Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-17
THE IMPERIAL CITY OF PEKIN.


IN Il lllIEhlhI Jlll VI fEhlN.
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
PEKIN, Aug 10, 1859.
The French missionaries at Pekin, in other
times mot a single individual remains there
now, unless concealed,) by astronomical obser-
vations determined the position of Pekin to be
north latitude 80 deg. "a min. l3 Sec, and east
longitude | Is deg. "a min. 81 sec. 1t is there
fore almost in precisely the latitude of Phila |
delphia. 1t is situated in the northern part of
the Province of Chill, or Pecheclce, the most
important of the eighteen which compose the
empire, and containing population half a CEN
tury ago exceeding considerably that of the en-
tire United States. The distance from the
shores of the Gulf of Pecheelee, in the east, is
about $50 miles by the River Peiho, which is
unequaled for its crooks and turns, but not
above l30 in a straight line. About 100 miles
to the west of the city runs the great wall, while
between the wall and the city there rises a chain
of mountains of considerable elevation, in which
several small rivers have their sources. One of
these streams called the Tung-whai, supplies
the interior of the Imperial city, one arm sur
rounding the Imperial Palace, forming several
pretty lakes in the Imperial gardens, and filling
the ditch which runs around the walls. We
saw no bitches near the gate which we entered,
the eastern, but in an excursion made to the
walls in the interior, saw ditch partially fill
ed with water, and running close to the founda-
ton of the walls, and also a stream or canal
connected with it striking into the heart of the
city. The waters of this river fall into the ca
nal, which unites with the Peiho about eight
miles east of the city. A canal unites the city
with the por: of Tung g-chow, city containing
about 100000 inhabitants, situated at the head
of navigation OF the Peiho, and twelve miles
east of Pekin. This canal we crossed on good
stone bridges mile or two out of the city, and
also three or four miles above lung chow. Coal
is found in nexhaustible quantities, but of poor
quality in the mountains lying back of Pekin,
of which l obtained specimens. 1t answers
quite well for culinary purposes and warming
| houses, and comes in n special providential
provision in the almost total absence of wood.
Pekin is situated in the middle of vast low
and sandy plain. The tide, which never exceeds
nine feet at the mouth of the Peiho, is felt more
than hundred miles above; nothing like hill
was to be seen, and rarely gentle swell, which
was perceptbc only upon close observation,
while occasionally ridges of sand, formed by
the wind, were no untrequent occurrence, and
were in the midst of the most luxuriant crops
of corn and milet In many places water is
stagnant in pools, and in others the surface is
so miry as to be impossible. On the east and
south this immense plain, spread out like the
ocean, sweeps away beyond the reach of the eye,
while on the east and north, hills begin to rise
above the plain only few miles beyond the
walls. and still further at a large distance are
seen the mountains which separate Mantchooria
from the Province of Chill, rising in dark and
solemn majesty, but still most agreeable and in
spiring on which the soul poised itself, aud at
once the White Mountains, the Green Noun
tains and the Catskill, were all before me.
So level is the surrounding country so thick
the trees and shrubbery. and so crowded the
temples. monasteries and cemeteries, with sub
urbs all about the CITY, as densely built and peo-
pled as inside of the walls. that nothing is seen
IF Tho walls and towers and hirh structures of
several stories above the rateways. till all bursts
upon the eve like an enchantment, only when
the visitor is close to or entering the city of
100000 of inhabitants. The lofty walls and
towers make an imposing appearance, springing
nm as if by magic and are not unworthy Of the
capital of SO great an Empire. But when the
stranger has once entered the great gateways,
and sent his eve forward into the depths of the
city. the illusion is broken, and admiration gives
place to disappointment and vexation. The
Street we entered is almost as wide as farmers
field, if that can be ascertained, and as Judged,
twice the width of PENNSYLVANIA avenue in
WASHINGTON CITY But IL is unpayed, as are all
the other streets have visited, and wheels and
horses feet sink deem into the sand if it is dry
weather. and into the mud when it is wet. The
streets are generally of good width, and eros.
at right angles. but nothing struck nv eve with
pleasure as | crossed the threshold of this Ba.
bel. and moved slowly along this immense street
So wide and SO long flour or five miles, and SC
crowded with stores. and houses, and people
except the innumerable trees. tall and of wild,
snread branches-whicb gave TO the city the all
Of n forest-and an artificial hill. or mount
bnlt nm in the Emneror's Gardens. which is con