A true Description OF THE MIGHTY KINGDOMS OF JAPAN AND SIAM.  
Written Originally in Dutch by FRANCIS CARON And JOOST SCHORTEN: And now rendered into English by Capt. ROGER MANLEY.  
LONDON: Printed by Samuel Broun and John de l'Ecluse, at the Sign of the Queen's Arms, near the little North-Door of St. Paul's Church, 1663.   

I Find nothing in this Translation why it may not properly enough be Printed,  
Joseph Williamson. By the appointment of the Right Honourable Mr Secretary Witehall November 10. 1662. BENNET.   

To my dear BROTHER Major Francis Manley.  
Dear Brother,  
THe Dedication (as well as Writing) of Books being strongly warranted by Custom (the great Moderator of our Affairs and Actions) it appeareth not injurious to me, that this Translation pass into the World under your conduct; whose pretensions as they stand fair to the Patronage of more sublime Labours, so I am assured they will not be wanting in their Indulgence to the Infirmities of this Trifle, upon which the Bookseller having prevailed with me to cast away some spare hours, as a Compliment to my Country (at least to his Interests) I was more easily tempted to undertake it, as what might be advertisement to you; so that how cheap soever it appear in itself, my dear Brother hath goodness enough to consider it, as exposing me to the censure of thousands upon the single account of diverting him alone; and that having been a principal design of my life, I make this address, where my affection, not my ambition, leads me.  
For the Matter, it is the Author must stand accountable, not I; (and I can assure you, he is of a passable reputation in his own Country) but for the bad English, I hope a Fourteen years' Exile may excuse the Erratas in our very Mother-Tongue. I will not further bespeak your protection, left it be judged the effect of my importunity, and not your kindness; I therefore commit you to Him, who hath preserved you and me, through no ordinary dangers, to see the Land of our Canaan, though not to enjoy the fruits of it; but the happiness of our Sovereign doth virtually comprehend in it that of all His Creatures; in which number as it is your honour and mine, upon the score of an unalterable loyalty, attended with many sufferings, and our best services to stand ranked; so is it my extreme contentment and satisfaction, that I may style myself,  
Dear BROTHER, Your most faithful and most affectionate Brother, and humble Servant, Roger Manley.   

The Contents.  

1. HOw great the Country of Japan is, and whether it be an Island or no Page 3.  
2. How many Provinces it contains p. 5.  
3. What quality and authority the supreme Magistrate hath p. 15.  
4. His dwelling Place, Magnificence and Train p. 16.  
5. The number of his Soldiers and their Arms p. 35.  
6. The Authority of his Counsellors and Vassals p. 37.  
7. The quality of his Princes and Lords, and their might p. 38.  
8. Their manner of justice p. 52.  
9 What Crimes they punish most severely p. 53.  
10. What Divine Service they use p. 62.  
11. What Churches they have p. 62.  
12. What Priests they entertain p. 63.  
13. What Sects are prevalent among them p. 63.  
14. The Persecution of the Romish Christians p. 66.  
15. How this Nation lives in their Houses and Families p. 71.  
16, 17. How they receive each other, and of their Hospitality p. 73.  
18. Of their Conjugal state p. 74.  
19 Of the bringing up of their Children p. 75.  
20. What Succession ab intestato p. 77.  
21. Whether they be faithful or false in their dealings p. 78.  
22. What Traffik, and with what Nations p. 80.  
23. Of their domestic Trading and Navigation p. 81.  
24. The Profits amounting thence p. 84.  
25. Their Correspondence with Strangers p. 84.  
26. The Commodities which Japan yields p. 85.  
27. Their Mint, Measures, and Weights p. 85.  
28. What Beasts and Fowl they have p. 87.  
29. What Medicinal Waters p. 87.  
30. How the Kings, Princes, and Peers of the Kingdom receive Audience from his Imperial Majesty, and what Train they must have p. 89.  
31. Their Language, manner of Write, Reckonings, and how far they transmit their History to Posterity p. 92.    

Directions for placing the four Figures belonging to the BOOK.  

1. THe Map of the Country of japan, between page 2 and 3.  
2. The manner of Cutting up their Bellies, between page 50 and 51.  
3. The Persecution of the Christians, between page 66 and 67.  
4. The Emperor's Admittance of the Kings, Princes, and Peers of the Kingdom to his presence, between page 88 and 89.    


Perfeckte Kaert vande gelegentheydt des Landts van JAPAN.   map of Japan   

A True Description of the Mighty Kingdoms of JAPAN & SIAM.  
MY fourteen years' residence in the low Countries, (I may rather say my banishement thither,) being upon the rendition of one of the King's Garrisons, in the year, 1646 obliged by my Articles to depart the Kingdom within six months (As it hath, in some measure, furnished me with the knowledge of the Dutch tongue, so hath it given me room to observe the indefatigable industry of that people, who all of them, in their several stations, and according to their several powers and capacities, do unanimously conspire & cooperate to their support and growth in the World. And that I, by their example, or rather by the impulse of my own Genius, may cast my mite, into the service of my Country, I judged it not wholly unprofitable to put this short relation of the Great Kingdoms of Japan & Siam into the English tongue, which for the vastness of those Territories (scarce known to us by name) The Reputation of the Author (whose Collections are of great credit) But principally, as a spur to the Improvement of further discoveries & Traffic by my own Country men, will not, I hope, be unacceptable to the Reader, who I wish may so far indulge the bad English of one almost degenerated into a foreigner, (at least in his language) that it may receive a fair acceptation, which is all I propose to myself in this matter. I am not ignorant that amongst the multitude of books, under which the Press groans, it is not enough, to write well. But I being restrained to a Translation, must not pretend to rise higher than my fountain head. And my Author having made rather a collection then a History, wherein he seems to affect truth and brevity, more than the ornament of words I thought it becoming me, if I would walk in his ground, to tread in his steps, wherein if you will please to divert yourself I shall in his Person proceed to tell you.  

How great the Country of japan is & whether it be an Island or no.  
THe Country of Japan is supposed to be an Island, though there be no certainty of it, this vast territory not being yet wholly discovered to the inhabitants themselves. I have often enquired and been informed that Travellers have gone from the Province of Quanto, the principal of his Majesty's dominions wherein the Imperial City and Palace of jedo are situated, 27 day's North-East wards, before they could reach the utmost point of the land of Sungaer, bordering upon the Sea; being come thither they passed over an Isthmus of thirty three English miles broad, leading into the Country of jezzo abounding in skins & furs of price. This territory is very great, mountainous but little inhabited. The jappaners attempted its discovery several times but in vain, for though they entered to & fro, far into the Country, yet they could never find its end, nor any certainty concerning it, their provisions ordinarily failing them, which enforced their fruitless returns. The discoverers reports of these, were so imperfect that his Majesty dispaired of any further Satisfaction, the country being presented as desolate and unpassable, though in some place inhabited with a people all over hairy (wearing their Beards long, like the Chinesses) brutish, though otherwise well shaped. To consider therefore the uncertianty whether this Country be an Island or no; we may observe that the passage between Sungaer and jezzo is no running water, but an Inlet or long Isthmus of the Sea itself, 120 English Miles long, extending itself betwixt jezzo and japan, where it bounds upon vast mountains and deserts, about the Province of Ochio; so that, that way being wholly unpassable by land, travellers are forced to ferry over the aforesaid Isthmus from Sungaer to jezzo, in Barks and such shipping as they have: The two great Islands of Chirkock and Saykock are governed by Kings and Lords that share with them in the Magistracy. Chirkock hath one King and three Lords. Saykock being the bigger of the two, hath more Governors, but both are accounted Provinces of this great Empire, though least in extent of those whereof it is composed.   

How many Provinces it contains.  
THat great Territory which we call japan, & the inhabitants Nippon, borders upon those afore mentioned Islands and stretcheth to the unknown Country of jezzo, & is divided into five Provinces, to wit, jam Aystero, jetsengo, jetsesen, Quanto & Ochio, the which, with the Islands of Saykock & Chirkock, make seven in all, whose Dominions, Cities and Castles are subdivided under several Kings and Lords as the following specification of the Revenue of the whole land abundantly showeth.  

An Extract of the Sealed accounts and specification of the Revenue (Excepting the Emperors) of the King's Prince's Dukes and Lords of Japan together with the names of their Countries and Castles according to the Japans account in Cockyens each Cockyen being ten Carolus Guilders which is some Twenty Shillings Sterling.  
CAngano Tsiunangon, King of Canga, Ge●tichu, & Natta, hath his Residence in the Castle of Canga, his Revenues amounts to 1190000.  
●●rngano Daynangon, King of Surngo, Toto and Mitaunca dwells in the Castle Fayt●i●s hath in Revenue 700000  
Ouwarino Daynangou, King of Owary and Mimo dwells in the Castle of Mangay and hath. 700000  
Sendaino Thiunangon, King of Massamne and Ochio, lives in the invinsible Castle of Senday and hath 640000  
Satsumanon Thiunangon, King of Satsumae Ossimus Fiungo and Quchio lives in Ka●gasima and hath 600000  
Rinocaouny Daynangon, King of Kimo and Ishe, lives in the Castle of Wake jamma and hath 550000  
Catto Fingonocamy, King of Tingo lives in the Castle of Koumam●tte, and hath 554000  
Matsendeyro Iemenofi● King of Tsunkis●n and Faccatia dwells in Foucosa and hath 510000  
Matsendayro jonocany King of the Great Province of jetchesen lives at Ocede and hath 511100  
Calto S. Kibo King of Osio dwells in the Castle of A●s and hath in Revenue 430000  
Assaino Taysima King of Bingo dwells in the Castle of Oky and hath 420000  
Matsendeyro Nangato King of Sova dwells in the Castle of Fangy and hath 370000  
Mittono Thionangon King of Fitayt● dwells in the Castle of Mit. and hath 360000  
Nahissima Simano King of Thisien dwells in the Castle of Logtois and hath 360000  
Matsendeyro Sentairo King of janabasoky dwells in the Castle of Tackaham hath 360000  
T●do Isumy King of janga Iche dwells in the Castle of Son: hath 320000  
Matsendeyro Lonuey King of Bissen dwells at Ossaiamma hath 310000  
Inno Cammon, the bravest of the Prince's King of Totomy dwells in Savaiamma & hath 300000.  
Fosso Cowa jetchin King of Boytes lives at Cokera and hath 300000.  
Oyesungi Daynsio King of jotsengo dwells in the Castle of Gunisauwa and hath 300000.  
Matsendeyro Denrio King of the Province of jetsengo lives at Formando and hath 300000.  
Matsendeyro Auwa Duke of Auwa dwells in the Castle Incts and hath 250000.  
Matsendeyro Ietchigonacam●● Duke of the land of Congee dwells at Takato and hath 250000.  
Matsendeyro Tsiusio Duke of joo dwells at Mats jamma and hath 250000.  
Ariama Grimba Duke of Tsirkingo dwells at Courme hath 240000.  
Morimo Imasack Prince of Imasaka dwells at Tsiamma and hath 200000.  
Tory Inganocanij Prince of Sewano dwells at jummengatta hath 200000.  
Matsendeyro Tosa Prince of Tosnacorij dwells at Tocosiamma hath 200000.  
Satake Okion Prince of Wano dwells at Akita, and hath 200000.  
Matsendeuro Simo Sautamy Prince of Simosa dwells at Tatebays and hath 200000.  
Forriwo jamaissiro Prince of Ins●●o dwells at Masdayt● and hath 200000.  
Ikouma Ikinocanij Prince of Sanike dwells at Couham and hath 180000.  
Foriwo jamassiro Prince of Insimo dwells at Masdayts and hath 180000.  
Fonda Kayokamij Knight and Lord of Faryma dwells in Tayeno and hath 150000.  
Sackey Counay Knight & Lord of the great Province of Wano dwells at Fakfio & hath 150000.  
Tara sanwa Simado Knight and Lord of Fisen dwells in Lata●s and hath 120000.  
Kiongock wakasa Knight and Lord of Wakasa dwells in Osamma and hath 120000.  
Fory Tango Knight and Lord of ●etchesen dwells at Kawantisma and hath 120000.  
Minsio Fiongo Knight and Lord in Bingo dwells at F●u●ke jamma hath 120000.  
Sackopharra Eskibon Knight and Lord of Kooske dwells in the Castle of Tattays hath 120000.  
Matsendeyr● Tawayts Governor of the Emperor's Castle in Quana hath 110000.  
Oeckendyero Imysacka Knight and Lord of Simotske dwells in O●tsnomio and hath 110000.  
Sannada jut Knight and Lord of Sinano dwells at Koske and hath 110000.  
Taysibanna Finda Knight and Lord of Sickingo dwells in Imangonwa and hath 110000.  
Ongasaura Oucken Knight and Lord of Farima dwells at Kays and hath 100000.  
Indatiji Voutumij Knight and Lord of Gyo, dwells in Itasima and hath 100000.  
Nambon Sinano Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Mortiamma and hath 100000.  
Niwa Groysemon Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Sirakowa and hath 100000.  
Abeno Bitchion Governor of the Emperor's Castle Iwatsuky in the Country of Moysays hath 80000.  
Kiongock Oenieme Knight and Lord of Tanga dwells in Tanabe and hath 70000.  
Makino Surnga Lord in jetchingo dwells at Wangerecka and hath 70000.  
Nackangonwa Nysien Lord in Bong● lives in the City of Nangoun and hath 70000.  
Matsendayr● Comba Lord in Sinano dwells in Matsmo●● hath 70000.  
Nay●●o Samma Lord in Fitayts dwells in the City of Iwaysko and hath 70000.  
jeckenda Bit●hiou Governor of the Emperor's Castle Matsiumma in Bitchiou hath 60000.  
Matswia Fisennocamij Lord in Fisen dwells at Firando where the Ships belonging to the Company have their Haven and Traffic his income is 60000.  
Sengoock Fiwo Lord in Sinano lives at Ojonda and hath 60000.  
Catta Sewado Lord in Gyo dwells at Oets and hath 60000.  
Tosruwa Okion Lord in Dewano lives in the Lordship of Shimchiro and hath 60000.  
Matsendeyro Iwamij Lord in the Country of Farima dvvells at Bisongori and hath 60000.  
Matskonra Bungo Lord in Fisen dwells at Simabarra and hath 60000.  
jescoun a Tonnomon Lord in Bongo dwells at Fita and hath 60000.  
Tsungaer jetchin Lord in Ochio dwells at Tsungaer a Sea town and hath 60000.  
Ongasauwara Simano Lord in Farimer dwells at Sekays and hath 60000.  
Itho Chiury Lord in Fonga dwells at Orasi and hath 50000.  
Fourta Fi●a Lord in Iwamy dvvells at Daysiro and hath 50000.  
Wakesacka Arbays Lord in Sinano and dvvells at Ino 50000.  
Touky Nangato Lord in johe dwells at Toba hath 50000.  
Arima Soymonoskie Lord in Niko dwells at Acconda and hath 50000.  
Outa Fiwo Lord in jamatta dwells at Ouda and hath 50000.  
Matsendeyro D●w●do Lord in the great Province of jetsesen dwells at Oune & hath 50000.  
Minsnokuyte Foky Lord in jetsengo lives at Ribatta and hath 50000.  
Innaba Mimbro Lord in Bonngo lives at Ousthero and hath 50000.  
Croda Caynokamij Lord in Chimano lives at Camro and hath 50000.  
Matsendeyro Sonodonno Lord in Isumij liveth at Kisnowadda and hath 50000.  
Tonda Sammon Lord in Sonno●●mmy dvvells at Amangasack and hath 50000.  
Stotsianangy Kemmot● Lord in I●hie lives at Congon and hath 50000.  
Fondo Ichenocamy Lord in Micanwa lives at Ocha Sacka and hath 50000.  
Matsendeyro jamayssiro Lord in Tamba dwells at Cassaiamma and hath 50000.  
Mory Caynocamij Lord in Ingal Iche dwells at Sowro Sada and hath 50000.  
Tonda Notanocamij Lord in Farima dwells at Fimens' hath 50000.  
Akito Sionoske Lord in Fitayts dvvells at Chi●hindo and hath 50000.  
Assano Oenime Lord in Chions lives at Casseme and hath 50000.  
Neyto Cinocamij Lord in Chions lives at Akandate and hath 50000.  
Cats Kibodo Lord in Ochio lives at Ay●s and hath 50000.  
Samma Daysiennocamij Lord in Ochio dwells at Sama and hath 50000.  
Fonda jamatta Lord in Taysima lives at Isius and hath 50000.  
Ouckob Cangato Lord in Mino lives at Canno and hath 50000.  
Nayto Boysen Lord in Dewano lives in jodata and hath 50000.  
Inawa Aways Lord in Tamba lives at Fucokuytscamma and hath 40000.  
Camij Asirick Lord in Iwamij lives at Mongamij and hath 40000.  
Cattaygiri Ismou Lord in jammano dwells at Tatsta and hath 40000.  
Chonda Findanocami Lord in the Province of jetsesen lives in Maroka and hath 40000.  
Itacaura Savadonne Governor of the great City of trade Miako hath 40000.  
Matsendeyro Bougo Lord of the Country of Iwamy dwells at Nakasima hath 40000.  
Fonda Nayky Lord in Farima lives at Fimris hath 40000.  
Matsendeyro Tango Lord in Ochio lives at Suckey and hath 40000.  
Caenna Maury Isonmo Lord in Finda lives at Oumory and hath 40000.  
Ciongock Chiury Lord in Tango lives in Tannabe and hath 36000.  
Outta Giuwe Lord in Mino lives at Itsnoday and hath 30000.  
Matsendeyro Getsio Governor of the Castle jonda in jamaysiro hath 30000.  
Matsendeyro Ouckon Lord in Farima lives at Ako and hath 30000.  
Minsonoya Ichenokamy Lord in Kooskie lives in Chitiotay●● and hath 30000.  
Immasacka Kaynokamij Lord in Bitchou lives at Na●se and hath 30000.  
Matsendeyro jammatto Lord in jetsesen lives at Catsiamma and hath 30000.  
Inno Fiveo Lord in Costie lives at Amma and hath 30000.  
Matsendeyro Tonnomon Lord in Mikaura lives at juffinda and hath 30000.  
Akisuckie Nangako Lord in Niko lives at Sumyno and hath 30000.  
Savo Inaba Lord in Sinano lives at Sova and hath 30000.  
Foysimo Fongo Lord in Sinano lives at Tackaboyts and hath 30000.  
Sunganoma Owribe Lord in Totomij lives in Seize and hath 30000.  
Simaes' Oemanoske Lord in Nicholas lives in Sando Barra and hath 30000.  
Kinostag jemmon Lord in Bongo lives at Fins and hath 30000.  
Sono Tsinsima Lord in Tsinsima hath 30000.  
Koyndo Fimano Lord in Tongo lives at Okada hath 30000.  
Fondo Fimoso Governor of Nissiwo lives at Mikauwa hath 30000.  
Gorick Serfnokamij Lord in Mikauwa lives at Fammats and hath 30000.  
Chinsio Swraga Lord in Fitayts dwells in Tsuytowra and hath 30000.  
Secuma Fisen Lord in Sinano lives at Iraiamma and hath 30000.  
Todo Toinsima Lord in Mino lives at Cannaiamma and hath 30000.  
Fonda Isumij Lord in Fitayts lives at Minangaura and hath 30000.  
Tongauwa Tosa Lord in Bitchion lives at Nikays and hath 30000.  
Matsendeyro Tosa Lord in the Province of jessesen lives at Konomatra and hath 30000.  
Sugyfarra Foky Lord in Fitayts lives at Gungowry and hath 20000.  
Kynostay Kounay Lord in Bithion lives at Korousy and hath 20000.  
Matsendeyro Koysero Lord in Farima lives at Farima and hath 20000.  
Inasacka Tsonokamij Governor of the Emperor's Castle Osacca hath 20000.  
Matsendeyro Kenmots Lord in Tamba lives at Cammeiomme and hath 20000.  
Mastey Sake Lord in Ochio lives at Sanboumats and hath 20000.  
Oumowra Mimbou Lord in Fisen lives at Daymats and hath 20000.  
Matsendeyro Isumij Lord in Mino lives at Iwamoura and hath 20000.  
Matsendeyro Chinocamy Lord in Tsonnotamy lives at Faynotory 20000.  
Minsuo Fayto Lord in Micauwa lives at Corea and hath 20000.  
Nito Tutewaky Lord in Chiono lives at Iway Fouwo and hath 20000.  
Ongusawary Wakasa Lord in Simosa lives at Sekyda and hath 20000.  
Fithicatta Cammon Lord in Chiono lives at Mawasa and hath 20000.  
Iwaky Sirrosy Lord in Chiono lives at jedowra and hath 20000.  
Rekongo Fiongo Lord in Dewano lives at Iwry and hath 20000.  
Takennacia Oenieme Lord in Boungo lives at Fouway and hath 20000.  
Moury Ickenocaney Lord in Boungo lives at Ounays' and hath 20000.  
Wakebe Sackion Lord in Totomij lives at Oumiso and hath 20000.  
Is●ifoi● Insnocamy Lord in Totamy lives at Cosioys and hath in Revenue 20000.  
All these Sums amount to 17794000.   

