§. IIII. False Brethren and others accusations detected, they are expelled Sciauchin: erect a [ 30] Seat at Xauceum. Monasterie of Nanhoa and other things of note in those parts. They alter their habit; Voyage to Nanquin; the Lake, Riuers, Idols and other Rarities.

RIcius cals that Citie where they resided Sciauhin, and saith, it is a principall Citie, though not the Metropolitan of the Prouince, noble in commerce, in scituation (in the midst of a fresh water Lake) in wits and learned men. They baptized there Linsitaus Father and two or three Infants, which then dying they thrust into Heauen at vnwares. Sixtus the Pope granted a great Indulgence to the Societie, to further the Iaponian and Chinese businesse: [ 40] and Aquaviva the Generall sent them three Watches and an artificiall Clock, which was great, yet mooued by wheeles without waights, and strucke also the quarters to the great admiration of the Chinois.* Others sent Pictures, one the worke of Gaspar Coelius who first taught the Ia∣ponians and Chinois the European Painting to the great good of both Churches. But the Kinsmen of Linsitau seeing such flocking to the Fathers grew suspicious of danger, and caused them to bee recalled, and Linsitau also to be estranged from them. Also one Tansiao-hu a great acquaintance of Linsitau, with purpose to get somewhat from the Fathers, questioned Ruggerius why hee had not seene Mount Vu-tan in the Prouince of Hu-quam, a famous resort of Pilgrimes; who answe∣red that hee durst not without the Magistrates leaue:* I will procure it, saith hee, and did so. In the way Ruggerius went to the Mother Citie of Quam-si, where hee visited one of the Royall [ 50] bloud, not knowing that such haue nothing to doe with the State, and was not admitted, but bidden first to goe to the Vice-roy, to whom he went and had no injury, nor yet wonted huma∣nitie, but was bidden to prosecute his Pilgrimage and not to stay there. Linsitau hearing of this, sought to shift his hands of them, and with much adoe they obtayned that two might bee per∣mitted to stay in their house.

*Another danger happened by one Martin a new Conuert which had made two other Con∣uerts beleeue that the Fathers could by a certaine herbe turne Quick-siluer into siluer, and by that meanes maintayned themselues. Now the Chinois being exceedingly affected to that Alchy∣misticall vanitie, these gaue money to buy a Wife, and other costs to that false brother who vn∣dertooke to learne of Father Ruggerius and to teach the other two that Science. And hauing got∣ten [ 60] what he could of them, he also borrowed the Triangle Glasse of the Fathers, with which hee ranne away. The Gouernour one day desiring to see it, they told him who had stolne it, and he sent an Officer which found him out and brought him bound. Hee, to bee reuenged of the Fa∣thers, accused one of them of Adultery; and the Husband of the pretended Adulteresse (partner Page  333 in the Conspiracie) put vp a Petition against Ruggerius, who vpon inquisition was found at the time named to haue beene in Quam-si, two moneths journey thence. The Accuser hoped to get some-what, being poore, to stop his mouth, which they refased vtterly, and hee for feare fled, together with his Wife. The Father was iudicially cleered, and Martin in his presence receiued twentie cruell stripes, and condemned to the Gallies,* was sent to Linsitau who had first com∣mitted him to confirme the sentence; who added sixtie stripes more, and being beggered and cast in bonds he was forsaken of all his Friends, and (the Fathers meane-while releeuing him) dyed within few dayes of the wounds. He which had gotten the Glasse from Martin, another Con∣uert, came and restored it to them, left it might breed him danger being found with him.

