117

The

four provinces he already possessed, Petchelee, Shantong, Shansee, and Lyautong, would annually produce, under a mild administration, 500,000 ounces of silver, 400,000 measures of rice, and 800,000 pieces of silk, and that it was a much wiser measure to preserve an industrious population, and reap the fruit of their toils, by moderate taxation, than to massacre them. His advice was adopted, and the counsels of this friend of his country and of mankind saved the lives of unoffending and industrious millions. It is a perfect refreshment to one wearied out with the sanguinary tales of victory, blood, conquest, and destruction, to find such a character. It is one of those green spots in the desert of detailed warfare, which delights from contrast to the surrounding cheerless waste. counsels of this man, who for 30 years was the prime minister of Zengis and Oktay, that at length humanized the victors, and made them, of savages, civilized, and inspired them with a love of the science and arts of their conquered subjects; and the reign of Kublay Khan is the only bright spot in the gloomy annals of the Mongols. Yet this great prince became a convert to the atheistical system of Boodh, and a dupe of the Tibetian lamas and Chinese bonzas. His successors on the throne of Khan-Baligh polluted the palace with a crowd of eunuchs, (the usual bane of oriental despots), physicians, and astrologers, whilst 13 millions of their subjects perished by famine in the southern provinces of China in 1334, in the reign of the last Mongol emperor, Shun-tee In 1352, Hong-voo, the founder of the Ming dynasty, commenced a successful rebellion in the province of Kyanggnan. His original name was Choo, a man of low origin, and a servant of a Bonzaic monastery, but one whose character admirably fitted him, in this political juncture, to overturn a degenerate and worthless dynasty, which he accomplished, after a warfare of 16 years, in 1368, and drove the Mongols quite out of all China, and their emperors were henceforth lost in the oblivion of the desert. His second successor, Yong-loo, in three successive expeditions, drove the Mongols beyond the Kerlon, the Toola, and the Amoor, into the mountains of Kinggan. The Mongols never ceased, however, to make inroads into China and recover their lost empire, but all proved unsuccessful, and we hear no more of these irruptions after 1582, but they have since lived quietly, feeding their flocks after the manner of their rude ancestors, previous to the era of their great founder Jenghis Khan. The subsequent history of the Khalkhas has already been discussed.

CHAP. II.-SOUTHERN MONGOLIA, OR THE COUNTRY OF THE SHARRA OR YELLOW MONGOLS.

THIS is a very large region, extending from the 124th degree to the 142d degree of longitude E. of Ferro, and from the 38th to the 47th degree of N. latitude, so that its length, from the borders of Mandshooria on the E., to the parts over against Ninghya on the W., is full 900 British miles, and 600 B. miles from N. to S., though not every where so broad, as may be seen on consulting the maps of Du Halde. As we mean to be very brief on this part of Mongolia, we shall merely give a short abstract of its geography and other things pertaining to it, without entering into formal details. This tract lies entirely to the S. and S.E. of the Shamo or great desert, which separates it from the territories of the Khalkhas, to the W. of the Mandshoors, and immediately to the N. of the Great wall.

