prop. so call'd Chief Town Prague S. to N. Lusatia higher Northward Soraw 〈◊〉 lower Southward Pantzen Moravia Eastern Weiskirk Olmutz Western Olmutz D. of Silesia higher Southward Troppaw Breslaw lower Northward Breslaw After the 10 Circles of Germany followeth Switzerland comprehending 13 Cantons with several Confederate Cities and Proefectures 1. The thirteen Cantons are those of Zurick Switz Glaris Solothurn Bern Underwald Basil Schafhousen Lucern Zug Friburg Apenzel These Cantons are set down according to their Votes in the general Diets each of them hath a capital City of its own Name except Uri chief Town Altorf and Underwald chief Town Stant and are reduced to three Classes Viz. West comprehending Basil from N. to S. Soloturn Bern Freiburg Middle comprehending Schafhouse from N. to S. Zurich Zug Lucern Switz Underwald Uri East comprehending Apenzil from N. to S. Glaris 2. The chief Confederates of the Switzers are the Grisons ch T. Coire W. of the County of Tirol City of Geneva Lake of Geneva 3. The chief Praefectures of the Switzers are Baden on the W. N. W. of Zurick Bremgarten Mellingen Sargans N. of the Grisons To the German Empire we might here annex the Kingdom of Hungary it being now almost intirely under the Emperour But of it when we come to Turkey in Europe THIS great Body being divided as aforesaid into Ten Circles and the first of these viz. Belgium or the Netherlands being most observable upon several accounts we shall take a particular View of the same as it consists of Holland and Flanders and then treat of all the rest conjunctly under the general Title of Upper Germany Therefore §. 1. HOLLAND THis Country of old Batavia a part of Ancient Belgium is 〈◊〉 by the Italians and Spaniards Holanda by the French Hollande by the Germans and English Holland so call'd as many imagin from Hol and land two Teutonic words signifying a low or hollow sort of Land But others choose rather to dâ—â—ive the Name from Oeland an Island in the Baltick Sea whose Inhabitants being great Pyrats and frequently ranging these Seas at 〈◊〉 did seize upon and settle themselves in this part of the 〈◊〉 The Air of this Country is generally thick and moist by reason of the frequent Fogs which arise from the many Lakes and Channels with which this Country abounds And to Moistness of the Air it is that we may impute the Cause of the â—ency of Agues to which the Inhabitants are so subject The â—site Place of the Globe to Holland is that part of the vast Paciâ—â—â— Ocean between 205 and 210 Degrees of Longitude with 51 and 54 Degrees of South Latitude This Country lying very low and in the Tenth North Climate Its Soil is Naturally wet and fenny but the industrious Inhabitants do so drain it by a vast Multitude of Artificial Channels that the Ground is made very fit both for Pasture and Tillage especially the former they imploying the greatest part of their Land in Grazing vast Herds of Kine The Length of the Days and Nights is the same as in England South of the Humber Although the Commodities of this Country proceeding from its natural Growth may strictly speaking be reckon'd only Butter and Cheese yet by reason of the many useful Manufactures which this People encourage at home the very Materials of which are brought from other Nations and that wonderful Trade which they manage abroad in most Parts of the known World we may reckon it as a Publick Warehouse of the richest and best Commodities of all Nations The chief Remarkables in Holland are these following viz. 1. The vast Multitude of Artificial Sluces and Canals being a Work of prodigious Expence and great Convenience both for Traffick and Travelling 2. The Burg in Leyden being reckon'd a notable Piece of Antiquity with the many rare Curiosities to be seen in the famous University there 3. The Curious Fountains especially that call'd The Basin of Venus and the two great Cascades or Water-falls in the pleasant Gardens belonging to Loo 4. The brazen Font in St. Peter's Church in Zutphen Remarkable for its admirable Workmanship 5. The two brazen Dishes in the Village of Losdun in which were Baptiz'd Anno 1276. by Don William Suffragan Bishop of Treves 365 Children born at one Birth by the Countess of Heneberg Daughter to Florent the 4th Earl of Holland 6. The Remarkable Stone Quarry near Maestricht which looks like a vast Subterraneous Palace it reaching under a large Hill supported by some Thousands of square Pillars commonly 20 Foot high between which are spacious Walks and many private Retirements of great Use in time of War they serving as a sure Refuge to the