Design and that in taking accurate Maps and Sketches not onely of the Countreys and Towns but also of Beasts Birds Fishes and Plants and other Rarities never divulged as I am informed heretofore But now to remove some Obstructions and to clear the way that Posterity may not be bereav'd of the Fruit of these my Endeavors I find my self highly necessitated to relate what passed in this Undertaking with as much candour and brevity as the Work may possibly require But before I engage my self it seems also not amiss to set forth briefly the Division of the universal Globe and likewise the Etymology or Derivation of the word China the Condition of the Soil and the Extent thereof and lastly the ten Provinces of the fifteen into which that County divides it self and the Towns and Cities through which we did not pass The Terraqueous Globe comprehending Sea and Land Rivers and Lakes stands divided by modern Geographers into two Semi-Orbs viz. the Old and New World The Old contains Europe Asia and Africa the New America not much less in Extent to all those vast Regions discovered before named so from Americus Vesputius a Florentine but indeed first found out by Christopher Columbus a Genoese furnished out for so great an Expedition by Ferdinand and Isabel King and Queen of Castile and Aragon in the Year 1492. But five years after Americus Voyaging made his Approaches higher into those unknown Confines and so got by a lucky Hit or something in his Name the Honor of Denomination of the Moiety of the World from the prime Discoverer to whom so great a Glory belonged since vulgarly called The West-Indies not improperly the East being by Sea found by us about the same time Under our new World may also be comprised those vast Southern Coasts and Straights of Magellan first lighted on by Ferdinandus Magellanus in the Year 1520. in his Circumnavigation of the Universe which forty five years after Sir Francis Drake and next Sir Thomas Bendish Englishmen made a farther Inspection into and in the Year 1600. Oliver van Noord a Hollander pass'd but of later years a Spaniard Ferdinand de Quier out-shot them all by a more ample Discovery than all the former Asia not to make mention of any other Divisions of the World being impertinent to the following Discourse stands bounded on the North by the Tartarick Sea on the East with the great Indian Ocean called Eous and on the South with the same on the West with the Arabian Gulph and the Slip of Land situated betwixt this Gulph and the Mediterranean Sea the Extent of which from the Hellespont as far as Mallassa the utmost Town of Traffick in India consists of 1300 Dutch Miles the breadth from the Arabian Gulph to the Cape of Tabin 1220 Dutch Miles All Asia which the Ancients divide into Asia the Great and Asia the Less modern Computors part into five Divisions Persia the Turkish Empire India to which they cast in the adjacent Isles Tartary and China What concerns the Name of China or the farther part of Asia much Time and Pains have been spent and taken by several Historians both old and new as also by the Natives of the Countrey and Foreiners to give the true Derivation thereof and the several Names by which China has been formerly call'd to whom I shall refer my self to satisfie the curiosity of the Reader in this particular That these are the People whom Ptolemy calls Chineses both the Constitution of the Countrey and the Name by which it is known at this time may suffice to prove the truth thereof for that which in Spanish is writ China in Italian is called Cina in High-Dutch Tschina and in Low Dutch and Latin Sina The difference in the pronunciation of the word China and Sina betwixt us and the Spaniards is not much but in regard it falls somewhat hard to those People to pronounce the Ch they therefore make use of the Greek Letter χ. The Tartars call this Kingdom Catay and sometimes Mangin but this Name rather denotes the Inhabitants themselves then the Countrey for Mangin signifies in their Language a wild and unciviliz'd People and with this word the Tartars often deride the Chineses This Countrey was likewise formerly called Catay by Marcus Panwelz a Venetian who was the first Discoverer thereof in part But the most known Name by which that Kingdom is call'd at present by those of Europe is China The reason why that Kingdom has been called by so many several Names may be supposed to be this from an ancient Custom observed amongst them That whosoever gets the Sovereignty over them Presents the Kingdom with a new Name according to his pleasure Amongst the rest we read that formerly this farther part of Asia or China was called Thau Yu Tha Sciam Cheu as also Han Thau which signifies Boundless broad Yu Rest Tha Great Sciam Curious Cheu Perfect Han The Milky-Way Long before the Conquest of China by the Tartars in their last Invasion and the Deposing of the Emperor of China viz. when the Sovereignty of the Kingdom was in the Family of Ciu China was called by the Chineses Min which signifies Perspicuity or Brightness Afterwards they added to the word Min the syllable Ta and called it then Tamin or as some write Taming which signifies The Kingdom of great Brightness For above 300 years this Kingdom bore the Name of Taiâ—jven and at this time is called by the Tartars who possess the Kingdom under the Great Cham Taicing But though this Kingdom of China doth often change its Lord and Name the Chineses however have Time out of mind called it by two other particular Names as Chungchoa and Chungque the first whereof signifies The Middle Kingdom and the other The Middle Garden The reason why the Chineses gave their Kingdom these Names may be suppos'd to be this in regard that formerly they did verily believe that the Heaven was round the Earth four-square and in the middle Point thereof lay their Kingdom Wherefore when they first saw the Maps of Europe they took it very ill that their Kingdom was not placed in the middle but in the farther part of the East And therefore when Matthias Riccius a Iesuit had in China made a Map of the whole World he so ordered his Adulation that the Kingdom of China fell to be in the middle But most of the Chineses do now acknowledge this their great Error and blush convinc'd of so much Ignorance And though the Chineses themselves have thus called their Kingdom by several Names according as the Family which Govern'd over them hapned to change yet their Neighbors that live upon the Confines take no notice of their Alterations neither follow the Chineses therein for those of Couchenchina and Siam call this Kingdom Cin the Islanders of Iapan Than the Tartars Han and the Turks Saraceners and other Western People Cataium Some conceive that this Name is originally from Sioni in
that he seem'd to have founded them anew He appointed a Court and House for the reading of the Law beautifying and adorning Hospitals and Places of Receipt Over and above these Exercises of our holy Law he was very much given to Works of Charity every year calling together the four Priests of the Churches to whom he cordially perform'd all Offices of Love and Service he provided them with all necessary things for the space of fifty days he Fed such as were hungry Cloth'd such as were naked took care of such as were Sick and Weak and buried the Dead 15. In the time of Ta so there was no such Goodness heard of with all his Parsimony this Ta so was a Bonzius a Pagan kind of Priest who in a great Assembly of the Bonzii wherein was to be consulted concerning the Affairs of their Sect he undertook the Office of receiving Strangers and procuring every one all things necessary Therefore the Author in handling the Works of Charity of Oy â—ie places him before Ta so But although this was a Time in which the Gospel was Preach'd yet we see there were Men void of Good Works Wherefore that such heroick and noble Deeds may be declar'd and set in open view I have caus'd the same to be Engraven upon this great Stone 16. I say therefore That the true God is without any Beginning Pure Peaceable and Unchangeable He was the first Creator of All things he discover'd the Earth and lifted up the Heaven One of the Persons for the Eternal Salvation of Mankind was made Man he ascended into Heaven like the Sun destroying Darkness and in all things establishing a profound Verity 17. This most Glorious King who most truly is the Chief King of Kings takes away all difficulty using his own time The Heaven was stretch'd out and the Earth extended Most noble is our Gospel brought into the Kingdom of Tam asserting Knowledge erecting Churches and being both to the Living and the Dead as a Refuge or Guide and which exalting all Felicity restor'd Peace to the whole Universe 18. Cao Cum continuing in the Footsteps of his Grandfather gave his Mind to the new building of Churches so that with their loftiness and magnificence they fill'd the Land but the truth of this Law is its greatest Beauty He bestow'd on the Bishop a Title of Honor and the People enjoy'd a mirthful Peace without any irksom Toil. 19. The wise King Ni ven cum understood how to persevere in the true and right Way the Tables of the Kings were magnificent and illustrious the Royal Grants therein flourish'd and were resplendent their Figures glitter'd All the People highly reverenc'd them all things were improv'd and from hence all enjoy'd the Perfection of Happiness 20. This King So cum then Reigning came to the Church in proper Person The Sun of Sanctity shin'd and the enlightned Clouds dispell'd Darkness and Obscurity Thus Felicity being accumulated in the King's House all Vice was banish'd and our Empire restor'd by the taking away of Dissention 21. The King Tai cum fu was Obedient for Virtue he might compare with the Heaven and Earth he added as it were a Life to the People and made all things thrive He sent sweet Perfumes for the giving of Thanks and exercis'd Works of Charity The Sun and the Moon were united in one Person that is all flew to perform their Duty and Obedience to him 22. The King Kien cum being setled in the Government shew'd himself most virtuous he pacifi'd the four Seas by force of Arms he illustrated ten thousand in his Confines by Literature illuminated the Secrets of Men like a Candle and as it were in a Looking-glass seeing all things reviv'd the whole World so that even barbarous People took from his Example a Rule to live by 23. O how great how perfect and extending it self to all things is this Law Willing to give a Name thereto I could call it no other than The Divine Law Former Kings were not to seek how to dispose of their Affairs I a Vassal am only able to declare them and therefore I erect this most precious and wealthy Stone to be the Proclaimer of this excceeding Felicity 24. In the Empire of the Great Tam in the second Year of this Kien cum in the Year of our Lord 782. on the seventh Day of the Autumnal Month being Sunday or to say better The Lord's Day this Stone was erected Him ciu being then Bishop of the Chinese Church The Mandorin by Name Lieu sieci yen but by Title Ciao y cum or as others Chio y lam in which Office before him was Tai cieu sie su Can Kiun made this Inscription with his own Hand And this is the Explication of the Inscription Engrav'd on the Stone in which this truly is worthy of great admiration That the relation of so great a variety and multiplicity of Affairs and things as this Stone contains could be compris'd in so narrow a space and written with so few as eighteen thousand Characters Of this Writing there was a double Interpretation made this present is most conformable to that which was made at Peking and afterwards again by P. Michael Boim expos'd from the Chinese Exemplar being indeed more elegant and proper and likewise more conformable to the Chinese Language and although for that cause it seems less polite in our Tongue yet nevertheless is it most eloquent and having respect to the Phrase and Style of the Chinese Speech is by such as profess themselves Masters in the understanding of that Tongue judg'd the most deserving Praise of all others Now it is collected from this Monument That the Law of Christ was above a thousand years ago brought into China also with what Reverence and Honor it was receiv'd by the Emperors how and through what vast Provinces it was Preach'd how in the space of a hundred and fifty years wherein it chiefly flourish'd it was spread abroad what Persecutions it twice suffer'd and how by little and little it was so suppress'd that unless the remembrance had been preserv'd in this Monument no Footsteps thereof could have been trac'd for in all the Chinese Chronicles besides the Names of the Kings and Mandorins that then liv'd there is hardly any mention of it or any other Matters of those Times And this Stone was found a few years before the Fathers of the Society of Iesus arriv'd in China From whence it appears That the Interpretation of such sublime and notable things was only reserv'd to them who being eminently instructed in the Science as well of Humane as Divine Matters were to become the Preachers and Propagators of the same Law and Doctrine almost obliterated by the all-devouring Teeth of Time And this may suffice concerning the Inscription in the Chinese Language CHAP. III. An Interpretation of the Syriack Names inscrib'd upon the Monument NOW we proceed to the Inscription that is Insculp'd on the Margins which seeing it hath
that doth imposes some glorious Title on the Empire according to his own will and pleasure So in Times past we read that it was call'd Tan which is to say An Empire without Bounds other times Yu that denoteth Rest or Repose then Hiu from the Name of a great Duke I find it also call'd Sciam as if you should say A most Adorn'd Kingdom Cheu signifieth A Kingdom that exceedeth all other Kingdoms in Perfection also Han by which word they denominate the Milky-Path whence it cometh to pass that almost each several Nation doth describe it by the imposition of proper and different Terms Now at this Day it is call'd Ciumquo and by some Ciunhoa whereof the former signifieth A Garden by reason of its pleasantness and abundance of delightful things and the latter implieth The Middle because the Chineses suppose their Kingdom is situate in the midst of the Earth which also they will have to be four-square This whole Empire is divided into fifteen Kingdoms or Provinces bounded or terminated in some places by vast Rivers and in others by inaccessible Rocks and Mountains Of which Provinces nine are reckon'd in the South part and six in the North. Nature in a manner hath contriv'd all this complex of Kingdoms unaccessible unto all others on the East and South the Ocean is scarcely Navigable by reason of the violence of the Tydes and on the West the craggy Ridges of the Mountains admit of no passage and on the North it is at this Day fortifi'd partly by a Desart of an immense vastness and partly by a Wall of nine hundred Italian Miles erected by King Xio about two hundred Years before the Incarnation of our Saviour by the work of 1000000 Men in the space of five Years to restrain the Incursion of the Tartars so that being defended by so many Fortifications it relieth on its own weight If you do but only observe the Wall it is a Work that will cause an amazement which without doubt if the Ancients had arriv'd unto the knowledge of they would have reckon'd it amongst the seven Wonders of the World But let us now subjoin the Names of the Kingdoms or Provinces The Northern Kingdoms of the Empire of China are Honan Xensi Xansi Xantum Peking and Leautum The Southern Kingdoms are Canton or Quantung Quangsi Yunnan Fukien Kiangsi Suchuem Utquang Chekiam and Nankim That I may comprehend all in brief first I shall annex a Geographical Scheme or Map of the whole Empire divided into fifteen Provinces that you may more clearly discover the Situation of each and that we may not appear to have let slip any thing memorable in reference to the Cities Mountains Rivers Lakes and other Occurrences worthy of observation I have here prefix'd this Geographical Table which containeth a Description of all the Kingdoms from which as from an alone Compendium you may find whatsoever presenteth it self worthy of Consideration CHAP. II. IN the Year 1625. when in Siganfu the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Xensi in a certain Village a Trench was digg'd for the fit Foundation of an Edifice or Building it so hapned That in the casting up of the Earth the Laborers found a Stone Table worthy of note for its Chinesian Writing which when they had digg'd out of the Ground they measur'd it's quantity and found it in length nine handfuls and a half in breadth five and in thickness about one whereupon was curiously Engraven a Cross. Those who studiously view'd it report That the Cross was bent inwards like to the Lilies in the manner of that which is to be seen at Meliapore in India on the Sepulchre of St. Thomas the Apostle and not much unlike that which the Knights of the Order of St. Iohn of Ierusalem bore partly hanging on their Necks and partly sew'd to their Garments and Cloaks Under this Cross followeth the Title of the Inscription express'd throughout the whole superficies of the Stone in the Chinesian Language and Character as is manifest from the Figure adjoin'd And as the Chineses are carried as it were by a certain natural propensity unto things curious so also the first Report of the finding of this Stone attracted a great multitude of their Learned Men who resorted thither from all Parts The Governor of the Place being mov'd with the strangeness of this Monument having seriously contemplated the venerable Antiquity of it that he might allure and draw the People from all Parts by the Fame thereof for the Benefit and Reputation of the City plac'd it on a Table or Pedestal curiously wrought within the Court of the Temple of the Bonzii and erected a Roof over it partly that it might receive no damage by the injury of Time and also that as many as were Spectators of this unusual Monument might read examine and describe it at their own leisure And because that on the Margents there were discover'd Characters unknown to the Chineses intermix'd with those of their own they were much concern'd to know what they related unto and at last were satisfi'd by the diligence of our Society as it will appear more at large in the following Discouse Leo the Mandorin being now instructed in the Christian Faith first of all others divulg'd it exactly describ'd unto the whole Kingdom for the great advantage of the Christian Religion which he hop'd might accrue from thence which coming to the Hands of the Fathers of our Society when they had read it they could not sufficiently admire the Providence of the Divine Majesty that should condescend so far to disclose a Monument of so great Concern for the Conversion of the Heathen in this novel Vintage of Christ wherefore not to conceal their Ioy they betook themselves to Siganfu the great Metropolitan City of Xensi that they might be ocular Spectators of it of which the first was Father Alvares Samedus a Portuguese whose words I shall the rather alledge by how much he was the more engag'd unto me by the strict tye of Friendship whilst he remain'd at Rome Procurator or Provincial where he related to me in a familiar Conference all the Observations he had made concerning this Monument Now he thus relateth the whole Circumstance in his History of the Affairs of China Publish'd in Italian pag. 158. Three Years after in the Year 1628. there went some Fathers to that Province upon occasion of a Mandorin being a Christian whose Name was Philip who was going thither those Fathers by the help of the Mandorin erected both a Church and a House in the Metropolis of Siganfu that since our Blessed God who would that so fair a Memorial of a hold taken of his Divine Law in that Country should be discover'd he might also be serv'd and the Restoration of the same Faith Instituted in the same Place 'T was granted to me to be of the first and I fancied that Mansion happy because of seeing the Monument and when I got thither I car'd not for
