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
Huesca Universities in this Kingdom are those of Sevil Alcala de Henares Huesca Gaudia Granada Saragossa Barcelona Compostella Siguenza Tudela Murcia Toledo Valencia Ossuna Tarragona Valladolid Lerida Ona Baeza Salamanca The truest Character of the Spaniard I any where find is that of Dr. Heylin's which in the main runs thus The Spaniards are a sort of People of a swarthy Complexion black Hair and of good Proportion of a Majestick Gate and Deportment grave and serious in their Carriages in Offices of Piety very Devout not to say Superstitious Obedient and Faithful to their King Patient in Adversity not prone to alter their Resolutions nor Apparel in War too deliberate Arts they esteem dishonourable universally given to Laziness much addicted to Women unreasonably Jealous of their Wives and by Nature extreamly Proud Of all the living Tongues that are deriv'd from the Latin the Spanish comes nearest to the Original though no Country has been more harrast by the Irruption of Barbarous Nations Yet they have borrowed several Words from the Goths and Mores especially the latter The best Spanish is generally esteem'd that spoken in New-Castile and in Valentia and Catalonia 't is most corrupted Their Pater Noster runs thus Padre nuestro que estas en los Gielos Santificado sea tu Nembre Venza a nos tu Regno hagase tu Volantad assi en la tierra como en el Cielo El pan nuestro de cadadia da nos lo oy y perdona nos nuestras deudas assi como nos otros perdonamos à nuestros deudores y no nos dexes caer en tentation mas libra nos del mal Amen This great Body did formerly comprehend no less than fourteen different Kingdoms which being at length reduc'd to three viz. Those of Arragon Castile and Portugal the two former were united Anno 1474. by Marriage of Ferdinand of Arragon with Isabel Heiress of Castile and Portugal afterwards added by Conquest Anno 1578. But it Revolting of which afterwards the whole Continent of Spain excluding Portugal is at present subjected to one Sovereign term'd his Catholick Majesty whose Government is Monarchical and Crown Hereditary The Dominions of which Prince are so far extended that the Sun never sets upon them all and as his Territories are very numerous so also are the Titles which he commonly assumeth being stil'd King of Castile Leon Arragen Sicily Naples Jerusalem Portugal Navarr Granada Toledo Valleâ—ia Gallâ—ia Majorca Seville Sardignia Gordova Corsica Murcia Jaen Algarve Algâ—â—ire Gibralter The Canaries East and West Indies Arch Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant and Milan Count of Flanders Tirol and Barcelona Lord of Biscay and Mechelin c. The numerous Cities and Provinces of Spain are ruled by particular Governors appointed by his Catholick Majesty as also the Dutchy of Milan the Kingdoms of Naples Sicily Sardignia c and the various Parts of his vast Possessions in the East and West Indies are govern'd by their respective Vice Roys who are generally very severe in exacting of the Subject what possibly they can during their short Regency which is commonly limited to three Years the King appointing others in their room that he may gratify as many of his Grandees as may be with all conveniency there being still a great number of them at Court as Candidates for a Government For the better management of Publick Affairs in all the Spanish Dominions there are establisht in this Kingdom no less than fifteen different Councils viz. that call'd The Council of State 2 The Council Royal or that of Castile 3 That of War 4. The Council of Arragon 5 That of Italy 6 The Council of the Indies 7. That of the Orders 8 The Council of the Treasury 9. That of the Chamber 10 The Council of the Crosade 11 That of Discharges 12 The Council of Inquisition 13. That of Navarr 14 The Council of Conscience And lastly that call'd The Council of Policy The King of Spain bears Quarterly The first Quarter Counter-quarter'd in the first and fourth Gules a Castle tripple-tower'd Azure each with three Battlements Or purâ—led Sable for Castile In the second and third Argent a Lion passant Gules Crown'd Langued and Arm'd Or for Leon. In the second great Quarter Or four Pallets Gules for Arragon Party Or four Pallets also Gules betwixt two Flanches Argent charg'd with as many Eagles Sable member'd beak'd and crown'd Azure for Sicily These two great Quarters grafted in Base Argent a Pomegranete Verte stalk'd and leav'd of the same open d and seeded Gules for Granada Over all Argent five Escucheons Azure plac'd cross-wise each charg'd with as many Baeants in Saltier of the first for Portugal The Shield bordered Gules with seven Towers Or for Algarve In the third Quarter Gules a Fesse Argent for Austria Coupie and supported by Ancient Burgundy which is Bendy of six Pieces Or and Azure border'd Gules In the fourth great Quarter Azure Semè of Flower de Luces Or with a border Compony Argent and Gules for Modern Burgundy coupè Or supported Sable a Lion Or for Brabant These two great Quarters charg'd with an Escucheon Or a Lion Sable and langued Gules for Flanders Partly Or an Eagle Sable for Antwerp the Capital City of the Marquisate of the Holy Empire For Crest a Crown Or rais'd with eight Diadems or Semi-circles terminating in a Mond Or. The Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece encompasses the Shield on the sides of which stand the two Pillars of Hercules on each side one with this Morto Plus ultra The Spaniards are very punctual followers of and close adherers to the Church of Rome and that in her grossest Errors and Corruptions â—â—â—ing up their Religion on the Pope's Authority and are therein so tenacious that the King suffers none to live in his Dominions who profess not their belief of the Doctrine of the Roman Church For whose Care or rather Bigottry in this matter the Pope hath conferr'd upon him the Title of his Catholick Majesty All other Professions are expell'd by that Antichristian Tyranny of the Bloody Inquisition at first devised and set up by Pâ—dâ—e Goasales de Mendeza Archbishop of Toledo and that against such Converted Jews and Moors as return'd again to their Superstition but of late it hath been chiefly turn'd upon those and others of the Protestant Communion So industrious are the Ecclesiasticks in this Country to keep up the whole Body of the People in the thickest Mist of Ignorance and so little is this Nation enclin'd of themselves to make any enquiries after Knowledge that considering these things upon one hand and the Terror of the Inquisition on the other in case of such Enquiries especially if they have the least tendency to Innovation in Points of Faith we cannot reasonably expect a Reformation of Religion in this Country unless the Hand of Providence shall interpose in a wonderful manner Christianity was planted here according to the old
and which some of our Modern Jews would fain perswade the World were now to be found in this Country being formerly said to be in Judaea 't is justly lookt upon as one of the many Rabbinical Fictions among them Although the Abyssines allow of an Ecclesiastical Hierarchy in the Alexandrian Church whose Patriarch is own'd as their Head yet they don 't now admit of any other Order among 'em superior to that of a Presbyter save only their Abbuna The Inhabitants of this Country being Persons of of a tawny Colour are generally esteem'd an ignorant lazy and perfidious sort of People not to be credited unless they swear by the Life of their Emperor Of several ridiculous Customs among 'em one is That they generally hate a Smith as the Devil Those in and about Chaxumo are reckon'd the best of the whole Empire divers of them being accounted very Ingenious besides many others who betake themselves to a devout and religious sort of living The Abyssine Tongue seems to have some Affinity with the Hebrew and Chaldaic It 's divided into a great many Dialects the chief and most refin'd of which is the Amaric and those so different from one another that some reckon no fewer than eight different Languages within the Limits of this Empire Remarkable is the Abyssine Tongue for one thing truly singular and peculiar to it viz. That whereas the Letter A is reckon'd the first of the Alphabet in all known Languages of the World yet wtih the Abyssines 't is commonly accounted the thirteenth according to Ludolphus his Grammar This spacious Country is subject to one Sovereign stil'd in the Ethiopian Language Naggasi which signifies Lord or Ruler