Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. IIII. Mindo Salt-pits: Mines of Coretumbaga, Copper-workes; Idolatry and Chri∣stianitie; China Trades, and Riuer Faires; their comming to Pequin, tryall and sentence. Rarities of Pequin.

TO returne to our Voyage, from Pacan and Nacau,* 1.1 wee passed vp the Riuer to Min∣doo, a greater Citie then either of the former, which on the Land side had a great [ 10] Lake of Salt-water, with great store of Salt-pits therein, which the Chinois said, did ebbe and flow like the Sea, from which it is aboue two hundred leagues distant; and that this Citie Rents to the King yearely one hundred thousand Taeis, of the thirds of the Salt, and as much more of the Silkes, Sugars, Porcelane, Camfire, Vermillion, Quick-siluer,* 1.2 which are there in great quantitie. Two leagues aboue this Citie were twelue long Houses, in which many men were sounding and purifying Copper, making such a noyse with the Ham∣mers that this place (if any on Earth) may resemble Hell. In each House were fortie Furnaces, twentie on a side, with fortie great Anuiles, on each whereof eight men were hammering round, with such quicknes as scarce permitted the eyes obseruance;* 1.3 so that in each house there were three hundred and twentie continuall Labourers, besides Workmen of other kinds. Wee asked how much Copper they might make yearely, and they answered, betwixt one hundred and ten, and one hundred and twentie thousand Pikes, of which the King had two parts, because the Mynes were his; the Hill where the Mine was, is called Coretumbaga, that is, Riuer of Copper, which in two hundred yeares (so long was since the Discouery) was not emptied.

Aboue these Houses one league neere the Riuer, wee saw on a Hill encompassed with three rewes of Iron Grates, thirtie Houses in fiue rankes, very long, with great Towres of Bels of Metall, and Cast-Iron, with gilded Pillars and carued workes, and artificiall Frontis-pieces of stone. Here we went on Land by Chifus leaue, because hee had so vowed to that Pago∣de, which is called Bigaypotim, that is, the God of one hundred and ten thousand Gods, Corchoo,* 1.4 Fun∣gane, [ 30] ginato ginaca, strong & great (say they) aboue all the rest: For they hold euery thing hath a particular God which made it and preserues it in its nature, & that this Bigaypotim brought forth all of them at his arme-pits, and that of him they all hold their being, as of a father by filiall vni∣on, which they call Bijaporentesay. In Pegu where I haue beene sometimes, there is a Pagode like this (there called Ginocoginana,* 1.5 the God of all greatnesse) whose Temple was built by the Chinois when they ruled in India, which was after their Computation accorded with ours from Anno Dom. 1013. till 1072. conquered by Oxiuagan, whose Successor seeing how much bloud was payd for so little good, voluntarily relinquished it. In those thirtie Houses stood a great quantitie of Idols of gilded wood, and as many more of Tinne, Copper, Latten, Iron, Porcelane, so many that I dare not mention the number. Wee had not gone thence sixe or seuen [ 40] leagues, when we saw a great Citie ruined with the houses and wals on the ground, seeming a league in circuit. The Chinois said, that it had beene called Cohilouzaa, that is, Flowre of the field,* 1.6 sometimes prosperous; and that one hundred fortie two yeares since, as is written in a Booke, na∣me Toxefalem, there came in company of Merchants from the Port of Tanaçarini, a man which wrought Miracles, in a moneths space raising vp fiue dead persons, the Bonzos saying, he was a Witch, and because they could not hold dispute with him, prouoking the people against him, saying, that if they did not kill him, God would punish them with fire from Heauen.* 1.7 The in∣raged multitude killed one Iohn a Weauer, where he sojourned, and his two Sonnes in Law, and his Sonne; which sought to defend him, and when they had gone about to burne him, in vaine, the fire being extinct, the Bonzos stoned him, preaching Christ vnto them, which had come [ 50] from Heauen to dye for Sinners, and to giue life to all which professed his Law with Faith and Works. They say, that the bodie was cast into the Riuer, which for the space of fiue dayes would not runne lower, and thereby many were moued to professe that Religion: and as wee doubled a point of Land, we saw a Crosse of stone on a little Hill enuironed with Trees. Chifus Wife fal∣ling into trauell (of which she dyed) we stayed there nine dayes, and did our Deuotions thereto,* 1.8 prostrate on the Earth. The people of the Village (called Xifangu) maruelling, came running to the place and falling on their knees, kissed the Crosse often, saying, Christo Iesu, Iesu Christo, Maria Micau, late impone Moudel, that is, was a Virgin in his Conception, Birth, and after it. They asked if they were Christians, and we affirming it, had vs to their Houses and vsed vs kindly, being all of that Weauers Posteritie and Christians. They also confirmed that which [ 60] the Chinois had told vs, and shewed vs the Booke printed of his Miracles, which they said was named Matthew Escandel, an Hungarian by Nation, an Heremite of Mount Sinay,* 1.9 borne at Bu∣da. That Booke tels that nine dayes after his death, the Citie Cohilouza shooke so, that the peo∣ple ranne out into the fields, and abode in Tents;* 1.10 to whom the Bonzos came and bid them feare nothing, for they would beseech Quiay Tiguarem, The God of the night, to command the Earth