Linsitau was preferred to a higher dignitie in the Prouince of Hu-quam. To him the Citie [ 10] had erected a Temple, and on the Altar had set his Statue;* before the Altar a great Harth for burning incense: Candlestickes were also magnificently placed; and at his departure the whole Citie there visited him, and after their rite, p•lled off his old Boots (Bootes are the ensignes of Magistracy) and put on new, putting the old in a Chist, and locking them vp to bee reserued for a monument of his worth. Ruggerius went to Amacao, and Matthew got leaue for Father Edward the Superiour to returne to Sciauquin. The new Conuerts which had lost their money, by Martins death, deuised new tumults against the Fathers; the Riuer (which is a mile broad) ouerflowing, damnified the houses of the Citie, whence grew occasions of new abuses to Ours. The Visitour endeauoured to procure Legation from the Pope to China, and Ruggerius was sent to Europe on that businesse, which tooke little effect by the death of diuers Popes; hee spending [ 20] the rest of his life at Salerne in the Kingdome of Naples.*

Ricius was alone a good while, till Almeida came to him. His Clocke, by the Diall to the eyes, and by selfe-striking to the eares, caused no little wonder. But a new calumnie much endange∣red them made to the Ciai-yuen. For certaine old men of Canton, which are honoured for that in their whole liues they neuer haue accused any, nor beene accused of any, enioying therefore a yeerely feast out of the publike treasure, a peculiar Vest, and diuers other immunities,* put vp a Petition, admonishing of the danger of the Amacaons,* and especially those Spies which had builded houses of diuers stories, and euery day proceed with new arts, giuing money toward the building of Sciauquin Tower to get entrance into that Citie, sayling to and fro without im∣pediment, dangerous to the State. This is that which our Bookes fore-tell, Yee haue sowen thornes [ 30] and nettles in a gentle soyle, yee haue brought in Serpents and Dragons into your houses. That of Ama∣cao is like a sore on the hands or feet easily cured at leasure, but this of Sciauquin, an vlcer seizing on the breast and heart timely to be remedied, &c. The Visitour reputed a seuere man committed it to the Haitu, and at last it came to the Gouernour of Sciauchin, who then being at Pequin to per∣forme the customary trienniall visitation to the King, Phan his colleague (our friend, then Lieute∣nant) assisted vs with his Counsell, and they gaue their Glasse to the new Linsitau, who ended the quarrell with the Visitour, as being a false calumnie.

The two Marts prouided them of exhibitions and European Presents from Canton, and their Clocke, Mathematike Instruments, Geographicall Maps, Pictures, and Bookes, with Musicall Instruments, had procured them much visitation, and much estimation of Europe, and some fruit [ 40] thereof in Conuersions. Neither was this Station vnprofitable to Amacao, helping their af∣faires with the Magistrates, in businesses with the Vice-roy, in cases of shipwrackes,* in redu∣cing fugitiue slaues. It happened at that time the Vice-roy dying, his Successour would not through superstition enter his Palace till hee had pulled it quite downe and built it anew at the Kings charge. Meanewhile spending his time in Canton Prouince, he was made against vs and banished vs. But the Magistrates being our friends,* and order comne then from Pequin to buy Scarlets of the Portugals, F. Mat. Ricius was employed, and got their good liking, but not leaue by any meanes of the Vice-roy to stay at Sciauchin. Yea, hee forced vpon the Gouernour the execution of his Mandate to packe them away, offering money for the house, which they refused to take, saying, a house built for Gods seruice might not be sold, and it were ill merchan∣dise [ 50] to take sixtie pieces of Gold for sixe hundred which it had cost them.*

When they came at Canton the Admirall was absent, and whiles they waited for him the Vice-roy sent a Barke for them to returne, and then permitted them to chuse any other place of residence. Ricius chose Nanhium in the Prouince of Quiansi (or Quamsi, or Chiansi) which hee refused not, but wished them first to trye at Nanhoa, or at Xauceum, commending them to the Assistant of the Gouernour thereof, then present, and gaue Ricius a bundle of bookes of his owne acts in token of good will, who thanked him with his fore-head to the ground, after their fashion. They departed from Sciauchin on the Assumption day, 1589. They came to the place called Sanceui, or Three-waters,* where the Riuers of Xauceum from the North falls into a great Riuer: there they vse to change ships, to haue others fitted in other fashion to sayle against the [ 60] streame. In eight dayes sayling to the North, they came to the place where the Gouernours seruant stayed for them to bring them to the Temple or Monasterie of Nanhoa, part of which the Vice-roy had giuen them if they liked it. This Monasterie they found in a goodly Plaine,* enuironed with pleasant Hills, enriched with hand-set fruit-bearing trees, watered with a Page  334 Riueret in the midst: the goodliest Hill, graced with a plentifull Fountaine, was the Seat of the Temple, a great pile; nigh which was the Monasterie wherein a thousand Priests (by the impious piety of the Ancestrie, Lords of that ground) had their abode.

