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land_n	castle_n	city_n	country_n	14,211	5	9.6922	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52346	An embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China deliver'd by their excellencies, Peter de Goyer and Jacob de Keyzer, at his imperial city of Peking : wherein the cities, towns, villages, ports, rivers, &c. in their passages from Canton to Peking are ingeniously describ'd / by Mr. John Nieuhoff ... ; also an epistle of Father John Adams their antagonist, concerning the whole negotiation ; with an appendix of several remarks taken out of Father Athanasius Kircher ; English'd, and set forth with their several sculptures, by John Ogilby Esq. ...; Gezantschap der Neerlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie aan den grooten Tartarischen Cham, den tegenwoordigen keizer van China. English	Nieuhof, Johannes, 1618-1672.; Goyer, Pieter de.; Keizer, Jacob de.; Kircher, Athanasius, 1602-1680. China monumentis. Selections. English.; Ogilby, John, 1600-1676.; Schall von Bell, Johann Adam, 1592?-1666.; Nederlandsche Oost-Indische Compagnie.	1673 (1673)	Wing N1153; ESTC R3880	438,428	416

causes so many safe Harbors and Roads for Shipping in these Parts The Country is in some places flat and even and in others Hilly and Mountainous especially toward the South as we often found to our great inconvenience upon our Voyage This Province produces all things necessary for the sustenance of Man as likewise several sorts of rich Wares and Commodities as well Artificial as Natural It likewise yields the Husbandman Fruits twice ayear as Rice Corn and other Products for in it you have no cold Weather all Winter so that the Chineses have a Proverb among them that there are three very strange things in Quantung viz. The Heaven without Snow Trees green in Winter as in Summer and The Inhabitants spitting Blood for first of all it never Snows here the Trees are never unperwig'd and the Inhabitants continually chewing the Leaves of Betel and Areka prepar'd after their way makes their Spittle red From hence comes likewise great quantities of Gold Pearl Precious Stones Silk Quick-silver Copper Steel Iron Salt-petre Eagle-Wood and several other odoriferous Woods The People in these Parts are very ingenious laborious and nimble and can imitate any thing which they see made before them and whatsoever the Portugueses bring thither out of Europe woven of Gold Silver or the like which is strange unto them they will immediately endeavor to work the same and in a short time will accomplish what they undertake for I gave a Chinese Goldsmith a Silver Button to make a Set by and the next day he brought to my Lodging what I had bespoke very curiously wrought as if he had been us'd to such work though he had never done the like before which argues their Ingenuity to be very great Among other Fowls which are to be seen in this Country are great store of Ducks which the Inhabitants have the art and way to raise and increase beyond all the rest of their Neighbors This Province is Govern'd as also each of the other Provinces in the Emperors Name by Governors who by those of Europe because their Offices and Employments much resemble Vice-Roys are call'd petty Kings who commonly reside in the first Chief City of the Province When we were at Canton Quantung was Govern'd by two Vice-Roys whereof one in regard of his Years was call'd the old and the other the young Vice-Roy The Portugueses call'd the young Vice-Roy Halick Mancebo The Vice-Roys of Quantung take place of all the Governors of the other Provinces because situated upon the Frontiers of the Kingdom and far remote from the Imperial City Peking and borders also upon the Sea by which means the High-ways are troubled with Robbers and the Sea with Pyrates therefore the Emperor orders that the Vice-Roys of Quantung shall Command over the Province of Quantung though this last as the other Provinces has also particular Vice-Roys This Country was formerly a Kingdom of it self and call'd Nainve and first brought under the Command of the Chinese Emperors at the end of the Reign of the Race of Cheva yet however it did not continue long under that Power but revolted and would be Rul'd by none but the Kings of Nainve The Emperor Hiaorus of the Family of Hana at last conquer'd this part since which time it has been subject to the Emperors of China In this Province are ten Chief Cities and seventy three small Cities without reckoning among them the City of Maccao famous for Traffick and Commerce The ten Chief Cities are these Quancheu or Canton Xaocheu Nanhiung Hoeicheu Chaocheu Chaoking Kaocheu Liencheu Lincheu and Kiuncheu The Chief City of Quancheu Commands over fifteen small Cities among which I do not reckon Maccao though it lies under the Command of this Chief City The 15 small ones of this great City are these Quancheu or Canton Xunte Tangvon Cengching Hiangxan Sinhoei Cingyven Sinning Cunghoa Lungumen Sanxui