neighbouring Country People who commonly resort thither with their Goods when alarm'd by an approaching Enemy 7. The Room where the Synod of Dort was held Anno 1619 with the Seats as they then stood is shewn to Strangers as another Curiosity of this Country To these we may add the stately brazen Statue of the famous Desid Erasmus in the City of Rotterdam as also the little obscure House where that Great and Eminent Man was born which is likewise shewn to Strangers having this Distich over its Door Aedibus his ortus Mundum decor avit Erasmus Artibus ingenuis Relligione Fide Here is but one Archbishoprick in this Country viz. Utricht and that only Titulary Under the Archbishop of Utrecht are Five Titular Suffragans viz. Those of Deventer Groningen Harlem Leuwarden Middleburgh Universities in this Country are those of Leyden Utrecht Franeker Groningen Harderwick The Natives of this Country are reckon'd none of the Politest sort of People either in Thought or Behaviour especially the latter in which they so little endeavour to follow the various Modes and nice Punctilio's of Ceremony in Use among their Neighbours the French that they choose rather to run to the other extream The chief if not only Quality of this People besides the singular Neatness of their Houses is that wonderful Genius to a laudable Industry wherewith they seem to be Universally inspir'd Persons of all Ages Sexes and Stations being some way or other usefully imploy'd By which industrious Hand in carrying on several profitable Manufactures at home and managing a prodigious Trade abroad they have of late advanc'd themselves to such a height of Power and Treasure as to become even terrible to crown'd Heads The Language here spoken is the Low Dutch a Dialect of the German having several corrupted French and Latin words intermixt a Language that hath nothing to recommend it to Strangers How it differs from the High German will best appear by their Pater Noster which runs thus Onse Vader die in de hemelen Ziit Uwen Naem werde geheylight Uw ' koninckritche home Uwen wille geschiede geliick in den hemel alsoo oock op der atrden On s ' dagelicks broot geef on s heden Ende vergeeft on s onse schulden geliick
the very place where once stood the Coenaculum the Church of St. Saviour and that of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin with her splendid Sepulchre all three built by the incomparable St. Helena Add to these the decent Tomb of Zachary near Brook Cedron with the Sepulchre of Lazarus at the Town of Bethany Here likeways are shown to Pilgrims all other noted Places in or about the City which are frequently mention'd in the Sacred Volumn as Mount Olivet the Garden of Gethsemene the Vallies of Jehosophat and Gehinnon the Pool of Siloim the Field of Blood c. They moreover shew 'em the places where formerly stood the Palaces of Caiphas Pilate and Herod with the Houses of Martha and Mary and Annas the High Priest as also the particular Place where St. Peter wept upon the denial of his Master and where Judas the Traytor hang'd himself for the betraying of him And finally The Pilgrims are conducted unto and visit the respective Place of each particular Scene of our Saviour's Sufferings with that of his Ascention at last All which are fully describ'd by G. Sandys Thevenot and other latter Travellers in the Holy Land To these Rarities of Palestine I might also add those many remarkable Creatures whether Beasts Birds or Fishes frequently mention'd in the Sacred Volumn and formerly more plentiful than at present in this Country But having drawn out this Paragraph already to so great a length I shall not enter upon so vast a Subject remitting the Reader to that incomparable Work of the Learned Bochartus De Animalibus S. Scripturae where he may be fully satisfied in that matter As for Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universitities See Natolia The mountainous Parts of this Country are mostly possess'd by the Arabs of whom in Arabia the Valleys by the Moors of whom in Africa Other People here residing are a few Turks and many Christians particularly Greeks of whom in Europe and intermixt with all these are some Jews and of them here in particular The Modern Jews to say nothing of 'em in former times are generally Characteriz'd thus viz. a Vagabond Persidious and Obstinate sort of People a People now living as meer Aliens not only in most Parts of the Earth but also in this once their own Country a People indeed universally given to Trading where-ever dispers'd but as universally addicted to Cozening and Usury where-ever they find