The Historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China and the situation thereof Togither with the great riches huge Citties politike gouernement and rare inuentions in the same Translated out of Spanish by R. Parke LONDON Printed by I. Wolfe for Edward White and are to be sold at the little North doore of Paules at the signe of the Gun 1588 AA To the Right worshipfull and famous Gentleman M. Thomas Candish Esquire increase of honor and happie attemptes IT is now aboue fiue and thirty yeares passed right worshipfull since that young sacred and prudent Prince king Edward the sixt of happie memorie went about the discouerie of Cathaia and China partly of desire that the good young king had to enlarge the Christian faith and partlie to finde out some where in those regions ample vent of the cloth of England for the mischiefs that grew about that time neerer home aswel by contempt of our commodities as by the arrestes of his merchantes in the Empire Flanders France and Spaine foreseeing withall how beneficiall ample vent would rise to all degrees throughout his kingdome and specially to the infinite number of the poore sort distressed by lacke of worke And although by a voyage hereuppon taken in hande for this purpose by Sir Hugh Willobie and Richard Chauncellour a discouerie of the bay of Saint Nicolas in Russia fell out and a trade with the Muscouites and after another trade for a time with the Persians by way of the Caspian sea ensued yet the discouerie of the principall intended place followed not in his time nor yet since vntill you tooke your happie and renowmed voyage about the worlde in hande although sundrie attemptes at the great charges of diuers honorable and well disposed persons and good worshipfull merchants and others haue beene made since the death of that good king in seeking a passage thither both by the North-east and by the Northwest But since it is so as wee vnderstande that your worshippe in your late voyage hath first of our nation in this age discouered the famous rich Ilandes of the Luzones or Philippinas lying neare vnto the coast of China and haue spent some time in taking good view of the same hauing brought home three boyes borne in Manilla the chiefe towne of the said Ilands besides two other young fellowes of good capacitie borne in the mightie Iland of Iapon which hereafter may serue as our interpretors in our first traficke thither and that also your selfe haue sailed along the coast of China not farre from the Continent and haue taken some knowledge of the present state of the same and in your course haue found out a notable ample vent of our clothes especially our kersies and are in preparing againe for the former voyage as hee that would constantly perseuer in so good an enterprise we are to thinke that the knowledge and first discouerie of the same in respect of our nation hath all this time beene by the Almightie to you onely reserued to your immortall glorie and to the manifest shew of his especiall fauour borne towards you in that besides your high and rare attempt of sailing about the whole globe of the earth in so short a time of two yeares and about two monethes you haue shewed your selfe to haue that rare and especiall care for your countrie by seeking out vent for our clothes that ought vpon due consideration to moue many thousands of English subiects to pray for you and to loue and honor your name and familie for euer For as you haue opened by your attempt the gate to the spoile of the great and late mightie vniuersall and infested enimie of this realme of al countries that profesâ—e true religion so haue you by your great care wrought a way to imploie the merchants of Englande in trade to increase our Nauie to benefite our Clothiers and your purpose falling out to your hoped effect to releeue more of the poorer sort then all the hospitals and almes houses can or may that haue beene built in this realme since the first inhabiting thereof And Sir if to this your late noble attempt it might please you by your incouragement and by the help of your purse to adde your present furtherance for the passage to be discouered by the northwest for proofe whereof there bee many infallible reasons and diuerse great experiences to â—e yeelded our course with our commodities to the rich Iland of Iapon to the mightie empire of China and to the Ilandes of the Philippinas for the vent that you haue found out should be by the halfe way shortened and you should double and manyfolde treble the credite of your fourmer late enterprise and make your fame to mount and your self to liue for euer in a much higher degree of glorie then otherwise it might be or that by any other mean you could possibly deuise In which action so highly importing the generall state of this lande I haue perfect experience that many worshipfull and wealthie marchants of this citie and other places would most willingly ioyne their purses with yours and to play the blabbe I may tell you they attende nothing with greater desire and expectation then that a motion hereof being made by some happie man your selfe and they might friendly and seriously ioyne together for the full accomplishing of this so long intended discouerie And to descende to â—ome particulars there is one speciall reason that giueth an edge vnto their desires proceeding from the late worthie attemptes of that excellent and skilful pilot M. Iohn Dauis made for the search of the aforesaid northwest passage these three late yeares hauing entred into the same foure hundred leagues further than was euer hitherto thoroughly knowen and returned with an exact description thereof to the reasonable contentment for the time of the aduenturers and chiefely of the worshipfull M. William Sanderson whose contributions thereunto although they haue beene verie great and extraordinarie yet for the certaine hope or rather assurance that he conceiueth vpon the report of the Captaine himselfe and all the rest of any skill employed in these voyages remayneth still constant and is readie to disburse as yet to the freshe setting on foote of this enterprise entermitted by occasion of our late troubles euen this yeare againe for the finall perfection of so profitable and honorable a discouerie a farre greater portion then in reason would be required of any other man of his abilitie And albeit sir that you haue taken in your late voyage besides the knowledge of the way to China the intelligence of the gouernement of the countrie and of the commodities of the territories and prouinces of the same and that at the full according to the time of your short abode in those partes yet neuerthelesse for that of late more ample vnderstanding hath beene in more length of time by woonderfull great endeuour taken by certaine learned Portingals and Spaniardes of great obseruation and not long agoe published
hystories of the said Chinos whereas they do make mention of the mightinesse thereof and of the 15. prouinces that are comprehended in the same The which bookes and hystories were brought vnto the citie of Manilla printed and set forth in China and were translated into the spanish toong by interpreters of the saide nations And for that they were baptised and became Christians they remaine as dwellers amongest vs in these Ilandes the better to obserue and keepe the lawes of baptisme and to flie the paine punishment the which they should receiue for dooing the same for that they turned Christians and receiued the faith without the license of the king and counsell which is forbidden vppon paine of death and is executed with great violence and without remission This mightie kingdome is in circuit or compasse about 69516. Die which is a kind of measure that they do vse which being reduced into the spanish account is almost 3000. leagues and in length 1800. leagues this is to be vnderstood the whole 15. prouinces the which are garnished with many cities and townes besides a great number of villages as you may plainely see in the chapter following By the said booke it is found that the Chinos haue amongst them but only three kind of measures the which in their language are called Lii Pu and Icham which is as much to say or in effect as a forlong league or iorney the measure which is called Lii hath so much space as a mans voice in a plaine grounde may bee hearde in a quiet day halowing or whoping with all the force and strength he may and ten of these Liis maketh a Pu which is a great spanish league and ten Pus maketh a dayes iourney which is called Icham which maketh 12. long leagues By the which account it is founde that this kingdome hath the number of leagues as aâ—ore is saide Yet by the account of other bookes they do finde it bigger and of more leagues Yet frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the austen friers in the Ilands Philippinas who is an excellent Geometrician and Cosmographer did cast the account with great diligence by their owne descriptions and doth finde it to amount vnto the sum aforesaid to be 1800. leagues long and 3000. leagues in compasse beginning at the prouince of Olam which is that towards the South and nearest vnto Malacia and so alongst the countrie towards the North east for the space of 600. leagues CHAP. VII Of the 15. prouinces that are in this kingdome THis mightie kingdome is deuided into fiftéene prouinces that euery one of them is bigger then the greatest kingdome that we doo vndâ—rstand to be in all Europe Some doo esteeme those cities to be metropolitans where as is resident the gouernors presidents or viz Rées which in their natural toong are called Cochin of the prouinces two of them which are called Tolanchia and Paguia are gouerned by the king in person with his royall counsel The occasion why the king is alwayes resident or abiding in one of these two prouinces which are two of the mightiest and most popularst of people is not for that in them he is most at his content or receiue more pleasure in them then in any of the other but onely for that they doo conâ—ine vpon the kingdome of Tartaria with whom in times past they had ordinary and continuall wars and for that the king might with more ease put remedie in such harmes receiued and defend with better oportunitie the rage of his enimie he did ordaine and situate his pallace and court in them two And for that it hath béene of antiquitie many yeeres past it hath remained hitherto and appeareth to continue still the habitation of the kings of that kingdome as by desert for the excellencie of the clime and aboundance of all things necessarie The names of the fiftéene prouinces are as followeth Pagâ—ia Foquiem Olam Sinsay Sisuam Tolanchia Cansay Oquiam Aucheo Honan Xanton Quicheâ— Chequeam Susuam and Saxij Almost all these prouinces but in particular tenne of them which are alongst the sea costs are full of déepe riuers of swéete water and nauigable vpon whose branches are situated many cities and townes whereof you may not onely haue the number of them but also their names for that these Chinos are so curious people that in their books are named besides the cities and townes the banketing houses and houses of pleasure which the gentlemen haue for their recreation And for that it will be more trouble then profite to inlarge any further in this matter I will refer it vnto the next chapter where I will intreate of the cities and townes that either of these prouinces hath and passe ouer all the rest as not necessarie for our intent is to set forth the bignes of this kingdome CHAP. VIII Of the cities and townes that euery one of these prouinces hath in himselfe THese fiftéene prouinces which with better truth might be called kingdomes according vnto the greatnes of them as you may perceiue by the number of cities and townes that each of them hath besides villages the which if I should adde herevnto would be an infinite number The number of cities townes that euery prouince hath First the prouince of Paguia where as ordinarily the king and his counsel is resident hath 47. cities and 150. townes Canton hath 37. cities and 190. townes Foquien hath 33. cities and 99. townes Olam hath 90. cities and 130. townes Synsay hath 38. cities and 124. townes Sisuan hath 44. cities and 150. townes Tolanchia hath 51. cities and 123. townes Cansay hath 24. cities and 112. townes Ochian hath 19. cities and 74. townes Aucheo hath 25. cities and 29. townes Honan hath 20. cities and 102. townes Xaton hath 37. cities and 78. townes Quicheu hath 45. cities and 113. townes Chequeam hath 39. cities and 95. townes Susuan hath 42. cities and 105. townes By which account appeareth to be 591. cities and 1593. townes beside villages and houses of pleasure which are an infinite number by the which you may consider that this kingdome doth deserue to be called great and compared with the best and principalâ—t that is heaâ—d of in al the whole world The Chinos doe vse in their pronunciation to terme their cities with this sylable Fu that is as much to say citie as Taybin fu Canton fu and their townes with this sylable Cheu They haue some villages that are so great that it lacketh but onely the name of a towne All their cities for the most part are situated by the riuers sides such as are nauigable the cities are moted rounde about which make them to bee verie strong not only the cities but townes are walled round about with high and strong wals of stone one faddome high and all the rest is of bricke but of so hard a substance that it is not to be broken almost with pickaxes Some cities hath their wals so broad that 4.
