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
day at night arriv'd at a strong Hold where they intended to take up their Lodging for that night but they were carried into a Mandarins House and accommodated very generously where amongst others they saw three Ladies one of whose Feet with Shoes and all were but six another five and a half and the third five Inches long occasion'd from the straight swadling of their Legs and Feet in their Infancy after the Chinese manner for Women with great Feet they account homely and those that have little Feet Beauties so that the bigger they are the lesser they strive to make their Feet The tenth setting forward again they travell'd by several ruin'd Villages They saw also nine strong Castles and many long hair'd Chineses Heads hanging in Baskets on Trees for all the Chineses of Coxinga's Party which refus'd to cut their Hair were when found by the Emperors Command decollated and their Heads hang'd up in that manner In the Evening they came to the City Tamwa where they were receiv'd by three Mandarins conducted to a great House like a Court of Guard and entertain'd with variety of Meats The Eleventh in the Morning they left Tamwa and proceeding on their Journey went through several other Villages and Fortifications in the afternoon coming to the Castle Tamhoe they retir'd thither to rest themselves because Constantine Nobel was much troubled with an Ague where the Governor entertaining them with variety of Dishes they made by several Presents a civil Return The twelfth they left Tamhoe and travell'd that day by five great Villages and many Garrisons and at Noon arriv'd at the City Zwansifoe where met by the Mandarins and conducted into an antient Building After a little stay they pass'd on to Santing Houbethetok his House a Man of great Quality and Governor of this City whom they proffer'd the Presents sent him by the Admiral Bort viz. A pair of Pistols five Dutch Ells of Scarlet and four Pieces of fine Linnen but because they seem'd to Van Campen and Nobel too little they added a Demy-castor five Dutch Knives three Rummers three Beer-glasses five Flasks of Brandy and five of Sack all which Santing Houbethetok receiv'd and caus'd to be brought to him by his Servants and having treated the Ambassadors very splendidly gave each of them two Chinese Rolls of Silk and a great Silver Medal whereon with Golden Letters his Name was engraven which was a Pasport signifying That whoever bore it were Persons of Quality and so to be look'd upon as no less than Lavyaes that is Lords or Fathers This done they began a long Discourse about the Dutch and Chinese Wars and also that of Coxinga Lastly they desir'd his Assistance in the procuring for them a Free Trade in China of which he seem'd no ways to doubt saying Were your Ships here hard by or in the River I would buy all your Commodities Having discours'd a little while and been plentifully feasted they took their leaves and rode to their Lodging where divers Mandarins out of curiosity came to visit and speak with them and bringing Fruit and Sweet-meats kept them company most part of the Night The thirteenth at day-break the Agents left Zwansifoe and travell'd until they reach'd Zwansehoo a Place of very considerable strength into which they were receiv'd by three Mandarins who gave them a very handsom Entertainment The fourteenth being Saturday they left Zwansehoo and going on all day came towards Evening to a well-guarded Place call'd Enwacho where they took their Repose that Night in a Temple in which they were nobly accommodated by the Priests On Munday Morning the sixteenth the Agents set forward again and that night reach'd the City Enwa into which being conducted by three great Mandarins they were brought into a great Wall'd Pagode wherein above fifty Chinese Priests having their abode gave them a welcome Reception Many Apartments were in this Pagode every one furnish'd with various Images which being as big as the Life sate cloth'd in rich Apparel on Stools round about Tables All the Priests offer'd Incense to these their Idols before whom also burnt many Lamps with taboring on a Drum and singing The next day the Vice-Admiral Van Campen presented the Priests with twenty Crowns of Silver Coin for which they return'd him many complemental Thanks after the Chinese manner The same day proceeding further on they pass'd a most delightful and rich Countrey which had not been wasted by the War but remain'd still in its full Glory Here they saw divers well-built and wall'd Villages and likewise many antient Structures and beautiful Tombs each of which had a convenient Entrance and within that an arched Passage leading to the Grave where they burnt Offerings to the Dead There were also Tombs on which lay great Turtles carv'd of blue Stone and others adorn'd with Columns and arch'd above In the Evening they arriv'd at Fort Lantongzwa standing on Mount Tishoo into which they were introduc'd by three Mandarins and conducted to the Governors House who entertain'd them nobly and had a long Discourse about the Dutch Tartar and Chinese War The eighteenth they began their Journey about Noon not able sooner to get Men to carry them and their Goods and travell'd towards the Evening through a great unwall'd Village where they were invited to a civil Treat by a grand Mandarin Here the Agents found five Chineses which a few days before were fled with a Jonk from Tayowan amongst which was one who smatter'd so much broken Dutch that Van Campen could understand when he told him That Coxinga and the General Bethekok two such Leaders that China afforded not the like being overpower'd and straightned by the Tartars both despairing ended their days in Tayowan where since hapned such a Famine that many died suffering by extremity of want At the Evening arriving at the City Hokzwa three Mandarins led them to a