they possess much fruitful and rich Land None dare be so bold to Sowe his Ground before he hath offer'd two Hogs at Tamacuwalo and Tamabal chief Houses belonging to the third and fourth Gods Teckarupada and Tamagisangak and this Oblation is requir'd by one of the Priests belonging to the same Houses In like manner the Oldest of the Village when it Rains bring a Hog and abundance of Masakhaw to the Priests that dwell in those two Houses to be offer'd to their Gods If at their going to Sowe their Fields they chance to meet a wild Beast and kill it they carry the Liver and Heart as a Victim to their Gods in the two Houses and when all the People are assembled the Priests of the two Houses must first Sowe a small spot of Ground and then all the rest may proceed having first laid between two Bundles of Straw by them call'd Tenguro a Pisang Leaf a little Siri and Lime to be offer'd to their Gods The Seed being put into the Ground a Rice Pot in their Language call'd Sangi is placed on the North side of the two Houses and left there till the Rice hath attain'd its full growth If the Corn near the Pots for close by them they Sowe a little grows well they take them away with great joy and freely believe that they shall have a kindly and plentiful Harvest They are not permitted to take Tobacco in the Seed-time lest as their Priestesses tell them all their Seed should turn into that stinking Vapor The are forbidden in that time to throw the Bones of Salt Fish or Peels of Onions on the Ground but must carry them in a Talangack or Pot into the Woods to prevent the devouring of their Corn by Poysonous Serpents They must keep no Fire lest the Corn should be burnt Sugar-Canes or Pomegranates they may eat onely in the Evening but they may not during that Season taste any Roast-meat for fear the Corn should be set on Fire by wild Swine nor any Mahall that is Powder'd Flesh lest it should be devour'd by Worms They must also abstain from Kanging and a Hay both Fishes because they believe if they should eat of them that the Corn would have no Ears They conceit That if they should sleep in the Field during their Seed-time their Corn would not grow upright but lodge on the Ground and if they drink any Water except mix'd with Masakhaw that the Grain would never ripen but be green and watery If the Dust or Sand happen to light in ones Eyes he may not endeavor to get it out by rubbing or otherwise till he has quit the Field they have sown They never cut their Corn before they have made Offerings to their Gods If a Thorn chances to get in any ones Foot he must not pull it out in the Field but must leave the Place No Woman may turn her back Parts to a Man nor go naked Many more ridiculous Customs they use during the Seed-time which are strictly observ'd by them as when the Corn is ready to be cut they thresh one Bundle and laying a Lump of Earth upon it implore the Gods to fill and make weighty the Ears of all the rest After they have brought in the Corn to their particular Houses they offer a Swine and use many Ceremonies in the killing of it amongst others they lay a great piece of Clay on a large black Pot which they firmly believe makes their Corn grow more full and weighty Their Hunting which is never less than twelve days together is perform'd sometimes by few and at other times with many People who for the most part use Snares and Canes and also Assagays Bowes and Arrows When they have appointed a great Match they build a House in the Fields which they call Cadelang wherein they hang all their Implements And as they have their third and fourth Gods that look over their Tillage so their seventh and eighth nam'd Tawarakakoeloe and Tamakakamak bear the sway in Hunting Before they go out they tell to one another the Dreams they had in the Preceding Night and also neglect not Augurial Observations insomuch that if the Bird Aydak meet them they count it a good Omen but if it flies either on the right or left side of them they put off their Venating Sport till some other time Others also go to a River side where they make a peculiar kind of Sacrifice to their Gods with these Words If the Devil or any other Evil Spirits follow us we beseech that you would drive and banish them from us From the first Quarry of every sort of Wild Creatures they take a snip from the Tail Mouth Heart and Kidneys which with a Pisang Leaf scalded Rice and Masakhaw they present to their Deities Coming back from their Recreation they return thanks to the Gods in the House which they built to put their Arms and Hunting-necessaries in praying That those which come after them may have no success nor kill any thing Lastly They pull down and burn the House having first sent for the Women to carry home the taken Venison who coming thither bring abundance of cheering Tope to make merry with They often kill at one of these great Hunting-Matches eight hundred a thousand nay sometimes two thousand Head of Deer so that the Netherlanders could buy there the best and fattest Hanch of Venison for a Shilling All the Formosans much differ from one another in their Speech so that you shall seldom find two or three Villages though but three or four Leagues distant from one another but their Dialects vary so much that they are forc'd to use Interpreters They have neither Letters Writings nor Books neither were willing to learn although both the Spaniards and Hollanders have offer'd to teach and instruct them The Islands Formosa and Tayowan lay very convenient for the Netherlanders Chinese Trade because at most Seasons of the Year they could sail to them from the Coast of China out of the River Chinch or Chinchieu The chiefest Merchandise which the Hollanders got at Formosa consisted in Sugar Goats and Deers Skins which they transported thence to Iapan The Companies Merchandise was carried in Chinese Jonks to the River Chinchieu and the City Eymuy to their Factors or Merchants residing there and also to other peculiar Chinese Merchants whose Credit was good to send them such Returns as were desired at Iapan India and the Netherlands which Trade was conniv'd at by the Koabon of the Territory Fokien There also came some peculiar Merchants out of China with their own Vessels to dispose of their private Merchandise though of small concern Therefore when the time approach'd that the Ships were to go Annually to Iapan or Batavia and that the Goods came but slowly from China they were necessitated to go themselves with two or three Vessels to China or Eymuy where the Goods were brought weigh'd and receiv'd aboard in several Parcels and were forc'd to give eight