Lien Iangxan Tienxan and Singan The second Capital City Xaocheu Commands over six small Cities Xaocheu Locang Giughoa Iuyven Ungyen and Ingote The Country about this Chief City is for the most part full of Hills The third Chief City is Nanhiung or Nanhung and Commands over two Cities Nanhiung and Xihing The fourth Chief City is Hoeicheu and Commands over 10 small Cities Hoeicheu Polo Haifung Hoiven Lungchuen Changlo Hingning Hoping Changing and Iunggan The fifth Chief City is Chaocheu and Commands likewise over 10 small Cities Chaocheu Chaoyang Kieyang Chinghiang Iaoping Tapu Hoeilai Cinghai Puning and Pingyven The sixth Chief City is Chaoking and Commands over eleven Cities Chaoking Sinhoei Sinhing Yangchun Yangkiang Caoming Genping Teking Quangning Fuchuen and Kalklen The seventh Chief City is Caocheu and Commands over six small Cities Caocheu Tienpe Sing Hoa Vuchnen and Xeching The eighth Chief City is Lieucheu and Commands over four small Cities Lieucheu Knig Lingxan and Xelien The ninth Chief City is Luicheu and Commands over three small Cities Luichtu Sniki and Siuven The tenth Chief City is Kiuncheu situated in the Island of Hainan and Commands over twelve small Cities Kiuncheu Lincao Tingan Veuchung Hoeitung Lohoei Chen Changhoa Van Linxui Yai and Cangen In this whole Province are ten Forts or Castles which serve for the Defence of the Province and the Sea the Names whereof are these Taching Tung Hanxan Ginghai Kiacu Kiexe Ciexing Hiung Iunching and Ciungling The Chinese Toll-Book wherein the number of the People of each Province is set down makes mention of Four hundred eighty three thousand three hundred and sixty Families and Nineteen hundred seventy eight thousand and twenty Fighting Men in this Province The Taxes which this Province pays yearly to the Emperor amounts to Ten hundred seventeen thousand seven hundred and twenty two Bags of Rice and seven thousand three hundred and fourscore Weight of Salt CANTON On the Water side the City is defended with two rows of high and thick Walls which are strengthned with Bulwarks Watch-Towers and other Forts and beside these Works there are two other strong water-Water-Castles which being built in the middle of the River render this City invincible One of these two Castles which I saw my self and which doth not much differ in any thing from the other I took an exact Draught of which you have here presented shewing the Strength of the Place and in what manner built The City is likewise defended and surrounded on the Land side with a strong Wall and five strong Castles whereof some are within the Walls and others without upon the tops of steep Hills so that this City is sufficiently both by Sea and Land defended against all the Invasions of any Enemy whatsoever and in the opinion of some seems invincible What concerns the Idol-Temples Courts and Palaces of Great Lords and other rare Edifices which are to be seen here there is no City in all Asia that shews the like Here also are several Triumphal Arches which have been erected to the Honor of such as have done their Country Service They are no small

belong'd to the Imperial Palace but all things were in disorder and in a decay'd condition without any Furniture but two or three broken Benches some Kettles and a few little Dishes for Thea. His Horses Mules Asses Dromedaries and Camels went up and down in the Court the Stables being all ruin'd and spoil'd From this Tartar's Lodgings the Ambassadors were conducted by the Agent to his own House to a sumptuous Dinner then made ready by his order for them where he entertain'd them till Night with all manner of Dainties Which done they thank'd him for his great kindness and civility took their leaves and return'd aboard their Vessels in which they lay all their Voyage both to and from Peking except at Canton Nangan and Peking This stately City which without parallel is the Diadem of all China lies about thirty five Miles from the foremention'd Taiping on the East-side of the River Kiang and in 32 Degrees of Northern Latitude Her situation is most pleasant and the Soil luxuriously fruitful the River running quite through this City whereof some Streams are navigable for great Vessels Here was formerly kept the Court of the old Chinese Emperors the Residence of the ancient Kings of U Cyu Cung Ci Leang Chin and Tanga Here also Reign'd many Lustres the Race of Taiminga till they remov'd to Peking the better to prevent the Invasions and Designs of the Tartar The Founder of this City was Gnens King of Cu who nam'd it Kinling which signifies A Golden Countrey Afterwards the first Branch of the Race of Cina call'd it Moling The Kings of U who kept their Courts in this City call'd it Kienye The Race of Tanga gave it the Name of Kiangxin but that of Taiminga call'd it Ingcien And last of all the Tartars who not many years since over-ran and conquer'd all China gave it again the Name of Kiangxing Where this City borders on the River Kiang it hath a broad and