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
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
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
Strangers as understood not the year of Christ might here find that of Alexander which extended farthâ—r and with which perhaps they might be better acquainted From hence it is also manifest that the Syrian or Chaldean Tongue in those Times was common to the Churches of Syria Palestine Egypt and Babylon yea peculiar to them in Christ's time so that it is no wonder that the Gospel of Christ immediately after the Travels of the Apostles throughout the whole World was carried not only into the most remote Regions of the East but also into the adjacent Regions of Babylon Egypt and Ethiopia where as if in the native Birth-places of the Church the Syrian or Chaldean Tongue took such root that it was thereby spread throughout all the Coasts of India as I have said before and the utmost Regions of China But of this more in the following Discourses OF THE VARIOUS Voyages and Travels UNDERTAKEN INTO CHINA PART II. CHAP. I. By whom and by what means the Holy Gospel of Christ was at divers times introduc'd into the uttermost Regions of the East into India Tartaria China and other Countries of Asia SEeing that at this very Day in India China and other Regions of Asia there are yet remaining frequent footsteps of the Christian Religion as I have shew'n even now I think it will be worth while if having Explain'd the Syro-Chaldean Monument found in China I now give a brief Account by what way and occasion these Apostolical Persons penetrated into those most remote Quarters of the World for having accomplish'd this it will clearly appear that at all times Syria Egypt and Grecia have been a Seminary not only of promoting the Christian Religion in the far distant Regions but also before the coming of Christ they were the Propagators of all Superstition throughout the World And that I may proceed with the more clearness in a Matter so abstruse I shall first here set down the Opinions of some concerning them so that those things being discussed it may more evidently appear what ought to be resolv'd concerning the Matter propos'd First therefore there are some Persons who assert That these Colonies of the Christians first of all entred China and the other Regions of Asia by the assistance of that great Asiatick Emperor usually term'd Presbyter Iohn But then again seeing that this is a great Controversie amongst Authors concerning this Emperor and the Situation Quality and Condition of his Kingdom or Empire I shall in the first place alledge something concerning this Prince and his Dominions for the more clear Explication of the Matter or Subject albeit I have already treated of the same in my Prodromus Coptus Who was that famous Presbyter Iohn and whether there ever were such an Emmperor NOw therefore as the Kings of Egypt were at first call'd Pharaohs and afterwards Ptolemyes those of Mauritania Seriphii those of the Persians formerly Xerxes Artaxerxes and now Sophi so the Name of Presbyter Iohn hath now for a long time denoted the Dignity of some Christian Prince whose Dominions are plac'd by consent of the most knowing Persons not amongst the Ethiopians or in any part of Africa as some falsly suppose but in the Continent of Asia yet in what Place he Rul'd is not exactly known Now some Writers affirming that they were the Kings of Cathay have thereby rendred the Matter more doubtful seeing it hath been discover'd in these latter Years that all Cathay belongeth unto China and that there is no City or Territory call'd by this Name that is now found without the Bounds of China And in this all the Fathers of our Society who have continu'd in China for many years do agree who are Persons very well skill'd in Geographical Knowledge as Matthew Riccius Nicholas Trigautius Alvarus Samedus Michael Boiâ— Martin Martinius Iohn Gruberus and Iohn Adams that great Mandorin of the Kingdom of China and lastly Benedict Goes of the same Society who by order from his Superiors travell'd from the Kingdom of Magor purposely to find out Cathay by a Land-Voyage I believe that it is not far wide of the Truth that besides that portion of Land which by the Name of Cathay was found by the Fathers of our Society within the Limits of China there is another Quarter of the World much larger conterminate on the North and West unto the Empire of China But seeing that all that Region without the Walls of China is a Desart almost of two Months travel incultivated and destitute of Inhabitants it is probable that the Region of China in latter Times as being very much manur'd and abounding in all things might properly be call'd Cathay And that the Desart at this day call'd Kalmuk and the Regions confining on it without the Walls in former Ages had the Name of Cathay the Desart in the adjoining Kingdoms of which that same Presbyter Iohn of whom even now we treated Rul'd in the days of our Ancestors Marcus Paulus Venetus termeth it The Empire of the Great Cham the Holy Scriptures as Arias Montanus will have it Gog and Magog concerning which thus writeth Sybilla Heu tibi Gogque Magogque aliisque ex ordine cunctis Marson atque Angon tibi quot mala fata propinquant Now that this is the Scythian Cathay is shew'd by the Arabick Geographer throughout the four entire last Climates where he describeth it to abound in Men Animals and Minerals flourishing with Christians meer'd and inclos'd with the vast extended Skirts of Caucasus call'd Iagog and Magog Thus the Arabian Geographer in his ninth Part Climate 5. Line 21. his words are to this effect as I have translated them out of the Arabick From the Mansion Gerrada to the City Tahamet on the South Quarter are four Leucae whereof one maketh twenty five Miles from the City Geerada even unto the Mountain which is call'd Caucasus is