several Rivulets and those affording many excellent Fish especially Tortoise The length of the Days and Nights in Jamaica is the same as in the middle Provinces of New Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Cocao Sugar Indico Cotton Tobacco Hides Copper Piemento or Jamaica-Pepper Tortoise-Shells Wood for Dyers and several sorts of Drugs c. This Island is furnish'd with some Springs of Mineral-Waters particularly two whereof one is Sulphurous and the other Salt but both approved of for the common Distempers of the place 2 In divers Parts of Jamaica grows that Fruit call'd the Machinel Apple which is very beautiful to the Eye of a pleasant Smell and Taste yet Mortal if eaten whence some term it the Eve-Apple 3 Here are many Shiningflies a king of Cantharides appearing of a green Colour in the Day-time but shining in the Night with such a Lustre that one may see to Read by their light 4. Of all Creatures belonging to this Island the most remarkable is the Allegator that destructive Animal commonly harbouring in or near to Rivers and large Land-Ponds Although he be a very big Creature and about ten fifteen or twenty Foot in length yet he 's hatcht of an Egg not larger than that of a Turkey His Back being full of hard Scales is impenetrable whereupon 't is a difficult matter to kill him unless he receive a Wound in the Eye or Belly He is an Amphibious Animal and to enable him either to Walk upon dry Ground or Swim in the Water Nature hath furnisht him both with Feet and Fins In moving on the Land he 's very swift providing his Course be streight forward but extremely slow in turning and therefore easily avoided Lastly In Jamaica are produc'd some rare Plants much regarded by the Inquisitive Botanist But for a particular Account of them and all others found both in this and several of the Caribbee Islands I refer the Reader to a curious Catalogue publish'd some Years ago by that great Promoter of Natural Knowledge the Ingenious Dr. Sloane Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Inhabitants of this Island being English are much the same in Manners with those in the Kingdom of England only with this difference that the generality of 'em is somewhat more vitiously enclin'd a thing too common in most of our Western Plantations This Island being intirely inhabited by English they retain and still use their own Native Language Jamaica is wholly subject to the Crown of England and rul'd by a particular Governor sent thither by His Majesty the King of Great Britain The Laws by which they 're govern'd are as near as can be to those of England Here they have several Courts of Judicatory for hearing and determining of all Causes between Man and Man and for the better Assistance of the Governor he is furnisht with his Council to consult with when occasion requires The Inhabitants of this Island are of the same Religion with that publickly posess'd and by Law establisht in England excepting the Negroe-Slaves who both here and in other Islands of the English Plantations are still kept in woful Ignorance which is undoubtedly a grievous Scandal to our Holy Profession in general and an abominable Shame to their respective Masters in particular But let such Masters know that the time is coming when the now despised Souls of those toiling Slaves will certainly be requir'd at their Hands §. 5. Hispaniola THIS Island discover'd by Columbus Anno 1492. is term'd by the Spaniards Espaniola by the French Espagnole by the Italians Germans and English Hispaniola so call'd by the first Planters therein viz. the Spaniards as a Diminutive of their own Country The Air of this Island is much inferior to that in Jamaica being much infested with morning Heats which would be intollerable were they not allayed by some cooling Breezes in the Afternoon The opposite Place of the Globe to Hispaniola is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 17 and 21 Degrees of South Latitude This Island is bless'd with an extraordinary rich and fertil Soil The Trees and Meadows in it are still so green that we may truly say it enjoys a continual Spring Herbs and Fruits are said to ripen in eighteen Days and so rich and fruitful is the Native Turf that of several Grain the common Increase is an hundred-fold Here is abundance of Palm-Trees of a prodigious height and bigness in whose Body an Incision being made near the Root from thence doth flow a Liquor usually call'd Palm-Wine which being kept for some time fermenteth and becomes very strong These Trees are also term'd Cabbage-Trees because their Tops resemble European Cabbage and is commonly us'd as such by the Spaniards Here is also great plenty of Sugar-Canes and some rich Mines of Gold The length of the Days and Nights in Hispaniola is the same as in the middle Provinces of New Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Cattle Hides Cassia Sugar Ginger Cocheneel Guiacum c. In this Island is some store of Genipa-Trees whose Fruit about the bigness of a Man's two Fists being press'd before thorow Ripe affords a Juice as black as Ink and fit to write with all did it not disappear intirely in nine or ten Days 2. Here grows another Tree call'd Mananilla or Dwarf Apple-Tree whose Fruit is of so venemous a quality that if any Person eat thereof he 's instantly seiz'd with an unquenchable Thirst and dies raving Mad in a short time 3. Of the many Insects belonging to this Island the Glow-worm term'd by the Spaniards Cochinillas is most remarkable and that chiefly for two little Specks on its Head which by Night give so much Light that if a Person lay three or four of those Creatures together he may see to read the smallest Print 4 In Hispaniola are Spiders about the bigness of an ordinary Hens Egg having Legs as long as Sea-Crabs of a middle size They are hairy all over and have four black Teeth like Rabbets and commonly bite very sharply but are not venemous 5 Most remarkable of all Creatures in this Island is the Cayman commonly reckon'd the Crocodile of Hispaniola which being an Animal of a prodigious bigness is much noted for his rare subtilty in catching his Prey for lying upon a River-side he so gathereth his Body together that in form he resembles exactly the large Trunk of an old Tree In which Posture he continues till Cattle or other Creatures come to the River to drink when to their great surprize he suddenly springs up and assaults them And to enhaunce the Wonder this strange Creature is said to use yet a more strange Stratagem to effect his end for Travellers generally affirm of him That before he lays himself as aforesaid upon the River-side he