otherways Neguscha Nagascht i â— Rex Regum As for the European Title of Prester or Presbyter John that 's now reckon'd as one of the many Vulgar Errors in the World It 's generally agreed upon That this Ethiopian Monarch fancieth himself to be sprung from Solomon and Maqueda or Nizaule according to Josephus Queen of the South He 's said to assume a great many vain and exorbitant Titles expressing all those Provinces by Name comprehended within the Circuit of his Dominions and stiling himself The Beloved of God sprung from the Stock of Judah The Son of David The Son of Solomon The Son of the Column of Sion The Son of the Seed of Jacob The Son of the Hand of Mary The Son of Nahu after the Flesh The Son of St. Peter and Paul after the Spirit c. His Government is altogether Despotical his Subjects being treated as the worst of Slaves He is so reverenc'd by the greatest of 'em that at his very Name they bow their Bodies and touch the Ground with one of their Fingers The Empire doth not descend to the Eldest Son but to him whom the Father upon his Death-bed shall be pleas'd to name The Abyssine Emperors for Ensigns Armorial bear a Lyon holding a Cross with the following Motto Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda. Within the Limits of this spacious Empire is a great mixture of People as Pagans Jews and Mahometans of various Nations but the main Body of the Natives is Christian They hold the written Word of God to be the only Rule of Faith and that the Canon of Holy Scripture consists of Eighty five Books whereof Forty six they say are in the Old and Thirty nine in the New Testament They 're not well acquainted with the Apostolick Creed but in lieu thereof do use the Nicene or rather Constantinopolitan As to the grand Doctrine of the Incarnation they 're generally Eutychians being formerly led into that detestable Heresy by Dioscorus Patriarch of Alexandria In the Person of their Emperor they lodge the Supreme Authority in all Matters as well Ecclesiastical as Civil and do thereupon wholly deny the Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome allowing him indeed to be the first Patriarch but esteeming it Antichristian in him to pretend to a Jurisdiction over the whole Church of Christ As they disown the Pope's Supremacy so also do they disclaim most Points of the Popish Doctrine particularly those of Transubstantiation Purgatory Service in an Unknown Tongue Auricular Confession Images in Churches Celebacy of the Clergy Extream Unction c. They make use of different Forms in Baptism and keep both Saturday and Sunday as Sabbath They punctually observe Circumcision and abstain from eating of Swine's Flesh not out of any regard to the Mosaick Law but purely as an Ancient Custom of their Country They 're much enclin'd to giving of Alms and visiting the Sick Their Divine Service doth wholly consist in Reading of the Holy Scriptures Administration of the Eucharist and hearing some Homilies of the Fathers They repair to Church by times and never enter with their Shooes on nor sit down unless upon the bare Ground They carfully observe the appointed Hours for Publick Prayer and perform that Duty with great Devotion In a word many of the Abyssines express in several respects a deep Sense of Religion For a particular Account of this People both as to their Religion and other Remarkables Vid. J. Ludolphuâ—'s Ethiopick History The Roman Missionaries did so prevail about Seventy Years ago that the Popish Religion was like to have got sure footing in this Empire for they had once gain'd the Emperor and Court and obtain'd a Proclamation in their Favours enjoyning the whole Body of the People to embrace the Doctrine of the Roman Church But the Abyssines were so loath to part with the Religion of their Forefathers that the Emperor's endeavour to propagate the Roman Faith occasion'd many dreadful Insurrections in his Empire which could not be quell'd without shedding a Sea of Blood Finding therefore his endeavours to be in vain and dreading the consequence of making any new Attempt he wholly gave over the Design and not only return'd to his former Belief himself but also gave leave to all his Subjects to do the same And that he might regain the almost lost Affection of his People he forthwith banish'd out of his Dominions all Roman Missionaries whatsoever together with Alphonso Mendez a Jesuit who having been consecrated Patriarch of Ethiopia at Lisbon and approv'd by the Pope had been honourably receiv'd by the Abyssine Emperor under that Character and resided at Court in a peaceable discharge of his Office for several Years As for the Plantation of Christianity in this Country 't is a constant Tradition among the Inhabitants that the Eunuch baptiz'd by Philip the Deacon was Steward to the Empress of Ethiopia and that upon his return he converted the Court and whole Empire to the Christian Faith But following the Opinion of the most Judicious Writers this Country was destitute of the Blessed Gospel till the Fourth Century when first instructed therein by Frumentius the Son of a Tyrian Merchant who was consecrated Bishop by St. Athanasius and is commonly reckon'd the first Abbuna of this mighty Empire § 2
Paschal Lamb Argent supporting a Flag of the same mark'd with a Cross Gules for Juitland 7. Or two Lions Passant-guardant Azure for Sleswick 8. Gules a Fish crown'd Argent for Ice land Over these eight Quartors a great Cross Argent which is the ancient Devise of the Kingdom on the Center of which are plac'd the Arms of Dithmarsh viz. Gules a Cavalier Arm'd Argent 9. Gules a Nettle-leaf open and charg'd in the middle with a little Escucheon the whole Argent for Holstein 10. Gules a Cygnet Argent gorg'd with a Crown Or for Stormarsh 11. Gules two Fesses Or for Delmenhorst 12. Gules a Cross Pattree-fitchree Argent for Oldenburgh The Shield surrounded with the Collar of the Order of the Elephant The Crest is a Crown Or flowr'd rais'd with eight Diadems terminating in a Mond of the same For the Motto are these words Pietas Justitia coronant The Errors and Practices of the Roman Church being grown at length so intollerable that an Universal Reformation became expedient this Kingdom among the other Northern Crowns threw off that insupportable Yoak and cordially embrac'd the Doctrine of Luther which being allow'd off by Frederick the First about the middle of the last Century was so firmly and universally establish'd in Denmark that in all the Danish Dominions there is no other Religion but Lutheranism profess'd except some French Refugees who are allow'd a Church at Copenhagen and a few Popish Families who were lately permitted to perform their Worship in a Chappel at Gluckstat The Danish Clergy do still retain the Practice of Confession which all Persons are oblig'd unto before they participate of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they likewise retain Crucifixes and several Ceremonies of the Roman Church Christianity was fully Establisht in this Country about the middle of the XII Century and that by the means of Pope Adrian the IV. an Englishman who before his Assumption of the Popedom was term'd Nicholaus Breakspear §. 3. NORWAY THis Country formerly Norvegia a Part of Ancient Scandinavia is term'd by the Italians Neruegia by the Spaniards Noruega by the French Norwegue by the Germans Norwegen and by the English Norway so call'd from its Northern Situation Nort being for North and weg way seeing it is the way to and from the North in respect of the rest of Europe The Air of this Country is so extreamly Cold especially towards the North parts of the Kingdom that 't is but thinly inhabited and that by the meanest of People The opposite Place of the Globe to Norway is part of the Pacifick Ocean between 200 and 230 Degrees of Longitude with 60 and 70 Degrees of South Latitude By reason of the excessive Coldness of the Country it lying in the 11th 12th and 13th North Climate the Soil is very barren not having force enough to produce the very necessaries of Life the Common People being forced to use dry Fish instead of Bread In short this Country is overspread either with vast Forrests barren Mountains or formidable Rocks In the Northmost parts of it the longest Day is above two Months the Sun not setting for that time the shortest in the Southmost about 6 Hours ¼ and the Nights proportionably The Chief Commodities of this Country are Stock-fish Rich Furs Train-Oyl Pitch and Tackling for Ships as Masts Cables Deal-boards and the like which the Inhabitants