China - Revision history

Admin at 20:39, 23 April 2026

2026-04-23T20:39:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 23 April 2026
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	=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===		=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===
	<blockquote>China, is a vast Kingdom in the East of Asia, bounded on the North by the Kingdoms of Tangut and Niathan, (or Cambalu,) from which it is separated in part by Mountains, and in part by a Wall 500. Leagues long: on the West it has India extra Gangem, from which it is parted by the Lake of Cincujay, and a long Ridge of Mountains; on the South and East, it is surrounded by the Chinese and Indian Ocean. Since the year 1630. the Tartars have conquer'd this once most Potent Kingdom. This is a vast, populous, civil, fruitful Countrey; and for Learning and Mechanick Arts to be preferred before all the Pagan People in the World. They are very ingenious at Geometry, Arithmetick, Astronomy, and Physick; and since Confusius (the Socrates of China) brought that Faculty into repute with them, in Moral Philosophy also. Some maintain, the Arts of Printing, Gunnery, and the Magnet, were first invented here. Their Language for the most part consists of Monosyllables, written downwards in Characters expressing entire words and things, like the Egyptian Hieroglyphicks, without Letters; the Rules by which they are understood may be seen in the China illustrata of Kircher. Ptolomy calls this Kingdom Sinarum regio. It is watered by the great Rivers Kiang and Hoan. And stands divided into fifteen Provinces; six under the Division of Catay, and nine under the Division of Mangin; which are incredibly populous and rich, with Mines of Gold, Silver, and precious Stones. In every great Town there is a College for to teach the Philosophy of Confusius. And you have a perfect Catalogue of their Emperors from the year 2952. before Christ, to the present Lord of the Ʋniverse and Son of Heaven, as they call him.</blockquote>		<blockquote>China, is a vast Kingdom in the East of Asia, bounded on the North by the Kingdoms of Tangut and Niathan, (or Cambalu,) from which it is separated in part by Mountains, and in part by a Wall 500. Leagues long: on the West it has India extra Gangem, from which it is parted by the Lake of Cincujay, and a long Ridge of Mountains; on the South and East, it is surrounded by the Chinese and Indian Ocean. Since the year 1630. the Tartars have conquer'd this once most Potent Kingdom. This is a vast, populous, civil, fruitful Countrey; and for Learning and Mechanick Arts to be preferred before all the Pagan People in the World. They are very ingenious at Geometry, Arithmetick, Astronomy, and Physick; and since Confusius (the Socrates of China) brought that Faculty into repute with them, in Moral Philosophy also. Some maintain, the Arts of Printing, Gunnery, and the Magnet, were first invented here. Their Language for the most part consists of Monosyllables, written downwards in Characters expressing entire words and things, like the Egyptian Hieroglyphicks, without Letters; the Rules by which they are understood may be seen in the China illustrata of Kircher. Ptolomy calls this Kingdom Sinarum regio. It is watered by the great Rivers Kiang and Hoan. And stands divided into fifteen Provinces; six under the Division of Catay, and nine under the Division of Mangin; which are incredibly populous and rich, with Mines of Gold, Silver, and precious Stones. In every great Town there is a College for to teach the Philosophy of Confusius. And you have a perfect Catalogue of their Emperors from the year 2952. before Christ, to the present Lord of the Ʋniverse and Son of Heaven, as they call him.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote>Chine, or the Empire of China, a great and spacious Country on the East of Asia; much fam'd for its Fruitfulness, Wealth, the Beautifulness of its Towns, and for incredible number of its Inhabitants. Ptolomy speaks of it under the name of Sinarum Regio, words which the Chinoeses are not acquainted with, nor indeed have th•y a lasting name for their Country, because that when the Empire falls to any new Family, they never fail giving it a new name too. Those of Chochinchina and Siam call it Cin, whence is form'd our China, which, according to the best Relations, has a great ridge of Mountains to the North, and where these end, there is that famous Wall, 300 miles long, to keep the Tartars out, who notwithstanding this have at several times made Incursions, and wasted great part of this Country, and at last made themselves Masters of it in this Age. To the West are other Mountains, which part it also from the same Tartars, and from part of the Indies, the main Ocean bounds it to the East and South, where is also the Kingdom of Tunquin. It's length, according to the Relation John Nieuhoff gives us of it in his Embassy, is 600 Leagues, its breadth is little less, its form square, and the whole is divided into 17 Provinces, or rather Kingdoms, if we consider the vast number of great Cities and Towns comprehended in 'em, amongst which are 160 prime and famous ones called Fu, about 240 of lesser note which they call Cheu, and near 2357 call'd Hien or small Towns, besides Fortresses, Castles, and Residences of the Kings Officers. The Chiefest of all now is Peking, about 30 Leagues from that great Wall, but Nanking was formerly the Capital. The Jesuits have a vast number of Oratories and Missions throughout the several Provinces of this Kingdom, with about 200 Churches and Priviledged Residences, and are building Colledges if ye believe F. Kirker. It cannot be expected that this vast Tract of Land should have the same temperature of Air, and indeed we hear that it's very cold towards the North of this Country, yet that the Air is so pure and serene that Men live to a great Age, without being ever visited by the Plague, but have frequent Earthquakes. Their Riches consist in Gold and Silver Mines, Pearls, Spices, Musc, which is the very best of the World, if the true Ambregrise Camfre, &c. besides Silk, whereof there is such a prodigious quantity, that the Province of Chekiang alone is able to furnish all the rest of the Universe, as all parts may furnish themselves with Cotton from China since the Europians shew'd 'em how to sow it about 500 years ago. Here are also Mines of all other Metals; They have a white kind of Brass, which is but little dearer than the common yellow Brass, and are very good at casting Bells and Pi••e• of Ordnance, which are as well wrought here as in any •••t of Europe. It's remarkable that the Emperors for•id the ••ening of Silver and Gold Mines, lest the Vapours and unwholesom Exhalations might annoy their Subjects, who have only leave to gather these Metals in the Sands of their Rivers, and make 'em up into sm•ll Pieces, which are valued but according to weight, for they have no Stamp, unless it be upon •rass Farthings that bear the Countreys Arms. Here are also Minerals of Quicksilver, Vermillion, Azur Stone, Vitriol, &c. So much for the Wealth, now as to the Inhabitants; whose number is as great as the Country is vast, so great that to see the great Roads, one could not compare 'em to any thing better than to an Army on its march, or to one of our Fairs of Europe, which so surprised some Portugueses when they went thither, that they ask'd whether the Women had not 9 or 12 Children at a time; And indeed to see their vast number of Ships, one at a distance could not imagine 'em any thing else but Towns on the Water, they lie so thick, nor would he speak very improperly that should call 'em so, since whole Families live in 'em, and breed their Hogs, Hens, Geese, &c. aboard, so that the Water, especially in the Southern Parts, is well nigh as much inhabited as the Land. But as to the number of the People Authentick Authors make it amount to 58914284 Men, without comprehending the Royal Family, the Magistrates, Eunuchs, Soldiers, Priests, or the Women and Children, so that it may not seem strange if a late Author affirmed that there were 200000000 of Souls in China, nor is this supputation hard to be made, for the Laws of the Country oblige each Head of a Family under a considerable Penalty to hang a Writing at his Door, with the number and quality of the Dwellers. This is observed in all their Cities and Towns, which differ only in Jurisdiction and Power, there being some of the latter altogether as big as the former. The Cities are generally under the Jurisdiction of the Viceroy of the Province, and have some Towns under 'em, yet there are some Towns too that are Capital of certain Territories, and form little Provinces with the others that depend on 'em. Their Forts are the same with their Cities and Towns, only that in these there are Garisons which live with the Burgesses. They all hate going up Stairs, and therefore live in their low Rooms, have no Windows to the Street, and keep their Wives in the inner Chambers from the sight and familiarity of Men, if it be not in the Province of Junnan, where they have liberty of walking in the Streets as with us. The inside of their Houses is very magnificent, all the Walls shining, being varnished with the precious Composition Cié. The Men are Civil, well Bred, Politick, and Industrious, but insupportably Covetous, and so Jealous that they lock'd their Wives in, until the Tartars, to their great grief, gave the poor Women the liberty of the open Air; They are covetous to that degree, that they will not stand to sell their very Children, or drown 'em when they think there are too many, thinking they do 'em a kindness in dislodging their Souls, which perhaps may pass into the Body of some rich Man's Child. This desire of Wealth lets 'em never be idle, and inspires them all with great aversion against Strangers. They have particular Inventions for the easier and quicker dispatch of every Work, and have a pretty Invention of Flying Chariots. Several are also of Opinion that we had Printing, Gunnery, and our Knowledge of the Loadstone from 'em, because these were never known in Europe until about the year 1278, which was the time that several Strangers, amongst others B. Oderic Italian, Ayton an Armenian, and Paul Venetian went into that Countrey, with the Tartars of the Family of Juena. The Men still go well Clad, carry a Fan in their Hand, and when they salute each other (for they are very courteous) they never put off their Hat, but with both Hands joined before their Breast incline their Body. Here is no Nobility but what depends on Science and Learning, without any regard to Birth, except in