Orleanois and that at Clermont in Auvergne whose Waters are of a Petrifying Nature and likewise another nigh to the City of Mans which maketh Silver look exactly like Gold 2 Observable Mountains particularly those nigh to Rhodes in Guienne call'd the Mountains of Cansac which burn whenever it Rains 3. Some hideous Subterranean Holes or Passages as that in the Forrest of S. Aubin du Cormier in Bretaign through which flows a mighty Torrent of Water and another near Nions in Dauphine from which proceedeth a violent Wind. These are the chief Rarities in France both Natural and Artificial especially the latter As for Artificial ones of a modern date this Country affordeth several particularly that famous Canal of Languedoc and splendid Palace of Versailles with divers magnificent Buildings especially Churches but these are either too well known to need or too numerous to admit of any particular Relation here The Archbishopricks of France are these following viz. Lions whose Archbishop is Count and Primate of France Sens Primate of France and Germany Paris Duke and Peer of the Realm Reims Duke and Peer and Legat of the Holy See Rouen Primate of Normandy As also those Yours Bourdeaux Narbonne Vienne Burges Auch Arles Bezancon Alby Tholouse Aix Embrun The respective Suffragans of these Archbishops are as followeth Lions Autun Langres Wacon Chasion Sens. Trois Auxerre Nevers Paris Chartres Orleans Meaux Reims Soissont Laon Chaalons Noijon Beauvais Amiens Senlis Boulogn Alby Castres Mende Rodez Cahors Vahors Narbonne Carcassâ—nr Aleâ— Beziers Agde Lodove Montpellier Nismes Usetz S. Pons Perpignan Rouen Bayeux Euâ—eux Auranchet Seez Lisâ—ux Coutances Bourdeauz Poictiers Saintes Angoulesm Perigueux Agen Condom Sarlat Rochelle Lucon Arles Marseilles Orange S. Paul de 3. Chateaux Toulon Tours Mans Anger 's Rennes Nantes Cournouaille Vannes S. Malo S. Brieu Treguier S. Pol de Leon Dole Auch Acquis Aire Bazas Bayonne Comminges Conserans Lectoure Mescar Oleron Tarbes Aix Apt Riez Frejus Gap Sisteron Vienne Valence Die Grenoble Viviers Maurienne Bourges Clermont Limoges S. Flour le Puy Tulle Tholouse Pamiers Mirepoix Montauban Lavour S. Papaul Lombez Rieux Bezanc Belley Basil in Switz Lausanne in Switz Embrun Digne Glandeve Vence Senez Grace Nice in Savoy Universities belonging to this Kingdom are establisht at these Cities following Paris Anger 's Reims Perpignan Bourdeaux Caen Valence Douay Poictiers Montpellier Aix Dole Orleans Cahors Avignon Friburge Bourges Nantes Pont a'mauson Orange The French are generally a Civil Quick and Active sort of People but extreamly given to Talking especially those of the Female Sex who nevertheless are not only very pleasing in discourse but also of a graceful and winning deportment This People is thus characteriz'd by some That they are Aiery Amorous full of Action and above all things Contentious being so universally given to Law-fuits and that even among nearest Relations that Lawyers Judges and other Officers of Justice are observ'd to be the richest Body of the Kingdom excepting the Churchmen Many of this Country in matters of Learning are bless'd with a clear Conception and ready Expression and of late they have advanc'd the Republick of Letters to a very considerable height this Age having produc'd several of that Nation and even some of the Female Sex who are now famous through all the Learned World for their singular Parts The French Language compos'd chiefly of the Latin together with several German and Gothick words intermixt being lately much refin'd by the Royal Academy at Paris is so admir'd for its elegancy and sweetness that it hath wonderfully spread it self abroad in the world and is now become the chief Tongue that 's commonly us'd in most Princes Courts of Europe Pater-Noster in the same runs thus Nôtre pére qui es aux Cieux Ton Nom soit sanctifié Ton Regne vienne Ta Volonté soit faite en Ia Terre comme aâ— Ciel Donne nous aujourdhuy nôtre pain quotidien Pardonne nous nos offences comme nous pardonnons a' ceux qui nous ont offencez Et ne nous induit point en tentation mais delivre nous du mal Amen This Kingdom being formerly a part of the Roman Empire was in process of time over-run by Franks Goths and Burgundians especially the first by whom was rais'd a Monarchy which continuing in the Succession of Kings of three several Races viz. the Morovignian Carlovinian and Capetine is now as great as any in Christendom and at present subject to one Sovereign entitl'd the Most Christian King and eldest Son of the Church whose Government is Monarchical and Crown hereditary in his Heirs Male all Females being excluded by the Salique Law The whole Kingdom being divided into 12 Governments over each of them is set a Governor styl'd the King's Licutenant-General or Super-Intendant having the like Power as the Lords Lieutenants of England formerly had in their several Counties For the better management of the publick Affairs and Administration of Justice in all parts of this Kingdom here are establisht a great many Courts of Judicatory particularly these following viz. Parliaments Chambers of Accounts Courts of Aides Presidial Courts Generalities Elections c. I. Parliaments the highest and supream Courts of the Nation were Fifteen in number reckoning the late Conquests and held at the Cities of Paris Tholouse Rouen Grenoble Bourdeaux Dijon Aix Vannes Pau Mets Besancon Tourney Perpignan Arras and Brisac These Parliaments according to their respective business are divided into several Chambers especially that of Paris which hath no less than Ten. viz. 1. The Grand Chamber where the Peers of the Realm being accus'd of any Crime are usually Try'd 2. The Tournelle Civile where they take cognizance of such Civil Causes as exceed a thousand Livres in value 3. The Tournelle Criminelle where Appeals from Inferior Courts in Criminal Matters are heard and discuss'd Besides these three there are five Chambers of Inquest where Depositions of Witnesses are set down and Causes thereupon determin'd being almost the same with our Bill and Answer in Chancery and Exchequer And lastly There are two Chambers of Request where Causes of Priviledg'd Persons are heard and discuss'd II. Chambers of Accounts where Accounts of the Treasury are examin'd and Homage and Vassalage due from the Royal Feifs are receiv'd Treaties of Peace and Grants made by the King and such like are recorded These Chambers are 12 in number and held at the Cities of Paris Rouen Dijon Nantes Montpelier Grenoble Aix Pau Blois Liste Aire and Dole III. Courts of Aides where all Causes relating to the King's Revenue particularly Aides Tailles Gabells are determin'd and that without any appeal to a higher Judicatory These Courts are in number Eight and held at these 8 Cities of Paris Montpelier Rouen Clermont Montferrand Bourdeaux Aix Grenoble and Dijon IV. Presidial Courts compos'd of several Judges where Civil Causes in matters of smaller importance as also Appeals made from Subaltern Justices in Villages are
