Chapter VI: Part 6

2. _Pag. 100._ ΚΑΤΕΛΘΟΝΤΕΣ ΕΙΣ ΟΛΟΓΕΣΙΑΔΑ ΕΝΠΟΡΟΙΑΝ ΕΣΤΗΣΑΝ: _Descendentes Vologesiada Commercium stabiliverunt, Anno_ 558, _sive Anno Christi_ 247. Whereby it appears, that this People having had their Trade interrupted by the Wars between the _Romans_ and the _Persians_, under _Gordian_; did now send an Embassy to the Court of _Sapores_ King of the _Persians_, to get it re-established; which succeeded according to their Desires. _Vologesias_ was a City built by _Vologeses_ King of the _Parthians_ in the time of _Nero_, on the _Euphrates_ below _Babylon_. _Ptolemy_ calls it Οὐολογεσιάς; _Stephanus_, Βολογεσιὰς; _Ammianus_ _Vologessia_; and _Pliny_ lib. 6. _Vologesocirta_.

3. _Pag. 101._ ΚΑΙ ΟΥΚΟΝΙΣΩΝΑ ΦΕΙΔΗΣΑΝΤΑ ΧΡΗΜΑΤΩΝ. I submit it to the Judgment of the Criticks, whether this faulty Place may not be amended by reading it ΟΥΚ ΟΙΚΕΙΩΝ ΑΦΕΙΔΗΣΑΝΤΑ, _&c._ as likewise whether ΔΙΣΜΑΛΚΟΥ in the same Inscription may not be instead of ΜΑΛΛΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΑΛΚΟΥ, which is the Ingenious Conjecture of that excellent Grammarian Mr. _William Baxter_.

4. _Pag. 102._ _Septimium Vorodem Procuratorem Ducenarium Augusti &_ ΑΡΟΑΠΕΤΗΝ. This Word, if _Greek_, is faultily transcribed; and in one Copy I have seen, the Ο is very small, as I suppose it on the Stone, which might occasion the transcribing thereof without it in the former Voyage (_Pag. 130._) So that 'tis most probable that 'tis the remains of some other Letter almost worn out. I conjecture it to have been ΑΡΤΑΓΕΤΗΝ, Π being taken for Γ, and that this _Septimius_ was _Præfectus Annonæ_, having the Care to see that the City were sufficiently provided with Bread; which was a most necessary Officer in a Place that must needs be furnish'd with Corn from Abroad. And this same _Septimius_, (in the Inscription, _Pag. 105._) is stiled .... ΕΟΔΟΤΗΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΚΟΛΩΝΕΙΑΣ. _lege_ ΚΡΕΟΔΟΤΗΝ, which should signifie that he was the Distributor of the Emperor's Munificence in Flesh to the People. These Inscriptions bear Date in _April_, _Anno Dom._ 267. not long before the Death of _Odænathus_, who is herein stiled ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ: and 'tis not improbable but he might institute such a Custom, as at the Publick Charge, to give the People a Largess in Flesh on particular Days, to reconcile them to the Dominion of their Fellow-Citizen. This is certain, that _Aurelian_ first instituted such a Custom of giving Flesh at _Rome_: The Words of _Vopiscus_ are, _Idem Aurelianus & porcinam carnem populo Romano distribuit, quæ hodieque dividitur_; which Custom continued till the time of _Constantine_, when (according to _Zosimus_) one _Lucian_, who had this Office of distributing Swines Flesh at _Rome_, had Interest enough among the People to set up _Maxentius_ for Emperor; and _Salmasius_ assures us, that it was not discontinued till the time of _Heraclius_. It will not therefore seem strange, if I suppose _Aurelian_ might find that Custom at _Palmyra_, and at his return from thence institute the like at _Rome_.

I am inclined to believe, that not only those two Inscriptions, _Pag. 102_, and the last of _Pag. 103_, but also that of _Pag. 106_, were in Honour of the same _Septimius Vorodes_ who seems to have been a great Favourite of _Odænathus_, and was without doubt respected by the _Romans_ on that account, whom I conclude to have effaced all the Memorials of _Zenobia_ and _Waballathus_, insomuch that no one appears, among those many taken, that was set up during the six Years they reigned. The Name _Vorodes_ seems the same with _Orodes_, which was the Name of the King of the _Parthians_ that slew _Crassus_: and the _Persians_ having, about forty Years before, expelled the Race of the _Arsacidæ_, 'tis not improbable but the Remains of that Royal Family might fly for Succour to _Palmyra_, and this _Vorodes_ might be one of them.

5. In two other Copies of these Inscriptions; the first of _pag. 104._ is read, Σεπτίμιον Αἰράνην Ὀδαινάθου, and not Ὀδαινόθου as in the first Copy, and perhaps ought rather to be Ὀδαίναθον, as being the Inscription under a Statue of the same _Odænathus_, who is here, as well as on his Tomb, stiled _Illustrissimus Patricius_, but without a Date.

6. ΥΠΟ ΙΑΡΙΒΩΛΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ (_pag. 101._ & 109.) It cannot well be doubted but that this _Deus Jaribolus_ is the same with what _Gruter_ (_pag._ 86.) and _Spon_ (in the first of his Inscriptions) reads ΑΓΛΙΒΩΛΩ. By the Figure of the Idol extant in _Spon_, it appears that this God was made with the Moon upon his Shoulders, and consequently was the _Deus Lunus_ worshipped by the _Syrians_, whose Name, in the Language of that Country, could not be better expressed than by _Jarehbol_ ירה ביעל _Dominus Lunus_. Whence I am induced to believe, that _Gruter_ mistook it ΑΓΛΙΒΩΛΩ for ΑΓΑΙΒΩΛΩ, the Ι in the beginning, and the lower part of the round stroke of the Ρ, being effaced, so as to pass for Γ. I have taken care to have the Stone purposely viewed, as also to get from thence the exact Figure of the _Syrian_ or _Palmyrene_ Characters thereon, wherein there is an irreconcilable difference between _Spon_ and _Gruter_. By the help of these, compared with two others taken at _Palmyra_, which I have by me, (they being all very near the same Date,) I hope we may be able, one Day, to make out the _Palmyrene_ Alphabet: But it were to be wish'd our Travellers had transcribed them with more Curiosity, and taken more of them.