occasion a People so singularly stigmatiz'd by Heaven that according to the Prophet's Prediction they 're now become an Astonishment and Hissing to all Nations In a word The Modern Jews being extremely blinded in Judgment and perverse in Will do not only remain most obstinate in denying the Messias already come notwithstanding of the clearest Demonstration to the contrary but also they 're a People that 's universally corrupted in Morals and that in the highest degree the generality of 'em being addicted to the blackest of Vices This Country being under the Turkish Yoke its Inhabitants do generally use the Turkish Tongue The various Christians here residing whether European or Asiatick do commonly speak those Languages peculiar to the Countries to which they Originally belong How and by whom this Country was govern'd till it became a Roman Province is best learn'd from the Historical Part of the Sacred Volumn and the Writings of the noted Jewish Historian Josephus The Land of Palestine being brought under the Roman Senate by Pompey the Great continued subject to that State till the beginning of the Seventh Century when 't was invaded by the Persians and afterwards made a Prey to the Saracens yet rescu'd from them by the Christians under Godfrey of Bouillon Anno 1099. whose Successors held it about eighty Years but being taken from them by Saladin King of Syria and Egypt it remain'd subject to the Califes of Egypt till conquer'd Anno 1517. by Selimus the first Emperor of the Turks who subjected the same to the Ottoman Yoke under which it groans to this very day The Arms of the Christian Kings of Jerusalem were Luna a Cross Crosset crossed Sol commonly call'd the Cross of Jerusalem But this Country being now a Part as aforesaid of the Ottoman Dominions is allow'd no particular Arms at present and cart only claim a share of the Ensigns Armorial of the Turkish Empire in general What these are see Turky in Europe page 182. The present Inhabitants of Palestine are in Point of Religion reducible to Three Classes viz. Christians Jews and Mahometans The chief Tenets embrac'd and maintain'd by the first and last of these may be seen in their proper places when treating of Christendom and Turky in Europe As for the Jews I think no place more proper to Discourse of their Religion than in this their Ancient Country Know therefore that the Modern Jews both here and elsewhere adhere still as closely to the Mosaick Dispensation as their present Circumstances in a dispers'd and despis'd Condition will allow Their Service chiefly consists in reading of their Law in the Synagogue together with various Prayers which they perform with little or no appearance of Devotion Sacrifices they use not since the Destruction of their Temple at Jerusalem The chief Articles of their present Belief and Practice are these following 1. They all agree in the acknowledgment of a Supreme Being both Essentially and Personally one but entertain some ridiculous Apprehensions concerning him as particularly the great Complacency they vainly imagine he takes in reading their Talmud 2. They acknowledge a twofold Law of God viz a Written and Unwritten one The Written is that delivered by God to the Israelites and recorded in the Five Books of Moses The Unwritten was also as they pretend delivered by God to Moses and handed down from him by Oral Tradition and now to be receiv'd pari pietatis affectu with the former 3. They assert the Perpetuity of their Law together with its Perfection believing there can be nothing added to it or taken from it 4. They unanimously deny the accomplishment of the Promises and Prophecies concerning the Messias obstinately alledging that he is not yet come and that whenever he appears 't will be with the greatest worldly Pomp and Grandeur imaginable subduing all Nations before him and making them acknowledge Subjection to the House of Judah For evading the express Predictions of the Prophets concerning his mean Condition and Sufferings they without any shaddow of Divine Authority do considently talk of a twofold Messias one Ben Ephraim whom they grant to be a Person of a mean and afflicted Condition in this World another Ben David who they believe shall be a Victorious Powerful Prince and the Restorer of 'em to their former Liberty and Possessions 5. They think that the Sacred Name of God can't be blasphem'd by Man if he only refrain from expressing the adorable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. They condemn all manner of Images though only design'd as a bare Representation of Persons to
