Coast of China three or four unknown Isles and seven Ships at an Anchor near the Shore which were the lost Ships with the Admiral that they were in quest of About Noon the Vice-Admiral was commanded aboard of the Admiral Bort by Captain Auke Pieterson Master of the Ter-Boede Frigat and inform'd by him That he had taken nineteen Jonks great and small near Tenhay six or seven of which they had fetch'd from the Shore and burn'd the rest except one which was blown up by its own Powder The Booty of the taken Jonks consisted in forty one square Packs nineteen Fardels and five Bales of fine white Silk a hundred and thirteen Pieces of Spiljauter sixty seven Pigs of Lead great and small two hundred sixty eight Bags of Pepper besides sixty nine Guns and Blunderbusses The twelfth being Saturday the Fleet setting Sail steer'd their Course to the River of Hoksieu to perform the Orders of the General and Council of India but was forc'd by calm Weather and contrary Tides to come to an Anchor again in seven Fathom Water a little to the Westward of the Bay not far from the Land border'd with a white sandy Shore In the hanging of the Mountain appear'd a great and well-built City call'd Sotiha whereof the Walls of one side were wash'd by the Sea Near the Shore and against the Gates lay some small Jonks and many other Vessels that were hall'd up above the Water-mark whither the Admiral Bort and Vice-Admiral Van Campen in the afternoon sent ninety seven Seamen and one hundred and fifty Soldiers in five Boats and seven Sloops with Command to set them all on fire for they belong'd to Coxinga but to spare all Houses The Hollanders coming near the Shore were roughly entertain'd by the Chineses with great Guns and Musquets but being once Landed they met with little resistance for the Chineses fled unto the Mountains whereupon Van Campen entring the City with his Men set a Watch in a great House near the Gate and sent the rest of his People in three Parties through the City This City Sotiha had been ruin'd and burnt by the Tartars about a year before but since that rebuilt with many handsom Houses wherein they found good quantities of Rice Salt and dri'd Fish Three Chineses were also taken with four Women but set at liberty again immediately A young Woman was found Murder'd but how none knew This Place is now inhabited chiefly by Chineses short-hair'd like the Tartars that maintain themselves with Fishing and Husbandry being Licenced thereto by the Governor of Hoksieu After the firing of twenty seven small and great Vessels Laden with Pepper Silk and other Commodities to be Transported to Iapan Van Campen with his People in the Evening leaving the Shore went aboard where he related his Adventures to the Admiral Hence the Fleet Sail'd somewhat Southerly and Anchor'd before the City Tenhay in nine Fathom Water This Tenhay hath no Walls and inhabited onely by Fisher-men and some Merchants The thirteenth being Sunday the Fleet between Tenhay and the River Hoksieu came to Anchor in eight Fathom Water where in the Bay of Linkun they espi'd some small Fisher-men with their Nets This Bay of Linkun lies also between the River Hoksieu and Tenhay where some Priests coming to the Netherlanders requested of them a Pass that they might go free if any of their Ships should meet with them at Sea promising to do the same to them if the Hollanders had occasion to travel by Land or Water The Vice-Admiral Van Campen sent to the Admiral Bort to know if the six Jonks should stay near Tenhay or go into the River Hoksieu that if a Storm should happen they might not be driven from their Anchors with which they were but meanly provided and had scarce Provision for six or seven Days In the Night they saw many Fires upon the Mountains The fourteenth being Monday in the Morning the Fleet Anchor'd near the Banks of Hoksieu about a League from the Shore and to make their coming known to the Tartars Bort commanded seven Guns to be fir'd from the Naerden Frigat five from the Zierikzee three from the Domburgh and one from all the rest of the other Ships Here it was concluded that Captain Abraham Pon Commander of the Breukelen with six Men one Quarter-master and the Interpreter Lakka with three Tartars that came to the Hollanders at Tayowan the year before should carry a Letter to the Governors and Vice-Roy On Tuesday the fifteenth the Vice-Admiral Van Campen according as order'd the day before Sail'd with two Frigats three Pinks besides the six foremention'd Jonks towards Hoksieu or Chancheu commonly call'd The River Chang Steering his Course West and by South between two Sands near the White Rocks which appear like Pyramids and close by the North-east Foreland and bringing the Pyramids on his Starboard he alter'd his Course towards the South-west through a narrow Channel six seven or eight Fathom deep gravelly Ground Thence he Steer'd his Course East North-east and Anchor'd in eight Fathom Water between two pleasant Isles and left on his Starboard two other within Cannon-shot which serv'd as safe Harbors for all Ships against foul Weather Near the Evening Van Campen fell down with the Ebb out of the River towards the Bar of Hoksieu and came about four Glasses after Sun-set to the rest of the Fleet where going Aboard the Naerden Fregat he gave an account to the Admiral of Affairs to his great satisfaction The sixteenth being Wednesday the Fleet pass'd into the River Hoksieu and came presently after Noon with the Flood by the high North-east Point of the Eastermost Island having the White Rocks on their Starboard and working through a strong Ebb in a narrow Channel they came to an Anchor in five Fathom Water where immediately three handsom Chinese Vessels with five grand Mandarins came Aboard of the Naerden Fregat to the Admiral Bort and with much Ceremony and Complement welcom'd both the Admiral and Vice-Admiral At Low-water the Naerden Frigat sitting upon the Sand much troubled the Admiral who call'd to Van Campen telling him that he had brought the Ships to a bad Place to Anchor in but he little regarding such a danger repli'd To Morrow if it be the Admiral 's pleasure I will carry the Ships out of the River again The seventeenth in the Morning the Fleet weigh'd Anchor and Sail'd along in five six seven and eight Fathom Water thence they Sail'd Northwest up the River along the Northermost Island against the middle of which being a safe Harbor the Ships came to Anchor Not far from hence lay four Islands formerly peopled but now laid waste and depopulated by the Tartars A whole Moneth the Netherlanders lay near these four Islands where they got all things in a plentiful manner though the ordinary Sea-men were not permitted to go ashore without leave and onely six at a time because they should not be burdensom nor affright the Inhabitants
Men of good Quality and well esteem'd at home upon such Foreign Negotiations The Mandarins further inquisitive came at last to ask What Offices they bore in their Princes Court What their Names and Titles of Honor were How many Men they had under their Command All which the Embassadors answer'd very punctually Then they inquir'd again If they came directly from Holland or Batavia If from Batavia What kind of Place it was and what manner of Person the General Which being resolv'd the Mandarins went away satisfied The next day the Embassadors with the Presents appear'd by order of the Chancellor before the Council without which they were not to be admitted where the Chancellor sate uppermost on a high Bed cross-legg'd Next him on the right Hand sate two Tartar Lords and on the left a Iesuit call'd Adam Schal an ancient and venerable Person and being close shaven look'd like a Tartar he had dwelt above forty six years in the several Reigns of Chinesy Princes in the Court at Peking The rest of the Council sate promiscuously without any Order or State one among another upon Benches onely cover'd with old white Linnen The Chancellor welcoming the Ambassadors in few words Commanded them to sit then laying the Presents on a Table he ask'd upon the matter all the Questions which the Mandarines had formerly whereto the Ambassadors by the help of Father Adam their Interpreter there gave ready Answers Mean while Order came from the Emperor to the Council wherein the Jesuit was desir'd to write down and to deliver to his Imperial Majesty that night if the Hollanders possess'd any Land and also where and how far it lay distant from his and also how their Prince was call'd and what kind of Government they maintain'd All which Schal deliver'd in Writing to the Chancellor Adding that their Countrey did formerly belong to the King of Spain from whom they keep it unjustly c. But the Chancellor perceiving that the Jesuit had no kindness for them scrupling made him put in and put out and write the whole matter twice over then ordering him to Transcribe it fair he refus'd excusing himself by age and weakness of sight Upon which he commanded one of his Under-Clerks to write it over which done it was immediately with some small Presents carry'd to the Emperor Who soon after having receiv'd this advice sent a Mandatory Letter to the Council signifying That he receiv'd the Hollanders as Ambassadors and permitted that they might be brought into his presence so soon as he should sit upon the Throne in his new Court The Letter to the Council was written in these words Most Honorable and our great Lords the Holland Ambassadors are come hither with their Presents to Complement the Emperor and shew their obedience to Us which no Record shews nor any remembers that they ever did to this Crown in thousands of years before Therefore since this is their first Address We receive them as Ambassadors and permit that they when We shall sit on Our Imperial Throne in Our New Palace may be brought into Our presence to shew their obedience to Us that afterwards they may be well entertain'd and dealt withal according to their own requests and also be speedily dispatch'd for their better departure and the rather because out of respect to Our Fame they are come an unimaginable vast way by Sea and also by Land nay as if they came out of a shadow from high Mountains to rest their Feet at Peking there with open Eyes to behold the clear Sun in the Firmament therefore how can We withstand and deny the Requests of such Persons after their long and tedious Voyages But after when the Ambassadors Letters of Credence Translated by Schal were read to the Emperor he sent to the Chancellor a second Order in these words Having on the sixteenth day of the sixth Moon read over the Hollanders Letters a second time and gotten a right understanding thereof We find that their Embassy which they have undertaken is freely out of their own kindness and inclination towards Us and that from a Countrey lying beyond the great Sea just like a Bird that takes a voluntary flight through the Air and cannot be forc'd to come down And since We esteem this Embassy higher than ought else and would befriend as Our self therefore We charge you Our Chancellor and the rest of Our Council of State upon their Requests which they shall make by way of this Embassy to permit them egress and regress through Our Empire and what other Agreements you drive with them you acquaint Us therewith This Letter being read the Chancellor ask'd the Ambassadors if they could in like manner make annual Addresses if not every three year whereupon the Ambassadors answer'd That they could with more certainty and Ceremony wait on the Emperor with their due obeisance in Peking every fifth year so that they might be Licens'd yearly with four Ships to come and Traffique at Canton Which Proposal the Chancellor put to the Vote and the Tartars with one voice judg'd their Designs were fit just and reasonable But the Chineses thought it sufficient if they made their Addresses to the Emperor but every ninth year to save the trouble and danger of so long a Journey supposing what the Tartarians did not observe that it was not fit the Hollanders should Trade all that while at Canton Moreover they urg'd that these that call'd themselves Hollanders might be English neither they nor their Shipping being much unlike which would be a high scandal upon their Government to suffer that Nation that had done them such prejudice within memory when they came but with four Ships into the Haven Heytamon and ruffled their Fleet there sinking some and taking others and so batter'd the Castle that they took the Mandarine himself Prisoner fighting more like Furies than Men for which they were ever since declar'd Enemies nay according to an Edict made at that time never after to be permitted to Trade in China so that they ought to have greater proofs whether the Hollanders were not English before they should be suffer'd to Traffique upon their Coasts And also besides that it was contrary to their ancient Laws and Customs to grant to any Nation a free Trade in the Empire they could not perceive any thing concerning this Request in their Lettrrs of Credence therefore according to their opinion the Ambassadors went beyond their Orders This stop of the Council so unexpected seem'd very strange to the Ambassadors who thought of nothing more but that all things had been done and a free Trade granted and that they were onely to return him their humble Thanks All which was brought thus about by the influence of Father Adam Schall and some other Portuguese at Peking foreseeing the undoing of their Factory at Macao if the Dutch set up at Canton and also there wanted not a less Sum than 300 Tail of Silver which was to be dispos'd to Bribe
