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
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
is to take charge of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer as also to check all Officers imploi'd in collecting the same and such like This Office is frequently executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Treasury as at present 4. The Lord President of the Council whose Office is to attend upon the King and Summons the Council to propose business at Council-Table and Report the several Transactions of the Board 5. The Lord Privy-Seal whose Office is to pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons sign'd by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England as also divers other Matters of smaller moment which do not pass the Great Seal But this Seal is never to be affixt to any Grant without good warrant under the King's Privy-Signet nor even with such Warrant if the thing granted be against Law or Custom until the King be first acquinted therewith 6. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England whose Office is to bring the King's Shirt Coif and Wearing Cloaths on the Coronation-day to put on the King's Apparel that Morning to carry at the Coronation the Coif Gloves and Linnen which are to be us'd by the King on that Occasion likeways the Sword and Scabard as also the Gold to be offer'd by the King together with the Robe Royal and Crown to Undress and Attire the King with his Royal Robes to serve the King that Day with Water for to wash his Hands before and after Dinner 7. The Lord High Constable of England an Officer whose Power is so great that 't was thought inconvenient to lodge the same in any Subject since the Year 1521. and is now conferr'd on some of the chiefest Peers pro re nata as upon occasion of Coronations or Solemn Tryals by Combat 8. The Earl Marshal of England whose Office is to take cognizance of all Matters of War and Arms to determine Contracts concerning Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and Matters touching Wars within the Realm which the Common Law cannot determine 9. The Lord High admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath been usually given either to some of the King 's younger Sons near Kinsmen or one of the chiefest Peers of the Realm To him is committed the Management of all Maritime Affairs the Government of the King's Navy a decisive Power in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal He also Commissionates Vice-Admirals Reer-Admirals Sea-Captains c. and enjoys a number of Priviledges too many here to be mention'd This Office is commonly executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Admiralty as at present After the Officers of the Crown we might here subjoin the various Courts of Judicatory establisht in this Kingdom especially the High Court of Parliament which is Supreme to all others and to whom all last Appeals are made I might here likeways mention all the Subordinate Courts of this Realm particularly that of the King's-Bâ—nch the Court of Common Pleas the High Court of Chancery the Exchequer and the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. as also the Ecclesiastical Courts in Subordination to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Court of Arches the Court of Audience the Prerogative Court the Court of Faculties and that of Peculiars But to declare the Nature and Constitution the ample Privileges and manner of Procedure in each of them would far exceed the narrow Bounds of an Abstract I shall not therefore descend to particulars only adding to this Paragraph that besides these various Courts above-mention'd the King consulting the ease and welfare of the Subject Administers Justice by his Itinerate Judges and that in their yearly Circuits through the Kingdom and for the better governing of and keeping the King's Peace in particular Counties Hundreds Cities Burroughs and Villiages of this Realm Counties have their respective Lord Lieutenants Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace Hundreds their Bailiffs High-Constables and Petty-Constables Cities their Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs c. Burroughs and Towns incorporate have either a Mayor or two Bailiffs or a Portrive who in Power are the same with Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices are Justices of the Peace within their own Liberties And lastly Villiages are in Subjection to the Lord of the Mannor under whom is the Constable or Headborough to keep the Peace apprehend Offenders and bring them before the Justice Of such an admirable Constitution is the English Government that no Nation whatsoever can justly pretend to such a Model and no People in the World may live more happy if they please so that it may be justly affirm'd of them what the Poet saith in another Case only with change of Persons O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Anglicanos The Ensigns Imperial of the Monarch of Great Britain are in the first place Azure Three Flower-de-Luces Or the Royal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensings of England which are Gules Three Lyons passant Gardant in Pale Or. In the second place within a double tressure Counter flowr'd de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure and Irish Harp Or string'd Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first These Ensigns Armoral are quartered after a new manner since the late Revolution the English