Mountain is call'd Tienmuen that is Heaven Gate then running by Chinkiang at last disembogues it self through a great Bay into the Ocean wherein lies in a small Isle the City Cinkiang Garrison'd with Soldiers and Fortifi'd with Ships on both sides the Shores are for the most part built with great and small Cities Villages and Hamlets Before its fall from the City Kieukiam into the Sea a Tract of above a hundred Leagues the Kiang glides so gently that the Ships may Sail up the same with or against the Wind and some Tides especially Spring-Tides a strange thing to relate the Water running up so far in the Countrey that Sea-Fish are there taken In this Stream lie several Isles as Pequey that is of the white Tortel in the third County Hoangcheufu of the Province of Huquang In this County Kincheufu of the Province of Huquang a little Island call'd Peli which signifies An hundred Furlongs lies near the City Chikiang in the River Kiang In ancient times as the Chineses write it was nine small Isles which afterwards by the falling of the Waters and increase of Sands became one intire Island On the South-side of the City Kiangning lies an Island call'd Pelu famous because not far from it the Armies of the Southern Provinces were in the time of the Family Sung beaten and utterly routed Near the City Kiang lieth the Isle Chancung and on the South-West side another call'd Tengxu The Yellow River the second in Magnitude and most famous in all China and by them nam'd Hoang is so call'd from the colour of the Water occasion'd by the Yellow Mud or Clay Earth which from the Spring to the Sea it glides over It is always disturb'd and made thick by a Yellow Soil which it carries along because this Mud which gives the denomination and doth not as in other clear Waters shine from the Ground but discolours being rais'd by the swift and strong Current of the Water after the manner of Rivulets which swell by Rains the whole River as hath often been found by experience for when its Water is for a little while put into a Vessel or Glass the sediment sinks so fast down to the bottom that it makes almost a third part and indeed this River at the first sight seems to be a Pool or flowing Mud but the swift Current of its Waters manifests the contrary Those that frequent this River make the Water clear by casting in Allom which drives the Lees to the Ground and fills the fourth part of the Vessel It is a great wonder from whence such abundance of Clay or Mud proceeds considering it hath never been seen clear or bright nay the Chineses say That its Water cannot be clear in the time of a thousand Years insomuch that they have a Proverb from thence amongst them viz. when they speak of things that are never like to happen as altogether impossible they say When the Yellow River shall be bright Moreover the Hoang as a Foraigner entering from without into China takes Original out of the Southern Amasian Mountains otherwise call'd Quonlun and by the Inhabitants Otunlao which lie not far from the great Mogul's second Court nam'd Laor or from the Kingdom of Tibet Nay the situation of the places shew that the River Ganges in Bengale the Meson in Laor and other famous Rivers which moisten the Countries of Siam and Pegu have their Originals from these Mountains before-mention'd for the Chineses also manifest that many great Rivers have their head Springs and Fountains there leaving these Mountains it runs by Sifan and Tanyu a Tract of above 300 Leagues with abundance of Water to the North-East from whence descending to the East it approaches China near the County of Linyaofu in the Province of Xensi at the West end of the Great Wall along which it rushes and passes on through a part of the Kingdom of Tanyu between the Desart Karacatay otherwise Samo afterwards through the Desart it self with a swift Course and several Branches to the East and North a Tract of two thousand Furlongs from whence it turns south-South-West to China and in forty Degrees and eighteen Minutes Northern-Latitude runs through the Gate Se in the Great Wall of China and shoots along between the Province of Xansi and that of Xensi and in the Latitude of thirty six Degrees enters into the Province of Honan and out of that into the Province of Xantung near the City Cao from whence it runs towards the South-East and passes on through the Northern part of the Province of Nanking and discharges it self at last with great violence into the Sea in thirty two Degrees and a half Northern-Latitude The Hoang generally falls with such an incredible swiftness that no Boats can Row against it but are forc'd up with a far greater number of Toers than in the River Kiang In some places it is above half a League and others more and extending it self in length above eight hundred Leagues oftentimes rises above its Banks and covers all the neighboring Countreys with Water and Mud. The Chineses describe the Hoang in these or the like words The original of the River Hoang is between the Southern Mountains of Quonlun or Amasian Hills by the Inhabitants call'd Otunlao The Water which makes