China

Sources from old books

1615. The estates, empires, & principallities of the world by Pierre d'Avity.

A DISCOVRSE OF THE ESTATE OF THE KING OF CHINA.

The Contents.

1. Dliuers appellations of the realme of China, as well auncient as moderne. 2. The circuit and how many leagues it containes. 3. A diuision of this realme into fifteene prouinces. The number of the townes and cities which are in euery prouince: Their scituation and forme of buildings, and their high waies paued and [ C] made plaine euen vnto the mountaines. 4. Description of the wall which diuides China from the Tartarians containing fiue hundred leagues. 5. Of the royall palace of the Monarches of China. 6. Of the complection and humour of the inhabitants. Admirable fertilitie of the land, which beares three or foure times a yeare. Fruits of diuers sorts which it yeelds, honie, sugar, melons, plums, oranges of three kinds. Aboundance of silke, flax, hempe, cotton, corne, riuers, trees, muske, beasts, and fish of all sorts, physicall hearbe, mines of gold, siluer, and other mettalls, with rich pearles. 7. The Chinois industrious, actiue, laborious, and naturally inclined to make good cheere, and to be well apparelled; the forme of their faces, and the hight of their bodies. 8. Their manner to make muske in China. 9. The fashion and colour of the garments of gentlemen and common people; of men and women, and of their haire and painting. [ D] 10. Custome of the women of China to weare straight shooes, and why. 11. Great industrie of the Chinois in the art of caruing and painting, and to make chariots to goe with sailes. 12. What merchandise they commonly sell to strangers. 13. How Porcelaine vessell is made in that countrie. 14. Of the dowrie, marriage, nuptiall feasts, and polygamie of the people of China, and their lawes touching successions. 15. Their strang custome by the which they are forced within a certaine time to marrie, or to enter into religion. 16. Of the marriage of their kings, and of their children, and of the solemne feasts which they celebrat. 17. Ceremonies obserued at funeralls, obsequies, and funerall feasts of the Chinois. 18. Their drinke made of the hearbe Chia in steed of wine, and what meat they prepare for their feasts and sol•mne banquets. 19. Of the inuention of their artillerie, and of their characters or hiroglyphicalletters [ E] and strange kind of writing, drawing their lines from the top of the page vnto the bottome. 20. What their horses and caroches be in their iourneys, and what ships and prouision th•y haue at sea. 21. Of their fishing with sea rauens and diuedoppers. 22. Of the respectiue requests presented to the Loytia: and their strange behauiour in their visits and companies. 23. Riches of China in mines of gold, siluer, and other mettals, pearles, Porcelaine vessell, rich •urs, fl•x, wooll, cotton, silke, sugar, honie, rhubarbe, camphire, vermillion, woad, and muske. 24. The kings reuenues, and what tribute he raiseth vpon all kinds of merchandise. 25. What his forces be, his men of war, and the discipline which he holds; and first of the Councell of war appointed in euery prouince. 26. Of his foot and horse, and of their furn ture and armes, and manner of fighting. 27. Of his nauall forces. 28. A particular relation of the souldiers en•ertained [ F] in euery prouince. 29. Of the vniuersities of China, and the visitors appointed by ••e •ing: and of the solemne promotions which are made euery three yeare to the degree •f L•ytias. 30. The oath which they take before the visitors which are to receiue the degree of L•ytias 31. Of the Councell of twelue Auditors, erected in the towne of Taybin. 32. Of the vi••••yes [ A] and Gouernours of prouinces called Comon, Insuanto. 33. Of other particular officers, as the Tompo, Quinchay, and other Iudges, and their manner of proceeding in the administration of iustice. 34. Of the punishments which they vse against offendors. 35. Their l•wes touching trauellers and beggers. 36. Of the idolatrie of the Chinois, and what Idols they worship their sacrifices to the deuill, and their beliefe touching heauen and coelestiall things. 37. A description of many kinds of Lotteries which they vse. 38. Their opinion touching the creation of the world, which they say was built by their Tain, a deitie lodged in heauen. 39. Their beliefe touching the estate of the soule departed out of the bodie: and their manner of praying for the dead. 40. Of their Monasteries, and of foure orders of religion, either of which hath a Generall called Tricon. [ B] 41. A Genealogie of the Kings of China.

THis great realme of Sinois, whereof Ptolome knew the name, but was [ I] ignorant of the power, is the same which Marcus Paulus calls the Prouince of Mangi, and which we terme commonly China, not knowing what foundation the first Authors had to moue them to impose this name, vnlesse it happened by corruption of the word, and that of Sina, they haue made China, changing one letter into two, and that custome and continuance hath had this aduantage ouer antiquitie to make it passe thus changed with our times.

[ C] They that are neighbours to this Estate call it commonly by the name of Sangley, but the Chinois (according to Magin and Mercator) giue it that of Tame, or else (according to the Author of the generall Historie of China) that of Taybinco, which signifies nothing but a realme, and the inhabitants call themselues Tang•s. This countrie lies most Eastward of all Asia, hauing for neighbour vpon the East pa•t the Ocean Sea, the Islands of Corea, and the Islands of Iapon: on the South part the Ocean Sea, and partly the realme of Cochinchina: vpon the West the Bramas or Brachmanes, and a part of Tartaria: and vpon the North Tartaria onely, from the which this realme is diuided by mountaines, and for want of them by walls. It extends it selfe in a manner from the tropicke of Cancer vnto the three and fiftieth degree of latitude, and containes in its length [ D] all the Meridiens, comprehended betwixt the one hundred and thirtieth, and the one hundred and sixtieth degree. But to vnderstand more exactly the extention and greatnesse thereof, we will relate what the Chinois themselues haue written, and what hath beene found in their bookes.

This realme containes in circuit (as they write) 69516 Diez, which is a kind of measure [ II] they vse, and these Diez reduced to the computation of Spaine, make almost three thousand leagues of circuit, and one thousand eight hundred leagues in length. They haue found in the same booke from whence this computation was drawne, that the Chinois haue onely three measures to suruey withall, which they call in their language, Lij, Pu, & Icham, which is in a manner as much as if we should say a Stade, which consists of [ E] one hundred twentie and fiue paces, a league, and a journey. The measure which they call Lij, comprehends as much space as may be assigned to a voyce which a man thrusts forth with all his force, in a calme season, and vpon a faire plaine. Ten of these Lijs make a Pu, which is a great Spanish league: and ten Pus make a whole journey, called by them Icham, which comes to ten great leagues. According to this account, they find that this realme containes the leagues aboue mentioned. It is true, that by the computation of some other bookes, they haue found more leagues: but Martin of Herrada, Prouinciall of the Augustines at the Philippines, and a most excellent Geometrician, and Cosmographer, hath seen and found that those which we haue followed are true, & that this countrie had three thousand leagues in circuit, and one thousand eight hundred [ F] in length, beginning at the prouince of Olam, which bends most towards the South, and lies neerest to Malaca.

This realme is diuided into fifteene prouinces, whereof either of them hath more [ III] continent than the greatest realme we know in Europe. Some of these prouinces carrie the name of the chiefe citie whereas the Gouernors, Presidents, and Vice-Roys remaine.

Among these Prouinces there are two, the one called Paguya, or Pasquia, and the other [ A] Tolanchia, which are gouerned by the King in person, and by his Councell, for that this Prince doth alwaies remaine in one of these two, the which are the greatest of his whole Estate, and the best peopled. But this is not the onely subiect that hath drawne him to liue there continually, but rather the neighbourhood of the Tartarians, with whom the Chinois are in continuall warre. And to the end the king of China may more easily preuent all daungers and inconueniences which may happen on that side, and by the same meanes annoy his enemie with more commoditie, he hath lodged his Court there, and •ade it his aboad.

The fifteene Prouinces are called Pasquia, Canton, Foquien, Olam, Sincay, Susuam, [ B] Tolanchia, Cansay, Oquiam, Aucheo, Honam, Xanton, Quicheu, Chequeam, and Saxij, or Sancij. All these, but especially the ten which lie neere vpon the Sea shore, are all in a manner diuided by goodly riuers of fresh water, which are deepe and nauigable: vpon the bankes whereof there are many good townes, which may not onely be numbred, but also named, for that the Chinois are so curious, as they set downe in their bookes euen the names of the houses of pleasure, which the noblemen and the Loytias doe hold. But it shall suffice to set downe the number of the cities and townes which are in euerie prouince, and to be briefe herein, least I should tier the Reader.

The prouince of Paquia (whereas the King and his Councell do commonly remaine) containes seuen and fortie cities, and 150 townes. The Prouince of Canton containes [ C] six and thirtie cities, and one hundred and ninetie townes: that of Foquien, three and thirtie cities, and one hundred and ninetie townes: that of Olam, ninetie cities, and one hundred and thirtie townes: that of Cinsay, eight and thirtie cities, and one hundred twentie foure townes: Susuan, foure and fortie cities, and one hundred and fiftie towns: Tolanchia, one and fiftie cities, and one hundred twentie three townes: Cansay, foure and twentie cities, and one hundred and twelue townes: Oquiam, ninetee•ne cities, and seuentie foure townes: Aucheo, fiue and twentie cities, and nine and twentie townes: Honam, twentie cities, and one hundred and two townes: Xanton, seuen and thirtie cities, and seuentie eight townes: Quicheu, fiue and fortie cities, and one hundred and thirteene townes: Chequeam, nine and thirtie cities, and ninetie fiue townes: Saxij or [ D] Sancij, two and fortie cities, and one hundred and fiue townes. The Chinois doe vse to end the name of Cities with this sillable Fu, which is as much to say as Citie, as Taybinfu, Cantonfu: and the name of Townes, by that of Cheu.

Among these great numbers of townes and cities, there are almost two hundred of note, the which for the most part are built vpon riuers which beare boats, and are inuironed with large and deepe ditches, and walls of free stone, from the foot vnto the highest part, and vpon the top it is bricke, which is made of the same stuffe they vse for the pourcelaine vessell, the which is so well cimented together, and growes so hard in a short time, as they are not able to disjoyne the brickes with any pickax or hammer. The walls are so thicke, as foure men at the least may march in front, yea in some places six, besides the [ E] watchtowers, galleries, and secret walkes, whether the gouernours go for pleasure: the Parapet both within and without being so spacious and free, as six horsemen may ride together. For the commoditie of batteries and defences there are Towers and Bulwarkes one neere vnto another, the which haue sentinells fitly placed, with casemats accordingly. They find that some of these walls haue stood aboue two thousand yeares, without any shew of rift or breach, so carefull are the ouerseers and controllers of publique buildings to repaire them in time. Euerie towne of note is built after this manner: There are two great broad streets, and streight, diuided like a Crosse, and as long as the eye of a man can well discerne, the which end at foure gates equally distant, all garnished with y•on, and stately built, the sight whereof is wonderfully pleasing. These two crosse streets are cut [ F] off by other smaller streets, and inriched with publique and priuat buildings, which serue to distinguish places and turnings: on either side of these streets are porches, which aduance and serue to keepe passengers (besides the shops of artizens) from raine and other discommodities of the ayre.

[ A] Moreouer there are to be seene great and goodly arches of polished stone built by the gouernors, with diuers inscriptions, before they retired themselues out of towns, hauing serued the time which the king had prescribed them. In the most commodious and frequent places of euery towne are to be seene the stately buildings and lodgings of gouernors, with their goodly gardens, orchards, fountaines, and little riuers which do artificially water them for the pleasure of these lords, who also haue their bird cages, pa•kes, warrens, and woods, so as there is not any gouernors pallace but may well be compared vnto a towne. The houses of priuat men neere vnto the sea are low, and vpon the firme land they haue diuers stories, & they are painted without, or ouercast with white, which [ B] shines, and is exceeding neat.

They haue at the entrie a spacious porch and open, garnished with cupbords artificially made, which they fill with idolls: after which there is to be seene ponds full of fish, and gardens vpon the tops of houses. The stones of their buildings are carefully polished, and so plaistred as a man would say they are gilt. The couering is polished after the same manner, and cymented so artificially as no raine can hurt it: and these couerings continue aboue one hundred yeares, the gutters being made of marble ingeniously wrought. Before the doores of their houses they haue trees which be thicke and greene, set in order and by compasse, and so pleasant to b•hold, as any eye were it neuer so wearie and weake would soone be recreated. Besides that many of these townes are crossed through [ C] by great riuers, there are also some which haue the the commoditie of channel•s, to giue entrie to merchants ships, where they lade and vnlade their commodities, as we see at Vtrecht and other townes of the Low Countries: and there are causie• sit to go by land, besides the bridges of stone which are both in townes, and in many places abroad.

As for those riuers which swell and rise so as they cannot plant any piles, or build any arches, they make bridges of boats. Without the townes, especially vpon the sea coast, there are suburbes very well built with goodly great streets, in which are tauerns and innes for merchants strangers, and in these places besides the delightfull drinkes according to the custome of the countrie, they find all kinds of meat both readie dres•ed and raw.

[ D] As for smaller townes and borroughs whereof some consist of three thousand families, with villages which are very neere one vnto another; there are so many, as the number is not knowne. They are for the most part pleasantly seated, and well furnished with water and wood, and their fields are ful of houses of rich labourers, which are very high. All their houses haue commonly three doores, one in the middest which is great, and one of either side which are lesser, and proportionablly made according to their manner of building.

We must confesse that there are excellent architects in this realme, and if the workemen be good, their materialls be the best in the world; for that as I haue formerly said, there is a kind of white earth whereof they make pauing rile or bricke, the which is so [ E] strong as they must haue good hammers, and vse great force to breake them. In euery chiefe citie the king hath a lodging where the gouernor remaines, the which is alwaies stately. They haue the best paued waies of any countrie that is discouered, the which are so plaine and euen as they haue great high waies cut out and paued with square stones euen vnto the mountaines; so as by the saying of them that haue seene it, it is one of the most commodious and remarkable workes of all the realme. In the towne of Fucheo there is a tower before the lodging of the kings generall Treasurer, the which exceeds (according to the testimonie of them that haue seene it) all the buildings of the Romans, being set vpon fortie pillars, whereof euery one is but one peece, and they are so big as they do amase them that behold it.

[ F] But for that we haue formerly spoken of the wall which diuides China from the Tartarians, [ IIII] I thinke it fit to discourse here more particularly thereof, to satisfie s••h •s desire to be informed at large. This wall which is fiue hundred leagues long, and 〈◊〉 at the towne of Ochioy, which stands betwixt two very high mountain•s, and •xt••ds from West to East, was made by a king called Tzintzon, to defend China from the •artarians.

Yet you must vnderstand that of these fiue hundred leagues which this wal containes, [ A] there are foure hundred which are inclosed by very high mountaines: as for the other hundred which lay open betwixt these mountaines, this king causeth walls to be made of strong free stone, the which are seuen fadome broad from the foot to the top. This wall begins towards the sea in the prouince of Canton, and passeth by that of Paquia and Can•ay, and ends in that of Susuan. This king meaning to make this admirable worke, tooke the third part of the inhabitants of his realme, who died in a manner all in this toile, either by reason of the tediousnesse of the way, or for the change of aire, and yet euery prouince went to that part which lay neerest vnto it. But this proud worke made the whole realme to reuolt, and they slew the king hauing raigned fortie yeares, [ B] with a sonne of his also called Agntzi.

[ V] Let vs now come to the kings aboad, to end the description of that which is found most remarkable in this realme. He remaines most commonly in the prouince of Paquia in the citie of Taibin or Suntien (which some write is the same they called Quinsay) either as we haue said by reason of the Tartarians to whom it lies neere, or it may be rather for that the aire of this prouince is more healthfull and pleasant than any of the rest, as we may iudge by the word of Suntien which is as much to say in their language, as a ecclesiasticall citie. This citie is so great, as a man on horsebacke may vse good speed to ride from one port vnto another in a day: wherein they do not comprehend the suburbes, the which are in a manner as great in compasse as the citie. It is so peopled as the Chinois [ C] assure that if it were needfull to make a leuie for any vrgent occasion, they might draw together two hundred thousand men armed, whereof one hundred thousand should be on horsebacke.

At the entrie of this citie towards the East stands the kings pallace which is great and stately, where he commonly remaines: yet he hath two others, the one in the middest of the citie, and the other towards the West. This first pallace is so great, and so full of singularities, as it would require foure whole daies to view it at leasure, as some report. First it is enuironed with seuen walls built in such sort as betwixt the space of euery one of them, they may easily lodge ten thousand souldiers which be ordinarily in guard in the kings lodging. Within this pallace there seuentie and nine stately halls built with admirable [ D] art, where there are to be seene a great number of women who serue the king in the places of pages and gentlemen. But the principall pieces of this pallace are sower goodly halls, whereas the king giues audience to Embassadours which come from for•aine countries, and in like manner to the lords and chiefe men of his Estates whenas he holds his court; the which doth seldome happen for that he doth not shew himselfe much vnto his people out of his lodging, and in a manner is neuer seene but through a glasse.

The first of these halls is made of mettall which is cast with great curiositie, hauing a great number of goodly figures. The second hath the floare made of siluer of great value. The third is of pure gold perfectly well enamelled. The fourth is of such price, and there is such aboundance of riches, as it doth far exceed the other three, for that it represents [ E] the power and meanes of this great king, and for this cause they call it in their language the Hall of the kings treasure, assuring that it well des•rues this name, for that it containes the greatest treasure that any king can haue: besides this treasure, there are many iewells of inestimable value, and a chaire wherein the king sits in maiestie, made of marble set with many pretious stones, and such rich carbonckles, as in the darkest night they shine as if there were many candles light in the hall. The walls thereof are of diuers stones of great price, artificially wrought, and to comprehend in a word all that is said of this hall, it is sufficient to know that it is the goodliest and rarest peece that can be seene in all the realme, and that it containes whatsoeuer is rare and rich. [ F]

¶ The Qualitie.

[ VI] WE haue seene the extent of this great kingdome, we haue set downe the number of the cities and townes, and obserued the statelinesse of their buildngs let vs [ A] now examine if the countrie deserues so great expences, and if it be able to suppl•• the excessiue charge of these buildings. To begin then, you must vnderstand that the temperature of the countries which are subiect to this mightie Monarch is verie diuers, by reason they lie all in a manner running from South to North, and haue so great a tract of countrie, as notwithstanding that the Island of Aynan which is neere to this realme be beyond the nineteenth degree of height or latitude, yet there are some Prouinces well knowne which are aboue fiftie degrees distant from the Aequator, as we haue formerly said in the description of this realme. We may easily judge of the distance there is betwixt the two remotest parts of the realme, by the great difference of the inhabitants colours [ B] and complexion: for the Portugals which haue traded commonly at Canton with the Chinois (for that this towne is somewhat neere to Macao, whereas the said Portugals haue long inhabited) report, that they see in them that traffique, faces of different colours.

They that are borne in the prouince of Canton, and vpon all that coast, are blacke like vnto them of Fez in Africke, for that this countrie is in the same parallel with Barbarie. But they of other prouinces within the land, are for the most part white, yet some more than others the neerer they aduaunce vnto the cold countrie: for there are some which haue complexions like vnto Spaniards, and others which are white, and in a manner resemble the Germans, being flaxen haired, and of a sanguine complexion. Finally, [ C] we cannot say in generall that this great realme is either hot or cold, for that it lies within the temperat Zone, and extends towards the same climat that Italie: whereby we may easily judge of her fertilitie, the which without doubt is the greatest in the world, notwithstanding that some will compare Perou and new Spaine vnto it.

It is most certaine that the land doth beare fruit three or foure times a yeare, and that which doth also shew the bountie of the ayre, is, that the countrie swarmes with children, the which are verie beautifull in their youth. But to specifie something, this countrie brings forth all manner of greene things, and great store of diuers fruits like vnto those that grow in Spaine, besides many others which are not knowne here, for that they differ from ours, and all these fruits (as they say) are exceeding good. There are three [ D] kinds of Oranges, one so sweet as they passe sugar in sweetnesse, others which are not so sweet, and the third, which haue a kind of sharpenesse, verie pleasant to the tast.

There is also a kind of plums which they call Lechias, which haue a wonderfull pleasing tast; and moreouer, they haue this propertie, that they neuer fill one, neither doe they hurt the stomacke though they eat many of them. There growes aboundance of melons, which are verie bigge, and wonderful s•uourie, and a kind of Apples of a brown colour, the which are bigge, and of a verie good tast. There is great store of sugar throughout the realme, the which is so good cheape as one hundred weight of the finest and whitest, when it is at the dearest, is sold for six royalls, or three shillings starling.

There is great aboundance of honie, so as it is verie good cheape, and of wax also, [ E] wherewith they may lade whole ships, yea fleets. They haue much silke, and exceeding good. There growes great sto•e of flax, wherewith the common people do vsually cloth themselues; and they haue hempe wherewith they vse to caulke their ships, and to make ropes and cables. Vpon their hard and drie grounds, notwithstanding that they be stonie, yet they gather much cotton, and sow barley, rye, oats, & diuers other kinds of graine, all which yeeld a plentifull increase. Vpon their moist and watrie grounds (whereof there is great store, by reason of the aboundance of riuers which are in this realme) th•y sow rice, which is the common food of this nation, and they reape such store, as in a time of most dearth, a Hanega (which is a kind of measure containing about two bushells of ours) is worth but six pence, and the land doth commonly beare this graine, & all others, [ F] three or foure times a yeare, as I haue formerly said. In the high countries which are not fit for tillage, they haue goodly ranks of Pine trees, which beare great pine apples verie sauourie, & Chesnut trees: and besides these trees, they sow Maiz, or Turkie wheat, as we call it, which is the food and ordinarie bread of the Indians of Mexico and Perou, with much Panic, or Indian oatmeale, for that they will not loose a span of ground. All the Champian countrie is verie pleasing to behold, & brings forth odorif•ro•s fl•wers [ A] of all sorts. Moreouer, it is beautified with goodly rankes of trees, which do co•monly border the riuers and brookes.

The Loytias haue a custome to plant great and thicke forrests, whereas they breed vp many wild Boares, Deares, Conies, Hares, and diuers other beasts, of whose skins they make verie good furres, especially of Ma•tins and Sables, of which they haue great numbers. There is aboundance of Muske, which comes from a kind of little beast that eats nothing but an odoriferous root called Camarue, of the bignesse of a mans finger. Moreouer, there is great store of oxen, and kine, which are of so small value, as a good one is sold for lesse than a crowne and a halfe; and also bugles which are not halfe the price; and [ B] a whole Deare is sold for twelue pence, or thereabouts; and there are many •wine whose flesh is as wholesome and sweet as the mutton in France, or Spaine. There is great aboundance of goats, and such multitude of foule which breeds in lakes and riuers, as they consume daily in small townes many thousands, being Ducks for the most part: and it hath beene particularly obserued, that at Canton, which is none of the greatest townes, they doe euerie day eat twelue thousand. There are many Hens, and Capons, so as two pound weight of this flesh, without feathers, and readie drest, is commonly sold for lesse than a halfe penie, and in like manner the rest. There are also many physicall hearbes, and great store of excellent Rhubarbe, and of the root called China, of the name of the countrie, and such aboundance of nutmegs, as they may fraught great fleets therewith, the which [ C] are so good cheape, as foure hundred are worth but six pence, and six pound of Cloues three pence. It is a wonder to see the fish of all sorts, not onely vpon the sea coast, but also in the remo•est prouinces of the realme, by reason of the goodly riuers which are in all these countries. Moreouer, there are many mines of gold, siluer, and other mettals. They haue also infinit store of pearle throughout the whol• realme, the which for the most part are not verie round. Let vs now come to examine the manners and humors of these people, who inioy all these commodities and delights, and haue nothing to counterpease them but their great earthquakes, which doth sometimes ruine whole townes.

¶ The Manners. [ D]

[ VII] IT is a strange thing in this great realme, that instead of seeing many idle people which content themselues with what the earth brings forth, they are for the most part good husbands, who helpe the fertilitie of the land by their paine and industrie, the which is such, as they spare neither mountaines, valleys, bankes of riuers, sea shore, nor any place whatsoeuer, so as they sow and plant whatsoeuer they thinke the soyle will beare. They doe the more willingly endure this labor, for that euerie man doth inioy his owne peaceably, neither doe they endure any idle persons or vagabonds, but such are reputed infamous, and rigorously punished. Moreouer, they are inuited to this labour, for that they are forbidden to go out of the realme, and therefore by consequence they must manure [ E] their ground if they will liue well; the Chinois being also naturally inclined to make good cheare, and to be alwaies well apparelled, and to haue their houses well accommodated, which makes them to be good husbands, and to labour in that which they enjoy. They doe not measure any kind of merchandise, no not linnen cloth, but fell all things by weight, wherein there can be no deceipt: yet they doe sometimes deceiue strangers [ VIII] which traffique with them, especially in Muske, which is made after this manner: They beat their Muske Cats, which are little beasts (as we haue said) and bruse them with blows, so as they kill them, then they put them into a place whereas they soone putrifie, but first of all they bind vp those parts by the which the bloud may issue, letting the bones which are broken verie small to lie steeping in it; then when they thinke it is sufficiently [ F] putrified, they cut them in pieces, with the skin, and make little bagges thereof, which the Portugals (who buy them) called Papos: and this is the best and finest Muske which is brought from the Indies, but subiect to deceipt, for that they vse to hide little peeces of lead, or some other thing, in those bagges to make them weigh the more.

