Mountain is call'd Tienmuen that is Heaven Gate then running by Chinkiang at last disembogues it self through a great Bay into the Ocean wherein lies in a small Isle the City Cinkiang Garrison'd with Soldiers and Fortifi'd with Ships on both sides the Shores are for the most part built with great and small Cities Villages and Hamlets Before its fall from the City Kieukiam into the Sea a Tract of above a hundred Leagues the Kiang glides so gently that the Ships may Sail up the same with or against the Wind and some Tides especially Spring-Tides a strange thing to relate the Water running up so far in the Countrey that Sea-Fish are there taken In this Stream lie several Isles as Pequey that is of the white Tortel in the third County Hoangcheufu of the Province of Huquang In this County Kincheufu of the Province of Huquang a little Island call'd Peli which signifies An hundred Furlongs lies near the City Chikiang in the River Kiang In ancient times as the Chineses write it was nine small Isles which afterwards by the falling of the Waters and increase of Sands became one intire Island On the South-side of the City Kiangning lies an Island call'd Pelu famous because not far from it the Armies of the Southern Provinces were in the time of the Family Sung beaten and utterly routed Near the City Kiang lieth the Isle Chancung and on the South-West side another call'd Tengxu The Yellow River the second in Magnitude and most famous in all China and by them nam'd Hoang is so call'd from the colour of the Water occasion'd by the Yellow Mud or Clay Earth which from the Spring to the Sea it glides over It is always disturb'd and made thick by a Yellow Soil which it carries along because this Mud which gives the denomination and doth not as in other clear Waters shine from the Ground but discolours being rais'd by the swift and strong Current of the Water after the manner of Rivulets which swell by Rains the whole River as hath often been found by experience for when its Water is for a little while put into a Vessel or Glass the sediment sinks so fast down to the bottom that it makes almost a third part and indeed this River at the first sight seems to be a Pool or flowing Mud but the swift Current of its Waters manifests the contrary Those that frequent this River make the Water clear by casting in Allom which drives the Lees to the Ground and fills the fourth part of the Vessel It is a great wonder from whence such abundance of Clay or Mud proceeds considering it hath never been seen clear or bright nay the Chineses say That its Water cannot be clear in the time of a thousand Years insomuch that they have a Proverb from thence amongst them viz. when they speak of things that are never like to happen as altogether impossible they say When the Yellow River shall be bright Moreover the Hoang as a Foraigner entering from without into China takes Original out of the Southern Amasian Mountains otherwise call'd Quonlun and by the Inhabitants Otunlao which lie not far from the great Mogul's second Court nam'd Laor or from the Kingdom of Tibet Nay the situation of the places shew that the River Ganges in Bengale the Meson in Laor and other famous Rivers which moisten the Countries of Siam and Pegu have their Originals from these Mountains before-mention'd for the Chineses also manifest that many great Rivers have their head Springs and Fountains there leaving these Mountains it runs by Sifan and Tanyu a Tract of above 300 Leagues with abundance of Water to the North-East from whence descending to the East it approaches China near the County of Linyaofu in the Province of Xensi at the West end of the Great Wall along which it rushes and passes on through a part of the Kingdom of Tanyu between the Desart Karacatay otherwise Samo afterwards through the Desart it self with a swift Course and several Branches to the East and North a Tract of two thousand Furlongs from whence it turns South-West to China and in forty Degrees and eighteen Minutes Northern-Latitude runs through the Gate Se in the Great Wall of China and shoots along between the Province of Xansi and that of Xensi and in the Latitude of thirty six Degrees enters into the Province of Honan and out of that into the Province of Xantung near the City Cao from whence it runs towards the South-East and passes on through the Northern part of the Province of Nanking and discharges it self at last with great violence into the Sea in thirty two Degrees and a half Northern-Latitude The Hoang generally falls with such an incredible swiftness that no Boats can Row against it but are forc'd up with a far greater number of Toers than in the River Kiang In some places it is above half a League and others more and extending it self in length above eight hundred Leagues oftentimes rises above its Banks and covers all the neighboring Countreys with Water and Mud. The Chineses describe the Hoang in these or the like words The original of the River Hoang is between the Southern Mountains of Quonlun or Amasian Hills by the Inhabitants call'd Otunlao The Water which makes this River springs from above a hundred Fountains which makes the Lake call'd Singcieu which is forty Furlongs wide the Water running out of it along a Channel makes another lesser Lake from whence the Hoang runs Northward through a little towards the East and soon after washes the Province of Xensi and runs direct East then passing on Northward by the Sandy Fields or Wildernesses from whence it streams Southward into China and through the Province of Xantung discharges it self into the Sea Thus far the Chinese Writer In former times this River us'd also to run through the Province of Peking and Xantung but its Course is since by the art and labor of the Chineses led another way thereby to prevent the overflowing the fore-mention'd Countreys which by reason of their Champain Lands that extend themselves a great way in breadth and length should not be subject to its often inundating Streams yet nevertheless the Chineses have left a little Branch thereof as a testimony of its ancient Course thither After having given you an account of the two famous Rivers the Kiang and Hoang take a brief Relation of all the particular Streams both small and great which distinctly water every Province in the Empire of China THe River Io takes its original out of the Lake Si lying Westward of the Mountain Iociven in the County of Pekingfu from whence it passes through the Emperor's Palace and gliding through it with many artificial Trenches and meandring Inlets waters the Gardens and also makes several Lakes The Stream Lukeu which is call'd Sangean takes its beginning in the County of Taitungfu in the Province of Xansi out of the Mountain Iueny from whence it runs North-East and
Kiechiung is a Lake or Pool call'd Changyen In the Territory Kioungfu near the City Kienchuen lies the Lake Kien which is sixty Furlongs in circumference Out of it flow three Brooks call'd Chuen which represented by these Chinese Characters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie Water from whence the City hath also receiv'd its denomination In the County Vutingfu on the North-West side of the City Vuting is the Lake Hoeineao which word signifies Breeding Birds because the Leaves of a certain Tree which fall into it turn into a sort of Birds so black that the Inhabitants look upon them as little Devils or Spirits In the County Cintienfu between two Mountains Westward from the City is a great Lake call'd Che otherwise The Sea Cingxui into which certain little Rivolets descend out of the Mountains In the County Iunchangfu on the East side of the City Iungchang is the Lake Chinghoa wholly cover'd with Lien-Flowers On the South side of the City Pexing lies the Lake call'd Chin which broke out from the Ruins of a great City which as they say through the wickedness of the Inhabitants was swallow'd up in the Earth with all the People onely one Child by sitting on a piece of Timber in the Water escap'd that general Destruction It s chiefest Inhabitants were said to be of the House of Chin from whence the Lake hath its denomination It is also call'd The Starry Sea from the Weeds which shap'd like Stars drive upon the Water Springs IN the County Fuencheufu in the Province of Peking near the City Hiaoy are many hot and boyling Springs almost like the sulphurous Waters in Italy If the Chineses observ'd and minded these things sufficiently they might perhaps easily discover the same if not greater Operations in them than are found in any of ours in Europe for having peculiar Tastes and Colours they may probably also have in them no less Vertue and Efficacy in Medicine Near the City Lo in the County Chungpingfu is a very pleasant Spring remarkable onely for the clearness of its Water Another like this in the Territory Kingyangfu is call'd Xingxui In the County Cinanfu in the Province of Xuntung they reckon above seventy two Springs on the South side of the City Cinan amongst which one call'd Kiuti exceeds all the other in excellency of Water In the County Yoncheufu of the same Province near the City Ningyang is the the Spring Tao of which because the word signifies Robber the famous Philosopher Confut though he was exceeding thirsty refus'd to drink so much he abhorr'd the very Name of Vice In the Territory Tencheufu in the same Province near the City Chaoyiven is a Spring call'd Hanuen a Monster of Nature out of which at the same time flows Water both cold and hot wherefore it hath that Name for Hanuen signifies Cold and Hot. THere is a delightful Spring nam'd Ping in the Province of Honan at the South side of the City of the same Name near which stands an Ascent of Stone for those that please to stand upon and behold the Fountain In the Territory Nanyangfu in the Province before-mention'd near the City Nuihan is a Spring whose Water is highly esteem'd of by the Chineses who believe it to have an Operation effectual to the prolongation of humane Life On the South-West side of the City Iu is a Fountain which for the hotness of its Water is call'd Ven that is to say Hot. In the Territory Chintufu in the Province of Suchuen near the City Nuikiang is a Spring whose Water is observ'd to ebb and flow at the same time with the Sea though very remote from thence On the West side of the City Xunking rises a Spring call'd Tieyu that is to say Milky from the sweetness of its Water NEar the City Kixui in the County Hoangcheufu in the Province of Huquang is the Spring Loyu whose Water is particularly famous for making of good Tee On the Mountain Kingmuen appears the Fountain Sinlo whose Water is esteem'd of great Vertue WEstward from the City Nankang in the Province of Kiangsi is the Spring Lien whose Water in its fall glitters like Cloth of Silver producing thirty Rivolets In the County Vucheufu in the same Province near the City Kinki is another pleasant Fountain and another call'd Puensin within the Walls of the City Xuicheu IN the County Sinkiangfu in the Province of Nanking within the City Xanghiu is a Fountain of pure Water call'd Iung in the midst of a Temple Out of the Mountain Kin lying in the River Kiang in the County Chinkiangfu issues a Fountain call'd Chungleang IN the Territory Choaking in the Province of Quantung near the City Singing on the Mountain Tienlu is a Spring or Pool from which upon the throwing of a Stone into the same a noise is heard like Thunder soon after which the Skie overcasting poureth down Rain wherefore it is call'd The Dragons Pool THe County Pinglofu in the Province of Quangsi hath two Springs one Northward from the City Pinglo call'd Caning and the other near the City Xo call'd Yoxan On the South-East side of the City Queiyang a Fountain of very sweet and clear Water falls into a Pool which is never perceived either to increase or decrease how much Water soever is drawn out of or let into it Near the City Pingtin in the County Tungginfu is a strange Spring call'd Cankeng out of which through one onely Mouth flows two several sorts of Water the one clear and bright and the other thick and muddy which after having forsaken their Spring go each a contrary way as if at enmity one against another On the East side of the City Chinning is a Fountain of exceeding cold Water notwithstanding the adjacent Earth is heated by a Fire which continually burns under Ground Near the Garrison Picie is a Fountain of very pleasant Water call'd Tro. NOrthward from the chief City Iunnan on the Mountain Xang is a cold Spring counted good to strengthen the Joynts or Limbs On the South-East side of the City Cioking in the County Ciokingfu rises a Fountain of warm Water which cures by Bath those that are troubled with Swellings proceeding from redundant Humors There is yet another Spring in this County call'd Hiangxui that is to say Sweet-smelling Water because of its fragrancy especially in Lent at which time the Inhabitants make Offerings to this Fountain and drink the Water mix'd with their Liquor made of Rice Mountains Hills and Valleys THe Empire of China is in many places flank'd with rows of Mountains to a vast length not far from which are situate some or other of their chief Cities The Chineses hold all great Mountains in such high veneration that there is nothing which they adore with a more superstitious zeal and as our Astrologers make their Prognostications from the observation of the Course of the Heavens so they from the Mountains first from their situation and shape then from the
Stones which melted in the fire produce Iron very good to make Swords and Faulchions of By the City Siaoxan is a Quarry which furnishes all China with Free-stone In several places in China especially in the fourth County Nieucheufu in the Province of Chekiang is a kind of Gum in the Chinese Tongue call'd Cie which drops out of the Trees and is very like Gum or Oyl of Turpentine The Chineses gather it in the Summer and cleansing the same Colour it how they please the best is yellow like Gold and the next black before it is dry'd it yields a malignant Damp which makes the Faces of those which are not us'd to it swell and look pale for a time but they soon recover again It dries very leasurely when any Chests or Cabinets are Varnish'd with the same but when once dry it never melts again What a curious and shining thing this Gum is Europe hath long since seen by the Cabinets and Chests that are brought hither from China and Iapan The Chineses varnish all their curious Wood-Work with the same as also their Ships Houses Tables Bed-steads Closets and all their Houshold Utensils to the great lustre thereof Trigaut gives us this following Account of this Gum viz. In China is a certain Gum like Musk press'd out of the Bark of a Tree and thick like Pitch of which the Chineses make a Varnish by them call'd Cie and by the Portuguese Ciaro With this Cie they Varnish their Tables Presses and other Housholdstuff as also their Ships and Houses and Colour it how they please The Work thus Varnish'd shines like Glass and is very beautiful to the Eye and acceptable by reason of its smoothness and continues many years By means of this Gum the Houses of the Chineses and Iapanners shine in such a manner that they dazle the Eyes of the Beholders With this also they represent the colour of all kind of Wood. And for this reason the Chineses by whom this Gum is us'd account Table-clothes altogether superfluous for if the shining and Crystal-like Tables accidentally by spilling of any Grease upon them are bereav'd of their lustre they are restor'd to their former beauty by being wash'd over with warm Water because nothing can soak through the hard Gum. Besides this Gum there is an Oyl press'd out of the Fruit of another Tree not unlike the former the use thereof is also one and the same but gives not so great a Gloss. We have several kinds of Varnish amongst us in imitation of the Chineses but far short of it the true Preparation thereof being doubtless unknown to us or but imperfectly discover'd Out of the Mountains in the eighth County Ienganfu in the Province of Xensi is digg'd a slimy Moisture generally call'd Peters-Oyl which the Chineses use in their Lamps and against Scabs In the Province of Suchuen is abundance of yellow Amber which is gather'd on the Coast of Pomeren and in other parts of the same Province another sort of a reddish colour Martinius speaks of great quantities of artificial Amber made of the boyl'd Gum of Pine-Trees and sold by the Chineses so exactly imitated that it was not to be distinguish'd from the best neither is it a certain sign of true Amber to attract Chaff or other light things for the falsifi'd and artificial if rubb'd hath an attracting power as well as the natural In the Provinces of Iunnan they also have Amber which is somewhat redder than the Pomeran for yellow they have none The Salt which the Chineses have is not onely made in the Sea-bordering Provinces but there are also Inland Waters of which they make Salt without any great trouble In the County Hokienfu in the Province of Peking are large Fields which extending to the Sea-side are wash'd by the Sea Water which leaves great quantities of Salt upon the Banks All the Water of the Lake Ieu lying in the County Pingyangfu in the Province of Xansi is as salt as Sea-Water and Salt also made of it by the Inhabitants In the County Kingyangfu in the Province of Xensi are two Pools of salt Water of which they make abundance of Salt In the Province of Iunnan on the North-East side of the City Yaogan is a great Pit of salt Water out of which is extracted exceeding white Salt with which the whole County Yaoganfu is furnish'd The Pit is call'd Peyencing that is Pit of white Salt The first finding of this Salt is ascrib'd to the Sheep because they us'd to lick the Earth thereabouts and scratch up lumps of Salt with their Feet till the Inhabitants at last observing the same found salt Water and Earth there China abounds with Salt in all places so that besides the great plenty for common use the Salt-Trade brings great Revenue into the Emperor's Treasury there being an incredible number of People which Trade in that Commodity Every Province in which Salt is made pays yearly a certain weight of Salt to the Emperor for Tribute On the Mountains in the Province of Suchuen are Salt-pits which supply all the Inhabitants of that Province with Salt which is a great testimony of God's Providence to these People considering this part of China lies remote from the Sea and could not be furnish'd with Salt from any other places but with exceeding great trouble These Pits are some of them a hundred Paces deep as being on inhabited Hills of salt Earth The Mouth of one of them is not above three or four Hands-breadth wide They are search'd with an Iron Instrument in form of a Hand which being let down in the Ground by reason of its great weight and sharp Fingers presses through the same then drawn up again shuts close and brings up a handful of Earth which they do so long till they come to salt Earth and Water which is afterwards pull'd out with a Tub or Bucket which hath a Cover at the top and a Hole in the bottom through which the Water running as the Vessel goes down thrusts it open but when it is full and pull'd up by a Rope it falls and shuts again which salt Water being taken out and set over the Fire its watry part evaporates forth and leaves white Salt in the bottom yet is not altogether so salt as that which is made of sea-Sea-Water There are Salt-pits also in the County Queicheufu And likewise in the Territory Kiahingfu in the Province of Chekiang are very great Salt-pits in the Fields near the Sea where they make abundance of Salt Also in the County Hoaiganfu not far from the City Hoaigain and in several other places bordering on the Sea In China onely is that kind of fine Earth of which is made that rich Material of those we call China-Dishes and this Stuff is call'd Porcelane Some falsly affirm That the Matter of which the Porcelane is made is prepar'd of pounded Egg-shells or Sea-Cockles adding That it must lie a hundred years under Ground before it can be us'd
the twelfth they saw two Jonks in the South-West seeming to steer towards Tinghay which Van Campen chasing endeavour'd to get to the Northwards but labour'd in vain because of contrary Winds and Tides at last he was forc'd near the Islands of Pakka which although pretty large yet are for the most part waste and untill'd and inhabited by none but Fishers and poor Rusticks Nevertheless there is good Harbor for Ships and Refreshments of Water and Provisions to be had The thirteenth being Munday Van Campen with the Ebb set Sail Northwards between the Islands Pakka in eighteen nineteen and twenty Fathom Water but came after the Tide spent to Anchor in thirteen Fathom Water under the Eastermost Island About Noon the Fleet weigh'd to get more towards the North and against the Evening Anchor'd in eight Fathom Water about half a League Nor-Eastand-by-East from the Eastermost Isle before Pakka The fourteenth Van Campen set Sail again with a Nor-Nor-East Wind in six seven and eight Fathom between the Isles of Pakka and about Noon forc'd by contrary Tides came to an Anchor in seven Fathom Towards Evening weighing again with the Ebb he let fall his Drag about midnight in eighteen Fathom gravelly Ground not far from the place where the Coast of China hath many high Mountains and broken Land yet behind them very pleasant and fertile Meadows and Rice-Fields The fifteenth setting Sail again he Anchor'd about Noon under an Isle in thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground about Cannon-shot from Shore whither he sent his Boat to see for Water From hence setting Sail he came into a Bay behind Campens Point so call'd from himself where he dropp'd Anchor in five Fathom Water there being a convenient Harbor and safe Retreat against hollow Seas and turbulent Winds On the North side of this Point lying in twenty six Degrees and fifty one Minutes Northern Latitude may be seen the Ruines of the City Tikyen or Tykin formerly a place of great Trade but lately destroy'd by the Tartars Here the Zierikzee's Boat was sent ashore with the Pilot Auke Pieters and thirteen Men to fetch Water Near the Shore between the Mountains appear'd a pleasant Valley flourishing with Rice Carrots and all manner of Fruit. You may freely without fear or danger sail between the main Coast and these Isles yet not without some care because divers Shoals lie near the Coast. The eighteenth being Saturday Van Campen set Sail with his Squadron the Wind Nor-Nor-East and laveering it between Campens Point and the foremention'd Isles between seven and thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground they discover'd the old Zajer Isle East-Nor-East four or five Leagues distant in twenty seven Degrees and fifteen Minutes Northern Latitude and about Noon came to an Anchor in ten Fathom Water gravelly Ground In the Night setting Sail again they ran the next day about Noon behind Campens Bay where they were forc'd to lie till Friday the twenty fourth by contrary Winds Tides and Calms Towards Night the Finch came also to an Anchor there Friday the twenty fourth the Ships went to Sea together and with a Nor-Nor-East Wind endeavor'd to sail Easterly but being driven back by the Tide they came to an Anchor in eight Fathom and had the North Point of the Island with Brests South-West and the old Zajer East and by North. At Night in the second Watch when the Tide was almost spent they weigh'd Anchor again and the next Evening rode in eight Fathom Water having the Chinese City Samzwa Nor-East and by East and the Isle Old Zayer Sou-Sou-East and Sou-East and by South and the Isle with Breasts Sou-Sou-West The City Samzwa seated on the hanging of a Mountain and planted round about with high Trees was ruin'd by the Tartars It boasts a safe Harbor for Ships to defend them from the Southern and Northern stormy Seasons The Hollanders going ashore here found one Pagode or Temple with divers Images about fifteen Leagues from Tinghay The twenty seventh the Point of Samzwa bearing Westward two Leagues from them they descry'd a white Cliff in the Sea about three Leagues from the Shore and three Isles in the East-Nor-East and by Observation found themselves at Noon to be in twenty seven Degrees and thirty nine Minutes Northern Latitude In the Evening Van Campen came to an Anchor with the Ankeveen Frigat in eleven Fathom Water gravelly Ground but the High-land and Meliskerk Frigats with the Loenen and Finch went behind the Isle of Good Hope Van Campen in the Night the Tide favoring him set Sail again and was follow'd by the Ankeveen Frigat onely the other four lying still behind the Isle without making the Reason thereof known The next day forc'd by Storm to come to an Anchor again in ten Fathom Water he was driven from two Anchors towards the seven Rocks a little Southward of Zwatia not without great danger of Shipwrack The City Zwatia lying in the mouth of a River near the Sea and also ruin'd by the Tartars is inhabited by mean and poor People which are very slow in rebuilding the same Opposite to the Nor-West side of the River lies a Village call'd Zwatho whither most of the Citizens fled it being not laid waste by the Tartars The first of Ianuary Van Campen concluded upon Advice of the Ships Council by force of a Storm out of the Nor-East and by East to set Sail again to get from the Shore so that he drove down Sou-West and by South to Brest-Island and in the afternoon came to an Anchor in the Bay behind Campens Point in nine Fathom The other Frigats and the Finch lay still at Anchor contrary to their Orders The third the Ankeveen Frigat commanded by Iacob Swart having been busied about getting his Anchors aboard came and rode by the Vice-Admiral The fourth in the afternoon they spied in the Sou-Sou-West between seventy and eighty Fisher-Jonks and other Vessels standing towards the North which they let all pass About the evening they stood to and again yet were got out of sight next Morning on which the Captain Auke Pieters was commanded to go ashore with fifty Men to gather Sallad-herbs and Potatoes to refresh their People The sixth in the Evening the four other Ships came to an Anchor near Van Campen having before lain behind the Isles Northward of the River Zwatia The eighth in the Morning they spied six Jonks fishing in the Sou-East and by East behind the Breast-Isle and in the afternoon two Ships in the Sou-East in the Bay of Pakka and also heard the Report of several Cannon shot from thence whereupon a Council being call'd Harmans Symonsz Commander of the High land Frigat was sent thither with Order That when he came to them he should fire five Guns one after another if he needed Van Campen's Assistance if not to fire none but come back to the Fleet. Against the Evening the High-land Frigat came to an Anchor South-West and by South three Leagues
to every one eight Men. These Vessels are not onely long but bear a breadth and serve against the Pyrats which much molest the Rivers The Emperor keeps great numbers of these Vessels for the safeguard of Travellers and Merchants and likewise keeps great Fleets of them upon the Sea-bordering Provinces for defence of his Havens and Harbors All the Emperor's Ships and Lantayes carry in chief the Imperial Arms in their Flags being a Dragon with five Claws on each Foot When any of their Ships coming from a foraign Countrey stands in for the Shore they can immediately know from whence it comes and what her Loading never asking from whence or what their Freight for they give notice thereof in this manner The Pilot at the beating on Drums and Kettles standing on the Stern begins to make signs with the Staff in his Hands and sometimes waves it over his Head then behind his Back then up in the Air and annon down to his Feet then laying the Staff down he makes as many strange signs with his Hands and Arms as he did before which done he takes the Staff up again and begins a new whilst the Pilots of those Ships that Ride at an Anchor in the Harbors exactly observe his motions and thereby know all what they desire concerning the Vessel which strange kind of signs and tokens the Netherlanders believe are not to be done by Humane Reason but by Necromancy and Arts of the Devil Common Roads or High-Ways ALl strangers may justly wonder at the Roads and common High-ways that are so many and withal strangely and artificially contriv'd by Humane Industry for the conveniency of the Traveller especially in all the Southern Provinces the Ways are first Levell'd and Pav'd with Stones because they use not many Horses nor Wains The highest Mountains are also turn'd into good Roads by cutting and making Passages through the Cliffs on each side Hills and tops of Mountains are Levell'd and Vallies fill'd up therewith to the great ease of Travellers There are also on certain places as at every Stone lying ten Chinese Furlongs from one another Messengers or Posts which speedily convey all Letters the Emperor's and Governor's Edicts from one place to another by which means nothing that is strange or News happens but in few days it is spread through the whole Empire At every eighth Stone being a Tract of a days Journey are publick Houses or Inns for Entertainment call'd Cungyuon and Yhi which entertain all Governors Magistrates and other Imperial Officers of what Degree soever with their several Trains at the Emperor's Charge but they must by a Harbenger pre-acquaint the Hoast or Master of their coming with the quality and number of their Attendance so that when they come they find all things in a readiness not onely Provisions but also Horses Sedans Porters and Vessels if there be occasion for them for whatsoever he desires to have he gives notice thereof to the Inn-keeper by a Letter in the Chinese Tongue call'd Pai In like manner the Shores and Banks of Rivers are like the High-ways handsomly made up without any Trees or other hindrances within eight Foot from the Water that those which Tow the Vessels by Land may have a clear Passage And also the Walls of several places are rais'd from the ground with great square Stones and over-laid with Stone Bridges of divers Arches where occasion requires it so that the Chineses in this Point not onely exceed the ancient Romans but may also with all other People strive for the Palm for though the Chineses are not comparable to the Europeans in the Building of stately and strong Houses yet in the erecting of Stone Bridges of exceeding bigness and many Arches they far exceed them as may appear by the Description of several before-mention'd Rivers Streams and Channels AMongst the Rivers which moisten the Countrey of China the Kiang and Hoang or Yellow River deserve the first place partly for their long course through almost the whole Empire and partly for their greatness and abundance of Water The greatest Rivers are in the Chinese Tongue call'd Kiang but the less Ho. The Yangzu-Kiang or for its excellency by the Chineses call'd Kiang as if they would say The Son of the Sea divides all China into a North and South part The River Kiang gliding from the West to the East takes its Original out of the Mountain Min which runs in a ledge of Hills from the utmost Western Borders of the Province of Suchuen into the Kingdom of Sifan and extends Northward to the City Guei It hath several Names from the several Countreys through and by which it passes its first Name is Min from the Mountain Min its Spring and Original from whence it rushes with great force of Water by the chief City Chingtu in the Province of Suchuen and divides it self by the spreading into several Branches and Incloses great part of the County Chintingfu especially at and near the Metropolis Chingtu in such a manner with his Meandring Reaches and crooked Windings that it lieth like an Island and at the City Sincin it changes its Name into that of Takiang and passes from thence inrich'd with the Waters of other Rivulets as the Lunghoa from the East-side and Chocang Cin and Tatu from the West-side by the City Sui into the Stream of Mahu from thence going on Eastward to the City Liucheu where it is call'd Linkiang and gliding to the City Chunking receives the great River Pa with this Name then passes North through the County of Chunkingfu and Queicheufu Southward of the City Queicheu or Patung in one and thirty Degrees Northern Latitude out of the Province of Suchuen into that of Huquang and then takes again the Name of Takiang not far from the City of Queicheu To this place it tumbles with many Gulfs and great force of Water through crooked Vallies amidst dangerous Rocks and amazing Precepices which the Chineses in their Sailing with great dexterity and nimbleness know how to shun But afterwards begins to glide more gentler where on the North it falls in the Lake Tungting and passing thence this Lake and the chief City Vuchang enters the Province of Kiangsi and there receives out of the Lake Poyang by which it passes on the North great abundance of Water and the name of Iangâ—…u Kiang From thence falling into the Province of Nanking a little after makes an Isle can Sango Eastward from the City Sosing where expatiating it self two Leagues goes Northward through the whole Province of Nanking and to the West and North by the City Nanking it self In the County Taipingfu Southward from the City Nanking the Kiang divides it self into two Arms and makes the Island on which the little City Vuhu stands situate which afterwards against Nanking unite themselves again On the South-West side of the City Taiping the Kiang is press'd between two Hills belonging to the Mountain Tienmuen through which it passes like a Gate for which reason the
eighty Furlongs in compass near the City Taming the Pool Caoki and another bigger call'd Chanfung or Moma both brackish Westward from the Mountain Feukieu is a Lake that proceeded there from the sinking of a City call'd Siun In the County Iungpingfu near the City Changlei lies a Lake of thirty Furlongs call'd In it is Oval and extends almost to the Sea IN the Territory Pingyangfu at the Foot of the Mountain Xevyang is a Lake of a considerable bigness on which the ancient Emperor Xun as the Chineses write us'd to Fish Near the City Kiang begins the Lake Iu that is Brackish for all the Water thereof is as Salt as that of the Sea and stretches from thence to the Jurisdiction of the City Ganye it is in Circumference a hundred and forty Furlongs In the County Taitungfu Westward from the City Taitung lies the small Lake Kiuncu that is Honest Man because hereabouts liv'd one that would never accept Gold when offer'd it is made by the River He. On the Mountain Yenking near the City So is a deep Lake of a Furlong in Circumference In the Territory Taiyvenfu Westward from the City Che lies the Lake Tien IN the County Siganfu on the South side of the chief City is a considerable large Lake call'd Fan which is made by the uniting of two Rivers another on the North-East side not natural but cut by Command of the Emperor Hiaou serves for a place of Recreation It is moreover adorn'd with a stately Palace to which belong pleasant Woods and Flowry Meadows whereon the Emperor also to Recreate himself caus'd Plays and other Pastimes to be Presented to him The same Emperor also Commanded a Lake to be digg'd on the South-West side of the same City calling it Queming on which he oftentimes caus'd his Soldiers in Vessels to make Sea-Fights thereby to make them experienc'd therein for intending to invade the Southern Provinces which abounded with Ships he instructed them by this Jesting Exercise how to behave themselves in real Engagements On the South side the Emperor made a third Lake and near it a pleasant Court call'd Silen to solace himself in after the end of those pretended Fights He plac'd also in this Lake a great Stone Fish rais'd and fasten'd in the bottom of the Water like a Rock that the Sea men Sailing by the same might learn to shun Rocks and Shelves Against Rainy weather as the Chineses say this Fish makes a hideous noise the force whereof is imagin'd to be much advantag'd by a Neighboring Eccho Moreover the Chineses relate that this Emperor on a certain time Dreamt That this Fish being gotten with a Hook in his Presence crav'd his Aid and that he the next day really taking a Fish in the Lake remember'd his Dream and freed the Fish whereupon throwing his Net in again he found two inestimable Pearls which the Chineses call Mingyven that is Stones of a clear Moon because on the Increase and Decrease of the Moon they grow dimmer or brighter as is generally reported of the Moon-Stones Moreover there are some that affirm that such like Stones are yet in China and being kept in the Emperor's Palace are accounted unvaluable and that when the Emperor took up the foremention'd Pearls he said Certainly this is the Gift of that grateful Fish which I set at liberty WIthin the City Cinan in the County Cinanfu on the West side is the Lake Taiming out of which runs a Channel to the Lake Coyng which is also within the Walls of the said City Out of both which Lakes there run through the whole City convenient Navigable Moats This Lake Taiming also extends towards the Lake Cioxan which is on the North-side without the City Near the City Changkieu is the great Lake call'd Peyun which abounds in Fish and inricheth the adjacent Grounds with excellent Fruit Linko and Lien-Flowers In the County Yencheufu are five Lakes namely Nanuang South from the City Ven Toxan and Fauly near the City Tingtao Leangxan near the City Tungping and Lui which in the Chinese Language signifies Thunder because in the middle thereof is a Stone whose Body resembles that of a Dragon and the Head a Mans and is by the Chineses call'd The Spirit of Thunder they affirming that by striking on its Belly they hear a noise or voice There are likewise in this County many other Lakes but of less note In the County Tengcheufu near the City Laiyang is the Lake Hiyang and in Tungchanfu the Lake Ho. IN the County Kaifungfu lies Westward from the little City Hiu the small Lake Si and another near Iengling two other Lakes call'd Lieu from the abundance of Willows which grow on their Banks lie one near the City Chin and the other by Sincheu On the West side of the City stands the Lake Kiuming made by the Imperial Family Sung for a place wherein to Exercise the Naval Militia and represent Sea-Fights This Lake is exceeding pleasant being built round about with many stately Palaces and Pagods and also Marble Columns Inscrib'd with Verses extolling the Lake There are also other lesser Lakes amongst which is one call'd Tungmuen near the City Chin which is exceeding clear and without any Weeds In the County Queitefu on the South side of the City Queite is the Lake Nan over which lies a Stone-Bridge with many Arches Westward from the City Ciu is the Lake Si and in the same County a very small Lake call'd Chokin about which many Silk-Weavers have their Habitations invited thither by the goodness of the Water from which the Silk receives an excellent Gloss and thereupon the Lake takes its Name The word Chokin signifying A Washing place for Silk Damask Eastward from the City Iuching stands the Lake Menchu In the County Hoakingfu Northward from the City Ciyven is the Lake Tay which is made by the River Ki. In the Territory Iunningfu Westward from the City Iunning is the Lake Si yielding a very pleasant Prospect as being surrounded with many Buildings for the Entertainment and Recreation of the Citizens Westward from the small City Iu lieth a Lake of a hundred Furlongs in the City of Iu to the North stands the Lake Quanching ON the Mountain Tienchi near the City Mien in the County Chingtufu in the Province of Suchien there is a Lake which by Rain is not observ'd to increase nor in dry Seasons to decrease On the South-East side of the City Chingtu is a Pool call'd Yolung which the Emperor Sui caus'd to be made for the exercising his Marriners and Souldiers in Ships of War when he resolv'd to invade King Chin. Vansui is a Lake of four hundred Furlongs digg'd like a Moat round about the City Chingtu but broadest on the North side of the Earth which was digg'd out of the same the Walls of the City were made Southward from the City Cai in the County Queicheufu stands the Lake Cingyven a hundred Furlongs square