to the City Lanki where it disembogues in the Stream Che. The Rivulet Lung begins Westward of the City Seuchang from whence it flows to Chucheu where it cometh with its Waters near the River Tung and there is call'd Vonxa In the Prime County Hancheufu near the City Changhoa on the Mountain Cienking is a Lake though not very great yet famous for the Golden-colour'd Fishes taken there which the Chineses from their colour call Kinyu In the same Shire Eastward from the Metropolis lies the famous Lake Sikin between which and the City Walls is a fair Street Pav'd with Stone and almost a Mile long where they divertise themselves in stead of Walks of Pleasure The whole Lake Wall'd in comprises about five English Miles in compass and upon the adjacent Hills supply'd with various Rivulets and Fountains appear several Temples Palaces Cloysters Colledges and the like The Banks of the Lake which is the Foot of the Mountain are Pav'd on the top with Free-Stone and at h wart the Lake lie several Bridges so that they may walk over it and see the Lake in all places The foremention'd Ways are all Planted with divers shading Trees and accommodated with Benches Arbors and the like for the conveniency of such as walk there when they are weary to sit down and repose The Water in the Lake being so translucent and clear that they may see the smallest Stone in the bottom This Lake hath no Out or In-let for Vessels to pass but only a Sluce by which the Water swoln too high by assiduous Showres is discharg'd Yet nevertheless it bears many Pleasure-Boats built on purpose which may rather be call'd Golden floating Palaces being so richly Gilt and also curiously Painted in which they accustom to keep their great Feasts Revels and other delightful Pastimes These Vessels thus furnish'd Sail about the Lake without fear of Wrack or Tempest so that it is no wonder why the Chineses call this place and City A Delightful Garden or Earthly Paradise In the County of Kincheufu near the City Kaihoa is a little Lake call'd Pehiai from the white Crabs which it produceth for Pehiai signifies White Crabs In the Territory of Ningpofu near the City of Tunghoa appears Yapou a small Pool but very deep whose Water if the Chinese Writers may be believ'd has this quality that when they have a mild and prudent Governor it becomes much clearer than Christal but if a Tyrant or an Oppressor of the People dark and Cloudy In the County of Kiahingfu the Chineses catch a Bird in Harvest which they call Hoangcio that is Yellow Bird which being kill'd they steep in Wine made of Rice and is sold as a Dainty all the Year The Territory of Ningpofu hath by reason of its nearness to the Sea great plenty of Fish which they dry in the Sun without Salting They also have abundance of Oysters Crabs and Lobsters with which they supply the whole Empire of China The Shepherd Fish they catch all the year and in the beginning of the Spring another Fish call'd Hoang that is yellow which will not keep an hour out of the Water without tainting But because the Chineses account them a great Dainty and an excellent Fish they preserve them with Ice and so bring them to the Market The Countrey of Chekiang abounds with Tygers those on the Mountains near Kutien do no hurt to Humane Creatures whereas on the contrary those that frequent the Neighboring Woods are very Ravenous and Wild which taken and brought to the foremention'd Mountains become tame and innocent as the former In a Pond of about two hundred Paces in Circumference lying on Mount Sienking in the County of Hiangchefue the Chineses catch Fish of a Gold Colour wherefore they call them Kinyu for Kin signifies Gold and Yu Fish with a bright and glistering Skin but chiefly their Backs are speckled as with Gold they are never bigger than a Mans Finger and have a three forked Tail but not dangerous the Chineses account them as a great rarity preserving them in their Houses and Gardens in several Vessels made for that purpose The Grandees often take these Fishes with their own Hands which in their presence as if they knew who was their Lord and what a pleasure they did to their owners by sometimes shewing themselves often play and leap up and down above the Water One of them though so small costs commonly three or four Crowns In the eleventh County Veucheufu are a strange kind of small Oysters which are sow'd there in Marshy Grounds for taking the Oysters they first dry then stamp them small which Powder they cast up and down the Fields like Seed from whence grow other Oysters of a most delicious taste Through all the Countrey are plenty of Swine Sheep Poultry and Fowl both tame and wild In the County of Kiahing belonging to the Province Chekiang grows in standing Waters a round Fruit call'd Peu which is not much bigger than a Chestnut the Kernel lies cover'd with a grey Skin but appears very White in the middle full of Juyce and of a pleasing taste somewhat harder than an ordinary Apple and tartish If you put a piece of Copper with this in your Mouth it will so mollifie the Mettal that you may chew it with the Fruit as we do Bread with our Meat In the County of Kinhaofu grows a small Tree with a Flower which the Portuguese in India call Mogorin it is very white not unlike the Iasmyn though much fuller of Leaves and of a more pleasing scent so that a few of these Flowers perfume a whole House wherefore it is not undeservedly held in great esteem by the Chineses who in the Winter preserve the Tree in Pots fill'd with Earth In the same Countrey grows another Plant call'd Kieuyen which produces a kind of Fat of which like Tallow very good and white Candles are made not Greasing the Hands when touch'd like the ordinary Tallow Candles This Tree is of a pretty bigness and in Leaves and shape not much unlike a Pear-Tree it bears white Blossoms which when fallen off a round Cod succeeds as big as a Cherry cover'd with a blackish thin Skin under which is a white Pulp which when grown Ripe and the Skin breaks appears these being pull'd off are boyl'd in Water which melting the Body turns to Fat and when grown cold becomes hard like perfect Tallow From the remaining Kernels they Extract very good Lamp-Oyl so that this Plant supplies them both with Lamps and Candle light In the Winter the Leaves become red which looks very pleasant because many of them growing together shew like a blushing Wood. Lastly the Leaves falling off are a most excellent Food because of their fatness for Sheep and Cows which by Eating them thrive in an extraordinary manner In the County of Chucheufu near the City Kingning grow great Thickets of Canes and Rushes in the River Lupeu by
her Vomit would send them Rain whereupon the People force upon her more Liquor that they may have plenty of Rain If the Priestess chances to Urine thorow the Roof of the Church then the Spectators promise to themselves a fruitful year but if not great scarcity so that they often drink the more to satisfie the People then bidding the whole Congregation look up she Tabors on her private parts a considerable time which Taboring the Spectators observe with as much Zeal as in our Countrey the Auditors give ear to the Preaching of a Sermon Lastly coming down she falls flat on the ground and begins to roar and foam rolling too and again and spreading her Hands and Feet then lies still a while as in a Trance her associates come to lift her up but seem to have met with too weighty a burthen yet at last recovering after she hath made a small Speech to the People her Companions lead her into the Temple where she drinks her self dead Drunk all which impudent debaucheries as they say are done to the honor of their gods to grant them store of Rain and a plentiful Harvest All the Women must appear naked at this Feast except their Privacies which they cover with a Kagpay that is a little piece of Cloath so also must the Men When they have drunk out all their Liquor at the Temple the Congregation goes home where they Drink till the Morning and walk from house to house committing all manner of Villanies not fearing to lie with or vitiate their Sisters and Daughters The third Feast call'd Sickariariang they keep in Iune the manner thus After every one hath done their Private Devotions in their Houses and as they say spoke with the gods they make themselves ready to go to the general place of Sacrifice near the Sea The Men walk stark naked but the Women have a small Clout before them At their general Assembly the Priestess offers to the gods of whom they now request that they may be strengthen'd against their Enemies and the Women that the Corn be preserv'd from Tempests and Wild