MANCHURIA lies within lat. 39' and 49° N., and long. 120° and 133° E., and measures ap proximately 800 miles in length, and 500 miles in breadth. It is bounded on the south by the Gulf of I'eh-chi-li and the highlands of Corea, on the east by the river Usuri, which divides it from Russian territory, on the north by the Amur, and on the west by the rivers Naun, Sungari, and the South-West Palisades. It is divided into three provinces, viz. Liau-tung or Southern, Kirin or Central, and Tsi-tsi-har, the Northern Provinces. The climate presents the extremes of heat and cold. The Liau-Ho and Ta-yang-Ho, Sungari, Barka, Usuri are the only important rivers. The population numbers about fourteen millions, Manchu, Tartars, and Chinese.
In 1850-60, Russia's representative at Pekin, General Ignatieff, obtained the surrender to Russia of the maritime province of Manchuria, the value of which had been discovered at the time of the Crimean war, and the Russian frontier was accordingly advanced to the close vicinity of Corea and the important city of Moukdcn.
Manchuria for ages past has swarmed off masses of humanity into other lands, and at present her millions are pressing on her neighbours for room. Researches have made it more than probable that the Tartar, Manchu, and Tungus belong to one great stock ; that the Turkoman, as well as the Tshude, Fin, Laplander, and Magyar (Hun garians), present another stock closely united, and that both these families are originally connected with each other. They sit upon the throne of Byzantium, and upon that of China. Manchu Tartars of Manchuria are the bravest of the Mongol race. Much of Manchuria is now Chinese, and the Chinese language has been introduced. Manchu Tartars are strongly made and active ; they are fond of the chase, and use the rifle and wolf-dogs. They dress like the Chinese, but wear
long hair parted down the middle. The women have a loose jacket close round the neck, and reaching to the waist, where it is fastened with loops on the right side. A bright red petticoat reaches half-way below the knee. They have silver car-rings, wear bracelets of brass and white metal, and they wear their hair with two long tails separated by a leathern band, edged with blue beads and a central line of cowries and brass beads below it.
The Manchu forbid marriage between those whose family names are different. In this respect they differ altogether from the Chinese and Brah mans, who abstain from marrying into families with their own race name. The Manchu and the Coreans have legends relating immaculate con ceptions. Mr. Meadows and Mr. Griffis (p. 155) relate a Manchu legend of three heaven-born virgins who dwelt near the Great White Mountains. As they were bathing in a lake a magpie dropped a blood-red fruit on the clothes of the youngest. This the maiden naturally ate, and forthwith con ceived, and she bore a son, whom they named Ai-sin-Gioro, or Golden Family Stem, which is the family name of the emperors of China.
The Fuyu are the aboriginal race of Corea. They trace their descent from a waiting-maid of the king of To-li or Korai. One day, while her master was absent on a hunting expedition, she saw float ing in the atmosphere a glistening vapour, which entered her bosom. This tiny cloud seemed as big as an egg. Under its influence she conceived, and bore a son, who became the king of the tribe and kingdom of Griffis, Korea ; Adams; Meadows.