Arms being put before the French and the whole charg'd with an Escutcheon of the House of Nassau which is Azure Semi-billets a Lyon Rampant Or Languid and Armed Gules all within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Noble Order above the same an Helmet answerable to King William's Sovereign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloath of Gold doubled Ermin adorn'd with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon passant Gardent Or Crowned as the former and an Unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his Forelegs and reflex'd over his Back Or both standing upon a Compartment plac'd underneath and in the Table of that Compartment is express'd the King of England's Motto which is Dieu mon Droit but of late Jâ— Maintiendray The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part of the true Reform'd Religion publickly profess'd and carefully taught in its choicest Purity In Reforming of which they were not so hurri'd by popular Fury and Faction as in other Nations but proceeded in a more Prudent Regular and Christian Method resolving to separate no farther from the Church of Rome than she had separated from the Truth embracing that excellent Advice of the Prophet Jer. 6. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein So that the Reform'd Church of England is a true Mean or middle Way betwixt those two Extreams of Supperstition and Phanaticism both equally to be avoided The Doctrine of
highly probable that this individual Part of the Bay was the very place of the Whale's delivery it being the nearest to Nineveh of any in the Levant Which conjecture I humbly suppose is somewhat more reasonable than that of some dreaming Ancients who vainly imagin'd that the monstrous Fish did almost surround one fourth part of the World in seventy two hours and that when big with Child Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities See Natolia The Inhabitants of this Country are mostly Turks and Greeks whose respective Characters are already given in Turky of Europe pages 174 and 181. as also many Jews and Armenians with other sorts of Christians intermixt of whom the Reader may find some Account towards the latter part of this Section when we come to treat of Palestine and the Euphratian Provinces The chief Language of this Country is the Turkish for a Specimen of which Vid. page 181. the Ancient Syriac being lost among ' em The various Europeans here residing do commonly use the Lingua Franca This Country being subject unto and successively rul'd by the Seleucidae the Romans the Saracens the Christians and Sultans of Egypt was at last conquer'd by the Turks in the time of Selimus I. Anno 1517. under whose heavy Yoke it hath ever since groan'd and is at present govern'd by its particular Bassa appointed by the Grand Signior whose place of Residence is ordinarily at Aleppo the principal City of this Province and thought to be the Aram Sobah mention'd in Holy Scripture But the whole Country of Syria according to its Modern Extant is subject to three Bassa's the first commonly residing as aforesaid at Aleppo the second at Damascus in Phaenice and the third at Tripoli of Syria Subordinate to each of these Bassa's both here and in other Parts of the Ottoman Dominions are various Cadi's or Judges who hear and determine the several Causes whether Civil or Criminal which at any time happen between Man and Man And here I can't omit one particular which as 't is a mighty disparagment to this People so I wish 't were peculiar to them viz. their Mercenary Distribution of Justice for not always the Equity of the Cause but the Liberality of the Party does ordinarily determine the Matter As some of our English Factories in these Parts of the World have experienc'd more than once See the Ensigns Armorial of the Grand Signior page 182. The establisht Religion of this Country is that of Mahometanism the Essential Tenets of which are already set down page 182. to which I remit the Reader But since one thing enjoyn'd by that Religion is the most excellent and necessary Duty of Prayer I can't omit one laudable Practice of this People in that Point I mean not only their imitable frequency in performing this Duty but also their most commendable fervency and seriousness in the performance of it For whenever they set about the same they Address themselves to the Almighty with all profound Respect and Reverence imaginable and in the humblest Posture they can sometimes standing often kneeling and frequently prostrating themselves on the Ground and kissing the same and during the whole performance their very Countenance doth plainly declare the inward Fervour and Devotion of their Mind Yea so exact and punctual are they in observing the various Hours appointed for Prayer and so serious and devout in performing that Duty that the generality of us Christians have too good Reason in both these Respects to say with the Poet Pudet haec opprobria nobis c. The Muezans or Marabounds being those Persons who call the People to Prayers use commonly these words Allah ekber allah ekber allah ekber eschadou in la illah illallah hi allc salla hi alle salla allah ekber allah ekber allah ekber la illa illalah i. e. God is great God is great God is great give Testimony that there is but one God Come yield your selves up to his Mercy and pray him to forgive you your Sins God is great God is great God is great there is no other God but God Dispers'd over all this Country and intermixt