separates it from Tartary and India The furthest Extent of China taken in the breadth begins in the South upon the Island Hainan which lies in 18 Degrees Northern Latitude from thence it reaches toward the North to 42 Degrees insomuch that China in the breadth extends to 22 Degrees that is 330 Dutch Leagues It s length begins in the Province of Iuunan at 120 Degrees and ends in the East at the Mountain of the Town Ningpo call'd by the Portugueses Nampo at 132 Degrees So that this Part consists of 450 Leagues in Longitude China is not a little secure in regard of the adjacent Kingdoms and the natural and strong Forts whereby this Kings Realm stands so intirely protected against all violence from without that the like is hardly to be seen elsewhere neither are there any Avenues found leading to this Monarchy insomuch that it is so well provided and guarded that it seems to be a World within it self and separated from all the rest as well toward the South as East and where the Sea borders it hath so many Islands Banks Flats and blind Rocks that it is altogether unsafe to approach China on the side with any great Ships of Men of War On the West and somewhat toward the South lie the Woods and Hills of Tamessus which are so thick and high that it is altogether unpenetrable on that side and which separate China from the next bordering Asia and the lesser neighboring Kingdoms all which adds to the Defence and Protection of this Empire Toward the North and West it is also sufficiently secur'd against all Invasions by the Sandy and dry Flats of Samo which endanger all Vessels that attempt any Landing in those Parts Lastly this Kingdom has toward the North a great Wall which the Family and Branch of Cina built against the Invasion of the Tartars 215 Years before the Birth of Christ but in what condition this Wall is at present and how far it extends we shall treat at large in the Description of the Province of Peking In respect the Sovereignty over the fifteen Kingdoms of this China belongs at present to a Monarch the Great Cham of Tartary I shall give you an Account of the number of all the great and little Cities situated in all these Dominions First of all they sum up in this whole Empire 145 Capital Cities which out-shine the rest both in Greatness and Glory Under the Command of this Emperor are 1331 small Cities amongst which 148 may be compared in Magnificence Beauty and People with the chief Cities Beside these there are 32 great Cities more which are not subject to any other yet they must not bear the Name of Capital though they Command over 36 small Cities Beside all these there are 3 Cities more for the Officers and Commanders of the Militia to dwell in The Forts and Castles are 159. beside which 17 great Garison Cities and 66 small Garison Towns which are never without full Companies and of Soldiers who are permitted to inhabit promiscuously amongst the Burgers There is no distinguishing by the greatness and largeness of the Cities the one from the other for some of the small ones exceed some others of the great and prime Cities both in Largeness Wealth and People but according to the Worth and Dignity of the Governors and the Priviledges of the Place she bears the Precedency and is reckon'd amongst the chief Cities No Place must presume to take up the Name of a City but what is Wall'd in for every inferior Town or Situation subjects to the next adjacent Capital City Most of the Cities in China are built after one fashion and form commonly four-square with broad and high Walls adorn'd with quadruple Towers placed at an equal distance round about which runs a deep Moat and that also is surrounded with a Mud or Earthen Wall Each City has a double Gate and two double Doors whereof the first stands directly over against the second that there is no seeing through the last though you stand in the first Betwixt these two Gates opens most commonly a large Court where they Discipline their Militia Upon the Gates are likewise built great Watch-Towers where the Soldiers keep Night-Sentinel Most of the Cities have great Suburbs belonging to them which are as full of People as within the Wall Without the Battlements each Metropolis hath a delightful Plain curiously adorned with Towers Trees and other Embellishments most pleasant to the Eye The Country every where swarms with People so that wheresoever you Travel you shall meet continually with Crowds of Men Women and Children As now these 15 Kingdoms seem not onely to exceed all other Parts of the World for the number of most rare Edifices and rich Cities so they are likewise no less abounding in People for the most populous Country of all Europe stands not in competition with this Those that will take the pains to look into the Chinese Pole or Register-Books wherein is exactly set down the number of the People of each Province except those of the Royal Family will find that it amounts to the number of 58 Millions 9 hundred and 40 thousand 2 hundred and 84 Persons Neither need you wonder which way this can be made out for every Master of a Family is oblig'd upon a great Penalty to hang out a little Board over his Door upon which he must set down the number of his Houshold and their Condition c. And to prevent all Fraud one is appointed over every tenth House whom they call Titang which signifies the Tenth-man or Tyther His Office consists in taking an Account of the number of the Persons upon the Board and if the Master of the Family fail to make that known truly he is to acquaint the Governor of the City with the Abuse Having spoken thus much of the Situation Division and Extent of China I shall add in short what these fifteen Provinces pay annually in Taxes one with another as also how many Capital great little and Garison Cities are in each of the Ten and lastly what each Province Division or Shire disburseth yearly in Taxes to the Emperor of China No Man possesses a Foot of Land in all this Empire without paying to the Emperor something out of it so that we need not wonder that over and above the common Expences which are made upon the account of petty Kings Vice-Roys and Military Officers there are more then threescore Millions of Crowns brought yearly into the Emperors Coffers The whole Sum amounts to 150 Millions of Crowns whereof he cannot dispose as he pleaseth but the Money is brought into the Treasury and if the King at any time desires a Supply in writing to the Treasurer he is not to deny the payment of it The Provinces bring in yearly in Taxes 32 Millions 2 hundred 7 thousand 4 hundred and 47 Bags of Rice and one Bag is enough to serve 100 Men for one day 40 hundred 9 thousand
River Kiang call'd Sanglo Not far from Tonglieu near the River side rises a Mountain call'd Kieuhoa or The Nine-headed Mountain much like the Sun-Flower when hanging down the Head Two Miles from this Tonglieu we saw in our Passage the tenth Chief City Ganking the most famous City of this Countrey which abounds in Wealth and Trade because no Goods are brought out of other Parts to the Chief City of Nanking but they must first pass by this The Country though Hilly yet abounds with most sorts of Provisions and is plentifully supply'd with what they want from the adjacent Markets by the River Kiang Toward the Evening we came to Tungling the third small City under the Command of the Metropolis Chicheu which is situated most delightfully being surrounded with variety of Woods Hills and Dales This City though but little is well built and encompass'd with Walls having in the Front a Land-lock'd Harbor for Vessels to shelter in stormy Weather which very much enriches the Place The Corner of this Port is Guarded with a strong Castle which not only defends the City against any hostile Invasion but also serves to protect the Harbor and Vessels that ride there Whilst we were taking a view of this Place the Inhabitants told us that not far from thence on a Hill was a very rare Echo Out of curiosity to hear this Novelty we clamber'd up the Hill and there sounded our Trumpets where we heard their Notes return most distinctly to our great admiration Near to this City rises the Mountain Hing so nam'd from the Apricocks which grow thereupon in great abundance Having satisfi'd our Eyes with the view of this Place we set Sail the next Day and came on the third of May to a Castle call'd Upun near the River Kiang not far from the following City of Ufu being built four-square and begirt with a large Stone Wall Amidst this Fortress is a strong well-built Temple with a high Roof whose inside is curiously adorn'd with Pictures The same Day we arriv'd at Ufu the second small City under the eleventh Metropolis call'd Taiping lying with our Vessels close under the Walls of the City This Town is situate in an Island of the River Kiang the Suburbs of it are very populous and full of Commerce Upon each Angle of this Island are strong Block-houses but are neither Mann'd nor have any Guns mounted on them This City is cri'd up through all China for Arms the Inhabitants being most dexterous and exquisite in making all manner of Military Utensils they are likewise very skilful in making Lamps of all sorts Upon the fourth we pass'd by the third Chief City call'd Teytong which some also call Taiping lying upon the side of the River Kiang in an Island there made by the same Stream The Country about this Island is in some places very Rocky and full of Hills in others again as smooth but in both exceeding fruitful On the South-side of this City we saw at a distance a high Mountain by the Chineses call'd Tienmuen which signifies Heavens Gate because the River Kiang runs through here between two small Hills of this Mountain as through a Gate Sailing forward we observ'd lying in the River over against this City another Island call'd Hiao all of one intire Stone In this Rock were several Holes and Concavities wherein bred abundance of Night-birds the Isle from thence denominated Hiao Not far from hence toward the South-East is a large Lake or Pool call'd Tanyang which as well as the River Kiang divides it self and waters the whole Countrey of this Chief City which very much enriches the Grounds round about making them satisfie the greedy Husbandman We understood by the Chineses that this had been a stately City well built and full of Trade but the Tartars totally ruin'd it in the last Wars Three gallant Towers we saw upon the River side as we Sail'd along by which we might understand in what a famous Condition this Country had formerly been Upon the same Day we came in sight of that renowned and Royal City of Nanking which is justly call'd the Chief City of the Province of Nanking we came to Anchor in the Harbor and lay with our Vessels before the Gate Susimon which signifies The Water-Gate The Ambassadors went the next Day to visit the three Governors of this City being carried in Palakins or Sedans and their Followers waited upon them on Horseback They were conducted thither in great State by the Agent of the young Vice-Roy of Canton who resided in this City and by two Mandorins who came from Canton in the absence of Pinxenton who lay still behind The chief Governor shew'd the Ambassadors his Withdrawing-room and made them after accustomary Complements to sit down next to him He was a Chinese born in the City of Leoatung but of a very civil behaviour The Ambassadors shew'd him a Letter of the Presents which were design'd for him but he would not receive them they having not yet seen the Emperor After they had discoursed a while with this first Governor they took leave and went to the second also a Chinese and born at Leaotung who shew'd himself no less courteous than the former He caus'd the Ambassadors to sit down with almost the same Complements and receiv'd the Letter with great Civility from them which nominated his allotted Presents but he being illiterate himself gave it to one of his Commanders to read and on the former account refus'd to accept of them From hence they went to the third who dwelt in the Wall of the old Imperial Palace he sent for the Ambassadors who came to him in his Chamber where his Wife was with him The Apartment was four-square with Benches round about cover'd with Silk and a Stove to warm the Room in Winter in which they burn Reed Wood being there very scarce This Governor was by Birth a Tartar a young well-set Man but understood not the Chinese Language therefore his Sons were Interpreters His Wife a proper and comely Dame spoke more than her Husband and seem'd very inquisitive about Holland She was not dismay'd at our strange Arms but like a bold Virago drew on t our Swords and discharg'd our Pistols which much delighted her The Room was presently fill'd with Tartar Gentlewomen who belong'd to and waited upon this Lady and brought a great Silver Kettle full of Thea mingled with Milk and Salt placing it in the middle of the Chamber and serving it about with Wooden Ladles to all the Company The Thea thus mingled they drink in Wood but the clear Thea made onely with Water they drink in little China Cups and other Drinks as Chinese Beer and Zamsou made of Rice in Silver The Ambassadors after they had been thus civilly receiv'd and treated took leave and went with the Canton Agent to visit a Tartar Gentleman who was newly arriv'd from Peking He was a young lusty Man and had his Lodging in an old ruinous Court which also
Channels by reason of their wideness and the greatness of the Undertaking and being made at the Emperor's Charge are call'd The King's Waters We then pass'd by this Sluce and so came into the first Royal Channel and from thence we got into the Yellow River Well may this Channel bear the Name of The Royal Water since there is nothing more pleasant to be seen in all the World both sides of the Aquaeduct having not onely smooth large Banks but planted also with stately and shady Trees On the West and East of this Royal Channel for it reaches from South to North we saw rich Pastures and delightful Woods the like not to be seen in all Asia intermingled with abundance of Wealthy Towns Villages pleasant Seats and opulent and stately Dwelling insomuch that nothing can be more delightful as if Art and Nature had strove to please the Passenger upon his way through this famous Channel On one side thereof stood a famous and renown'd Image of the Idol Kinkang who is highly ador'd by the Chineses Upon the 24. we came to the brave City of Iamcefu which is call'd by some Yaucqeu and is reckon'd for the seventh Capital City of this famous Province of Nanking This City lies about twenty Miles from Iejenjeen is built four-square and surrounded with Walls and strong Bulwarks It is very large being at least five Miles about exceeding most Cities in China for Wealth and Trade The Inhabitants of this City deal in several Commodities but that wherein their chief Trade consists is Salt Transported from thence into most Provinces of China This Salt is made of Sea-Water after the manner of ours in Europe On the East-side of the City we saw standing a great many Salt-Pans wherein they boil Sea-Liquor Day and Night This Trade alone has so very much enrich'd the Inhabitants of this Town that they have re-built their City since the last destruction by the Tartars erecting it in as great Splendor as it was at first No sooner were we Landed in this City but the Mandorin Pinxenton went in great State to Salute and Complement the Commissioner of his Imperial Majesty and Presented him with four Pieces of red Cloths in behalf of the Ambassadors The Emperor hath here a Toll-house where the Customs are paid for all such Wares as pass The City is well built and hath several Channels running through it over which are many Stone Bridges On the West-side are very large Suburbs which were formerly full of goodly Structures but were most of them destroy'd in the last Tartar War yet have begun since to be re-edifi'd There are also several Temples curiously built and most richly adorn'd Near this City is a very high Mountain call'd Heng. Next Day being the 25. we departed from this Place and upon the Verge of this Royal Channel we saw twelve Stone Ovens and not far from thence on the other side of the Channel lies the famous burial-Burial-City of the Great Sultan much ador'd and worshipp'd by the Chineses About Noon we came to a Village call'd Saupoo where at the same time the Chineses were celebrating the Feast of the new Year on the New-years day being then also Full-Moon great Acclamations and Expressions of Ioy signifi'd by their lighting of so many Candles and Bonefires as if the whole City had been in one great Flame They run likewise up and down the Streets in their Nocturnals like so many distracted Bacchanals with Tapers in their Hands twisted together in the form of Dragons We were forc'd to stay here a while till the Mandorin Pinxenton and his Lady also assisted at the Solemnity of this Feast We found lying about this Village in this Royal Channel a great number of all manner of strange built Vessels but the most to be admir'd at were two Barques or Sloops which by the Chineses are call'd Longschon which signifies A Serpent-Boat These two Vessels were built after a particular fashion very curiously Painted with all manner of Colours that they seem'd much to exceed those Boats which carry the Fish from Nanking to Peking for the Emperor's use The Mould or Cast of this fair Bottom was much like the Form of our Water-Snake The Stern hung full of strange Serpents fastned with Ribbons of several Colours which made a gallant show At the Stern of one of these Vessels hung likewise two nimble Boys who play'd Tricks and Gambols to delight the Spectators both above and by Diving under Water Upon the top of each Mast which were three in all stood an Idol very curiously adorn'd with Silk Flags and Pennons In like manner stood on the Poop an Image dress'd with Ducks and Drakes The Stern was also fill'd with Standards set out with Tassels of Hair Silk Flags and long Feathers the Boat cover'd round with Silk Under an upper high-rais'd Desk full of Flags and Standards sat twelve lusty Seamen with gilt Crowns upon their Heads Cloth'd in Silk their Arms naked these were so dexterous at Rowing that the Boat went at an extraordinary rate They came Aboard of the Ambassadors and seem'd to be overjoy'd at their Arrival The Ambassadors requited their Kindness with a return of some Presents which they willingly accepted wishing them good Success in their Voyage and a safe Return into their own Country Near the Ducks stood a Chinese with a Fork in his Hand and long Feathers in his Cap who continually tortur'd these poor Creatures putting them in perpetual Disquiet The next Day being the 26. of May we came to the City of Cajutsia which is also call'd by some Caoyeu and is reckon'd for the fourth small City of the Capital Yancheu This City we found lying upon the side of this Royal Water near a great Pool which the Chineses call Piexe out of which runs plenty of Water into this famous Channel Formerly all such Vessels as came from Nanking bound for Peking and the Northern Provinces were glad to pass over this Pool to the great hindrance of Commerce and Navigation for oftentimes in a foul Season they lay Weather-bound before this City of Caoyeu there being no venturing over the Pool till the Wind were more silent and the swelling Billows more calm so that for the benefit of Commerce and safety of their Voyage on the East-side of the Pool this Navigable Channel was made sixty Fathom long Wall'd in with white Stone A Work so noble and excellent that it is much to be admir'd especially considering the great quantity of white Stones there us'd there being no such Quarry in the adjacent Parts This Caoyeu is very populous and has stately Suburbs built very close and full of great Houses The Country round about produces great store of Rice and is so full of Buildings as if it were all but one continu'd Village Toward the West the Country lies much under Water but upon the Sides and Banks grows store of Reed which brings in a good Revenue yearly to the Publick and is the onely Firing they have
carry thence to sell in other Provinces The Inhabitants are generally very dull of understanding and few of them addicted to Learning but they are for the most part very strong bodied fit to undergo any Labor The Children do not only go naked in the Winter but will leap into the cold Water Several of them live by Theft and Robbery and these Companies are oftentimes so numerous that they break through all opposition whatsoever when they make Inroads to plunder the Country which is already much ruin'd by the late Invasion In this whole Province of Xantung lie six Capital Cities twenty nine small Cities and thirteen Carrisons The six great Cities are Cinan Yencheu Tungchang Cingcheu Tengcheâ— and Laicheu Cinan Commands over thirty Cities as Cinan Changkieu Ceuping Chagxan Sinching Ciho Citung Ciyang Chihuen Iuching Liâ—ye Changcing Fiching Cingching Ling Taigan Siniai Laivu Te Teping Pingyven Vuting Yangsin Haifung Laling Xangho Pin Lioin Chenhoa and Putahi Yencheu Commands over 26 Cities as Yencheu Kioheu Niuyang Ceu Teng Ye Kiuhiang Yutai Tan Chingvu Cao Tingtao Cining Kiaciang Kiuye Kiunching Tungping Venxang Tungpo Pingyn Iangco Xeuchang Wy Tanching Fi and Suxui Tungchang Commands over eight Cities as Tungchang Tangye Poping Choangping Kieu Sin Cingping Ken Lincing Quontao Caotang Gen Hiacin Vucing Po Fan Quonching and Chaoching Cingcheu Commands over 14 Cities as Cingcheu Linchi Pohing Caoyven Logan Xeuquang Changlo Linkiu Gankiu Chuching Mungin Kiu Yxui and Gechao Tengcheu Commands over eight Cities as Tengcheu Hoang Foxan Leuhid Chaoyven Laiyang Ninghai and Vemeng Laicheu Commands over seven Cities as Laicheu Pingtu Vi Changye Kiao Caomi and Gieme The thirteen Garrisons are Nincing Cinghai Chingxan Gueihai Sanxan Kixan Civenxan Mauan Siaoye Haicang Punglai Cin and Xechin In this Province there are also several Islands amongst which these three are the chiefest as first Feuxeu which lies toward the West is but small yet exceeding well built The second is Teuhang situate in the Sea near to Caomy This Island is very famous by reason of a sad Accident of five hundred Chinese Philosophers who drown'd themselves in the Sea because the Emperor Xuis hated all Learned Men as mortal Enemies The third Island is Xaumen the biggest and fullest of People The Chinese Accompt-Book which comprehends the number of People in each Place mentions in this Province Seven hundred and seventy thousand five hundred and sixty Families Sixty seven hundred fifty nine thousand six hundred and seventy Fighting Men. The yearly Revenue of the Province belonging to the Emperor consists of Twenty eight hundred twelve thousand one hundred and nineteen Bags of Corn Fifty four thousand nine hundred and nineteen Rolls of Throw'd Silk Fifty two thousand four hundred and forty nine Pounds of Cotton and Thirty eight hundred twenty four thousand two hundred and nineteen Trusses of Straw and Hay for the Emperor's Stables besides several Tolls paid upon the Royal Channel of Iun which amounts yearly to ten Millions of Golden Crowns This Village Kia-kia lies encompass'd with pleasant and fruitful Fields most delightful to behold and is very rich well built and handsomly adorn'd with indifferent large Structures The Fields round about are full of Rosemary which are not only very pleasant to the Eye but also cast a fragrant smell at a great distance before you come near them We saw likewise not far from the City several Herds of Stags and Bucks and abundance of all sorts of Fowl especially Pheasants We took great delight in Hunting the Stag whereof we kill'd several with the assistance of the Tartars who are skilful at the Game They were very much pleas'd with our way of shooting Pheasants flying The Flesh of these Deer tastes so much of Rosemary as if the Venison were season'd with the Sprigs We were three days upon this Channel Iun before we reach'd any other considerable Place but upon the eleventh of the same Month we arriv'd at a famous Village call'd Iax-Hinno situated upon the Royal Channel In and about this Village stand 36 stately Towers built rarely well on either side of the River Here we lay all Night but the next Morning set Sail by Day-break and that Day and the next we saw upon each Bank of the River great store of good Corn-Ground Toward the East of this Royal Channel lie several high and great Hills whereof these following are the chiefest Near to Taigan the sixteenth small City of Cinnan appears a Mountain call'd Tai which is very steep and broad the Chinese Geographers say that it is at least five Miles in heighth from the Basis to the Crown Upon this Mountain are several Temples to which belong great store of Priests who live after the same manner as the Calvisians in Europe Not far from Laivu the eighteenth small City under the Iurisdiction of this Place arises the Mountain Taxe in which they find great store of Iron Near to Ciohu the second small City under the Chief City Yengcheu is the Mountain call'd Fang very famous for the Tomb where the Ancestors of that Learned Chinese Philosopher Confutius lies Interr'd Not far from the fourth small City Ceu lies a Mountain call'd Changping upon which as the Chineses report Confutius was born in a Town also call'd Changping the Ruins whereof are still to be seen Near to Tunping the eighth small City of the said Capital City stands a great Mountain call'd Fung full of Wood and goodly Pastures Upon the thirteenth of the same Month we came to Cinningsin or Cining the fourteenth small City under the Command of the second Chief City Yengcheu In this Cining the Ambassadors were nobly Treated in the absence of the Governor by the Agents of the young Canton Vice-Roy he being gone from home to order the making of a Fence-work against the breaking in of the Yellow River The Country round about this City lies low and plashy being full of Pools and Rivers which abound with Fish Near to Cao the twelfth small City is a Lake call'd Lui which signifies The Thunder-Pool in the middle whereof appears a Stone representing a Dragon with the Head of a Man The Chineses call this The Spirit of Thunder and affirm That when any one strikes upon the Belly he draws a hideous sound from the Monster like Thunder Near to the third small city Nynyang which is likewise under the Command of the Capital City Yengcheu and about two Miles from Cining runs a small River call'd Tao out of which the Chineses report That the great Philosopher Confutius refus'd to drink though ready to die of Thirst because it was call'd The Water of Thieves so great an aversion had this Ethnick Philosopher to the very Name of wicked Villany and Robbers All the Inns and Publick Victualling-houses have their Fidlers and Comedians belonging to them to recreate their Guests at Meals Provisions of all sorts are very cheap in those Parts We paid but two Shillings a piece for our Dinner which consisted of several Dishes out of which the Players were
or perfum'd Straw nor is their variety greater in substance than their difference in fashion for some are round others four-square c Such as are worn by the Grandees are made of white Paper gilt to open and shut at pleasure with one of which it is customary among them to Present each other as a token of Love and Friendship These Fan-makers also as aforesaid are employ'd much in the making of Quittesoles which are a kind of folding Canopies carried over the Heads of the Grandees by their Servants being made of the same Stuff with Fans and Lin'd with Silk or Linnen The Ruffians Travel through all parts of the Country with Women in their Companies and where by chance they find any handsom young Maids amongst the common sort of People they use all art and means to entice them away neither sparing Money or good Words whom if they prevail upon to follow them they afterwards teach to Dance and Sing so making them fitter for the Entertainment of their Hectoring Blades and wild Gallants When they are thus instructed the Male-Bawds endeavor to sell them either to the Grandees out-right or else to prostitute them for Money for a certain number of days which turns to a considerable advantage for every of these Brokers for impudence have several Women that belong unto them according as their ability is able to afford them a Maintenance They seldom stay long in a Place but go from Town to Town and there residing longest where they can meet with the best Markets Whosoever hires one of these Women for a Nights Lodging must receive her in the publick manner hereafter described viz. She is set upon an Ass and so conducted with a Hood over her Face to the House of him that sent for her and when she is come to his House she casts aside her Hood and then he receives and conducts her into the House There is also another sort of Beggars here who set fire to a combustible kind of Stuff upon their Heads which they suffer to burn there with such excessive pain and torment till they have extorted some Charity from the transient Company with their howling and crying enduring very great misery all that while And lastly Upon every publick market-Market-day there are to be seen whole Troops of blind Beggars in the several Cities and Towns who beat themselves upon their naked Breasts most furiously with great round Stones till the very Blood drops from them Besides what is mention'd before there are several other Trades in China as the Baking of Porcelane or China-Ware the Gumming and Painting of Chests Trunks and Boxes as also the Weaving of Carpents Damasks Cottons and several other Stuffs which I have thought fit to omit in this Chapter First in regard the same are already mention'd in the first part of our Relation and also because the Chineses do so infinitely abound in all manner of Arts and Handicraft-Trades that it would take up too much time to give a particular Account of the whole But notwithstanding this abundance of Trades in China a great Defect and Abuse is observ'd in most of the Commodities which are made there and it is this that they only appear and seem fair to the Eye but are really for the most part very sleight and for this cause they may well be afforded much cheaper to the Merchant CHAP. IV. Of some strange Customs Fashions and Manners in use amongst the Chineses THE ancient Chineses call'd their Kingdom or Empire in old Times by the Name of Courtesie or Civility and other known Manners yea and which is more Civility or Courtesie is held with them for one of the five principal Vertues amongst which as chief all others are comprehended The nature of this Vertue consists as they say in the shewing of mutual respect Now to be compleat herein and to be Masters of Ceremony they spend no small time to accomplish themselves yet some of them of a higher Speculation viewing humane Vicissitudes lament themselves that they cannot reject and shun these Complemental Formalities although they do therein far exceed those of Europe Wherefore in this Chapter I shall shew in what manner they Salute one another when they meet and afterwards Treat of some other Manners and Customs in use amongst them wherein they differ from others or amongst themselves It is held for no point of Civility amongst the Chineses to take off the Hat or to make Legs as it is usually term'd much leâ—s to embrace any Person or kiss his Hand or make any outward shew of Complement The most general and common way with them of shewing Civility is done after this manner They carry their Hands when they walk unless they are to Fan themselves or otherwise to use them always folded together in the Sleeve of their upper Garment which is made for that purpose so that when they meet they raise their Hands on high in the Sleeve with great Devotion and then let them fall again after the same manner Greeting each other with the word Cin which signifies Nothing When one comes to visit another or if two Friends meet in the Street they bow with their Hands in their Sleeves all the while the whole Body and their Heads three times to the Ground and this manner of Salutation is call'd Zoye In the performing of which Ceremony the Inferior always gives place to his Better and the Party visited gives the upper Hand to him that makes the Visit But in the Northern Parts of China the Visitant is plac'd on the left-hand Oftentimes also after they have done bowing they exchange Places and go off from the left to the right-hand and from the right to the left which is done for this reason that so the Party that is receiv'd in the highest Place should shew some Respect to the other again When this Ceremony happens to be in the Street both Parties turn themselves side to side toward the North and within Doors to the upper end of the Hall for it is an old Custom amongst them to lay the Threshold of the Palaces Temples and other Edifices to the South so that in regard this Ceremony is perform'd in the Hall next to the Threshold they turn their Faces to the upper end and and then they look toward the North. If so be both Parties meeting or visiting have not seen one another in a long time or perhaps never before and have a desire to bestow extraordinary Civilities upon each other then after performance of the first Ceremony they fall upon their Knees touching the Ground with their Foreheads and this they do three times together But when this Civility is to be shown by an Inferior to a Superior a Child to his Parent or a Subject to his Prince he receives the Honor done unto him either sitting or standing and only bowling a little when the other falls upon his Knees With the same and no greater Reverence and Honor they pay their Religious Duties to
same mistake by which he call'd Tygers Lions notwithstanding here are none to be found nor almost in all Asia except you will have him to be understood not only to comprehend the Bridges that are both within the City and without in the Suburbs but also those of the whole Empire and then indeed their number which otherwise will hardly gain credit amongst us may easily be augmented there being so vast an abundance of Bridges and Triumphal Arches every where to be found For the greater confirmation of this Matter there is a Lake of forty Italian Miles which they call Sihu which although it be not within the Walls yet it doth encompass it for a large space from the West to the South and many Channels are drawn from it into the City moreover the Banks or Shores of it on every side are so beset with Temples Monasteries Palaces Libraries and private Edifices that you would suppose your self to be within a most spacious City and not in the Country the Margents or Banks of the Lake are rais'd in every part with four-square and cut Stone and a convenient Passage left for Travellers also some Passages go clear through the Lake furnish'd with many and those very high Bridges under which Ships may pass in passing over which they may to and fro encompass the Lake whence these Bridges might easily be reckon'd by Venetus to belong to the City This is that City which hath a Mountain within its Walls on the South-side term'd Chinghoang in which is that Tower with a Guard where they measure the Hours by an Hour-glass and it is declar'd or inscrib'd on a Tablet how many Hours in large Golden Letters This is that City all whose Streets are pav'd with square Stone and this is situate in a Moorish place and divided by many Navigable Channels Lastly This is the City to omit other things from which the Emperor took his flight unto the Sea by the great River Cientang the breadth of which exceeds a German Mile and floweth to the South-side of the City So that here is the very same River which Venetus ascribeth unto Quinsai whence it is disembogu'd into the Sea towards the East from which this City is as far distant as Venetus doth affirm it I add That the compass of the City is above an hundred Italian Miles if you reckon in the large Suburbs which extend very far on every side whence you shall go over five hundred Chinesian Paces or Stadiums by walking in a straight Line or Way from North to South through the most large and populous Streets in which you shall find no place destitute either of Houses or People you may perform the like Iourney almost from the West to the North. Seeing therefore that according unto the Chinesian History the Name the Description the Magnitude and all other Passages do demonstrate this to be the City Quinsai we ought no longer to question or doubt of the same Thus Father Martinius Martinii in the Place cited SECT I. The Voyage of Benedict Goes of the Society of Iesus into Cathay or China taken out of Father Nicholas Trigautius I Shall therefore now briefly shew whence proceeded that so great confusion of Opinions concerning the proper Situation of Cathay Now it is known both from the History of Marcus Paulus Venetus Haytho the Armenian and also from the Chronology of the Chineses that the Great Cham Emperor of the Tartars whom some call Cublai others Ulcam or Uncam Anno 1256. making a Breach or Irruption through the Walls gain'd the whole Empire of the Chineses which then was divided into two Empires whereof the one towards the North was call'd Cathay the other towards the South Mangi whence as the North part of China with the other Regions without the Walls was otherwise vulgarly call'd Cathay so also the whole Empire of the Chineses being now possess'd the whole was call'd by the Name of Cathay by the Tartars and the adjoining Saracens the Name of the other circumjacent Regions without the Walls being utterly extinguish'd so that from that very time that only Empire of the Chineses that extended so far included within the Walls was call'd Cathay by as many as Traffick'd or Merchandiz'd thither from Indostan Usbec Camul and other Mediterranean Regions as it is manifest from the Voyage of our Brother Benedict Goes But because that was not only undertaken and decreed by the Command and Advice of the Superiors of our Society but also by the Command of the Viceroy of Aria in India call'd Saldagna yea also of the Great Acabar Emperor of the Mogors both to find out Cathay and also to instruct in the Christian Religion the Inhabitants of the interjacent Kingdoms certainly it was perform'd with all the diligence and care possible by Benedict Goes a Person of great Prudence and Understanding and also skill'd in the Persian Language which he had excellently attain'd to by a long stay or continuance in the Court of the Mogor and where he was very familiar with the Emperor Acabar Therefore he being sufficiently furnish'd with Supplies convenient for so great a Voyage from the Vice-Roy of India and having also the Diploma Patent or Pass taking the Habit of the Armenians and changing also his Name Benedict into Abdulla which signifieth The Servant of God and joyning with him an Armenian nam'd Isaac as his inseparable Companion in his Voyage Anno 1603. in the solemn Lent Fast departing from Lahor the Regal City of the Mogor he travell'd towards the Kingdom of Cascar in the company of five hundred Persons which they call The Caravan having with them a great multitude of Beasts of Carriage Camels and Wagons In a Month he arriv'd at the City Athec under the Iurisdiction of the Mogor and having passed over the River Indus at the end of two Months more he came unto Passaur where he was inform'd by an Hermit that about two Months Iourney farther towards the North was the Region Caphurstan that is The Land of Infidels of which I shall treat anon that had many Christians in it unto which notwithstanding being hindred by the Caravan he could not travel Hence in the Course of twenty five Days he came unto a City nam'd Ghideli where he was in great danger of Thieves Departing thence in twenty Days he came to the City Cabul a City yet subject to the Mogor from whence he went unto Chianacar a City abounding with Iron and from thence in ten Days he arriv'd at a Place call'd Parvan the last Town of the Kingdom of the Mogor After five Days respite he came in the space of twenty Days to a Region nam'd Aâ—cheran having pass'd over exceeding high Mountains and in fifteen Days more he arriv'd at the City Calcia and there having spent ten Days he came to a certain Place call'd Gialalabeth famous for the Portage or Customs of the Brachmans after fifteen Days more he came to Talhan and hence proceeding forward to Chaman he incurr'd the
great hazard of Robbers whom having shunn'd at length he came to Ciarciunor and after ten days passing through Sarpanil a desart Place he came to the Province Sarcil over a very high Mountain and that in twenty Days Travel after two Days more he came to the foot of the Mountain Cetialath in which by reason of the multitude of Snow many perish'd by the vehemency of the Cold. Having travell'd six Days through the Snow he came to Tamgheran in the Kingdom of Cascar and after fifteen Days to Iaconich and after five to Hiarcham the Metropolitan City of Cascar and the end of the Region of Cabul The whole Region are Followers of the Law of Mahomet and hence from Hiarcham is the beginning of the Expedition by Caravan into Cathay and the Negotiation of those that certainly know they shall be admitted into the Kingdom wholly consisteth as it were in Fragments of precious Iaspar which are found in great plenty in Cathay that is in China and are of two kinds the first sort is brought out of the River Cotan not far from the Regal City by Fishermen like unto thick Flints the other being digg'd out of the Mountains is cleft into stony Plates almost two Ells long This Mountain Cansangui is distant from the Imperial City twenty Days Iourney and it is call'd The Stony Mountain noted vulgarly in Geographical Maps hence therefore Benedict after long stay again began his Voyage first he arriv'd at Iolci the Place of Custom for the Kingdom and from hence in a Voyage of twenty five Days he pass'd over these following Places Hancialix Alceghet Hagabathet Egriar Mesetelec Thalec Horma Thoantac Mingieda Capetalcol Zilan Sarognebetal Cambasco Aconsersec Ciacor Acsu Acsu is a Town of the Kingdom of Cascar from which he pass'd by a laborious Voyage through the Desart Caracatai that is Black Cataia unto Oitograch Gazo Casciani Dellai Saregabadal Ugan and at last he arriv'd at Gruciam Departing hence in a Voyage of twenty five Days he came unto the City of Cialis which is subject to the Dominion of the King of Cascar where the Saracens returning in the Caravan of the Year before from Cathay that is from Pekin the Royal City of China declar'd wonderful things unto our Benedict concerning Matthew Riccius and his Companions and here our Father wondred that he had found Cathay in the chief Place of the Chineses From hence in twenty Days he came unto Pucia a Town of the same Kingdom and from hence to Turpham and Aramuth and at length arriv'd at Camul a fortifi'd City from Camul in nine Days he came to the Walls of the North part of China which he had so long desir'd unto a Place call'd Chaiaicum where being admitted within the Walls by one Days Iourney he came to the first City of China call'd Socien and found no other Cathay but China so that from thenceforward he laid aside all scruple of the proper and true Situation of Cathay which the Saracens often confounded with China Note That this Voyage was taken or begun from Laor towards the North when he might have come to his Iourneys end from Laor by a much nearer Way but as this Voyage or Passage through the Thebetick Mountains was not yet discover'd so that also on the other side by Usbeck and Samarcande at that time was more us'd although that to conform himself unto the Custom of Merchants he was forc'd to attempt to pass by this latter though it were very much out of the Way by reason of its vast Windings and and Turnings and also on every hand subject to Robbers The Territory of Usbec is extended by a large Interval of Regions from the West to the North being made up of three very great Kingdoms whereof the first is Samarcande famous for the Birth of Tamberlan the second Tarphan and the third Turphan all of them infamous for the Religion of Mahomet The Inhabitants as Historians relate of the Scythians are Cruel Thieves Bloudy and implacable Enemies of the Christians so that this Kingdom is now altogether unpassable for the Christians except such as will become Deniers of Christ and profess themselves Followers of the Law of Mahomet And this is the Passage from Usbec to Cathay But the Voyage undertaken by Father Antonius Andradas a Portuguese into the Kingdom of Thebet was after this manner First passing over Ganges from Laor he entred into Scrinegar and Ciapharanga most great and populous Cities and from these having pass'd over a most high Mountain on the top of it he discover'd a vast Lake the common Receptacle of the Waters of the River Indus Ganges and the other great Rivers of India and hence by a Voyage of many Days and that also through high Mountains he arriv'd in the cold Northern Region Redor and in a City of the same Name from which passing through the Kingdom of Maranga and the Kingdom of Tanchut which belongeth unto the Tartars in two Months space he easily arriv'd at Cathay that is China SECT II. Another Voyage from China to the Mogor perform'd by the Fathers of our Society Father Albert Dorville and Father Iohn Gruberus THese Fathers began their Voyage from Pequin Anno 1661. in the Month of Iune from whence they arriv'd at Siganfu and from hence after thirty Days stay they departed to Sining or Siningfu in almost twice so many Days having pass'd over the Saffron River Now Sining or Siningfu is a great and populous City built at the Walls of the Kingdom of China by or through the Gate of which is the first entrance into Cathay or China for those that Trade thither from India and where also they are forc'd to stay till they have a farther admission granted them by the King The City is plac'd under the Elevation of the Pole 36 Degrees and 20 Minutes From Sining in three Months space passing through the Desart of Kalmack in Tartaria they came unto the very entrance of the Kingdom of Lassa which the Tartars also call Barantola The Desart is partly moutainous partly level and overspread with Sand and Dust altogether sterile and barren unto which notwithstanding Nature is here and there in some places propitious by affording some small Rivulets whose Banks yield a sufficient quantity of green Herbs and Grass But as this Desart deriveth its original from the innermost Mediterranean Parts of India so is it also extended in a straight Line from the South to the North and no Person hath yet unto this Day been found who hath discover'd its Bounds Many suppose it to be extended even unto the Frozen Sea concerning which I have treated at large in my Book of the Subterranean World Now it hath various Names Marcus Paulus Venetus calleth it Lop infamous for Diabolical Delusions and a multitude of Spectres or evil Spirits that usually appear in it concerning which notwithstanding our Fathers relate nothing for the once or twice appearing of these Spirits doth not prove the perpetual continuance of their
