may_v be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o china_n in_o the_o regard_n that_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o the_o fable_n which_o the_o chineses_n have_v add_v and_o of_o which_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v no_o less_o guilty_a when_o they_o speak_v of_o their_o first_o founder_n the_o sequel_n of_o their_o story_n and_o the_o successive_a train_n of_o their_o king_n seem_v to_o have_v much_o of_o truth_n for_o according_a to_o the_o computation_n of_o their_o history_n and_o chronology_n we_o clear_o find_v that_o the_o first_o king_n of_o china_n begin_v to_o reign_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o universal_a deluge_n according_a to_o the_o version_n of_o the_o seventy_o interpreter_n in_o which_o time_n the_o descendant_n of_o noah_n may_v well_o spread_v themselves_o to_o the_o far_a end_n of_o asia_n see_v that_o within_o the_o same_o space_n they_o expanded_a themselves_o over_o all_o the_o western_a part_n of_o asia_n into_o africa_n and_o a_o good_a part_n of_o europe_n the_o three_o opinion_n assert_n that_o the_o first_o king_n of_o china_n be_v yao_n who_o according_a to_o their_o chronology_n begin_v to_o reign_v four_o thousand_o and_o twenty_o five_o year_n ago_o their_o history_n relate_v that_o in_o his_o time_n there_o be_v both_o mathematician_n and_o astrologer_n that_o he_o cause_v great_a ditch_n and_o channel_n to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o drain_n away_o of_o the_o water_n of_o the_o grand_a deluge_n that_o till_o then_o cover_v the_o valley_n and_o the_o champaign_n ground_n this_o king_n be_v a_o prince_n illustrious_a for_o his_o virtue_n and_o his_o transcendent_a part_n and_o be_v still_o honour_a as_o one_o of_o the_o will_z sest_z and_o most_o virtuous_a prince_n of_o china_n this_o opi_fw-la nion_n pass_v for_o currant_n and_o unquestionable_a among_o the_o chinese_n and_o all_o the_o father_n that_o have_v have_v the_o great_a knowledge_n and_o insight_n into_o their_o book_n and_o history_n hold_v this_o latter_a opinion_n for_o certain_a and_o the_o second_o for_o probable_a and_o because_o that_o according_a to_o the_o version_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n call_v the_o vulgar_a it_o will_v of_o necessity_n follow_v that_o fohi_n and_o yao_n must_v have_v be_v bear_v and_o reign_v before_o the_o deluge_n therefore_o we_o be_v force_v in_o this_o country_n to_o follow_v the_o version_n of_o the_o seventy_o which_o be_v grant_v the_o history_n of_o this_o empire_n seem_v very_o probable_a well_o trace_v and_o conformable_a not_o only_o to_o the_o egyptian_a assyrian_a greek_a and_o roman_a history_n but_o which_o be_v yet_o far_o more_o surprise_v to_o the_o chronology_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n according_a to_o the_o second_o opinion_n then_o which_o be_v most_o probable_a from_o king_n tohi_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o deluge_n to_o the_o emperor_n cam_n he_o who_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 1668._o there_o have_v be_v two_o hundred_o thirty_o six_o king_n divide_v into_o twenty_o two_o sidifferent_a family_n who_o have_v govern_v this_o empire_n for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o thirty_o four_o year_n which_o family_n endure_v for_o a_o long_o or_o lesser_a time_n according_a as_o they_o govern_v well_o or_o ill_o and_o till_o another_o revolt_a put_v the_o king_n to_o death_n rout_v out_o all_o the_o prince_n of_o his_o family_n and_o all_o the_o nobility_n which_o he_o have_v raise_v and_o make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o empire_n at_o the_o beginning_n these_o rebel_n be_v either_o petty_a king_n or_o great_a lord_n but_o afterward_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v man_n of_o low_a birth_n and_o mean_a condition_n the_o first_o king_n of_o the_o precede_a family_n be_v a_o person_n of_o very_a obscure_a parentage_n who_o name_n be_v chum_n he_o be_v a_o long_a time_n a_o servant_n among_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o idol_n after_o which_o he_o betake_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o robber_n upon_o the_o highway_n afterward_o be_v banish_v he_o put_v himself_o at_o the_o head_n of_o certain_a free_a booter_n and_o after_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o prosperous_a success_n make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o empire_n at_o his_o coronation_n he_o call_v himself_o hum_n vu_fw-fr or_o the_o valiant_a and_o warlike_a but_o then_o the_o learned_a flatterer_n advance_v his_o title_n and_o call_v he_o tai_n mim_n which_o signify_v a_o reign_n of_o great_a luster_n his_o posterity_n reign_v in_o china_n two_o hundred_o seventy_o six_o year_n and_o till_o the_o year_n 1643_o that_o the_o tartar_n make_v themselves_o master_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o destroy_v the_o royal_a family_n all_o those_o that_o revolt_v pretend_v that_o it_o be_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o heaven_n that_o send_v they_o to_o ease_v the_o people_n oppress_v by_o the_o tyranny_n of_o their_o governor_n and_o this_o opinion_n or_o rather_o vision_n find_v so_o much_o credit_n in_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o chinese_n and_o be_v so_o deep_o root_v in_o their_o mind_n as_o if_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v hardly_o one_o among_o they_o that_o do_v not_o hope_n to_o be_v a_o emperor_n at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o those_o frequent_a revolt_v which_o we_o find_v in_o this_o empire_n to_o day_n in_o one_o province_n to_o morrow_n in_o another_o nay_o many_o time_n only_o in_o one_o city_n or_o in_o one_o town_n many_o time_n you_o shall_v see_v a_o miserable_a wretch_n advance_v to_o be_v a_o king_n sometime_o by_o a_o troop_n of_o fifty_o bandity_n sometime_o by_o a_o hundred_o or_o two_o hundred_o peasant_n but_o more_o frequent_o by_o a_o certain_a sect_n of_o idolater_n who_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o create_v new_a king_n and_o establish_v a_o new_a government_n in_o the_o empire_n it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a thing_n to_o see_v the_o comedy_n or_o rather_o tragedy_n which_o be_v act_v every_o day_n upon_o the_o theatre_n of_o this_o empire_n for_o he_o that_o but_o to_o day_n be_v but_o a_o ignominious_a robber_n and_o under_o that_o notion_n both_o dread_v and_o hate_v let_v he_o but_o shift_v his_o habit_n and_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o crown_n the_o robe_n and_o ornament_n of_o a_o king_n and_o the_o same_o man_n to_o morrow_n shall_v be_v belove_v and_o respect_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o though_o he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o vile_a and_o abject_a birth_n they_o shall_v present_o call_v he_o the_o son_n of_o heaven_n and_o lord_n of_o the_o universe_n for_o that_o the_o chinese_n as_o we_o have_v say_v call_v their_o kingdom_n tien_n hia_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o that_o which_o