of the Cloath (in which a Woman hath been burned with her Husband) be
saved, and made up in the form of a Wick, and fitted for a Lamp, and
lighted, and set in a dead Womans Skull, that it would make the dead
Party appear. This he said he had done, but I did not believe him.
When they have any mad Men among them, they take them and put them into
a close Room, just big enough to hold them, and almost Smoke them to
Death with Musk and cold Smells, which soon brings their Brains into
their right temperature, and so recover them, _&c._
There happen'd two things in our Voyage hither which I thought very
observable tho' perhaps they may not be unknown to you--The first was,
that all our Tornadoes brought much Rain with a stink; and if the
Seamen did but lay their Cloaths by for 24 Hours, they became all full
of little Maggots. The second is, When we came out of _Europe_ we took
in some Water at St. _Jago_'s, and when we were almost at our Journeys
end, our Cooper going with a Candle to open one of the Casks, he had no
sooner done it, but the Water immediatly took Fire, and burnt his Face,
Hands and Fingers; but he suddenly turning about quench'd the same, by
setting his Britch on it. It stunk pretty much also at the same time,
but afterwards came to its native Sweetness, _&c._
_I am yours_, &c.
Jo. Marshal.
_Part of two Letters to the Publisher from Mr. _James Cunningham_,
F.R.S. and Physician to the _English_ at _Chusan_ in _China_,
giving an account of his Voyage thither, of the Island of
_Chusan_, of the several sorts of Tea, of the Fishing,
Agriculture of the _Chinese_, _&c._ with several Observations not
hitherto taken notice of._
_SIR_,
My last to you was from the Island of _Borneo_, in which I gave you an
account of our arrival there the 17th of _July_, where we staid but two
Days, the Season of the Year being so far past, and from thence made
the best of our way through the Streights of _Banca_ with favourable
Winds and Weather, till we came on the Coast of _China_ the 13th of
_August_, then we had variable Winds which carried us abreast of
_Emuy_ the 19th following, at which time the North East Winds setting
in fresh, put us in great fears of losing our passage; whereupon we
were forced to turn it up against Wind and Current all the Way, the
Weather so favouring us, that we were never but by our Top-sails,
else we should have lost more Ground in one Day, than we could have
gain'd in eight. The last of _August_ we came to an Anchor under the
_Crocodile_ Islands, both to shelter us from the bad Weather, (which
is generally expected on this Coast at new and full Moon, and has been
fatal to a great many Ships) and also to look for fresh Water, which
was now grown scarce with us, not having recruited since we came from
the Cape of _Good Hope_: These are three small Islands lying in the
Latitude of 26 Degrees, about six Leagues from the River of _Hocksieu_;
on _two_ whereof we found very good fresh Water, with a convenient
Watering-place on the South West side of the innermost of the _three_;
and by the assistance of a few _Chinese_ Fishermen we procured some
fresh Provisions from the main-land, because we did not reckon it safe
to adventure our selves thither, lest we should have been brought
into Trouble by the Government there. While we lay here, on the fifth
of _September_ we had a suddain short shift of the Moonsoon to S. W.
