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.

§. VI. The Cans prouisions for Embassadors and for Posts; against Dearth; for High-wayes; for the Poore in Cambalu, for Astrologers; Tartars Wine, Fuell, Religion, Opi∣nions, Behauiour, Court-neatnesse: POLOS proceeding from Cambalu Westward. Of Pulisangan, Gouza, Tainfu, Pianfu, Thaigin, Cacianfu, Quenzanfu, Sindinfu, Thebeth, Caindu, Caraian, Cara∣chan, Cardandan and Vociam.

[ 10]

WIthout the Citie of Cambalu, many publike wayes conduct to the neighbouring Pro∣uinces, and in euery one of them alway at the end of fiue and twentie or thirtie miles, are Lodgings or Innes built, called Lamb, that is, Post-horses, with great and faire Palaces, Chambers furnished with Beds and other Prouisions,* 1.1 meete to enter∣taine great Men, yea to lodge a King; the prouisions laid in from the next adioyning places: where about foure hundred Horses are in readinesse for Messengers and Embassadors, which there leaue their ridden Horses and take fresh. And in mountaynous places, where are no Villages, he sends People to inhabite, ten thousand at a place where these Lamb are built, which till the ground for their prouisions; and this continueth vnto the furthest limits of the Empire: so that in the publique wayes, throughout the whole Empire, about ten thousand of the Kings Innes [ 20] are to bee found. And the number of the Horses, appointed for the seruice of the Messengers in those Innes, are more then two hundreth thousand, a thing almost incredible to tell: so that in a little while with change of Men and Horse, intelligence might flie to the Court. And if any wonder how so many men and beasts should be prouided for, hee must consider that the Moores and Gentiles haue many women, and store of children, some hauing thirtie sonnes which follow them armed; and for victuall they sow three seeds, Rice, Panike and Mill, which yeeld an hun∣dred fold: they make not bread, but boile these with Milke or Flesh. Wheat will not so encrease with them: nor suffer they any ground, which will beare, to lye vntilled. And their Cattell al∣way increase, that each of them carries with him six, eight, or more Horses into the field for his owne person. These Horses also take turnes, that of the foure hundred aforesaid two hundred are [ 30] in the stables readie, the other two hundred at grasse by monethly courses. Their Cities adioy∣ning to Riuers or Lakes, are appointed also to haue ferry Boats in readinesse for the Posts. And Cities adioyning to Desarts, are sessed at Horses and prouisions thorow those Desarts, but haue contribution from the Can. In cases of great import, the Poste rides with a Gerfalcon Table, and is trussed so that he will ride two hundred miles in a day, or two hundred and fiftie, sometimes also they ride the night, Foot-posts running by with lights, if the Moone shine not. They winde a Horne that the fresh Horses may be brought forth for them to mount presently, and hauing their bellies and heads girded runne as fast as the horse can: and those which are able to endure this ex∣cessiue riding are of great reputation.

There are also betweene the said Innes other habitations, three or foure miles distant one from [ 40] another, where there are a few houses wherein Foot-posts dwell, hauing all girdels full of shrill sounding bells. These are alwayes readie, and as often as the Kings Letters are sent vnto them, conuey them speedily to the next habitation:* 1.2 who hearing the sound of the Foot-post comming afarre off, expect him, and receiuing his Letters, presently carrie them to the next watch: and so the Letters passing through diuers hands, are conueyed without any delay, vnto that place whither they ought to come. And it commeth often to passe, that the King vnderstandeth newes, or receiueth new fruits from a place, ten dayes iourney distant, in two dayes: as fruits growing at Cambalu in the morning, the next day at night at Xandu.* 1.3 But all the mentioned Postes are free from all exaction of Tribute, and receiue a good recompence of their labours from the Kings Rent gatherers besides. Some also are appointed to examine these Posts monethly▪ and to punish [ 50] their faults.

He sends yeerly vnto diuers Prouinces, subiect to his Empire,* 1.4 to inquire whether any harme be done to the Corne, by Tempests, Locusts, Wormes, or any other pl••gue. And when he hath notice giuen him, that any Prouince or Citie, hath sustained any damage, he remitteth Tributes to that people for that yeere, and sendeth Graine for victu••ll and for Seede, out of his owne Gar∣ners. For, in the time of great plentie, the King buyeth abundant store of Corne,* 1.5 and keepeth it with great care of Officers, three or foure yeeres in Garners, that when there shall be scarcitie of Corne in one Countrey, that defect may bee supplied out of the Kings Store-houses. Hee sel∣leth his graine for the fourth part of other mens price, and alway prouideth that his store-houses [ 60] be stored. Likewise, when any mu••ren lighteth among Cattell, hee sends them other Cattell which he hath for Tenths in other Prouinces. And if a thunder-bolt hath stricken any beast of any Herd or Flock, he will haue no Tribute thereof for three yeeres, be the Herd neuer so great: nor custome of a Thunder-stricken ship, thinking God is angrie with them which are so stricken. Likewise, that Trauellers may find the way in all places capable to beare Trees, He hath caused