[ A] The inhabitants of China are all of a good disposition of bodie, lustie, and actiue of their persons, but somewhat big. They haue commonly broad faces, little eyes, fat noses, and haue no beards, but some few haires vpon either side of the chin. It is true that there are some which haue great round eyes, the beard well fashioned, and a pleasing aspect or countenance; but the number of these is small in regard of the rest: and some thinke that these men came from some strange countrie in old time, & did mingle with the Chinoi• when it was lawfull for them to go out of the realme. They do all suffer the nailes of their left hand to grow very long, and weare them of their right hand short. They haue also long hai•e whereof they are very curious, and this maner of wearing long haire and [ B] long nailes is not without superstition, for they say, they shall be taken vp into heauen by their long haire and great nailes. They do wreath it vpon their heads with a c•ule of gold very artificially, or else with pins which are also of gold.

The garments which the nobilitie and men of account do weare are of silke of diuers [ IX] colours, the which in that countrie hath an excellent glosse or lustre. The common people and poorer sort attire themselues in another kind of silke of lesse value, or else in linnen cloth, searge, or cotton. This garment is light and fit according to the qualitie of the countrie, which for the most part is temperate, neither can they beare any weighter stuffes; and as for wollen cloth there is not any made in the whole realme. They weare long cassocks made after the old manner, hauing great skirts pleighted very small, hauing [ C] a pocket on the left side, and great sleeues: vpon these cassocks they weare great gownes made after our manner, but the sleeues are larger.

The princes of the bloud, or they that are aduanced to dignitie differ in apparell from ordinarie knights, for that the princes weare their cassocks imbrodered with gold and siluer about the wast, whereas others haue but their skirts garnished with gold. They vse breeches artificially wrought with backe-stich, and they weare very delicate buskins and shooes of veluet. During Winter, although the climat be not very cold, yet they haue their cassockes and gownes furred, especially with sables, whereof they weare many about their neckes. They that are not married differ from the rest, for that they weare their haire vpon their foreheads and haue higher hats. The women adorne themselues [ D] curiously, and attire themselues after a manner which doth much resemble the Spanish. They carrie many iewells of gold and rich stones, and doe weare short cassockes with large sleeues which come but to the wast. They weare sattin striped with gold, linnen cloth, or silke, and the poorest weare razed veluet and searge. They haue faire haire, whereof they are very curious, and bind it about their heads with a broad ribon of silke garnished with pearle and stone. They vse painting, and hold it for a great grace to haue little feet, and for this cause from their infancies they bind vp their feet hard, which they endure paciently, for that they that haue the least feet are held the properest women. But this custome comes not onely from their curiositie, but also from the ielousie of men who haue brought it in, to the end that they shall not be•ble to [ E] go but with paine, and that going slowly and with a bad grace, they should haue no great desire to goe out of their houses: and this custome is so auncient and receiued in that countrie, as it hath in a manner the force of a law; so as that mother which should breake it in the breading of their daughters should incurre the note of infamie and be punished. Moreouer they are very honest and retired, so as they are neuer seene at a window nor doore; and if the husband inuites any one to dinner, the wife neuer shewes herselfe, nor sits at the table, vnlesse he that is inuited be some kinsman or especiall friend: if any one go to visit her father, mother, or some one of her kinsfolkes, she is alwaies carried in a chaire by foure men, the which is enuironed with lattices made of gold thred, siluer, or silke very close, so as they cannot be seene, yet may they see any that [ F] passe by; and moreouer they are accompanied by a great number of seruants. There is seldome any woman of account seene in the streets, so as it seems there are scarce any in all their townes.

They are wonderfull ingenious, they vse caruing, and are great painters of leaues, [ XI] birds, and beasts, as we may see by the beds & tables which are brought out of that realm.

In the plaine countrie they vse a kind of wagons with failes which are driuen with t•e [ A] wind. The Hollanders haue tried to make the like for pleasure, but they haue not continued, neither haue they made any great speed like vnto the rest. They are cunning and well practised in buying and selling, so as in matter of trafficke they will diuide a haire. [ XII] The merchants (whereof there are many in euery towne) set vp a table at their doores, wherein are written the comodities which they haue to sell: and those which they commonly sell are tinsells and, cloth of gold, with diuers sorts of silke of excellent colours: Others which are not so rich sell sarges, peeces of cotton, linnen cloth, and sustian of all colours. They that keepe drugs make the like shew of what they haue. There are other shops of porcelaine of diuers sorts, as red, greene, gilt, and of a pale colour, the which are [ B] so good cheape, as you shall buy fiftie peeces for two shillings. They are made of a kind of earth which they breake in peeces and steepe, pouring it into pooles which are walled about, & paued with free stone: hauing dissolued it wel in the water, they make the finest vessell of the fattest of the earth which swims about: and as for the rest the more it goes to the bottome the grosser and thicker it is: They giue it what forme they please, & then gild it and put it into any colour, the which is neuer lost, and then they bake it in an ouen.

[ XIII] Some hold that the Porcelaine vessel is made of eggeshells broken, and kept one hundred yeares in the ground, or else of the shells of sea snailes, the which they steepe and lay in the ground to be refined for the like time, as one Edward Barbosa hath written. But if that were true, there should not be such great store of Porcelaine in China, neither should [ C] they transport so much into Portugal, Perou, New Spaine, and other parts of the world. The finest is made in the prouince of Saxij, and neuer goes out of the realme, for that it is all imployed for the seruice of the king and gouernors, and it is so beautifull to behold, as it seemes to be Christall. The artizans and tradesmen remaine in certaine streets where there dwells not any one that is not of the same trade; so as seeing of what occupation the first man of the street is, they may easily know that all the men of that street are of the same facultie.

[ XIIII] They of this realme are carefull aboue all things to giue portions to their children, before they can be corrupted; and this care is the cause that there are fewer vices in this realme than in many others. Herein they vse so great diligence as many times the children [ D] being yet very young, yea & sometimes before they are borne, the fathers are agreed to marrie them, and set downe in writing the conuentions and contracts of marriage. The custome of the countrie is that the husband indowes the woman that he meanes to marrie. When the time of the consummation of the marriage is come, the father of the maide makes a great feast in his house, inuiting his sonne in lawes father and mother, kinsfolke and friends, and the day after, the bridegroomes father or his neerest kinsman doth the like. After the feast the husband giues the dowrie to his wife in the presence of them all, and she giues it to her father or mother if they be liuing, for the paines they haue taken in her education. Hence it comes that in this realme he is held richest that hath most daughters. And as for that which is giuen vnto the daughter, the father may vse it, if [ E] he haue need; and when he dies all remaines vnto his daughter, to the end she may leaue it to her children, or dispose otherwise at her pleasure. The men may take as many wiues as they can maintaine, so as they be not their sisters or cousin germaines; and if any one marries within these two degrees of consanguinitie he is grieuously punished. They hold the first of these wiues for their lawfull spouse, and the rest for friends: They liue with the first, and keepe the rest in diuers lodgings, or if they be merchants and men of trafficke they dispose them in those places whereas they vse to trade, and these wiues are as seruants in regard of the first. The father dying, the eldest sonne succeeds in the greatest part of the estate of the first wife, and the other brethren diuide the rest equally among them, whether they be sonnes to the first wife or of others. If there be no sonne [ F] by the first wife, the first that is borne of any one of the rest carries away the greatest part of the succession, and by this meanes they seldome die without heires of their lawfull spouse, or by their other wiues.

[ XV] They say that in the prouinces which lie neere to Tartaria, they haue a very strange [ A] custome, which is, that the Viceroyes or Gouernours prescribe a certaine time to men and women, within the which they are bound to marrie, or become religious. This time being come, all that meane to marrie, repaire (at a certaine day) to a towne appointed to that end, in •uerie prouince: being arriued there, they go and present themselues before twelue men of the chiefest, and most ancient, whom the king hath appoined to that end, and th•se take the names of the men and women, and informe themselues of their qualities, and what estates they haue to endow the wiues they mean to marrie. After this, they looke vpon the list of men and women which present themselues, and if they find more men than women, or otherwise, they cast lots, and leaue them which remaine to be first [ B] married the yeare after. Six of the twelue aboue mentioned make three rankes of men, putting in the first, the richest, without any respect of proportion or beautie; in the second, them that are of meane wealth; and in the last, the poore: Whilest that these six make the diuision of men, the other six doe the like of women, placing in the one the fairest; in the second, those which are not so beautifull; and in the third, the foule. This being done, they giue the faire vnto the rich, who pay a certaine sum of money whereunto they are taxed by the Iudges, then they giue vnto them that are not so rich, the others which are not so faire, for whom they giue not any thing; and last of all, they giue the fouler sort vnto the poore, withall that which the rich had giuen for the beautifull, the which is equally diuided amongst them. The marriages being ended, they make great [ C] feasts in certaine houses, which the king hath in •uerie towne, the which are furnished to that end, with many beds, cupboords, and other things necessarie for houshold, to the end that the married people may take what they need during the feast, then after fiftie dayes euerie one retires to his house. But this is to be vnderstood of the common people, and 〈◊〉 of the nobilitie and men of qualitie, who are not bound to obey this ordinance, but marrie at their pleasures.

As for the king of China, when he is married, he makes choice of thirtie Concubines [ XVI] of the best qualitie of all the realme, who remaine in his palace during his life, and he being dead, and his funerall ended, his successor attires these thirtie women sumptuously, then he causeth them to be set vpon a stately scaffold, in one of those goodly halls whereof [ D] we haue spoken: being there, they haue their faces couered, so as they cannot be known. Being there placed, there comes thirtie Knights of the principal of the realme, whom the deceased king hath named in his wil, and these go according to their antiquitie or accord••g to the nomination which the king had made, and then either of them takes one of those women by the hand, and carries her couered as he finds her vntill he comes to his house, whereas he keepes her as his wife, by meanes whereof he hath great gifts yearely •o •elpe to defray his charges. In old time, whenas the kings of China did marrie their children, or any of their bloud, they made a solemne feast in their palace to the which they inuited all the knights and the chiefe noblemen of the Court, commanding them to 〈◊〉 all their children with them; the which they did willingly, yea in such so•t as euery [ E] one did striue to haue his traine more gorgious than the rest. The feast being ended, euery one of the princes went vnto the place whereas the ladies were set in ranke according to their ages, and did chuse her for wife that was most pleasing vnto him; & the princesses 〈◊〉 he like of Knights: but this custome is no more obserued, for that both princes and knights ma•rie th••r kinswomen, vnlesse it be in the first or second degree.

As for fun•ralls, and ceremonies which concerne the dead, they obserue them after [ XVII] this maner: wh•nas any one dies, they wash his bodie instantly, and attire him in the best apparel he had in his life time, the which are perfumed, and smell exceeding well. Being thus clothed, they set him in the best chaire he had, and then his children, and wife, or else the father, mother, and brethren, come neere to the dead bodie, & hauing kneeled before [ F] 〈◊〉, euer•e one goes his way mourning. Then there comes in order all the kin•men & friends of the deceased, and in the end his seruants, if he had any. This ceremonie being done, they put him in a coffin made of some odoriferous wood, the which is well closed vp for feare of some bad scent, and then presently they set it vpon two formes, or vpon a Table in a Chamber hung with the richest Tapestrie that they can possibly get, then they couer it with a sheet which hangs vnto the ground, vpon the which they set the [ A] image of the deceased, verie artificially made. In a chamber right before that whereas the dead bodie lies, or else in the entrie, they set a table with candles burning thereon, the which is couered with bread, and many sorts of fruits, and they keepe it in this manner aboue 15 daies, during the which, euerie night the Priests and religious men come, who sing prayers, offer sacrifices, & doe other Pagan ceremonies: for they bring many paineted papers, & burne them in the presence of the dead, & they lay before him many others, that hang at little cords, which are set there to that end, and they doe often remoue these papers, and make great cries, by meanes whereof they s•y they send the soule of the deceased to heauen. After fifteene daies (during which the tables are alwaies couered with [ B] store of meat, which serues for to feed their Priests, and the kinsfolkes and friends which come to visit the deceased) they take the coffin where the bodie lies, and carrie it into the fields, being followed by all his kinsfolkes and friends, with a great number of priests, and many candles burning. They burie him commonly vpon a little hill, in Sepulchres which belong vnto them, and which are particularly dedicated to this end, all which are made of free stone. They presently plant a Pine tree neere vnto the Sepulcher, the which is neuer cut; and if it chance to fall, they leaue it there vntill time hath consumed it, holding it for a sacred thing. They that follow the Conuoy, go in order in manner of a procession, carrying Musitians and players of instruments with them, who sing and play continually vntill the bodie be layed in the tombe: and they hold that funerall for most [ C] honourable, where there are most priests and minstrells. They sing by the sound of their instruments many prayers which they make vnto their Idolls, and last of all they burne many papers vpon the Sepulcher, whereon are painted slaues, horses of gold, siluer, and silke, with many other things which they say the dead shall enioy in another life. They reioyce much, and make feasts, laying it into the graue, holding for certaine that the Angels and Saints which are in heauen make the like feast to the deceased. The kinsfolkes are all this time couered with mourning cassockes made of a grosse wooll, pitcht against the flesh, and girt with cords. They haue also at that time vpon their heads great bonners of the same wooll, made with great verges like vnto a hat, comming downe vnto their eyes. They weare this mourning habit for their father or mother a yeare or [ D] two, and if the sonne be a Gouernour, he retires himselfe most commonly with the Kings permission, leauing his charge. They that are not so neere allied, attire themselues for certaine moneths in linnen cloth dyed, and in like manner the other kinsfolkes and friends; but it is onely vntill the deceased be buried. This is all that can be said touching their interments.

[ XVIII] Notwithstanding that their hills abound with vines, yet they make no wine of their grapes, as they doe in these parts: but they are accustomed to preserue their grapes for winter. In stead whereof, they draw a juice of verie good tast, from an hearbe called Chia, the which they drinke hot like to them of Iappon. This drinke doth purge them from fleame, cures the heauinesse of the head, and paine in the eyes; and after this maner [ E] they liue long, and are seldome sicke. To preuent in some sort the vehement heat of Sommer, they helpe themselues in this manner: they make certaine little caues verie deepe in the ground, from whence they giue aire into all parts of their houses, little or much as they shall thinke good, with wonderfull art.

They reckon their yeares by twelue Moones, so as eue••e three yeares they add one luna•ie moneth vnto their yeare: and they begin the yeare at the new Moone of March. Then they make a solemne reioycing, and also vpon the day of their birth, which they celebrat in their houses, sending stately presents one vnto another. They make verie sumptuous feasts, and by night represent Commedies and Tragedies, in which pleasure no cost is wanting: these be Poesies composed at pleasure, or auncient [ F] Histories. Then they bring in Tumblers, Iuglers, Players of enterludes, and doe•s of feats of actiuitie. The walls of houses, and the gates, are couered with greene, with Roses, and with rich Tapestrie, the streets are perfumed, and strewed with sweet flowers. Then there is nothing to be seene but lampes and torches, the trees, arbors, & windows, [ A] seeme to be on fire: all the streets eccho againe with the noyse of instruments, flutes, and voyces intermixt. This is the order of their feasts: euerie one that is inuited hath h•s table, or if they sit two at one table, that is the most: this table is of a shining wood, like to H•bain, whereon are the figures of wild beasts, with certaine fillets of gold or siluer, interlaced verie artificially, a worke particular to the Chinois.

This goodly inlaying serues them for a table cloth, and the table is trimmed with deckings of silke, which hang downe vnto the ground. The guests are set in chaires with backes, hauing cu•hions to rest them on: being set after this manner, they bring first of all baskets, couered with garlands of flowers, and full of fruit vpon the sides, and in the [ B] middest lies the meat. Notwithstanding that the Chinois haue aboundance of foule, venison, and shell-fish, yea and all other exquisit meats, yet the dish which they most esteeme is swines flesh. They are so delicat, as they hold it grosnesse to handle their meat with their fingers. They vse bodkins, or little forkes of gold and siluer, to take vp their meat when it is cut small, and to put it into their mouthes, not touching it with their hands. They drinke diuers times together, in little goblets, to quench their thirst, and inuite them that eat with them, with many ceremonies, to pledge them: in the mean time, their seruants attend, and take away with great silence, and good order. The men eat apart, and the women by themselues in some priuat chamber, of whom their husbands are exceeding jealous. As for their salutations, the common people obserue this [ C] order; they shut the left hand, and couer it with the right, then they lift them often vnto their brests, and fi••ing their words to their countenances, they make shew that they loue their friend, whom they salute with passion. The richer sort, and men of account, make a low reuerence, stretching out, and bending their armes like a bow, then crossing their fingers together, they striue, with many words of complement, to exceed one another in courtesie. They haue beene so industrious, as they haue made their forges in such sort as they need not the helpe of any man to blow the bellowes; for they haue inuented a certaine kind of pipes, which receiue the ayre from certaine hollow places, in such manner as they neuer want wind.

They haue an inuention in the making of artillerie, to cast some which may be taken [ XIX] [ D] in peeces, and easily carried by men or beasts of burthen to any place they desire. They vse long leaues of exceeding fine paper to write on, drawing their lines not from the left hand to the right like to the Grecians, Latins, and other people of Europe; nor from the right vnto the left like to the Hebrues, Turks, Arabians & others; but from the top of the page to the bottome. Their letters are like to the Hieroglyphikes of the Aegyptians, euery one signifies a word, and sometimes periods, yea whole sentences: so as the Chinois who are farre distant one from another by reason of the great extension of so many prouinces, and haue diuers languages, vnderstand what is contained in their printed bo•kes. Besides the language which is common to the people, and particular to euery prouince, the learned sort of men haue a speech which is proper vnto them: they call it the Mandarin [ E] tongue (for Mandarins are Magistrats in China) and this language is familiar to Courtiers, Secretaries, Lawyers, Iudges, and Magistrats.

In their iournies besides horses of diuers sorts, they vse litters, and caroches drawen by horses, or else chariots for the wind, whereof we haue formerly spoken. They breed [ XX] vp birds very carefully whom they reach to speake and to leape after diuers sorts, and they trim them phantastically, besides their naturall colours. Their sea preparations are in a manner incredible: they haue great vess•lls called Iones, which go onely with failes: some of them are furnished for the war hauing both in the poope and prow high castles: others are lower, and serues only for the transportation of merchandise and matters of burthen. They haue also other vessells called Lantes, Bancons, and Longs. Euery [ F] Lante is rowed with twelue great oares, six of either side, hauing to euery oare foure or six men. The Bancon hath but halfe so many. As for the Longs, they haue some resemblance to the Gallies of Europe, but they are of no vse but in riuers. There are other vessells which serue onely for the delight of rich men when they haue a desire to go along the shoare, hauing the poopes, chambers, and windowes latticed, and the galleries all garnished and couered with gold and siluer, and they haue gardens of pleasure vp on the top [ A] of their vessells, almost in despight of the sea.

They calke and trim their ships with a certaine stuffe which is very good to keepe them from worme eating, and to kill the beasts which pierce into the wood. To emptie a leake they set a pumpe within neere vnto the orelop or hatches, the which hath many small vessells so artificially made, as the first which comes, remouing his feet easily one after another, drawes all drie in a short space. There are multitudes of families which •iue in boats vpon riuers: some-trafficke there, others play the cookes and feed passengers, and some vse their trades and occupations: and to conclude, there wants nothing necessarie for the life of man in these floting houses, so as they find as many commodities there, as in [ B] towns seated on the firme land. Many in these boats feed store of foule, especially great troupes of duckes, the which is easie for them to do, for that in steed of setting the female vpon egges to brood them, they keepe them in warme places which make them disclose as many young ones as they list. Night being come, they shut vp the foule in their boats, and at the breake of day they let them feed in the fields which are full of rice, where to the great ease of the countriemen they liue vpon hearbes which hurts the rice that is sowne: at nigh at the found of a bell or drumme they returne all flying into their boats. The smal barkes and boats furnish them that dwell vpon the firme land with store of fish both from the sea and fresh waters, after this manner: In the spring whenas the snow and raine hath made the riuers to swell, and that the sea fish comes vp by troupes [ C] into the mouthes of fresh waters to spaune more at ease, there come downe many men from the neighbour countries, being drawne by the gaine they make of fishing, with [ XXI] nets. The fishers of the fresh water doe at that time buy great store of sea fish for a small price, the which they keepe in leaps couered with parchment that is pitched, and changing the water often, and giuing their fish some thing to eat they transport them far into the firme land, and put them into ponds, pooles, and towne ditches, whereas they fish them out to furnish the tables of rich men all the yeare. They haue one prettie tricke to take them, among the rest: they breed vp sea rauens or diuedoppers, the which are very great and tame, and are acustomed to liue on fish: about whose neckes they tie a string somewhat loose, so as they may deuour a fish, but not swallow it downe. Then they let [ D] go these rauens which plunge with wonderful dexteritie into the bottome of those ponds where they take the fish, and so returne to the place from whence they went, and there they take the prey from them. The Magistrats spend much of their time in these sports. The like hath beene seene at Fontainebleau done by cormorants which were gouerned by the Englishmen, whereat the court of France tooke great delight.

There are many Chinois giuen to studie, but few applie themselues to Physicke, Philosophie, or Astrologie. They keepe their promise as far as the necessitie of commerce, and the opinion they haue to inrich themselues with the preiudice of another will allow. Strangers are suspect and odious vnto them, neither will they lodge them, or frequent with them. If they be prest with debts, they fell their children to free themselues, [ E] or elsethey make some infamous and detestable brokeage. Finally, they esteeme nothing but their owne inuentions, whereof they brag with much babling, saying that they haue two eyes, and that they of Europe haue but one, and all other are blind.

[ XXII] Whenas any one of base condition goes to speake to a Loytia, he kneeles downe presently when he comes into the hall whereas the Loytia is, bowing his head and eyes to the ground, and after this manner he goes vpon his knees vntill he comes into the middest of the hall, where he staies and makes his request with a very humble voice, or else deliuers it in writing; then hauing receiued his aunswere, he returnes recoyling alwaies vpon his knees vntill he be out, and neuer turnes his backe vnto the Loyti•. If any of the people meet any of the chiefe of the countrie, or that are noble or in dignitie, in the [ F] streete, they stand presently still, and attend in the same place bending downe their heads with great silence vntill they be past, and if any one should faile herein he should be instantly cruelly beaten. Whenas they go to visit one another, he that is vsited comes forth into the street, accompanying him that came to see him. They haue also one cus•••e [ A] which is very strange: if by chance any one of the countrie or towne comes to see them, and if when he knockes at their doores, or finds them in the street whom he goes to visit, not well appointed; although he speake vnto them, and be their neerest kinsman, or of long acquaintance, yet they make no answere, nor make any shew, nor seeme to see them or know them, but turne their backes and go home to their houses▪ whereas they presently put on their best apparell; then they go forth againe to receiue him that comes to s•e them with as good a countenance as if they had not seene them before, n•r committed this foolerie. They giue great entertainment to their guests, presenting them instantly with a collation of diuers fruits and comfitures, and making them drinke a kind of liquor [ B] which is generally vsed throughout the realme, and is made of certaine physichall hearbs sit to comfort the heart. This ceremonie is also obserued among neighbours when they visit one another. But if it happen that any one meets with one that is of another place and whom he knowes, or any of the same towne whom he hath not seene of late, he presently demaunds of him if he hath drunke and eat, and if he aunswer no, he then leads him to the next tauerne where he entertaines him royally; the which they haue good meanes to do in that countrie, for that in the market places, streets, and suburbes of euery towne they haue many tauernes whereas they make great cheere for little cost, for that victualls abound there, and are very good cheape: but if he aunswers that he hath alreadie drunke and eat, he then leads him to certaine shops full of comfitures and such like [ C] dainties, where he giues him a banquet very bountifully. They also vse great respect vnto women, as well to strangers as of the countrie, of what qualitie and condition soeuer they be, especially to married women; holding it for a thing worthie of blame to vse any dishonest speech vnto them, or not to salute them and to giue them place when they passe in the street.

