governed by Tsong-tous, three of whom have two provinces subject to their administration. The four remaining are superintended by Fou-yuens.
The authority of a Tsong-tou is very great. He is never addressed without marks of the most profound respect: no Chinese, unless a Mandarin, is ever allowed even to speak to him but on his knees. The title given him by his countrymen in addressing him is most suitably translated by that of Highness.
Wall. (Great)
Which is the boundary of China towards Tartary.
The annals of China say it was begun under one Prince, three hundred and three years before the Christian æra; that it was then continued by two others; that a fourth united these first three portions; and that it was completed more than two hundred years after. See Mémoires Chinois, tm. 2, in 4to. p. 461.
The Chinese call the great wall Ouan-li-tchang- tching, that is, the great wall of ten thousend li.
It does not, however, with all its windings and turnings comprise more than five hundred leagues. It is twenty or twenty-five feet high, and broad enough in some places for six horses to pass abreast. In some parts it is carried over mountains almost inaccessible, and is in one place, according to Father Verbiest, eight hundred and sixty-four toises above the level of the sea. In some places it is also carried over rivers upon arches.
Since the Tartars subdued China, some few passages are alone kept in repair. The rest is falling to ruins.
See Histoire Générale de la Chine, par Mailla, tom. 2, in 4to. page 373. (Fr. Ed.)
Yellow.
Is the colour set apart for the Imperial Family in China.
All the princes of the blood, descended in a right line from the founder of the dynasty, wear a yellow girdle. In the collateral branches, the girdle is orange-colour.
