general

Image from page 16 of “The Chinese : a general description of the Empire of China and its inhabitants” (1846)

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Identifier: chinesegeneralde02daviuoft
Title: The Chinese : a general description of the Empire of China and its inhabitants
Year: 1846 (1840s)
Authors: Davis, John Francis, Sir, 1795-1890
Subjects: China — Description and travel China — History
Publisher: London : M. A. Nattali
Contributing Library: Robarts – University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
evated ridge to the westward, we could perceivethat a part of the valley was overhung with a cloudof smoke, which partially disclosed a few conside-rable buildings, and no doubt arose from that portionof the city which continues to be inhabited. Wecould distinguish pretty clearly the roofs of two orthree buildings resembling temples, two arched gate-ways, and three pagodas, one of which, from its su-perior size and stateliness, and its proximity to theriver, we immediately concluded to be the famousporcelain tower, and in this opinion we were con-firmed by our Chinese conductors. The desolation which took place in this ancientseat of the native Sovereigns may no doubt be ascribedto the Tartar conquerors, who demolished the impe-rial palace, and even the sepulchres, in the rage ofwar. Much, however, may be attributed to anotherreason, which sufficiently explains why, except theGreat wall, there are few ancient monuments inChina. Their edifices are far from being of a solid THE CHINESE.

Text Appearing After Image:
Nine-storiod Pa^^uda. NANKING. 7 construction, the columns being in most cases ofwood, and the chmate throughout the country subjectlo the greatest vicissitudes of moisture and dryness,as well as of heat and cold. The nine-storied build-ings called pagodas, being of good solid brick-work,are among the most lasting. That of Nanking isat the head of these monuments, which are of a re-ligious nature, and, like the steeples of churches,were at first attached to temples. Several still remainwith the religious establishments to which they be-long, besides the one at Nanking, a printed represen-tation of which, with a description attached, waspurchased by some of the embassy while in theneighbourhood. Its dimensions are nearly two hun-dred feet in height, the ground-plan being octagonal,and the spiral staircase built through the solid part ofthe wall, which surrounds a hollow space in the centrethat is carried to the summit of the building. Inniches at the sides of the stair are placed image

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