Memoirs and observations typographical, physical, mathematical, mechanical, natural, civil, and ecclesiastical, made in a late journey through the empire of China, and published in several letters particularly upon the Chinese pottery and varnishing, the silk and other manufactures, the pearl fishing, the history of plants and animals, description of their cities and publick works, number of people, their language, manners and commerce, their habits, oeconomy, and government, the philosophy of Confucius, the state of Christianity : with many other curious and useful remarks / by Louis Le Compte ... ; translated from the Paris edition, and illustrated with figures.

THE Present State OF CHINA. (Book 1)

A Letter to my Lord Pontchartrain, Se∣cretary of State to his most Chri∣stian Majesty. The Voyage from Siam to Pekin.

My Lord,

THO' Men generally take no little Pride in recounting their Travels, and that of China be the most entertaining to this part of the World, I could never yet be recon∣ciled to the thoughts of writing a Formal Account of my Voyage thither. That Subject indeed is worn so thread-bare that People have little Curiosity after New Relations; and indeed the World is sufficiently taken up with the Business of the Times, the Wars,

Negotiations, and divers Movements Europe is in at present: take 'em off from enquiring into the Affairs of Remote Countries.

But you, my Lord, (whose Genius is as far extended as your Zeal, and who no less rejoyce at Victories ob∣tained by Christ's Doctrine over Idolatry, then at those by our Arms) will, I dare hope, give us his Ministers a patient Hearing. I have already had the ho∣nour to be heard by you on this Subject at spare hours, and I may say, that besides those Divine Helps which support us in all our Labours, nothing could more encourage our Industry then that Goodness with which you are pleased to countenance it.

The Project of sending Missionaries skill'd in the Mathematicks, into the utmost parts of the World, was conceiv'd of that Glory for his Majesty's Reign, and that Advantage to our Religion, that his Mini∣sters have ever used their best Endeavours to carry it on.

Monsieur Colbert not only brought the King to approve of the Design, but also himself gave Orders for the preparing of all necessary Instruments, for a considerable number of Mathematicians, who were all bound for China, some thro' Muscovy and Tartary, others thro' Syria and Persia, and the rest on Board the Vessels belonging to the East-India Company.

His Death put some stop to this great Design, but the Marquis de Louvois no sooner succeeded him in the Super-intendency of Arts and Sciences, but he did by Order from his Majesty command our Su∣periours, to look out for Men, whose Zeal and Ca∣pacity, might enable them for such an Underta∣king; for whom he procured all sorts of Instru∣ments, and furnished them with Money, Letters of Commendation, and in short, all that might contri∣bute to the Success of the Enterprise.

Monsieur De Seignelay judging that these new

Missions needed the support of the Admiralty, desi∣red they might be intrusted to his Care; but tho' Monsieur De Louvois gave up to him the Manage∣ment of them, yet did he not wholly abandon them, but largely and bountifully contributed to the ma∣king their Journey the shorter, thro' Poland, Russia, Siberia, and the greater Tartary to the Eastern Ocean.

Thus, my Lord, has Providence led three great Men to forward so Noble a Work, the perfecting of which it has left to you. The several Reasons which induced them to it will, no doubt, be as prevalent with you, who are no less desirous of the Honour of Religion, the Glory of our King, and the Advan∣tage of his Subjects, and no less careful in your Em∣ployments, which respect both to Arts and Sciences and Trade and Navigation.

Your Protection has hitherto been so Benevolent to those Zealous Missionaries, that they cannot doubt of a happy Success.

But besides this Acknowledgment, they are bound to give you an exact Account of their Actions, their Travels, and the Use they have made of his Maje∣sty's Bounty. These Memoirs, my Lord, I offer to you on their behalf.

The King, about Ten years since, commanded Six of his Subjects, Jesuits, for China, with the Cha∣racter of his Majesty's Mathematicians, that under cover of that Learning they might the easier insi••u∣ate the Gospel. I was one of them, and set ••ai•• with the rest in the beginning of the Year 1685. in the same Ship on Board which was Monsieur Chau∣mont, sent by his Majesty on an Extraordinary Em∣bassy to the Court of Siam.

Our Voyage thither was very fortunate, but the Sea∣son forbad our going farther, and we were detained there near a Twelve-month, till the time of year pro∣per for our Design.

The K. of Siam, a Pretender to Astrology, desired to be a Sharer in our Astronomical Observations. He ad∣mired above all our exactness in foretelling an Eclipse of the Moon, and from that time had thoughts of keep∣ing us at his Court. But having informed him what our Orders were, he consented that Four of us should depart for China, provided Father Tachard should re∣turn to France to request the King for more Mathe∣maticians, and that I the whilst should remain with him.

Accordingly he went for Europe, and I continued at Siam, while the Fathers Fontaney, Gerbillon, De Vis∣delon, and Bouvet took Ship for Macao, a small City situate on the Point of an Island adjacent to China, where the Portugueze have a Fortress.

Father Tachard arrived safe at Paris, with the Sia∣mite Ambassadors: But those who were failed for Chi∣na, were in a few days after their departure, surprised by a Tempest which put a stop to their Voyage; they were in a stout Vessel of Monsieur Constance's, but it was so terribly shattered, that in a little time it began to be leaky.

The Shipwreck being inevitable, it was thought better to strand on the Shoar with some hopes of Life, then by Loosing up against the Wind to keep the Sea and Founder in a desperate Condition. So before Night they reached an unknown Land. The Ship often run upon Shoals, but did not split, and with much ado they got to the Leeward of an Island near C••ssomet a Province of the Kingdom of Siam, bordering upon that of Camboja.

The Captain then despaired of proceeding on his Voyage, being fallen under a Wind, which accord∣ing to the Season was like to keep the same Corner for several Months, and hindred him from doubling the Cape of Camboja, the Ship being very much dis∣abled.

The Missionaries more concerned at this loss of time than at the danger they had escaped, resolved upon returning to Siam by Land, that they might get on Board an English Vessel bound for Canton, which was to Sail about the beginning of August. They entered the Woods, in hopes to meet with a Town and some Guides that might conduct them, but they soon lost their way, and encountered no less Perils at Land then they had before met with at Sea. The great Rains had caused a Land-flood, so that walking barefoot thro' the Fields overflowed, an in∣numerable quantity of Leeches, and Musketoes so troublesome to Strangers, were their continual Tor∣ment. On the other hand great number of Serpents, Tigers, Buffles and Elephants, of which the Forests are full, kept them in continual Apprehension.

But their greatest Misery was want of Food; for the little Victuals they had brought out with them being soon spent, they had been starved had not Pro∣vidence directed them to a small Village. Not that the Inhabitants could afford them much help, being themselves unprovided of all things; but they con∣ducted them back again to their Ship, where they arrived after a Fortnights Wandring, half dead with Weariness and Hunger.

As for me I was almost in as ill a Case: I had ob∣tain'd of Monsieur Constance that he should place me into a Convent of Talapoins, (so are their Priests cal∣led) for not one of them had yet been prevailed with to acknowledge Christ, tho' their Conversion might be an effectual Means to that of the whole Na∣tion. I judged the best way to bring it about, would be a free Converse with them, Dressing as they did, and Living with the same Austerity. I had a Presi∣dent in the Mission at Madura, and all reason to hope for the like Success at Siam. But the Conspiracy of the Malais and Macossars, which happened at that

time gave Monsieur Constance so much trouble, that he had not the leisure to think of me. The King who countenanced the Christian Faith, and his Mi∣nister who was its chief Support, with all ••hose who professed it, were in danger of being murthered in one Night, had not our Redeemer saved us from that Peril; but the Plot was discovered, and the Criminals brought to a condign Punishment.

This Accident was the Cause that the Fathers came back by Sea to Siam, before I was too far engaged in the New Life I designed to lead; and I yielded to their Intreat•••• that I would embark with them when the Season should permit, which I did the more willingly, because it was about the time that Father Tachard was to return with a Recruit of Missionaries and Mathe∣maticians.

On the 17th of Iune in the Year 1687. we failed for Nimpo, a considerable City and Haven in Cheki∣am a Province of China; for we thought it not sit to go to Macao as was designed the Year before, having been informed that we should be no welcome Guests to the Portugueze.

I scarce believe, My Lord, that you are over curious of knowing how we steered our Course. Those Jour∣nals wholly made up of East, West, North, and South, and a thousand barbarous Words which seem proper for no other use then Hussing and Hectoring the Winds, can scarce be relished by so nice a Palate as yours. However, they are very useful to Seamen, and those who make Navigation their study, would not find the Style unpleasant. But I shall take ano∣ther opportunity of giving you an Account of it, in offering you some Geographical Memoirs. Permit me then to wave this for the present, and to speak on∣ly of what concerned our selves.

Spight of the King of Siam's express Orders for our good Treatment, God was pleased in his Wisdom

to give us an Occasion of Exercising our Patience. We were on Board a small Chineze Vessel, called a Somme by the Portugueze, without any Shelter against the Weather, and so streightned for want of Room, that we could not lye at length: Placed near an I∣dol black with the smoak of a Lamp continually burning in its Honour, and (which was our great Eye-fo••e) worshipped each day with a Diabolical Su∣perstition. The Sun was directly over our Heads, and we had scarce any Water to quench our immoderate Thirst, caused by the excessive Heat of the Climate. Three Meals of Rice were our daily Allowance, tho' the Captain I confess often invited us to eat some Meat with him, but that being always first offered as a Sacrifice to the Idol, we looked on it with more Hor∣rour than Appetite. In this manner we spent above a Month, endeavouring, by our Patience and our Prayers, to inspire those Idolatrous People with an Esteem for our Holy Religion, our little Skill in their Language not permitting us to do it by declaring its most Sacred Truths.

'Tis true we sometimes, with the help of an Inter∣preter, attempted to convince them of the Absurdity of that Worship their Education had unfortunately en∣gaged them in. One day especially they slocked a∣bout us; the Dispute grew something sharp, and at length became so hot, that we were forced to give it over. All Seamen are generally very untractable. These took great Offence at what we had said of their Idol, and a short while after came toward us, arm'd with Lances and Half-Pikes, with Looks that seem'd to menace us.

Having with some Impatience doubted what would be the Event, we found at last we had no Cause to fear. The Mariners had armed themselves only to prepare for a Procession in Honour of their Idol; perhaps to appease the Anger she might have concei∣ved

at what in the Dispute had been said to her Dis∣paragement. I scarce believe there is a Nation more Superstitious then the Chineze who worship the very Compass they steer by, continually censing it with Perfumes, and often offering it Meat as a Sacrifice. Twice a day regularly they threw little pieces of gilt Paper in likeness of Money into the Sea, as it were to keep it at their Devotion by that Salary. Some∣times they would present it with little Boats made of the same Stuff, that being busied in tossing and ruin∣ing them, she might neglect ours. But when the un∣ruly Element, maugre their Courtesie, would grow troublesome, being, as they thought, agitated in an ex∣traordinary manner by a Daemon that governs it; They burned some Feathers, whose noisom smoak and pestiferous scent, were indeed more then suffici∣ent, had the Fiend been endued with Sence, to send him going, were he the Cause.

Once passing near a Hill on which one of their Temples is built, their Superstition then out-did it self; for besides the usual Ceremonies consisting in Meat∣Offerings, burning of Candles and Perfumes, throw∣ing little Baubles of gilt Paper into the Sea, and infi∣nite such other Fopperies, all Hands were at work for five or fix hours together, in making a little Vessel in the likeness of ours, of about four Feet in length. It was very artificially wrought, wanting neither Masts, Tackling, Sails or Flags, it had its Compass, Rud∣der, and Shalop, its Arms, Kitchin-stuff, Victuals, Cargo and Book of Accompts. Besides, they had daubed as many small pieces of Paper as we were Men in the Ship, which were disposed of in the same places we were in. This Machine being placed on two Staves, was with no li••••e Ceremony, at the noise of a Tabor and a Brazen Bason, raised up in view of all the Crew. A Seaman in a Bonze's Habit was the Chief Man among 'em, playing several Apish Tricks

with a Quarter-staff, and now and then shouting forth loud Huzza's. At length the Mysterious Toy was committed to the Waves, and eyed as far as sight could reach, accompanied with the Bonze's Ac∣clamations, who roar'd with all his might. This ri∣diculous Entertainment diverted the Sailors, while we were struck with a sensible Grief at the sight of their blind Error, which it was out of our Power to cure.

An Accident happened soon after, which at first gave them less Pleasure, but in the end proved an e∣qual Diversion to us all. The Mariners fancied they saw a Ship in a part of the Sea much infested with Pyrates. They had excellent Spying-glasses, thro' which they could perceive the Masts, the Sails, nay some saw the very Tackling, and by the manner of her Sailing, it was plain she designed us a Visit. All were very diligent in putting their Ship in a Posture of Defence; The Chineze, who of all Men love best to sleep in a whole Skin, were in great Consternation; and the Fear we saw painted in their Faces, while they made ready their Cimeters, Pikes, and Guns, (for they had no Canon) more terrified us than the fancied Enemy, which yet caused in us no little Ap∣prehension; for indeed, I must confess, we were then grown as fearful, if possible, as the Chineze themselves. Religion or Martyrdom was not then the thing in question, we were in danger of being immediately strangled by Villains who give no Quarter, for such is their Custom, which they would not have altered for our sakes. The only Remedy would have been to have leaped into the Sea, and by drowning our selves deferred our End for a few Minutes; but the Medicine was somewhat violent, and we did not care for the Experiment. Our Prospective Glasses were often made use of, and, to our no little surprize, the mighty Vessel as it came near us lessened, as did our ill-grounded Terror, for we now doubted whether it

was a Ship. At length it grew a Floating Island, then a Sea Horse, and then I know not what, till at last being in sight it proved to be a Tree, which a violent Wind had torn from the Coast. The Earth and Peb∣bles about its Root made it swim upright, so that its Trunk, which was very high, resembled a Mast, and some Branches spread on each side for a Yard, with lesser Boughs broken down for Ropes, had, with the help of the Wind and the Sea's beating about it (which formed a Tract not unlike that a Ship makes) thus causlesly alarm'd us; Besides that People who trem∣bled as they looked thro' their Glasses, might easily be deceived.

The dreadful Enemy was no sooner known but the Preparations were given over, to their great grief, who desired nothing more then a Battel, and were heartily vexed at the Disappointment. But we much suspecting their Courage was affected, (for it appeared not till all the Danger was vanisht) thought not our selves safe till we were landed.

This was not the only Peril we were likely to en∣counter; for scarce were we in sight of E••nouis, an I∣sland of China, famous for the Commodiousness of its Harbour, and the abundance of Ships of all Nations which resort thither, when the sudden veering of the Wind, a Calm that followed, and black Clouds which on every side darken'd our Horizon, made the Pilots fear the approach of some Typhon, than which nothing is more terrible in the Seas of China and Iapan; for unless the Captain be well skill'd, the Crew nume∣rous, and the Vessel stout, their ruin is most certain. This Typhon is a furious Wind, or rather a blowing of all the Winds at once; so that the Waves confu∣sedly rolling one upon another, beset a Ship on all sides, and toss it after an extraordinary manner. This Wind is so violent, that there is no bearing any Sail, and so obstinate, that the third day scarce sees the

end of it. At first the Seamens Pains and Industry withstand the Storm, but continual Labour tires and disheartens them; they yield to the over-ruling Winds, the Masts break, the Rudder is carried off, and the Ship founders; or if she be so well built as to sustain the Fury of the Waves, she splits against a Rock, and not a Man escapes.

Four days had been spent in expectation of the like Fate, and the dreadful Omens increased, when it came into our Minds to address St. Francis Xavier, whose Miracles had once rendred those Seas so fa∣mous. We prayed him to divert the Tempest, and inforced our Prayers by a Vow. Scarce were we off our Knees, but whether by a Miracle or the ordi∣nary Course of Nature, there blew a favourable Gale of Wind, which carried us thro' some Islands into our desired Port.

I never saw any thing so Frightful, as that infinite number of Rocks and Desert Islands thro' which we were to pass. The Channels are in some places so narrow, as not to exceed ten Paces in breadth, to the great danger of those who Sail thro' 'em: We also steered thro' a pretty wide Bay, in which the Chi∣neze observe an exact Silence, for fear, say they, of disturbing a neighbouring Dragon, and made us fol∣low their Example. I know not how they call it, as for us, we named it the Dumb Man's Bay.

Having spent some time among those horrid Rocks, we at last had sight of a little City they call Tim-bai, that is, Sea's Limit, situated at the Mouth of the Ri∣ver, up the which we tided, and dropt Anchor three Miles higher, near the City of Nimpo, a sight of which we so earnestly had wisht for, during a Six and thirty days Navigation, which the continual Danger and Hardships we were exposed to, had rendred very ••edious.

It was with no little Joy that we reached that Land,

in which we had, during so many years, long'd to preach the Gospel. It's sight inspired us with an un∣usual Zeal, and the Joy of viewing that happy Soil which so many good Men had Consecrated by their Labours, we thought a large amends for ours.

But tho' we were so near the City, it was not so easie for us to enter it. China is a very Ceremonious Country, wherein all Strangers, but especially the French, need have a good stock of Patience. The Captain of our Vessel thought sit to hide us, and on our arrival we were let down into the Hold, where the Heat which increased as we came nearer the Land, and several other Inconveniencies we lay under, made our Condition almost insupportable. But spight of all Caution we were found out, an Officer of the Customs spied us, and having taken an Account of the Ship's Cargo, set a Man in her, and withdrew to let his Master know it. That Mandarine who holds his Commission immediately from Court, and is therefore much respected, ordered us to be brought before him, whom we found in a large Hall assisted by his Assessors and other inferiour Officers, having been waited on thither by a multitude of People, who there are more curious of seeing an European, then we should be here of viewing a Chineze.

No sooner were we enter'd, but we were admonish∣ed to kneel and bow our Heads nine times to the ground, that being the Custom in those Parts of doing Obeisance to the Prime Mandarine, who in that Qua∣lity represents the Emperor's Person. His Counte∣nance was very Severe, and bore a Gravity that chal∣lenged Veneration, and a Dread, which increased at the sight of his Executioners, like Roman Lictors, at∣tending with Chains and great Sticks, ready to bind and cudgel whom his Mandarineship should think fit.

Having paid him our Devoirs, he asked us Who we were, and what was our Errand. My Lord, (answer∣ed

we, by the means of our Interpreter) we have heard in Europe that several of our Brethren, and parti∣cularly Father Verbiest, laboured with success to spread the Knowledge of our Holy Religion in these remote Parts; The same Zeal has moved us, and the Noble Idea we have framed to our selves of this Empire, and of the Wit and Politeness of its Inhabitants, has prevailed with us to pro∣cure them the only thing that is wanting to compleat the Grandeur of so flourishing and renowned a Nation, to wit the Knowledge of THE ONLY TRUE GOD, without which it cannot be truly Great. We have besides under∣stood how kind his Imperial Majesty has been to them, and hope his Mandarines, who know his Intentions, will be so favourable as not to molest us.

This Declaration seemed something bold, in a Pro∣vince where our Religion was scarce tolerated, and in a City, where there was not one Christian. But we were unacquainted with these Circumstances, and had thought that since the Freedom of Trade had been granted, Strangers might come and settle there, which is directly opposite to the Laws of the Land. The Mandarine, who must needs be surprised at the Liberty we took, dissembled his Thoughts, and as if he approved of our Zeal, told us it was true the Em∣peror had a particular Esteem for Father Verbiest, whose Merit was well known throughout the whole Empire, that as for himself he was very desirous to serve us; But, continued he, I must first advise with the Gover∣nor, and we shall consider of it together: In the mean while return to your Ship, where you shall hear further from us.

Some days after the General of the Militia in and about the City, which might consist in about fif∣teen or twenty thousand Men, was willing to see us, and entertained us very kindly, insomuch that when we left him to wait upon the Governor, he sent an Officer to desire him that he would use us kindly, as∣suring him we were very honest People. The Gover∣nor

nor expressed some Consideration for us, but said he could determine nothing in our Case till he had first conferred with the Chief Officers of the City; so that we were forced again on Board our hared Ship, which seemed to us a very severe Prison.

Most of us were sick, but Our Lord, who permit∣ted these Delays to try our Patience, did at last soften the hardened Hearts of these Infidels, who took Com∣passion on us. Eight days being spent in Consultati∣ons, the Mandarine of the Customs held his Court in a House not far from the Port, where his Clerks usu∣ally kept their Office. There having sent for us and our Goods, being several Bales of Books, Images, and Mathematical Instruments, they opened but three of our Trunks, without demanding any Custom; and his Lordship told us we might lodge in the Sub∣urbs till they had heard from the Viceroy, to whom the Governor had wrote concerning us. We thank∣fully accepted of his Civility, and in our new Habi∣tation enjoyed a Rest we stood in great need of.

Permit me, My Lord, before I go on, to give you a general Description of that great Empire, framed according to the Observations of Ancient Geogra∣phers, rectified by those we have since made with much Care and Exactness.

CHINA, which the Inhabitants call Tchoum-coev••, the Middle Kingdom, because they formerly thought themselves seated in the midst of the World, is divided into fifteen very large Provinces. Quamtom, Fokien, Chekiam, Nankin, Chanton and Pecheley lye along the Eastern Ocean; from South to North. And from North to South on the Western side, are extended Chansi, Chensi, Sout-ch••••••en, Yunnan and Ko••ansi, and then Kouei-tchéou, Kiansi, Houguam and Honan, are locked in by the other eleven, and form the midst of the Em∣pire, which a Channel divides from Iapan and the

Island Formosa, and a very long wall from Tartary.

Here, My Lord, I must beg your Patience awhile, to give you an exact account of its Situation, and put you in mind of two considerable Faults Geographers are guilty of. The first is, that they have misplaced the whole Province Leanton within the Wall, whereas it is undoubtedly without, tho' it ever made part of the Chineze Dominions. This is Matter of Fact, and whoever questions it needs but to take a Journey thi∣ther, as we did, to be convinced. The second is, that they place the whole Empire five hundred Leagues more Eastward than it really is; this is not so palpable a mistake as the last, but is by our Obser∣vations clearly demonstrable; so that China is much nearer Europe then had always been thought.

Could succeeding Observators but bring it each Journey so many Leagues nearer, our Voyages would soon be shortned, and those who are so fond of see∣ing unknown Countries, might with ease satisfie their Desires; but the mischief is that it is out of their power; and I dare say, our Observations and those of the Royal Academy of Sciences, will scarce be out-done; unless M^r V— who has so much in∣veighed against our Manner of Proceeding herein, gives himself that trouble; then indeed I should not despair (did he give us a Map of his Travels) of seeing China beyond Iapan, or Iapan near Mexico.

Besides these two Essential Blunders, they have failed in the Situation of each several City; but a more particular Account would be too tedious to in∣sert here, and may besides be expected from Father Gouye a Mathematician of our King's Colledge, with whom I have lest our Geographical Observations, which he will shortly produce to the World. How∣ever, my Lord, be pleased that I give you the true Extent of the Empire. From the City of Canton, which we place a little above the 23 Degree to Pekin

which lyes in the 40th, there are from North t•• South 17 Degrees. But we may reckon 18, be∣cause beyond Pekin and Canton to the outmost Bounds is 20 Leagues more: These 18 Degrees amount to 450 Common Leagues, and are the entire Length of that Country. Its Extent from East to West, is little less; so that on the whole, China, which is almost of a Circular Figure, is very near Fourteen hundred Leagues in Circuit. This Account, My Lord, I can warrant to be just, and grounded on very exact Re∣marks.

You see, My Lord, that I have left out the Islands Formosa, Haynan, and others of less Note, (which of themselves would make a very great Kingdom) as also all the Province Leauton, because it is with∣out the Wall. As for the Corea, Tunquin, and Siam, they depend indeed on China so far, as that they pay a Tribute to that Crown, and that their Kings, at their admission, are Confirmed by its Emperor; but they are separate Kingdoms, and differ much from that of China, which whether in respect of the Pro∣duct and Fertility of its Soil, or the Beauty and Num∣ber of its Cities, the Wit, Politeness, Religion or Manners of its Inhabitants, is quite another thing. The Chineze know it, and are so proud of it, that they call all the rest Barbarous Nations, taking great care in their Marriages not to match with them, or any of the other Indians, and fearing nothing more then that their mean Blood should run in a Noble Chineze's Veins.

I also omitted a great part of Tartary which be∣longs to this State, to the great increase of its Pow∣er, for the Tartars are Valiant, and withal Men of Sence; and besides, tho' Tartary be full of Woods and Sandy Desarts, yet it is not wholly unfruitful; those sine Furs of which they rob their Zibelines, Foxes, and Tigers, a great diversity of Simples useful in Phy∣sick,

and the fine Horses which come from thence, are Commodities China could not be without. Yet tho' they reap so great a Profit by it, it cannot be i∣magined what a Vexation it is to them to be so strict∣ly united and mixt with that Nation; and one must be well acquainted with the Excess of their Vanity, and of the Conceit they have of their Grandeur, to know how grievously the Tartarian Conquest has humbled them. I question not, My Lord, but you have heard of it, but perhaps have not had the lei∣sure of inquiring into Particulars, and therefore a short Account of that great Revolution may not be unwelcome.

One of the Petty Kings of the Eastern Tartary (for there are not afew) whose Subjects called Mouant∣chéou, had settled a Trade near the Long Wall, ha∣ving complained at Pekin of some Knaveries commit∣ted by the Chin••se Merchants, and having received no Satisfaction, resolved to right himself, and entered the Province of Leauton with a numerous Army. The Emperor presently sent some part of his Forces to op∣pose him, and the War continued some time, with equal advantage. But one LI a Chineze took that Opportunity to hatch a Rebellion in the Provinces which were most remote from Court. Great num∣bers of Malecontents flocked about him, who having made themselves Masters of the greatest Cities, like a Torrent overflowed the whole Country, driving all down before them.

The Sacred Majesty of their Emperor could not save Pekin from their Fury, the Rebel who knew the best Forces were drawn out of it, marched directly to attack it. There was indeed a Garrison of Seven∣ty thousand Men, but most gain'd upon by the pra∣ctises of Li's Emissaries; so that while some with a pretended Zeal perswaded the Prince to remain in his Palace, others open'd the City Gates to the Trai∣tor,

who solemnized his Entry by a Cruel Slaughter. The unfortunate Monarch finding himself betrayed, would have marched out against him with Six hun∣dred Guards who still remained with him, but at the mentioning of this Heroick Proposal their Hearts failed 'em, and they ungenerously abandoned him. Then knowing no greater Evil then that of falling quick into the Hands of his Enemies, he retired in∣to a Garden with an only Daughter he had, and ha∣ving wrote with his Blood these words on the bor∣dure of his Vest, My Subjects have basely forsaken me, spend thy Rage on my Body, but spare my People. He first stabb'd the Princess, whose Tears must needs have rent a Heart of Flint, and then hang'd himself on a Tree; more Unjust to his Daughter, and Cruel to Himself, then could have been the most barbarous Foe.

The Emperor being dead, all bowed to the Usur∣per except Ousanguey, (whom the late Prince had in∣trusted with the Command of the Forces he had sent against the Tartars,) who never would acknowledge him, and chose rather to pull down his Tyranny then ignobly to accept of a share in it. The new Mo∣narch having in vain bes••eged him in the Province Leauton, to engage him to Surrender himself, shewed him his Father loaded with Irons, protesting he would put him to Death in his sight, if he did not immedi∣ately submit. But that generous Lord more Faith∣ful to the Memory of his deceased Prince then ten∣der of his Father's Life, suffered the Duty of a Sub∣ject to prevail over of that of a Son, and seeing that Blood spilt of which his once was Part, resolved to dye or revenge at once his Fathers and his Emperor's Death. He made his Peace with the Tartar, who ha∣ving joyn'd him, no sooner enabled him to Cope with his Enemy, but he marched against him. But the Tyrant, whose Cowardize was even greater then

his Cruelty, durst not appear against those two Ar∣mies. He fled to Pekin, where having burned the Palace, and all that had not perished at his first En∣try, he retired into the Province of Chensi, loaded with the Spoil of the Empire and the Curse of all. He was pursued, but in vain, for he met with so pri∣vate a Retirement, that all the Art of Man could ne∣ver find him out.

In the mean while the Tartars entered Pekin, and so imposed upon the poor Chineze, that of themselves they, begged their new Guests to take care of their di∣stressed State. The others too Cunning not to im∣prove so favourable a Hint, whether by Force or Po∣licy, are since grown absolute Masters of it. And here it is hard to determine which is most to be wondred at, the Courage and Conduct of that Nation, which gave them Success in so Noble an Enterprize, or the Supineness or ill Management of the Chineze, who thus basely submitted to a People so inconsiderable for their Number, that they would have been asha∣med not long before to own them for their Subjects. So true it is we ought not to look on any thing as be∣neath us, since all Temporal Grandeur is subject to Change, and that nothing is Constant in this World but Inconstancy.

The Tartarian King Tsouté had not the leisure to enjoy his Conquest; scarce had he taken Possession but he died, leaving the Administration of the Go∣vernment, and Care of his Son, who was then but Six years old, to his Brother. This Brother of his, named AMAVAN, conquered all the Provinces which had not yet submitted; a Prince deservedly admired, not only for his Valour and Conduct, ever attended with Success, but also for his Fidelity and Moderation. For the young Prince being come to Age, he discharged his Trust, and took as much Care to secure him in the Empire, as he had done to Conquer it for him.

This Union of the two Nations has made one Em∣pire of a prodigious Extent, for tho' all Tartary does not belong to China, yet most is Tributary to it. In∣somuch that the great and mighty CHAM, to whom the Chineze themselves paid Tribute, is dwind∣led away to nothing. But I do not wonder how we in Europe could be misinformed in this Point, since Monsieur Constance himself, who so frequently con∣versed with them, knew no better. I know not up∣on what Reports he had credulously taken up a Re∣port that Tartary obeyed one sole Emperor, from whom the Chineze defended themselves only by Pre∣sents and Money. This will make me take more care for the future how I credit Relations which are grounded on Common Fame.

Since the Peace between Russia and China, it is ea∣sie to give the true length of the whole Empire, for on that occasion the Bounds were fixed by Consent to the 55th Degree, the rest of the Land stretching from North to East remaining still undecided by that Trea∣ty. So from the most Southerly Point of Haynan to the utmost Limits of that part of Tartary which be∣longs to the Emperor of China, may be reckon'd a∣bove 900 Leagues. Those Lands are not alike fruit∣ful, but all may yield Religion a plentiful Harvest, and were all the Missionaries in the World employ'd in so vast a Field, it would yet want for Rea∣pers.

We were well informed at Nimpo of the Good we could do there, and were ready to take a Spiritual Possession of the Promised Land, when we had in∣telligence that the Viceroy•• of that Province, was much offended at our having been suffered to Land, and was resolved to send us back to the Indies. He wrote indeed a sharp Reprimand to the Governor of Nimpo, and at the same time an Account of what had passed to the Grand Tribunal of Pekin, which is

entrusted with the Care of Foreign of Affairs, and ever was averse to the Christian Religion. He did it so partially, that tho' he was well acquainted with our Design, he represented us as five Europeans, who for some Private Ends designed to settle there, in op∣position to the Fundamental Laws of the Realm; so that the Court decreed we should be banished, and, according to Custom, presented an Order to that Effect, to the Emperor, for his Signature.

Had this Order been confirmed, we had been un∣done, and ten to one but the Mandarines at Nimpo had been so too, for treating us so favourably. The Viceroy, who bore as great a Love to our Money as he did Hatred to our Belief, would have seized our Bales, and as a Punishment on the Captain of our Ship, Confiscated his Merchandizes, and ordered him forthwith to be gone, and take us along with him; so that this Man, whose Ruin we should have occasioned, would certainly have thrown us over∣board.

Our Peril was certain, had we not prevented it by our Care in writing, as we were in Duty bound, to Father Intorcetta an Italian Missionary, and Father Gene••al of our Order in those Parts. Father F••nta∣ney had also given Father Verbiest notice of our Arri∣val, desiring him that he would instruct us what we had to do. The Father had all the reason in the World to leave us to our selves, for by taking us un∣der his Protection, he exposed himself to the Anger of the Viceroy of Goa, and the Governor of Macao, from whom he had received Letters, which were nei∣ther conformable to the King of Portugal's Intenti∣ons, nor to Christian Charity. But who could have expected that a Man, ever ready to Sacrifice his Life for the Inside••s Salvation, should have looked uncon∣cernedly on, while his Brethren, who were come from the remotest parts of the Earth to assist him in

his Task, had miserably perished. When he recei∣ved our Letters the Emperor was in Tartary, so that he was forced to write to a Friend at Court, that he would inform his Majesty of our Arrival, and cau∣sed his Letter, by a wilful mistake, to be put into a Pacquet which he knew would be delivered into the Emperor's own Hands. It happened as he desired, the Emperor opened it and read it, so that being well informed of all the Truth, when the Tribunal's Or∣der was delivered to him, he answered, That he would consider of it at Pekin, and remained there a For••night longer a hunting. That Court was sur∣prized at the Delay, it being Customary for the Prince, in three days time, either to Sign or Cancel these kind of Writs. Father Verbiest was no less im∣patient to know the Fate of his Letter and the Em∣peror's Resolutions; and as for us, we endeavoured by our Prayers to obtain His Favour who Rules the Hearts of Kings.

Father Intorcetta, our Superiour, who best knew our ill Circumstances, did by Publick Prayers in his Church at Hamt-chéou, beg God to deliver us out of them; and firmly believing that the Cry of inno∣cent Babes is very prevalent with his Divine Maje∣sty, gathered all the Christian's Children from Six to Ten together into the Church, where lying pro∣strate on the Ground, they unanimously lifted up their harmless Hands to Heaven, saying, * 1.1 Pour out thine Indignation, O Lord, upon the Heathen that have not known thee, and upon the King∣doms that have not called upon thy Name; but defend those who worship thee, and deliver not unto their Ene∣mies thy Servants, who come hither from the Extremities of the World to confess thy Holy Name, and to shew forth thy Praise. These Prayers

were accompanied with the Tears of the whole Con∣gregation, especially with those of Father Intorcetta, who having been so happy as to suffer Chains, Prisons and Banishment for his Saviour's sake, was most fit to obtain the Blessing we begged for.

The Emperor was no sooner returned at Pekin, but Father Verbiest informed him that we were his Brethren, and by our Skill in the Mathematicks, might be useful to his Majesty. To which he an∣swered, If it was so, he saw no Cause why he should Ex∣pel us out of his Dominions. He Summoned his Privy Council, to which the Princes of the Blood are ad∣mitted, and with their Advice and Consent, Decreed we should all be honourably sent for to Court. An Order to that Effect was sent to the Lipou, (the same Tribunal which had presented the Writ against us) and by them transmitted to the Viceroy of Hamt∣chéou: So that by an especial Providence, he who had endeavoured to turn us shamefully out of China, was himself obliged to introduce us, and that with more Advantage, than, had he been our Friend, he could have procured us. His Vexation was the great∣er, because without doing us any Harm, he had run the risque of incurring the Emperor's Displeasure by his false Informations. It was indeed no Little Mor∣tification to him; and it was a Fortnight before he would acquaint us with our good Fortune.

In the mean while the Stay we made at Nimpo gave us an opportunity of improving our Acquaintance with the Mandarines. Some sent us Presents, others invited us to their Houses, and all in general were very kind to us. We indeavoured to make use of this opportunity in converting them from Idolatry, but it is hard for Souls wholly buried in Flesh and Blood, to savour the Things which are of God. However, the Governor of the City made one Step towards it, which gave us great Hopes: It was this.

They had for five Months time been afflicted with a continual Drought, so that their Rivers, and the Channels they cut out into their Land to water it, were now quite dry, and a Famine much appre∣hended. The Priests had offered numberless Sacri∣fices, and the Mandarines left nothing undone which they thought might Appease the Anger of the Gods. They had often asked us what Methods we used in Europe in such Cases; and being answered, that by Humiliation, Penitence, and the Fervency of our Prayers we moved Heaven to Compassion, they hoped by the like Means to procure their Idols Pity; but alas, they called upon Gods that have Ears and can∣not hear: So the Governor tired with Delays, resol∣ved to worship the only God whom all Nature o∣beys. Having understood that in our House we had a pretty handsome Chappel, in which we every day celebrated the Sacred Mysteries of our Religion, he sent to us to know if we would permit him to come in State, and joyn his Prayers with ours. We an∣swered we desired nothing more than that he should worship as we did, and that all the City would fol∣low his Example; and assured him moreover, that if he begged with Faith and Sincerity, he should undoubtedly obtain. We presently went to work to put our Chappel in order, and make all things ready to Solemnize his coming, when to our great surprize his Secretary came to tell us, That his Lord would be with us the next day very early, being ne∣cessitated to meet at Eight the same Morning at a neighbouring Hill, where with some Mandarines he was to offer a Sacrifice to a Dragon. In answer to this unexpected Message, we ordered our Interpreter to wait on him, and make him sensible that the Chri∣stian's God was a Iealous God, who would not allow of his paying to any others the Honours due to Him∣self alone; that his Gods were Statues or Creatures

that had no Power to help themselves nor him; and that we humbly craved him to despise those idle Fan∣cies, fit only to amuse a credulous sensless Mob, but far beneath a Man of his Sence and Merit, and to trust in the Only God of Heaven, whom his Reason alone must convince him to be the True one. I re∣ally believe he was almost perswaded, but he had en∣gaged himself to the Mandarines, and for some world∣ly Respect durst not break his Promise; so he wor∣shipped his Idols, whom, doubtless he had no Faith in, and withdrew from the Only True God, of whose Being he was inwardly convinced.

Then, My Lord, moved with Indignation at their Blindness and the Devils Tyranny, some of us thought of imitating what St. Francis Xavier had done on some like occasion, by erecting a Cross in the City under these Conditions: First that we would prevail with Heaven to grant the Rain they stood in such want of: And secondly, that if we did, they should pull down their Idols, and own That God who should have been so favourable, as to grant them their Request. Our Minds were diffe∣rent, as was our Zeal: Some full of Lively Faith, which the miraculous and continual Support of Pro∣vidence, thro' the several Perils we had encounter'd, had inspired them with, could not question the Suc∣cess of so Bold, but Holy an Undertaking: Others not so Zealous, but perswaded that Prudence ought to be our Guide, where the Inspiration is not Evi∣dent, were of Opinion nothing should be hazarded which failing might Expose our Religion. So we were content to mourn within our selves, and beg of God not that he would give them Rain, but that Celestial Fire which Our Saviour hath brought into the World, and desires all Nations may be inflamed with.

While we were thus busied in promoting the Inte∣rest of our Religion, the Viceroy was no less in thinking how to Execute the Orders he had received from Court. He left our Journey as far as Hamt∣chéou, to the Governor's Care, who provided Boats for us, and commanded an inferiour Mandarine to attend us, that we might lack for nothing. We per∣formed it in five days time, without meeting with a∣ny of those Accidents which Strangers there, are sub∣ject to when they are thought to carry things of va∣lue with them. The Christians at Hamt-chéou were lavish in the Expressions of their Affection to us. They came in Crouds to the River, whence we were carried as in Triumph to their Church, with more Kindness perhaps then Prudence. For they had, un∣known to Father Intorcetta, provided for each of us an Elbow-Chair, borne by four Men, and attended by as many, into which we were obliged to suffer our selves to be set, not knowing what they meant, for our little skill in their Language did not permit us to learn it from themselves. Having locked us in, we were forced to make our Entry as they would have it, which was in this manner. A Musick of ten or twelve Hands with some Trumpets led the Van; next came some Horse and Foot, the former bearing several Standards and Flags, and the latter armed with Launces and Pikes; and next to these four Of∣ficers who supported a large Board varnished with Red, on which these words were written in large Golden Characters, Doctors of the Heavenly Law, sent for to Court. We came in the Rear, surrounded by a throng of Christians, and Gentiles whom the Novel∣ty of the Show had drawn thither. In this mortify∣ing Pomp we went thro' the whole City, being a long League in length, vexed that we had not fore∣seen their Indiscretion, and resolved to reprimand them for it. Father Intorcetta waited for us in the

Church-door, whence he carried us to the Altar. There having nine times bowed our selves to the Ground, and returned Thanks to the Good God, who thro' so many Hazards, had, in spight of our Enemies, brought us to the Promised Land, we re∣turned to the Chief of the Christians. These we desired the Father to acquaint, that we were not un∣thankful of their Love, nor ill satisfied with their Zeal for God's Glory, but that the Splended Manner in which they had received us, was no ways conformable to a Christian's Humility; * 1.2 That the Heathen might, indeed, celebrate their Triumphs with such Earthly Pomps and Mundane Vanities, but that a Christian's Glorying was in the Name of the Lord. These returned no Answer, but all on their Knees implored our Blessing. Their Fervency and a Meek and Devout Look, in which the Chine••e do, when they will, exceed all other Nations, whol∣ly disarmed our Wrath; we wept for Joy and Com∣passion; and I protest, My Lord, that one Moment made us a large amends for all the Troubles we had undergone.

But how great was our Bliss when we were at li∣berty to receive the Caresses of the Father Intorcetta, whom God had made use of to procure our Admit∣tance into that Empire. We already bore him a Ve∣neration due to the Glorious Name of Confessor, which his Imprisonment and Sufferings at Pekin had intitled him to, but his Goodness, Meekness and Cha∣rity, entirely won our Hearts, and made us respect him, as the true Pattern of a Perfect Missionary. The Character we bore of Persons sent for to Court, as Considerable as that of Env••y, obliged us to visit and be visited by the Chief Mandarines. The Viceroy our Enemy was ashamed to see us, which he sent us word, the multitude of Business he had then on his

Hands would not permit: but the General of the Tartars received us with all Civility, and among o∣ther Demonstrations of his Kindness, made us a ve∣ry considerable Present.

However, when we were going, the Viceroy who was affraid least he should be informed against, sent some Chairs to carry us to the Imperial Barge he had provided for us; he order'd some Trumpets and Hautboys to attend us, presented us with ten Pistols, and gave us an especial Order from Court intituled a Cam-bo, in pursuance to which all Places we passed thro' were to find us Boats well man'd while we went by Water, or sixty two or more Porters in case the Frost obliged us to go by Land, and each City to give us about half a Pistol, the same being allowed to the Chief Mandarines, who are reputed to have their Charges born by the Emperor, tho' this will not amount to the tenth part of their Expence. Be∣sides he order'd a Mandarine to accompany us, and see all due respect was paid us. We would gladly have avoided it, but were forced to go thro' what we undesignedly had engaged in.

The Barge we were on Board was a Second Rate, containing in Breadth sixteen feet, and in Length se∣venty, and proportionable in Heighth. Besides the Cook-room, the Master and his Family's (for they have no other Dwelling) Apartment, that of his Crew, and another for our Men, there was a pretty large Parlour where we dined, and three Rooms in which six Persons might lye at ease, all which were Vernished, Gilt and Painted. Now for the manner of our Travelling. As soon as Anchor was weighed, the Trumpets and Hautboys founded a March, then they took their Leave with a kind of Chest wherein were three Iron Barrels. which made a greater Re∣port than so many Muskets, they were discharged one after another, and between each the Musick

founded, and so continued playing for some time. Whenever we met a Mandarine's Barge, or some Town in our way, the same thing was repeated; as also when Night or a contrary Wind obliged us to come to an Anchor. This to a Mandarine had not only been a great Honour, but a very entertaining Con∣sort: As for us, we thought it a very inharmonious one, whose tediousness made us pay dear for our Honour.

We had besides a Watch every Night to guard us, the manner of which was this: About Eight at Night, ten or twelve Inhabitants of the Town nearest to the place we anchored in, appeared in one Row on the Shoar, then the Master came upon the Deck, and thence made them a fair Speech, concerning the Ob∣ligations they lay under of preserving all that be∣longed to the Emperor, and watching for the Man∣darines Safety, who themselves did so for that of the State. Then he descended into Particulars of all the Accidents they were liable to, Fire, Thieves, and Storms, exhorting them to be Vigilant, and telling them they were responsible for all the Mischief which might happen. They answered each Paragraph with a Shout, and then retired as a form to Corps de Garde, only one Centry was left there, who continually struck two Sticks one against another, and was hour∣ly relieved by others, which made the same Noise, that we might know they did not fall asleep, which we would gladly have permitted them to do, on con∣dition we might have done so our selves. But this is the Custom when any Mandarine travels by Water.

How teazing soever all these Ceremonies might be, I must confess that I never met with any way of Travelling less tiresome than this; for after Thirteen days Voyage we arriv'd at Yamt-chéou on Ianuary the 3d, as fresh as if we had not stirr'd out of our House. There we found Father Aleonisa a Franciscan, Pro∣Vicar to the Bishop of Basilea, and Father Galiani a

Jesuit, who were come thus far to meet us; the one from the Bishop to proffer us that Prelate's Assistance, and the other by his Credit and Experience, to make the rest of our Journey as easie as he could. Both knew we had Letters of Commendation from the King, and were willing to shew us all the Respect due to those who are under his Majesty's Protection. This was not the only Civility we received from them, but they have since obliged us so highly, that we never can enough express our Gratitude.

Here the Frost forced us to leave the Great Canal, and we had Horses found us for our Men, and Por∣ters for our Goods. As for our selves, the great Cold and Snow, which we were unaccustomed to, made us choose to go in Litters, some of our Horse-men ri∣ding about us that we might be the more Secure. We shifted our Porters at each City or pretty big Town; and what may be wonder'd at is, that we could get above a hundred, with as much speed and ease, as in France we might five or six. The Cold in∣creased hourly, and became at last so violent, that we found the River Hoambo, one of the greatest in China, almost frozen over; a whole Day was spent in breaking the Ice, and we passed not without much Trouble and Danger. We left Nimpo on the 27th of November 1687. and arriv'd at Pekin the 8th of February following; but we rested so often by the way, that indeed we had not spent above a Month and an half in our Journey.

These Honours paid us by so potent a Prince, and the good Success of so long and perillous a Voyage, together with a prospect of the Benefit our Religion might reap by it, would have occasioned in us a well∣grounded Mirth, had not our Thoughts been cruelly diverted from it. Scarce were we in sight of Pekin, but we received the most afflicting News of Father Verbiest's Death. It struck us with an Astonishment

which lessened but to make our Grief more sensible. He it was who had procured our Admittance into China; who besides, in delivering us from the Vice∣roy of Hamt-chéou, had saved our Lives, and which we looked on as a greater Kindness, was ready to as∣sist us with his Credit, in the Designs we had to pro∣mote God's Glory and the Interest of our Holy Faith.

We were not the only Loosers by his Death, but I dare say that every Body mist him; To his Care, Zeal and Prudence, was owing the Restauration of the Christian Religion, which had been almost ruined by the late Persecutions: He encouraged the Old Christians Constancy, and supported the Weakness of the New, by taking them under his especial Pro∣tection; His Recommendation gained our Missiona∣ries, Respect; He had saved Macao, of which the Tartars had entertained some Jealousies; and the State it self, to which he had rendred considerable Services, was not a little beholding to him; so that the Eu∣ropeans, the Chinese, and the Emperor himself did e∣qually look on him as their Father. This Great Man, so much respected in the East, deserved, My Lord, that you should take Notice of him, and in pursuance to my Design, which was in this Let∣ter to give you an Account of our Journey from Si∣am to the chief Town of China, I could not end with a Subject that might better challenge your Attention. I am with all Respect,

My Lord,

Hour Honours most humble and obedient Servant L. J.

