A.D. 



1590. 



The five 

 vertues prin- 

 cipally es- 

 teemed among 

 the Chinians. 



Urbanity. 



The Chinians 

 great piety 

 tozvards their 

 parents. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



Leo. I would nowe (Michael) right gladly understand, 

 what kinde of urbanity or civill demeanour both the 

 common people and the Magistrates doe use one 

 towardes another : for it is not likely that where such 

 due administration of justice is, common civility, which 

 so well beseemeth all men, should be wanting. 



Michael. You have hit even the very naile on the 

 head : for among the five vertues, which the Chinians 

 principally regard, urbanity or courtesy is one ; the rest 

 are piety, a thankefull remembrance of benefites, true 

 dealing in contracts or bargaines, and wisedome in 

 atchieving of matters : with the praises and commenda- 

 tions of which vertues the Chinian bookes are full 

 fraught. Now as touching their urbanity, it is much 

 unlike unto ours in Japan, and unto that of Europe : 

 howbeit under two principall kindes the rule of their 

 urbanity or courtesie may be comprehended : whereof 

 one is observed betweene equals, and the other betweene 

 superiours and inferiours. For when men of equall 

 dignity meet together, they stand bending their backes, 

 and bowing their heads downe to the ground, and this 

 they doe either once or twise, or sometimes thrise. 

 Now, when the inferiour meets with his superiour, the 

 sayd inferiour, for the most part kneeling lowly on his 

 knees, enclineth his countenance downe to the earth. 

 But how often and when this obeizance is to be per- 

 formed it is woonderfull what a number of rules and 

 prescriptions are set downe, which to recount would 

 require a long time. Somewhat also I will say as touch- 

 ing their piety, and especially of the piety which they 

 use towards their parents, which verily is so exceeding 

 great, that for the space of three whole yeres together, 

 the sonnes being cladde in mourning vestures doe 

 bewaile the death of their parents, which duety is per- 

 formed not onely by the common sort, but even by all 

 the Magistrates themselves, and that most curiously and 

 diligently. And, that all men may wholly give their 

 attendance unto this businesse, it is provided by a most 



37o 