exchange for Corn Wine Fruits Beer and other Necessaries of Life What chiefly deserves the Name of Rarity in this Country is that remarkable Lake near Drontheim whose Waters never freeze even in the dead of Winter notwithstanding of the excessive Cold at that Season Near to the Isle of Hiteren is that wonderful and dangerous Whirly-pool commonly call'd Maelstroom and by Navigators The Navel of the Sea which swallows up Ships with their whole Cargo if they unhappily approach too nigh Archbishopricks in this Kingdom only one viz. that of Drontheim Bishopricks in this Kingdom are those of Anslo Bergen Staffanger Universities in this Kingdom None The Norvegians being notorious Pyrates of old became very formidable to several of the Northern Nations are now lookt upon as a very mean simple and ignorant sort of People a People however that 's very hardy much given to Toiling and Labour very Just in their Dealings and abundantly Civil after their own Manner to the few Strangers who come among them In the Northmost Parts of the Kingdom they have no Towns but generally live in Tents and Travel in great Companies from one place to another in Hunting The Language now spoken in this Country especicially in all the civilized Parts thereof is little different from that us'd in the Kingdom of Denmark a Specimen of which is already given in the foregoing Paragraph This Kingdom was formerly a distinct Body by it self and independent of any other but being incorporated with Denmark Anno 1387. is now subject to his Danish Majesty who besides particular Governors in the five Castles of Bahus Aggerus c. abovemention'd doth ordinarily keep a Vice-Roy there for the better Administration of the Publick Affairs of that Kingdom his Place of Residence is commonly at Bergen and his Power is extraordinary great See Denmark The establisht Religion in Norway is the same as in Denmark only that in the Northmost Parts of the Kingdom the knowledge of Christiany which was at first planted in this Country much about the same time with the two other Northern Crowns is so decay'd that on the Borders of Lapland they differ but little from mere Heathens MOSCO VIE or RVSSIE SECT II. Concerning Moscovia  d. m.  Miles Situated between 46 00 of Long. It s greatest Length is about 1630. 105 00 between 45 10 of Lat. Breadth is about 1500. 71 00 Divided into North Chief Town St. Michael Arch-Angel South Moscow Capital City More Particularly North contains many Provinces but chiefly these of Trines Chief Town W. to E. Kargapolia Kargapol Dwina St. Michael Arch-Angel Condora Wirgatouria Sibiria Tobol Obdora Berezow Vologda Idem upon the upper part of the Dwina South containing many Provinces but chiefly these of Casan Chief Town Idem from E. to W. upon the Volga Mordowitz None remarkable Nisi Novogrod Idem Volodimir Idem Moscow Idem Astracan Idem at the Mouth of the Volga Novogrod Weleki Idem Between the Lake Ilmins and Peipus Pleskow Idem Severia Novogrod-Sewarski S. W. of Moscow §. 2. MOSCOVIA THIS Country containing much of Sarmatia Europaea and part of Sarmatia Asiatica being also nam'd Russia from the Ancient People of that Country call'd Rossi or Russi is term'd by the Italians Moscouia by the Spaniards Moscovia by the French Moscovie or Russie Blanche by the Germans Moscau and by the English Moscovia or Moscovy so call'd from its chief Province of that Name whose Denomination is deriv'd from Moschi or Mosci an Ancient People first inhabiting that Part of
Trade and Merchandizing And the two others for hearing and determining of all Causes both Civil and Criminal The Arms of Moscovia are Or an Eagle display'd Sable 〈◊〉 on its Breast a Shield Gules charg'd with a Cavalier Aâ—â—â—t fighting a Dragon on and between the Heads of the Eagle are three Crowns for Moscovy Cazan and Astracan According to others the Arms are Sable a Portel open of two Leaves and â—s 〈◊〉 degrees Or. The Muscovia's 〈◊〉 that they profess Christianity according to the Doctrine of the Greek Church in its Ancient Purity but indeed they have mixt with the same a great 〈◊〉 ridiculous Ceremonies and foolish Superstitions of their own They â—ender Divine Worship to the Virgin Mary and other Saints as also to Crosses and never Commerce any thing of Moment unless they first Sign themselves with the Sign of the Crost In Baptism they use Exorcism and always Confession to the Priest before they receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper All above seven Years of Age receive that Sacrament in both kinds and they give it iâ— one kind to Children under that age They usually Administer the same as also Extreme Unction to Persons past all hopes of Recovery but they neither adore the Sacrament nor believe the strange Doctrine of Transubstantiation They observe fifteen great Festivals besides a great many Days dedicated to particular Saints Sermons they never use but only read some Portions of Holy Scripture with St. Basil's Liturgy and divers Homilies of St. Chrysostome The Christian Faith was first planted in this Country towards the latter Part of the Tenth Century and that by the Preaching of some Greeks sent thither by the then Patriarch of Constantinople FRANCE SECT III. Concerning France  d. m.  Miles Situated between 12 10 of Long. its greatest Length is about 520 26 30 between 42 30 of Latit Breadth is about 450 51 10 Being divided into Three Classes viz. North. Middle South North comprehends the Governments of Picardy Chief Town Amiens Northward Normandy Roven from W. to E. The Isle of France Paris Champaigne Troye Middle comprehends the Governments of Bretaigne Rennes W. to E. Orleanoise Orleans Bourgoigne Dyon Lionois Lion South comprehends the Governments of Guienne Gascony Bourdemix W. to E. Languedoc Tholouse Dauphiny Grenoble Provence Aix Of all these in Order §. 1. PICARDY Divided into Higher towards the East Ch. Town Guise Lower towards the West Abbeville But more particularly Higher contains Tierasche Chief Town Guise E. to W. Vermandois S. Quinten Santerre Peronne Amienois Amiens Lower contains Pais Reconquis Calais N. to S. Ardres Idem Boulognois Boulogne Ponthieu Abbeville To Picardy we subjoin the Archbishoprick of Cambray lying N. of Peronne Chief Town Cambry §. 2. NORMANDY Divided into Higher towards the East Chief Town Rouen Lower towards the West Caen. More particularly Higher contains Pais Caux Chief Town Caudebeck N. to S. E. Roven Idem Gisors Idem Eureux Idem S. of Roven Lower contains Coutantine Coutance W. to E. Gaen Idem Alencon Idem S. E. of Caen. §. 2. Isle of FRANCE Divided into North the Seine Chief Town Soissons South the Seine Melun More particularly North the Seine contains Laonois Chief Town Laon E. to W. Soissonois Soissons Beauvoises Beauvais Vexin Francois Pont-Oyse W. to E. D. of Valois Senleâ— Isle of France Paris W. to E. Brie Meaux South the Seine contains Hurepoix Melun N. to S. Gastenois Montargi §. 4. CHAMPAIGNE Divided into Higher on the North Chief Town Rheims Lower on the South Troye More particularly Higher contains Rethelnois Chief Town Rethel N. to S. W. D. of Rheims Rheims High Champaigne S. Dizier Challonois Chalon on the River Marnâ— Lower contains Sennois Sens W. to E. Low Champaigne Troyes Bassigny Langres §. 5. BRETAIGNE Divided into Higher Eastward Chief Town Rennes Lower Westward Brest More particularly Higher contains the Territories of Dole Chief Town Idem E. to W. S. Malcâ— Idem Brieux Idem Rennes Idem N. to S. Nantes Idem Lower contains St. Polde Leon Brest W. to N. E. Trigvier Idem Cornoaile Idem W. to E. Vannet Idem §. 2. ORLEANOIS Divided into North the River Loir chief Town Chartres upon Orleans South Poictiers More particularly North contains Maine Chief Town Mans W. to E. Perche Nogent Beauce Chartres Vendosmois Vendosme Middle or upon the Loir Anjou Anger 's W. to E. Tourraine Tours Blaisâ—â— Blois Orleanois Orleans Nivernois Nevers South contains Aunis Rochelle W. to E. Angoumois Angoulesme Poictou Poictiers Berry Bourges §. 7. BURGOINE Divided into Higher Northward Chief Town Dijon Lower Southward Bourge-en Bresse More particularly Higher viz. Burgoigne properly so call'd contains the Towns of Auxerre W. to S. E. Semur Dijon Challon N. to S. Mascon Autun N. to S. Charolles Lower viz. la Bresse contains the Towns of Bourge-en-Bresse N. to S. E. Belly Trevoux Westward §. 8. LIONOIS Divided into East Chief Town Lions West Clermont More particularly East comprehends Lionois properly so called Chief Town Lions S. to N. Baujolois Beaujeu Forez Feurs Westward West comprehends Auvergue higher Clermont S. to lower S. Flour Bourbonnoi Bourbon or Moulins March Gueret Westward §. 