seven days travel And this Mountain encompasseth the Regions of Iagog and Magog It hath such craggy and difficult sides that none can ascend it and if any one doth attempt it he can never arrive at the top being obstructed by continual Snows congeal'd into Ice which because they are never dissolv'd represent the similude of a Mist or thick Cloud perpetually fix'd on the top of the mountainous Caucasian Rocks On the other side the Mountain are many Cities of Iagog and Magog And it often hapneth that the Inhabitants of this Region out of a certain curiosity ascend some part of it to discover what is on the top of the Mountain and what is beyond but many never return either â—ecause they are devour'd by wild Beasts or taken by the Transmountainers but some that have return'd safe relate That in the Region on the other side of the Mountain in the Night are many Fires but in the Day nothing else but a thick Cloud mix'd with Darkness is discover'd Also in the seventh Part of the same Climate Line 34. he adds In these Regions many Christians or Nazaraeans do
in the same quoted place of Antonius unto St. Lewis King of France who was also at the same time intent on the War undertaken against the Mahumetans in the Island of Cyprus in which Epistle he ardently exhorteth him to accomplish the same Enterprize together with him and because it is worthy of consideration I thought it requisite here to insert it This is the Exemplar or Transcript of the Letter which Ercaltay Prince of the Tartars sent unto King Lewis and by his Command Translated into Latin word for word THe Words of Ercaltay sent by the Power of the High God from the King of the Land of Cham unto the Great King the Strenuous or Victorious Conqueror of many Provinces the Sword of the World the Victory of Christianity the Defender of the Apostolical Religion Son of the Evangelical Law King of France let God increase his Dominion and preserve it for many years and fulfill his Desires in the Law and in the World now and in the World to come by the Verity of his Divine Power that leadeth all Men and all the Prophets and Apostles Amen A hundred thousand Salutes and Benedictions and this I request That he will accept these Benedictions and that they may appear great in his sight God grant that I may behold this magnificent King who hath approached so near unto us Now the most High Creator grant this our Meeting may be in Charity and cause us to assemble together in Unity After this our Salutation That in this our Epistle we intend nothing but the advantage of Christianity and to strengthen the Hands of the Christians and I beseech God to render the Christian Armies successful and that they may become triumphant over their Adversaries that contemn the Cross. Now on the part or behalf of the Great King let God advance him let God increase his Magnificence in the Presence of Cyochaym We come with Power and Command that all Christians be free from Servitude and Tribute from Force Compulsion and the like that they be Honor'd and had in Reverence and that none take away or deprive them of their Possessions and that their demolish'd Churches be re-edifi'd their Tables founded and that no Person may restrain them to Pray with a quiet Conscience and free Mind for our King We have sent hither by our faithful Servant the venerable Person Sabaldi David and Mark and they declare those good Reports and relate by word of Mouth how Matters are carried with us now the Son may receive their words and may concredit them and in our Letters the King of the Earth may be exalted His Magnificence commandeth that in the Law of God there be no difference between the Grecian and the Roman the Armenian Nestorian and Iacobite and all those that adore the Cross for they are all one with us and so we desire that the Magnificent King would not be divided or be contrary amongst us but that his Piety may be shewn upon all the Christians and that his Goodness and Clemency may continue Thus far the Example of the Epistle which was sent to the King of France in Cyprus from Ercaltay Prince of the Tartars unto which other Letters are sufficiently consonant which a little before were Presented unto the same King from the King of Cyprus and the Count of Ioppa a Transcript of which also together with the Transcript of the aforesaid Letter of Ercaltay were sent by the venerable Legate unto Pope Innocent the Fourth This I have transcrib'd our of Antonius Also St. Lewis sent unto the foremention'd Ercaltay and to the Great Cham Ambassadors of the Order of St. Dominick with rich Gifts or Presents one whereof was that which they call A Baldachin a most magnificent Present in which the whole Life of Christ was beheld interwoven in Tapestry-work by a wonderful Art together with a piece of the Cross But concerning this see more at large St. Antonius in the fore-cited place as also Vincentius Bishop of Bellay in his Speculum Historicum or Historical Looking-Glass all which hapned about the Year 1256. and are consonant to what we a little before alledg'd out of Paulus Venetus and Haython St. Antonius asserteth in the place quoted That some Tartars came unto the Council held under Innocent the Fourth At length Anno 1300. as Vadingus relateth in the Life of Odiricus many Religious Persons of the Order of St. Francis were sent unto the Great Cham into the greater Cathay and Tartary and remain'd in the Cities of Cambalu and Nanchin which they call The City of Heaven as also the Kingdom of Tebeth Converting many of the Infidels and Pagans unto the Faith of Christ. This St. Odiricus above-mention'd was a Person of the same Order who being inflam'd with a zeal of gaining all the People of those Kingdoms unto Christ is reported to have travell'd thither as is shewn at large by the Reverend Fathers Bollandus and Hoenschenius in the splendid Work of The Lives of the Saints unto which