this River springs from above a hundred Fountains which makes the Lake call'd Singcieu which is forty Furlongs wide the Water running out of it along a Channel makes another lesser Lake from whence the Hoang runs Northward through a little towards the East and soon after washes the Province of Xensi and runs direct East then passing on Northward by the Sandy Fields or Wildernesses from whence it streams Southward into China and through the Province of Xantung discharges it self into the Sea Thus far the Chinese Writer In former times this River us'd also to run through the Province of Peking and Xantung but its Course is since by the art and labor of the Chineses led another way thereby to prevent the overflowing the fore-mention'd Countreys which by reason of their Champain Lands that extend themselves a great way in breadth and length should not be subject to its often inundating Streams yet nevertheless the Chineses have left a little Branch thereof as a testimony of its ancient Course thither After having given you an account of the two famous Rivers the Kiang and Hoang take a brief Relation of all the particular Streams both small and great which distinctly water every Province in the Empire of China THe River Io takes its original out of the Lake Si lying Westward of the Mountain Iociven in the County of Pekingfu from whence it passes through the Emperor's Palace and gliding through it with many artificial Trenches and meandring Inlets waters the Gardens and also makes several Lakes The Stream Lukeu which is call'd Sangean takes its beginning in the County of Taitungfu in the Province of Xansi out of the Mountain Iueny from whence it runs North-East and
The thirteenth the Fleet being in seven Degrees and six Minutes had twenty nine thirty and thirty one Fathom Water But the Naerden sailing with his Squadron about the East had almost lost sight of the Zierikzee The fourteenth about Noon the Fleet was in eight Degrees and sixteen Minutes and had twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water fine sandy Ground mix'd with white Gravel At Night about the latter end of the first Watch appear'd the two Isles lying to the West of the Island Poele or Candor a League from the Fleet which had eighteen Fathom Water This Poele or Candor lies in the Bay of Siam near the Coast of Vancinaer Cambodia uninhabited and about three or four Leagues in Circumference surrounded with high Rocks and Mountains crown'd with shady Trees and abounding with good Provision to the great refreshment of those Ships that put in there The fifteenth in the Morning the Fleet came up with the North-East Point of Candor which bore South-East and by East about three or four Leagues distance from them in the depth of seventeen and eighteen Fathom Water white Sand mix'd with small Pebbles The sixteenth in the Morning they sail'd in fifteen and sixteen Fathom Water the Table-Mount being North-East about three Leagues from the Shore About Noon they found themselves by observation in ten Degrees and thirty one Minutes Northern Latitude and had fifteen Fathom Water about three Leagues from the Coast of Champa Champa so call'd according to Texeira from the Portuguese Pronunciation Champa by Martinius Changpa and by others Ciampa is a Kingdom which hath the Principality of Camboya on the West and according to Father Lerin that of Laos from which it is separated by the vast Desarts and Mountains of Samao the East respects Cochinchina and Tunking and reaches with its Coasts to the main Continent of China before you come to the Shore against the Island of Makou The chief City which lies up in the Countrey hath its denomination from the Kingdom The other Towns are Varella Penaria and Tauchonarella This Countrey abounds in all sorts of Provisions and the Hills with Elephants which are transported from thence to several Places There is also store of the best Calamback-Wood by some call'd Calampart by Linschot Calambu and Calambes or Lignum-Aloes by the Arabians Agalugen and Haut and by the Inhabitants of Zaratte and Dekan Ud which hath a most sweet and odoriferous smell said to proceed from its rotting under Ground for the sound Wood hath no smell at all The Tree saith Garzias resembles that of an Olive but somewhat bigger and the firm and sound Wood hath no kind of smell but with the putrifying of the Bark and Wood the fat and Oily Moisture may also communicate of its Sweetness to that likewise This Wood they prize so highly that they equally value it with Gold yet much us'd by the Chineses in their Offerings to their Gods The Countrey though badly stor'd with Gold and Silver yet is enrich'd with excellent Drugs costly Woods as the Sampan and Ebon-Wood Rice Lint and Cotton There is also plenty of a Fruit call'd Oaby which is very great weighing ten or twelve Pounds apiece and by the Chineses us'd for Bread and sometimes mingled with Meat like the Bottoms of Artichokes They also have a very large Fruit by the Inhabitants and other Indians call'd Nankussen and by some according to Garzias and Acosta Iaka The Countrey is Govern'd by