By the way, it is remarkable, that the Person who dedicated this Monument, in _Gruter_ and _Spon_, is stiled Λ. ΑΥΡ. ΗΛΙΟΔΩΡΟΣ: and the same Name occurs in a broken Inscription which Mr. _Hallifax_ omitted in his Letter to Dr. _Bernard_, as being too imperfect. It stood on the right Hand of the entrance to the little Temple described _pag. 110._ and was thus,

ΛΟΥΚΙΟΥ ΑΥΡΗ[ΛΙ]ΟΥ ..... ΗΛΙΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ.

And after a Blank of three lines all worn out except one single Ο, there followed,

[ΤΕΙ]ΜΗΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ ΕΤΟΥΣ....... ΜΗΝΟΣ [ΑΠ]ΕΛΛΑΙ[ΟΥ]. And that imperfect one in _pag. 104._ seems to have relation to the same Name.

7. _Pag. 111._ ΜΑΛΕΝΤΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑΝ _lege_ ΜΑΛΗΝ ΤΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑΝ, it being written ΜΑΛΗΝΤΟΝ, with Η in the two other Copies I have seen, whereby the Sence is cleared.

8. _Pag. 117._ ΑΓΑΘΑΝΓΕΛΟΣ ΑΒΙΛΗΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΕΚΑΠΟΛΕΟΣ, _Agathangelus Abilenus, Decapolitanus, Patronymice_. There were in these Parts two Cities known by the Name of _Abila_; to distinguish which, the one was called _Abila Lysaniæ_, from the Name of the Tetrarch: St. _Luke_, ch. 3. 1. and is placed by _Ptolemy_ (in his _Cælosyria_) about mid-way between _Damascus_ and _Heliopolis_: The other in _Judæa_, called _Abila ad Jordanem_, described by _Josephus_ in many Places, to lie over-against _Jericho_, near the _Dead-Sea_. _Decapolis_ was so called from its Ten Cities, enumerated by _Pliny_ (_lib._ 5. 18.) And with them he reckons up, among others, the _Tetrarchy_ of _Abila_, in the same _Decapolis_: Which demonstrates the _Abila Decapolis_ and _Abila Lysaniæ_ to be the same Place. And tho' it cannot be denied, but that some of _Pliny_'s Ten Cities are not far distant from that near _Jordan_; yet it doth not appear that ever this other had the Title of a _Tetrarchy_. Here it is to be observed, that what _Pliny_ calls _Decapolis_, _Ptolemy_ makes his _Cæle Syria_; and the _Cæle Syria_ of _Pliny_, is that part of _Syria_ about _Aleppo_, formerly call'd _Chalcidene_, _Cyrrhistice_, &c.

What this Town of _Teibe_ was anciently call'd, is not so easily conjectured: But if the Numbers of _Ptolemy_ may be confided in, it is very near the Situation of a City he calls _Oriza_; and perhaps his _Adada_ may be our _Soukney_, and his _Rhæsapha_ what is now called _Arsoffa_.

It is taken for granted, that Old _Aleppo_ was anciently the City of _Berrhæa_, and there wants not ancient Testimony to prove it; which being granted, I think I may without scruple conclude, that _Andrene_ (_pag. 122._ and 133.) is the Ruins of the City of _Androna_; and _Esree_ (_pag. 135._) that of _Seriane_, both mentioned in the Itinerary of _Antoninus_, in the Journey _à Dolicâ Seriane_. But this whole Country is laid about half a Degree more Southerly than it ought, by _Ptolemy_, who places _Berrhæa_ in Lat. 36 _deg._ For the Meridian Altitude of the Tropical Sun at _Aleppo_ is found there but 77 _deg._ whence the Latitude 36 _deg._ 30 _min._ as it was observed, _Anno_ 1680. by three several Quadrants, in the presence of a curious Gentleman, to whom I am obliged for this Communication.

By the same Observation a much greater Error is amended in the Latitude of _Aleppo_, in the _Rudolfine_ Tables of _Kepler_, who supposes _Aleppo_ to have been the ancient _Antiochia ad Taurum_, and accordingly places it Lat. 37. _deg._ 20 _min._ wherein he is followed by _Bullialdus_ and others; and several Maps have copied the Mistake. But a much greater use of it is, that thereby we are assured, that the City of _Aracta_, wherein _Albatani_ made the Observations we have Publish'd in the _Philosoph. Transact. Numb._ 204. was, without doubt, the same which is now called _Racca_ on the _Euphrates_; of which Town an Account may be seen in _Rauwolf_'s Voyages, and which was not many Miles below the Place where our Travellers first came on the River: And if _Arecca_, in the Language of this Country, relates to Victory (as is said in _pag. 143._) it was, doubtless, anciently the City _Nicephorion_, built by _Alexander_ the Great; with which the Situation exactly agrees. The Latitude thereof was observed by that _Albatani_ with great accurateness, about eight hundred Years since; and therefore I recommended it to all that are curious of such Matters, to endeavour to get some good Observation made at this Place, to determine the Height of the Pole there, thereby to decide the Controversie, whether there hath really been any Change in the Axis of the Earth, in so long an Interval; which some great Authors of late, have been willing to suppose. And if any curious Traveller, or Merchant residing there, would please to observe, with due care, the Phases of the Moons Eclipses at _Bagdat_, _Aleppo_ and _Alexandria_, thereby to determin their Longitudes, they could not do the Science of Astronomy a greater Service: For in and near these Places were made all the Observations whereby the middle Motions of the Sun and Moon are limited: And I could then pronounce in what Proportion the Moon's Motion does Accelerate; which that it does, I think I can demonstrate, and shall (God willing) one Day, make it appear to the Publick.