be_v under_o the_o heaven_n or_o su_n hai_fw-fr chinun_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o that_o be_v between_o the_o four_o sea_n title_n conformable_a to_o their_o pride_n and_o their_o ignorance_n and_o to_o their_o scorn_n of_o stranger_n so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n among_o they_o to_o call_v a_o man_n master_n of_o all_o that_o be_v under_o the_o heaven_n or_o between_o the_o four_o sea_n as_o to_o call_v he_o king_n of_o china_n the_o chineses_n give_v their_o emperor_n several_a losty_a and_o magnificent_a title_n for_o example_n they_o call_v he_o tien_n hu_o son_n of_o heaven_n xim_o tien_n hu_o holy_a son_n of_o heaven_n hoam_o ti_o august_n and_o great_a emperor_n xim_o xoam_n holy_a emperor_n hoam_n xam_n august_n sovereign_a xim_o kium_n holy_a prince_n xim_o xam_n holy_a sovereignty_n que_fw-fr chu_n lord_n of_o the_o kingdom_n chaos_n tim_n palace_n royal_a van_n svi_fw-la ten_o thousand_o year_n with_o several_a other_o title_n full_a of_o grandeur_n and_o majesty_n which_o i_o omit_v for_o fear_v of_o be_v tedious_a so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o say_v son_n of_o heaven_n or_o ten_o thousand_o year_n or_o palace_n royal_a as_o to_o say_v king_n or_o emperor_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o idle_a flattery_n this_o prince_n be_v far_o from_o be_v so_o vain_a as_o the_o king_n of_o monomotopa_fw-mi who_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o command_v the_o sun_n the_o moon_n and_o star_n or_o so_o ambitious_o politic_a as_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n who_o know_v by_o experience_n that_o the_o great_a river_n that_o cross_v his_o country_n overflow_v its_o bank_n every_o year_n at_o a_o certain_a season_n and_o that_o it_o return_v again_o by_o degree_n within_o a_o certain_a time_n march_v forth_o in_o great_a pomp_n out_o of_o his_o palace_n to_o command_v the_o water_n to_o retire_v and_o fall_v down_o into_o the_o sea._n for_o though_o the_o chineses_n give_v these_o great_a title_n to_o their_o king_n and_o though_o he_o suffer_v they_o yet_o neither_o he_o nor_o they_o at_o least_o the_o learned_a and_o more_o prudent_a sort_n be_v so_o
they_o from_o other_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o contempt_n of_o foreigner_n the_o people_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o these_o lord_n speak_v the_o same_o language_n with_o the_o chinese_n although_o beside_o that_o they_o have_v a_o particular_a language_n also_o their_o manner_n and_o custom_n be_v somewhat_o different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o chinese_n nevertheless_o their_o complexion_n and_o the_o shape_n of_o their_o body_n be_v altogether_o alike_o but_o as_o to_o their_o courage_n you_o will_v think_v they_o to_o be_v quite_o another_o nation_n the_o chineses_n stand_v in_o fear_n of_o they_o so_o that_o after_o several_a trial_n which_o they_o have_v make_v of_o their_o prowess_n they_o have_v be_v force_v to_o let_v they_o live_v at_o their_o own_o liberty_n and_o to_o consent_v to_o a_o free_a traffic_n and_o commerce_n with_o they_o in_o the_o relation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v of_o that_o famous_a tyrant_n châm_fw-la hiém_fw-la chùm_fw-la concern_v which_o father_n martini_n write_v to_o i_o upon_o his_o return_n out_o of_o europe_n that_o he_o have_v leave_v a_o copy_n of_o it_o in_o the_o secretary_n office_n at_o rome_n and_o another_o in_o the_o college_n of_o conimbre_n where_o it_o be_v public_o read_v i_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o beâ—…ell_v one_o of_o these_o sovereign_a lord_n i_o shall_v here_o repeat_v it_o in_o few_o word_n to_o the_o end_n the_o puissance_n of_o this_o empire_n may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v where_o they_o make_v little_a account_n of_o the_o force_n of_o these_o lord_n though_o they_o be_v very_o considerable_a and_o that_o their_o dominion_n be_v seat_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o province_n of_o china_n the_o tyrant_n cham_n hien_n chum_n not_o endure_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o one_o that_o refuse_v to_o yield_v he_o obedience_n in_o the_o province_n where_o he_o have_v cause_v himself_o to_o be_v crown_v and_o where_o he_o vaunt_v that_o he_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o empire_n send_v a_o command_n to_o one_o of_o these_o lord_n who_o principality_n lie_v near_o to_o his_o court_n to_o come_v and_o attend_v his_o person_n acknowledge_v he_o his_o sovereign_n and_o pay_v he_o that_o tribute_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o the_o lord_n send_v he_o back_o for_o answer_n that_o neither_o he_o nor_o his_o predecessor_n have_v ever_o pay_v any_o tribute_n to_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n which_o answer_v put_v the_o tyrant_n into_o such_o a_o chase_n that_o he_o immediate_o send_v a_o army_n to_o force_v he_o to_o obedience_n but_o his_o army_n be_v in_o a_o short_a time_n deseated_a by_o the_o prince_n i_o be_o hien_n chum_n thereupon_o raise_v another_o army_n more_o numerous_a than_o the_o first_o and_o march_v himself_o in_o person_n to_o enter_v the_o territory_n of_o the_o prince_n who_o be_v a_o person_n of_o great_a courage_n and_o favour_v by_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o place_n give_v the_o tyrant_n battle_n overthrow_v he_o and_o force_v he_o to_o retire_v enrage_v at_o his_o ill_a success_n yet_o more_o animate_v to_o revenge_n then_o ever_o for_o that_o reason_n he_o raise_v a_o three_o army_n and_o give_v the_o command_n of_o it_o to_o his_o first_o adopt_a son_n call_v sum_n co_n vam_fw-la of_o who_o i_o have_v sometime_o make_v mention_n in_o the_o annual_a letter_n of_o this_o mission_n he_o be_v a_o person_n learned_a prudent_a courageous_a and_o so_o affable_a and_o good_a nature_a that_o many_o time_n he_o effect_v those_o thing_n by_o his_o prudence_n and_o sweetness_n which_o his_o father_n can_v not_o bring_v to_o pass_v with_o all_o his_o arm_a force_n and_o cruelty_n and_o indeed_o he_o know_v so_o well_o to_o manage_v the_o haughty_a spirit_n of_o the_o stubborn_a prince_n that_o he_o not_o only_o oblige_v the_o prince_n to_o acknowledge_v his_o father_n for_o his_o sovereign_n but_o to_o assist_v he_o with_o man_n and_o money_n to_o complete_a his_o conquest_n of_o china_n he_o carry_v he_o in_o his_o company_n to_o the_o court_n with_o all_o his_o army_n consist_v of_o forty_o thousand_o man_n all_o pick_v and_o choose_v young_a man_n clad_v in_o the_o same_o colour_a habit_n and_o arm_v with_o a_o sort_n of_o cuirass_n and_o headpiece_n of_o quilt_a cotton_n upon_o his_o arrival_n the_o prince_n muster_v his_o army_n in_o the_o place_n appoint_v for_o those_o kind_n of_o exercise_n in_o every_o city_n of_o china_n the_o tyrant_n on_o the_o other_o side_n receive_v he_o with_o many_o extraordinary_a caress_n and_o mark_n of_o his_o favour_n and_o hearty_a affection_n and_o invite_v he_o public_o to_o a_o solemn_a feast_n the_o next_o day_n where_o the_o prince_n fail_v not_o to_o