Trees to be planted, a little distance one from another, neare vnto the principall wayes; and in Sandie and desart places,* 1.6 he hath caused to set Stones and Pillars for that purpose: and Officers are appointed to looke to these things. Hee plants Trees the rather because his Astrologers tell him, that planting Trees lengthens the life.

They make excellent drinke, in the Prouince of Cathai, of Rice and diuers Spices, which in the taste thereof excelleth the sweetnesse euen of Wine. And they who drinke more greedily therof then reason iudgeth to be fit, or the nature of the drinker requireth, sooner become drunke then if they had drunke Wine.

* 1.7Throughout the whole Prouince of Cathai, certaine blacke stones are digged out of the Moun∣taines, which put into the fire burne like wood, and being kindled preserue fire a long time, as if [ 10] they be kindled in the Euening, they keepe quicke fire all the night. And many vse those stones, because that though they haue store of wood, yet is there such frequent vse of Stoues and Bathes (thrise euery weeke) that the wood would not serue.

It is not amisse also, hauing spoken of his Prouisions abroad, to mention his care for the poore of Cambalu. When he heares of any honourable Familie decayed by disaduentures, or of any which cannot worke, and haue no meanes: he causeth to giue to such Families the whole yeares expenses; each of such Families going to the Officers for that purpose, and shewing their Bill of allowance, receiue prouisions accordingly. There is a Palace deputed for those Officers. They are prouided also of garments for Winter, and for Summer; the Can hauing the Tenths of all Wool, and Silke, and Hempe, which he causeth to bee made into Clothes in a house thereto appointed: [ 20] for all Trades are bound one day in the weeke to worke for him. He prouides also apparell for his Armies, and in euery Citie causeth Cloth to be made of his tithe wooll. You must vnderstand that ••he Tartars ancient customes knew no almes, but rather vpbraided such as were in necessitie, as hated of God. But the Idolaters, especially these Bachsi, haue propounded it as a good worke acceptable to God, and haue taught him to be thus bountifull, so that in his Court bread is neuer denyed to any which aske: and there is no day in which is not giuen away twentie thousand Crownes in Rice, Millet and Panike, whereby he is esteemed as a God.

There are also in Cambalu of Christians, Saracens, and Catayans, about fiue thousand Astrolo∣gers and Diuiners, which the Great Can prouideth yeerly of foode and rayment, as those poore abouesaid. These haue an Astrolabe in which are marked the signes of the Planets, the houres and [ 30] points of all the yeere. Herein all these Astrologers, each Religion apart, view the course of the yeere, according to euery Moone, obseruing the disposition of the weather, referring alway to God to doe more or lesse after his owne pleasure. They write also vpon certaine squares (they call them Tacuini) the things which are to come that yeere, which they sell to those that will buy them, and such as speake most truth are most honored. If any intend any great worke, or to goe a farre iourney, and will know the euent before-hand, he makes recourse to these Astrologers, to see it with their eyes in the Heauens, which they doe, comparing the present Constellation with that of his Birth (which they demand of him) so foretelling him the good or euill.

* 1.8The Tartars reckon the computation of their yeeres by twelues, the first signified by a Lion, the second by an Oxe, the third by a Dragon, the fourth by a Dogge, and so thorow the whole [ 40] twelue: so that if a man be demanded when he was borne; he will answer, such a point of such an houre, of such a day in the yeere Lion (this their fathers exactly set downe in a booke) and when the twelue is complete, they goe ouer the same againe.