Here follow some lesser Lords whose Lordships and places for brevity are omitted as less considerable their names only and Revenues being specified as followeth.  
Sangoro Saffioye 20000.  
Fory Minnasacka 20000.  
Choir jamma Sammon 15000.  
Fossa Cawa Geruba 15000.  
Fackyna Deysen 15000.  
Matsendeyro Deysen 15000.  
Gottoways Lord of the Island Goto: 15000.  
Catayngori Iwami 15000.  
Cussima jerfingo 15000.  
Coubary Tomoty 15000.  
Tackamy mondo 15000.  
Miake jetsingo 15000.  
Cackebe Sayngow 10000  
Mynangava Chynomoceamij 10000  
jaydsio Dewanocanij 10000  
Coungay Inabae 10000  
Sackan Oukon 15000.  
Condae Iwanij 15000.  
Nasno jents 15000.  
Oudaurae Bisen 10000  
Toiamma Gidwo 10000  
Fira Ougae Giu●mon 10000  
Oseki jemmon 10000  
Fayssien Gowas 10000  
Outano Tango 10000  
Fieno Owrabi 10000  
Auby Ceynocams 10000  
Otana Monsoys 10000  
Majudda jametta 10000  
Taitsibanna Saoken 10000  
Octana Caweyts 10000  
Nimas Kybon 10000  
Fory Arbays 10000  
Fosio Mimasacka 10000  
Sango Wake Sakea 10000  
Tonda Inaba 10000  
Samnanda Nyki 10000  
Ikenday jetseses 10000  
Miangi Simsen 10000  
Iton Tangow 10000  
Tonda Nayki 10000  
All hitherto comes to 18395000   

Here follow's the Emperors Counsellors who receive their Salary out of his Majesty's Revenues, whose Lordships we likewise omit for brevityes sake, and shall only mention their names and Salleryes.  
Doyno Doydonno Precedent 150000.  
Sackey Outadono Chancellor 120000.  
Nangay Sywodonno 100000.  
Sackay Samikodonno 90000  
Ando Oukiondonno 60000  
In●s● Cawaytsdo 50000  
Inabe Tangedonne 40000  
Sackay Auwado 30000  
Sakay jamessicodonno 30000  
Nayda Ingado 20000  
Tsitia Winbondonno 20000  
Misson Oukiedonno 20000  
Metsendeyro jemoudonno 20000.  
jammanguyts Tassimandanno 20000.  
Matsendey● jurdonno 20000.  
Abe acoungo Donno 15000.  
Auwe jamon Oukerodonno 15000.  
Ciongock Siensendonne 15000.  
Itacaura Nistenda 15000.  
Nacsie jucdonno 15000.  
Akimouta Taysionadonno 15000.  
Forita Cangadonna 15000.  
Miura Symadonne 10000  
Maynda Gonoske donne 10000  
Missona jamacta 10000  
Fory Itsuocamij 10000  
Mury Oemonoskedonno 10000  
Fondo Saniadonno 10000  
The Totall 19345000.   
Moreover, his Majesty spends in his own and his Son's Table and clothes together with his Wives and their Table & clothes, four Millions of Guilders yearly which in Sterling Moneys is 400000.  
His Majesty's life guard being all persons of quality receive in pay and pensions yearly 500000.  
All these vast Expenses amount to 283 Millions 450 thousand Guilders or 28345000 sterling money   

What quality & authority the supreme Magistrate hath.  
THe supreme Magistrate in Japan is styled Emperor in respect of the Kings & Princes that are under his Obedience, He is Sovereign Lord and Owner of the whole land and hath power (as it happened several times during my residence there) to banish and punish with death, at pleasure, his offending Kings and Lords, and to give away their Commands and Treasures to those he fancies more deserving than they.   

His dwelling place, magnificence & Train  
The Imperial City of jedo, where his Majesty resides, is very great, his Palace contains in circuit six English miles, being encompassed with three Moats and three Counterscharpes: These Ditches are very deep, being bordered on both sides with high and strong Stone walls strangely angular: The first circumference, entering into the second, the second into the third, and this again into the second and first, so oddly that it is impossible, by reason of the multiplicity of the points & works, to remember the fashion of the whole, and it is not permitted to take the plain thereof. Such as enter must go through a passage of three or four hundred paces, fortified with Eight or Nine huge gates not right over each other, but answering the points and half circles in the mentioned walls, betwixt every two ports there is a large plain guarded with a Company of Soldiers, and those being past several heights with broad stone Stairs and Walls, which being likewise surmounted, several great Plains bordered with large Galleries against the Sun and Rain, do present themselves to the common view. The Streets in the Castle are extraordinary large, built on each side with goodly Palaces, belonging to the Lords of the Kingdom: The Castle Gates are very strong, and covered on both sides with iron Bars of an inch thick crossing each other, and fastened with Bolts of the same: every Gate hath his House large enough to contain two or three hundred Soldiers, and defensible upon occasion: within, in the midst of the first circumference, standeth his Majesty's Palace; it is great, and consisteth of several dwellings beautified with Woods, to the envy of Nature, full of Ponds, Rivers, Gardens, Plains, Courts, places to Pickeer and Sport in, and moreover, contains all the dwellings of his Women. The second Circumference is inhabited by the next Princes of the blood, and those of the Council: And the third is possessed with the proud Palaces and dwellings of the several Kings and principal Dukes, and Lords of Japan. The chiefs of Lesser note have their Houses without the third Round, each adorned according to the Dignity and Riches of the Owners, all almost gilded, so that this goodly Edifice appears at a distance not unlike a Mountain of Gold; for all the Lords (none excepted) rack themselves to please his Majesty by beautifying his Castle and their own Habitations; which their lawful Wives and Children do likewise enjoy after their decease, continuing always under the Emperor's eye as Hostages of their fidelity. This City of jedo is nine English Miles long, and six broad, and is as closely built as any City in Europe.  
The Court, how great soever, is daily crowded with multitudes of Nobles, who with their numerous Trains with Horses and Palanquins make the Streets too narrow for their passage. When the Emperor goeth abroad, sometimes on Horseback, and sometimes carried in a Pallanquin, open on every side, he is ordinarily accompanied with these Lords, who are called his Majesty's Companions; being all of them of high State and Revenues, though without Lands or other Office save their attendance: They are Persons extraordinarily qualified; some in Music and sing, others in Physic, Writing, Painting, Elocution, and the like. These are followed by the Lifeguard, all Persons of quality and choice, being the natural Sons of Kings and Princes, begot on their Concubines and uncapable of succession; and the Brothers, Cousins and Kindred of great Lords, which, by reason of their many Women, are very numerous: I will give you one example. The Emperor's Uncle, King of Mito, now fifty four years old, hath as many Sons as he hath years, and many more Daughters, whose number is unknown. After these follows part of the second Lifeguard, which consisting of some thousands, is so divided, that half goes a Cannon shot before his Majesty, and the other half follows at the same distance.  
However the number of these Soldiers be great, yet there is not one of them which hath not passed Examination, and found to be thus qualified: They must be active of body, ready in the use of all sorts of Arms, and somewhat knowing in their Studies; especially well exercised and trained, which they are to a wonder: for when his Majesty moves, they go along, Horse and Foot, clothed all in black Silk, and ranked before, behind, and on each side of him: They march in such comely order, that never a one is observed to go out of his place; and with such silence, that they neither speak nor make any the least noise: Neither indeed do the Citizens move their lips when the Emperor passeth, nothing being then heard but the ruffling of Men and Horses: The ways and streets, are at such times, made very clean, strewed with sand and sprinkled with water: No doors are shut, and yet no body dares look out either at them or at the windows, or so much as stand in their shops to see the Emperor pass; all must keep within doors, unless such who will kneel upon mats before them. When his Majesty goes on progress to Miako, sometimes the imperial City, which happens once every five or seven Years, to give the Deyro (which is the true Heir of the Kingdom and lives there) a visit, the preparations are making an whole year before the orders are given on what day and with what train every great Man shall go, to the end that the ways may not be pestered with their numbers. Half of the great Lords, according to their turns set out some days before, then follows his Majesty with his Councillors, who are followed some days after by the remaining Kings and Lords. The concourse of people at such a time is incredible, the whole City, though containing above One hundred thousand Houses, not being big enough to lodge them all; so that tents and huts are raised round about the same for the Soldiers and common People.  
The distance betwixt Jedo and Miako is reckoned to be one hundred twenty five Dutch miles; At every two or three miles there is a City or open Town; and the whole is divided into twenty and eight Gists or Lodgings, whereof twenty are strong Castles: there is in every quarter, from the first to the last, a train of Gentlemen, Soldiers, Horse, Provisions, and all necessaries befitting so great a Prince, ordered there for his reception and entertainment. Those that set out with him from Jedo stay in the first lodging; those that were there remove with him to the second; those of the second to the third, and so to the last; so that each train and their dependants follow his Majesty but half a day, until all of them, according to their instructions, marching in order, do at length arrive at Miako, leaving the aforesaid Castles and Lodgings to their usual Governors and Guards. In the return from Miako to Jedo the same method is observed, all things being prepared as formerly, without trouble or confusion.  
This year 1636 there is an extraordinary great Edifice and Building at Niko, four days journey from Jedo, which is to be the Burial place of the Emperor's Father, in whose Temple the great Copper Crown which the East-India-Company gave his Majesty last year, is hung up. There is likewise in this territory of Niako a very great Castle, with double moats and stone walls, strong and sumptuous: there are several Palaces in it; as also a great number of Artificers, as Painters, Masons, Statue-Cutters, Gold, Silver, and Iron-Smiths, Cloathiers, and all sorts of Handy-Crafts-Men, who have their tasks set them, but are well paid. This Castle, which seemed to require three years for its building, was finished in five months, though it lies far in the Country, and out of all ways, being only made to receive his Majesty in his ceremonious visits of his Father's Sepulchre.  
His Majesty's Treasure consists in Silver and Gold, packd in Chests, each weighing one thousand Teyls, that is about fourscore ordinary pounds weight: these are placed in the several Towers of his Castle together, with other legacies, with their writings, which are kept for their Antiquity. This vast Treasure increases daily, for the Revenue of two months, is sufficient to defray the Emperor's expenses, how great soever, for one whole year.  
This Emperor's Father being the Son of Ongoschio, who possessed himself of the Government after the late troubles, died about the fiftieth year of his age, in the year of our Saviour 1631: being sensible of his end, he called his Son to him, and amongst many other good counsels, concluded to this purpose; My Kingdom and all my Treasures are yours; but what I recommend to you I likewise deliver you, The old Laws and Chronicles of the Country, our written Sentences and Wisdom are enclosed in this Cabinet, the principal jewels of my Crown are likewise in it; receive them all as they deserve, for they are mine, and were highly valued by your forefather's. The Jewels which were accounted inestimable, are these following; whereof he gave to his eldest Son, Emperor of Japan, 

A crooked Sable, called Jeiuky Massamme.  
Another Sable called Samoys.  
Another less called Bungo Doyssero.  
A Pot called Naraissiba.  
A great t'Siapol called Stengo.  
A Manuscript called Anckocky kindo.  
To his Brother King of Ouway and Atstanomia,  
A Picture called Darme, to be viewed backward.  
A Sable called Massamme.  
To his second Brother King of Kinokouny, A Sable called Jees Messamme.  
A Picture of Frogs.  
To his third Brother King of Mito.  
A Sable called Sandamme.  
A Manuscript called Seuche.    
These six pieces bestowed on the three Brothers are but of little worth, in comparison of the six other given the Emperor, and yet they are valued at a thousand gold Oebans, that is forty seven Teylens a piece. The Silver and Gold which his Majesty gave to the Princes of his blood, to several of his favourite Kings, their Wives, his companion Lords, his Soldiers and Gentlemen amounted upon account to above Thirty Millions sterling.  
The present Emperor being after his Father's decease in full and peaceable possession of the Government, had as than no lawful Wife, being much given to Sodomy, which moved the Deyro to send him two beautiful Ladies, (of his own kindred, and every way accomplished) with a desire that he would be pleased to choose one of them, that best pleased him, for his Midia or Empress. He did indeed consent to the Deyros' request, but followed his old way of living; so that the young Lady, being destitute of the conversation she might reasonably expect, was extremely afflicted, although she durst not let it appear for fear of her Husband's displeasure. At length her Fostermother (a Lady of great credit, both in respect of her age, and in that she had bred up so great a Princess) finding the Emperor one day in a good humour, adventured, though very submissively, to speak to him in behalf of her Mistress; which she did as followeth. How is it possible that your Majesty's affections should be carried away with such unnatural pleasures, and that so beautiful a Creature as your own Handmaid, who would rejoice you in bearing another like to yourself, should be forgotten, certainly she ought to be preferred. The Tyrant, though till now in his frolicks, grew angry, yet said nothing; but rising up retired immediately: and sending for all the Overseers of his Buildings, commanded them forthwith to begin and build him a Castle, with high Walls, Moats, Bridges, and strong Gates; as also to adorn it within with all manner of necessary and sumptuous appertainments and Lodgings. The work being finished with more than ordinary haste, the beautiful Queen, her Fostermother, and all that train of young Ladies which she brought with her from Miako, were put into it, where she is kept without the sight of men, and entirely forsaken of her Husband. The Emperor's own Fostermother, who was likewise in great esteem and respect as his own Mother, being much troubled at this action of his Majesty, and seeing he had no Children, neither was like to have any whilst he lived thus, sent into the several Countries in his Dominions to search out the most charming beauties that could be found; which done, she disposes of them in such manner, that his Majesty insensibly had the sight of them all; among the rest there was a slight maid, an Armourers Daughter, who did so far please him, and gain upon his affections, that he lay with her. The great Ladies of the Court, seeing an Artificers Girl preferred before them all, mad with jealousy and rage, resolved to strangle her Child in its birth, which they cruelly performed; but have hitherto kept the knowledge of so black a deed from the Emperor, fearing his just indignation and revenge.  
The Japan Chronicles write, that this great Kingdom hath, until this hundred years, been still governed by an Hereditary Prince, which they call Deyro, who was in such reverence with the people, that never any tumults or civil broils were raised against his Person or Authority: He was esteemed so Sacred, that to oppose him was judged no less criminal than to fight against the Gods; both being inexpiable. When any difference arose betwixt his subject-Kings, so that they armed each against other, there was a Generalissimo appointed to mediate their quarrels, and punish, if need were, the offending or transgressing Prince: For the Deyros themselves were esteemed so holy, that they never trod upon the ground; neither was the Sun or Moon ever suffered to shine upon them; nothing of their Body was diminished or paired off, their hair, beard and nails being suffered to grow at length: When they did eat, their meat was still dressed in new pots, and served up in new dishes. They have twelve married Wives apiece, who are severally honoured and brought with various ceremonies to this height and state: When the Deyro goes abroad, he is followed with these twelve Women, each in her Coach, adorned with her Arms and Titles; these have their Houses and Trains apart, all in the Deyro's Palace, built in rows, six on a side, very magnificent, and beautified (as the Coaches) with their Names, Arms and Titles. The Concubines dwell likewise by themselves. Supper is provided every evening in every one of these twelve Houses, with voices and instruments, though none knows who shall be honoured with the Deyro's company. Where the Deyro enters, the banqueting and provision of the other eleven Houses is immediately brought thither; the other eleven Wives following with their Ladies and Music, to divert and make merry with her whom the Deyro thinks at present worthy of his conversation: They have their Comedies likewise, and such other pastimes as befit so splendid an entertainment.  
When the Deyro is blessed with a Son, the hoped Successor of that Empire, a Nurse is chosen for him out of eighty of the loveliest Women of the Country, young and Noble Wives to Persons of great quality and birth: These Women are honoured and received by the Deyro's twelve Wives, and all his Women, as also those nine principal Lords who are of his blood and kindred, and next the inheritance in case he have no issue male, with extraordinary ceremonies and feasting. The following day forty are chosen out of the fourscore, the which, the number decreasing, are entertained more honourably than before; the day being spent in usual and pompous diversions, the recited forty retain the Titles and Dignities of Foster-mothers', but are dismissed from further attendance, though not without gifts and rich presents. Ten are again chosen out of the remaining forty; out of these ten three; and lastly, out of these three one; in all which elections the honours, ceremonies and presents are successively heightened. Three days after the last chosen Nurse is again highly entertained; which being done, the milk is pressed out of her breasts into the Child's mouth, (which all this while is held by one of the noblest Ladies of the Court;) which ceremony done, the Nurse is as then esteemed worthy to take that Child into her custody, being it hath tasted of her milk and substance.  
The Ceremonies and Feasts of their Weddings, Childe-bearings, and those other which they celebrate yearly, are performed with much state and modest pomp, and are at this day in use by the Deyro, who wants nothing, save that the Land is governed by another; the reason and history whereof we will briefly declare.  
The Office of Chief General was formerly the first in the whole Kingdom, which ordinarily was conferred upon the Deyro's second Son; but having then another Son, which, for the Mother's sake, he was willing to advance, he divided this great charge betwixt them, with command, that they should govern each his three years by turn. This took for some time, until one of them, having tasted the sweetness of ruling, was loath to quit so splendid an employment; he therefore leagues with the great Lords of the Country, and settles his power so fast, during his Commission, that neither the commands and entreaties of his Father, nor the violence of his offended Brother, were able to remove him: Yet this being a business of so ill and so great consequence, and like to embroil the Kingdom in disorders, the Deyro resolved to chastise his rebellious Son; which, by the assistance of his Kings, and the valour of his former General, he did. And this was the beginning, and the first intestine war that ever happened against the Deyro's State and Authority.  
The aforesaid General being for his good service continued in his command, ordered his business so well, that after his Majesty's death he made himself Lord of his inheritance, usurping the Government of the Kingdom wholly into his hands; leaving yet the Deyra's Court in its former state and greatness, (his Successor to his Revenue) and commanding he should be used in all things with the same respect and ceremony as before. These proceedings produced another War, another General being chosen; who having overthrown the former, usurped to himself what he had condemned in his Predecessor, the Sovereignty of the whole Land; which occasioned a third intestine War more cruel and more destroying then the other two: For now the Kings and Governors of Provinces began to set up each for himself, so that the Country was well nigh ruined (Town being against Town, and City against City) by these dissenting Grandees: During these troubles it fell out that a bold active Fellow, formerly a private Soldier, thinking it best fishing in troubled waters, resolved to put in for a share; Having therefore got together forty or fifty Companions, as desperate as himself, he in a little time, what with his good fortune and good conduct, grew very numerous and considerable, and having taken several Castles and Towns, drove likewise all that stood him out of the field; so that in less than three years he became absolute and Sovereign Lord of the whole Kingdom. He, as the other Usurpers, left the Deyro in quiet possession of all he formerly enjoyed (except the Government) which he held himself; and was afterwards, by the said Deyro, (unable to vindicate his own right) acknowledged and crowned Emperor of Japan with unimaginable pomp and magnificence.  
This Emperor, whose name was Taycko, being no less prudent than brave, fearing lest the great Lords of his Kingdom, reflecting upon the lowness of his former condition might contemn his present Authority, as disdaining to be governed by one less than themselves, thought it best to keep them in action, the better to divert them from caviling a new; he therefore sent those Kings and Chiefs, that he feared most, with an Army of sixty thousand Men, to war against Corea, and reduce that Country to the obedience of the japan Empire. These he held there with kind messages, and reiterated promises of succours seven whole years, commanding they should not return till they had subdued and made conquest of all: But the Army longing for their Country, their Wives and Children, and despairing of a return, mutined; and destroying, burning, and plundering all they could meet, endeavoured the satisfaction of their pretended wrongs by the desolation of others. The Coreans, unable to endure this violence any longer, sent an Ambassador to the Emperor Taycko, who, being admitted into his Court, found means to take away his life by poison, in revenge of the manifold wrongs his Country had suffered by the injurious ambition of this Prince. The Kings and Lords, commanding the Army in Corea, hearing of their Emperor's death, resolved to quit that Country, and to return every one to his own, in expectation and hopes who amongst them might be chosen to succeed in the Sovereignty.  
The Emperor being removed, left one only Son behind him, called Fideri, about six years of age; but before he died he appointed him a Governor, one of the greatest Lords of his Country, by name Ongoschio; one whom he had obliged by his favours, and relied upon above all others for his fidelity: To this Person he delivered his Infant-Son, with command, that when he was fifteen years of age, he should cause him to be crowned by the Deyro, with the usual Pomps and Ceremonies, as Emperor of japan. Ongoschio being thus declared Governor of the Prince's Person, was likewise by Taycko's will, and the consent of his Subject-Kings, made Regent of the Kingdom during the minority, which for some time he peaceably ruled in his Master's name: But growing now weary of subordination, he quickly forgot his promise made to Taycko, and sealed with his blood; Fideri being therefore to be removed, to make place for his greatness, he assaulted him first in his reputation, by laying those things to his charge he was no way guilty of; amongst others, he accused him of distrust of his Tutor, and that he made private preparations to extort the Government out of his hands by force, before his time; he laid likewise ambition, and an untimely desire of honour to his charge, in that he suffered himself to be adored as Emperor before he was invested with the Power; and that the Kings and Lords of the Realm, had done him that reverence which was only due to a received Emperor. But armed ambition needs not many excuses, Ongoschio musters his united forces in the Kingdom of Surnga, and marching thence to Onsacka, where Fideri held his Court, besieged him with all his might. Fideri, having held out three months, being now reduced to great extremity, would prevent his ruin by a sordid submission; he therefore sent to Ongoschio to beg his life, quitting all his pretence to the Empire, and desiring only to survive a Vassal to the Conqueror. But Ongoschio refused all manner of capitulation; and though Fideri sent out his Wife, who was his Adversaries Daughter, to supplicate his safety, she could not be heard of her Father. The Castle being taken, the Palace where Fideri had retired himself, with his Mother and chief Friends, was encompassed with great posts and pallisadoes, and much wood being piled up about it, the unfortunate Prince, and all them that were with him, were miserably burnt and consumed with sire. Ongoschio having thus destroyed his Master, put all them to death who were considerable, and of his party; bringing the whole Empire under his obedience by force, as Taycko had done before him. The year following Ongoschio died, not enjoying long what his violence had so quickly got him, his Son Coubo, or Coubosanna, succeeded him, who was Father to this present Emperor Chiongon, now reigning.   