attend_v he_o but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o music_n the_o comedy_n and_o jollity_n of_o the_o banquet_n the_o perfidious_a and_o cruel_a tyrant_n order_v a_o most_o rank_a and_o nimble_a poison_n to_o be_v present_v he_o in_o a_o glass_n of_o wine_n which_o dispatch_v he_o in_o a_o few_o moment_n which_o do_v he_o cause_v his_o whole_a army_n ready_a draw_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n to_o surround_v and_o put_v to_o the_o sword_n all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o unfortunate_a prince_n and_o not_o to_o let_v a_o man_n escape_v which_o be_v execute_v with_o so_o much_o the_o more_o ease_n because_o the_o poor_a people_n not_o mistrust_v any_o such_o treachery_n be_v surprise_v without_o a_o leader_n without_o arm_n and_o all_o in_o disorder_n and_o of_o this_o accident_n i_o myself_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n which_o i_o therefore_o here_o relate_v to_o show_v the_o grandeur_n of_o this_o empire_n nor_o ought_v any_o man_n to_o scruple_n the_o belief_n of_o what_o i_o have_v here_o relate_v concern_v the_o number_n of_o the_o city_n and_o town_n far_o more_o numerous_a than_o what_o father_n martini_n set_v down_o in_o regard_n i_o take_v in_o all_o those_o belong_v to_o these_o petty_a sovereign_n who_o principality_n though_o they_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o emperor_n be_v nevertheless_o seat_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o his_o empire_n in_o the_o four_o province_n which_o i_o have_v name_v i_o have_v also_o include_v the_o city_n and_o town_n of_o leao_n tum_fw-la and_o of_o the_o province_n of_o yun_n nan_n which_o the_o chineses_n excessive_o addict_v to_o their_o own_o formality_n never_o put_v into_o their_o ordinary_a catalogue_n but_o in_o the_o particular_a which_o i_o have_v say_v they_o make_v of_o the_o reign_v of_o certain_a family_n the_o chineses_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v print_v a_o public_a â—…inerary_n which_o contain_v all_o the_o road_n and_o passage_n as_o well_o by_o water_n as_o by_o land_n from_o pe_n kim_v to_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n this_o book_n the_o mandarin_n buy_v when_o they_o go_v from_o court_n to_o their_o several_a government_n and_o employment_n at_o a_o distance_n as_o also_o all_o other_o traveller_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o road_n the_o distance_n of_o one_o place_n from_o another_o and_o the_o furlong_n of_o every_o journey_n in_o this_o book_n all_o the_o royal_a highway_n in_o the_o empire_n be_v divide_v into_o eleven_o hundred_o forty_o five_o day_n journey_n every_o one_o of_o which_o have_v a_o certain_a place_n where_o the_o mandarin_n be_v lodge_v and_o entertain_v at_o the_o king_n expense_n when_o they_o go_v to_o their_o several_a employment_n but_o when_o they_o deprive_v they_o of_o their_o charge_n they_o lose_v also_o the_o privilege_n of_o royal_a entertainment_n these_o eleven_o hundred_o forty_o five_o place_n be_v call_v you_o or_o chin_n that_o be_v to_o say_v place_n of_o entertainment_n and_o attendance_n and_o this_o name_n be_v give_v to_o they_o not_o without_o reason_n for_o there_o they_o wait_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o mandarin_n with_o as_o much_o care_n and_o circumspection_n as_o if_o they_o be_v upon_o their_o guard_n against_o a_o arm_a enemy_n of_o these_o place_n there_o be_v seven_o hundred_o thirty_o five_o in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o order_n in_o the_o frontier_n town_n and_o in_o the_o castle_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o empire_n two_o hundred_o and_o five_o in_o the_o place_n call_v you_o and_o three_o hundred_o and_o three_o in_o the_o place_n call_v chin._n both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v former_o build_v in_o those_o place_n where_o there_o be_v no_o town_n and_o may_v be_v call_v town_n of_o the_o second_o rank_n because_o they_o be_v all_o wall_v have_v mandarin_n for_o their_o governor_n and_o because_o there_o be_v some_o which_o be_v large_a and_o better_o people_v then_o many_o town_n and_o city_n there_o be_v a_o hundred_o and_o two_o which_o have_v no_o wall_n but_o such_o as_o be_v very_o large_a and_o very_a populous_a the_o day_n before_o the_o mandarin_n set_v forward_o a_o courier_n
lord_n and_o master_n the_o friend_n and_o favourite_n of_o sun_n co_z vanâ—…_n advise_v he_o to_o put_v the_o fugitive_n emperor_n to_o death_n and_o to_o maintain_v himself_o in_o the_o sovereign_a power_n that_o have_v be_v confer_v upon_o he_o but_o he_o absolute_o refuse_v so_o unworthy_a a_o action_n and_o more_o than_o that_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o acknowledge_v yum_n liè_fw-fr who_o birth_n have_v give_v he_o a_o undoubted_a right_n to_o the_o crown_n in_o short_a he_o acknowledge_v the_o fugitive_n emperor_n and_o all_o his_o officer_n and_o soldier_n follow_v his_o example_n his_o force_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o well_o discipline_v and_o there_o be_v great_a hope_n that_o so_o brave_a a_o captain_n will_v have_v resettled_a the_o affair_n of_o china_n and_o drive_v out_o the_o tartar_n but_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o emperor_n who_o take_v no_o care_n of_o his_o own_o affair_n as_o be_v whole_o addict_v to_o wine_n and_o woman_n prevent_v the_o success_n for_o this_o bad_a management_n of_o himself_o bring_v yum_n liè_fw-fr inâ—…o_fw-la contempt_n among_o his_o subject_n and_o sun_n co_fw-la vam_fw-la repent_v perhaps_o that_o he_o have_v resign_v the_o empire_n to_o he_o leave_v he_o only_o the_o name_n of_o emperor_n with_o whaâ—…_n be_v requisite_a for_o his_o own_o and_o the_o subsistence_n of_o his_o family_n however_o this_o harsh_a usage_n of_o the_o emperor_n displease_v several_a of_o the_o commander_n of_o the_o army_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a among_o they_o call_v lì_n â—…im_a qué_n before_o the_o best_a friend_n that_o sun_n co_fw-la vam_fw-la have_v and_o his_o brother_n by_o adoption_n as_o be_v both_o adopt_a by_o the_o tyrant_n cham_fw-mi hien_fw-fr chum_fw-la thereupon_o the_o quarrel_n between_o these_o two_o great_a person_n grow_v to_o that_o height_n that_o they_o break_v friendship_n part_v their_o force_n and_o fight_v one_o against_o the_o other_o till_o at_o last_o in_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o combat_n sun_n co_z vam_n soldier_n desert_v he_o and_o go_v over_o to_o the_o enemy_n so_o that_o he_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o escape_v by_o flight_n with_o only_o three_o hundred_o man_n that_o continue_v faithful_a to_o he_o upon_o which_o despair_v ever_o to_o resettle_v the_o affair_n of_o china_n he_o surrender_v himself_o to_o the_o tartar_n who_o have_v his_o virtue_n in_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n advance_v he_o lade_v with_o honour_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o petty_a king._n some_o time_n after_o yum_n liè_fw-fr bereave_v of_o the_o assistance_n of_o so_o great_a a_o captain_n