9 hundred 49 Pounds of Raw Silk 71 hundred 2 thousand 4 hundred and 36 Rowls of Cloth made of Hemp 36 thousand 7 hundred and 70 Bales of Cottons 1 hundred 91 thousand 7 hundred and 30 Rowls of wrought Silk But the City of Hucheu buys off this Tax yearly for the Sum of 500 thousand Crowns The Provinces bring in likewise 1 Million 7 hundred 94 thousand 2 hundred and 61 Weight of Salt each Weight is to be reckon'd at 1 hundred 24 Pounds amounting in all to 1 hundred 87 Millions 6 hundred 88 thousand 3 hundred 64 Pounds 32 Millions 4 hundred 18 thousand 6 hundred 27 Trusses of Hay and Straw for the Kings Stables beside all other Taxes The other ten Provinces of China I did not see in my Iourney yet however I shall give you an Account of the Taxes which the great and lesser Cities thereof pay yearly to the Emperor their Names are these Zansi the second Province of the fifteen Xensi the third Honan the fifth Sucheu the sixth Huquang the seventh Chekiang the tenth Fokien the eleventh Quangsi the thirteenth Quicheu the fourteenth and Immam the fifteenth The second Kingdom of Zansi THis Province lies Westward of Peking and is neither so large nor populous but more Fruitful and of more Antiquity because if credit may be given to the Historians of China the Chineses derive from hence their first Rise and Original On the North this Province has for Confines the Great Wall which reaches from East to West through the whole Country behind which lies the Kingdom of Tamyn and the Sandy Wilderness of Samo The West side of this Province lies upon the Yellow River which runs from North to South and is separated by the same from the Province of Xensi This Province produces the sweetest and fairest Grapes of all Asia but the Chineses make no Wine of them but onely dry them and so bring them to the Market through all China In this Country of Zansi which is very remarkable and worthy of observation are through the whole Country great store of Fire-Wells even in the same manner as the Water-Wells are in Europe which they use for the dressing of Meat after this manner the Mouth of the Well is stopped very close and onely a place left open to set the Pot upon by which means the Pot boyls without any trouble This Province likewise produces good store of Coal which they dig out of the Hills as in England and at Luyk in the Netherlands which serves the Inhabitants for Fewel who likewise use Stoves in their Houses made after the manner of those in Holland In this Country of Zansi are 5 Capital Cities 92 small Cities and several Forts The 5 Capital Cities are Taiyuen Pingiaen Taitung Lugan and Fuencheu 1. Taiyuen Commands over 20 Cities Taiyuen Tayven Iucu Taco Ki Sinkin Congyven Ciaoching Venxui Loping Che Tingsiang Tai Utai Kiechi Cofan Fan Hing Paote and Hiang 2. Pingiaen Commands over 31 Cities as Pingyaen Siangling Hungtung Feuxan Chaoching Taiping Yoiang Ieching Kioiao Fuensi Pu Lincin Yungho Yxi Vanciuen Hocin Kiai Ganye Hia Venhi Pinglo Iuiching Kiang Yuenkio Ho Kie Hiangning Cie Taning Xeleu and Yangho Among these Pu Kiai Ho Kie and Cie are the chiefest 3. Taiâ—ung Commands over 11 Cities Taitung Hoaigien Hoenyuen Ing Xanin So Maye Guei Quangling Quangchang and Lingkieu whereof Ing So and Guei are the chiefest 4. Lugan Commands over eight Cities Lugan Caeneu Timlieu Siangheng Luching Hâ—quan Liching and Pingxun 5. Fuencheu Commands likewise over eight Cities Fuencheu Hiaoy Pingiao Kiakieu Ningâ—iang Lingxa Inugning and Lin. Beside these great Cities there are three other Corporations in this City as Sin Laao and Ca. These Towns are not much inferior to the Cities and so esteem'd by the Chineses but yet they are not preferred to that Dignity of the Cities though they have a Command over some lesser Towns For the safety of the Ways aud defence of the great Wall there are 14 strong Forts in this Country which are surrounded with strong Walls their Names are these Gueiguen Ieuguei Coguei Maye Vanglin Ianghon Caoxon Tienching Chinlu Cuigyuen Pinglin Chungtun Geutung and Tungxing The Pole or Register-Book of this Province reckons five hundred eighty nine thoâ—sand nine hundred fifty nine Families and five hundred eighty four thousand fifteen Fighting Men. That which this Country pays in Taxes yearly to the Emperor consists of twenty two hundred seventy four thousand and twenty two Bags of Rice fifty Pounds of fine Linnen four thousand seven hundred and seventy Silk-Stuffs four hundred and twenty thousand Weight of Salt and thirty five hundred forty four thousand eight hundred and fifty Bundles of Hay beside several other Taxes The third Kingdom of Xensi AMongst the Northern Dominions is this Xensi which is very great chiefly situated toward the West in 30 Degrees and borders upon the Kingdoms of Prester-Iohn Casker and Tibet which are call'd by one Name in the Chinese Tongue Sifan Westward the Borders extend beyond the Tartar Kingdom of Taniju betwixt which and this Countrey the Great Wall and some Forts make a separation which doth not run through all this Country but onely to the side of the Yellow River The remaining part of this Country situated on the other Bank of the River has no Wall for its defence but dry and barren Sand-fields and the Yellow River and sufficient Fortifications Eastward this Xensi is likewise Bounded with this Yellow River which runs through the Country Southward lie very high Mountains which are as strong Bulwarks and separate this Province from the Provinces of Honan Sucheu and Huquang Want of Rain makes this Country very dry but yet it produces great store of Wheat Barley and Turkish Corn but very little Rice The Beasts feed all Winter upon Corn. It abounds with Sheep and Goats which they shear three times ayear in the Spring in Summer and in Harvest and of the Wooll they make themselves Clothes In this Countrey they make great store of Musk which grows in the Navel of a Beast not much unlike to a young Hind the Flesh whereof the Chineses eat as other Meat When this Deer goes to Rutting the Cod swells like a Boil that is full of Matter which Exuperation consisting of a thin hairy Purse is then taken out with all its precious Stuff by the Natives True it is that all the Purses which are brought to us are not the right and pure Navels for the cunning Chineses know very well when they empty the Purse how to fill up the same again with counterfeit Musk. There is likewise Gold found in this Country which is not fetch'd from the Mines for those the Emperor will not suffer to be opened there being both Gold and Silver Mines but from the sides of Rivers and shallow Waters In this Country are eight Capital Cities a hundred and seven small Cities beside Castles and Forts The eight Capital Cities are these
Sigan Fungciang Hangchung Pingleang Cunchang Linijao Kingyang and Iengan 1. Sigan Commands over 36 Cities Sigam Hienyang Hingping Linchang Kingijang Caolong Hu Lantien Liuo Xang Chingan Tung Chaoye Hoyang Cheng Pexuy Hanching Hoa Hoyan Gueinan Puching Conan Hoxanijang Xangnan Yao Sanyuen Tungquoa Fuping Kien Fungciuen Vucung Iungxeu Fuen Xunhoa Xanxuy Changvu 2. Fungciang Commands over eight Cities Fungciang Kixan Paoki Fufung Muy Linieu Lung and Pingijang 3. Hanchung Commands over 15 Towns Hanchung Paoching Chingu Yang Sihiang Fungmien Niengkiang Lioyang Hinggan Pingli Xeciuen Sinijang Haniju Peho and Cuijang 4. Pingleang Commands over ten Cities Pingleang Cungsin Hoating Chinyven Kuyven Knig Lingtai Choangleang Limgte and Congning 5. Cung chang Commands over seventeen Cities Chungchang Ganting Hoeining Tunguei Chang Ningyven Fokiang Siho Ching Cin Cingan Cingxui Li Kiai Ven Hoei Leangtang 6. Linijao Commands over five Cities Linijao Gueoyven Lan Kin Ho. 7. Kingyang Commands over five Towns Kingyang Hoxi Hoan Ning and Chuining 8. Iengan Comands over 19 Cities Iengan Gansai Canciven Ganting Paogan Yâ—huen Ienchuen Ienchang Cingkien Fen Cochuen Chungpu Ykiun Suite Miche Kia Upao Xinmo and Fuco Beside these great and small Cities in this Province there are likewise several Magazines which lie scatter'd up and down some within the Great Wall and some without The chiefest of these Forts are these eight Xacheu Xancheu Iungchang Leangcheu Choanglang Sining Chiny Culang These following 14 are small ones Hingnia Ningniachung Yaocheu Nincheu Hocheu Cinglu Yulin Chinfan Xetu Hantung Pinglu Mingxa Guei and Sengqui The Chinese Register reckons the number of Families in this Province to be no less than eight hundred thirty one thousand fifty one and thirty nine hundred thirty four thousand one hundred seventy six Fighting Men. The Taxes which this Countrey pays are nineteen hundred twenty nine thousand and fifty seven Bags of Wheat three hundred sixty and five thousand Weight of fine Linnen nine thousand two hundred and eighteen Pounds of all sorts of wrought Silks seventeen thousand two hundred and seventy Pounds of Cotton eight hundred and twenty thousand seven hundred and seventy Pounds of Callicoes beside fifteen hundred and fourteen thousand seven hundred and forty nine Trusses of Hay for the Kings Stables The fifth Province of Honan THe Province of Honan lies East and South-East with Nanking North and North-East with Peking and some part of Xantung and South South-West with Hucang but Westward it borders upon the Province of Sucheu and with the remaining part of Xensi In this fifth Province we find eight great Cities a hundred small Cities beside Forts and Castles The eight great Cities are Caifung Queite Shangte Gueiheoi Hoaiking Honan Nanijang and Iuning 1. Caifung bears the Command over 30 Cities Caifung Chinlieu Ki Tunghiu Taiking Gueixi Gueichuen Ienlin Fuken Chungmen Iangvu Iuenvu Fungkieu Iencin Laniang Chin Xangaxui Sihoa Hiangching Ienching Chaggio Iu Sinching Mie Shing Iungiang Iungee Hoin Suxi Isung 2. Queite Governs over nine Cities Queite Ningling Loye Hiaye Iungehing Ciu Iuching Hiahching and Xeching 3. Changte Commands over seven Cities Changte Tanchin Linchang Lin Cu Vugan and Xe. 4. Gueihoei Commands over six Cities Gueihoei Coching Sinchiang Hoekia Ki and Hoei 5. Hoaikuing Commands over six Cities Hoaikuing Ciyven Sievun Vuche Meng Ven. 6. Honan â—ommands over 14 Cities Houan Iensu Cung Mengciu Yyang Tenfung Tungpe Nanchao Tengo Nuihiahg Sinije Chechun Yu Vuxang and Ye 7. Kingyang Commands over five Towns Kingyang Hoxi Hoan Ning and Chuining 8. Iuning Commands over 14 Cities Iuning Hanchai Sipnig Sincai Siuping Chinijang Sinigang Loxan Kioxan Quango Quangxan Cuxi Sce and Xangching The great City Iu which though not preferred by the Chineses to the Dignity of a Capital City yet however Commands over five small Cities as Iu Luxan Kia Paofung and Yyang The yearly Revenue according to the Toll-Book of the Emperor which this Country brings in amoâ—nts to five hundred eighty nine thousand two hundred and ninety six Families and fifty one hundred six thousand two hundred and seventy Fighting Men. The Income of the Revenue amounts yearly to twenty four hundred fourteen thousand four hundred and seventy seven Bags of Rice twenty three thousand five hundred and nine Pounds of unwrought Linnen nine thousand nine hundred fifty nine Pounds of several sorts of Silk three hundred forty one Pounds of Cottons which are very scarce in this County and lastly twenty two hundred fourscore and eight thousand seven hundred forty four Trusses of Hay for the Kings Stables The sixth Kingdom of Sucheu THis Territory of Sucheu is very large and fruitful which Eastward bordereth upon Huquang Southward upon Queicheu North-East and by North upon Xensi North-West upon Prester-Iohn's Countrey Westward upon Tiâ—et and Southward upon the Province of Iunnan In this whole Province are eight chief Cities a hundred twenty four great and little Cities four Garison Cities beside several other Towns and Places The eight Capital Cities are Chingtu Paoning Xungning Siucheu Chunking Queicheu Lunggan and Mahu 1. Chingtu Commands over 30 little Cities Chingtu Xaanglieu Veukiang Sinfan Sinlu Kintang Ginxeu Chingping Pi Cu Nuikiang Quou Peug Cuugning Gan Kien Cuyang Cungking Sincin Han Xefan Miencho Teyang Mien Changning Lokiang Mieu Vencheuen Guei and Pao 2. Pagning Commands over 10 Cities Pagning Cangki Nanpu Quangyven Pa Chaoboa Tungkiang Kien Cutung and Mankiang 3. Xunking has under its Command 9 Cities Xunking Sike Iungxan Ylnug Quanggan Kin Tacho Gochi and Linxui 4. Siucheu Commands likewise over 10 Cities Siucheu Kingfu Fuxun Nanki Hiuguen Changning Iunlien Cung Cao and Lukehang 5. Chungking Commands over 18 Cities Chungking Kiangein Changxeu Taco Iuncheuen Kikiang Nancheuen Kiukiang Ho Tungleang Tingguen Piexan Chung Fungtu Tienkiang Fen Fulung and Pinxui 6. Queicheu Commands over 13 Cities Queicheu Coxan Tachang Taming Iunyang Vau Cai Tai Sinning Leangxan Kieuzi Tunchiang and Taiping 7. Lunggan Commands over three Cities Lunggan Kiangyeu and Xeciven and also over several Forts 8. Mahu is alone without having any City under its Command The great Cities are six Tungcheuen Muicheu Kiating Kiung Lincheu and Yacheu Though these six great Cities might very well deserve the Name and Dignity of Capital Cities in regard of their largeness and number of Inhabitants yet they do not enjoy that Dignity because this Province is to have no more Capital Cities then Peking and Nanking The first great City Tungcheuen Commands over 8 other Cities the second Muicheu over four the third Kiating over seven the fourth Kiung over three the fifth Liucheu over four and the sixth Yacheu Commands likewise over four The four chief Garison Cities are Tinchnen Uniung Usa and Chinhiung beside which there are 35 small Garison Cities and Forts This Province produces much Silk and other rich Commodities It is very large and fruitful having the great River of Kiang running quite through it in some places it is Mountainous but wants neither for Trees nor Valleys From hence only comes the right Radix-China or China-Root for that which
Silver and the Feathers of several Birds very artificially mingled with all manner of Colours None are suffer'd to wear any of these Silks call'd Dragon-Silks but the Emperor and his Courtiers This Province furnishes the Court likewise with 80 hundred 4 thousand and 91 Trusses of Hay and with 4 hundred 44 thousand 7 hundred and 69 Weight of Salt The whole Revenue of this Province is reckon'd by some to amount to 15 Millions of Crowns The eleventh Province of Fokien THis Province which is the least of all the Provinces lies toward the East South-East and South upon the great Indian Sea toward the South-West it borders upon Quantung West and North-East upon Kiansi and the remaining part upon the Kingdom of Chekiang In this Province are eight Chief Cities and 48 small Cities and a great number of Forts which were built for the Defence of the Sea and Harbor The eight Chief Cities are these Focheu Civencheu Changcheu Kienning Ienping Tincheu Hiughoa and Xaovu 1. Focheu Commands over eight Cities Focheu Cutien Mincing Changlo Lienkiang Loyuen Iungfo and Focing 2. Civencheu Commands over seven Cities Civencheu Nangan Hoeigan Tehoa Ganki Tungan and Iunchung 3. Changcheu Commands over 10 Cities Changcheu Changpu Lugnien Nancing Changtai Changping Pingho Caogan Haicing and Ningyang 4. Kienning Commands over seven Cities Kienning Kienying Cunggan Puching Chingho Sungki and Xeuning 5. Ienping Commands over seven Cities Ienping Cianglo Xa Yenki Xunchang Ianggan and Tatien 6. Tingcheu Commands over eight Cities Tingcheu Ninghoa Xanghang Vuping Cinglieu Tienching Queihoa and Iungtung 7. Hinghoa Commands over two Cities Hinghoa and Sienlieu 8. Xaovu Commands over four Cities Xaovu Quangee Taining and Kienning In the Province of Fokien is also a great City call'd Foning which Commands three Cities Foning Fogan and Ningte In this Province are likewise several brave Forts and Towns for Trade as Ganhai Hiamuen Pumuen Foning Tinghai Muihoa Xe Haiku Vangan Chungxe Tungxan Hiuenchung and Iungting The Island Formosa or The Fair Island doth also belong to this Province as likewise the near adjacent Island call'd Taiwan which the Hollanders possess who have built a Fort there call'd New-Zealand But of this Island more hereafter The Toll or Register-Book of these People mentions no less in this Province than 5 hundred 9 thousand and 2 hundred Families and 18 hundred 2 thousand 6 hundred and 77 Fighting Men. The Revenue of this Province consists of 8 hundred 83 thousand 1 hundred and 15 Sacks of Salt 1 hundred 94 Pounds of fine Linnen and 6 hundred Rowls of wrought Silk But the chiefest Revenue consists of Ships which pay according to their Burthen so much a Tun. The thirteenth Province of Quangsi QUangsi is the thirteenth Province and borders toward the East upon the Province of Quantung South-West upon Tungking or Ganan Westward upon the Country of Iunnan toward the North-West upon the Countrey of Queicheu and the remaining part upon Huquang In this Province are eleven Capital Cities one Chief Garison City and one Principal City The 11 Chief Cities are these Queilin Lieucheu Kingyven Pinglo Gucheu Cincheu Nanning Taiping Suming Chingen and Tiencheu 1. Queilin Commands over nine Cities Queilin Hinggan Lingchuen Yangso Iungning Iungfo Yning Cinen and Quonyang 2. Lieucheu Commands over twelve Cities Lieucheu Coyung Loching Lieuching Hoaiyven Yung Laipin Siang Vuciven Pin Cienkiang and Xangling 3. Kingyven Commands over nine Cities Kingyven Tienho Sugen Hochi Hinching Nanchuen Lypo Tunglan and Pangti 4. Pinglo Commands over eight Cities Pinglo Cunching Fuchueu Ho Lipu Siengiu Iuggan and Caoping 5. Gucheu Commands over ten Cities Gucheu Teng Yung Cengki Hoaicie Yolin Pope Pelieu Lochuen and Hingye 6. Cincheu Commannds over four Cities Cincheu Pingnan Quei and Vucing 7. Nanning Commands over six Cities Nanning Lunggan Heng Yunhiang Xangsu and Sunning 8. Taiping Commands over 22 Cities Taiping Ganging Yangli Vanching Co Civenming Suching Chinyven Sutung Kielum Mingyng Xanhia Kiegan Luging Tukie Cungxen Iunkang Loyang Toling Lun Kiang and Lope 9. Suming Commands over five Cities Suming Xangxe Hiaxe Pingciang and Chung 10. Chingan has no City under it Command nor is subject to any other City 11. Tiencheu Commands over five Cities Tiencheu Xanglin Lung Queite and Cohoa The Garison City is Sugen and Commands over three Cities Sugen Vuyuen and Funghoa The great City which is not preferr'd to the Dignity of a Principal City is Suching and Commands only over one City call'd Ching There are some other Cities in this Province as Sucheu Siping Fulao Fukang Funy Li Queixum and Hiangun The Forts are onely two Zanglui and Ganiung In the Toll or Register-Book of this Province is set down 1 hundred 86 thousand 7 hundred and 19 Families and 1 Million 54 thousand 7 hundred and 60 Fighting Men. The Revenue thereof consists of 4 hundred 31 thousand 3 hundred and 59 Bags of Rice The fourteenth Province of Queicheu THis Province of Queicheu borders East and South-East upon the Province of Quangsi North and North-West upon Sucheu toward the North-East it reaches as far as the Province of Huquang and the remaining part borders upon Iunnan Formerly this Province was not reckon'd among the fifteen but a part thereof belong'd to Sucheu another part to Huquang and the neighboring Provinces possess'd the rest at last the Family of Taiminga in regard Ivena the foregoing Branch of the Tartars had caus'd several Castles and Forts to be built therein made thereof a particular Province In this Queicheu are 8 Chief Cities which are not very large 10 small Cities four Chief Garrison Cities and four small Garison Cities beside Castles and Forts which are very many The eight Chief Cities are these Queiyang Sucheu Sunan Chinyven Xecien Tunggin Liping and Tucho 1. Queiyang Commands over 19 Forts in stead of Cities Queiyang Kiukiun Moqua Tahoa Cingfan Gueifan Fangfan Hungfan Golung Kingxe Siaolung Lofan Talung Siaoching Xangua Luxan Lufan Pingfa and Mohiang 2. Sucheu Commands over four Forts Sucheu Tuso Xiki and Hoantao 3. Sunan Commands over two Cities and five Forts Sunan Vuchuen Inkiang Xuite Manii Langki and Ieuki 4. Chinyven Commands over one City and four Forts Chinyven Xikien Kinyung Pienkyao Inxui and Taiping 5. Xecien Commands over three Forts Xecien Miaomin Lungeiven and Coihang 6. Tunggin Commands over seven Forts Tunggin Sengki Tiki Vaxan Ulo Pingten Pingnan and Pingchai 7. Liping Commands over 4 Cities and 11 Forts Liping Iuncung Tanki Pacheu Hung Caotie Cu Sixau Huul Leangsai Geuyang Sinhoa Chunglin Cheki and Lungli 8. Tucho Commands over three Cities and nine Forts Tucho Toxan Maho Cingpin Panxui Pinglang Pingcheu Lotung Hokiang Loping Pingting and Tungning The four great Cities are Pugan Iungning Chinning and Ganxun Pugan is the Key of the three Provinces Iungning Commands over three small Forts Iungning Muyo and Tinging Chinning Commands over two Forts Kangco and Xeul Ganxun likewise Commands over two Forts Ningpo and Sipeo The four Chief Garison Cities are Puting Sintien Pingyve and Lungli 1. Puting Commands over no
Ornament to the Place for from the Water-gate going directly on to the King's Palace I told in that Line onely no less than thirteen stately Triumphal Arches made of hewn Stone which are so set out with Figures and Inscriptions in Carved Work that all who behold them admire them as Wonders And this being one of the greatest and most considerable Ornaments wherewith the Chineses adorn their Cities I have for the better demonstration of the Workmanship set before you the following Printed Draught of one of them that you may take a full view of every part and so judge of all the rest which are generally built after one and the same fashion These Arches are commonly built with three Stories so artificially that we may very well say that neither Wit nor Ingenuity were wanting in their Contrivance Round about the Pillars and in other places were writ several Chinese Characters and also cut several Flowers Beasts Birds and other curious Ornaments as I suppose Emblematical That you may the better take a view of the Situation of this most famous City I here present two Draughts the one the Prospect as upon the Water the other Ichnographical of their Streets Ground-plats Temples Walls Castles Houses and whatsoever else They say this City before the last War was so wondrous populous and full of Traffick that daily there were at least five or six Men crowded to death in passing through the Gates which will not seem altogether incredible if you consider the number of the adjacent Villages which abound with People constantly resorting thither This City hath been twice subdu'd by Arms and they say that in the last Siege there were slain above a hundred thousand Men. I shall relate to you in short what hapned to Canton during that terrible and bloody Invasion After that the Tartars had made themselves Masters of all China except some few Sea-Towns they fell with such a formidable Army into this Province of Quantung that hardly any City how strong and populous soever durst withstand them but every one endeavor'd for prevention of her total ruine to receive the Conqueror upon the best Terms they could This Canton relying upon her invincible Forts and Castle only bid defiance to the Tartar the Strength of the Place did not a little encourage the Chinese Inhabitants but that which chiefly gave them a Resolution to withstand the Enemy was that they had one Iquon on their side who Commanded a powerful Fleet whereby he daily furnish'd the City with all necessary Provisions which the Tartars could not hinder wanting Sea-Forces and being unskilful in Maritime Affairs But the Besiegers being Masters of the Field spar'd neither pains nor cost to reduce it by force they Storm'd the City three times but were couragiously beaten off by the Besieged with great loss of Men and Arms. This brave Defence of the Inhabitants made the Siege to last a whole year and their strong Garison enabled them to make so many Sallies upon the Besiegers that they at last found themselves necessitated either to make one general Assault with their whole Army or else as Baffled to raise their Leagure THE GROUND PLAT OF KANTON a A Pagode Temple b. a Fort c. The land Gate d The Wall of the City e the Place where the Tartars are exercised f The Quarters of the Tartars g. a Faire Chinese Tower h. The Old kings Palace i. the young kings Palace k. the first Watergate l Second Watergate m. The Ambassadors house n. Artillery house o. the Plaine where the 〈◊〉 was p. Two Water Châ—tlas q. The Dutsh-Ships The Vice-Roys who Govern'd over this Kingdom at that time when we were there had then the chief Command over the Tartars These endeavor'd to corrupt the Governor of Canton with great Promises and Sums of Money signifying withal unto him these words That he should consider into what extream Danger he was brought and what Disasters were hanging over his Head That if so be he either lov'd himself or his Relations he should forthwith surrender the City and this his Favor they promis'd to requite with eternal Friendship higher Preferment and forty thousand Toel of Silver The pusillanimous and faithless Chinese Governor whether that his Heart misgave him or the Money and large Promises tempted the Man so it was that though he might very well have defended the City yet contrary to his Oath and Honor he made a Promise to the same Tartarian Commanders to set open a Gate to the Besiegers at an appointed hour which accordingly he perform'd It was upon the 24. of November 1650. when the Tartars upon this Advantage rush'd with their whole Army into the City which was soon subdu'd by them the Besieged not being in a Condition to make any resistance for no sooner was the Tartar Horse got in but they rid with great swiftness through all the Streets to hinder the Chineses from gathering together and though the Chineses were not inferior in number to the Tartars yet they effected nothing being in Disorder and surpriz'd by the Treachery of their Governor so that the best course any could use was to save himself by flight The whole Tartar Army being got into the City the Place was soon turn'd to a Map of Misery for every one began to tear break and carry away whatsoever he could lay hands on The Cry of Women Children and Aged People was so great that it exceeded all noise of such loud Distractions so that from the 26. of November to the 15. of December there was heard no other Cry in the Streets but Strike Kill and Destroy the rebellious Barbarians all places being full of woful Lamentations Murder and Rapine Those that were able to Ransom bought their Lives at dear Rates and so escap'd the fury of these inhumane Slaughterers At last the Vice-Roys and Chief Commanders of the Army upon the sixth of Winter-Month did strictly forbid any such cruel Murder to be committed thence-forward I was credibly inform'd that during the space of 80 days above eight thousand were kill'd in cold Blood by the Tartars Some amongst which the Iesuit Martinus is one in his Book of the Tartar War say that there were slain above a hundred thousand which is not altogether improbable in regard of the great number there penn'd up But although this City was thus lamentably laid waste yet through the great care of the Vice-Roys it was in a few years after restor'd to its former lustre After that the Ambassadors had been three Weeks Aboard without coming Ashore all that while they had leave given to Land with all their Followers and were most nobly receiv'd in their former Lodgings but yet were so narrowly Guarded by a great number of Foot-Soldiers that they were not permitted to go into the Streets Two Days after there came a Mandorin to them in the Name of the Vice-Roy who propos'd to them That they to obtain their Ends in China could not Present and give to the Emperor's Council
they return'd and sat down as before And when all was taken away every one drew out a piece of Money which together was to be divided among the Musicians and Attendants This Collection or Gathering they laid at the Governor's Feet to be by him dispos'd of The Ambassadors likewise Presented them with six Toel of Silver and some Silk-Stuffs which the Governor at first refus'd but at last at their Entreaty accepted it This City of Namhun is very large well situated and fortifi'd with Walls and Bulwarks and divided by the River over which is a Bridge for the conveniency of passage from one part to another It is also full of Idol-Temples and brave Structures We saw here several Houses whose Doors were inscrib'd with the Letters of the Name of our Saviour Here is also the Emperor 's Custom-house where they receive his Dues for all Goods Exported or imported their Bills of Lading being usually accepted on their Words saving the double diligence and charge of Searchers and discomposing their Goods as in Europe There is no better Mold in all China for the making of any Earthen Ware than is about this City Not far from hence is a River by the Chineses call'd Mekiang which signifies Ink-Water whose blackness it much resembles The Chineses much esteem of the Fish taken in this River which are commonly very white considering the darkness of the Water It is very troublesom Travelling by Land in those Parts because of the high Hills and rugged Ascents but the most troublesom Mountain of all to Travel over was that which the Inhabitants call'd Muglin which one of the Governors levell'd at his own Charge and is now very passable either for Horse or Foot for which the Inhabitants erected to his Honor a stately Temple Presenting rich Offerings and costly Perfumes to the Idol there residing We were four Days preparing for our Iourney from Namhun to Nangan because of the troublesom and almost inaccessible Mountains At last having got all things ready we set forward upon the eighth Instant with some of the Emperor's Presents But before we began our Iourney we sent the Mandorin of the young Vice-Roy of Canton before to provide Lodgings and other Necessaries at Nangan for their further Iourney and some of their Followers were order'd to stay till next Day to look to such Goods as could not be carried the Day before with the Ambassadors There was likewise order given that each Carriage should have a yellow Flag with the Emperor's and Ambassadors Names written upon them to save Strangers Inquisition and for their greater ease and accommodation they were carried over the Mountains in Horse-Litters And in regard the Ways were dangerous and much molested with Robbers and Highway-men the Governor appointed them a Life-Guard of 150 Horse to conduct them safe over the Mountains so that what with those that carried the Goods and this Guard we made a Regiment of at least 600. The next Day being the ninth such as were left behind at Namhun set also forward The Ambassadors Lodg'd upon these Mountains in a Village call'd Susan about half way over but found no body in the Place except an Officer with some Soldiers that kept Watch there who could hardly furnish us with a little Rice Hogs-flesh and strong Drink the Inhabitants having forsaken their Houses frighted by the Hollanders The next Day early in the Morning they took Horse and rode from thence and about Noon came to that strange and narrow Mountain which lies betwixt the Provinces of Quantung and Kiangsi and separates both these Provinces from each other Upon this Mountain we saw several fair Idol-Temples very curiously built This Mountain though no better than a Wilderness yet is very delightful by reason of the variety of Woods and Valleys We made so much haste that Day that we got by Night to Nangan the thirteenth Chief City of the eighth Province of Kiangsi But before I proceed I shall relate unto you the number of the great and small Cities and the Conâ—dition Qualities and Humor of the Inhabitants of this Province of Kiangsi Toward the East and South-East this Province has for Frontiers the Provinces of Chekiang and Foking South and South-West Quantung and Quangsi toward the West Fukang and toward the North Nanking Toward the South appear in this Province mighty broad and high Hills for the Mountains of three Provinces as Kiangsi Quantung and Fokien joyn and meet all in one here And upon these Mountains live a wild and barbarous sort of People who maintain themselves most by Plundering and Stealing from the Chineses This part is full of Gold Silver Lead Iron and Tin-Mines and environ'd with very steep Mountains replenish'd with several Lakes and running Rivers 'T is a very fruitful Soil and exceeding populous insomuch that the Province is not sufficient to contain the Inhabitants and therefore many of them leave their native Country and for want of convenient Dwelling-places Seat themselves in other Parts of China where they use some mean Handicraft Trade or else turn Soothsayers or Iuglers to which they are naturally much addicted They are generally possess'd with a belief of the Pythagorean Doctrine of the Transmigration of Souls for they hold it a mortal Sin to kill any living Creature or to eat any thing that is dead In this Province of Kiangsi are thirteen Chief Cities which Command over 67 small ones and through the midst of it from South to North runs the River Can from whence spring several Navigable Streams so that you may take Shipping from or to any part thereof The thirteen principal Cities are these Nanchang Iaocheu Quanglin Nankang Kienkiang Kienchang Vucheu Linkiang Kiegan Xuicheu Iuencheu Cancheu and Nangan 1. Nanchang Commands over seven lesser or inferior Cities as Nanchang Fungching Cinhien Fungcin Cinggan Ning and Nuning 2. Iaocheu Commands also over seven Cities as Iaocheu Yukan Loping Feuleang Tehing Gangin and Vannien 3. Quanglin Commands likewise over seven Cities as Quanglin Ioxan Ieyang Queiki Ienxan Iunfung and Hinggan 4. Nankang Commands over four Cities as Nankang Tuchang Kienchang and Gany 5. Kieukiang Commands over five Cities as Kieukiang Tegan Xuichang Hukeu and Pengce 6. Kienchang Commands also over five Cities as Kienchang Sinching Nanfung Quanchang and Luki 7. Vucheu Commands over six Cities as Vucheu Cunggin Kinki Yhoang Logan and Tunghiang 8. Linkiang Commands over four Cities as Linkiang Sinkin Sinjin and Hiakiang 9. Kiegan Commands over nine Cities as Kiegan Taiho Kiexui Iungfung Ganfo Lungciven Vangan Iungsin and Iungning 10. Xuicheu Commands over three Cities as Xuicheu Xangcao and Sincuang 11. Iuencheu Commands over four Cities as Iuencheu Fueny Pinghiang and Vancai 19. Chancheu Commands over twelve Cities as Chancheu Utu Sinfung Hingque Hoeichang Ganynen Ningtu Xuikin Lingnan Xeching Changning and Tingnan 13. Nangan Commands over four Cities as Nangan Nankang Xangyen and Cungy According to the Chinese Account there are in this Province 1363629 Families and 6549500 Fighting Men. Thus much
concerning the Province of Kiangsi and the number of the great and small Cities I shall now relate what hapned in our Travels through this Province to that of Nanking No sooner were the Ambassadors arriv'd at the Gate of the Chief City of Nangan but a Gentleman was immediately dispatch'd to Complement them in the Name of the Magistrates and conduct them to those Lodgings which were provided for them A while after came the Governor himself with some other Persons of great Quality who after Civilities interchanged fell into some Discourses of small importance and having thus spent an hour they took their leaves and departed sending a handsom Treatment that Night at the Charge of the City Afterwards came to us two Tartar Gentlemen who were newly arrived there from the Imperial City of Peking and after they had Saluted the Ambassadors they told them that they were sent to Congratulate the Vice-Roys of Canton upon their Victory obtain'd the last Year against the Chineses in the Province of Quangsi they then took their leaves and departed seeming much to admire the large and tall Statures of the Hollanders and that they should come from the end of the World to Salute their Emperor adding withal That his Imperial Majesty expected them with great impatience During our abode here we were often visited and receiv'd the friendly Salutations of the best and chiefest of the City The Ambassadors were here very much troubled to procure Vessels to carry them to Nanking for though they did earnestly insist to prosecute and hasten their Iourney yet the Commissioner appointed to furnish them with Boats could not get them ready so soon as he desir'd whereupon the Mandorin Pinxenton rated him with such bitter Expressions that taking it to heart he drew his Knife and would certainly have stabb'd himself had he not been prevented by one of the Mandorin's Servants The Country about this City which is the farthest City of this Province is very pleasant and fruitful surrounded with Hills and Mountains which serve for a Fence to Guard the Country One of these Mountains far exceeds the rest for delightfulness being call'd Sihoa which signifies A Place of Pleasure This City is divided into two equal Parts by an Arm of the River Chang which being situate on the Stream causes great Trading there for all the Goods and Merchandises which are brought out of China and carried to the Province of Quantung or from thence to the other Places of Trade which lie higher up in the Country are for the most part unladed in this City from whence they are carried to other Parts by Land or Water The South part of this City is close built with several goodly Houses and is full of Commerce and People On the North side stands an Idol-Temple very curiously built and so richly adorn'd that a second Dedalus may be said to have shewn his Art in the contrivance of this Edifice However in bigness and strength this City stands not in competition with that of Nanhung although the Tartars in their last Invasion were more favourable to this than to the other for in Nangan they forbore to destroy such Fabricks as were of any note but in Nanhung all were ruin'd Besides the great Commerce and Traffick which has been of late Years driven here has been a means to enrich the Inhabitants thereof who have continually contributed toward the re-edifying of this City After four Days abode in this City the Ambassadors Embarqu'd themselves with all their Followers to pursue their Voyage to Peking From the City of Canton to Nanhung we were Tow'd all the way against the Stream by Track-men not without great danger of Shipwrack by reason of many Rocks that lie hid under Water but now we were carried down with the Stream though yet not without great labor and danger of often losing both Ship and Goods The River Can runs here as swift as an Arrow from the Bow and is full of Banks Sands and Shoals which requires much care and experience in the Mariners It hapned in this Passage among other Accidents that the Barque in which Iacob de Keizer one of the Ambassadors had Embarqu'd himself with the Presents to the Great Cham fell into a Whirl-pool and turning and winding amongst unsteady Eddies drove at last on a hidden Sand where she stuck fast and could not be gotten off until they had unladen her they then perceiv'd that she had two great Leaks in her Hull which they made shift to stop putting the Goods Aboard again and so we proceeded on our Iourney The Mandorins commanded the Water-men to be severely Lash'd with a thick Leather Whip and the Master himself had not escap'd the same Punishment for his neglect if the Ambassadors had not interceded for him The next Day being the 14. of April we pass'd by the second small City call'd Nankang but did not Land as we went but in our Return put Ashore This Nankang lies upon the left side of the River Chang It is built four-square being invested with a strong Wall twenty five Foot high and was formerly rich and famous for Commerce It hath four Gates each about a quarter of a Mile distant one from another This City was totally subverted by the Tartars in the last War On the River side stands a strong high Tower the Structure well built At our return we lay with our Vessels before Nammon which signifies The South-Gate from whence a Street leads to the House of the Governor and at the end of the Street stands a Chinese Triumphal Arch an elaborate Piece which the Tartars left without any demolishment At the end of this Street is the Market-place to which is brought daily all manner of Provisions as Flesh Fish and Fruits of all sorts in great abundance Upon the 15. we came to Cancheu the twelfth Chief City of the Province of Kiangsi where we took up our Lodgings for that Night and were visited Aboard our Vessels by some great Mandorins who welcom'd us in the Name of the Magistrates after which the Ambassadors address'd themselves to the great Tutang of this City returning him the like Complemental Civilities who receiv'd them with singular Courtesies and seem Affection and conducted them into his private Apartment where he plac'd them on his right Hand Then he ask'd them several Questions concerning the Constitution of Holland viz. Of how many Provinces it consisted and how remote from Portugal How long their present Government had been Establish'd When that Power began Whether they were all of one and the same Religion and Whether they us'd Beads in their Ejaculations after the Portugese manner To each of which Particulars the Ambassadors return'd them a brief and satisfactory Answer By these Questions we guess'd what a near Community and Commerce there was between this Lord and the Portugueses and we were likewise afterwards told that his Wife had been Baptiz'd by them Whilst we were drinking of Thea in the Withdrawing-room he desir'd to hear
Idols which are much ador'd by the Chineses The third Building is also adorn'd with the like Images At the Entrance of the first of these Edifices on the right side stands a Well which is twelve Paces in the square over and curiously adorn'd with white Stone and always brim full of Water The Chineses fancy to themselves wonderful Stories from this Idol Kouja and the Well believing that formerly here he dwelt and in his Life was very Charitable to all poor People dispencing freely what he had among them and his Treasure was never to be exhausted because he being a great Alchymist was possess'd of the Elixir and converted all Metal into Gold Likewise they imagine that this Kouja through their Gods Direction and Power did once overcome a most hideous Dragon which threatned the Destruction of this City which he afterwards bound to an Iron Pillar and flung into this Well and so deliver'd the Inhabitants from the grand Destroyer as a second St. George and that he at last with all his Family was taken up into Heaven Therefore these Idolaters who held this for a good and holy Deed erected this Temple for him after his Death Many other Stories were told us of this their Deity Most of the other rare Buildings which had been formerly in this City were totally destroy'd by the Tartars only there is still left standing one well-built Tower The Fields about this City are very fruitful and well manur'd which furnish the Cities and Towns round about with all manner of Provisions and Corn. The greatest destruction which befel this City in the last War was occasion'd thus One Kiuns a famous Commander born in the Province of Leaotung was made Governor by the Great Tartar Cham over this Province of Kiangsi for the Tartars much trust the Leaotungers because they lie next to Tartary but this Kiuns revolted from the Tartar with this whole Province of Kiangsi and own'd one Iunglieus for Emperor Upon the 25. of April we came to a Village famous for Shipping call'd Ucienjen where lay great store of Vessels of several sorts and sizes which were come thither from all Parts of China to lade with China Earthen Ware great quantities whereof are sold in this Village which lies near to the Pool call'd Poyang upon the side of the River Can and is above a Mile long It is a Place full of Trade and very handsomly built Upon the side of a Mountain near this Place stands a well-built Idol-Temple behung with great and small Images I found hanging also in this Temple a great many black Lamps which the Inhabitants kept continually burning Day and Night The Chineses and Tartars that at any time are to pass over this Pool Poyang Offer up first some Present or other to the Idol of this Temple for a safe and speedy Passage The Sacrifice which I saw here is perform'd after this manner The ordinary sort of People take a Cock but the rich a Hog wherewith the Country abounds which they bring alive to the Image which is Pictur'd in a most terrible Posture and there they cut the Throats of those Creatures and with the warm Blood besprinkle the Claws of the Idol which generally resemble the Claws of Griffins and some part of his Body so that their Idols are always bedawb'd with Blood on purpose to make them look with a more grim Aspect They Offer up likewise to the Idol the Feet of the dead Swine and the Spurs and Comb of the Cock the rest they reserve for themselves and make Merry therewith Feasting in Honor of this Idol Quite through the middle of this rich Village runs a broad Street full of Shops on both sides where all manner of Commodities are sold but the chiefest Trade is in Porcelane or China Ware which is to be had there in great abundance The Inhabitants of this Village told us to our great admiration that there was no better Porcelane made in all the Kingdom of China than in the Village Sinktesuno which lay at least a hundred Miles Eastward from hence near to the City Feuleang the fourth small City of the second Chief City of Ioacheu and they added withal which increased our wonder that they did not fetch the Earth whereof this Porcelane is made out of the Province of Kiangsi wherein this Village is situated but from the Chief City of Hoeicheu in the Province of Nanking and that the Inhabitants there were not able to make it though they digg'd the Earth in great abundance because they knew not how to temper it with the Water which they alledg'd to be the only reason why they could not attain to this Art And though I saw not these Cities Hoiecheu and Iaocheu nor how they digg'd this Soil in one Place and made Porcelane thereof in another yet I will briefly relate to you what Account was given me by Persons of credit resident in this Village of Ucienjen The Earth whereof this Porcelane is made is digg'd in great quantities out of the Mountains situated near the Chief City Hoeicheu in the Province of Nanking from whence it is brought in four-square Clods to the above-mention'd Village which have the Emperor's Arms stamp'd upon them to prevent all manner of deceit The Earth is not fat like Clay or Chalk but like to our fine Sand which they mingle with Water and so make it into the foremention'd Clods They likewise beat into Powder the broken China Dishes and make new ones of them but such as are made of broken Ware never take so fine a Colour and Gloss as those which are made of fresh Mold The Earthen Clods which are thus brought from the Mountains are afterwards fram'd into what fashions they please after the same manner as our Potters in Europe form their Earthen Ware Upon the greatest sort of Pots which are made of this Earth they have an Art to themselves to paint all manner of Creatures Flowers and Trees which they do very curiously only with Indico This Art of Painting upon the Pots is kept so private and secret that they will not teach it to any but their Children and near Relations wherein the Chineses are so dexterous that you cannot shew them any thing but they will imitate it upon their Pots and Dishes which being fram'd and made of this Earth are first dri'd in the Sun before they are bak'd in the Oven and when they are throughly dri'd they are put into an Oven and stopt very close there baking for fifteen days together with a good Fire underneath the time being expir'd they are continu'd in the Oven fiften days more without any Fire only the Oven all that while is kept close stopt and not open'd till it be quite cold for if they should take the Ware out red hot it would endanger not only the breaking of it but also the losing of the Gloss. After thirty days the Furnace is open'd in the presence of an Officer appointed by the Emperor to take an
for no Trees will grow in this part of the Country They boast likewise of store of Windmills whose Sails are made of Mats The great Product of the Country consists of Rice which the Peasant stands oblig'd to look after very narrowly lest it perish upon the Ground by too much Moisture or too much Heat and Drought so that their Eyes are continually upon the Crop otherwise it suddenly withers to nothing or a small Increase The Windmills therefore are to draw out the Water in a moist Season or to let it in as they think fit to keep their Hopes from burning up in a dry and hot Season so that by this means the Chineses enjoy twice a Year a plentiful Harvest By the Ruines of the Wall and great Edifices this City appears to have been formerly a very famous Place rich and populous but was totally destroy'd in the late War by the Tartars Amongst other Edifices which are yet standing is a most famous Idol-Temple without the Wall on the North-side of the City built after the fashion of the Chineses The Royal Channel runs quite through the Country up to the very Walls by which means they water their Grounds in a dry Season This part of the Country is also full of Draining-Mills to be us'd upon occasion Upon the 28. we came to the famous Sea-Town of Hoaigan which is reckon'd for the eighth Capital City of this Province of Nanking It lies on the East-side of the Royal River about thirty English Miles from Pancien in a flat and Morish Soil through the midst thereof runs a Wall seeming to make two distinct Towns but another Wall which surrounds both Divisions takes away the distinction and renders it one intire City That part which lies toward the South is call'd Hoaigan and the other toward the North-East Yengehing The former of these has stately Suburbs well built and full of People On one side of this City we saw the Fields full of Tombs and Grave-stones In this Capital City the Vice-Roy keeps his Court in great Splendor and State he has full Power over the seven Southerly Provinces and only owns the Emperor for his Supreme Head His Office is to look after the Grand Cham's Revenue consisting chiefly in Provisions of Rice c. which when got in is afterwards Transported to Peking in his Majesties own Vessels On the North-side of the City we saw three great Torrents of Water the first of which and nearest to the River Hoai is very dangerous and by its Inundations has often done great harm To prevent this River from overflowing the adjacent Countries they have rais'd and made two great Sluces with strong Banks on both sides which confine him in his highest Tide In the Suburb of Hoaigan stand two Toll-houses in the one the Custom is paid of all Goods and Merchandises which pass this Way in the other of the Ships which belong to the Subjects and with some part of this Money they maintain their Dikes and Sluces for the defence of the City against the sudden and violent Ruptures of Water Though this City be built upon a Morish Ground yet the Country about it is very fruitful in the product of Rice and Corn The City is well built and full of wealthy Citizens Not far from hence lies a famous Mountain which shoots to the Sky by the Chineses call'd Yocheu upon which stands a stately Temple with Cloysters to Lodge those who daily Offer to the Idol of the Place The Chineses come from several Parts with Presents to this their God suppos'd the Protector and Defender of their Country This Province of Nanking abounds with strange Mountains for in the Country of the second Chief City Fungyang near the seventh small City Xeu upon a Hill call'd Cukin was found a great lump of massie Gold said to be soveraign in several Distempers Some will have it because this Gold cures so many Diseases that Chymists made it In the same Country near to the City of Hintai there is a notable Mountain call'd Moyang and known by the Name of The Shepherdesses Hill because as they say a very fair Virgin formerly kept her Flocks there The whole Country of this Hoaigan has several Rivers running through it and is also replenish'd with many Lakes Amongst other Pools you have here the great Pool of Xeho which toward the North is situated next to the great Indian Sea and waters various Parts of this Country which abounds with Fish Towards the East of the Chief City lies also a great Pool call'd Hung producing great store of Reeds which serve them for Firing Wood being very scarce through the whole Province No sooner were the Ambassadors arriv'd before this Capital City but they sent for Horses Palakins and Litters to go and salute the Vice-Roy and the Magistrates but because the Weather was foul the Governors sent a Messenger to the Ambassadors to thank them for their intended Visit desiring to be excus'd from giving them the like trouble The Mandorine Pinxenton according to his wonted custom gave us a very Noble Dinner upon that Day In the Evening came Father Gascomer a Iesuit who lived in the City to salute the Ambassadors aboard their Vessels and to bid them welcome into those Parts He was very pleasant and civil but did so admire at our arrival as if we had dropt out of the Sky being very inquisitive to know whither we were bound and upon what account we came thither The Ambassadors shew'd themselves courteous and civil to him giving him a handsom Entertainment for his Visit. He seem'd to be a very open-hearted Person and made protestation of a particular Inclination and Affection to our Nation offering the Ambassadors his House if they pleas'd to accept thereof or any other Service he could do them He gave them likewise darkly to understand That upon their Request and Desire of Free Trade in China or any thing else they would meet with great opposition at Peking from the Portuguese who would do their utmost to hinder it as we found afterwards in the Sequel of our Business The Ambassadors were very thankful to this Good Father for his kind and faithful Admonition who thereupon took leave wishing us a prosperous Voyage We staid not long in this City but departed the next day early in the Morning and in our Passage we saw on both sides luxurious Fields well manur'd as likewise a great Company of small Boats lying up and down in this Royal Channel About Sun-set we came to a famous Village call'd Siampu at the entrance whereof lies a very great Sluce through which we past This Village is situated betwixt the Royal Channel and the Yellow River and is of a very great length handsomly adorn'd with Temples and fair Houses on both sides of the Water It has some Privileges belonging to it as also a Toll-house where the Toll-masters appointed by the Emperor reside to receive Toll of all such Goods and Vessels which pass out