The number of his Soldiers, and their Arms.  
THe Revenue which is divided amongst the Kings and governing Lords, amounts (as is already demonstrated) to 18400000 Coquyns, or Pounds sterling; according to which account, each of them must, proportionably, entertain a select company of Soldiers, always in readiness for the Emperor's service; so that he who hath a thousand Coquyns yearly, must bring into the field, when ever he is commanded, twenty Foot Soldiers & two Horsemen. Thus the Lord of Fiarmor, who hath 60000 Coquyns a year, must entertain, as he easily may, one thousand two hundred Foot, and one hundred and twenty Horse, besides Servants, Slaves, and what more is necessary for the Train. The number therefore of Soldiers, which the Emperor hath continually in service, entertained by the aforesaid Kings and Lords, amount to three hundred sixty eight thousand Foot, and thirty six thousand eight hundred Horse. Besides these his Majesty hath one hundred thousand Foot, and twenty thousand Horse, which he pays out of his own Revenue, and keeps for the Garrisoning of his Castles and Forts, and the securing of his own Person. Most of the Lords, especially the most powerful, do ordinarily keep double the number of Soldiers, and many more than they are obliged to by their tax; and all to out vie each other, and the better to ingratiate themselves with their common Master, as hath appeared at large in the late War. The Horsemen are all harnessed, though the Foot have no other defensive arms then a Head-piece; the Horse are armed, some with short Guns, some with short Pikes, others with Bows and Arrows, and all with Swords or Sables. The Foot have likewise Sables, Pikes, and Halberds, and those that are divided into Companies Fire-Arms: every five Soldiers have their Commander armed as they are; five of these Chiefs have likewise those who command them; and their five and twenty, and twice twenty five, make a complete Company, commanded by two Heads, who, with their fifty, are commanded by a Captain in chief: five of these ordinary Companies are again commanded by another; and fifty Companies have likewise their principal Officer; the same method and order being held under the Horse. His Majesty may easily and exactly know how many living souls, how many Soldiers, and how many Citizens he hath in his whole Kingdom; 
Manie●e van justity in Jappon.  for the Houses being built by five and five, and every five having their Commander who must register all them that are born and die within their Jurisdiction, and report the same to their Lords, who again are obliged to tell it their Kings, and they to two Officers appointed by the Emperor for that purpose.   

The Authority of his Councillors and Vassals.  
THe Senators, or Councillors, hath each his Office apart, excepting only four, who are the principal and chief Ministers of State; these come daily to Court, and dispatch all Public Affairs by his Majesty's directions; and are (as likewise the other minor Senators) highly respected and honoured by the subordinate Kings and Lords: The chief of these have two hundred thousand pounds a year, the middle half so much, and the lesser thirty, twenty, and ten thousand pounds per An. Their Authority and Power is confined to the Emperor's Pleasure, none of them (upon pain of Banishment or worse) daring to advise a second time, after Answer once received from the Prince. His Majesty chooses these his Councillors out of those Gentlemen that have served well and long, having been bred up in the Court with him, and had the address to please him most. All the Affairs of the Kingdom pass these men's hands; but they are very circumspect in observing his Majesty's eye and pleasure, before they adventure to propose advice or answer, and all to continue in his good grace and favour; nay, they are foe fearfully slavish, that they approve of whatever the Prince proposes, and though the ruin of a Province depended upon it, will not seem to have sentiments differing from his.   

The quality of his Princes and Lords, and their might.  
THe Revenues of the commanding Lords, as appears by their specifications, are very great, and yet they have, by reason of their vast expenses, enough to do with their moneys: First, they are obliged, though never so far distant from Court, to reside six months every year in the City of Jedo, to wait upon the Emperor. Those of the North and East come one half year, which being expired, they are relieved by them of the South and West; who depart with his Majesty's leave, after much Ceremony, Feasting, and receiving of Presents back to their several Countries. Thus they take their turns at Court, which is infinite expensive, by reason of their numerous trains, some of them travelling to and fro with one, two, three, four, five, and six thousand men. The Lord of Firando, (where our East-India-Company hath a Lodge) being but one of the least among them, travels with three hundred Men, Gentlemen and others; and hath in his two Houses at jedo above a thousand Persons, Men and Women. Thus each Lord lives according to his Means and Dignity, rather profuse then sparing; so that the City swarms with Men and Attendance, which makes the Markets high and very dear. Their sumptuous Buildings, their gorgeous Clothing of their Servants, especially their Women and their Attendants, their Feasts, their Presents, and other extraordinary Expenses of that proud and pompous Court, do sufficiently keep under these great Men; for their Charges surmount their Revenues, and they are found most commonly to be much behind hand. Besides all this his Majesty's orders, the making of several public Buildings, as Highways, Channels, Castles, and the like, all which are divided amongst the aforesaid Lords then at Court, each his share; which they cause to be made, without respect of expense, to the envy of each other, with all speed and industry imaginable. The chief Lords when they build new Palaces for themselves, do besides the ordinary Gates and Doors, cause another great and sumptuous Port to be made, beautified with Statues, and wrought all with hard Wax, or Indian Lack, and richly guilt. This Entry being finished, it is covered all over with Planks, to keep the Sun and Rain from it; and continueth so enclosed and shut up, until such time as the Emperor honours that House with his presence: After his Majesty hath passed and re-passed through the said Gate, it is wholly shut up and never opened more; no man being afterwards found worthy to go in or out at that Door, which hath been graced with the Prince's entry. His Majesty doth go but once to feast in one House, all the preparations for his entertainment being made ready long before, with great care and cost; every thing being adorned with his Arms, and afterwards never used more, but preserved with great devotion, in remembrance that the Emperor did vouchsafe to eat in that House. His Majesty is always invited three years before hand, in which time the preparations fit for so royal a Guest are making. After the Emperor hath been there one day, the Princes of his blood, his Councillors, and the Kings and great Lords are treated with incredible magnificence three whole Months together. Briefly, the building of such a Palace, and the treating of so great a Prince, is sufficient to make a rich King poor; and yet these ruinning profusions are not to be avoided. When his Majesty goes a Hern-hunting, and hath taken some of those Birds, being of great esteem in those Countries, he sometimes bestows one of them upon one Favourite or other; which Present costs the Receiver at least a half years Revenue: for the Gift is so highly valued, having been taken by the Emperor's Hawks, and given with his own hands, that the whole City seems to partake of the joy, it being abundantly testified by Feasting and Presents.  
The Lord of Satsuma had lately the honour to entertain the Emperor in his new Palace, but with better fortune than any of his greatest Princes; for his Majesty was so well pleased with his treatment, that he made him a Present (of Beans, as he pleased to term it, for his Horses) worth threescore thousand Pounds a year.  
The Emperor disposes of the marriages of his great Lords, who entertain their Wives which are ordered them by him with extraordinary carresings; they receive and lodge them in their best Palaces, and allow them ten, twenty, etc. to a hundred and more Gentle women and Maid-Servants, according to their abilities, to wait upon them, when they go abroad to visit their Friends, which is allowed but once a year. Their Women follow them in shut Pallacquins, forty or fifty in number, each of them with two Chambermaid's, on each side of their Pallacquins one. These Pallacquins are very richly made, wrought with Lackwit and inlaid with Gold, carried some nine foot from each other in good order, with great modesty. The Wife that is given by the Emperor, is the Mother of those Children which succeed in their Father's honours; but if she prove Childeless, or have no Heir male, the Kingdom, or Government, is ordinarily bestowed upon a Stranger to that Race and Family. Every Lord may have as many Concubines as he pleases, or can maintain, whereby Children indeed are multiplied, though none inherit but those that are legitimate. These Lords enjoy all the pleasures they can imagine, in the fruition of their Women, Houses, Gardens, Ponds, Walks, Music, Plays, and the like. They suffer no Men to come into their Wife's Houses upon any pretence whatsoever, unless it be some few who are next of blood, and that but very seldom; these are kept close and careful; and all their Women, young and old, great and of lower condition, must thus spend their time, without any manner of conversation with men; the least suspicion is punished with death; it being no less criminal to be thought ill, then to be really so. These Attendants are choice Maids, bred up in an humble and honest manner, and so observant of their Master and Lady, that they neither speak nor smile, but as they are directed by their eye or motion. They are clothed in Silks of several colours, and distinguished into several orders; some wear red vestments, with green girdles and green head-tires; others yellow, with violet girdles and tires; others white, with red girdles and tires; and others, other such colours as they best fancy, most embroidered with Gold. Every order hath its Officers, consisting ordinarily of sixteen Persons, who are seated according to their quality, and served according to the custom of their Country. Those young Persons are all of Noble Extraction, fair, well bred, and not entertained into this service for less time than twenty years; some, nay most, for their whole lives. Many are received into service at the age of four or five and twenty, some at the age of twenty eight or thirty; and are bestowed in marriage by their Lords, upon some of their Gentlemen, or Officers, according to their merit; whom he then honours with an increase of stipend, besides present sums of money. Those who arrive to the age of above thirty years in their service, do ordinarily spend their whole lives there, being preferred to Offices under their Ladies. All the married Women, of what quality soever, are trained up by such rules, that they busy not themselves with the affairs of this life, or trouble their Husbands with unnecessary questions or desires, to avoid harsh returns, which are the consequences of any demands of that kind, when ever the Husbands visit their Wives, which is never but for their own diversion; they divest themselves of all sorts of business, not resuming the consideration of it till they quit the place, where the whole treatment is entirely relating to what is amorous, as Banquets, Music, Dancing, Plays, and the like, wherein the Women have an extraordinary dexterity and address in pleasing their Husbands. The reason they give (especially the great Ones) why their Wives are kept thus retired, and sequestered from the company of Men and business, is first, as they say, Because the Woman is to serve the Man, to divert him, to bring him Children, to give them education, and for no other end; further, to avoid jealousy and its consequences, of vexation, blood and war, which they have gathered from former experience, when their Women had more liberty; as also from tragical examples, recorded in their Histories, of divers who have been deceived and ruined by them. Their Women are ordinarily true and modest, even to blushing, whereof I shall instance an example or two: There was in the Kingdom of Fingo a Person of quality, who had a Wife of extraordinary beauty; the King caused him to be secretly murdered, and after some time sent for his Lady to Court: She obeyed; but knowing her Husband was made away by his practices, answered his importunities in these words; Mighty Prince, I ought in reason to rejoice and account myself extreme happy, in being thought worthy to serve your Majesty; yet permit me to affirm, that at the same instant you approach me, I will kill myself; but if you shall please to grant what I shall desire of you, I will give myself up to be your humble Handmaid: Allow me then the respite of thirty days, wherein I may mourn for my Husband, and cause him to be interred according to his Dignity; after which, that I may, upon the Tower of your Castle, make a Feast for my Husband's Friends, with them to put an end to my mourning. The King condescended to this request; but wondered at the curiosity of it. The Ceremony being performed, at which the King was present, and in a good humour, well heated with wine and his passions) the Lady withdrew to the side of the Gallery, as if she would have reposed, and upon a sudden threw herself over the walls, and broke her neck, in the presence of the King and those that were with him.  
The other is of a certain Lord, who sent about through his dominions for some young Gentlewomen to attend upon his Lady; and amongst others found a poor Widow's Daughter, who was so acceptable to her Lord, that he received her into the number of his Concubines. Her Mother being reduced to great wants, wrote a Letter to her, wherein she at large set forth her poverty, and the miserableness of her condition. While the Daughter was busy in reading of it, her Lord comes in, and she endeavouring to hide the Letter, he perceived it, and in great choler would know what the Letter was, from whom and from whence it came? she, ashamed to discover the poverty of her Mother, refused to tell him; whereupon he endeavoured to force it from her, which she to prevent, put it into her mouth, and would have swallowed it; but not being able to get it down, it stuck in her throat and choked her. The Lord, mad with rage and jealousy, caused her immediately to be cut up, to search for the Letter; but finding the innocency of it, and that it contained only the discovery of her Mother's poverty, was so transported with grief and sorrow, that he could not refrain his tears; and in the sense of it, sent for his Concubine's Mother, who at this present lives in the house with him, in much honour and esteem. The modesty of these females extends to their private conversation, so that they are very careful, even in the presence of their next of kindred, not to let fall any word which may savour of the least lightness or incontinency; not daring to speak of marriage, though lawful, nor the way to it; and if any unseemly discourse, though but in appearance, should happen, the youngest arise immediately and quit the company.  
They honour and love their Parents even to devotion, believing firmly, that those who do the contrary, cannot escape the vengeance of the Gods; this piety extends to them that gave them their lives after their death; the aniversary of their decease being ceremoniously observed, by their abstaining upon that day from eating any thing that hath life or motion.  
But to return from whence we digressed; the Revenue of the governing Lords is divers and various; some Countries produce Corn and Fruit, others Gold and Silver; some again Brass, Iron, Tin, Led, and others again curious Manufactures, Hemp, Cotton, Silk, and the like; all which are calculated, valued, and perfectly known to the Emperor.  
Afbeelding van's Keysers Pa●e●s, mitsgadees de manier vaned ver●enen syner Aud●●  
Most of these Lords entertain always by them some choice Persons for parts and understanding, only to observe their actions, and tell them of their faults; which they must exactly do without respect or flattery, for they say, no man can see his own errors so well as another, especially those who are called to govern, as more subject to the transports of passion and pride, they had therefore rather hear of their faults by their trusty Servants to correct them, then to be ill spoken of behind their backs; and for this reason these secret Monitors are always near their Lords persons, especially at Feasts and public meetings, observing their words and least actions. These Lords though they have their particular names, yet they are ordinarily called by that of their Government or residence; further every man hath three names, the children a childish, when they are men a more manly, and being become old get others suitable to the decays of nature and age: The surnames are first pronounced, for being their parents were before them, they think it but reasonable that their names should likewise precede. When one of these Lords die, ten, twenty, or thirty of his Vassals kill themselves to bear him company: many that do so, oblige themselves to it during their Lords lives; for having received some more than ordinary grace and favour from him, and fancying themselves better beloved then their companions, they think it a shame to survive their Benefactor; and therefore in return of their thanks they usually add, My Lord, the number of your faithful Slaves is great, but what have I done to merit this honour? this Body, which is indeed yours, I offer you again, and promise it shall not live longer than yours; I will not survive so worthy a Patron. For confirmation of this they drink a bowl of Wine together, which is solemn; for no covenants thus made are to be broken. Those that thus bind themselves cut their own bellies, and do it as followeth: They assemble their nearest kindred, and going to Church, they celebrate the parting feast upon mats and carpets in the midst of the Plain, where having well eat and drank, they cut up their bellies, so that the guts and entrails burst out; and he that cuts himself highest, as some do even to the throat, is counted the bravest fellow, and most esteemed. If the Lord cause a wall to be built, either for the King or himself, his Servants often times beg they might have the honour to lie under, out of a belief, that what is founded upon a living man's flesh, is subject to no misfortune: This request being granted, they go with joy unto the designed place, and lying down there, suffer the foundation stones to be laid upon them, which with their weight, immediately bruise and shiver them to pieces.  
His Majesty hath several Castles strong and great, whereof those of Osava and jedo are the most magnificent. The Countries belonging to the Kings and great Lords, are not much traveled by our Nation, so that we have no knowledge of them; only I am informed that they have mighty Towns and Castles: None of these Cities are walled, though their streets are regular every one, and equally long; the ends of them shut with Gates, and guarded with Watchmen by night or times of danger. The Country ways are marked at every miles end with stones or stakes, being put up for that purpose. In their Towns and Villages every street hath two Magistrates, who take care for their precinct, and must give an account for whatever happens in them; and because none through clownishness, or otherwise, may approach the Lord Governor with disrespect, they have Prolocutors appointed them, by whose intervention all lesser matters are compassed, the more difficult being reserved for the decision of the ordinary Judge.   

