. Pictorial history of China and India; comprising a description of those countries and their inhabitants. ned by the generality of the inhabitants bymeans of the great canal, which is constantly covered with barges, ladenchiefly with grain. A great number of these barges were employed betweenthe different provinces and the capital, in conveying the tribute, out ofwhich, when the harvest was abundant, the emperor laid up in his granariesstores of rice and corn, which in years of scarcity he sold to the poor, at acheap rate ; although, therefore, the taxes were heavy, the people derivedbenefit
. Pictorial history of China and India; comprising a description of those countries and their inhabitants. ned by the generality of the inhabitants bymeans of the great canal, which is constantly covered with barges, ladenchiefly with grain. A great number of these barges were employed betweenthe different provinces and the capital, in conveying the tribute, out ofwhich, when the harvest was abundant, the emperor laid up in his granariesstores of rice and corn, which in years of scarcity he sold to the poor, at acheap rate ; although, therefore, the taxes were heavy, the people derivedbenefit from them when they stood most in need of assistance, and theywere always remitted, or at least much lightened, in a season of publiccalamity. Everything, indeed, appears to have been done by this benefi-cent prince that could tend to increase the prosperity and happiness of hissubjects, who seem to have enjoyed, under his paternal government, theblessings of peace in their fullest extent. In all the cities good order was preserved by the establishment of a strict 72 CHINA, HISTORICAL AND Chinese Watchman. police, and no one was allowed to beabroad after dark, except on urgent busi-ness, wben he was required to carry a lan-tern— a regulation that prevented robberiesor disturbances in the streets at niijht. Inthe centre of the capital there was an enor-mous bell, suspended in a lofty building,so placed that it could be heard all overthe city; and this was tolled every eveningat a certain hour, as a signal for all personsto retire to their homes ; as the curfew,in olden times was rung at eve to warnthe people of England that it was time toextinguish the cheerful blaze, and betakethemselves to repose. The bell at Pekingis referred to more particularly in a futurechapter. As soon as Kublai had completed theconquest of China, he sent an ambassadorto the sovereign of the Japan islands, whowas an independent prince, ruling over anumerous and not uncivilized people. The
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Keywords: ., bookauthorsearsrob, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookyear1851