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
David numbred in his time no less than 1300000 fighting Men besides the Tribes of Levi and Benjamin But alas such were the crying Sins of its Inhabitants that it not only spew'd them out as it had done those who dwelt before them But the Almighty being highly provok'd by their many and repeated Abominations hath turn'd that fruitful Land into barrenness for the wickedness of them who dwelt therein For such is the dismal State of this Country at present that besides the Turkish Yoke under which it groans the greatest part thereof is not only laid waste but even where duly manur'd 't is generally observ'd that the Soil is not near so fertil as formerly The longest Day in the Northmost part of this Country is about 14 Hours ¼ the shortest in the Southmost is about 10 Hours and the Nights proportionably Such is the mean and depauperated State of this Country at present that we may now reckon it destitute of all Commodities for the Merchant its Inhabitants now-a-days being mere Strangers to all manner of Commerce In its flourishing Condition under the Kings of Judah and Israel the People thereof did indeed manage a very considerable Trade abroad and that chiefly by the two famous Emporiums of Tyre and Sydon abovemention'd besides the Ships of Tarshish which Solomon sent yearly to the Land of Ophir and so noted were these two Maritime Cities of old for Merchandizing that the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah 23. 8. denouncing the overthrow of Tyre calls it The Crowning City whose Merchants are Princes and whose Traffickers are the Honourable of the Earth And Verse 3. he termeth Sydon a Mart of Nations But so fully accomplisht is the Prophetical Denounciation against 'em both and so low and despicable is their Condition at present that I heartily wish all flourishing Cities of Christendom might be so wise as seriously to reflect on the same and to take timely warning by them especially considering that most of our Populous and Trading Cities are now such Dens of Iniquity that their Inhabitants may justly dread That 't will be more tollerable for Tyre and Sydon in the day of judgment than fâ—r them In the Southern Parts of Palestine is Asphaltis or Asphaltites so term'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Bitumen that noted Lake of Judaea where the abominable Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah formerly stood otherways call'd the Dead Sea and remarkable at present for abundance of Sulphurous Vapours which still ascend in so great a measure that no Bird is able to fly from one side of the Lake to the other 'T is also observable for good store of Apples growing near its Banks which appear very lovely to the Eye but being toucht and cut up prove mere naught being nothing else but a heap of nauseous Matter 2. Nigh to the place of the Ancient Sarepta are many Caves and Apartments hewen out of the firm Rock which some vainly imagine to have been the Habitation of Men in the Golden Age before Cities in these Parts of the World were well-known But others with greater shew of probability take 'em for the Caves of the Sidonians mention'd in the Book of Joshua under the Name of Mearah 3 Not far from the once noted City of Tyre are several large square Cisterns which still go by the Name of Solomon's among the Christians of that Country but why so call'd they can give no other reason than bare Tradition 4. At St John d' Acre the Ancient Ptolemais are yet to be seen the Ruins of a Palace which acknowledgeth Richard I. King of England for its Founder and the Lion pissant is still visible upon some of the Stones 5. On Mount Carmel are some Remains of a Monastry of Carmelite Fryers with a Temple dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and under it is a private Cell or Cave which Travellers alledge to be the ancient residing Place of the Prophet Elias On the same Mountain are found a great many Stones that have the lively Impression of Fishes Bones upon ' em As also abundance of petrifi'd Fruit particularly Plumbs or Stones of that resemblance 6. Not far from the Brook Cedron stands a part of the Pillar of Absalom which he erected in his life-time out of an ardent desire to Eternize his Name and nigh to it is a great heap of small Stones which daily encreaseth because either Jew or Mahometan passing by seldom fails to throw one at the same and that out of abhorrency of the Son's Rebellion against the Father 7. In the Mountains of Judah is a remarkable Spring where Philip is said to have baptiz'd the Ethiopian Eunuch whereupon 