particularly oblig'd to acknowledge their kindness for being casually shot in the arm with a pistol by one of our company I was forc'd to stay there two or three dayes during which time I receiv'd very great civilities from them Apr. 1 the Ambassadors left Schonberg but M. Mandelslo and my self stay'd two dayes after them and the third of April overtook them at Lubeck This City is so well known that I need not give any particular description of it after so many other Authors that have written of it Only I shall say that it is situated between the Rivers of Traue and Wagenits at 28. d. 20. m. longitude and at 54. d. 48. m. latitude two leagues from the Baltick Sea Those who have chiefly contributed to the building of it were Adolphus II. Count of Holstein Henry le Lion Duke of Saxony and Henry Bishop of Aldenbourg The Emperor Frederick I. re-united it to the Empire and Frederick II. his Grand-Son gave it some of those Privileges which it enjoyes to this day It lies in the Wagria at the entrance of the Country of Holstein and is very well fortify'd according to the modern fortification having besides the other advantages which it hath equally with the other Imperial Towns that of the oversight of the Teutonick Association whereof all theâ— Archivi are kept in the Guild-Hall of this City How considerable it is in the Empire may be judg'd by the contributions it payes towards the charges of the journey to Rome which amount to 21 horsemen and 177 foot and reduc'd to money to 1980 Livers a mouth As for its rank at the Diets it hath a place alternatively with the city of Worâ—nes In this city the Peace between the Emperor Ferdinand II. and Christian IV. King of Denmark was concluded in the year 1629. The Bishoprick of Wagria which was transferr'd from Aldenbourg to this city is now possess'd by Iohn Duke of Holstein brother to Frederick Duke of Holstein who lives at Oitin Here also I escaped another great misfortune as I alighted off my horse I fell upon my wounded arm but ere I could get up again Mandelslo's horse which was furious and skittish startingthereat stood up on his hinder feet and very narrowly miss'd my head with his fore-feet We travel'd on in the Afternoon and came that night to an Inn in the suburbs of Arnsbock This little city lying in Wagria between Lubeck and Pretz belonged heretofore to the Carthusians but now it is possess'd by Ioachin Ernest Duke of Holstein by the branch of Sounderborg who is married to Dorothea Augusta our Prince's Sister Upon which accompt it was that he sent a coach and six horses to bring us to the Castle where the Ambassadors and some of the retinue supp'd at his own Table and lay there the night following The next day we broke our fast at the Castle which done we were brought in the Duke's coach to our Inn whence we continued our journey and got the same day to Pretz where there is a very rich and sumptuous Monastery of young Ladies Nobly descended who are maintain'd there till they leave the place to embrace a married life April 6. about noon we came to Kiel a city situated upon the Baltick Sea and famous for a Fair kept there yearly at Twelf-tide which brings thither all the Nobility about the country and a very great number of Merchants We got the same night to Gottorp for which we are to give Almighty God our humble thanks and the next day the Ambassadors made a report of their negotiation And so much by way of accompt of our first Voyage into Muscovy THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY and PERSIA The Second Book HIs Highness had no sooner understood that the Great Duke of Muscovy had permitted his Ambassadors to pass through his country to go into Persia but all his thoughts were busied about the prosecution of the second Voyage whereof the expence was incredible which he gives order for causing all necessary preparations to be made and presents to be fought out worthy so great a Monarch He also augmented the Ambassadors retinue and ordered that till the time of their departure the Gentlemen Officers and Servants should be entertain'd at Hambooough at the house of Otton Brugman one of the Ambassadors where they were very well treated every one according to his condition and quality the Trumpet always sounding when the meat was carried up which was also done all along the Voyage The retinue consisted of a Mareshal or Steward a Secretary of the Embassy four Gentlemen of the Chamber and eight other Gentlemen for ordinary attendance among whom were the Minister and interpreter four Pages of the Chamber four other Pages four Grooms of the Chamber four Masicians a Controler a Harbinger two Sumpter-men an Overseer of the Servants two Trumpetters two Watch-makers eight Halbaldiers who were of several professions as Bakers Shoe-makers Taylors Smiths Sadlers c. ten Laqueys a Clark for the Kitchin with two Head-cooks and one Under-cook a Master of the Waggons and his Servant ten Servants belonging to the Gentlemen an Interpreter for the Muscovian Language another for the Persian and a third for the Turkish The Sumpter-men the Musicians and the Trumpeters had also their boys eight in number besides twelve other persons for the ordering of things belonging to the Ship and 30 Souldiers and four Muscovian Officers with their Servants whom we eatertain'd into our service in Muscovy with the Great Duke's permission All Summer and some part of Autumn were spent in preparation for this Voyage insomuch that we could not get from Hamborough till the 21 of October 1635. The 24 we got to Lubeck where we staid two days during which our Baggage and Horses which were 12. were embark'd at Trauemunde The 27. we followed and went aboard about noon with all our people into a new Ship that had never been at Sea before The wind serv'd as well as could be wish'd to get out of the Harbour and yet we met with such a strong current of water that we could not avoid falling foul on two great Ships that were in the Port between which we were so intangled that we could not in three hours dis-engage our selves Which many among us took for an ill omen of the misfortune that happen'd to us some few dayes after Oct. 28. about five in the morning after prayers said we set sail with a West-South-West wind which growing higher at noon was at night heightned to a dreadful Tempest It continu'd all night during which we discover'd that our Mariners were as raw as the Ship was new which had never seen the Sea till that time and it was our continual fear that the Mast would slip out of its place in as much as the ropes being new stretch'd so that they seem'd not to have any hold of it The 29. we found our selves to
is done upon the accompt of the Sanctity of the place which is so great that Schach-Abas thought himself oblig'd to banish thence all the publick VVomen Dinner being ended the Musick and the Dancers withdrew and the Ambassadors with the Chancellor made some Progress in their Negotiation and in the mean time we were carried a walking into the Garden where they treated us with Fruit and Conserves As to this Eahtemad dowlet his name was Tagge and he was about sixty years of age having one eye black the other blew a full face but yellowish or inclining to an Olive and very high colour'd whence it came that he was ordinarily called Saru Tagge He wore no beard as being an Eunuch and upon that occasion we shall here give a short account of him and his fortunes which we think may deserve insertion in this place though there are various relations thereof Some affirm that Saru Tagge being yet very young and his employment being to Copy out Writings in the City of Keintze he fell in love with a young Boy and not prevailing with him to consent to his brutality he forc'd him The Boy 's Father made his complaints to Schach-Abas then King of Persia who commanded that Saru Tagge should have his Syk so they call the privy parts with all its dependences cut off Others relate that Schach-Ahas condemn'd him to die and that Tagge coming to hear of it cut off himself those parts with a Rasour sent them to the King with this request that having himself punish'd the Members which had offended his Majesty would be pleas'd to let his head alone which had done no more harm and might one time or other be serviceable to him and that the King astonish'd at the strange resolution of the man conceiv'd an affection for him and finding him an understanding person made him Secretary in his Court of Chancery Schach-Sesi having with his own hands kill'd Taleb-Chan this man's Predecessor sent Tagge the Golden Ink-horn which is the Badge of the Dignity of Chancellor The 21. following the Chancellor invited the Ambassadors to a second entertainment by express order from the King that they might make some further progress in their Affairs They had a very long conference together after which we were treated at dinner but not with the same Magnificence as the time before The 29. the two Brothers Seferas and Elias-beg came to visit the Ambassadors who would needs have them stay Dinner Elias-beg endeavour'd all he could to be merry himself and to make others so but we easily found it was done with some violence and that his heart answer'd not his outward demeanour The reason of it we understood from his elder brother who told us that the King had a great kindness for them and did them very great favours but that it was a dangerous thing to jeast with him and that he had a very sad assurance of it in his brother who being much respected at the Courr for the freedom of his humour and his divertive conversation the King told him one day that he wanted not any thing save that he was not of the Mussulman's Religion and that he could not do him a greater pleasure than to suffer Circumcision Whereto Elias-beg reply'd smiling that that might happen one time or other intreating his Majesty not to speak any further of serious affairs but to prosecute his Divertisements There was no more said to him of it for a good while but upon occasion of the Clock-makers constancy the king sent him word that he should remember the promise he had made to be Circumcis'd He would have excus'd himself pretending what he had spoken was in jeast but those whom the king had sent to him would not be shuffled off with that answer took him and Circumcis'd him by force Elias-beg confirm'd what his elder brother had told us but with this protestation that he was nevertheless a Christian in his Soul and that he would die in the profession he had ever made of that Religion December the second Abasculi Beg our Mehemandar came and brought us the Presents from the king to wit to each of the Ambassadors a Horse with the Saddles cover'd all over with plates of Gold and the Bridles having great buckles of the same Metal Two Garments according to the Persian wearing together with the Mendils and Mianbends that is the Turbant and Girdle of Gold Brocado according to the mode of the Countrey Moreover to be divided between them both two hundred and five pieces of fifteen sorts of silk stuffs Satin Damask Darai Taffata Cotton c. and two hundred Tumains in money which amont to just three thousand three hundred and seventy Piastres or a thousand French Pistols towards the expences of their travel in their return The five principal persons of the Retinue had each of them a Satin Vestment and another of Taffata with Flowers of Gold and Silk The other Gentlemen had each of them one of Taby with Flowers of Gold but the rest of the Retinue had not any thing sent them The Ambassador Brugman seiz'd the money bestow'd some of it among those of our Company who stood in need thereof to buy things necessary for their journey and distributed the rest among some of his Armenian friends The next day Decemb. 3. the King sent to invite the Ambassadors to Dine with him once more which was to be the last Treatment we were to have at Court The Mahemandar told them it was the custom that they should have upon their own cloaths the best of those Garments which the King had sent them The Ambassadors at first made some difficulty to have that complyance but when they were told it was a custom observ'd by all Ambassadors and that no doubt the King would take it very ill at their hands if they presented themselves before him without the marks of his Liberality they at last resolv'd to do it and after their example all the rest of the Retinue We Dined in the Hall of the Divan Chane and all things were performed with the same Ceremonies as at the first time Only this happened more than ordinary that while the fruits were yet upon the Table the Chancellor ordered to pass before the King the Present which he is wont to make every year once and sometimes twice for reasons whereof we shall give some account hereafter This Present consisted in twelve excellent Horses very richly cover'd forty nine Camels loaden with Turkie Tapistry and other fine stuffs of Wool fifteen Mules a thousand Tumains or fifty thousand Livers in money forty pieces of Gold and Silver Brocado and several other stuffs and Commodities whereof there was such abundance that it took up an hour and a half ere all were pass'd by to be dispos'd into the Treasury in as much as for every Tumain there was a several person who carried it in his hand in a silken Purse of several colours
be much troubled to imitate Then follow'd three young Boyes having their right shoulder and arm naked and their foreheads and arms so scratch'd that the blood trickled down to the ground Lastly there follow'd three men carrying each of them a Tree whereto they had fasten'd certain red Apples and the Tresses of hair which the said Gentlemans three Wives had either pluck'd or cut off their heads as also certain pieces of red and green paper These went immediately before the body which was carried by eight men upon their shoulders and upon the Bier there was a very fair Garment lined with the precious skins of the Buchar-sheep Behind the Corps there follow'd four men carrying in a very high Chair a young Lad who read certain passages of the Alcoran and the Procession was clos'd with the Relations and Friends of the deceas'd who went along with the body to a certain place of the Citie where it was to remain till such time as it should be transferr'd to Bagdat to be dispos'd near their Imams THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY TARTARY and PERSIA The Seventh Book HAving given an account in the precedent Book of all we thought worthy our observation in the City of Ispahan during the abode we made there as also of all we could learn of the State of the Kingdome of Persia and the Inhabitants thereof and their manner of life at least as far as was consistent with the relation of our Travells it shall be our business in the subsequent to set down the particulars of our return and to reconduct the Ambassadors into their Countrey All things being set in order for our departure there hapned a difficulty which occasioned no small distraction The King of Persia had commanded Abasculiâ—Chan our Mehemander to conduct us in our return through the Province of KILAN out of this consideration that the said Province being one of the best and most fertile of all the Kingdome it was his pleasure we should pass through it as well that we might be eye-witnesses of the riches of it and give an account thereof in Germany as that we might find there those conveniences which we had not met withall in our coming thither and which we should hardly light upon elsewhere But in regard the Inhabitants of Kilan are cruel and barbarous whereas all the other Persians are civil and obliging it rais'd an apprehension in some that the King had given those orders purposely to ruine us and it was reported that his Majesty being incens'd against the Ambassador Brugman who in several Occurrences had demean'd himself insolently and imprudently intended to make those people the instruments of his revenge upon him and all of us And this it had been the more easie for him to do in that he needed only to awaken the resentments of the Governours of Derbent and Scamachie whom the Ambassador Brugman had indiscreetly affronted at our first passage that way Most of our people were so prepossess'd with this apprehension and had given so much credit to the report which was spread up and down the Citie to that effect that five of our Retinue went and took up their Quarters with Lyon Bernoldi in the Alla-Capi or Sanctuary to wit the Captain of our ship Michel Cordes his Mate one of the Pages the Chirurgeon who afterwards went along with Mandelâ—lo into the Indies and one of the Guard We left Ispahan on the 21. of December towards the evening Most of the English Merchants accompany'd us above a League out of the Citie to a certain place where they gave us a Collation at the foot of a pleasant green Hill which done they took leave of us and return'd to the Citie The same night we travell'd three Leagues to a Village named Reschman where we continn'd all the next day as well for some reasons not fit to be discover'd as in expectation of the Poslanick or Muscovian Envoy who was to take the same way and accompany us The Augustine Fathers of Ispahan and F. Ambrose Prior of Tistis came thither also to take their leave of us and afterwards Monsieur Malon the most considerable person among the French Merchants came also to make us his Complements Monsieur Mandelflo came also to the said place as well to take his final leave of us as to acquaint us that the King of Persia had appointed Imanculi Sulthan Eischickagasi or one of his Stewards for the Embassy he intended to send to his Highness the Duke of Holstein our Master that he carried along with him a Present amounting to five and twenty thousand Crowns and that he was taking his leave in order to his departure from the Court within a few dayes after The 23. after we had taken leave of our friends not without the shedding of some tears we got on hori-back and reach'd that day to the Caravansera of Dombi five leagues from our former lodging The next day we got five leagues further and took up our lodging at night in a Caravansera called Serdehe The 25. being Christmas-day we saw neer the Village of Kaskabath within two leagues of Serdehe how the King was encamped there under several Tents which being of divers colours made a very delightfull show The Ambassadors sent thither the Sieur Francis Murrher who understood the Turkish language He made the King so handsom and respectfull a Complement that his Majesty openly express'd how much he was satisfy'd therewith In the mean time we pass'd on and went and lodg ' in the little Citie of Natens The 26. we travell'd on and took up our Quarters at night in a Caravansera named Chotzakassim The 27. we came to the Citie of Kaschan where the difference which happen'd between the Ambassador Brugman and our Mehemander put us to much trouble For the Mehemander thinking it a disparagement to him to be domineer'd over by the Ambassador would have return'd to the Court to make his complaints of the ill treatment he receiv'd from us and had done it had it not been for the Ambassador Crusius who reconcil'd them but it was his business for four dayes which we spent to no other purpose at Kaschan We found the weather there very fair and hot enough though it were in the very depth of Winter M.DC.XXXVIII IANVARY the first we Celebrated the beginning of our New year by the firing of our great Guns which were discharg'd three times and afterwards by a Sermon and the ordinary Prayers In the after-noon we got on hors-back and reach'd that day five leagues to the Village of Sensen The 2. we got five leagues further and took up our Quarters at night at Kasmabath The third we came to the Citie of Kom where we were assign'd lodgings in very fair houses neer the Basar upon the complaints we made of the losses we had receiv'd in our former passage that way when we were quarter'd in certain old
find whether it be fit to sacrifize they cut off the privy members which they cast against the wall if they do not stick thereto they are oblig'd to kill another but if they do they proceed with the Ceremonies fleaing it and stretching the skin upon the top of a long pole before which they offer their sacrifice and boil and roast the Flesh which they afterwards eat The Feast ended the men rise and go and adore the skin and the prayers concluded the women withdraw The men stay and grow so bestially drunk with their Bragga or Aquavitae that they seldom part without fighting This skin is left upon the pole till another person of quality dies and then the former is taken away and another set up instead of it We saw neer Terki both going and coming not far from the Princess Bika's house one of these stretch'd skins with the head and the horns on upon the black cross The pole was planted in a quick-set hedge only to keep the Dogs from coming neer it and by their pissing against it profaning the Mystery They interr their dead very honourably adorn their Sepulchres with pillars and build houses over those of persons of quality We saw one over the Sepulchre of Mussal's Brother the boards whereof were of diverse colours plac'd checquerwise having upon the roof several wooden Statues poorly done which represented the hunting of some wild Beast To express their sorrow for the departure of their friends they tear their forehead arms and breasts with their nails after a barbarous manner so that the blood comes out in abundance Their mourning continues till the wounds are healed and if they would have it last longer they renew them by opening the scratches in the same manner May. 21. we began to set things in order for the prosecution of our journey We had a Desert of seventy leagues to travel over and to find horses for all the Company to ride would have been too great an expence Wherefore we agreed with the Waggoners of Terki at nine Crowns a Wagon drawn by two horses which might carry each of them three or four persons to Astrachan There joyned with us a Caravan of Merchants of several Nations as Persians Turks Greeks Armenians and Muscovites so that then we had above two hundred Wagons in our Company But the Provisions allow'd us were but small for so great a journey to wit to every man with the Suchari and a loaf of mouldy brown bread half a dry'd Salmon that stunk without any drink For the Tartars pretending they had bargain'd only for the cariadge of men would not receive any barrels or other vessels into the Wagons and the Ambassador Brugman would not be at the charge of a Wagon purposely to carry beer or water for us though he made good provision of all for himself and his Favourites And indeed we stood not much upon it out of an imagination it was impossible we should want water but we had time enough to repent us of that presumption We left Terki the fourth of Iune in the afternoon and soon entred into that dreadful Heath taking our way on the left hand and turning from the Caspian Sea 'T is a thing strange yet very certain that in eleven daies journey we saw neither City nor Village nor tree nor hill nor any River but that of Kisilar contrary to what all Maps represent thereof Nay during all that time we saw not so much as one Bird but only a vast Plain desert sandy and cover'd in some places with a little grass and pits or standing pooles of salt or corrupt and stinking water We got the first day but two leagues and lodg'd at night neer one of those standing pools The 5. we encamped neer the River Kisilar The 6. we travell'd six leagues and lodg'd neer one of those pools These three first daies we took our way towards the West-north-west and East-north-east to the River Wolga The 7. we got six leagues further through a great Fenn which we had much ado to pass Heat and thirst troubled us extremely but not so much as the Flies Wasps Gnats and other infects which both men and horses found it no small difficulty to keep off The Camels which have no tails to keep away those infects as the horses have were all bloody and full of swellings The 8. we were going before day and having travell'd 4. leagues we gave our horses a little rest and provender at the entrance of a very sandy road In the afternoon we got four leagues further and lodg'd at night neer a standing pool The Tartars perceiving that one of their horses was like to miscarry by the way prevented him cut his throat and shar'd him among themselves At night they roasted him making a fire of little bushes of thorns and reeds and were very merry The 9. we travell'd seven leagues and lodg'd neer a pool which the overflowing of the Sea made thereabouts The water was so bad as was also that of all the rest that we were forc'd to stop our noses while we drunk it The 10. we got seven leagues further to a place cover'd with Reeds where we found a little fresh water deriv'd thither from the Wolga The 11. we got seven leagues further to a standing pool made there by the inundation of the Wolga The water is not salt but so dead and stinking that there was no drinking of it That day twelve great wild Boars cross'd out way Some Tartars on horse-back came riding after them and as ill fortune would have it there came two of them close by our Waggon The horses were frightned and fell a-running so that the Physician and Steward fell out of the Waggon with the Baggage The Siâ—ur Vchterits and my self who sate in the fore-part of the Waggon considering there was no getting out without danger kept our places till the horses being not able to go any further stopp'd at the entrance of a Fenn The 12. we travell'd eight leagues and found in our way upon the ground a Neast wherein there were two Birds not quite fledg'd Some were of opinion they were young Eagles VVe pass'd by two salt marshes the scent whereof was somewhat like that of a Violet and very delightful The 13. we travell'd eight leagues further lodg'd at night in a place whence we could discover the City of Astrachan The 14. we got three leagues and lodg'd on the side of the Wolga over against Astrachan All our people who had not drunk any fresh water since their coming from Terki ran up to their knees in the River to drink with greater ease Assoon as they had notice at Astrachan of our arrival they presently came to visit us and he who had the keeping of the Provisions sent thither for us brought us a sack full of bread Neats-tongues hung-Beef a tun of Beer and a barrel of Aquavitae We continu'd that day on the River-side to give the Weywode time to assign
which carried us to the Cap de Demesnes in Courland where we cast Anchor and staid all night The next day 13. the wind West we weighed Anchor doubled the Cape enter'd into the Bay and came the 14. before the Fort of Dunemunde so called because situated at the mouth of the River Dune where that River enters the Baltick Sea within two leagues of Riga And forasmuch as the thick mist hindred those of the Fort from seeing us we caus'd the Trumpets to sound to oblige them to send us a Pilot without whose assistance we should hardly have got into the Haven Those who had the oversight of the Customes came immediately to search our Ship but finding no Merchants goods in it for which they might challenge ought they return'd back and sent us a Pilot who conducted us that night as far as before the City of Riga The Ambassadours being got ashore at the entrance of the City found a coach which the Governour had sent to meet them but in regard they were not far from their Inn they would make no use of it and so kept on their way afoot The 21 th the Magistrate sent his Presents to the Ambassadors viz. an Ox some Sheep some Poultry Hares Patridges and other Fowl Wheaten and Ry-Bread and half a Tun of Rhenish Wine The 24 th The Ambassadors entertained at Dinner Andrew Erichzon the Governour of the City as also the Magistrate the principal Minister who amongst the Lutherans is look'd upon as a Bishop and some Officers of the Garrison During our abode in this City which was almost five weeks in expectation the Fens of those parts should be frozen up and the snow cover the Way which we were to Travel in Sledges we augmented our retinue with some necessary persons for that great journey and we had the leisure to learn the condition of the City whereof we shall here give a short description Clytraeus in his History of Saxony p. 19. says That the City of Riga was built by Albert the third Bp. of Livonia in the Year 1196. but Alnoul Abbot of Lubeck an Author of the same time as living under Otho IV. says in the continuation of the Chronicle of Helmold 1. 7. c. 9. that it was built in the year 1189. by Bertold Abbot of Locken in the County of Shauenbourg in the Diocese of Minden of the Order of White-Friers successor to Menard in the Bishoprick of Livonia the seat whereof he setled at Riga In the Year 1215. it was rais'd to an Archbishoprick and made Metropolitane of all Livonia Prussia and Curland The Knights of the Espadon and afterwards the Master of the Teutonick Order in Prussia have many times divided the administration of Justice and the Soveraignty in that place with the Archbishop till that in consequence of the Reformation of Religion both lost the Authority they had in this City It was forc'd afterwards to have recourse to the Crown of Poland whose it became by a voluntary rendition made in the year 1561. occasion'd by the War with the Muscovite Since that Charles Duke of Sudermania having usurp'd the Crown of Sueden from Sigismond his Nephew who had been called to that of Poland thought it not enough to fortify himself in the possession of what he had usurped but conceiving he might turn into an Offensive War that which even in the Defensive was criminal he enter'd Livonia in the Year 1605. where he besieg'd the City of Riga He was forc'd to raise the siege as also to do the like in the year 1609. but Gustavus Adolphus was so fortunate as to take it in the year 1621. Ever since that time the Suedes have been in possession of it though without any Title thereto the Treaty agreed on between the two Crowns in the year 1635. allowing them the possession of it no longer than till the Peace which was to be made between the two Kings should restore it to it 's lawful Prince or bestow it on him who was possess'd of it The Suedes discover how unwilling they would be to restore it by the care they took when we were upon our Travels to carry on the Fortifications thereof They consist on the land side of six regular Bastions with their Half-moons and their Counterscarps Palisadoed It 's situation is very pleasant in a spacions Valley upon the River of Dune which in that place is a large quarter of a League broad It is very populous and very considerable because of its Commerce as well with the English and Hollanders and the Hansiatick Towns in Summer time while the Baltick Sea is Navigable as with the Muscovites when the frost and snow can bear Sledges The Traffick of it is so great that it hath almost as many Shops as Houses All Provisions are very cheap because there is such an abundance of all that an Ox may be bought for three Crowns a Hog for one and Fowl and Venison proportionably all the Country Peasants thereabouts having the liberty to Hunt though they have not any other Since the last reduction of it they have no other Religion there than the Protestant the Magistrate and Inhabitants being all Lutherans and so zealous in their way that they no less hate those of the Reformation than they do the Catholicks and Muscovites There is no Inhabitant almost but understands the Highdutch the Sclavonian and Curland Language but the Magistrate in his publick Acts makes use only of the Highdutch The same is used by the Ministers in their Sermons unless it be that for the meaner sort of people who understand not the Highdutch well there are Sermons made in the Sclavonian and Curland Language in two several Churches Decem. 14. we dispatch'd away 35 Sledges with part of our Train and Baggage and the next day the Ambassadors follow'd by the way of Derpt The 18th we came to Wolmar a small Town distant from Riga 18 leagues and so ruin'd by the Muscovites and Polanders that the Inhabitants to avoid the injuries of the weather have been forc'd to make little buildings of wood upon the ruines of better foundations The Governour came to meet us and entertain'd us kindly The 20th we got six leagues farther to the Castle of Ermes belonging to Colonel De la Barre who treated us most magnificently The 21th we got four leagues to the Castle of Halmet where we saw a young Elk which was higher than a Horse brought to us while we sate at Table The 22th we got four leagues further to the Castle of Ringen and the 23th we reach'd Derpt or Torpat This City is within 6 leagues of the Castle of Ringuen upon the River Eimbec between the Lakes of Worzero and Peipis in the heart of Livonia Its buildings are very antient but extremely ruin'd by the War The Muscovites who call it Iuriogored were possess'd of it till the year 1230. in which the Master of the
quarters in the Fields We understood since that it was a Stratageme of the Inhabitants who had incens'd the Bees purposely to prevent our lodging in the Village The 8. we came to a Stage where were fresh Horses and so to Torsock a little Town situate upon the descent of a Hill not far from the High-way fortified with Ramparts and Bastions of wood Bread Beer and Hydromel were there excellent good The Ambassadors caused Huts to be made of boughs of Trees without the Town where we Supp'd and Lodg'd that night The 9. we passed over two Torrents one neer Torsock the other half a League from Miedna We came at night to the Citie of Tuere which is also on a Hill-side as Torsock but somewhat bigger These two places have each of them their Weywode or Governour The latter hath its name from the River Tuere which passes by it as well as the Wolga which continuing its course from this City through Muscovy and Tartary disembogues its self above 600 German Leagues thence which make above 1500 French in the Caspian Sea It is already so broad in those quarters that we were forc'd to make use of a Ferry-boat to cross it We were lodg'd the other side of the City in the Suburbs This was our last stage for fresh Horses till we came to Moscou August 13. we came to a Village called Nichola Nachinski two Leagues from Moscou whence our Pristaf dispatch'd an Express to give notice of our arrival The 14. the Pristaf attended by his Interpreter and Secretary came to Complement the Ambassadors giving them thanks for the kind treatment he had receiv'd from them and making an Apology for the ill they might have receiv'd from him We presented him with a Vermilion Gilt-Cup and gave some ten or twelve Crowns among the rest The same day the Messenger sent by the Pristaf return'd from Moscou and oblig'd us to prepare for our Entrance which we made the same day in the order following 1. The Strelits or Muscovian Musketiers who had convoy'd us match'd in first 2. After them Iacob Scheve our Harbinger Michael Cordes Captain of the ship and Iohn Algueyer Clark of the Kitchin all three abreast 3. Three led Horses to be presented to the Great Duke one black and two dappledgrey 4. A Trumpetter 5. Marshall or Steward 6. Three of our Gentlemen a-breast 7. Three more of our Gentlemen 8. The Secretary Physician and Controller 9. The Ambassadors attended each by a Guard of four with their Carabines having on their right hand but a little distance the Pristaf who had conducted them 10. The six Pages in two ranks 11. A Coach with four grey Horses 12. The Master of the Waggons with eight others three in a rank 13. The Presidents design'd for the Great Duke carry'd in five Litters covered with Turkie Tapistry 14. An open Waggon wherein Simon Frisins lay sick 15. Forty six Waggons loaded with baggage 16. Three Servants Having march'd in this order very slowly till we came within half a League of the City we met ten Coureiers or Messengers who came one after another with full speed towards us to acquaint the Pristaf with the place where they were whose Office it was to receive us with order one while to march on very slowly another to make more haste to the end we should be much about the same time with them at the place appointed for our reception We saw also several Muscovites very well mounted and richly clad who only rid at some distance from us and return'd having taken a view of us Within a quarter of a League of the City we pass'd through a Body of above 4000 Muscovites all excellently well mounted and sumptuously clad Most of the Suedish Ambassadors retinue came also to meet us but were not permitted to come neer us so that we could only salute them at a distance Within a Pistol shot thence we saw coming towards us two Pristafs clad in coats of Purfled Satin mounted on two gallant white Horses Instead of Bridles they had Chains of silver whereof the links were two inches broad but no thicker than the back of a knife and of such a compass as that a man might thrust in his first into them which made a strange noise as the Horses went along The Great Duke's Master of the Horse followed them with twenty led Horses all white and was accompany'd by a great number of persons both a foot and a hors-back When the Ambassadors and Pristafs were alighted the antienter of the two uncover'd himself and said The Grand Seigneur Czaar and Great Duke Michael Federouits conservator of all the Russians Prince of Vladimer Mosco Novogorod Czaar of Cassan Czarr of Astrachan Czaar of Siberia Lord of Plescou Great Duke of Tuersky Iugersky Premsky Wadsky Bolgarsky c. Lord and Great Duke of Novogorod in the Low Countries Commander of Rosansky Rostofsky Gerastafky Besolerski Vdorski Obdorski Condinski and of all the North Lord of the Countries of Iveria Czaar of Kartalmski and Ingusinski Prince of the Countries of Kabardinski Cyrcaski and Iorkski Lord and Soveraign of many other Seignenries receives you as great Ambassadors from the Duke of Sleswick Holstein Stormarie and Ditmars Count of Oldenbourg and Delmenhorst He grants you and the Gentlemen of your retinue the favour to make your entrance upon his own Horses and hath appointed us Pristafs to have a care of you and so to furnish you with all things necessary during your aboad at Mosco To which Complement when the Ambassador Crusius had made answer there were brought two very stately white Horses with Saddles after the German fashion Embroider'd with Gold and Silver with Footh-cloaths and Harness suitable As soon as the Ambassadors were mounted the Pristaf and Musketiers who had conducted us from the Frontiers were drawn off There were brought also ten other white Horses for the chiefest of our retinue with Saddles after the Muscovian fashion of Cloath of Gold and Purfled Satin The Pristafs took the Ambassadors between them though in Muscovy he is thought to have the more honourable place who hath the right hand free After them march'd the Muscovian Grooms of the stable who had the coverings of their Saddles of Leopard-skins Cloath of Gold and Scarlet The Cavalry we had seen in the fields and the other Muscovites came powring into the City with the Ambassadors and accompany'd them to their Lodgings within the white wall in that quarter which is called Czarskigorod that is to say the City of the Czaar We had assign'd us two Citizens houses built of wood the Pristaf making this excuse in the name of the Great Duke that a fire having not only consum'd the ordinary house for the entertainment of Ambassadors but also another great house appointed for our Lodgings we could not possibly be better accommodated for the present And indeed at our entrance into the City we had observed whole streets burnt down the
fire having been so violent that it had reduc'd to ashes above five thousand houses insomuch that most of the Inhabitants were forc'd to lodge in Tents and Huts Ere we had taken a view of our Lodging the presents from the Great Duke's Kitchin and Cellar were brought us viz. eight Sheep thirty Capons and Pullets great store of white and brown bread and 22 sorts of drinks Wine Beer Hydromel and Aquavitae all brought in by 32 Muscovites who marching all in a file made the shew so much the greater This done the doors of our Lodging were lock'd upon us and a Guard of twelve Musketiers set to prevent all communication between us and the Inhabitants till after the first Audience The Pristafs in the mean time fail'd not to visit us every day to assure us of their readiness to serve us They had also left with us an Interpreter to facilitate the service which the Musketiers were oblig'd to do us in the buying of our Provisions and other things This Interpreter was a Muscovite born and had been taken prisoner by the Polanders by which means he fell into the hands of Prince Ianus Radzivil who brought him to Leipsig where he learnt the German Tongue Aug. 15. The Muscovites celebrated the Feast of our B. Lady's ascension and the same day ended a Fast they had begun the first of that moneth The 17. was design'd for our first Audience but the Great Duke being gone out of the City to do his Devotions we spent the day in giving God our humble thanks for his happy conduct of us to the place for which our Embassy was design'd We caus'd Te Deum to be sung with Musick and our Minister to make a Sermon at which as also at the Dinner which follow'd it was present by permission on of the Great Duke M. Balthazar Moucheron who manag'd the Affairs of the Duke of Holstein at Mosco in the quality of Commissary He told us that the Muscovites thought our entrance very handsome and wondred much that Germany should have Princes able to send so considerable an Embassy They give all strange Princes the quality of Knez though their Knez are properly no more than what Gentlemen are with us and those excepted who have publick employments relating to the State the rest have no great Estates it may be about 800. or 1000 per annum The 18. The two Pristafs came to acquaint us that the Great Duke would give us publick Audience the next day They desir'd also in the Chancellors name a Catalogue of the presents we were to make his Majesty After Dinner the younger Pristaf came to confirm the notice they had given us in the morning viz. that on the morrow we should have the honour to kiss the Great Dukes hand We ask'd him what the discharging of the great Guns the day before meant and the shooting we had seen out of our Windows in a great Meadow He told us it was only to make tryal of some pieces which the Great Duke had lately order'd to be cast Others said that they had been discharg'd only to make it appear that the Muscovites had not lost all their Artillery before Smolensco as some would have had it believ'd Aug. 19. The Pristafs came to see whether we were ready for Audience and having perceiv'd that our men had put on their best Cloaths and that all was in readiness they went immediately to give notice thereof at the Castle whence were brought us the white Horses which we had at our Entrance About 9 of the Clock the Pristafs return'd to us having their striptsatin Coats carried after them as also their Caps of Martins skins which they left in the Ambassadors Antichamber We mounted with our Cloaks on but no Swords none being permitted to wear any in the Great Dukes presence and rode towards the Castle the Cavalcade being as followeth In the front march'd 36 Musketiers After them our Steward Three Gentlemen of the Ambassadors retinue Three other Gentlemen The Commissary Secretary and Physician After them went the Presents led and carried by Muscovites viz. One Horse coal-black with a rich covering One dapple grey Another dapple-grey Harness for one Horse set out with Silver and enrich'd with Turkish Stones Rubies and other precious Stones carried by two Muscovites One Cross of Chrysolite enchac'd in Gold about half a foot long carried in a Basin An Ebony Cabinet garnish'd with Gold like a little Apothecaries Shop with its Boxes and Vials of Gold enrich'd with precious Stones full of several excellent Chymical extractions carried by two Muscovites A small Vessel of Rock-Christal garnish'd with Gold and beset with Rubies A great Looking-Glass being an ell and a quarter high and half an ell broad in an Ebony frame with Boughs and Fruits carv'd thereon in Silver carried by two Muscovites A Clock on which was represented in painting the Parable of the Prodigal Child A Walking-Staff Vermilion Gilt in which was a piece of Perspective A great Ebony Clock in an Ebony Case garnish'd with Silver Next went two Gentlemen of the Chamber carrying up on high in the Air the Credential Letters from his Highness one to the Great Duke the other to the Patriarch his Majesties Father His name was Philaretes Nikidits He dy'd after our departure from Holstein but we were told it would not be amiss to make it known we had Letters of credence for him Then follow'd the Ambassadors between the two Pristafs having before them the Interpreters on each side four Lacqueys and behind them the Pages It was from our Lodging to the Castle a good quarter of a German league there being above 2000 Strelits or Musketiers dispos'd on both sides of the street to make us free passage to the place of Audience The streets windows and houses tops were full of people who were come from all quarters of the City to see our Cavalcade We march'd in very good order halting and advancing according to the orders which the Courriers who rid with full speed from the Castle brought our Pristafs to the end we might come to the Hall of Audience just as the Great Duke were sate in his Throne Being come into the Castle-Court we pass'd before the Posolsky Precase or the Chancery for strangers affairs where we alighted After the Officers and Gentlemen had taken their places to wit the Steward in the head of the Presents and the Gentlemen with the other Officers immediately before the Ambassadors we were brought to Audience The Hall for Audience is on the right hand of the Cour when there come any Ambassadors from Persia Turky or Tartary they are carried up a stone pair of stairs on the right hand but in regard we were Christians we took the left hand and were led through a vaulted Gallery purposely that we might pass by a very fair Church where they were then at service Before we came into the Hall we saw in a spacious vaulted appartment abundance of people and
away our baggage The Ambassadors follow'd the next day and three days after viz. the 10. we came to Reuel vvhence we stirr'd not for the space of three weeks But considering at last that the Baltick Sea was not Navigable that time of the year and being withal unwilling to stay there the rest of the Winter vve conceiv'd it vvould be our best course to be gone thence with the soonest and to prosecute our journey by Land through Prussia Pomerania and Mecklenbourg The Ambassadors left Reuel Ian. 30. having tabled most of their retinue with Mr. Henry Kosen and vvith a retinue of ten persons took their way to Riga The two first nights vve pass'd over at Kegel a house belonging to Iohn Muller Counsellor of the City of Reuel my Father-in-law vvhere vve vvere very vvell entertain'd Feb. 2. vve came to Parnau at vvhich place God was pleased to favour me with a great deliverance vvhich vvas thus discharging their Canon at our entrance the Tampion which they had forgotten to take out of one of the pieces pass'd very near me and struck against the vvall of the City Gate where it broke the splinters of it flying about my head with such violence that being stunn'd thereby it was half an hour ere I recover'd my self The City of Parnau is but a small one but hath a good Castle built of wood and after the Muscovian fortification to which the Houses the Gates and the Churches are suitable It is seated upon the little River of Parnau of Parnou which gives it the name and which rising out of the great Forrest near the little River Beca and the Castle of Weissenstein and receiving in its passage the waters of the Rivers Fela and Pernkeia disembougues it self into the Baltick Sea near this City which is divided into two parts the Old and the New 'T is numbred among the Hanseatick Towns though it hath not in a manner any other Commerce than that of Wheat Eric K. of Sueden took it from the Poles in the year 1562. but they recovered it again by stratagem in the year 1565. The Muscovites became Masters of it Iuly 9. 1575. but it was re-united to the Crown of Poland with the rest of Livonia by the Treaty of Peace made between that Crown and the Great Duke In the year 1617. the Suedes took it and have kept it ever since We met there with the Countess Dowager La Tour named Magdalene of the house of Hardek in Austria The Ambassadors sent me with tvvo more of our retinue to complement her and to make proffers of service to her in their names She took it so kindly that not content to make us drink his Highnesse's health three times over she forc'd us to take the bovvls out of her ovvn hands and in the mean time entertain'd us vvith much excellent discourse in commendation of his Highness and that Embassy as also concerning the manners and Religion of the Muscovites vvith a svveetness and gravity vvhich cannot vvell be express'd She vvould needs have the young Counts Christian and Henry her sons go to the Inn vvhere the Ambassadors vvere Lodg'd to complement them vvhich the young Lords perform'd handsomly and to heighten their civility they also stay'd Supper vvith them The next day the Countess sent us all manner of Provisions and Letters for Count Mathew Henry de la Tour her father-in-lavv She sent also to desire the Ambassadors to recommend her sons to his Highness and to assure him of their services when they should be of an age and in a capacity to do him any As we were getting on hors-back our Host shew'd himself an honest man and refus'd to take our money telling us the Countess had sent in most of the Provisions for the Ambassadors Supper and that the rest was not worth the reckoning so that to require his sincerity we gave him twenty Crowns But we were not got a League off the City ere we were overtaken by a man he had sent to return us our money and to tell us the Present was too small in requital of the trouble we had given him We sent back our Harbinger with the Messenger who gave the Host twelve Crowns more wherewith he seem'd to be satisfy'd The 6. We enter'd Riga The next day the Governour visited the Ambassadors and the 10. he made a great Feast for them to which he invited the chiefest of the City Some days following were also spent in Feasting among some or other of our friends Febr. 13. The Ambassadors left Riga having in their Company a certain Ambassador of France who was called Charles de Tallerand and assum'd the quality of Marquess of Exidueil Prince of Chalais Count of Grignol Baron of Marueil and Boswille Lewis xiii King of France and Navarre had sent him with Iames Roussel upon an Embassy into Turky and Muscovy But Roussel his Collegue had done him such ill Offices with the Patriarch that the Great Duke sent him to Siberia where he continu'd three years a prisoner till such time as the malice and artifices of Roussel who endeavour'd nothing so much as to inflame the differences between the Princes being discover'd he was set at liberty after the Partiarch's death During his restraint his diversion had been to learn by heart the four first books of Vergil's Aeneids which he had as they say ad unguen He was a person of an excellent good humour aged about 36. years We took our way through Courland and came the 4. about noon to Mittau This little City is situated in that part of Courland which is called Semgalles six Leagues from Riga and it is the place where the Duke ordinarily resides The Dutchy of Courland was some time part of Livonia from which it is divided by the River Dune but all this Province having been miserably ruin'd by the Suedes and Muscovites and the Archbishop of Riga and the Master of the Teutonick Order having submitted to the Crown of Poland with all they were still possess'd of there Sigismond Augustus King of Poland rais'd Courland to a Dutchy and gave it to Godard Ketler of Nesselrot last Master of the Teutonick Order in Livonia to be held immediately from the Crown of Poland Godard dies May 17. 1587. leaving by Anne the Daughter of Albert Duke of Meklenbourg two sons Frederick who died without issue and William who succeeded his brother in the Dutchy of Courland This William having been dispossess'd by Sigismond III. and the States of Poland was forc'd to live in Exile till that upon the mediation of several Foreign Princes he was re-establish'd in the year 1619. During the first War between Poland and Sueden the City of Mittau was taken by the Suedes who fortifi'd it and restor'd it not to the Duke of Courland till oblig'd thereto by a Cessation agreed on between those two Crowns in the year 1629. William's son who now hath the Dutchy and assumes the quality
very antient and yet it cannot be certainly affirm'd whether it was built by the Dukes of Pomerania or by the Danes since it seems to have its name from the later It was a long time possess'd by the Dukes of Pomerania and afterwards by the Kings of Poland and by the Masters of the Teutonick Order in Prussia In the year 1454 it redeem'd it self out of subjection to the Order and made a voluntary rendition of it self to Casimir King of Poland It is situated in Cassuba upon the Vistula and Rodauna which they say is the Eridanus of the Antients because in that place there is found much yellow amber and near the Moslava which falls into the Vistula a quarter of a league below the City But the River is so shallow there that great Ships cannot come up to the City Towards the West it hath several mounts of sand which they were forc'd to bring within the fortifications because they commanded the city though Canon cannot be discharg'd to any great purpose when they shoot point-blank downwards and that there would not have been space enough between the mount and the ditch to put forces in order and to give an assault Towards the South and North it hath a pleasant Plain and on the East the River It is well built but the streets not over-clean The publick Structures are magnificent and those of private persons very commodious and handsome On the other side of the Moslava lies part of the Suburbs called Schotland or Scotland as large as a pretty little City but it depends not on the City of Dantsig but on the Bishop of Cujavia It hath its seat and suffrage in the Diets of Poland even in those which are called for the election of the King 'T is one of the four Cities which have the superintendency of all the Teutonick Association or Hanseatick Towns and hath so many other Privileges that though it contributes to Poland and gives the King half the duties raised there yet does it in a manner enjoy an absolute freedome There is so great a Commerce of Wheat in this City that it is thought there are sold every year above seven hundred and thirty thousand Tuns whereof two make a Last The Magistracy consists of fourteen Senators and four Burgomasters whereto are to be added the Governour appointed by the King of Poland some Escheuins or Sheriffs for civil and criminal causes and a hundred Counsellors for affairs of importance Criminal causes are finally judged without admitting any appeal as also Civil not exceeding a thousand Livers It makes Statutes and imposes taxes upon the Inhabitants according to the exigencies of publick Affairs without staying for any superiour Permission and regulates the exercise of those Religions that are permitted by the Laws of the Empire March 16. We left Dantsig and came the 25 to Stetin the chief City of Pomerania is at 53 deg 27. min. latitude and 38 d. 45. m. longitude seated in a very pleasant place upon the descent of a Hill The River Oder divides it self there into four branches whereof that which runs by the City keeps its name the others taking those of Parnits and the greater and lesser Kegelitz and straggles so as that to come to the City from Dam-side a man must pass over six bridges which put together are in length 996 German ells and 24 foot broad and are all joyn'd by a noble Causey well paved and having in the middle a Royal Fort. The structures of it are beautiful and it is excellently well fortify'd especially since the Suedes became Masters of it Iohn Frederick Duke of Pomerania in the year 1575. laid the first foundations of the sumptuous Palace which is there built after the Italian Architecture with very noble appartements where before these last Warrs there were worth the seeing a noble Library a Magazine of Arms many rarities and the rich Wardrop and Plate of the Dukes of Pomerania 'T is one of the Hanseatick Towns and enjoyes many great Privileges among others that of obliging strangers to disburthen in the City all the Merchandises which pass through it what nature soever they are of as also that the Gentlemen thereabouts cannot build any Castle or strong place any way within three Leagues from it nay that the Dukes of Pomerania themselves cannot build any Fort upon the Oder or the Suine or upon the Frishaf between that and the Sea But this advantage is lost by it's coming into the hands of the Suedes Mar. 29. being Easter-day we came to Rostock a City seated on the River Warne in the Dutchy of Meklâ—nbourg where heretofore lived the people called the Varini Pribisâ—i II. the son of Niclot last Prince of the Obotrites incompass'd it with a wall in the year 1160. and made it a City out of the ruins of that of Kessin which Henry le Lyon Duke of Saxony had destroy'd It s Port is not commodious in regard Vessels of burthen are forc'd to unload at Warnemunde two Leagues below the City at the mouth of the River The City is handsome enough having three great Market-places 27 streets 14 little gates and four great gates It s University is one of the most antient in all Germany and was founded by Iohn and Albert Cousin-Germans Dukes of Mecklenbourg who together with the Magistrate opened it in the year 1419. Among its Professors are many very great Persons of whom one was Albert Crantz Rector of it in the year 1482. This City having been taken by the Imperialists in the year 1629. with all the rest of the Dutchy of Mecklenbourg the late King of Sueden Gustavus Adolphus besieg'd it in the year 1631. and took it the 16. of Octob. the same year The 30. of March we left Rostock and came the same day to Wismar seven Leagues Those who say this City was built by Wismar King of the Vandals about the year 340. tell a fabulous story whereof the vanity is so much the more visible in that it is certain that it was no City till Henry of Ierusalem Duke of Mecklenbourg made it such by the privileges he bestow'd on it in the year 1266. It is near as big as Rostock and its Port which no doubt is one of the best upon the Baltick Sea brings it very great Traffick It s situation being amidst Fenns and upon the Sea is very advantageous and its Citadel fortify'd with five regular Bastions makes it one of the most considerable places in all Germany Adolphus Frederick Duke of Mecklenbourg and General Todt took it Ian. 10. 1632. from Colonel Gramma who had the command of it for the D. of Fridland ever since which time the Suedes have kept it as one of the most precious Jewels of their Crown The last of March we came to the Castle of Schonberg belonging to the Duke of Mecklenbourg where some friends of our Comrade Iohn Albert de Mandelslo received us and treated us very nobly For my part I am
relieve his friends was struck over the head with an iron-bar which bruis'd the skull so as that he dyed the next day The Magistrate did all lay in his power to find out the Murtherer but to no purpose so that all the reparation was that the Senate together with the Ambassadors and their retinue accompany'd him to the grave Reuel is situated at 50. degr 25. min. latitude and 48. deg 30. min. longitude upon the Baltick Sea in the Province of Esthonie Waldemar or Wolmar II. King of Denmark laid the foundations of it about the year 1230. Wolmar III. sold it in the year 1347. together with the Cities of Narvan and Wesenberg to Gosuin d'Eck Master of the Order of Livonia for 19000. Marks of Silver About 100. years since Livonia groaning under a troublesome War against Muscovy this City put it self under the protection of Eric King of Sueden It was so strong in those times that it indur'd a notable Siege in the year 1570. against Magnus Duke of Holstein who commanded the Great Duke's Army and another in the year 1577. against the same Muscovites who were forc'd to raise it with loss The situation of its Castle is so much the more advantageous for that the Rock on which it is built is steepy on all sides unless it be towards the City which being fortify'd according to the modern fortification is almost as considerable a place as Riga whence it came that for some years it had the oversight of the College at Novogorod joyntly with the City of Lubeck It hath been these 300. years numbred among the Hanseatick Towns but its Commerce began not to be great till about the year 1477. and at that time it might well keep up its Traffick especially that of Muscovy by reason of her excellent Port and Haven which indeed are such as if God and Nature had intended it for the convenience of Commerce Had it not been ingross'd into few hands it had still continu'd in the same posture but having broken with the other Hanseatick Towns in the year 1550. and the Great Duke having taken Narva soon after the Muscovites establish'd there the Trading they before had at Reuel It still enjoyes the privilege of being a Mart and the Inhabitants have with the preference of the Merchandises discharg'd in their Port the power to hinder the Traffick of Livonia into Muscovy without their permission These privileges have been confirmed to it by all the Treaties that have been made between the Kings of Suoden and Dukes of Muscovy as in the year 1595. at Teusina in 1607. at Wibourg and in 1617. at Stoluoâ—s 'T is true it hath lost some of these advantages since the last War of Muscovy which were taken away left in imitation of several other of the Hanseatick Towns it should attempt a defection from its Prince yet does it still enjoy many other privileges which have been confirmed to it from time to time by the Masters of the Order while they were Lords of the Country and afterwards by the Kings their Successors It observes the same Customes with Lubeck and hath a Consistory and a Superintendent for Ecclesiastical affairs professing the Protestant Religion according to the Auspourg Confession as also a very fair School whence there come very good Scholars who consummate their studies at Derpt or some other Universities in those quarters The Government of the City is Democratical the Magistrate being oblig'd to summon the principal of several Professions and the most antient Inhabitants to consultations that concern affairs of Importance There are still to be seen within half a League of the City towards the Sea-side the ruins of a fair Monastery founded by a Merchant of that City at the beginning of the 15th age out of a particular devotion he had for St. Bridget under Conrad de Iungingen Grand Master of Prussia and Conrad de Vitinghof Master Provincial of Livonia It consisted of both Religious Men and Women and the Book I saw of the foundation of this Monastery pleasantly acquaints the Reader that the Friers and Nuns there had found out a way to express their meanings one to another by signs of which there is in it a little Dictionary Livonia hath on the East Muscovy on the North a Gulf of the Baltick Sea dividing it from Sueden and Finland on the West the same Baltick Sea and on the South Samogitia Lithuania and Prussia It is above 120. German leagues in length and about 40. in breadth and is divided into Esthonie Lettie and Courland The first of these Provinces is subdivided into five Circuits called Harrie Wirland Allentaken Ierwe and Wiecks it s chief City Reuel as Lettie hath Rigaâ— and Courland Goldingen By the Treaty concluded between the King of Poland and the Great Duke of Muscovy Jan. 15. 1582. the Duke restor'd to the Crown of Poland all the places of Livonia those excepted which the King of Sueden was possess'd of in Esthony Now it is in a manner all under the power of the Suede Livonia is in all parts very fertile and particularly in Wheat For though it hath suffered much by the Muscovites yet it is now more and more reduc'd to tillage by setting the Forests afire and sowing in the ashes of the burnt Wood and Turf which for three or four years produce excellent good Wheat and with great increase without any Dung Which is the more to be admir'd in that 't is known there remains to generative quality in the ashes So that it is to be conceiv'd that the Sulphur and Saltpeter which remain with the Cinders upon the earth leave behind them a heat and fatness able to produce as well as dung Which conceit is not disâ—onant from what Strabo says at the end of his fifth book where he speaks of the fertility of the Lands near the Mountain Vesuvius and Mont-gibel in Sicily There is also abundance of Cattel and Fowl so cheap that many times we bought a young Hare for four pence a Heath-Cock for fix and accordingly others so that it is much cheaper living there than in Germany The Inhabitants were a long time Heathens it being in the 12 age that the rayes of the Sun of righteousness began to break in upon them occasion'd by the frequentation of certain Merchants of Bremen and the Commerce they were desirous to establish in those parts About the year 1158. one of their Ships having been forc'd by a Tempest into the Gulf of Riga which was not yet known the Merchants agreed so well with the Inhabitants of the Country that they resolv'd to continue their Traffick there having withall this satisfaction that the people being very simple they thought it would be no hard matter to reduce them to Christianity Menard a Monk of Segeberg was the first that preach'd the Gospel to them and was made first Bishop of Livonia by Pope Alexander III. in the year 1170. Menard was succeeded in the Bishoprick of Livonia by
that every one should present to the new-married couple None but brought what he had made a shift to save thinking the poor Archbishop would have had it But the Tyrant took all the money and having caus'd a white Mare to be brought said to the Archbishop There is thy wife get up on her and go to Moscou where I will have thee entertain'd among the Violins that thou may'st teach the Bear to dance The Archbishop was forc'd to obey and as soon as he was mounted they ty'd his legs under the Mare 's belly hung about his neck some Pipes Fidle and a Timbrel and would needs make him play on the Pipes He scap'd with this punishment but all the other Abbots and Monks were either cut to pieces or with Pikes and Halbards forc'd into the River Nay he had a particular longing for the mony of one Theodore Sircon a rich Merchant He sent for him to the Camp neer Novogorod and having fasten'd a rope about his waste order'd him to be cast into the River drawing him from one side of it to the other till he was ready to give up the ghost Then he caus'd him to be taken up and ask'd him what he had seen under water The Merchant answer'd That he had seen a great number of Devils thronging about the Tyrant's soul to carry it along with them to Hell The Tyrant reply'd Thou art in the right on 't but it is just I should reward thee for thy prophecy whereupon calling for seething oil he caused his feet to be put into it and continu'd there till he had promis'd to pay him ten thousand Crowns Which done he caus'd him to be cut to pieces with his brother Alexis The Baron of Herberstein who travel'd into Muscovy in the time of the Emperor Maximilian the first and about his Affairs says that heretofore before the City of Novogorod was converted to the Christian Faith there was an Idol called Perun that is the God of Fire perun in the Muscovian language signifying fire This God was represented with a Thunder-bolt in his hand and hard by him was kept a constant fire of Oak which was not to go out but at the peril of their lives who kept it The same Author addes that the Inhabitants of Novogorod having received Baptism and being made Christians cast the Idol into water that it went against the stream of the River and that being near the Bridge it call'd to the Inhabitants and casting a stick among them bid them keep it for his sake That in his time on a certain day in the year the voice of Perun was heard there and that thereupon the Inhabitants fell a-fighting with sticks so earnestly that the Weywode had much ado to separate them But now there is no talk of any such thing there being no monument of Perun left other than that there is a Monastery called Perumski Monastir which they say is built in the place where the Temple of the Idol stood before Without the City and on the other side of the River is a Castle encompass'd with a stone-wall where live the Weywode and the Metropolitan or Arch-bishop who hath the over-sight of Ecclesiastical affairs all over the Province This Castle joyns to the City by a great Bridge from which Duke Iohn Basilouits caus'd a great number of Inhabitants to be cast into the River as was said before Over against the Castle on the same side with the City is a Convent dedicated to St. Anthony The Muscovites say he came from Rome into those parts upon a Mill-stone upon which he came down the Tiber cross'd the Sea and so up the River Wolgda to Novogorod They add that by the way he met certain Fisher-men with whom he bargain'd for the first draught they should make that they brought up a Chest full of Priests Vestiments to say Mass in Books and Money belonging to this Saint and that afterwards he built a Chapel there in which they say he lies interr'd and that his Body is there to be seen as entire as when he departed this World Many Miracles are wrought there as they say but they permit not strangers to go in thinking it enough to shew them the Mill-stone upon which the Saint perform'd this pretended voyage and which indeed may be seen lying against the Wall The Devotions performed there have been such as have built a very fair Monastery in that place We staid at Novogorod five days during which the Weywode sent us a Present of 24 sorts of meat dress'd after their way and 16 sorts of drink The Chancellor Bogdan Foederouits Oboburou who had been our Pristaf in the former Voyage sent us also divers delicacies The Ambassadors presented the Weywode with a new Coach March 16. VVe had brought us 129 fresh Horses for our Sledges and we got that day four leagues to Brunits where we took up fresh Horses again wherewith the next day we travel'd in the forenoon 8 leagues to Miedna and in the afternoon four and a half to Kressa The 18 we got before dinner six leagues to Iaselbitza in the afternoon four to Simnagora The 19. nine leagues to Columna and the 20. five to Wisna wolloka where we saw a young man of 12 years of age that was married At Tuere we saw a married woman that was but 11. and this is ordinary in Muscovy as also in Finland The same night we came to Windra Pusk having travel'd that afternoon seven leagues In this last place there were but three houses and the stoves so nasty and stinking that we had a very ill night of it though indeed in other places the stoves are not kept much better than stables in our Country The 21 we got 7 leagues to Torsock The 22. six to Troitska Miedna and the 23. six more to Tuere mentioned before Here the snow beginning to melt in several places we quitted our Sledges and took the Wolgda which was still frozen and travel'd that day six leagues to Gorodna The 24. we went by land again for the Ice began to give way and got to Sawidoua and thence to Saulkspas seven leagues from our last lodging having by the way pass'd several Brooks with great difficulty by reason the Ice was loose The 25. we pass'd by a great Village called Klin behind which is the Brook Sestrea which falls into the River Dubna and with it into Wolgda We were forc'd to stay the flakes of Ice with stakes which we made a shift to fasten in the Brook to hinder them from carrying us away The next day we pass'd it again by reason it winds it self up and down in those parts and lodg'd that night at Beschick seven leagues from Klin The 27. we pass'd two other little Brooks and got 6 leagues forwards to Zerkizouo The 28. we got but three leagues to Nicola-Darebna which the Author in
the first Book calls Nicola Nachinski within two leagues of Moscou where the Ambassadors are wont to expect the Great Duke's pleasure and the order he would have observ'd in their entrance In the mean time we fitted our Liveries and set our selves in order for our Cavalcade which we made the next day at Noon as followeth First went the 24 Musketiers who had conducted us from the Frontiers being all Cosaques After them our Mareschal alone Then the Officers and Gentlemen three a-breast and those of best quality first Three Trumpetters with silver Trumpets Then the Ambassadors each in his Sledge having before them six with Carabins and on both sides as many with Partizans Next the Sledges came the Pages and after them the rest of the retinue on horse-back and the baggage all in very good order The Pristaf took place of the Ambassadors Being come within half a league of the City there met us many Troops of horse Muscovian Tartars and some Germans who having rid about our Cavalcade return'd to the City After these came several other Troops which divided themselves and encompassing us on both sides conducted us to the City About a quarter of a league from the City we met two Pristafs with a very noble attendance and the same equipage they had at our former reception Being come within 20. paces of us they sent word to the Ambassadors that they should alight out of their Sledges and come to them The Pristafs neither alighted nor uncover'd themselves till the Ambassadors had done both They are enjoyn'd to proceed with this reservedness and to stand very much upon the grandeur and reputation of their Prince upon pain of being cast out of favour which disgrace is many times attended with whipping or cudgeling Our reception was after the same manner as the first time the more aged Pristaf beginning in these termes The Grand Seigneur Czaâ—r and Great Duke Michael Federouits c. repeating all the other Titles hath commanded us to receive thee Philip Crusius and thee Otton Brugman great Ambassador from the Grand Seignor Frederick Duke of Holstein and to conduct you to his Capital City of Moscou To which the other added His Majesty hath appointed these Tumoronins or Gentlemen here present Iuan Iuaniosin Salmosin and my self Andrew Iuanouits Zabaroâ— to be your Pristafs during the abode you shall make there Then the Master of the Horse presented himself made his complement and brought the Ambassadors two very stately Horses white as snow and twelve others for the chief of their retinue From the Gate to our Lodgings we pass'd through a double file of Musketiers to the number of above 3000. and we were lodg'd in that quarter of the City which is called Cataigorod not far from the Castle in a stone-house built by an Archbishop named Susinski who fell into disgrace some years before and was banish'd As soon as we had alighted there were brought in from the Great Duke's Kitchin and Cellar all sorts of meats and drinks And from that time during our stay at Moscou we were allow'd every day sixty two Loaves a quarter of Beef four Sheep a dozen of Pullets two Geese one Hare and one Heath-cock alternately fifty Eggs ten pence towards Candles and five pence for small things us'd in the Kitchin one Pot of Sack eight of Hydromel three of Beer and three small pots of Strong-water Besides all this for a common stock a Tun of Beer a lesser Tun of Hydromel and a Barrel of Strong-water With this we had by way of extraordinary in the week a poude that is forty pound of Butter and as much Salt three Pails of Vinigre two Muttons and a Goose. This allowance was doubled at our arrival as also upon Palm-Sunday Easter-day and the young Prince's Birth-day but we had them dress'd by our own Cooks The house-door was kept by a Desetnick or Corporal who had nine Musketiers about him but the Pristaf's came every day to entertain and divert us and immediately after our first publick Audience or as soon as we have been so happy as to have seen the bright eyes of his Majesty the Czaar as they express it they gave us the same liberty as we had at our former Voyage Arril 3. we had our first publick Audience to which we were conducted with the same Ceremonies as before and in our Cavalcade we observ'd the same order as we had at our entrance unless it were that the Secretary went next the Ambassadors carrying the Credential Letters upon a great piece of Crimson Taffata The Musketiers had made a lane from our Lodging to the Castle but all could not keep off the people from thronging in to see us The Courriers went and came as their custome is to give directions for our march to order it so as that the Great Duke might ascend his Throne just at the arrival of the Ambassadors The Ceremonies of the Audience were as is before mentioned And the Propositions made contained only complements thanks for his Majesties favour in granting the Ambassadors a passage into Persia and desires to have some secret conferences As soon as we were return'd to our Lodgings came one of the Great Duke's Carvers named Knez Simon Petrouits Luon with forty dishes of meat from his Majesty all Fish fry'd things and pulse it being in their Lent and twelve pots of several sorts of drinks The Cloath being layd and the meat serv'd up he presented with his own hand to the Ambassadors and those of their retinue to every one a Gobelet full of a very strong Aquavitae took himself a great Vermilion gilt-cup and drunk the Great Duke's health then the young Prince's and then that of his Highness obliging all to pledge him He was presented with a piece of Plate gilt and those who brought in the meat had two Crowns a-piece given them We sate down but most of the dishes being dress'd with Onions and Garlick we eat very little and sent the rest to our friends in the City But what we spar'd in meat we made good in drink whereto we were partly encourag'd by the Persian Ambassadors who being lodg'd near us gave us the divertisement of their Bagpipes and Hautbois and partly by the excellent Wines which the Great Duke had sent us Apr. 5. we had our first private Audience with the ordinary Ceremonies having the same Commissioners we had in our former negotiation except the Chancellour Iuan Tarassouits Grammatin who by reason of age had resign'd his charge which was conferr'd upon Fedor Fedorousin Lichozou While we were at this Audience there died at our Lodging one of our Lacqueyes who some few dayes before having been overturn'd in one of the Sledges had been hurt by the Ambassador Brugman's Cabinet which fell upon his breast Being of the reform'd religion his body was carried to the Church of that Profession where he had a Funeral Sermon after which he was buried in the Church-yard belonging to the Germans
