FATHER DIEGO DE PANTOIA
his Ancestors some one time and no more, unto a Temple which they have builded to The Heaven, and the Earth, where everie yeare they offer Sacrifice. And therefore I know not with what pompe hee goeth abroad: But like as in his service he hath no men of qualitie, it cannot bee such as our Kings use in their going to Church.
There is a barbarous custome among the Kings, that when the Prince is advanced to the Kingdome, within a short time after, all the rest of the old Kings Sonnes are to depart out of the House to certaine places appointed for them, which unto the third Generation are served like Kings, but they never come more in the presence of their Father, Mother, nor elder Brother: and therefore there is great lamentations of their Mothers at their departure. The Posteritie of these doe alwaies remayne as Kinsmen, and with the name of the Kings Kinsmen. To all these (which are very many) the King giveth sufficient mayntenance, which is no great matter. They never beare Office; and deale with other people, and marrie with them, without doing themselves much good or none at all in being the Kings Kinsmen, nor purchase any speciall authoritie thereby. Other Kinsfolkes of the King, married with the Sisters, Daughters, or Cousins of the King, or Queene, although they have sufficient to live upon, yet have they exceeding small authoritie, and haughtinesse. And herein, nor in any thing may they compare with the Mandarins.
Here came to visit us one married with the Sister of this King that is now, in a Chaire with three or foure Boyes to wait on him. Another came oftentimes married with the Sister of the Wife of the Prince that is to inherit, on Horse-backe with one Boy only attending on him; and hee entreth into the Examinations that hee may proceed Doctor and become a Mandarin : So litle is the benefit that groweth unto them by the Consanguinity or Affinity of the King which are joyned unto him thereby. Here the time faileth me, though neither matter, nor desire to give contentment to your Worship, and the rest
Temple of Heaven and Earth. Barbarous usage of the Kings Children.
Kings Affinitie and Consanguinitie, little worth.409
