followed by the executioner, having his cattan or Japanese sword by his side, and holding in his hand the cord with which the hands of the criminal are bound.  On each hand of the executioner walks a soldier armed with a pike, the head of which rests on the criminal’s shoulder, to intimidate him from attempting to escape.  In this manner I saw one man led out to execution, who went forwards with a most wonderful resolution, and apparently without fear of death, such as I had never seen the like in Europe.  He was condemned for stealing a sack of rice from a neighbour, whose house was burning.

The 11th there arrived three Chinese junks at Nangasaki, laden with silks.  The 19th the old king begged a piece of poldavy from me; and though a king, and famed as the bravest soldier in Japan for his conduct in the wars of Corea, he had it made into coats, which he wore next his skin, some part of it being made into handkerchiefs.  The 20th, a soma or junk arrived at Nangasaki from Cochinchina, laden with silk and benzoin, which last was exceedingly clear and good.  The 29th Mr Adams arrived at Firando, having been seventeen days in coming from Sorongo, while we had waited no less than forty-eight days for his coming.[12] After receiving him in a friendly manner, I conferred with him in the presence of our merchants, as to our hopes of trade in this country.  He said the trade was variable, but doubted not we might do as well as the Dutch, and gave great commendations of the country, to which he seemed to be much attached.

[Footnote 12:  The first messenger, for not making haste with the letters to Adams, was banished by the angry king.—­Purch.]

On the morning of the 30th, an officer of the young king was cut to pieces in the street, as it was thought for being too intimate with the young king’s mother; and one of the officer’s slaves was slain along with him, for endeavouring to defend his master.  This day there came two Spaniards to Firando, who were acquainted with Mr Adams, to request a passage in our ship for Bantam.  They had belonged to the crew of a Spanish ship, sent from New Spain about a year before to make discoveries to the north of Japan, and coming to Jedo to wait the monsoon which serves for going to the northward, which begins in the end of May, the crew mutinied against their captain, and every one went away whither he listed, leaving the ship entirely unmanned.  On receiving this account of the Spaniards, I thought it best not to let them enter my ship.

On the 3d of August, king Foyne sent to know what was the size of the present from our king to the emperor, as also the number of people I meant to take along with me to the court, that he might provide accordingly for my going up in good order, in regard to barks, horses, and palanquins.  This day likewise I caused the presents to be assorted, for the emperor and those of chief consideration about him, of which presents respectively the values were as follow:—­