Cathay

Maps

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  1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - Great Tartary.jpg

Sources from old books

1630. Relations of the most famous kingdomes. London. by Giovanni Botero.

Kataia.

AS our Ancestors were ignorant of the Regions situated upon the East side of the Caspian, which they imagined to bee a branch of the Ocean; even so, as yet little or nothing knoweth this Age, what Regions lie, or what people inhabit beyond that Sea, and the Mountaines, commonly called Dalanguer and Vssont. M. Paul. Venetus was the first that brake the ice in describing of those Countries, and of him we received what we know of the Tartars. The great distance of Countries, the difficulty of the journey, and the inaccessible situation of places, hath hindred the discovery of those Provinces: and the great Duke of Moscovie (by whose Dominions we may easiest travell thither) will suffer no strangers to passe thorow his Kingdome. The Caspian Sea, a passage no lesse fitting for the journey, is not frequented; and by the way of Persia infinite Mountaines and vast Desarts, dividing both Provinces, oppose themselves against us: And to the further hindrance of this discoverie, neither the great Cham, neither the King of China, nor the Duke of Moscovie, will suffer any of their subjects to travell out of their Dominions; nor any stranger to enter in; unlesse he come as an Ambassadour: neither (in this case) is it lawfull for him to converse freely, or to range at pleasure.

They live under divers Princes, the principall whereof are those that weare greene on their Turbants. These (as aforesaid) inhabit Shamercand, and are at continuall enmity with the Persians. Next are those of Bochan, Mahumetans: then those of Mogor, of whom you shall heare hereafter; and lastly, those of Kataia, whereof wee now intreat.

Never was there any Nation upon the face of the earth, that enjoyed a larger Empery than they doe, or have undertaken haughtier exploits; and I would that they had had some, who might have recommended (by writing) their doings to the World.

M. Paul. Venetus writeth, that this people once inhabited Ciurga and Barge, Provinces situated upon the Scythicke Ocean, without Citie, Castle or House, wandering like the Arabians from place to place, according to the season of the yeare. They (as before) acknowledged Un-cham (whom some interpret Prester Iohn) for their Soveraigne Lord, to whom they gave the tenth of their cartell. In processe of time they multiplied to such numbers, and Un-cham being jealous of their neighbour-hood, began to lessen their numbers and forces, by sending them now hither, now thither, upon most long and desperate voyages, as occasion offered. Which when they perceived, they assembled themselves, resolving to leave their naturall soile, and to remove so farre from the borders of Vn-cham, that never after hee should have cause to suspect them: this they performed. After certaine yeares, they elected amongst them a King, called Changis, to whom for the greatnesse of his glory and victories, they added the Sir-name and Great. This Changis, departing from his owne Territories in the yeare of our Lord 1162. with a most fearefull Armie, subdued partly by force, and partly by the terrour of his name, nine Provinces. At last, being denied the daughter of Un-cham in mariage, he made warre upon him, and overcomming him in battell, cast him out of his Kingdome. After the death of Changis his successours afflicted Europe. In the yeare 1212. they drove the Polesochi from the bankes of the Euxine Sea. In the yeare 1228. they spoiled Russia. In the yeare 1241. they razed Kiovia the chiefe Citie of the Rutheni; and Batu their Captaine wasted Polonia, Silesia, Moravia, and Hungarie. Innocent the fourth, amazed with the tempest of these invasions, in the yeare 1242. sent certaine Friers of the orders of Dominicke and Francis, to the Court of this Great Cham, to intreat a peace for Christendome.

The circuit of this Empire, in the times above spoken of, stretched from the uttermost bounds of Asia to Armenia, and from Bengala to Volga, yea, their incursions pierced to Nilus and Danubius. The Macedonian and Roman Empires were never so large. But because they were rather Runnagates than men of warre, wanting politicke government and military discipline, sometime ruling one Province, sometime another; they rather wrought spoile and terrour to the conquered Nations, than feare of bondage or subjection, and at last seated themselves beyond the Mountaine Caucasus. After, it became divided into many Principalities, yet so, that the Title and Majestie of the Empire, remained alwayes to the Cham, who (as wee said before) tooke the originall of this name from the Great Changis.

The Region for the most part is very populous, full of Townes, rich and civill, which you may the rather beleeve; first, for that the Tartars choosing this for their Countrey, beautified it with the spoiles of Asia, China, and that part of Europe which they harried, and were never wonne or taken from thence againe to this day: next, for that the Provinces are most commodiously situated for Trafficke and Negotiation; partly by reason of their admirable Plaines, and huge Lakes; (Amongst which are Cazaia, whose waters are salt, Guian, Dangu, Xandu, and Catacora:) and partly by reason of their large Rivers, which with a long course doe run by the Provinces of Curato, Polisango, Zaiton, and Mecon. Paulus Venetus calleth it Quion. A great helpe hereunto likewise is the variety of fruits, and the abundance of Graine. Rice, Wooll, Silke, Hempe, Rhubarbe, Muske, and excellent fine Chamlets. Paul. writeth, that it affordeth Ginger, Cinamon and Cloves, which I can hardly beleeve. In many Rivers are found graines of gold. Their coine is not all of one value. In Kataia a coine is currant, made of the blacke rinde of a certaine tree, growing betweene the body and the barke: this rinde being smoothed, rounded, and tempered with a gummie substance, is stamped with the Image of the Great Cham. In the Kingdoms of Ca•acan and Carazan, certaine sea-fish shels are currant, which some men terme Porcelline. This kinde of money is frequent in many places of India and Aethiope. By this meanes, the Princes get to themselves all the Gold and Silver of the Provinces, which they cause to be molten and laid up in most safe places, without ever taking any thing from thence againe. In like sort, Prest•r Iohn is thought to be Lord of inestimable Treasure, while he maketh graines of Salt and Pepper, to passe for currant Coine amongst his subjects. They brew an excellent beverage of Rice and Spice, which sooner procureth drunkennesse than Wine. As the Arabians, so they delight in sowre milke, or Cosmus, a kinde of churned sowre Mares-milke, very forcible to turne the braine.

