not onely supply it self therewith but also Engeland Schotland the Lowe Contreys and many other places besides in the Southern parts of France is plenty of Oyle Figs Safferon there is ordinarely much kattel wee finde there much Salt Flax and Hemp. In this Kingdome are 14 Arch-Bisshops and above hundret Bisshops It is divided in 8 Parlaments or high Courts to which the 21 head-Provinces there in conteyned appeale The same Parlamens have their residence in the cities of Paris Rouaan Rennes Bordeaux Tholouse Grenoble Aix and Digion In our time hath King Henry the Great of an immortal memory joyned his souveran Prinsdom of Bearn to the Krown and there erected a ninth Parlament in the city of Pau. ITALY which many account for the fayrest countrey in the World shold have obtayned its name from the King Italus of Sicily who first taught the Inhabitans husbandry The Territories of Italy in the West are partly also in the North the Alpes with the flood Varo which divide this Country from Frans Germany and Switserland forth thence forth the Sea washeth round about it The hil Apenius is as the back-bone of Italy dividing the same in length allmost over thwart from the hils of Alpes to the Sea of Sicily Italy hath for the most part a healthy and good temperate ayr the ground is wonderful fat and fruitful affording plenty off Korne fruite all sorts off hearbs several excellent good Wines Oyl Flax the fields are ful off tame and the woods ful off wild creatures the hils adorned througly with several Metals and stones Here are found many waters replenished with fish many glorious and neatly-built and strong cities in one nord this country is the right Paradijs off World. In Italy are 28 Arsh-Bisshops and more then 200 Bisshops with many beautiful cities off which these are the chiefest Rome Napels Florence Venice Genua Milanen Bolonien Ravenna Cremona Pavia Paedoa Verona Vicenza Mantoua Siena Luca Ancona and Livorne are the two chiefest havens Messina and Palermo lye in Sicily The Ilands of Sicily are specially three Sicily Corsica and Sardinien besides other little ones GERMANY the greatest Countrey off one name and Language in whole Europe the Latinists call it Germania the inhabitans themselves call it Teutschlandt / the reason hereof is uncertaine The linits off Garmany doe at this day stretch much further then in the dayes off Prolomy for in the West is passeth through the Rhine and beateth at the French Lands of Loreyn and Bourgondien in the South it stretchest over the River Donau to the hils the Alpes which divide it from Italy in the East it bordereth on Prussia Poland and Hungary in the North on the North-zea Denmarck and the East-zea 't Is a warlik Nation and a populous Countrey no lesse pleasant then fruitful it hath a sweet Pleasant ayr and plenty of Wines which produce delicate good Wines The Woods and Fields are replenished with wilde and tame Beasts the Rivers and other Waters rich off Visch Here are found very faire Fountaines and healthy baths many of Iron Steele Kopper Tinne Gold and Silver Germany is divided in the high and lowe Countreys The high Countreys are called those places which lye next to the Alpes and conteyne those following Provinces Elsaz Swaben the County of the Pals on the Rhine the Kingdome off Bohemen which though the inhabitans thereof use another language noth wichstanding is comprehended within Germany and hath under it three Provinces to wit Marhern Silesien and Lausnits The County Tirol Stiermarck Carnten and Carniola or Crayn The Low-Countreys comprehend the Bisshopricks off Ments Trier and Coln the County off Hessen the Dukedoms off Saxen Pomeren Mekelenburgh Meyssen Thuringen Cleeff and Bergh with the Countreys which doe depend on them Under the Marquesse off Brandenburg resort Westphalen the Dukedom of East-Frieslant THe LOW-COUNTREYS which in time off the Romans most were conteyned in Gallia-Belgica are at this day divided in 17 Provinces bordering in the West and South on Frances in the East on the Rhine or the Maas in the North on the Ocean The ayre off these Countreys is thick and moist but healthy and convenient the ground for the most part even and smooth The Low-Countres are very fruitful off Korne and several sortes off tre-fruyt they afforde also much Flax Hemp there is also much catle to be found but the chief of the countrey consisteth in fishing and navigation wherein the inhabitants surpasse all other Nations These 17 Provinces are partly subject under the House off Bourgundien partly free and are governed in the manner of a comononweath The House of Bourgundien possesseth the Dukedoms off Brabant Limburg and Lutzenburg and one Quartier off Gelderland the Marquizdom off the Holy Empire on the River Schelde the Earldoms off Flandres Artois Henegou Namen and the Dominion off Mechelen The free united Low-Countrey Provinces are these three quarters of the Dukedom Gelderland and the Earldom Sutphen the Earldoms off Holland and Zeland and the great Dominions off Utrick Friesland Overyssel and Groeningen HELVETIA or SWITSERLAND borders in the South on Italy in the East