1. Schall von Bell, Johann Adam. Historica Relatio de Ortu Progressu Fidei Orthodoxae in Regno Chinensi per Missionarios Societatis Jesu ab anno 1581 usque ad annum 1669. Ratisbonae: Augusti Hanckwitz, 1672
This is the second edition of an earlier work by the same author: Historica Narratio de Initio et Progressu Missionis Societatis Iesu apud Chinenses, published in 1665. It gives details of the experiences of the Jesuit missionaries in China, including their missionary activities, persecutions, and miracles. It also contains a geography of China, and includes a Latin translation of Intorcetta’s Compendiosa narratione dello Stato della missione Cinese.

Author:
Schall von Bell, Johann Adam, 1592-1666
Schall was a Jesuit missionary and astronomer in China during the Late Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1623, he was in Beijing and played a key role in helping the Chinese official Xu Guangqi to reform the Chinese calendar. Schall studied Chinese and compiled essays on astronomy and mathematics, which were presented to the Ming emperor. Despite the opposition of Muslim and Chinese astronomers, Schall’s new methods received imperial support. After the Manchu conquest, Schall also proved his skills in astronomy to Manchu officials, who entrusted him with the calendar of the new dynasty and appointed him director of the astronomical bureau. However, as the Shunzhi emperor turned towards Buddhism, Muslim astronomers attacked Schall’s astronomical competence and his Christian teachings. Charged with treason and teaching false astronomy and a heterodox religion, Schall was imprisoned together with three other Jesuits, endured a state trial, and was condemned to death. However, an earthquake in Peking followed by a fire less than two weeks later frightened the judges into setting them free. After his death, a new investigation led to the rehabilitation of Schall’s name and the restoration of all his titles and ranks.


2. Intorcetta, Prospero. Compendiosa narratione dello Stato della missione Cinese,
cominciado dall’anno 1581 fino al 1669. Ratisbonae: Augusti Hanckwitz, 1672
This is an account of the state of the Jesuit mission in China between 1581 and 1669. It includes a very important letter on the state of the Chinese mission written in Peking by the Jesuits Ferdinand Verbiest, Lodovico Ludovic Buglio and Gabriel de Magalhaes, and dated 2 January 1669, as well as a letter from China of Father Christian Herdtrich to Prospero Intorcetta, dated 23rd November 1670.

Author:
Intorcetta, Prospero, 1626-1696
A Jesuit missionary from Sicily, Intorcetta departed on a missionary voyage to China in 1656. From 1659, he lived in the province of Jiangxi. In 1664 he was taken prisoner in Guangdong, and in 1671 he returned to Rome where he reported on the sad state of the mission. After returning to China he settled in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang. He died in China in 1696,
admired even by his enemies for his energy and knowledge of Chinese philosophy. Intorcetta was a pioneer in developing a technique for producing Sino-European xylographic works (woodblock printing) in which both Chinese and Latin characters appeared on the same page. A prolific writer and editor, he published Latin translations of the Chinese classics as well as Chinese translations of countless Christian works. He is remembered as one of the best Confucian scholars of the 17th century.