or Tche-kiang, a maritime province of China, and one of the most considerable in the empire; is bounded on the south by Fo-kien; on the north and west by Kiang-nan and Kiang-si; and on the east by the sea. The air is pure and healthful, and the soil fertile, being watered by a number of rivers and canals, as well as springs and lakes. The chief produce is silk; a vast quantity of which is cultivated Che-kyang, tivated here, and for which the whole country is covered with mulberry trees. These are purposely checked in their growth by the natives, experience having taught them, that the leaves of the smallest trees produce the best silk. The stuffs made in this province, which are embroidered with gold and silver, are reckoned the best in the empire; and notwithstanding a vast exportation to Japan and Philippine islands, as well as to every part of China, and to Europe, such an abundance is left in the province, that a complete suit of silk may be bought here as cheap as one of the coarsest woollen in France.

This province is also remarkable for a particular species of mushrooms, which are exported to every part of the empire. They are pickled, and then dried; when they will keep good for a whole year. When used they must be soaked in water, which renders them as fresh as at first. Here also the tallow tree is met with; and the province affords excellent hams, and those small gold fishes with which the ponds are usually stocked.

Che-kyang contains 11 cities of the first class, 72 of the third, and 18 fortresses, which, in Europe, would be accounted large cities. The principal of these are:

1. Hang-tcheou-fou, the metropolis, accounted by the Chinese to be the paradise of the earth. It is four leagues in circumference, exclusive of the suburbs; and the number of its inhabitants is computed at more than a million, and 10,000 workmen are supposed to be employed within its walls in manufacturing of silk. Its principal beauty is a small lake, close to the walls on the western side, the water of which is pure and limpid, and the banks almost everywhere covered with flowers. Its banks are likewise adorned with halls and open galleries supported by pillars, and paved with large flag stones for the convenience of those who are fond of walking; and the lake itself is intersected with causeways paved with cut stone, openings covered with bridges being left in them for the passage of boats. In the middle are two islands with a temple and several pleasure houses, and the emperor has a small palace in the neighbourhood. The city is garrisoned by 3000 Chinese and as many Tartars, and has under its jurisdiction seven cities of the third class.

2. Hou-tcheou-fou is also situated on a lake, and manufactures an incredible quantity of silk, inasmuch, that the tribute of a city under its jurisdiction, amounts to more than 500,000 ounces of silver.

3. Ning-po-fou, by Europeans called Liampo, is an excellent port, opposite to Japan. Eighteen or twenty leagues from it is an island called Tcheou-chan, where the English first landed on their arrival at China.

4. Ning-po is remarkable for the silk manufactured there, which is much esteemed in foreign countries, especially Japan, where it is exchanged for gold, silver, and copper.

5. Chao-hing-fou, situated in an extensive and fertile plain, is remarkable for a tomb about half a league distant, which is said to be that of Yu. The people of this province are said to be the most versed in chicanery of any in China.

6. Tchu-tcheou-fou, remarkable for having in its neighbourhood pines of an extraordinary size, capable of containing 40 men in their trunks. The inhabitants are ingenious, polite, and courteous to Che-kyang strangers, but very superstitious.