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
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
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
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
Tartars did invade not onely the Mediterranean and Oriental parts but also the Occidental Quarters of that vast Kingdome But before I begin to speak of this monster of nature I must ingeniously confess I am both ashamed and also touched with a kind of horrour to declare his villanies both in respect they seem to exceed all belief and therefore I may perchance be held to write Fables as also because it is no grateful thing to make reflections on such Subjects yet I may sincerely protest that I have in my hands a long relation of all his Acts written by two Religious persons who were then in the Province of Suchuen to exercise their Functions which Country was the Theater of all his Brutalities which I shall relate and because I judge these two persons to be of an incorrupted Faith I judge therefore that a mortal Man might arrive to this pitch of wickedness and inhumane Cruelty I therefore gathered out of that relation what I here relate which is nothing else but a vast Masse of such abominable Cruelty as I doubt not even the most mildest Reader wil take the Authour to be no Man but some horrid wild Beast or rather if no more execrable name occurres some Devill transâ—vested in our humane Nature This monster like a wild Bear entred into divers Provinces filling all with Rapin Death Fire and Sword with all other imaginable miseries for he had a mind to destroy all that so he might have no enemies or leave any alive that might revolt from him but only content himself with his own Souldiers and oftentimes he spared not these But the Province of Suchuen where he usurped the Title of a King was the chief Theater of his barbarous crueltie for after he had afflicted and vexed the Provinces of Huquang and Honan and part of that of Nanking and Kiangsi he entred the Province of Suchuen in the year MDCXLIV and having taken the principal Citie called Chingtu in the heat of his fury he killed a King of the Taimingian Race which here had established his Court as he hath done also to seven other Grandees of the same family These were the Preludes of the Tragical Acts whose Sences I go about briefly to describe that so Europe may see what a horrid and execrable thing an unbridled and armed crueltie appears to be when it furiously rageth in the darknesse of Infidelitie This Brigand had certain violent and suddain motions of furious crueltie and maxims drawn from the very bowels of vengeance its self for if he were never so little offended by another or suspected another to be offended with him he presently commanded such to be massacred and having nothing in his mouth but murder and death he often for one single Mans fault destroy'd all the Family respecting neither Children nor Women with Child nay many times he cut off the whole Street where the offender dwelled involving in the Slaughter as well the innocents as nocents It happened once he sent a man post into the Country of Xensi who being glad he was got out of the Tyrants hands would not return to revenge this imaginary injury he destroyed all the Quarter of the Citie in which he dwelt and thought he much bridled his fiercenesse that he did not wholly extinguish all the Citie To this I adde another unhumane Act about his hangman whom it seems he loved above the rest because he was crueller this man dying of a disease he caused the Physician who had given him Physick to be killed and not content with this he Sacrificed one hundred more of that Profession to the Ghost of his deceased Officer He was affable and sweet towards his Souldiers he plaied banquetted and feasted with them conversing familiarly with them and when they had performed any Militarie Action with honour and valour he gave them precious gifts of Silks and Monies but yet many times he commanded some of them to be cruelly put to death before him upon very small cause especially such as were of the Province of Suchuen where he raigned whom he intirely hated because he thought they did not rejoyce in his Royal dignitie Insomuch as he hardly ever did any publick Action which though it began like a Comedie yet had not in fine the sad Catastrophe of a Tragedie for if walking out he did but espie a Souldier ill clad or whose manner of Gate or walking was not so vigorous or Masculine as he desired he presently commanded him to be killed He once gave a Souldier a piece of Silk who complained to his fellows of the poornesse of the piece and being over-heard by a spie of which he had a great number who presently acquainted him with what was said he presently commanded him and this whole Legion which were of two thousand men to be all Massacred He had in his Royal Citie some six hundred Prefects or Judges and men belonging to the Law such as managed the principal Offices and in three years space there was hardly twentie left having put all the rest to several deaths for very slight causes He caused a Sergeant Major which the Chineses call Pingpu to be flea'd alive for having granted leave to a China Philosopher without special order to retire a little to his Country House And whereas he had five hundred Eunuchs taken from the Princes of the Taimingean Family after he had put their Lords to death he commanded all these to be cruelly put to death onely because one of them had presumed to stile him not by the Title of a King but by the bare name of Changhienchungus as if he then were no Theef Nor did he spare the Heathenish Priests who sacrificed to their Idols These sort of men before he came into this Country having feignd many crimes against the Priests which preached the Faith of Christ had raised a bitter persecution against them which God of his goodnesse did turn so much to their good as they had permission to teach and preach publickly the Law of Christ. But after this Tyranâ— came into the Countrie the chief of these Heathenish Priests was apprehended for some words let fall against him and in the presence of the Fathers who by accident were then at audience with the Tyrant he was beheaded And although they had learned of Christ to do good for evill yet knowing the phrenetical anger and fury of this monster who used to punish those that interceded with the punishment of the offender they durst not make any motion for the least favour It is true this cruel Beast loved these Fathers and would often converse with them whom he experienced wise and learned and he would often call them to the Palace to entertain him in discourse but they knowing well his precipitous anger went ever prepared for and expecting death and indeed they were thrice deputed to death and a fourth time escaped also by Gods particular providence as we shall relate in time and
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
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
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
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
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
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