them which have obtained the first places then the King with his owne hand bestoweth a reward on each of them He to whom he giveth the first gift being the chief of all the rest hath a particular name belonging to him ever after as also to the second and the third The first they câ—ll Chuam Yuen the next Pham Yuen the third Thoan Hoa and this name is of so great esteeme and reputation that in a few daies after the examination there is scarce any person through out the whole Kingdom that doth not know them by these names and not by the names of their fathers and Countrie which is a wonderfull thing in so vast a Kingdom as that is The honour is as great as that of our Dukes and Marquesses As well for the respect which is paid them throughout the whole realme as for the places of authority and trust where they are put to govern being the very same which were anciently conferred upon those great Lords whose authority was in another way correspondent to that which now these Doctours have These ceremonies being accomplisht there is yet another examination which although it be voluntarie there are few that absent themselves from it A new point is given they make their compositions and according to them there is an Election made of those who are to be admitted to the royall colledge They select only 30 of the most deserving and of them they admit five every year who only for being entred in so smal a number are alway providing with profitable places of government The other twenty five have particular Palaces assigned them where they assemble and become as Scholars under the discipline of a Colao who almost every day causeth them to compose somewhat and exercise themselves in all that belongeth to their learning and speculative government This continueth til the next examinations at which new persons enter and the other go forth and according to their degrees and antiquity are provided with the places of greatest importance at the court from whence unlesse it be to be Presidents of the examinations or some other particular imployment that lasteth but a short time and by the Kings order they never go out no not to be vice-royes which imployment is accounted below them because only those of the royal colledge are capable of the dignity of a Colao All the new Doctors are that year put into some employment unlesse there be any that is not of competent years That which helpeth this multitude to imployments is that the same year there is held a generall visitation throughout the whole Kingdome by which there are so many of the old Mandarines turned out that there are many places made void for the new ones and as this degree is of high account the visits congratulatious Feasts and Presents which are made upon this occasion are almost incredible The reward for bringing the first newes is many times worth 200 Crownes to the Messenger but commonly 50 assoon as the friends and kindred of those who are named among the three first above-mentioned hear of their promotion presently they erect unto them triumphall arches in their Cities or Villages not of wood coverd with Canvasse or past-bord but of pure Marble sumptuously wrought in the front whereof is engraved the name of the Person for whom they were erected the place he hath obtained and the year of his Doctour-ship in a word the world is the same throughout It is a vain thing to beleeve that he which hath not power should be admired heard or received with applause whether it be done out of zeale to the truth or out of flattery and interest CHAP. 10. Of the Books and Sciences of the Chinesses OF the Sciences of the Chinesses we cannot speak so very distinctly and clearly because really their Authours have not been so fortunate as Aristotle Plato and other Philosophers and wise men who have methodically handled them under their several Classes divisions and titles whereas the Chinesses have written little or no thing of many of the sciences and liberal arts and of the rest but superficially except those which concern good government and policie From the very beginning it hath been their chiefest aim to find out the best way of government the first that began this were the Kings Fohi Xinon and Hoamsi These three at the beginning gave themselves to their morall and speculative Sciences by way of mysticall even and odd numbers and other ciphers and notes by which they gave law to their subjects and from hand to hand these were alway communicated to the Kings who were the wisemen of that time and by this means did govern the Kingdome untill the Monarchie of Cheù which began 1123. years before the coming of our Saviour at which time Venuam and Checuam his youngest Sonne published these numbers and ancient notes and made a booke of them intitled Yechim giving likewise many morall precepts documents and orders to the whole Kingdome and following the steps of other Philosophers which lived according to the Stoick rule they had alway great care of the Government and publique good untill the time of Confusio who composed five bookes in order called by them Vehim which are at this day held as sacred He made also other bookes and of his sentences and sayings there have been since also many more bookes composed This Philosopher flourished about 150. yeares before the coming of Christ he was a man of a good nature well inclined to vertue prudent sentencious and a lover of the publique good He had many disciples which followed him he had a great desire to reform the world which even at that time began to lose its sinceritie and veracity changing the ancient manner of living and introducing moderne customes And so he governed in severall Kingdomes for when he saw that they did not live conformable to his precepts and counsells in one Kingdom he went to another yet not uncensured by many other Philosophers of that time who seeing the evill course which men tooke retired themselves to their villages and becoming husbandmen in their owne persons tilled their grounds Now it happened that one day Confusio passing along and being to go through a river whose ford he was not acquainted withall sent one to enquire of a man that was labouring thereabouts who was a Philosopher He asked the messenger who he was and being answered that he was a disciple of Confusio's who sate in his Coach expecting his answer The Philosopher replied let him go in a good houre he knoweth the way and hath no need of a guide signifying thereby that he went from Kingdome to Kingdome endeavouring to Governe in a time that was not proper for Philosophers to reigne in Neverthelesse in after times this man was in so great favour with the Chinesses and the bookes which he composed were held in so much credit as also the sayings and sentences which he left behind him that they do not only
other side it gave them much comfort by the relation of the Martyrdome of a certain Christian called Andrew concerning whose life and actions very much might be said and especially of that courage and constancy which he shewed in all the torments they gave him which is so much the more admirable in a Chinesse because that Nation is by nature very cowardly and timorous yet we have had certain experience that even to this day the Christian Chinesses in all occasions of Persecutions and Troubles that have happened to them have ever continued firme in the Faith so that by the grace of God they have not been wanting to Martyrdome but Martyrdome hath been wanting to them as was seen in those of Nankim and was proved in this good Christian Andrew This Andrew was borne in the Province of Kiaâ—si where after he had lived many yeares he removed from thence into the Province of Nankim where having had some information concerning our religion he came up the Fathers and after he had been well instructed by them in the principall points of our Faith he received Baptisme from them together with the name of Andrew Some few daies after his whole familie was Baptized by the hand of Father Rocca who was Superiour there at that time After his Baptisme Andrew became a pattern and example to the rest of the Christians by endeavouring to communicate to others the good which he had received and to draw others to Christ which succeeded very happily very many being Baptized by his perswasions He had a great devotion to the B. Virgin and was the most zealous man of a whole fraternitie which before the Persecution of Nankim was dedicated to her in our Church there and after that when the Fathers were banished he built an oratory in his owne house to the honour of that Holy Mother whither he used to assemble the Christians and to exhort them to devotion and observance of our Holy Law At the time the Fathers were imprisoned there and the other Christians were divided into five prisons he without any fear of that danger to which he did expose himselfe tooke upon him to serve them to visit comfort and assist them especially the Fathers with many almes at his owne expence not being content to performe these offices of Charitie in his owne person only he imployed in them also a little boy that was his sonne whom he sent to the Fathers that they might make use of him to send him of errants and other little occasions Likewise at our return thither he lent us his house for our habitation when we went to visit the Christians of that place and for an Infirmary or Hospitall when any were sick whom he served and tooke care of with great charity and affection These and other good works did the Lord pay him by crowning him with Martyrdome and making him to suffer death for his sake The good old man patiently suffered the torments and Bastinadoes abovementioned and when as the last which he received beside that they were very cruell ones were also laid on upon the wounds and stripes but lately inflicted on him before other Tribunalls it is no wonder that an old man who though he were strong in courage yet was but weake in body should render his life to the violence of those torments since the youngest of those Christians and those of the most robust complexion did hardly escape with life Thus he dyed leaving that Church much edified by his good example and much afflicted for the losse of him For he was as it were a Father to them all and in the absence of the Fathers a Master He was buried decently in a particular Sepulchre by himselfe to the end that one day he may have those honours which are due to him performed with greater solemnitie CHAP. 12. How things began to be quiet and setled and how the Fathers were sent for to Court by order of the Mandarines IN the mean time there came better news from Nankim whither the Fathers had sent a man on purpose with letters from themselvs as also from our Doctours to comfort and strengthen the Christians there in their afflictions and troubles although the Lord had so filled their hearts with courage and contentment that they had little need of any humane consolation This man returned with a confirmation of the news which was already spread abroad assuring them that all things were quiet the same also was written by the Christians in their letters For the Mandarines seeing that the plot did not take and that the Memorialls were not presented at Pekim and on the other side that Xin was turned out of his Office they presently changed their stile and opinion they set the Christians at liberty and also moderated the punishment that had been imposed upon them Only there remained in prison three Christians of Chincheo who expected every day to be sent into their owne Province as it afterwards fell out From Pekim also the Father who lay hid there wrote that all the hopes of our enemies of Nankim were quite overthrown at that Court and that the face of things was so changed since the departure of Xin that our friends did counsell him to treate with the Christian Mandarines and such other of them as although they were Gentiles yet had a good affection for us to finde out some way for him to go publickly abroad and for us to be introduced thither againe By this time there had six or seven years passed since the first Persecution of Nankim and the Tartars made a cruell warre upon the Chinesses and had already not only defeated severall of their armies but also gained diverse places from them in the Province of Leaotum neither did they well know which way to put a stop to the advance of their army Neverthelesse the Fathers did endeavour to finde some way to manifest themselves to the Kingdome and to appeare in publick according to the tenour of what had been written them from Pekim But because their banishment was decreed by the King they found no small difficulty in the businesse Notwithstanding the Christians and the Doctours that were our friends resolved to frame a Memoriall taking the occasion from the warre with the Tartars and the extremities to which the Chinesses were reduced and to present it to the King setting forth in the first place the misfortunes of the warre the mortality and damages which they had received the losse of their Townes and Cities without having been able for the space of so many years after such infinite expence of treasure and losse of men either to divert or stop the course of that calamitie In the second place they did remonstrate the errour which was committed in banishing the Europaean Fathers who beside that they were vertuous learned and men capable of the management of great affaires they were also very great Mathematicians who without doubt had particular secrets and extraordinary inventions which might be
perswade him not to favour the intentions of Xin This President concealed the venome he had in his heart under faire and specious promises but in effect he gave in a most pernicious Memoriall wherein he affirmed That the request of Xin was so just and necessary for the preservation of the Kingdom that for his part he should have thought he had done well if without expecting any other leave from the King but only by the duty of his place he had dispatched orders throughout all the Provinces for the extermination and banishment of all the Fathers excepting only those of Pekim because he saw them well backt and supported taxing by these words both the King and the Mandarines who did protect them The Memoriall was so handsomely woven and the words placed so equivocally that he could have given them quite another interpretation if need had required These two Memorialls the one of Xin and the other of the President were presented on the fifteenth of August and after that a third that we could get no intelligence of till it was presented On the twentieth of the same month they were published according to the Stile of China by expresse Curriers throughout all the Provinces of the Kingdom together with a particular order from the President for the imprisonment of the Fathers The people were amazed to see three Mandarines conspire against those whom the whole Kingdom had admired and whom almost all the Letterati had respected visited and esteemed but they well perceived that these accusations were but forged calumnies which proceeded from a corrupt and malicious spirit On the thirtieth of the same moneth about midnight by means of a Currier dispatched for that purpose by the Quoi of Pekim the news came to the Fathers in Nankim of what had passed at Court Immediately they ran to the Church and presented themselves as Victimes and Sacrifices unto the Lord and afterwards packing up their Pictures and the sacred Vessels that belonged to the Church they conveighed them thence into the House of a Christian hoping by that meanes to secure them Assoon as it was day the Fathers Nicolaus Longobardus superiour of the Mission and Iulius Lenis departed towards Pekim to give what assistance they were able to the rest There remained in Nankim the Fathers Alphonsus Vagnone and Alvarus Semedo the Authour of this Relation who expected every moment when they should be seised on by the Sergeants and Executioners Not long after came three Mandarines to us from the President of the Councell of warre to give us notice that that President and Xin were deputed to put the Proclamation in execution which had been lately issued for our banishment out of that Kingdom neverthelesse they seemed to condole with us because as they said they were very well satisfied both of our innocence and deserts yet advised us to give place willingly to force before we should be necessitated to undergo the discourteous aud barbarous usage of Xin and that the President would give order that we might not receive any affront nor molestation in our journey also one of the three did advise us as from himself that we should not make too much hast for that he hoped through our Innocence and the favour of the Fathers friends at Pekim these troubles would shortly be appeased Toward the evening there was a company of Souldiers sent by Xin to beset the House and about the break of day the first of September there appeared three Sergeants to apprehend the Fathers and to search every hole and corner of the house and although they had a speciall order from Xin to abuse and evill intreate the Fathers neverthelesse they carryed themselves very courteously and sent in their message in writing to Father Vagnone which is a great poynt of Civilitie in China They set a guard upon the doores and made an inventary of whatsoever they found in the House In the meane while Father Vagnone sent a Christian called Donatus under pretence that he was our Caterer to Father Longobardus to tell him what had happened and to advise him to take heed that he did not fall into the enemies clutches Donatus did his message and returned with provision for our supper in his hands although he was jeared by the Souldiers that he would returne into the cage of his owne accord yet he preferred that prison before the liberty he might have enjoyed elsewhere For at the very first rumour of the persecution He returned to the house purposely to serve us being resolved either to live or die with us for the defence of that faith of which though he was of very young years he was so zealous and observant having converted many and in effect God did give him the grace to suffer much for his religion both in imprisonment and stripes he was our constant companion When the inventary was finished to the great edification of the Sergeants who did not expect to finde such povertie and when they had sealed our chests and whatsoever could be shut up they carryed away Father Vagnone in a sedan and brought him before Xin leaving Father Semedo lying sick in a chamber which they had sealed up Assoone as he was brought out there was a great noyse and shouting made by the meaner sort of people and so great a crowde that the Officers were forced to make their way by blowes After they had gone two miles they stayed according to the orders which Xin had given at the house of the Tauli who was a Kinsman of Xins spending at least two houres in giving him an account of what had passed during which time Father Vagnone was left in the open street exposed to the injuries scoffes and abuses of the insolent people At length the Sergeants being returned made their excuses to the Father for their long stay and so carried him to prison recommending him to the Gaolers as an innocent person A little after the chief of the Sergeants sent him from his House a good Supper and a bed the other Sergeants did also the like in their turns every one taking his day There were two of our domestique Servants who waited upon Father Vagnone in the prison one whereof was called Ciam Matthew he was a very zealous Christian and for three years before had retired himselfe to our house that he might with more liberty serve God and waite upon the Fathers without expecting any other recompense but that of the next life This man assoon as the Sergeants were come into our house presented himselfe first of all to give them his name that he might have the opportunitie to be carryed along with the Fathers as in effect he was and gained a happy crowne by this Persecution At the news of the imprisonment of Father Vagnone the Christians inflamed with zeale ran to our house neither could the guards hinder some of them from going in The most zealous of all the rest was Iohn Yao who sticking in his cap one of the