came aboard in great State to bid us welcome Upon this their Friendly Reception and Entertainment we went ashore where on the East-side of the City we saw five old Triumphal Arches through which we past The City is both handsomly Built and well Peopled being also environ'd with an old high Wall The Governor's Lady sent a Soldier to me and some others of our Followers desiring us to come to her We were conducted into a very large Parlor where she like a Goddess was expecting our coming attended by several Tartar Ladies in very rich Habit but she exceeded them all for Beauty and Gallantry On her left hand stood a stately Alchove upon which she caus'd me to sit down and acquaint her with the Character of Holland concerning which she ask'd me several Questions To all which I return'd my Answers with much freedom wherewith she seem'd very well pleas'd The same day we departed from Sanglo and came in the Evening to the Village of Tonnau situated over against a strong Castle guarded by a great Garrison of Tartars The Houses of this Place are built of Mud and Dirt fitter for Dog-kennels than for People to inhabit in yet fit enough for the Inhabitants who being of a sordid nature and very loose and uncivil deserve no better They live by pilfering and stealing from one another and none escapes plundering that passes that way without a Guard to defend themselves from their violence Upon the third of Iuly we came to the small City of Sinkicien which for brevity some call Cing the seventh small City under the Chief City Hokien lying also on the side of the River Guei in a flat and pleasant Soil and about ten Miles from Sanglo This Place is not very large yet full of people and Trade as most of the Cities are which lie upon this River Several famous Edifices which are yet standing in and about this City clearly evidence that this was formerly a most stately and magnificent Place The Country round about lies low and flat but very fruitful It abounds with store of tame Cattel and Fish in respect of the several Rivers which run through it There are very few Hills in all this Country of Hokien to which this Cing is subject only there is one not far from this Place though the City it self lies upon a Flat worthy the observation call'd by the Chineses Si. The top of this Hill being a delightful Plain which by reason of the Fruitfulness they highly esteem extends it self to a very great length upon which lies a small Village inhabited onely by Cow-herds and Husband-men The next day being the fourth of Iuly we Sail'd by the small City of Sinkocien the eighth small City under the Iurisdiction of the same Chief City and situated about eight Miles from Sinkicien This is a small Place but very strong having several Watch-Towers and Bulwarks for its defence It is not Populous nor hath any great Trade though adorn'd with some brave Building but most of the Houses belonging to the Inhabitants are very mean and little Within the Walls are several Temples which are an exceeding Ornament to the Place but one which stands without the Walls of the City in an open Field exceeds all the rest for Bigness Beauty and Art This Building indeed is so rare a Piece that we may well admire their wondrous Skill in Architecture which they boasted of formerly The whole Fabrick consists of three Rounds the lower part whereof stands upon a Pedestal of Stone into which you ascend by Steps The first is adorn'd with great Gates and each Corner supported with most curious Columns and Pillars The second Round has stately Windows and large Pillars like the first by which the Roof is also supported The third is likewise beautified after the same manner The whole Building on the out-side is adorn'd with Fret-work and at each Corner hang little Bells The in-side of this Fane seems not so beautiful as the outward decorations of the Walls thereof being onely hung with great and small Images Through the whole Country as well Temples as Dwelling-houses pay extraordinary great Taxes which doth exceedingly lessen the Revenues of the Priests It seems that the Idolaters here so far as we could by the outward shew judge of them are nothing near so devout in the Worship of Images as those in other Parts for in some Places we saw their Idols wholly deserted and left quite naked without any Ornaments upon them others being only cover'd with Mats and having Straw Hats upon their Heads so to defend them from the injury of the Weather and make them hold out and last the longer Toward Night setting Sail we saw a strange Uprore among the People who were all up in Arms and had divided themselves into several Troops to defend their Country against the Grashoppers which occasion oftentimes a very great Dearth and Scarcity These Creatures come once a year about that time when we were there with an Easterly Wind in such mighty Swarms or Squadrons that they devour all they meet with and that in a few hours leaving the Fields utterly dismantled To prevent these Invaders and sweep-clean Plunderers the Inhabitants march to and again through the Fields with their Colours and Ensigns flying shouting and hollowing all the way they go by which means these Destroyers are kept from fixing and doing such execution upon their Grain And thus the Peasants continually endeavor to preserve their Labor and Product who otherwise would certainly lose the whole benefit of their Harvest for that Year They never leave them when they see a Party coming till they have driven them into the Sea or some River where they fall down and are drown'd and so it hapned that they drove a flying Regiment so long till they fell down upon our Heads and our Vessels were cover'd with them which we afterwards flung into the River The same Day we arriv'd at the Sea-Port of Tiencienwey accounted for the most famous Sea-Town of all China their chiefest Harbors being three the first is the Chief City of Canton or Quancheu situate in the Province of Quantung the second Iejencien in the Province of Nanking and the third Tiencienwey situate upon the utmost Confine toward the East of this Province of Peking near to an Arm of the Sea Cang in a corner where three Rivers of this Province meet and upon which stands a strong Fortress The Country round about is very low and Marshy The City of Tiencienwey it self lies thirty Miles from Singlo built also with strong Walls twenty five Foot high full of Watch-Towers and Bulwarks and the Place much set forth with Temples very populous and so full of Trade that hardly the like Commerce is to be found in any other City in all China for whatsoever Vessels are bound for Peking from any other part of China must touch here which occasions an extraordinary Traffick to Shipping which lie continually before this City Here is also the
made so much speed that day that before Sun-set we got beyond the Eastern Islands of Maccao Upon the fourth Instant we came in sight of the Northern Mountains of Aynam which lay about six Miles North-West from us Upon the 21. of March we came in sight of the Island Linga situated upon the Coast of Sumatra Early in the Morning we spy'd a Sail whereupon we Mann'd out our Boat to discover what she was and whence she came by whom we understood That it was our Bloemandael which had lost us by the way so we joyn'd together and steer'd our Course South-west Upon the 24. we came into the Streight Banca between the great Island Borneo and Sumatra and upon the 26. we past by the Island Lucipara and so through the above-mention'd Narrow On the last of March we arriv'd in our long-desir'd Harbor of Batavia after we had spent twenty Months and six Days in this tedious and expensive Voyage The Ambassadors immediately went ashore to give an Account to the Governor-General and the Council of India of their Transactions in this their Voyage to and from Peking and to inform them what ill success they had in their Business with the Emperor there notwithstanding all their Endeavors and the rich Presents they had given as well to the Emperor himself as to the Mandorins and the rest of the Grandees of his Court The Value of these Presents amounted in the whole to 5555 l. 1 s. 7 d. Sterling and the Expenses of our Expedition forward and backward came to 4327 l. 10 d. Sterling which together amounted to the Sum of 9882 l. 2 s. 5 d. Sterling And for all these Presents and great trouble of so dangerous and long Travel we effected nothing else but that the Hollanders were receiv'd as Friends by the Emperor of China and might return eight years hence to Salute his Imperial Majesty according to the Contents of the foremention'd Letter which the Great Cham writ to the Governor-General at Batavia And though through the means and Designs of the Portuguese Iesuits as has been often mention'd our Business did not succeed with the Emperor according to our wish yet we hope that in a short time and before the date of eight years shall be expir'd something will be done to the advantage of our Traffick by sending a few more Presents to the Emperor which several of the Grandees of Peking did more than hint to our Ambassadors Beside the Great Cham having Wars with that Arch-Pyrate Coxinga if we should but propose to assist his Imperial Majesty with our Ships for the subduing of the said Pyrate I make no doubt but he would quickly consent to give us a free Trade in his Dominions Amongst so many Alterations hapned since our departure we understood at our Arrival with great joy that the strong City of Columbo in the Island of Ceylon was fall'n into our hands by the Conduct and Courage of the General Dirck Hulft who Commanded over those Forces that were sent to subdue it This valiant Commander was unfortunately slain in an Assault made by him upon the said City which being perceiv'd by his couragious Soldiers they fell on with so much fury that they would not be satisfi'd for the loss of their Commander with any thing less than the taking of the Town which was soon after deliver'd up to them upon terms How great an advantage this will prove to the Affairs of the East-India Company any one may easily guess if they do but know that from this Place comes the best Cinamon We likewise understood that the troublesom and contentious Business in Amboyna which threatned this Place with great danger was accommodated and reconcil'd through the wise management of Arnold de Vlaming so that one might live freely and peaceably there and drive their Trade with the Inhabitants as formerly Lastly We were inform'd that the Bantam Iavaners were grown weary of the War and sought to live in Peace with the Hollanders which will highly make for the Interest of our East-India Company I have treated thus far in short concerning what hapned upon our Travels forward and backward to the Emperor's Court at Peking wherein to my knowledge I have not in the least said any thing contrary to the Truth and as I began in giving a Description in short of the whole Empire for as much as concerns the Country it self so I conceive it not improper for a more full and perfect knowledge of all China to continue my Relation of the Government Letters Learning Manners Customs Fashions and Modes of the Inhabitants Creatures Beasts Herbs Fruits Wars and Peace in this vast Dominion of China FINIS A General Description OF THE EMPIRE OF CHINA CHAP. I. Of the Government and several Chief Officers in China OUR Statists in Europe and most else that follow Science and Literature are not ignorant in the least of the three Forms of Government viz. That of Monarcy or the absolute Power of a Single Person Aristocracy being the Authority of the Nobles and Democracy the Sway of the Multitude Now the Kingdom or Empire of China hath been Govern'd from Age to Age in a series or long prescription of Time out of mind by a Single Person the Supreme Authority being always Monarchical for both the Power of the Nobles and that of the Populacy are so altogether unknown to the Chineses that we had a difficult Task when we were at Peking to make them understand what our Government of the United Provinces was and what were our High and Mighty Lords the States General The Emperor of China Commands over the Lives and Estates of all his Subjects he alone being the Supreme Head and Governor so that the Chinese Government is absolutely Monarchical the Crown descending from Father to Son and for want of Issue-Male it comes to the next of Blood the eldest Son first resuming the Paternal Throne only we read That two or three Kings in old Times disinherited their Children being held unfit to Govern and put the Scepter into the Hands of Strangers no way related to them It has also often hapned that the Subjects have by force wrested the Government out of the hands of their lawful Prince for being too severe harsh and cruel in his Reign and conferr'd it on one more agreeable to their Humor whom they have acknowledg'd for their lawful Prince Yet herein are the Chineses to be commended that many amongst them had rather die honorably than sweat Fidelity to any Prince that gets the Crown by force of Arms having no just Title to the same for they have a Proverb amongst them That an honest Woman cannot Marry two Husbands nor a faithful Subject serve two Lords When the Heir which generally is the eldest Son comes to the Crown the rest of the Children are Treated with Royal Dignity and Honor but they must not use any Regal Authority The King allots to each of them a City with a Royal Palace where he
call'd Chayven the first has a superintendent Power over the other Magistrates and Subjects Commands the Soldiery and is concern'd in all the chiefest Offices of the Empire by reason whereof he is not inferior to the greatest Vice-Roys in Europe either for Power or Pomp. He continues three years in the Employment and all that time has constantly Couriers going to and coming from Court and this because he must daily give an Account of what passes in his Province At his first going from Court several Persons of great Quality who also are of his Council are sent to wait upon him to his Palace The Inhabitants of Cities and Towns through which he passes go out to meet him with great Respect and accompany him good part of his Way both on Horse-back and on Foot with great Honor and Reverence At length when he is arriv'd within three Miles of the Capital City wherein he is to make his Residence the Garrison of the Place excellently accommodated meet him to guard and conduct him after whom follow the Magistrates with the chiefest Citizens The Office of the second call'd Chayven which signifies An Examiner is likewise a Place of great Trust and Command but as is said expires with the Year This Officer receives so large a Commission from the Emperor that he may supervise and inspect all manner of Affairs as well Civil as Military and this he doth giving an Account thereof to the Emperor who thereupon immediately sends him further Orders what to do therein He alone amongst all the Magistrates causes the Sentences of Life and Death and other corporal Punishments to be put in Execution through the whole Province so that all Persons equally fear and reverence him Besides these great Officers of the Emperor there is another Examiner call'd likewise Tutang but he is sent by the Empress from time to time and his Business is only to visit the Prisons of the Province with a full Power to release all such from them as have been put in for trivial Matters He hath a very great regard to the Poor his chief Office being to perform Deeds of Charity and extend Compassion In every Province is also a Treasurer who takes care of the Royal Revenues arising within the whole Province He receives his Commission from the Rix-Council appointed for the Emperor's Revenue With him are join'd two Assistants who both reside in his Palace And he has under him twenty six Mandorins who are employ'd in several Offices He receives and takes an Account of all the Tolls Impositions and Royal Taxes takes a special care of all Weights and Measures and determines all Causes and Differences that arise about the Emperor's Revenue He is the Person that pays all Salaries Wages and Annuities whether it be to the Magistrates the Emperor's Kindred or Soldiers and likewise disburses all Moneys to be laid out for repairing of Bridges Streets and common Edifices such as the Palaces of the Mandorins The fourth Council is Gan Cha Sci whose Business is to inflict or pass Sentence for corporal Punishments The fifth-Council takes care to improve and reward Learning and Knowledge And thus I have given you an Account of the several sorts of Rix-Councils in China but before I conclude with their method of Government it will be worth our labor to make some mention of the strange and unusual Customs us'd amongst them which other Nations have hardly heard of And first of all it is very observable That the whole Kingdom is sway'd by Philosophers to whom not only the People but the Grandees of the Court yield an awful Reverence insomuch that they submit with all humility to receive Correction from them as Children from a Master By these Philosophers are all Military Affairs order'd over which they are appointed as Overseers and their Counsel and Opinions make greater Impressions upon the Emperor than all the most admirable Observations of the Commanders themselves who are very seldom and then but some few taken into the Council But that which will appear yet more strange is that these Philosophers far exceed the Military Commanders in Courage and Fidelity and will hazard their Persons beyond any of them in the most imminent Dangers for the good of their Prince and Country Secondly But that which indeed to our European World will seem most admirable is the Good Understanding and perfect Unanimity which is constantly held between the High and the Inferior Magistrates as also between the Governors of Provinces and the Rix-Councils and between those and the Emperor himself declar'd by that mutual Respect and Affection which they bear to one another in making Visits and sending Presents upon all occasions for the continuation of this so well knit Correspondence and yet notwithstanding this constant and strict Amity the inferior Magistrates never speak to the chief Ministers of State but upon their Knees and that with singular Civility and profound Respect With like Respect and submissive Carriage the Subjects behave themselves to the Governors and Rulers of Cities Thirdly No Person continues in Office through the whole Empire longer than three years unless he be confirm'd anew by the Emperor which happens very seldom because as every Man merits by his upright Carriage and Deportment he is still advanc'd to higher and more noble Promotions And certainly this is done upon great and Political Reasons of State as to prevent any such Governor from contracting near Friendship with the Inhabitants whereby to draw their Affections to a by-Interest on his part to undertake Factions or Novelties against the Interest of the Prince For the better bringing to pass whereof all the chief Governors of Provinces Divisions and Cities are bound to appear every third year at the Emperor's Court to do Homage and Obedience to him at which time a strict Account is taken of their Carriages and Behaviours in their several Places and after a through Examination of all Matters the Emperor and his Council determine who are fit to be continu'd who to be cashier'd who to be preferr'd and lastly who to be punish'd and this without any respect of Persons Likewise it is not in the power of the Emperor to make any alteration in what is concluded by the Council and Iudges upon this Examination which is so severe and impartial that for the most part only the greatest Persons offending are punish'd And to this purpose we read that in the Year 1607. so strict an Examination was made that four thousand principal Magistrates who had misbehav'd themselves receiv'd Rewards justly due to their demerits The Persons so condemn'd are divided according to the quality of their Crimes into five Ranks Under the first are comprehended such as take Bribes and enrich themselves out of the Emperor's Treasury these being turn'd out are for ever made incapable of bearing any publick Office Under the second Rank are set down those who are too cruel in their Punishments these are likewise turn'd out of their Places and sent home
But how ancient soever it is they use quite another manner and method therein than the Europeans for in regard of the great number of Characters they are enforc'd to cut them upon a smooth Board made of Pear-tree or Apple-tree Upon this Board they paste the Writing that is to be Printed scraping the Paper so long when it is dry till the Characters by reason of the thinness begin to appear through and last of all they bore the Board with an Iron that only the strokes of the Characters are left standing This done they Print with this Board the Writing which stands already Engraven upon it upon other clean Sheets but with so much ease and quickness that one Man is able to Print five thousand Sheets in a day and in the boring of the Boards they are so dextrous that they will cut out one almost as soon as an European Compositor can make ready a Form to the Press This manner of Printing is much more commodious for the Chinese Characters than for ours theirs being great in substance and form our Letters small and consequently unfit to cut upon a Board Neither doth this Peoples Ingenuity end here but dives into the quaint Fancies of the Painter's Art arriving sometimes to great skill in Painting of Pictures only herein they fall very much short of those who use that Art in these Parts in regard they neither understand the making of Shadows noâ— have learn'd to temper their Colours with Oyl This is the reason why all their Pictures look so dull and dead resembling rather inanimate Bodies than lively Images and yet they have as good Colours in that Country as in any other part of the World wherewith they depict all sorts of Birds and Herbs to the life They have also some little insight and skill in the Art of Carving or Graving of Images and in Casting of Copper into the Portraicture of Birds and all manner of other Creatures with which they adorn the Cielings of their Houses their Temples are likewise beautifi'd with Images of Copper or other Pieces of Carv'd or Engrav'd Works Their Bells which for the most part are made of Brass have woodden Clappers for they cannot bear the striking of an Iron one by reason of their brittleness so that for sound they fall infinitely short of the European Tuneableness Why these People who are ingenious and witty enough in other things are so dull and unexperienc'd in these proceeds in all probability from their general averseness to deal with Foreigners it being a Rule among them to prohibit them entrance into their Country at leastwise not to admit them farther then Frontires Several sorts of Musical Instruments are to be seen in China the most whereof are loud Musick or Wind Instruments to all which they use Snares made of Raw Silk but they have neither Organs nor Harpsechords nor any other the like Instruments though there be some that have a great resemblance of our Virginals in Europe Their Vocal musick consists of one Note and Tone as it were for they know not how to alter or raise their Voices higher or lower nor is it in use amongst them notwithstanding which they brag very much of their sweet Voices which happly to their Ears accustom'd thereto may seem pleasant but sure I am to ours they are both harsh and untunable They have very few Dyals or Iustruments to shew the Hour of the Day and such as they have are made to operate by the means of Water or Fire Those which shew the Hour with Water bear a kind of resemblance to some great Hour-glasses for their shape but such as shew the Hour by means of Fire are made of perfum'd Ashes They have some other kinds of Instruments amongst them to know the Hour of the Day by somewhat like our Clocks with Wheels and they are made to turn with Sand as Wheels of Mills with Water but they are not to be compar'd to our Clocks in Europe for they seldom go true Some inkling they seem to have of Sun-Dials but they are ignorant and desire not to be inform'd in the use of them They are very much addicted to Shews and Stage-Plays and herein only do they exceed those of Europe Their Comedians are for the most part young and active and very numerous throughout the whole Empire some of them travel from Place to Place and others resort to the Chiefest Cities and Towns to be employ'd at Weddings and other great and solemn Entertainments There are likewise a great number of Iuglers and Hocus-Pocusses who are very dexterous in their way Some of them have Rats and Mice in a Cage fastned to a Chain which they have taught to Dance in several Postures Others thrust Threds into their Eyes and pull them out at their Noses One I saw creep into a narrow Basket while his Camerade ran thereat with his Sword so fiercely that he pierc'd it through whereupon the Blood ran down as if the Fellow therein had been wounded in several Places but immediately coming forth it was evident he had receiv'd no hurt at all The People of China are great Lovers of Seals and Coats of Arms wherewith they not only Seal their Letters but make Impressions upon all manner of Writings Verses Pictures and other things But upon these Seals is no Device as among the Gentry and Nobility of Europe neither any thing besides the Name Sir-name Degree and Quality of the Proprietor and to make the Impression they neither use Wax nor any thing like it but only colour it with a certain red Paint to which end the chief Persons in China have a Box of these Seals always standing upon a Table upon which are Engraven several Names every Chinese appropriating to himself divers Denominations These Sigils or Signets are either Engraven in the best and richest sort of Wood or else in Marble Ebony Copper Crystal or the like for the performing thereof there are several Engravers very skilful in this Art who are much respected by the People among whom they carry the repute of Learned Men. There are not in this Country any swarming of Writers but such as do write are esteem'd Artists of the best qualification Their Ink is made of certain hard Cakes which when they will make use of they rub upon a smooth Marble Stone with a few drops of Water till the Colour comes off into which they dip their writing Pencils being made of Hair and fairly appropriated to the writing of the Chinese Characters and the making of these Pencils but especially of the Ink is amongst all there reputed a particular and ingenious Calling Other Handicraft-Trades there are in China among which the Fan-maker is not of least use and credit These Fans are of such general use to cool the Face in the heat of Summer that no Person of what Degree soever goes abroad without them And of these there are several sorts some being made of Reed or Wood others of Ivory Ebony Silk Paper
Carrion either of a Horse Mule Ass Dog or any other Creature They are likewise greatly delighted with dried Sweet-meats which they know very well how to order The Mandorins have always Comedians to Act and Musick to Play whilst they are at Dinner to excite them to chearfulness Their ordinary Drink is Hot Water wherein Thea has been steep'd which as they do all other Liquors they sip off warm But the best of their Liquors is that which they call Cia and is made after this manner They take half a handful of the Herb Cha and boil it in Spring-water when it is well boil'd they put to it four times as much New Milk with a little Salt This Liquor drunk warm as they generally believe has more vertue than the Philosophers Stone As to the rest of their Civilities Manners and Fashions they consist chiefly in the Honor Duty and Obedience which is shewn to the Emperor and that is extraordinary for he is Obey'd Honor'd and Serv'd more than any Spiritual or Temporal Prince in the whole World beside No Person of what Condition or Quality soever may speak to him but only the Gelubden who wait upon him in his Chamber in the Palace and his nearest Kinred as his Sons and Daughters that live with him in the same Palace All the Magistrates without the Palace for the Gelubden have their Degrees of Orders and Preferment are only to speak to the King in Writing in the manner of a Petition wherein their Desires are set forth with the most humble Expressions imaginable When it is the new Year which always begins with the new Moon before or after the ninth Month of October at which time also they begin their Lent an Ambassador is sent from every general Province to Salute the King This Duty is perform'd every third year with greater State and such humble Submission that it seems in a manner a servile Obedience So upon the first day of the new Moon the Magistrates every one in his own City meet and bow to the Royal Throne which is adorn'd with Pictures and Images then with exalted Voices pray That the King may live ten thousand years and this is loudly seconded by the redoubled Echoes of the People purposely met together The same Honor is done to the Emperor upon his Birth-day through the whole Empire and upon the same day the Magistrates of Peking and the Ambassadors which are sent from other Provinces as also the Emperors nearest and chiefest Friends come into the Emperor's Presence to let him know what Day it is and to confirm their good Wishes for his long Life by the greatness of the Presents which they then bring unto him All such as are preferr'd by the King to any Place of Magistracy or other Office are summon'd to appear early in the Morning before the King's Throne to return Thanks for the favor shewn At which time they are Cloth'd in red Sattin with Silver-gilt Turbants upon their Heads in both Hands they hold an Ebony Board four Fingers broad and a Foot long which they put before their Mouths as often as they speak before the Emperor or his Throne When formerly the Emperor intended to appear upon his Throne he shew'd himself first out of a large Window in the highest Room of the House holding an Ebony Board in his Hand before his Face and another over his Head both which Boards were beset with so many Precious Stones and of that bigness that they cover'd his Face and hindred any one from having a perfect sight of him But how the Tartar Cham appears in this Age we have already related It is only lawful for the Emperor to be array'd in Yellow that Colour being forbidden to all others his Raiment is chiefly Embroider'd with Dragons and not only are these Dragons upon his Garments but likewise Engraven upon the Vessels of Gold and other Plate belonging to the Palace as also upon all the other Furniture thereof insomuch that the very Tyling of the Palace is of a yellow Colour figur'd with the shapes of Dragons which has given occasion for some to believe that the Roof of the Palace was either of Gold or Copper whereas in truth it is only cover'd with Tyles colour'd yellow in the Baking and fastned with Nails whose Heads are gilded that so every thing outwardly seen may resemble the Emperor's Apparel And if any Person should be so audaciously presumptuous as to venture to wear this Colour or the Dragons unless he be of the Royal Blood it would endanger the loss of his Head such an Offence being esteem'd criminal as Treason and the Offender would suffer as a Traitor The Royal Palace has four Gates toward the four Quarters of the World All that pass by these Gates are oblig'd to alight whether on Horseback or in a Chair and to go on foot till they are beyond them This is done by all the Chineses in general but much more orderly and with greater Reverence by the Grandees for they perform this Ceremony while they are yet at a good distance from the Court and this is duely observ'd not only at Peking the present Imperial Residence but also at Nanking the ancient Seat of the Emperors though of late years deserted by the Court. The Emperor oftentimes for some certain Reasons and Causes best known to himself doth confer Titles of Honor upon the Ancestors of the chiefest Magistrates by a certain Writing formally drawn up by his Majesties Philosophers They put a high value upon such a Writing and think nothing too much to give or do to purchase the same which once obtain'd they lay up carefully for their Posterity as a Holy or Sacred thing They likewise set a very high value and esteem upon other Titles which are express'd with two or three Characters and are granted by the Emperor to Widows that in their old Age subject themselves again to Matrimony or to any other extraordinary ancient People These Marks of Honor they hang over their Doors to be as a Testimonial for them and when any Magistrates have done their Country good Services Statues of Marble are erected in their Honor at the Charge of the Publick Whatsoever through the whole Empire is rare of costly is sent to the Emperor at Peking the Magistrates whereof appear with far less State and Magnificence abroad in the Streets than those of other Places for unless it be some of the chiefest and more noble the rest must only ride on Horseback and not be carried in Chairs and whosoever is permitted to keep a Chair must use no more than four Chait-men to carry him Without the Imperial City the Magistrates thereof may appear abroad in a more glorious Grandeur but their lowly Demeanor at Peking is done in submission to their Sovereign there resident Every fourth year at four distinct times all the Emperor's Council assemble at the Tombs of the ancient Kings and Queens and there offer up rich and costly Presents with great Humility
that it is heard some Miles distant In the Province of Kiangsi hard by the Chief City Nanchange is the Mountain Pechang which signifies The Mountain of a hundred Rods because the Waters there run so far with great impetuousness In the River Chuem which runs near to Xunking through steep and cragged Rocks are thirty six great Water-falls which continually rore with a most hideous noise Near to the tenth Principal City of this Province is a River call'd Xemuen or Heng which runs with great boisterousness from a Water-shoot that falls into it The River Yao in its Passage by the City Liniao makes so great a noise as if it Thunder'd From the Mountain of Taye are Cataracts that fall with great force at least four hundred Rods. Near to the City Tau is so plentiful a Water-fall that it has caus'd a Mere or Lake Near to the Chief City of Choxang is a River call'd Xangyung wherein is so great a fall of the Waters that when at any time a Stone is but flung into it it causes Rain and Thunder which may well be esteem'd a Prodigy Near to the City Hoeicheu lies the River Singan which has at least three hundred and sixty Water-shoots falling into it between Vales and Rocks In the Province of Fokien near the City Tingcheu is a River which runs to Ienping which hath many of these Water-falls and dangerous Sands and Rocks insomuch that when any Vessels Sail down with the Stream the Skippers to avoid Shipwrack fling out great Bundles of Straw beforehand which stopping against the Rocks preserve the Vessels that strike against them from beating themselves in pieces Near to the City Kiegan lies the River Can where the dangerous Rocks call'd Xetapan take their rise it is very hazardous to Sail down the River from this City by reason of blind Cliffs and Sands which have destroy'd many Vessels for the Sands are not easily discoverable the River running with great swiftness over them and therefore whatever Skippers Sail that way take with them always an expert Pilot from this City Near to the City Ce lies the River Tan which signifies Red because the Water thereof looks like Blood They report that this Water was formerly very clear and white but that it receiv'd this colour by means of one Pei a very faithful Governor of his Country who for some reasons unknown kill'd himself upon the side of this River and ever since the Waters have retain'd a bloody tincture There runs a River before the small City Cu in the Province of Suchue call'd The River of Pearls for that in the Night it glitters and sparkles as if it were full of Precious Stones Also before the City of Iungcheu runs the River Siang whose Water is of a Crystal clearness so that though it be several Fathoms deep yet one may see plainly any thing that lies at the bottom Near to Foming runs a small River from the Mountain Talao the Water whereof turns blue in Harvest at which time the Inhabitants wash their Clothes in the same to give them that colour which it doth with as good effect as any artificial Dyer could do The River Kiemo near to Paogan is said to have such an occult Quality that it will bear no Vessel of Wood but as soon as it comes upon it it sinks as suddenly as if it vanish'd in the Air. The like is the River Io near to Kancheu which is therefore call'd The Weak River because it will bear nothing that is heavy Near to Chingtien upon the Mountain Cucai is a small River whose Waters are very sweet and well scented Near to Choxan is the River Cungyang whose Water takes Spots and Stains out of all sorts of Cloths and is so naturally cooling to the Air that it tempereth the Heat of Summer and therefore the Emperors of China have built a Palace over this River to which they frequently resort to avoid the extraordinary Heats The River Kinxa or The River of Gold is so nam'd because the Inhabitants find great quantities thereof in the same Near to the City Pezan runs the River Che but more peculiarly call'd Hoanglung that is The Yellow Dragon for the Inhabitants fancy that they saw a yellow Dragon therein in the time of the Race of Hana The River Siangyn which runs before Mielo is famous because it was the occasion of the observation of the Feast Tuonu which is observ'd and kept through all China upon the fifth Day of the fifth Month in memory of a certain faithful Governor who drowned himself in this River to prevent some Traitors that were plotting to take away his Life he being a Man well belov'd by the People over whom he Rul'd they to this day as an honor to his Posterity and to continue his Fame make great Entertainment In the Province of Kiangsi near to the City of Vucheu runs the River Lieufan from whence the Chineses fetch the Water which they use in Hour-glasses in stead of Sand because this Water is of all others the least subject to alteration either of Time or Weather Near to Kiegan is a River call'd Senting which signifies A Pipe or Flute because the Water running very swift through Cliffs and stony places makes a very musical and delightful noise Near to Xincheu is the River Xo which doth infallibly cure several sorts of Diseases In the Province of Chekiang near the Chief City of Hangcheu runs a River which in regard of its Course is call'd sometimes Che sometimes Cientang and in some Places Cingan This River causeth upon the eighteenth Day of the eighth Month such a very high Tide before this City that it extremely puzzles the Philosophers themselves to find out the meaning or give the reason thereof for upon that Day the Water riseth Higher than at any other time of the Year by reason of which so very famous is this Day that the whole City about four a Clock makes toward the River to behold the wonderful Operation Of Springs Wells and Fountains IN Chinting the fourth Chief City of the Province of Peking lies a Mere which hath its rise from two Springs the Waters of the one are very hot the other cold and yet they lie but at a small distance asunder Upon the Hill Ganlo near to the City Iungchang is a Stone in the form of a Mans Nose and from his Nostrils arise two Springs whereof the one is warm the other cold In Tengcheu the Chief City of the Province of Xantung is a Spring call'd Hanuen which is a Miracle in Nature for it bubbles forth Water both hot and cold at the same time which separate and divide themselves In the Province of Xensi in the City of Lincheng is a Fountain as clear as Crystal being scarcely five Foot deep yet the top thereof is very cold but the bottom so hot that there is no enduring to touch it with ones Foot In the Province of Quangsi is a Spring the one half whereof is
being Images cut out of one hard Stone and made by the Command of a King who liv'd all his Life here in solitariness Near to Vucheu upon the Hill Vangkiu stands a strange Image in shape and proportion resembling a Man but attended with this peculiarity that according to the several tempers of the Air it receives several colours by the change whereof the Inhabitants know whether they shall have fair or foul Weather The Emperor Xius employ'd five thousand Men to dig a Passage quite through the Mountain Fang for he had heard of the before-mention'd deceitful Mountain-gazers who promise to foretel every Persons Destiny by the shape of the Hills some of whom had given out That they foresaw by this Hills shape that another Emperor should reign wherefore Xius to frustrate his approaching Fate caus'd this Hill to be cut through to alter its shape Near to the City Cing upon the Mountain Loyo stands the Statue of a great Lion out of whose Mouth gushes Water continually Near to the City Xeu in the Province of Nanking upon the Hill Cuking was found a great lump of Gold which they say had the Vertue of curing several Diseases The Hill Kieuquan is call'd The Hill of seven Palaces because the Sons of King Cyugan caus'd seven Palaces to be built upon it in which they resided and studied several Sciences The Hill Lin near to the City Tauleu is very famous for the expert Archery of one Hevyus who in this place shot seven Birds flying one after another Near to the City Ceu is the Mountain Changping very much noted for the Birth of the great and admir'd Philosopher Confutius Here also may be seen the Ruins of some City or Town that formerly stood upon it Near to the City Kioheu lies the Hill Fang not a little frequented by reason of the Tomb of the Ancestors of Confutius The Hill Kieuchin near to Hanyang has its Name from nine Virgins that were Sisters and liv'd thereon studying Chymistry Near to the City Cu lies the Mountain Cu where Report says King Ci buried much Gold and afterwards because he would not have it discover'd put to death all those that were employ'd in hiding it but by chance a young Son of one of the Workmen taking notice of what his Father was doing and bearing the same in mind when he came to years of discretion went and took it away with the cause of his Father's Death felicitating his own Life Upon certain high Hills of the Province of Suchue where it borders upon the Province Honan lies a Kingdom call'd Kiug absolute of it self and no ways subject to the Emperor 's of China only upon the account of Honor and the maintaining of a good Correspondence the King thereof receives from the Chinese Monarch his Crown and Scepter These High-land People will in no wise suffer the Chineses to come amongst them and very hardly to speak to them The People of this Kingdom are the Issue of them who fled out of the Province of Huquang to avoid the Outrages of the Enemy of the Race of Cheva and betook themselves to these high Mountains for safety where ever since their Posterity hath continu'd possessing innumerable brave Vales and incomparable good Lands which are secur'd against the Invasion or Inroads of any Enemy Upon some of the Mountains in China are great store of wild People who by reason of the narrow and difficult Passages to them are not to be brought under Subjection to the Emperor notwithstanding great Endeavors have been us'd to effect the same CHAP. XIV Of Mines of all sorts as Metals Stones c. VVIthin the spacious Continent of this Empire and chiefly upon the Mountains are found many rich Mines as well of Silver and Gold as other Metals in great abundance yet to dig for Gold or Silver out of any of them is forbid although it remains free for any Person to seek for Gold upon the sides and Banks of Rivers where the same is also found in great quantities with which all the Country drive their Trade by Bartering and Exchanging it away for other Commodities Upon the Mountain Yocheu is digg'd up a green Stone which being beaten to Powder affords the Painter a most delicate Vert. There are also several excellent Stone Quarries among which some of Marble whereof they make Tables and other curious Ornaments for their Houses it having such strange yet natural Veins that by their concentring the shapes of Hills Waters Trees Flowers are so admirably figur'd upon the same as if the most exquisite Artist of the World had depicted them with his Pencil In the Province of Peking is found very clear white and red Marble as also Touchstones and several other sorts of Stones which for colour and hardness are much valued And upon the Mountain Xaitung in the Province of Xansi the Iasper of several colours is found as also in Xensi upon the Hill Io are very clear Stones which for their lustre and sparkling resemble Diamonds Out of Mount Kiun is digg'd red Marble In Suchue on Mount Tiexe grows a Stone which being burnt in the Fire yields Iron very fit to make Swords The Hill Cucay near Chingtien brings forth Trees and Stones red of colour and in the Province of Huquang all the Products of the Hill Hoan which signifies The Yellow Hill even to the Earth and Stones are of a Gold colour There are several other Hills which produce strange and Precious Stones as the Hill Xeyen so nam'd because after Rain there are found Stones upon the same resembling Swallows Many other produce variety of Stones held in great Esteem by reason of Experiments which have been made of them in the cure of several Diseases as all sorts of Agues Fevers Calentures c. And as in some places are such variety of rare and Physical Stones so in others are Earth and Medicinal Drugs namely In the Province of Quangsi near to the City Cincheu is digg'd up a certain yellow Earth which is a powerful Antidote against all manner of Poison In the Iurisdiction of Huquang there are several Places where they gather great store of Manna which the Natives take for frozen Dew In the Province of Xansi upon the Mountain Tape they dig up a certain Earth so red that they use it for Vermilion to Print their red Seals whereas upon the Mountain Nieuxu the Earth is so white that it is us'd by the Women in stead of Paint for being dissolv'd in Water it strangely embellisheth the Face which is wash'd therewith Here also they have Mines of Coals which are like those in Europe There is also in divers Places throughout the whole Empire a certain sort of Lime which they press from the Bark of a Tree being tough and sticking like Pitch of this which I suppose I may call a Gum they make a certain sort of Paint wherewith they colour all their Ships Houses and Houshold-stuff which makes them to shine like Glass and