be_v in_o a_o short_a time_n by_o the_o tartar_n deprive_v both_o of_o his_o empire_n and_o his_o life_n the_o prowess_n of_o li_n tim_o not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o withstand_v their_o power_n nevertheless_o that_o the_o elder_a son_n the_o wife_n and_o mother_n of_o the_o same_o emperor_n have_v be_v baptise_a in_o the_o year_n 1648._o by_o father_n andrew_n kassler_n a_o jesuit_n the_o son_n be_v name_v constantine_n thus_o much_o i_o take_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o father_n rouge-mount_n c._n p._n 43._o in_o the_o same_o book_n you_o may_v see_v the_o number_n of_o soldier_n that_o keep_v guard_n upon_o the_o frontier_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v some_o difference_n among_o author_n concern_v the_o number_n of_o soldier_n in_o china_n which_o nevertheless_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a father_n trigaut_n assert_n that_o there_o be_v above_o a_o million_o father_n martini_n near_o a_o million_o and_o by_o the_o report_n of_o father_n semedo_n father_n john_n rodriquez_n who_o be_v a_o person_n very_o curious_a and_o one_o that_o have_v travel_v much_o in_o china_n assure_v he_o that_o by_o what_o he_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o chinese_n book_n that_o the_o number_n of_o soldier_n in_o the_o several_a province_n of_o the_o kingdom_n amount_v to_o five_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o fourteen_o and_o six_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o two_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o eight_o to_o guard_n the_o great_a wall_n against_o the_o tartar_n not_o include_v the_o soldier_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o fleet_n but_o we_o ought_v rather_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o ihe_v relation_n of_o father_n magaillans_n a_o more_o modern_a writer_n and_o who_o take_v what_o he_o assert_v out_o of_o a_o book_n present_v to_o the_o emperor_n himself_o however_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o these_o soldier_n be_v not_o like_a to_o we_o in_o europe_n neither_o for_o courage_n nor_o discipline_n as_o be_v no_o other_o for_o the_o most_o part_n than_o the_o country_n militia_n for_o father_n semedo_n speak_v of_o the_o soldier_n of_o the_o province_n say_v they_o be_v of_o â—…ittle_a worth_n and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v they_o follow_v no_o other_o employment_n then_o that_o of_o be_v soldier_n â—…or_n that_o they_o be_v general_o inhabitant_n in_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v enroll_v and_o follow_v their_o trade_n some_o shoemaker_n other_o tailor_n etc._n etc._n and_o father_n trigaut_n in_o his_o second_o chapter_n tell_v we_o that_o to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v knâ—…w_v the_o number_n of_o the_o soldier_n to_o be_v incredible_a we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o almost_o half_a the_o people_n of_o the_o three_o northern_a province_n be_v â—…olled_v iâ—…â—…he_a service_n of_o the_o emperor_n 〈◊〉_d magaillans_n 〈◊〉_d firmâ—…_n the_o same_o thing_n wherâ—…_n 〈◊〉_d â—…ays_n that_o the_o exâ—…e_n of_o the_o emperor_n eveâ—…y_v year_n for_o nine_o hundred_o aâ—…_n two_o thousand_o and_o fifty_o four_o soldier_n that_o guard_v thâ—…_n wâ—…_n including_z officer_n and_o all_o amount_v but_o to_o 〈◊〉_d million_o thirty_o four_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o and_o fourteen_o livre_n which_o be_v not_o above_o half_a a_o pistol_n a_o year_n for_o every_o man_n which_o can_v never_o maintain_v they_o do_v they_o not_o follow_v their_o trade_n to_o support_v themselves_o and_o their_o family_n and_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v such_o a_o number_n of_o soldier_n incredible_a which_o the_o chinese_n historian_n cite_v by_o father_n magaillans_n allow_v as_o well_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o frontier_n as_o the_o inner_a part_n of_o the_o province_n which_o amount_v to_o sixteen_o hundred_o seventy_o thousand_o and_o twenty_o four_o more_n especial_o consider_v the_o vastness_n of_o the_o empire_n numerous_o people_v and_o that_o the_o soldier_n have_v neither_o courage_n nor_o discipline_n and_o therefore_o father_n martini_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o tartar_n be_v better_a soldier_n than_o the_o chinese_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o comparable_a to_o the_o soldier_n in_o europe_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o china_n and_o what_o a_o high_a opinion_n the_o chineses_n have_v of_o it_o this_o kingdom_n be_v so_o ancient_a that_o it_o have_v preserve_v its_o form_n of_o government_n and_o have_v continue_v during_o the_o reign_n of_o twenty_o two_o family_n from_o whence_o have_v descend_v two_o hundred_o thirty_o six_o king_n for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o thousand_o and_o twenty_o five_o year_n for_o it_o be_v so_o many_o year_n since_o it_o begin_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o chineses_n hold_v for_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a for_o shall_v we_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o what_o they_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v very_o probable_a it_o will_v be_v four_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o to_o this_o present_a year_n 1668_o since_o this_o kingdom_n begin_v the_o chineses_n however_o have_v three_o opinion_n concern_v this_o matter_n some_o of_o their_o book_n six_o the_o original_a of_o their_o kingdom_n some_o hundred_o of_o thousand_o of_o year_n before_o the_o creation_n but_o though_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n believe_v this_o to_o be_v true_a yet_o the_o wise_a and_o more_o learned_a sort_n hold_v those_o book_n for_o mere_o fabulous_a and_o apocryphal_a more_o especial_o since_o consucius_fw-la have_v condemn_v that_o error_n the_o second_o opinion_n make_v king_n fohi_n to_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o this_o kingdom_n who_o be_v the_o first_o that_o reign_v towards_o the_o confine_n of_o the_o province_n of_o xénsi_fw-la the_o most_o western_a part_n of_o china_n and_o afterward_o in_o the_o province_n of_o honan_n seat_v almost_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o according_a to_o their_o book_n it_o be_v two_o thousand_o nine_o hundred_o fifty_o two_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n that_o this_o prince_n begin_v to_o reign_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o universal_a deluge_n according_a to_o the_o version_n of_o the_o seventy_o interpreter_n all_o the_o learned_a man_n hold_v this_o opinion_n to_o be_v probable_a and_o many_o among_o they_o take_v it_o to_o be_v unquestionable_a the_o three_o opinion_n be_v that_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o kingdom_n be_v lay_v about_o four_o thousand_o and_o twenty_o