* * * * *

The _Philosophical Reader_ is desired to excuse our breaking in upon the Subject of these Tracts, by intermixing Historical and Philological Matters, as also our exceeding the Bounds of an Extract: But we hope the Curiosity of the Subject, joyned to the Desires of the _Royal Society_, may make an easie Apology suffice. There may be many other Instructive Remarks made thereon, which still deserve the Consideration of the Learned, and from such the Publick may yet expect a further Account.

_A Voyage of the Emperour of _China_ into the Eastern _Tartary_,
Anno. 1682._

The Emperour of _China_ made a Voyage into Eastern _Tartary_, in the beginning of this Year 1682, after having appeased (by the Death of three Rebellious Kings) a Revolt, formed in some Provinces of the Empire: One of those revolted Princes, was Strangled in the Province, of which he had made himself Master: The second being brought to _Pekin_ with the Principal Heads of his Faction, was cut in Pieces in the sight of the whole Court: The most Considerable among the _Mandarines_, acting with their own hands in this sad Execution, to Revenge upon this Rebel the Death of their Parents, which he had caused to be Cruelly Murdered.

The third which was the most Considerable, (and indeed the Chief of all the Revolt) had by a voluntary Death prevented his deserved Punishment, and so put an end to a War, which had lasted for Seven Years.

The Peace having been settled, by the Re-establishing in the Empire and all the Provinces, the Peaceable Enjoyment of their Ancient Liberties: The Emperour departed the 23_d._ of _March_ to go into the Province of _Leao-tum_, the Country of his Ancestors, with a Design of visiting their Sepulchers, and (after having honoured them with the usual Ceremonies) of prosecuting his Journey into the Eastern _Tartary_: This Journey was was about 1100 _miles_, from _Pekin_ to the end of it.

The Emperour took with him his eldest Son, a young Prince of ten years old, which had already been declared Heir of the Empire: The three principal Queens went also in this Journy, each in their gilded Chariot; the principal Kings also which compose this Empire, were accompanying with all the Grandees of the Court: And the most considerable _Mandarines_ of all the Orders, who having all a very great Train of Attendants, and very numerous Equipage, made a Court about the Emperour of more then 70000 Persons.

It was his Will that I should accompany him in this Journey, and that I should be always near him, to the end I might make in his Presence, the Observations, necessary for knowing the disposition of the Heavens, the elevation of the Pole, the Magnetical Declinations of every Place, and for Measuring with Mathematical Instruments the height of the Mountains, and the distances of Places: He was well pleased also to be informed of what concerned Meteors, and many other Physical and Mathematical Matters.

In so much, that he gave Order to an Officer to carry upon Horses such Instruments as I should have occasion to make use of, and recommended me to the Prince his Unkle, who is also his Father in Law, and the second Person of the State, he is called by a _Chinese_ Name, which signifies an Associate of the Empire: He gave charge to him to cause all things to be provided for me which were necessary for this Journey, which this Prince performed with a very particular goodness, causing me to Lodge always in his own Tent, and to eat at his Table.

The Emperour ordered that they should give me Horses of his own Stables, to the End I might the more easily Change in Riding, and some of those were of them He Himself had Rid, which is a Mark of very extraordinary distinction. In this Journey we always went toward the North-east: From _Pekin_ to the Province of _Leao-tum_, the Way being about 300 Miles is pretty equal: In the Province it self of _Leao-tum_, it is about 400 Miles, but much more unequal by Reason of the Mountains; from the Frontier of this Province to the City of _La_, or the River which the _Tartars_ call _Songoro_, and the _Chinoise_ _Sumhoa_, the way (which is about 400 Miles) is very difficult, being crossed sometimes by Mountains extreamly Steep, sometimes by Valleys of extraordinary Depth, and through Desert Plains, wherein for two or three Days March we met with nothing. The Mountains of this Country are Covered on the East side with great Oaks and old Forrests, which have not been cut for some Ages.

All the Country which is beyond the Province of _Leao-tum_ is exceeding Desert where nothing is to be seen on all sides but Mountains and Valleys, and Dens of _Bears_, _Tigers_ and other _Devouring_ Beasts, you can scarce find a House, but only some _poor Reed Huts_, upon the sides of some Brooks and Streams. All the Cities and _Burrow-towns_ which I have seen in the Province of _Leao-tum_, and which are in very great Numbers are intirely ruined: One can see nothing thro' the whole Country, but old ruined Walls with Rubble, Bricks and Stones. In the out-skirts of these Cities there have been of late some few Houses built, but without any order. Some of them made of Earth, others of the Rubbish of the old Buildings, the most part of them covered with Straw or Thatch, and but few with Tiles. There is now not the least Footsteps remaining of a great number of Towns and Villages which were here before the War. Because the petty King of the _Tartars_, who began to kindle this War having but a very small Army, caused the Inhabitants of those Places to take Arms, which Places he forthwith destroyed, that he might take from his Soldiers the hopes of ever returning again to their own _Homes_.

The Capital City of _Leao-tum_, which is called _Xyn-Yam_, is a City very fair and pretty intire, it has as yet the Remains of an Antient _Palace_. It is (for as much as I was able to remark by divers Observations) of the Latitude of 41 _degrees_ 56 _minutes_; that is to say, two _degrees_ above _Pekin_, tho' hitherto both the _Europeans_ and the _Chinese_ have given that City the Latitude of 41 _degrees_. There is in that City no declination of the Magnetick Needle, as I have found by many reiterated Observations. The City of _Ula_ which was almost the very Extream of our Journey, lies in 44 _degrees_ and 20 _minutes_. The compass there declines from the South to the West one _degree_ 40 _minutes_.

