Page:The history of that great and renowned monarchy of China. Wherein all the particular provinces are accurately described- as also the dispositions, manners, learning, lawes, militia (IA historyofthatgre00seme).pdf/21

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Hina in its extent is one great continued Continent, without having any thing which devides it: and taking it from the latitude of Haynam (which is not farre ditant from the continent, and lyeth in nineteen degrees) it extends it elf twenty fowre degrees, inclinding towards the Eat; and ending in fourty three degrees, it comes to make a circuite o much the more pacious, by how much the coats thereof run along in various and unequall windings; and o comes to be the cheifet kingdome of the word in greatnee and almot equall to all Europe. On the wet ide thereof are many mall Ilands, but oe neere together, that they eem all to Compoe but, as it were, one body.

All this Monarchy is divided into fifteen Provinces; each of which is a pacious Kingdome, and o they were all anciently; each having a King of its own. Of thoe nine, which they call the Southern Provinces, the greatet part of them are watered with large rivers, and ome of thoe, having o great plenty of water, that in many places the oppoite banks are out of ight, one of the other; and elwhere, that which appeareth, is hardly to be ditinguihed what it is. They are all navigable, and are frequented with o great concoure of divers orts of veels, that what might be aid upon this occaion, will hardly eem credible; I hall onely  Rh