of the said Company Jamaica described JAMAICA is an Isle of a large extent being from East to West 170 miles in length and from North to South where it is broadest about 70 being of an Oval form and waxing narrower and narrower at both extream ends It is seated betwixt the Tropicks in the 17 and 18 degrees of Northern Latitude It s scituation Extent and beareth from off the Isle of Hispaniola Eastwards about 35 Leagues In the midst of the Isle from East to West runs a continued ridge of lofty Mountains which are well stored with fresh Springs whence flow the many Rivers that so plentifully water the Island Well watered to the great benefit of the Inhabitants The Air is observed to be more temperate than any of the Caribe Isles and of as mild a temperature as any place betwixt the Tropicks being alwaies refreshed with cool breezes frequent showers and great dews in the nights that it may be deemed Temperate and by its continual verdure exceeding delightful The Weather The weather is less certain than in the Caribe Isles the most observable wet seasons are in November and May there being no seemable Winter but by a little more rain and thunder in the Winter months nor is there scarce any sensible lengthning or shortning of the Days or Nights Hurricanes are here never known It s fertility and commodities This Isle in most parts especially the North is of a Fertil and rich soil and liberally answers the Cultivators cost and pains for what is planted The chief Commodities that it produceth are Sugars which are so good that they out sell those of the Barbados 5 s. per cent Cocao the richest Commodity of the Island Indico Cotton Tobacco but indifferent Hides Copper great variety of Woods for Dyers also Cedar Brasilletto Lignum vitae Ebony c. Tortoises in exceeding great plenty whose flesh is excellent good and nourishing but those that are troubled with the French man it is dangerous to eat Salt Salt-Peter Ginger Cod-pepper Piemente being an excellent Aromatick spice of a curious gusto having the mixt tast of divers Spices Cocheneil divers excellent Druggs Gumms and Balsoms many of which are not yet known by their names Here are greater abundance of Cattle than in most of the English Plantations as Horses Cows Hoggs Sheep Goats Asnegroes Mules Great plenty of Cattle which came from the breed of those put into the Woods by the Spaniards when they were first Masters of the Island which for want of Masters became wild but since the English have had to do here they are much wasted to what they were The Bays Rivers Roads and Creeks Fish Fowl are well stored with excellent Fish of sundry sorts appropriate to the Indies Likewise great store of Fowl both tame and wild the chief of which are Ducks Teal Wigeon Geese Turkyes Pigeons Hens Plovers c. Here are great plenty of excellent Fruits as Oranges Fruits Cocarnuts Pomegranates Limes Guavers Mammes Alumee-Supotas Avocatas Cashues Prickle-Apples Prickle Pears Grapes Sower sops Custard-Apples Dildoes Plantains Pines c. And Herbs Roots Herbs and Roots and Flowers common to England grow here very well Here are very noxious Beasts or Insects found those most dangerous are the Alegators Hurtful things some of which are fifteen and twenty foot long here is also Manchonele which is a kind of Crab likewise Snakes and Guianas but not poysonous as also Muskettoes and Merrywings a sort of stinging Flies found very troublesome to the Inhabitants The Diseases that Strangers are most incident unto are Dropsies occasioned by ill Dyet Drunkenness Diseases and Sloathfulness Calentures too frequently the product of Surfeits also Fevers and Agues but it is experimentally sound that if a good Dyet and moderate Exercises are used without excess of Drinking they may enjoy a competent measure of health and the reason of the great mortality of the Army at their arrival was the want of Provisions together with an unwillingness to labouror exercise joyned with discontent This Island is divided into Fourteen Precincts Divisions or Parishes It s division in to Precincts or Parishes many of which are well Inhabited especially the Southern part so far as the ridge of Mountains which runneth in the midst nor are its Southern parts especially near the Sea without Plantations though not so thick as about St. Jago and of late years the Island is much increased in its Inhabitants and Plantations being likely to prove the Potentest Colony the English are Masters of in America being able to bring into the Field upon occasion about eight or ten thousand men This Isle abounds with goods Bays Roads and Harbours the chief amongst which are Port Royal formerly Cagway It s chief places Port Royal. seated on the extream end of that long point of Land which makes the Harbour which is exceeding commodious for Shipping and secured by a strong Castle and land lock't by a point of land that runs twelve miles South-East from the main of the Island having the great River that runs by los Angelos and St. Jago falling into it where Ships do commonly water and conveniently wood The Harbour is two or three Leagues broad in most places with good Anchorage and so deep that a Ship of one thousand Tun may lay her sides to the Shoar of the point and load and unload with Planks afloat which