Crowned King of Hungary afterwards King of Bohemia and then if the Electors are willing he is also Chosen King of the Romans whereby he is Successor Presumptive to the Empire The Power of the Emperour is much impar'd by several Capitulations betwixt him and the Princes of the Empire It 's true that only he can confer Honours create Princes affranchize Cities institute Universities and such-like Yet as to the Legislative Power and that of Levying Taxes upon the whole Empire that is wholly lodg'd in the General Dyet conjunctly with him and by a late Capitulation he is not to enter into Alliance or make War with any Foreign Prince without Consent of the Electors However if we consider only his own Hereditary Dominions he is a Powerful Prince and to support the Grandeur of the Imperial Dignity he is served by the greatest Princes of the Empire is addressed unto by the August Title of Caesar and the Ambassadors of all Crown'd Heads and Free States in Europe give place to those sent by him at what Foreign Court soever it be II. Electors who are now Nine in Number viz. these following 1. The Arch-Bishop of Mentz who is Great Chancellor of the Empire in Germany sits on the Emperour 's right hand in the Dyet and did formerly Crown the King of Bohemia 2. The Arch-Bishop of Triers or Treves who is Great Chancellor of the Empire in France claims the first Vote in Electing the Emperour and sits over against him in the Dyet 3. The Arch Bishop of Cologn who is Great Chancellor of the Empire in Italy claims the first Vote in choosing the King of the Romans setting the Crown on his Head and sits next the Emperour 4. The King of Bohemia who hath only a Seat in the Election is Cup-bearer and in the publick Procession walks next the Emperour or King of the Romans 5. The Duke of Bavaria who is Great Steward and in time of the publick Procession carrieth the Globe before the Emperour 6 The Duke of Saxony who is Great Marshal of the Empire and at the publick Procession carrieth the naked Sword before the Emperour 7. The Marquess of Brandenburg who is great Chamberlain and at the publick Procession carrieth the Scepter before the Emperour 8 The Prince Palatine of the Rhine who is Great Treasurer and in the Procession at Coronations scattereth Medals among the People 9. The Ninth Elector is Ernestus Augustus Duke of Brunswick Lunenburg Hanover who was added to the Electoral Colledge in the Year 1693. These Princes have much greater Authority and enjoy more ample Priviledges than the other Princes of the Empire To them belongeth not only a Right of electing the Emperour and King of the Romans as aforesaid but also some allow them even a Deposing Power When the Emperour calls a Dyet he is oblig'd to ask their advice and during an Interreign two of them viz. the Elector of Saxony and Prince Palatine of the Rhine have Power to govern the Empire the Jurisdiction of the former extending over the Northern and that of the others over the Southern Circles of the Empire but this Right of the Count Palatins is now disputable by the Elector of Bavaria who upon the Death of the last Emperour did actually undertake and exercise the same III. Ecclesiastick Princes who besides the first three Electors are chiefly these following viz. Arch-Bishop of Saltzburagt Great Master of the Teutonick Order the Bishops of Liege Munster Spire Worms Wurtzburg Strasburg Osnaburg Bamberg Paderborn c. and many Abbots and Abesses who are Absolute over the Temporality of their Benefices The Election to their various Dignities belong wholly to their several Chapters and they govern the People in subjection to them as Soveraign Princes without any cognizance of a higher Power IV. Secular Princes who are chiefly the Dukes of Lunenburg Wurtemburg Mechlenburg Sax-Lauenburg c. Marquess of Baden Culembach c. The Landgrave of Hess Princes of East-Friezland Nassau Anhalt c. Counts of Solms Aversburg c. and many other Dukes Marquesses and Landgraves as also some Earls and Barons who exercise a Soveraign Power over those in their own Dominions V. Free Cities which are either Imperial or Hans-Towns Imperial Cities are those who bear the Eagle of the Empire in their Arms and have Right to send their Deputies to the Dyet of the Empire Hans-Towns are those which about the End of the 13th Century entred into a firm League of mutually assisting one another in time of Distress as also in carrying on such a Regular Commerce as might universally tend to their advantage and the publick good of the Empire which Society encreased to the Number of eighty Cities who enjoy'd great Priviledges and exercis'd a peculiar Jurisdiction among themselves For the better Administration of which they were divided into four Circles distinguish'd by the Names of four principal Cities in which were establisht their Courts of Judicatory viz. Lubeck Cologn Brunswick and Dantzick But this Society hath been on the declining hand almost two hundred Years and is now become very inconsiderable Chief Courts in Germany for hearing and determining the great Causes of the Empire are two viz. The Imperial Chamber and Chamber of Vienna 1. The Imperial Chamber consisting of fifty Judges call'd Assessors whereof the Emperor appointeth the President and four of the Principal Officers each of the Electors chusing One and the rest being nominated by the other Princes and States of the Empire whose business is to determine all Disputes which arise from time to time between the Princes as also other Causes brought thither by Appeal from Inferior Courts The Seat of this Judicatory was formerly at Spires but now at Wetslar in Hesse 2. The Chamber of Vienna whose Office it is also to decide all Causes brought to it by Appeals from Inferior Courts and claims the same Authority with the Chamber of Spires The Seat of this Court is the Emperor's Palace and either he himself or his Deputy sits as Chief being assisted by a competent number of Judges whereof several are Professors of the Protestant Religion In both those Courts the Emperor as Sovereign Judge and President pronounceth Sentence when there in Person and in his Absence those deputed by him who representing himself are allow'd to carry the Imperial Scepter as a Mark of their Dignity In particular Courts they follow the Laws of the Empire which consist in many Ancient Constitutions the Golden-Bull the Pacification of Passaw as also the Treaties of Westphalia in the Saxon-Law establish'd by Charlemain and the Roman by the Emperor Justinian which last they observe wheresoever the Saxon has not been receiv'd All Princes States and Members of the Empire have and actually exercise a Sovereign Power within their own Territories except in some particular Cases wherein People may Appeal either to the Imperial Chamber of Spires or that at Vienna commonly call'd the Aulic Council After the Government of Germany we may add that of Switzerland
