[Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza's [20] _Historia_ is divided into two
parts--the first part containing three books; the second two books,
and an "Itinerary" of certain Franciscan priests, who made the
circumnavigation of the globe. Much of the matter for the _Historia_
was gathered from Chinese books carried to Manila from China by Martin
de Rada and his companions, the first Augustinians to go to China, and
translated by them. In addition, much information was obtained from the
Augustinians and their lay companions, and from the Franciscans--in
especial from Father Martin Ignacio, one of those who composed the
"Itinerary." The Philippine Islands are treated in portions of the
second part, and in a portion of the "Itinerary;" this matter we
reproduce in translation.

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,