SUCHAU

[s. 723] : A town in Kiang-su, China, regarded by the Chinese as one of the richest and most beautiful in China. It is situated on a cluster of islands in Ta-hu, “Great Lake,” 70 miles northwest of Shanghai, with which it is connected by a network of streams and canals. Its walls are 10 miles in circuit, and the suburbs extend for many miles around, while an immense population lives in boats. The rebels captured it in 1860, and left it, when recaptured, in 1865, a ruined city. The beauty of the women, and the picturesquene of its location, with the many ane buildings, cause it to be celebrated in proverb 45 Study ClaHses Sudan and poetry. Its silk manufactures are of especial note, but all Chinese manufactures are produced in great abundance and of superior quality. Several channels connect it with the Yangtszekiang, and small steamers at high tide reach the many important villages and towns in the surrounding districts. The population is estimated at 500,000, and from the top of one of the high pagodas can be seen an area containing a population of 5,000,000. Station of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), (1863), with (1900) 7 mi ionaries, six of them with their wives; 6 women mi ionaries, 24 native workers, 4 places of worship, 3 Sunday schools, 2 boarding schools, 1 theological cla , 1 college, 1 dispensary, 1 hospital, 1 medical cla , and 101 profe ed Christians. Station also of the PN (1871), with (1903) 4 mi ionaries, three of them with their wives; 17 native workers, 2 outstations, 5 places of worship, 3 Sunday schools, 4 day schools, 1 boarding school, 1 hospital, 1 dispensary, and 68 profe ed Christians. The name is also written Soochow. SU-CHIEN. See Su-tsien-hsien. 723