gree, where the kingdom of Tung-quin commences, is called
Hué. On the sea coast of all these divisions are safe and
commodious bays,and harbours. The great river of Don-nai
(Cambodia of the charts) is described as navigable by ships
of the largest size to the distance of forty miles up the country,
where the city of Sai-gong is situated, having a capacious
and commodious port, and an extensive naval arsenal.
An English gentleman, who sailed up this river in a large
Portugueze vessel, on his passage from China to India, represented
it to me as one of the grandest scenes that could
be imagined. I t Jias several large branches, but the width
of that-up which they sailed seldom exceeded two miles, and
in many places was less than one ; but the water was so deep
in every part, that the rigging of their vessel was sometimes
entangled in the branches of the stately forest trees which
shaded its banks, and her sides frequently grazed against
the verdant shores.
In the division of Chang, in latitude 13° 50' N. is Chin-çheu
bay and harbour; the latter spacious and completely sheltered
from all winds, but only accessible by large vessels at
high water, on account of a bar that runs across the n&rrow
entrance or gullet between it and the outer bay. At the head
of this harbour is situated the city of Quin-nong.
The principal city in the division of Hué, which bears the
same name, is situated on the banks of a large river navigable
by ships of considerable burden ; but a bar of sand
runs across the mouth. A little to the southward of this river
is the bay of Han-san, or, as it is usually marked in the
charts, Turon, which, for the security and conveniencies it
affords, is equalled by few in the Eastern world, and certainly
surpassed by none. It is situated in latitude 16° 7' N.
I t was for this bay we shaped our course from Pulo Con-
dore, and we arrived-before it on the 24th May. Not having
any chart that could be depended on, and perceiving a multitude
of fishing craft between our ships and the shore, we
sent out a boat with the view of getting a pilot; but the
fishermen, on observing' it, immediately hoisted their sails
and scudded away before the wind. At last,- however, a
small boat without any sail was overtaken,, from which a
miserable old wretch was brought away,, than whom I never
beheld a more piteous object. His eyes were deeply sunk in
his head, his face was- the- colour of an old oaken wainscot,
haggard-, and wrinkled; and a few clotted locks of grey hair
started from under a dirty handkerchief which was bound
round his head. His whole dress consisted of a short frock
patched with pieces of twenty different sorts- and colours,
and a pair of ragged browsers of the petticoat kind. Such a
specimen of the people we were about to visit was not calculated
to raise- very high expectations in their favour. On
stepping into the ship he seemed to be greatly agitated, casting
his eyes first round the spacious-, deck, then at the large
guns, and not a little disturbed at- the - appearance of so
many people; but, above all, the great height of the masts
seemed to attract his attention. He frequently fell on his :
knees, and burst into tears. With some difficulty he was at
last sufficiently pacified to be made, by signs, to comprehend
the purpose for which he had been brought on board; and