This territory is full of mountains, especially to the E. and S. and is interspersed with rivers, as the Whang-ho, which passing out of Shensee to the N.E. surrounds the country of the Ortoos Mongols, and then re-enters China, forming the boundary, as it goes S., between Shensee and Shansee, the Shantoo, which enters Petchelee towards the sea, and the Sira Muren, described in our account of the Mandshoors. Their chief mountains are the Siolki chain and its continuation westwards till it joins the Kwanglung. There are many lakes in this country, but none remarkable for magnitude. The climate is piercing cold in many parts, fully as much so as in the country of the Khalkhas, and there is such a similarity in the productions, whether animate or inanimate, of both countries, that one description serves for both. The territories of the Sharra Mongols are denominated from the several tribes which possess them; but since they have come under the absolute power of the celestial monarch, they have been divided into 49 shassaks or standards, under as many chiefs. The situation of these territories may be considered as it respects the four gates of the Great Wall, going from E. to W. N. of the most eastern gate in Petchelee 40° 19′ 30′′ N. and 1° 28′ 30" E. of Peking, are the countries of Karchin or the black tribe, Tumet, Ohan, Nayman, and Korchin.-Karchin, which begins at this gate, is composed of two districts or standards. The most remarkable place is Chahan Suberhan Hotun, or city of the white pyramid, 41° 33′ N. and 2o 45′ 20′′ E. of Peking. It is by far the best district belonging to the Mongols, for as the present princes of it are originally Chinese, they have drawn several of their countrymen hither, who have built towns and improved the lands. Here are also some productive mines, some of excellent tin, with large forests of fine timber, by which the great ancestor of the present dynasty got immense wealth. Karchin is above 145 B. miles from N. to S. but much more from W. to E. Here are the summer-palaces of the Chinese emperors, near which they usually hunt, especially Zheholl, 41o 58′ N. lat. 120 miles N. of Peking; and here the British embassy was entertained in 1793. Our countrymen observed forests of aspen, elm, hazel, and walnut-trees, but on the mountains in the vicinity the pines were small and the oaks stunted.-Korchin, or the red tribe, is divided into ten standards, including the countries of Turbeda and the Jalayrs. The principal residence of this tribe is alongst the river Queyler, and their possessions extend to the Sira Muren in a S.E. direction, but they have neither springs for drink nor wood for fuel, which they supply by wells and dung of cattle. The principal point of Turbida is Haytahan Pira, 47° 15′ N. and 6° 30′ E. of Peking. The Jalayrs dwell by the Nonnee Oola, in 46° 30′ N. and 7° 45' E. long. of Peking.-The Naymans compose but one standard, and their district begins from the S. side of the Sira Muren, in 43° 37′ N. and 5° E. of Peking.-Ohan is chiefly inhabited alongst the banks of the Narkoni Pira, where some rivulets, as the Shaka-Kol, fall into it 42° 15′ N. and 4o E. of Peking. Here in 41° 15′ N. are seen the ruins of a city called Kurban Suberhan Hotun, on a small streamlet which enters the Talin-Ho. Nayman and Ohan, though far less than Korchin, which is a large province extending four degrees from S. to N. and three from W. to E. are much better than it, being interspersed with shrubby hills, supplying wood for fuel, and abounding with game, especially quails.

These three countries, along with Turbeda, are sandy and very cold. Tumet composes two standards, and they dwell chiefly beyond the river Subarhan, where occur the ruins of Modun Hotun. It extends S. to the wall of China, E. to the palisade of Lyautong, and N. to Hara Paychang.

