merchants from Canton have agents established in this place, who purchase all that is required for the foreign trade. The silk produced in this district is known in Canton by the name of tou-sz' " country silk," to distinguish it from the ou-sz', or silk brought from Ouchan-foo in the Che-Kiang province, and which is known to foreigners by the improper name of Nanking silk. The places where the towsz' is produced in Shun-te-hien are known under the following names, and form different qualities having different values. At first, Long Kiang and Long Shan, the silk of which is renowned for its brilliant whiteness, which rivalled the before-mentioned ou-sz'; after, Leonlion, and several other villages, producing more or less raw silk of different colours and qualities. M. Hedde, who had been sent to China to examine into the silk produce of the country, obtained much information during his journey.

There are from six to eight crops every year, Ist, in April or May, hwhich is the least productive; 2nd in June, which is rather more

abundant; the 3rd, in July, still more so; the 4th, in August, which is generally the best in the year; the 5th, in September, which is tolerably good and the 6th, in October and November, which cannot always be depended on. One crop when abundant will produce about 400,000 lb., and a bad one less than 50,000 lb. ; the average value being about 499,000 fr. a year. He was informed by one of the best rearers that the silkworms employed were of different broods; that the seed for the first rearing was different from the second, and

so on.

The culture of the mulberry-tree is not very remarkable in this country; the trees are not allowed to grow to any great height, each being ent at about a foot from the ground, and there is no engrafting or pruning for the amelioration of the wild tree, which is the common white mulberry, morus alba, the fruit of which is of a pink colour. When the trees begin to get old, and become less productive, they are torn up and replaced by younger shoots taken from oid trunks. The mulberry plantations in Shun-te are nevertheless interesting, because it it the first step of the silk trade the last of which is at Che-Kiang. The silk worms are not of the first kind; the wild ones are only found in remote mountains where fagara-trees grow. The cocoons in Shun-te are very small, as it has been observed that they are always smaller in warm countries. Some are of a metallic whiteness, but others are of a yellowish colour resembling sulphur. The winding of them is effected by a coarse reel, on which thread is obtained with a single cross-webbing, which in the south of France is called a la tavelle." There is in that district a great quantity of coarse silk known by the local name of Sz'-pi or Sz'-ti the one produced from the outward floss which envelopes the cocoon, and the other from defective or perforated cocoons.

M. Hedde made many enquiries respecting the apparatus and looms of the country, but he found them very imperfect; his attention was nevertheless attracted by some throwing and doubling machines; the apparatus intended for crapes is remarkably simple, and gives a stronger twist to the thread. Perhaps it is for this reason that Chinese crapes are so valued. The weaving of silk is limited to taffetas of different kinds; the most numerous are those known under the Indian name of Pongees, which are always manufactured in raw silk, and afterwards boiled to make them white, and then dyed. The foreign trade consumes a great quantity of these, which are sometimes afterwards printed abroad and reimported into China.

Our travellers continued their journey, and arrived at Pain-sha-wi.