Thus after fourteene dayes of refreshment, wee grew perfectly well all of us: whereupon the noble Captaine sent William Fakely, and Iohn Wyse (Masons own Apprentice) and Thomas Ayers the Whale-Cutter, with Robert Good Fellow, unto Master Masons Ship, according as themselves desired. But thinking there to be as kindly welcomed, as the lost Prodigall; these poore men after their enduring of so much misery, which through his meanes partly they had undergone: no sooner came they a-board his ship, but he most unkindly call’d them Run-awayes, with other harsh and unchristian termes, farre enough from the civility of an honest man. Noble Captaine Goodler understanding all these passages, was right sorie for them, resolving to send for them againe, but that the weather proved so bad and uncertaine. I for mine owne part, remained with the Captaine still at Bottle Cove according to mine owne desire: as for the rest of us that staid with him, hee preferr’d the Land-men to row in the Shallops for the killing of the Whales; freeing them thereby from their toylesome labour a-shoare; bettering their Meanes besides. And all these favours did this worthy Gentleman for us.
Thus were wee well contented now to stay there till the twentieth of August; hoping then to returne into our native Countrey: which day of departure being come, and we imbarked, with joyfull hearts we set sayle through the foaming Ocean, and though cross’d sometimes with contrary windes homeward bound; yet our proper ships at last came safely to an Anchor in the River of Thames: to our great joy and comfort, and the Merchants benefite. And thus by the blessing of God came wee all eight of us well home, safe and sound: where the Worshipfull Companie our Masters, the Muscovie Merchants, have since dealt wonderfully well by us. For all which most mercifull Preservation, and most wonderfully powerfull Deliverance, all honour, praise and glory be unto the great God, the sole Author of it. He grant us to make the right use of it, Amen.
ORIENTAL SPLENDOUR
Sir Thomas Roe: The Mogul’s Birthday.
M. Tavernier: The Mogul’s Peacock Throne.
Mr. Bell: Hunting with the Emperor K’ang Hsi.
The Nabob’s Lady.
THE MOGUL’S BIRTHDAY
from
THE JOURNAL OF SIR THOMAS ROE
Thomas Roe went to Magdalen, where he was a commoner at about the age of twelve. He was Esquire of the Body during the last years of Queen Elizabeth, and he was knighted in 1605. In 1615 he was chosen to go as ambassador to Jehangir, the Great Mogul: by this time he had distinguished himself in the fighting against the Spaniards in the Low Countries, and in Parliament, where he represented Tamworth; he had also made voyages to the West Indies and the Spanish Main in search of gold.
His account of his journey and embassy (from which the first extract is taken) gives a striking picture of the endless delays, intrigues, changes of mind and inefficient splendour so characteristic of Eastern courts. By unremitting perseverance and judicious bribery Sir Thomas managed to conclude a commercial treaty with the Mogul, and so founded the prosperity of the East India Company. After this success he spent most of the rest of his life as an ambassador, although for a time he represented Oxford University in Parliament; he was also chancellor of the Order of the Garter and a privy councillor.
THE second of September [1616] was the king’s birthday, and kept with great solemnity. On this day the king is weigh’d against some jewels, gold, silver, stuffs of gold, silver, and silk, butter, rice, fruit, and many other things, of every sort a little, which is all given to the Bramas or Bramans. The king commanded Asaph Chan to send for me to this solemnity; who appointed me to come to the place where the king sits at Durbar, and I should be sent for in: but the messenger mistaking, I went not till Durbar time, and so miss’d the sight; but being there before the king came out, as soon as he spy’d me, he sent to know the reason why I came not in, since he had order’d it. I answer’d according to the mistake, yet he was very angry, and chid Asaph Chan publickly. He was so rich in jewels, that I own in my life I never saw such inestimable wealth together.
The time was spent in bringing his greatest elephants before him; some of which being lord elephants, had their chains, bells and furniture of gold and silver, and many gilt banners and flags carried about them, and eight or ten elephants waiting on each of them, clothed in gold, silk, and silver. In this manner about twelve companies passed by most richly adorned, the first having all the plates on his head and breast set with rubies and emeralds, being a beast of wonderful bulk and beauty. They all bow’d down before the king, making their reverence very handsomly; this was the finest show of beasts I ever saw. The keepers of every chief elephant gave a present. Then having made me some favourable compliments he rose up and went in.