them away to their owne Countries Alphonsus Vagnone and Jacobus Pantoia with their companions who under pretence of preaching a certain law do much disturbe the people and also secretly endeavour to make an insurrection in the Kingdom We do therefore ordaine that notice be given to the Lypu of Nankim to give order to the Mandarines of the respective Provinces wherein any of these men shall be found that they send them with a guard of Souldiers to the Province and City of Canton to the end they may returne from thence to their owne Countries leaving China in peace and quietnesse And because the last year we were given to under stand by severall persons that Jacobus Pantoia and his companions who came into this Kingdome to enjoy the delights and pleasures thereof were very fit to be employed in the emendation of our Calender whereupon they were aggregated to the number of the Mandarines yet notwithstanding the said aggregation we will and command that they be forthwith dismissed and sent away to their owne Countries Let this sentence be given to the Lypu and to the Ciayan the twenty eighth of the twelfth Moone Assoone as this Order was drawne up at the foot of the Memoriall the Colao sent it back into the Palace to be signed by the King according to the custome Presently the Eunuchs being all gained by the Presents of Xin fraudulently contrived a way to get it subscribed or as some say they put it among a great heape of petitions so that the King signed it without taking notice what it was or as others say they perswaded the Queen to subscribe it to whom the King doth often remit the signing of Memorialls And truly it is not very probable that the King who had lent but a deafe eare to so many former Memorialls should be so soone perswaded to it besides that it is more conformable to the stile of that Court to have sent them rather to some Province lying in the middle of the Kingdom than to send them away after they had gained so perfect a knowledge and full information of the affaires of China However it was the sentence was published the fourteenth of February which is the solemne beginning of their new year The news was blowne of a sudden through the whole Kingdome The Mandarines of Nanchium in the Province of Canton where Father Gâ—spar Ferrera was did in a very quiet and civill manner give him notice of the order allowing him with all liberty to stay till his companions came Notwithstanding the Father thought it more fit to sell the House and to retire himselfe to another Mission according to the instructions he had received from Father Longobardus In Hamlu there were two Fathers who were brought thither by Doctour Michaels meanes but they had no notice given them of the Order the Mandarines forbearing as it seemeth to do it out of respect to their Protectour who writ to the Father superiour to send him two more which accordingly he did with very good successe Father Iohn Rocca with two others of Nanchiam where he left Brother Pasquel Mendez for the consolation of those Christians came to Chien Chiam in the Province of Chiamsi where he kept himselfe private in the Houses of the Christians untill the Lord sent better times In Pekim the Colao made excuses to the Fathers in that he was obliged by his place to give them notice of the Kings Order promising them also his Assistance to hinder their going in case they should think good to present a Memoriall to the King to that effect But all passages were so shut up that it was impossible for them ever to present one wherefore giving place to time and necessity having encouraged the Christians after the distribution of Palmes that very Sunday they departed for Canton the Mandarines having strictly forbid the people to offer them any injuries by the way and left the House which the King had granted them in the custody of a good Christian having obtained a licence of the Mandarines to that effect The greatest stirre was in Nankim where assoon as the Courier was arrived he would needs give notice himselfe to the Fathers of their banishment thinking it a high favour that they were not cut in pieces Assoon as it was known abroad the Mandarines came to visit them with much honour and congratulations On the sixt day of March the Fathers were brought first before a Tribunall of six Mandarines and after that before Xin to be examined with a halter about their necks and Father Semedo was brought upon a board not being able through weaknesse to stand upon his leggs Xin after another examination declared That although they had deserved death for preaching a new law in China yet their life was granted them by the Kings clemencie notwithstanding he condemned them to receive ten Bastinadoes apiece and so to be sent away to their own Country Father Semedo was excused by reason of his sicknesse But Fa Vagnone received them in so cruel a manner that he lay very ill upon it and it was above a moneth before his wounds were closed In conclusion their house and goods were confiscated and many books were published against them which declared them to be unworthy the name of Letterati They themselves were put into very narrow Cages of wood such as are used in that Country to transport persons condemned to death from one place to another with Iron Chaines about their necks and Manacles on their Wrists with their haire hanging down long and their Gownes accoutred in an odde fashion as signe of a strange and Barbarous people The thirtieth of Aprill they were brought out of Prison to a Tribunall where they were shut up in those straight Frames and sealed with the Kings Seale and order was given to the Mandarines of the Guard to tale them out at such times as were allowed them to eate and sleep in In this manner were the Fathers carried with an inexpressible noise which the Ministers made with their ratling of Fetters and Chaines Before them were carried three Tablets written on with great letters declaring the Kings Sentence and forbidding all men to have any commerce or conversation with them In this equipage they went out of Nankim and were carried in these Cages for thirty dayes together untill they came to the first City of the Province of Canton where they were presented to the Tutan who having sharply reproved them for preaching a new law in China caused them to be consigned to the Mandarines whence they were carried in that manner throughout all the Tribunals with all the people running after them In conclusion they were taken out and after a few dayes were sent away to Macao along with the Fathers which came from Pekim The Christians which remained in Prison after many sufferings and misusages were in conclusion by the power and sollicitation of their adversarie Xin condemned to receive 70 Bastinadoes apiece The two Lay-Brothers because they
enthrall and enchant the popularity To all which I adde those fugitive Magistrates who as I related heretofore had fled to the Tartars to avoid the Emperours indignation and did not a little promote their cause for these men sometimes by word and example did seduce the hearts of the Subjects and sometimes suggested excellent Counsels to the Tartars against their own Country and by both these means advanced themselves to high and eminent dignities amongst the Tartars The same day some Bands of Souldiers were dispatched with order to proclame Usangueius a Tributary King to this new enstalled Emperour which they performed with great magnificence adding to his name as usually they do the Sirname of Pingsi which sounds as much as Pacifier of the Western world establishing his Kingdom in the Capital City in the Province of Xensi This Prince considering that he could expect no more honourable Dignity from the lawfull Successour to the Empire of China and that the Tartars were come into the Empire in so vast a number that he could never hope to Conquer them found means to dispence with his hitherto uncorrupted fidelity admitting the dignity and submitting to the Emperour and so he that had hitherto waged War for China against the theeves now was forced to march against China to subdue its Provinces to the Tartarian Empire And as he was a Great Commander so also by the help of the Tartars he quickly drove out the Theeves from his little Kingdom of Xensi where to this day he reigneth in the Metropolitan City of Sigan But by these honours the Tartars removed him from the practice of Arms who remaining Armed might have proved a dangerous Enemy It was hitherto never known what became of Licungzus some think he was killed by Usangueius in the fight though he never appeared more neither dead nor alive after this fight in which all his forces were dissipated or cut off And with the same facility the Tartars subdued the Provinces of Peking and Xantung where they immensly augmented their Armies by the accesse of the China's Souldiers and Commanders which submitted to them for the Tartarians admitted all even the Conquered to their Army if they did cut their hair and wear their habits after the Tartarian fashion for in this Puntillio of habit and hair they were so rigorous as they proclamed it high Treason in all that did forbear it Which Law did many times endanger them and disturb the whole frame of their Affairs For the Chinesses both grieved and fought more valiantly for their hair and habit than for their Kingdom and Emperour So as many times they chose rather to die or lose their heads than obey the Tartars in these Ceremonies of which I could relate many examples unlesse in this relation I had resolved to be brief But all these little rubs did not hinder but that in lesse than the space of a year not counting Leaotung they had conquered Peking Xansi Xensi and Xantung which are the four vast Northern Provinces of China In all which they changed nothing in their Political manner of Government nay they permitted the usual custom of the Philosophers of China to govern the Towns and Provinces they left also the same Examens as were used for the approving of learned men for by this prudent Counsel they wrought this effect that having given the places of honour and trust to men of their own Creation they found they supassed the very Tartars in fidelity to them yet they kept the Militia in their own hands and the ordering thereof and yet they stick'd not to admit even to these Offices such of the Country as were faithfull to them so as in the Royal City they retained still the same Orders and degrees of Prefects together with the six high Tribunals as they were established in the former Emperours time but so as they were now compounded of Chinesses and Tartars In the mean time the news of the Emperours danger came to the Southern parts of China and the Prefects of every City gathering together very great forces marched towards the City of Peking but in their march they received the sad news of the Emperours death and the taking of Peking they therefore speedily called back their Forces and also all their Ships which yearly used to carry Provisions to the Emperours Court a little after this they received the news how the Tartar was invested in the Kingdom and proclaimed Emperour I was then my selfe in the great City Nanquin where I beheld a strange consternation and confusion in all things till at length having recollected themselves the Prefects resolved to choose an Emperour of the Family of the Taiminges whom they called Hungquangus This man had come hither flying from the Theeves out of the Province of Honan and being he was Nephew to that famous Emperour Vanley cosin Germain to Zungchinius the last deceased Emperour they Crowned him with great pomp and ostentation hoping for better fortune under his Government As soon as this Prince was chosen he sent â—n Embassage to the Tartars begging Peace rather than demanding it for 〈◊〉 offered them all the Northern Provinces which they had taken if they â—ould joyn in amity with him But the Tartars well understood the Policy of these Prefects and Counsellours which was only to amuse them with a Peace whilst they could recover their strength and force And therefore they returned answer that they would not receive as a gift that which they had conquered by force of Arms but seeing they had chosen a new Emperour they might do well to defend him but as for them they were resolved to have all or nothing This Legacy comming to nothing whilst both parties prepare to take the Field appears at Nankuing a young man who gave himselfe out to be the eldest Son to the late deceased Emperour Zunchinius and he gave no small evidences of this truth and Claime nay he was acknowledged by many of the Eunuchs But the new elected Emperour Hunquangus being strongly possessed with an ambition of raigning would never acknowledge nor admit him but commanded him to be imprisoned and killed as an Impostor though many of the Prefects enraged to hear of this order hindered the execution of the sentence But by this accident things grew into a sedition and the dispute was so high that it gave occasion to the Tartars of assailing the Province and City of Nankuing some of the Prefects winking at it if not enticing them underhand to this exploit The Tartars vigilant to lay hold of all advantages hearing of these emulations divisions presently march out into the Territory of the City of Hoaigan and comming to the East side of the River Croceus they passe over speedily by the help of their Boats on the other side of this River stood the Army of China which was so numerous as if they had but cast off their very shoos they had erected such a Rampart
briefe account thereof sufficient at least for the instruction of those who desire to be informed concerning those parts forbearing to make a more large discourse at the present but reserving it for another time which may be when wee shall returne to that vast Country with new Labourers in so great a number that some of the greatest Authority and Experience among us may find leisure and convenience to undertake a perfect Relation In the mean time abbreviating as much as 't is possible this Information without rendring that knowledge confused which wee pretend to gratify the world with we shall divide the work into two parts The first containeth the materiall part of the Kingdome that is the Provinces Land and Fruits and in a manner the formal part too that is the people their learning and customes The second the Beginning of Christianity there the progresse thereof the persecutions suffered therein and finally the condition wherein I left it at my departure thence I hope this worke shall gain some esteem and credit if not for the greatnesse of the Appearance at least for the certainty of the reality of it having taken what I write from the infallible Testimony of mine eyes which though they may not be of the quickest sighted yet have had the advantage to reiterate very often their speculations And if he which vieweth for a long time although his sight be not of the best doth commonly see more then he who looketh in haste be his eyes never so good I who for the space of two and twenty years have had the opportunity to observe all Passages of China have certainly seen so much what I write and what others have written who have not seen them sowell that I must necessarily speak of them with more Certainty then they although with lesse Eloquence The Table of all the Chapters contained in the first part of the History of China Chap. 1. OF the Kingdome in Generall Fol. 1. Chap. 2. Of the Provinces in particular and first of those of the South fol. 8. Chap. 3. Of the Northern Provinces fol. 15. Chap. 4. Of the persons of the Chinesses of their nature wit and inclination fol. 22. Chap. 5. Of the manner of their habit fol. 29. Chap. 6. Of their Language and Letters fol 31. Chap. 7. Of their manner of study and admittance to examination fol. 35. Chap. 8 Of the manner of their Examinations and how their degrees are conferred fol. 40. Chap. 9. Of the degree of Doctour fol. 45. Chap. 10. Of the Bookes and Sciences of the Chinesses fol. 47. Chap. 11. Of their Sciences and liberall Arts in particular fol. 51. Chap. 12. Of the Courtesies and Civilities of the Chinesses fol. 58. Chap. 13. Of their Banquets fol. 65. Chap. 14. Of the Games which the Chinesses use fol. 68. Chap. 15 Of their Marriage fol. 69. Chap. 16. Of the Funerals and Sepultures of the Chinesses fol. 73. Chap. 17. Of the Funerall of the Queen Mother fol. 78. Chap. 18. Of the severall sects of Religion in China fol. 86. Chap. 19. Of their superstitions and sacrifices in China fol. 93. Chap. 20. Of the Militia and Arms of the Chinesses fol. 96. Chap. 21. Of the war which the Tartars made upon China fol. 100. Chap. 22. Of the Kings and Queens of China and of the Eunuchs fol. 106. Chap. 23. How the Kings of China are married fol. 119. Chap. 24. Of the Nobility of China fol. 121. Chap. 25. Of the Government of China and of the Officers fol. 124. Chap. 26. Of the Government of the thirteen Provinces fol 128. Chap. 27 Of the Badge of honour or Ensigns of the Mandarines fol. 132. Chap. 28. Of the Prisons Sentences and Punishments of the Chinesses fol. 135. Chap. 29. Of some particular things which doe facilitate and rectify the Govenment in China fol. 144. Chap. 30. Of the Moors Iews and other Nations which are in China fol. 151. Chap. 31. Of the Christian Religion planted many ages since in China and of a very ancient stone lately discovered there which is an admirable testimony thereof fol. 154. A Table of the contents of the Chapters in the second Part of the History of China Chap. 1. OF the first beginninge of the preaching of the Gospel in China fol. 166. Chap 2. Of the proceedings and Persecutions of the Fathers before they arrived at Nankim fol. 172. Cap. 3. Of what happened after till the Fathers entred into Pekim fol. 177. Chap. 4. The Fathers enter into Pekim and settle there fol. 183. Chap. 5. Of the proceedings and ruin of their House at Xaocheu fol. 187. Chap. 6. Of the progresse of the Christian Religion at the two Residencies at Nancham and Nankim and of the death of Father Matthaeus Riccius fol. 192. Chap. 7. Of the burying place which was bestowed upon us by the King and of the progresse of the Christian Religion untill the time of the persecution at Nankim fol. 197. Chap. 8. A fierce persecution is raised against the Christians in Nankim fol. 205. Chap. 9. The continuation of the Persecution and the Banishment of the Fathers out of China Fol. 214. Chap. 10. How things began to be calmed again after the persecution and of the foundation of severall Residencies fol. 220. Chap. 11. Of the second persecution at Namkim and of the martyrdome of a Christian named Andrew fol. 226. Chap. 12. How things began to be quiet and setled and how the Fathers were sent for to Court by order of the Mandarines fol. 232. Chap. 13. The life and death of Dr. Leo and the conclusion of this History fol. 239. After which follows the supplement to these present times wherein is contained the Chinesses most cruell warre with the Tartars by whom they are now conquered fol. 249. An Exact MAPP of CHINA being faithfully Copied from one brought from Peking by a Father Lately resideent in that Citty 1655 IC A King of China A China Man A China Woman THE FIRST PART Of the Temporall State of CHINA CHAP. 1. Of the Kingdom in Generall CHina in its extent is one great continued Continent without having any thing which devides it and taking it from the latitude of Haynam which is not farre distant from the Continent and lyeth in nineteen degrees it extends it self twenty foure degrees inclining towards the East and ending in fourty three degrees it comes to make a circuite so much the more spacious by how much the coasts thereof run along in various and unequall windings and so comes to be the chiefest kingdome of the world in greatnesse and almost equall to all Europe On the west side thereof are many small Islands but so neere together that they seem all to Compose but as it were one body All this Monarchy is divided into fifteen Provinces each of which is a spacious Kingdome and so they were all anciently each having a King of its own Of those nine which they call the Southern Provinces the greatest part of them are watered