Horse after whom follow'd those that carried the Scaling-Ladders At last march'd up the Prime of his Army which consisted of the Stoutest and ablest Soldiers of his Kingdom Having thus put his Army in Battel-array he fell upon the City immediately with an undaunted Courage Those within made very stout opposition at first but the Tartars pressing upon them furiously got the better and at last drove them from the Walls to which fixing their Scaling-ladders they quickly became Masters of the same such was their exâ—raordinary nimbleness and Courage And now the Chineses finding themselves unable any longer to oppose the Enemy fled out of the City but the Tartars kill'd a great number in the Pursuit After the taking of this City the Tartar march'd on with his Army without any stop or hinderance taking by Storm whatever other Cities oppos'd him but such as submitted he commanded that none of the Inhabitants should suffer either in Body or Goods When now the King of Ninche had fill'd the Inhabitants of the Province of Leaotung with fear and dread of his Army and had totally Conquer'd the same he march'd forward with the Flower of his Army into the Province of Peking making no haste till he was come within seven Miles of the Imperial City and there finding several Chinese Armies to lie round about him he pitch'd his Camp in a very rich Quarter not daring to advance any further up into the Country whereas if he had march'd on he had in all probability carried all before him and might undoubtedly have taken the Imperial City the People being generall consternated and their Hearts dead with Fear insomuch that the Emperor himself had already concluded to abandon the City of Peking and with his whole Family to retire toward the Southern Provinces but he was dissuaded from it by his Council yet notwithstanding the Inhabitants of both these Provinces were so fill'd with Fear at the approach of the Tartars that they left their Habitations both in City and Country and fled into the Woods and Mountains with what they could well carry with them the Enemy in the mean time laying waste several famous Cities and putting all to Fire and Sword where he came The Ninchean King who as we said durst not adventure to march against the Imperial City of Peking having got good store of Riches out of the other Conquer'd Cities retreated back with his Army to the Chief City of the Province of Leaotung which was a very goodly City before he took it both for strength situation and fairness of Building but being told by his Soothsayers that to let the old Walls stand after he had won the Place could bode nought but Misfortune he caus'd them thereupon to be raz'd to the Ground and new ones built There are but two Great Cities in all this Province which are Leaoyang and Ningyven the rest are of a smaller Circuit yet are they both Populous and Rich But with Places of Strength which exceed some Cities for bigness it exceedingly abounds The Inhabitants of this Place are very dull of Understanding and so altogether incapable of learning any Arts and Sciences but very healthful of Constitution and strong of Body therein much exceeding the other Chineses And the cause may be for that they are bred from the Cradle to Wars and Hardship by reason of their vicinity to the Tartars who are perpetually making Wars upon them As to their Manners and Customs they resemble very much the Tartars which comes to pass by the great Intercourse that â—s daily between them The Country is in some places very Hilly and Mountainous and in others plain and even for many Miles together yet every where very fruitful in the product of all manner of Cattel both Wild and Tame as also in Treeâ— and Fruits of the Fields wholesom and medicinal both in their Bodies Leaves Fruits and Roots amongst others here grows that incomparable Root Gâ—â—seng whereof mention is made before There are also to be had store of Rich Furs as Sables Bever c. which they wear in Winter to keep themselves warm and Traffick with likewise into other Provinces It also produces curious Pine-apples excellent Wheat and Barley but no Rice yet a great abundance of Figs Apples Pears Grapes and several other sorts of Fruits Which extraordinary Plenty of all Necessary Things of its own Growth renders it both pleasant and cheap to live in but much more in regard of its Situation upon the Sea from whence it is furnish'd with all manner of Commodities from other Countries Their Religion is very little different from that of the other Chineses being great Promoters of the Doctrine of the Transmigration of Souls out of one Body into another Thus the Tartars having made this Place the Seat of War whereby they could at pleasure Invade the Neighboring Provinces the Emperor and his Council began to consider which way was the most likely for them to drive the Tartars out of their Territories and at last they concluded to raise an Army of 600000 Men over and above whom the King of Corea sent to their Assistance 12000 valiant Bow-men who were not inferior for Skill to the Tartars In the mean time the Ninchean King was not idle but drew out of his Kingdom as many Forces as could possibly be spar'd to joyn with him Being thus prepard for Wars on both sides the Chineses in the Year 1619 march'd with that formidable Army against the Enemy who hearing of their approach set forward from their Camp to meet them which soon hapned but then such was the inveterate malice of both Parties that as soon as they saw each other the Battel began which was valiantly fought for a long time by both Armies so that the Victory hung in suspence nor could any judge who would have the better till at length the Chineses running away in great disorder and confusion the slaughter was very great among them both of Commanders and Soldiers upon the Spot those that escaped carrying the news of the Overthrow to the Emperor This great Victory the Ninchean King pursu'd with that expedition that he took several Cities and Towns some whereof they laid in Ashes and put the Inhabitants to the Sword harrassing and plundering up to the very Walls of the City of Peking though they durst not lay Siege to it there being a Garrison of eighty thousand Men and and the Place well fortifi'd with great store of Cannon upon the Walls Notwithstanding which Provision such was the fear of the Pekinger that if the Tartars had but attempted they might have been Masters of that great City without any very hazardous opposition for the Emperor was again fully resolv'd as before to quit it and to retire to the Southern Provinces But some of his Council now too late grown wise alter'd his Purpose by telling him that it would encourage the Enemy and not only put the whole Empire into confusion but hazard the ruine if not the
AN EMBASSY Sent by the EAST-INDIA Company of the UNITED PROVINCES to the GRAND TARTAR CHAM or EMPEROVR of CHINA Delivered at Pekin by Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keyzer A o 1655. W. Heller fecit 1655. AN EMBASSY FROM THE East-India Company OF THE UNITED PROVINCES TO THE Grand Tartar Cham EMPEROR OF CHINA Deliver'd by Their Excellencies PETER de GOYER and IACOB de KEYZER At His Imperial City of PEKING WHEREIN The Cities Towns Villages Ports Rivers c. In their Passages from CANTON to PEKING Are Ingeniously Describ'd By M r IOHN NIEVHOFF Steward to the AMBASSADORS ALSO An Epistle of Father IOHN ADAMS their Antagonist Concerning the Whole Negotiation With an APPENDIX of several REMARKS taken out of Father ATHANASIUS KIRCHER English'd and set forth with their several Sculptures By IOHN OGILBY Esq His MAIESTIES Cosmographer Geographick Printer and Master of the Revels in the KINGDOM of IRELAND The Second Edition LONDON Printed by the Author at his House in White-Friers M.DC.LXXIII A Description of CHINA Taken by the Author M. Iohn Neuhoff in his Iourneys with the Batavian Ambassadours from Canton to the Emperours Court at Peking AN Exact Relation OF THE EMBASSY SENT BY THE East-India Company OF THE UNITED PROVINCES TO THE GRAND TARTAR CHAM OR Emperor of China Delivered at PEKING the Imperial City c. THE Lacedaemonians were a People who by their Laws and Customs were strictly prohibited from Travelling out of their own Countrey lest so degenerating in Manners as they supposed they might fall into a more loose and irregular course of Life and by the acquaintance of the various Modes of several forein Nations slight the strictness of their own severer Establishments Neither would they permit that any Strangers should reside amongst them lest they by Conversation should be imbu'd with their Novelties and Opinions Which more to strengthen What Citizen soever that did not Educate his Children according to their own setled Laws was immediately pronounced incapable of the Priviledges belonging to his Countrey So great a love had this Nation to their native Soil and such the aversion engraffed in them from their very Cradles to forein Parts that a Youth onely once asking the Way to Pilea by order of the Magistracy suffer'd condign Punishment presently upon the Spot But these severer ways and starch'd Formalities were both by the other Greeks and the Romans utterly exploded who knowing better things readily indulged Licence to Travel where they might best improve their Wealth Literature or Observation And also we find by their most ancient and accurate Writers that they neither spared Cost Study nor Pains to be replenished with remote and transmarine Imbellishments both of Arts Science and Industry When the Emperor Trajan after the Parthian War busied himself in a Philosophical Inquisition concerning the Wonders of the Deep and occult Nature of the Ocean a sudden Storm happening hurried him from Coasting far into the Offin where he beheld a Fleet standing in for India whereof being inform'd he fetching a deep Sigh said Ah that I were young again and could resume my former vigour then would I visit those distant Regions and penetrate the Avenues of the Oriental World King Mithridates who after a long Contest with the Romans having resetled himself in his Throne resolved not onely upon the well managing of the Affairs at home but the enlarging his Dominions abroad whereupon he made himself Master of which not any Prince had done before of the neighboring Scythians who had never till then been absolutely subdu'd This great Work finish'd and so mighty a Nation brought under he diverted himself to Travel not onely to make a superficial view of Cities and Situations Vulgarities and various Humors adherent to several Nations but also of their Scolastick Knowledge and Politick Governments on which account he pass'd through all Pontus Cappadocia and most Parts of Asia Tacitus the famous Roman Historian enumerating the many Vertues of Germanicus says That he greedy of Knowledge especially of forein Transactions made his Tour through Greece Thrace Asia and Armenia but thus much not satisfying the Curiosity of this Prince he Voyaged into Aegypt under pretence of setling the Government of that Kingdom but rather of having a visual Speculation of the Antiquities reported to be there Democritus no less sollicitous of making search beyond his own Home after the Death of his Father Damasippus parted with a no unplentiful Patrimony for a scarce considerable Sum to furnish out the Expences of his outward-bound Travels in quest of Science he first address'd himself to the Aegyptian Priests next the Chaldaeans after to the Gymnosophists in India from whose Magazines and the then Fountains of Learning he returned rich being Freighted with a full Cargo both of Divine and Moral Principles Let Plato Prince of Philosophers stand for all who in like manner penetrated the Bowels of Aegypt and other more distant Countreys returning as plentifully furnished with their several Observations an Acquirements Inclinations no less vigorous have of late been observed in Europe but with more success who not being bounded by Herculean Bars pass'd so far through the till then unmeasured Atlantick that they lighted upon a new World a flourishing Hesperides Regions whose Sands were Gold Earth Plate and Rivers Silver a Paradice extended to the Arctick and Antarctick Circles with several other Countreys and Islands that reach almost the utmost latitude of either Poles out-shining all the Fables of Antiquity and boldest Tales of their Poetick Dreams so that the Ancients are not to stand in competition with our modern Discoverers who found out in less than one Century more than they in their many thousand years Whilst I contemplated the laudable Actions and great Enterprises of famous Navigators I conceiv'd my self oblig'd to put in my Mite and not to conceal some special Remarks being taken by me with no small Care and Pains in a Countrey as little known to Europe as any After my Return from the West-Indies where I had sometime remained my Occasions invited me from Home a contrary Course to the East-Indies where not long after my arrival at Batavia it was order'd by the General Maatzuyker and the Honorable Council then residing there to send Peter de Goyer and Iacob Keysar as Ambassadors with Credentials and a considerable Train of Attendants to Peking in China to the Grand Cham of Tartary the now Emperor of China impowering to Negotiate concerning a free and mutual Commerce with them in his Kingdoms and Territories Whereupon receiving also Commands to attend this Embassy I had thrown into my hands as I conceived fit opportunity to make a more exact Discovery of the Genius and Manners of the People and Customs of the Place and Countreys supposed by all Geographers to be the richest in the World and where any Stranger formerly durst never attempt And herein without breach of Modesty I dare boldly affirm that nothing considerable slipt my observation relating to my
grows in other Places of China is wild and good for nothing From hence comes likewise that incomparable Root call'd Rhubarb which the People of Tibet and Mogar who drive the Trade in this Province send from thence into Europe Here are likewise found two sorts of Amber Stones namely the red and yellow which last is found also upon other Coasts The People here are very cunning in counterfeiting of Amber which they do with so much skill that they sell it sometimes for the right it being impossible to discern it being not much inferior unto it either in sight or goodness Iron Tin and Lead are likewise fetch'd from the Mountains in great quantities among which the wonder is are great store of Salt-pits that produce so much Salt that the Inhabitants know not how to spend one third part of it The Toll-Book wherein the number of the People of the Country is set down mentions no less than 4 hundred 64 thousand 1 hundred 29 Families and 22 hundred 4 thousand 1 hundred and 70 Fighting Men without reckoning the Soldiers who are very numerous in the Country That which this Province pays in Taxes to the Emperor yearly consists of 61 hundred 6 thousand 660 Bags of Rice 6 thousand 3 hundred and 39 Pounds of wrought and unwrought Silk 74 thousand 8 hundred and 51 Pounds of Cottons 1 hundred 49 thousand 1 hundred 77 Weight of Salt beside other Taxes paid to his Imperial Majesty in some parts of this Province The seventh Kingdom of Hucang THe Province of Hucang borders toward the North upon the Province of Honan North-West upon Xensi Westward upon Sucheu toward the South upon Quangsi South-West upon Queicheu Eastward upon Kiangsi and South-East upon Quantung In this Province are 15 brave Metropolises above a hundred small Cities and a world of Villages and Cottages beside the Garison Towns and Forts The 15 chief Cities are these Vuchang Hanijang Syangyang Tegan Hoangcheu Kingcheu Yocheu Changxa Paoking Hengcheu Changte Xincheu Iungcheu Chingtien Chinchiang 1. Vuchang Commands over 10 Cities Vuhang Vuchang Kiayn Puki Hienning Cungyang Tungching Hingque Taye and Tungxan 2. Hanijang Commands over two Cities Hanijang and Hanchuen 3. Siangyang Commands over seven Cities Siangyang Iching Nanchang Caoyang Coching Quanghoa and Kiun 4. Tegan Commands over six Cities Tegan Iommung Hiaocan Ingching Sui and Ingxan 5. Hoangcheu Commands over nine Cities Hoangcheu Lotien Maching Hoangpi Hoanggan Kixut Ki Hoangmui and Hoangâ—i 6. Kingcheu Commands over 13 Cities Kingcheu Cunggan Xexeu Kienli Sungki Chikiang Iling Changyang Itu Iuengan Quei Hingxan Patung 7. Yocheu Commands over eight Cities Yocheu Linsiang Hoayung Pingkiang Fung Xemuen Culi and Ganhiang 8. Changxa Commands over 11 Cities Chanxa Siangtan Siangin Ninghiang and Lieuyang Liling Ieyang Sianghiang Xeu Ganhoa and Chaling 9. Paoking Commands over five Cities Paoking Sinhoa Chingpu Vuchang and Sining 10. Hengcheu Commands over nine Cities Hengcheu Hengxan Luiyang Changning Gangin Ling Queiyang Linnu and Langxan 11. Changte Commands over four Cities Changte Taoyven Lungyang and Iuenkiang 12. Xincheu Commands over seven Cities Xincheu Luki Xinki Xopu Iuen Kiuyang and Mayang 13. Iungcheu Commands over seven Cities Iungcheu Kiyang Tan Tunggan Ningyven Iungning and Kianghoa 14. Chingtien Commands over seven Cities Chingtien Kingxan Cienkiang Mienyang Kingling Kingmuen and Tangyang 15. Chinchiang Commands over seven Cities Cinchiang Fang Choxan Xancin Choki Chingsi and Paokang There are also in this Province two great Cities Cingcheu and Chincheu The first Commands over four small Cities Cingcheu Hoeitung Tungtao Suining the second over six Chincheu Iunghing Ychang Hingning Queiyang and Queitung The Garison Cities are eleven in number Xi Iungxun Paocing Nanguei Xiyung Xangki Lankiang Sanpin Iungting Tienkia Iungmui The Chinese Register of Toll-Book reckons in this Countrey Five hundred thirty one thousand six hundred and eighty six Families and Forty eight hundred thirty three thousand five hundred and ninety Fighting Men beside all such as are of the Royal Blood which amount to at least Three hundred thousand in all China These are all the Offspring of one Hunguvus the first Founder of the Family of Taiminga who long after the Expulsion of the Tartars conquer'd the Kingdom and setled himself in the Throne But this Family of Taiminga had the misfortune not many years since to be wholly extirpated by the Tartars as will appear hereafter The Product of the Revenues of this Province which are paid to the Emperor yearly consists in One and twenty hundred sixty seven thousand nine hundred and fifty nine Bags of Rice and Seventeen thousand nine hundred and seventy seven Rowls of wrought Silk The tenth Province of Chekiang THis Province lies Eastward toward the Sea South and South-West it borders upon the Province of Foking but the rest joyns to the Provinces of Kiansi and Nanking In this Province are eleven Prime Cities all of them not much inferior to some Provinces for the Metropolis of Hangcheu is fit to make to make a Kingdom of The eleven chief Cities Command over sixty three small Cities which have likewise abundance of Towns and Castles under their Command beside the Villages which are all full of People The eleven chief Cities are these Hangcheu Kiahing Hucheu Niencheu Kinhoa Kincheu Chucheu Xaohing Ningpo Taicheu and Vencheu 1. Hangcheu Commands over eight Cities Hangcheu Haining Fuyang Iuhang Lingan Yucieu Sinching Changhoa 2. Kiahing Commands over six Cities Kiahing Kiaxen Haiyen Pinghu Cungte Tunghiang 3. Hucheu Commands over six Cities Hucheu Changhing Gankie Teching Hiaofung and Vukang 4. Niencheu Commands over six Cities Niencheu Xungan Tunglui Suigan Xenchang and Fuenxi 5. Kiuhoa Commands over eight Cities Kinhoa Lanki Tungyang Yu Iuugkang Vuy Pukiang and Tanki 6. Kincheu Commands over five Cities Kincheu Lungyeu Changxan Kiangxen and Caihoa 7. Chucheu Commands over 10 Cities Chucheu Cingtien Cinyun Sungyang Suichang Lungcinen Kingyven Iunho Sivenping and Kingning 8. Xaohing Commands over seven Cities Xaohing Siaoxan Chuki Iuyao Xangyu Xing and Cinchang 9. Ningpo Commands over five Cities Ningpo Cuki Funghao Tinghai Siangxan 10. Taicheu Commands over six Cities Taicheu Hoangnien Tientai Sinkiu Ninghai and Taiping 11. Vencheu Commands over five Cities Vencheu Xuigan Locing Pingyang Taixun The chief Garisons are 15. Chinxan Kinxan Tinghui Quo Ninghai Cioki Sinho Xetie Puontun Cumuen Tunchi Haigan Sining Haifung Nan. The number of the People in this Province mention'd in the Chinese Toll-Book appears to be 12 hundred 42 thousand 1 hundred and 35 Families and 55 hundred 25 thousand 4 hundred and 70 Fighting Men. The publick Revenues paid to the Emperor consist of 25 hundred 10 thousand 2 hundred and 99 Sacks of Salt 3 hundred and 70 thousand 4 hundred and 60 Pounds of unwrought Silk and 2 thousand 5 hundred and 74 Rowls of wrought Silk Beside all which the great Ships of his Imperial Majesty call'd Iungychuen come every year to lade with Silk which is very rich and curiously wrought for his Majesties own use The Silk is interwoven with Gold
but within these 140 years Mahumetanism seems to out-strip the other having more Proselytes The chief Cities of this Island are Bantam which is very famous for Trade Choribon and Iapara from whence the English and Hollanders fetch their Pepper in great quantities There was formerly in the place where the City of Batavia is built which the Hollanders took by force of Arms from the Natives a City call'd Caloppa which in the time of Cornelius Houtman the chief Promoter and Contriver of the East-India Navigation was replenish'd with more than three thousand Houses beside several Forts and Bulwarks But the English who endeavor'd to make themselves absolute and sole Masters of the Trade in this Island suborn'd several of the Inhabitants thereof to gain them on their sides and by this means caus'd the whole City to be totally destroy'd The Hollanders on the other side to frustrate this their Design built two strong Forts whereof one is call'd Mauritius situated upon the River and the other Nassau in memory of that great Captain Both these Places were always well provided against the continual Assaults of those of Iava who were still endeavoring to drive the Hollanders out of this their Plantation At last after some years the Hollanders the better to withstand the violent Incursions of the Natives built a new City fare stronger than the other where formerly the old Caloppa or Iacatra was situated and call'd it Batavia This Batavia which lies in the height of 6 Degrees and 10 Minutes is four-square a River running through the Town which makes as it were two entire Cities The lesser half exceeds the other in Strength in regard of an invincible Castle in it which for its better defence is encompassed with four Bulwarks with deep Moats round about The City is very populous and consists of Natives Chineses and Hollanders and adorn'd with stately Structures and the Streets planted with several sorts of Indian Trees so that you walk cool in the greatest Heats On the Sea-side which is narrowly Guarded lies a safe and commodious Harbor for Shipping The Arms of the City is a naked Sword with a Laurel Garland Here the General who Commands in the Name of the United Provinces over all the Forts and Castles in India has his Residence who is provided with no less Power and Authority than formerly the Stadtholder and chief Commander of these Parts were wont to enjoy and lives in no less Pomp and State than the Princes of Europe And this great Honor and Authority is conferr'd upon him that the Natives dazled with the splendor of his Greatness may so be the better reduc'd under Obedience But with this Commander in Chief is joyn'd a Council whose Advice is always to be taken in Matters of Peace and War the Protection and safety of the Country and the Commerce thereof The Iudicature consists of a President and several Aldermen There is one general Guild or Chamber of Accompts to which all the rest which are in India under the Command of the Hollanders are responsible The whole City lies surrounded with thirteen strong Bulwarks which have been often Attempted and Assaulted by the Natives but are not to be Master'd The Hollanders made formerly a Contract at Iava with the Kings of those Parts about the Business of Commerce but when they began to deal treacherously contrary to the Articles of Agreement in raising the Imposts it was thought fit to erect a Castle or Fort in the City The English at that time held a straight Correspondence and Amity with the Hollanders but it so hapned that Fears and Iealousies and Misunderstandings arose between them so that after a bloody Fight of eleven English Ships against seven Hollanders which continu'd from Morning till Night our Party was forc'd to flie and to retreat to Amboyna and there to Rally more Force The King of Iacatra upon this Occasion made an Agreement with the English and joyning their Forces together laid close Siege to the new Fort which defended it self gallantly for six Months In the mean time the Hollanders brought several of their Ships from the Malava Islands to the number of eighteen which came thither to relieve their besieged Countrymen The English having advice of their coming left the Siege brought the Cannon Aboard and set Sail through the Straight of Sunda The General Iohn Peterson Koene who was newly arriv'd with a Fleet from Holland not doubting of the Treachery of the King though he endeavor'd to excuse himself laying all the blame upon the English Landed his Men with good Order and Conduct who after a few hours Refreshment prepar'd themselves to assault the Besiegers which they did and after some little opposition broke through the Trenches and got into the City The King finding his Forces defeated and the Town relieved saved himself by flight leaving the residue of his Army to the Mercy of the Hollanders who put all to the Sword except Women and Children yea the City of Iacatra it self was laid in Ashes and the Walls levell'd with the Ground After this great Victory the Hollanders strongly fortifi'd themselves in those Parts which the Emperor of the Island Iava perceiving concluded to Besiege this our new erected City of Batavia and in the Year 1629. he Encamped himself under the Walls making several Assaults upon the Place but was still beaten off with considerable Loss The greatest Attempt which the Enemy made was upon September 20. in the Night but they were likewise forc'd to retreat with a great slaughter whose dead Bodies was no small annoyance to the Besieged Against this Inconvenience they burnt several odoriferous Gums to prevent the Contagion which might proceed from thence Amongst other remarkable Passages that hapned during this Siege is that Storm most to be admir'd which the Enemy made upon a Fort situated at the farther corner of the City which was onely Guarded by sixteen Soldiers who shew'd far greater Courage in making their Defence than the Assaulters in the Attempt with their whole Army for after that they had spent all their Powder and Shot they until'd the very Fort and with the Shards thereof did very great Execution upon the Enemy which Ammunition being likewise spent and having nothing offensive they at last emptied the House-of-Office with Chamber-pots and flung the Excrements and so at once both perfum'd and painted the naked Bodies of the Enemy who at last perceiving that those of the City intended to Sally out and relieve their Fellow Soldiers they rais'd the Siege crying out in their Language O you stinking Holland Devils you Fight with Tantoblins and your Arms are Turdy-Pistical After the space of eight days we came upon the 22. in sight of Paulo Teymon which is a pleasant wondrous and delightful Island as is expessed in the adjoining Print full of Woods Hills and Dales Here we sent our Boats Ashore to fetch Wood and fresh Water wherewith we had not at first so well provided our selves as we ought to have
done In this Island grows the Leaf Betel in great abundance much in request amongst the Iavaners who fetch whole Boats-full We made no long stay here but as soon as we had got our Provisions Aboard we set Sail to pursue our Voyage and on the 1. of Iuly came in sight of the large Continent leaving Couchinchina North North-West and about Noon we hâ—d the heighth of 20 Degrees and 6 Minutes we Sail'd along the Coast which was very pleasant This Couchinchina is part of the Kingdom of Gannan which is one of the neighbor Countries that are situated out of the Kingdom of China but yet belongs to the Chineses for under this Gannan is situated the Kingdoms of Tungking and Kianchi or Couchinchina both which were formerly call'd Nankiao The Emperor Haionus who was of the Family of Hana being a valiant Prince conquer'd first of all these Countries which he Planted and afterwards Govern'd the Inhabitants thereof according to the Laws and Manners of the Chineses This same Emperor was also the first who nam'd these Countries and the Inhabitants Kiaoch but afterwards the Family of Tanga call'd them by the Name of Kiaochians But it seems that the Chineses never made any account of these Countries in regard that the Inhabitants according to the Saying of the Chineses were wild and uncivil in their Conversation but others say they did it more out of fear because they knew very well that the Inhabitants far exceeded them in strength of Body and were desirous rather to live conformable to their own Laws and Customs and have their own King than submit their Necks under the Yoke of the Chineses At the beginning of the Reign of the Family of Taiminga for the space of 290 years these People were brought under the Lash of the Emperor Hunguus But this Country was afterwards made over to a petty King call'd Chin who soon was made away by his three Governors who were of the Family of Ly and so possess'd themselves of the Realm When the Emperor Iunglos observ'd the troublesom Condition of that Kingdom he caus'd two of the Governors to be put to Death but the third escap'd by flight and the Emperor afterwards reduced the Kingdom of Gannam into a Province but he had no sooner laid down his Arms but the Fugitive Ly began to appear again in the Field and made himself Master of the Kingdom which done he speedily sent Ambassadors to pacifie the Emperor At that time Sivanteus was Emperor a peaceable Man and more a Slave to his Pleasure than a Prince of his Countries This Emperor being weary of all these Mutinies and Troubles made over again this Country to this same Ly and install'd him as a petty Prince upon Condition that he should send to him every three years an Ambassador with great Presents And in this manner these Parts were divided from the Empire of China about the Year 1428. But these Countries notwithstanding all this grew very troublesom being full of Divisions so that at last they came to be divided into three Parts the first was call'd The Kingdom of Laos the second The Kingdom of Tunking and the third Couchinchina which at present are no other than part of the Provinces of Quangsi and Iunnan The Inhabitants of these three Kingdoms Laos Tunking and Couchinchina follow the Religion of the Chineses They likewise use the Chinese Characters but yet differ very much in Speech and Pronunciation from them These Countries are very fruitful in every thing belonging to the sustenance of Mankind among other innumerable Trees and Fruits there grows a Bean which makes an Oyl or Iuyce by the Portugueses call'd Rosamalia From hence comes likewise in great abundance the Eagle-Wood which is of a Purple colour and is known to the Spaniards by the Name of Lacca and us'd in China to dye and colour Silk-Stuffs It produces likewise good store of Linnen Silk and Cotton Among other sorts of Monkies here is also found one call'd Singsiing the manner of taking them in the Woods is to set Wine before them with which they being Fudled fall asleep and so are taken napping their Blood makes an excellent Purple Dye Upon the 14. we came in sight of the Island Maccoa and kept us by the heighth of 21 Degrees and 10 Minutes in the Evening we Anchor'd and the next Morning we set Sail. We saw lying upon the Shore several Boats but not one would come Aboard notwithstanding all the Signs we made to invite them so wondrous fearful they are of the Pyrate cokesing them who at that time held the Coast in continual Alarm and whom they undoubtedly took us to be Two days we Sail'd under this Island thence passing by the most famous and wealthy City of Maccoa and though we came not near it yet I shall relate what I have understood from others concerning the Magnificence of this Place whereof you have a Draught as it was taken at Sea Sailing thus by the City of Maccao we came to an Anchor under the Island of Goyers so call'd by the Name of Peter de Goyer Opon the 18. of the same Month we arriv'd about Sun-set only in company with the Yacht Koukerken for we lost the Yacht Bloemendael in the Storm upon the Coast of Couchinchina which came not till 48 days after us to Canton very safe into the Harbor of Heytamon and dropt our Anchor in the middle of the Bay at six and a half Fathom Water This Place is exceeding pleasant and most commodious for Trade on the Water side delightful Hills and Dales behind as is to be seen by the anâ—â—xed Print We were no sooner at Anchor but a Barque full of Soldiers Boarded us who in the Name of the Governor were sent to ask the occasion of our coming Hereupon the Ambassadors sent Hendrick Baron Ashore to acquaint him by word of Mouth with the occasion of our Arrival who when he came on Shore was conducted into his Bed-chamber where he was received very courteously and Treated by him who ask'd why the Hollanders did return and whether they were not about two years since expresly forbidden to come to Canton Six days after on the 24. came two Mandorins from Canton to view the Credentials they brought to the Great Cham and to that purpose they sent for the Ambassadors to the Governors House Hereupon the Ambassadors with all their Followers made up the River and came about Noon to the Village of Lamme where they went Ashore and were from thence conducted by the Master of the Ceremonies to the Governor's Palace At their Entry they found the Governor sitting at a high Table in the Hall betwixt the two Mandorins Guarded with Soldiers who civilly treated us and were serviceable unto us After Complements passed the Ambassadors shew'd their Credentials at a distance against which the Mandorins had nothing to object and then Chairs were set for the Ambassadors to sit down which being done the Mandorins and Governor began to ask
several Questions concerning the Trade and Condition of the United Netherlands which being answer'd by the Ambassadors they seem'd satisfi'd and return'd to the Ship with all their Followers Upon the 29. came again a new Heyton with a Vice-Admiral as Commissioners from Canton to receive the Ambassadors and to conduct them thither Whereupon the Ambassadors at their Invitation went again Ashore and were conducted to an Idol-Temple where being receiv'd after the usual manner they spread their Credentials upon the Table Then Heyton began to propose several Questions namely Whether we did not Sail from Canton about two years What manner of Wares and Merchandises we had brought with us Who was Aboard the other Ship and how they came to separate from us How many Men and Guns were in each Ship Why they did not come the last last Year And why we staid away one Year and then came the second When by whom as also to what end the Letters were written and the Ambassadors address'd themselves What Presents we had brought in particular for the Emperor They seem'd to wonder very much that the Ambassadors had brought no Letter to the Teutang in Canton and that the Letters were put up so meanly for they let them understand that the Letter to the Emperor ought to have been put up in a Golden Purse or Box at least At last they thus made a Conclusion That the next day they would come Aboard our Ships to receive the Presents Hereupon the Ambassadors departed and went Aboard again The next day the same Commissioners with a great many Courtiers came Aboard bringing with them several Vessels very handsomly set off with Silk Flags and Penons to take in the Presents as well for the Emperor as the Canton Vice-Roys and the Teutang which they receiv'd with great civility The Heyton came himself Aboard to bid us welcom and carried the Ambassadors with their Secretary Henry Baron and four of their Followers in one of their Vessels to the City of Canton being accompanied with the Vice-Admiral where being arriv'd the said Commissioners went into the City without speaking one word to the Ambassadors and after that the Retinue had staid at least two hours at the Gates of the City they were sent for in the Name of the Vice-Roy and conducted to a Lodging without the Walls where formerly Mr. Schedel had Lodg'd and there Guarded and taken care of by the City Marshal The next day being the 31. there came to our Lodging with Commissioners the Mandorin Poetsiensin the Emperor's Treasurer having the fourth Voice of the Government in the City They began again to move several Questions to the Ambassadors asking them How many years they had been Married Their Names and former Employments as likewise If they had no Copy of the Letter to the Emperor And whether that Letter was not writ upon better Paper than the Epistle to the Vice-Roys Wherefore and to what end they were chiefly sent How their Prince and King was call'd with several other Questions Then they seem'd to Mutter and be displeas'd at the slight Fashion of the Credentials To the Request which the Ambassadors made That they might have Audience of the Vice-Roys and have leave to go for Peking they gave no Answer but going with the Letters to the Vice-Roys they return'd again about Noon and then began to ask Whether the Prince and Government of Holland had no Stamp not Great Seal for their Letters and from what Age of the World they were Dated And as concerning the Desire of the Ambassadors they gave them to understand That neither the Vice-Roys nor the Teutang nor any body else in Canton had the Power to give Audience to any Ambassadors before they had first receiv'd an Answer to the Letter which they had sent to Peking concerning them However they gave order that the Yacht Koukerken should be brought near to the City and promis'd that the Vice-Roys to welcom the Ambassadors in a more then ordinary manner and to view the Presents which they had brought to the Great Cham would appear personally at their Lodging Wherefore upon the second of August we receiv'd Order to follow the Ambassador with our Yacht four great Men of War of the Vice-Roy's being appointed to conduct us up the River About the Evening we came to an Anchor near a small Castle where the River is above two Miles broad and has lying upon both sides several little Islands On the left side of this River upon a small Hill stands a high Tower very curiously adorn'd with nine Rounds The like Tower also shews it self upon a certain Island over against the chief City of Canton The Countries situated on both sides of this River abound very much in Villages which are mighty populous and fruitful Fields affording twice every year the labouring and diligent Countriman a very rich Harvest Upon the fourth of the same Month we came before the famous and Chief City of Canton which is call'd by some Quancheu and the first Capital City of the Province of Quantung After our Devotions and the taking order about every thing Aboard our Ship we went that day Ashore to the Ambassadors whom we found Lodg'd in a stately Edifice situated upon the River side over against which lay our Yacht and formerly had been an Idol-Temple The Vice-Roy had order'd two Mandorins to Guard with a good number of Soldiers the Gates for our Security But no sooner was the Yacht come to the Ambassadors Lodgings but they must immediately though against their wills return Aboard again under pretence that no Ambassadors which are sent to the Emperor are to reside at Canton without an express Order from his Imperial Majesty They likewise alledg'd for their excuse That the Governors of Canton would not be able to answer to the Emperor concerning any Mischief or Accident which might happen to the Ambassadors being Ashore Afterwards the Mandorins Poetsiensin and Heyton brought the Credentials open'd Aboard saying That the Vice-Roys durst not accept or keep them before they had receiv'd Advice from the Imperial City of Peking As at the beginning for the better understanding of the whole Relation of our Travels I gave an Account in short of all the great and small Cities of the ten Provinces in China through which I did not travel so now I find my self necessitated for the more particular information of the whole Empire of China to relate briefly the remaining five Provinces each in his due place and the number of Cities into which each Province is divided all which I saw my self The Province of Quantung which is the twelfth in number amongst the fifteen into which all China is divided is encompass'd on the West with the Province of Quangsi on the North-West and North with that of Kiangsi on the North-East it borders upon Foking from which it is separated by steep Hills and Mountains and the River Ting All the rest of the Province borders on the Sea which
for which he return'd thankful Acknowledgments and so parted A few days before his Departure whilst they were making Preparations for the Army this Vice-Roy sent to his Wizards Sorcerers and Soothsayers to whose Responses the Chineses give no small credit who drawing their Predictions from the Configurations and Position of the Stars and from the Inspection of the Entrails of Fowls and the like for the most part Astrologically foretelling good or bad success to the intended Expedition These Iugling Augurers consulted and positively told the Vice-Roy both by Birds and malignant Aspects that the whole Undertaking would be unfortunate and extremely prejudicial both to himself the Army and the Country But this young Prince being wholly bent upon the Design to purchase himself immortal Honor by Prowess and force of Arms was resolv'd to proceed notwithstanding all those great Discouragements from his Fabling Fortune-Tellers for so they prov'd the Success falling out quite contrary he bringing under absolute Subjection the whole Province to the Tartar upon which account their Vaticination not only proving frivolous but quite contrary they fled absconding themselves lest they might suffer at the return of the Vice-Roy who would have handled them very severely but however they being absent the Storm fell on their Idols and Temples which he rased to the very Ground and burnt the Images In the mean time we return'd with the Ambassadors to our Lodging where we saw the whole Fleet under Sail having the Army Aboard following the Vice-Roy Both these Vice-Roys were of Noble Families Born and Educated in the Imperial City of Peking We thought at first that the young Vice-Roy had been the Son of the old Vice-Roy but we understood afterwards that they were nothing akin but only great Friends and Princes of one and the same Power and who had both undergone one and the same Misfortune for the Chinese Emperors for what reason I know not had beheaded both their Fathers The Sons therefore to prevent the like Disaster which it seems they dreaded fled to this Province of Quantung which at that time the Great Cham had Invaded with a powerful Army and had brought most of the Country under his Obedience This occasion afforded these young Princes an opportunity to revenge their Fathers Deaths upon the Emperor To effect this they endeavor'd to get some Dependence upon the Tartars and grounded their Complaints to the Great Cham upon the Misfortune of their renowned Families desiring withal Help and Assistance to recover the same by force of Arms. The Great Cham found so many testimonies and good ground for faithful Dealing in these Princes that he conferr'd upon them both great Honor and Dignity the eldest he honor'd with the Title of Pignowan and the other with the Name of Synowa which amongst the Chineses are Names of the highest and chiefest Offices of the Kingdom and such chief Officers Command and Rule with the same Power over some Provinces as the Vice-Roys here in Europe That these warlike Princes have since that time sufficiently revenged the Deaths of their Fathers upon the Chineses is very apparent in regard that in the Province of Quantung you may ride in some Places for several Miles together and not see a Town or Village standing only great heaps of Stones and the Ruines of many Places which have been formerly very famous for Trade In the Withdrawing-room where the Ambassadors Din'd was a Window on purpose to which the Mother of the young Vice-Roy often resorted to take a view of the Company She was very neatly and richly Dress'd after the Tartar fashion middle siz'd slender of a brown Complexion of a pleasing and taking Countenance At our entrance before we sat down we found standing a very rich painted Chair which was appointed for her Majesty to which in Honor of this great Lady we humbly paid our Respects Dinner being ended and the Complements perform'd they took Horse and return'd to their Lodging We departed upon the 17. of March with all our Train from the chief City of Canton and were Row'd up the River of Tai close to the side of the City which shews a most delightful Prospect upon the Water The small Towns which are very numerous in Peking and Canton signifi'd our kind Reception by the thundring voice of their Cannon as we pass'd by Having Sail'd and Row'd several Reaches of this broad and spacious River we at last left the Channel and strook into another an Arm of this great one that disembogues it self into the same toward the North. The Chineses call this Branch Zin but those of Europe The European Stream We made so much speed that Day that toward the Evening we came to a Village call'd Sahu This Place though not very large nor famous yet is of pleasant Situation and about six Miles from Canton the Soil is very fruitful and encompass'd with Trees Hills and Vales. There are several good Edifices in this Place though most of them inhabited by Peasants and Handicrafts-men which are chiefly Silk-weavers who live by Weaving great quantities of Silk-Stuffs for the Merchants at Canton We stay'd here all Night and in the Morning early set Sail. Upon the 19. of March we came to an Anchor before the City of Xantung being the eleventh small City belonging to the Chief City of Canton and lying distant from thence about twenty Miles This City on the right side of the River lies in a very pleasant Vale and is surrounded on the Land side with delightful Pastures and Hills It is not very large but was formerly exceeding populous and full of Trade We got thus far sometimes with Rowing Sailing and Towing against the Stream which had so tir'd the Chineses who were put to this slavish Labor that we were oblig'd to stay by the Way till they had rested and refresh'd themselves The Magistrate of the Place caus'd the side of the River to be Guarded with two Foot-Companies to welcom and receive the Ambassadors with the more State They sent likewise a few Presents for the Ambassadors Table but they understanding it was all upon the Emperors Account and by his Order who allow'd ten times more than what they sent thought good to refuse their Civilities both here and in all other Places where they came which they did with great Respects Here we went Ashore which was the first time since we came Aboard and pitch'd a Tent at a little distance from the City upon the side of the River in an open and plain Field The Tartars in the mean time to shew some Pastime Exercis'd their Arms before the Tent of the Ambassadors which was perform'd by them with much dexterity Among the rest there was one with a Bow and Arrow who was so rare a Marks-man that he shot thrice together through the White no broader than the Palm of a Hand at the distance of thirty five Paces for which he was rewarded with a small piece of Money The Secretary of the Vice-Roy for the more