¶ The Riches.

WE may confidently beleeue that this countrie is one of the richest, or to speake [ XXIII] truely, the richest in the world; for that all things abound there in such sort, as besides [ D] the prouision of the Chinois, they haue wherewithall to furnish both their neighbours, and remote countries. The Sea coast, which runs of a great length, hath many good ports, and commodious hauens, for the receiuing and sending forth of all sorts of merchandise. The inhabitants draw out of diuers mines, great store of gold, siluer, and other mettalls. They carrie out of China, much pearle, porcelaine vessell, rich furres, flax, wooll, cotton, silke, and all sorts of stuffe, as also, much sugar, honie, wax, rhubarbe, camphire, vermilion, woad for Diers, and Muske, whereof they haue aboundance. As [ XXIIII] for the reuenues of the king of China, some hold that they doe amount to one hundred and twentie millions of gold yearely, which is so great a summe, as that great and sparing Emperour Vespasian neuer gathered so much together in his whole life. I know there are [ E] many doubt hereof, but it hath beene well auerred, that out of the onely towne of Canton, which is none of the richest or of greatest note vpon the Sea coast, the king receiues yearely one hundred and eightie thousand crownes of the impost of salt, and in another small towne neere vnto it, aboue one hundred thousand crownes yearely of the tenths of Rice onely. We haue no reason then to doubt that there enters not yearely into the kings coffers wonderfull heapes of gold and siluer, if we consider the spaciousnesse of so many prouinces, the great number of people, the contributions for euerie head, the customes for merchandise, the tenths of all sorts of fruit, the reuenue of mines, with other ayds, taxes, imposts, and subuentions. But the better to informe the Reader, it shall be fit to specifie euerie thing in particular.

[ F] For the effecting werereof, we must see what number of tributaries there be in euerie prouince, whereof the kings officers keepe a register for the leuying of the taxes and impositions; and withall we must obserue, that there are as many men which pay nothing, as doe pay; for that not any of the Loytians and officers of justice are taxed, neither are the souldiers both at sea and land, all which are exempt. Comming then vnto the point, I say with them that haue vndertaken to write and haue knowne it in the countrie, or [ A] learned it by some assured relations, that in the prouince of Paquia, the king h•th two millions seuen hundred and foure thousand men which pay him tribute: in the pr•u••e of Canton, three millions six hundred thousand: that of Foquien, two millions f••r•e hundred seuen thousand: that of Olam, hath two millions two hundred and fortie •housand: that of Cinsay, three millions three hundred and eightie thousand: that of Sulu••, two millions fiftie thousand: that of Tolanchia, in which prouince the king remaine•, six millions ninetie thousand: in that of Cansay, two millions three hundred and fiue thousand: that of Oquiam, three millions eight hundred thousand: that of Au•he•, two millions eight hundred and foure thousand: that of Honan, a million two hundred [ B] thousand: that of Xanton, a million nine hundred fortie foure thousand: that of Chequeam, two millions two hundred fortie foure thousand: and that of Sancij, which is the least of the fifteene prouinces, a million six hundred seuentie two thousand and fiue hundred.

The ordinarie tribute which is due for euerie one that hath a fire and dwelling, is of two Mases by the yeare, which is a kind of money in value as much as twelue pence of our English money: and although this tribute be verie small, and that the Loytias, who make a good part of the realme, nor the gouernors, officers, captaines, nor souldiers, pay not any thing; yet the multitude of people is so great, as onely that which is giuen for the expence of the kings person, and his palace, with that which the rights of customes, [ C] ports, and other rents may amount vnto, not accounting what is payed to Morrepayes, garrisons, and other souldiers of the realme, nor what is imployed in the repara•ion of towne walls, nor in the charges of armies, both by sea and land, with the entertainements of gouernours and officers of justice, all which enter not into this account: there remains of ordinarie reuenues vnto the king what I shall set downe in this place, the which 〈◊〉 beene drawne out of the bookes and registers of his accounts: yet the Chinois say, it is much lesse than is payed him at this day, and that this account was made in old time.

In fine gold, from seuenteene to two and twentie carats, they giue him foure millions two hundred fiftie six thousand nine hundred Tahes, whereof euerie one is worth [ D] ten royals, and foure and twentie marauedis of Castille, which in our money is about fiue shillings foure pence halfe penie. In fine siluer, three millions one hundred fiftie three thousand two hundred and nineteene Tahes. The pearles (whereof the countrie doth generally abound, although they be not verie round) are commonly worth vnto him two millions six hundred and thirtie thousand Tahes. In Muske and Amber, a million and fiue and thirtie thousand Tahes: and in Pourcelaine, ninetie thousand Tahes. Moreouer, the king hath much land throughout his realme, which he hath giuen to his subiects, vpon condition, to giue him part of that which they reape, or that growes thereon; and for this reason they pay him that which followeth:

In Rice, which is the ordinarie food of the realme, and of the neighbour countries, sixtie [ E] millions, one hundred seuentie one thousand eight hundred thirtie two measures: in Barley, twentie nine millions, three hundred ninetie one thousand nine hundred eightie two measures: in Wheat, thirtie three millions, one hundred and twentie thousand two hundred measures: in Salt, twentie fiue millions, three hundred and fortie thousand foure hundred measures, which he gathers out of his Salt-pits, and whereof he reape•• great reuenue yerely: in a kind of corne called Maiz, twentie millions, two hundred and fiftie thousand measures: in Millet, twentie foure thousand measures: in Panick, or Indian oats, foureteene millions, and two hundred thousand measures: then in other grai•, and diuers pulses, fortie millions, and two hundred thousand measures: in pee••• •f silke of foureteene ells long, two hundred and fiue thousand fiue hundred and nin•tie [ F] peeces: in Silke made vp in bundles, fiue hundred and fortie thousand pound weight: in Cottons three hundred thousand pound: Couerings wrought in colours, eight hundred thousand foure hundred: Chimantes of raw silke, euerie one weighing tw•l•e pounds and a halfe, three hundred eightie thousand: Couerings of cotton, of f••r•••••e [ A] ells a peece, six hundred seuentie and eight thousand eight hundred and seuentie: Chimantes of cotton, three hundred and foure thousand six hundred fortie and eight. All these things are leuied by the king of China, who imploieth part of it for the expence of his house, which is very great, and the other is reserued in his treasurie, in the which they assure there are many millions; which cannot otherwise be, seeing his reuenues are so great.

¶ The Forces.

[ B] HE that would not judge of the forces of the king of China by the great multitudes [ XXV] of men which are in his dominions should want vnderstanding; being well knowne that this force containes in it selfe all the rest. But to speake some thing in particular, the forces of the king of China are fitter to preserue than to increase. We may also see that his desseigne is to maintaine and defend that which he hath, not seeking to extend himselfe any farther; whereof the wall vpon the frontires of Tartaria is a sufficient testimonie. And truely he hath reason to content himselfe with that which he holds, seeing that the greatest princes of the earth doe enuie him. Moreouer if he should vndertake any conquest it would not succeed, for that notwithstanding he hath great numbers of ment, yet are they for the most part faint-hearted cowards, as well by reason of the delightes [ C] wherein they liue, as of their subiection, and the forme of gouernment which makes them exceeding fearefull. But to the end we may see in particular after what manner this king preserues himselfe, it shall be fit to consider of his preparations and m•n of warre, and the order which he holds in his Estates to preuent all inconueniences. For although at this present, and of late yeares the king of China hath liued in peace and without war, at the least of any importance, yet he is so carefull to prouide for all euents, as if he had many wars in hand, and great enemies to assaile him.

Notwithstanding that he hath in euery prouince a Councell of war, and in like manner a captaine generall, and many men entertained, so as in an instant he may leuie great armies both by sea and land, according to the occasions which shall be offered: yet he also [ D] maintaines captaines and souldiers for the defence of euery towne where they keepe watch and ward, goe the round, and set sentinells by night, as if the enemies were at their gates. These companies being in guard, suffer none to enter nor go forth without permission from the Iudge of the towne, and the gates are open and shut by appointment from these captaines, who send it daily written vpon a boord blanched ouer with plaister, and signed with their hands. In these ports they hold all the force and defence of their townes, and they plant their artillerie there. Whenas they shut the gates at night, they glue a paper vpon the ioints thereof, the which they seale with a signer which the Gouernor or l•dge of the towne weares vpon his finger, and to this end he goes in person, or else sends some one thither that is very trustie: and they may not open them in [ E] the morning vntill the seale be viewed, and that they are assured it is in the same estate they left it. So as if any one haue a desire to go out of the towne or to make a iourney in hast, he goes forth in the euening before the gates be shut, and lodgeth in the suburbes; else it is impossible for him to depart early, for that they neuer open before Sunrising.

They set sentinells by night, and change them at their houres, and there are some which alwaies go the round with a good number of souldiers. And the better to keepe the townes in peace, it is not lawfull for them to beare any offensiue or defensiue armes, vnlesse they be souldiers whom the king entertaines, neither may they haue any in their houses, or carrie them in the fields. Besides all this, the king hath in the towne of Taybin, [ F] otherwise called Suntien, and in like manner in the neighbour townes, a great armie of foot and horse, the which he imploies for all accidents that may happen in those places, and also for the guard, safetie, and maiestie of his person.

The souldiers of this realme are of two sorts: the one are borne in those towns where [ XXVI] they are set in guard, and they are called Cum, in their language: they succeed in these places from father to sonne, and if any chance to die without heires, the king 〈…〉 [] others in their places. Euery one hath his name written on a battlement of 〈…〉 ther he is bound to go if the enemie comes against the towne. The other soul• 〈◊〉 strangers, and entertained by the moneth or by the yeare, and these are they wh••• 〈◊〉 commonly stand sentinell, and doe attend the captaines: moreouer they are subiect to march wheresoeuer they are commaunded, and they are called in their language Po•.

Euery troupe of a thousand men hath a Captaine and an Ensigne beater, and euery companie of a hundred hath in like manner a Captaine and an Ensigne bearer which depend of the other: wherefore to know the number of men which are in a great armie, it is only needfull to reckon the Ensignes of a thousand men which are very wel known. [ B] Euery Captaine as well of a hundred as of a thousand men hath a house built vp•• the wall, and his name written thereon, in which place he must remaine during the wars. The Captaines do euery moneth as well in the time of peace as warre, traine their souldiers, and teach them to mannage the armes which they vse with dexte••tie, the which are commonly harquebuzes, pikes, targets, swords, poles with yron heads, and others made like an halfe Moone, battaile axes, daggers, and corslets.

The horsemen haue foure swords hanging at their saddles, and fight with two at once with great dexteritie. They are accustomed to enter into battaile being enuironed with many of their houshould seruants on foot, who are furnished and armed as well as possible they can. These horsemen are politicke and expert in matters of war as well as the [ C] footmen, and haue many stratagems. They vse great engines of fire, and especially certaine boxes of fire full of points of yron and long arrowes made of gun poulder, wherewith they do much annoy their enemies. The horsemen fight with bowes, arrowes, and launces, and with two swords as we haue said, and some do also carrie haquebuzes. They do not mannage their horses well, for that they put an yron onely in the mouth, which serues for a bit, and for to stay them; they gouerne them with a raine, vsing cries, and whips which they beare. Their saddles are ill made, and they are all in a manner lightly armed, and bad horsemen.

[ XVII] As for the sea, the king vseth the like care that he doth vpon the land, and doth commonly entertaine a great number of fleets with their Generalls and Captaines who doe [ D] carefully keepe the coasts of all his dominions. They pay their souldiers exceeding well, and they that behaue themselues well are rewarded according to their merits. Whenas the Chinois take any prisoner in the wars, they are not accustomed to kill him, but they onely make him to serue a Mortpay vpon the frontires which are most remote from his countrie, in which place he is entertained by the king like vnto the rest. These 〈◊〉 do all weare red caps to distinguish them from others: and as for the rest of their garments they differ not from the Chinois: and they that are condemned for any crime to serue vpon the frontires, do also weare red caps.

[ XVIII] It remaines now to treat in particular of the men of war which all the realme in generall, and euery prouince by it selfe doth entertaine. There is as I haue said in the chiefe [ E] towne of euery prouince a Councell of warre, consisting of foure Councellors and a President, whose charge is to haue care for the defence and preseruation of that prouince. They are called among them, Captaines, and they prouide for all officers, and all munition of war which they send to those places where neede requires. And tothe end nothing may be wanting in this case, they of the Councell of the treasure haue commandement to deliuer vnto them whatsoeuer they shall demaund without any delay. The number of men of war that were in euery prouince in the yeare 1577, whenas F. Martin Her••e was in this realme (which was in a time of peace) was as followeth.

In the prouince of Paguia, whereas the king liues most commonly, there were two millions, one hundred and fiftie thousand foot, and foure hundred thousand horsemen: [ F] in that of Canton, one hundred and twentie thousand foot, and fortie thous•nd ho•se: in that of Foquien fiftie eight thousand and nine hundred foot, and two thousand and foure hundred horse: in that of Olam, seuentie six thousand foot, and twentie fiue thousand and fiue hundred horse: in that of Cinsay, eightie thousand and three hundred 〈◊〉[ A] and few or no horse at all, for that the prouince is full of mountaines: in that of Oquiam, one hundred twentie thousand and six hundred foot, and no horse for the same reason: in that of Susuan, eightie six thousand foot, and thirtie foure thousand fiue hundred horse: in that of Tolanchia, which confines with the Tartarians, two millions eight hundred thousand foot, and two hundred and ninetie thousand horse which are the best of the whole realme, and most esteemed, for that they are bred vp in armes, which they did often practise when they had ordinarie wars against the Tartarians: in that of Cansay, fiftie thousand foot, and twentie thousand two hundred and fiftie horsemen: in that of Honan, fortie foure thousand foot, and eighteene thousand nine hundred horse: in [ B] that of Quicheu, fortie eight thousand seuen hundred foot, and fifteene thousand three hundred horsemen: in that of Chequeam, thirtie foure thousand foot, and thirteene thousand horsemen: and in that of Sancij, fortie thousand foot, and six thousand horsemen onely. According vnto this computation, we see that these 15 Prouinces containe fiue millions eight hundred fortie six thousand fiue hundred footmen, and nine hundred fortie eight thousand three hundred and fiftie horsemen. Their horses are fit to make long journeys, but small for the most part; yet (some say) in the heart of the realme they haue greater which are verie good.

Vpon the frontiers of the realme there are verie small forts, but towards Tartaria they haue their wall whereof we haue made mention, which is a safe rampier for the whole [ C] realme. If there be any bruit of warre on that side, the guards haue no sooner made a signe, but they run from the boroughs and villages thereabouts vnto their forts, vntill the Generalls and Captaines come with their armie. To conclude, this realme is so well guarded of all sides, both by sea and land, as whosoeuer should haue any dessigne to inuade it, should vndertake a worke which should breed him discontentment, according to humane reason. We must now see who be neighbours to the king of China, the better to judge who may annoy him. There is not any prince by land whose power he should feare, except the great Cham of Tartaria: but by sea he confines with them of Iapon, and the Spaniards: As for Iapon it is diuersly distant from China. They account sixtie leagues from Gote, an island of Iapon, vnto the towne of Liampo, and two hundred [ D] ninetie seuen vnto the towne of Canton. The Iaponois doe ordinarily annoy them of China, running along their coast, and sometimes spoyling the countrie where they land, and to conclude, they doe more trouble the Chinois by their incursions, thefts, and murthers, than by open warre, for that Iapon being diuided into many Islands and Principalities, which for the most part disagree, they cannot go against them of China, but in small numbers: yet they are more couragious and warlike than the Chinois: on the other side, this realme confines with the Philippines held by the Spaniards, which are suspected in this countrie, and not without cause, for that the Philippines are so scituated, as they may giue much annoyance to the Chinois. They haue also the like consideration of the Portugalls, who are in like manner subiects to the king of Spaine: yet the king of [ E] China, in regard of traffique, hath suffered them to stay in the little Island of Macao, whereas they haue planted a Colonie, but verie weake, for that they are wholly subiect to the will of the Chinois, who distrusting them for the friendship and intelligence which they haue with the Spaniards of the Philippines, restraine them daily of the libertie of traffique, and seeke to make them retire to the Indies of their owne accord.

¶ The Gouernement.

ALl these great Prouinces which we haue formerly described, are vnder the dominion [ XXIX] of one only king (and the Chinois are not acquainted with the names of Earle, Marquis, [ F] or Duke) there being no other to whom they pay impost or toll. The king giues all offices, and nobilitie it selfe, and he is not onely honoured as a King, but adored in a maner as God. This is apparant, for that in euerie Prouince they haue the Kings Portrait made of gold, the which is alwaies couered with a vaile, but at euerie new Moone, at which time the magistrats go & kneele before it as if it were the king himselfe, the which doth wonderfully daunt the courage of those people, and makes them rather slaues than [ A] subiects to their prince.

They haue lawes written for aboue two thousand yeares, which continue in the same estate they were in the beginning, as the Chinois affirme. And for that the studie of this law is the gate whereby they enter into honours and publique charges, many studie it seriously, and doe nothing but dispute among themselues of politique affaires, and of the meanes how to gouerne the Estate well: and when occasion is offered, they are curious to learne of strangers which come into their Ports. The king entertaines professors in a manner in all his townes. They chuse infants in Scholes, and young men well aduanced, whom they send vnto the Vniuersitie, where there are men which haue a great care ouer [ B] them, and if they find any Schollers that are disordered or slouthful, they are content for the first time to admonish and reprehend them; the second time, they punish them; and the third, they expell them ignominiously; and on the other side, they commend and incourage them that doe their dueties. Moreouer, the Visitors appointed by the king doe euarie third yeare make a publique visitation of the Vniuersities, whereas they make solemne promotions.

Whenas any Visitor hath ended his visitation of the prouince, he causeth a publique proclamation to be made, whereby he ordains, That all the Schollers which will take the degree of Loytia (which is as much as that of Doctor amongst vs, although the word of Loytia signifies in their language a Knight) should come vnto the chiefe Towne: being there all assembled at the time appointed, and presenting themselues before the Visitor, [ C] they make a list of them all, and appoint what day they shall be examined. The day being come, the Visitor inuites all the Loytias of learning, which are in the towne; and the feast being ended, they altogether examine them with much rigour, asking many questions of the Schollers, especially concerning the lawes and ordinances of the realme, by the which they must be judged and gouerned. If he finds any that are learned, and moreouer, knowes they are vertuous, he puts them in a list, and appoints them a day when they shall receiue the degree: the which they vse to giue with great ceremonies, and before many persons, in whose presence the Visitor giues them, in the Kings name, the markes and ensignes of this degree, with the name and title of Loytias; and these [ D] markes are, a girdle garnished with gold or siluer, & a hat which hath two tippets hanging behind. And although that all the Loytias (as well they that attaine vnto it by learning, as others which haue it by armes, or by the kings speciall grace) haue the same name and title of Loytias, yet are they not of like credit and authoritie: for they of the Councell royall, with Gouernours, Viceroyes, and Visitors, are Loytias by examen, and Captaines, Generalls, and Treasurers, are by the Kings grace, in recompence of some seruices: the later haue no greater freedomes or nobilitie, and haue no more honour than the other Loytias, of which number there are many in euerie towne. There are also others of great esteeme, which are put in the second degree, and these be they which attaine vnto the dignitie by armes, being made by Generalls, who haue power from the [ E] king, they hauing made proofe of their persons in the presence of witnesses worthie of credit. Besides the title, they giue vnto these, meanes to entertaine themselues honourably, and with profit, and this makes all souldiers striue to doe well, to receiue this reward. As for their manner of leading the Graduat through the towne, it is thus:

On the day appointed to giue the degree, all the Loytias assemble againe together with the Visitor in the Kings hall, where they made the examination, being all in good order, and in their best apparell, they come in that should receiue the degree, being in their hose and doublets, euerie one hauing before him a godfather, with the ornaments which he is to giue his godsonne; which markes or ornaments eue•ie one demaunds with great humilitie, of the Visitor, kneeling vpon his knee. Whereupon the Visitor causeth [ F] [] them to take an oath after this manner: That in all offices and charges whereunto they shall be aduaunced, they shall carrie themselues vprightly, doing justice equally to all men, and receiue no presents: and that they shall be faithfull vnto the King, and neuer consent to any treason against him, with many other things whereon they stay long.

[ A] The oath being taken, the Visitor speaking vnto them in the kings person, puts on them the foresaid markes and ensignes, and at the same time he embraceth them, being followed therein by the other Loytias that are present. After all this, they go out of the hall in order, and then they ring the bells of the towne, which are great and many throughout the realme; and at the same instant they shoot off their ordnance, which done, they lead these new graduats through the towne (being well accompanied) after this manner. Before, there go a good number of souldiers with drums, trumpets, and other instruments; and after them follow many mace bearers; then follow the Loytias on horsebacke, or in couered chaires, all in ranke: after march the godfathers, & behind them the new graduats [ B] in their hose and dublets, mounted on goodly white horses, with rich caparisons of cloth of gold, either of them carrying a liuerie of tapistrie vpon his shoulder, and on his head a hat which hath two pendents behind like a bishops miter. Vpon this hat there are two nosegaies of gold or siluer gilt, made like vnto a branch of palme. Before euery one of them they carrie six pillars of wood, which are borne by 4 men, betwixt the which there is a peece of sattin spread abroad, on which there is written in letters of gold the triall which hath been made of the graduat, together with the title which they giue him for this cause, & his armes, with many other things which I omit, for that I would not be sotedious as they are in this ceremonie, which continues eight houres. From that day the new Loytias are capable of all offices, and to hold any gouernment whatsoeuer; for the [ C] attaining whereof, he goes presently to court, & in his iourney is honored of all men, and lodged in the kings houses, which are in euery place for them of his qualitie. Being come to court he goes and doth his dutie to the presidents & auditors of the kings Councel, either of them promising to prefer him when occasion is offered, & from that time he is put in the register of the Councell, still courting the auditors to be aduanced to some place.

The king hath in the citie of Tabin a councel composed of 12 auditors or councellors, [ XXXI] with a president, choise men, & well experienced in affaires. To be of this Councel, they must not only be well learned in morall and naturall philosophie, and well seene in the lawes of the land, but it is also requisit they be Astrologers, and iudicious in prognostications, for that (say they) whosoeuer shal be of this soueraigne Councel (by which all the [ D] fifteen prouinces are gouerned) must know how to prognosticate of times, and of future things, to the end they may prouide for the insuing necessities of the realme. These twelue auditors doe commonly sit in councell in the kings pallace, where there is a hall richly appointed with thirteene seats, six be of gold, & six of siluer; but the thirteenth is richer than the rest, for that it is inricht with many precious stones of great value. This seat is in the middest of the twelue, vnder a cloth of estate of cloth of gold, whereon are imbrodered the kings armes, which are serpents wouen with gold thred. There the President sits if the king be not in councel himselfe. If he be there, the president sits then in the first seat on the right hand, which six are of gold. Euery one hath his ranke by antiquitie according to the which they succeed one another in these seats. When as one seat is void, [ E] the auditors and president go to a new election, and if he that hath most voices be absent, and gouernes some prouince, they send for him; but if he be present, they conduct him vnto the king, to whom they giue a reason for the election they haue made, and then he may confirme him if he please, or disauow him. If he be confirmed by the king, he presently takes an oath in a maner like vnto that whereof we haue made mention. This oath being taken, they conduct him to the seat that is void vpon the left hand, and put him in possession with great solemnitie. Not any one but the president of this councell speakes vnto the king when need requires: or if he fall sicke, the most ancient auditor of the golden seats. In this councell they know monethly what passeth throughout the realme, being worthie of knowledge; whereof they neuer faile, for that the gouernors of prouinces [ F] haue expresse commandement to send in writing whatsoeuer happens in euery prouince, whither it be matter of warre, of s•ate, of treasure, or any other thing: the which they performe so carefully, as notwithstanding that a prouince be 500 leagues distant from the court, yet the post sailes not to come at the day appointed, for that they which arriue first attend the last vntill the day assigned to giue in the aduertisements, and they that are far off, hauing a desire their post should come as soone as the rest, send many and [ A] enioine them to make such speed as they incounter one another. These aduertisements being view•d by the councell, and a summarie discourse taken of all by the president, he makes report vnto the king, and if there be any thing that requires redresse, he and ••s councel giue order presently for it, & if there be any one appointed to be sent in com••ssion for that busines, he goes so secretly as he is at the place to make enquirie before that any man knows any thing of the busines, or of the towne where it is executed. Although these officers haue great authoritie, and that the realme be of a great extent, yet there is neither vice-roy, gouernor, nor judge whatsoeuer can put a man to death by justice, vnlesse the king with his councel confirme the sentence, except it be in a time of war when it is lawfull for the general of an armie or his lieutenant to execute a souldier which [ B] hath committed any crime, without aduertising the king or his councel therof, taking only the aduise of the kings treasurer, & of the campe maister, both which are men of great authoritie, and must concurre in opinion; otherwise they may not execute any.