N. of the gate Kupi Kew (kew means a strait or defile) are the territories, formerly part of Korchen and Onhiot, but now converted into a forest, where the emperor hunts and has several pleasure houses. Kupi Kew is the gate called Kapki by the Russians, and is in 40° 42′ 15′′ N. and 0° 39′ 4′′ E. of Peking. N. of this gate are the districts of Onhiot, Kechikten, Parin, Sharot, Uchu-Muchin, Aru-Korchin, and Abu-hanar. Oahiot has two standards on the river Irikin, 42° 30′ N. and 2o E. of Peking.-Parin contains two standards, and its principal place is on the Hara Muren, which falls into the Sira Muren, 43° 36′ N. and 2° 14′ E. of Peking. This district is larger than Onhiot, but has but a poor soil. Kechiktin contains two standards, and its chief station is on a small stream running N.E. to the Sira Muren, 43° N. and 1° 10' E. of do.-Uchu Muchin has two standards along the Hulgar Pira, 44° 45′ N. and 1° 10′ E. of do.-Sharot has also two standards, and is inhabited chiefly towards the confluence of the Laban Pira and Sira Muren, 43° 30′ N. 4° 20′ E. Arukorchin has but one banner, which resides on the Arukondulon river, 45° 30′ N. 0° 28′ E.-Abuhanar has two standards, and is best inhabited about the Taal Noor, 43° 30′ N. 0° 28' E. Within this second division, going almost due N. from Kupi Kew, some towns are found, and the ruins of some considerable cities, as Ilan Hotun, Poro Hotun, Kurtu Hotun, and Chau Nayman Sume Hotun,-all on the Shangtu river. The last of these seems to have been the city of Shangtu, called by the Chinese Kay-ping-foo, and built by Kublay Khan, who denominated it Shangtu, or the high court,' and was the summer residence of the Ywen dynasty, who in winter dwelt at Peking. It belongs to the country of Korchin, and is the Ciandoo of Marco Polo. Immediately to the N. of the gate Chang-kyakew is a country which was conquered by the emperor Kanghee, and which is the property of the Chinese emperors. These lands, and all the rest alongst the great wall, are occupied by farmers belonging to his celestial majesty, the princes of the blood, and several Tartar lords. Here are Mongols of different countries arranged under three standards, and commanded by officers appointed by the emperor, and are therefore not reckoned among the 49 Mongol banners. Farther to the N. are the countries of the Mongol princes, of Whachit, Sonhiot, Sabahay, and Twinchooz.-Whachit has two standards, near the Cherin Pira, 44° 6' N. 0° 45′ E.-Sonhiot has two standards, and the principal station is near a lake in 42° 29′ 7′′ by observation, and 1° 28′ W. of Peking.—Abahay has two standards, which encamp about some lakes or meers, the southernmost of which is called Siretu Huchin, 44° N., and 1° 31′ W.Twinchooz has but one banner, near the Orgun Alin, or mount Orgun, 41° 41′ N. and 4° 20′ W. N. of the gate Shahu-kew, in Shansee, are the emperor's lands, 40° 27′ and 4° 12′ W. of Peking. In this district, Khuku, or Khutuktoo Hotun, or city of the Lama's vicar amongst the Sharra Mongols, is the most remarkable. Here is a Lama temple where the same pantomime is carried on as at Lassa and Oorga. Here dwell the two chiefs of the Tummet tribe, appointed by the emperor. It is the capital of all the country of the Sharra Mongole, where the imperial governor and the Khutuklu lama reside.-Beyond this district lie those of the Mongol chiefs of Kalka, Targar, Maumingan, Urat, and Ortoos. The two former have only one banner each, and the Virat or Urat has three standards, who range alongst the banks of the Kondulin river, in 40° 55′ N. and 6° 30′ W. of Peking. The Ortoos Mongols are hemmed in on all sides by the great wall and the sweep of the Whang

ASIA.

multi

apire of

stock as the Khalkhas, mode of life, religious opindescribing the one branch, we

This territory is full of mountains, especially to the E. terspersed with rivers, as the Whang-ho, which passing the N.E. surrounds the country of the Ortoos Mongol China, forming the boundary, as it goes S., between the Shaton, which enters Petchelee towards the sea described in our account of the Mandshoors. The the Sulki chain and its continuation westwards till all these tribes live a ines and standards of There are many lakes in this country, but none om, beyond which they The climate is piercing cold in many parts, fube viewed as hostile. A country of the Khalkhas, and there is such a sixed by imperial authowhether animate or intimate, of both countried the Sharra, or yellow for buch—The territories of the Sharra Mon several tribes which possess them; but sinc suline power of the celestial monarch, they siis ar studeeds, under as many chiefs. may be considered as it respects the four EW. N.of the most eastern gate in SP E. of Peking, are the countries of Chan, Nagym, and Korchin-Ke composed of two districts or stan Chaban Saberhon Hou, or city 45 20 E. of Peking. It is by f guis, for as the present princes of seval of their countrymen hitl lunds. Here are also some pi large forests of fine timber, b misty gut immense wealth. bus much more from W. Chinese empers, near 38 N. l. 120 miles N. ertained in 1793. Our and wald-trees, but o and the ons sted. ards, including the o residence of this t

difference seems to be, that and enjoying the advantage civilized than themselves, they than their more rude and disen possessed of a code of laws, these the greater part of crimes

utility are rewarded. He who sheep. Trial by ordeal is admitted;

attesting the innocence of an se of Europe in the middle ages. hence which always remained in the has were driven out of China and aver the two grand branches of the Sharras. There is a third branch en part of Tibet, and who are deno