commodiousness doth make it much resorted unto and as well Inhabited by the Merchants Store-house-keepers and other Inhabitants this being the only noted place in the Isle for Traffick and resort being said to contain about 12 or 1500 well built houses which are as dear rented as if they stood in well traded streets in London yet its scituation is very unpleasant and uncommodious having neither Earth Wood or fresh water but only made up of a hot loose sand which renders it more unhealthful than up in the Country and Provisions are very dear about 12 miles up in the Land from this Town is St. Jago St. Jago or St. Jago de la vega which when the Spaniards were Masters of it was large containing about 2000 houses which were destroyed and reduced to about 500 when the English first seized the Isle and here the Governour resideth and where the chief Courts of Judicature are held which makes it to be well resorted and inhabited where they live in great pleasure recreating themselves in their Coaches and on Horseback in the evenings in the Savana near adjoyning as the Gentry do here in Hide-Park The present Governour is his Excellency Charles Earl of Carslile Viscount Howard of Acorpeth Lord Dacres of Gilsland one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council a person for prudence and noble qualifications every way beâ—itting such a place Six miles Southward of this Town is seated Passage at the mouth of the River Passage which at six miles course falleth into the Harbour of
to wit In the South-East and North-East or in the quarters more near to the North and South its cause seemeth to be referred either to the divers scituation of the places in which the Snow and the more thick Clouds are there collected or rather unto a general wind which is very forcible to attract those Motions unto another quarter For seeing that a general wind of its own nature tendeth directly from the East to the West and these Motions tend from one Pole unto the other thence ariseth a mutual hindrance and thence it may come to pass that the wind may gain an intermedial quarter between the East and South and East and North. The South-West and North-West Motions are unconstant rare and weak and therefore are scarce reckoned amongst Motions when that the North and South by accident seem to decline sometimes to the West but they are attracted to the East by a general wind Now to render a reason concerning the great diversity of these Motions in divers places more accurate observations are required and those not of one year but of many with the notation of the Winter Rainy Snowy Seasons and the Mountains of these places from the quarters of which these state winds do blow we should also know the Phasis and Motion of the Moon and what variation this maketh Several winds blow at certain times in set places 2. In July South winds blow at Cape Verd for then there is the Winter in the time of Rain and this seemeth to produce from no other Cause than that by which in our Zone North winds blow in the Winter 3. At the Promontory of Good-hope in September the North-East wind bloweth 4. At Patanen in India in November December and January continual Rains and a North-East wind predominateth but in other Months an East wind bloweth and it is Summer 5. About Sumatra there is a mutation of the Motions in November and December 6. In the Isle of Mayo one of the Azores in the end of August a vehement wind bloweth from the South and bringeth Rain which moistens the Earth otherwise dry and then first of all Grass springeth up which feedeth many Goats at the end of December 7. In Congo from the middle of March to September at what time it is Winter there the North and north-North-West wind blow or other intermedial winds which force and gather the Clouds on the tops of the Mountains and generate an obscure Air with Rain But from September to March the South and South-East and other intermedial winds blow that are contrary to the former See the following Proposition We have taken these differences of the state and Anniversary winds from the Observation of Mariners that term them Moussons or Motions if that they blow in a long tract of the Sea And now we should Treat of their Causes but that we are ignorant of the Mountains of the Regions of the times of the Snows and their meltings and many other matters Moreover those Observations of Seamen are not sufficiently accurate so that they deserve a diligent inquisition concerning their Causes The more noted Motions are these More noted Motions 1. In the Indian Ocean between Africa and India and to the very Moluccos in an Oriental Motion towards the West which begineth in January and bloweth for six Months even to the begining of June In August and September a contrary Motion begineth viz. Western winds In June July and August is a mutation of Motions and great Tempests from the North. Now when that we speak of Oriental and Occidental winds we do not only understand the East and West winds but also the Collateral winds 2. The Oriental motion varieth very much at the Shoars so that Ships can only Sail from India on this side Gatis or on the Coasts of Malabar from January to the middle of May to Persia Arabia Mecha and Africa for seeing that in the end of May