with the Turks are many Jews and various sorts of Christians particularly Greeks Armenians Maronites c. but most lamentable is the State of those Christians at present not only in respect of that woful Ignorance under which they universally labour and the Turkish Slavery and Insolence to which they 're expos'd but also in point of those dismal Heats and Divisions those numerous Factions and Parties now among 'em For so bitterly inveterate are they against one another and to such a height do their Animosities frequently come as to give fresh Occasion to the Common Enemy to harass them more and more Christianity was planted very early in these parts of the World most of this Country being watered with the Blessed Gospel in the Apostolick Age. Phaenicia or Phaenice THIS Country very famous of old but now of a very sad and melancholy Aspect and groaning under the Turkish Yoke hath undergone such dismal Devastations by the destroying Arabs that there 's nothing now remarkable in it save a few Ancient Maritime Cities mostly in Ruines which yet maintain something of Trade with Strangers as particularly Damascus call'd by the Turks Scham St. John d'Acre formerly Ptolemais and lastly Sure and Said which were the Ancient Tyre and Sydon Leaving therefore this desolate Country we pass on to Palestine or Judaea THIS Country most memorable in Holy Scripture and sometimes stil'd Canaan from Canaan the Son of Cham sometimes the Land of Promise because promis'd to Abraham and his Seed and sometimes Judaea from the Nation of the Jews or People of the Tribe of Juda is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Palestina by the French Palestine by the Germans Palestinen or das Gelobte-land by the English Palestine or The Holy Land It 's call'd Palestine quasi Philistim from the Philistins once a mighty Nation therein and Holy Land because 't was the Scene of the Life and Sufferings of the ever Blessed and most Holy Jesus the glorious Redeemer of Men. The Air of this Country excepting those Parts adjacent to the Lake of Sodom of which afterwards is so extraordinary pleasant serene and healthful to breath in that many of its present Inhabitants do frequently arrive to a considerable Age. The opposite Place of the Globe to Palestine is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 245 and 250 Degrees of Longitude with 29 and 32 Degrees of South Latitude This Country situated partly in the 4th and 5th North Climate and not exceeding seventy Leagues in length from North to South and thirty in breadth from East to West was blessed with an extraordinary rich and fertil Soil producing all things in such abundance that the Scripture terms it a Land flowing with Milk and Honey yea so wonderful was the fertility thereof and such vast multitudes of People did it maintain that King
at other times on all four and so near is their resemblance to Human Shape that many of the Negroes either take them for Real Men imagining that by long continuance in the Woods they 're become Demi-Brutes or look upon them as the spurious Issue of unnatural Commixtures Some of our Modern Travellers would fain perswade the World that such Creatures are the Genuin Off-spring either of the Ancient Satyrs or Pygmies so famous among the Poets and so frequently mention'd by Pliny who spoke much of them by hear-say But others with more shew of probability do reckon them specifically the same with the Apes of Borneo already mention'd page 289. For a full and satisfactory Account of this remarkable Creature with a nice Examination of the various Conjectures about it I must refer the Reader to a particular Treatise on that Subiect now preparing for the Press by the Learned Dr. Teyson Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country are great Idolaters very Superstitious and much given to Stealing In Complexion they 're of the blakest sort and most of 'em walk quite Naked without the least shame Some of 'em on the Sea-Coast are given to Trading and understand Commerce tollerably well but generally they 're a cheating proud lazy and sluttish kind of People Remarkable is one fundamental Law or rather an Ancient Custom among some People upon the Quaqua-Coast viz. That every Person is oblig'd to betake himself to the same Trade or Imployment which his Fore-fathers have follow'd Upon the Death of a Husband in the Kingdom of Benin the Widow becomes wholly subject to her own Son if any and may be reckon'd among his number of Slaves only with this difference that she can't be sold without leave obtain'd from the immediate Prince of the Country where they live To kill a considerable number of Slaves at the Funeral of any great Person was a Custom almost universal through all Pagan Countries and particularly here but much worn out in these latter Ages The chief Language in this Country is that call'd Sungai which is also understood and spoken in several Adjacent Countries particularly Tombut and Melli. Of the several Tongues in use upon the Golden Coast That of the Acanistes is most universal being current almost all Guinea over except Anten Acara Ningo and Sinco which have each their particular Dialects The Trading Part of 'em understand and speak Portugueze This Country owneth Subjection to several Sovereigns the chief of whom is ordinarily stil'd the Emperor of Guinea to whom divers other Kings and Princes are subject Next to him is the King of Benin who is esteem'd a powerful Prince having several States Subject and Tributary unto him