A new history of China containing a description of the most considerable particulars of that vast empire / written by Gabriel Magaillans, of the Society of Jesus ... ; done out of French.

CHAP. X. Of the great Plenty of all things in China.

MOST certain it is, that the two Fountains of Trade, are Navigation and Plenty, in a King∣dom stor'd with all sorts of Commodities. China enjoys both these Advantages to that degree that no Kingdom exceeds it. The great quantity of Gold which is found in all the Mountains is such, that instead of Coining it into Money, to buy Ne∣cessaries; it is it self a Commodity. Whence comes that Proverb among the Chineses so often repeated

at Macao, Money is the Blood, but Gold is Mer∣chandize. As for Money, it is now above four thou∣sand five hundred Years that this Empire has last∣ed; nor has their Coveteousness of Money, nor their Industry to get it been less ancient. So that the quantity which the Chineses have rammas'd to∣gether, must needs be immense and incredible; so much the rather for that whatever enters once, is never carri'd out again, in regard the Laws so strictly forbid it. You shall rarely hear in Europe of Presents made of five Hundred or a Thousand Crowns, but in China it is a usual thing to make Presents, not only of a Thousand, but ten, twenty, thirty, forty thousand Crowns. And certain it is, that through the whole Empire, but more especially at Court, several Millions are expended in Presents and Entertainments, and that the same thing is there every day to be seen which was anciently said of Rome: all things are there put to sale. There is not any Employment of Governour of a City or Town, which does not cost the Person who is preferr'd to it, several Thousands of Crowns; sometimes twenty, sometimes thirty, and so pro∣portionably for all other Offices great and small. To be a Viceroy or Governour of a Province, be∣fore a Man can have his Commission seal'd, will cost him twenty, thirty, forty, and sometimes threescore, sometimes seventy Thousand Crowns. And yet so far is the King from receiving a Far∣thing of this Money, that he knows nothing of the Abuse. Only the Grand Ministers of the Em∣pire, the Colao's, or Counsellers of State, and the six Supream Tribunals of the Court, are they that privately sell all Offices and Employ∣ments, to the Vice-roys and great Mandarins of the Provinces. On the other side, they to satis∣fy their Avarice, and to reimburse themselves of

the Money laid out for their Preferments, extort Presents from the Presidents of Territories and Cities, who repay themselves upon the Governors of Towns and Burroughs, and they, or rather all together, make themselves whole again, and reple∣nish their Purses at the Expence of the Miserable People. So that it is a common Proverb in China, that the King unwittingly lets loose so many Hang-Men, Murderers, hungry Dogs and Wolves to ruin and devour the Poor People, when he Creates new Mandarins to Govern them. In short there is not any Vice-roy, Visitor of a Province, or any such like Officer, who at the end of Three years of his being employ'd, that does not return with Six or Seven hundred Thousand, and sometimes a Million of Crowns. From whence I draw one Con∣clusion, which to me seems undeniable, that if we consider the natural Inclination, and insatiable ava∣rice of the Chineses, there is very little Money in China; but if we consider the Riches which She possesses within Her self, there is not any Kingdom that may compare with it.

There is in China a vast Quantity of Copper, Iron, Tin, and all other sorts of Metals; especi∣ally Copper and Lattin, of which they make their Great Guns, an infinite number of Idols and Sta∣tues, and several sorts of Dishes and Cups of various forms, and of a Price and value extraordinary. There are some of these Vessels, which either for their Antiquity, or because they were made in such a King's Reign, or by such a Workman, tho' otherwise very ordinary and clownish, are valu'd at several Hundreds of Crowns, nay sometimes a Thousand and more. And indeed the City of Macao affords us an evident proof of the great plenty of these Mettals. For that in that one City there are cast such numbers of great Guns to be ad∣mir'd

for their goodness, their bigness, and their Workmanship, which not only serve for the use of that City, but to supply several places in the Indies, and even Portugal it self. Moreover, a Man may judge of the Great Plenty of Copper and Tin in China, by the great quantity of Copper and Tin Money that is made over all the Empire. These pieces of Money have square holes in the Middle, and so are threaded upon Strings, which contain every one a Thousand Deniers. And generally you exchange a String of a Thousand Deniers for one Crown, or Chinese Tael; and this exchange is made in Banks and publick places appointed for the same purpose.