At night at about ten of the clock he sent for me. I was then abed. The message was, that he heard I had a picture which I had not shew’d him, desiring me to come to him and bring it; and if I would not give it him, he would order copies of it to be taken for his women. I got up, and carried it with me. When I came in, I found him sitting cross-leg’d on a little throne, all covered with diamonds, pearls, and rubies. Before him a table of gold, and on it about fifty pieces of gold plate, all set with jewels, some very great and extremely rich, but all of them almost cover’d with small stones. His nobility about him in their best equipage, whom he commanded to drink merrily, several sorts of wine standing by in great flagons. When I drew near, he asked for the picture. I shew’d him two; he seem’d astonish’d at one of them, and ask’d whose it was. I told him a friend of mine that was dead. He asked if I would give it him. I answered I valued it above all things, but if his majesty would pardon me, and accept of the other, which was an excellent piece, I would willingly bestow it on his majesty. He thank’d me, and said he desir’d none but that picture, and if I would give it him, he should prize it above the richest jewel in his house. I replied, I was not so fond of any thing, but I would part with it to please his majesty, with other expressions of respect. He bow’d to me, and said it was enough, I had given it him; that he own’d he had never seen so much art, so much beauty, and conjur’d me to tell him truly, whether ever such a woman liv’d. I assured him there did, but she was now dead. He said he would shew it his women, and take five copies, and if I knew my own I should have it again. Other compliments pass’d, but he would restore it, his painters being excellent at copying in water colours. The other picture being in oil, he did not like. Then he sent me word that it was his birthday, and all men made merry, and ask’d whether I would drink with them. I answer’d, I would do whatsoever his majesty commanded, and wished him many happy days, and that the ceremony might be renewed an hundred years. He asked me whether I would drink wine of the grape, or made, whether strong or small. I reply’d, what he commanded, but hoped it would not be too much, nor too strong. Then he called for a gold cup full of mixed wine, half of the grape and half artificial, and drank; causing it to be filled again, and then sent it by one of the nobles to me with this message, that I should drink it off twice, thrice, four, or five times for his sake, and accept of the cup and appurtenances as a present. I drank a little, but it was stronger than any I ever tasted; insomuch that it made me sneeze, which made him laugh; and he called for raisins, almonds, and sliced lemons, which were brought me on a gold plate, bidding me eat and drink what I would and no more. I made reverence for my present after my own manner, tho’ Asaph Chan would have had me kneel, and knock my head against the ground; but his majesty accepted of what I did.
The cup was of gold, set all about with small rubies and Turky stones, the cover with large rubies, emeralds, and Turky stones in curious works, and a dish suitable to set the cup on. The value I know not, because the stones are many of them small; and the greater, which are many, not all clean, but they are in number about two thousand, and the gold about twenty ounces.
Thus he made merry, and sent me word, he esteemed me more than ever he had done, and asked whether I was merry at eating the wild boar sent me a few days before; how I dress’d it, what I drank, assuring me I should want for nothin
g in his country: the effects of all which his publick favours I presently found in the behaviour of all his nobility. Then he threw about to those that stood below two chargers of new roupies, and among us two chargers of hollow almonds of gold and silver mixed; but I would not scramble, as his great men did, for I saw his son take up none. Then he gave sashes of gold, and girdles to all the musicians and waiters, and to many others. So drinking, and commanding the others to do the same, his majesty and all his lords became the finest men I ever saw, of a thousand several humours. But his son, Asaph Chan, two old men, the late king of Candahar, and my self forbore. When he could hold up his head no longer, he lay down to sleep, and we all departed.
THE MOGUL’S PEACOCK THRONE
from
JEAN-BAPTISTE TAVERNIER’S
TRAVELS THROUGH TURKEY AND PERSIA TO THE INDIES
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was born in Paris in 1605; he was the son of a Belgian dealer in maps. By the age of 22 Tavernier, having seen most of Europe, began to travel in the East, where he traded profitably in precious stones.