and_o upon_o several_a other_o subject_n father_n manuel_n dias_n the_o young_a translate_v all_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o commentary_n and_o explanation_n of_o the_o father_n which_o make_v a_o work_n no_o less_o large_a then_o pious_a and_o learned_a father_n francis_n furtado_n publish_v a_o treatise_n of_o rhetoric_n and_o logic_n with_o certain_a other_o book_n de_fw-mi coelo_fw-la and_o de_fw-la mundo_fw-la as_o also_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o man._n the_o father_n john_n terencio_n john_n roose_n and_o john_n adam_n have_v write_v a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o book_n upon_o our_o holy_a law_n and_o upon_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o mathematics_n father_n lewis_n buglio_n who_o be_v always_o my_o chief_a consolation_n and_o inseparable_a companion_n in_o all_o my_o travel_n affliction_n and_o imprisonment_n for_o thirty_o year_n together_o translate_v the_o first_o part_n of_o st._n thomas_n which_o the_o more_o learned_a chineses_n esteem_n and_o admire_v to_o that_o degree_n that_o i_o hear_v one_o of_o they_o who_o have_v read_v the_o treatise_n of_o god_n declare_v his_o thought_n in_o these_o word_n certain_o this_o book_n be_v a_o mirror_n wherein_o to_o let_v we_o see_v our_o own_o ignorance_n the_o same_o father_n buglio_n write_v several_a other_o piece_n upon_o several_a other_o subject_n among_o the_o rest_n that_o eloquent_a and_o learned_a apology_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o book_n which_o yam_n quam_fw-la siem_fw-la that_o wicked_a infidel_n publish_v both_o in_o this_o court_n and_o over_o the_o whole_a empire_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o preacher_n of_o it_o and_o which_o he_o entitle_v pu_o te_fw-mi y_fw-fr because_o i_o can_v no_o long_o whereupon_o the_o father_n that_o he_o may_v conform_v himself_o to_o the_o style_n and_o language_n of_o the_o country_n entitle_v his_o answer_n i_o have_v answer_v because_o i_o can_v no_o long_o forbear_v both_o title_n be_v very_o significant_a in_o the_o chinese_n language_n but_o the_o father_n be_v more_o high_o esteem_v because_o it_o carry_v two_o signification_n the_o first_o i_o refute_v because_o i_o can_v no_o long_o forbear_v the_o second_o i_o have_v refute_v a_o book_n entitle_v because_o i_o can_v no_o long_o forbear_v and_o which_o be_v more_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o the_o father_n compose_v the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o book_n in_o the_o boat_n upon_o the_o road_n and_o in_o the_o inn_n under_o the_o power_n of_o rebel_n and_o barbarian_n in_o prison_n with_o three_o chain_n upon_o his_o leg_n three_o about_o his_o neck_n and_o six_o upon_o his_o hand_n and_o in_o a_o word_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o continual_a persecution_n i_o can_v say_v much_o more_o in_o praise_n of_o that_o person_n true_o pious_a and_o oâ—…_n great_a reputation_n do_v i_o not_o fear_v that_o the_o shâ—…e_n which_o i_o have_v in_o his_o suffering_n and_o the_o strict_a friendship_n that_o be_v between_o we_o will_v render_v i_o suspect_v of_o too_o much_o partiality_n father_n ferdinand_n verâ—…stâ—…t_v â—…t_z the_o same_o time_n write_v a_o learned_a answer_n to_o 〈◊〉_d or_o rather_o a_o satyr_n full_a of_o mistake_v aâ—…d_v dolâ—…â—…norance_n which_o the_o same_o yam_n quam_fw-la siem_fw-la write_v against_o the_o european_a mathematics_n father_n anthony_n gouvea_fw-mi compose_v a_o catechism_n father_n john_n monteiro_n write_v two_o book_n the_o one_o of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o other_o of_o true_a adoration_n father_n francis_n sambiesi_n write_v four_o treatise_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o moral_n of_o paint_v and_o sound_v all_o very_a short_a and_o high_o esteem_v i_o myself_o write_v a_o treatise_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o another_o of_o the_o universal_a resurrection_n nicholas_n trigaut_n lazaro_n cataneo_fw-la gaspar_n ferreira_n and_o alvero_n semedo_n all_o father_n of_o the_o society_n have_v compose_v dictionary_n very_o large_a and_o very_a exact_a and_o gaspar_n ferreira_n have_v write_v above_o twenty_o treatise_n upon_o several_a subject_n father_n soeiro_n make_v a_o abridgement_n of_o the_o christian_a law_n and_o father_n nicholas_n longobardo_n who_o die_v but_o a_o few_o year_n ago_o in_o this_o court_n fourscore_o and_o sixteen_o year_n old_a have_v write_v several_a godly_a treatise_n beside_o a_o treatise_n of_o earthquakes_a high_o esteem_v by_o the_o learned_a of_o this_o empire_n in_o short_a there_o have_v be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o book_n write_v concern_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o all_o science_n and_o subject_n which_o amount_v in_o all_o to_o above_o five_o hundred_o tome_n print_v beside_o manuscript_n there_o be_v print_v in_o china_n a_o catalogue_n of_o all_o the_o father_n that_o ever_o travel_a into_o the_o country_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n wherein_o be_v also_o the_o name_n set_v of_o all_o the_o book_n which_o they_o have_v write_v from_o whence_o i_o conclude_v that_o so_o many_o book_n can_v never_o have_v be_v translate_v and_o write_v in_o a_o foreign_a language_n and_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n have_v not_o the_o language_n be_v very_o easy_a so_o that_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o chinese_n language_n be_v more_o easy_a to_o learn_v then_o any_o other_o and_o that_o it_o be_v withal_o very_o elegant_a very_o copious_a and_o very_o expressive_a since_o it_o want_v for_o no_o term_n to_o explain_v and_o unfold_v the_o subtlety_n and_o mystery_n of_o theology_n philosophy_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o science_n i_o will_v conclude_v this_o chapter_n with_o the_o first_o paragraph_n of_o the_o first_o article_n of_o the_o commentary_n which_o i_o make_v upon_o the_o work_v of_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la with_o which_o our_o father_n always_o begin_v when_o they_o first_o set_v themselves_o to_o study_v the_o chinese_n letter_n and_o language_n to_o the_o end_n that_o by_o this_o short_a sample_n the_o beauty_n of_o the_o language_n and_o the_o wit_n of_o the_o people_n may_v be_v the_o better_o display_v they_o read_v the_o letter_n beginning_n from_o the_o top_n down_o to_o the_o bottom_n and_o from_o the_o right_n to_o the_o left_a but_o that_o i_o may_v the_o better_o conform_v to_o the_o custom_n of_o europe_n i_o have_v place_v the_o first_o column_n upon_o the_o left-hand_a to_o explain_v they_o you_o must_v put_v they_o together_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o cipher_n the_o mark_n or_o zero_fw-la which_o be_v to_o be_v see_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o some_o letter_n be_v the_o point_n and_o accent_n of_o the_o chinese_n the_o order_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o the_o explanation_n of_o the_o text_n be_v take_v from_o two_o chinese_n commentator_n of_o which_o the_o one_o who_o live_v about_o three_o hundred_o year_n ago_o be_v call_v chun_n hi_o and_o the_o other_o who_o be_v a_o colao_n be_v name_v chamm_n kiù_fw-fr chim_z