of the Kings children NOw as concerning the Black Eunuchs and Black-moor wenches which serve the Sultana's and the rest of the Kings women it is to be noted that the black Eunuchs whilst they are boyes are for the most part kept and taught among the other youths of the Seraglio as the white ones are untill they come to age and are made fit for service Being taken from thence they are appointed for the women and set to serve and wait with others at the Sultana's gate and are all under command of the Kuzlar Aga who is their Patron as the Capee Aga is Master of the white ones being allowed a pension of fifty or sixty aspars a day and two vests of silk yearly with linnen and other necessaries sufficient for their use besides divers gifts and gratuities which they receive from women strangers at such times as they let them in to the Kings women and especially from the Jews women who are daily conversant with them The reason why their pension is so great in comparison of others is that they can never be sent abroad in any imployment thereby to enrich themselves as the other can but must for ever stay and serve in the Seraglio They are named by the names of flowers as Hiacynth Narcissus Rose Gilly-flower and the like For that serving the women and being alwayes near about them their names may be answerable to their virginity sweet and undefiled The Black-moor girles are no sooner brought into the Seraglio after their arrival at Constantinople for they come by ship from Cairo and thereabouts but they are carried to the womens lodgings where they are brought up and made fit for all services and by how much the more ugly and deformed they are by so much the more they are valued and esteemed of by the Sultana's Wherefore the Bashawe of Cairo who for the most part sends them all is diligent to get the most ill favoured coal-black * blabberlipped and flat nosed girles that may be had through all Egypt or the countreys bordering on it to send them for presents to the Grand Signor who bestowes them upon his women Now after their coming if they shall be disliked by reason of some infirmity then are they sent into the old Seraglio as the white women are when they are unfit for service or mis-behave themselves all which is done by the Kings order and consent The aforesaid black Eunuchs by occasion of being sent with messages to the Grand Signor from the Sultana's may passe through the mens lodgings to carry little notes to the Capee Aga that he may deliver them unto the King or for to fetch any thing from any of the officers of the Seraglio or to speak with any of their friends at the gate but otherwise they may not dare to go forth of the Seraglio from the Kuzlar Aga without expresse license from the Sultana Queen They likewise are to go to and fro and to do all other businesses for the Sultana's in the womens lodgings which the white Eunuchs cannot perform For they are not permitted to come there nor any man that is white but the King only may see and come amongst the women Insomuch as when some one of them being fallen sick it is required that the Hakim Bashawe who is the Kings Physitian should come thither they must necessarily first have leave of the King for his entrance and being admitted to enter by the Sultana's door he seeth none but the black Eunuchs all the other women being retired into some withdrawing rooms who bring him into the sick womans chamber and she being closely covered from head to foot with quilts and blankets holdeth out her arm only so as the Doctor may touch her pulse who when he hath given order what shall be done both for her diet and medicines goes away immediatly by the same way that he came But if she which is sick be the Queen or one of the Sultana's with whom the Grand Signor hath layen then her arm and hand which she holdeth out of the bed for the Physician to feel her pulse is covered with a fine piece of white silk or Taffata sarcenet For her flesh may not be seen nor touched bare neither may the Doctor say any thing in her hearing but being gone out of her chamber prescribeth what medicine he thinks fit which for the most part according to the knowledge and common custome of the Turks is but only some kinde of loosning and refreshing * Sherbett For they seldom use any other physick nor do I hold their skill sufficient to prepare medicines for every malady But in case the party diseased should have need of a Chirurgion she then must do as she may and suffer without any scruple For there is no remedy to conceal her skin and flesh from him And as for the other women which are not Sultana's or at least which are not well beloved of the Grand Signor either for their person or for some pâ—…culiar and extraordinary vertues they needing a Chirurgion are sent into the old Seraglio to be cured where they shall not want whatsoever may be thought convenient and useful for restoring them to their former estate The Kings sons which are born unto him by his Queen are nursed and brought up together by themselves by choice nurses which are found abroad without the Seraglio But if his Majesty have sons also by other Sultana's as commonly every Grand Signor hath then those are brought up apart and not with the Queens so that every mother careth for her own children and that with great envy and jealousie yet they may play together till they come to be of six or seven years of age being much made of sumptuously maintained and apparelled all alike at the Kings charge They live among the women till they come to be of nine or ten years of age and about fourteen they are circumcised with great pomp and solemnities thorowout the whole city especially the eldest son For the circumcisions of the Turks children are like to the Christian weddings there being used at them great feasting banquetting musick and bringing of presents From five years of age until ten during which time they live amongst the women they have their Hojah that is their School-master appointed them by the King to teach them to write and read and to instruct them in good manners that they may behave themselves decently before the King their father which Hojah comes once a day into the womens Seraglio and is brought into a chamber by the black Eunuchs without ever seeing the Kings women at all whither the children come accompanied with two or three old Black-moor women slaves and there they are taught for so many hours together as their tutor is permitted to stay and then he departeth As for the daughters they are but sleightly looked after nor is
the same as they two can agree between themselves either in ready money before his departure or otherwise at his return as the Aga shall think best for his profit and so forthwith he dispatches the party chosen This kinde of employment proves wonderfully beneficial For in the establishing of the Princes of Walachia * Bugdania Transilvania and of the King of Tartarie to all which Princes the Grand Signor sendeth Embassadors for confirming their possession of the said Dominions they which are sent receive great benefit it being specified in their Canon how much every one is to disburse for being honoured with that solemnity though peradventure they be * Maazold again before they be scarce warm in their places And this the King doth of Policie to the end his gentlemen may become rich laying up money to serve for their necessary expences and furnishing them by that means with divers things against such time as they shall go forth of the Seraglio which is as often as his Majesty thinks fit and that most commonly on a sudden either to be generall at Sea Bashaw of * Messur * Halep * Shawm Babylon or of some other such great cities which have whole Provinces under them The Grand Signor gives also to each of them when he sends them forth upon any the aforesaid imployments a * Musahib that is in effect a helping companion such an one as shall have liberty freely to talk with him and go out and in unto him when he pleaseth the which title and favour of being made Musahib to any of the Agas proves to be of so great reputation that it is esteemed above any other sort of