cause their names to be enroll'd as well at their departure as at their return to the end notice may be taken that no Robbers Golops or fugitive Slaves get in among them In like manner at the return of their Voyage if they pass through Muscovy in the Winter time it shall be lawfull for them at their own charge to hire such a number of Sledges as they shall think fit so as that they be not hindred in the prosecution of their Voyage either in Cities or in the Country Enjoyning further that all respect be given to the Ambassadors of Holstein and all civillity done their people both going and coming not permitting that they should suffer any violence or be robbed obliging them also for their part not to take any provisions by force of any whatsoever but it shall be lawful for them to buy for their money of those that shall be willing to sell to them both going and coming Writ at Moscou in the year 7144. June 20. and signed The Czaar and Great Duke of all the Russes Michael Federouits and lower Deak Maxim Matuskin and sealed with the great Seal The Pristaf having given us our Pass-port we appointed Iun. 30. for our departure Mr. David Ruts gave us another entertainment that day and kept us till the last hour of the day which the Muscovites beginning it at Sun-rising and ending it at Sun-set having struck the Pristaf caus'd to be brought out the Great Dukes Horses and hasten'd our departure being accompany'd by several persons of quality who brought us as far as the Monastery of Simana three leagues from Moscou where our Boat waited for us avoiding by that means the many windings of the River from Moscou thither But it were not handsome to leave Moscou without giving some account of that great City the Metropolis of all Muscovy to which it gives the name as it takes its own from the River Moska This River which passes through and divides all the rest of the City from that quarter of it which is called Strelitza Slauoda rises out of the Province of Tuere and having joyn'd its waters with those of the Occa near Columna it falls together with the other about half a league thence into the Wolga The City is elevated 55 degr 36 min. its longitude 66 degrees in the midst of all the Country and almost at an equal distance from all the Frontiers which is above 120 German leagues It is about three leagues about and no doubt hath been heretofore bigger than it is now Mathius de Michou a Canon of Cracovid who â—ourish'd at the beginning of the last age says that in his time it was twice as big as the City of Prague The Tartars of Crim and Precop burnt it in the year 1571. and the Poles set it a-fire in the year 1611. so as that there was nothing left of it but the Castle and yet now there are numbred in it above 40000 houses and it is out of all controversie one of the greatest Cities in Europe 'T is true that the Palaces of great Lords and the Houses of some rich Merchants excepted which are of Brick or Stone all the rest are of Wood and made up of beams and cross-pieces of Firr laid one upon another They cover them with barks of trees upon which they sometimes put another covering of Turfes The carelesness of the Muscovites and the disorders of their house-keeping are such that there hardly passes a moneth nay not a week but some place or other takes fire which meeting with what is very combustible does in a moment reduce many houses nay if the wind be any thing high whole streets into ashes Some few days before our arrival the fire had consumed the third part of the City and about 5 or 6 years since the like accident had near destroy'd it all To prevent this the Strelits of the Guard and the Watch are enjoyn'd in the night time to carry Pole-axes wherewith they break down the houses adjoyning to those which are a-fire by which means they hinder the progress of it with much better success than if they attempted the quenching of it And that it may not fasten on other more solid structures the doors and windows are very narrow having shutters of Latin to prevent the sparks and flashes from getting in Those who have their houses burnt have this comfort withall that they may buy houses ready built at a market for that purpose without the white-Wall at a very easy rate and have them taken down transported and in a short time set up in the same place where the former stood The streets of Moscou are handsome and very broad but so dirty after rain hath ever so little moisten'd the ground that it were impossible to get out of the dirt were it not for the great Posts which set together make a kind of bridge much like that of the Rhin near Strasbourg which bridges in foul weather serve for a kind of pavement The City is divided into four quarters or circuits whereof the first is called Catayrogod that is the mid-City as being in the midst of the others This quarter is divided from the rest by a brick-wall which the Muscovites call crasne stenna that is red stone The Moska passes on the South-side of it and the River Neglina which joyns with the other behind the Castle on the North side The Great Duke's Palace called Cremelena and which is of greater extent than many other ordinary Cities takes up almost one half of it and is fortify'd with three strong walls and a good ditch and very well mounted with Canon In the midst of the Castle are two Steeples one very high and cover'd with Copper gilt as all the other Steeples of the Castle are This Steeple is called Iuan Welike that is the Great Iohn The other is considerable only for the Bell within it made by the Great Duke Boris Gudenou weighing 33600. pounds It is not toll'd but upon great Festivals or to honour the entrance and audience of Ambassadors but to stir it there must be 24 men who pull it by a Rope that comes down into the Court while some others are above to help it on by thrusting The Great Duke's Palace stands towards the further side of the Castle with that of the Patriarch and appartements for several Bojares who have places at Court There is also lately built a very fair Palace of stone according to the Italian Architecture for the young Prince but the Great Duke continues still in his wooden Palace as being more healthy than stone-structures The Exchequer and the Magazine of Powder and provisions are also within the Castle There are also within it two fair Monasteries one for men the other for women and above fifty Churches and Chapels all built of stone among others those of the B. Trinity St. Mary's St. Michael's wherein are the Sepulchres of the Great Dukes and St. Nicholas's At the
Castle-Gate but without the Walls on the South-side is a fair Church Dedicated to the B. Trinity and commonly called Ierusalem When it was finish'd the Tyrant Iohn Basilouits thought it so magnificent a structure that he caus'd the Architect's eyes to be put out that he might not afterwards do any thing that should be comparable to that Near this Church are two great pieces of Canon with the mouths towards that street by which the Tartars were wont to make their irruptions but these pieces are now dismounted and useless In the spacious place before the Castle is the chief Market of the City kept all day it is full of people but especially slaves and idle persons All the Market-place is full of Shops as also all the streets abutting upon it but every Trade hath a station by it self so as the Mercers intermingle not with the Linnen or Wollen-Drapers nor Goldsmiths with Sadlers Shoemakers Taylors Furriers and the like but every Profession and Trade hath its proper street which is so much the greater convenience in that a man does of a sudden cast his eye on all he can desire Sempstresses have their shops in the midst of the Market where there is also another sort of Women Traders who have Rings in their mouths and with their Rubies and Turquoises put off another commodity which is not seen in the Market There is a particular street where are sold the Images of their Saints 'T is true these go not under the name of Merchandise among the Muscovites who would make some difficulty to say they had bought a Saint but they say they receive them by way of Exchange or Trucking for money and so when they buy they make no bargain but lay down what the Painter demands There is yet another place in this quarter called the Hair-market because the Inhabitants go thither to be trimm'd by which means the place comes to be so cover'd with hair that a man treads as softly as if it were on a Feather-bed Most of the principal Goses or Merchants as also many Knez and Muscovian Lords have their houses in this first circuit The second quarter is called Czaargorod that is Czaar's Citie or the Citie-Royal and includes the former as it were in a Semi-circle The little River Neglina passes through the midst of it and it hath its particular Wall called Biela stenna that is the white Wall In this quarters is the Arsenal and the place where Guns and Bells are cast which is called Pogganabrut the management whereof the Great Duke hath bestow'd on a very able man one Iohn Valk born at Nuremberg whom he sent for out of Holland for this reason that he was the first who found a way to discharge a Bullet of sixteen pound weight with five pound of pouder The Muscovites who have wrought under this man have so well learnt the Mystery of founding that now they are as expert at it as the most experienc'd Germans In this quarter also there live many Knez Lords Sinbojares or Gentlemen and a great number of Merchants who drive a Trade all the Countrey over and Trades-men especially Bakers There are also some Butchers shambles and Tipling-houses which sell Beer Hydromel and Strong-water Store-Houses of Wheat Meal shops and the Great Duke's stables The third quarter is called Skoradom and includes the quarter called Czaargorod from the East along the North-side to the West The Muscovites affirm that this quarter was five German Leagues about before the City was burnt by the Tartars in the year 1571. The little River Iagusas passes through it and in its way fails into the Mosca In this quarter is the Market for Wood and Houses before mentioned where you may have Houses ready made which may be taken asunder transported thence and set up any where else in a short time and with little pains and charge since they consist only of beams and posts set one upon the other and the vacuities are fill'd up with Mosse The fourth quarter is called Strelitza Slauoda because of the Strelits or Musketiers of the Great Duke's Guard who live in it It is situated towards the South of Citarogod on the other side of the Mosca upon the Avenues of the Tartars Its Ramparts and Baltions are of Wood. The Great Duke Basili Iuanouits father of Basilouits who built this quarter design'd it for the quarters of such Soldiers as were strangers as Poles Germans and others naming that place Naeilki or the quarter of Drunkards from the word Nali which signifies powre out for these strangers being more inclin'd to drunkenness than the Muscovites he would not have his own people who were apt enought to debauch themselves to become so much the worse by the others bad example Besides the Soldiery the poorer sort of the people have their habitations in this quarter There is in the City and Suburbs of Moscou a very great number of Churches Monasteries and Chapels In the former Impression of these Travels we said there were above fifteen hundred but whereas Iohn Lewis Godefrey Author of the Archontologia Cosinica thinks that number so excessive that he sticks not to speak of it as a thing not likely to be true I must indeed needs acknowledge that I was much mistaken and now affirm for certain that where I said there were 1500. there are above 2000. No Muscovite that hath liv'd at Moscou nay no stranger any thing acquainted with that City but will confirm this truth as knowing there is no Lord but hath his private Chapel nor any Street but hath many of them 'T is true they are most of them very small ones and but fifteen foot square nay before the Patriarch commanded they should be built of Stone they were all of Wood but that hinders not but that the number of them may amount to what we have said THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY and PERSIA The Third Book THE City of Moscou which those of the Country call Moskwa derives its name to the Province wherein it is seated and to all Muscovy which was heretofore known under that of Russia or white Russia It is doubtless the greatest of all the Estates of Europe since it reaches in length near thirty degrees or 450. leagues and in breadth sixteen degrees or 240. German leagues Its Frontiers reach Northward beyond the Arctick Circle to the frozen Sea On the East it hath the River Oby towards the South the Tartars of Crim and Precop and towards the West Poland Livonia and Sueden Muscovy is divided into many great Provinces most of which we have named elsewhere with the Titles of the Great Duke That of Wolodimer or Vladimer was heretofore the chiefest It s capital City whence it hath its name was built by Prince Wolodomer who liv'd about the year 928. It is 36. leagues distant from Moscou Eastward between the Rivers of Occa and Wolga in a Country so fruitful
that one Bushel of Wheat sown yeelds 25. or 30. The River Clesma which passes by it falls into the River Occa near the City of Murom The Great Dukes had chosen it for the most convenient place for their residence till Prince Danilou Michaelouits translated the Emperial Seat to Moscou The Province of Smolensko hath on the East the Province of Muscovy on the North Siberia on the South Lithavie and towards the West Livonia The Metropolis of the Province Smolensko is seated upon the River Nieper which they say is the same the Antients called Boristhenes though that of Berezine comes nearer to that name The other eminent Cities of it are Prohobus upon the Nieper Wesma upon a River of the same name and Mosaysko The City of Smolensko hath on the side of the River a Cittadel fortify'd with great Chains and good Ditches with a good Counterscarp well palisadoed The Muscovites took this City from the Poles in the year 15â—4 Sigismond King of Poland Recover'd it again in the year 1611. and the late Great Duke Michael Federouits besieg'd it in the year 1633. but was forc'd to raise the siege as we shall have occasion to relate anon The Great Duke that now is took it by composition in the year 1654. and is still possess'd of it The Province of Rhesan lies between the Rivers Don and Occa having on the West Muscovy from which it is divided by the River Aka This is the most fruitful Province of all Muscovy and produces abundance of Wheat Hony Fish and all sorts of Venizon and Fowl Besides the chief City which is upon the River Occa it hath also those of Corsira and Tulla upon the River of that name Permie is one of the greatest Provinces of all Muscovy and distant from Moscou 250. or 300. German leagues towards the East and North. It s chief City whence it hath its name lies upon the River of Vischora which falls into Kam 15. leagues thence The Inhabitants of this Province have a Language and Characters peculiar to themselves They eat Herbs instead of bread and instead of Tribute send the Great Duke Horses and Furrs Its neighbours Eastward are the Tartars of Tumen The Baron of Herberstein sayes that the Province of Iugarie is that whence the Hongrians came who now live in the Country that lies upon the Dannow The Province of Wiathka is 150. German leagues distant from the City of Moscou towards the East beyond the River Kam The River of Wiathka gives it the name which falls into Kam which falls into Wolga 12. leagues below Casan The Country is woody and barren and much subject to the incursions of the Tartars Czeremisses who were the Masters of it till Basili Great Duke of Muscovy united it to his Crown The Principality of Bielsk derives the name from Biela its chief City as does the Province of Rschouie from that of the City of Rschewa and that of Tuere from the City of that name The City and Dutchy of Plescou was govern'd by its own Princes till the Great Duke Iohn Basilouits re-united both to his Crown in the year 1509. The Muscovites call it Pskow from the Lake upon which the chief City is seated and out of which rises the River of the same name that passes through the City Siberia is of great extent and had a long time it s own Princes who paid Tribute to the Kings of Poland upon the accompt of Lithuania on which they had some dependence They revolted from Casimer son of Iagellon King of Poland and became subject to the Great Duke of Muscovy The Czaar Basili ejected the Duke of Siberie and united the Province to his Crown The chief City is Novogorod but to distinguish it from others of the same name it is called Novogorod Siebersky that is Novogorod or the New City of Siberie It s other eminent Cities are Starodub Petivola Czernigou and Bransko The Dutchies of Iarostaf Rosthou and Susdal were a long time enjoy'd by the younger Brothers of Muscovy till Iohn Basilouits re-united them to the Crown in the year 1565. The Province of Dwina is the greatest and more Northern of all Muscovy and was heretofore subject to the Duke of Novogorod The River of Dwina falls into the white Sea near Archangel It is not long since that this Province which is a hundred leagues in length had but one City in it of the same name seated in the midst of it but now that the Muscovites have Translated into those parts the Trade which the English Dutch and Hanseatick Towns were wont to bring to Narva it is become one of the most considerable Provinces of all Muscovy The greatest place of Commerce is called Archangel from the Archangel St. Michael and situated at the mouth of the Dwina where it makes the Island of Podesemski The City is not very great but of great Trading by reason of the many Ships that come every year which bring thither the Muscovian Merchants especially those strangers that live at Moscou with the commodities of the Country to truck for those that are brought thither The Great Duke makes great advantages of it but the Impositions he laies upon all Merchandlses are so great that it is not unlikely Strangers will in time return to Narva where the King of Sueden takes but two in the hundred and to which navigation is not so dangerous In the Gulf which the Sea makes near the mouth of Dwina are three Islands called Solofka Anger and Coloua There was heretofore in the former of these the Sepulchre of a Muscovian Saint but 3. or 4. years since the Great Duke caused the Body to be translated thence to Moscou Some report that the Great Dukes Predecessors of him that now reigns had hidden a great Treasure there as being a place inaccessible by reason of its high and steepy Rocks The Province of Vstiugha is next to that of Dwina but more Southerly and was also subject to the Duke of Novogorod The chief City of the same name is so called from the word Vst which signifies the mouth of a River as the Latine word Ostium and Iugh because it was seated at the place where the River of Iugh falls into Suchana from which it is now half a league distant Its Inhabitants eat no Bread but are content with Fish and Venison dry'd in the Sun Thence are brought the fairest black-Foxes skins Vologda seated in the Province of the same name is the only City in all Muscovy that hath a stone wall about it being the place whither the Great Duke in time of War was wont to send some part of his Treasures It sometime belonged to the Duke of Novogorod but is now together with the Province re-united to Muscovy The River of Vologda whence it takes its name falls with the Dwina into the white Sea The Dutchy of Bielejezoro is also one
of the Northern Provinces of this great State but so full of Woods and Rivers that it is in a manner inaccessible unless it be when the Fenns and Rivers are frozen The Province of Petzora reaches along the frozen Sea towards the East and North. The River of Petzora whence it hath the name falls into the Sea near the Streight of Weigats below the City of Pustioziero by six several channels The mountains which the Muscovites call Zimnopoias that is the Girdle of the Earth the same as it is believed as the Antients called the Riphaean and Hiperborean mountains lye on both sides of it and afford the best Sables and excellent Hawks The City is but little and the cold so great in this Province that the Rivers are frozen from August to May. Upon this Province border the Samoicdes a people we shall have occasion to speak of hereafter The Province of Obdorie derives its name from the River Oby which rising out of the great Lake of Kataisko and running from the East towards the North falls into the frozen Sea and is so broad at the mouth that with a very good wind a Ship will have much ado to cross from one side to the other in two days As for the Tartarian Provinces that are subject to the Great Duke we shall give an accompt of them in the prosecution of our Travels along the River Wolga of which River we shall only say by the way that in the Province of Rschouie two leagues from its chief City and in the great forest of Wolkowskiles is the Lake of Wronow out of which rises a River that two leagues off that place falls into the Lake of Wolga from which it derives its name and is thence forward called Wolga The Tartars call it Edel and 't is the same as Ptolomy calls Rha. 'T is doubtless the greatest River in all Europe since that from the City of Nise-Novogorod near which we went into it out of the River Ocea to the Caspian Sea we have counted above 500 German leagues not accounting above a hundred leagues more there is from its source to the place where the Occa falls into it The Boristhenes which those of the Country call Dnieper rises out of the same Province ten leagues from the Lake of Fronowo near a Village called Dniepersko It divides Lithuania from Muscovy and after it hath taken its course towards the South where it passes near Wiesma and thence towards the East bathing the Cities of Progobus Smolensko Orscha Dubrowna and Mohilouw it turns again towards the South and passing by Kiouie by the Circasses and thence toward Otzakow a City of the Tartarians of Precop it falls into the Euxine Sea There are in Muscovy two Rivers called Dwina one rises out of a Lake of the same name ten leagues from the Lake of Fronowo and the source of Dnieper and falls into the Baltick Sea below Riga The other rising at the conjunction of the Rivers of Iagel and Sachana gives its name to the Province before mentioned and falls into the White Sea near Archangel The Rivers of Mosca and Occa are pleasant and very considerable but they lose their names with all the other Rivers in the Countrey when they fall into those we have before spoken of Muscovy then being of such extent as we have said it is not to be imagin'd that in Provinces so distant and situated in so different climates Air and Earth are alike qualify'd every where About Moscou and the adjacent Provinces the Air is good and healrhy so that there is no talk of the Plague or any other Epidemical disease Which was the reason that in the year 1654. at the beginning of the War of Smolensko when the Infection made such havock in that great City people were the more surpriz'd thereat in regard the like had not been known in the memory of man It was so great that those were seen dying in the streets who thought themselves well enough when they came out of their houses and all Muscovy was so astonish'd at it that all the Avenues of Moscou were block'd up The cold is so piercing that no fur can prevent the Nose Ears Feet and Hands from freezing and falling At our first Voyage thither in 1634. the cold was so sharp that in the great Market-place before the Castle we saw the earth open above twenty fathoms in length and a foot broad We could not go 50 steps without hazard of losing some of our members I saw there by experience what others have left in writing that spittle froze before it came to the ground and water as it dropp'd I observ'd withal that the earth is open there in a manner as soon as in Germany and that the Spring fruits come much about the same time for the more the earth is cover'd with Snow the more it keeps in the heat requisite to promote vegetation The Ice and Snow together make the ways so even that it is much easier travelling there than any where else For Winter-travelling the Muscovites make use of Sledges made very low of the bark of Trees cover'd with some coarse kind of Cloath We lay all along in them and covering our selves with sheep-skins and the Sledges being cover'd with Sack-cloath or some coarse Cloath we not only felt not the cold but even sweated in the depth of Winter The Muscovian Horses are very low yet fit enough for this kind of travelling for being swift and indefatigable they will go 8. 10. nay many times 12 leagues without staying by the way I have my self travell'd twice from Tuere to Torsock without any halt by the way Hence is it that travelling is so cheap that a Country fellow shall bring you fifty leagues for three or four Crowns at most If the cold be sharp in the Winter the heat is no less troublesom in Summer not proceeding so much from the scorching rayes of the Sun which is there in a manner always above the Horizon and makes the day 18. hours long as occasion'd by the Flies Wasps Gnats and other insects which the Sun produces in the Moors and Fens which take up a great part of the Country in such abundance that night and day they are extremely troublesome But the Fens and Forests which Muscovy is well stor'd with hinder not but the Land they cultivate is very Fertile For unless it be about Mosco where the soyl is barren and gravelly let them take ever so little pains with their grounds in other places they will bring forth more Wheat and Pasture than the Countrey can consume The Hollanders acknowledge that Muscovy is to them what Sicily was sometime to Rome You never hear talk of dearth though in the Provinces that have not the convenience of Rivers to transport their Corn the Inhabitants manure only so much ground as will afford them a bare subsistence for the present year not minding the future as
and will maintain it to the utmost extremity Of this we have an example at Notebourg where two men made their capitulation in the year 1579. The Poles who had besieg'd the Castle of Suikols set it a fire as they were giving the assault yet the Muscovites made good the breach and maintain'd it even when the fire reach'd their Cloaths At the siege of the Abbey of Padis in Livonia they held out till they became so weakned for want of Provisions that they were not able to keep Guard nor to meet the Suedes at the Gate They are not indeed so fortunate in the field and very seldom gain'd any battel against the Poles or Suedes their Neighbours who have alwayes almost had the better of them so that it prov'd a harder matter to pursue them than to avoid their blows But certain it is withall that these misfortunes happen to them through the want of experience and conduct in their Generals rather than of courage in their Soldiers For as to the disgrace the Muscovites receiv'd at the Siege of Smolensko in the year 1633. it is to be ascribed to the Generals perfidiousness who paid his Master for his imprudence in putting the command of his Army into the hands of a Stranger He was a Polander named Herman Schein who to curry favour with the Duke had been so low-spirited as to receive re-baptization The Army he commanded consisted of above a hundred thousand men among whom were above 6000. Germans and several Muscovian Regiments exercised according to the German discipline and commanded by strange Officers French Germans and Scots three hundred pieces of Cannon and all other things requisite to carry on the Siege against that place which the Poles had taken some time before from the Muscovites The reduction of it had been so much the easier â—n that the City is compass'd but with one simple wall without ditch or any kind of fortification Whence it came that the Germans who had made a reasonable breach in it propos'd to have it carried at the first assault But the General oppos'd it saying That he would never suffer it should be reproach'd to the Prince his Master that he had rais'd so vast an Army to besiege a place which a handful of Germans would have taken in so few dayes and then presently to disband it The Colonels that were Strangers on the other side considering that the Great Duke's reputation would suffer by that Siege and the Army it self be destroy'd if it were not employ'd resolv'd to give the assault and were in a manner Masters of the breach when the General commanding the great Guns to be discharg'd at them they were forc'd to retreat They complain'd of that procedure so far as to make some discoveries of their distrust of his fidelity but he sent them word that if they kept not within the respect due to their General he should find a way to chastise them and that he would treat them as Muscovites So that not daring to make any further attempt the Army continu'd there some time without doing any thing and gave the King of Poland time enough to get together a small body of 5000. men who possess'd themselves of all the avenues by which the Muscovites receiv'd their provisions so as that within a few dayes their Army was more straightly besieg'd than the City it self It had been easy for the Muscovian General to prevent the Poles from taking up those posts but he gave them the leasure so to fortify themselves in them that it had been impossible for him to force them in their quarters even if he had attempted it The Muscovian Army being reduc'd to this extremity the General to hinder it from starving was forc'd to capitulate with the Poles to come in with the whole Army at mercy and with all that Noble Artillery to leave hostages for the ransome of all the Officers and Soldiers which the Great Duke was oblig'd to pay The General was so impudent as to return to Moscou and shew himself at Court where he had friends enough to protect him notwithstanding the charges put in against him by the Officers and Soldiers but the people express'd themselves so mov'd at his treachery that to prevent an insurrection which threatned both City and State they were forc'd to execute him publickly in the market-place Most of the great Ones had a finger in his Treason but lest he might accuse any they perswaded him that he should not be startled at those proceedings that it was only by way of pageant to give the people some satisfaction and that before execution his pardon would be brought him Which he the more easily credited for that his changing Religion had gain'd him the affection and favour of the Patriarch But he had no sooner layd his head upon the block ere a sign was made to the Executioner to strike it off The same day was executed also his Son who had some command under his Father at the Siege of Smolensko He was brought into the open place before the Castle where he was stripp'd stark naked and whipp'd to death All the rest of his kindred were banish'd into Siberia This execution happened in Iune 1634. The Muscovites spend not much in house-keeping nor the Bojares as well as those of a lower condition It is not above thirty years that their Lords and chiefest Merchants have built their houses of stone for before they were no better lodg'd than the meaner sort in very poor wooden buildings Their houshold-stuff are suitable to their Lodgings and commonly consist only in three or four pots and as many wooden or earthen dishes Some have pewter but very few and unless it be some few drinking cups and gobelets there is not any of silver They know not what scowring means in so much that the Great Duke's plate looks little better than the Tavern-pots which are made clean but once a year The better sort hang their rooms but with mat and to set them out yet a little better they have only two or three Images wretchedly painted They have few feather-beds but are content with mattresses nay with chaff or straw and if not that to be had they lye upon their cloaths which in Summer they lay upon a bench or table in the Winter upon their stoves which are flat as in Livonia In this Country it is that Master and Mistress Men and Maids are shuffled all together into the same room nay in some places in the Country I have seen the Poultry and the Pigs had ordinarily the same Lodging with the Masters of the house They are not acquainted with our delicate meats and sawces Their ordinary food is coarse Meal Turneps Coleworth and Cowcumbers both fresh and pickled Their great delicacy is Salt-fish which being not well salted infects the places near it so that you may smell their Fish-market at a great distance They cannot want Beef and Mutton there being good pastures all over
maintain that he could make it as clear as the Sun at Noon that he was no Muscovite and that there was not any thing in his person language or manner of life which might perswade the World that he was Indeed his beard was quite after another fashion than the Muscovitet ordinarily wear theirs He had the Latin Italian German and Turkish Languages so well as to be understood in any of them and he had such an art in counterfeiting all sorts of hands that it was hard to convince him by that which he writ in his first employment Nay he would have had us suspect as counterfeited the Letters sent by the Great Duke to our Prince because he had not signed them and might have surpriz'd us with that allegation had we not learnt in Muscovy that the Great Duke never signs expeditions but leaves that to be done by the Secretaries of State Timoska perceiving these evasions would not serve his turn â—ell into despair and would have kill'd himself For being upon his way to Travemunde to be ship'd away not far from Neustatâ— he cast himself down headlong from the Wagon and shuffled himself under the Wheels hoping they would pass over his Body but the ground being soft and sandy his fall did him no hurt and the Wagon was immediately staid so that they had the time to return him to his place where they fasten'd him beyond all fear of shewing such another trick He seem'd to be in a very good humour all the way yet sought all the means he could imagine to compass his own death but he was so narrowly watch'd that at last being out of all hope to effect it the joy he had express'd before was much abated Coming to Novogorod he fell into so deep a melancholy that he was become absolutely disconsolate Which yet hindred not but that amidst the greatest tortures he express'd an admirable constancy at least if I may so call the resolute obstinacy in which he persisted as to his first depositions whether it were his design thereby to confirm in strangers the opinion he would have imprinted in them or that he considered with himself that his confession would not prevent his death nor alleviate his misfortune As soon as he came to Moscou he was put to the torture in the presence of divers persons of quality but he impudently told them that of all the Bojares he would not vouchsafe to speak to any but Knez Nikita Iuanouits Romanow and him only as knowing him by fame by reason of his goodness and courage he should be glad to have some discourse withall While two Bojares were gone to find out Nikita Timoska desired somewhat to drink They presented to him some Quas in a wooden dish but he would have Hydromel and that it should be brought him in a silver Cup but after they had so far comply'd with his humour he only put it to his lips and would not drink Seeing Nikita and the other two Bojares come in he gave them a civil salute but still affirmed that he was Son to Basili Iuanouits Zuski though it were prov'd against him that he was the Son of Dementi Aukudina a Linnen Draper of Vologda and that the Great Duke Basili had had no children but only two Brothers Knez Demetri Iuanouits and Iuan Iuanouits Zuski who both died without issue male For of these three Brothers who were sent Prisoners into Poland at the election of Vladislaus in the year 1610. with the rest of the Great Dukes kinred the two elder died there and the third was releas'd and sent back into Muscovy where he died some few years before the execution of Timoska 'T is true there was another Lord of the same Family but he had left only one Son named Michael Basilouits Zuski Scapin who died without issue when the Suedes took the City of Novogorod in the year 1616. While he endured the torture they brought his Mother to him who exhorted him to acknowledge his crime He seem'd to be moved at her presence but persisted in affirming he knew her not no more than he did Iuan Pescou with whom he had left his Son when he left Muscovy This man represented to him how much he was to blame for behaving himself so in the condition he was in and told him that he must at last pull off the vizard he had made use of for so many years to cheat the World and disturb his Country conjuring him to own his Son and rely no longer on elusions and impostures which would only aggravate his misery and bring a greater weight of God's vengeance upon him He was so mov'd hereat that he would not speak one word afterwards though there were divers persons brought before him who had known him while he was employ'd at the Tavern-Office He was search'd and found to be Circumcis'd The next day they put him again to the torture but he would not speak at all so that he was immediately carried to the great Market-place where his sentence was pronounced and presently put in execution They cut off with an Ax first his right arm below the elbow then the left leg below the knee and afterwards the left arm and right leg and last of all the head The members were set up on stakes and the trunk left upon the ground but the Dogs devour'd it in the night and the next morning the Executioner's Servants dragg'd the members to the place where all the City dirt is thrown His man Kostka was pardoned because he had confess'd the truth but in regard he had been unfaithful towards his Prince he was sentenc'd to lose three fingers of his right hand The Patriarch got that punishment to be moderated upon this accompt that the Religion of the Muscovites obliging them to make the sign of the Cross with the right hand which ought not to be maimed he receiv'd his punishment in the left and was sent into Siberia where provision was made for his subsistence during life About this time there came a Polish Envoy to Moscou They gave him audience the same day that Timoska was put to death and brought him through the Market-place just at the execution that he might be an eye witness of it and give an accompt in Poland of the Tragedy of that Impostor who had been there look'd upon as son to the Great Duke Basili Iuanouits Zuski We said before that the Great Duke Michael Federouits died Iul. 12. 1645. The very next day the Knez and Bojares would needs crown his Son Alexei Michaelouits who was not full sixteen years of age He it is that now reigns and makes himself known by the War he made upon Poland as also by that which he daily threatens against Sueden He was born March 17. 1630. Knez Boris Iuanouits Morosou fearing his enemies might take any advantage of the Prince's tender years so hastened his Coronation that they could not send for all those who are oblig'd to be present
thereat nor perform it with the requisite Ceremonies which are as followeth They summon to Moscou not only all the Metropolitans Archbishops Bishops Knez and Bojares but also the Principal Merchants of all the Cities in the Kingdom The day appointed for the Coronation the Patriarch attended by the Metropolitans conduct the new Great Duke to the Church within the Castle where a Scaffold is erected three steps high cover'd with rich Persian Tapistry on which are set three Brocado Chairs at an equal distance one from the other One is for the Great Duke another for the Patriarch and upon the third are set the Ducal Cap and Robe The Cap is embroider'd with Pearls and Diamonds having upon the Crown a Tassel on which hangs a little Crown set as thick as may be with Diamonds and the Robe is of a rich Brocado lined with the best kind of Sables They say the Great Duke Demetri Monomach found it at the taking of Kaffa in Tartarie and that he immediately design'd it for the Coronation of the Princes his Successors As soon as the Czaar is come within the Church the Clergy begin to sing their Hymnâ— which ended the Patriarch prays to God to St. Nicholas and the other Saints desiring their presence at that day's Solemnity The prayer ended the Chief Counsellour of State taking the Great Duke by the hand presents him to the Patriarch and sayes to him Since the Knez and Bojares acknowledge the Prince here present to be the next of Kin to the late Great Duke and lawfull Heir to the Crown they desire that as such you immediately Crown him Whereupon the Patriarch leads the Prince up to the Scaffold and having seated him in one of the three Chairs he puts to his forehead a little Cross of Diamonds and blesses him Then one of the Metropolitans reads the following Prayer O Lord our God King of Kings who didst choose thy servant David by the Prophet Samuel and who didst cause him to be anointed King over thy people Israel hearken to our prayers which though unworthy we offer up unto thee Look down from the highest Heavens upon this thy faithful servant who is here seated upon this Chair and whom thou hast exalted to be King over thy people whom thou hast redeemed by the blood of thy Son Anoint him with the Oyl of gladness protect him by thy power set upon his head a precious Diadem grant him a long and happy life put into his hand a Royal Scepter and make him sit upon the Throne of Justice Make subject to him all barbarous Languages Let his heart and his understanding alwayes continue in thy fear In all the course of his life let him be constantly obedient to thy Commandement Suffer not any Heresie or Schism to come near his Person or Government Teach him to maintain and observe whatsoever the holy Greek Church commandeth and ordaineth Iudge thy people in Iustice and be merciful to the poor that when they leave this Valley of tears they may be received into eternal joys Which Prayer the Patriarch concludes with these words For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory God the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost be with us and remain with us The Prayer ended the Patriarch commands two Metropolitans to take the Cap and Robe and having caused some of the Bojares to come upon the Scaffold he commands them to put them on the Great Duke whom he blesseth a second time by touching his forehead with the little Cross of Diamonds Then he causes to be given to them the Ducal Cap to be set upon his head while he says In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and then blesses him the third time That done the Patriarch causes all the Prelates to approach who give the Benediction to the Great Duke but it is only with their hands That Ceremony ended the Great Duke and the Patriarch sit down but they immediately rise again to give order for the singing of the Letany whereof every verse ends with Gospodi pomiluy Lord have mercy upon us putting in ever and anon the great Duke's name After the Letany they sit down again and one of the Metropolitans comes up to the Altar and says singing God preserve our Czaar and Great Duke of all the Russes whom God hath out of his love bestow'd on us in good health and grant him a long and a happy life All that are present as well Ecclesiasticks as Laicks repeat the same words which make the Church echo again with the greatness of their joy Then the Bojares come up to the Great Duke smite their foreheads in his presence and kisse his hand That done the Patriarch comes up alone before the Great Duke and tells him That since through the Providence of God all the Estates of the Kingdom as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal have establish'd and Crowned him Great Duke over all the Russes and have entrusted him with a Government and Conduct of so great importance he ought to apply all his thoughts to love God keep his Commandments administer Iustice and protect and maintain the true Greek Religion That done the Patriarch gives him the Benediction and the whole Assembly goes out of that Church into that of St. Michael the Arch-Angel which is opposite to the other where they sing over the same Letanies which is done afterwards in that also of St. Nicholas where they conclude the Ceremonies and Dine in the Great Hall of the Duke's Palace After the Coronation Alexei Michaelouits Morosou chang'd the quality of Governour into that of Favourite and Chief Minister and had the same power in Affairs as he had over the Prince's person during his fathers life He began his establishment with the great Employments which he bestow'd on the Kinred of the Great Dutchess-Mother for whom the Prince had a great Veneration but under that pretence he kept them at a distance from Court which as also the chiefest places of publick trust he in the mean time fill'd with his own Kinred and Creatures who wholly depended on his fortune He permitted not any other to come near the Prince's person whom he would often get out of the Capital City under pretence of Hunting or some other divertisement so to beget in him an aversion to business that he might have the management of all things He thought the only way to make sure of him would be to get him a Wife and to that end he brought him acquainted with a Gentlemans Daughter who was an extraordinary Beauty but of mean extraction 'T was his design to marry her Sister by that means to interesse the Great Duke more nearly in his preservation These Gentlewomens Father was one Ilia Danilouits Miloslauski very much look'd upon by the Favourite not only upon the accompt of his two fair Daughters but also in regard of his constant attendance on him So that upon the confidence he had of his affection and
fidelity he one day took occasion to speak to the Great Duke of him and thence to celebrate so highly the beauty of those Gentlewomen that it rais'd in him a desire to see them The Great Duke sent for them under pretence of a Visit to the Princesses his Sisters and having seen them he was so taken with the Beauty of the Elder that he immediately sent one to tell Miloslauskie that he would honour him with Alliance and marry one of his Daughters The Gentleman receiv'd the message with much respect and return'd his humble thanks to the Great Duke for the favour he was pleas'd to do him Soon after they carried rich Presents to the intended Bride and a good sum of money to the Father who with others of the Kinred could not without that supply have appear'd at the Marriage of his Daughter They were married on Shrove-Sunday in the year 1647. but without any noise lest the consequences of that Solemnity might be frustrated by Charms Eight days after Morosou was married to Miloslauskie's second Daughter and so became Brother-in-Law to the Great Duke Ilia Danilouits Miloslauskie was no sooner advanc'd to this new-greatness but he would have all the World to take notice of it He pull'd down a Wooden house that had been given him in the Castle near the Great Duke's Palace and built a Sumptuous one of Stone in it's place He cast off by degrees the old Officers of the house and brought in his own Kindred and Creatures who being no less necessitous than the chief of their family let slip no opportunity of advantaging themselves Among others he made one Leponti Steppanouits Plesseou Chief Judge of the Citie of Moscou in that Jurisdiction which they call Semskoi Duor No Concussion no Extortion but this man would undertake He thought it not enough to receive Presents but would reduce both parties to the utmost extremities He suborn'd false Witnesses whose employment was to bring in charges against those who were rich enough to redeem themselves out of his persecutions imprisoning and oppressing them till they purchas'd their Liberties with the ruine of their Estates and of these instruments of his Tyranny one was called Peter Tichonuits Trochaniotou his Brother-in-law This Peter was one of those whom in Muscovy they call Ocolnits out of which number are chosen the Bojares and he had the management of the Puskarse Pricas that is to say was Overseer of the Armourers Canoniers and all the Mechanicks belonging to the Arsenal who were very much oppress'd by him For instead of paying them monethly as they are wont to do in Muscovy where all that are in the Great Duke's service are so punctually pay'd that if they come not the first day of the moneth for their money it is sent home to them he on the contrary kept them several moneths without it forc'd them to compound and to give acquittances for the whole sum though they received but some part Besides Trading was obstructed Monopolies granted and no Employment could be had but by dearly purchasing the Favorite Morosou's good pleasure One got a Patent prohibiting the further use of the ordinary Ells purposely to oblige the people to buy Iron ones with the Great Duke's mark upon them but instead of selling them at 8. or 10 d. a piece as they were worth they could not be had under a Crown by which means was rais'd a vast sum of money by reason of the necessity there was of having them all over the Kingdom Another found out the invention of raising the Poude that is 40. pound of Salt to thirty pence which before cost but twenty But instead of making advantage of it they found at the year's end that the dearness of the Salt had so hindred the sale of it that the Great Dukes revenue was not only very much diminish'd but abundance of fish was lost for want of sufficient salting so that had it not been their design rather to oppress the people than to promote the Great Duke's service they would soon have put down that new imposition The Inhabitants of Moscou who had liv'd very quietly under the late Great Duke's reign could not but discover their resentment of these pressures They had their assemblies about the Churches at the hours when their Devotions brought them thither and resolv'd at last to Petition the Great Duke And in regard no one person either would or durst undertake the delivery of a Petition to him they appointed a day to give it him themselves as he should come out of the Castle to go to his devotions or divertisements Their main spleen was against Leponti Steppanouits Plesscou to desire that his place might be supply'd by some person of honour of whom they might expect more Justice They had their Petition ready and sought two or three times an opportunity to present it to the Prince but the Bojares who attend him in those Ceremonies took it from them and making only a report of it as they had been instructed by Morosou the Petition was not answered nor the people reliev'd This happen'd so often that the people at last resolv'd to take some other course and to make their complaints by word of mouth upon the first opportunity that should offer it self The 6. of Iuly 1648. they took their advantage of a Procession which the Great Duke made to a Monastery in the Citie called Stertenskie The people were got together in the Market-place before the Castle to see him pass by as they were wont but at his return they broke through those that attended the Great Duke came up to him laid hold of his bridle stay'd him and entreated him to hear the complaints they had to make to him concerning the injustices and violences committed by Plesseou desiring there might be put into his place some person of integrity who should better supply so important a charge The Great Duke though a little startled at their procedure still kept his countenance and seem'd not a little troubled at the grievances of his good Subjects promised that he would examine how the matter stood and that they should receive satisfaction The people desir'd no more and were going away well satisfy'd with that answer when some Bojares friends of Plesscou would needs give the people abusive language thrust some of their horses and struck others with their whips whereat being incens'd they so pelted their Lordships with stones that they were forc'd to make all speed they could to the Castle whither the people pursued them so vigorously that all the Guard could do was only to stop them till the others were gotten into the Great Duke's Chamber This resistance of the Strelits rather inflamed than abated the people's fury who threatned to force the Prince's Lodgings and take away all they found there if Plesseou were not immediately put into their hands Morosou came out into a Balcony and endeavoured to appease the people exhorting them in the name of his Czaarick Majesty to go
haply with some Coat of the deceased and carried to Church If it be a rich man and that the season of the year permit it he is not buried so soon but kept above ground eight or ten dayes during which the Priest comes to incense the Corps and cast holy water on it every day The Funeral solemnity is after this manner First there goes a Priest carrying the Image of the Saint which had been assign'd the deceas'd at his baptism for his Patron Next go four Virgins of the next of Kin to the deceased who are to go as Mourners and who fill the air with their horrid cries and lamentations keeping such exact time that they both give over and then begin all together Then follows the body carried by six men upon their shoulders and if it be a Monk or Nun some of their own Profession do them that Office The Priests go all about the body and incense it all the way to keep off evil spirits and withall sing certain Psalms The Kindred and Friends follow the body but without any order having every one a VVax-Candle in his hand Being come to the Grave the Coffin is uncover'd and the Image of the deceased party's Saint is held over him while the Priest sayes certain prayers in which there come often these words Lord look upon this Soul in Righteousness as also some passages of their Liturgy during which the VViddow continues her lamentations and makes the same questions she had done before Then the Kindred and Friends take leave of the deceased kissing either him or the Coffin and at last the Priest comes up to him and puts between his fingers a piece of paper which is a kind of Testimonial of his behaviour in this world signed by the Patriarch or the Metropolitane of the place and the Confessor who sell those papers dear or cheap according to their abilities who buy them This Testimonial which is a kind of Pass for his admittance into the other VVorld runs thus We whose names are hereunto subscribed the Patriarch or Metropolitane and Priest of the Citie of N. do make known and Certifie by these presents that the Bearer of these our Letters hath alwayes lived among us like a good Christian professing the Greek Religion and though he hath committed some sins yet that he hath confessed the same and that thereupon he hath received absolution and taken the Communion for the Remission of his sins That he hath honoured God and his Saints That he hath said his prayers and that he hath fasted on the hours and dayes appointed by the Church and that he hath carried himself so well towards me who am his Confessor that I have no reason to complain of him nor to deny him the Absolution of his sins In witness whereof we have given him the present Testimonial to the end that upon sight thereof St. Peter may open unto him the Gate of eternal bliss As soon as he hath this Passport given him the Coâ—â—in is shut up and put into the Grave with the face of the deceased turn'd towards the East Those who accompany'd him thither do their Devotions to the Images and return to the house of the deceased where they find Dinner ready and where many times they drown their affliction with all other sentiments of mortality in Hydromel and Aquavitae Their mourning lasts 40. dayes during which they make three Feasts for the Kindred and Friends of the deceased to wit the 3d. the 9 th and the 20 th day after the burial VVherein they imitate the modern Greeks though these instead of the 20 th take the 40 th day upon this ground that about that time the heart corrupts as the body begins to putrifie towards the ninth and the face is disfigured the third Some build Huts over their Graves which they cover with Mat for the convenience of the Priest who morning and evening for the space of six weeks together is to make prayers there for the deceased For though the Muscovites do not believe there is any Purgatory yet they say there are two several places to which the Souls retire after their departure out of the body where they expect the day of Judgement some in a pleasant and delightful place having the conversation of Angels others in a sad and dark Valley having the society of Devils That the Souls being yet in their way may be diverted out of the evil way by the Prayers of Priests and Monks nay that these have so great an Interest with God as to obtain a certain ease and alleviation of their misery for those Souls which are with the Devils and to appease him against the day of Judgement Such as are of ability gives Alms dayly during the six weeks which may indeed be ordinary among the Muscovites who make no difficulty to inrich themselves any way and believe that sin is to be expiated by Alms. VVhence it comes that no Muscovite almost but as he goes to Church or about his occasions buyes bread which he afterwards distributes among the poor who though very numerous yet get so much that being not able to consume all themselves they dry up the rest in an Oven and make it a kind of Bisket which they call Suchari and sell it in the Market to Travellers The Muscovites tollerate all sorts of Religions and suffer all Nations to live among them as Calvinists Lutherans Armenians Tartars Turks and Persians excepting none but Iews and Roman Catholicks There is a great number of Protestants all over Muscovy and in the City of Moscou it self there are above a thousand who have the free exercise of their Religion Those of the Reform'd Religion and the Lutherans had their Churches heretofore in the quarter of Czaargorod but it is about twenty years since that the Lutherans lost theirs by the imprudence of their Wives because those of Merchants would not give place to the Officers wives who indeed for the most part were but servant-maids dress'd up a little finer than they had gone before The contestation grew so high that they came from words to blows in the very Church with so much scandal that the Patriarch then accidentally passing by having understood the occasion of their falling out commanded the Church to be demolish'd which was immediately done But they were permitted to build another in the quarter of Bolsoigorod They took away their Church from those of the Reformed Religion because not content with the wooden Chapel which had been given them within the White-wall they would needs build there an Edifice of stone which was in a manner finish'd when the Patriarch who had not given his consent for the doing of it caused both to be pull'd down Now Foreiners have neither Church nor Houses within the City For the Germans finding themselves exposed to the derision of the Muscovites after the Patriarch had ordered them to go in a habit distinct from that of the Inhabitants of the Country to free themselves
out of that persecution Petition'd the Czaar to protect them against the outrages and affronts they dayly received On the other side the Priests complained that strangers built on their foundations and lessened the revenue of the livings so that the Great Duke to please both sides assigned them without the City near the Gate called Pokrofki a place big enough to contain all the Houses of Foreiners who immediately demolish'd those they had in the City and in a short time made up that part of the Suburbs which is called Nova Inasemska Slaboda where the Lutherans have two Churches and those of the Reformation two more one for the Dutch and the other for the English and where they have this further satisfaction that they converse but little with the Muscovites and are out of all danger of those frequent fires which commonly begin in the houses of those barbarous Christians The Lutherans and those of the Reformed Religion live very quietly together and the Muscovites Trade indifferently with either but they have so great an aversion for the Roman Catholicks that they would never grant them a Toleration of their Religion in Muscovy In the year 1627. the late King of France proposed by Louis des Hayes a Treaty for the regulation of Commerce with the French and at the same time for a Church where they might have Mass said but it was deny'd And in the first War of Smolensko they would not entertain Catholick Souldiers Nay in the Treaty they made with us for our passage into Persia it is an express Article that we should not take any Roman Catholicks into our retinue So that it is much to be admired that they should call to the Crown Vladislaus Prince of Poland and Sueden though that Election came to nothing for reasons into which it is beside the subject of our Relation to enquire as it is also into those which may be given of the Animosity of the Muscovites against the Roman Catholicks whereof the grounds are to be searched for in Ecclesiastical History which hath nothing common with the Relation of our Travels the prosecution whereof is the business of the following book THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY TARTARY and PERSIA The Fourth Book LEaving Moscou wâ— weâ—â— by Land as far as the Monastery of Simana where we embark'd after we had taken leave of our Friends who had accompany'd us thither under the conduct of a Pristaf named Rodiwon Matfeowits who had order to provide for the Ambassadors as far as Astrachan We had hardly quitted the shore ere the Governor of the Prince Boris Iuanouits Morosou came in sight with his Trumpets and intreated us to come ashore and favour him so far as to sup with him that night But the Ambassadors earnest to be on their Voyage excused themselves and sent him by way of Present a silver Bowl He receiv'd it in a little Boat which came along by the side of ours and express'd how kindly he took it by the flourishes of his Trumpets But at last not able to contain any longer he came into our Boat where he staid all night drinking with the Gentlemen at his parting from whom the next morning he could hardly forbear tears Our Muscovian Mariners whom the Aquavitae they had taken had made more lively and lusty than ordinary took such pains in the mean time being always eight a-rowing that the next morning at Sun-rising we were got as far as a pleasant Country house called Duoreninou seated on the left side of the River 80 Werstes which make 16 German leagues from Simana At night we got 40 werstes or 8 German leagues from Duoreninou to a Village called Mortschuck so that in 24 hours we made so many German leagues The next day Iuly 2. about noon near the Village and Monastery of Porsenis we met with several great Boats loaden with Honey Salt and Salt-fish coming most of them from Astrachan bound for Moscou At night we were come before the City of Columna It lies on the right side of the River Mosca 180 werstes or 36 German leagues from Moscou though by Land there is but 18. which may be travell'd in a short time especially in the Winter upon the snow The City is of a considerable bigness and looks very delightful on the out-side by reason of its Towers and stone-walls which are not ordinary in Muscovy Nay it is indeed of that accompt that the Great Duke hath his Weywode there which is not seen but in the chief Cities of Provinces We sent him our Pass-port by the Pristaf and immediately the wooden Bridge was full of people and whereas the covering of our Boat was too high to pass under the Bridge they in a trice took off one of the Arches to make us way We said in the fore-going Book that there is but one Bishop in all Muscovy and that his Residence is in this City of Columna Three werstes above the City near the Convent of Kolutin Serge Monastir founded by one Sergius a Saint among them whom we have spoken of elsewhere and who is buried at the Monastery of Troitza the Mosca falls into the River Occa which is incomparably much more delightful and broader than the other It comes from-wards the South and hath on both sides it a noble Country well peopled and very fruitful Both shores are well furnish'd with Oaks which is a kind of rarity in those parts Being got ashore we had a Sermon under a great Tree which sufficiently shaded the whole Assembly Presently after Dinner we embark'd and left about half a league on the left hand a great Island in the midst of the River Afterwards we pass'd by several Villages namely those of Scelsa and Moroso which are bigger than any of the rest and both upon the River side on the right hand The 4. about noon we got to the City of Peresla seated upon the River side upon the right hand 22. leagues and a half from Columna at 54. degrees 42. minutes elevation This hath also its particular Weywode The 5. we left on our right hand the Town of Rhesan It was heretofore a gallant City and had given its name to the whole Province but the Crim-Tartars destroy'd it with the whole Dutchy in the year 1568. The Great Duke considering the fertility of the Country which reaches from the River Occa as far as the Trench made against the irruption of the Tartars got together such of the Inhabitants as the invasion of the Barbarians had dispers'd and having caused Materials to be brought to a place eight leagues from it he ordered the building of a City there which to this day is called Peresla Resanski because there went thither many of the Inhabitants of Peresla which stands at an equal distance from Moscou North-wards with this South-wards The Town of Rhesan still keeps the honour of having the Residence of the Archibishop but we are to
their Retinue and some Iron and Brass Guns a great number of Granadoes and other Fire-arms And as our design was to make use of it chiefly upon the Wolga which is full of Banks and quick-sands it was so built as that if there were no wind they might use Oars and to that end it had twelve seats two Oars to every seat We had caused to be made a double Shallop for the conveniency of unlading the Ship in those places where it might want water as also to carry the Anchors Cables Sails and other things necessary for so great a Voyage and to discover those Banks and Sands in the Caspian Sea which might hinder or retard its passage We stayd almost three weeks before the City of Nisenovogorod for the finishing of the Ship which time we spent in visiting our Friends in the City where the chiefest Dutch Merchants entertain'd us at several great Feasts as also in reciprocally treating them in our Tent which we had pitch'd by the River side Our stay there gave me the convenience to observe the elevation of that place which I found at the place where the River Occa falls into the Wolga to be at 56 degrees 28 minutes and that the Needle of the Compass declined there above nine degrees towards the West The Great Duke Basili ordered it to be built at the conflux or meeting of those two Noble Rivers and gave it the name of Nisenovogorod upon occasion of the Inhabitants of the great City of Novogorod whom he caused to be translated thither This indeed is not so great as the other yet hath its Towers and Walls of stone From Moscou to Nise are accounted 500 werstes or 100 German leagues by Land but by water it is above 150. The Suburbs are much bigger than the City and are above half a league about The Inhabitants are Tartars Muscovites and Hollanders of whom there are so many as make a Protestant Church of about 100. persons Iohn Bernarts our Factor was the chiefest man among them the rest being for the most part Military Officers Merchants and Victuallers or Sutlers The City is Governed by a Weywode who at our passage that way was Basili Petrouits under the Great Duke-Provisions were so cheap there that we bought a Pullet for a penny a quartern of Eggs for as much and a Mutton for 12. 15. or at most for 18. pence Iuly 24. The Ambassadors sent Monsieur Mandelslo and my self accompany'd by our Muscovian Interpreter and the Pristaf to the Weywode to thank him for his civilities towards our people during the stay they had made in the City while the Ship was a building which was almost a year and to make him a Present of a Jewel worth a hundred Crowns His reception of us discover'd how magnificently he liv'd and what a noble house he kept For as soon as notice was brought him that we were come near the house he sent two very handsom compleat persons to meet us at the Gate They conducted us through a very long Gallery and at the entrance into the Palace it self we met with two comely old men richly clad who brought us to the Weywode's Chamber who had on a Garment of Brocadoe and was accompany'd by a great number of persons of Quality The Room was hung with Turkie Tapistry and had in it a great Cup-board of Plate He receiv'd us with much civility and having accepted the Present and answer'd our Complement he desir'd us to take our part of a Collation during which his Discourse was excellent good and such as we thought the more extraordinary in that the Muscovites for the most part contribute very little to any thing of Conversation Among other things he asked us whether we did not fear meeting with the Cosaques who in all likelyhood would set upon us ere we got off the Wolga and told us they were a barbarous and inhumane people and more cruel than Lions shewing us at the same time a Picture wherein was represented Sampson's engagement with one of those Creatures We made him answer that we look'd on that Piece as a good omen in as much as if the Cosaques were stout as Lions we should behave our selves on the other-side like Sampsons The Weywode reply'd that he had that good opinion of us nay-believ'd that the repute our Nation had gain'd by the services it had done his Czaarick Majesty would frighten the Cosaques and hinder them from attempting ought against us The River Wolga is four thousand six hundred Geometrical feet wide near Nise at the meeting of the two Rivers and whereas its waters encrease in the months of May and Iune by reason of the Sun 's having melted the Snow and thaw'd the Rivers which fall into it the Boat-men who go from Moscou to Astrachan do commonly take that time when there is water enough to pass over the Banks of Sand nay indeed the little Islands which are very frequent in that River This consideration and the example of their misfortune whose Boats we had seen cast away and half rotten upon the Sands made us resolve upon our departure thence with the soonest before the waters which visibly decreas'd were fallen too low and so we appointed it should be the 30 th of Iuly The Wolga whereof we gave a short accompt in the precedent book is in my opinion one of the noblest and greatest Rivers in the World its course being of a vast extent from its source to the place where it falls into the Caspian Sea below Astrachan Whence it came that I took a delight to observe all the particularities thereof from League to League and from Werste to Werste with all possible exactness and with the assistance of a Dutch Master's-mate named Cornelius Nicholas one of the most able I ever came acquainted with in that Science as also of some Muscovian Pilots I have drawn a very exact Map of it which I had made the World a promise of some years since but now part with it so well done that I hope the Judicious Reader will be satisfy'd therewith Having bought Provisions for our Voyage as far as Astrachan we left Nise the day before named having only a side wind Mr. Balthasar Moucheron Commissary or Agent from his Highness of Holstein about the Great Duke the Weywode of Nise's Secretary the Pastor of the Lutherans Church there and our Factor Iohn Bernarts would needs accompany us some Werstes to see the beginning of that long Voyage but we had hardly got two Werstes ere we were a ground near the Monastery of Petsora and forc'd to cast Anchor while the men were getting off the ship which took them up four hours Iuly 31. Having made about a Werste the Ship touch'd against a Sand-bank but was soon got off and we had continu'd our course if the contrary wind together with a Tempest had not oblig'd us to cast Anchor This interval we spent in our Devotions to give God thanks for