the Royal Families, not are Men raised to Honours and Dignities but according to their Parts and Deserts. For the Women they are not accounted handsom if they have not small Legs, for which reason they swaddle 'em up when Children to hinder their growth, so that one may see some whose Legs are scarce thicker than Sheep Shanks. There is another thing very particular in this Country concerning this Sex, which is, that it's the Men and not they that pay the Portion, which the Bride delivers to her Father for his trouble and care in bringing her up. Their Letters are not disposed Alphabetically as ours, for they use as many Figures as they have Words, which, according to Father Kircher, are 1600 in all, and Father Gunter says there are but 400, because one Word signifies a dozen or 15 different things, according as it is variously pronounced; as for Example, Yâ signies God, Yä a Wall, Yà Stupidity or Bluntness, Yá a Goose, so that all the energy of this Tongue consists in the diversity of Accents, Tones, Aspirations, and Inflection of the Voice. Besides this they have some compounded Figures that express 2 or 3 Words all-together, as to express Good Day Sir, they will not seek a particular Figure for Good, or Day, or Sir, but shall find one different from all 3 that shall yet express 'em; They have an infinite number of these, so that it's clear a Mans Life is too short to make a just discernment of all, yet be is not accounted a Learned Chinoise that does not know at least 800000 different Figures or Characters. They are so very ingenious in making Fire-Works, that they represent any Character or Figure in 'em for Grueber the Jesuit says he saw one descend from the set•ing of a great Hall that represented a great Vine environed with another Fire in form of the Leaves, and Raisins or Grapes, all so well colour'd that the best Pencil could hardly do 'em more to the Life. The Chin•eses make use of Litters carried between two Mules, or by Men, but the Tartars have a kind of Calasb. The Town of Nan•uin, with several others, has without its Walls two magnificent Towers six or seven Stories high, all covered with Porcelain, and generally near each Tower is a Temple filled with Idols, and another dedicated to the Genius or Preserver or Protector of the place. There are also in all Towns and Cities Triumphal Arches, built in honour of valiant Men, famous Doctors, or of those that have done their Country some considerable Service; and there are but few that have not a Colledge of Confucius, that famous Philosopher of China, where several Professors teach his Doctrine, but there are no Idols in these Schools, which is very remarkable. The Ancient and late Emperors of China before the last Invasion of the Tartars, had an absolute Power over the Lives and Goods of their Subjects, the eldest Son succeeded in the Kingdom, the others had the Title of Kings, but no Sovereign Authority, for the Emperor assigned them only a City and magnificent Palace, annexing an Appanage for their Royal Maintenance, ordering his Receivers to remit them quarterly their Revenues, so that receiving but inconsiderable Sums at a time, they should never be able to undertake any thing. These Emperors, though they seldom went out of their Palaces, yet were perfectly well informed how their Viceroys and Governors behaved themselves, for they sent a Visitor yearly with power to supervise what was done, and according to his information the Prince ordered all things with the Advice of the Philosophers, who were employed in the Government of that Kingdom for above 2000 years. Thus did they Rule happily for many Ages, and unmolested by any but the Tartars, who at last through the Cowardise and Division of the Chinoeses, made themselves sole Masters of that flourishing Kingdom under Xunchi King of Ninche about 50 years ago. The present Tartar King of China keeps an Army all of his own Nation, except his Guards, who to the number of about 40000 as well Musqueteers as Bowmen are out of Japan or Corée. He gives the Chinois the Liberty of their Religion, and of keeping their former Laws, with this alteration only, that in every Tribunal there is a Tartar that presides. As for the Politick Government, he has established 9 Jurisdictions at Pekin Capital of the Kingdom, whereof the highest composed equally of the People of both Nations, is a kind of Parliament that Judges of all Causes Appeals. The second Examines what concerns Religion, and decides between the Men of Learning. The rest are for the Army, or to judge of Criminal Processes, and other things, as amongst us. In all the other Towns there are 9 such, but all subalterns and depending on these. There is no Appeal from the Parliament of Pekin, and if any one has recourse to the King, he is to have 100 heavy blows of a Cane, but if it be found that he was wronged, it costs the Judge his Life, or at least his Place. The King has 15 Wives, but not of the same Rank, for there are 3 that are Principal, whereof the chiefest is called Cinsi, that is perfect Queen, the other two Tumsi and Sifi, that is Eastern and Western Queens, which the Chinoeses call Laterales, these have access to the Sovereign, but they always speak to her upon their Knees, the other 12 never come into her presence unless by their Mediation; As for other Wives, this Prince has as many as he pleases. There is no distinction made between these Queens Children, nor is it the eldest, but whom the Prince chuses that succeeds him. When this Prince dies, his Body is burned after the Custom of the Tartars, but the Pile is not made of Wood, but is all Paper, so that the Expences generally amounts to above 60000 Crowns, and here they burn with his Body his Guarderobe, Jewels, and in a word all that was destined for his use, besides Living Creatures; There are also 3 of his Domesticks, viz. a Counsellor, a Priest, and a Concubine, who having devoted themselves wholly to his Soul, sacrifice their Lives as soon as he ceases to live; they have the liberty to chuse what kind of death they are pleased to die, and are generally beheaded; Besides them there are others who freely sacrifice their Lives to accompany their Prince into the other World. As to their Religion, there are 3 Sects, viz. the Learned, who adore a First Being, which they call Soiax Ti: The Nobility and Common Sort who sacrifice to a good and bad Spirit; and the Bronzes, which are right Idolaters. The Tartars also have Priests who wear a Paper Mitre, but for the most part go bare Headed and bare Foot too, and there are some Convents for Tartar Women, built upon Mountains of very difficult access. The Christian Religion too is permitted here, and one may see in all the Churches the Kings Proclamation, that approves and gives both the Tartars and Chinoises full liberty to embrace it if they please. The Learned of the Country agree well enough with the Missioners, and none but the Bronzes endeavour to maintain their old superstition. The Chinoeses make no Wine, though the Country produces excellent Grapes, their ordinary Drink is The and Wine of Rice, which I suppose they distil from the Grain; This is of an Amber colour, has a very delicate taste, and there is some which is as good as any Spanish. All their Vessels are of Porcelaine, and these the Subjects have common with the King. This Prince formerly in Publick Audiences was seated upon a Magnificent Throne, but now the Tartar King on such Occasions is placed on a Carper on the Ground. The Chinoises count 22 Families of Emperors of that Monarchy, which they say is of 4635 years standing. The Voyage to it by Sea is both long and dangerous, which made Nik••sa a Muscovit, to seek a way by Land from Moskow to Pekin; and here follows the Account he gives us of his success, and the way he took. From Moskow one may go to Vologda, and thence to Perma-Velik in Permia, hence to Solkamskot in the Province of Siberia, then to Wischiturgium, a Fortress by which one must pass to shun the great Mountains and Rocks, that lie in the direct Road, thence to Toboul Capital of Siberia, thence up the River Oby for 3 weeks together to Surgut the Residence of one of the Great Dukes Vaivodes. This Country is all inhabited by an Idolatrous sort of People called Ostiaski. Hence-forward still upon the same River Oby to Klarem, the Residence of another Vaivode, all this Country is Woody, the Inhabitants Ostiaski; at Klarem you quit the River Oby for that of Kieta, upon which in 5 weeks time you come to Makouskichoroda, a Country also inhabited by Ostiaski; Here you leave your Boats, and go by Land to Jenisca, a Town situated upon a River of the same name; here is a Vaivode, the People Idolaters, but called Tongusi; After 3 days Voyage on the River Jenisca, you enter into that of Tongusi, upon which in 3 weeks time you come to Ilimsko, the Residence of a Vaivode, the People hereabouts are Tongusi and Ostiaski both; hence by the River Ilima you descend to the River Len, where the Inhabitants are called Jakuts, and are Idolaters; leaving this River you enter into another, upon which is the Town Inkustaake, the Residence of a Vaivode; hence to Bratska, where lives another Vaivode, the People hereabouts are called Bratsk, and resemble the Kalmoucs; from Bratska you mount to Irkutsk by the River Angara in 15 days; thence upon the same River still to the Lake Bakala, whence in 3 weeks you may go by the River Selega to Selenginsk, the Confines of Muscovy that divide it from Mongoul, where the People are Idolaters, and have their Kam; Hence you go through Wood to Jaravana, then to Talembi, and to Na•oninske, the Residence of a Vaivode sent from Moskow; Hence in 9 days by the Rivers Schilka and Amor you come to the Town of Albasin, where the Country begins to be a little hottor; This Albasin is the last Town of Muscovy, where crossing the River Amor you come to the Country of the Bogdoisk; hence in a months time, crossing the Mongoul, you come to Pekin, Capital of China. This way has appeared so better than going by the long Sea, that some Jesuits have of late gone to Moskow to take that way to China.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

Admin: /* 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. */

2025-11-22T22:32:53Z

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

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	# Nancheny, besides the two Isles Corea, and Cheunan.		# Nancheny, besides the two Isles Corea, and Cheunan.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

			=== 1681. A new geography: with maps to each country, and tables of longitude & latitude by Jonas Moore. ===
			<blockquote>CHAP. VI. The Kingdom of CHINA.

