The population consists of Chinese settlers and 6f aborigines. The Chinese are only found on the west side of the island. A consider able number of aborigines are settled among the Chinese, to whom they are aubjeet, and are obliged to pay a tribute in corn and money. These aborigines are of a slender make; iu complexion and languep they resemble the Malays, but they do not differ from the Chinese in features. Nothing is known of the aborigines who inhabit the east vide of the island. They are not subject to the Chinese, and are said to be continually- at war with them. Inhabiting a 'country covered with lofty mountains, they are said to subsist mostly ou the produce of the chase and by fishing.
The Chinese portion of Tat-wan is divided into four districts, which, from south to north, are Fung-ahan-hian, Tal-wan-hiau, and Thaug-hua-hian. The capital, Taiwan fa, is a considerable walled town, and has a garrison of 10,000 troops. The streets are straight, and intersect one another at right angles: they are full of shops, which are abundantly provided with all articles of Chinese industry. The largest building is that which was erected by the Dutch during their short away in Tat-wan. There is still a small church built by the Dutch. It is stated that 1000 junks can nuchor in the harbour; bat the entrance even at spring-tides has but 0 or 10 feet of water. The commerce of this place with China is consider able. lirsteaou-kieng has a harbour, which is frequented by junks and numerous coasting vessels, which bring the produce of the country, especially rico and sugar, to this place. Tan-shuy-kiang, at the embouchure of the river Tan-shily-khy, is at the innermost recess of a fine bay, which is large enough for a numerous fleet. The best
harbour is near the northern extremity of the island, and is called or Quclong. It is capacious enough to contain 30 largo vessels, and la the station of the Chinese navy at the 'Amid. An active commerce is carried on at this place.
The commerce of the island is limited to that with the eastern provinces of China, especially Pekin; to which it sends its agricul tural produce, with sulphur and salt, and from which it imports tea, raw-silk, woollen- and cotton-stuffs, and other manufactures.
Opposite the southern extremity of the eastern coast of Tel-wan is the island of Betel Tabago.rima. It is elevated, about teu miles in circumference, and surrounded by a sea without soundings. It is said to be very popnloua The Dutch in 1634 'built the fortress of Zelandla at the entrance of the harbour of TaT-wan-fu, where there was then a small town. At this time the Chinese had not settled ou the island, but soon after many families emigrated from Fokian to Tat-wan; and Oa the over throw of the Ming dynasty many of their adherents abandoned the mainland, and, under a chief named Tshing-talling-kung, occupied the Ponghu Islands. Tshing-tshiug-kung then proceeded to TaI-wan, and finding only a very weak garrison In the Dutch fortress, he took it, after a siege of four months, in 1662. Thus the Dutch lost the island, which was rapidly colonised by the Chilies°. After the death of Tehing-tshing-kung a Chinese fleet in 1682 took possession of the Pooghu Islands; and in the following year TeI-wan surrendered, with out a struggle, to the court of Peking.
(Pbre du MaiIla, Ldl,ca P.difianles et Carieuses, voL evil; Klaproth ; La Pscrouse ; Parliamentary Reports.)