from the weight or incumbrance of all extraneous Concernments living in quiet and repose within the private Apartments or Withdrawings of his Palace is ador'd like a Deity and that not only by the Natives but of all the Kings that are subject unto the Empire of Tartary who undertake voluntary Iourneys or Pilgrimages unto him They adore him as the True and Living God and call him The Eternal and Heavenly Father offering a multitude of Presents and Oblations to him He sitteth in an obscure Chamber or Room of his Palace adorn'd with Gold and Silver and rendred resplendent by the multiplicite lustre of flaming Lamps in a lofty place upon a Couch which is cover'd with costly Tapestry unto whom Strangers at their approach fall prostrate with their Heads to the Ground and kiss him with incredible Veneration which is no other than that which is perform'd unto the Pope of Rome so that hence the fraud and deceit of the Devil may easily and plainly appear who by his innate malignity and hatred in way of abuse hath transferr'd as he hath done all the other Mysteries of the Christian Religion the Veneration which is due unto the Pope of Rome the only Vicar of Christ on Earth unto the superstitious Worship of barbarous People The Castle wherein the Great Lama inhabiteth is situate at the end of the City Barantola and is call'd by them Bietala a Draught whereof is express'd in the sixteenth Figure XVII and XVIII The Habit of the Kingdom of Necbal XIX A Northern Tarstar This Great Lama is of so great Authority throughout all Tartary that there 〈◊〉 no Kings Crown'd in any Place who doth not first send his Ambassadors with inestimable Presents to crave his Benediction as an happy Omen of his Entrance upon the Kingdom See what I have said at large in the preceding Discourse concerning the Honor conferr'd on him by the Imperial Monarch of Tartary and China where also I have demonstrated that this whole superstitious Worship of the Great Lama took its original from that famous Presbyâ—â— Iohn who had his Residence in this Kingdom of Tanchut But thus much shall suffice for the Great Lama They saw also strange Habited Women at Barantola which came thither out of the adjacent Kingdom of Coin The Noble Women braid or curl all theiâ— Hair in the manner of Hairlaces or small Bands and wreath it behind them on their Foreheads they wear a red Fillet beset with Pearls on the top of their Heads they bear a Silver Crown interlac'd with Turchoises and Coral Having left the Kingdom of Lassa or Barantola in a Months Voyage they came over the most high Mountain Langur which we have describ'd a little before unto the Kingdom of Necbal where they found nothing wanting 〈◊〉 to Humane Sustenance nor could any Good be wish'd them which they did not enjoy except the Light of the Gospel for they are all involv'd in 〈◊〉 thick Cloud of Heathenish Blindness The chief Cities of this Kingdom 〈◊〉 Cuthi and Nesti It is a Custom in this Country that if you drink to a Woman the other Men or Women that are in the Company pour in the Liquor Cha or 〈◊〉 Wine three times for them and in the time of Drinking affix three pieces 〈◊〉 Butter to the Brim of the Pot or Cup those that pledge or drink after them take them off again and stick them upon their Foreheads The King of Necbal shew'd himself extraordinary courteous to our Fathers by reason of a Present they bestow'd on him which was a Perspective-Glass and other very curious Mathematical Instruments with which he was so taken that he wholly determin'd with himself not to let them go which he had not done but that they made him a faithful Promise to return thither again which if they perform'd he promis'd to erect a House for their use and Exercise endow'd with most ample Revenues and also to grant them a plenary Power to introduce the Christian Law into his Kingdom Departing from Necbal they came to the Confines of the Kingdom of Maranga which is enclos'd in the Kingdom of Thebet whose Metropolis is Radoc the utmost Bound of the Voyage formerly undertaken by Father Andradas where they found many Marks of the Christian Faith in time past there Planted from the Names of Dominick Francis and Anthony by which the Men are call'd From hence they arriv'd at that first City of the Kingdom of the Mogor so well known unto the World by the Name of Hedonda and thence they came to Battana a City of Bengala situate on Ganges thence to Benares a City famous for an Academy of the Brachmans and at last to Agra the Imperial City of the Mogor where Father Albert Dorville broken with the Labors of his Travels and full or replenish'd with Merits leaving this Terrestrial Country departed as we piously believe unto the Heavenly Mansion in a middle Way between Europe and China CHAP. IV. Of the Voyage attempted by Father Amatus Chesaud a Frenchman Superior of the Residency of Isphahan for the discovery of an easie and ready Passage into China extracted out of his Letter written in the Persian Language and directed unto Father Athanasius Kircher The Letter is to this effect I Write not this Letter from Hispahan but in the Way being return'd from the City Hairat Sfahanum from which City it is almost a Year since I departed towards Baich wich is the Regal City of Usbeck that I might discover whether there were any possible way of passing through the foresaid Usbeck and Turkestan into Cathay and hence into China But indeed as I came hither with the Ambassador of Usbeck unto the Bounds of Kezalbax I found that Way both difficult and dangerous therefore I continu'd for some Months at Hairat which City was formerly call'd Sciandria and there I narrowly view'd the Place which the Ancients call'd Bachtra where there is a great University or Academy built by the Son of the Famous Tamerlang which notwithstanding is destroy'd by degrees and runneth to Ruin for want of Repair as also many other Edifices which were formerly there built about the same time in which that City was in the Hands of the Usbequi From this Place at length I came to the City Maxahad which others call Sancta where there is a fair Mesquit adorn'd with Gold In this Place I continu'd two Months and here Disputed with the Learned of whom there are many about the Law and I found that albeit they openly and abroad praise their own Sect yet they hold That others of a contrary Persuasion ought to observe the King's Law Their time is not as yet come I departed from this Place and came to Nixapor and Sabazuar which belong unto Chorasan from whence I pass'd through the Cities Setam Damgan and Iamnam and at last arriv'd at Kaxanum in the Province of Aracand which is thirty Farsang distant from Sfahanum This Tract of Land is for the most part barren
respect Sina in their Language signifies A most brave and famous Countrey Others opposing will have this Kingdom to derive its Name from the Inhabitants of the City Chincheu because these People drive onely a constant Trade by Sea to most Places of Asia so that the Portugueses and Indians by leaving out the same Letters of the word Chincheu might easily give it the Name of China But those are in a very great Error that will have the word China to be derived from a certain word Cinch which by the Chineses is very much us'd The falseness of this Assertion will clearly appear from hence in that the Chineses who Trade with the Indians or Portugueses to those Places and go with their Ships to India us'd on the score of Civility and kind Respect to Greet each other in their Mothers Tongue not with the Name of Cinch but Sia Now that which appears to me to be a most probable Truth amongst the various Opinions of Writers is that which the Iesuit Martinus Martinii a Man of great Learning and Skill in the Antiquities of China has asserted in the sixth Book of his History of China the words whereof are as follow I shall not says he let this pass unmention'd which seems to me most likely That not onely by the Indians but also by Strangers the Name China took rise and original from the Generation Family or Branch of Cina who Govern'd in China in the 246. Year before the Birth of Christ So that we ought not to call it China but rather The Kingdom of Sinen or Cinen for in the time of those Kings which proceeded from this Branch the Name of Siners was first made known by Strangers and especially by the Indians By the Indians the Name of China afterwards came into use and was followed by the Portugueses after the Conquest of India for this Family of Cina Govern'd over the greatest part of the Siners who lived toward the West and continually had Wars with Foreiners When afterwards the Court or Seat of the Kingdom was Planted there received the Name of The Kingdom of China This Family of Cina being risen to the highest pitch of all Prosperity prov'd after a great Invader of others Territories insomuch that it seems no wonder that Strangers and remote Nations had the Name of Cina so frequent among them And though the Sineses call this farther part of Asia or Cina by several Names according to the Governing Families that happen to change yet however Foreiners do reserve the first Name which they heard And this is my Opinion concerning the Original of the Name Sina and according to this Assertion the first Letter of the word ought to be writ not with an S but with a C. All China was formerly divided by the Chinese Emperor Xunus into 12 Provinces afterwards the Emperor Yva who took upon him the Government after the Death of Xinus about 260 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour reduced all China into nine Provinces which onely at that time comprehended the Northern Parts of China and had for their Confines the River Kiang But after that they had Conquer'd the Southern Parts by degrees and somewhat Civiliz'd the Inhabitants the whole Kingdom of China was divided into 15 Provinces Amongst these also they reckon the Province of Leaotung which is situated on the West of Peking where the great Wall begins and the Hanging-Island of Corea both which pay Tribute to the Emperor There are several other Islands beside which pay also Tribute amongst which the Island Haman is the chiefest lying in the Sea over against the Province of Quangsi Among the Islands which are Tributary to this Kingdom is also accounted the Island Formosa which the Chineses call Lieukieu and situated over against the Province of Foken and also the Island Cheuxan over against the Province of Chekiang a very famous Place for Trading But of this more at large hereafter Six of the 15 Provinces verge upon the Sea as Peking Xantung Kiangnan or Nanking Cheaiang Foking and Quantung From hence toward the North lie the Midland Countries as Quangsi Kiangsi Huquang Honan and Xansi and toward the West the other four Xensi Sucheu Queicheu and Iunnan Lastly this Empire which comprehends 15 Kingdoms is also divided into the South and North-China South-China the Tartars call The Kingdom of Mangin and North-China The Kingdom of Catay In the first are nine Kingdoms and in the last six or eight if you will reckon amongst them the Kingdom of Leaotung and the Hanging-Island of Corea By what has been already said it doth clearly appear how far those are mistaken who write of another Empire beyond China which they call Catay as likewise of several Towns as Quinsey Cambalu and many other Fictions whereas in truth beyond the great Wall no other People live but Tartars who have no fixed Abodes but wander up and down the Countries in Wagons and so travel from Place to Place as may be found at large in the Writings of those who have sufficiently confuted this great Error and Mistake as Virgantius and Martinus Martinii in his Atlas of China Amongst the rest the Iesuits have likewise found by experience that beyond the Empire of China no Monarchy of Catay is to be found insomuch that the same People whom we call Chineses are by the Persians call'd Cataians This same Mistake has been likewise sufficiently and Learnedly confuted with undeniable Arguments by the most Learned Iacob Gool a Person of extraordinary Knowledge in all Arts of Literature and especially in the Oriental Languages and at present Arabick Professor in the University of Leyden in his Appendix to the Atlas of China The Kingdom of China is so inclos'd with several Islands and on the East and South with Seas that it seems almost to be four-square onely two great Mountains thrust themselves out toward the Sea which in the Chinese Language are called Tung The one lies by the Town of Ningpo from whence you may Sail in 40 hours to the Island of Iapan the other great Hill is in the Province of Xantung near to the Town of Tengoheu China situated in the farthest part of Asia borders toward the East South and West upon the great Indian Sea and is call'd Tung by the Chineses which signifies Easterly And on the North it is separated from the Kingdoms of Ninche and Nicolhan by that Famous Wall which was made by those of China against the Invasion of the Tartars Higher up toward the North it has for Frontiers the Kingdom of Taniju and a Wilderness call'd Samo which separates the North side of this China from the Kingdoms of Samahan and Cascar Upon the other Provinces situated toward the South joyn the Kingdoms of Prester-Iohn Geo which by the Chineses are call'd by one common Name Sifan as also Tibet Laos and Mien Likewise China reaches as far as Brangale and to some part of Tartary and the Mountains of Damascus which
other City 2. Sintien Commands over four Forts Pingfa Paping Cheuping and Cheuing 3. Pingyve Commands over two Forts Yengi and Loping 4. Lungli Commands over two Forts Pingfa and Taping The Forts which lie up and down in this Province to hinder the Plundering of those upon the Mountains are Picie Gueieing Chanchoang Chingping Pingpa Cannan Usa Hinglung Cherni and Kaili The chiefest Places in this Province are Iunguing Xuitung Lokeu Xanglang Vatien Hoanglien and Cugin In the Chinese Toll-Book of this Province we find set down 45 thousand 3 hundred and 5 Families and 2 hundred 31 thousand 3 hundred and 65 Fighting Men. The Revenue of this Province consists of 47 thousand 6 hundred 58 Bags of Rice 5 thousand and 9 hundred Pieces of Cloth But all this not being sufficient to maintain the Forts the Emperor is necessitated to supply what is wanting out of his other Revenues The fifteenth Province of Iunnan TOward the East and South-East this Province of Iunnan borders upon Quangsi toward the South upon the Kingdoms of Laos and Tunking toward the West it reaches as far as the utmost Borders of the Kingdom of Mien and Pey toward the North-West upon the Kingdom of Sifan Northward upon the Province of Sucheu and toward the North-East reaches as far as the farthest Pales of the Province of Queicheu In this Province are 12 great Cities 8 Chief Garison Cities 88 small Cities beside several Castles and Forts The 12 Chief Cities are these Iunnan Tali Lingan Cuihung Chinkiang Munghoa Kingtung Quangna Quangsi Chinyuen Iunning and Xuning 1. Iunnan Commands over 13 small Cities Iunnan Funun Yleang Caoming Cynning Quehoa Chingcung Ganning Loco Lofung Quenyang Sanpao and Ymuen 2. Tali Commands over six Cities Tali Chao Iunnan Tenchuen Langkiung and Pinchuen 3. Lingan Commands over 10 Cities Lingan Kienxui Xeping Omi Niug Sinpin Tunghai Hosi Siego and Mungcu as also over nine Chief Forts Naleu Kiachoa Vanglung Hieyung Kichu Sulo Coneng Locung and Gannan 4. Cuhiung Commands over seven Cities Cuhiung Quantung Tingyven Tinpien Okia Nangan aâ—d Chinnan 5. Under the Command of Chinkiang are five Cities Chinkiang Kiangheu Sinhin Yangcung and Innan 6. Munghoa Commands over two Cities Munghoa and Tinglung 7. Kingtung has no City under its Command 8. Quangnan Commands over the City Fu. 9. Quangsi Commands over four Cities Quangsi Sucung Mile and Vimao 10. Chiyven Commands over the Fort Loco 11. Iungning Commands over the Forts Iungning Lacu Ketien Hianglo and Valu 12. Xuning has no City under it and lies surrounded with Hills The eight Garison Cities are these Kiocing Yaogan Cioking Vuting Cintien Likiang Iuenkiang and Iungchang Kiocing Commands over six Cities Kiocing Yeco Chenye Loleang Malungo and Lochiung Yaogan Commands over three Cities Yaogan Yao and Tayao Cioking Rules over three Cities Cioking Kienchuen and Xun Vuting Commands over four Cities Vuting Hokio Yuenmeu and Lokiuen Cintien Commands only over seven Villages Likiang Commands over five Cities Likiang Paoxan Lan Kiucin and Linsi Iuenkiang Commands over the Fort Lopie Iungchang Commands over seven Forts Iungchang Laye Likiang Iungping Fungki Xitian and Lukiang There are two Garison Cities Pexing and Sinhoa which are not subject to any other Cities The Forts which are not Commanded by any other Cities are fourteen Chelo Tengheng Cheli Laochua Lungchuen Gueiyven Vantien Chincang Taheu Nieuki Mangxi Langchang Mopang Mien with the City of Langkiu Mopang Commands over nine Villages Mopang Mengyang Mengking Menglien Mengli Mengting Mengtieu Mengco and Menchang Mien Commands over six other Villages Mien Pape Santihiung Sochung Mungyang and Mitien The yearly Toll-Book in this Province of Iunnan makes mention of 32 thousand 9 hundred and 58 Families and 14 hundred 33 thousand 1 hundred and 10 Fighting Men. The Revenue of this Province consists of 14 hundred thousand 5 huâ—dred and 68 Bags of Rice and 56 thousand 9 hundred 65 Weight of Salt beside several other great Imposts and Taxes which we shall forbear to mention Thus far having treated though but briefly of that which at first I propos'd for the better understanding the Relation of our Voyage I now proceed to give an Account of what passd during our Travels to and again from Canton to Peking You must know that the Chief Government at Batavia long before any thing was concluded by the East-India Company in Holland concerning an Embassy to the Great Cham at Peking did send some Persons with laden Ships to China to desire free Traffick in those Parts therefore I suppose it will not be amiss to relate in short what Success they met withal in their Voyages From the time that the Netherlanders had Commerce with their Ships into several Parts of India they continually sought unto the People of China to Trade with them upon the Island of Iapan in such Wares and Commodities as the Country of China produces but in this their fair Undertaking and reasonable Request they have still met with Opposition and no Access would be given them into that Kingdom Some impute the cause of this aversion in those People to the Hollanders to an old Prophesie which made no small impression on their Fancies That a strange Nation Fair of Complexion and Clothed all over should come thither from a far remote Country to Conquer the Kingdom of China and possess it as their own But in process of time the Iesuit Martin Martinsen who had conceal'd himself ten years together in China for the propagation of the Roman-Catholick Faith came from Macassar to Batavia in a Portuguese Vessel and there related How that the Great Cham of Tartary had Conquer'd the Empire of China and all the Kingdoms belonging thereunto with the slaughter of some hundred thousands of People and had proclaim'd a Free Trade in the City of Canton to all Foreign People Hereupon it was concluded by the chief Government of Batavia after due Deliberation first had that a Trial should be made of the truth of this Report by sending a Vessel with several Goods from the Island of Taiwan to some part of China So upon the 20. of August Mr. Frederick Schedel a Merchant set Sail in the good Ship call'd The Brown-Fish very richly Freighted with all sorts of Merchandizes from Taiwan to Canton and after nine days Sail Landed in the Canton River at a Place call'd Heytamon Hereupon the Mandorin Haitonu Admiral of the Sea came Aboard their Vessel to receive and Salute Frederick Schedel in the Name and in behalf of the whole Canton Magistracy After that he had been well Treated theâ—e he took leave of Mr. Schedel who out of Respect to his Person thought good to accompany him on Shore but being come near the City he Landed in great State without speaking one word to Schedel who was put into another Vessel in a very slight manner with the Presents which he had brought with him for the Vice-Roys and was carried to the other end of the City where he was narrowly searched by one Emanuel de Lucifierro
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
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
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
China Dishes for the Table according to their manner But the Ambassadors to hint to them how they far'd in Holland bespoke several other Dishes at their own Charge but we receiv'd after we had been before the Emperor a double Allowance which was seldom done to any other Forein Addressors In the first place you must know That the Province wherein this Chief Imperial City of Peking is situate as also the City it self have been call'd in several Times by several Names in regard it is an ancient Custom among the Chineses as has been already said that when the Race which Commands and Rules over them happens to be alter'd commonly also then the chiefest Cities nay the whole Kingdom change and alter their Names In the Times of the Race of Chiva this Province and Chief City was call'd Ieu under the Race of Cina it was call'd Xangho when the Race of Hana Reign'd 't was call'd Quangyang and under the Race of Ciin Eanyang But the Race of Taiminga which drove the Tartars out of China nam'd it Peking and Xuntien by both which they now call it The City is call'd Peking which signifies The Northern Chief City to distinguish it from Nanking which we Interpret The Southern City But the other Name Xuntien whereby it is so commonly call'd by the Chinese Geographers signifies Obedient to Heaven It is call'd by the Tartars Cambalu that is The City of the Lord. It lies in 40 Degrees Northern Latitude almost upon the outward Northern Limits of this Province and the whole Kingdom not far from those high Mountains and that great and famous Wall which separates the Tartars and Chineses in the North from each other It exceeds the Southern Chief City of Nanking in number of Inhabitanâ— Soldiers and Magistrates but on the other hand is not to be compar'd with Nanking for largeness regular Streets and Fortifications It s South-side lies vested with two high and thick Walls which are so broad that twelve Horses may go abrest upon them without any hindrance to one another The inner Wall which extends about ten Miles in circuit is so thick set with Bulwarks that one may easily fling a Stone from Tower to Tower This Wall is all of Stone and so very high that I believe the like is not to be found again in all Europe the outward Walls within which the Suhurbs lie environ'd have very slight Fortifications only on both sides of the Gates are three strong Out-works In these Redoubts and Towers the Soldiers by Night keep strict Courts of Guard as if the Enemy were at the Gates The Chinese Emperor Taicungus who Reigned over China in the Year 1404. did very much embellish this City and bestow'd several Priviledges upon it Amongst the Emperors which belong'd to the Race of Taiminga this Taicungus was the first that left the City of Nanking and setled his Imperial Court and Residence in this Chief City of Peking the better to hinder and resist the Inroads and Excursions of the Tartars driven out of the neighboring Countries by his Grandfather The City has twelve Gates All Rarities in China are brought hither so that this City abounds in every thing fit either for Pleasure or humane Sustenance Several thousand Royal Vessels beside those of private Persons are continually employ'd to fetch all manner of Wares and Curiosities for the Emperor and his Council at Peking Hither comes all the Revenues which each Province of the Kingdom pays yearly to the Emperor's Exchequer and the better to effect this for the Importing of all Wares to Peking the Chineses use great Endeavors to make all Rivers Navigable that so they may come with ease by Water to the Emperor's Court with the Products of several Provinces Iustly may a Man admire at the Workmanship of the Chineses which partly by Art and partly by Nature is so brought to pass that you may come to this City hundreds of Miles by Shipping from most Parts of the Kingdom By this Importation this Place though in an unfruitful and barren Soil possesses every thing in great abundance and may be call'd the Granary of the whole Empire for they have a Proverb amongst them That there grows nothing in Peking yet there is no want of any thing All Commanders and Officers as well Civil as Military who have a mind to be preferr'd must betake themselves to this City which prescribes Laws to all others and upon this Place alone depends the whole Government of China so that a very great number of Learned Men and Officers are always resident here The Streets are not pav'd insomuch that in wet weather which is seldom they are hardly passable but when the Northern Winds blow and the Weather is dry the Soil which is of a light substance makes a Dust far more noisom to Passengers than the deep and miry Streets for such it is that it blinds a Man as he goes along The Inhabitants therefore to prevent this inconvenience are fain to wear Silk Hoods over their Faces and the extraordinary foulness of the Way makes very many to keep Horses to carry them after a rainy Day for the infinite number of common People that are continually up and down turns this dusty Soil into Mire and Dirt after a little Rain There are also Horses or Sedans to be hir'd at any time for the accommodation of Passengers but none make use of Sedans or Chairs but Persons of Quality in which they are carried in great State These Sedans are made very artificially of Bamboes or Rushes in the middle whereof stands a Chair which is cover'd with a Tygers Skin upon which he that is carried seats himself having behind him a Boy with an Umbril in his Hand to keep off the Sun His Servants likewise attend him some of them going before and others following after with Ensigns upon their Shoulders whereby the Quality of the Person is known and he respected accordingly as he passes along The City abounds in extraordinary brave Building famous Idol-Temples high and artificial Towers and Triumphal Arches which exceedingly adorn the same But we had not so full a view thereof as we could have wish'd in regard we were little better as hath been already said than confin'd to our Lodgings by order of the Emperor Marcus Paulus a Venetian who was in this City in the Year 1275. when the Tartars conquer'd the Southern Provinces of China calls the same in his Writings by the Name of Cambalu which he describes in this manner The City Cambalu which lies in the Province of Cathai upon a great River and signifies The City of the Lord has been very famous in all Ages The Great Cham did transfer this City to another part of the River for the Astrologers had foretold him that it should rise up against him It lies four-square and is twenty four Miles in circumference so that each side is six Miles long the Walls are of white Stone high and broad each side of the Wall has three