fasten'd in a Tree that was in the bottom the Cable broke ere it could be had up again The River is very full of those Trees which it brings down with it when it overflows and these accidents happen so frequently that the bottom of the River is so lay'd with Anchors that the Muscovites say there are as many as would purchase a Kingdom The 13. before noon we saw as we pass'd two Cabaques or Taverns and a Village named Wesoska on the right hand and came afterwards before the City of Suiatski It is seated on the ascent of a hill on the left hand having a Castle and some Churches built of stone but all the other buildings as also the Towers and Rampiers of the City are of wood We cast Anchor there by reason of a Sand-bank which we were to pass by The people in the mean time came in multitudes to the River side to see us and by reason that a little sandy Hill hindred their having a full sight of us many came in Boats to the Ship side others swam over to the Hill Having pass'd by certain white Mountains whereof some were of Chalk others of Sand we came at night before the City of Casan 20. werstes from Suiatski We there found the Caravan of Persia and Circassia and with it a Coptzi or Persian Merchant who had been sent Ambassador to Moscou There was in this place also a Tartarian Prince of Terki whose name was Mussal who had succeeded his Brother in the Principality and had then been doing homage to the Czaar at Moscou which he had left some dayes before us The City of Casan is seated in a plain 7. werstes from the Wolga upon the River Casanka which gives it the name as it does to the whole Province I found the elevation there to be 55. degrees 38. minutes It is of a considerable bigness but all its Houses as also the Towers and Rampiers are of wood Only the Castle and its Fortifications are of stone being well mounted with Canon and having a strong Garrison in it The River is instead of a Ditch to it and makes it a very considerable fortress The Castle hath its VVeywode and the City its Governour who commands and administers Justice to the Inhabitants who are Muscovites and Tartars But in the Castle they are all Muscovites and the Tartars are prohibited entring into it upon pain of death The Province of Casan lies on the left side of the River of VVolga reaching Northwards as far as Siberia and Eastward as far as the Tartars of Nagaja It was heretofore subject to the Cham of Tartary and so populous that it could send 60000 men into the Field The conquest of it cost the Muscovite much blood and the story of its reduction is so remarkable that I think fit here to make a short digression to give an accompt thereof Basili Iuanouits Father to the Tyrant Iuan Basilouits having obtain'd a famous Victory over these Tartars made Chief over them one named Scheale a Tartar by birth but one so ill shap'd as to his Person that his Subjects who soon conceiv'd an aversion for him joyning with the Tartars of Chrim who are Mahumetans as they also are made an insurrection surpriz'd him and ejected him This success gave the Chrim-Tartars who had got a considerable Army together the courage to enter Muscovy under the conduct of two Brethren Mendligeri and Sapgeri who forc'd the Muscovite with certain Troops which he had made a shift to get together and were encamped upon the River Occa to retreat to Novogorod The consequence of this was the besieging taking and plundring of the City of Moscou nay they reduc'd the Castle to that extremity that the Muscovites were forc'd to sue for a Peace The Tartars were willing to hearken to an accommodation and having got very considerable Presents from those who kept the Castle who maintain'd it with more courage than success they made a Peace whereof this was one Article That the Great Duke and all his Subjects should ever after be Tributaries to them Basili was loath to submit to such dishonourable Terms but forc'd to comply with necessity he accepted them and confirmed the agreement by his Letters Patents Mendligeri to make it appear he was Sovereign Lord of Moscou caused a Statue of his to be erected in the heart of the City and would needs oblige the Great Duke to express his subjection to smite the ground with his head before that Statue as often as he paid Tribute to the Tartars After this Victory the Brethren parted Sapgeri establish'd the Seat of his Government at Casan and Mendligeri as being the Elder-Brother his at the City of Chrim But the later desirous to add to his former conquest that of the City of Resan resolv'd to lay siege to the Castle thereof and to that end he sent word to the Weywode Iohn Kowar who commanded it that it was madness in him to think to maintain the place and that he should make no difficulty to deliver it up since the Great Duke was become his Subject The Weywode sent him answer that it was a thing so extraordinary that he could not believe it unless he sent him such assurances thereof as should put him out of all doubt Mendligeri imagining there could not any thing be more convictive in that case than the Letters Patents sent them to him by certain Officers just as he had receiv'd them from the Great Duke But the Weywode not a little glad to have the Original of those Letters in his hands sends Mendligeri word that he would keep them as safely as he would do the place he was in which he resolv'd to maintain to the last drop of blood There was in the Castle an Italian Canoneer named Iohn Iordan well known in those parts upon the accompt of his Wife who would needs have her Husband express his affection to her by beating her with a Bull 's pizzle This man did the Weywode very great services and kill'd so many Tartars that Mendligeri perceiving one day that a Canon-bullet had taken off a piece of his Garment was frighted and proffered to raise the Siege upon condition they would return the Great Duke's Letters But the Weywode would hearken to no such thing and having oblig'd Mendligeri to retreat he sent the Letters to his Prince's Court where they were received with the general joy of all the people who immediately thereupon pull'd down and broke to pieces the Statue of Mendligerâ— Nay the Great Duke himself took such courage from that Action that having rais'd an Army of 25000 men he proclaim'd open War against Sapgeri Prince of Casan sending him word that he by surprising and assaulting him without declaring any War had proceeded like a Murtherer and a Robber but that himself as Soveraign Lord and Conservator of all the Russes proceeded therein as a person of Honour should do and sent
him word that his Army was upon the march in order to the besieging of Casan This Siege caus'd the loss of much blood on both sides but prov'd unfortunate to the Muscovites who were at last forc'd to raise it Thus ended the War between the Great Duke Basili Iuanouits and the Tartars His Son Iohn Basilouits to shew the World how much he resented the affront which the Muscovites had receiv'd before Casan began his Reign with the Siege of that place Having batter'd it for the space of two moneths together fearing that Mendligeri would come in with his Crim-Tartars to the relief of his Brother and exasperated at the refusal which the besieged had made to accept of very honourable conditions he commanded all the Walls to be undermined and a general assault to be given The Mines wrought their effect and took off great numbers of the Tartars the Assault was given and the place carry'd by storm on the 9 of Iuly 1552. The Tartars perceiving the enemies were gotten into the place took this resolution after they had made a vigorous resistance in two several places within the City where they fortify'd themselves and seeing their chiefest Commanders kill'd or wounded they went out at one of the Gates made their way through the Muscovites and got on the other side of the River Casanska Ever since the City and Province of Casan hath continued under the Muscovite who repair'd the breaches renew'd the Fortifications and reduc'd the Castle to the condition it is now in having four Bastions of stone many Towers and a good Ditch He who had the command of this place when we pass'd that way was Brother to the Weywode of Nise The Ambassadors sent him as a Present by their Chamberlain M. Vchterits a very Noble Ruby M. Mandelslo and I conceiving our Ship would have lain there at Anchor all that day and the next went ashore as well to take the situation of the City as to buy certain provisions We could meet with nothing but Fruits among others particularly Melons full as big as our Pompions and Salt-fish but such as stunk so that we were forc'd to stop our Noses to shun the infection As we came out of the City we met with divers Tartars who told us that our Ship was gone which intelligence oblig'd us to take a VVagon and afterwards to make use of the Pristaf's Boat to bring us aboard which in the evening we found at Anchor two leagues below Casan where they intended to lye all that night The course of the River Wolga from Nisenovogorod to Casan is East-ward and South-East-ward but from Casan to Astrachan and the Caspian Sea it goes from North to South The Country is very good and fertile but in a manner desolate by reason of the Cosâ—ques and hath but few Villages Aug. 15. We continu'd our course with the current of the water which being very strong in that place by reason of the narrowness of the River brought us that day as far as the Village of Klitsischa 26. werstes from Casan lying amidst several Sand-banks which we had much ado to pass through Some part of that day as also of the next we spent in recovering our Anchors whereof the Cables were broken we at last made a shift to get up the great one and left the little one behind as being loath to lose any more time Thence we pass'd by a Tavern called Kabak Tenkofski 30. werstes from Casan where we met with great Sand-banks and about half a League beyond it another Bank near a Tavern called Keshofska which we had much difficulty to pass The 17. We pass'd over a great Bank which had given the name to the Tavern we had pass'd by the day before Thence we came to a place where the shore on one side was very high and some part of it fallen into the River about a moneth before and by its fall had overwhelm'd a Boat full of people who were going that way to gather Cherries whereof there is abundance in those parts The new Pilot whom we had taken up at Casan told us that coming from Astrachan he had met several of those Carkasses floating down the River towards the Caspian Sea Hereabouts near the shore on the right hand we met with great quantities of Ice which we put into our drinks to make them drink the cooler In the evening we came to a place where the great River of Kama falls into the Wolga It comes from North-East out of the Province of Permie and falls into the Wolga on our left hand 60. werstes from Casan The water of it is blackish and it is much about the same breadth as that of Weser in Germany At the mouth of it there are two Islands whereof the greater is called Sokol and upon the Continent over against it a handsom Village called Pagantzina and three werstes thence another named Corotai whence we got seven werstes further as far as a Village named Kirieska where we stay'd all night The 18. The wind was so fair for us that we made all the Sail we could and got by noon to the place where the River Zerdick falls into the Wolga which is also on the left hand It is indeed but a branch of the River Kama making a kind of an Island and having another mouth thirty werstes from the former We discover'd at the same time on our right hand upon a little ascent the City of Tetus distant from Casan 120. werstes having its buildings as well publick as private disorderly scatter'd up and down From this place to the Caspian Sea there is no Village at all In the afternoon near an Island called Proleikarsa we met with the Weywode of Terki This City is seated upon the Caspian Sea near Astrachan and the Weywode upon the expiration of his three years Government was then returning to Moscou to make way for his Successor He was very well attended having a Convoy of eight Boats with Musketiers in them At first we knew not who they were so that we kept them at a distance by threatning to fire at them if they came nearer They told us there were three thousand Cosaques who expected us at the passage some upon the River some on the Caspian Sea that they had seen not far thence upon the River-side 70. horse which the Tartars had drawn off to make a discovery of us and that they would be sure to set upon us thinking with these stories to frighten us We gave them one great shot and kept on our course having the wind so fair as that it carried us 70. werstes that day In the mean time we left on our left hand the River Vtka which rises near the City of Bulgara 25. werstes from Tetus We thought fit the night following to make tryal what our people could do in case we should be set upon so that the Ambassadors conceived it would not be amiss
to have a false Alarum given ordering the Sentinels to cry out and to discharge and thereupon the Drums to beat and the Musket and great Guns to be shot off Our men did their parts very well and kept their stations expressing much resolution We did the like in our return from Persia. The 19. VVe came to the Island of Staritzo which is 15. werstes long There I found the Elevation to be 54. d. 31. m. Behind that Island on the right hand we found a great number of round stones much after the form of Orenges or Citrons which being broken in the midst represented a Star of divers colours whereof some had the resemblance of polish'd Gold or Silver others where brown or yellow VVe took up a good quantity of them to serve us for bullets for our Murthering-Pieces Thence we came to a very pleasant place where might have been seen heretofore a City of Tartary called Vneroskora There had been buried one of their Saints for which Monument those that live thereabouts have still a great Devotion From this place to the City of Tetus are accompted 65 werstes We saw on the River-side under certain Trees two men on hors-back who immediately got out of the way which occasion'd us to send one to stand Sentinel in the Scuttle of the main Mast but they appear'd no more The 20. There came several Fisher-men of Tetus aboard us and brought us 55 large breams which they had taken thereabouts and sold them us for fifty pence They have a particular way of fishing They fasten to the end of a long cord a pretty big stone which falls to the bottom and at the other end of the said cord several great pieces of Wood which swim upon the water All along this cord are fasten'd many little cords each whereof hath a hook baited with a certain kind of fish which is not of the least but such as the others greedily feed upon The fish they take by this invention is ten or twelve foot long the meat of it white firm and very delicate In our return from Persia there was one brought to the Boat where I was with the Ambassador Crusius which was so big though there was nothing else eaten by reason every one liked it so well yet was all the company satisfied and there was as much left as fill'd a barrel wherein it was pickled up When the Muscovites travel about their own occasions they make use of another invention They fasten a hook to the end of a Cord and tye the Cord about a piece of board of about the breadth of a man's hand plain'd very smooth and tinn'd over and drag it after the Boat so as that the current of the water causing it ever and anon to turn up towards the Sun makes it shine like the scales of fish by which means drawing the greater sort of fish after it they take more than they can spend while they are on the water So that the Muscovites making no other provision for their journeys but of bread twice bak'd or dried in the Oven find it no hard matter to subsist any where not to mention that their continual abstinences and their Fasts having accustom'd them to be content with little and to care little for flesh they make a shift to live upon any thing they can meet withall nay in case of necessity upon the liquor which Nature furnishes them with At this place we let go the Boat which had carried our Provisions from Nise which being empty we had no further use for but we thought fit to set it a fire lest it might have fallen into the hands of the Cosaques who would have made use of it against us About noon we pass'd by the Island of Botenska which is three werstes in length and is only divided by a small Chanel from a kind of Cape or Promontory called Polibno The contrary wind forc'd us to Anchor behind the Island near the River Beitma which as they say is also a branch of the great River Kama The 21. We left on the right hand two very pleasant places which are reported to have been heretofore great Cities destroy'd by Tamberlane whereof one was called Simberska-gora The 22. With some little difficulty we pass'd over three Sand Banks whereof one is above the other below the place whence may be seen the Mountain Arbeuchin which was on our right hand It derives its name from a City whereof the ruines are yet to be seen There may be seen from the River a great stone about 20 foot in length and as many in breadth lying between two little Hills having engraven on it the words following Budesch time dobro toboe budet that is to say If thou raise me thou shalt be well rewarded We were told that not long before a great Muscovian Boat being forc'd by contrary winds to make some stay there fifty Passengers went ashore to raise the stone but when they had with much ado turned it they only found engraven on the other side these words Tsto isches netsebo poloschen that is to say In vain dost thou look for what thou hadst not put there On the right hand we had the view of a spacious and very delightful Champain Country the ground very rich with a high grass on it but it was not inhabited and there could be seen only the ruins of Cities and Villages which had been heretofore destroy'd by Tamberlane The 23. The contrary wind forc'd us to Anchor near the River Adrobe where I found the Elevation to be 53 degr 48 minutes In the afternoon we thought to advance a little by laveering but we hardly got half a league further The 24. The contrary wind still continuing at the same height forc'd us twice against the shore and very much hindred the prosecution of our Voyage For some dayes following we had the same incovenience by reason of the Sand-banks and the inconstancy of the wind which rise about nine in the morning and about five at night there was not the least breath stirring by that means adding to the affliction which otherwise lay heavy enough on us For besides that the indisposition of most of our people made that undelightful voyage the more tedious to them continual watching and the insupportable trouble we were every foot put to reduc'd them to a very sad condition Those who had been in action all night though it was not their profession to bear Arms were in the day time forc'd to row Smoak'd and Salt-meats afforded little nourishment and the discontents arising otherwise upon the frowardness of one of the Ambassadors in a manner took away the little courage we had left to encounter with the great inconveniences of that long voyage The 25. We saw on the right hand a Mountain out of which the Muscovites get Salt which they prepare in certain Huts built for that purpose at the foot of the Mountain then expose it to the Sun and send it along the
but not without much trouble to us as being not accustomed to continue any long time in that posture He very handsomely receiv'd our complement and answer'd it with so much of obligation and kindness that we could not but be much taken with his civility He told us among other things that he was extremely desirous to see his own Country and his own House but the satisfaction it would be to him to see either of them would not be comparable to that which he had conceiv'd at the first sight of our Ship He added that as soon as we were come into Persia we should find the roughness and barbarism of the Nation among whom we then were chang'd into an obliging civility to pleasant conversation and into a manner of life absolutely inviting and that attended with a freedom which should be common to us with all the Inhabitants of the Country That he hoped at his arrival at the Court it would not be hard for him with the assistance of his Friends there to obtain the charge of Mehemander or Conductor for our Embassy since he had the happiness of our acquaintance by the way That then he would oblige us upon all occasions and in the mean time intreated us to dispose of his person and whatever was in the Ship as we pleased He treated us with a Collation which was serv'd in Plate Vermilion-gilt and consisted only in Fruits Grapes and Pistachoes dry'd and pickled The only drink we had was an excellent kind of Muscovian Aquavitae wherein he first drunk the health of the two Ambassadors together and afterwards that of each of them by himself which happened at the same time that his own was drunk in our ship which we knew to be so by the joint Volley of both the great Guns and the small shot Taking our leave of him he told us as a great Secret that he had some news to tell the Ambassadors which was that he had it from a very good hand that the King of Poland had sent an Ambassador to Schach Sefi that he had taken his way by Constantinople and Bagdet that he was then upon his return to Astrachan and that he had order in his way to see the Great Duke but that the Weywode would not permit him to pass till he had first heard from the Court That this was all he knew of it and that the Ambassadors might guess at the rest as also what may have been the occasion of his Voyage and Negotiation The other eminent Persons of the Caravan sent also to complement us and to make proffer of their services intreating us to keep them company and assuring us of their assistance if need were After a general Volley of all the Caravan we parted and kept on our course At night we had a great Tempest with two extraordinary Thunder-claps and some flashes of Lightning but the weather soon became fair again and we had a great calm Sept. 4. being Sunday just as our Minister was beginning his Sermon came aboard us several Tartars whom Mussal the Tartarian Prince of Circassia sent to tell us that his disposition would not suffer him to give the Ambassadors a personal visit but as soon as his health would permit him to take the air it should be the first thing he did The equipage of those who came along with the Person employ'd in this Message my very well deserve a little remark from us As to his Person he was somewhat of the tallest his complexion of an Olive-colour his hair long greasie and black as Jet and his beard of the same colour and fashion He had upon his upper Garment some black-Sheep-skin the woolly side out a Callot or close Cap on his head and his countenance such as a Painter might well take for an original if he were to represent the Devil His retinue were in no better order having about them only Coats or Garments of some very coarse Cloath brown or black We entertain'd them with certain Gobelets of Aquavitae and sent them sufficiently drunk to their Ship About noon we came to the River of Bolloclea in the mid-way between Kamuschinka and Zariza 90 werstes distant from either of them Having sail'd sixteen werstes further we came to a very high hill of sand called Strehlne near which we stayd all night Sept. 5. we had hardly weigh'd Anchor but the current forc'd us upon a sand-bank where we found but five foot and a half water While we were busied about getting off the Ship the Caravan got before us and made towards Zariza with a design to take in there some other Muskettiers for its convoy to Astrachan About noon we got to a place whence we might have gone in less than a days time as far as the River Don called by Ptolomey and other Antient Geographers Tanais which advances in that place as far as within seven leagues of the Wolga taking its course towards the East A little lower near Achtobska Vtska the Wolga divides it self into two branches whereof one which takes into the Country on the left hand goes a course contrary to that of the great River taking towards East-North-East but about one werste thence it re-assumes its former course and returns towards the South-East so to fall into the Caspian Sea In this place I found the Elevation to be 48 degrees 51 minutes Five werstes from the River and seven from Zariza may yet be seen the ruins of a City which they say was built by Tamberlane It was called Zaarefgorod that is to say the Royal City its Palace and Walls were of Brick which they still carry thence to build Walls Churches and Monasteries at Astrachan even at the time of our passage that way they were loading several great Boats with Brick bound for the place aforesaid In this place we saw a Fisher-man who coming close by our Ship-side took a Bieluga or white-fish which was above eight foot long and above four foot broad It was somewhat like a Sturgeon but much whiter and had a wider mouth They kill it much after the same manner as Oxen are kill'd among us by first stunning it with a knock with a mallet They sold it us for fifty pence Sept. 6. We overtook the Caravan at Zariza where most of the Passengers were landed and lodg'd in Tents upon the River-side expecting the Convoy which was to be sent from the adjacent Towns but the wind being still fair for us we kept on our course The City of Zariza is distant from Soratof 350 werstes and lies on the right side of the River at the bottom of a Hill fortify'd with five Bastions and as many wooden Towers It hath no other Inhabitants than about 400 Strelits or Muskettiers who serve against the incursions of the Tartars and Cosaques and are oblig'd to Convoy the Boats which go up and come down the River There I found the elevation to be 49 d. and 42. m. From the City of Zariza to
earth along the shore in such great quantities that the course of the River seem'd to be thereby diverted and that it would be ill coming ashore there they translated the City to the place where it is now It is seated upon a high shore on the right side of the River and is fortify'd with eight wooden Towers and a Rampier with thick planks having no other Inhabitants than three or four hundred Souldiers who are kept there to secure the Countrey against the incursions of the Cosaques and Kalmuckas Tartars There is at each corner of the City which is square a particular place for the Sentinels to stand erected upon four great poles whence they have a full prospect into a spacious plain as far as they can see without the least interposition of any wood or other eminency What oblig'd the Great Duke to order the building of this City was the mischiefs done thereabouts by the Cosaques but particularly the defeat of a Caravan of 1500. Muscovites who were there surpriz'd some ten years before It had a very strong Convoy but the River being extremely swift in that place and the Convoy being gone before the Cosaques who had suffered the Soldiers to pass by came out of their Ambushes set upon the Caravan kill'd seven or eight hundred men and took away all before the Convoy could come up the violence of the current not suffering it to get up the River time enough to relieve them Between that place and the Astrachan there are no Trees to be seen on the River-side The 10. We left Tzornogar but the wind turning against us we could hardly get ten werstes that day About noon some fisher-men brought us a noble Carp which weigh'd at least thirty pounds with eight other fish of those they call Sandates the fairest we had seen in all our Voyage We would have paid for them but they refus'd our money and told us that they fish'd there for certain Merchants of Moscou who having farm'd the fishing of that place from the Great Duke would be sure to have them severely punish'd if ever it should come to their knowledge that they had sold any fish We soon found their design was to be paid in Aquavitae accordingly a quart was ordered to be given them wherewith they seemed to be very well satisfy'd Sept. 11. The wind and weather fair we got 120. werstes but without any accident worth noting save that about noon we pass'd by the Mountain of Polowon so called because half-way between Astrachan and Zariza 250. werstes distant from each of them We pass'd over the night near the Isle of Kyssar where the Ambassador Brugman who was upon the Guard hearing that the Sentinel had discovered a great Boat which the current of the River brought somewhat near our Vessel and that upon calling to them no body answer'd commanded fifteen Muskets to be shot off and at the same time a great Gun to be fired All took the Alarm but hardly was every man got to his station ere they might perceive coming to the ship-side a small boat guided by only one man who gave us this accompt of himself that his boat was loaden with Salt and that his seven Camerades being acquainted with some of the Caravan had been so treated by them with Aquavitae that being all dead asleep he had been forc'd to let the boat go with the stream Our Pilot knew the man as being an Inhabitant of Nise whereupon we gave him some Gobelets of Aquavitae and sent him back to his boat The next day he came to acknowledge our kindness to him by a present of certain Sturgeons The night following the wind continuing fair we thought fit to improve the opportunity and so set sayl by three in the morning Sept. 12. We soon came upon the left hand to a third branch of the Wolga called Buch wostowa which falls into the two precedent Thence we came to the Isle of Coppono from which the name Coponogar is deriv'd to the County which is opposite thereto on the right side of the River From this place there are 150. werstes to Astrachan Twenty werstes lower the Wolga makes a fourth branch on the left hand called Danilofska Vtsga which mingles not with any of the other three but disembogues it self by a particular Chanel into the Caspian Sea Fifteen werstes thence lies in the midst of the River the Isle of Katarinski which is little but very pleasant by reason of the Wood and other plants that grow on it Not far from it we saw upon a Sand-bank the Carkass of a Boat which had been cast away there and was half rotten Being seen at some distance a man might take it for a Fort built there by the Cosaques nay there were those who imagined they had seen some of them which occasion'd a command to be given that some shot should be made into the Wood but it was done with so much Precipitation that one of the Muskets breaking in the hands of our Cook the splinters took off the Thumb of his left hand and hurt him in the forehead and breast We stay'd the next night near the Isle of Piruski 80. werstes from Astrachan after we had sail'd a hundred that day Sept. 13. while we were after morning prayer reading some Chapters out of the Bible and among others the XIII of Numbers where Moses speaks of the fertility of the Land of Canaan and the excellency of its Fruits especially of the Grapes brought thence by the Spies there came two Boats from Astrachan which brought us some Fruits to sell. We were so surpriz'd thereat that for my part I am in doubt whether that of the Holy Land could be better so delicious were the Melons and Peaches and the Kernels of the Grapes were as big as Nuts This day betimes in the morning we came in sight of another Branch of the Wolga called Mituska which at some distance from the River is divided into two other Branches whereof the one is united to the Danilofski Vtsga which we spoke of before and the other falls again into the main river at some werstes thence We were told that was the most dangerous place of all the river by reason those Robbers had their rendevouz and retreating places thereabouts For indeed we saw between two Isles a great number of Cosaques at whom the Ambassador Brugman caus'd a great Gun to be fired Five werstes lower and 70 from Astrachan we came to the last sand-bank which is called Kabangameel Five werstes thence to the Promontory of Kabangengar and five lower to the Isle of Itziburki where we stay'd that night 50 werstes from Astrachan We saw in those parts as also afterwards near Astrachan and upon the Caspian Sea a kind of wild Geese or rather Cormorants which the Muscovites call Babbes which in a manner cover'd the river side but of them more at large when we come to the description of the City and of
the Country of Nagaia The 14. We were stay'd by a contrary wind and a tempest coming from the South-East so that we could hardly advance two werstes ere we were forc'd to cast Anchor and to continue there till the next day We lay at 80 foot water The Tartarian Prince sent us a Present of Beer Hydromel and Aquavitae with notice that if we liked it we might have more Sept. 15. the wind changing we set sail by four in the morning taking our course Southward and betimes in the morning came before the Isle of Busan 25 werstes from Astrachan and afterwards to a sixth Branch of the River Wolga called Baltzick within 15 werstes of the City The plain which reaches from that place to Astrachan gave us the sight of the City by 8 in the morning Three werstes lower and 12 from the City there is a seventh Branch of the Wolga called Knilusse which makes the Island of Dilgoi within which Astrachan is seated and having compass'd the Isle it falls into the Caspian Sea by many several chanels or ostiaes We came to Astrachan about noon and whereas the City lies on the other side of the River which in that place divides Europe and Asia we may say that as we departed out of that part of the World which we may in some manner call our Country we made our first step into the other We made some stay before the City in the midst of the River and saluted it with a Volley both of all our great Guns and small shot whereat the Inhabitants who were come in great numbers to the river-side were the more surpriz'd by reason they were not accustomed to hear Thunders of that kind It will not be amiss in this place by a short digression to give an account of the situation of Astrachan of the qualities of the Country and the life of the Inhabitants The Antient Geographers as Ptolomy Strabo and others who follow them had no knowledge of these Tartars no more than their neighbours and have not made any mention of them but only under a general name of Scythians aud Sarmatians though they should indeed have been distinguish'd into so many different Nations suitable to the diversity there is in their Names their Language and manner of Life in all which they have nothing common one with the other Mathias de Michou a Physician and Canon of Cracovia who liv'd at the beginning of the last age says that those who confound the Tartars with those Nations which the Antients called Getae Scythae and Sarmatae are much mistaken in as much as the Tartars have not been known but since the thirteenth Age. For in May 1211. there appear'd a Comet which having its tail towards the West and menacing the Don and Russia presag'd the invasion which the Tartars made into those parts the year following They were certain Indian Lords who having kill'd their King David got away first towards the Euxine Sea near the Palus Meotides where lived the antient Getae whence they afterwards advanc'd towards the Don and thence to the river Wolga where they live to this day The same Author distinguishes them into four species to wit the Zavâ—lhenses whom he also calls Czahadai Precopenses Cosanenses and Nohacenses and says they are the Tartars who live along the river Wolga which he calls Volha those of Precop those of Casan and those of Nagaia who are those of whom we are to treat of at present Alexander Guagnin of Verona divides them into eight Colonies and gives them other names but it is our design to entertain the Reader only with what we have seen and to discover that part of Tartaria through which we travel'd We say then that they call Nagaia that part of Tartary which lies between the rivers of Wolga and Iaika as far as the Caspian Sea whereof Astrachan is the principal City It is reported that a Tartar-King named Astra-chan built it and gave it his own name So that the Baron of Herberstein is very much mistaken when he says in his Relation of Muscovy that it is some days journey distant from the River whereas it is seated on the river-side and in the Isle of Dolgoi made there by two branches of the said River After several very exact observations I found the Elevation of the Pole there to be 26 degrees 22. minutes and the Climat so hot that in the Months of September and October the heats were still as great as they are in Germany in the height of Summer especially when the wind blew from-wards the Wolga East or North-East 'T is true the South-wind was there somewhat colder and brought with it the inconveniences nay indeed the scent of the neighbouring Sea wherewith it infected the whole Air. At our return that way our stay there happened to be in Iune Iuly and August and yet the heats were not absolutely insupportable in regard they were moderated by the coolness which the South-wind continually brought along with it But what is to be most admir'd is that in this hot Climat the Winter which lasts but two months is so exceeding cold that the River is frozen up and bears Sledges Which is contrary to what other Authors say of it yet the Reader may take it for most certain The Island of Dolgoi is sandy and barren insomuch that some Gardens and Lands cultivated by the Inhabitants of Astrachan excepted it produces nothing at all no more than does the Continent on the right hand but on the left towards the river Iaika there are very good pastures On this side the Wolga West-ward lies a long Heath of above 70. German leagues reaching as far as the Euxin Sea and towards the South another of above 80. leagues along the Caspian Sea as we found at our return from Persia when it was our chance to measure it by eleven very tedious dayes journeys Yet are not these Deserts so barren but they produce more Salt than the marshes in France and Spain do The Inhabitants of those parts call them Mozakofski Kainkowa and Gwostofski which are ten fifteen and thirty werstes from Astrachan and have salt veins which the Sun bakes and causes to swim upon the face of the water about a finger thick much like Rock-Christal and in such abundance that paying an Impost of a half-penny upon every Poude that is forty pound weight a man may have as much as he pleases It smells like that of France and the Muscovites drive a great Trade with it bringing it to the side of the Wolga where they put it up in great heaps till they have the convenience of transporting it elsewhere Petreius in his History of Muscovy sayes that within two leagues of Astrachan there are two mountains which he calls Busin which afford such abundance of Rock-salt that if thirty thousand men were perpetually at work about it they would not be able to exhaust the pits But I could learn nothing of
those imaginary Mountains Certain indeed it is that the salt-veins we speak of are inexhaustible and that as soon as you have taken off one crust or face of it there comes up another The same Petreius is also much mistaken when he sayes that Media Persia and Armenia are supply'd with Salt from these Mountains whereas these Countries have Salt marshes of their own as also Muscovy hath as we shall see in the sequel of this Relation From Astrachan to the Caspian Sea are twelve leagues and thereabouts the river does so abound with fish that we bought twelve large Carps for two pence and two hundred young Sturgeons which are very delicate there for half a Crown It produces also Lobsters or Seacrevices which multiply in a manner to infinity by reason the Muscovites and Tartars eat not of them The Isles which are in the river afford habitations for all manner of Fowl especially an infinite number of wild Geese and Ducks which the Tartars take with Falcons and Hawks and are very expert in the ordering of those Birds for that kind of sport They are also excellently well skill'd in the hunting of the wild Bore but in regard their Religion permits them not to eat of it they sell them for a small matter to the Muscovites As to the Fruits of those parts it is certain that both in goodness and beauty they yield not to those of Persia especially Apples Quinces Nuts Peaches and Melons but above all that kind of Melons or rather Citruls which the Muscovites callâ— Arpus the Turks and Tartars Karpus because they are extremely cooling and the Persians Hinduanes because they had the first seeds of them from the Indies This Fruit is excellently good and very pleasant to the tast as also to the eye having the rind of a lively-green colour the meat of a pale Carnation and the seed black The Tartars who brought them to the City in Carts sold them two or three a penny It is not many years since that they have had Grapes among them the Inhabitants of Astrachan being oblig'd for these to the Merchants of Persia who brought the first sets thither which an old Monk of a Convent that is in the Suburbs planted in his Garden The Great Duke hearing that it had taken with good success and having tasted the Grape sent order to the Monk in the year 1613. to improve his stock which he did and that with such increase that at the time of our being there there was no house almost but had its Arbours and Walks set about with Vines to the so great advantage of the Planters that the Master of the house where I lodg'd told me the Vines he had about his house had yielded him a hundred Crowns the year before These Grapes with some other Fruits were either sent to the Great Duke or sold to the neighbouring Weywodes but some years since they have planted a Vine there which hath yielded in one year above 60. Pipes of excellent Wine The Monk I spoke of was living at our being there and was a hundred and five years of age He was a German born in Austria and had been carried away prisoner very young by some Turkish Soldiers who had sold him into Muscovy where he had chang'd his Religion and became a Monk He was at that time Superior of the Monastery and still remembred some German words but very few He was a very good natur'd Man and shew'd how much he was taken with our conversation by the frequent visits he made us but as soon as he had taken off two or three Dishes of Aquavitae he was subject to the ordinary weaknesses of those of his age threw away his staff and fell a dancing though not with over much confidence Heretofore all Nagaia was inhabited by Tartars who had their particular King and held a very fair correspondency with their Neighbours of Casan and Crim with whom they also ran the same fortune after their defeat For the Great Duke Iohn Basilouits having reduc'd under his Jurisdiction the Tartars of Casan in the year 1552. two years after set upon those of Nigaia and took the City of Astrachan by assault Aug. 1. 1554. He forc'd thence all the Tartars and having peopled the City with Muscovites he compassed it with a stone wall and added some other Fortifications but it was the Great Duke Michael Foederouits that made it larger than it was by adding thereto that part which is called Strelitzagorod so called from the Muscovian Muskettiers who are quartered therein The City is eight thousand Geometrical feet about and that side towards the River which in that place is two thousand two hundred and sixteen foot broad affords a pleasant Prospect by reason of the great number of Turrets and Steeples of stone which look very delightfully at a distance but within it is not answerable thereto the Houses being all of Wood and not well built Some told us that there were in the City above 500 great Pieces of brass and among others many Mortar-pieces The Garrison consisted of nine Pricasses or Regiments in each of which were 500 Muskettiers under the command of two Weywodes one Diak and several Captains and other Officers who have an eye upon the Tartars whom they have reason to be distrustful of This City being seated upon the Frontiers of two of the most considerable parts of the world it may well be that not only the Tartars of Chrim Precop Bugar and Nagaia and the Muscovites but also the Persians and Armenians who are Christians nay the Indians trade thither and these last have a particular market-place there for themselves All which improves the Commerce of the City so that the Customs which there are very low amount to above 25000 Crowns a year The Inhabitants of the Country who are the Tartars of Crim and Nagaia are not permitted to live within the City but are thrust into a place without the City which is hedg'd and palizadoed or forc'd to live in Huts which they set up and down in the open Fields because they are not suffer'd to build Cities nor to fortify their Towns nor Villages with walls Their Huts are made either with Bull-rushes or Canes being about twelve foot diameter round and towards the top like the Coops wherein Chickens are kept in Europe In the midst of that place which serves them for a Roof there is a hole through which goes out a stick having at the end a piece of coarse Cloath which they turn to the Wind to facilitate the going out of the Smoak and which they draw in when the Turf or Cow-dung which they burn is reduc'd to a live-Coal or Ashes When the weather is very cold they put over the Hut a covering of coarse Cloath whereby they so keep in the heat that they pass over whole days without stirring out with their Wives and Children not feeling any inconvenience They have no fixt habitation in the Summer-time but stay in
send us a Pilot we might confide in But the merry Companion was no sooner got to his own ship but he set sayl and left us in the lurch I think what troubled him was that we had not made him some present according to the custom of the Countrey but he regarded so little the slur he had put upon the Ambassadors that he had the impudence to come and Visit them in their ship in the company of several other Tartarian Lords after our arrival at Terki and made no other answer to the reproaches he receiv'd upon that occasion than ja wi nouat a great business indeed to be talk'd of Finding our selves thus abus'd we sent to the Master of the Persian ship to entreat his assistance He though Masâ—â—â— of the ship and owner of all the goods in it came aboard us to proffer us his service as a Pilot with more kindness and civility than we could have expected from a Christian and having recommended his own ship to his servants stay'd with us He was a very understanding man and was not only acquainted with the Navigation of those parts but also with the Compass much beyond what the Persians ordinarily are vers'd in who do not willingly venture very far into the Sea but for the most part keep in sight of Land So that finding the wind serv'd he caus'd the Anchor to be weigh'd about eleven at night taking his course towards the South with an East wind We observ'd it was the same day that we left Travemunde the year before and accordingly we had the same success in this second Voyage We had all that night but ten foot water but towards day we had eighteen The Countrey on our right hand which is called Suchator had four Hills which made a great Promontory reaching a great way into the Sea and from that Cape to Astrachan are counted 100 werstes and to Terki 200. but on both sides they are very short ones The 29. The weather fair we kept on our course in the morning Southward and with a South-East wind and in the afternoon South-west-ward having about twenty foot water and finding the bottom gravelly and full of little shells We could discover no Land that day and the night following we cast Anchor Here the Needle declin'd twenty degrees from North to West Octob. 30. We set sayl at the break of day and soon after Sun-rising we discover'd the Countrey of Circassia which lies all along the Sea-Coast from the South-West to North-East compassing it about much after the form of a Crescent and making a spacious Bay It was our design to get beyond the point of the Gulf but the wind coming to South-East had almost forc'd us into it which oblig'd us to cast Anchor about noon at the entrance of the Gulf at three fathom and a half water finding at the bottom a kind of fat earth about six Leagues from Terki We discover'd in the Bay about 20. or twenty five Boats and upon the first sight thereof it run into our imagination that they were the Cosaques but we were soon undeceiv'd and found them to be Tartarian Fisher-men belonging to Terki and were then coming to bring us fish to sell. For those we bought of them we gave them fifteen pence a piece but they were very great ones and we found in their bellies a great number of Crabs and Lobsters among which there were some alive The remainder of the day we spent in giving Almighty God solemn thanks for all his mercifull deliverances of us particularly that which happen'd on the very same day the year before when we were in so great danger amidst the Rocks and Shelves of Ocland Our Persian Pilot went that day to his own ship which was at some distance behind us to give his men Order what they should do leaving us somewhat of an opinion that he would shew us such another trirk as the Muscovite had done before but he afterwards made it appear that those of his Nation are not only made up of Complements for he return'd very betimes the next morning having sent his Boat before us to serve us for a Guide The last day of October we had in the morning a thick Mist with a great Calm The Sun having dispell'd the one about noon and the wind being come to the North we endeavour'd to get out of the Gulf and with much ado by laveering got the point near which we stayd at Anchor till after midnight and came very betimes in the morning on the first of November before the City of Terki We cast Anchor about a quarter of a League from the City because we could not come any nearer by reason of the shallowness of the water The night before the Cosaques had a design to set upon us but happily miss'd us in the dark and met with the little Fleet which brought the Tartar-Prince but the noise of the Strelits or Muscovian Muskettiers having discover'd to them that they were mistaken and imagining they should find a vigorous resistance they drew back but made it appear they were the Germans that they look'd for Intelligence coming in the morning to the City of this attempt of the Cosaques rais'd a verry hot Alarm there in regard it was known that Mussal their Prince was coming and that he might be in some danger The Inhabitants were confirm'd in that opinion when they heard the going off of our great Guns a noise they are not accustomed to in those parts insomuch that they began to get together and look on us as Enemies but they were put out of all fear by the arrival of their Prince who having given us a Volley as he pass'd by and invited us to honour him with a Visit at his Mother's satisfy'd the Inhabitants that there was no danger either to him or them The City of Terki lies somewhat above half a League from the Sea upon the little River Timenski which issues out of the great River Bustro and facilitates the correspondence there is between the Sea and the City to which there is is no other way to come by reason of the Fens which encompass it on all sides for a quarter of a League about It is seated in a spacious plain which is of such extent that the extremities thereof cannot be discover'd by the eye whence may be corrected the errour of the Map drawn by Nicholas Iansson Piscator alias Vischer though in all other things the best and most exact of any I could ever meet with who places the City of Terki upon a Mountain but by a mistake confounding the City of Tarku in the Province of Dagesthan with that of Terki in Circassia The Elevation of the Pole is here at 43. degrees 23 minutes It is distant from Astrachan sixty Leagues by Sea and seventy by Land and is the last place under the Jurisdiction of the Great Duke of Muscovy It is in length 2000. foot and in breadth 800. all
sent along with us into Germany when they saw us eat Eeles conceived a horrour thereat as taking them for Snakes The King of Persia farms out the fishing of the Caspian Sea towards the mouths of Rivers which brings him in very considerable sums of Money many times more than the Farmers make thereof for instance the City of Kesker where a Farmer named Schemsi paid eight thousand Crowns for the farming of five Rivers which that year had yielded but six thousand Their fishing is only from September to April and during that time there is a Palisadoe or kind of Hedge made in the Sea at the mouth of the River to hinder the fishing of those that have no right to fish within that enclosure but all the year besides it is indifferently permitted to all and in the Sea it self at all times THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY TARTARY and PERSIA The Fifth Book THe Countrey where we Landed or rather where the wrack cast us ashore is called Muskur and makes part of the Province of Schirwan or the Antient Media under the Jurisdiction of the Sulthan or Governour of Derbent and comprehends from the City of Derbent to the Province of Kilan about two hundred Villages But before we come to give an accompt of what we have seen in Persia it is requisite in this place that we give a general description of that Country and its Provinces upon this consideration that there is not any Author that hath hitherto undertaken this work but hath confounded the Antient names of Cities and Rivers with the Modern and speaks thereof almost in the same terms as the Greek and Latin Histories which treat of the antient Persia. The Map of this Country which was some few years since publish'd at Paris is no doubt the most exact of any that have yet come to light but if any man will be at the pains to confront the Names it gives the Cities and Provinces of Persia with those which are in this Map of ours he will easily find the difference there is between the one and the other As to the name of Persia Herodotus in the seventh Book of his History sayes that the Amâ—assador whom Xerxes King of Persia sent to the Greeks would have them believe that he deriv'd his original from Perses the Son of Persâ—us and Andromeda Ammianus Marcellinus affirms that the Persians are originally Scythians and if we credit Pliny the Scythians call them Chorâ—urâ— The Holy Scripture calls them Elamites and they give themselves the name of Schai thereby â—o be distinguish'd from the Turks who upon the same accompt give themselves that of Sunni And as the same Turks have an affectation to call themselves Mussulmans so the Persians are much pleas'd when they are called Kisilbachs that is to say Red-heads But of the Etymology of that word we shall give an accompt hereafter when we come to treat of the habits of the Persians It is most certain that Parthia and Persia were heretofore two distinct Kingdomes and that the name of Persia hath not been common to both till they became both subject to the same King and were inhabited by the same people Upon the same Consideration it is that we now comprehend under the name of Persia not only the Kingdom of Persia it self but also all the other Provinces which have been annexed thereto either by Conquest or otherwise and are now under the Jurisdiction of that Monarch Hence it is that when we speak of Persia our meaning is to comprehend under that name all that Country which reaches from North to South-west from the Caspian-sea to the Gulf of Persia and from East to West from the River Euphrates which the Turks call Morat su to the City of Candahar upon the frontiers of the Indies By assigning it the Caspian-sea for its frontier our meaning is to comprehend therein near the one half of that sea along the Mountains of Armenia reaching West-ward as far as the River of Ruth-Cane Kurkahn by the Antients called Oxus which divides the Persians from the Vsbeques who are the same that are called the Tartars of Buchar and are for the most part Tributaries to the King of Persia. Whence is to be observed by the way the error of Bottero who in his Politia Regin says that the extent of Persia from North to South is eighteen degrees Wherein he is so much the more mistaken by how much it is certain that from the first City of Persia from the Caspian Sea to its utmost frontiers towards the Persian Gulf there are hardly twelve degrees For let a man but cast his Eye not only on the Map which we here give of it but also on that of M. Sampson and particularly on that of the Learned Mr. Iohn Graves not long since publish'd by him in England and he will find that the City of Husum which the Inhabitants of the Country call Rescht within two small Leagues of the Caspian Sea lies at thirty seven degrees and that the City of Ormus upon the Persian Gulf is but at twenty five which make but twelve in all We acknowledge that it contains above twenty degrees in length from the Euphrates to the Indies but we are to consider withall that one degree of Longitude under the thirty seventh degree of Latitude under which Persiaâ—ies â—ies consists but of fifty minutes at the most The principal Provinces of the modern Persia are those of Erak Fars Schirwan Adirbeitzan Kilan Thabristan Mâ—senderan Iran or Karabag Cherasan Sablustan Sitzestan Kirman Chusistan and Tzisire or Diarbeck The name of Erak or Hierak is common to two several Provinces to wit that whereof the City of Babylon or Bagdat is the Metropolis which is commonly called Erakain and without all question is the antient Assyria But it is not of this Province that we have any account to give in this place Our Province of Erak which is also called Erak-atzem to distinguish it from Erakain lies in the midst of all Persia next to the Province of Fars and is the antient Parthia The Archontology Printed not many years since at Frankfort gives it the name of of Charassen but it confounds this Province with that of Chuaresm which lies upon the Caspian Sea on the East-side and is inhabited by the Tartars called the Vsbeques The chief Cities of the Province of Erak besides that of Ispahan which is the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom are Caswin Soâ—thanie Senkan Sawa Kom Kaschan Rhey Schaherrisur Ebbcher Hemedan Darkasin Theheran and Kulpajan at which last place the best Bows in Persia are made The Province of Fars which De Laet in his description of the State of Persia calls Farc or Parc but unadvisedly is properly the antient Persia whereof Persepolis was the chief City Alexander the Great caused it to be set on fire out of a fond Compliance for a common Prostitute with whom he had over-drunk himself It
is reported that the ruins of that City became the foundation of that of Schiras upon the River Bendemir which Q. Curtius calls Araxis It s principal Cities besides that of Schiras whereof there will be an accompt given in the following Travels of Mr. Mandelslo into the Indies are Kasirus Bunitzan Firusabath and Astar whereto may be added the City of Lahor with the little Province which derives its name from it The Province of Sciruan is known in the Maps under the name of Servan and is no doubt that which the Antients called Media Acropatia though Ienkinson in his Itinerary affirms that it is the antient Hyrcania It is indeed the most Northerly part of the antient Media which Herodotus and Strabo deliver to be Mountainous and Cold. Whereof we had a sufficient experience in our Travels after our departure from Schamachie as will be seen in its due place Schamachie is the Metropolis of the Province wherein there are besides Bakuje seated at the foot of a Mountain upon the Caspian-sea which from its name is called the sea of Baku That of Derbent which is one of the Passages which the Antients called Pylae Caspiae This is that which Alexander the Great caused to be built and called Alexandria upon which accompt it is that the Inhabitants do often call it Schacher Iunan that is the City of the Greeks That of Schabran in the Country of Muskur near the place where the wrack cast us ashore The City of Ere 's or Aras is destroyed but there may be seen the remainders of what it hath been heretofore upon the River Arras which is now called Arisbar The Province of Iran which the Inhabitants of the Country commonly and for the most part called Karabag is seated between the two famous Rivers of Araxes and Cyrus which are now called Aras and Rur and comprehends some part of the two Provinces of Armenia and Georgia which the Persians call Armenich and Gurtz It is one of the noblest and richest Provinces of all Persia and in this particularly that it produces more Silk than any other It is sub-divided into several other lesser Provinces to wit those of Kappan Tzulfa Scabus Sisian Keschtas Sarsebil Ervan or Iruan Kergbulag Agustawa Aberan Scorgd Saschat Intze Thabak-melek Thumanis Alget and Tzilder The principal Cities Forts and Towns of it are Berde Bilagan Skemkur Kentze Berkuschat Nachtscuan Ordebad Bajesied Maku Magasburt Tiftis and Tzilder This great Province might very well deserve a larger account to be given of it but in regard it borders upon the Turk and that I have been so fortunate as to meet with a very accurate Map of this Country together with a particular relation of what ever is most observable therein we shall endeavour to find else-where some occasion to speak of a thing which to treat of in this place would make too great a Digression Adirbeitzan which the Europaeans are wont to name Aderbajon or Adarbigian is the more Southerly part of the Antient Media to wit that part which the Antients call Media Major And forasmuch as it is acknowledg'd that the Province of Kurdestan is that which the Antients call'd Assyria we may in some measure be satisfy'd with what Nubius's Geography says to wit that it is the more Northerly part of Assyria since they have their Frontiers common and in a manner confounded It is divided from the Province of Schiruan by the Deserts of Mokan and from that of Karabag by the River Aras and it hath on the East the Province of Kilan Adirbeitzan is also sub-divided into many other little Provinces as Erschee Meschkin Kermeruth Scrab Chalchal Tharumat Suldus Vtzam c. It s principal Cities are Ardâ—bil and Tauris The former is famous for the Birth of Schich Sefi Author of the Sect of the Perses who liv'd and dy'd in that City where his Tomb is yet to be seen as also those of several other Kings of Persia of whom we shall have occasion to speak hereafter The City of Tauris or Tabris which is thought to be that of Gabris according to Ptolomey and which Ortelius affirms to be the antient Ecbatana heretofore the most considerable place in all the East and the ordinary residence of the Kings of Persia is seated at the foot of the Mountain Orontes eight dayes journey from the Caspian Sea and is one of the richest and most populous Cities of Persia. The rest are Merrague Salmas Choi Miane Karniarug Thesu Thel and Tzeuster Tzors and Vrami are two places excellently well fortify'd and in the latter is to be seen the Sepulchre of â—urla the Wife of King Casan which if it bears any proportion to the stature of that Woman she must needs have been a Giantess and of an extraordinary height since the Tomb is above forty foot long The Province of Kilan derives its name from the people that inhabit it who are called Kilek It is the antient Hyrcania For its situation absolutely agrees with that which is given it by Quintus Curtius and that it is encompass'd after the manner of a Crescent with a Mountain cover'd with Trees It is water'd by many little Rivers It comprehends several other Provinces among which some number that of Thabristan or Mesauderan which is the same with that whose Inhabitants in the time of Alexander the Great were called Mardi The rest are Kisilagas Deschteuend Maranku Maschican Lengerkunan Astara Buladi Schigkeran Nokeran Kilikeraa Houe Lemur Disekeran Lissar Tzeulandan Rihk Kesker Rescht Lahetzan and Astarabath containing forty six Cities and a very great number of Villages The principal Cities are Astrabath Metropolis of the Province of the same name and Firascu where may be had the fairest Turquoises in the Kingdome In Mesanderan are Amul Funkabun Nei Sarou Nourketzour and the noble and pleasant City of Ferabath It was heretofore called Tahona but Schach Abas was so pleas'd with it that many times he pass'd over the Winter therein and gave it the name it now hath from the word Fâ—rah which signifies pleasant or delightful Indeed the whole Country is such so that they who affirm that fruits hardly ripen in it by reason of its coldness injure it very much unless it be that they speak of its Mountains which indeed are not habitable but the plains are very populous and very fertile and so pleasant that the Persians say it is the Garden of the Kingdome as Touraine is of France Whence the Hakim or Poet Fardausi had reason to say Tschu Mesanderan Tschu Kulkendâ— Sar Nikerem we nesert henis che besar That is What is Mesanderan Is it not a place set with Roses neither too Hot nor too Cold but a perpetual Spring Lahetzan is famous for its Silk which it hath better than any other place and its principal Cities are Lenkeru Kutsesbar and Amelekende In the Province of Rescht besides the Metropolis of the same name are the Cities of Kisma Fumen Tullum Scheft Dilum and
Massula This last is built upon a Mountain by reason of an Iron-mine by which the inhabitants who are most Smiths maintain themselves There are also in those parts abundance of Wall-nut Trees whereof are made most of the Wooden dishes that are all over Persia. In Kesker are the Cities of Kesker Scaherruth Kurab Enseli Dulab Schal and towards the North Ruesseru Miunscaker Senguerasara Houe Chosckkaderene Henkâ—lan and Kisilagats There is no entrance into the Province of Kilan but by the four passages whereof we shall speak hereafter in the last Book of the Travels of the Ambassadors as also of the Caspian gates the insolence of the people who live between Mesandaran and Kesker and the History of Karib Schach Chorasan or the antient Bactriana hath on the West Mesanderan and comprehends also several other lesser Provinces whereof the chiefest is that of Heri the Metropolis whereof is Herat. This Province is one of the greatest and most fertil of any in Persia and that which drives on the greatest Trade of any The City of Mesched which in the Catalogue or Register of their Cities may be found under the name of Thus is no doubt the most considerable of any It is encompass'd with a noble Wall set out with many sumptuous Structures and among others with two or if we may believe Texeira three hundred Towers distant one from the other about a Musquet shot In this City is to be seen the Sepulchre of Iman Risa one of the twelve Saints of Persia of the Family of Aly which as to its Structure Revenue and Wealth is equal to that of Ardebil and all things are performed there with the same Ceremonies The same Devotions are also done there as at the Tomb of Schich Sesi In the Country about Mesched near the City of Nisabur there is a Mountain where are found such Excellent Turquezes that the King permits them not to be sold to any but himself Herath is the second City of the Province and there is made the best Persian Tapistry The Indians Trade thither and it is a place they must necessarily pass through who go from Candahar to Ispahan There it was that the Horses of the Great Mogul's Ambassador were stay'd whereof we shall say more hereafter Thun Thabeskileki and Thabes-Mâ—ssinan are very considerable Cities as well upon the accompt of their greatness as of the several Manufactures of Silk that are made there and wherewith they drive a vast Trade All the other Cities as Sebseuar Turschis Kain Puschentz Badkis Meru Merurnd Tzurtzan Fariab Asurkan Belch Bamian Semkan Thalecan and Sus are also very populous and eminent for Merchandise and in these parts is found the best Manna in the World The Province of Sablusthan lies more towards the East Q. Curtius calls the Inhabitants of it Paropanisadae from the neighbouring Mountain called Paropamisus which is a branch of Mount Taurus and it is all Wooddy The people living in it is at this day as simple and barbarous as they were in the time of Alexander It is upon this Mountain that Goropius Becanus would have Noab's Ark rest after the deluge contrary to the opinion of most of the Fathers who for the most part agree that it rested upon Mount Aratat in Armenia The Cities of this Province are Beksabath Meimine Asbe Bust and Sarents The Province of Sitzistan by others called Sigestan Sagestan and Siston lies South-ward from the Province of Sablustan and is the Habitation of the people who were heretofore called Dragae It is encompass'd of all sides by a high Mountain and it is the Country of the Grand Rustam who is known not only in their Histories but is also the only celebrated Heros of all their Romances The principal Cities of this Province are Sistan Chaluk Ketz c. The Province of Kirman is also one of the greatest of the Kingdome of Persia. It lies between those of Fars and Sigestan and reaches as far as the Sea and the Island of Ornus The Country is somewhat un-even and Mountainous but the Valleys of it are very fertil and delightful abounding in Fruit and every where cover'd and as it were strew'd with Flowers especially Roses whereof this Province produces such great quantity that a considerable part of its Revenue is rais'd out of the water made of them The Inhabitants call it Gulap whence it may be well imagin'd that the Word Iulip comes and they drive a great Trade with it especially at Ispahan Those who Trade most in it are the Lurs who are a sort of people by themselves distinguish'd from the other Persians by what they wear about their Heads which is a kind of Coiffure that is longer and narrower than the ordinary Turbants and there is fasten'd to it a tuft or tassel which hangs down over the Back There is also in this Province a Drugg very soverain against the Worms which is called Daru Kirman as well upon accompt of the Province as also hence that the Word Kirman signifies a Worm And concerning this there is a story of one of their Kings who being in the fields on Horse-back heard himself call'd by his own name He look'd back as if he had heard the voice behind him and seeing only a dead man's skull half rotten upon the ground and doubting the voice proceeded thence he asked who it was The skull answer'd that that was all was left of what he had sometime been that he had worn a Crown as well as himself and had Conquer'd several great Provinces but that desirous to add to his other Conquests that of Kirman he had been over-come and eaten exhorting him to reflect on what he had seen and to make his advantage of that Philosophy The Province is barren enough towards the North having on that side abundance of heathy grounds but towards the Sea-side it is very fertil It s principal Cities are Birsir Bermasir Bem Chabis Tzirest Kamron and Ormus Kamron is a Sea-port whence it is many times called Bender or Bender Kamron Ormus by the Persians called Hormous is an Island three Leagues distant from the Continent but of these two places the Reader will have a further accompt in the first Book of Mandelso's Travels into the Indies There is comprehended also under the Province of Kirman that of Mekeran wherein are the Cities of Firh Kitz and Chalak Chusistan is the same which was heretofore called Susiana and in the time of the Hebrews Elam It lies between the Province of Fars and the River Dilsel and its Metropolis was Susa famous for the Vision which the Prophet Daniel had there concerning the determination of the Persian Monarchy and the beginning of the Grecian It is now called Desu It was also in these parts that the palace of Susa stood upon the River Vlai where King Ahasuerus King over twenty seven Provinces made his great Feast It s chief Cities are Ahawas Ramchormus Scabur Askar and Arhan The heats in these
parts are so great especially towards the South-part of the Mountain that in the Summer time the Inhabitants are forc'd to forsake the Cities and retire themselves into the Mountain Tzisire is found in the Catalogue of the Provinces of Persia and it is the antient Mesopotamia Now it is commonly called Diarbek and lies between the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris which the Turks call Digel This Province hath been often taken and retaken by them from the Persians so that it is not alwayes under the Schach's Jurisdiction but then only when he is Master of Bagdat or Babylon and Mosul which some affirm to have been the antient Ninive 'T is true Bagdat is not properly in the Province of Diarbek but in that of Eracain as are also the Cities of Wasith Besre Rusa and Medain As to the City of Bagdat there is nothing so certain as that it was built out of the ruins of the antient Babylon but not in the same place in as much as Babylon stood upon the Euphrates which ran through it as is expressely affirmed by Strabo whereas Bagdat is seated upon the Tigris which joyns with the Euphrates a League below the City The Persians are of opinion that the Inhabitants of Babylon had heretofore their Summer-Houses and Gardens at the place where now Bagdat stands insomuch that after the destruction of the City they found it no great difficulty to remove their habitations thither And indeed the word Bag which singnifies a Garden and Bagdat a place full of Gardens does in some measure confirm their opinion To resume our former discourse the Country where we were cast a-shore is very pleasant it was all over green at the time of our arrival and the Birds which were not yet sensible of the Cold ordinary in our parts continued their Chirping and Singing till near the middle of December The soil there is very good bringing forth Rice Wheat and Barley in great abundance They make no Hay because their Cattle are out Winter and Summer but if they make any it is only for the convenience of Travellers Their Vines were scatter'd up and down Planted without any care or order all along the Hedges the Vines being fasten'd to the Trees so as that they spread up to the extremities of the Boughs from which the small branches hung donw three or four Ells in length All the Province of Kilan is full of them and at our return we saw very fair and very large ones at Astora The Country affords good store of Wild-fowl especially Pheasants as also of Hares the Hunting whereof found us good sport during the aboad we were forc'd to make there There is also in these parts a certain kind of Foxes which they call Shakal about the bigness of those of Europe of which kind there are also abundance and the Inhabitants call them Tulki but instead of Furr or Hair they are cover'd with Wool and have white bellies Ears all black and less Tails than those of our parts We heard them in the night time running in Herds about the Village and were not a little troubled at their Cries which was a drawling and doleful noise without any intermission The Inhabitants make use of Buffles or wild Oxen more than they do of Horses but instead of loading them upon their Backs they make them draw Wood or any other things of great weight Their ordinary sustenance is Feny-greek wherewith they sow whole Fields as we do with Vetches and Lentills and they cut it while it is yet green Herb and Seed together and so give it those Creatures to eat The Milk I mean that of the Females is so fat that it makes a Cream two fingers thick of which they make exellent Butter They never make any Cheese of Cow's-milk but only of sheeps The Village of Niasabath is at 41 deg 15 min. Elevation and hath not above 15 or 16 poor Houses which lye scatter'd up and down all built of Clay and absolutely square having flat Roofs and cover'd with Turfs so as that a man might walk upon them without either danger or inconvenience And indeed it is ordinary among the Persians to erect Tents upon them to eat and in the summer-time to lye on them all night that they may the more participate of the coolness of the Air. Here it was that I first understood what the Gospel says of the Paralytick who was let down through the Roof of the House and the Counsel our Saviour gave those who were upon the House-top not to come down into the House for this is their way of building all over the East We were at first lodg'd in the Houses which were very handsome within and the floors of the Chambers for the most part cover'd with Tapistry and the Masters of the Houses receiv'd and treated us the first day very well But the Village being but small not able to find Lodging for all our retinue and our aboad being likely to be too long there for us to lye upon the charges of the Inhabitants we got Tents pitch'd near the Lodgings of the Ambassadors where we continu'd till the Court of Persia took order for our departure thence We had no Bread our Beer was lost with the ship and the Village had no spring of fresh water so that we were forc'd to look after our Mouldy scraps and to content our selves with the troubled water of a small Torrent which pass'd near the Village while our ship furnish'd us with firing for the Kitchen and the Chambers Nov. 19. Schachewerdi Governour of Derbent sent to complement us upon the occasion of our arrival there two Persons very well clad one whereof was Brother to the Kaucha of Niasabath They deliver'd the Ambassadors the Sulthan's Letter which came with a Present of two Horses as many Oxen twelve sheep twenty Pullets three great Pitchers of Wine one Pitcher of Water two Paniers of Apples and three sacks of Wheat-flower But the Ambassadors coming to understand that the Sulthan's Letter made mention only of one Horse they would not receive the other though the Persians earnestly protested that the mistake came only hence that the Sulthan imagining there had been but one Ambassador had accordingly sent but one Horse and that they coming afterwards to hear there were two had bought another horse out of an assurance that it was the Sulthan's intention to have done so But notwithstanding all their allegatons and instances the Ambassador Brugman would by no means accept of the horse for no other reason doubtless than this that his was not so good as his Collegue's The Persians were not a little troubled thereat and look'd on it as an affront done the Sulthan who resented it so highly since that he did us all the ill-Offices lay in his power being also further troubled in this respect that contrary to the custom of Persia and Muscovy upon the Ambassador Brugman's untowardness his People had been sent away without Presents The 22.
