REPORTS OF CHINA a.d. 



c. 1565. 

 perceived to come of negligence and default, such a one 

 is whipped, and sometimes sent to prison, where lying 

 that yeere when this kinde of acte was, we found many 

 thus punished, and demaunding the cause thereof, they 

 saide it was for that they knew not how to answere 

 unto certaine things asked them. It is a world to see 

 how these Louteas are served and feared, in such wise, 

 that in publike assemblies at one shrike they give, all 

 the servitors belonging unto justice tremble thereat. At 

 their being in these places, when they list to moove, 

 be it but even to the gate, these servitors doe take 

 them up, and carry them in seates of beaten gold. 

 After this sort are they borne when they goe in the City, 

 either for their owne businesse abroade, or to see ech 

 other at home. For the dignitie they have, and office 

 they doe beare, they be all accompanied : the very 

 meanest of them all that goeth in these seates is ushered 

 by two men at the least, that cry unto the people to give 

 place, howbeit they neede it not, for that reverence the 

 common people have unto them. They have also in 

 their company certaine Sergeants with their Maces either 

 silvered or altogether silver, some two, some foure, other 

 sixe, other eight, conveniently for ech one his degree. 

 The more principal and chiefe Louteas have going orderly 

 before these Sergeants, many other with staves, and a 

 great many catchpoules with rods of Indish canes dragged 

 on the ground, so that the streets being paved, you may 

 heare afarre off as well the noyse of the rods, as the 

 voyce of the criers. These fellowes serve also to appre- 

 hend others, and the better to be knowen they weare 

 livery red girdles, and in their caps peacocks feathers. 

 Behinde these Louteas come such as doe beare certaine 

 tables hanged at staves ende.s, wherein is written in 

 silver letters, the name, degree, and office of that 

 Loutea, whom they follow. In like maner they have 

 borne after them hattes agreeable unto their titles : if 

 the Loutea be meane, then hath he brought after him 

 but one hat, and that may not be yealowe : but if he 



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