* 1.9Of their Religion we haue said that they are Idolaters, and for their Gods haue a Table set a∣loft in the wall of their Chamber, on which is written, a Name representing the High God of Heauen; and there euery day, with a Censer of incense, they adore it in this manner. They lift vp their hands aloft, and strike their teeth thrice, praying it to giue them a good vnderstanding and health; and desire thereof nothing else. Besides, on the ground they haue another statue, cal∣led Natigai, The God of earthly things, with his Wife and Children (as before is said) whom likewise they worship with incense, striking * 1.10 or gnashing the teeth, and lifting vp the hands; [ 50] and desire thereof temperature of the aire, fruits of the earth, children, and the like. They hold the Soule to be immortal, and that when a man dies, it enters into another bodie better or worse, according to the merits in the former life,* 1.11 as of a poore man to become a Gentleman, and after of a Prince or Lord, and so higher till it be assumpted in God: or if it hath ill deserued to be a poorer man, after a Dogge, alway descending to the lowest ranke of basenesse. They haue a comely speech,* 1.12 salute cheerfully and honestly, haue a gracefull carriage, and feed cleanly. They beare great reuerence to their Parents, and if any be vndutifull, or helplesse to their necessitie, there is a publike Office designed to this particular, to punish vngratefull or disobedient children. Priso∣ners are released at three yeeres end, and marked in the cheeke, to be knowne Malefactors.

* 1.13The Barons and People which goe to the Grand Can, obserue these Rites. First, within halfe [ 60] a mile of the place where the Can is, all is husht and quiet without noyse or cryes, or any loud speech: and euery Baron carries continually a little faire vessell to spit in, after which hee couers it, none daring to spit on the Hall. They haue Furre buskins of white leather, which they put on when they enter the Hall, putting off the former and giuing them to the seruants, lest they should foule the faire artificiall Carpets.

TEn miles off Cambalu, is a certayne great Riuer, named Pulisangan, emptying it selfe into the Ocean, by which many ships with much merchandise ascend. And in that place, there is a very faire Bridge, all of Serpentine stone curiously wrought, contayning three hundred pa∣ces in length, and eight in breadth, that ten men may ride abrest.* 1.14 On each side it is fairely moun∣ted with a wall of marble, and Pillars set on a rew: and in the height of the ascent is a great and high Pillar, at the foote whereof is a great Lion, and on the top another. And so quite thorow the Bridge, one pace and halfe distant are Pillars with Lions on the top, and a faire well-wrought marble worke betwixt, to keepe men from falling.

Hauing passed ouer the Riuer and Bridge, proceeding thirtie miles westward (in which Pala∣ces [ 10] are continually seene with Vineyards and fertile Fields) you come to the Citie Gouza,* 1.15 both faire and great▪ hauing many Monasteries of Idols. Cloth of gold and silkes are made there, and the purest and finest Cambricks or Launes; and many common Innes for Strangers and Trauailers are found in that Citie: The Citizens are Artificers and Merchants. A mile without this Citie the way parteth, one leading West, the other South-east:* 1.16 that to the West leadeth through the Prouince of Cathay, but the other towards the Countrey of Maugi. From the Citie of Gouza to the Kingdome of Tainfu, you ride ten dayes thorow Cataio, alway finding many faire Cities and Castles, well traded with Vineyards and tilled Fields, from whence Wine is carried to Ca∣taio, where it wants. There are many Mulberrie trees for Silke-workes: the People ciuill and Cities very frequent.

Tainfu is the name of the Kingdome, and of the chiefe Citie which is great and faire,* 1.17 hath [ 20] much trading with store of munition, fit for the Cans Armies. The Wine about this Citie ser∣ueth the whole Prouince. Seuen dayes further westward is a goodly Countrey, beautified with many Castles and Cities, in which also great trade of merchandise is vsed. After which, you come to a Citie very great, named Pianfu, in which there is great abundance of Silke and Trading.

Westward from Pianfu standeth a very goodly Castle, named Thaigin, anciently built by a King called Dor. In it is a spacious Palace, wherein is a faire Hall, in which are painted all the famous Kings which haue reigned there; a faire spectacle.* 1.18 Of this King Dor they say that he was potent, and was attended onely by young Damsels, whereof his Court had great store. [ 30] They also when hee listed to take his pleasure, carried him in a small light Chariot thorow the Castle, which is so fortified by Art and Nature, that the Gouernour thereof feared none, no not Vmcan his Lord, against whom hee rebelled. But seuen men professing fidelitie and seruice to Dor, tooke him at aduantage in hunting, and brought him captiue to Presbyter Iohn or Vmcan, who put him in vile clothes, and appointed him to keepe his Cattell, and set on him a strong guard till two yeeres were ended: after which, hee commanded him to bee brought before him, and attyred him in Princely apparell, and giuing him his pardon after sharpe admonition, sent him so well attended to the repossession of his Kingdome.

