The Young-students-library containing extracts and abridgments of the most valuable books printed in England, and in the forreign journals, from the year sixty five, to this time : to which is added a new essay upon all sorts of learning ... / by the Athenian Society ; also, a large alphabetical table, comprehending the contents of this volume, and of all the Athenian Mercuries and supplements, etc., printed in the year 1691.

A New Relation of China, containing the De∣scription of the Particularities of the most considerable things of this great Empire. Composed in the Year 1668. By the Reverend Father Gabriel de Magaillans of the Socie∣ty of Jesus, Apostolick Missionary; and Translated from Portuguese into French by the Sieur B.— Paris, at Mr. Claudius Barbins, 1688. in Quarto, pag. 385. and is to be had at Amsterdam at Henry Desbordes.

ALthough after so many Relations that have been given of China, since one Age or thereabouts, it seems it is difficult to tell us any new thing thereof; notwith∣standing we are assured that in this there is scarcely any thing to be found that hath been seen in others, and that it will appear to the Readers as new as it is curious. Be∣sides, that the History of China is a matter rich and vast enough, and therefore not to

be so easily drain'd, it's pretended that the most part of those who have written there∣of, instead of making exact Recitals, have said nothing on't but what's almost all Fabulous; that others having written in a different in∣tention to that of informing us of all the Particularities of this great Kingdom, have omitted the principal ones, or have spoke of them but by the By; and that finally, amongst so many Men that have treated of the same Subject, scarcely was there seen one who could so Learnedly speak thereof as Father Magaillans, and that had the same means and the same occasions of instructing himself therein. It was therefore in all likelihood to Supply what was deficient in the other Relations that this Jesuite so well informed, had composed his. But as he dyed in the Year 1677. without having published his Writings, and even without having finished it, the Publick would have run the hazard of being deprived of all the Fruit that it might gather from this Work, if the Translator, who is said to be the Abbot Mr. Bernou, had not drawn it from its Obscurity and Dust, and had not put into a condition to see Light by his Translation and Notes, and by all the care that he took thereof.

This Author begins (C. 1.) with the di∣vers Names that the Chinois and Strangers give to China. And he immediately no∣teth, that it is an ordinary custom, where some new Family becomes Master of this State, they make it to lose it's name. Under the Precedent Family, it was called Tai-Mim-que, that is to say, Kingdom of a great Brightness. But the Tartars which are now the Masters, call it Tai-cim-que, Kingdom of great Purity; and it's also the Name that the Chinois themselves commonly do give it. They call it also very often Tien-hia, or Kingdom which containeth all that is under Heaven; these People being prepossessed with a fancy of the Greatness of their Em∣pire, that they reckon as nothing all the States of the Universe besides. Strangers do also call it after several different Names, Catai, Mangi, &c. But the most part call it China; a Name that our Author brings, either from the Family Chin, which govern∣ed 169 Years after Iesus Christ; or more apparently yet from the Family Cin, which Reigned 246 Years before Iesus Christ, the chief whereof was the first Absolute and Universal Master of China. Father Magail∣lans sheweth at large and with great evidence, that the Countries of Catay, and of Mangi, are but parts of China, and not Kingdoms really different, no more than Tam-gut and Tainfa, that Cluvier hath also taken for other Kingdoms distinct from China, tho' they are but Cities, whereof the Name is a little corrupted.

(C. 2.) The Kingdom of China is situate almost on the Extremities of Asia on the East. It's length from North to South, ac∣cording to the Chinois Books, that is, from the Fortress of Caci-pim, upon the Frontier of the Province of Pekim, to the Meridional Point of the Isle of Hai-nau, at the South of the Province of Quam-tum, is 23 Degrees in Extent, which make 5750 Li, or Chinois Stades at 250 to the Degree, and 575 French Leagues at 25 the Degree. And it's breadth measured in a straight Line from the East to the West, from the Point of Nim-Po, a Sea-port Town of the Province of Che-kiam, unto the extremity of the Province of Su-chuen, is 426 French Leagues, and 4080 Li, or Chinois Stades, at 240 a Degree. But they pretend that that is not all the Extent of this vast Empire, seeing that in considering it in another sense, it is 8400 Li, which are 750 French Leagues in it's utmost length; and 5400 Li, which make 500 French Leagues in it's greatest breadth. In short, the Calcu∣lation is very sure and exact, and the pro∣portions of it's Measures very just and cer∣tain; and here it is that Men have not yet removed all the Difficulties as may be seen in the following Notes.