*The originall thereof was a man which liued about eight hundred yeeres since, called Lusu, who is reported to haue flourished in great reputation of holinesse by reason of his austere course of life; with a chaine girded to his bare flesh, wonted to sift Rice, and to beate it lightly after their manner, as much as serued for the daily food of a thousand Monasteries. With that chaine his flesh putrified,* so that wormes bred therein: of which if any happened to fall to the ground, he placed it there againe, saying, Hast thou nothing to eate? why doest thou runne away? There is his carkasse preserued and that famous Temple built to his worship, to which is concourse of Pilgrimes out of all the Kingdome,* euery-where he and all his being much reputed. These Mi∣nisters [ 10] of the Deuill are diuided into twelue Stations, each hauing his Superiours, and ouer all an Abbot. When the Father came thither sent by the Vice-roy, they supposed hee had come to be their Abbot and to reforme their abuses; for they not only had their Concubines and Bastards, but robbed by the high-wayes. Now all the Idoll Priests are as subject to the Magistrates as o∣ther men; perhaps because their Learned esteeme not Idols, nor account these their Priests. Yet with China dissimulation they gaue the Fathers faire entertainment with much pretended joy,* and officiously offered all at their Seruice, making them also a Solemne Feast, and then shewing them the chiefe places of their Monastery. They were full of great Idols of Brasse and other Metals,* and of wood gilded. In one Station were told fiue hundred. There were also many [ 20] Steeples and Bels of Metall cast, one such as they had neuer seene in Europe to their remem∣brance.

The bodie also of their Saint, Lusu, was shewed, all shining with that their China bituminous Vernish (so vulgarly thought,* and preserued with incredible veneration, though many deny it to be his bodie:) In the midst of the Temple is an eminent place to which they ascend by neate steps, in which hang about fifty Lampes, but not all burning except on set dayes. The Chinois maruelled at the Fathers doing no worship, a thing vsually performed by those Chinois, which otherwise repose no confidence in those Idols. They both agreed; the Chinois Monkes to bee rid of their feare, and the Fathers to goe to the Citie.

At their departure, Father Almeida went by water, and F. Matthew by Land with the Go∣uernours [ 30] Seruant, the Abbot bearing him companie. He there told the Magistrate that he liked not of the Temple, because the men had an ill report as vnsafe Neighbours, and hee worshipped one God, and not Idols. This amazed the Gouernour, perswaded before, that there was in the World no other Law nor Characters then theirs,* till Father Matthew pulled forth his Prayer-booke. The Abbot also testified that hee had worshipped none of the Idols, no not Lusus selfe. At last, the Gouernour was perswaded by him, that that of Idol-worship was a later Sect a∣mongst them; yea, the Abbot affirmed, that they deserued no worship, but that former Magi∣strates had obserued that without Idols the vulgar would not keepe Religion, and therefore set vp these to be worshipped.* They visited all the Citie Magistrates which vsed them with more courtesie then those of Sciauchin. They went also to another Temple or Monasterie called [ 40] Quamhiao, on the other Westerne side of the Riuer, and carried their goods thither till they were prouided of a House.

The Citie Xauceum is seated betwixt two Nauigable Riuers which here met: the one which passeth by Nanhium on the East, the other running out of the Prouince of Vquam on the West. But the Citie wals and Houses are builded in the midst of the field, but they are forced by the straitnesse to build also on the other-side the Riuer, joyned with a Bridge on Barkes. It contay∣neth fiue thousand Housholds is fertile but vnholsome, the third or fourth part of the Inhabi∣tants being sicke of a Tertain from October to December, which takes away many, and leaues a pale Impression on the rest. Strangers also are no lesse arrested by it, when they come thither on businesse. And the Iesuites had almost lost themselues in this new purchase, where being re∣couered [ 50] they had a Charter from the Vice-roy to build their House in ground belonging to the Monasterie.* Thither the Visitor sent them Sebastian Fernandus and Francis Martinez which had beene trayned vp in the Schoole of Amacao, the first Probationers in China. They to auoid expense, built this House of one Storie after the China manner: and soone liked better of this then their former Residence.