I refer the Reader where in the first Tome on the fifteenth day of Ianuary they at large demonstrate the same in their Learned Commentaries And therefore by this occasion the Gospel of Christ being spread throughout all Tartary and the Kingdom of Cathay which is China was in every Place much augmented But as we have often said before what through the defect of the Cultivators of the Vineyard of Christ or by the various Successors of the Empire very little addicted unto the Christian Faith or from some other causes the Tartarian Church reduc'd unto its Chaos partly adher'd unto the Superstition of the Gentiles partâ—ly unto the Law of Mahomet or else to the Heresie of the Nestorians who in the Year 1300. undertaking an Expedition or Voyage from Chaldea into Tartary to â—sow their Tares infected the Minds of the Christians there yet remainining with the Venome of their impious Opinions and also taught them who were ignorant of Writing before the use of the Chaldean Characters which the Tartars use unto this Day But how the Tartars became Mahumetans read in Matthias Micheu in his first Book of the Asiatick Tartary And this is that which in brief I esteem'd requisite to acquaint the Reader with concerning the Change of the Christian Religion in China Tartaria and the other Regions of India CHAP. VII Of the last Introduction of Christianity into China THe Church of Christ continuing thus from Anno 636. in which the Syro-Chinesian Monument was erected in China and making great Progress behold the Enemy of Mankind by the Assistance of wicked Men threw down at one shock or storm whatsoever the Church of God had perfected in many years the Preachers of the Christian Faith out of the hatred and envy of the Bonzii being some put to death and the rest banish'd whence the Faithful at that time persever'd in the constancy of the Faith receiv'd even unto the Death but their Posterity in process of time
separates it from Tartary and India The furthest Extent of China taken in the breadth begins in the South upon the Island Hainan which lies in 18 Degrees Northern Latitude from thence it reaches toward the North to 42 Degrees insomuch that China in the breadth extends to 22 Degrees that is 330 Dutch Leagues It s length begins in the Province of Iuunan at 120 Degrees and ends in the East at the Mountain of the Town Ningpo call'd by the Portugueses Nampo at 132 Degrees So that this Part consists of 450 Leagues in Longitude China is not a little secure in regard of the adjacent Kingdoms and the natural and strong Forts whereby this Kings Realm stands so intirely protected against all violence from without that the like is hardly to be seen elsewhere neither are there any Avenues found leading to this Monarchy insomuch that it is so well provided and guarded that it seems to be a World within it self and separated from all the rest as well toward the South as East and where the Sea borders it hath so many Islands Banks Flats and blind Rocks that it is altogether unsafe to approach China on the side with any great Ships of Men of War On the West and somewhat toward the South lie the Woods and Hills of Tamessus which are so thick and high that it is altogether unpenetrable on that side and which separate China from the next bordering Asia and the lesser neighboring Kingdoms all which adds to the Defence and Protection of this Empire Toward the North and West it is also sufficiently secur'd against all Invasions by the Sandy and dry Flats of Samo which endanger all Vessels that attempt any Landing in those Parts Lastly this Kingdom has toward the North a great Wall which the Family and Branch of Cina built against the Invasion of the Tartars 215 Years before the Birth of Christ but in what condition this Wall is at present and how far it extends we shall treat at large in the Description of the Province of Peking In respect the Sovereignty over the fifteen Kingdoms of this China belongs at present to a Monarch the Great Cham of Tartary I shall give you an Account of the number of all the great and little Cities situated in all these Dominions First of all they sum up in this whole Empire 145 Capital Cities which out-shine the rest both in Greatness and Glory Under the Command of this Emperor are 1331 small Cities amongst which 148 may be compared in Magnificence Beauty and People with the chief Cities Beside these there are 32 great Cities more which are not subject to any other yet they must not bear the Name of Capital though they Command over 36 small Cities Beside all these there are 3 Cities more for the Officers and Commanders of the Militia to dwell in The Forts and Castles are 159. beside which 17 great Garison Cities and 66 small Garison Towns which are never without full Companies and of Soldiers who are permitted to inhabit promiscuously amongst the Burgers There is no distinguishing by the greatness and largeness of the Cities the one from the other for some of the small ones exceed some others of the great and prime Cities both in Largeness Wealth and People but according to the Worth and Dignity of the Governors and the Priviledges of the Place she bears the Precedency and is reckon'd amongst the chief Cities No Place must presume to take up the Name of a City but what is Wall'd in for every inferior Town or Situation subjects to the next adjacent Capital City Most of the Cities in China are built after one fashion and form commonly four-square with broad and high Walls adorn'd with quadruple Towers placed at an equal distance round about which runs a deep Moat and that also is surrounded with a Mud or Earthen Wall Each City has a double Gate and two double Doors whereof the first stands directly over against the second that there is no seeing through the last though you stand in the first Betwixt these two Gates opens most commonly a large Court where they Discipline their