with ease lie on the same without touching one another Northward from the City Hukeu lies the Mountain Yechung that is Stone-Clock for the Water of the Lake being driven by the Wind against this Mountain makes a noise like a Bell. On the Shore of the River Kiang by the same City the Mountain Matang is noted for the many Ships that have been lost on the same for if any Vessel chance to go never so little from the Shore the Current being so exceeding strong drives them against the Rocks and splits them in pieces In the County Kienchangfu Westward from the chief City Kienchang the Mountain Masu the thirty sixth in order in the Books of Tausu extends four hundred Furlongs By the City Quanchang the Mountain Chunghoa divides it self at the top into several Hillocks whereof all are barren except one which being green and full of Trees is crown'd with a Temple In the County Vucheufu Northward from the City Vucheu is the Mountain Sangkiu on which they say is a strange Image in the shape of a Man which according to the several variations of the Air changes its colour so that the neighboring People know certainly by it what Weather they shall have In the County Linkiangfu on the North side of the City Linkiang is the Mountain Comao the thirty third in order in the Books of Tausu Many Omens of good fortune the Chineses fancy to themselves in this Mountain By the City Sinkin is the Mountain Iosu the seventeenth in order in the Books of Tausu In the Teritory Xuicheufu on the East side of the City Xuicheu is the Mountain Tayu in the midst of which is a pleasant Grove and a stately Chappel By the City Xangcau lies the Mountain Lungfung on which a day after Rain there appears a great Flame of Fire in the Night but never in dry Seasons The People thereabouts being much inclin'd to Superstition say that this Flame is the Spirit of the Mountains and for that reason have built a fair Chappel on the South side of the City Sinchang and Consecrated it to Fire In the County Iuencheufu on the South side of the City Iuencheu lies the Mountain Niang so call'd because it is onely visible but not accessible by reason of its dangerous Cliffs which seem to fall every Minute it is three hundred Furlongs in circumference and produces a Spring whose Water is so exceeding cold all the whole year that it cannot be drunk till it hath stood a considerable time in the Sun In the County of Kancheusu on the East side of the City Kancheu is the Mountain Tiencho on which in the Night appears a Light like that of kindled Coals There are some which suppose it to be Serpents which as they say vomit forth Precious Stones whereof they wear one on their Heads and swallow up the rest again Near the City Ningtu lies the Mountain Kincing the thirty third in order in the Books of Tausu The Chineses fancy that the neighboring Hills are peopled with Satyrs and other strange Monsters in the shape of Men. In the County Nanganfu on the West side of the City Nangan is the Mountain Sihoa that is Western Flower for Si signifies Western and Hoa Flower There are also in this Province by the City Iaoicheu on the Lake Poyang the Mountain Cienfo by the City Yukaw the Mountain Hungyai in the County Kieukiangfu South-East of the City Kieukiang the Mountain Taku on an Isle of the same Name in the Lake Poyang East of the City Tegan the Mountain Poye by the City Pengie in the Lake Poyang the inaccessible Mountain Siaofu near the City Kinki the far-stretch'd Mountain Iunglin having thirty six Tops in the County Kieganfu by the City Ganfo the Mountain Uncung in circuit eight hundred Furlongs by the City Sinfung the large Mountain Hiang producing Medicinal Drugs and several others of which there is nothing remarkable to mention IN the County Kiangningfu South West from the City Kiuyung lies the Mountain Mao which in the Books of Tausu is accounted the first for Pleasure and Happiness North-East from the chief City Nanking the Mountain No bears on its Head a Temple wherein are plac'd a thousand Images Towards the South-East from the City Nanking is the Fang a Mountain onely remarkable because on the Commands of the Emperor Xi it was by five thousand Men digg'd through to prevent as he thought the Prediction which the Mountain-gazers gave out from their observation of this Mountain concerning the subversion of his Empire On the South-West side of the City Nanking the Mountain San juts into the River Kiang and towards the River side hath divers Iron Chains fastned to it not as the Chineses ridiculously affirm because it should not run away but that the Ships may take the better hold with their Hooks otherwise this Mountain being of very hard Stone the Vessels must needs strike against it In the County Fungyangfu near the City Linhoa lies the Mountain Iunonu so call'd from the abundance of a sort of Mineral which we commonly call Muscovy Glass digg'd out of the same Near the City Xeu lies the Mountain Cukin whereon in former Ages a great piece of Gold being found and proving good against many Distempers the Chineses say that it was made by the art of Chymistry By the City Hutai lies the Mountain Moyang or Shepherds-Hill so call'd from a fair Virgin who kept Sheep on the same In the Territory Sucheufu at the South-West side of the City Sucheu near the Lake Tai lies the Mountain Liguien remarkable for the many fair Buildings which crown the same By the Lake Tai the Mountain Siu is coronetted with a stately Chappel and Cloyster Within the City Changxo the Mountain Yu extends to the West several Furlongs In the County Sungkiangfu on the South-East side of the City Sungkiang on the Shore of the River is the Kin onely remarkable in this County upon it stands a great Fort and at the Foot thereof a considerable number of Ships for the securing of the Havens thereabouts In the County Changcheufu by the City Vusie is the Si a Mountain out of which they dig Tin In the Territory Chinkiangfu on the North-West side of the City Chinkiang lies the Mountain Kin which makes an Isle in the River Kiang upon it are several fair Temples and Cloysters for Priests There also springs out of it a Brook call'd Chungleang whose Water is much esteem'd amongst the Chineses so that it is exceeding pleasant both by Art and Nature In the Territory Hoaiganfu lies the Yocheu in the Sea near the City Hai a Mountain very remarkable for a most stately Chappel and Cloyster to which many People from all Parts in China come to make Offerings By the City Lukiang in the County of Lucheufu the Mountain Taifu hath many pleasant Groves and delightful Ascents By the City Sosung lies the Mountain Siaoku with two high Spiry Tops between which being a Valley runs the River Kiang
add that all the Birds about the latter end of Harvest meet on the same and there bewail the death of their Phenix The Inhabitants observe also that time and climb up the Hill in the Night with Lights to catch Birds and return from thence loaden with their purchase Moreover according to Bontius on the Island Iava breed ordinary Bats in the Woods which are as big as Pigeons which the Iavans eat for a great Dainty They often come into the Houses at Night if the Windows or Doors chance to be left open in the Day and fastning themselves like Leeches to the Feet of those whom they find asleep suck great abundance of Blood from them which more amazes than hurts them when they awake Fishes BEcause of the many Rivers Pools and Lakes the Countrey of China abounds with variety of Fish especially the Province of Xantung which by reason of its Neighborhood to the Sea hath besides the Fish taken in Rivers and Lakes great store which are got in the Sea in such abundance that for the value of a Peny they purchase ten Pound weight of Fish Also there is incredible store of Fish in the Province of Huquang and likewise in that of Kiangsi especially Salmon In the River Kiang about the City Kieukyang though some Leagues from the Sea store of Fish is caught as Cod Dolphins and Salmon In the River Lofeu by the City Xeu in the Province of Huquang are excellent Lamprees in abundance The Yellow River amongst the rest breeds a Fish nam'd Xehon that is Marbled Flower so call'd from the Marble Spots on its Skin It is caught in no other place but near the City Paote in the Province of Xansi and is in great esteem amongst such as take upon them to understand Eating They are taken chiefly in the Province of Fokien near the City Hunghoa The River Tan which glides close by the chief City Nanyang in the Province of Honan hath Fish of a perfect red colour which are onely seen and caught in the beginning of Summer for the remaining time of the year they hide themselves The Chineses ridiculously believe and some have written to that effect If any one besmears his Feet with the Blood of this Fish he may walk on the Water as well as on the Land They add moreover That if the Water be stirr'd at that time it immediately turns red together with all the Fish which at that present appear wherefore it hath the Name of Tan that is Red. The County of Ningpofu in the Province of Chekiang lying near the Sea is well provided with Sea-Fish which they dry in the Sun as Oysters Crabs and Lobsters with which they furnish most parts of China In the beginning of Summer is caught a Fish nam'd Hoang that is to say Yellow because of its yellow colour This Fish is of such a Nature that it will not last one hour good after it is taken out of the Water but it is exceedingly valu'd amongst the Chineses they put it into Vessels with Ice and so bring it to Market for which purpose they preserve Ice in the Winter to keep the fore-mention'd Fish in in the Summer In a Lake of the compass of two hundred Acres lying on the Mountain Cienking in the County Hancheufu in the Province of Chekiang they catch Fish of a Golden colour from which they are call'd Kinyu for Kin signifies Gold and Yu a Fish having a Scale which shines as if sprinkled with Gold They scarce ever exceed a Fingers length yet have Tails split into two or three parts sometimes intire and broad which make them appear fair to the Eye They are by the Chineses kept with great care alive in their Houses or Gardens in neat Vessels made for that purpose The Grandees often with their own Hands catch this Fish which on the other side as if it knew who was its Lord and what pleasure it did him comes as it were on purpose with his Companion and plays just above the Water One of these Fishes if it be perfect and sound costs sometimes three or four Crowns In the watry Valley on the Mountain Haiyang near the City Queiling in the Province of Quangsi are Four-footed and Horn'd Fish In the River Siang in the County Changxafu in the Province of Huquang and in the great River Kiang where it runs through the Province of Nanking are a sort of Fish by the Chineses from the Portuguese corruptly call'd Xanel A great quantity of this Fish pack'd up alive in Ice in peculiar Vessels is sent to the Emperor to Peking every Week two Ships Lading of them as long as the time of Fishing continues and though it be above two hundred Leagues by Water yet in eight or ten days they finish their Journey for Night and Day the Vessels are Toed by a Line and new Toers taken so soon as the old ones begin to be tir'd which at appointed places like our Stages stand ready for by a Letter sent before they acquaint them with the Hour when they shall be there and if any neglect happen herein the Governors forfeit their Lives No Cost nor Charges are spar'd to procure the Emperor this excellent Fish of which he gives some to his Council of State The County Chinkiangfu in the Province of Iunnan hath many Rivers Pools and Lakes abounding with Fish and amongst others one out of which the Physicians draw an excellent Medicine against all kind of Scurf and Scabs In the same County by the City Yangcung in the Lake Ming is a black colour'd Fish nam'd Cing which is said to be good against many Diseases In the County Fungciangfu in the Province of Xensi near the City Pingyang they take a Fish call'd Xe that is Stone which being dry'd and beaten to Powder keeps Moths out of Clothes if strow'd on the same In the Sea before the County Taicheufu in the Province of Chekiang the Chineses catch many Haions or Seals whose Skins they send to Iapan to make Scabbards for Swords and through all parts of China making great profit of them as the said Skin is us'd amongst us for the making Cases for Watches and Handles for Knives Serpents and creeping Animals IN the County Fungchiangfu in the Province of Xensi is a sort of black Serpent of which the Chineses make a Medicine to expel Poyson and cure many Distempers In the County Nanyangfu in the Province of Honan are Serpents whose Skin is generally full of white Spots The Wine in which they have been steep'd is an excellent Remedy against Stiffness of the Joynts or Limbs In the County Hoangcheufu in the Province of Huquang are Serpents which heal the Leprosie and Scabbiness On the Mountain Citien by the City Caihoa in the Province of Chekiang are very great Serpents which have no manner of Poyson In the County Gucheufu in the Province of Quangsi are as the Chineses write Serpents several Rods in length no wonder then if they are
Others tell us That the right Porcelane is made of a hard chalky Earth which is first beaten to Powder and ground to Meal and then is thrown into Troughs made of gray Stone full of Water and there left to soak so long till it becomes a Pap mean while a thin Skin comes over it of some of which they make Porcelane as fine and clear as Crystal which on pain of Death may not be carry'd out of the Countrey but must all be brought to the Court and deliver'd to the Emperor and his Council The next sort is made of the uppermost Stuff under this Skin and this is the finest Porcelane we have in Europe and so the nearer this Mucilage is to the bottom of the Troughs still so much the courser is the Porcelane made thereof the bottom of all being not much better than our Earthen Ware But Martinius Trigaut and other Iesuits who were Eye-witnesses write with more probability That the Stuff of which they make their Porcelane is a dry Earth like Chalk and 〈◊〉 Sand and according to Trigaut yellow This Earth is digg'd in the fourteenth County Hoeicheufu in the Province of Nanking and from thence carry'd in square Lumps or Cakes each weighing about three Catties to the Province of Kiangsi along the River Po. And in this Province at a Village call'd Sinktesinu near the City Feuleang in the fourth County Iaocheufu the best Porcelane in all China is made for though there be Earth in other places of which the Porcelane might be made yet it is no way to be compar'd to that which is made in the Village It is to be observ'd that Porcelane cannot be made in the fore-mention'd place where there is such an abundance of Earth either for want of Water or because the Water is not so proper for the making of it Those which dig the Earth carry it not themselves to the Province of Kiangsi but generally sell Cakes or Lumps thereof to other People who maintain themselves by carrying of them thither yet not one Lump may be carry'd away before it is mark'd with the Emperor's Arms thereby to prevent the falsifying of it The Porcelane Vessels are made after the same manner as our Potters make their Earthen Ware The Vessels Plates or Dishes as soon as form'd are Painted with various Colours as yellow red blue or any other That which is of a Saffron colour and Painted with Shapes of Dragons is sent to the Emperor and his Council and the red yellow and blue is sold amongst the common People To colour the Porcelane blue they generall use a certain Weed which in the Southern Provinces is found in great abundance The Baking of these Vessels is after this manner Being shap'd and having stood a while in the Wind and Sun to dry they are put into an Oven which is for fifteen days after made extraordinary hot and both all that while and for fifteen days longer are stopp'd so close that the least Air cannot get in or out of it then the Oven is open'd and the Vessels remaining therein left to cool by degrees for if the glowing Vessels should be taken out of the Oven and put into the Air they would crack to pieces like Glass after the expiration of thirty days the Furnace is open'd in the presence of an Officer appointed by the Emperor for that purpose who examining what is Bak'd takes of every sort the fifth piece for the Empeor by virtue of an ancient Law 'T is said that of the pieces also of broken Porcelane first beaten and afterwards sifted then mix'd with Water and kneaded in a Lump are new Vessels made but cannot be brought to their former lustre It is observable that though some use the fresh Lumps which are brought to them and make Porcelane of it yet others more curious let them lie a while till they grow as hard as a Stone The Earth thus dry'd when they intend to use it is beaten like the broken pieces of Porcelane and also sifted and mix'd with Water then kneaded into Lumps or Cakes of which they make Porcelane as of the fresh Earth Besides the goodness of the Stuff and curious fashioning the Porcelane Vessels are of a high value because they can endure extraordinary hot Liquors in them without cracking also the pieces if joyn'd with Iron or small Copper Wyre hold any Moisture without leaking Through all China are People which are experienc'd in this Art and carry a curious small Drill with a Diamond at the end thereof with which they â—…ake the Holes in the Porcelane In China are also divers sorts of Paper made sometimes of Canes and the Leaves thereof and sometimes of Cotton Silk and Hemp The Paper made of Cotton is not inferior in whiteness to the French Paper In the County Vuchanfu in the Province of Huquang is abundance of Paper made of Canes and the Leaves thereof which grow there There is also good Paper made in the County Lucheufu in the Province of Kiangnan There are more ways of making Paper among the Chineses as Trigaut witnesseth than among us The same Author affirms that the Chinese Paper is very rotten apt to tear and not durable so that no Paper whatsoever sort it be can compare to ours in Europe But whereas he saith that it cannot bear on both sides to be Written or Printed it is a meer mistake because several sorts of Chinese Paper are found in the Netherlands which not only by the Hollanders but the Chineses also are written on both sides without the least sinking The Chinese Paper is of several sizes some two Foot and a half long and two broad some six Foot long and three broad which sort is brought from China into Holland China also in several places produces Sugar 〈◊〉 Honey and in the Mountains abundance of Salt-Petre Of the Shape Nature and Complexion of the Chineses THe Chineses in Colour and Complexion are like the People of Europe especially those of the Northern Provinces for those in the Southern by reason of their Neighborhood to the Line and Heat of the Sun are of a brown Complexion The Hair of their Beards is stiff and short and appears not till full Manhood so that a Chinese of thirty years looks aâ—… Youthful as an European of twenty The Colour of the Hair both of their Heads and Beards is generally black and it is accounted a dishonor in China to wear long Hair Their Eyes are small somewhat oblong black and standing out their Noses are small and not high their Ears of an indifferent bigness in which the Chineses as also in their other Features differ little from the European though in some Provinces they have flat and in a manner square Faces In the Province of Quantung and Quangsi most people on every little Toe have two Nails which is also common amongst those of Cochin-China and some say that in former times they had six Toes on every Foot All the Women are of little
falls into Pits made on purpose at the Foot of the Hill which the Inhabitants draining gather the pure Oar from the bottom These Mountains are inhabited by a People which know no Prince nor hitherto have been conquer'd by any The Hollanders have often endeavour'd to gain some Ground in these High-lands but were always repuls'd They are ingenious of subtile Wit and great Memories and none of the Indians are fitter to understand the Mysteries of and readier to embrace the Christian Faith Their Habit or Summer-Garment is only a thin Cotton Coat made wide tied fast on the Breast by two Corners and then put under one of their Arms so that generally one side of their Bodies is cover'd and the other bare about the middle close girt and hanging down below their Knees They neither wear Shoes nor Stockins but sometimes a kind of Pumps or Sandals made of Goat-skins which they fasten on the top of their Feet In the Winter time they wear Tygers Leopards Bears and other Wild-beasts Skins The People of Soulang went habited like the Dutch being still conversant among them but all the rest like the Chineses Before the Spaniards and Hollanders coming thither the Inhabitants went naked which Salvage Custom those that live in the Mountains still continue wearing onely a small Cloth before The Womens Habit agrees almost with the Mens onely with this difference that they tie Clouts about their Legs like Spatterdashes and have short Coats like a Half-shirt without Sleeves which reach down to their Middle and under that a Cotton Cloth falling down to their Knees Their Heads are filleted with a piece of Silk about a Yard and half long whose two ends stick out like Horns on their Foreheads and none of them ever wear Shoes But every Woman hath commonly a great Pig running after her as we use to have a Dog The Men paint the Skin of their Breasts Backs and Arms with a Colour which remains in the Flesh and will never be got out and by them accounted a great Bravery about their Necks and Arms they hang Glass Beads strung and Iron Armlets which sit very straight like an Elbow-Gauntlet so narrow in the Wrist that it seems impossible almost how they could be put over the Hand and on their Legs they have Anclets of white Shells joyn'd together like a Scallop Lace The Men of Tokdadekol wear as an Ornament a long Cane which they stick behind their Backs at a Girdle the other end bowing over their Heads having a white or red Flag about two Handfuls broad Their Heads on Holydays are gay with Cocks Feathers and their Arms and Legs with Bears Tails The Women also use Glass and Stones and sometimes also Rix-Dollars The Skins of Deer spread on the Ground serve them for Beds and Blankets They have no Societies of Artificers or Manufactory but every one is his own Work-man and Seamster making what is necessary or useful for themselves to wear They are very dexterous and ready in handling their Bowes and Arrows and such excellent Swimmers that they will bear on their Backs another Person through the swiftest Current They exercise themselves much in Running and are very swift of Foot so that some of them are able to beat a Horse at full speed When they run they hold a kind of a Bell about six Inches long in their Hand which tinkles slower or faster according to their motion They never venture out to Sea but Fish in Rivers with small Canoos They have yet another sort of Drink by them call'd Cuthay made of the same press'd Rice which they preserve and through not away in this manner They take a Handful of this Rice and put it into a Callabash which contains about two Gallons which they fill up with Water This is a cool Drink not strong and hath onely a smatch of the Masakauw In the Northern Part of Formosa between Kelang and Tamsay and between Tamsay and Mount Gedult they make another Drink of Wood-ashes which is also very strong but unwholesom for the Europeans because 't is apt to excoriate breeding the Bloody-Flux But the Natives though so well stor'd with these several Liquors yet for the most part satisfie themselves with Water Their usual Diet is dry'd Venison Flesh of Wild Swine and Fish all which they eat raw without Seething or Rosting Boyl'd Rice serves them for Bread which they take with their four fingers and toss into their Mouthes They seeth not their Rice in Water but putting it into a Cullender hang it over a Pot fill'd with boyling Water from whose ascending Steam and Heat the Rice grows moist and warm The Inhabitants also take Tobacco although it grows not there but is brought to them from China Their Pipes are thin Reeds or Canes with Stone Heads That which the Hollanders often smok'd there was brought from Iapan which though strong is but like the Refuse of other Tobacco Their Houses are all built of Wood and split Canes which because of their ignorance in preparing of Lime or Stone and the decaying of the Canes seldom last above four or five years at which time they pull down the old and build new ones in the same place though not without great charge occasion'd by the unsatiable drinking of the Work-men all the time of their Building so that an ordinary Man is scarce able to build a House They generally stand six Foot from the Ground on a Hill of Clay When the Foundation is first laid they raise several Steps from the Street to go up to it The foremost part of the Foundation resembles a Semicircle or Half-Moon and likewise the Roof over the Front the rest thatch'd with Straw and other such like Materials is above twenty and sometimes above thirty Foot high jutting four Foot over the Front that in rainy Weather they may stand dry Every House is almost sixty Foot broad and two hundred Foot long with onely one Room and one Story Their Penthouse or Front-Roof they hang full of Swines Teeth Glasses Shells and such like Baubles strung on Thred which by the Wind being stirr'd and blown one against another make a gingling noise very pleasant The Roof which they finish on the Ground is by the Builders divided into two parts one on one side and the other on the other laid upon the House They begin their Buildings at a certain time of the Year viz. in Ianuary or February because those are dry Months but before they build they make Observations of their good Success by Dreams which they tell to one another every Morning If they dream of a Post or Pisang Tree or short Cane they look upon it as a good signification and begin their Building but if they Dream of a long Reed on Cane in their Language call'd Foerik they take it for an ill Omen and defer the Work till they have better Visions When they begin to build they thus invoke one of their Idols Oh Father be with us when we
return to their Towns with great lamentations then feed their fancies with representatives dress'd up as Babies in Clouts like those that were lost in the Field whom they Interr as if the very same Persons and get the Priestess to make Offerings to the Deceas'd Souls conjuring them not to go amongst nor by intelligence help their Adversaries Then the Priestess goes by her self to the appointed place and offers to the Souls of the Deceas'd a Swines Liver Heart and one or two of the Feet together with scalded Rice Pinang and Masakhaw at her return she relates what a sad complaint the Souls departed made and that they were almost starv'd Their Arms are Bowes Arrows Shields Swords Faulchions Spears of Darts about the length of a half Pike headed with pointed Steel and having four Rings of Barbs close to which hangs a long Line wherewith when they have discharg'd the Dart and wounded any they hale to them by the Line and Staff of the Javelin the struck Enemy whom when within their reach taking hold of the Hair with their left Hand with the right they whip off their Heads and leave the Corps neglected They fight not always though drawn up in battel array but when the two Armies are in view often from each Party a bold Champion steps forth Arm'd with a Shield two short Swords a Spear and half a dozen lesser Darts thus provided they fight valiantly till one is slain and the Victor returning with his Head upon his Lance about whom his Friends flock Rejoycing Dancing Singing and Drinking Masakhaw then returning home he fixes his bare Scull as a Register and Trophy of their Victory and this Duel for that time decides the Quarrel and all march off in quiet If any of the Natives of this Isle happen to fall sick they apply themselves only to Women-Doctors for no other officiate there who finding out the part affected by inquiry they rub and chafe it very strongly and if that cure not which seldom happens they are at a loss being utterly ignorant of the knowledge of Physick or how to make any application either by Herbs or other Compound Medicines fitting for Distempers or in any manner how to rectifie the Diet of the Sick But before the Tamatatah for so they call their Doctress comes to the Patient she Sacrifices to their gods if the Distemper be small then only with Masakhaw but if the sickness be dangerous with Pinang and Siry if the Disease be stubborn then the Priestess being sent for makes Offering to the gods Tagitelag and Tagesikel but if the Distemper doth not remit then the Doctress and Priestess come both together and seek by Charms and Incantations to find out whether the Person shall Live or Die which they perform after this manner The Priestess pretending to speak with the Sick Mans or Womans Spirit pulls them by their Fingers which if they crack she comforts them with hopes of recovery but if not they look upon it as a certain sign of Death Secondly they take a Leaf from a Tree by them call'd Fangack which putting before the Sick Persons Lips the Priestess comes with a Mouth full of Water and spurts on the Leaf if the Water runs off towards her it is a sign of Life but if it remains with the disaffected or fall on the other side they expect certain death but if at last the Sick recovers he is not permitted to come into their Congregation during their Karichang for that is a testimony of his Thankfulness for the preservation of Life and then he brings to the Priestess a Pot full of Masakhaw an Offering to the gods Takafocloe Telumalum and Tapali Appe saying Accept this as a token of Thanksgiving from my Hands you have well done to give me Life While they are going to the Priestess about this affair they must take heed that they meet with no Blind or Decrepit Person for if they should they must return lest they be punish'd with another Sickness They also account it a strange Omen to hear any one Sneese in their going But if the Distemper increase daily to a greater height either by Convulsions or other acute Pains they lay the whole blame upon the Devil himself as being the Author whom they call Schytinglitto whom to expel they send for the Priestess who conjures him in this manner First after some Oblations she prays to the gods to strengthen her against the Devil and banish all manner of fears from her then calling for a Sword and a Pot of Masakhaw attended with some of the stoutest Youth which are so valiant as to venture with her hunts through all the corners of the House after the Devil whom when she hath found as she crys out she drives away assisted by the young Men making a most terrible noise Having thus driven him a considerable way to the Bank of a River or some running Water or to the Woods if there be no Water near then she takes the Pot with Masakhaw and first drinking a good Soope out of it throwing the remainder Pot and all after the Devil and says these words Take that and return not to the Patient from whom I expell'd you This done she plants a Cane in the Ground of which as they report the Devil stands in great fear When the Fiend as she saith approaches her she strikes very fiercely at him and shows some Hair hid about her for that purpose to the People which she makes them believe and they credit that she hath broke the Devils Head and pull'd those Locks from it and for this her trouble she receives a Red Strip'd Garment and so departs But if the Distemper still continues and that there is no sign of amendment they send again for the Priestess who coming thither saith That the Devil loves the House and therein intends to dwell Whereupon being desir'd to drive him from thence and also her Reward shew'd her she takes a Spade Digs a Hole in several places of the House and pulls out some more Hair which she hath hid crying aloud to all the standers by that she hath had the Devil by the Head and that that is his Hair then seeming to force him out of the House with many scurrilous Exclamations After all endeavors us'd in vain and that their Stiches and Pains no way abate then they commit them to their gods but when they are ready to yield up the Ghost they pour so much strong Liquor down their Throats that running out at their Mouth and Nostrils it drowns and suffocates Thus having fetch'd the last Gasp all those that are about him cry out with a lamentable voice making strange Gesticulations clapping and stamping with their Hands and Feet and to give notice that one is dead in the Town they go up and down Tabering upon one of their Drums which done and the Corps wash'd in warm Water his best Clothes are put on adorn'd with Bracelets and other Ornaments his Weapons
laid by him and Rice and Masakhaw proffer'd to him all which lie two days by the Body which if they should not do his Soul they say would be angry Likewise they kill a Hog for his Provision to supply his long Journey and then they offer the Corps up to their gods Before the House they set up a long Cane with a Pennon on the top and near it a great Tub with Water for the Soul to Bathe in Against the Evening all the Friends come thither accompany'd with most of the Towns-men every one with a Pot of Masakhaw the nearest of Kin to the Deceas'd lay themselves down by the Corps and making a mournful complaint utter these words Why didst thou die why didst thou leave us What hurt what harm have we done thee O my Son my loving Child come hither to us and stay with us If you will not take us to your self since we are ready to die and follow you What shall we do without you what do we do here after you To increase their sorrow the Women make a very doleful noise by trampling and tabering with their Feet on a hollow Trough before the Door at which the standers by cry Hark how the Trees bemoan the loss of this Man This stamping on the Trough is by them call'd Smaghdakdaken They also hire several Women which sit constantly crying by the Corps and sometimes make sad Complaints and Sing mournful Elegies which they name Temulidid These Women likewise pray to the gods that the Soul may have a good place in Heaven and find a new Wife and Friends there The young Men in the mean time running up and down with Rattles in their Hands After the Corps hath lain two days on Rushes they bring it to a place call'd Takay where they wash it several times with warm Water but if a rich Person with Masakhaw then scrape it so long till pieces of Flesh and Skin hang dangling about it Lastly they make a gentle fire nine days under the Corps which Roasting by degrees occasions a horrible stench The Body thus Broyl'd is wound up in a Mat and laid again on the Rushes as before then they make a great Feast call'd Gahalhal killing ten or twelve Swine some for offerings to the gods others for Taghimihe or Provisions for the departed Souls Journey Some of this Pork is cut in small pieces and serv'd about to the Mourners at that time the House is fill'd with Men and Women every one with a Pot of Masakhaw all which sometimes Weep and sometimes Drink till they are all Maudlin-Drunk they mix a strange complaint with horrid confusion Then the nearest Relations go again to the Corps and make the foremention'd complaints why he dy'd c. If it be the body of a rich Person it is kept some years before it is Bury'd and serv'd every day as if living setting fresh Meat and Drink before it If the Deceas'd dy'd a Batchellor then they relate all the Heroick Exploits which he perform'd in his Life time and the number of his slain Enemies over his Head they hang a Cane with as many Notches in it as he hath kill'd Men. Lastly they carry the Dead to the common Burying-place close by their Temples where some must watch nine or ten days for they certainly believe that the Devil watches about him all that time after the ten days expired their Friends go thither with Rattles and Boughs of Pisang Trees with fire in their Hands making a terrible noise under pretence to hunt the Devil from thence The Wife to the Deceased if he leaves one behind him Prays before him so long as he lies in the House desiring the gods that they would be kind and merciful to him And while the Corps is above the Ground the House may not be swept but when the Corps is carry'd out and the House swept the Woman that did it must throw away the Broom towards the South saying Who owes the House whereupon answering her self It doth not belong to me nor us what then have we to do with this House These People observe seven Solemn times as Festivals with great Ceremonies The first call'd Trepaupoe Lakkang which begins at the latter end of April and is kept by the Sea side whither both Young and Old Rich and Poor flock in great multitudes Here their Priestess pretends to speak with and receive Answers from their gods offering them Swines-flesh Rice Masakhaw and Pisang with Prayers to send them store of Rain for the forwarding the growth of their Corn or if it be already grown to keep it from hurtful Winds After their Sacrifices ended they sit down about the same place and fall a Drinking to excess while the ancient men standing on a row every one with a whole Reed in one hand and a Lance in the other sprinkle them with Masakhaw In their Huts they discourse of all their Villanies committed or brag who hath slain the most of their Enemies and brought home their Heads as Trophies but he that hath done the most work in Harvest is accounted the bravest Fellow The second Feast call'd Warabo Lang Varolbo that is Tying Fast they generally hold in Iune against which they observe their Dreams and Singing of the Birds At the day of Offering they rise very early and make themselves ready for the Work both Men and Women with great Zeal the Women first Consecrate the Irons with which they Weed the Basket in which they carry their Caps likewise the Callabashes Rings Bracelets Chests the Front of the House and Bridge Praying also to the gods Tamagisangak and Tekaroepada for good Fortune and security against Fire and to be their Defence against Poysonous and Voracious Beasts all which they do before they go out The Men Pray to the gods Topoliap and Takavoelie and offer them Masakhaw boyl'd Rice Pinang Siri and Swines flesh begging of them in time of War to defend them against their Enemies to sharpen their Swords Arrows and Assagays and lastly to harden their Bodies against their Adversaries Darts and Arrows Then both Men and Women but most of the Female Sex go to their Priestess call'd Ibis to whom they shew great Reverence and Obedience some years ago there was a certain Ibis call'd Tiladam Tuaka which was us'd to perform many abominable Ceremonies at this Feast viz. She climb'd on the Roof of the Temple where she stood in sight of all the People then began to tell them that the gods would have taken her to them from the Temple which done she call'd for the Drink-Offerings and holding a great Pot with Liquor in both Hands said That the gods unless she did so would not drink then being drunk she pull'd off all her Clothes Because the Children of God said she cannot enter into Heaven with any Earthly Robes Thus standing in sight of all People she began to evacuate what she had so greedily swallow'd saying That the gods according to the quantity of
to Smeerdorp as Spies and to inquire News who brought word back that the Chineses were already gotten into a Head and that setting upon them they had escap'd by flight At this Alarm the Hollanders that had setled in Sakam being to the number of thirty in great fear fled for safety to the Forts Fayet who judg'd Delays dangerous and doubting that his Brother would or had discover'd the Plot march'd with his Forces to Sakam where falling without mercy upon the Town with Fire and Sword he gave no Quarter to any A Gardener belonging to the Dutch going on that Sunday Morning early with a Basket of Fruit to the Governor in the Castle Tayowan the Revolters overtaking him cut off his Head and taking out the Fruits laid it in the Basket designing to have sent it before them but the Humor altering they cast both it and the Body under a Bridge The News of this Massacre spreading a strange Fear seiz'd all the Hollanders where-ever setled through the Country so that dispersing they hid themselves where-ever their Fear carried or their Hope 's led them to escape the Slaughter But one Captain Marine well mounted with three more with their Swords in their Hands broke through the Enemy and killing the first that oppos'd him came safe to Tayowan Verburgh the Governor well knowing how untowardly the Business stood and the hazard wherein the Hollanders abroad were lying open to destruction immediately sent out a hundred and twenty Men commanded by Captain Danker This Handful in comparison of their Enemies great Forces went in one Sloop and a Boat from Tayowan to Sakam whither being come the first that endeavor'd to Land being Captain Hans Pieters leap'd Breast-high into the Water by which Example the rest encourag'd forsook their Boats and resolv'd wading to fight their way to the Shore which the Enemy observing sent down with the Lieutenant-General a thousand Men to oppose their Landing While they were thus drawing up towards the Shore for the Service Fayet the General gave his Lieutenant Loukegwa new Orders thinking it more fit to suffer them to Land saying It would be a higher pleasure to him to see the Christian Dogs die on the Land than in the Water which would be much the better sport having them there inviron'd with his Army as in a Net But Loukegwa not so perswaded nor willing to receive these new Commands earnestly advis'd the General that he might go on and set upon them in the Water averring That these being the Hollanders choicest and pick'd Men if they did not cut them off at this Advantage they should never have the like But however the Generals Opinion prevailing he obey'd and retreating gave the opportunity of Landing in safety where a little towards the left Hand of the Enemy he drew up his small Party into a Body when a Negro that had married a Hollander coming out of a Wood where she had hid running for her safety towards them they intercepting ripp'd up her Bowels and cutting the Child in pieces threw the Limbs at them vaporing aloud That so they would serve them all But the Hollanders not replying march'd boldly up to the Front of the Enemy where in the first Charge killing fortunately their Prime Commander Fayet which presently nois'd through the Army all struck with a Panick fear threw down their Arms and disbanding fled shifting for themselves but the Hollanders pursu'd firing at their Heels through Sakam and the Town clear'd they sate down in their Enemies Head-Quarters But before Night while yet they were triumphing for the Victory came two thousand Christian Formosans rais'd by the Governor Verburgh to their Aid who according to present Orders march'd together in pursuit of the Enemy some few of whom the next morning they spied drawn together upon a rising Ground but a River betwixt impeded their present Charge but soon after the Formosans who knew the Fords and Avenues got over and charging them smartly one being slain they were suddenly dissipated which Victory they and the Netherlanders pursu'd making Execution till Sun-set from whence returning to their Camp weary and hungry they found store of fresh Provisions boyl'd and roast with which they feasting were refresh'd This Tumultuary Commotion was in fourteen days thus concluded in which of the Enemy were slain four thousand Men besides as many more Women and Children and not one Hollander so much as wounded Two Years after this War Anno 1645. in May came abundance of Locusts out of the North-West of the Isles which devouring all the Fruits of the Field occasion'd so great a Famine that eight thousand Persons died of Hunger These Locusts were of a strange shape having a Back and Breast like a Pikeman and an Helmet on their Heads such as Soldiers wear They made an affrighting noise with their Wings in their flight as if it had blown a Storm They flew from the Island Tayowan to Formosa where they staid three Months and at last took their Progress from thence towards the North-West from whence they came at first on Sunday the ninth of August about Sun-set Yet though they were gone the fear of that Plague was no ways abated for they left young ones behind which were far worse than the old eating up all that remain'd yet by the Industry of the Inhabitants with the Governors Order most part of them being not fledg'd were taken and destroy'd The Island TAYOWAN THe Island Taywan or as others call it Tayovan and Tayowan lieth South from Formosa the uttermost North-Point being distant almost a League but the Southermost Point within a Bowe-shot of the Land over which at low Water they wade to and again but between the North and Formosa it is at least thirteen Foot deep at Low Water It spreads South-East and North-West and hath two Leagues and a half in length and a quarter of a League in breadth being naturally a spot of barren Sand rather than a fertile Isle producing onely Pine-apples and other wild Trees yet here resided above ten thousand Chineses who liv'd by Merchandize besides Natives On the North-side upon a Sand-hill stands the Fort Zelandia built by the Hollanders Anno 1632. surounded with a double Wall one investing the other whereof the outermost fortified with Sconces and Redoubts Under the Castle Westward lies another Fort square guarded by two Points of the Sea A Bowe-shot distant lies a strong Out-work being the Key to the Castle call'd Utrecht rais'd sixteen Foot high with Stone and defended with seven Pallisadoes Eastward from which stands a Town built also by the Netherlanders call'd by the name of the Isle and about a Mile in Circumference adjoyning to which is a Haven call'd by the Chineses Loakhau and by the Dutch The Straights of Tayowan On the other side of the Castle lies a rising Sand call'd Baxemboy where a few scatter'd Villages appear Since the Chineses possess'd Tayowan under the Pyrate Coxinga and his Son Sepoan's
