River Min is no way inferior either in beauty or worth or bigness to the Metropolis Father Martin affirms this City to be Venetus his Quelingfu In this last Tartarick War this City suffer'd much damage for having revolted from the Tartars it was taken after a long Siege and laid in Ashes and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword The Fire consum'd here a Bridge over the swift River Min the Pillars whereof were of an exceeding heighth of Free-stone the other parts of Wood beautifi'd on the top with Houses and Shops on each side but since by re-building it hath re-gain'd somewhat of former lustre Beyond the Bridge on the opposite Shore stands a stately Pagode Most of the new Buildings fall short of their old beauty notwithstanding the Chinese Towns that are consum'd by Fire are much more easily re-built than those in Europe because most of them are nothing but Wood. Near the City Kienning is another fair Bridge with Shops and Houses on both sides This City Kienning is a Place of great Trade for all those Commodities that come either up or down the River must pass through it When they come to the City Pucing they are taken out of the Vessels and by Porters carry'd to a Village call'd Pinghu belonging to the City Kiangxan over high Mountains and deep Valleys four days Journey In like manner they are carry'd from Pinghu to Puching The whole Way as much as is possible to be done by the Art or Labor of Man is made even and Pav'd with square Stones along whose sides are built many Houses and Villages onely to entertain Travellers The Merchandises being first weighed are deliver'd to the Master of the Inn which send them for a certain Gratuity by Porters to other Places where the Merchant without any trouble receives them If any thing chance to be lost the Host is bound to make it good Here are always above ten thousand Porters ready which wait to receive the Goods and carry them over the Mountains Because of this Carriage of so many Goods a House stands erected for the receiving a small Custom or Duty towards the maintaining and reparation of the High-ways The fifth Tract of Land call'd Ienpingfu makes the Centre of this Territory and borders in the East at the chief County Focheufu in the South and South-West at Civencheufu and Kancheufu on the West and North at Tingcheufu Xaounfu and Kienningfu King Cyn was the first that call'd the chief City and the Countrey thereto belonging Ienping the Family Tang nam'd it Kiencheu that of Sung Nankien but Taiming restor'd its antient Name Ienping This Ienpingfu contains seven Towns and Cities of which Ienping is the chiefest next Cianglo Xa Yonki Xunchan Iungan and Tatien The City Ienping lieth on the Western Shore of the River Min from whence it rises with its Buildings up the Hills rendring a delightful Prospect to those that pass by and though none of the biggest yet it is beautifi'd with several fair Houses The Walls exceed in heighth the neighboring Ascents which on the out-sides are inaccessible making the City very strong and indeed the Key to the whole Territory On the East-side is a Lake made by the Rivers Min and Si. Almost every House is furnish'd with Water convey'd to them through Pipes from the Mountains which Convenience no other Place in China hath Not far distant lay over the Rivers Min and Si two fair Bridges near which are two Temples The Town of Xa lieth on the Northern Shore of the River Taisu though formerly on the Southern Shore but was by the Emperors Order pull'd down to the Ground and left desolate because in it a young Man had Murder'd his Father The sixth Division being Tingcheufu is the most Western of this Territory borders Easterly on Ienpingfu on the South-East at Quantung on the West at that of Kiangsi and on the North Xaounfu This Countrey belong'd also heretofore to the Princes Min King Cyn gave it the Name of Sinlo and the Tang Family that which it bears at present in which Tincheufu was only a small Town but the Taimingian Family made it a chief City This Countrey contains eight Towns and Cities viz. Tingcheu the chief Winghon Xanghang Vuping Cinglieu Lienching Queihon and Iungting The seventh County call'd Hinghaofu is a small yet fruitful Countrey and borders on the East and South-East with the Sea on the South at Civencheufu on the West at Ienpingfu on the North at the Tract of Land belonging to the Metropolis Focheu King Sui gave it first the Name of Putien the Family Sung that of Hinghoa which signifies A Budding Flower afterwards the same Family call'd it Hingan but by the Taimingian the antient Name of Hinghoa was restor'd This Shire hath onely two Cities whereof Hinghoa is the chief the other call'd Sienlieu is but small but the Countrey abounds with Villages and Hamlets All the Ways being sixty Stadia's long and a Rod in breadth are Pav'd with square Free-stone The City Hinghoa is very neatly built and adorn'd with many triumphal Arches and full of Colledges for the training up of Youth in Literature and encouragement of Learning At the Foot of the Mount Hocung South-Eastwards from Hinghoa lies a Village in splendor and bigness of Buildings like a great City but hath neither Walls nor any Priviledges belonging to it yet many rich Merchants reside there which Traffick through all China On the Shore of the Lake Ching lying at the Foot of the Mount Chiniven Northward from Hinghoa stands a great Palace with ten Gardens belonging to it in which before either Rain or tempestuous Weather happens as the Chineses say is a ringing noise heard like the sound of a Bell. The eighth County being Xaounfu borders Easterly at Kienningfu in the South at Ienpingfeu and Tingcheufeu in the West North-West and North at the Territory Kiangsia This Division reckons four Cities the chief of which is Xaouw the rest Quangce Taining and Kienning The City Xaouw the most Northern of this Territory was antiently a mean Place under the Princes of Mins Jurisdiction and was first fortifi'd with Walls and the Title of City given it by the Family call'd Tang yet hath ever preserv'd its Name of Xaouw It lies Westerly of the River Cu and is cut through by the River Ciao which poures its Streams into the Cu and from thence by several small Channels waters the City Because this County is a firm and profitable Soyl and on the Borders of Countreys whose Passage is troublesom it is fortifi'd with several Castles Garison'd with Soldiers The small Tract of Land belonging to the City Foning a Mountainous Countrey and the most Eastern of this Territory borders in the East and South-East at the Sea in the South and South-West at Fochenfu in the West at Kiennunfu in the North at the Territory of Chekiang It contains three Towns Foning Fogang and Mingte The Ways through the Mountains are very
else is permitted and the other stands empty for their Deity who they say sits therein and receives the Offering Without the Temple stand many Altars of Red Marble which represent the Moon Sun Hills and Floods and according to the Chineses Relations all these Altars are plac'd without the Temple that none might worship them but that every one should know they are of the same Structure which the Emperor worships in the Temple Round about are several Chambers or rather Cells which formerly as they say were us'd as Bannia's in which the Emperor when he went to Offer Bath'd himself with his Attendants To this Temple and to the Emperor's Tombs lead very broad Ways on each side planted with five Rows of Pine-trees at equal distance and in a direct Line from which none might break a Bough on pain of death All these Buildings were ruin'd in the late Tartar Wars the Trees pluck'd up the Tombs defac'd and the Temples and Palaces utterly laid waste The County of Fungiangfu a great Tract of Land gives Limits in the East and North-East to Hoaiganfu in the East to the Lake Piexe and Chucheufu in the South and South-West to Hocheufu and Lucheufu in the West to the Territory of Honan This pleasant and fruitful Countrey vein'd by several great Rivers is famous because two of her Natives of mean Extract were rais'd to the highest degree of Honor the first call'd Lieupang bred among the scum of the Commonalty nay among Robbers and Rebels subdu'd the Imperial Family Cyn and rais'd that of Han. The second being Humvu or Chu was a mean Priests Son who at first turning Robber soon after the expulsion of the Tartars got into the Throne and establish'd the Crown on the Taimingian Family The Emperor Yu also did not a little enrich this Countrey when by his Predecessor Ya he was Crown'd King in the City of Mao It is also said that Lahu the first Inventer of the Epicurean Learning which liv'd before the great Philosopher Confut was born in that City of Mao The County Fungyangfu contains eighteen Towns of which Fungyang is the chiefest the next are Liuhoai Hoaiyuen Tingyuen Uho Hung Hokieu Munching Su Hiutai Tienchang So Lingpi Ing Tacho Hao Ingxan Su So Ing Hao all great Places The Metropolis Fungyang lying on a Mountain incloseth many Hills within its Walls built with fair Edifices both publick and private This Division was by the Emperor Yu brought and joyn'd to the Province of Yang to be Govern'd by Teu In the time of the Kings this part of the Countrey was call'd The Kingdom of Tuxam which the Kings of Cu afterwards included in their Dominions but the Family Han made it again Tributary call'd Chungly yet this Place was not honor'd with the Title of Teu or Metropopolis untill the fore-mention'd Chu which rais'd the Taimingian Family and was born in this City enlarg'd it building new and strong Walls fifty Furlongs in circumference and adorning the Tombs of his Predecessors and gave it the Name of Metropolis setting over it a Vice-Roy giving it Jurisdiction over other Cities intituling it Fungyang that is Nobleness of the Phenix The third Sucheufu conterminates in the North and North-East with the Mouth of the River Kiang in the East with the Sea in the South with Sunkiang and Kiahingfu the West borders Kiangningfu and the North-West Chancheufu The first which inhabited this Countrey amongst the Chineses was one Taipe of the Family Cheu who coming out of the North planted his Seat here and reduced those that formerly were wild and savage to be rational and understanding People In the Emperor Vu's time this County obtain'd Royal Dignity being call'd The Kingdom of V. after whose Death it was taken by the Kingdom of Iue who possess'd it but a little while being routed by Cu who subdu'd the Countrey Lastly the promoter of the Family Cyn conquer'd all those Kingdoms and brought them under the Province of Hoeiki The first which call'd this Countrey and its Metropolis Sucheu was King Sui the Family of Tang gave it the Name of Changcheu Sung that of Pnkiang but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Sucheu The Countrey is in all Places interlac'd with Branches of Rivers and Graffs along which they may Sail from the City to the Sea Sucheufu contains seven Towns of which Sucheu is the chiefest the rest are Quengxan Changxoe Ukiang Kiating Taicing Cungmung and Cungming which lies on an Island in the Sea The fourth Tract of Land being Sunghiangfu is a small County yet fruitful and a good Soyl bordering in the North with Sucheufu in the East with the Sea and Hangcheufu in the South and West at Hangcheufu onely and the remainder on Sucheufu This Countrey as the former lies most in Water the East part of it being wash'd by the Sea and the rest surrounded by Rivers which with their Branches cutting through the middle and all Places else of it make the whole Navigable It contains onely three Towns which in bigness populosity and variety of Commodities may stand in competition with many more eminent Cities the first and chiefest is Sunkiang the other two Langhai and Cingpai The City Sunkiang verges with the Sea on the Northern Shore of a River which at its Mouth is fortifi'd with a strong Castle from whence they may Sail to Iapan In ancient times this Countrey and City before mention'd shar'd also in the Tartars Cruelties The Family of Tang call'd it Houting the Tartars of the House of Iuen not onely gave it the present Name but also the Title of Fu or Great City having formerly but the Priviledges and Name of a mean Town and belong'd to the third County Sucheufu The fifth County Changcheufu reckons for Limits in the North and North-East the River Kiang in the South Sucheufu in the South and South-West the Lake Tai in the West Yancheufu This County contains five Towns viz. Changcheu Vufie Kiangyn and Ginkiang There are also five Temples of which one built near the City Vufie in honor to Taipe the Supporter of the People exceeds all the other The City Changcheu lies near the fore-mention'd Moat which runs from the City Sucheu to the River Kiang the Stone Banks of which near this City are much more curious and artificial than any where else There are also some Triumphal Arches which add a great beauty to the City It hath receiv'd its Denomination Guihing from the exceeding fineness of the Earth of which the Tee Cups are made for Guihing signifies Rare Earth The sixth Territory Chinkiangfu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Changcheufu in the South at the Lake Tai and in the West at Kiangnangfu This County reckons three Cities viz. Chinkiang Tanyang and Kintan Chinkiang by Martinius taken for Cingiam so call'd by Paulus Venetus lies Northward from the River Kiang on the East side of a Channel which falls into the Kiang