9. GUIENNE and GASCOIGNE Divided into Guienne Northward C. T. Bourdeaux Gascoigne Southward Ayre viz. the chief of Gascoigne properly so called More Particularly Guienne in 8 Provinces South Guienne properly so called Chief Town Bourdeaux W. to E. Bazadois Bazas Agenois Agen Revergue Rodes 4 North Saintoigne Saintes W. to E. Pertgort Perigueux Limosin Limoges Quercy Cahors Gascoigne into 3 parts North the Adour Les Landes Dax W. to E. Albert Idem Condomois Condom Armagnac Aux Gaure Verdun Uponthe Adour Labour Bayonne W to E. Gascoigne prop. Ayre Estarac Mirande Comminges Lombes South the Adour Lower Navarr S. Palais W. to E. C. of Soule Maulleon Bearn Pau Bigorre Tarbe Conserans S. Bertrand §. 10. LANGUEDOC Divided into Higher towards the West Chief Town Tholouse Lower towards the East Nismes More particularly Higher contains the Territories of Foix Chief Town Idem S. to N. on the Garonne Rieux Idem Tholonse Idem Alby Idem 42 m. N. E. of Tholouse S. Papoul Idem 36 m. S. E. Lower contains the Territories of Narlâ—ne Idem W. to E. Beziers Idem Mompelier Idem Nismes Idem Country of Sevennes divided into Givaudan Mende Velay Le Puy W. to E. Vivarez Viviers §. 11. DAUPHINY Divided into Higher towards the East Chief Town Grenoble Lower towards the West Vienne More particularly Higher contains several Towns the chief of which are Grenoble upon the Isere Gap Nigh unto or upon the Durance Embrun Briancon or Brianson Pignerol S. E. of Brianson Lower contains several Towns the chief of which are Vienne N. to S. Valence S. Paul de Tricasten Dye S. E. of Valence §. 12. PROVENCE Divided into Higher Northward Chief Town Sisteron Middle part Aix Lower Southward Marseilles More particularly Higher whose chief Towns are Orange W. to E. on the North of Durance River Avignion
pure French will best appear by their Pater Noster which runs thus Nos peer qui êt au Cieux sanctifie soi te Nom Adveen ton Rejam ta Volonté se fait en terre comme es Cieux Donne noy ajord ' huy no pain quotidien pardonne no det comme no pardonnon a nos detteux ne no indu en tentation mais delivre nos des maux Ansi soit il This Countrey viz. all those Provinces belonging to the Spaniard before the late War and now restor'd doth acknowledge his Catholick Majesty as Supream Lord who Rules the same by his Substitute styl'd Governour-General of the Netherlands Which Post is at present enjoy'd by his Electoral Highness Duke of Bavaria and now made Hereditary to him since Anno 1692. For his Assistance he is allow'd three Councils viz. 1. The Council of State in which are transacted the weightiest Affairs such as relate to Peace and War Leagues and Alliances c. 2. The Privy-Council which determineth the Limits of Provinces publisheth Edicts and decideth Matters brought thither by Appeal from other Courts of Judicature 3. The Council of Finances to whom belongeth the Care and Management of the Royal Revenue and Taxes supervising the Accounts of Receivers and proportioning the Expence or Charge of the War To Levy Money and to Enact new Laws is the Business of the Convention of the Estates consisting of the Nobility principal Persons of the Clergy and Deputies of the chief Cities who ordinarily Assemble at Bruxels when call'd by the Governour-General For the better maintaining the Peace through all the Provinces and taking due Care of the Standing Forces each Province hath a particular Governour appointed in Subordination to the Governour-General And for an Universal Administration of Justice every Province hath its peculiar Provost and over all is appointed one Grand Provost whose Power in Criminal Matters is reckon'd very great See Spain The Religion predominant in all the Provinces of the Netherlands before the dawning of that happy day of our Reformation was intirely the Doctrine of the Roman Church But the Errors and Absurdities of that Doctrine being openly expos'd to the World by our wise Reformers the King of Spain to hinder a farther Progress in that matter set up the most severe and barbarous Court of Inquisition which occasion'd no small Disturbance and at last a bloody War that ended in a total Alienation of the Seven United Provinces the other Ten still remaining in the Profession of the Romish Religion as at this day and that in its grossest Errors Christianity was planted in this Country about the same time with the United Provinces §. 3. UPPER GERMANY THis Country containing only a part of Ancient Germany as also a little of Gaul Illyricum with some of Old Italy is term'd by the Italians Alta Allemagna by the Spaniards Aleâ—â—nia alâ—a by the French Haute Allemagne by the Germans Overteutschland and by the English Germany Why so call'd is much Controverted by our Modern Criticks some German Authors being willing to derive its Etymology from words in their own Language as â—â—or-mannen i. e. very much Men. Others from Geren signifying to Gather because the Germans seem'd to be an 〈◊〉 of many Nations others from Gar and Man to denote that they were a Warlike People Some tho' with little ground would fain allow it an Hebrew Derivation But the most probable Opinion of all is that the Inhabitants of this Country were called Germani by the Romans either because they were a sincere and honest sort of People or thereby to denote that they were Brothers to their Neighbours the Gaules The Air of this Country differeth considerably according to the Situation of the various Parts of this large Continent Towards the North it 's generally very Cold but in the Southmost Provinces it 's of the same Temper as in those places of France which lie under the same Parallels The opposite Place of the Globe to Germany is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 215 and 225 Degrees of Longitude with 45 and 55 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 8th 9th 10th and 11th North Climate is very different according to the Situation of its different Parts In the Southern Circles as also those in the middle part of the Continent particularly the Upper and Lower Rhine there is hardly any Country in the World can excel them for plenty of Fruits Corn and Wine but towards the North namely the two Saxonies and Westphalia the Soil is not near so fertile especially in Wine Grapes never coming to full perfection there however as for Corn and Pasturage they are abundantly furnisht with them and the whole Country in the main is tollerably pleasant healthful and profitable abounding not only with all things necessary but also with many of the Comforts of human Life The longest Day in the North-most Part is about 17 Hours ¼ The shortest in the South-most 8 Hours ½ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Corn Metals Allom Salt Wine Flesh Linnen Quicksilver Armours and Iron Works c. What Things do mostly merit the Epithet of Rare and Curious in this vast Country are reducible to these following Heads viz. 1. Some very observable Springs as That near Geesbach in Alsace whose Top is covered with a foul fat Oily substance ordinarily us'd by the Peasants thereabouts as common Wheel Grease Another near Paterborn in Westphalia call'd Methorn which hath three Streams very different from one another both in Colour Tast and Qualities and a Third in the Diocess of Paterborn observable in that it loseth it self twice every 24 Hours returning always back at the Interval of 6 Hours and that with such Violence as to drive three Mills not far from its Source Here also are many Salt Springs particularly That near Lunenburg in the D. of Lunenburg another at Hall in Upper Saxony and a third at Saltzwedel in the Marquisate of Brandenburg To these we may add a vast multitude of Springs whose Waters are highly priz'd both for Purging and Bathing especially the latter as particularly Those at Stugart in Wirtenburg Those at Aix le Chapelle in Westphalia and those in the Marquisate of Baden from whence the whole Country derives its Name 2. Some strange kind of Lakes particularly that in Carniola call'd the Zirchnitzer-Sea in length about two German miles and one broad Observable for its many subterraneous Caves and Passages into which both the Water and Fishes of the Lake do yearly retire in the month of June and return again about September As also another in Suabia the Nature of whose Waters is such that they actually singe Fishing-Nets when sunk to the bottom 3. Remarkable Caves particularly that near Blackenburg in Lower Saxony commonly call'd Buman's Hole of which none hath yet found the End tho' many have travell'd a vast way into it