imployment For as it is hard to be obtained so it is only bestowed upon such subjects as have deserved well at the Kings hands And this hath been a course used of old by the Grand Signors Progenitors that they may have some trusty subjects abroad to give notice to the Court of the carriage of the Bashawes in their several regiments or of any other if so be they should attempt any thing that might be prejudicial to the crown that so the King by cutting off their provision and the like may easily anticipate their plots and designes But if his Majestie be not pleased or the occasion do not require so highly to exalt some one of the aforesaid Agas as to be of the degrees already named he then makes him * Beglerbeg of Graecia or of Natolia Aga of the Janizaries Spaheelor Agajee which is head over all the Spahees Imrohor Bashawe which is master of the horse or at the least a Capoochee Bashawe which is head over the Capoogees The Grand Signor having bestowed any of the said places upon them they forthwith leave the Seraglio and carry with them all their estates both money and goods and oftentimes take with them other young men of the other Odas who are permitted to go through their own hastinesse and great importunity not being willing to stay out their time but losing the Kings favour are content with small pay and lesser reputation to go along with the said Agas Such as are to go out upon the greatest imployments are accompanied forth of the Kings Seraglio by the VizirAzem who also presenteth them and giveth them entertainment for three or four dayes in his house until such time as they can be provided of houses of their own whither afterwards they repair and set their families in order taking also unto them such as are come out of the Seraglio with them for assistants and ministers in the charge assigned unto them They also accept of the service of strangers who come in by gifts which likewise redounds to the benefit and advantage of the great ones They which succeed in preferment those that are gone out of the Seraglio upon the aforesaid employments are as the custom commandeth such as are next in years unto them and of the longest residence Nor can this course be altered unlesse by some sinister accident or evil behaviour they fail thereof so that it is alwayes known amongst themselves who is next capable of publick imployment nay the businesse is so orderly carried and their course so regular that even they of the third Oda do know what their future fortunes will be if they live to enjoy them And indeed all of them live in continual hope and desire that the Grand Signor would often be pleased to send them abroad that so they may the sooner be out of their hard service in the Seraglio and enter into the state of ample government It is no marvail then the Turkish officers are so often changed seeing that every Grand Signor hath so many servants of his own that seek for advancement They are most commonly of five and thirty or fourty yeers of age before they are sent abroad and because they come out of the Seraglio with their beards shaven they are fain to stay within doors for some dayes to let them grow that they may be fit to come amongst other great men with which staying at home they are very well contented For in that time they receive the presents which are sent them from all the Sultana's of vests shirts linnen breeches and handkerchiefs of all sorts richly wrought and of great worth and from the Bashawes and other great men horses carpets vests slaves and other things fit for the erecting and furnishing of an house and family the which presents are made the greater and richer by so much the more as the party to whom they are given is known to be favoured and beloved of the King Now so soon as their beards are grown they go abroad and begin their visits first to the chief Vizir and then in order to the other great ones till they have been with them all and last of all they offer their service to the Capee Aga in all humble manner acknowledging that their best fortunes and honours have been conferred upon them by his means and promising for ever all dutiful respect unto him for the same But this complement with the Capee Aga is performed without the gate on the Kings side which is kept by the white Eunuchs for they may not come any more within that gate unlesse they be called for by the King for to treat of things belonging to their imployments before their departure They all strive to gain the love and good will of the Capee Aga that he may be as a protector and patron unto them and that when they are absent he may possesse the Grand Signor with a good opinion of them for they know he is very powerful with him being the chiefest in the Seraglio and alwayes nearest to the King CHAP. VII Of inferior persons as Buffons Mutes Musitians of the White Eunuchs and of the Grand officers of the Seraglio BEsides the women and the Agiam oglans of this Seraglio
This Eunuch hath many servants under him and stayes for the most part within the Seraglio his pension is a * thousand aspars a day besides vests and other such gifts which are given him in abundance from time to time he also is much favoured and graced by the King for that he is to succeed the Hazineâ—…dar Bashawe in case the said Hazinehdar should die or change his place and is well esteemed of and reverenced by all as well without as within the Seraglio The fourth and last which is the Sarai Agasee hath charge to look unto the Seraglio nor doth he ever go out of it especially in the Grand Signors absence but is very vigilant not only in seeing all things prepared for the daily service of the same but also to look over all the rooms and see that they be well kept and to eye the officers and servants of the house marking whether they exercise themselves or no in tâ—…ir several functions Now because he is ancient and his businesses great he hath liberty to ride within the Seraglio about the courts and gardens and by the sea-side as the three former Agas are also permitted to do for which purpose they have a stable of horses in a garden for their use alone His pension is * eight hundred aspars a day besides an allowance of vests and furs as many as he can well have occasion to wear and his succeeding the Keelergee Bashawe and so by course the Capee Aga if he out-live the rest And although all these four Eunuchs may wear Turbants in the Seraglio and ride being the chief next the King himself in authority within the Seraglio and are reverenced and respected of all men yet the three last viz. Hazinehdar Bashawe Keelergee Bashawe and Sarai Agasee may not of themselves when they list speak to the Grand Signor but only answer when any thing is asked of them howbeit they alwayes attend with the Capee Aga the person and service of the King with all the Eunuchs under them and the aforesaid Agas and Itchoglans already spoken of but these four onely govern and mannage the Kings houshold affairs giving order for all things needful and necessary aswel for the dayes as for the nights provision All the Eunuchs in the Seraglio may be in number about two hundred what with old ones middle aged and young ones they are all of them not onely gelt but have their yards also clean cut off and are chosen of those Renegado youths which are presented from time to time to the Grand Signor as aforesaid Few or none of them are gelt and cut against their will For then as the master workmen in that businesse affirm they would be in great danger of death Wherefore to get their consent they promise them fair and shew unto them the assurance they may have in time to become great men All which must be done when they are very young at their first coming into the Seraglio For it is a work not to be wrought upon men of years They are brought up with the Itchoglans and are instructed in many things aswel as they being removed also from one Oda to another and are last of all taken out by turns from the fourth Oda for to serve the Grand Signor aswell as those which are not Eunuchs His Majesty likewise employes some of these his white Eunuchs in the government of