a King that Rules neither acknowledging Subjection to the Emperor of China the Cham of Tartary or any other Superior The Vice-Admiral Van Campen spoke with the King himself who sate in a great Court in a very large Hall hung with rich Tapestry but was not permitted to enter the Presence till he pull'd off his Shoes and Stockings because none may appear before the King unless bare-footed such was their Custom of due Reverence The Grandees or Persons of Quality there are mounted on Steeds with Bells in their Ears like our Cart-Horses The seventeenth in the Night the Fleet doubled the South Point of the Bay of Pangerang which bore West and by South about three Leagues from them In the bottom of this Bay being a most convenient Harbor for Ships stands a great City whose Jurisdiction extends a vast way into the Countrey and Govern'd by a peculiar King The Vice-Admiral going ashore spake with him with his Shoes and Stockins on and was presented by the King with soms Fans and Stuffs The Countrey thereabouts abounds with Calamback-Wood The Fleet steering North and by East found her self about Noon to be in eleven Degrees and thirty five Minutes about three Leagues from the Champan Shore In the Morning they plied about the five Islands close by the foremention'd Coast the Southermost part of which appears like a round Hay-stack The eighteenth at Noon by Observation they found themselves in twelve Degrees and thirteen Minutes two Leagues from the Shore in seventy Fathom Water On Wednesday about Sun-rising the Fleet made St. Iohn de Fyks on the Coast of Champan North-East and by North about three Leagues from them and at Noon were in thirteen Degrees and five Minutes Northern Latitude and Coasted about Sun-set Cabo Avarelles which lay Northerly from them steering North and by East Cabo Avarelles being a very high Mountain appears a great distance off like a Man on Horse-back and serves for a Beacon The twentieth they found themselves in thirteen Degrees and forty nine Minutes and saw the Point of Poele Candor North and by East a good distance from them The one and twentieth in the Day-watch the Vice-Admiral Van Campen for the Admiral Bort going that Night with seven Ships about the East was by break of day gotten quite out of sight with the Ships belonging to his Squadron came opposite to the Northermost of the Box-Islands and spied four Sail bearing North-East and by East near the Coast of Champan or Quinan whether he and those that belong'd to the Ter-Boede row'd with their Sloops well Mann'd and Arm'd but three of them escaping they took only one which they carried aboard the Vice-Admiral and found him to be laden with Rice Honey and strong Arak Mann'd with seven Men and having also five proper Women aboard that coming from Poeyan intended to sail from Taywan not far from thence They judg'd it convenient to let them pass with their Vessel but the Women would rather have staid with the Netherlanders if they might have had their desires yet at their departure they were presented with three Pieces of course white Linnen which they receiv'd with great thankfulness The City Poeyan lying on the Coast of Quinan at the foot of a Mountain between two Rivers is surrounded with high thick Walls of Stone fit to plant Guns upon Their Fortresses are not fortified with Towers but here and there with some Galleries eighteen Foot high to which they ascend by a Ladder and from thence assail their
the Priests to know future Events Presently after Noon the Governor of Sinkian came with a Train of great Lords to the same Temple which he was no sooner enter'd but he sent for the Ambassador desiring him he would Command his Musick with him which the Ambassador did and so repairing to the Temple the Governor Entertain'd them with Bean-Broth and the Ambassador on the other side Cordiall'd them with Preserv'd Nutmegs which the Governor and his Mandarins having never tasted of before Eat with great delight while the Musicians plaid on their several Instruments After some stay the Governor desir'd to see the Horses which the Ambassador caus'd to be brought out of the Barques which they all beheld with great admiration saying That they had never seen the like therefore they doubted not but they would be very acceptable to the Emperor after they had seen the Horses the Governor return'd again to the City and the Hollanders to their Barques On Sunday being the tenth and Easterday they set Sail with a South-East Wind from the City of Sinkiun the Ambassador with twelve Barques more went Northerly cross the River Kiang and after having Tack'd too and again about an hour they arriv'd at the North-side of the River about a quarter of a League distant from the Garrison of Quasieu or Quacheu through a great Stone Sluce in an artificial Channel running Northerly by the seventh Metropolis Xangcheu to the Lake Piexe This Trench is digg'd directly through the Countrey to make a way for Shipping out of the River Kiang which in that place sends no Branches to the North but runs direct East towards the Sea into the Yellow River It was at first in