But to resume the Prosecution of our Journey, from _Pekin_ to this Extream towards the East there is made a new Way, by which the Emperour can commodiously March with his Horse, and the Queens in their Chariots. This Way is about 10 _foot_ broad, and as even and streight as could possibly be made; it is extended above 1000 _Miles_, it has a little Raising on each side of about a Foot high every where equal and perfectly Parallel to one another; and this Way was as neat, especially when the Weather was fair, as a Floor where the Husbandmen beat out their Corn in the Field; there were also certain Persons along this way, who only took care to Smooth and Cleanse it. The Christians have no where so great care of Sweeping their Streets and publick Places where the Holy Sacrament is to pass in the Processions, as these Infidels have of cleansing the Ways, where their Kings and their Queens are to pass, every time they go out of their Palaces.

There was made for their Return a way like the former, they plained or levelled the Mountains as far as they were able, they raised Bridges over the Rivers, and for ornamenting them, they had extended on each side of them a sort of Mats upon which they had Painted divers Figures of Animals, which had the same effect with Tapestry Hangings, with which the Streets are usually hung in Procession.

The Emperor did very seldom make use of this Way, being almost always in Hunting: And when he accompanied the Queens he only Rode by the side of it, to the End that the great number of Horse which were in the Train that followed should not spoil it: He ordinarily Marched at the Head of this kind of Army. The Queens followed immediately in their Chariots, with their Train and their Equipage; they notwithstanding left some space between the King and themselves: After these Marched the Kings, the Grandees of the Court and the _Mandarines_, every one according to his Rank, behind these an infinity of Attendants, and other People on Horse-back brought up the Rear-guard.

As there was not one City upon all this Way, that could either Lodge so great a Multitude, or Furnish them with Provisions, and that the greatest Part of their Journey was through a Country very little Inhabited, so they were Necessitated to carry along with them all things that were Necessary for the journey, and even Provisions of Victuals for three Months.

Upon this Account there were sent before by the Ways which were made on each side of the Emperors Way, an Infinity of Waggons, Cammels, Horses, and Mules for to carry the Baggage: Besides these the Emperor, the Kings and almost all the Grandees of the Court, had great numbers of Horses led, for the use of changing from time to time. I do not here reckon the Droves of Beefs, Sheep, and other Cattel, which they were obliged to have with them. And though this great Multitude of Men, Horses, and Droves, passed by a way at a good distance from that of the Emperor, yet it raised so horrible a Dust, that we always seemed to March in a cloud, and thence found it Difficult to distinguish those that Marched 15 or 20 Paces from us.

The March was so well regulated, that this Army Incamped every Night upon the sides of some River or Brook. 'Twas for this Reason that they caused the Tents and the Baggage necessary for this Incamping to set out very early in the Morning; and the Quarter-masters upon their first arrival, Marked the Ground most proper for the placing of the Emperors Tent, of the Queens, of the Kings, of the Grandees, of the Court, of the _Mandarines_, each according to his Dignity, and according to the Dignity he had in the _Chinese_ Militia, which is divided into eight Orders or into eight Standards.

In the space of three Months we passed about 1000 _Miles_, advancing towards the North-east, and about as many in our return: In fine, we arrived at _Kam-Hay_, which is a Fort situated between the South Sea and the Mountains of the North: It is there where is the beginning of that so much Celebrated Wall, and which separates the Province of _Leao-tum_ from that of _Pekely_; from whence it is extended very far on the side of the North over the tops of the highest Mountains. When we entred this Province, the Emperor, the Kings, and the Grandees of the Court, quitted the great Way of which we have hitherto spoken, to take that of the Mountains of the North, which are extended without Interruption towards the North-East: There some Days were passed in Hunting, which was performed in this manner.

The Emperor chose 3000 Men of his Life-guard, Armed with Arrows and Javelins, and dispersed them some on this side some on that; so that they possest themselves of a great Circuit about the Mountains, which they Environed on all Parts, which made a kind of Circle whose Diameter was at least 3000 _Paces_; then Marching to draw nearer together with equal Progress and without quitting their Range, what ever Obstacles they found in the way (the Emperor having joyned with them several of the Captains, and of the Grandees of the Court, for the better keeping of their Order) they Reduced this great Circle to another much less, which had about 300 _Paces_ in the Diameter: So that all the Beasts which had been stayed within the first, found themselves taken in this last as in a Net: for that every one setting his Feet upon the Ground, they Locked themselves together so closely, that they left no meshing Place for them to make their Escape by. Then they Pursued them so Vigorously in this little Space, that the poor Creatures tired with the violence of their Coursing, came and fell down at the Feet of their Chasers, and suffered themselves to be taken without trouble. I saw taken in this Manner two or three Hundred Hares in less then one day, without counting an Infinite of Wolves and Foxes. I have seen the same thing divers times done in that part of _Tartary_, which is on the other side of the Province of _Leao-tum_, where I remember to have seen, among others, more than 1000 Deer so pent up by these sort of Nets, which came to cast themselves into the Hands of the Hunters, having found no passage to save themselves by: they kill'd also Bears, Boars, and more than 60 Tigers, but these are taken by other means, and with other Weapons.

The Emperor will'd that I should be present at all these different Huntings, and he recommended to his Father in Law, in a most obliging Manner the having a particular care of me, and of giving charge that I should not be exposed to any danger in the Hunting of the Tigers, and the other fierce Beasts; I was the only Person of all the _Mandarines_ who was without Arms, and so near to the Emperor; though I made Light of the Fatigue during the time we were in our Journey, I found my self so wearied every Evening when I got to my Tent, that I was not able to support my Self; and I should have dispensed with my self divers times from following the Emperor, if my Friends had not counsel'd me to the contrary, and if I had not fear'd that he would have taken it ill if he should have perceived it.