and all June July and August the Tempests rage violently and often a North wind or furious North-East wind frequently intermixing it self therefore in these Months no Ships pass from India on this side Gatis but on the Coast of India beyond the Gatis or Ganges that is on the East quarter or on the Coasts of Choromandel such Tempests are not known A Voyage is undertaken from Ceilan Java and other Isles to the Moluccoes in September because that then the Oriental motion begineth which hindereth the general wind But when you depart to 15 degrees of South Latitude beyond the Aequator this Occidental motion is not discovered in the Indian Ocean but a general South East wind filleth the Sails 3. From Cochin to Malacca that is from the West to the East they begin their Voyage in March because that then there the Western motion begineth or rather the North West wind frequently bloweth 4. In the Kingdom of Guzurat half the year the North winds blow from March to September and in the other half the South winds and that without any other hindrance caused by other winds 5. The Dutch set Sail from Java for the most part in January or February when that they return for Europe then they Sail with an Easterly wind even to 18 degrees of South Latitude and here the South or South-East wind begineth to blow by which they Sail even to St. Helena 6. Although in the Indian Ocean from January even to June the motion be Oriental and then from August to January the motion be Occidental yet nevertheless in divers parts of it when we must Sail from one place to another divers seasons are discovered more or less convenient by reason that the Collateral winds do more or less blow or the motion is more or less vehement at those times or other winds more often or more seldom intermix at that time therefore those that are to Sail from Cochin to Malacca observe another motion another from Malacca to Maccou the Emporium of China another from Maccou to Japan 7. At Banda the Western winds cease with the end of March and at the end of April there are variable winds and calms with the Month of May violent Easternly winds with Rain begin 8. At Ceilan about the Promontory called Punto Gullo on the 14th of March the first Occidental wind beginneth viz. the west-south-West-South-West then the South-West constant and continnual from the end of March to the first of October then the North-East begineth which bloweth there even to March but some daies at ten or also more these State-winds or motions happen sooner or later 9. In the Voyage from Mozambique to Goa in May and June the South-East winds are predominate even to the Aequator but from the Aequator to Goa the South-West and South winds reign in July August and the following Months 10. In the 35 deg of the Elevation of the Meridian which passeth through the Isle of Tristan de Conha in May on the New Moon the West wind reigneth 11. At the 2 â…• of
our Coast into the other Continent It may likewise be believed that others have passed from the other Coast that is to say from Asia Whence it comes that some believe that the Inhabitants of Peru and Mexico descend rather from the Chinois and Japanois than from the Europeans or Africans But this subject will be too tedious to handle let us therefore content our selves to speak a word or two of this America in general before we descend to particulars AMERICA considered in its whole Body is part on this side and part beyond the Equator It stretches it self to near 54 degrees beyond and extends it self to 80 or more on this side which are more than 130 degrees of Latitude our Continent not having much more than 100 But the breadth of America is very unequal this Continent being composed of two great Peninsula's almost divided the one from the other by the Equator its breadth here is not in some places of above 30 40 or 50 Leagues The bigness of America though in other places 1000 or 1200 and possibly much more in America Septentrionalis if the Land of Jesso be contiguous to it The scituation and Land of Jesso This Land of JESSO or YEDSO is between America and Asia and we know not yet whether it joyn upon Asia or America or make a Piece apart if it be divided both from the one and the other and that New Denmark and Greenland are upon it as there is much reason to believe it makes a Piece not less than the three parts of our Continent or of the two of the other but possibly it makes a third part of the other Continent Let us proceed to the two parts of America as they are esteemed and known at present AMERICA SEPTENTRIONALIS AMERICA SEPTENTRIONALIS is that part of America which is not only the most Northern of the two America's but likewise doth all lie between the Equator and the North The length and breadth of America Septentrionalis it extends it self from the 8th or 10th degree of Latitude even beyond the Artick Circle and if we comprehend the Artick Lands with America it advances at least to the 88th degree of Latitude which are 70 degrees for its height from South to North. Its length from West to East possesses near all the degrees of Longitude of the other Hemisphere to wit from about the 180th where ours end even beyond the 300th which is the end of the other The Mer del Nort is on the East of it the Mer