By the way we are here to take notice, that there is not any Memorial extant in China, neither do we meet with any Record in their Histories or any other o•…•… their Books, that ever they made use o•…•… Paper-Money in that Kingdom, as M. Polo tells us in his second Book, Chapter eighteenth. But in regard that M. Polo is an Author of good Re∣putation, I will here unfold the Reason that made him commit that mistake. The Copper Money of China is round, and generally about the bigness of a Portuguese Real and a half. It has Letters stamp'd upon it, which on the one side de∣clare the Name of the Reigning Prince; on the other, the Name of the Tribunal that caus'd it to be Covn'd. The Pieces of Gold and Silver are not Coyn'd, but cast into Lingots in the form of a small Boat, which at Macao are call'd Paes, or Loaves of Gold or Silver. Both the one and the other are of a different value. The Loaves of Gold are of the value of one, two, ten, and twenty Crowns. Those of Silver, of the value of half a Crown, one Crown, Ten, Twenty, Fifty, and sometimes a Hundred, and three Hundred Crowns.

These they cut with Steel Scizars, which the peo∣ple carry about them for that purpose, and divide them into pieces, bigger or lesser, according to the value of the purchas'd Commodity. This being granted, you are to take notice, that the first and fifteenth day of every Month, and at all times that the Chineses carry their Dead to Enterrment, they burn a great quantity of Money and Loaves made of Pastboard, cover'd over with Leaf-Tin, and guilded over with Leaf-Gold, Varnish'd with Yellow. Now these Pastboard Figures are so like the real Tin Money, and Loaves of Gold and Silver, that Foreigners who are not well instructed in the Customes and Superstitions of this Nation, may easily be deceiv'd. So much the rather, because they see in the Streets and Piazza's at every turn, Men laden, & Shops full of this Counterfeit Money. Now the Chineses burn them, because they believe the Ashes turn to Copper Money, and Loaves of Gold and Silver, which their deceas'd Parents make use of in the other World to hire Houses, and to buy Cloaths and Victuals, and to purchase the Favour of the King of Hell, his Ministers and his Executioners; to the end they may use them with less severity, and be more remiss in their torments; as also to oblige them not to delay, but rather to hasten the time of their Transmigra∣tion or Metempsycosis, by translating their Souls not into the Bodies of Beasts, but into the Bo∣dies of Men considerable for their Learning, their Honors, and their Wealth; such is the ex∣traordinary ignorance and blindness of these Infidels. We are also farther to observe, that Anciently, when the Kings of China wanted Mo∣ney, they gave to the Mandarins and Souldiers in part of their Pay, certain Tickets sign'd and seal'd with the King's Seal. Which Tickets were made

of Past-board, about the bigness of half a sheet of Paper, with their Price or Value written upon them. Thus when any Person was to receive a Hun∣dred Crowns, they paid him Fifty in ready Money and the other Fifty in these sort of Tickets: which are call'd Chao, whence the word Chao fu is deriv'd. But because the People scrupl'd to re∣cieve these Billets instead of Money, the King order'd that an Employment should be given to him that should take up these Billets and bring a Hundred back into the Royal Treasury; and a more considerable Employment to him that should bring in a Thousand, and so proportionably for a greater Number. Which as it was a great advan∣tage to the King, so was it no less gainful to the wealthier sort, for that they got Employments, which they could never have obtain'd but by that means; & wherein that Nation places their chiefest glory and felicity. However this expedient could not satisfie the Generality, who were unwilling and grumbl'd to part with their Commodities and Provisions for a piece of Past-board; which was the occasion of many Quarrels and Disputes; so that at last the Court was oblig'd to suppress these Billets, to avoid those Inconveniences, and many others, which they every day foresaw. So that after some few Ages, those Pastboards were no longer in use. However, there is no question to be made, but that these were the Reasons that induc'd M. Polo to assert in several Parts of his History, that the Chineses made use of Pastboard or Paper Money.

The white Silk and Wax of China, are things that are worthy to be taken notice of. The first is the best in the World; and the second is not on∣ly the best, but that which is singular, and no where else to be found but in this Kingdom. All

Men know the great plenty and goodness of the Silk which is made over all China. The Ancients had the Knowledge of it, in regard they call China the Kingdom of Silk; and the Moderns know it by Experience, in regard that many Nations both of Asia and Europe load out several Caravans, and great Numbers of Ships, with Chinese Silk, both wrought and raw. And this same vast Plenty of Silk appears yet more, by the incredible Num∣ber of Silk Stuffs both plain and intermix'd with Gold and Silver, which are worn over all the Kingdom. The petty Kings, the Princes, the Grandees and their Servants, the Eunuchs, the Mandarins, the Men of Learning, the wealthy Burgesses, also all the Women, and a fourth part of the Men, wear Silk Garments, as well upper as undermost. Nay, it is so common at Court, that the very Footmen that run by their Masters Horses, are clad in Sattin and Damask. But lastly, a man may be convinc'd of this inexhaustible Plen∣ty of Silk, by the Three hundred sixty five Barks of which we have already spoken, which the Pro∣vinces of Nam kin and Che kiam alone, send every year to the Court, laden not only with Pieces of Tissue, Damask, Sattins and Velvets of different Shapes and Colours, but rich and costly Garments for the King, the Queen, the Princes their Chil∣dren, and all the Ladies of the Court. To which we may add the Hundreds of thousand Pounds of raw and wrought Silk, which the other Provinces Pay by way of Tribute to the King; of which I shall presently give an Accompt. So that of ne∣cessity China must have an undrainable plenty of Silk, since the Tribute which it pays is so great.