Militia Upon the Gates are likewise built great Watch-Towers where the Soldiers keep Night-Sentinel Most of the Cities have great Suburbs belonging to them which are as full of People as within the Wall Without the Battlements each Metropolis hath a delightful Plain curiously adorned with Towers Trees and other Embellishments most pleasant to the Eye The Country every where swarms with People so that wheresoever you Travel you shall meet continually with Crowds of Men Women and Children As now these 15 Kingdoms seem not onely to exceed all other Parts of the World for the number of most rare Edifices and rich Cities so they are likewise no less abounding in People for the most populous Country of all Europe stands not in competition with this Those that will take the pains to look into the Chinese Pole or Register-Books wherein is exactly set down the number of the People of each Province except those of the Royal Family will find that it amounts to the number of 58 Millions 9 hundred and 40 thousand 2 hundred and 84 Persons Neither need you wonder which way this can be made out for every Master of a Family is oblig'd upon a great Penalty to hang out a little Board over his Door upon which he must set down the number of his Houshold and their Condition c. And to prevent all Fraud one is appointed over every tenth House whom they call Titang which signifies the Tenth-man or Tyther His Office consists in taking an Account of the number of the Persons upon the Board and if the Master of the Family fail to make that known truly he is to acquaint the Governor of the City with the Abuse Having spoken thus much of the Situation Division and Extent of China I shall add in short what these fifteen Provinces pay annually in Taxes one with another as also how many Capital great little and Garison Cities are in each of the Ten and lastly what each Province Division or Shire disburseth yearly in Taxes to the Emperor of China No Man possesses a Foot of Land in all this Empire without paying to the Emperor something out of it so that we need not wonder that over and above the common Expences which are made upon the account of petty Kings Vice-Roys and Military Officers there are more then threescore Millions of Crowns brought yearly into the Emperors Coffers The whole Sum amounts to 150 Millions of Crowns whereof he cannot dispose as he pleaseth but the Money is brought into the Treasury and if the King at any time desires a Supply in writing to the Treasurer he is not to deny the payment of it The Provinces bring in yearly in Taxes 32 Millions 2 hundred 7 thousand 4 hundred and 47 Bags of Rice and one Bag is enough to serve 100 Men for one day 40 hundred 9 thousand
Province of Huquang are caught many dainty Lampreys in the River Lofeu Near to the City Kiagan is the Pool Mie in which is bred a sort of Fish as sweet as Honey In the Province of Chekiang near the City Canghoa lies the Mountain Cienking upon which is a Pool famous for the yellow or Gold-Fish that is in it It is but a small Fish about a Fingers length with a forked Tail but is in very great esteem at the choicest Tables so that the Grandees have them commonly in their Fish-Ponds for their Pleasure and Use. In the Province of Honan near to the Chief City Namyang runs the River Tan wherein at the beginning of Summer but never else are taken red Fish before and after which time they are not to be had in regard they hide themselves Near to the Island Hainan are caught Whales after the same manner as the Hollanders and English take them in the North about Greenland whereof they make Oyl which serves for several uses Of these commonly some are a hundred and twenty Foot long the Head whereof is reckon'd for a third part of the whole Body Upon the top of the Snout are two round Holes by which means they will take in a great quantity of Water and spout it out again with a mighty force In stead of Eyes they have two thin Skins which stick out and are three Yards long and a Foot and a half broad and cover'd over with Stuff like unto Flocks On each side of the Head it hath an Ear which is much smaller without than within whereby they are very quick of Hearing It hath a very large Mouth with Lips of so great a thickness that they have sometimes five or six thousand weight of Fat upon them The Tongue which is about eighteen Foot long and ten broad rests upon eight hundred small and great Pegs or Teeth which are all cover'd with Stuff like Horse-hair to preserve the Tongue from being hurt as it lies upon them They feed upon Fish and the Froth and Scum of the Sea There was once one taken that had forty Cod-Fishes in her Belly The Tail is at the end almost twenty eight Foot broad and two thick The Male hath a Pizzle about fourteen Foot long They bring forth but one at a time and that in the Harvest which stays by the Female under the protection of her Fins till it is grown of a large size It stands in great fear of the Sword-Fish which is a mortal Enemy unto it and who with its sharp Saw endeavors to rip open the tender Belly of this Prodigy of Nature The manner of killing them has been sufficiently described by others and therefore I shall forbear to trouble the Reader with a Relation thereof Of Creeping Creatures NEar Fungciang is found a sort of black Snakes whose Flesh is made use of in the Composition of Medicines that are prescrib'd as Antidotes against Poyson In the Province of Honan near the City Hangang are Snakes with white speckled Skins whose Flesh having for a convenient Season been infus'd in Wine makes the same a very soveraign Remedy against Lameness In the Province of Huquang is a sort of Snake which Physically us'd is very good against the Scurf and Itch. Of Vermine THE Province of Xensi is subject among many other Inconveniences to this that it hath more want of Rain than the other Northern Parts and this occasions every