ABSTRACT
Much of the interest appertaining to the country and people here treated of, in the minds of philanthropic and intelligent men, has arisen from the impression they have received of its vast population. The subject of the population of China has engaged the attention of the monarchs of the dynasty, and their censuses have been the best sources of information in making up an intelligent opinion upon the matter. Chinese literature contains many documents describing classes of society comprised in censuses in the various dynasties. Deducting these classes, Ma Twan-lin gives one census taken in the ninth century, b.c., as 13, 704, 923 persons, between the ages of 15 and 65, living within the frontiers north of the Yangtsz' River. According to the tables of modern statistics, about 65 per cent, of the entire population, or as representing 21, 753, 528 inhabitants.