to doe so no more, otherwise they would giue him no Almes. Thus went the Priests alone in Procession to that Idols House, and making their night-Sacrifices and Perfumes, the Earth qua∣ked about eleuen of the clocke at night, and ouerthrew the whole Citie (one only of about foure thousand Bonzos remayning aliue) into a Lake more then one hundred fathomes deepe, called after this Fiunganorsee, that is, punished from Heauen.

* 1.11Hence we came to a great Citie, called Iunquilinau, very rich, with many Iunkes and Barkes, where we stayed fiue dayes, Chifu there celebrating his Wiues Exequies, and giuing vs food and rayment for her soule, freeing vs from the Oare, and giuing vs leaue to goe on Land when wee would, without our * 1.12 Collers, which was very great ease to vs. Thence we went vp the Riuer, still seeing on both sides many and faire Cities and Townes, and other very great populations, [ 10] strongly walled, and Fortresses alongst the water with Towres and rich Houses of their Sects, with innumerable cattell in the fields, and shipping in the Riuer, in some places fiue hundred, six hundred,* 1.13 yea, one thousand sayle, in which were sold all things could be named. Many Chinois affirmed, that there were as many liued in that Empire on the water, as in Cities and Townes: so many in both, that were it not for the good gouernment of their Trades, they would eate one an other. As in Duckes, one trades in buying and hatching the Egges, and selling the young; another in breeding them for sale when they are great, others in the Feathers, others in the heads, and in wares, others in the Egges, &c. none interloping the others Trade vnder paine of thirtie stripes. In Hogs, one trades in selling them together aliue, others kill them, and sell them by weight, others in Bacon, others in Pigges, others in Souse. So in fish, hee which sels fresh [ 20] may not sell salt, some sell them aliue, &c. and so in Fruits and other things. And none may change his Trade without license.* 1.14 They haue also along this Riuer of Batampina, in which wee went from Nanquin to Pequin, (the distance of one hundred and eightie leagues) such a number of Ingenios for Sugar, and Presses for Wines, and Oyles made of diuers sorts of Pulse and Fruits, that there are streets of them on both sides of the Riuer, of two or three leagues in length. In o∣ther parts are many huge store-houses of infinite prouisions of all sorts of flesh, in which are salted and smoked Beefe, tame and wilde Hogs, Ducks, Geese, Cranes, Bustards, Emes, Deere, Buffals, Ants, Horse, Tygres, Dogs, and all flesh which the Earth brings forth, which amuzed and am••∣zed vs exceedingly, it seeming impossible that there should bee people in the World to eate the same. Wee saw also great store of Barkes fenced at Poupe and Prow, with Reedes of Canes full [ 30] of Ducks to sell, in diuers lofts ouer one another, which goe out at foure strokes of a Drumme, sixe or seuen thousand together to feed, where they set them, at the sound of the Drumme re∣turning againe, with like exceeding crie. In the like sort they let them out to lay on the grasse. They that hatch them haue long houses with twentie Furnaces full of dung, with some hundreds of Egges couered therein, and hatched by that heate, the mouth stopped till they thinke fit time, then putting in a Capon halfe plucked and wounded on the brest, they shut it againe, and after two dayes, the Capon hath drawne them all forth, and they put them into holes pro∣uided for them.