About twentie miles beyond the Castle Thaigin, is the Riuer Caramoran,* 1.19 which by reason of the exceeding bredth and depth thereof, hath no Bridge: and floweth to the Ocean. On the [ 40] shoare thereof are many Cities and Castles built; wherein much trading is exercised. This Coun∣trey aboundet with Ginger, Silke, and Fowle, especially Feasants, that three of them are bought for a groat of Venice. There grow Reeds infinite store, so great that some are a foot, some are a foot and halfe in compasse, profitable to many vses. Passing this Riuer, after two dayes iourney is the famous Citie called Carianfu, where many clothes of Gold and Silke are made: heere growes Ginger, Galingale, Spike, and many Spices. The people are Idolaters.* 1.20 Proceeding se∣uen dayes iourney Westward, many Cities, and Townes, goodly Fields and Gardens are found; and euery where Mulberies for Silke-wormes. And they are Idolaters: but there are also Chri∣stians, Turkes, Nestorians, and some Saracens. There is much both of wilde Beasts and Fowle. If you proceed seuen dayes iourney further, you shall come to a certaine great Citie, named [ 50] Quenzanfu, which is the chiefe Citie of the Kingdome,* 1.21 in which haue raigned many famous Kings: and at this day, the sonne of great Can, called Mangalu, hath the command thereof. That Countrey yeeldeth great plentie of Silke, Cloth of Gold, and all other things necessarie for fur∣nishing of an Armie, and for preseruation of the life of Man. The Inhabitants worship Idols, and there are some Christians, and Turkes, and Saracens. Fiue miles without the Citie standeth the Palace of Mangalu, seated in a Playne, where are many Springs, Riuerets, and places of Game. There is a high wall encompassing fiue miles, where are all wilde Beasts and Fowles,* 1.22 in the midst is an excellent Palace, hauing many Halls and Chambers great and faire, all painted with Gold and Az••re, and infinite Marbles adorning. The King with his Courtiers applieth himselfe to hunting of wilde Beasts, and taking of Fowle, and followeth his ••athers steps in [ 60] Iustice and Equitie, much beloued of his people.

Going three dayes Iourney Westward from the said Palace, through a certaine goodly Plaine, where many Cities and Castles are (and abundance of Silke, Merchandise, and Arts) is a moun∣tainous Countrie, where, in the Mountaines and Valleyes are frequent Habitations, and store of Lodgings, of the Prouince of Cunchin. The Inhabitants are Idolaters, and Husbandmen. Also,* 1.23

in that Countrie they hunt Lions, Beares, Stags, Roe-buckes, Deere, Wolues. That Plaine is two dayes iourney, and the Countrey is twentie dayes Westward all inhabited, hauing Moun∣taines, and Valleyes, and many Woods.

* 1.24After that, twentie dayes towards the West, is a Prouince, named Achbaluch Mangi, that is, The white Citie of the borders of Mangi, which is wel peopled. This Prouince for two daies iourny hath a Plaine, with infinite habitations. After which follow Mountaines, Valleyes, and Woods, all inhabited twentie dayes iourney Westward. It hath store of wild beasts, and of those creatures which yeeld Muske. In this Prouince Ginger groweth in great plentie, as also Corne and Rice.

After twentie dayes iourney thorow those Hills, is a Playne, and a Prouince in the Confines of Mangi,* 1.25 named Sindinfu. The chiefe Citie hath the same name, great and exceeding rich, be∣ing, [ 10] twentie miles circuit about. It hath had many rich and mightie Kings, but the old King dy∣ing, left three sonnes Successors of the Kingdome, which diuided the Citie into three parts, compassing euery part with their proper walls, all which notwithstanding were contayned within the former wall. But great Can subiected that Citie and Kingdome to his Dominion. Thorow this Citie runne many Riuers, in many places, and round about, some halfe a mile ouer, some two hundred paces, very deepe, and on them are many Bridges of stone, very faire, eight paces broad, set on both sides with marble Pillars, which beare vp a timber Frame that couers the Bridge; each Bridge hauing streets and shops all alongst. When these Riuers are past the Citie, they becom one great riuer,* 1.26 called Quian, which runneth one hundred dayes iourney hence to the Ocean. Neere these Riuers are many Cities and Castles, and ships for Merchandise. Proceeding fiue dayes iourney ••urther, through a certaine Playne, many Cities, Castles, and Villages are [ 20] found, in which fine Lawnes are in great aboundance. Many wilde Beasts also are there.

