A TREATISE OF CHINA a.d. 



1590. 



them carrying Halberds, Maces, and Battle-axes : some The stately 13 



trailing yron chaines upon the ground : others holding firmtdable 



, ° ji r D . - 1-j r 1 procession of 



great roddes or staves or a certaine kinde or reede, r the Q^ n - t ^ n 



wherewith malefactours are punished, in their hands : and magistrates. 



two there are that carry, inclosed in a case, the Kings 



seaie peculiar for ech office : and many others also, that 



shew sundry spectacles unto the people : whereunto may 



be added the horrible out-cries and showtes, which 



betweene whiles they utter, to strike a terrour into the 



hearts of all men : and at length come the Magistrates 



themselves, being carried in a throne upon the backs of 



foure men, sixe men, or eight men, according to the 



dignity of their office. Now, as concerning their houses, The houses of 



they are very large and stately, being built and furnished the Chlman 



with all necessary stuffe, at the Kings owne cost, in the ma & s ates - 



which, so long as their magistracy lasteth, they leade a 



brave and an honourable life. The sayd houses are 



without variety of stories one above another, which in 



the kingdome of China and in our lies of Japon also are 



not ordinarily used for habitation, but either to keepe 



watch and ward, or els for solace and recreations sake 



(for the which purposes, eight most lofty turrets of nine 



stories high are built) or els for the defence of Cities. 



Howbeit in other regardes these buildings doe shew 



foorth no small magnificence : for they have their cisternes 



for the receit of raine-water, which are adorned with 



beautifull trees, set in order, round about them : and they 



have also their places designed for the administration of 



justice, and divers other convenient roomes to bestow 



their wives and families in. Within the doores of the 



foresayd habitations a certaine number of Sergeants and 



officers, having cabbins or little houses allotted them on 



both sides, doe alwayes give their attendance ; and so 



long as matters of judgement are in deciding, they be 



alwayes ready at hand, that, at the direction of the 



Magistrates they may either beat malefactours, or by 



torments constraine them to tell the trueth. The savd ™, 



a /r 11 • i-i ,.«'■*"* tnagt- 



Magistrates also have their peculiar barges wherein to urates barges. 



365 