LETTER II. To her Highness the Dutchess of NEMOURS.

The Manner of our Reception by the Em∣peror, and what we observed at Pekin.

MADAM,

NONE but a Lady of an unbounded Genius and an unlimited Zeal, could, as you do, concern her self in what passes at so great a Distance. The Curiosities of Europe were too few for your vast Mind, which would be a Stranger to nothing that might Inform or Edifie it, and I may without Flattery say, that the East has no Secrets you have not pried into, nor any Rarities you are unac∣quainted with.

I have my self learned from your Highness several things unknown to most Travellers, and having been as far as the World reaches, must confess that your Knowledge has travelled farther yet than me.

What then, Madam, can I tell you of China more than you already have discover'd, unless it be some Particulars of my Voyage, which, being the latest any European has made thither, cannot want the Charms of Novelty? It being my Duty to give a a Great States-man an Account of it, I make bold

to send your Highness the Letter I wrote to him some days since; and what I now add, shall at once be a Continuation of it, and a Token of the Respect I bear you, and the Readiness I shall ever be in, to o∣bey your Highness's Commands.

On our Arrival at Pekin, we found the Court in Mourning for the Empress Dowager: The Courts of Justice were shut up, and the Emperor gave no Audience. But the 27 Days being spent, during which the Laws obliged him to remain Solitary, he sent one of his Officers to our House, to see how we did, and put some Questions to us. The Mes∣sage was very obliging, and besides a thousand o∣ther Civilities, we were told the Emperor would be no less kind to us than he had been to the Fa∣thers at his Court, since we were all of the same Society.

The Gentleman told us his Imperial Majesty would gladly know what the French Court thought of his Progress into Tartary, and the Defeat of Ousan∣guay, (who was a Chinese Rebel that had given him no small Trouble). He asked us in what Perfection Learning was in Europe, whether any new Inventi∣on had lately made been, or any considerable Dis∣covery. Then he spoke much of the Honours the Emperor designed to pay to the Memory of Father Verbiest, for whom his Majesty had a particular af∣fection. That Name, Madam, cannot be un∣known to you, and you are too much concern'd, in what relates to the Eastern Church, to be ig∣norant of her Loss in that Illustrious Missonary's Death.

We all replyed that we gratefully acknowledged the Emperor's Bounty, but that among the Ceremo∣nies with which the Chinese used to express their Re∣spect for their deceased Friends, there were some which seemed to disagree with the Sanctity of our

Religion. How! answered he, Do you oppose the ••mperor's Will? To this a Father returned, My Lord, Our Lives are the Emperor's, he may take them away when he pleases, but nothing in the World is able to make us alt••r the least tittle of our Belief. My Orders, said he, are not to dispute it with you, but to ask you for the Petition, which, according to Custom, you are to present to him upon this Occasion. The Emperor, by an unpresidented Goodness, would gladly peruse and correct it himself, if it should need any amendment: but he commands you to keep this Favour secret.

All that is presented to the Emperor, ought to be indited in Terms so nicely conformable to the Laws and Customs of the Country, to his Quality who speaks, and to the Business he treats of, that the Penning of it is no little trouble, especially for a Stranger. An improper Expression, a Word, nay a Letter misplaced, is sufficient to undo a Manda∣rine, and several have lost their Places for being Guilty of the like Faults, whether thro' Inadverten∣cy or Ignorance. The Emperor, well skill'd in all these Formalities, questioned our Capacity in that respect, and would trust no body but himself; so that by an incredible Goodness he took the pains to compose it, that it might stand the most Critical Ex∣amination.

Some days after the same Gentleman came with several new Queries. He inquired particularly into the Motives of the late Dutch War, and into the famous Passage of the R••ine. For in truth, said he, what has been told the Emperor is not to be be∣lieved. Perhaps the River is neither so broad, so deep, nor so rapid as is reported; and that as for the Dutch▪ they had some private Reasons not to oppose your King's Conquests with more vigour.

Then, Madam, did we wish for a more perfect Knowledge of his Language, that we might repre∣sent to him the Great Soul, the Good Fortune, and the unshaken Valour of Lewis the Great, to whose Soldiers nothing is impossible while they fight in his View, and are animated by his Example. The Father, who was our Interpreter, told him however as much as would perswade him, that none but such a Hero could frame and carry on the like Enter∣prises: He was astonished at our Recital of them, and rose immediately to go and report it to his Prince.

As he was going out he turned to us, saying, Gentlemen, All I have heard is indeed wonderful, but what my Eyes behold seems no less surprising: Who could think that these Fathers who have dwelt here so long, who are of a different Nation, and never saw you before, should look on you as their Brethren; that you should treat them like yours, and that you should be as kind to each other, as if you had been acquainted all your Lives. I really am extreamly taken with this Charity, and can no longer doubt the truth of what you profess. So open a Confession might give us some hopes that He was not far from the Kingdom of God: It is true he believed, but alas, of what use is that Be∣lief, when we have not the Courage to Act accord∣ingly, but to inhance our Guilt?

If we had come thither Incognito the Mandarines would have had nothing to say to us; but it be∣ing in pursuance of an Order from the Lipon, which, as I have already hinted, is one of the most noted Courts of Justice in the Empire, the Viceroy of the Province we came from remitted us into their Hands, and we were, according to Custom, to be delivered up by them to their Sovereign. So as soon as the Mourning ended, and they had leave to sit, we were Summon'd before them, with Or∣ders

to carry thither all our Mathematical Machines and Instruments, of which they already had an In∣ventory.

The Emperor, who would not have us do any thing without his Advice, was acquainted with it, and sent us word it was not fitting we should shew our Instruments, and that we might, if we thought fit, decline making a Personal Appearance. We went thither however, being several times invited in a most obliging manner, and not judging it con∣venient by a blunt Refusal to offend so considerable a Body, which besides was our Judge, and already but too great an Enemy to our Religion.

Some Mandarines deputed by their President to that effect, made us a very Civil Reception: They desired us to sit down, and presented us some Tea before they had drunk any themselves; a Respect they do not pay even to Ambassadours, as Father Pereira, a Portuguese, assured us, who had been pre∣sent at an Audience they had lately given to those of Portugal.

This Visit was indeed but for Form's sake, to the end they might inform the Emperor of our being safely arrived to Town, according to his Majesty's Commands. So that after some Complements on each side, we were desired to attend the next day at the Palace, when they would discharge us.

We went thither accordingly at the appointed time, and having staid during some hours in a large Court, where the Mandarines usually wait who have any business there; their P••esident, or Chief Justice, b••ought us the Answer to an Address he had according ••o Custom presented on ••ur Account. This Answer was written on a sm••ll varnished B••••rd, wrapped up in a piece of yellow Taffety: The Contents were, That we might use ••ur Instru∣ments, and settle in what part of the Empire we pleased,

according to the first Orders from Court, when we were sent for thither. And that in the mean while, the Lipou might deliver us up to the other Fathers, who were to in∣troduce us into the Emperor's Presence, when his Majesty should think fit.

Yet that Prince's Intentions were not that we should leave Pekin; but on the contrary, he would have kept us all there, and lodg'd us in his Palace. He had expressed himself so clearly on that Point, that we had need of all the Interest and Dexterity of Father Pereira, to divert the Storm. That Father, who was then Superiour of all the Missionary's, moved with Compassion at so many Vineyards being ruined for want of Husbandmen, judged we might be more useful in the Country. He knew besides what an aversion we had to a Courtier's Life, which our continual Complaints against it could not let him be ignorant of. These and several other Rea∣sons induced him to intreat the Emperor that he would not oppose it, and his Zeal inspired him with such effectual Methods, that the good Prince at last consented: But, said he, it shall be on conditi∣on we divide the Spoil; ••••le take two at your choice, and you shall dispose of the other three; What can you say a∣gainst this, I quit you the better half?

We had not yet had the Honour to attend his Im∣perial Majesty, for the Formalities I last mentioned were to precede our Audience: But the Lipou had scarce delivered up their Charge, when two Eu∣nuchs came to the Colledge, to warn the Superi∣our that he should attend with his Brethren in a Court of the Palace which was appointed. We were instructed in the Ceremonies usual on such Occasions, which was done with little Trouble, being already half lickt into a Chinese form.

First then, We were carried in Chairs to the first Gate, whence we went on foot thro' eight Courts of a prodigious length, built round with Lodgings different in Architecture, but all very ordinary, ex∣cept those large square Buildings over the Arches thro' which we passed from one Court to another. Those indeed were stately, being of an extraordina∣ry thickness, and proportionable in breadth and heighth, and built with fair white Marble, but which was worn rough thro' age. Thro' one of these Courts ran a small Rivulet, over which were laid several little Bridges of the same Marble, but of a whiter Colour and better Workmanship.

It were hard, Madam, to descend into Particulars, and give you a pleasing Description of that Palace, because its Beauty does not consist so much in being composed of several curious Pieces of Architecture, as in a prodigious quantity of Buildings, and an in∣finite number of adjoyning Courts and Gardens which are all regularly disposed, and in the whole make up a Palace really Great and Worthy of the Monarch who inhabits it.

The only thing which surprised me, and seemed singular in its kind, is the Emperor's Throne. The best Description of it, which my Memory will af∣ford me, is this: In the midst of one of those great Courts stands a square Basis or solid Building of an extraordinay bigness, whose top is adorned with a Balustrade, much after our fashion; this supports a∣nother like unto it, but framed Taper-wise, over which are placed three more, still loosing in bulk as they gain in heighth. Upon the uppermost is built a large Hall, whose Roof being covered with gilt Tiles, is borne by the four Walls, and as many rows of varnished Pillars, between which is seated the Throne.

[illustration]

The Throne of the Emperour of China▪ Scituated, in the Middle of the Greatest Court of his Pallace •• and raised vpon five bases of White Marble.

[illustration]

These vast Bases, with their Balustrades made of white Marble, and thus disposed Amphitheater-wise, which when the Sun shines seem covered with a Pa∣lace glistering with Gold and Varnish, make, indeed, a glorious show, considering too, that they are thus placed in the midst of a spacious Court, and sur∣rounded by four stately rows of Building: So that were its Beauty inhanced by the Ornaments of our Modern Architecture, and by that Noble Simplicity which is so much valued in our Buildings, it would doubtless be as magnificent a Throne as ever was rais∣ed by Art.

After a quarter of an hours walk, we at length came to the Emperor's Apartment. The Entrance was not very splendid, but the Anti-Chamber was adorned with Sculptures, Gildings and Marble, whose Neatness and Workmanship were more va∣luable than the Richness of the Stuff. As for the Presence Chamber, the second Mourning not being over, it was still disrobed of all its Ornaments, and could boast of none but the Sovereign's Person, who sate after the Tartar's Custom on a Table or Sopha raised three Feet from the Ground, and covered with a plain white Carpet, which took up the whole breadth of the Room. There lay by him some Books, Ink and Pencils; he was cloathed with a black Satin Vest furred with Sable; and a row of young Eunuchs plainly habited, and unarmed, stood on each Hand close legged, and with their Arms ex∣tended downwards along their sides; which is looked upon there as the most respectful Posture.

In that State, the most modest that even a Private Man could have appeared in, did he chuse to be seen by us, desiring we should observe his Dutifulness to the Empress his departed Mother, and the Grief he conceived at her Death, rather than the State and Grandeur he is usually attended with.

Being come to the Door, we hastned with no little speed (for such is the Custom) till we came to an end of the Chamber opposite to the Emperor. Then all abreast we stood a moment in the same Posture the Eunuchs were in.

Next we fell on our Knees, and having joyned our Hands, and lifted them up to our Heads, so that our Arms and Elbows were at the same heighth, we bowed thrice to the Ground, and then stood again as before: The same Prostration was repeated a second time, and again a third, when we were or∣dered to come forward, and kneel before his Ma∣jesty.

The Good-natur'd Prince, whose Mildness I can∣not enough admire, having enquired of us of the Grandeur and present State of France, the Length and Dangers of our Voyage, and the Manner of our Treatment by the Mandarines; Well, said he, see if I can add any new Favour to those I have already con∣ferred upon you. Is there any thing you would desire of me? you may freely ask it. We returned him humble Thanks, and begged he would permit us, as a Token of our sincere Gratitude, to lift up each day of our Lives our Hands to Heaven, to procure to his Royal Person, and to his Empire, the Blessing of the True God, who alone can make Princes really happy.

He seemed well satisfied with our Answer, and permitted us to withdraw, which is performed with∣out any Ceremony. The great Respect and Dread which the Presence of the most Potent Monarch in Asia inspired us with, did not yet awe us so far, but that we took a full view of his Person. Indeed, least our too great Freedom herein should prove a Crime, (for in what concerns the Emperor of Chi∣na, the least Mistake is such,) we had first obtained his Leave.

He was something above the middle Stature, more Corpulent than an European Beau, yet somewhat more Slender than a Chinese would wish to be; full Visaged, Dis••igured with the Small Pox, had a broad Forehead, little Eyes, and a small Nose after the Chi∣nese fashion; his Mouth was well made, and the lower part of his Face very agreeable. In fine, tho' he bears no great Majesty in his Looks, yet they shew abundance of Good Nature, and his Ways and Action have something of the Prince in them, and shew him to be such.

From his Apartment we went into another, where a Mandarine treated us with Tea, and presented us as from the Emperor, with about a hundred Pistols. The Gift seemed but Mean, considering whom it came from, but was very Considerable in respect to the Custom of China, where it is the Maxim of all Great Persons to take as much, and give as little as they can. On the other hand he loaded us with Ho∣nours, and ordered one of his Officers to wait on us to our House.

I confess, Madam, that a Man must be wholly in∣sensible to all the Concerns of this World, not to be moved with a secret Complacency, at the having such Respect paid him by one of the mightiest Prin∣ces in the World. But one must not judge of us on that account, by what is usual with the Men of this World in the like Occasions.

The truest Cause of the Pleasure we receive from the Favour of Princes, is Self-Interest. It is well known that their Caresses are ever beneficial, and a Courtier would never be so over-joyful at a kind Look or Expression from his King, if he did not expect some more solid Bounties would follow: But as for us, whom our Vows and Missions forbid to have such hopes, we look unconcernedly on all this World, and especially that Part of it, can do to elevate us.

It is true, God is sometimes well pleased to see Religion respected in the Persons of his Ministers: That he often uses those Methods to strengthen the Faith of New Converts, who need such Natural Supports to fortifie them against Trials and Tempta∣tions; and that it breeds even in the Gentiles a Disposition to embrace Christianity. These Thoughts indeed made us take more Delight in those Tokens of the Emperor's Favour, or to speak more properly, made us find them less disagreeable.

Your Highness is, perhaps, astonished to see the Sovereign of an Idolatrous Nation, so openly coun∣tenance our Religion, and would gladly know what Motives had induced him to it. His Kindness for such Strangers as we, proceeds, doubtless, from the great Esteem he has long since had for the Missiona∣ries at Pekin. Besides the Commendation of their Learning, he has always found them Sincere, Honest, very Zealous and Affectionate to him, ever ready to obey his Will, where their Faith did not forbid them, Harmless to a Degree, he never could give over admi∣ring, and ever desirous to proclaim the True God.

He is above all so well perswaded that this is the sole End of all their Enterprises, that he takes a se∣cret Delight in contributing to the Propagation of the Faith, thinking he can no other way better Re∣compense these Fathers earnestness in his Service.

And so Father Verbiest, on his Death-Bed wrote a Letter to him, in part of which he thus expressed himself; Dread Sir, I die contented, in that I have spent almost all my Life in your Majesties Service; But I beg your Majesty will be pleased to remember when I am dead, that my Only Aim, in what I did, was, to gain in the greatest Monarch of the East, a Protector to the most Holy Religion of the World.

Perhaps, Madam, you may have seen certain Li∣bels, (for I know not what to call them else) which represent our Society as a sort of Men possessed with Avarice and Ambition, who undertake these Long and Painful Travels, only to enrich themselves by a Sacrilegious and Scandalous Traffick. Your High∣ness might have expected that Calumny, (the inse∣parable Companion of a Spirit of Sedition and He∣resie) not satisfied with Persecuting our Religion in Europe, should come even to the utmost Parts of the World, to slander those who endeavour to settle it there, as pure as we received it from our Forefathers; and you will not be sorry to hear, how That very Ido∣latry which we destroy, cannot forbear witnessing our good Intentions, and that if China saw what Pi∣ctures are drawn here of her Missionaries, she would hardly know them. But it is not before your High∣ness they need an Advocate.

Among the several things which happened then at Pekin, nothing was more Doleful, and at once more Honourable to us, than the Funeral of Father Ver∣beist, which his Imperial Majesty had ordered to be put off till the last Devoirs had been paid the Em∣press Dowager. Father Thomas a Jesuit, has descri∣bed this Ceremony at large. I dare hope an Extract of what he has wrote will not be unwelcome to you both because it will give you some insight into their Customs on the like Occasions, and that you will thereby grow better acquainted with a Man whom his Merit has made known to all the World. Be pleas∣ed then to accept of it as follows.

It seemed good to Divine Wisdom, to take to himself from this Mortal Life, Father Ferd••nando Ver∣biest, a Fleming, and to bestow on him the Recom∣pence of Saints. Our Missionaries Affliction may not easily be expressed, but much harder would it be

to reckon by how many Exemplary Vertues, and Considerable Services he has merited their Esteem and Gratitude.

Besides several other good Qualities, the Greatness of his Soul is particularly to be admired, which has never failed him in the most Cruel Persecutions, so that he was ever Triumphant over the Enemies of the Faith. The Survey of the Mathematicks was at first proffered him, which Dignity he accepted of, in hopes it would enable him to set on foot our Missions, which were then wholly laid aside.

He did, indeed, obtain a Toleration for Evange∣lical Pastours, who after a long Banishment had their Churches restored them. He sti••••ed some Per∣secutions in their Birth, and others he prevented, which threatned the tender Flocks. The Mandarines no sooner knew him, but they had a Respect for him, and the Emperor entertained so Good an O∣pinion of his Capacity, that he kept him above a quarter of a Year near his Person, and during that time, spent three or four hours every day with him in private, discoursing of several Sciences, especially Mathematicks.

In these Conversations, our Zealous Missionary endeavoured to bring him into a Liking of our Re∣ligion: He would explain to him its most stupen∣dious Mysteries, and made him observe its Holiness, its Truth, and Necessity; insomuch that the Empe∣ror, struck with his powerful Arguments, often own∣ed that he believed a God: He assured him of it by a Writing under his Majesty's own Hand, wherein he said among other things, That all the Religions of hi•• Empire seemed to him Vain and Superstitious, that the Idols were nothing, and that he foresaw Christianity would one day be built on their Ruins. A Chinese Doctor having in one of his Books taken the liberty to place the Emperor's Religion among the several Heresies

China was infected with; the Emperor upon the Fa∣ther's Complaint, struck out those Lines himself, telling him all the Empire should know what he had done.

Father Verbiest's Interest was such, that at his In∣stigation the old Instruments which stood on the Platform of the Observatory were pulled down, to make room for new ones of his Contriving. He gave Directions for the casting of Brass-Guns, which saved the States from Ruin. He applyed himself to several other Works, to serve the Publick, or satisfie the Emperor's Curiosity; and one may say, that on this last account, he has searched into the most rare and and ingenious Inventions, that Arts and Scien∣ces have ever offered us.

The whole Court looked upon him as the Wisest man of his Age, but, above all, was charmed with his Modesty. It is true, no Man ever was more Mild and Tractable than he; humbling himself be∣fore every one, while every one strove to Exalt him; Insensible to all the Things of this World, except where Religion was concerned; for then he was no more the same Man, and as tho' he had been anima∣ted by a new Spirit, his Looks, his Words, his Acti∣ons, all were Great, and becoming a Christian He∣ro. The very Emperor dreaded him at such times, and was not easily perswaded to admit him into his Presence; He will fly out, would he say, into some un∣decency, which I must be forced, tho' unwillingly, to re∣sent.

This holy Boldness proceeded from a lively Faith, and a great Confidence in God. He despaired of nothing, though humanly impossible; and would often say, We must never forget two of the Chief Max∣ims of Christian Morality: First, That let our Projects be never so well laid, they will certainly fall, if God leaves us to our own Wisdom. Secondly, That it were in vain

the whole Universe should arm it self to destroy the Work of God; nothing is Powerful against the Almighty, and every thing Prospe••s that Heaven approves of. So he never entered on any Enterprise without imploring its help, tho' however he left no Means untried that Reason and Christian Prudence offered him.

Thus did his Zeal each day increase in Strength and Purity: The Establishment of our Faith whol∣ly employed his Thoughts, and whatever Occupati∣on else he was put upon, proved a Torment to him. He avoided all idle Visits and Conversations, and could not endure to see People study only for Cu∣riosities sake: He never so much as read the News that came from Europe, which at such a Distance we are usually so greedy of; only he would hear the Chief Heads, provided you would speak them in a few words. He would spend whole Days and Nights in writing Letters of Consolation, Instruction or Re∣commendation for the Missionaries; in composing di∣vers Works for the Emperor or Chief Lords at his Court; and in Compiling the Kalendar, Calculating with an indefatigable Industry, the Motion of the Stars for every Year.

This and the Care of all the Churches, so impaired his Strength, that in spight of the Strength of his Constitution, he fell at last into a kind of Consump∣tion, which yet did not hinder his framing great Designs for the Advancement of his Religion. He had taken such exact Measures for the settling of it in the most remote Parts of China, in the Eastern Tar∣tary, and even in the Kingdom of Kovia; that no∣thing but his Death could have prevented the Execu∣tion of so well contrived a Project.

Let us view him now in Private. At his first Admit∣tance into our Order he was a true Monk, strict in the Performance of its Rules, very observant to his Superiours, and loving Study and Retirement above

all things, which he persisted in, even among the multitude of Business, in the midst of which he would be as Sedate as a Hermit in his Cell.

His Conscience was Nice to Extremity, so that no Man could take more Care than he did to be always ready to make his Appearance before him who can espy Faults even in Saints and Angels. To preserve his Innocence, he never went out without a severe Cilice or an Iron Chain, and used to say, It was a shame for a Jesuit to be clothed in Silks, and in the Livery of the World, and not to wear the Livery of Christ.

His Soul was naturally great, and when others Necessities wanted a Supply, his Charity was bound∣less. But he was hard-hearted to himself, courting Poverty even in Plenty to that degree, that the Em∣peror, who took great Notice of him, often sent him Stuff with express Orders to wear it, and be more Sumptuous in his Apparel. His Bed, Table, and Furniture were indeed too mean for a Mandarine; but he ever preferred his Station in the Church be∣fore that in the State. He has often protested, He would never have accepted of that Office, had he not hoped by seeming to the Gentiles the Head of the Christians, to have thereby born all their Envy, and been the most exposed to their Malice, and the first Sacrificed in case of Persecution.

This Hope made him be satisfied with his Condi∣tion, and his Writings expressed so ardent desire of Dying for Iesus Christ, that nothing but Martyrdom was wanting to his being a Martyr; yet he might in some measure be reckon'd such, since he begged it of God with that Groaning in Spirit, which is a conti∣nual Suffering to those that cannot obtain it, Reckon me, O Lord, did he often cry out, among those who have desired, but never could shed their Blood for thee. I have, indeed, neither their Innocency, their Vertue, nor their Cou∣rage,

but thou may'st apply their Merits to me, and (which will make me much more agreeable in thy sight) thou canst cloath me with thine own. Under that V••••l of thine Infi∣nite Mercy, I dare offer my Life as a Sacrifice to thee. I have been so happy as to Confess thy Holy Name among the People, at Court, before the Tribunals under the weight of Irons, and in the darkness of Prisons, but what will this Confession avail me, unless signed with my Blood?

Being penetrated with these Lofty Thoughts, and already ripened for Heaven, by the Practise of every Christian Vertue, he was seiz'd with a Sickness of which he died. It began with a Faintness and an Univer∣sal Decay of Nature, which grew into a Consumpti∣on. The Emperor's Physicians kept him up some time with the help of Physick, especially Cordials, in which the Chinese have a wonderful Success; but his Fever increasing, Art at length was forced to yield to Nature. He received the Sacraments with a Zeal that charmed all that were present; and when he yielded up the Ghost, they were equally struck with Devotion and Sorrow.

The Emperor, who the day before had lost the Em∣press his Mother, felt a double Grief when he heard the News. He ordered the Burial to be put off till the Court should be out of Deep Mourning; and then he sent two Lords of the highest Quality to pay him on his behalf the same Devoirs which private Men usually pay to their Dead. They kneeled before the Coffin, which was exposed in a Hall, bowed several times, remaining a long while with their Faces to the Ground, and wept and groaned heavily, for that is the Custom. Then after those, and several other Ex∣pressions of their Sorrow, they read aloud his En∣comium which the Emperor himself had composed, and which was to be set up near the Corpse. It runs thus:

We seriously consider within our selves, that Father Fer∣dinando Verbiest, has of his own good will, left Eu∣rope to come into our Dominions, and has spent the greatest part of his Life in our Service; We must say this for him, That during all the time that he took Care of the Mathematicks, his Predictions never failed, but always agreed with the Motions of the Heavens. Besides, far from neglecting our Orders, he has ever approved himself to be Exact, Diligent, Faithful, and Constant in his La∣bour, till he had finished his Work, and ever the same. As soon as We heard of his Sickness, We sent him Our Physician, and when We knew that a dead Sleep had ta∣ken him away from Us, Our Heart was wounded with a lively Grief. We give Two hundred golden Crowns, and some Pieces of Silk, as a Contribution to the Charges of his Funeral: And it is Our Pleasure that this De∣claration bear Witness of the Sincere Affection We bore him.

The prime Mandarines and several Lords at Court followed their Sovereign's Example. Some wrote Speeches in his Praise on large Pieces of Satin, which were hung up in the Hall where the Body lay in State; others sent in Presents, and all mou••ned for his Loss. At length the Day of his Obsequies being agreed upon, which was the 11th of March 1688. every Body was willing to contribute something to∣wards the Ceremony.

The Emperor in the Morning sent his Father-in-law, who is also his Uncle, with one of the Chief Lords of his Court, attended by a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, and five Officers of his House∣hold, to represent his Person; who all began by falling down before the Corpse, and wept a pret∣ty while; during which, all things were disposed for the Procession.

The Colledge is Situated near the South Gate, whence you go to the North Gate by a Street built in a strait Line, about a hundred Foot broad, and a League long, which near the middle is crossed by another exactly like it, one end of which leads to the Western Gate, being within six hundred Paces of our burying place, which the Emperor Vauli had for∣merly bestowed on Father Recin, but had been taken away during the late Persecution, and not restored till now by a special Favour from the present Emperor. Thro' these two Streets the Funeral passed, in the Order I am going to describe.

First was seen a Pageant of about thirty Feet in heighth, varnished over with Red, on which was written in large Golden Characters, the Name, and Ti••les of Father Verbiest. This was, as one may say, the Signal of the ensuing Pomp, which began by a great Cross stuck with Flags, and carried be∣tween two Rows of Christians all clothed in White, holding in one hand a lighted Taper, and in the other a Handkerchief to wipe off their Tears. The Gentiles are used on such Solemnities to shed feign∣ed ones, but These had suffered a loss, which forced most true ones from them. Next, some distance off, followed in the same Order the Picture of the Virgin Mary, in a Frame, ••ound which were pieces of Silk, neatly plated in several manners instead of Carving; and then St. Michael's Representation was born with the like Ceremonies. And I may say, that the Christians who walked on either side, de∣voutly praying, inspired even the Heathen with a Veneration for those precious Tokens of our Faith.

Immediately after came the Father's Encomium, of the Emperor's own Composing, written on a large piece of yellow Satin; a Crowd of Christians surrounded it, and two Rows of those who had

been invited, followed it in a Respectful manner. At length appeared the Corpse, in a Coffin made of an ordinary Wood, but varnished and gilt after the Country fashion, carried by sixty Bearers, and attended by the Missionaries, the Deputies from Court, and a Throng of Lords and Mandarines, who closed up the Procession. It took up above a thousand Paces which were hem'd in on each side, by an infinite number of Spectators, who astonished beheld our Christian Rites triumphing, even in their Capital City, over Pagan Superstition.

When we were come to the Burying place, the Missionaries in their Surplices read the Prayers of the Church, before the Mandarins. The Body was besprinkled with Holy Water, and perfumed with In∣cense in the usual manner; then it was let down into a very deep square Vault, enclosed with four good Brick Walls. It was like a Chamber under∣ground, and in the Scripture Phrase became to him an Everlasting Habitation. Having pray'd near it some time, we remained on our Knees to hear what the Emperor's Father-in-law had to say to us; which was this: Father Verbiest has been considerably service∣able to the Emperor and the State; of which his Imperial Maj••sty being sensible, has sent me with these Lords to make a Publick Acknowledgment of it on his behalf, that all the World may know the singular Affection his Majesty did ever bear him while he lived, and the great Grief he has received by his Death.

We were so moved with the Dismal Ceremony, the Christians continual Lamentations, our own great Loss, and the Emperor's surprising Bounty, that we were not able to Reply. Every one melted into Tears; but that P••ince, who expected another An∣swer from us, was obliged to press us for it, when, at length, Father Pereiva thus spoke on our behalf: My, Lord, our Anguish was not so much the cause of our Silence,

as the Emperor's unparallel'd Goodness; for what can we say or think, when we consider that so great a Monarch uses us who are Strangers, Unknown, Useless, and per∣haps Troublesome to him, as if we had the Honour to be in his Service? Were we his Children he could not love us more; he takes care of our Health, of our Reputation, of our Life: He honours our very Death, not only with his Elogies, his Liberality, the Presence of the most Noble Lords of his Court, but (which never can enough be pri∣zed) by his Grief. What Return, My Lord, can we then make, not to all his Favours, but to that alone which your Highness has been pleased to deliver? We will only be bold to beg your Grace would acquaint his Majesty, that we Weep because our Tears may indeed make known our Sorrow, but that we remain Silent, because no Words can express our Gratitude.

The Emperor was informed of what had passed, and some days after the * 1.3 Chief Court of Rites, presented a Petiti∣on, That his Majesty would suffer them to Decree some new Honours to be paid that Illustrious Father's Memory. The Emperor not only granted it, but willed them to consider that Stranger of so extraordinary a Merit, was not to be look'd upon as an ordinary Man. In the very first Meeting they ordered seven hundred golden Crowns should be laid out on a Tomb for him, and the Encomium which the Emperor had wrote, should be ingraved on a Marble Stone, and that some Man∣darines should be once more deputed to pay him their last Devoirs in behalf of the Empire. Then they pro∣moted him, that is, gave him a higher Title than any he had enjoyed during his Life.

While the Emperor honoured the Saint on Earth, he, no doubt, pray'd for him in Heaven: For it is very observable, that that Prince never was more inquisi∣tive about Religion then at that time. He sent one

of his Gentlemen every Minute to the Fathers, to in∣quire about the Condition of Souls in the other World, about Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, the Exi∣stence of a God, his Providence, and the Means ne∣cessary to Salvation: So that God seemed to move his Heart after an extraordinary Manner, and to affect it with those Holy Doubts which usually precede our Conversion. But that happy Moment was not yet come. However, who knows but Father Verbiest's Prayers, and the Care of several zealous Missionaries who have succeeded him, may hasten the Execution of those Designs which Providence seems to have on that great Prince? I am most respectfully,

Madam,

Hour Highnesses most humble and obedient Servant L. J.

LETTER III. To his Highness the Cardinal of FURSTEMBERG.

O fthe Cities, Houses, and Chief Build∣ings of China.

My Lord,

AMONG the several Empires into which the World has hitherto been divided, that of China has ever obtained so considerable a Place, that a Prince cannot be wholly ignorant of what concerns it without neglecting one of those Sciences which seem a part of his Prerogative.

This, My Lord, was, no doubt, the Motive that induced your Highness to inquire so particularly into the State of that Country, and to desire an Exact Account of the Number and Bigness of its Cities, the Multitude of its Inhabitants, the Beauty of its Publick Buildings, and Manner of its Palaces.

By this it plainly appears that the vast Genius you have for Business, does in no wise lessen the Acute∣ness of your Judgment in the Sublimest Arts, and e∣specially in Architecture, of which, the most Excel∣lent Works raised by your Directions at Modave, Sa∣verne, Berni, St. Germans, and above all in the famous Cathedral of Strasbourg, are several Instances.

It having been my Business to run over all China, where in Five years time I have travelled above Two thousand Leagues, I may perhaps satisfie your High∣ness with more ease than any one besides, and shall give a Description of what has seemed to me most worth my Observation.

Pekin, that is, the North-Court, is the chief City of China, and the usual Seat of its Emperors. It is so named to distinguish it from Nankin, the South-Court, another very considerable City, so called from the Emperor's Residing there in former Ages, it be∣ing the Finest, the most Commodious and best Situa∣ted of the whole Empire; but the continual Inc••r∣sions of the Tartars, a Warlike and very Trouble∣some Neighbour, obliged him to settle in the most Northerly Provinces, that he might be always ready to oppose them, with the numerous Army he usually keeps near his Court.

Pekin was the place fixed upon, being Situate in the 40th Degree of Northern Latitude, in a very Fer∣tile Plain, and not far from the Long Wall. Its Neighbourhood to the Sea on the East, and the great Canal on the South, afford it a Communication with several fine Provinces, from which it draws part of of its Subsistence.

This City, which is of an exact Square Form, was formerly four long Leagues round, but Tartars settling there, forced the Chinese to live without the Walls, where they in a very short while built a new Town, which being more Long than Large, does with the old one compose an irregular Figure. Thus Pekin is made up of two Cities; one is called the Tar∣tar's, because they permit none else to inhabit it; and the other the Chinese, as large, but much more full than the first. Both together are Six great Leagues in Circuit, allowing 3600 Paces to each League. This I can aver to be true, it having been measured by the Emperor's special Command.

This, My Lord, will seem strange to those who are acquainted with Europe only, and think Paris the Largest, as it is doubtless the Finest City in the World; yet the Difference between them is great. Paris ac∣cording to the Draught Mr. Blondell has made, by Order from our Magistrates, on the account of a De∣sign they have to surround it with new Walls, contains in its greatest Length but 2500 Paces, and * 1.4 consequently, tho' we should suppose it Square, would be but 10000 Paces round; so we should find it half as big as the Tartar's Town alone, and but a quarter as large as all Pekin.

But then if one reflects that their Houses are gene∣rally but one Story high, and ours, one with another, are four, it will appear that Pekin has not more Lodg∣ings than Paris, but rather less, because its Streets are much wider, that the Emperor's Palace, which is of a vast Extent, is not half inhabited, that there are Magazines of Rice for the sustenance of above 200000 Men, and large Courts filled with little Houses in which those who stand for their Doctor's Degree are examined; which alone would make a very big City.

It must not however be inferred that there are at Paris and Pekin the like number of Inhabitants; for the Chinese are very close together in their Dwellings, so that Twenty or more of them will lye in as little room as Ten with us; and it must needs be so, since the multitude of People in the Streets is so great, that one is frightned at it; it being such that Persons of Quality have always a Horse••man going before them, to make way. Even the widest Streets are not free from Confusion; and at the sight of so many Hor∣ses, Mules, Camels, Wagons, Chairs, and Rings of 100 or 200 Persons who gather here and there round

the Fortune-Tellers, one would judge that some un∣usual Shew had drawn the whole Country to Pekin.

Indeed, to outward appearance our most populous Cities are Wildernesses in respect of this, especially considering there are more Women then Men, and that among so vast a Multitude you shall very seldom meet with any. This I suppose has made some Peo∣ple think both Cities might contain Six or Seven Mil∣lions of Souls, which was a great mistake. By the fol∣lowing Reflexions it will, perhaps, appear that one must not always guess at the Number of Inhabitants in a Place by the Crowds that are seen in it.

First, From all the Neighbouring Towns a Multi∣tude of Peasants daily flock to Pekin, with several useful and necessary Commodities; now no River coming up to the City, these must be brought by Land, which increases the number of Carters, Wa∣gons, Camels, and other Beasts of Burthen. So that Morning and Night, at the opening or shutting of the Gates, there are such Throngs of People going in or out, that one must wait a long while before they can go by: Now all these, who spread about the Streets, must not be reckoned among the Citizens.

Secondly, Most Artificers in China work in their Customers Houses; as for Example, If I want a Suit, my Taylour comes in the Morning to my Lodging, where he works all Day, and at Night returns home; and so of the rest. These are continually about, look∣ing out for Business, to the very Smiths, which carry with them their Anvil, their Furnace, and other Im∣plements for their ordinary use. This helps to increase the Multitude.

Thirdly, All Persons that are pretty well to pass, never go abroad but on Horse••back or in Chairs, with a numerous Train. If at Paris all Officers, Gentlemen, Lawyers, Physicians, and wealthy Citizens were al∣ways thus attended, the Streets would not be so free.

In the fourth place, When a Mandarine goes any where, all his Inferiour Officers follow him in all their Formalities, so that they form a kind of Procession. The Lo••ds at Court, and Princes of the Blood, never are without a great Guard of Horse, and being ne∣cessitated to go almost every Day to Court, their ve∣ry Equipage is sufficiently cumbersome to the City.

It is evident that these Customs which are peculiar to China, do very much increase the Throng, and it must not be wondred at, that the City should seem much more Populous then it really is: And what must con∣vince us, is, That as I have shewn there may more People lodge in Paris then in Pekin. Then taking it for granted that 20 or 25 Persons there, take up no more room then 10 here, as I have already said, we must conclude on the whole, that Pekin contains near twice as many as Paris does, and I think I shall not be very wide of the Truth, if I allow it Two Millions of Inhabitants.

I have been something prolix upon this Point, be∣cause I find it but slightly enquired into by most Hi∣storians. Nothing is more deceitful then Number at first sight. We think upon a view of the Sky that the Stars are numberless, and when told, are surpri∣sed to find they are so few. To see an Army of a hun∣dred thousand Men in the Field, you would imagine all the World were there; and even those who are u∣sed to such a sight, are apt to mistake if they are not aware.

It is good to examine every thing our selves, espe∣cially in China, where they never reckon but by Mil∣lions; and tho' in these Cases one cannot be so very exact, it is not impossible to come something near the Truth, that we may not deceive the inquisitive Reader.

Almost all the Streets are built in a direct Line, the greatest being about a hundred and twenty foot

broad, and a good League long, and the Shops where they sell Silks and China-ware, which generally take up the whole Street, make a very agreeable Perspe∣ctive. The Chinese have a Custom which adds to the Beauty of the Sight. Each Shop-keeper puts out be∣fore his House, on a little kind of Pedestal, a Board twenty or two and twenty Foot high Painted, Var∣nished, and often Gilt, on which are written in large Characters, the Names of the several Commodities he sells. These kind of Pilasters, thus placed on each side of the Street, and almost at an equal Distance from each other, make a pretty odd show. This is usual in almost all the Cities of China, and I have in some places seen so very neat ones, that one would think they had designed to make a Stage of the Street.

Two things however detract much from their Beauty. The first, That the Houses are not propor∣tionable, being neither well built nor high enough. The second, That they are always pester'd with Mud or Dust. That Country, so well regulated in every thing else, is very deficient in this: Both Winter and Summer are equally troublesome to those that walk abroad, and therefore are Horses and Chairs so much in request: For the Dirt spoils the silken Boots which they wear there; and the Dust sticks to their Clothes, especially if they are made of Sattin, which they have a way of oyling, to give it the more lustre. There is so much of the latter raised by the multitude of Horses, that the City is always covered with a Cloud of it, which gets into the Houses, and makes its way into the closest Closets, so that take what care you will, your Goods should ever be full of it. They strive to allay it by a continual besprinkling the Streets with Water, but there is still so much lef••, as is very of∣fensive, both as to Cleanliness and Health.

Of all the Building this mighty City consists in,

the only remarkable one is the Imperial Palace, which I have already described to your Highness. I shall only add, to give you a more exact Notion of it, that it not only includes the Emperor's House and Gar∣dens, but also a little Town inhabited by the Officers at Court, and a great number of Artificers who are employed and kept by the Emperor•• for none but the Eunuchs lye in the inner Palace. The outward Town is defended by a very good Wall without, and divided from the Emperor's House by one of less strength. All the Houses are very low and ill con∣trived, far worse than those in the Tartars City; so that the Quality of its Inhabitants, and the Conve∣niency of being near the Court, are the only things that it is commendable for.

The inner Palace is made up of Nine vast Courts, built in one Line, in length, for I comprehend not those on the Wings, where are the Kitchin, Stables, and other Offices. The Arches thro' which you go from one to another are of Marble, and over each there stands a large square Building, of a Gothick Architecture, the Timber of whose Roof becomes an odd kind of Ornament; for the Rafters being left of a length sufficient to come out beyond the Wall, have other shorter pieces of Wood put upon them, which forms a kind of Cornish that at a di∣stance looks very fine. The sides of each Court are closed by lesser Apartments, or Galleries; but when you come to the Emperor's Lodgings, there, indeed, the Portico's supported by stately Pillars, the white Marble-steps by which you ascend to the inward Halls, the gilt Roo••s, the Carved-work, Varnish, Gilding and Painting, they are adorned with, the Floors made of Marble or Porcelain, but chiefly the great number of different Pieces of Artichecture which they consist of, dazle the Beholders Eye, and truly look great, becoming the Majesty of so great a

Monarch. But still, the imperfect Notion the Chi∣nese have of all kind of Arts, is betrayed by the un∣pardonable Faults they are guilty of. The Apartments are ill contrived, the Ornaments irregular, and the former wants that Connexion which makes the Beau∣ty and Conveniency of our Palaces. In a word, there is as it were an unshapenness in the whole, which renders it very unpleasing to Foreigners, and must needs offend any one that has the least Notion of true Architecture.

Some Relations, however, cry it up as Arts Ma∣ster-piece: The reason is, because the Missionaries who wrote them, had never seen any thing beyond it, or that long use has accustomed them to it; for it is observable, that let us measure a thing never so, Time will at length make it supportable. Our Fancy habituates it self to any sight, and therefore an Eu∣ropean, that has spent Twenty or Thirty years in China, can seldom give so good an account of it, as he that makes no stay there. As the true Accent of a Language is often lost among those who pronounce it ill, so the Sharpness of a Man's Judgment is blunt∣ed by conversing with those who have none.

The Guards placed in the Gates and Avenues of the Palace have no other Arms but their Cimeters, and are not so numerous as I had at first imagined; but there is a multitude of Lord•• and Mandarines, con∣stantly attending at the usual time of Audience. For∣merly the whole Palace was inhabited with Eunuchs, whose Power and Insolence was grown to such a pitch, that they were become an insupportable Grie∣vance to the Princes of the Empire; but the last Em∣perors of China, especially those descended from Tar∣tary, have so▪humbled them, that they make at pre∣sent no Figure at all. The youngest serve as Pages, the other are put to the vilest Employments, their Task being to sweep the Rooms and keep them clean;

and for the least Fault they are severely punished by their Overseers, who are very strict.

The number of the Emperor's Wives or Concu∣bines is not easily known, it being very great, and never fixed. They never were seen by any one but himself, and scarce durst a Man inquire about them. They are all Maidens of Quality which the Manda∣rines or Governors of the Provinces choose, and as soon as they are entered the Palace they have no far∣ther Correspondency with their Friends, no not with their very Fathers. This forced and perpetual Solitude, (for most of them are never taken Notice of by the Emperor) the Intreagues they set on work to get in∣to his Favour, and the Jealousie they have of one a∣nother, which wracks them with Suspicions, Envy and Hate, makes the most part of them very misera∣ble. Among those who are so happy as to gain their Prince's approbation, Three are chosen which bear the Title of Queens. These are in a far higher De∣gree of Honour than the rest, having each their Lodgings, their Court, their Ladies of Honour, and other Female Attendants.

Nothing is wanting that can contribute to their Diversion. Their Furniture, Cloaths, Attendance is all Rich and Magnificent: It is true, all their Hap∣piness consists in pleasing their Lord, for no Business of any Consequence comes to their Knowledge; and as they do not assist the State with their Counsels, so they do not disturb it with their Ambition.

The Chinese differ very much from us in that Point; They say Heaven has indued Women with Good Nature, Modesty, and Innocence, that they might look after their Families, and take care of their Chil∣drens Education; but that Men are born with strength of Body and Mind, with Wit and Gene∣rosity, to Govern and Rule the World. They are astonished when we tell them that with us the Scepter

often falls into a Princesses Hands, and often say by way of Jest, That Europe is the Ladies Kingdom.

This, My Lord, is all that can be said in General of the Emperor of China's Palace, so much boasted of by Historians, because perhaps in all Pekin they met not with any worth their notice: For indeed all besides are so mean, that it would be, if I may say it, a de∣basing of our Terms to give the Name of Palace to their Grandees Houses. They are but one Story high, as are all the rest; tho', I confess, the great number of Lodgings for themselves and their Servants, does make some amends for their want of Beauty and Magnificence. Not but that the Chinese are as much as any Nation, in love with looking great and spend∣ing high, but the Custom of the Country, and the Danger of being taken notice of, is a Curb to their Inclinations.

While I was at Pekin, one of the Chief Mandarines (I think he was a Prince) had built him a House something more lofty and stately than the rest; this was imputed to him as a Crime, and those whose Pro∣vince it was, accused him before the Emperor, inso∣much that the Mandarine, fearful of the Event, pul∣led down his House while the Business was under Ex∣amination, and before it had been decided. This Policy, in former Ages, made sure the Foundation of the greatest Monarchies, and could the Romans but have ever observed it, they might perhaps still be as powerful in Europe, as the Chinese are in Asia.

Their Halls, where they plead, have little advan∣tage over the rest. The Courts are large, the Gates lofty, and sometimes imbellished with Ornaments of Architecture something tolerable; but the inward Halls and Offices can boast neither State nor Clean∣liness.

Religion indeed has made her Party better; you frequently meet with their Idols Temples, which the

Princes and People, equally Superstitious, have raised at a vast Expence, and beautified with great numbers of Statues. The Roofs especially are observable, for the splendor of their Tiles varnished with yellow and green, numberless Figures curiously wrought, which are placed on every side, and Dragons shooting out at the Corners, painted with the same Colours. The Emperors have founded several within the outward Bounds of the Palace, among which Two more e∣minent then the rest were built by the late Monarch, at the Prayers of the Queen his Mother, who was very much infatuated with the Religion of the Lama's, a sort of Tartarian Priests, and the most Superstitious of all the Bonzes.

We were forbidden the Entrance of these Temples, being told it would prove of an ill Consequence, and give great Offence to our fellow Christians, so that Curiosity gave place to our desire of Edifying them. But we had the liberty of seeing the famous Imperi∣al Observatory, so much celebrated by all Travellers. Be pleased, My Lord, to read what one of our ablest Mathematicians, has upon their Report spoken of it. Nothing in Europe is to be compared to it, whether for the Magnificency of the Place, or the Bigness of those vast Brazen Machines, which having been during these Seven hundred years exposed on the Platforms of those large Towers, are still as fair and entire as if they were but new molten. The Divisions of those Instruments are most ex∣act, the Disposition most proper for their Design, and the whole work performed with an unimitabl•• neatness. In a word, it seemed that China insulted her Sister Nations, as if with all their Learning and Riches they could not come up to her in that point.

