Council General of the Indias."] History of the Great Kingdom of China Compiled by Father Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza.

Madrid: Printed by Pedro Madrigal, in the year 1586.
Source: A copy of the Madrigal edition of Mendoza's _Historia_, in the Library of Congress.
Translation: The translation is made (of such parts as relate to the Philippine Islands) by James A.Robertson.
History of the Great Kingdom of China [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.