one a Civil officer have their quarters here (29). There are upwards of 1,000 families in the place, and there must he a large migratory population of raft men from the hills, and boat men engaged in the Hoo-chow Trade. From Mai-chee to the Ferry at which Boats can be obtained for the passage to Hoo-chow, the distance is abont seven lē—the head boat man of the place being of the family name of Tong (Tong-Seen-sang).
The distance from Mai-chee Ferry to Hoo-chow is said to be 90 lé. It is in excess of this, but the channel, from 50 to 200 feet wide, winds a good deal—S.S.E.—E.S E.—N.E.—E S. E.—S. E. E.N.E. and East, all being noted within a three hours' run, the general direction being due East. Thirty lē from Hoo-chow is Yuen-tong-jow—Ten lē east of which is Ne-cha-veng—and as far farther on Yah-co-chaong; the ground on both sides, a continued level, being cultivated in the proper season with Indian wheat;—Mulberry trees luxuriating in all directions.
At Hoo-chow the stream deepens, and Junks of three and four hundred tons burthen discharge their cargoes close to the banks.—But though of such tonnage, these vessels are flat bottomed, and do not draw at the outside more then six feet of water.
Hoo-chow, the Foo or Chief city of the department, is a place of considerable importance, and judging from the busy habits of the people, no doubt a desirable abode. It is from Hoo-chow that much of the Silk for the Shanghae market is taken, though little of the manufacture of it within the walls is seen. Wide and deep canals run through the city, crossed in various places by handsome and capacious bridges. The walls, which are in very excellent condition, 30 feet wide and 20 feet high, are upwards of six miles in circuit, and from the
