bee found in the World and our Marriners and Souldiers are not to bee equalled In King Edward the third his time two hundred of our ships neer Scluse overcame four hundred of the French of which they sunk two hundred sail and slew thirty thousand Souldiers In eighty eight a few of our Queens ships overthrew the Spanish Invincible Armado consisting of one hundred thirty and four great Gallions Sir Francis Drake with four ships took from the Spaniard one million and one hundred eighty nine thousand and two hundred Duckats in his voyage Anno Christi 1587. And again with five and twenty ships hee awed the Ocean sacked St. Jago Domingo and Carthagena bringing away with him besides much treasure two hundred and forty peeces of Ordnance Our Country men Drake and Cavendish have sailed round about the World I omit the voyage to Cales mentioned before Sir Richard Creenvil in one of the Queens ships called the Revenge wherein were but one hundred and fourscore Souldiers and of them ninety so sick as not able to fight yet maintained hee a Sea-fight for four and twenty hours against above fifty of the Spanish Gallions and though when his powder was spent to the last barrel hee yeilded on honorable tearms yet before he had killed one thousand of the Spaniards and sunk four of their greatest vessels And what victories wee have had of late over all the Navies of the Lowcountries I omit to speak of because they are fresh in every ones memory In land service our souldiers are able to endure and resolute to undertake the hardest enterprises witnesse our warres and conquests in Spain France Ireland and Scotland and the Netherlands assisted by us England is a most fertile and a most potent Island as well for situation as for men and ships and the Inhabitants are good souldiers both by sea and land in valour and courage not inferior to any one Nation whatsoever and are more apt to offend by temerity and overmuch forwardnesse than by cowardize It excells all other nations in Mastiffs Cocks of the Game and Women who are incomparably beautiful and therefore have great influence upon the men yea the Queens have commanded here more absolutely and have been much better obeyed and respected than the Kings The division of England is into forty shires and nine thousand seven hundred and twenty five Parishes beside Chappels In these are five hundred fourscore and five Market Towns besides Cities the chief are Shrewsbury Northampton South-hampton Lecester Warwick c. Our Universities are two Cambridge and Oxford which for number and beauty of Colledges multitudes of Students and largeness of revenues are not to bee equalled in the Christian world I will not determine which is of greater antiquity this question having been agitated by so many In several places of England there is excellent white salt made I shall describe the manner of the making of it at Nantwich only There is one salt spring which they call the Brine-pit standing close by the River Weever from whence the Brine is conveyed into the severall Wich-houses and when the Bell rings they begin to make fire under the Leads wherein they boil the said salt-water and as it seeths the Wallers which are commonly women do with a woodden Rake gather the Salt from the bottome which they put into long wicker baskets and so the water voideth and the Salt remains In some other places they boil it in Iron pans with coals but they say the salt is not so white The Cities in England Described The City of London Described No Records set down the Original of this ancient City A City it was when Caesar first entred Brittain and by the Testimony of Tacitus Ptolemy and Antonine was called Londinium and by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augusta the greatest title that can bee given to any In regard of both elements it is most happy as being situate in a most rich and fertile soil abounding with plenty and store of all things and on the gentle ascent and rising of a hill hard by the Thames side which by his safe and deep channel is able to entertain the greatest ships which daily bring in such store of rich Merchandise from all parts of the VVorld that it striveth at this day with the Mart towns in Christendome for the second place and affordeth a most sure and beautiful rode for shipping This City doth shew her self as the Cedar amongst shrubs It was the seat of the British Kings and is the model of the Land and Mart of the World For thither are brought the Silks of Asia the Spices of Africa the Balms from Grecia and the Riches from both the Indies No City hath been so long famous nor in civil Government can bee compared with her Her walls were first built by Constantine the great at the request of his mother Helena reared with rough stone and british brick three English miles in compass through which are seven fair Gates besides posterns A long the Thames this wall at first ranged with gates the one Douregate now Dowgate the other Billingsgate a receptacle for ships In the middest of the City was set a mile mark as the like was in Rome also from whence they measured their stations which stands till this day and is commonly known by the name of London stone St. Peters in Cornhill is thought to have been the Cathedral of Restitutus a Christian Bishop in Constantine the great 's time which was afterwards removed to St. Pauls whose greatness exceeds all others and spires had so high that twice they were consumed by lightning from heaven It hath in it besides this Church one hundred twenty and one Churches more viz. ninety and six within the walls and sixteen without but within the liberties and nine more in her suburbs It s divided into six and twenty Wards governed by so many Aldermen a Lord Maior and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King John In whose time also a Bridge of stone was built over the Thames upon twenty Arches built of excellent freestone and each Arch being sixty foot high and full twenty in distance from one another so that for length breadth beauty and building the like is not again to be found in the world King John gave certain void places in London to the City to build upon and the profits thereof were to go toward the charges of building and repairing the same bridg and the Mason who was the chief woâ—kman in building it erected a large chappel upon it at his own charges and largely endowed it which is since turned to a dwelling house It was finished Anno Christi 1209. having been thirty and three years in building Afterwards sundry beautiful houses were built upon it that it seems a street rather than a bridge and many charitable men have given lands houses and summes of money towards the maintenance of it At the East end of this City
standeth the Tower A most famous and goodly Citadel encompassed round with thick and strong walls full of lofty and stately Turrets fenced with a broad and deep moat furnished with a gallant Magazine of warlick Ammunition and other buildings besides so that it resembles a big town Concerning the Church of St. Paul an ancient writer saith that it contains in length six hundred and ninety feet the breadth thereof is one hundred and thirty foot the height of the West arched roof from the ground is one hundred and two foot and the new fabrick from the ground is eighty eight foot high The stone work of the steeple from the plain ground rose in height two hundred and sixty foot and the Timber frame upon the same was two hundred seventy and four foot high the Spire before it was burnt down was five hundred thirty and four foot high About the time of William the Conqueror when Musters were made of able men to bear arms London brought into the field under their colours forty thousand foot men and twenty thousand horsemen It hath often and is daily enlarged with new buildings and spacious Suburbs stretched forth from the Gates a great length on every side but Westward especially which are the greatest and best peopled In which are twelve Inns for students of the Common Law The four principal houses are the Inner Temple the middle Temple Grates Inn and Lincolns Inn six smaller belong to the Chancery besides two Inns more for the Sergeants at Law These Western Suburbs are so carried on that they joyn to London another City called Westminster famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Courts of justice kept every Tearm in Westminster Hall No walls are built about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do repute their strength to consist in their men and not in their walls In the City of Westminster along by the Thames side are many stately buildings for the Nobles and great men of the Land as Essex house Arundel house Summerset house c. The Abby Church in Westminster was the last time built by King Henry the third of excellent workmanship supported with sundry rows of Marble Pillars and the roof covered over with sheets of Lead a peece of work that cost fifty years labour in building It was afterwards much enlarged towards the West end by the succeeding Abbots and at the East end King Henry the seventh built for the burial of himself and his children a Chappel of admirable and stately workmanship called by Leland the VVonder of the VVorld for a man would think that all the curious and