del Sud on its West towards the North its bounds are unknown there being Land found even beyond the 80th degree of Latitude Its bounds with appearance that they extend yet farther towards the Pole so that we cannot judge to what degree or whether it be contiguous to New Denmark and Greenland or whether it be in Islands and on the South it makes America Meridionalis We will divide this America Septentrionalis into Canadiana and Mexicana Under the name of Canadiana is understood that part of America which is about Canada where the English French Hollanders Danes and Swedes have divers Colonies And under the name of Mexicana It s division according to Mons Sanson that part of America which the King of Spain doth almost alone possess and where he hath established abundance of Colonies subdividing Canadiana into the Artick Lands and Canada or New France and Mexicana into New Mexico and Mexico or New Spain Of these four parts Mexico or New Spain is the most advanced towards the Equator and the South the Artick Lands towards the North It s scituation the other two parts rest in the middle Canada or New France towards the East and New Mexico towards the West The first is under and about the Tropick of Cancer the second under or about the Polar Circle the two others lie from 25 or 30 unto 60 degrees of Latitude so that the first is within or very near the Torrid Zone the second within or near the Frozen Zone and the two in the middle quite in the Temperate Zone The first and most Southernly ought to be called Mexico or New Spain Mexico because Mexico is by much the fairest City and the Dominion of the ancient Kings of Mexico extended over the best part of it New Spain because the King of Spain possesses near all of it having established a great many Colonies a Vice-Roy divers Archbishops Bishops Audiences and Governments the Natives of the Country that are left being almost all Tributaries to him The second may be called the Arctick Lands because it approaches the Arctick Pole Arctick Lands and is for the most part comprehended within the Arctick Circle these are but little known We understand well that they are divided by some Streights and that it apparently consists in many and divers Isles which hath been the cause a Passage hath been sought to go this way to China and the East-Indies The Natives do here enjoy a full and entire liberty the People of Europe not thinking it worth their pains to establish Colonies Of the two middle parts the most Easternly and nearest to Europe ought to be esteemed under the general name of Canada or New France Canada or New France of Canada because in that particular Region the Europeans first Landed of New France because the French did first establish themselves here before any other Europeans The most Western and farthest from Europe may in general be called New Mexico because the Spaniards of Mexico or New Spain discovered it not till after they had been sometime settled in this other Of these four parts of America Septentrionalis to wit Mexico or New Spain New Mexico Canada or New France and America Arctica New Spain is washed by Mer del Nort and Mer del Sud America Arctica likewise by both Seas New France only by Mer del Nort and New Mexico only by Mer del Sud These four great parts are subdivided into many less which we call Regions Peoples Provinces c. We will observe the chief of them the most clearly and succinctly as possibly we can but because New Spain touches on America Meridionalis we will begin our America Septentrionalis by the Arctick and New France so proceeding to the one and the other Mexico that we may pass in order to the parts bordering on America Meridionalis And likewise because the Arctick Lands of America are very little known and that we cannot judge to make a particular discourse of them we will content our selves to speak something here before we pass to the other parts That part of America which is comprised for the most part between the Arctick Pole and Circle or which at most descends unto the 60th or 55th degree of Latitude is named according to our method America Arctica In all this part we know only some Coasts and Gulphs of that which is most towards Europe There we have the Isles of Iseland and
of Ships in like manner are they found in the Gulph or Bay of St. Laurence Besides the Cod-fish here are other sorts of Fish in great plenty as Thornback Ling Salmons Oysters c. The greatest of these Isles and which commonly takes the name of New-found-land is 4 or 5 Leagues circuit It is scituate betwixt the degrees of 46 and 53 of Northern Latitude and is severed from the Continent of America by an Arm of the Sea and is distant from England about 600 Leagues A Country ill-inhabited towards the East and South the Inhabitants being retired farther within Land but the English have of late settled some Colonies to maintain their Fishing-Trade Its Inhabitants The Natives are of a reasonable good Stature and well proportioned but full-ey'd broad-faced beardless and of an Oker complexion not over ingenious their Houses are very mean and their Apparel and Furniture worse The Country being for the generality reputed fertil if well cultivated and would yield good Grains is enriched by Nature with plenty of Fish Fowl