A TREATISE OF CHINA a.d. 



1590. 



Linus. Tell us now (Michael) of the industry of that "Their labor- 

 people, whereof we have heard great reports. tous tndust1 l- 



Michael. Their industry is especially to be discerned 

 in manuary artes and occupations, and therein the 

 Chinians do surpasse most of these Easterly nations. 

 For there are such a number of artificers ingeniously and 

 cunningly framing sundry devices out of golde, silver, 

 and other mettals, as likewise of stone, wood, and other 

 matters convenient for mans use, that the streets of cities 

 being replenished with their shops and fine workeman- 

 ship, are very woonderfull to beholde. Besides whom 

 also there are very many Painters, using either the Painting. 

 pensill or the needle (of which the last sort are called 

 Embrotherers) and others also that curiously worke 

 golde-twine upon cloth either of linnen or of cotton : 

 whose operations of all kinds are diligently conveyed by 

 the Portugals into India. Their industry doth no lesse 

 appeare in founding of gunnes and in making of gun- Gunnes. 

 powder, whereof are made many rare and artificiall 

 fire-works. To these may be added the arte of Printing, Printing. 

 albeit their letters be in maner infinite and most difficult, 

 the portraitures whereof they cut in wood or in brasse, 

 and with marvellous facilitie they dayly publish huge 

 multitudes of books. Unto these mechanicall & illi- 

 berall crafts you may adde two more ; that is to say, 

 navigation and discipline of warre ; both of which have Navigation. 

 bene in ancient times most diligently practised by the 

 inhabitants of China : for (as we have before signified in 

 the third dialogue) the Chinians sailing even as farre as 

 India, subdued some part therof unto their owne 

 dominion : howbeit afterward, least they should diminish 

 the forces of their realme by dispersing them into many 

 provinces, altering their counsell, they determined to con- 

 taine themselves within their owne limits : within which 

 limits (as I have sayd) there were in olde time vehement 

 and cruell warres, both betweene the people of China 

 themselves, and also against the Tartarian king, who t y rann i ze( t 

 invaded their kingdome, and by himselfe and his sue- over China. 



359 