spacious House whereto all Governors when they travel about Publick Affairs are conducted for these Houses as we said before have many large Chambers furnish'd with good Beds and all manner of Furniture both for their Lodging and Diet with large Out-rooms for Servants and Stables for Horses The Governor of the Town sent the Agents good store of fresh Provisions After Supper many Grandees of the City and two Mandarins that came lately from Peking visited them who told them that all the News there was that the Peace between the Emperor and Coxinga would not be concluded because the Islanders of Eymuy and Quemuy would have their own Governors and Soldiers They also acquainted them of the sudden Death of Coxinga's Envoy in his Journey to Peking and that there was no News of sending another in his stead Thursday being the nineteenth a great Train of People rode through the City that came from Hoksieu and were going to Sinksieu to the Vice-Roy with Clothes and other Goods and also with News of his Wives Mothers Death which forc'd the Agents
Lastly the Bier on which the Corps lieth is brought in great State under an Arch'd Canopy made very artificially of Wood and hung with Flannel which is carry'd by forty and sometimes by fifty Men. Behind the Bier follow the Sons on Foot every one leaning on a Crutch as if fainting with sorrow Next follow the Women Kindred in Sedans hung with white Curtains so that none can see them The other Women which are not so nearly Ally'd to the Deceased are also carry'd in Mourning Sedans All their Curch-Yards and Tombs are near the City If it happen that the Sons at their Parents Deaths are from home then the Funeral is deferr'd till their Return Also when a Son is inform'd of his Father's Death he prepares if he be a Man of an Estate a great Feast to which he invites and makes mournful Complaints to all his Friends then returning home with the first opportunity he renews the same Ceremonies again in order as before nay a Son is oblig'd by the Law though he enjoy the greatest Office in the Empire or be one of the prime Council in Peking or of the Colaos who is the next Person of the Emperor yet he must come home and spend three years in Mourning before he is permitted to go again to his former Employment But this is onely to be understood for their Parents and not for any other Relations Onely Generals and Magistrates are free from this Law at the Death of their Parents If any one die out of his native Countrey then he who is left to take care of the Corps uses all endeavors without sparing either Cost or Charges to carry it home that there he may be Interr'd in the Grave of his Ancestors for every Family hath a peculiar Burying place on some Hill in the Suburb of the City The Sepulchres are large built of Marble and adorn'd with several Shapes of Men and Beasts They also erect great and stately Tomb-stones on which are Engraven in a noble Style the famous Acts of their Predecessors In this manner hath Trigaut describ'd their Mourning but we will also annex what Alvares Semedo Adrianus de las Cortes and Adam Scall have written concerning the same In many things concerning the Life of Man the Chineses agree with the European Philosophers but differ much about the Concerns of the Dead The Europeans make little ado about their Funerals whereas the Chineses esteem nothing more and are very careful in their Life-time to give Order to their Children for them who shew all obedience and dutifulness in performing the same after their Deaths It is a general Custom in China not to bury the Dead naked though a Child of two years old but put it into a Coffin according to every ones Capacity in which the richer sort notwithstanding the Chineses are of a covetous disposition strive to exceed one another endeavoring to get the best and sweetest Wood that grows Those that have no Children spare not to give a thousand Crowns for the Wood of a Coffin though it be nothing near so much worth which being made and beautifi'd with Ornamentals of Gold Silver Painting Imagery and the like is brought home and oftentimes set in their Chambers to delight them by looking upon it On the contrary those which being stricken in years have no Coffins are always sad and melancholy This Custom they generally observe through the whole Empire and as they receiv'd their Religion from the Indians they have likewise borrow'd many other things of them imitating them especially in three sorts of Burials viz. in the Earth in the Water and in the Fire for the Iapanners will some throw themselves headlong from the tops of Mountains others tying Stones about their Necks leap into Rivers and do many other things to shorten their Lives But the Chineses have not such stout Hearts to bury themselves alive but poor People who have not wherewith to purchase a Coffin burn the Corps and bury the Ashes In the Province of Suchuen the Dead are burn'd and the Ashes gather'd and put into Vessels and so thrown into the Rivers or Brooks Their Coffins are made of hard black Planks the Seams cover'd with Iews-Glue or Gum by the Portuguese call'd Charan or Giaro and by the Chineses Cie and Cia Every one hath his peculiar Place or Tomb without the Wall of the City for they are not permitted within Some build handsom Houses there walling them round and planting Cypress and other Trees according to the nature of the Soyl. These Places are valu'd according to the opinion which they have of the Ground for if a Conjurer hath judg'd it to be lucky to Build on they exceedingly enhanse the value thereof nor do they ever buy any Land without the advice of those People At their Burials they observe one Order to put the chief Corps of the Family at the upper end and set the other side by side according to their Degrees Their Graves are neatly hewn out of Stone and on the top adorn'd with Shapes of Beasts as Harts Elephants