of their Offices before him declaring publickly that they would no longer Serve in their Places and the more boldly they throw them down if the Emperor designs any thing which they fear may prove prejudicial to the Realm and that he will not hearken to them It hapned some years since that the Emperor Vanlie who clouded all his Atchievements by his insatiably lustful desires for notwithstanding he had a lawful Son yet he would declare a Bastard to be Heir of the Empire but the Peers and Governors being against it said they would not suffer so base an Election yet the Emperor not regarding their Saying all the Magistrates that were in the City being to the number of two thousand went to the Palace and forc'd him against his will by laying off their Liveries to declare the lawful Heir to be Successor The like occasion hapned Anno 1651. for when after the Death of the Guardian and Unkle to the young Emperor another Tartar would Govern alledging that the Emperor's Age was not fit for such a Management all the Governors laid down their Badges whereby he was forc'd to desist and in this manner a Youth of sixteen years old call'd Xunghi being the true Heir took upon him the Government Besides these Magistrates or Privy-Councellors at the Court there are several other Offices or Council-Chambers for divers Businesses but the chiefest and most honorable is that which is call'd Hanlinyuen into which none but Learned Doctors are admitted Those which are in this Imperial Office do nothing but Read several Books and may not trouble themselves with publick Concerns when as nevertheless they exceed those that sit at the Helm wherefore many endeavor greatly to get into their Society Their Business is onely to write the Emperor's Letters Annual Chronicles and to make Laws and Ordinances Out of these are also chose the Tutors for the Emperor's and Princes In this Society are several degrees of Honor which every one attains to by their writing a good Style after which they are rais'd to the highest Preferment within the Court None are chose to be of that most eminent Office of Colao but out of them Those that are in this Society make great advantages by writing Epistles and Encomiums of their Friends nay every one accounts himself happy if he can but get them bestowing great Charge and trouble to that end for if they have but the Name that they are made by them they are accounted excellent though never so bad Lastly those that are of this Society are chief Councellors and Judges in the Examinations of Causes both Divine and Moral and are by the Professors of Sciences accounted Masters of Literature Besides all these Courts there is one supream Court which is the chief in the whole Empire None can be receiv'd into this unless they have been of the Imperial Society call'd Hanlin or Hanlinyuen before mention'd and after they have a considerable time been in Places of Government and made sufficient proofs of their Mildness Policy and Prudence and that no Letters of Complaint have been set out against them This Court consists of four or at most of six Persons which are call'd Colaos and Coglogs The Emperor Vanlie Grandfather to the Emperor Zunchin would never suffer more than one Colao alledging that the rest were needless The Quality of Colao to speak properly is no peculiar Office because they take care of the general Government of the State and are just like Supream Judges of all Courts and Dominions in the whole Empire though they are never all together but when they dispatch grand Business for the Emperor who being not always present upon the concluding they are many times forc'd to be in the Palace to answer those Petitions which are hourly brought to the Emperor This done they are necessitated to find out the Emperor and inform him of their several Results which having heard he doth Justice to the Parties and pronounces the ultimate Sentence by either confirming or altering their Conclusions These Colaos are in the highest esteem and above all the Councels or Magistrates who at a certain time come and shew Reverence to them as their Superiors in an open Hall The Colaos during this Ceremony stand up and all the Officers according to their Degrees walk cross the Hall coming before them they turn about and bow their Heads down to the Ground which Ceremony is call'd Quo Tham that is Passing through the Hall There is also a great difference betwixt the Colaos Robes and those of the other Magistrates for their Girdles are beset with Precious Stones which they call Yuxe which none but Colaos may wear in the whole Empire nay they receive their Orders by the Emperor 's own Hand as the Knights amongst us their Honor from the King himself Father Nicholas Trigaut describes the Colaos Authority and Office in the following words Besides these six Courts there is another the most eminent in the whole Realm and the Emperor's Palace those which belong to it are call'd Colaos and are generally three or four in number and sometimes six They have charge of no particular Business but mind the general Concerns of the Empire and sit in private Consultation with the Emperor daily in his Palace And in regard the Emperor at present doth not appear in Person at Treaties of publick Affairs of the Realm which he formerly us'd to dispatch they stay the whole day in the Palace and answer Petitions which in great numbers are brought according as they think fit with which Answers they go to the Emperor who Regio Nutu by his Beck either confirms or alters them Thus far Trigaut The like Quality and Office Father Martin ascribes to them in the following words The six Courts viz. Lypu Hupu Pingpu Cungpu Hingpu are not concern'd in publick Matters of the whole Realm but onely with private Consultations for the Governors make their Requests to the Emperor by way of Petition who having consider'd of the Business sends them to every Court to which they belong the Assistants whereof after serious Consideration acquaint the Emperor with their Opinons in Writing which he then according to his pleasure either vacates or affirms which that he may the better be able to do he chuses some of the prime Philosophers in the whole Empire for his Assistants who are call'd Colaos or Caising that is Assistants in Government These are in the next Degree to the Emperor and aid him in dispatching of Business Consulting with him in Person as being his Privy-Council for he is seldom seen by any other Magistrates Judges Justices or Councellors Thus far Martin Those which the Chineses call Colao we if we observe the original of the Name should term Assistants to the Emperor partly for their honorable Employment and partly as being next the Emperor the prime Governors of the whole Realm Thus far of the general Government and Councils or Offices of the Realm which so
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
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
they are great lovers are never made without either Flesh or Fish The Emperor Che who began his Reign before the Birth of our Saviour Anno 1150. first us'd Sticks of Ivory to Eat with and Ivory Dishes but these Sticks are not always made of Ivory but sometimes of Ebony or some other such like Materials and tipt only at the ends with which they touch the Meat with Silver or Gold yet the Inhabitants of the Counties Iunningfu in the Province of Iunnan a Rustick and Salvage People use not the foremention'd Sticks but put the Meat into their Mouths sooping it down by whole handfuls The Chineses sit at their Tables on high and artificial wrought Stools and not cross-Legg'd like the Tartars Anciently they us'd neither Stools nor Tables but sat on the Ground cross-Legg'd after the same manner as most of the Asiatick and African People yet do insomuch that they have but one Character for a Table and a Carpet Tables were first brought in use among the Chineses near the Raign of the Emperor Han which ever since they have observ'd and have them and their Stools very curious They use many Ceremonies as well in the middle as in the beginning oâ—… ending of their Feasts The Master of the House as their Taster first sitting down when he hath taken a Morsel and tasted the Liquor then recommending invites his Friends to sit down and do the like In the middle of their Feast they change their small Dishes into great and all present Masters and whatsoever have the freedom of drinking what they please but none inforc'd to more Persons of Quality make Feasts when they return from a Journey and it often happens that one Man will go to seven or eight Feasts in a day only to oblige his Friends by his Presence When they have time they send some days before Letters to peculiar Friends desiring them to come to their Feasts which if they cannot being otherwise ingag'd then they excuse themselves again by a Letter and they put off their Feasts till they can come with which they acquaint them by another Letter call'd A Letter of Request At the day appointed those that are there first stay without in a Hall till all the rest are come then they go into the Dining-Room where the Master of the House using some Ceremonies puts all things in a readiness which done every one seats himself according to his Quality and the Invitor sits down in State to animate his Guests to Eat and Drink They sit a loâ—…g while at Table for besides their Discourses they have Musick and Comedians who strait Personate whatever they call for or desire Their Feasts end in many Complements which the Guests make to the Master to whom they send a Letter the next Morning extolling the noble Entertainment and all things thereto belonging and hearty thanks for the honor which they receiv'd by it The Chineses as Trigaut witnesseth eat all manner of Dainties which we have in Europe and very well know how to dress and prepare them but they bring but very little of a sort to their Tables for they account the glory of their Feast to consist in the variety of Petits and Hotch-potches