the Council with promises of more The Tartars also now adding that the Hollanders under pretence of Trade sought to get footing in the Empire and then to Ransack the Countrey and Pillage and make Prize of what e're they could lay hold on All which was more confirm'd as a positive truth by the Allegation of a Commissioner that had dwelt at Canton three years before and also by the Tutang's Letters which at that time was at Canton and Brib'd for that purpose by the Portuguese at Macao had wrought such an opinion in the Hearts of the People that they look'd upon the Hollanders no otherwise than a company of Outlaws and Exiles which had no home or abodes but dwelt on the Sea their whole subsistence drawn from Spoil and Piracy Lastly The Ambassadors found that the Chancellor and other Councellors could not without Bribes understand that these words in their Letters of Credence To have leave to go and come could signifie nothing but a free Trade which seem'd very strange to them since they knew no otherwise but that the five and thirty hundred Tail of Silver which they had oblig'd themselves to pay to the Vice-Roy at Canton was to be distributed amongst the Council Therefore being thus deceiv'd by the Vice-Roy they were forc'd to fall to new Consultations to obtain their desire First They Declar'd to the Chancellor and Council more at large what was intended by that Point concerning their Annual Trade in Canton and desired earnestly to obtain it Next they offer'd by the old Vice-Roy of Cantons Mandarin to the Chancellor that they would stay in Peking till his Majesty was fully assur'd that they were Hollanders and not English They also requested that the Emperor would be pleas'd to give them a Seal with some peculiar Mark Engrav'd in Brass therewith they might Seal Passes for all Ships that either Sail'd by or put into the Harbors of China thereby to distinguish them from others of their neighboring Nations At last they exhibited a Proposal drawn by one of the Clerks of the Council wherein they urg'd that they might as Loyal Subjects Trade in China upon the Grant whereof they would undertake to pay all Taxes and Customs whatsoever like those of Licukieu Ainan and Siam and when those three Nations made their Addresses being every third year they would in like manner attend the Emperor with peculiar Presents But all their Proposals were to no effect wanting at least ten thousand Tail of Silver there being no other means in that Court to make their way for what party Brib'd most abnubilated their understandings and gave them a sense of their Cause which Sum they being then not able to raise for none could be took up upon any Security whatsoever under ten or eight at least per cent a Moneth Interest Which exaction the Ambassadors judg'd no way fit or reasonable because if they were at this Expence it lay still doubtful whether their business should be effected The Emperor at last inform'd of all the Proceedings by his Council and how the Hollanders were inclin'd to come in an Embassy to his Majesty every fifth year and that they had made it appear that in less time they could not go and come Therefore his Majesty out of a respect to the Hollanders and for their better accommodation order'd them to come but every eighth year For said he otherwise they would not be able to hold out and why should We lay an unnecessary Obligation on a People which We neither need nor fear and who of their own inclination come to tender their Obedience to Us with Presents No We have resolv'd to Treat them so tenderly that after they have ended their great Journey they may have two or three years rest at home By this Declaration of the Emperor they saw plainly nothing more was to be done but to apply themselves onely to patience and to put off the Design till another more fit opportunity for the Councils chief Secretary had told them that too much pressing and eager sollicitation would rather hurt than help the Business Amongst others having made their Addresses concerning this matter by the Vice-Roys of Cantons Mandarins they receiv'd this Answer Is it not enough that at this first time they are admitted as Ambassadors to tender their Presents to the Emperor and notwithstanding the bad fame which hath rendred them odious in the Eyes of the most eminent Persons in China they were now accepted as Friends and had leave to dispose of their Goods which they had brought let them not urge too much for a free Trade lest perhaps for the future they be deny'd all They must not think nor imagine that We are oblig'd to grant them all things at first if they come the next year or so soon as they can and with Presents return the Emperor thanks for his kind accepting of them then perhaps there will be better Conveniencies to effect their desires At last the Ambassadors having shew'd due reverence to the Emperor's Seal appear'd before the Throne and been at three of the Emperors Feasts where they were very nobly Entertain'd receiv'd their Dispatch together with his Imperial Majesties Letter to his Excellency Iohn Maetzuiker in New-Batavia The Emperor sends this Letter to the Netherlanders Batavia and to their King John Maetzuiker Ur Countreys are as far distant as the East from the West so that We cannot easily visit each other Many Ages are past since the Hollanders have been seen amongst us but you have done very prudently in that you sent to Us Peter de Goeyer and Iacob de Keyser which in your Name have brought Us Presents You have shew'd your good inclination by remembring Us wherefore Our heart is also much inclin'd to you and as a testimony there-thereof We send you two Rowls of Sattin four Rowls of Flower'd Sattin four Rowls of blew Sattin without Flowers four Rowls of Kin four Rowls of Camlet ten Pieces of Peelings ten Pieces of Parsu ten Pieces of light Colour'd Stuffs and three hundred Tail of Silver You have desir'd to come and Trade in Our Countrey to bring Commodities thither and carry others out by which a private Man might reap good profit But because your Countrey is so many thousand Leagues distant and here blow very hard Winds so that the Ships run great danger which come hither and for that also it is very cold here ashore by very great Hails and Snows it would be no small trouble to Us if any of your People should come hither and miscarry but if this satisfie not unless they have permission to visit these parts then let them come every eighth year once with a hundred in their Train of which twenty may come to the Palace where we keep our Imperial Residence and you may lay your Merchandize ashore in your Store-house without disposing of them at Sea before Canton This We have thought good out of Our inclination for your benefit and believe that it will
to Smeerdorp as Spies and to inquire News who brought word back that the Chineses were already gotten into a Head and that setting upon them they had escap'd by flight At this Alarm the Hollanders that had setled in Sakam being to the number of thirty in great fear fled for safety to the Forts Fayet who judg'd Delays dangerous and doubting that his Brother would or had discover'd the Plot march'd with his Forces to Sakam where falling without mercy upon the Town with Fire and Sword he gave no Quarter to any A Gardener belonging to the Dutch going on that Sunday Morning early with a Basket of Fruit to the Governor in the Castle Tayowan the Revolters overtaking him cut off his Head and taking out the Fruits laid it in the Basket designing to have sent it before them but the Humor altering they cast both it and the Body under a Bridge The News of this Massacre spreading a strange Fear seiz'd all the Hollanders where-ever setled through the Country so that dispersing they hid themselves where-ever their Fear carried or their Hope 's led them to escape the Slaughter But one Captain Marine well mounted with three more with their Swords in their Hands broke through the Enemy and killing the first that oppos'd him came safe to Tayowan Verburgh the Governor well knowing how untowardly the Business stood and the hazard wherein the Hollanders abroad were lying open to destruction immediately sent out a hundred and twenty Men commanded by Captain Danker This Handful in comparison of their Enemies great Forces went in one Sloop and a Boat from Tayowan to Sakam whither being come the first that endeavor'd to Land being Captain Hans Pieters leap'd Breast-high into the Water by which Example the rest encourag'd forsook their Boats and resolv'd wading to fight their way to the Shore which the Enemy observing sent down with the Lieutenant-General a thousand Men to oppose their Landing While they were thus drawing up towards the Shore for the Service Fayet the General gave his Lieutenant Loukegwa new Orders thinking it more fit to suffer them to Land saying It would be a higher pleasure to him to see the Christian Dogs die on the Land than in the Water which would be much the better sport having them there inviron'd with his Army as in a Net But Loukegwa not so perswaded nor willing to receive these new Commands earnestly advis'd the General that he might go on and set upon them in the Water averring That these being the Hollanders choicest and pick'd Men if they did not cut them off at this Advantage they should never have the like But however the Generals Opinion prevailing he obey'd and retreating gave the opportunity of Landing in safety where a little towards the left Hand of the Enemy he drew up his small Party into a Body when a Negro that had married a Hollander coming out of a Wood where she had hid running for her safety towards them they intercepting ripp'd up her Bowels and cutting the Child in pieces threw the Limbs at them vaporing aloud That so they would serve them all But the Hollanders not replying march'd boldly up to the Front of the Enemy where in the first Charge killing fortunately their Prime Commander Fayet which presently nois'd through the Army all struck with a Panick fear threw down their Arms and disbanding fled shifting for themselves but the Hollanders pursu'd firing at their Heels through Sakam and the Town clear'd they sate down in their Enemies Head-Quarters But before Night while yet they were triumphing for the Victory came two thousand Christian Formosans rais'd by the Governor Verburgh to their Aid who according to present Orders march'd together in pursuit of the Enemy some few of whom the next morning they spied drawn together upon a rising Ground but a River betwixt impeded their present Charge but soon after the Formosans who knew the Fords and Avenues got over and charging them smartly one being slain they were suddenly dissipated which Victory they and the Netherlanders pursu'd making Execution till Sun-set from whence returning to their Camp weary and hungry they found store of fresh Provisions boyl'd and roast with which they feasting were refresh'd This Tumultuary Commotion was in fourteen days thus concluded in which of the Enemy were slain four thousand Men besides as many more Women and Children and not one Hollander so much as wounded Two Years after this War Anno 1645. in May came abundance of Locusts out of the North-West of the Isles which devouring all the Fruits of the Field occasion'd so great a Famine that eight thousand Persons died of Hunger These Locusts were of a strange shape having a Back and Breast like a Pikeman and an Helmet on their Heads such as Soldiers wear They made an affrighting noise with their Wings in their flight as if it had blown a Storm They flew from the Island Tayowan to Formosa where they staid three Months and at last took their Progress from thence towards the North-West from whence they came at first on Sunday the ninth of August about Sun-set Yet though they were gone the fear of that Plague was no ways abated for they left young ones behind which were far worse than the old eating up all that remain'd yet by the Industry of the Inhabitants with the Governors Order most part of them being not fledg'd were taken and destroy'd The Island TAYOWAN THe Island Taywan or as others call it Tayovan and Tayowan lieth South from Formosa the uttermost North-Point being distant almost a League but the Southermost Point within a Bowe-shot of the Land over which at low Water they wade to and again but between the North and Formosa it is at least thirteen Foot deep at Low Water It spreads South-East and North-West and hath two Leagues and a half in length and a quarter of a League in breadth being naturally a spot of barren Sand rather than a fertile Isle producing onely Pine-apples and other wild Trees yet here resided above ten thousand Chineses who liv'd by Merchandize besides Natives On the North-side upon a Sand-hill stands the Fort Zelandia built by the Hollanders Anno 1632. surounded with a double Wall one investing the other whereof the outermost fortified with Sconces and Redoubts Under the Castle Westward lies another Fort square guarded by two Points of the Sea A Bowe-shot distant lies a strong Out-work being the Key to the Castle call'd Utrecht rais'd sixteen Foot high with Stone and defended with seven Pallisadoes Eastward from which stands a Town built also by the Netherlanders call'd by the name of the Isle and about a Mile in Circumference adjoyning to which is a Haven call'd by the Chineses Loakhau and by the Dutch The Straights of Tayowan On the other side of the Castle lies a rising Sand call'd Baxemboy where a few scatter'd Villages appear Since the Chineses possess'd Tayowan under the Pyrate Coxinga and his Son Sepoan's
meer Dress of Nature And likewise the Vallies Plains and Hills upon them afford divers sorts of Flowers Herbs and Drugs Under these Islands the Iapanners and Chineses that dwelt on Batavia us'd to fish and catch abundance of Breams Shepherds and other sorts of Fishes unknown in Europe The Trees are loaden with all manner of Singing-Birds whose Harmonies are so pleasing that the Inhabitants of Batavia often go to this Island in Boats to recreate themselves with their Musick as we to our Wood sides to hear the Thrush and Nightingale On the same day the Council concluded to Sail first to the Islands Laver and Timon lying in their way close by one another that there they might supply themselves with fresh Water all sorts of Provisions and Fuel Anchor-stocks Hand-spikes and other Materials of Wood which that place yields in abundance In the first Watch of the Night the Wind coming gently out of the South they Weigh'd Anchor and Steer'd their Course though but slowly towards the North-East The twenty fifth the Fleet Sail'd in the depth of thirty one or thirty two Fathom Tacking up and down having the Wind against them out of the North-East yet blowing gently On Munday morning being the twenty sixth the Fleet came near Thousand-Islands having the Wind Easterly and fair Weather in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Wather and hard Ground and were at Noon in five Degrees and eighteen Minutes South Latitude the Ground still the same but the depth only fourteen or fifteen Fathom The same day the Admiral Balthazar Bort and the Council of War made an Order which the Commanders of every Ship in the Fleet in their Sailing were to observe as followeth During the Voyage or till such time as it is order'd otherwise the good Ship Ter Boede being under Iohn Idze de Vinke shall carry a Light on his Poop and in the day time Sail before because the Master of her is experienc'd in these Seas Therefore all the Captains of Ships are expresly Commanded continually to observe his motion that when he Anchors Sails or Tacks they do the like so the better to keep the Fleet together and prevent separation None shall offer in the Nght to Sail by the same Vessel much less alter his course on forfeiture of four Rix-Dollars for the Master chief or Under-Mates in whose Watch soever this misdemeanor shall happen If the Pilot thinks it fit to Tack in the Night either for the Winds shrinking or otherwise he shall put Candles into two Lanthorns on his Poop and all the other Ships one that thereby it may be known whether they see the Sign or not In the Night the altering of the Course shall be left to the discretion of him that carrys the Lanthorn When they have Sea-room enough they shall not Tack for the Winds shrinking of one or two Points for the prevention of all dangers and keeping together If he that carries the Light thinks fit to Anchor in the Night he shall set two Lights one over another on his Stern which sign being seen the other Ships shall instantly come to an Anchor and likewise set a Candle on their Sterns When it is thought fit to set Sail again he shall fire a Gun and make a signal by another Light from the Poop which the other Ships seeing shall also put out a Light and then Weigh Anchor If it