abilities to the shame of those Nations which have no eyes to see but such as are infected with the disparagement of what they behold They are not lesse ingenious Mechanicks than the Manufactures which come from thence shew them to be although all which come are not made by the best Masters They are very excellent in workes of Ivory Ebony and Amber especially in Eare-Jewels pendants and gallantries of Gold and Silver for the ornament of women They make chaines to admiration There was one brought from thence to Goa which consisting of 300 links weighed not 3 ounces of gold and the work was so fine and small that the links were hardly to be discerned They have altogether relinquisht to Europe to be served in plate there being scarce found among them a vessel of Silver of a considerable bignesse no not in the Emperors palace being content to eat in Porcellane which is the only vessel in the world for neate and delightfull cleanlinesse There Gold-thread is of lesse weight and worth than ours they have a way of twisting of it about paper which maketh it seem as if it were right and massie and is an admirable Artifice The workmanship of Europe which they most admired were our clocks but now they make of them such as are set upon tables very good ones and will be able to do the like in small ones if the price of them there did equall ours Although they make some things whose price would be excessive if we should cause them to be made here Notwithstanding in the generall we do much exceed them in manufactures and mechanick Arts except it be in that same Charam which is indeed a singular Artifice It cannot be denyed but that they are a people of an admirable Acutenesse so that that may be worthily appropriated to them that Aristotle so freely bestoweth upon all the people of Asia saying that Asia exceeded Europe in ingenuity but was exceeded by Europe in valour this beeing a thing so approved to us by experience There are many which even to this day do call the Chinesses Barbarians as if they spake of the Negroes of Guynea or the Tapuyi of Brasile I have blusht to hear some stile them so having been taught the contrary by many years travels among them Although the fame and manufactures of China are sufficient to teach it us it beeing now many years that we have heard the one and seen the other T is a great shame truly but although in this relation there are many things which might satisfie us concerning the subtelty of their wit yet I wil give you one example in this following case A certain Chaquen that is a visitour of a Province one of the most important Employments of the Kingdom receiving of his visits after a few daies were over shut up his gates and refused to admit any further their businesse or visits pretending for his excuse that he was sick This accident being divulged a certain Mandarine a friend of his began to be much troubled at it and with much ado obtained leave to speak with him When he was admitted he gave him notice of the discontent that was in the City by reason that businesses were not dispatched the other put him off with the same excuse of his sicknesse I see no signes of it replied his friend but if your Lordship will be pleased to tell me the true cause I will serve you in it to my utmost power conformable to that affection I bear you in my heart know then replied the Visitour They have stollen the Kings seale out of the Cabinet where it used to be kept leaving it locked as if it had not been touched so that if I would give audience I have not where withall to seale dispatches If I should discover my negligence in the losse of the seale I shall loose you know both my Government and my life so that I know not what to do unlesse it be to stand in suspence as I do the which is but little avail to me being more sensible than the people themselves of this delay of justice Well perceived the Mandarine how terrible the occasion of his retirement was but presently making use of the quickness of his wit asked him if he had never an enemy in that City he answered him yes and that it was the chief Officer of that City that is the Chifu or governour which of a long time had borne a concealed malice against him Away then quoth the Mandarine in great hast let your Lordship command that all your goods be removed to the innermost part of the palace and let them set fire on the empty part and call out for help to quench the fire to which the governour must of necessity repair with the first it being one of the principall duties of his office As soon as you see him among the people call out to him aloud and consigne to him the Cabinet thus shut as it is that it may be secured in his possession from the danger of the fire for if it be he which hath caused the seale to be stollen he will put it in his place again when he restores you the cabinet if it be not he your Lordship shall lay the fault upon him for having so ill kept it and your Lordship shall not only be freed from this danger but also revenged of your enemie The visitour followed his councel and it succeeded so well that the next morning after the night this fire was the governour brought him the seale in the cabinet both of them concealing each others fault equally complying for the conservation of both Now if after this example the Chinesses must passe for Barbarians as those would have it who have forced me to relate this story it must be upon the same account on which others have said as much of Moses CHAP. 5. Of the manner of their habit THe materials of which they make severall sorts of stuffs and cloaths for the service of their persons as cloathing Beds and other furniture of their houses are wooll convase for they have no other sort of linnen as I have formerly hinted silk and cotton of all which they have great abundance Two hundred years before Christ they used garments with short sleeves such as the Giapponeses use at this day who are descended of them and still conserve this ancient habit This manner of garment continued here untill the raign of Hoan in the time of this King who is much renowned amongst them about 400 years after Christ that habit was altered as well in the people as the Officers to that fashion which is worn at this day and is the very same throughout the whole Kingdom although it consist of so many and so large Provinces nor can it be altered no more than any other notable custome among them without the Kings particular Order For these people which we call Barbarians have very well understood that the changing of fashions and customes in a
Supervising Censure or Licence of any one and with so small charges that for every hundred letters perfectly engraved in the manner abovesaid they pay no more than foure pence half-penny and yet every letter consisteth of many strokes CHAP. 7. Of their manner of study and admittance to examination THey are put to learn from their tender age They have for beginners certain little bookes containing good rules and precepts of vertue good manners obedience to their parents and superiors or some such like matter A few months after they give them Classicall books which they get all by heart both the Text and the Glosse as perfect as we do our Pater Noster After this commeth the Masters explanation They say their lesson likewise by heart the Scholars back being turned towards the master with the book lying open upon the table and they use no other phrase for saying their Lesson but only Poixú which signifieth to turn their back upon the book and this is done that they might not cast their eies upon it to help themselves They are kept to their studies with so much rigour even the youngest of them that they are allowed no manner of recreation or divertisement Every day they write something and their masters copy is laid under the paper like the black line among us and the paper being thinne and transparent the letters easily appear through which the boy that learneth doth easily imitate forming other letters like those which hee seeth under his paper and by using this for some short time he becometh accustomed to the fashion of his Masters hand which he imitateth after this manner Therefore after some time spent in this exercise they write one line upon the Masters copy and another upon the blank paper by the side of it for as I have said the lines are made from the top of the paper to the bottome till at length when they can well imitate the copy they give over writing upon it In fine they take very much paines to gain a good hand in writing for in their examinations where their compositions are copied it is sufficient to have their Grace denied if there be but found one ill-shapen letter before their exercise be read they presuming that no man can be learned if he read or write ill although among us there be many examples to the contrary For it is wel known that the excellent Doctour Navarra wrought a very ill hand our Bartolomeo Philippo a singular Scholar writ so perfect an ill hand that to the universall grief of all learned men his most learned works were lost although they were many and no doubt full of most admirable knowledge because there was not found any one that was able to read them as may be perceived by those workes of his that have escaped out of that pernicious Chaos Next when the Chinesses have learned a good quantity of their letters and have had some acquaintance with their books they are instructed in the rules of composition First they give them some disordered compositions which they are to reduce into order then some abbreviations for them to enlarge upon and afterwards in due time they give them only the point or Theme in like manner they do at their examinations And because every three years the most approved compositions of those who have taken degrees are put in print others take great paines in them and get as many of them by heart as they are able They have no Universities where they study together but all that are able take a Master into the house for their sonnes and sometimes two if there be much difference between their childrens ages This Master is alwaies with them without any interruption and teacheth them not only letters and sciences but whatsoever concerneth Civill government good manners moralitie and the way how to carry themselves in every thing If they are persons of Quality the Scholar never goeth abroad without his Master who serveth to instruct him in all Civilities and good behaviour particularly in visits where as there are many Ceremonies used there is something of difficultie and they might easily commit an errour if their Master did not help them And without doubt this way is most decent for their reputation and more profitable for their studies and lesse exposed to those venemous practises and company which are apt to teach them such customs as infect their minds and spoile the Decorum of a Gentleman and much more in China where if any one have this evill fame he cannot be admitted to examinations There are neverthelesse many Schools for children of a meaner condition where the Masters have this good quality that they receive no more than they are well able to teach that they might not go from them as if they had never come thither as it falleth out too often in Europe where each Master endeavoureth to have many Scholars rather for his own gain than their advancement For indeed a man let him be never so able is but still one man whence it commeth to passe that some of their Schollars know the School but are not known of it This inconvenience is avoided in China each taketh no greater charge upon him than he is well able to give an account of and each Master admitteth no more Scholars than he can well teach He is with them all the day long behaving himself with much gravitie neither do they ever go out of the School unlesse it be at meales and if any one of them doth live far off his dinner is brought to the School Their play-daies and time of vacation are only fifteen daies at the beginning of the new year and some few daies in the fift and seventh moon and as there are there no Holy-daies they make all the rest of the year an un-interrupted application to their studies So sensible are they of this truth That it is necessary to take very great paines to bee learned and that seldome any one passeth with the reputation of a knowing man without much labour and industrie When they are grown up and past these rudiments and their parents are not able to provide a master for each in particular some of the kindred and neighbours joyne together and take a master in common who dyets with them day by day in course and receiveth his Salary from them all which is not much but more or lesse according to the custome of the Countries and many amount each year to 40 or 50 Crowns the common Salary being from ten to twenty crownes besides the presents which they make them at certaine feasts consisting of stockings shoes and such like things At meals although it be in the houses of persons of the greatest quality they are to sit with the father of the scholar or at least with the scholar himselfe Many times they stuâ—y not in their fathers house having others more proper for that occasion either within or without the City but never farr off and as much as
out or in to them Without there remaineth a vigilant Officer to provide whatsoever is required from within only the Chancelor is here excused from this confinement because he is the common master of all the Batchelours There are some which are so infallibly certain of their knowledge and abilities that there was one in Kiamsi who after the studenrs were locked up for their examinations made a list of those whom he conceived should receive their degrees and having set it up in publick he erred only in six of an hundred and fifteen which were elected When the Officers are assembled the students which in the larger Provinces and Universities exceed the number of 7000 make their appearance at nine of the clock in the morning keeping their order and without any contrast as it often happeneth at the examination of Batchelours with such confusion as is often the occasion of undecent and unfortunate accidents and sometimes murders as I once saw in the City of Sumkiam in the Province of Nankim and in that of Kiamsi At their entrance they are all searched to find what they carry about them and if the least paper be but found about any one of them he is presently excluded And for the lesse trouble in searching of them they are all obliged to wear their hair loose and hanging down their leggs naked and shoes made of cord their garment without lining or any fold whatsoever with their inke-horne and pensels about their necks for as we have said before they use no other pens but those As soon as they are entred they retire into those little chambers we spake of before each into one with his souldier to watch him who sitteth at his feet under his little table Then they lock up the gates setting their guards of Souldiers who keep so strict and rigorous a watch that during the examination they do not suffer any one to passe through that street much lesse do they permit any one to go out Then presently are the points exposed which the President hath already written in large letters on white Tables of Charam the which hang publickly at the four corners of the crosse way between the little houses so that every one may see them from his own chamber the Points or Theames are seaven four out of the four last books of their Philosopher which are common to all and three from every Kim that is out of every part of his books of sciences each student necessarily professing only one of them Vpon each point the student is to write briefly Elegantly and sententiously so that every one is to make seven compositions which are to be written in a faire and well shap'd letter without any Abbreviation If they afterwards mend or correct any thing they are to write underneath in what line that Emendation is made They make two copies of their compositions the one subscribed with the name and Sirname of their Father and Grand-Father with the years of their own age together with an Inscription as seemeth good to each of them These they seale up with the Inscription only on the outside presently they consign the open copies to the officers appointed to receive them and then go their waies The sealed copies are kept according to their number in a place appointed for them the open copies are given to certain Notaries who copy them out in red letters that the composers hand might not be known and after that they are given to the Examiners who distributing them among themselves do the two following daies examine and review them with so much rigour that the least errour is sufficient to exclude the student I shall give you a pleasant example Among their letters there is one called Ma which signifieth a horse this is composed of a perpendicular line crossed with three others and underneath hath a stroke which endeth with a concavity like to our letter S. In this concavity they put 4 pricks in a row one after another In stead of these four pricks when they write with Abbreviation they put only one line Now there was a student who in his composition wrote it after this last manner and although his composition were excellent yet because he had not writ this letter after the first manner the examiner sent him away with these words without four leggs the horse cannot go When that is done they let up on the outward wall a large catalogue of the names of such who have made any fault in their compositions which serveth for advice to them to return home to their houses which they presently do partly out of shame and partly out of necessity because they will not be suffered to enter at the following examinations The second time they enter again on the twelfth day of the month where they are proceeded with as before excepting that they give them only three points concerning such doubts and difficulties as may occurre iâ— matter of government to understand how they would behave themselves in it and how they would advise the King Then again upon the through examination of these second compositions many are sent away and excluded from the third examination to which they enter on the fifteenth day of the month and have only three points given them concerning the lawes and statutes of the Realme When the compositions of this last examination are received they shut up the generall Palace for fifteen daies more or lesse and during that time by comparing and chusing the best they are reduced to a small number who do really deserve the degree Then they consign them to the President who maketh the last scruting and ranketh them in their places and order there being a great difference in being of the first or of the last not only for their reputation but also to be the sooner provided of some good place or office After this last diligence is ended which is used about the copies of the compositions presently they open the originall compositions that were sealed and laid by that by the Inscriptions they might find out the names of the Authours which they write down in certain classes according to their merits This catalogue is exposed to the view of innumerable people who are staying without to expect it some for their Son or Brothers sake some for their Father or Friend some for their Master or Patrone and some only to satisfie their curiositie At the time when these names stand exposed being written in very large letters from the top to the bottom of a long paper two palmes and a halfe broad there stand ready without just so many horses which are to carry those that receive their degree of Licentiate each horse being marked with his number of 1. 2. etc. And to every one of those servants who are appointed to lead the Horses there is given a ticket with the name of the Graduate and the number of that place which belongeth to him Who presently runneth to seek him out it being not easie
piece of paper in white letters and clap it over their gate That they are retired to their garden house by which means they are excused from the molestation of these Civilities The visit must be like that of the Physitian in the morning for towards the evening it is not esteemed to be of so much courtesie nor must it be a visit by the way going upon other businesse and if at any time they make such a visit they excuse themselves saying They will take another time to satisfie the intention of their obligation and devoir For ordinarie visits they have no set time there are times neverthelesse wherein acquaintance friends and kindred are obliged to pay this Ceremony The chiefe and principall time is the first day of the new yeare wishing one another an happy new yeare at which time there is a great multitude of sedans horses and people up and down the streets for then visits are most frequent Many times they go not into the house but leave a Thie and go their way and if they enter they are obliged to eat and drink although it be but a little The second time is on the fifteenth of the same month But the visits are not so frequent and the feasting more because it is at the ending of the fifteen days which they call the feastivall of Lanthornes because during that time they set many of them up and down the streets on gates and in windowes and some of them are very faire and costly The third is the Third day of the Third moone which is in March and is called Cimnim They go all then to the sepulchres to perform there their sacrifices and other Ceremonies and although they bewaile their dead certaine it is that the living make good cheere among themselves The fourth is the fift day of the fift moone which they call Tuonù The people keep a festivall at that time in the streets and high-ways and upon the rivers although sometimes this is forbidden by reason of the disasters which often fall out upon the rivers The fift is upon the Seaventh day of the Seaventh moone at what time they begg abilitie and power of the moone as also they do the like upon the Ninth day of the Ninth moone They visit one another and send Presents and every feastivall hath its Presents that are proper to it Beside these feastivalls they visit upon occasion of death of changing their houses of marriage at the birth of a sonne at the promotion to a degree or office or higher dignitie at the taking of a journy upon the birth-day and especially when they enter upon any seaventh year of their age and in these cases they must not make an empty visit but are always to send some Present When one undertaketh a long journy all his friends visit him and send him presents But when he returneth he is to visit and present them who performed those kind offices to him They visit likewise the sick but only at the gate who seldome admit of a visit within unlesse it be from an intimate friend In these visits they are very punctuall sons towards their father scholars towards their Masters inferiours toward their superiours and the whole Kingdome toward the King so that on his birth-day at the foure quarters of the year and at the chiefe feastivals the vice-roy together with all the Magistrates of the Province dispatch away an Embassadour to court to visit the King in the name of all that Province They which reside at the court as well Letterati as Captaines on the same days go in person to court to do their devoirs They have severall Hals well accommodated for the receiving of visits the first is common to all The visitant may enter thither and sit downe without giving any notice of his being there And although he find not the porter to usher him in they have another farther in which they call the private Hall Hitherto may their kindred and intimate friends come but no further least they should go into that part of the house which is called Hui and is the place where the women are whither the serving-men of the house are not suffered to come unlesse they be very young In the outward Hall they come to receive their visitants and after the ordinary courtesies are performed the master of the house with his owne hands bringeth a chaire and fitteth it with a cushion and if they are many he bringeth a chaires and accommodateth them for them all And afterward they al of them accommodate a chaire for him He leaveth every one to take the place that is due to him and if it be not that some one of them hath a particular respect due to his dignity or office the sonnes cousins scholars c. take place according to their age and if they do not know one anothers age they ask it The Master of the house taketh always the lowest place After they are seated presently the drink called Cià is brought in which they also take according to the same order of precedency In some Provinces the often presenting of this drink is esteemed the greater honour But in the Province of Hamcheu if it be brought the third time it intimateth to the visitant that it is time for him to take his leave If the visitant be a friend and maketh any stay presently there is a table set with sweet-meats and fruits nor do they ever make drie visits which is the custome almost of all Asia contrary to the use of Europe In exercising their courtesies whether it be a son before his father or a scholar before his master for the most part they are more hearers than speakers the young people being never forward in speaking The termes which they use in speaking are very honourable and full of respect toward others and humble toward themselves and as it is not good manners to call any one You in Spain or Italie so neither is it among them to say I. Wherefore they never use this word but other termes in stead of it as the Foster-child the Scholar c. And the sonne when he speaketh to his father nameth himselfe His youngest Sonne although he be the eldest and is already married servants to their masters stile themselves Siaove and the youngest of them Siaoti he that pleadeth at a Tribunall stileth himselfe the delinquent a Christian at his confession the sinner the women in the palace excepting the Queenes and the Eunuchs speaking to the King use your majesties slave Nupor every one else speaking to the King nameth himselfe vassall Chin. If one doth not speak of his owne person but of such as belong to him he is to use modest terms and expressions The father saith of his sonne My young sonne The Master My young scholar and the sonne speaking of his father calleth him The father of the house The servant of the Master The Lord of the house In speaking one with another they use alwaies