Paganism is the Religion of this Country the Profession whereof is attended with many ridiculous Superstitions and in some places on the Golden Coast that Diabolical Custom of offering up Human Sacrifices is still in use but not so current as formerly The Pythagorcan Opinion embrac'd by a great part of the Heathen World prevails mightily here Those of the Kingdom of Benin do own a Supreme Being whom they call by the Name of Orifa acknowledging him as the Creator of Heaven and Earth but think it needless to serve him because say they he being Infinitely Good will be sure not to hurt them On the very contrary Account they 're very careful in paying their Devotions and offering Sacrifices to the Devil or some bad Spirit who they think is the cause of all their Calamities They likeways offer up a yearly Sacrifice to the Sea reckoning thereby to appease the Waves and procure calm and peaceable Weather In several other parts of this Country are neither Idol nor Temple and many of the People seem to entertain but very slender hopes of a future State and wholly deny the Resurrection of the Body except those who are kill'd in the Wars Which Exception hath been undoubtedly inculcated upon 'em by some of their Princes and that probably out of a Political Design SECT VII Concerning Nubia  d. m. Situated between 42 00 of Long. It s greatest Length from N. E. to S. W. is about 840 Miles 57 00 between 09 30 of Latit Breadth from E. to W. is about 570 Miles 23 00 Nubia North the River Nuba chief Towns are Samna South Nubia THIS Country known formerly under the same Name is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Nubia by the French Nubie by the Germans Nubien and by the English Nubia so call'd from its Ancient Inhabitants the Nubi or Nubii or according to others the Nobadoe and Nobades and finally some would derive its Name from Nuabia once the Capital City of the whole Country The Air of this Country is every where extreamly hot it being seldom qualifi'd with Showers of Rain The opposite Place of the Globe to Nubia is part of Mare de'l Zur lying between 220 and 240 Degrees of Longitude with 9 and 23 Degrees of Southern Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 2d and 3d North Climate is said to be very fertil in those Parts adjacent to the River Nile but elsewhere 't is generally very barren being cumbered with many formidable Mountains of Sand. Here is good store of Elephants some Sugar-Canes and as several report a few Mines of Gold The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is about 13 Hours ½ the shortest in the South-most 11 Hours ½ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Gold Civet Sugar Ivory Arms c. In divers Parts of Nubia are still extant the Ruins of many Christian Churches being reckon'd one hundred and fifty in all with several Pictures of our Blessed Saviour the Virgin Mary and many Saints Most observable is that strange subtile Poyson produc'd in this Country one Grain thereof being able to kill ten Men in a quarter of an Hour It 's commonly sold at an hundred Ducats an Ounce but never to Strangers unless they promise by Oath not to use it in these Parts of the World Remarkable is this Country for being the Birth-place of the famous Nubian Geographer Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Nubians of a Colour extraordinary Black are said to be a strong couragious and cunning sort of People much given to War very Laborious and many of 'em exceeding Wealthy there being establisht a considerable Traffick between them and the Merchants of Grand Caire in Egypt The Nubians have a particular Language of their own which hath some Affinity with the Arabick and Chaldean as also some agreement with the old Egyptian Tongue This Country is govern'd by its own Independent King who is said to be a very Powerful Prince One of his Predecessors call'd Cyriacus upon Information of the Christians being oppress'd in Egypt is reported to have rais'd one hundred thousand Horse for their relief This spacious Country was once Christian but the Ministry
Ethiopid Exterior THIS Country unknown to the Ancients together with Abyssinia abovemention'd is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Ethiopia by the French Ethiopie by the Germans Ethiopien and by the English Ethiopia so call'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Uro and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vultus upon the account of its excessive Heat the greatest part thereof being in the Torrid Zone This Ethiopia is stil'd Exterior because of its Situation in respect of the other This vast Body comprehending several Kingdoms Empires and Sovereignties and those mightily extended from South to North can't reasonably be suppos'd to enjoy the same Nature of Air in all its Parts In Biafara and Congo 't is extreamly hot and would be intollerable to the Inhabitants were it not qualified in the first of these Kingdoms by daily Showers of Rain and in the other by violent Winds which frequently blow from the Western Ocean In Monomotapa and Monoemungi as also the Coasts of Cafres the Air is much more temperate in Zanguebar very unwholesome and in Ajan and Abex extreamly hot The opposite Place of the Globe to Ethiopia Exterior is part of 〈◊〉 Zu◠lying between 210 and 250 Degrees of Longitude with 10 Degrees South and 25 Degrees North Latitude The various Divisions of this great Body being situated in different Climates particularly the 1st 2d 3d Northern and the 1st 2d 3d