Indeed if China insults us by the Sumptuousness of her Observatory, she is in the right to do it thus, at 6000 Leagues distance, for were she nearer, she durst no••, for shame, make any Comparison.

Full of these great Thoughts of it we visited this famous Place, and found it to be as follows. First, Being entred into a Court of a moderate Extent, we were shewn a little House, their Dwelling, who look after the Observatory. Turning to your right Hand, as you come in, you meet with a very narrow Stair∣case, by which you mount to the top of a square Tower, such as we formerly used to fortifie our City Walls withal; it is indeed contiguous on the inside to that of Pekin, and raised but Ten or Twelve Feet above the Bulwork. Upon this Platform the Chinese Astronomers had placed their Instruments, which tho' but few, yet took up the whole Room: But Fa∣ther Verbiest, when he undertook the Survey and Management of the Mathematicks, having judged them very useless, perswaded the Emperor to pull 'em down, and put up new ones of his own contriving. These old Instruments were still in the Hall near the Tower, buried in Dust and Oblivion. We saw them, but thro' a Window close set with Iron Bars. They appeared to us large, well cast, and of a shape not much unlike our Astronomical Rings. But they had laid in a by-Court a Celestial Globe of about three Foot Dia∣meter; that we had a full view of; it was something enclining to an Oval divided with little Exactness, and the whole Work very Course.

They have in a lower Room near that place con∣trived a Gnomon. The Slit which gives Entrance to the Suns Rays, is raised about 8 Feet from the ground, Horozontally placed, and made of two Copper Plates suspended, which may be moved too and fro, to make the Orifice larger or smaller. Under it lyes a Table trimm'd with Brass, in the midst of which length-ways, they have struck a Meridian Line 15 Feet long, divided across by other Lines, which are neither exact nor fin••. They have cut little holes out into the sides wher••in to put water, to set it exactly Horison∣tal;

and this indeed is of a Chinese Contrivance the most tolerable of any'I have seen, and might be ser∣viceable to a careful Astronomer; but I question whe∣ther their Skill who invented it is so great as to use it rightly.

This Observatory, of little worth, as to its ancient Machines, and less as to its Situation and Building, is now enriched with several Brazen Instruments which Father Verbiest has set up in it. They are large, well cast, imbellished with Representations of Dragons, and very well disposed to the Use they are designed for; and was but the niceness of their Divisions an∣swerable to that of the Work, and Telescopes fastned to them instead of Pins, according to the new Me∣thod used by the Royal Academy, nothing that we have of that kind, might be brought into Competition with them. But tho' the Father was, no doubt, very care∣ful of the Division of his Circles, the Chinese Artificer either was very negligent, or very incapable of fol∣lowing his Directions: so that I would rather trust to a Quadrant made by one of our good Workmen at Paris, whose Radius should be but one Foot and a half, than to that of six Feet which is at this Tower.

Perhaps your Highness may be willing at one view to see how they are disposed. This Draught is very conformable to the Original, and far from flattering it, as Pictures and Cuts generally do, I may say that it does not express half its Beauty. But each several Piece shewing but confusedly in this little space, I have added, in as few words as I could, an Explanation of the Frame and Embellishments of those Noble Instru∣ments.

[illustration]

• a. Steps going vp to the Observatory
• b. A Rotr••ng Room for those that make Observations
• 1: a•• Zodical Sphere
• 2 an Equinoclial Sph••re
• 3 an A••muthall Horizon
• 4 a Quadrant
• 5 A Sextant
• 6 a Coelestiall Globe

I. SPHAERA ARMILLARIS ZODIACALIS, of six Feet in Diameter.

This is supported by four Dragons Heads, whose Bodies after several windings are fastned to the ends of two Brazen Beams laid a-cross, that bear the whole weight of the Sphere. These Dragons, which were picked out among all other Creatures, because the Emperor bears them in his Coat of Arms, are as the Chinese represent them, wrapt up in Clouds, with long Hair on their Heads between their Horns, a fuzzy Beard under their lower Jaw, flaming Eyes, long sharp Teeth, their Mouth open, and breathing a whole Stream of Flame. Four Lions of the same Metal, stand under the End of the aforesaid Beams, whose Heads are raised higher or lower by Screws fastned with them. The Circles are divided both in their Exteriour and Interiour Surface by Cross••lines into 360 Degrees each, and each Degree into 60 Mi∣nutes, and the latter into portions of 10 Seconds each by small Pins.

II. SPHAERA EQUINOXIALIS of six Foot Diameter.

This Sphere is supported by a Dragon, who bears it on his back bowed, and whose four Claws seize the four Ends of its Pedestal, which as the former is formed of two Brazen Beams Cross-wise, whose Ends are also born by four small Lions, which serve to set it right. The Design is noble and well performed.

III. HORISON AZIMUTHALE, six Feet in Diameter.

This Instrument, useful for the taking of Azimuths, is composed of a large Circle horisontally placed. The double Alhidada, which serves it for a Diameter,

runs over all the Limb, and carries round along with it an upright Triangle, the upper Angle of which is fastned to a Beam raised perpendicular from the Cen∣ter of the said Horison. Four folded Dragons bow their Heads under the inferiour Limb of that Circle, to make it fast; and two others wound round two small Columns, mount on either side Cemicircular∣wise, as high as the said Beam, to which they are fastned, to keep the Triangle steady.

IV. A large QUADRANT whose Radius is six Foot.

The Limb is divided into Portions of 10 Seconds each; the Lead which shews its Vertical Situation, weighs a Pound; and hangs from the Center by a ve∣ry fine Brass-wyre. The Alhidada moves easily round the Limb. A Dragon folded in several Rings, and wrapt up in Clouds, seizes on all parts the several Plates of the Instrument to fasten them, least they should start out of their due Position. The whole Body of the Quadrant hangs in the Air, and a fixed Axis runs thro' its Center, round which the Quadrant turns towards the Parts of the Heavens which the Mathematician chooses to observe: And least its weight should cause it to shiver, and lose its Vertical Position, a Beam is raised on each side, secured at the bottom by a Dragon, and fastned to the middle Beam or Axis by Clouds which seem to come out of the Air. The whole Work is solid and well contrived.

V. A SEXTANT, whose Radius is about eight Feet.

This represents the sixth Part of a great Circle born by a Beam, the Basis of which is Concave, made fast with Dragons, and crossed in the middle by a Brazen Pillar, on one end of which is an En∣gine, the help of whose Wheels serves to facilitate the

Motion of that Instrument. On this Engine rests the middle of a small Brazen Beam which represents a Radius of the Sextant, and is fastned to it. Its up∣per part is terminated by a big Cilinder, which is the Center, round which the Alhidada turns, and the low∣er is extended above two Feet beyond the Limb, that it may be grasped by the Pully which serves to raise it. These large and heavy Machines are of greater Or∣nament than use.

VI. A CELESTIAL GLOBE of six Feet Diameter.

This in my opinion is the fairest and best fashion∣ed of all the Instruments. The Globe it self is Bra∣zen, exactly round and smooth: The Stars well made, and in their true places, and all the Circles of a pro∣portionable breadth and thickness. It is besides so well hung that the least touch moves it, and tho' it is above Two thousand weight, the least Child may elevate it to any Degree. On its large Concave Ba∣sis rest in an opposite Station four Dragons, whose Hair standing up an end, support a noble Horison commen∣dable by its Breadth, its several Ornaments, and the Delicacy and Niceness of the Work. The Meridian in which the Pole is fixed, rests upon Clouds that is∣sue out of the Basis, and slides easily between them, its motion being facilitated by some hidden Wheels, and moves with it the whole Globe to give it the re∣quired Elevation. Besides which the Horison, Dra∣gons, and two Brazen Beams which lye cross in the Center of the Basis's Concavity, are all moved at pleasure, without stirring the Basis, which still remains fixed; this facilitates the due placing of the Ho••ison, whether in respect of the Natural Horison, or in re∣spect of the Globe. I wondred how Men, who live Six thousand Leagues from us, could go through such a piece of Work; and I must own that if all the

Circles which are divided, had been corrected by some of our Workmen, nothing could be more per∣fect in that kind. These Machines being most of them above 10 feet from the Ground, have for the Astronomers greater conveniency, Marble Steps round them, cut Amphitheater-wise.

How inviting soever these new Instruments may seem, the Chinese could never have been perswaded to make use of them, and leave their old ones, without an especial Order from the Emperor to that effect. They are more fond of the most defective Piece of Antiquity then of the perfectest Novelty, differing much in that from us who are in love with nothing but what is new. Indeed we are all to blame, for Time can add to or detract nothing from the real worth of things: But if we do not take great care of our selves, Fancy, Custom, and Prejudice, will pre∣vail over our Understanding, which only perceiving the Difference of things, is only able to judge of it. If this Failing of the Chinese extended but to their Temporal Concerns, the Mischief perhaps would not be great; but it unhappily reaches ••o the Point of Religion; and whereas in Europe it seems that a Do∣ctrine, tho' never so absurd, has a Title to our Belief when recommended by Novelty, in China it is quite contrary; ••or they think it a sufficient reason to re∣ject the Christian Faith, because in respect of their Monarchy it is not old enough: As tho' Time and Ignorance were to be pre••erred to Truth, or that long standing could render Superstition lawful or reasona∣ble.

The Fondness ••or Antiquity and for the Observance of ancient Customs, is perhaps what keeps the Chinese so close to their Astronomical Observations, for it has ever been their continual Practise, but it is a shame, that they have during so long a time made no great∣er Improvements. One would think, that having

watched the Motions of the Stars above 4000 years, they should be perfectly acquainted with them; yet when our Missionaries entered that Country, they found them to be so unskilful herein, that with all their care they never could arrive to the Composing of an Exact Calendar; and their Tables of Eclipses were so uncorrect, that scarce could they foretel a∣bout what time that of the Sun should happen. As for those two Points they are now at rest, for those Fathers have settled the Calendar, and that which is given out in the beginning of each year, notes with the greatest nicety all the Motions of the Heavens which are during the year to happen out of Course.

However they still continue their Observations. Five Mathematicians spend every Night on the Tow∣er in watching what passes over head; one is gazing towards the Zenith, another to the East, a third to the West, the fourth turns his Eyes Southwards, and a fith Northwards, that nothing of what happens in the four Corners of the World may scape their diligent Observation. They take notice of the Winds, the Rain, the Air, of unusual Phenomena's, such as are Eclipses, the Conjunction or Opposition of Planets, Fires, Meteors, and all that may be useful. This they keep a strict accompt of, which they bring in every Morning to the Surveyor of the Mathematicks, to be registred in his Office. If this had always been pra∣ctised by able and careful Mathematicians, we should have a great number of curicus Remarks; but besides that, these Astronomers are very unskilful, they take little care to improve that Science; and provided their Salary be paid as usual, and their Income constant, they are in no great trouble about the Alterations and Changes which happen in the Sky. But if these Phe∣nomena's are very apparent, as when there happens an Eclipse, or a Comet appears, they dare not be alto∣gether so negligent.

All Nations have ever been astonished at Eclipses, of which they could not discover the Cause; there is nothing so extravagant as the several Reasons some have given for it, but one would wonder that the Chi∣nese, who as to Astronomy may justly claim Seniori∣ty over all the World besides, have reasoned as ab∣surdly on that Point as the rest. They have fancied that in Heaven there is a prodigious great Dragon, who is a professed Enemy to the Sun and Moon, and ready at all times to eat them up. For this reason, as soon as they perceive an Eclipse, they all make a terrible rattling with Drums and brass Kettles, till the Monster frightned at the noise has let go his Prey. Persons of Quality, who have read our Books, have for these several years been undeceived, but (especi∣ally if the Sun looseth its Light) the old Customs are still observed at Pekin, which (as is usual) are at once very Superstitious and very Ridiculous. While the Astronomers are on the Tower to make their Obser∣vations,the chief Mandarines belonging to the Lipou fall on their Knees in a Hall or Court of the Palace, looking attentively that way, and frequently bowing towards the Sun, to express the pity they take of him, or rather to the Dragon, to beg him not to molest the World, by depriving it of so necessary a Planet.

Now all that the Mathematicians have foretold concerning the Eclipse must prove true, should it hap∣pen sooner or later, be greater or less, longer or short∣er, the Surveyor and his Brethren would go near to lose their Places. But they never run that hazard, let what will happen the Registers are ever exact; and provided the Officers be well paid, they are ever in Fee with the Heavens.

I am afraid, My Lord, that I have been too tedious in this Digression; your Highness having for these se∣veral years been busied in Affairs of greater moment, must needs have little regard for such obstruse Noti∣ons,

unfit to excite you to those elevated Sentiments so natural to such great Souls as yours, and I might have spent my time more to your Satisfaction in wri∣ting the Wars of the Tartars, and the Conquest of China. But besides the inclination every Man has to speak of what belongs to his Profession, I have per∣haps been over-ruled by the habit we contract in Chi∣na to entertain great Persons with these Matters; and have hoped, that a Prince curious, and endued with a Genius to which nothing is impossible, would with pa∣tience hear, that which makes the Delight of the Greatest and most Learned Emperor in the whole World.

I should do Pekin a very great injustice if I passed over in silence its noble Gates and stately Walls, which indeed become an Imperial City. The former are not embellished with Statues or other Carving as are most Publick Buildings in China, but all their Beauty consists in a prodigious height, which at a Distance makes the finest shew in the World. They consist in two large square Buildings built separately, but bound together by two tall and very thick Walls, so that they form a Square which may contain above Five hun∣dred Men in Battel. The first Building, which looks like a Fortress, faces the Road. There is no way thro' it, but you go in at the Side wall, where there is a Gate proportionable to all the rest; then you turn to the Right, and meet with the second Tower which commands the City, and has a Gate like the former, but whose Gate-way is so long that it grows dark to∣wards the middle. There they constantly keep a Corps du Guard, and a small Magazine to supply it rea∣dily with Stores in case of Necessity.

If you respect only the neatness of the Workman∣ship, and the Ornaments of Architecture, I must, in∣deed, confess, that the Gates of Paris are incompara∣bly finer. But yet, when a Man approaches Pekin,

he must own that these immense Buildings, and, if I may speak it, those proud Masses have in their un∣shapeness a State preferrable to all our Ornaments. The Arches are built with Marble, and the rest with very large Brick, bound with excellent Mortar.

The Walls are answerable to their Gates, so tall that they hide the whole City, and so thick that Cen∣tries on Horse-back are placed upon them. From place to place, at a Bow-shots distance, they are defended with square Towers. The Ditch is dry, but very broad and deep. All is regular, and as well kept as if they were in continual Apprehension of a Siege. This, My Lord, is a pretty exact Description of the chief City of all China, valuable by its Extent, large Gates, strong Walls, sumptuous Palace, good Garri∣son, (which consists in the best Forces of the whole Empire) and the Number of its Inhabitants, but com∣mendable for nothing else.

What may be said of all the rest in general is this; The Chinese divide them into two kinds. Those which are solely designed for the Defence of the Country they call Cities of War, and the rest Towns of Traffick. The fortified Places which I have seen are not much stron∣ger than the others, unless it be by their Situation, which makes some almost inaccessible. The Fron∣tier Towns, especially those near Tartary, are some∣what singular; and our Missionaries have assured me, that there were several narrow Passages so well forti∣fied, that it was almost impossible to force them: I my self have seen some which a hundred Men might easily defend against a whole Army. Their usual For∣tifications are a good Bulwork, some Towers, Brick∣walls, and a large and deep Ditch, filled with run∣ning Water. This is all the Chinese Engineers skill consists in, which indeed is no wonder, since our selves knew no better, before Cannons were in use, which has put us upon inventing new ways of defend∣ing

our Cities, as there were new ones contrived of attacking them.

I confess, My Lord, that running over all those Ci∣ties, which their Inhabitants esteem the strongest in the World, I have often with no little pleasure reflect∣ed on the facility with which Lewis the Great would subdue those Provinces, if Nature had made us a lit∣tle nearer Neighbours to China; he whom the stout∣est Places in Europe can at best withstand but during a few days. God has, by an equal and just Distribu∣tion, given the Chinese but Ordinary Commanders, because no Extraordinary Actions could be performed there; but to vanquish such Enemies as ours, so great a Hero was wholly necessary.

It must however be granted, that in the way of Fortification the Chinese have outdone all the Ancients in the prodigious Work that defends part of their Country. 'Tis that which we call the Great Wall, and with themselves stile Van li Cham, Chim, The Wall 10000 Stadium's long, which reaches from the Eastern Ocean to the Province of Chansi: Not that its length is so great as they speak it; but if you reckon all its windings, it will really appear to be no less than 500 Leagues. You must not conceive it as a plain Wall, for it is fortified with Towers much like the City Walls I have mentioned; and in the places where the Passes might be more easily forced, they have raised two or three Bulworks one behind another, which may give themselves a mutual Defence, whose enor∣mous Thickness, and the Forts which Command all the Avenues, being all guarded by great numbers of Forces, protect the Chinese from all Attempts on that side.

China being divided from Tartary by a Chain of Mountains, the Wall has been carried on over the highest Hills, and is now tall and then low as the Ground allowed; for you must not think, as some

have imagined, that the Top of it is level through∣out, and that from the bottom of the deepest Vales it could have been raised to be as high as the tallest Mountains. So when they say that it is of a wonder∣ful height, we must understand it of the Spot of Ground it is built on; for of it self it is rather lower than those of their Cities, and but four, or at most, five feet in thickness.

It is almost all built with Brick, bound with such strong Mortar, that not only it has lasted these several Ages, but is scarce the worse. It is above 1800 years since Emperor Chihohamti raised it to prevent the In∣surrections of the Neighbouring Tartars. This was at once one of the greatest and maddest Undertakings that I ever heard of; for tho' indeed it was a pru∣dent Caution of the Chinese thus to guard the easiest Avenues, how ridiculous was it of them to carry their Wall to the top of some Precipices which the Birds can scarce reach with their Flight, and on which it is impossible the Tartarian Horse should ascend: And if they could fancy that an Army could have clam∣bered up thither, how could they believe that so thin and low a Wall as they have made it in such places, could be of any Defence.

As for my part, I admire how the Materials have been conveyed and made use of there; and, indeed, it was not done without a vast Charge, and the loss of more Men then would have perished by the greatest Fury of their Enemies. It is said, that during the Reigns of the Chinese Emperors, this Wall was guard∣ed by a Million of Soldiers; but now that part of Tartary belongs to China, they are content with man∣ning well the worst situated, but best fortified Parts of it.

Among the other Fortresses of the Kingdom, there are above a Thousand of the first rate; the rest are less remarkable, and indeed scarce deserve that Name;

yet all are very well garrisoned, and by that one may judge what vast Armies are constantly kept on foot. However, that is not the Chinese's chiefest boast, for if they are considered but as to the Military part, they will raise our wonder, but who can enough admire the Numbers, Greatness, Beauty, and Government of their Trading Towns? They are generally divided into three Classes; of the first there are above 160, of the second 270, and of the third near 1200, be∣sides near 300 walled Cities more, which they leave out as not worth observing, tho' they are almost all well inhabited and traded. The greater and lesser Villages are numberless, especially those of the Sou∣thern Provinces. In the Province of Chan••i and Chen••i they are for the most part surrounded with Walls and good Ditches, with Iron Gates which the Country People shut at Night, and guard in the Day-time, to protect themselves from Thieves, as also from the Sol∣diers, who as they pass by, which they continually do, would in spight of their Officers insult them.

The largeness of these Cities is not less amazing then their number. Pekin, which I have already had the honour to mention to your Highness, is not to be compared to Nankin, or, as it is now called, Kiam∣nin, a Town formerly enclosed within three Walls, the outermost of which was 16 long Leagues round. Some Works of it are still to be seen, which one would rather think to be the Bounds of a Province then a City. When the Emperors kept their Court there, its Inhabitants were, no doubt, numberless. Its Si∣tuation, Haven, Plenty, the Fertility of the Neigh∣bouring Lands, and the Canals made near it for the Improvement of Trade, could not but make it a fine City. It has since lost much of its former Splendour, however, if you include those who live in its Sub∣urbs, and on the Canals, it is still more populous than Pekin, and tho' the unarable Hills, the ploughed Lands,

Gardens, and vast empty Places which are within its Walls, render it really less then it seems, what is in∣habited does still make a prodigious big City.

The Streets are moderately broad, but very well pa∣ved; The Houses low, but cleanly, and the Shops ve∣ry rich, being filled with Stuffs, Silks, and other cost∣ly Wares: In a word, it is as the Center of the Em∣pire, where you may find all the Curiosities which are produced in it. There the most famous Doctors and the Mandarins who are out of Business, usually settle themselves, having the conveniency of several Libraries filled with choice of good Books; their Printing is fairer, their Artificers are better Work∣men, the Tongue more polite, and the Accent smo∣ther than any where else; and truly no other City were more proper for the Emperor's Seat, were it not for the State's advantage that he should reside near the Frontiers. It is also famous for several other Reasons.

First, Because of the River Kiam on which it is si∣tuated, which is the Largest, Deepest, and most Na∣vigable in the whole Empire; being, in that part of it which bathes the City, near half a League broad.

Secondly, The Royal Observatory on the Top of a Mountain, where stood formerly a Platform and proper Instruments (which were since removed to Pekin) but now only some old Buildings remain, and a large square Hall, newly built as an Acknowledg∣ment of Emperor Camhy's kind Visit to that City. This was a Trick of the Mandarins, who under pre∣tence of raising a Monument of that Prince's Favour, got considerable Sums of Money from the Inhabi∣tants, not half of which was laid out.

In the third place for a large Tower, vulgarly called the China Tower. There is without the City (and not within, as some have wrote) a House named by the Chinese, The Temple of Gratitude, (Pao-gren-sse) built 300 years ago by Emperor Yonlo. It is raised on a

Massive Basis, built with Brick, and surrounded with a Rail of unpolished Marble: There are ten or twelve Steps all round it, by which you ascend to the low∣ermost Hall, the Floor of which stands one foot higher than the Basis, leaving a little Walk two feet wide all round it.

The Front of this Hall or Temple is adorned with a Gallery and some Pillars. The Roofs (for in Chi∣na there are usually two, one next to the top of the Wall, and a narrower over that) are covered with Green varnished shining Tiles; and the Ceiling within is painted, and made up of several little ••ieces differently wrought one within the other, which with the Chinese is no little Ornament. I confess that med∣ley of Beams, Jices, Rafters and Pinions, bears a sur∣prising singularity, because we must needs judge that such a Walk was not done without great Expence: But to speak truth, it proceeds only from the Igno∣rance of their Workmen, who never could find out Noble Simplicity which becomes at once the Solidity and Beauty of our Buildings.

This Hall has no Light but what comes in at the Doors, of which there are three very large ones that give admittance into the Tower I speak of, which is part of this Temple. It is of an Octogonal Figure, about 40 Feet broad, so that each side is 15 Foot wide. A Wall in the like form is built round it, at two Fathoms and a half Distance, and being mode∣rately high, supports the one side of a Pent-house, which issues from the Tower, and thus makes a pret∣ty kind of a Gallery. This Tower is nine Stories high, each Story being adorned with a Cornish three Feet wide, at the bottom of the Windows, and di∣stinguished by little Pent-houses like the former, but narrower, and (like the Tower it self) decreasing in breadth as they increase in height.

The Wall is, at the bottom, at least twelve Feet

thick, and above eight and a half at the top; incrust∣ed with China Ware laid flat-wise; for tho' the Wea∣ther has something impaired its Beauty, there is yet enough remaining to shew that it is real China, tho' of the courser sort; since 'tis impossible that Bricks could have retained that Lustre above 300 years.

The Stair-case within is narrow and troublesome, the Steps being very high. Each Story is made up of thick pieces of Timber laid cross-wise, and on them a Floor, the Cieling of each Room being enriched with Paintings, if their Painting can enrich a Room. The Walls of the upper Rooms bear several small Niches full of Carved Idols, which makes a pretty kind of Checker. The whole Work is Gilt, and looks like carved Stone or Marble; but I believe it to be only Brick, for the Chinese are very skilful in stamp∣ing all kind of Ornaments on it, which thro' the fine∣ness of their sisted Mould, becomes more easie to them then to us.

The first Floor is the most lofty, but the rest are of an equal height. I have told the Steps, which are 190 in number, being almost all 10 large Inches high, having measured them very nicely, which amounts to 158 Feet. If you add to this the height of the Ba∣sis, that of the ninth Story, which has no Steps to mount thence to the Top, and the Cubilo, the Sum will be at least 200 Feet in height from the Ground.

This Cubilo is not one of the least Ornaments of that Building, being, as it were an extraordinary thick Mast, or May-Pole, which from the Floor of the eighth Story rises above 30 Feet higher than the top of the Tower. Round it a great piece of Iron runs in a Spiral-line, several Feet distant from the Pole, so that it looks like a hollow Cave, on the top of which is placed a very large golden Ball. This it is that the Chinese call the Porcelain Tower, and with some Europe∣ans would name the Brick-one. Whatever it may be

made of, it is undoubtedly the be•••• contrived and no∣blest Structure of all the East. From its Top you have a Prospect of the whole City, and especially of the Mountain on which stands the Observatory, which lyes a good League North-East and by East from it.

Nankin was also famous for the bigness of its Bells, but their weight having worn down the Steeple which they were hung in, the whole Building fell down, and they still lye upon the ground. There is one in the way between our Colledge & the Observatory whose height is 11 Feet, and that of its Handle or Ear by which it hangs 2, and its Diameter is 7; the outward Circumfe∣rence is 22 Feet, which indeed lessens towards the top, but not in the same proportion with our Bells here, for the Figure is almost a Cilinder, if you take away a considerable Swelling towards the middle where the Circumference is equal to that of the bottom. Its lower Brim is six Inches and a half thick, but grows thinner and thinner, to the bowing where the Cone begins, so that under the Ear it is not above two Inches thick, which may be measured exactly enough, be∣cause they bore their Bells at the top to increase their Sound, as they conceit it. The Metal is brittle, and the Cast not clear, being full of little knobs.

These Bells were cast during the Ninth Reign be∣fore this. Each have their particular Name; the one being called Tchoui, The Hanger; another Che, The Eater; a third Choui, or So, The Sleeper; and a fourth Si, The Flyer; for tho' there are but three in the City, the Chinese Geographers place a fourth beyond the River Kiam. Now supposing that a Cubical Foot of Brass weigh•• 648 Pound, the Bell which I measured should weigh about 90 Thousand, supposing it to be of an equal bigness and thickness. As for the bigness, there is no great difference, but the thickness lessens from the bottom to the top, where, as I have said, it is but two Inches think; so that allowing it be one

with another four Inches thick and better throughout, the Bell will weigh about 50000 l. and be twice as heavy as that at Erfort, which Father Kirc••er affirms to be the biggest in the World.

But this is nothing to what there is at Pekin, which can shew seven cast under the Reign of Emperor Youlo near 300 years ago, weighing 120000 l. each. They are 11 Feet wide, 40 round, and 12 high, be∣sides the Ear, which is at least 3 foot in height▪ This, My Lord, I own is surprising, and could scarce be believed, had we not Father Verbiest's word for it, who himself has exactly measured them.

But as much as their Bells exceeds ours in bigness, so much do ours exceed them in Sound, whether our Metal or Cast be better. Be pleased however to read what Father Magalbaens writes of that which is in the Palace at Pekin. Its sound, says he, is so clear, so plea∣sant, and ••armonious, that it seems to proceed from a Mu∣sical Instrument much rather than a Bell. All this must be understood comparatively; and perhaps the Au∣thor had never heard any thing of that kind like it. As for my part, all the Bells I have heard there, have seemed to me to make but a dull, obscure noise, as one may easily imagine, for their Clappers are not made of Iron, but Wood. However the thing be (for it deserves not a longer Enquiry) it is certain that the Chinese have in all their Cities very big ones, with which they distinguish the Watches of the Night. Of these they usually reckon five, from seven or eight of the Clock in the Evening: They begin the first with striking once, which they repeat a moment after, and so on till the second Watch, when they strike two strokes, at the third three; and so on: So that these Bells are as so many repeating Clocks, which every other moment inform you what time of Night it is. They also use for the same purpose a very great Drum, which they beat in the same manner.

These two Imperial Cities, which I have now been describing, might alone render China deservedly fa∣mous, but the Metropolis of most Provinces are so big, that each were fit to be the Chief of an Empire. Signanfou, the Capital City of Chensi, is three Leagues round. I have had the Curiosity to measure it my self, which was not difficult, the Walls which inclose it making an exact Square. Its Ditches, which are partly dry and partly filled with water, are very fine; its Walls thick and tall, as well as the square Towers that defend them; its Bulworks very broad; and its Gates, at least some, most stately, and like those at Pekin. The City is divided into two Parts by an Earthen Wall, which runs almost from one End to the other. The one half is inhabited by the Tartar••, who keep the biggest Garrison, tho' in the other where the Chinese dwell, there be also a good Body of Troops. There may still be seen an old Palace, the former Residence of the ancient Kings of that Coun∣try, who were powerful, not only because of the vast Extent of their Dominions, but also thro' the Bravery and Courage of their Subjects; for among all the Chinese, there are not any better proportioned, or more strong, stout and laborious than these. As for the Houses, they are, as every where else in Chi∣na, low and not over-well built; their Furniture is not so neat as in the Southern Parts, their Varnish not so smooth, their China so abundant, or their Work∣men so ingenious.

Hamt-c••éou, the Chief City of the Province of Chekiam, is also one of the richest and greatest in the Empire. The Chinese say it is four Leagues round, and, I believe, they tell no lye. The Streets are as full of People as at Paris, and the Suburbs besides be∣ing very large, and the Canals crowded with an in∣finite number of Boats, I believe it to be as populous as the greatest Cities in Europe. The Garrison consists

in 10000 Men, 3000 of which are Chinese. The Wa∣ter of their Canals is not clear, nor their Streets broad, but the Shops are neat, and the Merchants there are reputed to be very rich.

Eastwards from the City runs a River half a League broad, being near the Sea, but indeed not very con∣siderable, for a little higher it is but an useless Tor∣rent, which runs thro' abundance of Rocks. A Lake lyes close to it to the Westwards, which at most is two Leagues round. The Water is clear, but very shal∣low; Deep enough however for some large Flat-bot∣tom'd Boats, which the Chinese keep there, like so many floating Islands, where their young People take their Pleasure themselves. In the middle stands an Island where they usually land, having built there a Temple and some Houses for their Diversion. Of this Lake some Relations have made an Inchanted Place. I have read that it was built round with stately Hou∣ses and noble Palaces. This might be; but if true, a great care was certainly taken that not so much as the least Track or Memory of it should remain. But perhaps they gave that Name to some Wooden thatched Dwellings, in which China does every where abound, then indeed a short while might make great Alterations, for Time needs not use it's utmost Ef∣forts to pull them down. However, if this City is not so eminent for Buildings, it is commendable for being one of the best situated in the Empire, for the prodigious Number of its Inhabitants, the Conveni∣ency of its Canals, and the great Traffick which is made there in the finest Silks in the World.

What is surprising in China is, That whereas, being gone thro' one of these Cities, you would scarce ex∣pect to meet with the like, you are hardly out of sight of it before you are in view of such another. As for example; Going along the great Canal from Hamt-chéou you come to Sout-chéou, which is not far

from it, and if you believe the Inhabitants, contain•• four Leagues in Circuit, being indeed of a vast Ex∣tent. It is also the usual Residence of a Viceroy, and has as great a Trade as any City in the Empire. I do not find it to be proportionably as Populous as those I have mentioned; but the Suburbs, and multitude of Boats amaze new Comers. Those who have the Pa∣••ience to spend a few Minutes on the Water-side, and view the Throngs of People that come to cheapen Commodities, would imagine it to be a Fair to which the whole Empire were crowding; and the Officers there, tho' not over strict, are so busied in receiving the Customs, that they are obliged to put off to the next day a great many Traders, who come to make their Payments. This continual Hurry among the most covetous Nation in the World, should occasion frequent Quarrels, but their Government is so good, and the Mandarines Orders so strictly observed, that besides Abusive Language, in which the Chinese are very fluent, other Injuries are seldom offered. Not far from Sout-ché••u you meet with other Cities at small Distances from each other, some a League and a half, and some two Leagues round. As soon as you are come to the River Kiam, you meet with Shin Kiamson, a Town built on its Banks, one of whose very Sub∣urbs▪ which lyes North-west, is a large German League in Circuit; This Place is so Populous, that when I passed thro' it, it was no small trouble to me to make my way thro' the Crowd, and is usually as great in those Streets as here at a Solemn Procession. Over against it, on the other side of the River, stands Qua-chéou, another great trading Town; a little be∣yond lyes Yam-chéou, one of the most remarkable Ci∣ties in the whole Empire, which, according to the Chinese, contains two Millions of Inhabitants.

If I did not here recal my self, I should unawares describe all the Cities of China; but designing only

to give your Highness a general account of their Large∣ness and Number, I shall without a needless, tedious descending into Particulars, assure your Eminency that my self have seen seven or eight of them as big at least as Paris, besides several others where I have not been, which I am assured are not less. There are four∣score of the first Rank, equal to Lyons or Bourdeaux. Among 260 of the Second, above a Hundred are like Orleance; and among 1200 of the Third, there are five or six hundred as considerable as Rochel or Angou∣lesme; besides an innumerable quantity of Villages greater and more populous than Marenes and St. Iohn de Luz. These, My Lord, are no Hyperbole's, neither do I speak by Hear-say, but having travelled in Per∣son over the greatest part of China, I hope your High∣ness will favour me so far, as not to question the sin∣cerity of my Relation.

I shall conclude with the several Ports and Havens of China, which do not a little contribute ••o the In∣crease of its Wealth. Its Chinese Emperors had forbid the Entrance of them to Foreigners; but the Tartars, more sond of Money than of Ancient Customs, have of late years granted a free Access to all Nations.

The first, beginning Southwards, is Macao, famous for the great Traffick which the Portuguese formerly made there, before the Dutch had expelled them out of the greatest part of the Indies. They still have a Fortress in it, but their Garrison is small, as indeed they are not able to keep a very great one. Besides, their best way to maintain themselves in this Post is, to ingratiate themselves with the Chinese, by a blind obseq••iousness to all their Commands, which they do very wisely. The Town, if I may so call a few Hou∣ses not inclosed with any Walls, is built on a narrow uneven Soil, on the Point of a small Island which commands a good Road where Ships, by the means of several other little Islands which lye to the Wind∣wards,

are secure from any Storm. The Haven is Narrow, but Safe and Commodious. All the Cu∣stoms belong to the Emperor; and tho' the Portuguese do still preserve a Form of Government among them∣selves, yet they obey the Mandarines in whatsoever bears the least Relation to the Chinese.

The second Haven of this Coast is formed by a pretty wide River, up the which great Vessels can go as far as Canton. This place is very convenient to Foreigners, because the City supplies them with abun∣dance of all kind of Merchandises and Refreshments; but the Mandarines are not fond of letting them ap∣proach too near their Walls, least they should be sur∣prised, or rather, they are unwilling that their Merchants should deal with ours, to whom themselves do underhand sell their Commodities by the means of their Brokers.

The Province of Fokie•• adjoyning to that of Can∣ton has another celebrated Haven, which they call E∣moui, from the Island which forms it, for it is pro∣perly speaking, but a Road lockt in on the one hand by the Continent, and on the other by the said Island. The biggest Ships ride here secure, and the Banks so high, that they may come as near the Shoar as they will. The late great improvement of Trade in that City, invites to it a considerable number of People, and this Post has been judged of such a Consequence, that the Emperor has for some years past kept there a Garrison of six or seven Thousand Men under a Chi∣nese Commander.

The fourth called Nimpo, lyes in the most Easter∣ly part of China: There it was we landed. The En∣trance is very difficult, and wholly impracticable to great Vessels, the Bar at the highest Tides not being above 15 Foot under Water. That Place is neverthe∣less very well traded, for thence they make a speedy Voyage to Iapan, being but two days in their passage

to Nangazaki. Thither they carry Silks, Sugar, Drugs and Wine, which they Exchange for Gold, Silver and Brass.

Nimpo is a City of the first Class, and was in for∣mer times very remarkable, but has been much da∣maged by the late Wars; however, it daily regains something of its former Splendour; the Walls are in a good Condition, the City and Suburbs well inhabi∣ted, and the Garrison pretty numerous. The Town is still full of a kind of Monuments called by the Chinese Paifam, or Pailou, and by us Triumphal Arches, which are very frequent in China.

They consist in three great Arches abreast, built with long Marble Stones. That in the middle is much higher than the other two. The four Columns which support them are sometimes round, but of••ner square, made of one only Stone placed on an irregular Basis. In some this Basis is not to be seen whether they ne∣ver had any, or that thro' Age it was sunk into the Ground. They have no Capitals, but the Trunk is fastned into the Architrave, if we will give that Name to some Figures over the Pillars. The Frize is better distinguished, but too high in proportion to the rest; they adorn it with Inscriptions, Figures and Embossed Sculptures of a wonderful beauty, with Knots wrought loose one within another, with Flowers curiously car∣ved, and Birds flying as it were from the Stone, which in my Mind are Master-pieces.

Not that all these Arches are of this make: Some are so ordinary that they are not worth the seeing; but others there are which cannot enough be prised. Instead of a Cornish, they have before and behind large flat Marble Stones like Pent-houses There are so many of these Monuments at Nimpo, that in some places they are more a Trouble then an Ornament, tho' at a Distance they make an agreeable Prospect.

I have omitted the Haven of Nankin, which, me∣thinks,

because of the breadth and depth of the Ri∣ver Kiam should have been first in order; but not a∣ny Ships put in there at present. I do not know whe∣ther the Mouth of the said River is now choaked up with Sand; but sure I am, that the whole Fleet of that famous Pyrat who besieged Nankin during the late Troubles, passed it without any difficulty; and perhaps it is to prevent any such Accident for the fu∣ture, that the Chinese will not make use of it, that by degrees it may grow out of knowledge.

This, My Lord, is in general what may be said of the Ports, Fortresses and Cities of China, the number of which is so great, that scarce can a Traveller di∣stinguish them, they lye so thick together. There∣fore the Chinese have ever thought that no Nation in the World was to be compared to them, much like those People whom the Prophet represents, saying, * 7.1 This is that great and glorious City which has sub∣sisted for so many years, and saith, I truly am a City, and there is none besides me. The Chinese indeed were some∣thing excusable in this Point, since they knew of no∣thing beyond the Seas of Iapan and Forests of Tarta∣ry; but what we have told 'em, That the West had also its Cities and Kingdoms, which in several things exceeds theirs, has very much humbled them, being not a little vexed that their Title to the Universal Monarchy should now be questioned, after having en∣joyed it above 4000 years.

Our Comfort, My Lord, is, that these proud Ci∣ties which stiled themselves Ladies of the Universe, have been forced to open their Gates to the Gospel, and art partly subdued by our Re∣ligion. * 7.2 Those that dwelt in high places have bowed their heads, and the Lord has in a holy manner brought low the lofty Cities. This, My Lord, has often supported me in the midst

of my Labours and Travels. I have seen but few Cities where Christianity had made no Progress; and among those Crowds of Worshippers of Belial, I have observed a chosen People which worshipped the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Our Churches are now the Ornament of those very Cities, which during so ma∣ny Ages had been defiled with Idols; and the Cross raised above their Houses, confounds Superstition, and gains it self Respect from the very Gentiles.

What then remains, My Lord, but that we labour with the utmost Diligence to the perfecting of a Work worthy the Zeal of the first Apostles. Woe to those who are kept there by the Care of the Head of the Church, and the Liberality of Christian Princes, if thro' Negligence, or an ill-ground••d Cowardice, they fail of rendring the Inhabitants of those vast Cities a Holy Nation. Hitherto, thro' God's good Grace, the Ministers of the Gospel have not been ashamed of their Profession, not before the Pagan Magistrates; and when forced by a long Exile to quit their beloved Churches, they all might with St. Paul say, You know I have endeavoured to serve the Lord in all humility, with many tears, and notwithstanding the Crosses I have met with from the Heathen; that I have hid nothing from you that might be to your advantage, no hinderance being strong enough to prevent my preaching it both in publick and pri∣vate; but rather admonishing you all to be p••nitent towards God, and faithful to our Lord Iesus Christ.

I know that those who have Composed whole Vo∣lumes to cry down our Catholick Missions, will not agree to what I have said. Men, who have once pro∣fessed themselves Enemies to the Orthodox Doctrine, attack it every where, and make it their Business to slander such as preach it▪ But it may be a Comfort to us, that we have no other Adversaries but those who are such to our Church, and that we are only bla∣med by those whose Praise would be a Reproach to us.

However, we stand in daily need of the Assistance of our kind Protectors; For in what part of this World can Naked Truth and Distressed Innocence withstand alone the Force of Inveterate Malice? In you, My Lord, we hope to find one full of Zeal and Justice. The Approbation of so great a Prince, whose Wit, Judgment and Uprightness are well known to all Europe, is able alone to Silence and Confound our Enemies. And when it is once known that you are in some Concern for our Affairs, that you are sensi∣ble of our Labours, perswaded that our Designs are good, and willing to contribute to carry them on; none sure will then be so daring and hardened a Ca∣lumniator as to speak against our Missions to China, or reflect on our Conduct in that Country▪ I am with a profound Respect,

My Lord,

Hour Eminences most ••umble and obedient Servant I. J.

LETTER IV. To the Count de CRECY.

Of the Clime, Soil, Canals, Rivers and Fruits of China.

My Lord,

THE French Missionaries to China, are so highly obliged to your whole Family, that among the most important Commands, they have honoured me with for Europe, that of returning you their hearty Thanks was earnestly recommended to my Care.

I know, My Lord, that how great soever your Fa∣vours may have been, your several Employments, and the unbounded Application with which you serve his Majesty, have somewhat curbed your Zeal.

But what is not owing from us to that other Self of yours, (pardon the Expression) whom his Blood, Name, Wit, and a thousand excellent Qualifications, do so confound with you, that we can scarce distin∣guish the one from the other? In all our Travels in which some of us have already reckon'd above 40000 Leagues, we have not made a Step without his Or∣ders and Assistance. His Zeal has excited us to No∣ble Enterprises, his Prudence directed us how to car∣ry them on, his Courage strengthned us against all Opposition, and I hope his unshaken Constancy will

at last give Success to one of the most Noble Atchieve∣ments that this Age has produced, to our Churches good, to the Improvement of Learning, and to his Glory who Sways the Gallick Scepter.

Thus, My Lord, while you make known his Name in the several Courts of Europe, he spreads yours a∣broad thro' the new World, where he is equally re∣verenced by the Preachers of the Gospel, whose Sup∣port he is, and dreaded by those of Paganism and Idolatry, whose Ruin he is the occasion of. I the more willingly do Justice to his Merit, because I can∣not write on a Subject more agreeable to your Lord∣ship; and if I had not already spoke to it in a private Conversation, I were to blame, to give over so soon.

But after having indulged a Father's Tenderness, is it not time you should satisfie a State-man's Curiosity? I have often described Europe to the Chinese, who have admired its Politeness, Beauty and Magnificence; it is but just that I make China known to that European who is best able to judge of its true Grandeur. I have, My Lord, pitched upon the following Particu∣lars, being such as will give you a true Idea of that Country, and will perhaps give some pleasure in the reading.

China being of a large Extent, the Nature of the Soil is different, according to its particular Situation, as it lyes more or less Southwards. I can however as∣sure your Lordship, that the least of its fifteen Pro∣vinces, is so Populous and Fertile, that in Europe it would make alone a considerable State; and a Prince who should enjoy it, might have Wealth and Subjects enough to content a moderate Ambition.

This Land, like all others, is divided into Hills and Plains; but the latter are so even that one would think the Chinese have ever since the Foundation of their Monarchy been employ'd in nothing else but levelling them, and making them into Gardens; and

their manner of meliorating their Ground being to let Water thro' it, they could not think of a better way to distribute it equally; else those Parts which lye highest would have laboured under a continual Drought, and the rest lain always under Water.

This is also their way even in Filling and Manu∣ring their Hills, for they cut them out like a pair of Stairs from the Foot to the Top, that the Rain-water may spread equally, and not wash down the Ground with its Seeds.

Thus they have, as it were, forced Nature by ma∣king Artificial Plains, where she had raised Moun∣tains; and a long Series of such Hills surrounded and crowned, as I may say, with a hundred such Terras∣ses, losing in Breadth as they gain in Height, and whose Soil is as fruitful as that of the best Cultivated Val∣leys, must needs make a very entertaining Landskip.

It is true that their Mountains are not for the most part so Stony as ours, their Mould is rather Light, Porous, and easily Cut; and what is most surprising, so deep, that in most Provinces you may dig three or four hundred Feet in depth before you come to the Rock. This does not a little contribute to its good∣ness, because the continual Transpiration of Salt Spi∣rits is ever renewing it, and thus endues the Soil with a perpetual Fertility.

Nature has not however been equal in her Distri∣bution, she was less lavish to the Provinces of Chensi, Honan, Canton and Fokien. Yet even their Mountains are not wholly useless, bearing all kind of Trees, which grow tall and streight, and are fit for all kind of Building, especially for Shipping. The Emperor reserves some for his private use, and sometimes sends 300 Leagues for Trees of a prodigious bigness, of which he makes Pillars to his Temples or other Publick Buildings.

The Inhabitants also trade much in them, for having

lopt off all the Branches, they tye 80 or 100 of them together, and fasten so many such Rows one behind another as reach almost a Mile, which they drag in that manner along the Rivers and Canals till they have sold all; for they build them little convenient Houses on these kind of Floats, where the Timber-Merchant, his Family and Servants lye during the whole Voyage, which is sometimes three or four Months long.

They have other Mountains which are of a great∣er and more publick Advantage. Those produce I∣ron, Tin, Brass, Mercury, Gold and Silver. It is true, the Silver Mines are not now made use of, whe∣ther they think the Empire is sufficiently stocked with it, or that they are unwilling to Sacrifice the Lives of poor People, by putting them upon so laborious and dangerous a Task.

As for their Gold the Torrents wash a great quan∣tity away into the Plains, which proves the occasion of a great many Peoples livelyhood, who have no o∣ther Occupation then to look for it among the Sand and Mud, where they find it so pure, that it need no Refining as at Peru.

If you will believe the Chinese, who themselves are Credulous to an Excess, their Mountains have won∣derful Properties. Some, they say, are ever covered with Clouds, while others always continue Calm and Serene. Some produce none but useful, wholesome Herbs, while not a rank poysonous Weed can grow there. They affirm that a Hill in the Province of Chensi is shaped like a Cock, and Crows sometimes so loud as to be heard three Leagues off; and that ano∣ther in that of Fokien, moves too and fro when a Storm approaches, like a Tree agitated with the Wind. The hoary Heads of others are cover'd with a conti∣nual Frost; and there is one in the Province of Ki∣amsi, called the Dragon-Tiger, because the Bonzes pre∣tend

that its upper part is shaped like a Dragon, and seems to Assault the lower that is like a Tiger.

