who were forbidden to trade at Japan, they had not authority to do so with those strangers who had the privilege of trade, more especially here at Firando, where these people had no authority.  I sent back my humble thanks to the king for the care he used to see justice done both to strangers and natives, saying, I would wait upon his highness myself to inform him of the whole truth.  Captain Brower sent me word that they had taken various commodities from him, paying him just as they pleased; he also sent an empty bottle, desiring to have it filled with Spanish wine, as he had invited certain strangers, and had none of his own.

[Footnote 32:  It was now a great festival among the pagans, which began on this day, said to be like the Lent of the papists.—­Purch.]

I heard three or four guns or chambers discharged on the 13th, which I supposed had been done at the Dutch house, in honour of the king; but I afterwards learnt that they were shot by a Chinese junk which was passing for Nangasaki.  Shortly after, the old king sent for me to come to dinner at the Dutch house, and to bring Mr Eaton with me, and a bottle of wine.[33] Mr Eaton had taken medicine, and could not go out, but I went.  We had an excellent dinner, the dishes being dressed partly in the Japanese fashion, and partly according to the Dutch way, but no great drinking.  The old king sat at one table, accompanied by his eldest son and two brothers of the young king, as the young king had sent to say he was not well.  At the other table there sat, first, Nabesone, the old king’s brother, then myself, next me Semidono, then the old king’s governor, and below him Zanzebar’s father-in-law, and various other Japanese gentlemen on the other side of the table.  Captain Brower did not sit down, but carved at table, all his own people attending and serving on their knees.  Captain Brower even gave drink to every one of his guests with his own hands, and upon his knees, which seemed very strange to me.  When they had dined, Foyne and all his nobles went away, and Captain Brower accompanied me to our house.  I asked him why he served these people on his knees, when he told me it was the custom of the country, even the king serving his guests on his knees when he made a feast, to do them the more honour.  Before night the old king came to the English house, and visited all its apartments.  I gave him a collation, and after staying an hour, and taking one thing and another, he went his way.

[Footnote 33:  These things are mentioned to shew how poor Cockes was imposed upon among them; as, taking advantage of his weak side, they seem all to have wished to get from him all they could, without any design of serving him in return.—­Astl.  I. 518. b.]