Coast of China three or four unknown Isles and seven Ships at an Anchor near the Shore which were the lost Ships with the Admiral that they were in quest of About Noon the Vice-Admiral was commanded aboard of the Admiral Bort by Captain Auke Pieterson Master of the Ter-Boede Frigat and inform'd by him That he had taken nineteen Jonks great and small near Tenhay six or seven of which they had fetch'd from the Shore and burn'd the rest except one which was blown up by its own Powder The Booty of the taken Jonks consisted in forty one square Packs nineteen Fardels and five Bales of fine white Silk a hundred and thirteen Pieces of Spiljauter sixty seven Pigs of Lead great and small two hundred sixty eight Bags of Pepper besides sixty nine Guns and Blunderbusses The twelfth being Saturday the Fleet setting Sail steer'd their Course to the River of Hoksieu to perform the Orders of the General and Council of India but was forc'd by calm Weather and contrary Tides to come to an Anchor again in seven Fathom Water a little to the Westward of the Bay not far from the Land border'd with a white sandy Shore In the hanging of the Mountain appear'd a great and well-built City call'd Sotiha whereof the Walls of one side were wash'd by the Sea Near the Shore and against the Gates lay some small Jonks and many other Vessels that were hall'd up above the Water-mark whither the Admiral Bort and Vice-Admiral Van Campen in the afternoon sent ninety seven Seamen and one hundred and fifty Soldiers in five Boats and seven Sloops with Command to set them all on fire for they belong'd to Coxinga but to spare all Houses The Hollanders coming near the Shore were roughly entertain'd by the Chineses with great Guns and Musquets but being once Landed they met with little resistance for the Chineses fled unto the Mountains whereupon Van Campen entring the City with his Men set a Watch in a great House near the Gate and sent the rest of his People in three Parties through the City This City Sotiha had been ruin'd and burnt by the Tartars about a year before but since that rebuilt with many handsom Houses wherein they found good quantities of Rice Salt and dri'd Fish Three Chineses were also taken with four Women but set at liberty again immediately A young Woman was found Murder'd but how none knew This Place is now inhabited chiefly by Chineses short-hair'd like the Tartars that maintain themselves with Fishing and Husbandry being Licenced thereto by the Governor of Hoksieu After the firing of twenty seven small and great Vessels Laden with Pepper Silk and other Commodities to be Transported to Iapan Van Campen with his People in the Evening leaving the Shore went aboard where he related his Adventures to the Admiral Hence the Fleet Sail'd somewhat Southerly and Anchor'd before the City Tenhay in nine Fathom Water This Tenhay hath no Walls and inhabited onely by Fisher-men and some Merchants The thirteenth being Sunday the Fleet between Tenhay and the River Hoksieu came to Anchor in eight Fathom Water where in the Bay of Linkun they espi'd some small Fisher-men with their Nets This Bay of Linkun lies also between the River Hoksieu and Tenhay where some Priests coming to the Netherlanders requested of them a Pass that they might go free if any of their Ships should meet with them at Sea promising to do the same to them if the Hollanders had occasion to travel by Land or Water The Vice-Admiral Van Campen sent to the Admiral Bort to know if the six Jonks should stay near Tenhay or go into the River Hoksieu that if a Storm should happen they might not be driven from their Anchors with which they were but meanly provided and had scarce Provision for six or seven Days In the Night they saw many Fires upon the Mountains The fourteenth being Monday in the Morning the Fleet Anchor'd near the Banks of Hoksieu about a League from the Shore and to make their coming known to the Tartars Bort commanded seven Guns to be fir'd from the Naerden Frigat five from the Zierikzee three from the Domburgh and one from all the rest of the other Ships Here it was concluded that Captain Abraham Pon Commander of the Breukelen with six Men one Quarter-master and the Interpreter Lakka with three Tartars that came to the Hollanders at Tayowan the year before should carry a Letter to the Governors and Vice-Roy On Tuesday the fifteenth the Vice-Admiral Van Campen according as order'd the day before Sail'd with two Frigats three Pinks besides the six foremention'd Jonks towards Hoksieu or Chancheu commonly call'd The River Chang Steering his Course West and by South between two Sands near the White Rocks which appear like Pyramids and close by the North-east Foreland and bringing the Pyramids on his Starboard he alter'd his Course towards the South-west through a narrow Channel six seven or eight Fathom deep gravelly Ground Thence he Steer'd his Course East North-east and Anchor'd in eight Fathom Water between two pleasant Isles and left on his Starboard two other within Cannon-shot which serv'd as safe Harbors for all Ships against foul Weather Near the Evening Van Campen fell down with the Ebb out of the River towards the Bar of Hoksieu and came about four Glasses after Sun-set to the rest of the Fleet where going Aboard the Naerden Fregat he gave an account to the Admiral of Affairs to his great satisfaction The sixteenth being Wednesday the Fleet pass'd into the River Hoksieu and came presently after Noon with the Flood by the high North-east Point of the Eastermost Island having the White Rocks on their Starboard and working through a strong Ebb in a narrow Channel they came to an Anchor in five Fathom Water where immediately three handsom Chinese Vessels with five grand Mandarins came Aboard of the Naerden Fregat to the Admiral Bort and with much Ceremony and Complement welcom'd both the Admiral and Vice-Admiral At Low-water the Naerden Frigat sitting upon the Sand much troubled the Admiral who call'd to Van Campen telling him that he had brought the Ships to a bad Place to Anchor in but he little regarding such a danger repli'd To Morrow if it be the Admiral 's pleasure I will carry the Ships out of the River again The seventeenth in the Morning the Fleet weigh'd Anchor and Sail'd along in five six seven and eight Fathom Water thence they Sail'd Northwest up the River along the Northermost Island against the middle of which being a safe Harbor the Ships came to Anchor Not far from hence lay four Islands formerly peopled but now laid waste and depopulated by the Tartars A whole Moneth the Netherlanders lay near these four Islands where they got all things in a plentiful manner though the ordinary Sea-men were not permitted to go ashore without leave and onely six at a time because they should not be burdensom nor affright the Inhabitants
Knees to escape the Flames The same day the Admiral leaving Zwatia according to their agreement in the Councel with the Naerden Ankeveen Calf and Sea-hound Frigat two great and two small taken Jonks went to the Bay of Kitat and Tenhay to go from thence in some of the Frigats to Hoksieu as was before design'd The twenty sixth Van Campen put also to Sea with four Frigats and two Pinks wherewith steering about the Shore towards the North they came to an Anchor in the Evening near an Island by them call'd The Good Hope three Leagues Northerly from the River Zwatia in twenty four Fathom Water gravelly Ground about Cannon-shot from the Shore The Admirals Order to Van Campen was to keep that Course or to Cruise for the Chinese Jonks that Traded to Iapan till the middle of February and then to fall down Southerly to Tenhay The twenty seventh the Councel in Van Campens Squadron Consulted whether according to Bort's Order they should keep at Sea or lie still near the Isle of Good Hope and to place six or seven Men on one of the highest Hills there to spy what Jonks were out in the Offin To which last Proposal they all agreed from thence Sailing early the next day with intention to get up higher yet were by contrary Winds and cross Currents forc'd back to their former Road. The twenty eighth being Thursday seven Men were sent ashore as they had before agreed up to a rising Ground there with their Glasses to descry what Traffickers that Sea afforded In the afternoon six Chineses came in a Champan aboard the Vice-Admiral bringing with them a fat Swine nine Hens twenty four Ducks eleven Baskets with Oranges and fourteen Pumpeons not having a greater store Amongst them were two of their Priests which they kept aboard till they should return with more Provisions which they promis'd in three days but they fail'd not coming the third day yet Van Campen set the Pledges ashore on the twenty sixth who afterwards return'd to inquire for one Chilo a Chinese Merchant whom they fear'd was slain or their Prisoner Van Campen answer'd That he knew of none such but would enquire of the Admiral and if he found him alive in the Fleet he should be set ashore at Tenhay they humbly thanking him and having receiv'd satisfaction for their Provisions departed The twenty ninth some of the Vice-Admiral's Men went ashore for Wood and Water where also they Shot a great Hart and therefore call'd it Harts-Isle The one and thirtieth being Sunday they espi'd two Fishers-Jonks in the East which Van Campen chasing took with thirteen Chineses some fresh and salted Fish which were taken out and carry'd aboard the Vice-Admiral The Chinese Prisoners being examin'd in the presence of the Commanders from whence they came reply'd From Zwatia If they had seen any Holland Ships answer'd No and being demanded if no Jonks were expected that Season from Iapan at Zwatia they also reply'd No and being farther ask'd if none went that Year from Zwatia to Iapan and if some Jonks about two days before had not Sail'd from Zwatia towards the North they again answer'd No so that the Netherlanders could get nothing out of them whereupon they were order'd to be kept aboard the Vice-Admiral till he thought fit to send them out a Fishing for the Fleet. After the Admiral 's and Vice-Admirals parting at Zwatia the twenty fifth of December the Admiral arriv'd before Hoksieu the twenty seventh of the same Moneth having in his Way especially in the Bay of Succor otherwise call'd Siang in the Rode of Pakka and likewise in that of Good Fortune seen and met several Jonks which all escaped from him by flight except five But at Sothun a Town which Bort sent out a Party against having one Man kill'd and five wounded yet the next day with better success Charging the Enemy out of Town he Commanded that and likewise all the Houses in Tenhay to be burnt At the earnest Requests of those of Hoksieu and the Agents Letters to the Admiral he went thither the seventh of Ianuary Anno 1663. with the Overveen Seahound and all the Prize-Jonks but the Calf and Naerden Frigats had Order to stay at Tenhay and not upon any occasion to go ashore for the prevention of all Mischiefs yet in fair Weather they sometimes sail'd to the neighboring Isles to see for the Enemies Jonks especially those that come from Iapan all which the Admiral gave advice of to the Vice-Admiral by the fore-mention'd Letters adding that the small taken Jonks were fitted and made ready to Sail with News to their Excellencies the Lord-General and Councel at Batavia to which purpose he had given a Pacquet of Letters to Captain Barrents Iochemse which he had Order immediately to send away by the Jonks and then come to him with all speed But if upon the Tartars desire he should re-deliver the Jonks he intended to make use of the Ter-Boede and to that end at his coming into the River of Hoksieu where it now lay he would send it away to the other Ships The sixth being Tuesday Van Campen summon'd the Commanders of all the Ships in his Squadron to come aboard where after Consultation they concluded if that day or early on the next they had no News out of the River Hoksieu to send the Highland Frigat to the Admiral in that River there to enquire how affairs went which they were very desirous to know because they had receiv'd no Advices nor heard from them since the twenty fifth of the last to the seventh of that Moneth The seventh they resolv'd the time to Sail back to Batavia drawing near to send the Loenen and the Finch to fetch Water as well for themselves as for the other Ships which were to carry their empty Casks aboard them and at their return when fill'd to fetch them again Mean while the Boats of those Ships that stay'd should go ashore for Fewel that when part or all the Fleet should put to Sea there might be no want The same day the Terr-Boede coming from the River Hoksieu in the Evening anchor'd behind Van Campen at Tenhay from whence according to Bort's Order he was to go by Siam to Batavia but first to speak with Van Campen at Tenhay The tenth being Saturday the Ter-Boede set Sail being sent as an Advice-Boat under the Command of Nanning Claesz to Batavia the same day the Highland Frigat Commanded by Harmon Simonse and the Ankeveen by Iacob Black went to the River of Hoksieu according to the Admiral 's Order Dated the seventh The eleventh they saw four Sail in the River Hoksieu and now the Cruising up and down with the Frigats for Jonks that Traded to Iapan was laid quite aside by reason of bad Weather and till further Order from the Admiral which Van Campen by Letters of the seventh of Ianuary advised him of from his Fleet lying before Tenhay The fourteenth in the Morning the Ankeveen Frigat came out of
the River Hoksieu into the Bay of Linkun to turn about the North to Tenhay but the Tyde being spent he could not get forward which being seen by Van Campen he immediately sent the Pilot Iohn Cortz with a well Mann'd Sloop thither to enquire after affairs before whose return seven Glasses were run yet at last he return'd with Iacob Black Master of the Ankeveen who brought a Letter with him from the Admiral Dated the seventh of the same Moneth in the Ankeveen then Riding in the Channel of Hoksieu the Contents were these That Nobel with all his Attendants were detain'd in Hoksieu and not permitted to come aboard That himself was come with all the Ships down to the Mouth of the River where stopp'd by contrary Winds from coming to him he had lay'n three days but would have come in stead of the Letter had not the Night before three Vessels come down the River with Melman two Mandarins and Letters from Nobel and the Vice-Roy Singlamong and General Lipovi who still desir'd the stay of all or some of the Fleet fifteen or twenty days longer for an Answer from Peking which if he would not do Nobel and all his Retinue must be forc'd to wait there and mean while Trade in private selling some of their Merchandise and buying others about which he was to resolve the next day with the two Mandarins that were sent to him therefore he desir'd Van Campen on receipt of the Letter to come to him with all speed in one of the Frigats that least drew Water that he might consult with him about it and resolve what was best to be done Bort desir'd Van Campen also to leave Order with the Ships to store themselves plentifully with Water and Firing at Tenhay that when the other Ships came to them they might furnish them also that then they might proceed on their Journey to Batavia without any hinderance Whereupon Van Campen went in his Ship aboard of the Ankeveen Frigat lying at Anchor about half way at Sea between the River Hoksieu and Tenhay and came about four hours after Sun-set West and by North right against the Pyramids but being forc'd by a contrary Tyde to cast Anchor in fourteen Foot Water hapned to be aground yet soon after was by the Tyde put afloat again and the same Night came to the Admiral who being fetch'd aboard the next Morning he understood that the Secretaries Clerk or Interpreter Iohn Melman was the Night before gone to Hoksieu from whence he was to come the eighteenth of the same Moneth with the Merchant Constantine Nobel and that then all things would be in readiness for them to put to Sea Five Tartar Jonks came with three Mandarins and cast Anchor near Van Campen sent thither by the Vice-Roy Singlamong and the General Taysing Lipovy with two hundred Picols of Rice twenty Porkers and twenty great Vessels of Chinese Beer which were sent to be divided as a Present amongst the Sea-men The sixteenth the Ankeveen set Sail out of the River to the Ships at Tenhay and came thither again the next day with some Goods for the Admiral and a Chest for the Secretary of the Naerden Frigat who was to stay ashore in Hoksieu The same day Van Campen Embarq'd himself with his Necessaries The eighteenth in the Morning the Domburgh and Overveen set Sail out of Hoksieu to the Ships at Tenhay In the afternoon the Admiral receiv'd a Letter from Constantine Nobel cóntaining That the Admiral should stay ten days longer for the Emperors Letters from Peking and that they requir'd also two Hostages viz. the Vice-Admiral Van Campen and the Captain with one Eye not knowing his Name which was Ysbrant Builder but neither the Admiral nor Vice-Admiral thought this advice fit to be follow'd The twentieth the Deputy-Secretary Iohn Melman came in a Tartar Vessel from Hoksieu to the Ships but it was so foggy that those of the Fleet being not able to see him but hearing him Row hal'd him aboard Van Campen also Rowing in his Sloop to meet him was three hours before he could either find the Tartar Vessels or his own Frigats again notwithstanding they were very near and had it not been for the sound of the Trumpets it had been impossible to have found one another that Night The one and twentieth Van Campen hoised Sail and with a gentle Gale out of the North North-east came to the Channel of Hoksieu where he lay by the Admiral in five Fathom gravelly Ground The two and twentieth in the Morning the Sea-hound Frigat set Sail with a fresh North-east Wind but Van Campen advised by Iacob Swaert and the chief Pilot Claes Iohnson who told him that in such blustering Weather their Ships could not be rul'd because of their fresh experienc'd Sea-men and that they had better stay for fairer Weather stirred not In the afternoon the Wind blowing very hard out of the same Quarter and the Sea growing very rough drove the Ankeveen towards the Pyramids from her Anchor and enforc'd them to cast out another which done they weighed the first Anchor supposing it to be incumbred then the Frigat dragg'd the other and being engag'd among the Rocks had neither time nor distance to drop another whereupon the Master loosned his Fore-sail and Mizzen so bearing up to the wind to keep her from what they were almost upon the Rocky Shore but all endeavors were in vain for with the headiness of the Stream the violence of the Wind and hollowness of the Sea she was driven upon the cruel Shore and carry'd where she was hemm'd in with Rocks when to prevent the mischief they sent a Boat from the Ship with Tackling but that also not able to keep off was with the Frigat driven among intervening Rocks beyond the Ship while she bilging against the Pyramids was split when to save the Men a Sea-man was order'd to swim to Shore with the Plumming-line to which they fastned a stronger Rope by which help they might betwixt swimming and wading get ashore but he was so bruised and beaten by the Billows upon the Rocks where he Landed that he was not able to draw the Halser to the Shore but about two hours after Sun-set the Sea did with her impetuous Waves so batter the Frigat and she rolling so much that they look'd every Minute to be stav'd they were forc'd to cut down their Masts by the Board for the preservation of their lives About two hours after Sun-set Van Campen sent one or two ashore on the West-side of the Pyramids to make fast a Halser on the Rocks for the purpose before-mention'd after that Van Campen Sail'd up the River Hoksieu to look for his Boat but could not find her The twenty third being Thursday Van Campen went ashore with a Sloop on an Island lying close by the Pyramids to see if any sweet Water was to be had there which they found in a Pit or Well A Tent also was carry'd ashore and set up into which
forth with your Ships the same day and set Sail to the Bay of Wettauw Let five of your best Sailers that draw least Water go before with Our nimblest Jonks and so run into the Haven of Wettauw and the remaining ten Ships with Our great Jonks Anchor in the Mouth of the Harbor If We should meet with any of the Enemies Jonks in the Bay of Wettauw as also in the Haven of Kinsakia as We may expect let us joyntly assail them Concerning your Landing on the Enemies Coasts Bethetok and I have resolv'd about it which must be known onely to us two but We will give you timely notice thereof I have order'd the Agent to bring me the List of the Merchandises which you have brought along with you and I will send them by him to the Governor of Hoksieu with Orders to him to sell them in Publick to which purpose the Conbon will be very serviceable Nobel also brought a Letter from the General Lipovi in answer to that which the Admiral had sent to him containing the following Lines THe twenty ninth of this ninth Moon I receiv'd your Letter and perus'd the Contents of it taking notice of the several distinctions of the Hollanders Flags and Colours which We have approv'd and at this instant acquainted Our Officers with and order'd them to govern themselves accordingly You are here sent from your King in Batavia with your Ships to assist and sail with us to Eymuy and Quemuy Therefore We believe that you will shew your Valour in setting upon the Enemies Countreys and Vessels that when they are Conquer'd you may return with Honor to Batavia and there give an Account of your Adventures to your King That here you have obtain'd your long wish'd for Desire of Free Trade for which you have come hither two Years You write that We should send you Letters of Assurance that you might for ever Trade through all this Empire besides the appointing you convenient Houses and Places which is not possible to be granted till we are impower'd from his Majesty at Peking to whom I have already writ concerning it who by this time understands your Requests But as for those Wares which you have brought with you you may dispose thereof at your pleasure But after the Conquest of Eymuy and Quemuy when you shall return with Us again to Hoksieu We shall by that time have We hope a pleasing Answer to all your other desires from the Emperor You propose also That if any of your Countrey-men being Prisoners with the Enemy should fall into Our Hands we would not kill them which We not onely promise but further also that We will send them to you and to that purpose I have already strictly commanded both My Officers and Soldiers The day on which the Ships shall set Sail with Our Jonks Singlamong will privately advise you The eleventh the Admiral Sail'd out of the Mouth of the River Soanchieuw and with three Ships viz. the Nut-Tree Cinnamon-Tree and Yonker he came to the Cape of Sombou although not followd by the Tartar Jonks The Rere-Admiral Verwei who had since the twenty sixth lain in the River Soanchefoe set Sail also from thence with three Ships the Vlaerdingen Naerden and Sea-hound The thirteenth the Admiral was inform'd by Letters from Tonganpek That his Jonks were the day before come out of the River of Soanchefoe into the Bay of Schoeni and that Morning a Letter was brought to him from the Admiral Matitoe who three days before was gone to the Cape of Wattauw in which he was advis'd That he should be with all the Jonks of the Realm at Wattauw on the fourteenth day of that Moon and also acquaint the Holland Admiral with it that he might Sail thither with his Ships According to this Advice from Tonganpek and also perceiving the Jonks sailing before the Admiral set sail with fourteen Ships from the Cape of Sombou to that of Puthay behind which he came to an Anchor about the Evening in nine Fathom Water Here Iacob Gommers Commander of the Zierikzee came aboard the Admiral bringing with him one of the Dutch Prisoners call'd Maurice Ianzen Vis born in Mauritius-Isle who not long before was taken by the Enemy Coxingans and by them sent to the Netherlanders He also deliver'd the Admiral a Letter from the Enemy dated the tenth Instant written by Summimpesiou otherwise call'd Sioubontok the second or next Person to the young Coxin Kimsia who had the Supreme Command over the Isles of Eymuy and Quemuy and other Islands lying thereabouts The Letter was to this effect Summimpesiou alias Sioubontok Commander and Governor of Quemuy sends this Letter to the Chief Commander of the Holland Fleet. YOu have understood and know that Coxinga two Years ago conquer'd Tayowan which formerly was his Native Countrey This was done because he was forc'd to provide a Settlement and strong Fortress for his Soldiers which he us'd in his War against the Tartar And two Years since Coxinga coming to Formosa at Sakkam Iacob Valencyn surrendred upon these Articles That the Hollanders should be alotted a Place in Sakkam or elsewhere to go on with their Trade and settle their Factory in As to what concerns the Tartars they are very much disabled and their Forces so broken that they have lost the Territories Huquan and Nanquin therefore they have desir'd you to make War upon Us with your Ships as We are inform'd which We fear not having Soldiers enough all indisputably valiant As for your Ships they are very large but draw a great deal of Water so that they cannot penetrate the River but must always live at Sea You also know very well that when We were in Tayowan We were stor'd with Soldiers and Ammunition therefore have a care of your selves that these Eastern Tartars deceive you not for they are cowardly and deceitful as you perhaps will find too soon when you shall see that in the Battel and in the greatest need they will forsake you shifting basely for themselves But admit they should stand stoutly they will always be cavilling sometimes they will pretend that you have not assisted them as you ought but that in all their Engagements they were forc'd to resist Coxinga's Forces alone Nay if you should conquer us which we no ways fear they will never grant you a setled Factory for Singlamong and Lipovi have assur'd Us That the Hollanders should never obtain a Free Trade in China if We would come in And besides the Emperor in Peking hath not so much as once heard of your Business for if he did he would never put you upon a War against Us therefore I advise you in good time to look to your selves nor Engage for a false Friend against so potent an Enemy for your Ships of which you boast so much are rather for Burthen than War and if you come to Traffick with us then know that the Coasts you intend for have many Rocks Sands and Shelves where your
belong to the Emperor of China but to certain Free Lords which they call'd the Min. The first that joyn'd it to the Empire of China was the chief of the Family Cheu yet the Inhabitants soon shook off that Yoke and kept themselves free till the fortunate and valiant Emperor Hiaou of the Family of Han reduced and added it to China with all the Southern Territories setling them in Peace and placed a Vice-Roy over it call'd Veuching who kept his Court in the Metropolis thereof Cyn the first King thereof call'd the chief City and the Tract of Land thereto belonging Cyngan the next King Sui nam'd the Countrey Mencheu but the Tangs of another Line Kiencheu and not long after Focheu which Name the Taimingian Race kept ever since This Countrey Focheufu contains eight Cities Focheu the Metropolis and chief of all the Countrey otherwise call'd Hoksieu or Hokzieuw Cutien Mincing Changlo Lienkiang Loquen Iangfo Focing The City Focheu by Paulus Venetus call'd Fugui lieth about fifteen Leagues Westerly from the Sea on the Southern Shore of the River Min which with a wide Mouth falls Easterly into the Sea and brings both great and small Vessels up to the City Walls The convenience of this River makes the Town very populous and of great Trade It is adorn'd with fair Buildings and hath large Suburbs call'd Nantai otherwise according to the pronunciation of the Inhabitants Lamthay for those in Fokien use in stead of N the Letter L. and often say Lamking in stead of Nanking There are also many Idol Temples Cross the Bay near Nantai lies a Stone Bridge a hundred and fifty Rods long and one and a half broad built all of white Free-stone resting on a hundred very high Arches on the top of each side are Rails and Benches adorn'd at an equal distance with Lyons neatly cut of Stone Next this Bridge at the South end stands a fair and large Pagode or Temple Another Bridge not unlike this being a hundred Rods long may be seen at the City Focing And many more are without and within the Walls of the chiefest Cities Three Leagues from Focheu stands a Temple call'd Kouzan the largest of all in the Nether Provinces The second Division Civencheufu borders from the East to the South-east and so to the South upon the Sea and from the South-west to the West touches Chancheufu and on the North verges with Ienpingfu This Countrey formerly belong'd to the Princes Min and hath seven Cities Civencheu the chief Nangan Hocigan Tehoa Ganki Tunygan and Iungehung The City Civencheu lies near the Sea in a delightful Plain and admits by a large Bay the greatest Ships to Ride close under the Walls not onely on one but both sides of the City for it is built on a Promontory encompass'd with Water except on the North and South-east sides On the opposite Shore are many populous and Trading Towns and chiefly on a Place towards the North-west call'd Loyang which may rather be look'd upon as great Cities There also is a Bridge which hath the same denomination with the Town the whole World not shewing the like for it consists of a black Stone like Touch-stone not supported with Arches but above three hundred square Columns sharp above Bridge and below the better to break the impetuous egress and regress of the Current These Pillars are Capp'd to walk upon with five Stones of an exact breadth each eighteen Paces long and two broad which successively touch one another at either Foot of the Bridge of which there are to the number of a hundred and forty it is certainly a Miracle of Workmanship not onely for its great number of Stones of such a bigness that rest on those Columns but most of all where so many large and equal Stones could be had on each side to make the Passage the safer are Rails of the same Stones adorn'd with Lyons standing on Pedestals and other Imagery It is worth our observation what is written of one part of this Bridge that is between a Village call'd Loyan and a Castle built on the Bridge for beyond the Village reaches another part not much less than the former and of one make A Chinese Writer saith thus concerning it This part of the Bridge Loyang and also call'd Vangan lying on the North-west side of the City cross the River Loyang was built by a Governor call'd Cayang it extends in length to about three hundred and sixty Rods and in breadth one and a half Before this Bridge was built they cross'd the River in Boats but because every year many Vessels were by Storm cast away Cayang resolv'd for the safety of Passengers to build a Bridge but seeing such a great piece of Work to be too much for Mankind to undertake and also the Water too deep to lay a Foundation in it he invok'd the Gods of the Sea as he says for some time to stop the Current of the Water which if you will believe he obtain'd After the Essluxes were stay'd and no Tydes swelling the River in one and twenty days the Foundation was laid and forty hundred thousand Tail spent in the building of it The third Province call'd Chancheufu being the most Southern of all this Territory borders in the North-East and East with Civenchufu on the East South-East and South with the Sea on the South-West touches the Countrey of Quantung on the West and North-West and North at Tingcheufu It contains ten Cities of which Chancheu is the chiefest the rest are Changpu Lugnien Nancing Changtai Changping Pingho Chaogang Huicing and Ningyang The Name of Chancheu was first given to this Metropolis and Countrey by the Family of the Tang from the River Chang on whose Western Shore situate and was then allow'd the priviledge of a small City but the Iuem made her afterwards a Metropolis and at the same time built the small City Nancing from whence Father Martin concludes that then all these Places were much frequented by Navigators and that Paulus Venetus his Zerte must needs be thereabouts On the South-side where the River also washes the City is a large Bridge of Hew'n-stone with thirty six high Arches and so broad that on each side are divers Tradesmen and Artificers Shops in which they sell every day all manner of rich and foreign Commodities which are brought thither from Hiamuen The fourth call'd Kienningfu a very wide and spacious piece of Land borders on the North and North-East upon Chekiang on the East with Foningfu on the South at Focheufu and Ienpingfu on the West at Xaonufu on the North West and North upon Kiangsi This Division belong'd antiently to the Princes Min after which the Family Tang gave it the Name of Kiencheu and Sung another Race that which it hath at present Here are seven Towns whereof Kienning is the chiefest the rest are Cungan Puchiang Chingo Sunghi and Xeuning The City Kienning lying on the Eastern Shore of the
River Min is no way inferior either in beauty or worth or bigness to the Metropolis Father Martin affirms this City to be Venetus his Quelingfu In this last Tartarick War this City suffer'd much damage for having revolted from the Tartars it was taken after a long Siege and laid in Ashes and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword The Fire consum'd here a Bridge over the swift River Min the Pillars whereof were of an exceeding heighth of Free-stone the other parts of Wood beautifi'd on the top with Houses and Shops on each side but since by re-building it hath re-gain'd somewhat of former lustre Beyond the Bridge on the opposite Shore stands a stately Pagode Most of the new Buildings fall short of their old beauty notwithstanding the Chinese Towns that are consum'd by Fire are much more easily re-built than those in Europe because most of them are nothing but Wood. Near the City Kienning is another fair Bridge with Shops and Houses on both sides This City Kienning is a Place of great Trade for all those Commodities that come either up or down the River must pass through it When they come to the City Pucing they are taken out of the Vessels and by Porters carry'd to a Village call'd Pinghu belonging to the City Kiangxan over high Mountains and deep Valleys four days Journey In like manner they are carry'd from Pinghu to Puching The whole Way as much as is possible to be done by the Art or Labor of Man is made even and Pav'd with square Stones along whose sides are built many Houses and Villages onely to entertain Travellers The Merchandises being first weighed are deliver'd to the Master of the Inn which send them for a certain Gratuity by Porters to other Places where the Merchant without any trouble receives them If any thing chance to be lost the Host is bound to make it good Here are always above ten thousand Porters ready which wait to receive the Goods and carry them over the Mountains Because of this Carriage of so many Goods a House stands erected for the receiving a small Custom or Duty towards the maintaining and reparation of the High-ways The fifth Tract of Land call'd Ienpingfu makes the Centre of this Territory and borders in the East at the chief County Focheufu in the South and South-West at Civencheufu and Kancheufu on the West and North at Tingcheufu Xaounfu and Kienningfu King Cyn was the first that call'd the chief City and the Countrey thereto belonging Ienping the Family Tang nam'd it Kiencheu that of Sung Nankien but Taiming restor'd its antient Name Ienping This Ienpingfu contains seven Towns and Cities of which Ienping is the chiefest next Cianglo Xa Yonki Xunchan Iungan and Tatien The City Ienping lieth on the Western Shore of the River Min from whence it rises with its Buildings up the Hills rendring a delightful Prospect to those that pass by and though none of the biggest yet it is beautifi'd with several fair Houses The Walls exceed in heighth the neighboring Ascents which on the out-sides are inaccessible making the City very strong and indeed the Key to the whole Territory On the East-side is a Lake made by the Rivers Min and Si. Almost every House is furnish'd with Water convey'd to them through Pipes from the Mountains which Convenience no other Place in China hath Not far distant lay over the Rivers Min and Si two fair Bridges near which are two Temples The Town of Xa lieth on the Northern Shore of the River Taisu though formerly on the Southern Shore but was by the Emperors Order pull'd down to the Ground and left desolate because in it a young Man had Murder'd his Father The sixth Division being Tingcheufu is the most Western of this Territory borders Easterly on Ienpingfu on the South-East at Quantung on the West at that of Kiangsi and on the North Xaounfu This Countrey belong'd also heretofore to the Princes Min King Cyn gave it the Name of Sinlo and the Tang Family that which it bears at present in which Tincheufu was only a small Town but the Taimingian Family made it a chief City This Countrey contains eight Towns and Cities viz. Tingcheu the chief Winghon Xanghang Vuping Cinglieu Lienching Queihon and Iungting The seventh County call'd Hinghaofu is a small yet fruitful Countrey and borders on the East and South-East with the Sea on the South at Civencheufu on the West at Ienpingfu on the North at the Tract of Land belonging to the Metropolis Focheu King Sui gave it first the Name of Putien the Family Sung that of Hinghoa which signifies A Budding Flower afterwards the same Family call'd it Hingan but by the Taimingian the antient Name of Hinghoa was restor'd This Shire hath onely two Cities whereof Hinghoa is the chief the other call'd Sienlieu is but small but the Countrey abounds with Villages and Hamlets All the Ways being sixty Stadia's long and a Rod in breadth are Pav'd with square Free-stone The City Hinghoa is very neatly built and adorn'd with many triumphal Arches and full of Colledges for the training up of Youth in Literature and encouragement of Learning At the Foot of the Mount Hocung South-Eastwards from Hinghoa lies a Village in splendor and bigness of Buildings like a great City but hath neither Walls nor any Priviledges belonging to it yet many rich Merchants reside there which Traffick through all China On the Shore of the Lake Ching lying at the Foot of the Mount Chiniven Northward from Hinghoa stands a great Palace with ten Gardens belonging to it in which before either Rain or tempestuous Weather happens as the Chineses say is a ringing noise heard like the sound of a Bell. The eighth County being Xaounfu borders Easterly at Kienningfu in the South at Ienpingfeu and Tingcheufeu in the West North-West and North at the Territory Kiangsia This Division reckons four Cities the chief of which is Xaouw the rest Quangce Taining and Kienning The City Xaouw the most Northern of this Territory was antiently a mean Place under the Princes of Mins Jurisdiction and was first fortifi'd with Walls and the Title of City given it by the Family call'd Tang yet hath ever preserv'd its Name of Xaouw It lies Westerly of the River Cu and is cut through by the River Ciao which poures its Streams into the Cu and from thence by several small Channels waters the City Because this County is a firm and profitable Soyl and on the Borders of Countreys whose Passage is troublesom it is fortifi'd with several Castles Garison'd with Soldiers The small Tract of Land belonging to the City Foning a Mountainous Countrey and the most Eastern of this Territory borders in the East and South-East at the Sea in the South and South-West at Fochenfu in the West at Kiennunfu in the North at the Territory of Chekiang It contains three Towns Foning Fogang and Mingte The Ways through the Mountains are very