That of Fokien especially is admired, the whole Ex∣tent of which is nothing else but a Representation of the Idol Fo••, so hugely big, that its Eyes are several Miles broad, and its Nose many Leagues in length. I cannot suppose it to be a piece of Chinese Work∣manship, for they would not certainly have made its Nose so big, who love theirs should be little, which they look upon as a great Beauty.

The Mountain of Chensi is no less wonderful, for at the Sound of a Drum, or any other Instrument, it breathes out Fire and Flames, raises Wind, Rains; Storms and what not: And, to conclude, one in the Province of Houkam has this strange property, that it makes Thieves so giddy, that should they steal any thing on it, it would be impossible for them to go off with their Booty; whereas an easie Egress and Re∣gress is allowed to such as come thither with an Ho∣nest Mind.

China abounds in such like Curiosities which some of our Philosophers admire, and endeavour to reduce to Natural Principles, but I should rather advise them to leave that Discussion to the Chinese, who being the Authors, should best know the Causes of these fancied Effects.

The idlest Dream, and that to which they give most Faith, is, That there is a Dragon of an extra∣ordinary strength and Sovereign Power. It is in Hea∣ven, in the Air, on the Waters, and usually among the Mountains. They also believe that in those Moun∣tains live a sort of Men which they call the Immortal Race, believing really that they never dye; and some are so infatuated with this ridiculous Opinion, that they wander among those Rocks, and there loose themselves in quest of Immortality. There are se∣veral famous Grotto's, where some Bonz••s lead a very

••ustere Life; but for a few that behave themselves well, abundance thro' their execrable Vices, are grown Contemptible to Persons of Quality, and Odious to the People, who only tolerate them, thro' a mistaken Zeal.

The most famous Temples are also built on Moun∣tains. Pilgrims repair thither from 200 Leagues off, and their Number is sometimes so great, that the Roads are crowded with them. The Women espe∣cially are very exact in the performance of this piece of Devotion, for having no other Opportunity of going abroad, they are glad of that Pretext. But these Holy Travels being somewhat prejudicial to their Vertue, their Husbands are not over-well pleased at it; therefore only your ordinary sort of Women perform these Journeys; but as for Persons of Quali∣ty, they force their Wives Zeal into a narrower Com∣pass.

If after having viewed their Mountains, we take a Prospect of their Plains, it must be confessed that no Art can equal their Natural Beauty. They are all Cultivated, and have neither Hedge nor Ditch, nor scarce a Tree, so much they are afraid of losing an inch of Ground. In most Provinces they make Har∣vest twice a year, and between those two Seasons they sow Herbs and Pulse.

All the Northern and Western Provinces, as Pekin, Chansi, Chensi, Sout chouen, bear Wheat, Barley, seve∣ral kinds of Millet, and Tobacco, with black and yel∣low Pease, with which they feed Horses as we do with Oats. Those to the South, especially Houquam, Nankin, and Shekiam are fruitful in Rice, it being a low, warry Country. The Husbandmen at first sow it disorderly like other Corn, and when it is grown a∣bout two Feet from the Ground, they pull it up by the Roots, and transplant it in a strait Line, in small par∣cels like little Sheaves, checkerwise, that the Ears may

support each other, and the easier resist the Wind; so that these Plains look more like spacious Gardens than a plain Field.

The Soil is proper for all manner of Fruits; it bears Pears, Apples, Ap••icocks, Peaches, Figs, Grapes of all kind, and especially excellent Muscadines. There are also Pomegranates, Walnuts, Chesnuts, and ge∣nerally all that we have in Europe. Their Olives are different from ours; they press no Oyl out of them, because, perhaps, they are not fit for that purpose, or that the Chinese have not yet thought of it. Their Fruit generally speaking, is not near so good as ours, being wholly Strangers to the Art of Gra••ting. But they have three kind of Melons which all are excel∣lent: The first are small, yellow within, and of a sweet Sugar-taste, which they eat with the Rind as we do an Apple: I have not met with those any where but in the Province of Chensi. The others are very big and long, their inside being of some white, and of others red; tho' they are full of a cooling Juice which tastes like Sugar, they never prove offensive, and may be eaten during the greatest Heats of Sum∣mer, without fear of a Surfeit; those are called Wa∣ter-Melons. The third sort are like our ordinary Me∣lons.

Besides the Fruits which they have in common with us, others grow there which are not known in Europe. The most delicate they call Letchi, and is found in the Province of Canton. It is as big as a Nut, the S••one is long and big, and the Meat on it soft and waterish, but of a most dilicious Taste; I know not any Fruit in Europe that comes near it. All this is inclosed in a rough thin Rhind, and the whole is shaped like an Egg. It is unwholesome to eat a quan∣tity, and of so hot a nature, as to cause a Man's whole Body to break out into Pimples. The Chinese dry it with the Rhind, and then it grows black and

rinkled like our Prunes, and so it is preserved and eat all the year round, being used especially in Tea, to which it gives a little sharp Taste, more agreeable than that of Sugar.

In the same Province, and in that of Fokien, grows another small Fruit which they call Louyen, Dragon's-Eye. The Tree that bears it is large as those which produce our Walnuts. This Fruit is exactly round, the outer Rhind being smooth and grey, but as it ri∣pens it grows yellowish. The Meat is white, sowerish, and very full of Juice, and is fitter for a Dessert to those who have well dined, then to satisfie the hun∣gry Stomach: It is very cool and inoffensive.

The S••ze, another kind of Fruit peculiar to China, grows almost in all parts of it; of this, as of Apples, there are several kinds. Those in the Southern Pro∣vinces taste much like Sugar, and melt in ones Mouth. In the Provinces of Chansi and Chensi, it is more firm, bigger, and may easier be preserved. The Rhind of the former is clear, smooth, transparent, and of a shining red Colour, especially when the Fruit is ripe. Some are in shape like an Egg, but usually bigger, the Pips black and flat, and the Meat very watery and almost liquid, which they suck out at one of the ends. When they are dried like our Figs they be∣come mealy, but in time there grows a sort of a su∣ga••'d Crust upon them, from which they receive a most delicious flavour.

Those in Chansi are, as I have said, much more firm, their Meat being like that of our Apples, but of a different Colour. Those they either gather early to ripen them on the Straw, or dip in scalding Wa∣ter, to free 'em of an ill sower Taste which they have at first gathering. The Chinese are not over careful of this Fruit, it being a Natural Product of the Earth which grows in any Soil. But did they endeavour to bring it to perfection by grasting, I question

not but it might be made an excellent one.

I purposely omit their Anana's, Goyaves, Coco's and other Fruits, for which they are indebted to the In∣dies, and which have been abundantly described in o∣ther Relations; but I cannot pass by their Oranges, commonly known with us by the Name of China O∣ranges, because the first we saw of that kind came from thence. The first and only Tree out of whose Stock all ours are said to be produced, is still preser∣ved at Lisbon in the Garden of the Count de St. Lau∣rence, and we are, indeed, beholding to the Portuguese for that Delicious Fruit; but they brought only of one kind over, tho' there be several in China.

That which is most valued, and sent as a Rarity to the Indies, is no bigger than the Balls with which they usually play at Billiard; the Rhind is of a red∣dish yellow, fine, clear, and very smooth. Yet the bigger sort seem to me the best: Those of Canton espe∣cially are very agreeable both to our Palate and Con∣stitution. They are commonly given to sick People, being first softned with the fire, then filled with Su∣gar, which incorporating with their Juice, makes a very sweet wholsome Syrup, then which nothing can be better for the Lungs. I know not how to distin∣guish them from those we have in Provence, and that are brought from Portugal; unless by their being more fi••m, that they are not easily parted from the Rhind, neither are they divided into Segments like ours, tho' else they do not differ in shape.

When I was at Siam, most of my Country-men were transported with the goodness of certain Oran∣ges whose Rhind is rough, thick, almost all over green. They may perhaps be willing to know if Chi∣na can shew any as good. As to matter of Taste, a Man does not always agree with himself, much less can he do so with others. All I can say to it is, that each is excellent in its kind, and that usually the last eaten seem best tasted.

Lemons, Citrons, and what the Indians call Pam∣pelimonses, are very common there, and therefore not so much regarded as in Europe; but they Cultivate with a great deal of Care a particular Species of Le∣mon-Trees, whose Fruit being no bigger then a Wal∣nut, perfectly round, green and sowerish withal, are excellent in all kind of Ragousts; and these Shrubs they often plant in Boxes to adorn their Courts and Halls therewith.

But of all the Trees that grow in China, that which produces Tallow is in my Opinion the most prodigi∣ous. This very Proposition is no doubt surprising, and there being no where else any thing like it, will seem a Paradox; yet there is nothing more true, and perhaps, My Lord, a particular Account of the Na∣ture and Properties of so extraordinary a Tree, will not be unwelcome.

It is about the height of our Cherry-Trees; the Branches are crooked, the Leaves shaped like a Heart, of a lively brisk red, its Bark smooth, the Trunk short, and the Head round and very thick. The Fruit is inclosed within a Rhind divided into three Segments, which open when it is ripe, and discover three white Kernels of the bigness of a small Nu••. All the Bran∣ches are very thick of it; and this mixture of white and red makes at a distance the finest Prospect in the World; the Fields, where these Trees are planted, which they usually are in a direct Line and Checker∣wise, shewing afar off like a vast Parterre of Flower-Pots.

But the wonder is, that this Kernel has all the qua∣lities of Tallow; its Odour, Colour, and Consisten∣cy; and they also make Candles of it, mixing only a little Oyl when they melt it to make the Stuff more pliant. If they knew how to purifie it as we do our Tallow here, I doubt not but their Candles might be as good as ours, but they make them very awkwardly;

so that their Smell is much stronger, their Smoak thicker, and their Light dimmer than ours.

It is true, the Fault does not a little lye in the Wiek; for instead of Cotton, tho' they are well stocked with that Commodity, they use a small stick of a dry light Wood, wrapt round with the inner part of a Rush, which is very porous, and thereby ••itted for the Filtration of the small Particles of that greasie Matter by which the Flame is preserved. This wooden Wiek, besides that it does not burn so clear as Cotton, increases the Smoak, and causes an offen∣sive Smell.

Among the Trees peculiar to the Country I am speaking of, I must not omit those which bear Pep∣per, not like that which we make use of in Europe, but another sort of Seeds indued with the same quali∣ties. They grow on a Tree like those who bear our Walnuts, about as big as a Pea, and of a greyish Colour, with little red streaks. When they are ripe they open of themselves, and discover a little Stone as black as Jet, casting so strong a smell very offen∣sive to the Head, for which reason they gather them by inte••vals, not being able to remain on the Tree any considerable time. Having exposed these Grains to the Sun, they cast away the Stone which is too hot a•••• strong, and only use the rest, which tho' not quite so agreeable as our Pepper, is however of good use in Sauces.

I shall add, My Lord, that you may better judge of the Fe••tility of that vast Empire, that there is no place in the World like it for the abundance of Roots and Pulse; it is almost the only Food of the Inhabi∣tants, who omit nothing to have them good. It would be too tedious to give you a List of all those different Herbs; for besides those we have here, their Ground brings forth several others unknown to us, on which they set a greater value. Their Care and

Dexterity herein is beyond all our Gardners perfor∣mances; and if our Parterre excels theirs, they exceed us in their Kitchin Garden.

Tho' this Subject, common in it self and not worth your notice, yields no great Rarity, I cannot forbear speaking of a kind of Onions which I have seen; they do not seed like ours; but towards the latter end of the Season their Leaves bear some small Filaments, in the midst of which is a white Onion like that in the Ground. This does in time produce its Leaves, and those a like Head, and so on, which grow less and shorter as they are farther from the Ground; the Dimensions are so just, and the Proportions so exact, that one would think them Artificially done; and it seems as if nature were minded to shew us that even Sporting, it can exceed the Skill of the nicest Artist.

If what has been written of what they call Petsi were true, it would be a great wonder. It is a kind of Lenufar, that grows under Water, whose Root is fastned to a white Matter covered with a red Skin, that divides it self into several Heads, which when fresh, taste like a small Nut. I have been assu∣red that it has this Property, that it softens Brass, and as it were renders it eatable, if a piece of the Metal be put into the Mouth with one of this Plant.

This seemed the stranger to me, because the Juice which issues from it is very mild and cooling, and not endued with any of those Corrosive qualities which seem necessary to work such an Effect. As soon as we were arrived at Hamt chéou, where this Petsi is much eaten, we had the Curiosity to enquire into the truth of it; and to that purpose took a piece of their Money, which was made of a very brittle sort of Molten Brass, and wrapt it up in a slice of this Root. One of us who had stronger Teeth than the rest, broke it into several pieces, which the others,

loath to strain their Jaws, had not been able to do: But these broken pieces were as hard as ever, which made us think that the Root had indeed no other Vir∣tue then that by being wrapt up round the Brass it saved his Teeth; which a piece of Leather might have done as well. We often repeated the Experiment at Kiahin, but with no better success; so true it is that these mighty Wonders should be heard twice, before they are once believed.

Tho' China were not of it self so fruitful a Coun∣try as I have represented it, the Canals which are cut thro' it, were alone sufficient to make it so. But besides their great usefulness in that, and the way of Trade, they add also much Beauty to it. They are generally of a clear, deep and running Water, that glides so softly, that it can scarce be perceived. There is one usually in every Province, which is to it in∣stead of a Road, and runs between two Banks, built up with flat course Marble Stones, bound together by others which are let into them, in the same man∣ner as we use to fasten our strong wooden Boxes at the Corners.

So little Care was taken, during the Wars, to pre∣serve Works of Publick Use, that this, tho' one of the Noblest in the Empire, was spoiled in several places, which is a great pity; for they are of no little use, both to keep in the Waters of these Canals, and for those to walk on who drag the Boats along. Besides these Cawseys they have the conveniency of a great many Bridges for the Communication of the oppo∣site Shoars; some are of three, some five, and some seven Arches, the middlemost being always extraor∣dina••y high, that the Boats may go through without putting down their Masts. These Arches are built with large pieces of Stone or Marble, and very well f••amed, the Supporters well fitted, and the Piles so small that one would think them at a distance to hang

in the Air. These are frequently met with, not be∣ing far asunder, and the Canal being strait, as they usually are, it makes a Prospective at once stately and agreeable.

This great Canal runs out into smaller ones on ei∣ther side, which are again subdivided into small Ri∣v••lets, that end at some great Town or Village. Some∣times they discharge themselves into some Lake or great Pond, out of which all the adjacent Country is watered. So that these clear and plentiful Streams, embellished by so many fine Bridges, bounded by such neat and convenient Banks, equally distributed into such vast Plains, covered with a numberless multi∣tude of Boats and Barges, and crowned (if I may use the Expression) with a prodigious number of Towns and Cities, whose Ditches it fills, and whose Streets it forms, does at once make that Country the most Fruitful and the most Beautiful in the World.

Surprised and as it were astonished at so Noble a Sight, I have sometimes bore a secret Envy to China in Europe's behalf, which must own that it can boast nothing in that kind to be compared to the former. What would it be then, if that Art which in the wildest and most unlikely Places has raised magnifi∣cent Palaces, Gardens and Groves, had been employ∣ed in that rich Land, to which Nature has been la∣vish of her most precious Gifts.

The Chinese say their Country was formerly totally overflowed, and that by main Labour they drained the Water by cutting it a way thro' these useful Ca∣nals. If this be true▪ I cannot enough admir•• at once the Boldness and Industry of their Workmen who have thus made great Artificial Rivers, and of a kind of a Sea, as it were created the most Fertile Plains in the World.

It will scarce be believed, that Men so ignorant in the Principles of Physicks, and the Art of Levelling,

could bring such a Work as that to Perfection; yet it is certain that these Canals are natural. For they are usually strait, the Distribution is equal and order∣ly; there are Flood-gates made for the Rivers to let in their Water at, and others to let it out when they are too full; so that it cannot be doubted but that the Chinese are only beholding to their own Industry for that great Conveniency.

Among all those Canals in the Southern Provinces, one above the rest is called the Great Canal, because it goes thro' the whole Country from Canton, which lyes Southwards to Pekin, situated in the most Nor∣therly parts of the Empire. You must only travel a short days Journey by Land to cross the Hill Moilin, that does on one side bound the Province of Kiamsi. From this Mountain issue two Rivers; one runs South∣wards to the Sea, and the other Northwards as far as the River of Nankin, whence by the yellow River, and several Canals, you may proceed by Wa••er to the ve∣ry Mountains of Tartary.

But, by reason in this huge Extent of Ground, of above four hundred Leagues in length, the Earth is not Level, or, hath not a Descent proportionable to the Emanation of the Waters, it was necessary to set a great number of Sluices awork. They call them so in the Relations, notwithstanding they be much different from ours. They are Water-falls, and as it were certain Torrents, that are precipitated from one Canal into another, more or less rapid, according to the difference of their Level: Now, to cause the Barks to ascend, they make use of a great Company of Men, who are maintained for that purpose near the Sluice. After they have drawn Cables to the right and left to lay hold of the Bark, in such a manner that it cannot escape from them; they have several Capstans, by the help of which they raise it by little and little, by the main force of their Arms, till such time as it be in

the upper Canal, in a Condition to continue its Voyage whither it is bound. This same Labour is te∣dious, toilsome, and exceeding dangerous. They would be wonderfully surprised, should they behold with what easiness one Man alone, who opens and shuts the Gates of our Sluices, makes the longest and heaviest laden Barks securely to ascend and descend.

I have observed in some Places in China, where the Waters of two Canals or Channels have no Commu∣nication together; yet for all that, they make the Boats to pass from the one to the other, notwithstand∣ing the Level may be different above fifteen Foot: And this is the way they go to work. At the end of the Canal they have built a double Glacis, or sloping Bank of Free-stone, which uniting at the Point, ex∣tends it self on both sides up to the Surface of the Water. When the Bark is in the lower Channel they hoist it up by the help of several Capstanes to the plane of the first Glacis, so far, till being raised to the Point, it falls back again by its own weight along the second Glacis, into the Water of the upper Channel, where it skuds away during a pretty while, like an Ar∣row out of a Bow; and they make it descend after the same manner proportionably. I cannot imagine how these Barks, being commonly very long and heavy Laden, escape being split in the middle, when they are poised in the Air upon this Acute Angle; for, con∣sidering that length, the Lever must needs make a strange effect upon it; yet do I not hear of any ill Accident happen thereupon. I have past a pretty many times that way, and all the Caution they take, when they have a mind to go ashoar, is, to tye ones self fast to some Cable for fear of being tost from Prow to Poop.

We meet with no such Sluices in the Grand Canal, because the Emperor's Barks, that are as large as our Frigots, could not be raised by force of Arm, nay,

and would infallibly be split in the Fall, all the diffi∣culty consists in ascending back again upon these Tor∣rents, of which I have spoken; yet this is what they perform successively, tho' not without some Trouble and Expence.

The Canal to sail upon, was necessary for the Transportation of Grain and Stuffs, which they fetch from the Southern Provinces to Pekin. There are, if we may give Credit to the Chineses, a Thou∣sand Barks, from Eighty to an Hundred Tun, that make a Voyage once a year, all of them Freighted for the Emperor, without counting those of particular Persons, whose number is infinite. When these pro∣digious Fleets set out, one would think they carry the Tribute of all the Kingdoms of the East, and that one of these Voyages alone was capable of supplying all Tartary where-withal to Subsist for several years; yet for all that Pekin alone hath the benefit of it; and it would be as good as nothing, did not the Province contribute besides to the Maintenance of the Inhabi∣tants of that vast City.

The Chineses are not only content to make Channels for the Convenience of Travellers, but they do also dig many others to catch the Rain-water, wherewith they water the Fields in time of Drought, more e∣specially in the Northern Provinces. During the whole Summer, you may see your Country Peo∣ple busied in raising this Water into abundance of small Ditches, which they contrive across the Fields. In other places they contrive great Re∣servatories of Tu••f, whose Bottom is raised above the Level of the Ground about it, to serve them in Case of Necessity. Besides that, they have every where in Ch••nsi and Chansi, for want of Rain, certain Pits from Twenty to an Hundred foot deep, from which they draw Water by an incredible Toil. Now if by chance they meet with a Spring of Water, it is

worth observing how cunningly they husband it; they Sustain it by Banks in the highest places; they turn it here and there an Hundred different ways, that all the Country may reap the benefit of it; they divide it, by drawing it by degrees, according as e∣very one hath occasion for it, insomuch that a small Rivulet, well managed, does sometimes produce the Fertility of a whole Province.

The Rivers of China are no less considerable then its Canals, there are two especially, which the Rela∣tions have made famous. The first is called Kiam or Yamçe, which they commonly Translate the Son of the Sea: But I am afraid they are mistaken; for the Letter the Chineses use for to write Yam is different from that which signifies the Sea, altho' the Sound and Pronunciation may have some Affinity: Amongst se∣veral significations that this Letter may have, that which they gave it in former times makes for our purpose. Under the Reign of the Emperor Yon it signified a Province of China, limitted by this River on the North; and it is somewhat probable that they gave this same Name to the River, because that Prince drain'd all the Water that overflow'd the whole Coun∣try into it.

This Floud takes its rise in the Province of Yunnan, crosses the Provinces of Soutchouen, Houquam, and Nankin; and after it hath watered four Kingdoms far and wide for 400 Leagues together, it disimbogues into the East-Sea over against the Isle of Tçoummim, cast up at its Mouth by the Sands which it carries a∣long with it; the Chineses have a Proverb amongst them that says, The Sea hath no bounds, and the Kiam hath no bottom* 7.3. And, in truth, in some places there is none to be found; in others they pretend there is Two or Three hundred Fathom wa∣ter. I am nevertheless perswaded that their Pilots,

that carry not above Fifty or Sixty Fathom Cord at longest, never had the Curiosity to Sound so deep as Three hundred Fathom; and the impossibility of finding the bottom with their ordinary Plummet, is sufficient, in my opinion, to incline them to such like Hyperboly's.

I have many times sailed upon this River; I have moreover taken a diligent account of its Course and Breadth from Nankin, to the Mouth of another River, into which Men enter to pursue the way to Canton. It is off of Nankin Thirty Leagues from the Sea, a little half League broad; the Passage along it is come dangerous; and becomes more and more infa∣mous every day for its Shipwracks. In its Course, which is exceeding rapid, it forms a great number of Isles, all of them very beneficial to the Province, by reason of that multitude of Bull-rushes Ten or Twelve foot high that it produceth, serving for Fuel to all the Cities thereabouts; for they have scarce Wood e∣nough for Buildings and Sh••ips. They yield a great Revenew, and the Emperor draws considerable Du∣ties from them.

The River which the Torrents of the Mountains do sometimes swell extraordinarily, grow so rapid, that many times they bear away the Isles with them, or lessen them by the half; -and for the same reason form other new ones in some other place; and one cannot but admire to see them change place in such a short time, just as if by diving, they had past under Water from one place to another; that does not al∣ways come to pass: But there is observed such con∣siderable Change every year, that the Mandarins least they should be mistaken, get them to be measured e∣very Three years, to augment, or diminish the Im∣posts and Duties, according to the Condition they are found to be in.

The second River of China is called Hoamho, as much as to say, The yellow River, because the Earth it sweeps away with it, especially in times of great Rains, give it that Colour. I have seen a gre••t ma∣ny others, whose Waters at certain Seasons of the year, are so over-charged with slime, and so gross and thick, that they rather resemble Torrents of Mud, than real Rivers. The Hoamho takes its source at the Extremity of the Mountains that bound the Province of Soutchouen in the West: From thence it throws it self into Tartary, where it flows for some time all a∣long the great Wall, at which it re-enters China be∣tween the Province of Chansi and Chensi. After that it waters the Province of Honan; and when it hath run cross one part of the Province of Nankin, and flowed above Six hundred Leagues into the Land, it disimbogues at length into the East-Sea, not far from the Mouth of Kiam. I have crost it, and coasted it in divers places; it is every where very broad and ra∣pid, yet neither deep nor navigable, to speak of.

This River hath in former times caused great Deso∣lation in China, and they are still forced to this very day to keep up the Waters in certain places by long and strong Banks, which notwithstanding does not exempt the Cities thereabouts from Apprehensions of Inundation. So likewise have they been careful, in the Province of Honan, the Ground lying very low thereabouts, to surround the greatest part of the Ci∣ties, about a Mile from the Walls, with a Terrace, cased with Turf, to prevent being surprised by Acci∣dents and Casualties in case the Bank be broken, as happened about Fifty two years ago. For the Empe∣ror, endeavouring to force a Rebel (who, for a long time laid close Siege to the City of Honan) to draw off, caused one part of the Banks to be broken down, thereby to drown the adverse Army. But the Relief he afforded the City proved more fatal than ••he Fury

of the Besiegers would have been; the whole Pro∣vince almost was laid under Water, together with ma∣ny Cities, and abundance of Villages, above Three hundred thousand Persons drowned in the Metropo∣lis, amongst whom were some of our Missionaries, who at that time had a numerous Flock of Christians; there they, and their Church lost their Lives.

The Low Country ever since is become a kind of a Marsh or Lake; not but that they have some de∣sign to repair this loss, but the Undertaking is diffi∣cult and very expensive. The Sovereign Court that takes care of Publick Works, importuned the Emperor more than once to send Father Verbiest thither, and peradventure, that Prince would have consented there∣to at last, but he discovered that the Mandarins made use of this pretence, to remove the Father at a di∣stance from Court, and that their Design was to en∣gage him in a difficult Enterprise, that was enough to destroy him; or out of which he could never have disintangled himself with any honour.

There is to be seen in China abundance of other Ri∣vers less Famous, but yet more Commodious for Com∣merce and Trade.

Since they afford nothing uncommon, it would be to abuse your Patience, Sir, to descend to the Particu∣lars. As to what concerns Fountains, it were to be wisht there were more of them, and better. 'Tis cer∣tain that their usual Waters are not good, which, per∣haps, hath obliged the Inhabitants, especially in the Southern Provinces, to drink it always warm; but because warm Water is unpalatable and nauseous, they bethought themselves of putting some Leaves of a Tree to it, to give it a Gusto, Those of Tea seemed to be the best, and so they frequently make use of it.

It may be also that God Almighty, whose Providence hath so universally provided for the Wants of his Peo∣ple, and if I may be bold to say it, for their Delight

and Pleasure, would not deprive China of that which is necessary to Life; so that for to Supply the Defect of Wells and Fountains, which the Nature of the Ground hath made every where salt and brackish, he hath been pleased to produce that Species of a parti∣cular Tree in abundance, whose Leaves serve not on∣ly to purge the Waters from their noxious Qualities, but also to make them wholsome and pleasant.

We are assured that there is to be found in China amongst Fountains, several that suffer Flux and Re∣flux as regularly, as the Sea doth, whether it be that they have some Communication with the Ocean by certain Subterraneous Conveyances, and Conduits, or whether it be in passing through certain Earths, they are impregnated with Salts and Spirits apt to cause this Fermentation. I leave others to determine.

Since I have begun to speak of the different Wa∣ters of China, I cannot pass over in Silence the Lakes and Ponds that are every where almost to be seen in all the Provinces. Those that are produced in Win∣ter by the Torrents from the Mountains, lay waste the Fields, and render the whole Country during Summer, barren, sandy, and full of Flints. Those that arise from Springs are abounding in Fish, and yield a considerable Revenew to the Emperor by the Salt they afford. There is one of them amongst the rest, if I be not mistaken it is in Chansi, in the mid∣dle whereof appears a small Island, where People di∣vert themselves, during the excessive Heat, to sprin∣kle Water all over. There is made in a little while, a Crust of a certain Salt very white, and of a pleasant Scent, which they continue all the Summer long, with that Success, that the Salt would be sufficient for the whole Province, if it were as Salt as that of the Sea; they commonly make use of it to Season Meat with∣al.

Altho' I have not seen all those famous Lakes in China, whereunto Historians ascribe so many Mira∣cles, yet shall I relate something, which I do not care to warrant for Gospel; which nevertheless, will let you understand the Genius of the Country, where People so easily give Credit to what seems most in∣credible.

In the Province of Fokien there is one whose Water is green, and changes Iron into Copper. They have built a Palace upon the Banks of another not far di∣stant from the former, in an Apartment of which one hears the ringing of Bells every time Heaven threa∣tens a Storm. There are Waters in the Province of Canton that change Colour every year, in Summer and in Winer, they are very clear; in Autumn they turn blue, but of such a fine blue, that People make use of it to dye Stuffs.

In that place is to be seen a Mountain full of Caverns, whose very Aspect is very terrible, in which is found a Lake of that Nature, that if one throw a Stone into it, one may hear a noise like Thunder; sometime after there ariseth a gross Mist, which im∣mediately dissolves into Water.

But the most famous of them all, is, that of the Province of Iannan. The Chineses would make you believe that this Lake came all on the sudden, during an Earthquake that swallowed up all the Country with its Inhabitants: This was a just Judgment upon them for their wickedness, for they were very disso∣lute Livers. Of all that were there at that time, there was but one Child that was saved, which they found in the middle of the Lake born up upon a piece of Wood.

In the Isle of Hainan, belonging to China, there is a sort of Water, whether it be Lake or Fountain, I know not, that petrifies Fish. I my self have b••ought over Crawfish, that preserving their intire Natural

Figure, are so far changed into Stone, that the Claws and Body of them are very hard, very solid, and lit∣tle differing from Stone. The Wonders of Nature are not so far particular to China, but the like may be met with elsewhere; and if one does not credit all the Chineses relate, it is not because there is some∣times no foundation for their Stories: But because they have somewhat of the Air of Fable, and Hyper∣bolical in them, that would make a Man even suspect their being true.

I wish with all my heart, Sir, (that I may not o∣mit any thing that any way relates to this Subject) I were able to explain all the kinds of Fish that the Ri∣vers and Lakes furnish them with, as well as those that are Caught upon their Coasts; but to tell you the truth, I am not well enough informed to engage my self upon a particular Relation of them; I have seen, as far as I can guess, all the Fish in China, that we have in France: I have taken notice of a great many others that I did not know, no not so much as their Names; that is all I can say of it: Besides that I shall confirm to you, what possibly you may have read in the Relations touching the Fish they call the Golden and Silver Fish that are found in divers Provinces, and do afford particular Ornaments in the Courts and Gardens of great Persons.

They are commonly of a fingers length, and of a proportionable thickness; the Male is of a most delicate red, from the head to the middle of the Body, and further; the rest, together with the Tail, is gilded; but with such a glittering, and burnisht Gold, that our real Gildings cannot come near it. The Female is white, its Tail, nay and one part of its Body, per∣fectly washt over with Silver; the Tail of both of them is not even and flat as that of other Fish, but fashioned like a Nosegay, thick and long, and gives a particular Grace to this pretty Animal, that sets it

off, being besides perfectly well proportioned.

Those who would breed them, ought to have great Care, for they are extraordinary tender, and sensi∣ble of the least Injuries of the Air. They put them into a great Basin, such as are in Gardens, very deep and large; at the bottom of which they are wont to place an Earthen Pot turned upside down, full of Holes on the sides, that they may retire into it when it is very hot Weather, and by that means shelter them∣selves from the Sun. They likewise throw upon the Surface of the Water some particular Herbs that keep always green, and maintain the coolness. This Wa∣ter is to be changed two or three times a Week, yet so that fresh Water may be put in, according as the Basin is emptied, which must never be lest dry. If one be obliged to remove the Fish from one Vase to another, great care must be taken not to touch them with the Hand; all those that are touched dye quick∣ly after, or shrivel up; you must for that purpose make use of a little Thred Purse, fasten'd at the up∣per end of a wooden Circle, into which they are in∣sensibly ingaged; when they are once got into it of themselves, one must take heed of hurting them, and be sure to hold them still in the first, which emp∣ties but slowly, and gives time to Transport them to the other Water. Any great noise, as of a Cannon, or of Thunder, too strong a smell, too violent a mo∣tion, are all very hurtful to them, yea, and sometimes occasions their dying; as I have observed at Sea every time they discharged the Cannon, or melted Pitch and Tar: Besides, they live almost upon nothing; those insensible Worms that are bread in the Water, or that most Terrestrial Parts that are mixt with it, suf∣fice in a manner to keep them alive. They do, not∣withstanding, throw in little Balls of Past now and then; but there is nothing better than a Wafer, which s••eep't, makes a kind of Pap, of which they are ex∣tream

greedy, which indeed is very proportiona∣ble to their natural Delicacy and Tenderness. In hot Countries they multiply very much, provided care be taken to remove their Eggs, which swim upon the Water, which the Fish most commonly eat: They place them in a particular Vase exposed to the Sun, and there they preserve them till the heat hatcheth them; the Fish come out of a black colour, which some of them keep ever after, but is changed by lit∣tle and little in other Colours, into Red, White, Gold, and Silver, according to their different Kind: The Gold and Silver begins at the extremity of the Tail, and expand themselves somewhat more or less, ac∣cording to their particular Disposition.

All this, Sir, and other Marvels of the Universe, makes us acknowledge the Finger of God every where, who for our sakes hath embellished the World many thousand ways. He is not only content to en∣lighten the Heavens, and enrich the Earth, but de∣scends into the Abysses, into the very Waters; he hath lest some Footsteps of his profound Wisdom, and not to mention those prodigious Monsters, that seem to be made to astonish Nature, he hath likewise crea∣ted those wonderful Fish I but now described, which, as little as they are, yet by their singular Beauty are the Subject of our Admiration, and furnish us with some faint Idea's of the Greatness of the wise Crea∣tor.

Here I present you, Sir, in a Compendium, the Draught, and as it were the Map of that Country, which I design'd to give you some knowledge of; these are but the outside, and if I may so say, but the Body of that Empire, whose Soul and Spirit is di∣sperst through its Inhabitants. Peradventure, when you shall have read what I have writ to you about it, you will be apt to enquire what People they be who are so happy as to receive the greatest, fairest, and

most fertile Portion of the Earth for their Inheritance; such a Land, in a word, that it wants nothing to make it a real Land of Promise, but to be Cultivated by God's People, and inhabited by true Israelites in∣deed. If we had nothing, as the Hebrews had, but the Red-Sea and Wilderness to go through, probably Forty years might suffice to bring it under Subjection to the Gospel: But that vast Extent of Seas, those infinite and unpracticable Land Journeys, that were capable of putting a stop to Moses and the Prophets, do allay the Zeal of the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and lessen the number of his New Apostles.

Oh! that I could, as the Hebrews did, whom Mo∣ses sent to discover the Promised Land, represent the immense Richness, and most precious Harvest that China promises to the Labourers in the Vineyards, we have hopes that probably the prospect of such an a∣bundant Crop, might in time prevail with all Europe to come and reap it: At least, I hope that my Testi∣mony will not be insignificant, and that the more than ordinary Zeal of the small Company of Missionaries that shall succeed me, will make amends for the vast Number of those which such a vast Empire might de∣mand. I am, with all the respect imaginable,

SIR,

You most humble and most affectione Servant I. J.

LETTER V. To the Marquis de TORSI, Secre∣tary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Of the peculiar Character of the Chinese Nation, its Antiquity, Nobility, Manners, and its good and bad Qualities.

My Lord,

SEeing in the Employment wherewith the King hath honoured you, and which you do alrea∣dy discharge with so much Wisdom, nothing can contribute more to promote you to that high pitch of Perfection, that all Europe expects from you, than the exact Knowledge of the Manners and Genius of Foreigners, I made account that by ordering me to write to you concerning the Empire of China, you did particularly desire to learn what was the Genius of its Inhabitants.

It is true, that to judge of the future by preceding Reigns, such Informations would perhaps stand you in no stead, Hitherto France hath had nothing to do with that People, and Nature seems not to have pla∣ced them at such a distance from us, but only intirely

to separate them from our Interests. But under the Reign of Lewis the Great, for whom Nature her self hath so often changed her Laws, is there any thing impossible? Nay, will not Heaven, which seems to have employed all Nations to make him Renowned, oblige China, as proud and haughty as it is, to con∣tribute something to his Glory?

It is, according to all Human Probability, under your Ministry, My Lord, that we shall behold the most flourishing and mighty Empire of the West, u∣nite it self with the most puissant Realm in all Europe. And perhaps, if it had not been for this fa∣tal War, the dire Consequences of which have made themselves be felt as far as the Extremities of the Uni∣verse, you would e're this have given Audience to the Envoys of a Prince, who never acknowledged any o∣ther Sovereign besides himself in the World. This Negotiation, so glorious for you, and so much con∣ducing to the Establishment of Religion, which the Iniquity of the Times hath hitherto interrupted, may be hereafter set afoot again; and it is on purpose to dispose and incline you to the same, that I presume to take the liberty, My Lord, to let you understand the Character of those who are to be employed there∣in.

The Chineses are so Ancient in the World, that it fares with them as to their Original, as with great Rivers whose Source can scarce be discovered. It is necessary for that purpose, to look back farther then all our Prophane Histories; and that very Time ob∣served by the Vulgar, is not so long to verifie their Chronology.

It is very true, the Vulgar History of that Grand Monarchy, is not only dubious, but manifestly false besides, for it computes Forty thousand years since the Foundation of the Empire, but that wherein all Knowing and Learned Men agree, is so much in

vogue, so well circumstantiated, established by so con∣stant a Tradition, that one cannot call it in question among them, without passing for Ridiculous, and as they themselves express it, for Heretical.

According to this History, which none of their Learned Men ever questioned, China hath had its Kings for above Four thousand years, that have con∣tinued to this present Time without any Interruption. The same Family hath not been always seated upon the Throne, there hath been Twenty two of them severally, that hath produced Two hundred thirty six Emperors. Several Doctors carry this Monarchy back Six hundred years higher yet, but, altho' their Opinion be very probable, yet may we nevertheless stick to the first. And this is the thing that makes the Grandeur and Nobility of this Empire plainly to ap∣pear, since Five or Six hundred years, more or less, does not produce any notable diminution in its Antiqui∣ty.

Certainly, after all the Inquiries and Examinations that have been made into this Chronology, it is no longer left to our Liberty to doubt of it, than of the Histories that are the most authentickly received a∣mongst us: And it ought so much the rather to be believed, forasmuch as it was incapable of admitting any Alteration from Foreigners; forasmuch as it was always currant amongst the knowing Men of the Country, for true, sure, and uncontestable, for ha∣ving been written in a natural, plain uneffected Stile, that carries with it that Air of Verity that ever per∣swades: And because Confucius, esteemed for his great Capacity, Sincerity and Uprightness, never doubted of it; nay, and did even establish his whole Do∣ctrine thereupon, Five hundred and fifty years before the Birth of our Saviour, because his Books are very conformable to the Holy Scripture, in reference to the Age of the first Men; for they assure us that ••ohi

reigned an hundred and fifty years; Chinnum, an hun∣dred and forty; Hoamti, an hundred and eleven; Yao, an hundred and eighteen, and so for the rest, always decreasing, conformable to what Holy Writ teaches us. In a word, the Eclipses observed at that time, must needs happen in effect; which they could not know, but by observation, and not by any Calculati∣ons that were not extant enough: All this perswades us that there is little certainty in the Prophane Histo∣ry of the World, if we can reasonably doubt of that of China.

In a word, this Empire was involved in the Com∣mon Fate of all others, whose Origin is still little con∣siderable. It seems probable that the Children, or Grand children of Noah, disperst themselves into A∣sia, and at length penitrated as far as this part of Chi∣na, that is most Westerly; which is called at this day Chansi and Chensi. They lived at the beginning in Families, and the Kings were Fathers, to whom a long continuance of years, abundance of Flocks, and other Country Pastoral richness added some authority.

Fohi was the first that laid the Foundation of the Monarchy; his Wisdom, Discretion, his good Mo∣rals, Power, and Reputation, which his great Age had acquired him, made them give ear to him, as to an Oracle: He regulated all Private, as well as Po∣litick and Religious Matters; insomuch that the State became in a very flourishing Condition in a short time, his Subjects possessed the Province of Honan at first, and some years after all the Lands and Territories that are extended as far as the South Sea.

It is probable that the Chineses, from their very o∣riginal, did look upon themselves as something more than other Men, like to those Princes, who as soon as they are born, discover a certain natural loftiness that ever distinguisheth them from the Vulgar. Whe∣ther it was that the neighbouring Kingdoms were

barbarous, or inferiour to them in point of Wisdom, I don't know; but at that very time they laid down a Maxim of State amongst themselves, To have no Com∣merce with Foreigners and Strangers, but just so much as should be necessary to receive their Homages. Neither did they court and seek after these Badges of Sovereignty out of a Spirit of Ambition, but whereby to have an occasion to prescribe to other People of the World Laws and Constitutions of perfect Government.

So that when any one amongst their Tributaries failed to appear at the time appointed, they did not oblige him by open Force to submit, but on the con∣trary had Compassion on him. What do we lose by it, say they, if he still remain barbarous? since he is so averse to Wisdom, he needs to blame no body but himself as often as he shall fail in his Duty through Passion or Blind∣ness.

This grave Policy acquired the Chineses so great a Reputation, that throughout all the Indies, all Tartary and Persia lookt upon them as the Oracles of the World; yea, and the People of Iapan had such an high Conceit of them, that when St. Xavier brought the Faith amongst them (altho' China at that time came short of her pristine Probity) one of the great Reasons they objected against the good Man, was, That a Nation so Wise, so intelligent, had not yet embra∣ced it.

But this piece of Policy that induced them to dif∣ference themselves from others, which at first might probably be a profitable Maxim, degenerated after∣wards into Pride. They lookt upon themselves as a chosen elect People, that Heaven had produced in the Center of the Universe to give them a Law; a Peo∣ple only capable to Instruct, Civilize, and Govern Nations. They fansied other Men but as Dwarfs, and pitiful Monsters, that had been the Out-casts in∣to the Extremities of the Earth, as the Dross and Off-scouring

of Nature; whereas the Chineses placed in the middle of the World, had alone received from God Almighty, a rational Form and Shape, and a true Size. Their Ancient Maps are filled with such like Figures, and a great many Emblems apt to in∣spire that Disdain they shew'd of all Mankind.

But perceiving the Europeans instructed in all sorts of Sciences, they were strucken with Astonishment. How can it possibly be, said they, that a People so far re∣mote from us, should have any Wit or Capacity? They have never perused our Books; they were never modelled by our Laws, and yet they speak, discourse, and argue aright as we do.

Our Workmanship, as Stuffs, Clocks, Watches, Mathematical Instruments, and such like Curiosities, surprised them still more; for they imagined that dex∣trous and expert Artificers were no where to be met with but in China. Then they began to understand that we were not so barbarous as they imagined; and said in a joking way, We supposed all other People blind, and that Nature had bestowed Eyes upon none but Chine∣ses: that is not universally true, if the Europeans do not see so clearly as we, they have at least one Eye apiece.

I have taken notice of some Frenchmen so moved at this ridiculous Vanity, that they were not Masters of their Passion; they would possibly have done better to have laught at it (at least the Chineses deserve Ex∣cuse) till that time, they had seen none but Indians and Tartars, and they beheld ••••e West at a distance, as we at present behold the Terra Australis Incognita, and Forests of Canada: Now if at 300 Leagues di∣stance from Quebec we found Iroquian Mathematici∣ans, or Learned Alkonkins, that could discover to us a New Philosophy, more clear, comprehensive, and more perfect than ours, we should be no less blame-worthy than the Chineses, for preferring our selves to that People, and for having hitherto termed them Barbarians.

Abating this Pride, you must confess that the Chi∣nese Nation hath been endued with rare Qualities; with a great deal of Politeness in practising the World, with great Sense and Regularity in their Bu∣siness, with much Zeal for the Publick Good, True and Just Idea's of Government, with a Genius, mean indeed as to Speculative Sciences, but yet right and sure in Morality, which they have always preserved very conformable to Reason.

The People principally applied themselves to the Education of Children in their Families; they e∣steemed Agriculture above all other things; they were Laborious to excess, loving and understanding Com∣merce and Trading perfectly well. Judges and Go∣vernors of Cities affected an outside Gravity, Sobrie∣ty at their Tables, Moderation in House-keeping, and Equity in all their Judgments, that gain'd the Love and Respect from all the People in general. The Emperor placed his Happiness in nothing more than to procure it for his Subjects, and lookt upon himself not so much a King of a Grand State, as a Father of a Numerous Family.

This Character of China, My Lord, that I have gi∣ven you, is not flattering, but faithfully deduced from its own History, that furnishes us with an infinite number of Examples of the conspicuous Wisdom that hath been so long the Soul that informs its Govern∣ment. 'Tis true indeed, the Civil Wars, the Weak, or Wicked Kings and Foreign Dominion, have from time to time disturbed this goodly Order: But be it that the Fundamental Laws of the State were excel∣lent, or that the People from their Cradles were in∣dued with happy Dispositions, is not material; but it is most certain, these Fatal and Troublesom Intervals did not long continue; if so be they were but never so little lest to their own disposal, they took to their former Conduct again: And we see at this very day,

in the midst of Corruption, which the Domestick Troubles and Commerce with Tartars have introdu∣ced, some Footsteps of their ancient Probity remain∣ing.

I do not pretend, My Lord, to enlarge any further upon this Subject. I know very well that it is a Letter that I have the honour to write to you, and not a History; besides, they are about Translating into French that History which the Chineses themselves have left behind them, and I am confident it will please, by its Novelty and Extraordinary Matters it contains.

I content my self in this place to draw you out the Portraiture of the present State of China, in relation to the Manners and Customs of its People; I could decipher it in a few words, by telling you that they live there as we do in Europe. Avarice, Ambition, and Love, bear a great stroke in all Transactions. They Cozen and Cheat in Traffick; Injustice reigns in Sovereign Courts; Intrigues busie both Princes and Courtiers. In the mean time Persons of Quality take so many measures to conceal Vice; and the Out∣works are so well guarded, that if a Stranger be not careful to be instructed concerning Affairs to the bot∣tom, he imagines that every thing is perfectly well regulated. That is the thing wherein the Chineses re∣semble the Europeans. Now I will here shew you wherein they differ from them. Their Countenance, Air, Language, Disposition, Civilities, Manners and Behaviour, are not only different from ours, but also front those we may observe in all other Nations of the World.

Without doubt, My Lord, you may have taken no∣tice that the Figures that are painted upon the Porce∣lain Dishes and Cabinets that come from China; our Pictures in Europe do always flatter us, but those of China make them maimed and ridiculous. They are

not so ill-favoured as they make themselves; it is true, they do not agree in the Idea that we frame to our¦selves of real Beauty. They would have a Man big, tall, and gross; they would have him have a broad Fore∣head, Eyes little and flat, a short Nose, great Ears, a Mouth of a midling size, a long Beard, a black Hair. That curious Feature, that lively Aspect, that state∣ly and noble Gate and Deportment the French so much esteem, does not at all please them. That is an handsome Man that fills an Elbow-Chair, that by his Gravity and healthful Constitution can make a good huffing Figure. As for their Colour, they are natu∣rally as fair as we, especially towards the North; but being the Men take no care of themselves, travel much, wear upon their Head nothing but a little Bon∣net not proper to defend their Face from the Sun-beams, they are commonly as Tawny as the Portu∣guese in the Indies: The People also of the Provinces of Canton and Iannon, by reason of the excessive Heat, working half naked, are of a Dun Complexion.