where such infinite swarms of Grashoppers that they continually devour the growth of the Fields notwithstanding all the Care and and industrious Diligence of the Inhabitants to prevent the same And this is the true cause why there is very seldom any green Grass to be seen in that whole Province But these very Vermin supply the Defect they cause by becoming good Food insomuch that of these Grashoppers the People make a delicate Dish for their Tables The whole Country of China hath great numbers of Silk-worms but in no part are they in so great abundance as in the Province of Chekiang the Inhabitants whereof spend the greatest part of their time in tending looking after and taking care to increase them In the Province of Xantung the Trees and Fields hang sometimes full of Silk which is not spun by the fore-mention'd Silk-worm but another sort and consisteth of long Threds of white Silk which being carried by the Wind upon the Trees and Houses is gather'd together Of this sort they weave Stuffs but it is far courser then that which is wove of the former but this is recompensed by its durableness for it is much stronger In China are also found several strange Creatures which live as well upon the Land as in the Water namely in the Province of Huquang in the River of Siang lives a certain Creature like a Horse only in stead of Hair it has Scales upon the Body and Claws like a Tyger It is of a very fierce and cruel Nature and will fasten upon any thing when it comes out of the Water whether Man or Beast In Quantung near the City Hoeicheu is a Creature which is neither Fish nor Fowl but between both for all the Summer it is a Bird of a yellow Colour and therefore call'd Hoangcioya and keeps upon the Mountains but in the Winter it turns Fish again and betakes it self to the Water The People eat of it with great delight and satisfaction Near the City Caocheu in the River Co are abundance of very mischievous Crocodiles they are by the Indians call'd Caiman having an Hide as hard as Iron and only soft upon the Belly This Caiman has a broad Forehead and a Hog-like Snout with a very wide Mouth Its Teeth are large white and strong fix'd in both the Iaws whereof only the uppermost moves for the lowermost is fix'd and immovable It has no Tongue but only a Skiâ— that cleaves to the lower Iaw being much like a Tongue It has large round black Eyes The Legs are strong and the Feet Arm'd with sharp Nails The Tail is as long as the rest of the Body It is said that he can live four Months without eating but at last being hungry he howls or cries out like a Man These Serpents are very swift of foot but cannot so well wind and turn by reason of their stiff Back-bones They are not onely found here but in other parts of India Africa Asia and America especially in the River Nyle in Egypt They live upon Fish or Flesh and when they come Ashore they prey upon Cattel When they Couple the Male lays the Female upon her Back otherwise by reason of the shortness of his Feet he could not Copulate The Female lays sixty Eggs of the bigness of a Goose Egg and is hatching of them sixty days There is no Creature to be found that from so small a beginning grows to such a largeness for some are thirty Foot long They are at enmity with the Tyger Serpents Scorpions c. but at amity with Hogs which they
suffer to pass by them unregarded In the Day this Creature lives upon the Land and in the Night in the Water When it is gorg'd with eating and is fall'n asleep with his Mouth full of Meat a small Bird call'd Trochicus and in Italian The King of Birds comes to him as he lies with his Mouth open and cleanses his Teeth with picking and scraping wherewith the Crocodile is so highly pleas'd that he opens his Throat as wide as is possible that so the Bird may scoure the same for which kindness it bears it much friendship The Chineses eat the Flesh thereof with great delight It is reported that Termus King of Egypt swam amongst them stark naked having his Body only anointed with the Grease of them In the River Chaoking is a Fish call'd The Swimming Cow which comes often out of the Water and fights at Land with the tame Cows to their great hazard till its Horns grow weak by staying out of the Water which may be discerned by their turning yellow then with all speed it returns into the Water where the Horns grow hard again Near to Caocheu there is to be seen a strange kind of Creature in the Sea having a Head like a Bird and a Tail like a Fish In its Belly are found some Precious Stones Between this City and the Island Hainan are taken a sort of Crabs which as soon as they are out of the Water become petrifi'd and immediately turn into Stones The Portuguese and Chineses make great use of them for the Cure of Agues In the Province of Suchue near the City of Chunking are great store of Land-Tortoises of several sizes some very large and others very small which the Inhabitants keep in their Houses for their Pleasure But in Quantung near to Hoeicheu there are caught in the Sea such very large Tortoises that they look like little Rocks at a distance The Land as well as the Sea-Tortoises engender after the manner of the Adder-Snake the Male getting upon the Female They lay Eggs like Hens Eggs but lesser and more oval It is said of them that they live under Ground in the Winter without eating They are afraid of the Eagle which makes a prey of them taking them up and letting them fall till they break They make but little noise yet louder than the Snake Whether they are to be reckon'd amongst Flesh or Fish is still to be determin'd Some account them amongst Fish and eat them in Lent others think the contrary because they have Feet and draw Breath The Land-Tortoise Shells are very hard and like Ebony nor will they bend like those of the Sea but they are full of Knobs upon the top and most of them of fine Colours yellow and brown as if they