The prouinces of Paquia, & Tolanchia are gouerned by the kings great councell, by the ministerie of officers which are sent thither; and the 13 other prouinces haue euery one a vice roy or gouernor, whom they cal Insuanto, who make his aboad in the chiefe town. And although officers and men of justice within the realme are generally called Loytias, yet euery one of them hath a particular name according to the office which he beares.

[ XXXII] The vice-roy, who is the soueraigne magistrate in euery prouince, and who represents [ C] the kings person, is called Comon. The second in dignitie who is gouernor of the whole prouince, is called Insuanto. The corrector who remaines in e•ery towne where there is neither vice-roy nor gouernor, is named Tutan, which corrector goes to treat of the affaires of importance of euery towne with the Insuanto, & he confers with the Comon, whose charge is to send a post to the king and his councell, as we haue said. The third is called Ponchasi, and is as it were president of the councell of the Finances, hauing auditors or concellors, with many officers vnder him, as sergeants who serue to leuie the kings reuenues in euery prouince, which reuenue is carried by the Ponchasi to the Tutan, hauing paied the wages with the ordinarie and extra ordinarie charges of the kings officers which are in the prouince. The fift is the Anchasi, who is the president of ciuile and criminal [ D] justice, & decides with his officers all suits of controuersies that come before him by appeale from other judges of the prouince. The six is the Aytao, who is puruciour geneneral, & president of the councel of war; his charge is to leuie men when need requires, and to prepare shipping and munition for their armi•s both by sea and land, and for the ordinarie garrisons of towne and fronti•e places: he hath also power to examine strangers which come into his prouince, and to know of them whence they are, and why they come, with such like, he giues aduice thereof vnto the vice-roy. Either of these six hath ten auditors of his councell which be choise men, and assist him in the expedition of affaires.

When as they are in the hall where they hold the councell (which is in the viceroys [ E] lodging) in which there is also a particular hall for euerie councell, fiue of them sit on the right hand of the president, and the other fiue on the left. They of the right hand are more ancient and differ from the rest, for they weare rich girdles garnished with gold, and hats of a pale colour, wheras the others haue girdles of siluer, and blew hats. As well auditors as presidents carrie vpon their breasts and shoulders the kings armes imbrodred in gold vpon their gownes, without the which they cannot doe any publicke act; and if they should attempt it, they should not only be disobeyed, but also seuerely punished in the time of algenerall visitation. Besides these Iudges aboue mentioned, there are others inferiour and subalt•rnall, which be the Cautoc, who is the great standard bea•er•; 〈◊〉 Pochin which is the second treasurer; the Pochinsi who keepes the kings sca•e; the [ F] Autzatzi, which is as it were the Maior or Prouost of the towne. There are 〈◊〉 three which are like vnto the Alcades, Prouosts, or Iudges of the court of Spaine, called in their language Huitay, Tzia, and Tontay, who giue audience in their 〈◊〉 once a weeke, and when the houre comes to open the gate, they discharge •ou•e in all [ A] peeces of ordnance, to giue notice to all men that they are going to their seats, whereas they beare all that wi•l demaund justice. If they find any one that hath offended, they send him with a Sergeant (for euerie one of these Iudges hath ten or twelue) vnto the ordinarie Iudges of the towne (who are called Zompau) and are distributed into quarters with a writing, wherein is set downe the punishment which he must vndergo which hath committed the offence. Euerie one of these ordinarie Iudges hath a thousand inhabitants vnder his charge▪ and their jurisdiction extends not out of their quarter, neither may any one be Iudge in that quarter where his house stands. Euerie one of them goes by night about his quarter, and takes order that men be quiet in their houses, and that [ B] they put out their lights in due season, to auoid the daunger of fire, whereunto they are often subiect, for that their houses are close, and neere one vnto another, hauing the top made of wood like vnto those of Biscay. If he finds any at an vnseasonble houre that hath light burning, he is seuerely punisht. They appeale from these vnto the Prouosts or Iudges of the Court, but not from the rest; and this appeale goes vnto the Visitor generall, who repaires the errours committed by them all, and for this cause he is called in their language Hondin, that is to say, a repairer of euill.

Besides these, there are also other priuat officers, as the Tompo, who hath the care of [ XXXIII] victualls, and sets the tax; the Tibuc, who apprehends and punisheth vagabonds and idle persons; the Quinchy, who is like to the great Prouost; and the Chomcan, who is the [ C] ouerseer of the prison; of which officer they make great account, by reason of the prerogatiue he hath to speake standing vnto the Iudges, after that he hath kneeled downe at his comming in; for all others speake vnto them kneeling. Aboue all these officers, there is one which is called Quinchay, that is to say, in their language, Seale of gold, who neuer departs from the Court but for some verie important affaires, concerning the peace and tranquilitie of the whole realme. He hath a speciall care that the Viceroy, Gouernor, or Auditor be not borne in that place whether he is sent in charge, to preuent the dangers and inconueniences which may happen by the friendship of kinsfolkes, or hatred of enemies, which would hinder the course of justice. The king giues sufficient wages vnto them all, for that it is forbidden, vpon great penalties (to them that sue) to giue any presents [ D] vnto their Iudges, and also for the Iudges to take any thing. And whenas the great Councell sends them, they are enioyned not to suffer any sutor or solicitor to come and visit them in their lodgings, nor to pronounce any judiciall act but in open Court, and their officers being present, the which is done after this maner: The Iudge being set, the vshers go to the entrie of the hall, and name with a loud voice the person that comes for justice, and they also del•uer what he demands. The suppliant enters, and presently falls vpon his knees a good distance from the Iudge, where he propounds with a loud voice what he demaunds, as the vshers had done before, or else he deliuers it in writing. If his demand be in writing, one of the registers receiues it, and reads it before the Iudge, who hauing heard it, doth presently decree what he h•lds to be just, marking the demand with [ E] his owne hand with red inke, and commanding that which he will haue done. The Iudges are bound by the king to giue audience tasting, & it is a custome to inuiolable, as he that should infringe it should be punished. By these proceedings, it is impossible for an officer to be corrupted, but some one of his companions in office shall know it.

If any one failes in that which concernes his charge, they presently put a little flagge into his hand, and make him to hold it kneeling, vntill that the audience doth rise, and then the Iudge commaunds the executioner (who is there present) to beat him, who giues him as many blowes as the offence seemes to deserue; and this is not infamous among them, for that it is an ordinarie thing.

In all suits, as well ciuile as criminall, the Iudges proceed alwayes by writing, and [ F] make their acts, and examine the witnesses publiquely in the presence of officers, least they should vse some subtiltie and falshood, asking them some questions which are not pertinent nor necessarie, or writing that which they depose not. They examine euerie witnesse particularly, and if they be contrarie in their depositions, they confront them all, and examine them vntill they come for to deb•te it together, to the end, that by the reasons which they deliuer, truth may be the better knowne: and whenas they cannot [ A] wrest it out plainely by this meanes, they put them to the racke, to make them speake the truth, vnlesse they be men of qualitie, whom they hold to speake truely, giuing credit to their words without any torture. In matters of great importance, and which concerne great personages, the Iudges doe not trust their registers to write the informations, but they write all the acts with their owne hands: and their diligence is the cause that seldome any complaine that they haue beene wronged by their Iudges. The Iudges number all the houses that are in their jurisdictions, and put them by tens in tables, which are hung at euerie house which makes the last of ten; wherein are written the names of the ten maisters of those housholds, with an ordinance, by the which they are enioyned, that [ B] as soone as any of them shall doe any thing to the preiudice of the Commonweale, or of their neighbours, they shall presently declare it vnto the Iustice, to the end, that his punishment may serue for an amendment to him, and an example to others: and whosoeuer shall faile to make this declaration, he shall be forced to vndergo the punishment which the other had deserued.

Whenas any one of these ten will change his street, or go to dwell in some other towne, or vndertake a long journey, he is bound to ring a little bell, or a copper basin, throughout his quarter, ten daies before he goes, and to aduertise his neighbours of his intent, and of the place whether he goes, to the end, that if he owes any money, or they haue lent him any thing, they may demand it before his departure. And if any one go [ C] away, and hath not vsed this diligence, the Iudges compell the rest of the ten (whose names are in the table) to pay his debt, for that they had not giuen notice of his departure, and aduertised his creditors, and the Iustice.

As for such as owe, and will not pay, the debt being verified, they haue execution against their goods, and if they haue not wherewithall to satisfie, they are put in prison, giuing them a certaine time to pay it, and if they pay it not within that time, or satisfie their creditors, they are whipt gently for the first time, and then they haue a second terme limited vnto them, within the which if they doe not satisfie, they are whipt more sharpely than at the first, after which they prescrible a longer time, which if they doe not keepe, they are most cruelly beaten: for this reason, euerie man is carefull to pay what [ D] he owes, or to sue vnto his friends to helpe to free him, or else he giues himselfe vnto his creditor to be his slaue, for feare of this torment. These Iudges vse two kinds of torture, they giue one vnto the feet, and the other vnto the hands: and neither the one not the other are neuer giuen them but when there are so many presumptions, as they may serue for a sufficient proofe. The soueraigne Iudges assist whenas they giue these tortures, the which is seldome, for that offenders confesse the truth before they are brought vnto it. As for prisons, they are verie strait and cruell. And although that euerie one of these Iudges is but three yeres in charge, and must giue an account of all that he hath done during the time, before certaine Iudges that are deputed, whom they call Chaenes, yet the prince doth send euerie yeare into all the prouinces, visitors, called Leuchiz, who are [ E] knowne to be good Iusticers, and men of an vpright life. These visitors make inquirie in euerie place, yet they discouer not themselues, and they informe themselues secretly of the wrongs the Iudges doe in the prouince, and if these find that the Iudges haue erred, they may punish them, or suspend them for a time, or depriue them of their offices: and to conclude they may doe what they shall thinke fit, so as they presume not to giue sentence of death against any one, for that no magistrat may do it before he knows the kings pleasure. These visitors haue also power sometimes to recompence them whom they find to haue behaued themselues well in their charges, yea to giue them places, and more honourable aduancements: so as rewards and punishments being certaine, •ue•e man striues to doe well, which makes it one of the best ordered countries in the world. [ F]

[ XXXIIII] The punishments which they vse are to hang, burne, and impale, yet none are burnt but such as haue beene traitors to the king. Adulterers are all condemned to die, and they that suffer them, or consent vnto them are punished exemplarily, with paines inuented to that effect.

[ A] All men are forbidden vpon paine of death to begin, or make war in any place without [ XXXV] expresse leaue from the king and his councell; and also that no man vndertake a voiage by sea without the like leaue: and there is a law, that no man shall go to trafficke but in giuing caution to returne within the time limited, vpon paine of banishment and losse of his freedome: and in like maner, that no stranger shall enter into the realme either by land or sea, without leaue from the king, or the gouernors of the ports and other places where he shall arriue, and that the gouernors shall not suffer him without great consideration, hauing first aduertised the king.

At this day the gouernors of ports dispence sometimes with their going forth, notwithstanding [ B] this law, hauing certaine presents giuen them by the merchants, to whom they giue leaue secretly to go and trafficke secretly in the prouinces and Islands that lye neere, as at the Philippines and other places, yea there were three merchants of China which went to Mexico in the yeare 1585. Yet they neuer haue this leaue before they put in caution to returne home within a yeare.

The Iudges and Gouernors do also suffer strangers for gifts to enter into their ports, and to buy and to sell their commodities, giuing them this leaue vpon condition that they shall not go vp and downe their townes, not stay to obserue any thing that is secret. They giue this leaue in writing vpon a plaistered board, the which strangers set vp on the prow of their ships whenas they come into any port, to the end the guards of that place [ C] may do them no wrong, but suffer them to buy and sell, in paying the rights due vnto the king. There is a Register in euery port appointed by the Gouernour, who sets downe in writing the day and houre when any ship doth enter, with an order how he must lade according to their entrie into the port. So as although you shall sometimes see two thousand vessells great and small in one port, yet they haue their ladings with as little bruit as if there were but one.

Their poore beg not in the streets, nor at their temples whereas they pray vnto their idolls, and there is a law by the which they are forbidden to beg, and all others are enioined not to giue them any thing that aske, but to declare them vnto the Iudge of the poore, who is alwaies one of the chiefe of euery place, and hath no other care but to prouide [ D] for the necessities of the poore, not contradicting the law. This Iudge makes a publicke proclamation the first day that he enters into office, that any man or woman that hath a child so decayed, as it is not able to worke, they shall come and bring in his name to him, to the end he may prouide for that which shall be necessarie, according to the kings ordinance, which is, that the child being brought, hauing first seene his imperfections, if he be held capable to exercise any art or office, they appoint the father a time in the which he is bound to put him to a trad, and to make him to learne that for the which the Iudge thinkes he is fit. If the child be so ill as it is not fit for any thing, the Iudge commaunds the father that he shall keepe it in his house during life, if he haue wherewithall; but if he haue no meanes, or if it hath no father, he sends it to the neerest and richest kinsman, [ E] and for want of him he enioines all the kinsfolkes to contribute towards the breeding it vp, and to giue something to him that keepes the infant. If it hath no kinsfolks, or they be so poore, as they are not able to keepe the child; the king then breeds it vp at his owne charge, and keeps it in the hospitalls which he hath in euery towne of his realme, where they also put old and needy m•n, who haue spent their youth in the war for the seruice of the king and countrie. No poore may go out of the precincts of the hospitall without the permission of the Iudge, or of the Ouerseer that is vnder him, and this is neuer granted but for some necessarie voiage that they would make. These poore old men breed vp within these hospitalls, hens, pigs, and many other beasts, which they vse as well for recreation as profit. The Iudge doth often visit the Administrator or Ouerseet, [ F] and is also visited by another which comes expresly from court to visit the hospitalls of the prouince. Blind people in this countrie are not held fit to be kept by the king or by their kinsfolkes, for that they either make them to labour in their mills to grind wheat or rice, or else they blow the bellowes in smiths forges, or do some other worke whereas the •ight is not required. And if it be a maiden that is blind, when she is great she becomes a strumpet, and these young women haue a mother among them which dresseth them, and [ A] is one of those that hath left the trade, for that she is old and vnprofitable. All these lasciuious women lodge in the suburbes of townes, and they are strictly enioined to continue there, and not to go out of their doores whilest they vse that trade.

Poore widowes which are in necessitie may sell their children to relieue them, & therfore there are many rich merchants which trafficke much therein, buying young virgins whom they breed vp very carefully, teaching them to sing, to play of instruments, and such like: then when they are come to the state of women, they lead them to certaine houses appointed for strumpets. The first day that they put a maiden to this trade, before they prostitute her in a publicke place they lead her before a Iudge whom the king [ B] entertaines in euery towne to haue the charge of such women. This Iudge receiues her and installs her with his owne hand in this publike place, and from that day he that bred her vp hath no more jurisdiction ouer her, but comes euery moneth vnto the Iudge to receiue that which hath beene taxed by him, and moreouer he is paid for all the time that he kept her, and satisfied the money which he gaue for her when he bought her, and for her teaching. There are blind women, and others which giue all that remaines (whenas their foster father is paid) vnto their Iudge, & he keeps it faithfully, and giues an account yearely vnto the Visitors; then when they grow old he deliuers it vnto them with his owne hand, measuring it in such sort as they may haue no necessitie: and if it so happens, they giue them wages to maintaine them, to the end they may dresse the blind women, [ C] or else they put them into the hospitall which the king entertaines for such as haue no meanes to liue.

As for little boyes whose mothers do also sell them for neede, they put them to a trade, and when they haue learned it, they are to serue him that breeds them vp for a certaine time; after which they are bound to giue them their liberties, and moreouer to seek them wiues, to marrie them, and to settle them in some place where they may get their liuing, whereunto they are constrained by the course of justice, if they will not do it willingly. On the other side young men are bound for an acknowledgement of the benefit they haue receiued, to go vnto them that haue bred them vp the first day of euery yeare, and some other daies with certaine presents. [ D]

In the buying of commodities they vse no money coyned, but to preuent all deceipt, they buy and sell by the weight of siluer clipt, and to that end they carrie a paire of sheers in their bosomes with a paire of ballance in a case of wood. If there be any question of greater weight, they haue scales in their houses with weights hauing the kings marke: they coine no money, but peeces of copper of a farthing value pierced through and tied together, which serues to supplie siluer that is weighed, or else to buy smal commodities. Vsurers (a plague to a commonweale) being surprised in their villanies, are among other punishments condemned in great fines. It is onely lawfull for lame men, impotent, and blind men, among the meaner sort to lend money to interest for their reliefe.

¶ The Religion. [ E]

[ XXXV] THey are all idolaters in China, except some whom the Iesuits haue conuerted, and these are very few in number. To describe the Idols which they worship, they haue one of a strange forme, to the which they do greatest honour. They paint it with a bodie, out of whose shoulders come three heads which looke one vpon another, which signifie (as they say) that all three haue but one will, which make some thinke that in former times they had some knowledge of the Christian religion. There is also (as some affirme) certaine pictures of the fashion and with the markers of the twelue Apostles: but when as any one demaunds of them of the countrie what manner of men these twelue Apostles [ F] were, they aunswere that they were great Philosophers which liued vertuously, and therefore they were made Angells in heauen. They haue also the picture of an exceeding faire woman, holding a child in her armes, where of they said she was deliuered being a virgin, and that she had beene daughter to a great king.

[ A] They beleeue that heauen is the creator of all visible and inuisible things, and ma•ke it by the first character of their Alphabet, and say, that heauen hath a Gouernour for things aboue, which they call Laocon Tzautey, that is to say in their language, the Gouernour of the great god; and they worship this as the greatest next vnto the Sun. They hold that this Gouernor was not created, but hath bin from the beginning, and that he hath no bodie, but is a spirit. They say also, that there is another spirit of the same nature, which they call Cansay, to whom he hath giuen the charge of things vpon earth, and who hath the life and death of men in his hands. This Cansay hath three subiects vnder him, which be also spirits, and assist him in his gouernement: Their names are Tanquam, [ B] Teiquam, and Tzuiquam, and either of them hath distinct power: Tanquam hath the charge of raine, and to prouide water for the earth: Teiquam is he by whom men are borne, and who hath charge of warre, corne, and fruits: Tzuiquam hath the gouernement of the Sea, and of such as go by Sea. They offer sacrifices vnto them, and demand of them those things which are in their power. They also make many vowes vnto them, and promise them playes and enterludes, which they represent before these Idols.

They doe also hold a great number of men for Saints, which haue exceeded others in valour, knowledge, or industrie, or that haue led an austere life, and in like manner those which haue liued without doing wrong to any man, whom they call in their language Pausaos, that is to say, verie happie. They doe sacrifice also vnto the deuill, although [ C] they know that he is wicked and reprobate, to the end (say they) that he doe them no harme in their persons or goods. They haue moreouer such a number of other Idolls, as to auoid teadiousnesse I will onely make choice of three, which they honour exceedingly.

The first of these Saints or Idols was called Sichia, which comes out of the realme of Trantheyco, that lies towards the West. This was the inuenter of the religious men and women which are in the realme, who liue in common without marrying, and are perpetually kept in. And for that Sichia did weare no haire, they that follow him haue none also.

They haue moreouer, a Goddesse or Saint, called Quanina, who was daughter to king [ D] Tzonton, that had three daughters, whereof he married two, and intending also to marrie Quanina, she would not, saying, That she had made a vow to heauen to liue alwaies in chastitie. The father was much discontented, and for despight put her into a place in maner of a Monasterie, causing her to carrie water and wood, and to make cleane a great garden which he had. The Chinois report, that Apes came vnto her to helpe her, that the Saints of heauen drew water for her, that birds made cleane the garden with their bills, and that great beasts came from the mountaines to bring her wood; the which the king her father knowing, and conceiuing that she did it by inchauntment, he caused the place to be set on fire, wherein she was: she seeing that they burnt this place for her occasion, would haue put into her mouth a great siluer pin wherewith the fastened her [ E] haire, but instantly there fell a great innundation of water which quenched the fire. Then she fled away, and went to hide her selfe in a mountaine, whereas she did great penance, and liued verie religiously; and the father was eaten with leprosie and wormes, which no physicke could helpe, by reason of the sinne which he had committed. His daughter hearing of his infirmitie, by a spirit of diuination, came vnto him to cure him, who when he knew her, craued pardon of her, and worshipt her. At the same instant, the daughter seeing that her father would worship her againe, sought to hinder it, but not able to doe it, a Saint (as they write) stept before her, to let him know that the adoration was done vnto him, and not vnto her; and then sodainly she retired to her solitarie life, whereas she died religiously. They hold her for a great Saint, and pray her to obtaine pardon for them [ F] from heauen, where as they beleeue she is.

They doe also hold one for a Saint called Neoma, borne at Cochi, in the prouince of Oquiam. They say she was daughter to one of the chiefe of the countrie, and that refusing to be married, she fled into an Island right against Ingoa, whereas she died, hauing led a verie austere life, and doing many fal•e myracles. They that trauell by Sea, ca•rie her Idol vpon the poope of their ships, and call vpon it commonly, off•ri•g sacrifices [ A] vnto it.

[ XXXVII] They vse a kind of lot whenas they vndertake any thing, after this manner: they haue two little peeces of wood, made like vnto two nutshells, round of the one side, and flat on the other, being tied together with a thred. These they cast before their Idols, but fi•st of all they speake vnto their false gods with great ceremonies, and verie mild words, intreating them to giue them a good lot, promising (if it falls out well) to offer vnto them meat, or some goodly ornament, or some other thing of price. When this is done, they cast these two peeces of wood, & if they chance to fall so as the flat is vpward, or that the one is flat, and the other round, they hold it for a bad signe, and blame their Idols, rayling at them, and calling them dogges, villaines, infamous, and such like. Hauing poured [ B] forth these outrages, they begin to flatter them againe, crauing pardon for what was past, and promising them more presents if the lot falls out well: and then they proceed as they had done before. Whenas the thing which they demaund is of importance, and the time long before the good lot comes, they go vnto the Idols, cast them downe, and tread them vnder their feet, or plunge them into the water, or else they bring them vnto the fire, and suffer them to burne a little, and sometimes they beat them, and whip them, vntill the two peeces of wood fall as they desire, that is to lay, the round vpward. This lot succeeding as they desire, they s•ng certaine songs and praises vnto their Idols, offering vnto them the head of a sodden dogge, which they hold to be the most exquis•t [ C] meat of all others. Of any thing which they offer, they alwaies take away the tip of the beake, and the tallons of birds, and the groine of the hogge, with certaine graines of Rice, besprinkling their offering with drops of wine, laying it in a platter vpon the Altar, and they eat the rest in the same place, in the presence of their Idols.

They vse also another kind of lot, casting many little stickes into a vessell, vpon euerie one of which there is a letter written: these being mingled well together, a young child puts his hand into the vessell, and drawes out one, then looking what letter it hath, they take a booke, and seeking out that leafe which begins with this letter, they interpret that which they find in this leafe, for that thing which moued them to make the lot.

They haue also this custome, to haue recourse vnto the deuill whenas any affliction [ D] falls vpon them. They call vpon him after this manner: a man lies flat vpon the ground, his face downewards, and another begins to read in a booke, and to sing, then some of the assistants answer him, and the rest make a noice with little bells, and drums; then soone after, the man that lies vpon the ground begins to make strange faces, and to vse horrible gestures, which shews that the deuill is alreadie entred into his bodie. Then they demand of him whatsoeuer they desire to know, and he answers them often in a doubtfull sence, and whenas the deuill will not answer by words, they draw it from him by letters after this manner: They spread a red mantle vpon the ground, and lay a certaine quantitie of Rice vpon it scattered equally, then instantly they set a man vpon it which cannot write, with a staffe in his hand, and the assistants begin to sing and sound, as in the other inuocation [ E] whereof we haue made mention: soone after, the deuill enters into the bodie of him that holds the staffe, and he begins to write therewith vpon the Rice, and the assistants coppie the letters which he frames, then joyning them altogether, they find the answer which they demaund, but most commonly with a lie.

