ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c. 1565. 



they are well ynough disposed to receive the knowledge 

 of the trueth. Our Lord grant for his mercy all things 

 so to be disposed, that it may sometime be brought to 

 passe, that so great a nation as this is perish not for 

 want of helpe. 



Our maner of praying so well liked them, that in 

 prison importunately they besought us to write for 

 them somewhat as concerning heaven, the which we did 

 to their contentation w* such reasons as we knew, how- 

 beit not very cunningly. As they do their idolatry they 

 laugh at themselves. If at any time this countrey 

 might be joyned in league with the kingdome of Por- 

 tugale, in such wise that free accesse were had to deale 

 with the people there, they might all be soone con- 

 verted. The greatest fault we do finde in them is 

 Sodomie, a vice very common in the meaner sort, and 

 nothing strange amongst the best. This sinne were it 

 left of them, in all other things so well disposed they be, 

 that a good interpreter in a short space might do there 

 great good : If, as I said, the countrey were joyned in 

 league with us. 



Furthermore the Louteas, with all the people of China, 

 are wont to solemnize the dayes of the new and full 

 Moones in visiting one an other, and making great 

 banquets : for to that end, as I earst said, do tend all 

 their pastimes, and spending their days in pleasure. 

 They are wont also to solemnize ech one his birth day, 

 whereunto their kindred and friends do resort of custome, 

 with presents of jewels or money, receiving againe for 

 their reward good cheare. They keepe in like maner a 

 generall feast with great banquets that day their king 

 was borne. But their most principall and greatest feast 

 of all, and best cheare, is the first day of their new yeere, 

 namely the first day of the new Moone of February, 

 so that their first moneth is March, and they reckon the 

 times accordingly, respect being had unto the reigne of 

 their princes : as when any deed is written, they date 

 it thus, Made such a day of such a moone, and such 



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