the fury whereof others felt, in coming upon the Coast of _China_ at
the same time. The 8th of _September_ we put to Sea again, turning to
Windward Night and Day without all the Islands, which are very numerous
along this Coast, to which we were altogether strangers beyond _Emuy_,
and the Hydrography thereof is hitherto so imperfect, that there was
no trusting to our Drafts, which made our Navigation somewhat more
dangerous: However, on the first of _October_ we got into the Latitude
of 30 Degrees, where we came to an Anchor near the Land, until we found
the way by Boat to _Chusan_, about 12 Leagues within the Islands; from
whence we had a Pilot, who carried us safely thither on the 11th of
_October_. Upon this Island the _Chineses_ have granted us a Settlement
and Liberty of Trade, but not to _Ning-po_, which is 6 or 8 hours sail
to the Westward, all the way among Islands; this being the largest,
is 8 or 9 Leagues in length from East to West, and 4 or 5 Leagues
in breadth; about 3 Leagues from that point of the Main-Land called
Cape _Liampo_ by the _Portugueze_, but _Khi-tu_ by the _Chinese_: At
the West End of this Island is the Harbour very safe and convenient,
where the Ships ride within call of the Factory, which is built close
by the shore on a low plain Valley, with near 200 Houses about it for
the Benefit of Trade; inhabited by Men, whose Jealousie has not as yet
permitted them to let their Wives dwell here; for the Town where they
are, is ¾ of a Mile further from the Shore, enviorn'd with a fine Stone
Wall, about 3 Miles in Circumference, mounted with 22 square Bastions
placed at irregular distances, besides 4 great Gates, on which are
planted a few old Iron Guns, seldom or never used: The Houses within
are very meanly built: Here the _Chumpeen_ or Governour of the Island
lives, and betwixt three and four thousand beggarly Inhabitants, most
part Souldiers and Fishermen; for the Trade of this place being newly
granted, has not as yet brought any considerable Merchants hither. The
Island in general abounds with all sorts of Provisions, such as Cows,
Buffalo's, Goats, Deer, Hogs wild and tame, Geese, Ducks and Hens;
Rice, Wheat, Calavances, Cole-worts, Turnips, Potatoes, Carrots, Beetes
and Spinach; But for Merchandize there's none but what comes from
_Ning-po_, _Hang-cheu_, _Nankin_ and the Inland Towns, some of which I
hope to see, when I have acquir'd a little of the _Chinese_ Language.
Here also the Tea grows in great plenty on the tops of the Hills, but
it is not in that esteem with what grows on more Mountainous Islands.
Altho this Island is pretty well stor'd with People, yet its far from
what it was in _F. Martinius_'s time, when he describes _Cheuxan_:
and this puts me in mind, that the Superstitious Pilgrimages thereto,
mention'd by him, must be meant of the Island _Pou-to_, which lies 9
Leagues from hence, and 3 Miles to the Eastward of this Island, whither
(they say) the Emperour designs in the Month of _May_ next (being
his Birth-day, and the 40th Year of his Age) to come to worship in
an Ancient Pagoda there, famous for Sanctity; having sent one of his
_Bonzes_ already thither to get all things in order.
_Chusan_, _Novemb. 22. 1701._
_SIR_,
I formerly told you, that the Emperor design'd to have come to the
Island of _Pou-to_ (a place of great Devotion) to worship in the Month
of _May_ last, being the 40th Year of his Age, I should have said of
his Reign; but all things being prepared there for his Reception, he
was dissuaded from his purpose by some of his _Mandarines_, who made
him believe that the terrible Thunder there was very dangerous. This
_Pou-to_ is a small Island about 5 Leagues round at the East end of
this Island, famous for the Superstitious Pilgrimages made thither for
the space of eleven hundred Years: It's inhabited only by _Bonzes_,
to the number of 3000, all of the Sect call'd _Hoshang_, or unmarried
_Bonzes_, who live a _Pythagorean_ Life; and there they have built 400
Pagodes, two whereof are considerable for their greatness and finery,
being lately covered with green and yellow Tiles brought from the
Emperor's Palace at _Nankin_, and inwardly adorn'd with stately Idols
finely grav'd and gilded, the chief whereof is the Idol _Quon-em_. To
these two great Pagodes belong two chief Priests, who govern all the
rest. They have several Ways and Avenues cut through the Island, some
whereof are pav'd with Flag-stones, and over-shaded with Trees planted
on each side: Their dwellings are the best I have yet seen in these
Parts. All which are maintain'd by Charitable Devotions; and the
Junks which go from _Ning-po_ and this place to _Japan_, touch there
both going and coming, to make their Offerings for their good Success.