deep Gra●● into which you come out of the Kiang up to the Town about half a Mile within the Land Here they pass over on a Bridge of Boats which brings them conveniently into the City whose East-side which runs far into this Country covers a Flat with several Navigable Channels running through so that you may come with large Vessels up to the Town on that side Over these Channels are several Stone Bridges very rarely built The Chineses describe the Circumference of this later Wall by two Horsemen who in the Morning setting forth at one and the same Gate parted riding contrary and they say met not till the close of the Evening by which they would have us guess at the vast Circumference of their City The first Vesture of the City is above thirty Foot high built Artificially of Stone with Breast-Works and Watch-Towers There are thirteen Gates in this Wall whose Doors are plated with Iron and guarded continually with Horse and Foot Some of these Gates rest on four or five Arches through which you pass before you come into the City We lay with our Vessels before the Gate Suisimon or Water-gate So great a number of People pass daily to and again through this Gate that there is no getting in or out without much crowding The chief Streets of this City are twenty eight Paces broad very neatly pav'd and strait In the Night there is such good order observ'd for the preventing of House breaking or disturbance in the Streets that there is not the like in any other part of the World The ordinary Citizens Houses are but mean built without any convenience and stand all with the cross Ridges next to the Street They have but one Door to go in and out and but one Room to eat and sleep in Next the Street appears onely a four-square Hole serving in stead of a Window to let in Light which is commonly cover'd with Reeds in stead of Glass to prevent Gazers from looking in The Houses are but one Story high being cover'd with White Pan-Tiles and the out-sides whited over with Chalk Such as dwell in these ordinary Houses drive very mean Trades but the Shops of the chief Citizens and Merchants are fill'd with all manner of rich Chinese Wares as Cottons Silk Stuffs China Dishes Pearls Diamonds c. Before each Shop stands a Board upon which is inscrib'd the Name of the Master in Gold Letters as also what Goods he sels Beside these Boards stands a high Pole which reaches above the House upon which they hang Pennons and Flags or something whereby they as we in Europe with our Signs make known their Habitations They have not here nor in all China any Coin'd Money but use in stead thereof small Pieces of Silver which are of different value and weight and though you buy never so little you must always have a Pair of Scales about you if you will not be cheated in the weight by these crafty Chineses for they have commonly two sorts of Weights by them and are so nimble and deceitful in their Balancing that you had need of Argus's Eyes when you buy any thing of them This great City is also so Populous that there are above 1000000 People dwelling in it and yet Provisions of all sorts are to be had there in great abundance at a small rate all the Year long the reason whereof is the fertility of the Soil round about Amongst other Fruits there are most delicious Cherries sold very cheap in this City Beside the vast number of People there lies a Garrison of 40000 Tartars Here resides also the Governor of the Southern Provinces in the Name of the Emperor This City likewise exceeds any other in China for stately Idol-Temples Towers rare Edifices and Triumphal Arches But the Emperor's Court or Palace formerly exceeded all the rest of the Buildings wherein the Emperor of China was wont to reside with the same State and Pomp as now at present the Great Cham doth at Peking This Palace was situated on the South-side of the City built four-square and surrounded with a Wall which contains the greatest part of the City Each side of the Square wherein this Palace was included contain'd in length one Italian Mile and three parts of a Dutch Mile and as near as could be guess'd by the decay'd Walls or might be learnt from the Inhabitants this Court or Palace with all belonging thereto was as big as Haerlem in Holland Within the first great Gate lay a large Court which led to the four Squares and was pav'd with fine smooth Stone The Tartars seated themselves near an Idol-Temple call'd Paolinxi where they built themselves several Huts leaving the Chineses to dwell in the City and there to drive their Trade The Buildings are all of a hard sort of Stone which the Natives have most curiously painted with a yellow Colour so that when the Sun reflects on them they shine like Gold Over the Gate of the second Court of this Palace hangs a great Bell about 10 or