After having passed about 400 Miles in Hunting daily after this manner, we arrived at last at _Xyn-Yam_, the Capital City of the Province, where we stayed four Days.

The Inhabitants of _Coree_ came to present to the Emperor a _Sea-Calf_ which they had taken, the Emperor caused me to see it, and asked whither our _European_ Books had spoken any thing of this Fish? I told him we had a Book in our Library at _Pekin_ which had explain'd the Nature of it, and dispatched presently a Courrier to our Fathers at _Pekin_, who brought it me in a few Days: The Emperor was pleased to see that what was said of this Fish in this Book, was agreeable to this which he had seen, and caused it to be carried back again to _Pekin_ to be carefully preserved.

During the stay which we made in this City, the Emperor with the Queens went to visit the Sepulchers of his Ancestors, which are not very far distant, from whence he sent them back to _Xyn-Yam_, to continue his own Journey into the Eastern _Tartary_.

After several Days of Marching and Hunting, he arrived at _Kirin_, which is distant from _Xyn-Yam_ 400 Miles: This City is built along the great River _Songoro_ which takes its source from the Mountain _Cham-pe_, distant 400 Miles towards the South: This Mountain so Famous in the East for having been the Antient Seat of our _Tartars_, is always covered with Snow, from whence it had its Name, because _Cham-pe_ signifies the white Mountain.

So soon as the Emperor saw it, he alighted from his Horse and fell on his Knees on the Bank of the River, and bowed Himself three times to the Ground to Salute it: After which, he caused himself to be carried upon a glorious Throne of Gold, and so made his Entry into the City: All the People ran in a throng before him, testifying by their Acclamations the Joy they had to see him. This Prince took great Pleasure in those Testimonies of their Affection; and that he might give them some Marks of his being very sensible of it, he was pleased to suffer himself to be seen by all, and forbid his Guards to hinder the People from approaching him, as they used to do at _Pekin_.

They make in this City Barks of a very particular manner: The Inhabitants keep always a great number of them ready fitted to Repulse the _Muscovites_, who come often into this River, to dispute the Fishing of Pearls. The Emperor reposed himself two Days, after which he Descended upon the River with some Lords, accompanied with more than 100 Boats, till he arrived at the City of _Ula_, which is the fairest of all this Country, and which at other times hath been the Seat of the Empire of the _Tartars_.

A little below this City, which is at most about 32 _Miles_ from _Kirin_, the River is very full of a certain Fish which resemble near enough the Plaice of _Europe_: and 'twas principally for the taking the Divertisement of Fishing, that the Emperor went to _Ula_; but the Rains coming on so suddainly, swelled the River so much, that all their Nets were broken and carried away, by the great Flood of those Land Waters: The Emperor notwithstanding stayed 5 or 6 Days at _Ula_; but seeing the Rains were not at all discontinued, he was obliged to come back to _Kirin_, without having enjoyed the Pleasure of Fishing: as we ascended the River, the Bark wherein I was with the Emperors Father in Law, was so indamaged by the agitation of the Waves, that we were constrained to go a Shore, and mount a Chariot drawn by one Ox, which carried us very slowly to _Kirin_, the Rains not at all ceasing during our Journy.

In the Evening when the Emperor was entertained upon all these Adventures, he said Laughing, _the Fish have cheated us_; at length, after we had stayed two Days at _Kirin_, the Rains began to diminish, and we retook our Way towards _Leao-tum_. I cannot here express the Pains and Fatigues these had caused us to undergo, during the whole Course of this Journy, by Reason of the Ways which the Rains had Spoiled, and rendred almost impassable: we went without staying over the Mountains and over the Vallies, and we could not pass but with extream Danger, the Brooks and Rivers which were swelled by the Floods and Inundations which ran from all Parts: the Bridges were either overturned by the Violence of the Currents, or all covered by the great overflowing of the Waters. There were made in divers Places great Collections of Water, and of Mud, that it was almost impossible to be drawn out of it. The Horses, Cammels, and other Beasts of Burthen, which carried the Baggage could not advance, but remained sticking in the Mud of the Marshes, or died of tiring upon the Ways. The Men were not at all less incommoded, and all were enfeebled for want of Victuals, and of Refreshments necessary for so great a Journy: Many of the Horsemen were obliged, either to lead their Horses on Foot, who were no longer able to carry them, or to rest in the middle of the Fields to suffer them to take Breath: And though the Quarter-masters and the Harbingers, spared not their Pains, nor for Wood (which they cut on all sides) to fill with Faggots all the bad Passages: Yet notwithstanding after the Horses and Chariots, which took the Van early in the Morning had quite passed, it was impossible to pass after them: The Emperor himself, with his Son, and all the great Lords of the Court, were obliged more than once, to Foot it over the Mud and the Marshes, fearing to expose themselves to greater danger, if they should have passed them on Horse-back.

When they came to Bridges, or those other obstructions all the Army stayed: And as soon as the Emperor was passed, with some of the most considerable Persons, all the rest came together in a Throng, and every one striving to pass first, many were tumbled over into the Water: Others taking Ways more about, found them more dangerous, falling into Sloughs and Bogs, out of which they could not Recover themselves. In fine, there were so many Inconveniencies to be met with, in all the Ways of Eastern _Tartary_, that the old Officers who had followed the Court above 30 _Years_, said they had never suffered so much in any Journy.

