Commandments In fine the businesse went so well and so contrary to what their adversaries did hope and expect and so much in favour of the Fathers that the Law of God was publickly commended and approved by the very Gentiles themselves and the abode of the Fathers in that City confirmed by a publique sentence and drawn up in writing which till that time could never be obtained and the Crosse of Christ triumphed in spite of all the Devils in Hell and from thence forward they that were Christians already enjoyed all the liberty they could desire and they that had a mind to turne Christians could do it without any caution or secrecie and truly there were many of them that proved examples of great edification and though I do purposely forbear to mention them for brevities sake yet I will relate one belonging to the same residence because it was told me by the same Christian himself a little before my departure for Europe I was standing one day in the Church which we have in this City when I saw a man come in thither to say his prayers and not knowing him I stayed till he came out and then I asked him who he was He answered Father I am a Christian and was born in this City but am by profession a Merchant in Nankim and at certain times I come hither to see my Parents then I come to Church according to my dutie I asked him who did Baptize him He answered me Father Iohn della Rocca And it was said he in this manner I had been sickly many yeares and had spent all my poor fortune upon the Physitians without receiving any help from them my friends used to visit me and among them two Christians who one day being moved with compassion towards me told me that I should do well to turn Christian and it might be that the Lord would grant me my health I answered them If your God would restore me my health I am content to turn Christian. They went presently to the Father to ask him for a little Holy water to give me to drink hoping that it would have a good effect But the Father answered them If he have a desire to turn Christian let him do it and our Lord will send him health if it be his pleasure and if he do not yet at least let him take care of the health of his Soule which is more necessary than that of the body As for miracles the Lord doth them only when he pleaseth and if upon this occasion he should not do a Miracle then would that Gentile despise and undervalue our religion They returned to me sufficiently disconsolate but I was much more dejected when I heard that answer About two days after the same two Christians being with me there came in another called Peter with whom I was also acquainted and he was a very zealous and fervent Christian. They told him what had happened to them with the Father but he replyed What need have we of the Father for this matter I have holy water my self at home let us give him some of it and I hope our Lord will grant him his health He went presently home and fetched a little of it they gave it me and I drank it and not long after I perfectly recovered and that which many medicines were not able to do in so many years the Holy water did in a very short time I went presently to Church to render thanks to the Lord for that great mercy he had shewed me and after I had been well Catechised and instructed in the principall matters of our Holy Faith I was Baptized I have made choise of this example in particular because it was related to me by the person himself to whom it happened although there never wanted many others of the like kind wherewith the Lord doth favour that Church strengthen the Christians and comfort the Preachers thereof The Residence of Nankim did this while enjoy a perfect peace and tranquilitie and the Fathers gained a great deale of credit and reputation and were much esteemed by severall of the Magistrates who did greatly favour them The number and devotion of the Faithfull encreased every day and for the greater help thereof there was founded a congregation of the B. Virgin with those effects and fruits which are usually obtained by her Diverse persons of very considerable qualitie did present themselves to receive Holy Baptism among whom Kui Tai Zo was one who indeed was worthy of all praise for the great paines he took in this Citie to assist the Fathers and for the many advantages he gained them by his authoritie This man notwithstanding that he was our intimate friend did still persist in his Heathenisme and although he commended our Holy Law and approved the Truth and Certainty thereof yet he thought it very troublesome to observe a conceit which doth usually with-hold very many from the undertaking of it But at length having overcome himself and all other difficulties he was Baptized and called Ignatius making his confession and publick profession so resolute and devoutly that he did much comfort the Fathers and encourage the rest of the Faithfull neither was he content only to recite it but gave it in writing as a pledg of his determinate resolution the which for the publick edification I have thought fit to insert in this place and it saith thus Kui Ignatius born in the second Moon of the year called Ciea which was about the month of March in the year 1549 in the Citie of Ciancieu of the Countrie of Sucieu in the Province of Nankim in the Kingdom of Yamin for so they call the Kingdome of China I being drawn by a profound consideration and moved by a most sencible sorrow for my sinnes do desire to ask pardon of almightie God that he might give me the saving water of Baptism for to cancell them and that he would grant me sufficient grace to enter into his most Holy Law I consider with my self that being now 57 years of age I have had eyes all this while and yet have never looked into his Holy Law I have had eares and yet have never heard of his Sacred Name but on the contrary have followed the Sect of Scechia which is the name of a very famous Idoll and although I understood that it was repugnant both to truth and reason I did very much enlarge and spread abroad that superstition the which I acknowledge to be my very great fault and almost Infinite sinne which without doubt did deserve no lesse than the lowest depth of Hell Of late years it was my good fortune to meet with the Masters of the truth who came from the great West Mattheus Riccius and Lazarus Catanaeus together with their Companion Sebastian Fernandes These were the first that did open unto me the Mysteries of Divine truth and now again of late I mett with John Della Rocca and his Companion Frances Martinez These did confirm me
rich and maketh so much Cotton-wool that those of the Country affirme that there is only in the towne of Xanuchi and the precinct thereof which is large 200000 Loomes for this stuffe so that from that place only the King draweth 150000 crownes yearly In one house there useth to be many of them for they are narrow as the stuffe is Almost all the women are employed in this work The Court did reside in this Province for a long time and even to this day all the Courts of justice and priviledges thereof are conserved in the City of Nankim whose right name is Umthienfu and it seemeth to me to be the best and greatest City of the whole Kingdome both for the form of the building the largenesse of the streets the manners and dealing of the people and for the plentie and excellency of all things It hath admirable places of recreation and is so populous through its confines that the villages succeed one another in a manner from three miles to three miles although at this day by reason it wants the presence of the King it is in its selfe lesse populous neverthelesse in diverse parts thereof it is yet troublesome to walke the streets for the crowde of people that one meeteth Besides the many Palaces Temples Towers and Bridges doe render it very considerable In the wall thereof there are twelve gates barr'd with Iron and guarded with Artillery a good way without runneth another wall with no small ruines The circuit thereof for I was desirous to know the measure of it is two daies journey on horse-back That of the inner wall is eighteen miles both the one and the other have within them many populations gardens and fields which are tilled the bread whereof useth to be applied to the use of the souldiery within the City to the number of fourty thousand In one part thereof there is cast up an artificiall Mount on the top whereof there is seen a wooden spheare not armed although the circles thereof are placed at the latitude of the same City which is 32 degrees a small latitude in respect of the great colds but a very large one for the great heate which it suffereth The spheare is in circumference of a notable bignesse and is a very compleat piece of work It hath moreover a Tower divided into seaven stories of singular beauty for the workemanship thereof it being full of figures and wrought like Percellane an edifice which might be ranked among the most famous of ancient Rome The river cometh to kisse the feet of this City and sendeth up some armes of it selfe into it The name of the river is Yanchukiam that is to say the Sonne of the sea nor vainly is it so called it being the most aboundant in water of any that is knowne in the world There is also great plenty of fish We have foure Churches in this Province the first in Nankim with a house of Iesuites and is of a very ancient and exercised Christianity having suffered foure persecutions and come of from each of them with more vigour The second in the Towne of Xamhai with a great number of beleevers The third in the City of Xamkiam The fourth in the Towne of Kiatini beside these Churches there are many Oratories And so much shall suffice concerning the nine Southern Provinces CHAP. 3. Of the Northern Provinces SIx are the Provinces which are called Northern and their names are Honam Xemsi Kiansi Xantum Pekim and Leaotum The first lyeth in the latitude of 35 degrees as centre of the Kingdome and produceth most gallant fruits as well those that are proper to the Countrie as ours in Europe nor is the cheapnesse of them lesse I bought for a farthing and a halfe 88 Apricocks it hath nothing else notable except a Son of the Kings called Fovam the last of those which came out of the Palace He liveth with so great splendour and authoritie of a King that to be such he only wanteth the name and jurisdiction In Caifum the Metropolis thereof we have had onely for these few yeares a Church and house but a good plenty of Christians The second is Xemsi it lyeth in 36 degrees and more to the West it is very large but dry for want of water as also are the three neighbouring Provinces notwithstanding it doth abound in Wheate Barly and Maize of Rice they have but little All winter long they give wheat to their Beasts which are many particularly their sheep which they sheare three times a year once in the Spring another time in the Summer a third in the Autume but the first time of shearing yeeldeth the best wool From hence cometh all the wooll of which are made the felts and other things used either in this Province or elswhere They make there of no sort of cloath not using to spin wool but only Goats-hair of which they weave certain Stuffes for the hanging of their roomes in so great perfection that the most ordinary are better than ours and the Best are esteemed more precious than silk They make likewise of Goats-haire a very fine Felt which they call Tum and is made use of for garments But this is not made of every sort of Goats-hair but of a very fine haire which lyeth under the first They pull it out with great care and make it up in certain bals of the bignesse of an ordinary loafe and then put it out to be wrought with singular skill Musk is proper to this Province and because it is in question after what manner this excellent perfume is made I will give you account of it according to the most diligent enquiry I have made concerning it It is the Navel of an Animal about the bignesse of a small Stagge whose flesh is very good meate and only that part is taken containing that precious matter but all those Cods which are brought hither to us are not true and perfect Navells for the Chinesses have learnt to falsifie them by stuffing some peices of the skin of that Animall with musk that is vitiated and mingled with some other things Here is also Gold found but not in Mines for though there be Mines both of Gold and Silver the King doth not suffer them to be opened but out of Rivers and Eddies and although it be found only in smal peices and graines yet being put together it amounts to a great quantity there being Infinite people both young and old which go in search of it There is Rubarbe and Profumo which are not found in any other part for that which cometh from Persia doth not seem to be naturall to that place for of as many as have travelled through that countrie there is not any that gives an account to have seen there that healthfull plant It is something tall with leaves bigger than Cole-worts it doth not grow wilde as some have imagined but is Cultivated in gardens with a great deale of care In this Province is opened