Beasts Amongst all other this is the most Celebrated because it is as one of Bacchus and Venus's Feasts so that it differs much and exceeds the rest in perpetrating unheard of Abominations both night and day The young Men are commanded by the Magistrates of the Town to go naked to this Feast and to exercise themselves with Running and Martial Discipline which they willingly perform The fourth nam'd Lingout begins in Harvest and kept also on the Sea shore near the mouth of a River Hither also both Men and Women going naked pray to the gods for Rain to keep the Corn in the Ears to banish Storms and Tempests which very frequently rise in that Moneth Great villanies are committed at this Feast The Youths are stuck and hung with green Boughs and Garlands and so adorn'd must run Races with Rattles in their Hands he that gets first to the River wins the Wager and by the Maidens is conducted and carry'd over where he enjoys the handsomest of them at his pleasure The fifth Feast call'd Piniang is kept in October at which time the Magistrates have a piece of Wood cut in the fashion of a Tortoise-shell ty'd to their Bodies whereupon in the Night with their whole Congregation they walk Drumming and Shouting up and down the Town At this Feast they come all clothed to their place of Offering to run about with the artificial Shell which is first perform'd by those whose Parents are yet living then by those that are Orphans This Feast is no less polluted by vicious performances than the other The sixth they name Itaoungang At this Feastival the old and young Men appear in peculiar Habits and have a pretty way of moving their Hands and Feet Capering and hitting their Feet one against another and likewise act several Postures with their Hands besides many other Ceremonies too long here to relate This continues two days meeting both Morning and Evening at the sound of the artificial Tortoise-shell after they have perform'd their several Offerings to their Deities they fall a Drinking in which they spend the whole Night The seventh Feast call'd Korouloutaen is kept in November with great Solemnity At the time of this Feast they adorn their Arms and Heads with white Feathers The Formosans except those by the Hollanders converted to Christianity believe not in God the Creator of Heaven and Earth but Worship thirteen Idols The first and chiefest is call'd Tamagisangak and resides in the West part of Heaven The other his Wife Takaroepada and dwells over against him in the East both these are by them accounted for their powerfullest gods and reverenc'd with great Devotion for if any War lay desolate their Cities or Sickness and Famine oppress the People they say all proceeds from the neglect of their duty in worshipping these gods The third God call'd Tamagisangak reigns in the South and shapes handsome People as the fourth his heavenly Consort Teckarupada in the East gives growth to Corn and Field-Fruits they say these Deities have the ordering of Mans Life wherefore the Women present them with Seeds and Plants They believe likewise that Thunder is the Goddess Teckarupada's voice chiding at her Husband for not sending Rain timely upon the Earth and he always when thus ratled up by his thundering Wife delays not to send Rain in abundance The fifth God call'd Tugittellaegh and his Queen Tagisikel the sixth have the cure of the Sick and are worshipp'd by them The seventh Deity being Tiwarakahoeloe and the eighth Tamakakamak are chiefly reverenc'd by such as frequent the Woods and Forest to hunt and kill wild Beasts The ninth call'd Tapaliat and the other Tatawoeli govern all Martial Affairs and are for the most part invok'd by Soldiers The eleventh nam'd Takarye and the twelfth Tamakading preside their annual Feasts and punish the omission of their long setled Customs The thirteenth Farikhe they say resides in the North they esteem him a cross-grain'd and ill natur'd God whose business is to deform what ever nature makes Comely and therefore onely worship him that he may not mis-shape them The Natives relate that this last God was formerly a Man living in Sinkam very fierce and of a stern Countenance with an exceeding long Nose which caus'd the People so to mock at him that growing impatient to bear such indignities any longer he desir'd of the Gods to take him amongst them which was immediately granted that after some stay there he descended again and gave his Countrey-men twenty seven Articles or Commandments charging to observe them strictly threatning that if they neglected he would send upon them many and great Plagues These Commandments they keep ten days together every Month beginning when the Moon enters Aries which time is by them call'd Karichang of which Laws more hereafter The Formosans are very slothful and Till but little although
West in eighteen and nineteen Fathom grey Sandy Ground mixt with little Shells their Course North and by East the Wind at South-East and by South Poele Zay are several small Rocky Isles and uninhabited lying in a Train one by another The second being Sunday the Fleet Sail'd about Noon in fifty three Minutes Northern Latitude In the afternoon the Pink Loosduynen being seven Leagues to the Eastward of the Island Poele Panjang ran on unknown Rocks not specifi'd in the Maps to which the Vice-Admiral Iohn Van Campen Rowing with his Boat and some Tackle giving speedy assistance helpt the Pink off from the Rocks without any Damage On Munday being the third the Fleet proceeded on her Course North-North-East full before the Wind and reach'd about Noon in two Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Island Poele Tingi which lay North-West from them In the first Watch the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede Frigats came to an Anchor on the West side of Aura in thirteen Fathom Water and put each of them a Light in their Lanthorns for a Sign to those Ships that were behind The fourth being Tuesday the Admiral with the Naerden Frigat accompanied with the Overveen Sea-dog Singing-bird High-land and Vink came to an Anchor in the same place for the Domburg and six more took their Course to the Isle of Timon according to Order when they set sail Their Boats going ashore to fetch fresh Water and Wood brought also many Baskets of Fish and Fruits besides some Hens and Goats which they either bought for Money or barter'd for Next Morning being the fifth the Singing-bird Sea-dog and the Goldfinch weigh'd their Anchors and sail'd to Poele Pisang for fresh Provisions and Wood. This Island is Populous and full of Villages All the Inhabitants observe strictly their Fishing and Tillage being bred to such Drudgery from their Childhood Here as also on the Coast of the Kingdom of Sampan and on the Island Lingen a kind of Birds-nests are plentifully found which at Feasts and Entertainments are look'd upon as a great Regalia nay the Inhabitants on their New-years Feast which they keep with great Solemnity commonly present one another with these Dainties as an infallible sign of unfeigned Friendship They are also transported as a great Delicate to China and every Pound thereof sold for half a Tahers they being a great Cordial much relieving both the Stomach and Brain A Bird like a Swallow about the time of the year when they chuse Mates and fall to coupling yields a kind of glutinous or slimy matter which lying on the Rocks is the first Material of these Nests and by a daily additional Moisture or Morning-dew gather'd on their Wings and sprinkled on it at last becomes both large and perfect which when dry resembles the Bowl of a Spoon with high Edges and are found here