't is call'd by the Name of The Ethiopian Fountain and hath a Church adjacent erected 't is probable out of Devotion in Honour of the Place and Memory of that Fact Yet by the by 't would seem that this were not the place of the Ethiopian's Baptism because those rocky and declining Mountains are hardly passable on Horse-back much less in a Chariot 8. Nigh to the asoresaid Fountain is a considerable Cave where 't is reported St. John the Baptist did live from the seventh Year of his Age till he appear'd in the Wilderness of Judaea as the promis'd Elias 9. At Bethlehem is the goodly Temple of the Nativity erected by St. Helena Mother of Constantine the Great who call'd it St. Mary's of Bethlehem 'T is now possess'd by the Franciscans of Jerusalem and is still intire having many Chappels and Altars but those little frequented except it be upon extraordinary Occasions 10. In the Mountains of Juda are the Remains of an Ancient Church built by St. Helena and dedicated to St. John the Baptist and that in the place where Zachary the Prophet was born And nigh to it where the Blessed Virgin did Visit her Cousin Elizabeth is a Grotto in which 't is said that the Body of Elizabeth lies interr'd 11. Upon the left hand in going out of the City of Jerusalem by the Gate of Joppa is Mount Sion on whose top are still to be seen the Ruins of the Tower of David which was once a Building of wonderful Strength and admirable Beauty 12. Upon Mount Calvary is the stately Temple of the Holy Sepulchre built by the aforesaid Virtuous St. Helena and hitherto visited by Multitudes of Christians who slock to it from all Parts of the World either out of Devotion or Curiosity It 's divided into a vast multitude of Appartments containing many Chappels and Altars which for the most part receive their Names from some remarkable Circumstance of our Saviour's Passion besides those peculiar to Christians of different Nations at Jerusalem particularly the Abyssines Armenians Georgians Cophtes Jacobites Maronites c and at the entry of one of those Chappels is the Sepulchre of Godfrey of Boulogn on one hand and that of his Brother Baldwin's on the other But Lastly In and about Jerusalem besides the Observables abovemention'd are these following Particulars viz a Mosque erected in
Apt Forcalquier Sisteron Middle part whose chief Towns are Arles W. to E. on the S. of the Durance Salon Aix Riez Senez Glandeves Lower whose chief Towns are Marseilles W. to E. nigh unto or upon the Sea-Coast Toulon Hyeres Frejuls Grace Vence Antiâ—e After these Twelve Governments we may here subjoin two other Countries adjacent to the East part of France Namely Loraine French County LORAINE Divided into Loraine properly so called Ch. Town Nancy Dutchy of Barr Westward Bar le Duc. More particularly Loraine properly so called Chief Town Nancy towards the middle D. of Bar Bar le Duc Westward Principality of Phaltzbourge Idem Eastward The Territor of Toule Idem S. to N. Metz Idem Verdun Idem Also those of Clermont Idem 15 Miles W. of Verdun Bitch Idem N. to S. upon the E. part of Loraine Sarward Idem Sarbruck Idem Salme Idem Vaudemont Idem 18 Miles S. E. of Toul FRENCH COUNTY Divided into Higher Northward Chief Town Montbeliart Middle part Besanson Lower Southward Salins More particularly Higher its chief Towns are Montbeliart E. to W. Vesoul Middle its chief Towns are Besancon or Besanson E. to W. upon the Doux Dole Lower its chief Towns are Salins N. to S. S. Claude THis Country formerly Gallia from its Ancient Inhabitants the Gauls otherwise the Celta is term'd by the Italians and Spaniards Francia by its Natives la France by the Germans Franckreich and by the English France so call'd as most Authors agree from the Franks a German Nation inhabiting that Part of Germany still call'd Franconia who invading Gaul and by degrees subduing a great Part of it gave it a New Name from its New Masters who in the Opinion of some Judicious Writers had theirs from certain Franchises granted them by the Roman Emperors beyond what the Neighbouring Nations enjoy'd or according to others from the German words Fraâ—n and Ausen the former signifying Free and the other an Heroe The Air of this Country is very Temperate Pleasant and Healthful being in a good Medium between the great Excess of Heat and Cold which ordinarily attend those Countries of a more Northern and Southern Situation yea so healthful is it that this Kingdom is generally observ'd to be less subject to Plagues and Sickness than most other Nations of Europe and the Air about Mompelier in particular is universally esteem'd