There are 15 Provinces in the Kingdom of China, all which for their Greatness; Richness, and Fertility, might pass for vast Kingdoms. Cluvier was mistaken when he counted 18 Provinces, and among them the Kingdom of Cochinchine, and that of Tim-kim, for tho' these have been at other times subject to China, they were so, but for some Years, and have not obeyed it of a long time. It's thought the Walled Places that are in China, amount to the number 4402 divided into 2 different Or∣ders, Civil, and Military. 'Tis true, that several Cities and Towns are comprehend∣ed in that number, situated in the Provinces of Yun-nan de Q'uel-ches of Quamsi and of Su-chuen, which tho' they are join'd to the Emperours State, pay him no Tribute, nor do they acknowledge him, but have particu∣lar Soveraigns, and make use in their Di∣strict of a different Language from the Chi∣noise; this great Empire is so Peopled, that near 12 millions of Families or Fires are counted therein, without comprehending Priviledged Families or Persons, Manderins, Magistrates, Souldiers, Batchellors, Licen∣ciates, Doctors, Bonzes or Eunuchs, nor a∣ny of those who are of the Royal Blood. In a word, counting only those that Till the Ground, or that pay Tributes or Rents to the King: Altho' all the rest, as may be easily urged, make up an almost infinite Number.

There are 2045 Places walled of the Civil Order, divided into Towns, Cities, and Royal Inns; these last places for the most part are not less great, nor less peo∣pled, than are the Towns and Cities, and in each of them is a place where Mande∣rins which the King sends, and all other Persons to whom he is pleas'd to do the like Favour, are Lodged, and their Charges born at the Princes Expences, and are entertained according to their Quality and Employ. The Military Order comprehends 7 different sorts of stony Places. The first and principal are great Fortresses, which are places upon the Frontiers, as the Keys and Defence of the Empire against the

Tartars, or upon the Borders of Provin∣ces against Rebels and Highway-men. There are 629 of this Order: The others are less considerable and less great propor∣tionably. And the last of these Places are small Forts, whereof some are built in the Fields, to serve as a Refuge to La∣bourers, when they fear the Insults of E∣nemies or Thieves, or are willing to secure themselves from the Imposition of the Soul∣diers, when the Royal Armies are in march, and the others are situated upon Mountains, whereof there are some almost inaccessi∣ble; all these Military Places amount to 2357. which being added to them of the Civil Order, make together the number marked above, 4402. Besides this, there are without and within these great Walls that surround almost all China, at least a great part, above Three thousand Towers or Castles, wherein are continually Guards and Centries kept. These famous Walls extend 405 Portugal Leagues, which make 23 Degrees 10 Minutes from East to West, which is to be understood in a right Line; for if the Windings of the Mountains and of the Walls were counted, it would amount to more than 500 Leagues: If we credit our Historian, There are more than Nine hundred thousand that guard the Frontiers, and there are Seven or Eight hundred thou∣sand employed in the Guard of the King∣dom within. But the Translator, to dimi∣nish somewhat the wonder, that such a prodigious number of Troops amount to, makes us remark in his Observations, that the greatest part of these Souldiers are of the Militia, and that there are but very few that have not another Calling besides being Souldiers. However it be, our Au∣thor assures us, That all these Souldiers are always entertained, and that China is so well furnished with all the Requisites of Defence, that the Tartars who have once invaded it, and are Masters of it to this very time, had never passed the Walls, if the Souldiers Cowardize, and the Trea∣chery of the Officers had not opened them a Passage.

There are in China Two thousand four∣score and ninety Mountains, famous either because they have been cut in Form of Idols and monstrous Collosses, or for their renowned Fountains, or for their Plants or Minerals, endowed with some particular Vertue; or these Mountains were looked upon for their extraordinary heighth, or for some other Advantages of this nature, that makes them be distinguished. There is a like number of Antique Pieces, as Sta∣tues, famous Painting, Vessels of great price and value; there are Eleven hundred and fifty nine Towers and Triumphal-Arches, and other Works extraordinarily sumptuous, raised for the honour of their King, or other famous Persons of both Sexes; and what deserves to be remembred, there are 272 Libraries embellished with many Ornaments, and full of Books, and built with vast Expence.