It was on those Occasions, that the Emperor more than once, gave me the Marks of a Respect altogether particular: the first Day that we put our Selves in the way for returning, we were stay'd in the Evening, by a Torrent so great and rapid, that 'twas impossible to Ford it: The Emperor having by chance found a little Boat, which could not hold above 4 Persons at most, passed first with his Sons, and some of the Principal Kings followed: All the other Princes, Lords, and _Mandarines_, which the rest of the Army attended, (in the mean while) with Impatience the return of the Boat, to carry them to the other side of the Torrent, because the Night approached, and the Tents had long before passed: But the Emperor being come back to us in such another Boat as the former, demanded aloud where I was? and his Father in Law having presented me to him, he added, let him come in and Cross over with us: So we were the only Persons that passed with the Emperor; and all the rest stayed on the Bank, where they must pass the Night _under the open Heaven_: The same thing happened the next Day almost in the same manner. The Emperor at Noon meeting with a like rapid and swelled Torrent, gave order that the Boats should be made use of for Transporting the Tents, Packs, and other Baggage till the Evening; then willed that I should pass alone with him and some few of his Attendants, having left on the other side all the great Lords, who were necessitated to pass the Night there. The Emperor's Father in Law himself, having asked if he should not pass with me, since I Lodged in his Tent and eat at his Table? this Prince answered him, that he should stay, and he himself would take Order to give me what was necessary.

After we had past, the Emperor sitting on the Bank-side, made me sit by him, with the two Sons of the two petty Western Kings, and the first _Colao_ of _Tartary_, whom he distinguished on all Occasions.

As the Night was Fair, and the Heavens very Clear; he willed me to Name in the _Chinese_ and _European_ Languages, all the Constellations that then appeared above the Horizon, and he himself first named all those he already knew; then unfolding a small Map of the Heavens, which I had some Years since presented him, he put himself upon inquiring the Hour of the Night, by the Stars in the Meridian: Pleasing himself to shew to all the Knowledge he had acquired in these Sciences. All the Marks of his Favours which he so often gave me, even to the sending me to Eat from his own Table, these Marks I say were so Publick, and so Extraordinary; that the two Unkles of the Emperor, who bore the Titles of Associates of the Empire, being on their Return to _Pekin_, said that when the Emperor had some Regret or appeared somewhat Sad, he would Resume his ordinary Gaiety upon the sight of me.

I arrived at _Pekin_ in perfect Health the 9_th_ day of _June_ very late, though divers were detained in the Way by Distempers, or were returned from their Journy, Hurt and Lamed.

I say nothing of what we did for Religion in this Journy, having reserved that for a particular Relation, by which it will appear, that by the Grace of our Lord, the Favours we received at the Court of _China_, produced considerable Fruits for the Church, and did not take away the Cross from the Missionaries.

I shall here add the _Tartarean_ Names, and the distance of every Place through which we passed in the Eastern _Tartary_, from the Capital of the Province of _Leao-tum_ even to _Kirin_, according to the order of Days which we Spent in this Progress. A _Topographic Chart_ may be made and inserted into the Map of the Province of _Leao-tum_, to be found in the Atlas of Father _Martin Martinius_, by changing only the _Latitudes_ according to the Heights of the _Pole_, which we have before Specified.

I shall add one thing more which I Understood from the Inhabitants of _Ula_, to wit that _Nincrita_ (which is a Place much Renowned in those Parts) is distant from _Ula_ 700 _Chinese Stadia_ (each of which is 360 _Geometrical Paces_) and that Embarking at _Nincrita_ upon the great River _Heleum_, into which the _Songoro_, and some other more considerable Rivers are discharged, and following the course of the River, which runs towards the North-East, or somewhat more to the North, they arrive in 40 Days Journy at the Eastern Sea, which is (as I believe) the Streight of _Anien_: I was told this by the General of the Militia which is at _Kirin_; and who had performed this Voyage himself.

_The Distances of the Places, thro' which we passed in the Eastern
_Tartary_._

The first Day we passed from _Xyn-Yam_,
the Capital of the Province of _Leao-tum_,
and we arrived at _Seao-Lysto_, so the Place is
called in the _Chinese_ Language. 95. _stadia_.

The 2_d._ day we arrived at _Cha-cay Angha_. 85. _stadia_.

The 3_d._ day at another Torrent of the same Name. 70. _stadia_.

The 4_th._ at _Kiaghuchen_. 50. _stadia_.

The 5_th._ at _Feyteri_. 80. _stadia_.

The 6_th._ at the Torrent of _Seipery_. 60. _stadia_.

The 7_th._ at the Torrent of _Ciam_. 60. _stadia_.

The 8_th._ at _Courou_. 50. _stadia_.

The 9_th._ at the Burrow of _Sape_. 40. _stadia_.

The 10_th._ at _Quaranny Pira_. 40. _stadia_.

The 11_th._ at _Elten eme Ambayaga_. 70. _stadia_.

The 12_th._ at _Ypatan_. 58. _stadia_.

The 13_th._ at _Suayen ny Pyra_. 60. _stadia_.

The 14_th._ at _Ylmen_. 70. _stadia_.

The 15_th._ at _Seuten_. 70. _stadia_.

The 16_th._ the City of _Kirin_. 70. _stadia_.
------
1028.

All this Course being 1028 _Chinese_ Stadia, contains 369 Miles (each) of 1000 Geometrical Paces; the _Chinese_ Stadium containing as I mentioned before 360 Geometrical Paces.

_A Voyage of the Emperor of _China_, into the Western _Tartary_, in
the Year, 1683._

The Emperor this Year, which is the 30_th._ of his Age, made a Voyage into the Western _Tartary_, together with the Queen his Grand-mother, which they call the Queen _Mother_; he departed the 16_th._ of _July_, in the Company of more than 60000 Men, and 100000 Horse. He positively resolved, that I, with one of the two Fathers that were at the Court of _Pekin_, the Choice of which he left to me, should follow him, I chose Father _Philip Grimaldi_; because he is the most known, and because he perfectly understood the _Mathematicks_.

Several Reasons prevailed with the Emperor to Enterprize this Journy. The first was, that he might keep his Militia during the Peace as well as in the Wars, in continual Exercise; and for this Reason it was, that after he had Establish'd a firm Peace in all the Quarters of this so vast an Empire; he recalled his best Troops hither out of every Province, and resolved in his Council to make every Year Expeditions of this kind, in several Seasons, that by hunting of Deer, Boars, Bears, and Tigers, they might learn to overcome the Enemies of the Empire, or at least to prevent the cooling of their Courage, or the degenerating from their Pristine Valour, by the Luxury of _China_, in a too long Repose.