which saith That the City of Sucheu Hancheu is that upon earth which the habitation of the blessed is in heaven It is scituated in a pleasant River of fresh Water just as Venice is in the Sea it hath the greatest traffique of all the Kingdome the Merchandize from Macao being first brought thither from whence they are afterwards dispersed to all other parts Here the Father found Quitaizo his ancient friend in the Province of Canton by whom he was received with all manner of kindnesse and friendship and was also by him introduced and brought into credit with the whole City And being the Sonne of a principall Mandarine he was a great help to him in gaining the friendship of severall Mandarines of great authoritie for which and other good turnes he did us in Canton and other places and especially in Nankim he deserveth no small commendations and acknowledgment The Father gave him a triangular glasse which by his friend was taken for so precious a Jewel that he tipt both the ends of it with Gold and made a Case of Silver to put it in and after sold it for above 500. Crownes This honest man much desired that the Father would settle himself in that Citie and found a House there where he might assist and promote him with more convenience proposing many difficulties which would hinder the residence of the Fathers at Nankim Neverthelesse having weighed things better and taking that resolution which was most suitable to their occasions they went both of them to Nankim in the year 1599. where they found the state of affaires much altered from what it was the time before The Citie did now enjoy a profound peace and tranquillity the Giapponeses being beaten back into their own Countrie The Mandarine their friend was very glad of their coming and did them many singular favours as did also many others both Magistrates and other grave men and persons of account in that City particularly a Coli which is a kind of Censor or Syndic-royall named Choxelim wherefore the Father not only by their consent but also by their perswasion resolved to settle a residence and found a House in that Noble City which is the second of the whole Kingdome While the Father made his abode there he gave great proofe of himself and of the Sciences of Europe particularly of the Mathematiques He made a new Mappe of the World with the explanation thereof in the Chinesse language and characters which gained great reputation not only to the authour but also to Europe seeing there such a multitude of Noble Kingdomes and Cities so that the same Quitaizo and others with very Solemn Ceremonies made themselves Disciples to Father Riccius Neither was the authoritie lesse which the Father gained by the publick Disputes which he held concerning matters of Religion wherein to the admiration of all the Councels he ever had the Victorie so that the Fathers came to such a height of reputation that they were celebrated by many Letterati in Epigrams and Elogies In the meane time the companions of Father Riccius arrived after they had wintered by the way and endured many labours and hardships But when they found the Father in that City where a little before he was not only not received but also driven out with ignominie and shame now to have such credit and applause and so many friends who favoured him they forgot all their former sufferings and gave most hearty thanks to the Lord our God for that present prosperitie Not long after they began to think of buying an House for that wherein they lived was only hired Many were offered to them but such for the most part as were inconvenient for them among which there was one that was very large and capacious but haunted with Divells and Phantasmes so that none durst dwell in it This inconvenience useth commonly to be advantageous to us for wee not fearing these spirits which vanish at the first on-sett doe commonly purchase such houses at a very low rate and so it happened to Father Riccius wherefore after the bargain and sale was concluded the Fathers came over a while to dwell in that house where they lived very quietly without receiving any disturbance or inconvenience from those spirits Assoon as the Fathers had their House and Church there were not wanting those who did frequent it The first who was baptized in this City was an old man of seventy years of age he was a Noble man and had the office of Chinoci whereof we spake when we treated of that Nobility which descendeth by way of blood Presently his sonne followed him who was already a Letterato and was afterward made a great Mandarine and also his whole Familie his Grand-Sonnes and Daughters c. I knew them many yeares afterwards when they had made great progress in Vertue and Christian Pietie and are therefore worthy of Eternall memorie with many particular cases whereof we shall make mention hereafter This Familie was followed by others the number of Christians still encreasing as also their zeale to good works especially after the persecution whereof we will speak anon So that it may be said to be the best Christianitie of China although the most persecuted and molested The affaires of Nankim succeeding thus prosperously and these good beginnings shewing that that House would not only continue but also be enlarged and advanced Father Riccius sent one of his companions F. Lazarus Cataneus to Macao partly to give an account to the superiours of what had passed partly to get some curioâ—ities of Europe to make Presents of and partly to seek out some new companions to labour in that plentifull harvest The Father arrived at Macao with these glad tidings which were received with that joy which was fitting and shortly after having procured some Presents for the King and a fresh recruit of other Fathers he returned to Nankim where Father Riccius stayd for him who having his whole desires set upon Pekim after he had received the Presents and a fresh supply of companions deferred no longer to begin his second voyage for Pekim having not only the opinions but also the propitious assistance of some principall Mandarines in his favour It was the sixteenth day of May in the year 1600. when the Fathers Matthaeus Riccius and Didacus Pantoia and brother Sebastian Fernandes departed the second time for the Court in the same manner as before by water having accommodation given them in a barque belonging to an Eunuch who the more he conversed with the Fathers had still the more affection for them Having passed the Province of Nankim and being come into that of Xantum in the City where the Vice-roy of that Province doth reside Father Riccius was received with extraordinary respect by that Vice-roy He was visited in the barque presented and very much made off The memoriall or petition which he intended to present to the King was mended for him and put into a better form and
with large rivers and some of those having so great plenty of water that in many places the opposite banks are out of sight one of the other and elsewhere that which appeareth is hardly to be distinguished what it is They are all navigable and are frequented with so a great concourse of divers sorts of vessels that what might be said upon this occasion will hardly seem credible I shall onely say that in this they do exceed all other rivers of the world In an Arme of the river of Nanchim which with a moderate breadth runneth down to Hamchen I stayed eight dayes for a passage through that vvonderful concourse of vessels and whilest an houre-glasse of sand was running out I counted three hundred small ships reckoning only those which came up the river It is a marvellous thing there being so many that all are so vvell accommodated for Merchandize and so convenient for passengers They are all covered and kept very neat and some of them so beautified and adorned with pictures that they seem rather made for the recreation than the traffick of Merchants The manner after which they are governd is very notable for the Marriners keep all without the place where the passengers make their abode there being space enough without for them to run up and down that trim the Sayles and guide the Bark without any disturbance of the others who enjoy a pleasant ease and rest In which the Barks of the province of Hanceo exceed the rest The six Northern provinces as they come nearest to our latitude do most resemble our climate and are more dry and healthfull than the rest But in all of them more or lesse there are not wanting many of a long and happy life there being to be found many and very vigorous and lusty old men Of the same more particularly This Kingdom is so populous that not only the Villages but even the Cities are in sight one of another and in some places where the rivers are most frequented the habitations are almost continued Of these there are foure sorts great Cities which they call Fu the lesser which they call Cen concerning these Writers have somewhat differed in their Relations Townes which they call Hien and Castles which they call Cid Besides these there are Villages and Hamlets almost innumerable Of all these the Walls are kept night and day with a four-fold Guard at the sound of a Bell even to the innermost City of the Kingdom as if they were alwayes in a condition of Warre shewing that to prevent the least imaginable danger which may fal out in an houre it is good to stand during life upon our guard for ordinarily all sudden ruines proceed from a long confidence The streets are kept by Courts of Guard and Senâ—inels with so much rigour that if they find them asleep or stragled from their Post or that they do not speedily answer they are presently condemned to the Bastinado which is immediately executed in the same place The publick gates are shut every night with great care and if there fall out any accident they are not opened til they are satisfied how the Fact was done In the year one thousand six hundred thirty four I was in the City of Kiamsi where thirty theeves broke prison and having routed the guards wounding some and killing others set themselvs at liberty The Fact was known and the opening of the gates being suspended according to their inviolable custome before next night the Malefactors were all taken nor could the greatnesse of the City hide any one of them This Kingdom is so exceeding populous that I having lived there two and twenty years was in no lesse amazement at my coming away than I was in the beginning at the multitude of the people certainly the truth exceedeth all Hyperboles not onely in the Cities Townes and publick places in some of which one cannot walk without great violence of thrusting and crowding but also in the High-wayes there is as great a concourse as is usually in Europe at some great feastivall or publick meeting And if we will referre our selves to the generall register book wherein only the common men are enrolled and matriculated leaving out women children eunuchs professours of armes and letters almost an infinite number there are reckoned of them to be fifty eight millions and fifty five thousand one hundred and fourescore The houses where they inhabite are not so sumptuous and lasting as ours yet are they more convenient for the good contrivance and more pleasant for their exquisite neatnesse They use much in their houses Charam an excellent vernish and painting of an accurate diligence They build them not very high esteeming them more convenient for being low as well for habitation as for good accommodation The richer sort of people doe plant the courts and approaches to their houses with flowres and small trees and towards the North they use fruit trees In like manner where they have roome enough they set greater trees and raise artificiall mountaines to which end they bring from farre great pieces of rocks They keep there severall sorts of fowl as Cranes and Swannes and other beautifull birds and also wild beasts as Stagges and fallow Deare They make many fish-ponds where are to be seen gliding up and downe painted fish with gilded finns and other things likewise of curiositie and delight Their way of building is in this manner They frame first exactly the roofe of the house which they set upon pillars of wood the which by how much the bigger they are are so much the more esteemed after they fit up the walls with brick or some such like matter There is a Tradition that anciently they made their buildings according to exact rules of measure and proportion of which Art there are yet some bookes remaining but those rules are now only observed in the Kings palaces and in publick workes as towres of Cities and Townes which they make of severall formes as round square octangular very beautifull with staires some winding some plaine and Balansters on the out-side In the vessels and utensiles of their house they are both very curious and expensive using much the abovesaid Charam a sort of vernish which is taken from certaine trees proper only to that and the neighbouring Countries and in truth it is an excellent thing as well for the perfection of the matter as may be seen in the workes which come from thence as for the easinesse in working it as well in making new things as in retrimming the old and reducing them to their former beauty As for plenty whereas this kingdome by reason of its large extent doth participate of diverse latitudes and climates it produceth and enjoyeth so great varietie of fruits that nature seems there to have laid upon heapes what shee but scatters through the rest of the world It hath within its owne doores all that is necessary for mans life together with all superfluity of delicacies whence it hath