As much as the Men neglect themselves in this particular, so much do the Women take all the care imaginable to preserve themselves. I am not sure if painting be usual with them; but some body told me that they rub their Faces every Morning with a sort of white Meal, more fit to ternish than to inhance their Beauty. They have all of them little Eyes, and short Noses; excepting that, they come nothing short of European Ladies, but their Modesty, so natural to them, doth infinitely set off their Handsomness; a little Collar of white Sattin fastened to a Vest, keeps them light, and covers their Neck all over. Their Hands are always hid in long Sleeves; they tread soft∣ly and gingerly, with their Eyes upon the Ground, their Head on one side, and a Man would imagine, to look on them, that they were a Company of Nuns or Devotees by Profession, set apart, and sequestred

from the World, only taken up in the Service of God. So that it is observable, That Custom hath many times more power to perplex and trouble the fair Sex, than the most austere and rigid Vertue: Nay, and it were a thing to be desired, that Christianity were able to obtain from Christian Ladies here, what the Practice of the World hath for so many Ages inspired into the Idolatrous Chineses.

This Modesty nevertheless does not hinder them from being possest with Womanish Whimseys; the more they are confined, the less they love Solitude; they dress themselves gorgeously, and spend all the Morning in making themselves fine, thinking they may be seen in the day time, altho' perhaps they are not by any one but their own Domesticks. Their Head-dress, which usually consists of several Locks buckled up, interlaced with Flowers of Gold and Silver, is somewhat odd. But I neither can, nor will, My Lord, give you a particular Description of it, because I know you do not expect it from me. However, I am perswaded if People should see the Model of them in France, they would go near to be tempted to quit that extravagant Company of Orna∣ments they use, to dress their Heads a-la-mode▪ de Chi∣neses.

The Ladies wear, as Men do, a long Sattin or Cloath of Gold Vest, red, blue, or green, according to their particular Phansie; the elder sort habit them¦selves in black, or purple; they wear besides that, a kind of Surtout, the Sleeves whereof, extream wide, trail upon the Ground, when they have no occasion to hold them up. But that which distinguisheth them from all the Women in the World, and does in a manner make a particular Species of them, is the lit∣tleness of their Feet, and here lyes the more essential point of their Beauty. That is miraculous, and can∣not be comprehended; this Affectation proceeds some∣times

even to that Excess that would pass for Folly, did not an extravagant and ancient Custom (which in the business of the Mode, evermore prevails over the most natural Idea's) oblige them to follow the Streams, and comply with the Custom of the Country.

So soon as ever the Girls are born, the Nurses take care to tye their Feet extream hard for fear of grow∣ing; Nature that seems to be disposed for this Tor∣ment, does more easily buckle to it than one could imagine; nay, one does not perceive that their Health is impaired thereby. Their Shoes of Sattin, embroi∣dered with Gold, Silver, and Silk, are extraordinary neat; and tho' they be very little, yet do they study to let them be seen as they walk; for walk they do (which one would not be apt to believe) and would walk all day long by their good will, if they had liberty to go abroad. Some have been perswaded that it was an Invention of the ancient Chineses, who to bring Women under a necessity of keeping within Doors, brought little Feet in fashion. I have more than once inquired about it of the Chinese themselves, that never heard nothing of it. These are idle Tales, says one of them smiling, our Fore-fathers knew Women but too well, as we do, to believe that in retrenching half of their Feet, they could be deprived of the power▪ of walking, and of longing to see the World.

If People would have given themselves the trouble to have consulted the Relations concerning the Coun∣tenance and Physiognomy of the China Women; it would not have been so easie a matter to impose upon the easiness of the Ladies of Paris, who entertain'd a poor French Woman the last year, giving her all manner of Relief, because she said she was an Out∣landish Woman, and of one of the best Families in China. This Accident surprised all Curious Persons, and the Marquis de Croisi intimated to me that I would do him a kindness in examining the truth of the story.

Charity, added he, is no less acceptable to God, al∣tho' it be misplaced upon Objects that deserve it not. If the Business were only a bare Mistake in Matter of Alms, one might, without any Scruple of Consci∣ence, leave those in an Errour whom one deceives under a false pretence of Necessity. But this Maid saith she was an Heathen, she is exhorted long since to be Converted; she conceives already, or at least makes as if she did conceive our Mysteries; in fine, she desires to embrace our Religion; and they are just upon the point to baptize her. If she be a Chi∣nese, well and good; and we have cause to admire Divine Providence from bringing this Soul from so remote a Place, to be admitted into the Bosom of the Church; but if she be a French Woman, who probably hath been baptized from her Infancy, this Abuse of the Sacrament that she's a going to receive a second time, is a Sacriledge deserving the severest Punishment; of which Sacriledge, those that assist her become Guilty themselves.

I was already much prepossessed with an ill Opi∣nion of this pretended Chinese; but, besides the order of the Marquis de Croissi, I thought it would be good to sift out the Business to the bottom, to undeceive those that were any ways concern'd therein. When she understood that I would come and see her, she was not a little perplext. He is not a China Father, says she, but one of the Indian Missionaries, whom the Revolution of Siam hath made to come back. Nay, they had much ado to find her, when I appeared; they sought for her all up and down a good while, and at length unkennell'd her, and perswaded her to make Appearance.

So soon as I saw her, I had no need of Examinati∣on, the Features of her Face, her Gate, her Feet, her whole Behaviour betray'd her. She feigned in speaking French, that she did not well understand the

Language; but, besides the placing of the words, which she endeavoured not to pronounce articulately, was altogether natural, which is scarce ever got by Strangers, she did also pronounce with a great deal of firmness several Letters not in use with the Chineses, which it is impossible for them to express.

After the first Discourses, I demanded of what Pro∣vince, and what Family of China she was, and by what strange Adventure she was at such a great Di∣stance from her Country? I am of Pekin it self, says she, the Metropolis of the Empire, born in the Emperor's Palace, brought up at Court, and Daughter to Prince Co∣ronne: That is to say, who does dispose Sovereignly every thing; more a Master, and more powerful than the Emperor himself; whose Pleasures are never in∣terrupted by the Cares of Publick Affairs; who be∣ing little concerned at the good or bad Condition of the Empire, confines all his Ambition to the render∣ing himself happy, and to lead an easie and pleasant Life.

I embarked with my Mother, who had a design to pass into Japan, there to treat of a Marriage for me. In the Passage our Vessel was attacked by an Holland Pi∣rate, that took it, and blew it up; and brought me away Prisoner. However the barbarous Pirate took such care of me, as was capable to sweeten my Captivity, if the loss of my Mother had not reduced me to a Disconsolate Condition, for she died before mine Eyes, and the Representation of so fatal an Accident that lay night and day heavy upon my Spirit, would scarce permit me to reflect upon the many kind Offices he did me.

Nevertheless, my Condition was not so deplorable as I imagined; the victorious Hollander was at length over∣come by a French Privateer; I was a second time a Cap∣tive, and treated by the new Captain with so much harshness, that I was at that very moment apprehensive that my Grief might increase, and that the excess of Miseries that one en∣dure

in this World, is never so great, but one may become still more miserable. This Voyage was to me the longest, most dangerous, and accompanied with sorrow and bitter∣ness. At length we came ashoar at a place I know not; they brought me out of the Ship, and after they had drag∣ged me through several Provinces, they barbarously forsook me, and I found my self destitute, comfortless, and without any support, in the middle of this great City, which I hear called Paris.

'Tis true, Heaven hath not quite forsaken me; the word Pekin, the only word, by which I can make known my Country; and to that purpose did I so often repeat it; hath brought me out of Misery. Some Ladies, at the hearing of this word were moved with Compassion, took me into their House, and have ever since treated me with so much Cha∣rity, that, I do not know if I ought to complain of Fate that hath conducted me into so good hands.

She had, indeed, some cause to be well pleased with her Lot, much better in effect, than she could naturally expect. They treated her as a Maid of some Noble Family; nay, it was an Hundred pound to a penny but they had given her the quality of Princess Couron∣né, a Name much better known in France than China, where this Dignity is still in fieri. They told me more∣over that divers Persons were impatient to do her a kindness, and that Monsieur N. one of our most fa∣mous Writers, had already Composed three extraor∣dinary eloquent Letters in her Name; one for the Emperor, another for Prince Couronné, and the third for some other Prince of her Family. He hath, with∣out doubt, what he deserved from the Persons that ingaged him in it; yet I do not believe that China will ever thank him for it.

For my part, My Lord, I do confess that the bare recital of this Adventure appear'd to me somewhat fa∣bulous, and carries with it such a Romantick Air that is capable of undeceiving those, whom an excess of

Charity had not quite blinded. Prince Couronné is a Chimera, that hath not the least appearance of Truth in it. The Birth of a Maid in a Palace where there is none but Eunuchs, is still more hard to be belei∣ved. The Hollanders are not at War with the Chineses, and it is not their best way to fall out with them, by Assaulting their Ships.

The Chinese Dames, that scarce ever stir out of their Houses, do not care for undertaking long Voyages at Sea: And the Match they were going to mannage is no more likely than that of a Princess of France that some body might feign to Embark at Brest, to Sail in∣to the Indies to espouse some Mandarin of Siam.

Besides, We know all the Vessels that we have ta∣ken from the Hollanders, as well as those that are arri∣ved in France from the Indies: we know the Captains of them, we know their Prizes, their Engagements, their Adventures, and yet we hear not one word of what our Chinese relates. Now if she be so unfortunate as to be found in the Streets of Paris miserable, forlorn, and unknown, she ought not so much to lay the fault upon our French People, as upon her ill Fortune that took no care to place her better in this World.

But to Convince all those who were present at our Interview, I put divers questions to her about the principle Cities in China; I examined her concern∣ing the Money, their Writing, the Characters and Language of the Country. She told me she had of∣ten travelled from Pekin to Nankin in less then Three days, notwithstanding it is above Three hundred Leagues from one to another; that they used Gold Money, altho' Gold is not currant through all the Empire, but as precious Stones are in Europe; that the Silver Coin was stamp as ours is, round, flat, bearing the Emperors Arms, with divers Figures according to the Custom of Eastern Nations, notwithstanding the Silver hath no regular Figure, they cast it into Ingots,

they reduce it to what form they please without Arms, Order, or Ornament, they clip into great Pieces, as occasion serves; and it is only by weight, not by the Emperor's Mark that they know its value.

I writ down some Chinese Characters; for she had boasted that she could read, a Pèrson of her quality durst not say the contrary; but the Misfortune was, she mistook her self, and took the Paper at the wrong end, boldly reading the Letters, turn'd upside down, as if they had been right: upon the whole, that which she pronounced had no manner of relation to the ge∣nuine Sense of the Writing. At last I spoke Chinese to her, and for fear least she might avoid the difficul∣ty, I acquainted her that I spake the Mandarin Lan∣guage so currant throughout the Empire, which they constantly use at the Court. She was so impudent as to frame ex tempore a wild, ridiculous Gibberish, but so little understood, that it was evident she had not time enough to make it hang well together; so that not being able to understand what I said to her, I should have been sore put to it to explain what she meant, if indeed she did mean any thing.

After this Trial and Examination, she might blush for shame, and ingeniously confess the Imposture; but she still keeps up her Conversation without being con∣cerned, and with such an Air of Confidence that would make any one judge that this China Romance was not the first Story she had made.

I thought, My Lord, that you would be very glad to be acquainted with this; besides that it may af∣ford you some pleasure, it will also serve to let you understand, that the Mind, Countenance, and Beha∣viour of the Chinese Women have no Affinity with those of the Europeans; and that a French Woman must needs be brazen-fac'd, when under the borrow∣ed Name of a Chinese, she pretends to impose upon Per∣sons who have, as long as I have done, seen both Nations.

After this little Digression, you may be willing I should take up my former Discourse again. The Mens Habits, as every where else, are there much different from the Womens; they shave their Head all over, except behind, where they let grow as much Hair as is needful to make a long Tress. They do not use a Hat as we do, but wear continually a Bonnet or a Cap, which Civility forbids p••tting off.

This Bonnet differs according to the different Sea∣sons of the year: That which they use in Summer is in form of a Cone, that is to say, round, and wide below, but short, and strait above, where it termi∣nates in a meer Point. It is lined within with a pretty Sattin, and the top covered with a very fine Mat, ve∣ry much esteemed in the Country. Besides that, they add thereto a great slake of red Silk, that falls round about it, and reaches to the Edges; so that when they walk this Silk flows irregularly on all sides, and the continual Motion of the Head gives it a particular pleasing Grace.

Sometimes in lieu of Silk they wear a sort of long Hair, of a vivid shining red, which Rain does not deface, and is more especially in use amongst Men when they ride. This Hair comes from the Province of Sout-chouen, and grows upon the Legs of certain Cows; its natural Colour is white, but they give it a tincture, that makes it dearer than the finest Silk. In Winter they wear a Plush Cap, bordered with a Sable Fox-skin; the rest is of a curious Sattin, black or purple, covered with a great flake of red Silk, like the Summer Cap. There is nothing more hand∣some than these Caps, which are sold sometimes for Eight or Ten Crowns; but they are so shallow, that they always discover the Ears, which is mighty in∣convenient in the Sun, or upon a Journey. When the Mandarins are in their Formalities, the upper part of the Bonnet hath a Diamond in the Crest, or some other

precious Stone ill cut, yet inchased in a Button of very curious wrought Gold: the others have a huge Tufft, or Button of Stuff, Agate, Crystal, or some other Matter.

Their Habit is long, and convenient enough for Students, but cumbersome for Men on Horseback▪ It consists of a Vest that reaches to the Ground, the Skirts or Sides of which, are folded before one over the other, in such a manner that the uppermost is ex∣tended to the left side, where they fasten it all along, with four or five Gold or Silver Buttons. The Sleeves, that are wide towards the Shoulder, grow straiter and straiter to the Wrist, like the Sleeves of a Priest's Albe, but they do in a manner cover the whole Hand, and leave nothing to be seen but the Fingers ends: They keep the Vest close with a broad silken Sash, whose two ends hang down to the Knees. The Tartars stick an Handkerchief to it on both sides, with a Sheath for a Knife and Fork, and Tooth-pick, a Purse, and other pretty Implements. In Summer their Neck is all bare, which looks very ill, in Winter they cover it with a Collar of Sattin fastened to the Vest, or with a Tip∣pet of Sable or Fox-skin, about three or four Fingers broad, which is fastened before with a Button, which is very decent, and becomes Horsmen wonderfully.

Besides the Vest they put on a kind of Surtout with short wide Sleeves like those of your Baresters Gowns; the Students wear them very long; the Gentlemen, and especially the Tartars, will have them short; and those they use reach no farther than their Pocket-holes: As for their under Garment, they use in Sum∣mer only a single pair of Drawers of white Taffaty, under a very broad and short Shirt of the same Stuff; but in Winter the Shirt is of Linnen, and under it they have Breeches of course Sattin quilted with Cotton, or raw Silk, which is warmer.

All this is natural enough; but perhaps, My Lord,

you will be surprised to hear that the Chineses are al∣ways booted; and when any one renders them a Vi∣sit, if they chance not to have their Boots on, they make them wait till they go fetch them.

We stand in need of this Example to authorize our ancient Custom, but we carried on the Mode far∣ther than they; for we have seen, that the French Men, not satisfied with walking booted along the Streets, armed them with huge jingling Spurs, that nothing might be wanting to the Ornaments of a Gentleman on Horseback; but we are recovered as to this Point, and several others; but the Chineses in all probability, that dote upon Antiquity, will not be cured of it in haste; it is indeed, in respect of them, an extravagant piece of Foppery, not to dare to go into the City without their Boots, because they are always carried in a Sedan.

This Mode would be still the more pardonable in Winter; for their Boots being of Silk, and their Boot-hose of a pinked Stuff, lined with Cottons a good inch think, the Leg is thereby well defended against the Cold: But in Summer, where the Heat is excessive, no body living besides the Chineses, for the keeping up of an Air of Gravity, were able to endure to be at that rate in a kind of a Stove from Morning to Evening: And what is more strange, your People that work scarce ever use them, either by reason of the incon∣venience, or to save charges.

The form of these Boots is somewhat different from ours, for they have neither heel nor top; when they ride any long Journey, they are made of obso∣lete, old fashion'd Leather, of thick, black, pinked Cotton; but in the City they usually wear them of Sattin, with a course border of Plush or Velvet upon the Knee. The People in publick, and Persons of Quality within Doors, are instead of Shoes, shod with Pattins of black Linnen, or some very pretty

Silk, very convenient; they stick close to the Foot of themselves, by a Border that covers the Heel, with∣out needing to try them before.

They have not introduced the use of the Muff and Gloves into China; but the Sleeves of the Vest being very long, they draw up their Hand into them when it is cold to keep it warm. I know not if I may make hold, My Lord, to add another Custom, which is very ancient among the Chineses, and by no means suitable to the French Politeness; their Doctors, and other Learned Men, let their Nails grow excessively, insomuch that in some they are little shorter than their Fingers; it obtains amongst them not only for an Ornament, but a Distinction, by which it may be known, that by their Condition they are separated from Mechanick Arts, and are wholly addicted to Sciences. In short, since they affect a starched Gra∣vity in all their ways, which conciliates Respect, they imagine with themselves that a long Beard might con∣tribute thereto, so they suffer it to grow; now if they have not much, it is not for want of Cultivating: But Nature in this point has been very niggardly, there is not a Man of them that does not envy the Europeans, whom they look upon in this respect as the greatest Men in the World.

Here you have, My Lord, a particular Description, that may in some measure acquaint you with the Deportment and Aspect of the Chineses; I do not be∣lieve, says a Spaniard to me one day, that they ought to be offended at it in France; In all likelyhood those Modes formerly reigned amongst you; for tell me, is there any one of them, that hath escaped the fertile Invention of the French; in Fourteen hundred years, which is as long as the Monarchy hath continued, there have been above Four∣teen hundred Modes. So that perhaps there is not that Habit in the World, that should seem strange to you; and all that we can say, when any Mode that is presented to

you, displeases you, is, that it is out of fashion.

'Tis true, the Chineses are not so sickle as we, but they have carried on things to another extremity: for rather than forsake their ancient Habit, they re∣newed a Cruel War against the Tartars; I, and the greatest part of them had as live lose their Head, as let their Hair be cut, of all the Excesses in point of Mode, none is more uncouth and phantastical than that, and how ridiculous soever the Chineses may fear to look, after they have parted with an Head of Hair, yet they might be convinced that a Man whose Head is lop'd off, is worse disfigured. However, we must grant that the Constancy of this People is admirable, for when the Tartars attacked them, they had kept their Habit for above Two thousand years, which can be ascribed to nothing but the good order observed in the Empire, the Government of which hath always been uniform, where the Laws have been exactly ob∣served in the least Punctilio's.

Notwithstanding I am perswaded these ways would not please all our French People; nay, and the Modes, of which we are so fond, do not appear so handsome to the Chineses as we imagine; but above all, the Pe∣riwig does strangely run in their Mind; and they look upon us as a sort of People, who, for want of a Beard, would get an Artificial one clapt to the Chin, that should reach to the Knees. This Phantastical Head-dress, say they, and that prodigious heap of cur∣led Hair, are proper upon the Stage for a Man that would represent the Devil; But has one the shape of a Man when he is thus disguised? Insomuch that the Chinese Politeness will go near upon this Article alone to araign us of Barbarity.

They have likewise much ado to be perswaded, that long Shanks discovered, with a Stocken drawn strait, and narrow Breeches, look handsome, because they are accustomed to an Air of Gravity that gives them other

Conceptions. They would sooner be reconciled with the Figure of a Magistrate shaven, without a Periwig, who should in his Lawyers Gown go booted, than with all this Attire that makes our Cavaliers have a fine Shape, and easie and fine Gate, a quick and dis∣ingaged Carriage; which will by no means go down with them. Thus Ridiculousness pleases, and one is often times offended at Real Prettiness, according as Prejudice or Custom have differently changed the I∣magination; there is notwithstanding in all these Modes some other intrinsick real Beauty, which na∣ked Simplicity, which Nature in her Innocence, and exempt from Passion, have inspired into Men, for the Necessity and Conveniency of Life.

Altho' Persons of Quality observe exactly all the Formalities and Decencies suitable to their State, and never appear uncovered in Publick, how great soever the heat be, yet in Private, and among their Friends they assume a freedom even to a fault; they ever and anon quit their Bonnet, Surtout, Vest, and Shirt, reserving nothing but a single pair of Drawers of white Taffaty, or Transparent Linnen. That is the more surprising, because they condemn all Naked∣ness in Pictures, and are even offended that our En∣gravers represent Men with their Arms, Thighs, and Shoulders uncovered; they seem to be in the right for being displeased at the unchristian Licence of our Workmen; but yet they are ridiculous to blame that upon a piece of Linnen, or Paper, which they practise themselves with so much liberty and undecency in their own proper Persons.

As for the Vulgar, they transgress in that respect all the Bounds of Modesty, especially in the Southern Provinces, where Water-men, and certain other Han∣dicrafs-men, are impudent to the highest degree; and intruth the most barbarous Indians, notwithstanding the Climate seems to excuse them, appear'd to me in this

respect much less barbarous than the Chineses; almost all the Artificers and inferiour Tradesmen go along the Streets with single Drawers, without Cap, Stock∣ings, or Shirt, which makes them much tanned, and of a swarthy hue. In the Northern Provinces they are a little more reserved; and the Cold, in spight of their Teeth, makes them modest, and keep within bounds.

After having described to you the Modes of China, perhaps you may be desirous, My Lord, that I should speak of their Stuffs. Here is what I have observed of them in general: Their Silk, without question, is the finest in the World; they make of it in many Pro∣vinces, but the best and fairest is to be found in that of Tchekiam, because the Soil is very proper for Mul∣berry Trees, and because the Air is indued with a de∣gree of Heat and Moisture, more conformable to the Worms that make it. Every body deals in it, and the Traffick of it is so very great, that this Province alone is able to supply all China, and the greatest part of Eu∣rope.

Yet the finest and fairest Silks are wrought in the Province of Nankin, the Rendevouz of almost all the good Workmen. It is there that the Emperor furnisheth himself with the Silks spent in the Palace, and with those he presents to the Lords of the Court; the Silks of Canton notwithstanding, are valued above all amongst Strangers; and the Silks of this Province are also more saleable, and go off better than those of all the other Provinces of China.

Altho' all these Silks have some resemblance to ours, yet the Workmanship hath something in it that makes a difference. I have there seen Plush, Velvet, Tissa of Gold, Sattin, Taffaty, Crapes, and several others, of which I do not so much as know the name in France; that which I do not so much as know the name in France; that which is the most currant amongst them is called Touanze; it is a sort of Sattin, stronger, but not so

glossy as ours, sometimes smooth, and sometimes di∣stinguished by Flowers, Birds, Trees, Houses, and sha∣dy Groves.

These Figures are not raised upon the ground by a mixture of raw Silk, as our Workmen are used to do in Europe, which makes our Work not so durable; all the Silk of that is twisted, and the Flowers are distin∣guished only by the difference of Colours, and shadow∣ing, when they mix Gold or Silver with it, it does much resemble our Brocado, or flower'd Silk, but their Gold and Silver is wrought a way that is parti∣cular to them alone; for whereas in Europe we draw the Gold as fine as possibly it can be twist∣ed with the thred, the Chineses to save the matter, or because they did not bethink themselves of this Trick, satisfie themselves to gild or silver over a long Leaf of Paper, which they afterward cut into little Scrowls, wherein they wrap the Silk.

There is a great deal of Cunning in that; but this gilding will not last long, Water, or even Moistness it self, will ternish the Splendor of it quickly: yet for all that, when the Pieces come out of the Workmans bands, they are very fine, and one would take them for valuable Pieces. Sometimes they are contented only to put into the Piece these little Scrowls of gild∣ed Paper, without rolling them upon the Thred, and then the Figures, altho' pretty and finely turn'd, do not last so long by far; and the Silk thus flowered is at a lower rate.

Amongst the different Figures they represent, the Dragon is the most ordinary: There be two sorts of them; one, to which they make five Claws, called Lom, is only used upon the Stuffs designed for the Em∣peror: that is his Arms, which Tobi, Founder of the Empire, first took for himself and Successors, above Four thousand years ago. The second sort of Dragons hath but four Claws, and is named Mam. The Empe∣ror

Vouvam, who reigned Two thousand eight hun∣dred thirty two years ago, ordain'd that every body might bear the same; and since that time, the use of it is grown common.

They make use of another kind of Stuff in Summer, which the Chineses call Cha; it is not so close, nor hath so good a gloss as our Taffaty, but much more substan∣tial; altho' several People desire to have it smooth and even, yet most wear it powdered with great Flowers pierced through, and cut into Flowers like your Eng∣lish Lace; and many times these hollowings are in such a great number, that one can scarce discern the body of the Silk. These Summer Garments are ex∣traordinary convenient, and wonderful neat, so that all the Persons of Quality use them: Besides, the Taffa∣ty is not dear; a whole Piece, enough to make a long Vest and Surtout, will not amount to above 2 Guinea's.

The third is a particular sort of Taffaty, that serves for Drawers, Shirts, Linings, they call it Tcheouze; it is close, and withal so plyant, that it is vain to fold and double it, and squeeze it with your hand; you can scarce ever rumple it. It is sold by weight; and is is so serviceable, that they wash it as they do Lin∣nen, without losing much of its former lustre.

Besides the ordinary Silk of which I but now spoke, which we know in Europe, China hath of another sort, which you meet with in the Province of Chanton. The Worms from which they take it are wild, they go to seek for them in the Woods; and I am not sure, whe∣ther or no they breed of them in Houses. This Silk is of a grey Colour, void of any gloss; so that those who are not well acquainted with it, take the Stuffs that are made of it for red Linnen, or for one of the coursest Druggets; yet for all that they infi∣nitely value it, and it costs more than Sattin too, they call them Kien-Tcbeou; they will endure a long time; tho' strong and close, yet do they not fret; they wash

them as they do Linnen; and the Chineses assure us, that Spots cannot spoil them, and that they do not so much as take Oil it self.

Wooll is very common, and withal very cheap, e∣specially in the Provinces of Chensi and Chansi, and Sout∣chouen, where they feed abundance of Flocks, yet do not the Chineses make Cloath. That of Europe, where∣with the English furnish them, is highly esteemed, but by reason they sell it much dearer than the finest Silks, they buy but little of it. The Mandarins make themselves studying Gowns for the Winter of a kind of course Russet, for want of better Cloath. As for Druggets, Serges, and Tammies, we scarce meet with better than theirs; the Bonze's Wives do com∣monly work them, because the Bonze's make use of them themselves; there is a great Trade driven of them every where in the Empire.

Besides Cotton Linnen, that is very common, they use also for the Summer nettle Linnen for long Vests; but that which is the most valued, and is to be found no where else, is called Copou: because it is made of a Plant that the People of the Country call Co, found in the Province of Fokien.

It is a kind of creeping Shrub, whole Leaves are much bigger than Ivy-leaves; they are round, smooth, green within, whitish, and cottony, or downy, on the out∣side; they let them grow and spread along the Fields. There be some of them as thick as your finger, which is plyable, and cottony as its Leaves are. When it begins to dry, they make the sheaves of it to rot in Water, as they do Flax and Hemp; they always peel off the first skin, which they throw away; but of the second, which is much more fine and delicate, they divide it by the hand into very slender and very small Filaments, without beating, or spinning it, they make that Linnen of which I spake; it is transparent, pret∣ty fine, but so cool and light, that one would think he had nothing on his back.

All Persons of Quality make long Vests of it du∣ring the excessive Heat, with a Surtout of Cha. In the Spring and Autumn they put on Kien-tcheou, and Touanze in Winter, that is to say, course Sattin, or flowered Silk. Grave Persons desire to have it even, others wear it flowered; but no body, except the Man∣darins in the Assemblies, or upon certain Solemn Vi∣sits, use Silk flowered with Gold or Silver. The Vul∣gar, that usually habit themselves in course Linnen dyed blue, or black, quilt it with Cotton, or line it with Sheepskin during the cold weather: But great Persons line their Vests and Surtouts with the noble Skins of Sable or Ermyn, Fox or Lamb: They use al∣so for the same purpose Plush and Petit-gris.

Because Ermyn is very rare in China, they content themselves only to border their Vests and extre∣mity of their Sleeves with it; that which I have seen did not appear to me to be of a fair white.

Sable is pretty well known in France, but much less common there than in China, where all the conside∣rable Mandarins wear it: One Skin only of a Foot long, and between four and six Inches broad (for the * 7.4 Animal is but small) will sometimes cost Ten Crowns: But when one chooseth some of the finest for a compleat Habit, the whole Lining of a Vest will cost between 5 and 6000 Livres; yet one may have a pretty handsome one for 200 Pistols.

Fox-skins are likewise much used, those who would be magnificent take nothing but the Belly of this A∣nimal, where the Hair is long, fine, and softest; and of a great number of small pieces patched together, they compose an entire Lining, which for the Vest and Surtout comes to a matter of five or six hundred Livres.

There are also several other sorts of Furs that Tar∣tary perhaps supplies them withal, which the Mandarins

make use of to sit upon the Ground, especially at the Palace when they wait, and expect the time of their Audience. They put some of them also under the Quilt, not only to heat the Bed, but also to take a∣way its dampness. Besides, there is another Fur of a particular Species, that is perfectly handsome and fine, the Hair of it is long, soft, very thick set; it is of a pretty whitish grey mixt with black, striped with black and yellow Lists as those of Tigres; they make great Winter Gowns of them to wear in the City, putting the Fur on the out-side, so that when the Mandarins are thick and short, (which is very common with them) besides two Furs underneath for the Vest and Surtout, when, I say, they have put on their back one of these furr'd Gowns with long Hair, they differ but a little from Bears, or from the Animal of whom they borrowed the Skin; altho' in this Condi∣tion they think themselves to be very gentile, and to make a graceful Figure.

Of all the Furrings the most common are Lambskins * 7.5. They are white, downy, and very warm, but burthensome, and at first of a strong smell, in a manner like those greezy Gloves that smell, in a manner like those greezy Gloves that smell of Oil: I wonder they bring not up the Mode in France; those who delight in slender fine Shapes, would not submit to it, yet otherwise there is nothing more gentile, nor more convenient for Winter.

Upon the whole, if great Caution be not used, all these Furs are easily spoiled, especially in hot and moist Countries, Worms breed in them, and the Hair falls off: To prevent them, the Chineses, so soon as e∣ver the Summer approaches, expose them to the Air for some days, when it is fair and dry Weather; then they beat them with Sticks, or shake them often, to get out the Dust; and when they have enclosed them in huge earthen Pots, into which they throw Corns of

Pepper, and other bitter Drugs, they stop it up very close, and there let them lye till the beginning of Winter.

Besides their usual Garments, there are yet two sorts that deserve to be known: They put on one to defend them from the Rain; for the Chineses, who de∣light in Travelling, spare for no cost to travel com∣modiously; they are made of a course Taffaty, crust∣ed over with a condensed Oil, which is in lieu of Wax, which being once well dried, makes the Stuff green, transparent, and extraordinary gentile: They make Bonnets of it, Vests, and Surtouts, that resist the Rain for some time; but it gets through at last, unless the Garment be a choice one, and carefully prepared. The Boots are of Leather, but so little that the Stockings are spoiled at the Knee, except one be a Horse∣back, like the Tartars, with their Legs doubled up, and their Stirrups extream short.

The Mourning Habit hath also something odd in it, The Bonnet, Vests, Surtout, Stockings and Boots are made of white Linnen, and from the Prince to the most inferiour Handicrafts-man, none dare wear any of another colour. In close Mourning the Bonnet seems phantastick, and very difficult to be represented; it is of a red and very clear Canvas Cloath, not much unlike the Canvas we use for packing up Commodi∣ties. The Vest is kept close with a Girdle of Canvas; the Chineses in this posture do at the beginning affect a careless Behaviour, and Grief and Sorrow seems paint∣ed all over the outward Man; but all being nothing but Ceremony, and Affectation with them, they ea∣sily put on their own Face again; they can Laugh and Cry both with a wind; for I have seen some Laugh immediately after they had shed abundance of Tears over the Tomb of their Fathers.

Perhaps, My Lord, you may have the Curiosity to know after what manner the Missionaries, who labour about the Conversion of the Infidels, are habited; the

Laws, that suffer no Foreign Mode to take place, de∣termined the first Jesuits to take the Garb of the Bonzes at the beginning: But this Garb, though grave and modest enough, was so cried down by the ignorance and irregular Life of those wicked Priests, that that alone was sufficient to deprive us of the Company and Correspondence of honest People.

In effect, nothing was so diametrically opposite to Religion: so that after a long deliberation, they thought it more adviseable to take the Students Habit, which, together with the quality of European Doctor, did ca∣pacitate us to speak to the People with some Authori∣ty, and to be heard by the Mandarins with some re∣spect. From that very time we had free Access every where, and God did so far vouchsafe a Blessing to the Labours of our first Missionaries, that the Gospel in a short time was propagated with considerable Suc∣cess.

But in the late Revolution of the Empire, these Fathers, as well as the Chineses, were forced to go in the Tartarian Fashion, after the manner as I told you. In the Visits made to the Mandarins upon the account of Religion, we could not dispense from wearing a Vest and Surtout of common Silk; but in the House we are clothed in Serge or painted Linnen.

So that, My Lord, preserving as much as lyes in us the Spirit of Poverty suitable to our Condition, we endeavour to become all things to all Men, after the A∣postles example, that we may the more easily win over some to Iesus Christ; being perswaded, that as to a Missionary, the Garment, Diet, Manner of Living, and exterior Customs ought all to be referred to the great Design he proposes to himself, to Convert the whole Earth. A Man must be a Barbarian with Bar∣barians, Polite with Men of Parts, Austere and Ri∣gid to Excess among the Indian Penetents, handsom∣ly Drest in China, and half Naked in the Wilderness

of Medura, to the end that the Gospel always uni∣form, always unalterable in it self, may the more easily insinuate it self into the Minds of Men whom an holy Compliance and Conformity to Customs regulated by Christian Prudence, have already pre∣possest in favour to us. I am with the most profound Respect,

My Lord,

Your most humble and most obedient Servant ••. J.

LETTER VI. To the Dutchess of Bouillon.

Of the Oeconomy and Magnificence of the Chineses.

MADAM,

THE Zeal that your Grace hath shewn to be fully informed of the present State of the Mis∣sions in China hath been an infinite Satisfa∣ction to me: But I confess, I was a little surprised, that amongst so many curious things to be met with in this new World, you have in a manner wholly in∣sisted upon that which relates to the Neatness and Magnificence of the Chineses. I know very well that it is the usual Subject of Discourse among the Ladies, and I could have almost expected no more from any other.

But for you, Madam, when I had the honour to see you, I had prepared my self for Subjects of a quite dif∣ferent nature; I made account you would discourse with me concerning the Ingenuity, Sciences, and Po∣liteness of this People: And whereas Travellers do u∣sually affect to prefer what they have seen amongst Fo∣reigners, to that which is found in their Native Soil, I pleased my self that I could sincerely and safely tell you, that the French Ladies (I mean those, who like you, have raised themselves above those Toyish Cares,

that do in a manner totally possess the fair Sex) have more Wit, Capacity, and a more raised Genius, even in the solid and substantial Sciences, than all the great Doctors of that Empire; for as for Politeness, I can scarce believe, Madam, that you can doubt of it; and it is not necessary to be Mistress of as much of it as you are, to deface and eclipse the most Polite Courts of the East.

But since, either by Chance, or by Reflexion, you have been pleased to confine your self to another Sub∣ject, and that you desire a Methodical Account of what I have had the honour to relate to you of it, I shall obey you, Madam, not only with that profound respect I owe to your Quality and Merit, but also with all the Sentiments of grateful Acknowledgment the Favours you have vouchsafed to honour me, have in∣spired me withal.

The Chineses come far short of us in the Magnifi∣cence of their Houses, besides that the Architecture is not beautiful, nor the Apartments spacious, they do not study to adorn them; and that chiefly for two Reasons: The first is, Because in all the Palaces of the Mandarins belong to the Emperor, he lodges them (and I cannot tell whether they observe the same or∣der throughout the whole Empire) but the People fur∣nish them in some places. The People are always at as little Expence as they can; and the Mandarins do not care to ruin themselves to embellish Palaces, that they are every day in danger of forsaking, because their Places are properly nothing but Commissions, which are many times taken away upon the least Fault.

The 2d Reason is fetch'd from the Custom of the Country, which does not allow to receive Visits in the inner part of the House, but only at the Entrance in a Divan they have contrived for the Ceremonies. It is a Banqueting House all open, that hath no other Ornament besides one single Order of Columns of

Wood painted or vernished, which they use only to up∣hold the Beams and Timber, that often appears under the Tiles, no body taking care to cover it with a Ciel∣ing. So that it is no wonder if they retrench all the superfluous Ornaments of their Apartments, seeing Fo∣reigners and Strangers scarce ever set foot in them; they have neither Looking glasses, Tapestry-hangings, nor wrought Chairs: Gildings are not in fashion, save only in some of the Emperors or Prince of the Bloods Apartments. Their Beds, which amongst them are one of the principal Ornaments, never come in sight, and it would be a piece of gross Incivility to carry a Stran∣ger into a Bed-chamber, even when you pretend to shew him your House.

Insomuch that all their Magnificence may be redu∣ced to Cabinets, Tables, Vernisht Skreens, some Pi∣ctures, divers Pieces of white Sattin, upon which there is writ in a large Character some Sentance of Morali∣ty, which is hung here and there in the Chamber, to∣gether with some Vessels of Porcelain; neither have they occasion to use even them as we do, because there is no Chimney to be seen in the Chamber.

Nevertheless all that is very handsome and neat, when one understands how to manage the Ornaments. Vernish, which is so common in China, is disperst all over; it takes all Colours, they mix Flowers of Gold and Silver with it, they paint Men, Mountains, Pala∣ces, Huntings, Birds, Combats, and several Figures, that make a bass relief in the Work, and renders it ex∣treamly pleasing and delightful, so that in this point the Chineses are Magnificent for small Charges.

Besides the brightness and lustre which is the pro∣perty of Vernish, it hath moreover a certain quality of preserving the Wood upon which it is applied, especi∣ally if they do not mix any other Matter with it. Worms do not easily breed in it, nay, and Moisture scarce ever penetrates it, not so much as any Scent can

fasten to it; if during Meals there be any Grease or Pottage spilt, if it be presently wiped with a wet Clout, one not only finds no remainders or signs of it, but does not so much as perceive the least smell.

People were mistaken when they fancied that Ver∣nish was a Composition, and a particular Secret, it is a Gum that distils from a Tree, much what after the same manner as Rosin doth. In the Tuns wherein it is transported, it resembles melted Pitch or Tar, ex∣cepting only that it hath no smell when it is used. There must be Oil mixt with it to beat it up with more or less, according to the quality of the Work.

For Tables and ordinary Chairs, it is sufficient to lay on two or three layers of Vernish, which makes it so transparent, that one may discern every Vein of the Wood through it. Now if you would hide all the Mat∣ter on which you are at work, you must do it over and and over again, till at length it be nothing but Ice, but so fine at first, that it may serve for a Mirror. When the Work is dry, they paint upon it several Figures in Gold, Silver, or in any other Colour; they go over that again, if they please, with a sleight touch of Ver∣nish, to give them a lustre, and the better to preserve them.

But those who would perform a finishing stroke, glew upon the Wood a kind of Pastboard composed of Paper, Packthred, Lime, and some other Substance well beaten with which the Vernish incorporateth. They compose a ground of it perfectly even and so∣lid, upon which is applied the Vernish by little and little, in little Stratums, which they let dry one after another. Every Workman hath a peculiar Secret to perfect his Work, as in all other Occupations. But in my opinion, besides the dexterity and slight of hand, and the due tempering the Vernish requires, that it may be nether too thick nor thin: Patience is one thing that contributes the most to the well succeeding

in this Operation. There are very pretty and curi∣ous Cabinets at Tonkin; but what is brought to us from Iapan, as to that matter, are no way inferiour to the China work.

As for Porcelain, it is such an ordinary moveable, that it is the Ornament of every House; the Tables, the Side-boards, and very Kitchin is cumber'd with it, for they eat and drink out of it, it is their ordina∣ry Vessel: There is likewise made huge Flower-pots of it. The very Architects cover Roofs, and make use of it at times to incrustate Marble Buildings.

Amongst those that are most in request, they are of three different Colours; some are yellow, yet tho' the Earth be very fine, they appear more course than the others; and the reason is, because that Colour does not admit of so fine polishing; it is used in the Emperor's Palace. Yellow is his own proper Colour, which is not allowed to any Person to bear; so that one may safely say, that as for the business of Porce∣lain, the Emperor is the worst served.

The second sort is of a grey Colour, with abundance of small irregular Lines in it, that cross one another, as if the Vase were all over striped, or wrought with inlaid or Mosaic work. I cannot imagine how they form these Figures; for I have much ado to believe that they are able to draw them ••••th a Pencil. Per∣haps when the Porcelain is baked, and yet hot, it is exposed to the cold Air, or that they infuse it in warm Water that opens it in that manner, on all sides; as it often happens to Crystals during Winter, after that they add a Stratum of Vernish to it, which covers these inequalities, which by means of a gentle fire into which they put it again, it is made as even and po∣lisht as before. However it is, these sort of Vases par∣take of a particular Beauty; and sure I am, the Curi∣ous amongst us would much value them.

Last of all, the third sort of Porcelain is white, with

divers Figures of Flowers, Trees and Birds, which they paint in blue, just such as come hither into Eu∣rope: This is the commonest of all, and every body uses it. But in respect of Glasses and Crystals, as all Work is not equally beautiful, so amongst Porcelains some of them are but indifferent, and are not worth much more than our Earthen Ware.

Those that have Skill do not always agree in their Judgment they pass upon them; and I perceive that in China, as well as in Europe, Phancy bears a main stroke in the matter; yet it is granted by all hands, that four or five different things are to concur to make them compleat and perfect; the fineness of the Matter, the whiteness, the politeness, the painting, the designing of the Figures, and fashion of the Work.

The Fineness is discovered by its Transparency, in which respect is to be had to its Thickness, the Brims are commonly thinner, and it is in that place where they ought to be considered: When the Vessel is big, it is a difficult matter to determine any thing there∣upon, unless one have a mind to break off some pie∣ces below; for there the Colour of the inner part a∣lone, or as they term it, the Grain, affords a shrewd guess, which appears likewise, when the two pieces can be joyned together again so perfectly, that no rup∣ture appears therein, for that is a sure token of the hardness, and consequently of the fineness of the matter.

The Whiteness is not to be confounded with the brightness of the Vernish by which the Porcelain is o∣verspread, which shews like a Mirrour; so that be∣holding it near to some other Objects, the Colours are painted upon it; and this Reflexion alone is capa∣ble of making one pass a wrong Judgment upon its native whiteness; it must be carried into the open Air, to be able to understand its beauty and defects. Albeit this Vernish be perfectly incorporated with the

Matter, and tho' it continues to perpetuity, yet is it ternished at long run, and loseth that brisk splendour it had at the beginning, from whence it comes to pass that the whiteness appears more taking and pretty in old Porcelains; not but the new ones for all that are as good, and will in time assume the same colour.

The Smoothness and Politeness consists in two things, in the brightness of the Vernish, and even∣ness of the Matter. The Vernish should not be thick, otherwise there will be a Crust introduced, which will not be incorporated enough with the Porcelain; be∣sides, its lustre will be too great and sprightly. The Matter is perfectly equal and even, when it has not the least bump, when there is to be observed in it neither grain, rising, nor depression: There are few Vessels but have some one of these defects; there must not only be found no spots, nor flaws, but notice must be taken whether there be some places brighter than o∣thers, which happe•• when the Pencil is unequally poised; sometimes also that may happen when the Vernish is laid on, if every part be not equally dry; the least moisture causeth a sensible difference therein.

The Painting is not one of the least beauties of the Porcelain; for that purpose one may make use of all Colours, but commonly they use red, and much more blue. I never saw any Vessel whose red was lively e∣nough; it is not because the Chineses have not very lovely red, but perhaps because this Colour is ter∣nished upon the Matter, and asperates, and makes rugged the subtilest and deepest colour'd parts: for the different grounds contribute much to the hight∣ning or lessening the lustre of the Colours. As for blue, they have it most excellent; however, it is very difficult to hit upon that exact temperature, where it is neither too pale, deep, intense, nor too bright. But that which Workmen most diligently seek after, is, to perfect the extremities of the Figures, so that the Co∣lour

do not extend beyond the Pencil, to the end that the whiteness of the Porcelain may not be sullied by a certain bluish Water, which flows, if special care be not taken, from the Colour it self, when it is not well pounded, or when the Matter on which it is laid, hath not attained a certain degree of driness; much after the same manner as happens to Paper that blots when it is moist, or when you write with naughty Ink.

It were to be wisht, that the designs the Chineses use in painting Porcelain were fairer; they paint likewise Flowers upon them, but Humane Figures are all mu∣tilated. But in that very thing they disgrace themselves in the Opinion of Strangers, who do not know what they are but only by that, and who imagine, that they are in effect as monstrous in their shape, as they appear in the Pictures; yet those are their usual Ornaments. The more regular Designs and skilful Draughts would be sometimes less pleasing to them than these Anticks.

To make amends, they are very ingenious and ex∣pert in turning their Vases well, of what size soever they be. The Figure of them is bold, well proporti∣oned, perfectly rounded, nay, and I do not believe that our skilfullest Workmen are able to fashion the great pieces better; they, as well as we, put a great value upon ancient Vases, but for a reason quite different from ours; we value them because they are fairer; they for their Antiquity; not but that the Artific••rs are as expert, and the Matter as good conditioned now as heretofore: There are still very fine ones made at this day; and I have seen at some Mandarins Houses whole Services that were superfine. But the European Mer∣chants do no longer Trade with the good Workmen, and having no Skill in them themselves, they accept whatsoever the Chineses expose to Sale; for they vend them in the Indies. Besides, no body takes care to fur∣nish them with examples of Draughts, or to bespeak particular Pieces of Work before hand. If M•• Constance

had lived, we should quickly have known in France that China had not lost the secret Art of Porcelain: But this is not the greatest loss we have sustained by his death; what Religion suffers by it through all the East, will scarce give us leave to take notice of the Alterations it hath caused in Arts and Trading.

There is yet another Reason that makes the curi∣ous Porcelain so rare; The Emperor has constituted in the Province where the Manufacture chiefly is, a particular Mandarin, whose care it is to make choice of the fairest Vases for the Court; he buys them at a ve∣ry reasonable rate, so that the Workmen being but ill paid, do not do their best, and are not willing to take any pains for that which will not enrich them. But should a private Man employ them, who would not spare for Cost and Charges, we should have at this day as curious Pieces of Workmanship, as those of the ancient Chineses.

The China Ware that is brought to us from Fokien, does not deserve the name of it; it is black, course, and is not so good as our Fayance. That which is most lookt upon is that which is made in the Province of Quamsi, the Clay is found in one place, and the Wa∣ter in another, because it is clearer and cleaner; per∣haps also, this Water they make use of before any o∣ther, is impregnated with some particular Salts, pro∣per to purifie and refine the Clay, or by the more strictly uniting the parts, as it happens in Lime, which is good for nothing, if it be not slaked in some certain Waters, whereas others make it more compact, strong, and adhering.