His force consisteth first (as we told you) in situation, in spacious Territorie, in goodly Cities, in plenty of provision, and in rich Revenues: for amongst other things, hee taketh the tenths of Wooll, Silke, Hempe, Graine, Cattell, and is absolute Lord of all: but the chiefe sinews of his State consisteth in his armed troopes. These live alway in the field, 4. or 5. miles remote from the Cities. Over and above their Salarie, they are allowed to make profit of their Cattell, Milke and Wooll. When he goeth to warre, according to the custome of the Romans, hee mustreth part of the Souldiery, which lyeth dispersed thorow the Provinces. For the most part, all the Nations of the Tartars, (except the Varcheni, who are not subject to the Great Cham) fight on horseback. Their Weapons are the Bow and Arrow, with which they fight very desperately. They are very swift, their Tents are made of woven Wooll, under which they keepe in foule weather. Their chiefest meat is milke dried in the Sunne, after the Butter is squeezed out; yea, the bloud of their horses, if famine enforce them. They fight not pell-mell with their enemies, but sometime on the front, sometime on the flanke, after the Parthian manner, overwhelming them, as it were with a showre of arrowes. Whosoever carrieth himselfe valiantly, standeth assured of reward, and is graced with honour, immunities and gifts. Twelve thousand horsemen are appointed for the guard of this Prince, and it is said, that of this kinde of force, he is able to levie a greater power than any other Potentate.

Howsoever it be, two things in his Kingdome are worthy consideration: the one is Numbers, which may be imagined by the spaciousnesse of his Dominions: the other, their Discipline, because he keepeth them in continuall pay. For as discipline rather than rash valour, is to be wished in a souldier; so in armies, a few trained and experienced souldiers are more worth than many strong and raw bodies: the one may well be compared to Eagles, Lions, and Tygers, which obtaine principalitie amongst other beasts, not because they exceed them in hugenesse of bodies (for then should they be a prey to the Elephant, Horse and Bufall) but because they excell them as well in agility of bodie, as incourage.

This Potentate the Moscovite termeth the Caesar of Kataia, and the Turke Vlu-chan, that is, the Great Prince. And not without reason, for in magnificence of Court, amplenesse of Dominion, abundance of Treasure, and number of Souldiers, he goeth farre beyond all the Kings and Potentates of Asia, and raigneth in such Majestie, that his subjects foolishly call him, The shadow of Spirits, and the Sonne of the immortall God. His word only is a Law, wherein consisteth life and death. He maintaineth Justice with admirable severitie, except for the first fault; for which the offender is grievously whipped: for every other fault he is cut in peeces by the middle: herein it should seeme, they imitate the opinion of the Stoicks, concerning the equalitie of offences. A theefe is likewise slaine, if he be not able to repay nine fold, as well for a farthing, as a pound. The first Sonne is heire to the Crowne, and installed with these ceremonies. The chiefe of their seven Tribes clothed in white (which is their mourning colour) cause the Prince to sit upon a blacke woollen cloth spread upon the ground, willing him to behold the Sunne, and to feare the immortall God; which if hee doe performe, he shall finde a more plentifull reward in heaven, than in earth; if not, that peece of black cloth shall scarcely be left him, whereupon to rest his wearied body in the field; besides a thousand other miseries that shall continually attend him. Then they set the Crowne upon his head, and the Great Lords kisse his feet, sweare fealty, and honour him with most rich presents. Then is his name written in golden letters, and laid up in the Temples of the Metropolitan Citie. He hath two Councels, the one for War, wherein are twelve wise-men: the other for Civill affaires, consisting likewise of as many Counsellours. These manage all things belonging to the government, rewarding the good, and punishing the evill, taking speciall care to see those preferred, who have done best service, either in War or Peace, to his Countrey or Emperour; and others severely punished, who beare themselves carelesly and cowardly in the charges unto them committed. In these two points (that is, in rewarding and punishing) consisteth so high a policie of good government, that it may well be said, That the greatest part of these barbarous Princes by these two vertues only, have imprinted so majesticall a reverence in the hearts of their barbarous subjects.

For, what other face of good Government see you in the Turke, Persian, Mogor, or Xeriffe? Whom reward they, but Captaines and Souldiers? Where use they liberalitie, but in the field amongst weapons? Surely they built the foundation of their States upon no other ground-works, neither expect they for peace and quietnesse, but by victory and strong hand: yea, they keepe no meane, in disgracing base minds and cowards, and in honouring high spirits and valiant souldiers. Never was there any Common-weale or Kingdome, that more devised to honour and inrich the souldier, than these Barbarians, and the Turke more than all the rest. The Tartars, Arabians, and Persians honour Nobilitie in some good measure; but the Turke rooteth out all the Families of Noblemen, and esteemes of no man, unlesse he be a souldier; committing the fortunes of the whole Empire to the direction of slaves, and men base borne, but with a speciall care of their good parts, and sufficiencie.