were Painted with Crosses Stars and other Figures They thrust out their Heads and Feet which when they draw in as they can at pleasure they seem to be immovable They differ very much in bigness some being no bigger than a Man's Fist. In Virginia are Tortoises of three and four Foot long with two Heads which are very malicious and given to biting In the Island Mauritius are some Tortoises so large that they will carry four or five Men standing upon them Their Shells are of so capacious an extent that ten Persons may sit in one of them But the Sea-Tortoises are much larger than those of the Land Iohn de Lery writes That there was one taken by their Fleet which gave eighty Persons their Bellies full Their Shells are much smoother and flatter than the other and very curiously wrinkled In hot Water they will bend into any shape which the other cannot do by reason of its hardness so that Artificers make Combs and Boxes of them In stead of Feet they have Fins wherewith they swim as other Fish but they lie much upon their Backs and swim sleeping upon the Water The Flesh of this Creature is luscious and tastes like Veal being interlarded with yellowish Fat The Female lays her Eggs by Night and buries them in the Sand which are hatch'd in six Weeks by the heat of the Sun CHAP. XVII Of some things more than Natural and strange Pools IN the last seven Chapters I spoke of great and admirable things yet such as are not beyond the ordinary Course of Nature but in this I shall treat of some more wonderful which are hard to be credited though the Chineses do firmly believe the same In the Province of Xensi near the City Vucung is a Hill call'd Taipe whereupon if a Drum be beaten presently followeth Thunder Lightning and stormy Weather insomuch that the Magistrates have forbidden all Persons upon pain of Death to beat any Drum there The River Tan has red Fish with whose Blood as the Chineses write and fancy whosoever anoint their Feet they may wade over this River without sinking adding further That if the Water of this River be but stirr'd all the Fish presently rise and swim upon the top of the Water and make it look as red as Fire from whence in probability it had its Name for Tan signifies Red. In the Province of Xantung near the City Niuyang is a Spring in high esteem amongst the Inhabitants for they verily believe that whosoever drinks of 〈◊〉 it makes them long-liv'd In Suchue near the City Chingtu is the most large and extensive Mountain Chingching upon which according to the vain belief of the Chineses the immortal Men meet to Converse In the Province of Huquang upon Mountains of an incredible heighth and bigness inhabit none but wild and unciviliz'd People Near to Liencheng a City of Quantung lies a great Hill call'd Uhoang where grows a sort of Fruit whose like is not to be found any where else for you may eat as much as you please but you must carry none away and while you endeavor so to do you can never find the way down In the Province of Iunnan near the City Chinkiang is to this day a great Stone to be seen where Simulo who possess'd the Kingdom of Mung gave Audience to the Ambassadors of another King who upon the delivery of their Message not satisfying him he arising in anger and taking his Sword naked into his Hand struck with it so violently upon the Stone that the Blow pierc'd above three Foot into it and with threatning words said to the Ambassadors Go and acquaint your King what Swords I have This hapned in the Reign of Iliaouvus the Founder of the Race of Hana which incorporated the powerful Kingdom of Mung to the Kingdom of China Near the City Munghoa in the Province of Honan lies the Mountain Funghoang which tooks its Name from the Phenix because it died upon the same after it had sung there a while most deliciously The Chineses relate That there is a general Assembly of Birds once every year upon this Mountain to lament the Death of the said Phenix of which time the Inhabitants taking notice climb up by
without a Father for as she was walking by the side of the Pool which runs through the City Lanthien in the Province of Xensi she trod accidentally as Fame suggests it in the Foot-steps of a Man which was in the Sand upon which being immediately with Iris or the Rain-bow she prov'd to be with Child and at her full time brought forth this Fohius in that Province who took upon him the Government two thousand nine hundred and fifty two years before Christ's Birth and Reigned a hundred and fifteen years This Emperor was a Man of a most upright and vertuous Disposition very well skill'd in Astrology seeking thereby as well to know and understand the Motions of the Heavens and Stars as to be fam'd for the well managing of Earthly Affairs and indeed he made discovery of several things relating to Astrology and introduc'd very good Laws whereby he kept his Subjects in awe reducing the same into Writing having for that purpose invented the first and most ancient Chinese Characters Till this Princes Time there was in China among the Men and Women no difference either of Habit or Manner neither did they know the civiliz'd Limits of lawful Wedlock but liv'd as Beasts in common one among another Both these things he reform'd ordaining the sacred Rites of Marriage and ordering the Men to wear their Clothes distinct in fashion from those of the Women Xinnungus was elected Emperor after the death of Fohius by reason of his eminent Vertues and Reigned a hundred and forty years He first invented the use of the Plough for tillage of the Ground and taught the Inhabitants the use thereof who finding the Benefit thereof began to manure the Land of their own accord which required their Industry with a plentiful Crop of Fruit for the better sustenance of Life and for this reason they call'd him Xinnungi which signifies The Ingenious Husbandman He was also a diligent Searcher into the