safety and for the greater splendor having conducted us thus far took leave and went back for Canton but was most nobly Treated by the Ambassadors the Night before We on the other hand made all things ready and set Sail again with fair Wind and Weather but were forc'd to be Tow'd up the River being against the Stream and narrow into which fall several Torrents from the adjacent Hills so that we went but very slowly and that with great labor and trouble which these poor Creatures are fain to undergo Here we saw into what a miserable Condition the Chineses were reduced by the last War of the Tartars who put them upon this slavish labor of Towing and Rowing their Boats using them worse than Beasts at their pleasure without any exception of Persons either young or old Often the track'd ways on the River side are so narrow uneven and steep that if they should slip they would infallibly break their Necks as many times it happens now and then they walk up to the Middle in Water and if any of them grow faint and weary there is one that follows having Charge of the Boat who never leaves beating of them till they go on or die But these poor Creatures are no where so miserably harassed out as in this dangerous and steep mountainous part of Sangwanhab on which account perhaps none will or dare live there for we saw there but one poor despicable Village where some few People dwell whose Countenances sufficiently declar'd what Hardships they underwent The most ancient Greeks and Romans who formerly subdu'd whole Countries never dealt so barbarously by those whom they conquer'd as these unmerciful Tartars who by their cruel usage in this last Invasion have not only laid waste abundance of noble Cities Towns and Villages which are now places for Birds and Beasts to roost in but they have likewise made Slaves of the best of the Natives Upon the 21. of March about Midnight we came with all our Train to Sanyvum The Magistrates of this Place met us on the Way and with their respective Salutes Presented us for the Table which for the reason aforesaid were not accepted This Place is not very large lying about forty Miles distant from Xanxui and was formerly for its Situation potent and populous but in this last War wholly ruin'd by the Tartars who gave the same usage to all such Cities as were not able to withstand them Here we got fresh Track-men our old ones being quite tir'd to draw us up the River against the Stream and Torrents which fall from this wonderful Mountain Sagwanhab The heighth of this Mountain is very observable for the tops thereof are envelop'd with Clouds which makes the Passage at the bottom of the Hill obscure On one side of this prodigious Mountain stands an Idol Temple richly adorn'd and most artificially built to which these poor Creatures resort conceiving all their welfare to consist in Offering to this Idol adoring it as their Preserver 〈…〉 up by Steps to this Temple which stands on that side of the Mountain next the River There are several strange Mountains and Hills found in China but none are to be compar'd with this of Sangwonhab in regard of its Stuation and extraordinary heighth Near to Xunte 〈◊〉 second small City of Canton lies a Mountain call'd Lungnien from wheâ—e runs a Torrent as clear as Crystal Upon this Mountain are found certain rough Stones of strange and wonderful shapes which the Chineses make use of in their way of Trade Near to Tangnon the third small City of Canton lies the Mountain Tahi upon the East-side where lie 36 small Islands Near to this City likewise lies the Mountain Heuteu which serves such Skippers as are bound for the Province of Quantung for a Land-mark Near to Cingyuen the seventh small City of Canton lies a great Mountain call'd Talo which is surrounded with steep and sharp Tops among which lie rich and pleasant Meadows where dwell several wild and unciviliz'd People who oftentimes make Inroads upon the adjacent Places to steal what they can These wild and irregular People live according to their own Laws without any subjection to the Chineses Near to the sixth small City of Canton lies a Mountain call'd Yaimuen From this Mountain the last Emperor of the Race of Sunga after that the Tartars had Conquer'd him and driven him out of the Country flung himself headlong out of despair into the Sea We were three days hovering up and down before we could get from among these strange and solitary Mountains and saw in all that time but one poor Village call'd Quantonlow which lies so lonely that 't is strange how any People durst live in it In some places of this Island between the Hills which is very remarkable lie several pleasant and fruitful Corn-Fields Upon the 24. of March we came to a certain small City call'd Yntag the sixth small City of the second Chief City of the Province of Quantung Here we were necessitated to let fall our Anchor in regard of the violent Stream and the great Torrents which fall from the Hills for those that Tow'd the the Boats being quite spent we were forc'd to give them some rest to recover their Strength again This violent and strong Stream had driven the Vessel of the Ambassadors against a blind Rock which did very much endanger the loss both of Ship and Goods This small City lies very pleasant upon a corner of the River on the right side over against the Mountain Sangwonhab It is fortifi'd with high and indifferent strong Walls and beautifi'd with stately Houses and magnificent Idol Temples surrounded with pleasant Hills delightful in Prospect the Suburbs well and sufficient It was formerly very rich and populous and is provided with a safe Harbor for Vessels against the impetuous Current of this River which is a great protection to them in Stormy Weather passing up and down At the entrance of the Harbor on the right side appears a very high Tower built with great curiosity The next Day being the 25. of March we came in sight of that wonderful and strange Idol Temple call'd Koniansiam which the Chineses hold in great veneration bringing as rich and fat Offerings thither as to that of Sangwonhab It lies on the River side in a solitary wild and mountainous Country your first Approaches conduct you up with convenient Stone Steps after you make your Way through blind Paths and cavernous Passes forc'd with much Art and Industry These Idolaters believing as the ancient Heathen that Groves and high Places were most venerable Mansions and yielding a more reverential Awe to their Gods and less discovering under a Shade their Priests jugling Impostures We continu'd here a while with all our Fleet till the Natives had perform'd their Devotions at this Temple which afterward our Ambassadors visited 'T is incredible to relate with how much superstitious Zeal wanting our true Lights they pour forth there their
Ejaculations and as freely their Bounty offering prodigally their Country Products of all sorts of Fruits Birds and Beasts Upon the 27. of March in the Evening we Landed at a Place call'd by the Chineses Mongley with a most pleasant Prospect at a distance and accommodated with stately Sone Steps conveying you from the Water-side to the Gate entring the City which is vested with high Walls and fortifi'd with tall Bulwarks and Watch-Towers It is wondrous pleasant to view from the Battlements of this City the adjacent Countries thick shrowded with delightful Woods and mantling Pastures In regard our Drudges were quite tir'd out with Towing their Boats against the impetuous Stream we got fresh Yoke-men from hence but we were no sooner under Sail but the Ambassadors Vessel run against a blind Rock under Water which had like to have endanger'd the loss both of Ship and Goods The next Day having pass'd some Villages we came to an Anchor in pleasant Riding where the Mandorin Pinxenton Treated us with their beloved The. It was upon the 29. of March when we came with the remainder of our Fleet before the second Chief City of Xaocheu This City lies about thirty Miles from Yntag upon an Angle near the side of the River In regard of its Situation and safe Harbor of Shipping they have a very great Trade by Navigation Toward the South this River has several Names and is call'd Scian and sometimes Scio and has its Source out of the River Chin and Va which both run into one not far from this City The Place where these two Waters meet is well known by the Chinese Skippers to their sorrow because of the impetuous violence of the Streams and the many blind Rocks which skulk under Water on which in stress of Weather they often suffer Shipwrack The Chineses to avoid this Danger according to their Custom have built here an Idol Temple by the Water-side which is always first visited by such as intend to pass this Way where they offer what they have to be protected in their Voyage by the indulgence of this their favouring God The City lies surrounded on one side with high and delightful Hills and on the East side over the Water has a Suburb which is very populous rich and well built in the middle of the Water stands a Tower artificially built upon a small Rock according to the old fashion of the Chineses That this was formerly a noble City full of stately Buildings the many great Ruines signifie there yet remains an indifferent Wall about it but within nothing but Ruine and a heap of Stones We pitch'd our Tents near unto the Walls where we had a fair Reception by the Magistrates and Governor who brought several Presents for the Ambassadors Table which were accepted by the Ambassadors being not put upon the Emperor's Account After they had Saluted each other and discours'd of several Affairs they were most nobly receiv'd by the Ambassadors who Treated them with so much Respect that they were highly pleas'd and promis'd to requite their Kindness upon all occasions which done they took leave and return'd again to the City In the Morning early we weighed from thence and had not long been under Sail but we drew near a Mountain which the Tartars for its strange shape and form call Five Horses Heads Upon the Pinacles of these Hills which are envelop'd with Clouds we saw here and there several strange as well small as great Edifices standing some of them were entire others decay'd and ruinous built time out of mind But that which seem'd most remarkable was the Situation of those Buildings which were erected upon such high and steep places altogether inaccessible that none could imagine a possible Way for these People to carry up their Materials We were very desirous to have had a nearer view of these Houses and Inhabitants there but we found by experience after some small trial of clambering up that our Attempts were in vain We were no sooner past this Mountain of the Five Horses Heads but we fell among other Rocks and steep Ascents which we made a shift to escape though with great danger the River being full of lurking split Ships lying under Water therefore the Inhabitants call these Rocks The Five ugly Devils At last we got safe to the last Country of Suytjeen where the Mountain of the Five Horses Heads shews it self very wonderfully to the Eye at a distance but much more the tops of the Hills of Suytjeen which stand in such order upon the River as if Art and not Nature had plac'd them there Amongst these Mountains lie several pleasant Vales in most delightful Prospect being well replenish'd with Fruit-Trees and Herbage Upon the fourth of April we came in sight of the famous City of Namhun the third Chief City of this Province and immediately went Ashore This Metropolis lies about forty Miles from Xaocheu and is the outward Frontier of the Province of Quantung which we had thus travers'd from South to North. The Governor and Magistrates of this City having notice of the coming of the Ambassadors sent a Letter full of Complements to assure them of a cordial Welcom Not long after they address'd themselves in Person who after that the Ceremony of Complements had been reciprocally return'd earnestly desir'd of the Governor and Magistrates that good order might be given for the speedy furthering of their Iourney to Peking which they promis'd should be done The Ambassadors to requite their Civilities Treated them nobly for which they return'd their Thanks and having taken their leave went back in the Evening to the City The next day the Ambassadors with all their Followers were invited by the Governor to a most splendid Dinner who sent them his Gentlemen to meet them at the Gate of the City and conduct them to his House where he waited their coming with the rest of the Magistrates and some of the chief Commanders of the Army The Entertainment was every way answerable to the Quality of the Persons as well of the Guests as the Inviters The Governor and the Magistrates sat all at one side of the Table that the Sewers might the better remove the Dishes and Chargers without any disturbance to the Company which were not Serv'd up all at once according to the custom of the Chineses but only two at a Course which was the single Allowance for one Person And when the Steward who waited always at the Governor's Elbow had given the Word every one fell to what he most fancied and when he observ'd a cessation at the first Course he made a Sign and immediately the Dishes were shifted which was done at least sixteen times observing the same order as at first During the Feast there was both Vocal and Instrumental Musick the better to Entertain the Invited to their satisfaction A little before the Banquet was brought in they arose and recreated themselves in the Garden till the Dishes were plac'd and then
our Trumpets sound in the Hall with which he was exceeeingly pleas'd and also seem'd much to admire our Arms And because this Tutang who held his Residence and Court in this Chief City had the Command over the Provinces of Kiangsi Fokien Hucang and Quantung and consequently was not much inferior to a Vice-Roy and that the Ships of our East-India Company bound from Iapan to Taiwan often supply'd themselves here with much fresh Water for the Province of Fokien is all Maritime lying opposite to the other Island of Formosa therefore the Ambassadors concluded to offer him some Presents but he refus'd them with great Civility alledging That the Tartar Government would not permit any Presents to be receiv'd from any Foreign People till they had made their Appearance at the Court before his Imperial Majesty He likewise added That he did not refuse them out of a Chinese Dissimulation but only to observe the Custom of their Country and assur'd the Ambassadors that in their Return from Peking all manner of Friendship should be shewn them This Cancheu in regard of the great Income and Revenue arising yearly from the Trade that is driven there is one of the Chief Cities in the Province of Kiangsi and Commands over twelve small Cities It lies about sixty Miles from Canton close to the side of the River Can which takes its source near to the eighth small City call'd Xuikin and flows from thence Northward up to Cancheu The City is four-square as Nankang and is surrounded with a high Stone Wall about two Miles compass There are four Gates also to this City which are call'd after the four Winds We lay all Night in our Barques before the Western Gate The Streets of the City are handsomly Pav'd On the East-end stands a high well-built Tower from the top of which you have a full Prospect of the City and adjacent Countries which are wondrous pleasant The Burgers Houses and Dwellings are built in good order among which are some very large ones well furnish'd but the Palace of the Governor exceeds all the rest Among other stately Edifices this Place abounds in curious Idol-Temples very richly adorn'd with Pictures and Graven Images but there is one especially whose Top stands higher crowning all the rest which may be reckon'd among the chiefest Temples in all China and is call'd Kuil Kiasti Miao Miao signifying A Church and Kuil Kiasti being the peculiar Name of the Idol they here worshipp'd At the Place where the two Rivers Chang and Can meet and conjoin cross the Stream lies a long Bridge of Boats cover'd over with Planks At the end of the Bridge stands a Toll-house for the receipt of Custom Upon the 18. of April we pass'd by the ruinous and deplorable City of Vanâ—â—ngam This City lies close to the side of the River Can on the right hand in a very fruitful and pleasant Soil The Tartars were so cruel to this Place in the last War that they left nothing standing that was any ways remarkable It appears to have been a wondrous delightful Place very accurately built and full of Inhabitants The Country round about this City produces twice a year great store of Fruit to the Husbandman And not far from hence lies a Hill which has Silver-Mines but the Chineses are forbidden by their Laws to dig for any Silver On the East-side of this City is a Mountain call'd Chao whose Top reaches up to the Clouds and though of this vast heighth yet from the bottom to the top there grow all sorts of Trees and Herbs which made us a delightful Prospect at a distance We left immediately this miserable Town and came to an eminent Village call'd Pekkinsa whose Situation is most pleasant and where a good Trade is driven in all Naval Materials to the great benefit of the Inhabitants At a great distance before you come to this Village you see several Cliffs which have been so wonderfully cut and order'd by Art and Labor that the very sight thereof fill'd us all with admiration but the last War has much defac'd the beauty of them and there is now only left the Ruines whereby to judge what a brave Ornament they were formerly The very destruction of these artificial Rocks sufficiently declares what vast Devastations befel the whole Empire of China in the last War of the Tartars who did not only ruine the greatest Cities Towns and Villages but neither suffer'd any Ornaments to continue eminent in the Country for not any Place of note escap'd the fury of those barbarous People except the Imperial City of Peking which the Tartars favor'd after they had taken it where yet are to be seen most rare and exquisite Curiosities whereof we shall make mention hereafter In regard of the extraordinary strangeness of these Stone Cliffs made by Art I took the Altitude of one of them which had suffer'd least prejudice by the Tartars and found it at least forty Foot The like artificial Rocks are to be seen in the Emperor's Court where the Great Tartar C ham often refreshes himself in the heat of Summer We departed at last from this Village Pekkinsa and came late in the Evening to the small City Taiko which is the second small City under the Iurisdiction of the ninth Chief City Kiegan and situate on the side of the River Can. Upon the 29. of April we came unto the most famous City of Kinungam call'd by som Kiegan which is the ninth Prime City of this Province of Kiangâ—i It lies about forty Miles from Taiko being built upon the Western side of the River Can not far from the Place where those terrible and dreadfâ—l Cliffs call'd Xepatan discover themselves and is defended with tall Battlements by the help of which she was enabled to make resistance against the Tartars when beleaguer'd by them Here were also formerly many stately Structures but they are now generally ruin'd and destroy'd by the Enemy some few Idol-Temples only remaining Over against the City lies an Island where stands a curious Temple of modern Building hung round about with great and small Images The Country round about this City is full of Hills and Dales in which are said to be Gold and Silver Mines but the Chineses are prohibited by their Laws to dig for any only they are permitted to take what of either they can find upon the sides of the Rivers These Parts are also pregnant and delightful for in this Country which is seldom known in other Places there is no want of Water either Winter or Summer nor too much Drought Near to Ganto the fifth small City under the Iurisdiction of Kinungam a mighty high Mountain call'd Nucung lifts her Head towards the Clouds and is as remarkable for bigness as any in those Parts Most of the Chinese Rivers are very dangerous being so precipitate that all Vessels are liable almost to continual Attaques and sudden surprizals of Rocks Banks and Shoals in ambush so that the Masters ought to
be skilful and circumspect in their Steerage from Port to Port. But the River Can is near this City most hazardous there residing those unmerciful Bilgers call'd by the Natives Zepatane The Vessels bound hither take commonly very expert Pilots and such as are by Custom better acquainted with the fixed Rocks and still varying and unsetled Shoals The Inhabitants of this Place and the adjacent Parts recounted to us with much regret and reluctance how barbarously they had been us'd by the Tartars who burnt and destroy'd their Houses carrying many into perpetual Slavery others they put to Death with rare and exquisite Tortures making no discrimination either of Sex or Age and when they had glutted their salvage Inclinations with Ruine and Plunder they exercis'd their more inhumane Cruelty upon innocent Virgins of whom four thousand all choice and singular Beauties they carried into Captivity aud for inconsiderable Sums sold them to make Bawds and Madams of Pleasure-houses so prostituting them to be comprest and devirginated by libidinous Courtiers and deboist Hectors for their own Profit at what Price soever they pleas'd to put upon them That same Day we made such good speed that we got beyond Kiexui the fourth small Town under the Iurisdiction of Kiegan This Place is situate on the side of the River Chang and is in circumference a Mile and a half surrounded with Hills and built after the Chinese fashion with Idol-Temples On the Water side stands a strong Wall fifteen Foot high The next Day being the 20. of April we past by Kiakia the fourth small City under the eighth Chief Metropolis Liukiang This City lies about thirty Miles from Kiexui at the bottom of the Mountains and upon the North side of the River Can which waters this City to the great accommodation of the Inhabitants The Country about this Place produces Oranges and other Fruits in great abundance A good part of its Wall is built upon the Hills and the Ground lying within the Wall is Manur'd by the Inhabitants Here is standing an ancient Idol-Temple which is famous for having two Gates each being of one intire Stone but the Houses were most of them demolish'd by the Tartars Not far from these Walls lies a Mountain call'd Mung whose Top reaches so high that it seems to be invested with Clouds yet the sides of this Aspirer flourish being cloth'd with stately Woods and mantled with verdant and delightful Pastures That same Day toward the Evening we got to the City Sinkin the second small City under the eighth Chief City of Linkiang which lies about twenty Miles from Hiakiang and it is situate also on the side of the River Can having a pleasant Prospect of Hills and fruitful Fields behind it This Place doth not differ much in bigness or beauty from Hiakiang only it lies in a more even Soil and not so near the Mountains Toward the Water in the middle of a Wall stands a very high and well-built Gate Most of the Buildings within had been destroy'd by the Tartars We lay all Night Aboard our Vessels over against the City near to an Idol-Temple where the Governor came to Salute us and brought some few Presents for the Kitchin Upon the 22. we set Sail early in the Morning and arriv'd by Noon before the Chief City of Fungching which is the second small City under the Iurisdiction of the first Chief City of Nanchang This City lies in a flat and even Soil built four-square and situated upon the said River Can and is surrounded with a high Wall above a Mile about On the North side of the City is a populous Suburb well and close built with goodly Buildings There are also two great and high Triumphal Arches which had been much defac'd with the rest of the brave Structures in the last bloody Invasion There are likewise several Mountains not far from this Place one is call'd Pechang from whence there falls a mighty Torrent of Water with a most hideous noise The next Day being the 23. of April we came in sight of the first Chief City of Nanchang which is also call'd by some according to the Name of the Province Kiangsi where it is situated We were hardly come to an Anchor but the Magistrates sent four very commodious Boats Aboard to fetch us Ashore for there is no Landing or coming near the shore with great Vessels by reason of the Sands The Mandorin Pinxenton took presently two of the best of these Boats for himself which was ill taken by the Ambassadors Not long after came the Magistrates themselves to welcom them and caus'd Pinxenton to restore to the Ambassadors one of the Boats which he had taken for his own use The next Day one of the Ambassadors namely Peter de Goyer for Iacob de Keyser found himself ill with the Secretary Henry Baron and all our Followers went to visit the Tutang or Governor of this City who receiv'd us with great Civility and shew'd his Displeasure at his Interpreter for bringing the Ambassadors a foot saying That such Persons as came from so remote and strange Parts to Congratulate his Imperial Majesty upon his Victories and Prosperity ought to be receiv'd in great State He was also very much offended at the Mandorins of the Canton Vice-Roys calling them Asses After the Ambassador had taken his leave and was come into the Street one of the Governor's Gentlemen came and presented both him and his Secretary each with a fine Horse upon which they rid to the Water side and when the Ambassadors set Sail they were Saluted with the great Guns from the Walls of this City and they to requite this civil Reception of the Governor sent him a few Presents but he refus'd them saying That no Person in China was permitted to receive any Presents from Forein Ambassadors before they had seen and Saluted the Emperor The Chief City of Nanchang is distant about five Miles from Funching situated near that great Lake call'd Poyang which hath a Current round this City so that she stands amidst an Island Her Building is four-square with high Walls and seven Gates whereof four are very handsom before one of which we lay at Anchor This City also boasts four stately Temples which are very richly adorn'd but amongst them that is the most famous which the Chineses call Thisiking being cover'd with glittering or glaz'd Pan-Tyles At the Entrance stand three Buildings together in the first of which appears an Idol by the Chineses call'd Kouja believ'd to be the Guardian and Preserve of this his own Mansion he sits amongst a great many other Images upon a rich Seat Cloth'd Al' antique after the manner of the old Romans with a Crimson Mantle hanging upon his Shoulders On each side stands upon a bigh Pole two terrible Dragons much admir'd among the Chineses which with extended Necks seem hissing and breathing defiance against the Gods In the second Structure you have a broad Gallery reaching round the Temple hung full of
Account of this Earthen Ware and to receive his Duty which is of each sort the fifth piece according to the Laws of the Kingdom the rest they afterwards sell to the Inhabitants of this Village Ucienjen where as they say is the Staple of this Porcelane Trade which is sent from this Village not only through all China but also through the whole World We departed the same Day from this Place and upon the 26. came to the Chief City of Nankang which lies upon the West-side of this Lake which is very broad and long This City is built upon a mountainous Soil about fifty Miles from Nankang the Walls are both high and strong and fortifi'd with Bulwarks Within the City stands a well-built Tower the Streets are very full of Windings and Turnings which makes them very troublesom to such as use them The first Street which lies on the left-hand as you come in has several Triumphal Arches standing in it very artificially built according to the Chinese fashion Beside these Ornaments there is nothing rare in this City for the Houses are but mean and slightly built In prospect of this City lie several stately Temples whereof the biggest and chiefest are built upon the Mountains Quangliu and Iuenxiu The Inhabitants round about worship these Mountains upon which dwell a great company of Priests and Friers each of which has a little Hutch where he daily cruciates and afflicts himself by scourging and disciplining his Body the enduring of which Castigation makes him a Miracle to those People of implicit Faith who fancy these their Sufferings to merit after Death the highest Felicities in another World for they believe that their Souls are transmigrated into other Bodies The Inhabitants told us that upon the Mountain Quanglu there are as many Cloysters as Days in the Year They said likewise that this Mountain was always cover'd with Clouds and Fogs though round about the Weather were clear and serene The Country produces store of Hemp whereof the Inhabitants make themselves Clothes for the Summer which very much keep off the scorching Heat of the Sun On the West-side of this City lies a Hill which the Chineses call Kien The Water that falls from the Brow of this Hill is held by the Chineses very soveraign for several Diseases The Pool Poyang divides the Territories belonging to this City into two parts both which are very fruitful in Rice and Corn of all sorts Upon the 29. we made for the City of Hukeu being the fourth small City of the fifth Chief City Kieukiang to furnish our selves with Provisions This City lies forty Miles from the foregoing Chief City of Nankang upon the narrow of the Lake Poyang and upon the right-side of the River Kiang which mingles with it and receives no small share of its Water On the North-side of the City doth appear a very pleasant and antique Rock which hangs somewhat over the River and appears a most delightful Prospect being overgrown with Trees At the bottom of this Mountain stands a large and beautiful Idol-Temple The Walls of this City are very thick and high and for the greater safety of the City are Guarded in several places with Foot-Soldiers This City drives a handsom Trade is full of People and well built all manner of Provisions are sold very cheap especially Fish which yields but a small Price About this City lies a Hill call'd Xechung which signifies A Stone Bell for the Waves and Billows which rise out of the Pool Poyang in foul and stormy Weather beat against this Hill and occasion thereby such a strange and ringing noise that it very much resembles the sound of a Bell. We were no sooner come to an Anchor but the news of our Arrival fill'd the whole City with joy so that both old and young came running to the Shore to view us and our Vessels who beheld us with great admiration and fain would have been talking to us if the difference of Language had not hindred We caus'd our Trumpets to sound that old Tune of William of Nassaw supposing to have delighted them but on the contrary they were so much affrighted with their brazen Voice that they ran roring with full speed for shelter to the City Having provided our selves with Necessaries we departed from this Place and came to Pengce the fifth small City under this Capital one of Kieukiang Thus far had we proceeded in our Voyage upon the River Can from Kancheu to Nanking from whence we passed over the Pool Poyang and so came into the River Kiang which to prosecute the remainder of our Voyage to Peking we were to Sail up Eastward This River Kiang which signifies The Son of the Sea divides all China into Northern and Southern gliding from West to East and receives several Names from the Provinces through which it runs The foremention'd City Pengce lies thirty Miles from Hukeu behind an Island on the East-side of the River Kiang and has behind it high and famous Hills it is a well-built Place but far less than Hukeu Not far from this Pengce lies a Mountain call'd Siaocu which is so steep high and inaccessible that none could ever scale the top It is surrounded with Water and has on the South-side a small but very safe Road for Ships in foul Weather Upon the South-side of the River Kiang lies also a Hill call'd Makang talk'd on with terror through all China for the abundance of Shipwracks which happen near this Place for if the Pilot miss never so little his Steerage they seldom escape bilging on the neighboring Rocks The Ambassadors with some of their Followers went Ashore upon the said Island but were forc'd immediately to return having observ'd the footing of a Tyger which sort of Beast is very numerous in this Country When the Chinese Pilots saw our Cook going to make a Fire to dress Dinner they came into the Cabbin to the Ambassadors fell down upon their Knees and earnestly entreated that they would forbid any such thing to be done for that as they said there was a certain Spirit who kept himself under Water about this Pool and appear'd in the shape of a Dragon or great Fish and had the Command over this Countrey whose Nature and Constitution was such that he could not endure the scent in his Nose of roasted Poultry boil'd Bacon or other savory Smells for so soon as he was sensible of any such thing he immediately rais'd a Storm which did infallibly cast away the Vessel The Ambassadors at their earnest Entreaty sent word to the Cook that they should be content with a cold Dinner for that Day During the Discourse there appear'd playing above the Water two or three Tunny Fishes which put the Chineses into no little fear in regard they imagin'd the Water-Spirit had already given order for the casting away of their Vessel Thus far we had travell'd through the Province of Kiangsi when about Noon we came in sight of two Columns which stood
belong'd to the Imperial Palace but all things were in disorder and in a decay'd condition without any Furniture but two or three broken Benches some Kettles and a few little Dishes for Thea. His Horses Mules Asses Dromedaries and Camels went up and down in the Court the Stables being all ruin'd and spoil'd From this Tartar's Lodgings the Ambassadors were conducted by the Agent to his own House to a sumptuous Dinner then made ready by his order for them where he entertain'd them till Night with all manner of Dainties Which done they thank'd him for his great kindness and civility took their leaves and return'd aboard their Vessels in which they lay all their Voyage both to and from Peking except at Canton Nangan and Peking This stately City which without parallel is the Diadem of all China lies about thirty five Miles from the foremention'd Taiping on the East-side of the River Kiang and in 32 Degrees of Northern Latitude Her situation is most pleasant and the Soil luxuriously fruitful the River running quite through this City whereof some Streams are navigable for great Vessels Here was formerly kept the Court of the old Chinese Emperors the Residence of the ancient Kings of U Cyu Cung Ci Leang Chin and Tanga Here also Reign'd many Lustres the Race of Taiminga till they remov'd to Peking the better to prevent the Invasions and Designs of the Tartar The Founder of this City was Gnens King of Cu who nam'd it Kinling which signifies A Golden Countrey Afterwards the first Branch of the Race of Cina call'd it Moling The Kings of U who kept their Courts in this City call'd it Kienye The Race of Tanga gave it the Name of Kiangxin but that of Taiminga call'd it Ingcien And last of all the Tartars who not many years since over-ran and conquer'd all China gave it again the Name of Kiangxing Where this City borders on the River Kiang it hath a broad and deep Graâ—â— into which you come out of the Kiang up to the Town about half a Mile within the Land Here they pass over on a Bridge of Boats which brings them conveniently into the City whose East-side which runs far into this Country covers a Flat with several Navigable Channels running through so that you may come with large Vessels up to the Town on that side Over these Channels are several Stone Bridges very rarely built The Chineses describe the Circumference of this later Wall by two Horsemen who in the Morning setting forth at one and the same Gate parted riding contrary and they say met not till the close of the Evening by which they would have us guess at the vast Circumference of their City The first Vesture of the City is above thirty Foot high built Artificially of Stone with Breast-Works and Watch-Towers There are thirteen Gates in this Wall whose Doors are plated with Iron and guarded continually with Horse and Foot Some of these Gates rest on four or five Arches through which you pass before you come into the City We lay with our Vessels before the Gate Suisimon or Water-gate So great a number of People pass daily to and again through this Gate that there is no getting in or out without much crowding The chief Streets of this City are twenty eight Paces broad very neatly pav'd and strait In the Night there is such good order observ'd for the preventing of House breaking or disturbance in the Streets that there is not the like in any other part of the World The ordinary Citizens Houses are but mean built without any convenience and stand all with the cross Ridges next to the Street They have but one Door to go in and out and but one Room to eat and sleep in Next the Street appears onely a four-square Hole serving in stead of a Window to let in Light which is commonly cover'd with Reeds in stead of Glass to prevent Gazers from looking in The Houses are but one Story high being cover'd with White Pan-Tiles and the out-sides whited over with Chalk Such as dwell in these ordinary Houses drive very mean Trades but the Shops of the chief Citizens and Merchants are fill'd with all manner of rich Chinese Wares as Cottons Silk Stuffs China Dishes Pearls Diamonds c. Before each Shop stands a Board upon which is inscrib'd the Name of the Master in Gold Letters as also what Goods he sels Beside these Boards stands a high Pole which reaches above the House upon which they hang Pennons and Flags or something whereby they as we in Europe with our Signs make known their Habitations They have not here nor in all China any Coin'd Money but use in stead thereof small Pieces of Silver which are of different value and weight and though you buy never so little you must always have a Pair of Scales about you if you will not be cheated in the weight by these crafty Chineses for they have commonly two sorts of Weights by them and are so nimble and deceitful in their Balancing that you had need of Argus's Eyes when you buy any thing of them This great City is also so Populous that there are above 1000000 People dwelling in it and yet Provisions of all sorts are to be had there in great abundance at a small rate all the Year long the reason whereof is the fertility of the Soil round about Amongst other Fruits there are most delicious Cherries sold very cheap in this City Beside the vast number of People there lies a Garrison of 40000 Tartars Here resides also the Governor of the Southern Provinces in the Name of the Emperor This City likewise exceeds any other in China for stately Idol-Temples Towers rare Edifices and Triumphal Arches But the Emperor's Court or Palace formerly exceeded all the rest of the Buildings wherein the Emperor of China was wont to reside with the same State and Pomp as now at present the Great Cham doth at Peking This Palace was situated on the South-side of the City built four-square and surrounded with a Wall which contains the greatest part of the City Each side of the Square wherein this Palace was included contain'd in length one Italian Mile and three parts of a Dutch Mile and as near as could be guess'd by the decay'd Walls or might be learnt from the Inhabitants this Court or Palace with all belonging thereto was as big as Haerlem in Holland Within the first great Gate lay a large Court which led to the four Squares and was pav'd with fine smooth Stone The Tartars seated themselves near an Idol-Temple call'd Paolinxi where they built themselves several Huts leaving the Chineses to dwell in the City and there to drive their Trade The Buildings are all of a hard sort of Stone which the Natives have most curiously painted with a yellow Colour so that when the Sun reflects on them they shine like Gold Over the Gate of the second Court of this Palace hangs a great Bell about 10 or
11 Foot in height and three Fathom and a half in Circumference whose thickness contains near a quarter of a Yard The Chineses made great Brags of the sound of this Bell as if the like were not to be heard of again in all China yea not in the whole World but when we came and struck upon it we found it sufficiently dull and the Metal not so good as that of ours in Europe And though the Tartars in the last War did not much deprive and impair this City of its former Lustre and Splendor no City escaping better than this Nanking yet however the stately Palace of the Kings was totall destroy'd by them It is suppos'd that the Tartars did this for no other end or cause but out of a particular Hatred and Grudge which they bore to the Family of Taiminga who Govern'd till the Court was remov'd from thence to Peking But though this City by the removing of the Imperial Court to Peking was thus depriv'd of its ancient Glory and Splendor yet it s former and ancient Magnificence as well as Obedience is shewn by the extraordinary Presents yearly sent to the Emperor beyond all the rest of the Cities First of all Every three Months five Ships are sent from thence laden with all manner of Silks and Woollen Cloths to the Emperor at Peking These Ships are call'd in the Chinese Language Lungychuen which signifies Ships with Dragon-Cloths because they are sent to the Emperor whose Blazonry is full of Dragons I must confess that in all my life-time I never saw any Ships to exceed these for Riches and Bravery for they are so very much Gilded and Painted on the outsides that it made our Eyes dazle to look on them and within they were likewise most curiously contriv'd and adorn'd with Images This one thing alone is enough to discover the Ingenuity of these People The City sends likewise for a Present to the Emperor certain Fish which are taken before her Walls in the River Kiang in May and Iune and are by the Chineses call'd Siyu but by the Portuguese who live there they are call'd Savel and though the Way from Nanking to Peking be more than two hundred Dutch Miles yet they have a Way to Transport them to the Emperor's Court fresh and good for a great number of Men are appointed to draw the Boats Day and Night who are reliev'd upon the Way with fresh Men so that they perform the Iourney in eight or ten Days at the farthest which is in a manner with as much speed as riding Post in Europe They likewise signifie by Letters from Place to Place the Hours of the Day when the Barques are arriv'd and if the Emperor be pleas'd they never fail to send twice a Week As we were Riding out one Day to take the Air and to view the City we pass'd by the Gate of the old Imperial Court where sat a great Tartar Lady with her Servants waiting upon her about forty years of Age she very civilly sent to our Interpreter to invite the Ambassadors into her House Iacob de Keyzer hereupon lighted and the Lady then made towards him She was very debonair and free look'd upon our Swords and much admir'd their bending without breaking She took the Ambassadors Hat and put it on her own Head and unbutton'd his Doublet almost down to his Waste Afterwards she led the way into the House and desir'd him to follow appointing one of her Attendants to conduct him who brought us into her Apartment where we found her with her Daughter who was about half her Age waiting our coming in great State The Daughter was Cloth'd in a Violet-colour'd Damask Gown and the Mother in black Damask and both of them had their Ears hung with Rings and their Hair braided and twisted about their Heads with Strings of Pearls but over their Hair they wore little Caps made of Reed with a Tassel upon the Crown of red Silk Their Clothes reach'd down to their Heels ty'd about the Middle with a broad Ribbon and button'd down from the Neck to the Waste Their Shoes were of black Leather their Faces unmask'd without any Painting They had us into a large Withdrawing-Room unfurnish'd only a few Benches cover'd with Silk upon which they desir'd us to sit They drank to us several times in their Liquor made of Beans which is very strong but agrees wondrous well with their Constitutions They set before us also some of their Sweet-meats much intreating us to Eat excusing the meanness of the Entertainment her Husband being absent In the middle of the Plain stands a high Steeple or Tower made of Porcelane which far exceed all other Workmanship of the Chineses in cost and skill by which the Chineses have declar'd to the World the rare Ingenuity of their Artists in former Ages This Tower has nine Rounds and a hundred eighty four Steps to the top each Round is adorn'd with a Gallery full of Images and Pictures with very handsom Lights The outside is all Glaz'd over and Painted with several Colours as Green Red and Yellow The whole Fabrick consists of several Pieces which are so artificially cemented as if the Work were all one intire Piece Round about all the corners of the Galleries hang little Bells which make a very pretty noise when the Wind jangles them The top of the Tower was crown'd with a Pine-Apple which as they say was made of massie Gold From the upper Gallery you may see not only over the whole City but also over the adjacent Countries to the other side of the River Kiang which is a most delightful Prospect especially if you observe the vast circumference of the City reaching with her Suburb to the River side This wonderful Pile as they inform us the Chineses built at their own Charges by the Command of the insulting Conqueror the Tartar seven hundred years since as a Pillar of Honor to them and when in like manner as lately they over-ran all China bringing the whole Country under absolute Obedience The now prevailing Foe whether conquer'd by the extraordinary Beauty and Magnificence or whether they design'd by it to perpetuate the Memory of their first Conquests and also to add to their Fame this their second subduing of them would not permit the demolishing or defacing in the least of this noble Structure so that now it stands firm and intire as at first According to all outward appearance we found these People to exceed not only all the rest of the Nation in Candor Sincerity and civil Demeanor but as much excelling in Science and Understanding There are also several of the Inhabitants of great Estates keeping like Port both in their Habits and Hospitality They enjoy here far greater Privileges than in a less City which the Tartars allow them supposing that to be a Bridle to Rebellion We found in this City of Nanking a Iesuit his Name Manuel Van Lisbon who came Aboard the Vessels of the Ambassadors to
undefended are so great that the Chineses themselves take no notice of them in their Maps neither are they numbered by them The eight great Cities are Xuntien or Peking Paoting Hokien Chinting Xunte Quanping Taming and Iungping Xuntien or Peking the Imperial City and where at present the Great Cham keeps his Court Commands over 26 Cities and prescribes them their Laws as Xuntien Xuny Chanping Leanghiang Mieyun Hoatjo Kugan Iungcing Tungan Hiangho Tung Sanho Vucing Paoti Cho Fangxan Pa Vengan Taching Pooting Ki Iatien Fungjung Cunhoa Pingko and Que. Amongst these Tung Cho Pa and Ki are the chiefest and may be compar'd with Capital Cities for bigness and magnificence Paoting Commands over 20 small Cities as Paoting Muonching Ganso Tinghing Sinching Thang Poye Kingtu Iungching Huon Ly Hiung Khi Kince Tunglo Gan Caoyang Singan Ye and Laixui Hokien Commands over 18 Cities as Hokien Hien Neuching Soning Gnikien Kiacho Cing Hingci Cinghai Ningcin King Ukiao Tungquang Kuching Cang Nanpi Ienxan and Kingyun amongst which Cang is the chiefest Chinting Commands over 32 Cities as Chinting Chinking Hoclo Lungxeu Khoching Loching Vukie Pingxan Heuping Ting Snilo Kioyang Hintang Ki Nancung Sinho Caokiang Vuye Cyn Ganging Iaoyang Vukiang Chao Pohiang Lungping Caoye Lincing Ganboang Ningcin Xui Hengxui and Yuenxi amongst these Ting Chao and Xin are the chiefest Xunte Commands over nine Cities as Xunte Xabo Nanbo Pinghiang Quangcung Kiulo Thangxan Ninkieu and Gin. Quanping Commands likewise over nine Cities as Quanping Kiocheu Fihiang Kioe Hantan Quanpung Chinggan Guei and Cingho Taming Commands over eleven Cities as Taming Yaming Nanlo Guei Cingfung Nuihoang Siun Hoa Cai which is the chiefest of the eleven Changyven and Tungming Iungping Commands over six Cities as Iungping Ciengan Vuning Changly Lo and Lotung Besides these there are three Cities more as Yenping Iunping and Paogan which are situate upon very advantagious places and were built to resist the Forces of the Tartars when they should march beyond the Wall In this Province are fourteen Garrisons which were chiefly contriv'd for the defence of the Wall the Names whereof are these Siven Vansiven Hoaigan Caiping Cungnuen Chang Gan Cheching Iuncheu Vunin Yu Iungping Xangas and Tiencin The Chinese Register wherein the number of the People of this Province is set down makes mention of Four hundred eighty thousand nine hundred eighty nine Families and Thirty four hundred fifty two thousand two hunered and fifty four Fighting Men. The Revenue of this Province paid yearly to the Emperor consists of Six hundred thousand eleven hundred fifty three Sacks of Salt Rice and Corn Two hundred and twenty four Pounds of unwrought fine Flax Forty five thousand one hundred and thirty five Pounds of wrought Silk Thirteen thousand seven hundred and forty eight Pounds of Cotton One hundred and eighty thousand eight hundred and seventy Weight of Salt Eighty seven hundred thirty seven thousand seven hundred and eighty four Trusses of Hay or Straw beside several other Taxes which are paid in Money Upon the 26. of Iune we came to Kuching the first Place we came at in this Province of Peking and the fourteenth small City under the Iurisdiction of the third Chief City of Hokien in the Province of Peking This City which we found situated upon the side of the River Guei lies about twenty three Miles from Vuching in an even and flat Country yet very delightful in Prospect her Walls are high well built and abounding in People and Trade her Suburbs very magnificent We made no stay here but hastned on towards Peking and by the way we saw on both sides of the River Guei whole Fields full of Trees upon with the Cotton-Wooll grows which occasions a mighty Trade in the adjacent Parts Upon the 28. we came to Tacheu which some call Ukiao accounted the twelfth small City under the Command of the same Hâ—kien lying about eighteen Miles from Kuching situate on the side of the River and surrounded with a Wall of thirty Foot high strengthned with Bulwarks and Watch-Towers well built and adorn'd with several Temples having also a large Suburb which reaches far upon both sides of the River In this City is the Staple of the Drink Zamsou made of Rice and drunk in stead of Wine The Inhabitants export this Liquor through all parts of China which occasions a great Commerce in this Place for both Tartars and Chineses come with their Vessels far and near to be Fraighted with this Drink which they afterwards Transport to other Places The Chineses told us That about ten Miles from this Tacheu near to the second small City call'd Hien was a Pool call'd Vo whose Water turns as red as Blood if you fling a Stick into it and that from the Leaves which fall from those Trees which grow about this Lake come forth immediately living Swallows Upon the 28. of Iune we Sail'd by Tonquam with fair Wind and Weather It lies likewise upon the side of the River Guei about a Musquet-shot from the Stream and is accounted the thirteenth small City under the Chief City Hokien This Place a Privilege not granted to any other hath a Guard only of Chineses built as the rest square and fenc'd with a thick and strong Wall encompass'd also with a deep and broad Moat or Trench The Fields near the Town are curiously planted with all manner of Fruit Trees The adjacent Country of this as also of the Chief City Hokien within which Iurisdiction this Tonquam is situate lies flat and much upon a Clay Toward the East lie large and flat Fields being wash'd by the great Indian Sea from whence is continually fetch'd great store of Salt Upon the desire of Pinxenton the Ambassadors sent me and some others of their Followers with twelve Tartar Soldiers into the City to see a Lion made of Iron which they reported to be extraordinary large and terrible standing in the middle of the Market-place But the Chineses when they saw us coming shut their Gates upon us and hid themselves in their Houses being struck with terror for fear of the Hollanders so that we were necessitated to return back to our Vessels without entring into the City Pinxenton and the rest of the Chineses told us of several other strange things which were to be seen in this City but in respect of the unwillingness of the Inhabitants to give us entrance I saw none of them and so could only take a view of the outward Structure of the same as it lay vested with large Walls Upon the second of Iuly we came to an Anchor before the City of Sanglo about fifty five Miles from Tonquam upon the side of the River Guei This City lies a little distant from the River and has very brave Suburbs on both sides of the Banks which are well built and full of People and Trade Here dwells a great number of Tartars and of a more considerable Quality than any we found in our whole Voyage who no sooner heard of our arrival but they immediately