fruit very different from figges in colour figure and taste the colour on the outside is red on the inside like gold the figure is of the bignesse of an Orange bigger or lesser for there is as much diversitie of them as there is among us of figges The rinde is very thinne and is of so extraordinary good taste that in my opinion it may be reckoned among the chiefest in the world They have one or two seeds which are like unto blanched Almonds the best are in the cold Countries The provinces Honan Xiansi Xensi and Xantum enjoy the best in quality and in great quantity and dry enough of them to serve the whole kingdome When they are dry they are better than our dried figges to which they have some kind of resemblance The province of Hamcheu produceth a particular fruit which they call Iammoi as bigge as a plumbe round and in colour and taste like unto the best Mulberries but the tree is very different Peaches there are none unlesse it be in the Province of Xensi where there are some of a notable bignesse some are red both within and without others of a yellow colour of the same figure and taste with ours There are Melons every where in great abundance but the best are not to be compared to our good ones there are water melons in great plenty and very good Grapes are very rare and scarce and grow only in Arbours and close walkes except it be in the Province of Xensi where they are in abundance and where they also dry them in great plenty They make not their wine of Grapes but of Barly and in the Northern parts of Rice where they also make it of Apples but in the Southern parts of Rice only yet this is not ordinary Rice but a certaine kind of it proper to them which serveth only to make this liquor being used in diverse manners Vineger they make of the same ingredients as their wine and in the Westerne Provinces of Millet which notwithstanding is sharp and well tasted The wine used by the common people although it will make them drunke is not very strong nor lasting 't is made at all times of they eare but the best only in the winter It hath a colour very pleasing to the sight nor is the smell lesse pleasing to the sent or the Savour thereof to the taste take altogether it is a veâ—â—ment occasion that there never want drunkards but without any mulct of shame for they have not yet placed it in that consideration Winter and Summer they drink it warm Flowers are in singular esteeme with these people and they have some exceeding beautifull and different from ours which yet they doe not want They have Clove-gilleflowres which have no smell at all They endeavour to have the yeare throughout flowers for every season in their gardens in which they are very curious They have some flowres which in their duration exceed the ordinary stile of nature in which they seeme to be exempt from their common tribute of a short life For when these plants have no moysture left for the nourishment of their leaves and exposed to the cold these do fall off then do new flowres sprout againe those the most odoriferous during the greatest inclemency of the frost and snow These are called Lamui more pleasing to the sent than the eye their colour being not unlike that of Bees-wax They have other flowers like Lillies called Tiaohoa which they keep in the house because that being carefully taken up with their roots entire and well cleansed from earth they live and flourish in the ayre Their Garments as also the furniture of their chambers and houses they make of wooll Linnen Silke and Cotton which they make great use of an weave thereof many faire and curious stuffs The riches of that kingdom is admirable for besides that the earth is so fruitfull in all kinde of sustenance and what ever is necessary for mans life as may be perceived by what hath been already said they do vend unto strangers the best and richest merchandise of all the East such as are Gold-threed Gold in the leafe and Ingot Rubies Saphires small Pearle Muske raw silke and wrought silk quick-silver Copper Tin Tomnaga which is a kind of mettall more fine and as hard as Tin Vermilion Salt-nitre Brimstone Sugar and other things of lesse importance Their guilded workes for houshold-stuffe ornaments and jewells for women both for necessity and curiositie are sufficiently known to the world nor doth all this issue out at one port but by many in a great and perpetuall commerce In all this abundant riches of the Country industry of the inhabitants Arts and means of gaining their living to an excessive plenty they doe not let passe any other thing that can bring them any profit and notwithstanding the sight of so great afluence of noble commodities they make a profit of their Beefe-bones Hogges-haires and of the smallest ragge that is throne into the streetes There raigneth among them that only pledge suretie of the duration of Empires that is that the publike is rich and no particulars They are not so rich there as in Europe nor so many which can properly deserve that name nor are the poor here so many nor so poor as those there The people is infinite nor can they have a capitall or stock sufficient for so many or mony to fill so many purses Hence it comes to passe that the partition among them is such that much comes to few a mediocrity to not many and a little to almost infinite Their mony is much at one stay which may be perceived by the same low price of things salary of servants pay of workmanship and stipend of publick Ministers So that even to this day at least in diverse of these countries they live as they did formerly in Portugall when a Maraved is which is worth a farthing and a half divided into six blanes would buy six severall things So was it also in Castile not only in ancient times but even to the raign of Don Iohn the first the records of which are still preserved but such temperance and plenty long since are gone out of the world From hence it is manifest how much that admirable duration of the Empire of China dependeth on observing its lawes and ancient customes without ever opening a gate that the great ones might seeme greater and the small ones great to luxurie in apparel and excesse in diet which are the irreparable ruine of Common wealths A pound of mutton is worth a penny a pigeon a farthing and a halfe the hire of a man-servant for a year two hundred farthings and his dyet and lodging But there is a great difference betwixt some places and others those of the South as they have the advantage in commerce so they exceed the rest in money and the price of things which continually riseth as we find every day by experience but even
is so great abundance of Stagges that it seemeth incredible to him that hath not seen it Father Albertus Miceschi who lived there in the condition of a â—lave relateth that riding to the next woods with leave from the Governour to gather some medicinall hearbes he saw by the way so great a multitude of Stagges that he judged them to be the herds belonging to the people of the Country dispersed up and downe the fields till coming neerer he found with his eyes the contrary There are also many of those Animals called Alces or Elkes the which I did hitherto beleeve were only to be found in Lituania and the adjacent Countries There are also many other Animals wholly differing from ours and altogether strange to us It is the likest Country to Europe of all India it enjoyeth an healthfull ayre and cold like ours It produceth some spices but not in great plenty as Pepper in the woods and Cynamon on the mountaines Camphire trees of a notable bignesse China roots and Salsapariglia in great quantitie There are also gold mines but the Hollanders have not yet open'd them The people of the Countrie weare no manner of cloathes neverthelesse both men and women doe cover that which in all the India's useth to be hidden from sight by the instinct of nature They dwell in round houses made with Bulrushes of severall colours beautifull to behold a farre off Their ordinary food is Stagges flesh as fat as porke and Rice of which also they make very strong wine Many of them doe turne Protestants by the perswasion of the Holland Ministers and live verteously They are tall and active of body so fleet in running that they are able to single out and run downe a Stagge in their hunting Their Lords doe weare a Crowne of dead mens skulls stitched together and embellished with silke and these are the heads of their enemies killed by themselves Their King weareth two wings of various feathers upon his head others crowne themselves with apples of gold others make themselves hornes of a certaine straw made up with Bufolo's haire They gird themselves also about with a girdle of young Bulrushes curiously woven They carry hanging at their breast two Tortoises and a woodden mallet which serve them in stead of a drum There is likewise another Island neere to it inhabited by fierce savage people who kill whosoever goeth thither The above-named father Miceschi saw one of them taken by the Hollanders who was fifteen palmes high as it seemed to him The fift place we will give to the Province of Kiamsi which is contiguous to that of Cantone toward the North in the latitude of 29 degrees It takes its beginning from a great ridge of mountaines which reare themselves upon the confines of Cantone from these Mountaines two Rivers have their originall one which runneth toward the South and is presently navigable the other towards the North which after it hath watred a good part of this Province receiveth into his channell another large River of the Province of Huquam and then runneth forward with the name of the famous Nankim The skirts of these Mountaines are considerable for the good Cities that are scituated thereon very convenient for the passage of travailers and for the conduct of Merchandise which for the most part passeth upon the backs of men and boyes according to the abilities of each learning this trade from their youth which is the most usuall imployment of that Countrie The voyage is but of one whole day and it is very much to see what passeth by in it For there being no other bridge and these Rivers being the most frequented passes of all China 't is almost incredible how great a concourse of people there is and what a multitude of commodities which goe and come without intermission The Merchandise is all put in one store-house and is received by weight into another with so much fidelitie that it is not necessary the owner should be present because upon all accidents the Hostes are bound to make good whatsoever is wanting They are obliged also to give to every guest of qualitie or Merchant two banquets or one at least as also to their servants and if they be not satisfied therewith they tell them of