On the other side of the Channel to the West lies a Suburb neither lesser nor emptier of People than the City it self Between these lie several Bridges over which they pass out of one into another beyond the Bridges the Channel extends it self to a greater breadth and receives Water from several Places which makes so great a Navigation by that City that it cannot be express'd for all the Ships or Vessels that come from the Province of Chekiang and the other Eastern Towns to go to Peking and other Places must stop here to put up their Masts and hold out their Sails not being able hitherto to use them because of the many Bridges in that Channel for from hence to the Grand Metropolis Peking no Bridge is suffer'd excepting one to draw up This City by some justly call'd Kinkeu that is The Mouth of the Court because there are continually Freighted Vessels going from hence to Peking The seventh Division call'd Yangcheufu borders in the North at the River Hoai East at the Sea Southward upon the Stream of Kiang West on Nankingfu and the little County Chucheufu and the North and by West conterminates with Fungyangfu This contains ten Cities viz. Yâ—…ngcheu Ychin Taihing Kaoyeu Hinghoa Paoyng Tai Iucao Fung and Haimuen of which Kaoyeu and Tai are the biggest Northward over the River Kiang is a great Sluce near the Garison Quacheu where the foremention'd Channel takes its beginning along which they Row up to the City Yangcheu which lies on the East-side of it as on the West the Suburb which formerly stretch'd a German League but was ruin'd in the last Tartar War The City Yancheu is full of large and stately buildings and in many Places moistned with Graffs of fresh Water over which lead Stone Bridges consisting of twenty four Arches besides many lesser not to be reckon'd There is also a Custom-house for the Emperor's use The chief Trade which the Inhabitants follow is the dealing in Salt for in the East of this County near the Sea are many Salt-pits The eighth being Hoaiganfu Confines in the East upon the Sea in the South with the River Hoai in the South-West and West with Fungyangfu and Sucheufu and in the North with the Province of Xantung The whole Tract of Land is cut through with Rivers and Lakes It contains ten Towns Hoaigan the chief Cingho Gantung Taoyven Moyang Hai Canyu Pi Souven and Ciuning Hai and Pi are great Cities In the time of the Emperor Yu this County belong'd to that of Iancheu under the Government Ten and belong'd first to King V. afterwards to Iue then to Cu. In the time of the Family Hun the City Hoaigan was onely a small Town call'd Hoaiyu afterwards Han call'd her Linhoan but the present Name and Title the House of Sung gave her This City lying on the Eastern Shore of the digg'd Channel is divided into two Parts a Southern and a Northern yet both inclos'd in one Wall of which the South side bears the Name of Hoaigan and the North of Yeuching The one side is enlarg'd with a Suburb which extends in length along the Banks of the Channel a German Mile out of which they enter into the Yellow River In the Suburb are two Custom-houses in the one the Customs for Goods are paid and in the other for Ships according to their Burthen all which Money is kept and bestow'd upon the repairing of their Sluces in the Channel against the force of the Water for to the Northward of this City are three Water-falls yet nevertheless a great part of it goes to the Emperor's Treasury In this City the Vice-Roy being the Emperor's Purveyor hath his Residence who Commands with arbitrary Power over the seven Southern Provinces The ninth Lucheufu borders in the North at Fungyangfu in the East at Hocheufu and the River Kiang in the South at Gankingfu and in the West at the Province of Huquang and Honan It contains eight Cities Lucheu the chief the rest Xuching Lukiang Vuguei Cao Logan Iugran Hoxan most of them lying on the Shore of the famous Lake Cao Vuguei and Logan are the biggest In ancient Times this Countrey stood like the former subject to the Family Cheu under whom it became an intire Kingdom and nam'd Lucu but soon after was taken from them by the Kings Cu. In the time of the Family Han it was with its chief City call'd Lukiang but the present Name given by the Emperor Sui Near the small City Logan are two stately Temples and a large Bridge The tenth County Gankingfu borders in the North at Lucheufu in the East and South-East at the River Kiang in the West and North-West at the Province of Huquang This Countrey contains six Towns viz. Ganking Tunchiang Cienxan Taihu Sosung Vangkiang was formerly call'd Von and subdu'd by King Cu after which the Family of Tang nam'd it Sucheu that of Sung Ganking The City Ganking stands situate on the Eastern Shore of the River Ganking and for Wealth and Trade compares with the famousest Cities in this Province for all that comes out of the other County to go to Nanking comes first hither Because this Tract of Land joyns the three Provinces Kiangsi Huquang and Nanking and lies well for any Warlike Undertaking it hath a Vice-Roy who maintains a strong Garison in the Castle Haimusen for a defence of the Lake Poyang and the River Kiang The Family Tang caus'd an Iron Pillar to be erected there of three Rods high and of a proportionable thickness Anvil'd out of an intire Piece The eleventh Shire being Taipingfu is surrounded with the River Kiang or rather lies between two of her Branches and moreover verges in the East with a part of the Lake Tanyang where it borders with the County of Kiangning This County belong'd formerly to the Kingdom of V. afterwards to Iue next to Cu but was at last by the Family of Cyn reduc'd under that of Chang. The House of Han call'd it Tanyang Tang Nanyu Sung first nam'd it Pingnan and lastly Taiping which Name it retains to this day It contains three Cities viz. Taiping Vehu and Fachang of which Vehu the biggest and richest hath also a Custom-house and lies on an Island between the two Arms of the River Kiang which afterwards joyn together at the City of Nanking The twelfth being Ningquefu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Quanghefu in the South at Hoecheufu and in the West at Chicheufu It is a mountainous Countrey and contains six Towns viz. Ningque the Great and Ningque the Less King Taiping Cingte Nanling The chief City Ninque lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Von Within her Walls are pleasant Hills Warrens magnificent Buildings and abundance of Chesnut and Pear-trees Neaâ—… the little City King stands a fair Chappel in the Chinese Tongue call'd Hiangsi that is A sweet smelling Hart and is Dedicated to five Maidens which when they were taken by Pyrats
belong to the Emperor of China but to certain Free Lords which they call'd the Min. The first that joyn'd it to the Empire of China was the chief of the Family Cheu yet the Inhabitants soon shook off that Yoke and kept themselves free till the fortunate and valiant Emperor Hiaou of the Family of Han reduced and added it to China with all the Southern Territories setling them in Peace and placed a Vice-Roy over it call'd Veuching who kept his Court in the Metropolis thereof Cyn the first King thereof call'd the chief City and the Tract of Land thereto belonging Cyngan the next King Sui nam'd the Countrey Mencheu but the Tangs of another Line Kiencheu and not long after Focheu which Name the Taimingian Race kept ever since This Countrey Focheufu contains eight Cities Focheu the Metropolis and chief of all the Countrey otherwise call'd Hoksieu or Hokzieuw Cutien Mincing Changlo Lienkiang Loquen Iangfo Focing The City Focheu by Paulus Venetus call'd Fugui lieth about fifteen Leagues Westerly from the Sea on the Southern Shore of the River Min which with a wide Mouth falls Easterly into the Sea and brings both great and small Vessels up to the City Walls The convenience of this River makes the Town very populous and of great Trade It is adorn'd with fair Buildings and hath large Suburbs call'd Nantai otherwise according to the pronunciation of the Inhabitants Lamthay for those in Fokien use in stead of N the Letter L. and often say Lamking in stead of Nanking There are also many Idol Temples Cross the Bay near Nantai lies a Stone Bridge a hundred and fifty Rods long and one and a half broad built all of white Free-stone resting on a hundred very high Arches on the top of each side are Rails and Benches adorn'd at an equal distance with Lyons neatly cut of Stone Next this Bridge at the South end stands a fair and large Pagode or Temple Another Bridge not unlike this being a hundred Rods long may be seen at the City Focing And many more are without and within the Walls of the chiefest Cities Three Leagues from Focheu stands a Temple call'd Kouzan the largest of all in the Nether Provinces The second Division Civencheufu borders from the East to the South-east and so to the South upon the Sea and from the South-west to the West touches Chancheufu and on the North verges with Ienpingfu This Countrey formerly belong'd to the Princes Min and hath seven Cities Civencheu the chief Nangan Hocigan Tehoa Ganki Tunygan and Iungehung The City Civencheu lies near the Sea in a delightful Plain and admits by a large Bay the greatest Ships to Ride close under the Walls not onely on one but both sides of the City for it is built on a Promontory encompass'd with Water except on the North and South-east sides On the opposite Shore are many populous and Trading Towns and chiefly on a Place towards the North-west call'd Loyang which may rather be look'd upon as great Cities There also is a Bridge which hath the same denomination with the Town the whole World not shewing the like for it consists of a black Stone like Touch-stone not supported with Arches but above three hundred square Columns sharp above Bridge and below the better to break the impetuous egress and regress of the Current These Pillars are Capp'd to walk upon with five Stones of an exact breadth each eighteen Paces long and two broad which successively touch one another at either Foot of the Bridge of which there are to the number of a hundred and forty it is certainly a Miracle of Workmanship not onely for its great number of Stones of such a bigness that rest on those Columns but most of all where so many large and equal Stones could be had on each side to make the Passage the safer are Rails of the same Stones adorn'd with Lyons standing on Pedestals and other Imagery It is worth our observation what is written of one part of this Bridge that is between a Village call'd Loyan and a Castle built on the Bridge for beyond the Village reaches another part not much less than the former and of one make A Chinese Writer saith thus concerning it This part of the Bridge Loyang and also call'd Vangan lying on the North-west side of the City cross the River Loyang was built by a Governor call'd Cayang it extends in length to about three hundred and sixty Rods and in breadth one and a half Before this Bridge was built they cross'd the River in Boats but because every year many Vessels were by Storm cast away Cayang resolv'd for the safety of Passengers to build a Bridge but seeing such a great piece of Work to be too much for Mankind to undertake and also the Water too deep to lay a Foundation in it he invok'd the Gods of the Sea as he says for some time to stop the Current of the Water which if you will believe he obtain'd After the Essluxes were stay'd and no Tydes swelling the River in one and twenty days the Foundation was laid and forty hundred thousand Tail spent in the building of it The third Province call'd Chancheufu being the most Southern of all this Territory borders in the North-East and East with Civenchufu on the East South-East and South with the Sea on the South-West touches the Countrey of Quantung on the West and North-West and North at Tingcheufu It contains ten Cities of which Chancheu is the chiefest the rest are Changpu Lugnien Nancing Changtai Changping Pingho Chaogang Huicing and Ningyang The Name of Chancheu was first given to this Metropolis and Countrey by the Family of the Tang from the River Chang on whose Western Shore situate and was then allow'd the priviledge of a small City but the Iuem made her afterwards a Metropolis and at the same time built the small City Nancing from whence Father Martin concludes that then all these Places were much frequented by Navigators and that Paulus Venetus his Zerte must needs be thereabouts On the South-side where the River also washes the City is a large Bridge of Hew'n-stone with thirty six high Arches and so broad that on each side are divers Tradesmen and Artificers Shops in which they sell every day all manner of rich and foreign Commodities which are brought thither from Hiamuen The fourth call'd Kienningfu a very wide and spacious piece of Land borders on the North and North-East upon Chekiang on the East with Foningfu on the South at Focheufu and Ienpingfu on the West at Xaonufu on the North West and North upon Kiangsi This Division belong'd antiently to the Princes Min after which the Family Tang gave it the Name of Kiencheu and Sung another Race that which it hath at present Here are seven Towns whereof Kienning is the chiefest the rest are Cungan Puchiang Chingo Sunghi and Xeuning The City Kienning lying on the Eastern Shore of the