invitations to comply with their friends Some daies before the Banquet that is when they have time enough they send a Thie by which they make their invitation and pray them to accept of it If they refuse they excuse themselves with another Thie But if they accept of it they send them another Thie which they call the Thie of solicitation The time of the Banquet being come they commonly stay till all are met entertaining themselves in the outward Hall When all are come they enter into the Hall of the Banquet and the master of the house performeth the usuall ceremonies to them all as well insitting as in placing the cups and eating-sticks The ceremonies being ended they all seate themselves in their order and the master of the house taketh care to go up and down and invite them to eat and drink Their Banquets are very long and they spend much time in discoursing but the ordinary custome is to have Musick and Comedies and the Comedians are obliged to act whatsoever the Guests command them At length the Banquet endeth by the importunate entreatie of the Guests to which he that inviteth them still seemeth to make resistance The day after the feast all the Guests send their Thie to the person that invited them which containeth partly the praise and commendations of the Banquet and all that they had there and partly their thanks to him that gave it them CHAP. 14. Of the Games which the Chinesses use PLaying at Cards which are like to ours in form and figures which are all black and without colours hath penetrated even to this remotest part of the world and is the common recreation of the meaner sort of people but is not used by the Nobilitie But the game of the Nobilitie and graver sort of people as well to passe the time as to winne mony is that of Chesse not altogether unlike ours Their King can never remove but into the foure neerest places to his own Station which is also the law for the two Bishops They have no Queen but two other men which they call Vasi di Polvere or vessells of dust very ingenious These stand before the two Knights and before them two Pawnes the which are placed in the next row before the other Pawnes These men have a motion like to our Rookes but cannot Check the contrary King but only when between one of them and the King there is another man immediately interposed whether it be his own man or an enemy So that the King may avoyd that Check three manner of ways either by removing into the next place or by interposing another man or else by taking away that man that stood betwixt him and his enemie so by laying himselfe open he is defended They have another grave game among them which is as followeth On a Chess-board of 300. places they play wiâ—h 200. men a hundred white and a hundred black with these each endeavoureth to drive the others men into the middle of the Chess board that he might be master of the other places in conclusion he that hath gained himselfe most places winneth the game In this game the officers do passe their time with a great deale of delight and often spend a great part of the day at it for between those that are skilfull one game will take up an hours time Those that are expert at this game are well esteemed though it be only upon this account and are therefore often called and received as masters of this Game with all ceremonie The Chinesses also use the game of Dice which have the same shape and points as ours without any difference The common people do much use a game called by the Italians Giuocâ— Della Morra casting out their hands and fingers as they do at that game in Europe They play most at it in their Banquets between two who shall drink and he that loseth gaineâ—h the drink The Nobilitie for this purpose have a drum placed without the Hall where they eat and there standeth a man who beateth on it at adventure as many stroaks as he thinks fit and when he beateth on the drum they begin to count from the first man of the Banquet and he at whom the drum stoppeth is obliged to drink In the City of Nankim there is another game much practised among the common people They buy a couple of Capons the best they can find or else fish or Porcellane or what other thing they please but it must be excellent in its kind to excite an appetite in others to win it Then one holdeth in his hand ten pieces of their mony the which have letters on the one side and on the other nothing This man offereth them to him that will throw and he throweth them ten times and if in any of these times all the pieces light with the same side upward either written or not written he gaineth the reward that is proposed if not he loseth an halfe-penny There is not wanting in China the game of Cock-fighting which is used also throughout all India they have Cocks bred up for this purpose Before they fight they fasten to each legg neare to their spurs a small razour then he that keepeth the field having made the other fly or fall is Conquerour and winneth the other cock and whatsoever was abetted on his head But because many times they wound one another so just at the same time that they both fall together that Cock which after he is fallen pecks at the other or croweth is accounted victour They combate after the same manner with Quailes and to his purpose they commonly breed up the Cock-Quails with great care This Game is particularly in request among the Kings kindred and the Eunuches of the Palace in which they spend a great deale of mony These birds do fight very furiously and desperately They fight likewise with Grillo's or Cricquets and this sport is much used in the Spring time They have little houses made of clay very artificially to keep them in when they fight them each man pulleth out his Cricquet and putteth him into a Bason or other clean vessell and with a little slice or spattle they put them to one another and when they are neere enough to launce at one another they do it with such fury that many times one will fetch off the others leg at the first blow He that conquereth presently singeth and winneth teh game This game is much used in Pekim and particularly by the Eunuchs who spend a great deale of money at it They do not permit young children that study to play at any game the bigger sort have games proper to their age which are very like those our youth have in Europe They are forbidden to play at cards or dice and if they be taken or accused for it they are chastifed and condemned to a pecuniary mulct and some are imprisoned only for spending too much time at play For among them Tù Pó that is
too and especially the Kings officers and Ministers who laying aside the ensignes of their dignitie which are both of Authoritie and Ornament to them do change them for others of Mourning and Sorrow as their Girdle which commonly they weare very rich into a rope of course Hempe and their Cap which is of black Silk into one made of the course cloath for Mourning In this manner they went foure months till the time of the obsequies The common people wore only a Mourning Cap for foure and twenty daies with so much exactnesse that he that neglected it was punished The second day the King leaving the Palaces where he dwelt passed over to those of his deceased Mother which although they are within the same wall yet stand at some distance They cloathed the dead body in white very richly and every day till it was put into the Coffin the King went in Person with all the people of his palace to visit her and to performe those ordinary Reverences and Compliments used by children to their parents putting rich odours and spices into a perfuming pan which stood before her all his women Sons and Nephews as also some of the Principall Eunuches of the Palace did the like with all Solemnitie Then presently by the Kings command the garments bed and other things which the Queen used were burned judging it an unworthie thing that ever they should be made use of by any Person inferiour to her in dignitie and authority On the third day the body was put into the Coffin The excellency of the matter thereof may be easily imagined by what hath been already said that even for private persons the price of one amounteth many times to a thousand crownes The boards are very thick and the Coffin very capacious There the King himselfe plac't her upon a Quilt and a Pillow which were there laid strewing upon her pearle and precious stones to the value of 70000. crownes and placing by her side fifty pieces of cloath of gold and fiftie of cloath of silver which truly would have been enough to have maintained a gallant man all his life time The Coffin was shut and the King with the rest made their accustomed reverences and departed On the fourth day the ceremonies were continued cloathing themselves in a more austere and horrid Mourning for to celebrate the Sacrifices which in realitie are not sacrifices but offerings and pure ceremonies The Coffin was placed in a spacious Court as it were upon a high Throne and about it stood fifteen Tables The first that was in the front was for the King the rest for his women Sonnes and principall Eunuches who after the King according to their order made their offerings with perfumes and reverences On the fift day which was appointed for those who dwell without the Palace there was assembled all the Nobilitie and Titulados which they call Que Cùm Chu Cheu Heupè who do all succeed by inheritance After these followed all those that were of Affinitie and Alliance with the King that is such as were married to his Daughters or Nieces After these the Magistrates of the six Tribunals And after these came the wives of the great Officers who have jurisdiction over the whole Kingdome such as are those of the six Tribunals each in that which appertaineth to him whether it be concerning the Revenue or the Militia or any other thing All these in their order performed the ceremonies abovesaid and so there was a period put to the first part of the ceremonies which are used in the Palace before the Funerall for abroad there were many things commanded and severall edicts published in which were intimated First that all Mandarines both of the Gowne and Sword should make their appearance at the Palace the day following to bewaile the deceased Queen which done without returning to their houses they should go directly to their Tribunalls there to remain and keep a fast for three daies without eating flesh fish or eggs or drinking any wine That done for the space of other three daies they should come all to the gates of the Palace and there in their order one by one should make foure accustomed reverences with some other externall signes of griefe and then returne home to their houses The second that all the wives of the Mandarines from the first to the fourth degree cloathed from head to foot in close mourning should assemble at the same place and for the space of three days lament in the like manner and that afterwards at their owne houses for the space of twenty seaven days they should not put on their Jewells ornaments c. The third that those of the Royall Councell called Han Lin should all make Poems verses and compositions in praise of the deceased Queen The fourth that they of the Quan Lo Su that is the Officers of the Kings exchequer and revenue should with all diligence and liberalitie provide what ever was necessary for the sacrifices and other expences of the funerall The fifth that all the Bonzi and ministers of the Idols should ring their bells for a long time as a signe of sorrow and griefe The sixth that for thirteen daies there should be no flesh killed or sold in the shambles but that all should fast as the King did who for the first three days did eat only a little rice boyled in faire water and the rest of the time puâ—se only The seaventh there was order given to the President of the Councell of rites and ceremonies and to those of the chamber that they should present mourning garments to all the Embassadours who did then actually reside in the Court and that they should be brought to the Palace and performe one day the ceremonies and compliments in like manner as the people of the Country did The eighth that all Mandarines that had finished their government and all new pretenders should come for three days to the Palace to do the same reverences and ceremonies The ninth that the common people for a week together should do the same morning and evening at the Palace of the Governour of the City Besides this all the Mandarines dispersed through the Provinces and Cities of the Kingdome were written to that at the arrivall of the newes of the Queen-Mothers decease they should give notice thereof to all the blood royall of the Male line and to their wives and children and order that they should make the three accustomed reverences and other ceremonies on their knees and immediately to cloath themselves in Mourning for seaven and twenty days This order was given to all the Mandarines of the Kingdome as well to those that had governd as to those that did actually governe as also to all Litterati of what degree soever as likewise to those that had not received any degree To the common people there was order given that they should weare Mourning caps for thirteen dayes Moreover it was ordered that as well in the Palaces of the
Mandarines as in the publick Innes on the high wayes and in small villages where travellers are lodged at the Kings expence no musick either of voice or instrument should be suffered And this order was divulged by Mandarines appointed only for this occasion And when this order came to the Court of Nankim all the officers both of the Gowne and Sword went out to meet it as farre as the river all in deep Mourning even to their Umbrellas wherewith they keep off the sunne and accompanied it through the City in an orderly procession as farre as the Tribunal of rites and ceremonies where the President received the order in writing and set it up in an eminent conspicuous place and all of them did their reverence to it after that he tooke the letter and opened it and made proclamation of the order although there wanted nothing to the execution thereof but that the common people had not yet their Mourning caps These were the ceremonies which preceded the Funerall the which being ended order was given to the Mathematician Major or chiefe Astrologer of the Court of Pekim that he should make choise of a day or days whereon the Obsequies should be solemnized He after he had consulted his art appointed the ninth day of the sixth moone foure months compleat after the Queens death to be the day whereon the corps should be brought out of the Palace and the fifteenth of the same moone for the day of the Funerall The time being come order was given for the solemnizing thereof in form following First that all the Mandarines of the Court and Magistrates of the six Tribunals six days before should leave their own houses and make their abode at their Tribunals and should fast for three dayes in manner abovesaid Secondly that the Officers of the Kings Patrimonie and Revenue should prepare whatsoever was necessary for that occasion that is great quantitie of Candles Perfumes Spices great store of Phantasticke figures and Images of men Horses Lions Elephants Vmbrellas of Silk all richly set out that they might be burnt at the place of Sepulture It is reported that there were spent in this above 30000 Crowns I make no doubt but so much was spent but that it was afterwards all burnt is hard to be proved It may be fame was something extravagant in that particular Thirdly that they of the Colledge of Han Lin should anew make other verses proper for the Funerall Fourthly because the King was to accompany the Body to the Sepulture which is twelve miles distant from the Court he named another Person who in his stead should performe all the compliments and necessarie Ceremonies Fifthly order was given to all the Officers Captaines Souldiers that they should keep a Guard in the City and at the Sepulchre and that they should accompanie the Body by the way in this manner That at every gate of the City which are nine in all there should stand a thousand men That from the gate through which the Body was to passe to the place of Sepulture there should stand two rancks of Souldiers that there should be 3000 to carry the Coffin by turnes and 10000 horsemen to accompany it and for the Guard of the Royall Sepulchres while the Obsequies lasted 40000. Sixtly order was given to levell the way from the Palace to the place of Sepulture and to raile it in on both sides that the people might not stop up the way At every twenty paces there was set a basket of yellow earth for to strow in the way as the Hearse passed as also that Tents and Pavillions should be set up in certaine places for the refreshment of those that accompanied the Body Seaventhly command was given to all the officers of the revenue that they should provide with all punctualitie and liberalitie whatsoever was necessary for the sustenance and diet of the Mandarines Eunuchs Captaines Souldiers and all others that by duty of their place attended upon the Funerall Solemnitie Eighthly that three daies before the Funerall the Mourning Lamentation Reverences and Sacrifices should be renewed in like manner as at the beginning Ninthly and lastly it was commanded that from the seaventh that is two daies before the Funerall Solemnitie began to the twentieth of that Moon no Shambles should be opened neither flesh nor fish sold in any manner nor that any noise of mirth or Musicall instrument should be heard any where throughout the City All things being set in order for the Funerall on the seventh of the sixth moone the King and Prince with all the officers went to the Temple of his Ancestours which standeth within the Royall Palaces where cloathed in deep Mourning and coming before the Image of the first founder of his Familie he made a low Reverence and after offered to his deceased Mother whose Image was yet standing there many Garments of silk wine and other things Then he commanded that one of the compositions made in her praise should be read after which using severall other Reverences and Ceremonies they all returned and the King left particular order that all those Garments Poems and other things should be burned On the eighth day were made Sacrifices to Heaven Earth the Planets Mountaines and Rivers with great Solemnitie when these were ended the King commanded that the same Sacrifices should be made to the nine Gates of the Palace through which the Corps of the deceased Queâ—n was to passe and to the Tutelar Angels of them as also the six Bridges of the River which runneth through the Palace offering in all these places living creatures Aromaticks wine made with severall Spices and ingredients and diverse other perfumes The Chest or Coffin in which the deceased Queen lay was of the most precious and dearest wood that could be found in that Kingdome and was shut and closed up with all possible art and diligence and clasped on the outside with hasps of Silver made in the forme of Dragons neither was there any Gold or Charan used for the Ornament thereof that that precious wood might be left more bare and open to the sight It was placed in a Triumphant Chariot very richly wrought with its Curtaines of silk embroidered with Gold Moreover the Chariot was adorned all over with plates of Silver cast in the figures of Lions and Dragons and other works all performed with exquisite art and diligence About the Hearse stood many Candles and perfuming pans The fifth day being come which was appointed by the Kings Mathematician for the carrying of the Corps forth of the Palace the King with his Women Sonnes and the Eunuches of the Palace came to the place where the Chariot that carried the Hearse stood where after they had renewed their lamentations for their departed Queen they Sacrificed to the Chariot it selfe or to the God and Genius thereof that the voyage might be prosperous and that the Body might enjoy quiet and securitie then Sprinkling sweet waters upon the Hearse they made their last