neither do they eat Flesh and Fish apart as we but mix them together Moreover no manner of Meat being once put on the Table is taken away till Dinner is ended wherefore they not onely fill the Tables setting one Dish by another but heap them up like their own Turrets No Bread nor Rice is set on the Table before the Guests except at some small Feasts or towards the latter end if there be then they drink no Wine for the Chineses drink not any before Rice They have also several Games at their Feasts like ours where every one that loseth is forc'd to take up his Cup at which all the rest rejoyce and clap their Hands The Chineses are very mannerly at Meals and keep their Dinners early Mushroms they account a great Dainty sending for them from the Mountain Tienno lying in the County of Hancheufu belonging to the Province of Chekiang near the small City Lingan They are carry'd through all China and being Salted and dry'd last good a whole year They steep them first in Water before they boyl them by which means they become as fresh again as when first gather'd In no place in all China is more Butter and Milk us'd than in the City of Sucheu in the Province of Nanking for Martinius relates that he saw none in any place else The Inhabitants of this City exceed the other Chineses in preparing their Meats with Sugar Salt Vinegar Wine and Herbs The Inhabitants of the twelfth County Xunningfu in the Province of Iunnan a salvage People stick not to eat according to the foremention'd Martinius all manner of Creatures that are not venomous The People of the fourth Territory Chingvenfu in the Province of Queicheu have no Salt but use the Ashes of an Herb call'd Kine in stead thereof Amongst those of the Province Kiangsi are some which all the year long gather up the Bones of dead Cattel and lay them in Porcelane Dishes at their Feasts to fill up their empty Platters that their Dishes may be heap'd one upon another according to the Custom of the Countrey Marriages and Matrimonial Ceremonies THree thousand years since to this day according to an inviolable Law Marriages have been observ'd in China Antiently they us'd many Ceremonies in Betrothing each other and amongst others to give their Hands as we do but most of them are chang'd some quite extinguish'd and others new At this day they observe two kinds of Marriages one firm as with us not to be dissolv'd but by the Death of one or both In this the Woman is conducted with many Ceremonies to her Husbands House The second is a kind of Concubinate yet suffer'd by that Countrey amongst such as have no Children but that limitation is a meer pretence for the Rich take Concubines or Mistresses without any scruple though they have several Children In this the Betrothing differs much from that of a true and lawful Marriage for here they Treat with the reputed Father or Fosters of a Maiden which in truth having no Relation but have onely brought them up with intent to sell them to the first amorous Chapman But to speak properly this is no Marriage because neither any Promises nor Matrimonial Ceremonies pass between them for the Law of the Countrey permit all Women to take any other Man if the first hath put her off Besides these Concubines eat apart by themselves in peculiar Rooms and are under obedience of the lawful Wives being at their Command as Servants on all occasions Neither do their Children shew that obedience to them as those of the lawful Wives do neither call them by the Name of Mother At their Death those Children which are born of them are not oblig'd to Mourn three years nor desist from their Study
will take you for my Son-in-law The other Youths are sent back again and accounted Noble because they were allotted to this Choyce The Emperor's Son-in-law hath immediately a Fumme set over him being two Learned Mandarins of the Court to be his Tutors and instruct him in all Princely affairs Till the Woman hath Children the Man is bound to shew Reverence three times a day with bended Knees but when she is Deliver'd of a Child this Duty ceases Yet there are many Ceremonies and Shews of Obedience that continue for which reason Persons of Quality shun to be the Emperor's Sons-in-law and this Custom of chusing twelve is no more observ'd Is the Emperor accidentally casts his Eye on a Person of Quality or a Learned Person to make him his Son-in-law they humbly desire and beg to be excus'd of it fearing to live discontentedly all his life-time if the Princess should take any dislike against him As to what concerns the Emperor's prime Wife who is call'd by the Title of Hoamheu which is Empress she hath her Seat behind the Emperor the other six and the next in Degree are call'd Queens and in great esteem Besides these the Emperor hath thirty Ladies of Honor the rest being Concubines to the number of three thousand are young and beautiful Women brought thither from all parts of the Empire whom the Emperor visits at his pleasure as his Fancy leads or their Beauty attract The Emperor Theumchim being a Chaste Man they said of him Pu yu cuin that is He goes not into the Palaces of Women and some others such there have been as on the contrary there have been more whose wandring Affections have been so unsatisfiable that not pleas'd with their own Fancies to chuse a Mate they kept a little Wagon drawn by Goats letting them run whither they would and into what Chamber soever they went and stood still there the Emperor pitch'd for his amorous Dalliance Another that would not take that trouble to go into the Womens Palaces caus'd them all to be presented to him in Pictures and her whom he lik'd best he sent for Thus far Semedo The Tartar Emperor which at this day Governs being a Youth of eighteen Years hath twelve Empresses for his Service Funerals and Mourning for the Dead ALl the Chinese Books which Treat of their Customs endeavor nothing more than to incite Children to shew Obedience to their Parents and Respect to their Ancestors which they shew in nothing more than in their Funerals and Obsequies for they not onely Habit themselves in Mourning but bestow great Cost on a Coffin In the preparing for their Funerals which may rather be call'd a glorious Show they strive to exceed one another according to their State and Quality nay often go beyond their Capacity They Mourn not in black but White The Sons at their Parents Death wear a course Flaxen Coat or rather Frock which reaches down to their Feet their Hats and Shoes are also very pitiful to behold and they tie a Cord about their Wastes like the Franciscan Monks This Mourning according to an inviolable Law for Father or Mother is strictly observ'd by the Children three whole years for this reason as they say in their Books that they should requite their Parents and as a testimony of thankfulness that they have carry'd them three years in their Arms and brought them up with great trouble during their Infancy But the time which they Mourn for other Relations is much shorter for some leave off Mourning within the Year others in three Moneths as in Europe The lawful time to Mourn for the Emperor or Empress is also three years which all the Subjects observe through the whole Empire But now upon the Emperor's permission made known by Proclamation Days are reckon'd for Moneths and so the whole Realm in a Moneths time express their Sorrow for the Emperor's Death in Mourning The Funeral Ceremonies and Customs of the Chineses observ'd at Burials are written in a large Book wherefore upon any ones Decease those that are to take care to Interr the Body repair to that wherein their Mourning Clothes Shoes Caps Girdles and the like are not onely describ'd in it but also represented in Pictures When a Person of Quality happens to die the Son of the Deceased or nearest Kinsman acquaints all the other Relations and Friends with it by a Book written in a mournful Style Mean while the Coffin is made and the Body put into it and likewise the Hall or Chamber in which the Corps stands hung and cover'd with white Cloth in the middle of the Chamber is an Altar on which stands the Coffin and the Effigies of the Deceased Into this Chamber on certain Days come all the Kindred of the Deceased clad in Mourning whither they bring Rice and setting two Wax-Candles on the Altar burn Perfumes to the Honor of the Deceased When the Candles are lighted then they shew Reverence to the Dead by bowing their Bodies and Kneeling four times but they first put Frankincense into a Perfuming Pot with Fire which is plac'd against the Coffin and the fore-mention'd Image Whilst these Ceremonies are performing one or more Sons of the Deceased stand on each side of the Chest crying and lamenting behind the Coffin all the Women of his Alliance standing behind a Curtain cry without ceasing The Priests have ordain'd a Custom to burn Papers cut after a peculiar fashion as also white Silk-Stuffs which is done they say that thereby the Deceased may be provided of Clothes in the other World The Children oftentimes keep their dead-Fathers and Mothers in a Coffin in the House three or four years together without the least nauseating smell coming through the Crannies being colour'd all over with the Gum which they call Cie All which time they set before them every day Meat and Drink as if they were alive The Sons during this time of Mourning do not sit on their usual Stools but on low Benches cover'd with white Cloth neither do they sleep on Beds but on Mats of Straw spread over the Floor near the Coffin They eat no Flesh nor drink but upon pure necessity not being suffer'd to be at any Feasts nor for some Moneths to go abroad publickly but are carry'd in Sedans cover'd with Mourning Cloth Many other things they observe which would be too tedious to relate At the Day when the Corps is to be carry'd out the Friends and Relations are invited by another Book and meet all in white Apparel to attend the Funeral which is perform'd like the Romans Processioning several Shapes of Men Women Elephants Tygers and Lyons made of Paper but curiously Gilt and Painted being carry'd before and afterwards burnt at the Grave The Priests mumbling their Heathen Prayers follow the Corps also in a long Train and use several Ceremonies by the Way beating on Drums playing on Pipes Cymbals Bells and the like Before go likewise several Men carrying of great Copper Perfuming-Pots on their Shoulders