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
lives in Princely State being serv'd and waited on with extraordinary Pomp and Splendor but has no Command in the least over any of the Inhabitants neither may they depart from that City without the King 's special Licence In this Government are found no old Laws as among those of Europe no Imperial Edicts which had their original from the ancient Romans but those that are the first Founders of their own House and have by Conquest or otherwise resum'd the Government make new Statutes according to their pleasure This is the reason why the Laws which were in use before this last Invasion of the Tartars and are in part observ'd to this day by the People are of no longer standing then the Emperor Humvuo whose Race for his most heroick Actions in the Expulsion of the Tartars was call'd Tamin which signifies Great Courage This Emperor made several Laws and confirm'd others made by his Predecessors Their Emperor is commonly call'd Thiensu which signifies The Son of Heaven and this Name is given him not that they believe he had his Original from thence but because they believe he is better belov'd by being preferr'd to so great a Dignity above all other Mortals for his eminent and natural Vertues and because they adore and worship Heaven for the highest Deity so that when they name The Son of Heaven 't is as much as if they said The Son of God However the Commonalty call not the Emperor Thiensu but Hoangti The Yellow Emperor or The Emperor of the Earth whom they name Yellow of colour to distinguish him from Xangti which signifies The highest Emperor Two thousand six hundred ninety seven years before Christ's Birth their first Prince Reign'd who bore the Name of Hoangti and because of his extraordinary Vertues and valiant Deeds the Chineses have ever since call'd their Emperors Hoangti None are chosen or employ'd in the Government and Management of Publick Affairs but such as are held capable and have the Title of Doctors of the Law Men of great Learning and eminent Parts for whosoever is preferr'd in China to Places and Offices of Trust has given a clear testimony of his Knowledge Prudence Vertue and Valour neither the Favor of the Prince or Grandeur of his Friends standing him in any stead if he be not so extraordinarily qualifi'd All Magistrates both Civil and Military are call'd in the Country Idiome Quonfu which signifies Men fit for Council They are also call'd sometimes by the Name of Lavie which signifies Lord or Master The Portuguese call these Magistrates in China Mandorins it may be from the Latin word Mandando by which Name the Officers of that State in that Country are also receiv'd and understood by us of Europe And although I said at the beginning that the Government of this Kingdom or Empire consisted of one single Person yet it will appear by what has been said and what shall follow that the Government has also some Commixture with that of Aristocracy for although that which the Magistrate concludes and fully determines must afterwards be ratifi'd by the King upon Request made to him yet he also finisheth nothing himself in any Business before he is thereunto first desir'd by his Council It is also very certain That it is no way lawful for the King to confer any Office Dignity or Place in the Magistracy upon any unless he be first requested by one in special Authority But yet he hath Power to present his Courtiers with some special Gifts and this he often does according to an old Custom whereby it is free for any one to raise his Friends at his own Charge The Publick Taxes Assessments Impositions and Revenues are not brought into the King's Treasury neither may he dispose thereof at his Pleasure but they are deliver'd either in Money or Goods into the Treasury and Granary of the Empire which Income dischargeth the Expence of the King's Family consisting of Wives Concubines Sons Favorites and the like There are two distinct Councils in China one whereof not only officiates in Affairs of State at Court but has likewise the Care of the Kingdom The other is made up of Provincial Governors who Rule particular Provinces and Cities A Catalogue of which Officers fills up five or six large Volumes Printed every Month and to be sold at Peking where the Court resides In these Books are mention'd only the Names of Provinces and Cities and the Qualities of those who for that end are employ'd in the Magistracy through the whole Empire These Books are always re-printing in regard so vast a number of Alterations happen daily for some die others are laid aside and new ones chosen in their Places or else preferr'd to higher Offices so that there is hardly an hour but some Change happens amongst them The Grand Council divides it self into six other great ones The first is call'd Pu or The Council of State for they nominate and chuse all the Magistrates of the whole Nation these as they are most powerful have also the greatest Parts Persons able to judge of whom they confer such Dignities for they must be all qualifi'd with Philosophical and other Learning that come to any Place in the Magistracy the general Maxim there being To prefer none but meerly upon Merit and whosoever happens to be degraded for any Misdemeanor they never admit him to his Place again The second call'd Hopu hath the Management and Inspection over the King's Exchequer pays the Armies and other Charges of the Kingdom The third they name Limpu this takes care of the common Offerings Temples Priests the King's Women Schools and publick Places of Learning to see that all things be done in order likewise orders their Holy-days and the Obediences which are to be perform'd to the Emperor upon certain Times and Occasions also disposes and confers Titles of Honor upon such as deserve them takes care for the encouragement of Arts and Sciences sending and receiving of Ambassadors and the writing of Letters into all Parts The fourth Council is call'd Pimpu or The Council of War to whom is left the management of Peace and Military Affairs wherein however they are not to conclude any thing without the consent of the Emperor They dispose of all Places and Offices in the Army and confer Titles of Honor and Dignities accordingly upon such as behave themselves bravely in Conduct and valiantly in Battel The fifth Council call'd Cumym has the care about Buildings committed to it and also appoints Surveyors to look to the Repairs of the Edifices and Palaces belonging to the Emperor his Favorites and Magistrates they also look after the building of Vessels and the equipping of Fleets The sixth Council call'd Humpu Examines and Iudges all criminal Causes and appoints their Punishments All Affairs of the whole Kingdom are dispatch'd by these six Councils wherefore they have in each Province and City Officers and Notaries by whom they are inform'd of all Transactions which happen in each
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-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
Picture While these Ceremonies are performing one or two of the Sons of the Deceased stand on one side of the Coffin in their white Mourning with great modesty and shedding tears plentifully Behind it sits the Mother with the Daughters and others of the Relations in Mourning also but they are so reserv'd in their manner of Lamentation that they have a Curtain drawn before them that so they may not be seen In the Hall stand two Trumpeters and at the great Gate of the Court within two Drummers over the Gate hangs upon a Board a long Scrowl of Paper even to the Ground wherein is to be read who it is that is deceased and what he had done in his Life-time for the Service and Benefit of his Country It often hapneth that the Children keep their Bodies three or four Years unburied in their Houses in all which time they are never offended with any Scents proceeding from the same the reason whereof may be their extraordinary skill in Embalming and closing the Crevices of the Coffin and so long as they keep them thus above-ground they set before them Meat and Drink daily as if they were living During all which time the Sons take not their Places but sit upon a long Bench cover'd with White and as a further Testimony of their obedient Sorrow they sleep not upon Beds but upon Matrasses of Straw spread upon the Floor near the Cossin abstaining likewise all that while from Flesh or any compound Meats or drinking Wine or using any Baths and that which is yet more to be taken notice of they forbear to accompany with their Wives in any way of Natural Affection And this for the generality is voluntary but what follows is forbidden to wit They may not go to any publick Invitations abroad nor so much as be seen in the Streets for so many Months but if their Occasions be such as call them out of doors they are carried in a close Chair cover'd over with Mourning Although formerly to the commendation of the Country these things were perform'd yet in this present Age few or none are found amongst them that are so strict in the observation of these Ceremonies Upon the day appointed for the Funeral all the Friends meet who are invited by another Book to accompany the Corps of their Friend to his Grave The Solemnity is order'd and perform'd after the same manner as the Roman-Catholicks make their Processions at certain times of the Year Several Images of Men Women Elephants Tygers Lions and such like Beasts made all of Paper and Painted with several Colours are carried before the Coffin and at last burnt at the Grave among whom also go some that carry Incense in large Copper Vessels and Wax Torches burning The Priests and others that belong to the Idol-Temples follow after these with Drums and Pipes After whom next in place is the Coffin most curiously beautifi'd and adorn'd born up by at least forty or fifty Persons all very richly Habited Behind the Coffin come the Sons on foot but seeming to support themselves with Sticks in their Hands as if Grief and Sorrow had brought them into a weak Condition Then follow the Women in close Chairs cover'd with White so that they cannot be seen If sometimes it happen that the Fathers die when their Sons are from home the Funeral is deferr'd till their Return and notice thereof sent them which as soon as they receive they immediately put on Mourning upon the very Place where they are and then hastens home with the first opportunity to perform the Ceremonies in order as we have related But this is not all for a Son is oblig'd by virtue of the Laws though he is in the highest Office of the Kingdom and one of the Colaos to return home and there to Mourn for the space of three entire years in which time he is totally forbidden to return to his Charge Yet this is only to be understood of Mourning for Parents and not for other Friends Nevertheless the Soldiers and Military Officers are not subject to this Law If it chance that any dies either in Travel or Employment out of his native Country he to whom the Charge and Care of his Funeral is committed uses his utmost diligence to procure the dead Body to be brought back that it may be buried in the Grave of his Ancestors in the preserving whereof they are very curious insomuch that none else are admitted to be Interr'd there And therefore every Chinese who is able erects a Vault with a Tomb over it without the Walls of the City in the Suburbs to remain for a Burial-place to him and his Posterity it being dissonant to the Grandeur of Noble Persons to have their Sepulchres within the City They are generally of Marble sometimes of other Stone contain'd in a portion of Ground according to the Greatness of the Person and commonly Wall'd about within whose circumference some make several little Rooms which together with the said Wall are surrounded with artificial Groves of Cypress-Trees Upon the top of the Grave lies a large Stone rarely adorn'd with curious Images Engraven round about it and upon its Surface are Engraven the famous Actions of the Deceased They whose Wealth raises them to the highest pitch of humane Felicity and enlarges their Pleasures beyond the limit of a Satisfaction in this Life such as the Gelubden bestow vast Sums of Money upon their Tombs building them little inferior to Palaces with several Apartments within and Triumphal Arches standing before them In the Province of Xansi upon the Mountains are several of these famous Sepulchral Monuments Near to the City Taming is a very noble Piece of Antiquity in this kind built by the Emperor Cavus about 4000. years since as they report So likewise near to the City Cinon upon the Mountains are built very sumptuous Tombs as well of Kings as of other Great Lords I my self saw some of these Sepulchres very artificially built upon some solitary Hills which were not the Products of Nature but to make the Work the more stupendious and considerable were cast up with the Spade and rais'd to almost an incredible height In the middle of Wall was a Gate through which we entred into the Sepulchre to which belong commonly three such Doors and ascended by easie Steps up to the Mouth of the same which was Plaister'd on the insides and had Benches about it At certain times of the Year the surviving Friends come and visit these Graves bringing store of Provisions with them and then express their Sorrow afresh shedding Tears and using other Lamentations for the loss of their dear Friends nay some of them do with such reality of Grief and Affection oftentimes take it to heart that they will by no means be drawn thence but desire to be reckon'd among the Dead Without the City of Nanking heretofore the Court and Imperial Chamber of the ancient Princes but not far distant from the Walls grows a very
Belly Cholick Flux c. but Persons of a hot Constitution ought to use it moderately it being apt to inflame the Blood Most of the Provinces of China abound as well in all manner of Eatable as Medicinal Herbs We will descend a little to Particulars In the Province of Xensi near to the chief City Kingyang grows a Herb call'd Kinsu which for its resemblance to a Tuft of yellow Hair the Chineses call The Golden or The Gold Thred of Silk-Worms it is of a bitter taste and rather of a cooling then warming Quality it cures all manner of Scurf of the Body Here also grows another Herb call'd Quei good against Melancholy and occasioning joy and gladness of Heart if taken inwardly Near to Cingcheu in the Province of Quantung lie some Islands wherein grows an Herb call'd Lungsiu which makes Horses strong and swift if they eat of the same Also near the same City grows The Herb of a thousand years so commonly call'd but they farther affirm of it That it is immortal and never dies The Water wherein the same has been infus'd being drank makes white Hair black and is very good to prolong Life There are besides these several other incomparable Herbs which are us'd amongst them for the cure of Distempers of all sorts In the Kingdom of Tanyeu grows a certain Herb very high amongst the Rocks which will not burn when flung into the Fire and there kept for some time only it will turn a little red but as soon as out of the Fire presently recovers its pristine and natural colour yet although it resist Fire it immediately turns to Dirt being put into Water In the Province of Quantung near to Kiunchen grows the Herb Chifung so call'd because it shews which way the Wind blows the Seamen say they can discover by the same what stormy Weather they shall have before they go to Sea In the Province of Quangsi near to Chincheu the Inhabitants make a kind of Cloth of a certain Herb call'd Yu which is esteem'd far before Silk and much dearer But in the Province of Queicheu near to Liping they make Cloth of an Herb very like Hemp and call'd Co which is very commodious in Summer The Chinese Physicians say That upon the Mountain Tiengo grow above a hundred sorts of Simples all of very soveraign Vertues But amongst all others China is famous for an Herb call'd Thea or Cha and whereof the Natives and other neighboring People make their Liquor call'd Thea or Cha taking its Name from the Herb. There is a very great difference in the manner of preparing and using this Liquor between the Chineses and those of Iapan for that the Iapanners beat the Leaves to a Powder and mingle it with boiling Water in a Cup which they afterwards drink off But the Chineses put the Leaves whole into a Pot of boiling Water which having lain in steep for some time they sip off hot without swallowing down any of the Leaves but only the Quintessence thereof extracted Others prepare it with Milk and a little Salt mingled with Water which is not so well approv'd but however prepar'd it is not only drunk in China and other Parts of India but is much us'd likewise in divers other Countries and the general consent of all People that they find much good by it enhances the Price and makes the same be sold here at a very dear Rate In Xensi near the City Hacheu is great store of Hemp but no Flax grows in all the Empire In Kiangsi near the City Kienchang grows a sort of Rice so far exceeding the rest for goodness that the Emperor himself sends for his own Stores from thence and for its excellency the Chineses call it Silver-Cron In Xensi near the City Kingyang grows another sort of Rice us'd by the People to purge the Body and cause Urine In the Province of Chekiang upon the Mountain Tienno near the City Hangcheu grow Mushroms in great abundance which are dispersed into all Parts of the Country and will keep good a whole year either dried or Pickled This Country produces abundance of Cottons the Seed whereof was brought thither about five hundred years since And though this Fruit doth likewise grow in other Parts at present as in Arabia upon the Islands of Cyprus Maltha in Sicily and in Egypt I think it not amiss since it is one of the most profitable Commodities for Trade in China to give this brief Description thereof It grows upon a Stalk almost three Foot high cover'd with a reddish Bark and full of Prickles dividing it self into several Branches The Leaves are not much unlike those of the Vine and divided into three Parts which for bigness may be compar'd with those of the Mast-Tree It bears a Flower which is yellow on the outside and red in the middle from which proceeds a round Fruit about the bigness of an Apple wherein when it is ripe the Wool lies conceal'd which is afterwards gather'd sold and dispos'd of to several Uses The Leaves of the Cotton-Tree are generally alike onely here and there some are smoother softer and more even than others In some places of China Beans may be seen growing upon Trees a sort of which near the City Changchang are reputed good against Poison The Province of Quantung produces abundance of Osiers which seem to be no other than Ropes twisted together by Nature of which there are whole Mountains full in this Province which are put by the Inhabitants to divers Uses and in regard they are very tough and will not easily break they make sometimes Cordage thereof for Vessels but their best use is to make soft Mattresses upon which most of the People the Grandees and the Emperor himself lay themselves naked when they go to sleep Very neat and clean is this Furniture and withal very cool in the Summer and though the Mattresses be only spread one the bare Floor yet they look upon it as a fit place to lie on having been no otherwise accustom'd The whole Island of Hainan is full of these Osiers especially of the best which the Portuguese call The white Rota Of Flowers THere are several rare and well scented Flowers which grow in these Parts that are unknown to those of Europe In the Province of Suchuen near to Chungking grows a certain Flower call'd Meutang in high esteem amongst them and therefore call'd The King of Flowers It differs very little in fashion from the European Rose but is much larger and spreads it Leaves farther abroad It far surpasses the Rose in beauty but falls short in richness of scent It has no Thorns or Prickles and is generally of a white colour mingled with a little Purple yet there are some that are yellow and red This Flower grows upon a Bush and is carefully cherish'd and Planted in all Gardens belonging to the Grandees for one of the most choice Flowers In the Province of Huquang near the City Tan is a great Cataract