Staple of all Commodities this being a free Port and no Custom paid for any Goods Exported or Imported The Castle which stands upon the Point of three Rivers hath very high Walls and Towers much for the defence of the City and adjacent Country We lay all Night close to the Wall in our Vessels to be in a readiness to pursue our Voyage in the Morning The Governor and Magistrates of the City came Aboard to welcom us and receive the Ambassadors but Pinxenton to shew that he was likewise to be honor'd so order'd the matter that they made him their first Salutes And because the Mandorin of the old Canton Vice-Roy was order'd to hasten over Land for Peking to signifie to the Emperor the coming of the Ambassadors they gave Pinxenton Entertainment in a magnificent Idol-Temple to which the rest of the Company was invited And this was done only to this end to Confer together after what manner they were to manage the Business upon our arrival at Peking The Ambassadors having throughly instructed this Mandorin how he should make the Grandees of the Court to be of our Party and by what means he should endeavor to procure for us a free Trade in China he took his leave and departed late in the Night for Peking we made what haste we could after him with our Vessels and upon the 11. we came to Ioeswoe the eighth small City under the Imperial City of Peking and lies about forty Miles from Tiencin This small City is well built and full of Trade and hath a wealthy Suburb belonging to it All Ships or Vessels which pass this way pay Custom here which brings a great Revenue to the Crown and also store of Trade and for that end the Emperor has his Officers residing here to receive the Toll of all such Vessels There are several Temples and other curious Edifices which are magnificent Ornaments to the Place We have added to each Province of the fifteen what Revenue each pays yearly to the Emperor without the Incomes of the Custom-houses where they pay for all Wares and Vessels These Excise-places are very numerous through all China but what each may bring in yearly I could not well discover neither was it easie because the Emperor appoints his own Officers from whom he receives their Accounts The Ambassadors were receiv'd here by the Governor of the City with great Civility and Entertain'd at his House in much State which to requite in some measure they sent him some Presents which he civilly refus'd in regard they had not yet seen the Emperor but some Glasses of Rose-water were afterwards at his Request sent unto him which he accepted The next Day being the 12. of Iuly we past by Focheu which is also call'd by some Que and reckon'd for the twenty sixth small City under the Chief City of Peking It lies on the side of the River about fifteen Miles from Ioeswoe in a very pleasant Soil This Place is not very large but well built and full of brave Edifices being surrounded with a high Wall and strengthned with Watch-Towers and Bulwarks On the East side of the City without the Walls stands a very fine Temple with a Tower of nine Rounds high very curiously built There are likewise in this Place several Triumphal Arches much adorning the same Upon the 16. of Iuly we came to Sancianwey or Sanho about twelve Miles from Focheu and four from Peking This is the twelfth small City under the Imperial City Peking and stands upon the side of the River It is very populous and well fortifi'd having a strong Castle for Defence In the middle of the City stands a Triumphal Arch very artificially built of gray Stone The South-side hath a broad Stone Bridge which rests upon five Arches and is forty two Paces long with Houses on each side This City of Sancianwey and the following Tongsiou are within four Miles of Peking and so to the Imperial City you make no nearer approach by Water for commonly all Goods thither design'd are unladed either at Sancianwey or Tongsiou and so carried by Land in Wagons or upon Mules and Asses which are always to be had and stand there ready This way of carrying Goods by Land to Peking maintains a great many poor People who have no other manner of Livelihood but carrying Burthens which they trudge under at a very reasonable Rate To this City came the Mandorin back whom the Ambassadors had sent out before to Peking The next Day came likewise twenty four Horses with several Wagons and Carts which the Council sent to fetch the Emperors Presents and our Carriage All things being ready the Ambassadors began their Iourney by Land to Peking after this following order Two Trumpeters rid at a distance before then follow'd the Standard-bearer with the Prince of Orange's Blazonry next to him the Ambassador's accompanied with several Tartar Lords and Gentlemen well Mounted the Captains and Soldiers who had thus far conducted the Ambassadors and were about fifty in number came after in good order with the Emperors Presents and the Ambassadors Goods The Road to Peking was so full of People Horses and Wagons as if an Army had been upon the March The Ways are exceeding bad between this Place and the City being very deep and uneven so that the Horses are up to the Belly almost every step The next Day being the 17. we rode through Tongsiou by some call'd Tung and reckon'd for the eleventh small City under the same Iurisdiction situate in a very low and deep Soil upon the side of the High-way which leads to Peking This Tongsiou is very large and Fenc'd with strong Walls having likewise a Wall dividing it in the middle Here are no Streets but several brave Buildings and curious Temples The Country is very pleasant full of Corn-Fields and Fruit-Trees Near to the Road stands a Temple where the Ambassadors refresh'd themselves and then continu'd their Iourney in the fore-mention'd order the Way being throng'd with People on each side of us In the Afternoon we came to the Suburbs of the Imperial City of Peking accounted the first Chief City of this Province and is distant from Canton 1530 Miles We pass'd through two magnificent Gates into the City and lighted at a very famous Temple into which the Ambassadors were invited the conducted to repose a while and to expect their Carriages which were behind The Ambassadors were no sooner entred but they were presently welcom'd and Saluted by the Emperor's Capado who carried a Falcon upon his Hand and also by the Agents of the Canton Vice-Roys who reside here and by several Grandees of the Court. After they had a little refresh'd themselves with Meat and Drink and several sorts of Fruit and their Carriages had been visited by the Capado and the Wagons and Carts told they were conducted from thence in great State to their Lodgings provided for them by the Emperor This House was not far from the Palace and had
chief Gates which make twelve in the whole and next to each of these stands a most stately Edifice wherein the Arms of the City are preserv'd The Streets run so straight that you may see quite through the City from one Gate to another and built on both sides with brave large Houses In the midst of the City stands a most noble Idol-Temple wherein hangs a very large Bell which they ring three times in an Evening after which no body is to go out of his House till the next Morning unless it be for the Sick or to visit their Friends and whosoever goes out after the Bell has rung must take a Light with him Each Gate is watch'd by a thousand Soldiers not out of fear of an Enemy but against Thieves and Rogues who are very numerous about this City The Ambassadors having taken their leaves of all the Grandees and the chiefest of the Rix-Council departed out of this famous Imperial City of Peking and being come without the Gates thereof they made a halt to stay for some of the Wagons that were behind by which means I had an opportunity to take a further view thereof how the same is situate and how that famous and far renown'd Wall doth separate Tartary and China and takes its course quite through the Mountains a true Description whereof I here give you So far doth this Wall reach from East to West that it takes in four Provinces as Leaotung Peking Xansi and Xensi It contains three hundred Dutch Miles in length and begins at an Arm of the Sea which is situate between the Province of Leaotung and the hanging Island of Corea where the River Yalo flows out of the Eastern Tartary from thence it reaches toward the West to the Mountains of the City Kin in the Province of Xensi near to the side of the Yellow River It runs quite through in a direct Line but has Turnings and Windings in some places yet is no where broken off or parted only near to the Frontiers of the Province of Xansi lies a very high Mountain which makes a separation in the Wall to give way to this Mountain also where it gives passage to the Yellow River it has a breach for so much space but for other small Rivers they run through the Wall without any separation by Arches and Sluces otherwise it is every where alike It is about thirty Cubits or forty five Foot high and some fifteen Cubits broad Several strong Watch-Towers are built upon this Wall which stand at a distance from each other and were formerly guarded by Soldiers Heretofore the Chinese Emperor as also at present the Great Cham maintain'd for the defence of this Wall and against the Inroads of the Tartars ten hundred thousand Men who kept Watch Day and Night by turns in the said Watch-Towers The building of this Wall was begun under the Government of the Emperor Chius who was a brave Prince and did many great and noble Deeds as well in time of Peace as War there was never any Chinese Emperor before nor since to be compar'd with him When this Emperor had conquer'd the Race of Cheva and had brought all China under his subjection he was preferr'd to the Imperial Throne being before but a petty King Being seated in the Throne he caus'd this Wall to be built having conquer'd the Tartars the irreconcileable Enemies of the Kingdom of China to hinder and prevent by that means their Inroads into the Kingdom This great Work was begun by him in the twentieth Year of his Reign two hundred years before Christ's Birth about which he employ'd so great number of Workmen that it was finish'd in five years Through all China the Emperor commanded three Men out of â—en to work upon this Wall which is so well built and so strong that there is not the least crack in it This Wall is admirable not only for the length and breadth but in regard of its durableness having lasted for so many Ages without alteration being as entire as when it was first built After some short stay without the Gates of the City we got all our Carriages together and then began our Iourney back with all our Followers by the same Way we came We Lodg'd that Night in a Village call'd Pekinsin and the next day pass'd by the City of Tongsiou and in the Afternoon came to the City of Sancianwey where the Emperor's Vessels were still lying which brought us from Nanking expecting our coming The Skippers came to meet the Ambassadors to bid them welcom and help carry our Goods Aboard but the Mandorins whom the Emperor had order'd to wait upon us to conduct us to Canton would not suffer the Ambassadors to Embarque in those Vessels but in others which were provided by order of the Emperor These Vessels they call'd Ionken and were very large having several Conveniences but lay so low and sluggish upon the Water that they durst not venture themselves in them lest they should not arrive at Canton soon enough but be forc'd to Winter there therefore the Ambassadors to make no difference or hatred between the Mandorins and our old Skippers took neither the new Ionkens nor their old Ships but hir'd small Vessels to make the more speed And having taken order about our Business and shipp'd our Goods we set Sail again from this Sansianwey with the Tartarian Lords whom the Emperor had order'd to attend the Ambassador's together with the Mandorins of Canton and came late in the Night to a small Village upon the River Guei where we continu'd till Morning Pinxenton in the mean time parted from us at Sancianwey and took his Way over Land to Lincing where we had left his Wife and Children as we went to Peking In our Return from Peking to Canton we took the same Way we came but pass'd by several Cities and Villages without entring into them Upon the 23. of October we came to Singlo and the next day to Sincocien upon the 25. we got to Tonquam and the 27. to Tacheu Upon the 31. of of the same Month we got to Lincing where the Ambassadors were nobly receiv'd and Treated by the Mandorin Pinxenton We stay'd here two or three days at the Request of the said Mandorin who made very much of us all that while and then we set Sail with a good Wind at North which blew so very hard and cold that we were hardly able to endure it Upon the fifth of November having undergone much hardship we got to Tunchant and the next day to Xansiu where we could procure no fresh Men to Tow forward our Vessels The Ambassadors to lose no longer time hir'd such as they could meet withal in the Streets Upon the eighth of November we came in sight of Cinning and on the 13. following to Tamincien From thence we got into the Yellow River and on the 17. to the City of Iamcefu where the Ambassadors were heartily welcom'd by the Base Brother of the
young Canton Vice-Roy and nobly Treated at his House After this friendly Reception we took leave and came upon the 20. into the River of Kiang and the next day got before Nanking We came with our Vessels before the Gate where we had Anchor'd in going and in regard the Governor stood upon his departure we could not procure other Vessels with that speed as we desir'd whereby we had an opportunity to take a more exact view of the City and to refresh our selves a while after so tedious and troublesom a Iourney in the heart of China but the Weather prov'd so very bad and cold that there was no going abroad all the while we continu'd here The Ambassadors themselves were often invited by several Grandees to Dinner but the Weather proving so extreme ill they could go no where only they gave a Visit to the two Chief Toll-masters who liv'd in the Suburb whereof the one was a Chinese the other a Tartar and both very brave Persons These two Gentlemen shew'd a very great Respect to the Ambassadors during their stay before this City Having provided our selves with Necessaries we departed from Nanking upon the 10. of December and the 15. we pass'd by a high Rock which we in memory of William Vander Beek in our Iourney forward call'd by the Name of Beekenburg The River Kiang is about this Place almost a Mile broad and in foul Weather proves very rough and dangerous on the Bank of which lie a great many Rocks under Water Upon the 19. at Sun-set we came to Nankang It blew very hard all that Night and continu'd so till the 21. when it began to abate we then set Sail again and pass'd over the Pool of Poyan and from thence came to the famous Village of Ucinjeen where we were forc'd to stay a while to get fresh Men to Tow our Vessels We found that in our absence a violent Fire had destroy'd at least a hundred brave Houses in this Place Upon the 23. we came again to the famous City of Kiangsi which I have already describ'd at large and given you an account of what I then saw in our Iourney forward but in regard we continu'd three days in this City I had an opportunity to satisfie the Curiosity of the Reader with a further Description of the Situation thereof After we had furnish'd our selves here with other Vessels we set Sail again upon the twenty sixth but having gone about a League it began to blow so very hard that we were forc'd to return back for shelter under the Walls of the City where we Lodg'd all Night in safety The next day we departed early in the morning and saw the Hills on both sides of the River cover'd with Snow Upon the fist of Ianuary 1657. we arriv'd at the City of Kinnungam where the next day though with much difficulty we procur'd fresh Men to Tow our Vessels and about two of the clock in the Afternoon set Sail again to prosecute our Voyage Upon the fifteenth day of the same Month we got before the ruin'd City of Vannungam where the Ambassadors were no sooner gone Ashore but the Governor of the Place came to bid them welcom and likewise when we departed from thence he Presented the Ambassadors with some Refreshments for the Kitchin and amongst the rest with some Candles which were made of a thick oylie Iuice taken off of some Trees These Candles burnt very clear and sweet After we were provided with fresh Men to Tow our Boats and expert Pilots for without such there is no venturing upon this River we set Sail again and pass'd by very many Rocky and dangerous Places which were not as we came observable the Water then being three Foot higher but now they appear'd above the Stream and notwithstanding all our care the Vessel in which the Ambassadors were hapned to strike against one of them but with the turning and Eddies of the Stream she got off again without any considerable damage About eleven of the clock we got safe beyond all these threatning Dangers which appear'd first at the City of Vannungam and ended over against an Idol-Temple extending about three Leagues The Chineses and Tartars who frequent this River do commonly Offer at the fore-mention'd Temple that they may have a speedy and safe Voyage through these Difficulties Upon the 10. we came before Cancheu where the Governor in great State came to welcom and receive the Ambassadors in the Name of the Tutang and after the Ambassadors at the Request of the Governor had inform'd him with all their Transactions at Peking he went back again into the City to acquaint the Tutang therewith with him went likewise Iacob de Keyser the other Ambassador being at that time indispos'd to thank the Tutang for the high Honor he had done them and to take leave of a Person who had been so civil to them Upon the day following being the 11. we set Sail again the Weather proving exceeding cold and upon the 15. we came with all our Vessels to the most famous City of Nangan where the Ambassadors were Lodg'd in a very large House on the South-side of the Suburbs for the Place where they lay before the Tartars had burnt to the Ground who since our departure had march'd through with a flying Army and committed several Outrages upon the Inhabitants On the nineteenth of Ianuary we departed from thence and having pass'd those Waters which were the most dangerous and troublesom we were now to Travel some part by Land to get from Nangang to Namhung The Ambassadors were carried in Chairs or Sedans which they had order'd to be made at Nanking wherein they were so speedily convey'd over the Mountains by thirty Soldiers whom they had hir'd for that purpose that they came to Namhung though late that Night without Lodging on the Mountains as they did in coming We lay here at a famous House of Entertainment which belong'd to the Vice-Roy of Canton I have already given an Account at large of the Situation of this Place in the Draught I took thereof in our Voyage to Peking Now in our Return I thought it worth the while to make this further Addition setting before you the Prospect of this City on the other side as exactly as I could take it Having procur'd new Vessels and put our Goods aboard we left this City upon the 21. of the same Month and passing by several dangerous Waters we came to those wonderful and strange Mountains of Suytieen and from thence to the Hills which we mention'd formerly by the Name of The Five Horse Heads Upon the 25. Instant we got with good success before the City of Saocheâ— And here we began to put on our Sails again which before we durst not bear being now past the narrow of the River and the danger of the Rocks and the next day being the 26. we came to the Mountain Swanghoab before spoken of And in regard the Water was now at least twenty
to live as private Persons Under the third are reckon'd such as are decrepit and too far stricken in years for Government or else such as are too remiss in their Offices these though they are put by the Exercise of their Offices yet enjoy all their Privileges as they were wont when they were in their Places so long as they live In the fourth Rank are put down such as have been too hasty and rash in passing Sentence acting without any forecast in the Affairs of the Empire these are degraded and put in some inferior Offices or else employ'd elsewhere upon less weighty Affairs In the last place all such as live imprudently and unbecoming the greatness of their Station and Employment are not only depriv'd of their Places but also of their Liberties and Privileges for ever The like general Inquisition and Examination is made every twelfth Year amongst the Rix-Councils as also amongst the Military Officers Besides the Mandorins and Assistants are oblig'd once a day to give an Account to the Governor of their City of their own and other Persons Transactions under their Iurisdictions as also what has past either in City or Country and if they forbear to give notice of any thing that tends to the prejudice of the State which afterwards comes to be known they are most severely punish'd without any delay or respect of their Persons an instance whereof hapned at Canton when we were there the old Vice-Roy causing one of the chief Mandorins to be kill'd in his Presence for such a Crime and would not delay the expiation of the Criminal's Offence by his Blood so long till the Executioner could be fetch'd to behead the Offender according to the Custom of the Country Fourthly None may in the Province where he was born take upon him the Office of a Magistrate but is admitted to be a Field-Commander the reason whereof may be lest he who sits in the Place of Iustice should favor his Relations but the Soldier being at home in his own Country will Fight pro Aris Focis and the more valiantly defend it The Sons of such as are Magistrates are not permitted to go much abroad that so they may not be corrupted with Bribes Fifthly The Chineses will not suffer any Stranger to continue in their Country who has an intention to return home into his own native Soil or is found to hold any Correspondence with forein Kingdoms neither is a Foreiner permitted to come into the heart of the Empire And this is the cause that no Stranger dares venture into China otherwise than under the pretence of an Embassy which is not only to be understood of such as are far distant from China but also of their Friends Allies and Tributaries who pay Taxes to them of which sort are the neighboring Islanders of Corea who for the most part observe the Chinese Laws and if they discover a Foreiner to have liv'd privately in China they restrain him from returning into his own Country upon pain of death Sixthly No body is suffer'd to wear any Arms within a City nor the Soldiers nor Commanders nor the Learned Philosophers unless they are upon the March and going to the Wars Neither are any suffer'd to have Arms in their Houses or to ride Arm'd otherwise than with a Dagger to defend themselves against High-way-men In this Empire all Magisterial Officers whatever whether Philosophical or of the Council of War are rank'd into nine Orders according to which each has a monthly Allowance paid him either in Money or Rice out of the Publick Revenue which in regard of the State and Garb they live in is not sufficient to defray the Charge and Expence they are at for those of the highest Order have but a thousand Crowns yearly yet some of them grow to be very rich Men but certainly not by what is given them under-hand for Courtesies done notwithstanding all the Examinations aforesaid All the Magistrates as well superior as inferior wear for a Badge and Mark of Respect and Dignity one sort and fashion of Hat which none else is suffer'd to wear These Hats or Bonnets are made of black Silk and have on both sides two oval Flaps which cover the Ears and are made fast to the Bonnet that they cannot fall off In which manner and Garb when they appear in the Streets they walk with great gravity not differing from each other in the rest of their Habit save only that they have distinguishing Marks upon their Clothes whereby their Qualities are known to the Inhabitants and to what Order they belong Lastly you must know that the Chineses though the Tartars have made themselves Masters of this Empire yet sit every where in the Councils they enjoy their old Laws Customs and Privileges as formerly and it seems the Tartars suffer this in regard they find the Chineses have more understanding and are better vers'd in Governing the Country and People than themselves who on the other hand are fitter for War and more able by force to Conquer than by Policy to Rule Kingdoms CHAP. II. Of the Characters Language Writing and Literature of the Chineses And in what manner the Learned in China arrive to the several Degrees of Knowledge THE Chinese manner of Writing differs very much from the Language they speak for there is not one Book in all China which is writ in their Mother-Tongue All the Words in the Chinese Language without exception are Monasyllables neither have they fewer Letters than Words for each Letter is with them a Word and though there be some Chinese Words which comprehend several Letters yet every one of those Letters signifies a particular Word And although the Chineses have as many Characters as Business yet they are so skilful in joyning them that they make about seventy or eighty thousand but about the certain number Writers seem to differ The Iesuit Athanasius Kircher reckons them eighty thousand in all which they must be knowing and expert who will aim at the highest Degree of Learning although any one that knows but ten thousand of them may perfectly understand the Language and be able to write their Characters M. Martinus in his Prologue to the History of China says That the Chineses have above sixty thousand Characters which have several distinctions and significations This is confirm'd my Mandelslo in his Persian Voyage though others raise the number to One hundred and twenty thousand and which is worth observation notwithstanding this almost infinite variety and difficulty yet such is their diligence and industry that all these words are found in a large Dictionary call'd Holpien which signifies The Sea Of this so great difference in the number of the Chinese Letters no other reason can be given but that the original number hath been increas'd from time to time For the better understanding the method of the Chineses Writing I conceive it not amiss to declare more plainly the form and difference of these their so varying Characters
treats of the same Subject with those other five And these nine Books are all that are to be found in China amongst the Booksellers out of which all others are compos'd And certainly therein are contain'd most excellent Rules and Directions for the well ordering of all Civil Affairs and such as have proved to the very great advantage of the Empire of China For which cause a Law was made by the ancient Kings That whosoever would be a Learned Man or so reputed must extract the principal Ground-work of his Learning from these Books Nor is it enough to understand the true meaning and sense of the same but he must likewise get them by heart and be able to repeat a considerable part thereof if he will be thought to have arriv'd at an eminent pitch of Learning There are no Publick Schools in all China though some Writers have erroneously told us the contrary but every Person chuses his own Master by whom he is taught in his House at his own Charge And in regard of the great difficulty in Teaching the Chinese Characters in respect of their vast number and variety it is impossible for one to teach many several Persons and therefore every Master of a Family takes an Instructer into his House for his Children of whom if there be two or three to learn they are as many as one Tutor can well teach All such as are found upon Examination to have made good Progress in Philosophy arise to Promotions by three Degrees of Learning The first is call'd Sieucai the second Kiugin the third Cinfu The first Degree of Learning call'd Sieucai is given in every City by a certain Eminent Learned Person appointed by the Emperor for that purpose and according to his Office bears the Name of Tihio This Tihio goes a Circuit through all the Towns of his Province on purpose to Promote Learned Men to this Degree As soon as he is come into any City he makes known his arrival whereupon all such as stand for this Preferment address themselves unto him to be examined and if he find them qualified he immediately prefers them to this first Step of Learning and that their Worth may be taken notice of for a particular Badge of their Dignity they wear a Gown Bonnet and Boots in which Habit none are permitted to go but such as are in this manner become Graduates They enjoy likewise several Honorable Privileges and Immunities and are preferr'd to considerable Employments in the Government The second Degree of Honor to which the Learned Chineses are preferr'd is call'd Kiugin which is given with much more State than the former and is conferr'd only upon such as they judge to be most deserving and this Promotion is made but once in three years and perform'd after this manner In each Capital City is a great and well-built Palace encompass'd with high Walls and set apart only for the Examination of the Scholars In this Place are several Apartments and Mansions for the use of Examiners when they come to Supervise the Scholars Works Beside these Apartments there are at least a thousand Cells in the middle of the Palace but so small that they will only contain only one Person a little Table and a Bench In these no one can speak to his Neighbor nor be seen by him When the King's Examiners are arriv'd in the City they are lock'd up apart in this Palace and not suffer'd to Discourse with any whatsoever while they are there When the time of Examination is come to which are appointed three whole days namely the ninth twelfth and fifteenth Days of the eighth Month then are the Writings of the Scholars with great Iudgment narrowly Examin'd and several Questions propounded to be resolv'd by them The third Degree is call'd Cinsu and is equal with that of Doctor of Divinity Law or Physick in Europe and this is conferr'd likewise every third year and to them only in the Imperial City of Peking To this Honor can only three hundred out of the whole Empire arrive and the Examination of them before they are chosen is perform'd by the King's Examiners in the same Method and State as the former And such as attain to this heighth of Honor by their Learning are preferr'd to the highest Places of Dignity in the Empire and are had in great Esteem and Reputation by the People CHAP. III. Of several Chinese Handicraft-Trades Comedians Iuglers and Beggers THe Chineses are not altogether without some Experience and Skill in Architecture although for neatness and polite Curiosity their Building is not to be compar'd with that in Europe neither are their Edifices so costly or durable in regard they proportion their Houses to the shortness of Life building as they say for themselves not for others And this surely is one reason why the Chineses cannot comprehend nor imagine the costly and Princely Palaces which are in Europe and when they have been told that some of the said Edifices have stood for many Ages they seem as it were amazed thereat But if they consider'd the true Reasons of such continuance they would rather applaud and imitate than wonder for that which makes our Building last so long is because we make deep Foundations whereas in China they dig no Foundations at all but lay the Stones even with the surface of the Ground upon which they build high and heavy Towers and by this means they soon decay and require daily Reparations Neither is this all for the Houses in China are for the most part built of Wood or rest upon woodden Pillars yet they are cover'd with Tyles as in Europe and are contriv'd commodiously within though not beautiful to the Eye without however by the curiosity of the People they are kept very clean and neat Their Temples are most curiously built some whereof in solitary places near the High-ways to the great accommodation of Travellers They are hung full of Images and heavy Lamps which burn continually in memory of one or other that liv'd well and died happily These People have made no small progress in several Sciences by their early being acquainted with the Art of Printing for though those of Europe do therein exceed the Chineses having reduc'd the same to more exactness and certain Method yet says Trigautius in the fourth Chapter of his first Book The use of the Printing-Press was much sooner in China than in Europe for it is most certain that the same has been in use amongst the Chineses for five Ages past nay some stick not to affirm that they us'd Printing before the Birth of Christ. Mercator in his great Atlas writes That the Printing-Press and the use of Cannon are of so great Antiquity in China that it is not known who was the Inventor of them All which if it were taken for granted yet nevertheless they are too large in saying That That Printing has been us'd by them ever since their Country hath been call'd the Empire or Kingdom of China
which was written some Chinese Characters that foretold things that should come to pass On the sides stood several Vessels with Incense burning and in the middle was a woodden Dish with several Offerings in it which the Priests when they would know or foretel any thing bring to the Altar and Offer up to this Image Now the chief Offerings at such times are either Rice Wine or the Entrails of Beasts which being ceremoniously dispos'd the Priest draws some Reeds out of the Bambo's Basket and if they are in his opinion portentous of Ill he draws out others till he has drawn such as he believes prognosticate Good In this interim the Incense burns and at last the Priest falls upon his Knees and mumbles one thing or other to himself whereby he intends to pacifie the Idol and get him to favor his Suit In the Province of Xansi in the City of Taâ—ven is a Temple Dedicated to Siangus the wisest of their Emperors and of the Family of Chaus It is reported in their Histories that this Image which is made of very precious Stones being finish'd rose up of it self and went to the place which was appointed for its Station At Leugan upon the Mountain Peco which signifies The Mountain of Fruits is founded a Temple in honor of the Emperor Xiâ—â—ungus near which stands a famous Well Now according to the Saâ—ing of the Chineses Xinnungus receiv'd divers sorts of Seeds from an unknown Person and receiv'd Directions in what manner he should Sowe the same to gain a plentiful Harvest which he having experimented taught to his Subjects for which Benefit they erected this Temple to his Memory at very great Charge In the Province of Xensi in the City of Hanchang are five Temples whereof one is Dedicated to the Emperor Cangleangus because he had caus'd a Way to be cut through the Mountain and in perpetual memory of this his great Undertaking this Temple was erected In the Chief City of Kingang are three Temples full of Images and in the Province of Xantung in the Chief City of Cinan are several Near to Yencheu in the City of Ceu are fifteen stately Temples Dedicated to Helvutius and other renowned Heroes In the Province of Suchuen in the Chief City of Chingtu is one built to the Memory of King Cancungus because he taught the Inhabitants of that Kingdom the Art of raising and preparing of Silk-worms In the Province of Huquang near to Kiun is a large Hill call'd Vutang upon which are erected several Structures with Cloisters for Priests and the reason thereof may be for that here all Priests receive their Introduction who follow and teach the inward approv'd Doctrine of the separation of Soul and Body In the Province of Nanking near to the Chief City Ningque stands a very high and beautiful Edifice call'd Hiangsin that is to say The well-scented Heart and Dedicated to five Virgins who being assaulted by such as would have ravish'd them rather chose to die than have their Virginity violated in honor of whose Chastity the Inhabitants erected these Temples In the Province of Chekiang and in the Chief City of Hangcheu are found very many of these Buildings to which belong several thousands of Priests At Nanking on the Mountain Ni stands one of these Fabricks that hath at least a thousand Images to it and to every Image ten Priests And indeed to shorten this Relation there is hardly a Mountain or Hill in China of any Note but has a Temple upon it with Priests belonging to it In the Province of Fokien near to the City Cinggan lies a great Hill call'd Vay which has several Temples and Cloisters upon it abounding with Priests and Fryers most whereof worship Idols shave their Crowns and despise all Earthly Riches Possessions and Honors But that which is fullest of admiration is this It was said that amongst these Priests one of the chief call'd Chang who had two Chappels under his Command being convinc'd of the Error of his Way coming one day into his Temples broke all the Idols in pieces exclaiming bitterly against the Priests for having thus long deceiv'd him and keeping him in blind Ignorance from thenceforth embraceing the Christian Religion to the utmost period of his Life In the Province of Fokien near to the City Civencheu is a Temple call'd Caiyven which is worthy of admiration both for its heighth and largeness The outsides of this sumptuous Edifice are all of Marble and the inside most richly adorn'd with Idols of all sorts Among others there are some that exceed which are either cast in Copper or cut out of Marble made for Madam Fee having such curiosity of Workmanship that the Chineses say they were not made with mortal Hands Without the Imperial City of Nanking I was my self in one of the three Idol-Temples where Hell so as Virgil describes the same in the sixth Book of his Aeneids was so curiously Painted to the Life and adorn'd with rare Images of Plaister that it is enough to fill all Persons with admiration that look upon the same CHAP. X. Of Towers and Sea-Marks CHINA is very full of brave and well-built Towers whereof some are nine others seven Stories high many of which are only for Ornament but upon a great part of them call'd Ceuleu stand their Clock-workss and in others especially at Nanking are kept the Astrological Instruments Upon the Clock-house Turrets stands an Instrument which shews the hour of the day by means of Water which running from one Vessel into another raises a Board upon which is Pourtray'd a Mark for the time of the day and you are to observe That there is always one remaining there to take notice of the passing of the time who at every hour signifies the same to the People by beating upon a Drum and hanging out a Board with the Hour writ upon it in large Letters This Time-Drummer likewise gives notice if he discovers any Fire whereupon the People all rise to quench it In whose House soever the Fire happens through carelesness the Master thereof is punish'd with Death because of the fright and hazard he put his Neighbor in whose House joyning to his and built all of Timber as all Habitations there are was in very great danger of being likewise consum'd for all the Houses stand very close And this in truth is the cause of so great severity shew'd against such whose Houses are burnt through carelesness Upon the top of the Mountain Hiaiken stands a very ancient Tower which is very much decay'd but yet keeps the heighth of a hundred and eighty Paces but that which is most to be admir'd therein is that it is built of Stone which with infinite Labor Industry and Expence they must bring thither and then together with the Mortar carry up so great a heighth to build such a Tower In the Country of Huquang near to the City of Hanyang is a Tower call'd Xelonhoa which far excels all other such like
would take up too much time and make this Book swell into a larger Volume than was at first intended therefore to pass them by we will proceed to give an Account of the fashion of their Ships Of Ships THe Royal Ships and those of the Governors of Provinces exceed the rest and are built after such a manner that few or none will scarce give credit to the Account I shall give of them unless they had seen them our Vessels in Europe being in no wise comparable to those for they lie upon the Water like high Houses or Castles and are divided on both sides with Partitions In the middle is a place like a Hall furnish'd with all manner of Houshold-stuff as Tables Chairs c. The Windows and Doors are made in the fashion of our Grates wherein in stead of Glass they use the thinnest Oyster-shells they can get or else fine Linnen or Silk which they spread with clear Wax and adorn with several sorts of Flowers and this keeps out the Wind and Air better than any Glass Round about the Ships are made Galleries very commodious for the Seamen to do whatever business they have without prejudice to the Rigging The outside of the Ship is Painted with a certain sort of Gum call'd Cie which makes it glitter and appear very glorious at a distance but within it is most curiously Painted with several Colours very pleasant and delightful to the Eye The Planks and Timber-work are so curiously rifted together and jointed that there is little or no sign of any Iron-work In length they differ not much from those in Europe only they are lower and narrower and the Passage up into them is by a Ladder twelve Foot long the Stern of the Ship where the Trumpeters and Drummers stand is like a Castle When any of these Ships of the Governors meet one another at Sea they Salute and give place according to their Qualities which are writ in great Letters behind their Ships so that there never happens any Dispute about Precedency When it is a Calm at Sea and little or no Wind stirring to fill their Sails which are made of Mats there are certain Men appointed to Tow the same At such time also and as a farther help they are very dexterous in the use of their Oars wherewith they can Row without pulling them out of the Water The Ships which carry the Fish call'd Saull and the Silks to the Imperial Court are so extraordinarily curious and rich that no others can compare with them for they are gilt within and without and Painted red and such is their esteem that all other Ships strike Sail and give place to these whensoever or wheresoever they meet them In the Province of Nanking near to the Chief City of Sucheu may be seen several Pleasure-Boats or little Ships which the Inhabitants keep only for their Pleasure they are very richly Gilt and Painted and may more properly be compar'd to Houses than Ships Some of the Chineses are so profusely in love with them that they will spend their Estates aboard these Vessels in Eating and Drinking There are a vast and incredible number of Ships and Boats that pass daily from one Place to another by which means there is so great Accommodation by Water that Men may pass from the City of Maccao to the City of Peking except one days Iourney by Water Also Men may travel by Boat from the Province of Chekiang through the whole Province of Suchue from East to West And to say the truth there is hardly any considerable City but what has access to it by Water for the Natives have with Art and Industry digg'd Channels through most of the Provinces and let in the Rivers on purpose to carry their Goods and themselves by Water by reason of the extraordinary Hills and Desarts which they meet with in a Passage or Iourney by Land of all which we have already made mention in our General Description of China In the Province of Fokien are such an innumerable company of Vessels that the Inhabitants proffer'd the Emperor when he intended to make War upon those of Iapan to make him a Bridge of Boats which should reach from thence to the said Island of Iapan The Courts of the Governors of Provinces IN each Chief City are at least fifteen or twenty great Houses belonging to the Governors which is regard of the Magnificence of their Building may compare with Kings Palaces In other less are eight or nine great Houses and in every small City four which are all alike in fashion only they differ in largeness according to the Quality of the Governor At the Front of each Palace are three Gates whereof the biggest stands in the middle adorn'd on both sides with great Marble Lions Next to this Plano or Court-yard Pail'd in Painted with Gum which they call Cie In this Plano stand two small Towers or Pyramids curiously adorn'd and furnish'd with several Musical Instruments upon which certain Persons play as often as the Governor goes out or comes in Within the Gate is a large Hall and generally every great Palace hath four or five where the Governor gives Audience to any that comes about Business to him on the sides of this Hall are several small Apartments inhabited by inferior Officers Here are also two particular Rooms for the Reception of Persons of Quality that come to visit the Governor when you are past these two Rooms you come to three Gates more which are seldom open'd but when the Governor sits upon the Bench of Iudicature The middlemost of these Gates is very large through which Persons of Quality are only suffer'd to go other People pass through the Gates on each side Then you come to another large Plano at the end whereof is a great Court built upon Pillars call'd Tang and here the Governor administers Iustice on Both sides thereof the Courtiers and inferior Officers have their Dwellings who never remove with the Governor but live there continually in regard they are maintain'd at the Charge of the Country Next to this is an inward Court but far exceeding the former and is call'd Sutang which signifies Private and in this Court only may the nearest Relations converse with the Governor To these Places appertain also several Gardens Orchards Ponds Rivers Warrens and the like as well for Pleasure and Ornament as Profit And here observe That the Emperor furnishes the Governor not only with these Palaces but likewise with all manner of Houshold-stuff Provisions and Servants at his own Charge And when a Governor which is yet more remarkable happens to depart to the Rule of another Province or else to lay down his Employment which falls out commonly every half year it is allowable for him to take all the Houshold Goods with him and then the Court is to be furnish'd anew for the succeeding Governor In Cingtu the first Chief City of the Province Suchue famous for Trade there liv'd formerly a