[ XXXVIII] They hold, that heauen, earth, and water, were joyned together from the beginning, and that a certaine man which is in heauen, called Tayn, by his great knowledge diuided the earth from heauen, and that heauen remained in the vpper part, the earth descending downe, according to her naturall inclination. This Tayn created a man of nothing, whom they call Panson, and a woman named Pansona. This Panson, by the power which Tayn gaue him, did also create another man of nothing, which was called Tanhom, with [ F] thirteene others, all brethren. Tanhom was a man of great knowledge, so as he gaue names to all things created, and vnderstood, by the doctrine of Tayn, the vertue of all things, and the meanes to applie them to the bodie to oure all diseases. This Tanhom, and his brethren, had many children, namely, Teyencom the greatest had twelue, and the [ A] eldest of all called Tuhucom had nine, and the rest also had many. They beleeue that the rac•s of these men haue continued ninetie thousand yeares, and that at the end of this terme all men failed, for that Tayn would be reuenged of some wrong they had done him, and also enuying for that besides his instructions they vnderstood in a manner as much as himselfe, and did not acknowledge him for superiour, as they had promised when as he did inspi•e this knowledge into them. After this it happened that heauen fell, and sodenly Tayn came to raise it againe and created another man vpon earth called Lotzitza•, with two hornes out of which came a sweet sauour, whereby many men and women were borne. In the end this Lotzitzan vanished away, leauing many men and women in [ B] the world, from whom are issued all those that are now liuing. They say that the first that was borne of this Lotzitzan was called Azalan, who liued nine hundred yeres. Presently after his death heauen created a man called Atzion, making his mother called Lutin to be with child with the head of a lyon which was in heauen. He was borne in the town of Truchin in the prouince of Canton, and liued eight hundred yeares. After him came Vsao, and then there were many people in the world who did eat nothing but raw things. This Vsao taught them to make little cottages with trees, to defend themselues from wild beasts which did annoy them much, and he instructed them also how to make gar•ents.

After this came one called Huntzuy, who was the inuenter of fire, and taught how they [ C] should make it, and after what manner they should roast and boile meat, and how they should sell and exchange one thing for another. They say that after him a certaine woman called Hautzabon had a child whose name was Ocheutey, who inuented many things, and ordained marriages. They affirme that he came miraculously from heauen for the good of the earth, for that his mother going vpon the way found the tracke of a man, and setting her foot thereon was enuironed with lightning which came from heauen, and was instantly conceiued with child. This Ocheutey had a sonne called Ezomlon who inuented physicke, astrologie, and diuination, and taught them how to manure the land. They report that he did eat seuen kinds of ••nimous hearbs, which did him no harme, and that he liued foure hundred yeres. He had a son called Vitey, who reduced Chinato a realme. [ D] And this is all they beleeue of the creation and progresse of the world.

They do all in generall beleeue the immortalitie of the soule, and in like manner the [ XXXIX] reward or punishment it must haue in another life, according to the •orkes it hath done in the companie of the bodie. They hold also that the soule hath had her beginning from heauen, which hath giuen her an immortall being, and that hauing liued according to the lawes of the countrie, being in the bodie, and hath done no harme nor wrong to any man, it shall be taken vp into heauen, where it shall liue eternally in great ioy, and become an Angell; and that soule which hath liued •ll shall go in the companie of diuells into obscure prisons, where it shall suffer torments that shall neuer end. They conf•sse that there is a place wheras the soules which shall be Angells, purge themselues from all [ E] the euil which hath polluted them whilest they were in mortal bodies; and that the good which the kinsfolkes and •riends do, helpe much to aduance this purgation.

Whenas they will pray for the dead, one of them who is l•ke vnto a priest or sacrificer, caries a little drumme, and one of the nouises a kind of clapper, and another a bell, and they make an alter whereon they set such as they hold for Saints and Aduocats for the dead, and they instantly per•ume them with Storax, Insence, and other sweet smells. After this they prepare fiue or six tables couered with much meat, for the dead, and for the Saints, and presently at the sound of the drum clapper & bells, they begin to sing certain canticles about the quire, and the young nouises go often vnto the altar to offer certaine orisons written in paper. They spend in a manner the whole night in these ceremonies [ F] and such like, after which they all begin to eat the meat which is vpon the tables.

As for the common people, they beleeue that the soules which liue ill before they go to hell (which place they thinke should not be setled vntill the world takes end) are sent for their misdeeds into the bodies of Bugles and other beasts; and they that haue liued well into the bodies of kings and noblemen, whereas they remaine in great ioy.

There are in all their townes and boroughes many places made like vnto monasteries, [ A] whereas there are many men and women which liue together in cloisters, like to the religious men in Europe.

[ XL] There are onely foure orders of religious people, whereof either hath a General, who remaine commonly in the towne of Suntien: this Generall is called Tri•on in their language, and prouides a Prouinciall in euery prouince, who visits all the conuents, co•recting all them that he finds haue erred in their rule and manner of liuing. This Prouincial doth also prouide a man in euery conuent who is like vnto a Prior or Gardian, whom all are bound to obey. The Generall holds the place which is giuen him during his life, vnlesse they find he hath committed any errors for the which he deserues to be depriued. [ B] He is not chosen by the religious men in their Chapters, but the King or his Councell names him. He goes attired in silke of the colour of his order, that is to say, in blacke, a pale colour, white, or browne, which be the foure colours of these religions; and he neuer goes out of his lodging but in a chaire of marble or of gold carried by foure or six men attired in the same habit. The religious men beg in the streets, singing and making a noise with little clappers and certaine other instruments. They haue all their beards and heads shauen: they eat in common, and their ordinarie habit is of searge. When they pray, they speake to heauen, which they hold to be God, and to one whom they call Sinquian, saying, that he inuented this manner of life, and that he is a Saint.

By the lawes of the realme the eldest sonne of a familie can be no religious man, and [ C] the reason is, for that the eldest sonne is bound to feed his father and mother in their old age. They offer both in the morning and euening to their idolls insence, benjoin, the wood of alloes, and other things which smell well, with certaine kinds of pastes that are very sweet. When they put any vessell to sea, these religious men go to do their sacrifices in the poope, whereas the Chinois haue their Oratours, and there they present paper painted with diuers figures, the which they teare in peeces before their Idolls, singing songs, and sounding their clappers, and then they do reuerence vnto the deuill, and keepe him painted in their ships, to the end that he may do them no harme. This being done they eat and drinke their fills in the same place, and by this meanes they suppose that the ship is sancti••ed, and that all that go in her shall haue good fortune. [ D]

¶ THE GENEALOGIE OF THE KINGS OF CHINA.

[ XLI] FOr that Vitey was he, who (as we haue said) reduced China into a realme, we will begin with him and come vnto the king that raignes at this day. Vitey was then the first king of China, and they report of him among other things that he was as high as seuen measures of China, which is esteemed to be about foure ells and two thirds. Moreouer they say that he was six spans broad between the shoulders, and that he was as valiant in mind as great in bodie. He had a captaine called [ E] Lincheon, who besides his valour and force was also exceeding wise; so as he made subiect to king Vitey all that great continent of countrie, and made him •earefull to all the world. They hold that this king inuented the fashion of their garments, the dying of silkes, and the making of ships, and in like manner the saw to cut wood. Aboue all, they say that he was a great architect, and that he made a great number of stately buildings. He inuented also the mu•ler of silke which they vse in that countrie, and was the first which brought in the vse to weare gold, pearle, and pretious stones, and garments of cloth of gold, siluer, and silke. He distributed all the inhabitants of his realme into cities, townes, and villages, and ordained all the trades and offices, commaunding that no man should deale in any other trade but that of his father, without speciall leaue from the [ F] king or the gouernors of the realme. He did put all that were of one trade into a street by themselues, and he ordained also that no woman should liue idlely, but labour eith•r in her husbands trade, or at the least spin or worke with the needle, and this law was so generall, as it was obserued by his owne wife.

[ A] This king had foure wiues, by whom he had fiue and twentie children, and he raigned one hundred yeres: from whom, vnto the king that made the great wall, there were one hundred and sixteene kings, all of the line of this Vitey, who raigned two th•usand two hundred fiftie seuen yeares. I will •orbeare to name them, least I should be two tedious, but I will rest satisfied to set them downe only which seeme necessarie, to declare the succession •f the crowne, since the one hundred and sixt•ene kings, whereof we haue made mention, vnto him that raignes at this present.

The last king of the race of Vitey was called Tzintzon, and this was he that made that great wall, seeing himselfe assailed in many places by the Tartarians. In the end (for that [ B] in this worke there died great numbers of men) he grew hatefull to all his subiects, so as they conspired to kill him, and did at the length perfect it, hauing ragined fortie yeares; in like manner they did with a sonne of his, called Agntzi, who was heire to the realme. This Tzintzon being dead, and his sonne also, they tooke one for their king who was called Anchosau, a man of great spirit, and full of valour, who raigned twelue yeares.

Futey, his sonne, succeeded him, who raigned seuen yeares, and died young.

After his death, his mother (who was of the bloud royall) came to raigne, and gouerned the realme to the content of all men for the space of eighteene yeares: and for that she had no heires male, a sonne which her husband Anchosau had by another wife succeeded h•r. This king raigned three and twentie yeares, and had for successor

[ C] Cuntey, his sonne, who raigned sixteene yeares, and eight moneths.

Huntey, sonne to Cuntey raigned after him two and fiftie yeres, and left for his successor

Chantey, his sonne, who raigned thirteene yeares.

Ochantey, his sonne, succeeded him, & raigned fiue & twentie yeres, & three moneths.

Cantey, sonne to Ochantey, raigned sixteene yeares, and two moneths.

Tzentzey, his sonne, ra•gned six and twentie yeares, and foure moneths.

Anthey, sonne to Tzentzey, raigned but six yeares.

Pintatey, sonne to Anthey, raigned fiue yeares.

Tz•ntzumy, brother to Pintatey, succeeded him, for that he was not married when he died: and he raigned onely three yeares, and seuen moneths.

[ D] Huyhannon, brother also to the two others, succeeded him, and raigned six yeares.

Cubum, sonne to Huyhannon, raigned two and thirtie yeares.

Benthey, sonne to Cubum, raigned two and thirtie yeares.

Vnthey, his sonne, raigned thirteene yeares.

Othey succeeded him, and raigned seuenteene yeares, and fiue moneths.

Yanthey, sonne to Othey, raigned but eight moneths.

Antey, his sonne, held the crowne nineteene yeares.

Tantey, his sonne, died soone after his father, hauing swayed the scepter but three moneths.

Chitey, his brother, raigned but a yeare.

[ E] Quantey, their brother, succeeded them, and was king one and twentie yeares.

Linthey, his sonne, raigned two and twentie yeares.

Yanthey, sonne to Linthey, raigned one and thirtie yeares. He was a man of a weake capacitie, so as his subiects hated him; and a nephew of his, called Laupy, rebelled against him, being assisted by two Knights that were brethren, valiant men, who were then in Court, whereof the one was called Quathey, and the othey Trunthey, who sought to make Laupy King. The vnkle knew it, but he was so faint hearted, and ill assisted, as he neither could nor durst preuent it: which was the cause of many factions within the realm, there rising foure Tyrans, whose names were Cincoan, Sosoc, Guansian, and Guanfer. Laupy made warre against them, vnder a colour to fauour and assist his vnkle; and hauing continued [ F] the warre for a time, in the end he made a peace with Cincoan, taking a daughter of his to wife, and presently made warre against the other three Tyrans, with the helpe of his father in law.

This realme was then diuided into three parts, whereof the one, and the chiefe, followed Laupy after the death of his vnkle, and the other Sosoc, the third Cincoan, father in law to Laupy. And the realme continued thus for some time, vntil that [ A]

Cuithey, sonne to Laupy, came to raigne after his father; against whom a Tyrant, called Chimbutey, rebelled, but he slew him, and he was so valiant as he vnited the whole realme, hauing bin diuided one and fortie yeares, he raigned afterwards alone 25 yeares.

Fontey, his sonne, raigned after him seuenteene yeares. And to be short, there were fifteene kings of this line, who raigned one hundred seuentie six yeares.

Quiontey was the last of these kings, against whom did rise the Tyrant Tzobu. Of this mans bloud there were eight kings, who raigned sixtie two yeares: Against the last, called Sutey, did rise one Cotey, of whose race there were fiue kings, who raigned foure and twentie yeares.

The last, called Othey, was slaine by one Dian, and there were fiue kings of his line, who [ B] raigned one and thirtie yeares: Against the last of this house, did rise one Tzuy, and there were three kings of his race, who raigned seuen and thirtie yeares.

Tonco reuolted against the last, who gouerned the realme well, there were one & twentie kings of his familie, who raigned two hundred ninetie foure yeares.

The last, being called Troncon, married one who had beene his fathers wife, a wonderfull faire woman, whose name was Bausa, drawing her out of a monasterie whereinto she had retired her selfe to be a religious woman. In the end, this wife caused him to be slaine, and then she gouerned the realme alone fortie yeares. Their Histories say, that this woman was wonderfull dissolute, and that hauing abandoned her selfe to the noblemen of the realme, she married a man of base condition, that she might more freely follow [ C] her owne appetites: but b•fore she married▪ she caused all the male children of her first husband to be slaine, to the end a nephew of hers might succeed vnto the crowne. They of the realme, knowing her intention, and incensed at her base course of life, sent to seeke out a sonne of her husbands, who (although he were a bastard) was by a common consent chosen king: his name was Tautzom, who caused seuere justice to be done of this wicked woman. There were seuen kings of his race, who raigned 120 yeares.

The last was Coucham, against whom rebelled one called Dian, who seised vpon the realme, and there were two kings of his line, who raigned eighteene yeares.

Outon reuolted against the last of these, and there were three kings of his house, who [ D] raigned but fifteene yeares.

Outsim did rise against the last of these three, and left after him two successours of his line, who raigned onely nine yeares, and three moneths.

Tozo reuolted against the last, and he, and his sonne, raigned but foure yeares.

Anchiu had warre against the sonne of Tozo, and slew him, and then succeeded him in the realme: He and two others of his familie raigned ten yeares.

Zaitzon, of the line of Vitey the first king, reuolted against the last of the race of Achiu, and flew him. There were seuenteene kings of the descendents of this Zaitzon, who raigned all in peace for the space of three hundred and twentie yeares.

The last of this line was called Tepim, against whom the great Cham of Tartaria, called [ E] Vzou, inuaded China, and made himselfe maister thereof; so as nine Tartarian kings raigned there during ninetie three yeares.

Tzinzoum, the last of the nine, was so wicked, as he was the cause that the realme was reunited, and that all did secretly rise to make one called Hombu their king, a man of great valour, of the line of the auncient kings, who gathering together great forces, in the end expelled the Tartarians out of the realme.

There haue beene twelue kings of the familie of this Hombu, accounting him that raignes at this present: the eleuen precedent raigned two hundred yeres. He that swaies the scepter at this day, is called Bonog, and succeeded to the crowne by the death of his elder brother, who died with the fall of a horse. They hold him to be a man of a good disposition, [ F] full of judgement, and a great Iusticer. He is married to a cousin of his owne, and hath a sonne by her.

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

CHINA is a large and potent Kingdome. The Inhabitants doe call it Tame, and themselves Tangis. Ptolomy calleth them Sinas, which Ortelius liketh of, whom the most doe follow, or their neighbours the Cathajans, which Mercator doth more approve of. All this Country is situate by the Easterne Ocean, and it is thought to bee the farthest Country Eastward. The bounds thereof on the East are the Easterne Sea; on the South the Province of Cauchinchina; on the West Brachmana: on the North the Tartarians, a warlike Nation, from whom they are devided by the Mountaines, and a long Wall, which doe reach 500. miles. The Historians of China doe report that this Wall was built long since by a King whose name was Tzinzous, after that by his wisedome he had freed the Inhabitants of this Country from the Tyranny of the Tartars, which they had endured 93. yeeres. This Country by reason of the goodnesse of the ayre and soyle, and the industry of the people is very fruitfull. For the men are not slothfull but laborious, so that they scorne to live idlely. Whence it comes to passe that every corner of this Country doth produce and bring forth something. They sow the dry ground with Wheate and Barley. The plaine wet moorish places, with Rice, which they sow foure times every yeere. The Hills and Mountaines have abundance of Pine-trees, betweene which they sow Millet and Pulse. So that every place and field beareth some fruit: and there are every where Gardens full of Roses, and divers kindes of flowers and fruits. They have great store of Hempe and Flaxe, and Woods of Mulberry Trees, for keeping of Silke-wormes. Moreover there is great store of Gold, Silver, Brasse, Iron, and other Mettals, also Pretious Stones, Pearles, Muske, Sugar, and Rheubarb: and that is thought to bee the best which is brought from thence thorow Persia by Land: for some think that the Sea doth take away much vertue from it. This Kingdome also doth produce and yeeld a medicinable kinde of wood, which the people of China doe call Lampala, and we Radix Chinae, or the China Roote: and it is commonly us'd thorow all the Indies, against Impostumes, the Palsie, and the French disease. The Roote of it is hard and heavy, and of a white colour. There are infinite store of Cattell on the Mountaines, and in the Medowes. The Woods are full of Boares, Foxes, Hares, Cunnies, Sables, Martines, and other beasts of the same kinde, whose skins are much used for lining of Garments. 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.

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

CHINA is bounded on the East, with the Orientall Ocean; on the West, with India; on the North, with Tartary, from which separared by a continued chain of hills, part of those of Ararat; and where that chain is broken off, or interrupted, with a great wall extended 400 Leagues in length: built as they say, by Tzaintzon, the 117th King hereof; and on the South, partly with Cau•hin-China, a Province of India, partly with the Ocean.

It was called antiently Sine, or Sinarum Regio, by which name it is still called at the present by our modern L••inist•; and from whence that of China seems to be derived. By Paulus Venet•s called Mangi, by the neighbouring Countries Sanglai, by the natives Taine, and Taybin•o, which last, signifies no other than a Realm; or by way of excellence, the Realm. By the Arabians it is called Tzinin; and the inhabitants call themselves by the name of •angis.

It is said to contain in circuit 69516 D•ez of China measure, which reduced to our Europaean measure, will make a compass in the whole of 3000 Leagues: the length thereof extended from the borders of India, to Col•m, one of the Northern Provinces of this Continent, 1800 Leagues. But they that say so, speak at randome. For besides that 1800 Leagues in length, must needs carry a greater compass than 3000 Leagues; they make it by this reckoning to be bigger than Europe, which I think no sober man will gran•. And answerable to this vast compass, it is said also to contain no fewer than 15. Provinces, every one of which is made to be of a greater Continen• •han the greatest Realm we know in Europe: Yet not a Continent of wast ground, or full of unhabitable Desar•s, as in other places; but full of goodly Towns and Cities. The names of which Provinces, and the number of their Towns and Cities, I have thought fit once for all to lay down in this Diagramme following.

The Provinces, Cities, and Towns in China.

Pro.	Cit.	To.
1 Canton	37	190
2 Foquien	33	99
3 Olam	90	130
4 Sisnam	44	150
5 To•enchia	51	155
6 Cans••	24	122
7 Minchian	25	29
8 Ochian	19	74
9 Honan	20	102
10 Pagnia	47	150
11 Taitan	47	78
12 Quinchen	45	113
13 Chagnian	43	95
14 Susnam	41	105
15 Quinsay	31	114

By which it doth appear, that in these fifteen Provinces there are 591 Cities; 1593 walled Towns; and besides them 1154 Castles, 4200 Towns unwalled, and such an infinite number of Villages, that the whole Country seems to be but one City onely.

It reacheth from the 130th, to the 160th Degree of Longitude: and from the Tropick of Cancer, to the 53d degree of Latitude. So that it lyeth under all the Climes from the third to the nineth, inclusively: the longest Summers day in the Southern parts, being thirteen hours and fourty minutes; increased in the most Northern parts, to 16 hours, and 3 quarters. Enjoying by this site an air somewhat of the hottest, especially in those parts whichly neer the Tropick; but with all very sound and healthy, and fit for the production of the choisest fruits.

The Countrey very rich and fertile insomuch that in many places they have two, and in some three harvests in a year; well cultivated, and sowed with all manner of grain, and planted with the best kind of fruits; which do not onely come to a speedy maturity, but to more excellencie and perfection than any of these Western parts. The like is also said of their Pearls, and Bezoar; fairer and of greater vertue than those of America, or any other part of the world besides. Particularly it aboundeth with Wheat, Barley, Rice, Wooll, Cotton, Olives, Vines, Flax, Silk, all kind of metals, Fruits, Cattle, Sugar, Honey, Rhub•rb, Camphire, Ginger, all kinds of Spices, medicinall woods called China-wood, by the name of the Countrey, Musk and Salt: the custome for which last in one City onely, which is that of C••t••, amounteth to the yearly value of 180000 Crownes. It yieldeth also an Herb, out of which they press a delicate juice, which doth not onely serve them instead of wine, but preserveth their health, and freeth them from many of those inconveniences which the immoderate use of wine doth breed to others. Such store of Po•ltry of all sorts, but of Ducks especially, that in the Town of Canton onely before mentioned, it is thought there are 12000 eaten every day, one day with another.

The people are for the most part of swart complexion, but more or less, according to their neerness to the heats of the Sun; short-nosed, black-eyed, and of very thin beards. They wear their garments very long, and are so much delighted with their own fashion and composure, that as the Neg•o•s use to paint the devil 〈◊〉 as a colour contrary to their own: so when these Chinots use to draw the picture of deformed persons, they set him forth in a short coat, broad eyes, long nose, and a bushy beard. They are much given unto their B••lics, and eat thrice a day, but then not immoderat•ly: drink their drink hot, and eat their meat with two sticks of Ivory, Ebon••, or the like, not touching their meat with their hands at all, and therefore no great foulers of linnen. The use of silver forks, with us, by some of our Sp•uce gallants taken up of late, came from hence into Italy, and from thence to England. Their mariages they celebrate most commonly in the New-Moon, and many times put them off till March, when the year beginneth with them as it doth with us: in which solemnity they spare for no c•st or charge, musick, and Stage-plays, and good cheer many daies together. Yet doth not this take them off a jot from their natural industry, and their proficiencie in Manufactures and Mechanick Arts. For the sonne is bound to follow his fathers occupation: which law preventing the roaving about of idle people, and exciting in each breast an emulation of every Art; maketh the Inhabitants excellent Artificers. In giving almes they are bountiful to the maimed, and the lame; but reject the blind, as being sufficiently able to get sustenance for themselves by corporall labour; as grinding of Corn, &c. They have long enjoyed the benefit of Printing, before it was known in Europe: but print not as we do, from the left hand to the right; nor as the Jews, from the right hand, to the left; but from the top of the leaf, dowaward to the bottom. Gunnes also have been used among them time out of mind: whence they are so well conceited of themselves, that they use to say, They themselves have two eyes, the Europaeans one, and the rest of the people of the world, not one. A pretty flourish of self-praising. Now Gunnes were in use in these Eastern Countries, and consequently also amongst them, even when Bacchus made his expedition into India (which was some three or four years before, or after the departure of Israel out of Aegypt,) Sir Walter Rawleigh seemeth to affirm: because Philostratus in the life of Apoll nius Tyanaeus, telleth us how Baccl•us was beaten from a City of Oxyd•acae, by thunder and lightning; which he interpreteth to be the Cannon. But certainly himself in another place of his most excellent book, acknowledgeth this Philostratus to have written fabulously: and therefore no fic• fou•dation for a conceit so contrary to probability, and the opinion of all times. Besides, whereas Dion telleth us, that by the benefit of thunder and lightning from Heaven, Severus discomfited Pes••ninus N•ger; and by the same means, was himself repulsed from the wall of Petra in Arabia; we may (if this interpretationhold good) as easily maintain, that Severus had great Ordnance in his Camp, and the Arabians, in their Town. As for P•••ting, whether John Gertrudenberg learned it of the Chinois; or whether good inventions, like good wits, do sometimes jump, I dare not determine: sure I am that he first taught it in Europe; and as some say, in the year 1440. At Halam a Town of Holland, It is first said to be practised; and at Mentz, perfected. Now wheras it is by some doubted, whether the Art of Printing be available to the proficiency and advancement of Learning, or not; I must not herein be both a Judge, and a party; but must leave the decision of the point to men uninteressed. Onely this I dare boldly say, that this most excellent invention hath been much abused, and prostituted to the lust of every foolish and idle paper-blurrer: the treasury of learning being never so full, and yet never more empty, over-charged so with the froth and scumme of foolish and unneceslary discourses. In which (though all Nations have their share therein, and we of late as much as any) the Dutch have been accompted the most blame-worthy: who not content to scatter their poor conceptions onely amongst themselves, and print them in their own tongue onely (as our English Paper-Blurers do) publish them in the Latine to the eye of others, and send them twice a-year to the publick Marts, though neither worth the Readers eye, nor the Printers hand. Scriptorum plus est hodie quam muscarum olim cum caletur maxime; the complaint once of an old Comedian, was never truer than at the present.