them who live in the Cities and Villages throughout the Kingdome they are but of small courage and valour but you must not conceive that they are only Souldiers and have no other profession for they are Inhabitants and natives of the same places and are Taylors Shoemakers c. They are alwaies ready to march at the Kings command and leaving their houses go to the warre whensoever there is occasion They are moreover obliged to appear at the musters and traynings for three months in the Spring and three in the Autumne the which are held in the great Cities every day infallibly where only a Tertia or third part of them do muster but in Villages they do all make their appearance every day The manner which they hold in this Militia is thus All the Souldiery whether of Foot or Horse are drawn up into a Body and if any be found missing there is an other put in his place and in that place and degree into which they are once admitted they almost ever remaine or are but little advanced I said almost alwayes because on the Frontires if any Souldier perform any notable exploit they sometimes make him a Captain and he is advanced to his degrees without being examined but this is a thing which falleth out very rarely For to make Captaines Lieutenants and Corporals c. there are examinations and in them two degrees are conferred which to make them be the better understood we will call Licentiats in arms and Doctours in arms The first examination is held in the chief Cities of the Provinces whither all pretenders do resort and in the same vniversity or generall Palace where the students are examined and there they are to be examined giving them for a point or Theme certaine doubts in matters of war to which they answer with their pen making thereon discourses and compositions The speculative triall being ended they come to the practick They must shoote nine arrowes standing still upon their feet and other nine on horse-back against a great Target whilest the horse is in his speed and of those who behave themselves best both in the triall of shooting and in that of composing some are chosen on whom the first degree is conferred which hath also its ensignes and ornaments The second degree is conferred at Court in the same year where all those who have obtained the first degree do assemble themselves and the examination is held in the same manner as before only there are more doubts concerning matters of warre proposed than before Their ensignes are the same with those of the Doctours in learning which is to be understood in the Cities while the Kingdom is in peace for in warre or publique actions where they assist as Souldiers they have their particular ensignes and ornaments of Captaines The graduates are employed the same yeare in the office of Captaines and so are advanced by degrees til they come it may be to be Captaines General although there be no war They who remaine only with the first degree are employed in the lesser and more ordinary charges of the warr but they are alwayes to be in somthing of command As for their Armes I say first that the use of Powder is very ancient in China and in fire-works wherein they are excellently skilfull they spend more powder in a year than in their Armies at this time in five Anciently it seemeth they used it more in the warr For even to this day there are to be seen on the gates of the City of Nankim on both sides of the town great Brasse Bombards or Cannon which though they be but short yet are very well made from whence it may be concluded that they have formerly been in use But now they know not how to make use of them and keep them only for ostentation Neverthelesse they make some use of Morter pieces or Spingards but they have but few and those ill-made They have also Dagges two palms long of Musket-bore they do stock three and sometimes fower of these together and shoot them off all at once In their ships of warr they carry Guns but they are very small ones neither do they know how to levell them at a mark But now since the Officers of China have made many fire-armes in Machao by meanes of the Portughesses Muskets began to come into China but the Armes which they commonly serve with are Bowes and Arrowes Lances Scimitars In the yeare 1621 the City of Macao sent for a present to the King three great pieces of Cannon with their Cannoniers belonging to them to acquaint him with the use of them which accordingly they did in Pekim to the great affrightment of many Mandarines who would needs be present to see them discharged At which time there fell out an unhappie accident which was that one of the Guns violently recoyling killed one Portughese and three or fower Chinesses besides many more that were Scared These Guns were highlie esteemed and carried to the Frontiers against the Tartars who not knowing of this new invention and coming on many together in a close Body received such a slaughter from an Iron piece that they were not only put to flight at that time but went on ever after with more caution For defensive Armes they use round Bucklers Caskes or Head-pieces and certaine plates of Iron three fingers broad laid one upon another of which they make Back and Brest-pieces they are but of little proof and are made only against arrowes In a word both their Armes and Souldiers are but little worth at this time The occasions thereof are many the First is the great ease and idlenesse in which they have lived these many yeares since the Kingdome hath been free from warr The Second is the great account they make of learning and the little esteem they have of Armes so that the least magistrate will dare to baffle a Captaine of Armes let him be never so great The Third is their manner of electing Captaines by way of examination as we have said being all raw Souldiers that understand nothing in matters of warr The Fourth is because all Souldiers are either couragious by nature or Spurred on to Gallantrie by the example of those Noble Persons who lead them or else they are animated by the discipline their Captaines do bring them up in But the Souldiers of China want all these occasions For commonly their courage is but little their Nobilitie lesse their Education least of all for they will bastinado a Souldier for any fault as if he were a child that went to schoole The fifth because in their Armies over all the Captaines and also the Generall himselfe there goeth a Generalissimo who is alwaies a man of the long robe This man marcheth alwaies in the middle of the maine Battalia and from the place of Battaile is many times a daies journy off so that he is too remote to give orders and to runne away in any case of danger he is
one guilty person that would make his escape The very trees seem to be afraid to cover him with their shade If a person of qualitie be to be apprehended they send the Ministers of justice to him who have no more to do but to throw the cord or chaine at his feet the which he himselfe taketh up and putteth about his neck as if it were a chaine of Gold and the very name of these is sufficient to strike a terrour in any In the City of Sucheu in the Province of Nankim there lived a Mandarine a grave Person who had passed through most of the greatest Offices in the Kingdome with great satisfaction and good liking of the peopie it was in the time of that powerfull Euneuch of whom we spake even now this man had intelligence that these Ministers of justice would be sent to him he stayed not their coming but made a banquet to his kindred and friends toward the end thereof going out as if it had been upon some other occasion he cast himselfe out of a Balcone into a fish Pond where he drowned himselfe His Guests seeing him stay so long went out to looke him and found upon a Table a paper having these words written with his own hand Turning towards the Palace I performe the reverence due to my King whom I have alwayes endeavoured to serve with resolutions becoming a faithfull subject and it is not reasonable that I should suffer from the hand of an Eunuch affronts worthy a base and criminall Person There needs no more than two letters sent from the King and put in any place to make it remaine as it were inchanted so that if they want any thing in the Palace as Chà Fruit. c. it is sufficient to send to the Countrie where those things are they desire to give them notice only and to set up those two letters Xim Chi that is the will of the King and presently every thing is made ready and none dare stir so much as a leafe of it The same thing hapneth when there is any extraordinarie businesse to be done which carrieth some difficultie with it for it is sufficient to set up the two letters above-said and all opposition is levelled as it fell out when the King gave the houses of an Eunuch who was a prisoner to the Fathers of our company for a burying place by clapping the said letters upon them In all the Cities of the Kingdome every moneth on the first day of the moone the Magistrates assemble themselves at the tribunall of the Governour before a Throne where are placed the Royall Ensignes and there they do reverence to them in the same manner as they would do to the King himselfe if he were present They doe the like also on his birth day At the beginning of every yeare each Province sendeth an Embassadour to visit the King and as often as they write letters to him they do not send them by way of the post but a principall Mandarine goeth to carry them But their memorialls or petitions they send by the Post. Every three yeeres all the great Mandarines of the Kingdome go to do homage to the King None may enter into the Royall Palaces no not into the first gate if he be clothed in Mourning neither do they go to make their reverence in an ordinarie habit but in that extraordinarie one appointed for Courtesies and the Magistrates are to put on a red garment None of what condition soever may passe before the gates of the Palace on horse-back nor in a Sedan nor in any other manner except on foot no not if they be women and by how much the Qualitie of the Person is the greater so much the further off is he to light and go a-foot All the Officers and Persons of Qualitie who come to the Court are presently obliged either in the morning early if they come or late at night if they go out to go to Kun Chao that is the Court of Ceremonies as is above-said and before the Royall Throne which is placed in a Hall although the King be not there who at that houre is for the most part in bed and when all that came in that morning are assembled there being no morning that there is not a good number of them the Master of the Ceremonies commeth and with a loud voice declareth the Ceremonies which every one ought to performe and they all in the same manner put them in execution and if by misfortune any one committeth an errour or doth any gesture not reverently enough it belongeth to the Master of the Ceremonies to give the King notice thereof by a memoriall as in like manner doth the Person that is culpable accusing himselfe and requiring some penance for it but this is done purely out of Ceremony the king never taking any heed to it All Embassadours are obliged likewise to the same Ceremonies when they enter into the Court or go out thereof they use to be lodged in one of the Palaces which are within a spacious circuit of wal neere to the Royall Palace and are alwayes kept in a readinesse for that purpose where they are royally treated and at great expence but they may not go out of that circuit and if they would have any thing out of the City it is brought to them into that place they neither see nor speak to the King but only the Councell of Rites by the Kings order treateth with them and dispatched them The Portughesses those two severall times they were sent thither from the City of Macao were not only treated with extraordinary magnificence and liberalitie but had also that particular priviledge to lodge out of that place and the first of them that were sent saw King Thienkhie the brother of him who now reigneth he was very young and out of curiositie to see men of a strange Nation he caused them to come to the Palace and although it was at a good distance yet he saw them and was plainly seen by them Every one in the Kings presence speaketh to him on his knees if he be in the Royall Hall with the Magistrates he goeth away before they rise up if he be sick and they come to visit him they speak to him in the same manner and before they rise off their knees a Curtaine is drawn before him or else he turneth himselfe on the other side When they speak to him they hold in their hands before their mouth a Tablet of Ivory a palm and a half long and three or foure inches broad it is an ancient Ceremony for in old time when they spake in a more familiar manner to the King out of reverence they held something between to keep their breath from coming to the Kings face and also when they discoursed with him of many businesses they carried the heads of them written thereon that they might not forget them But now that they speake to the King at such a distance and not so
his knees to his wife till she hath brought him a child assoone as she is delivered this obligation ceaseth although there are still a great many other constraints and inconveniences upon them which is the reason that no man of Qualitie will be the Kings Sonne-in-law For this reason the usuall custome of chusing twelve is now left off and if the King do earnestly invite any person of Qualitie or Litterato of reputation to be his Sonne-in-law as it hath sometimes fallen out he excuseth himselfe with all the skill and friends he hath for if the Princesse take a dislike against her husband as it often happeneth she gives him affliction enough for all his life CHAP. 24. Of the Nobilitie of China THe Nobilitie of China at this day is much changed from what it was anciently when by reason there were many Kings and Soveraigne Lords they matched into one anothers families and the Kings themselves made many noble men whom they used to employ as also their neerest kinsmen in charges and governments of the greatest importance and by this means their families continued on foot for many years At this day the most of the Nobilitie have been raised by their learning to the highest honours from a low condition many of them having been the Sonnes of Artizans and Handicrafts-men as also for want of learning their families decline and grow againe into povertie so that it is rare thing to see a family last to the fift generation for as the first beginners being forced by necessitie and stirred up by a desire to advance themselves study and take paines to obtaine their degrees and consequently Governments and other Preheminences So the rest who follow and are borne rich and bred up in delights and wantonnesse suffer themselves to be carried away with the pleasures of living high and the vices which accompany it study little and spend much so that in a short time they finde themselves reduced to the first condition of their Ancestours Notwithstanding there is some shadow and resemblance left of the ancient Nobilitie and it may be reduced to five orders not mentioning those common people who are of no account The first Nobilitie is of the King Prince the Kings Children and the Royall family which is preserved in this manner The Prince succeedeth his father in manner above-said To his Younger Sonnes the King assigneth a habitation out of the Court in such a Province or City as shall seem best to him with Palaces Furniture and Servants suitable to his high qualitie and lands and revenues which he purchaseth for him in the same place as also a competent pension out of the Kings exchequer He that dwelt in the Province of Xensi where I lived for sometime had as I was informed 360000 Crownes per annum and the title of a King conferied on him and all the Officers of the Province were obliged to pay him respect suitable to his Title whence every first and fifteenth day of the Moone they went to do him reverence in like manner as is done at Court to the King there being nothing wanting to him to make him an absolute King but only Authority and Jurisdiction of which he had nothing at all neither over the people nor in the government the King reserving all that to himselfe neither hath he libertie to go out of the City and Territorie where he hath his residence The Eldest Sonne succeedeth his Father in his estate and goods the rest marry and make severall Families which stil grow lesser although they be great and the King giveth them an allowance competent for them and as they are removed still to a further degree from the Kings bloud so likewise their pension diminisheth till it cometh to fourescore Crowns a yeare and there it stoppeth there being none so remote from the Royall Stemme that hath not at the least this Revenue Yet neverthelesse all this is to be understood only if those that are descended from him have certaine conditions that are required of them for if these be wanting they have nothing given them at all The First condition is that they be Males for if they be Females there is no account made of them and the Father marrieth them to whom and when he will but not to Princes of the bloud neither may the Sonnes marry but with Women of other Families and he is to marry them at his own expences The Second condition is that the Sonne be lawfully begotten on the true wife not only bastards being excluded but also the Sonnes of their concubines if they have any The Third is that assoon as his Sonne is borne he do give a memorial to the King to give him a name which is to be registred in the roll The Fourth is that having attained the age of 14 yeares he give another memoriall to the King praying him to give order that he may receive halfe his pension which he after receiveth every year at set times The Fifth that when he cometh to age to be married there be another memoriall given to the King wherein is required leave for him to marry and then he receiveth the whole pension which is assigned him These are the Princes of the Bloud descended from the King by a right male line These are not to live in the two Courts of Pekim and Nankim nor in all the Provinces indifferently but only in some certaine places and are so numerous that they are beleeved to amount to 60000 and are all maintained by the King But they have this advantage that they may help themselves by their industrie in buying and selling and playing the Merchants For the government of them and to present their memorialls to the King to decide their controvesies and to punish them if there be cause they have a particular Mandarine that is proper to them But if they have any suits with others who are not of the bloud Royall such causes are under the cognizance of the ordinary justice who may reprove them but hath not the power to punish them but if any of them commit any notable disorder he giveth notice thereof to the King who for such occasions hath a Castle in the Province of Kiamsi encompassed with a very high wall whither he confineth them during life The Second Order of Nobilitie is of the Titulati or Noblemen that have Titles conferred upon them who notwithstanding are but the shadow of what they were in former times These are divided into foure orders The First they call Quecum a new Title and are only foure Families who were raised by the King Humvu and are descended from foure valiant Captaines who served the said King against the Tartars They are as it were Dukes and Captaines-Generall of the Militia and do assist in that Qualitie at certaine military actions of great importance when they are done in the Cities where they inhabit but they never go to the war The Second are Heus The Third Pe. The Fourth Chi Ho Ei
