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.

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§. IIII. Of their Louthias, Mandarines or Magistrates, their creation, priuiledges, maintenance; Of Prisons and Tortures; of the King and of Embassadors.

EVery one that in China hath any office, command or dignitie by the King, is called Louthia, which is to say with vs Sen̄or. How this Title is giuen him, we will in his place make mention of it.* 1.1 There are in euery Prouince of China one thousand Lou∣thias, or according to others three thousand, besides those that are resident in the [ 30] Court, by whom are ordayned all matters of the Kingdome, and to whom come all the waigh∣tie matters of all the Realme. And because they are to dispatch with the King; and conuerse with him within doores, and it is not lawfull for other to conuerse with them,* 1.2 neither doe other see them, and they haue entrance where the Wiues of the King are, which are many, they are com∣monly Eunuchs. In euery Prouince are fiue, which among the rest are most principall, which haue a very great authoritie and majestie in their persons, and are greatly reuerenced and hono∣red, not onely of the common people, but also of all the other Lothyas.

The principall of the fiue is the Gouernour, which in their language is called Tutom, to this come all matters both great and small of all the Prouince,* 1.3 and for the authoritie and majestie of [ 40] his person he is not resident where the other Lothyas, that hee may not bee frequented of them, and so he may be more esteemed and feared. To these come all the Rents of the Prouinces except the ordinarie expences, and by him as well the businesses as the Rents that are gathered, and all that hapneth in the Prouinces are referred and sent to the Court. The second dignitie of the Prouinces, is the Ouer-seers of the goods, which in their language is called Ponchassi:* 1.4 this hath the care to send to recouer through all the Prouince the Rents thereof, for the which hee hath many Lothyas vnder his iurisdiction, which are particular Officers for the businesses and recoue∣ries of the goods. This prouideth all the ordinarie charges of the Prouince, and with that which remayneth he resorteth to the Tutom, that he may send it to the Court, this may enter-meddle in graue matters of the other Officers inferiour, and hath authoritie ouer them. Likewise, all the [ 50] matters and affaires of the Prouince resort vnto him, to bee referred by him to the Tutom. Ano∣ther chiefe dignitie vnder this is the chiefe Iustice, which in their language is called Anchasi,* 1.5 and though there be many other Officers of Iustice, this is aboue all, and by him are the dispat∣ches distributed to the rest, and all matters of Iustice resort vnto him, as one that hath authori∣tie of the other inferiour. Another dignitie vnder this is the chiefe Captaine, who in their tongue is called Aitao. To this Aitao pertayneth to command to prepare the men of warre, and all that is necessarie of shipping, and victuals,* 1.6 and all other prouision against Enemies and against Theeues: to this belong also the businesses of strangers in cases which belong not to the goods. The fift and last of the great dignities, is of the chiefe Captaine which putteth in execution the matters of warre, and is resident in the Armies which the Aitao, being a land, doth ordayne: [ 60] when it is necessarie besides the putting matters in execution and order, if the matter require his presence, he goeth in person: and so important may the matter be that the Aitao will goe.* 1.7 This is called in the Countrie language Inthissi. In the house of euery one of these, except the Luthissi, which is the inferiour of the fiue, are other ten which are as Assistants, and are also of great au∣thoritie, fiue of these doe sit at the right hand of the Principal in fiue chaires, recited before when

we spake of the buildings, and fiue doe sit on the left hand: these in matters of importance are at the dispatching with the principall of the house, and the Principall dying or by any other meanes wanting, one of these according to his antiquitie remayneth in his stead: and if it be ne∣cessary to goe through the Prouince about some matter of importance, that appertayneth to the dignitie in whose house they assist, one of these doe goe with all the authoritie of the Principall. The fiue that sit on the right hand,* 1.8 haue a greater degree and dignitie then the fiue on the left hand. And as the dignitie consisteth in their Girdles and Canopies, those of the right hand weare Girdles of gold and Canopies of yellow, and those of the left hand weare Girdles of siluer and Canopies of blew, or of changeable colour. The Girdles are little lesse then three fingers broad, and an inch thick, and all about of gold or of siluer very well wrought made of peeces. The Ca∣nopies [ 10] are very large and faire, which an Officer doth beare vpon a staffe a fathom long, of a Cloue tree very faire, and they are lined with silke.

