A.D. 



1590. 



[II. ii. 94.] 



Two Senates 

 or Counsels 

 continually 

 holden in 

 China. 



The causes 

 of peace in 

 China. 



Learning the 

 only step to 

 honour in 

 China. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



the Cities and Townes thereof, they do most diligently 

 ransacke and serch out all crimes, and upon them which 

 are imprisoned they inflict due punishment, or, being 

 found not guilty, they dismisse them unpunished. Hence 

 it is, that all Magistrates greatly fearing to be called in 

 question by the Chaien are well kept within the limits of 

 their callings. Besides all these Magistrates there is at 

 either Court, namely in the North, and in the South, a 

 Senate or honourable assembly of grave counsellours, unto 

 the which, out of all provinces, according to the neerenesse 

 and distance of the place, affaires of greater weight and 

 moment are referred, and by their authority divers 

 Magistrates are created : howbeit the managing and 

 expedition of principall affaires is committed unto the 

 Senate of Paquin. Moreover there are every yeere 

 certaine Magistrates appointed in ech province, to goe 

 unto the king : and every third yeere all the Governours 

 of Cities and of Townes do visit him at once, what time 

 triall is made of them that aspire unto the third degree : 

 upon which occasion there is at the same time an 

 incredible number of people at the Kings Court. By 

 reason of this excellent order and harmony of Magistrates 

 placed one under another, it can scarse be imagined, what 

 sweet peace and tranquility flourisheth thorowout the 

 whole realme, especially sithens, after speedy inquisition, 

 persons that are guilty be put (as the maner is there) to 

 the punishment of the bastonado : neither yet are suits or 

 actions any long time delayed. Also it is not to be 

 omitted, that for the obtaining of any dignity or magis- 

 tracy, the way is open, without all respect of gentry or 

 blood, unto all men, if they be learned, and especially 

 if they have attained unto the third and highest degree 

 aforesayd. Neither can it be expressed how obedient 

 and duetifull the common sort are unto their Magistrates, 

 and with what magnificence and pompe the sayd Magis- 

 trates come abroad : for the most part of them have 

 fiftie or threescore Sergeants attending upon them, and 

 going before them, two and two in a ranke : some of 



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