and wild Beasts and is blest with a wholsom Air though the rigour of the Winter season and the excess of Heats in Summer do something detract from its due praise East of New-found-land is a great Bank a thing as remarkable as any in all Canada This Bank is much different from those which are covered with Water when the Sea is high uncovered and dry on an Ebb Saylors must shun such Banks like death This which we now speak of is like a Country overflown always covered with the Sea and having at least 20 30 or 40 Fathom water for the depth is unequal Off from this Bank on all sides the Sea is no less than 200 Fathom deep and yet this Bank is 200 Leagues long 20 25 and sometimes 50 broad It is on this Bank that the New-found-landers that is those Ships that go to fish for Cods of New-found-land do for the most part stop and make their freight About this great Bank and more towards the Main Land than the Ocean there are some others much less but of the same nature It is almost incredible how many Nations and of each how many Sail of Ships go yearly to fish for these Cods with the prodigious quantity they take a Man being able to take 100 of them in the space of an hour The manner of Fishing They fish with Hooks which are no sooner thrown into the Sea but the greedy Fish snapping the Bait is taken by the Hook and drawn on Ship-board they lay him presently on a Plank one cuts off his head another guts it and takes out its biggest bones another salts and barrels it c. Which being thus ordered is hence transported by the English and other European Nations into all parts of Europe as also into the other three parts of the World They Fish only in the day time the Cod as they say not biting in the night nor doth this Fishing last all Seasons but begins a little before Summer and ends with September In Winter the Fish retires to the bottom of the deep Sea where Storms and Tempests have no power Another kind of Fishing Near New-found-land there is another kind of fishing for the same Fish which they call dried Fish as the other green Fish The Ships retire into some Port and every Morning send forth their Shallops one two or three Leagues into the Sea which fail not to have their load by Noon or a little after They bring them to Land lay them on Tables or Planks and order it as the other but after the Fish hath been some days in salt they take it forth exposing it to the Air and Wind lay it again in heaps and return it from time to time to the open Air till it be dry That this Fish may be good it must be dried in a good and temperate Air Mists moisten it and make it rot the Sun hardens it and makes it yellow At the same time they fish for Cods green or dry the Fishers have the pleasure of taking Fowl without going forth of their Vessels They take them with a Line as they do fish baiting the Hook with the Cods Liver these Fowl being so greedy that they come by flocks and fight who shall get the Bait first which soon proves its death and one taken the Hook is no sooner thrown out again but another is catch'd in the like nature But enough of these and of Cod-fishing In the year 1623 Sir George Calvert Knight the Principal Secretary of State and afterwards Lord Baltimore obtained a Patent of part of New-found-land which was erected into the Province of Avalon where he settled a Plantation and erected a stately House and Fort at Ferry-land where he dwelt some time And after his death it fell to his Son the Right Honourable Caecilius late Lord Baltimore also Proprietor of Mary-land CANADA taken particularly is on the Right hand and towards the lower part of the great River The River Canada and its name is communicated both to the River and Neighbouring Country This River is the largest of America Septentrionalis and one of the fairest in the World It is about 200 Fathom deep and at its Mouth 30 Leagues broad It s course according to the report of those of the Country is already known for 4 or 500 Leagues and there is some likelyhood that we may in the end discover that the Lake which seems to be its head-Spring disburthens it self into the Sea by two or three different courses one towards us which is that of Canada another towards the West and above California the third towards the North and into the Christian Sea and that the Mouth of this may shew us the way we have so long sought to go to the East-Indies by the West People with whom the French Trade Their Colonies The People with whom the French trade here are the Canadans the Hurons the Algonquins the Attiquameques Nipisiriniens Montagnets those of Saguenay Acadia c. And to this purpose they have divers Colonies on the great River at Tadousac at Quebeck at Three-Rivers at Sillery at Richelieu at Montreal and without the Bay of Chaleur at Miscou at Port-Royal c. This Trade is only managed by Exchange they give the Skins of Bevers Otters Martles Sea-Wolfes c. for Bread Pease Beans Plumbs Kettles Cauldrons Hatchets Arrow-heads Pinchers Coverlids c. But to instruct them in Christianity many Ecclesiasticks of Religious Orders have had divers disbursements and residences likewise an Hospital and Seminary of Vrsilines The Jesuits have the chief care of these Houses North of Canada is ESTOTTILAND Estottiland or TERRADE LABRADOR near Hudsons Streight it is called sometimes the Land of Cortereal and sometimes new Britany however I esteem it a part of new France the Country is Mountainous Woody full of wild Beasts well furnished with Rivers rich in Metals of a fertil Soil in most places and would produce