all the other Seraglios and Seminaries of of youth aswel in Constantinople as in Adrianople Bursia and in divers other places in each of which there are commonly two or three hundred youths that so by their diligence and care over them together with the help of other Ministers they may be brought to an excellent discipline by which they may afterwards prove to be men of good manners and learning And it so falleth out many times that the Grand Signor to give way to the other inferiour and younger Eunuchs who expect that they succeed in order the aforesaid offices sendeth forth some of the ancientest richest and of the highest rank in great employments as to be Bashawes of Cairo Aleppo or of some other cities and provinces in Asia and sometimes Uizirs of the bench For the Eunuchs generally prove subjects though not of great courage yet of the greatest judgement and fidelity their mindes being set on businesse rather then on pleasure And for that the Eunuchs are more trusty then any other servants of the Seraglio the Capee Agha their patron doth commonly commit such things as the Grand Signor would have kept for curiosity unto their custody who for that end have closets made of purpose to lay up such rarities as are presented to the King as great pieces of AmberGreese sent from the Bashawes of the Morea Musk Treacle Mithridate of Cairo Terra sigillata Balsame and other such things of great value cups also of Agat Christal and Jasper Turkesses and other precious stones all which are so curiously kept that it seemeth to be admirable They likewise lay up his Indian presents of Zeva and Civett of all which things his Majesty and his Sultana's make daily use Hard by the Eunuchs lodgings in the Seraglio there is a very large place in which are kept all such goods as fall to the King aswell by them which are put to death as by those which die of natural diseases of which the King is Master Now the goods being brought into the said place by the chief Defterdar who receives them from the * Be it il mawlgee and is to bring them thither the Grand Sâ—…gnor in presence of his chief servants having seen and well viewed all maketh choice of what he thinks fit to reserve and to give away the rest is cryed in the Seraglio to the end that if any one there have a will to buy he may have a good penny worth and the remainder of that is at last carried into the publick Bezisten where each parcel is cried up and down the cryer still naming the most that hath been already offered and is at length sold to him that bids most nor may any that offers a price go from his word at least if he be able to perform and stand to it The money made of the said things is delivered to the Hazinehdar Bashawe and is put into the outward Hazineh or treasury And although the goods did come out of the houses of such as died but the day before of the Pestilence the Turks neverthelesse do willingly buy them and use them as if the disease were not infectious at all affirming that their end is written in their forehead and that it is a vain thing to seek to prevent it by any humane rule or policie as either avoiding the company of infected persons or the not wearing of the clothes of them that died CHAP. VIII Of the Black Eunuchs and Black-moor girles and women of the Physitians and
their several places This room standeth in a litle Court curiously adorned with many very delicate fountains and hath within it a * Sofa spread with very sumptuous Carpets of gold and of Crimson velvet embriodered with costly pearls upon which the Grand Signor sitteth and about the Chamber instead of Hangings the walls are covered with very fine white stones which having divers sorts of leaves and flowers artificially wrought and bak't upon them do make a glorious shew There is also a little room adjoyning unto it the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate hatch'd with gold and the floor is spread with very rich Persian carpets of silk and gold There are belonging to the said rooms and lodgings of the King very fair gardens of all sorts of flowers and fruits that are to be found in those parts with many very pleasant walks enclosed with high Cypresse-trees on each side and marble fountains in such abundance that almost every walk hath two or three of them such great delight doth the Grand-Signor and all Turks in general take in them Nor indeed doth a Turk at any time shew himself to be so truly pleased and satisfied in his senses as he doth in the summer time when he is in a pleasant garden For he is no sooner come into it if it be his own or where he thinks he may be bold but he puts off his uppermost Coat and layes it aside and upon that his Turbant then turns up his sleeves and unbuttoneth himself turning his breast to the winde if there be any if not he fans himself or his servant doth it for him Again sometimes standing upon an high bank to take the fresh air holding his arms abroad as a Cormorant sitting upon a rock doth his wings in sun-shine after a storm courting the weather and sweet air calling it his soul his life and his delight ever and anon shewing some notable signes of contentment nor shall the garden during his pleasant distraction be termed other then Paradise with whose flowers he stuffs his bosom and decks his Turbant shaking his head at their sweet savors and sometimes singing a song to some pretty flower by whose name peradventure his Mistress is called and uttering words of as great joy as if at that instant she her self were there present And one bit of meat in a garden shall do him more good in his opinion then the best fare that may be else where Besides the aforesaid rooms which are very many and serve only for the kings own person there is the womens lodging which is in a manner like a Nunnery wherin the Queen the other * Sultana's and all the kings women and slaves do dwell And it hath within it all the commodity that may be of beds chambers Dining rooms * Bagno's and all other kindes of building necessary for the use and service of the women which dwell therein There are likewise divers rooms and lodgings built apart from all those aforesaid which serve both for the principal officers and those of mean degree and also for the basest sort and are so well furnished that not any want can be discerned of ought that may be thought requisite and convenient for them Amongst which there are two large buildings the one the Hazineh or private Treasury and the other the kings Wardrope These are two very handsome buildings and secure by reason of the thicknesse of their walls and strength of their iron windows they have each of them an iron door kept shut continually and that of the Hazineh sealed with the kings seal In the said Seraglio there are rooms for Prayer Baths Schools Butteries Kitchins Distilling rooms places to swim in places to run horses in places for wrestling butts to shoot at and to conclude all the commodity that may be had in a princes Palace for things of that nature At the first entrance into the Seraglio there is a very large and stately Gate in the Porch whereof there is alwayes a guard of about fifty men with their weapons by them as pieces bowes and swords Having passed this gate through which the Bashawes and other great men may passe on horseback there is a very spacious Court almost a quarter of an Italian mile in length and very nigh as much in breadth and on the left hand in the Court near unto the Gate there is a place to shelter the people and horses in rainie weather on the right hand there is an Hospitall for such as fall sick in the Seraglio in which there are all things necessary It is kept by an Eunuch who hath many servants under him to attend upon the diseased Again on the left hand there is a very large place in which they keep their Timber and Carts and such like things to have them near at hand for the use and service of the Seraglio over the which there is a great Hall where are hanged up many weapons of Antiquity as Cimitars Javelins Bowes Head-pieces Gauntlets c. which they keep to lend the Souldiers and others for to accompany the Grand Signor or the * Chief