on the Earldom on Tirol in the West on Savoyen and Bourgondien in the North on Eisaz and Loreynen It is a countrey which lieth in the midst off the Alpes and therefore accounted the highest Countrey off Europe indifferent good and fruytful free and respected off all its neyghbours divided in several Cantons which the call Orâ—en The chief cityes are Zurich Bern Lucern Basel Friburg Baden The Earldom off Walles where of Sitten is the prime city the Province off the Grisons or Graubunders having Chur for a capital City have bin long since in consederacy with the Switsers and defend one another against theyr common enemies POLAND borders towards the East on Silesien hath for her Neygbours the Prussiaus Littauwers and Hungarians it is a very fruytful Countrey off all sorts off Korne The chief city is Cracou situated on the Weixel Not farre from thence are mines off Salt. The chief commodities which are transported out off Poland in other countreys are Wheat Rie Flax Wax Wood and Lead DENMARKE is an indifferent great and large Kingdom on a wonderful manner parted and divided throug the sea It s extremest Province is Jutland in former time called Cimbrica Chersonnesus This countrey bordereth in the South an Germany being forthwith environed with the sea for the most part it is fruytful and rich off Korne except in the North where it is sandy and barren Out of Denmark are conveighed to other parts multitude of Oxen and Horses much Butter Hides Visch c. The chief city is Coppenhaven where the King deepes his court and where there is an University NORWAY hath on the East Sweveland on the West the Ocean on the South Denmarke and on the North Lapland The West and South Quarters of the Countrey are of an indifferent temperate Climate but on the North the soile is unfruytful and not
able to feed and supports its habitans Out of Norway cometh plenty of Stok-visch great quantity of pelt hides trane tarre masts spars plankes other sort of wood SWEDEN or SWETHELAND boundeth in the West on Norway in the South on Denmarke in the East on the white Sea and Moscovia in the North on the Ys-Sea This Kingdom is one of the fruitfulst Quarters of the North affordeth much Korne Hony Wax Pelts Hides Roer Silver Steele Lead Iron and Kopper The head or chief city of the Kingdom is Stokholm where the King keeps his Court. MOSCOVIA hath towards the North the Sea Petzorke towards the East the Tartarians towards the South the Turks towards the West the Littauwers Lijflanders and the Swethers The chief city is Moscou there the great Duke whone the Subjects call the Emperour of Russia keepeth his Court. The principall commodites which are from hence transported unito other Countreys are Flax Hemp Wax Eland Oxen-hides severall precious pelts traan salt visch LIFELAND bordereth in the East on white Russenland of Moscovia in the South on Samogitien which is a part of Littaâ— in the West and North on the East-Sea The chiefest city is Rigs not farre from the mouth of the River Dwyna Ith affordeth much hony Wax Asshes Pick Taar and Pelts HUNGARY hath for her Neygbours on the East Moldavia and Walachia on the South Bosnia and Croatia towards the West Austria or Ostenreich and towards the North Poland The ground is exceeding fruytful of Korn Wine and all sort of Victuall of kattel here is such great plenty as that the sheep and Oxen are sent in abundance to Germany and Italy Here also are found many Mines of Gold Silver Kopper Iron and Steele SLAVONIEN is environed betwixt Hungary Italy the Gulf of Venice and Grece containing Liburnia Croatia Bosnia and Dalmatia The Turke hath a great part thereof in possession another part the Emperour of Germany the rest being situated on the Zea is under the dominion of the Venetians GREECE in former time a Mother and Nurse of all sort of learning but now a bondslaaf of the unbeleeving Mahumetists and an habitation of the Turkish Emperous is environed on the North with Bulgaria and Servia and forth with on the West South and East compassed about with the Sea. The commodities which are brought out of Greece and conveyghed to forreine places are gold silver kopper kopperas sevral dying stuffe wines oyl flus Damasts Turksch Groggreins Greece or Grieckland hath allmost innumerable Ilands among which the greast and most famous is Candia in former time called Creta affording very precious and delicate Wines Moscadel and Malvesii Curtens Scarletdie Sugar Cristal goat-skins Oyl Hony Wax and healing hearbs The chiefest Ilands of Europe situated in the great Sea are Brittaine Yreland and Ysland Brittaine which certaine yeares hence is happily reduced under one Kingdom was here to fore divided in Engeland and Scotland ENGLAND which with Scotland maketh the greatest Iland of Europe bearing abundance of good wheat and other sort of Korn and beautified with many rivers wherein is plenty of fish hath many commodious havens also mines of Gold Silver Lead Iron and especially much precious Tinne There are several sortes of creatures serving for the supportance of Man and chiefly a great multitude of fine Wol-bearing sheepe which