a mile off to see a work which she had in hand of certain Trenches to convey water to certain places whereby to improve them I spoke to the Queen with my head uncover'd all the while which courtesie it being my custom to use to all Ladies my equals onely upon the account of being such I thought ought much rather to be us'd to this who was a Queen and in her own Dominions where I was come to visit and to do her Honour After she was gone her way I with my people enter'd into a little village and there took a lodging in an empty house belonging to a Moor of the Country and near the Palace but I caus'd my diet to be prepar'd in an other house of a neighbour Moor that so I might have the convenience of eating flesh or what I pleas'd which in the houses of Gentiles would not be suffer'd The inhabitants of Manèl are partly Gentiles and partly Malabar-Moors who have also their Meschita's there which was of much convenience to me The Name of the Queen of Olaza is Abag-deui-Ciautrù of which words Abag is her proper Name Deui signifies as much as Lady and with this word they are also wont to signifie all their gods nor have they any other in their Language to denote God but Deù or Deurù which are both one and equally attributed to Princes whereby it appears that the gods of the Gentiles are for the most part nothing else but such Princes as have been famous in the world and deserv'd that Honour after their deaths as likewise which is my ancient opinion that the word God where-with we by an introduc'd custom denote the Supream Creator doth not properly signifie that First Cause who alone ought to be ador'd by the World but signifi'd at first either Great Lord or the like whence it was attributed to Heroes and signal persons in the world suitable to that of the Holy Scripture Filii Deorum Filii Hominum and consequently that the gods of the Gentiles though ador'd and worship'd both in ancient and modern times were never held by us in that degree wherein we hold God the Creator of the Universe and wherein almost all Nations of the world always held and do hold him some calling him Causa Prima others Anima Mundi others Perabrahmi as the Gentiles at this day in India But that the other gods are and were always rather but as Saints are amongst us of the truth whereof I have great Arguments at least amongst the Indian Gentiles or if more then Saints yet at least Deifi'd by favour and made afterwards Divi as Hercules Romulus Augustus c. were amongst the Romans But to return to our purpose they told me the word Ciautrù the last in the Queen of Olaza's Name was a Title of Honour peculiar to all the Kings and Queens of Olaza and therefore possibly signifies either Prince or King and Queen or the like As for this Countries being subject to a Woman I understood from intelligent persons of the Country that in Olaza Men were and are always wont to reign and that 't is a custom receiv'd in India amongst the greatest part of the Gentiles the Sons do not succeed the Fathers but the Sons of their Sisters they accounting the Female-line more certain as indeed it is than the Male. Yet that the last King of Olaza having neither Nephews nor other Legitimate Heirs his Wife succeeded him and she also dying without other Heirs left this Abag-Deui who was her Sister to succeed her To whom because she is a Woman and the descent is certain is to succeed a Son of hers of whom I shall hereafter make mention but to him being a Man not his own Sons but the Son of one of his Sisters hereafter likewise mention'd is to succeed Not to conceal what I know of the History of this Queen I shall add that after her Assumption to the Throne upon the death of her Sister she was married for many years to the King of Banghel who now is a fugitive depriv'd of his Dominions but then reign'd in his own Country which borders upon hers Yet though they were Husband and Wife more for Honors sake then any thing else they liv'd not together but apart each in their own Lands in the Confines whereof either upon Rivers where they caus'd Tents to be erected over boats or in other places of delight they came to see and converse with one another Banghel wanting not other Wives and Women who accompany'd him where-ever he went 'T is reported that this Queen had the Children which she hath by this Banghel if they were not by some other secret and more intimate Lover for they say she wants not such The Matrimony and good Friendship having lasted many years between Banghel and the Queen I know not upon what occasion discord arose between them and such discord that the Queen divorc'd Banghel sending back to him as the custom is in such case all the Jewels which he had given her as his Wife For this and perhaps for other causes Banghel became much offended with the Queen and the rupture proceeded to a War during which it so fortun'd that one day as she was going in a boat upon one of those Rivers not very well guarded he sending his people with other boats in better order took her and had her in his power Yet with fair carriage and good words she prevail'd so far that he let her go free and return to her Country In revenge of this injury she forth-with rais'd War against Banghel who relying upon the aid of the neighbouring Portugals because he was confederate with them and as they say of many Royolets of India Brother in Arms to the King of Portugal the Queen to counterpoize that force call'd to her assistance against Banghel and the Portugals who favour'd him the neighbouring King Venk-tapà Naieka who was already become very potent and fear'd by all the Neighbours and under his protection and obedience she put her self Venk-tapà Naieka sent a powerful Army in favour of the Queen took all Banghel's Territories and made them his own destroying the Fort which was there he also made prey of divers other pety Lords thereabouts demolishing their strength and rendring them his Tributaries one of which was the Queen of Curnat who was also confedrate with the Portugals and no friend to her of Olaza he came against Mangalòr where in a battel rashly undertaken by the Portugals he defeated a great number and in short the flower and strength of India carrying the Ensigns Arms and Heads of the slain to Ikkeri in triumph He did not take Mangalòr because he would not answering the Queen of Olaza who urg'd him to it That they could do that at any time with much facility and that 't was best to let those four Portugals remain in that small place which was rather a House then a Fortress in respect of the Traffick and Wares which they
War large and handsome A Market was kept this day in Saghèr as 't is the custom every Sunday and at Ikkeri every Fryday There was a great concourse of people but nothing to sell besides necessaries for food and clothing after their manner The way between Ikkeri and Saghèr is very handsome plain broad almost totally direct here and there beset with great and thick Trees which make a shadow and a delightful verdure As we return'd home at night we met a Woman in the City of Ikkeri who her Husband being dead was resolv'd to burn her self as 't is the custom with many Indian Women She rod on Horse-back about the City with open face holding a Looking-glasse in one hand and a Lemon in the other I know not for what purpose and beholding her self in the Glass with a lamentable tone sufficiently pittiful to hear went along I know not whither speaking or singing certain words which I understood not but they told me they were a kind of Farewell to the World and her self and indeed being utter'd with that passionateness which the Case requir'd and might produce they mov'd pity in all that heard them even in us who understood not the Language She was follow'd by many other Women and Men on foot who perhaps were her Relations they carry'd a great Umbrella over her as all Persons of quality in India are wont to have thereby to keep off the Sun whose heat is hurtful and troublesome Before her certain Drums were sounded whose noise she never ceas'd to accompany with her sad Ditties or Songs yet with a calm and constant Countenance without tears evidencing more grief for her Husband's death then her own and more desire to go to him in the other world than regret for her own departure out of this A Custom indeed cruel and barbarous but withall