needed not question his glad Reception Furthermore he doubted not but that they should have all their desires granted when so er'e they arriv'd at Peking The Tartar Interpreter also acquainted the Ambassador that it would be convenient to invite the Captain of the Jonks that lay to watch to a Treat which some hours afterwards was perform'd by Putmans and the Interpreter De Hase who coming to the Captain and Mandarin were kindly entertain'd with answer that according to their Requests they and some other Mandarins would wait upon them the day following They also sent a Present to the Ambassador of Capons Geese and a Vessel of Chinese strong Drink Towards Evening the Masters and Pilots came aboard again to the Ambassador and told him That he had search'd the Bay of Hoksieu of which they would give an account in writing how the Ships should get in and out with most safety as was done the day following In the afternoon the Vlaerdings Boat brought a supply from Hoksieu of Beeves Porkers good Liquor and several Fruits with Letters from Nobel Harthower and Vander Does that on the eleventh they were arriv'd at the Bridge of Lamthay and at their passing by the Governors of Minjazen Treated them kindly and at Hoksieu they were presently admitted to the Presence of the General Siangpovi the Vice-Roy and the Conbon or Governor All these Visits were past with many kindnesses and upon the delivery of their Letters from Batavia with an Inventory of the Presents were told That the Ambassador was Welcome and according to his Request should be honorably and kindly Entertain'd and that he would be pleas'd presently to come ashore that they might the better inform his Imperial Majesty of his arrival with which the Ambassador being acquainted gave Order for his Landing the next day The next day they were to Treat about Commerce which they suppos'd to be of great Consequence the more because by Proclamation every one was on pain of Death forbidden to Trade with the Hollanders without Licence When a rumor was spread in Hoksieu that the Fort Quelang in Formosa had been Besieg'd two Moneths by three thousand Tayowan Chineses but at last were forc'd to Retreat to Tamsuy with the loss of their General c. The fifteenth being Sunday nothing happen'd of remark to the Ambassador but onely expected further Tydings from Nobel and his other Friends in Hoksieu The sixteenth four Mandarins came from the General Siangpovi and the Conbon sent to the Ambassador to Present him with an hundred and twenty Canasters or four Tun of Rice thirty couple of Capons as many Ducks forty great Vessels of their best Drink six fat Beeves twenty Porkers a Score and a half of Geese and a hundred Water-Lemons Because the Name of Chinese Beer will be often us'd it will be requisite to give a short Description of it THe Drinks which the Chineses use are many The first call'd Samfoe or Sampe made of Rice is of a clear Colour like white Wine wherefore they also name it Sampe signifying pure White The second call'd Looszioe is of a brown Colour like Dutch Beer of a pleasant Taste but very strong The third nam'd Tzonzui and by some held for the best and strongest Liquor in all China is of a bright Brown very clear and resembles Brunswick-Mum yet tastes like Sack and as strong in its Operation Which Liquor Vulgarly the Hollanders generally call Mandarins and Chinese Beer The fourth being a sort of Distill'd Water is call'd Hotzioe and is not only clearer but much stronger than Brandy therefore by the Netherlanders call'd Strong Arak The fifth Drink is call'd Kietzjoe and by the Hollanders Kniep and is also a Water Distill'd yet not so strong as the former of a ruddy Colour and much drank in the Chinese and Holland Ships during their stay on the Coast of China Most of all these Liquors are made and Extracted out of Rice They say That in the Emperor Yu's Raign above two thousand Years before the Birth of our Savior this famous Chinese Drink Extracted of Rice was first made The Inventer thereof was call'd Ilie who having Presented the Emperor with the new and pleasant Liquor when he had well tasted it said What great Misfortune hath brought this Drink into the Realm Now I foresee the fall of my Family and the ruine of the Empire by this inebriating Drink Whereupon he straight instead of reward and honoring him for his happy Invention being such an assistant to weaken Nature banish'd him the Empire for ever and Commanded further upon pain of Death that none should imitate or experiment the same But though Yu Banish'd the first finder yet he could not prevent the Art of making it from spreading through his whole Dominions Besides these Drinks there is an ordinary sort boyl'd of the Root Tee or Cha and likewise another by the Netherlanders call'd Bean Broth which as some say is Milk mixt with Peking Butter The Chineses also Press several sorts of Juyces or Wines out of Fruit as among other out of the Fruit Lichi Yet in no place do they know any Liquor made of Grapes that kind of Tope only belonging to the Province of Xensi though they have store of Grapes and Vineyards in other parts of China for the Chineses either dry or Preserve their Grapes to eat them in Winter which they do by Boyling in a great Pot and then pour dissolv'd Sugar upon them Upon the delivery of the foremention'd Presents Singlamong was not once made mention of which occasion'd some jealous thoughts And now because the Ambassador expected that he should Land shortly he made an Order for his Attendants and Information to the Comptroller to be observ'd at his Landing thereby to shun all Confusions according to which every one was to govern himself Orders for the Attendants of the Embassy OF what concern this Embassy is every one may apprehend How circumspectly it ought to be perform'd in respect to our selves and also how much Honor and Profit our Nation may reap by it cannot be sufficiently express'd Therefore since the good Orders Vertue and fair Carriage of the Persons that shall attend us must be observ'd and maintain'd as the Chief Point it may be judg'd what care and diligence ought to be us'd in it that our bad Conversation may not hinder a good Event This being consider'd of we have thought it necessary and fitting to prescribe some short Orders to all our Followers with express Commands that every one shall exactly observe them upon their Perils I. Coming ashore every one shall go to the appointed place without separating himself or going from the Train without special Orders from the Ambassador II. Every one shall look to his Office and be diligent and careful in what he is imploy'd III. None shall go out of the Ambassadors Lodging without his or the Secretaries knowledge IV. The Comptroller Ruwenoort shall have the second Command over the Gentlemen and Soldiers
hand and in the Afternoon pass'd by Swinckin situate on their right hand and arriving at Suchiap about three a Clock they Landed having that day gain'd two Leagues and a 〈◊〉 The sixth in the Morning leaving Sichiap where they had chang'd their Coelies or Pugs for the Towing forward of their Vessels they pass'd by Tintenna Cholunga and Leantong three Villages seated on the right hand In the Afternoon they ran by the Villages Losjouwa and Sichem built on the same side and towards Evening anchor'd opposite to the Village Hochiechien having gain'd three Leagues that day The seventh proceeding on their Journey they pass'd Hoesuna and Nagan and at Noon arriv'd at Quiquan where they stay'd for the Vessels that brought the Horses which by reason of the shallow Water could not get up the River so fast but at last arriving the Masters of them complain'd that by drawing over the Sands they were grown very leaky and that it was impossible to go any further with them before they were mended and trimm'd up a new for which cause it was judg'd convenient to put the Horses ashore and send them by Land to Poutchin by others call'd Puchin a good Town not above five Leagues from Quiquan The Horses being got safe ashore were set up till next Morning The Comptroller Ruwenoort Interpreter Maurice and the four Grooms were order'd to Ride them thither and also twelve Chinese Soldiers by order of their Mandarins were sent to conduct them That Night the Vessels lay at Anchor before Quiquan The eighth they left Quiquan at Day-break and about Noon pass'd by the Village Souswenna standing on the left hand soon after they got sight of a great Town call'd Swipia near which appear'd several ruin'd Houses and also a large but broken and decay'd Stone Bridge and about four a Clock they came before Chintewa a Village lying on their left hand a Mile from Swipia and towards Evening dropt Anchor near a Watch-Tower about which were built a few Houses having that day with great danger gain'd three Leagues The ninth in the Morning weighing they pass'd by two Villages call'd Gotanga and Quotinha the first lying on the right and the second on the left hand at Noon they saw a Temple which being built over a Moat or Sluce like a Bridge under which at high-High-water Vessels might pass was round about adorn'd after the Chinese manner with Imagery to which they ascended by a pair of Stairs rais'd on one side of it After Noon they pass'd Saloekia and several other Places ruin'd in the last War onely some Pieces of Walls remaining The Night approaching they cast Anchor before a Sandy Plain about a League from Poutchinfoe having with much ado that day gain'd three Leagues The tenth in the Morning they set Sail about eight a Clock through a broken Bridge formerly laid cross the River and about Noon came to Poutchin the fourth eminentest City belonging to Kienningfoe Here the Comptroller Ruwenoort came to the Ambassador to tell him that the Horses came safely thither the last Night and were put into a Stable joyn'd to the House prepar'd for them to stay in till the Coelies were come to carry the Emperor's Presents The Ambassador commanded the Secretary to ask the Mandarins that were come with him because the Houses prepar'd for him and his Attendants were very old and rotten and scarce fit to Lodge in if he might stay so long in the Barques till such time as the Coelies were come up and they ready to go farther But the Mandarins said that it could not be because all the Goods must be taken an account of that they might see how many Coelies they should want to carry them Whereupon they found it convenient to Land all their Goods the next Morning and put the Oxen ashore that Afternoon In the Evening the Netherlanders were presented with some fresh Provisions by some Mandarins belonging to the Conbon of Hoksieu and likewise by their Mandarine Guides for which Van Hoorn they having presented him several times before gave them a small Piece of Plate The eleventh in the Morning all the Presents were unladen and carry'd to the House prepared for that purpose which was not onely very old but of no convenience the Rooms being so bad and so few seeming rather a Hog-stye than a Dwelling-house but they no way able to better themselves were forc'd to be contented In the Evening order was given to watch the Goods because they were constrain'd to lie in open Places incident to filching Pilferers Every Person was also strictly commanded not to stir abroad without the Ambassador's leave thereby to shew the Chineses who had forbid the Hollanders from going into the City that they did not value it there being nothing to do for them The thirteenth the chief of the Coelies as the Mandarins their Guides inform'd the Ambassador came to his Lodging to take an account of the number of the Chests and Packs and to see how many Coelies would be requisite to carry them after the weight and number were written down they found that they should want six hundred Coelies for the carrying of the Presents and other Goods The fourteenth in the Morning both the Mandarins came again with Ienko and Liu-lako the Interpreters to the Netherlanders in their Lodging to tell them that the number of the Coelies for the carrying of the Goods far exceeded the number express'd in their Warrant given them by the General because onely two Persons were allow'd for the carrying of a Pack or Case whereas now there were several amongst them which two Men were not able to carry and thereupon would want two hundred Porters and moreover that the Mandarins of the City durst not do contrary to the General 's Order in allowing them more Coelies than was express'd in their Warrant Whereupon Van Hoorn reply'd That if the Hopou and Pimpous in Peking had given such Order it was well Moreover he would pay for the Carriage of what was over and above that which was mention'd in the Pass and that it seem'd strange to him since in Hoksieu the number of the Cases and Packs that belong'd to the Embassy were deliver'd in Writing to the General 's Officers which had seen them and might well have discern'd that there were several Chests amongst them which could not be carry'd by two Men but it was no great matter for if they got no Coelies they were the less obliged Nay he knew the former Ambassadors never wanted Men to carry their Goods and had also much more honor and respect shewn them than was done to him never travelling through any Place but they were fetch'd in and nobly entertain'd by the Governors thereof whereas now on the contrary the Gates were shut up against him and he forbid to come into the City To which the Mandarins made no Reply Mean while the City Mandarin who commanded the Coelies came in Person to the Ambassador whereupon a Contest began between him
The second County call'd Kiahingfu every where water'd with Rivers and Lakes borders in the East upon the Sea in the South upon a part of the Ocean and part of Hangcheufu Westward at Hucheufu and in the North at Sucheufu and Sungkiangfu the Territory of Nanking and a part of the Lake call'd Tai. This Shire contains six Cities viz. Kiahing Kiaxeny Hayeni Pinghu Cungte and Tungchiang The Metropolis Kiahing was formerly a small City and subject to Sucheu but growing in Riches and Greatness in the Reign of the Taimingian Family it was made the Head City or Metropolis and chang'd its former Name Siucheu to Kiahing The City Kiahang being the most Northern of the whole Province lies as if it were Moated about with Rivulets of Water full of stately and well built Structures flourishing with variety of its own Product having in all Places Riches and Plenty All the Streets of the City are Arch'd under which they walk as in a Piatzo or Exchange free from Wind and Weather and sheltred from Sun and Rain Without the City are several Triumphal Arches erected and on the West side near the River in one peculiar Place which they Sail by with their Ships or Vessels stand sixteen of these Arches in a Square all built of Marble Athwart the River stands a Bridge of Marble with many Arches seventy Paces long and likewise a Tower thrusting forth towards the Skye nine Pinacles or Spires All the Shores without the City are wharfed with square Free-stone of which also the lesser Bridges are made that lead over them There are forty more fair Bridges leading to several parts of the City besides a great many less scarce to be numbred The third County being Hucheufu borders in the East with Kiahingfu in the South upon Hangcheufu in the West verges the Province of Nanking in the North at the Lake Tai. This was formerly a Kingdom of it self and nominated Tung which first was possess'd by King V. and afterwards by Ine then by Cu. The Family Cyn gave this County and its Head City the Name of Uching that of Tang call'd it Hucheu that is The City of the Lake because of the neighboring Lake Tai for Hu signifies a Lake and Cheu a City the Royal Line of Sung nam'd it Chaoking but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Hucheu Here are five Temples the chiefest of which stands within the City Walls they were founded in honor of the five first Emperors This Division contains six Cities viz. Hucheu Changhing Tecing Hiaosung Unkang and Gankie Hucheu is not onely the chief but reckon'd one of the biggest and flourishes in Trade and Riches It is adorn'd with many beautiful and large Buildings The fourth Niencheufu is a mountainous and rough Countrey and borders Eastward on the River Chee South at Kincheufu the West on Nanking and the North on Hancheufu It was formerly call'd Suntu next by the Family of Han Lecheu and lastly by that of Sung Niencheufu It contains six Cities Niencheu Xungan Tungliu Suigan Xeuchang and Fuentui The Metropolis Niencheu stands upon a rising Ground between the Singan and Chee which two Navigable Rivers before the Walls conjoyn their Waters The fifth Kinhoafu touches North and East upon Xaohingfu and Taicheâ—…fu in the South upon Chucheâ—…fu in the West conterminates with Kincheufu and the remainder bounded by the River Chee King Loang call'd this with its Metropolis first by the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower for the Chineses say that the Goddess Venus striving here with another which they call Vuniu that is a Masculine Woman and the same which the Poets call Pallas a Flower which obtaining they styl'd her Kingsing that is Golden Star and the City receiv'd the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower This City Kinhoa was formerly very populous and full of well built Edifices but in the late Tartar War in which they held out a considerable time was in a manner buried in Ruines yet nevertheless it is almost re-erected and especially one Stone Bridge on the West side hath obtain'd its former lustre This County hath eight Cities Kinhoa Lanki Tungagang Yui Iungkang Vuy Pukiang and Tanki Near the small City Lanki you may see another Bridge over the Chee some few years since re-built and now much better than the former burnt by the Tartars The sixth call'd Kincheufu being the most Southern of all this Province borders in the East at Kinhoafu in the South-East at Chincheufu in the South-West upon Fokien in the West on that of Nanking and in the North at Niencheufu In the time of the Kings Reigns this Province with the two former suffer'd divers great Changes and Alterations the Family Cyn after they had taken all China call'd its Metropolis Taimo Han nam'd it Singuan and the Family Tang gave it the Name which it now hath It contains five Cities viz. Kincheu Lungyeu Changxan Kiangzan and Kaihoa The City Kincheu lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Changyo three days Journey from Fokien between steep and troublesom Mountains to pass over Paulus Venetus calls this City Kugui according to the Tartar pronunciation with whom he travell'd in an Embassy thither who in stead of Cheu say Gui both Words signifying Great City wherefore Paulus may easily have made Kugui to be Kuicheu The seventh Division or Shire Chucheufu inviron'd with several high Mountains borders in the East at Veucheufu in the South-West at Fokien in the North-West at Kuicheufu in the North upon the County Kinhaofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey was also subject to various Revolutions and strange Alterations The Family Tang gave it the Name of Hocheu the Taimingian that of Chucheu This Chucheufu contains ten Cities of which Cheucheu is the Metropolis the rest are Cingtien Ciniquun Sungyang Sunchang Lunguven Kingyven Iunko Sivenping and Kingning besides three famous Temples The City of Chincheu which is very populous lieth upon the River Tung which falls into the Sea and able to carry Ships of good burthen The eighth Tract of Land being Xaohingfu borders in the East with Ningpofu North upon the River Cientang in the West at that of Chee and opposite to Hangcheufu in the South at Kinhoafu and Taicheufu The Family Sung first gave this Countrey the present Name Xoahing but it was formerly by the Family Tang call'd Iucheu It reckons seven Cities Xaohing Siaoxan Chuki Yuyae Xangyu Xing Sinchang The City of Xoahing though not so big yet in handsom Buildings exceeds the Metropolis being seated in a pleasant Plain Moated with fresh Water very much resembling Venice the Water gliding through every Street which are all curiously Pav'd and the Walls of the Houses all built of Free-Stone which in China is very rare and scarce to be seen in any other Place in the whole Empire The Bridges also over which they pass the River and Lake are all built in the same manner being very numerous The Banks of the River
which extends it self to three days Journey are on each side wharf'd and wall'd in with Stone of the Quarre at the end of which appears a great Dam that receives and keeps the Waters which swelling to a convenient heighth Vessels that come thither are with little help floated over into another Stream This Current serves onely to bring small Vessels up to the City Ningpo for the great ones go about by Sea Near this City are also many Triumphal Arches for building of which they have ready accommodation because the Quarres that serve all China are close by their Doors The ninth Division call'd Ningpofu borders in the East with the Sea in the West with Xaochingfu South upon a River flowing between this and the County Tancheufu The Kings Iue gave this and its Metropolis the Name of Iungtung the Family of Yang Nungcheu those of Sung Kingchyven but at last by the Taimingian Ningpo that is Reconciler of Strife The Kings of Han brought this Countrey under the Territory of Huiki Ningpofu hath five Cities viz Ningpo Cuki Funghoa Finghai and Siangxan Not far from Ningpo lies a Promontory which the Portuguese formerly very much frequented who corrupted the Name to Liampo Some say that from this Point in serene Weather they can discern the Mountains of Iapan whereas the most exact Chinese Cards or Maps make the Sea much broader than to discover any such Prospect The Metropolis Ningpo situated close by the River In boasts store of handsom Buildings On whose Eastern Shore stand several Triumphal Arches and two Steeples with seven Galleries one over another The Banks of the said River are all rais'd of Free-Stone at the end the Water is also stopp'd with a Stone Dam over which they hale the Vessels into a larger Channel In the little City Cuky are two Bridges one with Stone Supporters and great Pieces of Timber three hundred Rods long another which is very high and all of Stone stands on three Arches The tenth County call'd Taicheufu being a great Tract of Land verges Eastward with the Sea Southward with Vencheufu Westward with Kinhoafâ—… Northward with Xaohingfu and Ningpofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey belong'd to V. afterwards to Iue but was at last by the Family Cyn brought under the Territory of Minching The Family Han gave it the Name of Changan Tang of Haicheu and soon after that of Taicheu which it retains to this day This Countrey comprehends six Cities viz. Taicheu Hoanguien Tientai Cienkiu Ninghai Taiping This City Taicheu is situate on a Hill lying on the East side of the River San. The eleventh call'd Veucheufu conterminates in the East at the Sea in the South with the Territory of Fokien in the West at Cucheufu in the North at Taicheufu This Countrey is for the most part very mountainous but hath in the South before you approach the Hills of Fokien a large and spacious Plain Formerly this Countrey belong'd to the Kings of Iue afterwards to those of V. King Loang gave it the Name of Iungkia and was by the House of Tang first call'd Tunkia and soon after Voucheu by Sung Xuigan and lastly by the Taimingian Veucheu This Province Veucheu possesses six Cities viz. Veucheu Xuigan Locing Ping Yang and Taixium The City of Veucheu seated on the River Iungkia because it is also like the Metropolis Hangcheu standing on a Morass Soil and adorn'd with many fair Edifices is by the Inhabitants call'd Little Hancheu The City is very populous and a Residence for many Merchants whose Ships find good and safe Harbors in the great River Iungkia the Sea ebbing and flowing up to the City Walls Near the Sea-shore in this Territory are fifteen Garisons built against the Incursions of the Iapanners and safeguard of the Sea viz. in Veucheufu Nan Ningtung Sining Huigan Tunchi Cumen Puohin Xetic in Taicheufu Sinho Cioki Ninghai in Ningpofu onely Tinghai in Kiahinfu Hiacing Kinexan and Chincam Several Isles neighbor this Countrey inhabited by Husband-men and Fisher-men of which Cheuxan is the greatest the next are Chanque Chaopao besides several other lesser Cheuxan lies directly East from the Metropolis Hancheu opposite to the River Cientang in thirty one and thirty two Degrees Northern Latitude thirteen Leagues from the Main Land and hath in length from North to South sixteen and in breadth eight Leagues When antiently the Chinese King Lui worsted by the Tartars and flying with his scatter'd Forces to this Isle from all Parts many of the Chineses flock'd thither so that ever since what was before inconsiderable hath been a populous and well planted Isle for they number in this small Isle above seventy Towns and Villages most of them verging the Sea in such Places where Inlets and Bays make convenient Harbors neither wants their King a considerable Fleet which keep his Coast safe from the Incursions and Landing of the Tartars Horse wherein they are most formidable And the Tartars as much in awe of the Islanders keep continual Guard in the Fort of Tinghay rais'd on the Main Land with a Fleet of Crusing Chineses Before the Province Taicheufu near the Garison Cioki lies an Island call'd Ychoan which is Precious Circle so call'd for its convenient Havens the whole being in a manner so surrounded with Mountains it breaks off all Winds leaving onely a Gap or Entrance for Ships to come in at The whole Province of Chekiang is every where cut through with Rivers Rivulets and murmuring Streams some brought in by Art others of their own accord Most of the Channels of those Rivers which run Southward fall in such order as if Nature on purpose had contriv'd their Course so that the Traveller may pass through the whole Territory either by Land or Water which way he will still supply'd with all conveniencies The River Che from whence this Countrey hath its Name runs from the South to the North and divides it exactly in the middle in an Eastern and Western Canton but it changeth its Name at Hangcheu and there is call'd Cientang and again where it takes its original out of the Mountains in the Province Hoeicheufu they name it Singan The eighteenth day of the eighth Moon which is our October a prodigigious Spring-tyde happens worthy of admiration for it is onely on that day and begins to flow exactly at four a Clock in the Afternoon and comes with a Head at the first appearance high and strangely mounted above the Waters and suddenly turns Topsi-turvy what ever either by neglect or carelesness lies in the Way roaring extremely in his ascent beyond the loud murmur of Cataracts or Water-breaches to which as a wonderful spectacle where they have secure places the Magistrates Strangers and a great number of People resort to see though horrid the annual Spectacle The River Ho takes its Original near Cinijuw the third substitute City to the seventh Province Chucheufu and from thence follows by the Metropolis Kuihoa
to the City Lanki where it disembogues in the Stream Che. The Rivulet Lung begins Westward of the City Seuchang from whence it flows to Chucheu where it cometh with its Waters near the River Tung and there is call'd Vonxa In the Prime County Hancheufu near the City Changhoa on the Mountain Cienking is a Lake though not very great yet famous for the Golden-colour'd Fishes taken there which the Chineses from their colour call Kinyu In the same Shire Eastward from the Metropolis lies the famous Lake Sikin between which and the City Walls is a fair Street Pav'd with Stone and almost a Mile long where they divertise themselves in stead of Walks of Pleasure The whole Lake Wall'd in comprises about five English Miles in compass and upon the adjacent Hills supply'd with various Rivulets and Fountains appear several Temples Palaces Cloysters Colledges and the like The Banks of the Lake which is the Foot of the Mountain are Pav'd on the top with Free-Stone and at h wart the Lake lie several Bridges so that they may walk over it and see the Lake in all places The foremention'd Ways are all Planted with divers shading Trees and accommodated with Benches Arbors and the like for the conveniency of such as walk there when they are weary to sit down and repose The Water in the Lake being so translucent and clear that they may see the smallest Stone in the bottom This Lake hath no Out or In-let for Vessels to pass but only a Sluce by which the Water swoln too high by assiduous Showres is discharg'd Yet nevertheless it bears many Pleasure-Boats built on purpose which may rather be call'd Golden floating Palaces being so richly Gilt and also curiously Painted in which they accustom to keep their great Feasts Revels and other delightful Pastimes These Vessels thus furnish'd Sail about the Lake without fear of Wrack or Tempest so that it is no wonder why the Chineses call this place and City A Delightful Garden or Earthly Paradise In the County of Kincheufu near the City Kaihoa is a little Lake call'd Pehiai from the white Crabs which it produceth for Pehiai signifies White Crabs In the Territory of Ningpofu near the City of Tunghoa appears Yapou a small Pool but very deep whose Water if the Chinese Writers may be believ'd has this quality that when they have a mild and prudent Governor it becomes much clearer than Christal but if a Tyrant or an Oppressor of the People dark and Cloudy In the County of Kiahingfu the Chineses catch a Bird in Harvest which they call Hoangcio that is Yellow Bird which being kill'd they steep in Wine made of Rice and is sold as a Dainty all the Year The Territory of Ningpofu hath by reason of its nearness to the Sea great plenty of Fish which they dry in the Sun without Salting They also have abundance of Oysters Crabs and Lobsters with which they supply the whole Empire of China The Shepherd Fish they catch all the year and in the beginning of the Spring another Fish call'd Hoang that is yellow which will not keep an hour out of the Water without tainting But because the Chineses account them a great Dainty and an excellent Fish they preserve them with Ice and so bring them to the Market The Countrey of Chekiang abounds with Tygers those on the Mountains near Kutien do no hurt to Humane Creatures whereas on the contrary those that frequent the Neighboring Woods are very Ravenous and Wild which taken and brought to the foremention'd Mountains become tame and innocent as the former In a Pond of about two hundred Paces in Circumference lying on Mount Sienking in the County of Hiangchefue the Chineses catch Fish of a Gold Colour wherefore they call them Kinyu for Kin signifies Gold and Yu Fish with a bright and glistering Skin but chiefly their Backs are speckled as with Gold they are never bigger than a Mans Finger and have a three forked Tail but not dangerous the Chineses account them as a great rarity preserving them in their Houses and Gardens in several Vessels made for that purpose The Grandees often take these Fishes with their own Hands which in their presence as if they knew who was their Lord and what a pleasure they did to their owners by sometimes shewing themselves often play and leap up and down above the Water One of them though so small costs commonly three or four Crowns In the eleventh County Veucheufu are a strange kind of small Oysters which are sow'd there in Marshy Grounds for taking the Oysters they first dry then stamp them small which Powder they cast up and down the Fields like Seed from whence grow other Oysters of a most delicious taste Through all the Countrey are plenty of Swine Sheep Poultry and Fowl both tame and wild In the County of Kiahing belonging to the Province Chekiang grows in standing Waters a round Fruit call'd Peu which is not much bigger than a Chestnut the Kernel lies cover'd with a grey Skin but appears very White in the middle full of Juyce and of a pleasing taste somewhat harder than an ordinary Apple and tartish If you put a piece of Copper with this in your Mouth it will so mollifie the Mettal that you may chew it with the Fruit as we do Bread with our Meat In the County of Kinhaofu grows a small Tree with a Flower which the Portuguese in India call Mogorin it is very white not unlike the Iasmyn though much fuller of Leaves and of a more pleasing scent so that a few of these Flowers perfume a whole House wherefore it is not undeservedly held in great esteem by the Chineses who in the Winter preserve the Tree in Pots fill'd with Earth In the same Countrey grows another Plant call'd Kieuyen which produces a kind of Fat of which like Tallow very good and white Candles are made not Greasing the Hands when touch'd like the ordinary Tallow Candles This Tree is of a pretty bigness and in Leaves and shape not much unlike a Pear-Tree it bears white Blossoms which when fallen off a round Cod succeeds as big as a Cherry cover'd with a blackish thin Skin under which is a white Pulp which when grown Ripe and the Skin breaks appears these being pull'd off are boyl'd in Water which melting the Body turns to Fat and when grown cold becomes hard like perfect Tallow From the remaining Kernels they Extract very good Lamp-Oyl so that this Plant supplies them both with Lamps and Candle light In the Winter the Leaves become red which looks very pleasant because many of them growing together shew like a blushing Wood. Lastly the Leaves falling off are a most excellent Food because of their fatness for Sheep and Cows which by Eating them thrive in an extraordinary manner In the County of Chucheufu near the City Kingning grow great Thickets of Canes and Rushes in the River Lupeu by
else is permitted and the other stands empty for their Deity who they say sits therein and receives the Offering Without the Temple stand many Altars of Red Marble which represent the Moon Sun Hills and Floods and according to the Chineses Relations all these Altars are plac'd without the Temple that none might worship them but that every one should know they are of the same Structure which the Emperor worships in the Temple Round about are several Chambers or rather Cells which formerly as they say were us'd as Bannia's in which the Emperor when he went to Offer Bath'd himself with his Attendants To this Temple and to the Emperor's Tombs lead very broad Ways on each side planted with five Rows of Pine-trees at equal distance and in a direct Line from which none might break a Bough on pain of death All these Buildings were ruin'd in the late Tartar Wars the Trees pluck'd up the Tombs defac'd and the Temples and Palaces utterly laid waste The County of Fungiangfu a great Tract of Land gives Limits in the East and North-East to Hoaiganfu in the East to the Lake Piexe and Chucheufu in the South and South-West to Hocheufu and Lucheufu in the West to the Territory of Honan This pleasant and fruitful Countrey vein'd by several great Rivers is famous because two of her Natives of mean Extract were rais'd to the highest degree of Honor the first call'd Lieupang bred among the scum of the Commonalty nay among Robbers and Rebels subdu'd the Imperial Family Cyn and rais'd that of Han. The second being Humvu or Chu was a mean Priests Son who at first turning Robber soon after the expulsion of the Tartars got into the Throne and establish'd the Crown on the Taimingian Family The Emperor Yu also did not a little enrich this Countrey when by his Predecessor Ya he was Crown'd King in the City of Mao It is also said that Lahu the first Inventer of the Epicurean Learning which liv'd before the great Philosopher Confut was born in that City of Mao The County Fungyangfu contains eighteen Towns of which Fungyang is the chiefest the next are Liuhoai Hoaiyuen Tingyuen Uho Hung Hokieu Munching Su Hiutai Tienchang So Lingpi Ing Tacho Hao Ingxan Su So Ing Hao all great Places The Metropolis Fungyang lying on a Mountain incloseth many Hills within its Walls built with fair Edifices both publick and private This Division was by the Emperor Yu brought and joyn'd to the Province of Yang to be Govern'd by Teu In the time of the Kings this part of the Countrey was call'd The Kingdom of Tuxam which the Kings of Cu afterwards included in their Dominions but the Family Han made it again Tributary call'd Chungly yet this Place was not honor'd with the Title of Teu or Metropopolis untill the fore-mention'd Chu which rais'd the Taimingian Family and was born in this City enlarg'd it building new and strong Walls fifty Furlongs in circumference and adorning the Tombs of his Predecessors and gave it the Name of Metropolis setting over it a Vice-Roy giving it Jurisdiction over other Cities intituling it Fungyang that is Nobleness of the Phenix The third Sucheufu conterminates in the North and North-East with the Mouth of the River Kiang in the East with the Sea in the South with Sunkiang and Kiahingfu the West borders Kiangningfu and the North-West Chancheufu The first which inhabited this Countrey amongst the Chineses was one Taipe of the Family Cheu who coming out of the North planted his Seat here and reduced those that formerly were wild and savage to be rational and understanding People In the Emperor Vu's time this County obtain'd Royal Dignity being call'd The Kingdom of V. after whose Death it was taken by the Kingdom of Iue who possess'd it but a little while being routed by Cu who subdu'd the Countrey Lastly the promoter of the Family Cyn conquer'd all those Kingdoms and brought them under the Province of Hoeiki The first which call'd this Countrey and its Metropolis Sucheu was King Sui the Family of Tang gave it the Name of Changcheu Sung that of Pnkiang but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Sucheu The Countrey is in all Places interlac'd with Branches of Rivers and Graffs along which they may Sail from the City to the Sea Sucheufu contains seven Towns of which Sucheu is the chiefest the rest are Quengxan Changxoe Ukiang Kiating Taicing Cungmung and Cungming which lies on an Island in the Sea The fourth Tract of Land being Sunghiangfu is a small County yet fruitful and a good Soyl bordering in the North with Sucheufu in the East with the Sea and Hangcheufu in the South and West at Hangcheufu onely and the remainder on Sucheufu This Countrey as the former lies most in Water the East part of it being wash'd by the Sea and the rest surrounded by Rivers which with their Branches cutting through the middle and all Places else of it make the whole Navigable It contains onely three Towns which in bigness populosity and variety of Commodities may stand in competition with many more eminent Cities the first and chiefest is Sunkiang the other two Langhai and Cingpai The City Sunkiang verges with the Sea on the Northern Shore of a River which at its Mouth is fortifi'd with a strong Castle from whence they may Sail to Iapan In ancient times this Countrey and City before mention'd shar'd also in the Tartars Cruelties The Family of Tang call'd it Houting the Tartars of the House of Iuen not onely gave it the present Name but also the Title of Fu or Great City having formerly but the Priviledges and Name of a mean Town and belong'd to the third County Sucheufu The fifth County Changcheufu reckons for Limits in the North and North-East the River Kiang in the South Sucheufu in the South and South-West the Lake Tai in the West Yancheufu This County contains five Towns viz. Changcheu Vufie Kiangyn and Ginkiang There are also five Temples of which one built near the City Vufie in honor to Taipe the Supporter of the People exceeds all the other The City Changcheu lies near the fore-mention'd Moat which runs from the City Sucheu to the River Kiang the Stone Banks of which near this City are much more curious and artificial than any where else There are also some Triumphal Arches which add a great beauty to the City It hath receiv'd its Denomination Guihing from the exceeding fineness of the Earth of which the Tee Cups are made for Guihing signifies Rare Earth The sixth Territory Chinkiangfu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Changcheufu in the South at the Lake Tai and in the West at Kiangnangfu This County reckons three Cities viz. Chinkiang Tanyang and Kintan Chinkiang by Martinius taken for Cingiam so call'd by Paulus Venetus lies Northward from the River Kiang on the East side of a Channel which falls into the Kiang
