A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

The Description of the Kingdome of CHINA.

THE whole tract of Asia which lyes severed from Persia by the River In∣dus on the West, is well knowne by one generall name of the East Indie: and that againe is divided, by the o∣ther famous River Ganges, into In∣dia intra Gangem, the part which lookes toward Europe, and is conje∣ctured by most, to be the same with the land of Evilah: and India extra Gangem to the very East, some thinke it was that, which of old was called Seria: both have now other names imposed by the Inhabitants: the first In∣dostand; this other Tame, Tangis, Mangi, or Macys, and lastly Sinarum Regio, China.

(2) This Kingdome then is the utmost bounds Eastward of the whole Continent, and therefore lies farthest remote from Christendome; the mistresse of arts, and example of civilitie to all the other parts of the world: yet doe the Chinoyse much ex∣ceede us, for ample Cities, ingenious artificers, and multitude of Inhabitants; which (me thinkes) pleads fairely for her an∣tiquitie, though I give not full credit to those, which settle here the sonnes of Iocktan, much lesse to their owne records, which reckon two hundred threescore and two Kings, in almost a continued succession to this day; and number from their first, above foure thousand yeares. For to make this good they must either varie from us in their measure of times, as we from the Germanes in length of miles; else we must commit a foule er∣rour, to look beyond the Flood for their originall: since that time, it is not yet above three thousand nine hundred twenty; and surely I thinke they were not exempted from the generall de∣luge, no more then from the sinnes of the whole earth.

(3) But if this conjecture of different account be not appro∣ved, the solecisme must rest (for me) upon their owne ignorant vain-glory, which in their stories, transport them beyond pro∣bability; upon hope (perhaps) that no other Nation could con∣trowle them; for in those first ages, they had little converse, un∣lesse with men more barbarous then themselves; such as could not deliver their acts to posteritie: and therefore being left whol∣ly to their owne relations, good reason they thought they had, to doe themselves what honour they might, though ignorance of the main truth, makes them oft times to trespasse upon Chro∣nologie, and forge stories so unlikely, that the whole may be justly suspected.

(4) Their first King they name Vitei, and report him to have reigned an hundred yeares: his successours went on with∣out breach or conquest to their two hundred fourtie second Prince, but were then for a while, cut off by the Tartarians. This change was foretold to Farfar, the last China King of the first race; and the Prophecy laid it upon one, which should have an hundred eyes: and so had Chisanbaan the Invader, if you will allow his name to make up the miracle: For the very word in their language signifies no other then an hundred eyes: A poore cousenage of the Devill, but served the turne first to dazle them with a strange Prophecy, and then to keepe up his credit in the performance, with the simple idolaters. After nine Tartarian Princes, it was againe recovered to the state, in which it now stands, by the prowesse of one Gombne their 251. King.

(5) This briefe account of their beginning and progresse, is more then I can warrant for undoubted truth. The most part was past, ere they were a people knowne to the Europeans: for Ptolemy himselfe scarce reached so far toward the East: or if it be the same, with his Sinarum Regio, (which yet some doubt) yet (it seemes) he knew little more of it, then the bare name: we must be content to passe over many ages untoucht, and break abruptly, into our owne times and stories, which doe afford us more certaintie by the relation of later travailors, some of our owne Nation.

(6) It is now a vast Empire, which containes in latitude al∣most fortie degrees from the Tropike of Cancer to the fifty three towards the Pole Artike; and thirty in Longitude from the de∣gree one hundred thirty to one hundred sixty: the bounds on the West is Indostan, India intra Gangem, on the East Mare Cin; on the North the Empire of the great Chane, severed from the Chinoyse by high mountaines, continued with a wall of a thou∣sand miles in length, built by Tzanitzon, their 117. King: and on the South the Kingdome or Chan chin chinae, part of the other India intra Gangem.

(17) The ayre here is temperate, and the ground fruitfull: the mountaines and wilde fields breed incredible numbers of Cattell, and the Woods wilde Boares, Foxes, Hares, Conies, and other usefull beasts, which gives us flesh for our food, and skinnes for our cloathing. The tilled ground returnes againe plenty of Corne, Wheate, and Barley; their higher Poulse, and their lower Rice, in great abundance: their gardens pleasant, set with all sorts of flowers, which may delight either the eye, or sent: no clodde (almost) of earth there, but hath its wealth; for what yeelds not fruite, is inricht with Mines of Gold and Silver. Their chiefe River is Polysango, both it and the rest give fish in great abundance, and water-fowle enough almost to feed a whole Nation: Maginus reports it, that tenne or twelve thou∣sand wilde-ducks have beene commonly spent in one day in the Citie Canton: besides their owne profit, they advantage them much in their course of traffique, to convey their Mer∣chandize into severall parts of the Empire, to meete with their chapmen from all quarters. Their principall Commodities are Silkes and Sugars: yet besides these they send forth Wooll, Cotton, Olives, Metals, Rheubarbe, Honey, Purslaine dishes, Camphire, Ginger, Pepper, &c. Muske, Salt great store, whose Custome, in onely one Towne of Canton, amounts to the yeare∣ly value of 18000. Crownes. To this happinesse of soyle may be added the thrift and great industrie of the Inhabitants, who hold it a foule disgrace to be accounted idle: and therefore make the most of what they have: so that without doubt, as they are infinitely populous, so they are proportionably rich, beyond any other Nation of the world.