of great generosity and virtue in such Women and therefore worthy of no small praise They said she was to pass in this manner about the City I know not how many dayes at the end of which she was to go out of the City and be burnt with more company and solemnity If I can know when it will be I will not fail to go to see her and by my presence honor her Funeral with that compassionate affection which so great Conjugal Fidelity and Love seems to me to deserve November the thirteenth I took the Altitude of the Sun at Ikkeri and found it 31. gr 40′ The Sun was now in the 20th degree of Scorpio and declin'd Southwards 17. gr 45′ 40″ which taken from 31. gr 40′ leave 13. gr 54′ 20″ The former time I found Ikkeri to be in 13. gr 30 31″ but now I found it to be in 13. gr 54′ 20″ between which there is onely the difference of 23′ 43″ which is a small matter And therefore I account my observation right for the small variation between the two times is no great matter in regard the declination of the Sun not being punctually known may cause the difference At night walking in the City I saw in the Piazza of the great Temple which I understood was dedicated to an Idol call'd Agore Scuarà who they say is the same with Mahadeù although they represent him not in the same shape with that I saw of Mahadeù in Cambaia but in the shape of a Man with but one Head and Face and sixteen Arms on each side in all thirty two which is not strange since our Antients call'd many of their Idols by names sufficiently different and pourtray'd them in several shapes and wherein also I understood there was an Idol of Parveti who is the Wife of Mahadeù though the Temple be not dedicated to her I saw I say in the Piazza one of their Fryers or Giangami clad all in white sitting in an handsome Palanchino with two great white Umbrellaes held over him one on each side which two were for the more gravity and a Horse led behind being follow'd by a great train of other Giangami clad in their ordinary habits Before the Palanchino march'd a numerous company of Souldiers and other people many Drums and Fifes two strait long Trumpets and such brass Timbrels as are us'd in Persia Bells and divers other Instruments which sounded as loud as possible and amongst them was a troop of Dancing-women adorn'd with Girdles Rings upon their Legs Neck-laces and other ornaments of Gold and with certain Pectorals or Breast-plates almost round in the fashion of a Shield and butting out with a sharp ridg before embroyder'd with Gold and stuck either with Jewels or some such things which reflected the Sun-beams with marvellous splendor as to the rest of their bodies they were uncover'd without any Veil or Head-tire When they came to the Piazza the Palanchino stood still and the multitude having made a ring the Dancing-women fell to dance after their manner which was much like the Moris-dance of Italy onely the Dancers sung as they danc'd which seem'd much better One of them who perhaps was the Mistress of the rest danc'd alone by her self with extravagant and high jumpings but alwayes looking towards the Palanchino Sometimes she cowr'd down with her hanches almost to the ground sometimes leaping up she struck them with her Feet backwards as Coelius Rhodiginus relates of the ancient dance call'd Bibasi continually singing and making several gestures with her Hands but after a barbarous manner and such as amongst us would not be thought handsome The Dance being ended the Palanchino with all the train went forward the Instruments continually playing before them I follow'd to see the end and found that they went into the chief street and so out of the City by the Gate which leads to Saghèr stopping in divers places of the street to act the same or the like dances over again and particularly in the Entrance of the said Gate where amongst many Trees and Indian Canes which make the City-Wall there is a small Piazza very eeven and shaded about like a Pastoral Scene and very handsome At last the Giangamo with his Palanchino and train enter'd into certain Gardens without the Gate where his House stood and after the last Dance he remain'd there and the rest went away They told me this Honor was done him because they had then cast water upon his Head and perform'd some other Ceremony equivalent to our ordaining one in Sacris or creating a Doctor As I was going along the streets to behold this Pomp I saw many persons come with much devotion to kiss the Feet of all those Giangamoes who on Foot follow'd the principal Giangamo who was in the Palanchino and because they were many and it took up much time to kiss the Feet of them all therefore when any one came to do it they stood still all in a rank to give him time and whilst such persons were kissing them and for more reverence touching their Feet with their Fore-heads these Giangamoes stood firm with a seeming
which lies on the left side of the River as you go against the stream Having landed and going towards the Bazà r to get a Lodging in some House we beheld the Queen coming alone in the same way without any other Woman on foot accompany'd onely with four or six foot-Souldiers before her all which were quite naked after their manner saving that they had a cloth over their shame and another like a sheet worn cross the shoulders like a belt each of them had a Sword in his hand or at most a Sword and Buckler there were also as many behind her of the same sort one of which carry'd over her a very ordinary Umbrella made of Palm-leavs Her Complexion was as black as that of à natural Aethiopian she was corpulent and gross but not heavy for she seem'd to walk nimbly enough her Age may be about forty years although the Portugals had describ'd her to me much elder She was cloth'd or rather girded at the waste with a plain piece of thick white Cotton and bare-foot which is the custom of the Indian-Gentile Women both high and low in the house and abroad and of Men too the most and the most ordinary go unshod some of the more grave wear Sandals or Slippers very few use whole Shoos covering all the Foot From the waste upwards the Queen was naked saving that she had a cloth ty'd round about her Head and hanging a little down upon her Breast and Shoulders In brief her aspect and habit represented rather a dirty Kitchin-wench or Laundress then a delicate and noble Queen whereupon I said within my self Behold by whom are routed in India the Armies of the King of Spain which in Europe is so great a matter Yet the Queen shew'd her quality much more in speaking then by her presence for her voice was very graceful in respect of her Person and she spoke like a prudent and judicious Woman They had told me that she had no teeth and therefore was wont to go with half her Face cover'd yet I could not discover any such defect in her either by my Eye or by my Ear and I rather believe that this covering the Mouth or half the Face as she sometimes doth is agreeable to the modest custom which I know to be common to almost all Women in the East I will not omit that though she were so corpulent as I have mention'd yet she seems not deform'd but I imagine she was handsome in her Youth and indeed the report is that she hath been a brave Lady though rather of a rough then a delicate handsomeness As soon as we saw her coming we stood still lay'd down our baggage upon the ground and went on one side to leave her the way to pass Which she taking notice of and of my strange habit presently ask'd Whether there was any among us that could speak the Language Whereupon my Brachman Narsù step'd forth and answer'd Yes and I after I had saluted her according to our manner went near to speak to her she standing still in the way with all her people to give us Audience She ask'd who I was being already inform'd as one of her Souldiers told me by a Portugal who was come about his businesses before me from Mangalòr to Manel that I was come thither to see her I caus'd my Interpreter to tell her that I was Un Cavaliero Ponentino A Gentleman of the West who came from very farr Countries and because other Europaeans than Portugals were not usually seen in her Dominions I caus'd her to be told that I was not a Portugal but a Roman specifying too that I was not of the Turks of Constantinople who in all the East are styl'd and known by the Name