40.  The kingdom of China is very large.  It is a two days’ journey from the head of this island thither for Spanish ships.  Sailing from this port one day until one loses sight of land, on the next day China is seen.  They themselves call their country “the kingdom of Taibiu;” those of the Yndias, and other peoples, call it China.  This means “a very remote land,” just as in Castilla they called Nueva Espana and Peru “Las Antillas.”  Thoughout these islands they call the Chinese “Sangleyes,” meaning “a people who come and go,” on account of their habit of coming annually to these islands to trade—­or, as they say there, “the regular post.”  Here they style the Portuguese, “Parangue,” taking the name from margaritas [pearls].  They were given this name, because they were the first who sold pearls.  The captains describe the kingdom of Taibiu in the following manner: 

It has fifteen provinces, with viceroys, while the people out-number those of Germany.  The king is now a child of thirteen.  He has a mother and tutors, and it is about three years since his father died.  The people are light complexioned, well-built, and robust.  There are some who resemble mulattoes, who are badly treated.

41.  The men and women both wear long garments, like the one that I am sending so that your Majesty may see it.  All wear wide trousers [Sp. caragueles], black or white felt hose, and shoes.  The country is cold like Espana, but there are some warm regions.  It has a great many people.

42.  They are heathens, and do absurd things.  They do not use the rosary, and have no religious observances or ornate temples.  If some temples do exist, only mechanical rites are performed in them.  They are a vile people, and are sodomites, as is affirmed by Spaniards who have seen young boys present themselves before the justice to ask the amount of the fine for the crime of violation, and frankly pay it.  They are all tyrants, especially those in authority, who oppress the poor heavily.

43.  They are a cowardly people—­so much so, that none ride on horseback, although there are many horses there, because they do not dare to mount them.  They do not carry weapons, nor do they use spurs on the horses.  They use the whip and bridle, which do not have much effect on the horse.

44.  There are a great many robbers or highway-men, robbing along the highways or off them.  They are very lazy; they do not cultivate the ground unless some one forces them to it, and they do not collect the harvest.  They sell their children, in case of poverty, for a small sum of money with which to buy food.

45.  All the land belongs to the king, and no one in all the kingdom owns a handful of earth; accordingly each man must pay, in proportion to the amount of land that he uses, tribute to the king.

46.  They know nothing, unless it be to read and write; and those who can do this well are made great captains by the king.