the Embassy of Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keys by Nieuhof call'd The Royal Channel partly for her breadth and pleasantness and partly because it was built at the King's Charge They were Tow'd thorow the same in several Courses having divers Reaches and Windings in half a League At the end of which they arriv'd at a Village call'd Tongnanghong where they rested a little whilst the Ambassador walk'd ashore to see the foremention'd Sluces and going also towards a Temple was met by two Mandarins one a Sinksieuwan and according to his own saying the second Person of Quasieu and the other a Tartar and Governor of that Village who both civilly welcom'd him for which he return'd them Thanks He of Sincksieuw being ask'd by the Ambassador concerning Tayowan whether it would be deliver'd answer'd That he was well satisfi'd that this Embassy and chiefly the Presents which the Netherlanders brought would be very acceptable to the Emperor and that he doubted not of their good success in their Business and that all their Wishes were that the Netherlanders were enter'd into a League with the Tartars in the Countrey of China and that they might come there to Trade with them and then they should hope that the Foraign Traffique would again be permitted as formerly whereas because of the strict Watches at the Sea-Port Towns nothing could be done and that the Countrey People could not put off their Commodities and if you Fee the Courtiers well nothing will be deny'd at Peking As to what concern'd Tayowan it was in a mean condition because they were obstructed from Trading to any place in China and likewise all their best People were gone therefore if the Emperor would only joyn twenty Jonks to the Netherland Ships it might easily be taken That about five Moneths since a Messenger had been there from the Emperor to bring all the Chineses there present under Subjection who had also Order that if those of Tayowan did not hearken to his Proposals that then at his return he should destroy all the Sea-Port Towns which were yet in being and to give strict Orders in all places that not one Jonk should either come in or go out but if they would submit themselves to the Emperor that then all places should be left as they were Now this Messenger being return'd fruitless there was such Orders given in all the Havens that not one Vessel can either come out or in to them which was formerly winked at Not many days since another Messenger was sent to Tayowan being the same of whom Ienko the Interpreter had inform'd the Ambassador at Sucheu whose return they much long'd for The Ambassador after this Discourse invited the Mandarins with some other that came thither in the interim to this Barque where they were entertain'd with a Glass of Spanish Wine which having drank they departed This Mandarin of Sincksieuw sent the Ambassador as a Present one Porker one Sheep four Hens two Geese a Vessel of their Drink and some Herbs and the Governor of the Village some Dishes of Meat ready dress'd Afternoon the Vessels going thorow the foremention'd Sluces the Mandarin Guide Hiu Lavja came to an Anchor at the end of the Village before a Pagode and from thence Rode to make merry at the City of Quazieu wherefore the Ambassador seeing that this day would be spent idly went with the Barques wherein the Presents were Laden to the Village Palipoe and staid all Night but the Mandarin inform'd of the Netherlander's departure soon after follow'd them to the foremention'd Villages This day they gain'd about three Leagues The eleventh in the Morning they set Sail again and pass'd by several small Towns and Villages and also by a great Tower with seven jutting Galleries standing on the South-side of Tongnaphan between which and the foremention'd Tower a Channel runs up Westward into the Countrey Against Noon they came to the South Suburb of Iamcefu otherwise call'd Iancheu the third City of Note in this Territory where was also a Tower with four Galleries by which being Tow'd to the City Walls they resolv'd to change their Coelies having given those that brought them thither leave to go home notwithstanding it was late before they got new Men yet they went away and pass'd through a Bridge with six Arches opposite to a Custom-House and so Eastward having that day been Tow'd up the River two Leagues and a half In the Morning being the twelfth they proceeded on their Journey about Day-break from Yancheu against the Stream by and through Wantoe a Village separated by a Channel that runs up into the Countrey of Wayopoe or Stone Bakers from the abundance of Kilns that are there the West part of it being under Water represented a great Pool or Lake At Noon they pass'd by Sjopouzink a Village that a far off seems a City and also three Sluces thorow which the Water runs out of this Channel into the Manur'd Grounds Towards the Evening coming to a small Village of seven or eight Houses call'd Louting where was a Cloyster of their Votaresses or Nuns they dropp'd Anchor having gain'd five Leagues on several Courses The thirteenth in the Morning leaving the Village Louting they pass'd by many Cottages standing on the East-side of this Channel to the
