In the
present (second) edition I have on this, and other points embraced in
this and the following chapters, benefited largely by the remarks of
the Right Rev. G.E. Moule of the Ch. Mission. Soc., now residing at
Hang-chau. These are partly contained in a paper (Notes on Colonel
Yule's Edition of Marco Polo's 'Quinsay') read before the North China
Branch of the R.A.Soc. at Shang-hai in December 1873 [published in New
Series, No. IX. of the Journal N.C.B.R.A.Soc.], of which a proof has
been most kindly sent to me by Mr. Moule, and partly in a special
communication, both forwarded through Mr. A. Wylie. [See also Notes
on Hangchow Past and Present, a paper read in 1889 by Bishop G.E.
Moule at a Meeting of the Hangchau Missionary Association, at whose
request it was compiled, and subsequently printed for private
circulation. - H.C.]
[2] The building of the present Luh-ho-ta ("Six Harmonies Tower"), after
repeated destructions by fire, is recorded on a fine tablet of the
Sung period, still standing (Moule).
CHAPTER LXXVII.
[FURTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE GREAT CITY OF KINSAY.[NOTE 1]]
[The position of the city is such that it has on one side a lake of fresh
and exquisitely clear water (already spoken of), and on the other a very
large river. The waters of the latter fill a number of canals of all sizes
which run through the different quarters of the city, carry away all
impurities, and then enter the Lake; whence they issue again and flow to
the Ocean, thus producing a most excellent atmosphere. By means of these
channels, as well as by the streets, you can go all about the city. Both
streets and canals are so wide and spacious that carts on the one and
boats on the other can readily pass to and fro, conveying necessary
supplies to the inhabitants.[NOTE 2]
At the opposite side the city is shut in by a channel, perhaps 40 miles in
length, very wide, and full of water derived from the river aforesaid,
which was made by the ancient kings of the country in order to relieve the
river when flooding its banks. This serves also as a defence to the city,
and the earth dug from it has been thrown inwards, forming a kind of mound
enclosing the city.[NOTE 3]
In this part are the ten principal markets, though besides these there are
a vast number of others in the different parts of the town. The former are
all squares of half a mile to the side, and along their front passes the
main street, which is 40 paces in width, and runs straight from end to end
of the city, crossing many bridges of easy and commodious approach.