and 6. men may walke side by side on them they are garnished with many bulworks and towers a small distance the one from the other with their battlements faire galleries where as many times their vizroyes dooth goe to recreate themselues with the gallant sight of the mountaines and riuers with their fields so odoriferous There is betwixt the wals of their cities the mote of the same a broade space that six horsemen may ride together the like space is within betwixt the walles and the houses whereas they may walke without impediment Their wals are kept in such good reparation by reason of their great care and diligence that they séeme to be but new made yet in some cities there is founde mention of two thousand yeeres since the first foundation In euery citie the king doth ordaine a Iustice and giueth him great rents onely to visit them and make them to be renewed and repaired where as is requisite and is done vpon the kings cost for out of his rents in such cities townes is giuen them all that is néedfull to be asked The high waies in all this kingdome are made kept plaine with great care diligence and the entering into the cities and townes are very sumptuous and with great maiestie they haue thrée or foure gates bound with yron very strong Their streetes verie well paued and so broad that 15. horsemen may ride together in them and so straight that although they be very long yet you may discouer the end On both the sides are portals vnder which be their shops full of all sorts of merchandises very curious and of all occupations that you will desire In the streets a good space the one from the other are made manie triumphall arkes of extreme bewtie They are made of masons worke verie curiously painted after the fashion of the old antiquitie of Rome All their houses ordinarily haue three doores that in the middest is great the other be lesser but of a maruellous gallant propotion The king is alwayes resident in the citie of Suntien which in their language is as much to say the citie of heauen Of which citie the Chinos do declare many things which séemeth to be true for that if you do talke with many of them and at sundrie times and places yet doo they not varie the one from the other and according to their report it should be greatest in all the worlde in these dayes They who do make it to be least do affirme that to goe from gate to gate leauing the suburbs had néed of a summers day and a good horse to do it it is also called Quinsay as Marcus Paulus doth call it CHAP. IX Of the wonderfull buildings in this kingdome and of mightie wall or circuit in the same of 500. leagues long IN this kingdome in al places there be men excellent in architecture and the necessaries that they haue to build with is the best that is in the world For as it is said in the chapter past they haue a kinde of white earth of the which they make brickes of so great hardnesse and strength that for to breake them you must haue pickaxes and vse much strength and this is the cause that in all the kingdome there is mightie buildings and verie curious Putting apart the kings pallace where hee is resident in Taybin for of that you shall haue a particular chapter in all such cities that bee the heads of the prouinces is resident a vizroy or gouernour and dwelleth in the house that in euery such citie the king hath ordeined on his proper cost all the which to conclude are superbious and admirable and wrought by marueilous art and are as bigge as a great village by reason that they haue within them great gardens water ponds woods compassed about in the which as it is declared in the 4. chapter is great quantitie of hunt and flying foules Their houses commonly be verie gallant and after the manner of Rome and generallie at the doores and gates of them are planted trées in gallant order the which maketh a gallant shadow and séemeth well in the stréets All these houses are within as white as milke in such sort that it séemeth to bee burnished paper The floares are paued with square stones verie broad and smooth their seelings are of an excellent kind of timber verie well wrought and painted that it séemeth like damaske and of the colour of gold that sheweth verie well euerie one of them hath three courts and gardens full of flowers and herbes for their recreation And there is none of them but hath his fish poole furnished although it bee but small The one side of their courts is wrought verie gallant like as it is in counting houses vpon the which they haue many idols carued and wrought of diuers kinds ofmettals the other thrée parts or angles of their courts are painted with diuers things of verie great curiositie But aboue all things they are marueilous cleane not onely in their houses but also in their stréetes in the which commonly they haue thrée or foure necessarie or common places of ease verie curiously ordained and placed for that the people being troubled with their common necessitie shall not foule the streetes and therefore they haue this prouision the like is vsed in all wayes throughout the kingdome Some cities there be whose streets be nauigable as in Bruxels in Flanders Mexico in the Indians and as in Venice in Italie which is the occasion that they are better serued and prouided for that their barkes and boates doo enter laden with all kinde of victuals harde to their doores The highwayes throughout all this kingdome are the best and gallantest paued that euer hath béene discouered they are verie plaine yea vnto the mountaines and they are cut by force of labour and pickaxes and maintained with bricke and stone the which by report of them which hath séene it is one of the worthiest things that is in all the realme There are many mightie bridges and of a wonderfull making some wrought vpon boats as it is in Syuill but in especiall vpon such riuers as are broad and déepe In the citie of Fucheo there is a towre right against the house of the kings chiefe receiuer it is affirmed by those that haue séene it to surmount any building that hath béene amongst the Romanes the which is raised and founded vppon fortie pillars and euerie pillar is of one stone so bigge and so high that it is strange to tell them and doubtfull to the hearers to beléeue it for which cause I thinke it best not to declare it in particular as I do in all things where as I doo finde it difficult to be beléeued and where I haue no certaine author to verifie the truth There is in this kingdome a defence or wall that is fiue hundred leagues long and beginneth at the citie Ochyoy which is vppon the high mountaines and
to visite their father mother or any other kinsfolkes they are caried in a little chaire by foure men the which is made close and with lattises rounde about made of golde wyre and with siluer and curteines of silke that although they doo sée them that be in the streete yet they cannot be seene they haue many seruants waiting on them So that it is a great maruell when that you shall meete a principall woman in the streete yea you will thinke that there are none in the citie their keeping in is such the lamenes of their feete is a great helpe thervnto The women as well as the men be ingenious they doo vse drawne workes and carued workes excellent painters of flowers birds and beasts as it is to be séene vpon beddes and bords that is brought from thence I did sée my selfe one that was brought vnto Lysborne in the yeare 1582. by captaine Ribera chiefe sergant of Manilla that it was to be wondred at the excellencie thereof it caused the kings maiestie to haue admyration and he is a person that little wondreth at things All the people did wonder at it yea the famous imbroderers did maruaile at the curiousnesse thereof They are great inuenters of things that although they haue amongst them many coches and wagons that goe with sailes and made with such industrie and policie that they do gouerne that with great ease this is crediblie informed by many that haue séene it besides that there be many in the Indies and in Portugall that haue séene them painted vpon clothes and on their earthen vessell that is brought from thence to be solde so that it is a signe that their painting hath some foundation In their bying and selling they are verie subtill in such sort that they will depart a haire Such merchants as do kéepe shoppes of whom in euery citie there is a great number they haue a table or signe hanging at their doore whereon is written all such merchandise as is within to be sold. That which is commonly sold in their shops is cloth of golde and siluer cloth of tissue silkes of diuers sorts and excellent colours others there be of poorer sort that selleth serges péeces of cotton linnen and fustian of all colours yet both the one and the other is verie good cheape for that there is great aboundance and many workemen that do make it The Apothecarie that selleth simples hath the like table there be also shops full of earthen vessels of diuers making redde gréene yellow and gilt it is so good cheape that for foure rials of plate they giue fiftie péeces they make them of very strong earth the which they doo breake all to péeces and grinde it and put it into sesternes with water made of lime and stone and after that they haue well tumbled and tossed it in the water of the creame that is vpon it they make the finest sort of them the lower they go spending that substance that is the courser they make them after the forme and fashion as they do here and afterward they do gild them and make them of what colour they please the which will neâ—er be lost then they put them into their killes and burne them This hath béene séene and is of a truth as appeareth in a booke set foorth in the Italian toonge by Duardo Banbosa that they doo make them of periwinkle shelles of the sea the which they do grinde and put them vnder the ground to refine them whereas they lie 100. yeares and many other things he doth treat of to this effect But if that were true they should not make so great a number of them as is made in that kingdome and is brought into Portugall and carried into the Peru and Noua Espania and into other parts of the world which is a sufficient proofe for that which is said And the Chinos do agrée to this to be true The finest sort of this is neuer carried out of the countrie for that it is spent in the seruice of the king and his gouernours is so fine and cléere that it séemeth to be of fine and perfite cristall that which is made in the prouince of Saxii is the best and finest Artificers and mechanicall officers doo dwell in stréets appointed whereas none doo dwell amongst them but such as be of the same occupation or arte in such sort that if you doo come at the beginning of the stréet looke what craft or art they are there it is to be vnderstood that all that streete are of that occupation It is ordayned by a law and statute that the sonne shall inherite his fathers occupation and shall not vse any other without licence of the Iustice if one of them bee verie rich and will not worke yet he cannot let but haue in his shop men that must worke of his occupation Therefore they that do vse it by reason that they are brought vp in it from their youth they are famous and verie curious in that which they do worke as it is plainelie séene in that which is brought from thence to Manilla and into the Indies and vnto Portugall Their currant monie of that kingdome is made of golde and siluer without any signe or print but goeth by waight so that all men carrieth a ballances with them and little péeces of siluer and golde for to buy such things as they haue néede of And for things of a greater quantitie they haue bigger ballances in their houses waights that are sealed for to giue to euery man that which is theirs for therein the iustices haue great care In the gouernement of Chincheo they haue copper monie coyned but it is nothing woorth out of that prouince The history of the mighty kingdome of China wherein shalbe declared of the religion that is amongst the people and of their idols that they do worship and of other things touching that they do vse aboue nature The second Booke CHAP. I. Of the number of gods that they doo worship and of some tokens and paintings that is found amongst them that do represent a mysterie of our Christian religion IN the two prouinces Paguina an Tolanchia wheras we haue said the king of the countrie is ordinarily resident for that they do bound vpon Tartary with whom they haue had continuall warres and againe the most principall and politike people be in those places ouer and aboue all the other Amongst the figures of all their idols that they haue the Chinos doo say that there is one of a strange and maruellous making vnto whom they do great reuerence they doo paint him a bodie with thrée heads that doth continually looke the one on the other and they say that it dooth signifie that all thrée be of one good will and essence and that which pleaseth the one pleaseth the other and to the contrarie that which is grieuous and displeaseth the one is grieuous and displeaseth the other
how to rost and boyle their victuals and howe to barter and sell one thing for another They did vnderstande one another in their contradictions by knots made vpon cords for that they had not the vse of letters nor any mention thereof After that they say that a certaine woman called Hantzibon was deliuered of a son named Ocheutey who was the inuentor of many things ordained mariage to play on many diuers instruments They do affirme that he came from heauen by myracle for to do good vpon the earth for that his mother going by the way did sée the print of a mans foote putting her foote on it she was straight wayes inuironed with a lightning with whom she was conceiued and with child with this son This Ocheutey had a son called Ezoulom who was the inuenter of phisicke astrology but in especiall matters touching lawe and iudgement Hée shewed them howe to till the lande and inuented the plough and spade of this man they doo tell manie woonderfull and maruellous things but amongst them all they say that he did eate of seuen seuerall kindes of hearbes that were poyson and did him no harme he liued 400. hundred yeares his son was called Vitey the first king they had amongst them hée reduced all things to be vnder gouernement and to haue it by succession as shalbe declared in the chapter whereas I will treate of the king of this mightie kingdome that now liueth These and many other varieties and toyes they saie of the beginning of the world whereby may be vnderstood how little men may do without the fauour of God and the light of the catholike faith yea though they be of the most subtilest and finest wit that may be immagined CHAP VI. How they hold for a certaintie that the soule is immotall and that he shal haue another life in the which it shalbe punished or rewarded according vnto the workes which he doth in this world and how they pray for the dead BY that aforesaid it appeareth to be of a truth that the apostle S. Thomas did preach in China we may presume that all which wee haue séene dooth remaine printed in their hearts from his doctrine and beareth a similitude of the truth a conformity with the things of our catholike religion Now touching this that wee will treate of in this chapter of the immortalitie that they beléeue of the soule and of the rewarde or punishment which they shall haue in the other life according vnto the workes doone in company with the bodie which appeareth to be the occasion that they do not liue so euill as they might not hauing the knowledge of this truth I do hope by the power of his deuine maiestie that they wil easilie be brought vnto the true knowledge of the gospel They say and doo affirme it of a truth that the soule had his first beginning from the heauen and shall neuer haue ende for that the heauen hath giuen it an eternall essence And for the time that it is within the body that God hath ordeined if it do liue according to such lawes as they haue without doing euill or deceit vnto his neighbor thē it shalbe caried vnto heauē wheras it shal liue eternally with great ioy shalbe made an angel to the contrarie if it liue ill shall go with the diuels into darke dungeons and prisons whereas they shall suffer with them torments which neuer shall haue end They doo confesse that there is a place whither such soules as shalbe made angels doo go to make themselues cleane of al such euil as did cleaue vnto them being in the bodie and for that it should be spéedelier doone the good déeds which are done by their parents friends doo helpe them verie much So that it is very much vsed throughout al the kingdome to make orations praiers for the dead for the which they haue a day appointed in the moneth of August They do not make their offrings in their temples but in their houses the which they doo in this manner following The day appointed all such as do beare them companie vntill their sacrifices are concluded for the dead which are such as we do cal here religious men euery one hath his companion and walketh the stréets and dooth report the daies houses where they will be for that it cannot be doone altogether So when they come vnto the house whereas they must doo their offices they enter in do prepare that euery one do make oration and sacrifice according to their fashion for the dead of that house vnderstanding that by their helpe they shalbe made cleane from their euils which is an impediment that they cannot be angels nor inioy the benefite which is ordained for them in heauen One of these that is like vnto a priest dooth bring with him a taber other two little bords another a little bell Thē they do make an altar wheron they do set such idols as the dead had for their saints liuing then do they perfume them with frankēsence and storax and other swéet smels then do they put 5. or 6 tables ful of victuals for the dead for the saints then straightwayes at the sound of the taber little bords bels which is a thing more apt for to dance by as by report of them that haue heard it they begin to sing certaine songs which they haue for that purpose then doe the nouices goe vp vnto the altar and do offer in written paper those Orations which they did sing to the sound of those instruments This being done they sit down and begin anew to sing as before In the end of their prayers and songs he who doth this office doth sing a prayer and in the end thereof with a litle borde that he hath in his hand for the purpose he striketh a blow vpon the table then the other do answere in the same tune declining their heades doe take certaine painted papers and guilt papers and doe burne them before the altar In this sort they are all the night which is the time that ordinarily they do make their sacrifices the which being done the priests those that be in the house do eat the victuals that was set vpon the tables wherein they doo spend the residue of the night till it be day They say that in doing this they do purifie and make cleane the soules that they may goe become angels The commō people do beléeue of truth that the soule that liueth not well before they go into hell which shall not be before the end of the world according as they do thinke in their error in recompence of their euill life the heauens doo put them into the bodies of buffes and other beasts and those which liue well into the bodies of kings lords whereas they are very much made of well serued These and a thousande toies in like sort