			SOme Authors make this Kingdom as big as all Europe, so vast is its Extent. It hath the Ocean to the East, Cochinchina to the South, and to the West the Indies and part of Tartary, which it hath likewise in the North, and from which it is seperated by that Famous Wall of Four hundred Leagues in Length. It is divided into Fifteen Provinces, the Names of which it is not very material to know: There are above Two thousand Cities reckoned to be in this great Kingdom, and of them Peking is the Chief and the Imperial Seat of their Kings. That Throne was overturned by the Tartars, who ruined this Empire, and possest the greatest part thereof; but the Natives have lately recovered their Liberty again and expulsed the Conquerers. Nanquin, Xanton and Amus, are the most considerable Cities, and the least is as big if not bigger than London. There are in this Kingdom many Fair Navigable Rivers, the chief of which are the Yellow and the Blew, called in the Chinese Language, Caramoran and Jansuguiam, and Chincheo that passes by the Stately City of Amus. The Chineses are Idolaters, and Worship the Heavens and Stars, with many Idols that they place in their Temples.

			The Jesuites have Converted many of them to Christianity, and are very Active in making Proselytes in those Parts.</blockquote>

	===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===		===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===

Admin: /* 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. */

2025-09-27T23:58:54Z

1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 27 September 2025
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	Chequiam has Temples, wherein are rich Idols. Nankin has a Town of the same Name, formerly the abode of the Court, the most esteemed of China, upon the account of its Beauty, the fertility of its Soyl, its fine Edifices, its great Commerce, the River Kiang, which we call the River Blew, and the Chinese, the Son of the Sea, because that its common breadth exceeds two of our Leagues. With the River Jaune, and the Royal Channel, it affords the means of going to Pekin by Boat, and of trading to Pekin by Rivers, disembarking only at the Mountain Muilin. There is near Nankin, a Tower of Porcelain nine Stories, or Vaults, above one another, with a hundred and fourscore and four steps. Schanchay is the most usual station of the King's Fleets. Kiamzi passes for the most populous Province; It alone has Water proper for the perfection of Porcelain, when they apply to it the Tincture of Azure, Vermilion, or Yellow. The late Voyages, that have been made into the Inlands of China, have inform'd us, that Porcelain-Ware is not made of the shells of the Sea, nor of Egg-shells pounded, as several have believed; it is made by the means of Sand or Earth, peculiar to certain Cantons of the Countrey, where it is found in Rocks; for the making it, 'tis not necessary, that this Earth remain buried an Age, as some have thought fit to affirm. The Chineses knead this Sand, and make Cups of it, which they set a baking in Ovens, for the space of fifteen days, and give them several Figures. The application of Colours is one of the principal Secrets which the Chineses have thought fit to keep conceal'd from strangers. Huquam yields so much Rice and Oyl, that the Chineses have it in a Proverb, That they draw but one Collation from each of the other Provinces of China, but from Huquam they have wherewith to live on a whole Year. Xensi does particularly furnish Musk; Its City of Cancheu has a great confluence of Caravans. Siganfu has very ancient Remnants of Christianity. Sciansi hath Vineyards, from whence the Jesuits had the Wine they stood in need of, for the celebrating the Mass, before they were driven thence, in the Year 1665. Honan produces the best Fruits in the World, and in great quantity. Pekin, otherwise Peguin, has a City of the same Name, the Capital of all the State, with a Castle-Royal. It is probably the City, which several Authors call Cambalu; what those Authors call Cathai, is nothing else than Northern China. In the Year 1644. This City was surpriz'd, and pillag'd, by a Rebel, who dissipated, in a few days, all the Riches which sixteen Kings had heaped up, during two hundred and fourscore Years. Since that, the Tartars of Niuche, whom they call Kin, have rendred themselves Masters of it; and by the taking of Nakin, and Canton, have setled their Conquests in the great Kingdom of China.</blockquote>		Chequiam has Temples, wherein are rich Idols. Nankin has a Town of the same Name, formerly the abode of the Court, the most esteemed of China, upon the account of its Beauty, the fertility of its Soyl, its fine Edifices, its great Commerce, the River Kiang, which we call the River Blew, and the Chinese, the Son of the Sea, because that its common breadth exceeds two of our Leagues. With the River Jaune, and the Royal Channel, it affords the means of going to Pekin by Boat, and of trading to Pekin by Rivers, disembarking only at the Mountain Muilin. There is near Nankin, a Tower of Porcelain nine Stories, or Vaults, above one another, with a hundred and fourscore and four steps. Schanchay is the most usual station of the King's Fleets. Kiamzi passes for the most populous Province; It alone has Water proper for the perfection of Porcelain, when they apply to it the Tincture of Azure, Vermilion, or Yellow. The late Voyages, that have been made into the Inlands of China, have inform'd us, that Porcelain-Ware is not made of the shells of the Sea, nor of Egg-shells pounded, as several have believed; it is made by the means of Sand or Earth, peculiar to certain Cantons of the Countrey, where it is found in Rocks; for the making it, 'tis not necessary, that this Earth remain buried an Age, as some have thought fit to affirm. The Chineses knead this Sand, and make Cups of it, which they set a baking in Ovens, for the space of fifteen days, and give them several Figures. The application of Colours is one of the principal Secrets which the Chineses have thought fit to keep conceal'd from strangers. Huquam yields so much Rice and Oyl, that the Chineses have it in a Proverb, That they draw but one Collation from each of the other Provinces of China, but from Huquam they have wherewith to live on a whole Year. Xensi does particularly furnish Musk; Its City of Cancheu has a great confluence of Caravans. Siganfu has very ancient Remnants of Christianity. Sciansi hath Vineyards, from whence the Jesuits had the Wine they stood in need of, for the celebrating the Mass, before they were driven thence, in the Year 1665. Honan produces the best Fruits in the World, and in great quantity. Pekin, otherwise Peguin, has a City of the same Name, the Capital of all the State, with a Castle-Royal. It is probably the City, which several Authors call Cambalu; what those Authors call Cathai, is nothing else than Northern China. In the Year 1644. This City was surpriz'd, and pillag'd, by a Rebel, who dissipated, in a few days, all the Riches which sixteen Kings had heaped up, during two hundred and fourscore Years. Since that, the Tartars of Niuche, whom they call Kin, have rendred themselves Masters of it; and by the taking of Nakin, and Canton, have setled their Conquests in the great Kingdom of China.</blockquote>

			=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===
			<blockquote>China, is a vast Kingdom in the East of Asia, bounded on the North by the Kingdoms of Tangut and Niathan, (or Cambalu,) from which it is separated in part by Mountains, and in part by a Wall 500. Leagues long: on the West it has India extra Gangem, from which it is parted by the Lake of Cincujay, and a long Ridge of Mountains; on the South and East, it is surrounded by the Chinese and Indian Ocean. Since the year 1630. the Tartars have conquer'd this once most Potent Kingdom. This is a vast, populous, civil, fruitful Countrey; and for Learning and Mechanick Arts to be preferred before all the Pagan People in the World. They are very ingenious at Geometry, Arithmetick, Astronomy, and Physick; and since Confusius (the Socrates of China) brought that Faculty into repute with them, in Moral Philosophy also. Some maintain, the Arts of Printing, Gunnery, and the Magnet, were first invented here. Their Language for the most part consists of Monosyllables, written downwards in Characters expressing entire words and things, like the Egyptian Hieroglyphicks, without Letters; the Rules by which they are understood may be seen in the China illustrata of Kircher. Ptolomy calls this Kingdom Sinarum regio. It is watered by the great Rivers Kiang and Hoan. And stands divided into fifteen Provinces; six under the Division of Catay, and nine under the Division of Mangin; which are incredibly populous and rich, with Mines of Gold, Silver, and precious Stones. In every great Town there is a College for to teach the Philosophy of Confusius. And you have a perfect Catalogue of their Emperors from the year 2952. before Christ, to the present Lord of the Ʋniverse and Son of Heaven, as they call him.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