Chiutaiso (the sonne of one of the second ranke of Magistrates called Sciansciu, a man fa∣mous,* as being the first named of the three hundred Doctors made euery third yeare, and Author of Learned Workes) had spent his Patrimony after his Fathers death with Prodigalitie and ex∣periments of Alchymie: and now was forced to shift, with his Wife and Seruants wandering thorow the Kingdome to his Fathers Friends, and becomming a Sollicitor for other men to the [ 60] Magistrates of his acquaintance. Hee hauing obtayned of the Vice-roy a Roome in that Mona∣sterie became Neighbour to the Fathers; and one day with set Pompe (after the China custome) and precious Gifts came to Father Matthew, and chose him for his Master. It was not safe for the Father to refuse (though he requited his gifts, lest he should seeme to haue beene brought thi∣ther Page  335 by couetousnesse) and first taught him Arithmeticke. For that which the Chinois haue is with a Linnen Instrument whereon Beads are put by wires,* and shifted hither and thither to reckon their numbers: certayne, but subiect to Error, and vnprofitable to high Sciences. He read to him also the Sphere of Clauius, and the first Booke of Euclides Elements, and taught him to make Sun-dials of many sorts, and Geometricall Rules to measure Altitudes. He being of subtile wit, committed these things to writing in elegant stile, and shewed them to Magistrates of his Acquaintance, so procuring great opinion and admiration to the Iesuits. His wit and exceeding industry brought him to great skill, that hee made Spheres, Astrolabes, Quadrants, Compasses, Dials and other like, very artificially, and some of siluer: withall so setting forth his Master [ 10] and the European Learning, that it proued of no small consequence. By his meanes the Fathers had acquaintance with Pimpithan a Military Commander, with the Gouernours of the Citie and diuers other Magistrates. Almeida fell sicke and was sent to Macao, to see if Physicke might recouer him, and there dyed.

Ricius set forth a goodly Image hitherto vnseene, on the Altar adorned with Waxe Lights, which brought such concourse to see it,* that their enuious Neighbours stoned the House and Ser∣uants by night: whereat Chiutaiso offended acquainted the Gouernour, which had before set his Decree ouer their doore prohibiting all wrongs. He called the Street Gouernours (as Consta∣bles with vs) and was likely there to haue scourged them, pretending their ignorance, and put∣ting chaines about their neckes after the fashion, sent them to seeke out the wrong doers,* and [ 20] bring them to his Tribunall. They fearing to anger their Parents, durst not name them, till he commanded to whip the one and send the other to Prison, whereupon they named two,* whose punishment with much intreatie of the Father was pardoned. Father Francis de Petris, was sent (by the Magistrates License obtayned) to succeed in Almeidas place.* The Vice-roy was then preferred by his Friends procurement and Bribes to a higher place, but the Prouinciall Visitor had so complained of his wrongs, that by the way hee was acquainted that hee was depriued of all Office, and fined at forty thousand pieces of Gold to the King. Besides, a filthy Vlcer brake out of him, and soone after he miserably dyed. Thus did God punish his pride, which to erect a Temple to himselfe at Sciauchin, had depriued the Iesuits of their House. The fame at Sciau∣chin was that the Iesuits were expelled for refusing to teach the Vice-roy the Arte of Al∣chymie.