and Aquavitae which the Persians were so greedy of that one of them a person of quality who never had drunk any before and would needs do it out of complyance to us took so much of it that the next day he was found dead in his bed After this treatment which lasted till midnight the Chan permitted us to withdraw and assign'd us Lodging among the Armenians because they were Christians but in regard our Hosts had had no notice of our coming and that our Baggage was not yet arriv'd we found neither Beds nor Benches nor Tables so that after so good a Supper we had a very ill night of it The last day of December the Chan sent the Ambassadors several refreshments Wine wild Fowl and other Provisions The Calenter or Lieutenant ordered to be allow'd us for our dayly Provision seventeen Sheep twenty Pullers a hundred Eggs a certain quantity of Salt and Bread fifty quarts of Wine and twenty burthens of Wood. This was very punctually observ'd for the four or five first dayes but the Mehemander being oblig'd to get in these Provisions out of the neighbouring Villages which he could not so procure but that it was sometimes three or four dayes ere we could get our allowance the Chan sent us word that it were more for our convenience to send to the Market for our Provisions and that we might be assur'd that what we laid out should be reimburs'd at our departure thence To that purpose he caus'd it to be Proclaim'd by sound of Trumpet that all Provisions should be sold to the Frenqui for so they call the Germans as well as the French Italians and Spaniards at a reasonable rate We continu'd three full moneths at Scamachie expecting orders from the Court for our expence and the prosecution of our journey The Governour and Calenter endeavour'd what they could in the mean time to make this long stay of ours there the less â—eadious by the continual entertainments they made us as also by the divertisements of Hunting and the Visits they often gave the Ambassadors together with the frequent Presents they sent them of Wine wild-fowl and fruits M.DC.XXXVII We began this year with the Ceremonies of the Persian Gentleman's Enterrment who had kill'd himself by his excessive drinking of Aquavitae at the first Entertainment which the Governour had given us the day of our arrival We shall have occasion hereafter to speak of the Ceremonies of their Enterrments and therefore shall give no futher accompt of it here than that ordinarily the Bodies are carried into the Metzid Mosquey or Church whence they are afterwards transported to Babylon Kufa or Netschef to be interr'd near their Prophet Aaly or near some other of their Imans or Saints Ianuary 2. the Governour and the Calenter visited the Ambassadors and brought along with them Conserves and Wine for the Collation The Chan's design was to hear our Musick whereof he had heard much talk and accordingly he was so taken therewith that he importun'd the Ambassadors to go and sup with him at the Castle and to bring their Musick along with them It consisted of a Violin a Base-Viol a Bandore and a Voice The Ambassadors would at first have put him off but his instances were such that they could not possibly do it insomuch that we pass'd away the remainder of that day in the same Divertisements as he had entertain'd us with the first day of our arrival Only there was this extraordinary that the Governour ordered to be brought out of the Stable some of his best Horses to the number of twenty seven among which there were three which the Sophy had sent him not long before as so many assurances of his favour He caus'd one of the Gentlemen belonging to his Chamber to mount them all and to take several turns thereon about the Hall though the floor were cover'd with very rich Tapistry Ian. 5. the Chan sent the Ambassadors word that if they were desirous to be present the next day at the Ceremonies performed by the Armenians at the Consecration of their Holy-water at which he should himself be in person he would order a particular place to be kept for them The Armenians call this feast Chatschae Schuran that is the Baptism of the Cross. The Ceremonies are performed without the City near a Bridge called Puli Amberi The Armenians celebrate this Feast as do also the Muscovites and some other Christians upon the sixth of Ianuary which is the day of the Epiphany or appearance of the Star to the Kings or Wise-men They began it with a Mass which was said betimes in the morning before day After Mass there was a Sermon preach'd the former being said in a manner with the same Ceremonies as the Roman-Catholicks do it in Europe The Ambassadors whose Lodgings were near the Chapel of the Armenians made no difficuly to be present at both Mass and Sermon and after the latter they were Complemented by the Bishop who had Preach'd it and who came purposely for that Exercise from the place of his ordinary residence He gave them to understand by an Interpreter how glad he was to see their Devotions honour'd by the Presence of Persons of that quality since it could be no small comfort to them to see in their Churches Europaean Christians who had never come into them before Whereto he added that their Excellencies the Ambassadors knew not who he was but that he should find a time to acquaint them therewith from which Discourse of his we inferr'd that he was some Missionary of the Pope's sent into these parts to endeavour the Re-union of the Greâ—k Church with the Roman He further intreated the Ambassadors to use their Mediation to the Governour that they might be permitted to carry on the building of a Monastery which the Armenians had begun which they promised to do About noon the Armenians by order from the Governour brought us fifteen Horses upon which we rode to the River which is about half a League from the City Those poor people who were come to the City from all the adjacent Villages went out of it in Procession with abundance of Images Crosses and Banners guarded to the River-side by a strong part of Soldiers which the Governour had assign'd them for their Protection against the injuries and affronts of the Mussulmans or Mahumetans who make it thier sport to abuse them The Governour had caus'd a Tent to be pitch'd over against the place where the Consecrâ—tion was to be performed very richly hung with Tapistry and had ordered a sumptuous Collation to be made ready in it There were on his left hand the Muscovian Poslanick and a great number of Gentlemen and the right he had kept void for the Ambassadors and some of their retinue After he had receiv'd us and made us sit down he commanded the Armenians to begin their Ceremonies As soon as they begun Reading at the River-side four men stark naked leap'd
Ambassadors sent to him to desire him to communicate to them the Orders of the Court concerning the prosecution of their Journey Answer was made us that he had not receiv'd any new Orders at all and that if we desired it we might hear the Letter read which he thereupon gave his Physician to read The Physician a person the fittest in the World to represent a Fool in a play after he had kiss'd the Letter put it to his forehead and at last read it The Contents of it at least what he read was to this effect That the Express from the Sulthan of Derbent being come to the Court before him whom the Chan of Schamachie had sent all the account he had brought was that there was arriv'd at Derbent any Envoy or Poslanick from the Great Duke of Muscovy who had reported that within a few days there would come into those parts certain Ambassadors from one of the Princes of Germany That the Schach who had receiv'd no other accompt of their arrival thought it enough to order the Governour of Derbent to receive them to entertain then kindly during the stay they should make there and to supply them with all things for the continuation of their journey as far as Schamachie and that when they were come thither the Chan of Schamachie should send an Express to give an accompt thereof to the Court from which he should immediately receive orders what to do as well in respect of the maintenance of the Ambassadors as their departure thence The Chan demanded of us a Catalogue of the names and qualities of all of our Retinue nay he would have had it express'd in the said Catalogue what Professions they were of and that we should not fail setting down that we had among us a Physician a Chyrurgeon a Painter and Musicians which we would not do but thought it sufficient to give them in writing only the names of our people and the Offices and employments they were in upon the accompt of the Embassy We had a great suspicion that the said Letter came not from the Court and that there was somewhat more or less in it and the more to be assur'd of it we got the Courier to come the next day to our quarters The Wine we gave him and the small Presents which were secretly made him unlock'd the man's breast and drew out the whole secret He told us upon promise of secrecy that the Governours Brother having been not long before executed and that misfortune having in some measure engag'd the whole Family in the disgrace of the deceas'd there was not any man durst undertake the delivery of his Letter to the Sophy as being ignorant what the contents thereof might be but that after a moneths delay one of the Kings Chamberlains having ventured to lay it at his Majesties feet the Sofi would make no answer at all thereto but ordered another to write to him and sent him word that there was no answer to be made to his Letter by reason of the orders sent to the Sulthan of Derbent which were contain'd in the Letter whereof we had heard the reading That it was not thought fit to add any thing thereto but an express command to the Governour to see cut to pieces in his presence all those Persians that durst affront or injure the Germans during the stay they should make in his Government So that we were forc'd to stay there in expectation of what orders the Sophy should send upon the Dispatches which the Chan was then sending to the Court by an Express Ian. 25. the Governour accompany'd by the Poslanick and a great number of Courtiers gave the Ambassadors a Visit but in regard their Lent was already begun he would not participate of our Collation and so having heard our Musick he return'd to his own Palace Ian. 28. The Muscovian Poslanick went for Ispahan not well satisfy'd with the treatment he had receiv'd from the Governour and Calenter All the revenge he could take was upon the Mehemander who had been assign'd to Conduct him taking any occasion to affront and abuse him Some of our Retinue accompany'd him a League out of the City where they took leave of him February the fifth walking abroad with some of our company we went into a great house near the Market-place which they call Basar It was a very noble Structure having many Galleries and Chambers like a College Meeting up and down with several persons some antient some young some walking some sitting with books in their hands we had the curiosity to enquire what place it was and found that it was a School or College which they called Mandresa of which kind there are very many all over Persia. While we were viewing the Structure one of their Maderis or Regents who read publick Lectures intreated us to come near him and perceiving that I had caus'd to be graven upon a Cane I walk'd with all these words in Arabick Bismi alla rahman rachim that is in the name of the merciful God who sheweth mercy a sentence which the Persians put at the beginning of their writings he desired me to bestow it on him upon a promise that he would give me a better the next day but finding I made some difficulty to part with it he cut out the word alla which in their Language is the proper name of God and put what he had cut off in a piece of clean paper very gently and carefully and told me the name of God ought not to be written upon a walking stick which was many times thrust into the dirt The next day I went again to the same College whether I had caus'd to be brought along with me a very fair Celestial Globe but by mistake I went to another School where nevertheless they receiv'd me very kindly The Professors and Regents as also the Students very much wondred to see me come with so noble a Globe and to understand thereby that Astrology and the Mathematicks were better taught among us than in Persia where they are not yet acquainted with the invention of Globes and make use only of the Astrolabe for the instruction of their Students They took much delight in viewing my Globe and they nam'd to me in the Arabian Language all the Signs of the Zodiack nay gave me to understand further that they knew all the names and all the significations of most of the other Stars Another day I went into a Metzid or Church in that part of the Town where we were quarter'd to see how they instructed their Children They were all sate against the Wall excepting only the Molla or Master of the School who with some other aged persons sate in the midst of the Hall As soon as they saw me coming in they invited me to sit down by them The Molla who had an Alchoran in his hand very fairly written suffered me to turn it over awhile which when I had done
of the Ambassador Crusius's Pages a beautiful and well-timbred Lad he desir'd him to come near him which when he had addressing his speech to the Physician he ask'd him whether he did not think him a fine Boy and wish'd he had been his his own Son The Physician having taken another view of the Heavens though the Air were not very clear and that it was not near night made answer that if after he had earnestly view'd the Boy and by that means Imprinted an Idea of him in his imagination he went and lay with a Woman he would certainly get as handsome a Boy as that was This the Chan and his Company believ'd as an Oracle insomuch that having for some time well considered the Page he got on Horse-back and departed There was at Schamachie a Persian slave named Faruch who being a Muscovite by Birth had been stollen and sold into Persia where he had been circumcis'd while he was yet very young He delighted much to be among us because there were in our retinue some persons who could talk with him in his own Language insomuch that being by his often coming to our quarters grown familiar with some he came one day to tell us that we should have a care of our Persian Interpreter whose name was George Rustan for to his knowledge he had written to some of his Friends at Ispahan to this effect That though he had liv'd a long time among Christians yet were they not to inferr thence that he had abjur'd the Mahumetane Religion but that he should ere long be with them to give them further assurances of the contrary Rustan was a Persian born and had not many years before travell'd into England where he had been Baptiz'd Some years after he went into Muscovy where we found him in the English Residents retinue who was his God-father and coming to hear that we were to go into Persia he made so many friends and was so importunate with the Resident that at last we gave him leave to go along with us as an Interpreter Yet was he not receiv'd into our retinue till he had oblig'd himself by a Writing under his hand to come back with us and by many solemn protestations assured us that his going along with us was out of no other design than to look after and receive what was due to him of his Patrimony that he might have somewhat to Trade withal as a Merchant at his return Accordingly we were no sooner come to Ardebil but we found the truth of what we had been told by Faruch for Rustan as soon as he was got to a place where he might expiate his pretended sin and declare himself with safety he went to the Sepulchre of their great Saint Schich-Sefi where he did his Devotions as a right Mahumetane which that he had done he got a formal Certificate We secur'd him at Ispachan but he made his escape and got into the Sanctuary which they call Alla-Capi That done he cast himself at the feet of the King and the Seter or Chief of their Sect express'd his repentance in tears begg'd Pardon put himself under the Kings protection and remain'd in Persia. March the 22. Father Ambrosio took leave of us being to return to his Monastery at Tiflis March 24. the Chan sent away the New-years gifts which the Governours are wont to send the King at the beginning of the year and which were at this time so much the greater by how much the disgrace and death of his Brother impos'd upon him a necessity of Courting the Kings favour The Present consisted in a certain number of excellent Horses richly Harness'd several Camels loaden with Russia Leather several rich Stuffs and thirty bags full of Swan's down but what augmented the value of this rich Present was a great number of handsome Boys and Girls whom he sent along with it The Chan went himself out of the City with an intention as was given out to conduct the Present two or three leagues but he returned not leaving by that means upon the Calenter the trouble of providing all things for the prosecution of our Journey Immediately after the Chan's departure there was sent to our quarters the sum of sixty Tumains which amount to about a thousand Crowns by way of re-embursement for the charges we had been at during our stay at Schamachie But in regard it amounted not to one half of what we might expect according to the allowance which was assign'd us at our arrival the Ambassador Brugman sending us to the Calenter about other business charged us to ask him by the way whether it were upon any order from the King or out of the Governours kindness towards us that the said sum had been sent us and to let him know that though it was not the intention of the Ambassadors to receive any money yet since the Calenter had sent it under his own Seal they would carry it so seal'd to Ispahan That they could not forbear complaining of the injury had been done them in keeping them there so long contrary to the orders they had received from Court to take the speediest course they could for their departure The Calenter made answer that it lay not upon him to maintain the Ambassadors and to furnish them with money That it was not to him their Master had sent them but to the King and that it was accordingly by his Majesty's appointment that he had sent the foresaid sum That he could not hinder them from making their complaints but that they should advantage themselves nothing thereby That for the clearing of himself he would produce their acquittance at the Court and that the Chan and himself had supply'd them out of their own till the Kings Order was brought them That he was much troubled at the inconveniences which the Ambassadors had been put to during the long stay they had made in that City but that it was not their fault since it had been impossible in so short a time to get Horses and Wagons enough for so many people and so much Baggage intreating us ere we went away to honour him so far as to Dine with him once more which we did â— March the 27. there were brought us sixty Wagons for the Baggage and for the conveyance of some of the Retinue who were sick or not able to ride and a hundred and twenty Sadle-Nags We sent away our Steward with all the Baggage that night But ere we take our leave quite of a place where we had sojourn'd so long it will not be amiss to give here a short accompt of the City of Scamachie Father Bizarrus in his History of Persia and Ioseph Barbaro in his Travels call it sometimes Summachia sometimes Sumachia or Samachia and the Spaniards write it Xamachi Some Geographers place it in their Maps below Derbent others place it above and there are also some who put it in twice for fear of failing It s true name
according to the pronunciation of the Persians is Scamachie and it lies forty German Leagues or six great dayes journey from Derbent it being suppos'd a man takes the Mountain way which is very much about For if a man goa-foot or on horse-back along the Caspian Sea by the City of Bakuje and the Mountain Lahatz where the King hath a place for the receipt of customs upon forein Commodities he may easily travel it in two dayes The Camels ordinarily take the latter way and perform their journey in four or five and at most in six or seven dayes according to the burthen they carry Scamachie is the chief City of that noble Province which the antients called Media Atropatia or Media Minor and which is now called Schiruan which is the more to be observ'd in respect of their mistake who place this City in Hyrcania It lies at thirty four degrees forty minutes longitude and at forty degrees fifty minutes latitude in a valley between two Mountains which hide it so as that it is hardly seen till a man comes to the very Gate The Persians affirm it was built by Schiruan Schach and that it was heretofore much larger than it is now since there were in it five thousand houses It was destroy'd by the Turks in the time of King Abas who perceiving the Emperour of the Turks took in only the strongest places thereby to secure his Conquests and minded not open places and considering withall that so many strong and fortify'd places were rather a burthen than an advantage to him and being in the midst of his Kingdom were hard to keep ordered the pulling down of the Walls on the South-side of the City where they were strongest He took the same course with the Cities of Tauris Nachtzuan Kentza c. This South-part of Scamachie makes as 〈◊〉 were a City by it self as being divided from the North-part which is still compass'd with a strong Wall by a little plain which serves for a common Market-place to both The Persians affirm that the Grand Seigneur having taken the City of Scamachie took the stones from all the Sepulchres and therewith repair'd the Walls of it The North-side of the City lies at the foot of a little Mountain and is somewhat but not much bigger than the other containing but about nine hundred houses It hath but a poor Wall about it which being but low and having but a wretched Ditch hinders not but that a man may come into the City at any time The City hath five Gates its streets are narrow and the houses low and most built of Mortar and Earth There are very few of Brick or Free-stone The Inhabitants are partly Armenians partly Georgians who have each their particular Language so as that they would not understand one another if they did not make use of the Turkish which is common to both not only in Schiruan but also all over Persia. Their greatest Commerce lies in Stuffs of Silk and Cotton whereof there are such quantities made that Women nay very Children make a shift to get their living there by spinning and preparing the Silk and Cotton for the work-men Most of their shops are in the South-part of the City where there is also a Basar or Market-place into which abutt many streets which are all covered for the convenience of the Merchants Not far from this Market-place there are two Store-houses containing many Chambers and Galleries for the entertainment of forein Merchants who sell by whole-sale and for the disposal of their Merchandises One is called Schach Caravansera and is the place appointed for the Muscovites who bring thither Tin Russia Leather Copper Furrs and other Commodities The other which is called Losgi Caravansera was built for the Tartars of Circassia who do not bring their Commodities thither but lead them they being only Horses Women young Lads and handsom Maids wherewith they Trade among themselves in their own Countrey where they steal them upon the Frontiers of Muscovy The Iews who have also some part of this latter Store-house assign'd them upon this accompt that the Muscovites will not admit them into their Company bring thither from Tabefferahn the best Woollen Tapistry in the whole Countrey whereof there is brought into Europe but the refuse Stuffs of Silk and Cotton nay Gold and Silver Brocadoes as also Bows Arrows and Cymitars are sold there at a very reasonable rate In our return from Persia the Muscovian Envoy Alexei Savinouits woulds needs go into the Storehouse belonging to the Tartars being a person of a pleasant humour he fell a cheapning of a Boy about fifteen or sixteen years of age who was handsom enough and ask'd the Tartar what price he set him at who made answer he should have him for a hundred Crowns Alexei who had no mind to buy proffer'd him two and thirty but the Tartar laugh'd at him and giving the Boy a clap upon the buttocks told the Muscovite that that very part of him was worth more There are also in the City three Hamams that is Baths or publick Stoves the use whereof is as ordinary in Persia as Muscovy There are two which are common to both men and women but with this distinction that the women go in only in the day-time and the men in the night The third which they call Hamam Schach is only for the men Hard by this third Bath there are two great Trees for which the Persians have a great Veneration as having been planted by one of their Saints named Schich-Marith who is interr'd not far thence in a Metzid or Church where there are greater Devotions done than in other Metzids about the City wherein there are six in all The Revenue of this Bath is spent in Luminaries Cloaths and other things necessary about the holy Sepulchre The Chan or Governour of the City of Scamachie hath also the command of the whole Province joyntly with the Calenter or King's Lieutenant The Governour is entrusted with the Administration of Justice as also the disposal of things Civil and Military upon which last accompt he is oblig'd to maintain a thousand men out of the Revenue of his Government and to be in a readiness to march upon the first order he receives to that purpose The Kings Lieutenant hath the oversight of his Revenue and disposes of the Crown-Lands but is not oblig'd to go to the Wars on the contrary he is left in the Province whereof he hath the sole command during the absence of the other The Chan's name was Areb and he kept a very noble Court though he were a person of very low extraction son to a Peasant of the Village of Scerab between Tauris and Ardebil but the lowness of his extraction was recompens'd in the great endowments he was Master of The Persians are very indifferent as to a man's birth provided he be otherwise a person of courage and worth and Areb had much of both and had acquir'd so great reputation by
his valour that Schach-Sefi made him Controller of his Ordinance when he besieg'd Eruan which the Turks had taken from the Persians He discharg'd that trust so well and in all other things answer'd the opinion the King had conceived of him that he bestow'd on him then the Government of Scamachie which became vacant by the death of Terruch-Chan who was kill'd in the siege we spoke of before Areb took no small pleasure in shewing us the wounds he had receiv'd in that War and in telling us how many Turks heads he had brought to his King who sent him continually upon parties and forlorns against the Army which was coming to relieve that place The Governour and his Lieutenant had both very gracefull and bold aspects and with that all the requisite qualities in Commanders save that they were both so addicted to Wine that they were seldom met fasting but the Governour had still this advantage over his Lieutenant that he was more apt to be overcome by it than the other I may boldly and truly say that in all this City I found not the least track of Antiquity For though I took abundance of pains to find out that great Tower whereof Iohn Cartwright an English Gentleman speaks in the relation of his Travels into Persia where he sayes it is built of Flint and Free-stone and that they have thrust many dead mens skulls between the stones yet could not find any such thing or learn any news of it 'T is true I found two mens heads cut in the stone at one certain place of the City-wall but no body could tell me what they Represented It is also true that not far from the City there are to be seen the ruins of a Castle which had some time been fortify'd as the same Author sayes elsewhere For it is certain that there are the remainders of a very strong place within half a League of the City and that towards the North-side upon a very high and very steepy Mountain which is called Kale Kulestan I had the curiosity to go up to the top of the said Mountain and found nothing whole but a very noble great Cellar and near it one of the deepest Wells that ever I saw both compass'd with the best free-stone that ever was put in any work We were told that that Province had heretofore had its particular Kings and that Schiruan Scach had built that Castle upon the accompt of one of his Chasses or Concubines who gave it the name and that it was Alexander the Great that destroy'd that noble Structure which none ever after offer'd to repair I am of opinion that the Castle derived its name from the neighbouring Valley in as much as having running through it a Brook which makes it one of the most delightful places in the World and that being in the Spring cover'd with an infinite number of Tulips which nature her self is pleas'd to produce there sit is not to be much admir'd that they called the place Kale Kulestan that is the Fort or Castle of Roses since the Persians give the name of Kulestan or Valley of Roses to all those places where they would have it express'd that there is an extraordinary pleasantness So that there is no necessity of seeking the Etymology of that name in Fables or in things which might have hapned before the time of Alexander the Great whereof the Persians have had nothing transmitted to them Near Kulestan between the Fort and the City of Scamachie there are also two Chapels upon a Mountain which is higher than that we spoke of last In the greater of the two which is built in the form of a Parallelogram there is a very high Sepulchre to be seen and all about it several pieces of Cloath and Rags of all sorts of colours with Rods of Iron whose ends are like the tops of Arrows and they are fastned or ty'd to the Sepulchre with a silk string In the other there were two Sepulchres adorn'd much after the same manner with the former These are the Tombs of some of their Saints near which they often do their Devotions From this last Chapel there is a descent into a spacious Vault where is to be seen the Sepulchre of one of their Kings Daughters named Amelek Kanna of whom they relate that she had so great an aversion against marriage that her Father desirous she should match with a Tartar-Prince she kill'd her self to prevent it The same Cartwright says that the young maids of those parts go once a year to the Sepulchre of this Princess to bewail her death It is possible that in his time some such thing might be done but let it be taken for certain that that custom is now absolutely abolish'd and that it is not Devotion but the Heat which obliges the Inhabitants in the height of Summer to retire to this Mountain as also to Kulestan for the greater coolness of the air and that it is out of such a consideration that they do their Devotions near these Saints more frequently in that season than at any other time of the year Trades-men and persons of mean condition stay there only in the day time and at night return to the City but the Chan the Calenter and persons of quality have their Tents pitch'd there and remove not thence during the three hottest Moneths of the year During which time they also drive their Cattel towards the Mountain of Elbours where they find not only a more temperate air but also as good Meadow-ground as any in all Persia. That Mountain is part of Mount Caucasus and it is of such height that though it be at a very great distance from thence inasmuch as it lies on one side of Tabristhan towards Georgia yet may it be discover'd from Kale Kulesthan and the other neighbouring Mountains of Scamachie It was upon this Mountain of Elbours as it is reported that the Persians kept and antiently Worshiped their perpetual Fire but now there is not the least track to be seen of it neither there nor near Iescht though Texeira and those who follow him would have us believe the contrary True indeed it is that there are to this day in the Indies certain Religious men who have a Veneration for the Fire and keep it in with the same care that the Persians did heretofore as we shall take occasion to shew in the subsequent Travels of Mandelslo into those parts But it is time we return to the pursuance of our Journey The Baggage being sent away the 27. of March in the Evening the Ambassadors follow'd the next day and were upon their way two hours before day The Ambassador Brugman who was dis-satisfy'd with the Treatment we had receiv'd at Scamachie would not permit the Calenter should have the honour to conduct us but gave order we should dislodge and depart without any noise and that all should go while it was yet Night afoot out of the Gates where we took
great Guns and small shot which we ordered to be discharged thrice That done we had a Sermon and did our Devotions About noon we were visited by our new Mehemandar whose name was Netzefbce he was a person of an excellent good humour He came to Complement us upon occasion of the Festival and brought us a Present of five fishes dry'd in the Sun a dish full of Bread Pomegranates Apples and a sort of Pears I had never seen before fashion'd like a Citron and full of a very pleasant juyce and having a sweet scent pickled Cowcumbers preserv'd Garlick and Schiras-wine which is the most esteem'd of any that grows in Persia. April 10. being Easter-Monday we made our entrance into Ardebil for the most part with the same Ceremonies but with greater Pomp and Magnificence than we had done at Scamachie About noon we met with a party of Horse which having saluted and taken a view of us immediately returned towards the City Near the Village of Kelheran which is so noble a place that viewing at a distance its Steeples or Towers whereof there are a very great number and they make a very great shew in regard they are built of stones of several colours we took it for the City it self though they are distant one from the other above half a league we met with in the head of a body of Horse the Calenter of Ardebil whose name was Taleb Chan an aged and very spare man Having saluted the Ambassadors he rid on one side of them Having pass'd by the Village we saw in a spacious Plain abundance of horse and foot who opened to make us way Some paces thence we saw crossing the fields towards us at the head of a Brigade of above a thousand Horse the Governour of Ardebil whose name was Kelbele Chan. He was a low man but of a good aspect and pleasant humour After the Complements reciprocally past between him and the Ambassadors he rode in between them Before our Troop there march'd two youths clad in Sheep-skins of several colours upon their clean skirts and carrying each of them upon the top of a long and very slender pole an Orenge The poles we were told were made of a Date-tree These youths read and sung out of a Book certain Verses made in honour of Mahomet Aly and Schach Sefi They were Sons or Disciples to a certain Abdalla of whom we shall speak hereafter After them came others who were cloathed in white and had a wonderful Art in imitating the Notes and singing of Nightingales and other birds On both sides march'd the Timbrels and Hawboies in some places there were people dancing and singing at the same time and at others were some dancing after another manner Some cast their caps up into the air and caught them again with cries and exclamations of joy There were some danc'd with little Garlands about their heads much like those we had seen at Scamachie when they celebrated there the death of Aly. Near the City stood the Guards in two files having their Bows and Arrows in their hands Coats of Mail about their bodies and their heads cover'd with little Caps like Calottes which they call Aratskin in which they had plac'd abundance of Feathers the ends whereof some thrust through their Caps into the skin Many of them were naked down to the waste and though they had the flesh of their Arms and Breasts pierced with Daggers or Ponyards yet did they not seem sensible of any pain thereat whence we inferr'd there might be something of Charm in it and that they were Sorcerers there being abundance that deserve that name in Persia. There was also a Company of Indians who as we pass'd by saluted us after their way with a low inclination of the head putting their hands to their breasts When we were come somewhat near the City there was so great a confluence of people that we could not get a hundred paces forward without making a halt insomuch that they were forc'd to drive them away with Cudgels and Bulls-pizzels so to make them give way And within the City all the Windows Houses-tops Steeples and Trees were full of those who came from all parts to see our passage through it The Governour brought us through a spacious Garden into a fair Summer-house to which there were ten stairs to get up and treated us with a sumptuous Collation in a very stately Gallery honouring all those who came up with the Ambassadors so far as to present to every one of them with his own hands a Vessel full of Wine while all the rest of the Retinue were treated below in a Tent which had been purposely pitch'd there to that end The Collation was accompany'd with the best Musick the Country could afford as also with a Dance performed by their Ochtzi or Archers who dancing in cadence with their Bows in their hands represented a kind of Ball which their exactness of the observance of time made more delightful divertive than had been the singing of those two youths the sons of Abdalla who with their Orenges in their hands very seriously celebrated the praises of their Prophet After the Collation and Divertisement the Ambassadors were conducted to very spacious Lodgings which had been taken up for them in one of the noblest parts of the City which Lodgings had sometime belong'd to Sara Chutza high Chancellor of Persia. The rest of the Retinue were Lodg'd not far from them in the neighbourhood where they were well accommodated by those into whose houses they were receiv'd This Summer-house being one of the noblest Structures I ever saw deserves I should give in this place a more particular description of it Sulfagar Chan the Predecessor of Kelbele Chan in the Government of Ardebil a Person of infinite wealth had built it according to a modell he had brought out of Turkey The figure of it was Octagonal and it was three Stories so rais'd that Art had not left any thing to be desir'd Every story had its Fountains which cast their water higher than any part of the House The Walls were built of a sort of Glittering stones of all Colours Blew Green Red and of all sorts of Figures and all the Floors were cover'd with the richest Tapistry the Country could afford All about the House there was a spacious Gallery all built with Marble and adorn'd with Painting representing Flowers and Leaves At one of the corners of that Gallery there was a little Couch or Chair of State four foot square cover'd with Embroider'd Tapistry having in the midst a Quilt wrought with Gold and Silk to signifie that the King passing one day through Ardebil had rested himself there which made the place so Venerable that to the end none should come near it it was encompass'd with an Iron rail The said Sulfagar Chan had built also another House of Pleasure or Summer-house in a great Garden near a stone-Bridge without the City but at the time
to be had in almost all the other Provinces of Persia. Apples Pears and Peaches thrive very well there Which is to be understood of the City it self and the Plain in which it is seated for the Air is incomparably more hot and more temperate at the foot of the Mountain whence it comes that thereabouts you have all sorts of Fruits and the Trees which in April do but begin to bud about Ardebil were very forward at the Village of Alaru at the foot of the Mountain Bakru This particular of fruits only excepted the soil thereabouts is very good as well for arable Lands as Pastures insomuch that the Plain which is not very great is able to maintain the Inhabitants of above sixty Villages all which may be seen from the City Besides all which the Revenue which is rais'd for the King from the Arabian and Turkish Shepherds is very considerable by reason of the Liberty allow'd them to feed their Cattel thereabouts and to Trade therewith in those parts after they have purchas'd the Schach's Protection or embrac'd the Religion of the Persians Some of the Clarks belonging to the Farmers of the Revenue assured me that within fifteen dayes before there had pass'd over the City-Bridge above a hundred thousand sheep and for every sheep they pay four Kasbeki or two pence sterl for their pasturage and as much when the owner sells them This last duty is called Tzaubanbeki and the other Abschur Eleschur or the duty of Water and Herbage which the Turks call in one word Othbasch The City is somewhat but very little bigger than that of Scamachie but hath no Walls No House but hath its Garden so that seen at a distance it seems rather a Forest than a City Yet are there no other Trees about it than Fruit-Trees inasmuch as the Country produceing no Wood fit for Building nor indeed any for Firing the Inhabitants are oblig'd to supply themselves out of the Province of Kilan which is six good dayes Journey distant from it Within a League of the City South-ward lies a Village named Scamasbu out of which rises a little River called Balachlu Before it comes into the City it divides it self into two branches one whereof divides the City and the other compasses it and is joyned again to the other and so fall together into the River Karasu It is so apt to over-flow in the moneth of April when the Snow upon the Mountains begins to dissolve that if the Inhabitants of the Plain had not the industry to divert it by Trenches which they make on that side which is towards the City it would drown them all Of such an inundation there happened an Example in the time of Schach Abas when the violence of the water having broken the Dikes over-threw in a moment a great number of Houses in regard the Walls being built only of Mortar and Bricks bak'd in the Sun there is not any able to stand out against the least inundation so that the River caried away their Housholdstuff nay many Children in their Cradles as it had also near happened at the time of our being there upon the 12. of April when there were a thousand men at work day and night in making Chanels and in turning the River by means of a Trench which was made in the plain upon the River side which over-flow'd all the adjacent fields The City besides a great number of narrow strees hath five very fair and broad ones named Derwana Tabar Niardower Kumbalan and Kasirkuste in all which they have been at the pains of planting both sides with Elms and Linden-Trees to have some shade against the excessive heats of the Climate The Market-place or Maydan is large and noble as being above three hundred paces in length and a hundred and fifty in breadth and having on all sides Shops so orderly dispos'd that no Merchandise no Profession but hath its particular quarter On the right hand as you come into it you find behind the Sepulchre of Schich-Sefi and the last Kings of Persia a Metzid or Mosquey in which lies interred Iman Sade or one of the Children of their twelve Saints Malefactors and Criminals may retire thither for a certain time and thence easily get to the Monument of Schich-Sefi which is their great Sanctuary As you come out of the Market-place you come to a place which they call Basar where the first thing you meet with is a great square arched Building called Kaiserie where are sold all the precious Commodities of the Country as Gold and Silver Brocadoes and all sorts of precious stones and silk stuffs As you come out thence you enter by three Gates into so many streets cover'd over head all beset with Shops where are sold all sorts of Commodities There are also in these streets several Caravanseras or Store-houses built for the convenience of forein Merchants as Turks Tartars Indians c. We saw there also two Chineses who had brought thither to be sold Porcelane and several things of Lacque There are also in the City a very great number of publick Baths and Metzids the chiefest whereof is that which they call Metzid Adine which is seated upon a little Hill as it were in the midst of the City and hath a very fair Steeple There the greatest Devotions are done on holy-days and particularly on Friday from which it derives the name At the entrance of the Metzid or Church there is a Fountain which the late Saru Chotze otherwise called Mahomet Risa Chancellor of Persia brought to that place by a Chanel under ground from the very source which is in a Mountain above a League distant from the City South-west-ward The Sumptuous Monuments of Schich-Sefi and the last Kings of Persia are near the Meidan The Persians call that place Mesar and Kibel-Chan Governour of the City did us the favour to let us into them upon Whitsun-Monday He sent us word before hand that since we were so desirous to see the holy Sepulchre we must be oblig'd to abstain from VVine that day and that our Supper should be brought us out of Schich-Sefi's Kitchin The Ambassadors went thither immediately after Dinner attended by all their Retinue and their Guards The Gate at which we entred to get into the first Court is a very large one and above it there was a great silver Chain reaching from one side to the other at which there hung such another perpendiculary in the middle It is a Present which Aga-Chan Governour of Merrague had out of Devotion made to the holy Sepulchre This first Court is very spacious and pav'd all over with broad stones having on both sides great Vaults where there are many Shops and backwards a very fair publick Garden open to all The Governour having receiv'd us in the Base-Court brought us to another Gate over which there was also a Silver-Chain like the former and it was an expression of the Devotion of Mahomed-Chan
in the Persian and Turkish Languages but all excellently painted richly bound and cover'd with Plates of Gold and Silver carv'd and branch'd The books of History were enrich'd with several representations in colours In the Neeches of the Vault there were above three or four hundred Vessels of Porcelane some so large as that they contain'd above 40. quarts or Liquour These only are used at the entertainments which are brought from the Sepulchre to the King and other great Lords who pass that way for the holiness of that place permits not that they should make use of any Gold or Silver Nay it is reported of Schich-Sefi that he out of an excessive humility made use onely of Woodden Dishes Thence we were brought to the Kitchin the Door whereof was also cover'd with Plates of Silver and all things within it were so handsomly ordered that it was not a little to be admire'd The great Cauldrons were all set in a row and seal'd within the Wall along which pass'd a Pipe which by divers Cocks supply'd all the Kitchin with water The Cooks of all degrees had every one his place according to their functions and employments This Kitchin maintains every day above a thousand persons accompting those belonging to the house and the poor among whom they distribute thrice a day Pottage Rice and Meat to wit in the morning at six at ten and in the after-noon at three The two morning-meals are upon the accompt of Schich-Sefi who to that end lay'd a foundation of fifty Crowns per diem and the third is an Alms bestow'd there by order from the King of Persia. Besides these there are so many Alms distributed there upon the accompt of private persons that there is not only enough to maintain the poor but there is much over and above which is sold to those who are asham'd to beg At the time of these meals or distributions they sound two Timbrels which as they say were brought from Medina with the Banner of Fatima by Schach Sedredin Going out of the Kitchin we entred into a very fair Garden where we saw the Sepulchres of Sulthan Aider Schach-Tamas and several other Kings of Persia which were in the open air and without any thing over them but a smooth stone The principal Lords whose Sepulchres are to be seen in this Meschaich are 1. Shich-Sefi the son of Seid-Tzeibrail 2. Schich-Sedredin the son of Sefi 3. Schich-Tzinid the son of Sedredin whom some Europaean Authors erroneously call Guined 4. Sulthan Aider the son of Tzinid who was flead alive by the Turks 5. Schich Aider the son of Sulthan Aider 6. Schach-Ismael the son of Schich Aider 7. Schach Tamas the son of Schach-Ismael 8. Schach-Ismael the second of that name the son of Schach-Tamas 9. Schach-Mahomet Choddabende son of Schach-Ismael 10. Ismael Myrsa brother of Choddabende 11. Hemsa Myrsa 12. Schach Abas sons of Choddabende Schich-Sedredin ordered his Sepulchre to be built after the death of his Father by an Architect whom he had brought along with him from Medina and according to a Model which he drew of it himself by Miracle for the Persians affirm that both he and his Father wrought many which was that having commanded the Architect to shut his eyes he ravish'd him into an extasie during which he gave him a sight of the Model according to which he would have that Structure built and according to which it was afterwards done Schich-Tzinid adding thereto the great Court and several Houses augmented it so as that now it seems a very noble and spacious Castle whither there comes every day so great a number of persons to Discourse or Walk that there are few Princes Courts where there are more seen The foundations of several Kings its vast Revenues and the Presents which are daily made thereto do so augment the Wealth of it that some conceive its Treasure amounts to many Millions of Gold and that in case of necessity this Mesar might raise and maintain a very powerfull Army and that it would furnish more ready Money than the King could himself Besides the Farms and Dairies which depend on it it hath within the City of Ardebil two hundred Houses nine publick Baths eight Caravanseras or Store-houses that great Vault which is called the Kaiserie all the Meydan with its Vaults and Shops a hundred other Shops in the Basar and the Market-places where Cattel Wheat Salt and Oyl are sold. The Astasnischin or Regraters and Hucksters and those who sell Commodities in open Market having neither Shops nor Stalls pay certain duties thereto It is possess'd about Ardebil of thirty three Towns or Villages and in the Province of Serab of five Villages In the City of Tauris it hath sixty Houses and a hundred Shops and two Villages without the City several Caravanseras and Baths in the City of Casuan as also in the Province of Kilan and Astara The duties of Abschur and Eleschur in the Province of Mokan belong to it and one moyety of those of Chalchat Kermeruth and Haschteruth not accounting what the Tartars and Indians who make profession of the Persian Religion send thither nor the Presents which are brought from all parts in consequence of the Vows which they are wont to make in great Journeys in their Sickness nay indeed in any business of Importance which they very Religiously perform Besides all these there are so many Gifts Donations and Legacies made to it that there passes not a day but a man shall see going thither Horses Asses Camels Sheep Money and other things All these things are receiv'd by two Persons who are oblig'd by an Oath to be faithful to that sacred place and they are called Nessurtzchan from the word Nesur which signifies a Vow and they have an allowance out of the revenue of a fair Village which is within half a League of the City called Sultanabath which was granted by Schich Ismael to that purpose These Commissaries are every day in an apartment on the left hand as a man goes into the Metzid Tzillachane and are set on both sides of a Chest or Box cover'd with crimson Velver into which they put the Money that is brought them as they do also that which arises by the sale of those Horses Camels and Asses which are bestow'd on the Sepulchre for the Oxen and Sheep are kill'd and distributed among the poor They give those who bring them a small Present which is a handful of Anniseed and they are given to understand thereby that their Souls shall enjoy serenity and blisse in the other VVorld They also give the Pilgrims who come thither to do their Devotions a Certificate of their being there and of the Prayers they said there which serves not only for a Testimony of the profession of their Religion but also for a protection against several disgraces and misfortunes nay which is more for the saving of their Lives Accordingly our Interpreter Rustan having resolv'd to leave us and
presuming we should have kept the High-way was gone before us with all the Provisions Iune 18. we got on Horse-back after Sermon and Dinner marching after the rate of a full trot between two very sleepy Hills and we came about midnight to the Village of Kamahl which is two leagues or better out of the High-way and six from our last Lodging and we were Lodg'd in several houses scatter'd up and down upon three hills They had taken up for the Ambassadors a great unfurnish'd house at the entrance of the Village but finding there was no convenienee at all for them they refus'd to Lodge there and having left two of their Guard upon the Avenues of the Village to give an account of them to the rest of the Retinue they took up other Lodgings and we after their example though the Country-people who were surpriz'd at our unexpected arrival and could not so soon get their Wives and Daughters out of the way deny'd us entrance and put us to the necessity of taking up Quarters by force half-dead as we were with cold and spent with hard travelling But we were hardly laid down hoping to rest our selves the remainder of that night when our Trumpet sounding to horse made us get out of our Beds to see what the matter should be Being come to the Trumpetter he brought us to the Ambassadors Lodgings where we understood that twenty Persians of the same Village all hors'd had set upon abus'd and dis-arm'd the Guard which the Ambassadors had left upon the Avenues of the Village and that they had kill'd them if our Steward with the Muscovian Interpreter who by reason of his sickness had not been able to follow us had not come up to their relief and made the Persians draw back fearing there might be others coming after them There was a Lieutenant with twenty Musketiers commanded out to clear the High-ways all about and all the Retinue were Lodg'd as near as could be to the Ambassadors The 19. we continu'd in the same place where we caus'd Tents to be pitch'd Here our Secretary fell sick of a burning Feaver The next day being the 20. we departed thence about two in the moâ—ning and march'd all the Fore-noon which was extremely hot through a vast Plain where we saw only barren and heathy grounds About noon we came to the little City of Senkan six Leagues from Camahl The City is not enclos'd with a Wall but is otherwise sufficiently well built Within half a League of the City we receiv'd from the Governour of Sulthanie who was then in the City a Present of certain Dishes of Aprâ—cocks and Cowcumbers which were a great refreshment to us in that excessive heat and sultriness of weather At the extremity of the Suburbs we were met by thirty persons on Horse-back well mounted who receiv'd us in the name of the Governour of Sulthanie whose name was Sewinduc Sulthan Among these Gentlemen there was one who though he had neither hands nor feet yet made a shift to guide his horse with as much skill as any of the rest He was son to one of the principal Inhabitants of the City who had been heretofore much in favour with Schach-Abas the Grand-father of Schach-Sefi for his Poems and other excellent Productions of his Understanding upon the accompt whereof he was so well respected at Court that the King not only granted him the life of his son who for some Crimes had deserv'd death but would also continue him in his favour contrary to the custom of the Country according to which all the relations of a Malefactor or unfortunate person participate of his disgrace or misfortune The young man had been guilty of strange debauches and extravagances even to the Ravishing of Maids and Women in their houses so often reiterated that they became at last insupportable so that the Schach ordered him to have his hands and feet cut off and caus'd the stumps of his arms and legs to be thrust into boyling Butter to stop the blood He had wooden hands crooked at the extremities wherewith he made a shift to hold his Bridle The City of Senkan was heretofore of a considerable bigness and famous for its Trading before Tamberlane destroy'd it but what reduc'd it to the condition it is in now is the Turk who hath taken and plunder'd it several times Yet are there some very handsome houses in it and those well furnish'd in which we were entertain'd with much civility and our sick people extremely well accommodated The Sulthan came to visit the Ambassadors immediately after their arrival and made his excuses that he had not met them which was upon this score that having been wounded in the shoulder at the siege of Eruan and the wound being lately opened he could not have waited on us in person We sent to him our Physician and Chyrurgeon who dress'd him which he look'd on as so great a kindness that he thought it not requital enough to send us a Present of several excellent Fruits but he also doubled the ordinary allowance of our Provisions All about this City there are only Barren and Sandy grounds which bring forth only Briars of about the height of a mans hand About half a League from it there may be seen a branch of the Mountain Taurus which they call Peydar Peijamber and reaches from North to South towards Kurdesthan where may be seen as they affirm the Sepulchre of one of the most antient Prophets from whom the Mountain derives its name At the foot of this Mountain there is a very pleasant Valley which is checquer'd up and down with a great number of Villages Iune 21. having stay'd till the great Heat were over we left Senkan after Sun-set taking our way by Moon-light through a Plain of six Leagues at the end whereof we came with the Sun-rising to Sulthanie It had been so calm and cold in the Night that we had hardly the use of our Limbs so that we had much ado to alight This sudden change from extreme cold to the excessive heats of the next day occasion'd the falling sick of fifteen persons of our retinue at the same time all of a violent burning Feaver the fits whereof were very frequent accompany'd with a benumd'ness of all the Members but that misfortune hindred not but that they were set on horse-back and though to avoid the heats of the day we afterwards travel'd only by night yet were they so far from over-mastering their former weariness that they were brought lower and lower Two of our Guards took occasion to fall out at this place and fought a Duel wherein one of the two who was a Scotch-man named Thomas Craig was run into the Lights near the Heart of which VVound he lay long sick but at last was Cur'd As to the City of Sulthanie it lies at eighty four degrees five minutes Longitude and at thirty six degrees thirty minutes Latitude in a spacious
his way like a Torrent yet express'd a certain respect for those things which were though out of superstition accompted sacred Near this Mosquey there is also to be seen another great Gate of free-stone between two Pillars twenty fathom high which seems to be antique and had been built at the Ceremonies of some Triumph but it begins now to decay The City hath about six thousand Inhabitants who wondred very much to hear us relate that some of those who have published their Travels into Persia would make the World believe that the cold weather forc'd them in the Winter time to forsake the City and change their Habitations For it is so far from being true that there are many places in Persia where the cold obliges the Inhabitants to change their Habitations that on the contrary it is an effect ordinarily caus'd there by the Heat True indeed it is that there are some places in that Kingdome where the cold is very incommodious by reason of the scarcity of firing as for instance near Eruan at a place called Deralekes as being seated between two Mountains and especially at the Village of Arpa But it is not so great as to oblige the Inhabitants to change their Habitations for they only quit their upper Rooms and retire into Cellars built very deep under ground not only to serve them for a place of retirement in the Winter time against the cold but also in Summer against the heat Iune 25. we left Sulthanie after we had staid there three dayes which were spent up and down the Country in getting us fresh Horses and Camels The sick persons who by reason of their weakness were not able to ride on Horse-back were dispos'd into such Chests as the Women make use of when they travel The Persians call them Ketzawhea and they are put on Camels backs like Carriers packs The Physician and my self were set upon the same Camel whereby we were put to two great inconveniences one proceeding from the violent Motion caus'd by the going of that great Beast which at every step gave us a furious jolt and the other from the insupportable stink of the Camels whereof there being but one Boy to guide eight or ten they were ty'd one to another and went all in a file insomuch that the infectious smell of all that went before came full into our Noses We departed two hours before Sun-rising and travell'd that day six Leagues through a very fertil Country all arable and pasture Lands leaving on the left hand the little Mountains called Tzikitzâ—ki where the King of Persia's best Race-Horses and Mares for breed are kept About noon we took up our Lodging at the Village of Choramdah which lies on the side of a little River having so many Trees and Gardens about it that it is not without reason that name is given it which signifies a place of Pleasure The 26. we departed thence in the night and travell'd five Leagues or better over Mountains and Valleys The 27. we departed at mid-night and having travell'd five Leagues we were got by Sun-rising near the City of Casuin or Cashan but that the Daruga who had the Command of it might have the leisure to set his affairs in order for our entrance our Mehemander carried us to a Village were we staid above two hours till such time as the Daruga came to receive us This entrance was not accompany'd with the same Ceremonies as we had seen in other places in regard the Governour having not the dignity of Chan could not express the same Magnificence Yet was it handsom enough in as much as the Daruga came attended by five or six hundred men horse and foot There came also to meet us an Indian Prince accompany'd by some Gentlemen on horse-back of his own Countrey and follow'd by a great number of Lacqueys and Pages He came in a kind of Chariot having one other person with him in it The Chariot was drawn by two white Oxen which had very short necks and a bunch between the two shoulders but they were as swift and manageable as our horses The Chariot was cover'd above and lay'd over two Wheels which instead of an Axletree turn'd upon a piece of Iron made so crook'd at the middle that it bore the weight of the whole Chariot The Charioteer sate before and guided the Oxen fasten'd to a Beam which was made fast to the Horns with a Cord drawn through their Nostrils Being come within 500. paces of the City we met with fifteen young Ladies excellently well mounted very richly clad in Cloath of Gold and Silver c. having Neck-laces of great Pearls about their necks Pendants in their ears and abundance of other Jewels Their faces were to be seen contrary to the custom of honest Women in Persia. Accordingly we soon found as well by their confident carriage as the accompt given us of them that they were some of the Eminent Curtezans about the City who came to entertain us with the Divertisement of their Musick They march'd before us and sung to the sound of certain Hawboyes and Bag-pipes that went before them making a very extravagant kind of Harmony And that we might be sure to see the City we were carried quite through it and Lodg'd on the other side thereof As we pass'd through the Meydan we saw several persons playing on Timbrels and Hawboyes who joyning with the other Musicians accompany'd us to our Quarters The people came also thither in great numbers some of them having it put into their heads that there were in the Ketzawehas some great Beauties whom we carried as â—â—â—ents to the King but when they saw sick persons with great beards coming out of them they hung down their heads and made all the haste they could away I found this City conformably to the Calculation of the Persians and Arabians at 85. degrees Longitude and at 36. degrees 15. minutes Latitude It is one of the principal Cities of the Province of Erak which is the ancient Parthia wherein is comprehended as well Sulthania as all the other Cities froth this place as far as Ispahan It was antiently called Arsacia and it is seated in a great sandy Plain having within half a dayes journey of it Westward the great Mountain of Elwend which reaches towards the South-west as far as Bagdat or Babylon The City is a farsang or good German league in compass but hath neither Walls nor any Garrison kept in it by reason it lies at so great a distance from the Frontiers Yet hath it with these disadvantages above a hundred thousand Inhabitants whereof if there were occasion for them a good part might be put into Arms. Their Language is the Persian but somewhat different from the common Dialect whence it comes that it is not so intelligible to the other Persians being much after the rate that the German Language is to the Hollanders The houses are all of Brick bak'd in the Sun according
to the Persian way having not any Ornament without but within they are very well furnish'd as to Vaults Wainscoats Paintings and other Houshold-stuff The Streets are not pav'd whence it comes that upon the least wind the City is fill'd with dust It hath no other water than what is brought by aqueducts from the Mountain of Elwend into Cesterns wherein it is preserv'd No house almost but hath a particular place for the keeping of Ice and Snow for the Summer VVe were forc'd to get into these to avoid the excessive heat Heretofore the Kings of Persia had their ordinary residence at this place at least ever after Schach-Tamas transferr'd the Seat of the Empire from Tauris to this City Some attribute that translation to Schach-Ismael though the continual VVars he was engag'd in suffered him not to stay long in any one place But it is not question'd but that he built the noble Palace which stands near the Maidan which hath belonging to it a fair Garden adorn'd as well without as within with Guilding Painting and such other embellishments as are in use among the Persians There was another Garden opposite to this Palace which was above half a league in compass and had several little Structures within it This was one of the most pleasant Gardens that I ever saw not only by reason of the great number of all sorts of Trees as Apples Pears Peaches Apricocks Pomegranates Almonds and other Fruit-trees but also by reason of the fair walks of Cypress and the Trees called Tzinnar which gave us a very pleasant Prospect This City hath two great Market-places Cartwright names the bigger of the two Atmaidan and says that in the Persian Language it signifies a Horse-market I could never find that in any part of Persia there was a Market purposely for the buying and selling of Horses whereupon considering with my self that the Persians who call by the general name of Maidan all those Markets where all things are indifferently sold I imagine that Author's mistake proceeded hence that being ignorant of the Arabick he read Atmaydan for Almaidan al being the Article without which the Persians and Arabiaas never pronounce the word Maidan The greater of these Maidans or Market-places is somewhat longer but not so broad as that of Ardebil and hath on the South-side several great places built by some of the Chans and Persian Lords The most magnificent amongst them are those of Allawerdi-Chan Governour of Schiras that of Aliculi-Chan President of Justice that of Mahomet-Chan Chan or Governour of Kentze and that of Sehich-Achmed-Chan who was great Provest in the reign of Schach-Abas The other Market-place is called Senke-Maidan and is towards the West part of the City In both the Market-places as also in the Bazars or Shops and Store-houses which are in the cover'd streets there may be seen a great number of Merchants and abundance of Commodities which are to be bought there at a very reasonable rate I my self bought Turqueses there which they call Firuse and are found in great quantities near Nisabur and Firusku of about the bigness of a Pea nay some as big as little Beans for two shillings or two and six pence at the most Rubies and Granates were also very cheap there In the Evening after the shops are shut there is on the East-side another kind of Commodity exposed to sale to wit a considerable number of the Cabbeha or common Traders who there prostitute themselves to any that will take them up They all sit in a row having their faces cover'd with a Veil and behind them there stands a Bawd whom they call Delal who hath by her a bed and a quilted coverlet and holds in her hand a Candle unlighted which when any Customer comes she presently lights that he may look the Wench in the face and order her to follow him whom he likes best among them On the East-side of the City lies the Church-yard where there is to be seen in a fair Mosquey the Sepulchre of Schahesade Hossein one of the sons of Hossein at which the Oaths taken in Law-sutes are administred a custom which is also observed in all other parts of Persia at the places where there are any Sepulchres of Saints or those of any of their kinâ—ed Whence it comes that the Persians when they make some difficulty of crediting what is said to them immediately ask Scahe Sade Hussein pile Musef that is dar'st thou affirm that upon the Saints Sepulchre or upon the Alchoran Besides this Mosquey or Metzit there are about fifty more 〈…〉 whereof is that which they call Tzame Metzid where they assemble on Fridays 〈…〉 prayers There 〈…〉 the City of Caswin many Caravanseras for the convenience of foreign Merchants and a great number of publick Baths There is one behind the Garden belonging to the King's Palace which they call Haman Charabe It is now half destroy'd and there is a story told of it which I conceive pleasant enough to deserve insertion into this Relation They say that there lived heretofore at Caswin a very famous Physician named Lokman a black Arabian who had acquired so great reputation not only by the Books he had written in Medicine but also by many other excellent productions of his understanding that the Inhabitants have still a very great Veneration for his memory Nay it is to be found in their Kulusthan that they gave him the surname of Wise when in the 2. Book ch 16. they say Lokman hakimra kuftendi Aedebeski amuchti Kust es biedbahn Herstze ischan kerdend men pertis Kerdem That is that the wise Lokman being asked one day by what means he had attain'd so great Learning and Knowledge he made answer it was by means of the ignorant and uncivil for he had always done what was contrary to what he had seen them do This Lokman having attain'd a great age and being upon his death-bed sent for his Son and told him that he would leave him an inestimable Treasure and having commanded to be brought him three Glasses full of certain Medicinal waters he said they had the vertue to raise up a Dead man to Life if they were apply'd before the body began to corrupt That casting upon the Deceas'd the water which was in the first Glass the Soul would return into the Body that upon the pouring of the second the Body would stand upright and that upon the third the Person would be absolutely alive and should do all things as before that however he had very seldome made use of this Experiment out of a fear of committing a sin by undertaking to intermeddle with that which is reserv'd to God alone and that out of the same Consideration he exhorted him to be very careful how he made use of it as being a secret rather to be admir'd than put often to experience With these exhortations Lokman dying his Son was very mindful of the advice he had given him and
about noon the Sun so heated the Wind it self that the hot blasts which come out of an Oven could not be hotter insomuch that we were forc'd to retire into the Caravansera where the heat was somewhat more moderate Nay the ground it self which in those parts is only Sand and Heath was so hot that a man could not go five or six steps without burning his feet About this time both the Ambassadors were very sick but their indisposition giving them altternately a little ease the weaker of the two made use of the Litter and the other rode on Horse-back The 19. we travell'd five Leagues and got in the morning before the City of Kom The Daruga receiv'd us within five or six hundred paces of the City accompany'd by fifty Gentlemen on Horse-back and certain Tumblers among whom there were some who went upon Stilts before the Ambassador Brugman whose chance it was that day to be alone on Horse-back and shew'd a thousand tricks of activity all the way to the Ambassadors Lodgings As we pass'd through the Market-place we found a great number of Timbrels Hawboyes and Fifes which made a kind of Musick after their way and their Inhabitants had water'd the streets which being not pav'd no more than those of Caswin and several other Cities of Persia the dust had otherwise troubled and annoy'd us very much The Persians place this City at 85 degrees 40 minutes Longitude and at 34 degrees 45 minuts Latitude but after I had made a more exact observation thereof I found on the 20. of Iuly precisely at noon that the Sun was 74 degrees 8 minutes above the Horizon and that the Declination taken upon the same Meridian was 18 degrees 35 minutes so that the elevation of the Pole could be but 34 degrees 17 minutes The City of Kom is very antient Prolomy calls it Guriana and heretofore it was of a great extent as may be seen by the ruins of its Walls and other buildings which are a great way without its present compass It lies in a Plain on the right hand of the Mountain of Elwend which is discover'd at a great distance by the whiteness of its Sand and by the extraordinary height of its points In this Mountain there rises from two several Springs a little River which making but one Chanel at the entrance of the City runs through some part of it and is one of the chiefest conveniences belonging thereto but about three years before our Travels that way the little River over-flowing by reason of the Snow which the precedent heat of the Spring had melted broke down and carried away above a thousand Houses There are in the Gardens whereof there is a great number as well within as without the City all sorts of excellent fruits among others a kind of Melons which they call Scammame much about the bigness of an Orenge There are upon the rind spots of several colours and they have an admirable scent but they are more lushious in taste than the other Melons which in sweetness exceed all those I ever cat any where else There are also some of these Melons at Ardebil where by reason of their scent they commonly carry them in their hands but they told us that they were brought from the Village of Alaru where there grows abundance of them The learned Golius Professor of the Oriental Languages in the University of Leyden gives a large account of them in his Arabick Lexicon pag. 1309. There is also in the same place a kind of Cowcumbers of extraordinary largeness being above two foot long and as thick as a mans Arm which they call Chunchiar that is crooked Cowcumbers as having the form of a bended Arm. These the Persians pickle with Vinegar without any Salt but the taste of them is not very pleasant especially to those that are not accustomed thereto The ground about these parts is very fit for Tillage and produces all sorts of Grain as also Cotton in abundance but the principal Trading of the Inhabitants consists in earthen Pots and Sword-blades Those blades which are made in this City are accounted the best in the whole Country and are sold sometimes at twenty Crowns a piece The Steel of which they are made comes from the City of Niris within four days journeys of Ispahan where there are found in the Mountain of Demawend very rich Mines of Iron and Steel The Pots also made in the City of Kom are very much esteem'd especially the Sâ—eans or great Pitchars as well by reason of the excellency of the workmanship as for this reason that it is conceiv'd they will keep water fresh and sweet even in the greatest heats of Summer The Inhabitants of this City are somewhat light-finger'd and apt to find any thing lies in their way We had hardly alighted but our Pistols were taken away and what was not lock'd up immediately vanish'd In this City some of our people began to be troubled with bloody fluxes occasion'd by their excessive eating of Melons and other sorts of fruits and drinking water after fruit and in the greatest heats Iuly 21. we left Kom an hour after Sun-set and travell'd that night five Leagues The next the 22. We stay'd in a great Village called Kasinabath where all the Houses of one whole street were built so as that they made altogether but one continued Vaul or kind of Cloister The 23. we got seven Leagues to the Village of Sensen where we found abundance of Provisions and fruits which the Mehemander had appointed to be brought â—nither from Karschan a place five Leagues distant thence In this Village died one of our Interpreters for the Persian Language whose name was Gregory He was by birth a Muscovite but had been Circumcised upon which score we left the body to those of his own Religion to be buried after their manner The 23. in the evening we departed thence and the night following we lost a Muscovian servant who dy'd of the bloody Flux by the way We kept the Body to have it buried at Katschan with that of another Muscovian Servant who died two hours after the former We got thither the 24. but so betimes in the morning that we were forc'd to stay above two hours before the Daruga could come to meet us in order to our reception He was accompany'd by fifty Gentlemen on Horsâ— back and had appointed to be led several excellent Horses cover'd with Lynxes skins nor was the ordinary Musick of the Countrey wanting At the entrance of the City he shew'd us two Indian Oxen very black and of great height and bulk which had Bells about their necks and Plumes of Feathers in their heads and at their Cruppers This Daruga had some time been a Foot-man to Schach-Sefi when being very young they were forc'd to hide him from his Grand-father Schach-Abbas and Schach-Sefi having no money to live upon sold the Foot-man for fifteen Tumains
Sun's entrance into Scorpio There is also in these parts another sort of insect of a making much like a Spider about two inches in compass and mark'd with several spots This insect is commonly found lodg'd in stony places under a kind of Herb which the Persians call Tremne and the Turks Iauchschan which is like Worm-wood or Absynthium but the leaves are much larger and the smell much stronger The Persians call this insect Enkurek and it is that animal which in Latin is called Stellio and kind of insect which the Italians and Spaniards call Tarantola This Creature instead of stinging or biting le ts fall its venom like a drop of water which immediately causes insufferable pain in the part where it fastens and suddenly making its way to the Stomack sends up Vapour into the Head and these put all the Members of the sick party into such a profound sleep that it is impossible to awake him save by this only remedy which is to crush one of these Creatures upon the wound out of which all the venom is by that means drawn out But if there cannot any of the same Creature be found there is another remedy may be used The sick person is laid upon his back that he may swallow down as much Milk as may be Then he is put upon a thing made like a bier which by cords fasten'd to the four corners is hung up to a beam and having turn'd the bier about till the cords are all twisted they let it go of a sudden that the cords coming to untwist by a violent Motion may make his head turn and force out of his stomack all the Milk he had swallow'd It comes from him all Greenish as is also the cruds which come forth at his yard but with great violence and extreme pain This remedy does in some measure Cure the sick person yet so as that it hinders not but that at certain times especially at the same season of the year he must expect to feel much pain This Creature is to be found only in the Country so that those who live in Cities fear it not there being none there unless they are through negligence brought in the stubble wherewith they cover their Houses But what 's most to be admir'd in this animal is that the Sheep seek after it and feed on it The Inhabitants of Katchan relate that Omar ben Alchitabi the third Successor of Mahomet being very desirous one day to go and see his Mill at Medina the Miller whose name was Schutza Adin intreated him to bless his Labour and his Mill by putting both his hands under one of the Mill-stones which was rais'd up which Omar having done the Miller let it fall and set the Mill a going by which means having crush'd his hands to pieces he afterwards kill'd him Whereupon going to Aly who by that Death was to succeed in the Empire he desir'd a reward for the Murther he had committed Aly gave him a Letter directed to the Casi of Kaschan ordering the Casi to give him his Daughter in Marriage The Miller though well satisfy'd with the recompence yet thought it too much to take so great a Journey a-foot so that Aly to make a further acknowledgement of the service he had done him lent him his Horse Duldul which carried him in one night from Medina to Kaschan which places are above two hundred Leagues distant and immediately vansh'd The Miller Married the Casi's Daughter but died soon after and was buried without the City at a place where now there are several banks of Sand which the story sayes were brought thither by the Wind since the Millar's Death lest the Friends and Kinred of Omar should take him up to be burnt Molla Hassan Kaschi who hath left this story in Writing hath made a Proverb of it which with several other spiritual adages he hath inserted into the Kullusthan where he sayes Men besamen ohn schahemsia Kickscheb duldulesch es Medine Ascabani bekaschan aured that is I serve the King of Kings whose Horse Duldul in one night carried the Miller from Medina io Kaschan Tzurzei Elmakin or George Elmacini another Arabian Historian sayes lib. 1. ch 3. of his History that Omar was kill'd as he was saying his Prayers by Abululu the servant of Mukir who hated him for his Tyranny The heats were indeed excessive at Kaschan however that the sick persons might not be putâ— too hard to it we continued there for some dayes and departed not thence till the 26. of Iuly as soon as the Moon was up which was then at the full That Night we travell'd six Leagues and came the next morning to Caravansera called Chotza Kassim but in regard it was very narrow and withall very nasty we lodg'd our selves in a Garden not far from it in the shade of abundance of Cypress Trees and Pomegranate-Trees upon the side of a pleasant Rivulet which making a gentle murmuring noise contributed much to the repose which after the precedent night's Travel was but necessary to us In the Evening we continu'd our Journey and travell'd that night six Leagues or better through Deserts and Barren grounds and came the 28. about four in the morning to a little City called by the Inhabitants of the Country Natens and by Contarini in his Travels Nethas We took up our lodging in a Caravansera within the City which is handsome enough furnish'd with several Springs of fresh water and well stor'd with all sorts of Fruits As you come into the City you leave on the right hand two very high and picked Mountains one whereof hath on the top of it a great Tower built by Schach Abas in memory of the advantage which one of his Falcons had in that place over an Eagle which he set upon overcame and kill'd after a very sharp engagement All of our Retinue being either sick or overcome with weariness only Monsieur Mandelslo had the curiosity to get up the said Mountain with his two servants and to take a view of that structure He found it built of Brick and that towards the foundation it was in an Octogonal form being about eight paces Diameter but that as it went higher and higher it by degrees lost that form and bigness and that above near the top it had so many windows that the light came in of all sides The greatest Miracle of all is how they could carry so many materials up to so high a place to get to which that Gentleman had spent above three hours and at least as much to get down again with great pains and hazard The 29. we got four Leagues further passing over a great Mountain and lodg'd in a Caravansera called Dombi whither some of the Inhabitants of Ispahan came to visit us as they said from the Chancellor There came thither also certain Dutch Merchants cloath'd in Persian habits but they made no discovery of themselves The night