Their manner of Justice.  
THe Cities and Towns have no revenue at all, each of them depending on their Lord; neither have the Citizens, Merchants, Gentry or Commonalty any Tolls, Excise, or Contributions; they pay likewise nothing, except it be for the ground their houses stand upon, which is the Lords; and for that they give from forty shillings to two yearly, according to the greatness of their houses. Every house must find a man upon occasion, which happeneth three or four times a year, though but for an hour, and sometimes for half a day or so. The King, or Lord, hath the whole product of the Land and Sea; the Gentlemen and Soldiers live upon that portion their Lord assigns them out of the Country; the Merchant subsists by his gain; the Citizens and Artificers by their trades; and the Labourers by that portion which their Lord allows them out of the fruit of the earth.   

What Crimes they punish most severely.  
EVery individual, from the Emperor to the meanest Gentleman, hath the right of Justice over his Subjects and Servants. His Majesty hath his ordinary Judges in all his Cities and Towns. When a Gentleman, or Soldier, is condemned to die, he is allowed the honour to kill himself, by cutting up his belly with his own hands; whereas the Citizen, Merchant, and meaner persons, suffer by the common Executioner. A Merchant, how rich soever, is not esteemed at all, because they say, He liveth by his lying, making no conscience to cousin and deceive the People for his filthy lucre sake: The Citizen and Artificer are likewise undervalved, because they are but Servants to the Commonalty, and forced to live by their labours and manufactures: Neither are the Country People of more account, because of the miserableness of their condition, being subject to perpetual slavery and toiling. But the Gentlemen and Soldiers, who are numerous, are honoured and feared; and they do nothing, being maintained and served by the Merchants, by the Citizens, and by the Country Labourers. Every crime, how small soever, is punished with death; especially theft, although but to the value of a penny; gaming, and playing for money, is no less heinous than murder: and all other Delinquents which deserve the rigour of Justice with us in Europe, undergo the same penalty here. Every one suffers for his own faults, except the matter be treasonable, and then the Father, Brothers and Sons must likewise suffer, and their goods be confiscated; and the Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters be given away and sold for slaves. These confiscations are not due to the Emperor, King, or Lord in whose Territories they happen, but are reserved under account for public uses, as building of Churches, making of Bridges, repairing of Highways, and the like.  
It happened in my time, that a proud fellow presented his service to a poor Gentleman, demanding of him, by reason of his address and parts, more wages than he knew the Gentleman could give; who vexed at the youth's impertinencies, and perceiving he jeered him, replied with a composed countenance, Friend, you demand indeed much wages, but being I think you will deserve it, and that you are pleasing in my eyes, I am content to receive you into my service. Three days after his Master sent him on an errand; being returned, he was accused for staying out so long, so as no excuses would save his life; being forced to pay for his insolency under this colourable pretence. The Lord of Finando did lately cause three Gentlewomen of his Lady's attendants, to be shut up in Chests spiked with nails on every side, because one of them had had some conversation with a certain Gentleman, (who was likewise condemned to die, and his belly cut up) and that the other two, knowing of their companions practices, had not discovered them. Who ever finds his Wife in a locked or shut chamber with another man, may lawfully kill them both; the which, though very rarely, hath indeed happened: If the Husband be absent, than his Father, Brother, Son, or next of kin, nay a Servant may do it; so that Adultery is seldom or never heard of amongst them. A certain Gentleman, being jealous of his Wife, pretended a journey from home; but returning unexpectedly back, found another Man with his Wife in the chamber; transported with jealousy and revenge, he instantly kills the amazed Gallant, and binding his Wife to a ladder, let her stand there thus chained all night. Next morning he sent to invite all his and her kindred, Men and Women, to dinner; which however contrary to their customs, each sex feasting and eating always apart, was through his importunity assented unto. The Women, who sat in a chamber by themselves, ignorant of what had happened, enquired often for the Lady of the house; to which her Husband made answer, that she was busy in ordering their entertainment, she would wait upon them immediately. The Guests being all sat, Men and Women together, and dinner half done, the Husband went and cut off the privities of his slain Rival, and putting them into a covered Box of Lackwit, or Wax, decked with flowers, unbound his Wife, and clothing her in a winding sheet, with her hair loose and hanging over her shoulders, gave it her, she not knowing what was in it, adding, Go and carry it to our Friends at dinner, and try whether for their sakes I may not pardon you also. The poor Woman, half dead and distracted with fear, did as her Husband commanded her, and entering in this dreadful posture, fell on her knees before the company, and opened the Box, at sight whereof she sunk down in a swound, and being close followed by her Husband, had her head immediately struck off by him; at which horrid sight the affrighted Guests ran all out of the house.  
Those faults which are accounted criminal amongst them, are the breaking of the Emperor's commands and orders; Peculation, or robbing his Majesty's Revenues; false coining, burning of houses, rapes, and the ill governing of those in Authority; he that is guilty of any of these crimes, is punished in his person and posterity; if it be a Woman that hath offended, she suffers alone; nor shall she die for another's sin, only be given away or sold. Their punishments are roasting, burning, crucifying both ways, drawing with four Bulls, and boiling in Oil and Water. A man who was to deliver Wood and Stone to his Majesty's Factours, had corrupted some Soldiers and others appointed for the service; this being discovered, the Overseers were ordered to cut up their bellies; but the Merchant was crucified with his heels upward. This man, being a man of parts, was in good esteem with the Councillors and great ones at Court, and however it be, that it is not lawful to intercede for a criminal, yet the aforesaid Grandees, out of pity and affection to the Delinquent, having consulted together, adventured to supplicate his Majesty in his behalf; whereupon they received this following answer. I have understood your desires with wonder; but that which troubles me most is, that the unreasonableness of the demands obliges me to suspect your judgements; shall not the evil doer die? whence then proceedeth this your request? or are your hearts likewise corrupted with gifts and gold? change your purposes, and let justice have her course, and then if any amongst you desire riches, let them go to my Treasure and satisfy themselves; go, I give you full liberty to do it. This reply did so startle the Petitioners, that they retired, not daring to make any further instance, or speak one word more.  
They have a peculiar method in punishing of crimes, which I will also relate: It happened (as it did in my time) that a Gentleman, appointed Governor of a Lordship near the imperial City of Jedo, had forced his Tributaries to pay more than they were obliged to by their ordinary Tax and Contributions, with which surplus he had Lorded it for some time; but this Exaction continuing, the Inhabitants supplicated his Majesty for relief; whereupon the Gentleman, together with his whole race, were ordered to cut up their bellies. The said Governor had a Brother in the service of the King of Fingo, two hundred and forty Dutch miles Westward from Jedo; an Uncle at Satsuma, twenty miles further; a Son in the service of King Kinocoumy; another Son in the service of the King of Massamme, an hundred and ten miles Eastward; a third Son with the Governor of the Imperial Castle of Inquano; with two Brothers more, that were Soldiers in his Majesty's Guards at Jedo; his youngest Son was upon extraordinary solicitations bestowed upon a Merchant's Daughter, who was an only Child and very rich: All these Persons, however East and West distant from each other, died in one day, and on the same hour; for Posts were sent to all places where these unhappy men did live, with orders to the Governors, that they should cause them upon the eighth day of the eighth Month, (the day limited for their execution) when the Sun was in the South, to cut up their bellies, according to the usual manner; which was exactly performed. The aforesaid Merchant, well known to our Society, dwelled at Osava, but died for grief; and his Daughter, unwilling to survive her Husband, would (if she had not been prevented) have killed herself; yet she could not be hindered to destroy that life, which was but loathsome to her after so dear a loss; for she abstained wholly from eating, and expired (concluding this fatal Tragedy with her own) the eleventh day after. The People of this Nation, especially the Women, die with strange constancy and assurance, without any the least emotion of sorrow or weakness.  
Lies are likewise punished with death, especially if told to Magistrates or Lords; neither will any Master pardon that crime in his Servant. These aforesaid manners of putting to death, belong to the Gentry, the Soldiers, Merchants, Citizens and Peasants; but the Kings and transgressing Lords are otherwise punished: There is a little Island, three miles in compass, and distant forty two miles from Jedo, called Faitsnichina, so still and environed with rocks and precipices, that no ships of burden can approach it: it was at first attempted in very calm weather by certain desperate fellows, who climbing up those rocks, made a shift to get on the tops of them; and having pulled up with ropes materials and necessary instruments for their purpose, fastened beams and strong posts in the rocks in such wise, that by the help of pulleys and ropes, and strong hanging nets, they can wind the boats up some fathoms out of the water, and so secure them against the tossing of the Sea; whose least agitation throws them against the Island, and dashes them in pieces, as it happened to the loss of many a man before this expedient was found. The Island itself is very stony and barren, arable but in some few places; it is hither that the offending Grandees are banished, and close kept from all manner of communication or correspondency from without with strict guards of Soldiers, who have their stations upon all the several corners of the Island for that purpose: These Guards, if wind and weather permit, are relieved every month precisely, at which time they receive provision for themselves, as also for the exiled, which is but a little Rice, a few Beans, some Roots, and other such hard fare: they lodge in little low hutches, which cannot protect them from either against the Summer's heat or Winter's cold; and they must work, and gather Silk from the Worms, which are fed and kept there, as also card, spin, and wove such a portion as is yearly ordered them by their taskmasters.  
In the year one thousand six hundred thirty one, when his late Majesty died, all sorts of Prisoners, under the obedience of the Japanish Empire, none excepted, were all (in one day and hour) set at liberty, and money given to those that were poor to begin the world again with.   

What Divine Service they use.  
THis Nation is neither very superstitious nor very devout; they seldom or never pray; and such are counted for religious, who go to Church once in a month; they sometimes use the word Nammanda, which is the name of one of their chiefest Deities. The Priests preach ordinarily three times every year, being only then attended by those of his Sect; others of another belief, make use of their Hermits in their sickness, who read and mumble (as if they were possessed) their Orisons for twenty four hours together over the Patient, without being understood of any; for all their Divinity, as well as their Physic, are writ and printed in an elevated style, not to be fathomed or comprehended but by the learned.   

What Churches they have.  
THey have many Temples and Churches dedicated to their Idols, every one of them inhabited by their Priests, two, ten, or twenty, according to their greatness and revenues.   

What Priests they entertain.  
THeir Priests do but little, they read sometimes before their Idols, and bury the dead, who are most of them first burned, their ashes being afterwards committed to the earth with their usual ceremonies.   

What Sects are prevalent among them.  
THey have twelve Sects in all; the Priests of the first eleven eat nothing that hath lived, nor may marry: when they offend by transgressing their order, the Delinquent is buried to the middle in the Highway, every one that passeth, and is no Gentleman, being obliged to give him a stroke in the neck with a wooden saw, ready for the purpose; so that the miserable Priest is two or three days, sometimes more, in this languishing condition before he can die. The twelfth Sect is the most esteemed and most honourable of all; their Priests marry, and they may eat of what ever the sea or earth produces, according to their several appetites. This Sect, called Icko, or Ickois, is the most superstitious of all, and hath its Pope, or Head, respected and served with the same honour with their Kings. When this high Priest passeth through the streets, carried in his Pallaquin, they of his faith, worship and pray to him; and this indeed is the richest and easiest order amongst them, and most countenanced. Some of their Churches are privileged and endowed by the Emperor, or Lords, in whose Territories they stand; but the rest are maintained by the common people: and as each particular man amongst the Papists hath his particular ghostly Father, so the Inhabitants here have theirs; as also their Churches, which they assist with their charity to the utmost of their powers. Each of these twelve Sects hath its particular Faith; some believe that the soul is immortal, that the flesh is earth; and that the spirit of man shall live in another world, happy or miserable, according to what he hath done in this. Others think that there is no such thing as a separable soul, and that they need fear nothing but the Executioner; they are ignorant of the beginning and ending of nature, most of them fancying the world without beginning, and that it shall be eternal. The best of these Sects make Taverns of their Temples, which are most commonly built in the pleasantest and best places, sumptuous, and well planted with trees and orchards: When the Inhabitants have a mind to rejoice, they assemble here, and in the presence of their Gods, and company of their Priests, (who are likewise good fellows) they debauch and do those extravagances, which are the concomitants of excess and folly; common whores are permitted to enter and dance, the Priests themselves allowing of this jollity, and a further use, so it be in secret of these immodest females. I never heard that those people trouble themselves to dispute or argue in their religion; neither do they break their heads in converting others to their opinions; but leave every one to the freedom of his own, as indifferent and reasonable, as being infused into him by their Gods. Their Priests, as well as many of the Gentry, are much given to Sodomy, that unnatural passion, being esteemed no sin, nor shameful thing amongst them.   

The persecution of the Romish Christians.  
THose of this Country which were converted to Christianity by the Romish Clergy, were them only which were persecuted; At first they cut off their heads, and afterwards crucified them, which seemed then very severe; but when these cruel Idolaters perceived that death was not formidable to those martyred Christians, who went to their executions with singing and dancing, as if they courted their torments, and that the great numbers of them that suffered did no way discourage or diminish the remaining, but rather strengthen and increase their multitudes, they resolved to break them by more exquisite and sensible tortures, to this purpose they bound them to stakes, and roasted them alive, destroying thousands after this unsufferable manner: But seeing yet there was no end, and that death in what shape soever was not terrible enough to affright those resolved Saints to an Apostasy, they intended and practised other more dreadful ways and pains, for to oblige them to quit and change their opinions and religion; they forced the women and more tender maids to go upon their hands and feet bowing, supporting and dragging them naked in the presence of thousands through the streets; that done, they caused them to be ravished and lain with by Ruffians and Villains, and then throwing them so stripped and abused, into great deep tubs full of Snakes and Adders, which crept by several passages into their bodies, suffered them to perish after unspeakable miseries in that fearful manner: they thrust hurds into the Mother's privities, and binding the Sons about with the same combustible matter, thrust and forced them, as also the Fathers and Daughters, to set fire each to other, whereby they underwent unconceivable torments and pains: some they clothed with sods, and pouring hot scalding water continually upon them, tortured them in that manner till they died, which dured two or three days, according to the strength of the party; hundreds of them being stripped naked, and burnt in the foreheads that they might be known, were driven into the Woods and Forests, all men being commanded by Proclamation, upon pain of death, not to assist them with either meat, drink, clothing or lodging; many more put into pinfolds upon the Seashore, and kept there half their time dry and half wet, being every tide overflown by the Sea; but these were permitted to eat and drink, to keep them longer alive in this misery, which lasted ordinarily ten or twelve days. These bloody Executioners put out the Parent's eyes, and placing their little Children by them, pinched and plagued them whole days long, enforcing them with tears of blood to call and cry to their helpless Fathers and Mothers for an end of their sufferings, which had no period but with their lives, whilst their woeful Parents, unable to assist either their Children or themselves, did often die in their presence, whom they could not see for grief or sorrow. All these miseries, too long and too many to relate, were borne by the poor Christians with constancy to a miracle; except some few, who not able to resist the bitterness of these torments abandoned their Faith, for some relaxation from pain. Once a year they precisely renewed their Inquisition, and then every individual person must sign in their Church-books, with his blood, that he renounces Christianity; and yet all would not do, for many hundreds of Christians are found every year, and destroyed with variety of torments. At last they found a more hellish and exquisite way of torturing then before; they hung these sufferers by the heels, their heads in pits, which to give the blood some vent, they slashed lightly cross-ways, (but they do that now no more) and in this posture they live several days, ten or twelve, and speak sensibly to the very last: The greatness of this torment surpasseth all other, being beyond all human strength to suffer and be undergone, but by such who are extraordinarily strengthened from above. This extremity hath indeed (by reason of its continuance) forced many to renounce their religion; and some of them who had hung two or three days, assured me that the pains they endured were wholly unsufferable, no fire nor no torture equalling their languor and violence.  
The Christians being now almost rooted out, there is an order, that when one is found and condemned to be hanged by the heels, he shall be pardoned, in case he informeth against and produces another, which is now too much practised, for Apostasy helps no more, and they cannot resist the torments of hanging, but are thus forced to betray one another: neither will this help these miserable creatures, for I have been assured that they register the names of such who were permitted formerly to fall off, as also of such who by their discovering of others saved their own lives, with an intent, that when they suppose that they have the entire number and catalogue of all them who have and do yet profess Christ, they may destroy them all in one day. During these bloody and savage persecutions, it happened that some Christian Children, because of their beauty, were begged and saved; but many of them of eight, ten, and twelve years old, etc. refused this grace, protesting with courage, to a wonder, that they would not live, they did not fear death; but would go where their Parents went, into that joy where they should be no more tormented: Some of these Children who had not this force, but desired to live and survive these pains, were violently hurried to their deaths by their Parents, with these comforting words; Come my Children, do not live with these wicked wretches, I will bring you into a land that is rich and beautiful, where we shall continue for ever in joy and happiness. The common sort of Christians were but simply bound when they were led to their executions; but the Priests, whether Portugal's, Spaniards or Japaners, had the hair of their heads and beards half shaved off, the shaved part being coloured red; bits were also put in their mouths, to hinder them from speaking; and their heads being pulled backwards, with halters put about their necks and tied behind them, they were compelled to hold their faces directly upwards; and thus sitting upon a lean horse, they were carried to the place designed for their martyrdom. I should be larger in the prosecution of these sad relations, but that I leave them to their particular story hereafter annexed.   