that the husbandmen could not attend their Ploughing and Sowing so that by this meanes they came to suffer great want It happened that a Mandarine passed through that Province as he came from another who had more zeale and compassion for them than they who governed there Assoon as he was come to Court he presented a Memoriall to the King wherein he did so lively set forth the small importance of that chase and the great trouble and disturbance which it caused to the people that the King not only bounded his curiosity and commanded they should desist from taking any more Birds but also gave libertie to those which were already taken commanding the doors of the Aviaries and Cages to be set open that they might fly away In the City of Pekim in the Palace of one of the Kings daughters whom they call Cum Chu there was one of her Servants who was very insolent having committed many high crimes and one among the rest which deserved death the Mandarines much desired to apprehend him but in the Palace they could not and he never went abroad but when he wayted on his Princesse At length there was a Mandarine who resolved to take him by any meanes he could and to this effect when the Princesse went next abroad he with his men set himself before the coaches and made them stop and then presently laid hands on that man and carried him away The Princesse resenting the afront that was done her returned presently to the Palace full of indignation and was so transported with colar that she would not stay till the King came back from the audience where he then was but went thither her self in person to complain The Mandarine was presently sent for who had put himself in a readiness well imagining he should be called he presenteth himself before the King who sharply reproved him He answered him Sir I have done nothing but that which your Majestie commandeth the law ordaineth But you ought replyed the King to have sought some other time and opportunity I have sought it long enough answered the Mandarine but I should never have found it At least replyed the King ask my daughter pardon and bow your head Where there is no fault answered the other there is no need of pardon neither will I ask pardon for having discharged my Office Then the King commanded two Mandarines that by force they should bow his head down to the ground but he by strength kept himself up so stiff that it was not possible for them to do it so that the King was constrained to send him away A few daies after the King gave order that he should have a better Office bestowed upon him being much satisfied with his integrity I forbear to relate many like cases which I might bring in confirmation of this The Tenth is the strickt watch and ward which is kept in the Ciâ—ies Townes and Villages in every street there is placed a man and if it be long two or more who are appointed to take care of any disorders that may arise there In every street likewise there is a kinde of prison called Lemphù that is the cold shop where upon a sudden occasion they may imprison a delinquent untill notice be given thereof to some Magistrate The Eleventh is that every night infallibly all the gates of the City are shut up as we have already said The streets also are shut up with grates made for that purpose But the streets are not alwaies shut up nor in all parts of the City but only in some and that upon some certain occasions and occurrences The Twelfth is that persons of honour and authority do beare great respect one to another and it would be accounted a great disgrace for any of them to quarrell with another openly Hence it happeneth that although many times they have occasion of disgust and hatred yet outwardly they alwaies observe their Decorum neither do they upon this account avoyd any meetings that they might not come together The Thirteenth is that none do beare armes except the Souldiers and they only at their musters or when they do accompany the Mandarines The common people who contrariwise do easily quarrell one with another do make use only of their fists and he that catcheth the other first by the haire gaineth the battell nay if they have any thing in their hands that might draw bloud as a staffe a piece of wood or iron or such like thing presently they lay it downe and go to it with their fists The Fourteenth is that the whores and curtezans who are many times the causes of great disorders do lodge without the walls neither is any of them suffered to dwell within They have no particular houses but many of them live together with a man who hath the care and government of them and is obliged to give an account of any disorder that falleth out in their lodgings The Fifteenth is that they forbid all commerce with strangers within the Kingdom least they might infect them with new customes and manners and disturbe their ancient way of government which is a law that was in part observed also by the Lacedemonians upon the very same motive Yet they have never prohibited Embassadours from other Kingdoms and accordingly many are received who are sent from the neighbouring Kings only they lay this obligation upon them that when they are arrived at the first City of the Kingdom they are to stay there where the Magistrates do treate them with all honour and respect and presently give the King advice of their arrivall who sendeth them leave to come to the Court without which licence they are not permitted to go forward When they are come to Court they are lodged in a particular Palace whence they may not go out but in the manner we have above related Above all they have their certain laws statutes and ordinances by which both they and their Kingdom are governed These are of two sorts The first consisteth in ancient rites customes and ceremonies common to the whole Kingdom and are contained in five Bookes and are esteemed to be as it were Sacred Of the second sort are the laws of the Kingdom according to which Justice is administred in particular cases both civill and criminall concerning all that is to be observed in the execution of them These are likewise very ancient and are all founded upon those five Cardinall vertues so much esteemed by their Ancestours and which are at this day held in great veneration among them that is Gin Y Li Chi Sin Pietie Iustice Policie Prudence and Fidelitie Gin say they signifieth Pietie Humanitie Charitie Reverence Love and Compassion Which they expliane after this manner To esteeme ones selfe lesse than others To be affable To succour those that are afflicted To help those that are in necessitie To have a tender and compassionate heart To beare good will to all men and To use all this more particularly toward
diminished by little and little many of them turning Moors There live more of them in the Province of Honan in the capitall City thereof called Cai Fum Fu than in any other place They have there a Synagogue well built and adorned in the fashion of a great Chappel and set out with curtaines They say they have there a very ancient Hebrew Bible Father Iulius Alenes one of our company was among them for some time they shewed him their Synagogues but would not draw their curtaines and let him see the Bible Father Matthaens Riccius affirmeth that according to the relation which the Iews themselves made to him thereof in Pekim it was not at all differing from ours They have no knowledge at all of Christ so that it seemeth they were entred into China before he came into the World or at least if they have ever heard of him the memorie of it is quite lost and therefore it would be of great consequence to see their Bible for perhaps they have not corrupted it as our Jews have done to obscure the glorie of our Redeemer These as they are in no great number so it is not probable they should long preserve themselves They who at the Court had some discourse with our Fathers did much lament that they had lost themselves for want of the Hebrew Tongue and by the little knowledge they had of their law and said that after some time they should all become either Moores or Gentiles that the ruler of their Synagogue at that time was a decrepit old man and his sonne who was to succeed him in his Office young and ignorant of the things of their law and that indeed there were very few among them who were zealous observers of it Moreover these Iews did seem to be much troubled and weary of the reproaches which the Gentiles laid upon some ceremonies of their law which is a sign they have no great affection for it as their not eating of Swines flesh their not touching a beast which hath been killed by the hand of a Gentile but especially the circumcising their Infants on the eighth day which their wives and Chinesse kindred tell them is a cruell and barbarous thing At this time we have in that City of Cai Funifú a house and Church and when I left that Kingdome a good number of Christians which daily encreased not without hope also that some good may be done upon those Jews who being so ready to change their religion will more easily embrace the true one which hath more conformitie to theirs than any other CHAP. 31. Of the Christian Religion planted many ages since in China and of a very Ancient stone lately discovered there which is an admirable Testimonie thereof IT hath alwayes been a well grounded opinion that the Christian Religion hath been very anciently planted in China Paulus Venetus making a relation of that Countrie from whence it is certain that he went many daies journey into the Countrie of the Tartars assureth us that in that time there were a great number of Christians in China who had very sumptuous Churches and named the Cities where they lived He wrot this with very much truth for of all that which he mentioneth there are yet remaining many houses and in other places the ruines of them as a Testimonie of it To this may be added the Testimonie of other grave Authours wherein we read that the preaching of the Gospell penetrated as farre as China by the Ministrie of the Apostle St. Thomas and his Disciples Among other writings out of which this may be drawn the Chalde books concerning the Indian Christianitie cultivated by the meanes of the said Apostle are of no small moment the which it is certain are to this day preserved and kept in the Arch-Bishoprick of Granganour or Della Serra that is of the Mountaines as it is vulgarly called translated out of that language by order of the Arch-bishop thereof Franciscus Ros by the pains and industry of one of our fathers who was very skilfull in that tongue The translation is in Latin but that it may be more generally understood we will turne what is cited out of it into the vulgar One of these books is a Breviary which in one of the lessons belonging to the second nocturnall hath these words By the means of S. Thomas the errours of the Idolatry of the Indians were dissipated By the meanes of St. Thomas the Chinesses and Aethiopians were converted to the truth By the meanes of St. Thomas they obtained the vertue of Baptism and the Adoption of Sonnes By the meanes of St Thomas they believed in the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost By the meanes of St. Thomas they kept that faith which they had promised to God By the meanes of St. Thomas the beames of the knowledge of life enlightned all India By the meanes of St. Thomas the Kingdome of Heaven flew and entred into China And presently there followeth an Antiphona which saith The Indians the Chinesses the Persians and the other Islanders they of Siria Armenia Graecia and Romania in commemoration of St. Thomas do offer their Adoration unto thy most Holy Name O great God In the Summarie of the Constitutions synodall part 2. cap 19 concerning Bishops and Metropolitans there is a Canon of the Patriark Theodotius which hath these words In like manner also the Bishops of the great Province such as are for the most part the Metropolitans of China After the arrivall of the Portugheses into Cocchine the governour of the Mountaines of Malaber who was called Don. Diego entitled himself Metropolitan of India and China as did also Don Giuseppe who died at Rome These were the Ancient Titles of that Church and being taken al together are strong arguments that the Christian Religion did formerly flourish in China These were the powerfull motives that did engage us after our arrivall thither with much care and fervour to trace the ruines and footsteps of that Ancient Christianitie In the Histories of that Kingdome which we have very diligently perused we found no mention thereof to our great admiration knowing well how curious and diligent Inquisitours the Chinesses are in the affaires of their owne Countrie that they might eternize the memory of them It is true we had information that there were some in those parts who did reverence the Crosse and made the signe of it over their meat without knowing the reason why they did it When I was in the capitall City of Kiamsi I was informed by a Christian that in the little Towne of Tamo Xan which was not farre off there were some who when they went out of doores did make the signe of the Crosse upon their forehead and being asked the reason of that custome they answered only that they had learnt it of their Ancestours In the Court of Pekim some of our fathers being one day to visit a Jew he discoursed more particularly to them concerning this matter and named to them the
things which are as different as they are remote from ours Besides all these ordinarie difficulties which are found more or lesse in all Missions it is not to be beleeved how sharp a warre the devil hath raised up against this endeavouring by the strength of difficulties and persecutions to make us desist from the enterprise and it went so farre that Father Valignan the Visitour considering the great obstructions we found every where the extraordinarie difficultie there was to enter and the great trouble there was to stay there how little good we could do there and yet how much we suffered resolved to call back the Fathers to Macaâ— to employ them in some other Missions of lesse danger and trouble and where a greater profit of Soules might be made But the Lord who had otherwise ordained it for the good of his elect would not suffer the Labourers to come away and leave the work begun in that Kingdome where it was to have so advantageous a progresse CHAP. 2. Of the proceedings and persecutions of the Fathers before they arrived at Nankim THe Fathers did still persevere in the Resolution they had taken to enter and settle themselves in China and accordingly three times the same year they attempted with all diligence to make their entire but were as often repulsed and sent back out of the Kingdome with that resentment and grief which is easily imaginable they had to find almost every spark of hope extinguished by such extraordinarie difficulties as they found and by that great aversion the Chinesses had to admit of strangers I have been told that about that time Father Valignan looking one day out of a window of the Colledge of Macao toward the Continent the good old man cried out with a loud voice and the most intimate affection of his heart speaking to China Ah Rock Rock when wilt thou open Rock But as there is no councell against God who seeth and knoweth the times and moments of his divine Resolutions when the entrance seemed more shut up than ever and more encompassed with difficulties after so many attempts and endeavours had been frustrated nay after they had been sharply reproved by the Vice-roy of Cantone and by publick order been sent back to Macao then did the Lord our God open the gate by such meanes as were not to be imagined The Fathers had not been full seven daies returned to Macao wholly despairing of the businesse when there arrived a messenger from the governour of Cantone named Chi Fu bringing letters from the Vice-roy wherein he invited the Fathers to Xaokim the Capitall Citie of Cantone where the same Vice-roy of the Provinces of Cantone and Quansi had his residence offering them there a place for their Church and House The Fathers entred into Xaokim in September 1583. with no little joy to see themselves established in a moment where before with all their endeavours they could never so much as set their foot They built a house and Church and gave a beginning to their intention by translating the ten Commandements as well as they could into the Chinesse language and setting forth how necessary the observance of them was The worth of these new guests was more admired in the City for their good works and holinesse of life than for their words not being able yet to speak that language sufficiently but almost continuall troubles and persecutions were never wanting to them The covering of their house was so loaden with stones by the insolence of the people from a neighbouring Tower that they were in great danger of their lives and because a servant of the house laid hold of a little boy and threatned to complaine of him presently an accusation was set on foot against the Fathers that they had misused the Sonne of a Citizen but in the end they were cleared by evidence of the fact soone after other calumnies were raised against them particularly against Father Raggiero whom they accused of Adultery but his innocence was soone cleared it being proved that he was at that time morâ— than two months journy from the place where that crime was said to be committed Then did the people of Xaokim begin to throwing of stones againe with which they did so ruine and batter the house that the Fathers missed very little of being killed all this while did their condition seeme like unto a tempestuous sea But amongst so great tribulations and dangers the Lord was pleased to send them some daies of peace and tranquilitie and among so many thorns they gathered some roses and some fruit of their labours which was the reason that their sufferings did not seeme so grievous to them neither did they undergo them without joy and delight hoping to make a greater progresse when the desired calme should happen Neither were the Fathers wanting particularly Father Mattheus Riccius by their knowledge in Mathematiques and principally by a description of the world in a new Mappe to give reputation to the affaires of Europe and to make acquaintance and friendship with persons of qualitie when behold by the coming of a new Vice-roy there was so terrible a storme raised that notwithstanding all the diligence and addresses which were made not only by the Fathers but also by their friends it was impossible to finde any remedy or to put a stop to the sentence which that Vice-roy fulminated against the Fathers which was That they should all immediatly returne to Macao without giving them any time of stay there or suffering them to go into any other Country but that they should presently depart and should be brought precisely to Macao They were forced to yeeld obedience and so leaving some things belonging to the house in the hands of their friends and carrying other things along with them after they had made a short prayer unto God recommending unto him that little flock which they were forced to leave among Wolves without a shepherd and after they had exhorted the Christians to continue stedfast in the faith wherein they had been seven years instructed they departed downe the current of the river both the Christians which remained there as also the Fathers who tooke their leave weeping very much recommending each other to the divine Province and Protection When they were arrived at the Metropolis of Canton the Admirall of the Chinesse Navie or Haitao who was to conduct them to Macao was not to be found where while they stayed to expect him they wrote to the Visitour in Macao that after two or three daies they were to be banished by order of the Vice-roy but they had hardly passed a day there when they espied a boate coming toward them with all speed sent from the Vice-roy to invite them back againe to Xaokim It seemed to them that they were returned from death to life by the unexpected invitation although they understood well enough that they were called backe to undergo new troubles no lesse than the former When they were
being put in minde of it by any body calling to his remembrance the Eunuchs Memoriall asked where that Bell was which range of it selfe and which as they tell me is brought me by a stranger To which the Eunuch who always waiteth upon him answered That it was not yet come to Court because his Majesty had not given order for it to come Whereupon the King presently gave order for it and Mathan was forced against his will to send the Fathers with their Present and the rest of their goods They began then to take heart againe and forgetting all their former troubles they immediatly set out upon their journy and because they could not do it by water by reason the river was frozen up they tooke their way by land receiving from the Mandarines at the Kings expence whatsoever they had need of both for their owne persons as also for the carriage of their goods CHAP. 4. The Fathers enter into Pekim and settle there THe Fathers entred into Pekim on the fourth day of January 1601. where they were well received and entertained in a Palace which an Eunuch had lent them for that purpose They made ready their Present and the day following with a great traine and Parade the Eunuchs carried it into the Palace and presented it to the King who made great account of every thing He did highly prize the pictures of our Saviour and of the Blessed Virgin he much admired the Harpsicon and presently gave order that some of the Eunuchs should learne to play upon it When he came to the Clock which was a piece of much skill and workmanship and an invention altogether unknowne to the Chinesses because he knew it struck the houres of its owne accord and that at present it was not in order not so much as to be shewed he commanded that the Fathers should presently come into the Palace and set it a going So they were called in haste and admitted within the second wall for within the third and fourth none may enter unlesse it be the Eunuchs and the Souldiers of the night-guard where by the Kings order given to one of the chiefe Eunuchs the Fathers were received and entertained with all magnificence and courtesie They stayed there three daies partly fitting the Clock to serve for the present for afterwards for the greater state there was a Tower of wood made for it of much cost and workmanship partly in teaching foure Eunuchs how to set and order it and partly in satisfying such demands as were made them concerning Europe what kinde of Countrie it was what Kingdoms what people what customes it had and a thousand other particularities which were all afterwards by the Eunuchs related to the King who was much delighted therewith seeming to be very much satisfied with every thing he much desired to see the Fathers but because he would not change the ancient stile and custome of the Kingdom according to which the King is never to be seen by any stranger he caused their pictures to be drawne at length contenting himselfe to see only the figures of those men of whom he himselfe might not be seen All things succeeded prosperously by reason of the great satisfaction which all they of the Palace received from the Fathers and especially by reason of the contentment the King tooke in every thing and the delight with which he received the Presents so that now all seemed to be secure and that there was nothing more to feare But there being no security or calme