* 1.15We saw along the Riuer in some places store of Swine wild and tame kept by men on Horse∣backe, in other places tame Deere kept by Footmen, all maymed in the right foreleg, that they [ 40] should not runne away, which they doe when they are young. Wee saw Pennes full of little Dogges to sell, Barkes full of Pigges, others of Lizards, Frogs, Snakes, Snailes, all being meate with them.* 1.16 In these (being of small price) they may fell many kinds. Yea, the dung of men is there sold, and not the worse Merchandize, that stinke yeelding sweet wealth to some, who goe tabouring vp and downe the streets to signifie what they would buy. Two or three hundred sayle are seene sometimes fraighted with this lading in some Port of the Sea; whence the fat∣ned soyle yeelds three Haruests in a yeare.

Wee came to a Faire of China where on the water 2000. Barkes, besides small Boats which goe vp and downe and small Barkes were assembled in one place, and made a Citie with streets in the water aboue a league long,* 1.17 and a third part of a league broad. These Faires are principally [ 50] on the Holy day of some Pagode, whose Temple is by the waters side. In this Water-citie, by the order of the Aitao of Bitampina (who is chiefe President of the thirtie two Admirals of the thirtie two Kingdomes of this Monarchie) are sixtie Captaynes appointed; thirtie for the go∣uernment and ordering of the same in matters of Iustice, and other thirtie to guard the Mer∣chants in comming safely secured from Theeues. Ouer all these is a Chaem, which hath Mere and mixt Rule in Causes Ciuill and Criminall without Appeale. These Faires last from the new Moon to the ful, in which it is a goodly thing to see two thousand streets or ranks strait, enclosed with Barkes,* 1.18 most of them flourishing with Streamers and Banners, and railes painted, whereon are sold all things that can be desired, in others Mechanike Trades, & in the midst Boats going vp and downe with people to trade without any confusion or tumult. As soone as it is night, the [ 60] streets are enclosed with Cables. In euery street is ten Lanthornes lighted on the Masts (which yeelds a fairer lustre then the former sight by day) to see who goeth by and what is his businesse. In each of these streets is a Watch-bell, and when that of the Chaems sounds, all the rest answer with as strange an Object to the Eare as the former to the Eye. In euery of these Vowes are

Oratories built on Barkes with gilded Tents, where the Idoll and Priests receiue the Deuoti∣ons and Offerings of the people.

Amongst other remarkable things we saw one rew or street of aboue one hundred Barkes la∣den with Idols of gilded wood of diuers sort, which are sold to be offered in the Pagodes; and besides, feet, legs, armes, and heads, which sicke folkes offered for Deuotion. Other Barkes there are with Tents of Silke, in which Comedies and pastimes are represented. In others are sold Let∣ters of Exchange, the Priests giuing them Bils to receiue in Heauen what their folly lay downe there, with great increase (Our Scriueners would scarsly grow rich here with that Trade) others are laden with skuls of dead men, they dreaming that all the Almes of those men, whose skuls these [ 10] haue beene, shall belong to their soules, and that the Porter of Heauen seeing them come with thus many attending, will open to him as an honourable person: Others haue Cages of Birds, and call to men to set free those Captiues, which are the creatures of God, with their Almes which they which doe, let loose the Bird and bid him tell God what he hath done in his Seruice: others do the like with liuing fishes, offering their freedome to the charitable Redeemers (which themselues will not giue them; much like the sale of Indulgences) saying, they are Innocents which neuer sin∣ned, which freed by Almes are let goe in the Riuer with commendations of this their Redee∣mers Seruice to the Creator. Other Barkes carry Fidlers and Musicians to offer their Seruice: Others (the Priests) sell Hornes of sacrific••d Beasts, with promise of I know not what Feasts in Heauen: others had Tents of sorrow, Tombes and all Funerall appurtenances with Women-mour∣ners, [ 20] to be let out for Burials: others laden with Books of all sorts of Historie, and these also haue Scriueners and Proctors; others haue such as offer their seruice to fight in defence of their honour; others haue Mid-wiues, others Nurses; others carry graue men and women to comfort those that haue lost Husbands, Wiues, Children, and the like disconsolate persons: others Boyes and Girles for seruice; others offer Counsellors in Cases of Law or Learning; others Physicians: and to conclude, nothing is to bee sought on the Land which is not here to be found in this Water-citie.