Besides these Assistants and the fiue Principall, there is among the inferiour one of greater dig∣nitie,* 1.9 which is the chiefe Iaylor, whom they call Taissu, which haue very great hou••es of great receipts, where they haue great prisons, but neither this nor any that are vnder may weare girdle of gold nor siluer, nor a yellow Canopie, except hee bee an Officer or Captaine of men of warre, that for fauour of a Gentleman may haue a yellow Canopie: the rest weare girdles of Tartaru∣ga, or of other matter made like them of gold or siluer, and their Canopies are of changeable stuffe or blew, and all these Inferiour doe speake to the Superiour, when they are before them on their knees, and doe kneele as long as they are with them, except the Taissu, who when he com∣meth [ 20] in kneeleth and riseth vp presently, and is alwayes standing. Euery one of the great ones haue many inferiour Officers vnder his iurisdiction, for the matters and businesses necessary to the Office of euery one, all which as they are the Kings officers haue the Title of Lothias and their badges or signes. The fiue Principall with their Assistants doe weare for a Badge the Kings Armes on their brests, and on their backs, which are certayne Serpents wouen with gold thred.

* 1.10Euery yeere there is one sent to euery Prouince as a Iustice, which is called Chaen, which commeth to take account of all the Lothias, great and small, and examineth all the Students and chooseth Louthias, and visiteth the Prisons, and all that is necessary to be seene and prouided for in all the Prouince. He vseth all meanes to spie out their briberie and injustice, and hath power [ 30] to displace or preferre. When this entreth newly into this Citie, it is not lawfull for any to worke, they shut their doores and no body walketh through the street, and to preserue his wor∣ship and authoritie they will not boldly communicate in sight of the people, and many Officers with Banners displayed of crimson silke, and all the Louthias both great and small are bound to goe and meet him. The same entertainment is vsed to euery one of the fiue, when hee commeth newly to the Prouince where hee is to administer his office. There bee other dignities aboue all these, which are called Quinchais, which is to say, a Plate or Seale of gold: which are not sent but about very serious matters and of great importance,* 1.11 for the Kingdome, or the King. Euery Lothia of what qualitie soeuer hee bee, high or low, hath for a signe or badge, besides the aboue∣said, a high Cap and round with certayne eares a-crosse, made of small twigges wouen [ 40] with twist.

All the Offices are giuen from three to three yeeres, and none is giuen for longer time, and all giuen to men that are not borne in that part of the Land, because they may not be mooued by affection in matters of Iustice that belong to their offices, and also because they may not become mightie, thereby to preuent insurrections. The offices are distributed by the King with the counsell of the Eunuchs. And because the Eunuchs are those with whose counsell the offices are d••stributed, they are many times mightily bribed.

The Chaens which the King doth send euery three yeeres, commonly are sound men, and bring commonly more authoritie then the rest. And these (besides the yeerly Chaen) are sent the third yeere, when euery Officer endeth his office. After that the Chaens haue taken the ac∣counts [ 50] of the Lothyas,* 1.12 they visit the Prisons and giue audience to the Prisoners. After this hee with the other principall Lothias doe visit the Schollers, and all those that hee findeth to haue studied well, he fauoureth and giueth them good hopes, and those which haue not studied well, if hee see they haue abilitie for it, he commandeth them to bee whipped. And if already they haue beene whipped and haue not amended, he commands them to bee put some dayes in prison, besides the whipping of them, that with these punishments from thence forward they may haue a better care. If hee findeth that they neither learne, nor haue abilitie, hee thrusts them out of the Schooles.

This doe onely the Louthias which come euery three yeeres, after they haue dispatched the businesses of the Prouince, hee busieth himselfe in making Louthias: which hee maketh in forme following. He commandeth to come to the principall Citie of the Prouince, all the Students [ 60] that haue well studied, from all the Cities of the Prouince, and from all the great Townes, where the King hath Schoole-masters of free Schooles, maintayned at his charge (for the Students did learne the Lawes of the Realme, maintayned at their fathers charge.) And all the principall

Louthias of the Prouince assembled with Chaen, there examine very well euery one of the Stu∣dents, demanding of him many things concerning their Lawes: and if he answereth to all well, they command him to be put apart, and if he be not yet well instructed, eyther they send him to learne more, and if it be through his default, eyther they whip him, or being whipped they send him to Prison, as the Portugals saw many in Prison for that fault, where they were in Pri∣son also. After the Examination ended, the Chaen riseth vp, and all the Louthias with great Ceremonies, Feasts, Musickes, and Playings,* 1.13 they giue the degree to euery one of them they found sufficient, which is to giue him the Title of Louthi••. And after the passing many dayes in Feasts, and Banquets, they send them to the Court to receiue the Badges of Louthias, which are Caps with eares, broad Girdles and Canopies, and there they stay the distribution of Offices. So [ 10] that in this manner they make the Louthias, which in the Countrey are to administer Iustice. The Louthias for war are made by Chiualries and famous Deeds which they did in war. So that in these Countries men are much honoured by their Learning, or by their Chiualrie, and yet more for their Learning, because of the Learned doe commonly come the fiue principall Louthias and the Assistants.