it expostulate and threaten not to frequent any more their Inne there not wanting many others By this Government they make their covetous Hostes very sumptuous and bountifull The Hostes are also obliged as soone as their guests are embarqued for if they goe by land this priviledge ceaseth to send them a present of two things or of one at least as fruit two fishes a little flesh a couple of pullets and this without paying either at your entrance abode or departure for there is nothing to be payd either for the lodging or bedstead I say bedstead because the Hoste allowes you no bed but every one carrieth one with him at his backe when he hath no other convenience but they are not so big as our beds but much lighter The profit of the Hoste consisteth in so much percent which is payd them by the Boateman for such persons or goods as are carried by water and by the porters for such as passe by land and as the concourse is great the profit cannot be little Every thing passeth through the hands of Insurers so that if any thing be wanting they supply it and make it up In the Custome-house for there is a very famous one here there is not so much honour done the Merchant but more favour There is no house where the Merchandise is deposited weighed or visited neither is it taken out of the barke but only a moderate rate is payed for it by the eye and according to the Merchants booke of accounts If the passenger be no Merchant although he goe alone in a Barke with his servants and carry five or six chests and severall other things which are usually transported from one Country to another they are not searched nor opened neither doe they pay any custome A good example for the Custome and Gabell-houses of Europe where a poore traveller is so beastly and barbarously robbed and spoiled when all he carrieth with him is not worth so much as they aske him for custome For strangers ships which come into the Port of Macao as soone as any arriveth they unlade their Merchandise as they please without any hinderance and when the customers come they pay them according to the content of the vessel without making any enquiry into the qualitie of the Cargazon But to returne to the Province of Kiamsi of which we were discoursing it particularly aboundeth in Rice and fish but most of all in people So that the Chinesses call them Laochu that is to say Rats Whereof we have a resemblance in Portugall in the Country that lyeth between the Rivers Duerâ— and Migno which where it confineth upon Gallitia hath so great multitude of people that it is therefore called by the same
name although learned men doe derive it from Rates an ancient part of that Country Now this people running over the whole kingdom like swarmes of Bees do fill it with severall Trades whereunto they apply themselves and for the greatest part they lead a miserable life and are therefore so penurious niggardly and drie in their presents that they passe in ridiculous proverbs through the rest of the Provinces It is famous for Sturgeon which it hath of very great bignesse and more for the Porcellane dishes indeed the only work in the world of this kinde which are made only in one of its Townes So that all that is used in the Kingdom and dispersed through the whole world are brought from this place although the earth whereof they are made commeth from another place but there only is the water wherewith precisely they are to be wrought to come to their perfection for if they be wrought with other water the worke will not have so much glosse and lustre In this worke there are not those mysteries that are reported of it here neither in the matter the form nor the manner of working they are made absolutely of earth but of a neate and excellent quality They are made in the same time and the same manner as our earthen vessels only they make them with more diligence and accuratenesse The Blew wherewith they paint the Porcellane is Anill whereof they have abundance some do paint them with Vermilion and for the King with yellow This Province and that of Chincheo and Cantone which border one upon another do unite as it were in an angle with many Mountaines between them In the middle of which Mountaines there is a small Kingdome which hath a particular King of its own without any subjection to the Chinesses from whom he doth defend himselfe if they pretend to assault him nor is the defence difficult there being but one entrance into that kingdome They admit of the Chinesse-Physitians in their infirmities but not of their learned men into the administration of their government If they have an ill Harvest and that there is like to be a scarsity they go out and rob in a millitary order to the sound of the drum So in the year 1632 they gave no small trouble to this province of Kiamsi The last account shall be concerning the Christianity there which hath prospered very well being also beneficed with two Churches and houses which we have in that Province the one in the City of Nauchan which is the Metropolis The other in the City of Nauhium The sixt Province is called Suchuen in the same paralel with that of Kiamsi and in the same latitude of 29 degrees nor hath it any thing in particular differing from the former worthy the relation The Province of Huquam is the seventh in Scituation it lyeth more to the North in the heighth of 31 degrees it exceeds the whole Kingdom for the abundance of Rice The Chinesses say that that whole Kingdom is able to give but a breakfast in respect of Huquam which provideth for the whole yeare It hath store of oyle and no lesse Fish by reason of the rivers which it enjoyeth and the lakes which seem rather Seas In the Metropolis of this Province there was a Residencie begun at the time of my arrival The province of Cakiam which is the eighth lyeth in the Latitude of 30 degrees it is for the most part scituated by the Sea-side fertile plain and almost all divided by severall rivers some whereof run through their Cities and Townes In riches it exceeds many of the Provinces as being the Fountain from whence the best Commodities of that Monarchie doe flow it is singular in silke which it distributeth through every part whether it be raw or wrought in Balls or in Stuffe All that goeth out of the Kingdome any way cometh from this Province though all China hath the benefit of the Silk-worme yet all the rest would not serve them to make them Scarfes the name of the Metropolis is Hamcheu Here we have two houses which upon certain good considerations are reduced to one where there is cultivated a copious and good Christianity and also much honoured by reason of the number of people of quality that are in it Finally this Province is famous for many things but particularly for three The first is a lake called Sihu which is one of the rarest in the world It is in circuite Thirty Lis which are six miles it is set about with excellent Palaces and these environed by pleasant Mountaines cloathed with grasse plants and trees the water is alwayes running for there comming in a current at one and side issueing out at the other it is so cleere that it inviteth one to behold it with great delight the smallest sand that lyeth at the bottome being to be discovered There are certaine wayes paved with stone that do crosse over it offering passage to those that travell over it either upon their occasions or curiositie there stand ready small Barkes of a considerable burden which are made for recreation and banquets the kitchin is in the steerage or the forecastle and the middle space serveth for a hall Above higher there is a place for the women covered with lattices that they might not be seen These Barkes are painted and guilded after a curious and various manner and are provided in great abundance with all things necessary for the navigation which is short and free from wracks of water but not so well from those of wine there happening many as also shipwrackes of estates very often there being scarce any in the whole kingdome that hath any thing that doth not come to spend in these delights either part or the whole and sometimes more than his whole stock is worth The second is the excellency of the silke as well for the plenty abovesaid as for the curiositie of the Art with which a good part of it is wrought engrayling it with precious and beautifull workes of gold This is only after their manner and gusto and is not sent out of the kingdome but as a singular worke is reserved for the Kings Palaces who every yeare buyeth up all that is made of this sort The third is the worshipping of their Idols in which is particularly to be perceived whence the fabrick of their Temples proceeds which are without doubt very famous The last of these nine Southerly Provinces is Nankim scituated in 32 degrees of latitude and is one of the best Provinces of the kingdome and the perfection of the whole realm It sendeth abroade its commodities or workes of importance to no part as if they were unworthy to participate of its perfection which is most rare in all sort of varietie and so much exceeding all the rest that every one to sell his commodities the better pretendeth that they are of Nankim and so passeth them off at a greater price That part which is towards the West is the most
able to inform only a Captain told me that it was a very ancient thing for that present to be composed of such things with so much infallibility they durst not make any alteration Of the rest of the commodities which they bring if the King desireth any thing he sendeth to see and buy it At their return the King rewardeth them with two pieces of cloth of gold for each horse 30. pieces of yellow silk 30. pound of Chá ten of Musk 50. of a medicine called Tienyo and as many of Silver These Saracens told me that the present which they gave the King was not in their country worth above 7000 Crownes but what was given them by the King for their Embassie and voyage was noe lesse worth then 50000 Crownes a pretty good gayne but ordinary from those Princes From this Province goeth another Caravan for the powerful Kingdom of Tibet which carryeth diverse things in particular Silk-stuffs Porsellane and Chá Chá is a leafe of a tree about the bignesse of Mirtle in other Provinces of the hearbe Basil and in others of the small Pomgranat They drie it over the fire in iron-sives where it hardens and sticketh together There is of many sorts of it as well because the plant is various as also that the upper leaves do exceed the other in finenesse a property almost of all plants There is of it from a Crown a pound to four farthings according to the quality of it there being so many differences thereof It being thus dryed and cast into warme water it giveth it a colour smell and tast at the first unpleasing but custome makes it more acceptable T is much used in China and Giappone for it serveth not only for ordinary drink in stead of water but also for entertainment to strangers when they visit them as wine doth in the Northern parts it being throughout all those kingdoms esteemed a wretched niggardlinesse to give only good words to those that come to their house although they be strangers at least they must have Chá and if the visit be any thing long there must be added some fruit or sweet-meates sometimes they lay the cloath for this and when not they set it in two dishes upon a little square table Many vertues are related of this leaf certain it is that it is very wholesome and that neither in China nor Giappone there is any troubled with the stone nor is so much as the name of this disease known from whence may be inferred how great a preservative against this evill the use of this drink is it is also certain that it powerfully delivereth from the oppression of sleep whosoever desireth to watch either for necessitie or pleasure for by suppressing the fumes it easeth the head without any inconvenience and finally it is a known and admirable help for students For the rest I have not so great an assurance of it that I dare affirm it There is found also in this Province a most evident signe of the ancient Christianitie which hath been there as we shall relate in its order In the great Metropolis thereof we have a Church and a house with a well founded and fruitfull Christianity by whom also many particular Oratories are frequented Riansi is the third of these six Northern Provinces which we are now discoursing of It lyeth in the Latitude of thirty eight degrees it hath many mountaines which makes their