clear and the other muddy although any Person take of the Waters and mingle them yet nevertheless they immediately part and divide each receiving presently their former Colours Near to Iungping is a Spring whose Water is so hot that it will boil an Egg. Near to the City Hiqoy is a Hill call'd Caotung upon which are several warm Baths and hot Springs Near to Iungcheng is a Hill call'd Gailo upon which is a very deep Well which serves the Inhabitants by observation of its rise or fall for a sign of a fruitful or barren Year There are several other Springs and Waters in many other Places of China which are very remarkable for their Qualities and have great esteem among them because they have had sufficient experience of their Vertues wherewith we shall no longer detain the Reader but proceed to what follows CHAP. XIII Of Hills and Mountains VEry curious and indeed nice even to Superstition are the Chineses in the choice of Hills for they say and believe all their Fortune depends upon it being places inhabited as they imagine by Dragons unto whom they attribute the cause of all their good Fortune And for this cause when any of them intend to erect a Tomb which is generally done among the Mountains by rich People they diligently examine the shape and nature of the Hill for its situation and are very sollicitous to discover a happy piece of Earth and such they esteem so which has the resemblance of the Head Tail or Heart of a Dragon which once found they imagine that according to wish all things shall go well with their Posterity And this Fancy is so generally prevalent with them that there are many who profess the Art of telling Fortunes by the form of Hills In the Description of Hills and Mountains I shall not only mention their largeness heighth c. but likewise their Nature Shape Form and the Beasts that live upon them The Mountain Lungciven near to Kungyang is about two Miles and half big Suming near to Xaohing fills a place of seven Miles and a half Lofeu near to Polo is in its circumference eighteen Miles and a half Tiengo near to Pinkiang is thirty one Miles in extent so also is the Mountain Quanghia near to Nanking The Heng near to Hoenyuen is fifty Miles large The Yen begins at Iotyen and teaches sixty three Miles in length At Kinhoa near to Yu lies the Mountain Kiming which is the largest in extent of all the Mountains of China The Ximus near to Taigan is three Miles and a half high It is said that upon the top thereof at the first Crowing of the Cock the Sun may be seen to rise The Tientai is five Miles high The Vempi in the Province of Queicheu reaches with its top above the Clouds At Sintien lies the Mountain Pie which is the highest of all Hills and reaches far above the Clouds Near to the City Xefan lies the Mountain Tafung which seems to touch the very Skies Near to Cangki is a very high Mountain call'd Iuntai which they entitle The Throne of Heaven The Hocang is so high that it ascends ten thousand Foot above the Earth and never any Rain or Snow was seen to fall upon it The Kiming near to the City Yn requires nine days Travel to the top of it In Quangsi near the City Ieyang lies the Mountain Paofung whose top reaches to the very Clouds and yet hath a Stone House built upon it There are very many other wonderful Hills and Mountains in the Provinces of China which we shall omit to mention for brevity sake and shall proceed to speak of their Shapes and Nature The Hills of Umuen show as if they hung in the Air. In the Province of Quangsi is a Hill which bears the shape of an Elephant The Mountain Utung resembles the shape of a Man standing upright with his Head bowing downward Near to Paoki is a Hill call'd Chincang whose concave parts are such that before stormy Weather or Thunder it will rore in so fearful a manner that the noise may be heard two Miles Near to Sinyang is a very high and pleasant Hill whose top against Rain is always cover'd with a Cloud Near to Pingchai lies the Mountain Pequi of which it has been observ'd that the melting of the Winter Snow upon its top is a sign of a plentiful Year but if it continues all Summer unmelted it is a bad sign Upon the Mountain Kesin near to the Garrison-Cities it is extraordinary cold Near to Nanking is a great Hill nam'd Quanglin which in the fairest Weather is always so very much cover'd with Clouds that it is hardly to be seen at any little distance Near to Xaicheu lies the Mountain Lingfung upon which if any Rain do fall in the day-time a great flame of Fire appears in the Night but in dry Weather there is seen no such appearance The Mountain Hoo is call'd The Fiery Mountain because in the night-time certain Lights appear upon the same as so many burning Candles Country People speak them to be a sort of Glow-worms which creep out of the River by Night and shine after this manner Near to Munghoa lies the Mount Tienul call'd The Ear of Heaven famous for a notable Echo The Mountain Quan is stor'd with brave Hawks and Kites which the Great Ones use for their Recreations The Chinese Historians relate That near to Sinfung lies a very great Hill upon which such wild Beasts and Men live whose likes are not to be found in any other Place Upon the top of the Hill Fungcao as is said the incomparable and seldom seen Phenix hath her Nest under which is found an extraordinary Precious Stone In the Province of Xensi upon the Mountain Holan is a great Race of wild Horses and upon that of Liniao breed several wild Oxen Tygers and other Creatures In the Province of Chekiang upon the Mountain Cutien an incredible thing to be told are Tygers who have left off their fierceness the nature of the Soil being of that Quality that if any are brought thither wild from other Places they become tame in a short time the same thing happens to Snakes Near to Cinyven in the Province of Iunnan is the Mountain Nilo where is great abundance of Tygers and Leopards In the Province of Suchue near to Cungkiang upon a Mountain call'd Toyung are Monkies which very much resemble a Man Near to the City Changcheu lies the Hill Cio upon which is said to lie a Stone of five Rod high end eighteen Inches thick which of its self rolls and moves up and down against foul Weather Near to Lioyang upon the Mountain Yoinea which signifies The Mountain of the Rich Woman is to be seen a Statue of a very beautiful Woman not made by Art but grown there naturally Near to the City Iengan in a certain hollow place of the Mountain Chingleang is to be seen a whole Herd of strange Idols to the number of above a thousand
which occasions a Mere wherein grow Flowers of a Saffron colour whose like are no where else to be seen in all those Countries Several of these Flowers grow upon one Root being something bigger than the European Lilly and much handsomer for fashion resembling Tulips The Leaves of the Stalks are large and round and drive upon the Water as the Leaves of the Weeds do in Europe which at their Season they gather and dry and make them fit to be us'd by Shop-keepers in stead of Paper to put up their Wares in There are in some places whole Pools abounding with these Flowers which to say truth grow not there naturally but have been sow'd by one or other for that they are in great request amongst them But amongst all others the Chinese Rose must deservedly take place which changes colour every day twice for one time its all Purple and another time as white as Snow and were the scent thereof pleasant or delightful it might with merit challenge the World for a Peer The Chief City of Queicheu situate in the Province of Quangsi takes its Name from the Flower call'd Quei which although it grows in other Parts yet no where so plentifully as in this Province and chiefly under the Command of this City It grows upon a very high Tree which has Leaves proportion'd like them of a Laurel or Cinamon-tree but the Flowers are very small yellow of colour and have a fine smell After they are once in Flower they continue a long time blowing without withering or shedding or falling from the Tree and after they have done blowing the Tree shoots out again within a Month and has fresh Flowers whose colour is so fragrant that they perfume all those Parts where they grow The Tartars infuse these Flowers in the Iuice of Lemmons wherewith they colour the Hair of their Horses But the Chineses make delicate Confects of them which are delicious to the taste and pleasant to the smell Near to Kinhoa in the Province of Chekiang is a certain Flower by the Portuguese in India call'd Mogorin It grows upon a very small Tree is Milk-white and not unlike to the Iessamy Flower only it has more Leaves and exceeds it far for smell for one Flower is enough to perfume a whole House This Flower is in very great esteem with them so that in cold Weather they diligently house the Pots in which they grow And lastly near the City Pingyve in Queicheu grows in great abundance the well scented Iessamy Of Reeds IN the foregoing part of this Chapter you have had some Examples of the variety of Herbs Plants Flowers c. produc'd in several parts of China I shall now say something of the different sorts of Reeds growing there And first In Xanhung near Tengcheu grows a Reed that is naturally four-square In Huquang near the Mountain grows a sort of Reed which will last only three years but like a careful Sire before it dies it shoots out afresh at the Root thus every three years renewing by death and rising again In the Province of Nanking near Hoaigan is a great Mere wherein grows very large and high Reeds greatly esteem'd by the Inhabitants In Quanhung near the City Lochang upon the Mountain Chang grows a black Reed whereof the Chineses make Pipes and several other things of as pure a black and shining colour as if they were made of Ebony In the same Province upon the Mountain Lofen grows a Reed that exceeds all the rest for length and thickness the Stalks being at least four Foot thick In the Province of Chekiang near the City of Chucheu runs a Rivulet in which grow several sorts of Reed or Cane as hard as Iron and oftentimes three Handfuls thick and although they are hollow yet are they of strength sufficient to bear a great Burthen without breaking The biggest grow three or four Rods high some have green Stalks others Coal-black They make a very pleasant shew not only because of the flourishing Verdure of the Leaves for the most part of the Year but also because of the several Colours produc'd by the various sorts that grow altogether Of these notwithstanding their hardness before-mention'd such as are skilful Artists and know how to split the same into very thin pieces make Mattresses Baskets Canes c. Of the thinner and smaller sort they make Pikes and Lances which have sharp Irons at the ends They put them likewise to several other uses especially for the making of Perspective-Glasses in regard they are light straight thick and firm The Water that runs from this Reed when it is laid green upon the Fire is found being taken inwardly to be very soveraign to drive out of the Body all putrifi'd Blood occasion'd by Blows Falls or otherwise The young Shoots of it before they have any Leaves are boil'd with Flesh like Turnips and pickled in Vinegar are kept all the year for Sawce Amongst these various sorts of Reeds may be comprehended another kind that grows upon some Mountains in China in great abundance and is call'd by the Indians Rotang but in Europe Rotting or Iapan Canes And though these Canes are us'd in Europe to walk with yet the young Branches thereof being full of Iuice are eaten raw by the Chineses When these Canes are dried and struck one against another there will flie Sparks of Fire from them as from a Flint and as such they are made use of in some Places of the Indies This sort of Reed is very tough and being green is made use of in stead of Cords to tie or bind any thing withal The Inhabitants of Iava Iapan and other Islanders make therewith Cable for Anchors which will last longer in salt Water than Ropes made of Hemp and when any Merchants Ship Trading thither from Europe need any they make use of these they being strong enough to hold the weightiest Anchors The Fruit of this Rotting or Cane is eatable and pleasant to the Palate in form somewhat round about the bigness of a Ball having a Shell like a Chesnut hard but brittle Upon every Ioint from the bottom to the top sprouts out a small Branch in stead of Leaves upon which hangs the Fruit in Clusters Within the Body of this Fruit is a white Kernel from which they extract an Oyl not only good to eat but very soveraign in the cure of Wounds if dress'd therewith so that the Indian Slaves if they receive hurt at any time from these Rottings or Canes wherewith they are wont to be Corrected they forthwith make use of this Oyl Besides these before-mention'd there are found as well in China as divers other Parts of the Indies two other different sorts which are by the Indians call'd Bamboes The smaller of these is very full of Pith but the other doth so far exceed all the rest for bigness that I do not wonder in the least if some Writers both ancient and modern have sometimes call'd it a Tree This kind call'd
concluded to form themselves into a distinct Commonwealth and to send some of their People as Colonies to inhabit other Parts Thus at last they divided the whole District of Ninche into seven Principalities or Governments who for a while agreed among themselves without any grand Disturbance or pretence of Warring with each other but at length upon some occasion Quarrels arose which broke forth into a long War wherein the Victors assuming to themselves absolute Principality turn'd their Commonwealth in the Year 1600 after Christ's Birth into a Monarchy and call'd it The Kingdom of Ninche This Ninche which is properly East-Tartary and as yet very little known to those of Europe is bounded on the North and North-East with another Tartar Kingdom call'd Niulhan towards the East lies the Kingdom of Yupi likewise under the Tartar Yoke and surrounded with the Sea between Iapan and East-Tartary on the South it borders upon the Island Corea and by the Great Wall it is divided from the Province of Laotung but more towards the West separated by the great River Linhoang flowing between this Kingdom of Ninche and Kilangho The antiquiety of this People appears in the mention made of them in the Race of Hana which began in the Year 206 before Christ's Birth They are known to the Chineses and Neighbors by the Name of Kin which signifies Gold and commonly are call'd The Lords and Masters of the Golden Mountains it being a common opinion That China is full of Gold-Mines which we will not dispute but dare knowingly affirm That it has Rivers upon the sides whereof great store of Gold is taken up daily It is to be observ'd that the Tartars of several Parts have at divers times Warred on China but the People of Ninche above all have always been their greatest Enemies having during the Reign of the Race of Sunga given so great Overthrows to their Forces and made such Depredations upon their Land that they were forc'd to flie out of the Northern Provinces into the Southern the Ninchians having subdu'd and brought under their Subjection the Provinces of Laotung Peking Xensi Xensi and Xantung and without all doubt at that time would have conquer'd the whole Empire if the neighboring Tartars of the Kingdom of Samarcand who envied their great Success after the Conquest of a great part of Asia had not through the Western and Southern Provinces fall'n into the Empire of China and put a stop to their Victories by their irresistible Armies which was the occasion of a cruel and bloody War between them These Tartars of Samarcand drove those of Ninche not only out of China but pursu'd them into East-Tartary their own Country whereof they took a considerable part from them And since that time the Samarcandians who possess'd the Northern Provinces out of which they had beaten the Nincheans have made many and sharp Wars against the Emperors of the Southern China and at last subdu'd the whole and erected a new Race call'd Ivena as is before said which continu'd till it was brought under by the same Hunguvus The Chineses out of a natural Emnity to the Tartars say in derision of them That they live in Holes and Caves under Ground which is not so for they keep in very strong and well-wrought Tents which they use in stead of Houses being for the most part made of Silk or Stuff and so curiously Painted that they shine in the Sun like Looking-glasses and keep out the Rain so that none drops through Of these Persons of Quality have several which yet are so contriv'd that they seem but one In some parts of which the Wife and Children remain in others the Servants and some are for necessary uses as Kitchins and the like They relate That during the Reign of the Race of Ivena there were a hundred and twenty four Cities in this East-Tartary but whether there are so many now I cannot affirm in regard the Tartars themselves in China were not able to inform me All their Towns and Places are in a manner movable which the Latines call Horda with which and the Cattel and Families they remove from place to place changing according to the Season of the Year and pitching where the best Accommodation is to be had The Clothes of the poorer sort are made of Skins but the richer go clad in Silk and Cotton though there grows neither in the Province of Ninche but such among them as Trade come and buy it of the Chineses or exchange other Commodities for it as Skins of Wolves Foxes Beavers Otters Sables and the like The Men wear long Coats down to their Heels with narrow Sleeves and about their Middle is a broad Girdle with a Cloth fastned to it wherewith they wipe their Faces At their sides hangeth a Knife and two little Puâ—ses wherein they put Tobacco which is taken by them with great delight insomuch that the noblest Visitants are Treated with the same it being brought them lighted by a Servant of the House On the left side they wear a Hanger or Zable with the Edge turn'd forward and the Hilt behind insomuch that when they are on Horseback they can draw their Zables with great dexterity by laying the right Hand behind over their Backs upon the Hilt without holding fast or so much as touching the Scabbard In the Summer-time for coolness they wear Hats of Straw but in Winter Caps which come down over their Ears with an Edging of Fur about it The Soldiers wear commonly Iron Helmets upon their Heads differing very little in fashion from such as are us'd in Europe only they have no Fence for the Face In stead of Feathers they wear either a Horses Mayn or Tail dy'd red Their other defensive Arms are Iron Breast-pieces not made of one Piece but of several Plates fastned together with Nails so that they make a hideous noise when they are upon their March but especially the Horse Their offensive Arms are a Bows Arrows and Hanger for Guns or Muskets are not in use amongst them The Horse-men are generally clad in Black to make them look terrible having Boots on made of Horse-leather with thick Soles but no Spurs There are among them very few Foot-Soldiers for being generally good Horse-men they turn all their Forces into Cavalry who when they march observe this Order First two Horse-men with Colours upon their Backs Next to these follow two other Horse-men with Colours Then comes the Commander in Chief over the Cavalry After him five others the middlemost whereof carries the Emperor's Standard Then march all the rest of the Troop in order five a breast The Chineses have a high estimation of the Tartars for strength because therein they exceed them although they fall far short in the same to those of Europe They are whitish of Complexion not talkative but silent and well compos'd bred up to Arms from their Cradles which makes them such excellent Soldiers But at shooting with the Bow at a Mark they are
Relief could possibly be given them But the Governor after the first Attempt although provided with all manner of Necessaries to withstand a Siege yet in regard the Harvest of Corn prov'd very bad that Year found upon survey that it was impossible to lengthen out the same by the best Husbandry to serve for the Maintenance of such a number of People for six Months yet still though their Magazines fell short they held out and suffered very great hunger in hopes that the Emperor would come or send to their Relief And at last such was their want that a pound of Rice was sold for a Pound of Silver a Pound of old rotten Leather for twenty Shillings nay they fed upon dead Mens Flesh as freely as upon any thing else Thus did these Loyal Subjects hold out beyond admiration before they would harbor any thoughts of yielding but when they saw themselves destitute of all hopes of Succor they unwillingly submitted to the cruelty of their Fate This Caifung lies in a great Valley on the South side of the Yellow River which runs at least a Mile to the Land-ward from it And in regard the Water lies much higher than the Valley wherein the City is built there is made before it a Bank or Dike of Stone to hinder the overflowing of the same River The Emperor at last understanding into what a Strait the Besieged were brought resolv'd to march to their Relief and to that purpose came with his Army before the afore-mention'd Stone Bank with an intention to bore the same through and so drown the whole Army of the Besiegers But the Workmen that were intrusted not being so prudent as they ought to have been in the execution of a Design so hazardous made too great an Opening in the Bank so that in a few hours the Water gush'd in with such violence that it not only drown'd most of the Enemy's Army but the whole City also was overwhelmed and almost all therein destroy'd with the Inundation In this miserable Calamity thus unfortunately hapning above three hundred thousand Persons were drown'd and this famous City formerly the ancient Seat of the Emperors of China upon the ninth of September 1642. converted into Pool with the adjacent Country round about it for through the violent force of the Water not only all the Buildings and Houses were soon overturn'd but Trees which had stood for many Ages were wash'd up by the Roots so that at this time there is nothing thereof left to be seen Licungzus who in Person escap'd this Deluge with some few of his Forces yet once more made a shift to recruit his Army upon the sight and muster whereof being still persuaded that he should get into the Throne took upon himself the Title of King calling himself King Xunnanst that is A Fortunate King The Province of Honan being thus subdu'd and brought to slavery and the Inhabitants thereof miserably handled with Plundering and Stealing this upstart King departed with his whole Army and fell into the Province of Xensi where he immediately laid close Siege to the Chief City of Xigan which he took after three days giving the Plunder thereof to his Soldiers but out of a seeming Compassion he gave the Inhabitants their Lives He made this City upon its Reduction the Seat of his War and caus'd all manner of Provisions and Ammunition to be brought out of the Province and laid up there partly thereby to keep the Country in awe and partly to hinder the Chinese Army from any Provisions in those Parts to support themselves against him And now becoming over-confident by Success and doubting no longer of the possession of the Empire which he had already appropriated to himself in his thoughts he took upon him the Title of Emperor by the Name of Thienxun which signifies Obedient to Heaven for by pretext of this glorious Name which he us'd for a Cloke to his Villany he gave out in Speeches and so made his Soldiers believe That it was concluded in Heaven that he should ascend the Throne and deliver the oppressed Subjects out of the covetous Hands of the present Emperor to inflict Punishment on the corrupt Governors of Provinces who had over-burthen'd the People with intolerable Taxes and lastly to Govern the Empire in Peace and Quietness To all this the Renegado Chineses who had sided with Licungzus giving easie credit were very forward not only to give him the Title of Emperor as his Ambition had assum'd it but did verily believe he was sent from Heaven to Govern And to add the greater Honor and Lustre to his Name and win their Favor he Govern'd them with great moderation and mildness so to make his Actions and his Name seem agreeable for such as had done any wrong underwent no Corporal Punishment but were only chastis'd with kind Words and good Admonitions All such Chinese Governors as refus'd to submit to him he caus'd to be put to death when taken by him He abolish'd and took off several heavy Taxes that had been laid and then continu'd upon the People charging such as he made Governors to Rule gently and lovingly over his Subjects And after this manner through his cunning and crafty Insinuations did this grand Thief bring under his Obedience several Provinces without spilling any Blood for the Commonalty which is Bellua multorum capitum instabile vulgus was hugely pleas'd with this new Model of Governing applauding their new Emperor with highest Eulogiums But beside the Troubles occasion'd by the two grand Robbers there arose in the Court another Dispute and Discontent as mischievous as the other and which was indeed the greatest occasion of the overthrow of the Empire and the greatest Divisions amongst the Governors themselves occasion'd by the jealousie and hatred they bore to one Guei of the King's Bed-Chamber for the great Authority committed to him and Affection shewn him by the Emperor who had not only intrusted the whole Government into his Hands and preferr'd him to the best Offices and Charges within his Dominions but likewise treated with Respect as if he had been his Father But this Favorite not knowing how to keep himself within the limits of Moderation began so to swell with Pride that he caus'd several Great Persons to be punish'd with Death or Banishment for small Offences Which exorbitant Cruelties brought him into great hatred not only with the Nobles and Grandees but also with the Prince Zungchinius himself who by the information of the Prime Persons about him being acquainted with his Carriage began to abate much of his Love towards him This occasion'd a very great Fraction amongst the Governors and Rix-Councellors who were divided upon it into two Factions so that in a short time there was hardly any Considerable Person to be found who did not side with the one or the other each endeavoring to ruine his Adversary yet still both pretending the Welfare of the State But the Emperor Zungchinius foreseeing the ruine
Gates being by these Traytors set open the Besiegers suddenly entred and although discover'd by such as were faithful to the Emperor yet they also perceiving that the City was full of Confusion and that the Matter was quite past hope every one shifted for himself and left all to the mercy of the Robber Having finish'd this Letter as a Man distracted he kills his Daughter in his Chamber being a young Virgin of seventeen or eighteen years of Age that she should not be misus'd and ill treated by the Rogues and then with a setled Resolution not to survive this dismal Misfortune going into the Garden with one of his Garters he hang'd himself upon a Plum-Tree And this was the miserable Catastrophe of the Emperor Zungchinius who was very unfortunate during his Reign in all his Undertakings and is reckon'd for the last Emperor of the Race of Taiminga for although afterwards some other of that Line were chosen yet they are not reckon'd by the Chineses themselves among the Emperors of that Race in regard that after the Death of Zungchinius they never possess'd the whole but only some part of the ancient Empire Thus was that Race whose first Founder was the Robber Chu destroy'd and brought to nothing by another Robber Licungzus who had the Fortune even beyond his Hope though not his Ambition to subdue the biggest Empire in that part of the World The Emperor's Death begat so great a Grief and Commiseration in the Chief Governor of the City that not thinking himself worthy to survive his unhappy Lord he went and hang'd himself likewise in the same Place The Empress follow'd the same Example and also all such as were faithful to them rather than they would fall into the Hands of the Enemy for it is counted a piece of Honor and Faithfulness with the Subjects of that Country to die with their Soveraign Licungzus being now Master of Peking presently seats himself in the Imperial Throne and the next day caus'd the dead Body of the Emperor to be hack'd in pieces and the Plunder of the City to his Soldiers The Emperor Zungchinius had three Sons whereof the eldest seeing his Father's Death and the City in possession of the Robbers never appear'd more though great search was made for him to have had him either alive or dead Of his loss there are divers opinions some thinking he was kill'd in the Crowd unknown others that he sav'd himself by flight amongst those that escap'd to the Mountains where they liv'd a long while after Beside this were two other younger Sons who were brought alive to the Tyrant but he caus'd them to be Beheaded presently And to shew his tyrannical Cruelty and that the Barbarism of his Nature was not at all alter'd by his being gotten into the Throne he Summon'd the chiefest Persons of the Empire to a Meeting under colour of Treating with them about Business of great consequence whether being no sooner come but a company of the basest Fellows were turn'd in upon them whose salvage Fury so unboundedly raged that it spar'd none but such as had Money enough to buy off their Lives But here ended not his Tyranny as by the following Tragedy will appear Amongst several other Governors and Commanders whom he had taken Prisoners there was a very ancient Man nam'd Us who had a Son call'd Usanguejus that had the Command of the Chinese Army which lay upon the Frontiers of Leaotung against the Tartars of whom the Usurper standing in fear as perceiving that he was able to do him very great prejudice with his Forces threatned this old Man to put him to death in a most cruel manner if he did not forthwith command and enjoyn his Son to come and submit to him promising him to reward such his Civility with great Presents and Preferments The decrepit old Man Us in hopes to get his Liberty and overcome with these great Promises writ a Letter to his Son the substance whereof was to this purpose That the various Changes and Vicissitudes which happen in this World are either preordain'd by the Heavens occasion'd by the Earth or impuls'd by Destiny This I write to you my Son to give you notice that the Emperor Zungchinius and the Government of the Race of Taiminga is totally destroy'd and that since the Heavens which order and manage all things by a just Rule have given the Dominion to Licungzus it is requisite that we comply with the Times and make a Virtue of Necessity especially if we will escape all Disasters prevent a cruel Death and enjoy his Favor He promises to enoble you with a Royal Dignity and to confer on you all manner of Honor and Friendship if you will take part with him and own him for your Lord and Emperor Consider well thereof and know that upon your Promise and Consent to this depends my Preservation and you may now either preserve my Life or destroy it Weigh with your self the Obligations of Nature which will tell you how deeply you are engag'd to preserve him that first gave you Being Usanguejus upon the receipt and reading this Letter though very much troubled at the Contents thereof being ty'd by Oath to his natural Prince answer'd his Father with these few but sharp words I shall never own him for my Father who will not be true and faithful to his Prince Have you forgot that Faith which you owe to the Emperor who then can blame me if I forget that Obedience which I owe to you Much rather had I die than betray my Trust and falsifie my Oath No sooner had Usanguejus sent this Letter to his Father but he dispatch'd an Ambassador to the Grand Tartar Cham to desire Assistance against the Usurper and Tyrant Licungzus who had so unjustly intruded upon the Throne by 〈◊〉 and Murder And to incite the Tartars the more speedily to the March he promis'd them great store of fine Linnen Silks Gold Silver and a great number of very handsom young Women wherein the Tartars take great delight because they are very scarce amongst them their Country abounding more with Men than Women The Cham who had long been waiting for such an Opportunity readily accepted of his Offer promising to assist him with a considerable Army which then lay ready in the Province of Leaotung And in truth he was as good as his Promise for it was not long before he began his March with an Army of eighty thousand Men to joyn with Usanguejus to whom at meeting he thus spake That we may not be baffled in our Undertaking I judge it necessary and advise you earnestly to put all your Soldiers into Tartar Habits to wear Caps and short Hair that so the Tyrant by this Stratagem may be deceiv'd for that he will take them all for Tartars Usanguejus whose Heart boil'd with Revenge agreed to all that the Tartar desir'd of him not considering that he brought in Tygers according to the Saying of the Chineses to hunt out Dogs
had taken fresh Courage there hapning a very great and sudden alteration in the Tartar Affairs for one Vangus a Priest who had formerly been a Commander in the Army set the whole Country in an uprore and having rais'd a great number of Men and modell'd them into an Army he went and took the City of Kienning with several other Places and put all the Tartars therein to the Sword which good Success immediately caus'd such Chineses as had formerly fled into the Mountains for safety to come down and joyn with him to help to recover their Country At the same time one Changus by Name and a Tartar born being Vice-Roy of two Provinces had the Command likewise of the Province of Chekiang who hearing of the Insurrection in Fokien march'd immediately thither with his Army and finding no opposition at the mouth of the Mountains where he suppos'd the Chineses would have block'd up his Passage which a few Forces would easily have done he cries out with a loud voice The Day is my 〈◊〉 and the Rebels are fled So marching over the Mountains without any opposition he lays Siege immediately to the City of Kienning into which the Priest Vangus was retreated with most of his Army The City endur'd a long Siege for several Months and was of such Strength that it could not be taken by Storm which had been often attempted by the Besiegers to their great damage and loss of Men wherefore at last they resolv'd to get it by Famine rather than lose any more Men by Storming whereby he had already very much weakned his Army but that being recruited with fresh Men from Peking and having made a considerable Breach in the Wall by their Ordnance they resolv'd to Storm it once more and the Success answer'd their Desire for the Commanders within the Place being divided among themselves there was not such care taken as ought to have been for the resisting of the Assault by which means the Besiegers getting in at the Breach immediately cut out their Way and put all to the Sword neither Man Woman nor Child excepted so that dirum dictu there were kill'd in and before this City above three hundred thousand People and the City it self afterwards totally destroy'd and not one Stone left standing upon another After the dreadful destruction of this City the whole Province of Fokien submitted to their Power and for the future none but Tartars were made Commanders over the Militia and Governors of Cities But notwithstanding all this great and prudent foresight which was us'd the Tartars were not able to keep all quiet for it hapned that the Governor of the Province of Kiangsi nam'd Kinus revolted and made new work for their Arms the occasion whereof is said to be upon some difference which hapned between Kinus and the other who supervis'd the Civil Affairs of the same Province the manner thus They being invited to an Entertainment where a Play was Acted during the Meal as the Custom is in China and the Players Dress'd in Chinese Habits and not after the fashion of the Tartars Kinus who was born in the Province of Leaotung where they very much resemble the Tartars in their Customs and Manners and therefore put a very great confidence in the Inhabitants minding the same said to the other Governor Doth not this Habit shew much better than the Tartar Fashion The other answer'd nothing at present yet thought himself oblig'd in Duty to acquaint the Emperor by Letter with this Saying for he fancied that by these words Kinus was designing some Novelty in his Head to the disturbance of the Publick Peace and imagining he bore the greatest affection to those whose Habit he chiefly commended Kinus who wanted neither Courage nor Ingenuity had Brib'd the Secretary of this Governor by whom he was inform'd from time to time of all was writ to the Emperor against him and being acquainted with the Contents of the aforesaid Letter he went immediately with a Company of Soldiers into the Governor's Court and there kill'd him on a sudden before he was aware Having done this he falls off from the Tartars with the whole Province of Kiangsi and declares for the Chinese Emperor Iunglieus at which the Inhabitants were not a little overjoy'd only the City of Cancheu which was Commanded and Govern'd by a very faithful Tartar was not to be brought over to countenance the Revolt which hapned very well for the Tartar for the standing out of this single Place alone was of such consequence that the Tartars as I shall relate hereafter did victoriously recover the whole Province of Kiangsi and Quantung and brought them once more under Subjection The General of the Militia in the Province of Quantung call'd Licungzus was likewise at the same time revolted from the Tartars and had deliver'd up that part of the Country to the Emperor Iunglieus whom also the Southern Part own'd for the Emperor of China And for the better prosecution of the Design against the Tartars the General Licungzus endeavor'd to joyn his Forces with those of Kinus to fall both together at one and the same time upon them and drive them out of the Kingdom which undoubtedly had taken effect accordingly had not the resistance of the Governor of the City Cancheu hindred them for the same Governor was no sooner inform'd that Licungzus was likewise revolted from the Tartar and upon his March with his Army but he sends to him this deceitful and politick Letter Till now I would never submit to Kinus because I could never believe that he would be able to withstand the Forces of the Tartars but seeing that you most valiant Prince also turn your Arms against him I cannot conceive what Safety and Protection I can henceforward expect from him therefore I hold my self oblig'd to follow your Standard and you shall no sooner appear with your Forces before this City but I will deliver it up into your Hands After the Governor had dispatch'd away an Express with this Letter he sent another to the General of the Tartars who lay with his Forces in the next Province to Fokien to assist him with what Strength he could well spare which were sent and by him convey'd into the City by Night so that no notice could be taken of his Design Licungzus in the mean while not suspecting any Treachery intended against him boldly but carelesly went up to the City and found the Gates thereof standing open so that without delay he entred and immediately found himself assaulted on all sides by the Tartars who lay in Ambuscade waiting for his coming and was forc'd to retreat with great loss Licungzus himself as is suppos'd was kill'd in the Fight because he was never heard of afterwards This Defeat brought the Affairs of the Emperor Iunglieus into great disorder and confusion yet nevertheless Kinus won afterwards several Battels for him against the Tartars and when he heard of the Defeat of Licungzus went himself and Beleaguer'd
the City of Cancheu but he had â—ot continu'd the Siege many days before there was advice brought him of a new Army of Tartars sent from Peking to reduce the Province of Kiangsi insomuch that Kinus fearing to fall into a Noose broke up his Siege and march'd toward the Northern parts of Kiangsi to defend and preserve the same from being overcome by the Tartars At first indeed he fought with good success but at last finding himself over-power'd he retreated for safety to the Chief City of Nanchang which having suffer'd all the miseries of a tedious Siege was at last taken but Kinus escap'd alive out of it and got to the Mountains as has been already related at large This City thus subdu'd they were Masters of the whole Province and put new Garrisons into most of the Cities and Places of Concern and so march'd back with their Army in triumph to Peking While these Transactions were on foot very great Preparations for War had been making in Peking so that three new Armies were rais'd to reduce the Province of Quantung and others which still held forth and took part with Iunglieus Whereupon the Guardian and Uncle of the Grand Tartar Cham call'd Xunchi who now Reigns in China the better to reduce the Southern Provinces into Subjection and rectifie their Disorder resolv'd to appoint some Vice-Roys over those Provinces who being Tartars by Nation should have absolute Power only with Obligation to pay Tribute yearly to the Emperor This Counsel was immediately put in Execution and in the Year 1649. when the Province of Kiangsi was full of uprore three Vice-Roys were sent with three Armies which consisted for the most part of Tartars from Peking the one was made Vice-Roy of Fokien the other of Quantung and the third of Quangsi with express Order to endeavor jointly the subduing reducing and total conquering of Quantung and to drive the Emperor Iunglieus out of the whole Empire Hitherto we have only spoken of what hapned in the Southern Provinces concerning the Chineses Revolts we shall now proceed to give an Account how Affairs went in the Northern Provinces by which it will appear with how much Zeal the Chineses were concern'd for their Liberties and the Welfare of their Country for the Commanders in Chief over the Northern Provinces as well those that had the Power over the Civil as Military Affairs plotted together which way they should drive out the Tartars Whereupon they raised as many Forces as they could privately and chose one Hous to be their General who coming to the Army which he found to consist of about twenty five thousand Men march'd therewith from among the Mountains into the Plain Country whereupon many of the Natives perceiving his Strength came in to him and several Cities set open their Gates and receiv'd him and his Army only Xigan the first Chief City of Xensi withstood him being in truth compell'd thereto having a strong Garrison of Tartars in it besides the Governor thereof having observ'd that the Chineses made no resistance but rather freely submitted to him and fearing lest the Citizens might carry on some private Design against him resolv'd to put to Death all the Chineses within the City which he had undoubtedly put in execution had he not been dissuaded from it by one of the Vice-Roys yet still jealous of them and willing to prevent any Conspiracy by them he forbad upon pain of Death that any more than two Chineses should converse together at a time and that none should walk the Streets in the Night nor keep any Arms in their Houses Not yet satisfi'd with all this Care but to be throughly inform'd of the Forces of Hous he sends out Spies to bring him intelligence of the Strength and Posture of the Enemies at last Hous comes with his Army which now increas'd with the conflux of Country People that shelter'd themselves there amounted at least to the number of three hundred thousand and Besieg'd Xigan which is at least three Miles in compass When the Tartar Governor saw from the Walls such a vast number of Men he stood amaz'd as supposing they had been all Soldiers which caus'd him again to pass a second cruel Resolution to make away all the Chinese Inhabitants within the City to prevent any Correspondence between them and Hous but finding that those that serv'd him and were sent out to fight behav'd themselves valiantly he forbore to execute such a barbarous Resolve In the mean time Hous perceiving that no Attempt he could make would prevail against the City broke up the Siege which he was the rather induc'd to do because he had receiv'd intelligence that a strong Army was upon their March for relief of the same Hous endeavor'd to save himself by a timely flight but the Tartar Horse overtook the Rere of his Army and kill'd a great number of them but what became of him was never known in regard he never after appear'd publickly and indeed it is more than probable that he was either kill'd in the Fight or ended his days in the Mountains And thus the Chineses effected as little by their Insurrections and Plottings against the Tartar in the Northern Provinces as they had done in the Southern for there follow'd nothing upon it but a total destruction of their Cities and the ruine both of the People and Country drawn upon themselves and with the greatest severity executed in revenge of their Revolt The Tartars having thus successfully pacifi'd all these Troubles and Commotions could not yet be at Peace but fell again into other as great Dangers and Difficulties as the former which they brought upon themselves by their own Pride and Wantonness for in the Year 1649. the young Imperial Cham Xunchius having attain'd the Age of twelve years was desir'd by his Uncle to take to Wife the Daughter of the King of West-Tartary otherwise call'd The Kingdom of Taniju which Alliance would not only strengthen him but also would be a means to establish him in his Throne To that end one of his Uncles was sent in Embassy to the same King in which Iourney he hapned to pass through Taitung the third Chief City and call'd The Key of the Province of Xansi for it is a very strong Place and serves as a Bulwark and Defence against the Invasions of those Western Tartars into China moreover it is reported the most famous of all others for the beautiful Women which live there The Tartars who attended on this Ambassador in their Passage through this Place ravish'd and took away some of these Women and amongst the rest a Bride of great Quality as she was carried by chance through the Street to the House of her Bridegroom a thing that is held very abominable among the Inhabitants of Taitung At this time was one Kiangus a Commander in the Army Governor of that Province for the Tartars to whom the Friends and Relations of the Virgin that was carried away by force came
learn'd from an Astrologer that in time it would become rebellious unto his Empire This City being built four-square comprehendeth in circuit twenty four Miles the side of every Square or Quadrate containing six Miles It hath Walls whited over which are twenty Paces high ten in breadth but in thickness become narrower as they ascend Every Quadrature of these Walls hath three principal Gates there being twelve in all which have each a magnificent Palace built near unto them In the corners also of the Wall there are noble Towers where the Arms and Ammunition of the City are stor'd and kept There are Streets and Passages straight through the City so that there is a free Prospect from one Gate unto another most beautiful Houses being Erected on either side A little farther he saith That without the City of Cambalu there are twelve great Suburbs adjoyning unto each of the twelve Gates in which Merchants and Strangers are continually found All which are so agreeable unto the Princely City of Pequin that there is hardly any difference as Martinius relateth in Page 29. of his Atlas also the Names of the City Tadinfu Cacanfu Quelinfu Cingianfu Sianfu which also is now call'd Siganfu situate not far from the Saffron River which was taken by the Great Cham after three years Siege by the help of battering Engines as yet unknown in China which he caus'd Christian Arrizans to make This hapned Anno 1268. as Marcus Paulus Venetus who with his Father Nicolas and his Uncle that then were resident with the Emperor relateth See Marcus Paulus Venetus in his second Book Chap. 58. For Fu in the Chinesian Language signifieth nothing else but A great City and also Ceu added unto other words or Names denoteth A small or indifferent City which words are proper and known unto no other Region but only that of China Yet nothing so clearly demonstrateth China to be taken for Cathay as the Astronomical Botanical Monuments of the Persians which the Learned Iacobus Golius in his Appendix adjoin'd unto the Atlas Sinicus hath made apparent unto us from the Astronomical Tables of Nasirodim a Persian Mathematician famous throughout the whole East where you may plainly see the Cathaian Names of the twelve Hours into which the natural Day is divided amongst the Chineses or Cathaians so correspondent unto the Chinesian that they differ in nothing which is also testifi'd by as many of the Fathers of our Society as have return'd from China to Rome But that it may be more evident I shall here set down the Names The Names of the Hours into which the Natural Day is divided amongst the Chineses or Cathaians 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Cu Cheu Yin Mao Xin Su V Vi Xin Yien Sio Hai. If any one compare the Cycle of sixty Years which as Nasirodim saith the Cathaians use in the Calculation or Account of their Days Weeks and Solary Years with the Chinesian Account he shall find the mode or form of the Computation and the Names by which they call it to be wholly the same and the like we affirm concerning the Cathaian Year which they divide as also the Zodiack into twenty four Parts beginning their Year from the 15 th Degree of Aquarius But concerning this see the above-mention'd Golius in the place cited before who alledgeth Uleg Beg a Persian Astronomer for a Witness from whose Astronomical Tables he sheweth evidently whatsoever hath hitherto been deliver'd from the Harmony or Agreement of the Cathaian Calculations or which is the same that of the Chineses And I also find in the Arabian Physicians the Musk that is found in China often call'd The Musk of Cathay and also that Drink which is made of a certain Herb proper to Cathay is for the most part term'd Cha of Cathay And the Mogors which are originally Tartars and had their Descent from the Line or Stock of Cingis-Can and the other succeding potent Emperors them I say I find to be so call'd from their over-running of the Empire of China by their Historians the Chinesian-Mogulos But what he writeth concerning Quinsai a City of a wonderful and almost incredible magnitude is all found to be true at this day concerning the Metropolitan City Hancheu of which Father Martinius the Author of the excellent Atlas Sinicus thus discourseth Folio 109. That the European Cosmographers may no longer erre in making enquiry after and ridiculously delineating of Quinsai mention'd by Marcus Paulus I shall here give the very exact Portaicture of the same the Shadow of which did not appear unto the Author of the Archontologia Cosmica and if the Divine Majesty be propitious unto my Design I shall peradventure in time send over the Theatre of the Cities of China Printed by the Chineses themseves not known or seen as I suppose hitherto in Europe But to return to the Matter in hand I prove first by most invincible Arguments that this is the same City of Quinsai mention'd by Paulus Venetus for this is that City which is distant the space of five days travel from Singui that is Su Chou which holdeth good if we speak of the Progress or March of the Army in which it is manifest that MarcuS Paulus Venetus was otherwise it is scarce four days Iourney This is that City in which in his time was the Court or Imperial City of China which the Chineses in the elegant Tongue of their Learned Men term Kingsu but in the common Speech of the vulgar sort of Men who tie not up themselves unto that exactness of Phrase Kingsai whence the term of Quinsai in Venetus had its original You must here note moreover that Kingsu is a Name of Dignity common unto Regal Cities and not proper and singular unto one alone for its genuine and true signification is Regal although oftentimes the same City hath otherwise a proper Name as this City is call'd Hancheu which under the Empire of the Family of Sunga was call'd Lingan because the tenth Emperor of this Family nam'd Coacungus Kin flying from the Tartars there fix'd his Court and therefore in the time of Venetus it was call'd Kingsu whatever others think to the contrary This hapned Anno 1135. And also in the same City the Family of Sunga held the Empire until the Western Tartars under the Government of the Great Han erected the Kin Tartars or those of the East out of Cathay that is out of the Northern Provinces and so then they became vanquish'd and a little after they advanc'd their victorious Armies into the Kingdom of Mangin having begun a seizure of those Southern Provinces But to come more near to the Business This is that City which hath such a vast number of high Bridges both within its Walls and without in its Suburbs for there are almost ten thousand as Venetus reckoneth them if you account the Triumphal Arches amongst the Bridges which by reason of their similitude he might esteem for such by the