exquisite work that can bee devised is there compacted together wherein is to bee seen his own most stately and magnificent monument all of massy and solid Copper VVestminster Hall was built from the ground by King Richard the second and made his own habitation which continued so till Henry the eights time who removed it to VVhite-Hall which formerly belonged to Cardinal VVoolsey The New Exchange was built by the Earle of Salisbury and so named by King James But to return a little again to London There are in it many publick and beautiful buildings as that famous Senate-house called Guild-hall built by Sir Thomas Knowls Lord Mayor Leaden-hall a large and goodly building erected by Simon Eire to bee a common Granarie wherein to lay up Corn to bring down the price thereof in time of a dearth But especially the Burse which Queen Elizabeth with a solemn Ceremony named the Royal Exchange erected upon Pillars for the use of Merchants and ornament of the City It was set up by Sir Thomas Gresham Citizen and Knight A most magnificent work it is whether you respect the model of the building the resort of Merchants from all Nations thither or the store of wares therein The Royal Exchange This Royal Exchange was erected in the year 1566. in this order The ground whereon it stands and the houses were purchased by the Citizens of London It cost them above three thousand five hundred thirty and two pounds the houses they sold for four hundred seventy and eight pounds to such persons as should pull them down and carry them away Then was the ground levelled at the charges of the City and possession thereof was by some Aldermen given to Sir Thomas Gresham Knight and Agent for Queen Elizabeth thereupon to build a Burse at his own proper charges and hee on the seventh of June laid the first foundation Brick being accompanied with some Aldermen every one laying a peece of gold upon his Brick which the workmen took for themselves and forthwith followed their work with such diligence that in September Anno Christi 1567. the same was finished and covered with slate In the year 1570. January the three and twenty the Queen came from Summerset-house through Thridneedle-street to Sir Thomas Greshams house in Bishopsgate-street where shee dined and after dinner going through Cornhil entred the Burse viewed every part of it especially the Pawn which was furnished with all sorts of fine and rich ware and then caused the said Burse by an Herald and Trumpet to bee proclaimed by the name of the Royal Exchange and so to bee called from thenceforth and not otherwise Besides which this Sir Thomas Gresham gave a most spacious house sometimes his own habitation one part thereof to bee an Hospital for poor people and the other to the advancement of learning now known by the name of Gresham Colledge standing between Bishopsgate-street and Broad-street and instituted professors of Divinity Law Physick Astronomy Geometry Musick and Rhethorick allowing them fifty pounds per annum a peece besides Chambers and other accommodations Gresham Colledge The first professors in this Colledge were Mr. Anthony VVootton for Divinity Doctor Matthew Guin for Physick Doctor Henry Mountlow for Civil Law Doctor John Bull for Musick Mr. Beerwood for Astronomy Mr. Henry Bridges for Geometry and Mr. Caleb VVillis for Rhethorick These Lectures are read daily in Tearm-time except Sabbaths by every one upon his day in the morning betwixt nine and ten a clock in Latine and in the afternoon betwixt two and three in English notice whereof is given by ringing the Exchange-Bell at these hours Only the Musick Lecture is read in English on Saturdayes between ten and eleven in the morning and between three and four in the afternoon But to passe by Sion Colledge whereof Doctor VVhite was the founder which is governed by a President two Deans and four Assistants yearly chosen and the many Hospitals and other publick buildings yet amongst them The Charterhouse described Wee may not passe by that greatest and most noble work that ever was done by one man and hee a subject which was the building and endowing of the Charter-house by Mr. Thomas Sutton for the entertainment of youth and decayed Gentlemen who by maims in
part thereof and another lay his ear to the other which is a good way off he may easily hear every sillable The City of Oxford Described Where the River Cherwel meets with Isis and pleasant Ilets lye dispersed by the sundry disseverings of waters there this famous City and University of Oxford sheweth it self aloft in a champion plain from whence Religion and learning have been spread into all the parts of England A fair and goodly City it is whether wee respect the seemly beauty of private houses or the stately magnificence of publick buildings together with the wholsome situation and pleasant prospect thereof For the hills beset with woods do so environ the plain that as on the one side they exclude the pestilent Southwind and the tempestuous West-wind on the other so they let in the clearing East-wind only and the North-East-wind with all which frees it from all corruption whence sometimes it was called Bellositum The City of Eli Described The City of Eli is situate in the middest of great and large Fens and was formerly famous for the reputed holinesse of the Nuns there residing and for a stately Monastery so rich that the Abbot thereof not long after VVilliam the Conquerors time laid up every year in his own Coffers a thousand and four hundred pounds King Henry the first made it a Bishops Sea promoting thereto one Hervey who sought by all means to advance the dignity of his Church For which end hee obtained of the King that it might bee Toll-free hee made a way also from Exing to Eli through the Fens of six miles in length and the Monks growing rich the Cathedrall Church being much decayed through age they by little and little built it and brought it to the ample statelinesse which now it hath A Lanthorn it hath at the very top thereof just over the Quire supported by eight Pillars and raised upon them right Artificially built by John Hothum the Bishop and under the Church towards the North stands St. Maries chappel a singular fine peece of work built by Simon Montacutâ— Bishop The City it self is not much to bee accounted of either for beauty or resort of people to it as having an unwholsome air by reason of the Fens round about it The City of Lincoln Described The City of Lincoln is large and well inhabited and frequented It stands upon the side of an hill where the River VVitham bends his course Eastward and being divided with three small channels watereth the Lower part of the City In the highest part of the City the Cathedral is erected a stately structure being built through out not only most sumptuously but with rare and singular workmanship most beautiously especially the forefront at the West end which in a sort ravisheth and allureth the eyes of all that judiciously view it very ancient this City is and hath been farre larger and more populous It hath in it fifty Parish Churches whereof at this day there remain only fifteen besides the Minster The City of Norwich in Northfolk described Norwich is situated upon the River Yare the form of it is somewhat long being from South to North a mile and an half long and in breadth about half so much drawing it self in by little and little in the Southend making in a manner a sharp point compassed it is about with strong walls beautified with many Turrets orderly placed and twelve gates only it is not walled on the East side where the River after it hath with many windings in and out watered the North part of the City having four Bridges for passage over it is a sufficient defence with his deep channel and high steep banks It flourisheth with wealth plenty of inhabitants great resort of strangers fair buildings and hath in it about thirty Parish Churches on the East side of it stands a very fair Cathedral Church near unto the Castle built upon a very high hill which was compassed about with an exceeding deep ditch In the midst of the City near the Market-place is a very fair Town-house which on Market-dayes is plentifully furnished with all things necessary for mans life The Netherlanders being driven away by the Duke d' Alva's cruelty repairing hither in great numbers brought in the making of Sayes Bayes and other stuffe to the great gain of the Citizens Anno Christi 1583. the Citizens conveyed water out of the River in pipes by an artificial instrument into the highest parts of the City The City of Coventry in Warwickshire described Coventry is a City very commodiously seated large sweet and neat fortified with very strong walls which are about three miles in compasse through which are thirteen gates for enterance most of them very stately and strongly built besides eighteen other Towers in several parts of the wall for defence A little River called Shirburn runs through the City which is beautified with many fair and goodly houses amongst which there rise up on high two Churches of rare workmanship St. Michaels and Trinity standing one hard by another with stately spire steeples of a very great height In the midst of the City is the Market-place called the Cross-cheaping and therein a Crosse or Pillar