in such abundance that they gather some Hundred weights of them yearly When their Coupling time is past and the Nests finish'd which happens all at one time they lay their Eggs and Brood upon them which Father Kircher thus describes Between Cochinchina and the Island Hainan lie in a long Ridge a Series both of great and lesser Rocks to which in March flock abundance of strange Birds like Swallows there building their Nests but of what or how not known and having bred up their Young fit for flight they quit their Birth-place and leave their empty Nests which Ships coming thither from China and other places transport from thence and sell at home at great Rates because they are esteem'd as the onely Condiment either to Fish or Flesh which being handsomly season'd with it gives a delightful Hogooe Philip Martyn in his Relation of the Kingdom of Tunking saith That in that Province are many strange Birds and Fowls especially some little ones that fly like a Swallow making their Nests on the Rocks which are gather'd and sold at no ordinary price because they believe that they owe their Health to the use of them mix'd in their Dishes and that it is a certain Cure for the loss of Appetite They are of a bright colour and hard like Sea-horn and they esteem the greatest Feast no Entertainment without this Dainty which they prepare after this manner First they lay it a whole Night in warm Water till it grows soft and mellow then again dried in the Sun mince it very small It hath of it self almost no taste but like Mushrooms prepar'd in Sallads provokes an Appetite and as other Food asswages Hunger and satisfies the Stomach this on the contrary makes the Appetite greater and still desirous of more There is also much Ager-Wood and Cotton On Thursday the sixth Admiral Bort firing a Gun from the Naerden-Frigat signified his intention to set Sail but no sooner had he weigh'd his Anchor but the Ship was strongly driven by the Current towards the Shore so that he was forc'd to let it fall again and firing several Guns the Vice-Admiral Van Campen coming thither with his Pinnace Long-boat and Tackling found the Naerden Frigat to ride about three Cables length from the Rocks on good Ground able enough to hold out a great Storm But carrying out a small Anchor and weighing the other at last got under Sail and was follow'd by the rest of the Ships The seventh being Friday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede Frigats came about the East side of the Isle of Timon for the Naerden and the other Ships lay at the North-East Point to an Anchor in thirteen Fathom where they took in Water Firing and fresh Provisions as Hens Goats Fish Potatoes and the like The eighth being Saturday the Zierikzees Men going into the Woods cut Anchor-stocks Oars Hand-spikes and Leavers and fishing in their Sloop took some Shepherds and Breams About Noon hapned a great Thunder-shower The ninth day being Sunday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede weighing their Anchors ran to the North-East Point of Timon to the Naerden and the other Ships Admiral Bort putting out his white Flag to call a Council they judg'd it convenient to steer further out from the Shore and also seal'd their Orders The Admiral here complaining that he had many young and unexperienc'd People in his Ship Order was immediately given That two of the stoutest Sea-men should be taken out of each of the other Ships except the Gold-finch and put aboard of him In the afternoon the Fleet set sail and took their Course North-North-East and saw the Isle of Timon about Sun-set bearing South and by West and South-South-West about five or six Leagues distant The tenth in the afternoon under three Degrees and eight Minutes the Fleet had thirty eight Fathom Water sandy Ground But by the eleventh at Noon they had reach'd five Degrees and four Minutes Northern Latitude and in forty and forty one Fathom Water gravelly Ground The next day at Noon they were in five Degrees and fifty six Minutes and had thirty nine Fathom Water
Enemies The City hath three straight and long Streets which all concenter before the Royal Palace from whence one leads to the Sea the second to one of the City-Gates and the third to the Mountain-Gate None of the Streets are pav'd except those three for the other By-Lanes and Alleys are Sandy And notwithstanding the whole may be Navigated by Channels that run through every Street which receive their Waters from the foremention'd Rivers yet are they very foul because when the Water falls it goes off so slowly Near the Court on the West side of the City stands a spacious Temple on the East-side the Arsenal and on the South side the Kings Palace artificially built with spacious Courts and Walks within At the end of the Street that leads into the Countrey stand the Mayor or Chief Magistrates House wherein all the Kings Servants or Slaves reside and where are also his Stables and other Offices The City stands divided into four parts over every one of which a Noble-man hath the chief Command in time of War Fire or other Accidents In each of these is also a Drum as big as a Rhenish-Wine Fat whereon they beat with a Hammer which always hangs near it when any Uproar happens The Merchandise to be had there are all sorts of Wrought and un-wrought Silks flower'd and plain of divers Colours as Peelings Hokiens and the like They trade also in white Linnen At Noon the Vice-Admiral Van Campen found himself in fourteen Degrees and forty Minutes Northern Latitude and in the Morning came up with Admiral Van Bort with seven Ships and a Jonk The twenty second about Sun-rising the Fleet spied Poele Canton North-West and by North about five Leagues from them and were in the Latitude of fifteen Degrees and thirty one Minutes their Course North-East The twenty third the Fleet was in sixteen Degrees and fourteen Minutes North Latitude The twenty fourth being Munday they discover'd the Island Hainan at a good distance from them and taking observation at Noon were in eighteen Degrees and fifteen Minutes about four or five Leagues South-East from Hainan The twenty fifth about Noon they reach'd nineteen Degrees and fifty one Minutes The twenty sixth they had twenty one Degrees and seven Minutes North Latitude and were within four or five Leagues bearing South-South-West from the Southermost Island of Macao or Macau in twenty six and twenty seven Fathom Water The twenty seventh the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede cast Anchor in the Evening near the Island of Macau by the Box-Heads being separated from the rest of the Fleet by Misty Weather that being the appointed Rendezvouz where they were to meet if by any Accident they should lose one another The next day in the Forenoon Indiik accompanied with the Loosduinen Singing-bird and three Frigats Domburgh High-land and Meliskerke came to an Anchor in the same place under the Coast of Macau in thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground which made up their Number eight The Islands of Macau receive their Denomination from the City of the same name scituate on a small hanging Islet joyn'd to one that is somewhat bigger a Ship may without danger in Stormy Weather Sail betwixt and there lie Land-lock'd riding in an always smooth Sea where they never want store of Fresh-water from the living Spring The twenty ninth being Saturday Indiik by putting out a white Flag gave the Signal to the Commanders of the other Ships to come aboard to Council where it was judg'd convenient because Indiik suppos'd that the staying with the Ships bound for Iapan would be chargeable to