On the other side of the Channel to the West lies a Suburb neither lesser nor emptier of People than the City it self Between these lie several Bridges over which they pass out of one into another beyond the Bridges the Channel extends it self to a greater breadth and receives Water from several Places which makes so great a Navigation by that City that it cannot be express'd for all the Ships or Vessels that come from the Province of Chekiang and the other Eastern Towns to go to Peking and other Places must stop here to put up their Masts and hold out their Sails not being able hitherto to use them because of the many Bridges in that Channel for from hence to the Grand Metropolis Peking no Bridge is suffer'd excepting one to draw up This City by some justly call'd Kinkeu that is The Mouth of the Court because there are continually Freighted Vessels going from hence to Peking The seventh Division call'd Yangcheufu borders in the North at the River Hoai East at the Sea Southward upon the Stream of Kiang West on Nankingfu and the little County Chucheufu and the North and by West conterminates with Fungyangfu This contains ten Cities viz. Yâ—…ngcheu Ychin Taihing Kaoyeu Hinghoa Paoyng Tai Iucao Fung and Haimuen of which Kaoyeu and Tai are the biggest Northward over the River Kiang is a great Sluce near the Garison Quacheu where the foremention'd Channel takes its beginning along which they Row up to the City Yangcheu which lies on the East-side of it as on the West the Suburb which formerly stretch'd a German League but was ruin'd in the last Tartar War The City Yancheu is full of large and stately buildings and in many Places moistned with Graffs of fresh Water over which lead Stone Bridges consisting of twenty four Arches besides many lesser not to be reckon'd There is also a Custom-house for the Emperor's use The chief Trade which the Inhabitants follow is the dealing in Salt for in the East of this County near the Sea are many Salt-pits The eighth being Hoaiganfu Confines in the East upon the Sea in the South with the River Hoai in the South-West and West with Fungyangfu and Sucheufu and in the North with the Province of Xantung The whole Tract of Land is cut through with Rivers and Lakes It contains ten Towns Hoaigan the chief Cingho Gantung Taoyven Moyang Hai Canyu Pi Souven and Ciuning Hai and Pi are great Cities In the time of the Emperor Yu this County belong'd to that of Iancheu under the Government Ten and belong'd first to King V. afterwards to Iue then to Cu. In the time of the Family Hun the City Hoaigan was onely a small Town call'd Hoaiyu afterwards Han call'd her Linhoan but the present Name and Title the House of Sung gave her This City lying on the Eastern Shore of the digg'd Channel is divided into two Parts a Southern and a Northern yet both inclos'd in one Wall of which the South side bears the Name of Hoaigan and the North of Yeuching The one side is enlarg'd with a Suburb which extends in length along the Banks of the Channel a German Mile out of which they enter into the Yellow River In the Suburb are two Custom-houses in the one the Customs for Goods are paid and in the other for Ships according to their Burthen all which Money is kept and bestow'd upon the repairing of their Sluces in the Channel against the force of the Water for to the Northward of this City are three Water-falls yet nevertheless a great part of it goes to the Emperor's Treasury In this City the Vice-Roy being the Emperor's Purveyor hath his Residence who Commands with arbitrary Power over the seven Southern Provinces The ninth Lucheufu borders in the North at Fungyangfu in the East at Hocheufu and the River Kiang in the South at Gankingfu and in the West at the Province of Huquang and Honan It contains eight Cities Lucheu the chief the rest Xuching Lukiang Vuguei Cao Logan Iugran Hoxan most of them lying on the Shore of the famous Lake Cao Vuguei and Logan are the biggest In ancient Times this Countrey stood like the former subject to the Family Cheu under whom it became an intire Kingdom and nam'd Lucu but soon after was taken from them by the Kings Cu. In the time of the Family Han it was with its chief City call'd Lukiang but the present Name given by the Emperor Sui Near the small City Logan are two stately Temples and a large Bridge The tenth County Gankingfu borders in the North at Lucheufu in the East and South-East at the River Kiang in the West and North-West at the Province of Huquang This Countrey contains six Towns viz. Ganking Tunchiang Cienxan Taihu Sosung Vangkiang was formerly call'd Von and subdu'd by King Cu after which the Family of Tang nam'd it Sucheu that of Sung Ganking The City Ganking stands situate on the Eastern Shore of the River Ganking and for Wealth and Trade compares with the famousest Cities in this Province for all that comes out of the other County to go to Nanking comes first hither Because this Tract of Land joyns the three Provinces Kiangsi Huquang and Nanking and lies well for any Warlike Undertaking it hath a Vice-Roy who maintains a strong Garison in the Castle Haimusen for a defence of the Lake Poyang and the River Kiang The Family Tang caus'd an Iron Pillar to be erected there of three Rods high and of a proportionable thickness Anvil'd out of an intire Piece The eleventh Shire being Taipingfu is surrounded with the River Kiang or rather lies between two of her Branches and moreover verges in the East with a part of the Lake Tanyang where it borders with the County of Kiangning This County belong'd formerly to the Kingdom of V. afterwards to Iue next to Cu but was at last by the Family of Cyn reduc'd under that of Chang. The House of Han call'd it Tanyang Tang Nanyu Sung first nam'd it Pingnan and lastly Taiping which Name it retains to this day It contains three Cities viz. Taiping Vehu and Fachang of which Vehu the biggest and richest hath also a Custom-house and lies on an Island between the two Arms of the River Kiang which afterwards joyn together at the City of Nanking The twelfth being Ningquefu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Quanghefu in the South at Hoecheufu and in the West at Chicheufu It is a mountainous Countrey and contains six Towns viz. Ningque the Great and Ningque the Less King Taiping Cingte Nanling The chief City Ninque lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Von Within her Walls are pleasant Hills Warrens magnificent Buildings and abundance of Chesnut and Pear-trees Neaâ—… the little City King stands a fair Chappel in the Chinese Tongue call'd Hiangsi that is A sweet smelling Hart and is Dedicated to five Maidens which when they were taken by Pyrats
Village where the Channel call'd Iun takes its beginning and discharges its Waters through a Sluce viz. This Channel Iun begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Peking in the Territory Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien on the North side of the Yellow River out of which the Ships that go to all Places in the Northern part of the Empire are brought into the Channel Iun which spreads it self North-West from thence through the second County Iencheufu in the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward of the Lake Nanyang then through those of Tungchunfu and through the Nanyang and lastly at the end of that Territory it disembogues in the River Guei which separates the Provinces of Xantung and Peking But because this Channel in many Places is too shallow for Vessels of Burthen there are above twenty Sluces which they call Tungoa built artificially with Stone every Sluce hath a large Water-gate which is open'd when any small Boats or Vessels are to pass and strongly barr'd up with Posts and Planks to keep up the Water These fore-mention'd Gates are open'd with an Engine or Wheel-work with little trouble to let the Water through and so from one to another till they have past through like the Sluces at our new River at Guilford But half way before they come to the City Cining they let as much Water out of the Lake Usianghoe or Can through a very great Water-gate as they have occasion for them locking it again that the Lake may not be quite exhausted When the Ships come to the Lake Chang they cross it not but go with greater ease along a Channel made near the side and Confin'd with two broad Banks At every Water-gate are People which for small consideration pull the Vessels through with Ropes In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly if the European Builders or Layers of Water-courses did come along this Channel Iun and behold the thickness and heighth of the Banks on both sides and the stately Water-gates which are also of Free-Stone or the firmness of the Work they would justly admire the Contrivance and Art of the Chineses in this their way of Aqueduct not to be paralell'd by the prime Pieces of the best Masters in Europe After all the Boats were Tow'd through the fore-mention'd Water-gates they Sail'd up the Channel Iun in a Northerly Course with a fair Wind by the Villages Mochoctan and Uwtaotchou the first on the West and the last on the East side of the Channel and in the Evening came to Maulovao on the Western Shore having this day wrought out six Leagues and a half Here they they were forc'd to exchange their Coelies because the other that came from Sinsing a Place two Leagues and a half distance from thence had gone their Stage Van Hoorn no way satisfi'd with these delays told the Mandarin Guides that they ought to have sent Coelies before that they might have been ready against his coming thither and then rehearsed the long time which he had already spent when as they might have finish'd their Journey in six Weeks all which said he you can scarce answer in Peking if the Emperor's Presents should be any ways damnifi'd which they are subject to The thirtieth at Noon no Coelies coming they went with some Soldiers into the Countrey to Press some of the Rusticks which was done so leisurely that it was almost Night before they got from Maulovao and Sail'd the whole Night though with a slow pace because their Vessels often rak'd upon the Sand. In the Morning the first of May they past by Kiakio and Sankomiao two decay'd Villages on the East side of the Channel somewhat up into the Countrey and about Noon pass'd by Thoetsuang beyond which they lay still a little while till their Toers had Din'd Then going on again they arriv'd in the Evening at a small Village call'd Sjousincha and Anchor'd before a Water-gate having since the last Night gain'd six Leagues in several Courses The second in the Morning about nine a Clock they pass'd through the Water-gate before which they lay the Night before being hindred there by a strong North-West Wind. In the Afternoon coming to Twansingiao they again lay before one of the Water-gates till the Wind was something abated Whilst they lay there one of the Emperor's Barques laden with Tributary Goods just to the Northward of the Village was accidentally set on fire but soon quenched onely burning her Stern and very little of her Lading Towards Evening they pass'd the fore-mention'd Water-gate and Sail'd in the Moon-shine through Singhjamiao and its Water-gates and about Midnight Anchor'd before Wansensua having that day gain'd but a League and a half About day-light they got through the fore-mention'd Sluce and at Noon arriv'd at Milanchia where they were to pass another but because the Wind blew very hard they cast Anchor before it This Village of Milanchia separates the Province of Nanking from that of Xantung being seated on their Borders Against the Evening the Weather growing more calm they went with their Vessels through the Water-gate beyond the Village at the end of which they stay'd having the whole day not gain'd above three quarters of a League and pass'd out of the Province of Nanking into that of Xantung The Province of Xantung being the fourth of the Northern verges South-East and North with the Sea and on the West side surrounded with Rivers in the North it borders upon the Province of Peking in the South on that of Nanking from which separated by the Yellow River The remainder thereof lies inclos'd within the Rivers of Iun and Guei The fourth in the Morning weighing again they pass'd through Tsingchia and Hanghsuansa and also through two Water-gates To the Westward or behind this Village a great Lake by the Chineses call'd Yzianghoe takes its beginning and through two Sluces discharges Waters into those of Iun. In the Evening though late they came to the Village Tzizang where they stay'd all Night being got three Leagues and a half farther in several Courses that day The fifth about Day-break they went forward and about Noon reach'd Iaixinho or Iaxhinno a little Town consisting of thirty six Houses all built like Forts or defensive Towers Here they stay'd some time for fresh Coelies who being come they weighed again and first pass'd through a Water-gate lying in the fore-mention'd Iaixinho afterwards through Tsonoiacha and two Water-gates more In the Evening they arriv'd at Maaliaeao where they stay'd all Night having gain'd four Leagues that day Here as before began to appear a Lake on the East side of the Channel The Countrey to the Hills seeming to lie thereabouts under Water The sixth in the Morning before day setting forward again they pass'd through ten Flood-gates and also by and through Tsouteucha and Naeyang Loutchiajeen Tongnang-fong Tsiongiaceen Chinkio Sinchia Tsoufee and Sohousum In the Evening they arriv'd at
Letter to the General at Hoksieu viz. The Hollanders have sufficiently testifi'd their Reality and the Ambassador esteems nothing more than to shew that what he hath promis'd to Talavja may be perform'd Your Lordship hath been pleas'd to command that the Ship from Quelang and the Commander Balfour should stay here till an Answer came from Peking now the Ambassador desires to know how long the Ship must stay Besides since his coming hither he hath found some Goods viz. Blood Coral Amber Cloth and other Merchandise brought in the Ships from Batavia and likely to be carry'd back again thither unless Your Lordship will be pleas'd this one time to give leave to sell them because they were included in this Chinkon The Ambassador hopes that the Emperor's Letters to the Lord Maetzuiker will bring him good tydings therefore he could not but acquaint Talavja herewith and desire his Answer upon it especially having seen by some Letters which he found in the Ships that the General of Batavia might be mov'd to deliver the Castle of Quelang to the Emperor if he would grant the Hollanders a free Trade in China Nobel and the Secretary Vander Does were sent to the Chinese Jonks lying in the Crab-hole to enquire if there were none Aboard that could Translate the fore-mention'd Letter and deliver it to the General which if there were they should leave it with them But their coming amongst the Jonks caus'd great amazement amongst them neither could they be accommodated so they went to the Jonks which lay within the second Strait where finding some Mandarins and a Secretary with them they did their Business according to their desire This Letter being Translated Nobel sent with a Batsiang up to Hoksieu with promise to return with an Answer within two days so that the Ambassador judg'd it convenient to stay so long with the Blyswiik in Netherland Haven The third in the Morning the Mandarins of the Jonks came aboard the Bleiswyk saying That they durst not carry the Letter which Nobel had given them the day before except a Hollander went with them to Hoksieu Whereupon the Ambassador answer'd That if they would not deliver the Letters they knew what they had to do if any thing other than well did come of it it was not his fault This startling made them change their resolution asking if they should deliver the Letter and the General should desire that a Hollander should come to him if the Ambassador would then promise them to send one thither of which they would willingly be assur'd that they might give his Highness a positive answer The Ambassador after serious consideration judg'd it convenient to answer That they should Request of the Governor of Minjazeen in the Ambassador's Name if he would please to send any one with that Letter to the Sontok and if they had an answer upon it and that Talavja Commanded that an Hollander should come to him that then they would consider of it with which answer going away they took the Letter with them The fourth it was thought meet by the Ambassador and his Councel since they had nothing more to do there only to wait for News from above to set Sail for Tinghay to make all things ready there but Nobel was order'd to stay there with the Overveen that if any News should come from Hoksieu he might inform the Ambassador of it and give such Orders as should be requisite In the Afternoon the Ambassador fell down with the Bleiswyk to the first Straight behind the Pyramids where they dropp'd Anchor till the next Ebb but were forc'd by a strong Gale out of the North-East to remove beyond the first Shole and wait for better Weather The fifth in the Night the Bleiswyk set Sail again with a Northerly Wind and Ebbing Water and getting beyond the Calf Sands came on the seventh in the Morning by Day-light before Sotias Bay within the Turrets Isles that in the Afternoon with a Sea breeze he might put into the Bay of Tinghay Having cast Anchor the Ambassador went with the Bleiswyk's Sloop aboard the Victoria to stay and go over in her Here it was judg'd convenient that Nobel and Putmans with the Ship Batavia and Harthouwer and Bartolz with the Crane if no other News came from Hoksieu should set Sail for Batavia In the Afternoon the Bleiswyk Frigat came also to Tinghay where the Ambassador immediately unladed part of her distributing the Provisions and Money amongst the Ships Victoria Batavia and Crane that so he might not run the hazard of all in one Ship The eighth in the Afternoon the Overveen's Boat arriv'd at Tinghay from Netherland Haven with a Letter from Nobel Dated the Night before the Contents of which were That two Commanders had been aboard him with a Letter from the General of Hoksieu to the Governor of Minjazeen of which he had sent the Translation Inclos'd The Superscription they could not give to Nobel for want of some to write it the Povi as they said had accounted himself too good to answer the Ambassador but had writ to the Governor of Minjazeen not expecting any further answer from the Ambassador as might be seen by the last Clause To the Proposal of Quelang he had sent no manner of answer But that the Lord General according to the foremention'd Commanders sayings must the ensuing Year write himself to the Emperor concerning that or the like business And in like manner about the selling of the Merchandize as appears by the second Clause by which they may plainly see that the Ships with their Merchandize must be gone again which was strongly affirm'd by the third Clause as appears by the Translation In the Translation no mention was made in how many days an answer would be there from Peking as the Ambassador had desir'd to know besides no body came to look after the Overveen to furnish her with Provisions which they had so faithfully promis'd and to his judgment there was no staying for it The Tydes and Weather were good which with the approaching New Moon according to the general course of that season might turn to be bad and tempestuous Therefore he expected the Ambassador's Order whether the Overveen should stay longer in Netherland Haven or go to Tinhay The foremention'd Translation written by the General of Hoksieu to the Governor of Minjazeen was to this effect I. THe Povi hath receiv'd the Letter from the Holland Ambassador wherein he desir'd to know how many days Balfour should lie there with his Ship My Answer thereupon is that he shall stay till Order comes from the Emperor II. The Foreign Commodities are forbid by the Emperor to be sold therefore I cannot grant the Ambassadors Request but when the Lord General shall send Letters the following Year then I will write to the Emperor about it III. According to the Emperor's Command it is not well done that the Ambassador stays so long because it will not be good for their business the
 Kiocing 13 48 25 35 Yaogan 15 50 26 3 Cioking 16 40 26 28 Vutin 14 59 25 27 Cintien 13 52 26 4 Likiang 16 58 26 54 Iuenkiang 15 33 23 54 Iungchang 17 42 24 58 Great Cities     Pexing 16 8 26 44 Lanking 15 55 27 3 The manner of the Building of the Cities in China MOst of the Cities in all China are of one Model and Fashion and exceed each other only in Bigness and Commerce for most of them are square with broad and high Walls of Brick or Free-stone Fortifi'd round about at an exact distance with high Watch-Towers not unlike those of the ancient Romans surrounded with broad Moats and within with Pallasadoes The Entrances into the City have always double Gates one before another with Portcullases between those two Gates is a large Court wherein the Soldiers are Exercis'd that belong to the Guard These Gates are not opposite but oblique so that they cannot see through them both at once The first hangs on a double Wall which appears like our Bulwarks Above the Gates on the Arch are high Towers which the Chineses call Muen Leu in which the Soldiers keep Guard and are Magazines where their Arms are kept Every Metropolis and almost all the small Cities have a little distance without the Walls in a pleasant and frequented place or near the Road a Tower by Peter Iarrik and others call'd Chimes which the Chineses look upon to be so auspicious that no Man goes about any business of consequence before he hath Saluted these Edifices from thence expecting their better Fortune One of these Towers by which we may judge all the rest is before discrib'd in the Province of Xantung They have at least seven nine or ten Galleries of Free-stone and very artificially built in manner like a Pyramid they are not onely Erected in or near the Cities but some of them on the highest Mountains These Towers are not much unlike other Structures from their quality call'd Culeu which here we should name Hourly Towers which are built at the Publick Charge one or two in every City according to the bigness thereof On every one of these Towers is a Water-Glass for in stead of Watches or Hour-Glasses the Chineses use Water Glasses which shew the Hour of the Day for the Water falling out of one Glass into the other lifts up a Board Carv'd with the Figures of the Hours and time of the Day There is also one who constantly observes the Hand which points and by the beating on a great Drum gives notice thereof to the People every Hour what the Clock is he also puts forth another Board out of the Steeple on which the Hour of the Day is Painted with Golden Figures of a Foot and a half long The same Person which Watches the Hours hath an Eye also because he looks over the whole City if any Fire should accidentally happen in one House or other and by beating on his Drum raises all the Citizens to the quenching of it He whose House is set a Fire through his own carelesness suffers Death without mercy because of the danger which threatens the neighboring Houses all built of Wood. On these Time-telling Towers the Governors often meet to keep their Festivals Pagodes or Temples NOt far from these Turrets stands generally a Pagan Chappel besides a Temple Consecrated to the Spirit or good Genious of the City In these all the Governors or Magistrates on the entring into their Offices take their Oaths of Allegiance and the like as if before the God or Protector of their City In former Ages the Chineses in these Temples honor'd only the fore-mention'd Spirits but at this day Worship other Idols Great numbers of these Pagodes are through all China and are likewise built in solitary places on the tops and declinings of Mountains Most of these Pagodes are inhabited by Priests who live there upon the ancient Revenues granted them of the place The Pagodes also afford good Lodgings and Entertainment for Travellers who there find plenty of all things The Pagodes or Temples are within furnish'd with Images to the number in some of above a thousand and hung round about with black Lamps which burn Night and Day in Commemoration of those as they conceive which liv'd Piously and dy'd Happily Some Images sit on Tables as if they liv'd and were consulting together At the entrance or behind the other Images stand horrible shapes Horn'd Fiends with open Mouths and Hands with grievous Claws In the middle commonly appears an Altar whereon sits an Image of some times thirty forty fifty nay a hundred Foot high to which the Temple is Consecrated besides several lesser Idols on each side thereof before the Image stands generally a thick but hollow Cane full of little Reeds or Pens inscrib'd with Chinese Characters which they believe foretel future events On each side are Perfuming-Pots which are continually supply'd and in the middle stands a Woodden Charger in which the Priest puts his Offerings when he Invokes the God on some exigent to grant him a favorable sign of good success The Altar is Colour'd Red with which no common Houses may be Painted A Pagode or Temple which was formerly the Hall of a Palace belonging to a grand Eunuch near the City of Peking and afterwards on the Emperor's Command given to the Iesuits for a Chappel Trigaut says was before set forth after this manner In the chief Isle stood a great Altar of Bak'd and Hewn Stone curiously Wrought and Painted Red after the manner of their Temples Upon the middle of the Altar sat a great and horrible Monster Bak'd of Clay Gilt from top to bottom The Chineses call'd this Image Tuan and suppose it Commands over the Earth and Riches thereof wherefore we with the ancient Poets should call it Pluto It had a Scepter in one Hand and a Crown on its Head both not unlike the Marks of our Kings On each side of the Isle stood two great Tables every one Guarded by five Infernal Judges which were also Painted on the Walls sitting on Seats of Justice and Condemn'd as they said the Sinners to Everlasting Torments every one according to his Condition Before them stood many Furies far more terrible with tormenting Scourges than those which we represent and in such manner those Devils seem'd to punish the Criminals that they struck a Terror to the Living for some lay broyl'd on Gridirons others boyl'd in Oil others again rent to Pieces some cut through in the middle torn to Pieces by Dogs bruis'd in Mortars and other such like cruel Punishments The first of the fore-mention'd Infernal Judges seem'd to examine the Malefactors which as the Chineses suppose he re-views in a Looking-Glass this done he sends them to the other Judges according to the several Punishments which they are to suffer Amongst them was one whose Office was to Punish by Transmigration sending the Souls of the Malefactor into worse Bodies
the sound of the Drums and Trumpets all the other Vessels give them the way unless it be a Mandarin of greater Quality then the inferior gives way to the superior without any the least disturbance or dispute all which Cases being order'd by the Law according to which every one must govern himself wherefore on the Head of every Ship stands written in great Golden Letters of a Foot and a half long the Quality of every Governor from both the sides flie divers colour'd Silk Flags and Penons In calm Weather there are People which in stead of Horses Tow the Vessels by a Line or Row them They also use their Oars just as the Fishes their Fins or Tails with very great dexterity and swiftness to the no little manifestation of their Ingenuity They also Steer a Ship with a single Oar after the same manner as we our Boats Exceeding stately are those Ships which every three Moneths to the number of five come with Silk-Stuffs and Garments from the Metropolis of Nanking to the Court of Peking and are by the Chineses call'd Lungchychuen as if they would say Ships of Dragons Clothes because they are sent to the Emperor whose Arms and Marks are Dragons they are Gilt all over and colour'd Red. To these all the Governors Vessels are inferior and must give them the Way wheresoe're they meet them Swift Streams which between the Hills and Valleys have great Falls are Row'd up by the Chineses with a sort of little Boats with two Oars or Steerers one before at the Head and the other at the Stern by means of which they guide their Boats between the Rocks with great dexterity and ease as if they had a Horse by the Reins though sometimes the Channel is so narrow that the Vessels can scarce pass through the same but are forc'd to go round about the Stones which lie scatter'd and cumber the Channel every where This troublesom Rowing though an ingenious Invention of the Chineses hath rais'd this Proverb amongst them That their Boats are Paper and their Watermen Iron because they are made of very thin Boards like our slit Deal which are not nail'd but fastned together with Wit hs in the Chinese Tongue call'd Rotang by which means the Boats though often beaten by the strong Current against the Rocks split not but bend and give way In the third County Sucheufu of the Province of Nanking the Inhabitants keep many Pleasure-Boats onely for their Recreation all of them being richly gilded and painted with several colours to the Life so that we may rather call them stately Houses than Ships Many oftentimes spend their whole Estates in these Vessels being too indulgent to Wine and Women In a delightful Lake call'd Si near the chief City Hangcheu in the Province of Chekiang are also very gallant Vessels which Row up and down in the same in fair Weather for their pleasure All things about these Vessels are either gilded or painted with various colours where they always highly Treat and are presented with Stage-Plays and other such like Divertisements The Ships in the interim furnish'd with all manner of Necessaries Sail without fear of Shipwrack cross the Lake notwithstanding many by sudden Storms or Tempests are in the middle of their Mirth cast away They have also a kind of Gundelo's in the Chinese Tongue call'd Lungschen that is Serpent-Boats from their resembling of Water-Snakes and their being Painted and Carv'd all over with various Serpents some over-grown with Hair and hoop'd in with broad Iron Rings are also joyn'd together with Ribbons of divers colours very neatly and with great art interwoven together The Masts which are generally three and hung with Silk Penons and Flags have an Idol upon the top of them as also one on the Prow of the Ship on the Stern are many Ensigns hung full of Tufts of Hair Silk Flags and long Feathers the whole Vessel is hung round about with Gold and Silk Fringe under the Deck sit the Rowers generally to the number of ten or twelve richly Cloth'd in Silk and Gilded Crowns on their Heads at the sound of a Drum they strike their Oars which are made like a Spoon into the Water and make such quick way that they seem to go as swift as Lightning in a Gap in the Stern oftentimes hangs a Boy a Jugler who leaping into the Water makes pleasant sport for the Passengers In the Yellow River are a kind of Carriages or rather floating Villages consisting in great thick Reeds by the Indians call'd Bambu or Bambo's which are so closely ty'd together with Wit hs by them nam'd Rotang that the least drop of Water cannot get through them On these Floats are Huts and little Houses of Boards and other sleight Materials cover'd with Roofs made of Mats in which the Chineses dwell with their Wives and Children in someto the number of two hundred as on the Main Land and never inhabit on the Shore They drive along with the Stream down the Rivers or else are Tow'd against the Current with a Line for Sails they use none Those that reside in these floating Villages drive a Trade with all sorts of Merchandise and carry them from one place to another on the River at the Towns before which they stop they run Stakes into the Ground to which they make fast their floating Isle There are also some in China which with their whole Families reside in ordinary Vessels and Sail in Fleets of four or five hundred together Trading through the whole Empire so that from whence these Fleets remove it seems as if a Forrest moved They keep likewise all manner of tame Cattel in those Vessels especially Swine and wheresoever they arrive they generally stay several Moneths Father Martin doubts not but that the Chinese Merchants have anciently as at this day furrow'd the Seas as far as the Red Lake for in these modern Times they build great Ships call'd Pancum da China which in the Chinese Tongue signifies A Wooden Palace neither have we small testimonies of it through all India That the Chineses saith he have antiently frequented the Seas and Sail'd with their Ships to remote Countreys doth not darkly appear by the Voyage of one Luseng sent out by the Emperor Ching or Xi Anno 214. before the Nativity of Christ to discover the Northern Countreys for he amongst others proffer'd the Emperor some Geographical Descriptions of several Countreys in the World and especially of China and the Islands lying in the East Sea otherwise call'd Mare Eoum from whence some will conclude that the Name Cingala which signifies Sand-plats of the Chineses on which a Fleet of Ships suffer'd Shipwrack hath its original From hence is also deriv'd Ceilon or Sinlan that is Inhabitants of China or Chineses Moreover that the Chineses of the Island St. Laurence or Madagaskar is affirmed by the Chineses that reside on this Island especially at the Bay of St. Clare where Men of white Complexions speak the Chinese
Language This Negotiation of the Chineses extended it self to all the Islands in the Oriental Sea and to India it self till the time of the Portuguese first coming thither but afterwards it was neglected partly for the remoteness of the Places and partly out of fear of the Portuguese But Iapan the Philippine Isles Macassar Iava Camboya Sion and Cochinchina the Chineses frequent with their Ships laden with Merchandise to this very day especially those of the Province of Fokien for scarce any other Chineses frequent the Sea or go to foreign Countreys against the Laws of the Empire The Emperor Hiaou who Anno 140. before the Incarnation began his Reign after having by means of the General Chankieng subdu'd the Kingdoms of Ynpei at this day Tungking and Laos Tavon and Takia lying near the West sent a Fleet of Ships to the East through the Chinese Sea or Bay call'd Sang. But those Places to which the fore-mention'd Fleet Sail'd were not describ'd by the Chinese Geographers which is no wonder for as these People have a great and high opinion of themselves and account foreign things not worth their knowledge or description therefore we cannot say whether this Fleet went to Iapan or to the Isles Linson Ceilon Iava Camboya and the like Places The timely finding of the Magnet or Load-stone and Compass by the Chineses give also no small testimonies of their Navigation As Martinius saith the Properties of the Magnet and its respecting the North and South or the Compass was known to the Chineses many Ages before the Incarnation and before the People of Europe for when in the Reign of Zing Anno 1115. before the Birth of Christ the Cochinchineses by the Chineses call'd Kiaochi had the first time sent an Agent to the Emperor with a white Hen or Pheasant for a Present the Agent was by the Emperor's Tutor call'd Cheucung a great Astronomer presented with a piece of Workmanship artificially wrought which of it self without ceasing pointed directly towards the South not onely when it was carry'd by Land but by Water also This Piece was with two Syllables call'd Zinan which is like that wherewith the Chineses at this day call the Load-stone which serves for an infallible testimony as Martinius saith that the use thereof was found out onely by the Chineses at that time It is not like our Compass divided into thirty two Points but onely into four which respect the four chief Winds as East West South and North. The Chineses are little experienc'd in the Mystery of Navigation not being able to take an Observation of what Latitude they are in with a Quadrant but govern themselves onely by their Compass and Evening-Star At the rising of a Storm or Tempest they chuse not Sea-room as our Mariners but running with their Ships ashore leap over-board and cry Sequa Sequa I will here annex what I have receiv'd concerning the Chinese Ships from the Writings of David Wright who resided a considerable time in the Island of Formosa and China The Chineses saith he call their great Ships Zoen and not Jonks or Iovencheu as most have written but by that Name understand our Christian Vessels some of them carry a thousand one hundred Last or twenty two hundred Tun some a thousand others six hundred others two and many less Their Men of War have a Fore-Castle and another along the Quarter-Deck which are higher than the sides of the Ship in which the Soldiers keep in the time of a close Fight and serve also for Gun-Rooms wherein they keep their Arms and Ammunition Their greatest Ships of War carry not above forty Guns some thirty and others twenty and ten all the Guns which they carry in their Vessels being smaller than ours some carrying not above eight pound Ball others scarce four three two or one some are Cast of Copper others of Brass Men of War with forty Guns carry eight hundred Men those with ten two hundred and generally more Soldiers than Sea-men The Arms which they use are Musquets Pikes Darts Bowes Shields and Swords with Fire-balls and the like besides many Fire-ships Their Men of War are made after another manner than ours with broad Sterns and also broad before yet not above three Foot and from the middle they run narrower towards the Head they have no Keel but are flat at the bottom the biggest as well as the smallest carry two Masts without Yards Mizne or Boltsprit The Sails are made of Rushes and Cane Leaves in this manner First they make Net-work of split Reeds as big as the Sail they intend to make which spreading on the Ground they lay five double Leaves of Canes all over it and on these another Network made just like the undermost all which is twin'd fast together round about and in the middle which being thus made are fastned to the Yard with Ropes like those of the Dutch Hoys they loose and fasten the Strings one by one and the Sail when taken from the Yard is rowl'd up and laid along in the Ship the Ropes wherewith they tie them are made of Hair but their Cables of Canes or Reeds the Sails have neither Braces nor Bowlings but abundance of small Ropes which are fastned from the top down to the bottom of the Sail and all knotted together about a Fathom distance from it The Anchors are made of a sort of exceeding strong Wood which sinks in the Water like Iron and fastens in the Ground with Flooks like ours but they have no Anchor-stocks nor Rings but through the end where our Anchor-stock is made fast runs a Rope The Chineses carry no Flag-staffs but in stead thereof a Mast which stands in that part of the Ship where our Mizne-Mast stands their Flags hang at the end of a long Stick on the top of the fore-mention'd Mast which Stick is drawn up by a Rope that runs through the top and is made fast about the middle thereof on the other end is a Rope with which they pull down the end of the Staff and hoise up the other to which the Flag is fastned they also carry Flags and Penons on their Fore and Main-Mast according to the inserted Sculpture The Men of War generally bear a round Circle in their Flags and not as Linschot tells us three Crescents with seven Stars after the Mahumetan manner one half Red and the other yellow and the whole Circle is surrounded with forty three Specks When any Ships come to an Anchor then their Rudder which is of another fashion than ours they hoise Aboard and put on again when they set Sail. They have another sort of Vessels by those of the Province of Fokien call'd Koeya which are much lesser the greatest carrying not above fifty and the smallest twenty Tun bearing onely one Mast. A third sort call'd Sampan or Champan have also one Mast but six Oars A fourth nam'd Lantya have neither Sails nor Masts but are like Barges and carry'd with sixteen Oars eight on each side and