Notwithstanding, there are many Louthias, which are made for simple fauours,* 1.14 either for do∣ing some particular seruice to the King, or to the Realme, or in some Towne, or hauing some par∣ticular fauour or qualitie. As they did to a young man of China, because the Portugals beeing in Prison, he serued for an Interpreter, whereby the Louthias gaue him the title and badges of Lou∣thia, [ 20] because he could speake Portugall. But these and such other doe not commonly serue Offi∣ces of the King, but enjoy onely the Liberties of Louthias: as the Gentlemen Portugals haue their Liberties which some enioy by fauour of the King. And these Louthias haue great Liberties in the Countrey: for none can doe him any injurie without punishment, neither can they bee im∣prisoned but for hainous faults, and they may imprison any that doe wrong them,* 1.15 and many o∣ther Liberties. And though there were some Portugals that reported without any certaintie that the Chinaes did studie naturall Philosophie, the truth is that there is no other Studies nor Vniuersities in it nor particular, but onely the Schooles Royall of the Lawes of the Kingdome. The truth is that some are found that haue knowledge of the courses of Heauen, whereby they know the Eclypses of the Sunne and of the Moone. But these if they know it by any Wri∣tings that are found among them, they teach it to some person, or persons in particular, but of [ 30] this there are no Schooles.

The Chinas haue no certaine Letters in their Writing, for all that they write is by Chara∣cters. Their lines are not ouerthwart as in the Writings of all other Nations, but are written vp and downe.

When the Louthias are dispatched at the Court with Offices for the Prouinces, where they goe to gouerne,* 1.16 they depart carrying nothing of their owne more then the Apparell they are to weare, and some few Seruants to serue him, euen when they haue no Offices, neither need they carry any prouision for the Iourney, nor carriage or shipping at their owne charge: for through all the wayes where he goeth are prouisions, aswell of shipping as of necessarie carriage, and ne∣cessary food for all the Kings Officers, which are prouided of the Royall Rents.* 1.17 In all the Ci∣ties [ 40] and great Townes, the King hath many good and Noble Houses for the Louthias both great and small to lodge in, and all those which by any meanes are the Kings, haue sufficient Rents for the maintenance of euery person that shall dwell in the House according to his degree. And that which is to be giuen to euery one for his Expences is alreadie limited. Wherefore he that may lodge there being come, the Officer of the House commeth to him, and asketh him if hee will haue his ordinary in money, or in things necessarie for prouision, and that which hee doth de∣mand, as farre as the money doth extend, hee is to giue him, very well and cleanly drest, either Flesh, Fish, Duckes, or Hennes, or what he will. And any Louthia that doth lodge there, may command the Hoast of the House to be whipped, if he serue him not to his will. And if any Lou∣thia [ 50] will goe to lodge at the House of any acquaintance of his, hee taketh the Money, which the inferiour Louthias doe also sometimes, either to spare some Money, or to bee merry at their wils more freely. And in the prouisions of these Houses there is no want any wayes, for the Ponchasis haue the charge to giue them sufficient prouision that it doe not want. And at the yeares end account is taken of the Officers of the House of the Expenses he made.

By the wayes at euery League, and at euery two leagues are Houses which onely haue Beds, and Chaires for the Trauellers to rest and ease themselues.* 1.18 And some of those that haue care of these Houses, haue prouision for to giue Wine to the guests: others giue nothing but Chua. Af∣ter the Louthias come to the Citie where they are to be resident and execute his Office, they find the Houses, where they are to lodge according to the Offices they haue great or small, greater [ 60] or smaller. In these Houses they find all the Seruants necessary, Scriueners, Porters,* 1.19 and all o∣ther Ministers necessary for their Offices. For these are continually in the houses, for to minister at all times all the Offices of the Houses where they serue. And euery Officer according to his House and person hath his prouision necessary for his meate, drinke, and his apparell (limited so that it sufficeth him well) which is payed to him without faile, euery moneth.