Structures in Art and Costliness It is said to have been erected upon this account There was a certain Daughter who was worthy remark for her Obedience to her Mother-in-law she having one day a Pullet for Dinner invited her Step-Dame to the eating part of it who accepting the Invitation and coming to participate thereof had no sooner tasted of it but she fell down dead The Daughter was immediately apprehended brought before a Iudg and accus'd of poysoning her Mother-in-law and the matter of Fact being so clear was condemn'd to die As she was going to the Place of Execution she hapned to pass by a Pomegranate-Tree then in Blossom which holding fast in her Hand she Pray'd as is said after this manner If I have poyson'd my Step-Mother may the Flowers of this Branch now in my Hand wither but if I be innocent let the Branch live and bring forth Fruit immediately Which words were hardly pass'd her Lips before that Branch which she held in her Hand hung full of Pomegranates In remembrance of which so famous Miracle the Inhabitants built this Tower and call'd it Xelenhoa which signifies A Pomegranate-Tree In the Province of Chekiang in the Chief City Hangcheu are four of these Towers each of them nine Stories high and in the great City Niencheu is another of the like heighth Near to the City Vencheu lies a Hill call'd Paocai upon whose top stands a Tower nine Stories high which serves for a Land-Mark to the Ships and Mariners Sailing at Sea Lastly in the Province of Chekiang near to the City of Hangcheu lies a Mountain call'd Funghoang upon the top whereof stands a like Tower of nine Stories high Triumphal Arches MOst of the Cities in China both small and great are adorn'd and beautifi'd with Triumphal Arches stately Towers and Pyramids made of Stone or Marble with great Art Cost and Ingenuity and adorn'd with Images being generally erected in honor of some famous Act Thing or Person Those who have done their Country any signal Service have some of these set up to eternize their Memory almost after the same manner as was formerly practis'd by the ancient Romans So also if any have been more excellent in Learning or if any Magistrate hath signaliz'd himself by his good behavior in his Employment in honor of such Arches Towers Pillars or Pyramids are built and commonly plac'd as Ornaments in the chiefest Streets and most populous places Their fashion is this they have three Roofs the biggest in the middle and on each side a small one underneath which Men pass as it were through a very broad Gate the sides are adorn'd with Lions and other Images curiously cut out of Marble and fix'd thereto or otherwise very artificially bor'd through and sometimes adorn'd with small Images cut out of Stone so that it is indeed a thing deservedly to be admir'd which way they can bore through such great Stones and cut Images out of them as they lie fix'd in the Building The whole Arch for the most part consists of three Stories and is on the Front and Back alike for fashion so that when you look upon the one side you have in effect seen both sides Upon the top of all lies a blue Stone upon which the Emperor's Name in whose Government the same was erected is curiously Engraven in Letters of Gold In the middle also lies a very large flat Stone upon which is writ in gilt or blue Letters the Name Country and Dignity of him in whose behalf this Edifice was erected CHAP. XI Of Rivers Channels High-Ways Bridges Ships c. THrough the Province of Suchue runs the River To as far as Sinfan being a Branch brought from the River Kiang by the Command of the Emperor Ivos to hinder the overflowing of that River In the Province of Chekiang are most of the Rivers which come from the North made by Art so useful as if they had been naturally so It is highly to be admir'd and meriting the highest Commendation to consider with what labor and pains they have effected such vast Undertakings for in some places there are very large Channels running far up into the Country which have been digg'd and are pav'd on both sides with Stone Over which Channels lie many great and heavy Sluces with several Bridges convenient for Travellers either by Land or Water In Ningpo the ninth City of the Province of Chekiang both sides of the artificial Rivers for several Miles together are made up with Stone At the end of every River lies a Sluce through which all Vessels must pass before they come into it In the Country of the City Xaohing is an artificial River toward the East three days Iourney in length both sides whereof are made up with Brick to prevent the Earth from falling in to choke or clog up the same Common Ways THE common Passages or High-ways in China are contriv'd as much for the convenience and ease of Travellers as in any Place or the World We begin in the Southern Provinces where most of their Ways 〈◊〉 even and smooth the very Hills being made passable and a Way hewn 〈◊〉 through the Rocks by the labor of Mens Hands Upon these so commodious Ways stand several Marks of Stone which declare the Distances of Places from one another and every ten Miles there is a Post appointed to c●●ry the Emperors and Magistrates Letters and Commands which being 〈◊〉 