that is long lasting in this world the Fathers quickly found themselves in new troubles the occasion whereof was a Mandarine of the Tribunal Lipu to whom it belonged by vertue of his office to have had the Present brought to him and by his means to have had it presented to the King he being to assist at all Embassies and Presents that are offered to his Majestie He therefore taking it ill that the Fathers who knew nothing of this had made use of the Eunuchs to carry their Present to the King contrary to the ordinary stile of the Court and without making any mention of those Officers presently fell upon the weakest part and commanded the Fathers to be apprehended and put into the House of strangers in a more discourteous manner than was usuall The Officers and Sergeants having used more insolence in the apprehending them than perhaps they were commanded to doe Upon this occasion they were brought before the Tribunal and examined in publick although by their answers their cause was sufficiently justified and the passion of the Judge something moderated They had not been above three daies when they were sent for thence to the palace to perform the ordinary Ceremonies in the Court of courtesies whereof we have spoken in the first part The very same day they were againe examined by the publick Notaries by order of the same President concerning many other things The poynt they most insisted on was to what end they were come into China what their intentions were and what they did pretend by the Present which they had given the King The Fathers judged it necessary to answer cleerly and in forme and therefore told them That they came to preach the law of the true God who was sole Lord and Governour of heaven and earth And that they had brought that Present to the King not that they did pretend any thing by it either office dignitie or recompence but as a Testimony of the obedience they ought him having been inhabitants for so many years of that Kingdom and that all they did desire was to have leave to live and die in that Court or in any other part of the Kingdom which the King should thinke fit as they had already lived there many years The Notaries having drawne up this answer carried it to the President who having seen and considered it drew up his Memoriall thereupon to the King partly in favour of the Fathers and partly against them But the King being well affected towards them because there was something in it against the Fathers gave no answer to it which is there the same thing as to reject it But the Fathers understood by the Eunuchs that the King was much troubled when he knew they were kept as prisoners in the House of Strangers The Mandarine seeing there was no answer given to his petition presently judged the King was inclined to favour the strangers wherefore he thought it fit to change his stile towards them using them with all courtesie and kindenes and commanded they should be better provided for in every thing than the rest of the strangers who were kept there And contrary to the law and custome of that restraint he gave them libertie to go into the City about their affaires and to visit their friends But withall he presented a second Memoriall to the King concerning the Fathers wherein he did not only say nothing against them but positively commended their persons and their
greatest straits kept a strong winde in readines to dissipate these clowds This was a grave Mandarine who exercised the office of Tauli in that City who undertooke our defence and with a speech which he made to the Mandarines and the people concerning the probiâ—y and honesty of the Fathers of their good manner of life and conversation and of the security which was in them quieted and appeased this tempest Of so great power upon all occasions is the authority of one who governeth and in this particularly wherein according to their manner of Government one would have thought that this Tauli should have been our greatest adversary it pleased the Lord by his means so farre to quiet all disturbances that they made no small advantage even of these temptations Their affaires continued thus between tempests and calmes which latter commonly were of the shorter continuance and to conclude the History of this House I will only relate two notable passages concerning it About this time the Hollanders did infest India and were come as farre as China with a designe to gaine a Port in that Kingdom and particularly to take if they could the City of Macao as they did afterwards attempt to do according as I have already related Upon this occasion that City resolved to fortifie it selfe as afterward it did and although the designe did not take effect at that time yet those beginnings and preparations of warre were sufficient to make the Chinesses who are timorous and suspicious even by nature to beleeve that the Portughesses had some designe on foot against them This suspicion was encreased by the coming of Father Lazarus Catanaeus out of China to Macao at the same time He was a man somewhat corpulent by nature and of a tall stature and of a bold and lively mind or aspect and was now become more venerable by reason of his long beard so that to any one who was not acquainted with him he seemed fitter to carry a Pike than a Breviary The Chinesses were perswaded that this Father had a designe to make himselfe Master of their Kingdom and that the Portughesses had chosen him for their Captain in that enterprise partly in consideration of his person and partly for the knowledge he had of the waies in that Country by reason he had been in both the Courts adding with all that there would arrive very shortly two Armies to their assistance one from India of Portughesses the other from Giappon of Giapponesses who are their deadly enemies and that the Fathers who were the companions of Father Lazarus were gone before into the Kingdom partly as spies and partly to stirre up the people to take part with their designes A malicious but ridiculous invention of the Devil as if 4 or 5 poore religious men with a handfull of Christians had been able to conquer so powerfull a Kingdom This rumour began by little and little till at length as is usuall in such cases it grew so strong in the beliefe of the Chinesses that as many of them as dwelt in Macao either Merchants or Inhabitants fled all away to Canton Whereupon they of the Province of Canton gave themselves for half lost and being filled with frights and terrours they made no question but the businesse was very certain The newes had already arrived to the Vice-roys eares who in hast made great levies both for sea and land In the principall City of the Province all the Houses were caused to be pulled downe which were built along the wall on the outside which were very many and the poore people received an excessive losse by it The gates which opened towards Macao were walled up with lime and stone and upon the walls were placed Sentinells to keep watch both night and day A proclamation was published which under very great penalties did prohibite all manner of commerce with Macao and that no stranger whatsoever should be admitted and in particular not Father Catanaeus who was he that was to make himselfe King In this manner was the Metropolis inflamed with a military heat while the neighbouring Cities were ready to die for feare Who would ever have doubted that a fire so unfortunately begun should not have reached as farre as our Residence of Xaocheu a City of the same Province and not very farre from the Metropolis and should not there have burnt up whatsoever it found in it together with all our other Houses in that Kingdom They rushed suddenly into the House with such a fury as you may easily believe them to be in upon such occasion they made a very strickt search and turned every thing upside downe to see if they could finde any armes and having not found what they sought for having imagined to finde a Magazine or Armory there the tumult began to cease and the people went out of the House neverthelesse they set guards upon us for their greater securitie and from this time that fire began to be extinguished The Vice-roy had already given order to the Captain Generall of that Province whom they call Tum Pim that with all the strength of the Country he should fall upon Macao and that he should sack and destroy it But he like a prudent man would not put himselfe upon an enterprise of so much hazzard and danger for the Portughesses would not have suffered themselves to have been so easily destroyed as they shewed afterwards against the Hollanders a people of another manner of valour than the Chinesses before he had received better and more certain information Therefore he sent spies to Macao who went up and downe the City very freely for by reason they had no suspicion of any thing all passages were free and open When the spies had remained in all libertie in Macao as long as they though fit they returned with certain intelligence that there was not any preparation for warre in Macao no levies of Souldiers nor any signe of that newes which had been spread abroad but all was in peace quietnesse save only that the City was divided into two factions by reason of some particular quarrels Upon this intelligence he did forbeare to put the Vice-roys orders in execution and in the mean time things began to be better cleared and the truth to appeare The Citizens of Canton did open their gates and their feares began to blow over and every thing to settle in a great deale of quietnes which was much promoted by the coming of that Mandarine of whom we have formerly made mention that he did appease another tumult against the Fathers in the City of Xaocheu He had been at the Court and was returned from thence upon the occasion of his being promoted to an Office He upon the acquaintance he had formerly had with the Fathers and especially by reason of the new friendship he had contracted with the Fathers at Pekim with whom he had had a very great familiarity absolutely setled all those distempers there for that time for this
of the dangerous estate and condition of the Christians at Nankim Father Rocâ—a superiour of the Mission chanced to be at that time in Hamcheu who presently endeavoured to find some remedie for it by speaking with Doctour Michael and writing to Doctour Paul that by their leâ—ters they would perswade the Mandrines of Nankim to shew some favour to the Christians which accordingly they did with much zeale and efficacie especially Doctoâ—r Paul who observed to them in his writings fourteen principall poynts wherein our Holy Law did differ from the Sect of Palien Kiao The letters had not that effect that was hoped of them some of the Mandarines being rendered very averse to them by the power and perswasion of Xin who actually enjoying at that time the dignity of Colao every one endeavoured to gain his favour by following his inclinations And that was plainely seen by their answers which are not wont to be in such termes to Mandarines of so considerable Quality as those Christians were The answer to Doctour Paul was that the Law which his Lordship said was different from that Sect of Palien Kiao was not so but the very same both of them professing not to obey the King nor his Ministers as was plainly to be seen by the Fathers who being banished out of the Kingdom by the Kings order yet were so audacious that they still remained there and other things of the same straine which evidently shewed that they who gave such answers were changed as also for whose sake they gave them This unpleasing answer was followed by a thing of greater danger for in China even in the quietest times it is necessary to live very retired and reservedly which was the Intelligence that Doctour Paul had received how that not many daies before two Mandarines of the same City of Nankim had presented a Memoriall to the King against the Law of Christ both against the Chinesses who were followers of it as also the Fathers that did preach and propagate it accusing Doctour Michael by name for being a Christian and for keeping the Fathers in his House they did also accuse severall others for keeping of them and although they did not name Doctour Paul yet it might be easily understood that they meant him for one This news did require their most serious deliberation for when a businesse is brought before the King it is alwayes of dangerous consequence and doth ever shave or flea Doctour Paul immediately wrote to the Fathers that in what place soever they were they should without any farther delay resolve to retire themselves and to break off all commerce with all manner of persons whatsoever although they thought them never so safe or trusty giving way to the necessity of the times as at that present was very convenient for them Doctour Michael was of the contrary opinion at least he would not suffer those which lived in his own House to hide themselves Doctour Ignatius his Sonne also who dwelt in the City of Kiatiâ— was of opinion that the Fathers should keep themselves private and concealed for if any thing should be decreed to their disadvantage it could not be executed so suddenly but that there would be time enough for them to make their escape especially since the Mandarines of the City were their friends Although this were a very young man yet his Father who lived then at the Court was much satisfied with his opinion in that case Neverthelesse it was judged more expedient that we should withdraw our selves before the storm appeared and that afterward those who could not hide themselves should fly before they were apprehended by justice But the difficulty was where to find another secret place beside that where we were which was in a very populous City and among many of our trusty and faithfull friends and because it was so difficult to lie hid in that place we did think of searching out some desert but by reason that China is so populous that was no easie thing to be done At length it was resolved that we should all quit the habitations we were in some going to the Country Houses of the same Christians some to the sepulchres of others with a caution that if there did not come a favourable answer from the King there should be boates provided in a readinesse for to carry them up and down the Rivers where the not remaining long in any certain place would be a good way to secure them till the Lord should direct them to a better During this time Doctour Paul kept a man on purpose in the City of Sucheu where the Vice-roy of the Province hath his Residence for he may not dwell in the City of Nankim because it is the Kings Court as well as Pekim that assoon as the Kings answer came he might presently bring him word of it and according to the stile of that Country it was conceived that it might be delayed yet many dayes The Fathers expected ten weeks to their great discommodation and inconvenience because those things which might easily have been had in the Towns and Cities could not be come by but with a great deale of trouble as they lay thus hid neither did any answer come in all this time for which there were severall reasons given but the best seemed to be that these Memorials against our Holy Faith were sent with an Order that they should first be registred by Xin for whose sake they were presented who at the same time was put out of his Office So that when the Memorials came he had now no power nor authority to preferre them and so they were not presented at all for if they had been presented whether the King had answered them or no we should have been sure to have had notice of it Thus the storm ended which seemed to threaten us with a greater danger and the effect of it was turned upon Xin although upon another occasion for it is most certain that at the same time when the Petitions against the Law of Christ were sent from the Southern to the Northern Court the King took away his Office of Colao by reason the Mandarines of Pekim had petitioned against him and although they had endeavoured his disgrace for 16 months before yet they could never bring it about till then So that it seemeth the Lord did reserve the fall of this Tyrant for that time wherein he might have done the greatest mischiefe and would shew us what trust and confidence we ought to have in him upon the like occasions Our Doctours being of the opinion that the Memorials neither were nor would be presented the Fathers returned all to their Ancient Residencies although they were obliged to use more caution and to make fewer assemblies and this the rather because they did not yet receive good news from Nankim where there were new edicts published against the Christian Religion which news although on the one side it occasioned much grief to the Fathers yet on the
made use of to their extraordinary advantage in that great straite wherein the Kingdom was at present and that if they were in the Court as they had formerly been that they would be able to reduce the affaires of state into a better condition Last of all they added that it was probable that they were not all yet departed and that it was not possible that so many men should be able to passe through so great a Kingdom through so many straite and uncouth waies That his Majesty should do well to give order for diligent search to be made through the whole Kingdom to see if any of them were still to be found there and to send for them to Court that they might be serviceable to him in this present conjuncture of the warre The Fathers made great opposition against this particular means which was taken for their re-establishment by reason they were altogether ignorant in matters of warre and armes and all things belonging to that profession and therefore they did not thinke it convenient that they should be petitioned for under that pretence To this as I understand Dr. Leo who was one of the chiefe Actours in this Tragedie presently made answer Fathers let not this trouble you for this pretence of arms shall stand us in no more stead then the needle dâ—th a Taylour who when he hath drawne through the thred he soweth with and the garment is finished presently taketh the needle away let your Reverences once get in by the Kings order and the armes to fight with shall be turned into pens to write In conclusion the Memoriall was drawne up very well they having excellent skill to frame a petition after their manner it was presented in the Chancery of Petitions and they tooke such paines in solliciting their friends that they got it passed and presented to the Kings hands with such good successe that immediately he made a favourable reference of it to the Councell of warre who did not only favour the disigne but added also that they did verily beleeve that the Fathers by their skill in the Mathematicks would be able so to enchant the Tartars that they should not be able to manage their armes against them They therefore immediately gave order that they should be sought out with all possible diligence But there was no need to take much pains to finde them out for he that was to seeke them knew well enough where to have them Father Rocca our Superiour who resided at that time in the Southern parts had presently news of the Kings order that he was to send two Fathers to that Court. It is almost incredible what joy there was both among the Fathers the rest of the Christians they knowing that this was the most certain way for the Fathers to returne publickly into the Kingdom for the propagation of the Gospel with the same libertie they formerly enjoyed Father Nicolas Longobardus and Father Emanuel Dias were named for this expedition who assoone as they had fitted themselves for their journy departed for Pekim where they made their entrance publickly And because some years had now passed since beards of the Europaean fashion had been seen in that City there was so great a concourse of people to see them that they could hardly make their way through them The first thing they did was to present themselves to the Tribunall of warre the care of seeking them out having been recommended to the Mandarines of that Tribunall who received them with all manner of courtesie and civility and profered to take the care themselves of their lodging and accommodation which the Fathers would by no means accept excusing themselves that they had not yet merit enough to accept of their offer but gave them very great thanks and promised to receive their kindnesse when they should see a fit time for it But the true reason was partly that they might not be burthensome to them and partly that they might remain the freer by having the lesse obligation to be employed in their affaires of warre under which title they had been brought in thither As for a House it seemed good to the Christians that they should returne to that where they had formerly made their abode for so many years and where they were yet well knowne and beloved of the neighbourhood Besides that by that means the world would more clearly understand upon how little reason they were banished and moreover they should save building of a new Church the old one having been bought on purpose by a Christian only there was great need of repayring for the buildings of China consisting principally of wood are not so strong and lasting as ours But Dr. Ignatius who resided at that time in the Court tooke upon him to repaire all at his owne charges and did accommodate them very excellently especially the Church and when every thing was ready the Fathers went thither to dwell where they do yet inhabit to this very day medling only with such things as belong to their profession without being ever spoken to concerning warre Tartars or Armes The affaires of the Court being thus happily accomplished and the Fathers dwelling freely and openly in their ancient House they began to set on foote their former exercises They did cultivate and perfect the knowledge of the Christians they preached to the Gentiles they received the visits which the Mandarines and their friends did pay them with the same familiaritie as formerly and without any other cautions but such as are at all times necessary in China This securitie and libertie in the Court by publique approbation was in a little while after communicated to the other Houses where the rest of the Fathers did reside So that by little and little preaching and other exercises of religion were so happily encreased and enlarged that in the year 1628 and 29. whilest we lived peaceably in the places of our abode a doore was opened to the Gospel and the way cleared to the conversion of the Gentiles without finding any opposition or resistance to the designes which God had encouraged us to undertake although it was alwaies necessary to make some Magistrate our friend in the place of our employment In the same measure that our libertie encreased the Gospel was likewise divulged in severall parts new Residencies were set up with Houses and Churches belonging to them and Fathers were sent to make their abode at them Two beside Oratories were instituted in the Province of Fokien both of them very numerous in Christians In the Province of Xansi there was one set up and in that of Xunsi another as also another in the Province of Honan all which do flourish at this day in a copious Christianitie At my departure thence there was another beginning which is now finished having a Church and some store of Christians and they did resolve to send some Fathers to reside there But because hereafter there will be an account given of them
