PREFACE. NOTHER volume is herewith added to the series of illustrated works, the previous numbers of which have met with such marks of generous approval. Although it would not become the Editor to be overassured as to the degree of favor with which the present work will be received, he yet will frankly acknowledge that he gives it into the hands of the public with far less of apprehensiveness, than he has ever felt with any previous issue from his pictorial press. Comprising, as it does, an illustrated historical and descriptive account of two of the most populous, most wealthy, and most ancient nations of the world-nations that were not only in existence, but had made advances in civilization and arts even, at a period of time when the earliest European nations had not emerged from a barbaric state-it can scarcely fail to prove of exciting interest, even to those with whom, as a general thing, historic facts are dry and uninviting. Though a taste for literary pursuits has been a characteristic of the Chinese from a remote period, they yet have not preserved any reliable account of the early ages of their empire. The only incidents of its ancient history are gleaned from its national annals; but these are so interwoven with the grossest fables that little or no dependence can be placed upon them. About the time of Confucius, however, their records, though still meager, begin to assume a more authentic form, and at this period commences the historical sketch of China, to be found in the following pages, it not seeming advisable to occupy them with the extravagant details of Chinese mythology, to the exclusion of matter of more substantial interest. The recent opening of the ports of China to the commerce of foreign nations, and the consequent relaxing of that rigid policy by which that nation has heretofore kept itself so closely veiled from the observation of the rest of mankind, afford opportunities not before enjoyed, for acquiring a knowledge of its institutions, social, political, and religious-of learning new facts in its history, and also for the correction of many errors that have prevailed in relation to the character and habits of its people. This epoch in the history of China is coincident with the acquisition, settlement, and erection into one of the states of this confederacy, of California-in effect bringing the United States many thousands of miles nearer to the Chinese territory—and in point of facility of intercourse, placing this country in closer proximity to China, than any European nation. The interest, therefore, which this last event has excited, and which the first furnishes the means of gratifying, of obtaining correct information regarding this extraordinary nation, and especially of its commerce, its arts, manufactures, and productions, has a more substantial basis than the mere satisfaction of a commendable curiosity. The almost universal use of tea in this country, amounting to about twenty millions of pounds annually, rendering everything connected with this plant of interest, not only to the merchant and scientific man, but to the people at large, will justify the extended space which has been given to a full account of its culture and preparation for market. The experiment of the cultivation of the tea-plant in this country has been successfully made by a gentleman of South Carolina, who expresses the opinion that the climate here is adapted to its culture, from Maine to Florida. The day may eventually come when this universal luxury will be produced in this country to an extent that will entirely obviate the necessity of its importation. It may be thought that the great care and manifold operations required in its preparation, with the cheapness of labor in China, will ever prove a bar to its general cultivation in this country. But who that reflects on what American ingenuity, energy, and enterprise, have accomplished in overcoming obstacles to the successful prosecution of other branches of industry, can for a moment doubt that-adaptedness of soil and climate to the production of tea being once ascertainedlabor-saving improvements would be introduced, sufficient to admit of its profitable cultivation ? Than India, few countries on the globe, have experienced more revolutions, or been made the subject of so many able and interesting works Its history, at every period, furnishes abundant materials for whole volumes, and, at different times, has been more or less connected with that of almost every known civilized nation. From the earliest times, its wealth, and valuable productions, have tempted other nations to invade its territories, or visit it for the sake of commercial advantages; in consequence of which, it has always been a scene of constant warfare, as well as of commercial enterprise, and the well-known adage, that "Might overcomes right," has never been more fully or more frequently exemplified, than on the extensive plains of Hindostan. The exploits of the conquerors who made it the object of their warlike expeditions, as also the splendid productions of nature and art which were thence obtained, procured for it a great name even in the remotest eras of classical antiquity. It appeared to the imagination of the western world as adorned with whatever is most splendid and gorgeous, glittering, as it were, with gold and gems, and redolent of fragrant and delicious perfumes. Though there be, in these magnificent conceptions, something romantic and illusory, still India forms unquestionably one of the most remarkable regions on the surface of the earth. The varied grandeur of its scenery, and the rich and copious productions of its soil, are certainly not surpassed, if equalled, in any other country. There are four principal eras in the history of India: the early dominion of the Bramins; the Greek and Moslem invasions; the powerful and splendid empire of the Moguls; and the rise of the British sovereignty in Hindostan, which has long superseded that of the Mogul emperors as the dominant power, and has extended itself over parts of the country that never owned subjection to those mighty monarchs. It would be impossible, in a narrative so brief and general as this, to speak individually of any but the most prominent of the numerous kingdoms and principalities into which the country has been divided at every period of its history. The existence of some of these has been but transient, while others have flourished for a considerable period, under a succession of powerful and wealthy princes; but, from the days of Alexander the Great till now, each succeeding century has witnessed so many revolutions among the native states of India, that very few traces remain of what they have been. The native Indians consist of two distinct people, the Hindus and the Mohammedans, the former being the descendants of the ancient occupants of the country; the latter, of their conquerors, both Turks and Tartars. The Hindus, were, no doubt, in very distant times, a great people, but they have been for ages the prey of foreign invasion; and, although their princes have always possessed dominions in various parts of the country, and many of them have, even in modern times, been at the head of great monarchies, yet few were able to maintain their independence after the establishment of the Mogul empire, when some of the native kingdoms were totally annihilated, and others became tributary to the conquerors. Still the Hindus have remained a distinct people. They have preserved their religion and peculiar customs unchanged, and have, from time to time, founded new states that have risen to great eminence, but which, like those also of Mohammedan origin, have gradually yielded to British ascendancy. In the preparation of this volume, the Editor has had ample material, so much presented itself of interest in relation to both countries. Among works recently published, he acknowledges his indebtedness to Miss Corner's interesting volumes on China and India, and Sirr's "China and the Chinese," from both of which valuable works he has drawn liberally to enrich his volume. The "Chinese Repository," Smith's "Explanatory Tour," and works by Murray, Knight, and others, on China and India, were also sources of much valuable information. The illustrations are from authentic designs, and have been engraved expressly for this work. The maps, also, have been accurately drawn, carefully engraved, and specially adapted to the subject-matter of the volume. In conclusion, the Editor would remark that neither labor nor expense has been spared, to enable him to present this volume to his patrons, as a merited and appropriate token of the liberality with which they have remunerated his previous efforts. NEW YORK, December 1, 1850. R. S. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHINA. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY OF CHINA. ANTIQUITY of the Chinese Monarchy - Husbandry and Silk Weaving among the earliest Arts practised - CHAPTER II. THE HAN DYNASTY. Foundation of the Han Dynasty-Paper first made in China- Various Uses of the Bamboo - Indian CHAPTER III. THE MIDDLE AGES IN CHINA. Hang-chow-foo the Ancient Capital - Chinese Villas - Invasion of the Huns - The Tsin Dynasty over- CHAPTER IV. FIRST TARTAR CONQUEST. Zinghis Khan-His Laws-Invades China-Establishes the Empire of the Moguls-Octai made CHAPTER V. THE MOGUL DYNASTY. .PAGE 61 Kublai sole Emperor-Peking the Capital-Paper-Money-Great Canal-Europeans first visit China- |