of Rumi but a Christian of Rome where is the See of the Pope who is the Head of the Christians That it was almost ten years since my first coming from home and wandring about the world having seen divers Countries and Courts of great Princes and that being mov'd by the fame of her worth which had long ago arriv'd at my Ears I was come into this place purposely to see her and offer her my service She ask'd What Countries and Courts of Princes I had seen I gave her a brief account of all and she hearing the Great Turk the Persian the Moghol and Venk-tapà Naieka nam'd ask'd What then I came to see in these Woods of hers Intimating that her State was not worth seeing after so many other great things as I said I had seen I reply'd to her that it was enough for me to see her Person which I knew to be of great worth for which purpose alone I had taken the pains to come thither and accounted the same very well imploy'd After some courteous words of thanks she ask'd me If any sickness or other disaster had hapned to me in so remote and strange Countries How I could have done being alone without any to take care of me a tender Affection and incident to the compassionate nature of Women I answer'd that in every place I went into I had God with me and that I trusted in him She ask'd me Whether I left my Country upon any disgust the death of any kindred or beloved person and therefore wander'd so about the world for in India and all the East some are wont to do so upon discontents either of Love or for the death of some dear persons or for other unfortunate accidents and if Gentiles they become Gioghies if Mahometans Dervises and Abdales all which are a sort of vagabonds or despisers of the world going almost naked onely with a skin upon their Shoulders and a sttaff in their Hands through divers Countries like our Pilgrims living upon Alms little caring what befalls them and leading a Life suitable to the bad disposition of their hearts I conceal'd my first misadventures and told the Queen that I left not my Country upon any such cause but onely out of a desire to see divers Countries and customs and to learn many things which are learnt by travelling the World men who had seen and convers'd with many several Nations being much esteem'd in our parts That indeed for some time since upon the death of my Wife whom I lov'd much though I were not in habit yet in mind I was more then a Gioghi and little car'd what could betide me in the World She ask'd me What my design was now and whither I directed my way I answer'd that I thought of returning to my Country if it should please God to give me life to arrive there Many other questions she ask'd which I do not now remember talking with me standing a good while to all which I answer'd the best I could At length she bid me go and lodg in some house and afterwards she would talk with me again at more convenience Whereupon I took my leave and she proceeded on her way and as I was afterwards told she went about
contrivances of Charriots Ships Gallies Pageants Heavens Hells Mountains and Clouds I forbear to speak because I have the printed Relation by me On the eighteenth of February The Vice-Roy being indispos'd the proceedings were superseded But in the three following dayes by two Acts a day the whole Tragedy was rehearsed It comprehended not onely the whole Life but also the Death of San Francesco Sciavier the transportation of his Body to Goa his ascension into Heaven and lastly his Canonization On the seventh of the same moneth Mass was sung in the Colledge of San Paolo Nouvo and a predication made by F. Flaminio Calò an Italian upon the Beatification of the Blessed Luigi Gonzaga who was also a Father of the Society In the Evening the Portugals of quality passed about the streets in a Maskerade accompanyed with Chariots and Musick about twelve of us went out of the House of Sig Antonio Baraccio all clothed in the same Livery which I took care to get made according to my Phansie and I ordered it after the fashion of the ancient Roman Warriers just as the ancient Emperours use to be pictur'd the colours were Carnation and White with several Impresses on the breast every one after his own Phansie it appear'd very well by night and was the best and greatest Body of the whole Maskerade I bore for my Impress a Blaze of Flames with this Italian Word of Tasso Men dolci si ma non men calde al core Which Impress I have been wont to use frequently since the death of my Wife Sitti Maani the Work of my clothes was wholly together Flames onely distinguished here and there with Tears which shewed my grief February the eighteenth In the Morning solemn Mass was sung and a Sermon made upon the Canonization of the Saints in San Paolo Vecchio In the Afternoon Lists and a Ring being prepared before the Church of Giesù many great Portugal Gentlemen richly clothed came as to run Carreers both at the one and the other giving Divertisement to the Ladies who stood beholding them on Balconies and Scaffolds The like they did afterwards in the street of San Paolo Vecchio February the nineteenth A very solemn Procession was made from San Paolo Vecchio to Giesù through the principal streets of the City which Procession exceeded all the rest in number of Pageants Chariots and Ships and other Engins filled with people who represented several things and good Musick accompanyed with several Dances on Foot and many other brave devices Of all which things I speak not because I have a printed Relation thereof by me In the end of the Procession was carried by many of the Fathers in their Copes the Body of San Francesco Sciavier inclos'd in a fair and rich Silver Coffin with a Silver Canopie over it made very gallant and the Effigies of the Saint behind Then came a great Standard with the pourtraytures of the Saints carry'd likewise by some of the Fathers and after that all the Crosses of their Parishes of Salsette and onely one company of the Fryers of Saint Francis Of the other Religions that are in Goa none appear'd here because they said they would not go in the Processions of the Jesuits since the Jesuits went not in those of others With this Procession which ended about noon ended also the solemnities for the abovesaid Canonizations February the twenty fifth This day being the first Sunday of Lent this year the Augustine Fathers according to custom made a solemn Procession which they call de i Passi in reference to the steps which our Lord made in his Passion being carry'd to several places They carry'd in Procession a Christ with the Cross on his shoulders and many went along disciplining themselves being cloth'd with white sack-cloth gallant and handsome very gravely according to the humor of the Nation In several places of the City certain Altars were plac'd where the Procession stood still and after some time spent in singing the Christ turn'd backwards representing that passage Conversus ad Filias Ierusalem dixit illis Nolite flere super me c. At which turning of the sacred Image the people who were very numerous and fill'd the whole streets lamented and utter'd very great cryes of Devotion At length the Procession being come to the Church Della Gratiae whereit ended after the Augustine Nunns whose Covent stands near that of the Fryers in the same Piazza had sung a while an Image of del volto Santo of our Lord's Countenance like that at Rome was shown to the people gather'd together in the said Piazza from a window of one of the Bell-turrets which are on either side the front of the said Church and so the Solemnity ended But the above-mention'd Altars in the streets are every Fryday during Lent adorn'd in the same manner and visited by the people every day and also many hours of the night just as the Church of Saint Peter at Rome is visited every Fryday of March and they call this visiting Corror os Passos that is going about and visiting the steps of our Lord which serves the people during this time of Lent no less for devotion then for pastime March the first There was also another Procession in Goa of the Disciplinanti which I went not to see the like is made every Fryday during all Lent and therefore I shall not stand to describe it I believe there is no City in the world where there are more Processions made then in Goa all the year long and the reason