stands, and an outer (Wai-cheng), much smaller than the first,[1] each being surrounded by a battlemented mud wall (on which towers rise at intervals), that of the inner about fourteen miles in circumference,[2] 33 ft. in height and 60 ft. thick, with nine gates, which are closed at sunset and opened at sunrise; that of the outer only ten miles round with seven gates.
The five foreign embassies[3] are all together in the southern quarter of the inner town near the gate of Tsian-men. Our missionary establishment stands in the north-eastern angle of the so-called northern suburb (Peh-kwan[4]); this town also contains four Catholic churches,[5] several Protestant institutions, and a custom-house. These complete the list of European buildings in Peking, no foreign merchants, Russians included, having the right by treaty of trading here.
The task of preparing for our journey was not an easy one. We had no one to consult, for none of the Europeans resident at that time at Peking
- ↑ The terms 'inner 'and 'outer' are incorrect inasmuch as both lie close together, but one does not include the other. The palace is situated in the Imperial town (Hwang-cheng), which occupies the centre of the inner. A detailed description of the capital of the Celestial Empire has been translated from the Chinese by Père Hyacinthe.
- ↑ The whole of Peking, exclusive of its suburbs, is about 20 miles (58 li) in circumference. The number of its population is uncertain, but cannot be very large, because there are so many ruins and empty spaces in the town.
- ↑ English, Russian, French, German, American.
- ↑ The southern suburb, in which the diplomatic mission-buildings are situated, is called 'Yuen-kwan.'
- ↑ Peh-tang, Nan-tang, Si-tang, and Dum-tang. [Tung-tang? i.e. North, South, West, and East. — Y.]
