the Rancounters of their Journey and the State of their Health an Interpreter who is with them assisting him that understands not the Language When they are arrived before the Palace where they are to lodge the President takes his leave of them and at his Departure gives them Power from the King to create a number of Loytias or Knights and to deliver many Prisoners condemned unto Death for an assurance of their Welcome unto that Court The Law of China exempts them from all sorts of Inconveniences that is to say that whatsoever Crime the Ambassador commits in the State his Person cannot be any way therefore punished He passes some dayes in his Palace before he has Audience to the end that the Repose he â—inds there may free him from the Wearisomness contracted by his Journey During this time he is treated by the greatâ—st of the Court who let him see the best Companies thereof and the Magniâ—icence of their Feasts After this a day is aâ—pointed for him to come to Audienceâ— The King assisted by his Councell anâ— by the Principall of his Courtiers gives it him in one of those superb Hals whereof we have spoken bâ—fore There he treats of the Subject of his Ambassy and after he has received an Answer thereunto returns laden with Presents towards the Prince who sent him His Return is as pleasant as his Arrivall he is attended by the same Troops of Souldiers maintained in the same manner at the Kings Expences and where-ever he passes he receives the samâ— Courtesies and the same Honors But all the Ambassadors that arrive in Chinâ— are not received in the same maâ—ner for those that â—ome from Princes or Republicks their Tributariâ—s are recâ—ived according to their â—oâ—diâ—ion and as Dependents of the Reâ—â—m When they arrive one only Juâ—ge receivâ—s them lodges them and mainâ—aiâ—s them at the King's Charge At the Court thâ—ir Râ—ception is suitable thâ—â—eunto The Judge who receives them aâ—ks them the Subject of their Journâ—y they tâ—ll it him he advertizes the Pâ—â—sident of the Councell thereof and the President acquaints the King who appoints them a Day of Audience But when they go thereunto 't is on â—oot or if their Indisposition permits not that they ride on an Horse without a Bridle having only an Halter for a Mark of Humility and Vassallage They have no other Company but the Judge that received them with whom they take their way to the Royal Palace When they come before it they attend in a great Place a certain Officer of the Kings that is a Master of Ceremonies who from a sufficient Distance makes them a Sign to come on and â—hews them the Place where they must begin to put themselves on their Knees to joyn their Hands and lift them up on high in sign of Adoration and to direct their Eyes towards the place where they are told that thâ— King â—s Thus they approach to the Palace and enter thereinto after they have made five other Reverences or rather â—ive Adorations They arrive at the â—irst Hall being the least of the Palace where the President of the Councell Majestically seated and not the King whom they see not gives them Audience after which he sâ—nds them back without making them aâ—y â—nswer till such time as he has spokâ—n thereof unto the King Then his Majestiâ—s Will is sent unto them by the Judge â—hat had the care to conduct them Thus they return as they came without any kind of Honor as being in some sort Subjects to the Statâ— of China For such Principalities or Republicks as send them were heretofore Provinces of the Realm but being too remote at such time as the Chineses withdrew themselves within the Enclosure of the Mountains which with that great Wall of â—â—ve hundred Leagues long lock thâ—m up they gave these Provinces to thoâ—e who do at this day possess them upon condition of Tribute and Homage But if any Ambassador of a Soveraign Prince brings Presents to the King of China and that the Law and Custom of the Countrey obliges him to expect the Safe-conduct from the Court in some Port or some Town of the Realm the Governor of the Place where they stay receives in the meaâ— time the Present But he looks upâ—n it in the presence of a Notary and some Witnesses seals â—t and sends it â—ealed to the Court with â—hat which is given to himself As it hapned some yeers since to the Ambassadors sent by Philip the second King of Spain into China For it is expressely forbidden under great Penalties to all persons who have Employ in the State to receive any Presents from any persons whatever though they be even their neerest Relations But