is because the Religious are numerous and much more then the City needs they are also of great authority and very rich and the People being naturally idle and addicted to Shews neglecting other Cares of more weight and perhaps more profitable to the Publick readily imploy themselves in these matters which however good as sacred and parts of divine worship yet in such a City as this which borders upon Enemies and is the Metropolis of a Kingdom lying in the midst of Barbarians and so alwayes at Warr and where nothing else should be minded but Arms and Fleets seem according to worldly Policy unprofitable and too frequent as also so great a number of Religious and Ecclesiastical persons is burdensome to the State and prejudicial to the Militia In the Evening of every Fryday of Lent there is a Sermon upon the Passion in the Church of Giesù and so likewise in other Churches but upon other dayes and hours At the end of these Sermons certain Tabernacles are open'd and divers figures representing some passages of the Passion according to the subject of the Sermon are with lighted Tapers shew'd to the People as one day that of the Ecce Homo another day Our Lord with the Cross upon his shoulders and the last day the Crucifix and so every day one thing sutable to the purpose Oftentimes they make these figures move and turn as they made the Robe fall off from the Ecce Homo and discover the
THE TRAVELS OF Sig. Pietro della Valle A Noble ROMAN INTO EAST-INDIA AND Arabia Deserta In which the several Countries together with the Customs Manners Traffique and Rites both Religious and Civil of those Oriental Princes and Nations are faithfully Described In Familiar Letters to his Friend Signior MARIO SCHIPANO Whereunto is Added A Relation of Sir ROE's Voyage into the EAST-INDIES LONDON Printed by I. Macock for Iohn Martin and Iames Allestry and are to be sold at their Shop at the Bell in St Paul's Church-yard 1665. Imprimatur White-hall Iune 4. 1664. WILL. MORICE TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROGER Earl of ORRERY c. My Lord IT is not more commonly then truly observ'd That the Preeminence of Excellent Things is universally attended with a proportionable Result of Benefit to those of Inferior Degree And the same may with equal verity be affirm'd of the Glory of Great Personages Your Names serve not onely to distinguish you or by the Addition of Titles to give you higher rank in the State but like the Sun communicating Light and Life together they animate and beautifie what-ever is irradiated by them Which general Consideration though it could not give me any particular Right yet it may in some sort warrant the sutableness of dedicating this Transcript to your Lordship's Name A Name which besides having been able to revive and support a long-depressed Interest in a Considerable Kingdom is so highly celebrated upon the account of other Performances as scarce to find a Parallel among those of your own or any other Orb. Nor is it a little ground of Confidence to me that what I present is neither wholly my own in any sort nor any of it otherwise then as an Interpreter nor lastly one of those refined Pieces of Invention which while your Protection is implored do with-all folicite your Iudgment But of that kind of Writings which containing Descriptions of Countries and their Customs can onely please by the Variety of the Relations and the Veracity of the Relator He whom I have interpreted was a Noble Roman Persons of which Quality as they have greater Curiosity so they have far more Advantages in reference to making of Observations in Forreign Countries than they whose chief business is Traffick and was carried onely by his own curious Genius into those Oriental parts of the World whereof he here gives an Account which is so full of delightful Variety and considerable Remarks that as after his Return his Person was dignifid with an Honourable Office in the Court of his own Prince so since his Death his Travels have no less happily travell'd and been naturaliz'd in some other Languages The other Piece hath been judg'd fit to be adjoyned as one of the Exactest Relations of the Eastern parts of the World that hitherto hath been publish'd by any Writer either Domestick or Forreign having been penn'd by one that attended Sir Thomas Roe in his Embassy to the Great Mogol Than whom 't is acknowledg'd by one of that Country that trades most into those parts none ever gave a more faithful Account thereof It remaines onely that as by this action I have tâ—ough with all the Modesty that becomes mâ— assum'd an Interest in a Great Name so 〈◊〉 also testifie the Honour and Veneration I bear to Great Worth and Rare Accomplishments which I shall do summarily and yet in the utmost importance of the words by professing my self My Lord Your Lordships in all Humble Respect and Observance G. Havers P. Scipionis Sgambati è Societate Jesu PETRO â VALLE PATRICIO RomanÌ„o Ob cineres Conjugis ex ASIA revectos AeNeadum soboles Albani sanguinis haeres Aeneae proavi quà m bene facta refers Ille senem ex Asia fertur vexisse parentem Ex Asia conjux est tibi ducta comes Par utrique fides esset nisi quòd tua major Est pietas Italûm gloria VALLIADE Ille senem extinctum Siculâ tellure reliquit Tu Romam extinctae conjugis ossa vehis THE TRAVELS OF Peter Della Valle Sirnamed The Traveller Containing a DESCRIPTION of the EAST-INDIES c. LETTER I. From Surà t March 22. Anno 1623. IN the beginning of this year at my departure from Persia I writ last to you from aboard the Ship call'd the Whale in which I was newly embarqu'd upon the coasts of that Country and had not yet begun my Voyage Since which time having sail'd over a good part of the Ocean arriv'd at the famous Countries of India travell'd and view'd no inconsiderable portion thereof by conveniency of the same Ship which brought me hither and is ready to set sail speedily towards Muchà in the Arabian Gulph and the rather for that a German Gentleman a friend of mine is embarqu'd in her with an intention to travel from thence in case he can get passage to see Aethiopia with this Letter which I recommend to him to get transmitted into Italy if possible from those Ports of the Red Sea or by the way of Cairo where they trade or by some other conveyance I come again to give you an Account of my Adventures and the Curiosities which have hitherto afforded delicious repast to my alwayes hungry Intellect To begin therefore Upon Thursday the 19 of Ianuary having dispatch'd and taken order for what was needful a little before day after the discharge of some Guns as 't is the custome at going off from any Coast we began leisurely to display our sails moving but slowly because we waited for the ship-boat which was still at shore upon whose return we unfolded all our Canvase and though with a small gale directed our course between the Islands of Ormuz and Kesom passing on the outer side of Ormuz next Arabia in regard the shallowness of the Channel towards Persia afforded not water enough for such great Ships as ours We were in company only two English Ships namely the Whale which was the Captain-ship in which I was embarqu'd commanded by Captain Nicholas Woodcock and another call'd the Dolphin which had for Captain Master Matthew Willis At noon being near Lareck and no wind stirring we cast Anchor without falling our sails and our Captain sent his long boat a shore to Lareck with two Grey-hounds which the English of Combrù had given him to catch what game they could light upon Towards night we set sail again but though the wind somewhat increas'd yet because the boat was not return'd we struck sail a little and staid for it discharging also several musket-shots to the end those that were in it might hear and see where we were And because 't was one a clock in the night and the Boat was not yet come we doubted some disaster might have befaln it in regard of the multitude of those Arabian Thieves call'd Nouteks which rob upon that Sea and frequently reside in this Island of Lareck Yet at length it return'd safe and sound and brought us abundance of Goats whereupon we again spread our sails freely to
