Baron Richthofen observes that Ch’eng-tu is among the largest of Chinese cities, and is of all the finest and most refined.  The population is called 800,000.  The walls form a square of about 3 miles to the side, and there are suburbs besides.  The streets are broad and straight, laid out at right angles, with a pavement of square flags very perfectly laid, slightly convex and drained at each side.  The numerous commemorative arches are sculptured with skill; there is much display of artistic taste; and the people are remarkably civil to foreigners.  This characterizes the whole province; and an air of wealth and refinement prevails even in the rural districts.  The plain round Ch’eng-tu fu is about 90 miles in length (S.E. to N.W.), by 40 miles in width, with a copious irrigation and great fertility, so that in wealth and population it stands almost unrivalled. (Letter VII. pp. 48-66.)

[Illustration:  PLAN OF CHENG-TU.

Eglises ou Etablissements francais des “Missions etrangeres”
Reproduction d’une carte chinoise]

[Mr. Baber (Travels, p. 26) gives the following information regarding the population of Ch’eng-tu:  “The census of 1877 returned the number of families at about 70,000, and the total population at 330,000—­190,000 being males and 140,000 females; but probably the extensive suburb was not included in the enumeration.  Perhaps 350,000 would be a fair total estimate.”  It is the seat of the Viceroy of the Sze-ch’wan province.  Mr. Hosie says (Three Years in Western China, p. 86):  “It is without exception the finest city I have seen in China; Peking and Canton will not bear comparison with it.”  Captain Gill writes (River of Golden Sand, II. p. 4):  “The city of Ch’eng-Tu is still a rich and noble one, somewhat irregular in shape, and surrounded by a strong wall, in a perfect state of repair.  In this there are eight bastions, four being pierced by gates.”

“It is one of the largest of Chinese cities, having a circuit of about 12 miles.” (Baber, p. 26.) “It is now three and a half miles long by about two and a half miles broad, the longest side lying about east-south-east, and west-north-west, so that its compass in the present day is about 12 miles.” (Captain Gill, II. p. 4.)—­H.C.]

NOTE 2.—­Ramusio is more particular:  “Through the city flow many great rivers, which come down from distant mountains, and run winding about through many parts of the city.  These rivers vary in width from half a mile to 200 paces, and are very deep.  Across them are built many bridges of stone,” etc.  “And after passing the city these rivers unite and form one immense river called Kian,” etc.  Here we have the Great River or KIANG, Kian (Quian) as in Ramusio, or KIANG-SHUI, “Waters of the Kiang,” as in the text.  So Pauthier explains. [Mr. Baber remarks at Ch’eng-tu (Travels, p. 28):  “When all allowance is made for the diminution of the river, one cannot help surmising