Vizir when they make any solemn entry into the City of Constantinople Having passed through the aforesaid Court there is a second Gate at which the Bashawes alight somewhat lesse then the former but more neat and costlie under which there is also a stately Porch where there is likewise a Guard of Capoochees provided with weapons as they at the first Gate are thence there is another Court lesser then the former but far more beautifull and pleasant by reason of the delicate fountains and rowes of Cypresse trees and the green grasse-plots in which the * Gazels do feed and bring forth young but in this Court the Grand Signor only excepted every one must go on foot On both sides of the said Gate there is an open Gallery underset with pillars without which the ‖ Chiaushes the †Janizaries and the * Spahees do use to stand in their severall ranks very well apparelled at such times as there is a great †Divan held for the coming of any Ambassador to kisse the Grand Signors hand In the said Court on the right hand are all the Kitchins being in number nine all which have their several offices and Larders belonging unto them The first and greatest is the Kings The second the Queens The third the Sultana's The fourth the ‖ Capee Agha's The fifth for the Divan The sixth for the * Agha's the Kings Gentlemen The seventh for the meaner sort of Servants The eighth for the Women The ninth for the under Officers of the Divan and such as attend there to do what belongeth unto them in their several places On the left side of the Court is the Kings stable of about thirty or thirty five very gallant horses which his Majestie keepeth
the King so tender and careful over them For as they are not suspected at all for any thing that may concern the state in future times so likewise are they not much respected yet they are well provided for by the Grand Signor their father in case they live to be fit for husbands After the * Shawhzawdeh the next heir to the crown is circumcised if his father think it unfit to keep him any longer with him at home in the Seraglio he provides all things fitting for to send him abroad that he may see the world learn experience the better to enable him for to govern the Empire after his Fathers decease sending along with him one of his principal trusty Eunuchs for to be his guide and overseer in all his actions besides many servants to attend upon him all which he chooseth out of his own Seraglio He allowes him likewise sufficient means to maintain him like a Prince as he doth also the rest of his sons if he have a purpose to send any of them abroad And so all things being well ordered and prepared for him having taken leave of his father and mother who present him with many gifts as also the Sultana's and all the Bashaws and great men of the Court do he departs for Magnesia a city in Asia there to reside in the government of that province in which he hath not the supream authority but governs only as his fathers deputy And should he passe the limits of his commission he would quickly fall into disgrace and suspition of rebellion as heretofore it hath happened unto divers of his predecessors sent out in the same manner Wherefore the Eunuch who is appointed to be his helper and overseer is bound to give continual advise to the Grand Signor of his deportment and to the Vizirs of all occurrences whatsoever according to the charge given him and likewise to receive from Constantinople such orders and commandments as are to be obeyed in those parts where the Prince resideth So that all things in a manner are swayed by the discretion of the Eunuch CHAP. IX Of the cooks kitchins diet of the King Queen and others of the manner of service of the skullery and provision of the Seraglio THe victuals in the Seraglio for the most part are dressed by Agiamoglans brought up to cookery which are called * Aschees and are known from other Agiamoglans by their white caps yet in the form of a sugar loaf aswell as the others are howbeit there are belonging to the kitchins that are therein more then two hundred under cooks and skullions besides their principal officers as sewers caterers and such like all which are carefully to look to their severall kitchins and not any one to trust another with his businesse The Kings kitchin begins to work ordinarily before break of day For his highnesse rising betimes there must be alwayes somewhat ready for him because commonly he eateth three or four times a day He dines usually at ten of the clock in the forenoon and sups about six at night aswell in the summer as in the winter When he hath a will to eat he tells the Capee Aga of it who forthwith sends an Eunuch to give notice of the same to the chief Sewer and he having caused the meat to be dished up brings it in dish by dish to the Kings table and so his Majestie sits down after the common Turkish fashion with his legs a crosse having a very rich towel cast before him upon his knees to save his clothes and another hanging upon his left arm which he useth for his napkin to wipe his mouth and fingers He is not carved unto as other Princes are but helps himself having before him upon a piece of Bulgar leather which is in stead of a table cloth fine white bread of three or four sorts well relished and alwayes very new as indeed all Turks love their bread best when it is warm newly come forth of the oven He neither useth knife nor fork but only a wooden spoon of which there are two alwayes laid before him the one serving him to eat his pottage and the other to sup up certain delicate sirrups made of divers fruits compounded with the juice of lemmons and sugar to quench his thirst He tasteth of his dishes one by one and as he hath done with them they are taken off His meat is so tender and so delicately dressed that as I said before he needs no knife but pulls the flesh from the bones very easily with his fingers He useth no salt at his Table neither hath he any Antepast but immediately falls aboard the flesh and having well fed closeth up his stomack with a * Bocklava or some such like thing And so his dinner or supper being ended he washeth his hands in a bason of gold with the Ewer all set with precious stones His Majesties ordinary diet as I have been told by some of the Aschees is half a score rosted pigeons in a dish two or three geese in a dish lamb hens chickins mutton and sometimes wilde fowl but very seldom and look what he hath rosted for him so he hath the same quantity boiled almost of every thing there being very good sauce for every dish and other ingredients very pleasing to the palat He hath likewise brothes of all sorts and divers purcelain dishes full of preserves and sirrups and some Tarts and * Bâ—…recks after their fashion made of flesh covered with paste Having made an end of eating he drinks one draught of * Sherbet seldom or never drinking above once at a meal which is brought unto him by one of his Agas in a deep Purcelain dish covered standing upon a flat under-dish of the same mettal All the while that he is at Table he very seldom or never speaks to any man albeit there stand before him many Mutes and Buffons to make him merry playing tricks and sporting one with another alla Mutescha which the King understands very well For by their signes their meaning is easily conceived and if peradventure he should vouchsafe to speak a word or two it is to grace some one of his Agas standing by him whom he highly favoureth throwing unto him a loaf of bread from his own Table and this is held for a singular grace and especial favour and he distributing part of it amongst his companions they likewise accept of it at the second hand and account it as a great honour done unto them in regard it came from their Lord and King The dishes for his highnesse Table are all of gold and so likewise are their covers They are in the custody of the Keelergee Bashawe who attends at the kitchin at dinner and supper time and so are all the yellow purcelane dishes which are very costly and scarcely to be had for money in which the