Customs and Rites of the Indians he calls them even at that time Ancient things And though Pythagoras and the Consulship of Brutus may precede not onely Eumenes who was one of Alexander the Great 's successors but Alexander himself by about two ages according to the Chronology of Bellarmine which to me seems good enough yet the space of two hundred years or somewhat more is not such as that those things may be call'd Ancient which had their beginning within so short a term as it should be infallibly if Pythagoras whom they take to be their Brachma were the first Author to the Indians of their Learning and consequently of their Rites Customs and Laws But since I have already made frequent mention of the Brachmans and perhaps shall have occasion to do the same hereafter to the end it may be understood what they are I shall here subjoyn so much as I have hitherto 〈…〉 ain'd to know concerning them and all the other Indians The whole Gentile-people of India is divided into many sects or parties of men known and distinguisht by descent or pedigree as the Tribes of the Jews sometimes were yet they inhabit the Country promiscuously mingled together in every City and Land several Races one with another 'T is reckon'd that they are in all eighty four some say more making a more exact and subtle division Every of these hath a particular name and also a special office and imployment in the Common-wealth from which none of the descendents of that Race ever swerve they never rise nor fall nor change condition Whence some are Husbandmen others Mechanick as Taylers Shoemakers and the like others Factors or Merchants such as they whom we call Banians but they in their Language more correctly Vanià Others Souldiers as the Ragia-puti And thus every one attends and is employ'd in the proper Trade of his Family without any mutation ever hapning amongst them or Alliance of one Race contracted with another Diodorus and Strabo almost with the same words as if the one had transscrib'd the other affirm that anciently the Races of the Indians were seven each addicted to their proper profession and for the first of all they place that of the Philosophers who no doubt are the Brachmans Into seven kinds of men with their particular and by Generation perpetuated Offices Herodotus in like manner writes and Diodorus confirms it though he disagrees in the number the people of Aegypt was divided in those days whereby 't is manifest what correspondence there was between Aegypt and India in all things Nor do I wonder at the division into seven Races onely because what is observ'd at this day must then also have hapned namely that the so many Races which they reckon are reduc'd to four principal which if I mistake not are the Brachmans the Souldiers the Merchants and the Artificers from whom by more minute subdivision all the rest are deriv'd in such number as in the whole people there are various professions of men In the substantial points of Religion all agree together all believe the Transmigration of Souls which according to their merits and demerits they think are sent by God into other bodies either of Animals more or less clean and of more or less painful life or else of men more or less noble and handsome and more or less pure of Race wherein they place not a little of their vain superstition accounting all other Nations and Religions besides themselves unclean and some more then others according as they more or less differ from their Customs All equally believe that there is a Paradice in Heaven with God but that thereinto go onely the Souls of their own Nation more pure and without any sin who have liv'd piously in this world Or in case they have sin'd that after divers Transmigrations into various bodies of Animals and Men having by often returning into the world undergone many pains they are at length purg'd and at last dye in the body of some man of Indian and noble Race as the Brachmans who amongst them are held the noblest and purest because their employment is nothing else but the Divine Worship the service of Temples and Learning and they observe their own Religion with more rigor then any others 'T is true the Brachmans who amongst the Indians in my opinion much resemble the Levites of the Jews are divided too into several sorts one more noble then another and according to nobility more rigorous also in matter of eating and in their other superstitious Ceremonies for some of them are Astrologers some Physitians some Secretaries of Princes and so of other sorts of Scholars which I know not well but the most esteem'd and most sublime amongst the Brachmans and consequently the most rigorous of all in point of eating and other observances are those who perform the Office of Priests whom they call Boti Ordinarily they never admit into their Sect any man of another Religion nor do they think that they do ill herein or contrary to the zeal of saving Souls since believing the Transmigration they conceive it not necessary to salvation to change Religion although one be of a false Sect but judg that if this Soul shall be worthy to have pardon from God it shall after death and after being purg'd sundry ways pass into and be born in the body of some Indian amongst them and live excellently and so by this way at last arrive at Paradice and live with God although in the beginning it was in the world in the body of the worst sinner and miscreant whatever With people of other Religion they never eat nor will have any communication of food and as much as possible they avoid even to touch them conceiving themselves polluted by communicating with others And herein they are so scrupulous that even amongst the Indians themselves one of more noble Race not only neither eats nor makes use of the same clothes or vessels nor communicates in any thing with one less noble but also endures not to be touch'd by him which if it fall out by chance that he be he must purifie himself from the defilement by washings and other arrogant Ceremonies And hence 't is a prety sight to behold the great respect which upon this account the ignoble bear to the more noble then themselves and how upon meeting in the street the ignoble not onely give place but dance wildly up and down for fear of rushing against the noble and polluting them in any measure which if they should not do the Noble and especially the Souldiers would make them do it to the Musick of blows From this averseness to communicate one with another particularly in the use of eating and drinking-vessels concerning which they are most strict is sprung a strange Custom which I was delighted not onely to see but also sometimes out of gallantry to imitate in conversation It happens very often during hot weather both in Travelling and
Age of her Children to avert her from her purpose by moving her to compassion for them well knowing that no argument is more prevalent with Mothers then their Love and Affection towards their Children But all my speaking was in vain and she still answer'd me to all my Reasons with a Countenance not onely undismay'd and constant but even cheerful and spoke in a such manner as shew'd that she had not the least fear of death She told me also upon my asking her that she did this of her own accord was at her own liberty not forc'd nor perswaded by any one Whereupon I inquiring Whether force were at any time us'd in this matter they told me that ordinarily it was not but onely sometimes amongst Persons of quality when some Widow was left young handsome and so in danger of marrying again which amongst them is very ignominious or committing a worse fault in such Cases the Friends of the deceas'd Husband were very strict and would constrain her to burn her self even against her own will for preventing the disorders possible to happen in case she should live a barbarous indeed and too cruel Law However that neither force nor perswasion was us'd to Giaccamà that she did it of her own free will in which as of a magnanimous action as indeed it was and amongst them of great honor both her Relations and her self much glory'd I ask'd concerning the Ornaments and Flowers she wore and they told me that such was the Custom in token of the Masti's joy they call the Woman who intends to burn her self for the death of her Husband Masti in that she was very shortly to go to him and therefore had reason to rejoyce whereas such Widows as will not dye remain in continual sadness and lamentations shave their Heads and live