so extraordinarily dexterous that no People in the World are to be compar'd with them The Tartar Women are generally Cloth'd in black Garments which hang loose about them but Persons of Quality wear generally Silk whereas the ordinary sort are content with Cotton Their Hair is neatly plaited and turn'd up only a few Locks hang down And those of the better sort wear upon their Heads Hats curiously wrought These Tartars eat whatsoever they can get but chiefly Flesh and that half roasted or boil'd being not curious of what sort it is whether of Camels Horses or other Creatures They take great delight in Hunting and have very swift Hounds for the Game But when all is said that almost can be we must add That they are in effect a Nation of Plunderers and Robbers being naturally inclin'd to those Vices And no wonder for they live generally without the Profession of any Religion But especially they have a great abhorrency to the Religion of Mahomet and possibly therefore hate the Turks as the Factors of that Religion but a more probable reason may be because the said Hunguvus Founder of the Race of Taicinga expell'd the Tartars out of China by the assistance of the Turks They burn the dead Bodies after the manner of the Indians upon very high Heaps of Wood on which Funeral Pile are also laid the Women Servants Horses and Arms of the Deceased Notwithstanding all which Heathenish blindness they are however very careful and sollicitous about the state of their Souls as whether they are to expect after this Life another or whether they do not presently die with the Body by reason of which many of them are very ready to embrace Christianity and divers of them after the Conquest of China were converted to the Catholick Religion As to their Language which they speak in the Kingdom of Ninche it is not so difficult to learn as that of China but more resembles the Persian Tongue Some of their Letters both for fashion and pronunciation are like the Arabick which in all are above sixty in number and do not much differ in the pronunciation and spelling from those in Europe but very much in the form and make In Reading and Writing they proceed from the top to the bottom after the manner of the Chineses and not from the left to the right side as we do in Europe nor from the right to the left as do the Arabians and Hebrews In this Kingdom of Ninche are found excellent Rubies and costly Pearls besides other Precious Stones Also very large Cattel especially Cows which exceed those in Europe for bigness but have no Horns The Western part of this Country is very full of Rocks and Hills between which lies most fertile and pleasant Valleys and fruitful Fields The biggest Mountain of all is call'd Kin which signifies Gold There is also the Mountain Changpe which reaches a thousand Miles and in the middle of which is a Sea-like Mere at least eighty Miles long from whence two Rivers take their rise the one call'd Yalo running to the South and the other Guenthung taking its course to the North. And thus much shall suffice for the Description of East-Tartary or the Kingdom of Ninche whose Inhabitants in manner afore-mention'd the Chinese Emperor kept in awe But on the contrary to the West-Tartars which possess the Kingdom of Tanyn the same Emperors sent Presents and Tribute yearly that they should not make War upon them for they hold it no Scandal to prevent a War by that means nay they hold it altogether unlawful to enter into a War so long as the Country can be kept from Invasions by any other means But yet although the Chineses on the one Hand kept under their Enemies by force of Arms and on the other bought a Peace with Presents and Tribute yet they liv'd in continual Fears and Mistrust insomuch that they always kept the Great Wall which divides China and Tartary strongly guarded with at least a Million of Men. But to return from whence we have digressed The Throne of China being setled in the Race of Taiminga was by the same enjoy'd in peace and quietness two hundred and fifty years when Vanticus the thirteenth Emperor a just prudent and upright Prince came to Reign which was in the Year 1573 after Christ's Birth But herein he was unfortunate that he as most Princes secur'd by long Peace trusted too much to his Governors and Mandorins and suffer'd the whole weight of his Affairs to lie upon their Shoulders During this time the Tartars of Ninche as is before-mention'd being form'd from a Popular Government into a Monarchy in the Year 1600. their first King was a Man of so great Courage and Magnanimity that all their Neighbors and especially the Chineses began to be afraid of him for he manag'd the Affairs of his State after such a politick and prudent manner that in a short time his Subjects became not only very numerous but formidable for Strength to all their Borderers and being sensible of their own Greatness and that their Fame began to grow terrible they began to call to mind the ancient Glory of their Conquests and to consider how shamefully they had been heretofore driven out of the possession of the honorable Acquisitions of their Ancestors and observing likewise the great Miscarriages and Neglects of the Chineses in the management of the Government they resolv'd upon some sudden and great Undertaking against them therefore weighing with themselves the Yoke of Servitude they lay under as a fit occasion of Quarrel they began first of all to shake off the same and to refuse to pay Tribute and shortly after to appear in their true Colours by publickly opposing the Authority that was over them The Chinese Governors whereof the most in Leaotung the Province bordering nearest to the Kingdom of Ninche are Military Commanders hearing of this concluded very unadvisedly to misuse the Tartars in the most cruel manner thereby the more to incite them to War so hazarding their Countries Weal for their private hoped for Lucre for by the War they thought to have a fairer opportunity to enrich themselves as well upon the Tartars as Chineses These indeed might be and questionless were great Motives to the War But the chiefest Reason of all was the base Murder committed by them upon the King of Ninche for they looking upon him with an envious Eye seeing him increase his Kingdom so very much in Power and Strength which they fancied would be at one time or other employ'd against them consulted and conspir'd to make him away which they contriv'd and in a most barbarous manner they thus effected They came one day upon pretence of a Visit to the King with a feigned Affection who not having the least suspicion of their wicked Design they easily surpris'd him took him Prisoner and put him to death but the better to gloze over the Villany gave out that he died suddenly of an Apoplexy This
setling of good Garrisons in all Places march'd back in triumph to Peking where he was receiv'd with great joy And now having thus subdu'd the Rebels and made all things to become peaceable and quiet he bends all his Thoughts to accomplish the Match between the Emperor his Nephew and the Daughter of the King of West-Tartary and to that end he takes a Iourney thither in Person and through his crafty Behaviour at last obtain'd his Suit and also Licence for the Exportation of a great number of Horses The Wedding was kept in very great State for the Tartar Kings maintain in Marriage the same Customs with those of Europe Matching only with the Daughters of the highest Quality whereas the Chinese Emperors were wont to chuse only for Beauty making no difference between a Person of Quality and one of a mean Extraction for if the Face do but please them they mind not the Quality as a testimony whereof most true it is that the Father of the last Chinese Empress maintain'd himself by making Shoes of Straw But to return to the three Vice-Roys who were made by the Tartars Governors over the three Provinces of Fokien Quantung and Quangsi and sent with three Armies to reduce Quantung drive out the Emperor Iunglieus and pacifie the Disorders in the Southern Provinces They took their Iourney through a Country which the Tartar Emperor had given to some Tartars for the native Chineses by reason of their Conspiracy were all put to the Sword to inhabit and cultivate the same they requested of the Vice-Roys that they might accompany them upon the Way for in truth these People ever had an aversion to Husbandry loving their Arms better than the Plough or Spade But two of the Vice-Roys deni'd their Request without leave from the Emperor the third only call'd Kengus being of a high and lofty Spirit permitted them to follow him so they abandon'd the Country and exchang'd their Spades and Ploughs for Boughs and Arrows following their Country-men with great joy As soon as the Emperor heard of it he writes a Letter to Kengus with express Command to send them back to their Husbandry but Kengus taking no notice thereof suffer'd them to continue their March with him whereof the Emperor having a second time notice in a great Rage sends to the chief Tutang or Governor of the Southern Provinces who held his Court at Nanking either to imprison or kill Kengus The Tutang forthwith obeys the Emperor's Order for after the three Vice-Roys were arriv'd at Nanking and had been nobly Treated by the Tutang he pulls out his Letter and Order shewing them to Kengus who knowing that no Excuse would be admitted goes immediately and hangs himself however his Son who accompanied him in the Wars succeeded him in his Place by Order of the Emperor After this the other two Vice-Roys through the Provinces of Xantung Kiangsi and Nanking at last arriving at Quantung with an intention according to their Commission to reduce that Province and to force Iunglieus to flie thence and indeed no sooner was the Report of the coming of these three Armies spread through the Countries but most Places submitted freely only the Chief City of Canton or Quancheu endur'd a long and hard Siege and made great and valiant opposition yet was at last taken by Treachery in the Year 1650. all the Inhabitants being put to the Sword and the City levell'd with the Ground After the taking of Canton all the adjacent Cities and Places sent Ambassadors to the Vice-Roys with Promises of Submission if they might have their Lives spar'd which was freely granted them Then the Vice-Roy march'd with his Army to the City Chaiking where the Emperor Iunglieus kept his Court at that time who hearing of his coming durst not stay for him but left the City and Province and fled to that of the Dominion of Quangsi but being narrowly and closely pursu'd he was necessitated to betake himself to the Confines of the Kingdom of Tungking where what became of him is not since that time certainly known In the Year 1651. died the faithful Uncle of the Tartar Emperor to the great grief and lamentation of all People for he was a Prince of great Valour Prudence and Experience and to whose happy Conduct the Conquest of China is chiefly to be attributed Not only the Tartars but the Chineses themselves lov'd and fear'd him for his Understanding in Martial Affairs and his otherwise civil Comportment and Integrity And as good Men always die too soon so was he hardly cold but great Divisions hapned in the Court by means of one of the Emperor's Brothers call'd Quintus who would take upon him the Guardianship and Direction of the young Emperor against the wills and minds of all the rest for they were of opinion that the Emperor Xunchius being now arriv'd at the Age of sixteen years was sufficiently qualifi'd to take upon himself the Management of all the Affairs of the State But ambitious Quintus alledg'd that the Emperor was not yet of an Age capable to take upon him the great and weighty Affairs of the Empire and therefore insisted that the Direction and Management of Affairs might be committed to him till the young Prince should attain his full Age But finding that he was generally oppos'd by all the Grandees of the Court and that it was impossible for him to attain his Ends he at last concurr'd with the Opinions of all the rest and the young Cham of Tartary is Crown'd and the whole weight of the Government unanimously thrown upon his Shoulders which he manag'd with such Iudgment that in a short time he gave sufficient proof of his Abilities and not only his desire but intention to do Iustice insomuch that when some dangerous Counsels which his deceased Uncle had in his Life-time given came to break out he caus'd his dead Body to be taken out of the Tomb and be most shamefully misus'd and the Tomb to be broken in pieces nor ended he there for those of his Uncle's Relations who were privy and consenting to the said Counsel were likewise handled with extreme severity Thus far have I spent in setting forth particularly how and in what manner the Robber Licungzus first over-ran China and after his Expulsion how the Tartars at last conquer'd the same Now you are to remember that contemporary with Licungzus was another Thief call'd Changlianchus the remaining Transactions of whose Villany whereof we have already in part made mention I shall now relate And indeed when I call to mind the Cruelties committed by this Monster in Mans shape I am as one deprived of his Senses for his Actions were so dismal and horrid that whoever hears of them will be fill'd with stupefaction and amazement This Robber Changlianchus plunder'd and ruin'd several Provinces putting the Inhabitants to unspeakable Tortures to make them confess where they had hid their Wealth and Goods he was greatly delighted to put out Peoples Eyes and to see
flung his Tartar Hat upon the Ground which is taken by them for a sign or token of great Disrespect and therefore O base Reward for Fidelity he was condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment but this valiant and generous Spirit prevented it by hanging himself beforehand in his Palace The Tartars having clear'd the Kingdom of the two great Robbers Licungzus and Changlianchus they immediately endeavor'd by all fair means to settle the Kingdom in Peace and Quietness which they shortly to their great satisfaction and content brought to pass and enjoy the same at this time without any further disturbance FINIS A NARRATIVE OF THE SUCCESS OF AN EMBASSAGE SENT BY Iohn Maatzuyker de Badem GENERAL OF BATAVIA UNTO THE EMPEROR OF China and Tartary The 20 th of Iuly 1655. Soliciting a Licence of Trade in the Ports of his Empire Dedicated to Antonio de Camera Captain-General of the City of The Name of God with the Magistrates thereof Written by a Iesuit in those Parts THREE things have I earnestly coverted ever since my first arrival in China and frequently have implor'd them from Heaven The first is Union and Concord among Christian Princes The second that I might live to see our native Country of Portugal Govern'd by a natural King The third that I might also see before my departure hence those Countries which the Hollanders have Conquer'd from us recover'd out of their Hands From the Object of these my Desires it will be easie to understand the Motive from whence they proceed which is no other than to remove the Obstacles and make the Way plain to the present Maintenance and farther Propagation of the Roman Catholick Faith Thus in the Year 1648. being newly deliver'd from that Imprisonment Famine and other Calamities which I endur'd within the Province of Sienchuen under the Tyrant which there Rebell'd I came to the Port at Peking and was there encountred with the news of our new or rather our old King for he cannot cease to be a King who continues such in his Subjects Breasts and was always one by Birth-right like a new Sun rising in the West in Lisbon which although it came to pass contrary to the Laws of neighbor Kings yet no ways contrariant to the Laws of Nature I say when I heard this News it caus'd such a Iubilee to my Soul and Ioy to my Heart and rais'd in me such great hopes of spreading the Christian Religion as I could then only feel within my self and am not able to express being moreover satisfi'd that our new King and his glorious Atchievements in Brasile did promise no less in these Eastern Countries May the Lord accomplish these Desires and grant the happy End that my Heart longs for But that GOD might either shew us our Sins which have so justly deserv'd Punishment or that he might manifest the Bowels of his Mercy and singular Providence which he hath over his People especially the Holy Catholick City of Maccow he hath permitted the Hollanders to become her Rivals in this Empire and to Court it for their Establishment Alliance and Commerce with it This indeed did rebate the edge of our Minds and reduce your Favor to more remiss degrees though not wholly extinguish it for four of us Brethren of the Society of IESUS then living at Court resuming our Courage with blooming Hopes resolv'd to leave no Medium unessay'd to overthrow those Hollanders Designs and with all Diligence and Vigilancy to vacuate their Undertakings What Success the Hollanders had in their first Expedition to Canton many years past I have already written to your Lordships therefore I shall only meddle with the second Encounter and by how much fiercer that was with an Enemy furnish'd with all the Habiliments of War to wit Plenty of Gold and Silver the most prevailing Weapons for the conquering of Countries and Great Ones and of all other Rarities adapted to satisfie both Covetousness and Curiosity as the most powerful Engines against such Soldiers by so much was our Conflict more grievous and consequently the Victory more glorious so hath it many things worthy to be publish'd The Lord grant for it hath ever been my faithful Petition to him and may your Lordships make it yours with your whole trust in him that as your Lordships and my self also at a great distance have beheld with our Eyes the Hope of my second Desire fulfill'd for we have seen the Desire of all Nations our King our Father so you may see the first and third part of my Wishes to the Glory of God the Honor of the Crown of Portugal and the increase of Christianity Access to Canton being precluded to the Hollanders at their first Attempt and Trade deny'd them those Reguli which Rule that Province allur'd with the hopes of that extraordinary Gain they expected to make by Commerce with the Dutch Counsell'd them to return on a second Embassage which they accordingly entred upon the 20 th of Iuly 1655. and arriv'd in Canton the fifth of September the same Year where from those Reguli they had a very friendly Reception but because they could obtain no Audience above to their first Message they were fearful to proffer a second lest the King and Council should suspect it to arise only from the hopes of their own Advantage and Self-interest they therefore so wrought with the Vice-Roy of Canton that he should send this second Memorial of their Desires which accompanied with many Commendatory Letters to Courtiers and strengthned a world of large Promises came at length to Peking about the Year 1655. and presently no man opposing it was decreed That twenty Hollanders to wit two Captains and eighteen others should repair to the Court where they were promis'd a convenient House with many other Kindnesses and that after their appearance their Business should be transacted according to the Customs and Laws of the Realm Fifteen days after this Memorial came to the Court we had notice of it when Padrie Lodouicus Ballionies and my self immediately entred the Lists and searched after all means possible to hinder the Hollanders access to the Court We consulted with our Friends both Christians and Heathens who were all of opinion that it was impossible for this time at least without vast Bribes because those Reguli of Canton had corrupted the Great Mandorins and open'd all the Dooas of the Court unto them Notwithstanding all this Zeal for the Publick Good the Progress of Christianity the Love of our Country and especially of this noble City to which we allow so much did invite yea compel us to an Undertaking the accomplishment of which seem'd impossible to all Men. By the Mediation of a certain Christian of no contemptible Condition and Authority we first compass'd to speak with one of these Mandorins which the Chineses call Colli and we may style The Master of Requests whose Office is to acquaint the Emperor with the Misdemeanors of the whole Empire and particularly with the Exorbitances of