should happen that any Ship or Ships should by accident either prove leaky run a-ground strike upon a Rock Land or ought else he shall unfurle a Pennon from his Fore-Mast and fire a Gun whereupon every one shall be oblig'd to come with his Boat and Pinnace and assist the Vessel according to the utmost of their power on forfeiture as in the Council it shall be judg'd fit If an accident shall happen by fire they shall discharge two or three Guns presently one after another that with Buckets and Pails the rest may come and help the Ship in distress And that the Ships in dark or misty Weather may not straying loose each other they shall sometimes speak to one another with their Guns and as often reply If the Lanthorn Ship judges it fitting to Tack he shall fire a great Gun which the rest hearing shall answer him and Tack together If in a dark Night they are forc'd by stress of Weather or an overgrown Sea to lie at Hull or carry no Sail the guide shall set forth two Lightâ—… of one height and the other Ships one apiece the better to keep together In a calm with a rowling Sea they shall take great care that the Ships do not fall foul one upon another by endeavoring to keep as far distant as they can When it grows light and they from Sea descry Land Sounding for Ground they shall unfurle the Princes Flag or Colours and also fire a Gun if in the Night they chance to discern Land or Fathom Ground he shall light two Candles by one another and fire two Guns If any Ships stray from the Fleet and afterwards appear in sight they shall hoiss up their fore-Sail three times and then let it down again then fire a great Gun and draw back the fore-Sail till probably the rest have seen it and also furle up his Sprit-Sail and Mizzen after which signs he may come again to his company If this should happen in the Night they shall call to one another by the word Holla Ship if it be one of our Fleet he shall answer Victoria which if he does not do it is a certain sign that it is a strange Ship and either a Chinesy Jonk or Vessel and if it be possible give notice of it to the Admiral Vice or Rear-Admiral who ever of them be nearest however to keep within shot and if it be an Enemy to give notice to the rest by the firing of Guns He that descrys any strange Ships or Jonks by day shall let his Colours flie from his Stern and Veare his fore Shete and soon after hale it up if by night he shall light two Candles together without making chase after it before he hath spoke and receiv'd order from the Admiral except it be a Portuguese or Chinesy Vessel which by that means might make his escape In this exigent though the Enemy be never so powerful let him fall on and if he can possible make himself master thereof afterwards to do according to the Orders given in Martial Affairs If any Frigats should be separated from the Fleet either by Storm or other accidents they shall according to an express Order from his Excellency the Lord General and Lords of the Indian Council come to the place of Meeting or Rendezvouz chosen by them being Isla de Lemas one of the most Eastern Islands of Makao which lies in the way of our Voyage and we may touch at without prejudice or loss of time and also because his Excellency hath receiv'd information that there is not onely a good Haven but fresh Water so that
West in eighteen and nineteen Fathom grey Sandy Ground mixt with little Shells their Course North and by East the Wind at South-East and by South Poele Zay are several small Rocky Isles and uninhabited lying in a Train one by another The second being Sunday the Fleet Sail'd about Noon in fifty three Minutes Northern Latitude In the afternoon the Pink Loosduynen being seven Leagues to the Eastward of the Island Poele Panjang ran on unknown Rocks not specifi'd in the Maps to which the Vice-Admiral Iohn Van Campen Rowing with his Boat and some Tackle giving speedy assistance helpt the Pink off from the Rocks without any Damage On Munday being the third the Fleet proceeded on her Course North-North-East full before the Wind and reach'd about Noon in two Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Island Poele Tingi which lay North-West from them In the first Watch the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede Frigats came to an Anchor on the West side of Aura in thirteen Fathom Water and put each of them a Light in their Lanthorns for a Sign to those Ships that were behind The fourth being Tuesday the Admiral with the Naerden Frigat accompanied with the Overveen Sea-dog Singing-bird High-land and Vink came to an Anchor in the same place for the Domburg and six more took their Course to the Isle of Timon according to Order when they set sail Their Boats going ashore to fetch fresh Water and Wood brought also many Baskets of Fish and Fruits besides some Hens and Goats which they either bought for Money or barter'd for Next Morning being the fifth the Singing-bird Sea-dog and the Goldfinch weigh'd their Anchors and sail'd to Poele Pisang for fresh Provisions and Wood. This Island is Populous and full of Villages All the Inhabitants observe strictly their Fishing and Tillage being bred to such Drudgery from their Childhood Here as also on the Coast of the Kingdom of Sampan and on the Island Lingen a kind of Birds-nests are plentifully found which at Feasts and Entertainments are look'd upon as a great Regalia nay the Inhabitants on their New-years Feast which they keep with great Solemnity commonly present one another with these Dainties as an infallible sign of unfeigned Friendship They are also transported as a great Delicate to China and every Pound thereof sold for half a Tahers they being a great Cordial much relieving both the Stomach and Brain A Bird like a Swallow about the time of the year when they chuse Mates and fall to coupling yields a kind of glutinous or slimy matter which lying on the Rocks is the first Material of these Nests and by a daily additional Moisture or Morning-dew gather'd on their Wings and sprinkled on it at last becomes both large and perfect which when dry resembles the Bowl of a Spoon with high Edges and are found here in such abundance that they gather some Hundred weights of them yearly When their Coupling time is past and the Nests finish'd which happens all at one time they lay their Eggs and Brood upon them which Father Kircher thus describes Between Cochinchina and the Island Hainan lie in a long Ridge a Series both of great and lesser Rocks to which in March flock abundance of strange Birds like Swallows there building their Nests but of what or how not known and having bred up their Young fit for flight they quit their Birth-place and leave their empty Nests which Ships coming thither from China and other places transport from thence and sell at home at great Rates because they are esteem'd as the onely Condiment either to Fish or Flesh which being handsomly season'd with it gives a delightful Hogooe Philip Martyn in his Relation of the Kingdom of Tunking saith That in that Province are many strange Birds and Fowls especially some little ones that fly like a Swallow making their Nests on the Rocks which are gather'd and sold at no ordinary price because they believe that they owe their Health to the use of them mix'd in their Dishes and that it is a certain Cure for the loss of Appetite They are of a bright colour and hard like Sea-horn and they esteem the greatest Feast no Entertainment without this Dainty which they prepare after this manner First they lay it a whole Night in warm Water till it grows soft and mellow then again dried in the Sun mince it very small It hath of it self almost no taste but like Mushrooms prepar'd in Sallads provokes an Appetite and as other Food asswages Hunger and satisfies the Stomach this on the contrary makes the Appetite greater and still desirous of more There is also much Ager-Wood and Cotton On Thursday the sixth Admiral Bort firing a Gun from the Naerden-Frigat signified his intention to set Sail but no sooner had he weigh'd his Anchor but the Ship was strongly driven by the Current towards the Shore so that he was forc'd to let it fall again and firing several Guns the Vice-Admiral Van Campen coming thither with his Pinnace Long-boat and Tackling found the Naerden Frigat to ride about three Cables length from the Rocks on good Ground able enough to hold out a great Storm But carrying out a small Anchor and weighing the other at last got under Sail and was follow'd by the rest of the Ships The seventh being Friday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede Frigats came about the East side of the Isle of Timon for the Naerden and the other Ships lay at the North-East Point to an Anchor in thirteen Fathom where they took in Water Firing and fresh Provisions as Hens Goats Fish Potatoes and the like The eighth being Saturday the Zierikzees Men going into the Woods cut Anchor-stocks Oars Hand-spikes and Leavers and fishing in their Sloop took some Shepherds and Breams About Noon hapned a great Thunder-shower The ninth day being Sunday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede weighing their Anchors ran to the North-East Point of Timon to the Naerden and the other Ships Admiral Bort putting out his white Flag to call a Council they judg'd it convenient to steer further out from the Shore and also seal'd their Orders The Admiral here complaining that he had many young and unexperienc'd People in his Ship Order was immediately given That two of the stoutest Sea-men should be taken out of each of the other Ships except the Gold-finch and put aboard of him In the afternoon the Fleet set sail and took their Course North-North-East and saw the Isle of Timon about Sun-set bearing South and by West and South-South-West about five or six Leagues distant The tenth in the afternoon under three Degrees and eight Minutes the Fleet had thirty eight Fathom Water sandy Ground But by the eleventh at Noon they had reach'd five Degrees and four Minutes Northern Latitude and in forty and forty one Fathom Water gravelly Ground The next day at Noon they were in five Degrees and fifty six Minutes and had thirty nine Fathom Water
On Friday the eighteenth Van Campen went ashore with his Sloop and came to the South-west Point of the smallest Island at a Stone Cawsey along which he walked to a deserted Place wherehe saw many large Ruines of former Houses and under the jutting of a Hill several Towns besides two fair Temples and in them on a row many Chests with dead Corps standing against the Walls above the Ground There also were two Light-houses furnish'd with many Images sitting on Stools at a Table before which they burnt Offerings imploring indulgence to departed Souls The nineteenth Admiral Bort sent Philip Mew who had some smattering of the Chinese Tongue to the Fort of Minjazen three Leagues from Hoksieu to the Governor with Desire to permit them with Boats and two of the taken Jonks to Sail up the River for fresh Water for the Ships and to buy Provisions He brought Answer that they might go with all their Boats and Jonks and fetch as much Water as they pleas'd The twentieth and one and twentieth nothing hapned of any remark every Ship being busie to take in Water The two and twentieth being Tuesday five Mandarins with a considerable Train came in great Tartar Vessels Aboard the Naerden Frigat to the Admiral where they were welcom'd with the firing of Guns and three Vollies of small Shot Upon the Admiral 's Order the Naerden fir'd seven Zirickzee five Domburgh three and all the rest of the Ships two Guns apiece and three Vollies of small Shot more The Pilot of the Naerden Frigat carried in a Tartar Vessel aboard of the Vice-Admiral Van Campen who at that time being troubled with an Ague could not be at the Mandarins Entertainment in the Naerden one fat Calf five Hens five Ducks three Water-Lemons with a great Pot of Chinese Beer all sent as a Present to Van Campen from the Governors of Hoksieu and Minjazen The twenty fourth a Corporal with four Souldiers was sent ashore with a Flag to the Island being on the North side of the River with Command to go to the top of the Mountains and see if he could descry any Ships or Jonks if they saw Ships then they were to wave their Colours as many times as there were Vessels if Jonks betwixt every Flourish to fire a Gun In the Afternoon Ysbrant van Banke Commander of the Ankeveen who dy'd the Night before was Buried on the Island and Iacob Swaert put in his Place being the Pilot to the Vice-Admiral in the Zirickzee The twenty sixth and twenty seventh nothing of remark hapned The twenty eighth three Chinese Vessels came with three Mandarins from Hoksieu aboard the Naerden Frigat and brought a Letter from the Governor thereof and Commander of the Castle Minjazen The Contents consisted in many Complements with promise of Favors and all kindness from them both likewise a free Grant to go unmolested up the River and buy Necessaries for their Money for the Fleet and lastly wishing them a kind welcom into China by which it appear'd that the Tartars intended to joyn with the Netherland Forces The Letter being read several Guns were fir'd from the Naerden At Noon the three Mandarins taking their leave went away in the same Vessels whilst five Cannons were fir'd in honor to them and also three Vollies of small Shot they carry'd with them a Letter from the Admiral Bort written by the Chinese Interpreter Lakka to the Governors of Hoksieu with many civil Expressions of thankfulness The twenty ninth thirtieth and one and thirtieth nothing hapned of any note The first of September all Officers were commanded by the Admiral to Land their Soldiers on the middle Island and take up their Quarters in the best Houses of the ruin'd Town with Order that every Officer should furnish his Soldiers with all Necessaries for the Dressing of Meat and to give them double allowance on the Shore of Rice Pork Oyl Vinegar and Arak which daily occasion'd a murmuring amongst the Sea-men who said That they did the worst Work and hazarded their Lives as well as the Soldiers and therefore ought rather to have the greatest allowance The second being Saturday Auke Peters Commander of the Ter-Boede and Captain Constantine Nobell came back from Hoksieu whither they were sent by Order of the Admiral on the thirtieth of the last Moneth and brought with them to the Admiral in the Naerden five Cows thirty six Ducks five great Pears with some Pot-herbs The third being Sunday Vice-Admiral Van Campen went ashore in his Sloop where he saw divers Burying-places defaced by their own Soldiers who out of hope to find Gold Silver or Jewels buried within broke open the Chests and threw out the Corps which lay in all their Apparel as Caps on their Heads Coats Breeches and Shoes and in their full shape but as firm as a Mummy On the fourth fifth sixth and seventh days nothing hapned worthy of relation The eighth being Friday Iohn Melman with two Soldiers and three Tartars that came with the Fleet from Batavia besides the Chinese Interpreter and Secretary Lakka came back from Sinksieu through Hoksieu after a Journey of twenty four days accompanied with a Mandarin sent to the Admiral Bort with Letters from the Vice-Roy Singlamong and from the next Person to him the General Taysing Lipovy besides a Letter from a great Lord call'd Santing Houbethetok Governor of the great City Zwansyfoe in all which they express'd themselves in a handsom Style signifying the Hollanders kind welcome thither The two chief Commanders the Vice-Roy and General desir'd moreover that the Admiral would please to repair to them or some other he should Depute for they would be glad of some People of Quality to Confer with and likewise that they would be pleas'd to send the Letters from the Lord-General and Councel of Batavia by a special Envoy by Land to the Camp at Sinksieu that so they might better know by communicating their Intentions how to carry on the grand Affair and that they should in the interim leave the Presents for the Vice-Roy in their Ships till farther order and accordingly he Commission'd the Vice-Admiral Van Campen and Constantine Nobell yet their Letters did not so earnestly require it as the Interpreter Iohn Melman related to the Admiral with Commands to deliver the Lord-General and Indian Councels Letters to the Vice-Roy Singlamong and the Person next to him in State the General Taysing Lipovy and withall to Treat and conclude with them concerning the grand Affair This being concluded on they sent advice concerning it to the Governor of Hoksieu who return'd this Answer THe dispatching of the Vice-Admiral Iohn van Campen and Constantine Nobel with Letters from the Lord-General and Councel of Batavia to the Vice-Roy Singlamong and the next Person to him Taysing Lipovy will according to my Judgment come to a good issue but to joyn with You and make a League to go against Coxinga or his Adherents is beyond my Commission but I will