indeed is the right golden fleece of this Royal Iland The chief city of whole Engeland is the glorious city London situated on the River Teems with a bridge over it which is accounted one of the fayrest of Europe From hence come several sorts of Wollen clothes Saffron Tinne Lead Wheat Baarly Beat Dried herrings and Sea-koles SCOTLAND compassed round about with the Sea except on the South where it boundeth on Engeland is not so fruytful hath notwitstanding all necessaries for the supportance of life The chief city is Edenbourrough Scotland affordeth many sortes of course Wollen clothes Wool Malt Hides Fish and Stone-Koles YERLAND is ful of lakes standing Pooles hath good fat pastorage also abundance of tame and wilde Beasts This Iland hath an healthy ayre beareth no venomousthing The inhabitants are rude wilde People but through the conversation governement of the English begin to be more more tamed On the fields grow much gras where in goe many kie sheep but are somwhat lesse then in other countreys YZLAND is in length about hondert dutsch miles for the most part unbuylt and hilly in the valleys is much katle and gras there groweth no Korne or other trees then bark and Junipertrees The inhabitans make bread of beaten fish wont to drinke water but mixe it now with Korne which is brought to them from forreyne places They live most in caves or holes under the earth and account the Mountaines for theyr cities make theyr houses of fish-bones They in the East-countrey deale much for Ysland and exchange ther commodities for brimstone dry Fish Roet Butter Skins of wilde and tame Beasts white Faulkes Horses and other commodities In this Countrey are two Bisshopricks Holen and Schalholt which have some Nunneries under them Here as also in other Northern parts are found many white Beares which are exceeding fierce and cruel ASIA the second part of the olde World is in the West divided from Europe throug the Rivers the Don and the Dwina from Africk throug the narrownes betweene the Mediterranean and the red Seas on the East it stretcheth to the Chineesch or Eoisch on the North to the Scytish and on the South to the Indiaen Sea. It doth farre surpasse Europe and Africk as also other parts of the World in largenes riches plenty of spices precious stones kostly Pearles and other rarities This part of the world hath bin in all former times the most famous for from hence arose first all dominions where by the world hath bin governed Man hath bin there first created of God placed in Paradijs seduced throug Satan and redeemed throug Christ our Saviour Here also hapned most all that hapned in the olde especialy that in the new Testament All the Countreys of Asia are divided in six parts where of the great Duke of Muscovien doth possesse a part the second is under the Tyranny of the great Turk the third under the Power of Tartarians 4 th under the Dominion of the mighty King of China the 5 th are the rich Countreys of Indien and the 6 th and last part is under the command of the Sophi or King Persien To Asia likewise appertaine an innumerable multitude of Ilands among which these are the chiefest Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea furthermore in the Indian Sea Zeilâ—n Sumatra Java Borneo Celebes Moluccen Banda Gilolo Luconia and Japan Of Muscovia wee have treated here to fore in the Description of Europe sith the most part thereof is situated in Europe That which the great Turk doth possesse in Asia are all the Provinces of Natolia formerly called Asia the lesse small Armenia and
a part of a great Armenia Diarbech in former time Mesopotamia Syria and a great deal of Arabia The chiefest Mart-townes in these Countreys are Trapesonda Aleppo with the Sea-havens Tripoli Amon Damasco Baruti and Mecha These Countrey affoard much silk Tasti Damasts Turks Groggrein Kotton and Scarletdie The other part of Arabia resorteth under severall Kings there in is situated the famous city Aden from thence come very fayre Pearles the unfeygned Balzem-Oyl Franckincense Myrrhe and such-like commodities TARTARIE are in one name tearmed all the Countreys situated with a large and confused comprehension Eastward from the Eastern Ocean betwixt the Northern Yz-Sea and the Southern Countreys as China that part of Indien without Ganges the River Oxus the Caspian and Meotian Sea to Moscovien westward The inhabitans are called Tartarians who are ordinarily strang stout and bold People and who easely suffer hunger heat and cold They have no cityes villager nor houses but dwel by companyes which they call Hordas with wives childern and cattel in tabernakels tents in the fields now here to morrow elsewhere wheresoever they finde good pastorage for theyr cattle to wit Oxen Sheep Horses and Kamels with whose flesh blood and milk they sustaine themselves Theyr Prince one or the greatest Potentates of the Earth they call C ham that is Duke to whome they shew singular obedience CHINA which is accounted the greatest powerfulst richest Kingdome of the whole World is compassed on the East and South with the Orientall Ocean which the Ancient named