Once, the cause of the greatnesse of this Kingdome of China, is this easie concourse of all parts by water and Riuers: some of which in narrow places haue bridges of stone like ours, and some made of one only stone laid ouer, sometimes of eightie, ninetie, or one hundred spannes, long, and fifteene or twentie broad. All the High-wayes haue large Causies made of good stone,* 1.19 [ 30] with Pillers and Arches fairely wrought inscribed with the Founders names and prayses in gol∣den Letters. In many places they haue Wels to refresh the Trauellers. And in more barren and lesse inhabited places are single women which giue free entertainment to such as haue no monie, which abuse and abomination, they call a worke of Mercie,* 1.20 and is prouided by the deceased for good of their soules, with Rents and mayntenance. Others haue also bequeathed in the like places, houses with Lights to see the way, and fires for Trauellers, water and Lodging. I haue in one and twentie yeares vnfortunate trauels seene a great part of Asia, and the riches of Eu∣rope, but if my testimonie be worthy credit, all together is not comparable to China alone: such are the endowments of nature in a wholsome Ayre, Soyle, Riuers, and Seas, with their Policie, Iustice, Riches and State, that they obscure all the lustres of other parts. Yet such is their [ 40] bestiall and Deuillish Idolatry, and filthy Sodomitry publikly permitted, committed, taught by their Priests as a vertue, that I cannot but grieue at their vngratitude.

Departing from this admirable Citie, we sailed vp the Riuer, till on the ninth of October,* 1.21 on Tuesday we came to the great Citie of Pequim, whither wee were sent by Appeale. Wee went three and three as Prisoners, and were put in a Prison called Gofania serca, where for an entrance they gaue each of vs thirtie stripes. Chifu which brought vs presented to the Aitao our Pro∣cesse signed with twelue seales from Nanquiu. The twelue Conchalis which are Criminall Iud∣ges, sent one of their company with two Notaries, and sixe or seuen Officers to the Prison where wee were, and examined vs, to whom we answered as before, and hee appointed vs to make petition to the Tanigores, of the holy Office by our Proctors, and gaue vs a Taell for [ 50] almes, with a caueat to beware of the Prisoners that they robbed vs not; and then went into ano∣ther great Roome, where he heard many Prisoners Causes, three houres together, and then cau∣sed execution to be done on seuen and twentie men, sentenced two dayes before, which all dyed with the blowes to our great terrour.

And the next day wee were collared and manicled,* 1.22 being much afraid that our Calempluys bu∣sinesse would come to light. After seuen dayes the Tanigores of the Hospitall of that Prison came in, to whom we with pitifull lamentation gaue the Certificate which wee brought from Nan∣quin. By their meanes the Conchalis petitioned the Chaem to reuoke the Sentence of cutting off our thumbs, seeing there was no testimonie of theft by vs committed,* 1.23 but only our pouer∣tie, we more needed pitie then rogour. He heard the pleading for and against vs for diuers daies, [ 60] the Prometor or Fiscall laying hard against vs that wee were theeues; but being able to proue nothing, the Chaem suspended him from his Office, and condemned him in twentie Taeis to vs, which was brought vs. And at last we were brought into a great Hall painted with diuers re∣presentations of execution of Iustice for seuerall crimes there written, very fearefull to behold: and at the end a fairer gilded roome crossed the same, where was a Tribunall with seuen steps,