who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 1610_o at_o what_o time_n matthew_n riccio_n arrive_v at_o this_o court_n of_o who_o i_o have_v already_o speak_v in_o this_o chapter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4_o great_a man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o consist_v in_o the_o second_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3_o teach_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o to_o renew_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3_o the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o the_o rule_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4_o consist_v in_o the_o 3d_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5_o consist_v in_o the_o first_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5_o to_o stop_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6_o to_o enlighten_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6_o at_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 7_o reasonable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 7_o the_o sovereign_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 8_o good_n the_o commentary_n and_o explanation_n of_o the_o text._n the_o method_n for_o great_a man_n to_o learn_v consistâ—…_n in_o three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v to_o unfold_v the_o rational_a nature_n the_o second_o be_v to_o reform_v mankind_n and_o the_o three_o to_o stop_v at_o the_o sovereign_n good._n as_o to_o the_o first_o the_o rational_a nature_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n for_o the_o chineses_n make_v no_o distinct_a on_o between_o the_o understanding_n and_o the_o will_n but_o attribute_n to_o the_o heart_n what_o ever_o we_o attribute_v to_o those_o faculty_n the_o heart_n be_v a_o substance_n pure_a and_o intelligent_a without_o any_o darkness_n or_o obscurity_n and_o where_o man_n have_v always_o ready_a all_o requisite_a reason_n to_o answer_v to_o all_o difficulty_n that_o present_v themselves_o but_o because_o that_o at_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o our_o birth_n this_o intelligent_a and_o rational_a nature_n be_v cage_a up_o and_o enclose_v within_o the_o prison_n of_o the_o body_n and_o for_o that_o our_o inordinate_a
only_o rehearse_v before_o the_o emperor_n and_o his_o minister_n of_o state._n therein_o be_v describe_v without_o any_o dissimulation_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n how_o the_o empire_n be_v govern_v and_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o ancient_a comedy_n of_o the_o greek_n that_o spare_v neither_o the_o vice_n of_o private_a man_n nor_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o the_o public_a magistrate_n the_o three_o sort_n be_v call_v pi_n que_fw-fr that_o be_v to_o say_v comparison_n for_o that_o all_o which_o be_v therein_o contain_v be_v explain_v by_o comâ—…arisons_n or_o similitude_n the_o four_o sort_n be_v call_v he_o que_fw-fr that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o raise_v or_o exalt_v because_o this_o sort_n of_o poetry_n begin_v with_o something_o that_o be_v curious_a and_o lofty_a to_o prepare_v and_o raise_v attention_n to_o that_o which_o follow_v the_o five_o sort_n be_v call_v you_o xi_o that_o be_v to_o say_v poesy_n reject_v or_o separate_v â—…ecause_n that_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la have_v review_v this_o volume_n of_o poem_n reject_v those_o which_o he_o either_o mislike_v or_o think_v to_o be_v fabulous_a however_o they_o be_v still_o quote_v and_o left_a as_o they_o be_v the_o four_o volume_n be_v compose_v by_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la and_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o lù_n his_o native_a country_n at_o present_a comprehend_v within_o the_o province_n of_o xan_n â—…um_fw-la the_o chineses_n put_v a_o high_a value_n upon_o this_o book_n and_o be_v all_o in_o ecstasy_n when_o they_o read_v it_o he_o write_v this_o history_n of_o two_o hundred_o year_n transaction_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o annal_n where_o he_o expose_v as_o in_o a_o mirror_n the_o example_n of_o prince_n both_o virtuous_a and_o wicked_a refer_v the_o â—…ents_n to_o the_o time_n and_o season_n wherein_o they_o happen_v and_o therefore_o he_o give_v to_o his_o book_n the_o title_n of_o chun_n cieâ—…_n or_o spring_n and_o autumn_n the_o five_o volume_n be_v call_v you_o kim_v and_o be_v esteem_v the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n because_o the_o chineses_n affirm_v that_o foe_n hi_o their_o first_o king_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o this_o book_n be_v worthy_a to_o be_v read_v and_o esteem_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o noble_a sentence_n and_o precept_n of_o morality_n which_o it_o contain_v i_o believe_v true_o that_o the_o good_a maxim_n which_o be_v scatter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o this_o volume_n may_v be_v write_v by_o king_n foyes_n hi_o but_o that_o the_o rest_n be_v add_v by_o other_o who_o be_v desirous_a to_o give_v reputation_n to_o their_o vision_n under_o the_o name_n of_o this_o famous_a prince_n nevertheless_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o chineses_n have_v a_o extraordinary_a veneration_n for_o this_o book_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o to_o be_v the_o most_o profound_a the_o most_o learned_a and_o mysterious_a of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v almost_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o understand_v it_o and_o that_o stranger_n ought_v neither_o to_o see_v or_o touch_v it_o the_o chineses_n have_v also_o another_o volume_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o beforementioned_a which_o they_o call_v sù_n xu_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o four_o book_n by_o way_n of_o excellency_n this_o be_v a_o volume_n of_o extract_n or_o abridgement_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o very_a marrow_n and_o quintessence_n of_o the_o former_a five_o the_o mandarinsâ—…ull_a â—…ull_z out_o from_o thence_o the_o sentence_n and_o text_n which_o they_o propose_v for_o theme_n to_o the_o learned_a that_o be_v to_o be_v examine_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o degree_n of_o bachelor_n licentiate_n and_o doctor_n and_o upon_o which_o those_o person_n write_v and_o comment_n for_o their_o reputation_n it_o be_v divide_v into_o four_o part_n the_o first_o treat_v of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n famous_a for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o their_o virtue_n the_o second_o discourse_n of_o the_o golden_a mean._n the_o three_o contain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o moral_a sentence_n well_o express_v solid_a and_o profitable_a to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o state._n these_o three_o part_n be_v write_v by_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la the_o first_o doctor_n of_o the_o chinese_n and_o be_v publish_v by_o his_o disciple_n the_o four_o part_n which_o be_v as_o big_a