places it is also different to wit how much the nearer the place is to the Equator with so much the greater swiftness and space it is moved but the greatest motion is in the places that lie in the Equator For indeed because every place of the Earth in twenty four hours is rouled about by the space of a whole periphery to wit by 360 degrees therefore the space of one hour is found If 360 be divided by 24 the quotient is fifteen which are so many degrees These are the degrees by which the place lying in the Equator or without it is turned about in one hour but they make if the place lye in the Equator two hundred twenty five German miles whence she will be turned in four minutes of an hour through one degree that is fifteen Miles But the places lying without the Equator towards either of the Poles are in the space of the same hour wheeled about by so many degrees but such as are much less forsooth the reason is the same between the swiftness of the motion and the distance of two places as is between the signs of the Arches by which those places are distant from the Pole for example the distance of Amsterdam from the Equator The distance of Amsterdam from the Equator or the Elevation of the Pole or the elevation of the Pole is 52 degrees 23 minutes So the distance from the Pole is 37 degrees 37 minutes whose sign is 61037. Let us take one place to be in the Equator whose distance from the Pole is 90 degrees his sign is 100000. But the place under the Equator in four minutes is carried through 15 miles and in an hour is carried through 225 miles Wherefore by the Rule of Three as 100000 are to 61037 so fifteen to nine miles or as 225 to 135 miles therefore Amsterdam every hour by this motion is carried through 135 miles But the discovery of this is much easier by the Table which we have set in the end of the foregoing Chapter For the division of 360 degrees being made by twenty four hours we find that any place every hour is moved through fifteen degrees of his own Circle and therefore that it is moved through one degree in four minutes If we therefore enter that Table with the Elevation of the Pole or distance from the Equator of that place proposed we shall find the miles set down at the degrees of the given Elevation which are due to the motion of the place proposed in the space of four minutes for example At Stockholme the elevation of the Pole is about 60 degrees The Elevation of the Pole at Stockholme and in the Table at the degree 60 I find seven miles to answer with one degree therefore I say that Stockholme is moved about in four minutes by so many miles The second motion of the whole Earth which is moved with an equal swiftness and by equal peripheries So great is the first motion considered in the places of the Earth but the second motion is of the whole Earth from place to place and all the parts or places thereof are moved with an equal swiftness and by equal peripheries The quantity hereof dependeth of the distance of the Earth from the Sun and is performed in a whole years space and thereby the Earth every day moveth through about one degree Concerning the third motion of the Earth because it hath a more hard consideration I leave it to be treated of by Astronomers because in Astronomy there is a necessity of supposing it Indeed Origanus hath raised a Controversie concerning the second motion also thinking the first motion to be convenient for the Earth but that the second should be left for the Sun and fixed Stars but the Phaenomena's or appearances in the motions of the Planets which we have alledged before do sufficiently enough maintain the Motion of the Earth CHAP. VI. Concerning the situation or place of the Earth in respect of the Planets and Stars THe consideration of the Earths situation in this whole systeme of the World in respect of other Planets hath a contemplation suitable to that which we have alledged concerning the Motion of the Earth in the foregoing Chapter For the common Opinion of Philosophers and Astronomers according to Ptolomy hath decreed The Earth according to the Opinion of the Philosophers and Astronomers of Ptolomy takes up the Center of the Universe The Sun according to the Copernicans the Center of the Universe that the Earth takes up the Center of this whole Universe so that she is conversant in the middle of all the Stars and Planets But they of Copernicus his Sect with the ancient Pythagoreans place the Sun in the Center of all the Stars but they set the Earth as it were a Planet between Mars and Venus and they think that she is carried there about the Sun with a yearly course or space which is understood better by the Diagram or description thereof Yet notwithstanding therein do these two differing Opinions agree that both confess that the Center of that first motion whereby the Stars seem to us in the space of twenty four hours to be carried about is in the Earth For both Astronomy and Geography do want this Supposition insomuch that whether you follow