H. SHA N-SEE, Shang-see, Chan-see, or San-see, is one of the smallest provinces of the empire, but is con sidered as the spot where the first inhabitants of China, or at least the first founders of the nation, had their resi dence. It contains five cities of the first class, 16 of the second, and 70 of the third. Tai-vuen-foo, the capital of the province, is an ancient city, about three leagues in circumference, formerly the residence of the imperial family, but now much decayed in its splendour. The pa laces of its royal inhabitants are reduced to ruins ; and their tombs, on a neighbouring mountain, are the only memorials of their existence. These monuments are all of marble or cut stone, spread over a considerable space ; mingled with triumphal arches, statues of heroes, fi gures of horses, lions, and other animals ; and the whole surrounded by groves of cypress trees, planted in che quer. The territory around this city is fruitful and plea sant ; and its principal articles of trade arc hardware, stuffs of different kinds, but particularly carpets in imi tation of those of Turkey. Pin-hiang-foo, nearly ec,ual to the capital in the fertility of its soil, and the extent of its district. Lou-ngan-foo, pleasantly situated at the source of a river. Fuen-tcheoo-foo, an ancient and com mercial city on the banks of the river Fuen-ho, [muted for its hot-baths and springs, which attract numb, Ts of stran gers, and add greatly to its opulence. T.,i-tong-foo,
built near to the great wail, and well garrisoned, is a place of great strength, and has an extensive jurisdiction. Its icinity abounds in medicinal het bs, lapis lazuli, mar ble, porphyry, and a beautiful kind of jasper. The cli mate of this province is pleasant and healthful ; and the atmosphere generally pure throughout the year. The thermometer or Fahrenheit is often, for many days in winter, below the freezing point, and sometimes de scends to zero. The soil is very fertile, and the vines produce the best grapes in China. It is lull LI nioun tains ; some of which arc entirely uninhabited, and have a very frightful appearance. But the greater part of them arc carefully cultivated, and cut into terraces from top to bottom. On the summits of some of them arc found extensive plains, which arc said to be as fruitful as the richest low lands. They abound in jasper, lapis la zuli, marble, porphyry, iron ore, crystal, salt pits, and inexhaustible coal mines. The inhabitants are strong limbed, and the women accounted handsome.