by hot irons[143].  Siam abounds in elephants, cattle, and buffaloes.  It has many sea-ports and populous cities, Hudia being the metropolis or residence of the court.  The religion of the Siamese agrees in many considerable points with Christianity, as they believe in one God, in heaven and hell, and in good and bad angels that attend upon every person[144].  They build sumptuous temples, in which they have images of vast size.  They are very religious, sparing in their diet, much given to divination, and addicted to the study of astrology.  The country is exceedingly fertile, and abounds in gold, silver, and other metals.  The memorable services of the subjects are recorded that they may be read to the kings.  When the king of Siam takes the field, he is able to set on foot a force of 300,000 men and 10,000 elephants.

[Footnote 143:  Perhaps tattooing may be here alluded to.—­E.]

[Footnote 144:  It is hardly possible to conceive how it could enter into the conception of any one to compare the stupid polytheism of the worshippers of Budda with the Christian religion:  In one thing indeed the Catholic church has contrived to establish a resemblance, by the subordinate worship of innumerable idols or images.—­E.]

About this time, Fernan Perez de Andrada arrived at Pisang, where he was well received, but lost his largest ship, which was set on fire by the careless management of a lighted candle, so that he was forced to return to Malacca.  From that place Juan Coello[145], was sent to China, meeting with furious storms and other dangers by the way.  While on the coast of Tsiompa, taking in fresh water, he was nearly lost.  At Patane and other places he established commercial treaties with the native princes, and spent the winter without being able to reach China, being obliged to return to Malacca to refit.  After which he again resumed his voyage for China with eight ships.  The empire of China is the most eastern in Asia, as Spain is the most westerly in Europe; and opposite to China is the island of Hainan, as that of Cadiz is to Spain.  It is almost as large as all Europe, being divided from Tartary by a wonderful wall which runs from east to west above 200 leagues, and ends at a vast mountain or promontory which is washed by the eastern sea of Tartary.  This vast empire is divided into fifteen provinces.  Along the coast are those of Quantung, Fokien, Chekiang, Nanking, Xantung, and Leaotung; those of the inland country are Queichieu, Junnan, Quangsi, Suchuen, Huquang, Xensi, Kiangsi, Honan, and Xansi, in all of which there are 244 cities.  Its riches are prodigious, and its government admirable above all others.  The natives allege that they alone have two eyes, the Europeans one, and that all the other nations are blind.  They certainty had both printing and cannon long before the Europeans.  The city of Quantung or Canton, which is the principal sea-port, is remarkable for its size, the strength of its fortifications, and the prodigious resort of strangers for trade.