One Cosunboa a Merchant of the Citie Taicho in Chiansi, abode in Nanhiun,* and had some for∣tie persons in his Family, a very Superstitious Idol-worshipper, in whose seruice hee macerated his whole life in that China abstinence from Flesh, Fish, Egges, and Milke, liuing only of Pulse, Rice, Herbs, and certaine Cakes, industrious for his saluation in another life,* but not satisfied with any of the China Sects. He had learned by Chiutaiso of the Iesuits, and came to Xauceum and acquainting Father Ricius with his purpose, he was instructed and baptized Ioseph. He stayed with them a moneth, and after Ricius went to Nanhiun to him, and preached and baptized ten others. Theeues by night assailing their House, the Gouernour was made acquainted,* who would haue them indited by the Fathers (which they did very sparingly,* whereas the China [ 40] manner is to adde excessiuely) and he put them to torture; and forced them to confesse:* one whose Hat or head couering falling off had bewrayed him, he condemned in Capital sentence; the other to be sent to the Gallies, or amongst the Kings Slaues: which sentence was to passe to Superiour Gouernours, and so to Sciauchin, and Father Ricius must goe thither about it, which happened well for the new Conuerts which had for the most part growne wild. From thence he went to Amacao to speake with the Visitor, and returned to Sciauchin, where the Parents of the theeues procured him their Aduocate which should haue beene the Plaintiffe. Amongst the China Ma∣gistrates is one which hath his name of Pardoning punishments: Hee is sent in the Name of the Queene Mother, into each Prouince one. Their Office is to visit Prisons, to exempt the smaller offenders and to mitigate Sentences; for which the Magistrates hold them in great esteem.* But [ 50] hee would not succour these men, though the Father intreated. The Prouinciall Visitor only re∣mayned, who alone doth last of all reuise the Sentences, and they despaired that hee would re∣uoke the judgement of seuen or eight Magistrates. Hereupon they conspired fiftie of them conioyning in an impious Sacrifice in a certayne Temple to expell ours from Xauceum. But none of the Magistrates of the Citie subscribing (except one, who did it, to offend the Fathers grea∣test friend) they better bethought themselues, and intreated Ricius to be their Intercessor; where∣by the Visitor was perswaded to pronounce them Dicers and not Theeues, and to exchange their sentence into twentie stripes a piece.* For the name of Theeues would haue beene an ignominious brand to them and to their Kindred for euer. Yet would they haue renewed their accusation to the Visitor, but he would not heare them. About that time the President of the Court of Rites at [ 60] Pequin, passed that way towards Hainam his Natiue Countrie,* who hearing of Ours (which he did not to the Visitors) visited them with gifts, and spent a whole day with them, promising at his returne to carry Father Matthew to Pequin with him to correct their Kalendars.

In Nouember 1594. Father Francis de Petris dyed, and Father Lazarus Cataneus succeeded, Ricius bethought him of another course: for howsoeuer they had shaken off the name of Bonzi, Page  336 yet because they shaued their beards like the Portugall Priests,* and cut their hayre, and liued sin∣gle, had their Temple and set prayers, they could not free themselues of that infamous title which made them vnfit for greater Designes. Hee aduised the Visitor, that by this meanes they were accounted as the Idoll Priests, and that it were fitter to let their hayre and beards grow, and to weare the habite of the Learned men, each of them hauing a garment of Silke to visit the Magistrates, without which they might on equall tearmes amongst the Chinois, conferre with them: also that it was fit to remoue their residence from this vnwholsome ayre of Xauceum, or to diuide it.* To all these the Visitor yeelded, vndertaking to acquaint the Generall of the Order and the Pope. For howsoeuer for vertue and learning (wanting to their Bonzi) the Magistrates had alway shewed countenance to Ours, yet the vulgar held them in that vulgar respect; nei∣ther might the Magistrates breake their custome, to giue them equall entertaynment. Nor did [ 10] they now beare themselues for Learned men of China, but for Europaean Learned, imitating the habite of that Countrey.