of stone of most exquisite and admirable workmanship there is also a very fair Grammer-school and a neat Library at the end of it with convenient habitations for the Master and Usher near unto it is VVel-street and therein a very large fountain that continually sends forth great plenty of excellent water The City had very large suburbs belonging to it especially in the East and West ends most whereof were broken down in our late Civil wars and a large Trench made on the outside of the walls The City of Worcester described Under the City of Worcester runs the Severn with a slow pace as admiring and wondring at the City as it passeth by and truly worthy it is of admiration whether you respect the antiquity or the beauty thereof It stands in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent by the Rivers side that hath a fair Bridge with a Tower over it It is well and strongly walled and the inhabitants are much inriched by the trade of cloathing It is one thousand six hundred and fifty paces about the walls through which seven Gates give entrance with five other VVatch Towers for defence there are in it divers Churches besides the Cathedral which is seated on the South side of the City and is a passing fair and stately building adorned with the Tombs and Monuments of King John Prince Arthur diverse of the Beauchamps c. The City of Lichfield in Staffordshire described Lichfield is a very ancient City known unto Bede by the name of Lichidfield i. e. the field of dead bodies by reason of a number of Christians there martyred in the bloody persecution under the Emperor Dioclesian This City is low seated of a good largenesse and fair withal divided into two parts by a shallow pool of clear water which
one hundred forty and five Villages the chief being Old haven and Keikerk It s bounded on the East with East-friezland on the West with VVest-Friezland on the South with Overyssel and on the North with the Sea These Countries are now divided between the States under an Aristocratical government and the King of Spain The States have the Dutchy of Guelders The Earldomes of Holland and Zealand and Zutphen The Lordships of Friezland Utretcht Overyssel and Groning seven in all the rest are Spanish Germany described The compass of this spacious Country is two thousand and six hundred English miles The Inhabitants are little addicted to Venus but very much to Bacchus they are of strong constitutions and much inclining to fatnesse The titles of the Fathers descend to all their Children every son of a Duke being a Duke and every Daughter a Dutchess The soil for the most part is healthful and profitable yeelding several Minerals Corn and Wine together with Linnen Quicksilver Allom c. The chief Rivers are 1. Danubius which rising out of Nigra sylva receiveth threescore navigable Rivers into it and having run a course of one thousand and five hundred miles emptieth it self at seven mouths into the Euxine Sea 2. Rhene which arising in Helvetia and running through Germany and Belgia after a course of eight hundred miles falleth into the German Ocean 3. Albis rising on the skirts of Bohemia passing by Magdenbourg Brunswick and Denmark after four hundred miles course falls into the same Sea 4. Oder arising in Silesia runs through Brandenbourg and Pomerania about three hundred miles and so falls into the Baltick Sea 5. Maenus or the Main 6. Weser The Empire of Germany is not hereditary but elective and when the Emperor is dead the Arch-Bishop of Mentz writes to the rest of the Electors to meet at Frankfurt within three months either in person or to send their Ambassadors In the vacancy the Elector Palatine is the Vicar and hee who is elected King of the Romans is declared heir The three Ecclesiastical Electors are the Arch-Bishops of Mentz Trevers and Colein the others are the King of Bohemia the Elector Palatine the Duke of Saxony and the Marquiss of Brandenburg to whom was lately added the Duke of Bavaria Being assembled at Frankfurt they make oath to chuse a fit person they are obliged to finish the choice within thirty dayes and may not go out of the Town till it bee accomplished If the voices happen to bee equal hee who hath the King of Bohemia's vote is proclaimed Emperour The three states of the Empire are 1. That of the aforesaid Electors wherein the Ecclesiasticks have the precedency The second state consists of four Arch-Bishops as Magdeburg Salsburgh Bremen and Bezanson after whom follows the great Master of the Teutonick Order and then one and thirty Bishops ten Abbots with the title of Princes and some Abbesses and lastly the Counts and Barons whereof there are many The third State is made up of the Imperial Towns which are in number threescore and five the four principall are Lubeck Metz Auspurgh and Aixe or Aquisgraâ—e Another Union there is for the preservation of Trade and commerce the chief Cities whereof are Lubeck Colein Brunswick and Dansick These are called Hanse-Towns The Empire is distributed into ten circles Franconia Bavaria Austria Swevia That of the upper Rheyn that of the four Electors towards the Rheyn Westphalia Saxony Low Saxony and Burgundy Come wee now in particular to the chief Provinces of Germany which are fifteen As 1. East-Friezland having on the West the River Ems on the East the Weser on the South Westphalia and on the North the Sea The chief Towns are 1. Emden 2. Ammer Dun. 3. Oldenbourg 2. Westphalia which is bounded on the East with Brunswick on the West with Belgia on the South with Hassia and on the North with the Sea The soil is fruitful the trees yeeld abundance of sweet Acorns which feed our Westphalia Bacon The Northern part is called Bremen from the chief City of that name the next parts belong to the Duke of Saxony the chief Towns whereof are 1. Clappenbourg 2. Exenberg 3. Alsdorpe c. The other part belongs to the Bishopricks of Collen Munster and Triers In that of Collen are 1. Collen the Bishops seat 2. Andernaâ—h 3. Lentz seated on the Rhene 4. Bonna 5. Mondenand The chief towns under the Bishop of Munster are 1. Warendorp 2. Herverden 3. Munster seated on the River Ems. Here the frantick Anabaptists seated themselves Anno Christi 1522. till they were deservedly punished and destroyed The chief Towns in the Bishoprick of Triers are 1. Bopport on the Mosel 2. Engers 3. Coblents 4. Triers on the Mosel also 3. Cleveland which Dutchy contains Cleve Gulick and Berge It joyns to Gelderland and the chief Cities are 1. Cleve 2. Calkar 3. Wesel 4. Emerick In Gulick the chief Cities are 1. Aquisgraue or Aken 2. Gulick 3. Dulken 4. Newis The chief Towns in Berge are 1. Dusseldorp 2. Hattingen 3. Arusberg 4. Alsatia which hath on the West Lorrain on the South Helvetia on the East the Rhene and on the North the Palatinate The chief Towns are 1. Strasbourg where is a Tower five hundred seventy and eight paces high It stands on the Rhene 2. Psaltburg 3. VVeisenberg On the South end of Alsatia stand Colmer Hagenaw and Selestade three fair Cities belonging to the Empire 5. Franconia which is bounded on the East with Bohemia on the West with Elsas on the North with Hassia and on the South with Swevia Bavaria and Helvetia It s divided betwixt the Palatine of Rhene the Duke of VVittenberg the Marquess of Anspach and Baden the Bishops of Mentz Bamberg VVestberg and the Emperour of which in order The Palatinate of Rhene is in length from North to South threescore and twelve miles in breadth from East to West fourscore and sixteen In which compass are some Towns of the Empire and some Lordships belonging to the Bishops of VVormes and Spires both seated on the Rhene The Palatinate hath store of fruits mettals and Rhenish Wines Hath many gallant Towns as 1. Mospotch 2. Heidelberg an University On the banks of Rhene stand 1. Bacharach whence come the best Rhenish Wines called Bachrach 2. Coub 3. Oppenheim 4. Cruitznack 5. Frankendale 6. Germensheim 7. Mainhem c. There are in this Country fourteen other walled Towns VVittenberg whereof the chief Towns are 1. Turbing an University 2. Stutguard the Dukes seat 3. Marback 4. Caustat c. Anspach the chief Towns whereof are 1. Anspach 2. Haâ—lbrun 3. Plenifelt Baden a fruitful Country lying between the Rivers Rhene and Neccar The chief Towns are 1. Durlach 2. Pfortshaime 3. Baden a neat Town seated on the Rhene having hot Baths in it Mentz seated where the Main emptieth it self into the Rhene whereof the chief Towns are 1. Lanstein 2. Bing seated on the Rhene Bamberg which is a fair City seated on the Main the other chief