There is another Island call'd _Kim-tong_ 5 Leagues hence in the way
to _Ning-po_, whither, they say, do retire a great many _Mandarins_
to live a quiet Life after they have given over their Employments; on
that Island also are said to be Silver Mines, but prohibited to be
open'd. The rest of the circumjacent Islands are either desert, or
meanly inhabited by a few fishing People, but all of them stor'd with
abundance of Deer. For it is not long since this Island of _Chusan_
began to be Peopled; it's true, in _Martini_'s Days, about 50 Years
ago, it was very Populous for the space of three or four Years, at
which time the fury of the _Tartarian_ Conquest was so great, that
they left it desolate, not sparing so much as the Mulberry Trees (for
then they made a great deal of raw Silk here) and in this condition
it continued till about 18 Years ago, that the Walls of the Fort or
Town, which now is, were built by the Governor of _Ting-hai_, for a
Garrison to expel some Pyrats, who had taken shelter here. About 14
Years ago, the Island beginning to be peopled, there was a _Chumpeen_
or General sent to govern it for three Years, to whom succeeded the
late _Chumpeen_ (who procur'd the opening of this Port to Strangers)
whose Government continued till _April_ last, being translated to be
_Chumpeen_ of _Tien-cing Wei_ near to _Pekin_, and was succeeded by the
present _Chumpeen_, who is Son to the Old _Chunkoon_ of _Emuy_.
They have got no Arts or Manufactories here, but making of lacker'd
Ware, a particular Account whereof I cannot as yet send you. They begin
to Plant Mulberry-Trees, to breed up Worms for the Production of raw
Silk; and they make some Tea, but chiefly for their own use.
Altho' the following Particulars contain nothing of extraordinary
matters in them, yet such as they are, you may take, till I can procure
you better.
The three sorts of Tea commonly carry'd to _England_ are all from
the same Plant, only the Season of the Year, and the Soil, makes the
difference. The _Bohee_ (or _Voiii_, so call'd of some Mountains in
the Province of _Fo-kien_, where it is chiefly made) is the very first
bud gather'd, in the beginning of _March_, and dry'd in the Shade. The
_Bing_ Tea is the second growth in _April_: and _Singlo_ the last in
_May_ and _June_, both dry'd a little in _Tatches_ or Pans over the
Fire. The Tea Shrub being an ever-green, is in Flower from _October_ to
_January_, and the Seed is ripe in _September_ and _October_ following,
so that one may gather both Flowers and Seed at the same time; but for
one fresh and full Seed, there are a hundred nought; these make up the
two sorts of _Fruit_ in _Le Compte_'s description of Tea: As for his
other sort, which he calls slymic Pease, they were nothing but the
young Buds of the Flowers not yet open. Its Seed-Vessels are really
_Tricapsular_, each _Capsula_ containing one Nut or Seed, and altho'
two or one _Capsula_ only comes to Perfection, yet the Vestiges of the
rest may be discerned. It grows in a dry gravelly Soil, on the sides
of Hills in several places of this Island, without any Cultivation.
_Le Compte_ is mistaken in saying (_pag. 96._) that the _Chineses_ are
wholly Strangers to the Art of Grafting, for I have seen a great many
of his Paradoxical Tallow-Trees ingrafted here, besides some other
Trees. When they Ingraft, they do not slit the Stock as we do, but cut
a small slice off the outside of the Stock, to which they apply the
Graft (being cut sloping on one side, agreeable to the slice cut from
the Stock) bringing up the Bark of the slice upon the outside of the
Graft, they tie altogether, covering with Straw and Mud as we do.
The Commentator on _Magalhen_ seems doubtful in the length of the
_Chinese Che_ or Cubit. Here they have two sorts, one of 13⁷⁄₁₀
_English_ Inches, which the Merchants commonly use: The other is of
eleven Inches, us'd by Carpenters, and also in Geographical Measures.
Albeit _F. Martini_ is censur'd by _F. Magalhen_ for spelling a great
many _Chinese_ Words with _ng_, which the _Portuguese_ and others
have done with _m_, yet his way is more agreeable to the _English_
Pronunciation, only in some Words the _g_ may be left out, as in
_Pekin_, _Nankin_, &c.
Having made enquiry about _Martini_'s Account of Sowing their Fields at
_Ven-cheu_ with Oyster-shells, to make new ones grow; I was told that
after they have taken out the Oysters, they sprinkle the Shells with
Urine, then putting them into the Water again, there grows new Oysters
on the foresaid Shells.
_Martini_ says he could never find a _Latin_ Name for the _Fula
Mogorin_ of the _Portuguese_, I'm sure it's the same with the _Syringa
Arabica flore pleno albo in Parkinsone_. He says also, that the
_Kieu-yeu_ or Tallow-tree bears a white Flower like a Cherry-tree; but
all that I have seen here bears a spike of small yellow Flowers like
the _julus_ of a _Salix_.