Vertues of all Herbs and Plants making Experiments thereof upon his own Body After he had Reigned a hundred years one Hoangtius a petty King his Neighbor made War upon him and after having defeated and kill'd him won also the Kingdom The Defeat was receiv'd upon the Mountain Fano in the Place where now the City Peking is situate in the Province of Peking the Inhabitants of which Place still retain some memory of that War it being as they say the first that ever was wag'd in the World And thus by force of Arms Hoangtius came to the Empire who nevertheless for Vertue goodness of Mind and comely shape of Face and Body was hardly ever to be paralell'd He made several good Laws and particularly order'd just Weights and Measures But all these Vertues were in some measure sullied by his seeming Tyranny for he always kept an Army on foot wherewith he kept the Rebellious in awe And indeed there was nothing blame-worthy in him but this and his treacherous falling upon the foregoing Emperor and taking his Kingdom from him However he Govern'd very prudently and had a particular care of the Welfare of his Subjects one testimony whereof appear'd in his advancing Commerce which hitherto had been hindred by unpassable Ways for effecting whereof to the best advantage and accommodation of Trade and Travellers he caus'd Ways to be digg'd through Hills and Mountains by the same means likewise enlarging the Territories of his Empire He was the first in this Country that introduc'd the Imperial Crown and other Ceremonies and Marks of Majesty using blue and yellow Clothes in imitation of the two Colours of Heaven and Earth He invented the Art of Dying several Colours and then commanded the more Wealthy People to distinguish themselves from the Poor by wearing Apparel different in colour Where Rivers were great and broad for the better and more easie transfretation he caus'd the Trunks of Trees to be hollow'd out in the form of Boats but over the smaller and such as were narrow he order'd Bridges to be made And finding that difference in Commodities hindred Dealing for promotion of Trade he order'd Brass-Money to be Coyn'd and to defend both it and themselves against an Enemy he not only found out the Invention of Arms but taught his Subjects how to handle them There is a Report which is certainly strange but how true I will not decide That in the Hall of his Palace there grew an Herb of that Nature and Vertue that if an unjust Person came into the same it would turn and bow towards him as the Sun-Flower doth to the Sun He had by his Wives twenty five Children amongst which were fourteen lawfully begotten and liv'd to see them at Man's Estate nay which is more they report he never died but was receiv'd amongst the Xinsien that is The Immortal and doubtless this may with great Reason be said of him for his Name was immortaliz'd for his Vertue all the Chinese Emperors since his Time taking to themselves the by-Name of Hoangtius as the Roman Emperors after the first Caesar assum'd the Name of Caesars After his death his Son Xaohavus succeeded him in his Throne being nothing inferior to his Father for Vertue and Goodness in the Year 2597. before the Incarnation He Reigned eighty four years and was the first of all the Emperors that caus'd a distinction in the Degrees and Dignities of the Mandorins or Magistrates by their several bearings of Birds and Colours for it is a Custom to this day for every Magistrate to wear a particular colour'd Habit whereby his Place and Employment may be known to which end they bear a Bird or some other Mark embroiderâ—d with Gold and Silver both behind upon the Back and before upon the Breast that so every one that meets them may know what Place and Dignity he enjoys which Notes or Badges of distinctions are easily known for such as have any Employment in the Civil Magistracy have always tame Birds for their Cognisance but the Commanders over the Armies have Dragons Lions Tygers and the like wild Creatures which declare the destructive nature of War The Emperor Xaohavus made choice of Birds for this use before any other Creatures because at the beginning of his Reign the Bird of the Sun appear'd which was a sign of much prosperity of the Empire for if these Birds are long before they come the Chineses firmly believe that the Imperial Race will not be of long continuance but that there will be Wars made upon them What sort of Bird this is I could never understand but according to its shape as they describe it it is not unlike an Eagle only the Feathers are very curious as well for singularity of Colours as other beauty But in regard it so very rarely appears it may be suppos'd to be the Phenix by them call'd Fughoang This Emperor having Reign'd many years to the great satisfaction of the Inhabitants and by reason of his Age not being able any longer to take care of the Affairs
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
should grant him the Priviledge to implore the Assistance of the Tartars wheresoever they inhabit more especially those that border nearer Armenia and that without any delay they should be oblig'd to aid him 7. That the Priviledges and Iurisdictions of his Kingdom of Armenia which first was possess'd by the Saracens and they being thence expuls'd by the Tartars the Tributary Kings of the Great Cham possess'd should be restor'd to him the King of Armenia The Great Cham having heard these Demands presently call'd a Council of his Nobility in whose Presence he return'd this Answer Because the King of Armenia hath address'd himself to Our Empire not by any Compulsion but mov'd of his own free Will in truth it very much becometh Our Imperial Majesty to assent unto his lawful Requests and by all ways possible to further his Desires Therefore We accept of your Prayers and shall be careful to accomplish all by God's Assistance First of all I the