Southern the Soil must of necessity be very different Biafara is said to be less fertil than Congo The Empires of Monomotapa and Monoemungi do produce abundance of Grain and are generally esteem'd very fit for Pasturage The other Divisions on the East and South-East of the Abyssines are for the most part very Barren in all sorts of Grain yet productive enough of some Sugar-Canes several kinds of Fruit and Spices as also furnish'd with some considerable Gold and Silver Mines and every where abounding with Elephants and Lyons So rich were those Mines found by the Portugueses in Zanguebar and several Parts of the Cafres that the Country about Sofala hath been lookt upon by some Modern Geographers as the much controverted Land of Ophir The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is 13 Hours ½ the shortest in the Southmost 9 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commoditities of this Country are Gold Silver Amber-Gris some Pearls and Musk Rice Mill Cattle Lemons Citrons Ivory and Oyl c. In the Kingdom of Angola is found the Quoja-Marrow that remarkable Creature of whom already in Guinea p. 311. 2 Most sorts of Creatures in Congo are to be seen also in Angola particularly a Serpent call'd Minià by the Inhabitants of Quoja and Embamma by the Angolois which is reported to be of such a prodigious bigness that he 's said to swallow a young Deer at one Morsel 3. In divers Lakes of Angola particularly those of Quihaite and Angolone are frequently seen some Water-Monsters term'd Ambisiangulo and Pesiengoni by the Natives but Europeans give them the Title of Syrenes because when taken they fetch heavy Sighs and cry with a dolorous Tone resembling very much the mournful yet charming Voice of a Woman 4 In the Island Levando is a remarkable Tree call'd by the Inhabitants Eusada and Arbor de Raiz i. e. Arbor Radicum by the Portugueze It derives this Name from the Nature of its Branches which spring forth on all sides from the Trunk where 't is generally three Fathoms in Diameter and many of 'em bowing so low as to touch the Ground take root and spring forth anew till by their weight they bow down again and take Root the second time and so on till they cover a thousand Paces in Circuit and able to lodge under its Branches three thousand armed Men who may find Defence not only from Heat but also Rain so thick and numerous are those Filaments and so well lin'd with Leaves 5 In several Parts upon and South of the River Coanza are considerable Mines of Rock-Salt For these and several other Remarkables of this Country Vid. Dapper of Africa Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The various Inhabitants of these many and vastly extended Countries are generally a Dull Savage and Swarthy kind of People among whom a great many remarkable Customs prevail To instance only in a few It 's reported of the Emperor of Monomotapa that when e're he Drinks in publick the whole Court doth jointly put up their Prayers in his behalf and that with a very loud Voice which being heard in the Neighbourhood all Persons there living are bound to do the same as likewise others hearing them and so on whereby the whole City or Country adjacent is always sensible when the Emperor takes his Glass In the Kingdom of Loango are many Canabals and in several places 't is as usual to sell Human Flesh publickly in Shambels as other Nations do commonly Beef and Mutton In the same Kingdom 't is establish'd by an Ancient Custom That when e're a Father deceaseth his Goods belong not to the Children but his own Brothers or Sisters who are bound to take care of such of the little Ones as they think are not able to care for themselves To add no more We read of another Custom yet more uncouth among a certain People inhabiting the Cafres which is That when e're a Father deceaseth the Children both Old and Young are oblig'd to lose the little Finger of their Left-hand and to bury it with him For deferring the performance of that painful Duty they 're commonly very tender of their Parents Health and take all care imaginable to prolong his Life which was probably the Original Cause of so strange a Practice But of all the Inhabitants of these various Countries there 's none more observable for their manner of living than a certain People near unto and upon the Cape and commonly call'd by the Name of Hottantots They 're so term'd from a frequent Repetition of that or such like word and may be reckon'd the most Nasty and Brutish of all reasonable Creatures having nothing save the Shape of Man that can lay claim to that noble Character Their Bodies are usually besmear'd with common Grease or some worse stinking Stuff which occasions a very loathsome smell Their ordinary Habit is a Sheep-Skin just as 't is pull'd off from the Carcase and they use as Ornaments the Guts cum puris Naturalibus wrapt about their Legs and Arms two or three Inches deep on which they frequently feed when scarce of fresh Provisions Notwithstanding of the unparallel'd nastiness of this People yet some Travellers talk of a certain Inland Canibal Nation term'd Cobonas who make frequent Incursions into their Neighbouring Countries and spare none they catch no not the Swinish Hottantots themselves who 't would seem should make but a very unsavory Repast There is a wonderful variety of Languages in those various and vastly extended Countries which go under the Name of Ethiopia Exterior The Inhabitants of Congo
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