on the publick Account or else set the Multitude return home alledging that there were Women amongst them and that their weak Sex was not able to endure such Inconveniencies and likewise ancient People that worn out with sicknesses were not us'd to undergo such hardship No sooner was Schal's Petition deliver'd but the Governors looking upon his Request to be just let all the People go away with resolution that all the Mandarins should every Morning for the seven following days Weep half an hour in the Emperor's Chamber after which every one should retire and observe the establish'd Month of Fasting for the Emperor The fourteenth of the first new Moon they gave the new Emperor Konchi his Oath at the performance whereof every Bench were in particular led into a Hall The chief of the first and second Order went to the upper Hall where having with the rest lamented over the Deceas'd Emperor's Body the Oath was publickly read before them all to which they all shew'd Reverence by thrice Kneeling and bowing their Heads to the Ground and calling upon the Dead to witness the same Then going from the Court they went to an Idol-Temple where they gave him the Oath again and finish'd their began Work with the same Ceremonies When on the seventh day after the Emperor's Death the sleight Roofs made of Mats were taken away the chief Funeral-Priest seated himself in the open Court after which the chiefest being call'd into the Hall and the rest standing at the Door they began again to Cry which dured longer than ordinary because the Queen-Mother was there present and began first with all her Women Then many Silver and Gold Vessels were brought out of a Tent erected for the Corps and Tables being also set about the Coffin richly Garnish'd with Sweet-meats in Silver Chargers all which was thrown into the Fire The remaining time as from the first day when they went to lament the City Servants and petty Governors holding all that had belong'd to the Emperor as his Horses Atchievements Flags and other things of State stood in a Row at the Entrance of the Palace from whence they stirr'd not till the Mandarins went away On the first of the second Moon the Crying and fore-mention'd Ceremonies were again renew'd early in the Morning in the presence of the Queen-Mother and the Tables which four Men could scarce carry were again with Clothes Carpets and the like thrown into the Fire The last day they met to accompany the Corps which was plac'd behind the Palace in a Hall on a neighboring Mount which abounds with Deer Harts Stags and the like Beasts for the Emperor's Recreations till the Imperial Tomb should be made ready in some other Place First the Way which from the Palace runs to the Mount was Grabell'd and laid plain to prevent the rising of the Dust to which inconvenience the Streets in Peking are very subject Thither came all the Grandees Habited in white Mourning to accompany the Corps before went nine Elephants with Turrets on their Backs forty Camels caparison'd with red Cloths and Bridles plated with Gold and rich Symiters hanging down by their Necks were loaden with Tents and other Furniture then follow'd an hundred Horses led by yellow Bridles without Gold except the Buckles which were onely Gilded next in order were Drums Trumpets and others with Instrumental Musick to the number of a hundred behind which were carry'd fifty Gilded Hammers and above an hundred Flags of several colours with wild Beasts Birds and twenty eight Stars stitch'd with Thrâ—… of Gold then again fifty Hammers after which were led a hundred Saddled Horses the last thirty laden with rich Flannel and the Emperor's Clothes condemn'd to the Fire next these came twenty Youths every one holding an Imperial Quiver imboss'd with Pearls and Precious Stones besides Bowes and Arrows and just before them walk'd twelve Greyhounds behind these came the Emperor's Sedan born by sixteen Men in which when living he us'd to be carry'd richly Gilt and on the top adorn'd with a Golden Ball the Bearers were clad in a Livery of a Saffron colour Embroider'd with Roses of Gold next them were carry'd several Gold and Silver Chargers behind which follow'd the Bier with the Emperor's Corps cover'd with Cloth of Tissue Embroider'd with blue Clouds and Flowers supported by thirty two Bearers all in a Saffron-colour'd Livery and adorn'd with Golden Roses behind the Corps came Soldiers with Pikes and other Arms then the Emperor's Mother in a Sedan cover'd with Purple-Silk next hers seven more cover'd with white Cotton in every one of which was a Queen or Concubine of the Emperor's then follow'd many Grandees on Foot lastly all the Magistrates and those that shew'd Reverence by kneeling and bowing to the Corps as it pass'd by follow'd disorderly one among another to the Grave which was inviron'd with a Wall but the multitude pulling it down quickly made room for all comers The Governors of the first Degree going into the base Court before the Hall where the Bearers had set down the Corps stood and cry'd all together as likewise those that stood about them at length one of the chiefest Vice-Roys lifting up a Golden Cup with Wine three times they all bow'd their Heads down to the Ground then the Vice-Roy offer'd the fore-mention'd Cup as an Oblation Before the Corps stood a Table strow'd full of Silver and Gold Flowers and all sorts of Perfumes Then they began again to cry till they all went away leaving the rest of the Ceremonies to be perform'd the next Morning At every Gate the chief Vice-Roy Offer'd before the Coffin a Cup with Wine which he lifted up three times as before and then deliver'd it to a prime Councellor who put it aside to be Offer'd again at last with the rest The next Morning being the twenty seventh day after the Emperor's Death they all met again by the Corps and every one standing in their appointed Places began their general Lamentation Having perform'd all Ceremonies as on the day before the Letter given by the Emperor to his Son containing the Praise due to the Deceased was publickly read whereupon the Magistrates doubling their Shreeks and Cries return'd into the base Court whilst four of the chiefest Persons of Quality going to the Paper Mountain cover'd with yellow Silk carry'd in an open Cloth a Sable Sute of the deceased Emperor with his Hat rais'd on the Crown with Pearls and Diamonds and likewise a Sable Quilt whereon to lay his Head Others in ten Carpets bore ten several Sutes more of the Emperor's and Saddles and Caparisons for Horses were also laid on the Heap besides Flags Fans Gold Plates and the Emperor's Sedan all which being brought to the Heap of Paper cover'd with yellow Silk they set on fire and threw in the Tables full of Flannel Clothes many Gold and Silver Vessels which being melted stream'd down the Hill like a Rivulet Then the Governors unty'd their Girdles which being of
to the Emperor's Palace or those of his Children and Officers as also the Walls and Gates of the City High-ways and Bridges The same Council are also to take care that the Rivers be cleans'd and Ships furnish'd with Necessaries when sent out upon the Emperor's Service The sixth Chamber call'd Himpiu that is Councel of Iustice are to punish Malefactors and pass Sentence of Life and Death on Criminals The same Councels or Chambers the Jesuit Nicolas Trigaut hath describ'd almost after the same manner in the following words The Prime Councellors or Courts are six in number The first call'd Lipu signifies The Bench of the Magistrates This Councel exeeeds all the rest for they name or choose all the Magistrates of the Philosophick or Learned Order of the whole Realm which are accounted the most eminent and continually rise higher and higher if they have in their Inferior Offices made but the least Proofs of their Vertue and good Behavior and on the contrary if they commit but one Fault they are bereav'd of their Imployments or put into meaner Offices The first choice consists in the excellent Writing in Chinese Characters of which this Court judges The second Councel by Semedo the fourth is call'd Hopu that is The Court of Revenue or Exchequer which have the Command of the Empires Revenue and Taxes gathering Customs paying Souldiers and the like The third Councel is call'd Lipu that is The Council or Court of Ceremonies which takes care for Common Offerings Temples Priests the Emperor's Women Schools examining of the Learned Weddings and other Ceremonies to be perform'd to the Emperor on certain times and occasions The same Council also give Titles of Honor to deserving Persons incourage Artificers send Noble-men to meet Ambassadors and return Answers to Letters directed to the Emperor who looks upon it as a great disgrace to write a Letter with his own Hand either to one in or without his Dominions The fourth call'd Pimpu which signifies Council of War Command over Civil and Military Affairs which concern the Safety and Defence of the Empire yet they cannot resolve on any thing without the Emperor's consent and knowledge This Councel bestows all Military Offices removing Cowards and putting in Valiant Men and likewise honor the deserv'd with great Titles The fifth call'd Cumpu that is The Councel over all manner of Buildings look to the Erecting of publick Structures and Palaces for the Emperor his Allies and Magistrates and likewise to the building of his Ships and Rigging out of whole Navies and the repair of Bridges and Walls about the City The sixth Councel call'd Humpu are Judges to Determine and Debate of Criminals and all manner of Differences The whole business of