The Wax is the most beautiful, the clearest [ A] & the whitest, that ever was seen; and tho it be not so common as B•…•…es-wax in Europe; however

there is enough to serve the King, and all that be∣long to the Palace; for the Grandees, the Lords, and all the Mandarins that are in actual Employ∣ment, for all the Learned and rich People. It is found in several of the Provinces, but in greatest Abundance in the Province of Hû quàm, and the most excellent for whiteness and Beauty. It comes from certain Trees, which in the Province of Xan tūm are but small, but in that of Hu quàm are as large as the Pagod Trees in the East Indies, or the Chesnut Trees in Europe: however it does not sweat out of the Tree, like Rosin out of the Pine Tree, but is produc'd by a particular Industry of Nature. There is in these Provinces a small Ani∣mal no bigger than a Flea, but so restless, so active and vigorous, so quick at biting and penetrating, that it pierces with an extraordinary swiftness, not only the Skins of Men and Beasts, but the Branches and Bodies of Trees. The most esteem'd are those of the Province of Xan tūm, where the Inhabitants pick the Eggs of these Animals out of the Trees, and hoard them up. These Eggs in the Spring turn to little Worms, with which they fill the hollow∣nesses of large Canes, and carry them into the Province of Hû quàm to sell. At the beginning of the Spring they lay these Worms at the roots of the Trees; where they are no sooner lay'd, but with an incredible swiftness they run up the Bodies of the Trees, and take possession of the Branches and Boughs as it were by a kind of natural Instinct; where being always in motion with a wonderful Activity, they bite, pierce, and penetrate to the very pith, which by a peculiar property that God has given them, they prepare, purifie and turn to Wax as white as Snow. Afterwards they thrust it up through the holes which they have made to the Superficies, where by means of the Wind and

the Cold, it congeals and hangs like so many drops or Isicles. And then the Owners of the Trees come and gather it, and make it into Cakes like our Cakes of Wax, and then Sell it all over the Kingdom.

'Tis true that there is not in any part of this Empire any Woollen Cloth comparable to the Cloth which we make use of in Europe; never∣theless there are several sorts of Serges, and those very fine, and very costly, of an Ashie or Cinna∣mon Colour, which are worn by Old People and Persons of Quality in the Winter. The Country People, and Meaner sort, make their Garments of Cotton Cloth, of which there is such an extraor∣dinary plenty, and of so many several Colours, that it is scarce possible to express it. But much more impossible to express the Value, Richness, Beauty, Plenty, and Variety of the Furrs in this Nation, which are worn in all the Northern Pro∣vinces, especially at the Court at Pe-kim. I shall only make this Observation, for the better confir∣mation of the Truth of what I say, that when the King appears publickly in his Royal Room of State, which he does Four Times in a Month, the Four Thousand Mandarins that come to pay him their Homages, are all cover'd from Head to Foot with Sables of an extraordinary Value. The Women also are Clad with the same sort; and the Chineses not only Line their Buskins and their Bonnets, but Face the Saddles of their Horses with several sorts of Furrs; nay, they Line their Seats their Chairs, and the inside of their Tents with Furrs. Among the Common People, the more Wealthy sort, wear Lambskins; the Poorer sort wrap themselves in Sheepskins. So that in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Winter time there is not any Person that is no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up in the Skins and Furrs of several 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ as Sables, Martins, Foxes, Wolves, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 several others, of

which I do not know the Names in Portuguese: and some of these Skins are so high-priz'd, that a Garment will cost a Hundred, Three Hundred, and Four Hundred Crowns.