Mare Eoum on the west with India and Bramas and on the North it is joyned with Tartary where the Kings have divided it with an admirable wall of 400 miles in length buylt betwixt the hils It is divided in 15 Kingsdoms or great Provinces they have each a Prince or King of theyr owne who againe submit themselves all unto one supream King who is able according to the relation of the Portugals in time of warre to bring in the field moor as 300000 Footemen and 200000 Horsemen It is very fruytful of Korne kattel tame and wilde it hath also mines of precious stones gold kopper iron steel and pearls and specialy there is great abundance of silk it conteyneth great migry citities which also are very populous Of the great and glorious city Paquin where the King hath his residence are almost incredible things written The inhabitans are very witty and sutle inespecially in Manifactuurs they make wagons with which they sayle over Land as with ships in the Zea. The art of printing and making of pieces of ordonances hath bin by them farre sooner in use as by us They have good civil lawes according to which they live but the true knowlegde of God they want sith they are heathens and adore Sun Moone and other idols jea the Divel hunself least he doe them any evil The principal commodities which come out of China are gold precious stones musk rhubarb the root China fine earthen platters abundance of silke sugar rijs cotton linnen and korne INDIEN situated betwixt Persien the hil Tauri China the Indian Sea is as all writers Witnes the best and nobelest Countrey on Earth or which produceth the beautifulst best fruit as wel those which serve for Mans sustenance a pleasure It replenisheth the whole World withis precious stones and pearles kostly spices medicinal drugs and perfumes in such a manner that if Paradys where no where to be had this whole Countrey might betearmed a terrestrial Paradys Many Kingdoms and rich countreys are therein conteyned as the Kingdom of the great Mogol which is properly Indien Cambaja Orixa Bengala Aracan Pegu Malacca Siam Tipura Gouro c. Calicut situated in Malabar wont not long since to be the chief city of whole Indien which at this time is called Coa here have the Deputy of Portugal the Arch-Bisshop the Kings Counsel and the Chauncellors theyr residence to commaund over all the Quarters of the Eastparts appertayning to the King of Spayne Among many strange thing and trees which grow in Indien are the tree de Rais and the tree Triste very wonderfull The tree de Rais or root-tree groweth first from below as other trees doe but spreading its branches they grow ful of sprigs and roots which bowing growing downward to the earth at last grow fast there and take root and in progres of time grow so thick as the first root so that they are hardly to be discerned one from anoter out of which againe others round about grow to an innumerable number so that such trees in time spread themselves in a round circle an Italian mile farre and not onely that the lowes branches thrust theyr twigs rootes downwards which afare of is as a deal of hanging hemp but also the uppermost highest in such a manner that one onely tree maketh a close wood De Arbore triste or the sadtree so called because he doth not slourish by day but alwayes by night a strange thing to behold As long as the Sun is not set this tree appeareth as withered and when the Sunne is set there is no blossom to be seen on it but presently an half houre after it is as ful of blossoms as may be very faire to behold and of an exceding pleasant smel and continueth so the whole night but as soone as the day and Sunne returneth doe all the blossoms fall of that there remayneth not one on the tree and cover the Earth and the leaves shut themselfs half so that he seemeth to be withered and dead this continueth til evening then it beginneth to get blossoms as before and continueth so the whole year PERSIA very famous in respect of the 2 de Monarchy comprehendeth many Countreys and Provinces is a very potent rich countrey and is governed by the Sophi who though he be a Mahumetist warreth continually against the Turck for the religion of Mahumet and that in respect of the several expositions of the Alcoran Out of Persia are brought precious stones Oriental Pearls the cordial stone Bezoar much silk-work and very fayr Horses The nobelest fayrest Pearls which are found in the whole East and which are called the right Oriental Pearls are found in the Gulf of Persia betwixt Ormus and Bassora in the Places of Bare in Caryffa Julfar other places thereabout These are fished by Divers which are therein experienced going ten twelff twenty and more fathoms under water and growe in Oisters which the Dippers being naked grable swiffly on the bottom and with a small baskef which they have bound about theyr body bring them with them above water being layd in the Sunne they goe open of theyr owne accord and therein are found the Pearls ZEYLAN is one of the best and fruytfulst Ilands which are knowne at this day the Earth is there alwayes green and the trees loadened with blossems and fruit producing the fayrest Oreng appels Lemmons Citrons and such like fruyt The best Cinamon