Judicatory in all the Empire depending on this Court for they have in every Province and City appointed Magistrates and Clerks which advise them faithfully of all Transactions so that they in this their Office being of great concern have no small trouble but that the great number of Deputies which they imploy under them ease them of the most part for there is a Chief-Justice of the whole Court whom they call Ciamcui which hath two Assistants one sits on his right and the other on his left Hand being nam'd Cilam which three Persons in the Metropolis Peking are accounted amongst the greatest in Quality and according to their pleasure every Court is divided into several Degrees besides these all Courts have their Secretaries Clerks Messengers and other Servants The Emperor Ya who began to Raign before the Birth of our Savior Anno 2357. first establish'd these six Courts according to the Relation of Father Martin in his first Book of the History of China wherein he says Afterwards the Emperor Ya brought the State of China to a new and better form by establishing six Courts One of which is call'd Lipu which takes Cognizance of the Well-behaving or Mis-behaving of the Magistrates and to bestow on every one according to their Merits either higher Dignities or else bereave them of their Places The second is call'd Pingpu that is Councel of War or Prime Martial Court which have the same Command over the Martial Officers as the former over the Civil The third is Lipu that is A Court of Ceremonies or Customs who Supervise Ecclesiastick Affairs Offerings entertaining foreign Ambassadors and other such like Businesses The fourth is call'd Hupu which Receive and render an Account of the Emperor's Revenue The fifth is call'd Cumpu which take care to look after the Repairing and Building of publick Structures the Emperor's Palaces Walls of the Cities Rivers Ships and High-ways that they may not be Dirty or Incommodious The sixth is Hingpu or Court of Iustice where all Causes relating to Life and Death are Determin'd which Courts being so Constituted by the Emperor Ya Govern the whole Empire of China in good Order and acknowledge no Superior but the Emperor and the Kolaos According to others the Privy-Councel consists in six Persons who never Consult but about Weighty Matters of State This Councel or Assembly is call'd Loepol each of these hath his peculiar Chamber and is also the Head of another Court in which the businesses of his Camber are Debated These Councellors take as many to their Assistants as they judge necessary The first of these is President of the Councel of State and his Assembly is call'd Lipol The second hath Charge of all Warlike businesses Revenues of the Empire and hath also Power to give Commissions The third looks after Architecture keeping an account of what Edifices are yearly built in the Empire and likewise of the Charges expended in Repairing of Towns Forts High-ways Streets and Moats This is call'd Congpol The fourth which takes care of the Customs and Taxes of the Empire are nam'd Olpol The fifth is as we may call him Lord-Chief-Justice and Pronounces the Sentences resolv'd on in his Court call'd Ungpol The sixth and last hath the Command of all Places and Offices of the Magistrates and gives them to those who by their Learning good Deportment and civil Carriage are accounted the most Worthy In this manner the Government of China hath continu'd many Ages which after the first Conquest by the Tartars under the Emperor Xunchi was not chang'd except only adding to every one of the six Chinese Councellors a Person of his own Countrey so that the Grand Councel of the Realm consisted in twelve Persons all equally Commission'd as before-said These Councellors of State before-mention'd cannot resolve on any thing without a general consent therefore no business is concluded on but by Plurality of Voices When the Assembly is broke up and every Councellor consults with his private Cabal then a Tartar as we said is added to them but since that in the Raign of the Emperor Konchi the Chineses are put out of all Offices and the Tartars have wholly Appropriated them to themselves Besides these six there are nine other Chambers or Benches call'd Kieukim
during their time of Government much respected by the common People The third Employment is Treasurer who takes care of the Emperor's Revenue in his Province being Employ'd by the Court of Exchequer which sit at the Emperor's Palace He hath two Councellors allow'd him one of which sits on his right and the other on his left Hand besides twenty six Mandarins and several other Officers His Business is to look after the Customs Farms and all Revenues whatsoever belonging to the Crown He Seals the Weights and Measures decides all Differences concerning Moneys punishing the guilty or sending them if he think fit to higher Courts pays the Magistrates Allies to the Emperor Commanders and Soldiers provides Liveries and Marks of Honor which are given to famous Scholars pays the Money for the repairing of High-ways Bridges Courts or Palaces of the chief Mandarins and Ships of War Lastly this Treasurer hath the Command of all what comes in or goes out of the Treasury He also receives the Emperor's Presents from the Judges Governors and Tauli which every one makes according to their Employments being in Silver Coin or Bullion all which is by him melted into Bars each to the value of fifty Crowns and stamp'd with the Imperial Mark and the Melter's Name that thereby he may know whom to accuse if the Silver should be falsifi'd In this manner it is carry'd into the Emperor's Treasury The fourth Court is call'd Gandchasci that is The Court of Life and Death In it are two Assistants or Tauli whose care is to Visit and go from Town to Town to decide all Differences punish the guilty perform oâ—…r Duties belonging to their Offices which extend over the Militia and Affairs in such Provinces that lie near the Sea The fifth resembles a Colledge of Learned Men ordain'd to Examine Youths how they profit in their Studies and especially to observe their Masters of Art till such time as they have receiv'd their Bonnet and Orders to be Directors The prime of this famous Society is a Chancellor who from time to time goes to Towns and Villages to enquire after the Carriage Deportment and Conversation of the Learned and to punish or chastise them according to their several Offenses There are yet two Persons in every City call'd Hioquon that is Mandarins or Magistrates of Knowledge which also belong to the fore-mention'd five Courts whose Command extends onely over the Students of the City and though they have not Power to give the Degrees due to deserving Persons but onely to chastise them yet nevertheless they are very strict and severe because they continually reside in one Place and like Proctors in our Universities come and Examine the Scholars All these fore-mention'd Courts Command over the whole Province and the Cities Towns and Villages contain'd therein Moreover every City hath peculiar Governors as here in Europe being four eminent Mandarins or Aldermen as one of them is like a Mayor which is by them call'd Chifu Chi signifies Lord or Governor and Fu A Mannor or Tract of Land the other three are his Assistants and call'd Tumchu Tumphuon and Cheuquon every one hath his pecular Court and Officers Besides these are nineteen lesser Magistrates which look after the Towns two of them have a prime Councellor and four inferior Assistants the other nine onely one Councellor and one Assistant the other eight have one supream Head who Commands over their whole Society The Villages have also each of them a Judge and three Justices the Judge is call'd Chihien the first Justice Honchin the second Chufu and the third Tunfu All these have their several Courts or Council-Chambers and likewise Secretaries Clerks and other inferior Officers The Judge may pronounce Sentence of Death but cannot execute it Beside these Mandarins which reside in Towns and Villages there are some which have neither power to Condemn nor Punish but onely to give their Judgments to the Society The great Castles that lie distant from Towns and Villages have also Mandarins or Magistrates chosen from amongst the Clerks for the least Office that any Person of Quality aims at is to be Judge or Justice in a Village Trigaut declares the General Government of every Province as it was in his time after the following manner The Towns which belong to the prime Provinces of Peking and Nanking are Govern'd after the same manner as all the Cities and Towns in the other Provinces The Government of each of the thirteen Provinces consists in a Magistrate call'd Pucinsu and another nam'd Nanganzasu the first determines Civil Causes and the other Criminal They keep their Courts in great State and reside in the Metropolis of the Province To both these belong several petty Officers and also the chief Magistrates which are call'd Tauli but because they Command over several Cities they are sometimes absent from the Metropolis Every Fu â—…r County for a Province is divided into divers Counties hath a peculiar Governor call'd Chifu that is Lord of the County and likewise over every great City or Cheu and over each Town or Hien is a Governor the first call'd Chicheu and the last Cihien These Governors of all the Counties and chief Rulers of Cities have every one four Assistants which aid them in all Businesses that happen in their Jurisdiction being all their Deputies The Chifu or Governor of the County hath his Residence in one of the Cities and determineth all things as Chief for when any Businesses are consultof by the Chicheu and Cihien they acquaint him therewith as their Superior and in the first Degree It is to be observ'd that the Chifu or Governors of the Territories and his Court and the whole County receive their Denomination from the City in which they reside as for example the Governor keeps his Court in the City Nunciang and that City gives denomination to the whole County Governor and Court so that they are call'd Nunciangers Besides these Magistrates there are many others in Cities Towns and Villages as also many Generals and Collonels through the whole Empire but especially in Places bordering the Sea and Garisons Thus far Trigaut All the Magistrates saith the same Trigaut are under nine Orders all comprehended under the Philosopher and Military Man Every one in these Orders receives his Revenue from the publick Stock either in Rice or Mony though but little in respect of their Authority for the Salary of the prime and chief Order amounts not to above a thousand Ducats yearly Those which are of the same Order receive Wages alike whether Philosophers or Military Persons for the chief of the Soldiers get as much as the Supream of the Learned All the Magistrates have a private Seal of their Office given them by the Emperor Humvu What they write in their Law they Seal onely with Red which is a kind of Earth so Red that it is like a Vermilion and digg'd out of the Mountain Tape near the City Lingkien in the Province of