and the Mandarine Guides which being no way pleasing to the Ambassador he said that he would have no Quarrel about the Emperor's and his Goods for he would pay those Coelies which were wanting above the number express'd in the General 's Warrant Whereupon as many Coelies were provided as they wanted and the Ambassador wrote a Letter to the General in Hoksieu to this effect THat the Ambassador would never forget the many great Favors which he receiv'd from his Highness in Hoksieu and doth not doubt but that he will continue the same In return whereof he desires that Talavja might be assur'd that neither in the Court at Peking nor any other Place in the World he would seek or do any thing to his disliking or disparagement That himself hath well arriv'd at Chinkon in Pouchin and finds that he wants more Coelies than are express'd in the Pay or Warrant granted him whom if his Excellency think fit he will cause to be paid by the Hopou in Hoksieu This Letter deliver'd to the Mandarins the Ambassador ask'd when they should proceed on their Journey to which they answer'd Two days hence Then he enquir'd if the Horses and Oxen might not be sent away before because the Oxen travell'd but slowly which being granted they prepar'd all things accordingly But in the Evening a Chinese Secretary call'd Sinko said that the Mandarins caus'd Frames to be made to carry the Oxen because it would be impossible for them to go over the Mountains at which the Ambassador seem'd very well satisfi'd and accordingly put off their going In the Morning being the sixteenth Hiu-lavja one of the Netherlanders Mandarine Guides came with the Frames for the Oxen to the Ambassador's Lodgings who asking him when they should go from thence reply'd Two days hence Then he desir'd to know the reason why they must stay so long because the Mandarin had on the fourteenth Instant also told him That he should go two days hence Whereupon he said That it was because the Coelies which they wanted above the number mention'd in the Pass granted by Talavja was not yet allow'd by the City Mandarins who had promis'd that within two days all things should be ready himself wishing that the Hollanders were gone To which the Ambassador reply'd That he knew that the Lepous were somewhat displeas'd about their so long tarrying at Hoksieu being detain'd there by the Vice-Roy therefore it would be very inconvenient to lose more time there so that if the Lepous should chance to ask him about it in Peking he could freely declare that it was not his but the Mandarins fault who made him wait for Coelies Which Discourse prevail'd so much that Porters were immediately sent to carry the Sandal Wood with which they walk'd before it being very troublesom for its length and heaviness to be got over the Mountains The eighth in the Morning an hundred Coelies came to the Ambassador's Lodging to tie and pack up the Presents to be carry'd in Burthens and to go with their Loads before with the Horses and Oxen with which the Secretary Vander Does was also order'd to Travel before the Ambassador Nobel and the rest intending to follow them in the Afternoon but because one of the Horses had receiv'd a hurt on his Head above the left Eye the Ambassador thought it convenient to stay a day or two longer in Poutchin and to keep one Horse more besides the fore-mention'd to see in that time what could be done to him and then give order for his stay or taking along with him Whereupon the Secretary with two Horses the Oxen and the hundred Coelies with their Loads went before Nobel and Putmans being order'd to follow him in the Afternoon but because the tying up of the Goods spent too much time it was deferr'd till the next Morning The Horse being pretty well recover'd the Ambassador went from Poutchin the one and twentieth in the Morning and having travell'd half a League by the Village Olian and in the Afternoon by Sisanly and Singan and some Pagodes or Temples towards Evening came to Guliaen where they reposed that Night The next day being Snowy and Rainy they rested themselves in expectation of fair Weather The twenty third the Skye being pretty well clear'd notwithstanding the Mountains were still cover'd with Snow the Ambassador leaving Guliaen proceeded on his Journey and in the Morning pass'd over a high Hill and so through Huysjounton Hangsion Outangay Ontongne Kieumoe and Ousalinga from whence they saw divers Pagodes built on the Declivings of several Mountains In the Afternoon they travell'd in sight of the Villages Movana Loutiatona Golinga Longkia Kiekova and divers Hamlets and Temples of which very many stand all along this Road amongst whom they saw one on the top of the Mountain Liougtouw and call'd by the same Name Here are the utmost Limits of the Province of Fokien and Chekiang or Chetchiang between both which the foremention'd Temple stands so that now leaving Fokien they entred into that of Chekiang and going on came towards the Evening to a Village call'd Limathova having that day travell'd five Leagues four in the Territory of Fokien and one in that of Chekiang This Province though less than others yet exceeds all the rest in fertility of Soil delightfulness of Prospects and Riches beginning in the South under twenty seven Degrees and five Minutes Northern Latitude and extending Northerly to thirty one Degrees and twenty five Minutes a Tract of sixty five Leagues the greatest breadth from East to West being almost of the same length It borders Easterly on the Sea where the shortest Cut is to Iapan and not above a days Sailing as some say with a fresh Gale of Wind in the South and South-West upon Fokien in the West and North upon Nanking and likewise touches with a small part upon Kiangsi It is divided into eleven great Counties almost as large as some Provinces for one of them being Hancheufu and the chiefest of them is ample and powerful enough to be a Province or Kingdom viz. Hangcheufu Kiahingfu Hucheugfu Nienchufu Kinhoafu Kieucheufu Chucheufu Xaohiugfu Ningpofu Taicuheufu and Vencheufu having several great and small Towns to the number of eighty three belonging to them besides unwall'd Places and an incredible number of Castles and populous Villages The chief Tract of Land call'd Hangcheufu borders Northerly on Hucheufu and Kianhingfu in the East at the River Chee between Kianhingfu and Xaohingfu in the South at Nienchufu and in the West at Nanking In ancient times this County belong'd to the Vice-Roy of V. and was afterwards possess'd by the King of Cu and by the Family of Chin nam'd Cientang by the Emperor Sui it was first styl'd Hangcheu by the Family Tang Iuhang by Sung Lingan but the Taimingian Family restor'd this Country to its old Name This Division contains eight Cities of which Hancheu is the chiefest the rest are Huining Tiuquang Inlang Liugany Yuum Sinching and Changhoa
The second County call'd Kiahingfu every where water'd with Rivers and Lakes borders in the East upon the Sea in the South upon a part of the Ocean and part of Hangcheufu Westward at Hucheufu and in the North at Sucheufu and Sungkiangfu the Territory of Nanking and a part of the Lake call'd Tai. This Shire contains six Cities viz. Kiahing Kiaxeny Hayeni Pinghu Cungte and Tungchiang The Metropolis Kiahing was formerly a small City and subject to Sucheu but growing in Riches and Greatness in the Reign of the Taimingian Family it was made the Head City or Metropolis and chang'd its former Name Siucheu to Kiahing The City Kiahang being the most Northern of the whole Province lies as if it were Moated about with Rivulets of Water full of stately and well built Structures flourishing with variety of its own Product having in all Places Riches and Plenty All the Streets of the City are Arch'd under which they walk as in a Piatzo or Exchange free from Wind and Weather and sheltred from Sun and Rain Without the City are several Triumphal Arches erected and on the West side near the River in one peculiar Place which they Sail by with their Ships or Vessels stand sixteen of these Arches in a Square all built of Marble Athwart the River stands a Bridge of Marble with many Arches seventy Paces long and likewise a Tower thrusting forth towards the Skye nine Pinacles or Spires All the Shores without the City are wharfed with square Free-stone of which also the lesser Bridges are made that lead over them There are forty more fair Bridges leading to several parts of the City besides a great many less scarce to be numbred The third County being Hucheufu borders in the East with Kiahingfu in the South upon Hangcheufu in the West verges the Province of Nanking in the North at the Lake Tai. This was formerly a Kingdom of it self and nominated Tung which first was possess'd by King V. and afterwards by Ine then by Cu. The Family Cyn gave this County and its Head City the Name of Uching that of Tang call'd it Hucheu that is The City of the Lake because of the neighboring Lake Tai for Hu signifies a Lake and Cheu a City the Royal Line of Sung nam'd it Chaoking but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Hucheu Here are five Temples the chiefest of which stands within the City Walls they were founded in honor of the five first Emperors This Division contains six Cities viz. Hucheu Changhing Tecing Hiaosung Unkang and Gankie Hucheu is not onely the chief but reckon'd one of the biggest and flourishes in Trade and Riches It is adorn'd with many beautiful and large Buildings The fourth Niencheufu is a mountainous and rough Countrey and borders Eastward on the River Chee South at Kincheufu the West on Nanking and the North on Hancheufu It was formerly call'd Suntu next by the Family of Han Lecheu and lastly by that of Sung Niencheufu It contains six Cities Niencheu Xungan Tungliu Suigan Xeuchang and Fuentui The Metropolis Niencheu stands upon a rising Ground between the Singan and Chee which two Navigable Rivers before the Walls conjoyn their Waters The fifth Kinhoafu touches North and East upon Xaohingfu and Taicheâ—…fu in the South upon Chucheâ—…fu in the West conterminates with Kincheufu and the remainder bounded by the River Chee King Loang call'd this with its Metropolis first by the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower for the Chineses say that the Goddess Venus striving here with another which they call Vuniu that is a Masculine Woman and the same which the Poets call Pallas a Flower which obtaining they styl'd her Kingsing that is Golden Star and the City receiv'd the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower This City Kinhoa was formerly very populous and full of well built Edifices but in the late Tartar War in which they held out a considerable time was in a manner buried in Ruines yet nevertheless it is almost re-erected and especially one Stone Bridge on the West side hath obtain'd its former lustre This County hath eight Cities Kinhoa Lanki Tungagang Yui Iungkang Vuy Pukiang and Tanki Near the small City Lanki you may see another Bridge over the Chee some few years since re-built and now much better than the former burnt by the Tartars The sixth call'd Kincheufu being the most Southern of all this Province borders in the East at Kinhoafu in the South-East at Chincheufu in the South-West upon Fokien in the West on that of Nanking and in the North at Niencheufu In the time of the Kings Reigns this Province with the two former suffer'd divers great Changes and Alterations the Family Cyn after they had taken all China call'd its Metropolis Taimo Han nam'd it Singuan and the Family Tang gave it the Name which it now hath It contains five Cities viz. Kincheu Lungyeu Changxan Kiangzan and Kaihoa The City Kincheu lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Changyo three days Journey from Fokien between steep and troublesom Mountains to pass over Paulus Venetus calls this City Kugui according to the Tartar pronunciation with whom he travell'd in an Embassy thither who in stead of Cheu say Gui both Words signifying Great City wherefore Paulus may easily have made Kugui to be Kuicheu The seventh Division or Shire Chucheufu inviron'd with several high Mountains borders in the East at Veucheufu in the South-West at Fokien in the North-West at Kuicheufu in the North upon the County Kinhaofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey was also subject to various Revolutions and strange Alterations The Family Tang gave it the Name of Hocheu the Taimingian that of Chucheu This Chucheufu contains ten Cities of which Cheucheu is the Metropolis the rest are Cingtien Ciniquun Sungyang Sunchang Lunguven Kingyven Iunko Sivenping and Kingning besides three famous Temples The City of Chincheu which is very populous lieth upon the River Tung which falls into the Sea and able to carry Ships of good burthen The eighth Tract of Land being Xaohingfu borders in the East with Ningpofu North upon the River Cientang in the West at that of Chee and opposite to Hangcheufu in the South at Kinhoafu and Taicheufu The Family Sung first gave this Countrey the present Name Xoahing but it was formerly by the Family Tang call'd Iucheu It reckons seven Cities Xaohing Siaoxan Chuki Yuyae Xangyu Xing Sinchang The City of Xoahing though not so big yet in handsom Buildings exceeds the Metropolis being seated in a pleasant Plain Moated with fresh Water very much resembling Venice the Water gliding through every Street which are all curiously Pav'd and the Walls of the Houses all built of Free-Stone which in China is very rare and scarce to be seen in any other Place in the whole Empire The Bridges also over which they pass the River and Lake are all built in the same manner being very numerous The Banks of the River
which extends it self to three days Journey are on each side wharf'd and wall'd in with Stone of the Quarre at the end of which appears a great Dam that receives and keeps the Waters which swelling to a convenient heighth Vessels that come thither are with little help floated over into another Stream This Current serves onely to bring small Vessels up to the City Ningpo for the great ones go about by Sea Near this City are also many Triumphal Arches for building of which they have ready accommodation because the Quarres that serve all China are close by their Doors The ninth Division call'd Ningpofu borders in the East with the Sea in the West with Xaochingfu South upon a River flowing between this and the County Tancheufu The Kings Iue gave this and its Metropolis the Name of Iungtung the Family of Yang Nungcheu those of Sung Kingchyven but at last by the Taimingian Ningpo that is Reconciler of Strife The Kings of Han brought this Countrey under the Territory of Huiki Ningpofu hath five Cities viz Ningpo Cuki Funghoa Finghai and Siangxan Not far from Ningpo lies a Promontory which the Portuguese formerly very much frequented who corrupted the Name to Liampo Some say that from this Point in serene Weather they can discern the Mountains of Iapan whereas the most exact Chinese Cards or Maps make the Sea much broader than to discover any such Prospect The Metropolis Ningpo situated close by the River In boasts store of handsom Buildings On whose Eastern Shore stand several Triumphal Arches and two Steeples with seven Galleries one over another The Banks of the said River are all rais'd of Free-Stone at the end the Water is also stopp'd with a Stone Dam over which they hale the Vessels into a larger Channel In the little City Cuky are two Bridges one with Stone Supporters and great Pieces of Timber three hundred Rods long another which is very high and all of Stone stands on three Arches The tenth County call'd Taicheufu being a great Tract of Land verges Eastward with the Sea Southward with Vencheufu Westward with Kinhoafâ—… Northward with Xaohingfu and Ningpofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey belong'd to V. afterwards to Iue but was at last by the Family Cyn brought under the Territory of Minching The Family Han gave it the Name of Changan Tang of Haicheu and soon after that of Taicheu which it retains to this day This Countrey comprehends six Cities viz. Taicheu Hoanguien Tientai Cienkiu Ninghai Taiping This City Taicheu is situate on a Hill lying on the East side of the River San. The eleventh call'd Veucheufu conterminates in the East at the Sea in the South with the