their Hair leaving onely a long Lock have yielded themselves to the subjection of the Cham of Tartary The seventeenth being Sunday in the Morning the Ankeveen Frigat and the Loenen and Finch Commanded by Ysbrant Pilot of the Naerden besides four Boats and a Sloop Mann'd with Armed Soldiers and Sea-men Sail'd up the River to surprize five Jonks laden with Goods and said to lie for their safety a great way up the River and if possible to bring them to the Fleet but if not worth the trouble to burn them About Noon they came up with seven Jonks and three Coya's which are a kind of Vessels lesser than Jonks as our Mackrel-boats which Boarding many Chineses with their Coats of Mayl Helmets and Arms leap'd over-board and swam and others escap'd ashore in their Champans and the rest being most of them Women and Children were taken by the Netherlanders but all soon released except five Women Towards Evening the Master of the Finch went aboard the Naerden Frigat to the Admiral with Tydings that their Vessels had conquer'd three great and five small Jonks amongst which some carry'd seven Guns of a side whereupon he was again sent withthe Meliskerks Boat and Pinnace well Mann'd and furnish'd with Tackling which he said was wanting for the taken Jonks all which having aboard he left the Frigat and Sail'd up the River again in the Night Monday the eighteenth about Day-break they heard a great Cry made by the Men of the Meliskerks Boat which was over-set near the Shore whereupon Van Campen and the Master of the Sea-hound Sailing thither found five Men sitting on the Keel of the Boat so benumm'd with Cold that they were not able to give account what was become of their Fellows but Rowing up farther where the Boat had been over-set they found another Man sitting on the Shore which had been driven three times that Night into the River by the Chineses He told them that he had not seen one of his Fellows so that ten Men they having been sixteen in number were either drown'd or kill'd At Night the Finches Pinnace went aboard the Naerden to the Admiral with a Letter of Advice that they had taken eight Jonks of which they had burnt four and brought away the other four The nineteenth being Tuesday the Chineses made a Sign by setting up their red Flag inviting the Netherlanders to come to them Whereupon Van Campen and the Master of the Sea-hound went ashore to know what they desir'd and Landing found a great number of Chineses with five red Flags of the five neighboring Villages with the chief Governor from every Village and five Chinese Priests These being carry'd aboard to the Admiral begg'd and intreated that he would save their Houses and Temples that they might make Fires and shelter themselves from the cold Winter and likewise not to spoil their little Champans and Fishing-nets which if it might be granted they would serve him in all things possible and within four days bring him out of every Village twenty five Porkers one hundred twenty five Hens fifty Ducks and as many Oranges Raddishes and other Herbage as they could gather whereupon in consideration they would keep their Promise he assur'd them to save their Pagodes Houses Champans and Fish-nets after which three onely return'd ashore for the other two were kept aboard as Hostages till the three return'd in four days with the Provisions before-nam'd and all things else they could get out of the five Villages Those Chineses which stay'd aboard being ask'd by the Admiral If no Jonks were expected that Season from Japan to Zwatia they reply'd That not one had Sail'd thither that Year which afterwards he found to be true The twentieth being Wednesday the two Pinks and Ankeveen Frigat sent up the River the seventh with four Boats and one Sloop came to an Anchor with the six taken Jonks viz. two great and four small in which they found a little Rice Pady or unthresh'd Rice Salt-petre Indigo several Priests Coats Helmets Swords Scythes ten Blunderbusses besides several Chinese Men Women and Children whereof five young Women and four young Men were kept aboard and the rest released Seven other Jonks were also set on fire and sunk in the River out of which many Chineses leaping were either drown'd and kill'd The next day two of the small Jonks were broke up and us'd for fewel but the biggest of them were new Trimm'd The two and twentieth they had a general Thanksgiving in all the Fleet for their Victories over their Enemies The day after the Admiral by putting out the Companies red Flag commanded all the Officers of the Fleet aboard where the Ships Councel for certain Reasons propos'd yet did not conclude that the Vice-Admiral Van Campen with his Frigat the Zierikzee accompany'd with the Highland Meliskerke Ankeveen and the Loenen and the Finch should Cruise out at Sea before Zwatia to see for the Iapan Trading Jonks which come from thence till the middle of February and the Admiral Bort should put to Sea the twenty sixth with the Naerden Calf Overveen and Sea-hound Frigats besides the five Jonks two great and three small and cross over to Kitat and Tenhay and from thence Sail to the River Hoksieu there to enquire how affairs stood It was also judg'd convenient that the Ankeveen Frigat and the Loenen and Finch should immediately weigh their Anchors and Sail to the Mouth of the foremention'd River to look for some Jonks that were daily expected but these Proposals never were put into execution The twenty fourth in the Morning Van Campen was by Borts Order sent ashore with a hundred and ten Soldiers and fifty Sea-men to burn Zwatia No sooner was he Landed but they saw five Priests with a great many Chineses standing about a red Flag which all fell down at his Feet and humbly begg'd him to save their Temples Champans and Fish-nets which if he did not they should perish with Cold and Hunger and promis'd against the next Morning according to their first Proposal to bring them the Porkers Hens Ducks Oranges Raddishes and Pot-herbs Van Campen mov'd with compassion was perswaded to forbear The twenty fifth being Christmas-day Van Campen going aboard to the Admiral in the Naerden Frigat ask'd him what was best to be done with Zwatia whereupon Bort reply'd That he should lay it in Ashes which said Van Campen went ashore with three Boats and three Sloops well Mann'd where he found lying on the Shore five Hogs and fifteen Baskets of Oranges brought thither by five Priests and fifteen Chineses two of the Hogs and five Baskets of Oranges were by Van Campen carry'd aboard to the Admiral who remitting somewhat of his anger gave him order to do with Zwatia what he pleas'd and thought convenient But before Van Campen came ashore again the Houses were all in a Flame occasion'd through the wilfulness of the Sea-men Out of the Houses and Pagodes came divers sick Men and Women creeping on their
for Us Christians but strictly forbidden by Our Superior Magistrates Therefore We give every one knowledge and warning not to dispose of any of the Maids or Youths or other Chineses either here at Poele Timon or Batavia to Mahumetans or Idolaters neither to barter nor give them away to such on pain of those Punishments decreed for such Offences And that such Misdoers may be found out every one shall be oblig'd to give an Account of how many they have to Our appointed Officers that they may take their Names in Writing And this to be set up in all the Ships of the Fleet lying at an Anchor before Poele Timon Dated the eighth of March 1664. The tenth it was concluded in the Council That since there was not Provision enough to be had for the Fleet and that which was there very dear to go thence to the Isle of Laver in hopes to be better provided Towards which having weigh'd Anchor they set Sail in the Evening and about midnight arriv'd there On his departure the Admiral left a Letter with the Inhabitants of Poele Timon to deliver to the Rere-Admiral Verwei in which he advis'd him of all what had hapned since they parted The twelfth it was resolv'd in Council that Evening to proceed on their Voyage to Batavia according to which they weigh'd Anchor and set Sail. The thirteenth the Fleet sail'd by Poele Panjang and on the fourteenth pass'd Lingen and Poele Saya and in the Evening Poele Toesjouw The fifteenth towards Night they pass'd by the Rock Frederick Hendrick and towards Evening entred the Straights of Banka The twentieth the Fleet stemm'd the Thousand Islands and in the Evening Anchor'd in twenty eight Fathom and were about three Leagues distant from the Isle of Edam The next day being the one and twentieth the Fleet came to an Anchor at Batavia with ten Ships The Sea-hound Frigat sent thither with the Quemuy Jonk with Letters from the Piscadores were also arriv'd there and likewise two other Jonks Towards Evening the Admiral Balthazar Bort Vice-Admiral Huibert de Lairesse the Council of War and Commanders of all the Ships went ashore and were courteously receiv'd by his Excellency the Lord Maetzuiker who inviting them to Dinner the next day the Admiral related all his Adventures to him deliver'd him also his Papers and a List of the Prisoners and the Chinese Children which were in all two hundred forty three viz. fifty nine Men a hundred forty eight Male Children and thirty six Female Mean while the Rear-Admiral Bartholomew Verwei who on the twenty fourth of February set Sail with four Ships from the Piscadores to the Coast of China to transport the revolted Chineses and land them about Puthay or the River Chincheo the twenty sixth came to an Anchor at the Island Colongsoe where he desir'd the Tartar Agents that they would with one of their Vessels fetch away the Chineses to which purpose he put the Agents ashore at the City Eymuy The next day they brought a Jonk into which they were put with their Arms and likewise the Letters given to the Agents to be deliver'd the Vice-Roy Singlamong and General Lipovi with which the Agents went to the City Chincheo The twenty eighth a Tartar Vessel came aboard the Rere-Admiral in which was a shaven Chinese call'd Hionko which had formerly liv'd in Batavia and spoke Portuguese who told him That he was sent by Sitetok with Request to Verwei That he would please to come to him to Haytin a Place about a League and a half from thence to a Treat but Verwei being sickly put it off This Hionko also related That the Enemy with his Forces lay yet in Tangsoa and durst not go to Tayowan fearing the Dutch Ships that lay before it and that about fourteen days since five thousand Men came to them in sixty Jonks which then lay at Haytan that the Commanders which came in the said Jonks desir'd to inhabit the Isles of Eymuy and Quemuy which if it were permitted them the Prime of the Coxingans would come over to them But the Vice-Roy Singlamong had denied and would not hearken thereto alledging That when another Holland Fleet should come again on the Coast they would then without any further trouble submit The first of March the Overveen Cogge and Buiksloot Frigats came to an Anchor by the Rere-Admiral The third being Monday Verwei set Sail with his four Ships that according to Order he might proceed on his Voyage to Batavia and in the Afternoon found himself half a League beyond the Island with the Hole his Course South-South-West The fourth he descry'd Lammo an Isle in the North-West four Leagues from the Fleet in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water and in the Evening the Sands Nor-West and by West within five Leagues The fifth being Wednesday Verwei came amongst a Company of Chinese Fishers of which he thought to overtake one or by firing of a Gun make him strike but in vain for they by their nimble sailing got clear away In the Forenoon they saw Pedro Branco and about Noon were in twenty two Degrees eleven Minutes Northern Latitude Towards Evening they descry'd the Isles Lemas Nor-West three Leagues from them The eighth being Saturday in the Morning they had Tinhosa in the West five Leagues distant and at Noon in the Nor-West his Course being South-South-West Munday the tenth about Sun-rising they saw Poele Canton West-South-West four Leagues from them and at Noon by Observation found themselves in fifteen Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and at Sun-set descry'd the Box Horns in the South-West and by South The eleventh they discern'd the Cape Averello in the South and by West six Leagues from them and Poele Cambier de Terre in the Nor-West and by West at three Leagues distance The twelfth in the Morning they reach'd the Round Holm being three Leagues to the West and by North and the Bay of Pangerang in the Nor-West at the same distance The thirteenth early they saw Poele Cecier de Mare in the South-East and by East about six Leagues from them and the fourteenth at Noon the Point of Sinques Iagues about five Leagues to the Nor-West The fifteenth being Saturday they had still sight of the high Land of Cambodia On Monday they saw Poele Candor in the Nor-West about three Leagues distance The twentieth in the Morning they had the Isle of Timon in the South towards which Verwei steer'd his Course with the other Ships and in the Afternoon dropp'd Anchor on the West side of the great Sandy Bay in eighteen Fathom Water The Inhabitants of this Place inform'd Verwei That the Admiral Bort had been there ten days with the rest of the Fleet. The same day Verwei set Sail again about Noon from Poele Timon and was the next day in the South-West and by South four Leagues from Poele Panjang which lay Nor-Nor-West two Leagues from him The following Day the East Point of Lingen bore West-South-West from