is apparelled they do set him in y e best chaier that he hath then coÌ„meth vnto him his father mother brethren sisters children who knéeling before him they do take their leaue of him shedding of many teares making of great moane euery one of theÌ„ by themselues Then after them in order commeth all his kinsfolkes friends and last of all his seruants if â—e had any who in like case do as the other before This being done they do put him into a coffin or chest made of verie swéete wood in that countrie you haue verie much they do make it very close to auoid the euil smel Then do they put him on a table with two bankes in a chamber verie gallantly dressed and hanged with the best clothes that can be gotten couering him with a white shéete hanging downe to the ground whereon is painted the dead man or woman as naturall as possible may be But first in the chamber whereas the bead bodie is or at the entrie they set a table with candles on it and full of bread fruits of diuers sorts And in this order they kéepe him aboue ground 15. daies in y t which time euery night commeth thether their priests religious men whereas they sing praiers and offer sacrifices with other ceremonies they bring with them many painted papers and do burne them in the presence of the dead bodie with a thousand superstitions witchcraftes they do hang vpon cordes which they haue for the same purpose of the same papers before him many times do shake them make a great noyse with the which they say it doth send the soule straight vnto heauen In the end of the 15. daies all which time the tables are continually furnished with victuals wine which the priests their kinsfolkes and friends that do come to visite theÌ„ do eat These ceremonies being ended they take the coffin with the dead bodie carrie him into the fields accompanied with all his kinsfolks friends with their priests religious men carrying candles in their hands wheras ordinarily they do burie theÌ„ on a mountaine in sepultures that for the same purpose in their life time they caused to be made of stone masons worke that being doone straight waies haâ—d by y e sepulture they do plant a pine trée in y e which place there be many of them they be neuer cut downe except they be ouerthrowne with the weather after they be fallen they let them lie till they consume of theÌ„selues for that they be sanctified The people y t do beare him company to the graue do go in very good order like a procession haue with them many instruments which neuer leaue playing till such time as the dead is put into the sepulcher And that burial which hath most priests musicke is most sumptuous wherin they were woont to spend great riches They sing to the sound of the instrumeÌ„ts many orations vnto their Idols and in the end they do burne vpon the sepulcher many papers whereon is painted slaues horse gold siluer silkes many other things the which they say that the dead body doth possesse in the other world whether he goeth to dwell At such time as they do put him into y e graue they doe make great bankets sports with great pastime saying of a truth that looke what soeuer they do at that time the angels saints that are in heauen doe the like vnto the soule of the dead that is there buried Their parents familiars and seruants in all this time doo weare mourning apparell the which is verie asper for that their apparell is made of a verie course wolle weare it next vnto their skins girt vnto them with cords and on their heads bunnets of the same cloth with verges brode like vnto a hat hanging downe to their eyes for father or mother they do weare it a hole yeare and some two yeares if his son be a gouernor with licence of the king he doth withdraw himself many times leauing the office he hath the which they estéeme a great point of honor haue it in greaâ— account and such as are not so much in aliance do apparell theÌ„ in died linnen certaine monethes Likewise their parents and friendes although these doo weare it but for the time of the buriall CHAP. IX Of their ceremonies that they vse in the celebrating the marriages THe people of this kingdome haue a particular care to giue state vnto their children in time before that they be ouercome or drowned in vices or lasciuious liuing The which care is the occasion that in this countrie being so great there is lesse vice vsed than in any other smaller countries whose ouer much care doth cause them many times to procure to marrie their children being verie yoong yea and to make consort before they bee borne with signes tokens making their writings and bandes for the performance of the same in publike order In all this kingdome yea and in the Ilands Philippinas it is a customable vse that the husband doth giue dowrie vnto the wife with whom he doth marrie and at such time as they doe ioyne in matrimonie the father of the bride doth make a great feast in his owne house and doth inuite to the same the father and mother kinsfolkes and friends of his sonne in lawe And the next day following the father of the bridegrome or his next parent doth the like vnto the kinsfolkes of the bride These bankets being finished the husbande doth giue vnto his wife her dowrie in the presence of them all and she doth giue it vnto her father or mother if she haue them for the paines they tooke in the bringing her vp Whereby it is to be vnderstoode that in this kingdome and in those that doe confine on it those that haue most daughters are most richest so that with the dowries their daughters do giue them they may well sustaine themselues in their necessitie and when they die they doo giue it that daughter that did giue it them that it may remaine for their children or otherwise vse it at their willes A man may marrie with so manie wiues as he can sustaine so it be not with his sister or brothers daughter and if any doo marrie in these two degrées they are punished very rigorously Of all their wiues the first is their legitimate wife and all the rest are accompted but as lemanes or concubines These married men doo liue and kéepe house with his first wife and the rest he doth put in other houses or if he be a merchant then he doth repart them in such villages or townes whereas hee doth deale in who are vnto him as seruantes in respect of the first When the father doth die the eldest sonne by his first wife doth inherite the most part of all his goods and the rest is reparted in equall partes amongest the other children
considered and in my opinion this is not the least that is contayned in this chapter which is such order as the king and his counsell hath giuen that the poore may not go a begging in the stréetes nor in the temples whereas they make orations vnto their Idols for the auoyding therof the king hath set downe an order vpon great and gréeuous penaltie to be executed vpon the saide poore if they do begge or craue in the stréetes and a greater penaltie vpon the citizens or townes men if they do giue vnto any such that beggeth but must incontinent go and complaine on them to the Iustice who is one that is called the Iustice of the poore ordayned to punish such as doo breake the lawe and is one of the principallest of the citie or towne and hath no other charge but only this And for that the townes be great and many and so full of people and an infinite nomber of villages whereas it cannot be chosen but there is many borne lame and other misfortunes so that he is not idle but alwaies occupied in giuing order to remedie the necessities of the poore without breaking of the lawe This Iudge the first day that hee doth enter into his office hee commaundeth that whatsoeuer children be borne a créeple in any part of his members or by sicknes be taken lame or by any other misfortune that incontinent their fathers or mothers doo giue the Iudge to vnderstande thereof that he may prouide for all things necessarie according vnto the ordinance and will of the king and his counsell the which is the man child or woman child being brought before him and seene the default or lacke that it hath if it be so that with the same it may exercise any occupation they giue and limit a time vnto the parents for to teach the child that occupation ordayned by the Iudge and it is such as with their lamenes they may vse without any impediment the which is accomplished without faile but if it so be that his lamenes is such that it is impossible to learne or exercise any occupation this Iudge of the poore doth commaund the father to sustaine and maintaine him in his owne house all the dayes of his life if that hee hath wherewithall if not or that hee is fatherlesse then the next rich kinsman must maintaine it if he hath none such then doth all his parents and kinsfolkes contribute and pay their partes or giue of such thinges as they haue in their houses But if it hath no parentes or they be so poore that they cannot contribute nor supply any part therof then doth the king maintaine them in verie ample manner of his owne costes in hospitalles verie sumptuous that he hath in euerie citie throughout his kingdome for the same effect and purpose in the same hospitalles are likewise maintayned all such néedie and olde men as haue spent all their youth in the wars and are not able to maintaine themselues so that to the one and the other is ministred all that is néedefull and necessarie and that with great diligence and care and for the better accomplishing of the same the Iudge doth put verie good order and dooth appoint one of the principallest of the citie or towne to be the administrator without whose licence There is not one within that hospitall that can goe foorth of the limittes for that licence is not granted vnto anie neyther doo they demaund it for that there they are prouided of all thinges necessarie so long as they doo liue as well for apparell as for victualles Besides all this the olde folkes and poore men within the hospitall doo bring vpp hennes chickens and hogges for their owne recreation and profit wherein they doo delight themselues The Iudge doth visite often times the administrator by him appointed Likewise the Iudge is visited by an other that commeth from the court by the appointment of the king and the counsell to the same effect and to visite all such hospitalles as bee in the prouinces limited in his commission and if they doo finde any that hath not executed his office in right and iustice then they doo displace them and punishe them verie rigorouslie by reason whereof all such officers haue great care of their charges and liue vprightly hauing before their eyes the straight account which they must giue and the cruell rewarde if to the contrarie The blinde folkes in this countrie are not accounted in the number of those that of necessitie are to bee maintayned by their kinsfolkes or by the king for they are constrayned to worke as to grind with a querne wheate or rice or to blowe smythes bellowes or such like occupations that they haue no néede of their sight And if it be a blind woman when the commeth vnto age she doth vse the office of women of loue of which sorâ—e there are a great number in publike places as shall bee declared in the Chapter for that purpose These haue women that doo tende vpon them and doo paint and trim them vp and they are such that with pure age did leaue that office So by this order in all this kingdome although it be great and the people infinite yet there is no poore that doo perish nor begge in the stréetes as was apparant vnto the austen and barefoote fryers and the rest that went with them into that countrie The third booke and historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China in the which is contayned many notable things woorthie to be considered of touching morall and pollitike matters CHAP. I. How manie kinges hath beene in this kingdome and their names IN the fourth Chapter of the first booke I did promise particularly to declare howe many kinges haue béene in this kingdome and their names Nowe to accomplish the same I will beginne and declare the succession of them from Vitey who was the first that did reduce the kingdome to one empire gouernment vnto him that dooth reigne at this daye remitting that which shall lacke vnto the Chapter aforesaide whereas shall be found the number of the kinges and how many yeares since the first beginning of this kingdome and the manner of the succession This Vitey was the first king of China as it appeareth by their histories where as they doo make particular mention But amongest other thinges that they do declare of the kinges person they do say that he was in height so much as seuen mesures which is accustomed in China and euerie measure is two thirdes of a Spanish vare which is by good account foure vares and two terses in length he was sixe palmes broade in the shoulders and was as valiant in his déedes as in bignesse of his bodie he had a Captaine called Lincheon who was not onely valiant but politike and of great wisedome by reason whereof with his valour and strength he did subiect vnto Vitey all the whole countrie that he doth nowe possesse and
caused all people to feare him They do attribute that this Vitey did first inuent the vse of garmentes for to weare and the dying of all manner of colours of making of shippes hee likewise inuented the saw◠to sawe tymber but aboue all thinges he was a great Architector and an inuenter of buildinges whereof hee made verie manie and verie sumptuous which doo indure vnto this day in the remembraunce of his name he did also inuent the whéele to turne silke the which is vsed to this day in all the kingdome hee was the first that did vse to weare golde pearles and precious stones for iewelles and to weare cloth of golde siluer and silke in apparell he did repart all the people of the countrie into cities townes and villages and did ordaine occupations and commaunded that no man should vse any other but that which his father did vse without his particular licence or the gouerners of his kingdome And that shuld not be granted without great occasion for the same All of one occupation were put in stréetes by themselues the which order is vsed vnto this day throughout al the kingdome so that if you doo desire to knowe what occupation is in anye stréete it is sufficient to sée the first house thereof although it be very long for it is verie certaine that they be all of one occupation and not mingled with any other Amongst all other things he ordeyned one thing of great consideration that was no woman to be idle but to worke either in her husbands occupation or in sowing or spinning This was a law so generall amongst them that the Quéene her selfe did obserue kéepe it They saye that he was a great Astrologician and had growing in the court of his pallace a certaine hearbe the which did make a manner of demonstration when that any did passe by it whereby it did shewe if any were euill intentioned against the king Many other things they do declare which I let passe because I would not be tedious vnto the reader referring the dreames and fondnesse of these Idolaters vnto the iudgement of your discretion for vnto the discréete is sufficient to touch of euerie thing a little Hee had foure wiues and by them fiue and twentie sonnes he reygned a hundreth yeares there was betwixt this king and he which did build the great wall that was spoken of in the ninth chapter of the first booke one hundreth and sixtéene kinges all of the lynage of this Vitey All the which did raigne as appeareth by their histories two thousande two hundreth and fiftie seuen yeares I do not here declare their names because I would not be tedious although they be particularly named in their histories but here I will set downe them that I finde necessarie to bee spoken of for the succession vnto him that nowe reygneth The last king of the lynage of this woorthie Vitey was called Tzintzon this did make the mightie and great wall aforesaide finding himselfe to be greatly troubled with the king of Tartarie who did make warre vppon him in many places of his kingdome he did ordaine the making thereof and for the furnishing of the same he did take the third man of the countrie to the worke and for that manie people did die in this tedious worke by reason they went so farre from their owne houses and in diuers climes cleane contrarie vnto that where as they were bred and borne it grew that the king was hated and abhorred of all people in such sort that they did conspire his death which in effect they did accomplish and slew him after he had reigned fortie yeares and also his sonne and heyre who was called Aguizi After the death of this Tzintzon and his sonne they did ordaine for their king one that was called Auchosau a man of great valour and wisedome hee reigned twelue yeares a sonne of his did succéede him in the kingdom called Futey he reigned seuen yeares After the death of this king who died very young his wife did reigne and gouerne and was of his owne linage she did maruelously gouerne that kingdome for the space of 18 yeares and for that shee had no issue naturall of her bodie a sonne of her husbands y t he had by an other wife did succéede in the kingdome and reigned thrée and twentie yeares a son of his did succéede him called Cuntey and reigned 16. yeares eight monthes a son of his called Guntey did reigne 54. yeares a sonne of his did succéede him called Guntey and reigned thirtéene yeares his sonne called Ochantey did succéede him and reigned 25. yeares and thrée monthes his son called Coantey succéeded him reigned 13. yeares two monthes After him reigned his sonne Tzentzey 26. yeares 4. monthes then succéeded his son called Anthey and reigned no more but 6. yeares his sonne Pintatey did inherite reigned 5. yeares this Pintatey when he died was not married and therefore a brother of his did succéede him called Tzintzumy reigned but 3. yeares 7. monethes after him succéeded a younger brother called Huy hannon reigned sixe yeares his sonne called Cubum did succéede him reigned 32. yeares his son Bemthey did inherite reigned 18. yeares after him his son Vnthey reigned 13. yeares O they succéede him reigned 17. yeres his sonne called Yanthey reigned but 8. monethes and left a sonne called Antey who reigned 19. yeares whose eldest sonne called Tantey died incontinent after his father and reigned only 3. monthes his brother called Chytey reigned one yeare his son called Linthey reigned 22. yeares his sonne called Yanthey did succeede him reigned 31. yeares This Yanthey the historie saieth was a man of small wisedome which was the occasion that he was abhorred and hated of those of his kingdome A Nephew of his called Laupy did rebell against him he had two sociates for to helpe him gentlemen of the court they were two brethren verie valiant the one was called Quathy the other Tzunthey these two did procure to make Laupy king His vncle the king vnderstoode thereof and was of so litle valor discretion that he could not neither durst he put remedie in the same which caused commotions and common rumors amongst the people But in especiall there was foure tyrantes ioyned in one and all at one time they wer called Cincoan Sosoc Guansian Guanser Against these Laupy did make warre vnder colour to helpe his vncle but after a while that the warre indured he concluded and made peace with Cincoan and he married with one of his daughters who straight wayes made warre against the other thrée tyrants with the helpe of his father in lawe At this time this mightie kingdome was diuided in thrée partes and beganne the tyrannie as you shall vnderstande the one and principall part fell vnto Laupy by the death of his vncle the other to Sosoc the other vnto Cincoan his father in law In this
