which he himself entertained of the Miffionaries. The Elogium he therein beftows on their Behaviour, and their Attachment to his Perfon, is as follows:

Europeans, (fays he :) you whom I employ in the "Interior of my Palace, have always served me "with fo much Zeal and Affection, that there has

yet been no Caufe for Reproach. Many of the "Chineze fufpect you; but I myself, who have "caufed all your Actions to be carefully watched, "and never found one of 'em amifs, am fo fully "convinced of your Uprightness and Sincerity, "that I publickly declare you ought to be believ'd "and trufted." He afterwards fpecifies the Manner in which the Europeans had recovered his Health.

May we not hope, from thefe Words employed by the Emperor in a public Inftrument, that he will one Day be converted? Poffibly my Hopes may be vain; but methinks it is natural for a Monarch, who is fo greatly prejudiced in our Favour, to listen Thefe Words of the Emperor, that "we "ought to be believed and trufted," has already brought over many of his Subjects to our holy Religion.

Before this imperial Inftrument was made public, Father Parennin had informed me, that private Orders were dispatched to the Viceroys of Canton and Kiamfi, to receive the Wine, and other Things which the Europeans might bring for the Emperor's Ufe, and to fend 'em immediately to Court, provided that all Commodities confign'd thither were fealed with an European Signet. This Circumflance was exprefly required; a fresh Testimony of the Confidence with which the Emperor is pleased to honour us.

Perhaps many of my Readers will fufpect this Elogium to be a mere Forgery; at leaft, may think that it is very much amplified,

Be

Be not furprized, reverend Father, at my thinking all these little Advantages confiderable. As we failed over fuch a Variety of Seas, in no other View but to preach Chrift Jefus to a mighty Nation, to whom he is unknown, and as this is the fole Object of all our Labours; we, for that very Reafon, give Attention to even the minuteft Particulars which may any ways promote so great a Design.

I am, &c.

D'ENTRE COLLES.

Explication of certain Chineze Characters.

The three Infcriptions given in Chineze Characters, hereunder, were in the Emperor of China's own Hand-writing. 'Twas the 24th of April, 1711, in the 50th Year of his Reign, and the 7th Day of the third Moon, that he prefented these Infcriptions to the Jefuits of Peking, for their new Church built near Cun ching muen Gate. That Monarch had been pleafed to contribute towards the building of this Church as early as the Year 1705; he giving ten thousand Ounces of Silver for that Purpose.

The Characters of the Infcription, fet on the Front, are each two Chineze Cubits and a Half in Height.

The Characters of the Infcriptions of every Column are near a Chineze Cubit long.

Infcription on the Front.

To THE TRUE PRINCIPLE OF ALL THINGS.

I omitted the Plate containing thefe Chineze Characters, not thinking them neceffary.

In French, Teun ching muen.

The Proportion between the Chineze Cubit, and the Foot of the Châtelet of Paris, is pretty near as 29 to 30.

Ee 4

In

Infcription on the first Column.

HE IS INFINITELY GOOD, AND INFINITELY JUST; HE ENLIGHTENS, HE SUPPORTS, HE RULES ALL THINGS, WITH SUPREME AUTHORITY, AND SOVEREIGN JUSTICE.

Infcription on the fecond Column.

HEVER HAD A BEGINNING, AND WILL
NEVER END. ALL THINGS WERE CREATED
BY HIM FROM THE BEGINNING:
THEY ARE GOVERN'D BY HIM,
AND HE IS THE TRUE LORD

OF THEM.

Father JARTOUx, to the Procurator General of the Miffions of India and China.

Reverend Father,

Peking, 12 of April, 1711.

HE Map of Tartary, which we are now drawing

Tby the Emperor's Order, procured us an Op

portunity of feeing the famous Plant Gin-feng,

fo

We are told, that among the Prefents which the Embassadors of Siam prefented to the King of France, there was a confiderable Quantity of Gin-feng. At that Time the Gin-feng was little known in Europe. 'Tis mention'd by Father Martinius, in his Atlas; and by Father Kircher, in bis China illuftrata. According to the former, the Japoneze call the Gin-feng, Nifi, in their Language. Father Tachard alfo fpeaks of it in his first Voyage. He declares that Gin implies Man, and feng fignifies either to kill, or cure, according as it is pronounced. That 'tis fo call'd, because this Root is fometimes fhap'd like a Man; and caufes good or bad Effects, accordingly as it is adminifter'd. In the Embaffy of the Dutch to China, where mention is made of

the