Let us returne to the Tartar, and his forme of government. Astrologians are in great request in those Provinces; for M. Paul. writeth, that in the Citie of Cambula are fiftie thousand. When Cublay-Cham understood by them, that that Citie would rebell against him, he caused another to be built neere unto it, called Taindu, containing foure and twentie miles besides the Suburbs. There are also great store of Fortune-tellers and Necromancers in the Kings Palace of Xandu: As also in China, they are in high esteeme. Ismael King of Persia enterprised few matters without their counsell: and it is no wonder, that it is of such repute in those places; for betweene the Chaldeans and the Assyrians it tooke the first originall in those Countries. The Turkes cannot abide it. The Roman Emperors did more than once banish it, and the professours thereof, out of their governments. I would to God the like might be done amongst us Christians, for it is nothing else but a branch of Paganisme.

As part of these Tartarians inhabit Cities, and are called Moores; part live in the Fields and Mountaines, and are termed Baduin; so some of these people dwell in Cities, as the Kataians, Bochars, and those of Shamercand: others wander thorow the plaines, and are divided into Hords, being five in number, as aforesaid.

Those Tartars, who are farre situated from the residue, and inhabit that remote Scythian promontory, which Pliny calleth Tabin, lying upon the fret of Anian, are also dispersed into divers Hords, wandering up and downe the Countrey, and are in a manner all subject to the Great Cham of Kataia.

Certaine Writers affirme, that these Hords issued from those ten Tribes of Israel, which were sent into captivitie of Salmanasser King of Assyria, beyond the Caspian mountains. In remembrance whereof untill this day, they retaine the names of their Tribes, the title of Hebrewes, and Circumcision. In all other rites they follow the fashions of the Tartarians.

Some men likewise say, that King Tabor came out of these parts, to turne unto Judaisme Francis King of France, Charles the fifth, and other Christian Princes; and for his pains, in the yeare 1540. by the commandement of the said Charles was burnt to ashes at Mantua.

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

But Cathai is esteemed the richest and civillest Kingdome of all Tartary, the which is furnished with sundry great and populous Cities, especially Cambalu, the residence of the Great Cham, and where Merchants of all Nations are found to reside and traffique to; as I shall shew hereafter. This Countrey is found to abound with rice, graine, wool, hempe, Rubarbe, corrall, and aboundance of silkes, both growing and brought hither from China and other Countries amounting to two thousand Cartes yearely; the Citie is held to be 30 miles about in compasse, and is replenished with all Artsmen (Astrologers being heere in great reputation) which may (considering their number found here, being as some write 5000) be more properly termed fortune-tellers, or Gypsies; but these Countries resemble in customes the Moscovite and Chinois, none being permitted to search into their Cities and manners, except they come either as Embassadors or Merchants; yet what I have gathered of the trade of this Countrey, I will include under the title of Cambalu, the principall Citie of this Empire.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

CATHAY is bounded on the West, with Zagathay, from which parted by the Mountain Imaus; on the East, with the Orientall Sea, and some part of China; on the North, with the Scythick, or Frozen Ocean; and on the South, with China onely. So called, as some think, from the Chatae, an old Scythian people.

The Countrey, notwithstanding the cold Clime under which it lieth, is said to be abounding in wheat, rice, wooll, hemp, silk, and musk: Great store of that medicinall root called Rhubarb, or Rha-barbarum, to difference it from the Rha-Pontick growing on the banks of Volga. They have also very great herds of Camels, of whose hair they make those stuffs which are hence called Camelets, or Chamlets: and such an infinite breed of horses, that the great Cham feedeth yearly 10000 white mares, which he keeps for their milk. Some of their Rivers are reported also to yield golden sands. But whether it be so or not, certain it is, that it is so well provided of all things both for necessary use, and the pleasures of life, that it is thought to be inferiour to few Countries of Europe. The Air indeed not so temperate, as in many places; in summer-times extremely hot, and in winter miserably cold: the thunders and lightnings being here so terrible, that in summer many men die for fear, when they hear it. The winds no less violent than the thunder, do sometimes tear up trees by the roots, and beat men from their horses; but seldome bring with them any storm of rain: the greatest showers which they have, hardly wetting the ground.

The people are generally very wa•like, strong of body, quick of action, fearless of the greatest dangers, patient both of want and labour: of mean stature, little eyes, sharp-sight, and thin beards. Industrious they are in severall manufactures, of a good wit for dispatch of business: more honourable than the rest of the Tartars, as loving to dress themselves gorgiously, to fare sumptuously (if there be occasion) to live in handsome houses, and to frequent the most populous and best-traded Cities. They accompt not any for a wife till she bear them children, nor till then do medle with their dowries; but repudiate them at a certain time, if they find them bar•en. They reverence their Cham, or Emperor, even to adoration: not suffering any stranger to come in his presence, except he be first purged: if any any otherwise presume, it is present death.

The Religion publiquely allowed and conntenanced, is that of Mahomet, but so that they obey the Pentateuch of Moses, and observe many things there commanded. It was much laboured by Pope Innocent, and King Lewis of France, that they should receive the Christian faith; and they found some inclinations in the people, and chief Princes to it. But finding by the Mahomentan Agents, who then laboured to bring them to their superstition, that Mahomet allowed of many wives, and other things more agreeable to their fleshly lusts, they conformed to that: Yet so, that there are many Idolaters in Cathay it self (I mean Cathay strictly so called) and some Christians also; the state of whose affairs we have shewn before.