groweth here with hole bonshes This pleasant fruit is the ondermost or second rind of tree is cut of in foure square pieces is of an asch-colour being laid in the Sunne and rould up together it becommeth red and in three years after the trees have theyr rinde or bark again Besides many other creatures there are multitude of Elephants which are supposed to surpasse all Elephants of other Countroys in wit and nobilite Westward from Zeylan are situated the Ilands Maldivia more as is reported then eleven thousand in number which are most inhabited and some for theyr lownes not inhabited here are not much other commodities then Coques that is Indian nuts and these in such abundance that the Inhabitants doe wholy maintaine themselves with them the leve almost whole Indien The rind or that which sitteth about the fhel of this nut is the hemp of Indien where of they make kabels all sortes of ropes They make theyr Ships of the wood of this tree and sewe them together with koardes made of this aforenamed rind without the use of an iron needle The leaves of the tree they use for theyr sayles In one word the ship withal its appurtances they victual and also merchandize where with it is loadened is all of this onely date tree which maintayneth all the Inhabitants of these Ilands SUMATRA which in former times according to the Opinion of many was wont to be called Taprobana is divided under severall Kings of all these is he of Achem the most potent Here groweth besides severall other spices plenty of very good Peper Also there are mines of severall mettals whereof the Inhabitants make good peeces of Ordonnance Here are found very big Elephants which being tamed are very fit for warre they have theyr residence in the woods by whole troupes here is also to be seen the creature Rhinoceros the arch-anemy of the Elephant and thoug it be farr lesse yet notwithstanding it dare enter battle with it it doth whet its hornes against the rocks and thereby endeavoureth to teare up the belly of the Elephant Many judge it to be the right Unicorn What soever part of body this creature hath but especially the horne is accounted very precious for the expelling of all venome JAVA is very fruitfull of severall spices and Indian fruyts especially here groweth great plenty of Pepper Is divided among many Kings of which the great Mataran he of Bantam and he of Tuban are the mightiest They who dwel on Sea-shore are Mahumetists in the Countrey they are heathens On Java the Hollanders have buyle the city and strong fort Batavia where formerley Jacatra hath bin it is the chiefest Colonie residence of the Governeur BANDA is a small Iland but very famous for here alone and on some Ilands thereabout grow all the nutmucks Mace which are dispersed in great plenty over all the World. The trees on which the nutmeks grow are something alike the pear-tree of persick-tree onely that they are smaller The nutmeks are covered with a threefold shel or rinde the outmost is as the green rindes of acornes when these are ripe they divide or separate themselves asunder and then there is to be seene a rind or bast like a small net where with the fruit is compassed about fayre red of colour like unto scarlet pleasant of sigt which wee call Mace or the blom of the nutmek When the fruit is ripe and groweth drye the Mace breaketh forth and becometh then an Orange couler The third rinde or shel is some what harder woodenish then the former as the acorne-nuts safe that it is blackish and that being opened therein wee find the Nutmek Three times in the jear these trees afforde ripe fruit to wit in August in December and the best and most in April In Banda is to be seene a wonderfull bird which they call Eme being almost once as big as a Swan having black feathers but no winges nor tong above its head it hath a sharpnes or shield as a shell-crab he doth protect and defend him self with his strong hookes striking behind him as a horse He devoureth all that is cast before him thoug it were apples as big as a fist and that which is most to be admired burning koles and great pieces of ice In the year 1596 have the Hollands Ships brought such a bird a live at Amsterdam for an admirable rarity The Ilands of Moluccen situated under the Aequinoctial line and a little towards the North thoug they be small are notwith-standing famous over the whole world in regard of cloves which growe onely in these places and are vijf number to wit Ternate Tidore Motir Machian and Bachian The trees on which the cloves grow are like the laurel-tree or bay-tree in bignes and fashion onely that the leaves are smaller like unto the almond or willow-leaves they have many twigs and plenty of flowers which first are white afterward green and at the last red and somewhat hard and doe change in these fruit which wee call cloves When these flowers are green they have the most pleasant smel above all flowers in the Worlde The flowers grow very close together in great quantity on the utmost of the sprigs as the