*The next yeere, 1595. the Chiefe Iudge of the Councell of Warre, by the Chinois called Scilaù, which is farre aboue the dignitie of Vice-roy, (who before had after diuers Dignities betaken himselfe to a priuate life) vpon occasion of the inuasion of Corai, was by the King of China (which sent in defence thereof an Armie of eightie thousand) called backe to the Royall Citie. Hee had a Sonne of twentie yeeres old, who for griefe that he had lost the first degree of their Students, lost his wits. Hee sent a Captayne for the Fathers, thinking they could recouer his Sonne which he had with him, and gaue them such entertaynment, that the Magistrates were amazed.* He caused a Charter to bee giuen to Ricius for going to Naugau, chiefe Citie in Chiansi, [ 20] where hee hoped to doe good on his Sonne. He passed Mount Moilin, which lyeth betwixt the two Prouinces and the two Riuers, a dayes iourney, and the most notable thorow-fare in the whole Kingdome. For at the foot thereof to the South, the Riuer of Nanchiun becomes nauiga∣ble, which runneth into Canton and the South Sea. On the other side of the Hill at the Citie Naugau, ariseth another great Riuer, which visiteth the Prouinces of Chiansi and Nanquin, and many Cities before hee enters the Sea Eastward. Thus what comes from forraine Kingdomes to Canton, is this way conueyed to the in-land Kingdomes, as also from those hither: Horses and seates, or Chayres for carriage on mens shoulders, Beasts for carriage and Porters, being al∣most innumerable euery day, yet all in good order. The Mountayne is common to both Prouin∣ces, which are distinguished by a Gate erected among the stonie precipices. All the way is set [ 30] with Trees, paued with stones, frequen• with Hostries, as secure by night as by day, both by the guards of Souldiers, and frequencie of Trauellers: neither are their ouer-flowings by raynes. On the Hill top is a neate Temple, and therein a Garrison, both Prouinces thence offered to the view.* Naughan signifieth the Southerne Inne. Hee went in one of the Presi∣dents Ships, till hee came to the Citie Canceu; by the way often entring into his owne Ship and discoursing with him of Europaean affayres, Sciences, and Religion. But so many visita∣tions for Magistrates hindred all dealing with his Sonne in this iourney, so that by his Father it was deferred.*

In this Citie Canceu, resideth a Vice-roy greater then the Vice-roy of that Prouince, they call him the Vice-roy of foure Prouinces, Chiansi, Fuchien, Canton and Vquam: not that all those [ 40] Prouinces are subiect to him, but because hee gouerneth two adioyning Regions, or lesse Prouin∣ces out of each of them. The cause of appointing this Vice-roy extraordinarie was, the multi∣tude of Theeues in those parts, which bordering on so many Prouinces, could not easily by ordi∣narie course of Iustice bee apprehended; whence two Regions out of each were committed to one,* who by Militarie forces repressed those insolences. And because the militarie Magistrates are subiect to that Councell of Warre at Pequin, the President was heere receiued with greater State: aboue three thousand men were sent to meete him a league off, with their Captaynes, Co∣lours and Armes, many with Hand-gunnes mixed, shooting off as he passed, making a faire show on both sides the Riuer, which there is not very large. When hee was come into the Citie, the [ 50] Vice-roy with other Magistrates visited him with Gifts, Prouisions, Banquets; and some com∣panies were set to guard the Ships: which was also done euery where, such is the China venera∣tion of such Magistrates by their inferiours.* Heere was a Bridge of Boates, opened but once a day for Ships passage which haue payd their customes.

*After they were past this Citie, another Riuer addes it selfe to this, whence they come into a place called Sciepathau, about thirtie miles long, in which are many Rockes dispersed, on which the impetuous force of the water causeth many ship-wrackes, goods lost, and men drowned; and requireth expert Ship-men; a strange thing to see a Riuer full of shelues and sharpe rockes, in the midst of the continent. In the entrance of this dangerous passage is an Idoll Temple, wherein the passengers deuoutly commend the safetie of their fortunes to these vanities, which Scilan al∣so [ 60] heere did in vaine: for although with multitude and industrie of Saylers his Ship auoyded the Rockes, yet was that broken in which his Wife and Children were carryed, though they esca∣ped drowning, by reason of her high building, euery one getting vp into the highest decke, which lifted vp it selfe aboue those shallower waters. They cryed pittifully, and Father Mat∣thew Page  337 hauing then gotten a Boate for himselfe came first and receiued them, going himselfe into another lesse, which went before to conduct the way. Scilan sent for another Ship presently to Canceu. Father Matthew was taken into another Ship of burthen, which was in a gust ouer-throwne, Iohn Barradas his boy was drowned, and hee hardly recouered: the Commodities by dyuing were gotten againe, though much hurt by the water. They came to a noble and popu∣lous Citie called Chiengan, where the winde by night was so violent,* that it dispersed all the Fleet, which hardly escaped wracke.