How this Nation lives in their Houses and Families.  
ALl the houses in this Country are built of wood and timber, which is likewise their fuel; hence their houses are much subject to burning, one of the plagues very frequent in their Towns; for this cause each house hath its pack-house of proof against the fire, wherein they keep their best and choice goods. The houses are all built four foot high from the earth, made of planks closely covered with thick mats very artificially joined, resembling each other and uniform; they dwell most below, their upper rooms being employed to keep their smaller household stuffs; but their best Chambers, where they receive and entertain their Friends, are neat and sumptuous, according to their several abilities. The Soldiers and Gentry have their houses divided, one side for their Wives, and the other for them, for their Friends and their ordinary vocation. The Merchants and Citizens Wives dwell promiscuously with their Husbands, governing and ordering their families as with us; but are very modest, and never spoken to but with respect, none presuming to use any freedom in discourse with them, although otherwise innocent and harmless, for both the man that took, and the woman that permitted this familiarity would be equally slighted, and blamed and looked upon as culpable and scandalous. Their householdstuff consists ordinarily in fine painted gilt dishes, instead of pictures; the walls of their chambers are also for the most part painted with variety of figures, and laid with gilt paper so curiously, as if it were but one large sheet; the boards round about being beautified with lists of black Wax, very artificially wrought; most of their rooms are divided with shuts, prepared and painted as the walls are, which being taken out, enlarges the rooms at pleasure. In the upper end of this partition they have a picture with a potfull of flowers, which they have ready all the year long; and at the lower end there is always a gallery, with stairs to descend into their gardens, which are always green, and so placed, that they in the hall have the full prospect of it. They do not furnish and adorn their Houses with Chests, Cupboards, Wax-works, and the like, these are always in their free-Chambers, or pack-houses, where none is suffered to enter, but their familiar and most intimate Servants and Friends. Their chief furniture which they expose, are Tsia Cups and Pots, Pictures, Manuscripts, and Sables, which each provides himself of, rich and goodly, according to his condition and might.   

How they receive each other, and of their Hospitality.  
THe Japanners are very hospitable and civil to such as visit them, they treat them with Tobacco and with Tsia, and if the friend be more than ordinary, with Wine: They cause them first to sit down, and setting a Lack bowl before them, will not suffer them to depart before they have tasted of it; they sing, they pipe, and play upon such stringed instruments as they have, to rejoice their Guests, omitting no manner of carouses and kindnesses to testify their welcome, and the value they put upon their conversation. They never quarrel in their debauches, but he that is first drunk retires and sleeps, until the fumes of the wine be evaporated. There is no such thing as Tavern or public drinking House in all the Country; they eat, drink and are merry, but all in their own houses, not refusing lodging and refreshment for the traveller and stranger.   

Of their Conjugal State.  
THese People neither make love nor woe, all their marriages being concluded by their Parents, or for want of such near relations, by the next of kin. One Man hath but one Wife, though as many Concubines as he can keep; and if that Wife do not please him, he may put her away, provided he dismiss her in a civil and honourable way. Any Man may lie with a Whore, or common Woman, although he be married, with impunity; but the Wife may not so much as speak in private with another Man, as is already said, without hazarding her life. What is said of divorce, relates only to the Citizen, Merchant, and common Soldier; a Gentleman or Lord may not put away his Wife, although she should not please him, and that out of respect to her quality and his own Person; he must maintain her according to her condition and necessities; but may freely divert himself with his Concubines and Women, and when the humour takes him with his own Wife again. This liberty that the Men have, obliges the Women to observe their Husbands, and endeavour to endear them to them, by an humble compliance and submission to their humours, being sure else to lose them, and see their Rivals preferred before them. Open Whore-houses are publicly allowed of, as well for the use and conveniency of Bachelors, as to prevent the debauching of young Maids and married Women.   

Of the bringing up of their Children.  
CHildren are carefully & tenderly brought up; their Parents strike them seldom or never, and though they cry whole nights together, endeavour to still them with patience; judging that Infants have no understanding, but that it grows with them as they grow in years, and therefore to be encouraged with indulgence and examples.  
It is remarkable to see how orderly and how modestly little Children of seven or eight years old behave themselves; their discourse and answers savouring of riper age, and far surpassing any I have yet seen of their times in our Country. None go to School under seven or eight years of age, as being until then uncapable of its rules, and more inclined to play then to learn, unless it be waggishness and wantonness. At School they begin by degrees, by sweetness and not by force, the Masters imprinting an ambition and desire in each of them to outgo his fellow; they lead them likewise by examples, telling them that such and such learned so much in so little time, whereby his Honour and Family was so highly advanced. The Children are so accustomed to this way, that they learn sooner and more than by any correction or whipping; for generous spirits, and an obstinate Nation, such as this is, are not to be forced, but rather won with gentleness and emulation.   

What Succession ab intestato.  
WHen the Parents are grown old, and the Children come to be Men, the Father than quits his Government, Commerce, Shop or Trade, placing his eldest Son in his room, and giving him the greatest part of his Estate; the younger Children are likewise provided for by the indulgent Parents, although their portions return to the eldest in case they die before them. Daughters have no portions at all, nor nothing given them at their marriage; sometimes it happens that rich Parents send a good sum of money with their Daughter, upon their marriage day, to their Son in law; which present is returned by the Bridegroom & his Parents with much thanks, being unwilling that the Bride should have any colourable excuse to raise her into an opinion of having obliged her Husband: The poorer sort do but seldom return these offers as needing them, and glad of any augmentation of their Friends. They have a common saying, that a Woman hath no constant dwelling, living in her youth with her Friends, being married with her Husband, and when she is old with her Child.   

Whether they be faithful or false in their dealings.  
THis Nation is very trusty, and that out of their ambition, the only mark they aim at; hence it is that they seldom wrong each other, esteeming their honours above their lives and hopes: examples of this kind are frequent amongst them, I will only relate one. During the civil Wars between Ongoschio and his Pupil, the King of Cocora (who followed the Usurper) had left his Queen and Children, as the fashion is, at the Emperor's Court; Fideri having notice of this revolt, sent for Cocora's Wife and Children to come into the Castle, the better to secure them; which the Lady refused, excusing herself, That she was married, and under the obedience of her King, as he was under his imperial Majesty; let him command her Lord, and she would most readily, upon receipt of his orders, submit to his Highness' pleasure. The Emperor, angry at this denial, sent her word, if she would not come, he would cause her to be brought by force. The Queen, who thought no dishonour equal to that of quitting her house in her Husband's absence, and seeing she could not conserve herself in it against the Emperor's fury, resolved to perish with it; she therefore commanded some barrels of Gunpowder to be brought into a Chamber, where she retired with her Children, Nurse, and such of her Women who were resolved to die with her; and there writing her Will and her own Elegy, she conveyed them by a trusty Gentleman in her service to her Lord; and immediately thereupon, putting fire to the Powder, prevented that loss of honour which she feared, and the Emperor's design by that fatal blow. If it happen that a person be in a straight and engaged, and comes to another for assistance, recommending the protection of his life and honour to his generosity, this Man will hazard all, without respect of Wife and Children; for the service of his Friend, and perish or deliver him out of his distress and misfortune; they will die, nay suffer the worst of tortures, rather than discover their complices, although in evil, thinking the breach of covenants inexpiable; and the dishonour of not helping their neighbour, and one that hath thrust him into misery, worse than any death whatsoever.   

What Traffic and with what Nations.  
THe Trade of this Country (which is but small in respect of the vastness of it, and it abounds with all sorts of Merchandise) is carried on by Strangers, the principal whereof are the Chinesses, who from the first peopling of this Empire to this day, have been constant frequenters of their yearly Marts. The Spaniards and Portugals have been acquainted with this People above an hundred years; the English but of late, who finding but little profit and great expenses, abandoned this Traffic again. The Siammers and Camboiders used also to arrive with a ship or two, though not now so often as formerly. Lastly the Netherlander got footing there, where they have seated themselves fast enough, and traded these forty years. The principal Commodities, as well those which Strangers bring, as such which are of the growth of the Country, are all brought to the great City of Meaco, which is the Staple of the whole Empire; it is here that the Merchants and Factors, from every part of the Land, do assemble, bringing with them such things as their several Provinces do produce, which they sell or change for others which they stand in need of. These Merchandises are carried sometimes two or three hundred miles to and fro, over hills and dales, all upon horses, whereof they have an incredible number. The Traffic consists of all sorts of wares, as well for the pride as use of man; Strangers bring yearly four or five thousand Picols of Silk, each Picol weighing one hundred twenty five pounds weight, besides a great quantity of wrought Silks; two hundred thousand Harts-skins; one hundred thousand Rochvellenskins; a great abundance of Hemp, Cloth, Cotton, and red Wool; Carpets to sit upon, Pewter, Quicksilver, and all sorts of Drugs; Nutmegs, Pepper, Musk, Sugar, Porcelan, Camphier, Borax, Eliphants-Teets, red Coral, and all sorts of small Wares, which the Chineses bring thither.   

What domestic Trading, and Navigation.  
HEre are many very rich Merchants who drive great Trades, these go themselves, or have Factours at Meaco, where they exchange their Commodities for Silver, Gold, or other Wares, each according to his fancy and convenience. The Japanners of old had great correspondency with them of China, whose Kings sent Ambassadors yearly to each other, for entertaining their alliance, and the negotiation of their Subjects; it happened that the Japanners, who were numerous in China, did mutiny, and in a tumult destroy a whole City, plundering, ravishing, and spoiling all; but the Chinesses, getting into a body, fell upon the Japanners again, and put all they could meet with to the sword. The King of China hearing of these discords, was no less amazed then in a wonder, that so few could do so much mischief, and therefore resolved to banish the Japanners for ever out of his Kingdom; in memory whereof he caused a great stone Pillar to be set up, with the story of their exile in letters of Gold. He likewise set out a Proclamation, that none of his Subjects, upon pain of death, should sail any more to Japan; which order was then more exactly observed then at present, and yet they do not directly go thither; for the Chinesses. under a colour of other voyages, do often slip into Japan. The Emperor of japan doth not at all obstruct their traffic, permitting them to enter and leave his Country when they please, Saying he will not reward evil for evil; considering also that the reason of this prohibition, on the other side, came not through any fault of the Chinesses, but by the disorders of his own People. Since the japanners have been banished out of China, they used to sail to Tayovan, where the Chinesses brought them their Merchandises; but that being discovered by the Court of China, they were prohibited this Traffic likewise. Many years after the japanners obtained leave to return to Tayovan, as also to go to Touckien, Cambodia, and Sian; which negotiation was again disturbed, upon this consideration, that the Emperor of japan would neither offend nor be offended by any Strangers, which had already happened by the extortions of the Governors of Sian and Tayovan; and therefore none of his Subjects should any more traffic or deal with Strangers out of their own Country: Another reason was, because he would have no Arms transported out of his Empire, (which could not be hindered by no way but this) insomuch that two Chinesses, Father and Son, were both crucified at Finando, for endeavouring to convey some away in private; and five japanners, who had sold them the said Arms, without knowing their design, were beheaded. But the chief cause of this inhabition is, lest the Natives of this Country, travelling into strange places, might be converted to the Christian Religion, and upon their return infuse those foreign principles into their Countrymen, which they have endeavoured to suppress with so much blood and violence.   

The Profits amounting thence.  
NEither the Emperor, nor his subordinate Kings or Lords, do gain any thing at all by the Commerce of their Subjects, the Merchant's only profit by it, although the gain be not extraordinary, by reason of the greatness of the Country, the charge of transport, and the multitudes of people which must live by it.   

Their correspondency with Strangers.  
THe japanners hold no correspondency at all abroad, having never yet sent their Ambassadors into any foreign Countries, except China, which they have also long discontinued. The King of Spain, the Pope, and the King of Siam, have sent several extraordinary Ambassadors to this Court, which were indeed honourably received and feasted, though never any returns made again by this Prince.   

The Commodities which Japan yieldeth.  
THere is nothing necessary for the use of Man, but this Country doth abundantly produce, as Silver, Gold, Brass, Iron, Tin and Lead, in great quantity; also Cotton, Hemp, Silk, Filoselle, Harts-skins, Wooden Manufactures, Drugs, and whatever can be required to feed and clothe its innumerable inhabitants.   

Their Mint, Measures, and Weights.  
THe japanners have one Language, one fashion in their Clothes, one Mint, and one Weight; they have indeed besides their Gold and Silver Coins, a sort of Copper Monies, which they call Casies, and is of differing value in many of the Kingdoms; but his Majesty hath resolved to re-coin these Casies into one fashion, to which end he hath ordered all the old ones to be called in, and bought them of their owners at their full worth and price, where with his Officers have been busied these four years. They have three sorts of Gold coin; the first and greatest weigheth six Royals, and is worth forty six Tails, each Tail being valued at fifty seven Stivers, or Pennies: the second sort is worth six Tails and one half; and the third (being the least) one and one sixth of a Tail. Their Silver Money is of the Alloy of Dollars, cast into long figures, of no certain weight, but by guess; they put so many of these together as weigh fifty Tails, the which being neatly lapped up in papers, are distributed as occasion serveth: They have yet a lesser Silver coin like a Bean, weighing from one Dutch Shilling to ten; and lastly the Casiens, already mentioned, of differing worth, from one Doller to three, one fourth, the thousand. Their Yard, the Measure of their Grain, and their Weights, are equal and not differing at all.   

What Beasts and Fowl they have.  
THis Country produceth Horses, Bulls, (for they never geld their Cattle) Cows, Dear, and Swine, both wild and tame, in great abundance: There are likewise plenty of Bears, Dogs, Cats, and the like; there is no end of their Fowl, especially Swans, Geese, Ducks, Herns, Eagles, Hawks, Pheasants, Pigeons, Snipes, Quails, Partridges, and all manner of lesser Birds.   

What Medicinal Waters.  
THey have several Fountains and Springs of hot Medicinal Waters, proper for the curing of many Diseases, and successfully used for that purpose; some are Sulphurous, some taste of Copper, others Iron, Tin, Allom, and the like Metals and Minerals, partaking of the qualities of those they pass by. I have seen of these Springs, one whereof being Tinish, burst out of a hollow in the side of a Mountain, some ten foot in the round; this ●ole was, by reason of its depth, very obscure within, its Orifice, or Mouth, being strangely beset with sharp Stones, not much unlike the short teeth of an Elephant, or those which Painters appropriate to Devils. The Water flows continually out of this Cavern in a great quantity, and is not hot, but a man may sit in without disturbance. I have seen another at the foot of a Mountain near the Sea, which rendered its Water but at times, ordinarily twice in twenty four hours, but this flowing did not continue above an hour; when the wind blows East and stiffly, it flows thrice, and sometimes four times in a day and night: This Water rises out of a stony Pit, being covered with huge massy Stones of very great weight; when the time of flowing comes, it bursts out of the earth in so great a quantity, and with such a forceable wind, that those great Stones are violently moved and shaken, the streams gushing and spouting three or four fathoms high, with so dreadful a noise that it equals that of a Cannon, or the falls of the greatest Rivers: This Water is so very hot, that it is impossible to boil ordinary Water to its height; it singes where it falls, and left to its self continues hot thrice longer than any other. This Well is surrounded with a Wall for fear of harm, little Conduits being made to convey its Streams to the neighbouring houses, where it is used by way of bath, for the curing of all distempers and maladies.   

How the Kings, Princes, and Peers of the Kingdom, receive Audience of his Imperial Majesty, and what train they must have.  
THe solemn and great feasts of this People are manifold, the first and greatest is New-Years-Day, than the second and third Day of the third Month, the third and fifth Day of the fifth Month, the fourth and seventh Day of the seventh Month, and the fifth and ninth Day of the ninth Month. Besides these, his Majesty gives public Audience twice every Month, at new and full Moon, to all his Kings, Princes, Lords, and Gentry, who according to their qualities and orders, do homage and reverence to him. The train and attendance of these Grandees are appointed, the greatest of them may not exceed an hundred followers; the lesser being also stinted and proportioned according to their revenues. Some of these Princes have indeed four or five thousand, as well Men as Women, in their services, but these they keep in their Palaces, and may not enter the first ring of the Castle, nor into the City with them: Now such as are permitted to come into these two places with an hundred Servants, may not enter the second ring of the Castle with more than twenty Attendants; neither may they be seen there on horseback, it being the dwellings of the Princes of the blood, and the Counsellors: the great ones are carried here in Pallaquins or Sedans, others of less quality going on foot; which is no difficult thing, the ways and streets being finely paved, and the middle of them set with great flat free-stones, which are kept extraordinary neat and clean: But no Man whosoever is suffered to enter the third ring of the Castle, where the Emperor's Palace is, but on foot, and only accompanied with two Servants, and a Boy to carry his Shoes; they of the second rank are allowed but one Servant and a Shoe-carrier; and those of the last rank only a Shoe-carrier. There never happens any the least disorder, running, playing, bawling, or confusion among the people at these shows, every one continuing in a serious and silent posture, as if they were in the Emperor's presence. Every one in this Procession marches in his order and rank, so that there is not the least stir even amongst the Servants. The Soldiers stand in the Galleries we formerly mentioned, and certain sworn Commissioners go to and fro, to observe both them and all others, so that the least stir and noise is capital: This strictness is not burdensome, but grown so familiar by custom, that the least irregularity or tumult is not heard of. The same order is observed in all the Towns of the Country, the streets being all uniform, each end of each of them being shut with Barrocadoes in the night, and kept with watches; so that no body is suffered to go out without a Ticket from the chief Magistrate, which is delivered to the Magistrate of the street, for the conveniency of those who need them, to fetch a Midwife, Physician, or some near Friend in case of necessity, the Barrocadoes are opened to such messengers as these, and none else; so that they never have any tumults in their streets, roberies, murders, house-breaking, or any such unwarrantable disorders.   

Their Language, manner of Write and Reckonings, and how far they transmit their History to posterity.  
THe Chineses, japanners, Corees and Torquains, have their distinct Languages, wholly strange to each other; neither have their Characters any resemblance, and yet they have another fashion of Letter common, and understood by the Studious and Learned of these four Nations; in this their Sciences & Wisdom are written, although the Contents and Characters be general, understood and read by each in his own Tongue. They write with Pencils, and ready enough; most of their Errands are done by Letters, which, by reason of their quickness in dispatch, is no let to them, and the surer way; A man that can contract much matter into few lines, and intelligible, which is that which they all practice, is greatly esteemed amongst them; for such they employ to write their Letters, Petitions, and the like to great persons; and truly it is admirable to see how full of substance, and with how few words these sort of writings are penned. They have not the Italian manner of keeping of Books, and yet fail not in their calculations; they reckon with little pellets, stuck upon little sticks upon a board, for the same purpose, after the manner of the Chinese; wherewith they will add, multiply, and divide, with more facility and certainty than we with Counters.  
They have many Books and Libraries, though the common people are most illiterate: The Deyro himself writeth the Annals of his Country; and all other Books are written by himself or his Lords and Gentlemen, (which are at least eight hundred strong) or by their Wives and Women; for these Gallants, as well Men as Women, being of kin, and married into each other, do nothing but spend their time in all worldly pleasures, and the studies of human knowledge. Men are esteemed and honoured with Titles, in this Court, according to the merit of their understanding, not their births; and it happens sometimes, that the greatest are by their weakness and folly brought down and unconsidered. These Grandees, proud with their birth and breeding, consider no body but themselves, neither converse with any save only their own Comrades; for their dwellings and streets join upon each other, being environed and shut up from the rest of the world. They speak a higher style than the vulgar, wherein all their learning is couched; and many of them esteem themselves more noble than the Emperor, being indeed dignified with higher and more honourable Titles than their Sovereign. Printing and Gunpowder was in use in this Nation above one hundred and fifty years before we in Europe had the knowledge of them: these they learned from the Chineses, who have had them long, as their Histories and Chronicles (filled with wonders, too long for this short relation to mention) do abundantly witness.   