There can nothing be added to the marks of Love and Veneration, wherewith the Chinois are used to honour their Ancest∣ors deceased; they are not content with building them Tombs and Monuments, but they build them Temples; and there are seen more than 700 built at several times on this design, and these are equally con∣siderable for the Bigness and Beauty of their Architecture; as for Temples of Idols, there are 480 famous and much frequented, whe∣ther for their Riches and Magnificence, or thro' the Fables that are told of pretend∣ed Miracles done there; and it is in these Temples, and in the others of the Empire, whereof the number is incredible, that Three hundred and fifty thousand Bomzes live, which makes but about a third part of this sort of people, who according to the Account of our Author are above a million, counting all that are of it.

But there is nothing according to his Relation more magnificent, than the Bury∣ing Places of the Nobility of China, among others are seen 685 Mausolees, whose Rich∣ess and Architecture has render'd 'em ve∣ry famous; and the others do not want their Beauty and Pomp Our Historian brags of them all as very worthy of being seen and admired: He adds, That among them whose Memories are honoured, the Chinois Reverence after a particular manner 3636 Men, famous for their Qualities and Heroick Actions, and 208 Maids or Wo∣men who have for their Chastity or Cou∣rage, or something else, deserved to be Celebrated as so many Examples of Ver∣tue.

There is no Kingdom in the World so antient as that of China, nor that can brag of a Succession of Kings, so long and so well continued; it has stood in the same Form more than Four thousand Years, and the Succession has be••n continued by 22 Families, which during that time, have fur∣nished 236 Kings. It's what the Chinois justify by the History of their Country, whereof all the parts have been written by Contemporary Authors; and by a Chro∣nology which appears so just, so well fol∣lowed, and is backed with such good Cir∣cumstances, that it does not seem that it can be denyed; and they are so fully per∣suaded of this Antiquity, that it is a ca∣pital Crime among them to doubt of this Article; and generally this Antiquity with the other extraordinary Advantages of this Kingdom, puffs them up with so much Pride, that they conceive Opinions not a little unreasonable to other Countries, and as if all were at an end at the Frontiers of their Empire; they scorn as much as to inform themselves of the rest, and they never speak of it but with a mark of the greatest Contempt.

We believe that the Egyptians were the first that had Letters or Sciences, and Hie∣roglyphicks, yet it is certain, That the Chinois have had them before. However it be, the Chinoise Letters are not the

least Curiosity they have. For whereas, all other Nations have a common Writing that consists of an Alphabet of about 24 Letters, which are almost of the same Sound, tho they differ in Figure: The Chi∣nois have 54409 Letters that do all of them signifie something, and do not seem so much to be dumb Characters as speaking Words, or at least Figures and Images that represent to the life, what they signifie; so admirable is their Artifice. These Letters are either simple or compound; these last are a mix∣ture of the first, to signifie somewhat that has some kind of Relation to the Compo∣sition: As for Example, the Letter Mo, which signifies Wood, is simple; but the Letter Lin, that signifies a Forest, which comprehends many Trees, is composed of two Mo. The Author gives upon this many curious things; he shews, that all these Letters are true Heroglyphics, and that nothing has been invented with more wit than the Language of the Chinois. How∣ever, it cannot be denyed, but that i•• is a very surprizing thing, that this Language having but about 320 Words, and all of one Syllable, can bring them together, change them, and mix them in so many different Ways, and yet so Eloquent, and so multi∣ply the Use and Signification by the almost infinite Variations of Sound and Accent, that they that can speak it, can deliver their Thoughts upon all Subjects with as much facility, clearness, grace, force and energy, as in any other Language, tho' ne∣ver so rich and copious, as the Greek and Latin. Our Author who assures this, main∣tains at the same time, that the many dif∣ferent Significations that are given the same word, do not occasion the confusion and difficulty that some imagine; that on the contrary this Language has that benefit by the small Number of Monosyllables where∣of it consists, that there is neither a li∣ving or dead Language in all Europe, that can be Learned with so much Facility. And he alledges for proof, the Examples of the Missionaries of his Order, who in a very short time rendred themselves so Learned in it, that they composed Books much ad∣mired by the Chinois themselves; this gives the Author occasion to run much upon the praise of their Fathers, and to give us a List of their fine Works.