Village where the Channel call'd Iun takes its beginning and discharges its Waters through a Sluce viz. This Channel Iun begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Peking in the Territory Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien on the North side of the Yellow River out of which the Ships that go to all Places in the Northern part of the Empire are brought into the Channel Iun which spreads it self North-West from thence through the second County Iencheufu in the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward of the Lake Nanyang then through those of Tungchunfu and through the Nanyang and lastly at the end of that Territory it disembogues in the River Guei which separates the Provinces of Xantung and Peking But because this Channel in many Places is too shallow for Vessels of Burthen there are above twenty Sluces which they call Tungoa built artificially with Stone every Sluce hath a large Water-gate which is open'd when any small Boats or Vessels are to pass and strongly barr'd up with Posts and Planks to keep up the Water These fore-mention'd Gates are open'd with an Engine or Wheel-work with little trouble to let the Water through and so from one to another till they have past through like the Sluces at our new River at Guilford But half way before they come to the City Cining they let as much Water out of the Lake Usianghoe or Can through a very great Water-gate as they have occasion for them locking it again that the Lake may not be quite exhausted When the Ships come to the Lake Chang they cross it not but go with greater ease along a Channel made near the side and Confin'd with two broad Banks At every Water-gate are People which for small consideration pull the Vessels through with Ropes In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly if the European Builders or Layers of Water-courses did come along this Channel Iun and behold the thickness and heighth of the Banks on both sides and the stately Water-gates which are also of Free-Stone or the firmness of the Work they would justly admire the Contrivance and Art of the Chineses in this their way of Aqueduct not to be paralell'd by the prime Pieces of the best Masters in Europe After all the Boats were Tow'd through the fore-mention'd Water-gates they Sail'd up the Channel Iun in a Northerly Course with a fair Wind by the Villages Mochoctan and Uwtaotchou the first on the West and the last on the East side of the Channel and in the Evening came to Maulovao on the Western Shore having this day wrought out six Leagues and a half Here they they were forc'd to exchange their Coelies because the other that came from Sinsing a Place two Leagues and a half distance from thence had gone their Stage Van Hoorn no way satisfi'd with these delays told the Mandarin Guides that they ought to have sent Coelies before that they might have been ready against his coming thither and then rehearsed the long time which he had already spent when as they might have finish'd their Journey in six Weeks all which said he you can scarce answer in Peking if the Emperor's Presents should be any ways damnifi'd which they are subject to The thirtieth at Noon no Coelies coming they went with some Soldiers into the Countrey to Press some of the Rusticks which was done so leisurely that it was almost Night before they got from Maulovao and Sail'd the whole Night though with a slow pace because their Vessels often rak'd upon the Sand. In the Morning the first of May they past by Kiakio and Sankomiao two decay'd Villages on the East side of the Channel somewhat up into the Countrey and about Noon pass'd by Thoetsuang beyond which they lay still a little while till their Toers had Din'd Then going on again they arriv'd in the Evening at a small Village call'd Sjousincha and Anchor'd before a Water-gate having since the last Night gain'd six Leagues in several Courses The second in the Morning about nine a Clock they pass'd through the Water-gate before which they lay the Night before being hindred there by a strong North-West Wind. In the Afternoon coming to Twansingiao they again lay before one of the Water-gates till the Wind was something abated Whilst they lay there one of the Emperor's Barques laden with Tributary Goods just to the Northward of the Village was accidentally set on fire but soon quenched onely burning her Stern and very little of her Lading Towards Evening they pass'd the fore-mention'd Water-gate and Sail'd in the Moon-shine through Singhjamiao and its Water-gates and about Midnight Anchor'd before Wansensua having that day gain'd but a League and a half About day-light they got through the fore-mention'd Sluce and at Noon arriv'd at Milanchia where they were to pass another but because the Wind blew very hard they cast Anchor before it This Village of Milanchia separates the Province of Nanking from that of Xantung being seated on their Borders Against the Evening the Weather growing more calm they went