very faithful and just People one only Exception Law allow'd which therefore they do not so perfectly observe as they ought but they are Govern'd by a potent Prince who could have no other Design in his Embassy hither but a meer Congratulation of the Emperor 's fortunate Conquest of this Empire and happy Inauguration in the Throne but because they understand not this Language nor have any Interpreter careful of their Business they are left as Men forlorn it would be therefore like the Emperor's wonted Goodness though here are but two of that Nation seeing you have receiv'd their Message and Present to do them some Honor and with other Gifts to return them in Peace and Amity to their owâ— Country The Emperor was pleas'd to approve whatever I said so that I thought it needless to press any thing farther God grant he may be mindful as I have already found him of what I have now urg'd to him as well as what I mov'd about the Hollanders some Months since At length the Emperor commanded a Table to be furnish'd for me and the chief Eunuch of the Palace to accompany me and so withdrew Certain it is that three thousand Tays were sufficient to make a Present to the Emperor more acceptable than all the Dutch have brought thereby to confirm the Emperor's Favor to us and interclude all Ways to these Hereticks but we are at too great a distance from Maccoa to acquaint them with these Passages and probably we might not be heard nevertheless I assure your Reverend Fatherhood that as far as my Power will extend I will spare neither Art nor Labor to paint out these Hollanders in their true and native Colours To do this Work now by the Hands of Subjects seems very difficult unto me insomuch that a thousand now the Enemy by his Bribes has possess'd so many Hearts would scarce do what a hundred would formerly have done however I trust in God the Ruler of all Hearts and hope in the Goodness and Favor of the Emperor that as he hath been pleas'd to hearken unto me in other things so he would vouchsafe me equal Grace in this present Business The first of August some Mandorins belonging to the Emperor invited the Mandorin of Canton with a great Mandorin of another Province who both had accompanied the Dutch to Court unto our Colledge whither there came that day at least a hundred Men most of them grave and eminent Persons my ancient Acquaintance and Friends Among other things they told me that the Fraternity call'd Cin a vam had resolv'd to invite the Dutch to a Feast but they were not permitted to stir out of their Doors which made them despair of effecting their Design insomuch that they had declar'd against all seeking of Trade here and having Saluted and Congratulated the Emperor were desirous to depart homewards only they had a very choice Present design'd for me but for the same reason were not able to bring it yet they hope I will do them no Injury to the Emperor The sixth of August the Emperor sent for me to come to Court with speed to co-operate with the Coli in the Hollanders Business and as soon as I came they shew'd me a Copy of a Decree drawn up but not confirm'd by the Emperor who they said would have me consulted in it Upon Examination I found it run much in favor of the Dutch praising their Nobleness and Greatness and extolling their Worthy Labors in coming from so remote a Country to Visit and Congratulate his Imperial Majesty upon which Considerations this Tribunal being to deliver their Opinions to the Emperor concerning the Commerce which they desire with his Countries they declar'd an unanimous propensity to it The President ask'd me if it were with my satisfaction I answer'd Negatively and gave him my Reasons for it that for thousands of years past until this time the Empire of China having never admitted the like it was a pregnant Argument that it was not conceiv'd safe but very dangerous and greater Mischiefs were to fear'd from the Hollanders upon such a Contract than from any other Nation under the Sun But probably the Hollanders said I may be your Parents and Kindred and so come hither for your Benefit wholly yet if their Pretences be well scann'd they will appear to be grounded upon their own Profit They boast what great Merchants they are and I suppose it is their Nature as well as Trade to enrich themselves from the Goods of others The Tartar President was both amaz'd and incens'd at my Answer he was Son-in-law to one of the Vice-Roys of Canton and durst not contradict his Father-in-law therefore to make trial whether I would change my Sentence he appointed three Chineses of the Coli to debate the Business more privately with me who were so far from altering my Opinion that with great alacrity they became all of my Mind and express'd a great deal of Ioy that I had spoke so frankly which they not daring to do were resolv'd to absent themselves from Court. Hereupon I urg'd boldly that the Decree might be alter'd and the Suffrage of the Court being taken a definitive Sentence drawn up That seeing the Emperor had receiv'd Presents from the Hollanders he should be desir'd to remunerate them away but Contracts with and Access to this Court was not according to the ancient style of this Empire To this they were all silent and ignorant of the reason albeit two days after a Decree was issu'd out with some small Alterations only which mov'd me to go to the most ancient Chinese of the Coli to know the reason thereof who seeing my Constancy and Resolution desir'd me to rest satisfi'd and said it should be Concluded that Commerce should be deny'd the Dutch only it should be confirm'd by general Suffrage that there might be no occasion of offence to any The same day came the President to visit me to be inform'd as he said about the Hollanders Business I advis'd him to be very careful what he did in it for I had spoken privately with the Emperor who had commanded the Coli to consult with me about it whereby he intended nothing else than that they should follow my Sentence in it and not recede from it His Reply was That he would persuade them to be content that the Emperor should reward them only but not grant them any liberty of Trade Thus far was only Consultation about it but it is now become a Conclusion for they despair'd of the Emperor's Approbation in their Favor without my Consent and of that they despair'd much more In few days the Decree will be Publish'd and possibly before Father Gabriel Magelanus's Departure who brings these The Letter from the General of Batavia to the Emperor of China and Vice-Roy of Canton Translated out of Dutch into Portuguese by Father Iohn Adam THE Omnipotent God who created the Heavens the Earth and whatsoever is contain'd in them hath divided the Earth
Stone it self to the Eye of the whole World in the Chinesian Idiome as it was Sculp'd in the Year of Christ 782. that from this most ancient Testimony every one may conjecture how true the Doctrine of the Catholicks is seeing the same was Preach'd in an opposite Quarter of the World amongst the Chineses Anno 636. of our Saviour that is about a thousand years since The Chinesian Original of the Stone is now conserv'd in the Library of the Roman Colledge that belongeth to the Fathers of the Society of Iesus and another Copy is to be seen in the Repository of the House of the Profession I my self also obtain'd from the most Grave Chinese Doctors and Masters at the very time that the Monument was found a Book Printed in the Chinese Language in which the Writing of the Stone was most truly and exactly express'd according to the true Original They advise the Chineses in the larger Preface adjoin'd to the Book that at length they would have recourse to the Masters of the great Occident for so they term the Fathers of the Society of Iesus and discover whether they Preach the same Law amongst the Chineses which their Ancestors with so many Emperors embrac'd a thousand Centuries ago and which the Fathers of the Society of Iesus exhibited in the Books Printed in the Chinese Language before the Stone was found Now it only remaineth that I should declare how this Marble Table was detected When after the Death of St. Francis Xavier the venerable Father Matthew Riccius and other Fathers of the Society of Iesus had introduc'd the Gospel of Christ into the more Inland Parts of China and had erected Residences and Churches in some Provinces and therefore the Propagation of the Holy Faith had made no small progress in that of Xensi Anno 1625. one of the Fathers of the same Society invited by Doctor Philip having Baptiz'd twenty Persons in his native Country of Sanyven he went with the same Doctor to see a Stone which they had found some Months before in the Village Chenche near the Metropolis Siganfu whilst they were casting up the Rubbish for the building of a Wall This Father writes which other Fathers who had fix'd their Abode and erected a Church in Siganfu with the Christians and Heathens also affirm'd That a Stone was found five Hands broad one thick and nine long the top whereof made like an oblong Pyramid of two Hands and one broad on the Vertex the Cross was Engraven above the Clouds that with its Branches seem'd to imitate the Flower-Deluce besides the Chinesian Inscription on the left side and beneath there appear'd the Names of the Syrian Priests and also other Chinesian Names of the same Priests under-written It is the Custom of the Chineses to have many Names whence also the Christians at this Day retain both the Name of the Saints they receiv'd in Baptism and another Chinese Name The Governor of the Place being certifi'd of the finding of this Monument commanded an elegant Composition to be made in praise of it and to be Engraven on such another like Marble Stone causing both of them to be plac'd in the Fane or Temple of the Bonzi that are call'd Tan Su a Mile distant from the Walls of the Metropolis Siganfu as a perpetual remembrance of the same Many other Footsteps of the Catholick Faith Preach'd to the Chineses were discover'd in the following Years which God seemeth not willing to have manifested but only at that very time in which the Preaching of the same Faith arriv'd amongst the Chineses by the Labor of the Fathers of our Society that so both the old and new Testimonies might affect the identity of the Catholick Faith and the truth of the Gospel might be rendred perspicuous and manifest unto all The like Images of the Holy Cross were seen in the Province of Fokien in the Year 1630. In the Province of Kiangsi also a miraculous Light shone forth Anno 1635. which was beheld by the Gentiles and also in the Mountains of Fokien and in the City Cyvencheu 1643. Crosses were found yea the venerable Father Martin Riccius when first he came into China found Xe tsu Kiao to be a Name signifying The Doctrine of the Crosses by which the Christians anciently that were Disciples of that Doctrine of the Cross were nam'd and I doubt not but all that were Christians in the Kingdoms of China when the Tartars about three hundred years past first invaded China and that they liv'd there mix'd with Sarazens Iews Nestorians and Gentiles that is to say in the Time of Marcus Paulus Venetus who travell'd unto Catay which is the very same with that we now call China And now whether St. Thomas or any other Apostle first Preach'd the Gospel to the Chineses is not yet certainly known Father Nicholas Trigautius collecteth from some ancient Testimonies of the Christians of the Church of Malabar in the Arch-bishoprick of Cranganor or De Serra which are termed The Christians of St. Thomas That in that Place as also in Meliapor which formerly was call'd Calamina and now by the Portuguese San Thome the holy Apostle Preach'd by reason that out of their Gaza or Treasury in the Office of St. Thomas is recited or rehearsed That by St. Thomas the Chineses and Ethiopians were Converted to the Truth by St. Thomas the Kingdom of Heaven took its flight and ascended to the Chineses And in the Antiphono the Ethiopians Indians Chineses and Persians in commemoration of St. Thomas Offer up Adoration unto his holy Name Also in an ancient Synodical Canon the Bishops of the great Province viz. those other Metropolitans of China India and Pases do send their Letters of Consent Add withal That he that Govern'd the Church De Serra at the coming of the Portuguese subscrib'd himself Metropolitan of all India and China But in truth things being more narrowly consider'd from those Circumstances and Footsteps which began to be manifest after the time of Father Trigautius we cannot certainly conclude that St. Thomas the Apostle Preach'd the Gospel himself amongst the Chineses for although these Footsteps of the Faith of Christ here found do evidently shew That the Christian Belief hath been in China yet notwithstanding those very Paths or Tracts do demonstrate that the Faith had its entrance into China when the Family of Heuhan Rul'd over three Kingdoms which are now united in Nanking the third Province of the Empire viz. in the Province of Kiangsi at the Shore of the River for Antron-Cross seems by its Inscription to have been fix'd according to the Chinesian Computation about the Year of Christ 239. which Cross weigh'd about three thousand weight whence the Faith and the Preachers of the same are certainly evinc'd to have come amongst the Southern Chineses about a thousand four hundred and fifteen years ago But in some years following the Knowledge of the Gospel being extinguish'd it was again renew'd by Priests out of Tacyu
that is India or Syria in Xensi a Northern Kingdom of the Chineses the Royal Family of Tam then Reigning Anno 639. as the Monument that was found avoucheth where relating the Preachers of the Faith of Christ at that time amongst the Chineses it mentioneth not St. Thomas or any other Apostle which yet if Insculp'd would have been of considerable moment unto their purpose who erected the Stone viz. That the Preachers of the Faith then again Preach'd the same Law that St. Thomas or some other Apostle had before Preach'd amongst the Chineses Moreover it is evident That those Preachers of Tacyu had no knowledge of St. Thomas or any other Apostles Preaching the Law of Christ unto the Chineses and a Conjecture may be made that peradventure neither St. Thomas nor any other Apostle introduc'd the Gospel amongst them And that I may speak most moderately nothing can be certainly deduc'd or drawn concerning this Matter from the Footsteps here found and the Passages before alledg'd are only able to prove That those Priests were sent from the Church of St. Thomas or Babylon which then Govern'd the Malabran Chuch De Serra belonging unto the Christians of St. Thomas as the Portuguese afterwards found to erect an Episcopal Seat and to introduce the Faith amongst the People of China seeing this is testifi'd by the ancient Syrian Language call'd Estrangelo which is now retain'd in that Church and was in former Times in use in Babylon and Syria And as for the Orations compos'd in praise of St. Thomas the Apostle from them we may only conjecture that by the Merits of St. Thomas and his Church the Priests perchance introduc'd first of all the Faith which they had receiv'd from St. Thomas amongst the Chineses and therefore deservedly their Conversion ought to be attributed unto St. Thomas Wherefore seeing there is no mention of St. Thomas to be found in the Paths of the Faith Preached hitherto discover'd we cannot positively assert That St. Thomas or any other Apostle Preach'd the Gospel unto the Chineses but I rather think that many Ages after the Christians of Prester-Iohn's Country whose Emperor Paulus Venetus calleth Usan Can who are term'd The Worshippers of the Cross were those that entred into China either with the Tartars or a little before for those from India or rather from the Syrian Chaldea or those of Malabar as they are far more ancient than the Tartar-Christians so would they have call'd their Disciples that were Followers of a more clear Doctrine Kin Kiao but I believe those Preachers came not out of India for the Syrian Language and Names testifie them to be Syrians and they term'd themselves Iews or of India by reason they Preach'd that Law or Doctrine which had its Original from India But from what Place those Syrian Priests came as also their Syrian Subscriptions these I say we leave to the industrious Disquisitions of the Reverend Father Athanasius Kircher a Person highly meriting of all Antiquity which that he may accomplish with the greater fidelity and solidity we have presented him the same Writing transcrib'd in the Chinese out of the Book by the sole pains and industry of Don Chin Andreas a Noble Chinesian Youth the inseparable Companion of my Voyage to Rome to the Apostolick See which Book was Imprinted and divulg'd throughout the whole Empire by the Chinese Doctors Men of great Fidelity and Authority with my Latin Translation rendred word for word and I have laid up the Book that is altogether consonant to the original Monument in the Study of the same Father together with an Attestation of the Fact by the Subscription of my own Hand and the Hands of those that were Natives of China Eye-witnesses of the Monument as also the Transcribers of this Table from the Original Rome Novemb. 4. Anno 1653. Father Michael Boim Andreas Don Chin a Chinese Matthew a Chinese A Paraphrastical Declaration of a Chinese Inscription Translated word for word out of the Chinese Language into the Portuguese out of that into Italian and from the Italian into the Latin Tongue The Declaration of Xiu Piu or as the Commentator hath it made by a Priest of the Kingdom of Iudea who was call'd Kim Lim. 1. THis therefore I say That he who was always True and Undisturb'd being without any Beginning of a most profound Intellect and eternal Essence by his most excellent Power out of Nothing created All things and by his Divine Wisdom made the Saints This is that Divine Essence Three in Person but One in Substance our Lord who being certainly Infallible without Beginning Olo o yu which in the Chaldee signifies the same with Eloba made the four Parts of the World in form of a Cross gathering together the Chaos He form'd two Kis that is two Virtues or Qualities call'd Inyam the Commentator names them Two Principles chang'd the Abyss that is he took away the Darkness and the Heaven and the Earth appear'd He form'd the Sun and Moon that by their continual Motions they should distinguish the Night and Day He set together and built all things But when he created the first Man besides his Being he endow'd him with Original Righteousness appointing him Lord of the whole Universe which at first of his own Nature was empty and vile fill'd with himself of a plain and equal Understanding and having no mixture of any inordinate Appetite 2. But afterwards by cunning Deceits the Devil brought it to pass that Adam infected whatever was before naturally and in its self Pure and Perfect that is he was the cause of sowing the Seeds of Malice that general Disturber of the Peace in his Heart whereby the equal Temper of his Uprightness was alter'd and Discord fraudulently introduc'd From whence in process of time three hundred and sixty five Sects sprung up one after another each of which drew to themselves as many as they could delude some worshipping the Creature in stead of the Creator others made an empty Principle of all things and a real Ens to this alludes the Sect of the Pagodi and Learned Chineses because they assert That the Principle which produc'd all things was void That the same is to them subtile and undiscernable to the Senses although in it self it be a real and positive Principle But others say That the Principle of things is not only real and positive but that it was of such a Figure and Corpulency as might easily be comprehended by Sense Some did seek Happiness by Sacrifices others took a pride to deceive Men under the specious shew of Goodness using all their Skill and Industry therein making all their Diligence and Intentions subservient to their Affections But in vain and without any profit did they labor still making their progress from bad to worse as it happens to those that would strike Fire out of an Earthen Vessel they add Darkness to Darkness and so indeed once leaving the true Path they can never return to the