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
pretty well recover'd and he knew not any thing to the contrary but that he had a good Doctor yet humbly thank'd his Highness in the Ambassadors behalf for his kind Proffer why the Boat went down without leave he could not give any account but as to the Blyswiik Frigat she was now Unlading her Pepper and would at farthest be gone again within two days The Commander of the Blyswiik Frigat complain'd to Nobel that the Tartars hinder'd him in the Unlading of the Pepper he having call'd two Barque-men aboard which accordingly came but the Tartars seeing them took them notwithstanding he interceded for them and said that he was the occasion of their coming and caus'd them to be carry'd to Prison in Fetters which made Nobel send Ienko to complain to the Commission'd Mandarins about it Mean while a Factor was sent to Nobel from the General to enquire about the Ambassadors Health and if he had any good Physicians because his Highness would else send him his In the Afternoon the Interpreter Ienko came with some Mandarins and Merchants to the Blyswiik Frigat to redeem the Prisoners and give order for the Unlading of her which was begun immediately Next Morning being the ninth the Ambassador sent to the Vice-Roy Singlamong to excuse him that he could not accommodate him with his Chirurgeon because he also was indispos'd but so soon as he amended he should be immediately sent to him In the interim the Tyger Sloop arriv'd there with a Letter from the Merchant David Harthouwer in which the Ambassador was inform'd that with the other Officers he had thought it convenient not to let the Ship Alphen come into Netherland Haven because it was too dangerous to come thither against Wind and Tyde which Resolution they acquainted the Commander of her with that when he thought convenient he might remove from Sothia to Tinhay who had sent an Answer That he would observe it and consider with his Officers about it and then send his approbation The fifteen Chests brought hither by the Polesnip were put into the Constance and in the room of them they had Laden her full of Pepper out of the Constance and Tyger which weighed forty nine thousand six hundred sixty eight Catties by which means the Ships had made so much room that they could not conveniently come at all the Goods design'd for Presents so that they onely waited for the Blyswiik to Ship them in her The Polesnip Fly-boat was now ready to come up if they had leave and a Pass for her but the Povi's Commissioners would not permit it without Orders from above The Vlaerding had on the sixth instant Unladen thirty two thousand one hundred forty five Catty of Pepper into a Chinese Jonk which lay there still so that at last with great trouble they got to the Sandal Wood that was to be Presented In the Afternoon two Merchants were sent from the General to enquire after the Ambassador's health which Visit he order'd his Comptroller to requite by giving them six Hens five Gammons of Bacon some Pomegranates Chesnuts and Pears The same day the Ambassador desir'd the General that he might have the use of his Doctor but for a Day because he was much troubled with Gripes in his Bowels upon which Request he came immediately and prescribed him something which he had no sooner taken but found present ease The tenth in the Morning the Doctor came again to give the Ambassador some more Physick A Factor came also to enquire of his health and if the Medicines the Doctor had given had done him any good to which he was answer'd Yes and that the Ambassador had found great ease by it desiring the Factor to thank his Highness in his behalf which he promis'd to do The Bliswyk and the Tigers Sloop were put off from going that day and order'd to stay till the next because some Mandarins scrupled the carrying away of so much Provision about which they would first speak with the General In the Afternoon two Mandarins came into the Lodge with a Pass for the Bliswyk Frigat and the Tygers Sloop and said also That they were sent to Sail down with the Frigat The eleventh the Frigat and Sloop set Sail to Netherland Haven On Sunday Noon being the twelfth two Factors came to the Lodge to present the Ambassador in the Generals Name with some Connemomy and to tell him That the Ambassador had been a considerable time ashore and that the Emperors Presents were not yet Landed then the Ambassador desir'd that his Highness would please to give order that they might be suddenly deliver'd because he much longed to see them nor that they could proceed in any Trade before the Goods were ashore and likewise that then preparations should be made for his Journey to Peking Whereupon the Ambassador sent this Answer That the rest of the Presents would suddenly be ashore and that he thank'd his Highness for his Connemomy and in requital of it desir'd him to take a few Conserves of Nuts Cloves and the like So having been well entertain'd by the Ambassador the Factors took their Leave In the Evening it was consider'd That for several Reasons which the Governors had alledg'd by their Factors it might happen so soon as news came from Peking for the Ambassador to take his Journey thither that their Highnesses might press his going and that they nothing being as yet in readiness and all in a hurry might be put to a great inconvenience Therefore the Ambassador to begin betimes proposed If it would not be necessary to acquaint their Highness's to morrow That most of the Presents were ashore and the rest expected in few days if therefore they might begin to Pack them and cause Chests to be made for them of what bigness the Chests must be and how many Men must carry them and also the Saddles and Furniture for the Horses and likewise if their Highnesses would please to send Commissioners before the Presents if the Sandal Wood being very big could be carry'd by Land as it was or in what Pieces it ought to be cut that they must also carry several other Goods with them to Peking to give to the Council of State and other eminent Persons if they saw it convenient to desire their Highnesses to accept of the last Presents being onely Trifles sent to them by the Ambassador because they had no Place in the Lodge to keep them If their Highnesses should chance to speak of Trading to press it forward and to order that two Ships might about two Moneths hence be sent to Batavia and from thence to Holland to give an account of the Ambassador's Proceedings and the like This the Ambassador and his Council agreed upon and Nobel and Putmans order'd to go and acquaint their Highnesses with it The thirteenth in the Morning Nobel and Putmans according to the Resolution taken the Night before went to the Court to speak with their Highnesses About Noon coming home
in the Morning going on farther and passing through the Village Laytschem they arriv'd at Luesinga in the Evening where dropping Anchor they stay'd all Night to get fresh Coelies to Tow their Vessels with which they came that day but three Leagues because of the slow progress of the Emperor's Barques The fourth leaving Luesinga they came after they had been Tow'd through the Village call'd Sucouw to the City Tanyang in the Afternoon Sailing along the Walls thereof to the East Suburb where they stay'd that Night to get new Coelies having that day Sail'd and been Tow'd in a Northerly Course three Leagues The fifth in the Morning they set forth again with fresh Coelies and leaving the City Tanyang pass'd by a Lake which by three Sluces empties her Waters into this Channel In the Afternoon they came to a little Village call'd Hongunpek where they spent some time in resting themselves being much tir'd by slippery Ways and the Wind being against the Vessels whose high building had the greater force of them So soon as they had eaten they went away again and in the Evening arriv'd at the Village Singfon where they were forced by tempestuous Weather to drop Anchor having that day by several Courses been Tow'd two Leagues and a half The sixth in the Morning leaving Singhfon they saw several Stone Ovens about Noon passing by the Walls of the City Sinkiang or Chinkiang they dropt Anchor at the North Suburb to make preparation for their going up the Nanking Stream or River Kiang and likewise as their Mandarine Guides said to exchange some Barques having this day been Tow'd about two Leagues The seventh in the Morning several Tartar Mandarins came to Complement the Ambassador and bid him welcom whilst he entertain'd them with a Glass of Wine One of them after his departure sent the the Ambassador a Porker a Goat and some Fruit which he thankfully receiv'd and in return sent him some counterfeit Pearls which he would else have bought The Ambassador was also by a Mandarin invited to Dinner with the Governor of that Place whither he went in the Afternoon another Mandarin coming from the foremention'd Governor with Horses to fetch him with Putmans the Secretary and all his Retinue except Nobel who could not go because of his indisposition and coming to the Governor they were courteously receiv'd and welcom'd This Lord gaz'd so exceedingly upon the Netherland Ambassador and his Retinue that he forgot his Eating and Drinking by which means also no Discourse hapned amongst them of any remark so that the Netherlanders after a civil Entertainment took their leave In the Evening the Interpreters Ienko and Liulako came to tell the Ambassador that they had a second time been sent for to the fore-mention'd Governor who ask'd them for the number and quality of the Emperor's Presents which as far as they knew they had given him an account of in Writing whereat he was exceedingly amaz'd saying That without doubt they would be very acceptable Moreover he ask'd them if the Ambassador had no Blood-Coral Pistols Sword-blades counterfeit Pearls and the like because he would willingly buy some of them and therefore desir'd that they would please to speak to the Ambassador Which being consider'd by the Netherlanders and observ'd that this was a Tartar and a Man of great Quality who in and about the City bore the Command over a great number of Soldiers and that he might do much for their advantage at Peking they judg'd it convenient in the Morning to send and present him with five Ells and a half of Stammel five of Sky-colour'd Cloth a Perspective Glass two Pieces of Linnen one String of Amber Beads and some counterfeit Pearls and with them were sent a Complementing Letter to this effect THe Ambassador is extreamly satisfi'd with and oblig'd for Talavja's or his Lordships Civilities and desires him to accept of these small Gifts as a token of Friendship and in so doing will farther oblige the Hollanders Captain Putmans was order'd to carry the Governor the fore-mention'd Presents and Letter that Morning but saw him come early Riding towards the Barques so that it was thought fit to stay till his Return Mean while the Ambassador's Son went with the Pilot and Interpreter Maurice a Fowling on the Banks of the River Kiang The Governor returning in the Afternoon came with four of his chiefest Lords to see the Oxen and Horses and also to visit the Ambassador protesting he could not avoid waiting on him being so much pleas'd with his Conversation Whereupon the Ambassador call'd for his Musick with the pleasure of which he seem'd even ravish'd After which being entertain'd with Spanish Wine and Sweet-meats he departed The Gifts design'd for the Governor were now ready to be presented but he modestly refus'd them saying He could not accept of them as yet giving him many thanks in the mean time Then asking Genko and Liulako the Interpreters who were there present if the Geueral of Hanksieu and Conbon of Seucheu had receiv'd any Presents of the Ambassador To which they answer'd That the General of Hanksieu had not but the Conbon of Sucheu was pleas'd to cull out a couple of Swords Whereupon he a second time refus'd the Gifts but adding That if any Swords had been mention'd in the Note he would have been glad of them Wherefore the Ambassador after his departure chose a Sword from a peculiar Parcel for they had but few and in stead of a Pistol of which also they had no great store for all the enquiring was for those two sorts of Arms added a Carbine to the Presents Which done Putmans went a second time to the Governor with them The Swords Carbine Sky-colour'd Cloth and counterfeit Pearl he receiv'd but the rest he sent back when several of the Generals Children coming to see the Ambassador in his Barque were in respect to their Parents presented with Amber Necklaces and other Trifles After the Netherlanders had stay'd till towards the Evening waiting for Vessels to Ferry them over the River Kiang for there were none but a great Boat which the Mandarin Guide Hiulavja kept for himself under pretence that that which he came in was grown leaky they went with all their Vessels to the Mouth of the Haven before a Pagode where they stay'd all that Night whilst the Guide Mandarins offer'd a Goat and a Swine to their Deity before which as they say they durst not Sail up the River The chiefest of them went into the Pagode or Temple carrying the slain Sacrifice to lay it on the Altar when the Priest at their approach fell devoutly upon his Knees and began to Mutter and Pray to himself In the Temple being Painted Red hung several Lamps which burnt Night and Day for the Deceas'd Souls On one side of the Altar stood a Trough wherein they laid the Victim and on the other a Rush Box with small pieces of Canes which were the Sortes or Lots cast by