would not suffer him to take his rest in the night there was a necessity either he or they should leave the City The same Ambassador engag'd himself in another unhandsom business which was of so much the more dangerous consequence that all the Christians of the Suburbs were concern'd in it The King commands every year a search to be made among the Armenians for all the handsom Maids and makes choice of those whom he likes best Our Interpreter for the Armenian Language whose name was Seran a person of a leud life addressing himself to the Ambassador Brugman told him that in that search he was like to lose a Daughter a beautiful Lass whom he tenderly lov'd and desir'd his advice and protection in that case Brugman advis'd him to oppose the Searchers and to call to his assistance the Domesticks of the Embassy and assur'd him they should be ready to relieve him This proceedure of his and several other imprudent actions had at last forc'd the King to a more severe resolution against the said Ambassador nay haply against the whole Company if the Chancellor had not moderated his passion THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY TARTARY and PERSIA The Sixth Book ERE we leave the City of Ispahan which is now the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom of Persia it will not be amiss I gave the Reader an account of what I found therein worthy my Observation during our aboad there for the space of five moneths and to give here such a Description thereof as he must expect to be so much the more full and particular inasmuch as there is not any Author who hath hitherto written of it hath done it with exactness enough to satisfie even a mean Curiosity They say that the City of Ispahan is the same which was heretofore called Hecatonopolis and that before Tamberlane's time it was known by the name of Sipahan as well by reason of the number of its inhabitants which was so great as that out of it a considerable Army might be rais'd as in regard that in that place the Armies had their Rendezvous from the antient Persian and Vsbeque word Sipe whereof Sipahan is the plural and signifies the same thing as Lâ—sker that is to say an Army from which is derived the word Sipes-alar a term the Persians do yet sometimes make use of to signifie a chief Commander or General of an Army Tamberlane was the first who by transporting the two first Letters of that name call'd it Ispahan Ahmed ben Arebscha who hath written the Life and Actions of Tamberlane calls this City in all places Isbahan writing the word with a b and the Modern Persians always write it Isfahan with an f from an Arabian word which signifies Rank or Batallion though they pronounce it indifferently sometimes Isfahan sometimes Ispahan Ios. Barvaro alwayes calls it Spaham and Ambr. Contarini who was sent Ambassador from the Republick of Venice to Vssum Cassan King of Persia in the year 1473. calls it Spaa Spaam and Aspacham But as we said before its right name is Ispahan This City lies in the Province of Erak or Hierack which is the antient Parthia in a spacious Plain having on all sides at about three or four Leagues distance a high Mountain which compasses it like an Amphitheatre at thirty two degrees twenty six minutes Latitude and eighty six degrees forty minutes Longitude and I have observ'd that the Needle declined there seventeen degrees from the North towards the West It hath toward the South and South-west side the Mountain of Demawend and on the North-east side towards the Province of Mesanderan the Mountain of Ieilak-Perjan The Author of the French Book intituled Les Estats Empires puts it in the Province of Chuaressen but he is mistaken for Chuaressen is a Province of the Vsbeques Tartars at 43. degrees Latitude and lies at a great distance from that of Erak If you take in all its Suburbs it will be found that it is above eight German Leagues in compass in so much that it is as much as a man can do to go about it in one day The City hath twelve Gates whereof there are but nine open above eighteen thousand Houses and about five hundred thousand Inhabitants The Walls of it are of Earth low and weak being below two fathoms and above but a foot thick and its Bastions are of Brick but so poorly flanked that they do not any way fortifie the City no more than does the Ditch which is so ruin'd that both Summer and Winter a man may pass over it dry-foot F. Bizarro and some others affirm that the walls are of Chalk but I could find no such thing unless it were that in the Castle which hath its walls distinct from those of the City there are some places which look as if they were whitened or done over with Chalk or Lime The River Senderut which rises out of the adjacent Mountain of Demawend runs by its walls on the South and South-west side on which side is the Suburbs of Tzulfa Before it comes into the City it is divided into two branches one whereof falls into the Park called Hasartzerib where the King keeps all sorts of Deer and from the other there is drawn a current of water which passes by Chanels under ground into the Garden of Tzarbagh This River supplies the whole City with water there being hardly a house into which it comes not by Pipes or so near as that it is no great trouble to them to fill their Cisterns of it which they call Haws and Burke though besides this convenience of the River they have Wells the water whereof is as good as that of the River Allawerdi-Chan sometime Governour of Schiras built at his own charge the fair Stone-Bridge which is between the Garden of Tzarbagh and the City upon this River which is as broad in that place as the Thames is at London Schach-Abas had a design to bring into the River of Senderut that of Abkuren which rises on the other side of the same Mountain of Demawend and whereas to bring these two Rivers into the same Chanel there was a necessity of cutting the Mountain he employ'd for the space of fourteen years together above a thousand Pioners at that work And though they met with extraordinary difficulties not only in that they had to do with pure Rock which in some places was above two hundred foot deep but also in regard the Mountain being cover'd with Snow for near nine Months of the year they had but three to work in yet had he the work constantly carried on with such earnestness that all the Chans and Great Lords sending their Work-men thereto upon their own charges there was in a manner to doubt made of the successe of that great enterprize since there remain'd to do but the space of two hundred paces when Schach-Abas died leaving the Consummation of that imperfect work
Ispâ—han took them for Towers The King doe's not live in it but there is a Governour who hath the command of it and a strong Garrison within it which is kept there for the security of the Treasure the Arms and Ammunition of War that are within it though all the Artillery consists only in some Field-pieces On the other side of the Maidan in a by-street there is another Sanctuary which is called Tschehil Sutun upon occasion of the forty Beams which under-prop the Roof of the Structure and which all rest upon one Pillar which stands in the middle of the Metschid or Mosquey Into this Sanctuary there got a great number of the Inhabitants of Ispahan when Tamberlane punish'd the rebellion of this City For though he had no great Sentiments of piety yet did he discover a certain respect for the places he accounted sacred and accordingly he spar'd all those who took refuge in the Mosquey but ordered all the rest to be cut in pieces and commanded the Walls of the Court belonging to it to be pull'd down But Schach-Ismael had them built up again and made the place a Sanctuary Towards the South part of the Maidan stands that rich and magnificent Mosquey which Schach-Abas began and was almost finish'd when he died but Schach-Sefi had the work carried on at the time of our being there causing the Walls to be done over with Marble It is dedicated to Mehedi who is the twelfth Iman or Saint of the posterity of Aaly for whom Schach-Abas had so particular a Devotion that he was pleas'd to build several other Mosqueys after the same Model though much less at Tauris and other places in honour of the same Saint wherein he made use of the Marble which he had brought from Eruan which is as white as Chaulk and smoother than any Looking-glass But the Marble which was spent in the building of the great Metschid at Ispahan is brought from the Mountain of Elwend The Persians would have it believ'd that Mehedi is not dead but lies hid in a Grot near Kufa and that he shall come out thence some time before the day of Judgement and ride Aaly's Horse upon whom he is to go all over the World to convert people to the Religion of Mahomet Whence this Mosquey is called Metzid Mehede Sahebeseman To go from the Maidan to this Mosquey a man must pass through a great Court pav'd with Free-stone at the end whereof there is under a Tree a fair Cistern wherein those who go to do their Devotions in the Mosquey wash and purifie themselves Behind this Tree there is a pair of stairs by which you go up to the square place which is much less than the fore-said Court and thence it is but a little further to the Mosquey Iohn de Laet taking it from Nicholas Hem affirms that there is a pair of stairs of thirteen steps to get up to the Mosquey and that those stairs are cut out of one piece of Marâ—â—e but there is no such thing The Portal is of white Marble and at least as high as that of the Meschaick Choabende in Sulthania The door is cover'd all over with plates of Silver which are Gilt in several places As you pass through the Door you enter into a great Court round about which there is a Vaulted Gallery and in the middle of it a great Cistern of Free-stone but eight square and full of water Above this Gallery there is another not so high as this which upper Gallery hath towards the Hejat or Court a row of Marble Pillars which in some places are Gilt. A man must cross this Court to go into the Mosquey wherein are the Meherab and the Cathib that is the Altar and the Pulpit according to their way As you come in you pass under a Vault of extraordinary height done over with glittering Stones some Blew some Gilt. It is a vast Structure having many Neeches and Chapels which are all upheld by Marble Pillars But the most remarkable thing in all this Emerat is that all the Walls as well those of the Gallery which is in the Court as of the Mosquey it self are of Marble about fifteen or sixteen foot high and that there is no piece of Marble which is most of it white and extremely well polish'd but is five or six foot in length and breadth and they are so neatly put one into another that the Junctures being in a manner imperceptible a man cannot but admire the Art of the Work-man and acknowledge that the Workmanship is not to be imitated The Meherab or the Altar is all of one piece of Marble having on each side a Pillar of the same stone which is also all of one piece Besides this Mosquey which is the chiefest in all the City and the most sumptuous of any in the whole Kingdome there are in Ispahan many others but they are much less and there is too great a number of them for us to undertake to give here a more particular Description thereof In the midst of the Maidan there stands a high Pole much after the manner of those that are set up in several Cities of Europe to shoot at the Parrat but instead of a Bird they set on the top of it a little Melon an Arpus or an Apple or haply a Trencher with money upon it and they alwayes shoot at it on Horse-back and that Riding in full speed The King himself is sometimes pleas'd to make one among the Inhabitants when they are at that sport or sends some of his chiefest Lords to do it and commonly there are very considerable summs layd The Money which falls down with the â—rencher belongs to the King's foot-men and he who carries away the Prize is oblig'd to make a Feast for all the Company nay for the King himself if so be he hath shot among them They play there also at a certain Game which the Persians call Kuitskaukan which is a kind of Mall or Cricket but they play at this also on Horse-back and strike the Bowl to the end Riding in full speed They also often Exercise themselves at the Tzirid or Iavelin their way we have described elsewhere And in regard Persia hath the best Horses of any in the World and that the Persians are very curious about them they many times lay wagers on their swiftness and Ride them between the two Pillars which are at both ends of the Maidan When the King is onely a Spectator of the sport he sits in a little wooden Lodge called Scanescin which is at one end of the Maidan set on four Wheels for the more convenient removal of it from one place to another On the other side of the Maidan over against the great Mosquey are the Wine-Taverns and other Drinking-Houses whereof we spoke before There are several kinds of them In the Scire Chanes they sell Wine but those who have the least tenderness for their Reputation will not come into
towards the South there is a little Mountain divided into several Alleys which have on both sides steep Precipices in regard that the River which they have brought up to the top of the Mountain does thence continually fall down by Chanels into Basins which are cut within the Rock The Chanels were about three foot broad and were cut upon every side so as that the water falling directly down and with a great noise into the Basin extremely delighted both the ear and the eye No Basin but the water fell into it and upon every Alley there was a Basin of white Marble which forc'd the water into divers figures All the water about the Garden fell at last into a Pond which in the midst of it cast up water forty foot high This Pond had at the four corners of it so many large Pavilions whereof the appartments were gilt within and done with fueillage there being a passage from one to another by Walks planted with Tzinnar-Trees whereof there being Millions they made the place the most pleasant and delightfull of any in the World The Fruit-Trees are not to be numbred and there are of all sorts which Schach-Abas who began this Garden had sent for not only out of all the Provinces of the Kingdom but also out of Turkie and the Indies Here you have all sorts of Apples Pears Almonds Apricocks Peaches Pomegranates Citrons Orenges Chestnuts VVallnuts Filbeards Goosberries c. besides a great many not known in Europe VVe saw there a kind of Grape which they call Hallague of the bigness of a mans thumb which had no stone but the skin and meat firm and of an admirable taste This Garden is kept by ten Master-Gardeners who have each of them ten men to work under them and there is this further convenience in it that when the Fruits are fit to eat they permit any that have a mind to go into it and to eat what they please of the fruits paying four Kasbeki or two pence a piece but they are forbidden to carry any away The Citie hath on all sides very large Suburbs which they câ—ll Abath whereof the fairest and most considerable is that which is called Tzulfa wherein there are twelve Churches and above three thousand houses equal in point of building to the best in the Citie The Inhabitants of this quarter are Armenians Christians and most of them Merchants and rich men whom Schach-Abas brought out of great Armenia and planted in this place They pay the King but two hundred Tumains by way of Tribure which amount to about a thousand Livers which sum their Daroga who in our time was called Chosrou Sulthan and the Calenter Seferas-beg are oblig'd to bring into the King's Coffers On the other side of the River Senderut lies the Suburbs of Tabrisabath where live those who were translated thither out of the Province of Tauristhan by Schach-Abas upon which accompt it is sometimes called Abasabath The Suburbs of Hasenabath is the ordinary habitation of the Tzurtzi that is to say the Georgians who are also Christians and most of them Merchants and wealthy men as the Armenians as well by reason of the Trade they drive within the Kingdom as in all other places abroad They delight much in making Voyages especially to the Indies and into Europe in so much that most of the Merchants who come to Venice Holland and other places and who are there called Armenians are of this Nation Not that the Christians whether Armenians Georgians or others are not permitted to live within the Citie but their living in these remote Quarters proceeds from the desire they have to settle themselves in a place where they might live quietly and enjoy the freedom of their conscience For the Persians do not onely suffer them to inhabit any where since they have a particular Quarter assign'd them within the Citie of Ispahan behind the Metzit Mehedi in a place which they call Nessera but they have also an affection for them as well upon accompt of the advantage they make by Trading with them and the Tribute they pay as particularly upon the score of their Vines The Mahumetane Law forbids those who are subject thereto the drinking of Wine and consequently the cultivation of Vineyards But the Persians who are so given to Wine that it were impossible they should forbear it imagine they commit no great sin in the drinking of Wine though it be done even to excess provided their Vineyards are dress'd by Christians The Armenians are expert enough at all things requisite to the ordering of the Vines but they understand nothing of the making or preserving of Wine They are no lovers of white Wine in so much that when it hath not stood long enough in the Vat or is not high colour'd enough to their fancy they put into it a little Brazil-wood or Saffron to heighten its colour They do not keep it in Buts or Tuns but either in great earthen pots or fill therewith the whole Cellar without using any Vessel at all There is yet a noble part of the Suburbs towards the West-side of the Citie named Kebrabath deriving its name from a certain people called Kebber that is to say Infidels from the Turkish word Kiaphir which signifies a Renegat I know not whether I may affirm they are Originally Persians since they have nothing common with them but the Language They are distinguish'd from the other Persians by their beards which they wear very big as also by their habit which is absolutely different from that of the others They wear over their Wascoats a Casaque or Coat which falls down to half the leg and is open onely at the neck and shoulders where they ty it together with Ribbons Their Women cover not their faces as those of the other Persians do and they are seen in the streets and elsewhere contrary to the custom of those who pretend to live civilly yet have they a great reputation of being very chaste I made it my business to enquire what Religion these Kebbers are of but all the accompt I could have of them was that they are a sort of Pagans who have neither Circumcision nor Baptism nor Priests nor Churches nor any books of Devotion or Morality among them Some Authors affirm that they have a certain Veneration for the fire as the antient Persians had but there is no such thing They believe indeed the immortality of the Soul and somewhat consonant to what the antient Pagans writ of Hell and the Elysian fields For when any one of them dies they let a Cock out of the House of the party deceas'd and follow him into the fields without the Citie and if a Fox take him by the way they make no doubt but that his Soul is sav'd but if this experiment take not they use another which in their opinion is more certain and infallible which is this They put about the deceas'd person his best
reign of Schach-Abas began to grow so odious and insupportable to the Grandees of the kingdom that some had the confidence to cast a Note into Myrsa's Chamber whereby they discover'd to him that if he would not stand in his own way he might immediately succeed the king his Father and that if he would consent to the Execution of the Design they were engag'd in to that end they would soon show him how the business was to be effected Sefi conceiv'd a horrour at the Proposition whereby he was to be a complice in his Father's death and thereupon carried the Note to the king accompanying his free and innocent proceeding with so many protestations of the sincerity of his intentions and an absolute dependence on his Father's will as might well satisfie any other mind less distrustfull than that of Schach-Abas He could not forbear expressing outwardly that he was very well satisfy'd with his Son and commended his affection and piety but he afterwards fell into such frights as depriv'd him of all rest and oblig'd him to change his Lodging twice or thrice in a night with such disturbances as he conceiv'd he could not be deliver'd of otherwise than by the death of his Son According to these apprehensions being one day at Rescht in the Province of Kilan with the whole Court about him a Flatterer so heighten'd the distractions of his mind by the false Alarm he gave him of a new Conspiracy of Myrsa's with several of the great Lords of the kingdom against him that he resolv'd he should dye He thought at first to employ in that Commission Kartzschuckai-Chan General of the Army or Constable of Persia and would have oblig'd him to kill his Son with his own hands This Lord was Originally descended from an Armenian Family born by Father and Mother-side of Christians and had been stollen away in his youth by the Tartars who had Circumcis'd and sold him to Schach-Abas The freedom and sincerity of his disposition and demeanour had gain'd him the friendship of the whole Court and his courage had so well setled him in the king's favour that having by his means had several great victories over his Enemies he had conferr'd on him the Command of his Army and look'd upon him with such respect that he never call'd him by any other name than that of Aga that is the Captain The king would needs put him upon this important service as considering him to be the person who of any in his kingdom was the most oblig'd to him for his Fortune But the grave old Man having laid down his Sword at the kings feet and cast himself by it told him that he was so infinitely oblig'd to his Majesty that he would rather lose a thousand lives than that he should be ever reproach'd to have imbru'd his hands in the blood of any of the royal Progeny so far was it against his Soul to commit a Crime of that nature and by putting to death the Heir of the Crown execute a command which the king could not impose upon him without regret and which were no sooner put in Execution but he would repent him of it Schach-Abas was satisfy'd with this excuse from him and made the same Proposition to a Gentleman named Bebut-Beg whom he found not so scrupulous as Kartzschuckai-Chan This man having undertaken that Commission went immediately to Sefi Myrsa and having met him coming out of a Bath riding on a Mule and accompany'd only by a single Page layes hold on the Bridle stayes the Mule and sayes Alight Sefi Myrsa it is the pleasure of the king thy Father that thou should'st die and thereupon throws him down The unfortunate Prince joyning his hands together and lifting up his eyes to Heaven cries out O my God! what have I done to deserve this disgrace Cursed be the Traytor who is the occasion thereof But since it is the pleasure of God thus to dispose of me Gods will and the King 's be done He had hardly the time to speak out those words ere Bebut gave him two stabs with a Chentze which is a kind of Ponyard ordinarily worn by the Persians in their Girdles wherewith he laid him dead upon the place The body was dragg'd into a Fen not far thence where it continu'd above four hours In the mean time the news of this Murther being brought into the City the people ran in multitudes to the Palace threatned to force the Gates and would have the Authors thereof deliver'd up to them in so much that the Chans who were afraid that in the fury of their first insurrection the people would wreak their malice indifferently on all they met forsook the king and got away The Queen Myrsa's Mother understanding that her Son had been kill'd by the king's express order was so overcome with grief that not minding the humour of the Prince she had then to do withall who could not endure the lest opposition she ran into the king's Apartment and not thinking it enough to reproach him with his inhumanity and the barbarous death of an innocent Prince and one whom he had tenderly lov'd she flew in his face and beat him with her first But the king instead of being angry with her was at an absolute loss and at last made her answer with tears in his eyes What would you have had me to do News was brought me that he had a design upon my life There is now no remedy what 's done cannot be recall'd On the other side Schach-Abas had no sooner heard of this execution but it repented him of having commanded it and express'd no small regret that he had proceeded with so much precipitation in a business of that importance He thought it not enough to acknowledge it done by his order but would needs continue ten dayes shut up in a place where he would not see the light of the Sun as having all that time a Handkercher over his eyes He liv'd a whole moneth and eat no more than what was purely necessary to keep him from starving He went in mourning a whole year and all his life after he wore not any thing about him that might as to matter of Cloaths distinguish him from the meanest of his Subjects And in some fort to eternize the memory of the Prince he caus'd the place where he was kill'd to be encompass'd with a high Wall made a Sanctuary of it and allow'd it a certain Revenue for the entertainment of a great number of poor people The first ten dayes of his greatest mourning being over he went from Râ—scht to Caswin where he would needs entertain the Chans whom he any way suspected and the Flatterer who had made him jealous of the Prince at a Dinner but he caus'd poyson to be mixt in their Wine and kept them so long at Table till he saw them all dead in the place The action of Bebut-beg was indeed recompens'd with the charge of Daruga of Caswin and some time after with
that of Chan of Kesker but he could not avoid the punishment which so base a complyance too well deserv'd For the first journey the king made to Caswin after that we spoke of before he commanded Bebut to go and cut off with his own hands his Son's head and to bring it him He was forc'd to obey and Schach-Abas seeing him coming into the Room with his Son's head ask'd him how he did Bebut made answer Alass my Liege I think I need not tell you I have been forc'd with my own hands to kill my only Son whom I lov'd above any thing in the World the grief I shall conceive thereat will bring me to my Grave The king reply'd Go thy wayes Bebut and consider how great must have been my affliction when thou broughtst the news of my Son's death whom I had commanded thee to put to death But comfort thy self my Son and thine are no more and reflect that thou art in this equal to the King thy master Not long after this unhappy Paricide Bebut ended his life after an extraordinary manner For soon after he had taken possession of the Government of Kesker one of his servants giving him water to wash after Dinner according to the Persian custom pour'd it on so hot that it scalded his hands which incens'd him so that he threatned to have him cut to pieces but the Slave prevented him and considering that he who had been so barbarous as to murther his Prince and his own Son would make no great difficulty to rid the World of a servant he conspir'd with some of his Gamerades who expected no better treatment from their Master and kill'd him the night following in his drink Schach-Abas was not much troubled that that hatefull object was remov'd out of his sight and would not have prosecuted the Murtherers had not the other Chans represented to him that if they were not made examples no Lord could think himself secure among his servants after he had given them some theatning language But Schach-Abas's affliction and the regret he express'd for his Son's death how great soever they might be took not off the just apprehensions the Widdow conceiv'd that he had a design to put to death his Grand-Child Sain Myrsa Whence it came that she kept him a long time conceal'd and would not suffer him to be brought to Court though the King who saw his two younger Sons whose eyes he had caus'd to be put out were excluded the Government by the Laws of the Kingdom design'd that little Prince to succeed him 'T is reported he had a great tenderness for him and yet lest he should appear to soon and the vivacity of his spirit revive the affection which the people had express'd towards his Father he endeavour'd to have his senses dull'd and commanded there should be given him every day about the begness of a Pea of Opium the use whereof is very common in Persia as we have said elsewhere but that the Mother instead of giving him that Drug made him often take Treacle and several other preservatives against the poyson which she conceiv'd she had some cause to suspect might be given him While Schach Abas was in Kilan Tamaras-Chan taking advantage of his absence entred again with an Army into Georgia and recover'd all those places out of which he had been forc'd The King sent thither Aliculi-Ghan Mahumed-Chan Kasack and Mortusaculi Chan of Talisch and several other Chans who could do no good there but brought word back that they had found the Enemy so advantageously posted that they durst not set upon him The King punish'd their seeming prudence with death and went the next year in person into Georgia protesting at his departure that if he return'd victorious from that VVar he would sell the Georgians at an Abas or fifteen pence a head Upon which occasion they say it hapned that the King being Master of the Field and having taken a great number of Prisoners a Souldier came to him with two Abases in his hand and desir'd him to sell him two handsom young Maids who were among the Prisoners and that the King remembring his Oath permitted him to take his choice It was about this time that most of the Georgian Christians who liv'd at Ispahan at the time of our being there came out of their Country to settle themselves in the Metropolis of the Kingdom Much also about the same time was it that Schach-Abas receiv'd Letters from Bekirkcha who under the Grand-Seignor commanded the Garrison of Bagdat or Babylon This man dissatisfy'd with the Court upon his being deny'd the Government of that place at the Bassa's death under whom he had had the Lieutenancy proffer'd Schach-Abas to deliver up the City to him The King hearkned to that Proposition and immediately took his march with a good Army towards those parts but ere he got thither Bikirkeha's discontent was over so far that he sent Schach-Abas word that he had only Powder and Bullets at his service He was so netled at the affront that he protested not to return thence till he had taken the City though it should cost him his life Accordingly having pass'd over the Ditch after a siege of six months and having set fire to a Mine which work the Persians are very excellent at he caus'd an assault to be given entred the breach and became Master of the City without any composition Bikirkeha being found among the Prisoners was sown up in a raw Ox-Hide and in that condition plac'd near the High-way where the King order'd him to be sed till such time as the heat of the Sun having made the Hide shrink together he died a very painful death His Son cast himself at Schach-Abas's feet and satisfy'd him so far of his being wholly unconcern'd in his Father's proceeding that having begg'd his Pardon he by that submission obtain'd the Government of Schiras which Schach-Abas made no difficulty to bestow on him in regard that lying at a great distance from the Frontiers of Turkey he fear'd not his proving unfaithful to him The year following the Emperour of the Turks caus'd Bagdat to be besieg'd by the Bassa Hasis Ahmed but Abas forc'd him to raise the siege and continu'd eight moneths together in sight of the Turkish Army till such time as sickness having consum'd a great number of the Turks who were not so well able to endure the great heats as the Persians Hasis was oblig'd to retreat to Constantinople At his return from this expedition Schach-Abas began to build the Citie of Ferabath in the Province of Mesandran upon occasion of a Village named Tahona situated upon a pleasant River which not far thence falls into the Caspian Sea This Victory procur'd him but two years rest For the Turkish Emperour desirous to recover Bagdat sent Chalil Bassa with an Army of five hundred thousand men to reduce it Schach-Abas commanded Cartzschugai-Chan to march to the relief of the Citie with a small Brigade
that they said There is but one God Mahumet the Apostle of God and Aly Coadjutor or Lieutenant of God Nay they presume to affirm that though Aly be not really God yet he comes very neer him And to prefer him even before Mahomet himself they add hereto that it was God's intention to bestow the Alcoran on Aly and that it was by mistake it fell into the hands of Mahomet But as to Abubeker Omar and Osman they who at Prayer time call the people together for the Persians as well as the Turks use no Bells will be sure to Curse these three pretended Prophets and to execrate them to the pit of Hell They have commonly these words in their mouth Kiri Sekder deheni Abubeker Omar Osman Hanifebad that is many Dogs stones stop the mouths of these Prophets which is an abomination to the ears of the Turks who upon this accompt are become irreconcileable Enemies to the Persians especially since Sedredin and Tzinid whom some name Gutnet express'd so great a zeal for the establishment and advancement of their Sect which is in process of time grown so strong that their Schichs are become Schachs that is their Prophets have chang'd their quality into that of Kings The Persians not thinking it enough to have establish'd the Sanctity nay in some measure the Divinity of Aly were of opinion that he had communicated some part of that quality to those of his Family and that they might bestow the denomination of Saints upon his first Successors of whom there were related many Miracles whereby their memories have been celebrated and their Sepulchres enrich'd by the Presents sent into them He had lâ—ft two Sons Hassan and Hossein who left Seinel Abedin Mahumed-Bagur Tzafer-Saduk Musai-Casum Risa Mahumed-Taggi Alli Naggi Hossein Alkeri and Mehedi whereof some to wit Hassan Scinel Abedin Mahumedâ—Bagur Mahumedâ—Taggi and Alli Naggi are interr'd at Medina Tzafer Saduk at Bagdat and Hossein Musai-Kasum and Hossein Alkeri at Kelbula or Kufa They affirm that Mehedi is not dead but lies hid in a Cave near Kufa where he is to remain till the day of Judgement which is to be when his shooes which he left at the entrance of it and which are already turn'd half way shall be quite turned towards the Cave so as that at his coming out he may put his feet into them to go and convert all the World to the Faith of the Alcoran On these twelve Saints they bestow the quality of Imam or Prelate To these as also to the Institutor of their Sect Schich-Sosi they address their Prayers and Devotions and it is to the four Sepulchres of them that they go on Pilgrimages especially when their affairs permit them not to go to Meca or Medina They give the Pilgrims a Certificate or Testimonial called Sijaretname whereby they are not only known to be true Mussulmans professing the true Persian Religion but there is also a further particular advantage of these Testimonials in that they save their lives who are in disgrace with the Kings or Governours of the Provinces where they live We have seen instances hereof in our Interpreter whose name was Rustam who took one of them to avoid the punishment which he migh have suffered for embracing the Christian Religion in England and another in Tzirrachan who took this course to save himself as we have related elsewhere The Persians Celebrate every year with great Ceremonies the memory and death of Hassan and Hossein The Turks deride them for it and on the contrary have a great Veneration for Abubeker Omar and Osman and highly esteem Hanife their chief Commentator and Paraphrast of the Alcoran The Persians execrate the memory of the three former and speak of the last as an Impostor who hath made false explications of the Alcoran They affirm that Hanife being a servant to Tzafur Saduk was very carefull to preserve the water wherein that Saint had wash'd his hands which he carried into Turkey rubb'd therewith the eyes of several blind people who by that means recover'd their sight and wrought divers other Miracles the honour whereof belongs only to the Saints of Persia. They add to this that Schach Tamas after the taking of Bagdat caus'd the body of Hanife who had a very sumptuous Tomb there to be taken up and that he converted the Masur or place of his Sepulture into a Stable and the Sepulchre into a Sink or common House of ease There are many Authors have Commented on the Alcoran but they who have had a particular illumination for that work and have in their opinion best understood the Sentiments of Mahomet are Aly and Tzafur-Saduk whom the Persians prefer before all the rest The Turks most esteem Hanife and the Vsbeques Tartars as also the Indians follow the explication of Hembili and Maleki The Alcoran in many places is not to be understood not only in that Mahomet himself seems to have affected obscurity as not knowing himself what he would say but also in this regard that many times he alludes to stories which peradventure never happened and whereof the Commentators certainly having no knowledge have supply'd the defect with their own fictions fables and impostures which have no likelyhood of truth in them But not to digress from the Persians whom it is our particular design here to give an accompt of it is a thing much to be admir'd that these people who are so ingenious and so wise in their Generation and so excellently well vers'd in the affairs of the World could be brought to believe things so ridiculous and the many fables their Books of Devotion are fill'd with As for instance among others that Duldul so they call Aly's Horse was got of a Rock That it was the Angel Gabriel who brought him the Sword called Dzulfakar wherewith he did so many great exploits That with the said Sword he kill'd a Dragon that had seven heads and cut a Devil to pieces And that Sulthan Mahomet Chodabende being one day a-hunting neer Kufa discover'd thereabouts a Sepulchre with this Inscription Vnder this place ly Adam Noe and Aly and that thereupon the Sulthan had ordered the building of the Citie of Netzef where he had erected a Tomb in memory of Aly. But there is not any thing so ridiculously flat as the story they relate of Aly's drinking with the Angels in Paradise And that there may be no scruple made of the supernatural and as it were Divine power attributed by them to the Author of their Sect they relate a great number of Miracles wrought by him which Miracles indeed are chargeable with some imposture among those of other perswasions but in the Religion of the Persians they are the more impertinent in that they make their Saints do them without any necessity As for instance when they affirm that Schich Sofi being yet very young and going to see Schich Sahadi who was a great Saint and a very wise man and liv'd in
only the smell but also the eye We came at night to a Village where we saw the Sepulchre of Iman Sade in a little Chapel built at the foot of a hill which lay on our right hand All the houses of the Village were cover'd with â—lats and tiles as they are in Europe by reason of the rains which it seems are more frequent in those parts than any where else The 25. we got five leagues and came at night to Rescht The way at first was somewhat uneven and wooddy but after a while we found it planted with those trees which bear silk and at last we came to a plain and smooth way having on both sides Corn-grounds interwoven with several deep trenches such as those which in Flanders they call Water-gangs into which they let in the water by Sluces and there keep it for the watering of their grounds when the heat hath dry'd up the sources of the Rivers nay indeed for the overflowing of them when need requires They had indeed been at the pains to make Bridges over those moats or trenches but they were so ill kept in repair that many of our people fell into the water The Inhabitants of the Country mind only the husbandry of Rice and they have each of them his house at the end of his piece of ground about two or three hundred paces distant one from the other The City of Rescht is the Metropolis of all Kilan and of a considerable bigness but open of all sides like a Village and the houses of it are so hid within the trees that a man at his entrance into it may think he is rather going into a Forest than a City since there is no seeing of it till a man be within it It lies two leagues distant from the Caspain Sea and the Arabians in the Catalogue of their Cities name it Husum and place it at 85. degrees 10. minutes latitude The houses of it are not so well built nor so fair as those of the other Cities of Persia but they were all cover'd with tiles as ours and not any but had adjoyning thereto a great number of Citron-trees and Orenge-trees which had then on them their second fruit ripe of that years growth The Maidan or Market-place is very spacious and full of shops where are sold all sorts of Commodities especially Provisions which are very cheap there upon which accompt it was that our Mehemander treated us very magnificently during the aboad we made there which was five daies The City of Rescht though the greatest af all the Province hath no Chan or chief Governour but only a Daruga whose name at that time was Alyculi-Beg Ian. 26. the Inhabitants of Rescht celebrated a Festival in Honour of Aly with the same Ceremonies in a manner as we had seen at Scamachie on the 7. of February the year before and this Feast happen'd then in Ianuary in regard the Persians regulate their Feasts according to the Moon They borrow'd of us a Drum wherewith they made a mad kind of noise in their Procession The Preacher who made a long relation of the Miracles of Aly concluded his Sermon with these blasphemous words That if Aly were not really God he at least came very neer the Divinity Aly Chodda nist amma ne dures Choddai We were here shewn the Sanctuary which Schach-Abas had ordered to be built at the place where Sefi Myrza his Son had by his command been kill'd by Bebut-beg as we have related in the precedent Book of these Travels Ian. 30. we left Rescht the weather rainy We saw nothing at all that day but a Plain which brought us not only to our lodging that night but also to the Frontiers of the Province of Kilan which is very even on that side All the way was planted on both sides with Box and those trees which bear silk and cross'd by many small Rivers whereof such as were considerable enough to have a name are the Pesi-chan half a league from the City of Rescht then that of Chettiban and somewhat less than a league thence those of Pischeru and Lissar all which have Bridges rais'd very high by reason of the frequent inundations of the Rivers and so untoward to pass over that they put a man into a fright and notwithstanding all our care yet could we not prevent the Horse which carried the Physicians baggage from falling into the River whence we had much ado to get him out by reason of the Fens on both sides it The last River we cross'd that day is called Tzomus and they are all well stor'd with fish in so much that the King farms out the fishing of them which brings him in yearly very considerable sums Having travell'd four leagues that day we came at night to Kisma neet the Town of Fumen or Pumen where Karib-schach was defeated and taken as we related before Ianuary the last we got four leagues further our way being planted all along with those Trees which bear silk and whereof there was so great a number that they made a Forest. We saw also that day great Vineyards according to the Persian way Having travell'd about four leagues we met with the Calenter or King's Lieutenant in the Government of Kesker who came to meet us accompany'd by thirty Horse He had led after him a Mule loaden with Wine Conserves and other refreshments wherewith he treated the Ambassadors and oblig'd them to make a Collation in the field The Chan who was coming after him accompany'd by a hundred persons of quality on Hors-back receiv'd the Ambassadors with great civility and conducted us to the little Citie of Kurab where he invited us to his own house and treated us with Fruit and Conserves making it his excuse that their Fast permitted him not to keep us company and entertain us with flesh The Collation ended he had us all conducted to the Lodgings he had taken up for us ordered certain Gentlemen to wait on the Ambassadors and sent them a Present of four wild Boars The Chan's name was Emir and he was son to a Georgian Christian born at a Village neer Eruan He had been Circumcis'd in his youth and had some time been Cup-bearer to Schach-Abas who had bestow'd that Government on him in recompence of the service he had done him at the siege of Eruan and had given the reversion of his place of Cup-bearer to his Son He was an eloquent person and obliging and took much delight in talking of the Affairs and Wars of Germany and our manner of life He told us he could not forbear loving the Christians but we were told one very extraordinary thing of him and horrid to relate to wit that having some time been in a teadious Disease which having caus'd an universal contraction in all his Members the Physicians had order'd him one of the most extravagant remedies that ever were heard of which was ut rem haberet cum cane foemina This
little Citie of Kurab lies within two leagues of the Caspian Sea as that of Rescht do's and is hid within its Trees They who call it Kesker give it the name of the Province wherein it lies In this place was born Schach-Sefi who reign'd at the time of our Embassy For his Mother was brought to bed in this Citie upon occasion of a journey which Schach-Abas took into Kilan wherein she follow'd him along with Sesi Mersa her Husband The house wherein he was born belong'd to a rich Merchant named Chotza Mahmud but in regard a Prince Heir to the Crown had his birth there it was converted into a Sanctuary February the first we left Kurab about ten in the morning having very fair weather save that the heat was greater than we could have wish'd Emir-Chan conducted us a league or better out of the Citie where he took leave intreating us to be carefull of his Calenter who had order to accompany us through his Government This Calenter was a young man of an excellent good nature and diverted us in our way by shooting with the Bow and shewing tricks with a half-pike at which exercise he had an admirable sleight Having travell'd two leagues we were got to the Caspian Sea-side whence we saw the Countrey which is all cover'd with Trees and Forests towards the North and South spreading it self like a Crescent a great way into the Sea on the right hand from about Mesanderan and Ferahath and on the left from about Astâ—ra We travell'd about a league along the the Caspian Sea-side and lodg'd at night upon the Torrent Nasseru in a house calld Ruasseru-kura which had but two Chambers in all so that being streightned for room most of our people were forc'd to ly abroad at the sign of the Seven-Stars The 2. we travell'd six leagues or better along the Sea coast going North-westward We cross'd over that day fourteen little Rivers or rather so many great brooks and among others those of Sehibern Dinatsar Chalessera Alarus and Nabarrus The River of Dinatsar which is about the mid-way serves for a common Frontier to the Goverments of Kesker and Astara which oblig'd the Calenter of Kesker who had accompany'd us so far to take leave and recommend us to the conduct of the Calenter of Astara who waited for us on the River side The Canton is called Kargaru The Calenter carried us out of the highway and conducted us through Corn-ground to a Village named Sengar-hasara where we lodg'd that night and found brought thither before us five wild boars which they had hunted purely upon our accompt and for our entertainment All the Forests of those parts are well stor'd with them in regard the Persians not daring to eat them are not much inclin'd to the hunting of them The 3. we departed betimes in the morning in snowy and rainy weather and continu'd our way along the Caspian Sea drawing towards East-north-east Our way lay so neer the Sea that the Horses many times went into the water up to the Girts nay some of our people fell horse and man into the water so that this prov'd one of the worst dayes journey we had especially for this that after we had travell'd seven large leagues we were forc'd to lodge that night in a wretched Village named Hove-lemur where all we could get was only a house over our heads The 4. we were upon our way again very betimes in the morning having receiv'd fresh horses We travell'd four leagues along the Sea-coast going towards the North. Then we pass'd through a Forestâ— of two leagues and in that space of ground met with two and twenty Rivers whereof the chiefest are called Lome Konab and Beskeschan The Bridges we were to pass over were so bad that many of our company fell into the water nay there were three Peasants and four horses drown'd and six more died by the way The Chan of Astara with a troop of 200. horse met us within half a league of the Village where we were to take up our quarters and accompany'd the Ambassadors to their lodgings which he had taken up for them in houses scatter'd up and down among the trees The name of the Village as also of the River which runs through it is Choskedehene The word Choskedehene signifies dry-mouth and they have given it that name for this reason that the Sea is so shallow there that the Fish cannot get into the River The Chan lives at Astara which place hath its name from the Province and is an open place without any walls as Rescht is within a quarter of a league of the Caspian Sea His name was Saru-Chan a person furnish'd with all the qualities requisite in a Governour of a Province Feb. 6. which was the last day of their Lent he made a great entertainment for the Ambassadors whereat he discover'd not only the magnificence of his disposition but also the excellency of his wit by the noble discourses that pass'd between him and the Ambassadours Among other things he gave them all the particulars of the War occasion'd by Karib-Sehach's revolt wherein he had been in person and had brought away his table-cloath which being of green Satin with Gold-flowers was laid at this entertainment That service with other he had done upon several other occasions had rais'd him so much into the King's favour that he had appointed him for the Embassy into the Indies whither he was to go the following Spring to which end he had already received his dispatches He confirm'd to us what we had been told before of the danger we might fear from the Cosaques adding thereto that it was not two years since they had plunder'd the City of Rescht and that it were not amiss we stood on our guard and had our Arms fixt The Vines in these parts are so big that they exceed a man's bulk I have said as much before though I believe some will hardly believe it but besides that all who travell'd with us are eye-witnesses of this truth I may allege to make good what I affirm the Authority of Strabo who saies the same thing of the Vines of Margiana which is part of the Province of Chorasan and adds thereto that no stock almost but yields an ordinary pail-full of Wine which is very certain and yet I have some reason to doubt of what he further affirms that the bunches there are above four foot long We saw neer Astara at the foot of the mountain of Schindan the Village of Schich-Sahadan which enjoyes an absolute exemption granted it upon the accompt of the Sepulchre of Aly's Master Febr. 7. we got seven leagues further along the Sea-side and came by a very steight passage into the Province of Lengerkunan The only way to come into it is by a Bank rais'd between the mountains and the fenns besides which there is no other passage At the end of the said bank we came to the River Serdane and
afterwards to the Town of Lenkeran upon the River Warsasaruth This Town as also all the adjacent Country derives its name from the easy anchorage of shipping thereabouts though to speak rigorously there is no haven in those parts but only a kind of Bay between two Capes or Promontories which reach a great way into the Sea one on Lenkeran-side which is cover'd with trees on the other on Kisilagats-side on which there is nothing but canes But the Sea thereabout is so shallow that little Vessels can hardly get in there and when they are in they ly exposs'd to the violence of the East-wind Georâ—e Dictander saies in the Relation of his Travels that in the year 1603. there came to that place by Sea an Ambassador from Rudolph II. Emperour of Germany and that he died there with most of his retinue but the Inhabitants thereabouts from whom I would have inform'd my self of that particular knew nothing of it The Kurtzibaschi hath the revenue of the Countrey allow'd him as part of his pay though our Mehemandar and the Persians for what reasons I know not would have perswaded us that it belong'd to the Chan of Ardebil and depended on his Government We were receiv'd there by a Visir or Secretary who had the over-sight of the Demesn in those parts We continu'd there the 8. 9. and 10. as well to refresh the Camels which the ill and slippery waies had almost wearied off their legs as in expectation of the rest of our retinue who were not yet come up with the baggage and with them fresh horses for the better prosecution of our Journey The 11. we left Lenkeran and travell'd five leagues on to Kisilagats crossing that day four great Rivers to wit those of Kasiende Noabine Tzili and Buladi the three former over Bridges and the last which was very broad in little Boats swimming over the horses At our coming out of the River we were forc'd to travel with much inconvenience for half a league or better through the water which the adjacent Sea had forc'd up there and to send the Baggage by Sea in six great Fisher-boats The Sea-side in those parts is cover'd all over with Canes as are also the Islands along the Coast where the Cosaques some times lye in ambush to surprize and set upon the ships which pass that way as also in expectation of an opportunity to cross over to the Continent At our coming out of the said water we found the Lord of that place who was come to meet us accompany'd by a hundred persons on hors-back The little City of Kisilagats that is red or gilt wood hath no walls no more than any of the other Cities of those parts and lies in a plain half a league or better from the Sea towards the North-west upon a little River called Willeschi Sulfahar-Chan sold it heretofore to the Chan of Ardebil by whom it was left to his Son Hossein Sultan who still enjoyes it The mountain of Kilan presented it self to our sight towards the West-north-west sinking by degrees into little hills towards the Countrey of Mokan At the foot of the mountain there were â—eral Villages among others those of Buladi Matzula Buster and Thaliskeran and abundance of trees planted in a streight line along a vast piece of Meadow-ground where there was excellent Pasture for Cattel I conceive this to be the place which Strabo speaks of when he says that towards the Portae Caspiae there is a fertile plain very fit for the breeding of Horses He adds that it is able to keep fifty thousand breeding Mares which number the Kings of Persia were wont to have kept there But this is not true at least there is no such thing now though a Military Officer of the Duke of Holstein's who made it his bragg that he had travell'd into Tartary though he had not been beyond Astrachan being question'd concerning the truth of this breeding-place had the confidence to affirm that what Strabo had said of it was very certain About these parts and in the neighbouring Mountains are the Countries of Kuawer Maranku and Deschiewend and the Village of Dubil otherwise called Chatifekeka the Inhabitants whereof were extirpated by the express command of Schach Abas for the abominable lives they led They had their meeting in the night time at some private houses where after they had made good cheer they blew out the Candles put off their Cloaths and went promiscuously to the work of Generation without any respect of age or kindred the Father many time having to do with his own Daughter the Son with the Mother and the Brother with the Sister Schach Abas coming to hear of it ordered all the Inhabitants of the Village to be cut to pieces without any regard or distinction of age or sex and peopled it with others I conceive it is of the Inhabitants of these parts that we are to understand what Herodotus affirms of their going together without any shame and publickly after the manner of Beasts Over against Kisilagats and about three leagues from the Continent there are two Islands named Kelechol and Aalybaluck The latter which is three leagues or Farsangs in length hath its name upon this accompt that Aly being there one day extremely put to it for fresh water to quench his thirst God immediately caus'd to break forth out of the ground a Spring of fresh water which is to be seen there to this day Febr. 12. we travell'd on through a plain Country but cross'd by several small Rivers the chiefest whereof were the Vskeru and the Butaru and we lodg'd at night at Elliesdu a Village seated at the entrance of the Heath of Mokan at the foot of a hill which is very fruitful as is also the rest of the Country on the mountain-side It belong'd to a Military Officer named Beter Sulthan who had his ordinary residence at a place six leagues thence The houses of this Village were very wretched ones as being built only with laths nail'd across and plaister'd over with clay They were inhabited by Souldiers on whom the King bestows the revenue of his Demesin in these parts with certain Lands which they are oblig'd to cultivate In this Village the Ambassador Brugman caus'd a Persian to be kill'd with cudgelling His Groom would have gone into the first house he came to with one of the led-horses the Kisilbach or soldier who was the Master of it told him that his house was free from quartering and that besides he had no convenience for the entertainment of horses whereupon having a stick in his hand he therewith struck the horse over the head but very slightly The Ambassador Brugman who saw this contestation was so enrag'd at the resistance of the Kisilbach that he immediately alighted and ran in to him The Kisilbach who said afterwards that he knew him not and was far from imagining that an Ambassador would engage himself in such a business and as a
in but it was very late ere the rest reach'd it nay some got not thither till after midnight some not till the next morning The Camels which being so heavily loaden where not able to get up so narrow and slippery a way as is that of the Mountain came not till eight dayes after The Chan had assign'd us the same Quarters we had had at our former passage that way so that we were all lodg'd at the houses of the same Armeniaus our antient Landlords They receiv'd us very kindly and as to the Ambassadors the Chan sent them a Supper from his own Kitchin For my own particular I had several Presents sent me from my friends and Tutors as Maheb Aly the Molla Imanculi and Chalil who sent me several dishes of Apples and Grapes and came to see me the next day to examine how I had improv'd my self in their Language Feb. 22. The Chan and Calenter came in person to see the Ambassadors and invited them and their retinue to a Supper In the evening the Chan sent horses to bring them to the Palace He treated us magnificently and entertain'd us with very civil discourses and such as were the more obliging in that we afterwards found the effects of them during our aboad at Scamachie where we continu'd five weeks during which we had the divertisement of several hunting matches and were treated a great Feasts which the Chan made from time to time purposely for us Alexi Savinowits Ambassador of Muscovy made a great and sumptuous entertainment on the first of March in commemoration of the birth of the Great Duke his Master The 3. 6. and 10. the Chan treated us at his own Palace to celebrate their Naurus or Newyear Chalip the Minatzim or Astrologer belonging to the Chan sent me for my new-years-gift a fat Lamb. March 14. Areb-Chan receiv'd an assurance of the continuance of the King's favour towards him according to the custome by the Present of a new Garment in as much as when the Chans and Governours have made their ordinary Presents the King sends an express to them to assure them either of his favour or displeasure whereof the Ceremony is this The King's Envoy or Express being come within three or four leagues of the City sends a Messenger to give the Governour notice of it and to let him know he brings him good news The Governour who many times is not sure to return again takes his leave of the City as if he were not to come thither any more and goes a league out of the City to meet the Envoy accompany'd by all his friends As soon as the Envoy sees the Governour coming he makes a halt and the Governour alights and puts off his Sword Garment and Turbant and in that posture approches the Envoy who hath in a Box cover'd with some rich Tapistry a Letter of grace with a new Garment or else an order to bring the Governour 's head If the Kings favour be confirm'd to him he receives from the Envoy the new Garment which he kisses at the collar touches with his fore head and then puts it on If the Envoy hath an order to bring away the Governour 's head he presently hath it cut off puts it into the Box and immediately returns There are diverse examples of these executions in the time of Schach-Abas as also in that of Schach-Sefi The former caus'd to be executed after this manner Ahmad Chan of Hemedan Kaban Chan of Orumi and Baisunkur Sulthan Governour of Magasburt and the later put to death by an Envoy Iarali Sulthan of Maku and Moral Sulthan of Bajesid But this last caus'd them to be strangled and afterwards to be flead and order'd their skins fill'd with Hay to be set in the high-way because they had over-easily deliver'd up those places wherewith he had entrusted them Areb-Chan intreated the Ambassadors to be present at an action which he knew could not be otherwise than advantageous to him in so much that he had got a large dose of drink ere he went out of the City He was mounted on an excellent Roan horse without any Arms causing to be led before him several other gallant horses with rich trappings and having about his person fifteen of his Guard with their Carabins and a retinue of about four hundred men besides the Ambassadors and the Calenter who accompany'd him with their Domesticks He march'd in this order as far as the King's Garden without the City halting several times to make the Company drink and causing several young Lads to dance in the mean time His two Sons whereof the elder was but 20. years of age and the younger 18. both very handsome well shap'd persons follow'd him with most of the Inhabitants of the City and certain men on horse-back who were cover'd with Lynxes-skins and the furres of Buchar-Sheep and carried on the tops of long Poles certain Turks Heads fill'd with Hay and the Colours which Areb had taken from them He alighted before the Garden and found the King's Envoy at the entrance of it attended by three Servants and holding the Box in his hand The Chan being come within ten or twelve paces of the Envoy he very cheerfully put off his Garment and Turbant but perceiving the Envoy stood a while without saying ought to him he began to be a little startled and out of countenance till the Envoy said to him Ai Areb-Chan whereto Areb answer'd Nediersen what saiest thou The Envoy continu'd Schach Sefi ne chales kunderdiwe rakem Schach Sefi dnsti sen that is Schach Sefi sends thee a Garment and a Letter of Favour thou art certainly belov'd of the King Whereto the Chan reply'd very couragiously Scahung dowletti berkarar olsumwe birkuni minkun olsun men seahung birkari kulim that is May the King's Wealth continue for ever and may every day of his be as a thousand I am one of the King 's old Servants He thereupon took the Garment with very great submission It was of Sea-green Satin The Envoy help'd him to put it on with a Rochet of cloath of Gold a Girdle and Turbant The Envoy had for his pains a Present of certain Tumains Then the Casi or Judge made a Prayer for the King's health which ended the Chan's Steward cry'd out Schach dowetine Kasiler kuweline Chan saglukine alla dielim that is We pray for the prosperity of the King the success of his Soldiers and the health of the Chan whereto all the people answer'd Alla Alla Alla. These Ceremonies ended the Trumpets sounded and the Tymbrels were play'd on and and the Chan return'd to the City causing to be carried before him the Turks heads and Colours which at his coming thence had march'd after him The Chan invited the Ambassadors to Dinner but he himself had drunk so liberally that he was forc'd to rise from Table and the Company soon after withdrew The 22. being Maundy Thursday the Armenians performed the Ceremony of the washing
from one house to another The 6. we travell'd three leagues all through a continu'd Forest and we cross'd the three Rivers of Kossar Sambur and Kurgane That of Sambur is the most considerable and rises out of the mountain of Elbours dividing it self at this place into five branches the chanels whereof were so broad that our horses as we pass'd through had not water up to half the legs The 7. having gone three leagues we came to the most antient City of Derbent There came to meet us only a certain number of Kisilbachs in regard the Governour Scahewerdi Sulthan between whom and his horse-men there was some difference durst not come out of the Castle lest the Kisilbachs should possess themselves of it The Persians put this City at 85. degrees longitude and I found it at forty one degrees fifty minutes latitude It is in length reaching from East to West about a league and in breadth four hundred and fifty ordinary paces It serves for a Gate to the Kingdom of Persia on that side for on one side it reaches to the foot of the mountain and on the other to the Sea which is so neer that sometimes the waves beat over the walls The Persian Authors as also the Inhabitants of the City affirm that it was built by Iscander that is Alexander the Great not such as it is now for that honour is due to their King Nauschiruan but only the Castle and the Wall which encompasses the City on the South-side These walls are very high and at least five or six foot thick and viewing them at a distance a man would think them built of the best and fairest kind of free-stone but coming neer them he finds that the Stones are made of Muscle-shels and pieces of free-stone beaten and molded like Brick which time hath reduc'd to a hardness beyond that of Marble I found upon one of the Gates which are remaining of the building of Alexander the Great a Syriack Inscription of three lines and in another place certain Arabick words and strange Characters but so eaten out by time that they were not legible The Castle where the Chan lives is upon the top of the mountain and kept by a Garrison of five hundred men who are of two several Nations Asumrumlu and Koidurscha The second quarter of the City is at the foot of the mountain and the most populous but the lower part of it is very much ruin'd since Emir Hamse the Son of Chadabende recover'd the City out of the hands of Mustapha the Turkish Emperour to whom the Inhabitants had voluntarily submitted themselves The lower part and that which reaches to the Sea is about two thousand ordinary paces in compass but it lies desert having no houses but converted into Gardens and Corn-fields It was heretofore inhabited by Greeks whence the Persians call it to this day Scaher Iunan that is the Greek City All this coast is pure Rock upon which score it is very dangerous for Vessels It serves for a foundation to the walls of the whole City which are so broad that a Wagon may easily be driven on them The mountain above the City is cover'd with wood where there may be yet seen the ruins of a wall above fifty leagues in length which as we were told had sometime serv'd for a communication between the Caspian and Euxine Seas In some places it was some five or six foot high in other but two in others there was no track of any There might be seen also on other hills the ruins of several old Castles whereby it might be judg'd that they were built four square There were two undemolish'd and had garrisons in them There are also several redoubts of wood upon all the avenues The most remarkable thing about this City is the Sepulchre of Tzumtzume of whom the Persians relate this story after their Poet Fiesuli who hath left in writing They affirm that Eissi so they call our Saviour Iesus Christ coming one day into those parts found in his way a dead man's skull and desirous to know whose it had been pray'd to God with whom he was in great favour to raise that deceased person to life again which God accordingly did and then Eissi asked him who he was He made answer his name was Tzumtzume that he had been King of all that Country and so powerful that he consumed every day in his Court as much salt as forty Camels were able to carry That he had forty thousand Cooks as many Musicians as â—any Pages with Pearls in their ears and as many Sersants But says Tzumtzume to Eissi Who art thou And what Religion dost thou profess Whereto Christ made answer I am Eissi and my Religion is that which saves all the World If it be so reply'd Tzumtzume I am of thy Religion but I pray thee let me dy assoon as may be for having been heretofore so powâ—rful it would extremely trouble me to be here now without a Kingdom and Subjects Eissi granted his request and immediately permitted him to dy and at this place is his Sepulchre over which there is a great tree and adjoining to that there is a Scaffold erected ten foot high and sixteen square We took notice on this side of the City of about five or six thousand Tombs cover'd with stones much larger than the ordinary stature of men all half round Cylinder-wise and hollow within They had all of them Arabick Inscriptions and it is reported that antiently yet since the time of Mahomet there had been in Media a King named Kassan by birth an Okus a people living in Thabesseran behind the mountain of Ebbours who being ingag'd in a war against the Tartars of Dagesthan whom they call Lesgi was desirous to give them battel in that place but that he was there defeated and that he caus'd the Officers then kill'd to be buried in the Tombs which are yet to be seen there Towards the Sea-side there were forty others compass'd by a wall but much bigger than any of the fore-mentioned These as the Inhabitants affirmed were the Sepulchres of so many great Lords and holy Persons who had been kill'd in the same battel Every Sepulchre had its Banner The Persians name these Sepulchres Tziltenan and the Turks and Tartars Kerchler The Persians and Tartars do their devotions at them in so much that this place was heretofore very famous both for the many foundations and charities given thereto but now it is kept by an antient man who makes a poor shift to live upon the Alms that are given him King Kassan who liv'd many years after this Battel is interr'd neer Tabris neer a River named Atzi that is bitter waters The Tomb of Queen Burla his wife is to be seen neer the Fortress of Vrumi and they say it is forty foot long Apr. 13. we saw several Tartars as well men as women coming to do their devotions there which consisted in going one after another to kiss the
engraven upon a square pillar certain unknown characters which have nothing common with either the Greek Hebrew or Arabian nor indeed with any other language There are twelve lines of these characters which as to their figure are triangular Piramidal or like obelisques but so well graven and so proportionate that those who did them cannot be thought Barbarians Some believe they are Telesmes and that they contain some secrets which Time will discover Besides these there is also a great Court upon the same ground-work which is ninety paces square having on each side two gates whereof some are six others but three paces wide all built of a very well polish'd marble whereof the several pieces are eight foot in length and three in breadth In another Court there are represented in carv'd-work in marble battels triumphs and Olympick games very well done and with an exact observance of proportion Upon every gate is represented a man with a graceful countenance sitting and holding in one hand a Globe in the other a Scepter though the Kings of Persia never sate in that posture I had the curiosity to get up on high where I found the figure of a King at his devotions adoring the Sun Fire and a Serpent It is not easie to affirm whether the Architecture of this Palace be of the Ionick Dorick or Corinthian order the building is so ruin'd though there be yet as much left as would find work for a good able Painter for six months 'T is a thousand pities that no body hath yet had the curiosity to have it graven had it been only out of this motive that the barbarous people thereabouts ruine it daiâ—â— more and more and convey away the stones to carry on private buildings Aeâ—ian sayes that the Grand Cyrus was grown famous for the Palace he had built in the City of Persepolis whereof he had himself laid the foundation Darius for that built by him at Susa and Cyrus the younger for the pleasant Gardens which he had himself planted and cultivated in Lydia If this be the same place which Diodorus Siculus makes mention of it is certain that both as to greatness and magnificence it exceeded all those of that time He sayes it was encompass'd with three walls of Marble whereof the first was 16. the second 32. and the third 60. ells high with the gates and balconies of brass The work of so many years and all that wealth were destroy'd in a few hours by Alexander the great who upon the perswasion of a common Prostitute caused it to be fired as Quintus Curtius gives an account of it in his History Having view'd these Antiquities which with those of Derbent were all we met with in our Travels I prosecuted my journey the 28. of Ianuary and got that day ten Leagues to the City of Sehiras In this City I met with four Italian Carmelites who have a very handsome well built Monastery there and enjoy an absolute liberty of conscience under the jurisdiction of the King of Persia. There had also been heretofore a Monastery of Austin-Friers but they were forc'd thence with the other Portuguez when the City of Ormus was taken from them Schiras is the chief City of the Province of Fars at 29. degrees 36. minutes seated in a very pleasant place at the foot of certain Mountains upon the River Sendemer heretofore called Arâ—xes which disembogues it self into the Persian Gulf. We were told the City had been much bigger then it is now though there be in it at present above ten thousand houses which I the more easily credited in that we found all about it and half a league beyond the ruines of the gates and walls of a great City Whatever Nature supplies mankind withall not only for necessity but also for pleasure is here to be had in great abundance as Wheat Wine Oranges Lemmons Pomegranats Almonds Dates Pistachoes c. and the lovely Cypress-trees afford a pleasant shade against the excessive heats The best Wine of all Persia grows hereabouts and in such abundance that it is transported all over the Kingdom especially to the Court where the King and great Lords drink not any other 'T is more sprightly and more pleasant then Canary but in regard no person of quality but drinks of it and is willing to treat his friends with Schiras Scharab it is dear enough at Ispahan where it is sold at half a Crown a pottle The soil hereabouts is very fertile and produces abundance of Wheat and Fruit. The Sheep which are of an Ash-grey colour with an eye of white have their wooll curled or frizled and their tails are so big and so fat that they weigh 18. or 20. pound The adjacent Forrests afford abundance of Mastick which the Country people gather in dishes fastned to the Trees It is at first green but the Air in time corrupting it gives it the brown colour it is of when brought into Europe I stayed eight dayes at Schiras as well to rest my Horses as to fortifie my self against the hardship I was to expect in my future travel it being a hundred Leagues to Ormus through a Country where I should not find what I left behind me at Schiras which is doubtless the principal City of Persia for Wine and Women and affords so great enjoyments to those who can use these two things with moderation that the Persians are wont to say that if Mahomet had tasted the pleasures of Schiras he would have desired God to make him immortal there I left it the fifth of February and passed by two Caravanseras and took up my lodging at the third having travell'd that day ten Leagues through a fair even way The sixth I got seven Leagues having a very bad way but in sight of many Villages whereof the prospect was the more pleasant by reason of the Date-trees all about them The seventh I passed by one of these Caravanseras and got that day ten Leagues taking up my quarters in the little City of Scharim in the middle of a Forrest of Date-trees The five dayes following were the most troublesome of all my life For the eighth of February we got but five Leagues through the most horrid way in the world I cannot imagine how people made a shift to travel that way before Imanculi Chan of whom somewhat hath been said elsewhere who was so cruelly put to death with all his children by Schach Sefi caus'd it to be repaired with incredible expence when at this day a man cannot pass but in great danger of his life by reason of the uneven and narrow wayes between steepy mountains on the one side and dreadful precipices on the other where I very narrowly avoided a mis-fortune which happens there very often For my Horse's hoof which I was leading by the bridle being fill'd with snow he stumbled upon me forc'd me out of the way so as that had I not caught hold of a wild Almond tree which