Chief Rivers of the whole,

1. Palysanga, navigable up to the City of Cambalu, to which it is a means of conveying great store of merchandise.
2. Caromoram, so broad and deep that no bridge can be made over it.
3. Quiam, one of the greatest in the world; in length about an hundred dayes journey; for breadth, in most places six miles, in many eight, and in some ten.
4. Quiantu, about half a mile over, and well stored with fish.

Here are also very many Lakes, both large, and usefull, as

1. the Lake of Cani•lu, in which are said to be so many pearls as would make them of no value, if every man might have leave to fish for them: which is therefore interdicted (without speciall licence) upon pain of death.
2. the Lake of Caraim, about an hundred miles in circuit, and so full of fish as might suffice for all the Countrey, did they love to eat of it. Their mountains we shall climb over in their severall places.

It comprehendeth those two large and ample Provinces which the Antients called Serica, and Scythia extra montem Imaum: the first conceived to be Cathay especially so called; the last now named Altay, and subdivided into severall Regions, of which more anon.

1. SERICA, hath on the East some part of China; on the South, the rest of China, and some part of India; on the North, Altay, or Scythia extra moutem Imaum; on the West, the mountains of Imans. In which I follow not the bounds laid down by Ptolomy, who for want of that knowledge in these remote Countries which these latter ages have afforded, is fain to shut it up on the North and East, with a Terra incognita. At the present it is called CATHAY, and that most probably from the Chatae a Scythian People, who subduing the old Inhabitants, became masters of it.

But for the name of Serica, it was derived originally from Sera, the chief City of it; whence the people had the name of Seres; very industrious in their times, and amongst other things in the making of silks (made of a fine wooll growing on the leaves of trees) from hence named Serica. Of great esteem amongst the Romans, as is said by Pliny, Tan• multiplici apere, tam longinquo orbe potitur, ut in publico matrona transluceat; being fa••e fetch'd, and dear-bough, they were good for Ladies. Nor were they industrious onely, but chast and temperate. The names of Theeves and whores were not known amongst them. They eat not any unclean flesh, nor used the company of their wives, either after conception, or during their menstrual purgations. So moderate of diet, that they lived commonly to the age of 200 years; the quietness and mildness of their disposition helping much thereto. Of yellow hair, watchet or Sea-green eyes, and good composure. Men of few words, but very just in all which they said or did Governed by a common Councell of 5000 men, every one of which was to find an Elephant for the use of the State.

If you will take the character both of the Countrey and People from Ammianus Marcellinus, he will give it thus.

First of the Countrey, that it is plentifull and large, circled about with a chain of mountains, the two famous Rivers Oechar des and Banthisis with a still and slow stream running thorow the midle of the inclosed plain, spaciously stretched out to the sides of the pr•cipices: in one place large and open, in another lying flat and low with an easie descent; in which regard they have abundance of corn, store of Cattel, and plenty of Orchards. The temperature of the Air pleasant and wholesome, the constitution of the weather clear and pure, the blowing of gentle winds most commodious, and the woods with a pretty glimmering of light, both within and under them: from whence the people with much sprinkling of water, softning that which the trees bring forth like a kind of Fleece, kemb a most fine and tender matter, which they spin into silk, serving in former times for the nobility and gentry, now become common to those also of inferiour rank. Then for the People, he saith that they are a frugall Nation, lovers of quiet, not troublesome unto their neighbours, without the use of Arms, and the knowledge of battels, declining the company of Strangers, and so farre from covetousness, or curiosities, that when any Merchants come unto them to buy their silks, without much beating of the price, they let them have such things as are bred amongst them, without looking after the commodities of other Countries.

So he. And if he did not over-act the Pan•gyrist (as I see no reason why he should) never were people happier in the place of their dwelling, nor Countrie happier in its people.

Chief Mountains of it (and mountains they had very many) were

1. the Montes Casii, and
2. Auzacii towards the East.
3. the Annibae, environing a great part of the Countrey.
4. the Asmirae•,
5. and those called Serici, neer the City Sera.
6. Tagurus.
7. Ennodorus, and
8. Ottorocorus.

But by what names now called it is hard to say. Out of which flowed these principall Rivers,

1. Oechardes, by Pliny called Cambris, rising out of the montes Auzacii;
2. Psitara, issuing out of the Asmiri;
3. Ba•tisus, whose fountain is in the montes Casii; and
4. Lanos.

Towns of chief note amongst them,

1. Sera, which gave the name of Serica, and Seres, to the Province and people.
2. Ottorocora, neer the hills so called; whence it had the name.
3. Issedon, for distinctions sake called Issedon Serica, to difference it from another of that name in Scythia, called Issedon Scythica; the chief City of the Issedones, gens magna, one of the greatest Nations in all the Countrey, as is said by Ptolomy.
4. Orosana,
5. Drosache,
6. Daxata, of which little memorable.