appearance unto all The Tartars formerly call'd it The Desart Belgian others sometime Samo the Chineses Kalmack others Caracathay that is Black Cathay where you shall find no other Animals but wild Bulls of a mighty bigness Yet the Tartars accustom'd to Desarts wandring to and fro pass over it at all times and there also pitch or fix their Hords where they find a Place or River commodious for the Pasturage of their Cattel their Hords are Pens or Tents fit for the receiving both of Men and Cattel From Lassa or Barantola plac'd under the Elevation of the Pole 29 Degrees and 6 Minutes they came in four Days space to the foot of the Mountain Langur now this Langur is the highest of Mountains so that on the top of it Travellers can hardly breathe by reason of the subtilty and thinness of the Air neither can they pass over it in Summer without manifest hazarding of their Lives by reason of the virulent and poisonous Exhalations of some Herbs No Wagon or Beast can pass over it by reason of the horrible great steepnesses and rocky Paths but you must travel all the Way on foot almost for a Months space even unto the City Cuthi which is the first or Chief City of the Kingdom of Necbal Now although this mountainous Tract be difficult to pass over yet Nature hath plentifully furnish'd it with variety of Waters which break forth of the hollow places of the Mountain in every part thereof These Waters are replenish'd with abundance of Fish for the Sustenance of Man and their Banks afford plenty of Pasturage for Beasts I take this to be the same Tract which Ptolemy calleth Parapanisus which being link'd in the series of the Caucasian Mountains is extended far and wide towards the East and with its Skirts toucheth the South and North. Marcus Paulus Venetus calleth it Belor others give it other Names according to the diversity of Nations through which it passeth From Cuthi in five Days passage they came to the City Nesti in the Kingdom of Necbal in which all the Natives being involv'd in the Shades of Idolatry live without any sign of the Christian Faith yet it aboundeth with all things necessary for the sustaining of Life so that thirty or forty Hens are sold for one Scutum From Nesti they came in five days Iourney to the Metropolitan City of the Kingdom of Necbal which is call'd Cadmendu and plac'd under the Elevation of the Pole 27 Degrees and 5 Minutes where there is a potent King that Ruleth and although an Heathen yet not very much averse unto the Christian Religion From Cadmendu in half a Days time they came unto a City that the Natives call Badda the Regal City of the Kingdom of Necbal From Necbal in a Iourney of five Days you meet with the City Hedonda a Colony of the Kingdom of Maranga being plac'd under the Altitude of the Pole 26 Degrees and 36 Minutes From Hedonda in eight Days space they came even to Mutgari which is the first City of the Kingdom of Mogor From Mutgari is a Voyage of ten Days space even unto Battana which is a City of Bengala towards Ganges plac'd under the Elevation of the Pole 25 Degrees and 44 Minutes From Battana in eight Days space they came to Benares a populous City on Ganges and plac'd under the Elevation of the Pole 24 Degrees and 50 Minutes It is famous for an Academy of the Brachmans which flourisheth there in which all the Sciences proper unto their Religion or rather more truly unheard-of Superstitions are taught From Benares in eleven Days space they came to Catampor and from thence in seven Days to Agran Therefore from Pekin even unto Agran was a continu'd Voyage of two hundred and fourteen Days but if you have respect to the stay of the Caravans it is a Voyage of one whole Year and about two Months And these Relations â— receiv'd by word of Mouth from the above-mention'd Fathers who perform'd the Voyage in the same manner as I have describ'd it CHAP. III. Of the various Habits Manners and Customs of the Men of those Kingdoms which were observ'd and drawn by the aforesaid Fathers Albert Dorville and Gruberus as they pass'd through them AS the Kingdoms which the afore-mention'd Fathers pass'd through by a Voyage never hitherto attempted by any European were unknown to Geographers so also did they observe many things very worthy of consideration in reference to the Habits Manners and Customs of those Nations which on purpose being deliver'd to me what by Pictures and what by Writing they left to be inserted into their Voyage perform'd which I thought fit having now an opportune and convenient time to accomplish Therefore setting forwards from Pekin the Metropolis and Imperial Seat of the Chineses they came in the space of two Months to those most famous Walls at which that vast City Siningfu is situate as it were a certain and most safe Bulwark unto the Walls against the Incursions of the Tartars where in the end of our Book we exhibit the Structure of as much of these Walls as the convenience of the Place would admit of as they were most diligently observ'd and drawn by them and they added that the Walls were of so great a breadth that six Horse-men set orderly abreast might conveniently run a Race without being an hindrance to one another whence they report that they are so frequently visited by the Citizens of Siningfu both for the enjoying of the Air which is most wholsom and which breatheth from the adjacent sandy Desarts and also because they are very opportune for the performing of many other Exercises for easing and recreating of the Mind for they are of that heighth that they easily invite the Inhabitants unto them by their Prospect which is on every side most clear and open and withal exceeding pleasant and also by reason of the great conveniency of the Stairs which give an Ascent unto them now the Longitude unto the broadest part of the Wall even unto the other Port or Gate through which they pass from the Desart unto the City Sucien is so great that it can hardly be pass'd in the space of eighteen Days which many do undertake having first obtain'd leave of the Governor of Siningfu not so much out of any necessity of Trafficking or Merchandise as led by a certain Curiosity and withal being sufficiently furnish'd with Provision for they say that the innumerable Habitations which are within the Wall appear from thence as from an high Mountain but without in the adjacent Desart as the Inhabitants related unto them by word of Mouth they may recreate themselves with the wonderful and unwonted sight as it were from an high Tower of all kinds of wild Beasts such as are Tygers Lions Elephants Rhinoceroses wild Bulls Monoceroses that is a certain kind of Horn'd Asses and all the while being free and out of all danger more especially from that part of the Wall which
At length I return'd to Sfahanum and here remain ready to fulfil the Commands of your Reverend Fatherhood But doth your Reverend Fatherhood in the mean while publish nothing to the World Such a Tree ought to bear some Fruit. Besides two Books that you were pleas'd to send me some Years since nothing else hath arriv'd at my Hands I have here Compos'd some Treatises about the Controversies of the Law in particular An Answer to the Polisher of the Looking-glass I know no Person that can better manage this Business at Rome than your Reverend self whom I beseech to render me more certain whether such Books can be Printed there but I much question whether any one can be found that will be at the Charge yet in this matter I shall determine nothing but what my Superiors shall ordain To conclude The least of your Reverend Fatherships Servants onely more especially requesteth this That you would retain this my Epistle by you for a Memorial and that you would not be unmindful of me in your Holy Sacrifices Dated near Xaxan about the time of the Festival of Saint Francis Xavier CHAP. V. The Voyage perform'd by Marcus Paulus Venetus and Haython the Armenian into Cathay or China SEeing none of the Ancients have describ'd the Kingdoms of the utmost Confines of the East more fully than Marcus Paulus Venetus therefore I esteem'd it my Duty to say somewhat of his Voyage into Cathay at this time having so fit an opportunity although there do many things occur which are neither apprehended nor understood at this very Day by any Geographer by reason of the variety of Names by which he calleth Kingdoms Provinces Cities Mountains Rivers and Lakes and that differently from all others and also by reason of the Description of some Cities which consent not with the modern Geography Moreover Marcus Paulus being ignorant of the use of the Globe hence it came to pass that he setteth not down the Longitude and Latitude of any City from which knowledge alone the true Situation of Places is found But now let us come to relate his Voyage Anno 1269. being Emperor of Constantinople two famous Persons of the Illustrious Family of the Paulini Nicolas and Matthew Citizens of Venice set forwards unto Constantinople in a Ship fraighted with divers Commodities where having a little refresh'd themselves and committing themselves to the Euxine Sea they arriv'd with prosperous Winds at a Port of Armenia call'd Soldadia Now what this Port of Soldadia is we have not hitherto found out I interpret it to be Trapezonmet seeing that there is no Port of the Armenians nearer the Euxine Sea neither can we discover what the Kingdom of Bartza is From the Kingdom of Bartza they came by great windings and turnings of the Land unto the City of Bochara situate on the River Oxus in the Kingdom of Usbeck where great Wars arising between the King of Bartza and the Tartars they were much perplex'd and ignorant which way to take to return into their own Country but at last upon serious Consideration and Advice they remain'd there full three years and that they might not spend their time idly in that space they apply'd themselves with all their endeavor to the attaining of the Tartarian Tongue While Affairs were in this Condition an Ambassador came to Bochara to Treat with the Great Emperor of Tartary where when he had found these fore-mention'd Persons he us'd his utmost Endeavors both in reference unto their great and noted Behaviour and the Tartarian Tongue in which they were excellently accomplish'd to have them with him in his Return to the Great Cham to whom he knew they would be very acceptable therefore they relying on the Advice of the Ambassador after the Travel of several Months made their appearance before the Great Cham. He first of all admiring the Countenance and Behavior of these Europeans and also being led with a curiosity of understanding the Affairs of Europe was wholly intent upon the discovery of the Mode and Form of the Government of the Occidental Regions enquiring of them concerning the Pope the Emperor and the Rites of the whole Empire as well those that are observ'd in Peace as War Unto which when they had prudently reply'd they so far wrought upon the Emperor that entring into Counsel with his Nobles he concluded upon sending an Ambassador to the Pope of Rome which he thought fit in his Name to impose on these Paulini whose Faith and Sincerity he had now sufficiently try'd and together with them he sent a Golden Table and Letters in which he requested his Holiness would send him an hundred Persons conspicuous both for Learning and Wisdom to instruct his Subjects in the Christian Faith which he said was the best and most pure of all others Wherefore these Persons having receiv'd their Embassy immediately set forward on their Voyage having this Golden Table which was Seal'd with the Seal of the Great Cham and also having his Letters in which he commanded all his Subjects to receive them with all Honor and Affection and discharge them of all Customs and Tribute Thus they follow'd on their Iourney by the great assistance of the Golden Table and after the space of some Months came at length to Balzra a Port of the Armenians now what this Port was whether on the Caspian or Euxine Sea I have not as yet found it is most probable to be the Port of Trapezonment plac'd in a Corner of the Euxine Sea for from this Port within a few Months Anno 1272. they came to Ancona which could not be perform'd from the Caspian Sea by reason of the great space of Land and Regions interjoin'd Moreover having return'd unto Ancona whence they departed the report of the death of Clement the Fourth being nois'd abroad and no other as yet plac'd in the Apostolical Seat being destitute of Advice they were not a little disturb'd and setting forward unto Venice to visit their native Soil they heard of the Election of a new Pope Here Nicolas found his Wife whom he had left great with Child at his departure to be dead having left behind her Marcus a Son of fifteen years of Age who afterwards became the Companion of his Father into those remote Regions of Asia which his Father had before travell'd unto and also was the Author and Writer of this Geographical History Wherefore a new Pope being chosen and nam'd Gregory the Tenth Rudulphus being Emperor by the unanimous Approbation of the Cardinals they return to Ancona having deliver'd the Letters of the Great Cham together with the Presents to the Pope with which he being mov'd and greatly rejoycing that he had a fit opportunity offer'd him for the Propagation of the Gospel â—e return'd a Literal Missive unto the Great Cham in which all things were contain'd that might seem necessary to instruct them better in the Christian Religion and render the mind of the Great Cham more flexible and yielding unto
South there are innumerable Islands of the Sea In which words he so describeth Cathay or China that he differeth in nothing from the modern Situation the Customs of the Nations and other things proper unto China CHAP. VI. Of the Introduction of the Christian Faith into the foremention'd Kingdoms of Tartary and Cathay by the now alledg'd Voyages SEeing that in all the foremention'd Voyages we at all times meet with the mention of the Christians the Reader ought not to doubt but that the Evangelical Doctrine of the Christian Law hath been introduc'd into the utmost Kingdoms of the East from the very first Times of the Primitive Church either by the Apostles themselves or by their Disciples or their Successors in the Apostolical Function which that it may appear more plainly I am resolv'd to treat of the Apostolical Expeditions of all Ages into these Kingdoms and although I have in the former Part of this Book treated of the Expedition of St. Thomas into India and the neighboring Kingdoms yet I shall here demonstrate how by the Assistance and Labors of St. Thomas as also of St. Philip Bartholomew Thadeus and other Apostles the Holy Gospel was propagated in the Kingdom of the Mediterranean India to the utmost Bounds of Tartary Which whilst I perform I must acknowldge that I receiv'd no small Light from the excellent Father Henry Rho who hath travell'd almost throughout all India for being sent from Goa into the Kingdom of the Moguâ— to Dalcan which is now call'd The Kingdom of Visiapour having pass'd over the Mountain Gati he came to Golconda and thence into Montipur and thence by a direct Voyage to Bengala and the Kingdom of Decanum and from hence in a straight Path to the Court of the Mogor in the City of Agra What Rarities and Curiosities he observ'd in so great a Voyage he will publish to the World in due time in his itinerary Discoursing concerning the Kingdom of Narsinga and those so celebrated Relicks of St. Thomas at Meliapor he saith That amongst other things which the Christians reserve in their Library unto this Day there is the Voyage of St. Thomas which that holy Apostle undertook from Iudea into India preserv'd and that he hath it Translated out of the Syriack into the Latin Tongue which when I earnestly requested he freely assented to my Desire and it is as followeth In the general distribution of the Globe of the Earth made by the Apostles at Hierusalem for the propagation of the Divine Gospel it is manifest from Ecclesiastical History that India fell unto the lot of St. Thomas unto which that he might arrive he thus began his Voyage From Iudea having pass'd through Syria Armenia and Mesopotamia he came unto a certain City of Persia which is call'd Soldania where having sow'd the Seed of the Gospel he reap'd a large Harvest of Christian Converts Hence he pass'd through the Kingdom of Candahar and Cabul which is 40 Lucae distant from Candahar now Cabul is also call'd Galabor by which the Holy Apostle pass'd over high Mountains unto the Region call'd at this Day by the Moors Gavorstan that is The Region of Infidels for so they term the Christians which continue there unto this very Day The Christians are call'd The Christians of St. Thomas they are naturally defended or fortifi'd by most high Mountains so that there is no easie Passage to them although sometimes some Saracens pass unto them who are presently stain out of an hatred â—f their perfidious Sect but the Gentiles or Heathens are receiv'd And although these Christians observe various Rites of the Christian Religion as that they imprint a â—hree-fold Cross on their Foreheads and Temples which is done or depicted by an Indian herb â—r Weed call'd Santalis of a red Colour and that in Baptism they dip their Children in Water yet notwithstanding it hath so hapned in process of time that the Church growing full of Brambles for want of Apostolical Men Christianity is much wasted and decay'd some small sparks of the Christian Faith only remaining for the whole Nation is defil'd with the various Superstitions and Blemishes of Error Father Nicholas Trigautius in the Voyage undertaken by Benedict Goes into Cathay farther confirmeth it in these words Afterwards they came into another Town nam'd Passaur where they met a certain Anchorite by whom they understood that thirty Days Iourney thence was a City of the Christians nam'd Caphurstan into which there was no Passage admitted unto the Saracens and those that approach thereunto suffer Death yet the Heathen Merchants are not prohibited the entrance of their Cities but are only excluded or debarr'd admission to their Temples He farther related That all the Inhabitants of that Region go to Church Apparell'd in Black that the Land is fruitful and that there are plenty of Vines found there Which Narration caus'd a suspicion in him that without question there was yet the Habitation of Christians although much degenerated which he had also confirm'd by report elsewhere This was also so manifest unto others of our Fathers the Propagators of the Christian Faith in the Kingdom of the Mogul that no Person from henceforwards ought to doubt of the same whence unto this very Day they are call'd The Christians of St. Thomas and questionless they had long since been gather'd into the Church of Christ if there had not wanted Laborers Moreover St. Thomas is said to have departed from Caphurstan unto to the lesser Guzarata not far from the Kingdom of Casmir of which we have treated above which is situate distant from Labor three Days Voyage towards the North and thence he is said to have the Mountains of Thebet in a long compass of the Land towards Bengala through the Kingdom of Decan to have arriv'd at Meliapor It is certainly related that Letters written in the Syriack Tongue on a most ancient Parchment are yet preserv'd in the Library or Repository of the Church of Meliapor in which St. Thomas is said to have convocated the Bishops Consecrated by him in the aforesaid Kingdom that is from Candahar Cabul Caphurstan the lesser Guzarata and the other adjoining Provinces unto the Council of Meliapor which if it be so it is very much to be lamented that there have no Persons been found who might have translated a Treasury of so great Ecclesiastical Antiquity into Latin But however this be Origen and Eusebius write That St. Thomas first went and Preach'd to the Parthians and Gregory Nazianzen delivereth in his Homily against the Arrians that he Preach'd to the Indians Theodoret consenteth unto these that the Preaching and receiving of the Gospel amongst the Parthians Persians Medes Brachmans Indians and the bordering Nations ought to be ascrib'd unto St. Thomas And Nicephorus also relateth that he came unto Tapraban now call'd Sumatra which seeing it is not remote from the Empire of China it cannot but appear very probable to any one that he visited China also in his own Person any
certain mode of a Trinity in which they feign three Gods at length to co-unite into one Deity Of this also the Spanish Epistles make mention in these words They had notice of the Gospel because in the Province of Peking amongst other Idols there is the Figure of a Man which hath three Heads and they look one towards the other and the Chineses say That it signifies that all three of them have but one Will and Desire And a little after he saith There is another Image of the Figure of a Woman with a Child in her Arms. Father Martin Martinius reporteth That he hath seen in many Images the Prints or Footsteps of the Christian Faith in the Province of Fokien And he also asserteth That he beheld ancient Crosses and the Image of the Blessed Virgin embracing her Son which are now to be seen in our Church Now we may piously suppose these to be the Relicks of St. Thomas the Apostle or of some later Propagators of the Gospel and it is more probable that Idols had their original from the Persians Medes and the Indian Philosophers Heirs of the Egyptians amongst whom it was a peculiar Property to make many Statues to signifie the Effects of one thing They continually shave their Heads that give themselves up unto Contemplation on Mountains and in Caves Their Temples are so full of Idols made of Brass Marble Wood and Clay that you would take them of Egyptian Chappels The third Opinion of the Prophane Religion call'd Lanzu answereth to the Plebeians and Egyptian Magicians and had its original from a certain Philosopher who flourish'd at the same time with Confutius they feign that his Mother bare him eighty years in her Womb wherefore he was call'd Lanzu that is The Old Philosopher This Opinion promiseth Paradise unto those that are made up of Soul and Body and they hang up in their Temple the Effigies of certain Persons whom they fable to have soar'd up unto the Heavens they prescribe Methods of Exercises to attain the same which consist in vâ—rious Rites and certain Prayers also in Potions by which and with the favor of the Gods they promise a long Life It is the peculiar Office of the Priests of this Sect by impious Prayers to Exorcise Devils out of Houses which they attempt by affixing on the Walls the horrid shapes of Daemons delineated with Black on yellow Paper then they fill the Houses with such strange Cries that themselves seem to be Furies They also promise to fetch down Showers in a Drought to stop great Rains and to avert Private or Publick Misfortunes And these are the three chief Heads of the Opinions of these Idolaters but the subtlety of these Masters have wrought them into so many Meanders that they seem scarcely to be numbred and the incredible number of Images sufficiently shew the same which they do not only expose often to be ador'd in their Temples but also in each private Dwelling a Place is deputed for them and in the Market the Streets their Ships and Palaces they are first obvious to the sight wherein they imitate the Egyptians who were infamous for all sorts of Idols But to clear this First as the Egyptians and Grecians believ'd certain Deities to preside over the Universe so unto these do the Chineses build mystical Temples these they after the manner of the Egyptians pacifie and attract with various Rites and Ceremonies The second Argument that the Religion of the Chineses was borrow'd or deriv'd from the Egyptians is so manifest that no Person can in the least doubt or question the same and it is this That unto this very Day there are found Temples Dedicated unto Mars Venus Fortune Peace the Oreades or Nymphs of the Mountains and other Gods common both to the Grecians and Egyptians as the Ichnography of the Metropolitan City of Nanking in China no less elegantly than exactly Imprinted on Chinesian Silk by our Fathers and sent from China to Rome some years since will sufficiently prove which I have here adjoin'd as I Copied it with great fidelity to demonstrate the great Affinity that there was between the Chinesian Grecian and Egyptian Religions The Temples of the Chinesian Gods THE Temple of the Dragon of the Sea or Typhon The Temple of the Queen of Heaven Dedicated to the Moon The Temple Dedicated to Heaven The Temple Dedicated to Daemons and Spirits The Temple Dedicated to Mountains and Rivers that is to the Oreades and Nereiades The Temple of a Grateful Mind The Temple Dedicated to the Planet Mars The Temple Dedicated to the President of the Walls The Temple Dedicated to Good Peace The Temple Dedicated to the Spirit of Medicine Aesculapius or Apollo The Temple Dedicated to the President of the Woods or Diana The Altar of Heaven The Altar of the Earth Ceres The Altar of the God of Rain The Altar of the King of Birds These are so agreeable to the Grecian and Egyptian Deities that all their Idolatry seemeth to have made a Voyage thence into China The third Argument is That besides their Letters in which they come very near the Hieroglyphicks of the Egyptians as I have shew'd in the second Part of my Oedipus they have the same Ceremonies 'T is receiv'd for Truth on all hands That the Egyptians always ador'd the Figures of the Pyramids with a certain Divine Honor the Tracts of which sort of Worship continue in China for they have also Pyramids which they call Chinees and hold them in so great Veneration that no Person dares undertake any thing till such time as he hath perform'd his Devotion there I shall alledge Petrus Iarricus as a Witness of this Matter who in the fifth Book of his Indian History publish'd in French Chap. 51. speaking of them hath these words following Besides these Wooden Idols there are others which they call Chinees made for Workmanship in the fashion of Pyramids within which there is a certain kind of white Ants or Emmets which discover not themselves without but have their little Cabbins or Lodges within so that none know from whence they receive their nourishment The Idolaters stand much in fear of these Chinees insomuch that when they buy a Slave they first bring him before some one of these Pyramids with a Wine-Offering or other things which they Present unto it supplicating the Idol that if he should run away he would cause the Serpents Lizards and Tygers to kill and devour him whereupon the poor Slaves are so fearful that although they are ill us'd by their Masters yet do they never presume to forsake them From which it is apparent that the Chineses borrow'd all these Fopperies from the Egyptians Persians and others who as I have shewn in my Oedipus worshipp'd a Stone or Rock terminated in a Cone or a Pyramid in stead of a Deity but for the Novizonian Pyramids hear Father Martinius who in his Atlas fol. 57. thus describeth them In the Province of Foquien saith he are
589939 5084015 1929057 4770 3544850 420000 3. The Kingdom of Xensi 831051 3934176 2812119 9218 1514749  4. Xantung hath six Metropolitan Cities and ninety two others subject to them 770555 6759675 2414477 54990 3824290  5. The Province of Honan hath eight Metropolitan Cities and a hundred others subject to them 589296 5106270 6106960 9959 2288744  6. The Province of Sucheu 464129 2204170 2167559 6339  149177 7. Huquang hath fifteen Metropolitan Cities 531686 4833590 1616600 17977   8. Kiangsi hath thirteen Metropolitan Cities and sixty two others under them 1363629 6549800 5995034 11516   9. Nanking or Quiang hath fourteen Metropolitan Cities and under them a hundred others 1969116 9967429 2510299 28452 5804217 5808217 10. Chekiang hath eleven great Cities and sixty two others subject unto them It abounds in Silk 1242135 4525470 883115 2574 8704491 44476◠11. Fokien hath eight Metropolitan Cities and unto them forty eight others 509200 1802677 1017772 600   12. Quantung vulgarly Canton hath ten Metropolitan Cities unto which are subject seventy three 483360 1978022 1017772   37380 13. Quangsi hath twelve Metropolitan Cities and subject to these above a hundred others 186719 1054760 431359    14. Queicheu hath eight Metropolitan Cities and to these ten other are subject 45305 231365 47658   56965 15. Iunnan hath twelve Metropolitans and underthem eighty four Cities 132958 1433110 1400568    CHAP. III. Of the Cities of China and the Customs of the Inhabitants FAther Martinius Samedus Trigautius and Gruberus Eye-witnesses relate That the Empire of China is so full of Inhabitants the Towns and Villages so contiguous that did the Wall reach the South Sea it might deservedly be term'd but one City but there are Metropolitans and Chief Cities of Provinces to the number of a hundred and fifty and of those of the inferior rank a thousand two hundred sixty two all fortifi'd with Walls Works and Trenches besides there are Castles corporation-Corporation-Towns Villages and Granges without number The Cities for the most part are built four-square Their Houses generally are Wood and not above one Story poor and rude without but within very splendid each House is bound to affix a Shield upon the Door containing the number of Inhabitants and of what Condition each Person is to the end the Mandorins may know how many Persons every City contains for the avoiding of Seditions and to gather in the Revenues by which means it cannot be thought strange that if Foreiners come into China they are discover'd their Landlords being oblig'd under the infliction of a severe Penalty not to conceal them The Mechanick Arts are in great esteem amongst them and they so manage them that they suffer not the vilest Dross to perish but convert it to some Gain The Learned apply themselves unto no other Sciences but Politick and Moral They know not the Name of the Scholastick and Speculative Discipline which is wonderful in a Nation that aboundeth with Ingenious Persons yet their Physicians by Tradition are endow'd with an admirable knowledge of the Palsie by which with incredible Industry they find out the most Latent Causes of Diseases and then apply for Cure their proper Remedies But in the Arts anvil'd out by modern Curiosity as Architecture Sculpture and Weaving if you except the knowledge of Proportions and the Opticks they come not behind the Europeans For their other Acquirements see what I have said in the preceding Discourse and he that desireth more full Information may have recourse to the above-cited Authors CHAP. IV. Of the Mountains of China and the stupendious Prodigies of Nature which are observ'd in them ALthough in this Empire Mountains are so numerous yet the greatest are the continual Theme and Argument of their Studies for what our Astrologers perform by the Celestial Houses they make out by the Terrestrial Hills But amongst their many Enquiries by Terrene Calculations after their good and bad Fortunes there is nothing they more labor in than the Business of their Sepulture about which they spare no Cost or Pains not only observing with no small scrutiny the Summits Tops and Superficies but also making subtle Inspections into the very Bowels of the Mountains to find a fortunate Spot of Ground which they fancy to resemble the Head Tail or Heart of the Dragon which done they joyfully conclude they have found a Place in which the Person Interr'd shall be happy and his Posterity successful which Opinion I believe to have been inculcated by some grave Philosopher to advance a filial Piety to the deceased Parents and more special care of the honor of Funerals Now the Mountains of China are for the most part encompass'd with great Villages pleasant for most beautiful Sepulchral Monuments Chases and Groves and a waving Sea of Rice makes them like a Plain which when Groves and Woods do smile with their Summer Attire renders a most pleasant Prospect the Chappels plac'd on them excelling for Magnitude and Splendor there are also the Monasteries of the Priests but yet in the thick and overgrown Woods liveth a barbarous Nation not yet subjected to the Chineses Many things are observ'd in these Mountains which if true may be deservedly accounted amongst the Miracles of Nature Some by reason of their immense heighth have a perpetual Serenity on their Tops others are cover'd with a continual dark Mantle of ambient thick Mists there are some which triumph only with wholsom Plants exiling all venomous Weeds In the Mountain Queyu both small and great Stones are found in a cubical or four-square Figure which are also in one of the Mountains of Calabria of which we have treated in our Book of the Subterranean World The Mountain Paoki in the Province of Xensi hath the Figure of a Cock who on the approach of a Storm sendeth forth such Murmurs and Rorings as may be heard at a great distance and Olaus Magnus in his History of the Northern Reigons saith That such monstrous Sounds happen in the Mountains of the Botnick Sea That is also worthy of admiration which the Chinesian Oreoscopists relate concerning the Mountain Cio That on the top of it there is a Stone five Perches high and another also in the Kingdom of Fokien which as often 〈◊〉 a Storm is near tottereth and is moved hither and thither as Cypress 〈◊〉 shaken by the Winds There is another Mountain continually cover'd with Frost the cause of which may be conjectur'd to be the Nitrous Spirits which the Mountain together with the Vapors of the Watry Receptacles therein laid up perspireth There is a Mountain in the Province of Kiangsi which hath two Tops the uppermost of which resembles a Dragon seeming to stoop fiercely at the lower Spire which appeareth like a Rampant Tyger from whose various Aspects the Priests make many Rules of Divination for their Disciples Another Mountain by its seven tops configureth the seven Stars in the Constellation of the Greater Bear But the
thing Amongst other Martial Commanders and Governors of Provinces that had the Conduct of these Armies there was a certain Woman who may very justly be call'd The Chinese Amazon for she came with three thousand Men out of Suchue which is the furthermost Province of China toward the West and shew'd by her Courage a manly Heart and she fought several Battels successfully against the Tartars having always the better of them In remembrance of whose good Services the Emperor conferr'd several Titles of Honor upon her And now at last the Emperor Thienkius being come in Person into his Army in Leaotung and having in manner afore-mention'd taken care to have it fully supply'd with all convenient Necessaries drew up the same in Battel-aray and on a sudden fell furiously upon the Tartars beat them out of the Field and recover'd the whole Province with less difficulty than was suppos'd or expected in regard the Inhabitants who had been miserably handled by the Tartars joyn'd with their Country-men the Emperor's Forces by which addition being come far more numerous than the Enemy and having advantage of revenge they fell upon them with great rage and fury stirr'd up thereto by having before their Eyes the lamentable Condition into which they had brought their Country by Fire and Sword And to say all in a word it was their good fortune that at this time the King of Ninche was so unfortunate that the Mutinies of his own Subjects at home hindred him from recruiting his Army which in divers great Battels had been much wasted and he could get no Forces from thence to re-inforce himself so that at last being every where worsted by the Emperor's Supplies the incroaching Ninchean was fain to save himself by flight and to leave the Province of Leaotung to the conquering Sword of its just and lawful Emperor CHAP. XIX Of the last Chinese and Tartar War wherein the Tartars over-ran and conquer'd the whole Empire of China ALthough by the means mention'd in the last Chapter the Chinese Empire was a while freed from the fury and destroying Sword of the wasting Tartars yet it was not long before it fell into far greater Troubles than ever by those their old Enemies who once more renew'd the War and never left it off till they had brought under the whole Empire The manner as followeth The Chineses suspecting the return of the Tartars after that they had quieted their domestick Troubles and setled their Affairs in the mean time took care to supply the Frontier Places with strong Garrisons and raise more Forces for the security of their State which was scarcely perform'd before it hapned as they imagin'd for the Troubles and Mutinies being appeas'd in Ninche that King returns with a mighty Army into the West of Leaotung having given order to seventy thousand Horse whom he sent before to block up the Chief City of Leaoyang assuring them he himself would follow with the main of his Army These Horsemen to shew their Courage and Valour no sooner approach'd but they Storm'd the City and in two days time became Masters of it before their King came up to them with his Forces There waâ— no Courage wanting on either side for it was manfully fought out by both till at least thirty thousand Men were kill'd on the part of the Chineses and no less on that of the Tartars wo had never lost so many Men before in any one Fight in this Quarrel yet at last they took the City not so much by their own Strength as Treachery hatch'd within it for they had Brib'd one of the Commanders with Money and promise of Preferment to set open the Gate committed to his Charge which he performing according to the Agreement the Tartar came rushing into the City and won the same in the space of a few hours laying it level with the Ground in a most miserable manner The Tutang or Governor having understood the Treason took it so much to heart that he hang'd himself presently that he might not live to see the ruine and desolation that was coming upon the City and its Inhabitants The Emperor 's chief Councellor had undoubtedly follow'd his Example and undergone the same Fate had he not been prevented by the Tartars who took him and sav'd his Life only out of design that he should be serviceable unto them in discovering the Condition of the Country But he not valuing his Life scorn'd to give the Title of KING to the Tartar and would in no wise be persuaded to falsifie the Oath and betray the Trust reposed in him by the Emperor The Tartars wondring at the Courage Stability and Constancy of this Man gave him afterwards both his Life and Liberty thereby to let the World know that they understood how to reward Vertue and Integrity But he more cruel to himself than the Enemy knowing very well what Reward according to the Chinese Law would fall to his share depriv'd himself at last of his own Life which his Enemy had spar'd by following the Example of the fore-mention'd Tutang for it is a known Law and Custom in China though very unreasonable That all Generals and Commanders of Forts and Garrisons though they behave themselves never so well if they come off unfortunately forfeit their Lives when they return home The Tartars after the taking and destroying of this City immediately issu'd out a Proclamation That the Inhabitants of no City should sâ—ffer any Damage either in Life or Estate if they would cut off their Hair leaving only a single Lock behind and pull out all the Hair of their Beards except their Mustachio's and likewise go Cloth'd after the Tartar Fashion Although this Command was strict yet it carried with it some shew of Favor and consequently gain'd a kind of Love until the Tartars by some barbarous Acts they committed afterwards were very much hated and abominated The Story goes thus There being at that time several Merchants come to the City with Commodities from other Parts of Chiâ—a to Trade withal the Tartar at their Request gave them free leave to go and come whereupon these innocent People not apprehending the dangerous mischief that was design'd against them departed with their Riches and Goods But they were hardly got three Miles out of the City when the Tartars lying in wait for them fell upon and kill'd them every one taking as free Plunder all they had which they brought with them into the City triumphantly as if it had been the Spoil of an open Enemy Which barbarous usage being heard of occasion'd a great amazement amongst the Inhabitants who knew no other but that they might be serv'd every moment after the same manner But notwithstanding all their salvage cruelty they were at present necessitated to make a halt in regard of the great loss they had sustain'd before this City of Leaoyang nor durst they venture to march further up into the Country or lay Siege to any Place of importance till they had
first recruited themselves for they found all the Frontier Towns and Places of Strength well fortifi'd and guarded Amongst all other Chinese Commanders who signaliz'd themselves in shewing their Courage in their Countries behalf against the Enemy was one Maovenlung who did very great execution upon them in several Encounters He was a Native of the Province of Quantung where he had learn'd and understood in his Conversation amongst the Portuguese at Macao several things concerning their Military Discipline From thence he had likewise brought with him several great Guns which he purchased out of a Netherland Ship that was cast away there and those he Planted upon the Walls of the Chief City of Ningyven The Eastern part of Leaotung and the Chief City of Leaoyang being thus lost in this new made Chief City there hapned to be at the same time the Tutang or Vice-Roy of Leaotung with the whole Chinese Army The Tartars having many times had trial to their sorrow and cost of the Courage of this Maovenlung having often been routed by him durst not adventure any further to Cope with him in an honorable way but bethought themselves of some Stratagem or politick Device whereby to wound the Integrity and Vertue of this brave Person and they suppos'd the best means to assail him with would be fair words and high Promises Wherefore to put in execution this their Design they offer'd him by a private Letter which they caus'd cunningly to be deliver'd to him half the Empire of China if he would desert his natural Prince with the Flower of his Army and help them to conquer the Empire But Maovenlung who would neither forfeit his Honor nor Oath courageously refus'd these high Offers and return'd for Answer That he had rather lose his Life than betray his Prince and Country The Tartars finding that this Plot of theirs would take no effect and that the Chineses had well provided against their coming resolv'd to desist and to make no further progress in the present War which wholly ceased till the Year 1625. when suddenly it breaking forth again they came and besieg'd the Chief City of Ningyven This greatly startled the Chineses who thought they had overcome the greatest difficulty and danger But Maovenlung came time enough to the rescue and relief of this Place and fell so furiously upon the Besiegers that they were forc'd to raise their Siege with the loss of at least ten thousand Men that were slain upon the Spot amongst whom fell the King 's own Son whose Death was so highly resented by the surviving Tartars that they in a great rage and madness made over the Ice for it was in Winter and getting into the Island of Theyoven whereof they quickly made themselves Masters they put every living Creature they found to the Sword which were a very great number in revenge of the young Prince which having done they immediately left the Province of Leaotung and retreated into their own Country not with an intention to be quiet but only to recruit themselves with more Forces and then to return again at a convenient time And hereupon follow'd a Cessation of Arms till the Year 1627. when the Chinese Emperor Thienkius hapned to die being but a young Man whose Death prov'd to be the loss of all China although the Tartar King of Ninche call'd Thienning who had destroy'd so many thousands of People by Fire and Sword did not long survive but as an Attendant on his Corps died the same Year Thienkius was succeeded by his Brother who was very unfortunate in all his Undertakings and at length through the treachery of his Subjects had both an unfortunate Reign and Death as by the remaining part of the History will appear The Tartar King Thienning had for his Successor in the Throne his Son Thientung who quickly chang'd the salvage and barbarous Manners and Customs us'd by his tyrannizing Father insomuch that he did not pursue the Chineses so fiercely but began to treat them with more Civility which produc'd a very great Change and caus'd all his Affairs to become more acceptable And certainly this prudent and politick Prince had effected great things had he not been cut off by an untimely Death his mildness having gotten so great renown withal that the Council who had made choice of him thought themselves happy in the Change and withal learn'd from him by Example that the Chineses would sooner be reduc'd and brought under their Government by Clemency and Civility than by force of Arms. In this Year 1627. the Commanders and Officers of General Maovenlung who by reason of the quietness of the Tartars had no Enemy to Encounter began much to molest and be injurious to their Friends and Allies of Coreâ— by making Inroads and Incursions upon them nay by degrees they grew so very insolent and troublesom to all Parts adjoining to their Quarters especially the Inhabitants of the Province of Hienkien who were so intolerably oppress'd by their Rapines that out of revenge and hatred they put themselves under the Protection of the Tartar advising him to re-invade and fall into China with a mighty Army which he not willing to let slip so fair an opportunity immediately did so that a very great Army was in the Field ready to assail the Chinese Forces before they had any thoughts of an Enemy and when they least dream'd of their coming who by this means lying carelesly dispers'd up and down in the Provinces were soon destroy'd Maovenlung however rallied and by the addition of some new Leavies and Recruits being grown into a strong Body he fought several doubtful Battels with the Tartars but they at last growing superior to him in Strength and number Maovenlung the Chinese General was constrain'd to quit the Field with the gross of his Army Yet neither the loss of the Army nor greatness of the Victory obtain'd by the Tartars did make any great impression upon the Chineses nor indeed were they troubled at it when they understood that their General had sav'd himself out of the Island of Corea But the Ninchean Commanders imagining that those of that Place had been instrumental in helping to convey the General Maovenlung away with their Army fell into it plundering the Inhabitants and ruining the Country by Fire and Sword This Act was highly disapprov'd of by the Tartar King himself because it stirr'd up the King of Corea to Arm against him and joyn his Forces with those of the Chineses which Maovenlung had been gathering together and with them was marching towards Corea to revenge himself upon the Tartars The Tartars having thus inhumanely and without reason turn'd their Arms upon the Countries of Corea were setting forward with their Army against the Royal City thereof and were arriv'd at the beginning of the Mountains through which the Way runs to the City being about seven Miles from the same Here the King of Corea in the narrow Way had pitch'd to receive them and the Tartars being eager to