with their Vessels through the Water-gate beyond the Village at the end of which they stay'd having the whole day not gain'd above three quarters of a League and pass'd out of the Province of Nanking into that of Xantung The Province of Xantung being the fourth of the Northern verges South-East and North with the Sea and on the West side surrounded with Rivers in the North it borders upon the Province of Peking in the South on that of Nanking from which separated by the Yellow River The remainder thereof lies inclos'd within the Rivers of Iun and Guei The fourth in the Morning weighing again they pass'd through Tsingchia and Hanghsuansa and also through two Water-gates To the Westward or behind this Village a great Lake by the Chineses call'd Yzianghoe takes its beginning and through two Sluces discharges Waters into those of Iun. In the Evening though late they came to the Village Tzizang where they stay'd all Night being got three Leagues and a half farther in several Courses that day The fifth about Day-break they went forward and about Noon reach'd Iaixinho or Iaxhinno a little Town consisting of thirty six Houses all built like Forts or defensive Towers Here they stay'd some time for fresh Coelies who being come they weighed again and first pass'd through a Water-gate lying in the fore-mention'd Iaixinho afterwards through Tsonoiacha and two Water-gates more In the Evening they arriv'd at Maaliaeao where they stay'd all Night having gain'd four Leagues that day Here as before began to appear a Lake on the East side of the Channel The Countrey to the Hills seeming to lie thereabouts under Water The sixth in the Morning before day setting forward again they pass'd through ten Flood-gates and also by and through Tsouteucha and Naeyang Loutchiajeen Tongnang-fong Tsiongiaceen Chinkio Sinchia Tsoufee and Sohousum In the Evening they arriv'd at
the Hall stand several Trumpeters on both sides and two with Tabers at the Gate of the House in the in-side before the House in the Street hangs a Bundle of Pieces of Paper made fast to a Stick which reaches down to the Ground as a sign of their new-begun Mourning and to give notice to their Neighbors Afterwards the Children of the Deceased acquaint their nearest Relations and others by a Letter of their Loss who thereupon come to visit them in this Order First the Visitant walks into the outer Court before the House and there puts on Mourning the Drums beating the whilst which done the Trumpets sounds as he passes through the Gallery so soon as he enters the Hall the Women behind the Curtain begin to cry and then approaching the Table he lays a Paper Purse of Money upon it to defray some of the Charges after he hath bow'd his Head three or four times on the Corps and kneel'd down the Childring lifting him up place him on their left sides and shew the same Reverence to him After all these Ceremonies pass'd every one seats himself without speaking a word All those Friends which come thither as Visitants are receiv'd by one of the Deceased's Relations Clad in a Mourning Garb who conducts them into an Anti-Chamber where desiring them to sit proffers them Tee dry'd Fruit and Sweet-Meats of which they eating but little take and put it into their Nets and go away These Civilities are so strictly observ'd that Friends though they dwell not near but in some other Cities come Riding thither or if it be too far they send one of their Family to excuse them These Ceremonies ended the eldest Son is oblig'd to go and visit every one in the City which came to Mourn with him yet to shun so much trouble he goes onely to their Doors where leaving a Letter he proceeds to the next Then they speak of the Funeral if their Purses be able to hold out if not they keep the Coffin in the House till the next opportunity which happens sometimes not in a whole year At the time appointed all the Friends are advis'd thereof by a Thu or Letter who when met go to the House Before them are carry'd great Images of Men Horses Elephants Lyons Tygers and other Beasts made of Gilt Paper then follow other Shapes viz. of Wagons triumphal Arches Pyramids and the like adorn'd with Silk and Roses of divers colours all which things are burn'd when the Coffin is put into the Ground if it be a Person of Quality These Images are follow'd by great numbers of People that come out of curiosity to see the Funeral Next walk the Friends all in Mourning then the Bonzi Singing their Prayers and Taboring on Basons who are follow'd by a second sort of Bonzies that let their Hair and Beards grow and play on several sorts of Instruments these again by a third that shaving their Hair differ in their Doctrine from the rest then come the Acquaintance and the nearest Relations the last are the Children and Nephews all in close Mourning bare-footed hanging down their Heads and carrying a Stick of two Foot long in their Hands All this Company walk before the Corps which is carry'd if of costly Wood Gilt and Varnish'd with their Charan uncover'd on a great Bier by thirty forty or fifty Men for the greatness of the Funeral