pulse of which there is a great quantity spent is brought yearly from Alexandria in the Galeons which make yearly two voiages and bring out of Egypt not only the said pulse but also all sorts of spice and sugar and a great quantity of preserves and pickled meats which the Turks much delight in And as for sugar there is spent an unspeakable deal of it in the making of Sherbets and * Boclavas which not only the Seraglio useth but are also ordinary presents from one Bashawe to another and from one friend to another insomuch that it is a thing to be admired that so great a quantity should so suddenly be consumed True it is that there is but little spice spent in the Seraglio nor indeed any great store among the Turks pepper only excepted For seeing wine is not an ordinary drink amongst them they therefore avoid the eating of such things as do provoke a desire thereunto Howsoever in the storehouses of the Port there is provision of all sorts of spices and drugs whatsoever occasion should happen that might require the use of them There likewise comes from Egypt great store of dates prunes and other dried plums of divers sorts which the Cooks use in their dressing of meat as well for rost as boyled in broths and indeed they make very delicate dishes of them The honey of which the Port spends a great quantity both in their broths boiled meats * Pancakes * Frittars and course Sherbets for the common sort of people is brought in great earthen jars from Walachia from Transylvania and Moldavia as well that which is presented by the Princes of those Provinces to the Grand Signor as that which comes for particular mens accounts Yet that honey which is used in the Kings own kitchen comes from * Cio and is far better and purer then the other The oil of which there is an unspeakable quantity spent by reason of the many uses they put it unto as well in their meats as for their lamps and the like is brought from Modon and Coron in Graecia the * Sanjack Beg of that Province being bound to see the Port sufficiently furnished therewith from time to time howbeit that which is spent in the Kings own kitchen is brought from Candie and Zant it being sweeter cleerer and in every respect better then that of the Morea The butter of which also there is spent a very great quantitie in that it is used almost in all their meats especially in that ordinary dish which they call * Pillaw comes by shipping out of the Black sea from Bogdania and from Caffa being put into great Ox hides and Buffalo hides with the hairy sides inward and so is laid up in * Magazines for the yearly provision of the Kings court but commonly they have so much of it that they are fain to sell part into the city as they likewise do by the oil honey c. which are Begleek that is for the Grand Signors own account when they have more then they think they shall have occasion to spend and make a wonderful great benefit of it oftentimes enforcing the shop-keepers to take it at what price they please to rate it at although it be ill conditioned and ready to stink The Turks are no whit acquainted with fresh butter there being little or none at all made about Constantinople neither do thâ—… eat much milk except it be made â—…re which they call Yoghurd For â—…eing so turned sowre it doth quenâ—… the thirst and of that both they and the Christians do eat a great quantity in the summer time They eat also some store of Kaymack that is clouted or clodded cream but that is a dish for the better sort only it being a meat of too high a price for the vulgar Now as for the flesh every year in the Autumn winter drawing nigh the Bashawe causeth the provision of * Basturma to be made for the Kings kitchins which must be of cowes great with calf For then say they the flesh is most tender and savoury They use it in the same manner as Christians use swines flesh For they make puddings and sausages of it and the rest they boil and dresse after other fashions This sort of dried flesh after that it is sufficiently dried and hardened with hanging a moneth or better in some upper room and little or no salt used about it but pressed very flat will last the whole year following and eat very savourly And it is in such great use amongst the Turks so well liked of that there is scarce any Master of a family if he be of ability but doth yearly against winter make his provision of it and it is held a very thrifty and sparing course For that then fresh meat would be very dear But they do not all make their Basturma of cowes great with calf that is for the Seraglio for there are many which love the other better which i made of Oxen and Bullocks and they can buy it far cheaper The Bashawe as I said hath the care and oversight of what is prepared for the Kings kitchens and there are commonly spent four hundred cowes every year for the said provision of Basturma there is also fresh beef spent in the Seraglio but the quantity is uncertain The other flesh which is daily provided and spent in the kitchens of the Seraglio as I was told by one of the * Aschees is as followeth sheep two hundred lambs or kids when they are in season one hundred calves ten geese fifty hens two hundred chickens one hundred pigeons an hundred pair There is very little store of fish spent in the Seraglio either shell-fish or other yet sometimes the Agas for dainties will eat some The seas thereabout do exceedingly abound with divers kindes and they may easily take as many as they please by reason of which the Christians are plentifully served with fish in the markets and at reasonable prices and the common and poorer sort of Turks do bear them company in that diet The Grand Signor nor any of his women or servants in the Seraglio cannot want for fruit there being at time of year so many presents of all sorts of fruits brought thither besides what comes from the Kings own gardens which are many and near the city every morning in great abundance and excellent good especially figs grapes peaches and * Caoons the Gardiners selling the remainder at a place in Constantinople * where only the Kings fruit is sold and bring the money weekly to the Bustangee Bashawe who afterwards gives it to his Majestie and it is called jebbe ackchesee that is the Kings pocket-money For he gives it away by handfulls as he sees occasion to his Mutes and Buffones at such times as they make him sport Now this fruit being sold the
care for his servants that they may not want whatsoever is befitting each particular person in his several degree When any one dies in the Seraglio whether it be Itchoglan or Agiamoglan his chamber fellowes are made his heirs and that which he leaves behinde him is equally divided amongst them and so is it with the young women which never lay with the King but if any great Eunuch die all comes to the Grand Signor For they are alwayes very rich by reason of the manifold gifts and gratuities which daily come to their hands and if any Eunuch of the Seraglio's abroad or in other places of government should die then two thirds only of his estate falls to the King by Canon the other third part being to be disposed of according to the Testators will this also is only by permission when the King gives way unto it and will not out of his supream authority and power take all to himself as he useth to do by all great rich ones the Kings person being held the principal and most lawful heir of all they esteeming themselves as slaves which have received their livelihood goods estates and all that they have enjoyed meerly from his greatnesse and bounty so that they may not grudge to render back again at their deaths or whensoever he shall require it all that they do possesse And to this end there is an officer called the Beyt el Mawlgee who so soon as any one dies or is put to death makes inquisition after their estates and so certifies the Defterdar thereof leaving the performance to him if it be of great import but the Beyt el Mawlgee for his own private gain doth oftentimes conceal after search made a great part of the estate of the deceased dividing the same privately betwixt the kindred and himself When any ordinary person falls sick in the Seraglio he is immediately carried from