thus are received in China the Ambassadors who go to treat with the Prince of that Countrey Which shews that thâ— Chinâ—ses are politâ— and have as good Qualities as any other people of the Earth But the Vertue of the Chineses is not without Divertisement and the long Repose which they enjoy with the abundance of Riches brings forth Delights amongst them and conducts their Life in the Charms of Pleasures The most ordinary which robs their serious Employs â—f a part of the Time that oughâ— to be dear to them are superb and magniâ—icent Feasts where they are deliciously treated They manage and make them in this mannâ—r They give every one of the invited how great soever the Number of them be â—is â—able apart where he eats alone These Tables are of a very rare Artiâ—icâ— the Wood thereof is exquisite and the Work â—â—gular They are inlaid with Fillets of Gold or Silver so dextrâ—usly enâ—erlaced that they râ—presâ—nt the â—igures of Birds of Landschapes of Huntings of divâ—rs sorts For the Artiâ—icers of China in the excellency of their Art are wonderfully industrious and bear the Bell from all other people of the World They cover not these Tables with any Tablâ—-clothes the Cleanliness and Neatness of the Chineses in their Eating has no need thereof They spread upon them Carpets of Damask or like Stuff hanging down to the ground They place upon the four Corners of the Table severall little open Baskets woven with Threds of Gold and Silver some full of divers Flowers of Sugar represented to the Natural others bear an agreeable diversity of severall Beasts made also of Sugar as Elephants Lions Stags and Hinds some are filled with Birds of the same Stuff In the middle of â—he Table are placed exquisite Viands whâ—ch make a part of the good Cheer of the Invited These are ordinarily all sorts of Fowl and Venison in Plates of Silver and fine Porcelane They eat neaâ—ly and take their Meat wiâ—h Forks of Gold or Silver not touching it any way with their Hands The Wine wâ—ich they ordinarily â—ill is made of Palm delicious to the Taâ—t and less offensive to the Head The Tables are placed in a Circle to the end that thâ— Invited may see one another While they thus make good Cheer many
THE HISTORY of the COURT of the KING OF CHINA Out of French London Printed by H. B. for Christopher Hussey at the Flower de Luce in Little Brittain 1682. TO THE Truly Worthy and ever-honored IAMES QVINE Esq SIR VEry much to be commended in my opinion is that Custom amongst the Courtiers and best educated Persons of China whereby instâ—ad of oral Complements they use to deliver unto their Friends written Protestations of a sincere and cordiall Amity to remain as a Testimony against them if they shall afterwards fall short in performing as ocâ—asion requires the Dâ—voirs of a veritable Friendship The Esteem I have for this Practice so usuall amongst them has excited me in these few Lines to assure you of the entire Respect and Veneration I have for the Amity wherewith you have been pleaâ—ed to honor me and at the same â—ime to present â—ou witâ— this little History of tâ—e Chinâ—se Court which having â—râ—nslated into our Language and finding the Subject such that I need not be ashamed of having bestowed my time therein I have thought fit to câ—mmunicate to the Publick under the auspicious Protection of your ever-honored Name Nor was it possible for me to choose a more suitable Patron for this Narraâ—ive of the Grandeurs of a Court where Learning and Vertue are had in singular Recommendation than your noble â—elf whose profound Science Heroick vertues and generous Nature would easily induce me did not the Principles of Christianity forbid me to believe a Pythagorean Metempsychosis to think you animated with the Souls of all the greatest Heroes and most eminent Scholars whose Fame is at this day celebrated in the Universe For if the Heroick Generosity of your Spirit represents to me a Caesar and an Alexander your extraordinary Eloquence does at the same time tempt me to think you a Demosthenes and a Câ—cero I mighâ— herâ— accordâ—ng to the usuall Custom of Dedications make a large Enumeration of these many great and vertuous Qualitiâ—s that gain you a most particulâ—r Esteem in the Hearts of all those that have the honor to â—e acquainted with you but knowing how offensive this would be to that Modesty which you have made your inseparâ—blâ—â—ompanion and being conscious â—lso of minâ— own Inability to give to such high Endowments the Encomium they deserve I here put a stop to my Pen which