CHE-KYANG, or TSERIAN, a province of the empire of China, formerly the residence of the Chinese monarchs, and one of the most considerable in the whole empire. Is bounded on the south by Fo-kyen; on the north and west, by Kyang-nan, and Kyang-si; and on the east by the sea. It extends itself from the 27th to the 31st degree of North Latitude, and from 116o to almost 120o of East Longitude, according to the meridian of Paris. The climate of it is serene and healthy, and the inhabitants very numerous, amounting, according to their registers, to 4,525,700 men. The country is exceedingly rich and fertile, beautifully variegated with well cultivated mountains, fruitful valleys and plains; so that there is not a spot which is not turned to the best advantage. It is intersected by a multitude of rivers and canals; the last cut wide and deep, and lined on both sides with hewn stone. The plains on both sides have a communication with each other by a vast number of bridges, so that one may travel through the whole province either by land or water. A vast quantity of silk is manufactured in this province; which is here finer, more rich and
curiously wrought with gold and silver, than in any other; and yet is so cheap, that a good silk suit will cost less than one of the most ordinary cloth in Europe. The tribute of silk paid to the emperor is said to amount to 370,466 pounds raw, and 2574 wrought, besides some other quantities of the finest, sent as a present to the court by the imperial barges. The province hath eleven capital cities, or cities of the first rank, and 77 of the second and third rank; besides 18 fortresses, most of them upon the sea-coasts, and large and populous enough to pass in other countries for considerable cities. The inhabitants are ingenious, polite, and courteous to strangers, but very superstitious.