provide them with what they were able To cloath them they used this pious shift they would go into the prison for as I have fomerly said he that visiteth a prisoner must of necessity go into the prison having a double suit of cloathes one over the other and as soon as they were got in they would very dexterously slip off their under garments and give them to those poor men and go out again onely with their own cloathes without any discovery of so seasonable a charity for the reliefe of those unfortunate wretches Whilst I lived in the Province of Kiamsi at Nancham the capital City thereof where we have a Church and House there came thither a Christian of another City on purpose to conferre with me concerning his consciennce and other spirituall matters and because the place where he lived was far distant from us and he could not often make that journey his custome was to make a pretty long stay when he did come and then after his generall confession and pennance was ended to returne home again One time at his departure I desired him to use his best endeavours to perswade his kindred friends neighbours and other persons to embrace our Holy Faith and that if he found any disposition or inclination in them to it he should presently give me notice of it He did so and about a month after he sent me an invitation to come thither for that there was an opportunity of casting my nets I went thither and because he had not a House bigge enough to receive the company that would come to treate with me I did accommodate my self in one of those Houses which the Chinesses call Zutham and do belong to a whole Family in common where at set times of the yeare the whole Family do assemble themselves to treate of the affaires of that Family and of the behaviour and manner of living of some of that Kindred and there they reprove chastise give orders c. these Houses for the most part stand empty only there is some one or other who keepeth and taketh care of them Neere unto that dwelt a Mandarine who having heard of my arrivall and that I was a stranger drawn as I beleeve by his curiosity came presently to visit me But as we do not use in these visits to let slip any opportunity of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ I entred into discourse with him concerning that matter He asked me thereupon many extravagant questions and not being as it seemed much pleased with my answers he took his leave of me with a great deale of civility and when he had done he went and accused me to the second Governour of the City telling him that there dwelt a stranger that the times were dangerous and moreover that I taught a new law which was contrary to theirs and prejudicial to the State that therefore it did behoove his Lordship to use all care and diligence to prevent the mischiefe that might ensue upon it Lesse than this would have been sufficient to have caused me to be apprehended if the Mandarine had not been a cautious and discreet person Neverthelesse he sent some of his Officers for me there came into the House where I was about thirty or fourty men some of them being sent and others only out of curiosity to see me as also the Tifam of that street who is obliged to give account of what ever passeth there and brought an order for me to appear before the Governour Just in that instant in came the Christian who had sent for me who was a Litterato and well esteemed in that City and taking me by the hand would needs go along to give an account of me to the Governour where he found also the Mandarine that had accused me The Christian told the Mandarine that I lived in the Metropolis of the Province and that I had a friendship with the Vice-roy and other Mandarines of Quality which was very true and that for the Law which I taught it was no secret but that I did preach it openly at the Court and that my companions did the same every where publickly as the Mandarines of the Metropolis knew very well The Governour having heard these words from a person of that merit would make no further enquirie into the cause but remitted it to the first Governour whom we found on his Tribunall The Tifam began to give him an account of the businesse but he being not well instructed in it could not make him understand it Then the Christian began to speak and to give an account of what had happened in the presence of almost an infinite multitude of people of which number there being two who hearing him talk of the Law of God signed themselves with the Signe of the Crosse in the sight of a young man who stood near them The young man asked them If they were Christians They answered No but that they had a friend who was a Christian and that he had taught them to make the signe of the Crosse and to rehearse several prayers The Governour assoon as he heard of Thien Chu Kiao that is The Law of the Lord of heaven he said this law hath many followers in my Country and is a very good Law what would the Father have else The Christian answered nothing my Lord but only to give an account of himself in answer to what he is accused of by Hioquon for that was the name of the Mandarine that had complained of me neere unto whom he dwelleth Then the Governour replyed Tell the Father he liveth in no good neighbour-hood and wish him to find a better The Christian answered since your Lordship would have him change his habitation be pleased to command he should have a House allowed him during the short time he is to make his abode in this City The advice pleased him and presently he gave order there should be some Chambers provided for me in a certain Palace and in them I lived during the whole time that I spent there so that by the occasion of the others turning me out of the House I came to get one that was farre better As a Portughese Carrack was on her way from Macao toward Manila she strook unfortunately upon the sands of Pulosisi and was cast away there being hardly fourty persons saved in the long boate who steering as well as they could towards the next land after some daies arrived at the Island of Hainan which is but a little way distant from the Westerne part of the Province of Canton and from Macao two daies saile with a good winde Assoon as they landed they were presenly apprehended according to the custome of that Island with a noise and stir which boded no good to those poor shipwrackt men They found some Christians in that Island who were very helpfull to them and among the rest there was a Mandarine called Ignatius who had been a long time a Christian as also his whole
Family a very good and devout person as I had formerly known him to be at Nankim It pleased God for the comfort and solace of those poor Portugheses that he should govern the Island at that time Assoon as he had understood what had happened to those prisoners fearing what might fall out he commanded the cause to be brought unto his Tribunall When therefore the poor prisoners were brought into his presence and after that he understood they were Christians he not only commiserated their condition but presently commanded they should be set at liberty and kept them for some time in his Palace It is hard to expresse the Charity and Love with which he entertained them endeavouring to refresh and comfort them after the labours and dangers they had passed conversing with them so familiarly and so cordially and giving them such an example in his own person of all Christian vertues that the Portughesses did afterwards very highly commend him both in Macao and many other places and not only his own carriage and behaviour but also that of his houshold but above all they did admire the care and diligence with which he gave them notice both of Fasts and Holy-dayes to the end they might observe them so that while they stayed there he served them also in stead of a Parish Priest On the day of S. Agnes which was that whereon his wife was Baptized and called by the same name he made a very great Feast first a Spirituall one in his Chappel where they all met to do their devotions and recommend themselvs unto God and after that he gave them a Sumptuous and Splendid banquet After he had entertained them a good while and that they had recovered their health and strength againe he lent them a Barque and Marriners to carry them to Macao I could bring many other examples which I omit for brevities sake seeing these are sufficient to prove what I said before That the Christian Religion one way or other is dispersed over the whole Kingdome of China CHAP. 13. The life and death of Doctour Leo and the Conclusion of this History THe Chinesse Christianity hath so great an obligation to the singular pietie and charitable assistance afforded them upon all occasions by Doctour Leo that I cannot finish this relation without giving a briefe Essay of his life and death which may serve also for a testimony of the great zeale of those new Christians although I shall forbeare to mention many things concerning his sanctitie as also severall graces and gifts conferred upon him by Almighty God referring the Reader to the yearly letters where they are more particularly set downe Dr. Leo was borne in the City of Hamcheu in the Province of Chekiam and having happily finished the course of his studies he removed to the Court of Pekim where he obtained the degree of Doctour and executed the first employment which was conferred upon him after his degree There he saw and conversed with Father Matthaeus Riccius as did also the greatest part of the chiefe Officers and Letterati moved by a curiositie of seeing men of Europe This Leo besides that he was of a quick and vivacious wit had a most eager and intense desire of knowledge by which means he did the more engage himselfe to an inward friendship and conversation with the Father being allured thereunto by the solidity and novelty of our Sciences and particularly by the delight he tooke in some maps and other curiosities so that he could have been willing to have lived alwaies in his company In the meane while together with humane Sciences the Father did instruct him in the heavenly wisdome of the Law of God and he was growne so skilfull and well versed in it that he was able to help the Father in the correction and augmentation of a Catechisme which he had made some years before and was then about to re-print it He did therein much admire the great conformitie of our Mysteries with the principalls of reason the concordance order and admirable consequence of the points of our Faith and although he did not at that time give an entire credence to them neverthelesse he was much delighted to see every thing therein so well ordered and disposed being wont often to say That if these things were not true they were wisely invented and very conformable to the light of nature He continued the same affection toward the Father for some years wherein he much assisted both with his counsell and authority the foundation of that House and indeed he was the first that did encourage the Father to the enterprise and furnished him with mony to buy the ground and to build the Church All these good works accompanied with the fastings and Penance which he performed while he was yet a Gentile were as so many dispositions to fit and prepare him for the reception of that divine light which the Lord was pleased to communicate unto him He was then satisfied in the truth of our Holy faith and did much desire to be baptized which notwithstanding Father Riccius would not consent unto by reason of a certain impediment which he had at that time but being afterwards sick and in great danger of death the Father was constrained to Baptize him And immediatly after the Lord was pleased by means and vertue of that Sacrament and the other of Extreame Unction to deliver him from that death which he expected every hour as he himselfe confessed during his whole life and alwaies gave particular thanks to God for it Not long after he returned home to his owne House where having busied himselfe one evening in breaking and burning all the Idols he could finde Dr. Michael his ancient friend though yet a Gentile and very zealous in the worship of Idols and observant in their superstition came in to visit him He was much astonished at the sight and could not forbeare to reprove him for it but by the others answer he received so much satisfaction that he had an earnest desire to heare and understand better the Law of Christ which he afterwards received the same Dr. Leo assisted him as God-father at his Baptisme for about that time there came to live in Leo's House the Fathers Lazarus Catanaeus and Nicolas Trigaultius who did often discourse there with Dr. Michael he carried them to a Country house of his whither he went often to dwell that he might with more freedom and leisure discourse with them concerning the Law of God he doing this often was at length converted and Baptized wherein Dr. Leo had the greatest share and merit conferring a most important benefit upon this Church by the conversion of a person of that Quality who for many years together in the heate and trouble of the greatest persecutions did ever receive protect and favour us above measure From that day forward these two Doctours Michael and Leo were the heads and pillars of our Holy faith in those Kingdoms for in
cum alijs praedicaverit ipse reprobus efficiatur nam exactam quaeâ—ere conformitatem in omnibus est potius pacem turbare This opinion likewise is favoured by the Glosse in capit Reus qui de paenitentia remissione where it is said That in favour of those who are newly converted to the Faith detrahendum est jure The Church hath often practised the same and particularly in the Councel of Florence where Pope Eugenius the Fourth did very prudently dissemble with the Greeks concerning the point of marriage for the Greeks not consenting to treate any thing concerning Marriage and the Pope having also already determined the point yet Synodicé Armeniis in decreto suo credendum tradens mirum dictu Graecos ob communem concordiam recentur initam fortius stabiliendam non explicitè ad hoc credendum obstrinxit imò pertinaciam eâ—rum in reliquis violata pace ne resilirent videns non vidit vel ut in Actis Concilij paâ—et non condemnavit If this was done to Persons of that authority quality and antiquity what shall we say of poor Neophytes but only that of St. Gregory Duris mentibus simul omnia abscindere impossibile esse not dubium est quia is qui locum ascendere nititur gradibus vel passibus non saltibus elevatur So that in the conversion of the Gentiles according to St. Gregory Suaviter c. prudenter subinsinuare non violenter abrumpere Apostolici muneris est St. Peter to preserve those Plants he had newly planted Inter Gentiles gentiliter inter judaeos judaicè victitavit And St. Paul Factus est Iudaeis tanquam Iudaus ut Iudaeos lucrifaceret ijs qui sub legeerant quasi sub lege esset ut eos qui sub lige erant lucrifaceret idque prudenter ad bonum animarum as Baronius declareth in his Annals in the year 51. This is that which the 〈…〉 Councells and Fathers have taught by precept and examples And notwithstanding all these Instructions how difficult is it to take the middle way by accommodating ones selfe to places times and persons and the severall course of things and how much good is lost not to say how much evill done and even such evill as at this day we see and lament by following everyone his own judgment and fancy whatsoever it be leaving that more certain and saving way which was used by the Saints I will conclude this Relation with a Paragraph of a Letter which the Patriark of Aethiopia Don Alphonso Mendez wrote from Goa to the Cardinalls of the Congregation de propagandâ fide who for his Learning Authority and Vertue and above all for his experience of Missions wherein he laboured and suffered much doth very much deserve to be believed He saith thus But at the end of this Letter I do judge it not from our purpose to be mind your Eminencies that God hath formerly commanded that a vine-yard should not be sowed with diverse seeds nor that a garment ought to be woven of Linnen and Woollen with which the Queen and Spouse is to be cloathed wherein is implied That the severall institutions and different manners of living of Religious Orders ought not to be entruded upon young and tender Churches such as are but yet in a manner sucklings but only to be introduced into such Churches as are come to their full strength and are fortified by a long continuance of years For many times emulation growing among them and many wanting prudence and others abounding in an indiscreet zeale they do many things which tend rather to ruine than edification c. The Lord blesse your Eminencies c. From Goa the eleventh of November 1638. The Liuely Effigies of Thein mingus y e present Emperour of the Western Tartars who hath Lately ouerrun and Possest himselfe allmost of the whole Empire of China BELLUM TARTARICUM OR THE CONQUEST OF The Great and most Renovvned Empire of CHINA By the Invasion of the TARTARS who in these last seven years have wholly subdued that vast Empire Together with a Map of the Provinces and chief Cities of the Countries for the better understanding of the STORY Written originally in LATINE by Martin Martinius present in the Countrey at most of the Passages herein related And now faithfully Translated into English LONDON Printed for Iohn Crook and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Ship in S. Pauls Church-yard 1655. LABORE ET CONSTANTIA To the Reader WHereas in the course of this insuing History there occurs frequent mention of the chiefe Provinces and Cities in China which have either been assaulted and defended subdued or destroyed by the severall Armies as well from North to South as from East to West least the pleasure and delight of this History should be any way diminished by the frequent re-encounter of harsh and barbarous names of Countries and Towns unknown to the European Reader I thought it good to prefix a little Geographical table of the Countries and chiefe Cities which might serve as a guide to conduct the eye of the understanding in the pursuit of the mentioned victories I confesse it is not so exact as the rigour of Geography exacts but yet it is such an one as was drawn by the hands of their learned Phylosophers and may well give a sufficient notion of all the places mentioned As for more exquisit and rare Maps both universal and particular as well of the Countries as of the Cities and of all the rarities they contain together with the exact knowledge of their Longitudes and Latitudes and of all that does belong either to Astronomy or Geography in relation to them with what may be expected from Natural or Humane History I reserve all these to my Atlas of China which I am composing taken from their own ancient records ever since the time of Noah all which I have with much pains and industry gathered up together and transported with me to Europe I will not therefore for the present deflower that work of its greatest beauty by an unseasonable exposition of it to the Readers view but expect till it grow to that perfection as I hope will satisfie the appetite of this our curious Age. SITVS PROVINCIARVâ— IMPERII SINIC 〈…〉 MDC.LIV BELLUM TARTARICUM OR The History of the Warres of the Tartars in China c. THe most ancient Nation of Tartars in Asia the Parent of many Nations hath been an Enemy to the Empire of China above four thousand years during which time they have had many sharp Wars with those of China in which they though sometimes worsted yet for the most part have remained the conquerors I call that Nation Tartars which inhabiteth the Northern parts behind that famous Wall which stretching out above 300. German Leagues from East to West hath ever served for a Rampart to hinder their irruptions into the said Empire This Country the Chineses having a defect of the letter Râ—anciently called Tata comprehending under this