In effect these kinds of Hunting had more of the shew of a Military Expedition, than of one for Divertisement, as I have already noted: The Emperor took in his Train, 100000 Horse, and above 60000 Men, all armed with Arrows and Cimiters, divided into Companies and Marching in Battle-Array after their Colours, with the sound of Drums and Trumpets: During their Hunting, they intirely invested the Mountains and Forrests, as if they had been Cities which they design'd to Beleaguer; following in this the manner of Hunting used by the Eastern _Tartars_, of which I have spoken in my last Letter. This Army had its Van-guard and Rear-guard, and its Main Body, its Right Wing and Left Wing, was commanded by so many Generals and petty Kings. There were spent more then Seventy Days before they were on their March, in bringing together all the Ammunitions of the Army upon the Waggons, upon the Camels, upon the Horses, and upon the Mules, by reason of the Incommodious Ways. For in all the Western _Tartary_ (I call it Western) not with Relation to _China_, which lieth in Respect of it Westward it self, but with respect of the Eastern _Tartary_ there is nothing to be found but Mountains, Rocks, and Vallies; there are neither Cities, Towns nor Villages, nor so much as any Houses. The Inhabitants Lodge under Tents, pitched on all sides in the open Fields. They are for the most part Graziers, and transport their Tents from one Vally to another, according as the Pastures are better. There they Pasture their Beefs, their Horses, and their Camels, they breed no Hogs, nor any of those other Animals, which elsewhere are fed in the Villages, as Poultry and Geese. But only of such as the Herbs, which an uncultivated Land doth Naturally produce, will serve to sustain. They pass their Life either in Hunting, or doing nothing. And as they neither sow nor cultivate the Earth, so they make no Harvest. They Live upon Milk, Cheese, and Flesh, and have a sort of Wine, not much unlike our Aqua-vitæ; with which they make their Feasts, and are often Drunk. In short they care for nought from Morning to Night, but to Drink and Eat; like the Beasts, and Droves which they Feed.

They are not without their Priests, which they call _Lamas_, for whom they have a singular Veneration, in which they differ from the Oriental _Tartars_; the most part of whom have no Religion, nor do they believe any God. For the rest both of the one and the other are Slaves, and wholly depend upon the will of their Masters, whose Religion and Manners they blindly follow: Like in this to their Droves, who go where they are lead, and not where they ought to go.

This part of _Tartary_, lies without the prodigious Wall of _China_ about 1000 _Chinese Stadia_, that is to say more than 300 _European_ Miles, and extends from the North-east towards the North.

The Emperor Rides on Horse-back, in the Head of his Army through these Desert Places, and these Steep Mountains, and far from great Roads, exposed all the Day to the Scorchings of the Sun, to the Rains, and to all the Injuries of the Air. Many of those which had been in the last War, assured me, that they had not suffered so much during all that as during this Hunting. In so much that the Emperor, whose principal Aim it was to give his Forces a Breathing, performed effectually what he pretended.

The second Reason he had of undertaking this Journy, was that he might keep the Western _Tartars_ in their Duty, and to prevent any pernitious Designs that might be formed against the States.

It was for this that he entred their Country with so great an Army, and with so great Preparations for War. Having carried along several great Guns, that he might cause them to be Discharged from time to time into the Vallies, and by the Noise and Fire which issued out of the Mouths of those Dragons, which served to Ornament them, he might cast a Dread upon the Rout.

Besides this great Retinue, he would yet be accompanied with all the Marks of Grander, with which he was environed at the Court at _Pekin_. To wit, with a Multitude of Drums, Trumpets, Timbals, and other Musical Instruments, which formed Consorts During his sitting at Table, when he entred the Palace, or when he went out. He caused all these to March with him, that he might by this outward Pomp Astonish these _Barbarous_ People, to strike them with a Fear and Respect of his Imperial Majesty.

For the Empire of _China_ never had any Enemies more to be feared than these Western _Tartars_; which beginning on the East of _China_ encompass it with an almost infinite of People, and keep it as it were continually beleaguered on the North and West sides thereof; and 'twas to make a Bulwork against their Incursions, that a _Chinese_ Emperor in antient Times caused this great Wall to be Built, which separates _China_ from their Country. I have passed it four times, and have considered it very attentively. And I can say without Hyperbolizing, that all the seven Wonders of the World put together, are not comparable to this Work. And all that Fame has spread concerning it among the _Europeans_, is far short of what I my self have seen.

Two things have more especially caused my Admiration. The first is, that in this long extent from the East to the West, it passes in several places not only through vast Champains, but also above the tops of exceeding high Mountains, upon which it is raised by little and little, and fortify'd at certain Intervals with great Towers; not distant the one from the other more than two flight Shot. At our return I had the Curiosity to measure the height of it in one place by means of an Instrument, and I found that it was in that Place 1037 Geometrical Feet above the Horison; in such sort that 'tis hard to comprehend how 'twas possible to elevate this enormous Bulwork to the height we saw it, in places dry and full of Mountains, whence they must be obliged to bring from a great distance with incredible Labour, the Water, Brick, Mortar, and all the Materials necessary for so great a Work.

The second thing that surprized me was, that this Wall is not continued upon the same Line, but bent in divers places following the situation of the Mountains, in such manner, that instead of one Wall, one may say that there are three, which Environ all this great part of _China_.

After all, The Monarch which in our Days hath re-united the _Chinese_ and the _Tartars_, under one and the same Government, has done some things more for the advantage of the security of _China_, than the _Chinese_ Emperor that built the long Wall. For after having reduced the Western _Tartars_, partly by Artifice, partly by force of Arms: He has obliged to go and remain at 300 Miles distance from the Wall of _China_; and in this Place he distributes to them Land and Pastures, whilst he has given their Country to other _Tartars_, his Subjects which have their Habitation there at present: Notwithstanding which, these Western _Tartars_ are so powerful, that if they should agree together, they might make themselves Masters of all _China_, and of the Eastern _Tartary_, even in the Face of the Oriental _Tartars_.