Admin at 23:24, 19 January 2025

2025-01-19T23:24:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:24, 19 January 2025
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	Chequiam has Temples, wherein are rich Idols. Nankin has a Town of the same Name, formerly the abode of the Court, the most esteemed of China, upon the account of its Beauty, the fertility of its Soyl, its fine Edifices, its great Commerce, the River Kiang, which we call the River Blew, and the Chinese, the Son of the Sea, because that its common breadth exceeds two of our Leagues. With the River Jaune, and the Royal Channel, it affords the means of going to Pekin by Boat, and of trading to Pekin by Rivers, disembarking only at the Mountain Muilin. There is near Nankin, a Tower of Porcelain nine Stories, or Vaults, above one another, with a hundred and fourscore and four steps. Schanchay is the most usual station of the King's Fleets. Kiamzi passes for the most populous Province; It alone has Water proper for the perfection of Porcelain, when they apply to it the Tincture of Azure, Vermilion, or Yellow. The late Voyages, that have been made into the Inlands of China, have inform'd us, that Porcelain-Ware is not made of the shells of the Sea, nor of Egg-shells pounded, as several have believed; it is made by the means of Sand or Earth, peculiar to certain Cantons of the Countrey, where it is found in Rocks; for the making it, 'tis not necessary, that this Earth remain buried an Age, as some have thought fit to affirm. The Chineses knead this Sand, and make Cups of it, which they set a baking in Ovens, for the space of fifteen days, and give them several Figures. The application of Colours is one of the principal Secrets which the Chineses have thought fit to keep conceal'd from strangers. Huquam yields so much Rice and Oyl, that the Chineses have it in a Proverb, That they draw but one Collation from each of the other Provinces of China, but from Huquam they have wherewith to live on a whole Year. Xensi does particularly furnish Musk; Its City of Cancheu has a great confluence of Caravans. Siganfu has very ancient Remnants of Christianity. Sciansi hath Vineyards, from whence the Jesuits had the Wine they stood in need of, for the celebrating the Mass, before they were driven thence, in the Year 1665. Honan produces the best Fruits in the World, and in great quantity. Pekin, otherwise Peguin, has a City of the same Name, the Capital of all the State, with a Castle-Royal. It is probably the City, which several Authors call Cambalu; what those Authors call Cathai, is nothing else than Northern China. In the Year 1644. This City was surpriz'd, and pillag'd, by a Rebel, who dissipated, in a few days, all the Riches which sixteen Kings had heaped up, during two hundred and fourscore Years. Since that, the Tartars of Niuche, whom they call Kin, have rendred themselves Masters of it; and by the taking of Nakin, and Canton, have setled their Conquests in the great Kingdom of China.</blockquote>		Chequiam has Temples, wherein are rich Idols. Nankin has a Town of the same Name, formerly the abode of the Court, the most esteemed of China, upon the account of its Beauty, the fertility of its Soyl, its fine Edifices, its great Commerce, the River Kiang, which we call the River Blew, and the Chinese, the Son of the Sea, because that its common breadth exceeds two of our Leagues. With the River Jaune, and the Royal Channel, it affords the means of going to Pekin by Boat, and of trading to Pekin by Rivers, disembarking only at the Mountain Muilin. There is near Nankin, a Tower of Porcelain nine Stories, or Vaults, above one another, with a hundred and fourscore and four steps. Schanchay is the most usual station of the King's Fleets. Kiamzi passes for the most populous Province; It alone has Water proper for the perfection of Porcelain, when they apply to it the Tincture of Azure, Vermilion, or Yellow. The late Voyages, that have been made into the Inlands of China, have inform'd us, that Porcelain-Ware is not made of the shells of the Sea, nor of Egg-shells pounded, as several have believed; it is made by the means of Sand or Earth, peculiar to certain Cantons of the Countrey, where it is found in Rocks; for the making it, 'tis not necessary, that this Earth remain buried an Age, as some have thought fit to affirm. The Chineses knead this Sand, and make Cups of it, which they set a baking in Ovens, for the space of fifteen days, and give them several Figures. The application of Colours is one of the principal Secrets which the Chineses have thought fit to keep conceal'd from strangers. Huquam yields so much Rice and Oyl, that the Chineses have it in a Proverb, That they draw but one Collation from each of the other Provinces of China, but from Huquam they have wherewith to live on a whole Year. Xensi does particularly furnish Musk; Its City of Cancheu has a great confluence of Caravans. Siganfu has very ancient Remnants of Christianity. Sciansi hath Vineyards, from whence the Jesuits had the Wine they stood in need of, for the celebrating the Mass, before they were driven thence, in the Year 1665. Honan produces the best Fruits in the World, and in great quantity. Pekin, otherwise Peguin, has a City of the same Name, the Capital of all the State, with a Castle-Royal. It is probably the City, which several Authors call Cambalu; what those Authors call Cathai, is nothing else than Northern China. In the Year 1644. This City was surpriz'd, and pillag'd, by a Rebel, who dissipated, in a few days, all the Riches which sixteen Kings had heaped up, during two hundred and fourscore Years. Since that, the Tartars of Niuche, whom they call Kin, have rendred themselves Masters of it; and by the taking of Nakin, and Canton, have setled their Conquests in the great Kingdom of China.</blockquote>

			=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===
			<blockquote>CHINA, or the Kingdom of the Sinae.

			CHINA is bounded on the North, and part of the West with a Wall, which is 500 Leagues long, 45 Foot high, and 18 or 20 Foot, which parts the Kingdoms of Tanchut, or Tanguth, and Niuche, on the other part of the West with great Thibet, and the Kingdoms of Tipra and Ava; on the South with the Kingdom of Tunquin, and the Sea of China, which also parts it from Japon on the East.

			The Length of it from South to North-East is about 600 Leagues, from the 22. Degr. of Latitude to the 42. and from North-west to South-west it is in breadth 520 Leagues, from the 140. Degr. to the 161 of Longitude, not reckoning that part of Great Tartary, which is under the Emperour of China.—The large Extent of this Country causes the Air to be of different Temperatures, viz. Cold, Northward, because of the Neighbouring Mountains, which are almost always covered with Snow, and yet so healthy and sound, that the Inhabitants do ordinarily live there above an 100 years, and are never troubled with the Plague. But they are often troubled with violent Earthquakes, which shake down many of their Cities: Southward the Air is more temperate and wholsome.

			The Soil is very fat and plentiful in all manner of Fruits, except Olives and Almonds, of which they have none, yet they make very good Oyl of a Pulse called Sesamum, and by the Portuguess, Gerselin, and of several other things. They have abundance of Corn, Wine, Barley, Turkie-Wheat, and of all sorts of Excellent Fruits, good Pastures, full of Beasts, and Forests, which have plenty of Venison of several kinds. Their Rivers and Seas yield them great quantities of good Fish. Th•y have store of Rubies, Topazes, Loadstones, and other precious Stones; also much Pearl, Earthen Ware, Silk, Cotten, Linen, and other Cloaths, which are made there, are the chief Revenue of this Country. They want not Salt, Sugar, Musk, Ambergrease, and all sorts of Quarreys, which is very considerable. Most of their Mountains have Mines of Gold and Silver; but by the Laws of the Kingdom it is forbidden, under pain of Death, to meddle with any of them; for their Rivers furnish them with sufficient quantities of Gold and Silver Sand, which scarce any want. Tea is their ordinary Drink. They have a very unusual sort of Gum. Their Varnish is as admirable as their Earthen Ware, which they make of a certain Clay, which they fetch out of the Province of Quiansi, or Kiamsi. In one of their high Mountains they have a very sweet smelling Wood, which they call Wood of Aigl•, or Aloes.