Law which Governs the Kingdom of China Hereupon the Law of God was promulgated through all the ten Provinces of China the Kingdom enjoy'd a flourishing Peace all the Cities were fill'd with Churches and the People prosper'd under the Evangelical Felicity 8. In this Year call'd Ximlie which is all one with The Year of our Lord 699. the Bonzii Followers of the Pagods making use of their Strength with a huge clamour aloud blasphem'd our holy Law in the Place which is call'd Tum Cieu in the Province of Honan and in the end of another Year call'd Sien tien which answers to the Year of our Lord 713. certain private Men in Sieno the ancient Place of Venvam the Commentator will have it to be Siganfu in the Province of Xensi were so audacious as to rail against our holy Law with Mocks Flouts and opprobrious Language 9. At this time there was one of the Chief Priests a Bishop as it should seem by Name Iohn and another Man of great Virtue and Eminency by Name Kie Lie with other Nobles and Persons belonging to them no less honor'd for their Fame than respected for their contempt of worldly Affairs who began again to revive and Preach their most excellent Gospel and to tie together those Threds which by the malice of the Devil had been broken And the King Hiuen cum chi tao who began his Reign in the Year 719. commanded five of his Principal Officers that they should go in Person into that Happy House meaning the Church and erect Altars Then the Pillar of the Law which for a short time had been laid groveling began anew to rise and flourish In the beginning of the Year Tien pao being the Year of our Lord 743. King Ota Ciam Kuen gave strict Command to Cuolie fie an Eunuch in extraordinary Favor and Power with him that he should carry the true Effigies of the five Kings his Predecessors and Grandfathers and place them in the Church whither also he should send an hundred Measures of Precious things for celebrating the Solemnity the Author Kim Lim saith in honor of the said Kings 10. In the third Year Tien pao being the Year of our Lord 745. there was in Iudea others say India one Kieho a Priest who was conducted into China by the help of the Stars and looking upon the Sun this was a Ceremony of those who are admitted to speak with our Emperor he was forthwith brought into his Presence But the Emperor Commanded that the Priests Iohn and Paul with others of that Profession and the so eminently virtuous Person Kieho should betake themselves to the Palace Him Kim to worship and perform other holy Acts of Devotion At this time his Royal Grants were kept in Tables in the Church according to order richly adorn'd and glittering with red and blue and the empty space was fill'd with the Royal Plume ascending and reaching even to the Sun His Favors and Donations are compar'd to the heighth of the Mountains of the South and the abundance of his Benefits equal to the depth of the East Sea Reason cannot but well like a thing so approv'd and worthy to be remembred Therefore the King Sa Cum nen men or Ven min who began to Reign in the Year 757. commanded Churches to be built in Lim suu seu and five other Cities by a new Proclamation This King was of a most acute Ingenuity under whom a Gate of Happiness was open'd to the whole Kingdom and hereby all the Royal Affairs of State were Administred and prosper'd with applause rejoycing and felicity 11. The King Tai cum nen vu coming to the Throne in 764. and enjoying the benefit of good Times manag'd all the Affairs of the Kingdom without any difficulty At the Feast of Christ's Birth every Year he sent certain excel-cellent Perfumes in a thankful remembrance and assign'd Princely Provision of all kinds in honor of the Ministers of that holy Law Surely the Heaven gives beauty and perfection to the World which therefore produceth all things with so liberal a Hand This King imitated Heaven and therefore knew it was fit to nourish and preserve his own 12. The King Kien cium xim ven vu in the Year 781. us'd eight ways of rewarding the Good and chastising the Bad. He set forth new Orders for restoring and promoting the Gospel His Government was full of Excellency We Pray to God for him not blushing thereat He was eminent for Virtue Peaceable and Learned He lov'd his Neighbor abounded with Charity to help all and was a great Benefactor to all then living This is the true Way and the Scale of our holy Law to cause that the Winds and the Rain return at their wonted Seasons that the World be quiet Men well Govern'd Affairs orderly dispos'd such as yet are on Earth live well and those that are deceased enjoy Rest and Peace To have these things in readiness and be able to give an Account thereof proceeds really from our holy Faith and are Effects of the Strength and Power of our most sacred Gospel 13. The King gave to the Priest call'd Usa and one of the Chief Preachers of the Law these Titles Kin ju quam lo tai fu being an Office in the Court and Sou fum cie tu fu lei being an Office without the Court and Xi tien thum Kien another Office also but the Explication thereof we have not found in the Exemplar He gave also to the said Priest and Preacher of the Great Law a Vestment of blue Colour which the Italians call di color pavonazo This Priest was inclin'd to Peace rejoyc'd to do good to others with all his Endeavors striving to do Acts of Charity He came into China from a remote Country and Place call'd Vam xi ciu chim being Heathenish which is the same as the far distant India He perfectly taught several Sciences and his Acts were famous through China for above three Generations At the beginning he waited upon the King in his Court and afterwards his Name was Entred in the King's Record or Chronicle 14. The Governor Fuen Yam call'd also Co cu y and enobled with the Title of Chum Xulim at first only minded his Military Affairs in the Parts of Sofam but the King So cum commanded Ay su or Y su that he should promote Co cuy with more favor than the rest it seems the King commanded Ay su to make him a Councellor for although his Captain lov'd him extraordinarily yet he did not like his ordinary method of proceeding for as the Chineses speak An Army is the Teeth and Nails the Eyes and Ears of the Commonwealth He knew how to distribute his Revenues and not hoard them up at home He offer'd to the Church a Precious thing call'd Poli made of Glass as it seems the People of this Place name it Cim reguen others Lintiguen Besides he bestow'd Tapestries of these Parts interwoven with Gold call'd Cie Ki repair'd the Churches in such manner
inhabit And in the eighth Part Line 18. he saith That a great quantity of Gold is gather'd out of these Mountains and divers sorts of Precious Stones and that there is a great Monarch that Ruleth over these Countries All which are agreeable to the Empire of the Great Cham as Marcus Paulus Venetus an Eye-witness in his first Book Chap. 64. delivereth in these words Departing from the Province of Egriaia towards the East the Way leadeth unto Tenduc it is better to read it Tanchut Now Tanchut is a Kingdom of Tartary which comprehendeth many other Kingdoms as the Kingdom of Lasa or that which the Tartars call Barantola the Kingdoms of Nethel Tibeth Maranga and others as I shall shew anon together with the Desart Kalmack which is bounded by the Wall of the Chineses and most Geographers confound this Kingdom with Cathay in which are many Cities and Tents where also that great Emperor term'd Presbyter Iohn so famous throughout the whole World was wont to reside But now that Province is Tributary to the Great Cham having a King of the Progeny of Presbyter Iohn and although there are many Idolaters and Mahumetans yet the greatest part of the Province embraceth the Christian Faith and these Christians are the Chief in this Province especially there is a certain Nation in the Province call'd Argon which is more subtle and eloquent than the other People here are also the Regions of Gog and Magog which they term Lug and Mongug in these Places is found the Stone Lazuli that maketh the best Azure In these Mountains also are great Provinces Mines of Silver and various sorts of wild Beasts All which aptly consent with the Description of the Arabick Geographer before alledg'd Also he thus writeth concerning the Altitude of the Mountains Iagog and Magog in his first Book Chap. 27. Hence if you travel to the Eastern Quarter you must ascend for three whole Days up the steep Rocks of Caucasus until you come to a most high Mountain than which there is not an higher in the World and there also appeareth no Bird by reason of the Cold and the over high Elevation of the Earth which can afford no Food unto Animals And if at any time Fire he kindled there it becometh not light it being obstructed by the over-much coldness of the Region neither is it of that activity as in lower Places And a little after he saith This Region is call'd Belor always having the face of Winter stamp'd on it Thus far Marcus Paulus All which agree unto that Mountain which they call Langur the highest Mountain in the Kingdom of Lasa concerning which Father Iohn Gruberus who travell'd through it on foot relateth that you cannot travel through it in Summer without danger both by reason of the great subtilty of the Air which hardly admitteth a Passenger to breathe and also because of the Vapor of a certain poisonous Herb which by its scent killeth both Man and Beast And about this Kingdom of Belor viz. the ancient Seat of the Sacae the Arabian Geographer placeth the principal Kingdom of Presbyter Iohn in Cathay as the Tractate written by Rabbi Abraham Pizol doth also clearly demonstrate The Nubian or Arabick Geographer calleth it Begarger in which he saith there is situate a very great City his words are these In the Eastern part of it is the Kingdom of Begarger the great City of which is call'd Centaba fortifi'd with twelve Iron Gates Rabbi Pizol with Paulus Venetus calleth it Belor in which he saith the Kingdom of Thebeth was lately discover'd his words are as followeth The Kingdom of Belor is very great and mighty according unto all Historians that have written of it there are many Iews inhabiting in it principally in the Eastern and Northern Quarters And there are moreover other Eastern People not long since discover'd call'd by the Natives Thebeth having a most splendid and magnificent City exceeding all others in magnitude there being not the like under the Canopy of Heaven in which all good things are found Which indeed can be no other than the City Chaparangue situate in the Kingdom of Thebeth concerning the Monuments of which in relation unto our Religion there left by the Christians Father Anthony Andradas a Portuguese of the Society of Iesus relateth Wonders who when he had heard that the Inhabitants thereof were professed Christians he took a Voyage into the same from the Kingdom of Mogor Anno 1624. full of labor and difficulty in which also having discover'd the Fountains or Heads of Ganges and Indus he observ'd many things most worthy of Consideration and admiration as I have it confirm'd by Ioseph a Christian of the Mogors Country who at the time of this my writing with Father Henry Roth Moderator of the new Converted Christians in the Kingdom of the Mogor is yet at Rome strong and lusty although eighty five years of Age who related unto me every Particular There is in the most high Mountains of Thebeth that are perpetually cover'd with Snow a great Lake the Receptacle of the greatest Rivers of India from which Indus Ganges Ravi Athec derive their Currents Hence the River Ganges hath its original falling down from the most high Rocks into a low Valley Indus and the other Rivers make their Outlets through the foot of the Mountains as is evident from the Map Now he affirmeth this Kingdom to be one of those of Great Cathay that are contain'd both without and within the Walls of the Chineses although the Relation be not in every respect conformable unto that perform'd by Benedict Goes of our Society which he undertook by order of his Superiors as we shall see anon And in these vast Regions of Cathay I find by the Relation of Paulus Venetus that most Potent Emperor Presbyter Iohn to have had subject unto his Dominions seventy two Kings partly Christians and partly Heathens although the similitude of the Kingdoms in those vast Regions and the Names arising from the various Revolutions of those Nations the Tumults of War and the other changes of Affairs together with the different Denomination hath caus'd such and so great a Confusion that to this very Day no Person hath been able to free himself out of this intricate Labyrinth for some make him the same with the Great Cham others call him Ascid by Original a Persian so Almachin in the third Book and fourth Chapter of his History of the Saracens Every King saith he of Pharanga so they call the City of Sogdiana is call'd Ascid as the Roman Emperor is call'd Caesar and the King of the Persians Cosrai And there are some that rather by a new Name with the Ethiopians more truly than by the old term him Iuchanes Belul that is to say Precious Iohn Others by no improbable Conjecture do assert That in honor of the Prophet Ionah who is highly respected amongst them all that Govern'd the Empire were so denominated But yet in these Western Parts of the Latin
Church he is termed Iohn with the addition of the word Presbyter not because he was a Priest but by reason that after the Mode and Custom of a Chief Arch-bishop he had a Cross carried before him by which he declar'd himself a Defender of the Christian Religion Whence Scaliger supposeth him to be so call'd from the Persian word Prestegiani which signifieth Apostolical which the Western People misunderstanding for the word Prestegiani they write Presbyter Iohn I will add his words In truth saith he I have very often admir'd that a Nation altogether ignorant in Navigation should be so potent both at Land and Sea as to extend the Bounds of their Empire from Ethiopia even unto China for from those very Times we have had a knowledge of that Emperor but that under the Name of Prestegiani in the Persian Tongue which is almost common over all Asia as the Latin is with us in the West signifieth Apostolical by which Name it is manifest they understand a Prince that is Christian and Orthodox for in the Persian Prestegiani in the plural Number signifieth Apostles and Prestegini Apostolical as Padischa Prestegini an Apostolical King in the Arabick Melek Arresuli in the Ethiopick Negus Havarjavi That the Empire of the Ethiopians was extended far and wide in Asia is evident by the Ethiopian Crosses which are seen in Iapan China and other Places yea and the Temple of St. Thomas the Apostle situate in the Region of Malabar is wholly Ethiopick as the Crosses the Structure and many other things yea and what you will most wonder at the very Name Thus far Scaliger From which Discourse we may well collect That certain Colonies were sent out from Ethiopia into India China and other Parts of Asia which propagated the Christian Faith in those Parts which we now endeavor to shew but in that he saith Presbyter Iohn was originally an African or that being forc'd out of Asia he should set down in Ethiopia and there Rule and Govern is altogether improbable and without any foundation as we shall see anon Now that this African and Asiatick Emperor were diverse is consented unto by the greater part of the best Authors And the Empire of the Asiatick flourish'd for many Years until it fell unto one David who as Paulus Venetus relateth being overcome or vanquish'd by a certain Commander nam'd Cingis Cublai his Uncle in a great Battel who was elected Emperor by the Scythians and in stead of Presbyter began to be call'd Uncam or Naiam unto the great loss of Christianity put an end both to the Glory of the Empire and the Name of Presbyter Iohn as we have shew'd in the History of Marcus Paulus Venetus I shall now declare by what mistake the Name of Presbyter Iohn was given unto the Emperor of the Abyssines or Ethiopians At that time in which the Portuguese by a Maritime Voyage sought after new Quarters of the Earth the Name of Presbyter Iohn was very famous through Europe for he was reported to be a most potent Emperor Lord of many Kingdoms a Christian by Religion but in what Place he Rul'd was altogether unknown Therefore when Peter Couillan was sent by Iohn the Second King of Portugal first through the Mediterranean Sea and afterwards by a Land-Voyage to find out this Prince he heard in the Asiatick India unto which he had arriv'd that in that Ethiopia which is beneath Egypt there was a certain Prince very powerful who profess'd the Christian Religion he therefore betook himself to him and when he had found many things there with him which were conformable unto the constant Fame that was reported amongst the Europeans he believ'd that that was the Presbyter Iohn so call'd He therefore was the first Person who began to call the Emperor of the Abyssines by the Name of Preste Iean that is Presbyter Iohn Others also in succeeding times who travell'd into Ethiopia imitated him and easily introduc'd the same Error into Europe All which is Learnedly shew'd by Father Balthasar Tellez in his Ethiopian History which he hath compos'd in an elegant and polite Portuguese Style unto which also subscribeth Alphonsus Mendes the most wise Patriarch of Ethiopia and the great Light of our Society in an Epistle prefix'd unto the Work of Father Tellez concerning the Ethiopick Affairs Therefore when we speak of Presbyter Iohn we understand not the Emperor of the Abyssines for besides that his Empire is situate very far distant from that of the Presbyter Iohn of Asia it is evident from the Chronology of the Emperors of Ethiopia which is to be seen in the Vatican Library that there is no mention of transplanting out of Africa into Asia or out of Asia into Africa yea Damianus a Goes in his Book of the Manners and Customs of the Ethiopians doth expresly deny him to be call'd Presbyter Iohn or that he was ever so termed which is also asserted by the Ethiopian Priests above cited but we understand that Great Prince of Asia of whom we have spoken in the precedent Discourse And certainly at this very day there remaineth some Footsteps of this formerly Great Presbyter Iohn in the Kingdom of Tanchut which the Tartars call Barantola the Saracens Boratai and the Natives Lassa as the Fathers of our Society Albert Dorville and Iohn Gruberus who travell'd through it as they return'd from China into Europe Anno 1661. sufficiently testifie who relate incredible things concerning the superstitious Adoration of this Prince Now there are in this Region two Kings the first whereof hath a regard to the Administration of the Political Government and the other whom they term God or The Celestial Father or else The Great Lama or High Priest and Pope of the Priests remaineth in the innermost Recesses of his Palace and receiveth Adoration and Worship from all his People as a Deity and they have him in such high Veneration that they foolishly persuade themselves that the very Filth of his Body and his Excrements are extremely conducing to the curing of all Distempers whence they do not only compound and mix them with their Medicines but also blush not to carry them about in a Box fastned to or hung about their Necks And by reason that Mortality cannot evade or escape the Bonds of Death his Worshippers that he may not be said to perish as other Persons the Devil their Tutor suggesting it to them have found out the following Stratagem or Device They make Inquisition throughout all the Kingdom to find out a Lama as like as may be unto the former whom when they have gotten they advance him by a clandestine and secret Machination or Plot unto the Throne of the Eternal Father as they call it pretending the feigned Deity upon the account of his likeness to the former to have been rais'd from the Dead who is now said to have been rais'd seven times The Reader may fully understand in the following Discourse the Rites and Ceremonies by which the foolish
People do Adore him with a perpetual Veneration And they report that these Ceremonies and Worship had their original from no other Person than that Prince which Authors usually term Presbyter Iohn whom they are certainly persuaded to have Rul'd in the Kingdom of Tanchut which is now included under the Dominion of the Kingdom of Lassa for as formerly they went in Pilgrimage from all Parts of Tartary unto him as unto an Oracle so at this very time they cease not from all Parts to flock unto this ridiculous God and Father the Head of the Lamae to obtain his Benediction so that Anno 1629. that great Tartarian Monarch of the Chineses as soon as he had subdu'd the Empire of China according to the Custom practis'd by his Ancestors was solicited by the Magistrates of Tartary to do Homage to the Great Lama that is The Priest as to the Supreme Bishop or Pope of the Religion of the Tartars and the Business was brought unto that accomplishment that the Emperor through the Advice of his Council was resolv'd to meet with the Great Lama now coming towards him even unto the Walls of the Empire of China in a Progress almost of two Months space if Father Iohn Adams an intimate Associate of the Emperor out of an extreme hatred unto the thing had not shew'd himself averse and opposite and that by the allegation of many weighty Reasons which Persuasions of the aforesaid Father took so good effect that the Emperor was so far from vouchsafing to go forwards out of the City to meet him that he would hardly give him any farther entrance or admission than the Garden of the Palace of Pequin and at length after the usual Mode being Presented with divers Presents dismissed him unto his own Kingdom wholly neglecting all those accustom'd Ceremonies that were usually perform'd and he that was suppos'd to have conferr'd great Prosperity and Happiness by his Approach and Benediction brought the contrary Effects with him for that ridiculous Archpriest after his departure incurr'd the Curses and Malediction of all Persons as being the seeming Cause of Famine Pestilence and War But to return to our purpose I say therefore That 't is very probable this Presbyter Iohn resided in the Kingdom of Tanchut for he and his Successors Ruling far and wide in Asia and worthily promoting the Christian Faith those Preachers of the Word of God either being call'd or of their own accord out of zeal to advance the Christian Faith or which is more likely being compell'd by Fear and flying from the aforesaid Places in the time of that horrid Persecution which began under the Empire of Dioclesian and Maximianus in which on the Confines of Syria Egypt and the adjacent Places of Ethiopia the Followers of the Christian Doctrine were every where enquir'd and sought after to be put to most cruel Torments they sat down and Planted themselves in the middle of Persia Bactria and Turchestan and then it is altogether probable that by degrees after long Exilement arriv'd in the utmost Regions of Asia and lastly Anno 600. in the time of the Empire of Heraclius persidious and debauch'd Mahomet then rebelling new Colonies were continually transplanted into the aforesaid Regions of the East For it is manifest that the Syrian or Babylonian Priests giving place to the fury of the Infidels ceased not in succession of time to propagate the Christian Religion as the alledg'd Syriack Inscription doth clearly shew where Iidbuzad Bishop of China is call'd the Son of Noah a certain Priest of the City of Balech in the Kingdom of Turchestan as is manifest from the Syriack words above-cited and here again repeated viz-Anno 1902. Iidbuzad Priest and Vicar of the Bishop of the Regal City of Cumdan Son of Noah a Priest Native of the City Belech in the Kingdom of Turchestan Now that Turchestan is the same Region which the Persians call Usbec the beginning of Great Cathay and the City Belech seated in it is clear from the Arabian Geographer Part 8. Climate 4. Line 34. where treating concerning the Turchestians a peculiar Province of the Corafini he placeth the Situation of the City Belech not far from Samarcande the Regal Court of Great Tamberlain formerly a most famous City his words are these as they are Translated by me out of the Arabick Now this is the eighth Part of the fourth Climate and containeth a portion of the Region of Corasina from Karman even to Kasaralkamat fifteen Miles hence to Samarcande six Miles and it is the Road of those that pass from Samarcande unto the City of Belech Whence it is plainly manifest that Iidbuzad Vicar of the Bishop term'd a Syrian by Original or Descent was of the Country of Turchestan or Corasine And it is evident from the Syro-Chinesian Inscription of the Stone that many of the Region of the Pagodes and other Countries of Asia penetrated into China for the advancement of the Gospel All which we leave farther to be enquir'd after by the curious Reader And thus much shall suffice concerning the Transplanting of the Colonies in the Kingdoms of Presbyter Iohn and in China Moreover those who suppose that most of these Evangelical Persons first arriv'd in India out of Syria Egypt and Ethiopia and having converted that Country by their Labors to the Faith of Christ afterwards sent out some Colonies from amongst them into China by reason of the frequent Commerce which at that time was maintain'd by a Maritime Voyage between the Indians and Chineses have much more of certainty than any others for their Opinion And of this Expedition I shall give a clear Account in few words CHAP. II. Of Cathay and its proper and genuine Situation ALthough in the preceding Discourse we have produc'd divers Passages out of various Authors both Latins Grecians Iews Arabians and Persians concerning the Situation of Cathay yet here notwithstanding for the better elucidation and clearing of the Matter we shall declare by divers Voyages and Travels purposely alledg'd for that end what at length this Kingdom of Cathay is and where situate It is not only evident by the diligent search of the Fathers of our Society that China is the greatest part of Cathay but also it is most apparently prov'd out of Marcus Paulus Venetus for he saith That the most vast City of Cambalu or as the true pronunciation of the Tartars hath it Cambalek was the Regal Seat of the Great Cham. The Fathers of our Society say That it was no other than the modern Imperial City of China which they call Pequin or Pekin and that the vastness of the Walls made in a Quadrangular order and the incredible bigness of the City do more than sufficiently demonstrate the same Now Marcus Paulus writeth That the City of Cambalu situate near the great River was anciently very Splendid and Regal for Cambalu signifieth The City of the Lord The Great Cham remov'd this City to the other side of the River for he
