The first book of Part I consists of ten chapters, wherein is given a rapid survey of the country of China and its people and government; of certain social and economic conditions, and of its products.  The second book, consisting also of ten chapters, treats of the religion and superstitions of the Chinese (wherein some peculiar parallels with the Christian religion are drawn), their mortuary and marriage customs, and treatment of the poor and infirm.  The third book has twenty-four chapters, wherein are treated, in some detail, many different matters relating to China.  These include an historical account of the kings of that empire; a description of the royal city; the fifteen provinces of the empire, their government, garrisons, and means of defense; laws of warfare; the royal council and its method of procedure; the judiciary and the execution of justice; scholarship and education; [21] ceremonies at banquets and on other occasions; their ships and certain of their occupations; and their morals.  Our author finds interesting the use of artillery and the knowledge of the art of printing in China, prior to their invention in Europe.  This part concludes with an account of Chinese courtesy to foreign ambassadors; and of the embassy to that country, entrusted to Gonzalez de Mendoza and other religious in 1580, by the Spanish king, but not carried into effect.]

Second Part of the History of the Great Kingdom of China

This second part is divided into two books and an itinerary, and discusses the following topics.

The first book contains in sequence the things witnessed and heard in that kingdom by Fathers Martin de Herrada, provincial of the order of St. Augustine in the Felipinas Islands, and his associate Fray Geronymo Marin, [22] and some soldiers who accompanied them.

The second, the miraculous voyage to this same kingdom by Father Fray Pedro de Alfaro, custodian of the order of St. Francis in the Felipinas, and his associates.

An itinerary of the father custodian of the same order, Fray Martin Ignacio, who went from Espana to China, and thence back to Espana, by way of East India, thus circumnavigating the world; the very remarkable things that he saw and heard during the voyage.

Book First

The departure of the Spaniards from Mexico to the Felipinas Islands, and the information obtained there of the great Kingdom of China.  Chapter I.

While Don Luis de Velasco, viceroy and lieutenant for the Catholic king, Don Felipe, our lord, was in charge of the government of the kingdom of Mexico, his Majesty ordered him to fit out a large fleet in the Southern Sea, to levy the soldiers necessary for it, and to send it on a voyage of discovery to the islands of the West.  The renowned captain Magallanes (when he circumnavigated the globe in the ship “Victoria”) had already given information about these islands.