in perpetual mourning for the death of their Husbands At last Giaccamà caus'd one to tell me that she accounted my coming to see her a great good fortune and held her self much honour'd as well by my visit and presence as the Fame which I should carry of her to my own Country and that before she dy'd she would come to visit me at my House and also to ask me as their custom is that I would favour her with some thing by way of Alms towards the buying of fewel for the fire wherewith she was to be burnt I answer'd her that I should much esteem her visit and very willingly give her some thing not for wood and fire wherein to burn her self for her death much displeas'd me and I would gladly have disswaded her from it if I could but to do something else therewith what her self most lik'd and that I promis'd her that so far as my weak pen could contribute her Name should remain immortal in the World Thus I took leave of her more sad for her death then her self cursing the custom of India which is so unmerciful to Women Giaccamà was a Woman of about thirty years of age of a Complexion very brown for an Indian and almost black but of a good aspect tall of stature well shap'd and proportion'd My Muse could not forbear from chanting her in a Sonnet which I made upon her death and reserve among my Poetical Papers The same Evening Lights being set up in all the Temples and the usual Musick of Drums and Pipes sounding I saw in one Temple which was none of the greatest a Minister or Priest dance before the Idol all naked saving that he had a small piece of Linnen over his Privities as many of them continually go he had a drawn Sword in his Hand which he flourish'd as if he had been fencing but his motions were nothing but lascivious gestures And indeed the greatest part of their Worship of their Gods consists in nothing but Musick Songs Dances not not onely pleasant but lascivious and in serving their Idols as if they were living Persons namely in presenting to them things to eat washing them perfuming them giving them Betlè-leavs dying them with Sanders carrying them abroad in Procession and such other things as the Country-people account delights and observances In rehearsing Prayers I think they are little employ'd and as little in Learning I once ask'd an old Priest who was held more knowing then others grey and clad all in white carrying a staff like a Shep-herds crook in his Hand What Books he had read and what he had studied Adding that my self delighted in reading and that if he would speak to me about any thing I would answer him He told me that all Books were made onely that Men might by means thereof know God and God being known to what purpose were Books as if he knew God very well I reply'd that all thought they knew God but yet few knew him aright and therefore he should beware that himself were not one of those November the seventeenth By Letters brought from Barcelòr with News from Goa we heard that the Prince of England was gone incognito into Spain to accomplish his Marriage with the Infanta and that his arrival being known and the King having seen him preparations were making for his publick Reception That the Fleet was not yet arriv'd at Goa except one Galeon and that the News from Ormuz was that Ruy Freyra was landed in that Island and having entrench'd himself under the Fort held the same besieg'd with that small Armado he had with him Whence 't was hop'd that great supplies being to be sent to him from Goa and the enmity of the English ceasing in consideration of the Marriage between the two Crowns and consequently their assistance of the Persians Ormùz would shortly be recover'd and indeed in respect of the above-said circumstances I account it no hard matter November the twentieth In the Evening either because it was the next night after Monday or that 't was their weekly custom or perhaps for some extraordinary solemnity Tapers were lighted up in all the Temples of Ikkeri a great noise was made with Drums and Pipes together with the Dancings of the Ministers of some Temples before the Gates as is above described Wherefore I went to the great Temple where being the principal I thought to see the greatest and most solemn Ceremonies After the people were call'd together by the sounding of several Trumpets a good while without the Temple they began to make the usual Procession within the Yard or Inclosure with many noises of their barbarous instruments as they are wont to do here every Evening Which after they had done as often as they pleas'd they went forth into the street where much people expected them carrying two Idols in Procession both in one Palanchino one at each end small and so deck'd with Flowers and other Ornaments that I could scarce know what they were Yet I think that in the back-end was Agorescuèr to whom the Temple is dedicated and the other Parveti or some other Wife of his First march'd the Trumpets
Ship upon those Coasts and spent some time in giving her chase but in vain through the fault perhaps of the Portugal Captain who was loth to fight her for one of them made up to her and fought a while with her Artillery but perceiving her companions came not to do the like gave over and having given and receiv'd many shots let her go without doing her hurt and return'd to her company The English Ship shew'd much bravery for seeing three Vessels coming against her she waited to give them battle without flying The above-said Galeons brought Letters which signifi'd that Mascat was molested with wars by the neighbouring Arabians which I conceive may be upon some confederacy with the King of Persia thereby to divert the Portugals from the Siege of Ormuz That Ormuz was well provided with Men and Victuals that nevertheless they hop'd it would be taken if good succour were sent from Goa particularly of Galeons to fight with the Dutch Ships which were expected to come to the Ports of Persia to assist Ormuz and recruit it with fresh soldiers Of the English there is no speech because considering the late transactions in Spain it is not known whether there will be War or Peace with them henceforward though perhaps the Vice-roy may know something in private September the twenty ninth A Jesuit whose name I know not was consecrated here in their Church of Giesu Arch-Bishop of Angamali and as they speak in the Portugal Language da Serra that is of the Mountain where live the Christians whom they call di San Tome of the Chaldean Rite and sometimes subject to the Schismatical Patriarks of Babylonia but now of late years by the diligence of the Portugals Catholicks and obedient to Rome his residence is in Cranganor five leagues from Cocin Northwards October the one and twentieth Proclamation was made by the Vice-Roy's Order for the Souldiers to come and receive Pay in Order to their going to Ormuz The Armado wherein they were to go was very long in preparing through want of mony which the Vice-Roy was very diligent to raise both from the Merchants and also from the Gentiles who consented to pay a certain Annual Summ or else a greater once for all that Licence might be granted them to celebrate Marriages in Goa according to their own Rite which ordinarily was not allowed them But all these courses were not sufficient to dispatch the Fleet with that diligence which was desired and in the mean time it was said that many Dutch or English Ships infested the Ports of Ciaul Bassaim and Dabul without controll by all which it appears to me that matters in India go every day from bad to worse October the one and thirtieth News came to Goa that Melik Ambar who a good while had succesfully warr'd against Adil-Sciah at length in a victory had taken one Mulla Muhhamed General of Adil-Sciah's Army and much favor'd by him who by his ill demeanor towards the said Melik even so far as to endeavor to get him poyson'd was the occasion of the present Warr wherein Melik's chief intent was to revenge himself of the said Mulla Muhhamed Whom being thus taken they say he beheaded and caus'd him in that manner to be carry'd about his Camp with this Proclamation That this Traytor Mulla Muhhamed the cause of the Warr and present discords between Adil-Sciah and Nizam-Sciah to whom this Melik is Governour otherwise Friends and Allies was thus in the Name of his Lord Adil-Sciah as a