I have said, that the _Tartarian_ Monarch that conquered _China_, used an expedient for subduing the Western _Tartars_. For one of his first Cares was to engage to his Interest by his Royal Bounties, and by demonstration of a Singular Affection, the _Lamas_ (or _Priests_) these Men having a great Repute about all those of their Nation, easily perswaded them to submit to the Government of so great a Prince; and 'tis in consideration of this Service done to the Estate, that the present Emperor looks upon these _Lamas_ with a favourable Eye, that he bestows Presents on them; and that he makes use of them to keep the _Tartars_ in the Obedience which they owe him: Tho' at the bottom he hath nothing but Dis-esteem for their Persons, and looks upon them as a sort of Ignorant Fellows, which have not the least Tincture of the Sciences or commendable Arts, in which without doubt this Prince shews a Wise Policy, in so disguising his true Sentiments, by these exterior Marks of Esteem and Good-will.

He has divided this vastly extended Country into 48 Provinces, who have submitted and are Tributary to him. From whence it comes to pass, that the Emperor that Reigns at present in _China_, and in the one and the other _Tartary_, may justly be called the greatest and most powerful Monarch of _Asia_, having so many vast Estates under him, without being any where interrupted by the Territory of any Foreign Prince, and he alone being as the Soul which gives motion to all the Members of so vast a Body.

For after he had charged himself with the Government, he did not at all intrust the Care to any of the _Colaos_, nor to any of the great Men of his Court. He has not at all suffered, that the Eunuchs of the Palace, or any of his Pages, or any of the young Lords that have been raised by him, should dispose of the least thing in his House, or should regulate any thing of themselves: Which appears very extraordinary; especially if we examin what Customs his Predecessors were wont to use.

He chastises with wonderful Equity the great Ones as well as the Inferiors; he deprives them of their Charges, and makes them descend from the Rank they held, proportioning always the Penalty to the heinousness of their Fault. He takes Cognisance of the Affairs which are transacted in the Royal Counsel, and in the other Tribunals, even to the causing them to render to him an exact account of the Judgments there given. In one Word, he of himself Disposes and Orders all things; and 'tis by reason of the absolute Authority which he hath thus acquired, that the greatest Lords of the Court, and Persons of the highest Quality in the Empire; even the Princes of the Blood, never appear in his Presence, but with a profound Respect.

But to what remains, the _Lamas_ or _Tartarian_ Priests, of whom we have spoken, are not only respected by the People, but also by the Lords and Princes of their Nation, who for Politick Ends testifie to them a great deal of Friendship: This makes us fear that the Christian Religion, will not find so easie an entrance into the Western _Tartary_. They are also very powerful upon the Mind of the Queen Mother, who is of their Country, and who is at present Threescore and Ten Years Old; they are wont to tell her, that the Sect (of which she makes Profession) has no more declared Enemies than us. And 'tis a kind of Miracle, or at least an extraordinary Protection of God, that notwithstanding this, the Emperor, who has very much regard and respect for her, has not hitherto ceased to heap on us Graces and Honours, considering us after another manner than the _Lamas_.

During the Journey, as the Princes and the chief Officers of the Army went oftentimes to the Queen to attend at her Court; and that we also were advertised to do so likewise: We were willing first to consult a Person of the Court, who loved us very much, and who spake for us to the Emperor in our Affairs. This Lord having enter'd the Princes Tent, told him what had passed, and presently coming out again: _The Emperor_ (said he to us) _has given me to understand, that 'tis not at all necessary for you to attend the Queen as others do_; which made us to apprehend enough, that this Princess did not favour us.

The 3d Reason which the Emperor had for making this Journey, was for his Health: because he knew by his Experience long enough, that when he is too long at _Pekin_ without going Abroad, he cannot avoid his being attacked by several Distempers, which he prevents by means of these long Progresses. For during the whole time he never sees any Woman; and that which is more surprizing, there appears not any one in all this great Army, except those which are of the Retinue of the Queen Mother: 'Tis yet also a Novelty that she has accompanyed the King this Year, it having not been practiced above once, when he took with him the three Queens as far as the Capital City of the Province of _Leao-tum_, to visit the Sepulchers of their Ancestors.

The Emperor and the Queen Mother pretend moreover by this Journey, to avoid the excessive Heats which are in _Pekin_, in the Summer during the Dog-days. For in this part of _Tartary_, there reigns during the Months of _July_ and _August_ so cold a Wind, especially in the Night, that 'tis necessary to put on thick Cloths and Furs. The Reason that may be assigned for this so extraordinary Cold, is that this Region is very much elevated and full of Mountains: There is one among the rest, upon which we continually ascended, for the space of 5 or 6 Days March. The Emperor being desirous to know how much it surmounted the Plains of _Pekin_, distant about 300 Miles; at our return (after having measured the height of above a hundred Mountains that lay in our Road) we found that it had 3000 Geometrical Pace of Elevation, above the Sea that nearest approached _Pekin_.

The Salt Peter also with which these Countries abound, may contribute to this great Cold, which is so violent, that in digging the Earth to three or four Foot deep, there are fetched out Clods all frozen, and pieces of Ice.

Divers of the Petty Kings of the Western _Tartary_, came from all sides for 300 Miles, and some for 500 Miles, together with their Children, to salute the Emperor. These Princes, who for the most part know none but by their own natural Language, which is very different from that of the Eastern _Tartary_: Took regard of us, with Aspects and Gestures of a goodness very particular. There were some among them, who had made a Journey to _Pekin_ to see the Court, and who had seen our Church.