* 1.27After the Playne whereof wee now speake, is the Prouince of Tebeth, which great Can van∣quished, and wasted: for in it are many Cities destroyed, and Castles ouerthrowne by the space of twentie dayes iourney. And because it is become a Wildernesse, wanting Inhabi∣tants, wilde Beasts, and Lions are there encreased abundantly: and it is needfull that Tra∣uellers carrie victuals with them. Very great Canes grow in this Countrey ten paces in length, and three palmes in thicknesse, and as much from knot to knot. When Trauellers therefore will rest by night secure from Beasts,* 1.28 they take great bundles of the greener Reeds, and putting fire vnder, kindle them. Which make such a cracking, and so great a noyse, that it may bee [ 30] heard two miles off. Which terrible sound the wilde Beasts hearing, flee away. More∣ouer, Horses, and other Beasts which Merchants vse for their iourney, hearing this noyse and cracking, are very much afraid, and many betaking themselues to flight, haue escaped from their Masters: but the wiser Trauellers binding their feet together with Fetters, detayne them with violence.

Twentie dayes Iourney ended, hauing passed ouer the Prouince of Tebeth, wee meet with Cities,* 1.29 and very many Villages, in which, through the blindnesse of Idolatrie, a wicked custome is vsed: for, no man there marrieth a wife that is a Virgin. Whereupon, when Trauellers and Strangers comming from other parts, passe through this Countrey, and pitch their Pauilions, the Women of that place hauing marriageable daughters, bring them vnto Strangers, desiring [ 40] them to take them, and enioy their companie as long as they remayne there. Thus the pretier are chosen, and the rest returne home sorrowfull. And when they will depart, they are not suffe∣red to carrie any away with them, but faithfully restore them to their Parents. The Mayden also requireth some toy or small Present of him who hath defloured her, which shee may shew as an argument and proofe of her deflouring. And shee that hath beene loued, and abused of most men, and shall haue many such fauours and toyes to shew to her Wooers, is accounted more noble, and may more easily and honourably be married. And when shee will goe honoura∣bly attired,* 1.30 shee hangeth all her Louers fauours about her necke, and the more acceptable shee was to many, of so much the more honour is shee adiudged worthie. But when they are once married to husbands, they are now no more suffered to be coupled with strange men. And the [ 50] men of this Countrie are very wary, that they offend not one another in this matter. They are Idolaters, and cruell men, thinking it no sinne if they rob, and exercise theft. They liue by hunting, and the fruits of the earth. Many beasts also are found with them, yeelding Muske called by them, Gudderi. They haue a proper Language, and haue no money, not the Paper money of Can,* 1.31 but spend Corals for money, and are clothed with the skins of beasts, or course Hempe. This Countrey appertayneth to the Prouince of Tebeth: for Tebeth is a very large Prouince,* 1.32 and hath beene sometime diuided into eight Kingdomes, hauing many Cities, and Townes, with many Mountaynes, Lakes, and Riuers, where Gold is found. The women weare Corall about their neckes, and hang it about the neckes of their Idols, as a precious thing. In this Countrey there are very great Dogs, as big as Asses, which take wilde Beasts, specially wilde [ 60] Oxen, called Beyamini. They are exceeding Necromancers, causing tempests, lightnings, thun∣derbolts, and many other wonders. There are many sorts of Spices neuer brought into these parts. This Thebeth is (as all the former Prouinces) subiect to the Can.

* 1.33On the West of the Prouince of Tebeth, bordereth the Prouince of Caindu, sometimes gouer∣ned