In brief, it is a mistake to think that there is requi∣site one or two hundred years to the preparing the Matter for the Porcelain, and that its Composition is so very difficult; if that were so, it would be neither so common, nor so cheap. It is a Clay stiffer than ordinary Clays; or rather, a kind of soft white Stone,

that is found in the Quarries of that Province. After having washt the pieces of it, and separated the hete∣rogenious Earth that may chance to be mixt with it, they bray it small till it be reduc'd to a subtil Powder. How fine soever it may appear, yet they continue pounding it for a long time, altho' by the touch no difference is to be perceived, yet they are perswaded that it is indeed made much more subtil, that the in∣sensible Parts are less mixt, and that the Work thereby comes to be whiter and more transparent. Of this subtil Powder they make a Paste, which they kneed, and beat a long while likewise, that it may become softer, and that the Water may be the more perfectly incorporated therewith. When the Earth is well ela∣borated, they endeavour the figuring of it. It is not likely that they use Moulds, as they do in some other sorts of Potteries; but it is more probable that they fashion them upon the Wheel like us. So soon as their Work pleases them they expose it to the Sun, Morn∣ing and Evening, but they retire it when the Sun waxes too hot, for fear of warping it. So the Vases dry by degrees, and they apply the painting at their leisure, when they judge the ground proper for to re∣ceive it; but because neither the Vases nor the Co∣lours have sufficient lustre, they make a very fine Broth or Ly of the Matter of the same Porcelain, wherewith they pass several strokes upon the Work, that gives them a particular whiteness and lustre: This is what I call the Vernish of the Porcelain. They assured me in the Kingdom of Siam that they mixt with it some common Vernish, with the Composition made of the white of an Egg, and shining Bones of Fish; but this is but a phansie; and the Workmen of Fokien, who work just as those of Quamsi, don't do o∣therwise. After all these Preparations, they put the Vases in the Furnace, wherein they kindle a gentle and constant uniform Fire, that bakes them without

breaking; and for fear least the exterior Air should do them damage, they do not draw them out till a long while after, when they have acquired their due consistance, and after they have been let cool at leisure.

This is all, Madam, I have to say as to the Mystery of Porcelain, that they have so long sought after in Eu∣rope. Providence, and the Prosperity of Religion, that obliged me to run over the greatest part of China, did not carry me into the Province of Quamsi, where the Metal is found whereof they make it; so that I do not sufficiently know it, as to mine own particular, for to be able to describe the nature and particular qualities thereof; perhaps it is not much different from some soft Stones that are found in several Provinces of France. And if so be the Ingenious would please to make some Experiments, and operate diligently, by making use of several sorts of Waters, after the above-mentioned manner, it might not be impossible to succeed.

Besides these Vernisht Cabinets and Vessels of Por∣celain, the Chineses adorn likewise their Apartments with Pictures: They do not excel in this Art, because they are not curious in perspective, notwithstanding they diligently apply themselves thereto, they take delight in it; and there are a great Company of Painters in the Country; some paint the Cieling, re∣presenting upon the Chamber-walls, an order of Ar∣chitecture without Symetry, by Bands or Fillets con∣tinued all along around at the top and bottom of the Wall, and above the Capital of the Co∣lomn, which contains only single Colomns, placed at an equal distance, without any other Ornament of Architecture. Others only whiten the Chamber, or glew Paper upon it. They hang the Pictures of their Ancestors up and down, with some Maps and Pieces of white Sattin, on which is painted Flowers, Fowls, Mountains, and Palaces; upon some others they write in Capital Letters Sentences of Morality, that explain

the Maxims and Rules of perfect Government. Some Chairs, vernisht Tables, some Cabinets, Flower-Pots, Lanthorns of Silk, all this well ordered, and placed in due proportion, makes a pretty handsome Apartment.

Altho' you do not enter the Bed-chamber, yet are their Beds very fine; in Summer they have Taffaty Curtains powdered with Flowers, Trees, and Birds in Gold and Silk embroidery. This sort of Work that comes from the Province of Nankin are in request, and as to point of Moveables, I have seen nothing in all China more magnificent. Others have Curtains of the finest Gaze; that is not a sufficient Baracado against the Air, but close enough to defend them against Flies and Gnats, that are intollerable in the Night. In Win∣ter they make use of course Sattin stitched with Dra∣gons and other Figures, according as every ones Ca∣pricio leads them: The Counterpain is in a man∣ner the same. They do not use Feather Beds; but their Cotton Quilts are very thick; their Bedstead ordinarily is of Joyners work, beautified with Figures. I have seen some very fine and exquisite.

By all that I have said, you may judge, Madam, that these People have shut themselves up within the Bounds of Necessity and Profit, without being over solicitous about Magnificence, which is very regular, tho' but very indifferent in their Houses. They like∣wise seem more negligent as to their Gardens, they have in that respect Conceptions much different from ours; and setting aside places designed for the Sepul∣chre of their Ancestors, which they leave untilled, they would think themselves out of their Wits, to put the Ground to no other use than to make Alleys and Walks, to cultivate Flowers, and plant Groves of un∣profitable Trees. The benefit of the Commonweal commands that all should be sowed; and their own particular Interest, that more nearly concerns them than the Publick Good, doth not permit them to prefer Pleasure to Profit.

'Tis true, the Flowers of the Country do not de∣serve their looking after; they have none curious; and tho' many may be met with like those in Europe, yet do they cultivate them so ill, that one has much ado to know them. Nevertheless there are Trees to be seen in some places, that would afford great Ornament in their Gardens, if they knew how to dispose them. Instead of Fruit they are almost all the year long laden with Flowers of a slorid Carnation; the Leaves are small, like those of the Elm, the Trunk irregular, the Branches crooked, and Bark smooth. If Alleys were made of them mixing therewith (which might easily be done) some Orange Trees, it would be the most pleasant thing in the World: But seeing the Chineses walk not much, Alleys do not agree with them.

Amongst other Trees they might dispose of in Gar∣dens, there is one they call Outom-chu, resembling the Sycomore; the Leaves are in Diameter between 8 or 9 Inches, fasten'd to a Stalk a foot long; it is extream∣ly tusted, and laden with Clusters of Flowers so thick set, that the Sun cannot intersqueeze a Ray: The Fruit which is extraordinary small notwitstanding the Tree be one of the biggest, is produced after the man∣ner I am about to relate: Towards the Month of August, or end of Iuly, there Springs out of the ve∣ry point of the Branches, little bunches of Leaves diffe∣rent from the other, they are whiter, softer, and as broad, and are in lieu of Flowers, upon the border of each of these Leaves grow three or four small Grains, or Kernels as big as green Peas, that inclose a white Substance, very pleasant to the taste, like to that of an Hazle Nut that is not yet ripe. This Tree being fruit∣ful, and the manner of bearing its Fruit being some∣thing extraordinary, I was apt to believe, Madam, you might be desirous to see the Description of it, which I have caused to be engraven.

The Chineses, who so little apply themselves to order

their Gardens, and manage the real Ornaments, are nevertheless taken with them, and are at some cost about them; they make Grotto's in them, raise little pretty Artificial Eminences, transport thither by piece∣meal whole Rocks, which they heap one upon another, without any further design, than to imitate Nature. If they could, besides all this, have the convenience of so much Water as is necessary to water their Cabbage and Ligumenous Plants, they would think they could desire no more as to that point. The Emperor hath Iets d'eau, or Fountains, of European Invention, but private Persons content themselves with their Ponds and Wells.

Now if this People be careless in Domestick Orna∣ments, there are none who do more affect to appear magnificent in Publick. The Government that con∣demns, or rather does not allow, but regulates Expences as to other matters, does not only approve of this, but contributes to it on these occasions, for reasons that I shall tell you in the sequel of the History.

When Persons of Quality receive Visits, or make any, when they go along the Streets, or when upon their Journey, but especially at such time when they appear before the Emperor, or make their Address to the Viceroys, they are always accompanied with a Train and Air of Grandeur that fills one with Astonishment.

The Mandarins richly habited are carried in a Sedan gilded, and open, born upon the shoulders of 8, or 16 Persons, accompanied with all the Officers of their Tribunal, who surround them with Umbrello's and o∣ther Marks of their Dignity. There be some that walk before them two and two, bearing Chains, Fasces, Scutcheons of vernisht Wood, upon which may be read in large gold Characters, all the Titles of Ho∣nour annext to their Places of Trust, together with a broken Bason upon which they beat a certain num∣ber of strokes, according to the Rank they bear in the

Province; they continually speak aloud, and threaten the People to make way. Other Officers follow in the same order, and sometimes four or five Gentlemen on Horseback bring up the Rear. Such a Mandarin there is, that never appears in Publick without a Train ••f three or fourscore Domesticks.

Those that belong to the Army go commonly on Horseback, and when they are of any considerable Rank, they are evermore at the Head of Twenty five, or Thirty Cavaliers. The Princes of the Blood at Pekin are preceded by four of their Officers, and fol∣low themselves in the middle of a Squadron that marches without order. In brief, they wear no Live∣ries in China, but the Domesticks are habited accord∣ing to the Quality of their Masters in black Sattin, or painted Linnen. Altho' the Horses be neither fine, nor well managed, yet are the Trappings and Harness very magnificent; the Bits, Saddle, and Stirrups are gilded, or else of Silver. Instead of Leather they make Bridles of two or three Twists of course pinkt Sattin two sin∣gers broad. Under the Horses Neck, at the begin∣ning of the Breast-plate, hang two great Tossels of that curious red Horse-hair wherewith they cover the Bon∣nets, which are fastened to two huge Buttons of Brass gilded or washt with Silver, hung at Rings of the same Metal, that makes a Horse look great upon a March, altho' upon a long Journey, especially upon a Course, it is cumbersome.

Not only the Princes and Persons of the highest Rank appear in Publick with a Train, but even those of a meaner quality go always on Horseback along the Streets, or in a close Sedan, followed by several Foot∣men: The Tartarian Ladies do often make use of Ca∣lashes with two Wheels, but they have not the use of the Coach.

The Magnificence of the Chinese Mandarins principal∣ly displays it self in the Journeys they take by Water;

the prodigious bigness of their Barges, that are little inferiour to Ships, the finery, carving, painting and gilding of the Apartments, the great number of Offi∣cers and Seamen that serve a board, the different Badg∣es of their Dignity every where display'd, their Arms, Flags, Streamers, all this, I say, does abundantly distin∣guish them from the Europeans, who are never worse accoutred, or more careless than when they Travel.

Besides, the Chineses have their Solemn Feasts, which they celebrate with great pomp and charges; the first three days in the year are spent in rejoycing throughout the whole Empire; they Array themselves magnificently, they visit one another, they send Pre∣sents to all their Friends, and to all the Persons whom it any way concerns them to observe. Gaming, Feast∣ing, and Comedies take up every bodies time. Ten or twelve days before are committed abundance of little Robberies, because those who are destitute of Money, seek how to come by it, and are resolved to have some whoever go without, to supply them in these Diver∣tisements.

The 15th day of the first Month is still more So∣lemn; they call it the Day or Feast of Lanthorns; be∣cause they hang them up in all the Houses, and in all the Streets, in such a great number, that it is a Mad∣ness, rather than a Festival: They light up, it may be, that day two hundred Millions. You will see, Ma∣dam, by what I am going to relate, that they have run into Extremes in this Ceremony, which otherwise might have been tolerated, as several other Customs are, to comply with that Peoples humour, which are become the most serious delight of Persons of Quality.

They expose to view that day Lanthorns of all pri∣ces; some of them cost Two thousand Crowns; and such a Grandee there is who retrenches every year something from his Table, from his Apparel, and from

his Equipage, to appear magnificent in Lanthorns. It is not the Materials that is dear, the Gilding, Sculp∣ture, the Painting, Silk, and Vernish make all the shew. As for the bigness, it is immense. There are some of them to be seen of upward of Twenty seven foot Dia∣meter: These are Halls, or Chambers, and three or four of these Machines would make pretty handsome Apartments; insomuch that you will admire, Madam, to understand that in China we may Eat, Lye, receive Visits, represent Comedies, and Dance Balls in a Lanthorn.

There would be to enlighten it need of a Bonefire, such as we kindle in one of our Publick Squares; but because it would be inconvenient, they are satisfied with an infinite number of Wax Candles or Lamps, which at a Distance shew very pretty. There is also represented divers shews to gratifie the Vul∣gar; and there are Persons concealed, who, by the help of several little Machines make Puppets to play of the bigness of Men and Women, the Actions of which are so natural, that even those who are ac∣quainted with the Trick, are apt to be mistaken: For my part, Madam, I was not deceived, because I was never present at these Spectacles. What I relate is up∣on the report of the Chineses, and upon the credit of some Relations whose Authors are well known, and whom I should be loath to condemn.

Besides these prodigious Lanthorns, there are an in∣finite number of a middle size, of which I can more safely speak; I have seen of them not only neat, but magnificent; they are commonly composed of six Faces, or Pains, each of which makes a frame of four foot high, a foot and an half broad, of vernisht Wood, and adorned with some Gildings. They hang it on the inside with a Web of sine Transparent Silk, where∣on is painted▪ Flowers, Trees, Rocks, and sometimes Humane Figures. The painting is very curious, the

Colours lively, and when the Wax Candles are light∣ed, the Light disperseth a Splendor that renders the Work altogether agreeable.

These six Pannels joyn'd together compose an Hexa∣gone surmounted by the Extremities of six carved Fi∣gures, that make the Crown of it. There is hung round about broad strings of Sattin of all Colours, like Ri∣bonds, together with divers other silken Ornaments that fall upon the Angles, without hiding any thing of the Light, or Pictures. We sometimes use them for an Ornament to our Churches. The Chineses hang of them in the Windows, in their Halls, and sometimes in Publick Places.

The Feast of Lanthorns is also celebrated by Bone∣fi••es that are kindled at that time in all Quarters of the City, and by Fireworks; for there is no body but lets off Squibs and Crackers. Some have spoken of these as the finest Fireworks in the World. There is repre∣sented (according to them) whole Trees covered with Leaves and Fruit, you may there distinguish the Cher∣ries, Raisins, Apples, and Oranges, not only by their Figures, but also by their particular Colour, every thing is painted to the Life, insomuch that one would really imagine that they are naturally Trees that are enlightned in the Night, and not an Artificial Fire, on which they have bestowed the Figure and Appear∣ance of Trees.

These Descriptions that are to be read in some Re∣lations of China, excite in those who travel thither, a real Passion to behold all these Miracles; I should have been very glad, as other are, to have upon mine own Personal knowledge been able to have related them. I have often sought for an occasion, but all in vain. These Fires are not so ordinary as People imagine; and to retrieve them, it will perhaps be necessary to go back to their time who writ of them. The Father Missionaries that sojourn at Pekin, who have been

Eye-witnesses of what was performed upon this ac∣count in the Emperor's Palace, have often told me, that it was not at all as they imagined it to be, and, at the bottom, that there was nothing very extaordi∣nary in it.

Nevertheless, Madam, it is not just wholly to con∣demn these Authors, as Persons of no Credit, they are good honest Missionaries, who would not impose up∣on us at pleasure, and what I have seen in India, and especially upon the Coast of Coromondel, may justifie them in some respect; they do there really represent all sort of Figures, not by Artificial Works that burst in the Air like our Squibs (for to me it seems not possi∣ble to reduce Flame to such determined Figures as would be necessary to distinguish Raisins, and Leaves, and much less to imitate every respective Colour that are natural to Fruits) but by means of a combustable Matter compounded of Sulphur, Camphire, and some other Ingredients, wherewith they dawb pieces of Wood in form of a Cross, of Trees, and Flowers, or in any other form they please.

As soon as they have given fire to it, that expanded Gum is set on fire on all sides like Coal, and represents, till it be totally consumed, the Figure of the Wood on which it was apply'd; so that it is no great wonder that they should make Trees and Fruits of Fire; and I do imagine those they so much magnifie in China, may be some such thing.

Not but that these sorts of Fires have their Beauty; for, besides their particular Colour, the prettiest, most splendid, and withal the most pleasant to the Eye i∣maginable, it is no mean Ornament in a Publick il∣lumination, to be able to represent Men, and Horses of Fire, Palaces all on fire, with their order of Archi∣tecture, Cartouches, and Armories of Light, and a great company of other Representations, that might be made in Europe with a great deal more exactness than

in the East; where the Artificers neither have Inge∣nuity to contrive great Designs, nor Dexterity enough perfectly to Execute them.

Perhaps, Madam, you will have the Curosity to learn what might have given occasion to the Chineses to or∣dain such an extravagant Festival as this, whereof I have the honour to speak to your Grace. As it is ve∣ry ancient, so the original seems very obscure. The Vulgar ascribe it to an Accident that happened in the Family of a famous Mandarin, whose Daughter walk∣ing one Evening upon the Banks of a River, fell in, and was drowned; this afflicted Father, with his Fa∣mily, run thither, and the better to find her, he caused a great Company of Lanthorns to be lighted. All the Inhabitants of the place thronged after him with Torches, they searched for her all Night to no pur∣pose, and the Mandarin's only Comfort was to see the willingness and readiness of the People, every one of which seem'd, as if he had lost his own Sister, because they lookt upon him as their Father.

The year ensuing they made Fires upon the Shore on the same day, they continued the Ceremony every year, every one lighted his Lanthorn, and by degrees it commenc'd into a Custom. The Chineses are pret∣ty Superstitious in that respect; but there is no pro∣bability that such a small loss should have such a lively influence upon a whole Empire.

Some Chinese Doctors pretend that this Festival de∣duceth its Original from a Story which they report in the manner following: Three thousand five hundred eighty three years ago, China was governed by a Prince named Ki, the last Emperor of the first Race, whom Heaven was pleased to endue with Qualities capable of constituting an Hero, if the love to Women, and the spirit of Debauchery, that took possession of his heart, had not reduced him to a Monster in the Empire, and an Object of Abhorrence in Nature▪

He had rare Parts, a winning, pleasing way with him, great Courage, and of such extraordinary strength of Body, that he broke Iron with his Hand. But this Sampson had his Mistresses, and grew weak; amongst other Extravagancies, they relate, that he exhausted all his Treasures in building a Tower of precious Stones to honour the Memory of a Concubine; and that he fill'd a Pool with Wine, for him and Three thousand young Men to bathe in, after a Lasclvious manner. These Excesses, and many other Abomina∣tions prevailed with the wisest of his Court to offer him some Advice, according to the Custom, but he put them to death; yea, and he imprisoned one of the Kings of the Empire, who endeavoured to divert him from these Disorders: At length he committed a Fact that consummated the Destruction of himself and all his Family.

One day, in the heat of his Debaucheries and Jol∣lity, complaining that Life was too short, I should be content, says he to the Queen whom he doted on, if I could make you eternally happy; but in a few years, nay in a few days peradventure Death will, in spight of us, put an end to our pleasures; and all my Power will not suffice to give you a Life longer than that which the lowest of my Subjects hopes to have; this thought continually troubles my Spirit, and dispenses into my Heart a bitterness that ••in∣ders me from relishing the sweetness of Life: Why cannot I make you reign for ever? And seeing there are Stars that never cease shining, must you needs be subject to death? you that shine more bright upon Earth, than all the Stars do in Heaven?

'Tis true, My Lord, saith this foolish Princess, that you cannot make your Life eternal, but it depends on you to for∣get the brevity of it, and to live as tho' you should never die: What need have we of the Sun and Moon to measure the duration of our Life? The morning Star that rises every morning, and the night that comes every evening, do conti∣nually

put in us mind of the beginning and end of our days; as those begin and end, so do ours that are begun, advance with precipitation, and will speedily be at an end.

Come, come, Sir, let us no longer cast our Eyes upon these Globes that roll over our Heads: Have you a mind once for all to cure your imagination? Build your self a new▪ Hea∣ven, ever enlightened, always serene, always favourable to your desires; where we shall perceive not the least footstep of the instability of humane things. You may easily do it, by erecting a great and magnificent Palace, shut up, on all sides, from the light of the Sun; you may hang up all around magnificent Lanthorns, whose constant splendor will be pre∣ferrable to that of the Sun.

Cause to be transported thither whatsoever is capable of contributing to your pleasure; and for fear of being one mo∣ment distracted by them, break off all correspondence with o∣ther Creatures. We will both of us enter into this new World that you shall create: I will be to you in lieu of all things, you alone will there yield me more pleasure then all the old world can offer; yea, Nature it self, that will be renowed for our sakes, will render us more happy than the Gods are in Heaven. 'Tis there that we will forget the vicisatude of days and nights; Time shall be no more in re∣spect of us; no more incumbrance, no more shadow, no more clouds nor change in Life: And provided, My Lord, that you on your part will be always constant, always passionate, my felicity will seem to me unalterable, and your happiness will be eternal.

The Emperor, whether it was that he thought he could deceive himself, or whether he had a mind to please the Queen, is not certain; but he caused this inchanted Castle to be built, and there immured her and himself. There he past several Months steeped in delights, and wholly taken up with his new Life; but the People not being able to endure such Excess, obliged one of the wisest Kings of the Empire to de∣clare against him.

So soon as the Emperor had notice of the Conspi∣racy, he appeared presently in the old World, which, whether he would or no, stuck more to his heart than the new: He appears at the Head of an Army to pu∣nish this Rebel; but seeing himself abandoned by the People, whom he had so foolishly deserted, he thought it his wisest course to abdicate, and betake himself to flight. During the three remaining years of his Life, he wandered from Province to Province incognito in a poor Condition, always in danger of being discover∣ed, as if God by his disquietness and continual agita∣tion, had a mind to punish him for that soft and ef∣feminate Repose, wherein he thought to have found constant Delights and eternal Felicity. In the mean time they destroyed his Palaces, and to preserve the Memory of such an unworthy Action to Posterity, they hung up Lanthorns in every quarter of the City, this Custom became Anniversary, and since that time a considerable Festival in the whole Empire; it is solem∣nized at Yamtcheou with more magnificence than any where else: And the report goes that the Illuminations there are so splendid, that an Emperor once not daring openly to leave his Court to go thither, committed himself, with the Queen, and several Princesses of his Family, into the hand of a Magician, who promised him to transport them thither in a trice. He made them in the Night to ascend magnificent Thrones that were born up by Swans, which in a moment ar∣rived at Yamtcheou.

The Emperor saw at his leisure all the Solemnity, being carried upon a Cloud, that hovered over the City, and descended by degrees; and came back a∣gain with the same speed and Equipage, no body at Court perceiving his absence. This is not the first Fable the Chineses have told; they have Stories upon every thing, for they are Superstitious to excess. And in point of Magick, be it seigned or true, there is no

People in the World that have come near them.

However it be, certain it is that they take huge delight in Publick Illuminations; and one of their Kings, who for his good qualities was become the darling of the People, once thought he could not better demonstrate to them his reciprocal Affection, than by inventing for their sakes such like Feasts. So that once a year, for eight Nights one after another, he opened his Palace, which they took care to illu∣minate by abundance of Lanthorns and Fireworks. He appeared in Person without any Guards, and was pell mell in the middle of the Croud, not suffering them to distinguish him from others, to the end that every one might enjoy the liberty of speaking, playing, and hearing divers Consorts of Musick there performed.

This Action hath rendred this Prince renowned in the China History; but what would they have said if they had chanced to be in the Apartments of Versailles, where the best and most potent of Kings so often as∣sembles all the innocent Pleasures that Christianity al∣lows, to make his Court, if possible, as happy as him∣self; if they did but behold those Illuminations, those Consorts, those Sports, those magnificent Banquets, and the Prince himself striving to mix with the Multitude; nay, and would be unknown, were it not for an Air of Grandeur which is not annext to his Dignity, and whereof he cannot devest himself, distinguish him from all the rest?

Since I am speaking, Madam, of the Magnificence of the Chineses, I cannot, without being wanting in a material point, pass over in silence what relates to their Emperors, who never appear in Publick, but as so ma∣ny Deities, environed with all the Splendor that may attract the respect and veneration of the People. Here∣tofore they rarely shewed themselves; but the Tartars, who reign at present, are much more Popular, and the late King did not stand so much upon nice Punctilio's.

The present Emperor in that, as well as in all things else, observes a Medium, which contents his Nation, without totally displeasing the Chineses. Nevertheless, as moderate as he is, in comparison of the Ancients, one may boldly say he never marches but at the head, or in the midst of an Army.

At such time he is accompanied with all the Lords of the Court: There is nothing but Silks, Gildings, and precious Stones, every thing there is splendid and pompous; the Arms, the Horses Harness, the Umbrel∣lo's, the Streamers, and a thousand other Badges of Dignity Royal, or of the particular quality of every Prince, every where sparkles at that time. In a word, there is nothing more regular on these Occurencies than this Croud; every one knows his respective Rank; and the Head of that Man, or at least his For∣tune, lyes at stake, who shall presume indiscreetly to discompose the order of the March.

When he takes a Progress to visit the Provinces of the Empire, he goes commonly Post, followed by a few Guards and some Officers of his Considents; but in all the Cities upon the Road, and in all the difficult Passages, there are so many Troops drawn up into Batalia, that he seems to ride Post cross an Army.

He goes sometimes into Tartary to take the divertise∣ment of Hunting, but yet always accompanied as if he went to the Conquest of some new Empire. He carries along with him no less than Forty thousand Men, who endure a gr••at deal of hardship, whether the Weather be hot or cold, because they encamp in a very incon∣venient manner; nay, and it sometimes happens, that in one of these ••oilsome Huntings their dies more Hor∣ses then he would lose in a pitch'd Battel; but he counts the Destruction of Ten thousand Horses as nothing.

The Fathers that accompany him thither say, That never does his Magnificence more display it self than

upon this occasion; there he sees sometimes thirty or forty petty Tartarian Kings, that come to address him, or pay him Tribute; yea, there be some of them that bear the name of Ham or Kam, that is to say, Emperor; they are all of them, just as the Mandarins of the first order, his Pensioners; he gives them his Daughters in Marriage; and to make them the more sure to his In∣terest, he declares himself their Protector against all the Western Tartars who often annoy them; nay, and have sometimes Forces enough to attack China it self with good Success.

Whilst the Croud of these petty Sovereigns appears in the Emperor's Camp, the Court is wonderful sump∣tuous: and to the end he may possess these Barbarians with some Idea of the Power of China, the Train, Ha∣bits, and Tents of the Mandarins, are rich and glorious, even to excess and profusion. This is what the Missio∣naries, who have been witness of the same, do report; and I suppose we may give credit to their Relations, not only because they all unanimously agree in this Matter, but also because what they say does altogether comport with the Genius of the Chineses.

That which the Relation of Father Magalhens re∣ports, newly translated with Notes, equally learned and instructive, concerning the pompous March of the Emperor, when he goes to the Temple to offer Sacri∣fices to Heaven, hath something odd in it, and deserves here to be repeated; and so much the more, because these things can neither be supposed, nor magnified, for the orders observed in Publick Ceremonies is known to every body to be so regular, that the very Emperor dares not add or diminish the least Article.

This pompous Ceremony begins with Twenty four Trumpets, adorned with Golden Coronets with 24 Drums ranked, each of them into two Files; 24 Men armed with Truncheons vernisht and gilt, 6 or 8 foot long, follow them in the same order, and front; after

that follow 100 Soldiers bearing noble Halbards, arm∣ed with a Semicircle of Iron in form of a Cressant, followed with 100 Serjeants at Mace, and two Officers whose Pikes are painted with red Vernish, in different places with Flowers and golden Figures.

Next after this first File is born 400 curiously wrought Lanthorns, 400 Flamboys of a gilded Wood that flame like our Torches, 200 Lances charged with huge Tufts of Silk, 24 Banners whereon are painted the Signs of the Zodiak, and 56 others that represent the Celestial Constellations: There is to be seen more∣over 200 Fans with Figures of Dragons, and other A∣nimals; 24 Umbrello's still more magnificent, and a Livery Cupboard born by the Officers of the Palace, whose Utensils are of Gold.

All this does immediately precede the Emperor, who at last appears on Horsback, gloriously attired, sur∣rounded with six white led Horses, whose Harness is covered with Gold and precious Stones, with 100 Life-guard and Pages of Honour; they bear up before him an Umbrello that shades him and the Horse, and dazles the Sight with all the Ornaments that Man could possibly invent to enrich it.

The Emperor is followed by all the Princes of the Blood, by the Mandarins of the first order, by the Viceroys and principal Lords of the Court, all in their Formalities: Immediately after is seen 500 young Gentlemen of Quality, which may be called the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, attended by 1000 Foot∣men, array'd in Carnation Silk, bordered with Flow∣ers, stitched with little Stars in Gold and Silver. This is properly the King's Houshold.

This Retinue is still more extraordinary by what follows, then by what went before: For immediate∣ly 36 Men bear an open Sedan that resembles a Tri∣umphant Chair, 120 Bearers support another close one, and so big that one would take it for an intire Apart∣ment.

Afterwards there appear four Chariots, the two first of which are drawn by Elephants, and the other two by Horses. Each Sedan and Chariot hath a Company of 50 Men for its Guard: The Chario∣teers are richly apparelled, and the Elephants as well as the Horses, are covered with embroidered Housings.

At length this proud Cavalcade is brought up in the Rear by 2000 Mandarin Officers, and 2000 Officers of the Army, all most richly cloathed, marching in or∣der, and according to their Custom, with that Gra∣vity that commands respect. It is not needful that the Court should be at great Charges for this Pomp; and as soon as ever the Emperor is pleased to go offer Sacrifice, they always are in readiness to attend him in this order. I do not know, if in our Carousels and Solemn Festivals, we have any thing more splendid and magnificent.

But the King of China never appears greater, then when he gives Audience to foreign Ambassa∣dors; that prodigious number of Troops who are at that time in Arms, that incredible number of Mandarins in their Formalities, distinguished ac∣cording to their rank and quality, placed in or∣der without confusion, without noise, without im∣barasment, in such order as they would appear in the Temples of their Gods; the Ministers of State, the Lord Chief Justices of all the Sovereign Courts, the petty Kings, the Princes of the Blood, the Heirs of the Crown, more humbled before this Prince, then they are exalted above the People: The Emperor himself seated on a Throne, who beholds prostrate at his feet all this Crowd of Adorers; all this, I say, bears an Air of Sovereignty and Grandeur in it, that is to be found no where but in China, which Christian Humility does not so much as permit Kings to desire in the most glorious Courts of Europe.

I should never make an end, if I had a mind to de∣scend

to all the particulars of the Publick Ceremonies, where the Chineses display all their Magnificence; I suppose, Madam, I have spoken enough to inform you with a just Idea of it; now if you please to permit me, in the close of this Letter, to add what I think of it my self in reference to France, where the Riches and Ambition of private Persons have carried stateliness to an higher pitch, than in any other Realm in Europe; It seems to me that the Chineses do almost ever surpass us in Common and Publick Actions, by a more affe∣cted and specious outside; but, that in Domestick Things, our Apartments are incomparably richer, th•• Retinue of Persons of Quality more decently clothed, tho' not so numerous, the Equipages more commodi∣ous, the Tables better served, and generally speaking, the Expence more constant, and better regulated. I am with a most profound respect,

Madam,

Your most humble and most obedient Servant L. J.

LETTER VII. To the Archbishop of Rheims, first Peer of France.

Of the Language, Characters, Books, and Morality of the Chineses.

My Lord,

AFter having had the Honour to entertain your Grace at your spare hours, concerning the different Properties of the Empire of China, I believed you would not take it amiss to see from me in writing that which relates to their Language, Cha∣racters, Books, and Morals.

There are certain Points of History that one cannot enter upon without much preparation, and especially when one is to explain them to such a Person as your self, whose particular Character it is, to know to the bottom, and with the greatest exactness, whatsoever you do know, there is required an exactness, and a cer∣tain order, which is scarce ever met with but in wri∣ting.

I well know, My Lord, that it is difficult to add, upon this Subject, any new Knowledge to that which hath rendered you one of the most knowing Prelates of the Age; how good and diffusive soever the Morality

of China may be, yet are there but faint Glimpses in it of a circumscribed Reason, that disappear, as soon as they are brought near those Divine Lights that Re∣ligion discovers to us, and whereinto you have so long dived by the continual reading of Fathers, Ca∣nons, and Councils.

Nevertheless, altho' all the Philosophy of that re∣nowned Nation be not able to instruct us, yet is it worth our enquiry to know, To what pitch of Per∣fection it heretofore brought Sciences, and that too at a time when other People in the World were either ig∣norant or barbarous; and to begin at their Tongue and Character, which among them contain the chief Points of Literature, this is what I have observed of them.

The Chinese Language hath no Analogy with any of those that are in vogue in the World, no Affinity neither in the Sound, in the pronounciation of the Words, nor yet in the disposing and ranging of the Conceptions. Every thing is mysterious in this Lan∣guage, and you will, no question stand amazed, My Lord, to understand, that all the terms of it may be learnt in two hours, altho' there is required several years study to speak it, that one may be able to read all the Books, and to understand them perfectly, with∣out apprehending any thing, if another read it; that a Doctor may compose a Book with all the elaborate∣ness possible, and this very same Doctor may not know enough of it to explain himself in ordinary Con∣versation. That a Mute instructed in the Chara∣cters, might with his fingers, without writing, speak almost as fast as is necessary, not to weary the Audi∣tors. In a word, that the self same words do often signifie quite different things, and of two Persons that shall pronounce them, it will be a Complement in the Mouth of the one, and foul Language in the Mouth of the other. These Paradoxes, how surprising soever

they may seem, are very true notwithstanding; and your Grace will grant it, if you please to give your self never so little trouble to cast your Eyes upon that which I have to write to you about it.

This Tongue contains no more than Three hundred and thirty words, or thereabouts, all of one Syllable, or at least they seem to be so, because they pronounce them so succinctly, that a Man can scarce distinguish more than one: Altho' it be a tedious thing to read the whole Series of them, yet shall I describe them in this place, as well to let you understand the Tone, as to give you the Satisfaction to see, at one Glance of your Eyes, comprised in one single Page, a Language so ancient, so famous, and I may say, so eloquent as this is.

These few words would not be sufficient to express a Man's self roundly upon all Subjects, to supply words to Arts and Sciences, to maintain Eloquence in a Dis∣course, or in a Work, which is very different among the Chineses, if he had not found out the Art to mul∣tiply the Sense, without multiplying the Words. This Art chiefly consists in the Accents they give them; the same word pronounced with a stronger or weaker in∣flexion of the voice, hath divers significations; so that the Chinese Language, when it is spoken exactly, is a kind of Musick, and contains a real Harmony, which composeth the Essence and particular Character of it.

There are five Tones that are apply'd to each word, according to the Sense one means to give it. The first is an uniform Pronunciation without lightning or falling the Voice, as if one should continue for some time the first Note of our Musick: the second raiseth the Voice notably higher: the third is very acute: in the fourth you descend all on the sudden to a grave Tone: in the fifth you pass to a more deep Note, if I may presume

so to express my self, by hollowing, and framing a kind of Base. A Man cannot make himself be understood in this Matter but by the Language it self.

However you already see, My Lord, that by this di∣versity of Pronounciation of 333 words, are made 1665. besides that, one may pronounce smoothly, or asperate each word, which is very usual, and does still increase the Language by half. Sometimes these Monosyllables are joyned together, as we put our Letters together, thereby to compose different words: Nay, they do more then all that, for sometimes a whole Phrase, ac∣cording as it follows, or goes before another, hath a quite different sense; so it plainly appears that this Tongue, so poor, so seemingly succinct, yet for all that is in effect very rich and extensive, to express a Man's self.

But these Riches cost Foreigners dear to come by them; and I cannot tell whether some Missionaries had not better have labour'd in the Mines than to have ap∣ply'd themselves for several years to this Labour, one of the hardest and most discouraging that one can expe∣rience in matter of study. I cannot apprehend how any one can have other thoughts; and I must confess I admired to read the new Relation of Father Magalben, that the Chinese Language is easier than the Greek, Latin, and all the Languages in Europe. He adds, one cannot doubt of it, if it be considered that the difficulty in Tongues proceeds from the Memory; now one hath no trouble at all in this, that hath but very few words in comparison of others, nay, and may be learnt in a days time.

To argue as this Father does, Musick must cost us but an hours time, seven Words, and seven Tones, do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much burthen the memory, and if one have but a Voice never so little flexible, one would think it were no hard matter to learn them; nevertheless, we see by daily experience, whoso begins at thirty or forty years,

unless he have a more than ordinary inclination for Musick, scarce ever learns it to purpose; nay, and af∣ter much application, and long exercise, is still to his dying day but a pitiful Musician. How will it fare with a Person who hath six Tones to combine with above 300 Words, that he does not know by the wri∣ting, which he must call to mind ex tempore, when he would speak fluen••ly, or when he is to distinguish in another person that precipates his words, and who scarce observes the Accent and particular Tone of each word?

It is not the Memory that is put to a stress upon this occasion, but the Imagination and Ear, which in some certain Persons never distinguish one Tone from ano∣ther; the turn of the Tongue also conduces infinitely thereto; and there are certain Persons that have Me∣mory sufficient to learn a Book in few days, who will tug at it for a Month together to pronounce only one word, and all to no purpose: How happens it that, let him take what care he will, a Man has never a good Accent in our Language, when he is born in certain Provinces, and when he departs from them when he is well stricken in years.

Nevertheless, to make your self understood in Chi∣nese, you must give to each word its peculiar Accent; vary but never so little, and you fall into another Tone that makes a ridiculous Counter-sense; so that one would call Him a Beast, whom he intends to call Sir, because the word that is common to them both, hath not a different Sense, but only by the different Tone they give it: So that it is properly in this Language that one may say, the Tone is all in all.

This is that also that makes the Chinese Tongue more difficult than others. When a Stranger that hath but a smattering, intends to speak French, if he pronounce some words but never so little well, we easily guess at those he speaks ill, and we know his meaning; but in

China one single word badly pronounced, is enough to render the whole Phrase unintelligible; and one Phrase at the beginning that is not well heard and under∣stood, hinders the understanding of what follows. So when one chances to come into a Congregation, where they have already begun to speak about some Business, he stares about a good while, without understanding, till such time as by degrees they put him in the way, and till he gets hold of the thread of the Dis∣course.

Besides what I have been saying, this Tongue hath particular Characters that distinguish it from all others. First of all they do not speak as they write, and the most quaint Discourse is barbarous, harsh and unplea∣sant when printed. It is necessary to write well, to make use of more select Terms, more noble Expressions, more particular Turns, that do occur in common practice, which are proper to the composing of Books, the stile of which is more different from the common Elocution, then our obscurest Latin Poets are from the smoothest and most natural Prose.

Secondly, Eloquence does not consist in a certain disposition of Periods, such as Orators affect, who, to impose upon the Auditors, stuff it sometimes with a parcel of words, because they have but few things to tell them. The Chineses are eloquent by their lively Ex∣pressions, noble Metaphors, bold and succinct Compa∣risons, and above all, by abundance of Sentences and Passages taken from the Ancients, which amongst them are of great moment: they deliver a great many things in a few words, their Stile is close and mysterious, ob∣scure, and not continued, they seldome make use of all those Particles that illustrate, and connect our Dis∣course. They seem sometimes to speak not to be un∣derstood, or, as tho' they pretend that a Body may un∣derstand them, even when they do not speak, so much sense, and thought, do they inclose in a few words.

It is true, this obscurity almost quite vanishes in re∣spect of those who have a perfect knowledge in the Characters; and a Learned Man that reads a Work, is seldom mistaken in it, but in speaking one is often at a stand: And I have converst with some Doctors, who to understand one another in familiar Discourses, were obliged to describe with their Finger, in the Air the particular Letter that exprest their words, whose Sense could not be determined by the Pronuncia∣tion.

Thirdly, The Sound of the words is pretty pleasing to the Ear, especially in the Province of Nankin, where the Accent is more correct than in any other part; for there many pronounce the different Tones so fine and delicately, that a Stranger hath much ado to perceive it. Besides, they never use R, which contributes not a little to mollifie that Language; yet must it be allow∣ed that most part of the Chineses, that pretend to speak correctly, have something of unpleasant in the Lan∣guage, they drawl out their words in length intollera∣bly; and tho' they be all Monsyllables, yet by meer extending them, they make words infinite and like to intire Phrases.

They have moreover a Termination which often oc∣curs, which we express commonly by a double ll; the sound comes from the bottom of the aspera arteria, so uncouth and unnatural, that it alone is capable of spoil∣ing a Language: But as certain forc'd Aspirations in the Castillian Tongue, do notwithstanding please the Spaniards; so the Chineses are perswaded that these same Gutturals that displease us, are a real grace; and that these more Masculine and stronger Tones, gives a body to their Language, without which it would be apt to degenerate into a Puerile delicateness, which would at best have no grace but in the Mouth of Wo∣men and Children.

Fourthly, They want abundance of Sounds which we express by our Letters; for Example, they do not pronounce A, b, d, o, r, x, z, after the same manner as we do in France; and when any one forces them to pro∣nounce them, they always make some alteration, and use sounds, that in their Language comes the nearest to them, never being able almost to express them exactly. That formerly was a great difficulty for the Chinese Priests in Consecrating the Host, who could not say Mass in Latin without falling into a ridiculous jargon. Yet there was so much pains taken to frame their Tongue, that at length they have succeeded to admi∣ration: So that the Latin in their mouth is not much more different from that of the Portuguese, than that of the Portuguese is from ours.

All that I have been saying, My Lord, is to be under∣stood of the Mandarin Language that is currant all o∣ver the Empire, which is universally understood every where; for the common People at Fokien besides that, speak a particular Tongue, that hath no affinity with the same, who look upon it in China, as we do upon the Biscay Language, or B••sbreton in France.

What relates to the China Character is no less sin∣gular than their Tongue; they have not any Alphabet as we have, that contains the Elements, and as it were the P••inciples of Words; nay, they cannot so much as comprehend, how we are able, with so small a number of Fig••••e••, each of which signifies nothing, to express upon a piece of Paper all our Conceptions, to compose such an infinite number of Books, as to stock whole Li∣braries. This Art of putting Letters together, to compose words of them, to combine them both into a prodigi∣ous number of Senses, is to them an hidden Mystery, and that which is so common amongst other Nations, never obtained amongst them, either thro' the little Converse they have had with other neighbour Nations, or thro' the small account they made of Foreign In∣ventions.

Instead of Characters, at the beginning of their Mo∣narchy they used Hieroglyphicks; they painted instead of writing; and by the natural Images of things, which they drew upon Paper, they endeavoured to express, and convey their Idea's to others; so that to write a Bird, they painted its Figure; and to signifie a Forest, they represented a great company of Trees; a Circle signified the Sun, and a Crescent the Moon.

This sort of writing was not only imperfect, but ve∣ry inconvenient; for besides that one exprest his Thoughts but by halves, even those few that were ex∣prest, were never perfectly conceived, and it was be∣sides utterly impossible not to be mistaken: More∣over, there needed whole Volumes to express a few things, because the painting took up a great deal of room. Insomuch that the Chineses by little and little changed their writing, and composed more simple Fi∣gures, tho' less natural; they likewise invented many to express some things that painting could not repre∣sent, as the Voice, Smell, the Senses, Conceptions, Pas∣sions, and a thousand other Objects that have neither Body nor Figure; of several simple Draughts, they af∣ter made compound ones; and at this rate they mul∣tiplied their Characters ad infinitum, because they destined one or more of them for each particular word.

This abundance of Letters is in my opinion the source of the Chineses ignorance, because they imploy all their days in this study, and have not leisure so much as to think of other Sciences, phansying them∣selves learned enough if they can but read. However, they are far from understanding all their Letters: It is very much, if after several years of indefatigable study, they be able to understand fifteen or twenty thousand. The vulgar sort of the Learned, con∣tent themselves with less: and I cannot believe that there was ever any Doctor that understood the third

part; for they reckon upward of Twenty four thou∣sand.

As for Strangers, it is scarce credible how much this study disgusts them; it is an heavy Cross to be forc'd all a Man's life long (for commonly it is not too long for it) to stuff his Head with this horrible multitude of Figures, and to be always occupied in deciphering imperfect Hieroglyphicks, that have in a manner no analogy with the things they signifie, there is not the least Charm in this, as in the Sciences of Europe, which, in fatiguing, do not cease to captivate the Spirit with Delight. It is necessary in China, that a Man may not be discouraged, to seek out more sublime Motives, in defect of natural Inclination; to make a Vertue of a Necessity, and to please ones self to think, that this study, how crabbed and ingrateful soever it seems, is not sterile, because it is a sure way to bring Men to the Knowledge of Jesus Christ.

It is that way whereby we make our selves under∣stood by great ones; whereby we insinuate our selves into their Spirits, and thereby prepare them for the grand Truths of Christian Religion; there is not that Person to whom this hope of preaching the Gospel successfully, does not incourage, and inspirit. We can∣not also doubt, but that our blessed Lord may accom∣pany the Effects of our good Will, with a particular Blessing; and it is more than probable, that if it had not been for the Assistance from above, the Missio∣naries would never have been so great Proficients, as to make such a progress that has astonisht the ablest Doctors of the Empire.

Amongs•• these Characters there are some of divers sorts. The first are almost out of use, and they pre∣serve them only out of Veneration to Antiquity. The second not so ancient by far, take place only in Pub∣lick Inscriptions; when there is occasion for them, they consult Books, and by the help of a Dictionary

it is easie to decipher them. The third much more regular and fair, serve for the impression, and also for the ordinary writing: Nevertheless, the strokes or draughts of them being very exact and curious, there needs a considerable time to write them in. And for that reason they have contrived a fourth kind of wri∣ting, the strokes whereof being more joyned, and less distinguisht one from another, facilitate the wri∣ting faster; for that reason they are called voluble Let∣ters: These three last Characters do much resemble one another, and do answer to our Capital Letters, to the printed Letters, and ordinary Writing.

Instead of a Pen they use a Pencil held in the hand, not obliquely, as our Painters, but directly, as if the Paper were to be prickt. The Chineses always write from top to bottom, and begin their first Let∣ter where ours ends; so that to read their Books, the last page must first be sought for, which with them is the beginning: There Paper being very thin, and almost transparent, they are fain to double it, for fear least the Letters do run one into another when they write on the backside: But these doubled Leaves are so even, that one can hardly perceive it.

To write a bad Hand, was never in China, as for∣merly in France, a sign of Nobility; every Body is ambitious to write fair; and before one stands Can∣didate to be admitted to the first degree of Learning, he must give a Specimen of his fair Hand. A Letter ill cut in a Composition, in a Work, in a Petition, is a considerable fault; and because one stroke often al∣ters the whole Sense, there needs no more to make one, upon examination, to lose the Degree of Do∣ctor, and consequently to ruin his Fortune. So that all the Mandarins write fair, and the Emperor excels in that, as in all other things.

Printing, which is but an Art in its infancy in Eu∣rope, hath been, from all Antiquity in use in China; however it is something different from ours; as we have but few Letters, from which we can compose huge Volumes, by putting them together, few Cha∣racters suffice, because those that have served for the first Leaf, are still employed for all the others. The prodigeous number of China Characters hinder you from using this way, except only in some Restricti∣ons that concern the Palace, and Title pages, into which few Letters can come in: On all other occa∣sions, they find it more easie to Engrave their Let∣ters upon Wooden Boards, and the Charge is much less.