weigh Anchor in the Morning put again to Sea and sail through the Isles of Macau ordering every Ship now and then to fire a Gun in hopes thereby to meet again with the other five Their Course being Nor-East by East and Nor-Nor-East in sixteen seventeen and eighteen Fathom gravelly Ground about nine of the Clock they bore up with one of the greatest of the Macau Islands in Portuguese call'd Ilhas de Lemas where they saw five Champans or Jonks lying neer the Shore which had a few Houses Here also eight of the Fleet dropp'd Anchor for Indiik with two laden Flyboats steer'd for Iapan The Boats went ashore well Mann'd where they found five great Champans with their Fishing-Nets and above five thousand dried and salted Shepherd-Fish with two hundred Pots of the Rows of the same Fish pickled The Chineses taking their flight into the Woods so left all their Goods to the disposal of the Hollanders onely three were overtaken by the Sea-men and carried aboard the Vice-Admiral who asking them from whence they came they told him From Xantung and also inform'd him of Coxinga's Death who were glad of the News and paid the poor Men for their Fish In the Afternoon they joyn'd with the Admiral Bort and the other lost and separated Vessels which lay at Anchor full three Leagues to Lee-ward of the most Easterly Macaan Isles where they were not able to row ashore with their Boats because of the swiftness of the Current The Admiral making the usual Signal the rest of the Captains came aboard where he ruffling a little and chiding them for not keeping their Rendezvouz according to Order he set upon each of them the Penalty to bring him aboard eight Hogsheads of Water The one and thirtieth in the Morning the Fleet setting sail was at Noon in twenty two Degrees and twelve Minutes a League and a half North-East and by East from Pedro Branke About Noon spying five Sail in the North-East the Vice-Admiral Van Campen made Chase after them and coming up with one in the Evening took it with three Chineses from Tamsua and some fresh and salt Fish On Tuesday the first of August the Vice-Admiral went aboard the Naerden Frigat to know what he should do with the three Chineses and their Vessel Bort replied That he should let them go At Noon the Fleet was in twenty two Degrees and thirty six Minutes in twenty and twenty one Fathom Water fine Sandy Ground mix'd with Shells and the next day at Noon in twenty three Degrees and thirty eight Minutes bearing about three Leagues West-South-West from the Island Tang Goie in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water Sandy Ground mix'd with small Shells their Course North-East and by East In the Afternoon they spied several Fisher-Boats in the North-East which the Admiral and Vice-Admiral order'd to be chased The Loenen Pink overtaking one of them found onely one Man in her the rest escaping by swimming The third the Fleet came up with the Point of Puthay lying on the main Coast of China Northward from them their Course North-East and by North along the Shore This Point of Land appears in Prospect Mountainous yet full of Valleys and Plains planted with Trees of a wondrous height whose Wood is as black as Pitch and as hard and smooth as polish'd Marble or Ivory some resembling Ebony some a reddish Colour
because they were desirous to see their Forces and Fleet mean while they would consult with the Provincials of Hoksieu and then give their Resolution by the Governor Whether the several Cargoes which they had in their Ships might not be sold in private Likewise the Interpreter being so commanded further told them That it had been better that their Admiral had staid in the River Hoksieu and not gone to Sea because he would effect little by so doing for along the Sea-Coast we have nothing but ruin'd Cities and Villages where some poor Fishermen with their Vessels and Nets with leave of the Governors live to maintain themselves because all the greatest Towns and Villages in those Parts were by the Emperors Order pull'd down to the Ground to prevent the sending of Provisions and Merchandise to the Islands Eymuy and Quemuy by which means Coxinga and his great Forces being much straightned he betook himself with all his Army and Jonks to Formosa and not onely won that but Tayowan also leaving onely some small Garrisons of Soldiers on those Isles yet if by the Treaty now on Foot a Peace be concluded the Hollanders may easily obtain it of us again Hereupon the Vice-Admiral Campen directed the Interpreter to tell the Vice-Roy That the Hollanders hoped that now would have been the onely time to enter into a League with the Great Cham of Tartary and Emperor of China that joyning their Forces they might reduce all under the Subjection of his Imperial Majesty Whereupon the Vice-Roy return'd That is done already and needs no more to be spoken of We are now at a Cessation of Arms with the Governors of the Islands but if the Emperor hath or will accept of the Peace We know not yet it hath proceeded thus far that young Coxinga and all his People will obey and submit themselves to the Emperor by shaving off their Hair except one Tuft and also become Tributaries onely they demand a peculiar Government and Garrisons for their own Soldiers which whether the Emperor will grant is much to be doubted However you must stay sixty or seventy days for an Answer from the Emperor at Peking viz. If you shall have a Free Trade granted through all China Which We suppose may be done But Van Campen order'd the Interpreter Lakka to tell the Vice-Roy and General That in Peking were many subtile Jesuits and Priests who bore great spleen to the Hollanders and sought to scandalize and make them seem odious to the Emperor because of their difference in Religion among themselves and likewise for the War maintain'd by the Hollanders against the two Mighty Kings of Spain and Portugal to whom these Jesuits and Priests were Confessors The Vice-Roy and General made answer That for the same Reason must the Tartars who under their Emperor the Great Cham of Tartary have by force of Arms subdu'd and taken the whole Empire of China be accounted a despicable People by the Jesuits because they had done the same thing with the Hollanders adding That the Hollanders were the welcomer to them in China and that they would look to the Priests and Jesuits somewhat better than they had done heretofore Thus ended the Discourse Then the Vice-Roy and General in the presence of many great Mandarins entertain'd the Agents and their Retinue who sate every one at a particular Table furnish'd with variety of Meat serv'd in Gold and Silver Dishes and being very merry drunk the Emperors and the Hollanders General Iohn Maetzuiker's Health The General likewise gave them each two Pieces of Chinese Silk Stuffs and one Silver Plate for which the Agents humbly return'd them both thanks and likewise for the Honor and Favor which they had been pleas'd to shew them The Plate given by the General to Van Campen was the biggest and thickest weighing above twenty Ounces and eight or nine Inches in Diameter The undermost or greatest part is quite round and neatly imprest in the middle with six gilded Chinese Letters the Edges about it embost with Flowers and gilt On the top for an Ornament was like a Handle a piece Scallop'd the Edges gilt and the middle wrought with Leaves and Flowers The other Plate being the Vice-Roys was much lighter weighing not above six Ounces very thin and no way so well gilded or flowr'd at the Edges but onely on the Handle having in the middle sixteen or seventeen Chinese Characters Besides these every one of the Attendants