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The Epiſtle to the Reader.
Courteous Reader,
I Preſent thee with that long exſpected, moſt exact Hiſtory of the Lawes, Government, Manners, and preſent ſtate and condition of that great Monarchy of China; in its circuit little leſs then all Europe; Heretofore (as zealous of its rare treaſures) ſhut and locked up from the curious eyes of ſtrangers: ſo that this booke (firſt) yeilds to thee a full diſcovery thereof. & (I dare ſay) the moſt valuable, that this our world hath been acquainted with, ſince that of America; whereby now the furtheſt Eaſt, as well as Weſt, is diſcloſed, and laid open to the preſent age. For, as for ſome former relations, thou mayſt have ſeen thereof, thou wilt by this diſcerne them to be as fabulous, as they are compendious and imperfect.
It was written by one, who, after, firſt, a ſtrict education in all ſorts of learning, for two and twenty yeares ſpace lived in that Kingdome, was reſident at the Court, and in the greateſt Cities thereof: and in all that time