his chamber in a Cart covered with cloth and drawn with hands and is put into the aforesaid Hospital or Lazaretta belonging to the house onely where he is lookt unto after the Turkish fashion and kept so closely that none may come to the speech of him except the Physician or Apothecary but with great difficulty and growing well again he must be carried back in the same manner to his own chamber where he was at the first The expenses of the Seraglio are very great as one may gather by what hath been already said but there are moreover divers other charges of great consideration which the King is at by reason of the Sultana Queen and then of the Chief Vizirs the * Serdars of his several forces both by sea and land and the great Defterdars and others to all which he gives gratuities accarding as he seeth fit upon sundry occosions aswel at the times of their going forth as at their returns from their employments abroad and upon good services done at home the which gifts are vests some unlined and some lined with very costly furs swords bowes * Hanjars plumes and brooches girdles all set with rich stones and many other things of great value and again some but of low price according to the quality and desert of the parties to whom his majestie is pleased to shew his liberality Nay the Hazinehdar Bashawe who hath the keeping of the cloth of gold and silver of Bursia doth affirm that in that one commodity to make vests of there is spent yearly two hundred thousand Sultanas besides what he disburseth for the buying of Venetian silks and woollen clothes of which the Seraglio consumes a great quantity they not wearing for the most part any other Neither doth this alone serve the turn For besides all this the Grand Signor gives away all that which is given him by strangers and a great part also of that which comes to him of the spoil of the dead of which he is Master as hath been shewed before And surely should his Majesty want these helps he could not long continue his liberality giving 〈◊〉 he doth to his women to his Bashawes and to all such as are at any time to kisse his hand Neverthelesse true it is that the greatest part of things of value 〈◊〉 he gives away in time comes again 〈◊〉 his hands For his Sultana's Bashawes Eunuchs or other rich men dying he immediately becomes Master of all again or at least of the greatest part of their estate and so of such things there is a continual ebbing and flowing in the Seraglio The Queen likewise gives much away For as she is presented by many so is it fit that she should in part make some compensation and to that end she hath an allowance of vests and other things in great abundance besides she hath liberty to dispose of many of those which have been worn by the King The Uizir Azem is also a giver at the Kings charge aswel whilst he is in Constantinople as when he is upon departure as General of the Grand Signors army to the wars and to that end before he departeth he hath brought unto him from the Hazinehdar Bashawe a great number of vests and other things that he may be provided when he is in the field with presents according to the Turkish custom which in all businesses and upon every occasion is to give and take The King if he please may at any time go abroad out of the Seraglio either by water or by land when he goes by water he hath his Kaik or barge of sixteen or eighteen banks with a very sumptuous and stately Poop covered over with crimson velvet richly embroydered under which he himself sits and none but he upon cushons of velvet and cloth of gold his Agas standing all on their feet holding with one hand by the side of the Kaik and only the Bustangee Bashawe who steers the barge may now and then sit down that he may handle the helm the better Now the Bustangee Bashawe by reason the King talks much with him in the Kaik at which time lest any one should hear what they say the Mutes fall a howling like little dogs may benefit or prejudice whom he pleaseth the Grand Signor being altogether ignorant of divers passages and apt to beleeve any information either with or against any subject whatsoever His barge is rowed by Agiamoglans which are brought up in that exercise and indeed they mannage the businesse very well and nimbly not sitting at all when they row but as they fetch their stroak they step up upon the next bank before them and so with the stroak fall backward flat on their backs upon the next bank behinde them much resembling the manner of rowing in the gallies When he goes forth by land he alwayes rides on hors-back and goes out commonly at the greatest gate especially at such times as he is to go to the Moschea or Church which is upon the Friday it
and sincere in which all such as believe should obtain the love of God but they say that all other nations continue still in their errors and having sucked of their mothers milk do not embrace the truth For which obstinacy and blindnesse being by right deprived of all hope of coming to heaven they have no other means to recover the same and to come thither at the day of judgement but by Mahomets protection who is the onely intercessor and mediator unto Almighty God and standing in the dreadful day of Judgement at the gate of Paradise he shall be sought unto and intreated by the other three Prophets to save their people also and his goodnesse and clemency shall be such as to make intercession for them so that the good Christians and the good Jewes shall by his means obtain everlasting life with perpetual fruition of sensual delights as aforesaid but in a place apart and inferiour to the Turks they being beloved of God and more dear unto him then others the women also shall come into heaven but shall be in a place far inferiour to men and be lesse glorified All the Prophets are held in great honor amongst them and they never name any Prophet but they say Aleyhoo selawm that is health or salvation be upon him They call Moses Musahib Alloh that is a Talker with God and David Hazrettee Dawood that is venerable David and Jesus Meseeh Roohullah and Hazrettee Isaw that is Messias the spirit of God and Venerable Jesus and Mahomet Resul Alloh that is the Messenger of God When they talk of Christ Jesus they speak very reverently of him and confesse that the Jews through envy apprehended him and falsly and malitiously condemned him and led him along to put him to death but the angels being sent from God took him away from them in a cloud and carried him up into Heaven at which the Jews being astonished and extreamly vexed took one that was there present and crucified him in his stead being unwilling to have it known that Jesus was the Messias he being in heaven in company of his brethren the Prophets beloved of God and serving him as the other Prophets do These are the main and principal foundations of their Religion upon which they build and frame the course of this their present temporal life and by which they hope to obtain a life everlasting and happy affirmed by their Prophet to be full of the delights and pleasures of this world but enjoyed in all perfection and excellency in a supernatural and incorruptible manner The ministry of their Religion or rather their confused Sect is as followeth First they have a * Muftee that is to say an expounder or declarer of Law cases who is also amongst them as an Archbishop with us for he is the Primat over the Church and must be a man very expert in the Law and accustomed to do justice chosen by the Grand Signor himself the which Muftees charge is to oversee and hear all such matters of weight as are belonging to the Law or to the Church in case his inferiours as * Moola's Cadees c. should fail in the due performance of what belongs to their â—…everal places And to this end every Tuesday he must assemble all the chiefest of them which are in town or at least the greatest part of them to his own house where he disputeth with them for the space of three or four hours putting divers cases to them and taking their answers from them in writing but by this means he oftentimes entraps many of the Cadees which are in office especially such as are