more famous for what it hath been than for what it is being now on the decaying hand At present it's subject unto several Sovereigns various Places within its Territories belonging to the Dukes of Savoy and Tuscany some free and others lately taken by the French III. Luca being a small Free Commonwealth enclos'd within the Territories of the Grand Duke of Tuscany is under the Government of one Principal Magistrate call'd the Gonfalonier changeable every second Month assisted by nine Counsellors nam'd Anziani whom they also change every six Months during which time they live in the Palace or Common-Hall and Superior to them is the Grand Council which consisteth of about Two hundred and forty Noblemen who being equally divided into two Bodies take their turns every half Year This State is under the Protection of the Emperor of Germany and payeth him yearly Homage accordingly IV. St. Marino a little but flourishing Republick in the Dukedom of Urbine which still maintains its Previleges and is govern'd by its own Magistrates who are under the Protection of the Pope The whole Territory of this small Commonwealth is but one Mountain about three Miles long and ten round consisting of about five thousand Inhabitants who boast of their State being a Free Republick about a thousand Years It being too tedious to express the Ensigns Armorial of all the Sovereign Princes and States in this Country and too superficial to mention those of one only we shall therefore as a â—he Medium nominate the Chief Sovereignties of Italy viz. the Popâ—â—â—om the Dukedom of Tuscany and the Republicks of Venice and Genoua and affix to each of these their peculiar Arms. Therefore 1. His Holiness the Pope as Sovereign Prince over the Land of the Church or Papal Dominions bears for his Escutcheon Gules consisting of a long Cape or Head-piece Or surmounted with a Cross pearl'd and garnish'd with three Royal Crowns together with the two Keys of St. Peter placed in Saltier 2. The Arms of Tuscany are Or five Roundles Gules two two and one and one in Chief Azure charged with three Flower-de-Luces Or. 3. Those of Venice are Azure a Lion winged Sejant Or holding under one of his Paws a Book covered Argent Lastly Those of Genoua are Argent a Cross Gules with a Crown clos'd by reason of the Island of Corsica belonging to it which bears the Title of Kingdom and for Supporters are two Griffins Or. My unavoidable Prolixity in handling the various Heads contain'd in the foregoing Paragraphs doth call upon me to attone for the same by a desirable Brevity in treating of this Head now before us All therefore I shall say upon it is That the Italians as to their Religion are Zealous Professors of the Doctrine of the Roman Church even in her grossest Errors and Superstitions and that either out of Fear of the Barbarous Inquisition or in Reference to their Ghostly Father the Pope or chiefly by being industriously kept in woful Ignorance of the Protestant Doctrine of which they are taught many false and monstiuous things The Jews are here tollerated the Publick Exercise of their Religion and at Rome there 's a Weekly Sermon for their Conversion at which one of each Family is bound to be present The Christian Faith was first preached here by St. Peter who went thither in or about the beginning of the Reign of the Emperor Claudius as is generally testifi'd by some Ancient Writers of good Account TURKY in EUROPE by R. Morden SECT VIII Concerning Turky in Europe  d. m.  Miles Situated between 36 00 of Long. its greatest Length is about 770. 53 00 between 36 30 of Latit Breadth is about 660. 49 20 Turky in Europe being divided into two Classes North the Danuube South North comprehends Hungary Chief Town Buda W. to E. Transilvania Hermanstat Valachia Tergowick Moldavia Saczow Little Tartary Crim South comprehends Romania Constantinople E. to W. Bulgaria Sophia Servia Belgrade Bosnia Bosna Seraio Sclavonia Possega Croatia Wihitz W. to S. E. Dalmatia Spalatro Greece Saloniki Of all these in Order Hungary divided into Upper North Chief Towns in Upper are Praesburge W. to S. E. upon the Danuube Newhawsel Pest Colocza Esperies N. to S. upon the Teyssa Caschaw Tokay Agria Zolnock Segedin Zatmar N. to S. on the E. of Teyssa Debreczen Great Waradin Gyulla Timesware Lower South in Lower are Raab W. to S. E. on the Danuube Gran Buda Kanischa W. to E. upon the Drave Siget Quinque Ecclesiae Stul Weissenburge aliter Alba Regalis upon Zarwiza In Transilvania The Chief Towns are Clausenburge S. to N. upon the Samos Burgles Newmark N. to S. upon the Maresh Wissenburge Hermanstat upon the Alauta In Valachia The Chief Towns are Tergvoick From N. to S. Buchorest In Moldavia The Chief Towns are Soczow From W. to E. Jazy Romani Wiwar Southward In Little Tartary The Chief Towns are Nigropoli From N. to S. Kaffa In Romania The Chief Towns are Constantinople From E. to W. Adrinople Philippipoli aliter Philiba In Bulgaria The Chief Towns are Sophia From S. to N. Silistria Nigopoli In Servia The Chief Towns are Scopia From S. to N. Guistandil Viddin Nissa From S. to N. W. upon the Marâ—wa Jagodna Belgrade From N. to S. Bracco Prisren In Bosnia The Chief Towns are Bosna-Seraio From E. to W. Jaycza Bomiahich Southward In Sclavonia The Chief Towns are Possega From W. to E. Peter-Waradin Esseck upon the Drave In Croatia The Chief Towns are Wihitsch From S. to N. Dubiza Carâ—lstat Westward In Dalmatia The Chief Towns are Nona From W. to S. E. Zara Sebenico Spalatro Narenza Ragusi Scodrant Cattaro Lastly Greece by the Turk's Rumelia comprehends the following Divisions Viz. Macedonia By the Moderns Idem Northward Albania Arnaut Thessalia Janna In the Middle Epirus Idem Achaia Livadia Peloponesus Morea lying Southward of all The Chief Towns of Macedonia are Contessa N. E. to S. W. Saloniki Zeucria Florina Cogni Albania are Scutari N. to S. Alessio Croia Durazzo Vallona Thessalia are Larissa E. to W. Tricala â—anna Epirus are Canina N. to S. Chimera Butrinto Prevesa Larta Achaia are Lepanto W. to E. Castri olim Delphi Attâ—es olim Athenae Maraton Stives olim Thebae Morea are Corinto Nigh the Sea-Coast all round the Peninsula Napoli-di-Romania Maluasia Colochina Coron Navarino Chiarenza Patrasso THIS vast Complex Body comprehending these various Countries above-mention'd and the most remarkable of 'em being Hungary Greece and Little Tartary We shall first treat of these Three separately and then conjunctly of all the rest under the General Title of the The Danubian Provinces Therefore §. 1. HUNGARY THIS Country containing a Part of Pannonia with some of Ancient Germany and Dacia is term'd by the Italians Ungharia by the Spaniards Hungria by the French Hungrie by the Germans Ungern and by the English Hungary so call'd from the Ancient Inhabitants the Hunni or Huns. The Air of this Country is generally esteem'd very
doth far more prevail The chief Tenets of the Mahometan Religion may be seen § 4. of this Section to which I remit the Reader As for Christianity 't is profess'd in this Country according to the Doctrine of the Greek Church the Principal Points of which as it differs from the Western Christian Churches whether Protestant or Roman are these following viz 1. The Greeks deny the Procession of the Holy Ghost from the Son asserting that it proceedeth only from the Father through the Son 2. They also deny the Doctrine of Purgatory yet usually pray for the Dead 3. They believe that the Souls of the Faithful departed this Life are not admitted unto the Beatifick Vision till after the Resurrection 4. They celebrate the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in both Kinds but make the Communicant take three Morsels of Leaven'd Bread and three Sips of Wine in Honour of the Three Persons of the Adorable Trinity 5. They admit Children to participate of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper when only seven Years of Age because then it is say they that they begin to Sin 6. They allow not of Extream Unction and Confirmation and disapprove of fourth Marriages 7 They admit none into Holy Orders but such as are married and inhibit all second Marriages being once in Orders 8. They reject all Carved Images but admit of Pictures wherewith they adorn their Churches Lastly They observe four Lents in the Year and esteem it unlawful to Fast upon Saturdays In their Publick Worship they use four Liturgies viz. That commonly call'd