Louis XIV, for whom Tavernier bought some magnificent diamonds, ennobled him, and in 1668 Tavernier bought the barony of Aubonne on the shores of Lake Geneva. He settled down on his estate and, with the help of a man of letters, wrote an account of his voyages, which appeared in 1679 in two quarto volumes. The book was widely read and went through several editions: the English translation by J. Phillips (Milton’s nephew) appeared under the title of The Six Travels of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, Baron of Aubonne, through Turkey and Persia, to the Indies, during the space of Forty Years … made English by J.P. 1684.
Tavernier continued to occupy himself with commerce, and he entrusted a nephew with a venture to the Levant from which he hoped for a profit of a million livres. The nephew deceived him, and he was obliged to sell his lands. Tavernier started on another voyage, hoping to recover his fortune, but he died on reaching Moscow, being then 84.
THE Great Mogul has seven Thrones, some set all over with Diamonds; others with Rubies, Emraulds, and Pearls.
The largest Throne, which is set up in the Hall of the first Court, is in form like one of our Field-Beds, six foot long, and four broad. The Cushion at the back is round like a Bolster: the Cushions on the sides are flat.
I counted about a hundred and eight pale Rubies in Collets, about this Throne, the least whereof weigh’d a hundred Carats, but there are some that weigh’d two hundred. Emraulds I counted about a hundred and sixty that weigh’d some three-score, some thirty Carats.
The under-part of the Canopy is all embroider’d with Pearls and Diamonds, with a Fringe of Pearls round about. Upon the top of the Canopy, which is made like an Arch with four Panes, stands a Peacock, with his Tails spread, consisting all of Saphirs, and other proper colour’d Stones; the Body is of beaten Gold, enchas’d with several jewels; and a great Ruby upon his Breast, at which hangs a Pearl, that weighs fifty Carats. On each side of the Peacock stand two Nose-gays, as high as the Bird, consisting of several sorts of Flowers, all of beaten Gold enamel’d. When the King seats himself upon the Throne there is a transparent Jewel, with a Diamond Appendant, of eighty or ninety Carats, encompass’d with Rubies and Emraulds, so hung that it is always in his Eye. The twelve pillars also that uphold the Canopy, are set with rows of fair Pearl, round, and of an excellent Water, that weigh from six to ten Carats a piece. At the distance of four feet, upon each side of the Throne, are plac’d two Parasols, or Umbrello’s, the handles whereof are about eight food high, cover’d with Diamonds; the Parasols themselves are of crimson Velvet, embroider’d and fring’d with Pearls.
This is the famous Throne which Tamerlane began, and Cha-Jehan finish’d; which is really reported to have cost a hundred and sixty Millions, and five hundred thousand livres of our Money.
Behind this stately and magnificent Throne there is another less, in the form of a Tub, where the King bathes himself; it is an Oval, seven foot long, and five broad. The outside whereof shines all over with Diamonds and Pearls; but there is no canopy over it.
HUNTING WITH THE EMPEROR K’ANG HSI
from
JOHN BELL’S
TRAVELS FROM ST. PETERSBURG IN RUSSIA TO DIVERSE PARTS OF ASIA.
Mr. Bell of Antermony was born in 1691; he went to Russia in his twenties, while Peter the Great was Czar. There he joined the Russian embassy to the Emperor K’ang Hsi, and it is possible that he acted as doctor to the expedition, for the Dictionary of National Biography says that he may have had the degree of M.D.
K’ang Hsi (the Kamhi of the narrative) was, in his old age, the most amiable of the Manchu emperors. He was the third of his line, and he retained the Manchurian way of life in spite of ruling over China for close on seventy years. He died in 1723.
Mr. Bell accompanied another Russian embassy to China later, and several to Turkey; he settled for a while in Constantinople, but returned to spend the rest of his life in Scotland, where he died in 1780.