An Extract out of the Governor of India's Letter to the Overseers of the East-India-Company, touching the Traffic in Japan.  
THis year trade (as we mentioned in our last of the twelfth of this instant) hath been but little advantageous, by reason of the disasters at Sea, which hath much weakened and put behind hand the India Capital or Stock, which will without question suddenly change. God preserve the Company from more misfortunes at Sea. We hope, if your Honours will second us this following year with fifteen Ton of Gold and Merchandise, we shall be able to make a return of thirty, being the Indian Commodities may probably rise more than they are now fallen: japan will in all appearance yield us eleven or twelve Ton profit; Persia at least three hundred thousand; and the other indulgent Cantoors, above three Ton. The Dutch expenses, which arose this year, will certainly fall, being the building and fortification of the dwellings and pack-houses come to cease. There is but little hope of advantage from the Enemy; nor shall we be able to Cape much this year about Spirito Sancto, by reason of the Portugals sufficiency. We will endeavour to better all things by an advantageous negotiation, hoping much from japan: It were not strange if the Chineses were hindered to frequent that Kingdom, or diverted by us: They profit fifty Ton of Gold every year and more by the japan trade; for they transport more than for one hundred Ton yearly; God grant that we may enjoy this trade alone, and that the Gold Mine in Formosa flourish, that the engaged may once enjoy the fruits of their charges and pains by rich returns, without sending any moneys out of the low Countries. I send you herewith a Copy of Siragemondenne, Governor of the Island Kisma in Naviga-sacki, where the Companies Servants and Factors do reside and trade; his Letter, which I mentioned in my last, be pleased to consider of the contents thereof, with such as understand the affairs of japan. It seems if we do not meddle with Christianity, but behave ourselves modestly, they will grant us the more liberty, and greater freedom in trading: we will order all things to the most advantage of the Company; and endeavour for as much as it shall be possible, that we may enjoy all, or at least the principal trading (which God grant) of A Formosa, a Land enriched with Gold, near China, and lately conquered by the Castlians.   

A short Relation of the Profits and Advantages which the Dutch East-India-Company in japan might acquire, in case they could compass the China Trade and Commerce: By Leonard Camps.  
MAny men are of opinion, and have by experience found, that during the time it pleased the mighty State's General of the united Provinces, and his princely Excellency, to give their Subjects leave to sail into the East-India, for the increase of Traffic and the common good, that to what place, or by what Prince soever we come, we were admitted and received for fear of harm, or for hopes of profit; and yet I believe, as my Predecessors did before me, that his Imperial Majesty of japan suffered us not to harbour and to trade freely in his Country upon these considerations, but only to show the goodness of his Nature, the greatness of his Dominions, and his civility to Strangers, especially those Nations who came into his Country as Friends. His Majesty's goodness to Foreigners appears abundantly in this, in that he still suffers the Chineses to traffic in his Land, favouring them in his impositions more than his own Subjects; whereas they persecute the japaners in their own Territories as Enemies, having set a price upon their heads, which by mistake hath cost many a Portugal his life: further his ambition doth not extend beyond the bounds of his own Empire, and contenting himself with those confines God and Nature hath prescribed him; he wages no war against his Neighbours, neither suffers his Subjects to molest or disturb any out of his obedience. No foreign Princes fall out by his instigation; neither doth he give or demand help or assistance upon any account. His power and might consists in the vastness of his Kingdom, and multitudes of his Soldiers; he hath arms at will, Castles that seem impregnable, Provisions in abundance, and Treasure without end. The plenty of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Led, and Pewter Mines is great; and the abundance of Silk, Cotton, Hemp, and thousands other commodities incredible. Brifley, this Country wants nothing, having no need of its neighbours at all; whence his Majesty never sought to foreign Princes, and yet received all that came or sent to him with all imaginable civility and kindness.  
The Spaniards and Portugals, not ignorant of the commodious situation, might and riches of the Japanish Empire, were no less earnest in the enlarging of their own state, planting the Christian Religion, and advancing their traffic there, where other Princes seemed to desire. Don john, the first of that name, and the tenth King of Portugal, was very industrious in this Disquisition; his Country men having in fourscore years, wherein they continued their commerce in japan, brought it so far, that Manilha was raised from nothing by this negotiation, and Malacca Goa and several other places bettered and enriched by it; witness their great Cargasoons, and yearly returns more or less, as it happeneth, amounting one with another to near a Million and a half of Ducats; never gaining less than fifty, and for the most part seventy five in the hundred, as we found by experience in that time that our East-India-Company shared in this rich commerce. The Mavaus and Portugals fetched these vast profits yearly, which they gained in four or five months, whereof they spent some twenty days in going and coming upon the Sea, the japan principal being but one fifth part. Let every one consider, whether this noble Negotiation and sweet returns, are not capable to endear these Merchants to this rich Country: Besides this, their Religion, which by the zeal and industry of their Priests grew strangely there, so that they had four hundred thousand souls at once upon a list, which made them in hope to become absolute Masters of the whole Kingdom; this they purposed, which had been absolutely effected, but that they wanted an head; and were traversed in this great design by the netherlands Ministers. If they had brought japan to their devotion and obedience, as God be praised they have not, it is no hard matter to conceive the advantages they would have gotten by it, and what they might further presumed, upon so mighty an acquisition. But my design is not to insist upon this matter, only to undeceive those men who blindly out of prejudice or ignorance, not only slight the Japanish trade, but have given out, that it is neither useful nor profitable for the East-India-Company. But to return where we digressed; it is not imaginable that the Portugals and Spaniards are such fools, as to search out places to seat themselves in, and to carry on a trade, where there is no advantage to be got; that they have gained infinitely, and should still if they were not hindered by us, is visible: It is evident that they of Mavau are at present rich, that their City is strong, and their Houses like so many Palaces, wherein they live like earthly gods in pleasure and plenty, whereas they were before but bare and needy. Neither did the ill treatment they lately received in japan, nor the persecutions of the Women Catholics there, nor the loss of Andrew Plasoes Caraek, who was assaulted and sunk, by the Emperor's command and forces, before Naugasack, nor the danger they incur by our ships at Sea, can deter or oblige them to quit this Kingdom: when the danger to sail thither with great Vessels was too great, they trulked with little ones; which this proud Nation, who aspire to an universal Monarchy, would never have done, if it had not been for the certainty and sweetness of the profit: What can our People allege to the contrary? is it not as we have formerly said, that the door is not open for us alone, but for all other Nations who come as friends to negotiate in his Majesty's Dominions. During our abode in japan, we have been treated with very great civility; although we have not profited so much as the Portugals, yet we have gained more honour than they; we have not lost at all, and our win have been proportionable to our Cargasoons; we have had several commodities thence, and much useful provisions; we have repaired many of our old Ships in their Havens, and furnished them with all manner of necessaries: The Fleets we send from hence every year to the Manilhas against our common Enemy, return without being questioned by any, and dispose of their prizes at pleasure, paying nothing but the ordinary rites, which is only a small present to the Emperor; what Christian Prince in Europe would treat us so well, and molest us so little? Now that it hath pleased the Almighty, that we by the good conduct of our General I. P. C. do not only bridle them of Maccau, but likewise hinder them to sail to japan, and so keeps them from that rich trade they enjoyed so many years; it remains only that we still keep them out, to which purpose especial care must be had to use the japaners well and civilly; to hinder their detriment, and not to despise or misuse them in any kind, but to suffer every one to pass and re-pass where their business calleth them, aiding and assisting them with all possible endeavour and friendship. We must not be less careful than the Portugals have been, to furnish this Kingdom yearly with all manner of commodities, bringing rather more than lesser; for if it take according to the General's design, which God grant, they of japan will be deprived of the Maccan commerce, as also of their trafficking into divers others places, Kouthinchina, Kamboia, Siam and Manilha, from which places they received betwixt two and three thousand picols of Silk every year, besides several other necessary commodities, which they will be obliged to take from us, as being nearer and at their own homes. We must above all things cherish his Majesty's inclination to us wards, and have a special care to remove all causes of discontent that may arise; for if this mighty Prince conceive the least distaste against us, and refuse us his friendship and correspondence, it will be the only obstacle to hinder us to compass our design; in this case we have more reason to fear the Japanners, then either the Spaniards or Chinese, as being no less potent and courageous than they, and powerful enough to drive us out of the Piscadores, or where we should endeavour to settle; but if it must be so, we should be able to help ourselves without Japan, but not in so convenient a place, as we have mentioned already, which we shall find true in case we fall out with them, which God forbid. Our Governor hath shown us a way, and recommended it to us, which if followed, we may easily continue in his Majesty's favour, and once enjoy the long desired sweet profits which our enemies have had so many years undisturbed; and I doubt not, but by one way or other we shall be able to get the unvaluable China trade into our hands.  
The China trade being then in our dispose, all we have to do, is to send yearly into Japan such Cargasoons as we shall hereafter mention; in the doing whereof, we shall not only please his Majesty, and enjoy the sweet savouring profits which our enemies will be deprived of, but shall be able to satisfy our Masters out of the gain, without any expense of theirs, it being more than probable, that their yearly return will amount to an hundred Ton of Gold, which is ten Millions sterling, or more every year. Japan will be more useful for us, and more profitable than it hath been to the Portugals, if your affairs succeed according to our Governor General's meaning; for besides the Silk which the Portugals brought from Maccan, the japanners fetched themselves betwixt two and three thousand Picols yearly, as we have already observed from Courchinchina, Courchin Manilha, and other places more, whereof they are hindered and receive none, but what we bring them, and at such rates as we shall please to put upon them.  
The Cargasoon which I should require, and which would be vented there infallibly with profit, out of which our Masters might have so much China ware as they demanded, without the expense of a penny, is as followeth.  

3000 Picols of white raw Silk, at 180 Royals of eight the Picol, amounts to R. 540000.  
260 Ditto fine sodden Silk, at 200 Royals the Picol R. 52000  
500 Ditto raw Silk, in short and long strings, at 180 Royals the Picol R. 60000.  
100 Ditto white Silk, at 290 Royals the Picol R. 20000.  
100 Ditto Flos Silk at 190 Royals th● Picol  
15000 pieces of black Single, at 2 Royals the piece R. 77500.  
20000 Ditto coloured Armosyne, at one Royal and a half the piece R. 30000.  
2000 Ditto black Satin, at 8 Royals the piece R. 16000  
5000 Ditto good black Damask, at 6 Royals the piece R. 30000.   

Transport for the following K.  
5000 Ditto ordinary good black even Satin at R. 30000.  
2000 Ditto fine black even Velvet, at 8 Royals the piece R. 16000  
5000 Ditto white even Satin woven flat, at 4 Royals the piece R. 20000.  
2000 Ditto black fine watered Grogrum, at 8 Royals the piece R. 16000  
2000 Ditto white Damask, at three Royals and a half the piece R. 7000.  
3000 Ditto white Cramosy red Damask, at 5 Royals the piece R. 15000.  
5000 Ditto Cramosy red L. at 4 Royals the piece R. 20000.  
3000 Ditto painted Calicoes at four Royals and a half the piece R. 13500.  
3000 Ditto white L. at 3. Royals the piece R. 9000.  
2000 Ditto painted Calicoes at three Royals and a half the piece R. 9000.  
5000 Ditto fine black Stuffs of all sorts, worked with Gold and Silver, at ten Royals the piece R. 50000.  
105000.   
This aforesaid China Cargasoon being sent yearly to Japan, I engage myself to my Masters, so long as God gives me health, to serve them for nothing, unless I return them in four or five month's time, in good Silver, One million eight hundred and fifty thousand Royals of eight; if that be not enough, let them send more and the gain will be greater. We have taxed the goods at twenty per cent higher than they will possibly be bought for, and that purposely, as knowing well that these goods will first cost us more than the Portugals had them for at Maccan, by reason of the fort and Cargasoon that we must necessarily hold for the China trading. I know it will fall heavy for our Masters, considering their other expenses, to furnish us with so much as is here required; if it cannot be done at once, let them furnish us with the half; the business can be so ordered here, that one third part of the Japans, and another third part of the Portugals principal be employed, so that the Masters need furnish but the rest, which they may gain back (and all charges paid) in six months. The Overseers of the Company do intimate by their Letters, their earnest desires to have great Cargasoons sent yearlie home, for the easing of those vast expenses they are at; by reason whereof it happens, to the great grief of our Governor General and Council of India, that many places fail oftentimes to furnish the desired quota; the which hath obliged me to deliver this by writing to their Honours, if they be pleased to hearken to it, and furnish our demands yearly, without delaying; if it cannot be found out of the China commodities alone, it must be supplied with Europian wares, as also with some Nutmegs, Pepper, Eliphants-teeths, and the like, that we may show that our givings out to our Masters shall not only reap the aforesaid profits, but their Servant shall gain praise and thanks, to the honour of the netherlands Nation. Sixty four Tons of Gold and a half may be yearlie gained by these China Silk Wares, besides other Commodities.   

A description of the pompous and magnificent reception of the DEYRO in the City of Meaco, when he came to visit his Imperial Majesty of Japan, on Octob. 25. 1626. Written by Coenraed Krammer, deputed from the East-India-Company to that Court, and then present.  
IN the year 1626. having had audience on the twentieth of October, I took my leave of both the old and young Emperor, four days before the feast; which seemed strange to them that knew it, being their Majesties were so intent in their preparations for the Deyro's reception; but these men did not know how desirous the Emperor was to dispatch the Hollanders before the feast: however the Siammer and Portugal Ambassadors had not as yet been publicly received, and all by reason of the present business, which took up the whole Court, in so much that they were deferred till that was passed; we being therefore dispatched, had the more leisure and desire to see this solemn entertainment, and the rather, being invited to a stay by the Lord of Firando and Cackusymondonne. On the twenty fourth we went towards the Emperor's Palace, attended upon by all our Servants; and having hired a place from which we might see the whole procession, we were forced to stay there that whole night, by reason of the great crowds of people that passed that way; on the morrow following, being the twenty fifth, as soon as the day appeared, we saw an innumerable company of people, who filled the way up betwixt the Emperor's Palace and the Deyro's Court. The streets were made very even, and strewed with white sand, and railed in on both sides, and guarded all along by Soldiers of both their Majesties and of the Deyroes, all clothed in long white vestments, with headpieces of black wax, and armed each with two Sables and a Pike, for defence of the passage through which the Coaches and Horses were to march; all running waters and ditches were covered with boards and planks; and scaffols were raised on both sides the way for the spectators.  
The first that passed were Servants that belonged to the Deyro and Emperor, with many Palanquimos or Porters, who carried the Deyro's baggage, packed up in great square Wax Chests (the covers whereof were painted with the Deyro's Arms in Gold) to the Emperor's Court: These were accompanied with a great train of Attendants, who were again followed by six and forty Palanquin Stools or Sedans, wherein the Women belonging to the Deyro's Wives were carried; these Sedans were all of them curiously wrought of bright white wood, six foot high, laid with plates of Copper, and finely painted, each of these being carried by four lusty follows; after them went one and twenty Sedans or Norimons, (for so they call them here) covered with black Wax and gilded, and behind them some twenty seven more whose doors and windows were all gilded; some of the Deyro's chief Lords were carried in these, each of them having a Quirosol wholly gilded, and covered with a very rich covering, carried before them; these Lords were attended by one hundred and eight Pages in white liveries; behind them marched twenty four Gentlemen on horse back, clothed and armed in their Habiliments of war; their Headpieces were of Wax, with little black feathers behind; they were clothed in Coats with great wide sleeves; their Breeches were long and small, made of even Satin of all colours, embroidered with Gold and Silver very richly; they had little black Boots, gilded with stripes of Gold; their Arms were gilded; Sables with Bows and Arrows were girt to them, with great rich embroidered Scarves, whose ends hung over on each side of the Horse; their Horses were goodly and beautiful, with little heads, little ears, and short bodies; their Saddles were all waxed or gilded, the seats being of embroidered works or Tigers skins; the manes of these Horses were twisted, or plaited, with Silver and Gold, the breasts and buttocks were adorned with nets of Silk, whose strings hung low; they had gilded horns on their foreheads, and were shod with interwoven Silk in stead of Iron; every Horse was lead by two Footmen, two great Quirosols made of fine linen, and covered above with red cloth, with fringe round about it, being born before, and serving to cover the Horse, which was further attended with eight Pages, or Servants, all in white liveries, and armed as the manner is, with two Sables or Swords: And thus these Horsemen road by paces, from the Deyroes to the Emperor's Palace in very good order. These were followed by three rich Coaches, in which were the Deyro's three principal Wives; each of these Coaches were four fathoms high, two fathoms long, and one broad, being beautified with Wax figures, and enamelled with Gold; there were three windows on each side, and two before, being hung with rich curtains; the entry was behind the Coach, made like the gate of a Palace, with chambers on both sides; all under the windows seemed black Wax; the rands of the wheels were gilded, and the spokes finely turned and in-laid with Gold; when they moved, they seemed to turn against a Looking glass, by reason of the clearness of the glittering Wax, which was goodly to behold; These wheels were covered with penthouses very artificially and richly wrought, every corner of them being plaited with fine Gold; the top of all, or cover, was black Wax, whereupon the Deyro's arms were curiously done in Gold; every one of these great Coaches, or rather Towers, were drawn with two great strong Bulls, covered with nets of red twined Silk, which were lead by four footmen clothed in white; each of these Coaches valued at seventy thousand Tails, a Tail being full five English shillings. The train of Pages, all clothed in white, that attended these Ladies, was numerous, each of them having a gilded footstool, and a pair of Wax slippers carried behind them. Then followed twenty three Norimons, or Palanquins, being made of white Wood, and plaited with Copper, wherein were the Servants of these three Ladies, each waited upon with a great Quirosol, two Pages, and four Porters to carry them. Behind these followed sixty eight of the Deyro's Gentlemen on horseback, clothed and armed as the former; they marched by two and two, being accompanied by a great train of Servants, Slaves, Pages, Footmen and Pike-men.  
The aforesaid Cavalry being passed, there followed 