Territory of Fokien in the West at Cucheufu in the North at Taicheufu This Countrey is for the most part very mountainous but hath in the South before you approach the Hills of Fokien a large and spacious Plain Formerly this Countrey belong'd to the Kings of Iue afterwards to those of V. King Loang gave it the Name of Iungkia and was by the House of Tang first call'd Tunkia and soon after Voucheu by Sung Xuigan and lastly by the Taimingian Veucheu This Province Veucheu possesses six Cities viz. Veucheu Xuigan Locing Ping Yang and Taixium The City of Veucheu seated on the River Iungkia because it is also like the Metropolis Hangcheu standing on a Morass Soil and adorn'd with many fair Edifices is by the Inhabitants call'd Little Hancheu The City is very populous and a Residence for many Merchants whose Ships find good and safe Harbors in the great River Iungkia the Sea ebbing and flowing up to the City Walls Near the Sea-shore in this Territory are fifteen Garisons built against the Incursions of the Iapanners and safeguard of the Sea viz. in Veucheufu Nan Ningtung Sining Huigan Tunchi Cumen Puohin Xetic in Taicheufu Sinho Cioki Ninghai in Ningpofu onely Tinghai in Kiahinfu Hiacing Kinexan and Chincam Several Isles neighbor this Countrey inhabited by Husband-men and Fisher-men of which Cheuxan is the greatest the next are Chanque Chaopao besides several other lesser Cheuxan lies directly East from the Metropolis Hancheu opposite to the River Cientang in thirty one and thirty two Degrees Northern Latitude thirteen Leagues from the Main Land and hath in length from North to South sixteen and in breadth eight Leagues When antiently the Chinese King Lui worsted by the Tartars and flying with his scatter'd Forces to this Isle from all Parts many of the Chineses flock'd thither so that ever since what was before inconsiderable hath been a populous and well planted Isle for they number in this small Isle above seventy Towns and Villages most of them verging the Sea in such Places where Inlets and Bays make convenient Harbors neither wants their King a considerable Fleet which keep his Coast safe from the Incursions and Landing of the Tartars Horse wherein they are most formidable And the Tartars as much in awe of the Islanders keep continual Guard in the Fort of Tinghay rais'd on the Main Land with a Fleet of Crusing Chineses Before the Province Taicheufu near the Garison Cioki lies an Island call'd Ychoan which is Precious Circle so call'd for its convenient Havens the whole being in a manner so surrounded with Mountains it breaks off all Winds leaving onely a Gap or Entrance for Ships to come in at The whole Province of Chekiang is every where cut through with Rivers Rivulets and murmuring Streams some brought in by Art others of their own accord Most of the Channels of those Rivers which run Southward fall in such order as if Nature on purpose had contriv'd their Course so that the Traveller may pass through the whole Territory either by Land or Water which way he will still supply'd with all conveniencies The River Che from whence this Countrey hath its Name runs from the South to the North and divides it exactly in the middle in an Eastern and Western Canton but it changeth its Name at Hangcheu and there is call'd Cientang and again where it takes its original out of the Mountains in the Province Hoeicheufu they name it Singan The eighteenth day of the eighth Moon which is our October a prodigigious Spring-tyde happens worthy of admiration for it is onely on that day and begins to flow exactly at four a Clock in the Afternoon and comes with a Head at the first appearance high and strangely mounted above the Waters and suddenly turns Topsi-turvy what ever either by neglect or carelesness lies in the Way roaring extremely in his ascent beyond the loud murmur of Cataracts or Water-breaches to which as a wonderful spectacle where they have secure places the Magistrates Strangers and a great number of People resort to see though horrid the annual Spectacle The River Ho takes its Original near Cinijuw the third substitute City to the seventh Province Chucheufu and from thence follows by the Metropolis Kuihoa
the Chineses with a general name call'd Che for there are several sorts of them and by the Indians Mambu which the Portuguese have turn'd to Bambu and the Netherlanders to Bamboes There also grows in most places all manner of Herbage and Grain and in the County of Kinhoafu many great Plums which they Transport to other parts In the seventh Shire being Chucheufu are many Woods and Wildernesses of Pine-Trees whence the Chineses have their Timber for the Building of Houses and Ships They say that near the City Sunghiang that is Earth of Pine there are such thick ones found that eighty Men cannot Fathom nay some whose hollow Wombs contain thirty or forty Men. In the County of Ninchufu their Hills produce store of Copper Mines In Kinhoafu they make the best Drink that is in all China of Rice and Water and in the same place are also the chiefest Gammons of Bacon which bear a great esteem through all the Empire There is likewise a sort of Gum in the Chinese Tongue call'd Cie or Cia and in the Portuguese Cairo which drops out of the Trees and is very like Turpentine the Chineses gather and colour it how they please the best bears a Gold colour and the next to that Black before it is quite dry it yields an infectious Smoak or Damp which causes a swelling in the Faces of those that are not us'd to it The curiosity and excellency of this shining Gum Europe hath long since been acquainted with by those Chests and Coffers brought thither out of Iapan and China for they both colour all their Wood-work over with it and also their Ships Houses Tables Bedsteds and other Houshold-stuff The Revenue which this Province pays yearly to the Emperor amounts to what may seem an incredible sum of Money viz. two hundred fifty one thousand two hundred ninety nine Bags of Rice three hundred and seventy thousand four hundred sixty six Pound of raw Silk two thousand five hundred seventy four Roles of Silk Stuffs seventy eight hundred thousand four hundred ninety one Bundles of Straw besides the ordinary Customs paid to the two Custom-Houses standing in the Metropolis Hangcheu First for the Merchandize in the North part of the City Secondly for the Wood in the South part for the Chineses use much Wood for the building of their Houses Ships Coffins and the like and the Wood-Merchants being vast rich People pay no small part of their gain to the Emperor Moreover this Province sends yearly four Imperial Ships call'd Lung-ychuen to the Emperors Court laden with Silk Clothes or Stuffs wrought after a peculiar manner These Silk Stuffs are interwove with Gold and Silver and also with the Pictures of the Bird call'd Funguang Dragons and the like None are permitted to wear these Stuffs but only the Emperor and those of Imperial Blood unless his Majesty out of a peculiar favor gives them leave and these badges of Clothes distinguish them from meaner People as much as our Badges of the Cross and Garter or the like be marks of Noble Orders There are those that reckon the yearly Revenue of this Province to amount to above fifteen Millions of Crowns fifteen hundred thousand Duckets or seven hundred and fifty thousand Pound Sterling BUt to return again to our Ambassador who proceeded on his Journey the twenty ninth of February travelling over the Mountains of Iakoling which because of their steep ascent make carriage difficult and dangerous On the tops and sides stood several Pagodes or Temples built after a strange manner and surrounded with Trees But at last leaving them behind they past through the Villages Sambathova Sagebatauw Longhia Longzango Poangtiou and Hachova where they were drawn upon a float of Canes over a River which divided Hachova into a Southern and Northern part in which last the Hollanders took their repose that Night having that day gained a League and a half to the North. The twenty fourth in the Morning leaving Hachova they travell'd the following part of the day through Kolontja Quanimg and Souzinhova and in the afternoon came to Pinhoea where Putmans Vander Does and the rest that travel'd before met the Ambassador and told him of their safe arrival there the day preceding and also that the Goods design'd for Presents were already Shipt in twenty seven Vessels and that others lay ready to take in him and the rest of the Goods Whereupon Van Hoorn was no sooner come into the Village before-mention'd but he gave order for all his Necessaries to be Shipt off immediately and likewise caus'd the Oxen to be Imbarqu'd that they might go forward on their Journey the next Morning The Horses were forc'd to go five Leagues further by Land because there wanted convenient Vessels to carry them The twenty sixth about Noon after all things were ready they set Sail from Puchoeu going North-East up the River Chang with a Fleet of about forty Vessels amongst which were ten that carry'd the Mandarins Guides About three a Clock they came to the City Tjanchia otherwise call'd Changxa and having Sunthia a pretty Village on their Larboard cast Anchor that Night about three quarters of a League from Tjanchia before a Sandy Plain having gain'd two Leagues that afternoon The twenty eighth in the Morning about Day-break they set Sail again and at nine a Clock Landed at the City Kitsjouw or Kutchieuw otherwise call'd Kiucheu here they chang'd their Vessels The first of March all the Goods were Ship'd again into other Vessels At Noon two private Persons of the City presented the Ambassador with some fresh Provisions in return for which they receiv'd six Ells of Gingerline colour'd Cloth which Putmans carry'd them for which they again in the Evening sent twelve Tail of ready Money and three Silver Cups but the Ambassadors modestly refus'd the Presents and thanking sent them back Kiucheu the sixth City of the Province Chekiang lying on the Eastern-Shore of the River Chang three days Journey by Land from the Territory Tiokien over steep and difficult Mountains seems pretty large yet but meanly Inhabited and of small Concourse and so having little or no Trade yet the Streets are handsomely Pav'd and all Provisions very cheap The second in the Morning they left Kiucheu and about nine a Clock pass'd by Sigajum a Village lying on the right side at the going up the River in a pleasant place surrounded with Arable Grounds The remaining part of the day they Sail'd by abundance of Villages standing along the River a little way up into the Countrey and in the Dusk of the Evening arriv'd at Loujujenne where they staid that Night having that Day gain'd five Leagues on several Courses From Loujujenne having gotten two Coelies to Tow every Barque they Weigh'd again the third in the Morning and coming a little way from the Village they saw a stately Tower built after the Chinese manner with jutting Stories The Countrey every where well Manur'd was also full of populous
Villages In the afternoon they came to Lanqui where their Goods and Persons were again to be put aboard other Barques Soon after their arrival at this place the Governor came to welcome the Ambassador and present him with some fresh Provisions This being the first Town where the Hollanders had receiv'd so much civility from the Governors their Journey that day was three Leagues The Shipping of the Goods into other Vessels was referr'd till the fourth because of the Rainy Weather In the afternoon the Lord Ambassador entertain'd the Governor who in the mean while sent him in a Calf and a fat Weather and other Provisions besides four Vessels of their Beer This Mandarin shew'd himself very courteous to the Hollanders for which kindnesses he was presented with five Ells of fine Cloth The fifth in the Morning the adjacent Hills were all cover'd with Snow but the Weather growing fair their Goods were put aboard and all things made ready to go away the next day The sixth they left Lancqui before day This place though not large yet makes a handsome shew being well built and very populous occasion'd by the many Trading Vessels that come thither It is pleasantly seated all along the River side Hither abundance of Allom is brought from Humsie In the forenoon they pass'd by the City Sansjenne a League and a half from Lacqui On the left side as they went up the River the Shore near the Water rises very high and not inhabited but in the Valleys stand some few Houses and Villages In the Evening they came to Ponkousong where they staid all Night leaving the City Niencheufu on their left Hand a quarter of a League having that day gain'd five Leagues The next Morning two hours before day the Mandarin Guides caus'd the Drum to be beaten that all might be ready to be gone immediately which they did but the Vessel in which the Ambassador was struck upon a Sand so that the rest which were behind were ready to fall foul upon his Ship such was the force of the Current but day-light coming on they got off again and pass'd by divers Villages Temples and Hamlets and also by a Pagode in which stands the Image of a Philosopher call'd Nienchlin With the Dusk of the Evening they arriv'd at Tungh where they staid that Night having gotten seven Leagues that day by Steering several Courses The eighth in the Morning they set Sail again and in the forenoon saw on their left Hand the River Tu which glides towards the City Cinsung or Sinchung which having pass'd it divides into two Branches and at last discharges his Water into the Grand Che. This City being the seventh in order to the Metropolis Hancheu lies on the North side of the Tu pretty close built and surrounded with Plow'd Lands In the Evening they arriv'd at the City Fojang or Fujang scituate on the West side of the River Che and Northward from the Stream Fuchun which takes its Original a little Westward from the City Liengan and joyneth its Waters Southward from Fujang with those of the Che. The Ambassador having gotten five Leagues forwarder on his Journey that day lodg'd in Fujang that right The ninth in the Morning they left Fujang before day Here the River Che is about two English Miles broad yet hath but few Villages on its Banks most of them standing more up into the Countrey by reason of his overflowing in great Rains every where Manur'd and Planted with Fruit-Trees In the Evening they