A Geographicall Description Of all the COUNTRIES In the known VVORLD AS ALSO Of the greatest and famousest Cities and Fabricks which have been or are now remaining Together with The greatest Rivers the strangest Fountains the various Minerals Stones Trees Hearbs Plants Fruits Gums c. which are to bee found in every Country Unto which is added a Description of The rarest Beasts Fowls Birds Fishes and Serpents which are least known amongst us Collected out of the most approved Authors and from such as were eye-witnesses of most of the things contained herein By SA CLARKE Pastor of the Church of Christ in Bennet Finck London PSALM 104.24 25. O Lord how manifold are thy Works In wisdome hast thou made them all The earth is full of thy riches So is the great and wide Sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great Beasts c. LONDON Printed by R. I. for Thomas Newberry at the three Lions in Cornhill over against the Conduit MDCLVII A GEOGRAPHICALL DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE COVNTRIES IN THE KNOWNE WORLD as also of the Chiefest Cittyes Famousest Structures Greatest Rivers Strangest Fountaines c. Together with The rarest Beasts Birds Fishes c which are Least knownâ— amongst vs. BY SA CLARKE R Gaywood fecit A Geographicall Description Of all the COUNTRIES In the known VVORLD The Division of the World THE Earth is commonly divided into four parts Asia Africa Europe and America Asia Described Asia is divided into two parts Asia the lesse next to Europe called also Anatolia or Natolia thus bounded Towards the West and North is Greece Full West is the Archipelagus On the East is the River Euphrates On the North is the Euxine Sea And on the South the Mediterranean This Country was once of admirable fertility affording all sorts of Commodities both for necessity and delight But for the sins of her Inhabitants it s turned into barrennesse having been so often wasted by the great Monarchs of the earth First by the Babylonians then by the Meads and Persians then by the Grecians then by the Romans and lastly by the Turks who have made such wofull havock that in it are to bee seen the ruines of above four thousand Cities and Towns the residue have lost both the names and memory of their Predecessors and the people are faln from the Knowledge Religion and Industry of their fore-fathers and for the most part are Mahumetans In this Asia the Lesse are contained these Provinces Caria Jonia Doriâ— Lydia Aeolis Phrygia minor and major Cilicia Pamphilia Lycia Bythinia Pontus Paphlagonia Galacia Cappadocia Lycaonia Pysidia and Armenia minor In Jonia stood Miletum where Paul Preached to the Elders Acts 20.17 and Ephesus In Lydia were seated Laodicea Thyatira Philadelphia Sardis and Pergamus In Phrygia minor was Adramitium mentioned Act. 27.2 In Phrygia major was Colosse to whom Paul wrote his Epistle In Cilicia was Tarsus where Paul was born In this Country feed those Goats whose hair makes our curious Chamlets and Grogerams falsely called Camels hair In Pamphilia are seated Perga Pisidia and Attalia Sea Towns Act. 13 1â— 14. In Lycia the cheif City was Patara In Lycaonia were Iconium and Listra In Pisidia was the famous City of Antiochia In Asia the Greater are contained these Countries Syria Palestine Armenia major Araâ—â—a the Happy Stony Desert Media Assyria Mesopâ—tamia Persia Chaldâ—n Partâ—ia Hircania Tâ—rtaria â—hiâ—a and India In Syria are Phaenicia Caelâ—syria and Syrophâ—nicia In Phaenicia are Tyre and Sidon Sarepta and Ptolaemais In Caelosyria are Hieropolis Damascus Aleppo Tripolis c. Palestine is in length two hundred miles in breadth but fifty containing Samaria Idumaea Judaea Galile the higher called Galile of the Gentiles Galile the lower wherein were Nazareth and Mount Tabor where Christ was transfigured Armenia major now Turkomania wherein was Colchus whence Jason fetched the golden Fleece Arabia divided into three parts Arabia Deserta where the Children of Israel were fed with Manna forty years Arabia Petrosa where Mount Sinai was and the Law given Arabia Faelix abounding with Spices and Drugges where Medina is the place of Mahomets Sepulchre Media where the fruits of the Country are said to bee always green and flourishing Assyria where Nineveh stood to which Jonah was sent Mesopotamia where was Babylon Persia a great Empire where the Regall City is Persepolis Chaldaea often mentioned in Scripture Parthia the Inhabitants whereof were famous for their Archery and opposition against the Romans Hircania which hath many Cities of note and abounds with Wine and Honey Tartaria formerly called Scythia whose Queen Tomyris overcame Cyrus and cut off his head They have neither Cities nor houses but live in hoards their Prince is the great Cham. China is a very great populous and fruitful Country and the Inhabitants are very ingenuous but it is lately overrun by the Tartars as you shall hear afterwards India through the midst whereof runs the River â—anges dividing it into India intra Gangem which lieth towards the West and India extra Gangem which lyeth towards the East The chief place whereof is Goa where the Vice-roy of Portugal resides The Islands of Asia the less are Rhodes over against Caria and Cyprus formerly consecrated to Venus In the Indian Ocean the Islands are very many principally Ormus Zeilan Sumatra Avirae insulae Bocuro Java major and minor Japan the Molucco's and the Philippine Islands which abound with Spices of all sorts Pearls and Gold whereof I will now give a more particular account Asia minor more largely described Cappadocia described Cappadocia called also Leucosyria and now Amasia stretcheth four hundred and fifty miles along the Euxine Sea bounded on the West with Paphlagonia Galatia and part of Pamphilia on the South with Cilicia on the East with the Hills Antitaurus and Moschius and part of Euphrates Here runneth Halis the end of Craesus Empire both in the site and fate thereof hee being deceived with that ambiguous Oracle Craesus Halin penetrans magnam pervertet opâ—m vim that passing Halis hee should overturn a great State which hee interpreting actively of his attempts against Cyrus verified it passively in himself In Cappadocia was the City of Comana famoused by the Temple of Bellona and a great multitude of such as were there inspired by Devillish illusions Not far thence also was Castabala where was the Temple of Diana Persica Galatia or Gallo-graecia hath on the South Pamphilia and on the North it s washed with the Eâ—xine Sea by the space of two hundred and fifty miles Sinope was the chief City Deiotarâ—s a famous King but Galacia is made more famous by St. Pauls Epistle written to the Church thereof Pontus and Bithinia now called Bursia hath on the West the mouth of Pontus the Thracian Bosphorus and part of Propontis Galacia on the East part of the Euxine Sea on the North and Asia properly so called on the South The most famous Cities in it were Nice wherein was celebrated the first General Council gathered
to purge sin and confer devotion In the Midan the shops bee uniform the Trades are no where severed all the Mercers together the Lapidaries together c. but most of them are of gums drugs and spices so sweet and delicate as can bee imagined The Hummums or Sudatories are many and very beautiful some square but most round made of white stone polished and durable the windows are large without and narrower within the glasse is thick and dark the top round tyled with a counterfeit Turquoise perfectly blew fresh and lasting they are divided into many rooms some for delight and others for sweating the paving all pure black Marble Men use them in the morning women towards night T is their Catholicon against all diseases colds catarrhes flegme aches c. The City is Oval each house made pleasant by large Cypresse Gardens The Seraglio for his women is full of precious treasures and more precious beauties but not to bee seen The Castle is very large well walled and deeply moated The City hath so many pleasant Gardens that at a distance you would take it for a Forrest so sweet you would call it a Paradise I shall only describe one of them excelling all others Going from the Midan you passe through an even delicate street two miles long most part of the way walled on both sides bedecked with Summer-houses but more remarkable in that abundance of green broad spreading Chenore Trees yeelding shade and incomparable order and beauty The Garden is circled with a stately wall three miles in compasse entred by three gallant and curious gates From North to South it is one thousand paces from East to West seven hundred from one end to the other easily seen by reason of a fair large Alley running all along in parallel distinguished into nine ascents each surmounting other a foot each distance smooth and even In the Center is a spacious Tank made into twelve equal sides each side being five foot set round with pipes of lead which spout out water in variety of conceits and postures which sort of pastime continues thence to the North gate where is raised a house of pleasure antickly garnished without within divided into four or six Chambers the lower is set out with Tanks of rich white Marble and fumes out a cool Breese the higher rooms are garnished with variety of Landskips representing their sports of hunting hawking fishing riding shooting wrestling and other fancies the seeling is inriched with beaten gold imbost with Azure From her Tarrasses is a dainty prospect of most part of the City This Garden is replenished with trees of all sorts for fruit shade and medicine All so green so sweet so pleasant as may well bee tearmed a Compendium of Sense-ravishing delights Within the City is a Column or Pillar at the base twenty foot round and sixty foot high made of the heads of men and beasts the occasion of this was Anno Christi 1500. when Tamas Shaw ruled Persia being much troubled with Turks and Tartars these Citizens refused not only to contribute to his Wars but denyed him