sort remained the kingdome in diuision a while til such time as Cuythey sonne vnto Laupy did reigne in his fathers stéede Then did there a tyrant rise vp against him called Chimbutey and slew him he by his great valour did bring the kingdome all in one as before after that it had bin in diuision 41. yeares and reigned after that alone 25. yeares his sonne named Fontey did succéede him and reigned 17. yeares And to make short of this linage there was 15. kinges and reigned 176. yeares against the last of them who was called Quioutey there did arise against him tyrannously Tzobu Of this linage there was eyght kinges who reigned 62. yeares against the last of them called Sutey there arose one called Cotey of whose lynage there was fiue kings and reigned twentie foure yeres the last of them called Otey was slaine by Dian There was of this lynage foure kings that reigned 56. yeres against the last of them rose vp Tym and there was of his race fiue kinges and reigned one and 30. yeares against the last of this house rose vp Tzuyn And there was of this linage thrée kings and reigned seuen and thirtie yeares against the last of these rose vp Touco This and all the rest of his lynage did gouerne maruelous well which was the occasion that they endured the longer time There was of them one and twentie kinges and reigned 294. yeares the last of them called Troncon did marrie with one that had béene his fathers wife called Bausa a verie faire woman hee tooke her out of a monasterie where she was a Nunne onely to marrie with her she vsed such policie that he was slaine and did gouerne the kingdome after alone one and fortie yeares The historie sayth that she was dishonest and that with extremitie and vsed the companie of the best and principallest of the realme and not content with that she married with one of base lynage one fit for her purpose because she was so vicious They say that before she did marrie she caused to be slaine the sonnes she had by her first husbande for that she had a desire that a nephew of hers should succéede her in the kingdome Then those of the kingdome perceiuing her intent and wearie of her by reason of her ill liuing sent out to seeke a bastard sonne of her husbandes who was fledde away and with a common consent they raysed him for king He was called Tautzon he caused cruell and rigorous Iustice to be done vpon his stepmother as was reason for her euilles and an example to all those of the kingdome who by a president of her ill liuing beganne to straggle there was of his lynage seuen kinges that reigned 130. yeares against the last called Concham arose Dian of this linage there were but two kinges and reigned eighteene yeares Against the second and last arose Outon and was of his linage thrée kinges and reigned but fiftéene yeares against the last there arose Outzim of this there was but two kinges and reigned nine yeares and thrée monethes there arose against the last Tozo he and his sonne reigned foure yeares with the sonne of this one Auchin did fight and slewe him in the combat and succéeded him in the kingdome hee with other two of his lynage reigned tenne yeares against the last of these arose vp one of the lynage of Vitey the first king and slewe him hee was called Zaytzon there was of this lynage seuentéene kinges and reigned with all peace and quietnesse thrée hundred and twentie yeares the last of this lynage was called Tepyna with whom did fight the gran Tartaro called Vzon who entred into China with a mightie armie and got all the kingdome and it was possessed with nine Tartare kings the which reigned 93. yeares and intreated the inhabitantes with great tyrannie and seruitude the last of these was called Tzintzoum this was more cruell vnto the Chinos then any of the rest which was the occasion that all the kingdome did ioyne together in one and did elect a king called Gombu a man of great valour and of the lynage of auncient kinges past who by his great woorthinesse and ioyning much people together did so much that hee did driue all the Tartaros out of the kingdome with the death of many thousands of them who obstinately and without Iustice did with all tyrannie kéepe that kingdome in possession there was of this lynage twelue kinges with this that now reigneth the eleuen kinges past reigned two hundreth yeares he that now possesseth the kingdome is called Boneg who by the death of his elder brother that died by a fall hee had from his horse did inherite the kingdome he is of 23. yeares of age as they saye and hath his mother aliue of whom as yet there is nothing written so that I can write nothing in particular but that they say he is a gallant gentleman and welbeloued of his subiects and a great friende vnto Iustice. He is married with a cosen of his and hath one sonne Those of his linage hath got of the Tartares many countries since they were driuen out of China the which are on the other side of the mightie wall God for his mercies sake bring them to the knowledge of his holy lawe and accomplish a prophesie that they haue amongst them by the which they are giuen to vnderstand that they shall be ruled and brought in subiection by men with great eyes and long beards a nation that shall come from countries farre off by whom they shalbe commanded which signifieth to be Christians The king of this countrie is had in so great reputation amongest his subiectes that in all the prouinces where he is not resident in the chiefe cities whereas are the vizroyes or gouernors they haue a table of gold in the which is portred the king that nowe reigneth and couered with a curtin of cloth of golde verie riche and thether goeth euerie day the Loytias which are the gentlemen men of lawe and ministers of Iustice and do by duetie reuerence vnto it as though the kinge were personally present This table and picture is discouered the first day of their feasts which they doo celebrate and is at the newe moone of euerye month on the which day all people do repaire and do reuerence vnto the picture with the same respect as they would doo if hee were present they do call the king Lorde of the worlde and sonne of heauen CHAP. II. Of the court and pallace of the king and of the citie where as he is resident and how that in all the kingdome there is not one that is Lord ouer subiectes by propertie THe habitation of this king and almost of al his predecessors hath bin and is commonly in the citie of Taybin or Suntien the occasion is as they saye for that it is néerest vnto the Trtarians with whom continually they haue had wars that they might the better put remedie in any necessitie that
haue very ill saddels so that they be al verie ill horsemen The like prouision hath the king for the sea hée hath great fléetes of ships furnished with captaines and men that doo scoure and defend the costs of the countrie with great diligence and watchings The souldiers as well by land as by sea are paid with great liberalitie and those that do aduantage themselues in valor are very much estéemed and haue great preferment and rewards When these Chinos doo take anie prisoner in the wars they doo not kill him nor giue him more punishment but to serue as a souldier in that countrie in the farthest parts from their naturall the king paying him his wages as other souldiers are paid These for that they may be knowne doo weare redde bonnets but in their other apparell they do differ nothing from the Chinos Likewise such as be condemned by iustice for criminall offences to serue in any frontier as is vsed much amongst them they also weare redde caps or bonnets and so it is declared in their sentence that they do condemne them to the red bonnet CHAP. VI. More of the men of war which are in al these fifteene prouinces and how many there be in euerie one of them as well horsemen as footemen IN the chapter past you do vnderstande what care these Chinos haue in the time of peace as well as in warre for to defend their citties and what preparations they haue generally throughout al the countrie Now lacketh to let you know particularly the number that euery prouince hath in it selfe the better to vnderstand the mightinesse therof They haue in euerie prouince in their chiefe or metropolitan citie a counsell of warre with a president and foure counsailers all the which are such as haue bin brought vp from their youth in the wars with experience of the vse of armour and weapon so that vnto them is giuen the charge for the defence of their prouince These counsellers doo ordaine captaines and prouide other officers and all necessaries for the warres and send them vnto such cities and townes whereas they sée it is néedfull And for that in the accomplishing thereof there shalbe no lacke the treasurer is commanded to deliuer vnto them whatsoeuer they do aske without any delay The number of the souldiers that euery prouince had in the yeare 1577. at such time as frier Martin de Herrada and his companie entered into China hauing no wars but great peace and quietnesse is as followeth The prouince of Paguia whereas ordinarily the king is resident hath two millions and one hundred and fiftie thousand footemen and foure hundred thousand horsemen The prouince of Santon hath one hundred and twenty thousand footemen and fortie thousand horsemen The prouince of Foquieu hath eight and fiftie thousande and nine hundred footemen and twentie two thousand foure hundred horsemen The prouince of Olam hath thrée score and sixtéene thousand footemen and twentie fiue thousande fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Cinsay hath eightie thousand thrée hundred footemen but of horsemen verie few or none for that this prouince and the other that followe are all mountaines and ful of rockes and stones The prouince of Oquiam hath twentie thousande and sixe hundred footemen and no horsemen for the reason aforesaide The prouince of Susuan foure score and sixe thousande footemen and foure and thirtie thousande and fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Tolanchia which is that which doth border vpon the Tartarians with whom the kings of China haue had wars as aforesaid hath two millions eight hundred thousād footmen two hundred ninty thousand horsemen are the most famous and best in all the whole kingdome for that they are brought vp in the vse of armour from their youth and many times exercised the same in times past when they had their ordinarie war with their borderers the Tartarians The prouince of Causay hath fiftie thousand footemen and twentie thousand two hundred and fiftie horsemen The prouince of Aucheo there whereas the friers were hath foure score and sixe thousand footemen and fortie eight thousand horsemen The prouince of Gonan fortie foure thousand footemen and fouretéene thousand fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Xanton hath fiftie two thousand footemen and eightéene thousand nine hundred horsemen The prouince of Quincheu hath fortie eight thousand and seuen hundred footemen and fiftéene thousande thrée hundred horsemen The prouince of Chequeam thirty foure thousand footmen and thirtéene thousand horsemen The prouince of Saucii which is least of them all hath forty thousand footemen and sixe thousand horsemen All these people aforesaid euerie prouince is bound by an order set downe in parlement to haue in a redinesse the which is an easie thing to be done the one is for that the king doth pay them roiallie the other for that they do dwel in their owne natural countries and houses wheras they do inioy their patrimonies and goods leauing it vnto their sonnes who doo inherite the same and his office as aforesaid In the time of wars they are bounde to assist the place that hath most necessitie By this account it plainely appeareth that all these prouinces which may better be called kingdomes considering their greatnes haue fiue millions eight hundred fourtie sixe thousand fiue hundred footemen nine hundred fortie eight thousand thrée hundred fifty horsemen All the which if in valor and valiantnes might be equalled vnto our nations in Europe they were sufficient to conquer y e whole world And although they are more in number equal in policies yet in their valiantnesse courage they are far behind Their horse for the most part are little but great traueilers Yet they say within the countrie there are verie great excellent good horse I do not here declare the industrie that might with the fauour of God be vsed to win and ouercome this people for that the place serueth not for it and I haue giuen large notice thereof vnto whom I am bound And againe my profession is more to bee a meanes vnto peace then to procure any warres and if that which is my desire might be doone it is that with the word of God which is the sworde that cutteth the hearts of men wherewith I hope in the Lorde to sée it CHAP. VII Of a law amongst the Chinos that they cannot make anie wars out of their owne countrie neither go forth of the same neither can any stranger come in without licence of the king ALthough in many things that haue bin séene in this kingdome is shewed and declared the sharpe and ripe witts of these men and with what wisedome and prudence they doo gouerne their countries yet wherein they doo most manifest the same in my iudgement is in that which shalbe declared in this chapter They without all doubt séeme to excéede the Gréekes Carthagenians Romanes of whom the old ancient histories haue signified to vs also
not but let them peaceably to enter and to traficke in buying and selling paying their ordinarie customes due vnto the king In euery port there is a scriuener or notarie put there by the gouerners that dooth set downe in memorie the day and houre that any shippe doth enter in in order that whether hée be a stranger or natural to take in his lading and dispatch according vnto the old custome of those ports the which is inuiolably kept which is the occasion that they do lade and dispatch in so short time and with so great quietnesse as though there were but one shippe although many times you shall sée in one port two thousande ships small and great In this sort with a bought licence did the Portugals traficke from the Indies in Canton a prouince of this kingdome and in other parts of that kingdome as they themselues haue declared and likewise the Chinos CHAP. VIII Of the kings royall counsell and the order they haue to knowe euerie moneth what dooth passe in all the kingdome THe king hath in the citie of Taybin wheras he is resident a royall counsell of twelue counsellers and a president chosen men throughout al the kingdome and such as haue had experience in gouernement many yeares For to be one of the counsell it is the highest and supremest dignitie that a man can come vnto for that as aforesaid in all this kingdome there is neither Prince Duke Marquesse Earle nor Lord that hath any subiectes but the king only and the prince his sonne These counsellers and the gouernors of these prouinces by them appointed bee such personages that they are respected and esteemed for the time of their continuance in the same estimation as is the other where as they haue these titles For to be one of this counsell it is not sufficient that they be expert and learned in the lawes of the countrie and in morall and naturall Philosophie and commenced in the same but they must be also expert in Astrologie and iudgements For they say he that must be of this supreme counsell by whome is gouerned all these fiftéene prouinces it is requisite that they know all this that is saide for to prognosticate what shall succéede and happen the better to prouide for all necessities that shall come These twelue doo sit in counsell ordinarily in the kinges pallace for the which there is a hall appointed maruellous richly trimmed and in the same thirtéene chayres sixe of them of golde and sixe of siluer both the one and the other of great price wrought with great curiositie yet the thirtenth is more richer for that it is of golde and set full of precious stones of great value that is placed in the middest of them vnder a canopie or cloth of estate of cloth of gold in the which is imbrodered the kinges armes and is as it is saide certaine serpentes wrought with golde wyer in this chayre the president doth sitte when the king is not in presence but if hee be there as séeldome he is then doth the president sit in the first and highest of the chaires on the right hand which be of gold in the which and in the other of siluer they bee placed according vnto their antiquitie in this sort that if the president do die then do the most auncient procéede and inherite his roome and in his chaire doth the fift person rise on the side of the golden chaires and so from the fourth vnto the fift and in this order all the rest arise in the chaires of siluer passing into the other chaires of golde This may the president doo preferring euerie one in order if any doo die without the consent of the king And if any of these chaires be voyd then doth the counsell choose an other by voices the which is done by vprightnes and he which hath the most is preferred but the chiefest in this preferment is merit and sufficiencie If he that is choosen be absent in any gouernment then doo they send for him but if hee bee present in the citie then doo they carrie him before the king giuing him to vnderstand of their election in whose power it is to accept or to make it voyde which neuer doth happen Then the king himselfe on his owne handes according vnto their custome doth make him sweare a solemne oth that he shall doo vpright iustice according vnto the lawes of the countrie and that he shall likewise doo vprighly in the choosing of viceroyes and gouernours or any other Iustices and not be led with affections nor passions neyther receiue anie bribes himself nor any other for him with many other things in this order and effect and aboue all thinges hee shall not bee partaker neyther consent to anye treason at anie time against the king but rather if that hee doo vnderstande of anie such directly or indirectly hee shall straight wayes giue the kinge to vnderstande thereof or his counsell of all that hee dooth knowe or vnderstande alwaye fauouring with his industrie and force the preseruation of peace and life of the king This oth of homage being doone they doo carrie him vnto the chaire which is on the left hande in the hall and doo giue him the possession with great solemnitie for the which certaine dayes after there is great feastes in the citie as well by them of the counsell as by the citizens and courtiers during the which time the marchants do leaue their contractions and trafickes and handicraft men their occupations If any occasion bee requisiâ—e to talke with the king there is none that speaketh with him but the president and if it so fall out that hee be sicke then the most auncient and vppermost in the golden chayres dooth talke with him at all times when néede requireth but when he talketh with him hee is on his knées and his eyes inclyned to the grounde and neuer mooueth although the talke endureth two houres He is paide with the same money that all viceroyes gouernours iustices and captaines of the kingdome are when they will talke with the president it is in the selfe same order In this royall counsell euerie moneth they doo knowe all thinges that doo happen in all the kingdome woorthie to bee aduised of and this is without falt for that those which doo gouerne the prouinces haue expresse commaundement to sende notice vnto the court of all thinges that doo happen in anye of their prouinces touching warres the estate of the countrie the kinges rents or any other thing the which is accomplished with so great care that although it bee a prouince distant fiue hundred leagues from the court yet the post doth not misse his day appointed And those which do first come do tarrie till the last or furthest off doo come and then vpon the day appointed they do all together giue their relations Those which are farre off for to be at the court so soone at the instant as those which are nigh at