But these and all the rest (about nine more named by Ptolomy) being all decaied, let us next look on the chief Cities, as it stands at the present, by the name of Cathay: The principall whereof,

1. Cambalu, supposed to be the Issedon Serica of the Antients; Built of free stone, and situate in the middest of the Countrey, as the heart and center to the rest. It is seated on the River Polysanga, honoured with the great Chams residence, and enriched with a mighty confluence of Merchants of all sorts. Besides other merchandises, there are every year 10000 Carts loaded with silk, sent thither from China. This City is in compass 28 miles, besides the suburbes: in which, besides other inhabitants of all sorts, are 50000 Astrologers, or rather fortune-tellers.
2. Xundu, the Royall Palace of the Emperor, is of a souresquare figure, every side extending 8 miles in length. Within this quadrant is another, whose sides are 6 miles long: and within that another of four miles square, which is the Palace it self. Between these several Walls, are Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fishponds, places for all manner of exercise; and Parks, Forrests, Chases for all manner of game.
3. Car•tan, where the women are said to guild their teeth.
4. Gouza, a fair City and a great, adorned with many Icol-M•n•steries.
5. Careanfu, neer which there groweth an herb called Chiar-Cathay, of admirable effect against many diseases, and so esteemed of by the natives, that they value an Ounce of this, at a Sack of Rhubarb.
6. Segui, the residence of a Nestorian Bishop.

The old Inhabitants hereof, in those parts which lay next the Scythians, are said to have been Ambropophagi, or man-eaters, most probably a Scythian Nation, that custome being so abhortent from the mildness of the Serican temper. Or else, we must correct the Copies of Ptolomy, by the History of Ammianus Marcellinus, who instead of Anthropophagi, placeth the Alitrophagi in the self same tract. The other Nations not distained with the like reproaches, are the Sizyges, and Anabi, not farre off the Auzac•an mountains; the Pialae neer the River Oechardes; the Geranaei, and Rhabbanaei, their neerest neighbours; the Throam dwelling towards the East, the Batae and Ottocororae more towards the South. These with the residue, governed by a Common Councel of 5000 men, every one of which was to find an Elephant for the service of the Common-wealth, as was said before. And more than this we hear not of them in the way of story: the natives never going abroad to vent their wares, and having little speech with Strangers, when they come amongst them. Being vanquished by the Cha•ae, a Scythian Nation, from whom it is likely that it took the name of CATHAY; (for in this I go but by conjecture:) they continued under Kings of their own, till subdued by the Tartars; against whom they made such stout resistance, being besieged by ingis in their principall City, that when they wanted stones to cast out of their engines, they supplied that want with molten silver, and held it out so long, that Cingis finding victuals to grow short in his Camp, commanded that every tenth man should be eaten. But at the last being undermined, the Town was taken, the Citizens massacred, and their King or Emperor (as some call him) slain: after whose death, and not before, Cingis assumed the title of Cham, or Emperor. The residue of their story we shall have hereafter.

ALTAY, called also SCYTHIA EXTRAIMAUM, is bounded on the South, with Cathay; on the West, with the mountain Imaus; on the North, with Tartaria Antiqua; on the East, with the Ocean. Called Scythia, because planted by a brood of the Scythians. Extra Imaum was put to it, to difference it from that part of Scythia which lay on the West side of that mountain, neerest unto the Greeks and Romans. But now the Mountain, and the Countrey, have the name of Altay.

To look upon it as it standeth by the name of Scythia extra Imaum, we find not any thing delivered of the Rivers or Mountains of it, but what is common unto them with the neighbouring nations: the mountains called Auzacii, Casii, and Ennodorus, being common unto this with Serica, as Imaus jointly to both the Scythia's, which it divided antiently the one from the other: though now this last be reckned to belong to Cathay alone, because the Tartars on both sides of it profess themselves subjects to that Cham. This the most famous mountain in the East of Asia; beginning at the shores of the Scythick or Frozen Ocean; and extending the•ce directly Southwards unto Cape Coma•i, a Promontory of the Southern or Indian Seas. By which account it divideth the Greater Asia into East and West, as Taur•s doth into North and South, which Mountain it crosseth in right Angles, about the Longitude of 140. as before was said. That part hereof which lyeth on the South of Taurus, was by the Antients called Bitigo; and by the modern is named Gates: of which we shall speak more when we come to India. That on the North of Taurus, called Imaus properly, was antiently most memorable for dividing the vast Countreys of the Scythians into Scythia intra Imaum, and Scythia extra Imaum; a division much observed by the old Geographers: now chiefly memorable for being the Sepulchre of some of the Chams of Tartary; most generally known by the name of Altay, but by some called Belgion.

Chief Towns hereof were

1. Auzic•a, at the foot of the hills so named.
2. Chaurana, the chief City of the Chauranaei.
3. Saeta.
4. Issedon Scythica, so called to difference it from the other of that name in Serica.

These with the rest, and all the Countrey, as far as it was known in the daies of Ptolomy, inhabited by the Ab•i, Happophagi, or horse-eaters, a diet still used by the Tartars or modern Scythians. 2. The Issedones, who are said by Pomponius Mela to make Carousing Cups of their Fathers heads, first trimed and gilded. 3. The Chauranaei, and 4. the Chatae; who being (as it seemeth) the most potent Nation, caused all the rest to be called by the name of Cathay; communicating that name also to the conquered Seres. Besides the possessions of which Tribes, there were also the Regions of Acbassa, Casia, and Auzacitis, these last so called from the Mountains upon which they bordered.

More than this we have not to say of this Countrey by the name of Scythia, there being nothing memorable of it in the course of story, or worth the observation in the way of Chorography. Let us therefore look upon it, as presented to us by the name of ALTAY: though therein I shall trouble my self no further than by giving a brief touch on the severall parts of it. Of which the most that can be said, will be but little for the information of the judicious Readers; who are not to be bettered by the names of places, if there be not something in them of further use. Now for these Provinces the principall of them are, 1. Cascar, 2. Chesmur, 3. Lop, 4. Camul, 5. Tainfu, 6. Caindu, 7. Carazan, 8. Cardandan, 9. Erginul, 10. Tanguth.

