CHAP. VI.
Question of Rites.—The two Schools.—Consequences of these Discussions.—Important Conversions among the educated Classes.—Doctors Leon and Michel.—Mission of Han-Tcheou-Fou.—Violent Persecution.—Memorial against the Christians.—Apologies from the Christian Doctors.—Edict against Christianity.—Courage of the Neophytes.—Poisoning, Flagellation, and Torture Death of two Neophytes.—The Missionaries shut up in Cages.—New Establishment.—The old Missions to Tartary and Thibet.—Father D'Andrada sets out for Thibet in 1624.—Mountains.—Avalanches.—Pagoda of Badid.—Fables of the Lamas.—Halt in the Valley of Mana.—The King of Sirinagar endeavours to arrest D'Andrada.—Terrible Journey of D'Andrada.—Immense Glaciers.—D'Andrada returns.—Reunion of the Caravan.—Arrival in Thibet.—The King of Caparangua.—Decree in Favour of the Missionaries.—D'Andrada sets out lor the Indies.—Return to Thibet.—Accounts of the Thibetans.—The King desires to turn Christian.—Opposition of the Lamas.—Religious Discussions.—Scarcity of Information relating to this Mission.—Conjectures of the Tartar Historians.
Matthew Ricci had pointed out Father Nicholas Lombard as his fit successor in the office of general superior of the Jesuit missions in China. This missionary, born of a patrician family in Sicily, arrived in China in the year 1597. He at first acted as an apostle for several years in the province of Kian-Si, where for a long time his only companion was one brother, who provided for the subsistence of both, while he himself was preaching both in the towns and the sur-