is ambitious to honor it self with celebrating your Praises Receive then Sir this little Present which I take the boldness to offâ—r to you as a pledge of the unfeigned Zeal I have for your Service and believe me that I shall nâ—ver think my self any longer worthy to live than I shaâ—l be ready to embrace all Occasions of verifying what I here protâ—st that I am SIR Your most entirely devoted and most affectionatâ— Servant A. G. Page 57 Line 19 in some Copies for Judgment read Punishment THE HISTORY Of the COURT of the KING of CHINA THE Kingdome of the Sinae whose Customs have been related unto us by the antient Historians is called by those of the Countrey Taybinco by their Neighbors Sancley and by the Europaeans China It is situated in the Extremity of Asia being on the East and South washed by the Waves of the great Ocean on the Wâ—sâ— bounded with the higher India and having on the North the Scythians and Massagetes for its Neighbors The Circuit thereof is nine thousand five hundred and sixteen Dias or Miles of the Countrey amounting in our account to three thousand Leagues the Diameter or Leâ—gth thereof being eighteen hundred Leagueâ— In this vast and immense space are contained fifteen fair and great Provinces five hundred ninety and one Cities fifteen hundred ninety and three Towns and an infinite number of Villages Fifteen of the Cities are Mâ—tropolitan or Principal of the Realm superbly and commodiously built on fair Sea-ports or the fertil Banks of great navigable Rivers The Provinces are Paguie Canton â—oquien Olan Cinsay Susuam Tolanchie Cansay Oquian Auchâ—o Honam Xanton Quincheu Chequcan Saxii or Sancii They are governed each of them by the wise Administration of a Vice-roy except Paguie and Tolanchie which are immediately under the Care of their Soveraign and the Advice of his Councel For in them he resides as lying neerest to the Tartars their ancient Enemies that the Royal presence as the Sun of the State may dissipate the Mists and Clouds of Troubles which would obscure the Glory thereof The Goodness of the Countrey is envied by all the rest of the earth Men breath there the Air of the Eastern world Wine Corn and Fruits are there exceeding plentiful the fâ—rtil Land producing them thâ—â—e a yeâ—â— Wooll Cottons and silks arâ— thâ—â—e in very great quaâ—â—ity Pâ—rfumes â—re there gaâ—hered Metals are there found Gold and Silver do there abound Diamonds do there sparklâ— â—earls are there fisht up the Sea obeys â—heir Navigations It is watered by great Rivers and the Chinâ—sâ—s may disdain and slight the Succor of other men and the Commodities of their Provinces They are also enclosed and shut up as it were in another World Nature hath furnished them with great Mountains which lock them in and Art by the care of King Tzinson has drawn a Wall five hundred Leagues long of a very great height and above five and twenty Paces thick which finishes that Enclosure which Nature seems to have left on purpose that knowing their own Strength they might make themselves a World apart although History sayes that the Incursions and Ravages which the Tartars made upon them on that side advanced the Project therâ—of and caused them to hasten thâ— Work The principal Laws under the sage conduct whereof they live in the midst of an assuâ—ed Râ—pose accumulated with all sorts of Felicities are First that the Scepter of the Chinesâ— Kingdome can never fall to the Distaff the Males only and not the Females being capable of sâ—cceeding to the Crown Secondly that no person of the Countrey presume to go out of the Ports thereof into any forreign parts without the express Leave of the King himself and not of any of his Officers and that no other from without be admitted or may enter thereinto without the same Licence Thus they keep inviolable the Purity of their good Customs and with the aid of this great Wall hinder Strangers from entring into their Realm and their Vices from their Court which are elsewhere the Domesticks of Courtiers If by chance any Forreigner slips in amongst them he is soon discovered by every one For to this purpose they have long since established a Custome amongst them which is to crush and â—latten the Noses of their Children at the time of their Birth so that all the Chineses are â—lat-nosed whereby a Stranger in their company has his Countenance wholly different from theirs Thirdly that State-employes are conferred on none but such as are very capable of them and enduâ—d with rare and excellent Qualities That no man be esteemed Noble if he be not