put it at 25. degr yet is the observation which the Hollanders have made of it and which we here follow very just and exact it being certain that most of the Maps that have been yet made and particularly that of Persia are very defective Their errour proceeds hence that they put the Caspian Sea too high and consequently allow Persia a greater breadth from North to South then it really hath For they put the City of Resht at 41. degrees whereas it is at 37. and so the breadth of all Persia can be but 10. degrees taking it from Gamron to Rescht or 12. at most if we should grant Ormus to be at 25. degrees so that Boterus is extreamly mistaken when he allows Persia the extent of 18. degrees It is not long since that this place was but a little Village consisting of some few Huts which the Fishermen had set up for their conveniencies and it is since the reduction of Ormus that the goodness of the Port hath rais'd it to a City of great Trade The Dutch and English Ships and the Moor Bottoms which come there daily by reason of the convenience of the Road and the Merchants of Ispahan Schiras and Laar who bring their stuffes thither as Velvet Taffaâ—a raw-Silk c. and exchange them for others will in time make this City one of the most considerable of all the East It is seated upon the Persian Gulf between two good Castles which defend it against the descent of Pirates and keep the entrance of the Haven where there is a square Redoubt with four pieces of Canon upon it The Fortifications of the Castle are antick with round Bastions but very well furnished with great Guns The Haven is so commodious that Ships may anchor very safely at five or six fathom water The houses at Gamron built of a certain stone which they make of stiff Clay Sand shredded-Straw and Horse-dung mixt together whereof having set a Layer they cover it with a Layer of Straw or Fagots and then another Layer of Clay and Straw and so alternately till they have brought it six or seven foot high then they set fire to it and so bake the Stone and to fasten and cement them together they make a composition of the same Paste with Salt-water and some Lime and by that means make a kind of Mortar which is almost as hard as the Stone it self The best Houses are those of the Sulthan or Governour of the City and the Lodgings or Ware houses of the Dutch and English which lie so near the Sea that at High-water the Tide comes up to the walls of them which is a great convenience for the loading and unloading of their Merchandizes The lower rooms serve for Kitchins and Ware-houses and the upper for Lodgings which are the more commodious in this respect that being high they are the more fit to receive the wind of all sides so in some measure to moderate the excessive heat of the Sun The meaner sort of people have no other covering over them then what they make with the branches and leaves of Date-trees which they call Adap and are the only trees that find them fruit and timber for building The Streets are narrow irregular and not kept clean The Air is very unwholsom thereabouts by reason of the excessive heat as also of the continual change of the Winds which râ—ign there and which in the space of twenty four hours go through all the points of the Compass For in the morning they have an East-wind which is extreamly cold about noon a South-wind which brings insupportable heats along with it in the evening a West-wind which coming fromwards Arabia brings sufficient heats with it and at midnight a North-wind which comes out of the Mountains of the Country and is cold enough It rains so seldom that it was observed in the year 1632. that with the rising of the Wind there falling a great shower after a continual drought of three years the Inhabitants kept a day of publick thanksgiving for it Whence it comes that in the Country all about this City there is not so much as a Grass to be seen unless it be in some Gardens where they are forc'd twice or thrice every day to water the Pot-herbs and Pulse which they sow in them and among the rest particularly Garlick Onions Chibols Radishes and Cucumbers But the Isle of Kismisch which is but three Leagues distant from Gamron and which is 15. Leagues in length and three in breadth supplies the City with all sorts of Fruits For in the moneth of Iune and during the greatest heats of Summer they have Grapes Damsens Peaches Mangas Quinces Oranges Lemons and Pomegranates red and white In October they have Melons Citruls Cucumbers Radishes Onions Turneps Almonds Pistachoes Apples Pears and several other Fruits which are very excellent and in such abundance that they are cheaper there then in any other place of Persia. The Inhabitants live for the most part upon Fruits and Pulse and the Fish which they take in the neighbouring Sea and find more wholsom and delicious then Flesh which meeting with but little good sustenance by reason of the extraordinary heats must thereabouts be of ill nourishment and in a manner without any taste Among other sorts of Fish they take there abundance of Pilchards and Smelts as also Oysters and Crabs They have good store of Cattle as Oxen Cows Sheep Goats and several other Creatures but they have such abundance of Goats that they are sold for six or eight pence a piece There are also a sort of Rams that have four horns but no wild Fowl at all Their ordinary drink is only Water unless it be that some have a little Aqua vitae made of Dates or Rice Schiras Wine which is brought thither only in Bottles is very scarce and very dear there nay the fair Water which they get two Leagues from the City is sold at such a rate that what I and my servants spent cost me about two pence every day Persons of quality and Merchants are clad after the Persian mode but all the rest go naked and cover only the privy parts The Women wear about their arms and legs a great many Rings or Plates of Silver Brass or Iron according to their conditions and abilities They fasten to their hair a Bodkin or a long flat piece of Silver gilt or Brass which hangs down over the middle of their foreheads to the end of the nose and they thrust through the left nostril a Gold Ring having in the middle a Turquese a Granat or haply a little Gold Knob or Button enamell'd or simple and the Pendants they wear in their ears are so heavy that if those were not well fastned to their heads they would go near to force them thence The great heats begin to abate in October and so from that time till the beginning of May is the season of greatest trading Then it
Province of Bakor lies on the West-side of the Ganges its chief City is called Bikameer The Province of Narvar the Metropolis whereof is call Gehud hath running through it a most noble River which falls into the Ganges The Province of Nagracut or Nakarkut is one of the most Northerly Provinces of the Mogul's Country In the chief City thereof from which it hath the name there is to be seen in a sumptuous Chappel the floor whereof is covered with plates of Gold the Effigies of an Animal or rather a Monster called Matta which brings thither every year a great number of Indians who go to do their devotions there and offer unto it a little snip which they cut out of their own tongues In this same Province is the City of Kalamaka famous for its Pilgrimages which are the more frequent there by reason of the flames cast forth by the cold Springs as they come out of the Rock which flames the Inhabitants adore The Province of Siba whereof the Metropolis is Hardwari gives its rise to the River Ganges The Inhabitants of the Country imagine that the Rock out of which it issues hath a Cows head for which Beast they have a certain veneration and that there is somewhat divine in that production Whence it comes that they bathe themselves every day in the River This Province is no less mountainous then that of Nakarkut though it be not so much towards the North. Kakares the principal Cities whereof are Dankaler and Binsola is a very spacious Province but very full of Mountains Mount Caucasus lies between it and Tartaria The Province of Gor which hath its name from the chief City is also full of Mountains and gives its rise to the River Perselis which falls into the Ganges The Province of Pitan or Partan and its chief City which gives it the name hath running through them the River Kanda which also falls into the Ganges This is also a very mountainous Province and hath on the West of it that of Iamba The River Iderclis divides the Province of Kanduana the chief City whereof is Karaeh by some called Katene from that of Pitan This Province and that of Gor are the further-most of the Mogul's territories towards the North. The Province of Porena is as fruitful as the two last named are barren It lies between the Rivers of Ganges Perselis Gemini and Candach and is so called from its chief City The City of Rajapore or Reyapor is the Metropolis of the Province of Iewal The Province of Meuat the chief City whereof is called Narnol is a Country barren enough reaching from the Ganges Eastward The Province of Voessa or Voeza the chief City whereof is Iascanat is the uttermost Province of the Mogul's Kingdom towards the East The Province of Bengala may no doubt be numbred amongst the most powerful of all the Country giving its name to the Gulf into which the Ganges disembogues it self by four several channels or mouths It s principal Cities are Raymebel Kaka or Daeca Philipatan and Satigam It is subdivided into many other lesser Provinces the most considerable whereof are Puna and Palan from which several Kings have not thought it much to assume their Titles Texeira in his description of Persia speaking of certain Provinces of the Indies names that of Vtrat with its chief City but he only names it without giving any account of its scituation He speaks also of the Kingdom of Caeche and sayes it is considerable for the Race-horses it breeds near Cambaya towards the North but certainly it is no other then the Province of Candisch before spoken of The extent of the Mogul's Country from East to West is about six hundred Leagues and from North to South about seven hundred French Leagues since its uttermost Frontiers towards the South are at twenty and the furthermost towards the North at forty three degrees As concerning the Province of Gusuratta which the Portuguez improperly call Cambaya it lies all along the Sea-side extending it self much like a Peninsula into the Sea and having on both sides a Gulf or Bay one whereof is eight Leagues broad at the entrance and grows narrower and narrower for forty Leagues thence The Land extends it self Westward along the Sea-coast and Northward it hath the Provinces of Soret Quismer and Bando Eastward those of Chitor and Kandish and Southward the Kingdom of Decan Heretofore its Frontiers reach'd along the Sea-coast as far as Gualor eight dayes journey beyond Amadabat and Southward as far as Daman But though its extent be not so vast at present as it hath been yet it is now a very great Province it being certain that it reaches above sixscore Leagues along the Sea-coast and comprehends above twenty thousand Cities Towns and inhabited Villages besides the places which were laid desolate some years since by War or Famine It s principal Cities most whereof are Maritime are Surat Broitschia Gandeer Goga Cambaya Diu Patepatane Mangalor Gondore Nassary Gandivi Balsara or Belsera The City of Hamed-Ewad or Amadabat which is the Metropolis of the Province is at a great distance from the Sea The principal Rivers of this Province are the Nadabat which passes by Broitschia the Tapta and the Wasset besides these conveniences it hath two of the best Ports in all the Indies which are that of the Com of Suhaly to wit that of Surat and that of Cambaia There is no Province in all the Indies more fertile then Gusuratta nor any that affords more Fruits and Provisions which grow in such abundance there that all the neighbouring Provinces are thence suppli'd 'T is true indeed that in the year 1640. the great drought and the year following the continual rains reduced it to so deplorable a condition that the particular account might be given thereof would deprive the Reader of the diversion which it is our design to find him in this Relation But the Province hath since that time well recover'd it self of that desolation yet not so as but the marks of it may be seen every where But to prosecute our Relation as to what happened to me during my stay at Surat While I was at Ispahan having fixt my resolution to travel into the Indies I took into my service a Persian who was to serve me as an Interpreter for the Turkish and Persian Languages which I then began a little to understand He was born of Christian Parents his father and mother having been of those whom Scach-Abas had caused to be translated from Georgia to Ispahan where his brethren then lived in good rank Which considerations oblig'd me to treat him with the greater civility and to promise him by way of wages four Crowns a moneth He had made me believe that his engaging himself into my service was partly out of this respect that he might thereby have the convenience of re-imbracing
then engage themselves in any honourable employment for if they can but once get to be Masters of a Horse they court Fortune no further and immediately list themselves in the service of their Prince The Benjans on the contrary are a reserv'd people and laborious and apply themselves to Trades and Merchandise and have an extraordinary devotion for the things that concern Religion as we shall have occasion to insist on more at large hereafter There are also in the City some Arabians Persians Armenians Turks and Iews who either have their habitations there or trade thither but there are no Forreigners so considerable for their settlement there as the Dutch and English They have there their Lodges their Store-houses their Presidents their Merchants and their Secretaries and indeed have made it one of the most eminent Cities for Traffick of all the East The English particularly have made it the main place of all their Trading into the Indies and have established there a President to whom the Secretaries of all the other Factories are oblig'd to give an account He manages Affairs with the assistance of 20. or 24. Merchants and Officers and hath under his superintendency the Factory of Agra where they have a Secretary accompanied by six persons that of Ispahan where they have a Secretary and seven or eight other Merchants that of Mesulipatan with fifteen that of Cambay with four that of Amadabat with six that of Brodra and Broitscheia with four and that of Dabul with two persons who are all oblig'd to come once a year to Suratta there to give an account of their Administration to the President The English have also a Factory at Bantam in the Isle of Iava but that hath its particular President who hath no dependance on that of Suratta which hinders not but that he hath a certain deference for him as have indeed all the English Ships which perfect not their Voyage without casting Anchor at Suratta The places about this City are the most delightful of any in the world For besides the fair Gardens where they have all sorts of Fruit-trees all the Champion seems to want nothing that might recreate the eye Among other things I observ'd there one of those Trees whereof I have given a description when I had occasion to speak of the City of Gamron as also very many sumptuous Sepulchres built of Marble and a Tanke or Cistern made eight-square of Free-stone having at every angle a pair of stairs to go down into it and in the midst the Sepulchre of the Founder of that magnificent Structure which is so spacious that it contains water enough to supply the whole City even in the greatest heats of the year The tempests of Rain begin to cease with the moneth of September About that time viz. the 14. of that moneth news was brought that two English Ships were arrived at the Port of Subaly The President would have gone thither in person but some business he had with the Governour hindred him so that he was forc'd to send two of the chiefest Merchants who took me along with them We came to Suhaly about noon and having left our Horses in the Village went aboard one of the Ships called the Discovery 'T was a Vessel of 600. Tun having 28. Guns and 190. Men. Captain Menard who commanded her and the three Merchants who came to the President for Orders receiv'd us kindly and being come directly from England they told us all they knew of the Affairs of Europe which discourse made us pass away the best part of the night pleasantly enough The next day we went to the other Vessel called the Mary which was 1200. Tun burthen and carried 48. Guns She had past by Aden on the Red-Sea where she had lost her Captain who dy'd of sickness The Merchant who commanded her instead of the Captain made us a reception equal to what we had in the other Ship and both of them oblig'd us to come every day to see them till the President were come which was not till eight dayes after Which hindred not but that we went sometimes a walking and a hunting but so as that we lay every night in one of the Ships As soon as the Commanders heard that the President was come to Suhaly they went a shore and meeting him on the River side he made a short discourse to them exhorting them to shew their fidelity and complyance to their Superiours during the time they should stay in the Indies Which done he went into the Boat to go aboard of the first Ship where they fir'd twelve Guns at his arrival After supper he went along with the whole company to the other where they fir'd sixteen Guns besides those that were discharg'd at the drinking of the King of England's health and those of some other persons of Honour in that Country The two dayes following were spent in feasting at which the Commanders of the two Ships treated the President who afterwards return'd to Suratta but night overtaking us by the way we were forc'd to take up our Lodging in the little City of Reniel The 24. of the same moneth arrived two other Ships whereof one was called Boldue a Hollander of 1400. Tun. She came from the City of Batavia in the Isle of Iava and was returning for Holland loaden with Pepper and other Spices The other was an English Vessel call'd the Swan and had been sent by the Secretary of Mesulipatan into Persia for Silks but the contrary winds having kept her four moneths together at Sea had oblig'd her to put in at Suratta whereas the Hollander had in less time made the whole Voyage from the Texel to the Indies I again accompany'd the Merchants who went to the Port to see their Ships We went first aboard the Hollander who receiv'd us very nobly and we were shewn all the conveniences of the Vessel which no doubt was the best contrived and the biggest that ever came out of the Ports of Holland It was twenty foot longer then the Mary but not altogether so broad During my abode at Suratta I wanted for no divertisement for either I walk'd down to the Haven or found company in the City especially at the Dutch Presidents who had his Family there and with whom it was the easier for me to make acquaintance in as much as I could converse with them in my own Language But understanding that the English Ships with which I intended to return into Europe would not be ready for their departure under three or four moneths I resolv'd to take a journey into the Country to the Great Mogul's Court taking my advantage of a Caffila or Caravan of thirty Wagons loaden with Quick-silver Roenâ—s which is a root that dies red Spices and a considerable sum of Money which the English were sending to Amadabat The President had appointed four Merchants certain Benjans twelve English Souldiers and as many Indians to conduct and convoy this
small Caravan so that confident I night undertake this journey without any danger which it had not been safe for me to attempt without this convenience by reason of the Rasboutes and their robberies upon the high-way I took the Presidents advice and put my self into their company These Rasboutes are a sort of High-way men or Tories who keep in the Mountains between Brodra and Broitscheia which are called Champenir where they have their fortifi'd places and retreats wherein they sometimes make their party good against the Mogul himself Not long before he had taken in one of their strongest places and by that means kept them a long time in subjection but they revolted again and exercised their robberies with greater cruelty then ever We left Suratta the last of September being accompany'd by the President and some English Merchants who having brought us a League out of the City there took leave of us We took our way towards Broitschia and came to the Village of Briou or Briauw where we cross'd the River Then at four Leagues distance from Briou we pass'd by Cattodera which is a ruin'd place seated upon a River of the same name and then by Enklisser where we soon made a shift to take above thirty wild Ducks and many other Water-fowl wherewith we feasted our people We also kill'd a Roebuck and met with so many Deer and wild Boars that it was no hard matter for us to get us a good supper since the Dutch and English never travel without their Cooks who dress the Fowl and what else their Masters kill which they never fail to do in abundance The next day we cross'd a River which is more broad then deep before we came to the City of Broitschia into which we were no sooner entred but the English Secretary sent to us to dine with him which we did The City of Broitschia is at 21. degrees 56. minutes 12. Leagues from Suratta and 8. from the Sea upon a River falling out of the Mountains which divide the Kingdom of Decar from that of Balagatta It lies upon a pretty high Mountain having its Walls of Free-stone and so well built that it may be numbred among the strongest places of all the Indies On the Land side it hath two great Gates and two small Gates towards the River by which is brought abundance of Timber for building which none dare unload without the Governours express permission There is a Guard kept in it as well upon account of the place it self which is very considerable as upon this that they exact there two in the hundred upon all Merchandises that pass through it The City is sufficiently well peopled as also its Suburbs which are divided into two quarters which they call Poera though very few persons of Quality live therein most of the Inhabitants being only Weavers who make of those kinds of Cottons called Bastas which are finer then any made in the Province of Gusaratta All the fields about this City lie flat and even unless it be that about five or six Leagues from it towards the South-west may be seen the Mountains called Pindatshce which reach as far as Barampour and beyond it and are very fertile as is also all the rest of the Country which brings forth Rice Wheat Barly and Cotton in abundance It is out of these Mountains that the Agat is gotten whereof are made such noble drinking Cups Seals Handles of Knives and Daggers and several other rarities which are commonly to be bought at Cambays The jurisdiction of the City of Broitschia extends it self over 84. Villages the Demesne whereof belongs to it but heretofore its territory comprehended three other Cities who have now their particular Governours Four Leagues below the City the River divides it self into two branches which there make an Isle near half a League about below which it falls into the Sea by two several channels It hath no Port but only a Road which is so much the more dangerous in that the Ships which may indeed anchor there at seven fathom water lie open to the mercy of all Winds Eight Leagues from Broitschia upon the way of Cambaya there is a great Village called Ianbaysar or Iambouser where abundance of Indico is made and upon the Road to Amadabat there is to be seen the Sepulchre of a Mahumetan Saint named Pollemedory whither the Moors or Moguls go in pilgrimage with so great devotion that some of them put Padlocks on their mouths to keep them from speaking and never take them off but only when they are to eat Others fasten Iron chains to their arms and it is reported that the Padlocks are opened and the Chains loosed by some supernatural power as soon as they have accomplish'd their Vows at the Sepulchre We left Broitschia in the Evening accompany'd by the Secretary who would needs bring us half a League out of the City He return'd thither but it was to the end he might overtake us five Leagues thence for being entrusted with the management of the Commerce of Brodca as well as of that of Broitschia he thought fit to go along with the Caravan We travell'd all night and the next day till the extraordinary heat forc'd us to encamp near a Fish-pond where we pass'd away the rest of that day and some part of the night following our recreation being to set a dancing the Women that were among the Benjans in the Caravan We went thence after midnight I intreated the Secretary to come into my Coach where I learnt of him several particulars of the Country which by reason of my small stay in those parts it was impossible I could have observed We pass'd through the Village of Karawanet and Kabol where they made us pay a certain passage-Toll Being come within some Leagues of the City of Brodra the English Secretary went on before to take order for our lodging and entertainment We met him with his Second about half a League from the City whither we came the seventh of October The Kaffila pass'd through the City to be lodg'd on the other side of it and the English Merchants carried me into a pleasant Country-house without the City purposely built for a Mausâ—leum to a person of Quality of the Country whose desire it had been to be there buried with all his Family Having taken two or three turns in the Garden we went to the Lodge belonging to the English where they made the greatest entertainment imaginable and to come to the height of that Countries endearments they sent for some Benjan women who were very desirous to see my cloaths which I still wore after the German fashion though the English and Dutch who are settled in the Indies go ordinarily according to the mode of the Country and would have oblig'd me to put them off but perceiving I was unwilling to do it and withall that I made some difficulty to accept of the proffers they made
me to strip themselves naked and to do any thing I would expect from persons of their sex and profession they seem'd to be very much troubled and so went away The City of Brodra lies in a sandy Plain upon the little River Wasset 30. Cos or 15. Leagues from Broitschia This City is of no long standing as having been built by Rasia Ghie son of Sulthan Mahomet Begeran last King of Guzuratta out of the ruines of the ancient Brodra which was heretofore called Radiapora from which it is distant about half a League It is fortifi'd with good Walls and Bastions according to the ancient manner of Fortification and hath five Gates one whereof is damm'd up because there is no high-way abuts upon it The Inhabitants of it especially those of that part of the Suburbs which is towards the West-side of the City are for the most part Benjans and Ketteris by profession Weavers Dyes and other workers in Cotton as being the place where of all the Province the best Clothes are made which are more close but a small matter narrower and shorter then those of Broitschia and it is by that they are distinguished from the others There are several sorts thereof to wit Bastas Nâ—quamas Madasons Cannequins black Chelas blew Assamanis Berams and Tircandias We thought fit to name these several species that we may the better understand the relations which come daily from those parts The jurisdiction of the Governour of Brodra extends it self over two hundred and ten Villages sixty five whereof are design'd for the maintenance of the Garrison and the Mogul disposes of the 135. for the advantage and entertainment of certain Officers of the Court who have their pensions charg'd upon those Villages Among which there is one called Sindickera eight Leagues from the City which yields yearly above 25000. pounds of Lacca This Lacque is a Gum taken out of a certain kind of Tree which is not much unlike our Plum-trees and there is abundance of it gotten all over Guzuratta It s colour is of a red brown but when it is well dry'd and beaten to powder the Indians give it what colour they please black red green yellow c. and make it into sticks to seal Letters withall or use it to adorn and beautifie their houshold-stuffe as Chests Boxes Cabinets Tables Bedsteads c. whereby they give them such a lustre as none yet could ever imitate in Europe especially upon black This Country does also produce much Indico Besides the Sepulchre we spoke of before there are many others to be seen without the City most of them very magnificently built having spacious Gardens about them which are open for any that would go in The same day I took leave of the Secretary and went along with two English Merchants to the Caravan which we found encamped at the corner of a Grove of the Palms which bear Cocos and out of which they get Terry which is the ordinary drink of those parts In the evening came the Dutch Secretary or Deputy of Brodra who presented us with some bottles of Sack and kept us company till after midnight One of the English Merchants came along with the Caravan as far as Wasset which is an old Castle partly ruin'd built upon a high Mountain where there is kept a Garrison consisting of a hundred Horse who there received a certain Impost of a Ropia and a half which amounts to somewhat under four shillings for every Wagon but we had a Passport from the Mogul by vertue whereof we were to pass without paying upon which account it was that one of their Merchants came along with the Caravan to that place Accordingly the Souldiers of the Garrison staid some of our Wagons and would have forc'd us to pay the ordinary duties but we oppos'd it and drew up our Convoy who made their passage by force We cross'd the River and lodg'd in a Village fortifying our selves with our Wagons against the attempts which might have been made against us We found afterwards that this circumspection was no more then needed For ere we had quite supped came the Receiver with some thirty Souldiers well arm'd with Half-pikes Swords Bucklers and Guns and desiring a conference with us we suffered him to enter with three of his Souldiers but he demanding the duties of us we told him that we were not to pay any and that the Mogul's Pass freed us yet to avoid further trouble and out of our good will to the Souldiers of the Garrison we should make them a present of five or six Ropias They would not hear of any such proposition and still stood upon the payment of the whole duty And so they went away but with a design to return the next morning as indeed they did At the same time came a Dutch Merchant who conducted a Caravan of 170. Wagons guarded by 50. Souldiers all Indosthans He told us that the Souldiers of the Garrison had fell'd down a great Tree and laid it cross our way purposely to hinder our passage We immediately commanded out four of our Souldiers to go and clear the way which oblig'd those of the Castle to send some of theirs to hinder them but in regard they could not go by without coming within reach of our Muskets we put our selves into a posture of disputing their passage and they attempted to force us out of our retrenchment which occasion'd the coming back of those whom we had sent to clear the way There was some firing on both sides but we had so much the advantage of them that those of the Castle came to a composition and represented to us by the Dutch Merchants that having no other pay then what they receiv'd from the Merchandises passing that way they were forc'd to make passengers pay the duties that they might have wherewithal to subsist and that they would be content with one half of what was ordinarily received nay to avoid further inconvenience with what we had proffer'd them the day before so that they had at last six Ropias which amount to about three Crowns Their number during this contest encreas'd to a hundred and the Indian Souldiers who convey'd us refused to take up Arms against them alledging it was not lawful for them to fight against the Souldiers of their Soveraign and that it was their business to defend us against the Robbers who might set upon us in the High-way Two Leagues and a half thence is the Village of Ammenoygii and at three and a half further that of Sejuntra whence we came to the little City of Nariad which some call Niriaud nine Leagues from Brodra Its houses are handsome enough and there are made in it Cottons and Indico but not such abundance thereof as there is in the places before mentioned October 11. we came to Mamadebath This little City is within five Leagues of Nariad upon a pretty large River which is very full of Fish It is a
handsome pleasant place and was built by two Brothers who have made a very considerable Castle on the North-side of the City The Inhabitants of it are Benjans and they make there great quantities of Cotton-thread wherewith they drive a great Trade October 12. We travell'd five Leagues and having pass'd by Canis Batova and Issempour where there is a very fair Caravansera or as they call it in India a Sary for the lodging of the Caffilas or Caravans we got the same day very safely to Amadabath The two Merchants and my self went before and we took along with us the Wagon that carried the provisions Within half a League of the City we entred into one of those Gardens in which persons of Quality are wont to have their Sepulchres and staying there for the coming up of the Caravan we sent to the principal Merchant who mannaged the Commerce in those parts to acquaint him with our arrival His name was Benjamin Roberts and he had no sooner heard the news but he took his Coach and came to receive me His Coach made after the Indian fashion was gilt all over covered with several pieces of rich Persian Tapistry and drawn by two white Oxen which express'd as much metal as we could have expected from the best Horses in Germany There was also led by the Coach a very stately Persian Horse the harness whereof was covered with plates of Silver He took a Collation with us of the little Sack and English Beer we had left after which he took me into the Coach with him and brought me to the City ordering the Merchants to stay in the Garden till the Caravan were come up The English House or Lodge is in the middle of the City well built and hath many fair and convenient Apartments with spacious Courts for the disposal of Merchandises Master Roberts brought me first into his own Chamber which look'd into a little Flower-garden in which there was a Fountain The floor was cover'd with Tapistry and the pillars which sustain'd the structure were set out with Silk-stuffes of several colours and above a great white tassel according to the custom of the great Ones of the Country We had a Collation after which he shew'd me the whole house and brought me into a very fair Chamber with a large Closet in it which he had design'd for my Lodging We supp'd in a great Hall whither the Dutch Deputy came after supper to see us with some of his Merchants with whom I had occasion to be acquainted at Suratta After he was gone the whole company conducted me to my Chamber where my Host kept me company till after midnight And that there might not be ought wanting in my entertainment which in answer to the recommendatory Letters I had brought from the President he would needs have in all things extraordinary he sent for six Women-dancers the handsomest could be found in the City and told me that if I liked any thing in them besides their singing and activity I needed only to express my desires and be confident that they would give me all the satisfaction and divertisement which those of their sex are able either to give or take I thanked him for his civility but besides that I had had some touches of my discase by the way I made some scruple to meddle in that kind with a Pagan They admir'd my cloaths but above all that Lock of my hair that hung down over my shoulders and could hardly be induced to believe I was what I really am Having slaid two dayes at Amadabath my noble entertainer took me along with him in a Coach followed by two others and shewed me some part of the City He first brought me to the great Market-place called Meydan-Schach or the Kings Market which is at least 1600. foot long and half as many broad and beset all about with rows of Palm-trees and Date-trees intermix'd with Citron-trees and Orange-trees whereof there are very many in the several Sterets which is not only very pleasant to the sight by the delightful prospect it affords but also makes the walking among them more convenient by reason of the coolness Besides this Meydan there are in the City four Basars or publick places where are sold all kinds of Merchandises The same day I saw also the Castle which is very large and built of Free-stone insomuch that into is one of the most considerable in the Kingdom Not far from the Meydan we went into a House built of Brick which they call the Kings Palace Over the Gate there was a kind of Curtain or Stage for the Musick consisting of Violins Haw-boys and Bag-pipes which play there in the morning at noon in the evening and at midnight as they do in Persia and all other places where the Prince professes the Mahumetan Religion All the Appartments of the House were sumptuous gilt and adorn'd with painting according to the mode of the Country but more to their satisfaction who are pleas'd with diversity of Colours then theirs who look for invention and stand upon the exactness of proportions Then we went out of the City to see the Walls of it which are very fair having twelve Gates and many great Towers with a Ditch sixteen fathom broad but in many places it is ruin'd and without water We return'd into the City to see the principal Mosquey of the Benjans which without dispute is one of the noblest structures that can be seen It was then new for the Founder who was a rich Benjan Merchant named Santides was living in my time The Mosquey stands in the middle of a great Court which is enclos'd with a high Wall of Free-stone all about which there is a Gallery much after the manner of our Cloysters in Monasteries having all its Seats or Cells and in every Cell a Marble Statue white or black representing a Woman naked sitting and having her legs lying cross under her according to the mode of the Countrey There were some had three Statues to wit a great one between two little ones At the entrance into the Mosquey there are two Elephants of black Marble done to the life and upon one of them the Effigies of the Founder The whole Mosquey is vaulted and the Walls adorn'd with several Figures of men and other living Creatures There was not any thing within the Mosquey save that at the further end of the Structure there were three Chappels or obscure places divided one from the other by wooden Rails wherein might be seen Statues of Marble like those we had seen in the Cells with this difference only that there was a lighted Lamp before that which stood in the middle We saw there also one of their Priests who was then busie in receiving from the hands of such as came thither to do their Devotions Flowers wherewith he adorn'd his Images as also Oyl for the Lamps which hung before the Rails and Wheat and Salt for the Sacrifice While
Couteval or Kings Lieutenant hath given him by way of Present about 15. pence for every Wagoâ— and it is lawful for all Forreigners to buy and sell and trade in all sorts of Merchandises those only excepted which are prohibited as Gun-powder Lead and Salt-Peter which may not be transported without the Governours permission but that it is no hard matter to obtain making but a slender acknowledgment of his favour therein The City of Amadabat comprehends within its territory twenty five great Towns and two thousand nine hundred ninety and eight Villages so as that the revenue thereof amounts to above six millions of Crowns whereof the Governour hath the disposal and therewith maintains the Souldiers whom he is oblig'd to keep for the Kings service especially against Robbers upon the high-wayes though many times he protects them and divides the booty with them The Couteval who is as it were the King Lieutenant commands under the Sulthan and mannages the political Government nay meddles also with the administration of Justice joyntly with the Kasi or ordinary Judge The Mogul hath there also several other Officers who are as it were Controllers and Supervisors of those we last named The dayes following I spent in seeing the Sepulchres which are about the City and among others particularly that which is in the Village of Zirkees about a League and a half from Amadabat 'T is the work of a King of Guzuratta built by him to the memory of a Kasi who had been his Praeceptor and is grown very famous upon the account of many pretended Miracles done by him after his death The whole Structure wherein there are four hundred and forty great pillars thirty foot high is of Marble as also the floor of it and serves for a Sepulchre to three other Kings who would needs be buried there with their Families At the entrance of this sumptuous Monument there is a large Tanke or Cistern full of water and enclos'd with a wall which hath several windows all about it The Mahumetans of those parts go on Pilgrimage thither and in this Village of Zirkees is made the best Indico in all the Country About a League thence there is a spacious Garden with a fair House within it which the Mogul Chon Chimauw built in memory of a Victory gained by him in that place over Sulthan Mahomed Begeran last King of Guzuratta upon which he united that Kingdom to his Crown as we shall express hereafter About a League and a half from the City we were shewn a Sepulchre which they call Betti-Chuit that is to say thy daughters shame discovered There lies interr'd in it a rich Merchant a Moor named Hajam Majom who falling in love with his own Daughter and desirous to shew some pretence for his incest went to an Ecclesiastical Judge and told him in general terms That he had in his youth taken the pleasure to plant a Garden and to dress and order it with great care so that now it brought forth such excellent fruits that his neighbours were extreamly desirous thereof that he was every day importuned to communicate unto them but that he could not yet be perswaded to part therewith and that it was his design to make use of them himself if the Judge would grant him in writing a Licence to do it The Kasi who was not able to dive into the wicked intentions of this unfortunate man made answer That there was no difficulty in all this and so immediately declar'd as much in writing Hajom shewed it his Daughter and finding nevertheless that neither his own authority nor the general permission of the Judge would make her consent to his brutal enjoyments he ravished her She complain'd to her Mother who made so much noise about it that the King Mahomet Begeran coming to hear thereof ordered him to lose his head Not far from Amadabat begin to appear the dreadful Mountains of Marva which reach above 70. Leagues towards Agra and above a hundred towards Ouyen and are so inaccessible that the Castle of Gurchitto where lives Rana one of the principal Radias of those parts is accounted impregnable in so much that the Kings of Pettan and the Mogul himself found much ado to reduce it The Indians who are Pagans have still a great Veneration for that Prince who they say was so powerful as that he could in a short time bring 120000. Horse into the Field In the Mountain which lies between Amadabat and Trappe there lives another Radia who is not subject to the Mogul by reason the Woods and Deserts secure him against that Prince who with all his power is not able to force him out of the places he is possess'd of no more then he is the Radia of Ider who is his Vassal but many times refuses to obey his Orders One of the noblest Gardens about the City is that of Schach-bag in that part of the Suburbs which is called Begampour It is the King Garden very spacious encompass'd with a high Wall and hath within it a very fair House the Ditches whereof are full of water and the appartments richly furnish'd I went thence along a Stone-bridge which is four hundred paces in length to another Garden called Niccinabag that is to say the Jewel and they say it was planted by a beautiful and rich young Lady The Garden is not very great no more then the House within it but both very advantageously seated in a place high enough to discover all the adjacent Champion and upon the avenues of the Bridge to make the noblest prospect that ever I saw The Rain which falls in the Winter time supplyes a great Fish-poud or Pool in the middle of the Garden but in Summer they make use of certain Engines wherewith many Oxen put together draw up the water out of Wells which are so deep that they are never dry A man can seldom go to this Garden but he shall find some young Women bathing themselves they will not persuit the Indians should see them but suffered us to come in and speak to them There are so many other Gardens about Amadabat and the whole City is so full of Trees that a man may say it makes all but one Garden for as he comes to the City he sees such abundance of them that he may well think he is going into a Forrest Among other things I took particular notice of the High-way which they call Bascaban and leads to a Village six Leagues distant from the City It is so straight that it should seem they took a great pleasure in planting the Trees about it whereof there is a double row on both sides upon a straight line They are Cocos-Trees which at all times refresh Travellers with their shade but this road comes nothing near that which goes from Agra to Barampour which makes but one continued Ally for a hundred and fifty Germans Leagues together All these Teees lodge and feed an incredible
they thought us so well arm'd and so resolv'd to stand upon our advantage to defend our selves that they passed by without saying ought to us yet discovering withall by their march that they were come only to take a view of us We understood afterwards how that returning by the same Village they had said that if we had been at a little further distance from it they would have disputed the way with us Fifty Leagues thence we came near a Village called Syedck which had in it a very strong Castle And whereas most of our Beasts were extreamly wearied by reason of the great dayes journeys we had made we ordered that some of the Oxen and Waggons should go before But they were hardly got into a little bottom that was in the way not above six hundred paces from us ere they were set upon by ten Rasboutes who had lain in ambush behind a little Hill and at the first onset wounded two Benjans and were driving away the Waggons which they had before turn'd out of the Road when we discovered them aftar off and sent to them some of our Souldiers who forced the Robbers to forsake what they had taken After this we met with no misfortune and came safely to Agra where I took up my quarters among the English whose Civilities to me here were consonant to what I had received from them in other places The Mogul or great King of Indosthan does often change the place of his abode insomuch that there is no City in all his Kingdom of any considerable account where he hath not his Palaces but he delights not so much in any as Agra which to do it right is indeed the noblest City in all his Dominions It lies 28. degrees on this side the Line in the Province of Indosthan upon the River Gemini which falls into the Ganges above the Kingdom of Bengala It is at least twice as big as Ispahan and it is as much as a Man can do to ride about it on horse-back in a day It is fortified with a good Wall of a kind of red Free-stone and a Ditch which is above thirty fathom broad Its Streets are fair and spacious and there are some of them vaulted which are above a quarter of a League in length where the Merchants and Tradesmen have their Shops distinguished by their Trades and the Merchandises which are there sold every Trade and every Merchant having a particular Street and Quarter assigned him There are in it fifteen Meidans and Basars whereof the most spacious is that which is before the Castle where may be seen sixty great Guns of all sizes but not kept in any order so as to be made use of There is also in that place a high Pole as at the Meidan of Ispahan where the Court Lords and sometimes the Mogul himself divert themselves with shooting at the Parrot fastned at the top of it There are in the City fourscore Caravanseras for the accommodation and convenience of Forreign Merchants most of them three Stories high with very noble Lodgings Store-houses Vaults and Stables belonging to them together with Galleries and private Passages for the correspondence and communication of the Chambers Every one of them hath a certain person whose charge it is to lock them up and to take care that the Merchandises be safely kept He does also supply the place of a Sutler and sels all sorts of Provision Forrage and Wood to those that lodge in them And whereas the Mogul and most of the greatest Lords about his Court profess the Mabumetan Religion there is also in Agra a very great number of Metschid or Mosqueys and among the rest seventy great ones of which the six principal they call Metschid-adine because that it is in them they do their Devotions of Holy-dayes In one of these last named is to be seen the Sepulchre of one of their Saints called Seander and they say he is of the Posterity of Aaly In another of them may be seen the Sepulchre of another Saint who being 30. foot in length and 16. in breadth must needs have been one of the mightiest Gyants that ever were talk'd of His Tomb was cover'd all over with little Flags and we were told he had been one of their Heroes who had sometime done wonders in the wars To this place there are great Pilgrimages made insomuch that the Devotions of the Pilgrims do by the Offerings they make very much augment the wealth of that Mosquey the Revenue whereof is very great without those advantages There are daily maintain'd in it a great number of poor people so that it may be truly said that the Devotions done there are not inferiour to those done at the Sepulchre of Schich Sefi at Ardebil These Metzids and the Courts which depend on them serve also for so many Sanctuaries to persons guilty of any capital Crimes as also to such as fear imprisonment for their Debt These are the Allacapi of the Persians and are called by the Indians Allader and the priviledges of them in the Indies are equal to those the Allacapi are endued with in Persia insomuch that the Mogul himself though his power be absolute cannot force a man out of these Sanctuaries be his crime of ever so heynous a nature by reason of the Veneration which these people have for their Saints There are numbred in the City of Agra above eight hundred Baths or Hot-houses from which there comes in yearly to the Mogul a very considerable sum of money occasioned hence that this kind of Purification making one of the principal parts of their Religion there passes not a day but that these places are frequented by an infinite number of persons The great Lords about the Court who are called Rasgi or Rajas have their Houses and Palaces in the City besides their Country-houses all magnificent both as to structure and houshold-stuffe The King hath several Gardens and Houses without the City whither he often retires himself with his Women-dancers who dance before him stark naked But there is not any thing gives a greater demonstration of the greatness of this Monarch then his Palace which stands upon the River Gemini and is near four Leagues about It is excellently well fortified according to the fortification of that Country with a Wall of Free-stone and a great Ditch having at every Gate a Draw-bridge the Avenues whereof are also very well fortified especially at the North-gate The Gate which leads to the Basar is on the West-side and is called Cistery Under this Gate is the Diwan or the place of publick Judicature and there is adjoyning to it a spacious Hall where the principal Visier dispatches and seals all Orders for the ordinary and extraordinary Levies of men whereof the Originals are kept at the said place As soon as a man is come within this Gate he finds himself in a spacious Street having Shops on both sides which leads
Barampour and to be as it were a Reserve consisted of one and forty thousand Horse to wit Haddis and Beâ—ken-Dasse 15000 Asaph-Chan 5000 Rauratti 4000 Wasir-Chan 3000 Mabot-Chan 3000 Godia Abdul Hessen 3000 Aftel-Chan 2000 Serdar-Chan 2005 Raja Iessing 2000 Feddey-Chan 1000 Ieffer 1000 Mockly-Chan 1000 Serif-Chan 1000 Seid Allem 1000 Amiral 1000 Raja Ramdas 1000 Tork Taes-Chan 1000 Mier Iemla 1000 Myrsa Abdulac 500 Mahmud-Chan 500 Myrsa Maant Cher. 500 Ghawaes-Chan 1000 Moried-Chan 1000 And under the Command of several other Lords of their quality whom they call Ommeraudes 10000 The total of the Horse 62500 The offensive Arms of the Horse are the Bow the Quiver having in it forty or fifty Arrows the Javeline of a kind of long-headed-Pike which they dart with great exactness the Cymitar on one side and the Ponyard on the other and the defensive is the Buckler which they have alwayes hanging about their necks They have no Fire-Arms with Wheels nor yet Fire-locks but their Infantry are expert enough at the Musket Those among the Foot who have no Muskets have besides their Bows and Arrows a Pike ten or twelve foot long with which they begin the fight by darting it at the Enemy instead of using it in opposition to the Horse as is done in Europe Some among them have Coats of Mail about them which come down to their knees but there are very few make use of Head-pieces in regard they would be very troublesome by reason of the excessive heats in those parts They know nothing of the distinction of Van-guard main Battle and Rear-guard and understand neither Front nor File nor make any Battalion but fight confusedly without any Order Their greatest strength consists in the Elephants which carry on their backs certain Towers of Wood wherein there are three or four Harquebuses hanging by hooks and as many Men to order that Artillery The Elephants serve them for a Trench to oppose the first attempt of the Enemy but it often comes to pass that the Artificial Fires which are made use of to frighten these Creatures put them into such a disorder that they do much more mischief among those who brought them to the Field then they do among the Enemies They have abundance of Artillery and some considerable great Pieces and such as whereof it may be said the invention of them is as ancient as that of ours They also make Gun-powder but it is not fully so good as what is made in Europe Their Timbrels and Trumpets are of Copper and the noise they make in order to some Military Action is not undelightful Their Armies do not march above five Cos or Leagues according to the measure of the Country in a day and when they encamp they take up so great a quantity of ground that they exceed the compass of our greatest Cities In this they observe an admirable Order inasmuch as there is no Officer nor Souldier but knows where he is to take up his Quarters nor can there be any City more regularly divided into Streets Markets and other publick places for the greater communication and convenience of the Quarters and for the distribution of Provisions The Mogul and the General of the Army have their Tents pitched at a certain distance from those of the rest nay as far as a Musket will carry from those of their own Guards The Mogul's ordinary Guard consists of twelve thousand men besides the six hundred who are the particular Guard of the body the Company whereof consists of so many young men whom he buyes and causes to be exercised in Armes that they may be perpetually about his Person The Rasgi Rajas or Radias are never advanced to that Dignity but upon the score of Merit The Mogul bestows it also on the Chancellour or principal Visir who is the President of his Privy Councel and as it were Vice-Roy of all his Dominions inasmuch as he it is who sends Orders into all the Provinces of the Kingdom and it is to him that all are to make their Addresses in all Affairs of importance The King permits him not to receive any Presents yet does he not forbear taking them underhand and his Secretaries and other Officers under him take them so openly that there is no ever so secret transaction but a man may have the particulars thereof if he hath money to bestow among those who have the transcription and dispatch of them These Rasgi have so great a Veneration for their King that it were impossible for a man to approach things most sacred with more submission then they express when they speak to him The discourses they entertain him with are intermingled and interrupted with continual Reverences and when they take their leave of him they bow down their heads put their hands over their eyes thence afterwards upon their breasts and at last touch the ground therewith to shew they are but dust and athes in comparison of him wishing him all prosperity and coming out of his presence backwards When the Mogul marches in Person in the head of his Army or when he comes out of the City to go a hunting or to take the Air he is attended by above ten thousand men In the head of this little Army there march above a hundred Elephants with their covering Clothes of Scarlet Velvet or Brocadoe Every Elephant carries two Men one whereof governs and guides the Creature by touching his forehead with an Iron-hook the other carries a large Banner of Silk embroidered with Gold and Silver excepting only the seven or eight foremost which carry each of them one that playes on the Timbrel The King himself is mounted on an excellent Persian Horse or goes in a Coach drawn by two white Oxen the Horns whereof which are very large are adorn'd with Gold or some times he is carried by several men in a Palanquin or kind of Sedan The Rasgi and the Officers of the Court march after him and have coming behind them five or six hundred Elephants Camels or Waggons loaded with baggage For the most part he takes up his Quarters in the Fields where he causes his Tents to be pitched which is done upon this account that as on the one side there are but few Cities where he might find necessary accommodations for the quarters and entertainment of the Court so on the other he takes a particular pleasure in encamping in the Summer time in cool places in the Winter in hot places insomuch that he is in some sort the Master of the Seasons as well as of all the other things which are subject to him He commonly leaves Agra towards the end of April and retires near Labor or some other more Northerly Province where he passes over the moneths of May Iune Iuly and August and then he returns again to the place of his ordinary residence The City of Agra is of such extent and so populous that were there a necessity there might
be rais'd out of it two hundred thousand men able to bear Arms. There is no Nation in all the East but hath some Commerce or other at this place but most of the Inhabitants are Mahumetans and all the Merchandizes that are imported into it or exported out of it pay ten in the hundred There are above forty small Cities and above three thousand five hundred Villages that depend on the jurisdiction of Agra which extends it self above sixscore Leagues about The Country is delightful and very fertile producing abundance of Indico Cotton Salt-Peter and other things wherewith the Inhabitants drive a vast Trade There are two Festivals which are celebrated in this place with extraordinary Ceremonies one whereof is that of the first day of the year which with the Persians they call Naurus Nauros or Norose which signifies nine dayes though now it last eighteen at least and it falls at the moment that the Sun enters Aries In order to the celebration of this Festival before the Derbar or Kings Palace there is erected a Theatre fourteen foot high fifty six in length and forty in breadth having all about it a row of Pillars after the manner of a Balcony cover'd with rich Tapistry Near this Theatre there is erected another building of painted wood and embellish'd with Mother of Pearl into which go some of the principal Lords about the Court who nevertheless have their Tents pitch'd in the first Court of the Palace filled with all they have that is rich and magnificent whereof they make the greatest Ostentation they can that day The Predecessors of this Prince who now reigns were wont to go into all these Tents and to take thence any thing they liked but now the Ceremony is otherwise For the King accompanied by the seven Ministers of State go up into the Theatre where he sits upon Velvet Cushions enbroidered with Gold and Pearls and stayes for the Presents which are to be made to him The Queen is in a certain Gallery whence she sees all the Ceremony yet is not seen her self Departing thence he sits upon his Ordinary Throne where he receives the Presents of the people which he continues to do for eighteen dayes together Towards the end of the Festival the King in his turn makes his Presents to the Lords which consists in Charges Employments and new Honours which he distributes among those that have given him most The Mogul's birth-day is celebrated with the Ceremonies following He begins the day with all manner of divertisements which over he goes to the Palace of the Queen his Mother if she be living and causes many Presents to be made her by the Grandees of his Kingdom After dinner he puts on the richest clothes he hath and covers himself all over with Gold and precious Stones and being thus rather loaden then adorn'd with inestimable wealth he goes into a Tent where he is expected by the Lords of the Court in which finding a pair of Scales he weighs himself These Scales are of massy Gold as are also the Chains by which they hang and are all beset with precious Stones He puts himself into one of the Scales and into the other there are put several bags of Silver one bag of Gold some precious Stones some pieces of Silk-stuffs Linnen cloath Pepper Cloves Nutmeg and Cinnamon Wheat Pulse and Herbs and there is an exact account kept of the difference of weight there may be between one year and another The King gives away with his own hands all the money among the poor and the rest are bestowed on the Benjans That done the King seats himself in his Throne and causes to be cast among the Grandees Nuts Pistachoes Almonds and several other Fruits of Gold but so finely wrought that a thousand of them weighed not thirty Crowns This some would boggle much to admit for a Truth yet certain it is that it hath been seen that the value of ten Crowns bestowed in these trifles filled a great Basin of them so that all the liberality of this powerful Monarch could not amount to a hundred Crowns The Festival is concluded with a great Feast at which the Mogul entertains the Lords of his Court with whom he passes away the night in drinking They celebrate also another Festival which they begin ten dayes after the new Moon of the moneth of Iuly much after the same manner as the Persians celebrate their Aschur The Indians observe this Festival in honour of two Brethren named Ianze and Iawze servants to Haly who being gone in Pilgrimage to a particular place of Devotion upon the Coast of Coromandel the Bramans and other Pagans of those parts set upon them and forc'd them to retreat into a Castle where they besieg'd them These holy Persons maintain'd the Siege a long time but being resolv'd not to drink of the Water which the Pagans had prophan'd by casting a Lizard into it a Creature for which the Mahumetans have an aversion because of its uncleanness they took a resolution to make a sally upon the besiegers and killed many of them but at last they were overcome by the great number of their enemies who left them dead upon the place There are carried about the City Coffins covered with Bows and Arrows Turbants Cymitars and Garments of Silk which the people accompany with sobbings and lamentations in commemoration of the death of those holy Persons Some among them dance at the Ceremony others strike their Swords one against another nay there are those who cut and slash themselves so as that the bloud comes out in several places wherewith they rub their clothes and by that means represent a very strange procession Towards night they set up several Figures of men made of Straw to personate the Murtherers of those Saints and having shot a great many Arrows at them they set them on fire and reduce them to ashes And this they do with so much fury and animosity that should there be any of the Pagans in the Streets at that time they would run the hazard of their lives whence it comes that during these Ceremonies they stir not out of their houses The Mahumetans of those parts celebrate also another Feast in the moneth of Iune in memory of the sacrifice of Abraham at which they kill He-Goats which they eat at the Entertainments they make among themselves that day Certain it is that the Mogul stands very much upon his descent in a direct and masculine I ne from Temirlanque that is to say Temir the lame who is commonly called Tamerlan who was of the Family of Chinguis-Chan King of Tartary Scach Choram who was living at my being in those parts was a younger Son of Scach Iahan's and had usurped the Crown from Prince Polagi his Nephew whom we found at Caswin at our coming into Persia. He might be then about sixty years of Age and had three Sons whereof the Elder was about 25. years of age but he had not
of those Grandees who had highly express'd their dissatisfaction with his Administration of the Government and considering with himself that he stood in need of a more powerful Protection made his Applications to Achobar the Mogul or King of Indosthan and intreated him to come in to the relief of his Ward promising to deliver up Amadabath the chief City of the Kingdom into his hands Achobar thought it no prudence to neglect so favourable an occasion and so immediately entred Guzuratta with a powerful Army but instead of contenting himself with the City of Amadabath he became absolute Master of the whole Kingdom and carried away Madofher and his Guardian Prisoners to Agra Madofher being come to thirty years of age and beginning to reflect on the misfortune of his Captivity which he saw must be perpetual combin'd with one of the most considerable Lords of Guzuratta who put him into possession of certain Cities of his Kingdom such as lay at the greatest distance from the Frontiers of the Mogul but they gave him not the time to settle himself therein For Achobar immediately sent an Army thither under the command of Chan-Channa who recovered the whole Kingdom in less then a year prevented Madofher from making his escape and took him prisoner This unfortunate Prince reflecting on the Affronts which would be put upon him at his coming to Agra and fearing that Achobar would put him to death chose rather to prevent him and being got to a certain place alone under pretence of doing some necessities of Nature cut his own throat The Mogul governs the Kingdom of Guzuratta by a Viceroy or Governour General who hath his ordinary Residence at Amadabath in such manner as that all the other Governours are oblig'd to give him an account of their Administration and to receive Orders from him His power is in a manner absolute For though in the judgment of Civil Causes as also when he consults about affairs of Importance he advises with some of the principal Lords of the Country and of his Court yet can it not be said that he hath any settled Council but takes their Proposals rather to discover their Sentiments then to follow them Insomuch that if his imployment were settled for a certain number of years he would have no cause to envy the greatness of the Mogul himself But this Government depends meerly on the Kings pleasure who takes occasion often to change the Governours as on the other side they knowing that the least Order from the Court may dispossess them let slip no occasion of making their advantages and receiving from all hands especially near the time they expect to be recall'd For then they make it their business to get excessive sums of money out of the richest Merchants in the Country especially those of the City of Amadabath who are forc'd to clear themselves of false Accusations which they had not been charged withall but to squeeze them of some part of their Estates inasmuch as the Governour being supreme Judge of all Causes as well Civil as Criminal they must either expect certain destruction or satisfie the Governours avarice There is no King in Europe hath so noble a Court as the Governour of Guzuratta nor any that appears in publick with greater magnificence He never comes abroad but he is attended by a great number of the Nobility and his Guards both Horse and Foot having marching before him a great many Elephants with their covering Cloaths of Brocadoe or Velvet embroidered Banners Drums Trumpets and Timbrels In his Palace he is served as a King and permits not any to come within his Lodgings till they have demanded audience He makes his advantages of all the Levies and Impositions which are made in his Government so that in a short time he becomes Master of incredible wealth especially by means of the third part of all the Arable Lands which belong to the King and are assign'd to the Governour for the maintenance of a body of Horse which he is oblig'd to defray but comâ—s much short of the number it should be of The Revenue of the Kingdom of Guzuratta amounted heretofore to eighteen Millions of Gold not accounting the Customs of Brodra and Broitschia which brought in yearly near eight hundred thousand Crowns This Country hath no Enemy it need stand in feâ—r of but the Mountains of those parts are the retyring places of certain Radias or petty Princes who live only upon rapine and the incursions their Subjects make upon the Mogul's Territories who with all his great power is not able to force them out of those inaccessible places Besides these there are also certain companies of Robbers or Tories who sometimes makes up a body of three or four hundred Men to rob upon the High-way insomuch that travelling cannot be without danger unless so many travel together as can in some measure make their party good against the attempts of those Villains who are so much the more easily defeated by reason of their having no fire-Armes The Couteval is he who judges of Affairs of lesser Consequence but the administration of Justice amongst them is very pleasant in as much as he who complains first most commonly gets the better of it so that it may be truly said among them according to the Proverb that who bears away the blows payes for the bloud-whip Capital crimes are judged by the Governours of the several Cities who cause their Sentences to be put in execution by the Couteval There is in a manner no crime whereof a Man may not avoid the punishment by Money so that it may be said of those parts with greater reason then of any other that Gibbets are set 〈◊〉 only for the unfortunate The Crimes punished with greatest severity are Murther and Adultery especially when it happens to have been committed with a Gentlewoman of any Quality Upon which account it is that they permit Brothel-houses all which pay a certain Tribute to the Couteval who in requital protects them so well that it is not only safe but also honourable for any man to frequent them We have already given a Catalogue of the principal Cities of Guzuratta as Amadabath Cambaya Surat Brodra Broitschia c. All which we passed through in our Travels so that it remains only that we give a short account of the other more inconsiderable places of the Kingdom Goga is a small City or rather a great Village thirty Leagues distant from Cambayâ— at a place where the Gulf is so narrow that it seems to be a kind of a River This place is sufficiently well peopled and most of the Inhabitants are Benjans and live either by their Relation to the Sea or by Weaving It hath neither Gates nor Bulwarks but only a Free-stone Wall towards the Sea-side where the Portuguez Frigats have their Rendezvous in order to the conveying of their Merchant-men to Goa Pattepatane and Mangerol are two great Towns nine
Leagues distant from Goga and there are made in them great quantities of Cottons and Linnen-cloath The City of Diu where the Portuguez have three strong Castles is seated upon the Frontiers of the Kingdom on the South-side They call it Diuê pronouncing theâ—e so gently that a man can hardly hear it The word Diuê signifies an Island and thence comes the word Agrediuê five Isles and that of Nalediuè four Isles which the Portuguez corruptly call Maldiua and Diuê Noulaka the Isle of fourscore and ten thousand which hath that name given it upon this account that the Daughter of a certain Lord of the said place having begg'd of her Father the Revenue of it for one day it brought her in fourscore and ten thousand pieces of Silver The City of Bisantagan is one of the greatest of all the Kingdom of Guzuratta as containing near twenty thousand Houses It lies almost in the midst of the Kingdom and till of late was but a simple Village The fertility of the adjacent Country hath raised it to the greatness wherein it now is for thereabouts they keep abundance of Cattle and there grow also great quantities of Rice Wheat and Cotton which is made into Yarn and Clothes The City of Pettan was heretofore six Leagues about and encompassed with a strong Wall of Free-stone which is now broken down in several places since its Commerce began to diminish The Inhabitants are for the most part Benjans and their Profession making of Stuffs of Silk for the wearing of the Country as also some Cotton-cloaths but they are very course and are of those kinds which are commonly called Dosternals Sgarderberal Longis Allegiens c. This City hath a fair Castle within it where the Sulthan of the place lives In the middest of the City there is a Mosquey which was built by the Pagans and may pass for one of the most sumptuous Temples in all the East It s Roof is sustain'd by a thousand and fifty Pillars most whereof are of Marble Those who have contributed most to the destruction of that Cities Trading are a sort of People called the Coulses who having taken any of the Inhabitants abroad in the Country force them to ransome themselves and do so pester the High-wayes that the Merchants dare not travel that way Cheytepour lies six Leagues from Pettan and twenty two from Amadabath upon a small Rivers side All the Inhabitants are Benjans who are Weavers and make great quantities of Cottâ—n-yarn There is in the City a Garrison of 150. men for the securing of the Caffilas which pass that way for Agra and Amadabath Messana is an open Town having within it an old ruin'd Castle the Governour whereof is oblig'd to maintain two hundred Horse for the safe passage of the Caffilas The Country all about produces much Cotton and some Cloaths are made there but no great quantities Nassary or Nausary Gaudui and Balsara are three small Cities under the jurisdiction of Surat from which the first is six the second nine and the third fourteen Leagues distant They lye all three about two Leagues distant from the Sea There are made in them great quantities of course Cottons and it is in these parts that they â—ell the Wood which is spent all over the Kingdom in the building of Houses and Ships The old Inhabitants of the Country are Pagans and are those whom they properly call Hindoy or Indou The Mahumetans Religion came in with the Arms of Tamerlan and those other Forreigners who have settled themselves there by the Conquests they have in those parts The Kingdom is peopled with Persians Arabians Armenians and several other Nations but you shall seldome meet there with either Chineses or Iaponeses for they are so warm and well provided at home that they seldome settle themselves elsewhere The Mahumetans of the Country professing at least by name the same Religion with the Persians occasions the Persian Language to be as common among them as the Indosthan though in the Explication of the Alchoran they follow the sentiments of Hembili and Maleki whereas the Persians accept only of the Exposition of Aly and Tzafersaduck but they both condemn that of Hanifa which is approved by the Turks It is not our design in this place to run into any discourse of the Mahumetan Religion but having premised a short account of the Inhabitants of the Country we shall afterwards treat more at large of their Religion and the Sects whereof it consists They are all of an Olive or Duskish colour but more or less such according to the Climate in which they live Those who are more towards the South are without comparison of a much higher colour then those who live more towards the North. The Men are strong and well proportioned having large Faces and black Eyes and cause their Heads and Beards to be shaven clear off excepting only the Mustachoes as the Persians do also The Mahumetans cloath themselves much after the Persian Mode only they fold their Turbants after another way There is also this difference observ'd between them that the Indosthans have the opening of their Garments under the left Arm whereas the Persians have it under the right Arm and that the former tye their Girdles before and let the ends hang down whereas the Persians do only fold it several times about the body and hide the ends within the Girdle it self It is within these Girdles that they carry their Ponyards which they call Limber and are about a foot long having the Blade much broader towards the Handle then it is towards the Point There are some have Swords of that making but the Souldiers commonly wear Cymitars Good Horses are very scarce in those parts whence it comes that they often make use of Oxen which are altogether as swift as our Horses and I have seen whole Troops consisting of this kind of Cavalry The Women are very well proportioned though of low stature They have very handsom bodies and are very sumptuous in their Attire Their Hair hangs down over their Shoulders and on their Heads they have only a thin Cap or cover them with a Crepine of Lawn wrought with Gold the ends whereof hang down on both sides as low as their Knees Those who are of ability wear in their Ears Pendants of Diamonds Pearls or other precious Stones and about their Necks Neck-laces of a kind of great round Pearl which makes no undelightful show on the brown complexion of the Ladies of those parts who sometimes also wear Rings in their Nostrils which is so much the less incommodious to them in that they never almost have any occasion to wipe their Noses They wear Breeches as well as the Men which are of Taffata or some kind of Cotton-stuffe and those of such length that were they let out they would reach over their Heads They lye close and even till they come down below the Ham where they are
people They have no Mâ—squeys nor other publick places for the Exercise of their Religion but they make use to that purpose of some room in their houses where they do their devotions sitting and without any inclination of the body Nor have they any particular day in the week design'd for that end but they observe the first and twentieth day of the Moon Though their Moneths consist of thirty dayes a piece yet does their Year consist of 365. dayes for they add five dayes to the last Moneth Their Priests are not known by their habit in regard it is common to them not only with all the rest of the Parsis but also with all the other Inhabitants of the Country from whom they are distinguish'd by a String or Wreath of Wooller Camels Hair wherewith they make them a Girdle which comes twice about the body and is ty'd with two knots behind which is the only distinctive mark of their Religion and so inseparable from their Profession that if it happen to be lost he who is so unfortunate as to have lost it may neither eat nor drink nor speak nay not stir from the place where he is till another be brought him from the Priest who sells them The Women wear of them as well as the Men after they are come to twelve years of age at which time they are thought capable of comprehending the Mysteries of Religion Their houses are little and dark very poorly furnish'd and they have a great affection to live in the same quarter They have no particular Magistrate among them yet do they not think much to accept of the employments which the Mahumetans give them and create among themselves two of the most considerable of the Nation who decide such differences as may arise and for which they never plead before any other Judges There is nothing so precious among them as Fire which they keep in very carefully upon this account as they affirm that there is not any thing affords so lively a representation of the Divinity as Fire does Whence it comes that they never put out a Candle or a Lamp and never make use of Water to quench the Fire though the House were in danger of being burnt but they endeavour to smother it with Earth For it is the greatest misfortune can happen to them to find the Fire so far out in their Houses as that they must be forc'd to go out among their Neighbours to get some They also marry their Children while they are very young but they suffer the Parents to bring them up at their own Houses till they are come to fifteen or sixteen years of age and then they consummate the marriage Their Widows are permitted to marry the second time whence it comes that there are not so many disorders committed among them as there are among the other Nations But Adultery and Fornication are the greatest sins they can commit and which no doubt they would punish with death if they had the administration of Justice in their own hands When any one is so sick as that there is little hopes of his recovery he is taken out of his bed to be laid on a little bed of green Turfs upon the ground where he lies till he give up the ghost and immediately after five or six Men whose imployment it is to make the Graves take him from the said Pallat of Turfs put a Shroud about him and lay him upon an Iron-grate made after the form of a Biere upon which they carry the body to the place of burial which is above a League from the City These places or if we may call them so Church-yards are divided into three parts all inclosed with a Wall of twelve or fifteen foot high one whereof is for the Men another for the Women and the third for Children Over the Graves there are Bars laid cross like a Grate upon which they lay the body there to remain till the Crows and other devouring Birds have consumed them so as that the Bones fall into the Grave The Kindred and Friends accompany the Corps with horrid cries and lamentations and make a halt when they are come within 500. paces of the Grave till such time as the Grave-makers have laid it upon the Grate and made certain Prayers for the Sonl About a moneth or six weeks after they carry the Turfs upon which the deceased party died to the Church-yard as a thing polluted which they would not so much as touch and every moneth they make a Feast for the nearest of the Kindred in memory of the departed If it happens that they touch a dead Carkass or the Bones of a dead Beast they are oblig'd to cast off their cloaths to cleanse their bodies and to do pennance for nine dayes together during which neither Women nor Children dare come near them They are of this particular perswasion that they whose Bones chance to fall into the Water are irrecoverably damned Their Law forbids the eating of ought that hath had life yet are not these prohibitions so rigorous but that in case of necessity nay even in the time of war they kill Sheep Goats tame Fowl and Fish and eat thereof But they religiously abstain from the Oxe and Cow nor do they kill Elephants Camels Horses or Hares but as to the Oxe and Cow they forbear them so strictly that they commonly say they had rather feed on their Fathers and Mothers then eat of an Oxe or Cow They are permitted to drink Wine and Terry but are forbidden the drinking of Aqua-vitae and above all things being overcome with drunkenness This is a sin among them which cannot be expiated without undergoing a very severe pennance which a man must either submit to or be content to quit their communion Their stature is none of the greatest but they are of a clearer Complexion then any of the other Indosthans and their Women are beyond comparison whiter and fairer then those of the Country or those of the Mahumetans The Men wear great bushy Beards cut round or somewhat Spade-wise Some cut off their Hair others let it grow to the full length Those who cut their Hair leave growing on their Crowns a Lock or Tust about an inch in compass They are the most self-ended and covetous sort of people in the World using all possible industry to over-reach and circumvent those they trade withall though otherwise they have an aversion for theft They are of a better Nature then the Mahumetans at least if it may be said there is any good Nature consistent with a self-seeking mind when it is once possessed with the basest and most infamous of all Vices Avarice There are in the Kingdom of Guzuratta two other sorts of Pagans one whereof are the Indous who come out of the Province of Multhan and the parts about Asmeern and are not Benjans inasmuch as they kill all sorts of Beasts and eat thereof excepting only the
