The province of Pc-tche-lee extends from 38° to 40 north latitude, and enjoys a fine clear atmosphere through out the year. The temperature is various, generally about 80°, and occasionally 90° of Fahrenheit's thermc meter during the day ; but in the middle of winter, it f•e quently descends to the freezing point, and sometimes even to zero. According to the observations of Air Bar row, the range of the thermometer in the month of '1u gust was found to be from 80° to S6° in the middle of the day, and during the night generally from 60° to 64°. In September, the medium temperature was about In October, about 68°, and at night as low as 44°. Its winter season is described as remarkably cold in propor tion to its latitude ; and the rivers are said to be so much frozen during four months of the year, that horses and waggons can pass upon the ice. The ice dissolves very slowly ; the air, at the same time, is not so pinching to the feelings during these severe frosts as in Europe ; and provisions of every kind may be kept for a long time without being subject to putrefaction. These circum stances have been ascribed to the quantity of nitre in the province, and to the serenity of the sky, which, even in winter, is seldom obscured by a cloud. There are very few mountains in the province ; and the general face of the country is extremely level. At high water, it is not much more than two feet above the surface of the ri vers; and the tide, which rises only nine or ten feet in the gulf of Pe-tche-lee, flows 110 miles into the bosom of the country, up the river Pei-ho, which frequently sub merges the whole district through which it passes. Along
the banks of this river a light sandy soil chiefly prevails, with a mixture of argillaceous earth and slimily matter, interspersed with shining particles of mica ; but not a stone of any magnitude, nor pebble, nor even gravel, is to be seen in the whole course of the river, as far as it is navigable. On the southern coast of the gulf of Pc tche-lee, there arc several hills all of the same size, and form regular cones with smooth sides, entirely detached from one another, and cacti standing upon its own base, so as to have all the appearance of having been al tificial ly formed. The water in this province, especially near Pekin, when taken from the springs or rivers, leaves a kind of tartar of a yellowish colour in the vessels, in which it has been boiled, or has stood for some time. The plague never makes its appearance in this province, and the people are remarkably free from epidemic dis tempers. It has been remarked, that the inhabitants of this part of the empire have not the same aptitude in ac quiring the sciences, as those of the more southern pro vinces ; but they arc much more warlike, hardy, and ro bust.