But not to dive too deep into this dispute, the people, as before was said, are good Artisicers, ingenious and excellent in all things which they take in hand: the porcellan dishes, curious carvings, and the fine painted works which we have in Tables, Leathers, Stuffes, being brought from thence. A politick and judicious Nation; but very jealous of their women, and great tyrants over them, not suffering them to go abroad, or sit down at the Table if any stranger be invited, unless he be some very neer kinsman. A tyranny or restraint, which the poor women give no cause for, being said to be very honest, and much reserved; not so much as shewing themselves at a window for fear of offence: and if they use painting, as most of them do, it is rather to preserve themselves in the good affections of their husbands, than for any other lewd respects. For the most part of a fair hair, whereof very curious: binding it about their heads with Ribbands of silk, garnished with pearles and pretious stones. Neat in their dress, and very costly in their apparel, with reference to their estates, and the degree of their husbands: the richer sort wearing Sattin striped with Gold, and interlaced with very rich Jewe's; the poorer in Serge, and razed velvets. They have most of them little feet, which they take great pride in, and for this cause bind them up hard from their very infancy: which they endure patiently though it be very painfull, because a small foot is accounted for so great a grace. And yet it is conceived that this proceedeth not so much from their own curiosity, as from the jealousy of the men, who have brought it in; to the end that they should not be able to go but with a great deal of pain, and that going with so ill a grace, and so little case, they should have no desire to stirre much abroad. A custome so antient and received, that it hath got the force of law; and if any mother should do otherwise in breeding their daughters, they would undergo some censure or mark of infamy. If a desire to see their Parents get them the freedome of a visit, they are carryed to them in close chairs, and attended by so many waiters, that it is not possible that any man either so see them, or hold any discourse with them.

Of both Sexes it is thought that this Countrey containeth no fewer than 70 Millions. Which though it seem to be a number beyond all belief; yet it is knowingly averred, and may be thought probable enough, if we consider the spaciousness of the Countrey; 2. The secret goodness of the stars, and temperature of the air; 3. The abundance of all things necessary to life; 4. That it is not lawful for the King to make any war, but meerly defensive, and so they enjoy perpetuall peace; 5. That it is not lawfull for any 〈◊〉 to go out of the Countrey; and 6. That here the Sea is as well peopled as whole Provinces elsewhere. For the ships do resemble a City; in which they buy, sell, are born, and die. And on the River which watret• the walls of •anquin, up to Paquin, which is no less than 300 leagues, the ships are said to be so thick ranked, that it seemeth to be a continuall street.

The people hereof in matters of Religion, are generally all Gentiles, and conceive thus of the creation▪ That there was one 〈◊〉, who created Panzon, and Panzona, whose posterity remained 90000 years; but they for their wickedness being destroyed, Taine created L•titz•m, who had two horns; from the right came men, from the left came women. When any of them dieth, they cloath him in his best apparell, all perfumed, set him in his best chair, and there all his neerest kindred kneeling before him, take their leave with tears. When he is coffined, they place him in a room richly furnished, and set by him a table full of viands and good cheer, with candles continually burning on it. Not much unlike to which ceremonies, we find, how whilst the funerall was preparing for Francis the French King, his Status apparelled in royall robes, with the Crown, Scepter, &c. was laid on his bed; whither dinner and supper was daily served in, with the like state and solem•ity as when he was living. But to return again to my dead Chinois; when he had lain, as is above said, fifteen dayes, he is carried forth to his funerall, the place whereof is in the fields: for to be buried within the walls, were a thing of all others the most wretched. Hither, when they are in the manner of a procession, come; they burn his body, and with it men, cattell, and other provision, for his attendance and sustenance in the other world: as they use in the funeralls of 〈◊〉. As great Idolaters as any, sacrificing to the very devil, and that upon the same reason, as the most ignorant sort of the Gentiles do, because forsooth he is a wicked and mischievous creature, and would otherwise hurt them.

Yet in the midle of this darkness there appeareth some light, whereby we may perceive that Christianity had some footing here in the times foregoing; For they believe, that God is an immortall spirit; that by him the first man was made of nothing; that the soul dieth not with the body, but is capable of reward and punishment in another •ife, according to the works it hath done in this. Which lest they should be thought to be onely some remainders of the light of nature, the •arned men amongst the antient Greeks and Romans, having so much 〈◊〉 as this, without the Gospel; we may here add, that the Idol most generally worshipped by them, is painted with three heads looking one on another, signifying, as themselves affirm, that they have all but one will: which makes some think they had been antiently instructed in the doctrine of the holy Trinity. They have also the picture of a very fair woman holding a Child in her Arms, who as they say, was daughter of some great King, and that she was delivered of that Infant when she was a Virgin. And as some add, they have portraitures, of the fashion, and with the marks or Characters of the twelve Apostles (as usually painted in some part of the Christian Church): of whom they are able to say nothing, but that they were great Philosophers who lived vertuously here, and were therefore made Angels in Heaven. And finally they hold that there is a great number of Saints, or men estated in an eminent degree of happiness, who in their times exceeded others in knowledge, industry, or valour, or lived an austere life without wronging any man, or otherwise deserved nobly of the common-wealth, as the Authors of some signall benefit unto their Countrey. These I conceive to be some evident remainders of Christianity, or the Remembrances rather of that Christianity which formerly was known amongst them: First planted here (as may be probably collected) by Saint Thomas, or some of his Disciples, an antient Breviary or Liturgy of the Indian Churches, giving good hint to it; Where it is said, Per D. Thomam regnum coelorum volavit et ascendit ad S•nas: i. e. that by Saint Thomas the Kingdom of Heaven was preached unto those of China. Some Characters here were also of it in the time of the Tartars, though now obliterated, and not visible but in these defacements. And in this state it stood till the time of our Fathers, in which the Jesuites (commendably industrious in the propagation of the Christian faith) not without great danger to themselves, have endeavoured, and in part effected, their conversion. For though they have gained but few Proselytes, (in regard of those infinite numbers of people which are said to live here) yet some Converts they have made amongst them, and thereby sown those seeds of that saving truth (though mingled with some Tares of their own) which may in time increase and spread over all the Countrey.

Hills of great note here are not many, here being but one Mountain touched upon by Ptolomy, in his description of the Countrie called Sinarum Regio, which we conceive to be this China: agreeable unto the observation of modern writers, by whom it is affirmed to be so plain and levell, and so unswelled with hills at all, that they have Carts and Coaches driven with sayles, as ordinarily as drawn with horses, in these parts. Not the less destitute of Rivers for this want of mountains, Ptolomy naming in it, 1. Aspthara. 2. Senus. 3. Ambastus, and 4. Cotiaris; all which had there their fount and fall: and yet he knew the out-skirts of the Country onely. Here are also many great Lake•, not inferiour to some Seas in bigness; so plentifull in fish, as if they contended with the soyl, which should be most profitable: and yet so little swelled with winds (though the winds many times blow strongly) that both upon these Lakes, and on the Rivers and Sea-coasts, they pass up and down in sinall barks, with no other sail than a bough set up an-end in the middest of them; by the help whereof they make good speed in their navigations. Nor do these Lakes or Rivers use to overslow their banks, or endamage the Countrey: but when they do, it brings some fatail ruine with it; as in the year 1557 when the Lake of Sancey breaking out overwhelmed seven Cities, many Towns, and of Villages, and Countrey people, almost infinite numbers.

Towns of most note amongst the Sinae, though nothing but the names be remaining of them, 1. Bramna; and 2. Rhabana, honoured with the title of Civitates. 3. Aspithra. 4. Achatara, more within the land; but all four under some degree of Northern Latitude. 5. Thine, the Metropolis of the Countrey, by some called Sinae. 6. Sarata. 7. Catoranagara; these on the South-side of the line. But in this Ptolomy was mistaken, it being found by the more certain observations of our later writers, that no part of Chin: comes within 20 degrees of the Aequinoctiall; and so not capable of having any Towns or Cities of a Southern Latitude. Here was also a large by called Sinaerum Sinus; a Promontory named Notium, in the fourth degree of Northern Latitude; and another named Satyrocum, lying under the Aequinox. More than this, of the Cities of the antient Sinae, I have nothing to say, which I dare offer to the Reader.

But to behold them as they are presented to our view in the modern China, it hath been said, that for number there are no fewer than 591 Cities, and those so uniformly built, so conformably to one another, that they differ not in form, and fashion, but in quantity onely. Much like the Cities of Utopia mentioned by Sir Thomas More, Idem situs omnibus, eadem, quatenus per locum licet, rerum facties; so neer resembling one another, that he who knoweth but one of them, may conjecture at all. And this is the manner of their building. Most of their Cities have the benefit of some navigable River neer which they stand: the waters whereof serve them both for navigation, and domestick uses. Two great Streets crossing one another in the very middest, so broad, that ten horsemen may ride a brest in the narrowest of them; so strait, that a man standing in the middle, may see either end: each end being shut up with a Gate of great strenghth and beauty; and those Gates fortified and strengthned with thick plates of iron. Generally greater and more stately than those of Europe, but defective in that point of elegancy which the Magnificent Churches, and more sumptuous buildings for the dispatch of publique businesses, in these parts abound with. Their private houses for the most part are also low, and destitute of Porches, Windows, Galleries; the principall ornaments and graces of Architecture. Nor are their Cities built onely for resort, or trade, but for strength and safety, environed with deep and broad ditches, the wal's of brick or stone, strong above belief, planted with Ordnance and Artillery in convenient places: and every night the Gates not only locked but sealed; not to be opened till unsealed by the principall Magistrate.

But not to rest our selves on this generall Character, let us take a more particular view of some of the principall. And in that list we find 1. Quins•y, called Suntien by the natives, containing once in circuit an hundred miles, and having in the middest of it a Lake of 30 miles compass, in which Lake are two goodly Ilands, and in them two magnificent Palaces, adorned with all necessaries, either for majesty, or convenience; in which are celebrated the publique feasts, and the mariages of the better sort. The Lake is nourished with divers Rivers, the chief being Polysango, and Cacam•can; on which Rivers 12000 bridges lift up their stately heads: and under whose immense Arches, great ships, with sails spread abroad, and top and top-gallant, may and do usually pass. It was also said to have had ten market-places, each of them four miles asunder, and every one in form quadrangular, the sides thereof half a mile in length. Here were said also to be twelve Companies of tradesmen or Artizans, each company having 12000 shops; and in all a million and 600000 Families. But now on the removall of the Court from hence to Cambalu by the Tartars; and since to Nanquin and Piquin by the Prince; of the house of Hombu, seconded partly the fury of the warres, and partly by the violence of Earth-quakes; it hath lost no small part of her antient beauty, and renown. 2. Vnguen, famous for the abundance of sugar there made. 3. Nanquin, seated 9 leagues from the Sea, on a fair and navigable River, whereon ride for the most part no fewer than 10000 of the Kings ships, besides such as belong to private men. The Town in compass 30 miles, being girt with three fair brick walls, having large and stately Gates: The streets in length two leagues, wide, and paved; the number of houses is about 200000. so that it may equall four of the fairest Cities of Europe. 4. Paquin or Pagnia, where the King continually resideth; and that, either because the air hereof is more healthfull and pleasant, than any of the other, or because it lieth neer unto the Tartars, with whom the Chinois are in perpetuall warre: so that from hence the dangers which may by their invasions happen unto the Countrey, may with more convenience be either prevented, or remedied. The City said to be inferiour to Nanquin for bulk and beauty, but to exceed it in multitude of Inhabitants, Souldiers, and Magistrates, occasioned by the Kings abode. Environed on the South, with two walls, of so great breadth that twelve horsemen may runne a brest upon them; on the North, with one wall onely, but that so strong and vigilantly guarded, that they fear as little annoyance on that side as they do on the other. But the greatest Omament hereof is the Royall Palace, compassed about with a triple wall, the outwardmost of which would well inviron a large City: within which space, besides the many lodgings for Eunuchs and other Courtiers, are Groves, hills, fountains, Rivers, and the like places of pleasure: larger in circuit, but not comparable for the Arts of Architecture to the Royall Palaces of Europe. 5. Canton, supposed to be the Caltigara of Ptolomy; by the Chinois called Quamchen, the least of the Metropolitan Cities of this Countrey, but beautified with many triumphant Arches, a navigable River, large streets, and many goodly bridges. Fortified with deep trenches, 83. Bulwarks, and seated in so rich a soyl both for Fowl and Catteil, that here are said to be eaten dayly 6000 hogs, and 12000 Ducks, besides proportionable quantity of other victuals. If this be one of the least of their Metropolitans, what may we fancy of the greatest? A Town in which the Portugals drive a wealthy trade, being permitted in the day-time to come within the City it self; but at night excluded, and forced to find lodging in the Suburbs. By reason of which restraint, they have settled their Mart at Macaan, the Port-Town to this, where they have their Factor, and many Families, the Town being almost wholly peopled by them. 6. Suchean, seated in the marishes like Venice, but more commodiously, because those marishes are of fresh water; the streets and houses founded upon piles of pine-tree; with many bridges, and conveniencies for passage both by land and water. Well traded, as the fittest Center for dispersion of merchandise from all the other Ports of the Kingdome: by the multitude and frequency of ships, almost denying faith to the eyes, which would think all the ships of China to be here assembled. So infinitely rich, that the small Region whereof it is the head containing but eight Cities more, payeth 12 millions to the king of yearly income. 7. Hamseu, the Metropolis of the Province of Chequian, about two dayes journey from the Sea (of which distance from the Sea is Sucheau also) in compass less than Namquin, but better builded: no place in it taken up with gardens, Orchards, or other pleasures; but all employed for shops, houses, and other edifices. So beautified with Triumphant Arches, erected to the honour of deserving Magistrates, that in one street there are 300 of great mass or workmanship. The Temples magnificent and many; the bank-sides of the Channels watering every street, beset with trees of shade, and most excellent fruits: and in the midle of the City a round high mountain, which gives the eye a gallant prospect into every street. And not farre off a pleasant Like, of great breadth and length, the banks whereof are beautified with groves and gardens, and the Lake it self even clothed with vessels of all sorts, on which the Citizens use to feast, and entertain their idle time with plaies and spectacles. Two Cities so replenished with all kind of pleasures, that the Chinois use it for a Proverb, Thien Xam, thien thum, ti Xamsu hum, that is to say, look what the Hall or Presence Chamber is in heaven, that Hamseu and Sucheau are on earth. 8 Focheo, beautified amongst many other Stately structures, with a magnificent Tower erected on 40 marble pillars of great elegancy, cost, and bigness, every pillar being 40 spans in height, and 12 in breadth: not to be parallelled, as some say, by any the like work in Europe. 9. Lochiau, in which are 70000 families. 10. Colans, famous for the best Porcellane. 11. Xaitou, whose Harbour is never without 500 ships. 12. Scianhay, within 24. houres sail of the Isle of Japan, and therefore defended with a strong Garrison and a Navy. Situate in a pleasant and wholesome soyl, the whole Countrey so set forth with trees, as if it were one continued Orchard. So populous, that it conteineth 40000 housholds, most of which get their livelihood by weaving Cottons: it being supposed that here are 200000 persons which attend that maintenance. 13. Chinchi••su, whence by a River made by hand there is a passage to Sucheau; the water of which never freezeth, and for that cause so clogged with ships in time of winter, that the passage is stopped with the multitudes of them. 14. Cergivan, of the same fashion with the rest, though of lesser note. So like they are to one another, that we may say with Ovid on the like ocasion.

—Facies non omnibus una,Nec diversa tamen, qualem decet esse sororum.

Which I find thus English•d by George Sandys.

Amongst them all no two appear the same,Nor differ more than Sisters well became.

The antient Inhabitants of this Country, in the time of Ptolomy, were towards the North, the Semantini, bordering a mountain of that name, and the only one remembred in all this Countrey; more Southward, the Acadra, and Aspithrae; Towards the Sea the Anabastae, and Ichthyophagi (these last so called from living wholly upon fish.) From what Original they came it is hard to say, whether from the Indians, or the Scythes: or that it was primitively planted by some of the posterity of Noah, before the enterprise of Babel; which last may propably be concluded from the extreme populousness of the Country, the many magnificent Cities, their industry and ingenuity in all Arts and Sciences, not to be taught them by their neighbours, more ignorant in those things than themselves. And hereunto the Chronicles of China seem to give some ground, which tell us of 340 Kings, which for the space of four thousand years have therein reigned. For as their Chronicles inform us, (if they may be credited) the Countrey being without Rule or settled government, was first reduced into order by one Vitey, the Sonne of Ezolom, by whom the people were instructed in Physick, Astrology, Divination, and the art of tillage: to which this Vitey, having found out the way of cutting or sawing timber, added the use of Ships and Houses, and many other the effects of mechanicall hands. Having by the valour of Lincheon one of his Commanders, subdued a great part of the Countrey, he drew them into Towns and villages, distributed them into Offices, and severall trades, disposing those of the same trade into Streets by themselves, and commanding that no man without leave from himself, or his Officers, should follow any other trade than that of his Father. He prescribed them also the fashion of their Garments, taught them the art of making and dying Silks: and having reigned an hundred years, left the Kingdome well established unto his posterity. Of this race there are said to have been 217 Kings, who held the State 2257 years. The last of them was that Tzaintzon, who being ill-neighbored by the Scythians (not yet called Tartars) built that vast wall spoken of before, extended 400 Leagues in length, and at the end of every League a strong Rampart or Bulwark, continual'y garrisoned, and well furnished with all warlike necessaries. He being slain by some of his Subjects, burdned and wasted with this work, the race of Vitey ended; and that of Anchosan succeeded, a Prince of much prudence, but greater courage; In his line it continued under 25 Kings, but shrewdly shaken towards the close by a civil war, betwixt Trunthey the 23 of this house, and his Nephew Laupy. Hardly well settled under Quiontey the last of this house, when Tzobu, a great Tyrant of the other faction, set upon him, and slew him. And so the majesty of the blood-ro•all being trod under foot, the Crown was also tossed from one hand to another, and made a prey unto the strongest: there being of the race of this Tzobu, eight Kings, reigning 62▪ years. Of the race of Dian, five Kings, who reigned thirty one. Of the race of Tzoy, three onely, who reigned thirty seven. Of the race of Tenc•, one and twenty, who held the Crown 294 years: and eight there were who reigned 120 years, of the house of Tautzom. Of other upstart families to the number of five, were fourteen Kings also, who governed onely for the space of 66 years: And then one Zaitzon, deriving himself from Vifey, the first King of this Countrey, obtained the Kingdome; which he, and seventeen of his posterity, for the space of 320 years, governed with much peace and honour. Forfar, the last King of that Royall Family, foretold by prophecy that he should be deprived of his Kingdome by one who had an hundred eyes, neglected the Advertisement, as unworthy credit: but it fell out agreeable to that prediction, when vanquished by Ch•••-baan (which word signifieth an hundred eyes) Lieutenant unto Vzan, a Tartarian Prince, but Feudatarie and Vassal to the Great Cham. China thus made a Province of the Tartarians, was governed for the space of 93 years, under nine Tartar-Kings, Tributaries to the Great Cham: and when it did revolt in the daies of Gino-Cham, the fourth from •ingis, it was reduced again by the valour of Tamerl•e. For though Hombu, or Combu, the new elected King of China, having expelled the Tartars, and repaired the breaches of the wall by them thrown down, had brought into the field an Army of 350000 horse and foot: yet nothing could withstand the fortune of Tamerlane, who obtained the victory, with the slaughter of 60000 Chinois. But wisely moderating his prosperity, he thought it the best and safest way, to let that Nation have a King of their own; imposing on him the fine of 300000 Crowns of ready money, and such other conditions as were most pleasing to the victor, and yet not destructive to the vanquished. Before this time the Chinois were possessed of a great part of that Countrey which we now call by the name of Cathay; which lying without the wall of China, was taken from them by Tamerlane, and made by him part of the Empire of Tartary. Which possibly might be the reason, (part of Ca•hay being antiently a member of the Kingdome of China, and still retaining somewhat of their customs and ingenuity) that by some writers, easily misguided by such probability, Cathay and China have been reckoned to be one and the same. Nor did the Empire of the Chinois extend in those times onely over part of S•ythia, but also over part of India, and most of the Oriental Ilands. But the Princes of the house of Hombu finding their own Kingdome large enough to content their desires, abandoned all the Accessories and Out-parts of their Dominions: prompted thereunto, not onely by their own moderation, but by some misfortunes which befell them. For as we find that the Romans having by the fury of two violent tempests, lost no fewer than 206 of their ships and gallies, resolved to abandon (and for a long time did forbear) the Seas, which had used them so unkindly: So the Chinois having received a great overthrow, and loss of 800 ships, nigh unto Ze•lan, they freed all the Ilands from obedience unto them, and contented themselves with the bounds which nature had bestowed on them. And of their moderation herein, we have a late example. For when the people of Corea, a small Iland a butting on the confines of China, were invaded by the Japonites, they submitted themselves unto the King of China: who having repulsed the enemy, and thereby cleared his own Countrey from danger, presently redelivers over unto the Coreans, their Town and liberty. A rare fact of a contented people. Which whether it favoured of greater moderation or magnanimity, I am not able to determine. In this family hath the Realm continued under twelve Kings for the space of 200 years and upward, reckoning from Hombu unto Boneg: who being the twelfth of this line, succeeded his elder brother, unfortunately slain with a fall from an horse. Reported for a Prince of good disposition, great judgement, and a severe Justiciary. But whether still alive, or who hath since succeeded, if he be deceased, I am yet unsatisfied: though whosoever he be that now sits in the throne, or at least pretends a right unto it, he hath but little joy in this great estate; the Tartars being called in to a bet some differences touching the succession: who finding their advantages, and the unwarlikeness of the People, are said to have lately broken down the Partition-wall, and let in infinite numbers of their Country-men, and made themselves Masters in short time of the best parts of the Countrey. In which estate it now standeth, for ought I have heard unto the contrary.

The Government of this Kingdome is meerly tyr•••icall; there being no other Lord but the King; no title of dignity or nobility ever known amongst them; nor toll or duty paid unto any but to him: the younger Princes of the blood being mantained by stipends, and annuall pensions, large enough to support their trains, but without any Lands or Tenants, for fear of drawing on them any great dependances. The King alone is the generall Landlord, and him the subjects do not onely reverence as a Prince, but adore like a God. For in the chief City of every Province, they have the Kings portraiture made of gold, which is always covered with a veil: and at every New-moon, the Magistrates and other inferiour Officers use to kneel before it, as if it were the King himself. By these and other artifices of the like contrivement the Common-people are kept in such awe and fear, that they are rather slaves than subjects: calling their King the l•mp of the world, and Son of the evershining Sun, without whose light they were able to see nothing. In every Province, except Paquin and Tolenchia onely, he hath his Deputies or Vice-Royes, maintained by liberall stipends from the publique treasury: but those he governeth by himself. Some laws they have, and those affirmed to have been written 2000 years since, as is like enough they were. So strongly do they favour of the ignorance and A•heism of the darkest times: the manner of life by them allowed, most obscene and shameless, their idolatries most gross and palpable, their exorcisms ridiculous, and the prostitution of their Virgins most abhominable, and the variety of sensuall prophanations, to an illuminated mind most base and contemptible. In a word, nothing commendable in their course of life (notwithstanding the brags which they make of themselves) but their Arts and industry.