a Dragon was like a costly nay that which is more a holy Relick and lock'd up in a golden Coffer and preserv'd till the Reign of the Emperor Siveni when afterward at his Command without knowing wherefore the Chest was open'd and this Slime leap'd forth as if it had been living and ran to and again through the Palace none being able to hold it and at last got into the Seraglio and there divirginated one of great Beauty kept for the Emperor from hence after the full time as the Chineses relate she was deliver'd of a fair Female The Mother fearing to gain an ill Name and the Emperor's displeasure laid down the Infant which two Marry'd People that accidentally walk'd by there hearing it cry took up and carrying it home brought it up as their own Child In the third Year of the Emperor Ie's Reign the fore-mention'd Infant being grown Marriagable her Foster-father was on some occasion accus'd of a certain Crime and put in Prison whereupon he proffering the Virgin who was endu'd with incomparable Beauty for his Ransom to the Emperor was not onely released but return'd home with great Riches But the Emperor was so strangely surpris'd with the exceeding Beauty of his new Mistris that he was in a manner distracted and forsook the lawful Empress and his Son born by her and took Paosua for so the Virgin was call'd for his Spouse and elected Pefo the Son of Paosua in stead of Ikie the lawful Son of the Empress to succeed him in the Throne against the consent of all his Substitute Governors Ikie the true Heir being enrag'd by the great wrong which he had suffer'd fled from his Father to his Uncle King Xin in the South part of the Province of Xensi at the place where the City Nanyang stands at this day Paosua during this time dwelt with the Emperor in all prosperity but one thing he observ'd that he never saw her Laugh which was very unpleasing to him therefore he try'd several ways to win a Smile from her At the same time a Difference arising and overtures and threatnings of War being betwixt him and the Tartars he put his Militia in a posture of Defence which done and to teach them Alarms he fir'd his Beacons when there was no need whereupon the Palaces and all places every where were throng'd with the gather'd Soldiers which too often repeating and no appearance of any Enemy gave her occasion to laugh heartily to the great joy of the fond Emperor Which false Alarms being so commonly when they came to be real and not being believ'd brought on that negligent carelesness in not obeying that it lost him his Life and Empire Amongst other things also Paosua took great delight in the noise which Silk makes when torn by force wherefore the Emperor to recreate her always spent his time in her Presence with tearing and rending of Silk Mean while the Emperor sent a Party to King Xin to fetch his fled Son again but Xin refus'd to deliver the Prince unless he should be declar'd Heir to the Empire The Emperor enrag'd thereat march'd with an Army against Xin who unequal to the Emperor yet of greater Policy joyn'd with the Tartars and in the Night falls suddenly on the Emperor's Quarters whereupon the Beacons being fir'd as before the Soldiers seeing the Flame suppos'd that the Emperor as formerly was onely caressing of his Empress neglected their Duties and therefore making no resistance most of them were taken sleeping by the Enemy and the Emperor himself slain by his Brother and Son But to return As Trigaut tells us several eminent Persons Study this My. stery of Dragon-Knowledge and are sent for from remote Places to advise withal when publick Buildings are to be erected that they may so lay their Platform suting with the benevolent Signatures from the posture of the Dragon that the Edifice may for ever after be more free from Casualties for these Astronomers as our Astrologers observe the good and evil Aspects of the Planets with the several Configurations of the fixed Stars so they take their Marks from the situation of Mountains and Rivers and whatever else makes a variety that signifies good success on which they say not onely the preservation of the House but the welfare and Honor of the Family depends Semedo calls these Surveyors Tili Others saith he which they call Tili endeavor to to observe not onely the Situation of the Earth but the Positions of the Planetary Aspects in the celestial Houses so to make more happy their terrestrial Habitations It is a very ancient Custom and us'd to this day to take their Observations of good or ill success from the Colour Spots Motions Legs and Shell of a Tortoise And likewise as the Augurs of old from the Notes of Birds and noise of Beasts and also whate're they meet with in the Morning the reflecting shadows of the Sun on peculiar Houses for if at their going out in the Morning they meet any one in Mourning Apparel at their Door Bonzies or the like they look upon it as an ill Omen In short whatsoever inconvenience happens to peculiar Houses Cities Provinces or the whole Empire they ascribe it to their miserable Fortune or something or other that is wrongly plac'd in the Houses Towns or the Emperors Palace They say that some of these Fortune-tellers reside on desolate and solitary Mountains between the Clefts of Rocks and barren Hills like Hermits whither also great numbers of People resort to know the Events of future things Some onely write strange Characters and Chinese Letters on Boards containing the future Condition of the Enquirers yet their promising oftentimes hath a double meaning These Wizards have many times horrible Toads that sit near them with a thick gray speckled Skin and opening their Jaws as they say with their poisonous Breath blast and wither the Grass round about them These generally sit bare-headed being close shaven and with their Feet naked picking their Ears whilst they mutter several words to themselves In the time of the Emperor Hiaou who Reigned Anno 142. before the Nativity of Christ many Women especially at the Emperor's Court Studied Magick and Charms by which making themselves to appear much fairer than they were they subjected the Male Sex according to their pleasures Of these some got into the Prince Guei's Court the Emperor's Son begotten by a lawful Wife but without his knowledge because he according to the Chinese Writings was of a good and pious Nature but attaining to years he betook himself being ensnar'd by the fore-mention'd Charms wholly to lasciviousness Amongst other things they say there are certain Drugs by the Chineses call'd Kuan which if the Powder thereof be given any Man to drink by a Woman it makes them mad after them like our Love-Powders But they had worse Ingredients with which they occasion'd Distempers nay Death on whomsoe're they pleas'd by which means Li the Emperor's Son begotten by one of
his Concubines was kill'd in the nineteenth Year of his Age together with his Wife Children and most of his Family except one Nephew But the whole Empire is strangely besotted with the study of Alchymie thereby to get the Philosophers-Stone by which they not only Inrich themselves by turning all things to Gold and Silver but also that Elixar makes them Immortal which many Emperors before and since the Nativity have endeavor'd to attain to The Chineses affirm That there are Rules and Commandments of both these Arts found out first by very Ancient Learned which the Chineses reckon amongst their Saints and afterwards from one to another deliver'd to their Successors They say also that these first Inventors after having perform'd many excellent and soveraign Works ascend both with Soul and 〈◊〉 together to Heaven when they began to grow weary living on Earth They also tell us That anciently a Person liv'd without the Walls of the City Nanchang which assisted many needy People and â—…ast pâ—…ntiful Alms amongst the Poor because he by the Art of Chymistry could make pure Silver He also say they had by the help of Divine Arts a Dragon who threaten'd the Ruine of the City after which having Chain'd him to an Iron Column of an exceeding bigness he his whole House and Family ascended up to Heaven For this reason the Citizens out of a Superstition erected a great Chappel for him and the foremention'd Iron Column the better to keep up the reputation of the Fable is there to be seen at this day But however they decline the converting of Metals into Gold or Silver by the Stone yet the Emperor himself and most Eminent Persons of the Empire make it a great part of their business to study Immortality from the promis'd Restauration of Youth by the wonderful Operations of this Elixar To which purpose as there are many Students so there is no want of Masters and the whole City of Peking every where pester'd with their Laboratories and though never so much deluded yet fresh hopes carry them on with a fervent desire to bring their Work to Perfection being