and Lyons with Encomiastick Inscriptions Persons of Quality especially those that are single bestow more Cost building stately Palaces and Rooms under Ground like Cells which are made very convenient to lay the Corps in Here all the Relations meet at the time of their Deaths to do their Offerings and other Ceremonies For the Poor which have not Money to buy a peculiar Burying-place there is a common Church-Yard in every City wherein they lie buried all together They chiefly desire to be buried in their Predecessors Graves though never so far from the Place where they die as it often happens to Governors of remote Provinces of the Empire and thither their Friends to do them the last honor convey them The first Ceremony observ'd at any ones Departure is that the Sick when dying is carry'd on a Mat to give up the Ghost in a Hall Yet Persons of Quality are not remov'd but die on their Beds When a Father dies then the eldest Son plucks off his Cap from his Head and comes with his Hair dishevel'd to the Bed and tearing the Curtains and Sheets in Pieces lays them on the Corps then the Body if a Male by Men if a Female by Women is according to their Custom wash'd which done they lay it in a Cotton Cloth or else in Silk and put on his best Apparel next to the Corps they lay the Badges of his Office and Degrees of his Learning which he attain'd in his Life-time The Body thus Garnish'd is laid in a Coffin which stands in a Hall hung round about with black The Effigies of the Deceased drawn to the Life with his Arms and Livery are all plac'd at the Head of the Coffin and at the Feet stands a Table cover'd with a Carpet before which is a Curtain drawn for the Women to stand behind unseen The Children and Nephews sit mournfully on Straw In the first Gallery leading to the Entrance into
dies C A Mourning Stick for a Mother D A Mourning Cap or Bonnet of Hemp for the Death of Father or Mother E A Coif of the same F A Veil for Women for their Father or Mother G A Girdle of Towe for a Father H A Girdle of Towe for a Mother Mourning for Relations which are neither Fathers nor Mothers 1 A course Coif of white Linnen 2 Ordinary Mourning Stockins ravel'd out 3 A Bonnet like a Mitre of course Hemp. 4 An ordinary Mourning Girdle 5 Ravel'd Mourning Shoes 6 A wide Coat much ravel'd 7 An Apron much ravel'd After the Death of either Father or Mother amongst other Ceremonies which they observe especially at the Funeral they have a Custom not to sit on Stools for a certain time nor sleep on Beds nor eat Flesh nor drink Wine keep from their Wives speak not aloud go not out of their Houses except in Sedans cover'd with course Linnen and many other things more till time hath worn away Sorrow Except Militia Officers all Persons are oblig'd though the prime Colao's to forsake their Offices for three years for their Father or Mothers Death which time they are to spend in Mourning for them Thus far De las Cortes In this manner the Chineses perform their Funerals or Interr their Dead but the Tartars who at this day Govern the Realm of China observe quite another manner The Iesuit Adam Scall describes them both in the following words Both Tartars and Chineses saith he take a peculiar care for the burying of their Dead for they imagine that all the happiness of their Successors dedepends upon it wherefore they often lay by three four five hundred nay a thousand Crowns in their life-time to be bestowed on their Graves To which purpose they also gather Planks of Cedar and other like lasting Woods which they send for two or three hundred Leagues off to make them Coffins wherein they may for ever as they suppose lie secure which the Iesuit Martinius testifies in these words It is saith he by them accounted a great happiness for him who before his Death makes himself a Coffin of the best and strongest Wood some of which costs sometimes two thousand Crowns for they send for the most durable and best Wood out of remote Countreys so that there is no City but there are Coffins to be sold in it nay most People buy them before their Deaths and keep them in their Houses The upper Planks saith Scall of the Tartars Coffins are sloaping like a Roof and Painted on the out-side not regarding the thickness of the Planks because they put their Coffins to no other use than to hold the Body for a short time and carry them out in for coming to their Funeral Piles they burn the Coffins with the Corps But those of the Chineses are narrower at the Feet and broader and higher at the Head the upper Plank smooth and reaching over the sides that the thickness thereof may be seen which is chiefly observ'd and taken notice of They are very careful to chuse a Burying-place for if they have not Land of their own then they purchase it at a great Rate Those Places are principally made choice of in a dry Soyl where no Rivers nor High-ways are near nor any Temples or Towers but must be on a Plain which neither rises before nor behind Such a Place being chosen they surround it with a Bank of Earth lik a Half-Moon which rises in the Middle and runs sloaping down on both sides yet not smooth but scollope-like at the upper end of which they bury the eldest and below him on each side the Sons and Nephews not in one Grave but every one apart under a little Hillock and the chief of the Family under the highest Hill In the middle on a Stone Table are plac'd variety of Provisions Perfumes and other things in honor of the Deceased Any one that amongst a Family is rais'd to a higher degree of Honor than his Predecessors erects his own Tomb in his life-time whereon they Carve the Shapes of Men or Beasts according to every Mans Quality and Estate Planting the remaining part of the Ground with Cedar Trees and Wall'd round The Tartars differ herein for though they according to the conveniency and Place require the same things as the Chineses yet they observe