Two gilded Sables, the extremities of them being plaited with Gold.  
One great Vier-werck, rich and curious.  
One Peyl Compas, exceeding great and costly.  
Two great gold Candlesticks.  
Two great Eben Pillars.  
Three small square Tables, or Desks, of black Eben wood, the corners being plaited with Gold.  
Four great Tables of the same.  
Two great fair Plates, or Dishes, wrought in Gold.  
One pair of wax Slippers.    
Two beautiful Coaches, equal in form and fineness with the former, followed these rarities: The old Emperor, Sadosienminano Tonofindelanda, sat in the first; and in the other the young Emperor, called Oeudesienminano Tonoyvemytsamma. Fourscore pairs, or couples, of Gentlemen marched on foot before these Coaches; they were armed each of them with two Sables and a Pike, being all proper stout men, and serve for the Emperor's guards; four rich Quirosols were carried before their Majesties, and four men with Pikes cleared the passage; two beautiful Horses, richly trapped, were lead before the Coaches, on whose sides eight Men, armed with Bows and Arrows and long Pikes, did march in order to wait upon them. The Emperor's Brothers, and all the Princes and great Lords of japan, followed on horseback, clothed and armed as the former, save that some were richer than other, according to their births and qualities; there were one hundred sixty and four of these Grandees, the chief whereof, and those who immediately followed the Emperors, were 

Owarny Cammy Samma, the old Emperor's Brother.  
Quyne Deymangon Samma, another of his Brothers.  
Massammenemoet Nocammy Samma, yet another Brother.  
Matsendeyro Thuykesnocammi Samma, Lord of Canga.  
Matsendeyro Montsnocammy Samma, Lord of Satsuma.  
Matsendeyro jondonne.  
Matsendeyro Symoutsquedonne.  
Matsendeyro Quonnenochwuchoo.  
Turogano Deynangono Cammy Samma, the young Emperor's eldest Prince.  
Myttotchonango Samma, the old Emperor's Brother.    
These ten Lords road immediately behind the Emperor's Coach, each by himself, attended with a numerous train of Gentlemen, Pages, Pikemen, etc. according to their state and quality: The rest of the Lords followed by couples, two and two, the best of them taking the left hand, which in this Cowtrey is the upper and best place; Ouwaydonne, the old Emperor's chief Councillor, and Woutadonne, the young Emperor's chief Councillor, led the van of the remaining one hundred and fifty four Lords, all of them marching in good order, great state and magnificency and rarely mounted upon brave Horses, which pransed and curveted all the way. Four hundred armed Soldiers, all in white Liveries, followed after these, two by two; and after them six new fair Coaches, though not above half so great as the other, and only drawn by one Ox, but proportionably beautiful; the Deyro's Concubines sat in these, who were again followed by thirty four pair of Gentlemen on horseback, attended with many Servants and Slaves. There was yet another Coach wherein the Deyro's Secretary road, accompanied with thirty seven Gentlemen on horseback; then followed the Norimons, which carried several of the Deyro's Grandees, whereof fifteen were of black Wood, inlaid with white Ivory; thirteen of black Wood, adorned with Wax and Gold; and eighteen wholly done over with black Wax. Forty six great gilded Quirosols, with their attendants, followed these Norimons; and behind them fifty four Gentlemen, being the Deyro's Musicians, with several Instruments, as Pipes, Tabours, Cymbals, Bells, and some stringed ones which are not known amongst us. The Deyro himself followed these Musicians, sitting in a great square Edifice, surrounded with drawing doors and windows on each corner; this lodge was about nine foot high, its cover being round, and in the middle a gilded Ball, whereon stood a Cock with his wings spread, of pure Gold: This structure was very beautiful, being adorned on all sides with carved Images, its angles plaited with pure Gold, and the roof of it intimating the Heaven, with Sun, Moon and Stars. There were fifty Persons, all Gentlemen belonging to the Emperors, clothed with long white Robes, and Wax Headpieces, that carried this ambulatory Palace: Forty Gentlemen anticly dressed, although armed with Europian Headpieces, and Pikes gilded at the ends, went before the Deyro, and these were of his Lifeguard. One of his principal Lords did immediately follow him, armed as the other, bearing in his hand a Shield stuck full of Arrows; then came forty great Quirosols, all covered with fine white linen, and belonging to the aforesaid Guards: These were again followed by thirteen great Wax Chests, carried by the Palanquyn Porters: And lastly, the whole procession was closed with four hundred persons all in white vestments, marching six in a rank in very good order. The Deyro and his Train were no sooner passed, but the evening came on, and an innumerable company of people of all sorts: the Stages and Houses which had been filled with Spectators, had disgorged their burdens in the Streets; so that the multitude was so immensly great, that very many disorders happened, as cutting of purses, stealing, murdering and robbing each other; very many were stifled in the crowds, and such as but once fell, were sure never to rise, being trodden to death: The noise all night was so great, as if the City had been in an uproar; and the insolences grew to that height, that many persons of quality, who could not get out of the throng, or were retiring to their houses, were set upon, and very many of them spoiled and murdered: among others, the Lord of Firandos Secretary saw his Servant robbed, and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him, before his own face, whilst he himself had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these assaulters. We were forced, with our Servants, to quit our stage, and put ourselves into the crowd, because of the night, and the danger to continue where we were, which we durst not do without running the hazard of being murdered; the preass was so great, that we were borne up by the people most of our way, being but seldom able to put a foot upon the ground; yet at length, by God's great blessing, we got all (without any considerable loss) safely to our lodgings.  
The Deyro and his Wives were lodged three days and three nights in the Emperor's Palace, being served by their Majesties and their Brothers, and the greatest Princes of their Court, every meal consisting of one hundred and forty services. This feasting being done, the young Emperor gave the Deyro these following presents: 

Three thousand Boats of Silver, each of four Tails and three Marses.  
Two rich Sables.  
Two hundred japan Gowns.  
Three hundred pieces of wrought Satin.  
Twenty picols of raw Silk.  
One great piece of Calombacq.  
Five great Silver pots full of Musk.  
And ten beautiful Horses with their accoutrements.    

The old Emperor gave him  
Two hundred pieces of Gold, each worth fifty four Silver ones.  
One hundred Indian gowns richly wrought.  
Two great Silver pots full of Musk.  
Five Catti Calombacq.  
Two hundred pieces of red Silk.  
Five Silver pots full of Amber Greece.  
And five brave Horses with their accoutrements.   

His Secretary had given him  
Three hundred Boats of Silver, equal with the other in worth.  
And twenty Indian Gowns.     

