Page 409
An.1687
China Ware. China Root. Tea.
The Chinese, both Men and Women, are very in- genious; as may appear by the many curious things that are brought from thence, especially the Porce- laine or China Earthen Ware. The Spaniards of Manila, that we took on the Coast of Luconia, told me, that this Commodity is made of Conch-shells; the inside of which looks like Mother of Pearl. But the Portuguese lately mentioned, who had lived in China, and spoke that and the neighbouring Lan- guages very well, said, that it was made of a fine sort of Clay that was dug in the Province of Can- ton. I have often made enquiry about it, but cou'd never be well satisfied in it: but while I was on the Coast of Canton I forgot to inquire about it. They make very fine Lacquer Ware also, and good Silks; and they are curious at Painting and Carving.
China affords Drugs in great abundance; especi- ally China Root; but this is not peculiar to that Country alone; for there is much of this Root growing in Jamaica, particularly at 16 mile walk; and in the Bay of Honduras it is very plentiful. There is a great store of Sugar made in this Coun- try; and Tea in abundance is brought from thence; being much used there, and in Tunquin and Cochin- china as common drinking; Women sitting in the Streets, and selling Dishes of Tea hot and ready made: they call it Chau, and even the poorest People sip it. But the Tea at Tonqueen or Cochinchina seems not so good, or of so pleasant a bitter, or of so fine a colour, or such virtue as this in China; for I have drank of it in these Countries: unless the fault be in their way of making it, for I made none there my self: and by the high red colour it looks as if they made a Decoction of it, or kept it stale. Yet at Japan I was told there is a great deal of pure Tea, very good.
The Chinese are very great Gamesters, and they will never be tired with it, playing night and day, till