Emperor and Lord of the Tartars will cause my self to be Baptiz'd and will hold that Faith which the Christians hold advising all the Subjects of my Empire to do the same but not with that intention that I desire violence should be offer'd to any Person Unto the second We Answer and effectually Intend and strictly Command That there be a perpetual League between the Christians and the Tartars inviolably confirm'd Also We Will and it is Our Pleasure That all the Churches of the Christians and the Clergy of what Condition soever whether Secular or Religious have and enjoy their Priviledges and Liberties in all the Kingdoms or Provinces subject unto my Dominion and that none molest them As for what concerneth the Holy Land We say That if We could with Our Convenience We would out of Reverence unto Our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ go in Person but because We have much Business in these Our Kingdoms We Will and Enjoyn Our Brother Haolon to bring all this Business to effect as it requireth and becometh the same for he shall free the City of Ierusalem and all the Holy Land out of the Hands of the Pagans and shall restore the same unto the Christians And now for what concerns the Caliph of Baldach We shall issue out Our Commands unto Our Captain Baydod who is General of the Tartars and those that are in the Kingdoms of Turcia and all others that inhabit about those Regions That they reduce them all under their Yoke and utterly destroy the Caliph Our Capital Enemy And as for the Priviledge that the King of Armenia requireth by the Aid of the Tartars it is Our Pleasure that he may have Satisfaction according to his Desire which We are resolv'd also freely to confirm And lastly as concerning the King of Armenia's Demand That we should restore the Lands of his Kingdoms taken from him by the Saracens and afterwards possess'd by the Tartars this We willingly and freely grant unto him and it is Our Pleasure that our Brother Haolon restore all those Lands without delay and also Our Will and Pleasure is that many Tents may be granted unto the aforesaid King and and that by a special Grace for the Augmentation and Defence of his Kingdom Thus Haython the Armenian who was Brother of this King of Armenia and also his inseparable Companion in his Voyage unto the Great Cham into the remotest Parts of Tartary The Points which King Haython requested of the Great Cham were obtain'd with wonderful constancy of Faith and Sincerity for as the Armenian Writer of this History testifieth in his 24 th Chapter he accomplish'd the first Point in reference unto Baptism without delay for after he had been instructed in the Christian Faith he with his whole Court and all his Nobility were Baptiz'd by a Bishop that was Chancellor of Armenia and by his Brother Haython the King of Armenia and having now haply discharg'd his Embassy and accomplish'd his Desires accompanied with Haolon after he was restor'd unto his Kingdom he gain'd the Possession of all Persia being then without a King meeting with very little resistance He despoil'd also the Caliph in Baldach and plunder'd the City which abounded with great Riches and block'd up the Caliph the Head of the perfidious Mahumetan Religion a Person extremely covetous who reserv'd his Money to raise an Army in a Castle or Tower and thence cast out his Gold Silver and Iewels to maintain and preserve his Life if possible but he famish'd him by depriving him of all Provision and thus spake unto him If thou hadst not so covetously and penuriously reserv'd this Treasure thou hadst freed thy self and thy City but now enjoy thy Wealth and eat and drink that which thou hast so dearly delighted in And thus he reposing confidence in his Riches perish'd with Hunger Thence wheeling about his Army he wan all Turcia and reduc'd into his Possession Alepo a most strong and populous City and abounding in Wealth after nine Days Siege which being gain'd and Damascus being also Assaulted and taken by his Valour he then subdu'd with the like success the Holy Land even to the Desart of Egypt and in all the Kingdoms now subjected under his Dominion this was his only Care that whatsoever Christians he found either Exil'd or debarr'd of their Liberty were restor'd unto the same again and also had the Priviledge of their Churches grantâ—d them and those that were demolish'd were re-edifi'd at their Cost being induc'd unto this more especially by his Wife who was nam'd Dioucoscaron and reported to be one of the Linage of the three Kings that were led by the Star and offer'd their Presents unto our Saviour at his Birth for she as having been long before instructed in the Christian Religion so also being inflam'd with a zeal and desire of promoting the Christian Faith made it her whole endeavor by the extirpation of the wicked Sect of Mahomet to restore the Holy Land and the Sepulchre of Christ unto the Christians Therefore it so hapned by the zeal of Haython to the Christian Faith that besides the hithermost Tartary both the Kingdoms of Armenia and Colchis and also Turcia Babylon Syria and Palestine freely and with great liberty enjoy'd the Christian Profession with a great accession of the Infidels unto the Faith of Christ. And in the greater Tartâ—ria all every where following the Example of the Great Cham embrac'd the Christian Profession even unto the utmost Bounds of Cathay St. Antonius confirmeth all this in his 3. Tom. Tit. 19. Chap. 8. Sect. 21. and he whom we before call'd Haolon he calleth Ercaltay a Prince and Brother of Cublai the Great Cham for he a long time after his Baptism being sent in the name of the Emperor to destroy the perfidious Sect of Mahomet out of a great and incredible zeal he had to the Orthodox Religion and also to recover the Holy Land as we have before related atchiev'd many Exploits worthy eternal Memory There is an Epistle of his extant