receiv'd are deliver'd with extraordinary speed so that there happens nothing in any part of the Country but it is presently known through all the Empire At every eighth Stone which is a days Iourney you have one of his Majesties ordinary Houses built on purpose to receive and treat at the Emperors Charge all Governor 's and Magistrates that travel that way upon the Emperor's Service but before their Arrival they send a Messenger to certifie what day they intend to be there so that the Governor or Magistrate arriving finds all things in a readiness for him to wit Provisions Horses Chairs Track-men and Vessels of all sorts if he need any for whatsoever he desires is given notice of by him in a Letter The Banks of the Rivers are no less well contriv'd for the ease of Passengers than the common Ways for they suffer no Trees to grow within eight Foot of the Rivers side lest they should be a hindrance to the Boats that are Tow'd along by Ropes In the Province of Fokien near to the City Hinghoa the Ways are well and strongly pav'd with Stone for above four Dutch Mile in length Near to the City Hoanting lies a deep small and darkish Valley through which runs a pav'd Way two Miles in length Upon the Mountain Mechi which is in truth a Wilderness lies a firm but very narrow Way made by Art for Travellers to pass over and upon Co is a very steep Way at least ten Dutch Miles Near to the City of Kiangxan there is a great Mountain call'd Civen at least three hundred

At length I return'd to Sfahanum and here remain ready to fulfil the Commands of your Reverend Fatherhood But doth your Reverend Fatherhood in the mean while publish nothing to the World Such a Tree ought to bear some Fruit. Besides two Books that you were pleas'd to send me some Years since nothing else hath arriv'd at my Hands I have here Compos'd some Treatises about the Controversies of the Law in particular An Answer to the Polisher of the Looking-glass I know no Person that can better manage this Business at Rome than your Reverend self whom I beseech to render me more certain whether such Books can be Printed there but I much question whether any one can be found that will be at the Charge yet in this matter I shall determine nothing but what my Superiors shall ordain To conclude The least of your Reverend Fatherships Servants onely more especially requesteth this That you would retain this my Epistle by you for a Memorial and that you would not be unmindful of me in your Holy Sacrifices Dated near Xaxan about the time of the Festival of Saint Francis Xavier CHAP. V. The Voyage perform'd by Marcus Paulus Venetus and Haython the Armenian into Cathay or China SEeing none of the Ancients have describ'd the Kingdoms of the utmost Confines of the East more fully than Marcus Paulus Venetus therefore I esteem'd it my Duty to say somewhat of his Voyage into Cathay at this time having so fit an opportunity although there do many things occur which are neither apprehended nor understood at this very Day by any Geographer by reason of the variety of Names by which he calleth Kingdoms Provinces Cities Mountains Rivers and Lakes and that differently from all others and also by reason of the Description of some Cities which consent not with the modern Geography Moreover Marcus Paulus being ignorant of the use of the Globe hence it came to pass that he setteth not down the Longitude and Latitude of any City from which knowledge alone the true Situation of Places is found But now let us come to relate his Voyage Anno 1269. being Emperor of Constantinople two famous Persons of the Illustrious Family of the Paulini Nicolas and Matthew Citizens of Venice set forwards unto Constantinople in a Ship fraighted with divers Commodities where having a little refresh'd themselves and committing themselves to the Euxine Sea they arriv'd with prosperous Winds at a Port of Armenia call'd Soldadia Now what this Port of Soldadia is we have not hitherto found out I interpret it to be Trapezonmet seeing that there is no Port of the Armenians nearer the Euxine Sea neither can we discover what the Kingdom of Bartza is From the Kingdom of Bartza they came by great windings and turnings of the Land unto the City of Bochara situate on the River Oxus in the Kingdom of Usbeck where great Wars arising between the King of Bartza and the Tartars they were much perplex'd and ignorant which way to take to return into their own Country but at last upon serious Consideration and Advice they remain'd there full three years and that they might not spend their time idly in that space they apply'd themselves with all their endeavor to the attaining of the Tartarian Tongue While Affairs were in this Condition an Ambassador came to Bochara to Treat with the Great Emperor of Tartary where when he had found these fore-mention'd Persons he us'd his utmost Endeavors both in reference unto their great and noted Behaviour and the Tartarian Tongue in which they were excellently accomplish'd to have