berryes of the Myrtle-tree These Ilands afford very little to the sustenance of man life here groweth no rice nor korn there are also no catle but fewe bukgoat and hens Theyr bread they make of some trees and roots Onely in these Ilands are to be found the Paradijs-birde which in strange beautiful feathers surpasseth all other birds in the World. AFRICA the third part of the old World is divided from Europe through the Mediterranean and from Asia through the red Sea. The chief Countreys of Africa are BarBary Aegypt Biledulgerid Sarra the Countrey of the Ethiopians the Abissines of Priest Johns Countreys and Menomotapa The Islands appertaining to Africa are those of Canaria Cabo de Verde S. Thomas Madagascar Sacotora Out of Africa are brougt in Europe Gold Yvorie Eben-wood Aloe the Aegyptian Balzem-olye Mumia Myrrh Feathers Sugar Ginger Daats and some Wines from Madera and the Ilands of Canariâ—n BARBARY the best part of Africa hath on the South the mountaynes of Atlas on the West the Atlantish on the North the Mediterranean Zea. It is divided into four Kingdomes as Marocco Fez Telesin and Tunes it is watered with many Rivers which flowing out of the hils Atlas Powreth out her waters in the Mediterranean Zea. The Kingdom of Fez which is farre forth the mightiest of Barbary hath its name derived from the Mother-city Fez a fayr and populous city partly environed with Walls and fortwith mountaines and rocks It is reported that in the same are 700 churches where of the Mother-church comprehendeth a large round place having 30 high and very spacious dores Here grow ordinarily many daats Oranges Olives Figs and such like fruyt but not much wine The Inhabitants are white or jollow Mores commonly an upright and
that when it is midday in the forenamed places then it is a Bantam in the Iland Java 7 houres and 12 minutes in the afternoone because the same city is situated 108 degrees in the length towards the East for it differs every 15 degrees one houre but in the city Lima lying in Peru it is 6 houres in the fore-noone because the same city is situated in the length about 90 degrees towards the West as Amsterdam Those also which are situated under the like breadth or heigth of the Pole have alwayes alike length of dayes and nights this is also to be understood that those who live on the southside of the midle-line have the shortest day when we have the longest as they have the Winter when we have the Sommer and we the Winter when they have the Sommer But they which are situated under an unequal breadth or heigth of the Pole have also unequal length of dayes and nights for the farter a place is situated from the midle-line how the longest day is greater there and the shortest les As for example they wol live under the Aequinoctial line have day and nigt thorough the whole jeare alike long without change They who live on the breath of 30 degrees have the longest day almost of 14 houres on the breath of 50 degrees the longest day hath stifly 16 houres Under the Northern Circkel which wee call Circules Arcticus doth not the Sunne on the longest day set or goe under the Horizon On the breadth of 70 degrees doth not the Sunne set in 64 dayes and so following the longed dayes encreasse till under the Pole wherein the whole jear not more is then one day and one night each continuing one half jeare Further more the Earth is divided ad this day in two great firm lands and parts in Antiquam or olde and Novam or new America called the new Worlde The first called the olde Worlde because it was onely knowne to the Ancient have the ancient Describers of the Earth divided againe in tree parts to wit in Europa Asia and Africa EUROPA as some wil have it hath its name from the Dochter of Agen or King of Syrien ravished by Jupiter which others esteeme to be fabulous supposing that the Originall of this name is unkowne The territories of Europe in the West are the great Zea in the south the Mediterranean Zea in the East the Archipelage Pontus Euxinus or Maeotis Palus and the right line ascending thither wards the Nord to the River Dwyna from whence the Ys-Sea doth washe against Europe Albeit this part of the Worlde be very small in respect of the other parts of the Earth yet not with standing it is commended above all other Countreys for its singular vertuet specially for the wholesom and temperate ayr the fruytfulnes of the Earth abundance of all other necessaries for the maintenance of Mans-life being watered with many fayre Rivers and furnished with many hot and colde water-veynes or bathings effectual and fit for the expelling of severall diseases Here grow no drugs not precious stones but abundance of Korne Wine and al 's sort of fayr tree-fruyt Here are few cruel and pernitious beasts but tame Creatures in a greater multitude and fayret then one where Thoug that which this Countrey doth most boast of is the great multitude of its fayre welbuilt populous cityes which are here farre more in number then in other parts of the earth Europe hat formerly through the Monarchy of the Grecians and Romans ruled as a Queene over the Countreys of Asia Africa al shee yet doth at this day through the Moscoviters and Turckes as also throug the Castilianen Portugals and Hollanders who have dominion over many places countreys Ilands and potent Cities therein conteyned and who doe subdue under theyr obedience almost whole America SPAYNE is the Western therefore also the first Kingdom of Europe of their inhabitans called Espanna within name as also the People have theyr denomination and derivation of certayn Province in Asia in former time called Pania of pan who was Lord of the same Spain is on all the 4 parts or side environed with the Zea except on the North-east-korner which is compassed about with the Pyrenian hils for a separation from Frans. 