Traytor and disturber of the publick Peace put to death By which act Melik meant to signifie that he had no evil intention against Adil-Sciah but onely took up Arms for the mischiefs done him by Mulla Muhhamed whom he desir'd to remove from the Government of Adil-Sciah and the world Yet it was not known how Adil-Sciah receiv'd this action and what end the business would have In this Warr they say the Moghol favor'd Adil-Sciah against Melik and supply'd him with 20000. Horse but be that how it will Adil-Sciah hath hitherto always gone by the worst and some-times been in great danger Mâ—lik who is a brave Captain having over-run all the State almost to the Gates of Vidhiapor which is the Royal City of Adil-Sciah where he hath sometimes been forc'd to shut himself up as 't were besieg'd A few moneths before Adil-Sciah put one of his principal Wives to death for intelligence which she was said to hold with Melik and for having been a party in promoting this Warr out of design to remove Adil-Sciah from the Government as one become odious to his own people either through his covetousness or inability being infirm and place his Son in his room who therefore was in danger too of being put to death by his Father when the conspiracy was discover'd Further news came that Adil-Sciah had deposed from the government and imprison'd the Governour of the maritime Territories bordering upon Goa who had lately given the Portugals so many disgusts which seem'd to signifie that he was minded to give them some satisfaction that he had given the place to Chogia Riza or Rezeb a Persian lately Governour of Dabul who being in greater imployments at Court will send a Deputy and from whom being prudent and formerly a friend to the Portugals they hope better dealings November the first The Confraternity della Misericordia made a solemn Procession in the evening as they use to do yearly upon this day going with two Biers from their own Church to the Church of our Lady de la Luz to fetch the bones of all such as had been executed this year and buried under the Gallows which they carry in Procession first to this latter and then to their own Church to bury where also they make solemn Exequies for them November the second In the Evening the Dominicans made their solemn Procession del Rosario with much Solemnity and so also the next morning having deferr'd the same from the first Week of October till now because the rain uses to disturb it in October This day news came to Goa that a Ship belonging to the Mogul's subjects at her departing for Gidda from the Port of Diu had there given security to return to the same Port to pay the usual Customs to the Portugals which would have amounted to above five thousand Scierifines but the Ministers of Diu contented with small security which was no more then four thousand Scierifines yet when the said Ship came back very rich she would not touch at Diu little caring to discharge the small security but put in at a place upon that Coast belonging to the Mogul between Diu and Cambaia The Portugals understanding this sent the Armada of Diu consisting of small Vessels with Oars to fetch her in to Diu by force and the Ship refusing to obey they fell to fighting In the fight those of the Ship kill'd amongst others the chief Commander of the Portugal Armada yet the Armada so beset the
made noise enough to deliver the Moon out of an Eclipse Their ignorance in this as in many-many other things is much to be pitied as the knowledg and learning of many others which by their not improving of it is to them as the Letters which Uriah sometimes carried against himself it condemns the bearer But though the Hindoos or Heathens there have no learning yet they want not opinions for their divided hearts are there distracted into four-score and four several Sects each differing from others very much in opinion about their irreligion which might fill a man even full of wonder that doth not consider how that Satan who is the author division is the seducer of them all Those many Sects as I conceive among them consist of people there of several Trades Occupations and Conditions of Life which several sorts of people as before I observed marry into their own Tribes and so unite and keep together amongst themselves that they have not much correspondency with any other people These without doubt have several ways of worship within themselves which makes them so separate from others as that they will not eat with any but those of their own Tribes The illiterate Priests of all that people for the generality of them are called Bramins who derive themselves from Bramon whom they say was one of the first men that inhabited the World and after the sin of that first World brought the Flood the race of that Bramon whose very name they highly reverence was continued in Bremaw who as they say out-lived that deluge and is honoured by them likewise as one of their great Prophets and Law-givers Those Bramins as I conceive are they which the ancient stories call Brachmans but with this difference that those Brachmanes were accounted learned men for the learning of those times wherein they lived But these Bramins are a very silly sottish and an ignorant sort of people who are so inconstant in their Principles as that they scarce know what the particulars are which they hold and maintain as truths As anciently amongst the Jews their Priest-hood is hereditary for all those Bramins Sons are Priests and they all take the Daughters of Bramins to be their Wives Of which somthing before They have little Churches they call Pagods standing near or under their green Trees built round but as their ancient Brachmans were said not to endure these on the contrary have Images in their Pagods made in monstrous shapes but for what end they have them I know not Now from the manner of those Heathens which I believe hath been for many-many years retained in their Idolatrous worships I conceive that the Jews long ago borrowed that unwarrantable custom of worshipping God in Groves or under green Trees Both men and women before they go to their devotions which are very frequently performed wash their bodies and keep off all their cloaths but the covering of modesty till they have done led hereunto by a Precept as they say commanded them to be perform'd by their Law-giver â—remaw which requires them daily to observe their times of devotion expressed by their washings and worshippings and prayer to God which must be all done with purity of hearts And it is the manner of this people before they take their food to wash their bodies then which I much observed while we lived in Tents they make a little Circle upon the ground which they seem to consecrate after which they sit down within that compass and eat what they have provided and if any come within that Circle before they have ended their meal they presently quit the place and leave their food behind them That outward washing as this people think avails very much to their cleansing from sin not unlike the Pharisees who were all for the out-side of Religion and would not eat with unwashen hands Mark 7. 