enterance whereupon hee vowed revenge entred the City by force and without regarding age or sex slew three hundred thousand of them and of their heads made this Pillar as a Trophee of his victory and their basenesse En quo discordia Cives perduxit miseros When our English Embassador came to the Emperor of Persia he found him at Asharaff in Hircania two miles from the Caspian Sea when hee came to the Court with his retinue they allighted and were ushered into a little Court du Guard that stood in the center of a spacious Court the ground spread with Persian Carpets about a pretty white Marble Tank where they were feasted with Pelo and Wine the flagons cups dishes plates and covers being of pure beaten gold Thence they were led through a spacious and fragrant Garden curious to the eye and delicate to the smell to another Summer-house rich in gold imbossements and paintings but far more excellent for the admirable prospect for from thence they viewed the Caspian Sea on one side and the Mountain Taurus on the other The ground Chambers were large four-square archt and richly guilded above and on the sides below bespread with curious Carpets of Silk and Gold In the Center were Tanks of Christalline water an Element of no mean account in those Torrid habitations Round about the Tanks were placed Goblets Flagons Cisterns and Standards of pure Massy-gold some of them were filled with perfumes others with Rose-water with wine some and others with choisest Flowers From thence they were led into another large square upper Room where the roof was formed into an Artificial Element many golden Planets attracting the wandring eye to help their Motion The ground was covered with far richer Carpets than the other the Tank was larger the matter Jasper and Porphiry the silver purling-stream was forced up into another Region yet seemed here to bubble wantonly as in her proper Center about it was so much gold in vessels for use and oftentation that some Merchants with them judged it worth twenty millions of pounds sterling Another Tank there was incircled with a wall of Gold and richest Gems No other Flagons Cups nor other vessels were there but what were thick and covered over with Diamonds Rubies Pearls Emeralds Turquises Jacinths c. The seeling of this Chamber was garnished with Poetick fancies in gold and choicest colours The ground in this room was covered with such Carpets as befitted the Monarch of Persia Above sixty of the greatest Nobles sat round about it cross-legged with their bums to the ground and their backs to the wall like so many statues their eyes fixed on a constant object not daring to speak sneese Cough spit c. in the Emperors presence The Ganimed Boys in vests of Gold and richly bespangled Turbanes c. with Flagons of most glorious mettal profering wine to such as would tast it The Emperor Abbas himself sat at the upper end so much higher than the rest as two or three silken shags could elevate him his apparrel was plain c. The City of Casbine Described Casbine is at this day for multitude of Buildings and inhabitants the chiefest City in Media and next to Spahawn the greatest City in the Persian Monarchy It s compassed with a wall seven miles in compasse seated in a fair even plain having no hill of note within thirty miles compasse the Champain yeilds grain and grapes but no wood It hath a small stream to water it which gives drink to the thirsty and makes fruitfull the gardens whereby they yeild abundance of fruits and roots in variety as Grapes Orenges Limes Lemons Pomecitrons Musk melons and Water-melons Apples Pistachoes Filberts Almonds Walnuts Plums Cherries Peaches Apricocks Figs Pears Goosberries Dates and excellent Pomgranats c. The Families in it are twenty thousand and the Inhabitants about two hundred thousand The Buzzars or market places
twenty fair Churches whereof eighteen are parish Churches there is no dunghill in all the City nor a sink that comes from any house into the street but all is conveyed under ground they carry all upon sleads and bring no Carts into the City The water at the Kay sometimes ebbs and flows forty foot in height Four miles below it the Avon falls into the Severn the Bridge is half as long as London bridge and yet hath but four Arches in it The City of Wells Described Neer unto Mendip hills which are rich in Lead-Mines stands the City of Wells so named from the springs or wells that boil up there which for the multitude of Inhabitants for fair and stately buildings is worthy to bee regarded A goodly Church it hath and a Colledge founded by King Ina. Neer unto the Church there is a spring called St. Andrews well from whence comes such a confluence of water as by and by makes a swift brook The Church is throughout very beautifull but the frontispice thereof in the West end is most excellent for it riseth up from the foot to the top all of Imagery in curious and antike wise wrought of stone carved and embowed very artificially The City of Bath Described This City is seated low in a plain environed round about with hills almost of one height out of which certain rills of fresh water flow continually to the great commodity of the Citizens within the City there bubble and boil up in three several places hot springs of water of a Sea colour sending up from them thin vapours and a kind of a strong sent withall by reason that the water is drilled and strained through veines of Brimstone and a clammy kind of earth called Bitumen These springs are very medicinal and of great vertue to cure bodies overcharged and benummed with corrupt humors by their heat causing much sweat Of all these the Cross-Bath is of the most mild and temperate nature having twelve seats of stone in the sides of it and is inclosed within a wall A second distant from this not fully two hundred foot is much hotter thence called the Hot-Bath adjoyning to which is a Spittle or Lazar-house built by Reginald Bishop of Bath for the relief of poor diseased persons The third and greatest is called the Kings-Bath walled also round about and fitted with thirty two seates of Arched work The City is fortified with walls wherein are set certain Antique Images and Roman inscriptions and hath in it a fair and large Cathedral Church The City of Excester in Devonshire Described The City of Excester stands upon the River Ex whence it receives its name It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill The Walls of it which were first built by King Athelstone are in a manner round only towards the Ex it rangeth almost in a strait line having six gates for entrance and many watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth above one thousand and five hundred paces or a mile and an half having Suburbs running out a great way on each side In it there are fifteen Parish Churches and in the highest part thereof neer the East Gate standeth a Castle called Rugemont commanding the whole City and territory about it and hath a very pleasant prospect into the Sea In the East quarter of the City stands the Cathedral Church having many fair houses round about it By reason of some Wears the River is so stopped up that no vessels can come neerer the City than Topsham which is three miles off The soil about it is but barren yet by reason of the statlinesse of the place the riches of the Inhabitants and the frequent concourse of strangers all kinds of commodities are there so plentiful that a man can ask for no necessary but he may have it The City of Winchester Described In the County of Hamtshire is the City of Winchester situated in a fruitful and pleasant place being a valley under hills having a River on the East and a Castle on the VVest the circuit of her Walls are well neer two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which open six gates for entrance In this City are seven Churches besides the Minster which is seated about the middest of it and built very sumptuously The City of Chichester in the County of Sussex Described The City of Chichester is walled about in a circular round form The Lavant a pretty riveret running hard by it on the VVest and South sides Four gates it hath opening to the four quarters of the world from whence the streets lead directly and crosse themselves in the middest where the market is kept and where Bishop Robert Read erected a fair market house of stone supported with pillars round about it Between the West and South Gates stands the Cathedral Church not very great but handsome and neat having a spire steeple of stone rising a very great height The City of Canterbury in Kent Described Canterbury is a very Ancient and famous City in Kent much renowned both for the situation and great fertility of the soil adjoyning as also for the walls enclosing it round about By reason likewise of the Rivers watering it and commodiousnesse of the woods there about besides the vicinity of the Sea yeilding store of Fish to serve it And though it was sore shaken in the Danish warres and consumed in a great part sundry times by fire yet rose it up always again more beautifull than it was before The Cathedral is raised aloft neer the heart of the City with great Majesty and stateliness The City of Rochester Described In the same County is the City of Rochester seated in a bottome fortified on the one side with a Marsh the river Medway and weak walls It is now stretched out with large Suburbs on the East West and South sides The Cathedral Church was built by Bishop Gundulph a Norman Anno Christi 1080. neer unto it stands an old ruinous Castle fortified formerly both by art and situation At the end of the City there is a very goodly Bridge of stone excellently Arched built by Sir Robert Knowls at the end whereof Sir John Cobham erected a Chappel and the bridge is daintily coped with Iron bars under which the River Medway swelling with a violent and swift stream makes a loud roaring noise The City of Glocester Described The City of Glocester is a very fine and beautiful City both for the number of Churches and buildings therein It lyeth stretched out in length over the Severn and on that side where it is not guarded by the River it hath in some places a strong wall for defence The Cathedral Church is a stately building with an exceeding high and fair steeple In an Arch of this Church there is a wall built in the form of a semicircle full of corners with such an Artificial devise that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one