given to bribery For when any Plaintiff or Defendant is assured that the Cadee which had the cause before him hath wronged any of them then the party offended makes his grievance known to the Muftee who against the next Tuesday frames a case as like unto it as possibly he can but of another subject and in other mens names so when they are come together he wittily puts forth that amongst the rest and that being resolved with the rest he looks upon it then he calls that Cadee which committed the fault and privately rebukes him for it The like course is taken by many which come to the Muftee himself to be resolved of some point in Law lest that the Muftee should know either party by naming them and so lean to what side he pleaseth but after this manner he cannot easily deceive them The Muftees chief employment is to answer all such propositions as are made unto him upon cases of conscience and the rites of the Turkish Law The which answers are in few words very brief and they are called Fetfa's that is declarations or judgements of the Muftee with which he may compel not only the Cadees and Bashawes to the performance of the contents thereof but the Kings own person is also bound to see them executed and to stand to his decree For they seek altogether to amplifie this sect of lawyers in honour of their prophet the Lawmaker and the Muftees Authority is so much the more regarded for that he is upheld very stoutly by the whole order of the Cadees The Muftee hath his revenue a part in land of about six thousand Sultana's the year but being put out of his place leaving the revenue to his successor he hath then but a thousand aspars a day as the Cadeeleschers have when they are in office howbeit their uncertainties amount alwayes to a far greater matter And although this Muftee hath not an absolute rule and command over the Muftees of other parts of the Kings dominions yet by his policie he ever prevails with the Grand Signor and effecteth whatsoever he undertakes especially when he hath the Uizir Azem to his friend who in degree dignity and authority is his superiour Next to the Muftee there are two Cadeeleschers that is to say Judges of the Armies one of Graecia and the other of Natolia who also being men of the law and they which alwayes succeed the Muftee have the oversight of all the other Cadees and the placing or the displacing of them is in their power which Cadees are justices and there is one in every city and town to do justice and end controversies between man and man and to punish offenders but they are changed every three years and others put into their places by the Cadeeleschers with order from the Grand Signor which selling of * Cadeelicks is an unspeakable benefit to the said two Cadeeleschers Amongst these Cadees they have also their orders viz. those of the first rank and they are called * Moola's which are alwayes employed in the chiefest cities the other are but Cadees and they get employments as they can by their good and upright carriage in their places a third sort there is also of this kinde which are called Naibs and they serve in small towns
For they are of the fashion of a chest about seven foot long and about two foot and half broad either side is cut out with flowers guilded over and at each end an Epitaph Now in these chappels there are Muyezins and Derveeshes who by turns continually read in the Alcoran and pray with their beads for the glory of the Emperors deceased The Uizirs Bashawes and other great men also imitating the Emperors do the like but with less pomp and charge and they which have no burying places neare the Moscheas may make them neare their dwelling houses and be buried there or if they please in any other part of the city provided that the ground whereon they build their tombs be their owne The common sort are carried out of the city and buried in the fields which serve only for that purpose having one stone set upright at the one end of their grave and another at the other end for a token that one hath been buried there for by the law howsoever it is not strictly observed they ought not to bury where one hath been buried before upon which is graven the name degree and countrey or any thing else that they please of the parties deceased Besides if it be the Tomb of a man of quality they usually set a Turbant cut out in marble upon the head of it or if a women then a cap of marble such as the woman wear Amongst the Turks there are no Religious houses or monasteries unless the * Teckebs of the Meulevees which are an order of * Derveeshes that turne round with musick in their Divine Service The Turks generally are bred up to Arms and very few can write or read Nay it hath been sometimes seen that a Bashawe Vizir of the port which had not his education in the kings Seraglio hath sate to do Justice in the Divan and hath not known either to write or read but hath beene enforced of necessity to learn to write a few words of course for the signing of commandments bills warrants and the like And among the Turks he that can but read and write is held a very learned man and esteemed of far above others by the common ignorant people insomuch that when a crafty fellow hath got a book which he knows will please their humors they altogether delighting in books like Pâ—…lmerind ' Oliva the Knight of the sun Amadis de Gaule and the like he forthwith gets him with his book to some * Cahve house or other where there is alwayes great resort and there being set down in the middle of them he falls to reading the people evermore giving credit to whatsoever he sayes and so having spent an hour or two he takes their benevolences which is usually more then the price of the book comes to such is their delight in hearing a man read fables As for the women there is no heed taken or reckoning made of their religion at all therefore I speak of it last but for modesty sake I must conceale what the Turkes are not ashamed sometimes to Judge of them For they never go to Church so that if they happily have a will to pray at the hours of prayer they do it in their own houses using the same preparations as the men do Nevertheless their honesty and good carriage is much looked after the * Imawms of every parish being bound to harken diligently after their deportment who if they discover anything that is amiss must reveal it to their husbands that they may put them away if they will or else to their fathers or kindred if they be unmarried that they may take some course for to reform them And although the women may not be conversant with any other men then with their husbands fathers or brothers and although they live in lodgings apart by themselves out of the sight of men and go alwayes abroad with their faces covered yet many of them being extraordinarily wanton are very dishonest lascivious who taking the opportunity of their husbands absence at the wars or in some long Journey under colour of going to the Baths and being covered withall go whither and to whom they lust knowing that the worst of it is to be put away if so be it should at any time be discovered FINIS * The Turkish word is Sarai borrowed from the Persian word Seraw which signifieth a house * That is into the Posphorus which cometh from the Mouth of the Black sea to the point of the Seraglio The compass The Gates Chief Gate * Porters * Head of the Porters an office of good credit Watch house upon wheels * Of them you shall read more at large hereafter Kiosks Chamber of Audience * A place raised from the floor about a foot to sit upon Gardens Cypresse walks The pleasure that a Turk takes in a garden Womens lodging * Sultana a Ladie the feminine gender to â—…ultan * Bathes or hot-houses it must be pronounced Banios Rooms for Officers The privie Treasury or Wardrope Door seale Rooms for many othe uses First Gate Porch and guard Great Court Hospitall with officers â—…tore-house * The Grand Signors Deputy Second gate Porch and Guard Second court * Roe Deer ‖ Messengers Pursivants or Sumners †The Turkish word is Yeng-itheree of Yengee new in for that they are the latest order of souldiers * The word is