1. CASCAR, bordering upon China, a Mahometan Countrey, but admitting of some Christians also. In some parts both sexes do indulge themselves this mutual privilege, that if the husband or the wife be absent above twenty daies, the other party is at liberty to mary again.

2. CHESMUR, the inhabitants whereof are generally both Idolaters, and Inchanters, causing the dumb Idols to speak, the winds to rise, aud the sun to be darkned. For studying which black Arts (if they come to them by study) they have many Monasteries, in which their Hermits or Monasticks live a strict kind of life, and are very abstemious.

3. LOP, memorable for a great Desart of thirty daies journey: so true a Desart, that whosoever doth not mean to be starved must carry all his victuals with him. Dangerous to travellers, if not beforehand made acquainted with their danger; the evill spirits using to call men by their names, and make them go astray from their company, where they perish with famine, or are devoured with wild beasts. The chief Town hereof called Lop, giving name to both.

4. CAMVL, an Idolatrous Countrey, the people whereof accompt it a great honour to them to have their wives and sisters at the pleasure of such as they entertain. From which brutish custome when restrained by Mango Cham, they petitioned him at three years end to be restored again to their former liberty; protesting they could never thrive since they left that custome. Which desire of theirs was at last granted, and is still in use.

5. TAINFV, more civil than the rest, the people being very industrious and good Artificers, making the most part of the Arms which are used by the Cham; and some also which they fell to Merchants.

6. CAINDU, with a Town in it of the same name, of great resort by Merchants (such as we commonly call petit Chapmen) for the Womens veils here made, with very great Art, of the barks of Trees. And it is well that they have veils to hide their shamelessness, the women of this Tract being prostituted unto every Traveller.

7. CARAZAN, inhabited by a barbarous and savage people, who in the day-time live in dens for fear of Serpents, with which (and some of them ten paces long, and ten spans in thickness) they are much infested; and in the night go forth to prey upon Wolves and Lyons. They have an use, that when any stranger cometh into their houses, of an handsome shape, to kill him in the night; not out of desire of spoil, or to eat his body, but that the soul of such a comely bodie, might remain amongst them.

8. CARDANDAN, neer Carazan, and as savage as that. The people whereof draw black lines on their bodies, which they count for the greatest Ornament. In case of sickness they send not to the Physician, but the next Inchanters: who taking Counsail of the Devil, apply some remedy; or if they think the man past cure, they tell him that his offences are grown too great to admit of help; and so put him off.

9. ERGINVL, possessed by an Idolatrous people, but mixed with some Mahometans, and Nestorian Christians. In which Countrey they have certain Bulls as big as Elephants, with mains of fine white haire like silk, some of which they tame; and betwixt them and their Kine engender a race of strong and laborious Beasts, not inferiour in that kind to Oxen. Here is alsofound a beast of an exquisite shape, but not bigger than a Goat, which at every full Moon hath a swelling under the belly, which being cut off by the Hunters, and dryed in the Sunne, proveth to be the best Musk in the World.

10. TANGVT, the greatest and most potent of all the rest, inhabited by an industrious and laborious people, amongst whom the Art of printing is said to have been extant a thousand years. Blessed heretofore with a great increase of Christianity; but now the Gentiles or Idolaters make the greatest part, with some Mahometans amongst them. And for the serving of those Idols, they have not onely many large and beautifull Temples, built in the manner of Christian Churches, and capable of 4 or 5000 persons; but also many fair Monasteries for the use of their Votaries and Recluses.

They are possessed of many Towns, most of them well fortified, and planted with good store of Artillery. The chief of which,

1. Sachian, bordering on the Desart of Lop, inhabited by some of all three Religions; in which it is affirmed that they first used the Art of printing.
2. Campion, the Metropolis, or Mother City of this Countrey: where the Christians in the time of Paulus Venetus had three fair Churches: now overnumbred by the Gentiles. who have here many Monasteries for the use of their Iaols, and many Religious persons dedicated to their service only. Who though they live more honestly than the rest of their Order, and hold it an impiety to tempt a woman to the act of lust; yet if the woman make the offer, they hold it no small si••e to refuse her curtesie.
3. Succuir, situate amongst Mountains clothed with Rhubarb, from whence conveyed by Merchants over all the world, but so neglected by the natives, that did not the forein Merchant bring it into request, they would scorn to gather it. This once a Kingdome of it self, but subject now, with Ta•guth, to the Cham of Cathay, or the Great Cham of Tartary.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

In Cathay, W. Zagathi with Imaus, between E. Sea and China, S. India, N. Tartaria Antiqua, extending from the North Sythia extra Imaum to the South India Extra Gangen nine hundred and sixty miles, and from E. to W. one thousand five hundred, abounding Eastward with Wheat, Rice, Wool, Hemp, Silk, Musk, and Rhubarb on the banks of Volga; besides Camels hair, Chamlets, and such a numberless number of horses, as that they sent eighty thousand at one time for a present to the King of China; and the great Cham feedeth yearly ten thousand white Mares for their Milk; the Air very hot in summer, and very good in winter, subject to wonderful thundering, earth-quakes & winds: their Cham not to be seen without purgations or washing; are

1. Cambala, or Cham's pleasant seat of free-stone in the heart of the Country on the River Palysanga, navigable from the Eastern Ocean thither, whither it conveys a great store of Merchandises and Merchants, and among other Merchandises, ten thousand Cart-loads of Silk from China. Twenty eight miles round, containing among other Inhabitants, Fifty thousand Astrologers.
2. Xandu, the Emperours Pallace, containing eight quadrangles one within another, the least two miles in compass, between whose several walls are Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fishponds, Parks, Forrests, Chases, &c.
3. Fair Caraio and Gouza, where the women are said to guild their teeth.
4. Careanfean, where is the herb called Chiny-Cathaii, an ounce whereof being valued worth a sack of Rhubarb; not far from hence in Serica you may barter their Silks for trifles, for like Quakers they make but one word.