consists in the number of Bearers Behind the Coffin the Women follow Crying being lock'd up in their Sedans and cover'd with Mourning When they are come to the Grave they use many Ceremonies before they put the Corps into the Ground amongst which one and none of the least is a great Feast for all the Company in a stately large House which done every one returns home and observes the time of Mourning and the usual Ceremonies which are as followeth viz. Three whole years this Sorrow continues during which time the Children sit onely on little Benches cover'd with White They eat not at Tables nor sleep on a Bedstead but on a Mat laid upon the Floor They also abstain from Wine and Flesh neither do they go to Baths or Feasts nor abroad but in a close Mourning Sedan But that which is more they never converse as they say with their Wives all that time nor are employ'd in any publick Business of State and if they have any Employment though a Vice-Roy or Colao they are forc'd to forsake it to attend the Obsequies and spend their time in Mourning which when expir'd they not onely enjoy their Places again but are after promoted to higher Dignities This time they account so holy that they receive no Pay though Captains of Companies Some years since it hapned that a Commander of the Province of Canton who was more desirous to follow his Employment than keep the full time of his Mourning made his Account so that the time which he spent in his Journey to the Court should be part of his Mourning time which he wanted to make up the three years but coming to the Court with intention to enter into his Office again he was sent back to his House to spend the remaining time of his Mourning before he might appear there The number of three years is strictly observ'd for an acknowledgment that the three first years they were carry'd more in their Parents Arms than on their own Legs wherefore as a sign of Obedience they may not erre from that Order which their Predecessors maintain'd The Women Mourn but one year the near Relations three Moneths and the Acquaintance three days And because these accidents often happen there are few but what have Mourning Coats lying ready by them Thus far Semedo Father Adrian de las Cortes makes mention of the Chineses Mourning for their Parents after this manner viz. The ordinary Mourning Coat which both Men and Women wear is very wide made of course white Hemp ravel'd and full of Patches The Sons carry a Cane in their Hands on which they lean when their Fathers die but when their Mothers die a Stick or Truncheon of Wood. On their Heads the Men wear a Bonnet of course Linnen from whence a great ravel'd Cloth hangs down over their â—…aces The Maids wear a Coif on their Heads of course Linnen a Girdle of Towe â—…y'd about their Middle hangs down with one end to the Ground Their time of Mourning for their Father and Mother is three years in requital as we said of their three first years in which their Parents suckled and carry'd them in their Arms. For the Death of Friends they Mourn a longer or shorter time according to their acquaintance and obligations The Friends of the Deceased go not with cover'd Faces nor Sticks in their Hands like the Sons as appears by the inserted Sculps and Directions of the following Letters and Figures Mourning Habit for Father and Mother A An ordinary wide Coat ravel'd and with many Patches B A Mourning Cane serving for a Crutch when a Father
signifies Enough The Feu begins in the North part of the Province of Suchuen in the County Lungganfu on the South-West side of the City Lunggan passing from thence South through this and the Territory Chingtufu and Eastward by the City Tungchuen from whence it bends East and glides through the County Chunkingfu where near the Mountain Pu it mingles with the Ta. The Chuen which springs in the Mountains Northward from the City Quanggan in the County Xankingfu and gliding South by the West side of the City Quanggan more Southerly by the West side also of the City Gochi at the end of the County falls into the River Sung or Sihan In it are thirty six deep Water-falls where it descends violently with great noise The Sung by some call'd Sihan begins in the Province of Xensi in thirty Degrees and fifty Minutes Northern-Latitude at the East side of the Garrison Mincheu from whence it passes Southward and in thirty three Degrees and forty Minutes North-Latitude enters the Province of Suchuen then running through the County Paoningfu by the West side of the City Zangki receives the Tung falling out of the Mountain Xeyen so gliding by the City Paoning enters at last into the Territory of Chungkingfu and near the Mountain Fu joyns with the Rivers Pa and Feu which all loose themselves near the City Chungking in the River Kiang The Xe which rises in the Mountains Westward from the City Kien passes Southward through the Mountain Tapa and with several Windings glides Eastward by the City Lenting and Xehung then passing on South-East makes way through the County of Xunkingfu and mixes at the south-South-end thereof with the River Sihan or