had a Silver Cognizance given them but much lesser and lighter than the other Upon the Hollanders first arrival the Vice-Roy sent a Letter to the Emperor informing him of their Intention and likewise another to the Admiral Bort whom he desir'd to stay for his coming because he was very desirous to see their Fleet and to that end for encouragement proffer'd to furnish them with Provisions at his own Charge But Bort being gone with the Fleet towards the North before the Vice-Roys Letter came to his Hands and the Vice Roy coming afterwards in vain it was resented very ill yet at last he seem'd pacified when told That it hapned through the mistake of not delivering the Letters in good time And now the Ambassadors having leave to return took their Farewel with many Ceremonies complemented by the Vice-Roy and General after the manner of the Tartars then wishing them a safe Return they commanded seven Mandarins to conduct them through the Army beyond all the Guards From whence they rode over a great Bridge into the City to their Lodgings The City Sinksieu lying eleven days Journey into the Countrey is cut through the middle by a River which takes its Original out of a Mountain about an Hours walk beyond the Fort Lantyn It stands inviron'd with a Stone Wall broad enough for a Cart and Horses to go upon and set full of long Poles pointed with a sharp Iron like a Scythe with which they can cut a Man asunder at one stroke The City hath handsom Streets pav'd with Free-stone high Buildings large Pagodes or Temples of blue Stone several Houses and Shops well furnish'd with all manner of Silks Pourcelan Linnen and other necessary Commodities All the Windows of the Houses were fill'd with Spectators and the Streets on both sides crowded with thousands of People who out of curiosity came to see the Hollanders many of whom as they pass'd by wish'd them all happiness and a prosperous Journey Being past through the City with all their Train which consisted in seventeen Hollanders about a hundred to carry their Baggage and fifty Horse and Foot sent by the Vice-Roy as their Guard and Convoy they rode in four days to Zwansifoe from whence in the Evening they came to a great Village nam'd Chinhoe where they were welcom'd by three Mandarins and conducted into a spacious Pagode wherein the Images sate on Stools and Tables being there kindly entertain'd and treated by the Priests The ninth the Ambassadors set forth very early out of Chinhoe and travelling all
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
South it receives the River Iung and runs through the Territory Chaokingfu into the Province of Quantung glides Southward by the City Chaoting and Loting and Southward from the City Quancheu or Canton looseth it self The River Kinxa takes its Original in the Province of Iunnan out of the South side of the Lake Tien or Quienning bends its Course Northward through the County Iunnanfu in like manner through Vutingfu and in twenty seven Degrees and thirty Minutes North-Latitude enters on the South into the Province of Suchuen Westward from the Garrison Le and at last falls East from the Lake Mahu into the River Mahu Another Branch also call'd Kinxa runs by the City Tinghuen of the Province of Suchuen and Westward from the Mountain Ulang finisheth its Course Another River likewise call'd Kinxa issues out of the Kingdom of Sifan and enters the Province of Iunnan through the Territory Likiangfu on the East side of the City Linsi proceeds Northward by the City Likiang then through the River Ciokingfu from thence Eastward by the North side of the City Pexing where it sends forth a Branch towards the South through the North part of the County Yagon having its Channel inlarg'd from the several Rivers which it receives in the Province of Suchuen near the Confines of the Province of Queicheu and joyns with the River Kinxa which comes out of the Province Iunnan Another River passes more Northward out of the Kingdom of Sifan also call'd Kinxa and sometimes Lekie it passes by the Mountain Luyni into the Province Iunnan thence through the County Iungningfu from West to East by the North part of the City Iungning and through the Lake Lacu where it receives the Stream Loye which comes out of the South and falling last into the Province of Suchuen mixes with that Kinxa which flows out of the Province of Iunnan Southward from the Mountain Ulung Kingxa signifies Gold-Dust so call'd from its plenty of Gold Thus far of the Rivers and Brooks which Water the Empire of China in several places to its great fertility and make it Navigable almost through the whole Empire nay in such manner that several Counties and Provinces divided and surrounded by them lie like Islands separated from one another by the Streams that flow between them There are also many deep-cut Channels besides Lakes Pools and Springs abounding in Fish Standing waters or Channels THe Countrey of China is cut thorow in many places with Moats or Artificial Channels for the conveniency of Navigation from one City to another Among many others one of these Channels call'd Iun deserves no small admiration being with an incredible Charge digg'd from the Province of Nanking through that of Xantung to the Metropolis of Peking by means of which from most places in the Empire all sorts of Goods are brought in Ships to Peking It begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Nanking in the County Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien near the Northern Shore of the Yellow River out of which Ships from all parts of the Empire are brought into it from thence it extends North-West through the second Territory Iencheufu of the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward from the Lake Nanyang then through that of Tungchangfu and the Lake Nanyang from whence at last at the end of the County near the City Lincing beyond the Lake Cang it falls into the River Guei But because the Water in this Channel is too shallow in many places for great Ships therefore there are above twenty Sluces or Water-gates in the same in the Chinese Tongue call'd Tungpa very strong and firm of square Stone Every Sluce hath a Gate or opening lock'd with great Planks to keep out the Water being by means of a Wheel and an Engine drawn up with little trouble to give way for the Water and Ships till you come to the second Gate where they do the like and so likewise at all the rest But half way before you come to the City Cining they tap as much Water through a great Water-gate out of the Lake Cang as they need then Locking up the Gates again keep the Water from running out too much and so leaving the Ground bare for the Water in the Lake is higher than the adjacent Countrey so that in a small Tract of Land they reckon above eight Water-gates which resist the force and power of the Water When the Ships are come to the Lake Cang it self they cross not the same but with much more ease pass along a Channel made by the sides of the Lake with brave Banks on each side At every Water-gate are People which Toe the Ships by a Line through the Sluces for a small reward In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly should the best Builders or Surveyors of Europe come and behold the length of this Channel or thickness and heighth of the Banks on each side and the ornament of the Sluces which are all of hewn Stone they would justly wonder at the wisdom of the Chineses and their Industry in undergoing that labor which scarce any other People would be able to perform In the Province of Peking in the County of Pekingfu near the City Cho there is also a very long