This is the way they go to work. He who intends to print a Book, gets it fair written over by a Master Scribe, the Engraver glews each Leaf upon an even smooth Table, and then the Draughts with the Graving Tool are done so exactly, that the Characters have a per∣fect resemblance with the Original; so that the Im∣pression is good or bad, according as a good or bad Scribe hath been employed; this Skill of the Gravers is so great, that one cannot distinguish that which is imprinted, from what was written by the Hand, when they have made use of the same Paper and Ink.

It must be confest that this sort of Printing is some∣what incommodious, inasmuch as the Boards must be multiplied as much as the Leaves, so that an indiffe∣rent big Chamber will not suffice to contain all the little Tables, that served for the Impression of a large Volume; yet when the engraving is finisht, one is not obliged at the same time to draw off all the Copies, by running a venture of not selling above half, and ruin his Estate by a needless Charge. The Chineses print their Leaves according as they put them off; and the Wooden Plates, which they easily run over again, after they have drawn off Two or Three hundred

Copies, serve for many other different Impressions. Besides that, they have no occasion for a Corrector of the Press; for provided that the Leaf be exactly written, it is very rare that the Engraver makes any Faults, which is none of the least Advantages.

The Paper of China seems so fine, that they ima∣gined in France that it was of Silk, or Cotton; but Cotton is not so proper for that purpose as People imagine; and the Artificers have assured me, that the little threads of Silk cannot be beat small enough to compose an uniform Paste, such as is requisite for the Leaves. All the China Paper is made of the Bark, or inward Rhind of Bambou; it is a Tree, more e∣ven, thicker, straiter, and stronger than the Elder: They throw away the first Rhind, as too hard and thick; the undermost, as being whiter, softer, pound∣ed with fair Water, serves for the Matter whereof they compose Paper, which they take up with Frames or Moulds, as long and broad as they think fit, as we do here: There are Leaves of ten and twelve foot long; and the Paper of the Leaves is as white, and much more even and smoother than ours.

Instead of Glew, they pass Alom upon it, which does not only hinder it from sinking, but renders it also so shining, that it appears as washt over with Silver, or impregnate with Vernish: It is extream smooth under the Pen, but especially under the Pen∣cil, that requires an even Ground; for it be rugged and knotty, like our Paper, the little threads sepa∣rate, and the Letters are never well terminated.

Yet for all that the China Paper is not lasting, it is subject to fret; any Moisture or Dust sticks to it; and by reason of its being made of the Bark of a Tree, Worms infallibly breed in it, if care be not ta∣ken to beat the Books now and then, and expose them to the Sun. So that they cannot preserve in China, as we do in Europe, ancient Manuscripts; and they

continually renew the Libraries, that are therefore ancient, because they consist of Authentick Copies of Ancient Originals.

Since I have told your Grace all things that con∣cern the Books and Printings of China, I hope you will not take it amiss, if I speak a word or two con∣cerning the particular quality of their Ink: It is most excellent; and they have hitherto vainly tried in France to imitat•• it: that of Nankin is most set by: And there be Sticks made of it so very curious, and of such a sweet Scent, that one would be tempted to keep some of them tho' they should be of no use at all.

I say Sticks of Ink, for it is not a Liquor like ours; it is solid, and resembles our Mineral Colours, tho' lighter by far: They make it into all Figures; the more usual are four-square, but not so broad as long; about half an Inch thick. There are some of them gilded with Figures of Dragons, Birds, and Flow∣ers; they contrive for that purpose pretty Moulds of Wood so curiously wrought, that one would have much ado to make any thing more compleat upon Metal.

When one has a mind to write, they have a little po∣lisht Marble upon the Table, made hollow at the end, proper to hold water; they infuse one end of the stick therein, which they rub gently upon the smooth part of the Marble; and in a moment, according as they rub, there is produced a Liquor, more or less black, wherein they dip the point of the Pencil to write with. This Ink is shining, extream black, and altho' it sinks when the Paper is so fine, yet does it never extend further than the Pencil, so that the Letters are exactly terminated, how gross soever the strokes be.

[illustration]

Outom-Chu A Tree in China

It hath moreover another quality, that makes it admirable good for designing, that is, it admits of all the Diminutions one can give it; and there are many things that cannot be represented to the Life without using this Colour. In a word, it is not so difficult to be made as People imagine; altho' the Chineses use Lamb-black, drawn from divers Mat∣ters, yet the best is made of Hogs-grease burnt in a Lamp: They mix a sort of Oil with it, to make it sweeter, and pleasant Odours to suppress the ill smell of th•• Grease and Oil. After having reduc'd it to a Consistence, they make of the Paste little Lozenges, which they cast in a Mould; it is at first very heavy, but when it is very hard, it is not so weighty by half, and that whi••h they give for a Pound, weighs not above eight or ten Ounces.

The binding of Books in China is likewise very pretty and curious, tho' it comes much short of ours. They don't gild upon the Edges, nor so much as co∣lour them. The ordinary Books are covered with a grey Pastboard, handsom enough. They bind others according as they please; in a fine Sattin, or a kind of flowered Taffity, that is very cheap, and is com∣monly made on purpose for this use. I have seen some covered with rich Silk, flowered with Gold and Silver; the Form is always the same, but they are at Cost, according to the Matter they are willing to employ. I should never have presumed, My Lord, to take the liberty to set down all these minute Cir∣cumstances, if I were not perswaded, that a little Account is not always disagreable to Learned Men, who, like you, are acquainted beforehand with the most essential Matters. Hence I present you with something more solid, which, without doubt, you may have read; but I add it in this place brief∣ly, only to refresh your memory.

The first History that was in the World, was without all Controversie the Book of Genesis; but it must be granted, that of all the Books that have reached our knowledge, those of China are the first that have been published: They name them by way of Excellence, The five Volumes; and the Chineses hold nothing more Sacred than the Doctrine therein taught. It is about Four thousand three hundred years since the Emperour Hoamti, after he had invented the Cha∣racters, composed Treaties of Astronomy, Arithme∣tick, and Medicine.

Near upon Three hundred years after, they made a Collection of all the Ordinances, and writ the Hi∣story of King Yao, a Prince recommendable for his Piety, Prudence, and the mighty Care he took to establish a Model of Government in the State. C••un and Isu his Successors, were no less famous; they re∣gulated the Ceremonies of the Sacrifice, that they were bound to offer to the Supream Master of Hea∣ven, and to the inferiour Spirits that presided over Rivers and Mountains; they divided the Empire in∣to Provinces; they fixt their different Situation with respect to the Constellations of Heaven; they regu∣lated the Taxes that the People were to pay; they made several other Constitutions very wholsome and proper for introducing good Manners, and very ne∣cessary for the Publick Quiet. All these things were written; and whatever these three Emperors have left behind them to Posterity, hath been always con∣sidered by the Chineses as Oracles.

Nevertheless, being the first Laws never compre∣hend all things, the Emperors who reigned a Thou∣sand seven hundred seventy six years before our Savi∣our, upon mature deliberation, and by the Counsel and Advice of their Sage Ministers, thought them∣selves obliged to make an Addition of new ones. They report that Cootson, a Prince, in whom Piety

and Zeal in Religion, did infinitely inhance the Noble qualities he had received from Nature, saw in a Dream the Figure of a Man coming from Heaven. After he was awake, the Image remained so lively engraven upon his Mind, that he caused him to be sought for, and found him at length amongst the Masons. So soon as this Man apply'd himself to the Government, he seemed to be inspired, and made several beneficial Regulations, that perfected the an∣cient Ordinances, which were again augmented un∣der succeeding Reigns; insomuch that being all colle∣cted together, there was a Book com∣posed of them which the Chinese call * 7.6 Chukim, which amongst them is of as great Authority, in reference to the Politick State, as Moses and the Prophets are amongst the Jews, as to what concerns the Worship of God, and Form of Religion.

The Second Book, which the Chineses reverence for its Antiquity, is a long Continuation and Series of Odes, and Poems composed under the Reigns of the third Race† 7.7. Where are described the Manners and Customs of the petty Kings of China, who governed the Provinces in dependance upon the Emperor. Confucius mentions them with great Elogiums; which makes us incline to judge that in process of time they had been corrupted by a mixture of several bad Pieces; there are some such found in them very ridiculous, not to say impiou••. ••o••i, Founder of the Monarchy, composed before that time Poems of that Nature, but they were so obscure, that what care soever they took to put a good Construction on them, yet have they been fain to confess that they were not intelligible. This Ob∣scurity, so impenitrable by all the Lights of the Learned, hath given occasion to many Superstitions.

The Bonze's wrest them to a wrong use, that they may say what they please; they are in respect of them an inexhaustible Fountain of Fables and Chimera's, which they make use of, for to cause the People to pin their Faith upon their Sleeve. However, they have compiled a * 7.8 Tome of them, which holds the third Rank amongst Classick Au∣thors.

The † 7.9 Fourth contains the Hi∣story of several Princes, their Ver∣tues, Vices, and Maxims of the Government, that have been collected by Confucius, and Commented upon by his Disciples.

The ‖ 7.10 Fifth treats of Customs and Ceremonies. There is menti∣on made of Temples, Sacred Ves∣sels; of the Duty of Children to their Parents, and Wives to their Husbands; Rules of real Friendship, Civilities at Feasts; of Hospitality, Musick, War; of Funeral Honours, and of a thousand other things that regard Society.

These five Books are very ancient, and all the others that have any Authority in the Empire are nothing but Copies, or Interpretations of them. Amongst a∣bundance of Authors, who have taken pains about these so famous Originals, none is so conspicuous and eminent as Confucius; they have a great esteem, espe∣cially of that which he compiled in four Books, up∣on the ancient Laws, which are lookt upon as the Rule of Perfect Government. There he treats of the grand A••t of Reigning, of Mediocrity, Vertues and Viccs, of the Nature of Things, and of common Duties. This last Tome notwithstanding, is not so much the Work of Confucius, as of Mencius his Disci∣ple, of a Life less regular than that of his Master, but of a Stile more eloquent and pleasant.

Besides these Nine Books, there be some others much in vogue, as the Universal History of the Em∣pire, the truth of which is no less confirmed in Chi∣na, than it is in our most noted Histories in Europe. The Books that treat of the Education of Children, of Obedience, of Loyalty, are ascribed to Confucius. Some of them may be met with that Discourse of Medicine, Agriculture, Plants, of the Military Art, of Arts Liberal and Mechanick, of particular Histo∣ries, Astronomy, Phylosophy, and a great many o∣ther Parts of Mathematicks. In short, they have their Romances, Comedies, and what I place in the same rank, a plain, abundance of Treaties composed by the Bonze's, concerning the Worship of the Dei∣ties of the Country, which they alter, diminish, and increase, according as they find it necessary to in∣veigle the People, and swell their Revenues.

Of all these Books they have compiled numerous Libraries, some whereof were composed of above Forty thousand Volumes; but all these brave Works that Antiquity took so much pains to bring forth, which private Persons had amassed with so vast Ex∣pences, were well-nigh all destroy'd by the Tyran∣nical order of one Emperor. Three hundred years, or thereabouts, after the Death of Confucius, that is to say, Two hundred years before the Birth of our Saviour Christ, the Emperor Chihoamti, illustrious by his Valour and Military Science, of which he was Master beyond all his Predecessors; and still more conspicuous by the prodigious Wall he caused to be built, to secure his Territories from the Irruptions of the Tartars, resolved to extirpate all Sciences; and not satisfied with putting a great number of Docto••s to death, he ordered his Subjects upon pain of death, to set fire on all the Books in the Empire, except those that treated of Agriculture, Medicine, and Sor∣cery.

This Conslagration, the most remarkable that ever the Republick of Letters suffered, was like to have utterly ruined the Empire, and would have made in time, of the most polite and accomplisht State, the most barbarous and ignorant Kingdom in the World, if after the Tyrant's death, the Love of Sciences, that began to Revive in all Men's Breasts, had not in some measure repaired this loss.

The old Men, who according to custom had, du∣ring their youth, learnt almost all these Books by heart, received order to write them faithfully over: They found some of them in the Tombs, that the most zealous had concealed, to which they gave a Resurrection, by publishing them in another Edition. Some of them they fetched from the Graves, and Holes of Walls, that indeed suffered great Damage by Moisture and Worms, however, in a Condition to serve their turns that laboured after their Restora∣tion, what was defaced in these latter, being pretty intire in some others.

All this Care did not hinder the new Edition to be defective; there remains in some places Lacuna's, and there hath been inserted into others, some Pieces by the by that were not in the Originals. The Chi∣neses themselves take notice of these Faults, and of some others of less moment; but they are so Super∣stitious in p••eserving what was handed down to them from Antiquity, that they even pay Reverence to its Faults.

I should not, My Lord, afford you a Light diffusive enough into the Chinese Literature, should I not speak more particularly of Confucius, who makes the principle Ornament of it. He is the most pure Source of their Doctrine; he is their Philosopher, their Law∣g••ver, their Oracle; and albeit he was never King, one may nevertheless avouch, that during his Life, he hath governed a great part of China, and that he hath

had since his death a greater share then any one in the Administration of the Affairs of State, by the Maxims that he hath promulgated, and the fair Ex∣amples that he hath exhibited; so that he is still the Model of all honest Men: His Life hath been writ by several Persons: I shall report what they com∣monly say of it.

Confucius, whom the Chineses name Coum-tse, was born in the Province of Chauton, the Thirty seventh year of the Reign of the Emperor Kim, Four hun∣dred fourscore and three years before the Incarnation of our Saviour; the Death of his Father that prece∣ded his Birth, made them call him Tcesse, which sig∣nifies Child of Sorrow; he derived his Pedigree from Tiny, Twenty seventh Emperor of the Second Race: How illustrious soever this Family might be by a long Series of Kings, it became much more so by the Life of this great Man: He eclipsed all his Ancestors, but he gave his Posterity a lustre that still continues, after more than Two thousand years. China acknowledges no true Nobility but in this Family, equally respect∣ed by Sovereigns, who have derived from thence, as from the Source the Laws of Perfect Government, and beloved by the People, to whose Happiness he hath so successfully contributed.

Confucius did not proceed by the ordinary degrees of Childhood, he seem'd Rational a great deal sooner than other Men; for he took delight in nothing that other Children are fond of: Playing, going abroad, Amusements proper to his Age, did not at all con∣cern him; he had a grave, a serious Deportment, that gained him respect, and was at that very time a Presage of what one day he was like to be: But that which distinguisheth him the most, was his Exempla∣ry and Unbiassed Piety. He honoured his Relations; he endeavoured in all things to imitate his Grand∣father, who lived in China all that time, and whose

Memory was precious for his Sanctity: And it was observable that he never eat any thing but he prostra∣ted himself upon the Ground, and offered it to the Supream Lord of Heaven.

Being yet a Child he heard his Grandfather fetch a deep Sigh, he came-up to him, and when he had saluted him, bowing several times to the very ground, May I be so bold, says he, without losing the respect I owe you, to ask you the occasion of your Grief? Perhaps you are afraid that your Posterity may neglect the Care of Ver∣tue, and may dishonour you by their Vice. What put this Thought into your head? says Coum-tse to him, and where have you learnt to speak after this manner? From you your self, replyed Confucius; I attentively hear you every time you speak, and I have often heard you say, that a Son, who by his manner of living does not keep up the Reputation of his Ancestors, degenerates from them, and does not deserve to bear their Name. When you spoke after that manner, did not you think of me? and might not that be the thing that troubles you? This good old Man was overjoy'd at this Discourse, and after that seemed not to be disquieted.

Confucius, after his Grandfathers death, was a con∣stant adherer to Tcem-se, a famous Doctor of those times; and under the Conduct of so great a Master, he became in a short time a considerable Proficient in the Knowledge of Antiquity, which he lookt upon, even there, as the most perfect Model. This Love for the Ancients had like ••ne day to have cost him his Life, tho' he was then but Sixteen years of Age: For discoursing with a Person of the highest quality, who spoke of the obscurity and unprofitableness of the Chinese Books, this Child read him somewhat too seve••e a Lecture concerning the respect that is due to them.

The Books you speak of, says Confucius, contain profound Doctrine, the Sense of which is not to be penetrated but by

the Learned: the People would undervalue them, could they comprehend them of themselves. This dependance of Spi∣rits, by which the more Stupid are subject to the more en∣lightened is very profitable, and useful in Humane Society: Were all Families equally rich, equally powerful, there would remain no form of Government: But there would happen yet a more strange disorder, if Men were equally knowing, every one would be a governing, and no body would believe himself obliged to obey.

Some time ago, added this witty Child, one of the Skum of the Vulgar spoke to me as you do, I did not won∣der at it; but I admire at present that a Doctor, as you are, should speak to me like this Man of the Dregs of the People. This Discourse was capable to gain the affe∣ction and respect of the Mandarin: But Confusion that possest him to be thus gravelled by a Child, did so nettle him, that he resolved to be revenged. He caused his House to be invested by his Menial Ser∣vants, and, without doubt, he would have flowen out into some Extremity, had not the King, who had notice of it, given him order to withdraw.

When Confucius was a little more advanced in years, he made a Collection of the most excellent Maxims of the Ancients, which he intended to fol∣low, and inspire into the People. Each Province was at that time a distinct Kingdom, that a Prince, who depended upon the Emperor, governed by par∣ticular Laws: He levied Taxes, disposed of all Pla∣ces of Trust, and made Peace as he judged expedi∣ent. These petty Kings had sometimes Differences amongst them; the Emperor himself stood in fear of them; and had not always Authority enough to make himself be obey'd by them.

Confucius being perswaded that the People would never be happy, so long as Interest, Ambition, and false Policy should reign in all these Petty Courts; resolved to preach up a severe Morality, to prevail

upon Men to contemn Riches and worldly Pleasures, and esteem Temperance, Justice, and other Ver∣tues; to inspire them with Grandeur and Magnani∣mity proof against all Humane Respects, a Sincerity incapable of the least disguise, even in respect of the greatest Princes; in fine, a kind of Life that should oppose the Passions, and should intirely cultivate Reason and Vertue.

That which is most to be admired is, That he preached more by his Examples, than by his Words; so that he every where reapt very considerable Fruit of his Labours. Kings were governed by his Coun∣sels, the People reverenced him as a Saint; every Body commended him; and even those who did not comply to follow his Examples, did nevertheless admire them: but sometimes he took upon him such a Severity, that made his very Friend have an aver∣sion for him.

Being chosen to fill a considerable Place of Trust in the Kingdom of Lou, in less than Three Months time, after he exercised the Charge, he introduced such a prodigious Change, that the Court and Pro∣vinces were quite another thing than they were be∣fore. The neighbouring Princes began to be jea∣lous; they perceived that a King ruled by a Man of this Character, would quickly render himself too powerful, there being nothing that can be more ca∣pable to make a State flourish than Order, and an exact observance of Laws. The King of Tci assem∣bled his Ministers, and propounded to them an Ex∣pedient to put a stop to the Cariere of this new Go∣vernment: After a long deliberation,this was the Ex∣pedient they bethought themselves of.

They chose a great Company of young Maids, handsome, well educated, and perfectly well instruct∣ed in whatsoever might please. Then, under pre∣tence of an Embassy, they presented them to the

King of Lou, and to the principal Officers of his Court; the Present was joyfully accepted, and obtained its desired effect. They thought of nothing but of di∣vertising the fair Strangers; for several Months toge∣ther there was nothing but Feasting, Dancing, and Comedies, and Pleasures was the whole Business of the Court.

Confucius perceiving that the Publick Affairs would suffer by it, endeavoured to bring Men to themselves again; but this new kind of Life had so charmed them, that all his endeavours proved ineffectual: there was no remedy, the Severity of the Philoso∣pher, whether he would or no, must give place to the Gallantry and Irregularities of Courtiers. So that he thought it did not stand with his Reputation to remain any longer in a place where Reason was not listened to, and so he resigned up his place to the Prince; and sought other Kingdoms more inclinable to improve his Maxims.

But he met with great Obstacles, and run from Province to Province almost, without reaping any advantage; because the Politicians dreaded him, and the Ministers of Princes had no mind to have a Com∣petitor, that was in a capacity to lessen their Autho∣rity, or deprive them of their Credit. So that for∣saken by all the World, he was often times reduced to utmost Extremity, in danger of being starved, or to lose his Life by the Conspiracy of mischievous Men. Nevertheless, all these Disgraces did not move him; and he would often say, That the Cause be de∣fended was too good, to apprehend any evil Consequences from it; That there was not that M••n so powerful, that could hurt him; and that when a Man is elevated to Hea∣ven by a sincere desire of Perfection, be is so far from fearing a Tempest, that he did not so much as hear the noise in this lower World.

So that he was never weary of instructing those who loved Vertue. Amongst a great Company of Disciples that put themselves under his Tuition, he destined some to write a fair hand, others apply'd themselves to argue exactly, and to deliver themselves eloquently in Publick. He would have others to stu∣dy to frame to themselves a true Idea of a good Go∣vernment: But he counselled those for whom he had a more particular kindness to govern themselves well, to cultivate their Mind by Meditation, and to puri∣fie their heart by Vertue.

Humane Nature, said he often to others, came from Heaven to us most pure and perfect, in process of time Ig∣norance, the Passions, and evil Examples have corrupted it; all consists in the re-instating it, and giving it its pri∣mitive Beauty: and that we may be perfect, we must re∣ascend to that point from whence we have descended. Obey Heaven, and follow all the Ord••rs of him who governs it. Love your Neighbour as your self; never suffer your Sen∣ses to be the Rule of your Conduct, but hearken to Rea∣son in all things: It will instruct you to think well, to speak discretely, and to perform all your Actions holily. He sent Six hundred of his Disciples into different places of the Empire, to reform the Manners of the People; and not satisfied to benefit his own Country, he often took a Resolution to pass the Seas, and extend his Doctrine to the Extremity of the Universe. There is scarce any thing can be added either to his Zeal, or to the purity of his Morality, they were so Superlative. Methinks he sometimes speaks like a Doctor of the New Law, rather than like a Man that was brought up in the Corruption of the Law of Nature: and that which perswades me that Hypocrisie had no share in what he said, is, That his Actions never bely'd his Maxims. In fine, his Gravity and Mildness in the Use of the World, his rigorous Abstinence, (for he past for the soberest Man of the Empire) his Con∣tempt

of the Good Things of the World, that con∣tinual Attention and Watchfulness over his Actions, and then, what we find not amongst the Sages of Antiquity, his Humility and Modesty would make a Man apt to judge that he was not a meer Philosopher formed by Reason, but a Man inspired by God for the Reformation of this New World.

The Chineses report that he had frequently this saying in his Mouth, It is in the West where the True Saint is found: And this Sentence was so imprinted upon the Spirit of the Learned, that Sixty five years after the Birth of our Saviour, the Emperor Mimti touched with these words, and determined by the Image of a Man that appeared to him in a Dream coming from the West, sent Ambassadors that way, with strict order to continue their Journey till they should meet the Saint whom Heaven had acquainted him with.

It was much about the same time that St. Thomas preached the Christian Faith in the Indies; now if these Mandarins had followed his Orders, peradven∣ture China might have received benefit from the Preaching of this Apostle. But the danger of the Sea, that they feared, made them stop at the first Island, where they found the Idol Fo, or Foe, who had corrupted the Indies several years before with his damnable Doctrine: They learnt the Superstitions of the Country; and at their return propagated Idolatry and Atheism in all the Empire.

Confucius lived secretly Three years, but spent the latter end of his days in Sorrow, in seeing the Wick∣edness that reigned amongst the People. He has been often heard to say, The Mountain is fallen, and an high Machine was destroyed; to denote that the grand Edi∣fice of Perfection, that he had Erected with so much Care in all the Realms, was as good as overthrown. Kings, said he, one day during his last Sickness, do

not follow my Maxims; I do no good in the World, so it is time I should depart out of it. At that very Moment he fell into a Lethargy, that continued Seven days, at the end of which he gave up the Ghost in the Em∣braces of his Disciples.

He was Lamented by the whole Empire, that from that very time honoured him as a Saint, and influenced Posterity with a Veneration of him, which in all probability will never have an end but with the World. Kings have built Palaces for him after his death in all the Provinces, whither the Learned at certain times go to pay him Honours. There is to be seen in several places, these Titles of Honour writ in huge Characters, To the great Master, to the head Doctor, to the Saint; to him who taught Emperors and Kings. However, what is very extraordinary, never did the Chineses Deifie him; they, I say, who have given the quality of God, or as they speak, the quality of pure Spirits to many Mandarins, not so e∣minent as he; as if Heaven, that had given him Birth for the Reformation of Manners, was unwilling that such a well-ordered Life, should, after his death, administer occasion of Superstition and Idolatry.

They preserve to this day in China Anticks that represent him to the Life, and pretty well agree with what History hath left us concerning him. He was no handsom Man; he had moreover upon his Fore∣head a Swelling, or a kind of Wen, that disfigured him, which he made others often to take notice of to humble him. As for the rest, his Stature was so comely and proportionable, his Behaviour so grave, his Voice so strong and shrill, that if he was but ne∣ver so little pathetical, one could not choose but be affected, and hear him with respect. But the Maxims of Morality he hath scattered here and there in his Works; or which his Disciples took care to collect, draw a much more lively and advantagious Pour∣traiture

of his Soul. There would need an entire Volume to relate them all. Here are some of them that came to my knowledge, that I have taken out of a Book composed by one of the principle Manda∣rins of the Empire, who Rules at present in Pekin.

Maxim I. Beauty is not to be desired by a wise Man. (Book 1)

Confucius going to see the King of a Province, he found him with his Favourite that was a Lord won∣derful handsome. The King, so soon as he saw him come in, said to him smiling, Confucius, if thy Coun∣tenance could be changed, I would willingly give you all the Beauty of this young Courtier. Sir, answered the Philosopher, that is not the thing I wish; the exterior form of a Man is of little use to the Publick Good. What do you desire then, said the Prince? I desire, My Lord, says he, in all the Members of the Empire that just Syme∣try that makes up the Beauty of the Government, and hin∣ders the Body of the State to be deformed.

Maxim II. A Man must confine himself, if he means to be happy. (Book 2)

So soon as he understood that his Mother was dead, he came into his Country to pay his last De∣voirs to her, he wept for her bitterly, and spent three days without eating; that was perhaps too much, yet

a Philosopher of that Country thought it not enough. As for me, says he, I have been seven days without take∣ing Sustenance, upon the death of my Relations; and you, who are Grandson to a Saint, on whom all the World casts their Eyes to see ••ow you will imitate him, you have satis∣fied your self with three days Abstinence. Confucius an∣swered him, The Ceremonies have been regulated by the Ancients to restrain the indiscreet, and stir up the backward. It is our duty to be obedient to the Laws, if we would not go astray: It is in this golden mean, that Wisdom, and the wise Man reside? that you may never stray out of it. Remember that Vertue is not an excess, and that Per∣fection hath its limits.

Maxim III. A Man ought to change often, if he would be constant in Wisdom. (Book 3)

A Person of Quality said one day to Confucius, Your Grandfather was never wanting in any duty of Civility in respect of great Persons; nevertheless his Doctrine, tho' holy, never obtain'd, or got footing: How do you ima∣gine then that yours should be followed, seeing you have a Magisterial Gravity that repulses Men, and proceeds some∣times to haughtiness? This is not the way to be welcome at Princes Courts. Every Age hath its ways, answered Confucius, in my Grandfather's time Princes and Officers were polisht; they delighted in order, every one kept his Station; to insinuate a Man's self in their Affections, it behoved a Man to be polisht, and regular like them. At this day Men value nothing but Courage and Haughtiness, wherewith Princes endeavour to inspire their Officers; a Man ought to change with the World, that he may be in a

capacity to win it: A wise man would cease so to be, should he always act as the wise men of former times acted.

Maxim IV. The Grandees of a Kingdom are not al∣ways the great Men of the State. (Book 4)

Confucius coming to the Court of one of the Kings of China, was very well received. This Prince al∣lowed him an Apartment in his Palace, and came to visit him there himself: At the end of the Visit, he said to him, You come not for nothing into my State; probably you have a design to do me some good, My Lord, replyed Confucius. I am but an unprofitable Man, yet I avow if your Majesty will but follow my Counsel, you will not be the worse for it. My intent is to present to you wise Men, to occupy the principle places of your State. Withal my heart, says the Prince, Who are they? My Lord, Li-in, the Son of a Husband-man is a Man on whom you may rely. The King burst out a laughing; How, says he, an Husband-man? I have not Employments e∣nough for the Lords of my Court, and would you have me take a Labourer into my Service.

The Philosopher, without being moved, replyed; Vertue is of all Trades and Conditions, although it is more commonly annext to a mean Condition: We have two Kingdomes in the Empire that have been founded by two Labourers * 11.1. What Inconvenience is there, tho' a Man of that Character govern yours? Believe me, Sir, the Court hath hitherto supply'd you with a good Company of evil Ministers: Suffer a Country Vil∣lage to present you with a wise Man. You want Employ∣ments,

you say, to place all the Lords that encompass you. If Vertue alone were rewarded, you would find in your Court more places than Officers; nay, and perhaps would be fain to call for Labourers to supply them. When the Body of the Nobility does not furnish the State with great Men, the great Men that may be found a∣mongst the People must be chosen, and of them must be composed the Body of the Nobility.

Maxim V. A small Fault often denotes great quali∣ties. (Book 5)

He one day advised the King of O••••i to set a cer∣tain Officer of Reputation at the Head of his Army; but the King excused himself for not doing it, because that being formerly a Mandarin, he took a couple of Eggs from a Country Fellow. A Man who hath abu∣sed his Authority, says he, deserves not any longer to com∣mand. These Sentiments of Equity, replyed Confucius, are very laudable in a King; but perhaps the Mandarins Moderation, that stole but two Eggs, is no less to be admi∣red. Such a small fault in the whole Life of a Man de∣notes in him great qualities: In a word, a prudent Prince makes use of his Subjects in the Government, as a Car∣penter uses Timber in his Works, he does not reject one good Beam, because there is a flaw in it, provided it be strong enough to support a whole Edifice: I would not advise your Majesty, for the loss of a couple of Eggs, to turn off a Captain, who may conquer you two Realms.

Maxim VI. The Prince is void of Counsel who hath too much Wit, and when ••e delivers his Opinion the first. (Book 6)

The same King one day held a Counsel in pre∣sence of Confucius, where he spoke of some Affairs with so much vehemence of Spirit, that his Mini∣sters applauded him, and forthwith allowed him to be in the right, and comply'd with him without more ado. At the close, this King said to Confu∣cius; What's your Iudgment of the course we have ta∣ken in our last Deliberation? Sir, says the Philoso∣pher, I do not perceive that they have yet deliberated; you spoke with a great deal of Wit; your Ministers very attentive to please you, have faithfully repeated the Dis∣course; they have told your Opinion, and not their own; and when you adjourned the Assembly, I still expected the beginning of the Counsel.

Some days after the same King asked him his Ad∣vice concerning the present Government. He an∣swered him; No body speaks ill of it. That is my de∣sire, says the King. And that, Sir, is what you ought not to desire, reply'd Confucius: A sick Person forsaken, whom they flatter that he is well, is not far from death: a Man is bound to discover to the Prince the defects of the Mind, with the same liberty Men discover to him the ma∣ladies of the Body.

Maxim VII. The wise Man goes forward apace, be∣cause the right way is always the shortest; on the contrary, the crafty Po∣litician arrives later at his end, because he walks in By-ways and crooked Paths. (Book 7)

The King of Ouei confessed to Confucius, That there was nothing so fine as Wisdom; but the diffi∣culty of acquiring it, discouraged the most Coura∣geous, and diverted the best disposed Minds. As for my part, added he, I have used endeavours, but all in vain; I am resolved to torment my self no longer about it, and a small parcel of Policy will supply the defect of that Wisdom that is necessary to good Governing. Sir, an∣swered Confucius, 'tis true, Wisdom is seated on a lofty Place, but the Road to it is not so impracticable as People imagine, it grows plainer and plainer, according as you go on; and once got at it, one cannot go back without run∣ning great danger to fall down the Precipice; in such a sort, that a wise Man cannot cease being so, without doing vio∣lence to himself in some respect.

But do you think that a Prince hath no trouble when he marches in the indirect Paths of a too Artificial and Knavish Policy? All these Refinements and Subtilties per∣plex the Spirit: But which is the way to unravel all these Intrigues? None ingages in a Labyrinth without fear; oftentimes a man loseth himself therein; and when one gets out, it is after a great many wandrings, and mis∣sing

the way, that disquiets the Mind. Take you which way you please; as for me, Sir, I am perswaded that in a Popular Government, solid and constant Vertue goes farther than the most subtle and refined Policy.

Maxim VIII. Those who desire the most perfect State, do not always search the Perfection of the State, but the Sweetness. Would you be fixt in the World? let this sink into your Mind, That to take up a new Course of Life, is nothing else but to pass from one Trouble to another. (Book 8)

The Son of a King being wrought upon by the Life that Confucius lead, perceived those first desires of Wisdom to spring up in his heart, that a good E∣ducation, and good Examples are wont to infuse in∣to young Persons, when they have not been yet cor∣rupted by the Commerce of the World. He went to find him out, and told him, That he was resolved to abandon all things for to become one of his Disciples; for, the truth is, there are a thousand Sorrows to be under∣gone in that Course of Life, wherein my Birth engageth me; whereas yours seems to me full of Sweetness and De∣light.

Since 'tis the Sweetness you look for in my state, an∣swered Confucius, I should not advise you to enter upon it: A Man often times meets with Trouble, the more he avoids it. Heaven hath inspired me with the love of a

Private Life, hath been pleased to make you to be born to Rule. Be a King, and do not seek after Peace too much: On the contrary, If you be not willing to lose your States, wage an advantageous War with your Enemies; but fight more couragiously against your Passions, and against being in love with a sweet and easie Life, if you have not a mind to destroy your self.

Maxim IX. Those who are diligent, and would do all, put off many things till the next day. (Book 9)

His own Son said to him one day, I carefully apply my self to all sorts of study, I omit nothing whereby to become a good Scholar, and yet I make small progres••. This wise Father said to him, Omit something, and you will make a great progress. Amongst all those that take long Iourneys afoot, did you ever see one of them that ran? In all things one must go orderly to work, and not desire to embrace that which is not for the length of his Arms; otherwise you will give your self unprofitable mo∣tions. The Saints have first of all apply'd themselves to the most easie things; Success gave them courage and strength to grapple with more difficult things, by little and little they became perfect. Those, who like you, would do all in one day, do nothing all their Life: On the other hand, those who never apply themselves but to one thing, find at the long run that they have done all.

Maxim X. One ought not to wonder that the wise Man walks slower in the Way of Ver∣tue, than the ill Man does in that of Vice; Passion burries, and Wisdom guides. (Book 10)

One of his Friends complained of the small pro∣gress he made in Vertue; I labour, said he, these seve∣ral years to imitate the Primitive Saints, and I am still imperfect. Had I but never so little applyed my self to imitate the Wicked, and follow their Example, I should have rid a great deal of Ground in a short space: Why is it not so easie to attain to Perfection, as to abandon ones self to Vice?

This is no wonder, says Confucius, Vertue is on high, and Vice is in the lowest place. It requires pains and time to go upward, one Minute sufficeth to fall down the Precipice. However, let me intreat you not to let your self be abused by th•••• seeming easiness. It is true, that one is sooner determined to evil than to good; but seeing one repents of it at length, it is a certain sign that there is less trouble to do well, than to persevere in evil.

Maxim XI. True Nobility does not consist in Blood, but in Merit; we are of an elevated Station indeed, when Vertue prevents our groveling with the rest of Mankind. (Book 11)

Confucius seeing a Man carry a Fish, sighed, and told them who demanded the Reason of it; This Fish,

that might have easily preserved its life, hath lost it not∣withstanding, for letting it self be allured by the pleasures of a deceitful Bait. The want of Reason pleads for its greediness; but are Men excusable for to lose Vertue that •••• much more precious than Life, in letting themselves be catched by the Bait's that the Good Things and Vanity of the World presents them with? If one knew, what he lookt after, he would take another Road to find it. Would you be rich? contemn every thing, nay, even the Contempt and Scorn Men cast upon you: That Man is raised to a pitch far above others, when Calumny and Reproaches cannot reach him.

Maxim XII. In the state wherein we are, Perseverance in well-doing consists not so much in not falling, as to rise again as often as we fall. (Book 12)

You are very happy, Confucius, says some Manda∣rins that he instructed, for having arrived at the high∣est degree of Vertue; It is a long time, I'le warrant you, since you left sin: As for us, what Efforts soever we make to become good Men, there passes not a day but we commit considerable Faults. Although every fault be blameable, says Confucius, you are not so unhappy as you think in committing many: your Life, as well as mine, is a long Iourney; the way is difficult, and our Reason half extinct by Passions, furnishes but little Light to guide us: What means is there to avoid stumbling some∣times in the dark? When one gets up again, the fall retards our Iourney, but does not quite put it off and interrupt it. It would be an unhappiness for us, to com∣mit no more but one, like the wicked that fall but once, because the first Precipice stops them; but honest good Men that continue their walking, fall often.

Maxim XIII. There is not that Man living but hides half of his Faults; however, as much flattered as he is, he would blush to appear to the Eyes of others, what he appears to himself. (Book 13)

One complained one day, That Nature in bestow∣ing two Eyes upon Men to behold the Beauty of Bodies, had bestowed none on them that are able to see Minds, and discover the Secrets of Hearts: Thus Vertue and Vice, say they, are confounded in the World.

Confucius said, you and I should be in a woful taking, if we were not cut short as to that matter, for we should not secure our own Failings and Weaknesses, we gain more by it than you are aware of; for I maintain that the Phi∣losopher would suffer more to appear weak, than the wick∣ed Man to appear vicious.

Maxim XIV. Never speak of your self to others, neither good nor bad; not good, because they will not believe you; not evil, be∣cause they know more already than you would have them. (Book 14)

Thus he spoke one day to his Disciples, who took a pride ever and anon to blame themselves: To which he added,

For a Man to confess his Faults, when he is reproved for them, is Modesty.

To lay them open to his Friend, is Ingenuity, is Con∣fidence.

To reprove himself for them, is Humility.

But to go preach them to every body, is, if one have not a great care, a piece of Pride.

By this Scantling of Confucius his Philosophy you may judge, My Lord, that Reason is of all Times, and of all Places. Seneca hath spoken nothing better; and had I the ••e••su••e, as I have a Design to make an intire Collection of the Maxims of our Philosopher, peradventure there might be whatsoever might be requisite to give him a place amongst our Sages of Antiquity. I wish at least, My Lord, that the Pour∣traiture I have offered, may not displease you: were he still alive at this day, as much a Philosopher as he is, I am sure he would be sensible of the Approbation you should afford him. Such a Testimony as yours, always clear, always sincere, must needs do a kind∣ness to the greatest Men. Perhaps, hitherto in France they have not a due Estimate of the Idea all the East have of him, but so soon as you shall please to ho∣nour him with your Esteem, every Body will be per∣swaded that Antiquity hath not flattered him, and that China, in chosing him for a Master and a Do∣ctor, hath done Justice to his Merit. I am with a most profound respect,

My Lord,

Your Grace's most humble and m••st obedient Servant L. J.

LETTER VIII. To my Lord Philipeaux Secretary of State.

Of the particular Character of the Wit and Temper of the Chineses.

My Lord,

IF in this Letter, which I have the honour to write to you, I confine my self to what relates to the particular Character and Genius of the Chineses, it is not but that I know the Obligati∣on wherein I stand, to give you an exact Account of all the other Things we are acquainted with in our Voyages; yet I supposed that I could not more ••itly begin to discharge this Duty, than by entertain∣ing you, at the first sight, with that which naturally ought to be more pleasant to you; a Captain would more willingly hear a Discourse of Wars, and of the Bravery of the Tartars, and a Courtier of the Gen∣tility of the Chineses; but when a Man has such ex∣traordinary Parts as you have, and is Heir to a Fa∣mily that hath always signalized it self by its insight into Sciences, and penetration in the management of the most important Affairs, I was apt to believe that

one could not treat of a Subject that can be more proper, and more delightful to you.

Of all the People of the habitable World, there is not any one that does not stand upon Wit and In∣genuity, and oftentimes the most barbarous prefer themselves before the most polite and accomplisht. The Inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope, whom we cannot represent to our selves, but with a kind of horrour, whom we can s••a••ce give our selves leave to rank amongst Men, do nevertheless look upon the Europeans as Slaves, and look upon the Hollanders as no other than a Company of stupid Fellows, not verst in the method of Government. The People of Sia••, whose Physiognomy is well enough known in France, who have, in respect of the Indies, Souls a∣dapted to their Bodies, do usually say, That Hea∣ven, in distributing its Benefits and Natural Quali∣ties, hath granted to the French the Bravery and Science of War; to the English the Art of Naviga∣tion; to the Hollanders a particular knack in Trade∣ing; to the Chineses the Wisdom of Well-governing, but that it hath given Wit to the People of Siam. Had not they intimated it to us, perhaps we should not have made such a Reflection, and it is a Discovery that we owe to them. After all this, we must not wonder if the Chineses, who term all the People of the East blind, have reserved to themselves the Preheminence, and have believed themselves to be, without all dispute, the most intelligent Nation in the World.

There is no question to be made but they are an ingenious People, but methinks no Body yet hath been truly acquainted with their Character. To see their Libraries, Universities, the prodigious number of their Doctors, their Observatories, and the care they take to be exact in their Observations, one would be apt to conclude, That this Nation is not

only ingenious, but perfectly well verst in all sorts of Sciences, that they have a vast reach, invention, and a genius for every thing. Nevertheless, albeit for these Four thousand years, they have allowed Recom∣pences to learned and expert Men; and tho' the Fortune of an infinite number of Men depends upon their good Parts, yet have they not had one single Man, of great Atchievements in Speculative Sci∣ence: They have detected all these precious Mines, without ever seeking for them themselves: Enjoying peaceably for so many Ages, the Reputation of the most Knowing Men in the World, because they see no Body more Ignorant than themselves.

So that I suppose I may safely aver, without of∣fering them any Injury, That amongst the Qualities wherewith Heaven hath respectively inriched the People of the World, they have not shewed that Spirit of Penetration and Nicety, so necessary to those who addict themselves to the re-search of Na∣ture. That Logick which we have so much impro∣ved, that Geometry that we in France have brought to such a high degree of Perfection, which may pass for the Master-piece of Humane Understanding, will never get admittance into their Academies; and maugre all the Natural Pride that possesses them, they will not stick to confess, That as to these Mat∣ters, the Europeans will in all Humane probability be their Masters.

It is true a Philosophy they have; it is likewise true that they lay down certain Principles for the explaining the Composition of Bodies, their Propri∣ety, their Effects. Neither are they altogethe•• igno∣rant in Anatomy; nay, they grant a Circulation of the Blood and Humours; but all their Notions are so general, confused, and generally so false, that I am afraid in this place to particularize them.

Their Arithmetick is more perfect, altho' they do not make use of the Cypher, as we do, which is notwithstanding a great help. They do not practise the Rules of Arithmetick by Calculati∣on; but they use an Instrument composed of a little Board a Foot and an half long, cross which they score Ten or Twelve little parallel Lines, or Sticks, upon which are strung several moveable Buttons, by putting them together, or by separating them one from another, they reckon, almost as we do, by Counters; but with such great dexterity and easi∣ness, that they will keep pace with a Man, let him read a Book of Accompts never so fast. At the end they find the Operation performed, and want not a certain way to prove it.

Their Geometry is very Superficial, it is restrained to a very few Propositions, and to some Problems of Algebra, which they resolve without Elements or Principles, and that only by Induction.

They pretend to be the Inventers of Musick, and to have heretofore carried it to its Acme of Perfection: But either they are mistaken, or they have quite lost it; for that they practice at this day is so imperfect, that it does not so much as deserve the Name of Mu∣sick.

As for Astronomy, it must be confest that never did People in the World addict themselves so con∣stantly to it. This Science is beholding to them for abundance of Observations; but the History that re∣ports them in general, hath not been careful to de∣scend to particulars, which would be necessary for the reaping all the benefit such Elucubrations seem to promise. However, it hath not been unprofitable to Posterity. We have above Four hundred Obser∣vations, as well of the Eclipses and Comets, as Con∣junctions, that make good their Chronology, and may conduce to the perfecting of ours.

Altho' their Tables were imperfect, yet have they been very serviceable to regulate the Time; but after a certain continuance of years, their A∣stronomers were obliged to make some Amendments therein, because they did not exactly agree with the Heavens till the beginning of this Century, that they attained some Skill in our Astronomy. The Europeans since have every way reformed their Ka∣lender, which Business has made them so famous, and so necessary in that State, that nothing hath so much contributed to settle Religion in that Country, and also to defend it in the various Circumstances of Persecution it hath lain under.

If China hath been deficient in excellent Mathe∣maticians; they have at least had perfect Astrolo∣gers; because for the well succeeding in judicious Astrology, it sufficeth to be an able Deceiver, and to have a knack of Lying handsomly, which no Nation can dispute with China. There have been for this many Ages cheating Mountabanks by Pro∣fession, who promise, by the insight they have in the Motion and Influence of the Stars, the Philosophers Stone, and Immortality, they mark in the Almanack every year, the good and bad days for Building, Marriages, for undertaking Journeys and Voyages, and for such like Actions, the Success whereof de∣pends more upon the Wisdom and Discretion of Men, than upon the Influence of the Heavens.

The Missionaries fearing least they might ascribe these Fooleries and ridiculous Superstitions to them, because they make them the Authors of the Kalen∣dar, thought themselves obliged to make a publick Declaration how little hand they have in the Mat∣ter, they protested that they absolutely condemned them: And the Emperor, that is not subject to these Weaknesses, was willing they should explain them∣selves, as to that business, for his particular Satisfaction.

Medicine hath not been quite neglected and laid aside; but because they wanted Physicks, or Natural Philosophy and Anatomy, the Principles thereof, they never make any great progress therein; yet must it be confessed that they have acquired a particu∣lar skill in Pulses, that hath made them famous in the World. The Emperor Hoamti composed a Trea∣tise of the same above Four thou∣sand years ago * 21.1. Ever since that time the Physicians of China have lookt upon that Science as the Foundation of all Medicine.

They feel the Pulse after such a manner as would make a Man smile that is not accustomed to it. After they have apply'd their four Fingers along the Artery, and have prest strongly and uniformly the Patients Wrist, they relax their Finger by degrees, till the Blood that was stopt by the pressing, hath retaken its usual Course; then, a moment after, they begin again to press the Arm close, which they continue a considerable time; after that, just like Men that intended to touch the fret of a Musical Instrument, they raise and fall their Fingers successively one after another, pinching softly, or hard, sometimes slower, sometimes faster, till such time as the Artery answers to the Touches which the Physician moves, and till the Strength, Weak∣ness, Disorder, and other Symptoms of the Pulse be manifest.

They pretend that there never happens any extra∣ordinary Accident in the Constitution, but does al∣ter the Blood, and consequently causes a different impression upon the Vessels. It is not so much by Reasoning and Arguing that they are instructed in this Point, as by a long Experience, which much better discovers to them all these wonderful Changes than Theory and Speculation.