There is no Nation that is wittier than that of China; they are inventive and in∣dustrious, and we cannot dispute them the Honour of having been the first Inventers of Letters, Paper, Print, Gun-Powder, without mentioning other things. There is nothing imploys them more, than the Study of Morals; and yet they have wit enough lest to dive into the subtilest & most difficult. Questions of Mathematicks and Divinity, when they make it their Study: So that there is no Country that has so great a Number of Learned Men, and where the knowledge of Sciences is so universal and common as it is in China. And it may be said, that no Nation out of Europe has more Books upon every Subject, as well in Verse as Prose, than this has; among that great number, there are 5 which the Chi∣nois call V-kim, or the 5 Volumes; that are to them the same thing as our Bible to us. The first is a Chronicle of their 5 Antient Kings, whom they honour as Saints, with a particular Veneration: The second is the Book of Rites, that contains the greatest part of the Laws, Customs, and Ceremonies observed in that Empire: The third is Verse and Prose, in praise of Vertue and and dispraise of Vice: The fourth is Hi∣storical, and was composed by Confucius: The fifth is esteemed the antien••est of all, as being the most mystical▪ the Chinois be∣ing persuaded, that it is the Work of Fohi, their first Prince. In fine, these 5 Books are accompanyed with another, which is called the 4 Books, because it is divided in∣to four Parts, and which being but the Marrow and Quintessence of the first 5, has the same Weight and Authority as all the other together.

The Chinois are the most courteous, and abound most in Ceremonies of any in the World; our Author says, they have a Book to direct them, that contains more than 3000. and explains them, and it is very strange how punctual they are in them. They surpass all other Nations, both for the diversity and number of honourable Ti∣tles which they give themselves, as well as in certain Airs of Civility, and good Breeding, which they affect, and in the care they take of their Cloaths. There can nothi••g be seen more composed than the Countenance, Actions, and the Ways of their Learned Men: And the Women apply themselves after such a manner, to Bashfulness, Modesty and Chastity, that these Vertues seem born with them. Their Magnificence appears in their Feasts, which they keep with much Pomp, and in their Publick Works and sumptuous Buildings, which for their Greatness and Number in the Authors Opinion, easily surpass all other in the Universe. In general, the Pa∣laces of their Princes and of the chiefest Mandarins look like Towns, and the Houses of some private Wealthymen re∣semble Palaces. The great Canal which the Author describes with his ordinary exactness, and which he says is 3500 Fur∣longs long, which are about 350 French Leagues. This Canal, I say, is one of those Works of Art where Profit is so well joined with Magni••icence, that by means of it one may go from one end of the Kingdom to the other, which is the space of more than 600 Leagues▪ and all this way by the Chanel or by Rivers, only one days Journy by Land, and to cross a Mountain; an advantage which the Jesuite our Au∣thor, which has gone this Voyage him∣self, observes to be beyond any that is to be found in any Country of the Universe. He adds, that whereas there is no Town

nor Village that has not some River or Channel, or at least some Navigable Arm of the Sea, that this convenience renders Navigation so common there, that there are as many almost seen upon the Water as up∣on the Land; people may soon judge the usefulness of this for Commerce: and with what case, plenty spreads it self over all the parts of this Kingdom. Besides, there is no Country that is more rich in proper Goods, and that draws more from its own Fund than China; all is had there, and it may be said almost above wish, and not only what is necessary, but plenty of all de∣licious things: The quantity of Gold that each Province has, is so great, that in∣stead of coyning it, to buy other things with it, it is sold like other Merchandize. As for Silver, as there is none that comes in∣to the Country that can be carry'd out a∣gain, there being rigorous Laws that pro∣hibit it, it may be easily judg'd that this Nation that is more greedy of this Metal than any other is, has gathered immense quantities of it since the beginning of this Empire, that is, more than 4050 Years a∣go: All other Metals are found there, at least in as great abundance as in any other Climate, especially Tin an•• Brass, whereof the Chinois Handicrafts-men make several Works precious as well for the goodness of the Matter as for the excellency of the Work: Nor are Silk and Wax, what this Country has least of. The first is not only the fairest and best in the World, but is there in such great abundance, that most places of Asia and Europe furnish them∣selves thence, and that besides the incredi∣ble Quantity that is made use of in China it self, where the use of it is so common, that the very Foot-boys wear Satin and Damask. The Wax is of a certain sort peculiar only to this Kingdom, the fairest, neatest, and whitest, that was ever seen, and being of a more agreeable use than ordinary, is used by the King himself, and by all the Court, and the Lords and Mandarins, and by the Men of Learning, and general∣ly by all rich Folks. It is produced in cer∣tain small Trees near the bigness of our Chesnut-Trees, and that by means of cer∣tain small Worms, which by a natural in∣stinct pierce these Trees to the Sap, and which in eating all together, as admirable as it is peculiar to themselves, prepare, purify, and at length turn it into Wax as white as Snow; they after pass out through the same Hole that they made to enter; this Wax when it comes to the outward Surface of the Tree, the Wind and Cold congeals it, and it hangs in form of Drops.