nas zabw ode zlego Amen The large Body of Poland is subject unto and govern'd by its own King who is Elective and that by the Clergy and Nobility alone the Commons having no hand in it His Government is term'd Monarchical but if rightly considered we may reckon it rather a Real Aristocracy the Nobility in their Elections having so limited the King's Power that without the Consent of the States-General he may neither make War nor Peace nor do any thing of Importance that concerns the Publick Considering the true Nature and Constitution of this Government we may easily imagine that 't is frequently liable to Inter-reigns whether by Death Deposition or Resignation as also Intestine Broils and Commotions witness the late Election when the Parties electing do jarr in their choice During an Inter-reign or when the King is absent from his Kingdom as sometimes in the Field against the Turks the Archbishop of Gnesna doth ordinarily officiate as King but if no Archbishop of Gnesna then the Bishop of Ploczko exerciseth that Power and in case that that See be also Vacant then the Bishop of Posna undertakes the same The whole State is commonly considered as divided into two principal Parts viz. the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Dutchy of Lithuanta The Great Wheels of Government in both of these are the Senate and General Dyets The Senate is compos'd of Archbishops Bishpos Palatines Principal Castellans and Chief Officers of the Kingdom The General Dyer consists of the same Members together with Delegates from each Province and City both of the Kingdom and Dutchy which Dyet is either Ordinary as when summon'd according to Law once every two Years or Extraordinary as when call'd by the King upon some emergent Occasion The Calling of this Dyet is always perform'd by the Chancellor's Letters term'd Literae Instructionis to the Palatines acquainting them with what the King designs to propose to them and the time he would have them come to Court Having receiv'd the King's Proposal each of them hath full Liberty to examine the same in its own Nature and Consequences and to return their Thoughts about it with all the freedom they can desire The King's Letters are likeways sent to the Gentry of each Palatinate to chuse a Nuncio to be their Representative in the Dyet in which Election the Candidate must be unanimously pitch'd upon for if the Suffrage of only one private Gentleman be wanting the Election is void and the Province is depriv'd of its Vote in the approaching Dyet The Elections being over and the various Senators and Nuncio's come to Court the King array'd in his Royal Robes and attended by the Chancellor renews the Proposal in their Publick Assembly The Proposal having been duly weigh'd by each of them aforehand they come to a speedy Resolution in the Matter either Pro or Con. As the aforesaid Election of the various Nuncio's requires an unanimous Assent in all Persons electing or else the Election is void even so the thing propos'd by the King in the General Dyet must be assented unto by all otherways the Proposal was made in vain for if they differ which frequently happens then the Dyet breaks up without doing any thing and each Member returns to his own Home Subordinate to the Senate and Dyet are a great many Courts of Judicatory whether Ecclesiastical Civil or Military for determining all Causes in the various Parts of the Kingdom which Courts are much the same with the like Subordinate Judicatories in other civiliz'd Countries of Europe particularly those here in England The Arms of the Crown of Poland are Quarterly in the first and fourth Gules an Eagle Argent crown'd and arm'd Or for Poland In the second and third Gules a Cavalier arm'd Cap-a-pe Argent in the Dexter a naked Sword of the same in the Sinister a Shield Azure charg'd with a double barr'd Cross Or mounted on a Courser of the second barbed of the third and nail'd of the fourth for Lithuania For the Crest a Crown heighten'd with eight Fleurets and clos'd with four Demy-Circles ending in a Monde Or which is the Crest of Poland For the Motto are these Words Habent sua sidera Reges The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part Professors of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome yet all Religions being tolerated here are many of the Greek Church as also Armenians Lutherans Socinians Calvinists Jews Quakers c. Those of the Church of Rome are dispers'd over all Parts of the Kingdom but most numerous in the Provinces of Cujavia and Warsovia The Lutherans are mostly to be found in Prussia The Armenians in Russia and all the rest appear in greatest Droves through the various Parts of Lithuania Besides in Samogitia is a sort of People who differ little or nothing from mere Heathens The Reformation of Religion began in this Country Anno 1535 but did not meet with due encouragement The Christian Faith was planted in the various Parts of Poland at several times and by several Persons it being establisht in Poland properly so call'd Anno 963. in the time of their Prince Miecislaus Son of Memomislus In Livonia Anno 1200. by the Preaching of one Meinarduâ—â—â— In Lithuania not until the Year 1386. at the Admission of 〈◊〉 to the Crown of Poland and then done as some affirm by Thomas Waldensis an Englishman In Samogitia and Volhinia at the same time with Livonia In the rest at other times and upon other occasions SECT VI. Concerning Spain with Portugal  d. m.  Miles Situated between 08 05 of Long. its greatest Length is about 620. 21 30 between 36 15 of Latit Breadth is about 480. 44 30 It being divided into 3 Classes viz. 1. Towards the N. and W. Ocean 2. Towards the Mediterran Sea 3. Towards the middle part 1. Class comprehends Biscay Chief Town Bilbo or Bilboa E. to W. Asturia Oviedo Gallicia Compostella N. to S. Portugal Lisbon Andalousia Sevilla W. to E. 2. Class comprehends Grenada Idem Murâ—â—â— Idem 〈◊〉 Idem Catalonia Barcelona E. to N. W. 3. Class comprehends Arragon Caragoca Navar Pamplona Old Castile Burgâ— N. to S. New Castile Madrid Leon Idem S. of Asturia Of all these in Order §. 1. Biscay a Lordship Contains Ipusco Ch. T. Tholoss E. to W. Biscay properly so called Bilbo â—â—lava Vitoria Southward §. 2. Asturia a Principality Contains Asturia 〈◊〉 viedo Chief Town Oviedo Westward Asturia de Santillana Santillana Eastward §. 3. Gallicia a Kingdom Contains the Archbishopr of Compostella Chief Town Idem S. W. to N. E. Bishopr of Mondonedo Idem Lugo Idem N. E. to S. W. upon the Minho Orense Idem Territory of Tuy Idem §. 4. Portugal a Kingdom Contains The Provin of Eutre Minho Douro Chief Town Braga W. to E. Tralos Montes Miranda Beira Coimbra N. to S. Estrema dura Lisbone Entre Taâ—o Guâ—â—ianâ— Evora The Kingdom of Algâ—ave Tavira § 5. Andalousia a Province Contains the Bishoprick of