will take you for my Son-in-law The other Youths are sent back again and accounted Noble because they were allotted to this Choyce The Emperor's Son-in-law hath immediately a Fumme set over him being two Learned Mandarins of the Court to be his Tutors and instruct him in all Princely affairs Till the Woman hath Children the Man is bound to shew Reverence three times a day with bended Knees but when she is Deliver'd of a Child this Duty ceases Yet there are many Ceremonies and Shews of Obedience that continue for which reason Persons of Quality shun to be the Emperor's Sons-in-law and this Custom of chusing twelve is no more observ'd Is the Emperor accidentally casts his Eye on a Person of Quality or a Learned Person to make him his Son-in-law they humbly desire and beg to be excus'd of it fearing to live discontentedly all his life-time if the Princess should take any dislike against him As to what concerns the Emperor's prime Wife who is call'd by the Title of Hoamheu which is Empress she hath her Seat behind the Emperor the other six and the next in Degree are call'd Queens and in great esteem Besides these the Emperor hath thirty Ladies of Honor the rest being Concubines to the number of three thousand are young and beautiful Women brought thither from all parts of the Empire whom the Emperor visits at his pleasure as his Fancy leads or their Beauty attract The Emperor Theumchim being a Chaste Man they said of him Pu yu cuin that is He goes not into the Palaces of Women and some others such there have been as on the contrary there have been more whose wandring Affections have been so unsatisfiable that not pleas'd with their own Fancies to chuse a Mate they kept a little Wagon drawn by Goats letting them run whither they would and into what Chamber soever they went and stood still there the Emperor pitch'd for his amorous Dalliance Another that would not take that trouble to go into the Womens Palaces caus'd them all to be presented to him in Pictures and her whom he lik'd best he sent for Thus far Semedo The Tartar Emperor which at this day Governs being a Youth of eighteen Years hath twelve Empresses for his Service Funerals and Mourning for the Dead ALl the Chinese Books which Treat of their Customs endeavor nothing more than to incite Children to shew Obedience to their Parents and Respect to their Ancestors which they shew in nothing more than in their Funerals and Obsequies for they not onely Habit themselves in Mourning but bestow great Cost on a Coffin In the preparing for their Funerals which may rather be call'd a glorious Show they strive to exceed one another according to their State and Quality nay often go beyond their Capacity They Mourn not in black but White The Sons at their Parents Death wear a course Flaxen Coat or rather Frock which reaches down to their Feet their Hats and Shoes are also very pitiful to behold and they tie a Cord about their Wastes like the Franciscan Monks This Mourning according to an inviolable Law for Father or Mother is strictly observ'd by the Children three whole years for this reason as they say in their Books that they should requite their Parents and as a testimony of thankfulness that they have carry'd them three years in their Arms and brought them up with great trouble during their Infancy But the time which they Mourn for other Relations is much shorter for some leave off Mourning within the Year others in three Moneths as in Europe The lawful time to Mourn for the Emperor or Empress is also three years which all the Subjects observe through the whole Empire But now upon the Emperor's permission made known by Proclamation Days are reckon'd for Moneths and so the whole Realm in a Moneths time express their Sorrow for the Emperor's Death in Mourning The Funeral Ceremonies and Customs of the Chineses observ'd at Burials are written in a large Book wherefore upon any ones Decease those that are to take care to Interr the Body repair to that wherein their Mourning Clothes Shoes Caps Girdles and the like are not onely describ'd in it but also represented in Pictures When a Person of Quality happens to die the Son of the Deceased or nearest Kinsman acquaints all the other Relations and Friends with it by a Book written in a mournful Style Mean while the Coffin is made and the Body put into it and likewise the Hall or Chamber in which the Corps stands hung and cover'd with white Cloth in the middle of the Chamber is an Altar on which stands the Coffin and the Effigies of the Deceased Into this Chamber on certain Days come all the Kindred of the Deceased clad in Mourning whither they bring Rice and setting two Wax-Candles on the Altar burn Perfumes to the Honor of the Deceased When the Candles are lighted then they shew Reverence to the Dead by bowing their Bodies and Kneeling four times but they first put Frankincense into a Perfuming Pot with Fire which is plac'd against the Coffin and the fore-mention'd Image Whilst these Ceremonies are performing one or more Sons of the Deceased stand on each side of the Chest crying and lamenting behind the Coffin all the Women of his Alliance standing behind a Curtain cry without ceasing The Priests have ordain'd a Custom to burn Papers cut after a peculiar fashion as also white Silk-Stuffs which is done they say that thereby the Deceased may be provided of Clothes in the other World The Children oftentimes keep their dead-Fathers and Mothers in a Coffin in the House three or four years together without the least nauseating smell coming through the Crannies being colour'd all over with the Gum which they call Cie All which time they set before them every day Meat and Drink as if they were alive The Sons during this time of Mourning do not sit on their usual Stools but on low Benches cover'd with white Cloth neither do they sleep on Beds but on Mats of Straw spread over the Floor near the Coffin They eat no Flesh nor drink but upon pure necessity not being suffer'd to be at any Feasts nor for some Moneths to go abroad publickly but are carry'd in Sedans cover'd with Mourning Cloth Many other things they observe which would be too tedious to relate At the Day when the Corps is to be carry'd out the Friends and Relations are invited by another Book and meet all in white Apparel to attend the Funeral which is perform'd like the Romans Processioning several Shapes of Men Women Elephants Tygers and Lyons made of Paper but curiously Gilt and Painted being carry'd before and afterwards burnt at the Grave The Priests mumbling their Heathen Prayers follow the Corps also in a long Train and use several Ceremonies by the Way beating on Drums playing on Pipes Cymbals Bells and the like Before go likewise several Men carrying of great Copper Perfuming-Pots on their Shoulders
Atchievements for some have Helmets others Bonnets those Girdles others again Swords Belts Bowes Quivers and other like things in which he delighted Thus order'd they make a continual doleful noise all the time of their standing there In the same Order his Horses stand to be seen held by his Grooms with rich Saddles and Caparisons of Velvet There stand also Camels handsomly Harnes'd and loaden with the Goods that are to be us'd at the Funeral and by them under the Gates Drummers and Trumpeters At the appointed day the Corps is carry'd out before which ride Trumpeters Sounding mournfully then follow twenty or thirty choice Camels with Silk Bridles and Saddels hanging at their Necks and loaden with Tents and other Furniture to be carry'd to the Grave next follow such as bear Silk Umbrella's and Painted and Gilded Fans then Ensigns Flags Pennons and the like with Silver Chargers after those richly Caparison'd Horses laden with his best Houshold-stuff and led by Grooms and lastly the Sedans which the Vice-Roy us'd The place of Burial is encompass'd with a Mat in stead of a Wall within whose Inclosure stand Tents furnish'd with rich Goods to be burnt In the middle appears a great Hall also made of Mats to put the body in Those that were the last that attended the Train appear by this Hall first and behind them stand the rest each according to their Qualities The remaining vacancy within this Inclosure and behind the Hall being for the Women When they are all within standing for a considerable time they make a hideous noise more like howling than weeping which done and all things ready for the Offering the Priests or other Persons appointed Garnishing Tables with Fruits and Preserves and Meat in great Silver Chargers they deliver a Cup with Wine to the chiefest Vice-Roy there present who holds it up three times as an Offering to the Deceas'd Mean while a Letter of Recommendation from the Emperor is produc'd wherein the Merits of the Deceas'd are set forth and he Honor'd with a Noble Title The chiefest of the present Councellors having read this Letter with a loud Voice throws it into the fire and burns it so bowing their Heads three times they rise again and begin to cry Then those of his Family set fire on a Paper Mountain cover'd all over with Purple Flannel into which they throw the richest Clothes Hats Saddles Gold and Silver Vessels Sedans and Beds of the Deceas'd which being consum'd they gather the melted Gold and Silver and putting it into Paper on the third day throw it into the fire again adding to it other Riches till all be burnt The Horses bereav'd o their Caparisons are let loose and bought by those that please for half their worth This done all the Invited depart being conducted by one of the Vice-Roy's out at the Gate where he thanks them But the Tartars are not satisfi'd with this one Funeral for seven days after they renew it again and a third time seven days after that till all things be consum'd that the Deceas'd lov'd and esteem'd Moreover if the Deceas'd had a more than ordinary belov'd Concubine or Prime Favorite they murther themselves for the Concubine whether willing or unwilling is forc'd to Hang her self to comfort delight and accompany as these ignorant People say the Deceas'd in the other World Yet the more understanding Persons being somewhat better instructed have of late dreading such horrid Murthers Petition'd the Emperor by his Proclamation to forbid such Cruelties and likewise the wasting and burning of Houshold-stuff and other Materials which his Imperial Majesty hath accordingly Order'd so that in stead of rich Cloth of Tissue they only burn Gilded Paper and have in a manner left off the Barbarous Custom of killing themselves at the Grave Having ended their Offerings and crying a second or third time in the presence of all those that are afresh come to the Funeral-Pyre they erect a Hall or Court being the Tomb as if for a live Person surrounding it with Walls along whose sides are several Apartments after the same manner like those in which the Deceas'd in his life time recreated himself in these they place the faithfullest Servants In the middle thereof they make the Tomb of Bricks on a square Mount round about which they place the Cushions and Sedans of the Deceas'd on the Walls on each side hang his Girdle Sword Belt a Quiver full of Arrows and a Bowe In this Hall for a whole year they bring Meat every day which they put at the Foot of the Mount for the Deceas'd as if he were to feed upon it whilst those that bring it stand on one side crying These are for the Great Ones but the Tartars of meaner quality wanting Estates build no Hall over their Graves but placing only Meat or Tee near the same go away again The Chineses on the contrary after their Friends and Relations are met and having shewn the usual Reverence to the Deceas'd go out of the House in this Order Before on a long Stick is carry'd a Red Silk Cloth whereon is written the Name Titles Age and Quality of the Deceas'd in Silver Characters then follow a great number of Children who carry all manner of Flowers made of colour'd Paper upon Canes besides Representations of Men Beasts Gardens Houses and the like Painted on Paper to delight the Eye If the Deceas'd in his life time was famous for his Zeal in Religion then his Images curiously Painted are born before him after which comes next in order the Effigies of the Deceas'd on a rich Bier follow'd by the Bonzues Playing on Tabers Cymbals and other Instruments then Anticks and Stage-players come Riding on Horse-back in the same Habits they are to Act in at the Grave and all the way as they pass shewing Tricks and using other Mimick Gestures The Orphans walk just behind the Corps leaning on Sticks and supported under their Arms by their Servants as if excess of sorrow had thus weaken'd them The Bier on which the Corps stands cover'd with rich Silk Clothes is carry'd by eight sixteen nay sometimes thirty two Bearers When they come to the Grave those that have attended the Funerals throw what they have carry'd on a heap of Paper which setting on fire they go to the Tables that stand before the Corps Garnish'd with several Fruits and Perfumes besides a scalded Hogg and Lamb at each end then three or four of the Eminentest set fire of the Perfumes before the whole company Lastly They step aside and make room for him who is to write on a Board made before being three Fingers broad and an Ell long the Name and Quality of the Deceas'd first they set down this Mark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Emperor and for this cause they that are to do this must be clad in such Apparel as any of Quality might appear in before the Emperor This Person with the Pencil in his Hand craves pardon of all the
white Cloth they had fastned about their Middle and so throwing them into the Flame they were released of their Mourning Lastly they pull'd off all their Mourning Habit and leaving it there went home Three days after the prime Governors of the first Order came thither with the Tartars the Chineses being lockt out and prepar'd a new Funeral at which they us'd the same Ceremonies carrying Fans and leading Horses and Cammels The same four Grandees brought another Sute of the Emperor's and a Hat having onely one great Pearl on the Crown which they as before threw on Paper Heaps and likewise some Saddles beset with Pearls and Diamonds which done every one returned home All these Ceremonies are renew'd from day to day till the hundredth day during which time no Musick may be heard nor any Plays acted through all the City and they continue mourning after the hundredth for the Tartars watch by the Coffin continually After the expiration of two years when the time was come to carry the Corps to the appointed Grave twenty four Leagues from the City of Peking all the Mandarins conducted the Corps on Foot out of the City where they took leave of it on their bended Knees Zungte the Emperor of China and Tartary made some years since a very great Funeral for one of his Concubines which was after this manner He accompanied the Corps in Person out of his Palace Gates where the Body was laid in State till the expiration of a hundred days at the end of which to be burnt and by his Order to have Offerings made for it every fourth day the Materials for which besides the other Preparations cost the Emperor above ten thousand Ducats Amongst other wasteful Ceremonies he caus'd all the Tables with their Silken Cloths to be thrown into the Fire The Bier followd as we said before by the Emperor was cover'd with Velvet before it were carry'd three Sedans seeming to be all Gold though onely Gilt which being beset with Precious Stones made a glorious show before the Sedans went three Wains drawn by Horses which being cover'd on the top were also richly Gilded thousands of People made daily a great Cry and the rest of the Ceremonies were all like the fore-mention'd in which they say was spent eight hundred thousand Ducats With a peculiar magnificence and splendor was formerly solemniz'd the Funeral of a Chinese Emperor and Empress Semedo describes that of the Empress Mother to the Emperor Vanlie who deceased Anno 1614. on the last of May in the following words I. That all the Mandarins as well Military as Civil should on the following day appear in the Palace to Mourn for the Empresses Death which being done they should immediately go again to their Houses and Courts of Judicature and there spend three days in abstaining from Flesh Fish Eggs and Wine that the following three days they should attend at the Palace Gate and one by one come and visit the Corps with due Reverence and shews of great Sorrow after which every one might return home II. That all the Mandarins Wives of the four first Orders should for three days be there present in Mourning Apparel from Head to Foot and bewail the Empresses Death strictly forbidding to Dress themselves or wear Jewels in