perswaded by these Mountebanks that their failings happen'd from some mistakes but now if they would begin again they make no question being since better inform'd to finish the so long expected and happy Work But before we leave our Alchymists take this from Martinius which he tells of the Emperor Hiaou who had not his equal amongst the Chineses He was as their Histories say much transported with a belief that by this Art he might not onely be the Wealthiest the Happiest and the Greatest of all Princes but also be Crown'd with Immortality From hence he receiv'd the Title of Van Sin that is Ten thousand Years which hath descended to all the Emperors to this Day To this great purpose he built a new Palace accordingly all of Cedar Cypress Camphire and the like sweet smelling Woods the scent of which as they say might be perceiv'd a twenty one Chinese Furlongs from thence Amidst this wonderful Structure he rais'd a Tower all of Copper of twenty Rods high a marvellous piece of Work with a winding Pair of Stairs in the middle from the bottom to the top There was also a Copper Bason Cast in the form of a Hand which every Morning was fill'd with early Deâ—…v wherein the Emperor steep'd the Oriental Pearls to soften them being part of the Preparations of the Medicines of Immortality But at last they wrought upon his Belief so far that the Elexar was ready which Drinking would so perpetuate Youth that he should live according to his Title Ten thousand Years that is He should be Immortal The Longevity-Potion being brought was set on the Table which should begin the Work of Youths Renovation when one of his Councellors a Minister of State first disswading him from the taking of it suddenly threw the Liquor down upon the Floor at which the Emperor much incens'd that he should lose his expectation of Immortality which had cost so much time and treasure in Preparing consulted with what Death he should punish so bold an Offender when he that stood thus liable to his fury spake thus mildly and undiscompos'd to him Sir You cannot put me to Death for I have drunk the same Medicine of Immortality already and am Immortal so if I die I am guiltless because the Medicine wants the promised Efficacy and therefore use your pleasure yet I suspect that if your Indignation fall upon me what I have drunk will be of no Defence and I feel I shall certainly suffer Death being conscious of the Deceit of these that are Trapanners for Bread Which mollifying Speech so pacify'd the Emperor that he gave him his Life yet howsoever the Emperor prosecuted the same business to make himself Rich Hapyy and Immortal There are also a third kind of Philosophers by Semedo call'd Taokiao and by Trigaut from the first Promoter Lonzu as likewise by Semedo Tunsi or Tusi being the first broacher of this Doctrine which agrees with the Epicureans who affirm That there is no pleasure after death and therefore they indulge what e're in their life seems to be easie and happy so to prolong their lives to continue their present welfare they use all means possible and not onely study Longevity but also how to be Immortal by ingenious discoveries for self-preservation But though Laotan accounts the Summum Bonum to consist in Pleasures yet Martinius finds him to be no way Atheistical but declares it every where probable that Laotan hath acknowledg'd one Supream Deity saying Tao or Great Understanding hath no Name he hath Created Heaven and Earth he is without shape moves the Stars though he himself is immoveable and because I know not his Name I will call him Tao or Supream Understanding without form The same Philosopher makes mention in another place of The Creation of the Heavens It is not to be credited what the Fathers report out of their Stories concerning this Philosopher Laotan that he lay conceal'd being lock'd up in his Mothers Womb eighty one or according to Trigaut eighty years and afterwards forc'd his passage into the World through her right side wherefore according to Trigaut he is call'd Lauzu and by Martinius Laosu and and last of all Laotan that is Old Philosopher The time of his Maturation or rather Imprisonment in the Womb was as they say nine times nine Years which the Chineses account the fulness of Perfection and all things that are perfect And because Laotan was one of their greatest and most learned Stages they invented the foremention'd number as if Nature had spent so many Years in perfecting of him This Laotan was born in the Kingdom of Zu for China contain'd anciently many and several Kingdoms at this day the County Fungyangfu of the Province of Nanking in the City Mao Anno 603 about twenty four Years before Confut the Prime Philosopher amongst the Chineses The
third Sect saith Martinius is also like the Epicurean they place Happiness in Pleasures and make it their chief studie to prolong their Life expecting nothing after Death Amongst this are many Sorcerers and such as use Magick and is indeed the vilest of all Sects the followers thereof nevertheless praise the Morality of our European Doctrine According to Trigaut Laotan left not one Book of his Doctrine nor as it appears would teach no new Opinion but some of his followers call'd Tansu after his death nam'd him The Head of Learning and Collected several Books in a handsome Stile from divers other Opinions and Writings These also live unmarry'd in Cloysters in which they make their Pupils and are as leud and wicked as the followers of the foremention'd They never cut the Hair of their Heads but are distinguish'd from others by wearing a Hat or Bonnet of Wood upon the knot which ties the Hair on the Crown of their Heads Other of this Sect that are Marry'd with great Zeal observe the Tenets of their Fraternity at home in their own Houses They Honor as they say amongst many other Images The Lord or King of the Heavens but one that is Bodily and as they say in their Books hath had many troubles They also affirm That the King of the Heavens which Reigns at this day is call'd Ciam but he who Govern'd them formerly was nam'd Leu. This Leu say they on a certain time sitting on a white Dragon descended to the Earth and invited Ciam who they affirm was a Magician to a Dinner But whilst Leu making himself merry at the Table Ciam getting upon the White Dragon ascended up to Heaven and took possession of the Celestial Realm Leu thus prevented from returning by Ciam yet obtain'd a Grant from The new King of Heaven for the Dominion over certain Mountains in this Countrey where they suppose he still lives bereav'd of his old Dignity They Worship therefore according to their own confession a foraign Robber and Tyrant for their God Besides this their Supream Power they Worship another which is a triple Deity one of which is Lauzu the chief of their Sect. These also hold forth Rewards after Death and many of those which are most Holy and observe their Rules enter Soul and Body into Paradice being capable of all Heavenly Joy which to affirm they shew many Images of the Departed which were translated thither in the Flesh. The peculiar Office of the Priests of this Sect is to clear Houses which they believe are haunted with Evil Spirits which they do by setting up Papers Painted with horrid Resemblances and making a hideous cry and noise through all the Rooms as if they were Possest themselves These Priests have their Residences in the Emperor's Temples Consecrated to Heaven and Earth and in Person attend the Emperor's Sacrifices either when he Offers himself or his foremention'd Magistrates by which means they are in great esteem and request The Musick which fills up the Ceremony the Priests perform themselves Playing on several Instruments which may be pleasing to them but seems very harsh to us of Europe They are also sent for to Funerals of the Grandees before which they walk in costly Habits Playing on Horns Sagbuts and other Instruments They also spend their time in warming new Houses and conduct new Marry'd People alongst the Streets in State which at certain times is done at the charge and appointment of the Magistrates A Correct TIDE TABLE shewing the trâ—…e Times of the High-Waters at London-Fridge to every day in the Year 1692. By IOHN FLAMSâ—…EED M. R. S. S. 1692. Ianuary Februar March April May. Iune Iuly August Septemb. October Novem. Decemb. Days H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. H.  M. 1 M 7  18 8  55 8  40 10  18 10 ☉ 22 11  15 11  43 1  05 2  30 2  56 4  07 4  23 A 7  47 9  31 9  16 10  40 10 49 11  45    1  35 2  50 3  17 4  26 4  40 2 M 8  18 10  09 9  48 11  13 11  5    0  18 2  01 3  10 3 ☉ 37 4  47 4  58 A 8  51 10  45 10  19 11  39 11  41 0  17 0  52 2  25 3  28 3 56 5  09 5  16 3 M 9 ☉ 26 11  20 10  50 ☉     0  50 1 ☉ 24 2  47 3  46 4  16 5  32 5  35 A 10 02 11  53 11  20 0 03 0  06 1  19 1 53 3  07 4  04 4  37 5  57 5  55 4 M 10  38    11  48 0  27 0  33 1  47 2  20 3  26 4 ☉ 23 4  59 6  â—…1 6 ☉ 15 A 11  13 0  23    0  50 0  58 2  14 2  43 3  43 4 43 5  24 6  46 6 36 5 M 11  49 0  51 0  15 1  11 1  21 2 ☉ 39 3  03 4  00 5  05 5  51 7  11 6  58 A    â—…  16 0  42 1  33 1  44 3 01 3  22 4  18 5  29 6  19 7  35 7  20 6 M 0  â—…3 1  39 1 ☉ 05 1  54 2  07 3  21 3  41 4  36 5  58 6  48 8 ☉ 01 7  43 A 0  52 2  00 1 26 2  14 2  30 3  41 3  59 4  53 6  27 7  18 8 29 8  07 7 M 1  19 2 ☉ 18 1  45 2  32 2  53 3  59 4  16 5 ☉ 14 6  57 7  48 8  55 8  33 A 1  45 2 34 2  04 2  50 3  14 4  18 4  33 5 37 7  31 8  18 9  20 8  59 8 M 2  08 2  50 2  21 3  07 3 ☉ 34 4  36 4  5â—… 6  03 8  05 8  49 9  45 9  27 A 2  29 3  04 2  37 3  24 3 53 4  56 5  11 6  30 8  42 9  20 10  12 9  55 9 M 2  48 3  17 2  53 3  42 4  12 5  17 5  33 7  00 9  15 9 ☉ 48 10 Â