			The most remarkable Rivers are, 1. Quiam or Kiang, whi•h rises in the Province of Xensi, in the 35th Degr•• of Latitude. It's Course is from North to South, and then from West to East; so that it makes very great Windings, and discharges its self into the Eastern Sea of China, at the Gulph of Nanquin, having received several other Rivers in•o it, and passed through the Province of Xensi, Sa•••en, Huquam, Nanquin or Kiar•••. 2. Hoan, or H•ang, 〈◊〉 t•e Yellow Saffron-colour'd River, which some Maps falsly call Caramoran, rises out of the Lake Kokonar in the Country of the Gueys, and in the Consines of this Kingdom, and that of Lassa. 'Tis the greatest River of China. It's course at first is from South to North for 70 Leagues, and then it turns to the Westward for 40 Leagues; then it runs from South-West to North-West 200 Leagues, and passes by the great Wall before mentioned for 50 Leagues, going through it again and again; and having run 70 Leagues in Tartary, it crosses the Wall a third time, and passing through the Province of •ekin, empties it self into the Gulph of the same Name, after a course of 120 Leagues from the Wall to the Sea, in which it receives several Rivers into it. So that the whole course from the Spring of it to the Sea is about 600 Leagues, measuring all it's Windings and Turnings. 3. The Royal Channel reaches from the River Zantung to that of Hoan, and conveys the Waters out of the one into the other.

			The People of China have a very large Face, small Eyes, flat Noses; their Pace strait and fierce; they are comely, civil, brisk, politick, industrious, covetous, and very jealous: They have a great Love for Arts and Sciences. They say, that they had the use of Guns and Printing long before us. Their Dress appears by the fine Stuffs that come from thence.

			It may be said without Hyperbole, that all Arts and Sciences have their Perfection in China: For there are excellent Geometers, Arithmeticians and Astronomers.

			The Chineses are Heathens. The last Relations, which the Jesuits and other Travellers give us, assure us, that there are 120000 Christians, and that they increase daily. There are a great number of Priests, both Secular and Regular. Such as are skilful in Mathematicks, are much favoured by the Emperour, because he loves those sorts of Sciences. There are at present Mahometans, Jews, and some Protestants, Hollanders; as also Monks and Religious Persons, as well as among us. The great Wall, which parts China from Tartary, doth not keep the Cham of Tartary from invading that rich and plentiful Country; insomuch that his Successors have been quiet Possessors of it ever since 1650. It is true, our last Rebellions assure us, that the Chineses have joined together to oppose the Tartars, and that some Provinces have freed themselves from his Tyranny; and believe, that by this time the Chineses are perfectly Masters of it. The true China-Ware is made in the Town of Sinktesimo in the Province of Nankin. China is generally reckoned to have 17 Provinces, and 149 chief Cities. The Emperour hath all the Lives and Estates of his Subjects, which pay him Tribute, at his Dispose; yet he cannot dispose of his Revenue without the Consent of his Treasurer, and other Officers which manage his Revenue. The Cities are generally built with Stone, and compassed with High Walls of Brick or Stone, fortify'd with a great Bank of Earth, great Ditches, and high strong Towers. In most of their Cities and great Towns we may see Triumphal Arches of carved Stone and Marble, admirably well wrought, and erected in Honour of such as either have done some signal Service to the State, or for their Knowledge have deserved the Title of Doctor.

			This excellent Country hath been governed a long time by a King or Emperour, whom his Subjects call the Lord of the Universe, and Son of Heaven. His Residence is at Nanquin, and sometimes at Pekin. The Government is not much changed, although it be at present subject to the Great Cham of the Tartars.

			China is divided into 18 Provinces, very considerable in all things. By the Gulph of Nanquin are Three. 1. Nanquin. 2. Kiamnan. 3. Zantung. Southward on the Sea-Coasts are Three more. 4. Chekiang. 5. Fokien. And 6. Kuantung, or Quantung. In the middle are Six or Seven more. 7. Kiangsi, or Kansi, 8. Quangsi. 9. Gueichou. 10. Huquang. 11. Honan. And 12. Xansi. On the West side are Three others. 13. Xensi. 14. Suchuen. 15. Junnan, or Yunnan. The 16. is Laotung, or Ledotum. 17. The Peninsula of Corea, which lies upon the Ocean. 18. The Isles belonging to China, and adjoining to it.

			Some of the Principal Cities of China.

			THE City of Pequin, Pequinum, is at present the chief City of China, and the Seat of the Emperour; a great and strong City, standing about 30 Leagues distant from the Wall, in a barren Country. It is famous for the King's Palace, it's lofty Buildings, large Extent, and great number of Inhabitants. According to the Relation of our Geographers, there is no City in the World so big as Pekin, or Pequinum; it is inclosed with a double Wall of Carved Stone, in which are 360 Gates, every one of which is a Castle fortify'd with two High Towers. It is said to be 30 Leagues in Compass without the Suburbs, which are almost as large as the City. The Emperour's Palace is above a League about, defended by 2 or 3 Walls, with Banks and Ditches, and guarded with 10000 chosen Men.

			The City of Nanquin, Nanquinum, is the second City in China; it stands upon the River Kiam, upon a Mountain, in the 32d Degree, 30. min. of Latitude, and 164. of Longitude. It is 10 or 11 Leagues about. The Houses are no more than two Story high, and made of Wood, except those of the Mandarins, which are built of Earth, or cut Stone, inclosed with Walls and Ditches. The great Lords, who are Governours of Provinces, have High Towers in their Houses, with Bells, all guilt, in which they have their Magazins, Wardrobes, Treasuries, Silks, rich China Ware, which they value highly, and never send out of the Kingdom, unless to the Kings of Persia. Within the Walls of this City are reckoned 200000 Houses, besides the Suburbs, and of those 24000 belong to the Mandarins. As for the Emperour's Palace, there are many incrcdible things spoke of it. It is almost like that at Pekin. It hath in it the King's Council, the same Magistrates, Dignities and Priviledges as Pekin. It stands in a very rich and fruitful Plain, which is watered all along by the River Kiang, drawn out into a great number of artificial Channels, which will carry large Vessels, and over which are many Stone Bridges. Besides Pequin, there is no City so large and stately as this in all things. The Palace, the Streets, the stately Towers, the large Houses of 28 Paces wide, well paved and uniform.

			Quamcheu, or Canton, Quamcheum, is the in 24th Degree of Latitude, and 152 of Longitude, and stands on the Sea-shore, very large and well built; and though it be well peopled, yet 'tis wonderful to see as great a multitude upon the Water as the Land: For there are ordinarily 20000 Ships and other Vessels. This City is built on the right side of the River Ta, which is very wide at that place, and able to contain a vast number of Vessels, which makes it very rich, full of Traffick, and populous. It is 5 Leagues in compass, Suburbs and all.

			Macao, or Amacao, Macaum, is a City in the Possession of the Portuguese, belonging to China, and one of the richest places which they have in the Indies. It is built in an Isle, upon Rocks, and they fetch all their Provision out of China; so that they are forc'd to maintain a good Correspondence with the Chineses, that they may be able to live. The Catholick Religion is exercised here. The other Cities, which are very numerous, are near of the same Magnificence and Greatness.

			The Island Formosa, or the Fair Island, is 25 Leagues distant from the Province of Foquien, Eastward, between the 21st Degree 40 min. and 26th Degree of Latitude, and under the 167th Degree of Longitude. It is from South to North 60 Leagues, and from West to East 20. The Dutch call it New Zeland. In it they have a Fort of Four Bastions, built of hewn Stone, upon a sandy Hill, a small League within the Isle. From the Fort there goes a Chanel to the Haven, which covers the Ships from all Winds. On the side of it is built a Redoubt, well fortify'd, where there is a Garrison to defend the Entrance of the Chanel. This Island is well peopled, the Rivers have a great number of Fish, it's Fields and Meadows are well stocked with Cattle, and their Forests have all sorts of Venison. They have a sort of Horses with Horns, living in the Woods like a Stag, the Flesh of which is very delicate. The Soil produces an abundance of Sugar, Ginger, Cinnamon, and other such like things, as also Grain, Mines of Gold and Silver. The Inhabitants are very civil to Strangers, although they seem barbarous, and as big as Giants.</blockquote>
	[[Category:Countries]]		[[Category:Countries]]

Admin: /* Maps */

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Maps

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	== Maps ==		== Maps ==
			<gallery>
	[[File:1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - China.jpg\|~~thumb]]~~		File:1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - China.jpg\|1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll
			</gallery>

	==Demographics==		==Demographics==

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	==History ==		==History ==
	==Geography ==		==Geography ==

			== Maps ==
			[[File:1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - China.jpg\|thumb]]

	==Demographics==		==Demographics==
	==Economy==		==Economy==

Admin: /* 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF CHINA. */

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1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF CHINA.