the Ptolomaican or Pythagorean Opinion See Scheme the firmness and certainty of General Astronomy and Geography loseth nothing For the difference of Opinions consisteth in this that the Ptolomaians will have this motion to be in the Stars themselves but the Pythogoreans is to be the Earth the Stars in the mean while resting and never moving neither of which is it necessary either for common Astronomy or Geography to determine The placing the Sun Earth and other Planets according to the Ptolomaians and Copernicans According to the Ptolomaians this is the placing of the Planets to the Earth and fixed Stars The Earth Moon Mercury Venus Sun Jupiter Saturn and the fixed Stars According to the Copernicans such is the situation or placing The Sun is placed in the middle of the consistence or systeme of the World as the heart or fire next to him the Orb of Mercury Venus the Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn and the fixed Stars If you demand how much the Earth and we being on the Earth are distant from the Planets you must know that the distance is not always the same but is changed every day and therefore Astronomers do reckon up three degrees of distances viz. the least the mean and the greatest The mean distance of the Earth from the rest of the Planets is according to many Astronomers this following The mean distance of the Earth from the other Planets The Earth is distant from the Moon with its sixty half Diameters From Mercury 110. From Venus seven hundred From the Sun 1150. From Mars about five thousand From Jupiter about 11000 And from Saturn 18000. But yet indeed the distance
or run upon the Earth and therefore the top B cannot be seen directly in the place of F but by a refracted Radius to wit B T F which is broken and indeed the first of the broken rays which may reach to F. If therefore we suppose that this refraction brings it to pass that this Mountain may be sooner seen by one degree than it would be seen if it were without this Refraction to wit with a direct ray B F to be seen from three degrees A F the height A B shall be found out according to the declared form of five Italian miles or 40 stadiums But because it is also likely which is the second that our Seamen speak more at large and not with so accurate a dimension if we therefore subtract yet half a degree so as we may resolve that it is seen 2 ½ degrees thence or 38 German miles for F A This I say being put and our Calculation being ordered as at first the height of the Mountain A B shall be found to be about one mile If the Mountain may be seen from the distance of two degrees the refraction being set apart it shall be 2 ½ Italian miles high But if it can be seen at one degrees distance or 15 German miles it shall be in height half an Italian mile or about 5 stadiums high To this end we add the Table following If the height of the Mountains be ⅛ mile Germ. 1 7 mile ⅙ ⅕ ¼ ⅓ ½ 1 Then it shall be seen from the distance of miles 14 18 20 25 26 27 ½ 28 29 ¼ But all these things are to be understood without Refraction which for the most part increaseth the seen height of the Mountain and the distance of the sight as you may perceive by the description for the refracted Radius T F produced gives the height N A. Proposition V. The top of any Mountain being first seen whose height is known to find by Geography how great space we are from it See Scheme The top of a Mountain whose height is known to find at the first sight its distance This is the consequent of the former Proposition and the solution thereof may be fetch'd from the Table before described but the Calculation will shew a more accurate solution Let therefore the known height of the Mountain be A B and let it be seen in F it may please us to know the distance A F B F toucheth the Periphery In the Triangle strait angled B F R the Angle F is is strait and the two sides R F the half diameter of the Earth and R B the same half diameter with A B are known which we may put to be half a German mile And because R F and R A is 860 R B shall be 860 ½ And it may be wrought As R B is to R F so the whole sign to the sign of the Angle R B F. In Rhindlandish feet As 860 ½ to 860 so 10000000 to As 19609700 to 19598300 so 10000000 to 9994186 the sign 88 degrees 2 minuees 40 for R B F. Therefore B R F that is the Arch A F shall be one degree 55 minutes 20 seconds Therefore from this distance the Mountain shall be seen with refraction of Rays if it is half a mile high to which for the Argument of Refraction we may add eight miles insomuch that it may be seen at the ordinary distance of 37 miles But the refraction also varies according to the diverse Altitude of the Sun neither is it absent before the rising or after the setting of the Sun But we will treat more at large concerning this business in the Chapter touching the Air and the Third part of this Book where we shall discourse of the visible Horizon Proposition VI. The length of the shadow being given which any mountain casteth and the height of the Sun being given to that time to find out the Altitude of the Mountain To find out the Altitude of a Mountain by its shadow knowing the height of the Sun Of the Mountain Athos its height c. We will propose this Problem rather for its Antiquity