Hr, or the Ghia of Hor. The name and very diffused people. The name golian, is Siraigol or Charagol. As we y of Tibet, we cannot say much about but probably it is about the source of the 19 long. W. of Peking; where we find the map of Tibet, two lakes called Charingall stream called Kara Pira, or the black Oring-kol. In Tibet, likewise, the Mongols or people of the prairies or meadows,"

OR COUNTRY OF THE ELUTHS.

a of Mongolia, still less is known of Soonsons. This country has never been extrollen by a European foot since the days

the 13th century; whereas, the road for Chi being through Mongolia, we have been Mongolia, from the journals of these embas

though little is known of Mongolia, yet se historians to clear our way, and give we have not the same aids respecting know something of their neighbours, yet

"egions-regions not in immediate instly characterized the Chi ic accuracy and foreign aders cannot expect purpose, on Soongaria. ir fault if they be disapSoongaria is a basin or con isian mountains and the Little beria; on the S. by the Alak Kirguisian dialect of the Turkish ntain,' and which joins at its eastern E. by the Bogdo Alin, asserted by the ghest summit of Central Asia; and on ation of the Beloor Tagh, which separates by the great Kirguisian horde. Respecting impossible to state it accurately for want of and the same may be said of its breadth. We ry lofty and extensive region, reaching perhaps .00th deg. of E. long., or 25 deg.; or about 1200 .at. of 45°, and from 43° N. to 52° in its greatest sh miles; but the breadth and length are far from at the superficies of the whole may be about 700,000 les.

he name Soongaria, applied to this region, is Mongolian, he country to the left,' in opposition to Tibet, which they 2 Baronthala, or Barohn-djao, the country to the right' or to the ce the name of Songaree, applied to that branch of the Eluths ossess this region, is taken from the country so called by the Monor, in other words, the region does not derive its name from them, they from it. Strahlenberg tells us, that the Kalmuks, properly called ...uths, call themselves Avirat and Virat, and Derben Virat or Oiratthat is, the four Avirat tribes, which are Torga-oth, Koshi-oth, Kay-oht, Dsongar, and Dor-both, which two last make but one tribe. Hence he also remarks, that the Mongols call the four above-mentioned tribes not only Avir-at, but also Viloth and Avil-oth; and in Tibetian they are called Oilodh; hence the modern name Eluths or Aluths. These Eluths are probably descendants of the Avars of Menander, the Aviri of Iornandes, the Ogorits of Simokatta, and are the same with the Avi-rat of De Herbelot. It is probable the Ogorits were the Oigoors so famous in Mongolian story. Abulghazi, in his romance called a history, classes the Kalmucks or Virats among the Tartar tribes, and the Oigoors amongst the Mongol tribes. Now, the Kalmucks are evidently a branch of the great Mongol nation, as well as the Oigoors, and we cannot help thinking these latter to be a branch of the same great family, and not at all of the Turkish race. But it is impossible to arrive at certainty respecting the origin and subdivision of the pastoral tribes of Central Asia, as they have neither literature nor history to aid us in the search

Climate.] There can be no doubt that this region, though in the same latitude of France, is much colder from its high elevation and the various ranges of lofty mountains which rise on the base of its plateau. The elevated region called Kankaragay by D'Anville, in which the Irtish has its source, must have a vigorous climate, as Mount Bogdo and the other ranges in its vicinity are covered with perennial snow. The Chahan Tala,