a province of Asia, in China, and the chief in the whole empire; bounded on the east by the sea, on the north by the great wall, on the west by Chianfu, and on the south by Chantong and Honan. It contains Pekin, which is the principal city in the whole empire, and on which 140 towns depend, besides a vast number of villages. The air is temperate, unless when the wind blows from the north; and there is a rainy season in the latter end of July and the beginning of August, but it seldom rains any other time. The soil is fertile, and produces all sorts of corn; and there are plenty of cattle, pulse, and fruits. They have also mines of pit-coal, which is their only fuel. All the riches of China are brought into this province, particularly to Pekin, where the emperor resides.