enter into the royall hall whereas they were examined al richly apparelled and being assembled then do enter in al those that shal receiue degrées galantly apparelled without any vpper garment and before euerie one of them go the Padrines and after them the Graduates with garments very finely made riding on Gennets very sumptuously couered with cloth of gold and silke that do carie the ensignes that shalbe giuen vnto him the which hee dooth demande of the visitor knéeling vpon his knées with great humilitie Who first sweare them that in all offices committed vnto them they shall with all care and diligence doo iustice equallie vnto all men and that they shall not receiue â—anie bribes or presents whatsoeuer that they shall be true and loyall vnto the king and that they shall not conspire in any confederacie or treason against him and manie other things which ceremonies he standeth long about This oth being taken the visitor who presenteth the kings person dooth put on them the ensignes aforesaide with the facultie belonging thereunto and then hée and all the Loytias imbrace them presently This doone they depart out of the hal in verie decent order at which instant all the belles in the citie are rong and great store of ordinance and artilerie discharged which continueth a good space Then they carrie these newe Loytias throughout the citie accompanied with a multitude of people in manner following There go first before them many souldiers marching in good order with drommes and trompets and other musicall instruments verie melodious after them are borne many Maces then follow all the Loytias some on horsebacke and some are carried in litter chaires in most gallant order after which follow the Padrines Then the new commenced Loytias with out any vpper garment as before is saide all mounted vppon white horses verie richly couered with cloth of Golâ—e hauing euerie one of them a tippet of taffeta vpon his shoulder and on his head a hat with two small tippets hanging downe behinde much after the fashion of those that hang on the bishops miter this is permitted vnto none but vnto those of their orders abouesaide vpon their hats they haue two branches of golde or of siluer and guilt made like vnto a bunch of fethers Before euerie one of them are carried sixe frames couered with â—atten and euerie one is carried by foure men in these frames are written in letters of golde their disputation facultie and title giuen them for the same and their armes with manie other things which I omit for breuitie sake because this marching and passing holdeth eight houres togither The Citizens there kéepe this day festiuall and do ordeine manie dances and sportes And the better sort doo celebrate three or foure daies after banquetting the newe made Loytia and giuing him ioy of his newe preferment euerie man seeking his good will and fauour From this day forwards hée is of abilitie to take vppon him any office and gouernement whatsoeuer and therefore straight wayes he goeth vnto the court to procure the same and carrieth with him the ensignes of his commencement and is apparelled so that he may be knowne wherefore they doo him great honour in the way as hee goeth and lodge him in such houses as the king hath appointed in euerie towne for such as they be When he commeth to the court hee goeth and dooth his duetie vnto the president and vnto the rest of the royall counsell who euerie one a part doo giue him ioy of his new dignitie and with many words of great curtesie praise promise him as occasion shall serue to prouide him a place as they by their examination doo vnderstande his abilitie and againe as they see his discréete dealing and care in such matters as they do giue him in charge so will they preferre him to better dignitie and honour So the next day following they register him in their booke of memorie which is alwayes in the counsell chamber and they remaine there waiting and seruing them vntill they haue prouided them of some gouernement which is not long after for that the kingdome is great with manie prouinces and Citties as by this historie you shal vnderstand CHAP. XV. How that with them they haue had the vse of Artilery long time before vs in these parts of Europe AMongst many things worthie to bée considered which haue béene and shalbe declared in this historie amongst manie other which of purpose I omit because I would not be tedious vnto the reader no one thing did cause so much admiracion vnto the Portugals when that they did first traficke in Canton neither vnto our Spaniards who long time after went vnto the Philippinas as to finde in this kingdome Artilerie And wee finde by good account taken out of their histories that they had the vse thereof long time before vs in Europe It is said that the first beginning was in the yeare 1330. by the industrie of an Almane yet howe he was called there is no historie that dooth make mention but the Chinos saie and it is euidently séene that this Almaine dooth not deserue the name of the first inuentor but of the discouerer for that they were the first inuentors and from them hath the vse therof béene transported vnto other kingdomes where it is nowe vsed The Chinos saie that their first king called Vitey did first inuent the same and that he was taught the manner how to make them by a spirite that came out of the earth for to defende himselfe and his kingdome from the Tartares that did much molest him with warres for according vnto the tokens giuen him as it dooth appeare in their histories and the industrie for the same it appeareth that it was some spirit enimie vnto mankind onely for to destroy them as in these daies the experience thereof is apparant vnto vs. All the which carieth a similitude of the trueth for that this king was a great sorcerer inchanter as you may well vnderstande by the herbe that he had growing in y e court of his pallace whereof before I haue told you And if this be not credible because so many yeres are past since this kings raigne yet it is of truth y t when these Chinos went to the kingdom of Pergu to coÌ„quest y e east Indies more then 1500. yeares since they caried with them y e like instruments of warre which did serue them in their conquest the which conquest being ended they left behind them certaine péeces of artilerie which were found afterwards by the Portugals wheron were grauen the armes of China and in what yeare they were made agréeing iust with the time of the conquest Such Artilerie as the Frier Gerrada and his companions did sée at their being there they say it was of antiquitie and very ill wrought and was for the most part péeces to shoote stones or murderers but it was giuen them to vnderstande that in other prouinces of the kingdome
such as are poore widowes and driuen by necessitie cannot sustaine themselues they may for the supplying of their want sell their children and binde them to perpetuall seruitude the which is permitted in such sort that there are amongst them rich merchants that deale in no other thing and all the maiden children that they buy so bee brought vp with great care and taught to plaie and sing and other things appertaining vnto pleasure Then after when they are of yeares they carrie â—hem vnto the houses aforesaid ordained for common women The first day that they doo dedicate her to this ill office before shée is put into this common house they carrie her before a iudge which the king hath ordained for euerie house appertaining to any cittie or towne appointed to bée their kéeper and sée that there bee no euill rule kept amongst them and this iudge dooth place her in the house himselfe and from that day forwards her master hath no more to doo with her but to go euerie moneth vnto the iudge to recouer his tribute which is a certaine summe set downe by the iudge by agréement made betwene them both he appointeth besides this the time when hée shall be paide for her and for that was spent in her bringing vp and teaching These women be very much haunted and passe away the time maruellous pleasantly by reason of their singing and playing which they doo with great cunning and according vnto the report of the Chinos they apparell themselues with great curiositie and paint themselues They haue amongst them many blinde women that are frée and not bonde these are trimmed dressed and painted by others that haue their sight and such as haue spent all their youth in these houses can not goe foorth so long as they liue as is commaunded by a lawe publike least by their dishonest demeanure they should be an occasion of some harme and an euill example to others Whatsoeuer proâ—ite dooth remaine vnto these women when they haue payed their maister they giue vnto the Iudge their superiour who doth keepe it faithfully and carefully and giueth a good account thereof euerie yeare vnto the Uisitors And afterwardes when these women waxe olde it is repaâ—ed vnto them againe by order of the said Iudge But it is bestowed in such sort that they shall not lacke neither haue vrgent necessitie But if it so fall out that they should lacke they will giue them a stipend to maintaine them onely for to dresse and trimme the blinde women or else they will put them into the kinges hospitall a place ordeyned for such as can not helpe themselues The men children which they buy and are solde to supplie their necessitie in the order aforesaide of the women they put to learne some occupation and after that they are expert therein they doo serue a master in the same trade for a certaine time the which being expired their masters are not only bound to giue them their libertie but also to prouide them of wiues and to marrie them prouiding also for them houses and necessaries wherewith they may get their liuing Which if they doo not of their owne frée will they are compelled by Iustice to doo whether they will or no. And they for a token of gratefulnesse must come vnto their masters the first day of the yeare and other dayes appointed and bring him some present The children of these be all frée and subiect to no bondage for the benefite â—oone vnto their father for their bringing vp CHAP. XXI The fashion of their ships aswell of those that passe the seas as of those that doo roade riuers which are manie and great and howe they doo prouide themselues of fish for all the yeare THere is in this kingdome a great number of shippes and barkes with the which they sayle all a long their coastes and vnto Ilandes neere hande and into their riuers the which doo runne cleane through the most part of all their prouinces and there dwelleth so much people vpon these riuers in shippes and barkes that it séemeth to be some great Citie there is so many of theÌ„ that they do esteeme that there is almost as many people that dwell vpon the water as vpon the lande They make them slightly and with small cost for they haue in all partes of this countrie great aboundance of tymber iron and other thinges necessarie for this vse but in especiall a kinde of glew wherewith they doo â—awbe and trimme their shippes that is much more tougher and stronger then the pitch which wee vse which after it is layde on sticketh fast and maketh their shipping as harde as stones the aboundance whereof and the great number of shipwrightes and againe for that there is not on the lande roome enough for the people to inhabite being so many in number causeth them to build so great a number of shippes and barkes They vse their shippes and barkes of many fashions euery one hath his proper name Such ships as they haue to saile long voiages be called Iuncos but for the warre they make huge mightie vessels with high castles both on the prowe and sterne much after the fashion of them that come out of the Easterne seas and vnto those with which the Portingales sayle into the east India They haue these in so great number y t a generall may ioine together in 4. dayes an armie of more than 600. Those which they do commonly vse for burden and to lade are made much after y e same fashion greatnes and smal difference there is betwéene them but that they are lower both before at the sterne There is an other sort of lesser vessels are much like vnto pâ—nases haue foure great ores on ech side whereat row sixe men at euery ore foure at the least These are excellent good to rowe in and out ouer their hard hauens or into any place where is litle water they do call theÌ„ Bancoens There is an other sort that is more brode than these which they call Lanteas carie eight ores on a side with sixe men at euerie ore Of these two last sorts of vessels pirates rouers at the sea do coÌ„monly vse for in those seas there be very many for that they be very nimble to fly to giue assalt as occasion doth serue They haue an other sort of vessels y t are long like vnto a galley but more square being very brode néede little water they do vse theÌ„ likewise to transport merchandise froÌ„ one place to an other they are swift run vp the riuers with smal force of the armes Many other sorts of barks they haue besides the aforesaid some with galleries windows painted and gylt but chiefely those which the Uiceroyes and Gouernours doo make for their recreation Of those sortes of shipping afore sayd which they call Iuncos the king hath in al his prouinces great armies and in them souldiers with their Captaines to defend
And for to haue the fruition of this benefite all the yeare in the winter they must vse an artificiall helpe to giue a little warmenes vnto the doong for the bringing forth of their egs they do vse thē an other inuentiō as ingenious as the first that is this they take a great number of canes tied one by another whereon they do laye the doong then vppon that they doo lay their egges and do couer them verie well with the same this being done they put vnder the canes straw or some other like thing and set it on fire but in such sort that it dooth not burne but kéepeth a naturall heat all the time till they thinke that they are readie to be taken out Then doo they take and breake them as aforesaide so that their pultrie dooth increase in such number as though they were antes Then doo they put thē into an other cage for the same purpose wheras be old duckes brought vp for no other purpose but to couer the little ones vnder their winges and kéepe them warme and there they doo féede them euery day till such time as they can féede themselues and go abroad into the fieldes to profit themselues in the companie of the olde duckes Many times they haue in number aboue twentie thousand yet do they maintain them with a small-cost and it is in this order euerie morning they do giue them a small quantitie of boyled rice then do they open a doore of the cage which is towardes the riuer and doo put a bridge of canes that doth reach vnto the water then doo they come foorth with so great haste one vpon an other that it is a pastime to sée them All the day after they do passe the time vpon the water and in the fieldes of rice vpon the land wheras they do féede the owners of the rice doo giue vnto the owners of the duckes somewhat to let their duckes go into their fields for that they do destroy all the grasse and other wéeds in it And hurt nothing of the rice When that the euening draweth on then they of the barke do make a sound with a taber or such like y t which being heard of his duckes they throwe thēselues with great spéede into the water and swimme straight vnto their owne barke whereas their bridge is readie put for them and euerie flocke doth know his owne barke by the sounde without missing at any time although there be many flockes together For euerie barke doth vse a different sound the one from the other to the which the duckes are vsed and their eares full thereof so that they neuer fayle their owne barke This manner of liuing is greatly vsed in all that countrie and verie profitable for that it is a victuall most vsed amongst them and is esteemed as a thing of great sustentation and of small price by reason that at al times there is bréeding of them and of small cost Likewise in this Countrey they doo vse a kinde of fishing that is of no lesse industrie then the bringing vppe of these duckes and a thing to