gowns the Nobility is very studious of warre and desirous of travel and of an humor much like that of the French they express their gallantry in the beauty of their cloaths weapons and horses In the sumptuousness of feasts weddings funeralls Christenings and in numerous traines of servants when they go a wooing The most eminent dignities amongst them are to be Senators whom they call Waiwodes Chattellans and starosts or Captains Of Poland it is said that if a man hath lost his religion let him go seek it in Poland and he shall find it there or else let him make account that its vanished out of the world Europae spec Hungary Described The soil is wonderfull fruitful yeilding Corn thrice a year the Grass in some places exceeds the height of a man which feeds a wonderfull number of Cattel Besides which they have Deer Partridg and Pheasant in such abundance that any man may kill them They have also Mines of Gold Silver and Copper Fish Wine c. The chief Rivers are 1. Danubius called also Ister 2. Savus 3. Dravus 4. Tibiscus which exceedingly abounds with Fish The Turk hath these chief Cities in Hungary 1. Buda on the Danow 2. Gyula on the confines of Transylvania 3. Pest. 4. Alba Regalis 5. Quinque Ecclâ—siae 6. Rab. The Emperor hath in his part 1. Presburg upon the edg of Austria 2. Strigonium or Gran. 3. Agraria 4. Comara 5. Toctax 6. Canista 7. Alkeinburg 8. Neheusel 9. Zigeth on the Dravus Dacia Described This Countrey is sufficiently fruitful and abounds with horses whose manes reach to the ground but to speak of the Provinces more particularly which are 1. Transylvania which hath on its North the Carpathean Mountains on the South Walachia on the West Hungary and on the East Moldovia The chief towns are 1. Alba Julia or Weisenburg 2. Claudiopolis or Clausenburg 3. Bristitia 4. Centum Colles 5. Fogaros 6. Stephanopolis c. Their present Prince is Rogotzi a Protestant 2. Moldovia is on the North end of Transylvania and extending to the Euxine Sea the chief Cities are 1. Zucchania 2. Fucchiana 3. Falezing 3. Walachia divided from Bulgary by the Danow the chief Cities are 1. Sabinium 2. Prailaba 3. Tergovista the Vayvodes seat It abounds with gold Silver Iron Saltpits wine Cattel horses brimstone c. 4. Servia which lyeth between Bosnia and Rascia the chief Cities are 1. Stoinburg the seat of the Despot 2. Samandria 3. Belgrade on the Danow 5. Rascia between Servia and Bulgary the chief City is Boden 6. Bulgary joyning on the East to the â—uxine sea on the West to Rascia the chief Cities are 1. Sophia the seat of the Beglerbeg of Greece 2. Nicopolis 7. Bosnia having Servia on the East Croatia on the VVest Savus on the South and Illiricum on the North the chief Cities are 1. Cazachium 2. Jaziga Sclavonia Described Sclavonia is more fit for Pasturage than for Corn their sheep and other Cattle bring forth young twice in a year and are shorn four times the Provinces are Illiricum or Windismarch which is bounded on the East with the Danow on the West with Carniola on the North with Dravus and on the South with Savus the chief Cities are 1. Zatha on Danubius 2. Zakaocz 3. VVindishgretz on Dravus 4. Sagouna It s now a member of Hungary Dalmatia which hath on the East Drinus on the West Croatia on the North Savus and on the South the Adriatique sea the chief Cities are 1. Ragusi a sea town and of great traffick 2. Sicum on the sea also 3. Jadara another sea Town 4. Spalato a sea town 5. Scodra or Scutary 6. Lyssa where Scanderbeg was buried these two last are under the Turks the other under the Venetians Croatia which hath on the East and South Dalmatia on the North Savus and on the West Istria and Carniola the chief Cities are 1. Gradiska situate on Savus 2. Bruman 3. Novigrade on the Savus neer Germany 4. Sisseg or Sissaken 5. Petrowya These people are usually called Crabbats and serve as mercenaries in the Emperors Armies Greece described Greece is bounded on the East with the Aegean sea the Hellespont Propontis and the Thracian Bosphorus On the West it hath Italy with the Adriatick sea on the North with the Mountain Hemus and on the South with the Jonian sea It s situate in the Northern temperate zone under the fifth and sixth Climates the longest day being about fifteen hours The people once were famous for Armes and Arts which made them account all others Barbarians now they are degenerated from the Prinstine vertue of their ancesters and are become unconstant ignorant riotous and idle At their feasts they drink till they come to the height of intemperancy hence grew our Proverb As merrie as Greeks The women are generally brown yet well-favoured and excessively amorous they use much painting to keep themselves in favour with their husbands who when they are wrinkled and old put them to all drudgery Their Church government was by four Patriarks 1. Of Alexandria 2. Of Hierusalem 3. Of Antioch 4. Of Constantinople Their language was Greek of which they had five Dialects 1. the Attick 2. the Dorick 3. the Aeolick 4. the Jonick 5. the common Dialect but now it is almost devoured by the Sclavonian or Turkish Tongue The soil is fruitfull and would yeild good profit if it were well husbanded but the natives having nothing that they can call their own in regard of their slavery to the Great Turk neglect husbandry The Commodities that they send abroad into other Countries are Wine Oil Copper Vitreal Velvets Damasks Grogreams c. and some Gold and Silver The chief rivers are Cephisus which rising in the frontiers of Epirus emptieth it self into the Aegean sea Erigon Alaicmon Strimon Athicus Stymphalus Ladon Inacus Pineus Populifer c. Greece is ordinarily divided into these seven parts 1. Peloponesus 2. Achaia 3. Epirus 4. Albania 5. Macedonia 6. Migdonia 7 and Thracia Peloponesus Described Peloponesus is a Peninsula almost surrounded with the sea only it is joyned to the firm land by an Istmus five miles broad which was fortified by a strong wall and five Castles called Hexamilium which reached from sea to sea It is in compasse six hundred miles and it is now called Morea and is divided into six Provinces 1 Elis. 2. Messina 3. Arcadia 4. Laconia 5. Argolis and 6. Achaia propria 1. Elis which hath on the East Arcadia on the West the Jonian sea on the North Achaia propria and on the South Messina the chief Cities are Argis nigh unto the river Alpheus It was formerly called Olimpia famous for the statue of Jupiter Olimpicus which was one of the Worlds wonders And Pisa. 2. Messina which hath on the East Arcadia on the North Elis on the West and South the sea the chief Cities are 1. Messina now Golpho di Coron 2. Pilon now Navarino 3. And Methone or Medon 3. Arcadia which hath
of gold as amazed them especially one seat which weighed ninteen thousand Pezoes of gold In another room the pavement and walls were covered with plates of gold and silver they found also a great house full of pots and tubs of silver The Spaniards having worn out their horses shooes in their travel caused the Indians to shooe them with gold In the City of Pachalchami they found an Image with many Emeralds at his feet fastened in gold Idem p. 1490. Peru is plentiful in all manner of grain hath civil Inhabitants many Cities and an healthful air It hath store of Tobacco first brought into England by some Marriners Anno Christi 1585. the use whereof is now grown too common It abounds above all other Provinces with gold and silver In this Countrey is the river of Plate one hundred and fifty miles broad at the mouth and two thousand miles long In it also is a beast that hath a bag in her neck into which shee puts her young ones when any body approaches and so runs away with them there is also a sort of fig-trees of which they write that the Northside that stands towards the Mountains bringeth forth fruit in the Summer only and the Southside towards the Sea is fruitfull only in winter Atabalipa King of this Countrey being taken prisoner by the Spaniards was forced to redeem his life with an house full of refined gold and silver judged to bee worth ten millions which when they had received they