not the same manner in their Burial for the old People are buried apart and the younger by themselves The Chineses also erect a Tomb-stone on which is Engraven the Age of the Deceased his Office and the Emperor's Favors to him and to prevent the Characters from being defaced and the remembrance of the Deceased's Exploits from being worn out besides the Tomb-stone they bury another square Stone in the Ground with the same Inscription that when the first is worn out that may appear perfect and serve as a Memorial of all his Atchievements When any one dies whoe're he be all the Friends and Relations come about the Corps crying and Mourning over it Persons of Quality send a piece of very thin white Linnen with a Letter to their Friends to acquaint them of the dead Corps who at an appointed day come thither bringing with them Perfumes Wax-Candles and Money coming into the House they go to a Table plac'd opposite to the Coffin in the midst of the Hall having set fire on the Perfumes that stand upon the Table they step a little backwardand shew Reverence to the Effigies of the Deceased Painted at the Head of the Coffin by kneeling four times and bowing their Heads to the Ground whilst they make a mournful Cry These Ceremonies being perform'd the nearest Relations appear also on one side of the Coffin between the Curtains and coming forth shew the same Reverence also kneeling and bowing their Heads four times to the Ground The time of Visiting ended the nearest Kindred come the next day into the House of Mourning from whence they convey the Corps to the Grave or at least to the City Gates for which Kindness the Children go from House to House in Sack-Cloth and with their Faces looking down on the Ground return Thanks by shewing Reverence to their Visitants who on purpose stand at their Doors But the Tartars observe quite another way of Interring their Dead viz. on the same day that any one dies the Corps being put in a Coffin and the Friends having Wept over it in the House they carry it away except the Deceas'd was a Vice-Roy or Governor The Relations accompany the Hearse and afterwards placing themselves in Rows on each side of the Funeral Pyre those of her Family set fire of the Wood and so burn the Body whose Ashes on the third day are gather'd and put into a Porcelane Urn to be bury'd Yet far greater Honor is shown to the Vice-Roys whether Tartars or Chineses for when a Tartar King dies his Servants after some formal Lamentations are plac'd on each side of the Court-Gate that they may be seen holding his
forty thousand were chosen to Watch by the Grave during the whole time of the Funeral Ceremonies VI. All the Streets from the Palace to the Grave must be Rail'd in that there may be a free Passage on each side to prevent crowding and likewise at the end of every twenty Paces must stand Baskets with yellow Sand to damp the Dust from rising in those Places through which the Corps was to be carry'd besides Tents and Pavilions for the convenience of those that follow'd the Horse VII The Commanders of the Treasury had Order to provide Money to pay the Mandarins Relations Commanders Soldiers and all those that attended the Funeral VIII That three days before the Burial they should renew their Mourning shewing Reverence and making Offerings as they had done at the beginning All things thus prepar'd the Emperor and the Prince his Son went with all his Officers to the Temple of their Predecessors which is in the Imperial Palace where the Emperor in close Mourning shew'd Reverence to the first raiser of his Family and Offer'd many Silk Coats and Wine to the Deceased Then he caus'd a Book to be read which had been written in the praise of them which being with many other Ceremonies perform'd they return'd to the Palace whilst by the Emperor's Order Coats and other Ornamentals were thrown into the Fire and burnt During the eight days which were yet remaining they Offer'd to the Heavens Earth Planets Mountains and Streams Then Reverence was also shewn by the Emperor's Order to the Spiritual Protectors of the nine Palace Gates through which the Corps was to be carry'd The like also was done to the six Bridges of the River which runs before the Palace Offering at all those Places Beasts Wine and Perfumes The Coffin with the Corps was plac'd on a triumphal Arch richly wrought and hung with Silk interwoven with Gold and in many places Plated with Gold Engraven with Lyons Dragons and the like about it stood a great many Torches and Vessels with Perfumes The fifth day appointed by the Magician to carry out the Corps the Emperor appear'd with his Wives Children and Allies at the Place where the Chariot stood Having cry'd for the Deceased he Offer'd to their God of the Spirits so to conduct her that she might have a happy Journey to the Enjoyments of Peace and Quietness Those that were commanded to attend the Corps in the Name and Place of the Emperor and to make Offerings at the appointed Places were all in a readiness under the first Gate where they no sooner receiv'd the Herse but they began to walk in such a handsom Order State and Silence as was wonderful to behold Getting that day no farther than without the Walls where stopping at the appointed Place they put the Corps under a Pavilion made Offerings on Tables plac'd for that purpose burnt Perfumes and perform'd all other Ceremonies which no sooner done but a Messenger was sent to the Emperor to inform him that they were got thither and had perform'd their Duties The following day they began with those Ceremonies with which they had ended the last Night and then proceeded on their Journey which lasted thirteen days because of the Offerings and stops which they made by the Way to the Mount where the Emperors Tombs are The concourse of People from all Places was so great that they were past number When the whole Train was come thither