or HA-MI, a country of Asia, subject to the Chinese. It is situated to the north-east of China, at the extremity of that desert which the Chinese call Chamo, and the Tartars Cobi; and is only 90 leagues distant from the most westerly point of the province of Chenfi. This country was inhabited in the early ages by a wandering people, named Jang. About the year 950 before the Christian era, they sent deputies to pay homage to the emperor of China, and presented some fabrics by way of tribute. The civil wars by which China was torn about the end of the dynasty of Tcheou having prevented assistance from being sent to these people, they fell under the dominion of the Hiong-nou, who appear to have been the same as the Huns, and who at that time were a formidable nation. The Chinese several times lost and recovered the country of Hami. In 131 (the fifth year of the reign of Chunky, of the dynasty of the eastern Han), the emperor kept an officer there in quality of governor. Under the following dynasties, the same vicissitudes were experienced; Hami was sometimes united to the province of Chenfi, sometimes independent of it, and sometimes even of the whole empire. The situation of these people (separated by vast deserts from China, to which, besides, they had no relation, either in language, manners, or customs) must have greatly contributed to facilitate these revolutions. All the tributary states of the empire having revolted in 610, that of Hami followed their example; but it again submitted to the yoke, under Tai-tfong, second emperor of the dynasty of Tang, who had sent one of his generals with an army to reduce it. This great prince paid particular attention to his new conquest. He divided it into three districts, and connected its civil and military government in such manner to that of the province of Chenfi and other neighbouring countries, that tranquillity prevailed there during his reign and several of those that followed. Through Hami all the caravans which went from the west to China, or from China to the west, were obliged to pass. The emperors, predecessors of Tai-tfong, were satisfied with causing wine to be transported from Hami in skins carried by camels; but "Tai-tfong (says the Chinese history) having subdued the kingdom of Hami, ordered some vine-plants of the species called majus, to be brought him, which he caused to be planted in his gardens; he, besides, learned the manner of making wine, the use of which proved both serviceable and hurtful to him." Luxury and effeminacy having weakened the dynasty of Tang, the Mahometans (who had made a rapid progress in all the countries that are situated between Persia, Cobi, and the Caspian sea) advanced as far as Hami, which they conquered. It appears, that this country afterwards had princes of its own, but dependent on the Tartars, who successively ruled these immense regions. The Yuen or Mogul Tartars again united the country of Hami to the province of Chenfi; and this reunion subsisted until 1360, at which time the emperor formed it into a kingdom, on condition of its princes doing homage and paying tribute. The king of Hami was honoured with a new title in 1404, and obtained a golden seal. After a contest of several years for the succession to the throne, the kingdom of Hami fell a prey to the king of Tou-eulh-fan. This yoke soon became uneasy to the people of Hami: they revolted from their new masters, and made conquests from them in their turn. The new king whom they made choice of, did not long possess the throne: he was conquered and killed in a bloody battle which he fought with the king of Tou-eulh-fan, who also perished some time after. Since this epocha, the country of Hami has been successively exposed to anarchy, or governed by its own princes. The prince who filled the throne in 1696, acknowledged himself a vassal of the empire, and sent as tribute to Peking camels, horses, and fabrics. Kang-hi received his homage with the usual ceremonies, and published a diploma, which established the rank that the king of Hami should hold among the tributary princes, the time when he should come to render homage, the nature of the presents necessary for his tribute, the number of auxiliaries he was bound to furnish in time of war, and the manner of his appointing a successor. All these regulations have subsisted till this time.

The country of Hami, though surrounded by deserts, is accounted one of the most delightful in the world. The soil produces abundance of grain, fruits, leguminous plants, and pasture of every kind. The rice which grows here is particularly esteemed in China; and pomegranates, oranges, peaches, raisins, and prunes, have a most exquisite taste; even the jujubes are so juicy, and have so delicious a flavour, that the Chinese call them perfumed jujubes. There is no fruit more delicate or more in request than the melons of Hami, which are carried to Peking for the emperor's table. These melons are much more wholesome than those of Europe; and have this singular property, that they may be kept fresh during great part of the winter.—But the most useful and most esteemed production of this country is its dried raisins. These are of two kinds: The first, which are much used in the Chinese medicine, seem to have a perfect resemblance to those known in Europe by the name of Corinthian. The second, which are in much greater request for the table, are smaller and more delicate than those of Provence. The Chinese authors perfectly agree with Messrs Lemery and Geoffroy, respecting the virtue and qualities of these dried grapes or raisins; but they at tribute so much more efficacy to those of Hami than to those of China, that they prescribe them in smaller doses. They observe, that an infusion of the first is of great service in facilitating an eruption of the smallpox about the fourth day, when the patient either is or seems to be too weak; and to promote a gentle perspiration in some kinds of pleuritis or malignant fevers. The dose must be varied according to the age, habit of body, and strength of the patient; great care must be taken to administer this remedy reasonably and with judgment. The emperor caused plants to be transported from Hami to Peking, which were immediately planted in his gardens. As these plants were cultivated with extraordinary care, under his own eyes, they have perfectly succeeded. The raisins produced by them are exceedingly sweet, and have a most exquisite flavour.

Although the country of Hami (the latitude of which is $42^\circ 53' 20''$) lies farther towards the north than several of the provinces of France, we are assured that its climate is more favourable to the culture of vines, and that it gives a superior degree of quality to the grapes. It never rains at Hami; even dew and fogs are scarcely ever seen there; the country is watered only by the snow which falls in winter, and by the water of this snow when melted, which is collected at the bottoms of the mountains, and preserved with great care and industry. The method of drying grapes in Hami is much simpler than that practised in the provinces of China. The people of Chenli hold them over the steam of hot wine, and even sometimes boil them a few seconds in wine in which a little clarified honey has been diluted. In the kingdom of Hami they wait until the grapes are quite ripe; they then expose them to the scorching rays of the sun; afterwards pick them, and leave them in that manner until they are quite dry. However dry these grapes may be, they become shrivelled, without losing any of their substance, and without growing flat: good raisins ought to be almost as crisp as sugar-candy.

The kingdom of Hami contains a great number of villages and hamlets; but it has properly only one city, which is its capital, and has the same name. It is surrounded by lofty walls, which are half a league in circumference, and has two gates, one of which fronts the east, and the other the west. These gates are exceedingly beautiful, and make a fine appearance at a distance. The streets are straight, and well laid out; but the houses (which contain only a ground-floor, and which are, almost all constructed of earth) make very little show: however, as this city enjoys a serene sky, and is situated in a beautiful plain, watered by a river, and surrounded by mountains which shelter it from the north winds, it is a most agreeable and delightful residence. On whatever side one approaches it, gardens may be seen which contain every thing that a fertile and cultivated soil can produce in the mildest climates. All the surrounding fields are enchanting: but they do not extend far; for on several sides they terminate in dry plains, where a number of beautiful horses are fed, and a species of excellent sheep, which have large flat tails that sometimes weigh three pounds. The country of Hami appears to be very abundant in fossils and valuable minerals: the Chinese have for a long time procured diamonds and a great deal of gold from it; at present it supplies them with a kind of agate, on which they set a great value.

With regard to the inhabitants of this small state, they are brave, capable of enduring fatigue, very dexterous in all bodily exercises, and make excellent soldiers; but they are tickle and soon irritated, and when in a passion they are extremely ferocious and sanguinary.