arriv'd at the South Suburb of Hangcheu or Hancsieuw call'd Chankeeuw half a Leagues distance from Hangcheu here all the Goods were forc'd to be Landed then carry'd to the North Suburb of Hangcheu where they were again Shipt so that they staid there the following Night The next Morning being the tenth Huilavja one of the Mandarin Guides went to acquaint the Governor of the City with the Netherlanders coming and to desire Barques for their further Voyage He returning again in the Evening told the Ambassador That the foremention'd Governor intended to invite his Excellency the next day to Dinner and that the Pinghtouw or third Person in Office would do the like the day after and give speedy Order for the preparing of the Barques The same day the Mandarin Guides for the trouble they had already had and to oblige them the more were by the Ambassador each of them presented with five Ells of Cloth Ten Ells of Red Cloth two Pieces of Perpetuanaes four Pieces of Linnen a Fowling-Piece a pair of Pistols two Sword Blades two Perspective Glasses and a String of Blood Coral But the Invitation came not that day because Huilavja said a grand Tartar was come from Peking with whom the Governor was in private consulting about State Affairs Some Mandarins coming to visit and welcome the Ambassadors were kindly entertain'd by him The same day above six hundred Horse were Ferry'd over the River Che. The twelfth in the Morning the Pinghtouw or third Person of State in Hancheu which had the Command over all the Vessels came aboard the Ambassador to bid him Welcome and also present him with a fat Weather a Porker some Poultery Rice and other fresh Provisions desiring to be excus'd for his delay in not coming to visit the Ambassador sooner being hinder'd by some grand Mandarins that were lately gone up from thence to Peking who had taken all the greatest Vessels with them yet he should be careful that the Ambassador should be well Accommodated and that he would willingly invite his Excellency to Dinner but durst not before he had been at the Governors but then he would be bold to desire him to come and be his Guest for which kind proffers he was civilly Entertain'd and having seen the Horses and Oxen he took his leave In the afternoon the Interpreter Genko came to tell the Netherlanders that the Governor of Hancheu had enquir'd of him how the Ambassador was plac'd at his Entertainment by the General in Hoksieu The next Morning being the thirteenth several Horses came to the Ambassadors Vessel to fetch Him and his Retinue to the Governor's Court whither he went in a stately Equipage taking those Presents with them which they resolv'd to give him two days before Coming to his Palace they were after a little stay brought to his Presence and the Ambassador Welcom'd by the Governor who said this Embassy would be very pleasing to the Emperor Then he ask'd where the Pepper and Sandal-Wood grew How big Holland was How far distant from China If there was any Silk in Holland and many more such Questions to which his Excellency answer'd him accordingly Then the Tables being spread they were desir'd to sit and plentifully entertain'd Thus having spent some time the Ambassador deliver'd him a Note of the foremention'd Presents and with a Complement desir'd him to accept them which having read over he excus'd himself that he could not accept the Presents
afterwards taught it her Subjects For though the breeding and ordering of the Silk Worms was not unknown to the Chineses before that time yet they were ignorant of that Art to make Silk Clothes of them as generally at the first Discovery of things we are unskilful in the proper use But however the Chineses may justly claim the honor that from them as the chief Fountain the Art of making Silk was carry'd to other remote Countreys in Europe BUt to return The Ambassador having pass'd many beautiful Stone Bridges in the Afternoon they came to the City of Kunghti or Cunghte the fifth substitute City of the second Metropolis Kiahing in the sixth Province lying on the left side of the River and in the Evening arriv'd at a Village call'd Summingsing where they stay'd that Night having that day gotten four Leagues further In the Morning leaving Summingsing they Sail'd as the day before by many Rusticks Houses and about the Evening arriv'd at Chiangfoe otherwise Kiahing the sixth City in this Province along which they ran Westerly to the North Suburb where they staid that Night to get other Coelies to Tow them having that day made four Leagues forward in a Northerly Course The two and twentieth in the Morning they proceeded and were Tow'd coming about a Cannon shot from the Suburb of Kiating between two Fortresses and so to the Village Iankanking seaving it on their Lar-board in the Afternoon by Pinghaw on the South side of which lies a small Lake call'd Fuen which separates the Province Chekiang from that of Nanking so that they enter'd the Province of Nanking After the Netherlanders were arriv'd about Noon in the Village Pingchwan they from thence past by Ukiam and leaving it about a Cannon shot from them on their left hand they went up to the Suburbs where they cast Anchor to stay that Night and provide themselves with other Men to Tow their Barques having that day pass'd four Leagues of which two in the Province of Nanking This great Province of Nanking by the Tartars at this day call'd Kiangnam being the chiefest of the nine Southern Verges in the East and South-East with the Sea in the South it borders upon Chekiang in the South-West upon that of Kiangsi in the West touches Huquang in the North-West Honan and the remainder the Territory of Quantung Although the Chineses reckon except the chief Province of Peking wherein the Court and Seat of the Emperor is kept that of Kiangnang the next in honor and order yet setting aside the Emperor's residence there it cannot be compar'd to this of Nanking either in Magnitude Fertility or ought else nay their Histories affirm that the ancient Chinese Emperors as V Cyn Sun Ci Leang Chin and the Family Tang first Planted the Seat of the Empire in this Province although afterwards Transported thence to Peking by the Taymingian Family the better and with the more ease to oppose the Tartars incursions being nearest to their Borders The whole Province is divided into fourteen great Territories viz. Kiangningsu or Nankingfu Fungyangfu Suchenfu Sunkiangfu Changcheufu Chingkiangfu Yancheufu Hoaiganfu Lucheufu Gankingfu Taipingfu Ningquefu Chicheufu Hoeicheufu besides four small Counties as Quangte Hocheu Chucheu Siuchtu every one having great and small Towns in them to the number of an hundred and ten The first County Kiangningfu hath for boundaries on the North-East Yancheufu in the East Changcheufu and Sucheufu in the South Ningquefu in the West Taipingfu and Hocheufu in the North and North-West Cheuchufu This County contains seven Towns viz. Nanking or Kiangning the chief and Metropolis of the whole Province Kucyung Lieyang Lieuxui Caoxun Kiangpu and Loho The first Builder of the City of Nanking was Guoi King of Cu who call'd her Kinling that is Gilded Tract of Land The first Raiser of the Family Cyn nam'd it afterwards Moling the Kings V. which kept their Court there Kienye the House of Tang Kiangning but the Taimingian Family chang'd the Name of Kiangning to that of Ingtien but at last the Tartars after having harrased the whole Empire of China restor'd it the ancient Name Kiangning This Kiangning lieth in thirty two Degrees and fifteen Minutes Northern Latitude about six Leagues from the Eastern Shore of the River Kiang in a pleasant and delightful Plain for the River Kiang flows through broad and deep digg'd Graffs not onely by the City Walls but also into it with several Navigable Channels In like manner the East side of the City lying in a pleasant Valley is interwoven with broad Graffs by which means they may as well come to this part of the City in Barges as to that side which verges with the River Kiang and may there likewise lade and unlade Vessels of ordinary Burthen Over all these Graffs lead several Stone Bridges supported on divers Arches Over the fore-mention'd Channel which runs from the River Kiang into the City is a Bridge with fourteen Arches According to the opinion of the Chinese Geographers this City doth not onely exceed all other Cities on the Earth in bigness but also in beauty and indeed she is inferior to few for as to what concerns her inward part is most plain except some pleasant and easie Ascents It stands surrounded with a double Wall the first and innermost of which is six German Miles in circumference or according to Trigaut and Martinius eighteen Italian Miles yet the City it self is not above six Leagues in circumference This Wall incloseth the Palace and most part of the City The second or outward Wall is much bigger but not continu'd round or joyn'd together in all places but stands onely as a Defence in those places where the City is weakest When two Troopers for so the Chineses describe this Wall are sent from one another in the Morning to Ride about the City they meet not again till Night by which may easily be judg'd the bigness of the Wall and City Notwithstanding within the circumference of this Wall there are great and spacious Gardens Lakes Mounts and Warrens yet the greatest part thereof is full of Inhabitants The first Wall which is above thirty Foot high whose under part consists of Free-Stone but the upper onely of bak'd Stones or Bricks is rais'd very even and hath Battlements round about strengthned with Redoubts and Watch-houses It reckons thirteen Gates some of which have four and others five Posterns whose Doors are cover'd with Iron Plates Every one of these Gates are continually Guarded by strong Parties of Soldiers The chiefest Streets are about twenty eight Paces broad and being as direct as a Line are in the middle Pav'd with broad blue Stones and on each side with Pebbles The common Citizens Houses are neither fair nor costly but mean and without Conveniences being but one Story high standing all with their Gable-ends towards the Streets with onely one Door The Front hath a square Hole in stead of a Window before which they have
Interpreters came aboard to tell the Ambassador That they could not speak with his Excellency that Evening he being gone to sleep before they came but they would go to him early the next Morning as accordingly they did desiring to know of the Ambassador what time he might wait upon him But returning they brought word That his Excellency durst not permit it because he had not yet had Audience from the Emperor Mean time his Highness Sail'd by the Netherlanders accompany'd with twenty great Barges The City Gioechioe is a Ruin'd place bury'd almost in heaps of Rubbish occasion'd by the last War After they had gotten Coelies they left that City though with slow advance because the River notwithstanding the Wind was good in many places as they had seen the day before was full of dry Sands yet at last passing by Sanghkiatwangh they could because of the Night coming on get no further than Wanghiapan where they came to an Anchor having notwithstanding they had a good Wind Sail'd but two Leagues and a little more The fifteenth in the Morning they Weigh'd again and with Sailing and Towing past by Ponsinghou and Googothien and in the Afternoon arriv'd at Goechin where they staid all Night having this day gain'd three Leagues About half a League from Goechin lies the City Goeycen North-West into the Countrey which appear'd but little to the Netherlanders for they did not put in to it but seem'd rather like a large Castle than a City A little before they arriv'd at Goechien a grand Mandarin a Tartar as it was said Nephew to the present Emperor came to Complement and Visit the Ambassador in his Barge where he was entertain'd with a Glass of Spanish Wine which having drank and seen the Horses he took his leave The sixteenth leaving Goechien they proceeded on their Journey and pass'd by many Houses built on both sides of the River and also by some Villages as Kongidieen t' Santan Nainaimeao Iaumeao and Xantiento the Suburb of Sangsinghwey and in the Evening arriv'd on the East side of the same City before a great Plain lying between the City Walls and the River having this day Sail'd three Leagues Here they were to lie because the River being in a manner dry they could get no higher till the Emperors Order came to unlade the Presents and go with them by Land to Peking which was four Leagues distance The seventeenth nothing happen'd of remark The eighteenth several Mandarins came to Visit and Welcom the Ambassador and likewise that Mandarin which was with him on the fifteenth which was said to be the Emperors Nephew who gave the Ambassador two Sheep for a Fire-Lock which he much desir'd Amongst other Discourses Van Hoorn ask'd this Lord If no other Ambassadors from any other place were in Peking To which he answer'd None but some from the Corean Isles which were shortly to return There happen'd little of note here only the Mandarin Guide came to acquaint the Ambassador that the next Morning Carts and Coelies would come to carry the Goods to Peking and that one of the Lipous would be at a Town call'd Tonghsieuw four Leagues from thence to receive the Ambassador in the Emperor's Name and conduct him to Peking The next Morning being the nineteenth many Carts Coelies and Horses came to fetch the Presents with all the Persons belonging to the Embassy and their Goods to Peking by Land whereupon the Ambassador gave immediate Order for the unlading of them in which they spent all the Morning The Ambassador gave the Barge-men though every one apart which came with him and his Retinue from Sucheu and Hoaigan eighty six Tail of Silver with which they were very well contented About Noon the Netherlanders set forward on their Journey to Tongsieuw with the Presents and their other Goods which were guarded by some Troopers and between a concourse of thousands of Townsmen Rusticks Women and Children About three a Clock coming to Tongsieuw all the Goods were put into an old decay'd House where the Netherlanders also Lodg'd but found small conveniencies The twentieth setting forth by Day-light and having Rid thorow Palikua Swango and Kapucheen they came within half a League of Peking where they were Welcom'd by one of