When he came to write his book he thought he needed the help of a literary man (I take this from the D.N.B.) and applied to Mr. Robertson, the historian. Robertson advised the style of Gulliver’s Travels, but did not meddle with the book. The Travels from St. Petersburg in Russia to Diverse Parts of Asia was published first in Glasgow, where it was beautifully printed by the Foulis brothers in 1763, and then in London, by W. Homer, in two volumes 12mo., in 1764. The Travels were well received and went through several editions, including one in Dublin; they last appeared in 1811 as part of Pinkerton’s collection.
THE 11th [of February, 1721], several officers came from the court, with presents to the ambassador, and every person of the retinue, corresponding to their different stations and characters, and, so minutely and exactly was the matter managed, that even the meanest of our servants was not neglected. The presents, consisting of a complete Chinese dress, some pieces of damasks, and other stuffs, were, indeed, of no great value. They were, however, carried along the streets, wrapped up in yellow silk, with the usual parade of things belonging to the court; a circumstance which is reckoned one of the greatest honours that can be conferred on a foreign Minister.
Next day, the Emperor sent to ask the ambassador, whether he inclined to accompany him to a hunting-match, in a forest not far distant from Pekin; to which his excellency readily agreed.
The 13th, I dined with one of my Chinese friends, called Fangfung …
The 17th, being now on the point of our departure, in order to make the most of the short time we had to stay, I rode about twelve miles eastward from Pekin, accompanied with a Chinese friend, to the banks of the river; which I found crowded with a number of barques, of different sizes, which are constantly employed in carrying provisions, and other stores, to the city, from distant parts of the country. I saw many vessels sailing down the stream, towards the south-east. And I was informed, there are nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine vessels constantly employed on this river; but why confined to such an odd number I could neither learn, nor comprehend.
On this occasion also I revisited the China-manufactory, in order to try whether I could learn any thing of that curious art. But, though the people were very complaisant, and showed me every thing I desired them, I returned as ignorant as I went thither; and, I am persuaded, that, before a person can get any knowledge of the affair, he must be bred a potter, and have time to inspect its whole progress; of which these people seem to make no secret …
On the 18th, all our gentlemen dined with my Chinese friend, named Siasiey, where we met with a friendly reception and a sumptuous feast. After dinner our hospitable landlord put about his cups very freely. At last, he took me by the hand, and desired I would let the ambassador return and remain with him, and he would give me the choice of which of his wives or daughters I liked best. I could not but return my friend hearty thanks for his obliging offer; which, however, I thought it not proper to accept.
Next day, I went to see the market where provisions were sold. It was a sp
acious oblong, spread with gravel, very neat and clean. The butchers had their shops in a shed, running quite round the place. I saw little beef, but a great deal of mutton. In the middle, was great store of poultry, wild-fowl, and venison; but, what surprised me not a little, was, to find about a dozen dead badgers exposed for sale. The Chinese, it seems, are very fond of these animals; which are accounted unclean in other parts of the world. All the Chinese merchants have the art of exposing their goods to sale dressed up in the most advantageous manner; and, even in purchasing any trifling thing, whatever the case be that holds it, it is half the cost, and often exceeds it in value.
The 21st, being the day appointed for hunting with the Emperor, at one of the clock in the morning, horses were brought to our lodgings, for the ambassador and those who attended him. We immediately mounted, and, after riding about six miles, to the south-west of the city, at break of day, we reached the gates of the park called Chay-Za; where we were received by an officer, and conducted, through the forest, to a summer-house, about a mile from the gate, in which the Emperor had slept the preceding night. This was a small but neat building, having a double row of galleries, open to the forest, on all sides, and an avenue leading to it from the gate, planted with several rows of trees. At some distance from the house, we dismounted, and were met by the master of the ceremonies, who conducted us into a gallery. As soon as we entered, the good old Emperor, who had risen long before our arrival, sent one of his eunuchs to salute the ambassador, and ordered us tea and other victuals. On the south side of the house is a canal, filled with clear water, and several large fish-ponds, which make a great addition to the beauties of this charming place. At a convenient distance from the house, stood about a thousand tents, where the courtiers and grandees had lodged the night before.