the Italians 

 and Spaniards. 



ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c 1565. 



be of the better sort, then may he have two, three, or 

 foure : the principall and chiefe Louteas may have all 

 their hats yealow, the which among them is accompted 

 great honour. The Loutea for warres, although he be 

 but meane, may notwithstanding have yealow hats. The 

 Tutans and Chians, when they goe abroad, have besides 

 all this before them ledde three or foure horses with 

 their guard in armour. 



Furthermore the Louteas, yea and all the people of 

 China, are wont to eate their meate sitting on stooles 

 at high tables as we doe, and that very cleanely, although 

 they use neither table-clothes nor napkins. Whatsoever 

 is set downe upon the boord is first carved before that 

 it be brought in : they feede with two sticks, refraining 

 We, that is from touching their meate with their hands, even as we 

 do with forkes : for the which respect they lesse do 

 neede any table clothes. Ne is the nation only civill 

 at meate, but also in conversation, and in courtesie they 

 seeme to exceede all other. Likewise in their dealings 

 after their maner they are so ready, that they farre 

 passe all other Gentiles and Moores : the greater states 

 are so vaine, that they line their clothes with the best 

 silke that may be found. The Louteas are an idle 

 generation, without all maner of exercises and pastimes, 

 except it be eating and drinking. Sometimes they walke 

 abroad in the fields to make the souldiers shoot at 

 pricks with their bowes, but their eating passeth : they 

 will stand eating even when the other do draw to shoot. 

 The pricke is a great blanket spread on certaine long 

 poles, he that striketh it, hath of the best man there 

 standing a piece of crimson Taffata, the which is knit 

 about his head : in this sort the winners be honoured, 

 and the Louteas with their bellies full returne home 

 againe. The inhabitants of China be very great Idola- 

 ters, all generally doe worship the heavens : and, as wee 

 are wont to say, God knoweth it : so say they at every 

 word, Tien Tautee, that is to say, The heavens doe 

 know it. Some doe worship the Sonne, and some the 



3°4 



