A TREATISE OF CHINA ad. 



1590. 



reckoned, which (by a synechdoche) is called The wood 

 of China, being of notable force to expell out of mens 

 bodies those humours, which would breed contagious 

 diseases. To these you may adde sugar-canes (for in the 

 realme of China there is great store of excellent sugar) Sugar. 

 which is conveyed by the Portugals very plentifully, both 

 into our countrey, and also into India. My speeches 

 uttered immediatly before concerned merchandize onely, 

 in regard whereof this kingdome is beneficiall not to 

 itselfe alone, but most profitable to many other nations 

 also. As for those fruits which pertaine to yerely sus- 

 tenance and common food, they can scarse be numbred ; 

 albeit, of those three commodities which they of Europe 

 so greatly account of; namely of cornes, vines, and olives China in a 



mane?' 



the land of China is not very capable : for the Chinians 



. 1 1 r a-m- / destitute of 



know not so much as the name or an Olive tree (out 



come, wine. 



of the fruit whereof oile is expressed) neither yet the y oile. 

 name of a vine. The province of Paquin is not alto- 

 gether destitute of wine, but whether it be brought from 

 other places, or there made, I am not able to say : 

 although it aboundeth with many other, and those not 

 unpleasant liquours, which may serve in the stead of 

 wine it selfe. Now, as touching corne, there is indeed 

 wheat sowen in all the provinces, howbeit rise is in farre 

 more use and request then it: and so in regard of these 

 two commodities profitable for mans life ; namely, wine 

 and corne ; the kingdome of China and our countrey of 

 Japon may be compared together. 



Leo. You have discoursed (Michael) of the fruitful- 

 nesse of China, whereof I have often heard, that it is no 

 lesse pleasant than fruitful, and I have bene especially Chinian maps. 

 induced so to thinke, at the sight of the Chinian maps. 



Michael. The thing it selfe agrees right well with 

 the picture : for they that have seene the mediterran or 

 inner parts of the kingdome of China, do report it to be 

 a most amiable countrey, adorned with plenty of woods, 

 with abundance of fruits and grasse, and with woonderfull 

 variety of rivers, wherewith the Chinian kingdome is 



357 



