being of the same religion, join the Usbeks in case of any insurrection taking place. The Túngánís live in the country, the chief towns of which are Salar and Seiram. ALEXANDER the GREAT is said to have penetrated as far as Salar, and to have left a colony of his soldiers in the country, from whom the Túngánís are descended. They derive the name from several Turkish and Persian words, in different ways, signifying, left behind, looking back, &c. &c. It is a general tradition, that ALEXANDER carried his conquests through this country, to the frontiers of China proper. The Umbaun, who is the Chinese resident, is the chief political, as well as military, authority in each district. The present Governor of Yárkand is ABDUL REHmán Beg WAUG, who is the nominal Usbek ruler of the country; but is, to all intents, under the most complete control of the Umbaun, who has sole authority over the regular Chinese troops stationed in the district.

There are many small towns and villages dependent on Yárkand. The whole district round it is said to be most populous, and is thickly interspersed with villages and hamlets. The country is described as very fertile also; and amongst its productions are enumerated wheat, barley, rice, gram, jawárí, bajrí, and various seeds from which oil is extracted. Melons, grapes, apples, and other fruits of temperate climes, are also abundant. A large portion, however, of the wealth

of the people of the country about Yárkand is said to consist of flocks of the shawl goat, called by them Akhchahs, of which almost every landed proprietor possesses a large number. The dúmba, or fattailed sheep, is also common. Plantations of mulberry trees are very numerous, and great quantities of silk are produced.

Irrigation is said to be carried on to a great extent, the whole of the lands in the vicinity being plentifully watered by rivulets, and streams of water, flowing from the mountains.

Kashgar. The city of Kashgar is the ancient capital of the province; but since the rebellion of JEHANGÍR KноJEн, when its inhabitants suffered much from both friends and foes, it has fallen greatly to decay. Kashgar is the frontier station, and five days' journey from Yarkand; with a káfila it is six days; but with quick travelling the distance may be traversed in four. The city itself contains about 16,000 inhabitants: many towns, villages, and castles are also dependant on it, the population of which is very considerable. The Usbeck chief of Kashgar is named TAHI'RULDI'N BEG, who has not the title of WAUG; but his government is distinct from that of ABDUL REHMAN BEG WAUG, the chief of Yárkand. He is, however, inferior in rank to the WAUG. Eight thousand Chinese regular troops are constantly cantoned at Kashgar, as a check on the Khán of Kokán.

Yengi Hissar.-On the road, about half-way between Yárkand and Kashgar, lies the town of Yengi Hissar, which is famous for its dancing girls and musicians, who are Musalmans, and resemble those of India.

Auksú.-Auksú is north-east from Yárkand, and distant about 20 days' caravan travelling. This town is represented as a very flourishing place, and a great commercial mart for the products of China and Russian Tartary. It is the residence of a hákim, named AHMED, son of OoZAK, whose authority is distinct from that of the other chiefs. He is an Usbek, and lower in rank than the WAUG of Yárkand; and, in like manner, subordinate to the Chinese Umbaun. The number of Chinese troops in Auksú is 2000. The silver coin called Tankeh, the current money of the province, is struck at this place.

Eela, or Gouldja.-The town of Eela, which is also called Gouldja, is situated north of Auksú, distant 25 or 30 days' journey; but it may be reached in 20 by quick travelling. From Yárkand to Eela, the distance is greater, and ordinarily, a journey of 40 days. To this place, as also to Yessik and Kouché, the Emperor of China banishes criminals of magnitude, for three, five, seven years, or for life. Owing to the fertility of the surrounding country, fruit and grain are very cheap at Eela; and good horses, sheep, and dúmbas, may be had at very moderate prices. It is at this place, and the neighbouring country, that great numbers of the Kalmuks, or Eleuth hordes, have been located by the Chinese government. The climate is said generally to prove fatal to foreigners.

Kouché.-Kouché is situated north-west of Auksú, and south of Eela, at a distance of 40 days' journey from Yárkand, and about three months' journey from the Russian frontier. The population of Kouché consists chiefly of Kalmuks. The principal people of substance reside in the city, and the poorer classes in tents on the plains. These generally follow pastoral pursuits, and have numerous herds of

cattle.

Ooch Túrfán and Koneh Túrfán.-There are two towns called Túrfán: one Ooch Túrfán, which is only two days' journey from Yarkand and Auksú; the other Koneh Túrfán, called also Hami, which is at a distance of two months journey from those places. Koneh Túrfán is a very ancient city; and remarkable for the fine grapes which are there produced.

Lopp.-Lopp is situated at a great distance from Yárkand. The inhabitants are principally Chinese; but few Usbeks reside there. Lopp is remarkable for a salt-water lake in its vicinity.

Gúmmí.-Between Yárkand and Eelchí (in Khoten) is the town of Gúmmí, the chief of which some time since was KURBÁN BEG, who was said to be in possession of the stone called " Yedeh Tásh," (rain-stone,) which, according to popular belief, possesses the extraordinary virtue of causing rain to fall, whenever it is placed in sweet

water.

Khoten. In the country of Khoten are the towns of Karakash, Eelchí, and Kirrea, besides many others of less magnitude. Eelchí was anciently called Khoten, but at present there is no town bearing that name, which is now applied to the whole district, of which Karakash is the capital; distant about ten or twelve days' journey from Yárkand. The district is governed by two Chinese Umbauns, or residents, to whom are subordinate two Usbek hákims; one in Eelchí, and the other in Kirrea. There is a Chinese regular force of 2000 men stationed in the district; and the number of subjects paying tribute is estimated at 700,000. The population is chiefly Usbek; but Kalmuks, or Eleuths, are also settled in large numbers in different parts of the country. The Musalmans are more numerous than the Buddhist idolators. The policy of the Chinese is said to be opposed to the adoption, by any of their nation, of the Muhammedan faith.