the Lipous call'd Liu Lavja a Native Tartar who kindly receiv'd them and after some Complements conducted them to the City which they enter'd just about Noon in good order Coming within the Gates of Peking they thank'd God for his Mercy in bringing them so great a Journey all in good Health being a Way of many Leagues in which they had spent six Moneths Travelling both by Water and Land by and thorow thirty seven Cities three hundred thirty five Villages and thirty four Temples They were led by the Emperors Palace to the Tartars or Prime Chancellors Court standing behind the Emperors where all his Imperial Majesties Presents according to order were to be left and then the Hollanders to go to their Lodgings prepar'd for them The Streets through which they pass'd swarm'd with People thousands standing on each side of the way which made so great a Dust to which inconveniency the Streets in Peking are very subject that they could scarcely see wherefore they were bid to sit down under the Gate or entrance of the Court from amongst the croud of the People which by thousands stood before it there to stay for the Presents which were left somewhat behind in their Riding through the City Having staid about a quarter of an Hour under the Gate and drank a Cup of Tee the Goods came whereupon the Hollanders were led into a Chamber leaving Putmans and some of the Retinue to look to and separate the Emperors Presents from the other The Ambassador and Nobel with the rest coming into the Chamber they found some Secretaries sitting on a Table which pointed to Van Hoorn to sit on the Floor but he said he could better stand which they observing bid him sit on the same Table where they sat which he accordingly did Then the foremention'd Secretaries began to ask the Ambassador by Order of the Lipous the following Questions viz. Concerning his Quality From whence the Horses and Oxen came How old they were and how many Miles every Horse could go in a Day To all which Questions he gave them fitting answers They likewise ask'd who was the chief in Quality Whether the Ambassadors Son or Nobel because the General of Hoksieu had plac'd the Ambassadors Son first To which was answer'd That the Lord Van Hoorn's Son was according to the Lord Generals Order in Batavia to have the upper place besides many other frivolous Questions not worthy rehearsal Mean while the Lipou which had fetch'd in the Netherlanders came to bring them some Meat dress'd after the Chinese manner which they kindly accepted of having eaten nothing all that day before Putmans also came to tell the Ambassador that after the Netherlanders had taken nineteen Chests with
and the Looking-glasses in return of which he sent one Hog one Pikol of Meal and Rice and a parcel of Fruit of which the Ambassador accepted only the Fruit and sent back the rest yet the civility of their offer avail'd so much that the Hollanders were permitted to pass by the Custom-house and in the Afternoon Sailing by the City Ianchefoe arriv'd at Quasui A Captain who had the Command over a thousand Men in this City and had Presented the Ambassador with some Provision came to bid him Welcome for which Civility he receiv'd five Ells of Stammel The one and twentieth in the Morning leaving the City of Sinksianfoe they Sail'd along the outside of it where they saw abundance of Jonks and Cojas as at Ianchufoe which were newly repair'd of which the Netherlanders asking the reason receiv'd answer that it was customary for all Towns to repair their Vessels once in three years In the Evening they arriv'd at Tayanchcheen where casting Anchor for that Night they Weigh'd again the next Morning being the two and twentieth Upon the way the Ambassador was inform'd by some Barge-men that came from Suchu that the Vice-Roy Singlamong was arriv'd there with his Train to go from thence up to Peking In the Afternoon they reach'd the City of Yanghsu and the next day Anchor'd at the City of Uchinopeen and on the twenty fourth at Xuciquan a Village two Leagues from Suchu before a Custom-house where they lay all Night The next Morning passing the Boome they arriv'd in the Afternoon at the City of Suchu where two Blacks belonging to the Vice-Roy Singlamong's two Sons came aboard the Ambassador to tell him that their Masters were a Month since gone by Land to Peking and that they follow'd with their Goods adding moreover that Singlamong was yet in Hoksieu and was to remain there so that the Barge-mens relation prov'd false In the Afternoon about three a Clock they arriv'd at the West-gate of the City of Suchu Here the Hollanders were met by two Conjurers one a Man and the other a Woman both in handsom Apparel of which there are great numbers in all parts of China that for a small reward proffer their Service to foretel all future Events and procure a good Wind they also came to the Netherlanders to put their Art in practice to hasten or shorten their Journey but they not approving of such Magical assistance sent them away with a small Gift This Conjuring is at large describ'd in the following Description of the Empire of China The Governor of this place came to visit the Ambassador and Present him and the chiefest of his Retinue as Nobel and Putmans with a well-tasted Liquor for which he receiv'd some Ells of Stammel Divers sorts of Liquors made of Rice are drank by the Chineses In the fifth Territory Fuencheufu in the Province of Xensi is a very pleasant Drink and not inferior to either French or Rennish Wine being made of Rice and Kids flesh which last being bruis'd is laid to soke in the Juyce of the Rice This Liquor is highly esteem'd by the Chineses being strong of operation and of a sweet and pleasing taste to the Palate In the fifth County Hinhoa of the Province of Chekiang they boyl the best Liquor in all China of Rice and Water The six and twentieth in the Morning the Netherlanders left the great City Suchu with a fair Wind and came that Evening to the South Suburb of Ukiajeen which City is neatly built and though not very big yet it is surrounded with strong Walls The Inhabitants thereof maintain themselves with Merchandizing and Husbandry In the Morning setting Sail from thence and having got about three Leagues and a half farther they were forc'd the Evening coming suddenly upon them to make to their Harbor The twenty eighth in the Morning they set Sail again from thence and in the Afternoon past by Kiangfoe where they went out of the Province of Nanking into that of Chekiang and in the Evening arriv'd at a Village call'd Sinning The twenty ninth Weighing again they had in sight the City of Ukiajeen which having past in the Evening they rested at Tangheg The thirtieth they came to the North-Suburb of Hanksieu before a Custom-house where the Channel being shut up by a Gate under a Bridge the Ambassador sent to desire that it might be open'd and the Barques suffer'd to go through but the Watch-men answer'd That they must first have order from the Poutsjensy or the Emperor's Farmer so that the Secretary Vander Does was sent to the Governor and Conbon at Hanksieu with a Letter in which the Ambassador desir'd to be speedily dispatch'd and if their Highnesses pleas'd he would come to Complement them Moreover the Secretary was Commanded to ask them If their Highnesses would permit the Ambassador to come and speak with them and bring those Presents of which their Highnesses had receiv'd the Inventory at their Journey up to Peking In the Morning the first of October the Gate being open'd the Ambassador went through with his whole Retinue Soon after the Secretary coming aboard again related That he had been at the Generals the last Night but could not be admitted to Audience To the Letter which he sent him by his Clerk he had return'd answer That he would send a Mandarin early the next Morning to let the Ambassador through the Gate and withal conduct him to his House but it being too late for the Secretary to go to the Conbon that Night he went thither the next Morning to deliver his Highness the Ambassador's Letter and met him as he was coming out of his Court-gate to Complement a great Lord which the day before came thither from Hoksieu and receiv'd in answer that his Highness humbly thank'd the Ambassador for his Civility and that he would expect him Mean while the Vessels went so far into the Suburb that they came to Anchor against a Bank The second the Toya of that place came to Welcom the Ambassador in his Vessel The third nothing happen'd of remark The fourth all the Goods were taken out of these and put into six other Barques lying on the other side of the Bank with which Putmans and Vander Does went the next Morning to the other side of the City there to Reimbarque the Ambassador Nobel and some of the Retinue going before by Land to give order for Shipping of the Goods On the seventh in the Morning leaving the South-Suburb of Hanksieu they arriv'd in the Afternoon at Foejenjeen the ninth at Nienchefoe and the tenth at Lanqui where the great Barques were chang'd for small because here the River began to be very shallow The Governor of this Village invited them to Dinner which in regard they could not put off they went thither and were very kindly entertain'd with various Meats Musick and Drolls towards Evening taking leave On the twelfth in the Morning they left Lanqui and on the thirteenth came to the City of Longuen as
during their time of Government much respected by the common People The third Employment is Treasurer who takes care of the Emperor's Revenue in his Province being Employ'd by the Court of Exchequer which sit at the Emperor's Palace He hath two Councellors allow'd him one of which sits on his right and the other on his left Hand besides twenty six Mandarins and several other Officers His Business is to look after the Customs Farms and all Revenues whatsoever belonging to the Crown He Seals the Weights and Measures decides all Differences concerning Moneys punishing the guilty or sending them if he think fit to higher Courts pays the Magistrates Allies to the Emperor Commanders and Soldiers provides Liveries and Marks of Honor which are given to famous Scholars pays the Money for the repairing of High-ways Bridges Courts or Palaces of the chief Mandarins and Ships of War Lastly this Treasurer hath the Command of all what comes in or goes out of the Treasury He also receives the Emperor's Presents from the Judges Governors and Tauli which every one makes according to their Employments being in Silver Coin or Bullion all which is by him melted into Bars each to the value of fifty Crowns and stamp'd with the Imperial Mark and the Melter's Name that thereby he may know whom to accuse if the Silver should be falsifi'd In this manner it is carry'd into the Emperor's Treasury The fourth Court is call'd Gandchasci that is The Court of Life and Death In it are two Assistants or Tauli whose care is to Visit and go from Town to Town to decide all Differences punish the guilty perform oâ—…r Duties belonging to their Offices which extend over the Militia and Affairs in such Provinces that lie near the Sea The fifth resembles a Colledge of Learned Men ordain'd to Examine Youths how they profit in their Studies and especially to observe their Masters of Art till such time as they have receiv'd their Bonnet and Orders to be Directors The prime of this famous Society is a Chancellor who from time to time goes to Towns and Villages to enquire after the Carriage Deportment and Conversation of the Learned and to punish or chastise them according to their several Offenses There are yet two Persons in every City call'd Hioquon that is Mandarins or Magistrates of Knowledge which also belong to the fore-mention'd five Courts whose Command extends onely over the Students of the City and though they have not Power to give the Degrees due to deserving Persons but onely to chastise them yet nevertheless they are very strict and severe because they continually reside in one Place and like Proctors in our Universities come and Examine the Scholars All these fore-mention'd Courts Command over the whole Province and the Cities Towns and Villages contain'd therein Moreover every City hath peculiar Governors as here in Europe being four eminent Mandarins or Aldermen as one of them is like a Mayor which is by them call'd Chifu Chi signifies Lord or Governor and Fu A Mannor or Tract of Land the other three are his Assistants and call'd Tumchu Tumphuon and Cheuquon every one hath his pecular Court and Officers Besides these are nineteen lesser Magistrates which look after the Towns two of them have a prime Councellor and four inferior Assistants the other nine onely one Councellor and one Assistant the other eight have one supream Head who Commands over their whole Society The Villages have also each of them a Judge and three Justices the Judge is call'd Chihien the first Justice Honchin the second Chufu and the third Tunfu All these have their several Courts or Council-Chambers and likewise Secretaries Clerks and other inferior Officers The Judge may pronounce Sentence of Death but cannot execute it Beside these Mandarins which reside in Towns and Villages there are some which have neither power to Condemn nor Punish but onely to give their Judgments to the Society The great Castles that lie distant from Towns and Villages have also Mandarins or Magistrates chosen from amongst the Clerks for the least Office that any Person of Quality aims at is to be Judge or Justice in a Village Trigaut declares the General Government of every Province as it was in his time after the following manner The Towns which belong to the prime Provinces of Peking and Nanking are Govern'd after the same manner as all the Cities and Towns in the other Provinces The Government of each of the thirteen Provinces consists in a Magistrate call'd Pucinsu and another nam'd Nanganzasu the first determines Civil Causes and the other Criminal They keep their Courts in great State and reside in the Metropolis of the Province To both these belong several petty Officers and also the chief Magistrates which are call'd Tauli but because they Command over several Cities they are sometimes absent from the Metropolis Every Fu â—…r County for a Province is divided into divers Counties hath a peculiar Governor call'd Chifu that is Lord of the County and likewise over every great City or Cheu and over each Town or Hien is a Governor the first call'd Chicheu and the last Cihien These Governors of all the Counties and chief Rulers of Cities have every one four Assistants which aid them in all Businesses that happen in their Jurisdiction being all their Deputies The Chifu or Governor of the County hath his Residence in one of the Cities and determineth all things as Chief for when any Businesses are consultof by the Chicheu and Cihien they acquaint him therewith as their Superior and in the first Degree It is to be observ'd that the Chifu or Governors of the Territories and his Court and the whole County receive their Denomination from the City in which they reside as for example the Governor keeps his Court in the City Nunciang and that City gives denomination to the whole County Governor and Court so that they are call'd Nunciangers Besides these Magistrates there are many others in Cities Towns and Villages as also many Generals and Collonels through the whole Empire but especially in Places bordering the Sea and Garisons Thus far Trigaut All the Magistrates saith the same Trigaut are under nine Orders all comprehended under the Philosopher and Military Man Every one in these Orders receives his Revenue from the publick Stock either in Rice or Mony though but little in respect of their Authority for the Salary of the prime and chief Order amounts not to above a thousand Ducats yearly Those which are of the same Order receive Wages alike whether Philosophers or Military Persons for the chief of the Soldiers get as much as the Supream of the Learned All the Magistrates have a private Seal of their Office given them by the Emperor Humvu What they write in their Law they Seal onely with Red which is a kind of Earth so Red that it is like a Vermilion and digg'd out of the Mountain Tape near the City Lingkien in the Province of