St. James's St. Chrysostom's St. Basil's and St. Gregory the Great 's together with Lessons out of the Lives of their Saints which makes their Service to be of such a tedious and indiscreet length that it commonly lasts five or six Hours together The Fasts and Festivals that are yearly observ'd in the Greek Church are very numerous and were it not for them 't is probable that Christianity had been quite extirpated out of this Country ere now For by means of these Solemnities which yet are celebrated with a multitude of Ridiculous and Superstitious Ceremonies they still preserve a Face of Religion under a Patriarch who resides at Constantinople and several Archbishops and Bishops particularly those abovemention'd But did we view those Ecclesiasticks in their Intellectuals as also the lamentable State of all Persons committed to their Charge we should find both Priest and People labouring under such gross and woful Ignorance that we could not refrain from wishing that the Western Churches of Christendom by their Divisions Impieties and Abuse of Knowledge may not provoke the Almighty at last to plague them likeways with the same Darkness and Desolation This Country was watered with the Blessed Gospel in the very Infancy of Christianity and that by the powerful Preaching of St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles §. 3. Little Tartary THIS Country anciently Taurica Chersonesus or Tartaria Procopensis being the Lesser Scythia and a Part of old Sarmatia is term'd by the Italians Tartaria Minor by the Spaniards Tartaria Menor by the French La Petite Tartarie by the Germans Kleine Tartarey and by the English Little Tartary so call'd to distinguish it from Great Tartary in Asia as also Crim-Tartary from Crim the principal City of the Country The Air of this Country is generally granted to be of a very temperate Nature but yet unhealthful to breath in The opposite Place of the Globe to Little Tartary is that part of Terra Australis incognita between 240 and 250 Degrees of Longitude with 48 and 52 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 8th North Climate is very different in different Parts some Places abounding with Grain and Fruits and others pestered with undrainable Marshes and barren Mountains The Length of the Days and Nights here is the same as in the Northern Parts of France The Commodities of this Country are reckon'd Slaves Leather Chalcal-Skins and several sorts of Furs which they exchange with the Adjacent Turks for other Commodities they want Some Travellers relate of this wild and barbarous Part of the World that few or no ravenous Beasts are found therein And others tell us That many of its Fens and Marshes abound mightily with Salt which is naturally there produc'd in prodigious Quantities Archbishopricks in this Country None Bishopricks in this Country are those of Caffa Gothia Universities in this Country None The Crim-Tartars are generally Men of vigorous and robust Bodies able to endure all the Hardships of a Military Life and many of them being endu'd with Courage and Vigour of Mind conform to their Strength of Body prove the best of Soldiers They are reputed to be very just in their Dealings with one another but far otherways with Strangers Many of 'em are much addicted to Pillage and they usually feed upon Horse flesh The Language of the Crim-Tartars is the Scythian or pure Tartaresque which hath such a resemblance to the Turkish as the Spanish to the Italian these Tartars and Turks understanding one another as those of Italy and Spain The Arabick is here learn'd at School as in most Parts of Turky Pater-Noster in the Tartaresque runs thus Atscha wyzom Chy hokta sen algusch ludor senug adougkel suom chauluchong bel sun senung arkchneg aleigier da vkarhtaver visum gundoluch ot mak chu musen vougou kai visum jasuchen den bisdacha hajelberin bisum jasoch namasin datcha koima visu sumanacha illa garâ—a visenu gemandam Amen This Country is govern'd by its own Prince commonly term'd the Cham of Tartary who is under the Protection of the Great Turk whose Sovereignty he acknowledgeth by the usual Ceremony of receiving a Standard The Grana Signior actually possesseth some Part of this Country and maintains one Beglierbeg and two Sangiacks in the Places of greatest Importance As also he detains as Hostage the apparent Successor of the Cham who is ordinarly either his Son or Brother To all which the Tartars readily yield upon the Account of an Ancient Compact whereby the Turkish Empire is said to descend to them whenever the Heirs Male of the Ottoman Line shall fail The Cham of Tartary bears for his Ensigns Armorial Or three Griffins Sable arm'd Gules The Crim Tartars for the most part are zealous Professors of the Mahometan Doctrine except some who continue still Pagan and intermixt with them are many Christians especially Greeks and Armenians besides a considerable number of Roman Catholicks When this Country was first watered with the Blessed Gospel is not very certain §. 4. Danubian Provinces THE remaining Part of Turky here considered under the Title of Danubian Provinces is so call'd from the Situation of these Provinces they being near unto or upon the Banks of the Danuube But since each of 'em requires a peculiar Etymology take the same as followeth 1 Transilvania the
contains a good quantity of Liquor as limpid as the best Fountain-water and the Surface thereof is cover'd with a pure Oilysubstance This Liquor being a little boil'd tastes like a good palatable Wine if much boil'd 't is extreamly sweet and if long kept unboil'd no Vinegar is sowrer 3. In the Audience of Guatimala are several remarkable Vulcano's particularly that near Rea-Lejo which towrs up like a Sugar-loaf to a great height and always Smokes As also the burning Mountain of Leon West of the Lake Nicaragua which frequently evacuates Fire as well as Smoke 4. Nigh to Guatulco on the Western Coast is a great hollow Rock call'd by the Spaniards Buffadore which having a large Hole in its top make a hideous Noise at every Surge of the Sea and spouts up Water as a Whale to a prodigious height 5. In some Parts of this Country are several Springs of Water so impregnorated with certain Minerals that the Current issuing from them is of so darkish a Colour that it resembles a Stream of Ink. 6 Remarkable is the Lake of Mexico for several particulars As First It s having two sorts of Water viz. Fresh and Salt Secondly That the Fresh is usually Calm and aboundeth with Fishes whereas the Salt is for the most part Boisterous and breedeth none Thirdly In the middle of this Lake is a pleasant Rock out of which doth issue a considerable Stream of hot Water much esteem'd off for several Distempers Lastly Upon this Lake are several delightful Artificial Gardens well stockt with variety of Herbs and Flowers and moveable from one place to another being supported by large Floats of Timber Vid. J. Acosta his Natural and Moral History of the Indies Here is one Spanish Archshoprick viz. that of Mexico Spanish Bishopricks erected here are those of Merida Chiapa St. Jago de los Cavalleras Mechoaca Honduras Leon in Nicaragua Guaxaca Vera paz Antequera Guadalajara Pueblo de los Angelos The Natives of this Country are now esteem'd a People very Civil and Docile and extraordinary faithful to those they love Some of 'em are also wonderfully Ingenious especially in Painting and making most lively Pictures with various colour'd Feathers of certain little Birds call'd Cincons Others are said to Play incomparably well upon divers Musical Instruments In short the generality of this People is so civiliz'd that they live after the manner of the Spaniards save a few commonly residing in the Mountains who continue as Wild and Savage as ever The Spaniards here residing are much the same with those in Spain The prevailing Language in this Country is the Spanish it being not only in use among the Spaniards but also the Natives themselves who generally understand and speak the same The various Dialects of their Ancient Jargon do daily decrease and in a few Generations will be quite extinguish'd This large and pleasant Country was of old subject unto and rul'd by its own Sovereign Princes call'd Kings of Mexico and had continued according to probable Conjectures a mighty and flourishing Monarchy for many Ages before 't was invaded by the Spaniards But being fully conquer'd by them with only a handful of Men Anno 1521. under the Valiant Ferdinando Gortez it hath ever since remained subject to the Crown