at the City Hoaigin receives the River He which makes the Lake Kiuncun and thence proceeding on its Course enters Northward of the Fort Guei into the Province of Peking where enlarged by the Stream Guei which hath its original in the same County Taitingfu out of the Mountains near the City Quangchang it divides the whole Territory Pekingfu and gliding Southward by the City Paogan with a broader Channel passes under a large Stone Bridge and receives the Stream Caoleang which out of the Yellow Kiver through the Great Wall falls into the Province of Peking from thence passing towards the South-East rowls along South-West by the Metropolis Peking where a Stone Bridge with many Arches lies over the same then bending Southerly passes East by the Cities of Fungan and Iungein where after having receiv'd the Rivers Yo and Pe disembogues it self at last in the Bay of Sang. The River Kiuto hath its original in the Province of Xansi out of the Mountain Cinhi from whence it glides Eastward by the Cities Tai and Kicchi and aftewards Southerly receives by the way the Stream Linsui with which to the Northward of the City Henping it enters into the Province of Peking which it almost cuts through the Counties Chintingfu Paotungfu and Pekingfu and at last near the Garrison of Tiencin discharges its Waters being joyn'd with the River Guei into the Sea It receives by the way several Brooks and Rivulets as in the County Chinting near the City Lingxui that of Quei more Eastward the Stream Fi near the City Tuilo the Ta in the County Paoting by the City Poye the Kinguen afterwards the Channel call'd In which out of the Mountain Yekon stretching from the North to the West glides round about within the City and with its winding Arms makes the Island Pehoa and at last the Streams Ye and Fan. The River Ye divides Northward the County Paotingfu beginning Westward in the Mountain Culeang reaches towards the South by the City Ye and receives by the way in the County Xuntienfu the Fan glides Eastward between the Mountain Non and Southward by the City Paoting where it unites its Waters with the River Kiuto The Chokiang hath its beginning in the Province of Xansi out of the Mountain Kieu lying near the City Sin from whence it runs Eastward through the utmost Northern Point of the Province of Honan to the North by the City Xe and passing through the Counties Xuntefu and Quangpingfu enters the Province of Peking from whence it glides through the Lake Talo into the County Chintingfu and at last poures its Waters into the River Guei in the Territory of Hokienfu near the Mountain Si and the City Sing This Stream Chekiang receives several Rivulets by the way The River Guei which rises in the Province of Honan in the County Gueichoeifu on the West side of the City runs along to the North by the same from thence entring the Province of Peking glides to the North-East between the Borders of the Province of Peking and that of Xantung receives near the City Lincing in the Province of Xantung the Water of the Channel Iun and in the County of Hokienfu the River Chaohang and at last with the Kiuto disembogues it self near the Garrison Tieucin into the Bay of Sang. The Water of this River hath a peculiar property at the place where it receives the artificial Channel Iun as the Netherlanders in their Embassies to the Emperor of China have twice observ'd that is Throw nine Sticks of an equal length into the River and six of them after a little lying still will move to the South and three to the North. This River in its Course receives several Rivulets as the Si Chang Ki Ming and Fu The Si takes its beginning in the Mountain Cu Northward of the same City in the County Chungtefu and Province of Honan and passes through the County Quangpingfu Southward to the City Quangping and Eastward to the Guei The Chang which hath its original near the City Lugan in the neighboring Mountain Sin in the Province of Xansi runs from thence through the Province of Honan Northward of the City Changte and accordingly into the Guei and in the way thither by the City Luching receives a small Rivulet which hath its original in the Mountain call'd Lin. The Ming a Stream whose Fountain Head is Northward of the City Quangping takes its Course South-East towards the Guei The Fu which begins in the Province of Honan in the County of Luganfu Northward from the City Liching runs through the Province of Honan into the Guei The River Ki takes original with several Branches in the County Guehoei of the Province of Honan especially in the Mountains Sumei and Choayang from whence one Branch runs by the City Ki and then glides North-East into the Guei The Hoei belongs properly to the Province of Pingyangfu and springs from the Mountain Vanquo near the City Ieching from whence passing Westward glides by the South-side of the Cities Hia Vanciven Lincin and Pu where it falls into the Yellow River and by the way Northward receives the Kiang The Sin which waters the Ce a City in the Province of Xansi almost surrounding the same hath his Fountain in the County of Pingyangfu Northward from the Mountain Mien from whence it passes Southward into the County of Hoaikingfu Eastward from the City Vucheu and joyns with the Yellow River The River Tan which cuts through a part of the little County Ce in the Province of Xansi beings to the Northward from the City Caoping and runs Eastward in the Province of Honan where it unites with the River Ki. Tan signifies Red for the Water thereof is of a bloody colour notwithstanding as the Chineses relate it hath been clear formerly but hath receiv'd that colour from the Blood of a Loyal Governor call'd Pe who was his own Executioner on the Banks of the fore-mention'd River The Streams Iang and Io begin Northward in the Mountains of the County of Ienping and pass through the same to the South but at the City Vunning unite themselves into one Body which Eastward of the Garrison Yu discharges its Waters into the Bay of Cang Through the same County run also two other Rivers viz. the Y and Cie the first begins above the County Pekingfu from the Mountain Petam the other out of the East-Tartary without the Great Wall where it divides it self into two Arms the one call'd Hing and the other Hoang The Rivers Y and Cie make one Channel near the City Lo and disembogue themselves in the Bay of Cang The Guei a pleasant River in the Province of Peking in the Western part of the Province of Xensi in the County Linyaofu near the City Gueiyven and runs from thence winding to the South-East through the Counties of Cungchangfu Fungciangfu and Siganfu to the North by the chief City Sigan where it receives the River King and poures at last its clear Waters
into the Yellow River near the City Puching in the County of Siganfa The River King spreads it self with several Branches as the Streams Kin and Haoting through the County Pingleangfu from whence it goes on Eastward leaving the City King to the West afterwards Southerly poures its Waters East from the chief City Sigan into the River Guei The Stream Yao which takes original out of Sifan otherwise call'd Prester-Iohns Countrey or Tibet descends Southward through the County of Linyaofu and with great abundance of Water roaring like Thunder rowls along Northerly by the City Linyao and at last enlarg'd with the Stream Tahia falls into the Yellow River near the Mountain Ciexe The Stream Hoan another besides the fore-mention'd great River Hoang springs up in the Mountains Taise or Ulum in the County of Kingyangfu from whence gliding towards the South by the City Hoang and near the City Fungiven in the County Siganfu unites it self with the River Kiang The Yung Guei Puon Ring and U. are Rivers which glides through the County Fungyangfu all of them contributing their Waters into the River Guei The Han or Tungchan a Stream which begins in the County of Cungchangfu in the Mountains Cheuchi through which falling Eastward afterwards winds Southward then enters the County of Hanchungfu through which it cuts especially with two Branches one Eastern which begins about the City Fung the other Western which comes out of the Mountains about the City Mincheu then both these Branches uniting glides enrich'd with Water Navigable for Ships by the Name of Tan South-East and pass through the County of Cingyangfu into the Province of Huquang From thence the Han runs through the Counties of Siangyanfu and Chintienfu and at last after a long Course poures its Waters into the Lake Yeuchi and the River Kiang near the City Hanyang Several Rivulets discharge their Waters into this Stream into which the River Guei glides out of the Mountains Io through the Counties of Siganfu and Hanchungfu The River Vuting runs out of the Mountains near the City Ganting through the County of Ienganfu Southward by the City Cingkien and poures its Waters united with the Stream Kiemo into the Yellow River It is generally by the Chineses call'd The Unconstant because in its Course amongst the Sands it is sometimes shallow and sometimes deep The Stream Kiemo passes through the same County from the South to the North and begins in the Mountains Kicinu and gliding Westward by the Cities Paogan and Iengan and with the Vuting falls into the Yellow River The Water of this Stream is said to be so thin and aerial that no pieces of Timber nor wooden Vessels can swim upon it but sink like Iron The River Io runs to the South by the Garrison Xaucheu towards the East and unites it self Southward of the Fort Culang with the River Hoanting which comes out of Tibet and running both through one Mouth fall into the Yellow River How far this River Io glides Westward is not mention'd by the Chineses THe Stream Yo runs by the City Chaoykieu in the County of Cinanfu and takes its original out of the neighboring Mountain Hosien The River Ci takes its beginning in the Stream Sun in the County of Yencheufu and passes North-Eastward through the County of Cinanfu beyond which it divides it self into two Branches the one call'd The Northern and the other The Southern Cing and both discharge their Waters in the Xangen Bay at the dividing it receives the River Mingto which glides Westward out of the Mountain Minxe The Stream Ven which passes through the County Vencheufu begins near the City Taigan from whence gliding by the Cities Ningyang and Vengang disembogues near the City Cinning Westward of the Lake Nanuang in the Channel Iun. The River Si begins near the City Suxui from whence running Westward divides its self into two Arms the Eastern whereof is call'd Tang between which the City Kooheu lieth like an Island both these Arms uniting themselves again and enrich'd with the Water of the River Io fall through one Mouth into the same Channel Iun. The Pelang a River which springs out of the Mountains near the City Sintai in the County of Cinanfu passes Northward through the Territory of Cincheufu and gliding by the Cities Changlo and Xeuquan discharges its Waters into the Bay of Xang on the way the Rivers Hoaoquei and Chi flow into the same 〈◊〉 the West side and on the East the River Si. The Stream Kiao runs from the South to the North through the middle of the County of Lucheufu beyond the City Pinghtie and poures its Waters Westward of the Fort Haicolang into the Cangang Bay Kiao signifies Mudstream because of the thickness of the Water The River Vi begins in the County Cincheufu Northward of the City Mung in the Mountain Tapico from whence it descends Northward through the County of Laichenfu beyond the City Camie and disembogues into the Bay of Xang This River being stopt in its Course by one Zansin when his Countrey was invaded with Bags fill'd with Sand which drowning the Champain defeated his Enemies The Y or Su begins in the Mountains Westward of the City Kiu belonging to the County of Cincheufu and Southward from the City Mungin from whence gliding South by the East-side of the City Y it enters the Province of Nanking and then falls into the Channel Nun Northward from the Yellow River The Stream Hucu springs in the West from the Mountain Lie Northward from the City Po in the County of Tungchanfu from whence gliding Eastward it unites with the Channel Iun Southward from the City Iangco in the County of Iencheufu Eastward from the City Kao the Si flows out of the Lake Lui and runs towards the South into the Yellow River THe Streams Kinxui Iu Xeleang Pien Cu Quei and the Yellow River cut through the County of Caifungfu The River Kinxui which comes out of the Mountain Xeyang in the County of Honanfu goes Eastward through Caifungfu into the River Pien which takes its beginning out of the Yellow River in the County of Caifungfu Westward of the City Hoin and glides East by the South side of the Kity Caifung from whence running on to the South-East through the County of Queitefu it passes by the West side of the City Ningling then passes on through the County of Fungyangfu in the Province of Nanking and by the City Lingpi unites it self again with the Yellow River The Stream Quei divides the County of Caifungfu with several Branches and seems to take its original out of the Lake Si Westward from the City Hiu from whence it passes East and afterwards South through the same County and by the West side of the Cities Hiangching and Xinkian then passing through the County of Fungyangfu in the Province of Nanking where changing its Name and taking up that of Ing at last falls Southerly into the Hoai The River Cin which begins in the County
of Caifungfu and the Mountains Iuling North from the City Iu runs East to the City Ienling then gliding Southward unites with the Stream Quei The River Iu takes Original out of the Lake Quanching lyeth West from the City Iu where it joyns it self with the River Scenal and from thence flows through the County Iu afterwards East through the North part of the County Nanyangfu and at last turning its course through the County Iunningfu towards the South it falls into the River Hoai near the City Quang The Xoleang whose Head is in the County Honanfu Southward from the Mountains Xeyang flows from thence Southerly to the West side of the County Caifungfu and unites its self at the entrance into the County Iuningfu with the River Iu. Through the County Queitefu flows the Streams Pien describ'd before the Cin and Hoang or Yellow River The River Ciu begins in the County Caifungfu Westward from the City Chinglieu and runs Southward through the County Queitefu by the South-side of the City Queite afterwards East and again South by the Mountain Tang and enters near the City Tangxan into the Province of Nanking and soon after into the Yellow River The Rivers Lo and Ganyang otherwise call'd Von pass by the City Liu where they loose themselves under-ground several Furlongs but soon after appear again The Ki which divides the County Hoaikingfu comes out of the Mountain Vanno where falling under-ground soon after makes the Lake Taye from whence gliding Eastward into the Yellow River is call'd the Ci. Through the County Honanfu the Rivers Chan Kien Ko or Lo and Y The River Y begins near the City Luxi in the Mountain Lu and gliding Eastward unites with the Co or Lo near the City Honan The Lo or Co an excellent River comes out of the County Siganfu from the Mountain Lo in the Province of Xensi from whence it passes North North-East by the East side of the City Iunning where it receives the River Hivenhu and unites it self at last near the City Hanan with the River Y with which it glides from thence into the Yellow River The Stream Kien which begins in Mount Pexe to the Southward of the Yellow River runs Eastward into the River Y and Eastward from the City Honan the River Chan glides to the North. The Rivers Yo or Pe Tan Pie and Hoai through the Territory Nanyangfu The Pe or Yo beginning in the North of this County in the Mountain Yu from whence it runs South and passes through the Territory Cingyangfu into the Province of Huquang gliding Eastward by the City Quanghoa and immediately after into the River Tunghan The Pie which begins Westward from the City Yu runs Southward and unites with the Stream Pe on the Borders of the Province of Huquang The Tan begins at the West side of the City Nuihiang and shoots from thence South-East by the South part of the Towns Checheuen and Sinye and at last falls into the Pe. The Palu which begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Huquang glides North-East into the River Hoai East from the City Quang The Sienul springs out of the Mountain Ri near the City Tenfung in the County Honangfu from whence it glides South-West into the Territory Iu Eastward from the Lake Quangching The Chu which begins in the County Chintufu Southward from the City Ginxeu passes South through the same and towards the West by the City Ninkiang unites with the Stream Yoyung which coming out of the County Tungchuen receives another River near the Mountain Loking which hath its Original in the Territory Chintufu The Chu thus inrich'd with Water glides to the South and takes the Name of Chung and so passes on through the County Sincheufu and at last towards the East through the County of the City Lincheu and disembogues Southward of the City Hokiang into the River Kiang The Kiang which from North to South runs through the whole County of Chingtufu under the Name of Takiang runs Southward by the West side of the City Muen and receives on the East the River Yolung after which it divides near the City Sinfung into several Branches which about and near the City Chingtu joyn together and surrounding the City and adjacent Countrey make it an Isle One of these Branches which run to the Southward of the City is call'd Kin and generally also Damask River because its Water gives a great Gloss to Silk if it be wash'd therein Another more towards the West is call'd Chia or Hoanglang that is Yellow Dragon for it is said that in the time of the Family Han a Yellow Dragon was seen in the same but glides towards the South through the County of the City Muicheu and Kiating and falls at last near the City Muicheu into Kiang or Taking The Lungchoa running out of the County of the City Muicheu to the South-West and North by the City Gueiyven discharges its Water in the Che or Cin. The Cin which begins in the Mountains Cinsing in the Territory Yacheufu falls Southward through the same County by the East side of the City Yacheu afterward through that of Kiating and at last Westward by the City Kiating where it unites with the River To or Tatu The River Chocung which hath its Original in the Territory of Kiungchoa in the Mountain Gomui passes through the Southern parts thereof and through the County of Kiating into the Stream Takiang or Kiang This River is eminent amongst the Chineses for a wonderful accident that happen'd to a Woman who walking along its Bank saw a great Cane standing on the Water from which hearing a noise and pulling up the Cane found a Child inclos'd therein which she carry'd home with her who breeding it up not long after became a great Conqueror and was call'd Yelang and first on the West side of this River Planted the Kingdom of Yeleang The To or Tatu which runs towards the Kingdom of Sifan is a Branch led from the River Kiang cut by Command of the Emperor Yu to prevent the over-flowing of the River Kiang The Chexu washes the South-West side of the Province Suchuen from whence it glides North-East and falls on the West side into the Lake Mahu Somewhat Northerly the River Lu takes the same course and so ends The Pa taking Original in the Northern Mountains of the County Paoningfu moistens the same and runs Eastward by the City Pa to which it gives denomination and afterwards passes Southward through the County Xunkingfu and near the Mountain Iohoan receives the River Chai near the City Tacho the River Lin near the City Riu the Stream Yu and unites it self in the County Chungkingfu near the Mountain Tu with the River Sihan or Sung and Feu which all of them with their conjoyn'd Streams fall into the River Kiang Southward from the City Chungking The Pa a River which is so call'd because with its Meandring Reaches it represents the Chinese Character call'd Pa which
Xeu and to the Southward of the City Siatang falls into the River Siang This River is call'd Lofeu because of its excellency and for the abundance of Lampreys that breed in the same The Gu which begins in the Mountains near the City Vucang glides from the South to the North through the County Paokinfu and passes over many Rocky Falls and receives on its West side Southward from the City Paoking the River Tuleang and in the Territory Xincheufu near the City Xopu another Rivulet call'd Xo from whence it passes along the West side of the County of Changxafu where it is nam'd Taohoa and winding towards the East joyns at last near the City Siangyn with the River Siang This River in the County of Paotingfu hath forty eight very troublesom and difficult places for Vessels to pass and most of all on the North side of the City Paoting where there are so many head-strong Falls from broken Rocks that the Chineses have set up a Copper Pillar there to make fast their Vessels to till such time as they have furnish'd themselves with all manner of Necessaries for their Voyage for it would be impossible else to get up their Boats by so many Rocks against the Stream The Ching which passes from the Mountains Eastward from the City Paoking glides to the North by the City Hencheu where soon after it falls into the Siang The U begins in the Mountain near the City Iung and runs by the City Changning The Lang otherwise call'd Yvon and Kiu takes original in the Province of Queicheu Southward from the Garrison Taping where it is call'd Tiechung and passes from thence Northward through the County Sintienfu then Eastward through the Territories Chinyvenfu and Sucheufu and enters into the Province of Huquang near the City Yveni from whence gliding North-East through the Counties Xincheufu and Chatefu it falls at last into the Lake Tungting The Xin passing by the East side of the City Xincheu falls into the Iuen On the South side of the City Lui are five Rivulets viz. Hiung Yeu Yuen Xin and Muon besides one of the same denomination which runs by the City Cienkiang and disembogues in the Tan. By the City Kingling glides the River Y which falls also into the fore-mention'd Tan. The Lungmuen passes by the East side of the City Chingyang having its original in a Mountain of the like Name Westward from the City Choxan begins the River Câ—…ngyang and runs Northward by the City Fang then by the Name of Tanghia bends Eastward and discharges its Waters also in the Tan. The Water of this River suddenly takes all Spots out of Garments and hardens the Edge of Iron and Steel By the City Choxan rushes also the Xangyang which hath a very great Water-fall If any one throw a Stone into it there immediately as they say arises a Thunder Shower The Hiung grows from the conjunction of nine Rivulets in the little County Cincheufu viz. Lang Vry Hiung Xin Lung Sui Quei Vu and Hiung from whence it glides along one Channel through the County of Xincheufu to increase the River Yven The Y or Cing which begins Westward of the Garrison'd City Xi passes Northward and going through the County of Kingcheufu falls into the Kiang The Can runs Westward by the City Nanchang into the Lake Poyang as the River Licufan to the East THe Cau or Chan which runs through the middle of the Province of Kiangfu from the South to the North takes its original in the County Cancheufu Eastward from the City Xuiking from whence it glides South ward by the City Hoeichang and afterwards takes its Course Northerly where not far from the City Cancheu to which it gives denomination it receives the River Chang. This River begins in the County of Nanganfu Westward from the City Nangan on the joint Borders of the Provinces of Kiangsi and Huquang Both these Rivers commixing their Waters make a great Channel on the North side of the City and divide almost the whole Province of Kiangsi then gliding Northward first through the County Cancheufu afterwards through that of Kiegan Eastward from the City Kiegan it self lastly passing through Linkiangfu and Nanchangfu fall Westward from the City Nanchang into the Lake Poyang By the way the Can receives several Streams and Rivers which all have their original in the Province of Kiangsi viz. To the East in the Territory Cancheufu the River U hath its beginning near the City Utu the Kien and Cang near the City Cancheu as in Kieganfu the Stream Lu near the City Kiexui towards the West the Rivers Tao Sui Xoin and Sengting in the County of Linkiangfu Westward the River Yven in Nanchangfu the Hoayang and Xo by the City Kiegan in the Stream Can begins the dangerous Rock call'd Xotapan for from this City the going down this River is very Craggy and dreaded also for the many Vessels that have perish'd there on its Sands and Shelves over which the Water hastes with great swiftness There are eighteen Places where they say the most danger is from whence the Name Xopatan which signifies Eighteen Water-falls is derived Most Vessels take an experienc'd Pilot with them from the City Kiegan to carry them through the fore-mention'd Places The greatest danger is at the City Hoangcung The River Yven or Yu springs in the Mountain Yangchi Northward from the City Iuencheu and in the County of Linkiangfu falls into the Chan. The Lu which begins in the Mountain near the City Iungfung runs not far from the City Kiexui and receives near the Walls of the City two Rivers viz. the Xanglu and Hialu then gliding towards the West bends afterwards a little to the North-West and alters its Name first into that of Luyuen then into that of Lap and disembogues into that of Chan. The River Kie or Ven passes through the Jurisdiction of the City Kiexui and with its winding Course makes almost the Chinese Letter Kie that is Happiness from whence also the City hath the Name Kiexui which is Happy in Waters Out of the Mountains near the City Iungsin springs the Rivulet Senting which signifies Whistle because its Waters gliding swiftly through the Rocks and Stones make a pleasant noise like that of a Flajulet The River Xo otherwise call'd Kin springs near the City Vanca in the County of Iuencheusu from whence it glides Westward by the City Xancao and unites with the River Hoayang near the City Kuicheu which both run into the Can. Its Water according to the common Relation of the Chineses is good against many Distempers The Lungki which springs out of the Mountain Pochang in the County of Nanchangfu glides North-East by the West-side of the City Fungsin afterwards through the Territory Nankangfu and poures its Waters at last near the City Gang into the Lake Poyang The River Sieu which running out of the County Iuencheufu Northward from the Mountain Kinki glides Eastward into the Territory Nanchangfu by the South side of the
where it terminates it receives many Rivolets and Streams as on the East the Tung on the West the Kiao Kieukio Cu and Siki on the South the Rivers Ionki Min and Tachang or Nantai The Tung which comes out of the Mountain Vanche in the County of Kienningfu falls Southward of the City Kienning into the Min. The Kiao which passes through the Territory of Focheufu rises out of the Mountain Siuefung shoots from thence Eastward to the North of the River Min by the South side of the City Lienkiang and at last discharges its Waters into the Ocean The Brook Kieukio which begins in the Mountain Vuy in the County of Kienningfu runs from thence South-West and unites with the Brook Hochung which hath its original in the Hill Ukiun in the Territory of Xaounfu from whence it passes South by the City Kienyang and at last falls with its Waters into the River Min near the City Kienning The Cu which begins in the Mountain Ukiun in the County of Xaounfu glides from thence first Southward then Eastward by the East side of the City Xaonu then bending to the South in the County Ienpingfu it faâ—…s into the River Si near the City Sianglo from whence both these Streaâ—… run through one Mouth Easterly then Southward and poure their Wateâ—… united with the River Situ Westward from the City Ienping into the Min. The Siki springs Northward in the Territory of Tingcheufu out of the Lake Kiao then runs Southward so East and enters into the County â—…enpingfu and to the North by the City Lunggan and by the City Xu wheâ—… it receives the Brook Taisu and unites it self at last with the River Cu. In the Siki along which they Sail down to the City Ienping â—…e many Water-falls and dangerous Shoals two especially near the City Cingâ—… namely Kieulung and Chancung in the passing by the Sea-men to prevenâ—… the danger of Shipwreck therein tie Trusses or Bundles of Straw beforâ—… the Bowe of the Ship which bear off the violence of the blow and keep her back The River Yeuki which rises in the County of Ienpingfu out of the Mountain Yucuang takes its Course Eastward by the North side of the City Yeuki and turning to the North falls into the Min. The Rivolet Tachang begins West from the City Iungfo and râ—…ning East by the City Focheu finishes Northward by the Name of Nantai into â—…e Min. The Chang which hath its original Northward from the Ciâ—… Lungnien in the County of Changcheufu runs East by the North side of the â—…es Changping and Changtui then from the East part of the City Chancheu which is also in the South it falls at last Southward into the Sea with two Arms. More to the South in the same County glides the Xeching from the West to the East and loseth it self Northward of the Garrison Tungxan into the Sea The Kieu directing its Course from North to South through the County of Civencheu discharges its Waters Southward into the Sea The Brook Lan and River Si which run from North to South through the Territory of Foningfu fall both into the Sea the first towards the West breaks forth in the Mountain beyond the City Fogan the other comes out of the Mountain Lan. The Ting hath its beginning in the Territory of Tingcheufu Northward from the City Tingcheu and receiving Southward of the same the Brook Ven proceeds by the City Xanghang then entering the County of Chaocheufu in the Province of Quantung receives near the City Chingiang the River Ching with which at last it loseth it self Southward in the Sea THe Brook Iokio begins with a Branch in the Mountain Ho in the County of Hoeicheufu and with another out of the Territory of Chaocheufu Northward from the City Pingquen both joyning near the City Kieyang run Southward by the East part of the City Chaocheu and at last dividing into two Arms fall into the Sea which on the East side of the City is call'd Go. The River Ly rises in the Mountain Northward from the City Changlo and Westward of the City Haifung shoots it self into the Sea opposite to the Island of Ciexing The Tung takes its original in the Mountains in the County Cancheu in the Province of Kiangsi tends on Southward into the Province of Quantung through the County of Hoeicheufu and at last terminates in the Sea Another River call'd Ceng shoots out of the fore-mention'd Tung above the City Hoeicheu and runs Southward through this and the County of Quangcheufu and gliding through the Lake Go dischargeth it self Northward from the City of Sâ—…an into the Sea The Siang also call'd Kio springs from the Rivers Chin and Vu Southward of the City â—…ocheu and bends its Course into the County of Quangcheufu where near the City Cingyven it receives the River Talo coming out of the Lake Quen and falls at last Westward from the City Quancheu or Ranton into the River Ta. The Chin springs out of the Mountain Muilin beyond the City Nanhiung the Vu out of the Mountain Chang in the County Haocheufu The Rivers Chin and Siang run â—…oth quite through whole Province of Quantung The Tao flows out of the Lake Quen Southward through the County of Quancheufu and falls near the City Cingyven into the River Siang Tao signifies a Peach from the abundance of that sort of Fruit growing on its Banks By the way the Tao takes in the River Hoang The Brook Yuâ—… which hath its source beyond the City Cunhoa in the County Quancheufu runs South-West and thence Eastward from the City Canton The River Xangu passing through the County of Lotingfu is receiv'd by the River Ta. The River Mekiang glides through the Territory of Nanhiungfu Mekiang signifies A River of Ink because its Water is as black as Ink notwithstanding which the â—…sh is not the worse esteem'd The River King appearing first on the Boundaries of the Provinces of Quangsi and Quantung passes on from the North to the South but through the last Eastward by the City King to which it gives that Name and opens a wide Mouth into the Sea The River Lungmuen takes its source in the Western Mountains about the City King in the County of Liencheufu and from thence passing through the Kingdom of Tungching loseth its self in the Sea The River Lien springs out of the Mountains near the City Linkan and Southward by the East side of the City Liencheu descends into the Sea through the same County the Sanya which hath its Original in the Mountains Northward of the City Suiki in the County Liucheufu resigns to the Sea The River Tunglui shoots from the North to the South through the County Caocheufu the Xo likewise though more Eastward glides to the West by the City Xaocheu where it receives the Stream Hencang THe River Ly otherwise call'd Quei takes its Original on the Boundaries of the Provinces of Huquang from whence it passes through the County Queilingfu Westward in the
Province of Quangsi by the way taking in the Brook Quon which comes out of the East Southward from the City Quonyang and falling down with a great force and noise through Mountains and Vallies half invirons the City Quelin whence gliding Southward it entertains the River Yang which comes Northward out of the Mountain Sumo West from the Mountain Ly then turns with a Branch Eastward to the City Yangeo where out of the Northern Mountains in the County Pinglofu the River Pinghuen falls into the same then turns again Southward and runs again through the County Pinglofu Westward by the City Pinglo and at last unites its self with the River Ta in the Territory Gucheufu The River Lieu otherwise call'd Xo or Xokiang and Kung begins in the Province of Queicheu near the Garrison Cinping from whence it passes Southward through the County Tuchefu thence Eastward by the City Tucho through the Territory Kingyven Northward by the City Kingyven and so turning and winding into the Province of Kiangsi thence Eastward into that of Lieucheu at last it unites with the River Talo otherwise call'd Lieucheu near the chief City Lieucheu The River Tolo otherwise call'd Lieu rising in the County Lipingfu of the Province of Queicheu near the Garrison Cheki runs Southward through the same by the West side of the City Lungeung where a little more Southerly it meets with the River Yung and enters Westward of the City Hoaiyven into the County Lieuchefu of the Province of Quangsi at last joyning with the River Lieu or Xo near the City Lieucheu it keeps on Eastward of the City Laiping where it receives the Lui then from the City Siang it glides Southward and at last augmented with the Water of several Rivers it pours through the County Cincheufu and Eastward of the City Cinchen into the River Ta. The Streams Lie Teng Quei Feu and Lin flow through the County Pinglofu from the North where except the Quei they all have their Original to the South and accordingly through a part of Gucheufu where they all discharge their Water into the River Takiang The River Yung extends through the whole County Gucheufu rising on the East side of the City Hingye out of the Mountains Ho from whence it runs Southward and soon after East and returns from thence Northward by the West side of the City Yung to which it gives denomination then passes Eastward again to the West of the City Gucheu into the River Taikiang or Ta. The Stream Ly Springs out of the Lake Xan in the County Quangsifu of the Province of Iunnan from whence it marches Southward and enters next into the Province of Quangsi by the City Lung then proceeds on its Course East with many Inlets through the County Taipingfu where it receives the Rivers Leung and Tungly from the North afterwards through that of Nanningfu and at last near the City Nanning unites it self with the Southern Puon The Mosale or Moxale or Xale springs out of the Lake Siul in the County Tulifu of the Province of Iunnan from whence it runs Eastward through the same County and first South-East afterwards South through that of Zuhiungfu by the East side of the City Zuhiung where it receives the River Lungchuen then proceeding on its Course through the County Iuenkiangfu Linganfu and the Kingdom of Tungking falls at last with the River Canlang into the Sea In the Kingdom of Tunking it inlargeth it self and becomes Navigable to the Metropolis Tungking The Mosale takes in by the way several Rivers and Brooks as from the North the Kio from the West Lungchuen Polo Tunghoa Taolieu Ta Xanno Iuen and from the East Singsien The River Kio gushing out of the Mountain Suki in the County Yaoganfu passeth Southward through the same into the Masole The Polo which comes out of the Lake Zinglung in the Territory Zuhiungfu joyning on the way by the River Tunghoa out of the County Kiutungfu and with the River Ta falls into the Mosale The Ta which riseth in the County Kintungfu Southward from the City Kintung stretches from thence Eastward through the County Chinyvenfu and mixes first with the Polo afterwards with the Moxale The River Xanno springs on the South side of the City Chinyven and running South-East dischargeth its Waves in the Confines of the Counties Iuenkiungfu Zuhiungfu and Nanganfu into the Moxale The Iuen takes its way from the West through the County Iuenkiangfu Southward from the City Iuenkiang and unites with the Moxale The River Singsieu hath its scource out of the Mountain Yolung in the County Iunnanfu and somewhat more Southerly the River Xanno unites with the Mosale To the Northward near the City Fu in the County Quanguan runs a Brook or Rivulet call'd Nanmo into the River Ly its Water is said to be continually warm and good for many Distempers Westward from the Garrison Usa in the Province of Suchuen appears the River Ven Puon or Northern Puon properly call'd Pepuon that is Northern Puon and passing from thence Southward into the Province Queicheu is inlarg'd by the River Ciesing which begins beyond the Mountain Cingping in the Province of Iunnan Another Northern Branch also nam'd Pepuon or Northern Puon issues out of the Lakes Che and Ven and unites with the Northern Branch before-mention'd below the Fort Ganchang The River Pexe which breaks forth in the County Kiocingfu of the Province of Iunnan Northward from the City Kiocing in the Mountain Fuking looseth it self in the Pepuon The Northern Puon thus united passeth through the South part of the Province of Queicheu and joyns with the Southern Puon which riseth in several Branches or Brooks out of the Province of Iunnan besides which there are the Pepuon which comes out of the County Iunnanfu Southward from the Mountain Cocing the River Hikien the Stream Von out of the Lake Fusien and the River Lu out of the Pool Ylung The Southern Puon thus augmented runs on towards the East and unites with the Northern Puon in the little County of the City Iunning of the Province of Queicheu by the City Tinging in twenty five Degrees and twenty Minutes Northern Latitude The Southern Puon being thus united with the Northern casts forth one Channel Southward into the Province of Quangsi but retains the Name of the Southern Puon after having run a considerable course it entertains the River Mungung and Chiugpi the one from the North and the other from the South then proceeds on its way Eastward through the County Tiencheufu Singenfu Nanningfu and by the South side of the City Nanning where Eastward it takes in the River Lis which comes out of the Lake Xan in the Province of Iunnan and somewhat farther two other Rivers namely the Go and Cieu out of which it passes through the County Cincheufu and near the City Cincheu unites with the River Lieu and Ta for here the Puon looses its Name and is call'd Ta which holds the same Course through the County Gucheufu where on the