The forces which this King is able to draw into the Field must needs be infinite, considering that incredible number of subjects under his command. For whereas France is thought to contain 15 millions of people; Italy, with the Isles, as many; Germany, with the Switzers and Belgick Provinces, about that proportion; Spain not above seven Millions, and the Kingdome of England about four: this Countrey one-is computed at 70 millions; which is more by 15 millions than all together. Proportionably his Levies must be so much greater than can be ordinarily raised out of those Countries. But because it may be thought that his subjects, though more in number, may be less trained to the warres than those of Europe; the contrary is affirmed by such as have taken an estimate of the forces which every Province is bound to entertain in continuall readiness. And by that estimate it appeareth, that in the year 1557 (though a time of peace) there were dispersed in the fifteen Provinces of this Realm, to the number of five millions; 846500 Foot, and 948350 Horse. Nor is he less powerfull for Sea-service, having continually great Fleets for the guard of his costs in continuall attendance; and many more ready to set out when there is occasion: insomuch that the Chinois use to say in the way of a Proverb, that their King is able to make a bridge of ships from China to Malaca, which are 500 leagues asunder. Some of these ships (whereof the King hath above a thousand of his own, besides those of his subjects) of great magnificence and beauty: the Officers and Souldiers in all which are exceeding well paid, and rewarded answerably to their merits. And as this King is able to raise greater forces than any, from his own estates; so doth he also de facto do it, when the urgency of his affairs do require it of him: his ordinary stint being 300000 foot, and 200000 horse, without which compleat number (not onely in the muster-rols, but in bodies of men) he vouchsafes not to go into the field.

Answerable unto these great Levies of men; must be his Revenue: which they who have travelled in this search, (if they tell us true, and do not build upon an hope of not being confuted, as for my part I fear they do) affirm to be 120 millions of Crowns; answered unto him out of the profit of the mines of Gold, Silver, and other metalls; the tenth of all commodities which the Earth brings forth; the tolls imposed on that uspeakable quantity of merchandise, which passeth on so many navigable Rivers from one Town to another; the customes taken of all those rich wares which are brought into Europe, and the Gabell laid on Salt in all parts of his Kingdome. Out of which summe, the payment of his Fleet discharged, the entertainment of the Souldiers satisfied, and his Court defraied; there remaineth 40 millions of Crowns de claro to be disposed of, either in his treasury, or private pleasures, or the works of magnificence, and ostentation.

And so much for China.

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

The Kingdom of CHINA, with its Provinces and Isles, which may be considered as they lie

• Northernly, and
  • Regarding the Sea; as
    • Leaoton,
      • Leaoton, or Leaoyang.
      • Richeo
    • Pequin,
      • Peking,
      • Quangping,
      • Himpin,
      • Tianchevoy.
    • Scianton,
      • Xanton, or Cinan,
      • Pamnihu,
      • Cincoyan,
      • Laicheu, or Lincheu.
  • On the Firm Land; as
    • Sciansi,
      • Taven,
      • Lugan,
      • Tatong,
      • Sciansi,
      • Pingans,
      • Suchio.
    • Sciensi,
      • Siganfu,
      • Jengan,
      • Pingleang,
      • Pichin,
      • Linyao.
    • Honan,
      • Honan,
      • Temechio,
      • Caifung,
      • Nanyang,
      • Chinchio.
• Southernly, and
  • On the SEA; to wit,
    • Easternly, as
      • Nanquin,
        • Nanking,
        • Chicheu,
        • Lucheu,
        • Funiam,
        • Xanuchi.
      • Chequian, with its Isles of
        • Quinsay, now Hancheu,
        • Haugcheu,
        • Liampo,
        • Aucheo,
        • Succu,
        • Chequia.
        • Mochosa, or Cheuxan,
        • Sunkiam, or Changque,
        • Suan,
        • Olepio,
        • Avarello,
        • Chaposi.
      • Fuquien,
        • Chincheo,
        • Focheu,
        • Yenping,
        • Chining,
        • Hinghoa,
        • Isles of
          • Lanquin,
          • Baboxin.
    • Southernly, as
      • Canton,
        • Canton,
        • Nanhium,
        • Lampaca,
        • Quanycheu,
        • Uchuen,
        • Zauquin,
        • Luicheu,
      • Isles belonging to Canton; as
        • Aynan
          • Kinchensu,
          • Bancao,
        • Thinosa,
        • Amacao,
        • Omandari,
        • Pulotio.
      • Quancy,
        • Quancy,
        • Colin,
        • Nangan.
      • Zunnan,
        • Junnan,
        • Hilan.
  • Within Land; as
    • Chiamsi,
      • Nanchang,
      • Kiencham,
      • Linkiang,
      • Juencheu,
      • Nangam.
    • Huquan,
      • Cingiang,
      • Huchang,
      • Vuchang,
      • Yocheu,
      • Cangte.
    • Suchuen,
      • Paoning,
      • Xunking.
    • Quicheu,
      • Quincheo,
      • Rueyang,
      • Hiauchoau,
      • Liping,
      • Cipan,
      • Pauhu•.
• In Isles and Peninsula's about the Coast of CHINA; as those of
  • Corey,
    • Hianking,
    • Kingzan,
    • Civenlo.
  • Larrons.
  • Fuego.
  • Lequejo Grande.
  • De los Roys Mages.
  • de Pescheurs,
    • Gillira,
    • Wankan,
    • Tayoan.
  • Formosa.
  • Tabaca Miguel.
  • Tabaca Xima.
  • Hainan.

• 1.1CHINA is on the East of Asia, and of all our Continent; and if we consider its greatness, fruitfulness, riches, the great number and politeness of its Inhabitants, the beauty of its Cities, its Manufactures, and for having had the inventions of Silk, Printing, Paper, Artillery, &c. it is worthy of note.

• 1.2Ptolomy knew this Country under the name of Sinarum Regio; but it hath been observable by us, that the Chinois knew not any thing of that name; and that when this great Empire falls from one Family to another, he that begins the Family gives such a new name as he pleases to the Kingdom: and these names are very specious; as formerly it had the name of Than, that is, Boundless; Yu, that is, Repose; Hin, which signifies, Great; Sciam, which is an Ornament; Cheu, that is, Perfect, and so others: The Family that reigns at present gave it the name of Miu, that is, Brightness; and the last Kings of the same Family have added Ta, which is, Kingdom, so that Ta-Min signifies the Kingdom of Brightness. The People neighbouring upon China take little heed of the changing of these names; but on the contrary, some name it in one manner, and some in another: Those of Cochin-china and Siam call it Cin, from whence we have formed the name of China; those of Japhan, Than: the Tartars, Han: the Saracens and Mahometans of the West call it Cathay; under which name is likewise comprehended the Eastern part of Tartary.

Its greatness extends from the 18th or 19th,* 1.3 unto the 43th or 44th degree of Latitude: and from 147 to 166 degrees of Longitude, and in some places from 145 to 172; that is about 24 degrees of Latitude, which amount to 600 Leagues from North to South; and 18 or 20, and sometimes 25 degrees of Longitude, which amount to 4, 5, or 600 Leagues from West to East: some Authors have esteemed this Kingdom greater; but the Father Jesuites have observed the height of Pequin, and its most Northern parts.

• 1.4It contains 16 Provinces, all rich, plentiful, and which might well merit the name and title of Kingdoms; they are subdivided into 28 Regions, or less Provinces, of which some have 12, some 15 fair Cities; amongst which are 180 great Cities, 319 great Towns, and 1212 lesser; in all 1771 Cities and fair Towns.

• 1.5However it be a great number, there is the same likewise of lesser places; insomuch that in Anno 1557 there was found in China more than 40 Millions of Men which paid Tribute or Tax: In 1616 there was near 60 Millions. Among which the Women, Young men under 20 years, Eunuchs, Souldiers, Officers, Sick people, and those of the Kings kindred were not comprehended, which together would amount to a very great number.

• 1.6There are accounted likewise Tributaries to the King of China, 3 Kings towards the East, 53 towards the West, 55 towards the South, and 3 towards the North, which are 114; and many have assured his Revenue to be 150 Millions of Gold per annum.

• 1.7The bounds of this great Monarchy are very advantagious, the Sea washing it on the South and East, where there are divers little Islands and Rocks along the Coast; a Mountain of above 500 Leagues long being its Northern bounds, and great sandy Desarts and Forests, mixt with Mountains, limit it on the West unto the South Sea: these were its natural defence; but upon the Tartars often invading them, and being at once Master of 33 important Towns, and fearing lest they should be quite subdued, concluded a Peace with the Tartars, agreeing to pay them 2000 Picos of Silver for the defraying the charges of their Army, and they to return home and render up the 33 Towns to the Chinoises. This Peace continued a good while; but they fearing the incursion of the Tartars again, the King at a general Council with his Peers, for their further peace and safety did agree to build a Wall about their Kingdom, or rather Empire, which might serve for a Bulwark against all Invaders, in pursuance whereof there was raised 10000 Picos of Silver, which at 1500 Ducdts, each Pico amounts to 15 Millions of Gold; and entertained 25000 Men to carry on this work, whereof 3000 were appointed as Overseers of the rest; and thus in the space of 27 years,* 1.8 they quite finished the circumference of the Wall, which is 70 Jaos, in length each Jao being 3 Leagues, which is 650 miles. This Wall is 30 foot high and 10 foot broad, being made with Lime, Sand, and Plaistered on the outside, by means whereof it is so hard, that it is Cannon proof; instead of Bulwarks it hath Watch-Towers 2 Stages high, flancked with high Buttresses as thick as a Hogshead, and exceeding strong; the expences for the performing of this Work was divided into 3 parts, of which the Commonalty paid one, the Priests and Isles of Aynan another, and the King and Peers the other: and in this great enclosure there are but 5 Entries, in which both the King of China and Tartary keep Garrisons; in each of which the Chinois continually keep at great expences about 6000 Horse, and 1000 Foot, which for the most part are all Strangers of different Nations bordering upon this Empire, which are kept for defence thereof, when occasion shall serve; in all this length of Wall there is 320 Companies, each of them containing 500 Souldiers, which in all are 160000, besides Officers, &c. which will make up the number 200000, and are all maintained at the Kings charge; but most of these are Malefactors, which doth much lessen the pay, they working for nothing. But for all this strong Wall, and their great care in keeping it, the Tartars of late have almost over-run all China. Besides its extent, the great number of its people, and the Forces of this Kingdom, the Soil is generally exceeding rich and fertil, and abounding in all things; and so divided by Rivers and Navigable Channels, that some have affirmed that there are as many River-boats in China, as in all the World besides.

• 1.9They have all sorts of Grains and Fruits, except the Olive and the Almond, instead of which they have many others not found elsewhere; and moreover their Grains, Fruits, as also their Plants and Herbs; are far beyond ours in excellency and goodness, and their Flowers more beautiful and various than ours. This Country produceth all sorts of living Creatures, as Beasts and Fowl, both tame and wild; and so excellent, that the flesh of their Camels, Mules, Asses, Dogs, &c. are sweet, and good to eat; all Provision is here found so plentiful, that a fat Cow is not worth above 10 Shillings. a Buffter a Crown, a Hog 2 Shillings; all sorts of Fowl they sell by the pound, the common rate after their Feathers are off, being not above 2 Pence, and Fish they have in such great plenty, as well in their Rivers as in the Sea, that they are not worth the selling. The like may be said of their Grains and Fruits, which are found in as great abundance; they have also as great plenty in divers rich Commodities,* 1.10 as in excellent Sugar, Wax, Hony, all sorts of Spices, several Drugs, Rice, Wool, Wines; great quantities of Silk and Cotton, of which they make a great number of different Manufactures. They have all sorts of Metals, but their Gold and Silver is of a lower alloy than ours; and therefore it is that they so much esteem English Gold, and Pristols and Rials of Spain: they have much Rhubarb and Amber, quantity of Musk Civet, which would be the best in the World, if they did not falsifie it: their Capphire is not near so good as that of Borneo, and their Pearls are all Barroques. They have much Saltpeter, with which they make (besides Gunpowder) a thousand divices and artificial Fires. They have so great plenty of Salt, that the Custom only in the Town of Canter, (as Mr. Lewis Roberts reports) doth bring in to the King 180 thousand Ducats yearly.

• 1.11They have abundance of very fine Inventions, of which some are common with us, but which they had before us; as the disposition of their Poasts, their Paper which they make of the bark of Bambus or Canes, but so thin, that it will bear Ink on both sides. In their writing they make use of Pencils, and not Pens, which by reason of the smoothing of the Paper, they cut their Characters exceeding neat, their writing consisteth only of Characters,* 1.12 which make so-ma••• Syllables, and the Syllables so many different names, whose signfications are various; of these Monosyllables they have neer 60 to 80000, they write from top to bottom, advancing their lines from the left hand to the right, and almost all their knowledg consists only in reading well. In their Printing, they are so expert, that they can take away, augment, or change as much or as little as they please in a moment. Their Artillery which they dismout by pieces, and their Chariots which they make run with a Saile, &c. Their Manufactures of Silk, which they say they have had 3 or 4000 years. They make use of Tables and Seats when they eat, and of Beds when they repose, which their Neighbours do not. Their High-ways are straight, paved, and cut sometimes out of the Mountains. They have Salt which they extract from the Sea-water and from Mines. They make and subtract their Sugar, Honey and Wax, from diverse things, to wit, from Bees, from the fruit of certain Trees, and from certain little Worms they keep in those Trees; and this sorts is the best, the whitest, and its Candle burns the clearest of all.

Those things which they have most particularly, are their Drinks, which they make with the leaves of certain Shrubs; a Gumm, and an excellent Varnish, which they get from the Barks of Trees. Also their Porcelain, which they make of Earth, in the Province of Quiamsi, of which they make excellent Cups, Dishes, &c. far exceeding Glass-Metal.

• 1.13The Chinoisses are for the most part well shaped, of a good Stature; they have commonly broad faces, flat noses, little eyes; they never cut the hair of their heads, but on the contrary they wear little or no Beards, and as to their complexion they differ according to the Climat under which they abide, as those in the Province of Pequin lying in the most Northern part of China, are of a fair complexion like the English, when as those towards the South, as in the Province of Canton, &c. are like the Moors of Barbary; their Women are handsom, yet make use of Paint; they seldom are seen abroad.

• 1.14They wear their Garments very long, with long loose sleeves; those of the Northern Provinces make use of Furs, and those of the Southern wear Silk; but persons of quality are richly habited and adorned with many Pearls and Precious Stones. They are great lovers of Women, as also of their bellies, commonly eating thrice a day, their diet being good and cleanly drest, and they as neat in eating it, making use of Knifes and Forks.

• 1.15They are very ingenious, and much more industrious and Politick then their Neighbours, having the use and understanding of Arts and Sciences, both liberal and Mechanical, as Philosophy, Physick, Astronomy concerning the Heavens and Stars, the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, &c. in the which they have abundance of vain fancies. Also they are expert in Musick and making of Musical Instruments, Navigation, Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, making of Clocks, casting of Metals in Images, Medals or the like; these with several other inventions too tedious to name, they had the benefit of before us; yet are they not in that perfection as they are with us. And as for Armes, they have their courage so low,* 1.16 that both the Souldiers and the Commanders submit themselves to the whip, when they have been wanting in their duty; so that it was said that when the Tartars affaulted them, it sufficed them only to have shewed them the whip, to have put them to slight, as the Scythians their predeceisors once served their slaves, who during their long absence had married their Mistresses. It is likewise reported that the China Horses could not suffer the weighing of the Tartarian Coursers; and the Chinois Cavaliers being of the same humor, they were more likely to run than fight.

Moreover the Chinois are very ceremonious, courteous, and great complementers, for which they have several Printed Books which they teach their children, not passing by any one, that they know, without kind salutations; and if they happen to espy any friend which comes out of the Country, besides their kind greeting, his first question will be to ask him whether he hath dined or supped; which if he hath not, he will carry him to a Tavern and give him a treatment of Flesh, Fowle and Fish; and if he hath din'd, a collation of Fruits and Conserves.

They are also very costly in their Feasts and Entertainments, as in variety of Meats, Fruits, Preserves, to which may be added other delights; as Musick, Singing, Dancing, Plaies, and other pastimes. And for persons of quality they observe more state, some Feasts lasting about 15 or 20 days.

They have several days which they make great account of in Feastings and merriments, but above all others, their new years day, which is in March, where also their Priests are present at their rejoycings, adding to the solemnity of the day Sacrifices which they make to their Gods.

In their Marriages they also very expensive in their Feasts; for the Bridegroom receives no other Portion from her friends, then what they bestow in their entertainments; but on the contrary, he gives her a Portion, which the gives to her friends in thankfulness for their care in her education.

• 1.17The Chinois may be held as Pagans and Idolaters, not knowing the true Religion, but worshipping Idolls; they invoke the Devil, they hold the immortality of the Soul, and after this life it goeth to eternal bliss, or torment; they also hold a kind of Purgatory, and that their friends and relations upon their prayers and supplications, may have some ease, for which purpose they have a day set apart for the performing of this ceremony. They have four orders of Religious men; they observe all one fashion, but are distinguished by their colour; they all shave their beards and heads, they make use of Beads, and say their Matins, &c. as the European Monks do. Mandelsloe saith that they are much addicted to incantations and charmes, not doing any thing of concernment, without they have first consulted it by their charmes; and if they prove not according to their desire, they will raile and abuse their. Gods with scurrilous language, fling them down, beat them, whip them, and tread upon them; but when their choler is asswaged, they will cogg with them, give them good words, and pretend sorrow; and if the charme favour them, then they offer to them Geese, Ducks, boiled Rice, &c. These charms are commonly two small pieces of wood, one side being flat, and the other being hallow, which they, fling upon the ground; and if it happen that the round side of both, or of one is downwards, they take it for an ill omen; if uppermost, for good. They believe that all things visible and invisible were created by Heaven, who by a Vicegerent governs the Universe, another who governs all Sublunary things; they also add three principal Ministers; one looks to the production of Fruits, and the generation of Men and Animals, another governs the Air, and causeth Rain, &c. and the other governeth the Waters and Sea.

Mandelsloe saith also,* 1.18 that at their Funerals they have several ceremonies; as soon as any person is deceased, they wash his body, put on his best Clothes, and set him in a Chair, where his Wife, Children, and other Relations kneeling down about him, take their leave of him, which done, they put him into the Coffin, set it upon a Table, covering him with a Winding-sheet, which reaches to the ground, on which they draw the Picture of the deceased, where they leave him 15 days, during, which time in some other Room they set on a Table Wine, Fruit and Lights, for the Priest who watcheth; after which time, they carry the Corps to the Burial place, his Relations commonly mourning for a year.

• 1.19The Government of the Kingdom or Empire of China, is wholly at the power of the King, either to change, take away, or augment Laws, when and as oft as he pleases; yet doth he not execute any rigorous Laws upon them scarce acting or imposing any thing upon his Subjects, without the Advice of his Council of State; besides this Council of State, he appoints others, as well for the Administration of Justice, as for the oversight of other affaires in the Kingdom; but they neither inflict any punishment to Criminals, or determine any thing of themselves, but make their report to the King, who decides the same.

They are very circumspect how they condemn any person, not passing their sentence, till the offence is found so clear and evident, that the offendor is not able to justifie himself, they use fair means first for the finding out of the truth; and if that will not do, they then inflict several tortures upon them; their executions are various and more cruel according to the offence committed; some being hanged, some they impale, some they burn; their greatest punishment is inflicted on thieves, which they much abhor. Debtors they imprison; for which purpose there being so many, there is in every great City several Prisons, in which they are strictly kept and lookt unto; by reason of which that their lives may not be burthensome unto them, they have in their Prisons, Gardens, Courts, Walks, Fish-ponds, Drinking-houses and Shops, which furnish the Prisoners with such things as they have occasion for.

• 1.20The Dignity of the Crown of China is hereditary, falling to the eldest Son of the King after his decease; the King they highly reverence, calling him the Son of Heaven, the Son of God, or the like, not that they think him so, but being the chiefest of men, they esteem him dear to the Gods, and as a gift of Heaven.

The Chinois have many Books and descriptions of their Kingdom: observing exactly all that their Provinces particularly possess: what is the extent, quality, and force of each, how many Cities they have, how many Officers, how many men which study, how many which bear Armes, who pay Tribute, and a Thousand particularities; of which however writers have recounted to us but few things, scarce can we gather the Names of the sixteen Provinces, and of some Cities and Rivers; these Names being so diverse in several Authors, that it is a difficulty to reconcile them; we will say something of them giving them those names which seem to us best received.

• 1.21CHINA is divided into two principal parts, Northern, and Southern: there are six Provinces in the Northern part, and ten in the Southern: The River Jamchucquian traverses these; and the River Caramoran those. Of the six Northern parts, three are washed by the Sea, as Leaoton, Pequin and Scianton, and of these three, the two first touch the great Wall or Mountain; the three other Provinces are on the firm Land; as Sciansi, Sciensi, and Honan, likewise of these three, the two first touch the great Wall; amongst the ten Southern ones, there are six on the Sea; three towards the East, as Nanquin, Checquian, or Aucheo and Fuquien; and three towards the South, as Canton, Quancy, and Yunnan; the other four Provinces are up in the Land, and are called Chiamsi, Huquan, Suchuen, and Quicheu. And of these Provinces in order.

• 1.22The Province of LEAOTON is almost quite separated from the rest of China: Its chief City bears the same name; this City, as also most of the Cities in China, is well built, and of one form, being square, and with good Walls made of Brick, and plaistered over with Porcelain, which renders it exceeding hard and strong; they are commonly broad, and having the benefit of several Towers, as well for beauty as defence. Its Soil amongst other things produces the Root Ginsen, which preserves the well in health and strength; strengthens and restores health to the sick; they sell it commonly at double its weight of Silver. Its Inhabitants are less civilised then the rest of China, but more robustious and proper for Warr. Its other places of most note are Richeo, and Chincheo, and both seated on the Sea.

• 1.23The Province of PEQƲIN, though of great fertility, yet by reason of its popu••usness, occasioned by the residence of the Kings of China in its principal City lo Xunthienfu by us called Pequin, makes it that it cannot furnish Mayz, Wheat, Rice, and other Provisions enough for its Inhabitants and resort of People; which defect is supplied from the adjacent Provinces. The City of Xunthienfu or Pequin is of a vast bigness, containing within its Walls (made of Free-stone, and strongly fortified with Bulwarks) which are in circumference near 30 Leagues, about 3300 Pagodes or Temples, wherein are continually sacrificed a great number of Wild-Beasts and Birds: These Pagodes, especially those of the Order of the Menegrepos, Conquinys and Talagrepos, who are the Priests of the 4 Sects of Xaca, Amida, Gizan and Canon, are sumptuous Structures. To the Wall which encompasseth this City, for the conveniency of its Inhabitants are 360 Gates, to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept, as also a Register, to take the names of all Persons that pass thereat. The Streets are long, broad, and well composed, and its houses fair and lofty; each of the chief Streets having its Captain and other Officers, who are to look after the same, which every night are shut up by Gates. Here are about 120 Aquaeducts or Canals, which traverse the City, upon which are near 1800 fair Bridges sustained on Arches. Without the City in a tract of 7 Leagues long and 3 broad, are about 80000 Tombs of the Mandarins, which are small Chapels, richly beautified, nigh unto which are about 500 great Palaces, which they call the Houses of the Sun, which are inhabited by those that can no longer bear Armes for the Emperour of China; either through age, sickness or other infirmities. Also here are about 1300 stately Houses inhabited by Religious Men and Women. There are several Streets of a great length, only possessed by People of one profession, as one by near 14000 Taverns; another by innumerable many Courtizans, and another by about 24000 Oarmen, which belong to the Emperours Panourers. Here are also 32 great Colledges for those that study the Laws. Likewise there are abundance of large Houses, with spacious inclosures of Gardens, Woods, provided of Game, near this City, which said Houses or rather Inns, serve only to give entertainment to people of all degrees, by seeing of Plaies, Combates, Bulbaitings, &c. and the Palace Royal of the Emperour, which is in this City for its largeness, fairness and richness, is not inferior to any in the East; this City being his residence for the Northern Provinces, as Nanquin is for the Southern.

And thus much for the City of Pequin; its other chief places are, first, Tianchevoy; secondly, Himpin; and thirdly, Cichio, seated on a fair River about 70 Miles from the Sea.

• 1.24The Province of SCIANTON, is between that of Pequin and Nanquin; it is well watered with Rivers, which makes it very fertile, abounding in so great plenty of al sorts of Flesh, Fowl, Fish, Grains, Fruits, &c. that its Inhabitants, which are esteemed about seven Millions of Persons, cannot devour the encrease but are forced to furnish other Provinces; they have also great store of Silk, and other rich Commodities. It hath several great Cities, the chief of which are, 1 Xanton, not far from the Sea; 2 Pamnihu, 3 Cincoyan, and 4 Linceu, seated in an Isle so called: Besides which, here are found in this Sea, 9 other Isles, most of which do belong to this Province, and are well known, affording many of the China Commodities.