't Is a wonderful blessed countrey not onely in respect of fruytful ground but also of an healthy ayre thence it is that there is so faire a growth of Oyle Sugar Figs Raisons Oranges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranats Kappers and other medicinal hearps and above all such strong and delicate sorte of Wine as any where are to be had The worldly governement of Spayne consisteth in a King nevertheles he doth not conclude of any nomentany affairs without the advise of the 12 who one with an other make up the high Counsel The Ecclesiastical governement consisteth in Arch-Bishops and Bishop the first are ten in number the other more then vifty Spain in our time is gotten under one King which was never sien before in 800 yeares notwithstanding conteyningh 16 several Kingdoms as may be seene in the Spanish Titels but Castilien or Castilie Arragon and Portugal are the chiefest under which all the other resort ARRAGON hath its denomination from the Province Tarroconensis in which it is situated or from the city Tarragona It s head or Mother-city is Saragossa in former time called Caesar Augusta placed on the river Ebro In the midst of this Kingdome is Monson founded wether the King once in three year doth resort in his owne Person for the receyving of his revenues The third krowne of Spayne conteyneth the Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarven Portugal is last of all joyned unto the other Spanish Kingdoms 't Is supposed that the revenues of the Kingdom import jearly two Millions of Ducats which wealth doth most arise from the great trade which the Portugals drive upon Ginee Brasil and Portugals Indien but the countrey is also fruytfull in it self affording many sortes of Wine Oly and other commodities The mayne City of Portugal is Lisbon situated on the River of Tajo an excellent and great city of Marchandise FRANCE the noblest fruytfulst and most potent Kingdome of Europe hath its name from the Frankes a people of Germany which 1200 years hence begin to conquer it For the environing of this Kingdom is drawn in the North a line from Calis to the freedom of Straetsburgh which line they of Artois Henegou and Lutzenburg doe let lye on the left hand In the West Frans doth beath on the Sea of Aquitanien nou Gujenne and partly on the Pyrrhenian hils which fasten and joyne it to Spayn in the South is bordereth on the Mediterranean Sea in the East the high hils called the Alpes divide it from Italy the hil Jura from Helvetia or Switserland and the River Rheine from Germany This countrey hath abundance of wheat and all other sorts of Korne of Wine wee find here many sorts and in such abundance that it doth
good but dom and uncapable people EGYPT hath bin many years hence a famous Countrey so admirable fruytful when the River Nile doth but keepe its ordinary course and flowe 13 cubites over the Land that the Poët Lucan doth highly extol it The aforesayd flood beginneth commonly to encrease in the beginning of June and continueth 40 dayes then it doth by litle and litle decrease as soone as any part of the Countrey runneth drie they begin to cast theyr zeed in the earth not standing in need of rayne or any other humidty The Aegyptians have bin in former times very futtel and witty great Astronomers and Physicians but exceeding superstitious The Pyramides which are reckoned among the seven miracles of the world where formerly erected in this place by theyr Kings eyther for vayn glory and ostentation of theyr great power and wealth or to keep the people in action that they might not betake them selves to ydelnes ETHIOPIA or ABISSINEN hath northward Lybien and Egypt towards the West the River Nigar and the Kingdom of Congo towards the South the Maensbergen and towards the east the Kingdoms of Melinde Magadoxa and the red Sea and though here grow but little korne notwithstanding it beareth much fruyt unkowne to us first for maintenance of Mans life The Inhabitans are Christians have one King who by us is called Priest John but by them Acegue Negus that is Emperour and King He writes that he is of the house of David is able to rayse ten hondert thousend Men of warre and 500 Elephants besides a great number of horses and Camels they have one Patriarch whome they call Abuma who is the head of the Clergii have Cloisters for Men and Women but the Monkes as also the Priest being married must