a great river of China, which takes its rise near the western frontier, crosses the whole kingdom eastward, and falls into the bay or gulf of Nanking, a little below that city.

KIANG-SI, a province of China, bounded on the north by that of Kiang-nan, on the west by Hou-quang, on the south by Quang-tong, and on the east by Fo-kien and Tche-kiang. The country is extremely fertile; but it is so populous that it can scarcely supply the wants of its inhabitants: on this account they are very economical; which exposes them to the sarcasms and raillery of the Chinese of the other provinces: however, they are people of great solidity and acuteness, and have the talent of rising rapidly to the dignities of the state. The mountains are covered with simples; and contain in their bowels mines of gold, silver, lead, iron, and tin; the rice it produces is very delicate, and several barks are loaded with it every year for the court. The porcelain made here is the finest and most valuable of the empire. This province contains 13 cities of the first class, and 78 of the second and third.