of Spain being govern'd by a Vice-Roy commonly residing at Mexico and to him is intrusted the oversight of all the Governors of the various Provinces belonging to his Catholick Majesty in North America Arms. None The Inhabitants of this Country are partly Christian partly Pagan and as 't were a mixture of the two The Spaniards are rigid Papists according to the strict Profession of Popery in their own Country Of the Natives many do still retain their heathenish Worship and indeed multitudes are converted to Christianity according to the Doctrine of the Church of Rome but by our latest Accounts they 're hardly persuaded as yet of the Truth of those Doctrines taught them SCET. II. Concerning New Mexico or Nova Granada This Country is of no certain Extent nor Division its chief Town is S. Fee or New Mexico upon the River North. THIS Country discover'd by the Spaniards Anno 1540. is term'd by the Italians Granada Nouella by the Spaniards Nueva Granada by the French Nouelle Granada by the Germans Neu Granada and by the English New Mexico or Nova Granada It was call'd Mexico after the Empire of that Name describ'd in the foregoing Section and the Epithet Neuva or New was added by the Spaniards to distinguish it from the said Empire its Discovery being posterior to that of Mexico The Title of Nova Granada was also given it by the Spaniards and that from a Province of the same Name in their own Country The Air of this Country according to the Climate is abundantly temperate and generally esteem'd very wholesome to breath in but attended with the great Inconveniency of frequent Hurricanes besides Thunder and Lightning The opposite Place of the Globe to Nova Granada is that part of the Ethiopick Ocean lying between 70 and 90 Degrees of Longitude with 20 and 40 Degrees of South Latitude This Country is but badly known and the Soil of those Parts already discover'd very ordinary being generally a dry faudy barren Ground far inferior to most other Countries in America belonging to the Spaniards Its Bounds being undetermin'd especially in the Northmost Parts we can say nothing of the true Extent of its Days and Nights This Country being none of the best and but rarely frequented by Strangers its Commodities are very few Cattle being the chief or only thing they Trade in What things in Nova Granada do truly merit the Epithets of Rare and Curious we must refer to the better Discovery of after Ages our knowledge of this Country being as yet but very slender Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universitities None The Inhabitants of this Country except those call'd Panches in the Southmost Parts are said to be of a much less Savage Temper than most of the wild Americans They are much given to Hunting and several of 'em understand Agriculture tollerably well The Spaniards here residing do commonly use the Spanish Tongue As for the Natives of this Country they retain their own Jargon of which we can give no account The New Mexicans are still govern'd by certain Captains of their own call'd Caciques but the Spaniards here residing and those of the civilized Natives are rul'd by a particular Governor sent thither by the King of Spain whose place of Residence is ordinarily at Santa Fee upon the River Nort. The Natives of this Country are generally gross Idolaters and many of 'em have little or no Sign of Religion at all The Spaniards here residing are the same in Religion with those in Europe SECT III. Concerning Florida  d. m. Situated between 276 00 of Long. It s greatest Length from E. to W. is about 1000
Queen of happy Memory The Air of this Country as to Heat and Cold Driness and Moisture is variable according to the Winds those from the North and North-West being universally cold and piercing but those from the South and South-East do commonly bring along with them great Heat in the Summer which is frequently succeeded in September by Rain in such quantity that it hath several times occasion'd an Epidemical Sickness among the People The opposite Place of the Globe to Virginia is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 33 and 40 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country strangely intermixt with a vast number of Oyster-Shells is generally Sandy yet abundantly fertil in Grain where imploy'd that way It affordeth also most sorts of Roots and desirable Fruits with Physical Plants and Herbs in great plenty but above all it produceth a wonderful quantity of Tobacco that bewitching Weed so accounted off all the World over The length of the Days and Nights in Virginia is the same as in the Southern Provinces of Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Country in which the Natives Traffick with the English are Skins of Deer Bever and other Wild Beasts for which the English return them Guns Powder Shot Iron-Tools Brandy c. but the chief thing exported hence for England is Tobacco there being above an hundred and fifty Sail of Ships commonly that load therewith every Year Such is the prodigious multitude of Oyster-Shells intermixt with the Earth in Virginia that in some places they 're found three or four Yards deep in the Ground where lying close together they 're said to petrify and seem to make a Vein of such a Rock But whether the Parts of that Rock are really the Shells of Oysters there left by the Sea which some suppose to have overflow'd this Tract of Land or Lapides sui Generis sub Judice lis est 2. In some lesser Banks of Shells are found Teeth about two or three Inches long and one broad suppos'd to be those of Fishes and in other Parts are dug up the Bones of Whales several Yards deep and that many Leagues from Sea 3. Near the River Patomeck is a sort of Aluminous Earth of an Ash-colour very soft and light and of an Acid-astringent Taste almost like that of Allum 4. In many Parts of this Country is found a certain kind of Squirrel who at his pleasure can stretch out the Skin of his Sides Thighs and Legs about an Inch in breadth almost like the Wings of a Bat by the help of which he leaps farther and alights more surely than the ordinary sort and is therefore call'd the Flying-Squirrel Archbishopricks Bishopricks None As for Universities here is a considerable Seminary of Learning lately establisht at St. James Town which already merits the Title of Colledge and we hope it will in process of time deserve the Name of an University The Natives of this Country being Persons generally of tall and slender Bodies black Hair and of a tawny Complexion are much given to Revenge and very exact in vindicating the Death of a Friend if they can by any means possible They spend most of their time in Hunting wild Beasts particularly Deer and Bever whose Skins as aforesaid they interchange with the English for what Necessaries they want Natives of the Inland Parts are said to burn their Dead and lay up their Ashes near their Cabins Those whom they own as Priests are lookt upon as so many Conjurers because by their Invocations in a private Cabin 't is reported that they frequently cause abundance of Rain to fall The English here residing are much the same with those in England The Language of the Natives of this Country is remarkable for its vast variety of Dialects and those so different from one another that People of twenty Miles distance and sometimes less are as quite different Nations neither of 'em being able to comprehend the full meaning of one anothers Jargon without the help of an Interpreter Of such People or Nations are chiefly reckon'd the Chawonocks Mangoags Monacans Mannahocks Masawomekes Pawhatans c. The English here residing retain and use their own Language The Natives especially those in the Inland Parts of this Country own Subjection to certain Governors of their own call'd Weroans The English are subject unto and rul'd by a particular Governor appointed and sent thither by his Britannick Majesty The various Laws which immediately relate to the Colony it self are made by the Governor with the Consent of his Council in Conjunction with the Burgesses elected by Free-holders But for Decision of Matters whether Civil or Criminal in general they 're the very same with those here in England The chief Court of Judicature being held Quarterly is call'd the Quarter-Court In it the Governor and Council are Judges who determine in Affairs of greatest moment and to it Appeals are made from Inferior Courts Monthly kept in every County there being Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and other Officers appointed for that end by the Governor The English here residing are for the most part Professors of the Protestant Doctrine and Observers of the Forms of Divine Worship according to the Model of the Church of England But the Natives continue Pagan except a few of the younger sort already taught the Elements of Human Literature and instructed in the Principles of Christianity by the Members of our lately erected Seminary of Learning at St James Town of whose happy and desired Progress in this matter we have all Reason in the World to wish and no small Grounds to hope the best §. 