being arrived they present him to the King who confirms or disallows his Election but the last scarce ever happens The new chosen Councellor in this manner takes his Oath between the Kings hands That he will render Iustice to every one according to the Laws of the Kingdom and that in the Administration thereof as also in the Nomination of Governors or Iudges of the State Passion or Affection shall never supplant with him Vertue and Merit That he will not receive any Presents That he will with all diligence preserve the Peace of the Kingdom and that he will advertize the King and his Councell of whatever shall come to his knowledge prejudiciall to his Service After this solemn Oath he is put in possession of his Place in one of the thirteen Seats in the Councell-Hall The Royal City celebrates the Solemnity therâ—of all the Realm keeps Holy-day and the People rejoyce thereat with Sports and Publick Feasts And surely the Passengers have Reason to rejoyce when wise Pilots are called to the Government and Steerage of the Vessel For a King who is swayed by Counsell has need only of wise and well-advised men who may counsell him without Passion The President only of this Councell had the Priviledgâ— to speak to the King when he does 't is alwayes on his Knees with a singular Respect When he is sick then the ancientest Auditor of the golden Seats performs his Offiâ—e Happy indeed are the men of Chinâ— who live in a Kingdom where Vertuâ— receives its Honors and its Recompence Bâ—t much more happy woulâ— they be if the Worship of the truâ— GOD conducted them to eternall Feliâ—ity by the means of a better Religion â—han that which deturns them from it Now although the Kingdom of China be of a very great extent as we have already said nevertheless the Kings Councell is advertized â—very Moneth of all that passes in the Provinces thereof the most remote from the Court The Vice-royes or Governors are obliged to give them by the Post continual Advice thereof The President of the Councel having râ—ceived it gives an account thereof to the King and very exactly informs him of all that passes in his Realm And if the Disorder of any Province obliges the Councell to send thither some one of the Court it is done with incredible Expedition and that Secrecy which is very often requisite in State-affairs He that is sent departs without being known arrives there Incognito informs himself of all that has past and afterwards if it be necessary makes himself known and shews his Power Moreover these Councellors of State not by Dozens as elsewhere but twelve in number keep the first and uppermost Ranks in the Realm For there bâ—ing in China neither Dukes Marquesseâ— Earls nor other like Persons of this Illustrious Quality the Law of the Countrey removing from the Court all the Princes of the Blood they receive in their Places the Honors and Devoirs which should be rendred unto them They are visited with very great Respects they are spoken to on the Knee and every one payes them an extraordinary Veneration By the Advice of these wise Counsellors of State the King commits the Charges of his Realm to those whom Vertue and Merit has rendred most worthy thereof These Charges or the most eminent of them are six in number The first is that of Vice-roy of the Province who in their Language is called Comon He is Supreme Mâ—gistrate and represents in his Government the Royal Person of his Master The second is the Insuanto He is after the Comon Governor of the whole Province as is in our Countreys a Lieutenant General for the King Now in every Town of the Province reresides a Governor called Tutan who besides the Care he has to govern the Place intrusted to him is obliged also in the exercise of his Charge to report to the Insuâ—nto the principal Affairs of the Place where he commands the Insuanto advertizes the Comon and the Comon gives Advice thereof to the King and his Councâ—l The third is the Poâ—â—chasi or Superintendant of the Treasures who has under him many smaller Officers and a compleat Councel He payes with the Money which is sent him all the Officers of the Province and consigns thâ— Surplusage into the Hands of the Tutan The fourth is the Toioc who is Captain Gâ—neral of the Men of War that are in the Province as well Hoâ—se as Foot The fifth is the Anchasi or Lord Chieâ— Justice as well in Causes Civil â—s Criminal To him belongs the last Decision oâ— all Differences brought before him by Appeal from the inferior Judges The sixth is the Ayâ—ao or President of the Councel