the Corps was taken off from the Chariot and plac'd upon another stately and triumphal one no less costly than the first Then they offer'd a Steer which they sprinkled with Wine besides Coats and Perfumes to the honor of the Earth with Prayers to the God of the Spirits that he would receive the Corps At the same time nine Mandarins sent from the Emperor observ'd the like Ceremonies and Offer'd to all the Emperor's Predecessors that lay in that Place On the Funeral day being the fifteenth day of the sixth Moon they made several Offerings to conclude their Ceremonies of which and what they had done by the Way they gave an Account to the Emperor who shew'd his bounty to those that had been careful in the observing of them and express'd his Affection to his Mother in shewing Reverence to her after her Death and for her sake released all Prisoners that had committed but small Crimes It was also Order'd that those Provinces which were too highly Tax'd should have an Abatement He took off likewise many Impositions laid upon Imported Goods and distributed with his own Hands many thousands of Ducats wrapp'd up in Paper according to the Custom of the Countrey being all in honor to the Soul of the Deceased With the same Ceremonies a Chinese Emperor's Funeral was solemniz'd When an Emperor lies on his Death-bed and that the Physicians begin to despair of his Recovery the Colaos or chief Relations and the prime Controller of the Palace call'd Suikien come to visit him and to know his will and pleasure from his own Mouth and the Contents of his Testament Then they privately go to the Prince which is Heir to the Crown and consult with him that they may do nothing against his will who is ready to enter on the Throne Being thus inform'd of the one thing and the other they write down the Will and bring it to the Emperor that he may approve and allow of it from thence they go and shew it to the prime Councellor call'd Hanhyuen who ingrosses all the Emperor's Business which being done the Will is Seal'd with the Imperial Seal and kept in the Star-Chamber belonging to the Emperorâ—… Council so long as the Emperor lives after his Decease they shew it to the Court of Judicatory that they may proclaim it in all Places of the Empire and observe it punctually Most of the Inhabitants in the Province of Iunnan by reason of their Neighborhood with the Indians lay the dead Corps on Heaps of Wood and burn it but those that study the Chinese Philosophy observe the Customs of the other Chineses and use Coffins But though they burn their Dead yet they consume not living Persons with them as the Indians do for the Chineses account it barbarous and not to be admitted amongst the Laws of civiliz'd Men. The Inhabitants of the City Sintien in the Province of Queicheu express great sorrow for either Father or Mothers Death by cutting off the Hair of their Heads The Chineses as Martinius witnesseth are no less curious than superstitious in chusing the Ground for their Graves judging that all their Fortune and Happiness depends upon it because of a Being for the Dragon to whom they ascribe their Salvation wherefore they observe the shapes of the Hills on which they intend to make their Graves and Dig up the Ground not sparing either Cost or Charge hoping to find the Head Heart or Tail of a Dragon for they believe that thereby all Happiness and good Fortune will attend the Deceased's Successors Many
chang'd to true and lawful Succession by Birth Sometimes it hath happen'd though very seldom that the youngest Son contrary both to the Laws of Nature and the Realm was declar'd Emperor either for his extraordinary Valor or Prudence as Anno 209. before the Birth of Christ it happen'd to the Emperor Ulxi who after his Father Cin's Death was chosen Emperor in stead of his eldest Brother Fâ—…sa When the eldest Son hath taken Possession of the Throne the rest only boast of their Princely Allyance for they have not in the least any Authority yet the Emperor gives them each a City to reside in with a Magnificent Palace Attendants and Revenues where they keep Court in great State and are serv'd accordingly yet have no Command of the Citizens and that they might not have so much together as to enable them to raise a Commotion the Emperor's Allowance is paid them every three Moneths and on forfeiture of their Lives they may not stir out of the Limits of the City so design'd for their subsistance The Empire hath sometimes also been Govern'd by a Woman for Anno 490. before the Nativity of Christ the Emperor Lieupang's Consort after the Death of Hoci her Son Govern'd the Countrey eight years At the Election of a new Emperor thirteen Contingencies are to be observ'd The first is the alteration of annual Accounts for they begin to reckon from the Inauguration of their new Emperor which they use not only in common Discourses but in their Letters and all manner of Writings The Emperor also gives his Name to that Year in which he begins to Reign for we must observe that all the Years of any Emperor's Raign when soe're they die are reckon'd for whole Years and so make his Coronation the New-Years-Day that is the beginning of the Year and yet though the Chineses immediately and in the same Year have another yet they still shew Honor and Obedience to the late Emperor though Dead till the Years end doing all things in his Name and likewise all Edicts and Proclamations are Seal'd and Mark'd with the same Signets as if he were still living but the Successor gives his Name to the following Year The second they instantly Coyn new Money with the Letters of his Name which doth not abate any thing of the value of the old Coyn. The third his Lawful Wife is Crown'd Empress The fourth they give the Name of Queen to six of his Concubines The fifth they make Offerings to the Heavens Earth and Spirits The sixth they bestow great Alms on the Poor The