by her owne Kings, now by the Gouernours of the Can. By the West you must not vnder∣stand that the Countries are in the West, but that wee departing from those parts which are be∣twixt the East and North-east come hither Westward: and therefore reckon them Westward. The people are Idolaters, haue many Cities, the chiefe called by the name of the Prouince, Cain∣du, built in the entry of the Prouince. There is a great salt Lake, in which is store of Pearles, white, not round, so abundant, that the price of them would become little worth, if they were suffered to be carried away at mens pleasures. Whereupon, it is prouided vpon payne of death, that none should presume to fish for Pearle in this Lake, without the licence of great Can. There is also a Mountaine in which is found a Minerall of Turkesse stones, confined to the like [ 10] licence. Many Gadderi are also in this Prouince, which yeeld Muske.* 1.34 That Lake also which ingendreth Pearle in such plentie, aboundeth with Fishes: and the whole Countrey is full of wilde Beasts, that is to say, of Lions, Beares, Stags▪ Deere, Ounces, Roe-buckes; and diuers kinds of Birds. Cloues are found there in great plentie, which are gathered from small Trees,* 1.35 which haue boughs and leaues like the Bay-tree, but somewhat longer and straighter, white flowers and little, as are the Cloues, and when they are ripe they are blacke and duskie. Gin∣ger, Cinamon, and diuers other Spices grow there in great plentie,* 1.36 which are not brought vnto our Countries. Wine groweth not in it, but in stead thereof they make excellent Drinke of Corne, Rice, and diuers other Spices. The Inhabitants of this Countrey worship Idols,* 1.37 by which they are so besotted, that they thinke they deserue their fauour, if they prostitute their wiues, [ 20] sisters, and daughters to bee abused by Trauellers. For, when any Stranger commeth amongst them, euery housholder seeketh to giue him entertainment, and goe their way, leauing the femals and house to the Strangers will, and returne not vntill they depart. And the women presently hang vp some signe till he be gone, that when the Master of the familie returneth, he may know he is there still, and goe away againe, staying without till he be departed: which hee doth for the glorie of his Idols, hoping they will be more gracious vnto him. Certaine twigs of Gold are their money, vsing weights, and according to the weight of the twig is the value of the mo∣ney. And this money is the greater money without stampe. They haue also a lesser, which they make after this manner. They boyle Salt in a Caldron an houres space,* 1.38 of which being congea∣led, they make little lumps like two-pennie loaues, which being made solid, is signed with the [ 30] Princes Stampe, and make great profit thereof in sauage places, remote from Cities which haue store of Muske and Gold, and want Chapmen. These bartar their Gold for Salt to vse in their meats. Leauing this Prouince, they proceed fifteene dayes iourney further, and in the meane space meet with Castles, and many Villages, whose Inhabitants haue the same customes, that the Prouince of Caindu hath, and at length they come vnto a Riuer, called Brius,* 1.39 where the Pro∣uince of Caindu is bounded. In this Riuer Gold is found in great plentie, which they call, Di Paiola (washed in vessels to seuer it from the sands and earth.) On the bankes thereof Cinamon groweth in great abundance. This Riuer runneth to the Ocean.

Hauing passed ouer the Riuer Brius, they come westward to the Prouince Caraian,* 1.40 which contayneth seuen Kingdomes. It is subiect to the Great C••n, whose sonne, named Sentemur, [ 40] is made King of that Kingdome, who is rich, wise and iust. The Inhabitants thereof are Idola∣ters. You ride fiue dayes and finde it all well peopled. They liue of their Beasts and Fruits. The Countrey breedeth excellent Horses: and it hath a peculiar and difficult language. At the end of those fiue dayes is the chiefe Citie, called Iaci, and it is great and famous,* 1.41 hath in it many Mer∣chants and Artificers, and many sorts of People▪ Idolaters, Christians, Nestorians, and Saracens; but the most Idolaters. It hath Corne, and much Rice, although they eate no bread of Corne, because it is not whol••ome, but they make bread of Rice. They make drinke also of it, and diuers Spices very pleasant. They vse white Porcelanes in stead of money,* 1.42 and for ornaments which are found at the Sea. Much Salt is made in this Citie of the water of salt Wells, whereof the King hath great profit. The men of this Countrey care not if any man come to their Wiues, so they giue their consent. There is also a Lake there very full of Fish, contayning an hundreth [ 50] miles in compasse. Those men eate raw flesh of Hennes, Beefe, Mutton and Buffals,* 1.43 but prepa∣red after this manner. They first breake it into small pieces, and after season it with excellent Spices; but the poorer sort shred it and lay it in Garlicke sawce, and eate it as wee doe boy∣led meate.

Departing from the Citie of Iaci, hauing trauailed ten dayes iourney westward, yee come to the Prouince named, as is the chiefe Citie, Carazan, which Cogatin, sonne of Cublai, gouerneth.* 1.44 The Riuers there yeeld very much gold di paiola, and also that which is more solid, and the Mountaines gold of the veine, and they giue one stone of gold for six of siluer. They spend Porce∣lanes for money, brought thither from India. The Inhabitants are Idolaters: very great Serpents are bred in this Countrey, whereof some contayne ten paces in length, and in thicknesse ten [ 60] spannes. They haue two little feet before nigh the head, with three talons or clawes like Lions, and the eyes bigger then a Groat loafe, very shining. They haue their mouthes and jawes so wide, that they are able to swallow a man; great and sharpe teeth: nor is there any man, or o∣ther liuing Creature, which may behold those Serpents without terror: there are found lesse, of