in triming of Ships with good success and preferable to the ordinary Pitch in those hot Countries being able to resist the scorching Heat of the Sun-Beams Vid. Purchas his Pilgrims Part 4. Lib. 6. Here is one Spanish Archbishoprick viz. that of St. Fee de Bagota Bishopricks four viz. those of Popayan Carthagena Panama St. Martha None The Natives of this Country being Persons of a tawny Colour and for the most part of very robust and proper Bodies are a People that 's very healthful and generally live to great Ages notwithstanding the Air they breath in is none of the best They spend most of their time in Hunting and such like Diversions as the generality of other Americans do and commonly they walk naked above their Middles Here is a great Diversity of Languages among the Natives and each of these divided into several Dialects The Europeans here settl'd retain the several Languages peculiar to their respective Countries from whence they came This spacious Country is in a great part subject to the King of Spain and govern'd by the Vice-Roy of Mexico under whom are several Deputy-Governors in divers Parts for the better management of the whole and for an equal Distribution of Justice every where there are establisht many Courts of Judicatory in which all Causes whether Civil or Criminal are heard and determin'd Some of the Midland Provinces are as yet free from the Spanish Power being still maintain'd by the Natives who acknowledge Subjection unto and are govern'd by the Heads or Eldest of their Families The Natives of this Country especially in the Midland Provinces are gross Idolaters Nigh unto and upon the River Wiapoco is a certain Nation call'd Marashewaccas whose Object of Religious Worship is a monstrous Idol of Stone set up in a most frightful Posture For it is fashion'd like a very big Man sitting upon his Heels resting his Elbows upon his Knees and holding forwards the Palms of his Hands and looking upwards doth gape with his Mouth wide open The different Europeans here residing are of the same Religion with that establisht in the respective Countries from whence they came SECT VII Concerning Peru.  d. m. Situated between 290 30 of Long. Itsgreatest Length from N. to S. is about 1440 Miles 307 10 between 25 30 of S. Latit Breadth from W. to E. is about 480 Miles 01 00 of N. Lat. Peru comprehends the Province of Posto Chief Town Poston From N. to S. Los Quixos Baesa Pacamores Valladolid Quiâ—c Idem Peru Lima Los Careaâ— Potosi THIS Country discovered by the Spaniards Anno 1525. is term'd Peru by the Italians Spaniards French Germans and English so call'd according to the best of Criticks from a certain Rivulet which bore that Name among the Indians at the Spaniards first arrival The Air of this Country is of a very different Nature being in some places extremely hot and in others extraordinary sharp and piercing The Wind upon this Coast according to J. Acosta blows always from the South and South-West contrary to what 's usual between the Tropicks and is not violent tempestuous or unhealthful as elsewhere but very moderate and agreeable He further observes That all along the Coast call'd Lanos it never Rains Thunders Snows nor Hails yet very frequently a little out at Sea And that among the Andes it Rains in a manner continually The opposite Place of the Globe to Peru is that part of the Gulf of Bengale between 110 and 127 Degrees of Longitude with 1 and 25 Degrees of South Latitude This Country lying in the 1st 2d and 3d South Climate consisteth of many large and pleasant Vallies with divers high and lofty Mountains The Vallies in some places especially towards the Sea-Coasts are very Sandy and frequently subject to Earth Quakes in other places they are very rich and the Air extremely sultry The Mountains particularly the Andes are for the most part continually Cold in their Tops yet exceeding fertil and generally lin'd with most costly Mines beyond any Country in the World witness the famous lofty Hill of Potozi in the Province of Los Carcas It is universally esteem'd the richest of all the Foreign Plantations belonging to the Spaniard The longest Day in the Northmost Part of Peru is about 12 Hours ¼ the shortest in the Southmost is 10 Hours ½ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Gold and Silver in vast quantities costly Pearls and abundance of Cotton Tobacco Cocheneel Medicinal Drugs c. There 's a high Mountain in Peru call'd Periacaca to whose Top if any Person ascend he 's suddenly taken with a terrible sit of Vomiting And many Travellers endeavouring to pass over the Desert of Punas have been benumm'd on a sudden and faln down dead which makes that way wholly neglected of late 2. On the Tops of the highest Mountains in Peru as in other Parts of the World are frequently found some considerable Lakes several of which are very hot 3 In the Valley of Tarapaya near to Potozi is a very hot Lake of a Circular Form whose middle part for about twenty Foot square continually boils up and though the Water is so extreamly warm yet the Soil about the Lake is extraordinary cold 4 At the Baths of Ingua is a Stream of Water almost boiling hot and hard by it doth issue forth another Stream as cold as Ice 5. In the Province of Loc Carcas is another Spring of Water so very hot that one can't hold his Finger in it for the short space of one Ave-Maria And somewhere else in this County is a Fountain out of which there issueth a considerable Current of a Colour almost as red as Blood 6. Near to Cusco is a Spring whose Waters turn into pure white Salt wherewith the whole Country adjacent is supply'd 7 Among the Quick-Silver Mines in Guaniavilica is a Fountain of hot Water whose Current having run a considerable way turns at last into a soft kind of Rock which being easily cut and yet very lasting is usually imploi'd for building of Houses thereabouts 8 Nigh C. S. Helene and all along the Coast are many Fountains of Coppey a Substance resembling Pitch and frequently us'd as such or Gultran Rozen which flow in such abundance that Ships at Sea out of sight of Land can give a shrewd guess where they are by the very smell of such Fountains providing there be a gentle Breeze from the Shore 9. In divers Parts of Peru are still Extant the Ruins of many stately Indian Temples particularly that call'd the Pachamana about four Leagues from â—â—ma And another in the City of Dusco which might have been formerly accounted the American Pantheon for the Idols of all Nations conquer'd by the Inguas were always brought thither and there set up 10 Among the Curiosities of this Country we may also reckon the Cucujus Peruvianus or Lanthorn-Fly An Insect of a