The Bean, or _Mandarin_ Broth, so frequently mentioned in the _Dutch_
Embassy and other Authors, is only an Emulsion made of the Seed of
_Sesamum_ and hot Water.
Their chief Employments here are Fishing and Agriculture.
In Fishing, they use several sorts of Nets and Lines as we do; but
because they have large Banks of Mud in some Places, the Fisherman, to
go more easily thereon, has contriv'd a small frame about 3 or 4 Foot
long, not much larger than a Hen-trough, elevated a little at each end,
in which he rests upon one Knee, leaning his Arms on a cross Stick,
rais'd so high as his Breast, and putting out the other Foot often upon
the Mud, he pushes forward his Frame thereon, and so carries himself
along in it.
As to their Agriculture, all their Fields (where any thing is planted)
whether high or low, are made into such Plots as may retain the Water
on them when they please. They Plow up their Ground with one Buffalo
or one Cow. Where they are to Sow Rice, they prepare the Fields very
well, by clearing it of all manner of Weeds, moistening to a Pulp, and
smoothing it with a Frame drawn across; on which they Sow the Rice very
thick and cover it only with Water for two or three Inches high, and
when it has grown 6 or 8 Inches long, they pull it up by the Roots, and
transplant it (by Tufts in a straight line) to Fields overflown with
Water; and where a Field is subject to Weeds, when the Water drys up,
they prevent their growth in over-turning the Mud with their Hands in
the interstices where the Rice is planted. When they Sow Wheat, Barley,
Pulse, and other Grains, they grub up some superficial Earth, Grass and
Roots, and with some Straw they burn all together; this Earth being
sifted fine, they mix with the Seed, which they Sow in holes made in
a strait Line, and so grows up in Tufts as the Rice does; the Field
being divided into Beds and harrowed over, both before and after the
Seed is Sown: This makes them somewhat resemble Gardens. Altho' they
meliorate their Fields, where they Sow Rice, only by letting the Water
on them, yet for other Grains, where Ground requires it, they make use
of Dung, Human Excrements, Ashes, _&c._ In watering their Fields here
they use the same Instrument mention'd by _Martini_ in the Preface to
his Atlas, being all of Wood, and the contrivance the same with that of
a Chain-Pump.
Their method in making of Salt is this: All the Shores here being Mud,
instead of Sand, in the Summer Season they pare off the superficial
Earth, which has been overflown with the Salt Water, and lay it up in
heaps for use; when they are to use it they dry it in the Sun, rubbing
it small; then digging a Pit, they cover the bottom thereof with Straw,
at which thro' the side of the Pit they pass a hollow Cane, that
leads into a Jar, which stands below the level of the Pits bottom;
they fill the Pit almost full with the foresaid Earth, and pour Salt
Water thereon, till it be covered two or three Inches with Water, which
drains through, into the foresaid Jar, and is afterwards boil'd into
Salt.
Had I not found the Printed News Papers last Year take notice of a
singular Root brought from _China_ by _F. Fontaney_, I should not have
told you, that I have seen one since I came here call'd _Hu-chu-u_
(which I take to be the same) whereto they ascribe wonderful Properties
of prolonging Life, and turning grey Hairs into black, by drinking its
Infusion for some time, insomuch that they say it's to be had in value
from 10 _Tael_ to 1000 or 2000 a single Root; for the larger it is, the
more is its value and efficacy: Which is too much Money here to try the
Experiment. You have it mention'd in _Cleyer_'s _Medicina Sinica_ No.
84. under the Name of _Ho-xcu-u_, according to the _Portugal_ Spelling:
It's likewise painted in the 27th Table of those Plants Mr. _Petiver_
had of me. If you'll have the Story of its Discovery, which I will not
warrant for Gospel, it runs thus. Upon a time a certain Person going
a Simpling among the Mountains, fell by accident into such a steep
Valley that he could by no means get out of it again; whereupon looking
about for something to sustain his Life; in this melancholy condition,
he espy'd this Root, of which he made Tryal; and found that in eating
thereof, it serv'd him both for Provisions and Clothing, by keeping
his Body in such a temperature, that the Injuries of the Weather had
no influence upon him during his stay there, which was some hundreds
of Years; till at last an Earthquake happen'd in that place, whereby
the Mountains were rent, and he found a passage out to his House, from
whence he had been so long absent: But the many alterations that came
to pass there in such a space of time, would not permit them to give
Credit to his Story; till consulting the Annals of their Family, which
gave an Account of one of them lost at that time, they were confirm'd
in the truth of his Relation. And so much for this.