Especially, at

1. Sera.
2. Ottecora.
3. Issedon.
4. Orosana; and
5. Donata:

Here and in Scythia extra Emaum, they made carousing cups of their Fathers skulls; where

1. Hiachan is a great Mart.
2. Cialis, a great Court.
3. Succuir, famous for Merchandise.
4. Campion, where if the woman offer her self to the Priest, he thinks it a sin to refuse lying with her,

besides other barbarous, desolate, idolatrous, and inchanting provinces and Cities, onely in East Tartary, there are Castors, Martrois, and Zibellons, and other precious skins, besides Horse hair, and the root Ginsen, with which they traffick at Leatony, a Province N. E. of China:

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

TARTARIA the Desart answers to the ancient Scythia intra Imaum; Ʋsbeck or Zagathay to the ancient Bactriana and Sogdiana; both the one and the other new Name retaining, in my opinion, something of the ancient; Sogdiana of Zagathay, and Bactriana of Ʋsbeck: Turquestan to the ancient Scythia extra Imdum. Cathay is the Serico Regia. As for the True Tartary it is unknown unto the Ancients, or at least it holds the most Northern part of the one and the other Scythia.

CATHAY is the most Eastern part of all Tartaria, and esteemed the richest and most powerful Estate. It is contiguous to Turquestan, on the West, to China on the South, to True Tartary on the North; and on the East is watered by the Streight of Jessa.

Some esteem all Cathay under one only Monarch or Emperour, whom they call Chan or Ʋlacan, that is, Great Cham, and speak him one of the greatest and richest Princes in the World. Others account divers Kings, but all Subjects to the Great Cham. The Country is much frequented, well tilled, and in most places very fertil, abounding in Wheat, Rice, Wool, Hemp, Silk, Musk, Rhuburh, great Herds of Camels, of whose Hair they make Chamlets, and abundance of Horses, with which they furnish other Countries, and especially China, with what other things can be desired. Cambalu is esteemed its Metropolitan City, in which the Great Cham resides, pleasantly seated in a fertil Soil, and on the River Palysanga, which hath its course through the City, which is seated in the midst of the Country, being as it were the center to others. This City, besides its Suburbs, is esteemed to be 28 miles in circuit, being as it were four square, each Angle being 7 miles in length, all encompassed with a strong Wall 10 paces thick; to which, for entrance into the City, there is at each Angle 3 Gates, to every one of which there is a Palace; besides in every Angle a more sumptuous Palace, in which the Armour of the Garrison Souldiers are kept, which are accounted 1000 of each Gate. The Buildings are (for the most part) of Free-stone, and very proportionably built; the chief Streets large, and so strait, that one may see from one Gate to the other, which gives it a gallant prospect.

In the midst of this City is a stately Palace, where the Great Cham resides; together with his Queens and Children. This Royal Palace is four square, and of a vast bigness, having besides its Out-walls several other enclosures; adorned with stately Structures, beautified with pleasant Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fishponds, with several other places for Recreation. His Attendance, State, and Riches, is great. Without the Walls are 12 Suburbs, each 3 or 4 miles in length, adjoyning to each of the 12 Gates; and in these Suburbs the Merchants and Strangers reside, each Nation having a several Cane or Store-house, where they both lodge and exercise their Trade, bartering their Commodities for one anothers, being of a great Trade, and frequented by Merschants and Strangers of several Countries, but more especially by the Persians, Chinois, Indians, and the Tartars themselves, which renders it very populous, it being the chief place for Trade in all Tartary, abounding not only in those Commodities aforesaid, but also in the Spices of India, the Gems of Pegu and Bengala, the Drugs of Arabia; also the Carpets, Tapestries, Silks and Manufactures of Persia, &c.

The Mony currant here, and throughout this large Territory, is very different, neither is it made of Gold, Silver, or Copper, as with us; but of the middle Bark of the Mulberry Tree, which being made smooth and firm, they cut round into great and small pieces, on which they imprint the Kings Mark, as we do on our Mony; and these pieces, according to the bigness and thickness, are valued at a certain rate, and are passable for the buying of all Commodities; and it is deemed death for any one to counterfeit, or make any of this Mony. But in some places under the Great Chams jurisdiction, they use polished Coral instead of Mony: and in other places they use twigs of Gold, which is distinguished into several parcels by weight, but without Stamp or Character, and this is held in case of great importance: they also use in some places Porcelain instead of Mony; likewise they make a kind of Mony of Salt, which they boil until it be congealed hard, and then make it up into round lumps, on which is put the Princes Stamp. And these are the several sorts of Mony which passeth amongst them; yet by reason of the Trade that this place hath with other Countries there adjacent, their Coyns are here found currant, as are those of the Grand Signior, as also those of Moscovy.