Harvest but poore there is little wheate lesse Rice but most Maiz it is so aboundant in grapes that it serveth the whole Kingdome with Raisins and might furnish at least it selfe with wine as it succeeds in a Residence which we have there where we make now only enough for to serve the Masses but send also sufficient to the next Residencies It hath wells of fire for the use of their houses as we have of water in Europe they seeme to be Mines of sulphur set on fire so that opening a little the mouth of the well which must not be very large it sendeth forth so great a heade that they rost and boyle therewith whatsoever meate they desire Their ordinary fewell as likewise in all the confines thereof Stone-coale not small ones such as are found in some of our Countries of Europe but of a very considerable bignesse There are Mines very fruitfull of this matter which burneth with a great deale of ease In some parts as Pekim and Honam they lay it together in such manner that the fire lasteth day and night They make use of Bellowes to kindle it We have a house and a Church in the City of Kiamcheu another in that of Phucheu which are visited at their set times both the one and the other have a good and numerous Christianity and among them many of the Nobility There are not wanting Oratories as in other Cities by which the scarsity of Churches is supplied The fourth Province which is Xantun in the Latitude of 23. degrees lying betwixt Nankim and Pekim is very poore it suffereth many times a loathsome and malignant Infestation by Grillo's or field-Crickets and by consequence the terrible horrour of famine In the yeare 1616 a dogge bought to be eaten was worth more than a young man sold for a slave it produceth store of Cattell and of our fruits great peares many and good There groweth here in great number and varietie a fruit which seemed to some of us to be a peare of a good kind in so great aboundance that filling the Kingdom they overflow even to Macao although it be a great way off and that there are three large Provinces betwixt Pekim is the fift Province scituated in the Latitude of fourty degrees it enjoyeth the priviledge of having the Court in a City of the same name Though the proper name of it be Xunthienfu by the Sarances called Lambalud This good fortune befell it for so I may call it at the death of Humvù when a nephew of his named Vunlo who dwelt in this Province and was very potent usurped by violence the crowne against the right heire And so confiding more in them with whom he had alwaies lived as also to be the better able to make resistance against the Tartars which border upon him he removed the Court from Nankim and planted it here The people are lesse ingenious as commonly all Northern people are but more apt for labour and warre The soyle is very drie and favourable for health but barren of fruits for the common sustenance But this want is supplyed by that generall prerogative of Courts which draw all to them and overcome in this the proper nature of the place It hath Maiz Wheate and little Rice only for the use of the people of the Palace which is very numerous the Mandarines and Souldiers being many thousands The King keepeth in those rivers a thousand vessels flat-bottom'd by reason of the shallownesse of the water which only serve for the bringing of victualls to Court which they lade in
of small value silver of base alloy will serve the turn and so base that in some Provinces of one six-pence they make eight or ten and reape much benefit by it Other things cannot be bought but with fine silver and so the poore silver goeth often to the fire to be otherwise qualified They are great lovers of the Mathematiques but to speak generally they know very little of them none being allowed to study them professedly except those who apply themselves to this study by the Kings speciall order and these are only two throughout the whole Kingdome The one in the Court of Pekim and the other in that of Nankim with a traine and attendance of Mandarines and the Title of the Kings Mathematicians These teach their art but only to their sonnes who always succeed them and are but moderately knowing in their profession Neverthelesse they have many ancient books of this science not only of the course and motion of the stars planets and several other things but also of Iudiciall Astrologie and Horoscopes to which they are much addicted By these books they find out when the Ecclipses of the sun and moone are to be and have maps of the stars though not in great perfection yet tolerably good They reckon a greater number of stars than we They make the elements to be five that is water mettall fire wood and earth Over these they assigne five predominant planets as Mercury over the water Venus over mettall Mars over fire Iupiter over wood and Saturn over the earth They are great observers of the motions of the heavens They distinguish the seasons of the yeare by the Aquinoxes and Solstices They divide the Zodiack into 24. signes doubling our number They make the yeare to consist of twelve moones and 354. dayes having six months of thirty days and six of 29. and when it is leap-yeare which falleth out every three years it consisteth of 13 moones and 383. dayes Their yeare beginneth with the new moone which is neerest to our month of February From the observation of the heavens and their motion they proceed to the Judiciall part referring severall events to the conjunctions of the planets and celestiall appearances of Phenomena which they diligently observe and if there fall out any new or strange appearance they presently give the King notice of it by a petition and to this end in both Courts there is a very high place or Tower furnished with severall mathematicall instruments which they call Quon Siam Thai that is a place to observe the stars in Of that in Nankim I have already said something when I spake of that City In Pekim the chiefest instruments are a spheare like that at Nankim with all his Circles Aquator Zodiack Tropicks c. of cast mettall and excellent workmanship Another instrument of the same bignesse that is of 24. foote in circumference divided into severall circles some fixt others moveable a stile or Gnomon in the middle and little holes at each end to take the hight of the stars the degrees and elevation of the Pole c. There is moreover a celestiall Globe of brasse of the same bignesse divided into its degrees with its constellations whereof they make only 28. They have also a Stile of brasse very large divided proportionably with which they measure the shadowes of the foure seasons of the yeare that is of the Aquinoxes and Solstices There are besides many other moveable instruments of brasse for severall uses which do sufficiently demonstrate the curiositie of their Ancestours and how much more diligent and intelligent they were than the Modernes Musick was anciently much esteemed in China in so much that their Philosopher Confusio in the Countrie where he governed one of the chiefe things he tooke paines in was to cause them to be taught Musick Now adaies the Chinesses lament and say that the true rule thereof is lost and almost all the ancient books that treated of Musick So that that Musick which they have at present is not esteemed off by the Nobilitie The greatest use they make of it is in their comedies There are also particular Musicians who are sent for to their feasts mariages and the birth of their children and of these there are some that may be endured There are not wanting also blind men who go singing about the streets and at the doores of their houses and as all the Chinesses do make a feast on their birth-dayes these blind men do keep in their memorie the punctuall time of all the birth dayes of persons of qualitie and know their houses well and at those times do never faile to go thither to sing The Bonzi do use Musick in their offices and mortuaries the Tone whereof is not much unlike our Cantus firmus or plainsong though they have not formally either plain-song or Organ-note for they do not raise nor fal their voice immediately from a note to the next note or half-note but mediately raise and fal it to a third a fift or an eight in which the Chinesses do much delight They have twelve Tones six to rise which they call Live and six to fall which they call Liu. They have also their notes in singing like ours of ut re mi they are five and among them is our ut in learning of Musick they make no use of signes nor of the joints of the fingers nor in composing do they use lines as we do it is therefore to be supposed that in their consorts they have not a Musick formed of diverse parts for although many do sing together all is but unison as is in use almost throughout all Asia Therefore their Musick is pleasing only to those of their owne Country but their best way of singing is one voice only with an Instrument Neither are they delighted with our full Musick but very much with a single voice They use keeping of time but cannot tell how many diversities it hath and so in singing ancient songs and moderne ones upon the same ayre with the old they hence know the time when they are to sing and when they are to stop Concerning their instruments they say they have seven severall kinds of tones besides a mans voice and according to these they have made their Musicall Instruments The first is of mettall and containeth bells of all sorts Cimballs Sistra c. The second of stone They make an Instrument of Jasper like unto the Italian squadra excepting that the lowermost end is very large and they strike or play upon it as it hangeth up The third is of skins here come in our ordinary drums and those of the Moresco fashion or kettle drums which they make of severall fashions and some so big that they cannot be plaid upon unlesse they be hung up in frames of wood The fourth is of silke of which they make strings for instruments as here we make lute-strings of gutts For stringed instruments they have the vyoll almost like ours but it hath
but little but the good and learned Physitians do seldome faile We had a Father that was sick of a violent stitch in the Province of Kiamsi The Physitian by feeling of his pulse could tell whether his paine did increase or diminish and all the changes and alterations of his disease and I have heard severall Portughesses which have confirmed the same by other cases Having felt the pulse presently they compose the Medicine If it be for the King or Prince they make foure compositions two for them to take and two to be kept all of the same medicines and equall in number and quantity The two are kept till the patient recover For all other persons they make two only one for the morning and the other for the evening They write upon them in what quantity of water they are to be decocted and how and when they are to be taken and many times there doth follow a wonderfull successe I will relate what happened to a Father who lay sick in prison in the City of Nankim At the beginning of his sicknesse they sent presently for a Physitian and finding no effect of his medicines they sent for another because the physick of the second had no better successe and the malady still encreased the Christians sought out for a Physitian of more fame and reputation who although he was very unwilling to make a visit into such a place notwithstanding at length by much intreaty he was perswaded to visit the sick man He felt his pulse and performed his ordinary ceremonies among the which one was to lay his breast bare which was full of spots for indeed he had the Meazills Presently he compounded three medicines the first the patient tooke in the morning the second an houre after noone These were a kind of pills which made him go foure times to the stoole at night he tooke the third The disease still encreasing the Father was brought that night to such a condition that he became speechlesse and all thought he would have died neverthelesse he held out till the morning when suddenly he mended so fast that when the Physitian came and felt his pulse he found him to be without any fevour telling him that he was cured and that he should only have a care to eate moderately till he had recovered strength which accoordingly fell out for in a short time the Father was perfectly well They forbid not their patients to drink water so it be boyled or else Chà but they will not allow them to eat but if the patient be hungry he may eat lightly and with great caution if he be not