ſay, that in this, they do exceed all other rivers of the world. In an Arme of the river of Nanchim, which with a moderate breadth runneth down down to Hamchen, I ſtayed eight dayes for a paſſage through that vvonderful concourſe of veſſels: and whileſt an houre-glaſſe of ſand was running out, I counted three hundred ſmall ſhips, reckoning only thoſe which came up to the river. It is a marvellous thing, there being ſo many, that all are ſo vvell accommodated for Merchandize, and ſo convenient for paſſengers; They are all covered and kept very neat, and ſome of them ſo beautified and adorned with pictures, that they ſeem rather made for the recreation, than the traffick of Merchants.
The manner, after which they are governd is very notable: for the Marriners keep all without the place, where the paſſengers make their abode, there being ſpace enough without for them to run up and down, that trim the Sayles and guide the Bark, wthout diſturbance of the others, who enjoy a pleaſant eaſe and reſt. In which the Barks of the province of Hancep exceed the reſt.
The ſix Northern provinces, as they come neareſt to our latitude, do moſt reſemble our climate, and are more dry and healthful than the reſt. But in all of them (more or leſſe) there are not wanting many of a long and happy life; there being to be found many, and very vigorous and luſty old men.
Of the ſame more particularly.
This Kingdom is ſo populous, that not only the Villages, but even the Cities are in ſight one of another; and in ſome places, where the rivers are moſt frequented, the habitations are almoſt continued. Of theſe there are foure forts; great Cities which they call Fu: the leſſer, which they call Cen, (concerning theſe, Writers have ſomewhat differed in their Relations:) Townes, which they call Hien; and Caſtles, which they call Cid. Beſides theſe, there are Villages and Hamlets almoſt innumerable. Of all theſe the Walls are kept night and day with a four-fold Guard at the ſound of a Bell, even to the innermoſt City of the Kingdom, as if they were alwayes in a condition of Warre: ſhewing, that to prevent the leaſt imaginable danger, which may fal out in an houre; it is good to ſtand, during life, upon our guard: for ordinarily all ſudden ruines proceed from along confidence. The ſtreets are kept by Courts of Guard and Sentinels, with ſo much rigour, that if they find them aſleep, or ſtragled from their Poſt, or that they do not ſpeedily anſwer, they are preſently condemned to the Bastinado, which is immediately executed in the ſame place. The publick gates are ſhut every night with great care, and if there fall out any accident, they are not opened, til they are ſatisfied, how the Fact was done. In the year one thouſand six hundred thirty four, I was in the City of Kiamſi, where thirty theeves broke priſon, and having routed the guards, wounding ſome and killing others, ſet themſelves at liberty. The Fact was known; and the opening of the gates being ſuſpended according to their inviolable cuſtome, before next night the Malefactors were all taken, nor could the greatneſſe of the City hide any one of them.