Hills and above four hundred seventy two Holes or Caverns The Chinese Mountain-Gazers look upon it as one of the chief Mountains for Divination By the City Lungchuen near the City Kieyang lies the Mountain Cangpu which extends to the Sea where on the Shore it ends in a most dreadful Precepice They say that Flowers and Birds grow and breed on the same of so strange a kind as are found in no other places By this City Kieyang lies a Mountain of the same denomination divided as it were into Arms or Branches one of which extends to the City Hinning of the County Hoeicheufu and the other towards the City Haifung By the City Hoeilay lies the Mountain Pehoa so call'd from the Flowers which continually grow upon it for it produces several Flowers according to the season of the Year By the City Chinkiang are also many great Hills which lie close together and wherein there are many deep Caverns but not pry'd into by the Chineses for that as it is said many going to dig in them never came out alive none knowing what became of them or whither they went In the County Chaokingfu at the North side of the City Chaoking lies the Mountain Ting on which according to the Writings of the Chineses stands a Stone two hundred Rods high In the Jurisdiction of the City Suhoci lies the Mountain Sin that is The Mountain of Chastity so call'd from a Maid who vowing Solitude and Chastity Liv'd and Dy'd there a Virgin in pure Devotion to the memory of one who having been her Lover and Bethroth'd to her was accidentally devour'd by a Tyger her Parents in vain endeavoring to force her to Marry some other Person to avoid which constraint she fled to this Mountain on which are two Temples built and Consecrated to her By the City Teking lies the Mountain Koleang eminent for its producing a sort of Trees which because of the exceeding hardness of their Wood are call'd Iron Trees In the County Kaocheufu on the East side of the City Kaocheu is the Mountain Feu which is of such a heighth that this onely as the Chineses say appear'd with its Crown above the Water in the time of their general Deluge and that some were preserv'd alive on the same Near the City Tienpe lies the Mountain Koleang which is said to be of that quality that its Inhabitants neither feel excess of heat in the Summer nor cold in the Winter but enjoy all the Year long continual Spring By the City Hoa lies a brave and pleasant Mountain nam'd Pao that is Precious to which the Inhabitants resort in great companies to Recreate themselves In the Territory Liencheufu near the North side of the City Liencheu lies in a private place the great Mountain Uhoang famous amongst the Chineses upon a supposition they have that the Fruit which grows there is found no where else and that if any one should presume to carry any away with him having liberty to Eat as much as he pleases there he would never find his way out of the Mountain From the City King towards the West the way through the Mountains is so troublesome to find that Mayven a General of the Chineses marching with an Army against the Emperor of Tungking caus'd Copper Columes to be set up in the same that thereby he might find that way out again at his return to this day one of them may be seen standing on a steep ascent call'd Fuenmoa where the Boundaries are between the Kingdom of Tungkin and China In the County Luicheufu Southward from the City Luicheu is the Mountain Kingliu on which from a flash of Lightning sprung a Fountain Another Hill nam'd Tatunglai near the City Cuiki on an Isle in the Sea near the Shore hath seventy Furlongs in Circumference and eight Populous Villages which maintain themselves with fishing for Pearls There are moreover in this Province in the County Quancheufu near the City Tunguen the Mountain Heufu making an Isle in the Sea Near the same City the Mountain Tahi on the Sea-shore In the County Hoeucheufu the Mountain Lofeu extending from the City Changing to the City Polo In the County Xaocheu near the City Lochang the Mountain Chang North of the City Nanking the high and far-spreading Mountain Tecafung By the City Xihing the fair and pleasant Mountain Sicung Near the Moat of the City King the Mountain Heng About the City Linxan the high Hill Loyang THe Province of Quangsi possesses an endless Ridge of barren and unaccessible Mountains In the County Queilufu towards the North-East of the chief City Queilin appears the Quei a Mountain so call'd from the abundance of Trees nam'd Quei these Trees suffer no other to grow near them nor in the same places where they have stood formerly The Mountain Tosieu lies also near the City Queilin and hath a very fine Colledge More Northward in the same Tract of Land lies the Mountain Xin with three high Precipices on the top of one of them stands a Palace so high that the Chineses affirm it to be in the third or purest Region of the Air above all the Clouds By the City Hingquan lies the Mountain Haiyang which reaches to the City Lingchuen upon it is a Pool which breeds four Footed Beasts and Horn'd Fish which Monsters the Chineses believe are to Recreate the Dragon therefore dare not offer to kill any of them The Mountain Hoa that is Flower so call'd from its pleasant Prospect lies on the Shore of the River Quei near the City Yangso By the City Iungfo lies the Mountain Fungcao that is Phenix Nest the Chineses affirm that the Bird Phenix bred and made his Nest on the same and that under the Phenix Nest a very Precious and unvaluable Stone hath been found About the City Cyven lies the Mountain Siang Crown'd with a fair Temple and Cloyster Northward beyond the City Queilin a Ridge of steep Hills runs along with seven rising tops which exactly represent the shape of The great Bear wherefore it is call'd Chiesing that is Hill of the seven Stars In the County Lieucheufu lies Southward from the City Lieucheu the Mountain Sienie from whose several observable things as its deep Caverns Spiry Point which like a Pillar of one intire Stone shoots up in a straight and Perpendicular Line its Stone Image of a Horse c. the Chineses Draw in their Fancy many lucky Omens Northward of the City Siang rises the Mountain Xintang which is so high and steep that it is almost inaccessible yet on its top hath a pleasant Lake full of Fish and surrounded with Trees whereupon the Chineses who are very curious to see such things climbe up this Mountain with great labor and trouble reporting that for its pleasant Situation it was formerly frequented by a People which they say never Die and are call'd Xincien In the County Kingyvenfu Northward from the City Kingyven appears the Mountain Y onely remarkable for its standing alone for whereas
add that all the Birds about the latter end of Harvest meet on the same and there bewail the death of their Phenix The Inhabitants observe also that time and climb up the Hill in the Night with Lights to catch Birds and return from thence loaden with their purchase Moreover according to Bontius on the Island Iava breed ordinary Bats in the Woods which are as big as Pigeons which the Iavans eat for a great Dainty They often come into the Houses at Night if the Windows or Doors chance to be left open in the Day and fastning themselves like Leeches to the Feet of those whom they find asleep suck great abundance of Blood from them which more amazes than hurts them when they awake Fishes BEcause of the many Rivers Pools and Lakes the Countrey of China abounds with variety of Fish especially the Province of Xantung which by reason of its Neighborhood to the Sea hath besides the Fish taken in Rivers and Lakes great store which are got in the Sea in such abundance that for the value of a Peny they purchase ten Pound weight of Fish Also there is incredible store of Fish in the Province of Huquang and likewise in that of Kiangsi especially Salmon In the River Kiang about the City Kieukyang though some Leagues from the Sea store of Fish is caught as Cod Dolphins and Salmon In the River Lofeu by the City Xeu in the Province of Huquang are excellent Lamprees in abundance The Yellow River amongst the rest breeds a Fish nam'd Xehon that is Marbled Flower so call'd from the Marble Spots on its Skin It is caught in no other place but near the City Paote in the Province of Xansi and is in great esteem amongst such as take upon them to understand Eating They are taken chiefly in the Province of Fokien near the City Hunghoa The River Tan which glides close by the chief City Nanyang in the Province of Honan hath Fish of a perfect red colour which are onely seen and caught in the beginning of Summer for the remaining time of the year they hide themselves The Chineses ridiculously believe and some have written to that effect If any one besmears his Feet with the Blood of this Fish he may walk on the Water as well as on the Land They add moreover That if the Water be stirr'd at that time it immediately turns red together with all the Fish which at that present appear wherefore it hath the Name of Tan that is Red. The County of Ningpofu in the Province of Chekiang lying near the Sea is well provided with Sea-Fish which they dry in the Sun as Oysters Crabs and Lobsters with which they furnish most parts of China In the beginning of Summer is caught a Fish nam'd Hoang that is to say Yellow because of its yellow colour This Fish is of such a Nature that it will not last one hour good after it is taken out of the Water but it is exceedingly valu'd amongst the Chineses they put it into Vessels with Ice and so bring it to Market for which purpose they preserve Ice in the Winter to keep the fore-mention'd Fish in in the Summer In a Lake of the compass of two hundred Acres lying on the Mountain Cienking in the County Hancheufu in the Province of Chekiang they catch Fish of a Golden colour from which they are call'd Kinyu for Kin signifies Gold and Yu a Fish having a Scale which shines as if sprinkled with Gold They scarce ever exceed a Fingers length yet have Tails split into two or three parts sometimes intire and broad which make them appear fair to the Eye They are by the Chineses kept with great care alive in their Houses or Gardens in neat Vessels made for that purpose The Grandees often with their own Hands catch this Fish which on the other side as if it knew who was its Lord and what pleasure it did him comes as it were on purpose with his Companion and plays just above the Water One of these Fishes if it be perfect and sound costs sometimes three or four Crowns In the watry Valley on the Mountain Haiyang near the City Queiling in the Province of Quangsi are Four-footed and Horn'd Fish In the River Siang in the County Changxafu in the Province of Huquang and in the great River Kiang where it runs through the Province of Nanking are a sort of Fish by the Chineses from the Portuguese corruptly call'd Xanel A great quantity of this Fish pack'd up alive in Ice in peculiar Vessels is sent to the Emperor to Peking every Week two Ships Lading of them as long as the time of Fishing continues and though it be above two hundred Leagues by Water yet in eight or ten days they finish their Journey for Night and Day the Vessels are Toed by a Line and new Toers taken so soon as the old ones begin to be tir'd which at appointed places like our Stages stand ready for by a Letter sent before they acquaint them with the Hour when they shall be there and if any neglect happen herein the Governors forfeit their Lives No Cost nor Charges are spar'd to procure the Emperor this excellent Fish of which he gives some to his Council of State The County Chinkiangfu in the Province of Iunnan hath many Rivers Pools and Lakes abounding with Fish and amongst others one out of which the Physicians draw an excellent Medicine against all kind of Scurf and Scabs In the same County by the City Yangcung in the Lake Ming is a black colour'd Fish nam'd Cing which is said to be good against many Diseases In the County Fungciangfu in the Province of Xensi near the City Pingyang they take a Fish call'd Xe that is Stone which being dry'd and beaten to Powder keeps Moths out of Clothes if strow'd on the same In the Sea before the County Taicheufu in the Province of Chekiang the Chineses catch many Haions or Seals whose Skins they send to Iapan to make Scabbards for Swords and through all parts of China making great profit of them as the said Skin is us'd amongst us for the making Cases for Watches and Handles for Knives Serpents and creeping Animals IN the County Fungchiangfu in the Province of Xensi is a sort of black Serpent of which the Chineses make a Medicine to expel Poyson and cure many Distempers In the County Nanyangfu in the Province of Honan are Serpents whose Skin is generally full of white Spots The Wine in which they have been steep'd is an excellent Remedy against Stiffness of the Joynts or Limbs In the County Hoangcheufu in the Province of Huquang are Serpents which heal the Leprosie and Scabbiness On the Mountain Citien by the City Caihoa in the Province of Chekiang are very great Serpents which have no manner of Poyson In the County Gucheufu in the Province of Quangsi are as the Chineses write Serpents several Rods in length no wonder then if they are