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	So that it is both pleasant and profitable hunting of them. There are also great plenty of Birds, especially water Fowle, and such great store of Ducks, that in Canton which is one of the least Citties of this Kingdome, 10. or 12. thousand Duckes are spent in one day. And though this Country have great store of Fowle, yet they make them increase by this meanes. In the Spring time they lay two or three thousand Egges in the Sand, by the heate and warmth whereof young Duckes are hatched. And they doe the same in the Winter time but then they doe not lay their Egges in the Sand, but under a Wicker Basket or Pannier, on which they strew warme ashes, the heate whereof in some few dayes doth hatch the Egges. This Country is under one King and Monarch, whom the people call Lord of the World, and sonne of Heaven. There are in it 250. chiefe Citties, whose names doe end in Fu: which signifies a Citty: as Cotonfu, Panquinfu. And their Townes, which are many doe end in Cheu. There are innumerable sort of Villages which are inhabited, by reason of their continuall tillage and Husbandry. All the Citties are situate by the banke of some Navigable River, & fortified with strong walls, and deepe ditches. There are many pleasant Lakes, as the round Lake in the Province of Sancius, which was made by an Inundation in the yeere 1557. which is memorable in regard that 7. Citties, besides Townes and Villages, and a great number of people were drowned in it, onely one Boy saved in the body of a Tree. The Rivers and the Seas are full of Fish. And this Country because it bordereth on the Sea, and hath many Navigable Rivers, is very populous both by Sea and Land. The Gates of their Citties are very magnificent and stately built. The streetes are as strait as if they were made by a line, and so broad, that 10. or 15. men may ride together in a ranke, and these are distinguisht and severd one from another with triumphall Arches, which doe grace the Citty very much. The Portugals doe report that they saw in the Citty Fuchus a Towre, which was built on 14. Marble Pillars, which were 40. hand breadth high, and 12. broade. This is such a curious, beautifull, and costly worke, that it farre exceedeth all the proud and magnificent structures in Europe. They have faire Temples both in their Citties and in the Countrey. The King of China hath a Governour under him, who is as it were a Viceroy, whom they call Tutan. Hee judges and determines all suites and controversies within the Kingdome, and is very severe in administring Justice. Theeves and murtherers are kept continually in prison, untill they dye with whipping, and with hunger and cold. For though they are condemned to dye, which is for the most part by whipping, yet the execution is so long delayd after the sentence is given, that the most part of those which are condemned doe die in prison. Hence it comes to passe that there are so many prisoners in every Citty: So that there are sometimes a thousand Prisoners in the Citty Canton. Theft (than which no crime is more hatefull in these parts) is punisht with whipping and cruell stripes. And this is the manner of their whipping. They set a man with his face bending downeward, with his hands bound behind him, and then they whipp him on the thighs with a whipp made of Reedes and Canes, which giveth such a vehement stroke, that the first blow will make the blood spring forth, and the second blow will so torment the malefactor, that he cannot stand upon his feete. Two Beadles doe whipp him on both his thighs with such vehemency, that the most of them do dye at the 50. or 60. stroke for al their sinewes are broken. The Portugals report that every yeere above 2000. men are put to death in this manner. Their whipp is 5. fingers thick, and one broade, which they wet continually with water, that it may be more flexible, and may give the stronger blow. It is lawfull for the men to have many wives, one of which they keepe at home, and the rest in other places. They punish adultery with death. In the Citties there are no Brothells, for all the whores are banisht into the Suburbs. They celebrate their Nuptiall Feasts, and weddings, at the time of the new Moone, and commonly in the Moneth of March, which is the first day of their new yeare. And they doe keepe these Festivalls with great solemnity, and for many dayes together, with Organs, Musick, and Comicall Playes. The Chinoans have for the most part broad faces, thin beards, flat Noses, and little Eyes: yet some of them are well favoured enough. Their colour and complexion is like the Europeans, but they are somewhat browne, and swarfie that dwell about Canton. They seldome or never goe out of their owne Countrey, neither doe they admit any stranger to come into the innermost parts of their Countrey: unlesse the King give him leave. They are as stout drinkers, as the Germaines and Dutchmen. Concerning the Religion of this Countrey, they beleeve that all things were created, that all things here below are governd from above, and from the Heaven: which they beleeve to be the greatest of al the Gods, whom they expresse by the first Character of their Alphabet. They doe worship the Sunne, the Moone, and the starres, and the Divell (whom they painte in the same manner as the Europaeans doe) least hee should doe them harme as they say. The Chinoans are so neate in making all kind of household stuffe, that they seeme rather the workes of nature then of Art. The use of Ordinance, and the Art of Printing is here of such antiquity, that they know not the first Inventor thereof. The Portugalls doe write much concerning their sagacitie and craftinesse, and that they have Coaches, which will goe with Sayles, which they know so well how to guide, that they will make them in a short time carry them by Land whither the list. Neither can I omit their cleare white kind of Potters ware, which wee call China ware, which they make in this manner. They mingle Sea snales or Periwinkles, with egge-shells, and putting some other things to them, they beate them till they become one substance. Then they lay it under the ground, and there they let it lye to season and ripen 80. or 100. yeare, and they leave it to their heyres as a precious treasure, so that they commonly do come to use that which their Grandfathers first laid to ripen. And it is an ancient custome observd amongst them, that he that takes away the old must lay new in the place. Here is much commerce and trading especially for sweete spices and •ilkes. For out of Malacca, Bengala, and other places, Pepper, Saffron, Muske Nutts, Cassia, and other kindes of sweete Spices are brought into China. But their chiefest trading is in Silke. For Iohn Barrius in his Decads of Asia doth write that at the Citty Nimpo, which some doe call Liampo, that hee saw some Portugals in three moneths space, that carried away by Shippin 166000. pound waight of silke. Also Antonius Pigiafetta doth afirme, that Muske is brought from hence into other parts of the World: and Andreas Corsalis saith, that Rheubarb and Pearles, are brought from hence.</blockquote>		So that it is both pleasant and profitable hunting of them. There are also great plenty of Birds, especially water Fowle, and such great store of Ducks, that in Canton which is one of the least Citties of this Kingdome, 10. or 12. thousand Duckes are spent in one day. And though this Country have great store of Fowle, yet they make them increase by this meanes. In the Spring time they lay two or three thousand Egges in the Sand, by the heate and warmth whereof young Duckes are hatched. And they doe the same in the Winter time but then they doe not lay their Egges in the Sand, but under a Wicker Basket or Pannier, on which they strew warme ashes, the heate whereof in some few dayes doth hatch the Egges. This Country is under one King and Monarch, whom the people call Lord of the World, and sonne of Heaven. There are in it 250. chiefe Citties, whose names doe end in Fu: which signifies a Citty: as Cotonfu, Panquinfu. And their Townes, which are many doe end in Cheu. There are innumerable sort of Villages which are inhabited, by reason of their continuall tillage and Husbandry. All the Citties are situate by the banke of some Navigable River, & fortified with strong walls, and deepe ditches. There are many pleasant Lakes, as the round Lake in the Province of Sancius, which was made by an Inundation in the yeere 1557. which is memorable in regard that 7. Citties, besides Townes and Villages, and a great number of people were drowned in it, onely one Boy saved in the body of a Tree. The Rivers and the Seas are full of Fish. And this Country because it bordereth on the Sea, and hath many Navigable Rivers, is very populous both by Sea and Land. The Gates of their Citties are very magnificent and stately built. The streetes are as strait as if they were made by a line, and so broad, that 10. or 15. men may ride together in a ranke, and these are distinguisht and severd one from another with triumphall Arches, which doe grace the Citty very much. The Portugals doe report that they saw in the Citty Fuchus a Towre, which was built on 14. Marble Pillars, which were 40. hand breadth high, and 12. broade. This is such a curious, beautifull, and costly worke, that it farre exceedeth all the proud and magnificent structures in Europe. They have faire Temples both in their Citties and in the Countrey. The King of China hath a Governour under him, who is as it were a Viceroy, whom they call Tutan. Hee judges and determines all suites and controversies within the Kingdome, and is very severe in administring Justice. Theeves and murtherers are kept continually in prison, untill they dye with whipping, and with hunger and cold. For though they are condemned to dye, which is for the most part by whipping, yet the execution is so long delayd after the sentence is given, that the most part of those which are condemned doe die in prison. Hence it comes to passe that there are so many prisoners in every Citty: So that there are sometimes a thousand Prisoners in the Citty Canton. Theft (than which no crime is more hatefull in these parts) is punisht with whipping and cruell stripes. And this is the manner of their whipping. They set a man with his face bending downeward, with his hands bound behind him, and then they whipp him on the thighs with a whipp made of Reedes and Canes, which giveth such a vehement stroke, that the first blow will make the blood spring forth, and the second blow will so torment the malefactor, that he cannot stand upon his feete. Two Beadles doe whipp him on both his thighs with such vehemency, that the most of them do dye at the 50. or 60. stroke for al their sinewes are broken. The Portugals report that every yeere above 2000. men are put to death in this manner. Their whipp is 5. fingers thick, and one broade, which they wet continually with water, that it may be more flexible, and may give the stronger blow. It is lawfull for the men to have many wives, one of which they keepe at home, and the rest in other places. They punish adultery with death. In the Citties there are no Brothells, for all the whores are banisht into the Suburbs. They celebrate their Nuptiall Feasts, and weddings, at the time of the new Moone, and commonly in the Moneth of March, which is the first day of their new yeare. And they doe keepe these Festivalls with great solemnity, and for many dayes together, with Organs, Musick, and Comicall Playes. The Chinoans have for the most part broad faces, thin beards, flat Noses, and little Eyes: yet some of them are well favoured enough. Their colour and complexion is like the Europeans, but they are somewhat browne, and swarfie that dwell about Canton. They seldome or never goe out of their owne Countrey, neither doe they admit any stranger to come into the innermost parts of their Countrey: unlesse the King give him leave. They are as stout drinkers, as the Germaines and Dutchmen. Concerning the Religion of this Countrey, they beleeve that all things were created, that all things here below are governd from above, and from the Heaven: which they beleeve to be the greatest of al the Gods, whom they expresse by the first Character of their Alphabet. They doe worship the Sunne, the Moone, and the starres, and the Divell (whom they painte in the same manner as the Europaeans doe) least hee should doe them harme as they say. The Chinoans are so neate in making all kind of household stuffe, that they seeme rather the workes of nature then of Art. The use of Ordinance, and the Art of Printing is here of such antiquity, that they know not the first Inventor thereof. The Portugalls doe write much concerning their sagacitie and craftinesse, and that they have Coaches, which will goe with Sayles, which they know so well how to guide, that they will make them in a short time carry them by Land whither the list. Neither can I omit their cleare white kind of Potters ware, which wee call China ware, which they make in this manner. They mingle Sea snales or Periwinkles, with egge-shells, and putting some other things to them, they beate them till they become one substance. Then they lay it under the ground, and there they let it lye to season and ripen 80. or 100. yeare, and they leave it to their heyres as a precious treasure, so that they commonly do come to use that which their Grandfathers first laid to ripen. And it is an ancient custome observd amongst them, that he that takes away the old must lay new in the place. Here is much commerce and trading especially for sweete spices and •ilkes. For out of Malacca, Bengala, and other places, Pepper, Saffron, Muske Nutts, Cassia, and other kindes of sweete Spices are brought into China. But their chiefest trading is in Silke. For Iohn Barrius in his Decads of Asia doth write that at the Citty Nimpo, which some doe call Liampo, that hee saw some Portugals in three moneths space, that carried away by Shippin 166000. pound waight of silke. Also Antonius Pigiafetta doth afirme, that Muske is brought from hence into other parts of the World: and Andreas Corsalis saith, that Rheubarb and Pearles, are brought from hence.</blockquote>