A Description of the Government, Might, Religion, Customs, Traffic, and other remarkable Affairs in the Kingdom of SIAM: Written in the Year 1636. by Joost Schouten, Directour of the East-India-Company in that Country.  
SIAM is a famous and potent Kingdom, situate upon the continent of Asia eighteen degrees Northern Latitude, where it bordereth upon the Countries of Pegu and Ava twelve degrees; it extendeth itself Westward to the Bengasche sea of Martavan to seven degrees, where it borders upon the Kingdoms of Pay tany and Queda; Southward from the Bengasche to the Patanys Ocean, this Coast turns Northward to thirteen degrees, making with its bowing the Gulf of Siam; thence the Coast runs again Southward to twelve degrees, and leaving the Sea terminates Eastward upon the Desert of Cambodia, and the Kingdoms of jangonia, Tangou, and Langjang to eighteen degrees, even to Ava and Pegu; so that the form of this Land is like an half Moon, and containeth in its circuit four hundred and fifty Dutch miles, one Dutch mile makes six English. This Country (which is in many places mountainous, woody and moorish, especially towards the Sea, although for the most part even and clay, and is likewise full of all sorts of Beasts and Fowls, and Rivers replenished with abundance of Fish) hath where it bordereth upon the Benga and Siams' Seas many Islands, Bays, Havens and Rivers most commodious for the receipt of great and small Vessels; I shall not particularise all, only mention the chief River, as the most frequented Haven of the whole Kingdom: This River (called by the name of Menam, or the Mother of Waters) is great, wide, and very long, its course being not known unto them. It passeth from the North Southward very swiftly through the Land of Ava and Pegu, and several Provinces of Siam, until that it discharge itself by three mouths into the Sea of Siam; it partaketh of the nature of those famous Rivers Ganges and Nilus, flowing once a year so high that it covereth most part of the Country, making it incredibly fruitful, and destroying by this innundation (which continueth four or five months) all obnoxious vermin and creatures. The greatest mouth of this River, is that which lies most Eastward thirteen degrees and a half Northern latitude; and in the middle of the inlet, there is a great flat, or sand, a mile long, that crosses the entry of the River five or six foot deep at low water, but at height is fifteen or sixteen, and in the Winter months, when the the floods are great, there is ordinarily seventeen or eighteen foot and more; great Ships that go deep, are forced to anchor at four, five, or six fathoms water without this bank, the ground being clay and good; but those that pass this flat at high water, enter the River without any more danger of running on ground till they come to the Town of Banckock, six Dutch miles upwards; then the River grows narrower and more shallow, Ships drawing eleven or twelve foot water, being scarceable to mount to the City of India, where they are sometimes forced to stay till the months of September, October and November, for water to return. The Country is generally well peopled, especially the lower part of it, being full of Villages and Towns; the principal whereof are judica, Picelouck, Sourckelouk, Capheng, Soutcethay, Kephinpet, Conseywan, Pytsyay Pitsidi, Lydure, Tenou, Mormelon, Martenayo, Lygor, Bordelong, Tannassary, Banckock, Pypry, Rapry, Mergy, and several other, all which are governments and heads of Provinces; besides these there are many Cities and Burroughs full of people, which I omit as superfluous. The City of judica, the Metropolis of the Kingdom, and seat of the King and his chiefest Nobles, is situate upon the River Menam, in a little round Island, encompassed with a thick stone wall, about six English miles round; the Suburbs are on the other side of the River, closely builded, and full of Temples and Cloisters, lying in a flat and fruitful Country. The Streets of the walled Town are many of them large, strait and regular, with channels running through them, although for the most part of small narrow Lanes, Ditches, and Creeks most confusedly placed; the Citizens have an incredible number of small Boats or Prawes, which come to their very doors, especially at floods and high water. The building of the Houses is according to the Indian fashion, slight, and covered with Tiles; but the City is beautified with more than three hundred fair Temples and Cloisters, all curiously builded, and adorned with many gilded Towers, Pyramids, and Pictures without number. The King's Palace is seated upon the River, resembling a little Town apart, great and magnificent, many of its Buildings and Towers being entirely gilded. This royal and admirable City is perfectly well seated, and populous to a wonder, being frequented by all Nations; and is likewise impregnable, as not to be besieged but six months in a year, by reason of the inundations of the River, which covers the Country round with its overflowings. The Sovereignty and Government of Siam is in the King, a Prince of a Noble and ancient family, who hath been in possession of this Kingdom, and the neighbouring Provinces, many hundred of years; this Prince is absolute in his Dominions, disposing of War and Peace, Alliances, Justice, Pardons and Remissions, etc. at his pleasure; He maketh Laws without any advice or consent of his Council, or Lords, his will being the rule he walks by, unless his goodness descend sometimes to counsel with his Mandoryns, them of his Council; these sometimes deliberate upon his Majesty's propositions, and present their result to him by way of humble supplication, which he confirms, changes or rejects, as he thinks good. He disposes Sovereignty of all the Dignities and great Offices of his Kingdom, without respect of persons, noble or otherwise, (except some of the Ancientest and greatest Families) to such as have or may serve him well, whom he again deprives of their honours for small faults; so that they are all his Slaves and Vassals, which the Great ones esteem an honour, and put in their titles. The King thus sovereignly disposing of all things, doth notwithstanding nothing without some appearance of reason, and conformity to the Laws of the Kingdom, which however ancient, he by his usurped prerogative and power, doth interpret and bow to his Arbitrary will and pleasure. His Majesty's Court and Train is exceeding great and glorious; He seldom shows himself to the People, and very sparingly to his Grandees and Officers of the Kingdom, which happens at certain appointed times and days; when he gives them Audience he is richly clothed and crowned, sitting upon a golden Throne, at whose feet his Gentlemen and Attendants reverently kneel, accompanied with three hundred armed Soldiers of his Lifeguard: All, as well Strangers as Subjects, who have audience of his Majesty, whilst they are in his presence, must continually kneel, with folded hands and heads hanging down; when they speak to him, it must be in this humble posture, loading him with titles and praises; his Answers are esteemed Oracles, and his commands unchangeable; so that he lives happy in all imaginable worldly pleasures, having many magnificent Houses up and down the Kingdom, as also other places, Tents and Pavilions: He eateth highly, but his drink is simple water, or Coco, all strong drinks being prohibited by the Clergy and the Laws, and esteemed scandalous. His Majesty goeth ordinarily by water with eight or ten very costly and fine Barges, each with eighty or a hundred rowers; he sits under a gilded Pavilion upon a Throne, accompanied with his Courtiers and other Barges, to the number of three or four hundred, with his Train and Guards waiting upon him; most of the great Ones follow the Court at such times, each in his rich gilded Barge or Praw; so that the whole train of them is twelve or fourteen hundred, and sometimes more. When he goes by land, he is mounted upon a gilded seat, and carried upon men's shoulders, the train being ordinarily the same, all marching in order and great silence; no body is seen in his way or sight, but upon their knees, with folded hands, and bowed heads and bodies; this reverence better becoming a celestial Deity, than an earthly Majesty.  
Once every year, about the month of October, the King of Siam shows himself by water and land in state to his people, going to the principal Temple of the Gods, to offer there for the welfare of his Person and Kingdom, the manner follows: When he goes by land, the procession is led by two hundred Elephants, each attended with three armed men; these are followed by many Musicians with Gomnies, Pipes and Drums, and a thousand men richly armed, and provided with Banners: Then march the great Lords of the Kingdom on horseback, many of them wearing Crowns of Gold upon their heads; and every one waited upon by sixty, eighty, or an hundred men on foot: Two hundred japan Soldiers follow these with bright Arms and rich Colours, and much noise of Instruments; then comes the Lifeguard with the King's Horses and Elephants, richly adorned with precious Stones and Gold furniture; which is followed by many Servants loaden with fruits and presents for the Sacrifice, accompanied with a sweat consort of Music: These are again followed by many of the great Ones on foot, with folded hands; as also some Crowned Grandees, whereof one carrieth the gilded Standard, and the other the Sword of Justice; his Majesty follows next in person in his royal Robes, sitting upon an Elephant, or else a gilded Throne, carried upon men's shoulders, and waited upon by many Lords and Courtiers; the Prince, or Heir of the Kingdom, followeth him; and then in order the King's Wives and Concubines, seated upon Elephants in little enclosed Cabinets: lastly the ordinary Courtiers follow; the whole provision consisting of fifteen or sixteen thousand persons, having its rear brought up by six hundred armed men. But if the King go by water, than two hundred Lords, each in his Barge, seated in a gilded Cabinet, with eighty or ninety Rowers, lead the van; these are followed by ten extraordinary rich figured Praws, or Barges, the which, as also the Oars, are all gilded, each having ninety or an hundred Watermen: The King is in the richest of them, sitting like an Idol upon a golden Throne, with his Lords in their humblest posture at his feet: the royal Banner is borne by one of these Grandees, at the head of the Barge, in state. The King's Brother followeth next with his Train; and after him his Majesty's Wives and Concubines, in gilded Cabinets and Tents, each in their Barges apart: lastly the Gentry, Courtiers, Guards, and other Attendants follow, the whole amounting to five or six and twenty thousand persons. The River is bordered on both sides with Boats, and an infinite number of People, who reverence and adore their King in his passage, with bended heads and folded hands.  
The Dominion and Revenue of the Crown is great, amounting yearly to many Millions, arising out of inland Commodities, as Rice, Sappang, Tin, Led, Salt-peter; as also the profits of the Sand and Mountain Gold, which are only sold by the King's Factors to foreign Merchants: He hath also his Customs for outlandish Wares; his Tributes and Presents from Subject-Princes, and Governors of Cities and Provinces, who know how much they must contribute; as also the profits of his Traffic with Chormandel and China: add to these the inland trade, carried on by his Factours in the City judica, or elsewhere, and his Majesty of Siam will be found to be one of the richest Princes of India. There are several Officers appointed for the receipt of incomes, who must account every year, and that exactly: Most of these moneys are expended in building and repairing of Temples, in rewarding of merits, and defraying the public charges of the Kingdom; the residue being brought into the Treasury, which is esteemed rich and great. The Laws and Customs of Siam are strange (though orderly) in the succession of their Princes; when the King dies, it is not his Son, but his Brother who is Heir to the Crown; but in case he have no Brother, than indeed his Son steps in by course, whose Brothers do succeed successively; lastly all the Sons of the eldest Brother, who hath reigned, follow by turns, the Daughters being wholly excluded any pretence to the Government. But this order is not always observed, the Sceptre being sometimes usurped by him of the family who is most powerful, and most gracious with the people, which is the present King's case; who having raised himself before his turn, caused all his Competitors, and their Adherents, to be slain, to the end he might peaceably enjoy what he had unjustly got, and leave the Crown to his Brother or Children after him.  
The ordinary Justice, both Criminal and Civil, is administered through the Kingdom according to their ancient Customs and Laws, by Officers purposely appointed: But in the City of Judica they have (besides the ordinary Courts of Judicature) a College of twelve Counsellors, with one principal Precedent, which doth definitively decide all Appeals, and other businesses, whether Criminal or Civil. It is indeed permitted, though with extraordinary expense and cost, to appeal to the King and his Council, who ordinarily confirm and cause the former sentence to be put in execution. In this and lesser Courts, all Civil disputes are brought in by Lawyers; and the cause being pleaded, and witnesses examined on both sides before the Commissioners, the Secretary makes an extract of the whole, which being writ in a Book, it is signed by both Plaintiff and Defendant, or others deputed by them; that done the Book is sealed up, and kept by the Judge till next Sessions; at which time it is again opened in the presence of both parties, and their debates heard, noted, and sealed as before: So that the Lawyers, by their several exceptions, demurs and practices, do very often delay and keep up the parties for many years; until at length, after much solicit and expense, the cause is anew opened and examined, and finally adjudged and ended by a full College. But in Criminal matters, as injuries, robberies, murder, treason, or the like, the guilty, or suspected person, is apprehended, imprisoned, and examined; if he deny the fault against witnesses, or great presumptions, he is forced by torture to confession; all which being noted in a Book, and presented to the Judges, they immediately proceed to Sentence and Execution; except in Capital crimes, such being reserved for the King's pleasure, who either pardons, banishes, or causes the condemned person to be put to death, according to the sentence. Offences are ordinarily punished as they are more or less heinous, with cashiering, banishments into Deserts, slavery, confiscations, mutilation of hand or foot, burning in oil, quartering, and other severe executions. Where the case is doubtful, no witnesses appearing, nor no strong presumptions against the accused, so that the Judge knows not how or what to do, he than permits both parties to try it out by common purgation; either by ducking under water, holding their hands in boiling oil, to go barefoot upon hot coals, or to eat a mess of charmed rice; this conjured mess being made up into balls, is given them by the Priest with much ceremony; and he that can swallow it without casting it up again, and behaves himself in this and the other trials with most courage, is esteemed most innocent and acquitted, whilst the other, whether accusor or accused, is most severely punished, according to the nature of the crime.  
The King's power and military force by water and land, consists most of his own Vassals and Natives; he hath indeed some few Strangers, as Moors, Malayers, and some five hundred japanners, the most esteemed for their courage and fidelity, although the Prince now reigning drove them out of his Country, but they are now crept in again; so that most of his forces are Siammers, who must serve without pay, and be always in a readiness, the hundredth, fiftieth, twentieth, tenth, or fifth man being levied, according to the King's pleasure and occasions. Besides these, the Grandees have ordinarily some hundreds of men in their service, who wait upon them in the field; so that his Majesty can raise an Army when he thinks good, of two or three thousand men, with two or three hundred Elephants, Victuals, Ammunition, and other warlike Instruments; for all this his Armies seldom exceed one hundred thousand men, and not ordinarily forty or fifty thousand, as his affairs require, either for offensive or defensive. His foot are in reasonable good order, though merely armed with Bows and Arrows, Shields, Swords, Pikes, and a few Guns: the horse are not better, though generally armed with Swords, Shields, Bows, and Lances. Most of their force consists in some hundreds of tramed Elephants, each of them furnished with three armed men; and they have a good quantity of Cannons, but do not well know how to use them. At sea his Majesty hath several Galleys and Frigates well provided with great Guns, though the Seamen and Mariners are but pitiful. The Praws, wherewith the Siammers can stoutly scuffle, are without number, but ill ordered and armed, and yet sufficient to deal with their neighbouring enemies as unskilful as they are, though far short of our Europian Vessels and Mariners either to fight or sail. These Mariners, especially when their Princes have been brave, have conquered many of the neighbouring Kingdoms and Provinces; but being all human things, they have their vicissitudes, these victories did but follow the fortune of their favourites.  
There hath of old been great wars betwixt them of Pegu and Siam, with various success: the King of Pegu pretending to the Monarchy of the neighbouring Kingdoms, which he hath formerly had, and as yet possesseth in part; so that the borders of these Kingdoms are quite ruined and unpeopled, and these Princes of late years content with inroads and sudden invasions, with small flying Armies of twenty or thirty thousand men, which they have ordinarily for defence of the frontiers. The Siammers have had likewise wars against other Princes, as the Kings of Jangoma, Tangou, Langhs-ja●gh●, and lastly against the King of Siam, and stoutly defended himself against those great Armies which were sent to reduce him; of late the Kingdom hath been in peace until the usurpation of the last deceased King, who having destroyed the true Heirs, and possessed the Government contrary to order, was likewise himself slain, together with his Brothers, and the Crown seized upon by another of the blood, who after several civil and foreign broils enjoyed it peaceably, and governs at present with great reputation and honour, continuing still his wars with them of Pegu, and the Rebel Cambodian.  
This Prince, as well as his Predecessors, is kind to Strangers, but respects and esteems the Netherlanders more than the Portugals; which the late King sufficiently testified, when upon the taking of a Holland Yacht in the River, Anno 1624. the Spanish Galley of Don Ferdinando de Silua was violently seized upon by his command, and restitution and satisfaction made to our Company; hereupon he was forced into a war with them of Manhila, and suffered much in his China voyages, which was well recompensed by the seasonable assistance of six Dutch men of war, which were lent him to be employed against his Rebels of Patany.  
The King hath more than three thousand tame Elephants in several parts of his Kingdom, each attended by two or three men, wherein much of his greatness doth consist; for these Beasts are very much esteemed in India, especially when trained up to the wars, the rest are employed to carry Ordinances, Tents, and Provisions to the Camp. These creatures being great, very strong, and strangely docible, are taken in several parts of the Country, and disciplined as followeth: A Troop of fifteen or twenty tame she Elephants, which were taken when they were young, are driven into the Wilderness, with two or three fellows to observe them; the wild ones upon sight of them, associate with them, one or two at once, which are driven with the rest insensibly into a great square building with high stone walls, and encompassed on the outside with trees which cover them; as soon as these Beasts are decoyed in, a great turn pike is shut behind them, and gates to hinder their return; when they are entered further into the square place, the tame Elephants being brought up to it by their teachers, upon notice from them, slip away through other gates for the purpose; so that the wild ones being left alone, are out of other little squares, whereof one is in the middle, vexed and tormented with all manner of inventions to make them angry and furious: the above mentioned squares are made of great thick posts, well nigh two fathoms high, but so far distant from each other, that a man may creep betwixt them; so that when the Elephant with his running, turning and winding, seeks to revenge himself upon his torments, they save themselves behind these posts; at length, when the beast is weary, and sufficiently tormented, thee is a great door opened, into which he runs to save himself, which is immediately shut upon him, and he restrained to a narrower prison, and is there bound to two or three tame Elephants, placed for the purpose; this done, they are led into a covered house, where cross planks being contrived under the wild ones belly, they are hoyss up with pulleys, and left as it were half hanging for some time; so that with this invention, and help of the tame ones, they are wholly tamed in three or four months, and rendered supple and useful. The Court is for the most part present (Galleries being builded for the Spectators) at the taking and tormenting of the Elephants, which is most pleasant to behold. These Beasts are sometimes taken in the open fields, being environed with tame ones, and caught in snares and jins; but this way is dangerous although often practised; and both show how fabulously Writers have informed the World in this particular.  
A white Elephant (esteemed by the Indians a wonder in Nature) hath been found in Siam, and no other known Land; it is esteemed by the inhabitants as the Prince of the Elephants, and hath been so treated by the Kings of this Country, who have had of them in the Palaces many times, and caused them to be served in state, often visited them, and honoured their Vassals with more than ordinary respect. These white Elephants have formerly occasioned great wars betwixt the Siammers and their Neighbours; and some sixty years since against the King of Pegu, who proving victorious, did not only take the white Elephant prisoner, but obliged the King of Siam to become his Tributary; which yoke the following Princes did not only cast off, but gloriously revenge their Predecessors misfortunes. During my first residence in Siam, the then King took two young white Elephants, but both died shortly after to his great grief. This Nation believes somewhat more than human native of this creature, alleging they do not only respect him for his whiteness, but for his divine understanding; which appears in his pride and glorying when he is treated in state, and of his melancholy and sorrow when those honours are denied him, or that the black Elephant refuses him his obeissance.  
The Siammers, as also the Neighbouring Nations, are all Idolaters and Heathens, so that they have every where great and little Temples and Cloisters for the service of their Gods; and the dwellings of their Priests. These Edifices are builded of Wood and Stone very Artificial and sumptuous, with guilded Towers and Pyramids; each of the Temples and Cloisters being filled with an incredible number of Idols, of divers materials and greatness, gilded adorned and beautified very rich and admirable; some of the Idols are four, six, eight, and ten fathoms long; amongst the rest there is one of an unimaginable greatness, being one hundred and twenty foot high. In these Temples and Cloisters there are many Priests and religious Men disciplined, and very obedient to their superiors, being all subject to the Arch Flamen, or Prior of the great Temple of judica, whose spiritual power is vastly great, though subordinate to the Kings. All the Clergy (whereof there are in judica alone at least thirty thousand) are clothed, without any remarkale difference, in yellow linen clothes, having their heads all shorn. The learnedst amongst these are professed Priests, out of which the Regent's of their Temples are chosen, (who are held in great esteem and reverence by the People) preaching, teaching, and offering upon their Feasts and Holy days. These are prohibited the natural use of Women, upon pain of being burned; but they may always, and at pleasure, upon declaration of their frailty or weakness, quit their frocks, and betake themselves to another life, which happens often amongst them. They have their morning and evening Song, Readins and other Services, celebrated in their Cloisters every day, and frequented by their society. They live upon the Alms and bounty of the King and great Ones, as also on the fruit which their Church Lands bring forth; but principally out of the sweet and labours of the Commonalty, who unanimously share with them, they sending every morning some Priests and Clerks out of their Cloisters, with begging bags to receive these donations and charity: Besides these Priests, there are a sort of old Nuns shorn, lodged in Chapels near the greatest Temples, who assist very devoutly in all their preachings, sing, ceremonies, and other Church services, but all voluntary, being tied to no rules or prescriptions. These Heathens do generally believe, (however differing in many particulars) that there is one upper God, with many lesser Deities in Heaven, who created all things: that the Souls of Men are immortal, and shall be rewarded or punished according to their merits and actions; the good dwelling with the God in bliss, whilst the wicked are tormented by the Devils that seduced them. Their Religion is principally founded upon these points, which have been delivered to them in writing many hundred years since, and confirmed with the testimony of many holy men, (whose memory they worship in their Images, which they have set up like so many lesser Deities) who by their charity to the Church, to the poor, and to all things that had life, they endeavoured to merit Heaven, and avoid the dreadful punishments of the Devils. Those that are religious and superstitious in these, buy ordinarily upon Feast days, multitudes of Birds and living Fish, bringing them to the Temple, and there give them their liberty; esteeming it a great sin to kill not only men, but the more rude creatures, fancying the souls of deceased persons to be transmigrated into them: all other evils which Nature teaches us to be sin, they account so too, and are much preached against by their Priests. The chief Ceremonies of this Idolatry are, as we said, preaching, teaching, singing evening and morning Prayers, and offering of Sacrifice, which is done with torches, candles, incense, spices, and flowers at the altars of their images, which in their opinion represent the great God, the lesser Deities, and holy Men, whereby they think their wrath is appeased; to which end they celebrate with much solemnity at the new, full, and quarters of the Moon, as also several other extraordinary Festivals, with a fasting from any thing which hath had life, for three months together, they pray for the sick, and also the dead, who being first superstitiously shaved, anointed, charmed, and with much ceremony, as weeping, cutting of the hair of the head by the next friend, alms, prayers of the Priests, music, plays, fireworks, and other shows (according to the quality and ability of the deceased) burnt with fire, their collected ashes are afterwards anointed and buried near the Temples, a Pyramid rich and magnificent being erected over them; so that these funerals are extremely expensive to the survivors, as well as honourable for the deceased. The Priests carry themselves very moderately to those of a contrary Religion, condemning no opinions, but believe that all, though of differing tenets, living virtuously, may be saved, all services which are performed with zeal being acceptable to the great God, especially theirs, they being convinced of its truth and innocency. This constancy of theirs makes them not easily to be drawn to any other persuasion, which hath been sufficiently attempted by the Portugals, whose industrious Priests omitted nothing for their conversion, and by the Mohometans who are no less zealous in their way, though with little or no success by either of them, and yet the Christians, as also the Mahometans, are both permitted the free exercise of their Religions in their Country. However these Heathen be thus religious, yet they fear and serve (although contrary to the opinion of most of their Priests) the very Devils, whom they believe to be the authors and causes of all evil, as the Gods are of every thing that is good and virtuous: They adore these unclean Spirits in their sicknesses and misfortunes, celebrating their feasts with instruments playing, and offering atoning sacrifices of fruits and living creatures: They are so strangely abominable in their gestures and actions, that it is not fit for a Christian either to see or write them; thus fond searching his favour, whose indulgences do but plunge them deeper in their unhappy mistakes and errors. The people of this Country are reasonably well proportioned, brown and tawny; they are none of the best Soldiers, though proud and insolent in their victories; they are modest enough in their civil conversation, though naturally light, fearful, incredulous, dissimuled, deceitful, and very lying. The men are lazy and slow, insomuch that the women, with their slaves, are forced (contrary to the customs of other Nations) to labour the earth, and do most of their husband's work, besides taking care for their families and houses, whilst the men follow their pleasure and divertisements abroad. They cloth themselves (both men & women) thin, according to the hot climate they live in; both sexes wear painted petticoats, the men covering their upper parts with a short shirt with half-sleeves, and the women with a thin cloth, both ends hanging over their shoulders to hide their breasts: They wear for ornaments gold pins in their hair, and rings of the same metal on their fingers: This is the ordinary wear, high and low being all of a fashion, and not distinguishable but by the richness of their vestments, and the greatness of their trains, which they much glory in: The Gentry and Nobles have many slaves attending them when they go abroad, some ten, twenty, thirty, or more, according to their abilities and greatness; and not a Citizen, or his Wife, stirs in the streets without one or two of these slaves to wait upon them. Their houses are builded according to the fashion in India, of wood and reeds, and covered with Coco leaves, or tiles; the floors are raised three or four foot high, their appartements being commodious, though but slenderly furnished, only for sleeping, and dressing what is necessary for their refection. Their diet is but mean, as rice, fish, and herbs; they drink water, though on Feast days they indulge more the common people, drinking ordinarily Arak, or Brandywine.  
They differ very much in their customs about marrying; great Persons need nothing but the consent of their Parents or Friends, (the Priests not intermeddling at all) the ceremony ending in feasting and rejoicing. Husband and Wife may part again at pleasure, dealing their goods and children without further circumstance, and may remarry if they think good, without fear of shame or punishment. A man may keep as many Concubines as he pleases, besides his Wife, though they are in some subordinacy to her, whose Children only inherit, the other being contented with small portions for their subsistence. Great men's goods are divided after their deaths into three parts; one part for the King, the second for the Priests and their Funerals, and the third for their Children. The common People have other Customs; the Bridegroom buyeth his Bride for a sum of moneys of her Father or Friends, whereupon the marriage is made and concluded with a little feasting; but they may divorce, like the great Ones, at pleasure, and marry again with the same liberty. The Children deal their deceased parents' goods equally, except some little advantages for the eldest Son. They have many other Customs in marriage and succession, too long and tedious to write. As for their Children, they send them to school at five or six years old, where they are taught to write and read, and rendered fit for Trades and other employments; some are continued in their studies by the Priests their Masters, until they are called to Offices and advancements in the State, and then they cast off the yellow frock; others continue there out of hopes of being one day Heads of Temples and Schools, or sharing in the Priesthood.  
The Siammers, who live in Towns and populous places, are either Courtiers, Officers, Merchants, Watermen, Fishermen, Tradesmen, or Artificers, each one containing himself in his vocation: The Country people brew, till, plant, and bring up fwarms of cattle, as Horses, Kine; Swine, Deer; and domestic Fowl, as Geefe; Peacocks, Ducks, Hens, Pigeons, and other tame creatures, insomuch that provision is very cheap, notwithstanding the abundance of at which is sent into the neighbouring Provinces for their supply and use: They have Brick, Lime, Wood, and all materials for building of Churches, Forts, Houses, Ships, Prawes, Jonks, and other vessels in great quantities. The divers Towns of this Country have their several Trafficks and Commerce; in the chief City the trading is very good and free in its course; the principal commodities are Choromandes and Sura vestments, all manner of China wares, Jewels, Gold, Benjamin, Gumlack, Wax, Sappang, Agerwood, Tin, and Led, etc. as also vast numbers of Harts-skins, one hundred and fifty thousand of these creatures being caught yearly in this Country, and fold with much profit to the Japanners. They drive a great trade with all eating provisions, especially Rice, many thousand Tuns being transported yearly by foreigners. This City, by reason of its great traffic, is frequented by several Nations, as the Indians, the more Western asiatics, European Moors, and Christian Merchants. The King himself is also a Merchant, and hath his own Ships and Factours trading to Choromandel and China, being for that cause more favoured and privileged then any other Prince; he likewise trafficks to Pegu, Ava, Jongoma, Langs-jang, and other places, besides his negotiations at home, all which bring him incredible profit, and no small disturbance to private Merchants, all which do certainly manifest the great trade that is carried on in this Country. The moneys currant is of very fine silver, of a round figure, and impressed with the King's picture; the kinds are a Ticlas, a Maze, and a Fong, worth thirty pence, seven pence half penny, and four pence English, or near upon. They reckon ordinarily by Cattys, each being twenty Tails, or forty eight Royals of eight; and it is with this and no other coin that they handle and trade with, save that there is a lesser called Schulpkens, or little Sheels, whereof eight or nine thousand go to a Fong, being brought out of Manilha, Borneo, and Lequeo, very useful for poor people.  
Before the coming of the Netherlanders into the Indias, the Portugals had great correspondence and amity with this Kingdom, being in such esteem and honour by the King, that the Ambassadors sent from their Vice-Roys, Governors, and Bishops of Malacca in India, were not only well received by his Majesty, but richly presented by him, and many of the residing Portugals in this Country advanced to great Offices and preferments; they had not only the free exercise of their Religion, but their chief Priest had also a monthly pension allowed him for his more splendid subsistence; thus they prospered here for many years, until the Dutch Company got footing amongst them, and gained upon them from time to time, by taking their Ships and interrupting their trade, with Santhome and Nevagatain, insomuch that they are at present very low and out of credit, occasioned more particularly by their taking of a Dutch Yacht by a Spanish Galley in the River of Siam, which the King took so highly, that he revenged it with his Arms, which produced a war between him and Manilha; and however the Portugals seemed unconcerned in this quarrel, yet they wholly lost their credit at Court, insomuch that the Bishop of Malaccas Vicar, their chief Resident there, is debarred of his usual access to his Majesty and his Ministers, whereas in former times they were esteemed the only and chief Merchants of the whole Kingdom. This breach and difference between these two Nations, was fomented by the Dutch, and increased by several acts of hostility on the Portugals side, who took many of his Majesty's Ships and Vassals at Sea; in revenge whereof, the Portugal Vessels were seized on in India, and all the present Portugal's natives clapped up in prison, who were after two years' restraint, upon a fictitious embassy, restored to their liberty; but this practice coming to light, occasioned the seizure of a Castilian and a Portugal Vessel in the Havens of Ligoor and Tanaslary, the men whereof were not released till after a two years' restraint; but then indeed returned with his Majesty's Letters to the Governors of Manilha and Malacca, with invitations of their former peace and traffic, where it is probable they may return, but questionable whether they shall ever recover their former credit and authority.  
It is more than thirty years since the Netherlanders came first to Siam, and were admitted of by his Majesty; so that the Company have judged it necessary, for the cherishing their traffic and alliance with so mighty a Prince, to settle there; to which end they builded a house, or lodge, of wood in the City of India, where they trade in in land commodities, and selling of clothes, as also buying of Harts-skins, Sappang, etc. which are sent yearly to Japan: the Company indeed hath not profited much, by reason of several misfortunes by this traffic; but they have gained more reputation than any Europians besides, by the great friendship and correspondence which is betwixt them and the King; and also have had the benefit of transporting great quantities of all sorts of provisions in Batamia, which friendship, notwithstanding the several successions of the Princes, disturbing the Companies Cantore and Servants, is yet sufficiently conserved and continued, and aught in my opinion to be cherished, as absolutely necessary for the good and welfare of our Company, as also in regard of the King's civil usage of us, and his aversion to the Spaniards, our common enemy; finally our factory established there in the year 1633. and trading during my four years' direction, are so much corrected and increased, that the Company hath remarkably gained by them, with probability, with good mannagement of more signal advantages: To which end the General and Council of India caused in Anno 1634. a stone lodge, with fit pack-houses, pleasant apartements, and a commodious landing place, to be builded on the borders of the River Menam, being one of the convenientest and best situated of any that is unfortified in all the Indias.  
And thus much we found good to discover of the customs and manners of the Kingdom of Siam, being my observations during my eight years' residence in the chief City of the Country. I have followed the exact rules of truth, according to my best knowledge and diligence, in this short relation, remitting the curious to the more large and more particular discourses of better and more exact judgements.   
FINIS.