their Houses during twenty seven days III. That those of the Emperor's Council call'd Hanlim should make Epitaphs and Funeral Orations in praise of the Empress IV. That the Quanlosu which are the Overseers of the Emperor's Treasury should without delay pay all the Charge which would be requisite for the Offerings and Funeral V. That the Bonzies should Toll the Bells of their several Temples as a sign of Mourning and Sorrow VI. That no Meat should be sold in the Markets for seventeen days and every one Fast according to the Emperor's Example who for the three first days did eat onely a little Rice and Water and all his Retinue nothing but Roots VII The prime Councellor of their Laws was commanded to give Mourning to all Ambassadors and Agents then present at the Court and bring them to the Palace to shew Reverence to the Corps according to the Custom of the Countrey VIII That all the Mandarins which had Serv'd out the time of their Employments or those that aim'd at other Places should also come to the Palace and shew Reverence and perform their Duty in Mourning over the Corps three days IX That the Free-men of the City should come every Morning and Evening for the space of a whole Week to the chief Governor's Palace and there shew Reverence They also sent Letters to all the Mandarins distributed through all the Provinces and Cities of the Empire that after they had receiv'd tydings of the Empresses Decease they should use all means possible to make their Relations both Men Women and Children shew Reverence by three times kneeling and bowing of their Heads and besides other Ceremonies Mourn twenty seven days This Order is expresly given to all Mandarins as well those that are in Office as others whether Civil or Military It is likewise Order'd that the Burgesses shall wear a Mourning Hat for the space of thirty days They also forbid that any Instruments should be touch'd either in the Mandarins Palaces or Houses or in any Place wherein Travellers are Lodg'd upon the Emperor's Charge This was proclaim'd by certain Mandarins that follow no other Employment After all these Ceremonies before the Funeral the great Magician at the Court in Peking was commanded to chuse the Days wherein the remaining Funeral Pomp was to be solemniz'd After much study and care he pitch'd upon the ninth day of the sixth Moon being four Moneths after the Empresses Death for the Coffin to be carry'd out of the Palace and the fifteenth of the same Moneth to the Grave The time being come the following Order was publish'd to be observ'd at the Funeral I. That all the Mandarins of the Court should with the chief Councellors six days before go out of their Houses into their several Chambers at Court and there fast three days as is before mention'd II. That the Receivers of the Emperor's Revenues should prepare all Neçessaries as Torches Perfumes Images of Men Horses Lyons Elephants Silk Umbrella's and other Ornamentals to be burnt at the Grave The Charge whereof was said to amount to thirty thousand Escu's III. That the Lords of the Council Hanlim should make new Funeral Elegies IV. Because the Emperor intending to accompany the Corps to the Grave about seven Leagues from the Palace happen'd to be somewhat indispos'd he would send a Grand Courtier in his stead to perform that necessary Duty V. The Martial Officers must keep Watch in the City and by the Grave and also to guard the Corps thither At every Gate of the City which were nine stood a thousand Armed Men from the Place where the Corps lay to the Grave the way on both sides was Guarded by Soldiers Three thousand conducted the Body and
than formerly they possess'd transforming Tyrants to Tygers debauch'd Persons into Swine others into such Beasts as best suit with their Inclination But for Petty Crimes the Rich they only became poor and despicable People There were also a great Pair of Scales in one of which stood a Sinner and in the other a Prayer Book of the Doctrine of the Idols which weigh'd down the Sinner and releas'd him from Punishments In the middle before the resemblance of Hell flow'd a River of a strange Colour into which many were dragg'd cross the River lay two Bridges one of Gold and the other of Silver over which pass'd those that had been true Pagan-Worshippers and wore several Badges of their Offices and Service shewn to the Idols and had for their Guides the Servants of the Idols under whose Defence they past through the midst of all the Torments of Hell and came at last to pleasant Fields Groves and Vallies In another corner were drawn the Jaws of Hell belching out Flames Serpents and Furies towards the Gates of Hell which were made of Copper many other more of that kind were also seen In several places of the Temple was written on Scrols That whosoe're calls a thousand times on this Image by Name shall be freed from all these Tortures It will not be unnecessary to give you here two Platforms of two several Pagodes or Temples Directions for a little Temple or Pagode cover'd all over 1 THe Prime and only Gate of the Temple 2 A Partition of Wood between two Pillars of Stone or Wood on which two Gygantick Figures are Painted By this means the sight out of the Street into the Temple is prevented though the Doors are open 3. An erected Stone in form of a Consecrated Bason in which the Romans keep their Holy-Water in which lies Fire to burn the Perfumes that are put in the same 4. Body of the Temple 5. A great Table before the Altar curiously Varnish'd Painted and Gilt on which stand Tapers and Perfumes always burning On the Table stand also two Cases and a Cane full of little Pipes or Straws wherewith they Cast Lots 6. A great Altar on which some Images stand 7. Two lesser Altars on each of which are other Representations 8. Pedestals of Stone on which the Pillars of Wood or Stone rest which hold up the Roof and make three Divisions 9. Two small Pools or Ponds with Water and Fish open on the top from whence the Light shines into the Temple being in stead of Windows for no other Light comes into the Temple but from those places where they are or through the chief Gate 10. Two Chambers before the Gate that leads into the Temple in which stand two great shapes of Horses and other Images 11. Two Boards made fast to the Walls of the Temple Ingraven with Superstitious Directions to throw their Lots before the Images with the foresaid Straws which stand on the Table 12. A great Drum on a Woodden Bench on which they give several strokes after having ended their Prayers to the Images 13. A great Bell hanging at the Wall of the Temple made like ours on which they also strike twice or thrice with a Stick after they have ended their Devotions 14. A Bench with holes wherein they put their Umbrelloes or other Marks of Honor which are carry'd before the Mandarins and likewise before their Images when they go Processioning 15. The place where those that Kneel to Pray before their Images and Cast Lots Directions or Draught of a Temple one of the biggest and stateliest in all China 1 THe chief Gate in the first Wall that surrounds the Temple 2 Two Gates on each side of the foremention'd 3 First Court before the Temple open on the top 4 A great Pool with Water and Fish 5 A Bridge to go over the Pool 6 A great cover'd Hall which spreads it self before the whole Structure 7 A second open Court much bigger Pav'd with Free-stone 8 Little Chambers on each side of the second Court 9 The chief Hall or Chappel in the Temple cover'd with a handsom Roof 10 Pillars of the two Halls which in some Temples are of Wood and in others of one intire Stone 11 Little Doors of the Chambers with a Gallery through which they pass before they go into the Chambers 12 The place whither those repair to Kneel and shew Reverence to their Images and draw Lots 13 A very curious and well-made Table Gilt and Varnish'd whereon in a Case stand Straws or little Canes with which they draw Lots and likewise Perfuming Pans and burning Tapers over it also hangs a lighted Lamp 14 A great Altar with one or several Images 15 A Stone Pedestal close by the Wall on which stand many whole and half Images 16 A Stone cut in manner of a Bason in which stands a Chafindish with Coals wherein Gilt and Silver'd Paper is burnt by those that come to Worship the Images In some Temples generally stand in stead of the fore-mention'd Stone many Copper Pans large and neatly made 17 Two Boards made fast on the Walls of the Temple Ingraven with their Superstitious Belief 18 A great Bell made like those of Europe but without a Clapper on which they strike with a Staff three or four times after they have finish'd their Prayers 19 A great Drum on a Woodden Bench on which they also strike as on the Bell. 20 A Bench of Wood with holes in which they stick the Umbrelloes and other Badges of Honor that are carry'd before the Mandarins and likewise before the Images in time of their Precessioning Triumphal Arches IN several Cities to their no small Ornament are divers Triumphal Arches most of them of hewn Marble with great Art and curious Imagery richly wrought after the manner of the Goths they are as anciently amongst the Romans built in Commemoration of those which have done some great Service to that City or Countrey sometimes also for the Citizens that have attain'd to the heighth of their Learning They are chiefly built in the Eminentest Streets and most Populous places and consist in three Portals the biggest in the middle and the two lesser on each side through which they pass On both sides stand Marble Lions and other fine Imagery on the Ceilings are Celestial Signs Birds Flowers Snakes Serpents and the like done very Artificially Those places that are void of Statues are curiously Carv'd or adorn'd with other Imagery and are so Cut that they seem Pendant in the Air. It deserves no small admiration how such vast Stones could be Wrought and Cut through that they seem rather like loose Chains of divers Links than singly Wrought The whole Arch rests on high Pillars and both before and behind of one fashion The upper part of the Roof generally consists in three Stories or Partitions every one divided with some â—…hings resembling our Architecture Upon the Summit of the Arch lies a blue Stone cover'd with a small Gilded Arch on which
South it receives the River Iung and runs through the Territory Chaokingfu into the Province of Quantung glides Southward by the City Chaoting and Loting and Southward from the City Quancheu or Canton looseth it self The River Kinxa takes its Original in the Province of Iunnan out of the South side of the Lake Tien or Quienning bends its Course Northward through the County Iunnanfu in like manner through Vutingfu and in twenty seven Degrees and thirty Minutes North-Latitude enters on the South into the Province of Suchuen Westward from the Garrison Le and at last falls East from the Lake Mahu into the River Mahu Another Branch also call'd Kinxa runs by the City Tinghuen of the Province of Suchuen and Westward from the Mountain Ulang finisheth its Course Another River likewise call'd Kinxa issues out of the Kingdom of Sifan and enters the Province of Iunnan through the Territory Likiangfu on the East side of the City Linsi proceeds Northward by the City Likiang then through the River Ciokingfu from thence Eastward by the North side of the City Pexing where it sends forth a Branch towards the South through the North part of the County Yagon having its Channel inlarg'd from the several Rivers which it receives in the Province of Suchuen near the Confines of the Province of Queicheu and joyns with the River Kinxa which comes out of the Province Iunnan Another River passes more Northward out of the Kingdom of Sifan also call'd Kinxa and sometimes Lekie it passes by the Mountain Luyni into the Province Iunnan thence through the County Iungningfu from West to East by the North part of the City Iungning and through the Lake Lacu where it receives the Stream Loye which comes out of the South and falling last into the Province of Suchuen mixes with that Kinxa which flows out of the Province of Iunnan Southward from the Mountain Ulung Kingxa signifies Gold-Dust so call'd from its plenty of Gold Thus far of the Rivers and Brooks which Water the Empire of China in several places to its great fertility and make it Navigable almost through the whole Empire nay in such manner that several Counties and Provinces divided and surrounded by them lie like Islands separated from one another by the Streams that flow between them There are also many deep-cut Channels besides Lakes Pools and Springs abounding in Fish Standing waters or Channels THe Countrey of China is cut thorow in many places with Moats or Artificial Channels for the conveniency of Navigation from one City to another Among many others one of these Channels call'd Iun deserves no small admiration being with an incredible Charge digg'd from the Province of Nanking through that of Xantung to the Metropolis of Peking by means of which from most places in the Empire all sorts of Goods are brought in Ships to Peking It begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Nanking in the County Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien near the Northern Shore of the Yellow River out of which Ships from all parts of the Empire are brought into it from thence it extends North-West through the second Territory Iencheufu of the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward from the Lake Nanyang then through that of Tungchangfu and the Lake Nanyang from whence at last at the end of the County near the City Lincing beyond the Lake Cang it falls into the River Guei But because the Water in this Channel is too shallow in many places for great Ships therefore there are above twenty Sluces or Water-gates in the same in the Chinese Tongue call'd Tungpa very strong and firm of square Stone Every Sluce hath a Gate or opening lock'd with great Planks to keep out the Water being by means of a Wheel and an Engine drawn up with little trouble to give way for the Water and Ships till you come to the second Gate where they do the like and so likewise at all the rest But half way before you come to the City Cining they tap as much Water through a great Water-gate out of the Lake Cang as they need then Locking up the Gates again keep the Water from running out too much and so leaving the Ground bare for the Water in the Lake is higher than the adjacent Countrey so that in a small Tract of Land they reckon above eight Water-gates which resist the force and power of the Water When the Ships are come to the Lake Cang it self they cross not the same but with much more ease pass along a Channel made by the sides of the Lake with brave Banks on each side At every Water-gate are People which Toe the Ships by a Line through the Sluces for a small reward In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly should the best Builders or Surveyors of Europe come and behold the length of this Channel or thickness and heighth of the Banks on each side and the ornament of the Sluces which are all of hewn Stone they would justly wonder at the wisdom of the Chineses and their Industry in undergoing that labor which scarce any other People would be able to perform In the Province of Peking in the County of Pekingfu near the City Cho there is also a very long Channel call'd Tocang another in the eighth County Xaohingfu in the Province of Chekiang describ'd before besides many more which would be too tedious to mention Lakes and Pools IN the County of Pekingfu Westward from the Metropolis lies on the Mountain Iociven a Lake call'd Lis which is ten Furlongs in Circumference On the South side of the Mountain Tienxu Northward from the chief City is a Lake made by the confluence of several Springs wherefore it is call'd Kienlung that is Of nine Springs which number because the Chineses account it Fortunate hath much increas'd their Superstitious Belief concerning the Emperor's Tombs that are there On the South-West side of the City Paoting close by the City Moat is a small but very pleasant Lake call'd Lienhoa that is Lien-Flower whereon the Citizens and Neighboring People make great Feasts and Entertainments in Pleasure-Boats built for that purpose In the County Hokienfu near the City Hie is a very deep Lake nam'd Vo the Water of which at the throwing of a Stone therein becomes of the Colour of Blood If the Leaves of the adjacent Trees chance to fall into it in a short time Swallows flie out of it insomuch that the Leaves seem to turn into Birds as is related of the Scotch Barnacles or Soland Geese In the Territory Sintivyfu Northward of the City Nangsin begins a great Lake call'd Talo and extends as far as the City Kiulo in the County Xuntefu Nor far from the little City Hanping is another lesser Lake made by two Springs the one with very hot and the other very cold Water though they lie both close together In the County Tamingfu near the City Niuhoang lies a Lake call'd Luece