When the Louthias are old and wearied in the charges and Offices of the Kingdome, they are lodged in their owne Countries or where they will,* 1.20 and the King alloweth them euery moneth so much according to their qualitie for their maintenance till they dye. And because the Or∣dinaries of the Louthias are commonly sufficient, and with some abundance, they may alwayes spare some thing to leaue their Wiues and Children. Before the inferiour Ministers these Offi∣cers doe all things of their Offices and matters of Iustice, for they are present at all things, to preuent Bribes and partialitie. Whiles the Louthia is sitting in the chaire to heare the parties and dispatching of matters, the Porters, Scriueners, Sergeants and other Ministers are at the doore: and when any person commeth with any matter, one of the Porters with a high voice that hee may be heard where the Louthias sitteth (for it is farre off) telleth who and wherefore he com∣meth. [ 10] And none speaketh to the Louthias but vpon both their knees on the ground, and common∣ly they speake a prettie space distant from him.* 1.21 And from thence with a high voyce well vn∣derstood, he propoundeth his case, or sheweth him his Petition written in Paper, and lifting vp the hand desireth him to receiue it, and to shew him Iustice; to whom a Minister runneth, the Louthia making a signe to him, and presenteth it vnto him. After the Louthia readeth it, he ey∣ther dispatcheth him of that which he asketh, writing at the foote of the Petition with redde Inke, or remitteth the party to an inferiour Officer to be dispatched. So I saw it done to a Pe∣tition which a woman presented to the Ponchasi.

The promptnesse and readinesse wherewith the Louthias are serued, and how feared they are, cannot be written with the Pen, nor expressed with the Tongue, but it must be seene with the [ 20] eye for to know what it is. All doe their messages running and with great speed, not onely the Scriueners and Sergeants, and other Ministers, but also the Inferiour Louthias to the Superiour. And if any fayleth neuer so little of his diligence and accustomed speed, or committeth the lesse negligence in the World before the Louthia, hee hath not any remission, but immediately they put a little flagge in his hand, and he must hold it in his hand kneeling vntill the parties be dis∣patched: and then the Louthia commandeth to giue him the stripes that he thinke good: and the stripes are such as hereafter we will speake of. Whereby all the Ministers in the Houses of the Louthias are playstered or marked with the stripes, so that already among themselues they hold it a disgrace not to be marked with the stripes,* 1.22 because it is a thing generally common among them. And when the Louthia waxeth angry or is moued at any thing, it is a wonder to see the [ 30] trouble and feare that is in all the standers by.

I being in the House of the Ponchasi with certayne Portugals, intreating for the deliuerance of certayne Portugals that were Captiues, and imprisoned in the Iayle, for the which wee car∣ried him eight Ounces of Ambar (which at that time was much esteemed of them, and now by carrying so much it is not so much esteemed) we not being willing to giue him the Ambar, with∣out giuing vs both the Portugals, he tooke an occasion for to terrifie vs, to waxe angry against the youth, seruant of a Portugall which was in our company and was our Interpretour. Wherefore he rose out of the Chaire and became red as bloud, and his eyes were inflamed, and set one foote forward, putting his thumbes vnder his Girdle, looking to the standers by with a terrible coun∣tenance: stepping forward, lift vp his foot and stampt on the ground with it, and said with a [ 40] terrible voyce.* 1.23 Taa, which is to say, Whippe. It was a wonderfull thing to see in how little space they tooke the youth, tyed his hands behind with a Cord, and laid him on his belly with his thighes bare, and two Beadles placed them selues on each side one, with one foote forward, and their Whip readie for to giue him the stripes that they should bee commanded to giue him. Certainly it was all done in a moment. The Merchants that came in our fauour were troubled, and stood aside shaking with feare. At this time one of the Prisoners said, Sirs, be not afraid, for he cannot whip that youth. And in truth we knew it was so, for according to their Lawes there was no fault, whereby he might command him to be whipped, and there was a penaltie if hee did it. The Louthia hearing the voyce of the Prisoner, commanded to carry him with speed to the Iayle againe. And the Louthia did this for nothing else but to make vs afraid, that wee [ 50] should giue him the Ambar for one of the Prisoners, for he could not giue vs the other, because he was alreadie adjudged to dye, and the sentence confirmed by the King, which was irreuocable, and he was willing to haue the Ambar, for he hoped to haue of the King a greater Reward then to be Ponchasi for the Ambar. For he did eate it for to sustayne life, and many dayes were past since they had demanded it of the Portugals, but as they knew not the name we vsed for it, they neuer vnderstood one another till that the yeare after they had for the Aitao of Cantan a little for the deliuery of a Portugall: whereby he was aduanced to Ponchasi. And this would also haue for the same effect the Ambar at our hands for to be aduanced.