Channel call'd Tocang another in the eighth County Xaohingfu in the Province of Chekiang describ'd before besides many more which would be too tedious to mention Lakes and Pools IN the County of Pekingfu Westward from the Metropolis lies on the Mountain Iociven a Lake call'd Lis which is ten Furlongs in Circumference On the South side of the Mountain Tienxu Northward from the chief City is a Lake made by the confluence of several Springs wherefore it is call'd Kienlung that is Of nine Springs which number because the Chineses account it Fortunate hath much increas'd their Superstitious Belief concerning the Emperor's Tombs that are there On the South-West side of the City Paoting close by the City Moat is a small but very pleasant Lake call'd Lienhoa that is Lien-Flower whereon the Citizens and Neighboring People make great Feasts and Entertainments in Pleasure-Boats built for that purpose In the County Hokienfu near the City Hie is a very deep Lake nam'd Vo the Water of which at the throwing of a Stone therein becomes of the Colour of Blood If the Leaves of the adjacent Trees chance to fall into it in a short time Swallows flie out of it insomuch that the Leaves seem to turn into Birds as is related of the Scotch Barnacles or Soland Geese In the Territory Sintivyfu Northward of the City Nangsin begins a great Lake call'd Talo and extends as far as the City Kiulo in the County Xuntefu Nor far from the little City Hanping is another lesser Lake made by two Springs the one with very hot and the other very cold Water though they lie both close together In the County Tamingfu near the City Niuhoang lies a Lake call'd Luece
though small yet abounds with all manner of Provision The fifth County Fuencheufu though Hilly yet on the Hills themselves hath some places capable of Tillage and beneath divers thick Woods and Forests stor'd with Venison fruitful Corn-fields and Meadows for Pasture The Province of Xensi is more subject to Drought than any other Province and very often infinitely endamag'd by swarms of Locusts which like a vast Army devour the Fruits of the Earth and lay waste all before them This Province particularly produces the Physical Plant Rhubarb The first County Siganfu of the Province of Xensi hath both Pleasant Mountains and Fruitful Plains producing all store of Fruits and other Provision The second likewise is both Manur'd and not behind in natural Fertility The third Territory Hanchungfu hath many rank Pastures and rich Fields The fourth Pingleangfu hath many pleasant Mountains which are not altogether barren The Soil of the whole Province of Xantung is inrich'd by the many Rivers Lakes and Brooks that are in the same and hath plenty of all kind of Necessaries as well Rice Barley and other sorts of Corn as of Beans Hau and divers sorts of excellent Fruit but Drought and Locust do often great hurt Nevertheless the Countrey is naturally so exceeding Fertile that they say the Harvest of one Fruitful Year stor'd them for ten Years in such plenty as to spare great quantities to other Countries Particularly it yields large Pears and Apples of several sorts Chest-nuts Small-nuts and great abundance of Plums which are dry'd and sent to other Countries The first County Cinunfu yields not for pleasure to any other of the Northern Provinces for all manner of Grain or Fruits especially Wheat and Rice which grow there in great abundance In like manner the second County Yeucheufu hath many delightful Fields Wooddy Mountains and in most places is well Cultivated The third County Tungchangfu hath a Plain and Rich Soil produces great store of Grain and wants in a manner nothing of what is requisite for the sustaining of Mans Life The Province of Honan is in some parts Champain and in others Mountainous especially Westward yet the Soil being every where Fruitful no place lies Untill'd except towards the West where several craggy Mountains obstruct the Husbandmans Labor The Fields produce Rice and all other sorts of Grain They have all manner of European Fruits and that in such abundance that they are bought at very cheap Rates so that it is no wonder this Province is by the Chineses call'd A Paradice of Delight for the Eastern part thereof is so pleasant and every where so improv'd by Tillage that those who shall for several days Travel through the same may fancy they walk through a most delightful Garden But above all for richness of Soil are the Counties Queitefu and Changtefu as being for the most part Plain without any Mountains The third Territory on the contrary is very barren and Sandy yet that defect is much supply'd by the conveniency of its Rivers The fifth County Hoaikingfu again is exceeding Fertile as also the sixth and seventh being Honanfu and Nanyangfu the last well Water'd with Rivers and surrounded with Mountains so abounds with Provision that it is able to furnish whole Armies therewith In like manner the little County in which stands the City Iu is very Fruitful The Province of Suchuen hath many pleasant Pastures and rich Corn-fields yet is Mountainous in several places The Physical Drugs which this Countrey produces as well Herbs as Minerals are much esteem'd and from thence Transported to Europe among others the true China-Root and best Rhubarb The whole Territory Chingtufu is partly Champain and in some parts with Mountains the Plains are inrich'd by Natures Hand and the very Mountainous parts by good Tillage are made Fruitful all the Fields are Water'd by Rivulets either Natural or Cut insomuch that whoe're Travels through them hath for three days an exceeding pleasant Journey In the County Paoningfu of the Province of Suchuen in a Pagod-Temple in the great City Kien grows an Indian Fig-tree in the Portuguese Tongue call'd Arvor de Rayes In the Country Xunkingfu grow great store of Gold-colour'd Apples a Root call'd Soozanem and Chest-nuts which melt in the Mouth like Sugar The Territory Siucheufu though craggy and Mountainous produces among many other things requisite abundance of Indian Sugar-canes and an excellent Fruit call'd Lichi The County Chunkingfu hath store of Meutang-Flowers and the Fruit Licheu The Territory Queicheufu Fruitful of its self is also by the Inhabitants very much improv'd by Tillage no spot of Ground being left Unmanur'd except some Sandy and Stony Mountains which lie especially towards the North Among other excellent Fruits this Countrey abounds in Oranges and Lemons The first little County wherein stands the City Tungchun is exceedingly inrich'd by the abundance of Rivers which Water the same The small Territory belonging to the City Kiating is a pleasant place and yields plenty of Rice and other Grains By the fourth Garrison'd City Chinhiung grow a sort of Beans which the Chineses for their hardness call The Stone-Beans they grow on Shrubs and are exceeding good against Heart-burning The County of Huquang for its Fruitfulness is call'd Iumichity that is The Countrey of Fish and Rice it is also call'd The Corn-store-house of the Chineses as Sicilie was anciently call'd The Store-house of Italy from its abundance of all things especially Corn and all manner of Grain which it not onely yields to its Inhabitants but in a plentiful manner furnishes all the neighboring Countries The County Vuchangfu is advantag'd by the many Streams and Channels that run through the same and along whose Banks grow abundance of Reeds of which they make Paper The second Honia among other things produces in particular great plenty of Lemons Oranges and Cytrons Nor are the fifth and sixth Territories inferior which last yields all manner of Provisions The seventh County Iocheufu is very much inrich'd by three Rivers viz. the Kiang Siang and Fungi and brings forth incomparable Fruits especially Oranges and Lemons The eighth County Changxafu generally Champain but in some places Mountainous hath a fat and fertile Soil and plenty of all things Rice growing there in abundance without danger of withering in the dryest Seasons because there seldom wants Rain which if there should the Husband-man supplies it sufficiently with Water which by an Engine is drawn out of the Lakes and Streams over their Fields so to moisten the Roots of their Plants The County Hengcheufu is a delightful and well Till'd Countrey yielding all manner of Provisions and among the rest Paper-canes Much of the same Nature are the tenth and fourteenth Counties In the Territory Chingyangfu grows a Plant which like our Ivy runs up in height bears Yellow Flowers and some White The utmost end of the Sprigs are very thin like Silken Threds they say that a small Branch thereof being laid to the Naked Body occasions Sleep and therefore