hungry they do not much trouble themselves to perswade him to eat for they say when the body is sick the stomack doth not well perform his office and so the concoction which is then made is malignant and contrary to health His visit is presently rewarded with a moderate fee nor doth he returne unlesse he be sent for leaving by this manner a liberty to the sick person to change his Physitian if he think fit and to send for others as many times they do till the third or fourth day of their sicknesse if they see no effect of the medicines they have taken CHAP. 12. Of the Courtesies and Civilities of the Chinesses AMong the Chinesses to uncover the head or to Scrape a legge is not esteemed any courtesie but rather contrary to good manners especially to uncover the head But to bow the body or at least the head when one can do no more are accounted termes of Courtesie and good manners And to speake first in generall Their Courtesies are very low bowings of themselves even to the very ground as is the ordinary mode in their visits and meetings They call this Ye or Coye Secondly they use the same reverence and then suddenly to fall upon their knees and in that posture to bow againe with their head even unto the ground and in some cases they rise up againe upon their legges repeate the same Ceremony three times which is the least foure the most ordinary nine the most that can be and that is performed only to the King Sometimes they shorten it making their first reverence standing on their legges and presently kneeling down they make the three following on their knees The courtesie of the women is the same which is used among us excepting that in some cases they also kneel and in that posture make an obeisance with their head to the ground three or four times as civility shal require They have for this purpose particular garments which the common people do not use it is also true that among friends they do not use them but never faile to do it with others neither dare any one visit a Person of quality without such a Vest or garment But if they meet by chance not in the street for such meetings they carefully avoyd and both of them have not that garment above mentioned which they call Tai both the one and the other are excused from that Ceremony of the Vest But if one of them hath it on the other must presently put on his which for this purpose is commonly carryed after him by a servant and if by accident he hath not brought it with him although he should be never so much importuned by the other who hath his Vest on to accept of the accustomed Ceremony and Courtesie from him he may not consent to it but avoyding the Courtesie is to sit down and converse with him If one go to visit another at his house he must stay in the Hall till the other hath put on his Vest But if he be a friend he is to come presently although he be not ready with his Vest and receive his guest and to make much of him and after that he is to retire and put on his Vest. This garment of Courtesie for such as have taken degrees is the same with the ensigne of honour which they weare in their government and the ensigne of their office They that are noble by bloud and descent do wear the ensigne and habit of Doctours although they have never studied For Gentlemen and Letterati who have not taken any degree there is allowed for them to wear a wide large Vest but much differing from that which is ordinarily worne The Ministers and officers of the chief Magistrates as also in all the courts of justice those who are under the President use this Ceremonie which is to take off the badge which they weare upon their breast and to put on a girdle of a small price which they use only some few daies in the year when they go about to make their obeysance The young people if they have not taken a degree use only their ordinary habit The courtesie which the common people use is to clap their hands one upon the other and lift them up as high as their head The same is used by friends and kindred when they treat
are served they might learne how to serve them while living In a word they order every thing as it may conduce most to good government to concord peace and quietnesse in Familes and to the exercise of vertue The Second Sect is that of the Tausi proper also to China The Authour thereof was a Philosopher named Tausu of whom they feign that he was eight years in his Mothers belly He lived about the time of Confusio He hath many followers to this day who live together in communitie they do not marry they suffer the haire of their head and their beard to grwo very long in their habit they do not differ from others except in some things at the time when they officiate In stead of a Cap they weare a little Crown into which the knot only of their haiâ—e entreth They place their ultimate Happinesse in the Body in order to obtaine a quiet and easie life without labour and trouble This Sect acknowledgeth one Great God and other lesser one all corporeall They acknowledge Glorie and Hell the Glorie to be conjoyned to the body not only in the other life but also in this feighning that by meanes of certaine exercises and meditations one may come to make himselfe a child and young and others to become Xin Sien that is the fortunate ones of the earth obtaining by this meanes whatsoever they desire and to be able to transferre themselves from one place to another although never so distant speedily and easily and other such like fooleries They are skilfull in Musick and have good Instruments They are alwaies called to the Sacrifices and Funeralls and at those of the King and Mandarines they are ever assistant They Pretend to be South-Sayers and promise to procure raine and to drive away devils from places that are haunted But are able to do nothing and sometimes at such undertakings they are fouly routed by the devils in great droughts they promise raine and often prolong so much time in praying for it that at length the time of raine commeth In Pekim in the yeare 1622 there fell out a pleasant Accident although troublesome There happened a great drought prayers were made pennances and fasts were kept but all to no end At length certaine Tausi offered themselves to procure raine without faile and appointed a set day and houre the offer was accepted with great applause joy and good hope of the event then they in a great Piazza or market-place made a theater composed of little Tables which as they have many there of an equall height and breadth they did set one upon another beginning at bottom with a great many and raising it up by degrees higher still with fewer Tables till at length the Machine came to end in one only observing an handsome propoition and reasonable height On this last and highest stood the chiefe of them praying and supplicating and the rest went round about him doing the same like Baals Priests although they did not wound themselves for in that they had great regard as those who sought not bloud but water The people stood all round about expecting the event and the Ministers observing so great an Auditory which was almost infinite redoubled their prayers their whistlings and ceremonies When the day and houre appointed was come presently the Sky began to be overcast with very dark cloudes to the great joy of all and credit of their Ministers who did already promise themselves the happy accomplishment of their undertaking expecting every moment when the raine should fall When behold of a sudden there fel a furious storm of Haile the Stones whereof were as big as Eggs and some bigger which did ruine not only their fields but their Gardens and killed diverse Persons that could not in time recover some Shelter The Fathers have writ me from thence that they thought the end of the world was come so great was the confusion and noise of the Haile that fell The Prophets for having procured stones in stead of water were all rewarded with store of Bastinadoes The third Sect is of the Pagods from India from the part of Indostan which Sect they call Xaca from the Authour of it concerning whom they fable that he was conceived by his Mother Maia only upon the sight of a white Elephant which she saw in her sleep and for the more puritie she brought him forth at one of her flancks and then presently died being but nineteen yeares of age And that iconsidering the death of his Mother the cause whereof he was by his Birth he resolved to leave the world and to do pennance the which he did in a Mountain called the Snowy Mountaine where he had fower Masters with whom he studied twelve yeares so that by that time he was thirty yeares of age he was accomplished in the Science of the first principle He took the name of Xekia or Xaca he taught his doctrine for the space of 49 yeares he had many Scholars who after his death collected his papers and spread his doctrine through the greater part of Asia This Sect entred into China in the year of our Redemption 63. The Emperour Hanmim being commanded in a dreame as their books report to send for it in The Bonzi who were the preachers of that Sect were well received of him and at the beginning were very powerfull much esteemed and in so great number that they say they were three millions But at this day they are very few in respect of that number whether it were that they trusting in their multitude or in the Kings favour committed some notable disorder or what is more likely by reason of the misfortune that befell many Kings since their coming in and by this meanes they are so declined that unlesse it be in the offices and Acts of their divine worship there is but little account made of them among the Chinesses Their Priests weare their head and beards shaved their Cap is different but the rest of their Habit is the same with that of others They worship idols They hold a Reward and Punishment in the next Life They marry not They live in Convents foure or five hundred together or more They have a moderate Maintenance allowed them by the King notwithstanding every one is allowed to get what he can They begge mutter Prayers They sing They have severall offices and prayers against fire tempests misfortunes and especially for the dead in which Functions they use sacerdotall or priestly garments Their Caps are like ours and their sprinkling brushes without any difference at all They eat neyther flesh fish nor egges neyther doe they drink wine They live inclosed but within a very great circuite of wall with long streets in it in manner of a Towne where in every house there dwelletâ— three or foure that is one Master and the rest Scholars In it they have all manner of convenience That which the King giveth them is divided equally to every house They have also a