Medicinal for Consumptions The opposite Place of the Globe to France is that part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 190 and 207 Degrees of Longitude with 42 and 51 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 6 7 and 8. North Climate is extraordinary fruitful particularly in Corn Wine Fruits Hemp c. The Fields being here both large and open are generally intermingl'd with Vines and Corn as also bordered and interlin'd with variety of Fruits Here are many and vasts Forests and these well-stor'd with most sorts of wild Beasts fit for Hunting several Mountains and these cover'd over with numerous Flocks and some of them lin'd with rich and valuable Mines Here also are divers excellent Pits of Coals and Quarries of Stones The longest Day in the Northmost Part of this Country is about 16 Hours ¼ The shortest in the Southmost is 9 Hours ¼ and the Nights proportionably The Chief Commodities of this Country are Salt Fish Corn Wine Almonds Coral Canvas Oade Linnen Paper Wood Skins Alamodes Lusting and rich flower'd Silks Verdigris Cremor Tartaris c. Among the chief Rarities of France we may reckon some remarkable Remains of the Roman Antiquities as yet to be seen in that Country And they are reducible to these following Heads viz. 1. Triumphal Arches particularly that in the City of Rheims as yet entire compos'd of Three Arches and adorn'd with many Figures and Trophies but uncertain for whom erected There are also the Ruins of several others near Autun in Burgundy one at Saintes in Guienne another almost entire at the City of Orange erected by Caius Marius and Luctatius Catulus upon their Victory obtain'd over the Cimbres and Teutones where are likewise the Ruins of a Roman Circus To these we may add that stately Bridge twelve Miles off Nismes consisting of three Stories of Arches one above another the last of which was an Aqueduct 2. Amphitheaters as the Ruins of a stately one at Chalons in Burgundy another at Perigueux in Guienne another at Tholouse in Langaedoc another at Arles in Provence another at Vienne in Dauphine but the chief of all is that at Nismes of an extraordinary bigness and as yet adorn'd with several Pillars and divers Roman Eagles as also the Fable of Romulus and Romus sucking the She-wolf 3. The Remains of some Heathen Temples particularly those of Templum Jani now call'd the Jenetoye at Autun in Burgundy those of the Goddess Venus at Perigueux in Guienne and that of Diana near Nismes in Languedoc 4. The Ruins of some Ancient Aqueducts as those near Coutance in Burgundy those at Dole in Britaign some at Autun in Burgundy and those at Tholouse in Languedoc 5. Remarkable Pillars particularly those Ancient Columes and Pyramids near Autun in Burgundy but more especially is that famous Roman Obelisk of Oriental Granat at Arles in Provence which is much admired by the Curious being fifty two Foot high seven Foot Diameter at the Base and yet all but one Stone Among the Monuments of Antiquity we may mention that large Passage cut through the middle of a Rock about two Leagues from Brianson in Dauphine which being a stupendious piece of Work gives occasion to various Conjectures some Persons imputing it to J. Caesar and others rather to Hannjbal To these we may add that large and round Buckler of Massy Silver fish'd out of the Rhone near Avignion 1665. being twenty Inches in Diamiter and weighing twenty one pounds 't is 1900 Years old and is charg'd with Scipio Africanus half Mantled grasping his Pike and Roman Officers attending with the Spaniards supplicating for a fair Virgin the same being consecrated to that Virtuous General upon his restoring a beautiful Captive to Allucius Prince of Celtiberia who had espous'd her These being the principal Remains of Reverend Antiquity observable in this Country next to such Curiosities we may subjoin some Rarities of Nature the most noted of which are these following 1 Waters of remarkable Qualities particularly Those nigh to Dax or D'Acque in Gascoign so reputed of old for Bathing that from them the whole Province of Aquitaine did derive its Name As also the Mineral Waters of Bourbon much resorted unto even in time of the Romans together with that famous Fountain near to Grenoble which appeareth as if covered with Flames and boileth up in great Bubbles and yet is never hot Likewise another boiling Fountain about a League from Montpellier much observ'd by Travellers and finally that Oily-spring near Gabian in the Road from Montpellier to Beziers Add to these a Spring near Loches in
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