			=== 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. ===
			<blockquote>Of CHINA and the Provinces thereof.

			China hath on the East, Mare del Zur, on the West, India, on the North, a Wall extending 1000 miles in length, betweene the Chinois and the [[Cathay\|Tartarians]], and on the South, the Ocean.

			The Trade of this Countrey is accounted very great, the scituation of the place, the temperature of the ayre, the disposition of the inhabitants, the continuall peace that abides amongst them concurre to inlarge the same; the many navigable Rivers, and the excellent fabriques heere wrought, adde to make it eminent, and the commodities that it yeelds to maintaine the same are these; barley, rice, wool, cottons, olives, vines, flaxe, silke raw and wrought into infinite sorts of stuffes, all kinds of mettall, fruits, honey, waxe, sugars, Rubarbe, porslaine dishes, camphire, ginger, all kinds of spices, muske, civet, amber, and infinite aboundance of salt, which commoditie only in the towne of Cantor, yeelds custo•… to the Prince yearely 180000 duccats.

			This Kingdome containes 15 large Provinces, each Province having a Metropolis besides many Cities of lesser note; so that in the whole tract of this Countrey is accounted to be 30 Kingdomes and therein writers have mentioned to bee 1597 Cities and great Townes walled, 1154 Castles 4200 Borroughs without walls, wherin Soldiers are quartered, besides an infinite number of villages and hamlets; the Metropolis of the whole Kingdome being vulgarly called Quinsay, and is said to containe in circuit 100 miles, having in the midst thereof, a lake of 30 miles compasse, in which are two faire Ilands, and in them two magnificent Palaces, adorned with all necessaries, either for majestie or conveniencie: the lake is nourished with divers rivers, on which is counted 12000 bridges, and in many Cities here seated on the bankes of great and famous navigable Rivers, are found oftentimes ten thousand saile of great and small vessels; the King himselfe having in the Citie of Nanquin (accounted the second in this Kingdome) seated upon a faire and large river (if writers relations may have credit) 10 thousand saile of ships of his owne, and the Citie being 9 leagues from the Sea, the whole distance is found to bee as it were wholly imployed and taken up with Vessels and Boats; for therein the inhabitants make their abode, dwell, negociate, and remove at their pleasure, from one place and Citie to another:

			It is confidently affirmed by all moderne travellers that have bene here, that the inhabitants are not permitted to issue out of this Kingdome, nor yet strangers permitted to enter into it; and though for the commodiousnes of traffique this strict law find some tolleration for a certaine limited time for the nativ•…s to trade abroad, yet is it most neerely lookt into on the behalfes of strangers, that would enter into their Countrey: therefore (this considered) though the motives of trade and commerce bee many; yet this inviolable custome so severely executed, hinders justly the particulars I should in this place set downe of the trade of this mighty Empire; howsoever, it is observed that the Iapaners and some neighbouring Ilanders, as also the Portugals, and some other Christians, have (by the favor of the great maritime commanders in this Countrey, and their owne faire deportment) procured a license of trade in Canton, Macca•…, Nanquin, and some other Sea-ports; but with such strict limitations, as that in some Cities it is death for them to lie or abide a night either in the Towne or in the Suburbs, but abord their owne Ships, and in Canton where they find the most courteous usage, they may not upon paine of death abide one night within the Citie walls; but as in the morning their names are regis•…red at their entring into the Citie; so they come at night and bl•…t out the same with their owne hands: I can then but afford a taste of the whole Trade, by a little that I have observed out of the collections of others, which must serve for a modell to the frame and foundation of what is practised in other Cities throughout this Empire, which I will comprehend under the title of Maccau, most frequented by our Nations.</blockquote>

	===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF CHINA.===		===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF CHINA.===

Admin: /* China, */

2025-01-11T15:40:14Z

China,

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 11 January 2025
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	And so much for China.</blockquote>		And so much for China.</blockquote>

			=== 1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton. ===
			<blockquote>China,