and go from Surat Cambaia and Broitschia upon the Coasts of Persia bring home Brocadoes Silk-stuffes Velvets Chamlets Pearls dry Fruits as Almonds Raisms of the Sun Nuts and Dates and above all Rose-water wherewith they drive a great Trade These go away in the moneths of Ianuary and February and return in April or the beginning of May. There are other Ships of a hundred two hundred and three hundred tuns burthen which carry to Acim in the Island of Sumatra all sorts of the Commodities of the Country and bring home Sulphur Benjamin Camphire Percelain Tin and Pepper These last set sail in May for this reason that the Portuguez who forbid the selling of Pepper any where but in the Cities where they have established their Commerce upon pain of death and confiscation of Goods and guard the Coast against the Pirats of the Malabares draw not into their Havens till that time and therefore they must so order their Affairs that they may be at home again in October before the Portuguez set out their Fleets to Sea The Malabares who inhabit that part of the Indian Coast which reaches from Cap di Rama ten Leagues from Goa Southward as far as Cap di Comori about a hundred and seven or a hundred and eight Leagues in length and comprehends the Cities of Calicut Onor Bacalir Bacanor Mangalor Cananor and Granganot have also very great trade at Surat Cambaya and Broitschia and bring thither Cayro which is the bark of the Cocos-trees whereof they make Cordage for Ships Copera or the pith of the same Trees brown Sugar which they call Sigaga Areca and Bettelé which they call in their Language Dimang a certain kind of Wood which dyes red called Patang and Harpus wherewith Ships are calked as also Rice and other provisions They carry home Opium Saffron Coral Cotton Thread Linnen-cloaths and other Stuffes They come to Surat and upon the Coasts in the moneth of December and go away in April The Portuguez who for a long time had all the advantages of the Trade of Guzuratta and were become Masters thereof by means of the Forts they had built at Daman Diu and Goa to make their party good against the Malabares their irreconcileable Enemies brought thither Lead Tin Vermilion Quicksilver all sorts of Woollen-clothes Ivory Sandal-wood Pepper Cardomomum or grains of Paradise Cloves Porcelane China-Stuffes Cinnamon Cocos Cayro Vessels of Gold Vermilion-gilt made in Europe and bought there all sorts of Stuffes Cotton-clothes Indico Saltpeter Lacque Sugar Mirobalans Preserves Bed-steads Cabinets and other pieces made of Lacque which they brought to Goa and disposed into their great Ships or Carracks which set thence for Portugal in Ianuary and February They bought there also Butter Assa foetida Opium Cummin Cotton and Thread to be transported to Malacca China and Sapan where they traded many times at two hundred upon one hundred profit But since the English and Dutch setled themselves in the Kingdom of Guzuratta they have been forc'd to quit some part of that Trade and to content themselves with what they still carry on at Goa whereof we shall give some account in the second Book of this Relation MANDELSLO's TRAVELS INTO THE INDIES The Second Book THe English President Mr. Metwold who had resign'd his charge in the Indies to his Successour Mr. Fremling having taken all requisite order for our Voyage went the first day of Ianuary 1639. to take his leave of the Sulthan who receiv'd him very kindly and presented him with a Vestment of Brocadoe the Collar whereof was made of two Martins Skins with Sables which he then had about him as also many other rare things which he entreated him to keep for his sake At our coming out of the Sulthans Palace we were received into a Shallop which brought us aboard the Mary then lying in the Road two Leagues from the mouth of the River The new President and the chiefest of the English Officers accompanied us into the Ship where they stayed three dayes entertaining and treating one another and drowning in good Wine the affliction which was to ensue upon so long a separation We set sail the fifth two hours before day and got at night in sight of the City of Daman where we found one of our Ships which was gone before us to take up a Portuguez Vessel that was to go along with us to Goa The Governour sent us a Vessel of Wine about the bigness of a Barrel and some other refreshments notwithstanding the siege which the King of Decam his Neighbour then maintain'd against the place but with little good success in regard the Haven being not block'd up the Indians could not prevent the sending in of relief into the City even in the day time The Kingdom of Decam or rather Cuncam for so it is more commonly called though from its Metropolis it sometimes gets the name of Visiapour reaches all along that Coast from Ingediva which lies within twelve leagues of Goa towards the South to a place named Siffarde The Neighbouring Princes are on the North-side the King Nisamsa who is possess'd of the Country which lies between the Province of Dolte babth within the Kingdom of Decam and the Kingdom of Bailama on Daman side and on the East the King of Benghenal whose residence is in the City of Golcanda which is corruptly called Golconda The chief Maritime Cities of the Kingdom of Decam are Geytapour Rasapour Carapatan and Dabul but the Metropolis of the Kingdom is Visiapour eighty Leagues from Dabul and eighty four from Goa The way from Goa to Visiapour lies according to the following direction which we thought fit to insert here purposely to take occasion by that means to discover a good part of the Country As soon as you come out of Goa you cross the River Madre de dios to get into the Country of the King of Visiapour in which the first place you come to is the City of Ditcauly three Leagues from Goa The Governour of this City is Governour also of the Fort of Ponda which is upon the same River From Ditcauly to Danda are counted six Leagues This City is of a competent largeness and hath very fair Streets It is seated upon the River Dery which falls into the Sea near those Isles which the Portuguez call Islas quemadas Its Inhabitants are Decanins and Benjans who traffick very much at Goa From Danda to the Mountain of Balagatta are nine Leagues and you pass through the Villages of Amby and Herpoli and at the foot of the Mountain through that of Amboly This Mountain reaches along the Kingdom of Cuncam as far as the Coasts of Coromandel and there on the top of it Plains whose fertility is equal to that of the most pleasant Valleys From Amboly to the Village of Herenekassi upon the River of the same name there are eleven Leagues and within Cannon shot of it you pass
through the Village of Berouly which lies in a Valley between the Mountains of Balagatta Two Leagues thence you come to the Village of Werserée three Leagues thence to that of Outor and six Leagues and a half further to that of Berapour half a League thence to that of Matoura and a League thence to that of Calingra About five hundred paces from Calingra you come to the Village of Kangir and ere you get much further to a Hamlet which hath no other name then that of Bary which is given to all those places that have no particular name About a League thence is the Village of Worry and half a League further that of Attrowad near which upon an eminent place there is a very magnificent Pagode of the Countrey or Mosquey which may be seen at a very great distance About two Leagues and a half from this Pagode you turn upon the left hand and go through the Village of Badaraly to Kerwes which is also two Leagues and a half from Badaraly From Kerwes to Skeokory are accounted two Leagues and from Skeokory to a very sumptuous Benjane Pagode five Leagues From this Pagode may be discovered at a great distance the Castle of Mirsis two leagues thence upon the left hand and you go thence to Rajebag which is about a league distant from the said Pagode Rajebag is a very great City and drives a great trade in Pepper which the Inhabitants transport to Bisnager and elsewhere It is part of the Dowry of the Queen of Visepour who hath there a Governour under her About a League from Rajebag you come to a very noble Well about two Leagues thence you cross the River Cugny and about half a League further you come to the City of Gotteuy You leave it on the left hand yet go through one Gate of it to pass through the Villages of Goetesi and Omgar which are but about five hundred paces thence and about half a League further you come to the great River Corstena which runs through the whole Kingdom of Decam as far as Masulypatan About a League and a half from the River you go through the Village of Eynatour and not far thence through that of Katerna and thence to those of Tangly and Erary and so to the River Agery which is distant thence about a League and a half About three Leagues further you come to the City of Atteny which is so considerable as to be a common Market to all the adjacent Country whence are daily brought to it abundance of all sorts of provisions About four Leagues thence you come to the Village of Bardgie and at three and a half further pass through the Village of Agger which is within three Leagues of the City of Talsengbe which is distant from that of Homoware three other Leagues and thence there are as many to the City of Ticota which is within six Leagues of Visapour Before you come to the chief City you pass through the Villages of Nouraspour and Sirrapour which are in a manner its Suburbs and whereof the former was heretofore the ordinary residence of the King Ibrahim Schach who reign'd at the beginning of this last Age but now it is wholly ruin'd and the Materials of its Palace and great Houses are convey'd thence for the carrying on of those which are building at Visiapour The City of Visiapour is of such largeness that it is above five Leagues in compass The Walls which are very high are of Free-stone encompass'd with a great Ditch and several Fortifications mounted with above a thousand great Pieces of all sorts Iron and Brass The Kings Palace is in the midst of the City from which it is divided by a double Wall and two Ditches being above 3500. paces in compass He who commanded there in the time of Sulthan Mamedh Idelshach the Son of Ibrahim was called Nammouth-chan by Countrey an Italian born at Rome His command extended also over the City and the 5000. men who kept Garrison therein besides the 2000. who were the constant Garrison of the Castle The City hath five distinct Suburbs where the principal Merchants have their habitations and particularly in that of Schanpour where live most of the Jewellers The other Suburbs are called Gurapour Ibrahimpour Alapour and Bomnenaly The Inhabitants are Decanins that is of the Kingdom of Decam or Benjans Moguls and Ientives of whom an account hath been given before To go from Visiapour to Dabul you return the same way as far as the City of Atteny whence you go to the Village of Agelle which is two Leagues distant from it and thence to the City of Arecq which is six Leagues and a half from Agelle From Arecq to the City of Berce are three Leagues and thence to Mirsie three Leagues This City which is called also Mirdsi and Mirisgie is large but not very populous having on the North-side a Castle so well fortifi'd that the Mogul who sometime besieg'd it with all the Forces of his Kingdom was forc'd to raise the Siege In this place are also to be seen the Tombs of two Kings of Delly who were enterr'd there above five hundred years since The Inhabitants of the City as also those of the Country thereabouts have a great veneration for that place From Mirdsi to the Village of Epour are two Leagues and thence to the City of Graeen three It is not easily decided whether it be one City or two inasmuch as it is divided only by the great River Corsena the distance between both parts being about 800. paces and there are so many houses on either side of the River that they may be taken for two considerable Cities though one be much less then the other From the River to the Village of Toncq are counted two Leagues and a half thence to that of Astava one and thence to the City of Asta two Leagues Between this last Village and the City there is a Hamlet which is called Barry â— but it is to be observ'd that this name is given to all those places which have not any in particular as we said before The City of Asta is very considerable for its trading and hath a noble Market where may be had all sorts of provisions The Mogul who sometime came as far as this place with his Army hath left behind him sufficient marks of the devastation which attends the marches of such numerous Armies Having left Asta you come to the great City of Ballouwa which is distant from it three Leagues and three more thence to those Oâ—ren and Isselampour which lye distant one from the other not above a Cannon-shot You leave the former on the right hand and the other which hath a strong Castle and its particular Governour on the left Two Leagues from Isselampour lies the Village of Taffet and three thence that of Cassegam whence there are above two Leagues
to the City of Calliar which is wholly destroy'd Two Leagues thence there is a little Village called Galoure whence you pass through the Village of Winge and afterwards by the City of Qualampour where much Linnen is made and by that of Domo to the City of Tamba which is six Leagues from Galoure The City of Tamba is considerable both for its largeness and its being very populous It lies on the other side of a River the name whereof I could not learn for that of Coyna which they give it is a general name and signifies only a great River The Inhabitants are Benjans and Ientives who live by Commerce and Tillage From the City of Tamba to the Village of Morel are two Leagues and thence to that of Suppero two Leagues to Belour four and thence to the Town of Werad two Leagues This Town lies nine Leagues from the Mountains of Balagatta and there is not far from it a Village called Patan which was sometime the retreat of a famous Robber named Hiewogby who made all he took pay a certain Ransome and when ever notice was brought him of any design against his person he got into the Mountain whither it was impossible to pursue him From Werad to the Village of Helewacko and the River which runs by it are counted above three Leagues This River which comes down from the City of Chaury which is thirty six Lâ—agues distant from this Village hath no other name then that of the Village though they give it also that of Coyna as being indeed the greatest of any in the Kingdom of Cuncam From the River to the Village of Gattamatta which is within the Mountains of Balagatta are three Leagues and thence to the Village of Pory three more This Village is seated at the foot of the Mountain which is at that place very rough and craggy Thence to the Village of Camburley are two Leagues and thence to that of Chipolone two more this last Village lies upon the River Ghoyhbeer which falls into that which runs by Helâ—wacko whence it comes that those who go to Dabul by water embark at that place Dabul being sixteen Leagues from it At the same place they also embark all the Merchandises which are transported to all parts of the Kingdom paying a Larin and a half upon a Candy which comes to four Quintals or four hundred weight and a half carriage The City of Dabul is seated upon the River Kalewacko at seventeen degrees forty five minutes on this side the Line though Linschoten puts it at eighteen degrees It is without doubt one of the most ancient Cities of the whole Kingdom but now it hath neither Gates nor Walls and all its Fortifications consists in two Batteries on the Rive-side upon which there are four Iron Guns The Wood which lies on the left hand as you go into the River represents a great Castle and at the foot of the same Wood may be discover'd a white Tower which serves for a Pagode or Mosquey and is an infallible direction to Pilots The entrance into the River is somewhat difficult there being at the mouth of it a Sand-bank which at low-water is dry so that as you go in you must alwayes keep towards the South in regard that even at low-water you have on that side between five and six fathom water unless it be at the very mouth of the River where you have not above twelve or fourteen foot water at most The Road is good within a League of the River but it is incomparably better four Leagues thence in the Bay of Zanquizara Twelve Leagues thence lyes the Haven or Road of Ceitapour which is within twenty Leagues of Goa at seventeen degrees ten minutes and is no doubt the best on all the Coast for casting Anchor behind the Island which shelters it you need not fear being expos'd to any wind Three Leagues thence lyes the City of Rasapour which is one of the chiefest maritime Cities of the Kingdom of Cuncam The Bay of Wingurla nineteen Leagues from Rasapour and three from Islas quemadas is a convenient Haven but we shall forbear any further description thereof in regard it is not our design at present to afford materials for a Maritime Map of those parts The Inhabitants of Dabul are either Pagans or Mahumetans whose principal trading is in Salt which is brought thither from Oranubammara as also in Pepper Heretofore there were set forth thence several Vessels for the Gulf of Persia and the Red-sea but now their Commerce that way is so inconsiderable that they hardly send out three or four wretched bottoms for Gamron The Custom paid there is three and a half upon the hundred but the English pay only a moyety thereof The Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Cuncam or Decam though they are for the most part Benjans eat any kind of flesh unless it be that of an Oxe Cow Buffle or wild Oxe and a Swine They have a certain veneration for the Oxe and the Cow but Swines-flesh is an abomination to them As to their manner of life their Marriages Entertainments Purifications and other Ceremonies they imitate therein the Benjans of Guzuratta Their Houses are of Straw and the Doors so low that a Man cannot get in without stooping All that 's to be seen within them is only a Mat on which they lie in the night and a pit in the ground wherein they beat their Rice Their habit is the same with that of the other Benjans save that their Shooes which they call Alparcas are of wood ty'd up over the Instep with straps of Leather Their Children go naked till they come to seven or eight years of age and they are for the most part by profession Gold-smiths There are also among them some who work in Brass they have Physitians Barbers Chirurgeons Carpenters and Masons who work for the Mahumetans the other Benjans and the Parsis whereof there is a greater number in those parts then there is of Decanins and Canarius They make use of the same Armes as the Indosthans do and they have this common with them that they are not so good as either those of Turkey or Europe Their principal Commerce consists in Pepper which is transported by Sea into Persia to Surat and into Europe as also in provisions wherewith all the neighbouring Provinces are thence supply'dâ— There are made also in those parts great quantities of Linnen-cloath which is transported by Sea out of the Kingdom and they traffick much by land with the Inhabitants of Indosthan Golcanda and the Coasts of Coromandel whither they carry Cotton-clothes and Silk-stuffes There are abundance of Jewellers at Visiapour and there is found thereabouts great quantity of Pearls but it is not there they are to behad cheapest since they are brought thither from other places There is also abundance of Lacque made in the Mountains of Balagatta but it is not so good as that of Guzuratta
carried with them which is a Priviledge allowed only persons of quality nay the Portuguez even to the Vice-Roy himself and the Arch-Bishop make use of them rather then of those of their own Nation They never eat but with those of their own Sect though they were ready to starve Nay in this particular they are so scrupulous that if in their journey to Cochim their provision should fall short they would rather starve then be oblig'd to eat what another had sown or made ready Most of the Porters about Goa are Christians as are also their Money-changes whom they call Xaraffes who make an external profession of Christianity but in their dealing are Iews apt to over-reach and deceive all that have to do with them There are in Goa many Decanins and Canarins who have Shops there and buy of the Portuguez Porcelane Velvet Damask and other Stuffes of Silk and Cotton as also some China Commodities all by whole sale and afterwards sell them again by retail These also bring Provisions from the Continent and trade therein having to that end their Brokers and Factors who mannage their business while they go to Cambaya and along the Coast to improve their Traffick There are amongst them Goldsmiths Jewellers Gravers and other Artizans who do things incomparably better then any of ours These also farm the Kings Demesne in the Islands of Bardes and Salsette upon which account having sometimes occasion to go to Law they are so well vers'd in the Laws and Customs of Portugal that they need no Advocates to plead their Causes Most of the Canarins are either Husband-men or Fisher-men There are some of them have no other employment then dressing the Cocos-trees to get the Wine and Fruit they produce Others only wash Linnen or whiten Cloath The Peasants bring in every day to the City wild Fowl Milk Fruit Eggs and other provisions to be sold. Their Wives are deliver'd with the greatest easiness imaginable They make no use of Midwives but are deliver'd alone wash their Children themselves as soon as they are born put them under a few Fig leaves and return to their work as if they had not been about any such thing The Children brought up after this rate grow so hardy and strong that it is an ordinary thing to see Men among them of a hundred years of age yet have not a Tooth missing but all the time in perfect health They are all excellent Swimmers whence it comes that they venture over to the Continent in their little Boats called Almadiâ—s which indeed are so little that they can hardly carry one person in so much that they are frequently overturn'd but they recover them again by swimming cast out the Water and prosecute their Voyage Though in these parts they burn the dead bodies instead of burying of them yet are not the Women oblig'd to burn themselves with their Husbands Corps but only to cut off their Hair and make a Vow of perpetual Widowhood The Iews who live at Goa have there their Temples and Synagogues and enjoy an absolute liberty of Conscience They are either Indians born of Father and Mother Iews or they come out of Palastine these last for the most part speak the Spanish tongue The Mahumetans who live there trade for the most part to Meca and other places upon the Red-sea whither they carry Spices The Portuguez and the Mestizes have their greatest Trade in Bengala Pegu Malacca China and in Guzuratta at the City of Cambaya No Person of Quality at Goa but goes once a day to the Market whither the Merchants nay most Gentlemen come as well to hear what news there is as to see what there is to be sold for from seven in the morning to nine after which the heat is such as that a Man is not able to stay there the publick Criers whom they call Laylon sell there by outcry all sorts of Commodities but especially Slaves of both Sexes and Jewels There you shall see the Crier loaden with Chains Gold Rings and precious Stones and followed by a great number of Slaves all to be sold. There are also to be sold there Persian and Arabian Horses Spices all sorts of Aromatick Gums Alcatifs Porcelane Vessels of Agat several things made of Lacque and whatever is thought precious or rare in any other part of the Indies Merchants and Tradesmen are distinguished by Streets so that Silk-men are not shuffled in among Linnen-Drapers nor the Druggists among those who sell Porcelane The greatest profit they make is in the exchange of Money For when the Spanish Fleet comes in they buy Ryals at ten or twelve in the hundred loss and in April when the Ships go away for the Molucca's and China where the Ryals are much esteem'd they fell them again at twenty five or thirty in the hundred profit notwithstanding the Order there is to sell them at four hundred Reis They make the same advantage by the change of the Laris which they also sell at ten or twelve in the hundred profit They have several sorts of money The least is that which hey call Basarucques which on the one side have a Globe on the other two Arrows cross'd They are made of Tin and Lattin mixt together and eight of these Basarucques make a Ventin whereof five make a Tanghe Five Tanghes make a Serafin of Silver which according to the King Command is set at three hundred Reis and six Tanghes make a Pardai The Serafin hath on the one side Saint Sebastian on the other a sheaf of Arrows There are also Serafins of Gold coined heretofore at Ormus of a more refin'd metal then any other Moneys of the Indies whence it comes that the Gold-smiths melt down all that fall into their hands of them They have also Santemes of 16. Tanghes and Pagodes of 14 15. and 16. Tanghes Forreign Merchants pay at their coming in eight in the hundred for all Merchandises and as much at their going out but the Farmers of the Customs are so reasonable in their valuing of them that the Merchants have no cause to complain They have also this favour that if a Merchant hath paid the Customs at his coming in and hath not put off his Commodities he may carry them to some other place without paying ought at the Exportation In like manner a forreign Merchant that hath bought of a Portuguez or other Citizen of Goa Spices or any other Commodities of Malacca or China may enter them under the Sellers name and so avoid paying the Customes due at exportation The Viceroy at the time of our being there was D. Pedro de Silva His person was not answerable to his quality but he had about him above fifty Gentlemen who gave him the same respect as they could have done the King himself This charge is continued in the same person but for three years as well in regard it were dangerous a Subject should longer be possess'd of a Dignity
all sorts of Victuals as this Isle Zeilon Fowl Fish Venison Poultry Butter Milk and Honey are at extraordinary low rates as well as Ananas Bannanas Cocos Iacques Mangas Oranges Lemmons Citrons and all other sorts of Fruits They eat of all things in general even of Pork and all sort of Cattle except the Oxe Cow or Buffle Wine they drink not no more then the Mahumetans who dwell amongst them and enjoy a full liberty of Religion These Islanders are of the same Religion as other Pagans in these parts They bear great reverence to their Bramans who observe a more austere way of living and eat not of any thing hath had life by reason that for the whole day they adore the first Beast they meet with at their coming out of doors in a morning Maids are here married at the age of ten or twelve years And they burn their dead Corps Fimala Derma Suri Ada had gotten some tincture of Christian Religion if at least it be to be found amongst the Portuguez it was soon raz'd out by the compliance he had for the Cingales and after his decease his Successors fell back to Paganism There are some amongst them who adore the head of an Elephant wrought in wood or stone and say their intention is to obtain wisdom for they are of opinion the Elephants of Ceilon are not only more knowing then other Elephants but further that they out-go men in judgment In their houses they have a Basket wherein they put such things as they design for an offering to their Pagodes to whom they have a particular devotion in their sicknesses because it is from them alone they look for remedy They hold as matter of faith that the World shall not perish so long as their grand Mosquey which may be seen at a great distance from the Sea between Punto de Gallo and Monte Calo shall be extant Another particular opinion they have of a Mountain in this Island call'd Pico d' Adam and say it was there that the first Man was fram'd that the Spring on the top of this Mountain rose from the tears Eve shed for Abel and that the Isle of Ceilon was part of the terrestrial Paradise To conclude they are very docile and willing to acknowledge the errours of their Idolatry in so much that there were great likelihood of their conversion if Christians would undertake these long Voyages as much out of a religious zeal as worldly concernments All the other Kings of Ceilon except the King of Candy pay tribute to the Portuguez but 't is so inconsiderable that the Princes think it not worth while to take Arms to free themselves from a subjection which consists but in a bare acknowledgment For the King of Matecalo who is not the least considerable amongst them payes annually but fifty Duckates The Island produces Pepper but their chiefest Commodity is Cinnamon They find here Mines of Brass and Iron and certainly there is both Gold and Silver especially in the Kingdom of Candy but the King will not permit a search to be made for the discovery thereof Their rich Stones they permit not likewise to be sold to Strangers which are there found in great abundance but there is so great plenty thereof that it is impossible but some may be had under hand for they are found in the heaps of Gravel and in the Town of Candy nay after the Rain hath washed down the Earth of some neighbouring Mountains the Inhabitants find them in the currents of Water and though they are oblig'd to bring them all to the King 't is impossible that Order should be exactly observed The Island likewise yields Timber and Stone for building the Soyl produces Corn Oyl and Wine if any Man will take the pains to plant the Vine Cotton several Roots for Dyers Ginger Cardamoms Mirobalans Corcoma and divers other Medicinable Drugs Nutmegs c. but particularly so great a quantity of Rice that the whole Coast of Caromandel is furnished from hence Likewise here is so great a quantity of Cinnamon that the Hollanders buy it for a hundred and twenty eight Livres forty eight Souls the Quintal or Hundred weight The chief Maritime Towns of the Isle of Ceylon are scituated at this distance following that is from Punto de Gallo Westward Alican 9. l. Verberin 1 l. Calutre 3. l. and Colombo 6. l. Nogombo 5. l. le Gilan 5. l. Putalon 10. l. Maunar 18. l. Eastward to the Coast of Matecala Bellingan 4. l. Mature 2. l. Duâ—dule 1. l. Tamnadar 1. l. Halpilana two Leagues and a half Attalle 3. l. Veleche 9. l. Tansilir 7. l Trincoli 12. l. Matecalo 5. l. and thence to the River of Trinquamale 10. l. To go from Colombo to Candy the way lies through Tranquero grand that is the great Fort or the great Rampier 3. l. Maluana 2. l. Grouabley 3. l. Settavecca 3. l. Grouenelle 2. l. Mumera tuate 4. l. Duiely 3. l. Matappety 2. l. Altonnar 1 l. Ganiattany 1. l. Ballene 1. l. Cady 1. l. From Matecalo to Candy the Road is as follows Aldea de Nore 1. l. Occatoâ—y 2. l. Viador 2. l. Neguritti 5 l. Niluale 2. l. Vegamme 4. l. Vintane 6. l. Vendro 5. l. Candy 4. l. The Calm staid our Ship hard by this Isle for near upon three weeks which I imploy'd in inquiring of our President and certain Iesuits who were aboard our Vessels into this pleasant part of the Indies which I had never seen and merits to be known by the Description I shall make from the report of these persons amongst whom there were some who had spent there the best part of their lives I will then begin with the place where we were and faithfully deliver you all I could learn of those Kingdoms and Provinces which without question are the wealthiest of any in the World Towards the Cape of Comory or Comorin where we then were are likewise those Islands the Portuguez call Maldivas or Maldivar They extend along the Coast of Malabar having the Cape upon the North and taking up about sevenscore Leagues by Sea which divides them into such small parcels that they are esteem'd near upon a thousand Some are inhabited others not by reason they lye so low the Sea often drowns them as it doth likewise the Skirts of the Continent near Cochim and Crangonar The Malabares say that heretofore they were joyn'd to the Continent and were separated by the Sea which in some places hath left such narrow divisions that an active man might leap from one side to the other The Capital City which consists of four Islands and gives them the appellation of Maldives or Naldive is a place famous for trading and the Residence for the King of all the Islands Except Cocoes which are there in great abundance they produce little notwithstanding the Inhabitants by industry make very neat Garments both of Silk and Thread brought from other places in so much that set aside
they wear a Hat Great honours are done to them after their death and after their Corps hath been attended certain dayes they are burnt with Sandale-wood they cast the Ashes into the River and inteâ—r the â—ones near the place they liv'd in Pegu yields no Corn at all but in recompence they have more Rice then they can spend in so much that they can afford some to their Neighbours They have a custom to make a Drug of certain little Fishes which they pound in a Mortar and being so brought to a Paste they lay it in the Sun to putrifie till it be quite corrupted and grows moist and then they use it in their Sauces instead of Oyl or Butter making a dainty of that which it were not possible for us to endure the smell of Sodomy was heretofore so common in those parts that to extirpate this Vice which had near destroy'd the whole Species one of the Queens of Pegu ordain'd by Edict that every Man should carry in his Yard a little Bell which would make it swell in such sort that he should not be able to do Nature any violence And to the end the Women should not be frustrated of their due their Virginity was to be taken away while they were yet very young by means of a Composition of contrary operation to that used by common Women to heighten the pleasures of their Gallants These little Bells are put in betwixt the skin and the flesh and to effect the operation they cast them into a sleep with a certain Drink to make them insensible of the pain they are put to by the Incision whereof notwithstanding they are cur'd in few dayes For their greater aversion from Sodomy they paint the Boyes at seven or eight years of age with a certain blew which extending with the skin as it grows changes into another colour and makes them look most horribly The Women on the contrary do all they can to appear lovely and attract the Men covering their privy parts only with a thin piece of Linnen which sits not so close but the least wind shews all they have All of them in general make their Teeth black and Men when they ride on horseback fill their Mouths with something that puâ—fs out their Checks They who marry buy their Wives of their Parents and when they are cloy'd send them home again but the money belongs to the Wife who on her side is obliged to restitution if shâ— part with her Husband without cause The King is Heir to all that dye without Children and they who have Children can leave them but two thirds of their Estate the rest belongs to the King The best Commodities to be brought to Pegu and which may be sold to greatest profit are Stuffes and Linnen-clothes from Saint Thomas Musulipatam and Bengala Pepper Cinnamon Nutmegs Optum and Sandale-wood c. by reason they have no other Spices then Ginger At Pegu they take in no other Merchandizes then Silver and Rice which they transport to Malacca In bargaining they make no words at all they do no more but give their Hand cover'd with a Handkerchief and in grasping or moving their Fingers they make their meaning known For borrowing of money they stick not to pawn their Wives and Children but if the Creditour enjoyes them carnally during that time he is then paid and the Debtour acquitted Siam one of the most considerable Kingdoms of the Indies lying at eighteen degrees on this side the Line hath on the North the Kingdoms of Pegu and Auva on the West the Gulf of Bengala from the Haven of Martanan to the Town of Tavaga towards the East Patana whence the Coast runs first Northwards to thirteen degrees and a half comprehending in this space the Gulf of Siam And lastly Southward to twelve degrees lying more at a distance from the Sea it joyns Eastward on the Desarts of Cambodia and the Kingdoms of Iangoma Tangou and Lansiaugh to eighteen degrees towards the forementioned Kingdoms of Pegu and Auva making as it were a semi-circle containing near upon four hundred and fifty Leagues The Country in some parts is rough and mountainous in other parts covered with Woods and to the Seawards 't is low and marshy and generally flat good and fertile yielding in abundance all necessaries for livelihood and having on the Gulfes divers Isles Rivers Bayes Harbours and Roads commodious for the transportation of such things as they themselves can spare The River called Menam that is Mother of the waters is one of the greatest India hath The breadth of it is not great but its length such that hitherto no man hath discovered the head of it It sends its Current from North to South passing through the Kingdoms of Pegu and Auva and at last running through Siam by three Streams it falls into the Gulf of Siam One quality it hath common with the Nile and Ganges that it yearly overflows the adjacent Country for the space of five moneths together destroying in that time all Worms and Insects and leaving when it retires a slime or moist soil proper for the increase of Rice That Channel of this River which is most commodious for Barks or Vessels is that which lies most Eastwards at thirteen degrees and a half elevation but what makes it almost useless is that there lies a Shelf a League in length or better at the mouth of the River which at low-water holds not above five or six foot water At high-water it holds fifteen or sixteen foot and in September October and November seventeen or eighteen foot Vessels of greater burthen ordinarily stay in the Road two Leagues from the Shelf where having at no time less then five or six fathom water they ride secure They who venture to come over the Shelf with the Tide may go up along the River to the City of Banckock six Leagues from the Sea and thence may pass by boat in five or six dayes as high as the City of India twenty four Leagues within the Land except in the moneths before mentioned during which season the River is innavigable The Provinces of this vast Kingdom are all very populous though not equally for such as have the Commodity of Rivers and Havens far exceed those that lye more remote It would be very difficult to reckon all the Towns of this great Dominion wherefore we will here give only an account of the principal and most considerable either for greatness or as the most considerable of the several Provinces The chief of the Kingdom is India by some called Odya then Camboya Campaa Sincapura Picelouck Surkelouck Capheng Soucethay Kephinpet Conseywan Pytsyay Pitsedi Lidure Tenou Mormelon Martenoy Lygor Bordelong Tanasserim where the Portuguez drive a good Trade Banckock Pipry Mergy c. Besides which there are many more which rather deserve a place in a Map then in the Relation of a particular Mans Travels The City of India the ordinary Residence
other Women on Elephants but not to be seen as being in certain wooden Closets gilt The rest of the Houshold and six hundred of the Guard come in the Rear which by this means consists of fifteen or sixteen thousand persons As to their Procession upon the River they observe the order following First in the head of this Fleet march about two hundred Noble men each in his several Barge where they sit in a gilt Cabin and each Barge row'd by three or fourscore Slaves Then follow four Barges assign'd for the Musick and next follow about fifty Barks of State each having fourscore or fourscore and ten Rowers and after these come ten other gilt Barges in one of which the King is seated in a Throne of Gold attended by divers Noble men all upon their knees before him and amongst them one of the chiefest Mandorins who bears his Standard The Prince follows after him in another Barge and after him comes the Queen and the Concubines And lastly in a great number of other Barges the houshold Servants and the Guards so as that this Procession consists of twenty five or thirty thousand persons who come either to see the magnificence of the Ceremony or to adore their Prince Since the thirds of all real Estates fall to the King we may well suppose his Revenue to be very great but this advantage comes not near the profits accrewing to him by the Commerce which by Factours he holds with Strangers for his Rice Copper Lead and Salt-peter He hath in his Country good store of Gold and the Customs he hath of all Merchandizes both coming in and going out bring considerable sums besides the Presents which Governours of Provinces are obliged to make him every year A great profit likewise he raises by Commerce with ready Money into China and along the Coast of Coromandel which yields him yearly two thousand Cattys of Silver advantage He hath throughout his Kingdom abundance of Officers for managing of his Revenue and receiving his Moneys which as Mendez Pinto sayes amounts annually to twelve Millions of Duccats but principally in the City of India whither they repair from all other parts once a year to make their accounts The greatest charge the King is at next his Houshold is in building places and Mosquees rewarding Services and maintaining his Guards the rest comes into the Treasury which by this means swells almost to infinity Most Cities have their particular Jurisdictions and Judges for Administration of Justice to take an account whereof there is a Council appointed in the City of India consisting of a President and twelve Councellors who give a definitive Sentence and decide all differences brought before them by way of appeal 't is nevertheless allowed them sometimes to prevent these Sentences by a Review before the Privy Councel but this happens not frequently by reason the Charges are so great very few will undertake it They plead by Councellors and Atturneys both by word and writing but in presence of both parties who are to enter a Summary of the Plea in the Recorders Register But besides Counsellors and Atturneys you have here the Pettifogger who is inseparable so as Suits sometimes last whole Ages here as well as in other places In Criminal matters they have an extraordinary and summary way but much after the same form and manner used in France First They inform then imprison then examine the Parties are brought face to face and where evidence falls short they are put to the Rack upon pregnant presumptions The Steward records the whole and makes report to the Judges who upon the criminal Confession or Deposition of Witnesses give Judgment and cause the Sentence to be executed immediately without appeal save that they never put any to death without the Kings express Order in whose power it lyes to confirm the Sentence or pardon the Party as he pleaseth Their punishments are severe rather cruel The slightest Crime is punished with pecuniary Fines Banishment or Transportation For Theft they suffer amputation of Hands or Feet or are condemned to perpetual slavery The ordinary punishments of these Countries are unknown there but condemned persons are cast alive into boyling Oyle according to the atrocity of the Crime but alwayes with Confiscation of Goods for the benefit of the King and the Judges In want of sufficient Testimony they make use of certain extraordinary wayes for Conviction or Justification of the Criminal which they do by consent of all parties with the Judges permission who allows them to maintain what they say by Water by Fire or by boyling Oyl When they submit to the Tryal of Water the Accuser and the accused party are both let down along a great Pole which is planted in the River and he that stayes longest under water gains the day as he that patiently holds his Hand longest in boyling Oyl Others who chuse the tryal of Fire are to go five or six steps very slowly in a great Fire and that betwixt two Men who lean as hard as they can upon their shoulders But the way they hold most infallible for their justification is to swallow a Pill of Rice over which their Priests have pronounced some words of malediction which he that swallows without spitting is so clearly justified that his friends attend him in triumph to his habitation The Kings Armies consist chiefly of his Subjects for though besides five or six hundred Iaponeses who bear the reputation of Valour throughout the Indies he hires sometimes both Rasboutes and Malayes the number is notwithstanding so small that 't is inconsiderable The King now reigning had taken so great an aversion for the Iaponeses on suspition they had a design upon his person that he put some to death and expell'd the rest Yet since that he hath given way for their return to their ancient trust but as I said they exceed not the number of five or six hundred His Subjects are obliged to go to the Wars at their own charges so that according as occasion requires he calls out the hundredth the fiftieth the twentieth the tenth and sometimes the fifth man besides those the Noble men at their own charges bring along with them a sufficient Guard of their persons By this means he raises at a small charge a most puissant Army wherein there shall be sometimes three or four thousand Elephants though he seldom raise an Army of above fifty or threescore thousand men His Infantry are well enough disciplined but very ill armed only Bows and Arrows Swords Pikes and Bucklers without Fire-armes Nor are their Horse better appointed as being but poorly mounted so as his chiefest strength consists in his Elephants which are train'd to the work and carry each three arm'd men but many which are brought out with the Army are employed about the Baggage Great Artillery they have but manage them ignorantly Their Naval Forces are in as ill condition as their Land consisting in
Silver or Iron so polished they might be taken for Silver The King of Cambodia is nothing so powerful as the two Kings whom we last mentioned for an Army of twenty five or thirty thousand is the most he can draw into the Field so as were the Siameses more Martial they might with small trouble make Cambodia subject to their King The Nobility of the Court are divided into Ockinas Tomimas Tonimnes Nampras and Sabandars each in his degree but for the best part without any particular charge except the first who are most considerable in publick Assemblies distinguished by little Cabinets of Gold carried after them wherein are Cardamum and other Drugs to rub their Lips Cissars to cut their Bettele by them called Pynang and for the Lime Areca and Bettele which they chew continually In the presence of the King whether it be for Councel or Complement they stand in a semi-circle and behind them the Tommaes known from the others by their Bottles of Silver No address is made to the King but by mediation of these Ockinas for though the Priests are next his Person between him and the Ockinas and converse familiarly with him they esteem it notwithstanding a king of Sacriledge for an Ecclesiastick to meddle in secular Affairs so as none but the Ockinas communicate general or particular Affairs to him of which 't is their Office to take cognizance as also of the Kings Orders upon their report In the whole Town there is but one Pagode or Mosquee wherein there are three bigger and three lesser Statues It is supported with wooden Pillars varnished black with a folliage of Gold and the floor covered with Mats Their Priests have no houses near the Pagode and when the chief of their Ecclesiasticks dyes they build him a Monument of Stone which at the bottom is four-square and upwards to the top grows round like a Pear The Portuguez are so well settled here that the Hollanders cannot hope to carry on any Trade till they have first destroyed that of the Portuguez At their first Arrival in the year 1637. they committed the management of their Affairs to an adoptive Son of the Queen to whom the King had given the name of Tisnecha and the honour of Nampra and they used the credit of the Chabandar of the Iaponeses in hope by this means they might gain a small establishment But the friendship they had contracted with the King of Siam and the Artifices of the Portuguez bred them difficulties they could not master otherwise they might have laded there yearly eighty or a hundred thousand Deer-skins besides Neat and Buffles hides above a hundred Picols of black Lacque at ten Thails the Picol above three or four hundred Picols of Benjamin at seventeen or eighteen Thales the Picol and might have vented their Cotton-yarn and Cloath for above sixty or seventy in the hundred profit Provisions in these parts are so plentiful that the Inhabitants having so much more then they have use for sell them in a manner for nothing specially Venison Beef Pork Goats Hares Kids Cranes Herns and all sorts of Poultry as likewise Oranges Citrons Mangas Cocoes c. but to judge the better of the fertility of this Soyl take notice that the people of Quinam alone fetch yearly thence two thousand Coyangs of Rice five Coyangs making four Lestes or eight Tuns at seventeen or eighteen Thails the Coyang And so much by way of Account of the small Kingdom of Cambodia That Tongue of Land is called Malacca which in form of a Peninsula extends it self from the Kingdom of Siam from the South-east towards the North-west even to the Equinoctial Line betwixt the Gulfs of Bengala and Siam or Cambodia and contains besides the City of Malacca whence it derives its name the Kingdom of Iahor and Patana The Country was discovered by Alphonso d' Albuquerque in the year 1511. since when the Portuguez have kept their ground there so firmly that none yet can supplant them Malacca is scituate upon the strait that divides the Isle of Sumatra from the Continent on this side the Line two Degrees and half in a large Plain where there is but only one Mountain the foot whereof is almost wholly taken up with the Town leaving only a small space open towards the North-east About eighteen hundred paces may be the compass of it for six hundred whereof it lies on the Sea-coast enclosed with a good Wall as likewise on the River-side which bounds another third of the Town and on the Land-side 't is fortified with four regular Bastions The first which is on the River-side is called the Bastion of Saint Domingo another on the Sea-shore Saint Iago and two more betwixt these two called Madre de Dios and Vnze mil Vergenes from that of Saint Iago to that of Madre de Dios there is a good Pallisado of eighteen foot high and between those of Madre de Dios to Saint Domingo a sufficient Ditch The Colledge of the Iesuits also called Saint Pauls which serves likewise for a Parish Church stands on the top of the Hill whence it commands the Town and the Country near about it There is likewise another rising ground about a Cannon shot from the City where there is a Convent of Iacobins The River there which runs North-west is not very broad and at high-water it mixes with the Sea but is fresh at low-water There is a Bridge over it though one side is without comparison much higher then the other by reason the Land South-east is so low and marshy that it cannot be broken but water comes in immediately and in some places 't is absolutely drown'd No week passes but it rains two or three times unless it be in Ianuary February and March The Ebb there leaves open above two thousand paces of shore which being nothing but a deep mud affords no landing at low-water Before the City lye two Islands one the Portuguez call Ilha da Naos about a Canon-shot distant from the City the other Ilha de Pedra for the Quarries where they get Free-stone for their building and lyes something more remote The Caracks and Gallions cast Anchor betwixt these Islands at four or five fathom water but Frigots and Barks enter the River and Vessels of a middle rate shelter under the Ilha da Naos between the River and the City In the City of Malacca its Suburbs and the neighbouring Towns possessed by the Portuguez there may be about twelve thousand Inhabitants thus accounted in the Parish of Saint Thomas in the place they call Camp clein a thousand in the Suburbs towards the River eighteen hundred in the Parish of Saint Lawrence two thousand and in Senhora Nossa de Pidaede as many in Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe five Leagues thence about seven or eight hundred and within the walls of the City three thousand making at most not above three thousand fighting men Amongst them there are not above three hundred
natural Portuguez the greatest part are Mestizes or Malâ—yans The City is so commodiously scituate for Commerce with China and the Moluques whereof the Portuguez having experience to hinder other Nations from footing there gave out that the Air was unwholsome that it was not inhabitable especially for Forraigners while they notwithstanding continued there and followed their business They are possessed of no more then the City and Suburbs and five Leagues off upon the same River the Town of Nostra Senhora de Guadalupe for about half a League thence live the Manancambos Subjects to the King of Iahor but that would not have hindred the Portuguez from making it one of the most considerable places of the Indies if the Hollanders did not disturb their Commerce and find work for the King of Spain's Armies in that part of the Universe At the request of the King of Iahor in the year 1606. they came down into Malacca and besieg'd the chief City upon promise they should be possest of it but the aid that King brought them was so inconsiderable that they were constrain'd to raise the Siege yet not till they had so ruin'd the place that it could never since be repaired six thousand lives being lost in the Siege On the other side since the Hollanders got such strong hold in Ceylon and Iava the Portuguez trade with China and the Moluques is quite lost by reason they are no more Masters of that Sea But what more and more ruines the City is the avatice of the Governours who will not accept of that Government but on condition to inrich themselves two hundred thousand Crowns in three years to raise which sum they are forc'd to oppress the Inhabitants as well as Strangers which oppressions will in time so ruine the Commerce of this place that for the future the Portuguez must make no great account of it The Kingdom of Patana is not so great as that of Iahor but without comparison more populous for some that have dealt there for the Hollanders and have staid there a sufficient time affirm they have seen Records that assert the King of Patana can raise an Army of an hundred and fourscore thousand men True it is the Patanans are bad Souldiers and very improper for war but we speak of the number not the quality and say that the City of Patanan the Metropolis of the Kingdom can alone set forth at least ten thousand that is the Malayans four thousand the Chineses three and the Siameses as many The City of Patana stands upon the Sea-side but the Haven is two thousand paces thence The Houses are of Timber or Canes and well and handsomly built The Kings Palace is surrounded with a Pallisado and the Mosquey is made of Brick As to the Inhabitants they may be said rather brown then Olive-coloured of body well proportioned but they are haughty and proud yet this rather in their Comportment then Conversation wherein they are very affable for the Queen her self admitted the Hollanders to come into her Bark with her Noble men and excused it that the severity their Sex observe neither permitted her to see them more often nor to admit them to her Retirement to which she was oblieged since here Widowhood The Chineses and Siameses who have lived any time there are ingenious and understand Navigation but the Malayans meddle only with Husbandry and Fishing living miserably and drinking nothing but Water They have no liking to Wine and for Arac and Aquavitae they have an aversion but Women they love and prefer that pleasure before all others wherefore there is not a Man who besides four or five lawful Wives hath not as many Concubines Simple â—ornication they allow of and hold it no sin but Adultery they punish severely This is a Crime unpardonable and for which the Father or Son or one of the nearest Relations is obliged to be Executioner the manner of death being left to the person guilty yet is this Crime so common that they would dispeople the Country should they punish all that are guilty of it Their wealth consists in Land and Slaves whom they feed with nothing but Rice and a little Fish yet make great profit out of their labour Only the Chineses and the Mestizes betake themselves to any Trade or apply themselves to Traffick which they chiefly have in Siam Burdelon Lugor Cambodia Cochinchina Macasser Grece Pahan Iambi Iohor Bantam Bandar Malfin Suchidanar and other places upon the same Coast or Countrey where they carry all sorts of China Commodities Purcelane Skins Pots Kettles and other Iron Utensils as likewise Flesh powder'd and smoak'd Fish dry and salted Cloath which they have from the Hollanders and Chineses From their Neighbours they fetch Timber to build withall Rottang that is Cordage of Cocoe Oyle of the same Fruits dry'd and preserv'd Skins of Neat Buffles Goats Pepper and particularly a Drug they call Saroyboura These are only Swallow-nests which they find on Rocks by the Sea-side and are of such esteem in China that they sell them for three or four Crowns the pound There are two sorts of them the white which are much in request and are sold for six seven or eight Campans the China Catti but the grey are not so dear and not worth three or four Campans the Catti which amounts not to above eleven Sols or a Mamide of Cambaya Though the Country lye not far from the Equinoctial yet is the Air good and wholsom though the heats are exceeding great Summer begins there in February and lasts to the end of October there falls continual Rains during November December and Ianuary with a North-west wind They Till the Earth with Oxen and Buffles and sow nothing but Rice of which they get great abundance They have for every moneth several Fruits and Hens that lay twice a day by reason whereof the Country abounds in all sorts of provisions for the belly as Rice Oxen Goats Geese Ducks Hens Capons Peacocks Deer Hares Coneys Fowl and Venison and specially in Fruits whereof they have above a hundred several sorts as Durians Mangosthans Annas Lanciats Ramboutammas Pissans Oranges and Lemmons and above all Lemmons gibol called in France China Oranges bought there five or six hundred for a Campan Mamplans Batians and Centals c. whereof more hereafter The Inhabitants breed no Swine but the Forrests are so full of wild ones that they are forc'd to hunt them to prevent the destruction of their Rice which being taken they bury them in the ground as being Mahumetans and eat none themselves nor suffer others In the Forrest likewise there are abundance of Tygers and Apes which are no less pernicious to the Fields then the wild Swine are but the wild Elephants of which there are likewise great numbers are very harmless They are taken by hunting turning a tame Elephant amongst them with whom they presently fight and while they are in the fury they tye their hinder feet
from another less of the same name which lies hard by it is South-East from the Isle of Sumatra from which it is dis-joyned only by a narrow Streight called the Streight of Sunda It lies seven Degrees beyond the Line and is about fifty Leagues long but hitherto no mans curiosity hath discovered the breadth of it which makes some conceive that it is not an Island but part of the Continent known by the name of Terra Australis near the Streight of Magellan Iulius Scaliger in his Exercitations against Cardan calls it the Compendium of the World because there is not Animal Plant Fruit Metal nor Drug which is not here in greater abundance then in any part of the Universe The Natives say that originally they came from China and that their Ancestors weary of the yoak that King kept them under removed to the Isle of Iava certainly they are in face like the Chineses their forehead and brows large and eyes narrow for which reason divers Chineses settle in this Island There is scarce a Town in Iava but hath a particular King who not above forty or fifty years since obeyed all one Emperour but of late they have shaken off that Soveraignty and are all independent The King of Bantam is the most puissant and next him the King of Palambuam from whom is denominated the Streight that divides the Isles Iava and Bali Ten Leagues thence towards the North-East lyes the Town of Panarucan where they drive a great trade with the Slaves they bring from Malacca as also in long Pepper and Womens Garments Near Panarucan there is a Mountain of Sulphur which began in the year 1586. to cast up fire in such violence that at that first blazing above ten thousand persons perished by it The Kings of Panarucan and Palambuam are Pagans but the King of the City of Passaruan six Leagues from Panarucan is a Mahumetan At Passaruan they have a great traffick in Garnitre a fruit like a Raspberry whereof the Merchants of Quilin make Beads and Bracelets which they sell and put off all over the Indies Ten Leagues thence Westward lies the City Ioartam with an excellent Haven upon a fair River where Ships in their Voyage from the Moluccoes to Bantam take in Provisions and fresh Water Upon the same River lies the City Gerrici to whose King the other Kings of Iava render the same respect they again exact from their own Slaves and near to these two Cities it is they fetch the Salt that is brought to Bantam The City of Surabaia that stands next in rank hath likewise its proper King who also reigns over the City of Brandam six Leagues thence towards the West and lives at Cidaye This City is fortified with a good Wall well flanked but the Haven is not safe by reason there wants shelter against the Winds that come from Sea-wards Ten Leagues Westward lies the City of Tabaon next Bantam the most considerable of the Island as we shall tell you anon Five Leagues further North-west is Cajam a City of no traffick no more then Mandalicaon which is inhabited by none but Fishermen Five Leagues onwaads West stands Iapara upon a skirt of Land that thrusts it self three Leagues into the Sea The scituation of this Town is upon a fair River with a good Harbour that renders it very Merchantile This hath likewise a peculiar King and none of the meanest in the Island Twenty five Leagues from Iapara and forty five from Bantam lies Matram or Matavam a great City with a King of its own who heretofore was so powerful as that he pretended to Soveraignty over the whole Isle and for this was the declared enemy of the King of Bantam Then five Leagues West from Iapara is the City of Pati and three Leagues beyond that of Dauma which acknowledges the King of Matavam as doth also that of Taggal scituate with the two others in the same Bay The next is the fair and strong City of Charabaon upon a fresh-water River and onwards the Cities of Dormago and Monucaon whence they pass through the Village Gaccon to the City of Iacatra and so to Bantam Without question this last is the Metropolis and most considerable City of all Iava scituate about twenty five Leagues from the Isle of Sumatra at the foot of a Mountain whence three Rivers rise two whereof run by the walls the other through the City but all too shallow for Navigation The Town is indifferent great but rascally Houses the walls which are of Brick and three foot in thickness are not entirely lined with Earth yet so flanked that at every hundredth pace lies a Cannon which would sufficiently secure the Curtain were it in condition for service but their Artillery is not mounted and they have no other Ammunition then a little Powder brought from Malacca where the Portuguez have a Mill. The City Gates are so wretched that one might beat them down with a Club but so vigilantly guarded 't would be hard to approach without notice there are neither Bastions nor Towers but in lieu thereof Scaffolds of three stories which yield a strong defence In the whole City there are but three principal Streets which all abut upon the Castle called Pacebam The one goes from the Pacebam to the Haven another where the Slaves and the Kings Domesticks inhabit leads to the Gate towards the Fields and the third to the Gate at the foot of the Mountain The Streets are not pav'd but are as commodious by means of the Sand they are covered with The Channels which in divers places cross the City are foul and stinking by reason the Stream of the River not being strong enough to carry away the filth it brings it self and what is thrown forth the Water choaks and makes puddles that infect the whole City No Person of Quality who hath not his private Chappel or Mesquite in his House but one there is in common near the Palace on the Magazine and Stable side The City is divided into several Posts each of which is assign'd to some Person of Quality who commands in time of War and hath the direction in civil Affairs They have a Drum as big as those Germane Casks call'd Thunder-bolts used instead of a Bell which they beat with a wooden Bar as big as a Weavers-beam morning and evening as also on Alarms Likewise they have Brass basins which they beat musically and chime upon as they do on Bells At every corner of the Streets there stands a Guard and at Sun-set they draw up and make fast all Passage-boats so as in the night there is no stirring in the Street At the Prison gate near the Palace stands a Guard of fifty Men nor is there a Person of Quality who hath not one of ten or twelve at his House The Town is full of Cocoe-trees nor is there a Mansion
defensible The Indians perceiv'd it not till 't was past their hopes of forcing it so as in this despair of driving out the Dutch they made use of the bad correspondence betwixt the English and them which chiefly appear'd in a Sea-fight they had near Bantam and Iacatra Ianuary 2. 1619. The Holland Fleet which consisted but of seven Vessels had the worst of the English that were eleven The Dutch being forced to retreat the King of Iacatra with the English Forces besieg'd the Dutch Fort now called Batavia which Siege lasted six moneths till the Holland General having reinforced his Fleet with the Ships that lay in the Molâ—cques constrain'd the English to raise the Siege to embark their Guns and quit the Streight of Sunda to get into the main Sea The King of Iacatra would have cast the blame of all these disturbances upon the English but the Dutch General would not be satisfied with such excuses but landing his Forces to the number of eleven hundren men he assaulted the Town of Iacatra which he took by force and having put all to the sword fir'd it That done the Dutch compleated the fortification of their Quarters and brought it to a regular form with four Bastions of Free-stone well trench'd and pallisado'd with Half-moons Redoubts and other necessary Works The King of Matram who is as 't were Emperour of Iava in the year 1628. besieg'd this Fort and lying under the Cannon storm'd it several times but in the end was forc'd to raise the Siege as hein like manner was the year following and since that time the Dutch have established their Commerce joyntly with the Chineses the Iaponeses Siameses Succadans and other Neighbours taking ten in the hundred Custom upon all Commodities whether brought thither or carried thence The City of Batavia is twelve Leagues from Bantam Eastward in a Bay which being sheltred with some small Islands on the Sea side is one of the best Roads in all the Indies Strangers that inhabit there pay a certain tax by the moneth according to the profit they make which is great for a Porter who will with ease get two Ryals a day payes but one and a half in a moneth a Fruiterer four Ryals a Fisherman three Ryals Distillers of Arack eight Ryals Mechanicks as Shoomakers Taylors c. two Ryals so as at present the most important place and firm est establishment the Dutch have throughout the Indies Between the Isles of Iava and Borneo North-east from the former lies the Isle of Madura governed by a particular Prince that resides in the City of Arossabaya In this Isle there is no Commerce at all as well because the soil is barren of all Spices as for that 't is inaccessible by reason of the Shelves of Sand that on all sides environ it The Islanders for the most part live by Pyracy and run up to the very Coasts of Pegu which their Neighbours are forced to connive at least they should hinder the exportation of Rice which is there in great abundance The Hollanders who had been hardly used by the Iavians near Tubam and Cidayo Towns three Leagues from Ioartam in the Isle of Iava coming in sight of the Isle of Madura in the beginning of December 1596. and apprehending some danger to be taken by certain Praus or Ships equipped for War where the Prince and Cherif or High Priest of the Island were in person to prevent the Iavians whose intent was to surprise them fir'd some Guns at the great Pran where the King and Cherif with divers others lost their lives for that Ship being three Tires high and filled with Souldiers there was not a Gun fired which destroyed not a great number so as the Hollanders who in the mean time got into their Shallops with little difficulty became Masters of them This done they made no stay there but fail'd from thence to the Isle of Baly where they arrived Ianuary 30. 1597. The Isle of Baly lyes towards the Oriental part of the Isle of Iava being in circuit about twelve Leagues towards the South putting out a Cape or Promonâ—ory a long way into the Sea The North point of it is eight degrees and a half beyond the Line and the chief City where the King hath a magnificent Palace derives its name to the Island The Islanders are Pagans and adore the first thing they meet with at their going out in the morning they are black and their Hair curling In habit they differ nothing from their neighbour-Islanders with whom they likewise correspond in wearing no Beards for when the Hair first begins to come they pluck it up by the roots Their Women who have an aversion to Beards oblige them to do so as also to squat down when they make water because Dogs held with them unclean beasts piss standing There is not a Man but hath several Wives whence the Island grows so populous that they reckon upon six hundred thousand Souls there though they give way for abundance of Slaves to be bought from them The greatest part are Husbandmen or Weavers by reason the Land produces great store of Cotton and is very proper for Rice but they permit not any to be transported lest some hard year should bring them to a necessity of being beholding to their Neighbours They have store of Oxen Buffles Goats and Swine likewise Horses but they are so small that none but the Country people use them Persons of Quality being carried in Sedans or Coaches Their Forrests of Oranges Lemmons and Pomecitrons are stored with Feasants Partridges Peacocks and Turtles theiâ— back-Yards swarm with Poultry and their Fens and Rivers with Ducks and other wild Fowl In the whole Island there is no other Spice then Ginger which generally grows in all parts of the Indies but here are found several other Drugs as Galigan Doringui Canior Bangue c. as likewise a certain Fruit inclosed in a Shell like a Chesnut white within of excellent taste and sovereign against the Scurvy also another Fruit as big as a Walnut that grows in the ground like the Saligots The Coasts of the Island and the Rivers so abound in Fish that next to Rice 't is the subsistence of the Inhabitants They entertain in a manner no Commerce only they set forth some small Barks to the Isle of Iava for vending their Cotton-clothes The Chineses sometimes come hither to fetch it and in exchange bring them Sword-blades and Purcelane This is a common Road for all Ships bound from the Continent to the Molucques which here take in water and refreshments provisions being at exceeding cheap rates Iron and Brass Mines there are as likewise Gold but the King will not suffer them to be wrought for fear of attempting his Neighbours to an Invasion he is well furnished with store of Gold-plate for his own service Subjects render him the same respect and speak to him with the same Ceremony as the other Indians
to pay the Tax imposed upon him which is by the Poll at ten Ryals a Head The same Arch-bishop hath also the Quality of Viceroy and exercises all the Functions thereof joyntly with the Kings Councel which is established in the same City as well for Affairs of general concernment as for the Appeals of such differences as may arise in the other Cities The City and Houses of Manilla are of Stone and built after the modern way and the City it self is so great that the Spaniards have been forc'd to divide some part of it from the rest to serve them for a Cittadel in case of necessity by which means they avoid the charge of keeping so great a number of Souldiers as might be requisite for the defence of the place The Haven which is called Cavite lies two leagues from the City and is defended by two wooden Forts There live within the City of Manilla and about it above fifteen thousand Chineses besides those who come thither every year from December to April and trade with above five hundred Ships The Iaponeses come thither also but not in so great a number and yet the Spaniards are much more jealous of them then they are of the Chineses IAPAN JAPAN is a collection of several Islands made there by the Sea from the one and thirtieth degree of elevation to the thirty ninth being in some places but ten leagues in breadth in others reaching to thirty This Country which was anciently called Chryses or if we may credit Mark Paulo Veneto Zipangry hath on the East New Spain on the North Tartary on the West China and on the South the Sea and that part of the World which is called Terra Australis It is divided into sixty six little Kingdoms fifty three whereof depend on that part of this great Empire which is properly called Iapon or Iapan and consists of two very powerful Kingdoms called Meaco and Amagunce under which all the rest are comprehended The other part is called Ximo and comprehends nine Kingdomes or Provinces the chiefest whereof are Bungo and Figen and the third part called Xicoum comprehends the other four Kingdoms The Iaponneses themselves acknowledge that they cannot positively affirm whether their Country be an Island or part of the Continent inasmuch as from the Province of Quanto whereof the City and Castle of Iedo is the Metropolis as it is also of the whole Territory as far as the extremities of the Province of Tzungaa it is seven and twenty dayes journey towards East and North-East Then you cross an Arm of the Sea about eleven leagues over to get into the Province of Iesso or Sesso which is so covered with Woods and checker'd up and down with Mountains that the Emperour of Iapan hath not yet been able to search what may be had out of them All they could ever learn is that there were seen in those parts a sort of people who were hairy all over their bodies and suffered the hair of their heads and beards to grow so as that they seem'd rather beasts then men Whereto they add that they make use of that passage by Sea to go into Sesso whence they bring Furs not out of this respect that the Sea divides that Province from Iapan but that it were a great way about to go over those inaccessible Mountains which joyn those two Provinces The Island which we call Iapan and the Inhabitants name Nippon is divided into six great Provinces which are called Sayecock Chickock Iamaysoirt Ietsengen Quanto and Ochio which are subdivided into several other lesser ones which are governed and possessed by Lords and Princes whose names we shall here give together with their Revenues that the Reader may thereby judge of the greatness of this Empire whereof we have hitherto had no great knowledge setting down the sums according to their way of accounting by Cockiens which are worth about four Crowns French money apiece Cangano Tzium Angon King or Prince of the Provinces of Kanga Ietcoui and Natta who lives in the Castle of Canga hath a yearly revenue one million one hundred and ninety thousand Kockiens 1190000 Surugano Daynangon Prince of the Province of Suruga Toto and Mikawa who lives in the Castle of Fuytsui seven hundred thousand Kockiens 700000 Ouwarmo Daynangan Prince of the Provinces of Ouani and Mino who lives in the Castle of Nangay seven hundred thousand Kockiens 700000 Sendaino Tsuinangon Prince of the Provinces of Massamme and Oysia who lives in the Castle of Senday which is an impregnable place six hundred and forty thousand Kockiens 640000 Sutsumana Tsuinangon Prince of the Provinces of Zatsuma Osuny Fionga and Luiâ—io who lives in the Castle of Cangasinna six hundred thousand Kockiens 600000 Kinokonny Dainangon Prince of the Provinces of Kino and Iche who lives in the Castle of Wakcjamma five hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 550000 Cotto Fingo Camy Prince of Fingo and the Neighbouring Provinces who lives in the Castle of Koumanotte five hundred and fifty four thousand Kockiens 554000 Matsendairo Ianonosk Prince of the Provinces of Tsaikisen and Faccatto who lives in the Castle of Fonckosa five hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 510000 Matsendairo Yonocami Prince or King in the Great Province of Ietsegen which lives in the Castle of Onde five hundred thousand Kockiens 50000 Catto Skibo King or Prince in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Ais four hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 420000 Matsendairo Nangato Prince in the Province of Souo who lives in the Castle of Fangi three hundred and seventy thousand Kockiens 370000 Mitono Tzuinangon Prince of the Province Fitayts who lives in the Castle of Nito three hundred and sixty thousand Kockiens 360000 Nabissima Sinano King or Prince in the Province of Fisien who lives in the City of Logioys three hundred and sixty thousand Kockiens 360000 Matsendairo Sentaro Prince of the Province of Inaba who lives in the Castle of Tackajano three hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 320000 Todo Isumi Prince of the Province of Fuga Iche who lives in the Castle of Tsou three hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 320000 Matsendairo Kuncy Prince of the Province of Bisen who lives in the Castle of Okajamma three hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 310000 Iuno Caemman The most valiant of all the Gallant persons in the Country and Prince of the Province of Totomy who lives in the Castle of Sawajamma three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Fossocawa Ietschui Prince or King of the Province of Boysen who lives in the Castle of Cocora three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Ojesungi Daynsio King in the great Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Iany Samwa three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Matsendairo Sensio King also in the same Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Formanda three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Matsendairo Auwa Prince of the Province of Awa who lives in the Castle of Inots two
hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Matsendairo Ietchigenocemy Prince of the Province of Kange who lives in the Castle of Takato two hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Matsendairo Tâ—isio Prince of the Province of Ie who lives in the Castle of Matsiamma two hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Ariuma Gamba Prince of the Province of Tzickingo who lives in the Castle of Courcine two hundred and forty thousand Kockiens 240000 Morino Imasaâ—k Prince of the Province of Mymasacka who lives in the Castle of Tziamma two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Toringanocami Prince in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Immagatta two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Matsendairo Tosa Prince of the Province of Tosanocory who lives in the Castle of Tokosianna two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Satake Okion Prince in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Akia two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Matsendairo Sunosano camy Prince of the Province of Sunosa who lives in the Castle of Tattebys two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Forvuo Iamayssiro Prince of the Province of Iusimo who lives in the Castle of Matsdayts a hundred and eighty thousand Kockiens 180000 Ikenocamy Prince of the Province of Samke who lives in the Castle of Coquan a hundred and eighty thousand Kockiens 180000 Fondacaiuocamy Lord of the Province of Farma who lives in the Castle of Triatno a hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 150000 Sackay Connay A Lord very considerable in the great Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Fackeso a hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 150000 Terasawa Simadonne a Lord in the great Province of Fisen who lives in the Castle of Carats sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Kion Gock Wackasa Lord of the Province of Wackasa who lives in the Castle of Offano sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Fori Tango a Lord in the great Province of Ietsegen who lives in the Castle of Fouckiamma sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Sackaybarra Schibon Lord of the Country of Kooske who lives in the Castle of Tattaiits sixscore thousand Kockiens 120009 Minsno Fiongo Lord of the Country of Bingo who lives in the Castle of Foukyamma sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Matsendairo Cawaits Governour or Captain of the Castle which the Emperour hath in the Province of Quanto hath a yearly revenue a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Ockendeyro Imasacka Lord of the Country of Simotoke who lives in the Castle of Oetsnomio a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Sammada Ins a Lord in the Province of Simago who lives in the Castle of Koska a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Toytsisibayma Finda a Lord in the Province of Tzickingo who lives in the Castle of Iannangainua a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Ongasura Onckan a Lord in the Country of Farima who lives in the Castle of Akays a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Indatii Toutomii Lord of the Country of Iiio who lives in the Castle of Itasima a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Nambou Cinano a Lord of great quality in the Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Moriamma a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Niwa Groseiman another Lord of great quality in the said Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Siracawa a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Abono Bitchion Governour or Captain of the Castle of Iwatsucki which belongs to the Emperour in the Country of Mousays eighty thousand Kockiens 80000 Kiongock Onieme Lord of the Country of Tanga who lives in the Castle of Tanabe seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Makino Suruga a Lord in the great Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Nangaoecka seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Nackangamua Neysien a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the City of Nangona seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Matsendairo Tamba a Lord in the Country of Cinano who lives at a place called Matsmoutte seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Noeytosamma a Lord in the Province of Fitaiits who lives in the City of Iwayro seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Ieckenda Bitshiou Captain of the Castle of Matsiamma in the Province of Bitshiou sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matsura Fetsennocamy a Lord in the Province of Fesen who lives in the Lordship of Firando sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Sengock Biofo a Lord in the Province of Cinano who livs in the Lordship of Oienda sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Catto Dewado a Lord in the Province of Iyo who lives in the Castle of Oets sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Tosawa Okiou a Lord in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Lordship of Cinchiro sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matsendairo Iwamy a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Seigneiory of Chisogory sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matskonra Boungo a Lord in the Province of Fisen who lives in the Lordship of Sunabarra sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Ietschawa Tonnomon a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the Lordship of Fita sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Tzangaar Ietsiâ— a Lord in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Lordship of Tzungaa upon the Sea-side sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Ougasauwara Sinano a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Province of Sekays sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Itho Cuiri a Lord in the Province of Fongo who lives in the Castle of Orafi fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Furtafiobo a Lord in the Province of Iwamy who lives in the Castle of Daysiro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Wakibacca Aways a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Ina fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Koncky Nargato a Lord in the Province of Ische who lives in the Lordship of Toba fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Arima Seymonose a Lord in the Province of Nicke who lives in the Lordship of Accanda fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Outafiaba a Lord in the Province of Iamatta who lives in the Lordship of Outa fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendairo Dewadonne a Lord in the great Province of Ietsenio who lives in the Lordship of Chibatta fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Minoskyts Fokey a Lord in the same great Province of Ietsenio who hath also his Habitation in the said Lordship of Chibatte fifty thousand Kockeins 50000 Inaba Minbou a Lord in the Province of Boungo who lives in the Lordship of Ousisiro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Croda Caynocomy a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Coniro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendairo Souodonne a Lord in the Province of Isumy who hath his Residence in the Lordship of Kisnowodda fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Touda Sammon a Lord in the Province of Tsounocouny who lives in the Castle of Amangasac fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Stotsijaganni Kennots a Lord in the Province of Iche who lives in the Castle of Kangou fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Fonda Ichenochamy a Lord in the Province of Mikawa who lives in the Castle of Ockasacka fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendayro Iammayssiro a Lord in the Province of Tamba who lives