compassed with three rewes of grates, Iron, Latten, and blacke Wood; inlayed with Mother of pearle, hauing a Canopie of Damaske fringed with Gold and greene Silke, and vnderneath a Chaire of Siluer for the Chaem,* 1.24 and a little Table before him, with three Boyes attending on their knees richly attired, with chaines of gold on their neckes; the middlemost to giue him his Penne, the other two to receiue Petitions and to present them on the Table; two other Boyes standing at his side in exceeding rich aray, the one representing Iustice, the other on the right hand Mercy, without which conioyned, the Iudge (they say) becomes a Tyrant. (The rest of the state and ceremonie I omit) wee kneeling on our knees, with our hands lifted vp, and our eyes cast downe to the ground, heard gladly our Sentence of absolution. Only we were for one yeere banished to the workes of Quansy, and eight moneths of that yeere ended to haue free pasport to goe home,* 1.25 or whither we would. After the Sentence pronounced, one of the Conchalys stood [ 10] vp, and fiue times demanded aloud if any could take exception against the Sentence: and all being silent, the two Boyes representing Iustice, and Mercy, touched each others Ensignes which they had in their hands, and said aloud, let them be free according to the Sentence, and presently two Chumbims tooke off our Collars and Manicles, and all our bonds. The foure moneths (the Tanigores told vs) were taken off the yeere, as the Kings almes in regard of our pouertie; for had wee beene rich,* 1.26 wee must haue serued the whole yeere. They gaue vs foure Taeis of almes and went to the Captaine which was to goe for Quansy to commend vs to his charitie, which vsed vs accordingly.

[ 20]

* 1.27PEquin may be called the Mother Citie of the Worlds Monarchie for the wealth, gouern∣ment, greatnesse, iustice, prouisions. It stands in the height of 41. degrees to the North; it contayneth in circuit, as the Chinois (and as I after heard read in a little Booke written of the greatnesse thereof, called Aquesendoo, which I brought with mee into this Kingdome) thirtie leagues, ten in length, and fiue in bredth, all which space is enuironed with two Walls, and in∣numerable Towers and Bulwarkes. Without is a larger space, which they say, was anciently peopled, which now hath but Hamlets, and scattered Houses, and Garden-houses (of which sixteene hundred are of principall note, in which are the sixteene hundred Proctors for the six∣teene hundred Cities and Townes of note, of the two and thirtie Kingdomes of this Monar∣chie, which reside there three yeeres for the said Townes. Without this circuit or wall, there [ 30] are in the space of three leagues broad,* 1.28 and seuen long, foure and twentie thousand Sepulchres of Mandarines, with their little gilded Chappels, encompassed with grates of Iron and Latten, with rich Arches at their entries. Neere to them are Gardens, Groues, Tankes, Fountaines; the walls lined within with fine Porcelane, adorned also with Lions and Pinacles of diuers pain∣tings.* 1.29 There are in that space fiue hundred Lodgings, called Houses of the Sonne of the Sunne, for entertainment of Souldiers maimed in the Kings warres (besides many others for the old and sicke) euery of which receiue their monethly allowance, and haue in them as they said two hundred men,* 1.30 in all one hundred thousand. Wee saw another street very long, where liued foure and twentie thousand Rowers for the Kings shipping: and another aboue a league long, where liued fourteene thousand Tauerners for prouision for the Court;* 1.31 and another where were [ 40] infinite Curtesans freed from tribute (which those of the Citie pay) for seruice of the Court, many running from their husbands, and here protected by the Tutan of the Court, which is su∣preme in cases of the Kings house.

* 1.32In that compasse also liue the Landerers of the Citie, which were, as they told vs, aboue one hundred thousand, there being many Tankes or Ponds compassed with stone and Riuers. There are therein, as that Booke sayth, thirteene hundred Noble houses of Religious men and women, which professe the foure chiefe Sects of the two and thirtie which are in that Kingdome: some of which, they say, haue aboue one thousand persons within them besides seruitors. There are other houses store with great walls in which are Gardens, and Groues with game for hunting; and are as it were the Halls of Companies where many resort to see Playes, and the great men [ 50] make their feasts there with incredible costs. Some of these houses cost aboue a million, main∣tayned by Companies of rich Merchants, which are said to gaine * 1.33 much thereby. And when any will make a feast, he goeth to the Xipatom of the house, who sheweth him a Booke wherein is contayned the order of feasts and seruices (which Booke I haue seene and heard read) of all sorts, and of what prices they are, whether Sacred to their Idols, or Secular, (of which our Au∣thour hath a large Chapter, here omitted.)