eight, sixe, or fiue paces long, which are taken after this manner. In the day time they vse to lie hid,* 1.45 by reason of the heat, in holes, out of the which they goe by night to seeke their prey, and deuoure whatsoeuer they get, Lions, Wolues, or others: and then goe to seeke water, lea∣uing such a tract with their weight in the sands, as if some piece of timber had beene drawne there. Whereupon the Hunters fasten vnder the sands sharpe Iron prickes in their vsuall tracts, whereon they are wounded and slayne. The Crowes presen••ly ring his knell, and by their cra∣ing cries inuite the Hunters, which come and slay him, taking forth his gall, profitable for di∣uers Medecines (amongst other things, for the biting of mad Dogs, a penie weight giuen in Wine; and far women in trauell for carbuncles and pushes) and they sell the fl••sh deare as being exceeding delicate. There are bred great Horses in this Prouince, which by Merchants are carri∣ed into India. They vse to take one bone out of the tayle, lest he should bend his tayle hither and [ 10] thither, and esteeme it more comely that it hang downe right. They vse long Stirrups as the Frenchmen; which the Tartars and other Nations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their shooting vse short, because when they shoot, they rise vp. They vse Targets and Armour in the Warres, made of the hides of Buffals: they haue Lances and Crosse-bowes, and poyson all their Arrowes. Some of them which are ill minded, are said to carrie * 1.46 poyson about them conti••ually, that if they be taken, they may suddenly swallow it and death together, to preuent t••r••ure. For which cause the great Lords haue Dogs dung ready, which they force them to swallow, and that forceth them to vomit the poyson.* 1.47 Before the great Can subiected them, they vsed, that when any Stranger which seemed of good presence and parts lodged with them, they slue him by night, supposing that those good parts of that man might abide afterwards in that house: and this was the death [ 20] of many.

Going from the Prouince Carazan, after fiue dayes iourney Westward, is the Prouince Car∣dandan,* 1.48 which also is subiect to great Can. The chiefe Citie thereof is called Vociam. The In∣habitants thereof vse Porcelanes and weighed pieces of Gold in stead of money: for in that Countrey, and many other lying round about, Siluer mines are not found, and they giue one ounce of Gold for fiue ounces of Siluer,* 1.49 and great gayne is made by the change. The men and women of that Countrey couer their teeth with thinne plates of Gold, which they so fit vnto them, that the teeth themselues seeme (as it were) to be set in the plates. The men about their armes and legs make lists, pricking the places with Needles, and putting thereon a blacke inde∣lible tincture. And these lists or markes are esteemed with them a great galantrie. They giue [ 30] their minds to nothing but riding, hunting, hawking, and exercises of Armes, leauing the hous∣hold cares to the women, who are helped therein by slaues which they buy or take in Warre. When a woman is brought to bed shee forsakes the bed, washeth the child and dresseth it, and then the husband * 1.50 lieth downe and keepes the child with him fortie dayes, not suffering it to depart: is visited meane while of friends and neighbours, to cheare and comfort him. The wo∣man lookes to the house, carrie the husband his br••ths to his bed, and giues sucke to the child by him. Their Wine is made of Rice and Spice, their meat Rice, and raw flesh dressed, as is before mentioned. In this Prouince there are no other Idols, saue that euery familie adoreth the oldest man in the house, of whom they say come themselues and all they haue. They dwell for the most part, in wilde and mountainous places. But Forrainers come not to those Mountaines, because [ 40] the ayre would kill them, being in Summer very corrupt. They ••aue no letters, but make their Contracts and Obligations by tallies of wood, the halfe whereof the one keepeth, and the o∣ther, the other: which being afterward payd, the tallie is rendred. There are no Physicians in this Prouince, nor in Caindu, Vociam and Caraian: but when any is sicke, they call the Magi∣cians, or Idoll Priests together, and he sicke partie declareth his disease vnto them: then the Magicians dance, and sound certaine instruments, and bellow forth songs in honour of their Gods, while at length the Deuill entreth into one of them skipping and playing in the dance. Then leauing the dance, they consult with him that is possessed, for what cause that disease hap∣ned vnto him, and what is to be done for his recouerie. The Deuill answereth by him, because [ 50] he hath done this or that, or because he hath offended this or that God: therefore, he fell into this disease. Then the Magicians intreat that God to pardon him that offence, promising, that if the sicke partie recouer, he shall offer a Sacrifice of his owne bloud. But if the Deuill thinke the weake partie to be sicke of such a disease that he cannot be freed from the same, he vseth to answere: This man hath so grieuously offended that God, that he cannot by any sacrifices bee appeased. But if he thinke he shall recouer, he commandeth to offer so many Rammes hauing blacke heads, and to prepare so many Magicians with their wiues, by them to offer Sacrifices, and that God may then bee appeased towards him. Which being heard, his kinsmen quickly cause those things to be done which the Deuill commanded: they kill Rammes, and sprinckle their bloud in the ayre, and the Magicians assembled with their Witches, light great Candles, [ 60] and perfume the whole house with incense, making fume of Lignum Aloes, and sprinckle the broth of the flesh in the ayre, together with the potion made of Spices: all which being duely performed, they skip about againe in a dance in honour of that Idoll, which is supposed to haue beene fauourable to the sicke, singing, and making an horrible noyse with their voyces: These