them with him in his Return to the Great Cham to whom he knew they would be very acceptable therefore they relying on the Advice of the Ambassador after the Travel of several Months made their appearance before the Great Cham. He first of all admiring the Countenance and Behavior of these Europeans and also being led with a curiosity of understanding the Affairs of Europe was wholly intent upon the discovery of the Mode and Form of the Government of the Occidental Regions enquiring of them concerning the Pope the Emperor and the Rites of the whole Empire as well those that are observ'd in Peace as War Unto which when they had prudently reply'd they so far wrought upon the Emperor that entring into Counsel with his Nobles he concluded upon sending an Ambassador to the Pope of Rome which he thought fit in his Name to impose on these Paulini whose Faith and Sincerity he had now sufficiently try'd and together with them he sent a Golden Table and Letters in which he requested his Holiness would send him an hundred Persons conspicuous both for Learning and Wisdom to instruct his Subjects in the Christian Faith which he said was the best and most pure of all others Wherefore these Persons having receiv'd their Embassy immediately set forward on their Voyage having this Golden Table which was Seal'd with the Seal of the Great Cham and also having his Letters in which he commanded all his Subjects to receive them with all Honor and Affection and discharge them of all Customs and Tribute Thus they follow'd on their Iourney by the great assistance of the Golden Table and after the space of some Months came at length to Balzra a Port of the Armenians now what this Port was whether on the Caspian or Euxine Sea I have not as yet found it is most probable to be the Port of Trapezonment plac'd in a Corner of the Euxine Sea for from this Port within a few Months Anno 1272. they came to Ancona which could not be perform'd from the Caspian Sea by reason of the great space of Land and Regions interjoin'd Moreover having return'd unto Ancona whence they departed the report of the death of Clement the Fourth being nois'd abroad and no other as yet plac'd in the Apostolical Seat being destitute of Advice they were not a little disturb'd and setting forward unto Venice to visit their native Soil they heard of the Election of a new Pope Here Nicolas found his Wife whom he had left great with Child at his departure to be dead having left behind her Marcus a Son of fifteen years of Age who afterwards became the Companion of his Father into those remote Regions of Asia which his Father had before travell'd unto and also was the Author and Writer of this Geographical History Wherefore a new Pope being chosen and nam'd Gregory the Tenth Rudulphus being Emperor by the unanimous Approbation of the Cardinals they return to Ancona having deliver'd the Letters of the Great Cham together with the Presents to the Pope with which he being mov'd and greatly rejoycing that he had a fit opportunity offer'd him for the Propagation of the Gospel ●e return'd a Literal Missive unto the Great Cham in which all things were contain'd that might seem necessary to instruct them better in the Christian Religion and render the mind of the Great Cham more flexible and yielding unto

likewise discharg'd by our Host. The next day we departed from Cining and after a few Hours Sailing we past by a Village call'd Nanwaig lying on the Bank of this Royal Channel where this and the River Luen meet and mingle their Waters The Tartars and Chineses told us strange Stories of this River amongst the rest That if you fling in nine Sticks six would drive toward the South and three toward the North. We seem'd much to admire at the Report but scarcely believ'd it till we made the Experiment our selves by flinging so many Sticks into the Water which convinc'd us of the truth of what had been told us But neither the Tartars Chineses nor other Inhabitants were able to give us any account of this Wonderful Mystery of Nature This I tried over against an Idol-Temple call'd The Royal Serpent concerning which the Chineses told us several Wonders Upon the 19. of the same Month we came to a small City call'd Xantsui being the 23. under the Command of the Chief City Yengcheu This Place lies abont thirty Miles from Cining on both sides of this Royal Channel and is guarded at each end with a strong Castle The Country round about lies often under Water by the overflowing of the Yellow River which sometimes rises to that heighth that it drowns and carries away whole Towns and Villages The next Morning we set Sail from Xantsui and by the way we saw several fair Villages and Corn-Fields on both sides of this Royal Channel as also several strong Sluces which did not a little hinder us in our Passage for between Xantsui and Lincing we past through 58 Sluces Not far from Xantsui stands a famous Idol-Temple call'd Teywanmiao which is held in such great esteem amongst them that they