* 1.34Now for Pequin, it hath three hundred and sixtie Gates, each hauing a Castlet with two Towers, and a Draw-bridge, a Notarie, and foure Warders, to take notice of those which goe in and out, and an Idoll proper according to the dayes of the yeere, euery of which is festiuall in one of them.* 1.35 The Chinois reported that there are therein three thousand eight hundred Temples or Pagodes, in which are continually sacrificed birds and wilde beasts, which they say, are more [ 60] acceptable then tame: those especially very faire which are of the Menigrepos, and Conquiais, and Talagrepos,* 1.36 the Priests of the foure chiefe Sects, of Xaca, Amida, Gizon, and Canom. The streets are long and large, the houses faire, of one or two lofts, encompassed with Iron and Lat∣ten

grates, and at the streets end are triumphall arches, closed at night; in the chiefe are Watch∣bells. Euery street hath a Captaine and foure Quarter-masters or Corporals, which euery ten dayes acquaint the Lonchacys or Chaems with occurrents. That Booke reports of one hundred and twentie water-passages, sixe fathome deepe of water, and twelue wide,* 1.37 with many stone bridges, which are said to be eighteene hundred rich and faire, with arches, pillars, and chaines: it tels also of one hundred and twentie Market-places, each of which haue their monethly Faires, (which make some foure faires a day thorow the yeere) of which we saw ten or twelue in our two moneths free abode, very full of horse-men and foot-men with all commodities to be sold. There are one hundred and sixtie Shambles,* 1.38 each hauing one hundred blockes for Flesh of all sorts, the price set downe on euery blocke, and besides the shop-weights, are weights at [ 10] euery Gate to examine the weight againe. And besides those generall shambles, euery street hath fiue or sixe shops which sell all kinde of Flesh: houses also for Poultrie, and for Bacon, and hanged Beefe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mindoo.
• * 1.2

  The customes 300000. Cru∣zados.
• * 1.3

  3840. Ham∣mer-men. A Pico is 1000. Taeis.
• * 1.4

  Bigaypotim.
• * 1.5

  China ruled o∣uer India.
• * 1.6

  Cohilouzaa.
• * 1.7

  A Christian martyred. Lucena hath this storie.
• * 1.8

  A Crosse.
• * 1.9

  Mat. Escandel an Hungarian.
• * 1.10

  Earthquake. The China Pluto.
• * 1.11

  Iunquil••nau.
• * 1.12

  Sem colares, nem algemas.
• * 1.13

  How such infi∣nite numbers liue.
• * 1.14

  Sugar-houses. Infinite proui∣sions and store houses.
• * 1.15

  Pastures of beasts.
• * 1.16

  Dogs for meat.
• * 1.17

  Moueable Ci∣ties on the water.
• * 1.18

  Beauties and glories of this Riuer-Citie.
• * 1.19

  Bridges, and high-wayes admirable.
• * 1.20

  Fil••hy charity.
• * 1.21

  The Authors opinion. Pequim.
• * 1.22

  Their hard vsage.
• * 1.23

  Their Cause heard.

  The Fiscall (set on worke it seemes by the Iudge which had sen••enced them) puni∣shed.
• * 1.24

  Tribunal and pompe.
• * 1.25

  Quansy works.
• * 1.26

  The Kings alm••s.
• * 1.27

  Description of Paquim, or as the Chinois call it Pequim.

  Aquesendoo a Booke written of Pequin. 1600. houses for Deputies.
• * 1.28

  24000. sepul∣chers.
• * 1.29

  Hospitals 500.
• * 1.30

  24000. Barge∣men.
• * 1.31

  14000. Pur∣ueyors. Curtesan street.
• * 1.32

  100000. Lan∣derers. 1300. Mona∣steries.
• * 1.33

  By letting the houses to other men.
• * 1.34

  360. Gates and Castles.
• * 1.35

  3800. Temples
• * 1.36

  Foure chiefe Sects.
• * 1.37

  120. Riuerets, 1800. Bridges. 120. Market-places.
• * 1.38

  160. Shambles