Notwithstanding, we seeing our selues tyed and without an Interpretour by whom to speake, and the youth in disposition of whipping, we gaue him the Ambar. There came presently a Cha∣sing-dish [ 60] for to proue it, and the Prisoner cast a little in the fire, and seeing the smoake ascend right vp, he was contented, and scattering the smoake hee set his Nose ouer it and said, Haoa, which is to say, it is very good. And commanded presently to deliuer vs the Prisoner free. It was wonderfull to see with what speed it was weighed, and the pieces told and put in a Paper,

and noted by the Scriuener before them all the number of the pieces, and the waight that was there. And after that Paper another, all glued presently. And after that another.* 1.24 And in the third, the Panchasi set his Marke with Red Letters, and what was contayned within. And at the same instant came a little Boxe, and being put in it was presently stopped, and vpon the co∣uer a Paper glued, and vpon it the Marke of the Ponchasi: and presently came an inferiour Lou∣thia Captayne of the Army with his Souldiers, and all afarre off kneeled downe, and said at e∣uery word Quoo, which is to say, Yes, enclining their heads and hands to the ground. And recei∣uing his message, presently as he came running, so he returned running with the Boxe to take shipping for to carrie the Ambar to the Tutaen, to bee sent from him to the King. All this that I [ 10] haue spoken was done in a trice before wee stirred from the place where wee were. This was also desirous to haue the Ambar of vs before the Louthia of that seate did come, which was loo∣ked for euery day to come a new: for this was onely a Lieutenant.

When any Louthia that is not of the fiue, neither the Chaen, neither very inferiour, but as they say of the meaner sort, goeth abroad into the Citie, he hath before him a good space two Ministers with two Maces that seeme to be of siluer, vpon long staues, made almost after our fashion, and the one goeth on the one side the street, the other on the other-side. After these a little distant, goe other two, each with a straight Cane, or Pole in his hand. After these goe o∣ther two in the same distance with two Canes trayling along the Pauements, which are the In∣struments of Iustice wherewith they doe whip. After these goe other two with two Tables [ 20] like two Targets bowed and playstered, whereon is written the Title of the Officer that passeth. The formost signifie in their Maces, that he which passeth is in his Office in the Kings place. And the two straight Rods, the right of Iustice which he ought to doe. Those which carrie the Instru∣ments of whipping, doe carrie for a signe certayne long Red Laces, with two great round Tassels at the ends. And all doe carrie very gallant Plumes very well made of the points of a Peacocks tayle. And those that goe before doe now and then say with a loud voyce Huuph, which is to say, Giue place, or beware. While these doe passe it is not lawfull in any wise for any one to crosse, or goe in the middle of the street, vnder paine of being whipped without any remission.

It chanced two Portugals went through the middest of a street in Cantan walking, and behind them came an inferiour Louthia, which had but foure Ministers, which came crying according to [ 30] their custome they should giue place. The Portugals either gaue no heed or made no regard of those that came: wherefore a Minister comming, gaue a great thrust to the one of them, and the Portugall answered him with a boxe on the eare; and being bound with his hands behind him, was to goe to Prison. It was necessary for the Portugall to come to the Louthia, and pacifie him with faire words, and he made an end of pacifying him with fourteene Crownes that hee gaue him. After the Ministers commeth the Louthia in a rich Chaire gilt and very faire, on foure mens backes. These Chaires are great and sumptuous, and the Louthia goeth compassed with all the Scriueners and other his Ministers. And all of them while hee goeth by the street, goe al∣wayes running. And the Louthia weareth a long blacke Coate of fine Searge with long sleeues, which is the common wearing: he carrieth the armes a crosse like a Frier, and his eyes low with∣out [ 40] looking to any side: for euen with their eyes they will not communicate with the common people, for to preserue their authoritie the more with them, that may be more feared.

When any of the foure Louthias goeth abroad, except the Tutan, or the yearely Chaen, they goe accompanied with many Ministers, and sixe Officers doe carrie them on their backes, and they leade a spare Horse with a faire Saddle, and a cloth of Silke ouer it; the Chaire wherein they goe is more sumptuous and richer, they carrie before foure, fiue, or sixe Maces, and two or three Instruments and more Ministers.