of War whose principal Office consists in levying of Souldiers both by Land and Sea in furnâ—shing and providing with Necessaries the Garrisons that are upon the Frontiers of the Realm Besides this it belongs to him to take an account of the Strangers that arrive in his Province to question them very exactly to know whence they are and on what Design they are entred into the Realm and diligently to advertize the Vice-roy of all These Charges have in them the brightâ—st Lustre and Glory of the Realm and every one of these above-named Oâ—ficers hath under him ten Auditors chosen out of those who are adjudged to be the most prudent and most experimented in Affairs who â—ase them and aid them in the expedition therâ—of These Auditors are in the Function of their Charges in very great Consideration through all the Countrey They assemble ordinarily in the House of the Comon or Vice-roy in a superb Hall destinated for holding the Councel Five of them sit on the Right hand of him that presides and the five others on his Left hand Those that are on the Right hand are the ancientest and have Place above the others besides which their Habit also makes their Difference from the others for they wear Girdles garnished with Gold and Hats of a pale color whereas those of the Left hand wear only Silver in the Garnishment of their Girdles and have blue Hats But both the one and the other as also the Presideâ—t wear before their Breast and on their Shoulders the Arms of the King which are two Serpents in embroidery of Gold This Mark is so necessary to them that without it they dare not go abroad nor perform any Exercise of their Employs History crowns these Judges and Officers of China with the Praise merited by the Vertues which it recounts of them and particularly takes notice of the admirable Patience wherewith they are endued They hear sayes it very patiently the Parties even in the Heats of their Passions and the confused Tumulâ— of many even of those whom the Vehemency of Affairs causes to speak with Disorder troubles noâ— in them this fair Vertue of hearkning without Choler to those that are transported therewith And their Speech is accompanied with so incredible a Sweetness as makes them appear gracious even to
Tae being of the Value of an Italian Crown The Silver-Mines yield him in sine Silver three Millions an hundred fifty three thousand two hundred and nineteen Taes Those of Stones fourteen hundred and seventy thousand Taes The Fishery of Pearls brings into his Coffers two Millions six hundred and thirty thousand Taes The Tax upon Odors as Musk and Amber is worth a Million and â—ive and thirty thousand Taes That which is upon Porcelane brings ninety thousand Taes This second Tribute making in all eleven Millions five hundred eighty four thousand French Crowns so that the Revenue hitherto reckoned amounts to about six and twenty Millions of Crowns But the third Tribute upon Corn Salt Wool Cottons and Silks is yet more worth than all this This puissant and opulent Monarch gives to his Subjects a great Quantity of Land depending upon his Dâ—mean on Condition that they render unto him a part of the Proâ—its thereof which serves for the necessary Provisions of his Royall Palace and for those of â—he Officers of his Realm Those who are appointed to collect this Tribute gather every yeer sixty Millions an hundred seventy one thouâ—and eight hundred and thirty Measures of White Rice which is the most ordinary Food of the Men of China and their Neighbors Twenty nine Millions three hundred ninety one thousand nine hundred eighty two Measures of Barley Thirty three Millions one hundred anâ— twenty thousand and two hundred Measures of Wheat Twenty Millions two hundred and fifty thousand Measures of Rie Twenty five Millions three hundred and fourty thousand four hundred Measures of Salt Twenty four Millions of Measures of Millet In other Grains and Pulse fifty four Millions of Measures Silk wrought into Cloth furnishes him with two hundred and six thousand Pieces of the most curious work every piece being 14 Ells long That which is unwrought brings him 540 thousand pound weight He has in Cotton 300 thousand pounds weight the work of Coverings for Beds yields him 8 hundred thousand 4 hundred Pieces of the most exquisite Raw Silk also gives him the weight of four thousand pounds the Manufacture of Cotton brings him six hundred seventy eight thousand Pieces of this Stuff each fourteen Ells long Raw Cotton yields him three hundred and four thousand six hundred forty eight