Besides this Palace aforementioned, he hath another which is esteemed the principal of his abode, which is not far from this City, which Merchants are not permitted to enter; the Palace is called Zaindu, being four square, and, if Authors may be believed, every Square is 8 miles in length, and within this Quadtant is another, whose sides are 6 miles in length, and within that another of 4 miles square, and this is esteemed the very Palace it self, and between these several Walls are stately Walks, Gardens, Orchards, Fish-ponds, Parks, Forrests, Chases, for all manner of pleas•es and game, as also several other places for all manner of Courtly and Military exercises. This Palace is exceeding richly built, having many sumptuous Edifices; his attendance great, 12000 Horse being his daily guard, besides an exceeding great number of other Attendance and Servitures.

The greatest and most potent Parts or Kingdoms of Cathay, are TANGƲTH, whose chief City is Campion; where the Caravans of Forreign Merchants stop, it not being permitted them to go farther; a City well built, and where the Christians, in the time of Paulus Venetus, had 3 fair Churches; but of later time have much lost themselves through the great increase of the Gentiles, who have here several Monasteries, where they keep and worship their Idols, where they have also several Religious persons only dedicated to their service; and this Kingdom hath much Rhubarb. The Kingdom of TENDƲC, with its City of the same name, furnishes Cloth of Gold and Silver, Silks, Chamlets, &c. and it is thought that Prester John resided in these quarters; there being yet a particular King, who is a Christian, but of the Sect of the Nestorians, and subject to the Great Cham.

THAINFƲR is known for the great number of its People, for the excellency of its Vines, for the goodness of its Arms, and of its Cannon, &c. for the rest, all great Travellers count Marvels, of the greatness, power, and magnificence and riches of this Great Cham; of the extent of his Estates, of the Kings subject to him, of so many Ambassadors always in his Court, of the reverence and respect bore him, of the power and infinite number of his Men of Arms; but it is so far from Europe, that we could scarce believe them, till he made seen his power in 1618, having possessed the Ports and Passages of that great Mountain and Wall which separates Tartaria from China; casting an infinite number of Men into the great Kingdom, taking and pillaging its fairest Cities, and almost all its Provinces, forced the King of China to retire himself into Canton; leaving him in possession of not above 1 or 2 of its Provinces: But the relations of 1650 gives the King of China re-entrance into the greatest part of his Estates; its other parts are, Egrigaja, whose chief places are Serra and Mulon: also Egrimul, whose chief place is so called; then Serguth, whose chief place is Erzina; and lastly, Belgian, whose chief place is so called.

The People in this part of Tartaria are generally strong of body, stout, warlike, and couragious, though in the greatest dangers; also very active, and patient in afflictions, ingenious, and given to Manufactures, more civil and courteous to Strangers than the rest of the Tartars; loving to wear good Apparel, and feed deliciously, which the others are negligent of; in Stature they are but of a mean size, but well proportioned, and of an indifferent good Complexion.

In matter of Religion they are either Gentiles, Christians, or Mahometans, which latter is most used, it being publickly and generally allowed amongst them, in which Religions they observe several Ceremonies, not much different from those of other Countries, especially in Christianity and Mahometism.

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

The Tartars of Kin, People of the Kingdom of Niuche upon the Confines of China, towards the Country of Leaotung, are commonly called Lords of the Golden Mountains, because it's thought this Country abounds with such, Kin in the Tartar Language signifying Gold. These have always been capital Enemies to the Chinese, for they invaded their Country in 1206, and made themselves Masters of the Provinces of Peking, Leaotung, Xantung, Xansi, and Xensi; so that the Emperor of China was forced out of the Northern Provinces called Catai, to the Southern called Mangin. These Tartars would then have subdued all the Empire, if the Tartars of Samahania or Samarcanda, jealous of their Conquests, had not entered China by the Provinces of Xensi and Suchen, beat them out, and set one of their own Family of Ivena upon the Throne in 1278, whose Successors Reign'd after him until the Priest Cha, Chief of the Family of Taiminga, beat them home to their own Country, and established his Family, which governed until 1644, that the Tartars of Kin deprived them, who now Govern there, Ysumte being the first Tartar Emperor, after him his Son Xunchi, and after him the present Emperor Yunchi. The Tartars live generally in Tents covered with wax'd Silks or Hides. Some wear Skins, others Silk and Cotton: They carry their Cimeter on the Left-side with the Handle raised behind, so that they draw it easily with the Right hand alone: Their Caps, in Winter, are faced with very rich Furr, as Castor, &c. but in Summer they wear one of Rushes. These seem more polish'd than the other Tartars, perhaps because they live so near China. They are better Soldiers than the Chineses, and accustomed to Toil and Fatigue from their very Youth. As for Religion, they have none at all, but hate Mahometism and the Turks very much, because they assisted the Chinese to beat them out of their Country under the Reign of the Founder of the Family of Taiminga, when the Christians, especially the Nestorians, stood by the Tartars: yet they have several Superstitions from the Indians, and hold their Priests, called Lamas, in Veneration. They seem much dispos'd to receive the Christian Religion, and many of them have embrac'd it already. Their Language somewhat resembles the Persian; in Reading they begin at the upper part of the Page, and end at the bottom, as they of China, continuing from the Right to the Left, as the Hebrews and Arabians, and all the rest of China do. M. Thevenot Description of China, vol. 3.