When they have a long time been attentive to the Voice of Nature, that explains it self by the Beatings of the Pulse, they perfectly and truly per∣ceive those Differences, which otherwise seem im∣perceptible. The Pervigilium and Lethargy, Loss of Appetite, or Desire to Eat, the Head-ach, Weakness of Stomach, Fulness or Emptiness; all these, are the Cause or the Effect of some Distemper in the Mass of Blood.

So that its Motion will be at that time less fre∣quent or quicker, fuller or weaker, uniform or irre∣gular. Sometimes there will be an Uudulation or Trembling, caused by the Ebullition of the whole Mass of the Humours; which may be perceived like to a Bell that trembles after it hath been rung; some∣times also the Artery will not beat a stroke, but will swell by little and little. By pressing it, one will moreover be able to perceive several Effects that do not declare themselves to the bare touch; for at that time the Course of the Circulation, which is suspend∣ed or lessened, which begins again immediately after, with more force, will give occasion to judge various∣ly and differently of the Disposition of the Heart, of the Fermentation there performed, of the Quality of the Blood there prepared, of the Obstacles that impede its passages, of Gross and Crude Matter that over-charges it, of the Nature of the Spirits that too much rarifie it, and precipitate Transpiration. The Chinese Physicians pretend to have, by a long Expe∣rience distinguished all these Differences of Pulses, and to have been able to know all the Distempers that are incident thereto; so that they hold the Pa∣tient's Hand a quarter of an hour at least; some∣times the right, sometimes the left, and sometimes both of them at the same time. And after all, as if they were inspired, they play the Prophet; You were never troubled with the Head-ach, say they, but

with an Heaviness that hath made you drowsie; or else you have lost your Appetite, you will recover it again within Three days precisely. This Evening, about Sun∣set, your Head will be freer; your Pulse indicates pain in the Belly, without you have eaten such or such Meat; This Indisposition will last five days, after which it will cease. And so for other Symptoms of the Malady which they find out, or prognosticate pretty exactly, when they are expert in the Science; for, as for others, they are commonly false Prophets.

It is not to be questioned, after all these Testi∣monies we have, but that in this respect they have something extraordinary, nay, and even wonderful: However, a Man should always mistrust them, and one cannot be too much upon his guard against them, because they make use of all means imagina∣ble to get themselves secretly instructed concerning the Patient's Condition before they visit them. Nay, they are so cunning (to get themselves Reputation) as to feign a kind of Distemper, which sometimes they themselves procure afterward. A Person told me, that sending for a Physician, and a Chyrurgeon to cure him of a Wound, one of them told him, That the Malady was occasioned by a small Worm that was insinuated into the Flesh, which would infallibly produce a Gangreen, if by some Remedy or other it were not fetch'd out: That he was the only Man in all the Country that had this Arcanum, and would put it in practice for his sake, provided be would not grudge him a considerable Sum of Money. The sick Person promised him he would not; and paid him part of it before-hand. But this cheating Sophister, after divers unprofitable Medicines, entangled at last a little Worm in his Plaister, which he pull'd out an hour after in triumph, as if it came out of the very Wound. His Companion, that gain'd nothing by the management of this Business, afterward detected

it, but it was too late; and the Chyrurgeon com∣forted up himself more easily for the loss of his Re∣putation, than the sick Person for the loss of his Mo∣ney.

However the Case may stand as to the Capacity of the Chinese Physicians, yet certain it is, that they Predict the Distemper easier than they Cure it; and Men dye in their hands as they do elsewhere. They prepare their own Remedies, that ordinarily consist of Pills; thereafter as they are prepared, they are either Sudorifick, purge the Blood and Humours, fortifie the Stomach, suppress Vapours; or are Re∣stringent, dispose to Evacuation; but seldom work by Stool. They do not let Blood, nor know the Clyster, but since they have had Correspondence with the Physicians of Macao. They do not disap∣prove the Remedy, but name it The Remedy of the Barbarians. They apply Cupping-Glasses not only upon the Scapulae, but also upon the Belly, to asswage the pain of the Colick.

They are in a manner all perswaded, that the majority of Diseases are caused by malignant and corrupted Wind that have slipt into the Muscles, and do ill affect all the Parts of the Body: The most sure means to dissipate them, is to apply, in diffe∣rent places, red hot Needles, or Buttons of Fire: This is their ordinary Remedy. One day a Chinese said to me, seeming to be surprised at it, alluding to Phlebotomy, They treat you in Europe with the Sword, but here they martyr us by fire; this Mode will probably never alter, because Physicians feel not the Mis∣chief they do us, and are no worse paid for tormenting of us, than for curing us.

I cannot tell whether or no they might have learnt this violent Remedy of the Indians; or whether the Indians themselves might not have received it from

the Chinese Physicians; but they pretend in the Indies that Fire cures all Diseases: This Perswasion they persisting in, makes every day a great many misera∣ble Persons, whom they Cauterize upon the slightest inconvenience.

Yet there be some Maladies that are not curable, but by that means. The People of the Country, but especially the Slaves, are much troubled with a vio∣lent Coli••k, which the Portuguezé call Mordetchin, oc∣casioned by the indigestion of the Stomach, and ac∣companied, for the most part, with continual Vo∣mitings; the Gripes it produceth are cruel, and the Grief and Angish often deprives them of their Wits. This Grief is infallibly mortal, if they dot not reme∣dy it after the following manner: They lightly ap∣ply an Iron-peal red hot to the Soles of the Feet; if the Patient shews no signs of feeling, they pass no farther, and he is cured: if he be insensible of this first Operation, they lay it on harder, and still con∣tinue to press the Peal, burning unmercifully to the very Bone, without desisting till the Patient com∣plain, which puts an end to the Malady and Remedy. But if the Fire, how violent soever, makes not it self be felt, they despair of healing, and in a short time the Patient dies.

Amongst all the China Remedies there are none so much esteemed as Cordials; they are provided with all sorts of them, and very natural ones; for they consist for the most part of Herbs, Leaves, and Roots. Their Simples are numerous; and if the People of the Country may be believed, they have all of them Sovereign and Experienced Virtues. I brought along with me hither near Four hundred, designed in their natural Colours and Figure, according to those the Emperor caused to be painted for his Closet. Father ••isd••lou, one of the six Jesuits his Majesty sent thi∣ther

Anno 1685, is very intent upon the Translation of the Chinese Herbal; wherein are all the Vertues and Qualities of all those Plants explained. This Father, who hath accomplisht himself in the Knowledge of Books, will thereto add particular Reflexions of his own; and I make no question but what he supplys us with thereupon, will enrich our Botany, and satisfie the Ingenious and Curious.

Amongst these Simples there are two that I may speak of before hand: The first is the Leaf of * 21.2 Thee, as they call it in China; they are much divided in their Opinions touching the Properties they ascribe to it. Some do maintain that it hath admira∣ble ones; others, that it is but a phancy and meer whim of the Europeans, that are always doters on Novelties, and put a value upon that which they do not understand: In that, as in all other things where Men do not agree, I believe there is a medium to be taken.

In China they are subject neither to Gout, Scia∣tica, nor Stone; and many imagine that Thee pre∣serves against all these Distempers. The Tartars that feed upon raw Flesh, fall sick, and suffer continual Indigestions so soon as ever they give over drinking of it; and that they may have plenty of it, they bargain to furnish the Emperor with almost all the Horses that serve to remount his Cavalry; when a∣ny one is troubled with a Vertigo that over-charges the Brain, he finds himself extreamly relieved so soon as he accustoms himself to Thee. In France there are abundance of People that find it good for the Gra∣vel, Crudities, Head-aches; and there are who pre∣tend to have been cured of the Gout by it, almost miraculously; so quick and sensible has been its effect. All this proves that Thee is no Chimera, and Con∣ceit.

Nay, some after drinking of it sleep the better, which argues that it is not proper to suppress Fumes: Some there be who never take it after Meals, with∣out experiencing mischievous Effects; their Digesti∣on is interrupted and disturbed; and they find along time after Crudities, and a troublesome Repletion. Others find no benefit by it neither in Gout nor Scia∣tica. A great many say that it dries, makes lean, and that it obstructs; and that if there be any good qualities in it, the most part of other leaves would in a manner produce the same effect. These Experi∣ments evince that its Virtue is not so Universal as Peo∣ple imagine.

So that in my opinion, one should speak moderate∣ly of it, both as to its good and bad qualities. Perhaps warm Water alone is a good Medicine against Distem∣pers, the cure of which they attribute to Thee: And there are several People that are exempt from many Inconveniencies because they are used to drink warm Liquors. Nevertheless it is certain that Thee is of a corosive nature, for it attenuates hard Victuals where∣with it is boiled, and consequently is proper for digesti∣on, that is to say for dissolution. That very thing proves that it resists Obstructions, and that Liquors impreg∣nated with its Particles or Salts, carry off, and more easily separate all that which adheres to the Tunicks of the Vessels. This very quality is proper to consume superfluous Humours, to put into motion those that stagnate and corrupt, to evacuate others, that cause the Gout and Sciatica: So that Thee, with caution, is a very good Remedy, altho' it be not so effectual, nor universal, but that the temperament of certain Persons, the height of the Distemper, together with certain oc∣cult Dispositions, may many times retard the Effect, or even frustrate its Virtue.

To use it with benefit, it is requisite to know it, for there is more than one sort of it. That of the Pro∣vince

of Chensi is course, harsh, and unpleasant. The Tartars drink of it: There is necessary to them a stronger Menstruum than to the Chineses, by reason of the crude Flesh they feed on. It is exceeding cheap in the Country, and a pound of it will cost Three pence. In this same Province there is found a par∣ticular Species of it, more resembling Moss, than the Leaves of a Tree; and they pretend that the oldest is of excellent use in Acute Distempers. They like∣wise administer to sick People a third sort, whose Leaves are very long and thick, and its goodness in∣creases in proportion to its being kept; but that is not the Thee in use.

That which they commonly drink in China, hath no particular Name, because it is ▪ gather'd hand over head in different Territories and Soils: It is good, the Infusion is reddish, the Taste faint and somewhat bit∣ter: The People use it indifferently at all hours of the day, and it is their most usual drink.

But Persons of Quality use two other kinds that are in request in China. The first is called Thee Soum∣lo; it is the name of the Place where it is gathered; the Leaves are somewhat long, the Infusion clear and green when it is fresh, the Taste pleasant; it smells, as they say in France, a little of Violets, but this Taste is not natural; and the Chineses have often assured me, that to be good, it ought to have no Taste at all. This is that they commonly present at Visits; but it is exceeding corosive; perhaps the Su∣gar they mix with it here corrects its Acrimony; but in China, where it is drunk pure, too great a use of it would be apt to spoil the Stomach.

The second kind is called Thee Voiii; the Leaves that are little, and inclining to black, tinge the Wa∣ter with a yellow Colour. The Taste is delicious, and the weakest Stomach agrees with it at all times. In winter it is to be used temperately, but in Summer

one cannot drink too much. It is especially good in Sweating, after Travelling, Running, or any other violent Exercise. They give of it also to sick Peo∣ple; and those who have any Care of their Health, drink no other. When I was at Siam, I heard them often talk of the Flower of Thee, of Imperial T••ee, and of several other sorts of Thee, the price of which was yet more extraordinary than the Properties they ascribe to it: but in China I heard no such thing.

Generally speaking, that the Thee may excel, it ought to be gathered early, when the Leaves are yet small, tender and juicy. They begin commonly to gather it in the Months of March and April, accord∣ing as the Season is forward; they afterward expose them to the steam of boiling Water to soften them again; so soon as they are penetrated by it, they draw them over Copper-plates kept on the fire, which dries them by degrees, till they grow brown, and rowl up of themselves in that manner we see them. If the Chineses were not such great Cheats, their Thee would be better; but they oftentimes mix other Herbs with it, to swell the size at a small charge, and so get more Money by it: So that it is a rare thing to meet with any purely without mixture.

It commonly grows in Valleys, and at the foot of Mountains; t••e choicest grows in stony Soils; that which is planted in light Grounds holds the second rank. The least of all is found in yellow Earth; but in what place soever it is cultivated, ••are must be taken to expose it to the South; it gets more strength by that, and bears Three years after being sowen. I••s Root resembles that of a Peach Tree, and its Flowers resemble white wild Roses. The Trees grow of all sizes, from two foot to an hundred, and some are to be met with that two Men can scarce grasp in their Arms; this is what the Chinese Herbal relates. But this is what I have seen.

Entring upon the Province of Fokien, they first made me observe Thee upon the declining of a little Hill; it was not above five or six foot high, several Stalks, each of which was an inch thick, joyned to∣gether, and divided at the top into a many small Branches, composed a kind of Cluster, much what like our Myrtle. The Trunk, tho' seemingly dry, yet bore very green Branches and Leaves. These Leaves were drawn out in length at the point, pretty strait, an inch, or an inch and an half long, and in∣dented in their whole Circumference. The oldest seemed somewhat white without, they were hard, brittle, and bitter. The new ones, on the contrary, were soft, plyable, reddish, smooth, transparent, and pretty sweet to the Taste, especially after they had been a little chewed.

It being the Month of September, I found three sorts of Fruit. In the new Branches there were lit∣tle slimy Pease, green without, and full of yellow Grains within. In others, the Fruit is as big as Beans, but of different Figures; some round, containing a Pea; others drawn out in length, that contained two; some others of a Triangular Figure, bore three, very like to those that bear the Tallow-grain, so famous in China. The first Membrane or Skin wherewith these Grains are infolded, is green, very thick, and somewhat even. The second is white, and thinner; under which a third very fine Pellicle covers a kind of Gland, or small N••t perfectly round, that sticks to the Bark by a little Fibre, from whence it derives its Nourishment. When this Fruit is young, it hath bitterness in it; but a day or two after it has been gathered, it withers, grows long, and yellow, and wrinkles even like an old Hazel Nut; at length it be∣comes unctious and very bitter. Besides that, I found a third sort of hard, old Fruits, the first Skin of which, between open and shut, shewed within a hard

bark, brittle, and altogether resembling that of a Chesnut. After I had broken it, scarce did I find any sign of Fruit, so dry and flat was it grown. In some others the same Fruit was pulverized; in others was found a little Nut quite dried up, and covered with its first Pellicle.

Amongst these Fruits, a great number of them have no Germ or Bud, which they call Females; those that have any may be sowen, and produce Trees: but the Chineses do commonly make use of Graffs to plant. The better to understand the na∣ture of this Tree, I had the Curiosity to taste the Bark of the Trunk and Branches. I chewed likewise some of the Wood and Fibres; both of them seem∣ed to me not to have any bitterness, nay, at least, I found a pretty taste of Liquorish, but scarce discern∣able, and is not discovered till after making some re∣flexion upon it. Altho' this particular Account may displease those that are not concerned in the Know∣ledge of Plants, yet I am sure that the more Curi∣ous could wish a more Specifical Account, as the de∣licate mixture of Colours in the Flower, the orderly disposition of their Fibres, the conformation of the small Branches and Roots, and a thousand other Par∣ticulars relating to the Anatomy of them; but that is the business of time and leisure: I had but a quar∣ter of an hour to examine the Tree of which I have the honour to write to you.

There is in China another Simple much less com∣mon than Thee, and upon that very account more valued, which they call Gin-sem: Gin signifies a Man, and Sem a Plant, or Simple, as much as to say, The Humane Simple, the Simple that resembles a Man. Those who till this time have given another constru∣ction to these words are excusable, because they do not understand the Emphasis of the Chinese Chara∣cters, which do alone contain the true signification

of terms: The Learned give it abundance of o∣ther Names in their Writings, that sufficiently de∣clare how much they set by it; as the Spirituous Sim∣ple, the pure Spirit of the Earth, the Fat of the Sea, the Panacea, and the Remedy that dispenses Immor∣tality, and several others of that Nature.

It is a Root as thick as half the little finger, and as long again. It is divided into two Branches, which makes a Figure pretty like a Man with his two Legs; its Colour inclines to yellow, and when it is kept any time it grows wrinkled, and dry'd like Wood; the Leaves it shoots forth are little, and terminate in a point; the Branches are black, the Flower vio∣let, and the Stalk covered with hair; they say that it produces but one of them; that this Stalk produces three Branches, and that each Branch bears the Leaves by fours and fives; it grows in the shade, in a moist Soil, yet so slowly, that it comes not to per∣fection till after a long term of years. It is com∣monly found under a Tree called Kia-chu, little dif∣fering from the Sycomore. Altho' they fetch it from several places, yet the best came heretofore from Pet∣cij. That which is at this day in use is taken in Leau∣tom, a Province depending upon China, and situate in the Oriental Tartary.

Of all Cordials, according to the Chineses opinion, there are none comparable to Gin-sem; it is sweet and delightful, altho' there be in it a little smack of bitterness: Its effects are marvellous; it purifies the Blood, fortifies the Stomach, adds motion to a lan∣guid Pulse, excites the Natural Heat, and withal aug∣ments the Radical Moisture. Physicians never know how to make an end when they specifie its Virtues, and have whole Volumes of its different uses. I have a Collection of their Receipts that I should report intire in this place, if I were not afraid to be tedi∣ous, and trespass upon your Patience. I may print

them at last, together with a great many Treatises relating to Physick or Medicine of the Chineses. I shall only add, to what I have but now spoken, the usual Course they take in Distempers attended with Faintness and Swowning, whether it proceeds from some Accident, or from old Age.

Take a Dram of this Root, (you must begin with a little Dose, and may increase it afterward, accord∣ing to the Effect the former Doses shall produce) dry it before the fire in a Paper, or infuse it in Wine, till it be imbued and penetrated by it; then cut it in little pieces with your Teeth (and not with a Knife, Iron diminishing its Virtue) and when it is calcined, take the Powder in form of a Bolus, in warm Water or Wine, according as your Distemper will permit. This will be an excellent Cordial, and by continuing it you will find your self sensibly fortified.

Take also the same quantity of Gin-sem, or more if you be extream weak, and when you have divi∣ded it into little pieces, infuse it in half a Glass full of boiling Water, or else you may boil it with the Water it self; the Water, if you drink it, will have the same effect. The Root may serve a second time, but it abates of its force. They likewise make Broths of it, Electuaries, Lozenges, and Syrups, which are excellent Remedies for all sorts of Distempers.

They have also another Root which the Portuguese in the Indies call Pao-China, which is an excellent Su∣dorifick, very proper to purge the Humours and cor∣rupted Blood; but the Description of all these Sim∣ples would make me deviate too much, and is not proper for such a short Letter as this.

The Physicians of China do not employ Apothe∣caries for the Composition of their Medicines, they prescribe and give them at the same time themselves.

Sometimes in the Patients Chamber, when it may be conveniently done; and sometimes in their own Houses. They think it strange the Europeans should act otherwise, and that they commit the principal point of the Cure to Men that are not concerned in curing them; and are not solicitous about the good∣ness of the Drugs, provided they get rid of them to their advantage. But there is another disorder in China a great deal more dangerous than that they lay to our charge; and that is, That there, every Body is admitted to practise Physick, like other Mechanick Arts, without Examination or Taking their Degrees. So that a pitiful Fellow, that knows not where to put his Head, studies perhaps a Physick Book two or three Months, and sets up for a Doctor cum privilegio at the Expence of the Patient's Life, whom he choos∣eth to kill, rather than be forced to starve himself for lack of Employment. The Vulgar, tho' ill served by them, take a strong phansy for these Pickpockets; and they would reprove themselves for their Cove∣tousness, when they are indisposed, if they did not dye, or cause their Relations to dye some other way, than by the way of Nature.

Yet some of them you shall have confess their Fault when it is too late; and I remember that an Inhabitant of the City of Soutcheou, losing his Daugh∣ter more through the Ignorance of the Physician, than by the Power of the Disease, was so enraged, that he caused a Paper to be printed, wherein the bad Conduct of the pretended Doctor was laid open with several Reflections tending to decry him; he affixt Copies of it in all the publick Places, and caused of them to be distributed to the principal Houses of the City. This Revenge, or, as he termed it, this Zeal for the Publick Good, had the Effect he pro∣mised himself. The Physician lost, tog••••her with his Reputation, all his Practice, and was ••ed••c'd ••o

so great an Extremity, that he quickly found himself not in a Condition to kill any Body.

The Chineses that are mean Proficients in Sciences, succeed much better in A••ts; and tho' they have not brought them to that degree of Perfection we see th••m in Europe, yet know they in this respect not only what is necessary for the common use of Life, but also whatever may contribute to Conve∣nience, Neatness, Commerce, and even to well-regulated Magnificence: They would have got a great deal farther, had not the form of Govern∣ment, that hath prescribed Bounds to the Expences of private Persons, put a stop to them. The Work∣men are extraordinary industrious, and if they be not so good at invention as we, yet do they easily comprehend our Inventions, and imitate it so and so. There is made in several places of the Empire Glass, Watches, Pistols, Bombs, and a great company of Pieces of Workmanship that they may thank us for; but they have had time out of mind Gun-powder, Printing, and the Use of the Compass, which are Novel Arts in Europe, for which perhaps we are ob∣liged to them.

They divide the Compass in 24 parts only, where∣as we describe 32; they evermore imagined that the Needle did every where shew the true place of the Pole, and by divers Experiments which we made before them, they have observed some Variation and Declension: The Loadstone is found almost in every Province; it comes also to them from Iapan: but the grand use they make of it is in Physick; 'tis bought by weight, and the best are not sold for a∣bove Eight pence or Ten pence an Ounce. I have brought one with me an Inch and an half thick, which tho' indifferently guarded, takes up neverthe∣less Eleven pound weight; it will raise Fourteen or Fifteen when it is right fixt. In fine, they are very

dexterous in cutting them; for in France, tho' they bring them into all Figures, yet it is not without great labour and cost. They cut mine in Nankin in less than two hours; the Engine they make use of to that purpose is a plain one; and if our Work∣men would use it, they would abridge their Labour. I supposed, Sir, that you would not be unwilling to see the Figure of it, of which see here the Explana∣tion.

It is composed of two Jaumbs three or four foot high, Arch-like, with two Strings like a Setting-iron, and parted by a Board or Shingle, which goes cross to it, and closed by a Mortise in the Lee-board. On the head of the Jaumbs is set flat a little Rolling-pin or Cylinder, of an Inch and an half diameter, which can turn circularly by means of a string rol∣led in the middle, whose two ends hanging are tied to a step, on the which the Work man sets his foot.

At one of the Extremities of the Cylinder a flat piece of Iron is fastned with Mastick by its Center, that piece of Iron is very thin, very round, and very sharp all about; it is 8 Inches diameter, and moves with a great swiftness, according as the Steps are set high or low. In the mean time the Workman presents the Loadstone in one hand, and in the other the Mud made of a very fine Sand, which cools the Iron, and serves to cut the Stone; but because the Iron, in going thorow the Sand, throws it about with violence, which might blind the Workman, care is taken to place just un∣der it a little Blead, turned in the mann••r of a half Circle, which receiveth it and defends the Work∣man.

Navigation is another Point that shews the address of the Chineses; we have not always been in Europe such able and adventurous Sailors as we are at pre∣sent; the Ancients were not so forward to venture

themselves upon the Seas, where it is necessary to lose the sight of Land for a long time together. The danger of being mistaken in their Calculation (for they had not then the use of the Compass) made all Pilots circumspect and wary.

There are some who pretend that the Chineses, a long time before the Birth of our Saviour Christ, had sailed all the Seas of India, and discovered the Cape of Good Hope: However it be, it is most cer∣tain that from all Antiquity they had always stout Ships; and albeit they have not perfected the Art of Navigation, no more than they have done the Sci∣ences, yet did they understand much more of it than the Greeks and Romans; and at this day they sail as securely as the Portuguese.

These Vessels are like ours of all Rates, but the Model is not so fine; they are all flat-bottom'd; the Fore-castle is cut short without a Stem, the Stern o∣pen in the middle to the end, that the Rudder, which they shut up as in a Chamber, may be defended on the sides from the Waves: This Rudder, much lon∣ger than ours, is strongly tied to the Stern-post by two Cables that pass under the whole length of the Vessel to the sore-part, two other such like Cables hold it up, and facilitate the hoisting or lowering it, as occasion serves; the Bar is as long as is necessary for the guiding it; the Seamen at the Helm are also assisted by Ropes fastened to the Larboard and Star∣board, and rolled upon the extremity of the Bar they hold in their hand, which they fasten or slacken as they see occasion, to thrust or stop the Helm.

The Misen-mast is quite toward the fore-part, the Main-mast is not far from the place where we place our Misnes. A Cord that goes from Starboard to La••board, according as the Wind chops about, serves them for a Stay and Shrowds; the Bol••sprit, which is

very weak, is at the Larboard, at a considerable di∣stance from the middle, where we are wont to place them. The Round-tops they use are very short, but the Main-mast is of a prodigious height and thickness; it is strongly seized, as far as the upper part of the Deck, by two side Beams that strengthen it wonder∣fully, yea, and deprive it of playing, which we leave to ours, because it serves to give the Vessel Air, and to quicken its motion.

The low Sails are of very thick Matt, trimm'd up with Laths and long Poles to strengthen them, from two foot to two foot, fastened to the whole length of the Masts by several little loops; they are not fastened in the middle, but have three quarters of their breadth loose, that they may be accommoda••ed to the Wind, and readily tackt about as occasion serves. A great many small Cords, hanging at the sides of the Sail, where they are placed at several distan∣ces from the Sail-yard to the bottom are gather∣ed up and keep tight the whole length of the Matt, and further the motion when the Ships Course is to be changed.

As for the Okam to calk withal, they do not use melted Pitch and Tar, but a Composition made of Lime and Oil, or rather of a particular Gum with Flax of rasped Bambou; this Matter is not subject to the Accidents of Fire, and the Okam is so good, that the Vessel seldom or never Leaks, neither do they ever use the Pump, a Well or two serves to keep the Keel dry. In your huge Vessels the Anchors are of Iron; in the middle sort they are of an hard, heavy Wood, and they only strengthen the ends; but I have observed that that was not sufficient: a Spring-tide, or a fresh Gale of Wind, runs the Ship adrift, when it is not well anchored: And to spare the cost of an Iron Anchor, they often run the risk to be cast

away. As for the Cables they are of Flax of Coco, Canvas, or Rotin. The Rotin is a kind of long Cane which they make into Tresses like little Cords, the Twists of them are usually flat, and are stronger then all the other; but because they easily snap un∣der Water when they come to touch upon any Rock, they do not much use them but only upon Rivers, for to tow against the Tide.

The Chineses have in their Vessels a Captain, as we have; but his chief business is to keep the Crew in awe, and victual them; the Pilot marks out the Rhumb, and places the Compass. When they can discover no Land, or when they do not ken it, those upon duty at the Helm, steer as they please; so soon as they come within ken of the Coast, or enter into the Port, the Mariners are so vigilant, and so intent upon their duty, that they don't ex∣pect to be commanded.

You see, My Lord, by what I have said, that we far surpass the Chineses at Sea in the Art of Navigati∣on; but it must be confest that upon Rivers and Channels, they have a particular address that we are not Masters of; they there mannage with a few Ma∣riners, huge Barks as big as our Ships; and there is such a great number of them in all the Southern Pro∣vinces, that they always keep Nine thousand, nine hundred, ninety nine ready equipped amongst those that are designed for the Service of the Emperor.* 21.3 After this man∣ner do the People speak; for this way of expressing themselves hath a greater Emphasis in their Lan∣guage, and seem to denote something more, than if they should say in one word, that there are Ten thousand of them; it is a hard matter to convince them of an untruth; for really there is such a pro∣digious number of them, that they cannot be reckoned;

they are all flat bottom'd, their Sails and Masts are not much different from those I but just now descri∣bed; but the Model is not the same. The Body of the Vessel, that is alike broad from Prow to Poop, hath two Wells; upon the first, or upon the Deck, they build from one end to another, little Cabins, that are raised above the sides Seven or Eight foot, or thereabouts; they are painted within and without, varnisht, gilded, and all over so neat and handsome, that they are capable of making the longest Voyages too short, tho' some they take that last four or five Months without intermission; for they lodge, they diet, and are always aboard these noble Barks; and when a good company of Mandarins go together (which pretty often happens) there is no place where they pass the time away more delightfully. They visit one another almost every day without Comple∣ment; they Play, they Treat one another mutual∣ly, as if they were all of a Family. This Society seems so much the more acceptable to them, because it is not forced, and constrained, as in other places, by the Incumbrances of nice Ceremonies, nor sub∣ject to Suspicions that such a free Correspondence would not fail to soment, if they behaved themselves so in the Cities.

Notwithstanding these Barks be extraordinary big, and tho' they always be either under Sail, or tugg'd along by Ropes, yet do they by times make use of Oars, when they are upon great Rivers, or cross Lakes. As for ordinary Barks, they do not row them after the European manner; but they fasten a kind of a long Oar to the Poup, nearer one side of the Bark than to the other, and sometimes another like it to the Prow, that they make use of as the Fish does of its Tail, thrusting it out, and pulling it to them a∣gain, without ever lif••ing it above Water. This Work produces a continuing rolling in the Bark;

but it hath this advantage, that the Motion is ne∣ver interrupted, whereas the Time and Effort that we employ to lif•• up our Oars is lost, and signifies no∣thing.

The knack the Chineses have to Sail upon Tor∣rents is somewhat wonderful and incredible: They in a manner force Nature, and make a Voyage with∣out any dread, which other People dare not so much as look upon without being seized with some Ap∣prehension. I speak not of those Cataracts they as∣cend by meer strength of Arm, to pass from one Canal to another, which in some Relations are cal∣led Sluices; but of certain Rivers that flow, or ra∣ther run headlong quite cross abundance of Rocks, for the space of Three or Fourscore Leagues. Had I not been upon these perillous Torrents my self, I should have much ado to believe, upon anothers re∣port, what I my self have seen. It is a rashness for Travellers to expose themselves, if they have been but never so little informed of it; and a kind of madness in Sailors to pass their Life in a Trade, wherein they are every moment in danger of being destroy'd.

These Torrents whereof I speak, which the Peo∣ple of the Country call Chan, are met with in several places of the Empire; many of them may be seen when one Travels from Nam-tcham••fou, the Capital City of Kiam-si to Canton. The first time I went that way with Father Fontan••y, we were hurried a∣way with that Rapidity, that all the Endeavours of our Mariners could not overcome, our Bark, aban∣doned to the Tor••ent, was turn'd round like a Whirle∣gigg for a long time, amongst the sinuosities and windings that the Course of the Water formed; and at last dasht upon a Rock even with the Water, with that violence, that the Rudder, of the thickness of a good Beam, broke like a piece of Glass, and the

whole Body of it was carried by the force of the Currant upon the Rock, where it remained immo∣veable: If instead of touching at the Stern, it had hit sideways, we had been infallibly lost; but those are ••ot the most dangerous places.

In the Province of Fokien, whether one comes from Canton, or Hamt-cheou, one is, during Eight or Ten days, in continual danger of perishing. The Cataracts are continual, always broken by a Thou∣sand Points of Rocks, that scarce leave breadth e∣nough for the passage of the Ba••k; there are no∣thing but Turnings and Windings, nothing but Cas∣cades and contrary Currants, that dash one against another, and hurry the Boat along like an Arrow out of a Bow; you are always within Two foot of Shelves, which you avoid only to fall foul upon a∣nother, and from that to a third; if the Pilot by an address, not sufficiently to be admired, does not escape from Shipwrack that threatens him every mo∣ment.

There are none in all the World besides the Chi∣neses capable of undertaking such like Voyages, or so much concerned or interessed, as not to be discou∣raged, maugre all the Accidents that befal them, for there passes not a day that is not memorable for Shipwracks; nay, and I wonder all Barks do not perish. Sometimes a Man is so fortunate as to split in a place not far distant from the shoar, as I chan∣ced twice to do, then indeed one escapes by swim∣ming, provided one has strength enough to struggle out of the Torrent, which is usually very strait. O∣ther times the Barks run adri••t, and in a moment is up∣on the Rocks, where it remains aground with the Pas∣sengers; but sometimes it happens, especially in some more rapid Vortices, that the Vessel is in pieces, and the Crew buried before one has time to know where they are. Sometimes also when one descends the Cas∣cades

formed by the River, that altogether runs head∣long, the Boats by falling all on sudden, plunge into the Water at the Prow, without being able to rise again, and disappear in a trice. In a word, these Voyages are so dangerous, that in more then Twelve thousand Leagues that I have Sail'd upon the most tempestuous Seas in the World, I don't believe I ever run through so many Dangers for Ten years, as I have done in Ten days upon these Torrents.

The Barks they make use of are built of a very thin, light Timber, which makes it more fit to fol∣low all the impressions one has a mind to give them. They divide them into five or six Apartments sepa∣rated by good Partitions, so that when they touch at any place, upon any point of a Rock, only one part of the Boat is full, whilst the other remains dry, and affords time to stop the hole the Water has made. For to moderate the Rapidity of the Motion, in places where the Water is not too deep, six Seamen, three on each side, hold a long Spret or Pole thrust to the bottom, wherewith they resist the Currant, yet slackning by little and little, by the help of a small Rope made fast at one end to the Boat, and twi∣ned at the other round the Pole, that slips but very hardly, and by a continual rubbing, slackens the motion of the Bark, which, without this Caution, would be driven with too much Rapidity: insomuch that when the Torrent is even, and uniform, how precipitous soever its Course be, you float with the same slowness, as one does upon the calmest Canal; but when it winds in and out, this Caution is to no purpose; then indeed they have recourse to a double Rudder, made in fashion of an Oar, of forty or fif∣ty foot long, one whereof is at the Prow, and the other at the Poup. In the plying of these two great Oars consists all the Skill of the Sailors, and Safety of the Bark; the reciprocal Jerks and cunning Shakes

they give it, to drive it on, or to turn it right as they would have it, to fall just into the Stream of the Wa∣ter, to shun one Rock, without dashing on another, to cut a Currant, or pursue the fall of Water, with∣out running head-long with it, whirles it about a Thousand different ways: It is not a Navigation, it is a Manege; for there is never a managed Horse that labours with more fury under the hand of a Master of an Academy, then these Boats do in the hands of these Chinese Mariners: So that when they chance to be cast away, it is not so much for want of Skill as Strength; and whereas they carry not above eight Men, if they would take fifteen, all the Violence of the Torrents would not be capable to carry them a∣way. But it is a thing common enough in the World, and especially in China, rather to hazard a Man's Life, and run the risk to lose all he has, then to be at indifferent Charges one thinks not absolutely necessary.

Seeing I am speaking of the Address and Skill of the Chineses upon Rivers, I cannot forbear, My Lord, letting you observe what they are Masters of in mat∣ter of Fishing, besides the Line, Nets, and the or∣dinary Instruments we make use of in Europe, which they employ as well as we, they have moreover two ways of catching Fish, that seem to me very singular, and odd: The first is practised in the Night, when it is Moon-shine; they have two very long, strait Boats, upon the sides of which they Nail from one end to the other, a Board about two foot broad, up∣on which they have rub'd white Varnish, very smooth and shining; this Plank is inclined outward, and al∣most toucheth the Surface of the Water: That it may serve their turn, it is requisite to turn it towards the Moon-shine, to the end that the Reflexion of the Moon may increase its brightness, the Fish playing and sporting, and mistaking the Colour of the Plank,

for that of the Water, jerk out that way, and tumble before they are aware, either upon the Plank, or in∣to the Boat, so that the Fisher-man, almost without taking any pains, hath in a little time his small Bark quite full.

The second manner of Fishing is yet more plea∣sant: They breed, in divers Provinces, Cormorants, and they order and mannage them as we do Dogs, or even as we do Hawks for the Game; one Fisher∣man can very easily look after an hundred; he keeps them perched upon the sides of his Boat, quiet, and waiting patiently for orders, till they are come at the place designed for fishing in; then, at the very first signal that is given them, each takes its flight, and flies toward the way that is assigned it. 'Tis a very pleasant thing to behold how they divide amongst them the whole breadth of the River, or of the Lake; they seek up and down, they dive, and come, and go upon the Water an hundred times, till they have spy'd their Prey; then do they seize it with their Be••k, and immediately bring it to their Ma∣ster. When the Fish is too big, they help one ano∣ther interchangeably, one takes it by the Tail, another by the Head, and go after that manner in company to the Boat, where they hold out long Oars to them; there they perch themselves with their Fish, which they part not with till they go seek for another. When they are weary, they let them rest a while; but give them nothing to eat till the Fishing is over; du∣ring which time their Throat is tied with a small Cord, for fear they should swallow the little Fish, and may have no list to work longer.

I forbear speaking, My Lord, of their dexterity and neatness in the Manufactures of Silk, Earthen Ware, Vernish, Architecture: These Matters have been exhausted in publick Relations. It is well known that the Silk-Stuffs of China are not only

handsome, but good and serviceable; that their Por∣celain is of a neatness and matter unimitable; that their Vernish, and the use they make of it upon their Cabinets, Tables, Skreens, have procured them the admiration of all Europe. As for their Architecture, altho' they have an inclination far different from ours, and coming short of that Perfection that we suppose our selves arrived to; yet must it be confest however, that there are some pieces of Sculpture in China perfectly well wrought, and the Publick Edi∣fices, as Gates of great Cities, Towers, and Bridges, have something in them most noble and beautiful. In fine, the Chineses in point of Arts are dexterous, laborious, curious to find out the Inventions and Con∣trivances of other Nations, and very apt to imitate them. But what is peculiar to them, is, that in all their Works they perform with a very few Instru∣ments and plain Engines, what our Artificers in Europe do not execute with almost an infinite number of Utensils.

The better to let the Character of their Ingenui∣ty be known, I shall add, That there is no Nation under the Sun, that is more fit for Commerce and Traffick, and understand them better: One can hardly believe how far their Tricks and Craftiness proceeds when they are to insinuate into Mens Af∣fections, manage a fair Opportunity, or improve the Overtures that are offered: The desire of getting torments them continually, and makes them disco∣ver a thousand ways of gaining, that would not na∣turally come into their Head: Every thing serves their turn, every thing is precious to the Chinese, be∣cause there is nothing but they know how to im∣prove. They undertake the most difficult Voyages, for the least hopes of gain, and that's the reason why all things are in motion; in the Streets, upon the Roads, upon the Rivers, and all along the Coasts

of Maritime Towns, you shall see a world of Tra∣vellers: The infinite Trade and Commerce that is carried on every where, is the Soul of the People, and the primum mobile of all their Actions.

If they would accompany Labour and natural In∣dustry with a little more honesty, especially in re∣spect of Strangers, nothing could be wanting to them that might contribute to the making of able, com∣pleat Merchants; but their essential quality is to de∣ceive and cousin, when it lyes in their power; some of them do not conceal it, but boast of it: I have heard of some so brazen fac'd, that when they have been taken in the Fact, to excuse themselves by their Simplicity, say, You see that I do not understand cun∣ningness; you know more of it than I; but perhaps I shall be more lucky, or more subtle another time. They falsifie almost every thing they vend, when things are in a condition to be falsified. They say particularly, that they counterfeit Gammons of Bacon so artificially, that many times a Man is mistaken in them; and when they have boil'd them a long time, they find nothing, when they come to eat them, but a huge piece of Wood under an Hogs-skin. It is certain a Stranger will be always cheated, if he buy alone, let him take what care he will; he should employ a trusty Chinese, who is acquainted with the Country, who knows all the Tricks; and indeed you will be very happy, if he that buys, and he that sells, do not collogue together to your Cost, and go snips in the profit.

When one lends them any thing, he must have Sureties; for as for their word, those who know them cannot rely upon it. Some of them have been observed to borrow a very small Sum, promising to restore the Principal with vast Interest, which they punctually performed upon the day appointed, to gain themselves the Reputation of down-right honest

Men. After that they demanded a greater Sum, which they repay also without failing. At length, they continued this Commerce whole years together, till such time as engaging to Credit them, and lend them considerable Sums, they carried their Money far enough off, and disappeared for ever.

When they would obtain a Favour, they do not discover themselves all on the sudden; there are some who prepare for it whole years before-hand. They make presents to the Master, and to all those of the Houshold; they seem so much the more disinteressed, and to have no design, as they mistrust Peoples good will; but when one has accepted their Toys, which they thought they might do without fearing any bad Consequence, then they begin to shew their design; and they have already so well play'd their Game, that they seldom receive a Repulse for what they de∣mand.

This Subtilty of Deceiving is still more extraordi∣nary in Thieves and Robbers: They break through the thickest Walls, burn Gates, and make great holes in them by the help of a certain Engine which fires the Wood without any flame. They penitrate into the most private Recesses, without ever being per∣ceiv'd; and when People awake in the Morning, they are amazed to find their Bed without Curtains and Coverlets, their Chamber unfurnisht, Tables, Cabinets, Coffers, Plate, all is marcht off, without so much sometimes as perceiving any foot-steps of the Thieves, but the Hole in the Wall at which they went out with all the Moveables of the House.

When they are apprehended, if they be armed, they suffer death; but now if they be not in a con∣dition to wound, or kill any body, they inflict some other Corporal Punishment, according to the quali∣ty of the Goods so stoll'n; for if they have taken no∣thing, the Judges are satisfied to punish them with

thirty or forty blows with a Cudgel. They say these Felons have a certain Drug, the Fume of which ex∣treamly stupifies, and casts into a deep sleep, which affords them time and opportunity to do their Job; and they are so perswaded of that Truth, that Tra∣vellers cause a Basin of cold Water to be brought in to their Chamber in the Inn, which is a sure Reme∣dy to frustrate the power or charm of the Fume.

Not but that after all one may meet with hones••y and disinterest amongst the Chineses; for, (not to speak of Christians, in whom Religion hath re∣formed the evil Inclinations of Nature) I do remem∣ber that at my first arrival into China with my Com∣panions, Strangers, unknown, exposed to the Ava∣rice of the Mandarins, not one of them did us the least wrong; and what appeared yet more extraor∣dinary was, That offering a Present to a Commissi∣oner of the Custom-house, People that are usually greedy, and attentive to the improvement of such sort of occasions, he protested, notwithstanding all our earnest Intreaties, that he would never take any thing of any Body so long as he was in his Office; but if one day he should chance to be in another Condition, he would with all his heart receive from us some European Curiosity. After all, these are rare Examples, and the same is not the Character of the Natives.

As the Chineses have a Genius for Com∣merce, so have they likewise for Affairs of State; their Wit has been a long time adapted to Politicks, and negotiating Affairs, not with Foreigners, whom they look upon as Barbarians, and their Sub••ects, whom the ancient haughtiness of the Empire forbids to correspond with, but amongst themselves, according as they are bound by Interest, or, as their Fortune ingages them therein. There is Policy amongst Princes, and other Grandees of the Realm, as much as in any

Court of Europe; They continually apply themselves to know the Gusto, Inclinations, Humours, and De∣signs one of another; and they study it so much the more, as they are more reserved, and dissembling themselves, they keep a fair Correspondence with e∣very Body, nay, and even observe a Decorum with their Enemies.

As the way of Challenging a Duel is not allowed in the State, all their Revenge is reasonable and se∣cret; one cannot imagine by how many Shifts and Contrivances they endeavour to destroy one another, without making any shew of having any such thing in their head. They are not only Dissemblers, but patient, even to insensibleness, in expecting a fa∣vourable Moment to declare themselves, and to strike home. But as they observe all sorts of measures with their Enemies, the better to lull them asleep, so they sometimes huff their best Friends, for fear least a too strict Bond of Friendship should involve them in some unlucky business. So far are they from that barba∣rous Friendship that inclines us in Europe to engage those in our private Quarrels that are most devoted to us, and to expose, without any advantage, a Life that we should defend even by the loss of our own.

The Lords of the Court, the Vice-Roys of Pro∣vinces, and Generals of Armies, are in perpetual motion, to preserve or acquire the principal Places of the State; they carry on their business by Money, Favour, and by intrigue: And since the Laws give nothing, either to Solicitation, Riches, or Ambition of private Persons, but solely to Merit, the most subtle seem always most moderate, whilst in the mean time, by an hundred hidden Springs, they endeavour to obtain the choice and esteem of the Emperor.

In short, if some Neighbours, more potent, and bet∣ter

Head-pieces than the Tartars could have been able to have accustom'd them to make Treaties, as the dif∣ferent People of Europe do amongst themselves, I am perswaded that Policy and Negotiations would have proved more powerful to defend them from their E∣nemies, then that prodigious Wall, of which they endeavoured to make a Bulwark, and all those nume∣rous Armies, wherewith they have hitherto, but all in vain, opposed them.

After all that I have said, I leave you to judge, My Lord, of the Character of these People, and of the value that ought to be put upon them; when a Man hath a gust as good as yours, he does not think of things nicely, but also judges of them solidly, and with the greatest exactness; so that I suppose no body will take it ill that I submit the Chinese to your Cen∣sure. They only would find some difficulty to subscribe to it, if they understood the defect of their Wit and Genius, as much as we understand the delicateness of yours; but as they believe themselves the most witty Nation in the World, I am sure they will be glad to be given over to the Judgment of a Person, whom all France begins to admire, and what is more, whom Lewis the Great honours particularly with his esteem. You will observe, My Lord, in China some Faults which one cannot excuse; all the favour I beg of you for them, is to reflect, That formerly they have been wiser, more sincere and honest, less cor∣rupted than they are at present. Vertue, which they cultivated with so much care, which contributed in∣finitely to model their Reason, made them at that time the wisest People of the Universe; and being their Manners were more regular, so I doubt not but they were then more spiritual, and more rational.

However, in the very Condition wherein they are at present, you will perhaps esteem them not∣withstanding, and find withal, that though they have

not Ingenuity enough to be compared with our Learned and Knowing Men in Europe, yet do they not give place to us in Arts; that they equal us in Politeness, and that perhaps they may surpass us in Politicks and in Government. I am with the most profound Respect,

My Lord,

Your most humble and most obedient Servant L. J.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Efsunde Iram, tuam in Gentas quae Te non noverunt, Psal. 58.

  Ne tradas Bestiis animas confitentes tibi, Psal. 73.
• * 1.2

  Hi in Curris & in Equis, Nos au∣tem in Nomine Do∣mini.
• * 1.3

  As with us the Colledge of Heralds.
• * 1.4

  In the Draught the Length does not bear a reciprocall Pro∣portion to its Cir∣cuit.
• * 7.1

  Zeph. 2.15.
• * 7.2

  Isaiah 26.5.
• * 7.3

  Hal vou pim: Kiam vou ti.
• * 7.4

  They call it In∣chu Ti••ochu.
• * 7.5

  Yam-pi.
• * 7.6

  The first Book called Chu-kim.
• † 7.7

  The second Book Chi-kim.
• * 7.8

  The third Book V-kim.
• † 7.9

  The Fourth Tchun-tsiou.
• ‖ 7.10

  The fifth Li-ki.
• * 11.1

  Tcheou-coum, and Cham-tcho.
• * 21.1

  It is just 4392 years.
• * 21.2

  Thee is a corrupt word of the Province of Fokien, it must be called Tçha, it is the term of the Mandarin Language.
• * 21.3

  Kiou-tchien, Kiou-pé, Kiou-ché, Kiou.