Nueva Inglaterra by the French Nouvelle Angleterre by the Germans Neu Engeland and by the English New England so call'd by the Discoverers after the Name of their own Country Notwithstanding this Country is of a Situation considerably more Southern than Old England yet the Air of both is much the same the Heat thereof being allay'd by cooling Breezes which frequently happen The opposite Place of the Globe to New England is that part of the vast Atlantick Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 41 and 45 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country is in most Parts very fertil producing in great plenty most sorts of English Grain Fruits and Roots besides Indian Corn. It 's very well stockt with Fish and Fowl as also variety of tame and wild Beasts In short 't is not only furnisht with the Necessaries but likeways many of the Comforts of Human Life and the Colony now upward of an hundred thousand doth flourish daily more and more The length of the Days and Nights in New England is much the same as in the Northern Provinces of Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Country are Fish Grain Masts for Ships Deal-boards Iron Tar Bever Mouse-Skins Furs c. And 't is observable of those in New England that they have Annually for some Years imported and exported to and from Old England as many Commodities in value as they carri'd out at first In several Parts of New England grows a certain Fruit term'd the Butter-Nut so call'd from the Nature of its Kernel which yields a kind of sweet Oyl that hath the exact taste of ordinary Butter 2 In Baker's Cave about fifty Leagues East from Boston is found the Scarlet Muscle whose purple Vein being prickt with a Needle yields a Juice of a pure Purple-colour which gives so deep a Dye that no Water is able to wash it our 3 About eighty Miles North-East of Scarbâ—row is a Ridge of Mountains in length about an hundred Leagues and known commonly by the Name of the White Mountains because their Tops are cover'd with Snow all the Year round Upon the highest of these Mountains is a large Plain and at the farthest end of it a natural Rocky Pyramide vulgarly call'd the Sugar-Loaf to the uppermost part of which one may easily ascend by a continued Set of 〈…〉 Steps winding about the Râ—â—ky Mount up to its very Top where is another Plain of about an Acre of Ground and in the middle of it a deep Pond of clear Water 4. Upon the Sea-side near Nâ—w-Haven is a large Bed of Sand of a perfect black Colour with many Grains of Red and White intermixt 5. Upon the Coast of New England is sometimes taken that remarkable Fish which the English Inhabitants call by the Name of the Monk-Fish because he hath as 't were a Hood much of the same fashion with a Fryer's Cowl 6. In divers Parts on the Coast of this Country is found the Stella Marina Arborescens or Branched Star-Fish A rare kind of which taken in the Bay of Mastachuset is to be seen in Gresham Colledge and describ'd in the Philos Trans N. 57. under the Name of Piscis Echionostellaris Visciformis 7. Of many rare Birds in New England the most remarkable are the Troculus and That call'd the Humming-Bird The former of these being about the bigness of a Swallow is observable for three things First Having very short Legs and hardly able to support himself Nature hath provided him with sharp pointed Feathers in his Wings by darting of which into the Wall of a House he sticks fast and rests securely Secondly The manner of his Nest which he useth to build as Swallows in the Tops of Chimneys but of such a fashion that it hangs down about a Yard long Lastly Such Birds are remarkable for their Ceremony at departing it being always observ'd That when they remove they never fail to leave one of their Young behind in the room where they have nested making thereby as 't were a grateful acknowledgment to the Landlord for their Summers Lodging As for the Humming-Bird he is observable for being the least of all Birds The manner of his Nest resembles a Bottom of soft Silk and the Egg in which he 's hatcht is not larger than a white Pease of an ordinary size But of him elsewhere For these and some other such Remarkables Vid. that small Treatise entituled New England's Rarities per J. Josselyn Gent. Archbishopricks and Bishopricks None As for Universities here are two Colledges erected at New Cambridge which in Conjuction with other such Nurseries of Learning hereafter establish'd may we hope deserve that Title in process of time The English here residing are much the same with those in Old England As to the Natives they are generally characterized thus viz. a People that 's Crafty Timerous as also barbarously Cruel and Revengeful when they find opportunity But some of 'em are of a much milder Temper being likeways very Ingenious and quick of Apprehension Their Number especially within the English Territories is mightily diminish'd the greatest part of 'em being swept away by the Small-Pox about the first Settlement of the English others by Tumults among themselves and most of the rest by the late treacherous Wars with the English The English Inhabitants of this Country use their own Language As to that of the Natives it 's divided into a great many Dialects and reckon'd very difficult to be learn'd by Strangers the generality of its Words being extreamly long and of an inarticulate Pronounciation The Natives of this Country are divided into many Bodies and are subject unto their Sachams and Sagamores who exercise an absolute Jurisdiction over them the Will of their respective Governors being all the Law they pretend to The English here residing are govern'd by their own Laws and have several Courts of Judicatory erected for hearing and determining of Causes both Civil and Criminal as also for making and repealing of Laws that concern the Plantation The Management of Publick Affairs is in the Hands of a certain number of Magistrates and Assistants determin'd by their Patent and out of these do the People annually chuse a Governor and Deputy Governor The English here residing are Professors of the Protestant Religion in general but greatly divided as too common elsewhere into different Parties The Natives continue Pagan except those few acquainted with the Principles of Christianity by a late Serious Divine Mr. John Eliot who by Translating the Holy Bible and several Books of Devotion into a certain Dialect of the Indian Tongue and by frequently preaching among them in their own Language laid some Foundation for a more general Conversion Did such a generous Spirit possess the Minds of Christian Benefactors as to extend their Charity that way than which none can be more extensive or to mortify some part of