perfidiously slew him The admirable High-waies in Peru described In Peru in the West-Indies are two admirable High-wayes made by the Ingas or Emperours The one is by the Andes or Forrests from Pasto unto Chile being nine hundred Leagues long the Cawsey five and twenty foot broad and every four leagues hath a stately house where was provision of victuals and apparel and every half League men that stood ready to carry messages and orders from hand to hand The other way was thorow the Plains along the coast of twenty five foot broad and on each side a wall of a mans height from Piura to Chile where both the wayes met This latter way was between trees that yeelded a very pleasant shadow in those hot Countries and both of them began at the imperial City of Cuzco P. Pil. v. 3. p. 887 888. The Emperors Garden described There belonged also to the Incas a Garden of silver and gold wherein were many sorts of Herbs Flowers Plants Trees Beasts great and small Snakes Snails Lizzards Butterflies small and great Birds each set in their places all of gold They had also Maiz Quinua Pulse Fruit-trees with fruit on them all of gold and silver resembling the natural In the Incas house they had heaps of wood all counterfeit of gold and silver All the vessels which were infinite for the Temple-service Pots Pans Tubs Hogsheads were of gold and silver yea the spades and pickaxes for the Garden were of the same At the taking of this City by the Spaniards the Image of the Sun fell to one Captains share who lost it one night at dice whereupon they said That hee had played away the Sun before it was up P. Pil. v. 4. p. 1464 c. The Temple of the Sun described Cusco the Imperial City of the Incas in America when the Spaniards first took it had in it a Temple of the Sun all the walls whereof were covered with plates of gold from the top to the bottom At the East end was the image of the Sun of one plate of gold as thick again as the other the face was round with raies of gold like flames of fire all of one peece It was so big that it filled all from one wall to the other On both sides were the bodies of their deceased Kings embalmed set in seats of gold placed on planks of gold All the doors about the Temple were lined with plates of gold without the Temple on the top of the walls ran a champhered work of gold above a yard broad round about the Temple Beyond the Temple ran a cloister of four squares round about the top whereof was such a crown of champhered gold above a yard broad In the corners of the Cloister were Chappels one whereof was dedicated to the Moon all which with the Gates thereof were covered with plates of silver the image was placed as that of the Suns with the face of a woman all of one plank of silver The next Chappel was dedicated to Venus and the Starres lined also with silver and the porch of silver The third was dedicated to the Thunder and Lightning The fourth to the Rainbow which two last were all lined and garnished with gold Hard by was an house for the Priests all lined with gold from the top to the bottom There were twelve doors to the Cloister and as many Tabernacles or Shrines which were all plated over with gold in form of Porches and the floores covered with gold The Images were all set with Turkesses and Emeralds In the house also were five Fountains of water wherein they washed the sacrifices out of them the water ran in Pipes of gold and many of their pillars were of gold hollow and some of them were of silver Brasile hath on the North Guiana on the South the River of Plate and Chile on the East the Ocean and on the West the Mountains of Peru called the Andes The hills are high and craggie full of ravenous beasts and poisonous Serpents on them also inhabite a barbarous people going stark naked In the Vallies the air is healthy the earth fat and alwayes flourishing It yeelds great store of Sugar and rich Mines and Brasil wood to dye with the natives go naked and are very barbarous In their feasts they used to roast a fat man and cutting him to collops did eat him with much delight Both men and women are great swimmers and excellent divers being able to endure long under water Here is a beast so slow in motion that in fifteen dayes hee cannot go further than a man can throw a stone whence the Portugals call it Pigritia Brasile is generally temperate of a delicate and healthful air so that many of the Inhabitants live till they bee above one hundred years old generally it s neither hot nor cold The Heavens are very pure and clear especially by night The Moon is prejudicial to health and corrupteth things very much the mornings are most healthful there are very little twilights their Summer begins in September and endeth in February Their Winter in March and ends in August the nights and dayes are almost all equal The Country is very watery both from the plenty of Rain and Rivers It s full of great woods which are green all the year Towards the Sea coast it is Hilly From Parnambuck to the Captainship of the Holy-Ghost it s scarce of stone From thence to St. Vincent mountainous with many Quarries of stone there is little provision for
hot Thus hath the wise disposer of all things tempered bitter things with sweet to teach us that there is no true and perfect content in any Kingdome but that of heaven They have store of good Horses and Camels Dromedaries Mules Asses Rhynocerots which are as long as the fairest Oxe in England their skines lye plaited in wrinkles on their backs They have many Elephants their King having usually fourteen thousand and many of the Nobles a hunded a peece There are some of them fifteen foot high all of them black their skin thick and smooth without hair they take much delight in the water and will swim excellent well they are exceeding docible so that they will do almost any thing the keeper bids them If he would have them affright a man he will make towards him as if hee would tread him in peeces and yet when hee comes to him not touch him If hee bid him abuse a man hee will take dirt or kennel water in his trunk and dash it in his face c. They are most sure of foot never stumbling they are governed with a hook of steel with which their keeper sitting on their Necks pull them back or prick them forward at their pleasure Every Male hath allowed to him four females The Inhabitants of Indostan Described The Inhabitants before they were conquered by Tamerlane were all Gentiles but now they are mixed with Mahometans they are of stature like us very streight seldome or never is there a crooked person amongst them They are of an Olive colour have black hair but not curled they love not any that are white saying that they are like Lepers their chins are bare but have long hair on their upper lips shave their heads only reserve a lock on the Crown for Mahomet to pull them to heaven by The habits of men and women differ little mostly made of white Cotton cloth made close to the middle then hanging loose down below the knee under them they have long breeches reaching to the ancle and close to their bodies their feet are bare in their shooes which they commonly wear like Slippers which they put off when they come into their houses whose floores are covered with excellent Carpets upon which they sit when they talk or eat like Taylors on their shop boards on the mens heads are shashes which is a long thin wreath of cloath white or coloured The Mahometan women cover their heads with vails their hair hangs down behind twisted with silk oft bedecked with jewels about their necks and wrists their ears have pendants their nostrils pierced to put in rings at their pleasure Their ease in child bearing is admirable for it is a common thing there for women great with child one day to ride carrying their Infants in their bodies and the next day to ride carrying them in their arms The great Mogol every year at the entring of the Sun into Aries makes a feast to his Nobles which lasts nine days at which time they present him with gifts and he again repays them with Princely rewards I was astonished saith mine Author who was an eye witnesse of it when I beheld at that time the incredible riches of gold pearls Pretious stones jewels and many other glittering vanities which were amongst them The walls in the Kings house are painted or beautified with pure white Lime the floores are covered with rich and costly Carpets there lodge none with him in his house but his Eunuches and women and some little boys that hee keeps for detestable uses hee always eats in private amongst his women upon great variety of excellent dishes which being prepared and proved by the Taster are served up in vessels of Gold covered and sealed up and so by the Eunuches brought to him In this Empire there are no Inns to entertain strangers onely in great Towns are fair houses built for their receit which they call Sarrays not inhabited where Travellers have room freely but they must bring with them beds food and other necessaries which they usually carry upon Camells or in Carts drawn with Oxen wherein they have tents to pitch when they meet with no Sarray's The inferior sort of people ride upon Oxen Horses Mules Camels or Dromedaries and the women like unto the men or else in slight Coaches drawn with Oxen many whereof