seventh all Prisoners are set at liberty The eighth all the Magistrates are nobly Treated The ninth all the Women that were Concubines before are put out of the Palace The tenth the Seraglioes which are four in number are fill'd with fresh Beauties fetch'd from all parts of the Empire during which time there are many Marriages because every one seeks to free his Daughter from such a retired Life The eleventh Persons of Quality if not all at least those of Cities either come themselves or send Agents to shew Obedience and acknowledge the new Emperor The twelfth all Officers from the Vice-Roys to the inferior Governors of Cities go in Person to the Court to shew the same Obedience and take the Oath of Allegiance in behalf of their Towns and Provinces The thirteenth is that the Emperor changes his own Name as is before-mention'd The Reverence which the Chineses anciently shew'd to their Kings they perform'd in this manner They Prostrate themselves to him bowing down their Bodies and looking with their Faces to the North for they say that their Kings look always to the South for which reason all the Gates of their Palaces Doors of Chambers and all Draw-Bridges face the South from whence proceeds a Proverb That the Chineses though at great distance always honor their King when with usual Ceremonies they receive their Guests They say that the Tartar Prince who at this day possesseth the Countrey of China and resides in the Metropolis Peking is not the great Cham or Lord of all Tartary as hath hitherto been believ'd but a mean Prince of the Tartars whose Grand-father was the first King of his Family promoted to that Dignity by the Inhabitants of his Countrey which was only a small Province in Tartary call'd Muncheu The Father of this present Emperor call'd Zunchi was the fifth of his Family his Fortune seem'd to be so strange in the Eyes of other Princes of his Countrey that they compar'd him to Lightning when e're they spake of him for they usually said that the Gods and Heavens could only prevent him in any thing The present Emperor Zunchi's Son is call'd Konchi a Youth of about sixteen years The first Ruler of whom the Chineses make mention in their Histories was nam'd Puoncu and after him Tienhoang Ginhoang and Yonjui but in those times the Provinces were govern'd by the Heads of their Princical Families The first Emperors that before the Birth of our Saviour Govern'd China and were Elected and set on the Throne by most Voices were eight in number viz. from the Year before the Nativity of Christ 2952. to the Year 2207. before which the Chineses allow of none in their Histories which in that time are stuff'd with many strange and fabulous Relations as well concerning the Age of Men as Years of the Governors for if we will credit their Writers the World stood many Thousands of Years before the Deluge The first Emperor was Before Christs Birth Raign'd Years 2952 I. Fohi 115 2837 II. Xinnung 140 2697 III. Hoangti 100 2597 IV. Xaohau 84 2513 V. Chuenhio 78 2435 VI. Ko 70 2357 VII Ya 90 2258 VIII Xan 33 After Xun the Empire was Govern'd by Hereditary Succession and the first House or Family Hia was rais'd under the Emperor Yu which continu'd four hundred Years under seventeen Emperors viz. Before Christs Nativity Raign'd Years 2207 I. Yu 10 2197 II. Khi 9 2188 III. Taikang 29 2159 IV. Chumkang 13 2146 V. Siang 27 2058 VI. Xaokang 22 2057 VII Chu 17 2040 VIII Hoai 26 2014 IX Mang 18 1996 X Is 16 1980 XI Pukiang 59 1821 XII Kung 21 1800 XIII Kin 21 1769 XIV Cungkia 31 1848 XV. Ka 11 1838 XVI Fau 19 1818 XVII Kie 52 After the Family Hia the House of Xang succeeded being first rais'd by the Emperor Tang from whom sprung twenty eight Emperors viz. Before the Birth of Christ. Raign'd Years 1766 I. Tang 13  II. Taikia 33 1720 III. Voting 92 1691 IV. Taikeng 25 1666 V. Siaokia 17 1659 VI. Iungie 12 1641 VII Taiu 75 1562 VIII Chungting 13 1549 IX Vaigni 15 1534 X. Hotankia 9 1525 XI Zuie 19 1506 XII Zusini 16 1490 XIII Vokia 25 1464 XIV Zuting 32 1433 XV. Nankeng 25 1408 XVI Yangkia 7 1401 XVII Puonkeng 28 1373 XVIII Siaosini 21 3352 XIX Siaoye 18 1324 XX. Vuting 59 1265 XXI
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
 Kiocing 13 48 25 35 Yaogan 15 50 26 3 Cioking 16 40 26 28 Vutin 14 59 25 27 Cintien 13 52 26 4 Likiang 16 58 26 54 Iuenkiang 15 33 23 54 Iungchang 17 42 24 58 Great Cities     Pexing 16 8 26 44 Lanking 15 55 27 3 The manner of the Building of the Cities in China MOst of the Cities in all China are of one Model and Fashion and exceed each other only in Bigness and Commerce for most of them are square with broad and high Walls of Brick or Free-stone Fortifi'd round about at an exact distance with high Watch-Towers not unlike those of the ancient Romans surrounded with broad Moats and within with Pallasadoes The Entrances into the City have always double Gates one before another with Portcullases between those two Gates is a large Court wherein the Soldiers are Exercis'd that belong to the Guard These Gates are not opposite but oblique so that they cannot see through them both at once The first hangs on a double Wall which appears like our Bulwarks Above the Gates on the Arch are high Towers which the Chineses call Muen Leu in which the Soldiers keep Guard and are Magazines where their Arms are kept Every Metropolis and almost all the small Cities have a little distance without the Walls in a pleasant and frequented place or near the Road a Tower by Peter Iarrik and others call'd Chimes which the Chineses look upon to be so auspicious that no Man goes about any business of consequence before he hath Saluted these Edifices from thence expecting their better Fortune One of these Towers by which we may judge all the rest is before discrib'd in the Province of Xantung They have at least seven nine or ten Galleries of Free-stone and very artificially built in manner