(8) The Chinoyse is described with a broad face of a duskie colour, crooked nose, small and black eyes, and very thinne beard, but long haire on the head: if any be deformed (for so they take it) with a better feature, they are as like to breake a jeast upon his handsome comely visage, as a scoffer would upon their ill fashioned countenance. The better sort are cloathed in long silke garments; the ordinary people in linen, for they have not yet the art well to weave wollen: Their women deck their heads, with gold and precious jewels, seldome shew themselves abroad without great attendance of servants.

(9) The men in their severall imployments, are infinitely laborious and ingenious; it is very rare, to see any of them in a strange Countrey: nor will they easily admit a stranger farre in∣to theirs, unlesse he be first well tried, for his honesty and good meaning toward their state: they are addicted much to manuall arts, for they have excellent practick wits; and indeed for that goe beyond any other Nations. Much quarrell hath beene about the invention of Gunnes and Printing, which severall people have beene ambitious to take to themselves, as the master-piece of mans wit: but without doubt, they were both used here, long before any of Europe pretended to the knowledge of ei∣ther. In their writings, they make not their lines from the right, hand to the left, as the Hebrewes; nor from the left to the right as we doe; but from the top to the bottome of the page: and use all one Character, through the whole Kingdome, though severall parts differ much in their language, or at least in their idiomes. Their speciall skill, which we much admire, but can∣not imitate, is in making the Purslaine dishes white as very snow and transparent as glasse, formed up onely of Cockles found in the Sea-shore mixt with Egge-shelles: but lye buried in the earth many yeares, before they come to perfection, and are sel∣dome

[illustration] map of China

the KINGDOME OF CHINA newly augmented by I.S. 1626

tooke up by the same artificer, which kneads them, but are left as a portion to some of his posteritie.

(10) Their fashions in private houses are not much unlike to those of Europe, at boord they sit in chaires, and upon formes, not loll on the floore, as most of the Asiaticks doe: they touch not their meate with the hand, but use the Silver-forke, or else some stick of Ivory or Ebonie, not much unlike it: they eate thrice in one day, but sparingly enough: when they travaile over the Plaines, they use a kinde of Coach, yet not drawne with horses or other beast, but driven by the winde under sayle as a Barke on the Sea, which the people are as perfect to guide, which way they please, as the Mariner is to direct his course un∣to any coast, whither he is bound: as they sayle upon land, as if it were sea, so they dwell as frequent upon the sea, as if it were land: for they have an incredible number of ships, and boates, which are in many places ranked like streets upon the waters, and filled with Inhabitants, such as are here borne, live, traf∣fique, marry, and die. M^r. Purchas reports that upon one River from Nanquin to Paquin they are thus ordered for 300. leagues. No marvaile then, if their number exceed any part proportion∣ably of the whole earth; since their land is not sufficient, but is forced to borrow roome out of the Sea for their habitation: yet are they all governed by one Monarch, whom they call the Lord of the world, and sonne to the Sunne. For they are a proud Na∣tion, and admit not equall comparison with any other earth∣lings; but cast it as a Proverbe into their teeth, that they have but one eye to see with, in respect of the Chinoys, who alone (as themselves boast) see with two: the truth is, in matters of state, they are very politique, in peace wary, and in warre valiant, craf∣tie and excellent engineers.

(11) Their lawes are for the most part just and severely ex∣ecuted, especially against idle droanes, which set not a hand to advance their state, or maintaine themselves. They will not cherish the very blinde by almes, since without eyes, a man may be fit for some corporall imployment; but to the maimed and lame, they denie not a charitable maintenance. The sonne is bound to exercise his parents occupation, so that no pretence almost is left for wanderers: and briefly, as farre as humane laws can provide, all other vaine occasions, for misexpence of time, are taken off; for within the Cities no stews are allowed, or lewd persons to withdraw them: adultery is punished with death, but yet they have liberty to take many wives: one they keep at home, the rest are disposed of abroad, where they best please. Their Marriages they chiefly solemnize at the new Moone, and for the most part in March, which beginnes their yeare.

(12) For their Religion they are Gentiles, but have a confu∣sed knowledge of God, heaven, and the creation, which they a∣scribe to one Trine, who first (say they) made Pauson and Pau∣zona, and their posteritie continued for 90000. yeares; but were then, for their wickednesse destroyed, and a new race was crea∣ted. The first of their second world was one Lutitzam, who had two hornes; from the right came men, as they fondly ima∣gine and from the left women: when they would decipher their great god, they expresse him by the first letter of their Alphabet; and in their devotions, they worship him as their chiefe (but not onely) preserver: for they have their prayers to the Sunne, Moone, Starres, and to the Devill himselfe, that he would not hurt them. Their Priests are distinguisht into the blacke and white Friers, as we call them: for they much resemble Friers in their course of life; some are clothed in white, their heads shorn, and their victualls in common: others in black, long haire and live apart: neither are married, but both take their libertie to live obscenely, as the debauchest swaggerers.