In fine, one cannot express the Price, Beauty, Variety, and Quantity, not only of their rich Cloath, but also of the Skins and precious Furrs that this Nation makes use of, especially in the Northern Provinces, and at the Court of Pekin. And what belongs to other things, necessary either for the maintainance or conveniency of Life, as Flesh, Fruit, and other Provisions, it may suffice to say, that they have all that we have, and besides this, Stores of such things as we have not.

There is no Country in the World where the Nobility have greater interest to keep the Crown in the Reigning Family than the Gentry of China have, seeing all con∣siderable Noble-men and great Lords do not subsist, but whilst that Family lasts, and that as soon as another is raised to the Crown, they are all ruined by him. There has been but one Family to this very day, that could exempt it self from this sad Fate: And it was that of the famous Confucius, for the Merit and great Worth of this great Philosopher, and the incredible Veneration which his Memory is preserved in, has maintained his Fami∣ly in all its Splendour for above 2020 Years, so that flourishing yet in the same State of Esteem and Honour, it may be with justice call'd the Antientest Family in the World.

But among all the Advantages attribut∣ed to China, it is pretended, that it de∣serves to be esteemed for nothing so much as for the Excellency of its Government; and it is here that our Author gives the Relation as curious as important, of the Conduct of this Empire. In general, the Mandarins, the Officers and Magistrates of all the Kingdom, they are distinguished into 11 Orders, whereof the Differences are so well marked, and the Subordination so just, that in the Authors Judgment there is nothing comparable to it any where else. The Mandarins of the first Order, or the King's Counsellors of State form the Su∣pream Tribunal, whence all other depend. After this come 11 Great Tribunals, among whom the Kings of China have distribut∣ed all the business of the Kingdom. And they pretend that the Establishment was made 2000 Years before Jesus Christ, and that it has continued ever since in the same manner, wherein it is seen now, if some Corruptions be excepted that may have slipt in; of these 11 Tribunals, there are 6 of Mandarins of Learning, as they call them, and 5 of Mandarins of Arms. The 6 first are the most powerful, because there is hardly any thing but what is subject to their Jurisdiction, and they may be said to govern China. The first of the six is that which has a general Rule over all the other Manderins, and can give them their Places or Employment, or take them away. The second has a superintendance over the Customs and Tributes, and in ge∣neral over the King's Treasure. The third has the Direction of the Rites and Cere∣monies of Sciences and Arts. The fourth has for its share all that belongs to War, and to Arms in all the Kingdom. The fifth of the Crimes and Punishments of

Criminals, among which by the by, there is none look'd upon to be so base and igno∣minious as to be beheaded. The sixth o∣ver-looks the Works and Building of the King, so that there is no business of any nature, but is subject to these 6 Supream Tribunals; and as they have jurisdiction o∣ver almost all the Court, and over all them of the Provinces, there can none be more respected nor better obeyed than they are where-ever they go. The 5 Tribunals of Arms are governed by great Lords, as Marquesses, Counts, &c. and have above them one Supream Tribunal, called the High Tribunal of War, the President whereof is always one of the greatest Lords of the Kingdom; the Authority of this President seems very considerable, since his Jurisdiction reaches over the five other Tribunals, and over all the Officers and Souldiers of the Kingdom. But lest he might abuse so great a Power, he has given him for an Assister, a Mandarin of Scien∣ces, under the Title of High Regent of Arms, and two Syndicks or Royal Over∣seers, who take part in all Affairs: More∣over, it may be said, That all these Tri∣bunals of War, have more Show and Ap∣pearance than real Authority, because in all things that belong to Execution, they depend necessarily upon the Supream Tribu∣nal of Arms, which is the fourth of the six that we spoke of; this was one of the cunningest of the Politicks of the Kings of China, and an effect of the Knowledge they had of the Humour of their Subjects, whose ruling Passion is to grow rich, and to com∣mand. To have thus ordained so great a number of Tribunals or Courts, that a great many might have the means to con∣tent their Ambition by the Honours and Profits of the Imployments they are in, whilst the little Power they have takes a∣way from them the means of abusing their places: And the same measures within a very little were observed by the other Su∣pream Tribunals, whose Power seems greater and less limited: For as it might be feared, that any one of them might ren∣der himself absolute, if he were left to the entire disposal of the Matters belonging to him, all their Employments were distribut∣ed, and their Functions were ordered with so much Prudence, that not one among them is absolute in the Affairs of his Of∣fice, but all have a dependence upon one another.