in the middle of walls and after many yeares and a diligent search they set on foot againe the more principall matters yet there were many things wanting and especially concerning the first Kings and Princes of this Kingdome However it is certainly known that their first Government was by way of Families every one governing his own as anciently the Patriarks did The second was Monarchicall but it is not certaine how it began neither have they any thing certaine concerning the originall of it They do commit a notable errour in the time of their Chronologies for the Emperour Yao from whose time they do begin to give credit to their Histories even according to the most favourable computation from the creation of the world to Noah they make to be twelve yeares before the floud neverthelesse although there be an errour of the time in the Historie of this Emperour and those that follow it is certaine that the matters related are very coherent with their successions Now this Emperour Yao without having any regard to the naturall and lawful succession of his sonne left the Empire to Xun his Sonne-in-law only because he discovered in him parts and quâ—lities worthie of the Government Xun likewise for the same respect gave the Empire to Yù who was no kin to him These three Emperours are much esteemed by the Chinesses for holy men concerning whom they relate many things And truly there is no doubt but that they were Philosophers well inclined to morall vertues They do attribute much merit to the last of these three for the Adjusting of the waters as they call it which was done by him through the Kingdom which in that time did abound in lakes and moarish places and therefore in many parts could not be tilled This King going in person and commanding large trenches to be made wherein many years were spent he gave vent to that multitude of waters and by that meanes recovered a great deale of ground which was of great profit for tillage There are some in Europe who believe that these waters were the reliques of the floud The Chinesses although they make a large mention of these waters in their books of the draining of them and of the benefit which accrued thereby to the Kingdom do not say any thing of any occasion or originall of them After these three Emperours abovenamed the Empire was ever continued by succession but not in the same family for there were many Princes and Lords who although they were subject to the Emperour yet sometimes for particular respects and otherwhile under pretence of evill Government and Tyranny made warres confederacies and disorders with which they either disturbed and troubled the Monarchy or divided it or else usurped it all to themselves So that although it lasted in some families many years as in that of Tham for 400. years and in some other families little lesse yet the Monarchy from the beginning to this present day hath been changed into two and twenty severall Families The Lords of particular states continued in China 2000 years till in the year of our redemption 1206 the Tartars who then possessed another Country began to make themselves Masters of China and advanced so farre by degrees till at length they brought it all under their subjection reigning there as absolute till the year 1368. At what time Hum Vu the founder of the family which reigneth at presenâ— seeing the strength of the Tartars to be diminished and their Tyranny encreased and the people so wearied therewith that they were well disposed to shake off the yoake and set themselves at libertie gathered together an army with such good successe that he not only discomfited the Tartars and drove them out of the Kingdom but entred also into their Country and conquered a good part thereof The Kingdome being thus re-establisht in its naturall estate Hum Vu seeing himselfe become absolute Lord thereof set on foot an admirable kinde of Government differing in part from that of all other Monarchies yet it is such a one as hath now been conserved almost 300 years with so much subjection communication and dependance from its head that so great an Empire seemeth to be but as it were one well governed convent This King in the first place conferred many favours and graces upon all his subjects Liberalitie being that which doth most demonstrate a royall minde he created new officers yet retained he some of the former ones as we shall relate in its proper place To the chiefe and principall Captaines he assigned large revenues to the second a very competent maintenance and to those of the third sort sufficient He tooke away all the Princes and Lords of vassals and subjects without leaving one he prohibited by a rigorous law that none of the Royall family neither in peace nor warre nor in any case might beare office in the Common-wealth either civil criminall or military neither might they be suffered to enter into the examinations to receive their degree the which last prohibition as I have formerly said hath been lately taken away in part He placed the whole Government in the Litterati who are created such by way of concurrence as hath been declared when I spake of the examinations without any dependance at all on the Magistrates or the King himselfe but only by the merit of their learning good parts and vertues He did not annull those ancient lawes which concerned good Government and hindred not his intent which was only to perpetuate the Monarchy in his Posteritie But he made many new ones and modelled the Common-wealth and the Government into that form wherein it standeth at present although in so many years and in so vast a Monarchie it hath not been possible but that it should receive some alteration though not in any essentiall part thereof The King is called by diverse names For the better understanding whereof you must know that there are thirteen things remarkable at his Coronation The first is the changing of the account of years beginning their supputation a new from the entrance of the new Kings reigne and this not only in their ordinary discourse but in all letters dispatches provisoes writings c. The second that there is coyned new mony with the letters of his name although the former continueth current also The third is That he Crowneth his true wife making her as it were Empresse The fourth is That he giveth the name of Queen to six Concubines The fifth is That there are great sacrifices made to Heaven to the Earth to the Spirits c. The sixt That there are great store of Almes given to the poore The seaventh That all prisoners are set at libertie whose freedom is not prejudiciall to a third party The eighth That there are sumptuous banquets made for the Magistrates The ninth That all the women are to depart out of the Palace that have been Concubines to the former King The tenth The Palaces which are foure in number
that which followeth The true law hath no determinate name The Ministers thereof go about in every part to teach it unto the world having no other aim but to be profitable to those that live in it In the Kingdome of Tachin this Olopuen being a man of great vertue hath brought from so remote a Countrie Doctrines and Images and is come to place them in our Kingdome Having well examined that which he proposeth we find it to be very excellent and without any outward noise and that it hath its principall Foundation even from the Creation of the World his doctrine is brief neither doth he found his truth in superficiall appearances it bringeth with it the salvation and benefit of men wherefore I have thought it convenient that it should be published through our Empire He commanded the Mandarines of this Court of Nimfam that they should build there a great Church with 21 Ministers weakening by that meanes the Monarchie of Cheu Olao Fu head of the sect of Tauzu which was carried in a black Chariot toward the West so the great Tam being enlightened together with Tao the Holy Gospel came into China and a little while after the King commanded that Olopuen his Picture should be painted on the wals of the Temple where it shineth and his memorie will alwayes shine in the World VII According to the records of the Empires of Ham and Guei the Kingdome of Tachin bordereth Southward upon the red Sea and Northward on the Mountaines of Pearls Westward on the Forest Delle Fule Per Li Santi Eastward on the Countrie of Cham Fum and the dead water The Countrie produceth a Lake Asphaltitis of fire Balsome Pearles and Carbuncles it hath no robbers but all live in joyfull peace The Gospel only is allowed in that Kingdome and honours are conferred only on those that are vertuous Their houses are great and all is illustrious by their order and good customes VIII The great Emperour Caozum the Sonne of Taizum continued with good decorum the intention of his Grand Father enlarging and adorning the works of his Father For he commanded that in all his Provinces Churches should be built and honours conferred on Olopuen bestowing upon him the Title of Bishop of the great law by which law he governed the Kingdome of China in great peace and the Churches filled the whole countrie with the prosperitie of preaching IX In the year Xim Lie the Bonzi of the Sect of the Pagods using their wonted violence did blaspheme this new and holy law in this place of Tum Cheu and in the year Sien Tien some particular Persons in Sigan with laughter and disparagement did mock at it X Then one of the chief of the Priests called John and another of great vertue named Kie Lie with some others of their Countrie Priests of great same being disingaged from the things of the world began to take up again that excellent net and to continue the thred which was now broken King Hi venzum Chi Tao commanded five little Kings to come in person to the happie house and to set up Altars Then in the year Tien Pao the pillar of the law which had been cast down for a while began to grow great King Taciam Kium gave command to Caâ—lie Sic that the Pictures of five Kings his ancestours should be placed in the Churches with a hundred Presents to honour the solemnitie Although the great beards of the Dragon were afarre off yet could they lay hands on their Bowes and their Swords The brightnesse which floweth from these Pictures maketh seem as if the Kings themselves were present In the third year of Tien Pao the Priest Kiehâ— was in India who guided by the starres came to China beholding the Sunne came to the Emperour who commanded that Iohn and Paul and other Priests should be joyned unto him to exercise Holy works in Kim Kim a place within the palace Then were hung up in Tables in the Churches the Kings letters richly adorned by publique order with red and blew colours and the Kings pen filled the emptines it mounted on high and transcended the Sun his favours and donatives may be compared to the tops of the Mountaines of the South and the abundance of his benefits is equall to the bottom of the eastern Sea Reason is not to be rejected there is nothing which the Saints cannot do and their deeds are worthy of memorie For this cause king Sozun Ven Mim commanded that Churches should be built in this Limvu and in five Cities He was of an excellent nature and opened the Gate to the common prosperitie of the Kingdome by which meanes the affaires of the Empire began to flourish again XI King Taizum Venvu caused happie times to return again doing things without labour and trouble alwayes at the feast of the nativitie of Christ he sent Heavenly perfumes to the Royall Churches to honour the Ministers of this holy law Truly heaven giveth beautie and profit to the world and liberally produceth all things This King imitated heaven and therefore he knew how to sustaine and nourish his subjects XII King Kien Chum Xim Xin Venvu used eight wayes of government for to reward the good and chastise the wicked and nine wayes to renew the estate of the Gospel Let us pray to God for him without being ashamed of it He was a man of much vertue humble and desirous of peace and ready to forgive his neighbour and to assist all men with charitie These are the steps of our holy law to cause the winds and the raines to retire at their seasons that the world should live in peace men be well governed and affaires well established that the living should prosper and the dead be in happinesse all this proceeds from our Faith XIII The King gave many honourable Titles in his Court to the Priest Y Su a great Preacher of the Law and also a garment of a red colour because he was peaceable and took delight in doing good to all He came from afarre off into China from the Country of Vam Xe Chi Chim His vertue surpassed our three famous Families he enlarged the other sciences perfectly He served the King in the Palace and afterward had his name in the Royall book The little King of Fuen Yam who had the Title of Chum Xulim and called himself Cozuy served at first in the warres of these parts of Sofam King Sozum commanded Y Su that he should assist Cozuy very much above all the rest neither did he for this change his ordinarie custome being the Nailes and Teeth of the Common-Wealth the Eyes and Eares of the Army He knew well how to distribute his revenue he was not sparing in any thing he offered a precious Gift called Poli to the Church of this place of Lintiguen he gave Golden Carpets to that of Cie Ki. He repaired the old Churches and established the house of the law adorning the chambers and galleries thereof making them