When the Chaen that commeth euery three yeeres commeth into the Citie,* 1.25 or for forme im∣portant affaires goeth abroad, or some Quinchay, they shut vp all the doores in the streets where he passeth, and none doth worke, nor is any seene in the street when hee passeth. The shops are [ 50] shut vp, and euery thing of sale is out of sight. The Officers with coards along the street, doe make three lanes, where the triumphing Arches are made in three Arches: and through the middest passeth the Louthia onely, and the Officers on the two sides. And it is not lawfull for any to passe through the middle:* 1.26 they are accompanied of many inferiour Louthias that goe on foot. And on the one side of the street, and the other are many armed men and others with Ban∣ners of red Silke aduanced, all standing in good order. In the Court of the house where he is to goe in, are many Kettle-drummes set vpon high stakes to be well played vpon, which are coue∣red downe to the ground with clothes of Silke quartered. After these are many placed in order, with Flags of Silke on high. After these in the same order, are many with Trumpets, and all are in great silence. As soone as the Louthia appeareth they all sound their Instruments in order:* 1.27 [ 60] the sound of the Instruments ended, they remayne all in so great a silence, as if there were no bodie in the Court, being a great multitude of people. The people as they come in, doe place themselues on the sides, the middest betweene the Instruments remayning voide, whereby the Louthia passeth. Before these Louthias goe commonly many inferiour Louthias, of those that carrie Maces when they goe abroad. There are also in this Court many men at Armes with

long gilt Lances, and with very faire Armours. This is all in the first Court. In the second, a∣long the Gallerie (whereof wee spake aboue, when wee treated of the houses of the great men, that onely the Louthias passe through them) on the one side and the other are many inferiour Louthias with Head-pieces on their heads, some gilt, some with Siluer, and with Swords han∣ging at their belts, and with Coats and Cassocks made in fashion of Frockes with studs of Gold and Siluer, that it seemeth set vpon plates, but it is a very fine worke made vpon very single Silke, which serueth onely for brauerie and ornament. Some vse on their heads white Head-pieces garnished with Gold, but are of a very fine leafe and thinne, that seeming an Armour, are not. In this manner also are the Louthias inferiours, which doe enuiron the superiour Louthia. The Chaires where these doe goe are very rich and of great price, and very sumptuous. The Tables whereon is written the titles of dignitie of these Great men are written with letters of [ 10] Siluer. And when any of these doth enter newly in any Citie with these feasts and enternayn∣ments, all the Louthias, great and small, receiue him at a house (where hee landeth very rich and noble) and from thence they accompanie him vnto his lodging, and being lodged, all doe take their leaue with many curtesies. In these receiuings they vse no sumptuous apparell. The great men (when most) weare Coats of red Silke. In their owne feasts in their houses, and secretly one with another, and in banquets they vse crimson Silke, and all the brauerie in their apparell, and in rich attires.

Whensoeuer by way of inquirie or examination any Witnesses are demanded, the Louthias doe it in publicke before the Officers and ministers of his Office,* 1.28 and before all the rest that by any meanes chance to be there present, and this because no falshood may be vsed, nor any sleight [ 20] in the manner of inquiring: and by consequence in writing. And first they examine the Wit∣nesses seuerally, and if they doe agree, they ioyne them, and examine the one before the other, till they bring them to altercations and quarrelling by words, that by the words the one spea∣keth to the other they may come to the knowledge of the truth. And if by this meanes they doe not comprehend the truth, they giue them many stripes and tortures that by one meanes or other they may know the truth of the matter they enquire or examine:* 1.29 they vse no Oath, for they esteeme nothing of their Gods. They haue notwithstanding a respect in the witnessing the persons of qualitie, and of whom is presumed that they will not easily lye. When they exa∣mine any matter of great weight, or a graue person, then they write themselues, the pro∣cesse of the examination. It chanceth sometimes that some of the Louthias for a great bribe, [ 30] or for great friendship let some Prisoner loose,* 1.30 and put another in his place, for there neuer wanteth one naughtipacke that will put himselfe in danger of stripes, or death for interest, or they bring him in by deceit, deceiuing him with words, and making the matter light vnto him, and giuing him some interest, they name him as the Prisoner they will let loose, that the faults and punishments of the guiltie may fall vpon the innocent. And when sometime in this sort they cannot let the guiltie person loose, they labour to bribe all the Officers to giue him for dead among those that die in the prisons. But these inuentions are not vsed but where the bribes are great,* 1.31 or the adherents very great and mightie. And for to eschew the inconueniences which sometime fall out, when any are imprisoned for weightie matters, or the Prisoners haue great aduersaries, they set downe all the markes of the Prisoners, and cause them to be set at the foot [ 40] of the writing, that so they may not vse any of the malices abouesaid.