things being done, they aske the possessed againe, whether by these things the Idol be appeased. If he answer, No, they presently prepare themselues to fulfill another command of his. But if he answer, that he is satisfied, they sit downe at the Table, and eate the flesh offered to the Idoll with great ioy, and drinke the confections. And dinner being ended, and the Magicians payed, euery one returneth to his owne home. And when the sicke hath thus escaped the disease, through the prouidence of God, and hath beene restored to health, they attribute it to the Idoll whom they sacrificed. But if he die, then they say, the Idoll was defrauded, and that some of the Sacrificers tasted thereof first. This is not done to all but to the Richer, the Deuill deluding their blindnesse.

[ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Postes and Innes.

  The Romans also had pub∣like Stables, as appeares by Constantine, Zos. l. 2. and Palladius who in three dayes would ride from the Con∣fines of the Empire to Con∣stantinople, Soc. l. 7. c. 19.
• * 1.2

  Foote-postes. Die Post b••den.
• * 1.3

  Their Priui∣ledges.
• * 1.4

  Prouisions a∣gainst dearth.
• * 1.5

  Fatherly Roy∣altie.
• * 1.6

  Hence per∣haps the walk from Lahor to Agra was oc∣casioned. Their Rice-wine.
• * 1.7

  Coales taken out of mines, a thing strange to Polo an Ita∣lian, but com∣mon with vs, called Sea-cole, because they are brought by Sea from New-castle, &c. Aene∣as Syluius and the China Ie∣suites haue told wonders of these black stones, a won∣derfull diuine bounty indeed to this Land, and specially to this Citie. Cans charitie to the Poore. The Tenths paid to the Can.

  Weekly labour for him.

  The Deuill an Angell of light.

  Astrologers.
• * 1.8

  Tartarian com∣putation of times.
• * 1.9

  Their Religi∣on.
• * 1.10

  Shattendo i¦denti.
• * 1.11

  Opinions of the soule.
• * 1.12

  Their Cu∣stomes.
• * 1.13

  Court reue∣rence.
• * 1.14

  An admirable Bridge.

  Ramusio hath giuen a pi∣cture, London more.
• * 1.15

  The Citie Gouza.
• * 1.16

  Parting of the way.
• * 1.17

  Tainfu. Armes,
• * 1.18

  Dor and his Damsel-court. The King of Achen, and the Mogol, doe likewise in part.
• * 1.19

  Caramoran.
• * 1.20

  Carianfu.
• * 1.21

  Quenzanfu▪
• * 1.22

  King Mangalu.
• * 1.23

  Cunchin.
• * 1.24

  Achbaluch Mangi.
• * 1.25

  Mangi. Sind••nfu.
• * 1.26

  Quian.
• * 1.27

  The greatnesse of the Pro∣uince of Tebeth
• * 1.28

  The subtill de∣uise of Trauel∣lers.
• * 1.29

  Iustine in his 18. booke men∣tioneth the like of the Cy∣prians.

  Aelianus V.H. the 4. booke, chapter 1.
• * 1.30

  Whose glorie is in their shame.
• * 1.31

  Corall money.
• * 1.32

  Eight King∣domes of Tebeth.
• * 1.33

  Caindu.
• * 1.34

  Gadderi.
• * 1.35

  Cloues.
• * 1.36

  Ginger, Cina∣mon.
• * 1.37

  The Inhabi∣tants are Ido∣laters and Bawdes.
• * 1.38

  Money of Salt.
• * 1.39

  The Riuer Brius yeelding Gold.
• * 1.40

  The seuen Kingdomes of Caraian.

  King Sentemur.
• * 1.41

  The Citie Iaci.
• * 1.42

  Money of Stones.
• * 1.43

  Raw flesh.
• * 1.44

  Carazan. Riuers yeel∣ding gold di paiola that is washed in ves∣sels from the sand & earth. Great Dra∣gons.
• * 1.45

  The taking of them.
• * 1.46

  Poyson and Dogs dung.
• * 1.47

  A wicked cu∣stome.
• * 1.48

  Cardandan. Vociam.
• * 1.49

  The rarenesse of Siluer. Golden coue∣rings for the teeth.
• * 1.50

  Strabo in his third booke mentioneth the same to be done with the Spaniards in some places. Apoll••nius re∣porteth the like custome, with the Tiba∣reni. Le••us ••f the Brasilians. Tallies of con∣tracts.

  The deceitfull medicine of the Magicians.