as_o all_o the_o other_o three_o be_v write_v by_o the_o philosopher_n men_n sum_o who_o be_v bear_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la and_o be_v honour_v by_o the_o chinese_n as_o a_o doctor_n of_o the_o second_o order_n this_o be_v a_o work_n wherein_o there_o appear_v a_o wonderful_a deal_n of_o wit_n subtlety_n and_o eloquence_n the_o discourse_n be_v pertinent_a the_o sentence_n grave_a and_o moral_a and_o the_o style_v lively_a bold_a and_o persuasive_a all_o the_o missionary_n of_o our_o society_n in_o these_o part_n very_o industrious_o study_v the_o letter_n and_o the_o language_n of_o the_o four_o part_n of_o this_o book_n and_o from_o thence_o and_o out_o of_o the_o former_a five_o it_o be_v that_o so_o many_o treatise_n and_o commentary_n of_o various_a author_n as_o well_o ancient_a as_o modern_a of_o which_o the_o number_n be_v almost_o infinite_a and_o give_v we_o occasion_n to_o commend_v and_o admire_v the_o wit_n the_o industry_n and_o eloquence_n of_o that_o nation_n be_v derive_v as_o from_o so_o many_o spring_n and_o fountain_n note_n upon_o the_o five_o chapter_n a._n p._n 96._o the_o subject_a or_o ground_n of_o this_o book_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o table_n of_o sixty_o four_o figure_n every_o one_o consist_v of_o six_o line_n which_o be_v all_o of_o a_o piece_n as_o thus_o other_o of_o two_o part_n as_o thus_o the_o chineses_n attribute_v the_o write_n of_o this_o table_n to_o their_o first_o king_n foyes_n hi_o but_o no_o body_n can_v divine_v what_o be_v the_o design_n or_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o about_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n prince_n venus_n uam_fw-la father_n of_o the_o emperor_n vu_fw-fr uam_n founder_n of_o the_o three_o royal_a family_n and_o his_o second_o son_n cheu_n cum_fw-la undertake_v to_o interpret_v this_o enigmatical_a table_n and_o that_o five_o hundred_o year_n afterward_o the_o philosopher_n cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la make_v commentary_n upon_o the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o two_o prince_n but_o whatever_o those_o three_o author_n have_v write_v upon_o this_o subject_a amount_n to_o no_o more_o than_o only_o from_o the_o agreeement_n and_o vicissitude_n of_o the_o element_n and_o other_o natural_a thing_n to_o draw_v politic_a and_o moral_a maxim_n and_o conclusion_n and_o precept_n also_o as_o well_o for_o the_o prince_n as_o their_o subject_n but_o that_o which_o render_v this_o table_n pernicious_a be_v this_o that_o the_o idolater_n call_v tao_n sum_o the_o bonze_n and_o fortune-teller_n make_v a_o bad_a use_n of_o it_o to_o confirm_v their_o superstitious_a prediction_n forge_v out_o of_o that_o variety_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o they_o intermix_v therewith_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o confederacy_n and_o vain_a and_o impertinent_a allusion_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o they_o boast_v themselves_o able_a to_o foretell_v whatever_o shall_v befall_v a_o man_n whether_o fortunate_a or_o unfortunate_a epitome_n of_o the_o first_o commentator_n of_o this_o table_n of_o foyes_n hi_o may_v be_v see_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o preface_v of_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-la cius_fw-la which_o be_v new_o print_v together_o with_o several_z other_o particular_n concern_v the_o principal_a book_n of_o the_o chinese_n of_o which_o our_o author_n speak_v in_o this_o chapter_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o civility_n and_o politeness_n of_o the_o chinese_n and_o of_o some_o of_o their_o feast_n several_a book_n may_v be_v write_v of_o the_o civility_n compliment_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o chinese_n they_o have_v a_o book_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o above_o three_o thousand_o and_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a thing_n to_o see_v how_o ready_a and_o punctual_a they_o be_v in_o those_o particular_n at_o their_o marriage_n and_o funeral_n in_o their_o visit_n and_o feast_n the_o master_n of_o the_o house_n though_o a_o person_n of_o great_a honour_n and_o dignity_n than_o any_o of_o his_o guest_n always_o give_v the_o chief_a place_n of_o pre-eminence_n to_o the_o elder_a the_o elder_a give_v place_n to_o those_o that_o come_v far_o off_o but_o all_o to_o foreigner_n when_o any_o ambassador_n arrive_v from_o the_o very_a day_n that_o his_o embassy_n be_v accept_v of_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o departure_n the_o emperor_n furnish_v he_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o provision_n horse_n litter_n and_o bark_n
significancy_n that_o in_o some_o measure_n they_o equal_v the_o greek_n and_o latin_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o chinese_n letter_n and_o language_n which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v i_o have_v collect_v alphabetical_o all_o the_o theological_a and_o philosophical_a term_n which_o our_o father_n make_v use_v of_o in_o the_o book_n which_o they_o compose_v for_o the_o chinese_n and_o i_o have_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o word_n that_o express_v their_o signification_n much_o more_o happy_o and_o easy_o than_o we_o so_o curious_a and_o eloquent_a be_v that_o language_n it_o may_v be_v demand_v of_o i_o perhaps_o how_o it_o can_v be_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o word_n shall_v have_v so_o many_o signification_n and_o how_o they_o who_o understand_v they_o can_v distinguish_v they_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o variety_n of_o signification_n arise_v from_o the_o various_a couch_n of_o the_o monosyllable_n together_o as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o syllable_n mon_fw-fr and_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o accent_n and_o tone_n as_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v in_o the_o syllable_n po._n this_o distinction_n be_v so_o natural_a to_o the_o chinese_n that_o without_o make_v the_o least_o reflection_n upon_o the_o tone_n or_o accent_n they_o ready_o understand_v all_o the_o different_a signification_n of_o the_o same_o monosyllable_n i_o say_v without_o the_o least_o hesitation_n or_o reflection_n for_o that_o indeed_o the_o people_n know_v not_o what_o either_o tone_n or_o accent_n mean_v which_o be_v only_o understand_v by_o the_o poet_n and_o our_o father_n that_o travel_v into_o china_n who_o have_v acquire_v that_o knowledge_n come_v to_o understand_v the_o language_n with_o ease_n which_o else_o they_o can_v never_o do_v without_o a_o extraordinary_a deal_n of_o trouble_n we_o be_v behold_v for_o this_o curious_a and_o profitable_a observation_n of_o the_o tone_n to_o f._n lazaro_n catanco_n and_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v it_o by_o the_o comparison_n of_o a_o musician_n who_o by_o labour_n and_o skill_n have_v acquire_v a_o readiness_n to_o know_v and_o express_v the_o six_o tone_n ut_fw-la re_fw-mi mi_fw-mi fa_fw-it sol_fw-mi la_o which_o another_o man_n bear_v