South it receives the River Iung and runs through the Territory Chaokingfu into the Province of Quantung glides Southward by the City Chaoting and Loting and Southward from the City Quancheu or Canton looseth it self The River Kinxa takes its Original in the Province of Iunnan out of the South side of the Lake Tien or Quienning bends its Course Northward through the County Iunnanfu in like manner through Vutingfu and in twenty seven Degrees and thirty Minutes North-Latitude enters on the South into the Province of Suchuen Westward from the Garrison Le and at last falls East from the Lake Mahu into the River Mahu Another Branch also call'd Kinxa runs by the City Tinghuen of the Province of Suchuen and Westward from the Mountain Ulang finisheth its Course Another River likewise call'd Kinxa issues out of the Kingdom of Sifan and enters the Province of Iunnan through the Territory Likiangfu on the East side of the City Linsi proceeds Northward by the City Likiang then through the River Ciokingfu from thence Eastward by the North side of the City Pexing where it sends forth a Branch towards the South through the North part of the County Yagon having its Channel inlarg'd from the several Rivers which it receives in the Province of Suchuen near the Confines of the Province of Queicheu and joyns with the River Kinxa which comes out of the Province Iunnan Another River passes more Northward out of the Kingdom of Sifan also call'd Kinxa and sometimes Lekie it passes by the Mountain Luyni into the Province Iunnan thence through the County Iungningfu from West to East by the North part of the City Iungning and through the Lake Lacu where it receives the Stream Loye which comes out of the South and falling last into the Province of Suchuen mixes with that Kinxa which flows out of the Province of Iunnan Southward from the Mountain Ulung Kingxa signifies Gold-Dust so call'd from its plenty of Gold Thus far of the Rivers and Brooks which Water the Empire of China in several places to its great fertility and make it Navigable almost through the whole Empire nay in such manner that several Counties and Provinces divided and surrounded by them lie like Islands separated from one another by the Streams that flow between them There are also many deep-cut Channels besides Lakes Pools and Springs abounding in Fish Standing waters or Channels THe Countrey of China is cut thorow in many places with Moats or Artificial Channels for the conveniency of Navigation from one City to another Among many others one of these Channels call'd Iun deserves no small admiration being with an incredible Charge digg'd from the Province of Nanking through that of Xantung to the Metropolis of Peking by means of which from most places in the Empire all sorts of Goods are brought in Ships to Peking It begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Nanking in the County Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien near the Northern Shore of the Yellow River out of which Ships from all parts of the Empire are brought into it from thence it extends North-West through the second Territory Iencheufu of the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward from the Lake Nanyang then through that of Tungchangfu and the Lake Nanyang from whence at last at the end of the County near the City Lincing beyond the Lake Cang it falls into the River Guei But because the Water in this Channel is too shallow in many places for great Ships therefore there are above twenty Sluces or Water-gates in the same in the Chinese Tongue call'd Tungpa very strong and firm of square Stone Every Sluce hath a Gate or opening lock'd with great Planks to keep out the Water being by means of a Wheel and an Engine drawn up with little trouble to give way for the Water and Ships till you come to the second Gate where they do the like and so likewise at all the rest But half way before you come to the City Cining they tap as much Water through a great Water-gate out of the Lake Cang as they need then Locking up the Gates again keep the Water from running out too much and so leaving the Ground bare for the Water in the Lake is higher than the adjacent Countrey so that in a small Tract of Land they reckon above eight Water-gates which resist the force and power of the Water When the Ships are come to the Lake Cang it self they cross not the same but with much more ease pass along a Channel made by the sides of the Lake with brave Banks on each side At every Water-gate are People which Toe the Ships by a Line through the Sluces for a small reward In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly should the best Builders or Surveyors of Europe come and behold the length of this Channel or thickness and heighth of the Banks on each side and the ornament of the Sluces which are all of hewn Stone they would justly wonder at the wisdom of the Chineses and their Industry in undergoing that labor which scarce any other People would be able to perform In the Province of Peking in the County of Pekingfu near the City Cho there is also a very long Channel call'd Tocang another in the eighth County Xaohingfu in the Province of Chekiang describ'd before besides many more which would be too tedious to mention Lakes and Pools IN the County of Pekingfu Westward from the Metropolis lies on the Mountain Iociven a Lake call'd Lis which is ten Furlongs in Circumference On the South side of the Mountain Tienxu Northward from the chief City is a Lake made by the confluence of several Springs wherefore it is call'd Kienlung that is Of nine Springs which number because the Chineses account it Fortunate hath much increas'd their Superstitious Belief concerning the Emperor's Tombs that are there On the South-West side of the City Paoting close by the City Moat is a small but very pleasant Lake call'd Lienhoa that is Lien-Flower whereon the Citizens and Neighboring People make great Feasts and Entertainments in Pleasure-Boats built for that purpose In the County Hokienfu near the City Hie is a very deep Lake nam'd Vo the Water of which at the throwing of a Stone therein becomes of the Colour of Blood If the Leaves of the adjacent Trees chance to fall into it in a short time Swallows flie out of it insomuch that the Leaves seem to turn into Birds as is related of the Scotch Barnacles or Soland Geese In the Territory Sintivyfu Northward of the City Nangsin begins a great Lake call'd Talo and extends as far as the City Kiulo in the County Xuntefu Nor far from the little City Hanping is another lesser Lake made by two Springs the one with very hot and the other very cold Water though they lie both close together In the County Tamingfu near the City Niuhoang lies a Lake call'd Luece
being the source of the River Cin. Westerly of which and East from the City Ta is the great Lake Vanking whose Shore is all set with stately Trees and inviron'd with Flowry Meadows Fruit-Trees and Populous Villages In the County Mahufu Southward from the City Mahu is a Lake also call'd Mahu that is Horse Lake for the Chineses say that in this Lake a Horse appear'd Wing'd like a Dragon from which the Family Tang gave the City Lake and River that denomination In the little County Muicheu whose chief City is of the same Name stands a great Lake call'd Hoang that is to say Circular because it surrounds the whole City yet it is broadest towards the West The Shore is built all along with handsome Houses which standing round like a Ring the City may justly be call'd The Stone thereof near it is a long Bridge call'd Sive On the East side of the City Kiating is a small Lake call'd Ningyve By the City Pukiang is another Lake nam'd Yotan on which they say the Emperor Hoangti Anno 2500. before the Incarnation study'd Chymistry THere are two Lakes in the County Vuchangfu one near the City Kiayn and the other near that of Puki In the Territory Hanyangsu part within and part without the Walls of the City Hanyang is the Lake call'd Langquon On the West side at the Foot of the Mountain Kieuchin is the Lake Taipe two hundred Furlongs in bigness In the County Sianyangfu near the City Nanchang within a Temple is a Pool call'd Chinchu that is Lake of Pearls for if any Person walk apace round the sides thereof the Water arises out of the Ground like Pearls whether naturally or artificially cannot easily be resolv'd In the Territory Teganfu Eastward from the City Tegan is a great Lake of nine hundred Furlongs call'd Iunmung In the Province Hoangcheufu near the City Hoangpi stands a Lake call'd Vu that is War for in the time of the Kings it was a Place ordain'd for the Exercise of Ships Near the City Hoangmui is another bigger Lake call'd Vihu and not far from it the Lake Taipe and Eastward from the City Ki the Lake Kinxa In the Territory Kingcheufu on the East side of the City Kongcheu is the Lake Tung forty Furlongs in bigness pleasant and full of Fish with which the Citizens often Feast and make Merry in Vessels on the same In the County Yocheufu at the South-West side of the City Yocheu is a great Lake call'd Tungting which as the Chineses say had its original from a Deluge and this seems to be confirm'd by the many Isles that lie in the same namely Kiun Kinxa signifying Sand of Gold Kiue and Pecio built full of Pagodes and Cloysters which are inhabited by some poor Religious Order Amongst others is a floating Isle on which is also a Cloyster built for the Roots of Trees and large Canes knitted and joyn'd together keep up the Earth by their continual growing to one another without the least danger of ever breaking In the County Changxafu on the middle of the Mountain Taihu near the City Lieuyang lies a great fathomless Lake On the Mountain Xepi another of thirty Furlongs call'd Pexa out of which run four Brooks of which one is the Rivolet Lieus the rest fall into the River Iuping On the North side of the City Siangyn lies the Cingcao which moistning the County Iocheufu unites it self with the Lake Tunting In the County Hengcheufu Eastward from the chief Kity Hengcheu is a very deep Lake the Water whereof being of a green colour the Chineses highly esteem for the making of their Drink or Wine call'd Sampsou In the Territory Chantefu near the Cities Luugyang and Iuenkiang lies the Lake Chexa and unites it self with the Lake Tungting In the County Iengcheufu near the City Tan is a great Water-fall which immediately turns to a Pool in which grow yellow Lien-Flowers which are seldom found of that colour in any other place In the little Territory Cingcheufu near the City Hoeitung stands the Lake Cingpo full of great Rocks and Stones on which the Chineses often make Merry In the small County Chincheufu not far from the City Hingping on the Mountain Xemeue is a small Lake call'd Yen whose Water continues warm all the Winter Twice a year great numbers of wild Geese flie thither out of the North and South wherefore this Lake is call'd Ien that is A Goose. IN the Territory Nanchangfu in the Province of Kiangsi on the South-East side of the City stands the Lake Tung very much noted for the clearness of its Water and the abundance of Fish which is in the same The great Lake Poyang otherwise call'd Pengli near the City Nankang North-East is three hundred Furlongs long and forty broad borders Westward on the County Nankangfu Eastward on Iaocheufu part of it which respects the City Yukan is call'd Kanglang It contains several Isles as to the South Langma Xuihung and Pipa lying near the City Yukan more Northward Ingcu Chuki Checien and the Mountain Ki lying on an Island Eastward of the chief City Pehoa and Westward of the little Isle Teuxu It receives in the South the River Kan in the East the Logan and in the North the River Kiang In the County of Kienchangfu without and within the chief City lies a Lake the one part call'd Kinquei and the other Kao Near the City Nangfung is also the little Lake Vansui In the Territory Linkiangfu near the City Iuencheu is the Lake Funghoang which not being very big neither increases by abundance of Rain nor decreased by excessive Drought In the County Kieganfu near the City Kiexui lies the Lake Kien and near Ganfo the Pool Mie signifying Hony so call'd from the exceeding sweet Fish which it produces In the Territory Xuicheufu near the City Sinchang there is a Lake whose Water is never muddy but always very clear In the County Iuencheufu on the East side of the City Iuencheu the Lake Tung spreads it self and is call'd The Pleasure of the County for the Chineses often make Feasts on the same and have built several Retreats and Banquetting-houses on its Banks The Lake Mingyo affords the City a Moat through which it is brought with convenient and Navigable Channels which on the East side run into the Lake Tung THe Lake Cienli is situate in the Territory Kiangningfu Eastward near the City Lieyang containing a thousand Furlongs which to the South is united with the Lake Tai in the County Sucheufu Without the Gate of the City Taiping a small Lake call'd Hiuenuu lies on the South-West side not far from the City Liexui Westward from the Lake Tanyang and extends from thence to the Borders of the City Taiping In the County Sucheufu on the West and South-West side of the City Sucheu is the great Lake Tai which according to the Description of the Chineses takes up the space of thirty six thousand Paces Near the City Changxo is the Lake
Xang united on the North with the Lake Cienli In the Territory Yangcheufu stands the Lake Piexe Northward from the City Kaoyeu where a digg'd Channel runs into it In the County Hoaiganfu on the East side of the City Hoaigan lies the Lake or rather a great Pool call'd Hing full of Canes In the Territory Luchenfu is the great Lake Cao and another less nam'd Pe which joyn near the City Lukiang In the first lies the Mountain Ci that is to say Orphan because it stands alone In the County Taipingfu on the South-East side of the City Taiping begins the Lake Tanyang by the Chineses reckon'd to be three hundred Furlongs large and extends from thence to the City Liexui In the little Territory wherein is the City Cheucheu near the City Civenciao begins the Lake U and reaches to the City Laigan The little County Siucheu boasts of the Lake Ta near which they say a Countrey Maid afterwards Mother to the Emperor Lieupang Conceiv'd by a Spirit and brought forth the chief of the Family of Han. In the County Hancheufu near the City Changhoa on the Mountain Cienking is a Lake of two hundred Paces in bigness famous for its Golden-colour'd Fishes which the Chineses from thence call Kinyu In the Territory Hangcheu Westward from the City of the same Name is the famous Lake Si between which and the Wall is onely a Stone Street of seven Furlongs for a convenient Walking-place The Lake whose Water for its pleasantness is much esteem'd both by Natives and Strangers containeth forty Furlongs in circumference and is surrounded with Hills in manner like a Theatre round about the Hills out of which flow many Brooks and Rivolets distinguish'd by several Channels are Pagodes Palaces Cloysters Colledges Groves Tombs and very delightful Gardens On its Shore are broad Ways Pav'd with Free-Stone and across the Lake lie Bridges of Ships over which they pass from one side to another and in the passage take a view of the whole Lake The Ways are all along shaded with Willow Trees planted direct in a Line and ever now and then Seats or Arbors with Benches for Passengers to rest on insomuch that it is a question which of the two are here most to be admir'd the workmanship of Nature or the artificial Adornments of the Place The Water is clear as Crystal the least Stone being seen in the bottom but near the Shores the Water being low is over-grown with the Flower Lien This Lake hath no way for the Ships to go out or in at for the Water is onely let out in time of great Rains through little Rivolets or through a Sluce which is Northward from the City yet nevertheless there are many Ships built on its Banks which may justly be call'd Golden Palaces for their being so richly Gilded and Painted with various Colours In these Pleasure-Boats they make Feasts Plays and other Entertainments wherein the Chineses have all things that can be invented to recreat the Mind The Vessels thus stor'd with all manner of Necessaries for delight Sail to and again in the Lake without fear or danger of Shipwrack so that it is no wonder why they call this Place and City A delightful Garden or Earthly Paradice In the County Kiucheu near the City Kaihoa lies the little Lake Pehiai so call'd from the white Crabs which it produces for Pehiai signifies a White Crab. In the Territory Ningpofu near the City Tunghoa is a little Pool but very deep call'd Yapoi whose Water as the Chineses say grows exceeding clear when the City hath a pious and good Governor but when a bad one muddy and thick In the County Tingcheufu near the City Vuping lies the Lake Loxui that is Green Water so call'd from its green colour with which this Water is so deeply Dy'd that it makes all things green which are wash'd in the same On the East side of the City Tingcheu is a Pool call'd Cingcao of one Furlong but very deep near which grow Trees whose Leaves are continually green In the County Hoeicheufu Westward from the City Hoeicheu is the Lake Fung ten Furlongs in circumference in the middle of it are two Isles built with Banquetting-houses wherein the Citizens Caress one another This Lake is surrounded with a Stone Wall and a Bridge also which not onely leads from one side to the other but also from one Island to another The Shore is planted with shading Trees and built with Colledges In the County Liencheufu five little Lakes call'd U surround the City King In the Territory Tincheufu lies the Lake Kiao THe Lake So lies in the County Queilingfu in the Province of Kiangsi on the West side of the City Queiling being seventy Furlongs in compass and in it a Hill call'd In makes a little Island In the Territory Gucheufu on the East side of the City Gucheu is a small Lake call'd Go in which King Pegao is reported of old to have fed ten tame Crocodiles feasting them onely with Criminals and Malefactors Within the Wall of the Garrison Cinping is a Lake call'd Ciseng out of which the Inhabitants fetch their Water the hard and stony Ground thereabouts not yielding them any Pits or Wells In the County Tuchufu on the West side of the City Pingcheu is a Lake which bears the same Name with the City In the Territory Iunnanfu on the South side of the chief City Iunnan is the Lake Tien otherwise call'd Quinming which extends Westward and is five hundred Furlongs in circumference It receives increase of Water out of the Puon which descends out of the Mountain Kaoming into this Lake and on the South side makes the River Kinxa which runs Northward In the County Talifu Eastward from the City Tali is a very long Lake call'd Siul which abounds in Fish it begins Southward near the City Tali and ends Northward at the City Leankiang This Lake makes nine Creeks or Inlets and hath three Isles which rise up into Hills besides four others very low and fruitful The Mosale also takes its original out of this Lake which after having run through this whole Countrey falls into the Province of Tungking where augmenting its Stream it makes the Channel which carries Ships of great Burthen to the Court of Tunking In the County Linganfu near the City Xeping lies the Lake Ylung above a hundred and fifty Furlongs in circumference and hath three Isles in the midst of it Another call'd Tungha appears Westward from the City Tunghai eighty Furlongs about its beginning is near the City Hosi In the Territory Chinkiangfu Southward from the City Chinkiang is a great Lake call'd Fusien a hundred thousand Paces over and another lesser nam'd Ming lies near the City Yangcung In the County Iungningfu on the East side of the City Iungning is a great Lake with three Isles of equal bigness each having a rising Mount about two hundred Rods high In the County Kioungfu near the City Koleang at the Foot of the Mountain
Gardens Rivers Springs and Lakes that are in and about them In the observation and chusing of Mountains they are no less curious than superstitious imagining that in them all their happiness and prosperity consists because the Dragon whom they account the chief Instrument of their felicity resides in a Mountain But of this their Mountainous Superstition a more particular account may be seen in Father Martin's Preface to the History of China FIve Leagues Northward from the Metropolis Peking is a Mountain call'd Thienxen wherein the Tombs of divers Chinese Emperors are very richly and magnificently built On the South-West side of the City is a Mountain call'd Iociven crown'd with most stately Palaces belonging to the Tartarian Family of Iven Here the Tartar Emperors us'd to retire to shelter themselves from the excessive heat of the Sun in the Summer In the same County near the City Changpling is the Mountain Pefeu out of which run two Rivers which meet at the Village Feu In the same County not far from the City Pa is a Mountain nam'd Nan overgrown with a Wood of Canes twelve Furlongs in circumference in the midst of which is a noble Palace and not far from thence is that high and steep Mountain nam'd Puon having upon one of its tops a Stone which though of a huge bulk totters and shakes at the least touch the like whereof we have in a certain Cave in Derby-shire Near the City Iungjung is the Mountain Chinquon forty Furlongs about and on its South side a Hill call'd The Flower from the various colour'd Stones thereon Not far from the City Cunhoo is the Mountain Mingque so call'd from a Fire burning within it which seems to pierce it through in such a manner that looking in at a Hole on the right side there appears the form of a bright Half-Moon By the City Phingco are the Mountains Kie and Siuvu out of which they dig a sort of Coals that serve the Inhabitants for Fewel In the County wherein is the City Paoting near the City Huon is the Mountain Yki on which they say the Emperor Yau's Mother resided Hard by the City Hiung lies the Mountain Tahiung out of a Rocky part whereof springs a clear Fountain Near the City Ie is the Mountain Lungcie on which appears the foot-steps of a Dragon Not far from thence is a Valley call'd Tunglo which being surrounded with high Mountains onely one narrow Passage left is much resorted to as a very secure place in time of War The County wherein is the City Hokien hath few and little Mountains the onely remarkable one call'd Si is near the City Ching on the top whereof spreading it self into a large and fruitful Plain is built a pleasant Village In the County wherein is the City Chingting and near the City Cinking is a very high Mountain call'd Changuen upon whose top reaching above the Clouds is a very soveraign Spring and a stately Cloyster for Priests built by Queen Xayang in memory of a great Cure she receiv'd by drinking the Water of the fore-mention'd Spring Near the City Kioyang is another Hill out of which gusheth also a healing Fountain and whereon grow divers kinds of Physical Herbs By the City Ki are the Mountains Curi and Tiaopuon eminent for the Defeat which Hansini of Chinya received there Not far from the City Chanhoang is the Mountain Ulna so call'd from the Statues of five Horses Cut in yellow Stone over which the Family of Sung built a rich Chappel In the County of Xantefu near the City Xaho is a Mountain famous for its many Caverns it is call'd Tang that is Bath from a Fountain of warm Water thereon exceeding good against all kind of Scurf Near the City Nuikeu is the Mountain Pungcio producing divers Physical Drugs There is likewise the Mountain Cu that is Orphan because it rises onely with one top and stands distant from all others In the County Tamingfu near the City Chinfung lies the Mountain Cieu famous for the Emperor Kau's Tomb. Near the City Siun is the Mountain Feukieu having a Lake on the West-side which proceeded from the sinking of another City call'd also Siun Nor far from hence is likewise the steep and high Mountain Cukin In Iungpingfu on the South-East side of the City Iungping is the Mountain Sang of a dreadful heighth out of which spring many Brooks Near the City Hiengan is a Mountain call'd Lungciven and upon it a Spring whither the Chineses repair in dry Weather to Pray to the Dragon for Rain Eastward from the same City is that high Mountain nam'd Tu surrounded with pleasant Woods Near the Garrison Iungcheu is one nam'd Lungmuen that is to say Dragons Gate so call'd because the River Linhoang flows out of Tartary between those Mountains through the Great Wall into China Near the Garrison Xanghai are Mountains of a great heighth IN the County Taiyvenfu are many Mountains but none remarkable except the Mountain Kiecheu North-East from the City Taiyven Kiecheu signifies Tying of a Ship for it is Recorded that the Emperor Yu ty'd his Ship to this Mountain when he Sail'd up the Stream Fuen By the City Kioching is the Mountain Hukive out of which they dig abundance of the best sort of Iron to make Working-Tools of Near the City Pingting is the Mountain Cio eminent for a Chappel or Cloyster of Priests By the City Kafau is the Mountain Siue that is Mountain of Snow because it is always cover'd with Snow The Mountain Xeleu lying in the Jurisdiction of the City Chin is notable for its heighth in which some say it exceeds all besides In the County Pingyangfu near the City Siangling lies the great Mountain Golung which extends Northward by the Cities Fuensi and Fuensan and runs South to the Towns Kioyao and Yeching where it unites with the Mountain Ulao and stretches in a continu'd Ridge to the Province of Xensi and further Westward In the Mountain Kiao near the City Kioyao they say the Crown and other Imperial Ensigns of the ancient Emperor Hiangti lie bury'd Near the City Pu is the Mountain Xeuyang eminent for the Residence of two Philosophers of the Royal Extraction who chose rather to quit the Pomp of Empire and retire from the World than to attend upon the wicked Emperor Cheu Near it stands the Mountain Lie where the Emperor Xun extoll'd amongst the Chineses for his Pious Life follow'd Husbandry before he was advanc'd to the Crown This Mountain to this day produces neither Thorn nor Bramble nor any hurtful Plant and this they imagine to be an effect of the said Emperors Piety In the County Taitingfu near the City Henyven is a part of the Mountain Heng much resorted to for its rare Flowers and Physical Herbs but there is one Tree thought to be of great Vertue to which their Superstition will not suffer them to lay an Ax. Near the City So lies the Mountain Iueney so call'd from a belov'd Female
Singer to King Guei who is bury'd there By the City Quangchang stands the Mountain Hiang eminent for a great and old Wood of Pine-Trees in the middle of which stands a Pagod Temple and Cloyster for Priests Near the City Lingkieu is the Mountain Tape out of which they dig a sort of Vermillion of which they make a kind of Red Ink to Print with Near the City So is the Mountain Yenking In the County of Luganfu near the City Changeu is the Mountain Fakieu so call'd from the abundance of Turtle-Doves that breed thereon it is very Woody and hath a strong Fort built upon it which is the safeguard of the County By the City Tunlieu is the Mountain Lin on which one Heuy a famous Archer shot with seven Arrows seven Birds flying one after another Near the City Lucing is the Mountain Funieu that is Cow Rider from an old Cow which is reported to have there destroy'd several Men till at last by an unknown Man it was dragg'd into a hole of the Mountain neither of them being ever after heard of In the County Fuencheufu on the West side of the chief City Fuencheu is the Mountain Vanhu remarkable for its heighth it is so call'd from Ten thousand Men which they say getting upon the same escap'd the violence of a great Deluge Near the City Hiaoy is the Mountain Kaotang in which are divers boyling Springs and Pits by reason of Fire which burns within the Earth IN the County Siganfu near the City Linchang is the Mountain Limon on which is a Spring of Water clear as Chrystal and of a strange quality for though it hath not above five Foot Water in depth yet it is extreme cold above and at the bottom so hot that it is not to be indur'd Near the City Lantien is the Mountain Io out of which they dig a kind of Earth which is us'd in the Dying of Clothes Hard by on a steep Mountain call'd Ciepuon stands a Fort for the securing of the High-way Not far from the City Nucung is the Mountain Taipe which by the Chinese Astrologers is accounted The eleventh Mansion of Happiness They say that beating on a Drum on this Mountain causes Thunder Lightning and Tempestuous Weather wherefore all Persons are strictly Commanded not to touch a Drum near the same Near the City Xunghoa is the Mountain Kanciven so call'd from a Brook of exceeding sweet Water which springs on the top thereof where there is also a stately Garden and Banquetting-House In the County Fungciangfu near the City Khi is a very high Mountain call'd Nan which extends from thence into the County Siganfu to the Cities Lantien and Hu. On the North-East of the City Paoki is the Mountain Chincang whose top seems to represent a Turky-Cock They said that Thunder or turbulent Weather is foretold by a great noise which is heard above thirty Furlongs off in the Vallies adjoyning to it At the same place is the Mountain Xecu so call'd from ten Stone Drums plac'd there by King Siven that his Hunters might give a signal of Chase one to another On the East side the City Mui is the Mountain Taipe whose exceeding high tops are in the midst of Summer cover'd with Snow Not far from thence lies a Mountain call'd Quan Fortifi'd with a brave Castle for a safeguard of the County Here Faulcons and other such like Birds for the Game are frequently caught In the County Hangcheufu near the City Sihiang begins the Mountain Tapa and runs from thence into the Province of Suchuen to the City Pa. By the City Loyang is the Mountain Yoniu so call'd from the Effigies of a most Beautiful Maiden of Stone said to have grown Naturally in that place Near the City Siyang is a very scraggy and steep Mountain call'd Cuking By the City Fung is also a Mountain nam'd Cuye having in it seventy two Caverns near which stands the Mountain Nanki which hath a great Lake upon it Not far from thence is the Mountain Vutu out of which they dig a Plant call'd Hiunghoang good to expel Poyson and all Pestilential Virulency In the County Pingleangfu on the East side of the City Cingyven is the Mountain Yo on which are found Pebbles emulating Diamonds for clearness Near the City Hiating is a Valley of thirty Furlongs in length but so deep and narrow that it hath little Light yet nevertheless a High-way pav'd with Free-stone leads through it In the County Cungchangfu on the North-West side of the City Hoeicin is a very great and high Mountain nam'd Sivi from the Snow with which it is continually cover'd Northward from the City Fokiang is the Mountain call'd Xecu that is Stone-Drum because as the Chineses write this Mountain by making of a noise foretels War By the City Ching is the Mountain Loyo at the top whereof stands a great Image of a Lyon out of whose Mouth runs a Spring There is also the Mountain Cheuchi which extends to the Jurisdiction of the City Siho and on its top hath a Plain of about twenty Furlongs In the South-East from the City Cin is the Mountain Pochung on which grows an Herb call'd Hoako which eaten causeth Barrenness There are many other Mountains in this County which are not remarkable IN the Territory Linyaofu near the City Lan Northward is the Mountain Kaolan which makes an Arch about the City like a Stage and gives a pleasant Prospect over all the adjacent Countries Near it is the Mountain Pexe whereon they say the Valiant General Leanghoei Besieg'd by the Tartars made Offerings to obtain Water for his Forces whereupon immediately a Spring appear'd Near the City Ho is the Mountain Ciexie with two spiring tops between which as through a Gate runs the Yellow River Beyond the City Lan is a pleasant Valley nam'd Yu which being Water'd by the Yao a Branch of the Yellow River inricheth the Grounds and Meadows thereabout In the County Kingyangfu Northward from the chief City Kingyang is the Mountain Taipe in the middle of which is the Spring of the Stream He. By the City Hoan is the Mountain Ulum Fortifi'd with a Castle for defence of the County Near the City Chinning is the Mountain Lo whereon stood twenty seven Images which the Chineses affirm grew there naturally and were not made by Art In the County Ienganfu North-East from the City Iengan is the Mountain call'd Chingleang IN the Territory Cinanfu near the City Changkieu lies the Mountain Hoang which spreads from thence to the City Cichuen and runs through the Jurisdiction of the City Ceuping By the City Changxan begins the Mountain Changpe and extends to the City Cenping on the top whereof stands a very noted Chappel Near the City Taigan is a great Mountain call'd Tai accounted forty Furlongs high it is full of Caverns and very deep Precipices there are built upon it many Pagod Temples and indow'd Cloysters of Priests Near the City Laiu is a Mountain nam'd Taxe
Hills and above four hundred seventy two Holes or Caverns The Chinese Mountain-Gazers look upon it as one of the chief Mountains for Divination By the City Lungchuen near the City Kieyang lies the Mountain Cangpu which extends to the Sea where on the Shore it ends in a most dreadful Precepice They say that Flowers and Birds grow and breed on the same of so strange a kind as are found in no other places By this City Kieyang lies a Mountain of the same denomination divided as it were into Arms or Branches one of which extends to the City Hinning of the County Hoeicheufu and the other towards the City Haifung By the City Hoeilay lies the Mountain Pehoa so call'd from the Flowers which continually grow upon it for it produces several Flowers according to the season of the Year By the City Chinkiang are also many great Hills which lie close together and wherein there are many deep Caverns but not pry'd into by the Chineses for that as it is said many going to dig in them never came out alive none knowing what became of them or whither they went In the County Chaokingfu at the North side of the City Chaoking lies the Mountain Ting on which according to the Writings of the Chineses stands a Stone two hundred Rods high In the Jurisdiction of the City Suhoci lies the Mountain Sin that is The Mountain of Chastity so call'd from a Maid who vowing Solitude and Chastity Liv'd and Dy'd there a Virgin in pure Devotion to the memory of one who having been her Lover and Bethroth'd to her was accidentally devour'd by a Tyger her Parents in vain endeavoring to force her to Marry some other Person to avoid which constraint she fled to this Mountain on which are two Temples built and Consecrated to her By the City Teking lies the Mountain Koleang eminent for its producing a sort of Trees which because of the exceeding hardness of their Wood are call'd Iron Trees In the County Kaocheufu on the East side of the City Kaocheu is the Mountain Feu which is of such a heighth that this onely as the Chineses say appear'd with its Crown above the Water in the time of their general Deluge and that some were preserv'd alive on the same Near the City Tienpe lies the Mountain Koleang which is said to be of that quality that its Inhabitants neither feel excess of heat in the Summer nor cold in the Winter but enjoy all the Year long continual Spring By the City Hoa lies a brave and pleasant Mountain nam'd Pao that is Precious to which the Inhabitants resort in great companies to Recreate themselves In the Territory Liencheufu near the North side of the City Liencheu lies in a private place the great Mountain Uhoang famous amongst the Chineses upon a supposition they have that the Fruit which grows there is found no where else and that if any one should presume to carry any away with him having liberty to Eat as much as he pleases there he would never find his way out of the Mountain From the City King towards the West the way through the Mountains is so troublesome to find that Mayven a General of the Chineses marching with an Army against the Emperor of Tungking caus'd Copper Columes to be set up in the same that thereby he might find that way out again at his return to this day one of them may be seen standing on a steep ascent call'd Fuenmoa where the Boundaries are between the Kingdom of Tungkin and China In the County Luicheufu Southward from the City Luicheu is the Mountain Kingliu on which from a flash of Lightning sprung a Fountain Another Hill nam'd Tatunglai near the City Cuiki on an Isle in the Sea near the Shore hath seventy Furlongs in Circumference and eight Populous Villages which maintain themselves with fishing for Pearls There are moreover in this Province in the County Quancheufu near the City Tunguen the Mountain Heufu making an Isle in the Sea Near the same City the Mountain Tahi on the Sea-shore In the County Hoeucheufu the Mountain Lofeu extending from the City Changing to the City Polo In the County Xaocheu near the City Lochang the Mountain Chang North of the City Nanking the high and far-spreading Mountain Tecafung By the City Xihing the fair and pleasant Mountain Sicung Near the Moat of the City King the Mountain Heng About the City Linxan the high Hill Loyang THe Province of Quangsi possesses an endless Ridge of barren and unaccessible Mountains In the County Queilufu towards the North-East of the chief City Queilin appears the Quei a Mountain so call'd from the abundance of Trees nam'd Quei these Trees suffer no other to grow near them nor in the same places where they have stood formerly The Mountain Tosieu lies also near the City Queilin and hath a very fine Colledge More Northward in the same Tract of Land lies the Mountain Xin with three high Precipices on the top of one of them stands a Palace so high that the Chineses affirm it to be in the third or purest Region of the Air above all the Clouds By the City Hingquan lies the Mountain Haiyang which reaches to the City Lingchuen upon it is a Pool which breeds four Footed Beasts and Horn'd Fish which Monsters the Chineses believe are to Recreate the Dragon therefore dare not offer to kill any of them The Mountain Hoa that is Flower so call'd from its pleasant Prospect lies on the Shore of the River Quei near the City Yangso By the City Iungfo lies the Mountain Fungcao that is Phenix Nest the Chineses affirm that the Bird Phenix bred and made his Nest on the same and that under the Phenix Nest a very Precious and unvaluable Stone hath been found About the City Cyven lies the Mountain Siang Crown'd with a fair Temple and Cloyster Northward beyond the City Queilin a Ridge of steep Hills runs along with seven rising tops which exactly represent the shape of The great Bear wherefore it is call'd Chiesing that is Hill of the seven Stars In the County Lieucheufu lies Southward from the City Lieucheu the Mountain Sienie from whose several observable things as its deep Caverns Spiry Point which like a Pillar of one intire Stone shoots up in a straight and Perpendicular Line its Stone Image of a Horse c. the Chineses Draw in their Fancy many lucky Omens Northward of the City Siang rises the Mountain Xintang which is so high and steep that it is almost inaccessible yet on its top hath a pleasant Lake full of Fish and surrounded with Trees whereupon the Chineses who are very curious to see such things climbe up this Mountain with great labor and trouble reporting that for its pleasant Situation it was formerly frequented by a People which they say never Die and are call'd Xincien In the County Kingyvenfu Northward from the City Kingyven appears the Mountain Y onely remarkable for its standing alone for whereas
others are very high and extend a vast way this stands alone like a Pyramid and therefore eminent amongst the Chineses In the County Pinglofu at the South-West side of the City Pinglo begins the Mountain Kai and extends to the City Lipu on the East side is the steep and great Mountain Iung which hath nine craggy Hills on the West side lies the Hill Monica that is to say The Crown of Eyes because it hath two great Stones which appear like two Eyes on its top so exactly form'd by Nature that scarce any Artist could match them the Ball of the Eye may easily be distinguish'd for round about are two Streaks one white and another black as in our Eyes By the City Fuchuen appears the Mountain Sin on which by a flash of Lightning eight great Holes were made Not far from the City Ho lies the Mountain Kiue so call'd from the abundance of Golden-colour'd Apples that grow thereon Southward from the City Sieugin lies a pretty high Hill nam'd To which is inaccessible one way but towards the City ascended by Stairs made by Nature In the County Guchenfu Northward from the City Gucheu the Mountain Tayun begins near the Metropolis of the County By the City Teng lies a very pleasant Mountain nam'd Nan from which the Chineses make many strange Observations By the City Yung begins the Mountain Tayung which reaches to the Jurisdiction of the Cities Pelieu Hinge Yolin and Cin. Near the same place is the Mountain Tukiâ—…o the twenty second in the Book of Tausu it hath eight steep Spires and twenty Caverns By the City Yolin lies the Mountain Han that is Cold because it is so exceeding cold that no Man can live on the same notwithstanding it lies under a very hot Clymate Soutward from the City Pope lies the Mountain Fiyun remarkable because in the Rocks thereof appear Prints of Mens Feet some four Spans long The whole Mountain is barren and full of Caverns Northward from the City Pelieu lies the great Mountain Kilieu which hath many Precipices and is the twenty second in the Book of Tausu Westward from the City Yung lies the Mountain Ho that is Fiery so call'd because every Night appears a Fire like a lighted Torch on the same They say that these Lights are little Insects which we call Glow-worms and that they run out of the River upon the Mountain from whence they give that Light The great Mountain Xepao lies also in this County hath great Woods of Trees and Indian Canes and nourishes a multitude of Tygers In the County Chincheufu at the South side of the City Sincheu lies the Mountain Pexe the one and twentieth in the Book of Tausu and advances its Top call'd Toucu above the Clouds on the North side is the Mountain Lungxe the largest in the whole County overspread with many pleasant Groves and Corn-Fields By the City Quei lies the great Mountain Nan which thrusts up twenty four Spiry Hillocks In the County Nanningfu on the East side of the City Nanning rises the the Mountain Heng so call'd because in the middle of the River Yeu or Puon it receives the Water which with great force is driven by the Stream The Family Sung caus'd a Fort to be built on the same for a Defence of the Countrey There are besides in this Province North-East of the River Hung the Mountain Hocio North of the City Heng the Florid Mountain Sieulia East of the City Yunghung the Mountain Suchung having Iron Mines West of the City Naning the Mountain Moye in the Territory Taipingfu near the City Lung the very high Mountain Cieuling East of the City Taiping the Mountain Peyun not far from thence the Mountain Gomui and near it the Mountain Kin by the City Co in the County Sumingfu near the Rity Hiaxe the wooddy Mountain Pelo in the Territory Chinyanfu the high and pleasant Mountain Iun in the Garrison'd County Sugenfu East of the City Sugen the Mountain Tosieu by the City Vuyuen the Mountain Kifung and a little farther the Moye in the Territory Suchingfu near the City Suching the high craggy Mountain Lengyum by the Cities Fulo Tukang and Suling the Mountains Tanping Siecung and Lyfang and not far thence the Mountain Xipi IN the Territory Queiyangfu on the East side of the City Queiyang in the Province of Queicheu lies the Mountain Tengen signifying Copper Drum from the sound of a Drum as the Chineses affirm that is heard upon it against Rain In the Territory Sunangfu on the South side of the City Sunang rises the Vancing to which there being no Ascent but onely one way the Inhabitants find it a safe place of refuge in time of War On the South-West side lies the Mountain Lungmuen by the City Vuchuen the great Mountain Tanien on which reside many People unknown to the Chineses In the County Sinyven near the Moat of the City Ciniven rises the Mountain Xeping which signifies Stone Pillar because an entire Stone is erected there which as they say is a hundred Rods high On the North-West side of the City Sinyven lies the Mountain Sikiung on which anciently stood a City whereof the Ruines yet remain In the Territory Tuchofu near the City Pinglang lies the Mountain Kaiyang fortifi'd with a Castle On the North side of the City Hokiang is the Mountain Ching to whose top leads onely a narrow Foot-path which is guarded by a strong Fort. About the City Fuiugning lies the Mountain Hinglang ascended by Stone Stairs which are guarded by the Inhabitants to secure the Passage By the City Pincheu lies the Mountain Lotung which extends twelve hundred Rods and near the City Cinping piercing the Clouds with its Spiry Top is call'd Hianglu In the little County of the City Pugan on the North-East side thereof appears the Mountain Puonkiang which extends to the Kingdom of Gannan and the Fort Ganchoang On the South-West side is the Mountain Tangpi out of which they dig Quicksilver and the Mineral Hiunghoang In the little County Iunningfu near the City Muy rises the Hungyai a very high Mountain terrible to behold There is also a Hill nam'd Lincing overgrown with Indian Canes By the City Tinging lies the Mountain Quangso which extending a hundred Furlongs hath a Fort for the safeguard of the Way In the little County of the City Chinning near the City Xenk appears the Mountain Magan so nam'd from its resembling a Saddle The small Territory of the City Ganxun hath but one Mountain which lies on the East side thereof and is call'd Niencung which though very high is not above ten Furlongs in compass In the Garrison'd County Sintienfu on the North side of the chief City Sintien is a very high Mountain call'd Pie which pierces the Clouds and runs up like a Pyramid for which reason it is nam'd Pie which signifies A Pencil with which the Chineses Write On the North side lies the Mountain Yangpo which for its pleasantness and variety of colours may