are white and large and they are guided with cords which go through the parting of their Nostrils and so betwixt their horns into the Coach-mans hands they are nimble and will go twenty miles a day The better sort ride upon Elephants or are carried on mens shoulders in Sedans which they call Palankeenes In all their great Cities they have Markets twice a day early in the morning and in the evening wherein they sell almost every thing by weight They are generally so superstitious that they will rather dye than eat or drink any thing that their Law forbids The chief Cities in the great Mogols Countries Described Lahore in the great Mogols Country is a vast and famous City not much inferiour to Agra the Metropolis yea for circuit and bravery it much excells it The aire for eight months is pure and restorative the streets are paved and gracefull which are cleansed and watered by the River Ravee which flows most pleasantly into this City from the Casmyrian Mountains and after a stately course of three thousand English miles deep enough for Junks of sixty Tun it falls into Indus at Tutia This City is beautified with stately palaces Mosques Hummums or Sudatories Tanks or Ponds Gardens c. The Castle is large strong uniform pleasant and bravely seated being built of hard white and polished stone armed with twelve Posternes within which is a Palace sweet and comely entred by two Gates and Courts on the walls are pictured sundry stories and pastimes From this City to Agra is five hundred miles the Country in all that distance being even without Mountains and hills and the high way planted on both sides with shady Ash-trees whose spreading green tops lenefies the scorching heat of the Sun At the end of each eight miles is a fair and convenient lodge built for travellers to repose themselves in Herb. Trav. p. 69. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1468. Brampore in the same Countrey is a City seated low and in an unhealthful plain very large and spacious and inhabited most by the Bannians the streets are many and narrow the houses not high and but meanly beautifull In the North-East end it hath a Castle standing by the Rivers side large and defensive In the River is an Artificial Elephant so skilfully shaped that by the Bannians it is adored and by others admired Idem Fettipore if the water were good it had triumphed over all the Cities in India It is walled about and to the North North West hath a lake or fish pond five miles over The North East hath a fair Buzzar or market place five hundred paces long well paved and built on all sides
with pleasant houses At one end is the Mogols house and a Mohol most excellently framed the other side is glorious by a curious Mosque or Church ascended by thirty steps adorned with a brave gate the top is full of Pyramids the Court within is six times bigger than the Royal Exchange in London excellently paved with free stone the Iles are large and well paved the Pillars all of one stone and beautifull and affronting this Gate is a most sumptuous Monument covered with painting and Pearl-shell proud in the many Princes there buried Idem Candahor is seated in a reasonable fruitfull Countrey redundant in all good things yet by reason of so many Caravans passing and repassing from Lahore to Persia all sorts of provision is very dear and the passage much pestered with theeves the City is not very spatious but strong made defensive by many helps of Nature and Art In the South and East it s surrounded with an advantagious wall In the West and North with high and precipitious Mountains the Suburbs are large adding to the City both beauty and Wealth Idem Mandow is a City both antient and famous seated on the side of a lofty and steep hill and beautified with a strong and stately Castle encompassed with a defensive wall of five miles compass the City is very beautiful adorned with Temples in one of which are buried four Kings Palaces Fortresses especially with a Tower ascended by one hundred and seventy steps supported by Massy Pillars and adorned with gates and Windows very observable Idem Surat is at this day a City great famous rich and populous yet neither air nor soil agrees with strangers the one being extream hot the other sandy and sulphurious From June to September the clouds showre down continually unhealthful rains the wind and thunder so commixing that no place in the world seems more unhealthful It s counted the third best Town in the Guiarat Kingdome Amadavar and Cambaya excelling her It s watered with a sweet River called Tappee which arising out of the Decan mountains glides through Brampore and so to Surat It s circled with a mud-wall a strong stone Castle is built at the South-West side the River washing it the VVest opens into the Buzzar through a fair gate of stone The Medan is of no great beauty nor do the shops give any splendor The houses are indifferently beautiful some of carved wood others of Brick the English and Dutch houses at the North end excelling the other for bignesse and furniture adjoyning to one gate is a Tank of water made of good free-stone circling in above one hundred sides or angles in compasse near one thousand paces Agra is the navel of the Mogols territories and Empresse of India It s watered by the River Jeminey which from Delly glides hither and commixing with Ganges flows into the Bengalan Sea It s in shape like an half Moon the streets long and narrow and nasty of seven miles continuance part of it is walled about the rest ditcht Here the Great Mogol hath a Palace wherein are two large towers at least ten foot square which are covered with Plates of the purest gold Asmeer is seated upon an high impregnable mount the greater part of the City being below fairly built walled with good stone and moated about the Country about it is Champaigne and very fruitfull The Kingdome of Bengala Described Bengala is a very large Kingdome lying along the Sea-coast one hundred and twenty leagues and as much into the land It s watered by the River Cabaris called by some Guenga It abounds with Rice VVheat Sugar Ginger long Pepper Cotton and Silk and enjoyeth a very wholesome air Gouro is the Regal City spacious and beautiful and so is Bengala which hath given name to that part of the Sea called the Gulph of Bengala Chatigan is also another of their Cities The inhabitants are a most subtile and wicked people Men and VVomen given much to uncleannesse they never dress or seeth meat twice in one pot but every time have a new one Adultery is punished with the losse of their noses In this Country are many Rhinocroces It is now subject to the Great Mogol Cambaia described Cambaia is called also Gâ—sarat containing in length from the River Bate to Circam which is a Country belonging to Persia five hundred miles upon the Sea-coasts On all other parts it s invironed with the Kingdomes of Dulcinda and Sanga on the North Mandao on the East and with the Gredosians on the VVest the Sea and the confines of Decan being the Southerly bounds It hath in it sixty thousand Cities and villages It s watered with many Rivers whereof Indus is the chief which divides it in the middle arising from Caucasus and after a course of nine hundred miles at two mouths disembogues it self into the Ocean It s a fertile Country not inferiour to any other in India the earth and trees bring forth plenty and variety of fruits It hath store of Elephants precious stones Silk Cotton c. The people are of an Olive colour and go naked except about their privities They eat no flesh but Rice Barley milk and other liveless Creatures their chief Sea-Towns are Daman Bandora Curate Ravellum and Bazuinum and within land Cambaia Madabar Campanel Tanaa c. Cambaia being the chiefest situate three miles from Indus It s called the Indian Cairo having much trafick to it by Indians Portugals Persians Arabians Armenians c. The VVomen dye their teeth black thinking it a great part of their beauty and therefore alwayes go with open lips to shew it VVhen men die they burn their bodies and their wives dressed as for a wedding burn with them Six leagues from Decan is a Hill out of which Diamonds are taken it is walled about and kept with a Garrison Their Religion is partly Moorish partly Heathenish They have Hospitals for sick or lame Birds Beasts c. yea they redeem Beasts and Birds lives and if maimed or hurt carry them to their Hospitals In the high wayes and woods they set pots with water and scatter meat to feed them If they catch a Flea or a Louse they will not kill it but let it go and you can do them no greater injury than to kill either in their presence and if by intreaty they cannot perswade you to forbear they will redeem its life with mony They drink no Wine eat no Vinegar use water only they will eat no Eggs as supposing blood to bee in them they are very careful before they sit down that no living Creature bee under them Pur. Pilgrimage The Philippine Islands described The Philippine Islands were discovered by the Spaniards out of new Spain Anno Christi 1542. who in honour of their King Philip the second gave them that name They are many in number lying far into the Sea before Cauchin-China and Chambaia some of them are great and very rich in Rice Honey Fruits Birds Beasts Fishes Gold c.