Regiments of Horse and 〈◊〉 of Foot always in â—â—â—diness upon a call The Laws by which this Island are govern'd except some By-Acts which immediately concern the Plantation are the same with those of England The Island bâ—ing divided into four Circuits in each of them is establish'd an Inferior Court of Judicatory for hearing all manner of Civil Causes From which Courts Appeals may be made to the Supreme Court and for due Administration of Justice in Criminal Matters here are yearly held five Sessions When there appears a real Necessity of making new Laws which must never contradict those of England or abrogating old ones the Governor calls an Assembly for that end This Assembly resembles in some manner our English Parliament for the Governor being reckon'd Supreme those of his Council are as so many Peers and two Burgesses chosen out of each Parish represent the Body of the People The English here residing make Profession of the same Religion with that generally own'd and by Law establish'd in England As for the Negroe-Slaves their Lot hath hitherto been and still is to serve such Christian Masters who sufficiently declare what Zeal they have for their Conversion by unkindly using a Serious Divine some time ago when only proposing to endeavour the same §. 8. The Lucayes THE Lucayes so call'd from Lucayone the biggest of 'em all are those several Islands lying North of Cuba and Hispaniola They belong mostly to the Spaniards and the chief of them Are those of Bahama Extended from the E. of Tegesta in Florida to the N. of Hispaniola Lucayone aliter New Providence Cignateo Eleutheria Guanahani St. Salvador Yuma Samana Maiaguana Of these Islands Bahama may be reckon'd the most remarkable and that chiefly for the famous rapid Channel between that Island and the Main through which the Spanish Fleets usually pass in their return from Mexico to Europe A Passage equally fatal to the Spaniard as fortunate to the English Fatal to the former for some dreadful Shipwracks sustain'd therein and fortunate to the latter for vast quantities of Plate recover'd by skilful Divers This Island is also observable for several uncommon Insects found upon it particularly the Bahama-Spider already mention'd Pags 341. § 9. The Sotovento THE Sotovento Islands are those lying along the Northern Coast of Terra Firma They belong mostly to the Spaniards and receiv'd the Title Sotovento quasi sub vento from them because they appear to the Leeward of their Fleet coming down before the Wind to enter the Gulf of Mexico The chief of such Islands Are those of Trinidada Found from E. to W. Margarita Tortuga Orchilla Rocca Bonayrc Curacao Oruba Trinidada term'd by the Natives Samsonate is observable for being a noted place of Bartery between the Inhabitants of New Spain and those of Peru. And Margarita is much frequented upon the account of Pearl Fishery from whence it derives its Name The rest are not of any great moment § 10 Bermudas THIS little Cluster of Islands lying about five hundred Leagues East of Florida is term'd by the Italians Bermuda by the French Bermudes by the Spaniards Germans and English Bermudas So call'd from one John Bermudas a Spaniard who made the first Discovery of them They are otherways term'd the Summer Islands from S r. George Summers an Englishman who suffer'd Shipwrack near to them Anno 1609. The Air of these Islands is reckon'd extraordinary healthful to breath in the Sky being almost always Serene and Smiling But when overcast at any time then they 're sure of a terrible Tempest attended with frightful Claps of Thunder and Flashes of Lightning So healthful are these Islands to breath in that their Inhabitants now in number about four or five thousand are seldom visited with Sickness and generally arrive to a good old Age. The opposite Place of the Globe to Bermudas is that part of the vast East-Indian Ocean lying between 134 and 138 Degrees of Longitude with 32 and 35 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of these Islands is extraordinary fertil yielding the Labourer two Crops every Year which they commonly reap in the Months of July and December Of so rich a Mould is the Arable Ground in this Island that it affords neither Sand Flints Peebles nor Stones so hard as are fit to grind Knives They are well furnisht with variety of Fruits Roots Fish and Fowl together with great store of Hogs and excellent sweet-scented Cedar The length of the Days and Nights in Bermudas is the same as in the Northmost Parts of Florida they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of these Islands are Oranges Cochineel Tobacco Cedar-Wood some Pearls and Amber-Gris in considerable quantity c. Observable are these Islands for nourishing no venemous Creature none such being found upon them nor able to live if brought thither Here indeed are many Spiders but those no ways poisonous and very remarkable for their Webs having the resemblance of Raw-Silk and woven so strong that little Birds are sometimes entangled in them 2. If Wells are dug in Bermudas above the Surface of the surrounding Ocean the Water is sweet and fresh but lower then salt or breckish and all of them have some sensible Flux and Reflux with the Sea 3. Upon the Coast of these Islands is sometimes taken that remarkable Fish term'd the File-Fish being so call'd from a part of his Back-Bone which hath the exact resemblance of a File Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Inhabitants of these Islands being English are much the same in Manners and Way of living with those here in England What was said of the Inhabitants of Bermudas in respect of Manners the same may be affirm'd of them in Point of Language These Islands being wholly subject and of right belonging to the Crown of England are rul'd by a particular Governor appointed and sent thither by the King of England The Religion here establisht and publickly profess'd is the Protestant according to the Reformation of the Church of England §. 11. Terra del Fuogo THIS is a large Triangular Island or as some think several lying on the South part of America and separated from the main Continent by the Streights of Magellan It 's call'd by the Name of Terra del Fuogo because it seems the first Discoverers thereof did observe some considerable Vulcano's upon it Out Knowledge of this Island and its Inhabitants is at best but very uncertain almost every new Adventurer in these Parts of the World giving us a new Relation of Things Whosoever therefore desires a certain or satisfactory Account must defer his Enquiry to the better Discovery of After-times And so much for America and its Islands AN APPENDIX Comprehending A brief Account of the European Plantations in Asia Africk and America As also some Reasonable Proposals for the Propagation of the Blessed Gospel in all Pagan Countries IN running over the