Stature white Skins brown Eyes and extraordinary small Feet in which last they account their chiefest Beauty to consist for though a Woman be never so fair yet she is accounted homely if she hath great Feet insomuch that the Mothers Swathe and Rowl up their Daughters Feet from their Infancy that by these Swathes which they wear all their Life-time they may prevent the natural growth of them This Swathing of their Feet often occasions in tender Bodies such a pain that they sometimes become lame of their Feet and decrepit yet the Women generally Dance prettily and make strange gestures with their bare Arms. Some will have it that this Swathing was invenâ—…ed by some politick and jealous Person that by this means they might be kept at home and prevented from walking the Streets which in that Countrey â—…edounds to the dishonor of the Women and disesteem of the Men. But as Martinius tells us this Custom was deriv'd from Taquia an ancient Empress of Che who though exceeding all other Women in Beauty had extraordinary small Feet which extreamly troubled her in going her Women hereupon in flattery imitated her and also to make their Feet smaller Swath'd them and this Custom to this day is of such Authority among them that should they behold a second Helen they would look upon her as a Monster if she had great Feet Others say that Taquia was no Woman but a Spirit in Female shape with Goats Feet which because she would not have them discover'd she kept continually wrap'd up and that from thence it hath also been a Custom for Women to cover their Feet which if they do not it is accounted very ridiculous Moreover in this they resemble Taquia that their Feet seem so little in their Shoes that they appear no bigger than Goats Feet The Chineses both Men and Women before the Conquering of the Empire of China by the Tartars are said to have wore long Hair on their Heads without ever Shaving it except Children who till the fifteenth year of their Age Shav'd their Heads only leaving a long Lock on their Crown after that time they suffer'd their Hair to grow without Shaving till they came to twenty years of age which was the time that Men putting on their Hat of Manhood an ancient Custom like that of the Toga Virilis amongst the Romans and let it hang loose over their Shoulders In the twentieth year they ty'd up their Hair and wore a Cap or Hat over it made of Horse-hair or Silk but this Cap was not us'd by the Women who went only with their Hair ty'd up and adorn'd with Gold Silver Precious-stones and all manner of curious Flowers and the like But there hath been since a great alteration in the Shaving and Wearing of their Hair for all those Chineses which were subdu'd by them were forc'd to Shave their Hair according to the Tartar fashion only reserving one Lock behind on their Heads wherefore the Hollanders generally call them Shaven Chineses as those who refusing to submit to the Tartars and to Shave off their Hair joyn'd with the Rebel Kâ—…xinga are call'd Unshaven Chineses â—…ut in former times they took such a Pride in their long Hair that they rather chose to Die than lose the least Lock thereof nor was it only Pride but something of Superstition that made them so concern'd in long Hair for they like the Mahumetants entertain'd a simple Imagination that they should be pull'd up to Heaven by their Hair Nevertheless the Priests us'd in ancient times to Shave the Hair of their Heads and Beards every eighth day The Chineses also have a strange Opinion of themselves accounting none equal to them and looking upon all Affairs of foraign Kingdoms and People as not worthy their knowledge nor description insomuch that we find not any one Countrey which they have frequented with their Ships mention'd in their Histories when as they are very exact in the describing of those Countries within their own Dominions Moreover all the Names with which they express foraign places are ridiculous and signifying either Barbarians Slaves or the like for they never take notice of the proper and true Names of Strangers as for example they ridiculously name the Iapanners Vocu which by them signifies The Countrey of a Barbaâ—…ian Language and the Tartars Nucieu All the Northern Chinefes or the Inhabitants of the seven Northern Provinces especially those of the Province of Peking are Inferior to those of the Southern Provinces in Learning Arts and other Exercises of Ingenuity but are Valianter and better Soldiers In like manner the Southern Chineses are very Politick and Civil and the Northern Rough and Unpolish'd As for the Inhabitants of the Province of Xensi they are very Civil and Courteous yet they are as dull in Learning as the other Northern Chineses Those of the Province of Fokien are much inclin'd to Riot and Lasciviousness yet are they Politick of great Understanding and subtile in the way of Merchandize very full of Fraud They are addicted to Literature and have many Learned Persons among them yet they are by the other Chineses accounted a People of a Salvage cruel Nature as seeming to have retain'd some of the antique Barbarism because they were the last that imbrac'd the present Laws and Customs of the Chineses The Inhabitants of the little City Vuâ—…iven in the Province of Quangsi are in high credit amongst the Chineses for their Policy and Understanding many of them being chosen for Governors and High-priests The City Xaohing in the Province of Chekiang sends forth the most Ingenious and best Orators in all China insomuch that there is scarce a Governor but hath one of this City for his Council The Inhabitants of the eleventh County Vencheufu in the Province of Chekiang have been of old much given to the abominable Sin of Sodomy which is grown so habitual among them that neither Law nor shame restrains them from acting it publickly Several Mountains lying in the twelfth County of Xincheufu in the Province of Huquang are inhabited by Wild and Salvage People call'd Vulinman Concerning the Original of these People the Chinese Writers give us this fabulous account King Kaosin Warring against a Robber nam'd U was driven by him to utmost extremity for the Robbers Valor and Experience in War was such that he often Defeated King Kaosin and Routed all his Forces wherefore Kaosin caus'd to be Proclaim'd amongst his Souldiers that he would give twenty thousand Ounces of Silver and a City with his youngest Daughter to any one that would bring him the General U's Head While this Edict was in force King Kaosin's Dog call'd Puonho ran into the Enemies Army which lay at that time Incamp'd in a Wood and killing the General U brought his Head to the King who exceedingly rejoyc'd at the Death of so great an Enemy yet thought himself not oblig'd to perform what the Proclamation had promis'd as concluding it very unseemly for a Beast to
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
would rather endure death than suffer their Honor to be blemish'd The thirteenth County Chicheufu borders in the East upon Ningquefu in the South-East touches Hoeicheufu in the South-West lies the Province Kiangsi the North-West hath the River Kiang and in the North a Promontory at the same River for Boundaries This Countrey was formerly under the Kingdom of V. soon after under Iue next under Cu. King Loang call'd it Nanling Siu Cieupu and the Family of Tang the present Name Chicheufu It comprehends six Towns viz. Chicheu the chief Cinyang Tungling Xetai Kiente Tunglieu and four stately Temples The City Chicheu stands seated on the Southern Shore of the River Kiang The fourteenth Division Hoeicheufu being the most Southern of all this Province conterminates in the East with the Province of Chekiang in the South with a Promontory in the South-West with that of Kiangsi in the North-West with Chicheufu and in the North with Ningquefu This Countrey in the time of the Kings suffer'd the same misfortune as the fore-mention'd The Name Hoeichu it receiv'd of the Family Sung and possesseth six Towns viz. Hoeichu the chiefest the rest are Hicuning Vuyveng Kimuen In Cieki This Hoeichu is a Place of great Trade especially famous for making the best Chinese Ink and wax'd Chests The four small Territories of this Province are Quangte Hochen Chucheu and Siucheu every one call'd by the Name of their principal City The first of them being Quangte borders Eastward upon the prime County Kiangningfu and Hangcheufu in the South upon Hoeicheufu in the West looks at Ningquefu and in the North runs with a Point to the River Kiang This County hath two Towns Quangte the chief and Kienping both situate at the Foot of a pleasant Mountain call'd Hong and Ling. The City Quangte is not onely fair but also abounds with Silk The second call'd Hocheu hath for Limits in the North the third small and twelfth great Territory Chucheu in the East and South Kiangningfu and in the West Lucheufu This Shire contains two Cities of which Hocheu is the chiefest and Hawxan The City of Hocheu is famous because heretofore the Residence of a great Robber Chu who Anno 1368. drove the Tartars out of China The third little County in which the great City Cheucheu stands whose Denomination it bears verges in the North and West with the second Territory Pungyangfu in the East with the Lake Piexe and the seventh great Shire Yangcheufu in the South with Kiangningfu and the two little Territories of the City Hocheu This County contains three Cities of which Chucheu is the chiefest and biggest and the other two much less are Civenciao and Laigan The fourth small County in which the great Siucheu is situate is the most Northern of this Province and borders in the East upon Hoaiganfu in the South upon Tunyangfu in the West upon Honan in the North at that of Xantung In the middle it is cut through by the Yellow River and is of great consequence because it conterminates with four Provinces and contains five Cities Sieuchu Siao Tangxang Fung and Poi On the North-West side of the City Siucheu lies a Bridge made of thirty five Ships linked together with Iron Chains Here also is another Bridge that runs athwart the River Pieu This City Sieucheu is also famous because the Emperor Lieupang promoter of the Family of Han after he had taken the City of Poi set forth from hence to conquer the Empire Thus much of the Province of Nanking now we will