Scilan terrified with this disastrous passage by water, purposed to goe by land to Pequin,* which is done at the Kings cost; in certayn places there being Horses, Lighters, Porters, prouisions ready prouided. Now thinking to send backe Ricius to Xanceum, least some might accuse him in a time [ 10] of warre for bringing Strangers to the Court; hee shewed some the wonders of his triangle Glasse,* which hee was willing to giue the President if hee knew he should hold on with him in the Iourney. They acquainted their Lord, and hee gaue him license to goe to Nan∣quin, and to enter those two Prouinces of Cequion or Cechien, and Nanchin or Nanquin. Hee was carryed thither with two of Scilans seruants, still hauing Souldiers from all places to guard him, they thinking that some of his Sonnes were there carryed. When hee came to that Mother Citie (for before hee seldome went foorth, to preuent all lets) which is in twentie nine degrees, to the Northermost part of the Prouince, hee made shew of himselfe as one of Scilans houshold seruants: and not knowing whither to goe to deliuer his Letters, hee first went into a Temple of note, which beares name of the Iron Pillar.* For they fable that one [ 20] Huiunsin, had some hundreds of yeeres agoe, brought perfect Siluer out of Quick-siluer, and had deliuered this Citie from a huge Dragon, whom hee ouer-whelmed in the ground, and ty∣ed to that Iron Pillar, and then flew with his whole house, Mice and all, into Heauen. The building of this Temple is worthy the view, against which are perpetuall Faires, in which no∣thing is lacking to bee sold. The Priests are those which they call Thausu, which let their hayre and beards grow. When hee entred that Temple, much concourse of people came about him to see a Stranger, a strange sight there, yea, reputed holy, for they had thought that the fame of that Idoll, had brought him thither from farre Countries. But when hee did no worship thereto, hee was admonished to doe that which the greatest Magistrates refused not; then threatned, after they would force him, till one of the Ship sayd, hee worshipped no Idols. [ 30] But seeing the multitude still flocking about him, he returned to the Ship, and signified that hee came with the President, whom euery man knew. The seruants visited their Masters friends, and receiued gifts of some, especially of the Vice-royes Physician.

Scarcely had they sayled out of the chiefe Citie,* when they meete with a Lake admirable for the greatnesse and other things: on all the bankes as farre as a man can see, are innume∣rable Townes, Castles, Villages, great Houses; thence they may passe into Fuchien, and thence to the Sea Eastward. Amongst other Townes there is one Citie called Nancan, at the foot of a Hill called Liu, in which Hill are diuers Anchorites, each in his owne Cell, macerating himselfe with afflicting his bodie. Those Houses are sayd to bee as many,* as are dayes in the yeere: and they tell as a miracle, that the Sunne shining cleere round about, that Hill is al∣way [ 40] couered with Clouds and mysts; so that that Hill (so neere) cannot bee seene out of the Lake. The course of the Riuer is to Nanquin, but in that breadth the streame hath small force, and easily may with the winde bee sayled any way. After you are out of the Lake, a great Ri∣uer out of Vquam Prouince, runneth thither and therein loseth his name and waters. For the greatnesse, it is thence-forward called Yamsu, which signifieth, the Son of the Sea, being in many places two or three myles broad, dangerous also for tempests like his Father,* and they say the waters are so whirled therein, that swimming can little profit those which fall there∣into. The Chinois sayle it with great feare, and are there often wracked. Great Ships sayle therein, and happely our Ships (not the greatest of all) and our Galleyes might sayle hitherto [ 50] from the Sea. Many other Riuers pay their tributes to it. They sayle it not by night, but betake themselues to some Port, which they may readily doe also in a storme. To this Lake the Spring-tydes at Change and Full come, at other times not obseruable: at Nan∣quin euery day, but it is fresh water. When hee was come to Nanquin the Presidents seruants left him.