Respecting numerous other enterprises of the ancient world, interesting but imperfect accounts remain. Such are the narratives of what were termed the “Seven Wonders of the World.” It is time, however, to leave antiquity—or, at least, classic antiquity—to speak of one wondrous enterprise—that of a nation at the very “ends of the earth,” of whom indeed many wonders are told.
Bell, the enterprising traveller, presents, perhaps, the clearest account of the celebrated “Great Wall of China.”
“On the 2nd of November, 1720, about noon,” says he, “we could perceive the famous wall, running along the tops of the mountains, towards the north-east. One of our people cried out ‘land!’ as if we had been all this while at sea. It was now, as nearly as I can compute, about forty English miles from us, and appeared white at this distance. The appearance of it, running from one high rock to another, with square towers at certain intervals, even at this distance is most magnificent.”
In two days they arrived at the foot of this mighty barrier, and entered through a great gate into China. Here a thousand men were perpetually on guard, by the officers commanding whom they were received with much politeness, and invited to tea.
“The long, or endless wall, as it is commonly called,” continues Bell, “encompasses all the north and west parts of China. It was built about six hundred years ago by one of the emperors, to prevent the frequent incursions of the Mongols and other western Tartars, who made a practice of assembling numerous troops of horse and invading the country in different places. The Chinese frontiers were too extensive to be guarded against such bold and numerous enemies, who, after plundering and destroying a wealthy country, returned to their own loaded with spoils.
“The Chinese, finding all precautions ineffectual to put a stop to the inroads of such barbarians, at last resolved to build this famous wall. It begins in the province of Leotong, at the bottom of the Bay of Nankin, and proceeds across rivers, and over the tops of the highest mountains, without interruption, keeping nearly along the circular ridge of barren rocks that surround the country to the north and west; and, after running southwards about twelve hundred English miles, ends in impassable mountains and sandy deserts.
Part of the Great Wall of China.
This is an engraving of a small portion of this wonderful work. At the top is represented a piece of the wall, with one of the towers, as it is seen by a person standing on the ground. Immediately under it is a bird’s-eye view of the same, representing the dimensions and position of the tower, in relation to the wall. And on the left side is a section which shows how the masonry is constructed—of two walls getting thinner towards the top, and the intermediate space filled in with work of a rougher kind.
“The foundation consists of large blocks of square stones, laid in mortar; but the rest of the wall is built of brick. The whole is so strong and well built as to need almost no repair, and, in such a dry climate, may remain in this condition for many ages. Its height and breadth are not equal in every place; nor, indeed, is it necessary they should. When carried over steep rocks, where no horse can pass, it is about fifteen or twenty feet high, and broad in proportion; but, when running through a valley, or crossing a river, there you see a strong wall, about thirty feet high, with square towers at the distance of a bow-shot from one another, and embrasures at equal distances. The top of the wall is flat, and paved with broad freestones; and where it rises over a rock, or any eminence, you ascend by a fine easy stone stair. The bridges over rivers and torrents are exceedingly neat, being both well contrived and executed. They have two stories of arches, one above another, to afford sufficient passage for the waters on sudden rains and floods.”