tmost darkness
and neglect of Him, and in the greatest subjection and servitude to
the devil that exists upon the earth--through their great idolatry,
wickedness, and bestiality, which arises entirely from the great
abundance and the bounty of the land.

The third: Much less can one realize without seeing it, how--apart
from the corruption of sin, depravity, wickedness, and inveterate
customs--how kind, honorable, content, gentle, pleasant, tractable,
and easily governed these people are by nature; and how all China,
with but one stock, is so great and populous, and so much intercourse
is carried on in the greatest peace, regularity, quietness, justice,
and order, that has ever been known or discovered in the new world or
the old--and this with no aid from the divine light, or any fear of
punishment or reward, but by the mere strength, or rather gentleness,
of a good native government.

The fourth: In this way our customs will, or at least may, be
introduced, together with the articles of our faith, with the utmost
ease, both because of their gentleness, and because of their great
intelligence, and mental capacities, wherein they have a clear and
marked advantage over us.

The fifth: It will be necessary to establish immediately a large
number of schools, where our writing, language, and literature may be
easily and quickly learned, having them abandon their own, which are
extremely difficult, so much so that even they cannot understand them
while still children. These are a diabolic invention to keep them busy
all their lives with their whole minds, so that they can neither go on
to other sciences, nor can others teach them, without first ridding
them of this hindrance. Once rid of it, not only the children, but
even the grown persons of all ages will learn our letters, language,
and literature--as well on account of the ease of our writing, and
the relief from the burden of the other, as because of their natural
aptitude, the gentleness of their dispositions, and their natural
adaptability to guidance, when there is a hand to guide.

The sixth: From the beginning a large number of churches and
monasteries will be founded, not only for the purpose above mentioned,
but especially to instruct in our faith, doctrine, and mode of life.

The seventh: There will be no difficulty in pacifying and converting
the peasants, countrymen, and villagers, who are so numerous that
nearly all the land is covered with villages; fo