rascally Vagabonds and loytering Fellows they returned again to besiege the Metropolitan City but dispairing to take it by Force or Assaults they resolved to ruin it by a long siege that they might enjoy the immense Riches of that noble City and though this Town be three great Leagues in circumference yet they rounded it so by their lines as nothing could enter the City this drave them to some straits for although the Purveyer for victualls had brought in good store of provision in the two moneths space in which they were absent yet because that Province which used to be most plentifull was now deficient in Corn they could not make sufficient provision for six moneths siege for such an infinite multitude of people as were retired within the Walls Yet it held out most resolutely for the space of six moneths in which time though they were brought to hard shifts yet hoping alwaies for succour from their Emperor they would never submit to any conditions I dare not relate to what an excesse this Famin came to but it seems it surpassed the Famin of Hierusalem a pound of Rice was worth a pound of Silver and a pound of any old rotten skin was sold at ten Crowns dead mens flesh was sold publickly in the Shambles as Hogs flesh and it was held an act of Piety to expose the dead in the streets for others to feed on who shortly were to be food for others but I will passe over and conceal yet more horrible things than I have related This City lies towards the South side of that vast and precipitate River which the Chineses call Hoang because the streams alwaies appear of a yellowish saffron colour and because the River is higher than the plain levell downs of a Leagues distance from the Town they built upon the River side a long and strong Bulwark of great square stones to prevent all inundations The Emperours Army after long expectation came to relieve the Town and advanced as far as these Bulwarks and having considered the situation of the Country and Enemies Camp it was thought the fittest easiest way to raise the siege without giving battail and to let in the water upon the enemies Army by some breaches made in that long Wall or Bulwark It was in Autumn when they took this resolution and the River by reason of extraordinary rains was swoln bigger than ever before and they making the Sluces or inlets too great and the Breaches too wide gave way to such an Ocean of water as it overran the walls of the Town which were very stately and high involving not only many of the enemies in its ruin and destruction but also 300000. men and the City it self perished in those floods of water So the ancient City which heretofore had been honoured by the Emperor's Residence appeared no more a place of pleasure but a vast Pool or Lake for Monsters of the waters to inhabit for the houses of the Town were not over-run with water but also beaten down and also the Church of the Christians together with their Priest who was one of the Society of Jesus who when he could timely enough have saved himselfe chose rather to laydown his life for the sheepe For that City had many Christians The destruction of this City happened the ninth of Oct. 1642. about which time this famous Conductour of Theeves took the name of King with an addition of Xunvang which sounds as much as Prosperous and so was stiled Licungzus the prosperous and having in a manner taken all the Country of Honan into his Dominion he returned into the Province of Xensi and won it wholly to his subjection When he came to Sigan which is the Metropolis of Xensi he found some resistance from the Garrison but yet he took it in three daies and for a reward and encouragement to his Souldiers he gave it to them to pillage also for three daies space and then he gathered up all the Corn of the whole Province as well to keep all the Country in their duty to him as also to leave no Provision for the Emperours Army And now thinking himself secure of the whole Empire he took the name of Emperour upon him and stiled the Family wherein he thought to establish this Dignity Thienxunam as much as to say Obedient to Heaven By which Title he perswaded the Souldiers and the People that it was by the disposall of the Heavens that he should raign that he might deliver the people from the Emperours Avarice and extirpate those wicked Governours that so much vexed the Nation deliver them from all their perfidious plots For he knew well that this Glorious Title would be very acceptable to them of China who beleeve that Kingdoms and Empires come only from Heaven and are not gained by any Art or Industry of Man and that his actions might carry a face correspondent to his illustrious Title he began to use the People with all humility and sweetnesse not permitting any Souldier to wrong or injure them only he persecuted all the Officers call'd Presidents which he could find and all those he put to death and as for those that had been Presidents because he found them rich he made them pay great Fines and let them live remitting all Taxes in the places he subdued severely commanding that the subjects should be treated with all civility and courtesie So as all men applauding and loving so sweet and milde a Government easily submitted to his Power and Dominion but where the Governours use Tyranny there the subject hath little care of Fidelity There were in this City Sigan two Priests which served the Christians that were Jesuits and suffered much in the saccage of the City but being afterwards known for Strangers they were used with all humanity In the mean time a third cause of this Empires ruin grew up in the Court which was hatched in the Emperour Thienkins his time For that Emperour exalted an Eunuch called â—ueio to such a height and power as he gave the absolute and soveraign Command into his hands and passed so far as alwayes to stile him by the name of Father This extravagant power caused much Envy Dissention and banding one against another amongst the Governours Presidents Commanders and Counsellors and the Eunuch also added much to incense the flame by his indiscreet usage of the favour he possessed for if any man had touched him either in word or writing or expressed lesse respect unto him in conversation or behaviour or did not flatter the base fellow he would presently give order to put him to death though he were a very eminent person or at least degrade him from all Office or Dignity By which means he exasperated many and amongst the rest he offended Zunchinius when Prince who now by the death of his Brother without issue was come to to be Emperour of China This Emperour knew that the Eunuch had moved
presently they fell upon the Kings men whom they butchered in a most cruel manner but yet the water destroyed more than their Swords or Arrows for many cast themselves headlong into the great River of Cianthang which is a League broad and runs neer the City others leaping and overcharging the Boats in the River were presently sunck others flying away full of fear and confusion thrust one another at the River side into that unmerciful Element and by all these many thousands perished The Tartars wanting boats to passe this River having thus expelled or killed the Souldiery they returned Triumphant to the City where they used neither force nor violence by which means this noble City was conserved whose beauty greatnesse and riches I hope to describe elsewhere not by hear-say but by what I saw in the three years space I lived in it from which I lately came into Europe This City of Hangcheu hath an Artificial Channel or Dike to pass by water to the Northern parts of China This Chanel is onely separated by the high part of the way like a Causeway from the River which as I said runs on the South part of the City The Tartars therefore drew many Boats out of this Chanel over the Causeway into the River Cienthang and with the help of these Boats they passed the River without resistance and found the fairest City in all China called Xaoking prone enough to submit to their victorious Armes This City in bignesse yields to many others but in cleannesse and comlinesse it surpasses all it is so invironed with sweet waters as a man may contemplate its beauty by rounding it in a Boat it hath large and fair Streets paved on both sides with white square stones and in the middle of them all runs a Navigable Chanel whose sides are garnished with the like ornament and of the same stone there are also built many fairs Bridges and Triumphant Arches the Houses also which I observe no where else in China are built of the same square stone so as in a word I saw nothing neater in all China They took this Town without any resistance and so they might have done all the rest of the Southern Towns of this Povince of Chekiang But when they commanded all by Proclamation to cut off their Hair then both Souldier and Citizen took up Armes and fought more desperately for their Hair of their Heads than they did for King or Kingdome and beat the Tartars not only out of their City but repulst them to the River Cienthang nay forced them to passe the River killing very many of them In truth had they past the River they might have recovered the Metropolis with the other Towns But they pursued their victory no further being sufficiently contented that they had preserved their Hair resisting them only on the South side of the shore and there fortifying themselves By this means the conquering Armes of the Tartars were repressed for a whole year But the Chinois that they might have a Head chose Lu Regulus of the Taimingian Family for their Emperour who would not accept therof but would be only stiled The Restorer of the Empire In the mean time the Tartars had sent for new forces out of Peking with which they left nere a Stone unturned that they might get over the River Cienthang but all was in vain The drooping affairs therfore of the Chinois now breathed again nay having gathered together more Forces they promised themselves greater victories But the ambition and emulation of rulling frustrated all their hopes For the Commanders and Presidents which fled out of the Province of Chekian into the Country of Fokien carried with them one of Taiminga's Family called Thangus and this man they chose King in the Country of Fokien which confines with Chekiang This Prince pretended that the King called Lu should yeeld up his right to him both because he had but a few Cities under him and also because he was further removed from the Imperial Race than he was But King Lu pretended he was Proclaimed by the Army before him and failed not to set forth his victories over the Tartars By which two contentions the Tartars kept the Crown for these two Royalets would never yeeld to one another nor so unite their Armies as joyntly to represse the Tartars Since therefore this petty King Lu had onely eight Cities under his command whose Contributions were not able to maintain the necessary pay of his Army he never durst venture to passe over the River but endeavoured only to defend himself But the Tartars sought all means possibly to get over this River yet they durst not venture to passe in Boats because King Lu had many ships and good store of Artillery which he had caused to be brought from Sea But the Tartars felicity and prosperous fortune overcame this difficulty for as it happened that year being dryer than ordinary this River towards the South where it runs betwixt high Mountains and is deprived of the flowing of the Sea had lost much of its depth and here the Tartars Horse found it passable and because the rudenesse of those Mountains seemed a sufficient Guard to the Country they found no Souldiers to resist but as soon as the Clowns espied twenty of their Horse to have passed the River they presently advertised the Army and they all betook themselves to flight King Lu himself left the City Xaoking and not daring to trust himself to the Continent he took Ship and failed to the Island called Cheuxan which lies opposit to the Citie of Nimpus where he remains to this day safe and keeps still his Regal dignitie which Island being heretofore only a retreit for Fishemen and some Clowns now is become a potent Kingdom by reason that many fly from China to this King Lu as to their sanctuary to conserve the libertie of their Hair In this Island there are now found three score and ten Cities with a strong and formidable Army which hitherto hath contemned all the Tartarian Power and Forces and watch for some happy occasion to advance again their Kingdom in China But by this means the Tartars took all the Cities and Towns of the County of Chekiang into their Dominion One only City of Kinhoa whose President was aswel a Native of the place as also the Commander in chief and my very singular friend sustained the Tartars assaults for some months But to the end the resistance of this City should not be a hindrance to the course of their Victories the Tartars divided their Army into three parts The first part marched by the City Kiucheu and the Mountains the second by the City Vencheu and the Sea shore into the Province of Fâ—kien and the third obstinately besieged the City of Kinhoa At which time I by leave from the Emperour Longuvus resided in Henxus a City subject to that of Venchen which presently after was besieged and taken by the