Espawhee which in the Persian signifieth a horse-man †Court of Justice Nine Kitchins with their Larders ‖ Chief Chamberlen * Aga signifieth Master Kings stable Horses furniture Divan room Outward Hazineh or treasury Gallery Queens gate and guard of black Eunuchs Third or kings gate Who may enter * Capee Aga chief Chamberlain White Eunuchs Audience Chamber Another fair Court Summer rooms A Hall A Lake A little boat in the lake * Dumb men and jesters Grand Signors bed-chamber descâ—…bed * Hangings before the doors Lions of Chystal A Lantern Bason and Ewer of gold Shooting place Publick Divan described Bashawes build rooms in the Kings Seraglio Four Divan dayes * Chief Vizir * The true word is Kazeelasker which signifieth the judge of an Armie * Defterdars the Treasurers So called of the word Defâ—…er which signifieth a bill or scroll Reiskitawb †The word signifieth a keeper of the Mark Secretaries and Clerks Chief over all the Chiaushes Chiaushes The manner of Sestion Lest the upper hand with the laity but with the Clergie the right Cadeleschers places Defterdars places Clerksplaces Neeshawngees place Reisketawbs place No need of Attorneyes The power of the Vizir azem Manner of deciding * He which governs in the chief Vizirs absence Caim signifieth firm or resident and Mekam a place Dinner rites Copper plate * Which they cal Pestimaw Diet. Officers diet Drink Under-osficers underdiet Giving account to the king By the Cadeeleschers By the Defterdars And by the Vizirs Reverence to the King * A commandement from the King the word signifieth a kingly or royal Paper
being their Sabbath and is accompanied into the city by all the Bashawes and other Grandes of the Port besides many of his own houshold servants which go by his stirrup and his Agas riding after him having divers Solacks also with their bowes and arrowes which go before him for his guard And as he rides along the streets he salutes the people with nodding his head towards them who again salute him with loud shouts and prayers of prosperity and happinesse and for recompence the King oftentimes puts his hand into his pocket and throwes whole handfuls of money amongst them Now they of the Seraglio which go along by his stirrup have charge to take all such Petitions as are preferred to his Majesty as he rides along either to or from the Moschea and many poor men who dare not presume by reason of their ragged apparel to approach neer unto so majestick a prefence stand afar off with fire upon their heads holding up their petitions in their hands the which the Grand Signor seeing who never despiseth but rather encourageth the poor sends immediately to take the Arzes or petitions and being returned home into his Seraglio reads them all and then gives order for redresse as he thinks fit By reason of which complaints the King oftentimes takes occasion to execute the fury of his wrath and displeasure even upon the most eminent in place before they are aware without taking any course in law against them onely acquainting the Muftee with his design who seldom or never doth oppose him but causing a sudden execution of what punishments he pleaseth upon them either putting them to death or at the least turning them out of their places For as he stiles himself * Awlem penawh so he would have the world to take notice that such as lament unto him shall be sure to have redresse and succour from him although his ministers fail them or abuse them through their injustice Which makes the Bashawes and other great officers that they care not how seldom the Grand Signor stirs abroad in publick for fear lest in that manner their unjust proceedings and bad justice should come to his ear And indeed they alwayes live in great fear through the multiplicity of businesse that passeth through their hands and in danger of loosing their lives at a short warning as it hath been ever observed that few Uizirs die in their beds which makes them use this Proverb that he that is even the greatest in office is but a statue of glasse but notwithstanding their brittle estate bribery hath so bewitcht them that hap what will hap he that will give most shall be sure to speed at their hands The Grand Signor for the use of his houshold hath in Constantinople at a place called * Ahur Capsee near unto the Seraglio an exceeding large stable of a thousand horses and upward and the * Imrohor Bashawe which is Master of the horse hath the charge of them as of all his other horses mules camels and all his cattle whatsoever and of all the kings hay and provender having an under Imrohor for his assistant besides many ordinary grooms which are to look to them and see that the * Seises keep them in good case Now the said Imrohor Bashawe and his Deputy are to see the Grand Signors servants provided of horses at such times as they accompany his Majesty abroad either solemnly at showes in the city or abroad at hunting or otherwise as the King pleaseth Besides this stable he hath divers others in other places both for his own service and for the use of his Gentlemen at such times as he or they shall come thither namely at his Gardens and houses of pleasure abroad in the countrey to which his Majesty useth to go very often but these stables have not above eight or ten horses a piece in them For to those houses he carrieth but few followers with him and those few are the chiefest Agas of all He hath also stables of stallions for race in Bursia Adrianople and in divers other places from which are brought to Constantinople very stately colts besides such as are continually sent him for presents from Cairo Damascus Bagdat and other places by the Bashawes he hath also many which fall to his share by the death of great persons all which are horses of great price and kept for his own use But because there must be a great number of horses for ordinary services of the baser sort of servants the King is therefore furnished with low prized nags out of Walachia Besides the aforesaid stables of horses the Grand Signor is provided of five thousand mules kept near to Constantinople which serve to carry Pavillions chests water and all other necessaries for travel but because the Vizir Azem at his going out General makes use of a great part of them there is seldom that number compleat at home And should the King himself go out to the wars in person his very houshold would use a thousand of them besides their riding horses For the Ottoman Emperors are almost aswel accommodated in their voyages abroad as they are at home in the city and indeed the generality of the Turks are so well fitted against such times as they are to go forth especially for long journeyes as I think no people in the world can go beyond them The Grand Signor is bound by Canon of the Empire upon the first day of the Byram which is their Carneval the Ramazan being ended which is their day-lent to shew himself publickly and to let all the great men and the better sort of his own servants kisse his vest wherefore upon that day early in the morning being richly clad and decked with his best jewels he cometh forth of his lodgings at that gate which is kept by white Eunuchs in the second court and sets himself down in a certain place called the * Taht upon a Persian carpet of silk and gold close by the aforesaid gate and doth not stir thence until such time as all that are appointed have kissed his vest in token of their reverence and duty towards him the chief Uizir standing close by him and telling him the names of such as he thinks fit and their places to the end the Grand Signor may take the better notice of them Now to some of the Doctors of the Law which are of high degree the King raiseth himself up a little to honour and receive them and to some he shews more grace and affection then to other some and indeed to all more then ordinary especially to the Muftee and the two Cadeleeschers Now this ceremony being ended he goeth to the Moschea of Sancta Sophia accompanied by them all where having finished the * Namaz for that day he hears a sermon and at his return taking his leave of them he retires himself to his own lodgings where