Eelchí.-Eelchí is 12. days' journey from Yárkand. In this town, and generally in Khoten, there are many Baudh priests and temples. Kirrea.-Kirrea is five days' journey on horseback from Eelchí. At this town is a gold mine; the sand of the river which flows near it is also found to contain that precious metal. Two or three hundred labourers are always employed in the mines, which are said to be very productive. The produce of this mine is monopolized by the Chinese government.

Revenue and Trade.-The revenues of Khoten are said to exceed those of Yárkand. A considerable trade is carried on between these places by káfilas, which carry mushroo, satin paper, gold dust, silk, grapes, raisins, and other commodities, to Yárkand; whence they bring copper pots, leather, boots, &c. to Khoten.

Trade of Chinese Tartary.-A very extensive commercial intercourse is also carried on between Yárkand and the large towns near it, as well as with Kashmír, Badakshán, China, and the Russian territories on the north-western borders of the Chinese empire.

From Kashmir the natives of that country bring to Yárkand, shawls, kincúbs, chikun, white piece goods, and leather; and take back ambú, or pure silver, the wool of the shawl goat, called tibbít, and other articles.

The merchants of Fyzábád, which is the capital of Badakshán, bring to Yárkand slaves, and precious stones, taking back silver and tea. The káfila, which comes once a year, is generally about 40 days on the road; but by forced marches, the journey may be performed in twenty.

From Andejan, in the Khánate of Kokan, piece goods and other commodities are brought viâ Kashgar; the return trade from whence consists of pure silver, China-ware, tea, in boxes and bricks. The brick tea is of a very inferior quality, and is used only by the poorer classes. This trade is carried on by means of horses, mules, and camels.

Káfilas come from the Russian frontier, by way of Eela, Auksú, and Kouché, bringing broad cloth, brocades, silver, gold ducats, copper, steel, furs, &c. and they take back tea, rhubarb, sal-ammoniac, &c.

Communication with Pekin.-From Yárkand it takes a caravan from four to six months to travel to Pekin, (which the natives call Pechín ;) but by quick marches, the journey may be performed in three months. There is but one road to Pekin, which caravans, or travellers, can use; for though there is said to be another, and shorter, route, its use is prohibited by the Chinese government. In the way there is one very difficult pass, where 20 matchlock men may oppose a whole army. A party of Usbeks is stationed there. At every stage is a Chinese Ortung, or post, of seven or eight Chinese, and about 20 Usbeks. No passport is necessary for persons going from Yárkand to China; neither are they prevented from remaining there as long as they choose, the leave of the Emperor not being requisite for this purpose.

An extensive trade is carried on between China and Yarkand. Great quantities of silk, great numbers of cattle, &c. are taken to China; articles of China manufacture, porcelain, and especially tea, form the returns.

Road to Tibet.-From Yárkand to Ladák, (or little Tibet,) which is nominally dependent on China, is a journey of 30 or 40 days. The country on the way is inhabited for two stages, where Chinese Ortungs are met with, five Chinese and 20 Usbeks in each; but for the next twenty days, the country passed through is a succession of plains and mountains, without inhabitants. The people at the Ortung inspect the passes given by the Umbaun, and after stamping it with their seals, return it; but it is kept at the last post, and given back on the return of the party, which must account for absentees. These Ortungs, however, it is said, may be easily avoided. By forced

marches, Tibet may be reached from Yárkand in 17 or 18 days. Thence to Kashmír, it takes a káfila 25 days; but the journey, by quick marches, may be performed in 15; there is plenty of wood, water, and forage, on the road.

To Auksú.-From Yárkand to Auksú is 20 days travelling by caravan and on the way are 17 Ortungs, at most of which there are seven Chinese and 13 Usbeks; but at some, there are more. The road passes through a very woody country.

Rivers. There is a river near Yárkand, the name of which is Zurufshan. It is generally frozen for three months in the winter; when horses, camels, and men may pass over it. From the part of the country about Auksú two streams join the Zurufshan: one of them flows five kos distant from Auksú, and the other is seven days' journey from that place.

Climate. In the summer, when the melons ripen, it is very hot in these countries; but during winter, it is extremely cold. In this season, a great deal of snow falls on the mountains, which are twenty days' journey from Yárkand; but in the city itself, very little falls. It rains very rarely, only twice or thrice in the year, for an hour or so; and then the weather becomes very cold.

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Volcanoes-Sal-Ammoniac.—At the distance of 10 days' journey from Auksú, are two very high ranges of mountains, between which there is a valley, the surface of which, to a considerable depth, is covered with sal-ammoniac. There is a dreadful heat at this place, occasioned by a volcano, which, by the people of the country, is called God's fire." The heat prevents them approaching it in the summer. During the eruptions, the sal-ammoniac is said to be thrown out, and showered over the valley, like mist, to the distance of one kos; it afterwards hardens, and becomes, during the winter, crystallized like ice. People go there in that season, cut it into convenient pieces, and carry it away. It is said, that near old, or Koneh, Túrfán, also, is a mountain, out of which flames of fire are seen to issue.

Earthquakes-Cholera.-The natives state, that about three years ago, there were constant earthquakes in the province; and that the cholera committed great ravages at Yárkand. In Badakshán, the earthquakes destroyed a great number of houses and people.

History of the Province.—About eighty years ago, the whole of the country was in the hands of the Kalmuks, or Eleuths; and there was one Túrah, or chief, in each district, as governor. The Kalmuks were subsequently conquered by the Chinese in the reign of KIEN LUNG, and the authority of the Emperor was established over the whole province. For a long period after that event, the Chinese