With how much pietie and leasure they kill, with so much crueltie and speed they whip, for in this case they forgiue none. The stripes are such that with reason it might be a sufficient pu∣nishment for to amend, for the canes wherewith they whip are plaited below about foure fingers broad, and goe straightning vpward vnto the end, where the Beadles hold them: and they are al∣most a finger thicke (for in those parts are canes as big as a mans leg. And because in Portugall are many witnesses of knowledge of the same, I dare simply affirme it, and they are of eighty * 1.32 or ninety spans long.) And their whips are made of these canes of the height of a middle statured man to the breasts. They giue the stripes on the hammes of the mans legs, being layd on his breast, and his legs layd along, and his hands tyed behind. And the Beadles butchering, as they [ 50] are commanded, the Louthias are altogether voide of compassion, talking one with another, ea∣ting and drinking, and picking their teeth. The crueltie is such, that the Court is full of bloud: and when they haue made an end of whipping them, they carrie them not, but like Butchers with much crueltie they draw them by one leg to the Prison.* 1.33 And when the Beadles are whip∣ping, they tell with a loude voyce the stripes. If the miserable Prisoners which are in the Pr∣son for grieuous faults at the time that this correction is to bee done can get a piece of a coard, wherewith they may hang themselues, they goe to buffets who shall hang himselfe first, that that the butcherie of the stripes be not executed on them. And the Portugals affirmed, which were in Prison, that in one day fortie Prisoners did hang themselues in the Prison where they [ 60] were, to escape the stripes they were rather willing to lose their liues. And they affirmed, that the coard was very short, that scarsely there was so much as to come about the necke to tye it, and on a sticke which they stucke in the wall, and because the sticke was very lowe, they pulled one another till they were choaked, going to buffets who should hang himselfe first. When any

doth kill himselfe, or dieth in the Prison, it is the order in China to cast him in the house of of∣fice, and there to be three dayes, where the Rats doe eate him vp. And sometimes the Chinaes Prisoners doe eate of them with hunger.

Euery Citie that is the Head of the Prouince, hath thirteene Dungeons,* 1.34 and in sixe of them are the men condemned to death: there are in Cantan vpward of fifteene thousand Prisoners. There are in euery Dungeon onely for the condemned to death, one hundred and twenty men that serue for watches, and haue a Louthia ouer them as their Captaine, or Gentleman of the round. There be two sorts of tortures, one for the hands, another for the feet, which are nip∣ped by certaine stickes to the bruising or breaking of the fingers or toes with cruell paines.

The King hath as many wiues as he listeth:* 1.35 and within doores all the seruice is almost of [ 10] women: whereof he hath a great multitude: and likewise great store of Eunuches, and there is no other people within the house. The first son that is borne vnto him of any of his wiues suc∣ceedeth in the Kingdome. The rest he marrieth, and at such time as he marrieth them they are lodged in some of the Cities that he best liketh; where they are well prouided of all things ne∣cessarie for their maintenance, as sonnes to the King. But they neuer see the Kings face any more after they are married.

All the Embassadours that come to China, with Embassages from Kings or Princss, receiue of the King great rewards and fauours, and they giue him Cap and signes of Lothia, whereby he hath great priuiledges in the Countrey. They may whip and punish the Chinaes themselues,* 1.36 so that they touch not any Louthia small or great: for to meddle with these would breed great [ 20] inconueniences. This was the cause that Fernando * 1.37 Perez of Adrade going for Embassadour to China, that the Chinaes did rise against him, and hee escaped with his hands on his head, losing some ships: because hauing done vnaccustomed Iustice in China, and vpon the Chinaes, and they forbearing him, he would stretch his hand to the Louthias. The goods of the Embassadour, and of his is free from customes, and to him and to his they giue lodgings to dwell in, and all things necessarie while they are in the Countrie. No man, no not a Louthia may disturbe him in any thing, nor any thing of his. One Lothia would haue whipped one of Siam, for hauing carried a message to the Prison to certaine Portugals that were in Prison. One of the Officers said vn∣to him that was present, that he was of Siam of the Embassage, wherefore being satisfied there∣with he let him goe in peace, desiring him he would not doe so againe.