	==== China, ====
	E. Oriental Ocean, W. [[India]] and [[Cathay]], N. Altas, and East Tartary, from which divided by a chain of hills, and a great wall extended four hundred leagues in length. S. Cauchin-China, a Province of India three thousand leagues about, one thousand eight hundred leagues long, reaching from 130<sup>th</sup> to 160<sup>th</sup> degree of Longitude, and from the Tropick of Cancer, to the 53<sup>d</sup> degree of Latitude; lying under all the climes from the 3<sup>d</sup> to the 9<sup>th</sup>; hot, but healthful: so fruitfull, that it yieldeth three harvests a year, of Wheat, Barley, Rice, Wool, Cotton, Olives, Wines, Flax, Silk, besides their Pearls and Bezoar, all kind of Metall, Fruits, Cattle, Sugar, Honey, Rhubarb, Camphire, Ginger, and all kinds of Spices, medicinal wood, called China Wood, Muske, Salt, Poultrey, especially Ducks, whereof in one town, thirteen thousand eaten one day with another. The people well-set, middlesized, gluttonous, but cleanly, not touching their meat with their hands, but eating with two Ebony sticks, whence silver Forks used first in Italy, and then in England. Skilful in Manufactories, the Son being bound to follow his Fathers Trade, witness, PRINTING, and GUNNING, its thought first invented there. Porcellan dishes, curious carvings, and their fine painted works in Tables, Leathers and Stuffs, whereof they are so proud, that they say they have two eyes, the Europeans one, and the rest of the world stark-blind: the Women very modest, reserved, and much watched by their Husbands, having invented them a pinching fashion of shooes, that they might have no delight to walk abroad. The Inhabitants reckoned one hundred and seventy million by Sea and Land; the Sea for three hundred leagues from Nanquin to Paquin, being but one street of Ships, wherein they buy, sell, are born, and dye. The People multiplying, because they make no War but Defensive, and are forbid to go out of their Country. Their Religion Gentilisme, with some remainders of Christianity, planted there by St. Thomas. Here are five hundred ninety one Cities Uniform, most on one of their seven Navigable Rivers, whereof the most Eminent are;		E. Oriental Ocean, W. [[India]] and [[Cathay]], N. Altas, and East Tartary, from which divided by a chain of hills, and a great wall extended four hundred leagues in length. S. Cauchin-China, a Province of India three thousand leagues about, one thousand eight hundred leagues long, reaching from 130<sup>th</sup> to 160<sup>th</sup> degree of Longitude, and from the Tropick of Cancer, to the 53<sup>d</sup> degree of Latitude; lying under all the climes from the 3<sup>d</sup> to the 9<sup>th</sup>; hot, but healthful: so fruitfull, that it yieldeth three harvests a year, of Wheat, Barley, Rice, Wool, Cotton, Olives, Wines, Flax, Silk, besides their Pearls and Bezoar, all kind of Metall, Fruits, Cattle, Sugar, Honey, Rhubarb, Camphire, Ginger, and all kinds of Spices, medicinal wood, called China Wood, Muske, Salt, Poultrey, especially Ducks, whereof in one town, thirteen thousand eaten one day with another. The people well-set, middlesized, gluttonous, but cleanly, not touching their meat with their hands, but eating with two Ebony sticks, whence silver Forks used first in Italy, and then in England. Skilful in Manufactories, the Son being bound to follow his Fathers Trade, witness, PRINTING, and GUNNING, its thought first invented there. Porcellan dishes, curious carvings, and their fine painted works in Tables, Leathers and Stuffs, whereof they are so proud, that they say they have two eyes, the Europeans one, and the rest of the world stark-blind: the Women very modest, reserved, and much watched by their Husbands, having invented them a pinching fashion of shooes, that they might have no delight to walk abroad. The Inhabitants reckoned one hundred and seventy million by Sea and Land; the Sea for three hundred leagues from Nanquin to Paquin, being but one street of Ships, wherein they buy, sell, are born, and dye. The People multiplying, because they make no War but Defensive, and are forbid to go out of their Country. Their Religion Gentilisme, with some remainders of Christianity, planted there by St. Thomas. Here are five hundred ninety one Cities Uniform, most on one of their seven Navigable Rivers, whereof the most Eminent are;

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	# Ʋnguen and its Sugars.		# Ʋnguen and its Sugars.
	# Nanquin on the great River Kuni, thirty miles round, with twelve thousand Ships before it, nine leagues from the Sea; two hundred thousand houses.		# Nanquin on the great River Kuni, thirty miles round, with twelve thousand Ships before it, nine leagues from the Sea; two hundred thousand houses.
	# The Royal City Paquin, walled so thick with brick, that twelve horse-men may go abreast upon the wall of it.		# The Royal City Paquin, walled so thick with brick, that twelve horse-men may go abreast upon the wall of it.
	# Canton or Quamchen, (where is one Herb that is all the Physick of China.) On a Navigable River where the Portugez drive a wealthy trade in the day time, being shut out at night; whereupon they have setled their Mart at Macao, the Port-town to this.		# Canton or Quamchen, (where is one Herb that is all the Physick of China.) On a Navigable River where the Portugez drive a wealthy trade in the day time, being shut out at night; whereupon they have setled their Mart at Macao, the Port-town to this.
	# Xaokin on the like River.		# Xaokin on the like River.
	# Zuchean, the centre of Merchandise.		# Zuchean, the centre of Merchandise.
	# Hamseau or Hanychen on the Northside of the River Cinithany, within two days Journey of the Sea, affording trade to all the Northern parts of China.		# Hamseau or Hanychen on the Northside of the River Cinithany, within two days Journey of the Sea, affording trade to all the Northern parts of China.
	# Stately Fochea.		# Stately Fochea.
	# Coluns, and its best Procellane.		# Coluns, and its best Procellane.
	# Scianchai seated in a Country that looks like one Orchard within twenty four hours sail of Japan, a great Mart and Harbour, where two hundred thousand persons work in Cotton.		# Scianchai seated in a Country that looks like one Orchard within twenty four hours sail of Japan, a great Mart and Harbour, where two hundred thousand persons work in Cotton.
	# Chinchiamsu, on a River that never freezeth.		# Chinchiamsu, on a River that never freezeth.
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	# Caiton or Caisuuy on the River Kiamy a good harbour destroyed 1642.		# Caiton or Caisuuy on the River Kiamy a good harbour destroyed 1642.
	# The convenient Haven Kaianchen on the Southside of the River Croc•us.		# The convenient Haven Kaianchen on the Southside of the River Croc•us.
	# Chatking.		# Chatking.
	# Taitung.		# Taitung.
	# Nancheny, besides the two Isles Corea, and Cheunan.		# Nancheny, besides the two Isles Corea, and Cheunan.
			</blockquote>

	===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===		===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===

Admin at 15:39, 11 January 2025

2025-01-11T15:39:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:39, 11 January 2025
Line 421:		Line 421:

	And so much for China.</blockquote>		And so much for China.</blockquote>


			==== China, ====
			E. Oriental Ocean, W. [[India]] and [[Cathay]], N. Altas, and East Tartary, from which divided by a chain of hills, and a great wall extended four hundred leagues in length. S. Cauchin-China, a Province of India three thousand leagues about, one thousand eight hundred leagues long, reaching from 130<sup>th</sup> to 160<sup>th</sup> degree of Longitude, and from the Tropick of Cancer, to the 53<sup>d</sup> degree of Latitude; lying under all the climes from the 3<sup>d</sup> to the 9<sup>th</sup>; hot, but healthful: so fruitfull, that it yieldeth three harvests a year, of Wheat, Barley, Rice, Wool, Cotton, Olives, Wines, Flax, Silk, besides their Pearls and Bezoar, all kind of Metall, Fruits, Cattle, Sugar, Honey, Rhubarb, Camphire, Ginger, and all kinds of Spices, medicinal wood, called China Wood, Muske, Salt, Poultrey, especially Ducks, whereof in one town, thirteen thousand eaten one day with another. The people well-set, middlesized, gluttonous, but cleanly, not touching their meat with their hands, but eating with two Ebony sticks, whence silver Forks used first in Italy, and then in England. Skilful in Manufactories, the Son being bound to follow his Fathers Trade, witness, PRINTING, and GUNNING, its thought first invented there. Porcellan dishes, curious carvings, and their fine painted works in Tables, Leathers and Stuffs, whereof they are so proud, that they say they have two eyes, the Europeans one, and the rest of the world stark-blind: the Women very modest, reserved, and much watched by their Husbands, having invented them a pinching fashion of shooes, that they might have no delight to walk abroad. The Inhabitants reckoned one hundred and seventy million by Sea and Land; the Sea for three hundred leagues from Nanquin to Paquin, being but one street of Ships, wherein they buy, sell, are born, and dye. The People multiplying, because they make no War but Defensive, and are forbid to go out of their Country. Their Religion Gentilisme, with some remainders of Christianity, planted there by St. Thomas. Here are five hundred ninety one Cities Uniform, most on one of their seven Navigable Rivers, whereof the most Eminent are;

			# Quinsoy or Suntren, on the West of China neer Cathai, formerly an hundred miles round, with a Lake in it thirty miles about, containing six hundred thousand Families of Artificers.
			# Ʋnguen and its Sugars.
			# Nanquin on the great River Kuni, thirty miles round, with twelve thousand Ships before it, nine leagues from the Sea; two hundred thousand houses.
			# The Royal City Paquin, walled so thick with brick, that twelve horse-men may go abreast upon the wall of it.
			# Canton or Quamchen, (where is one Herb that is all the Physick of China.) On a Navigable River where the Portugez drive a wealthy trade in the day time, being shut out at night; whereupon they have setled their Mart at Macao, the Port-town to this.
			# Xaokin on the like River.
			# Zuchean, the centre of Merchandise.
			# Hamseau or Hanychen on the Northside of the River Cinithany, within two days Journey of the Sea, affording trade to all the Northern parts of China.
			# Stately Fochea.
			# Coluns, and its best Procellane.
			# Scianchai seated in a Country that looks like one Orchard within twenty four hours sail of Japan, a great Mart and Harbour, where two hundred thousand persons work in Cotton.
			# Chinchiamsu, on a River that never freezeth.
			# Suanchea, the onely Southern Port of China.
			# Caiton or Caisuuy on the River Kiamy a good harbour destroyed 1642.
			# The convenient Haven Kaianchen on the Southside of the River Croc•us.
			# Chatking.
			# Taitung.
			# Nancheny, besides the two Isles Corea, and Cheunan.

	===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===		===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. ===

Admin at 02:43, 26 December 2024

2024-12-26T02:43:06Z

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