All the Eleven Tribunals are placed ac∣cording to their Rank in magnificent Pala∣ces on both sides of that of the King's; the first six upon the left, which is the place of Honour, and towards the East, the other five on the right towards the West; and whereas each of the Six has under it several Subaltern Tribunals to pre∣pare and order Business, so have these in∣feriour Tribunals their Palaces within the great one, of which they depend; these lesser Tribunals are in greater or lesser number, in each of the great ones, propor∣tionably to the business they have, and according to our Authors Calculation, there are in all 44, in such sort, that it seems business should be treated of, exactly pas∣sing through so many different Tribunals; and yet it must be known that in the Pa∣lace of each Supream Tribunal, there is always a Hall and an Apartment for a Mandarin, who is called Overseer or Su∣pervisor, who examines publickly or se∣cretly all that is done, and as soon as he knows of any Disorder or Injustice, he is obliged to acquaint the King with it; all other Tribunals whether of the Court, or belonging to the Provinces, which are joyn∣ed to these Supream Tribunals, are govern∣ed with no less Policy. Those of the Court, which are established at Pekin, are so numerous, that we shall take no care to mention them here; for there are some for every kind of business, among others there are some that make up a Royal A∣cademy, and which consists of the best Wits of all the Kingdom. They are as it were the King's Learned men, with whom he discourses very often upon several Sci∣ences, and makes choice of many to be his Counsellors; and for other Tribunals, that which is called the Visitors, or that belongs to the general Supervisors, Over∣sees all the Court and Empire; it's charge is to see the Laws observed, and Justice executed, and to see that both the Manda∣rins and People do their Duty; this Tri∣bunal is much feared, and has under it 25 Tribunals, and is placed in a huge Palace; every three Years it causes a general Vi∣sit to be made, sending Visitors into each Province, who no sooner enter into them than they become above all Vice-Roys and Mandarins, and do all with an Authority that inspires no little Fear. But there is yet another Tribunal, the Functions whereof is not less considerable, nor of less importance, which is that of the Overseers, which we have spoken of already, which are divided into six Orders, as the six Supream Tribunals which they oversee; their Authority goes so far, that they may reprehend the King himself when he commits any fault in the Government of the State, and there are found some ge∣nerous enough to expose themselves reso∣lutely to a Banishment, or even to Death it self, in acquainting him of his faults, sometimes by a Memorial, and sometimes by telling him them to his Face. In fine, every Province has its Tribunals as well general as particular, and above all there is one that is Chief, and oversees all the rest, and gives the King and the six Su∣pream Tribunals of the Court an account of all important Affairs. It may be easily judged that all their Imploys have a great many Mandarins; and so there are 32000 in the Roll, which the Court sends

from time to time into the Provinces: and though this number may seem very strange; yet our Author says, That the distribution, distinction and subordination is much more marvellous and surprising. It seems the Law∣makers have not forgot any thing for the establishing of things upon the best bottom that it was possible to put them; and that they have prevented all the inconveniences that might be feared; but by ill looking to the Conduct and Goodness of the Officers, does not correspond to so good an order; for, as they all have an in••atiable desire of raising themselves, and becoming Rich, they transgress, for these ends, all Human and Divine Laws and Justice: and, whil'st they counterfeit in their Exterior, the ex∣act observers, and are very nice in Formali∣ties, they do not make the least scruple to commit the greatest Injustices in the bot∣tom; and to tread upon Reason, Religion, Honesty and Equity, which does not hin∣der the form of Government, from being in it self very excellent; Because, as our Author says, the Knavery of the Men, takes away nothing from the goodness and excel∣lency of the Laws.