return to our Embassy AFter the Netherlanders had gotten fresh Men to Tow them they set forward again over the River Sung on the twenty fifth and Landed about ten a Clock at the City Sucheu where they chang'd their Barques No sooner they arriv'd at the West Gate of the City where they were to Embarque again but the Mandarin who had the Command of the Vessels came to bid them welcom and invited them to Dine with him the next day and moreover presented them with two Porkers as many Sheep four Hens two Pots of Drink several sorts of Fruit and twelve Pices of Silk-Stuffs which were all deliver'd to the Ambassador himself with request that he would please to accept them Van Hoorn thanking him for his good inclination and trouble which he had taken upon him and also for the Presents said That he would accept of the Provision because he would not seem to despise them but as for the Stuffs he could not do it because it was not customary therefore he desir'd them to excuse him Moreover that he could not possibly come to Dine with him the next Morning partly for his indisposition being tir'd with his Journey and partly fearing to displease the Conbon of the City if he went any where to a Feast before he went to him with which Excuses they seeming to be satisfi'd took their leave The next Morning being the twenty sixth the Horses being till that time prevented by Stormy Weather were Landed and put in Stables ashore The twenty seventh nothing hapned of note onely some Mandarins came from the Vice-Roy Singlamong who keeps in this City to the number of twenty five to Complement and Welcom the Ambassador whilst the Netherlanders waited for fresh Vessels to be gone again of which they then saw no likelihood notwithstanding the Mandarine Guides had told them the day before that without fail they should have them as that day They also saw little hopes of their going there being no convenient Vessels to be had to carry their Horses The Conbon having the day before sent to ask the Hollanders if they had no Pistols nor Sword-blades to dispose of it was judg'd fit on the twenty eighth observing what Courtesies the fore-mention'd Lord might do them in their coming thither to present him with a pair of Pistols two Sword-blades five Ells of Scarlet one String of Amber two Pieces of Linnen and a Quilt But the Conbon would not accept any thing of the Presents which were carry'd to him by the Secretary onely the Pistols and Sword-blades so that the rest he brought back again In the Evening a Mandarin sent from the Conbon came to Present the Ambassador in requital for his Pistols and Sword-blades with twelve Pieces of Silk-Stuffs four Porkers four Goats Geese Hens and other fresh Provisions which were accepted but the Silk-Stuffs sent back again The twenty ninth Genko the Interpreter inform'd the Ambassador that at his coming an Envoy had been there who just before was sent from the Emperor at Peking to bring the Chineses of Tayowan under his Obedience The same day more Presents and also the Oxen were put into new Barques and likewise the Horses were Embarqu'd again into the same Vessels which they came in there being no convenient Vessels to be got for them there Soon after they prepar'd all things to be gone the next day onely staying for Fodder for the Horses of
in the Province of Huquang breeds a Bird on the Mountain Lekung which never makes a noise but against Rain and thereby gives warning thereof to the Husband-men In the County Kiahingfu in the Province of Chekiang the Chineses catch certain Birds nam'd Hoangcio which steeping in Wine made with Rice they sell all the year long for a great Dainty In the first Territory Queilingfu in the Province of Quangsi are many curious Birds whose various colour'd Feathers the Chineses Weave amongst their Silk-Stuffs In the County Kiocingfu in the Province of Iunnan are Swallows with divers white Spots under their Bellies some bigger some lesser The Chinese Physicians Distill an excellent Water from them which cures all Distempers incident to the Eyes The Province of Quantung abounds with a sort of Ducks which are brought up with great care by the Inhabitants they are in most parts of China but no where in such abundance as in Quantung These Ducks Hatch not their Eggs as with us but the Chineses put them into a warm Oven or bury them in hot Dung after the same manner as it is said the Egyptians do at Grand Cairo The Chineses also on Ship-board breed whole Coops full of Ducks setting them on the Shore at Low-water there to feed on Oysters Crabs and the like Several Companies of them belonging to divers Vessels oftentimes mix themselves together in the Water and on the Shore but towards Evening at the Ringing on a Bason return to their several Vessels The Chineses also use Ducks to Weed their Rice In most parts of China is found a Bird in the Chinese Tongue call'd Louwa which is smaller than a Goose and not unlike a Raven with a long Bill and Neck like a Crane at the end crooked with Feet like a Swan and a very wide Maw excellent for Fishing This Bird seems to be the same with that which Pliny calls by the Greek Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Asse's Cymbal because of its strange noise and is by him describ'd in the following words The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he differs not much in shape from a Swan except in the Throat in which being of an extraordinary bigness this unreasonable Creature stores all that it gets After it hath gotten its fill the gorged Store comes up again into the Mouth and from thence being chew'd goes into the Belly Thus far Pliny The Chineses fish with these Birds teaching them to catch Fish as here we teach our Dogs to Hunt Their Fishing is in this manner But to prevent these Birds from swallowing the Fish which they are very greedy of they lock their Throats by putting on an Iron Ring about them beyond which the Fish cannot pass Those Fish which by reason of their bigness cannot be swallow'd they bring up in their Bills giving timely notice to the Fisher-man by a noise which they make that so he may be ready to take the Fish from them nay sometimes one Bird helps another if the Fish be very big to bring him to the Boat each holding a part thereof in his Bill If any Bird after his being put over-board Dive not instantly under Water it is cruelly beaten with a Cane till the Feathers flie off thereby to break it of its slothfulness After they have taken a considerable number of Fish the Iron Ring is taken off from them that then they may Fish for themselves which makes them another time the willinger to Fish for their Masters The Fisher-men pay yearly for every Fish a certain Tribute to the Emperor The Birds before-mention'd are very dear one of them which is any thing dextrous in fishing being sold for fifty Tail of Silver every Tail being an English Crown Iohn Gonzalves of Mendoza in his Description of the Empire of China calls these Fishing-birds Sholfers and gives an account of their Fishing much to the same purpose as hath been already describ'd The Chineses says he have a peculiar way of Fishing which is very pleasant and good The Emperor keeps in every Town built near Rivers certain Houses in which every year young Sholfers are bred up with which they Fish in certain seasons after this manner The Masters of the Fowls take them out of their Coops and carry them down to the Shore where they keep many Boats to Fish with and fill them half way full of Water then they tie their Crop with a String under their Wings so close that they cannot swallow the Fish then they throw them into the Water to Fish which they do with great eagerness and Dive with great dexterity and swiftness under the Water after having been a while out of sight they appear again with their Bill and Throat full of Fish and come flying towards the Boat and evacuate the Fish in the Water which is in the Boat that so they may be kept alive In the County Nanningfu of the Province of Quangsi are a kind of small Parrets in bigness and shape like Mag-Pies On the craggy Mountains of Suchuen are very large Mag-Pies and in the same County near the Garrison'd City Ydmui great store of Larks In the Provinces of Quantung Quangsi and Iunnan are both tame and wild Peacocks they are in no other Provinces unless brought from thence In the County Hoaiganfu in the Province of Nanking are more Quails and Pheasants than in any other part of China In the County Taipingfu in the Province of Nanking lies an Island nam'd Hoa in the River Kiang which seems to be nothing but a hollow Rock in which are an incredible number of Owls from whence the Island hath gotten its Denomination In the Province of Xantung are great store of Poultrey Pheasants and Wood-Cocks insomuch that they are bought there extraordinary cheap Very remarkable is a Bird properly call'd Fung and by addition of the word Ciang is nam'd Fungciang in regard the appearance of the Bird which is very seldom and always alone is by the Chineses look'd upon as a good Omen and very fortunate to the whole Empire Boem also writes that if this Bird disappears suddenly from the sight of Men it is a sign of one or other sad event or threatning danger to those of the Royal Blood The Chineses have this Bird in great veneration so that the Figure of it is frequently seen among them both in their Paintings Tapestry Weavings and their Imbroyderies of Gold Silver and Silk and the greatest of the Nobility have the Effigies of it often wrought on their Clothes Martinius will have him to be the Phenix or else an unknown sort of Crane resembling a Peacock in head and variety of Colours it is said to breed in the Mountain of the Kingdom of Tang. The same Martinius tells us that in the County Munghoafu in the Province of Iunnan is a Mountain from the Chinese Phenix call'd Funghoang because this Bird as they say dy'd on the same after he had sung a while very melodiously They also
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