maintaine themselves with theyr own labour and husbandry They mixe the gospel and the old Testament among one another circumcise both male and female kind and baptize them with water and fire to wit in burning some tokens on theyr face and the baptism of water is yearly revewed by them They keep also lent which continueth with them 50 dayes with water and bread and some of them with green hearbs They have besides these many other ceremonies superstitions to tedious to relate BILEDULGERID beareth that name from the palm or Daat-tree which groweth here in quantity The Inhabitants are dul borsh without any good lawes or manners All theyr trade consists in dates and Marmelstone which they exchange with the Outlanders for Korne which no where is sowed here Hitherto we have shortly run over the chief Countreys of the Old World now follow the New World of America which in the division of the whole earth we place for the second part which ordinarily is placed for the 4 th part of the World. This Countrey hath bin unknowne to the Ancient and found in the year of our Lord 1497 by Americus Vespusius a Florentine after whome it is called America though this honour be not without reason attributed to Christopher Columber of Geneve who in the year 1492 first hath discoured it It may be almost divided in two Ilands sith it is onely with a smal neck annexed unto Panama and Nombre de Dios. The Northern part comprehendeth New Spain Florida Virginia the New Low-Countreys New Frans New England Canada Terra Nova on the North it is yet unknowne the South part conteyneth Guajana Castilia del Oro Peru Chili Brasilien Paraguay and other Provinces more NEW-SPAYN conteyneth many Provinces and Nations of severall languages The chief city of this Countrey is Mexico a Queen of all the cities of the new world Before the Spanjards came hither the number of the houses were 70000 and was situated in the midst of a great or large lake or standingh poole almost as Venice but Ferdinandus Cortez who in the jears 1519 and 1520. hath brought these Countreys under the command of the King of Spayn hath transported the city on the shore of the lake and is at he present a wel-built city The other principall cities next to Mexico are Compostella where the Bisshop hath his stool and the Kings Council her residence Colima or Purficatio Guadalajara Mechoacan Sacatula and Civitas Angelorum or the city of Angels The commodities which are transported hence unto other parts of the World are Gold Silver Pearls Balzem-Oyl Concenille or Scarlet-die Salsaparilla the reat Mechoacanna Brimstone and Hides FLORIDA is pleasant and indifferent fruitfull countrey Here growe mulberries cherries chesnuts grapes medlers and prunes Here are also haâ—ts goates beares leopards and many other creatures also peakocks partridges parrets and manifold birds which are yet unknown to us In the Rivers are many and several Serpents and many Crocodils which the inhabitants most continually seek to oppose As for the manners of the inhabitants they are for the most part rude and not chast They doe not let their Children learn na art nor trade neither reprove them for their faults From robbing and to keep that which they have tobbed as their owne they make no conscience Every one nothwithstanding hath his owne wife and are very jealous account no thing so precious as the curious colours of the feathers of birds They doe beleeve the immortality of soules but are otherwise Idolaters PERU the most famaus place of all Countreys in the world hath on the North Castilia del Oro on the east the hils on the South Chili and on the West the great Southern Zea. The prime city is Lima otherwise called Ciudad de los Reyes there the Deputy hath his residence also the Arsch-Bisshop having under him for Bisshops-cities Quito Cusco Guamanga Guanuco Popoian Gajaquil Chacapoias Porto Vejo Arequipa Plata Trugillo Charchi S. Miguel S. Francisco This Countrey is temperate of ayr very populous and fruitfull of precious stones bezoar-stone Salsaparilla and especially of gold and silver for it is accounted for one of the richest in the world in regard of this acceptable and desirable Metall which is also easily to be conceived from the great treasures which have bin many jears hence and yet are conveyged thence That which the Historians write of Peru is almost incredible Atabaliba King of Peru when the Spanjaerts came first thither tooke him prisoner offered for his redemption to fil up the place where he lay imprisoned with gold so high as he standing on his toes where able to reach with his fingers the place was 22 feet in length and 17 in breadth or if they rather wold have Silver he wold fil the place twice up to the top of the house It appeareth also out of histories that the Spanjards in their first coming thither did cover the hoofs of their horse with Gold and Silver from Peru are transported in to Europe Gold Silver Precious stones Besoar-stone Salsaparilla and more other things of an healingh nature CHILI is also larg Countrey rich of Gold but as yet litle knowne much lesse conquered by the Spanjards