As for Flesh, Fish, Fruit, and other Provisions, it is enough to say, that they have all which we have in Europe, and many more Varieties that we have not; the Cheapness of which sufficiently de∣monstrates their Plenty. Now as the Chinese Language is very Laconick and short, so is their Writing, which is the reason that they express all these things with Six Letters or Syllables. The Two first are, ù co, which signifie, that there are Five Principal sorts of Grain; Rice, Wheat, Oats, Millet, Pease, and Beans. The other Two are Lo trio, signifying that there are Six sorts of the Flesh of Tame Animals; Horses, Cows, Pork, Dogs, Mules, and Goats. The Two last, Pe quò, signifie that there are a Hundred sorts of Fruits; as Pears, Apples, Peaches, Grapes, Oranges, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Pomegranates, Citrons, and several other sorts, which we have also in Europe, except Three, which we have not. The first of the Three is call'd Sū sù, and at Macao Figs of China, not that they resemble Figs in shape, but because the Tast of Figs is somewhat like to the Tast of this Fruit, which is so Delicious, that it may well be call'd a Lump of Sugar. The largest and the best are about the bigness of a Quince, but somewhat flatter, or a little more seemingly crush'd. The Colour of it is a lively deep Yel∣low, truly resembling the true Golden Apple. The second sort is call'd Li chi, and the third Lum yen, and at Macao, Lichia, and Longans. These two Fruits, whether Eaten newly gather'd, or dry'd, are of a most Exquisite Tast. It may be object∣ed perhaps, that in lieu of these we have Quinces,

Medlers, and Services: but beside that those Fruits are also to be met with in the Province of Xan si, there is no comparison between the Tast of the one and the other, especially the Two latter; which are not to be Eaten neither, but when they are Rotten.

All manner of Game is also there so plentiful, that during the Three Months of Winter, you shall see in several places appointed for the sport of Hunting, several Nets of one or two Musket Shot in length, spread forth upon Tacks, and heaps of several sorts of Land and Water Fowl, harden'd and set upon their Legs, [ B] and as it were Embalm'd from Corruption by the Vehemency of the Cold. Among the rest of their Game, there are to be seen wild Bears of three sorts, which the Chineses call Gin hium, or Men-Bears; Keu Hium, or Dog-Bears, and Chiu Hium, or Pig-Bears; because of their several Re∣semblances, especially in the Head and Paws. The Paws of Bears well boyl'd, are highly esteem'd in the Banquets of the Chineses, and their Fat is a great Entertainment for the Tartars, who eat it raw, temper'd with Honey. Nevertheless these Bears are very rare, and consequently very dear. But there are such vast Numbers of all other sorts of Creatures, as Deer of several Kinds, wild Boars, Ellands, Hares, Conies, wild Cats and Rats, Geese, Ducks, all manner of Wood Fowl, Par∣tridges, Quails of different sorts and shapes, which we have not in Europe, and all so cheap, that I could never have believ'd it, had I not been con∣vinc'd by my own Experience for Two and twen∣ty years together that I liv'd at Court.

Notes upon the Tenth Chapter.

A. P. 139. The Wax is the fairest, &c.

OTher Relations speak of this Wax produc'd out of Trees, but not with so many curious Circum∣stances. Father Trigaut says, that the flame of it is very clear, and that it is whiter and not so unctuous as ordinary Wax. Another Author writes that it is Transparent, and that you may see the Week through it. Father Trigaut says moreover, That the Chineses make another sort of very white Wax drawn from a Tree, but that it does not give so clear a Light as the first. Another Relation gives this Description of the Tree and the Fruit of it.

There is in the Province of To Kien, a fair Tree, large and well tufted with Boughs call'd Ku ei Xu, which grows by the River side. In December it pro∣duces a Fruit of a dark Green colour, as big as a Hazel Nut; the green Peel of which dryes up of it self, and sheds off by degrees, and then appears a certain Sub∣stance as white as Snow, like to Suet exactly try'd. This the People gather at the End of December, or Be∣ginning of January; afterwards they melt it, and make Candles of it, which are like to white Wax, and yield no ill smell. They make use of these Candles all the Year, tho they last much longer in the Summer than in the Winter, and cost not above Fourteen pence the Pound. Out of the Dregs and Lees of this Fruit, they press out an Oyl which serves for Lamps. This Fru•…•… is very Extraordinary, and shews us how Heaven h•…•… favour'd China above other Countrys.

B. P. 143. Fix'd upon their Legs, and as it were Embalm'd from Corruption by the vehemency of the Cold, &c.

This by no means ought to be look'd upon as a thing incredible; since it is the ordinary Effect of Cold. All the Spanish Histories report, That in the Voyage that Diego d' Almagro made to the Country of Chili, several of his Men crossing the high Mountains of Andes, growing numm and stiff with cold, were frozen to Death ei∣ther upon their Horses backs, or standing upon their legs and leaning against the Rocks. In which Postures they were found a long time after without any Corruption. The Relation also of Muscovy, which I have already quoted once before, tells us that there is, every Winter, a great quantity of Sturgeon of Astracan sold in the Market at Mosco, stiffen'd and preserv'd sweet and wholesom by the vehemency of the Cold; as also whole heaps of other Fish cover'd over with Snow.