is of the ould Summer Leaves and it is onely the change of Food as the young and old Leaves which makes the difference in the Silk This is perhaps the reason why the Silk which is made in Europe is courser than that made by the Chineses The Prices of the first and second Spinning also differs amongst the Chineses whenas most Silk-Throsters in Europe make no difference therein The best Silk is Spun in March the coursest in Iune yet both in one year The breeding of the Worms is all one and requires as much trouble and care as in some places in Europe therefore it is plainly false and a Romance That all the Silk in China is produc'd by the Silk-Worms on the Trees without care or labour Martinius tells us That the breeding of Silk-Worms and making of Cotton and Silk is an ancient Invention of the Chineses for the Wife of the Emperor Ya who Reign'd Anno 2357. before the Navity of Christ is said to have been the first Inventress and Teacher thereof to her Subjects for though the breeding of Silk-Worms was not unknown to the Chineses at that time yet they were ignorant in the Art of making Clothes of the same as it generally happens in the beginning of all things To the Chineses justly belongs the honour that from them originally the Art of making Silk was translated to other Countreys of Asia and Europe In the Province of Xantung the Silk Threds are Spun on Trees and in the Fields not by tame Silk-Worms but another kind of Worm like a Caterpiller which Spin not their Silk in manner of a Ball or Egg but in long Threds of a white colour which are blown to and again by the Wind on Trees and Houses from whence the Inhabitants fetch them almost after the same manner as our long Spider-Threds in Cobwebs which flye up and down in Summer Of this Silk they also make Silk-Stuffs as well as of that Spun by Silk-Worms and much stronger though somewhat courser Divers Animals in the Greek Tongue call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Creatures which live in the Water as well as on the Shore are in several places of China In the County Hoeicheufu in the Province of Quantung breeds a Monster of Nature by the Chineses call'd Hoangcioyu that is Yellow-Bird Fish for it is neither Bird nor Fish but both that is to say all the Summer it is a Bird of a Saffron colour and flyes in the Mountains but at the end of Harvest it betakes it self to the Sea and becomes a Fish and being caught in Winter is as the Chineses say very sweet and good Meat In the County Chaocheufu in the same Province are many Crocodiles in the River Zo which oftentimes hurt the neighboring People On the East side of the chief City Gucheu in the Province of Quangsi is a little Lake nam'd Go in which King Pegao in ancient times kept ten Crocodiles to which he threw Malefactors to be devour'd by them those which were guiltless or innocent being as the Chineses say found untouch'd were taken out again and releas'd In the Province of Huquang in the River Siang is a Beast which chiefly resembles a Horse but with Scales on its Body and Claws like a Tyger It is of a cruel Nature and seizes on Man and Beast especially in Harvest for then it often comes out of the Water and runs all over the Countrey In the River Iun in the same County Chaokingfu in the Province of Quantung breeds a Fish by the Chineses call'd The Swimming Cow because it often comes out of the Water and engages with its Horns the tame Cow but if it stays long out of the Water its Horns turn yellow and lose their hardness by which means it is forc'd to return to the Water where it becomes a Fish again and the Horns obtain their former hardness In the County Changtefu in the Province of Honan breeds a Fish in the Rivers by the Chineses nam'd Hagul that is Child because when caught it cries like a Child In shape this Fish differs little from a Crocodile hath a long Tail and goes on four Feet The Fat thereof once set on fire cannot be quench'd either by Water or any other means In China also are many Land and Sea-Tortoises or Turtles call'd Quei especially in the County Chunkingfu in the Province of Suchuen and in the Island Pequei that is Isle of Turtles lying in the River Kiang and the Province of Huquang some of them are very big and others small and handsom which the Inhabitants keep in their Houses some are no bigger than a small Bird. The Chineses relate of a strange accident that happen'd there to a Soldier who being accidentally by his Enemies thrown into the River was by a Tortoise which it is likely he had formerly fed and set at liberty carry'd like an Arion on a Dolphins back to the opposite Shore In the fourth County Hoeicheufu in the Province of Quantung are seen at Sea Turtles of such a vast bigness that afar off they seem to be Rocks some having Shrubs and other Plants growing on their Shells In some Provinces of China and especially in Honan are flying Turtles with green and others with blue Wings on their Feet by the spreading out of which they push themselves forward leaping after the manner of Grashoppers The Feet of these Turtles are for the Rarity thereof in great esteem among the Chineses those that have green Wing'd Feet are call'd Lo Mae Quey Quey signifying A Tortoise Lo Green and Mae Wings In all places near the Sea are plenty of Oysters almost as good as our Colchester-Oysters especially in the County Tencheufu in the Province of Xantung In the eleventh County Vencheufu of the Province of Chikiang are small Oysters of which it is reported that from the Powder of them dry'd and stamp'd and Sown like Seed along the Fields in Marsh Ground there grow Oysters of a very sweet Rellish most of the Sea-bordering places abound also with Crabs and Lobsters Minerals Stones and Earths THrough all China are an innumerable company of Mines which abound in all sorts of Mettal and in particular Gold and Silver in great store though there be an Edict in China not to Dig for them because as the Chineses say Men are generally kill'd in the Mines by the dangerous Damps and Vapours that arise from the Earth But to gather Gold on the Shores of Rivers is free for every Man after which manner they get great store and Gold is rather a Commodity or Merchandize it self amongst the Chineses than a Purchaser of other Commodities In the Province of Iunnan they gather great quantities of Gold out of the cleans'd Sand but if the Mines might be open'd the Chineses could not expect greater abundance of Gold or Silver from any other place from whence there is a Proverb amongst them wherein those that are seen to spend their Estates in Riot and Prodigality are ask'd Whither their Fathers be
Their Authority The punishment of Criminals Shew great respect one to another and chiefly the Youth to the antient People Strange Marriage The Formosan Men live not with the Women May not speak to them in the day-time Horrible Murder of their Infants In what year the Formosan Men begin to keep House with their Wives Unmarry'd People have their Dwellings apart The Formosan Houses are artificial Their Houshold-stuff Feasts Strange ordering of their Dead Strange Dancings How strangely they order their Sick The Religion of the Formosans What they account Sin Their chiefest Idols Their gods of War Women perform Divine Services Strange actions Drunkenness a Vertue The Office of the Inibs Formosans become Christians Why they are easier converted than other Indidians The Island Formosa is divided into eight Dominions Beasts Every Picol is 125 pound weight Apparel Houses The strength of the Island Manner of Fighting Arms. Curing of their Sick Mourning for the Dead Seven Feasts First Second Feast Third Feast Fourth Feast Fifth Feast Sixth Feast Seventh Feast Hunting Language A kind of their Meat or Drink The Rebellion ended A Plague of Locusts Tayowan very barren yet populous Fort Zelandia Castle of Utrecht a A sort of small Vessels Inhabitants Lib. 9. pag. 389. Number of Guns Seamen and Soldiers The Fleet divided into three Squadrons Weighs Anchor Island of Hoorn Thousand Islands Boomyes Riff Island Lukapar Island Banka Poele Toutyon Island Linge Poele Zay Strange Birds-nests a That is about two Spanish Duckets Lignum Aloes Bay of Pangerang Lignum Aloes Box-Islands Poeyan Poele Canton Island Hainan Tang Goie Cape Puthay Storm-Bay Cape of Cavalles Sotiha taken Van Campen go's ashore Five Mandarins come aboard the Naerden A Mandarin with a Letter from the Vice-Roy and General to Admiral Bort A Letter from the Governor of Hoksieu to Bort The Instructions of the Admiral to the Agents going to Sinksieu These were taken before by Coxinga The Agents come to Hoksieu The Viceroy's Palace The Fort Aulavia The Village Lanpon The City Hokzwa The City Zwansifoe The City Engeling Forts Twaia City Tanwa Come in sight of the City Sinksieu Are fetched in Make their Arrival known and desire Audience Ride to the Army Presents for the Vice-Roy a A kind of Iapan Chest of Drawers The Agents go to the General Lipovi a That is Baskets The Agents address themselves to the Vice-Roy and General in the Army Vice-Roy's Discourse to the Hollanders City Sinksieu City Tamwa Fort Tamhoe City Zwansifoe Fort Zwansehoo City Enwa Fort Lantongzwa Martinius Hist. of China publish'd in 1653. Leave Hokzwa Fort Anlavja The Agents Treatment with Hanlavia Islands of Pakka Iohn Van Campen's Bay City Samzwa City Zwathia Fort Kitat taken by the Netherlanders The Conquer'd Chineses wear their Hair short as the Tartars The red Flag among the Tartar-Chineses signifies Peace as the white Flag War Orders from the grand Council of Batavia a An Officer belonging to the City Assam is a Hollander otherwise call'd Maurice and brought the first Letter from Summimpessiou a Singlamong and Lipovi a Unthresâ—…'d Rice February By the Hollanders call'd The Straights of Tayowan March a Lavja which is the termination of all these Names is no other than such a one Lord or the Lord such a one Chineses come over to the Hollanders The Original of the City Macao March The return of the five Ships with the Rere-Admiral from the Coast of China March 1664. A Copy of the Council of States Letter â—…rse with May. Feast Peelou kept by the Chineses Lipovi will resign his Governorship Hogenhoeks Request for the Emperors Allowance Iune Secretary Zangia comeâ—… to Hogenhoek Iuly Hogenhoek visits Lipovi August Hogenhoek invited by the Vice-Roy to Dinner His Discourse with him Borders Borders Cities Borders Cities Borders Towns Names Borders Names Towns Borders Names Towns Borders Names Towns Borders The smallest Tract of Land belonging to the City Foning Fortresses Martin Histor. Sinen l. 2. pag. 54. a A Chinese Strong-Water a As the Dutch call it a Chinese Suckets a Captain Nobel October a The Ambassador November Four Months the River Hoksieu in China not navigable a A kind of Corn. December Trigaut A Conderin is a small Chinese Weight A Letter to the General Talavja The General 's Answer Nobel desires a Pass for the Blyswiik Frigat Nobel's Request to the General The General 's Factor's Proffer to Nobel Nobel's Answer Novel and Vander Does Discourse with the General His Answer Ianuary 1667. Blyswiik Frigat sets Sail. Liu-lavja comes to the Netherlanders in the Lodge Nobel and Vander Does go to the General The General 's Order for the seized Batavian Chinese Goods Are carry'd away Nobel and Vander Does come to the Vice-Roy Nobel and Harthouwer go to the General Cannot be admitted 〈◊〉 have Audience Letters sent to Holland Van Hoorn Dines with the chief Factor The Ambassador receives order to go his Journey Leave Hoksieu But twenty four Hollanders are suffer'd to go to Peking Ambassador proceeds on his Journey Ambassadors Expences The City Ienping February The City Kienningfoe The City Poutchin Presents Landed The Ambassador leaves Poutchin Territory Chekiang Division Names Cities Borders Borders Towns Borders Towns Borders Towns Borders Names Towns Borders Towns Fortresses Islands River Che. Lake Sikin Lake Pehiai Pool Papou its strange quality Bird Hoangcio Fish Hoang A strange quality of a Mountain Oysters Fruit Peci its strange quality Hower Mogorin Tallow Tree Revenâ—…es paid by this Province to the Emperor Mountains Iakoling Tâ—…anchia Sunthia March City Kiucheu City Iansjenne City Sinching City Fujang Chankeeuw the Suburb of Hancheu Pingtouw visits the Ambassador The Ambassador goes to the General The Governor refuses the Presents Complementing Letter to the General To the Conbon Presents sent from the Conbon to he Ambassador General 's Present Nobel and Vander Does go to the General Goes also to the Conbon And to Manchu They concluded to send for a Ship with Merchandize and from Hoksieu to Ningpo Van Hoorn writes to Harthouwer concerning it Presents for the Pingtouw Orders not to Transport Silk Chekiang produces much Silk Histor. China Borders of the Province Nanking Worth Division Borders Towns Names Walls Gates An antient Palacâ—… of the Emperors A strange Tower Porcellane Tower Borders Names Towns Borders Towns Names Borders Towns Towns Borders Names Borders Towns Borders Names Borders Towns Borders Towns Borders Names Towns Come to Sucheu The Conbon Presents the Ambassador Shift the Goods The Conbon sends Provender The Ambassador Complemented by a Mandarin Leave Siucheu Haven Masters belonging to Hanksieu depart The Ambassador's Letter to the General and Conbon of Hanksieu The City Usie April City Tanyang City Chinkiang The Ambassador is invited to the Governor Presents to the Governor Discourse between the Ambassador and two Mandarins Wayopoe City Kayoven City Paoing Arrive at Hoaigan The Ambassador is entertain'd by the Governor of Hoaigan A Complementing Letter from the Ambassador to the Commissary Presents to the Ambassador Letter to