be séene The king hath in euerie Citie founded vppon the riuers houses wherein euerie yeare is brought vp many Cormorantes or sea Rauens with whome they doo fishe in those monethes that the fish dooth spawne and that is in this maner following They take the Cormorantes out of their cages and carrie them vnto the riuer side whereas they haue many barkes ordeyned for their fishing and they are halfe full of water Then they take their Cormorantes and with a corde they doo binde their mawes in such sort that no fish can fall into it then they do cast them into the riuer to fish the which they do with such good will and couetousnesse that it is a woonder to sée they throwe themselues into the water with great swiftnesse and diue whereas they do fill their throate with fish Then they come foorth and with the like hast they go vnto the barkes that are halfe ful of water and the fish which they haue taken they put in that water which is put there for that purpose that the fish may not die the which being done they returne againe vnto their fishing as they did before In this order they do indure their fishing foure houres together in such sort that the one doth not trouble the other and when y t their boates with water are ful of fish then do they vnbind them and turne them againe into the riuer for to fish for themselues for they haue neede thereof for that alwayes the day before that they will fish they kéepe thē from their ordinarie victualles which is a litle Millio that they may y e better do their office So after a while that they haue filled their bellies and recreated themselues they take them out of the water and carrie them vnto the ordinarie places whereas they art kept and euerie third day during the time of this fishing they doo take them forth for the same exercise which for them is so great pastime that they would it should indure all the yeare In these thrée monethes they do take so much fish that they do prouide the whole kingdome for all the yeare as in the chapter past it hath béene tolde you which is the occasion that they are as well prouided of fish as of any other thing so that if they please they may eate euerie day fresh fish although they are farre from the sea CHAP. XXIII Of the curtesie that the king of this mightie kingdome doth vnto the Ambassadors that come to him from anie other king prince or comonaltie WE should in the chapter following intreate of the ambassage that king Philip of Spaine with the Christian zeale that he had to sende vnto the king of this kingdome who being mooued by certaine causes and reasons did referre it till a better occasion and we do beléeue that it will be offered shortly Therefore now it shall not be from our purpose to declare in this chapter the honour and curtesie that this king doth vnto the ambassadours of kings princes or any other prouince that doth come vnto him in what sort so euer it be and for that it is of great curiositie it shall be necessarie to declare it with the circumstance wherewith it is done All such as doo enter into this kingdome with the title of ambassadour be it from a king that is a friend or enimie they are respected intreated and made of with so great care and diligence as though they came themselues in person that doo send them Unto whome besides the obseruing the law of nations which is obserued kept among all kings in the worlde in especiall that their persons shall not receiue neither incurre any danger although their ambassage bringeth discontent or harme vnto the king besides all the which there is granted vnto them great and particular priuiledges When that he doth enter into the kingdome by any of
which being séene by the roiall councell and considering with what title they entred into that kingdome did not onely make voide the sentence and woulde not confirme the same but did send commandement vnto the vizroy to set them at libertie and to returne fréely back againe vnto the India from whence they came and that hee shoulde furnish them with all things necessarie in aboundance til they were entred into the same although in this time the ambassadors of the king of Malaca who were in the court did still perseuer in their malicious intent In which commandement although it were true all that which the foresaide ambassadors did testifie and that they for feare of death did confesse it yet it is sufficient that they entred into this kingdom the title of ambassador whereby they should receiue any harme But nowe let vs returne tâ— our purpose So after this ambassador hath refreshed himselfe of his iourny and receiued many banquets and orations of the Gentlemen of the court vpon a day appointed he goeth to speake with the king accompanied with all the Gentlemen of the court and with the president of the councell who doth giue him audiâ—nce in one of the thrée rich hals aforesaide at all times as his businesse doth require So when that all his busines is dispatched and gratified with many gifts he returneth backe againe from whence he came and looke with what curtesie they did receiue him at his comming the like they doo vnto him at his returne But if an ambassador doo come from any common wealth of the said kingdome they doo not giue him the intertainement abouesaid but cleane contrarie thereunto for that he dooth enter into the citie accompanied onely with the iustice whose charge it is to lodge him in such houses as the king hath ordeined to the same effect and to giue him all that is necessarie taking of him the summe and effect wherefore he doth come and he doth giue relation thereof vnto the president of the councell and the president doth giue the king to vnderstand therof then doo they appoint the day of audience with this condition that when he dooth go thither hée must go on foote or else on horseback without a bridle with onely a halter on his horse head in token of humility and acknowledging to be a subiect The day of his audience he commeth forth obseruing the order and condition aforesaid accompanyed with the iustice And when hée doth come into a great place which is right against the pallace of the king he staieth there till an officer of the king doth come vnto him who is master of the ceremonies and hee dooth cause him to procéede forwards and doth shew him the place whereas hee must first kneele downe with his handes ioyned togither in token of adoration or worship and all the time of this ceremonie his eies must bee fixed on that part where as they say the king is In this sort hee goeth onwards his way making in it other fiue adorations like vnto the first vntill such time as he do come into the first hall of the pallace which is at the staires heade whereas the president is set with great maiestie and doth represent the kings person who after that hee hath hearde the effect of his ambassage dooth sende them away without answering one word at that time but after that hee hath giuen the king to vnderstande hée dooth sende him answere by that iustice who hath the charge to lodge him and to prouide him of all things necessarie for the time that hée is in the court CHAP. XXIIII Of the ambassage that the king of Spaine did send vnto the king of this kingdome and the occasions that did moue him thereunto as also wherefore it was declared FOr to conclude this small historie in the which I haue declared in summe all such things as I haue vnderstoode of this kingdome of China vnto this I meane such as I might wel set forth leuing a great number more of the which I haue particular note some for that they are vnknowne and others for that they will cause admyration because they haue not béene séene And according vnto the counsell of the wise they should not be intreated of vntill that time that experience dooth make them more credible And againe I doo hold it for a lesse euill to be reprehended for breuitie as some haue béene then to bee prolix and tedious in the declaring although it bee hurtfull vnto this worke from the which I doo take away much that I might put in Nowe letting all passe I will in this last chapter declare of the letter present and ambassage wherewith the king of Spaine did sende mee in the yeare of our Lorde one thousande one hundred and fourescore for that in company of other religious men of my order I should passe from his mightie kingdome of Mexico to China and to present it vnto the king of that countrie in his name of all the which I will declare that which I doo vnderstande and know not excéeding the limits of fidelitie by reason that the ambassage was not ended nor no conclusion in effect of that which was pretended but doo hope in the deuine maiestie and with the care and diligence that is put therein by the king of Spaine shortlie to haue a conclusion of that they desire for the which the letter and the rest was sent Béeing considered of by the Spaniards such as were dwellers in the Ilands Philippinas which by another name are called the Ilands of the Ponent or West the thinges of great valour and riches as of golde and silkes and many other thinges which is brought from the kingdome of China and out of their ports and how those which brought it did sel it for a small quantitie in respect as they did estéeme it and being certified by the saide Chinos of many other things which were in the firme land wherof some of them haue béene made mention in this historie being mooued with the conuerting of these soules and with the profite that might come of traficke that they might haue with the Chinos it was concluded by the gouernour and principals of the Citie of Manila with the iudgement of the prouinciall of the order of saint Augustine and of many other religious men that were both graue wise such as were the first that in those parts did preach the Gospel and did baptise a great number of the dwellers therein and did many other thinges of the which I might say much if it were to my purpose and that my part were not therein so that I say it was concluded amongst them to sende vnto the Catholike king graue personages vnto whome intire credite might be giuen for to giue relation what they vnderstoode of that kingdome and also of the euident necessitie that all those Ilands that were his had for their conseruation to holde to friendes the Chinos their borderers whereof might growe vnto them great
vnto the faith of the Christians that if it were not that he should be banished and loose his countrie house and landes without all doubt he would haue béene baptised the which he could not do without loosing of all for that they haue a law in their countrie the which is obserued and kept inuiolably by the which it is forbidden that none whatsoeuer can receiue any strange religion differing from theirs vpon paine of death without the consent of the king and his counsell This law was made to take away nouelties and to liue all in one vniformitie of religion with one manner of rites and ceremonies This only was the occasion that certaine marchants of China being affectioned vnto the law of the gospell were baptised at the Philippinas and there doo dwell at this day in the citie of Manilla amongest the Spaniardes and are become verie good Christians So with these offers and with promises to be great friendes vnto the Spaniardes the Generall departed from Manilla to goe vnto the firme lande and with him the other Captaynes Omoncon and Sinsay with great hope that verie shortly they should be all of one faith So the one tooke their leaue of the other with reasons of great affection and tokens of great loue signifying that in any thing that should be offered they should finde them friendly They being departed the Spaniardes remayned verie carefull in praying vnto the diuine maiestie desiring of him to direct all thinges in this their request that it might be to his holy seruice and also to inspire the catholike maiestie of king Phillip their Lorde for to sende his Embassador vnto the king of China offering his friendship and to admonish him to receiue the faith of Christ the which according vnto the report of the Austen Fryers that entred into that countrie of whom we haue made mention manie times in this booke with their companions and also the Generall of China tolde them that there was no other means but only that for to bring their purpose to effect This counsell with all the spéede possible they put in vre and sent vnto his maiestie one of purpose and in the name of all them of those Ilandes to request him and to declare how much it did import They sent vnto him this relation with manie particular persons for to mooue his most Christian minde for to sende an Embassador as in effect hee did in that sort as hath béene tolde you in the last Chapter of the thirde Booke of this historie whereas it is declared in particular and in what estate it doth remaine vnto this day God for his mercies sake direct all thinges that it may be to his seruice and glorie and the saluation of so many soules The end of the first booke of the second part The second booke of the second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China In the which is contayned the voyage that was into that kingdome in the yeare 1576. by the fathers Fryer Peter de Alfaro Costodio in the Ilandes Philippinas of the order of saint Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph and other three religious men of the same order and their miraculous entring into that kingdome and what happened vnto them for the space of seuen monthes that they there remained and what they did see and vnderstand of all the which are notable and verie rare CHAP. I. The Fryers of Saint Francis came vnto the Ilandes Philippinas and procured to passe vnto the firme lande of the kingdome of China with zeale to preach the holy gospell THe day of the visitation of our Ladie in the yeare 1578. there came out of Spaine to the Citie of Manilla in the Ilandes Philippinas the father Fryer Peter de Alfaro who went for Costodio of that prouince and fourteene more other religious persons of the same order in his companie and were sent by the king of Spaine and his royall Counsel of the Indias for to be ayders and helpers of the Austen Fryers who vntill that time had béene there alone in those Ilandes occupied in the conuerting of the people in that countrie and were the first ministers of the gospell preaching the same with great zeale vnto the profite of their soules of the which people those Fryers had baptised when the others ariued more then one hundred thousande and the rest prepared and cathecised to receiue the like Because that at the first occasion that might be giuen they might enter into the kingdome of China to preach the holy gospell The which Fryers when that they had béen there the space of one yeare occupying themselues in the same exercise in preaching and conuerting the people of that countrie In the same time they were giuen to vnderstande by the relation of the selfe same Austen Fryers as also by many marchants of China which came vnto them with marchandice of things to be wondred at of that mightie kingdome and of the infinite number of soules which the diuell had deceiued and brought vnto his seruice with false Idolatrie The which being by them well vnderstood they did burne with great zeale and desire of their saluation and to goe and preach the gospell although it were to put their persons in whatsoeuer hazarde or danger So with this their great desire they did many and diuerse times communicate with the gouernor that was there at that time for his maiestie who was called the Doctor Francisco de Sandi desiring his fauour and licence for to goe vnto China in the companie of certaine marchants of that countrie that were at that present in the port with their ships offering themselues to get their good will although it were to offer themselues to be slaues or otherwise whatsoeuer And séeing that at all such times when as they did intreat of that matter they found him but luke warme and that he did as it were but to detract the time and feed them with hope then they calling to minde that the chiefest intent and cause of their comming out of Spayne was to enter into that kingdome caused a newe desire to grow in them what with the contractation they had with the sayde Chinos as well in conuersation as in talke and finding them to be a people of great abilitie and discretion and of verie good iudgements the which did greatly content their desire they did perswade themselues that it was an easie matter to make them to vnderstande the thinges appertayning vnto God So that they determined to put other remedies in practise because that which they required with the good will of the Gouernor séemed to be a large and long matter So it happened that vpon a time intreating of this matter and hauing requested of God with great instance for to direct them the readie way which was best for his seruice and for the profite of those soules there came to the Ilandes Philippinas a Chino who according as they did vnderstand was one of the priests
