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/22

 2 ay, that in this, they do exceed all other rivers of the world. In an Arme of the river of Nanchim, which with a moderate breadth runneth down down to Hamchen, I tayed eight dayes for a paage through that onderful concoure of veels: and whilet an houre-glae of and was running out, I counted three hundred mall hips, reckoning only thoe which came up to the river. It is a marvellous thing, there being o many, that all are o ell accommodated for Merchandize, and o convenient for paengers; They are all covered and kept very neat, and ome of them o beautified and adorned with pictures, that they eem rather made for the recreation, than the traffick of Merchants.

The manner, after which they are governd is very notable: for the Marriners keep all without the place, where the paengers make their abode, there being pace enough without for them to run up and down, that trim the Sayles and guide the Bark, wthout diturbance of the others, who enjoy a pleaant eae and ret. In which the Barks of the province of Hancep exceed the ret.

The ix Northern provinces, as they come nearet to our latitude, do mot reemble our climate, and are more dry and healthful than the ret. But in all of them (more or lee) there are not wanting many of a long and happy life; there being to be found many, and very vigorous and luty old men.

This Kingdom is o populous, that not only the Villages, but even the Cities are in ight one of another; and in ome places, where the rivers are mot frequented, the habitations are almot continued. Of thee there are foure forts; great Cities which they call Fu: the leer, which they call Cen, (concerning thee, Writers have omewhat differed in their Relations:) Townes, which they call Hien; and Catles, which they call Cid. Beides thee, there are Villages and Hamlets almot innumerable. Of all thee the Walls are kept night and day with a four-fold Guard at the ound of a Bell, even to the innermot City of the Kingdom, as if they were alwayes in a condition of Warre: hewing, that to prevent the leat imaginable danger, which may fal out in an houre; it is good to tand, during life, upon our guard: for ordinarily all udden ruines proceed from along confidence. The treets are kept by Courts of Guard and Sentinels, with o much rigour, that if they find them aleep, or tragled from their Pot, or that they do not peedily anwer, they are preently condemned to the Bastinado, which is immediately executed in the ame place. The publick gates are hut every night with great care, and if there fall out any accident, they are not opened, til they are atisfied, how the Fact was done. In the year one thouand six hundred thirty four, I was in the City of Kiami, where thirty theeves broke prion, and having routed the guards, wounding ome and killing others, et themelves at liberty. The Fact was known; and the opening of the gates being upended according to their inviolable cutome, before next night the Malefactors were all taken, nor could the greatnee of the City hide any one of them. This