Ningpo to Shanghai in 1857/Fong-je-how to Foo-yang
Five lé N. W. from Fong-je-how, is the hamlet of Tchwo-San, of 60 families, and one mile further on the hamlet of Owydee. Thence to the ferry and Boat station, on a canal leading to the Tsien-tang, the distance, still N. W. is about 2 lé.
The tide, which by the way of the Tsien-Tang flows in from Hangchow Bay, runs up the creek or canal at which the traveller from Fong-je-how takes boat for Foo-yang. These boats, of about four tons burthen, are propelled in a curious way by a man sitting at the stern, and playing with his feet on the weighted end of a broad bladed skull. From a watch of half a dozen hours these men keep steadily at their post without any other movement than that of the feet, or a sweep right or left with an additional skull out of the stern held under the arm. The price for hire of one of these boats from the Ferry to Foo-yang, is 2,600 cash, together with what is called Wine money, which is a douceur of a mace or so for good behaviour. The general direction of the stream, though winding in some extraordinary contortions occasionally, is W.N.W. From the Ferry to where it enters the Tsien-Tang, the distance is about 40 miles;—the canal in many places passing through series of wide though shallow lakes.
About 15 miles by the stream from the Ferry, in a nor' westerly direction, is San-kong-keaou, a village of 350 families. At this place two streams meet; one leading from Tchi-ki-yuen, (the chief city of the District) from which it is distant from 15 to 20 miles,—Sankong-keow being a similar distance from Hang chow one way, and from the Tsien-tang an other (12).
DEPARTMENT OF HANG-CHOW.
District of the Tsien-Tang.
The Tsien-Tang, from the embrouchure of the Fong-je-how canal to Foo-yang, varies in width from one and two hundred yards to a mile and upwards; though the depth is only sufficient for vessels of light draft,—eight or ten feet it is said, with a tidal rise and fall of three or four feet. The course of the stream from the canal's mouth on to Foo-yang, is about S.W. by W. for thirty miles and upwards. Off the city it branches off to the southward.
The country bordering the river is flat for two or three miles inland, and for the most part covered with mulberry trees. Foo-yang appears to lie in the centre of a circle of hills. On the south face the wall reaches down to the water's edge;—on the east it runs sharply up an ascent, and down as abruptly on to the north side, where the country is flatter, and but little built on; the business part of the town lying on the south. On the western entrance to the town is a well furnished grey sandstone three arched bridge of curved stones, the road way on the top being lined with market stalls. The walls of the city of Foo-yang—an oblong three or four miles round—are not in very excellent condition; and in many places are delapidated and covered with verdure. As a place of business, however, neither Dzing nor Sing-chong can compare with Foo-yang for bustle.