ABSTRACT
There are in each province of China one thousand Louthias, besides those that are resident in the court, by whom are ordained all matters of the kingdom, and to whom come all the weighty matters of the realm. The principal of the five is the governor who in their language they call Tutom. To him come all matters both great and small of all the province, and for the authority and majesty of his person he is not resident where the other Louthias are, that he may not be frequented of them, and so he may be more esteemed and feared. And if it be necessary to go through the province about some matter of importance that appertaineth to the dignity in whose house they sit, one of these do go with all the authority of the principal. The five that sit on the right hand have a greater degree and dignity than the five on the left hand.