[ 30] With the Chinaes being so great as at the beginning we said and declared, the King hath such meanes and industrie in the gouernement thereof, that euery moneth he knoweth all that passeth through all the Realme, and he knoweth it in this manner. All matters of Iustice and of Warre, and all annuities with all that is worth the knowing in euery one of the Prouinces is referred by the Louthias, and by other persons to the Ponchasi, and the Ponchasi maketh a relation of all by writing to the Tutan. The Tutan is bound to send a Post euery moneth to the Court, which carrieth the information in writing to the King of all things that passed in that moneth. They count their moneths by the Moones, and they are to be dispatched in such sort, that at the be∣ginning of euery Moone the Posts from all the Prouinces are to bee at the Court, that the first day of the Moone it may be presented to the King, as relations of all things happened in euery [ 40] Prouince. And although some Prouinces are farre distant from the Court, that the Posts cannot come within a moneth to the Court: notwithstanding in such manner they agree that euery Moone the King is to haue the relation of euery Prouince, though the one be of more time then another, because of the one Prouince being farre and the other neere.

The manner of the Posts is as among vs, they carrie a Horne which they winde when they come neere to any Towne, that they may haue a Horse ready in euery Towne within a certaine distance. They are bound when they heare the Horne to haue a Horse ready for him, which is done with such diligence as all the other seruices of the Officers. And where hee is to passe a Foord, as soone as he windeth his Horne with great speed they carrie him a Boat, as I saw once going to the Citie of Cantan, in a Towne that was in the way, called Caaman. Sometimes it [ 50] hapneth by the malice of some Louthias, when they haue any interest in it, to keepe some things concealed that the King knoweth not: but woe to them if the King come to know it, for they are grieuously punished, as wee shall see in a case hereafter following. Being in India, and also in China, I was enformed that sometimes the King of China doth send some men of great confi∣dence disguised through diuers parts of China, that they might see how his Officers did serue him.* 1.38 And if there were any nouelties or changes whereof they made him not priuie, or some things that were necessarie to prouide.

[ 60]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir, Master, or Lord.
• * 1.2

  Louthias of the Court Eu∣nuchs.
• * 1.3

  The Tutom; Lieutenant, Deputie or Vice-roy.
• * 1.4

  The Ponchassi or Treasurer.
• * 1.5

  The Anchasi or chiefe Iustice.
• * 1.6

  The Aitao or chiefe Cap∣taine.
• * 1.7

  His Lieute∣nan••, the Lu∣thissi.

  Each haue ten Assistants.
• * 1.8

  Ensignes of dignitie, girdle and canopie.
• * 1.9

  The Taissu or Sheriffe.
• * 1.10

  The Chaen or Iudge of the Circuit, or Visitor.
• * 1.11

  The Quinchais, Commissio∣ners extraor∣dinarie.
• * 1.12

  The third yeeres Vi∣sitor.
• * 1.13

  Commence∣ment or Act. Of this see more in the following Re∣lations of the Iesuits.
• * 1.14

  Other sorts of Louthias.
• * 1.15

  Their Priui∣ledges.
• * 1.16

  Publike Offi∣cers wholly maintayned of the publike.
• * 1.17

  Houses for Officers.
• * 1.18

  Publike Innes.
• * 1.19

  Inferiour Offi∣cers.
• * 1.20

  Rest in age with dignitie.
• * 1.21

  Reuerence.
• * 1.22

  Nimia seueritas parit contentum.
• * 1.23

  Taa.
• * 1.24

  Manner of their pomp•• in the street.
• * 1.25

  Pompe of the greater Offi∣cers.
• * 1.26

  Chaen and Quinchays splendour.
• * 1.27

  Noyse and si∣lence.
• * 1.28

  Manner of inquisition.
• * 1.29

  No Oathes.
• * 1.30

  Bribe-trickes.
• * 1.31

  Cane-whip∣ping. Much is here written of Prisons, and Executions, which I haue omitted.
• * 1.32

  Huge Reeds, or Canes.
• * 1.33

  Miserable eua∣sion of misery.
• * 1.34

  Store of free-people, and therefore store of bond, by ab∣used libertie and store.
• * 1.35

  The King his wiues, chil∣dren and ser∣uants.
• * 1.36

  Embassadours priuiledges.
• * 1.37

  Lopo Soarez was sent Vice-roy, An. 1515. and sent this Perez with a fleet to China, and therein Thomas Perez Embassadour, who were well entertayned there. But some Portugals vsurping Ta∣mus, a China-Iland, and ex∣ercising all outrages, cau∣sed T. Perez af∣ter 4. moneths trauell from Cantan to the Court to bee taken for a Spie, and sent backe to Can∣tan, where hee died in Prison among male-factors. See Maffaeus l. 5 & 6 who seemeth to disagree: or else his peo∣ples act was a••cribed vnto him. For hee had left 6. ships there, when he went to Canton.
• * 1.38

  Disguised In∣telligencers.