What has been hitherto said, must give a very high Notion, or Idea of the Gran∣deur of this Empire: but, it seems, there is nothing can do that better, than the Pomp and extraordinary Magnificence that shines at the Emperours Court. Fancy it self would be troubled to add any thing to the Relation that has been here made in seve∣ral Chapters; and, it is hard, after Reading, but the Flattery of the People, will seem more excusable; who, dazled with this Splendour, never speak of their Soveraign, but in Hyperbolick Expressions, and treat all, who have Relation to his Person, with the terms of Heavenly and Divine. What the Author says in this Article, must be seen in himself; and the Account he gives of the City of Pekin, which is the Princes Place of abode, and Capital of the Empire, and, above all, must be seen, what he says of that Great and Magnificent Palace of this Empe∣rour.

There are but few Readers that will not take pleasure in this part of his Work, and to whom, the particular account he gives, will not seem curious; and the more, be∣cause other Relations have said but very lit∣tle upon this Subject, and very confusedly; which, in Mr. Bernon's Judgment, proceed∣ed from the small help that people had un∣till now, of Learning much of it: The Em∣bassadors that are sent to that Court, being always shut in, in the Palace that they have given them; and the Missioners, except a very few, having never seen Pekin, or if they have, it was onely in passing through it; So that, in his opinion, there were but Father Magdillan's, and two or three others, that could have any knowledge of the Court or City; And this Iesuite is the onely Man that gave us the Description, after 25 years abode there: In his Book then may be seen more distinctly, than ever yet was seen, the Situation, Form, Disposition and Greatness of this Famous City, which has been a long time spoken of without being known: his Description is as ample, and accompanied with as good circumstances as can be desi∣red; and the Great Palaces, that contain a great many other, and which, by its great and prodigious scope, and breadth, and for the Beauty, Riches, Majesty and Gran∣deur of all contained in it, may justly pass for the rarest and most marvellous thing in the World. Four Chapters are imployed in this Description, and the Author has joyned to them a Draught of the City and Palace, which serves much to comprehend the Symmetry and Order that accompanies all that Magnificence: in fine, in the last Chap∣ter that immediately follows these, the Au∣thor shews the way the Emperor goes out of his Palace, whether it be when he designs to divert himself in walking abroad, or in Hunting; or whether it be when he goes abroad to make some publick Function, as some one of the Sacrifices, which he does every year, in every one of the Seven Chur∣ches Ordained for this Ceremony; and which are situated in the City, without the Walls of the Palace: on either occasion it is believed, that no Prince can appear with so Magnificent an Equipage. But above all it is presumed, that the Pomp and Magni∣ficence cannot be equalled, wherewith he goes to the Publick Functions, for then he is accompanyed with the most Sumptuous and Majestick Guard that can be seen in any Court; nothing could better compleat the representing to us the Splendour of this Em∣pire, and all the Glory of its Monarch, than the description given to us of this Pompous March; and so Father Magaillans judged, that he could not better conclude his Hi∣story than by it; and this is the dash with which he was willing to finish the Picture wherein he has drawn the Grandeur and Magnificence of all China.

The Translator has added to this Relation, the Life and Death of the Author, Written by Father Lewis Buglio, his inseparable com∣panion all the time he staid in China, which was 36 years. According to this Account, Father Magaillans was a Portugese; and, ac∣cording to M. Abbe Bernon, he was of the same Family that Ferdinand Magaillans was of, who was, and still is corruptedly cal∣led Magellan; and who first discovered the Gulph that bears that Name, at the ex∣tremity of the Southern America. He shew∣ed from his youth, a great Passion for Vi∣siting the Indies; whither his Congregati∣on, or Society having sent him in the year 1634, he soon found the opportunity of passing into China; where, after suffering much from the Infidels, he was, at last, happy enough, to gain the Favour of the Tar∣tar Prince, who became Master of China; and by diverting him with his ingenious In∣ventions, and pleasing him from time to

time with some of his own Works, it occa∣sion'd, that when he died, the King caused him to be Sumptuously Buryed, according to the Custom of the Countrey; And Father Buglio, who describes us all the Ceremony, does not stick to say, that there has not been seen a more Famous one at that Court.