with_o necessary_a ability_n natural_o express_v and_o distingnish_v without_o the_o help_n of_o rule_n or_o art._n it_o do_v not_o follow_v nevertheless_o that_o the_o chineses_n sing_v out_o their_o word_n when_o they_o speak_v as_o one_o of_o our_o father_n of_o macao_n imagine_v or_o that_o they_o carry_v a_o tablet_n about_o their_o neck_n upon_o which_o they_o write_v down_o what_o they_o will_v say_v when_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o as_o i_o be_v make_v believe_v when_o i_o first_o travel_v into_o the_o empire_n or_o that_o the_o chinese_n can_v whisper_v a_o man_n in_o the_o ear_n as_o once_o i_o think_v imagine_v it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o exalt_v their_o voice_n to_o express_v their_o tone_n and_o accent_n the_o contrary_a to_o which_o may_v be_v easy_o evince_v by_o this_o example_n shall_v i_o say_v in_o europe_n that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n of_o tone_n in_o the_o syllable_n to_o of_o the_o latin_a word_n totus_fw-la and_o totaliter_fw-la perhaps_o i_o shall_v hardly_o be_v believe_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a for_o in_o totus_fw-la to_o be_v pronounce_v with_o a_o clear_a and_o strong_a voice_n by_o open_v the_o lip_n but_o in_o totaliter_fw-la the_o same_o syllable_n be_v pronounce_v with_o a_o weak_a sound_n and_o with_o the_o lip_n more_o close_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o chinese_n language_n the_o syllable_n to_o pronounce_v with_o a_o acute_a and_o elevate_a accent_n have_v the_o same_o sound_n that_o to_o in_o totus_fw-la and_o signify_v slothful_a or_o to_o fall_v in_o regard_n a_o slothful_a man_n seem_v as_o if_o he_o be_v tumble_v every_o step_n he_o take_v but_o to_o in_o the_o chinese_n language_n pronounce_v with_o a_o circumflex_n mark_v with_o a_o point_n have_v the_o same_o sound_n with_o to_o in_o totaliter_fw-la and_o signify_v to_o study_v or_o a_o solitary_a person_n because_o that_o a_o man_n must_v be_v retire_v that_o will_v read_v or_o study_v to_o advantage_n the_o chinese_n language_n have_v many_o other_o quality_n and_o advantage_n that_o show_v the_o wit_n and_o industry_n of_o those_o that_o invent_v it_o but_o i_o pass_v they_o over_o in_o silence_n for_o brevity_n sake_n however_o i_o can_v forbear_v to_o assert_v that_o the_o chinese_n language_n be_v more_o easy_a than_o the_o greek_a the_o latin_a or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o language_n of_o europe_n at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v i_o but_o that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o the_o language_n of_o those_o other_o country_n where_o our_o society_n be_v employ_v in_o mission_n which_o be_v a_o advantage_n not_o a_o little_a considerable_a nor_o be_v this_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v question_v in_o regard_n my_o sentiment_n be_v conformable_a both_o to_o reason_n and_o experience_n for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o more_o condnce_n to_o the_o acquire_v of_o a_o language_n then_o the_o memory_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o language_n must_v be_v the_o most_o easy_a which_o have_v few_o word_n in_o regard_v a_o small_a number_n of_o word_n be_v more_o easy_o retain_v then_o a_o more_o copious_a quantity_n now_o the_o chinese_n language_n be_v the_o most_o concise_a of_o all_o other_o as_o not_o be_v compose_v of_o above_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o monosyllable_n whereas_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a contain_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o word_n of_o tense_n mood_n number_n person_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o chinese_n language_n require_v only_o a_o memory_n to_o retain_v the_o accent_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o form_n that_o distinguish_v the_o signification_n of_o word_n and_o to_o learn_v how_o to_o pronounce_v the_o three_o hundred_o monosyllable_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o he_o who_o will_v industrious_o and_o under_o a_o good_a method_n apply_v himself_o to_o study_v the_o chinese_n language_n may_v be_v able_a in_o a_o year_n time_n to_o understand_v and_o speak_v it_o very_o well_o and_o we_o find_v by_o experience_n that_o our_o father_n that_o be_v at_o present_a employ_v in_o the_o mission_n at_o the_o end_n of_o two_o year_n become_v so_o perfect_a in_o the_o language_n that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o confess_v catechise_v preach_v and_o compose_v with_o as_o much_o ease_n as_o in_o their_o own_o native_a tongue_n though_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o resemblance_n between_o their_o language_n and_o we_o and_o that_o the_o father_n be_v general_o person_n far_o advance_v in_o year_n which_o they_o can_v never_o attain_v to_o in_o europe_n where_o the_o language_n general_o have_v a_o dependence_n one_o upon_o another_o that_o there_o be_v no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v of_o this_o apparent_a truth_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a number_n of_o book_n which_o the_o father_n have_v make_v and_o translate_v and_o daily_o make_v and_o translate_v into_o the_o chinese_n language_n which_o be_v esteem_v and_o admire_v by_o the_o chinese_n themselves_o such_o as_o be_v those_o book_n which_o father_n matthew_n riccio_n compose_v upon_o our_o sacred_a law_n and_o upon_o several_a other_o subject_n of_o who_o the_o chineses_n speak_v to_o this_o day_n as_o of_o a_o prodigy_n of_o knowledge_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o knowledge_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o person_n of_o quality_n in_o the_o empire_n that_o do_v not_o know_v and_o speak_v of_o he_o with_o applause_n the_o learned_a quote_v he_o in_o their_o write_n as_o one_o of_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n and_o the_o handicraft-workman_n to_o put_v off_o their_o ware_n and_o sell_v they_o at_o a_o high_a rate_n assure_v the_o buyer_n that_o they_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o that_o illustrious_a person_n father_n matthew_n riccio_n in_o short_a they_o esteem_v and_o honour_v he_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o several_a believe_v that_o as_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-fr ci_fw-fr u_fw-mi be_v the_o prince_n the_o saint_n the_o master_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o chinese_n so_o father_n matthew_n riccio_n be_v the_o same_o among_o the_o european_n which_o be_v the_o high_a praise_n those_o idoliser_n of_o cum_fw-la fu_fw-fr ci_fw-fr we_o can_v give_v he_o father_n diego_n pantoja_n have_v also_o compose_v several_a learned_a treatise_n of_o the_o seven_o deadly_a sin_n of_o the_o seven_o virtue_n which_o be_v their_o contrary_n upon_o the_o pater_fw-la noster_fw-la upon_o the_o ave-marie_a and_o the_o credo_fw-la the_o father_n alfonso_n vanhone_n and_o julio_n aleni_n write_v several_a tome_n upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n of_o the_o holy_a virgin_n and_o the_o saint_n