The pronunciation of their wordes is neither in the nose nor in the throte It is vnderstood that they be all Gentiles by certaine signes and tokens that our people haue seene them do and that they doo worship Idols and the diuell vnto whom they do sacrifice such as they do take in the warres of their borderers It is thought that they doo descend of the tartares by some particularities that is found amongst theÌ„ the which do draw very nigh vnto some that they do vse These Ilandes are south north with the land of Labrador which is nigh vnto the new found lande and not farre distant from the Ilande of Iapon It is knowen for a trueth that they do deale with the Tartares and that they do buy yron for to sell it vnto them The Spaniards did giue name vnto these Ilandes as they passed by the Ilandes of Ladrones which is of théeues for that they are very bolde and subtile in their sâ—ealinges in the which facultie the Egyptians that are in our Europa may go to schoole with them for the verie facultie therof I will declare vnto you one thing that happened in the presence of many Spaniardes the which did cause them greatly to maruaile which is there was a marriner commanded by the captaine of the ship to kéepe the sterneborde side not to suffer any of them to enter therein and being as one amased to sée so many Canoas that came thether the which be small barkes or botes made all of one péece one of them diued downe vnder the water till he came there whereas the marriner was vnmindfull of any such matter should happen vpon a soddaine without séeing the other he snatched his sword out of his hand went vnder the water againe therwith the marriner made a noise declared the knauerie that y e Ilander had done vnto him whervpon there were certaine souldiers y t made their hargubushes ready to shoot at him when he appeared froÌ„ vnder y e water This Ilander perceiuing it came foorth swimmed aboue the water shewing his handes made signes y t he had nothing in theÌ„ which was the occasion that they did not shoot at him So after a while that he had beene there resting of himselfe he returned and diued vnder the water againe swam so farre as he thought that the bullet of the hargubush could not reach to hurt him and finding himselfe in securitie he tooke the sword from betwixt his legges whereas he did carrie it in secret and beganne to florish with the same mocking our people whom he had so easily deceiued This kind of stealing and many others which they had done and that with great subtiltie is the occasion that they beare the names of théeues and all the Ilandes whereas they doo dwell doo beare the name thereof the which they will easily pardon if they might ordinarily finde where as they might execute their inclination CHAP. XII They depart from the Ilandes of the Ladrones and come vnto them of Luzon or Philippinas by an other name and doo declare the particular thoughts of those Ilandes FRom this Iland of Ladrones nauigating towards y e west almost two hundred leagues till they came to a mouth called of the holy ghost they straightwaies doo enter into the Archipelago which is an infinite number of Ilands almost all inhabited with their own naturall people But many conquered by the Spaniardes eyther by force of warre or friendship Four score leagues from this is the citie of Manilla which is vpon the Iland of Luzon there whereas ordinarily dwelleth the gouernor of all those Ilandes the officers of his maiestie therein is a bishop and a cathedrall church This citie standeth in fourtéen degrées a quarter and round about the same there are so many Ilandes that vnto this day there is none that euer could number them they do extend all of them northwest and southwest north south in so much that the one part stretcheth vnto the straight of Sincapura which is fiue and twentie leagues from Malaca and the other part vnto the Malucos other Ilandes whereas they gather a great number of cloues pepper ginger of the which there are great mountaines full The first that discouered these Ilands were Spaniards which came to theÌ„ in the coÌ„pany of y e famous Magellanes made no conquest of theÌ„ for that they knew better to nauigate then to conquer by reason whereof after they had discouered and passed the straight which vnto this day beareth the title of his name and came vnto the Ilande of Zubu whereas they did baptise certaine of the inhabitance and afterwards in a banket the same Ilanders did kill him and other forty of his companions which was the occasion that Sebastian de Guetaria a naturall Biskin borne for to escape with his life did put himselfe in a shippe that remained of the voyage which afterwards was named the victorie and in her and with a few people that helped him with the fauour of God he came vnto Siuell hauing compassed the whole world from the Orient vnto the Ponient a thing which caused vnto all men great admiration but in particular vnto the Emperor Charles the fift of famous memorie who after he had giuen many gifts and fauours vnto the said Sebastian de Guetaria hee gaue order that a new armie should be made ready and to returne againe in demande of the said Ilands and to discouer that new world So when all things were in a redinesse for to depart on their voyage the which was done with great breuitie they ordained for generall of all that sleete one Villa Lobos commanding him to go by the Nueua Espania This Villa Lobos arriued at the Ilands of Malucas and at those of Terrenate at other Ilands ioyning vnto them the which Ilands were laid to gage by the aforesaid Emperor vnto the crowne of Portugal In these Ilands they had great wars by meanes of the Portugals and séeing themselues with little helpe and small resistance for to go forwards with their conquest they left it off and went to the most part of them with the aforesaide Portugals vnto the India of Portugall from whence afterwards they sent them as prisoners vnto the said king of Portugall as offenders that had entred his Ilands without his licence who did not onely leaue to do them any harme but did intreat them very well and sent them vnto their owne country of Spaine gaue them al thinges necessary for their iourney and that in aboundance Then certaine yeares after Don Philip king of Spaine being very willing that the discouering shoulde go forwards which the Emperor his father had so earnestly procured sent and commanded Don Luys de Velasco who was his vizroy of the Nuoua Espania that he would ordaine an army and people for to returne and discouer the said Ilands and to sende in the said fléete for gouernor of all
day and carrie them vnto his mansion or dwelling All this kingdome is so fertile as well for the ordinarie watring as also for the temperature of the heauen that almost all the whole yeare they do gather fruits but in especiall of wheat and rice so that both the one and the other are very good cheape that our people in the discourse of their trauaile or pilgrymage did buy one pyco of rice or of wheate meale which is fiue rouâ—s of Spaine for one ryall and a halfe according vnto this rate al other thinges beare their prices as hath béene before declared They say that in this countrie there be many elephants lyons tygres ownses other brute breastes of the which these friers sawe verie few aliue but many skins of them which is a signe that it is of truth There are many beasts whereof come the muske the which are of the tygres like vnto a litle dogge the which they do kill put them vnder the ground certaine dayes and after that it is putrified rotten the flesh and bloud is conuerted into that swéete powder There be also many cyuet cats little worth a great number of horse although those which the said friers did sée were litle yet is it a common voice fame that in some of the fiftéene prouinces there are very good but they were not there so that they can not say they had seene theÌ„ But the hens géese duckes and other poultrie that are in all partes of this kingdome are without number which is the occasion that they are of small estimation the abundance of fish ia no lesse as well of the sea as of the riuers in the which they are conformable All they that do declare of the thinges of this countrie and the small price that it is solde for is such that the saide Frier doth affirme and others that haue bin in that kingdome that for the value of sixe marauadies which is a pennie may four companions eat very wel of flesh fish rice and fruits and drinke good wine of that countrie In all this kingdome there are many mynes both of gold and siluer and all verie rich but the king will not let them be labored but with great lymitation saying that which is in those mynes be in his house and that they should procure to bring it from other kingdomes yet notwithstanding the abundance is so great both of the one and the other and so coÌ„mon that there is no man although he be of an occupation but hee hath in his house things both of gold and siluer and other very rich iewels They do estéeme for his value more the siluer than the golde and they say the cause is for that the prices of golde are variable as in Italie but the siluer is alwaies at one sâ—aye and price There are great store of pearles but in especiall in the Iland of Aynao and great abundance of quickesiluer copper yron steele laton tyn lead salt peter brimstone and other things which were woont to beautifie a kingdome but aboue all there is very much muske and amber gryce The king of this kingdome besides the great rent the which he hath it is saide that he hath great treasories in all the principall cities those which are the head cities of the prouinces for the confirmance thereof it was affirmed vnto the saide fryer for a verie certaintie that in the citie of Canton all the money that hath entred into the same for y e space of fiue hundred yeres as well by way of the Portingals as by those of the kingdom of Cyan and others their borderers and all the tributes of that prouince is altogether in the kings treasure house of that citie which amounteth vnto by good account many more millions than may be well numbred for to giue credite thereunto It is as common for the people of this countrie to weare silke as in Europe to weare lynnen yea they do make their shooes thereof some of satten and many times of cloth of golde of verie gallant colours the cause is by reason of the great abundance that they haue therof and is of so great quantitie that it is carried from the Citie of Canton vnto the Protingall Indians more than thrée thousand kintals euery yeare besides a great quantitie which is carried vnto Iapon and ordinarily more than â—iftéene ships laden for the Ilandes of Luzon The Sianes and other nations doo also carrie away a great quantitie and although there are carried away ordinarily as afore saide yet there remaineth so great quantity in that kingdome that many fleetes may be laden therewith There is also great store of â—laxe cotton and other kinde of webstrie and also good cheape that the aforesaide Fryer dooth affirme that he hath seene solde a canga which is fiftéene fadam for foure ryals of plate The fine earthen dishes that are in this countrie cannot be declared without many wordes But that which is brought from thence into Spaine is verie course although vnto them that hath not séene the finer sort it seemeth excellent good but they haue such with them that a cubbaâ—d thereof amongest vs would be esteemed as though it were of golde The finest cannot be brought foorth of the kingdome vpon paine of death neyther can any haue the vse therof but onely the Loytias which be there gentlemen as hath béen tolde you There is great quantitie of sugar honie and waxe and verie good cheape as aforesaide And in conclusion I say that they liue with so great abundance that all things do flow so that they lacke nothing necessarie for their bodies but for their soules which is the principallest they do lack as you haue vnderstoode in the discourse of this historie God remedie the same at his pleasure The rent which the king of this kingdome hath is declared vnto you in a proper chapter of it selfe so that in this I will declare that which the sayde fryer tolde me and is onely of one riuer which is called the riuer of the salt and is in the prouince of Canton and is worth vnto him euerie yeare a million and a halfe And although the ordinarie rent the which he hath euery yeare dooth exceede the greatest king that is nowe knowen in all the world in quantitie yet in his treasories which be gathered together and kept if it be true that the Chinos do say in euery principall citie of these fiftéene prouinces is more than a great number of kings togither haue or can procure no nor come nigh vnto it by a great deale All the cities and townes of this kingdome are walled about with stone walles and at euerie fiftéene paces a bulwarke and without the wall commonly all of them haue a riuer or else a great déepe moote wherein they may bring water at all times with the which they are very strong they doo vse no fortes neyther haue they any but
all slaine and some for the profession of the faith for the which they are holden for martyrs of Iesu Christ by the opinion of christians that doo dwell nigh when they vnderstood y e cause The most part of this kingdome are Moores therefore they do abhor the christians do make with them all the warrâ— they can but in especiall with them that dwell in Malaca whom many times they haue put in great danger of their liues and losse of their goods Running froÌ„ this kingdome of Malaca by the north northwest cost is the mightie kingdome of Pegu the which is in bignes greater theÌ„ Samatra equall in riches especially of pearls and al sorts of stones very fine christall there is great store of prouision and an infinite number of people and the king thereof is mightie to whoÌ„ as we haue said y e king of Cyan doth pay tribute because he ouercame him in a battaile which he had w t him in the yeare 1568. according vnto the common opinion the occasion was that vnderstanding how that the saide king of Syan had in his power a white Elephant whome those of the kingdome of Pegu do worship for God the king sent to buy the same and to giue for it so much as he would estéeme or value it but he vtterly denied the same and saide that he would not let him haue it for all that he had in his kingdom the which caused so great anger vnto the king that hee called together all the souldiers that he could make with determination to get by force of armes that which he could not by faire meanes and great ritches in the which he did so great diligence that in a fewe dayes hee had ioyned together an armie of a million and sixe hundreth thousande of men of warre with whome hee departed vnto the saide kingdome of Syan which was from his kingdome two hundreth leagues and did not onely performe his pretence in bringing away the white Elephant but did also make the king tributarie as he is vnto this day as hath bin declared vnto you The rites of the people and priestes of this countrie doo resemble much those of the kingdome of Syan they haue amongst them many monasteries of men that liue honestly solitarie with great penance and people verie apt to receiue the holy gospell For ouer and aboue that they are docible and of a good vnderstanding they are men which do studie philosophie and are well inclyned and charitable and haue a particular affection vnto vertue and vnto such as they do knowe that haue vertue and very friendly to remedie the necessitie of their poore neighbours Going from this kingdome towardes the north is the kingdome of Arracon verie plentifull of prouision but few things of contractation or marchandice which is the occasion that it is not well knowen to the Spaniardes for that they haue not gone thether They doo vnderstand of the naturall people and of their customes that they are very apt to receiue the holie gospell From this kingdome alongst the same coast you came vnto the kingdome of Vangala through the which doth passe the riuer Ganges one of the foure that comme foorth of paradice terrenall the which being vnderstood by a certaine king of this kingdome he determined to cause some to ascend vp that riuer till such time as he had found the head spring or head thereof and therewith paradice for the which effect he commanded to be made diuers â—ortes of barkes both small and great and sent in them vp the riuer certaine men of whose diligence hee had long experience were prouided with victuals for many daies and gaue commandement that presently after that theyhad discouered that which hee desired that they should returne with great spéede far to giue him particular and true relation with pretence foorthwith to go himselfe to inioy the things which he thought necessarie to be séene and woorthie to be desired of his trauaile and in a place so delightfull These men did nauigate vp the riuer many monethes and came vnto a place whereas the water came foorth so softly and with so small noyse which gaue them to vnderstande that they were not farre from the first head thereof which should be paradice that which they went to séeke They gaue to vnderstand that in this place after they had séene so many tokens comforted themselues with maruellous swéete smels and aires of great delight they thought verily that they had bin in the paradice terrenall And more when as they came vnto that place where as the riuer did runne so peaceable and the ayre so delicate and swéet there entred into the hearts of them all so great and extraordinarie ioy that they séemed to be in the true paradice and forgot all the trauaile that they had passed for to come thether and of any other thing that did signifie paine or griefe But when they did intend to go forwardes with this their pretence and intent and thereunto did put all diligence possible they found by experience that all their trauaile was in vaine and howe that they remained alwaies in one place and coulde not vnderstand from whence did come or procéede that contradiction they could not find in the waters by reason of the peaceablenesse thereof This experience being done attributing it vnto a miserie because they could not get a shore they returned backe againe by the same riuer till they came to their owne kingdome wheras they arriued in a very short time and gaue their king to vnderstand who sent them all as afore saide and many other thinges more the which I do leaue out for that I do take it apocripha They hold it for a certaintie that the riuers Eufrates and Tygris are not far from this riuer Ganges and it séemeth to be true for both of them doo discharge their currents or water into the Persian sea the which is not farre distant from this kingdome The people of this kingdome haue this riuer in great reuerence which is the occasion that they neuer enter into the same but with great respect and feare And when they doo washe or bath themselues in it they haue it for a certainetie that they remaine cleare from all their sinnes Likewise this kingdome with great ease might be conuerted vnto the catholike faith as it séemeth for that they haue amongst them many morall rites ceremonies and vertues CHAP. XXIIII Of the kingdome of Coromandel and others his borderers and of the citie of Salamina whereas was and died the glorious Apostle S. Thomas and of the power and riches of the king of this kingdome the order of their buryinges and other thinges of great curiositie RUnning alongest the coast from Vengala is the kingdome of Masulapatar and certaine other kingdomes nigh vnto the same they be all Gentiles as the rest of their borderers yet it is vnderstood with great facilitie they would leaue their opinions It is