Sung The Xemuen or Heng runs through the South part of the Territory Siucheufu by the south-South-West side of the City Siucheu with great force and Precipices call'd the Bell because it makes a noise like a Bell re-sounding with Ecchoes Lastly the River Xemuen falls in the Kiang The Stream Cingy also passing on the East side of the same Territory fills the River Kiang The Cing and Tosiang cut through the Territory Queicheufu the first which takes Original in the Lake Cingyven and falls joyn'd with the Tosiang which glides out of the Lake Cienking into the Kiang Eastward from the City Queicheu Cing signifies Clear because its water is clearer than any other Rivers in this Province The Tahoa which passes through the South side of the County Chunkingfu glides Northward by the West side of the City Vulung and falls on the West side also of the City Changxu into the River Kiang The Kiu or Kiukiang begins with two Branches the one call'd Piniao in the South part of the Province of Queicheu Westward from the City Luken and with the other in the Province of Suchuen Southward of the Mountain Fuyung from whence it glides North-East along the South-East side of the Province of Suchuen afterwards running Northerly into the County Chunkingfu falls Eastward of the City Changxeu into the River Kiang By the way the Ciu receives on the North side of the Garrison Pingchai the Nanyang and in the County Vunkingfu the Stream U Northward from the City Pengxui THe Han which runs through the North part of the Countrey Vuchanfu falls Westward of the little City Vuchan into the Kiang The water of the Han is exceeding cold insomuch that it makes the Air about the same temperate in the Dog-Days for which cause the Kings in times past built a Palace over the same to reside in the Summer The Io springs in the Mountains Southward from the City Vuchan and runs Northerly through the middle of the City into the Kiang The Sui takes Original in the Mountains Eastward from the City Tangzan and glides North-West into the Kiang through the South part of this County passes another Branch which also discharges in the Kiang The Cha divides the whole County Teganfu and takes Original in the Mountain Tahaung from whence it passes Southward by the East side of the City Sui and inlarg'd with the Stream Tuen on the West side and with others on the East side out of the Lake Tuigmung by the West part of the City Tegan at last mixt near the City Iungmuug with the River Hoan which comes out of the Lake Tungmung it falls by the Name of Hoan into the River Han. The Ki which glides through the County of Hoangcheufu out of the Lake Uheu Westward by the City Ki falls into the River Kiang The same Territory is also cut through by two other Streams viz. Hi and Lungsiang which both coming out of the North mingles with the Kiang The Mie which glides through the County Yocheufu springs from the Mountain Tienho from whence it shoots North-West into the River Siang and with that into the Kiang The Lieu begins in the Lake Pexa which produces four Rivers and gliding North-West through the Territory Chanxafu empties it self into the County Iocheufu in the River Siang The Mielo proceeds from the joyning of two Streams viz. Lieu and Chao originally springing out of the County Paokingfu and passing Westward by the City Siangiin at last falls into the River Taohao or Siang The Mielo receives by the way another Stream call'd Can which comes out of the Lake Pexa This River is eminent because it was the occasion of a great Feast by the Chineses call'd Tuonu which with all Solemnity is kept on the fifth day of the fifth Moon through all parts of China in Commemoration of a Loyal Governor who not able to serve his Master the Emperor any longer Drown'd himself in this River The Siang rises at the conjoyning Borders of the Province Huquang and that of Quangsi in the Mountain Siung from whence it passes North through the County Iungcheufu where on the West it receives the River Yu and out of this Territory entering into that of Hengcheufu glides afterwards through that of Changxafu where it also receives the Names of Mielo by the West part of the City Siangyan where it unites with the River Tahoa but retains the Name of Siang and at last falls through the Territory Yocheufu into the Kiang Its water may compare with Crystal for clearness and though it be very deep yet the Stones that lie in the bottom may plainly be discern'd The Siao which begins in the Mountain Kieny at the South-West side of the City Ningyven passes from thence close by the East side of the City Iungcheu and towards the North mixes with the Siang receives by the way Northward from the City Ningyven on the West the River Cin and Rivulet Xu on the East the Hoang The Chinghiang and Ciencieu glide from the South to the North through the County Ciencheufu afterwards mixing their Waves together pass along one Channel North-West through the Territory Hengcheufu thence pour their waters into the Siang The Lofeu which comes out of the Northern Mountains in the County of Changxafu runs to the South by the City