_A Letter from Mr. _John Clayton_ Rector of _Crofton_ at
_Wakefield_ in _Yorkshire_, to the Royal Society, _May 12. 1688._
giving an Account of several Observables in _Virginia_, and in
his Voyage thither, more particularly concerning the Air._
Having oftentimes been urged to give an Account of _Virginia_, by
several of the Worthy Members of the Royal Society, I cannot but, as
far forth as I am able, obey Commands whereby I'm so much honour'd,
and show my Respect by my ready Compliance; tho' I am so sensible
of my own Weakness and Incapacity to answer your Expectations, that
before-hand I must Apologize for my self. And indeed by Sea I lost all
my Books, Chymical Instruments, Glasses and Microscopes, which rendred
me uncapable of making those Remarks and Observations I had designed,
they were all cast away in Captain _Win_'s Ship, as they were to follow
me; and _Virginia_ being a Country where one cannot furnish ones self
again with such things, I was discourag'd from making so diligent a
Scrutiny as otherwise I might have done, so that I took very few
Minutes down in Writing; and therefore, since I have only my Memory
to rely on, which too has the Disadvantage of it's own Weakness, and
of the distance of two Years since now I left the Country, if future
Relations shall in some small Points make out my Mistake, I thought
this requisite to justifie my Candor; for I ever judg'd it villanous
to impose in matters of Fact; but Descriptions of things that depend
on Memory may be liable to Mistakes, and yet the sincerity of the
Person that delivers them intire. But hereof I shall be as cautious
as possible, and shall rather wave some things whereof I have some
Doubts, and am uncapable now of satisfying my self, than in any sort
presume too far. The method I design is, First, to give an Account of
the Air, and all such Observations as refer thereto; then of the Water,
the Earth and Soil; the Birds, the Beasts, the Fishes, the Plants,
the Insects; and lastly, the present state of the Inhabitants: But at
present I shall neither trouble you nor my self with any more than an
Account of what refers to the Air alone, being conscious the Honourable
Society may receive such a Glut with the Imperfection of this, as to
excuse me from a farther Relation.
But before I begin, perhaps it may not be impertinent to acquaint you
with some things that happen'd in our Voyage. We sail'd in the Ship
_Judith_, Captain _Trim_ Commander, 'twas Fly-boat built, about 200 or
250 Tuns; she sprung a considerable Leak. When the Captain had made
long and diligent Search, had tried all methods that Seamen use upon
such occasions, or he could think of, all in vain, and that the Leak
encreased, he came pensively to consult me. Discoursing with him about
it, and understanding that the Ship was Cieled within, so that though
the Leak might possibly be in the fore-part, it would fill the whole
Cavity betwixt the Cieling and the Planks, and so run into the Hold
at all the Crevices of the Cieling up and down: I thereupon conceive,
that where it burst in betwixt the Cieling and the Planks, it must
needs make some Noise. He told me, they had endeavoured to find it out
that way, and according to custom had clapt Cans to their Ears to hear
with; but the working of the Ship, the Tackle and the Sea made such a
Noise, that they could discover nothing thereby. I happily bethought my
self of the Speaking Trumpet; and having one which I had contrived for
some other Conveniences, of a differing shape from the common sorts, I
bid him take it and apply the broad end to the side of the Ship, the
narrow end to his Ear, and it would encrease his Hearing as much as it
augmented the Voice the other way, and would ward the Ear too from the
confusion of foreign Noise. Upon the first application, accordingly
they heard it, tho' it happened to be at a considerable distance;
and when they removed the Trumpet nigher, they heard it as if it had
been the Current of a mighty River, even so distinctly, as to have
Apprehensions of the bigness and figure of the Hole that the Water came
in at; so that cutting there the Sealing of the Ship, they immediately
stopt the Leak.