be resembled to a Picture The Mountain Caimiao lies on the North-East side from which Water falls whereon the Sun-beams reflecting continually represent a Rain-bowe Westward from the Garrison Pingao lies the Mountain Loco which signifies Harts horn so call'd from the abundance of broken Stones which stick out of the same There are also in this Province North of the City Queiang the high craggy Mountain Nannang In the County Suchenfu South of Suchen the inaccessible Mountain Go West of the same City the Mountain Tienyung In the Territory Xecienfu South of Xecie the Mountain Pipa East of the same the Heu In the County Tunganfu East of Tungan the Mountain Tung South of the City the Tungyai On the South-East side the Cloud-piercing Vienpi On the South-West side the wooddy Mountain Pechang In the County Lipingfu North of Liping the Mountain Patung East of the same City the pleasant Mountain Kinping call'd The Gilded Wall East of the City Tanki the high Mountain Tungquen also the Mountain Taiping with its rising Top Metien and square Cavern Tunqui In the County Putingfu North-West of Puting the high craggy Mountain Ki and East of the same City the Magan East of the chief City of Pinguefu the Mountain Pie By the City Yangy the craggy Mocing In the County Lungtefu by the City Pingtu the high high Mountain Iunctao By Taiping the Rocky Mountain Cohai East of Picie the craggy Mountain Mohi North of the Garrison Cingping the Mountains Lochung and Cosung IN the County Iunnanfu within the Walls of the chief City Iunnan is the Mountain Uhao adorn'd with many Cloysters and Temples and divers other Buildings Westward from the Lake Tien and the City Iunnan lies the far-spreading and high Mountain Kingki and on the North side of the same City is the Mountain Xang which produces a Spring with very cold Water which nevertheless is exceeding good against all manner of pain in the Joynts and Limbs In this County also is the Mountain Lo being high and slender appears like a Spire and with the Mountain Kinki riseth above all the other Mountains in the County On the North-West side lies the Toyang full of Cloysters the Residences of Priests In the County Talifu on the West side of the City Tali is the Mountain Tiencang which extends three hundred Furlongs and rises up with eighteen high Spiry Heads Upon it is a very deep Pool By the City Chao is the Mountain Fungy where there is also an artificial Mount of Earth under which two hundred thousand Men belonging to the King of Nanchao lie bury'd they being all slain in a Battel against the Chineses under the Conduct of the General Tangsiengu After which Victory the Kingdom of Nanchao which contains all that lies towards the South over the River Gangas was by the Family of Han subdu'd By the City Tengchuen towards the South-West lies the Mountain Kico famous for many stately Pagods and Cloysters From this Place the knowledge of the Pagan Religion is thought to have come first to the Chineses On one of the Mountains near the City Chao a steep Spiry Hill call'd Tinsi shoots up a thousand Rods above the Mountain on which it rises and at the Foot thereof lies a Fort for defence of the Ways The other Mountains of lesser remark are Xuimo Chung Tungi and Lofeu In the County Linganfu the Mountain Uchung bears on the middlemost of three Spiry Risings the City Omi By the City Ning the Mountain Vansung so call'd from the Pine-Trees it bears Near Tunghai is the Hill Siau which as the Chineses say hath a Spring whose Water clears and whitens the Skin of those that drink it and also makes lean People fat In the Territory Cuhiungfu on the West side of the City Cuhiung are the Mountains Minfung and Viki from the last of which flow above a thousand Brooks which makes it all over very Flowry and fruitful Northward from Quantung lies the high Mountain Cieupuon which sinks in the middle and makes a deep Cavern Near the City Nangan is the Piaolo full of Silver Mines The others are Heu Southward from the City Sinhoa Minfung Westward from the City Cuhiungfu and Umung Eastward from the City Tingyven In the County Chinkiangfu on the South side of the City Chinkiang near the Lake Vusien the wooddy Mountain Yokeu thrusts up one Spiry Hillock On the East side of the same City is the Mountain Kinlieu which at the rising of the Sun glisters like Gold By the City Kiangchuen towards the South the Mountai Si sends forth several Rivulets Not far from thence is the Mountains Puon and Quen in one of which stands a Temple and Cloyster inhabited by Priests In the County Munghoafu on the South-East side of the City Munghoa the Mountain Guaipo over-tops all the other Mountains in the County On the South-West side lies the Mountain Tunghoang which is so call'd from the Chinese Phenix which as they say died on the same after having Sung very sweetly a considerable time On the North side lies the Mountain Tiencul that is Ear of Heaven because there is such a perfect Eccho on the same that the Voyce though utter'd never so softly is repeated again In the County Quangnangfu on the East side of the City Quangnang is the Mountain Lienhoa that is Lien-Flower because it represents the shape of that Flower Near the City Tai is the Mountain Yocyven so call'd from a pure Spring which rises on its top for Yocyven signifies An excellent Spring In the County Sinyvenfu on the West side of the City Sinyven is the Mountain Polung with many Hills which running along in a Ridge rise higher and higher and appear like swoln Waves of the Sea wherefore it hath the Name Polung that is Many Waves On the North-East side lies the Mountain Nalo which abounds with Tygers and Leopards In the Territory Iungningfu on the South-East side of the City Iungning is the Mountain Canmo which being all a Rock stands apart from other Mountains in a great Plain By the City Volu is the Mountain Lopu By Hinglo the Mountain Pouo By Lochuho the Mountain Lovi In the County Xunningfu on the North-West of the City Xuuning lies the Mountain Loping on the North side the Mountain Mengpa which is inhabited by salvage People In the Garrison'd County Kioungfu on the East side of the City Kiocing is the Mountain Kuking which hath a Spring whose Waters if we may believe the Chineses given to Children to drink sharpens their Wit In the Territory Sokingfu near the City Kienchuen Westward lies the Kinhoa a Mountain which abounds in Gold and extends from thence in a continu'd Line through the Kingdom of Sifan One of the Hills belonging to it shines all over like Gold On the South side of the City Siking lies the large Mountain Fauchang By the City Kienchuen is the Mountain Xepao on which on a Column of Stone is the Image of the Idol Fe an Elephant Lyon Clock and
by long Sicknesses or other Causes are consum'd and grown weak It oftentimes restores those that lie a dying and with the help of some other Physick restores them to their Health again Many other Vertues the Chineses ascribe to this Root and give three pound of Gold for one pound of it The same Root is sometimes to be had in Holland but because of its excessive dearness is little us'd The Provinces of Xensi and Suchuen according to Martinius bring forth excellent Medicines especially the Root Rhubarb in the Chinese Tongue call'd Taihoang This Root says he grows not wild as some affirm but on the contrary requires great care and pains in the Planting of it it is of a yellow Colour streak'e with Flames not hollow but firm and hard and in som places having Knobs and Swellings The Leaves are somewhat like our Cabbage Leaves but much bigger The Chineses make a Hole through the Root and hang them out to dry in the Shade for being dry'd in the Sun they lose their Vertue Most of the Rhubarb which is brought into Europe comes for the most part out of the Provinces of Xensi and Suchuen being brought from China and Persia by Sea to Batavia and from thence to Holland or else out of China by Land to Kaskar Astrakan and Russia or through Thebet and Persia by Venice to Italy for those of Tebet and Mogor frequent the Province of Suchuen and from thence bring the Rhubarb hither Thus far Martinius Matthiolus gives us another Description of Rhubarb in his Comment upon Diâ—…scorides which agrees with that of Michael Boem in his Chinese Flora and with Baptista Ramusio formerly Secretary to the State of Venice in his Preface before the Voyage of Marcus Paulus Venetus which is to this effect Though say they Rhubarb grows in all parts of China yet it grows in greater abundance in the Provinces of Suciven perhaps Suchuen Xensi and in the Jurisdiction of the City Socieu near the Great Wall than in any other place The Earth in which it grows is red and Clayie occasion'd by its being continually moistned with Springs and Rain The Leaves according to the Plant are two Handfuls long narrow below broad at the end and the edges thereof cover'd with a hairy Wool When they are come to their fâ—…ll growth and maturity they immediately grow yellow and lank The Stalk shoots a Hands-breadth with the Leaves above the Earth from the middle of the Leaf runs a thin Stalk which bears Flowers not unlike a great Pink likewise towards the top which is of a sharp and strong smell The Root or Stalk which is in the Ground is of a dark Copper colour one two and sometimes three Handfuls long and as thick as a Man's Arm from which shoot forth other lesser Roots which are cut off from the same The Root Rhubarb when cut asunder shews a dark yellow Flesh streak'd with red Veins out of which drops a red slimy Juice Moreover if any one immediately hangs these moist pieces up to dry then as experience hath taught the moisture instantly vanishes and the Root growing very light loses all its Vertue therefore those who are experienc'd herein first lay the pieces of green Rhubarb on Tables and turn them twice or thrice in a day that so the Sap or Juice may soak and dry by degrees into the pieces and remain in them four days after when the moisture is dry'd up they put the pieces on Strings and hang them from the Sun in the Shadow to dry by the Wind. The best time to dig up the Rhubarb is in the Winter before the Trees begin to Bud because at that time about the beginning of April the Juice and Vertue unites and gathers together But if the Root of Rhubarb be digg'd up in Summer or at that time when it sends forth green Leaves which is a sign of it s not being ripe then it never comes to the perfection of the Rhubarb which is digg'd up in the Winter One Wagon full of Rhubarb Roots which is full of moisture costs one Scudo and a half The Juice when dry'd up abates so much of the weight that of seven Pound of green there scarce remains one Pound when dress'd The Chineses call it Tayhuan that is High Yellow This Plant is discours'd of at large by the fore mention'd Authors and particularly Michael Boem makes a curious Disquisition whether the Rhaponticum of Alpinus be the same with that which is commonly brought out of Muscovy and takes much pains to prove that that which grows in China is much better than that which is brought by Russia into Europe This Fruit may justly be call'd The King of Fruits since in so ample a measure it both delights the Eye and pleases the Palate which seems never satisfi'd therewith The Kernel of it melts in the Mouth like Sugar Another Fruit nam'd Lungyen that is Dragons-Eye grows in China it is not much unlike the former though smaller and rounder like our Cherries but the Shell of the Fruit Lichi is somewhat harder and thicker Both these Fruits are dry'd and sent from this Province through the whole Empire as a Dainty nevertheless the dry'd are not comparable to the green because all the Juice is dry'd out of them They also press a Juice out of the Fruit Lichi which the Chineses call Wine which is very sweet but very scarce to be had The ripe Fruit Lichi is generally brought fresh out of the County Chinkingfu A particular Description of both these Fruits may be seen in the foremention'd Author Michael Boem in his Book call'd Flores sinarum regionis In the same County Focheufu in the Province of Fokien grows a Fruit call'd Muigiuli that is to say Fair Womans Plumb These Plumbs are of an Oval Figure bigger and much better than Damask Prunes In the County Kingcheufu belonging to the Province of Huquang grows an Herb which the Chineses call Herb of a thousand years nay affirm that it never fades but is as it were immortal To drink the Water wherein the formention'd Herb hath lay'n to soak makes white Hair black and is said to be exceeding good to prolong Life and restore Youth to the Aged In the County Changtefu in the Province of Huquang grow all sorts of Golden Apples amongst which are some that by the Chineses are call'd Winter Apples for when all the others fall off these begin to grow ripe and are of a sweet taste In the Province of Kiangsi and other places grows for the most part in Lakes and standing Waters a Plant with a Flower by the Chineses call'd Lien and by the Portuguese Fula de Golfon The Flower Lien shoots up two or three Yards above the Water on hard and strong Stalks and is of several Colours as Purple White Parti-colour'd Red c. onely Yellow is a Colour peculiar to those that grow in Iuncheufu a County of the Province of Huquang This Flower exceeds our Lilies in
Countries In most parts of China in all standing-Waters they Sow a Seed which with small Leaves covers all the Water The Fruit thereof call'd Linkio grows in great abundance under the Water and is in fashion like a three-sided Spire The Rind which is green and thick and red at the corners turns black when dry'd The Kernel thereof is very White and tastes like a Chest-nut but is twice or thrice as big The Lake Malo lying in the fifth County Xuntefu in the Province of Peking is much noted for the fore-mention'd Fruit. In the Southern Provinces of China and especially in the Province of Queicheu by the little City Pugan grows a Fruit by the Chineses call'd Pacayao by the Malabars and Malaers Palan by the Iavans Piesang or Pysang by the Brasilians in the West-Indies Bananas by the Arabians in Egypt Mauz by some in Europe Indian-Figs and Adams-Apples from the Opinion of a Franciscan Monk who holds this Fruit to be the same with that which Adam eat in Paradise and with the Leaves whereof being very large he cover'd his Nakedness The Tree or rather Sprout is according to Acosta a fine Plant and grows eighteen or twenty handfuls high and being as big about as a Mans Thigh consists of many Barks which lie close one upon another it grows to the heighth of a Granate-Tree without Branches for it spreads its Leaves like Canes Boem writes that the body thereof is thick round and green not firm nor massie but swell'd with a Watery moysture it seems to consist of abundance of roul'd-up Leaves which are nine handfuls long and two and a half broad or according to Alpinus three or four Yards long and about two broad insomuch that one Leaf may cover a Man all over nay wind round about him The young Leaves extend in length and heighth like Indian Canes being first roul'd up together but when grown old begin to open through the middle long-ways runs a pretty thick and long Vein yet nevertheless they are subject to crack and rent at the edges if ruffl'd by the Wind and on each side many cross Veins which are of a sad Colour underneath but upwards of a pale Green from the top of the Tree grows a Stalk with ruddy Colour'd Flowers like a Pine-Apple each of them is bigger than a Tulip or Lilly but round or rather Oval afterwards it produces a Branch divided into many Joynts on each of which hang ten or fourteen Figs so that this Bough is sometimes loaden with a hundred or two hundred Figs Or as Boem saith from the middle of the Leaf shoots one single Branch with Flowers which also grow to be Figs to the number sometimes of above a thousand on one Bough which one man is scarce able to carry some of the Figs are as small as a Damsin others as big as a great Pear according to the Boughs on which they grow The Fruit it self is very sweet hath a Yellow Shell with a soft sweet and well-scented Pulp which tastes like Preserv'd Rasberries being boyl'd either in Honey or Sugar and afterwards dry'd it is counted good against Phlegmatick Humors The Fruit is all the Year long to be had in the Southern Provinces of China but in the Northern it bears onely great Leaves and yields no Fruit though it requires six Moneths to ripen yet ripe Figs may be had every Moneth since this Tree observes no set-time but Buds Flowers and is Ripe in several places all at one time If one Bough be cut off from the Tree or one Fig pluck'd from a Bough the Tree will never produce either Bough or Fruit more but withering is cut off and given in India for Food to the Elephants This Plant as some say grew first from a Sugar-Cane Graffed on the Root of another Plant call'd Colokasia very common in Egypt and indeed you may perceive the nature of both in the same for the Leaves are as long as those of Sugar-Canes and as broad as those of Colokasia it is always Green and never bare of Leaves The common Opinion is that from the Mouth of the Flower open'd at the right time drops a kind of Spittle which is suppos'd to be its Seed since young Sprouts grow out of the Root or Foot of the Tree before ever the Flower opens The Chineses in the Province of Quangsi in the County Pinglofu make Clothes of the Red Muisu Leaves In divers places in China and especially on the Isle Ainan grows a Fruit-Tree by the Chineses call'd Polomie by the Portuguese from the Indians Giaka and Iaka by those of Surat Pana's by those of the Canaries Panasu by the Arabians Panax by the Persians Funax and in Kalicut Ionceras The Tree in the Chinese Tongue properly call'd Polomioxu that is Polomy Tree is as Acosta tells us very tall and big about hath pale Green Leaves about a Hand big with a hard sinew in the middle it bears a small number of a very large Fruit which grow not on the Boughs but on the main Body of the Tree as Peter Martyr saith as if the Boughs refus'd to carry so great a burthen notwithstanding they are very tough and strong Acosta saith that the Fruit Iaka is long thick dark Green hard and hath a thick Shell Martin affirms that it is so hard and thick that it must be open'd with an Ax It is full of Green Thorns with Black Points very like the Fruit Durion but not sharp nor prickly though seeming so when ripe it hath a strong Scent The smallest of this sort of Fruit is bigger than the greatest Pumkin especially that which grows in Malabar but that of Goa is lesser and of a worse Taste Martinius saith That the Iaka or Polomie is accounted the biggest Fruit in the World And Boem affirms That one of them alone is a Mans burthen It is White and hath a firm Pulp with little Husks wherein are several Nuts or Kernels like Chest-nuts sometimes enough to suffice ten or twenty Men longer and thicker than Dates and cover'd with Ash-colour'd Shells Earthy of an ill Taste and causing Wind if eaten Raw but if Roasted like Chest-nuts well-tasted they are said to provoke Leachery for which reason the Common People esteem them highly Every Chest-nut-like-Kernel is inclos'd in a Yellow and tough Husk like that of the Fruit Durion yet not without a little difference and being Boyl'd tastes like a sweet Chest-nut This Fruit is by the Chineses call'd A Bag full of Honey-Chest-nuts it tastes much better than a Mellon but is counted unwholsome and hard of Digestion The Pith about the Kernels which the Portuguese call Cocobarka is by how much harder so much the better the softness of the Skin is a sign of the ripeness of the Fruit it ripens commonly in May and Iune Another sort of Iaka call'd Champidaka grows not only in China but on the Island Iava and several other places in India and that after the
common manner not on the Body of the Tree as the first sort it is of a better taste and wholsomer than the common Iaka The Tree spreads it self very much and is extraordinary high and broad Leav'd out of the calcin'd Shells of these two prickly Fruits the Indians make a Composition which they use in stead of Sope or Lye to scowr Clothes with In the Southern Provinces Quantung Quangsi Iunnan Foquieu and on the Island Ainan grows in great abundance a Fruit by the Chineses call'd Fanpolomie by the Brasilians acording to Piso Nano according to Lerius Panaco by the Spaniards in New-Spain Iajama from its likeness with a Pine-Apple and by the Portuguese Ananas which they hammer'd without doubt from the Brasilian name Nana The ripe Fruit is very Juycie and of a sweetish taste with a mixture of sowrness of a deep Vermillion Colour or as Acosta says Yellow as big as a Mellon or Cytron or as Boem writes as a Pine-Apple the edges are of a lively Colour good smell nay so strong it is that any Person walking may smell in what House they hang up in to ripen It is generally without full of whitish knobs the ripe Fruit is crown'd with a young Plant which cut off and without Root for it hath none put into the Ground bears Fruit the next Year every Plant produces onely one Fruit a Year and that Fruit a new Plant which when cut off and set in the Ground the old is pull'd out and thrown away as unfruitful the Root is like that of an Artichoke the Fruit slic'd and steep'd in Wine gives it an excellent Savor and Rellish but bites the Tongue and heats the Palate The Juyce thereof refreshes the fainting Heart revives the Spirits and strengthens a squemish Stomack Moreover its Juyce or Wine much more the Distill'd Water is exceeding good against the Gravel The Root also is a Remedy to cure the fore-mention'd Distemper But those that are troubled with or are careful to avoid Agues must be sure to abstain both from the Fruit and all that belongs to it China also produces several sorts of Spices and Aromatick Plants in the Southern Province bordering upon India though in no great abundance viz. Pepper in the Chinese Tongue call'd Hucyao which grows in the Province of Iunnan Cinamon as already we have made mention in the Province of Quantung and Quangsi But there is exceeding good Ginger in great abundance which they call Sem Kiam and store of Coco-nuts in the Southern Provinces and especially on the Isle Ainan But because all those Plants and Fruits have been largely describ'd by others it would be needless to make rehearsal thereof In several places in China grows the Plant Tee or Cha so call'd by the Chineses by which Name it is known among us and Cia or Tchia and Tsia by the Iapanners though amongst the Chineses according to the several places wherein it grows it hath several Denominations as likewise from its goodness for the Inhabitants of the thirteenth County Chucheufu in the Province of Nanking call the best Tee Sunglocha those of the third County Hucheufu in the Province of Chekiang Kiaichai those in the Province of Fokien Ziazcha The Water or Liquor in which this Plant is boyl'd is also by the Chineses properly call'd Tee and Cha and Chia or Tsia by the Iapanners There are those which say that Tsia or Chia in general signifies Meat and Drink as Loe Chia Will you please to have Meat or Drink The Plant The according to Martin and Trigaut is a Shrub and no Tree grows about the height of an European Rasberry-bush or Rose-Tree and dividing it self into several Boughs is like the Mirtle-Tree and partly tastes like it yet grows not Wild but is Planted The Boughs and Stalks of the whole Sprout are from top to bottom always full of Leaves and Flowers The Leaves are thin sharp before and notch'd round about in shape Oval in bigness like those of the Granate-Tree and though of one shape yet are of such several bignesses that on one Sprout four or five sizes of Leaves are to be seen The first and biggest grow on the undermost Boughs and are like the Leaves of Garden-Balsom The second size much less than the first so accordingly the rest which grow higher still lessen more and more but as much as the uppermost Leaves abate in bigness so much they increase in value for one of the first rank of Leaves dry'd and prepar'd costs five Pence the second sort fifty the third ten Shillings the fourth if rightly prepar'd thirty the difference of the Value follows from the difference of the Vertue which according to Trigaut is very considerable insomuch that they often give for one Pound of the best two sometimes three Duckets In Iapan the best cost ten and twelve Duckets The Flowers of the The are of a Yellowish White in bigness and shape like the Eglantine but not in smell which according to Martin is faintyish After the falling off of the Flowers there remains a Cod or Husk which is first Green and afterwards turns Black in it lies a round Black Seed like those of Roses This Seed Sown yields a new Plant in three years time The Root is full of Strings divided into several Knobs which lie not deep in the Ground but are just cover'd with the same and are for no use all the Vertue of this Plant consisting onely in the Leaves the freshest and youngest of which are made use of in the making their Drink Cha they gather them in the Spring one by one and immediately put them to warm in an Iron Kettle over the fire then laying them a on fine light Mat roul them together with their Hands The Leaves thus roul'd up are again hang'd over the fire and then again roul'd closer together till they are dry and then put up carefully in Tin Vessels thereby to keep them from all moystness Trigaut tells us that the Chineses dry not the Leaves over the fire but in the Sun In the using of these Leaves is some differnece betwixt the Iapanners and Chineses for they says Trigaut throw some of the Leaves into a Pot of boyling Water which when the Vertue of the Leaf is sufficiently infus'd into it they Drink hot without eating the Leaves The Chineses as the Lord Tulp tells us boyl the Leaves with a little Salt and Sugar to take away the bitterness in a certain Liquor which they drink warm or else they put a Handful of The Leaves in a Pint-Pot then pour it full of scalding Water and about two or three Minutes after Drink the same very hot The Chineses generally both Night and Day drink of the Liquor wherein the fore mention'd Leaves are boyl'd and not onely ordinarily at Table but have it ready upon all occasions at great Entertainments and the greatest Nobles and Princes think not much to prepare it themselves and have in their
is of the ould Summer Leaves and it is onely the change of Food as the young and old Leaves which makes the difference in the Silk This is perhaps the reason why the Silk which is made in Europe is courser than that made by the Chineses The Prices of the first and second Spinning also differs amongst the Chineses whenas most Silk-Throsters in Europe make no difference therein The best Silk is Spun in March the coursest in Iune yet both in one year The breeding of the Worms is all one and requires as much trouble and care as in some places in Europe therefore it is plainly false and a Romance That all the Silk in China is produc'd by the Silk-Worms on the Trees without care or labour Martinius tells us That the breeding of Silk-Worms and making of Cotton and Silk is an ancient Invention of the Chineses for the Wife of the Emperor Ya who Reign'd Anno 2357. before the Navity of Christ is said to have been the first Inventress and Teacher thereof to her Subjects for though the breeding of Silk-Worms was not unknown to the Chineses at that time yet they were ignorant in the Art of making Clothes of the same as it generally happens in the beginning of all things To the Chineses justly belongs the honour that from them originally the Art of making Silk was translated to other Countreys of Asia and Europe In the Province of Xantung the Silk Threds are Spun on Trees and in the Fields not by tame Silk-Worms but another kind of Worm like a Caterpiller which Spin not their Silk in manner of a Ball or Egg but in long Threds of a white colour which are blown to and again by the Wind on Trees and Houses from whence the Inhabitants fetch them almost after the same manner as our long Spider-Threds in Cobwebs which flye up and down in Summer Of this Silk they also make Silk-Stuffs as well as of that Spun by Silk-Worms and much stronger though somewhat courser Divers Animals in the Greek Tongue call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Creatures which live in the Water as well as on the Shore are in several places of China In the County Hoeicheufu in the Province of Quantung breeds a Monster of Nature by the Chineses call'd Hoangcioyu that is Yellow-Bird Fish for it is neither Bird nor Fish but both that is to say all the Summer it is a Bird of a Saffron colour and flyes in the Mountains but at the end of Harvest it betakes it self to the Sea and becomes a Fish and being caught in Winter is as the Chineses say very sweet and good Meat In the County Chaocheufu in the same Province are many Crocodiles in the River Zo which oftentimes hurt the neighboring People On the East side of the chief City Gucheu in the Province of Quangsi is a little Lake nam'd Go in which King Pegao in ancient times kept ten Crocodiles to which he threw Malefactors to be devour'd by them those which were guiltless or innocent being as the Chineses say found untouch'd were taken out again and releas'd In the Province of Huquang in the River Siang is a Beast which chiefly resembles a Horse but with Scales on its Body and Claws like a Tyger It is of a cruel Nature and seizes on Man and Beast especially in Harvest for then it often comes out of the Water and runs all over the Countrey In the River Iun in the same County Chaokingfu in the Province of Quantung breeds a Fish by the Chineses call'd The Swimming Cow because it often comes out of the Water and engages with its Horns the tame Cow but if it stays long out of the Water its Horns turn yellow and lose their hardness by which means it is forc'd to return to the Water where it becomes a Fish again and the Horns obtain their former hardness In the County Changtefu in the Province of Honan breeds a Fish in the Rivers by the Chineses nam'd Hagul that is Child because when caught it cries like a Child In shape this Fish differs little from a Crocodile hath a long Tail and goes on four Feet The Fat thereof once set on fire cannot be quench'd either by Water or any other means In China also are many Land and Sea-Tortoises or Turtles call'd Quei especially in the County Chunkingfu in the Province of Suchuen and in the Island Pequei that is Isle of Turtles lying in the River Kiang and the Province of Huquang some of them are very big and others small and handsom which the Inhabitants keep in their Houses some are no bigger than a small Bird. The Chineses relate of a strange accident that happen'd there to a Soldier who being accidentally by his Enemies thrown into the River was by a Tortoise which it is likely he had formerly fed and set at liberty carry'd like an Arion on a Dolphins back to the opposite Shore In the fourth County Hoeicheufu in the Province of Quantung are seen at Sea Turtles of such a vast bigness that afar off they seem to be Rocks some having Shrubs and other Plants growing on their Shells In some Provinces of China and especially in Honan are flying Turtles with green and others with blue Wings on their Feet by the spreading out of which they push themselves forward leaping after the manner of Grashoppers The Feet of these Turtles are for the Rarity thereof in great esteem among the Chineses those that have green Wing'd Feet are call'd Lo Mae Quey Quey signifying A Tortoise Lo Green and Mae Wings In all places near the Sea are plenty of Oysters almost as good as our Colchester-Oysters especially in the County Tencheufu in the Province of Xantung In the eleventh County Vencheufu of the Province of Chikiang are small Oysters of which it is reported that from the Powder of them dry'd and stamp'd and Sown like Seed along the Fields in Marsh Ground there grow Oysters of a very sweet Rellish most of the Sea-bordering places abound also with Crabs and Lobsters Minerals Stones and Earths THrough all China are an innumerable company of Mines which abound in all sorts of Mettal and in particular Gold and Silver in great store though there be an Edict in China not to Dig for them because as the Chineses say Men are generally kill'd in the Mines by the dangerous Damps and Vapours that arise from the Earth But to gather Gold on the Shores of Rivers is free for every Man after which manner they get great store and Gold is rather a Commodity or Merchandize it self amongst the Chineses than a Purchaser of other Commodities In the Province of Iunnan they gather great quantities of Gold out of the cleans'd Sand but if the Mines might be open'd the Chineses could not expect greater abundance of Gold or Silver from any other place from whence there is a Proverb amongst them wherein those that are seen to spend their Estates in Riot and Prodigality are ask'd Whither their Fathers be
Receivers of the Emperors Revenue in the Province of Junnan There are also in this Province Mines of Tin Iron and Lead The Province of Fokien hath Copper Tin and Iron Mines and in some places Gold and Siver Mines also Particularly in the sixth County Tingcheufu in the same Province the Mountain Kin that is Gold is so call'd from its Golden Mines which were open'd by the Family Sung The Mountains in the Province of Queicheu inclose as the Chineses write Gold Silver Quicksilver and the like rich Mettals all which might easily be gotten if the Mountaineers or Inhabitants of the Mountains could be subdu'd and brought to Obedience but now the Chineses have no more benefit than the fore-mention'd People will give them out of their free Wills in Barter for Salt or any other Necessaries The County Hengcheufu in the Province of Huquang hath many rich Silver Mines which may not be open'd All over the Province of Suchuen great store of Iron Lead and Tin is Digg'd out of the Mountains China hath also divers sorts of Precious and ordinary Stones In the Province of Suchuen are the best sort of Load-stones to be found as also in the Provinces of Huquang and Honan In the little County Lincheufu in the Province of Suchuen is a sort of Green Stone call'd Lapis Lazuli and likewise in the seventh County Nanganfu in the Province of Honan and in the Territory Honanfu of the Province of Iunnan In the seventh County Kaocheufu in the Province of Quantung and out of the Mountain Tiniang in the second Talifu in the Province of Iunnan they Dig very excellent Marble which the Chineses cut in thin Squares to make Tables Walls and the like Ornaments for their Houses for this Marble is naturally streak'd with several Colours in such a manner that it represents Mountains Rivers Trees Landskips and the like as if done by a great Artist with a Pencil This Marble is call'd Tienciang from the Mountain out of which it is Digg'd There is also very good Marble in the County Iunnanfu Out of the Mountains near the Garrison'd City Siven in the Province of Peking they Dig white and red Marble or Porphyre-stones and also exceeding good Crystal which is also found on the Mountain Ting in the County Quanglingfu in the Province of Quangsi In the same Province are Agats for their colour and hardness highly esteem'd By the little City Queiyang in the County Hengchufu in the Province of Huquang on the Mountain Xeyen are Stones found after Rainy Weather exactly resembling Swallows which we have already mention'd among the Mountains On the Mountain Queiyu in the County Taicheufu in the Province of Chekiang all the Stones as well great as small grow naturally square In the County Cunchangfu in the Province of Xensi they gather little blue Stones with white Veins or Streaks which are highly esteem'd by Persons of Quality for the common Opinion is that being burnt to Chalk and pounded very small they are good to prolong Life On the Mountain Pao in the fifth County Hoangcheufu in the Province of Huquang they find Stones of which some if laid in the Sun turn Red others Yellow and retain that Colour for a considerable time Out of the almost inaccessible Mountain Io by the City Pa in the County Paoningfu in the Province of Suchuen they Dig Precious Stones Out of the Mountains Vutu in the third County Hangchungfu in the Province of Xensi and in the fourth Cungchangfu and also in the Province of Suchuen by the Garrison'd City Po they Dig a Mineral by the Chineses call'd Hiunghoang It is of a deep yellow or sometimes Vermillion distinguish'd with black Spots it is like a Chalky Stone or hard Earth and is accounted an excellent Medicine against many Malignant Feavers and Agues dangerous Heats in the Dog-Days if laid to steep in Wine and drunk up Out of the Mountain Tape by the City Lungkieu in the County Taitungfu of the Province of Xansi they Dig Earth so Red that it is us'd in stead of Vermillion to Print the Red Chinese Characters with Out of the Mountain Nieuxeu in the County Siganfu in the Province of Xensi is Digg'd a certain White Earth which is us'd by the Women in stead of White Lead to make them Beautiful by taking away all Spots and Freckles in the Face The Chineses call it Queiki that is Fair Woman The Mountain Io in the Province of Xensi produces a certain Blue Earth or Mineral with which they make a kind of Starch for their Linnen Through all the Province of Xansi they Dig a sort of Coal firm and slick like Jet or black Marble such as those of Luker-land or like our Cannel-Coal in Derby-shire The Chineses especially the Common people burn these Coals call'd Mui on their Hearths in their Kitchins or Chambers but first break them very small they being Digg'd in great Pieces and then mixt with Water make them into Balls they are a long while a kindling but once lighted they cast a great heat and keep in a great while The Northern Chineses burn also Wood Cane and other Fuel In the same Province are wonderful Fire-pits like our Water-pits they are in most places and serve in stead of other Fires for the poor people to boyl their Meat over which they do after this manner the Mouth of the Pit is shut very close except a little hole just big enough for the Pot to stand in and so the Inhabitants Boyl their Meat without trouble They say that this Fire burns dull and not bright and though it be very hot yet sets not the least Stick of Wood a fire if thrown into the same nay that which is more it may by being put into a great hollow Cane be carry'd from one place to the other so that every man may use it when he pleaseth and by opening the Mouth of the Cane out of which the heat strikes Boyl a Pot with Meat yet never hurt the Cane in which the Fire is Inclos'd Out of the Mountains Kie and Siuvu in the Province of Peking by the City Pingeo they Dig another sort of Coal which they burn for ordinary Fuel On the Mountain Io in the Province of Xensi by the little City Chinyven are very bright Stones found not unlike Diamonds The Province of Iunnan produces Rubies Saphyrs Agats and the like Precious Stones call'd by a general Name Iemin In the County Kincheufu of the Province of Huquang and in the County Queilingfu in the Province of Quangsi are very excellent Stones found with which the Chineses temper their Ink as the European Painters their Colours In the County Nanhingfu is a black Stone very like the Chinese Ink with which they write on Boards as we do with Chalk There is also a Stone which is so hard that the Inhabitants make Stone Axes and Knives thereof Out of the Mountain Tiexe lying in the Province of Suchuen by the Garrison'd City Kienchang they Dig