like a Pyramid they are not onely Erected in or near the Cities but some of them on the highest Mountains These Towers are not much unlike other Structures from their quality call'd Culeu which here we should name Hourly Towers which are built at the Publick Charge one or two in every City according to the bigness thereof On every one of these Towers is a Water-Glass for in stead of Watches or Hour-Glasses the Chineses use Water Glasses which shew the Hour of the Day for the Water falling out of one Glass into the other lifts up a Board Carv'd with the Figures of the Hours and time of the Day There is also one who constantly observes the Hand which points and by the beating on a great Drum gives notice thereof to the People every Hour what the Clock is he also puts forth another Board out of the Steeple on which the Hour of the Day is Painted with Golden Figures of a Foot and a half long The same Person which Watches the Hours hath an Eye also because he looks over the whole City if any Fire should accidentally happen in one House or other and by beating on his Drum raises all the Citizens to the quenching of it He whose House is set a Fire through his own carelesness suffers Death without mercy because of the danger which threatens the neighboring Houses all built of Wood. On these Time-telling Towers the Governors often meet to keep their Festivals Pagodes or Temples NOt far from these Turrets stands generally a Pagan Chappel besides a Temple Consecrated to the Spirit or good Genious of the City In these all the Governors or Magistrates on the entring into their Offices take their Oaths of Allegiance and the like as if before the God or Protector of their City In former Ages the Chineses in these Temples honor'd only the fore-mention'd Spirits but at this day Worship other Idols Great numbers of these Pagodes are through all China and are likewise built in solitary places on the tops and declinings of Mountains Most of these Pagodes are inhabited by Priests who live there upon the ancient Revenues granted them of the place The Pagodes also afford good Lodgings and Entertainment for Travellers who there find plenty of all things The Pagodes or Temples are within furnish'd with Images to the number in some of above a thousand and hung round about with black Lamps which burn Night and Day in Commemoration of those as they conceive which liv'd Piously and dy'd Happily Some Images sit on Tables as if they liv'd and were consulting together At the entrance or behind the other Images stand horrible shapes Horn'd Fiends with open Mouths and Hands with grievous Claws In the middle commonly appears an Altar whereon sits an Image of some times thirty forty fifty nay a hundred Foot high to which the Temple is Consecrated besides several lesser Idols on each side thereof before the Image stands generally a thick but hollow Cane full of little Reeds or Pens inscrib'd with Chinese Characters which they believe foretel future events On each side are Perfuming-Pots which are continually supply'd and in the middle stands a Woodden Charger in which the Priest puts his Offerings when he Invokes the God on some exigent to grant him a favorable sign of good success The Altar is Colour'd Red with which no common Houses may be Painted A Pagode or Temple which was formerly the Hall of a Palace belonging to a grand Eunuch near the City of Peking and afterwards on the Emperor's Command given to the Iesuits for a Chappel Trigaut says was before set forth after this manner In the chief Isle stood a great Altar of Bak'd and Hewn Stone curiously Wrought and Painted Red after the manner of their Temples Upon the middle of the Altar sat a great and horrible Monster Bak'd of Clay Gilt from top to bottom The Chineses call'd this Image Tuan and suppose it Commands over the Earth and Riches thereof wherefore we with the ancient Poets should call it Pluto It had a Scepter in one Hand and a Crown on its Head both not unlike the Marks of our Kings On each side of the Isle stood two great Tables every one Guarded by five Infernal Judges which were also Painted on the Walls sitting on Seats of Justice and Condemn'd as they said the Sinners to Everlasting Torments every one according to his Condition Before them stood many Furies far more terrible with tormenting Scourges than those which we represent and in such manner those Devils seem'd to punish the Criminals that they struck a Terror to the Living for some lay broyl'd on Gridirons others boyl'd in Oil others again rent to Pieces some cut through in the middle torn to Pieces by Dogs bruis'd in Mortars and other such like cruel Punishments The first of the fore-mention'd Infernal Judges seem'd to examine the Malefactors which as the Chineses suppose he re-views in a Looking-Glass this done he sends them to the other Judges according to the several Punishments which they are to suffer Amongst them was one whose Office was to Punish by Transmigration sending the Souls of the Malefactor into worse Bodies