being the source of the River Cin. Westerly of which and East from the City Ta is the great Lake Vanking whose Shore is all set with stately Trees and inviron'd with Flowry Meadows Fruit-Trees and Populous Villages In the County Mahufu Southward from the City Mahu is a Lake also call'd Mahu that is Horse Lake for the Chineses say that in this Lake a Horse appear'd Wing'd like a Dragon from which the Family Tang gave the City Lake and River that denomination In the little County Muicheu whose chief City is of the same Name stands a great Lake call'd Hoang that is to say Circular because it surrounds the whole City yet it is broadest towards the West The Shore is built all along with handsome Houses which standing round like a Ring the City may justly be call'd The Stone thereof near it is a long Bridge call'd Sive On the East side of the City Kiating is a small Lake call'd Ningyve By the City Pukiang is another Lake nam'd Yotan on which they say the Emperor Hoangti Anno 2500. before the Incarnation study'd Chymistry THere are two Lakes in the County Vuchangfu one near the City Kiayn and the other near that of Puki In the Territory Hanyangsu part within and part without the Walls of the City Hanyang is the Lake call'd Langquon On the West side at the Foot of the Mountain Kieuchin is the Lake Taipe two hundred Furlongs in bigness In the County Sianyangfu near the City Nanchang within a Temple is a Pool call'd Chinchu that is Lake of Pearls for if any Person walk apace round the sides thereof the Water arises out of the Ground like Pearls whether naturally or artificially cannot easily be resolv'd In the Territory Teganfu Eastward from the City Tegan is a great Lake of nine hundred Furlongs call'd Iunmung In the Province Hoangcheufu near the City Hoangpi stands a Lake call'd Vu that is War for in the time of the Kings it was a Place ordain'd for the Exercise of Ships Near the City Hoangmui is another bigger Lake call'd Vihu and not far from it the Lake Taipe and Eastward from the City Ki the Lake Kinxa In the Territory Kingcheufu on the East side of the City Kongcheu is the Lake Tung forty Furlongs in bigness pleasant and full of Fish with which the Citizens often Feast and make Merry in Vessels on the same In the County Yocheufu at the South-West side of the City Yocheu is a great Lake call'd Tungting which as the Chineses say had its original from a Deluge and this seems to be confirm'd by the many Isles that lie in the same namely Kiun Kinxa signifying Sand of Gold Kiue and Pecio built full of Pagodes and Cloysters which are inhabited by some poor Religious Order Amongst others is a floating Isle on which is also a Cloyster built for the Roots of Trees and large Canes knitted and joyn'd together keep up the Earth by their continual growing to one another without the least danger of ever breaking In the County Changxafu on the middle of the Mountain Taihu near the City Lieuyang lies a great fathomless Lake On the Mountain Xepi another of thirty Furlongs call'd Pexa out of which run four Brooks of which one is the Rivolet Lieus the rest fall into the River Iuping On the North side of the City Siangyn lies the Cingcao which moistning the County Iocheufu unites it self with the Lake Tunting In the County Hengcheufu Eastward from the chief Kity Hengcheu is a very deep Lake the Water whereof being of a green colour the Chineses highly esteem for the making of their Drink or Wine call'd Sampsou In the Territory Chantefu near the Cities Luugyang and Iuenkiang lies the Lake Chexa and unites it self with the Lake Tungting In the County Iengcheufu near the City Tan is a great Water-fall which immediately turns to a Pool in which grow yellow Lien-Flowers which are seldom found of that colour in any other place In the little Territory Cingcheufu near the City Hoeitung stands the Lake Cingpo full of great Rocks and Stones on which the Chineses often make Merry In the small County Chincheufu not far from the City Hingping on the Mountain Xemeue is a small Lake call'd Yen whose Water continues warm all the Winter Twice a year great numbers of wild Geese flie thither out of the North and South wherefore this Lake is call'd Ien that is A Goose. IN the Territory Nanchangfu in the Province of Kiangsi on the South-East side of the City stands the Lake Tung very much noted for the clearness of its Water and the abundance of Fish which is in the same The great Lake Poyang otherwise call'd Pengli near the City Nankang North-East is three hundred Furlongs long and forty broad borders Westward on the County Nankangfu Eastward on Iaocheufu part of it which respects the City Yukan is call'd Kanglang It contains several Isles as to the South Langma Xuihung and Pipa lying near the City Yukan more Northward Ingcu Chuki Checien and the Mountain Ki lying on an Island Eastward of the chief City Pehoa and Westward of the little Isle Teuxu It receives in the South the River Kan in the East the Logan and in the North the River Kiang In the County of Kienchangfu without and within the chief City lies a Lake the one part call'd Kinquei and the other Kao Near the City Nangfung is also the little Lake Vansui In the Territory Linkiangfu near the City Iuencheu is the Lake Funghoang which not being very big neither increases by abundance of Rain nor decreased by excessive Drought In the County Kieganfu near the City Kiexui lies the Lake Kien and near Ganfo the Pool Mie signifying Hony so call'd from the exceeding sweet Fish which it produces In the Territory Xuicheufu near the City Sinchang there is a Lake whose Water is never muddy but always very clear In the County Iuencheufu on the East side of the City Iuencheu the Lake Tung spreads it self and is call'd The Pleasure of the County for the Chineses often make Feasts on the same and have built several Retreats and Banquetting-houses on its Banks The Lake Mingyo affords the City a Moat through which it is brought with convenient and Navigable Channels which on the East side run into the Lake Tung THe Lake Cienli is situate in the Territory Kiangningfu Eastward near the City Lieyang containing a thousand Furlongs which to the South is united with the Lake Tai in the County Sucheufu Without the Gate of the City Taiping a small Lake call'd Hiuenuu lies on the South-West side not far from the City Liexui Westward from the Lake Tanyang and extends from thence to the Borders of the City Taiping In the County Sucheufu on the West and South-West side of the City Sucheu is the great Lake Tai which according to the Description of the Chineses takes up the space of thirty six thousand Paces Near the City Changxo is the Lake
the City Pingkiang lies the Mountain Tiengo five hundred Furlongs in circumference and is in the Book of Tausu accounted the twenty fifth amongst the famousest Mountains and is likewise famous amongst the Chinese Physicians for the producing of many Physical Herbs By the City Gaukiang towards the South is the Mountain Hoang that is Yellow for the Earth and Stones about it are of a yellow colour wherefore it is call'd also Kinhoa that is Golden Flower In the County Changxafu Westward from the City Changxa lies the Mountain Iamo so call'd from the Muscovy Glass which is digg'd out of it in great abundance Westward from the City Ninghiang towards the South-West lies the biggest Mountain Taihiu which rises with three Spires the middlemost whereof hath on the top of it a great and fathomless Lake There is likewise the Mountain Xepi and upon it a Lake of forty Furlongs call'd Pexa out of which flow four Rivolets the one nam'd Lieu the rest glide towards the Stream Iuping At the same place is the Mountain Tungyang the third in order amongst the famous Mountains describ'd in the Book of Tausu By the City Xeu lies the Mountain Sucung which hath a Spring of hot Water and thirty six rising Piques besides many other large Mountains In the County Paokingfu East from the chief City Paoking the Mountain Lung riseth with four Spires which are of such an equal heighth that they seem every where to be one intire Head in the middle of them is a Lake out of which run two Rivolets the one nam'd Lien which glides to the City Siangkiang and the other the Chao In the Jurisdiction of the City Vuchang Easterly lies the Mountain Changmo which extending a great way and having very inaccessible Ways is inhabited by wild People which are not under the Dominion of the Chineses but live safe and secure amongst themselves In the County Hengcheufu Westward from the chif City Hengcheu appears the Mountain Taceu where according to the Chinese Writers Silver Mines have been open'd in former Ages By the City Hengcan begins the Mountain Heng which extends eighty Furlongs with seventy two Spiry Hillocks ten great Valleys thirty eight Springs and twenty five Brooks By the City Queiyang is the Mountain Xejen sometime call'd The Stone-Swallow because after Rain Stones are found upon it exactly resembling Swallows which Physicians by their several colours distinguish into Males and Females and use them in Physick The Mountain Hoayn pleasant to the Eye and for its fair Prospect call'd The Flower rises up in the Jurisdiction of the Cities Linuu and Lanxan By the City Taoyven towards the West lies the Mountain Lolo the forty seond in order in the Book of Tausu On the North-West side of the City Changte over a great Valley call'd Lungmuen a Bridge leads from one Hill to another under which is a Rivulet In the County Xincheufu North-West from the City Xincheu is the Mountain Tayeu the twenty sixth in order in the Books of Tansu There is also the Mountain Siaoye whereon a thousand Books were found which they say were hid there in the time when the Emperor Xi commanded all the Books in China to be burnt By the City Kiuyang is the Mountain Locung on which they say breeds a Bird that never Sings but before Rain upon it is a Lake which takes up the compass of about a thousand Acres In the County Iungcheufu Westward from the City Iungcheu is the Mountain Kiungyo observable for the abundance of brave Cypress Trees which grow on it In the Territory Chingtien near the City Kingmuen is a Mountain of the same Name which formerly serv'd for a Wall and Boundary between the Northern Provinces and the Kingdom of Cu. By the City Tangyung lies the Mountain Cucai the thirtieth in order in the Book of Tansu upon it are Trees and Stones of a red colour and a Rivulet of sweet-smelling Water In the County Chingyangfu North-West from the City Chingyang is the Mountain Tiensin which hath a plain of a hundred Furlongs on its top which is surrounded with other rising Hillocks in stead of Walls The Physicians highly esteem this Mountain for the abundance of soveraign Herbs which they have from it By the City Chinxan is the Mountain Canglo on which they say a Countrey-man for several years gathering Chesnuts against an approaching Famine which he foresaw thereby preserv'd himself and his Neighbors from perishing with Hunger Not far from thence is the Mountain Nuiqua so call'd from a Woman so Nam'd whom the Chineses adore as a Goddess for some great and publick Action done by her in her Life-time Southward from the City Tungtao begins the Mountain Fecu and serves for a Boundary between the Province of Huquang and that of Queicheu To these may be added in the Territory Hangcheufu North of the City Hoangcheu the Mountain Pui North of the City Machin the wooddy Mountain Molin near the City Ling the large spreading Mountain Vanyang in the Territory Changtefu West of the City Changte the Mountain Lo by the City Tang the high Mountain Suvang in the County Chincheufu South of the City Chincheu the Mountain Hoanycung by the City Iunghing the high and steep Mountain Pipa North of the City Songing the high and cold Mountain Kelyng South of the City Nanquei the fruitful and pleasant high Mountain Tuting and some others EAstward by the City Funghing lies the Mountain Xifung the thirty ninth in the Books of Tansu In the County Iaocheufu Eastward from the City Iaocheu is the Mountain Macie the fifty second in the Book of Tansu By the City Yukan lies the Mountain Xehung that is Stone Rain-bowe because the Water falling from the same represents a Rain-bowe In the County Quangsinfu Northward from the City Quangsin the wooddy Mountain Ling the thirty second in order in the Book of Tausu produces great variety of Flowers and Herbs and also excellent Crystal By the City Yeyang the Mountain Paofung hath on its Summitie a Stone-House built which pierceth into the Clouds Southward from the City Queili the Siang a high and broad Mountain distinguish'd by the many Meadows Woods and Villages which are upon it affords a delightful Prospect Westward lies the Mountain Lunghu the thirty second in order in the Book of Tausu it rises with two Spiry Tops which because they seem to oppress one another the uppermost of them is call'd Lung that is Dragon and the unmost Hu that is Tyger In the County Nankanfu North-West from the City Nankan the Mountain Quangliu the ninth in order in the Book of Tausu spreads it self five hundred Furlongs and is inhabited by many Orders of Religious Persons in their Way By the City Tuchang lies the Mountain Iuenxin the fifty second in order amongst the famous Mountains describ'd in the Books of Tausu and more Northerly the Hill Xepie Northward from the City Tegan is the Mountain Quenlun on which is a Stone of that bigness that a hundred Men may