custom they have to make Entertainments for the Women distinct from those of the Men. They all came and wondered not much that the Mistress of the house was not to be seen in regard her Husband told them that she was busie in the Kitchin but dinner being well-nigh past and the Guests perceiving the Woman appear'd not they intreated him to send for her which he promised to do Whereupon rising from the Table and going into the Room where she was ty'd to the Ladder he unbound her put a Shrowd about her and put into her hands a Box of Lacque wherein were the Privy-members of her Gallant cover'd with Flowers charging her not to open the Box and saying to her Go and present this Box to our common Relations and see whether I may upon their meditation grant you your life She came in that equipage into the Hall where they sate at dinner and falling on her knees presented the Box with the precious Reliques within it to the Kindred but as soon as they had opened it she swounded Her Husband perceiving it went to her and to prevent her returning again now that she was going cut off her Head which raised such an horror in the Friends that they immediately left the Room and went to their several homes To prevent these disorders they have in their common Inns upon the Road as also in certain places in Cities the convenience of furnishing Travellers with a kind of Women who are for the most part Slaves but very well clad in Silk and make no difficulty to proffer themselves to keep men company all night These have the Custom of Masters of Ships and common Sea-men that are Forreigners but if they will bid at a little higher Game and be more sure of their enjoyments they may buy a concubine with whom they contract for the time they are to stay in the Country allowing them five or six pence a day towards their diet a Garment or two certain pair of Shooes of Cordevant and about eight or ten Crowns for the Father or Master who lets her out We are so far from charging this Nation with being over-superstitious that on the other side we affirm that there is no mark of Devotion to be observed among them Those who are conceived to have very much go once a moneth to their Pagodes and pronounce several times the word Nammanda which is the name of one of their Gods but they are never seen praying to God neither morning nor evening nor at any time of the day There is a certain Sect among them which hath Priests who preach thrice a year to which Sermons all those of the same perswasion resort There are also some who make use of another kind of Ecclesiasticks especially in their long diseases wherein they have prayers made which last twenty four hours with such a noise that they stunne such as come near them who yet cannot understand one word they say not only in regard they pronounce ill and confusedly but hence that whatever they compose as well in matter of Religion as Medicine and the other Sciences is couched in such high and obscure terms that many times they understand them not themselves Notwithstanding this irreligion there are in Iapan an incredible number of Pagodes or Mesquites some of which have fifteen or twenty Priests belonging to them They are distinguished from the Laicks in that their Heads are shaved as also by their cloathing in as much as they go in a kind of Cassock made like the Frocks worn by some Country people but upon Holidayes they go in a sort of long Garments which they sold up under the left Arm like a Cloak Their principal employment is to pray before their Gods and to bury the dead or at least the ashes of such bodies as have been burnt They are divided into several Sects and consequently have so many different wayes of doing their Devotions especially on the Anniversary dayes of the deceased which they call Bom on which the Priests are employed in praying and singing Letanies in making Processions about a Chappel set about with Wax-lights much after the same manner as is done in some parts of Europe Their Sepulchres are near their Pagodes covered with great Stones two or three foot high on which such as go to do their Devotions there cast Flowers or branches of Trees and put into a little Pit made in the ground some fair Water and a little Rice which is taken away thence by the poor Persons of Quality erect a little Pillar near their Sepulchres and grave thereon their names with a certain Elogy which serves for an Epitaph Their Ecclesiasticks are divided into twelve principal Sects of which eleven eat not of any thing that hath had life and make a Vow of Chastity with so strict an Obligation for the observance thereof that if they break it though in never so small a point they are put to the most cruel death that ever was heard of For the Priest who hath broken his Vow is put into the ground up to the Waste near the High-way and all that pass by who are not nobly descended are obliged to give a little stroke upon his Neck with a wooden Saw which being very blunt makes the Wretch languish three or four dayes together This course is taken with them upon this account that being permitted to use Sodomy they may forbear Women The Priests of the twelfth Sect live after another rate For it is lawful for them to feed on any thing that Earth or Water affords as also to marry and yet this Sect which they call Icko whence the Priests whereof it consists are named Ickois is accounted the holiest and most perfect of them all He who is Head of this Sect is also Supream Head of all the Clergy of the Country and is in so great veneration among his followers that they do not only carry him in a Palanquin but indeed do him such honours as are almost Divine All the Priests depend on the Dayro who still hath the same power over the Ecclesiasticks as he had heretofore joyntly with the secular power Only such Pagodes as belong to these last have a settled Revenue and enjoy many Priviledges and Immunities granted them by the Emperours All the other Pagodes are maintain'd by what is given them either by way of Alms or the Gratifications that they get from those who imploy them about Prayers for the dead wherein the main part of the exercise of their Religion consists Some among them believe that the Soul is immortal that the Body is reduced to its first Principle and becomes Dust and Ashes but that the Spirit is either raised to eternal joy or condemn'd to an endless grief and that at its return into this World it shall find good or evil according to what it had done during this life Others make no distinction between the Souls of Men and those of Beasts and as
is not of any certain weight save only in gross or when it amounts to such a sum from the value of seven pence to six shillings or better There is also a great difference in the value of the Caxias for of some of them a thousand are worth but Crown whereas of others the same number may amount to three Crowns and a half Much about the time of our Travels the Emperour had ordered them to be caried down intending to have a new Money made of Brass and that the poorer sort might not be ruined thereby he caused the bad Money to be called in and made good the value of it to such as brought it in This Country wants not any kind of Cattel but is so much the more abundant therein out of this respect that they do not geld any Creature Thence it comes they are well stor'd with Houses Bulls Kine Swine Deer wild Boars Bears Dogs c. as also with all sorts of Fowl as Swans Geese Ducks Herns Cranes Eagles Falcons Pheasants Pidgeons Woodcoocks Quails and all the other sorts of small Birds that we have in these parts There are also in this Country several sorts of Mineral Waters very good against divers Diseases Some have the taste and qualities of Copper others that of Saltpeter Iron Tin Salt and there is among others a Source of hot water which hath the taste of Tin and issues out of a Caye which is about ten foot diameter at the mouth and hath both above and below several picked Stones like Elephants teeth so that it somewhat resembles that figure by which some would represent the Jaws of Hell The Water which comes out of it in great bubbles day and night constantly is not so hot but that it may be endured as soon as it is out of the Source so that there is no need of mixing any other water therewith There is in this Country in a spacious Plain at the foot of a Mountain not far from the Sea-side another Source which gives Water but twice in four and twenty hours and that during the space of an hour at each time unless it be when the East-wind blows for then it gives water four times a day This water comes out of a hole which Nature hath made in the ground and which they have cover'd with several great Stones but when the time of its floud as I may call it is come the water is forced out with such violence amidst the Stones that it shakes them all and makes a cast twenty or twenty four foot high with such noise as would drown that of a great Gun It is so hot that it is impossible fire should raise ordinary water to so high a degree of heat as the earth gives this for it immediately burns the stuffes on which it falls and keeps its heat much longer then the water that hath been boil'd over the fire The Well is inclosed with a high Wall having at the bottom thereof several holes through which the water runs into certain Channels and so is brought into the houses where they bath themselves reducing it to such a degree of warmth as may be endured Some affirm that their Physicians are so able that there is no Disease which they cannot discover by the Pulse They are perfectly well skill'd in the vertues of Simples and Drugs especially those of the Radix Chinat and Rhubarbe whereof they make use in their Recipe's which for the most part consist in Pills with very good success They are also very fortunate in the curing of ordinary Diseases but Chirurgery is not as yet known among them The Mineral Waters we spoke of before are a sufficient demonstration that there are in Iapan Mines of all sorts of Metals Accordingly there is found Gold Silver Copper Tin Iron and Lead The Country brings forth also Cotton Flax and Hemp wherewith they make very fine Cloaths It produces also Silk and affords abundance of Goat and Deer skins the richest Works of Wood and Lacque of any in the World all sorts of Provisions and medicinal Drugs They have among others a particular Invention for the melting of Iron without the using of any fire casting it into a Tun done about on the inside with about half a foot of Earth where they keep it with continual blowing and take it out by Ladles full to give it what form they please much better and more artificially then the Inhabitants of Liege are able to do So that it may be said Iapan may live without its Neighbours as being well furnish'd with all things requisite to life The Portuguez came to the knowledge of Iapan by means of the Trade they drove in the Kingdom of Siam and Cambodia They found it no hard matter to settle themselves there in as much as the Iaponneses had not at first any aversion for their Ecclesiastical Ceremonies so that in a short time the Roman Catholick Religion got such footing there that they were permitted to build Churches in several places of the Kingdom and particularly at Nangasacky But the Spaniards too soon discover'd the Design they had to establish themselves there and had not the reservedness to smother that haughty homour which would reign all over the World which occasion'd the Iaponneses first to set upon and afterwards to burn their Ships in so much that in the year 1636. they banish'd them the Country with Prohibitions upon pain of Death not to return into it The Dutch have traded thither ever since the year 1611. and still continue it so much to their advantage that their Commerce to Iapan is worth what they carry on all over the rest of the Indies They affirm in the Relation of the Voyage they made thither in the year 1598. that the City of Meaco is one and twenty Leagues about but that it had been much ruined by the precedent Civil Wars That Ossacks and Boungo are Cities which for Wealth may be compared to any other in the Indies That the Emperours of Iapan were ordinarily interr'd in the City of Coyo of if they made choice of any other place for their Sepulture yet were some of their Bones carried thither though it were but a Tooth That the City of Piongo eighteen Leagues from Meaco was in some part ruined during the Civil Wars of Nobananga who was defeated by Faxiba the Predecessour of Taicko and that what remained of it was partly destroy'd by an Earthquake that happened in the year 1596. and partly by the fire which consumed the wretched remainders of it some time after The Cities of Sacay Voluquin Founay Tosam and several others are also very considerable ones The Air is good and healthy though more inclin'd to cold then heat and yet the Iaponneses sow their Corn at the beginning of May but cut not the Rice till September They have neither Butter nor Oyl and have an aversion against Milk out of an imagination that the Souls of Beasts
that means they drive him away so far as that he is forc'd to cast himself into the Sea or at least into some River where he is drown'd There are to be seen also at Cross-ways and upon great Roads a kind of Altars loaden with Offerings for their Gods and many other impertinent Devotions may be observed among them which the Dutch endeavour to abolish by degrees by introducing Christianity into the Countrey wherein they have had hitherto good success CHINA THe great and vast Kingdom which we call China takes up the most Easterly part of all Asia Marc Paulo calls it Mangi the Tartars term it Cathay and there are some who name it also Singely or Tame The Chineses themselves give it the name of Chunghoa or Chungque whereof the former signifies the Middle Kingdom in as much as they believe they inhabit the midst of the Universe and the other the Middle Flower or Garden and know not the names given it by Forreigners save only that they know the Tartars call them Mangin that is Barbarians We affirm it to be the utmost Province of all Asia Eastward for beyond it there is only the Sea which the Chineses call Tung that is of the East It hath towards the North great Tartary from which it is divided by a Mountain of many Leagues extent and where that fails the defect is supplied by that admirable Wall which reaches from the extremities of the Province of Leaotung to the River Croceus upon the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Tibet being in length three hundred German Leagues Towards the West it hath the Kingdoms of Kiang Vusucang and Bengala and towards the South and South-west the Conchinchine and the Sea The Kingdom extends it self from the Tropick of Cancer to the fifty third Degree of Latitude and comprehends in its length all the Southern parts which lie between the hundred and thirtieth and the hundred and sixtieth Degrees But that we may speak more pertinently of it we shall with them affirm that China is sixty nine thousand five hundred and sixteen Diez which make three thousand Spanish Leagues in compass and eighteen hundred in length This account is made according to their Geometry and their Measures which they distinguish into Ly Pu and Cham. They call Ly such a space of ground as is of the extent of a mans voice Ten of these Ly's make a Pu that is about two Leagues and ten Pu's make a Cham that is a good dayes journey and according to this Calculation they find the number of the Diez which we laid down before It is divided into fifteen great Provinces six whereof to wit Peking Xantung Kiangnan or Nanking Chekian Fokien and Quangtung are maritime and the other nine are mediterranean Of the nine last those of Quangsi Kiangsi Huquang Honan and Xansi are the more Northerly and those of Xensi Suchuen Queicheu and Iunnan the more Westerly It hath besides these towards the East those of Leaotung and Corea but these do not properly belong to China There are accounted in it a hundred forty and five great principal Cities and twelve hundred sixty three of a middle sort such as might pass elsewhere for great Cities in as much as the difference of the Chinese names of Fu and Cheu which they give their places proceeds only from their qualities who have the command of them For they call Fu such places as have a Governour in chief and Cheu or Hien those where there is only a simple Mandorin though the places are many times of equal bigness The Cities are all built after the same manner square with good Brick-walls plaister'd over with the same Earth as they make the Porcelane of which in process of time grows so hard that it will not be broken with a Hammer which makes them last so long that it hath been observ'd some of them have stood above two thousand years yet is there not the least appearance of any change to be seen in them The Walls are very broad and flank'd with Towers built after the ancient way of Architecture much resembling the Fortifications of the Romans Two spacious Streets commonly divide their Cities into a perfect Cross and they are so straight that though they reach the whole length of the City how great soever it be yet may a man see from the middle the four Gates of it Several other Streets abut upon these in divers places of the City where they are disposed into Market-places and other publick conveniences The Houses are fair and well built especially those of Persons of Quality which have their Gardens Orchards Groves Fountains Conduits Ducking-ponds Aviaries and Warrens and they are painted or whiten'd on the out-side They have most of them three Doors all on the same side whereof that which stands in the middle is bigger then the other two and they are for the most part so neatly wrought that it must be confessed all we know of Architecture comes not near their excellency in it and they do all things the more magnificently in that they want neither excellent Workmen nor Materials to embellish their Structures There is no Kingdom or Commonwealth in the World where they are so careful not only of repairing the High-wayes but also in ordering all things so as that Travellers may not want any convenience in so much that a man shall find Mountains levell'd and wayes cut through Rocks yet more even and incomparably better paved then our Streets nay then even those of the City of Xuntien the Metropolis of this Monarchy whereof we shall give a short account anon when we come to the description of its Provinces The Province of Peking is so called by reason of the City of Xuntien where the Emperour of China ordinarily resides for the word signifies a Northerly Palace as that of Nanking a Southerly Palace but the true name of it is Pecheli It hath towards the East the Gulf of Canghai which divides it from Corea towards the North-east the Province of Leaotung towards the North the Wall which divides it from that of Tartary which lies beyond the Deserts of Xamo towards the West the Province of Xansi from which it is divided by the Mountain of Heng towards the North-west the Province of Honan and the River of Croceus and towards the South and South-east the Province of Xantung It hath eight great Cities to wit Xuntien Paoting Hokien Chinting Xunte Quanping Taming and Iungping which might pass for so many Provinces since there are under their jurisdiction a hundred twenty and seven Cities of a middle sort But what most think very strange is that though the more Northerly part of this Province reaches not beyond the forty second degree yet is it so cold there that from the midst of November to March all the Rivers are frozen up The Register which the Chineses keep of their Country makes it appear that there are in this Province a
hundred German Leagues This miraculous Structure is continued without any interruption unless it be near the City of Siven in the Province of Peking where an inaccessible Mountain supplies its place and defends the Kingdom against the invasion of the Tartars as well as the Wall it self It hath Gates and Sluces for the passage of the Rivers which come out of Tartary and hath Houses Redoubts and Forts from place to place for the quartering of the Souldiers appointed for the keeping of it in which work the Emperour of China employs a million of men It is about thirty Cubits high and about twelve and in some places fifteen thick The Chineses call it Vanli Ching that is a Rampier or Wall of ten thousand Stadia rather to express an extraordinary work then assign the just greatness of it by any certain measure since that two hundred and fifty Stadia of that Country making a Degree it would follow that the said Wall must take up forty Degrees that is more ground then all China does They say it was built by Xius King or Emperour of China chief of the Family of Cina who having usurped the Kingdom from the Princes of the House of Cheva causâ—d that Wall to be made as well to satisfie his own humour which was to be magnificent in his Buildings as to prevent the Incursions of the Tartars over whom he had many Advantages He began it in the year 1215. which was the 22. of his Reign and imploy'd so many men about it that it was finished in less then five years The Province of Xantung hath towards the North that of Peking and the Gulf of Cang towards the East the Sea towards the South the Province of Nanking from which it is divided by the River Croceus and the Sea and towards the West the Channel of Iun which joyns those two Rivers and hath twenty Sluces as also the River Guei All these Rivers make this Province so fertile that they say one year brings forth as much as will sustain it ten years afterwards and that it may communicate to its Neighbours the Wheat Millet Rice Barley and Pulse which the Inhabitants cannot consume Poultry and Eggs may be had there in a manner for nothing Feasants Partridges Quails and Hares are very cheap and for less then three pence a man may buy ten pound of fish But what this Province is most remarkable for is Silk which here is not got by the pains people take in other places in keeping Silk-worms but it grows in the fields upon Trees where certain Worms like Caterpillars blow it not in a Cod but in white threads which are found upon the Hedges and may be used as advantageously as the ordinary Silk though it be somewhat courser It hath six great Cities to wit Cinan Yenchen Fungchang Cingcheu Teugeheu and Laicheu seventy two other considerable ones and comprehends in 770555. Families near seven millions of persons It contributes yearly 2812179. Sacks of Corn 54990. pieces of Silk-stuffs 52449. pounds of Cotton and 3824290. Trusses of Hay and Straw besides the duties paid there which amount to above ten millions of Gold The Province of Honan derives its name from its scituation it being seated towards the South of the River Croceus for the word Honan signifies towards the South of the River It hath on the East the Province of Nanking North and North-east those of Xantung and Peking North-west that of Xansi towards the West that of Xensi and towards the South the Province of Huquang This Province lies in the middle of this great Territory and is so delightful that the Chineses say it is in China what Italy is in Europe and Tourain in France It comprehends in eight great Cities and a hundred less considerable ones 589296. Families consisting of above 5000000. of persons The eight Cities are Caifang Queite Changte Gueihoâ—i Hoaiking Honan Nanyang and Iuning It contributes yearly 2414477. Sacks of Corn 23509. pound of raw Silk 9959. pieces of Silk-stuffs 341. pieces of Cotton-stuffs and 288744. Trusses of Hay and Straw The Province of Suchuen that is four waters is one of the greatest of all China and in regard it is a Frontier-Province towards the Indies it thence comes that the Inhabitants are somewhat of the humour of the Indians It hath towards the East the Province of Huquang towards the South-east that of Queicheu South that of Iunnan West the Kingdom of Tibet and towards the North and North-west the Province of Xensi and the people whom they call Coningâ—angi and Kiang It hath eight great Cities which are Chingiu Paoning Xunking Siuscheu Chunking Queicheu Lunggan and Mabu one hundred twenty four lesser Cities besides other four which are fortified and contains in 464129. Families above 2200000. men It pays 6106660. Sacks of Rice 6339. pound of Silk 749117. Quintals of Salt The true Radix Sina which the Chineses call Folin as also the wild kind of it is found only in the Province of Suchuen and grows there under the Earth much like Toad-stools or rather as that fruit which the Indians call Patatas or Potatoes Some are of opinion that it is bred of the Gum which falls from the Pine-trees which taking root forms a fruit of the bigness of the Indian Nut or Cocos having a white meat within which the Chineses use with good success in Medicine This Province brings forth also the best Rhubarb and great store of yellow Amber The Province of Huquang that is extended Lake derives its name from the Lake of Tungting and hath towards the North the Province of Honan on the North that of Nanking towards the East that of Kiangsi towards the South that of Quangsi toward the South-west that of Queicheu and towards the West that of Suchueu It comprehends in fifteen great and a hundred and eight less considerable Cities 531686 Families and near five millions of persons It s great Cities are Vuchang Hanyang Siangyang Tegang Hoangcheu Kingcheu Yocheu Changxa Paoking Hengcheu Changte Xincheu Iuncheu Chinthieu Chingyang It contributes yearly 2167559. Sacks of Rice and 17977. pieces of Silk-Stuffs The Province of Kiangsi hath towards the East those of Nanking and Fokien towards the South part of the same Province of Fokien and of that of Quantung towards the West the Province of Huquang and towards the North part of that of Nanking This Province is so populous and the people thereof multiplies so strangely that it in a manner supplies all the Provinces of the Kingdom for which reason the Chineses call them Kiangsois Rats It hath twelve great Cities and sixty seven lesser ones wherein are numbred above 1136659. Families and in them above 6550000. persons It s chief Cities are called Nanchang Iocheu Quangsin Nankang Kienkiang Kienchang Vucheu Linkiang Xuicheu Iuvencheu Cancheu and Nangan It contributes yearly 1616600. Sacks of Rice 8230. pound of raw Silk and 10â—516
assault though the Metropolis of the Province of Leaotung he put all the Chineses to death He afterwards took the City of Quanâ—ning and entred with his Army into the Province of Peking But fearing to be shut up there by the Chineses who had got a vast Army together he returned to Leaoyang where he caused new Fortifications to be made and there assumed the quality of Thienming and was called Emperour of China though he were possessed only of Leaotung which is so inconsiderable a place as that it is not so much as numbred among the Provinces of that Kingdom This happened in the year 1618. The year following 1619. the Chineses who had got together an Army of six hundred thousand fighting men gave battel to the Tartars but they were defeated and lost besides the fifty thousand men kill'd upon the place most of their best Commanders Upon this Victory the Tartars entred the Province of Peking where they took and ransack'd all nâ—y would have set upon the City of Xuntien where the Emperour was then in person had they not been prevented by the Garrison which consisted of twenâ—y thousand men Amidst these distractions Vanlie dies in the year 1620. Tayohang his Son succeeded him but he reigning only four moneths left the Scepter to Thienki who proved so fortunate as to force away the Tartars not only out of the Cities they had taken in Peking but also out of Leaotung and all the Province of Leaoyang where their cruelties had made their Government very odious and burthensom But he injoyed not long the fruits of that Victory For the Tartar having set all things in order at home sent into China an Army of eighty thousand Horse which he followed with another Body and retook the City of Leaoyang by assault there having been before an Engagement between them wherein both sides had fought very resolutely for the space of fourty hours There were killed in the said Engagement 20000. of the Tartars who were so startled at that resistance that having fighting work elsewhere cut them out by Maovenlung General of the Chinese Army even in Leaotung things continued in that posture till the year 1625. In the said year 1625. they assaulted the City of Ningiven which the Chineses had fortified but were forc'd back with the loss of ten thousand men and among others the King of Tartary's Son who to express his resentment of that misfortune pass'd over with his Army into the Island of Thaoyven where the Tartars put all the Garrison to the Sword but made no further progress In the year 1627. died Thienki Emperour of China and Thienning King of the Tartars The former was succeeded by Zungchini his Brother the other by Thienzung his Son who taking a different course from his Fathers and changing his cruelty into mildness endeavoured by that means to prevail with the Chineses whom he could not overcome by force Yet was it not either the prudence of Thienzung or the courage of the Tartars but the disloyalty of the Chineses and the treachery of their Commanders which proved the final ruine of the Kingdom For Zunchini perceiving that the Army which he had sent into Corea had been defeated though the Tartars had lost on their side above fifty thousand men and that he had some ground to fear a Civil War bestowed the command of an Army on one named Yuen empowring him withall to make a peace with the Tartars This Traytor having received money from the Enemy took off Maovenlung by poyson and concluded so disadvantagious a Treaty with them that the Emperour refused to ratifie it This pretended affront proved the destruction of Yuen who still continued his intelligence with the Tartars but Zungchini having discovered his Treachery ordered him to be cut in pieces which was done in the year 1630. Ever after that time the Tartars only made incursions into the neighbouring Provinces but Thienzung King of Tartary dying in the year 1636. Zungte his Son who had been brought up in his infancy in China where the manner of living of that Country had been instill'd into him succeeded him and by his liberality corrupted most of the Governours and Chinese Commanders who thereupon sided with him especially when they saw that the distractions which then shook the State wherein there were eight Armies of Tories or common Rogues at the same time were absolutely contrary to the preservation of the Kingdom These Armies were disposed in the year 1641. under two Generals whereof one was called Licungzo the other Chanchienchung who divided the Provinces between them so as that the former had the command in Xensi and Honan and the other in Suchuen and Huquang Licungzo having taken in the chief Cities of these two Provinces assumed the quality of King and would be called Xunuang that is the fortunate King and hoping to become Master of the whole Empire would needs have the Title of Emperour and that his Family should have the name of Thienxun that is obedient to Heaven And indeed Heaven seem'd to comply with his perfidiousness by the intrigues which in the mean time were carried on at Court where all the Grandees were divided into Factions through the means of a Favourite of whom we shall here take occasion to say somewhat Under the Reign of Thienki there was at Court an Eunuch named Guei who was so much in favour with the Emperour that the latter call'd the other Father This man who had been raised to that greatness in a manner from the Dunghill abused his Authority and made his Ministry odious by the ill treatment they received from him who had too much courage to become his Courtiers and Adorers He was so â—mpudent as to declare himself against the Prince who was looked upon as Heir apparent to the Crown in as much as Thienki had no Children and to oppose his establishment after the Emperours death This Prince was Zungchini whom we spoke of before and of whom we shall have occasion to speak hereafter He prov'd so fortunate as to elude the Artifices of the Eunuch and got the Crown on his Head without much contestation but he had not so much power as to smother the Factions into which the Court was divided by the intrigues of the Favourite As soon as he came to the Crown he gave the Eunuch a Commission very honourable in appearance but in effect very fatal to him for he commanded him to go and visit the Sepulchres of his Ancestors and to give order there should be nothing amiss about them but as soon as he was gone from Peking Zunchini sent after him a Messenger who presented him with a gilt Box wherein there was a Silken Halter and told him that the Emperour had commanded him to bring an account of his death But this Execution reconciled not those who had engaged either for or against him during his life and the aversion which the Emperour openly expressed towards his Abettors
wind we got 24. Leagues keeping our course to the North-north-west and were got to 16. Degrees one minute Latitude The 5. With the same wind 31. Leagues to 17. degrees 27. minutes The 6. With the same wind and in the same course 34. Leagues to 19. degrees 10. minutes The 7. The wind continuing North-east we got 36 Leagues Not that we had still the advantage of the Manson at the Latitude but it is to be observed that the North-east wind reigns in those parts all the year long and brings Vessels as far as the Artick Tropick The 8. The wind came East-north-east and we run 32. Leagues and were got to 22. degrees 35. minutes Latitude Here we met with abundance of Sargasso which I really found like Cresses save that it was of a more yellowish green and had little seeds like those of green Goosberries Some are of opinion that the wind forces it from the Rocks upon the Coasts of the West-Indies but this is the more unlikely in that the North-east wind reigns there all the year long as we said before The 9. The same wind continuing we got 33. Leagues taking our course to the North and were at 24. degrees 32. minutes Latitude The 10. With the same wind 25. Leagues taking our course to North-north-west at 25. degrees 40. minutes Latitude The 11. The wind came to East-south-east and afterwards to South and towards evening to North-west with a great Calm so that we got that day but eight Leagues changing our course from North to West at twenty six degrees forty minutes Latitude That day we took one of those Fish the Dutch call Haye which are very common in the Indies but our Sea-men affirmed they had never seen any of them in that Sea The 12 We got 11 leagues with a North-east wind keeping our course to the North-west The 13. With a North-north-east wind we got 21. leagues taking our course West-north-west The 14. With the same wind and in the same course we got 22. leagues The 15. The wind North-east we got 20. leagues to North-west at 27. degrees 30. minutes latitude The 16. and 17. With the same wind keeping the same course we got these two dayes 32. leagues The 18. The wind South-east we run 21. leagues to the North-west at 29. degrees 20. minutes latitude The 19. The wind chang'd and came to South-south-west and brought with it Rain which lasted all day yet so as we advanced 37. Leagues taking our course North-east The 20. The wind North-west we got 12. Leagues in the same course The 11. The same wind carried us 22. Leagues The 22. The wind West-south-west we got 40. Leagues to North-north-east at 35. degrees 20. minutes Latitude The 23. With a South-west wind we got 34. Leagues to the East-north-east The 24. the same wind and course 35. Leagues The 25. With a North-west wind we got 33. Leagues to North-east and were at 38. degrees minutes Latitude The 26. Being calm weather we got but 13. Leagues The 27. We got but 12. Leagues taking our course East-north-east at 38. degrees 48. minutes Latitude The 28. The wind came to South-south-east and carried us 27. Leagues taking our course East-south-east The 29. The wind South-south-east we were at noon at 33. degrees 30. minutes We saw the Islands of Corvo and de Flores which some number among the Assores and we got that day 24. Leagues taking our course East-south-east The Islands of Corzo and Flores are not to be numbred among those which the Spaniards call the Assores by reason of the many Hawks found there when they were discovered The Dutch call them the Flemmings Islands hence that the first Inhabitants of the Island of Fajal which is one of the seven Assores were Flemmings either born in Flanders or some other Province of the Low-Countries where they speak Low Dutch The Posterity of those Flemmings live there still and observe the Customs of their own Country and have their habitations on the little River rising out of the Mountains which the Portuguez upon that occasion call Ribera dos Flamenâ—os The seven Islands called the Assores are Tercera St. Michael Santa Maria Soâ— Georges Gratiosa Pico and Fajal Tercera is the biggest of them all as being fifteen or sixteen Leagues in compass The Country is mountainous and all the Island is so encompassed with Rocks that it is in a manner inaccessible It hath no Haven but that at the City of Angra which is the Metropolis not only of Tercera but also of all the other Islands and that no Rode where Vessels might safely ride The Port of Tercera is like a Crescent between two Promotories whereof one hath two Mountains advancing so far into the Sea that they seem to be quite loosned from the Island They are called Bresil and so high that a man may from thence discover twelve or thirteen Leagues into the Sea The Governours of the Assores and the Bishop of all those Islands live in the City of Angra within three Leagues whereof lies that which they call Villa da Praya which is well built but not very populous in as much as it is a place of no Commerce by reason of a flat shore or strand thereabouts which occasioned the name of the City The City of Angra is so called from the manner of its scituation it being a term whereby the Portuguez would express the Figure of the Mount when it is half open or the New-moon It hath two Forts whereof one which is towards the Mountains serves it for a Cittadel and the other called the Castle of Saint Sebastiant is built upon one of the points which shut up the Port which it defends with the Artillery On the other point which is forked there are two Towers whence they give the signal as soon as they discover any Vessels at Sea either from Fresil-side or from Europe These Islands belong to the Crown of Portugal but during the last troubles of that Kingdom there was a Castilian Garrison there under the Command of D. A. Alvaro de Vizeros from whom the Portuguez soon took the Castle of Saint Sestastian but he kept the Cittadel till famine and the utmost extremity forced him to deliver it up on composition May 6. 1642. After the relief which had been sent from Saint Lucars Corogno and Dunkâ—rk had proved ineffectual partly through the treachery of the Portuguez who served in the Fleet and partly by their vigilance who had possess'd themselves of the Avenues of the Island The soil of it is very good nay the very Rocks yield Wine though they are in some places so steepy that it is almost a miracle how the Rock should thrust out of its Veins which are not covered with Earth the Vine-stock which does not thrive so well in the best parts of the Valley 'T is true the Wine is none of the most excellent and that such as are able to get better have it brought from Madera
being in danger of sinking two of the four desisted from an enterprise wherein they thought to meet with more danger then in staying a while longer among the Turks so that only two one English man the other a Dutch-man ventured themselves in it All the tackling they had was only two oars and a little Sail all the provisions a little bread and fresh water and so they put to Sea without either Compass or Astrolabe insomuch that being the first day overtaken by Tempest which at every wave fill'd their boat they were forc'd to go as the wind drove them without keeping any course They were continually imploy'd in casting out the water the Sea had spoiled their bread and they were almost quite spent inasmuch as they could not take any rest when they were cast upon the Coasts of Barbary There they found a little wood wherewith they somewhat enlarg'd their boat but they narrowly escap'd being taken and kill'd by the Moors and had much ado to get to Sea again What troubled them most was thirst but they made some shift for that with the blood of some Tortoises they took and at last after ten days floating up and down they arrived upon the Coasts of Spain at the Cape of St. Martin between Alicant and Valentia Those of the Country seeing them at a distance sent a boat to meet them carried them bread and wine treated them very civilly and found them passage for England The sixth of Ianuary being Twelfth-day the King of England touched many that were troubled with the Evil. The Ceremony ended my Lord of Strafford brought me to his Majesty who was pleased to honour me with the kissing of his hand The next day the same Lord procured me the like Honour from the Queen besides which he did me several other extraordinary favours upon all occasions Afterwards I went often to Court where their Majesties were pleased I should entertain them with some particulars of my Travels especially as to what I had observed in Muscovy and Persia I continued at London near three months partly to refresh my self after so long a Voyage and partly in expectation of some mony from my own Prince that I night make some acknowledgments of my Obligations to those who had treated me so kindly from the day of my arrival at Surat to that time and set my self in a posture of returning into my own Country Of the time of my abode in England I spent some at Court where I had made several acquaintances and some in viewing the publick and private Structures of the famous City of London as also several places near it as among others Enfield Tibulls White-Hall Saint Iame's Hampton-Court Windsor Westminster-Hall and the Abbey the Tower Greenwich c. Of the places above mentioned here in England as also some of those he passed through in the Low-Countries the Author gives a short description But in regard what he says of the former is known to most English-men who are in any measure acquainted with the things remarkable in their own Country and what he delivers of the latter affords no extraordinary satisfaction to the curious for whose diversion works of this nature are intended we thought fit to forbear the insertion thereof that we might make the more haste to bring him to the end of his Travels which shall be done according to his ordinary method March the 20. taking water at Graves-end whence I went to Rochester and so came the twenty fourth to Dover The next day I embarked thence for Dunkirk whither I got the same day The next I embarked thence for Newport where I stayed only one night and got the next day to Bruges The 29th I came to Gaunt which I left the first of April and got that night to Brussels the chief city of the Dutchy of Brabant At Brussels I staid two dayes and came the fourth to Louvain which I left the fifth and got the same day to Macchlin about four Leagues distant from Louvain The 6th I left Macchlin and came to Aâ—werp where having staid two dayes and leaving it the ninth I got the next day to Breda where I stayed only the remainder of it and went the next day to Bois-le-due or Boldâ—e five Leagues from Bredâ— April the twelfth I went to Saint Gertrudenberg with an intention there to take boat for Rotterdam as I did the same day The thirteenth I came to Rotterdam whence I went the same day to Delf thence to the Hague thence to Leiden and thence to Haerlem The City is the biggest of any in Holland next Amsterdam and pretends to the invention of PRINTING and would have the Glory of it due to one of its Citizens named Laurence Câ—ster who in the year M. CCCC.XX framed the first Characters of Beech-wood and afterwards found out the Ink now used by Printers nay changed the Wooden Characters into Leaden ones and afterwards those into Tinâ—e in so much that in the year 1440. the Mystery was almost in its perfection They are so fully perswaded as to this in the City of Haerlem that the Senate would Eternize the Memory of LAVRENCE COSTER by the Inscription set upon the House he lived in Which is this MEMORIAE SACRUM TYPOGRAPHIA ARS ARTIUM OMNIUM CONSERVATRIX NUNC PRIMUM INVENTA CIRCA ANNUM M. CCCC.XL I left Haerlem about six in the Evening and came at nine the same night to Amsterdam Of this place I had heard so much even in the Indies that I had framed to my self a certain Idaea of its greatness but what the more surprised me was That going out of my Lodging the next morning I had much ado to get through the throâ—g of people walking up and down the Streets in such numbers as if there had been some Faire All the other parts of the World seem'd to have sent their Factours thither and that the East and North had brought thither all their Commodities whereof there were in the â—â—ops 〈◊〉 the Patterns whereas the main Stock was disposed into Store-houses publick weighing-Weighing-places upon sledges in the streets upon the Kayes in the flat-bottomed boats which unload the great Ships and others which serve for Store-houses for the Wheat It was at some losâ— which I should rather admire in that great City whether the Commerce of it which is greater then that of all the other Cities of the Low-Countries put together the neatness of its Streets especially that of the New City the sweetness and cleanlines of its house the Magnificence of its publick and private Structures the abundance of Ships and Barks which come thither and go thenec every day the largeness of its Port wherein there are at all times seven or eight hundred Ships or the Order and Policy observed by the Magistrate in all things relating to the 〈◊〉 of the City the well fâ—â—e of its Inhabitants and the improvement of Trade by which only the City subsists and causes to subsist that powerful State whereof it
EST DOMARE CVNCTI PAVENT Where they are constantly imployed in sawing Brasil with inexpressible pains or some other work according to the nature of the Crime for which they were sentenced to that punishment and the women in another house by themselves But there is not any thing so miraculous as the order observed there for the education of poor Orphans who are very well kept maintain'd and taught as also in the administration of their Estates who are under Guardians these being obliged to give an account thereof to the Magistrate The Exchanges of London and Antwerp are indeed noble places but there is something more magnificent in that of Amsterdam at least this may be affirm'd of it that for the number of Merchants daily resorting thither at noon neither of the other two is to be compared to it I may put also among the publick Structures the Weighing places the Gates of the City the three Sluces which have not their like in the World the publick School or Colledge which the Magistrate hath opened there some years since The Arsenal the Theatre for Playes the Anatomy-Hall the places appointed for shooting with Long-bow Cross bow and the Arquebuse and if I may be allowed to speak of a thing which is not yet but no doubt will be within a few years and whereof I have seen the draught I mean the Town-house or Guild-hall I may boldly say there is not any in Europe comes near it I stayed at Amsterdam eight dayes and finding something in that City which pleased my fancy beyond what I had observed in any I saw before I was unwilling to see any more but having my imagination full of it I took shipping the twenty third of April for Hamborough whither I reach'd the twenty eighth following I rested my self there one day and got the first of May to Gottorp where I presented my self to their Highnesses the Duke and Dutchess of Holstein and so put a period to my long and toilsome TRAVELS FINIS A JOURNAL OF THE TRAVELS OF JOHN ALBERT De MANDELSLO FROM PERSIA INTO THE EAST-INDIES And thence back into GERMANY M.DC.XXXVIII IANVARY THe 16. Mandelslo leaves Ispahan the Metropolis of Persia and came to Schiras the 28. 97. Leagues in 13. dayes Pag. 1 The Sepulchre of Maderre Soliman which the Persians believe to be that of Solomon's Mother but is indeed the Sepulchre of Scach Soliman Calife Tziminar or the Castle of forty Pillars the opinion of the Persians concerning it its description as now it is p. 2 A description of Schiras Metropolis of the Province of Schiras-wine the best of any in Persia the fertility of the Country Shiras women the handsomest of any in the Kingdom p. 3 He continues at Schiras 7. dayes FEBRVARY The 5. He leaves Schiras and comes the 10. to the City of Laar 48. Leagues in 6. dayes p. 4 A dangerous way where the Author was like to lose his life ibid. A description of the City of Laar its houses Cittadel a kind of Worm breeding between the flesh and the skin about an ell long how Laar came to be united to the Crown of Persia Well-water Salt ibid. Leaves Laar the 12. and comes the 23. to Gamron where he stayes five weeks p. 5 The Authors indisposition his treatment by the Sulthan a King of Gelkenda would marry his own Daughter Mandelslo's distrust of the Dutch ibid. MARCH An English Vessel comes to Gamron from Surat The 11. the Persians celebrated their Naurus ibid. The King of Persia payes the English 30000. Tumains Arbola de Rays or the Indian Fig-tree the Sepulchre of a Benjan Saint p. 6 APRIL The 1. Comes to Gamron an Envoy to assure the Sulthan of Sefi's favour ibid. A description of the City of Gamron the errour of some Geographers as to the scituation of Persia The scituation of Gamron its houses streets p. 7 The Island of Kitsmich its extent fruits abundance in fish and Cattel how the Inhabitants live their cloathing nature of the climate the commerce particularly that of the English and Dutch ibid. Their Money Weights Pearls the manner of fishing for them the King of Persia's Officers at Gamron the priviledges of the English there p. 8 Persian Horses much esteemed among the Indians the City of Ormus described taken by the Portuguez p. 9 Recover'd out of their hands by the Persians with the assistance of the English who are granted an absolute exemption for that service ibid. The 6. He embarks at Gamron and arrives at Surat the 25. following above 250. German Leagues in nineteen dayes He continues there 5. moneths p. 10 The course from Ormus to Surat the description and scituation of the Island Zocotora its inhabitants their commerce which consists in Aloes p. 11 Their Armes their Religion the Qualities of the Climate of Surat the year hath but three seasons there p. 12 The Presidents reception of the Author how the English live at Surat their divertisements their respect for the President p. 13 A general description of Indosthan its Provinces Candahar ibid. Kabul Multan c. p. 14 15 The extent of the Mogul's Country a description of the Kingdom of Guzuratta its extent p. 16 It s principal Cities Rivers Ports its fertility ibid. MAY. There came news to Surat that the Governour of Candahor had revolted and delivered the place to the Mogul p. 17 The City of Reniel described Terry or Palm-wine Surat described its Houses Castle the Kom of Suhaly ibid Surat the General Factory of the English Trade the places about Surat p. 18 SEPTEMBER The 14. Two English Ships arrive at Surat ibid. A Dutch Vessel of 1400. Tuns comes to Surat The Rasboutes what kind of people they are 19 September the last the Author leaves Surat and comes the 12. of October to Amadabat 45. Leagues in 13. dayes ibid. He continues there 8. dayes Broitschia described Indico the Sepulchre of a Mahumetan Saint 20 OCTOBER The 7. He comes to Brodra which described where the best Lacque is made the Sepulchres of divers Mahumetan Saints p. 21 The 11. Comes eo Mamadebath p. 22 The Indian Oxen as metalsome as our Horses the Maidan of Amadabath ibid. The Castle a Benjan Mosquey Amadabath described p. 23 The principal Commodities there a piece of Ambergreece that weigh'd eighty pound Musk. p. 24 Merchandises pay no Custom at Amadabat the Revenue of the City the Sepulchre of Kasia that of a mischievous Father p. 25 Princes not subject to the Schachbag-Garden an Alley ibid. Leagues in length p. 26. Parrots Cormorants c. ibid. Crocodiles and other Creatures Amadabat maintains twelve thousand Horse the Governours wealth p. 27 His Court and Expence the Authors visit to the Governour their discourse a second visit p. 28. The use of Opium ibid. A Character of the Governour of Amadabat p. 30 His cruelty ibid. The 21. He leaves Amadabat and comes the 23. to Cambaya 16. Leagues in three dayes ibid. Tschitbag Garden where Sulthan Mahomet Bergeran was
forreign Commodities p. 86 The Viceroy of Goa a character of him his power revenue ibid. The Malabars Zamorin Emperour of Calicuth and Cananer p. 78 The priviledges of the Nayres the writing of the Malabars the order of succession in Calicuth Cochim described the power of the King of Cochim a great priviledge of the Bramans p. 88 The Zamorin of Calicuth sometime Emperour of the Malabars the Cape of Comory the Isle of Ceylon p. 89 When discover'd by the Portuguez the History of Fimala Derma King of Candy he murthers his Father and three Brothers declares against the Portuguez p. 9 The treason of a Portuguez Renegado p. 91 The Dutch ill treated in the Island of Ceylon the Kingdom of Candy its Inhabitants their Religion ibid. Kings tributary to the Portuguez Mines of Gold and Silveâ— p. 92 The Maldives the Coast of Coromandel the Inhabitants thereabouts Christians a story of St. Thomas p. 93 He is martyr'd at Edesa the City of Meliapour p. 94 Bengala its Inhabitants their superstition ibid. Pegu the Palace Royal the Guard p. 95 The Kings forces he makes war upon his Vncle King of Auva a just Execution but too severe a Combat betwixt two Kings the Pagodes of Pegu. ibid. The Peguans Armes they are Pagans adore the Devil their Feasts how the Kings Corps are burnt their Ecclesiasticks p. 96 A third part of all mens estates falls to the King a strange Sawce other peculiar Customs the Commodities of Pegu. p. 97 The River Menan overflows as the Nile India its houses p. 98 The King of Siam of a very ancient Family is absolute his manner of life hath but one Wife p. 99 A magnificent Procession a Procession upon the River the Revenue of the King of Siam p. 100 His Expences their Punishments manners of justification the Militia of Siam p 101 Their Arms both the Kings of Siam and Pegu pretend to Soveraignty the King of Siam a friend to the Dutch ibid. Elephant-huntingâ— the occasion of the War between the Kings of Pegu and Siam Raja Hapi King of Siam p. 102 The King of Siam a Pagan a Hierarchy Beguins a kind of religious women the belief of the Inhabitants lights in the Mosqueys Prayers for the dead p. 103 The Siameses invoke the Devil their qualities habit houses marriages education of children ibid. The traffick of the City of India the King a Merchant the money of Siam the settlement of the Dutch in Siam p. 104 The Kingdom of Cambodia the Palace-Royal the Lords of Cambodia the Portuguez keep out the Dutch p. 105 Malacca when discovered p. 106 A description of Patana its Inhabitants p. 107 The Air of Patana Mahumetans p. 108 Batusabar Metropolis of Patana its Inhabitants the Language of the Malayans the Island of Sumatra p. 109 Was sometime divided into many Kingdoms the King of Achim the City of Achim the Inhabitants p. 110 Their Religion food the mournful tree Cocoes ibid. How they make Wine their Paper Bananas what p. 111 Pepper how planted the Island of Java its Inhabitants the King of Bantam p. 112 A sulphureous Mountain the names of several Cities of those parts ibid. The Kings Palace the Guard of the City its market-Market-places Armourers p. 113 The City of Tuban described the Kings Palace its commerce p. 114 The Javians Mahumetans their Fasts they marry their daughters very young the ceremonies of their marriages Women of Quality are kept in restraint p. 115 The Magistrates of Bantam the Kings Councel the train and state of the Nobility the qualities of the Javians they are good Souldiers p. 116 The Javians sophisticate their Wares how they imploy their Slaves ibid. The Commerce of Forreigners there the trade of China the money of Java p. 117 The Portuguez commerce Oysters of three hundred pound weight Crocodileâ— Civet Hens the Rhinocerot Ants. p. 118. The Fruits of Java Areca Mangas Ananas Samaca described p. 119. Tamarinds Tabaxir Canes so big that Boats are made of them a fruit called Duriaons its qualities ibid. The Lantor-tree Cubebs Mangosthan Talasse Jaca wild Cinnamon Carcapuli Costus Indicus p. 120 Zerumbet Galanga Benjamin Sandal Ginger Anacardium Pala de cuebra Calamba p. 121 Lacquc other Drugs of Java the Dutch fortifie in Jacatra p. 122 They give it the name of Batavia Madura a place of no trade the Isle of Baly its scituation Inhabitants p. 123 It abounds in Rice Fowl Drugs Fish hath Gold mines the King of Baly the Island of Borneo its Metropolis the Bâ—zoar stone p. 124 The Haven the Dutch treat with the King of Sambas about the trade of Diamonds the Island Celebes its Metropolis its Inhabitants are Cannibals 125 The Isle Gilolo its Inhabitants and Fruits Amboyna its Inhabitants discovery p. 126 The Dutch take Amboyna Castle the Religion of the Inhabitants their superstitions ibid. Their circumcision marriage oaths their qualities p. 127 Banda its Inhabitants their Armes they live long p. 128 Nutmegs Mace Oyl of Nutmeg the Dutch Forts in Banda prodigious Serpents the Moluccas p. 129 Sagu How Bread made of it how Wine the Inhabitants of the Moluccas p. 130 Are partly Mahumetans a particular piece of policy the Clove trade the Portuguez seize it are dispossest thereof by the Dutch a difference between the Castilians and the Portuguez about the Moluccas grounded on a false supposition 131 Magelan finds a new passage the Isle Ternate what Cloves it affords ibid. The Clove-tree grows without planting Avicenna's errour whaâ— Cloves the Moluccas yield yearly the Mountain of Ternate but one season in the Moluccas 132 A Wood incombustible leafes turned to Butterflies Birds of Paradise the King of Bachiam the Isle of Machiam p. 133 The Philippine Islands the hunting of Crocodiles p. 134 The commerce of the Chineses and Spaniards in the Philippines the Archbishop of Manille is Viceroy a description of the said City p. 135 Whether Japan be an Island or part of the Continent the names and revenues of the great Lords of Japan p. 136 The revenue of the Ministers of State p. 141 The Emperour of Japan's policy the Lords have three names p. 142 Slaves die with their Masters their manner of ripping up their bellies their Mesquites the Cities of Japan not walled no taxes in Japan p. 143 The power of Masters over their Servants Gaming criminal all the relations of Offenders die with them a particular punishment for theft p. 144 The crimes for which all the kindred of a criminal are put to death an example of it ibid. Lying punished with death the Emperours expence Jedo Castle the Palaces of the Kings p. 145 The Emperours retinue the Dayro the Emperours magnificence p. 146 His Treasures the Emperour of Japan a Viceroy confines his Wife to a Castle p. 147 How the Emperour of Japan came to the Crown Ceremonies at the choice of a Nurse for the Dayro's Son p. 148 A revolution in Japan a Souldier of Fortune gets to be General of the Army and Soveraign is poysoned ibid. Bestows the Regency
pernicious design of one of the Ambassadors AUGUS The Persian Ambassador comes to Astracha SEPTEM The Ambassadors divide their Baggage Brugman's charity The Persian Ambassador buyes him a Wife Leave Astrachan Come to Tzornogar To Sariza OCTO To Soratof To Samara NOV To Casan DECEM Leave Casan Come to Nise 1639. IANUA Make their entrance into Moscou The Czaar's second son dies FEBRU MARCH Leave Moscou Enter Ingermania Make their entrance into Narva APRIL Leave Narva Come to Reuel JULY Embark at Reuel Come to Travemunde To Eutin To Kiel AUGU To Gottorp 1638. Mandelslo 's person His Design Sâ—ach Seâ—â— loves him and offers bin a Pension of 10000. Crowns He considers whether he were best stay at Ispahan IANVARY Mandelslo leaves Ispahan Comes to Majar To Kamâ—cha Machsud Hannabath Jurgisâ—han Surma Gusâ—i Maderre Soliman Siwan Mardasch Tzilminar Persepolis Lib. 1. c. 5â— Lib. 17. Lib. 5 c. 7. The City of Schiras described FEBâ—VARY Berry Lâ—ar Laar described The Authors indisposition Leaves Laar Comes to Gamron Dines with the Sulthan MARCH Mandelslo's distrust of the Dutch Quem laesimus oâ—imus Arbol de Rays or the Indian Fig-tree The Sepulchre of a Benjan Saint APRIL Schach Sefi sends the Sulthan of Gamron an â—ssurance of his savour A description of the city of Gamron The errour of certain Geographers The Scituation of Gamron Its Houses Its Streets The Air. A great drought The Isle of Kismisch The Traffick of the English and Dutch there Their â—oney Weights Pearls The mâ—nrer of fishing for them The King of Persia's Offiâ—ers at Gamron The priviledges of the Engâ—ish at Gamron Persian Horses much esteem'd among the Indians The City of Ormus described Taken by the Portuguez APRIL Mandelslo embarks for Suratta The scituation and description of the Island of Zocotora Its Inhabitants The Aloes of Zocotora Tâ—eir Arms. Comes to Surat The year bath there but three Seasons The respect the English at Surat have for their President Their divertisement A general description of indosthan Its Provinces 1. Candahar 2. Kabul 3. Multan 4. Haca-chan 5. Bachar 6. Tatta 7. Soret 8. Iselmere 9. Attach 10. Peng-ab 11. Chismer 12. Bankisch 13. Jengapar 14. Jenba 15. Delly 16. Bando 17. Malway 18. Chitor 19. Gusuratta 20. Candisch 21. Berar 22. Gualor 23. Agra 24. Sambel 25. Bakor 26. Narvar 27. Nagracut 28. Siba 2â— Kakares 3â— Gor. 31. Pitan 32. Kanduana 33. Porena 34. Jewal 35. Meuat 36. Voessa 37. Bengala The extent of the Mogul's Country A description of the Kingdom of Gususatta It s extent It s principal Cities Its Rivers Its Ports It s Fertility The Relation continued MAY. The Governour of Candahar delivers up his place to the Mogul JVNE Terry of Palm-Wine Suratta described Its Gates Its Houses The Castle The Port. The Kom of Suhaly The Inhabitants Surat the general Factory of the English Trade The places about Surat SEPTEMBER Two English Ships arrive at Surat Boldue a Dutch Vessel of 1400 Tun. Rasboutes Leaves Suratta to go to Amadabat Comes to Broitschia Broitschia described Indico A fabulous miracle Leaves broitsâ—hia Comes to Brodra OCTOBER Brodra described Lacque The Sepulchres of Mahumetan Saints Comes to Nariad To Mamadebath To Amadebat The Indian Oxon as metalsome as the Horses in Germany The Meydan The Castle A. Mosquey of the Benjans Amadabath described The principal Commodities there Musk and Amber-greece A piece of Amber-greece that weighed eighty pound Musk. Merchandises pay no duties or custom at Amadabat It s jurisdiction and revenue The Sepulchre of a Kasi The Sepulchre of an incestuous Father The mountains of Marva Where live Princes not subject to the Mogul Schach-bag Corden An Ally 150 Leagues together Parrots Cormorants Fowl and Venison Tame creatures Fish No Wine iu Guzâ—ratta Arak Hurtful creatures Crocodiles Crocodiles 30. foot long A Crocodile swallows a woman with all her cloaths How they lay their Eggs. Crocodiles 100. foot long Serpents Batts as big as Crows Amadabat maintains 12000. horse The Governours wealth His Court His Expence Mandelslo visits the Governour of Amadabat Their discourse A second visit to the Governour The Governour of Amadabat â— Persian born But loves not the King of Persia. Mandeâ—slo's discrâ—tion A Character of the Governour of Amadabat His cruelty Mandelslo leaves Amadabat Tschictbag Garden Cambaya described An Indian Widow 〈◊〉 burnt by her own consent How the custom come up The Civility of an Indosthan Mahumetan Bettelé Areca Comes to Serguntra What they keep travelling Beasts with Tzietbagh Garden Goes for Agra Heribath Damtiges Comes to Agra Agra described It hath its Merket-places 80. Caravanseras Mosquey The Sepulchre of a Gyant Sanctuaries 800. Baths The Mogul's Palace described The Mogul worships the Sun The Mogul's Throne The Seraglio The Mogul's Treasurer A sort of money of eight thousand Crowns the piece Fifty Millions in ready money A Million of Livers in small money Thirty Millions in precious Stones Nine Millions in Statues c. Six millions in Plate 25000. Crowns in Copper Vessels 1200000. Crowns in Purcelane Neor eight Millions in Stuffes In woollen Clothes 50000. Crowns 5000000. in Tents c. Above 3000000. in Books Four Millions in Artillery Near four millions of Crowns in Arms. In Saddles and Harness 1200000. Crowns In Coverings for Horses 2500000. Crowns Amount in all to 174113793 Crowns No hereditary charge or dignity in the Mogul's Countrey The chief Officers The Mogul's Revenue The Arms of the Cavalry Observe no order in fighting Their Artillery The order of their Armies The Mogul's Guard The dignity of the Rajas The Mogulâ— ordinary retinue He changes the place of his abode according to the seasons The City of Agra described How the Mogul celebrates the first day of the year The Festival of the Mogul's birth-day Another Mahumetan Feast The Mogul comes from Tamerlan The initials of his Government cruel A pleasant story of the Mogul The Mogulâ— divertisement A combat between a Lyon and a Tiger A Combat between a Man and a Tiger A third Combat Courage rewarded Mandelslo discovered to have kill'd on Indosthan at Ispahan Leaver Agra Lahor described The Baths of the Mahumetans Returns to Amadabath Fire works Returns to Surat Persons of quality have Banners carried before them An Engagement with the Country people An Engagement with the Rasboutes Comes to Surat The English President resigns his charge The Sulthan's entrance into Surat How the Mogul câ—me to unite the Kingdom of Guzuratta to â—uCrown The Governour of Amadabath is Viceroy of all Guzuratta His magnificence Hath the disâ—oâ—al of all the Revenue of the Kingdom What the Revenue of Gâ—zuratta amounts to The Administration of Iustice. The other Cities of Guzuratta Goga Pattepatane and Mangerol Diu. Bisantagan Pettan Cheytepour Messana Nassary Gaudui and Balsara The Inhabitants of Guzuratta Their Cloaths Their Women Black Teeth beautiful The Cloath of the Benjan women The Benjans are ingenious Their Ceremonies of marriage The men permitted to marry twice or thrice The Religion of the Benjans They worship the
of our Travels that way it lay desolate as indeed it had been ever since the Death of Sulfagar who had been Executed upon the instigation of Kartzogar General of the Persian Army The other House which was within the City had been bestow'd by the King upon Kelbele Chan to be enjoy'd by him during his Life The next day after our arrival which was April 11. there was brought the Ambassadors from Schich-Sefi's Kitchin the Thaberick which is a certain quantity of Meat sent in for three meals to such great Lords and other Persons of quality as come into that City according to a pious Institution which hath been observ'd about the Body of Schich-Sefi Author and Founder of the Religion of the Persians as also near that of the late King whose Sepulchres are at Ardebil Our Thaberick was brought us in 32 great Dishes or Basins full of Rice of all sorts of Colours upon which the Meat was laid which consisted of Boyl'd Roast Omelets and Pastry according to their way of Dressing Those who were appointed to bring us this Dinner carry'd the Dishes upon their Heads and set them down upon a Cloath which was laid upon the ground We were not over-pleas'd with this Entertainment by reason not only of the trouble it was to us to sit down according to the Persian way but also because we were forbidden to drink any Wine at this Feast of the Thaberick However we ordered our great Guns to be discharg'd at it as also our Trumpets to sound and would have made a small Present to those who had brought it but they desir'd to be excus'd telling us that the Devotion of the place permitted them not to receive any Presents The next day there was such order taken for the Provisions of the Kitchin that we had all the reason in the world to be satisfy'd therewith We were allow'd every day sixteen Sheep two hundred Eggs four Batmans which come to 26 pounds of Butter thirteen pound of Raisins of the Sun six pound and a half of Almonds a hundred Batmans of Wine two Batmans of Sirrup Meal Honey and Poultry in abundance besides the extraordinary Presents which were ever and anon brought us from the Chan insomuch that our expence during our stay at Ardebil amounted to In Bread 1960. Batmans In Wine 6250. Batmans Eggs 9300. Sheep 477. Lambs 472. April the 12. we receiv'd the first visit from the Governour who with much kindness came to make the proffers of his services to the Ambassadors whereof we afterwards found the real effects when occasion required The same day he sent away an Express to Court to give notice there of our arrival and to receive orders for the prosecution of our Journey which yet came not till two moneths after April 21. an Armenian Bishop came to see the Ambassadors He was but lately come thither from the City of Eruan was a Person discours'd very handsomely and told us many particulars concerning the state of the Christian Churches in Asia Among other things he told us that there was near Eruan a Monastery wherein there were above four hundred Religious men and that there were in the Mountains between Aras and Kur above a thousand Villages inhabited by Christians and that there were besides all these near Caâ—win and Tauris above two thousand Families which made up in all above five hundred Churches Whereto he added that the Turks had not long before carried away above fifteen hundred Christians and very highly commended the King of Persia for his care in preserving their Privileges and not burthening them with Taxes as the Turk does intreating us to recommend their concernments to the King when we should come to Court April 25. which according to the Arabians is the 10. day of the moneth Silhotza was the great Bairam or the Festival which they call Kurban that is Sacrifice in commemoration of the Sacrifice which Abraham would have made of his son Ismael according to the command of God for so they understand the History of the Sacrifice of Abraham All their Ceremony consists in killing before day a Sheep or Lamb in the street at their own Doors which being cut into pieces they distribute them among the poor who come to those Doals in great numbers They do not reserve so much as the skin which they do as they affirm according to the example of Abraham who reserv'd nothing of the Ram which he sacrifiz'd instead of his Son It is about this time that the Persians go to do their Devotions at Meca as well as the Turks They say that Noah when he went into the Ark took along with him seventy two Persons and for that reason it is requisite the Pilgrims of Meca should amount to the number of seventy two thousand and that number ought to be so exactly observ'd that if there be either more or less they must not be receiv'd there as such that year But above all things it is their main care that that great number be compleat for otherwise as they affirm the Angels would be oblig'd to come in to make up what were wanting and it were a wont of respect to those Spirits to put them to that trouble The men put on a particular Coiffure for this Voyage which is a kind of Turbant of white Wool in regard their Law forbids them to wear it of any Colour or of silk at that time They call this kind of Turbant Ehharan and they cover their Heads therewith only as they go so as that one part of it falling down on one side of the Head passes under the Chin and is fasten'd on the other side They commonly take their way through the City of Ierusalem where they do their first Devotions Thence they pass through Medina where they continue them at the Sepulchre of Mahomet which they kiss with a profound Veneration and then they conclude them at Meca or Mount Arafat From Medina to Meca they are cover'd only with a shirt nay some go naked down to the waste In this posture they march continually and after a very particular fashion For they are oblig'd to go after the rate of a trotting Horse or rather that of a Camel galloping and that with such earnestness that they hardly take the leisure to eat and drink or yet to sleep and all out of an imagination that the Sweat caus'd by that Violent Motion and forc'd out of their Bodies carries away with it all their Sins and cleanseth them of all their filthiness The Women who might not be able to bear the inconveniences of such a march have the privilege to swath up their Breasts with a Skarf which hath a particular name and they call it Scamachtze The tenth day of the moneth of Silhatza is that of their great Devotion That day all the Pilgrims go to Mount Arafat which they say is the place where the Patriarch Abraham should have Sacrifiz'd his Son and there they
spend the whole night in Prayers Towards the dawning of the day they come down and go to the City of Meca where their Hetzas or High-Priest makes a Procession conducting through the chief streets a Camel which is appointed for the Sacrifice The Hair of this Camel is a very precious Relick among them whence it comes that the Pilgrims throng to get as near as they can to the Beast and to snatch off some of his Hair which they fasten to their arms as a very sacred thing The Hetzas after he hath walk'd the Beast sufficiently leads him to the Meydan that is the great Market-place and puts him into the hands of the Baily or Judge of the City whom they call Daroga who attended by some other Officers kills him with an Axe giving him many blows in the Head Neck and Breast As soon as the Camel is dead all the Pilgrims endeavour to get a piece of him and throng with such earnestness and so confusedly with Knives in their hands that these Devotions are never concluded but there are many Pilgrims kill'd and hurt who are afterwards allow'd a place in their Martyrologies After all these Ceremonies they go in Procession about the Mosquey they kiss a Stone which was left after the finishing of the Structure and they take of the Water which passes through a Golden Chanel over the Mosquey and carry it away as a Relick with a little piece of a certain Blackish Wood of which â—ooth-picks are commonly made When the Pilgrims are return'd from their Pilgrimage they are called Hatzi and they are as it were Nazarites dedicated to God in as much as it is unlawful for them to drink Wine ever after From this Pilgrimage and the Sacrifice perform'd at Meca we shall take occasion to insert here what the Persians and Turks relate of that of Abraham as Mahomet hath dress'd up the story falsifying the truth of it in all its circumstances They say in the first place that Abraham was the son of Azar who was Graver to Nimroth King of Egypt and that he married Sara who was so beautifull a Woman that the King having cast his eye on her Abraham grew jealous and carried her away into Arabia but finding that she bore no Children he there bought a Slave named Hagar whom he carnally knew and by her had Ismael Hagar being near her time and not able any longer to endure the ill treatment she receiv'd from Sara resolv'd to run away Abraham coming to hear of her discontent and fearing she might make away the Child especially if she came to be deliver'd without the assistance of some other Women follow'd her and found her already deliver'd of a Son who dancing with his little feet upon the ground had â—ade way for a Spring to break forth But the water of the Spring came forth in such abundance as also with such violence that Hagar could make no use of it to quench her thirst which was then very great Abraham coming to the place commanded the Spring to glide more gently and to suffer that water might be drawn out of it to drink and having thereupon stay'd the course of it with a little Bank of Sand he took of it to make Hagar and her child drink The said Spring is to this day called Semsem from Abraham's making use of that word to stay it After this Sara pray'd to God with such earnestness that he gave her her son Isaac Some time after Ismael's birth the Angel Gabriel appear'd to Abraham and told him that God commanded him to build a house upon the River which Ismael had given the rise to in answer whereto Abraham representing that it was impossible for him to build any great structure in the midst of a Desart where there was nothing but Sand the Angel reply'd that he should not be troubled at that and that God would provide Accordingly Abraham was no sooner come to the place appointed him by the Angel but Mount Arafat forc'd out of its quarries a great number of stones which roll'd down from the top of the Mountain to the side of the little River where he built a house which hath since been converted to a Mosquey and is the same where the Pilgrims of Meca do their Devotions The Structure being finish'd there happened to be one single stone remaining which began to speak and to complain that it had been so unfortunate as not to be employ'd in that Edifice But Abraham told it that it should so much the rather be comforted in as much as it should one day be in greater Veneration than all the rest put together and that all the faithfull who came to that place should kiss it This is the stone we spoke of before These people say it was heretofore all white and that the reason of its being now black is that it hath been constantly kiss'd through so many ages Some years after the same Angel Gabriel appeared again to Abraham who was grown a very rich and powerful man and told him that God intended to make the highest tryal that could be of his affection and gratitude and that he would have him in acknowledgement of so many favours to sacrifize his son to him Abraham immediately consented and being return'd home bid Hagar call up her son and put on his best Cloaths that he might be the better look'd on at the Wedding to which he intended to carry him They departed the next day betimes in the morning and took their way towards Mount Arafat Abraham carrying along with him a good sharp knife and some Cords But as soon as they were gone Sceithan that is to say the Devil represented himself to Hagar in the shape of a man reporach'd her with the easiness wherewith she had consented that her son Ismael should go from her and told her that what Abraham had related to her concerning the Wedding to which he was to bring him was pure forgery and that he was carrying him streight to the Shambles Hagar ask'd him why Abraham would use her so since he had alwayes express'd a great tenderness to her son The Devil made answer that God had commanded it should be so whereto Hagar reply'd that since it was God's good pleasure to make that disposal of him it was but fit she should comply therewith Whereupon the Devil pressing harder upon her and treating her as an unnatural Mother endeavouring by those aggravations to bring her into rebellion against God she pelted him away with stones The Devil's endeavour proving unsuccessfull that way and too weak to overcome the obstinacy of a woman he apply'd himself to Abraham reviv'd in him the tendernesses and affection of a Father represented to him the horrour of the murther he was going to commit and remonstrated to him the little likelyhood there was that God should be the Author of so barbarous and abominable an action But Abraham who was acquainted with the subtilty and artifices of that wicked spirit sent him