by long Sicknesses or other Causes are consum'd and grown weak It oftentimes restores those that lie a dying and with the help of some other Physick restores them to their Health again Many other Vertues the Chineses ascribe to this Root and give three pound of Gold for one pound of it The same Root is sometimes to be had in Holland but because of its excessive dearness is little us'd The Provinces of Xensi and Suchuen according to Martinius bring forth excellent Medicines especially the Root Rhubarb in the Chinese Tongue call'd Taihoang This Root says he grows not wild as some affirm but on the contrary requires great care and pains in the Planting of it it is of a yellow Colour streak'e with Flames not hollow but firm and hard and in som places having Knobs and Swellings The Leaves are somewhat like our Cabbage Leaves but much bigger The Chineses make a Hole through the Root and hang them out to dry in the Shade for being dry'd in the Sun they lose their Vertue Most of the Rhubarb which is brought into Europe comes for the most part out of the Provinces of Xensi and Suchuen being brought from China and Persia by Sea to Batavia and from thence to Holland or else out of China by Land to Kaskar Astrakan and Russia or through Thebet and Persia by Venice to Italy for those of Tebet and Mogor frequent the Province of Suchuen and from thence bring the Rhubarb hither Thus far Martinius Matthiolus gives us another Description of Rhubarb in his Comment upon Diâ—…scorides which agrees with that of Michael Boem in his Chinese Flora and with Baptista Ramusio formerly Secretary to the State of Venice in his Preface before the Voyage of Marcus Paulus Venetus which is to this effect Though say they Rhubarb grows in all parts of China yet it grows in greater abundance in the Provinces of Suciven perhaps Suchuen Xensi and in the Jurisdiction of the City Socieu near the Great Wall than in any other place The Earth in which it grows is red and Clayie occasion'd by its being continually moistned with Springs and Rain The Leaves according to the Plant are two Handfuls long narrow below broad at the end and the edges thereof cover'd with a hairy Wool When they are come to their fâ—…ll growth and maturity they immediately grow yellow and lank The Stalk shoots a Hands-breadth with the Leaves above the Earth from the middle of the Leaf runs a thin Stalk which bears Flowers not unlike a great Pink likewise towards the top which is of a sharp and strong smell The Root or Stalk which is in the Ground is of a dark Copper colour one two and sometimes three Handfuls long and as thick as a Man's Arm from which shoot forth other lesser Roots which are cut off from the same The Root Rhubarb when cut asunder shews a dark yellow Flesh streak'd with red Veins out of which drops a red slimy Juice Moreover if any one immediately hangs these moist pieces up to dry then as experience hath taught the moisture instantly vanishes and the Root growing very light loses all its Vertue therefore those who are experienc'd herein first lay the pieces of green Rhubarb on Tables and turn them twice or thrice in a day that so the Sap or Juice may soak and dry by degrees into the pieces and remain in them four days after when the moisture is dry'd up they put the pieces on Strings and hang them from the Sun in the Shadow to dry by the Wind. The best time to dig up the Rhubarb is in the Winter before the Trees begin to Bud because at that time about the beginning of April the Juice and Vertue unites and gathers together But if the Root of Rhubarb be digg'd up in Summer or at that time when it sends forth green Leaves which is a sign of it s not being ripe then it never comes to the perfection of the Rhubarb which is digg'd up in the Winter One Wagon full of Rhubarb Roots which is full of moisture costs one Scudo and a half The Juice when dry'd up abates so much of the weight that of seven Pound of green there scarce remains one Pound when dress'd The Chineses call it Tayhuan that is High Yellow This Plant is discours'd of at large by the fore mention'd Authors and particularly Michael Boem makes a curious Disquisition whether the Rhaponticum of Alpinus be the same with that which is commonly brought out of Muscovy and takes much pains to prove that that which grows in China is much better than that which is brought by Russia into Europe This Fruit may justly be call'd The King of Fruits since in so ample a measure it both delights the Eye and pleases the Palate which seems never satisfi'd therewith The Kernel of it melts in the Mouth like Sugar Another Fruit nam'd Lungyen that is Dragons-Eye grows in China it is not much unlike the former though smaller and rounder like our Cherries but the Shell of the Fruit Lichi is somewhat harder and thicker Both these Fruits are dry'd and sent from this Province through the whole Empire as a Dainty nevertheless the dry'd are not comparable to the green because all the Juice is dry'd out of them They also press a Juice out of the Fruit Lichi which the Chineses call Wine which is very sweet but very scarce to be had The ripe Fruit Lichi is generally brought fresh out of the County Chinkingfu A particular Description of both these Fruits may be seen in the foremention'd Author Michael Boem in his Book call'd Flores sinarum regionis In the same County Focheufu in the Province of Fokien grows a Fruit call'd Muigiuli that is to say Fair Womans Plumb These Plumbs are of an Oval Figure bigger and much better than Damask Prunes In the County Kingcheufu belonging to the Province of Huquang grows an Herb which the Chineses call Herb of a thousand years nay affirm that it never fades but is as it were immortal To drink the Water wherein the formention'd Herb hath lay'n to soak makes white Hair black and is said to be exceeding good to prolong Life and restore Youth to the Aged In the County Changtefu in the Province of Huquang grow all sorts of Golden Apples amongst which are some that by the Chineses are call'd Winter Apples for when all the others fall off these begin to grow ripe and are of a sweet taste In the Province of Kiangsi and other places grows for the most part in Lakes and standing Waters a Plant with a Flower by the Chineses call'd Lien and by the Portuguese Fula de Golfon The Flower Lien shoots up two or three Yards above the Water on hard and strong Stalks and is of several Colours as Purple White Parti-colour'd Red c. onely Yellow is a Colour peculiar to those that grow in Iuncheufu a County of the Province of Huquang This Flower exceeds our Lilies in