reckon it for one of the chiefest in all China It is built very high with strong Walls of gray Stone and gallantly adorn'd after the Chinese fashion The top of this Temple is cover'd with Yellow glaz'd Tiles and the Walls are also colour'd after the same manner so that when the Sun shines it glisters like Gold all over Upon the twentieth of Iune we came to Tuncham the third Chief City of the Province of Xantung built in a foursquare form and environ'd with Walls and Bulwarks the Streets thereof are large and well-built In the middle of the City stands a high and curious Fabrick with four brave Arches having strong Walls and Bulwarks with several Gates leading into it On the North-side runs a broad Water which encompasses the City over which is a Wooden Bridge of 137 Foot long by which they pass into the North part of the City On the South-side are stately Suburbs which in respect of the Inhabitants and the greatness of their Trade may very well pass for another City It is well built with goodly Houses and Idol-Temples Toward the East the Inhabitants shew'd us a very large Iron Tomb which they told us was erected at least 700 Years ago for some Great Lord whose Memory the Chineses had in much Honour having done his Country some signal and remarkable Service and for which he lost his Life in the Wars Round about this City the Land is very low and flat but wondrous fruitful in the product of all things necessary for Humane Sustenance No part of China produces so much Silk as this the Inhabitants thereof living chiefly by this Manufacture wherewith they Trade into other Countries Here the Inhabitants told us is sometimes found a Stone in the Maw of the Cows which the Chineses call Nieuhoang which signifies The Yellow of the Cows This Stone is about the bigness of a Goose Egg outwardly it seems to be of a soft chalkie substance only of a yellowish Colour and is by some thought to be the Bezoar Stone The Chinese Chyrurgeons highly commend it and use great diligence for the procuring of it they write That it is of a cold temper and very sovereign in fainting and swooning Fits In the Country of this Chief City near to the eleventh small City call'd Laotung lies amongst the rest a Hill call'd Mingxe which signifies The Stone of Noise Upon the top of this Hill as the Inhabitants related to us stands a Column of 100 Rod high which as soon as touch'd with the Finger sounds like a Drum from which Noise the Hill derives its Name The Chineses also told us That near to Quonching the seventeenth small City of this Chief City is a Pool call'd Ho wherein formerly the King of Guei kept and fed his Cranes with great care and delight The Chineses in this Country as likewise through all China feed this Bird in their Houses as they do also the Stags which being Creatures of long life they fancy to themselves that in having of them to breathe upon them they shall likewise live long We continu'd all Night in our Vessels before this City and set Sail the next Morning and past over the Pool Nanyang which abounds with Fish and that Night came to the City of Lincing which lies about thirty Miles from the City Tungchang and is situated on both sides of the Royal Channel We lay at the end thereof where that and the River Guei separate the Province of Xantung from that of Peking and mingle and unite their Waters We were no sooner arriv'd at this City but the Governor appear'd upon the Wall near the Place where we lay with our Vessels to welcom and receive the Ambassadors with all manner of kindness Pinxenton and the other Mandorins went first ashore to him whereupon the Governor sent for some Chairs for the Ambassadors who follow'd the Mandorins and were most civilly receiv'd by him intimating that he could not entertain them at his Court because they had not yet appear'd before the Emperor at Peking The Ambassadors sent some Presents to the Governor who for the same Reason refus'd them Because this Lincing lies at the end of the Yellow Channel near the River Guei and so consequently a very commodious Harbor for Shipping all manner of Goods and Wares are brought from all Parts of China to this City for which they must pay Custom there and for this reason the Emperor has three Commissioners resining in that Place to receive his Dues This Navigation occasions so great a Trade in Lincing that it exceeds the other eighteen small Cities which belong to the Chief City of Tunchang in Number of People Plenty of all manner of Things Gallantry of Buildings and Greatness of Commerce neither gives she place to any Inferior City in the whole Empire On both sides of the Royal Channel near to the City stand two strong and large Castles one against the other which are no small Strength to the Place by which no Vessel whatsoever can pass without paying their Duties In this Channel are likewise just before the City two strong and heavy Sluces to force back the upper Water which runs from the River Guei and is sometimes two or three Foot higher