his ignorance of the dangers, which he believed they
magnified to him beyond their natural proportion, sent some Chinese
merchants, with whom they traded, to discourse the business calmly with
him; but the matter went otherwise than they had imagined. Those Chinese,
to whom Xavier failed not to speak of Christianity, and who were men of
understanding, advised him to the voyage, instead of dissuading him. They
counselled him only to carry books which contained the Christian
doctrine; and added, that, not long since, the emperor had sent some
learned men into the neighbouring kingdoms, to inform themselves of such
religions as were different from the received opinions of the Chinese;
that they believed the Christian doctrine would be well received at
court; and that it seemed probable to them, that the novelty of so
reasonable a belief would make his way who was the first bearer of it.

Xavier was overjoyed to find a passage opened for the gospel, to the most
polite nation of the world; and doubted not but that the Christian
religion, coming to be compared by judicious men with the other opinions
of the East, would have the advantage. Being thus encouraged to pursue
his purpose, his first business was to provide himself of a good
interpreter. For Antonio, the Chinese, whom he had brought from Goa, was
wholly ignorant of the language which is spoken at the court, and had
almost forgotten the common idiom of the vulgar. He found out another
Chinese, who had a perfect knowledge of the language of the Mandarins,
and who could also write excellently well, in which consists the
principal knowledge of China. For the rest, he was a man well shaped, of
a good presence, of great natural parts, of a pleasing conversation, and,
which was above all, he seemed entirely devoted to the Christians: he
promised all possible good offices,--whether he hoped to make his
fortune, by presenting to the emperor one who published a new law, or
that God had inspired him with those pious thoughts.

There was more difficulty in finding seamen to transport the Father; for
there was no less venture than that of life, for any one who undertook
that business. But interest gives him courage to hazard all, who values
money more than life itself. A Chinese merchant, called Capoceca, offered
himself to carry Xavier into the province of Canton, provided he might be
well paid; and asked the value of two hundred pardos[1]in pepper. The
Chinese promised to take