heard and determin'd V. Generalities whose Office they being the Treasurers general of France is to take care of assessing the Taxes proportionably in their respective Districts according to the Sum propos'd by the King and Council to be levied These Courts are 23 in number each consisting of twenty three Persons and these conveniently situated in several parts of the Kingdom They do also judge Matters relating to the Crown-Lands the King's Revenue and such like Lastly Elections which are small Courts subordinate to the Generalities and their Office is to cast up how much every Parish in their respective Division must raise of the Sum propos'd by the Generality and accordingly they issue out their Orders to every Parish whereupon one of the Inhabitants being chosen Collector he proportions every one 's Quota and collecting the same returns it to the Generalities and they again to the publick Exchequer Besides these there is a vast number of inferior Courts for smaller Matters whether Civil or Criminal And a great many publick Officers as Provosts Seneschals Bailiffs as also Intendants de la Justice Police and Finance c. But our intended brevity will not admit of a farther Relation The King of France for Arms bears Azure three Flower de Luces Or two in chief and one in base the Escutcheon is environed with the Collars of the Orders of S. Michael and the Holy Ghost For Crest an Helmet Or entirely open thereon a Crown clos'd after the manner of an Imperial Crown with eight inarched Rays topt with a double Flower de Luce. The Supporters are two Angels habited as Levites the whole under a Pavilion Royal semé of France lin'd Ermines with these words Ex omnibus Floribus elegi mihi Lilium Lilia neque laborant neque nent The only Establish'd Religion in France is that of the Church of Rome for all the Decisions of the Council of Trent in Matters of Faith are there receiv'd but those that relate to Points of Discipline and infringe the Rights of the Crown with the Liberties of the Gallican Church are rejected The Protestants commonly call'd Hugonots were formerly allow'd the publick profession of their Religion by several Edicts granted by the French Kings particularly that of Nantes An. 1598. by Henry IV. and confirm'd by all his Successors ever since But the present King by his Declaration of October 1685. abolish'd the said Edict and inhibited the Exercise of the Reform'd Religion enjoining the profession of the Roman and that under the severest Penalties Whereupon followed the Destruction of their Churches and a violent Persecution which forced great Droves to leave the Kingdom and seek for shelter in Foreign Countries As to the Romanists themselves There are great Divisions among them at present notwithstanding of their so much boasted Unity For besides the hot Disputes between the Molinists and Jansenists about Predestination and Grace in which the pretended Infallible Judge at Rome dares not interpose his Decisive Authority for fear of disobliging one or the other Party we find that the Sect of Quietism has lately crept in among them as appears from the late Book of the Archbishop of Cambray concerning the Internal Life which has been censured by the Archbishop of Paris and the Bishops of Meaux and Chartres and complain'd off by the French King in his Letter to the Pope though the Author profers to maintain his Doctrine before his Holiness if permitted to go to Rome The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country by some of St. Peter's Disciples as is most probably thought sent thither by him at his first coming to Rome A New Map of GERMANY By Rob t. Morden SECT IV. Concerning Germany  d. m.  Miles Situated between 24 10 of Long. It s greatest Length is about 540. 37 12 between 45 30 of Lat. Breadth is about 510. 54 30 Being divided into three Classes viz. North. Middle South North. The Circle of Belgium Chief Towns are Amsterdam W. to E. Bruxelles The Circle of Westphalia Munster The Circle of Lower Saxony Hamburg The Circle of Upper Saxony Wittenburg Middle The Circle of the Lower Rhine Heidelberg W. to E. The Circle of the Upper Rhine Francfort The Circle of Franconio Nurenburg South The Circle of Suabia Ausburg W. to E. The Circle of Bavaria Munick The Circle of Austria Vienna Of all these in Order §. 1. The Circle of Belglum Divided into North viz. Holland Chief Town Amsterdam South viz. Flanders Bruxelles Holland contains Seven Provinces Viz. 4 towards the South Holland properly so call'd Chief Town Amsterdam Zeland Middleburgh Utretcht Idem Zutphen and a part of Gelderland Zutphen 3 towards the North Over Issel Deventer Friesland Leuarden Groningen Idem Flanders contains Ten Provinces Viz. 4 Dutchies Gelderland Chief Town Gelders Brabant Bruxelles Luxembourge Idem Limbourge Idem 4 Counties Flanders properly so called Bruges Artesia Arras Hannonia Mons. Namur Idem The Marquisate of the Empire Antwerp The Seignory of Malines Idem The Chief of these 〈…〉 Holland and Flanders properly 〈…〉 particularly consider them 〈…〉 the most remarkable Towns in each of them 〈…〉 Holland properly so call'd being divided into North. South Chief Towns North are Goree in the Island Goree 〈◊〉 Nigh unto or upon the Mues from W. to E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. W. to N. E. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 South are Amsterdam upon the Channel Amstel 〈◊〉 In the Western part from S. to N. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon the Zuyder-zee or South-Sea from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naerden Flanders properly so call'd being divided into East West Chief Towns in East are Dendermonde Upon the Dendre from N. to S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gramont Ghâ—ut Upon the Soheld all found from N. to S. W. Oâ—denard Tournay St. Amand Upon the Scarpe Doway Deynse Nigh unto or upon the Lys all found from N. to S. W. Courtray Armenthiers Lisle West are Graveling Five remarkable Ports from S. to N. E. Dunkirk Neuport Osiend laÌ„ys Bruges found from W. to E. Axel Hulst Rupelmond upon the Scheld 5 Miles S. of Antwerp Farne found from W. to E. Dixmude Thyelt Berge S. Winoc from W. to E. Ypres Cassel farthest South The Dutchy of Brabant being divided into North. South Chief Towns in North are Bosleduc found from E. to W. Breda Steenbergen Bergenopzoom Antwerp upon the Scheld Mechelin upon the Dender South are Aersschot Upon the Demer from W. to E. Sichem Diest Brussels found from W. to E. Louvain Tilmont Judoigne about 12 Miles S. E. of Louvain Gemblours found from E. to W. Genape Nivelle §. 2. The Circle of Westphalia Divided into North-East between the Weser and Elm Ch. T. Osnaburge Middle between the Elm and the Rhine Munster South-West betw the Rhine and Cir. Belg. Leige More particularly North-East comprehends The County of Oldenburg Chief Town Idem On the Wefer from N. to S. Hoya are Idem Diepholt Idem Schomberg Idem The Principal of Minden Idem The County of Embden or