(13) The Empire is divided into 15. Provinces, (1) Canton. (2) Feguien. (3) Olam. (4) Sisnam. (5) Tolench. (6) Causaie. (7) Minchien. (8) Ochian. (9) Honan. (10) Pagina. (11) Zaiton. (12) Quinchien. (13) Cheguean. (14) Susnam. (15) Quinsay. All of large extent, and containe in them many towns, and cities, in number more, in compasse bigger, and in wealth more eminent, then the best of ours.

(14) (1) In the Province of Canton are 190. Towns & 37. Cities. (2) In Feguien, 99. Townes and 33. Cities. (3) In O∣lam 130. Towns and 90. Cities. (4) In Sisnam 150. Townes and 44. Cities. (5) In Tolench 235. Townes and 51. Cities: and this is governed immediately by the Emperour himselfe, without any substitute as all the other Provinces have, excep•• Pagina. (6) Cansaie hath 122. Townes 24. Cities. (7) Min∣chien 29. Townes 25. Cities. (8) Ochiam 74. Townes 19. Ci∣ties. (9) Honan 102. Townes and 20. Cities. (10) Pagina 150. Townes and 47. Cities.

(15) The chiefe of this is Paquin where he hath his con∣tinuall residence, and scarce at any time leaves the Citie, un∣lesse upon occasion of warre: for it is seated neer to the Tartars, who oft times make assaults upon the Chinoyse, and force the King to gather his strengh into that quarter; and he himselfe present to withstand their entry: lest if they should once get footing into any part of his Countrey, they might incroach far∣ther, and inable themselves by his spoyles to follow their blow upon his other Provinces. His palace here is compassed with a triple wall, carries the bulke and face of a faire Towne; for in∣deed his retinue are no fewer then might well people a large Citie: among the rest he hath 16000. Eunuches daily attending, such as their owne parents have emasculated in their infancie, to make them capable of this Court-preferment. The seat Impe∣riall was heretofore at Nanquin, where still remaines a golden testimony of her past glory. It is a faire Citie thirtie miles in compasse, seated nine leagues from the Sea upon a faire and na∣vigable River, where there rides commonly at least 10000. of the Kings ships, beside Merchants. It hath three brick walles, the streets are sixe miles in length, of a proportionable bredth, and trimly paved.

(16) (11) Zaiton hath 78. Townes and 27. Cities: the chiefe is Zaiton, which hath a fair harbour, and is seldome with∣out 500. ships. (12) Quinchien hath 113. Townes and 45. Cities. (13) Cheguean 95. Townes and 39. Cities. (14) Susnam 105. Townes and 41. Cities. (15) And lastly Quinsay 114. Townes 38 Cities.

(17) The Metropolis is Quinsay or Suntien, the largest Citie of the world: for it contains 100. miles in compasse: it is seated in a low and fenny ground, is subject to Floods, and hath beene forced in very many places, to erect bridges for free passage from one street to another: there are in a••l 12000. built of stone, and most of them so high, that a good ship may strike under them with full sayle: each of them hath its tenne watch∣men, for a night-guard. The Inhabitants of this City live luxu∣riously, especially their women, who are much more comely then their men; yet all of them almost eat both horse and dogs flesh. Toward the South part of the Citie there is a great lake about 24. miles in circuit; in the midst stand two Ilands, whither the chiefe Nobilitie repaire and invite their friends to solemnize their marriage, and have in each a stately palace ere∣cted, furnished sufficiently with all fitting ornaments, for a wed∣ding jollitie. In many parts of the Citie there are publique places of receit, for such as sustaine any misfortune by fire: there they may lodge their goods safe upon a sudden casualtie, till they can make better provision.

(18) It were vaine to give a more particular description of the many Cities which make up the severall numbers in each Province: they stand so thick, and are so populous, that they all seeme to be as one; one, as well for their continued building almost, as their fashion of building: for they all observe the same forme, and dispose their streets alike; two broad, crossing each other in the middle in so straight a line, that the eye may reach clean from one end to the other.

(19) We may conclude, that both the revenues of the whole Empire, and number of Inhabitants, are not easily to be rec∣koned: yet this in briefe, he hath subject under him 70. crowned Kings, gathers up yearely 120. millions of Crownes, stirres not into the field without 300000. foote and 200000. horse. To this empire did once belong most of the Ilands in the Easterne Seas, but it seemes the Chinoyse in time found, that their defence was a businesse of more charge then their worth countervailed: and therefore let them even slip into their owne hands, and bounded their government with the Sea-coast: yet for such as lye in the same Latitude, from the Tropike toward the Pole, they may most properly, be named at least in this description, and but named; since they were before set forth in our generall mappe of Asia. The chiefe are Lequio minor, Reix Magos, Le∣quio major, Mazacar, Iapan, a very lare Iland, Insula de Miaco, and Satyrorum Insula, &c.