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
leading toward the South draweth near unto the more inhabited Regions as Quansi Iunnam and Tibet for from hence unto the Saffron River and the Places adjoyning which abound with Bushes and Thickets they are wont to betake themselves in Herds and Droves at certain times of the Year both in respect of Pasturage and for Hunting of their Prey I. A Tartar of Kalmack II. A Woman of Kalmack III. A Lama Tartar IV. The Habitation of the Tartars V. The Turning Wheel Therefore when these Fathers had pass'd this Wall presently they met with a River replenish'd with Fish of which they made their Supper which they prepar'd in an open Tent and having also pass'd over the Saffron River without the Walls and immediately having entred that most vast and barren Desart Kalmack a Desart very dreadful and formidable in two Months they came to the Kingdom of Barantola This Desart although it be parch'd and ruinous is yet inhabited by the Tartars which are call'd Kalmack at certain times of the Year when there is great abundance of Pasturage on the Banks of the River they there fixing of their Hords which you may term and not unfitly Portable Cities The Tartars rove up and down in this Desart to Rob and Pillage whence it is very necessary that the Caravan be sufficiently strong to resist the violence of their Attempts These Fathers as they hapned to see them drew their Habits as they are here set down The first Figure sheweth a Tartar of Kalmack Cloth'd with a Leathern Garment and a yellow Cap. The second Figure exhibiteth a Tartar Woman of Kalmack Cloth'd with a Vestment made of a certain Skin as they guess'd of a green or red colour and each of them hath a Phylactery or Amulet hung about their Necks which they wore to preserve themselves from Dangers and Mischiefs The Tartar which the third Figure exhibiteth weareth the Habit of a Lama which is the Priest or Bishop of the holy Rites of the Nation of the Tartars of Kalmack they use a Cap or Hat Painted of a red Colour a white Coat or Cloke cast backwards a red Girdle they are also Vested with a yellow Coat from the Girdle of which hangeth down a Purse The fourth Figure expresseth their Habitations which are Tartarian Tents made up within of small bended and wreathed Sticks on the outside fram'd with a course Matter of a certain Wooll and ty'd or bound together with Cords The fifth Figure sheweth an Instrument or turning Wheel in the form of a Scepter which is mov'd round by the superstitious Auditors or By-standers at the time when the Lama Pray VI. The fore part of a Woman of Northern Tartary VII The back part of the same Woman In the Court of Deva King of Tanguth our Fathers saw a Woman born in Northern Tartary who as she was Dress'd in an unwonted Habit so she seem'd not unworty of having her Picture taken unto the Life She wore Hair ty'd or knotted like unto small Cords having her Head and Girdle adorn'd with the Shells of Sea-Cockles See her exhibited in her fore and back part in the sixth and seventh Figures VIII The Habit of a Courtier in the Attire of a Woman IX The Trophies which are erected in the tops of the Mountains with Adoration unto the Great Lama for the conservation of Men and Horses X. Another Habit of a Courtier There were also in the same Court of the King certain Courtiers whose Habit if you observe it is altogether womanish but only that they use a Coat of a red Colour after the manner of the Lama which together with the Trophies erected in the tops of the mountains in Adoration of the Great Lama for the conservation of Men and Cattel are express'd in the eighth ninth and tenth Figures XI The Habit of the possess'd Youth that killeth Men call'd Phut XII The common Habit in the Kingdom of Tanchut XIII The Habit of the same Nation There is a most detestable and horrible Custom introduc'd into these Kingdoms of Tanchut and Barantola by the subtlety of Satan which is as followeth They chuse a lusty Youth unto whom they grant liberty on Set-days of the Year to kill with the Weapons wherewith he hath Arm'd himself any Person he meeteth of what Age or Sex soever without any difference or respect of Persons fondly supposing that those who are thus slain immediately as if they were Consecrated by Menipe a devilish Spirit whom they worship obtain eternal Honors and a most happy Estate This Youth in a very gay Habit furnish'd with a Sword Quiver and Arrows and stuck or laden with the Trophies of Banners and Ensigns at a prefix'd time being possess'd with the Demon or Devil unto whom he is Consecrated rushing with great fury out of the House wandreth through the Ways and Streets and killeth at his pleasure all that meet him no resistance being made This Youth they call in their Language Phut which signifieth The Slayer whence our Fathers depicted him altogether after the same manner that they had a sight of him together with the Habit of both Sexes in the Kingdom of Tanchut as the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Figures do shew There are other Kingdoms included within the vast Kingdom of Tanchut and in the first place Barantola also call'd Lassa which hath a Metropolitan City of the same Name It hath a King of its own and is altogether intangled with the foul Errors of Heathenism The People worship Idols with the deference of Deities amongst which that which they call Manipe hath the preeminence and with its nine-fold difference of Heads riseth or terminateth in a Cone in a monstrous heighth concerning which we shall speak more fully in the following Discourse when we come to treat of the many-headed Deities of the Chineses Before this Demon or false God this foolish People perform their Sacred Rites with many unwonted Gesticulations and Dances often repeating of these words O Manipe Mi Hum O Manipe Mi Hum that is O Manipe save us They many times set divers sorts of Viands or Meats before the Idol for the propitiating or appeasing of the Deity and perform abominable kinds of Idolatry XIV Han the deceased King of Tanguth whom they worship with Divine Honor. XV. The Effigies of the Great Lama There is also exhibited in Barantola another Spectacle of a false Deity which as it almost seemeth to exceed humane belief so it also doth require to be evidenc'd with the more singular care Our Fathers relate that whilst they remain'd in Barantola which was about two Months to wait for the convenience of the Caravan they observ'd many things in reference to the Manners and Customs of the People of which they noted some to be ridiculous and others to be cursed and detestable There are two Kings in this Kingdom whereof one is truly concern'd and employ'd in the management of the Affairs of the Kingdom whom they call Deva the other being separated and taken off
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
the receiving of the Christian Law Unto these he adjoin'd two excellent Persons for Learning of the Society of St. Dominick William of Tripoly and Nicolas whose Sirname is not added These therefore provided with all Necessaries for such an Expedition began their Iourney to the East and at length after a long Voyage by Sea and Land entred Armenia where they found all things in disorder by reason of a War commenc'd between the Armenians and the Sultan of Babylon The Fathers being struck with fear and laying aside all prosecution of a farther Voyage took up their Station and continu'd in Arâ—â—nia but Nicolas with his Son Marcus Paulus rejecting all fear of danger ouâ— of a great desire which they had to give the Great Cham a plenary Satisfaction concerning his Embassay although they were expos'd to great hardship and the danger of unknown Paths yet at last arriv'd at the City Clemenisu of whose approach when Cublai the Great Cham was acquainted he commanded his Messengers in forty Days space to set forwards to meet them and to conduct them to him and withal to shew them all the respect that might be and to let them want for nothing that might be any way necessary for them Therefore being admitted into the Presence of the Great Cham and having perform'd the accustom'd signs or tokens of Veneration they declar'd the Effects of their Embassy and also Presented him with the Letters of the Pope together with a Viol of Oyl borrow'd from one of the Lamps our Saviour's Sepulchre He admiring the Presence of Marcus the Son of Nicolas gave such Respect unto both of them that he admitted them for his Domestick Attendants which was a token of great Honor and made use of Nicolas as an Ambassador whom by reason of that singular Prudence that appear'd in him his signal dexterity in dispatching Business and his great skill in four different Tongues he sent him on divers Employments all which redounded unto his great advantage and when he discover'd the Emperor to be delighted with curious sights of Nature and strange Customs whatsoever he observ'd rare admirable and exotick in the various Tracts of his Embassies and Voyages those he collected with great Industry and Presented them to the Great Cham by which you can hardly imagine how much he ingratiated himself in his Favor until at length oversway'd with a desire of returning to their native Country after the discharge of many Embassies for the space of seventeen years having obtain'd though with much reluctancy a freedom to return they came back well and safe through many unknown Paths of Sea and Land having pass'd innumerable Regions unto Venice Anno 1295. Now having related this by the way there remaineth nothing but that I should describe somewhat more at large his Voyage into Cathay seeing many things as I have said do occur in it that do very much perplex Geographers Having Sail'd over the Mediterranean Sea and Travell'd through Anatolia Armenia and Persia he came unto the Region of Balasia which I suppose to be Corasina a Country interposed between Persia and the Kingdom of the Great Mogol From this Place avoiding the Passage towards the South he took his way between the North and East which they call Nordost thence he went through the Desarts and then over the most high Mountain Belor which we have describ'd before into the Kingdom of Cassar which now they call Cascar for a time Tributary to the Great Cham partly Inhabited by Nestorian Christians and partly by Mahumetans Thence wandring a little towards the North he entred into Samarcande the Regal Seat of the Great Tamberlain in the Kingdom of Carcham now call'd Tarcham from whence he proceeded onwards through the Desart Lop into the Cities Peim and Ciarcia and at length into Camul and Tarpham at that time Provinces of the Empire of Tanchut and now subject to the Empire of Usbeck All which agrees with what we have alledg'd before concerning the Voyage of Benedict Goes Yet from hence he went not the shortest Way unto Cathay but declining towards the North he came unto the City Campition the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Tanchut where having entred between the East and South that is South-East unto those that proceed forwards he came into Cathay through the Desart yet laying aside this Passage he proceeded forwards again towards the North and having pass'd through many Provinces and Kingdoms of the Eastern Tartary where he found many Christians at length he arriv'd at Cambalu the Royal Court of the Great Cham of the largeness and Etymology of which City we have before treated at large Where I wonder very much that Paulus Venetus maketh no mention of the Walls of the Empire of China through which of necessity he should have pass'd peradventure he stragling far and wide unto the Eastern Sea unto which he writeth that he came through the Northern Kingdoms pass'd through Cireanum belonging unto the Chineses into Cathay that is China for whatsoever he afterwards relateth concerning Cathay whatsoever he observeth concerning the vastness and magnificency of the Cities concerning the frequency and multitude of the People and Merchants of the affluency of all things necessary for Humane Life of the abundance of great and small Rivers of the admirable Structures and Fabricks of the Bridges these I say can agree unto no other Region Kingdom or Empire but only unto that most vast Empire of the Chineses unto which the Chinesian Names of the Cities with their Customs and Manners are altogether consonant and agreeable as I have shewn at large in the preceding Discourse Haython the Armenian a Monk of the Order of the Praemonstratensis and of the Bloud-Royal a Traveller throughout the whole East he with the Fidelity of a religious Person confirmeth whatsoever is more largely related by Paulus Venetus concerning the Kingdom of Cathay for Anno 1307. he beheld all those Kingdoms of the utmost Parts of the East with his own Eyes the cause manner and occasion of which Voyages we shall afterwards declare Now he thus speaketh concerning the Kingdom of Cathay in the first Chapter of his History The Kingdom of Cathay is the greatest that is to be found in the World and is replenish'd with infinite People and Riches It is situate on the Sea-Coast The Men of of those Parts are most subtle and full of deceit and therefore in all Knowledge makeslight of all other Nations for they say that they are the only People that see with both Eyes and all others only with one They have for the most part little Eyes and are naturally without Beards And moreover it is reported concerning this Kingdom that it is situate in the chief part of the World because it hath the East on one part and on the other part there doth no Nation inhabit as they report on the West it hath its Confines on the Kingdom of Tarsa on the North it is bounded with the Desart of Belgian and on the East and
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
one I say who rightly understandeth what I have above related concerning the Voyages of St. Thomas the Apostle which is at large handled by Osorius Bishop of Sylva who hath elegantly compil'd the Indian History Whence from these Regions even now declar'd viz. from Cabul Caphurstan Tibet and Mogul he might easily by the Bishops his Successors propagate the Sacred Gospel of Christ into the remotest Provinces and Kingdoms to the utmost Bounds of Tartary This Ortelius openly confirmeth who saith That the Kingdom of Archon situate in the utmost Angle or Corner of the North was Converted unto the Christian Faith by St. Thomas you must understand it of of his Successors so that by this Account there is no Part or Corner of the World which hath not been fill'd with the Light of the Gospel by his Care and Diligence Nicephorus also relateth in his second Book Chap. 39. That St. Philip Preach'd the Gospel in the upper Asia now the upper Asia is nothing else but that vast Space of Asia Minor which the Ancients call'd by the Name of Scythia on this side and beyond Imaus and they are all those Regions which are comprehended in the extreme Limits of the Eastern Sea and about the Caspian Sea as Georgia Iberia Albanior Micrelia Armenia and part of the Transmarine Asiatick Tartary from whence in course of Time the Gospel of our Saviour by a farther sprouting was transplanted into all the circumjacent Kingdoms as Thebet Indostan Tanchut and the like Chrysostome saith That St. Bartholomew instructed the People of the greater Armenia in the Christian Faith Sophrinus saith that he taught the Albanians and Origen that he Preach'd to the hithermost Indians Panthenus a Christian Philosopher saith That when he travell'd to the Indians he found Christianity yet flourishing by the Preaching of St. Bartholomew He that is curious to know more concerning this let him have recourse unto the History of the Armenians which they call Giarrentir that is A Book of Relations which Clemens Galanus a Canon Regular who spent many years in Armenia Georgia and the other Regions of Colchis to propagate the Christian Faith here publish'd at Rome First of all therefore the Christian Faith was introduc'd into the foremention'd Kingdoms by the Apostles Thomas Philip and Bartholomew which afterwards in course of Time being Propagated and Cultivated by their Successors very Holy Men and illuminated with the Holy Spirit diffus'd and spread the Light of the Divine Law throughout the whole East unto the great advantage of Souls until by the want of Laborers the People following a more dissolute and ill mode of Life degenerated from the Rectitude of Faith 〈◊〉 and also blemish'd and bespotted with the Rites of the Gentiles altogether fell off from the True Way for Anno 400. when by the instigation of Satan the cursed Arrius Nestorius Dioscurus and other Hereticks but especially the Nestorians had every where spread their damnable Opinions and in an horrid manner weakned the Orthodox Faith of Christ above all other Parts it infected with the Venom of its pestiferous Doctrine Colchis Armenia Persia Turchestan and the utmost Bounds of the Asiatick Tartary so that as Marcus Paulus and Haython relate there is no Place of the aforesaid Regions which it hath not defil'd Add unto this that in the Year 632. or thereabouts was the cursed rise of the Incendiary of the World Mahomet who swelling and breaking in like an Inundation over a great portion of the Earth subjected the same to his most unjust Laws whence it came to pass that the faithful Christians and more especially Persons of the Priestly Order being exil'd their Native Country by degrees forsook the Provinces of the more inward Part of of Asia either for fear of Persecution or by a voluntary Exile those that were arm'd with a zeal and desire to the House of God being inflam'd with a fervour to propagate the ancient Religion of the Orthodox Faith fled or retir'd into China it self where how much they labor'd to the advantage of the Christian Faith is plainly shew'd by the Syro-Chenesian Monument I have expounded above Now as nothing is firm and solid in Humane Affairs so also the Faith introduc'd into the foremention'd Regions now fading either through the want of Apostolical Men or the extreme degeneration of Christians tended or deflected first to Idolatry then to Mahumetanism anon to the Religion of the Nestorian Hereticks according as the lust of each Persons Genius led or drew them and this Vicissitude or Alteration of the Orthodox Faith sometimes receiv'd and sometimes being rejected continu'd more especially in the Eastern Tartary unto the Year 1252. in which as Haython the Armenian relateth who was of the Blood-Royal Haython King of Armenia his Brother Reigned until he could no longer endure the Turkish Spoilers of his Kingdom wherefore by a Divine Instinct taking a new Counsel and going in his own Person unto the Great Cham Emperor of Tartary whom Paulus Venetus calleth Cublai Cingischan who Rul'd in Tartaria and Cathay both to make a League against the Saracens and to gain the Favor of that most Potent Prince for the confirming of the Christian Commonwealth in a peaceable Estate and Condition after a tedious Voyage he arriv'd at Almalech that is Cambalu the Court of the Great Cham. The Great Cham or Cublai being much joy'd at his coming receiv'd him with great Honor and Respect as he deserv'd bestow'd on him great Presents and advis'd his Nobles to follow his Example and do the same Therefore when King Haython had rested himself some Weeks after the toil of his continual Travels he address'd himself to the Emperor and with much strength and weight of Rational Arguments open'd the Cause of his so far undertaken Voyage The Emperor having duly ponder'd the just Reasons of his Petition and greatly admiring both the Condescension of the King's Person in exposing himself to so great Labors and Danger and also considering that the Quiet of his Kingdom and the Advantage or Interest of the Christian Common-wealth was very much concern'd out of his Clemency promis'd to grant him whatsoever he should demand Haython accepting of the obsequiousness of so free an Offer Presented him in Writing several Points of his Petition which were as followeth 1. That the Great Cham would vouchsafe to embrace the Christian Faith 2. That a perpetual League of Friendship might be confirm'd between the Christians and the Tartars 3. That all the Christians both Ecclesiasticks and Laicks with their Churches might be free from all Persecution and enjoy the Immunities and Priviledges in all the Kingdoms which the Tartars had subjected to the Empire 4. That he should raise an Army to free the Holy Sepulchre of Christ from the Turkish Tyranny and also restore the Holy Land possess'd by the Saracens into the Hands of the Christians 5. That he should joyn his Forces with his to root out the most potent Caliph of Baldach 6. That he