pounds weight The Value of which Incomes augmenting the Sum of the Tribute in Money causes the annual Revenue of this great Empire to amount to an hundred and twenty Millions of Crowns This great and superb Treasure of the King of China collected from his Subjects and the excellent Prudence wherewith he governs his State and manages so rich a Revenuâ— have made him take for his Arms two golden Serpents entwined one within the other and the immense Extent of so vast and fertil a Kingdom abounding with all sorts of Felicities has caused him to put among his Titles the Style of Lord of the World and Son of Heaven And truly since the Countrey is a World in Greatnâ—ss and Goodness he has Reason to call himself the Lord thereof Kings are in effâ—ct doubly the Sons of Heaven not only by the benefit of their Creation as are other men but also by the excellent Priviledge of their Soveraignty whiâ—h is the living Image of the celestial Power But the Monarch of China in the Vanity of his deceitful Religion and the false Worship of his Idols lives as a Son of the Earth Nevertheless the Greatness of his Treasures the Puissance of his Forces the Fertility of his Countrey and the Extent of his State have carried the Pride of his Spirit to that degree of Insolence as to contemn all the rest of Men and to esteem only those of China He sayes often and the same Vaunting is in the mouth of his Sujbects That the Chineses have two Eyes the Europaeans one and that all the other men of the Earth are blind Notwithstanding this Fault which is common to many Princes the Amity and Alliance of so opulent and puissant a Monarch merits well to be sought for by other Soveraigns His Neighbors esteem and desire it The Tartar his capital Enemy requests it and the King of Spain has judged it profitable for the Good of his States and the Glory of his Majesty So when these Princes send Ambassadors to him for this purpose or for to treat of some important Affair he râ—câ—ives them honors them and causes all sort of good Reception to be shewn them When they enter into the Realm the Governor of the â—lace through which they pass assiâ—ted by all the Loytias and Captains of â—he Countrey goes to meet them for to testify unto them by â—loquent Harangue the welcomness of their Arrival Iâ— they come by Sea although there 〈◊〉 but a very little Distancâ— from the Harbor where they land to the Town yeâ— are they not at their Landing permitteâ— to set foot to ground They are receiveâ— in Chairs very richly embroidered witâ— Pearls covered with Curtains of Clotâ— of Gold which eight men carry on theiâ— Arms whereof there are some kept iâ— the principal Towns set apart for thâ— only use For the Law of China sayâ—s Let a forreign Ambassador be recâ—ived anâ— honorâ—d in the same manner as the Prinâ—â— should by whom he is sent if he came inâ—â— the Realm When they are aâ—rived theâ— are lodged in an House mâ—de for theâ— built like a Palace royally furnished and provided with all things necessary where they are served and treated at 〈◊〉 Expences of the King as likewise all â—long their Journey where they are aâ—so at the Kings Expences guarded 〈◊〉 attended by a thousand Souldiers Tâ—morrow after their Arrival the Goveâ—nor who was to receive them goes viâ—it them and after many suitable Coâ—plements asks â—hem the Subject of thâ— Ambassy and having learnt it dâ—â—patches a Curier to the principal Town of the Province to advertize the Vice-roy thereof The Vice-roy dispatches the same Currier to the Court and writes thereof to the King and his Councel who send the Ambassadors a Safe-conduct for their Journey Having received it they set forwards towards the Court attended by the number of Souldiers whâ—reof we have lately spoken they are maintained and have their Expences defrayed by the Kings Treasurers and whereever they pass all sort of Honor is rendred them Wheâ— they arrive at the Royall City of Taybin the ordinary Reâ—idence of thâ— Court the Kings Coâ—â—câ—ll attended by the principal Knightâ— go to meet them The Presidâ—nt of this Royall Councell makes a Baâ—d aparâ— with the Train and Pomp of a King If thâ— Amâ—assadors come from great Monarchs this great President goâ—s on their Left hand if they come from lesser Priâ—ces hâ— takes the Rigâ—t and in this raâ—k accompanies them â—o the House prepared for them the Furâ—iture wherâ—of and the Preparaâ—ion for the Entâ—â—taiâ—ment of the Aâ—bassadors are truly bâ—sâ—eming the Grandeur and Magnificieâ—ce of the King of China By the way he discourses them of