2. unless they washed themselves up to the Elbows as Theophylact observes hence those Hindoos ascribe a certain divinity unto Rivers but above all to that famous River Ganges whither they flock daily in troops that there they may wash themselves and the nearer they can come to the head of that River the more virtue they believe is in the water After they have thus washed they throw pieces of Gold or Silver according to their devotion and ability into that River and so depart from it Thus Reader thou hast somewhat of the carriages of this people in life Now after death some of them talk of Elyzian fields such as the Poets dream'd of to which their souls must pass over at Styx or Acheron and there take new bodies Others of them think that ere long the World will have an end after which they shall live here again on a new earth Some other wild conceivings of this people follow afterward Some Bramins have told me that they acknowledge one God whom they describe with a thousand eyes with a thousand hands and as many feet that thereby they may express his power as being all eye to see and all foot to follow and all hand to smite offenders The consideration whereof makes that people very exact in the performances of all moral duties following close to the light of Nature in their dealings with men most carefully observing that Royal Law in doing nothing to others but what they would be well contented to suffer from others Those Bramins talk of two books which not long after the Creation when the World began to be peopled they say were delivered by Almighty God to Bramon before spoken of one of which Books they say containing very high and secret and mysterious things was sealed up and might not be opened the other to be read but only by the Bramins or Priests And this Book thus to be read came after as they further say into the hands of Bremaw of whom likewise somthing before and by him it was communicated unto Ram and Permissar two other fam'd Prophets amongst them which those Heathens do likewise exceedingly magnifie as they do some others whose names I have not Now that Book which they call the Shester or the Book of their written word hath been transcribed in all ages ever since by the Bramins out of which they deliver Precepts unto the people They say that there are seven Orbs above which is the seat of God and that God knows not small and petty things or if he do regards them not They further believe that there are Devils but so fettered and bound in chains as that they cannot hurt them I observed before the tenderness and scruple which is in very many of that people in taking the lives of any inferiour and meerly sensible yea and of hurtful creatures too And those which are most tender-hearted in this case are called Banians who are by far more numerous than any other of those Indian Sects and these hold Pythagoras his Metempsychosis as a prime Article of their Faith Which that untaught people come up very
Ages from God That this Law thus delivered must needs be one Law in all things agreeing in it self And so did not the Law of Mahomet That this Law thus delivered was most conformable to right son And so was not the Law of Mahomet That Man fall'n from God by sin was not able to recover himself from that Fall and therefore it was necessary that there should be one more than a Man to do it for him and that that One could not be Mahomet That this One was Christ God as well as Man God to satisfie the Mahometans themselves confessing that Christ was the breath of God and Man to suffer death as he did That Christ the Son of God coming into the World about that great Work of satisfying Gods anger against Man for sin it was necessary that he should live a poor and laborious life here on Earth at which the Mahometans much stumble and not a life that was full of pomp and pleasure and delicacy That the Gospel of Christ and other holy books of Scripture which the Christians retain and walk by contain nothing in them that is corrupt and depraved But there is very much to be found in their Alcaron which is so That the great worth and worthiness shining in the Person of Christ was by far more excellent than any thing observable in Mahomet for they themselves confess that Christ lived without sin when Mahomet himself acknowledgeth that he had been a filthy person That the feigned foolish and ridiculous miracles which they say were done by Mahomet were nothing comparable to the Miracles done by Christ who as the Mahometans confess did greater Miracles than ever were done before or since him That there was a great deal of difference in the manner of promulgating the Gospel of Christ into the world and the introducing of the Laws of Mahomet That Christ hath purchased Heaven for all that believe in him and that Hell is prepared for all others that do not rely on him and on him alone for Salvation There were many more particulars besides these which that Ieronymo Xaveere laid down before the Mogol to ground his arguments on which that King heard patiently at several times during the space of one year and a half but at last he senâ— him away back again to Goa honourably with some good gifts bestowed on him telling him as Felix did after he had reasoned before him that he would call for him again when he had a convenient time Acts 24. 25. Which time or season neither of them both ever found afterward These Particulars which I have here inserted with many more I might have added to them upon all which that Ieronymo Xaveere enlarged himself before the Mogol in his arguings before him were given unto me in Latine by Francisco Corsi another Jesuit resident at that Court while I was there and long before that time And further I have been there told by other people professing Christianity in that Empire that there was such a Dispute there held and for my part I do believe it For that Francisco Corsi he was a Florentine by birth aged about fifty years who if he were indeed what he seemed to be was a mamof a severe life yet of a fair and an affable disposition He lived at that Court as an Agent for the Portugals and had not only free access unto that King but also encouragement and â—elp by hifts which he sometimes bestowed on him When this Jesuit came first to be acquainted with my Lord Ambassadour he told him that they were both by profession Christians though there was a vast difference betwixt them in their professing of it And as he should not go about to reconcile the Embassadour to them So he told him that it would be labour in vain if he should attempt to reconcile him to us Only he desired that there might be a fair correspondency betwixt them but no disputes And further his desire was that those wide differences 'twixt the Church of Rome and us might not be made there to appear that Christ might not seem by those differences to be divided amongst men professing Christianity which might have been a very main Obstacle and hinderance unto his great Design and endeavour for which he was sent thither to convert people unto Christianity there Telling my Lord Embassadour further that he should be ready to do for him all good offices of love and service there and so he was After his first acquaintance he visited us often usually once a week And as those of that society in other parts of the world are very great intelligencers so was he there knowing all news which was stirring and might be had which he communicated unto us And he would tell us many stories besides one of which if true is very remarkable And it was thus There are a race of people in East India the men of which race have if he told us true their right legs extraordinary great and mishapen their left legs are like other mens Now he told us that they were the posterity of those who stamped St Thomas the Apostle to death come thither to preach the Gospel and that ever since the men of that race have and only they of that Nation that great deformity upon them Some few people I have there seen of whom this story is told but whether that deformity be like Geheza's leprosie hereditary and if so whether it fell upon that people upon the occasion before-named I am yet to learn The Jesuits in East India for he was not alone there have liberty to convert any they can work upon unto Christianity c. The Mogol hath thus far declared that it shall be lawful for any one perswaded so in conscience to become a Christian and that he should not by so doing lose his favour Upon which I have one thing here to insert which I had there by report yet I was bid to believe it and report it for a truth concerning a Gentleman of quality and a servant of the great Mogol who upon some conviction wrought upon him as they say would needs be Baptized and become a Christian. The King hearing of this Convert sent for him and at first with many cruel threats commanded him to renounce that his new profession the man replied that he was most willing to suffer any thing in that cause which the King could in 〈…〉 ct The Mogol then began to deal with him another way askking why he thought himself wiser then his Fore-fathers who lived and died Mahometans and further added many promises of riches and honour if he would return to his Mahometism he replied again as they say for I have all this by Tradition that he would not accept of any thing in the world so to do The Mogol wondring at his constancy told him that if he could have frighted or bought him out of his new profession he would have made him an example for all waverers but now