a kingdome that hath great abundance of prouision and lacke of things of contractation or marchandice which is the occasion that they are little knowen Trauailing a little forwardes is the kingdome of Coromandel whose chiefe citie is called Calamina and nowe vulgarly Malipur and is there whereas was martyred the happie Apostle S. Thomas And they say that at this day there remaineth some of his relickes by whom God did many myracles The naturall people therefore haue a particular memory vntill this day of that saint This citie at this day is populared with Portingals and with the naturall people there is in it a church wherein is comprehended the house whereas was and died the holy Apostle this countrie belongeth vnto the king of Visnaga who although he be a Gentile he hath great reuerence and respect vnto the house of the holy Apostle and for particular deuotion he doth giue euerie yeare a certaine charitie There is in this citie two couentes of religious men the one of the companie of Iesus and the other of the order of S. Francis From this citie of Calamina to that of Visnaga there wheras the king is it is fiue and thirtie leagues by land This king is mightie and his kingdome very great and full of people and hath great rentes They say that onely the rent he hath of fine gold is worth vnto him thrée millions of the which he spendeth but one onely and doth keepe euerie yeare two millions in his treasorie the which according vnto the report fame is at this day with many millions He hath twelue principall or chiefe captaines and euerie one of them hath the gouernement of an infinite number of people hath great rent for the same for he that hath least rent hath sixe hundred thousand ducats yearely Euerie one of them are bound to giue the king to eate and all the people of his house one month in the yeare so that by this account the twelue captaines which are the lordes of the kingdome and as wee might say dukes doo beare his cost all the whole yeare The million the which he doth spend is in giftes and in extraordinarie thinges The king hath in his house what with wiues seruants and slaues nigh about fourtéene thousand persons and in his stable ordinarily a thousand horse and for his seruice and garde eight hundreth Elephants of whoÌ„ he doth spend euerie day eight hundreth ducats The garde of his person is â—oure thousand horsemen to whoÌ„ he giueth great wages He hath also in his house thrée hundreth wiues besides a great number of concubines they goe all gallantly apparelled and with rich iewels of the which there are of great estimation in y e kingdome they do almost euerie three daies change newe colors of apparell They do ordinarily vse colors of precious stones such as are called in spaine ojo de gato cats eies They haue great store of saphires pearles diamonds rubies many other stones y t are in that kingdome in great abundance Amongest all these wiues there is one that is as legitimate whose children doo inherite and if it so fall out that she is barren the first that is borne of any of y e other doth inherite which is the occasion that they neuer lacke a successor in that kingdome When the king of this kingdome doth die they do carrie him foorth into a mightie fielde with great sadnesse and mourning apparell and there in the presence of those twelue péeres a fore saide they do burne his bodie with wood of Sandalo which is of a great smell with the which they do make a great fire After that the bodie of the king is burned and consumed they throwe into the same the wiues that hee best loued with seruants and slaues those that he most estéemed in his life time the which they do with so great content that euery one dooth procure to be the first for to enter into the fire and they that are last do thinke themselues vnhappie All these do say that they go to serue the king in the other life whereas they shalbe with great ioy This is the occasion that they goe with so good a will to die and carrie with them the most richest and festiuall apparell they haue Of this is gathered that they do beléeue the immortalitie of the soule for that they doo confesse there is an other life and that thither they do returne and liue for euer without ende They are people that would be conuerted with the like facilitie vnto the holy gospell as their neighbours if there went any thether to preach Thrée score and tenne leagues from this citie there is a Pagode or temple of Idols whereas is a rich faire euery yeare it is a very sumptuous building and edified in a place so high that it may be séene many leagues before you come vnto it It hath ordinarily foure thousande men of garde who are paide with the rent of the temple the which is rich and verye good There is nigh vnto the same many mynes of golde and precious stones and that is taken out of them is rent vnto the temple There is in it a prâ—est of the Idolles whom they call in their language brama and is as the high priest in that countrie All the people of the land do come vnto him to vnderstand the doubtes of their manner of liuing and he doth dispence with them in many things that be prohibited by their lawes y e which he may do according vnto the sayd lawes and manie times he doth dispence with certaine of theÌ„ But here one to be laughed at which is that when a woman cannot suffer the condition of her husbande or is wearie of him for other occasions she goeth vnto this Brama and giuing vnto him a péece of golde which may be to the value of a ducat in Spaine he doth vnmarry theÌ„ and setteth her at libertie that she may marry with an other or with many if she please in token of this she is giuen a marke with an yron vpon her right shoulder so that with that alone she remaineth at libertie and her husband cannot do vnto her any harme for the same neither compell her to returne againe to his company There are in this kingdome many mynes of verie fine diamonds and are had in great estimation and very well knowen in Europe There hath béene found in them a stone so fine and of so great value that but few yeares past the king did sell the same vnto an other mightie king his borderer called Odialcan for a million of golde besides other thinges of value that hee gaue him ouer and aboue It is a healthfull countrie with very goâ—d and fresh ayres rich of prouisions and of all other necessaries not only for the humaine life but also for curiositie and delightes that be therein It is in fourtéene degrées towardes the pole artico All the people therein are faint hearted and cowards and for
little trauaile which is the occasion that they are nothing affectionate vnto warres and is vnderstoode with great facilitie they would receiue the gospell Nigh vnto the same there is an other little kingdome called Mana in the which there is a towne with Portingals y e which is called in their language Negapatan there is in the same a couent of the order of S. Francis whose religious fryers although they are but a few do occupie themselues in the conuerting of the naturall people thereof and it is to be beléeued that they shall reape much fruite and doo good for they haue giuen showes of the same for that about thrée yeares past the prince of that countrie was conuerted by the preaching of the same fryers who went now to receiue the holy baptisme with great and incredible ioy vnto the christians All the rest of the kingdome as it is beléeued will shortly imitate him In this Iland there are many pearls and aliofer al very good round and fine CHAP. XXV This chapter treateth of manie kingdomes of that newe worlde the rites and customes of the inhabitants and of some curious thinges THe afore saide father Martin Ignacio departed with his companions from this cost and went towards the Ilands of Nicobar wheras are many Moores gentiles al mingled the one with y e other They did not stay there but presently passed to the town of Cuylan which is inhabited with Portingals from Malaca 416. leagues This Iland is situated froÌ„ sixe vnto ten degrées vnder our pole hath in longitude thrée score and sixe leagues and nine and thirtie of latitude Of oldâ— time it was an Iland much celebrated in those partes had in great reuerence for that it is saide that there dwelt died there in times past men whose soules are in heaueÌ„ and are celebrated honored by theÌ„ of the countrie as though they were gods with many sacrifices and orations the which they do ordinarily There come from other kingdomes bordering therupon vnto this Ilande many pilgrimes but our people could neuer vnderstand the ground occasion thereof neither how they liued whom they doo hold for saints There is vpon the same Iland a very high mountaine which is called Pico de adan which father Martin did sée did heare the naturall people thereof say that it had that name for that by the same Adam went vp into heauen but what Adam it was they could not declare There is on this Pico like a monasterie the which the naturall people doo call Pagode At one time they had therein an Apes toâ—th the which they did worship for their God and therâ— came thither vnto that effect some two hundred and thrée hundred leagues It so happened in the yeare 1554. the vizroy of India called Don Pedro Mascarenas sent an army vnto this kingdome with many Portugals with intent to reduce them vnto the obedience of the king of Portugall all of that country as they were before who few yeares past did rise against them and tooke away and denied their fewter The souldiers did sack that Pagode or monastery and thinking to finde some treasure therein they broke it and beat it downe vnto the foundation and there they found the aforesaid apes tooth the which they did worship put in a chest of golde and stones and carried it vnto Goa vnto the said vizroy When that this was vnderstood and knowne to other kings their borderers and vnto him of Pegu of this losse the which of them was iudged to bee great they sent their Ambassadors to the said vizroy that they might in the name of them all demaunde the saide tooth the which they did worship to offer for the ransome thereof seuen hundred thousand ducats of gold The viceroy woulâ— haue giuen it them for that quantitie of gold which they did offer would haue done it in effect if it had not bin for the archbishop of Goa who was called Don Gaspar other religious meÌ„ who did disturbe him putting great scrupulositie laide vnto his charge the hurt that come by their Idolatrie in giuing them the same of the which he should giue a straight account vnto God The which did so much in him y t he dispatched away the embassador without any regard of the gold y t they would haue giuen him in their presence he did deliuer y e same vnto the said archbishop religious men they before their eies did break it burnt it threw the dust thereof into the sea which was not a little woonder vnto the said embassadors to sée how little they did estéeme so great a quantitie of golde and for a thing which they estéemed not but threw it into the sea with so great liberalitie This Ilande is fertile peaceable healthfull and all full of woods and there are mountaines very thicke of orenge trees siders Limas Plantanos Palmas and many synamon trées which be the best in all the world of most strength effect for y e which they go to buy for to bring it vnto Europe they giue it for a small price Likewise there is pepper but the naturall people did pull vp certaine hils that were ful of it of sinamon because they saw there came from farre to buy these two coÌ„modities fearing y t it would be an occasion y t their country would be taken from them It is a countrie of great prouision doth bring foorth mightie elephants and they say that there is many mynes of diamoÌ„ds rubies other stones y t are called girasolis In no part of this orientall Indies there was none of so good a beginning in the coÌ„uersion of the soules as was in this Iland for that certaine religious friers of the order of S. Francis did labor very much and did baptise in a few daies more than fiftie thousand soules which gaue to vnderstand that with a verie good will they did receiue the law of the gospell and had ediâ—ted many churches and fourtéene monasteries of the same religion but few yeares past a king of that kingdome being weary of certaine things which in all that Indians are very publicke he forsooke the religion faith he had receiued and did rase destroy many portingals y t where there inhabited thrusting forth all y e religious men that did baptise minister the sacraments This euill king was called Raxu Many of them y t were christened content w t the faith of Iesu Christ they had receiued detesting y t which this tirannous king had done they went dwelt in y e company of the portingals others did build a town the which is called in their language Columbo whereas is a great number of them vnto this day do indure throughout al that kingdom the crosses in token of their ancient christianitie alongst all the coast they doe vse many Galiotas or gallyes goe with them robbing and spoyling al thereaboutes The naturall
So that after the aforesaid father frier Martin Ignacio had made his account of all that he had trauelled from the time he departed from Siuel til he returned vnto Lysborne in compassing the world he found that it was nine thousand and forty leagues by sea by lande besides many other leagues that he trauelled in China and in other parts of the which hee dooth make no account All these leagues are full of mightie kingdomes and al or the most part of them are subiect vnto the tyranny of lucyfer God for his infinite mercy conuert them and take pittie on them as hee did when that he came from heauen vppon the earth to die for all put into the heart of the king of Spaine that amongst other good workes the which with his most Christian zeale dooth intend and do for to procure this which will bee so much vnto the glory of God and great desert of honor vnto himselfe the which he may do very commodiously being as he is at this day Lord of all the Indies and of the biggest part of all that newe world This petition is worthy that all we Christians doo desire of God for that his holy name in all the world may be praised and exalted and the sonnes of Adam who for their sinnes are so dispersed and forgotten of God and first beginning they may go and inioy the happy and glorious kingdome for the which they were created FINIS Excellent â—lummes Excellent white sugar good cheape Honie wax Excellent good silke Great store of flaxe and hempe CottoÌ„ wool wheat and barlie rie oates Great abundance of rice Chestnuts All kind of beasts Excellent furres Muske Great store of buffes Deere hogs and goates Great store of wildfoule Foule soâ—de by waight A penie Reubarbe and other medicinall hearbs Foure hundred of Nutmegs for sixe pence Cloues sixe pound for 3 pence the like of pepper Sinamom 25. pound for two shilings Mines of gold and siluer other mettals Iron and steele 4. shilling a quintal Siluer is more worth then gold Great store of pearles 243. kings The mightie city of Causie The China is in compas 3000. leagues and 1800. â—eagues long The mightie citie called Suntien or Quinsay A wal of 500 leagues long Great abundance of wool and good cheape Shooes and bus kines of veluet Great abundance of Marters furres An il vse and custome A good custome to auoid inconueniences Ingenious people WagoÌ„s with sailes Cloth of gold tissue silke Porâ—â—an All occupations bee in streetes by themselues The son inherits his fathers occupation A strange image A mysterie of the trinitie S. Thomas preached in this kingdome The martyrdome of saint Thomas A false myracle They cast lottes They throw their gods vnder their feete A hogs head for a sacrifice Another kind of lots Inuocation to the diuell The diuell telleth lies Strange opinions Marueilous barieties The first inuention of â—â—re Strange opinions The inuention of plough and spade The first king of China The soule is immortall Strange ob sequies They make their sacrifices in the night Great superstition Gallant colours for religious men Gallant bels The eldest sonne is prohibited to take orders A straung kindof buriall They that haue most daughters are most richest They may marrie with many wiues Honest women A straung kind of marriage A good order to auoid idle people I would the like were with vs. A very good order A mirror for vs to looke vpon Vitey the first king of China Which is foure yeardes quarter and halfe The first inuention of garments and dying oâ— colours No women to be idle A strange kind of hâ—â—rb A citie of a daies iourney long Foure curious halles Punished for taking bribes The rent of the king Puregold Fine siluer Pearles Precious stones Muske and amber Rice Barley Wheate Salt Mayz Millo Panizo Other graine Peeces of silke Raw silke Cotton wool Mantels Great care for to defend their countrie Uerie ill horsemen The number of souldiers in all China The souldier is roially paid The number of footemen horsemen They haue no neede of other nations Straight lawes Councellers must be expert in sciences Euery prouince hath his viceroy Captaine generall A very good propertie of Iustices A very good order A very good consideration An occasion of amitie betwixt neighbours Cruell tormentes A more cruelâ— torment A great care to do true Iustice. Ceremonies in performing of their oth Thirteene prisons in euery great cittie Uictualing houses in the prisons and shops Adulterie is death Paper made of the filme of canes Pens made of canes Any good thing gratified The order of their commencement in schooles The first inuenting of armor Artilerie 1300. yeares before vs. A strange kind of courtesie Where Limahon was bornâ— One rouer robbed an other One hundred and thirtie great ships of warre with fortie thousand men They do more estâ—eme honoâ— than losse of ships or men A good praise of others The captaine generall of the king of China Omoncon promiseth to carrie the friers vnto China A good pretence The Friers names that weÌ„t to China A token that fine cloath is esteemed They departed towards China Their compasses diuided into 12. parts They leaue the worshiping of one Idol to worship another They call the Spaniards Castillias Ensignes to knowe the Iustices â—e first lanâ—ing of the Fryers The vse of their bankets Wine of a palme tree A thing to keepe away the sunne The people of the countrie weare no weapons but the souldiers Chincheo hath seuentie thousand housholds A thousand ships in one riuer They haue no vse of castles Earth quaks in this countrey Rich marchandice Triumphant arches Great maiâ—stie He offered 500. shippes of warre Note the spaniards â—nsolencie A citie of three hundred thousand housholds A city bigger theÌ„ the other and requireth three daies to go from one gate to an other Seuentie leagues compasse The wall of the Citie is fiue fadam high fourâ— broad The citie double mooted A strange â—eremonie Comedies vsed amongest them Tomblers The argument of theâ—â— comedie All things good cheape 111. Idols in one chappell People in great subiecâ—ion Suspition of euill The vse of their mustering Souldiers are punished Their mustering is one throughout the whole kingdome SuperstitioÌ„ To keepe away the sun Sâ—range sacrifices Mine kine and horse The Chinos are fearefull of the sea From the Philippinas to the China is two hundred leagues The papists and â—hâ— Infidels â—eremoniâ—s much alike The Spaniards rise at thei midnight mattens and whip themselues They were in great perill The Friers vsed certaine coniurations for that S. Antonie was a sleepe Marke the Friers conâ—fession of Images The Chinos most vpright in all their iudgements and in execution of iustice The vizroies commission A sacred thing no doubt of it A prophesie Canarias Fortunadas The names of the Canarias Much snow Great quantitie of brimstone Thedropping from a tree doth seruethe whole Iland with water Opinions of this Iland