11. Carolina THIS Country discover'd at first about the same time with Virginia and afterwards Anno 1660 granted by Patent to several Noblemen as Proprietors thereof is term'd by the French Caroline by the Italians Spaniards Germans and English Carolina so call'd in Honour of His Britannick Majesty King Charles the Second The Air of this Country is reckon'd very healthful to breath in and so temperate that 't is a good Medium between the extremities of Heat and Cold that are most sensibly felt in divers Parts of the World The opposite Place of the Globe to Carolina is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 29 and 36 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country is for the most part very fruitful producing in great plenty most sorts of Fruits Roots Plants Herbs c. besides variety of English Grain The length of the Days and Nights in Carolina is much the same with those in the Southmost Part of Spain and Northmost of Barbary they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities exported hence are Skins of Otters Bears and Leopards as also Oyl Olives Cotton Indico Ginger Tobacco
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
which Church thus refin'd is briefly summ'd up in the 39 Articles and Book of Homilies and her Discipline and Worship are to be seen in the Liturgy and Book of Canons All which being seriously weigh'd and consider'd by a judicious and impartial Mind it may be found that this National Church is for certain the exactest of all the Reformed Churches and comes nearest to the Primitive Pattern of any in Christendom For her Doctrine is intirely built upon the Prophets and Apostles according to the Explication of the Ancient Fathers her Government rightly considered is truly Apostolical her Liturgy is a notable extract of the best of the Primitive Forms her Ceremonies are few in number but such as tend to Decency and true Devotion In a word The Church of England doth firmly hold and maintain the whole Body of the truly Catholick Faith and none other according to Holy Scripture and the Four first General Councils so that her Sons may truly say in the Words of an Eminent Luminary of the Ancient Church In ea Regula incedimus quam Ecclesia ab Apostolis Apostoli à Christo Christus à Deo accepit At present all Sects and Parties are tollerated and it 's truly as Melancholly to consider as 't is hard to determine whether our Heats and Divisions on one hand or Open Prophaneness and Irreligion on the other be most predominant In the mean time this is most certain that they 're both equally to be lamented the necessary Consequence of them both being most dismal and dangerous in the end But that it may please the Almighty to grant to all Nations Unity Peace and Concord is the daily and fervent Prayer of the Church of Christ and the hearty wish and desire of every true Son thereof The Christian Faith is thought to have been planted in England tempore ut scimus summo Tiberii Caesaris according to Ancient Gildas but afterwards more universally receiv'd Anno 180. it being then openly profess'd by Publick Authority under King Lucius who is said to have been the first Christian King in the World yet several doubt whether there was ever such a Man in the World In general this is certain that Christianity was propagated here in the earliest Ages of the Church WALES THIS Country the Seat of the Ancient Britains term'd by the Italians Wallia by the Spaniards Gales by the French Galles by the Germans Walles and by the English Wales so call'd as some imagine from Idwallo Son to Cadwallader who retir'd into this Country with the remaining Britains But others do rather think that as the Britains derive their Pedigree from the Gauls so they also retain the Name this Country being still term'd by the French Galles which using W for G according to the Saxon Custom agrees pretty well with the present Title The Air of this Country is much the same as in those Counties of England which lie under the same Parallel of Latitude The opposite Place of the Globe to Wales is that Part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 190 and 200 Degrees of Longitude with 56 and 60 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 9th North Climate is generally very Mountainous yet some of its Vallies are abundantly fertil producing great plenty of Corn and others are very fit for Pasturage It 's likeways well stor'd with large Quarries of Free Stone as also several Mines of Lead-Oar and Coles The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is about 16 Hours ½ the shortest in the Southmost 7 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Cattle Butter Cheese Welch Friezes Cottons Bays Herrings Hides Calve-Skins Honey Wax and such like In several Parts of this Principality especially Denbighshire are still to be seen the Remains of that famous Wall commonly call'd King Offa's Dâ—ke made by Offa the Mercian as a Boundary between the Saxons and Britains 2. At a small Village call'd Newton in Glamorganshire is a remarkable Spring nigh the Sea which Ebbs and Flows contrary to the Sea 3. In the same County as also Câ—ermardâ—nshire are several Ancient Sepulchral Monuments and divers noted Stone Pillars with observable Inscriptions upon them 3. In Brecknockshire are some other remarkable Pillars particularly that call'd Maen y Morynuiâ—n or the Maiden-stone near the Town of Brecknock Another at Pentre Yskythrog in Lhan St. Aeâ—ed Parish And a third in Form of a Cross in Vaenor Parish 4. In Glamorganshire are the Remains of Kaer Phyli Castle taken by some for the Buliaeum Silurum which are generally reckon'd the noblest Ruins of Ancient Architecture of any in Britain 5 In Monmouthshire are many Roman Aitars dug up with variety of Inscriptions upon ' em For all these Inscripons abovementiond Vid. Camden 's Britannia late Edition from page 613 to 620. as also from 623 to 628 with page 593 594 600 601 605. But if the curious Reader would see the chief Rarities of Wales at one view let him consult the aforesaid Author page 697. where he will find the Remarkables of this Principality represented in Sculpture particularly these following viz. a curious carved Pillar call'd Maen-y-Chwyan on Mostyn Mountain in Flintshire Two remarkable Pillars at Kaer Phyli Castle in Glamorganshire An Alabaster Statue found near Porth-Shini-Kran in Monâ—â—outhshire And finally some Roman Armour and Medals with variety of Coins both Roman and British dug up at several times in several Parts of Wales Archbishopricks in this Principality None Bishopricks 4. viz. those of Bangor Landaff S. Asaph S. Davids already mention'd Universities None The Welch are a People generally reputed very faithful and loving to one another in a strange Country as also to Strangers in their own The Commons for the most part are extraordinary Simple and Ignorant but their Gentry are esteem'd both Brave and Hospitable They 're universally inclin'd to a Cholerick Temper and extravagantly value themselves on their Pedigrees and Families The Welsh being the Off-spring of the Ancient Britains do still retain their Primitive Language which yet remains freer from a mixture of exotick Words than any Modern Tongue in Europe a Language which hath nothing to recommend it to Strangers it being both hard to pronounce and unpleasant to the Ear by reason of its vast multitude of Consonants Their Pater-Noster runs thus Ein Tad yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd sancteidier dy enw Deued dy deyrmas bid dy ewyll s ar yddâ—iar megis y mac yn y nefoedd dyro i ni heddyw ein bara beunyddiol a maddeu i ni ein dyledion fel y maddewn ni i'n dyledwyr ac nar arwain mi brofe diageth eithr gwared in rhag drwg Amen This Principality was anciently govern'd by its own King or Kings there being frequently one for South and another for North Wales and sometimes no less than five did claim a Regal Power but was fully Conquer'd Anno 1282.