CHINESE LEARNING. 401 



the lapponois approched very neere, although they affirm e _ 

 that the Noblemen of lappon that came into Europe did 

 write all things very easily in their language were they of 

 our proper names : yea, I have had some of their writings 

 shewed me, whereby it seemes they should have some 

 kinde of letters, although the greatest part of their writings 

 be by the characters and figures, as hath bin saiJo of the 

 Chinois. 



CHAP. vi. Of the Schooles anJ Vnii-ersities of China. 



The fathers of our Company say that they have not scene 

 in China any great schooles or vniversities of Philosophic, 

 and other natural! sciences, beleeving there is not any, but 

 that all their studio is in the Mandarin tongue, which is 

 very ample and hard, as I have said ; and what they studio 

 bee things written in their o\vne tongue, which be histories 

 of sects, and opinions, of civill lawes, of morall proverbes, 

 of fables, and many other such compositions that depend 

 thereon. Of divine sciences they have no knowledge, 

 neither of naturall things, but some small remainders of 

 straicd propositions, without art or methode, according to 

 everie mans witte and studie. As for the Mathematikes, they 

 have experience of the celestiall motions, and of the starres. 

 And for Phisicke, they have knowledge of herbs, by means 

 wherof they cure many diseases, and vso it much. They 

 write with pencils, and have many books written with- the 

 hand, and others printed, but in a bad order. They are 

 great plaiers of comedies, the which they perform witli 

 great preparation of theaters, apparel, bels, drums, and 

 voices. Some fathers report to have seen comedies which 

 lasted ten or twelve daycs and nights, without any want of 

 comedians, nor company to beholde them. They doc make 

 many different sccanes, and whilst some act the others fcedo 

 and sleep. En these comedies they do commonly trcatc of 



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