out of which they dig Iron In the County Yencheufu near the City Kioheu is the Mountain Fang famous for the Tombs of the Ancient Philosopher Kungfuti's Parents Hing is a Hill near the City Nungyang so call'd from the abundance of Armenian Plums which grow on the same By the City Cou is the Mountain Chaugping on which some say Kungni was Born in a City of the same name whereof the Ruins are yet to be seen By the City Ie is the Mountain Ie Crown'd with divers Villages Near the City Tunping a Mountain nam'd Fung is so interlac'd with Woods and Fields that it makes a most delightful Landskip The Chineses compare it to Damask Silk In the County Tungchangfu not far from the City Kaotang lies a Mountain call'd Minxe which signifies A Sounding Stone for that on the top of this Mountain stands a very high Pillar which on the least touch with the Finger makes a noise like a Drum In the County Chingcheufu near the City Chusing lies a great Mountain call'd Langsie which extends East from thence to the Sea On it are many Villages built the first when the Emperor Xi Encamp'd thereabout with thirty thousand Men. By the City Yxui is the Mountain Tapien having a flat top of ninety Furlongs In the Territory Tencheufu Northward from the chief City Tengcheu lies the Mountain Tengheng noted for the Defeat which Hansiu gave to King Si. By the City Foxan is the Mountain Chifeu which with a Promontory runs into the Sea There is also another Mountain call'd Cheuy from whence a round Stone runs into the Sea which by the Chineses is call'd Cheu that signifies Pearls In the County Laicheufu lies the Mountain Hoang so call'd from a certain Virgin who had here a Temple Consecrated to Her On the Shore near the City Siene is the Mountain Lao. WIthin the Walls of the City Kaifung is a Hill call'd Y full of Gardens and stately Palaces Near the City Siangching is the Mountain Xeu being in great Veneration among the Chineses for its Fortunate shape and position and is the first mention'd in the Books of Tiungxu which Treats of that kind of Divination which they deduce from the observation of the Mountains By the City Siuching is the Mountain Kicu in which is a stately Grotto made by the Emperor Hoangti for his Summers Recess North-West from the City Cu is the Mountain Cu on which King Si having hid much Treasure afterwards put to Death all those that were privy to the burying thereof that so he might keep it secret Nevertheless his Son though then very young taking notice of the Action when he came to the Crown caus'd all the Gold to be taken up In the County Gueichoeifu near the City Ki lies the Mountain Cinivien out of which runs a Brook whose Water both washes and shaves at once that is when apply'd makes bare all Hairy parts of the Body In the Territory Hoaikingfu Northward from the chief City Hoaiking is the Mountain Tai which in former Ages Vomiting Fire rent asunder making a Gap of thirty Rods from whence flows now a slimy unctious Water serving for many uses in stead of Oil and being not unpleasing to the Taste Towards the South-West is a double Mountain call'd Iquan between which as through a Gate the River In hath its Course About the City Hiang towards the South lies the Mountain King out of which the Emperor Hoangti is Recorded to have all the Copper which he us'd both for his Weapons of War and his Houshold Utensils In the County Nanyangfu on the North side of the chief City Nanyang is the Mountain Yu on which thirty six Pearls are constantly found never either more or less About the City Niuhang towards the North-East begins the Mountain Taipe and extends South-East to the City Chechuen There lies also the Mountain Tienchi and upon it a Lake whose Water is held for a great Cordial In the County Iunningfu is the Mountain Tienchung which they call The Center of the World By the City Simang is a very high and pleasant Mountain whose top if cover'd with a Cloud the Chineses immediately after expect Rain like the Table-Mountain at the Cape of Good Hope and the Wrekin in Shropshire The other Mountains of this Province are in the County of Changtifu by Tangin the Hill Simeu out of which runs the River Tang West of the City Lin the steep Mountain Yang In the Territory Hoaikinfu North of the City Liyven the Wooddy Mountain Voangae In the County Hananfu near the City Hanan the great Mountain Pemang In the County Nanyangfu South of the City Quanxan the Mountain Huy In the County of In near the City Luxa a Mountain of the same name IN the Province of Suchuen Westward from the City Quan begins the Mountain Cinching spreading above a thousand Furlongs and hath the fifth place of Esteem among the Chineses who hold that those which they call Xensiens or Immortal People meet often there By the City Gan towards the East lies the Mountain Lunggan Crown'd with pleasant Woods and Fountains There are also the Ruins of a Palace built by the Kings of Cho. Near the City Chungking is the Mountain call'd Toyung swarming with Apes and Monkies Not far from the City Xefang towards the North is a Mountain call'd Tafung whose Head pierces the Clouds and sends forth from the top a River which running down very steep makes a great noise in the fall from the top of this being reckon'd sixty Furlongs Perpendicular you may take a Prospect over all the other Mountains and see the City Chingtu it extends from the utmost Western Borders of the Province of Suchuen to Prester Iohn's Countrey or Sifan and in a continu'd Ridge reaches to the City Guei Out of these Mountains the great River Kiang takes its first Original By the City Cangki towards the North is the Mountain Iuntai which for its heighth is call'd The Throne of Clouds Near the City Pa lies to the North-East the Mountain Iu out of which though craggy and difficult to ascend Precious Stones are digg'd Not far from thence towards the West lies the Mountain Pingleang on whose top is a delightful Plain surrounded with other higher Mountains of the County By the City Sike lies the great Mountain Nannim which rises aloft with twelve high Spiring Heads upon nine whereof are Salt-pits In the County Chungkingfu Northward from the chief City Chungking on the Shore of the River Feu is a Mountain which for its shape is much Idoliz'd by the Chineses by reason it represents at least they imagine so the Idol call'd Fe who is Figur'd sitting with his Legs a cross and his Hands on his Bosom a cross This Mountain-Image which whether Natural or made by Art the Chineses themselves have not under Record may be judg'd by his Eyes Nose Mouth and Ears which are seen at half a Mile distance A more particular Description is given by Athanasius
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
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