• 1.25The Province of SCIANSI, which Purchas calls Cansas, hath many Mountains, by reason of which it is not so fertile, as that of Pequin; neither is it so large, so populous, nor so pleasant; yet with the industry of the Inhabitants, it produceth Corn, Rice and Mayz; but in recompence it breeds great quantity of Cattle, and hath so many Vines, that it furnishes the whole Kingdom with Pickled Grapes and Raisins. It hath likewise two sorts of Mines, the one of Brimstone, the other of Stones which burn, and may be called Coals. In the Sulphur Mines they make little holes, to draw out heat enough to boyl any thing they need. The Mines of Coals are inexhaustible, encreasing from time to time: and these Coals well prepared, will keep fire day and night without being touched.

In this Province are about 90 Cities and great Towns, six of which are of considerable note; as, 1 Sciansi, 2 Taven, 3 Lugan, 4 Talong, 5 Pingans, 6 Suchio; all which are well built and very populous.

• 1.26The Province of SCIENSI or XEMSI, which Purchas calls Soyohin, Mendoza, Sinsay, is the most Westward of all the Six Northern Provinces, and the greatest of all the 16 Provinces; Siganfu is esteemed its chief City; the great Mountain and Wall doth bound it from the Tartars; the Soyl is dry, yet yields good store of Wheat, Mayz and Barley, but little Rice; it feeds much Cattle, and the Sheep are sheared thrice a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn; their first shearing is the best: It yields Musk, which is the Navel of a Beast, of the bigness of a Hinde. They have Gold, which they gather amongst the Sand of the Rivers; for the Mines, though it hath some, yet they are not open. It produceth divers Perfumes and Rhubarb, which they carry into Persia, and other places: And it is through this Province, that the Caravans come from the West.

This Province is very populous, and is well stored with great Towns and Cities, having 8 great Cities, as, 1 Siganfu, its Metropolis, afore spoken of, 2 Jengun, 3 Pingleang, 4 Pichin, 5 Lynyao; with a great many of less note.

• 1.27The Province of HONAN, which Purchas calls Oyman, is very fertile, and the Climate very temperate; the freest from Mountains, and the farthest from the Sea. It produceth the best Fruits in the World, as well those known to us in Europe, as others; and that in so great quantity, that they are scarce valued. The River of Caramoran after having divided the Provinces of Sciansi, and Sciensi takes its course through the middle of Honan, and discharges it self into the Sea, by the Province of Nanquin. It comprehendeth 7 great Cities, the chief of which bears the name of the Province; its other chief places are, 1 Tem•chio, 2 Caifung, 3 Nanyang, and 4 Chinchio, besides about One hundred less ones, all well inhabited. Hitherto we have surveyed the six Northern Provinces of China; we come now to the 10 more to the South.

• 1.28The Province of NANQƲIN is the fairest and richest, and its Inhabitants the most civilised of all the Kingdom; and the Kings of China did alwaies make their residence at Nanquin, till of late they have made it at Pequin. It comprehends 14 great and fair Cities, viz. 1 Ʋmthienfu or Nanquin, which is the Metropolis of the Province, 2 Chicheu, 3 Lucheu, 4 Funiam, and 5 Zanuchi, all which are very populous; some of which have about 200000 people, which only work in making of Calicoes: All which are commodiously seated on arms of the Sea, which make several Isles. And beside these Cities, there are about 100 small ones of less note: I shall only speak something of Nanquin.

• 1.29Ʋmthienfu or Nanquin, as we call it, yet ceases not to be the greatest, fairest and richest City of the whole Kingdom, next to Pequin. The form and Symmetry of its Buildings in its Palace, in its Temples, in its Gates, in its Towers, and in its Bridges, as likewise in its publick and particular Houses, and their Ornaments, are wonderful. It is situate upon the River of Batampina, and upon an indifferent high Hill; so that it commands all the Plains there adjacent. The circumference is 8 Leagues, 3 long, and 1 broad, all encompassed with a strong Wall of hewed Stone; about which there are 130 Gates, at each of which there is kept a Porter with two Halberdiers, whose Office is to take the names of every one that passes every day in and out; and besides the strong Wall, there are for further defence 12 Forts or Cittadels. In this City there are accounted above 800000 Houses, besides 80000 Mandarins Houses, 60 great Market places, 130 Butchers Shambles, each containing about 80 Shops, 8000 Streets, whereof 600 are fairer and larger then the rest; all which are broad, straight and well disposed, and are compassed about with Ballisters of Copper. The Houses are about two stories high, and built of Wood, except those of the Mandarins, which are composed of Hewed Stone, and encompassed with Walls and Ditches, over which they have Stone Bridges, with rich Gates and Arches. The Houses or rather Palaces of the Chaems, Auchacys, Aytans, Tutons, and Chumbims, which are Governors of the Kingdoms or Provinces of the Empire of China, under the Emperor, are stately Structures of about 6 or 7 stories high, and richly adorned with Gold, in which are kept their Magazins for Arms, Ammunition; as also their Treasuries, their Wardrops, and their Fine Porcelain, which by them is so highly esteemed. Here are about 2300 Pagodes, a thousand of which were Monasteries for Religious Persons, which are exceeding rich. Here are also about thirty great Prisons which will contain about two or three thousand Prisoners a-piece: Also a great Hospital for the relief of the Poor. At the entrace of every principal Street, for the security of the Inhabitants, there are Arches and Gates which are kept shut every hight; and in most of the chief Streets are pleasant Fountains.

In this City there is accounted about ten thousand Trades for the working of Silks, which from thence are sent all over the Kingdom; which at every New and Full Moon, amongst divers other Commodities, are vended at Fairs in several places of the City. Its Traffick and Commerce bring thither so great a multitude of People, that its Streets are scarce able to be passed for the throng. Its Commodities and Manufactures are in so great esteem, that they utter better then others; and all the neighbouring Countries make a great number of Manufactures.

The Revenue which the King receives from this Province is exceeding vast, the Inhabitants paying into his Exchequer Sixty Millions of Crowns yearly; besides great Excises upon all Commodities, if Mandelsloe may be believed; and if he receiveth so much out of one Province, judge what a vast Revenue he hath from all the Provinces, many of which are no ways inferior to this.

• 1.30The Province of CHEQƲIAN which Purchas calls Essiram, passes likewise for one of the best Provinces of China. The pleasant Rivers which run through it, and the many good Ports, with its Isles it hath on the Coast, doth facilitate the utterance of its Merchandizes; and particularly, both Raw Silk, and prepared in Thred, and in Stuffs, which it distributes to the other Provinces of China, and throughout all the World; the other Provinces of China, not having enough for their use. Of this Silk there is one sort which is reserved to be employed in divers works mixed with Gold, with great art and curiosity, and those are only for the Kings Palace. This Province hath about seventy Cities,* 1.31 of which six are of considerable note, as 1 Quinsay, now called Hamceu, once the Metropolis of China; 2 Liampo, a fair City seated on the Sea; 3 Aucheo also commodiously seated on the Sea; 4 Scanutanu an In-land City, 5 Chequian also an In-land City, but fair, well built, and frequented; and 6 Succu, seated on the Sea, and about 25 Leagues from the City of Nanquin.

All which are fair, strong, well built, and very populous Cities, but not comparable to Quinsay, of which a word or two.

• 1.32Quinsay or Hamceu, as I said before, was once the Metropolis of China, being (if we may give credit to Authors,) 100 miles in circuit, and having in the midst thereof, a Lake of about 30 miles in compass, in which are two fair Islands, and in them two stately Palaces adorned with all necessaries, either for Majesty or Conveniency; the City having variety of stately Palaces. Its Houses as well private as publick, are fair and well built, having abundance of Pagodes, the Streets large, well ordered and paved with Free-stone. To this City are said to belong about 10000 Sail of great and small Vessels, which are inhabited by People, who there negotiate their affairs, and remove from one place and City to another, as their occasions serve them. There are said to be in this City about 15000 Priests, and besides the vast number of Inhabitants, there are about 60000 persons which are employed in working of Silk. But this City, since Pequin and Fanquin are become the Residence of the King and Court, hath much-lost its former splendor.

This Province is observed to have a great number of Temples magnificently built, and the Lake Sibu bordered with stately Palaces, and encompassed with Hills covered with Trees and rare Plants. A place so pleasant and delightful, that the greatest and richest of the Province pass here their time, and expend their goods.

There are also in this Province whole Forests of Mulberry-trees, by reason of which they have the greatest product of Silk, of any Province in China; which they furnish several Kindoms with, as well in Europe, as in Asia.

Along the Coast of this Province are seated several Isles, some of which are very considerable, as Mochosa and Sunkiam, which is about 25 Leagues broad, and as many long; high to the shore of which ly several others, but of a lesser bigness. Its other Isles, are 1. Suan. 2. Olepio, 3. Avarella, and 4 the Isles of Chaposi, which are a body of several small Isles.

• 1.33The Province of FƲQƲIEN is not so fertile as Chequin and Canton, between which it is situated. Its Inhabitants endeavour to repair that default by their Trade with Strangers, and principally with Japan, the Philippines, Fermosa or Fair Island, which is directly opposite to their Coast. The Earth produceth Gold, Iron, Steel, Sugar, Calamba, Spices, Drugs, Quicksilver, Precious Stones, Fruits, Grains and Cattle; also Silk and Cotton, of which they make divers Manufactures, as also they make all sorts of Paper.

There are in this Province several Cities of note, but its chief are 1 Fochen, seated on a fair River not above 17 Leagues from the Sea; 2 Chincheo, also commodiously seated on a fair River or Arm of the Rea, from which it is distant about 10 Leagues, 3 Yenping, 4 Chining, and 5 Hinghoa.

The Inhabitants of Fermosa are almost all Savages, the Spaniards have built one Fortress on the East side, and the Hollanders another on the West side and towards the Continent, which they call Zealand. The Air is temperate, and healthful, which makes the Province become very populous; and along the Coast are seated several Isles, as Lanquin, Baboxin, &c.

• 1.34The Province of CANTON or QƲANTƲNG, though one of the least Provinces of China in extent, yet by the reason of the goodness of its Soyl, and the conveniency of its situation, being the first that presents its self to those of Europe, Africa and Asia, which come to China, it abounds in Wheat, Rice, and other Grains, Sugar, Gold, Precions Stones, Pearis, Steel, Quick-silver, Silk, Salt-Peter, Calamback-wood and Copper, Iron and Tin, of which they make curious Vessels, which they varnish with Charam, and which are brought to Europe. They make also the Barrels of their Guns in that nature, that though they are never so much laden, yet they do not break.

• 1.35The Inhabitants are very civil, industrious and ingenious, but they are better in imitation then invention; being in the first so great masters, that there is no rarity or manufacture whatsoever that comes to their sight, but they will exactly pattern as well as the Europeans; and in all manner of Goldsmiths work they far exceed them.

• 1.36In this Province are observed to be three things which are not in the other Provinces, that is, Men which spit Blood continually; Mountains without Snow; and Trees always green.

• 1.37In this Province are about 80 Cities both small and great, the chief whereof are 1 Quangchen or Canton, under which I shall include the Trade of China, as being the chiefest place of Traffick. It is well built, of great Traffick, rich, and very populous; to which the Portugals have a great Trade, being commodiously seated on an Arm of the Sea.

• 1.382. The Island and City of AMACAO is seated opposite to the City of Canton, on the North side of a Bay, which is at the mouth of the great River of Canton, which issueth out of the Lake of Quancy. This place is inhabited by the Portugals, intermixed with the natural Chinois; their particular Trade is with the City of Canton, which may be counted the Staple of all the China Commodities, whether they are permitted to come twice a year; at which time there are Fairs kept for the vending of their Commodities, which they carry to Malacta, Gon, and so into several parts of Europe. But though they are admitted the liberty of Trade, yet are they denied the freedom of lying in the City at nights, neither to enter the Walls without setting down their names in Books, which are kept by persons at each Gate for the same purpose, which when they depart at night, they cross out.

Its other chief places are 1 Xauquin, a Maritime City, 2 Luicheu, also seated on the Sea, very commodious for Traffick, and opposite to the Isle of Aynan, from which it is distant about 5 Leagues, 3 Lampaca, also seated upon the Sea, and 4 Nanhium seated far within Land, and among the Mountains which parts this Province from Chiamsi.

• 1.39The Isle of AYNAN is also comprehended under this Province, and is the greatest of all the Islands that belong to China. It is distant from Amacao, on the South 50 or 60 Leagues; it is almost as long as broad, having 50 Leagues from South to North, where it almost joyns upon the Southern Coast of China, and on the other side regards Cochinchina. It abounds in Grains, Fruits, Tame and Wild Beasts: The Sea hath Pearls, Lignum Aquilae and Calamba. Their Craw-fish taken out of the Water die, and grow hard like a Stone; which being reduced to Powder, serves for a remedy against many diseases. The Earth hath Mines of Gold and Silver, for which the Inhabitants care little. In the midst of the Island, the People are likewise half Savages: The chief City is Kincenfen, seated on the Sea-shore, and regarding the Province of Canton.

• 1.40The Province of QƲANCY, which Purchas calls Guansa, enjoys the same temperament with Canton, yields the same Commodities, and with the same plenty, but is not so much frequented by Mexchants, nor hath scarce any confluence of Strangers; the reason is, because its Rivers loose and discharge themselves all in the Province, and at the City of Canton, which forces them to pass through the hands of those of Canton, to utter their Merchandizes, and receive those of others. In this Province there are Ten large Cities, of which Quancy is chief, all well built and very populous, besides about one hundred small ones.

• 1.41The Province of ZƲNNAN, which Purchas calls Vanam, is the last on the South Coast, where it is washed by the Gulf of Cochinchina, and on the West, where it touches on the Kingdom of Tunquin, and on divers People beyond those Mountains which inclose the West of China. The Women have here the liverty to go in publick to buy and sell, which those of other parts of China do not. It hath Mines which yield a kind of Amber redder and less pure then ours; but which hath some particular vertue against Fluxes. Besides this, it transports few Merchandizes into other places. This Province hath likewise good store of small and great Cities, the chief of which bears the name of the Province, and Hilan, seated on a Lake so called, which is inform of a Crescent.

• 1.42The Province of CHIAMSI, which Purchas calls Lansay, is inclosed with Mountains, which have their passages open to the Neighbouring Provinces, and particularly on the Coast of Canton. On the Mountain of Muilin there is a great concourse for the carriages of Merchandizes, which are transported from Canton to Nanquin, which is done by mounting the River of Canton, unto the foot of the Mountain: From whence the carriages being taken out of the Vessels, are loaden, and born upon Mens backs to the other side of the Mountain, where there is found another navigable River, which crosses the Province Kiamsi, till it falls into the famous Jamchuquiam, which leads to Nanquin, and the Sea.

This Province is so peopled, that a part of its Inhabitants are constrained to spread themselves through all other Provinces of China, to seek their fortune. It is in one of the Cities of this Province that they make Porcelain; the Water here being fit to give it perfection: The Earth is fetched from other places, beaten and fashioned at the same time; the tincture they most commonly apply, is Azure, some lay on Vermilion, others Yellow. In this Province are 12 great Cities, besides about sixty small ones, its chief City being called Nanciam, seated on a Lake, as is Quianhanfu, and others. Its other chief places are, 1 Kienchan, 2 Linbiang, 3 Juencheu, 4 Nangam.

• 1.43The Province of HƲQƲAM is so abundant in Rice, that it is able to furnish a good part of China: It is likewise rich in Oyls and Fish. The Jamchuquian, and many other Rivers and Lakes cross it on all sides, and carry its Commodities towards Nanquin, and to Quincheu. It is very populous, containing 15 great Cities, and about 100 small ones, the chief of which are, 1 Chingiang, 2 Huchang, 3 Suchang, 4 Yocheu, &c.

• 1.44The Province of SƲCHƲEN, which Mendoza calls Susuan; Purchas, Soin, is one of the lesser Provinces of the Kingdom; it is high scituated, and pours down its Rivers into the Neighbouring Provinces. Here is found good store of yellow Amber, and excellent Rhubarb. Its chief Cities are in number 8 together with about 120 lesser ones; all which are exceeding populous, the chief bearing the name of the Province.

• 1.45The last of the Provinces I have to treat of is QƲICHEƲ, or likewise CƲTCHEƲ, according to Purchas. It borders on the People Timocoves, Gueyes, the Kingdom of Ciocangue, and the People called Layes: Here is that famous Lake C•ncui-Hai, from whence comes divers Rivers which water China. They make here quantity of Arms of all sorts, to serve against those People which border upon them which once belonged to China; but which now, for the most part, are Enemies to it. This Province is Hilly and unever, which makes it not very fertil in Corn, Fruits, &c. but it hath abundance of Quicksilver; and also it breeds the best Horses of any Province in all China. Cities in this Province are very few, there being not above 15, both small and great; the chief of which are, 1. Quicheo, seated on the River Yanchuquian• 2. Rueyang. 3. Hianchoau. 4. Liping. 5. Cipan. &c.

All these Provinces, or rather all these Kingdoms of China, are governed by divers Magistrates, which those of Europe call in general Mandarins. These are persons that have Patents, whom the King or chief Officer of State doth chuse, after knowledge of their capacity and honesty; the degrees given to Students, the general and particular Governments, the charges of the Militia, the receipt of, and management of Revenues, the building and repairing of Publick Buildings, the Civil and Criminal Justice, are in their hands. And there are Appeals from one to the other, according to the order and nature of Affairs. The Council of Estate always resides near the person of the King, and hath a general eye over the Kingdom.

But it shall suffice; what we have said of China let us finish by saying, That we have described it as it was before the Tartars made an irruption in •618. These Tartars kept it wholly for some years, since which the Chinois have repulsed them, and have established their former estate, receiving likewife Christianity with hopes of great fruits and progress; but of late they have broke into China again, and have committed great Spoils.

• Besides the Isles already spoken of, here are about the Coast of China several others, as the Isle of Corey in the Gulph of Nanquin, of good account, and well frequented, affording many of the China Commodities. It is of a large extent, being 100 Leagues in length, and about 50 in breadth. Its chief places are, Tauxem, seated on the Northern part of the Isle, regarding the Province of Leaoton; from which it is parted by a Streight or Gulph not above two Leagues broad. 2. Corey, seated on the Gulph of Nanquin, Southernly. 3. Tasoran, also seated on the Sea Eastwards; and on the South of this Isle are seated a Body of several Isles, called the Isles of Larrons. Likewise the Isles of Fuego, Lequeio Grande, Les Roys Mages; the Isles of Pescheurs or Fishers; of Pa•an or Formosa; of Tabaco Miguel, and Tabaco Xim•.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

China, which receiv'd almost as many Names as it has had Royal Families, has ever pass'd for one of the most Considerable Kingdoms in the World, by reason of it's bigness, the Beauty of it's Cities, the great number, Politeness, and Maximes of it's Inhabitants, Printing, the Manufacture of Silks, Artillery, Gunpowder, and Chairs or Sedans, are said to have been in use with them, sooner than with us. Besides what is necessary to the Life of Man, China produces the most precious commodities of the East. It seems as if Nature had bestow'd upon each of it's Provinces some peculiar Gift: those who have dwelt in this Country do aver, that all that is thought fine, dispers'd in the rest of the World, is collected in China. That there is likewise a vast number of things, which would be in vain sought for else-where. So that it is no wonder, if the Tartars found it so easy a matter to subdue a Nation, subdued in delights before, who having forgot to wear the sabre, contented themselves with fighting at fisticuffs, and with their Nails, which they expresly let grow for that purpose, and for tearing away their Flabels and their hair, which was their Principal Ornament. This oblig'd their Conquerours to call the Chineses, the soft and easy, and to make them enjoy the Pleasures of the Campagne, which they had never done before that Conquest. China is almost Quadrangular; so Populous, that there has been sometimes reckoned above Sixty Thousand Millions of Persons, of those who might be assessed and pay Taxes. It's Rivers are so covered with Boats, that there are held to be as many as in all the other Rivers of the World. The Annual Revenue of it's King has ever been esteem'd, a Hundred and Fifty Millions of Gold, according to others, Four Hundred Millions of Ducats; The Chineses laugh'd at our Maps, which plac'd their Kingdom at one of the ends of the World; they say they are in the mid'st, (the Jews have pretended the same thing for Jerusalem, the Greeks for Delphos, the Moors for Granada.) They say also, that they have two Eyes, that the Europeans have but one, and other People none at all. Learned Men are oblig'd to them, for that they have compiled their History, which was brought into Europe by Martini the Jesuit: It is esteemed so much the more faithful, in that they made it but of their own Country, and only for themselves. They have always been so Jealous of the secrets of their Policy, and of their other affairs, that they did not willingly allow Strangers entrance into their Country. The great Wall, or rather the Intrenchment of above four hundred Leagues, which they caused formerly to be made, is a Work, that has had more Renown than Effect; the Tartars have often overrun China, notwithstanding this Obstacle. Those who have said that China is but one City, by reason of the Numerousness of it's People, have likewise said, that a no less considerable Wall was requir'd to be proportionable to the Grandeur of such a Town. 'Tis hardly credible that in this Fortification the Stones be seven Fathom high, and five broad, as they are said to be by the Chineses. If we may believe their History, the Hostilities of the Tartars have been exercised for above four thousand years; the Chinese Horses cannot endure the sight of those of Tartary. The late years have caused strange Revolutions in this Kingdome: After that the Rebels had acted as Soveraigns, the Tartars under their Emperour Xunchi, have conquer'd all their Country, in less then seven years Time, and that since the year 1643, the Militia was not very considerable, Men of Learning domineer'd over Men of the Sword: From whence it came, that the State only subsisted by Policy, by numerous Armys, and not by the valour of it's People. The principal Chiefs, were called Mandarins; at present the Tartar has Tartarian Officers, and Chinese Officers below his Vice-Roys, of whom some are for Arms, and others for Learning. This change has the Sword wrought over the Gown, and the poor Mandarins are no longer in a state to do Justice, with so much Pomp and Pride as they formerly did. Paganisme is there generally received, nevertheless Vertue amongst them is in an high esteem. The Publick is more Rich proportionably, as particular Persons are: Writing is managed from the top to the bottom: It has above sixty thousand Letters, and has not three hundred thousand Words, which are almost all Monosyllables; whereas the Europeans have many Words & few Letters, the Chineses have many Letters and few VVords, which they pronounce with divers Tones, according to their signification: So as we may say, their Speech is only singing. It's Great Cities are called Fu, the lesser C•u. The Chineses love their Hair to that Degree, that several amongst them, choose rather to dye, than to be shav'd conformably to the Tartars commands. Swines Flesh is with them a most exquisite Dish. Before the coming of the Tartars Yellow was the Kings, and Black the Peoples usual wear.

All China is divided into sixteen Provinces, each of which are worth more than large Kingdoms. Ten of 'em lye towards the South; Yunnan, Quansi, Canton, Fuquiem, Chequiam, Nanxin, Kiamsi, Huquam, Suscuem and Quicheu. The six towards the North are Xensi, Sciansi, Honan, Xantung, Pekin and Leaorung, which several have called Cathai, whereas they give the name of Mangi to the Southern Provinces. Canton has a Town of the greatest Trade and Riches of all the Kingdom; from thence are transported Rice, Sugar, Varnish, which is drawn from the Rinds of Trees, and Pearls that are fish'd near the Isle of Ainaon. Macao, in an Island of the same Name, surrounded with several other small Islands and Rocks, is peopled with Portugals, who have fortified it after an extraordinary manner, since they were attack'd by the Hollanders, in the Year 1622. This City entertains a great Commerce between China and Europe; this Commerce is much diminish't; they have no longer two hundred, for a hundred profit, as they had formerly; and now the Hollanders have got footing in the Kingdom, whereas they were formerly excluded from thence, because the Chineses had a Prophesie, that they should be subdued by people who have blue Eyes: This has been verified by the coming of the Tartars. The Right alone, for the Trade of Salt, is worth every Year above fifteen hundred thousand Livers to the King of China. The small Isle of Sanchoan is known for the death of the Popish Saint Xavier. Fuquiem produces pure Gold, Pepper, Sugar, and Calamint. The Gold and Silver of China, is not so good as that we have: they esteem the Pistols and Rials of Spain.

The Island Formosa has a Mine of Gold, which the Hollanders had in possession for a long while. In the Year 1661, they were drove thence by a Chinese, called Coceinga, a Taylor's Son. The Isle of Tayouan, half a League from Formosa, is an Island, whither People resort in all Seasons of the Year, without being oblig'd to wait for the Monzoon: In the Year 1632, the Hollanders made a Fort there of four Bastions, faced with hew'd stone; which serv'd them to take the Isle of Formosa.

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.