the Globe of the Earth was furnish'd with so many and those so Potent Nations and People unknown to them that it should be eucompass'd with so large an Ocean with so great a multiplicity of Islands here and there on every side scatter'd abroad and moreover that Europe should be situate so far off in the ultimate Recesses of the West disjoin'd by the interposal of so many Lands and Seas resplendent for so many Kingdoms and Monarchs and more especially for the Majesty of the Roman Empire also that China should be plac'd in the utmost Corner of the East this indeed they admir'd at and were withal much displeas'd that their Empire beyond which they imagin'd nothing to be remaining yea which was fix'd in the middle of the Earth as a Iewel in a Ring should be cast into the extreme Part of the World Father Riccius being mov'd at this their Displeasure that he might not any way abate of that Reputation he had gain'd amongst them design'd a new Delineation of the Globe of the Earth in a greater Form distinguish'd into two Hemispheres that China the proportion of the Paralells and Meridians being observ'd and kept should be in the middle Lastly he Illustrated all the Kingdoms Regions Provinces Cities Mountains Rivers Seas and Lakes in the Chinesian Characters and Language which Work of so universal Diligence and Labor you can hardly express how much it drew and fastned the Mind and Eyes of all upon it especially seeing that what before they admir'd as a rude indigested Heap having no farther understanding of it now they did not only behold the Constitution of each Part of the World declar'd in their own Language but also comprehended and discover'd all and every Place in it whence when the House was not able to contain the great number of Persons that â—ame to view this hitherto unseen Work that many might become partakers of so great a Good the Map at the Cost of the Vice-Roy was speedily Engraven and abundance of the Copies of it were dispers'd through the whole Empire which excited such a flame in the Minds of Persons that were curious that they believ'd Matthew Riccius like a reviv'd Atlas to be the most excellent Astronomer in the whole World and to have fall'n down from the Clouds The Grandees of the Empire being smitten with those first Fruits of Curiosity every where labor'd to call our Fathers unto them but by this means they were unmeet for so great Undertakings having sent for divers of the Fathers of great Abilities from Maccao they employ'd them in Fishing By this means first the Minds or Phantasies of the Great Personages being allur'd by such preparative Inventions of curious things as they acquir'd an high esteem of their admirable Learning and incomparable Wit so nothing was more easie than by laying hold on the occasion which was the chief inducement of their Voyage into China to discourse concerning the Christian Religion and the God of Heaven Now the Chineses who for a long space of time had a great Controversie about the Worship of the True God being captivated with their great Reasonings that were strengthned with the weight of Arguments concerning the One and True God and the nullity of the Gentile Figments and Images presently submitted themselves to be instructed in their Worship and Discipline whence within a few years Men of Note together with other Persons of all States and Conditions discovering the Vanity of their own Religion being wash'd with the Sacred Water of Baptism were receiv'd into the Bosom of our Holy Mother the Church amongst which were many Noble Persons and Governors of the Empire whom they term Mandorins and Colao's who acknowledging the Benefit of the Divine Call unto the safe Harbor of Saving Faith so warmly embrac'd the Law of Christ that they seem'd hardly able to rest before they had brought over many others to embrace the same Hence many Books which deliver'd the Fundamentals of the Christian Religion were written and dispersed throughout the whole Empire to the incredible advantage of Souls But the great Enemy of Man-kind suffer'd not such a Prey to be rescu'd from him for now Places of Residence being establish'd through the chief Provinces of the Empire and Churches also erected unto the Service of God by the Envy and Hatred of the Bonzii that is their Priests who were almost frantick at the so great Advancement and Propagation of the Divine Gospel so heavy a Persecution was rais'd against our Fathers and Converts that often being clapp'd up in Prison and cruelly tormented and lastly by their withdrawing and the total exilement of the Christian Profession so happy a Progress of the Faith was almost reduc'd unto the extremest hazard but by the Assistance of the Divine Favor the Constancy of our Fathers the Books publish'd by Great Persons whom they had gain'd unto Christ and also by reason of the great Authority they bore and the Innocency of the Fathers demonstrated by the detection of the Calumnies of the Adversaries they were restor'd unto their former Liberty they learning from this one Example that it cannot possibly be brought to pass that such another Persecution should ever go about to obscure the so famous Fruits manag'd for the Glory of the Divine Majesty no more than a Shadow can put out the Light of the Sun therefore Matters being again brought to this tranquillous Condition Christianity arose to so much the more heighth by how much it had been the more lowly and violently depress'd for the Faith did not only extend it self throughout the utmost Bounds of the Empire but also entred the Palace of the Emperor and the inviolable force of Verity was such that it drew the Empress and her Son to the love of it by the Pains of Andrew Cosler and Austrian who being wash'd with the Water of Baptism the Empress had the Name of Helena given her and her Son that of Constantine the chief Minister of whose Court Pan Achilleus having also been instructed in the Christian Religion and being a Person mightily inflam'd with zeal to propagate the Christian Faith often solicited by ardent Entreaties that Letters might be sent unto the Pope and to the General of the Society of Iesus for the sending over of a great plenty of Laborers into China They had so great a Devotion towards the Apostolical See that what Homage and Obedience they could not perform in their own Persons they enjoyn'd Father Michael Boim to discharge at Rome unto the Pope in their steads Things thus prosperously succeeding and according to the Desires of all behold a new Whirlwind with great violence from the North disturb'd the prosperous and fortunate Transaction of the Christian Affairs which being establish'd and confirm'd by the Broad Seal of the Emperor they hop'd might have enlarg'd the Preaching of the Gospel throughout the whole Empire But the Tartars being allur'd or intic'd by the Intestine or Civil Wars of the Chineses and breaking through
into several Kingdoms Empires Provinces Islands and Dominions and hath ordain'd by his Eternal Wisdom that no one Place should be stor'd with all manner of things but that whatsoever is either necessary for the Life or convenient for the Ornament of Mankind whether Production of Nature or Invention of Art should be found partly in one Country and partly in another Divine Providence so disposing it that the Wants of this Land should be supply'd by that and the Defects of that retributed by another that so by the means of Commerce Men might enjoy Society and the common Wants of all Nations might by receiving mutual Relief knit themselves together in the Bonds of Friendship And this is the reason which mov'd our Natiön above all others wholly to apply and devote it felf to Trade and Commerce through the utmost Parts of the Sea and by this means are we come to Alliance and Friendship with Kings and Rulers of most Countries neighboring on China whereby we came to receive Intelligence of those triumphant Victories and glorious Conquests which Almighty God hath given your Majesty over the renowned Emperor of China by setling and establishing your Majesty in the Throne thereof And by this we have been stirr'd up to appear in the Presence of your Majesty to Congratulate those glorious Atchievements and to wish a future Happiness and Prosperity thereunto and withal to desire your Majesties admittance of our Ships to enter with safety into the Ports of your Dominions and to exercise a Trade with your Subjects as we do with those of other Countries We hope that your Majesty will grant us this Favor seeing it is the Decree of Divine Providence and an universal practice amongst all Men whereby great Profit shall accrue to your Majesties Subjects and Countries And to the end your Majesty may receive from us the greater Security and Satisfaction about our Proposals we have sent two ancient and honest Men Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keyser to attend your Majesties Person and Pleasure to whom we trust your Majesty will give Audience and a convenient Dispatch And thus we pray Almighty God to grant perfect Health and to add many happy days to your Majesties Life From Batavia Iuly 20. 1655. Governor General Iohn Maatzuyker This Letter which by the Emperor's Order was Translated verbatim out of Dutch into the Chinese Language came at first unseal'd and without any manner of Glorious or Majestick Title as if he had writ to one of his familiar Friends and Equals but the Chineses in Canton did so dress it up and adorn it that it appear'd with great Reverence and Humility for otherwise and different were the Letters formerly written to the Emperor 's of China when we came hither by Maximilian Duke of Bavaria and Ranutius Fernelius Duke of Parma as well for the Paper Style and Superscription as for the magnificent Titles and Encomiums which they gave him but what Comparison between these Princes and a few Merchants in Iava at length the World will be undeceiv'd Thus far Father Adam The Presents they brought they divided into four Parts the first was for the Emperor the second for his Mother the third for the Empress these three had their Superscriptions the fourth was a particular Present for the two Ambassadors This Division was subtilly enough contriv'd to purchase the Favor and to insinuate into the Affections of all Parties but though the Hollanders are sufficiently Masters of that Art this was not their own Contrivance but the Vice-Roy of Canton who as they did not act the Translator's part to mend and patch the General of Batavia's Letter but Compos'd new ones in stead thereof so they wholly order'd and dispos'd the Presents supposing so to manage the whole Business that it should not be capable of denial Nor had they miss'd their aim had they been Catholicks for then they had met with no Opposition That the method and alteration in the disposure of the Presents was the Chineses Invention appears plain enough from this one Argument When the Master of the Ceremonies had receiv'd the Presents from the Hollanders he ask'd them how it came to pass that such and such were for the Queens seeing there was no mention made thereof in their General 's Letter or Memorial To which they return'd this ridiculous Answer That after they set Sail from their Port and were far off at Sea they found these things in the Ship which they knew not of before aâ—d therefore they had dispos'd them for their Majesties Happy Argonautes are these to find Silk and Purple woven in their Ships without their own Labor Corral and Amber with all manner of precious things without their knowledge Let no Man think their Answer false or equivocal because haply they found them in the Ships of some Portuguese Merchants or others they met with in their Voyage for this they ordinarily do without any scruple of Conscience or terror of Divine Vengeance No Man can doubt but a Nation so remote which was in no case dependant upon and never heard of before in the Empire of China coming now with the specious Pretence of being Tributaries their Hands full of Presents which though they had been of ordinary Quality and things common in China yet might have been sufficient for the multitude of them whereby they endeavor'd to conquer the Emperor by the Vice-Roys of Canton corrupt the Mandorins and above all make sure of that Chief of the Coli Son-in-law as I have said to the eldest Vice-Roy of Canton and Bribe the Tartar President of the Tribunal of Hospitality which was not hard to fasten on so sordid and covetous a Wretch I say no Man can doubt but that all this did promise to the Hollanders a very prevailing Success to their Negotiations But the Hearts of Kings are in the Hand of the Lord but though it must be confess'd that Gifts will do much yet much more the devout Prayers of the Servants of God who has been pleas'd to fortifie the Minds of the Chinese Mandorins to weaken and unbend those of the Tartars and so to fix the Heart of a young Emperor that he should deny the Hollanders the Commerce they sought and with a remarkable Ingenuity Affability and Prudence make them promise their Return hither once every eight Years to pay their Tribute Three things there are whereof the Hollanders have no scarcity which had they brought would have been powerful Advocates for them The first is a Harpsichord with a skilful Player on it the second a Trumpeter the third some Engineers and Officers to Train up and Exercise Soldiers These things the Emperor doth much long for but our God would not suffer them to bring them that for the future the like may be brought by our Friends which may redound very much to the benefit of the Catholick Religion Lastly May your Lordships consider that it was a peculiar Grace of God to blind the Eyes of these Hollanders with
Christian Religion the se â—ooks are commonly expos'd to the sight of Strangers in the Library of the Roman Colledge with the authentick Draught of the Monument it self sent from China and lastly approv'd by the whole Christian World so that it is of little concernment what an obscure Bragadocio barketh forth in the utmost Quarter of the World who if he had abstain'd from Calumnies and Scoffs and had prudently propos'd the Matter with some scrupulosity peradventure might better have sav'd his own Reputation and the Credit of his Work but so it hapneth by the just Iudgment of God that those who endeavor to traduce the Glory of the Divine Majesty by Cavils and Scoffs both contrary to Conscience and Charity for the most part at length suffer Shipwrack of their own Fame and Labors Mov'd therefore by these Reasons lest a Monument of so great Concern depriv'd of its Credit should run the hazard of being cast away I shall labor so by the Divine Assistance to establish the Truth of the Monument in this undertaken Work being my Contexture from the very bottom of the Matter confirm'd not only by the great attestation of the Fathers of our Society which have seen it with their own Eyes but also from the testimony of the Chineses themselves that from henceforth there may no place of doubting be left and the Heterodox themselves may be forc'd to confess the Interpretation of this Syro-Chinesian Inscription being consider'd that no other Doctrine was taught above a thousand years past by the Preachers of the Gospel which is not altogether consonant and conformable yea the very same with the Orthodox Doctrine now profess'd and therefore the Gospel Preached formerly in China is the same with that which the Universal Catholick Roman Church enjoineth to be believ'd at this Day as I shall afterwards prove by manifold strength of Argument Now that the Matter may be treated of in a requisite Order and Method I thought good first of all to annex a two-fold perfect and sincere Interpretation of this Stone expounded by the Chinesian Learned Men themselves from a Book Printed in Chinesian Characters and express'd verbatim in the genuine Pronunciation of the Chinesian words by Father Michael Boim a Person excellently skill'd in the Chinese Language as it will appear anon from his Epistle to the Reader I have also adjoin'd another Exposition with the Scholiasts avoiding the Chinese Phrase not so accustom'd to our Ears and that for the more sutable apprehending of the genuine Sence of the Table And this I did the rather that I might not seem to omit any thing by which the Monument might receive the greater Illustration And by reason some may justly question how those Syrian-Chaldeans the great Propagators of the Christian Religion could penetrate into those utmost Quarters of the Earth it appear'd not only congruous but also absolutely necessary for the confirmation of this Matter to administer Aid to the perplexed Reader in this obscure Labyrinth of various Travels by the flaming Pharos of this Work that is to direct him by Geographical Demonstrations from which if I do not deceive my self the Reader shall clearly understand That not only the Christian Doctrine but also the Superstitions of the Chineses and their Fables before the coming of our Saviour deriv'd their Original from one and the same Region that is from Egypt Graecia Syria and Chaldea Now where the vast Empire of the Chineses is into which the Monument sheweth the Gospel to have had an Entrance I shall rather hint at in a few words than endeavor to describe concerning which notwithstanding if the inquisitive Reader desireth farther satisfaction I shall remit him to have recourse unto the History of Father Nicholas Trigautius and Iohn Samedius as also to the Atlas Sinicus of Martine Martinius and many others where he shall find fully describ'd whatsoever relateth unto the Situation of China and its Wonders the Nature Property and Fertility of the Regions the multitude of its great and vast Cities and their Inhabitants and lastly the Politick and Civil Government in which regard this Empire seemeth not to give place to any Monarchy in the World My Business is only to explain those things which as they are controverted so likedo wonderfully render the Readers doubtful and perplex'd about the equivocation of the Terms and also to alledge in respect to the curious Reader the more rare Curiosities and Secrets of Things observ'd to be treasur'd up in this Nation and others adjacent not observ'd hitherto by any former Authors with the Prodigies both of Nature and Art each being recorded in their proper place CHINA the largest and vastest of Kingdoms as it was confin'd unto the utmost Bounds of Asia by the Creator of the Earthly Globe so also did it remain altogether unknown unto the Ancients even unto the Year 1220. when Marcus Paulus Venetus first discover'd it unto us under the Name of Catay as afterwards shall be made manifest On the East it is encompass'd with the Eastern Ocean On the North it hath Tartary adjoining separated by a Wall whose yet undiscover'd Bounds are extended even unto the Frozen Sea and questionless they are in some part or other continu'd to the North part of America with Anian whether it be a Sraight or Isthmos although unto this very time as with great pains it was search'd after by the Fathers of our Society employ'd in China the Limits of these vast Kingdoms and Lands have as yet been detected by no Person On the West it is encompass'd partly with Ridges of most high Mountains partly a Sandy Desart and other Kingdoms which we shall discourse of anon Lastly on the South it is limited with the Sea the Kingdoms of Touchinum Cochinchina Laum and others The Latitude beginneth from 18 Degrees and extendeth it self unto 43. that is it is distended by the interval of a thousand four hundred and forty Italian Miles from South to North and from the West unto the East it almost consisteth of the same Distance whence the Chineses do express it in their Maps in the form of a Quadrate although by our Geographers that are better skill'd in the Mathematicks it is describ'd in the Figure of a Crescent Now in reference unto the confusion of the Names of it it is as great as the diversity of the adjoining Nations are the Spaniards and the Portuguese call it China the Ancients as it â—s to be seen in Ptolemy Sin and Serica the Arabians Sin and the Sarazens Catay All which Appellations are so far I may say from being in use among the Chineses themselves that the Names are not so much as known as it is hence apparent for it is an immemorial Custom among the Chineses that as often as the Right of Dominion devolv'd from one Family to another according to the mutability of Humane Affairs so also was the Kingdom dignifi'd with a new Name by him that assum'd the Regalities which he