and pleasantness than that we think that the Altitude may accurately by the shadow be obtained Plutarch and Pliny have written that the Mountain Athos will cover or hide the sides of the Lemnian Heifer because the Mountain Athos scituated on the shore of Macedonia is so highly elevated that its casts its shadow into the Island Lemnos the Sun being in Cancer and indeed into the Market of the City Myrrhina where the boundary or end of the shadow was signified by a Brazen Heifer there erected which the Inhabitants placed there for the strangness and wonder of the matter And Pliny writeth that the interval or distance between the Mountain Athos and the Isle Lemnos is judged to be 87000 paces or 87 Italian miles But Writers have not noted the Alitude of the Sun according to the shadow thereof but yet it is likely that this shadow cast from the Sun being at the point of setting or when it began to be hidden from the City Myrrhina by the Mountain Athos for Athos standeth Westward from the Isle Lemnos or when in it it was hid from the Vertical point of Myrrhina which is drawn through the Mountain Athos But although we may put that the Sun was then as it were in the Horizon of Myrrhina F O and so that the Radius O F passed through the top of the Mountain B See the Scheme to the fifth Proposition and cast the shadow A F and O F shall be the Tangent of the Periphery and because F R is given and the Angle F R B or by taking the Triangle B A F and F A as a strait line B A shall be found to be eight stadiums the height of the Mountain But because notwithstanding in this position of the Sun the term or boundary of the shadow cannot be noted because it is infinite and besides that the buildings of the City Myrrhina might hinder both the shadow and the near Rays of the Sun near to the shadow Therefore it is to be determined that the Sun at the least was elevated two degrees above the Horizon of Myrrhina For example In S that the Angle S F O be two degrees and the Radius of the Sun passing through the top of the Mountain T and ending the shadow in F. Therefore in the Oblique angled Triangle R T F the given Angle shall be T F R 92 degrees and F R T is given one degree 16 minutes And therefore F T R is 86 degrees 45 minutes and the half diameter F R is known 860 German miles Therefore T R shall be found according to the proportion As the sign of the Angle F T R 86 degrees 54 minutes to the sign of the Angle T F R 92 degrees so F R to R T 860. Therefore R T shall be 861 German miles and A T the height of the Mountain Athos somewhat
above Dalmatia the Dalmation Hills and they are stretched out through Macedonia to Thrace and Pontus But because there cometh in a little space between the Julian and Dalmatian Hills therefore some men determine and make the end of the Alpes to be in the Julian Mountains It sendeth out one Arm with continual chains and yokes of Hills and with a winding course like a crescent passing through all Italy and dividing it into two parts it runneth along even to the Sicilian Sea Neither doth it march forward in one form every where but in many parts it putteth forth collateral or side-Companions and fellow Branches as it also sendeth forth some Mountains styled with several Names as the Mountain Massicus the Hill Gaurus Monte di Capua or the Mountain of Capua and the burning Vesuvius c. The Hills of Peru. 2. The Hills of Peru or Peruviana the longest of all others for they pass through the whole South America even from the Equator to the Magellanick streigths and do separate the Kingdom of Peru from other Provinces insomuch that the whole tract of this Chain of Hills is about 800 German miles And the heads or cliffs of the Hills are so high that they are reported to weary Birds in their flight over them and there is but one only passage over these Hills which as yet is discovered and that very cumbersom Many of those are covered with perpetual Snows as well in Summer as Winter and many of them are also wrapt up and involved with the Clouds and some likewise are elevated beyond the middle Region of the Air. Truly it hath hapned the Spaniards sometimes passing out of Nicaragua into Peru that many of them These Mountains exceeding Cold. together with their Horses on the tops of those interposed Mountains have suddenly died and if they had become stiff with cold Frost they remained there immovable like standing Images The cause of which seemeth-to have been the want of Air such as our breath or Lungs require There are also found in these Mountains Sulphury and smoking Hills The Hills between Peru and Brasil 3. There are very many other Mountains between Peru and Brasil which also stretch themselves out through the Country of China to the Magellanick streights where the high tops of the Hills are perpetually hidden with Snows although they lie under the Latitude of 52 degrees The Hills of Canada and New England 4. Add to these Chains of Hills those of Canada and New England and very many others in North America covered with continual Snow although they are less famous The Mountain Taurus 5. The top of Taurus a Mountain in Asia This was amongst ancient Writers accounted the most noble and greatest Mountain of the World It riseth up in Asia Minor from the Pamphilian Sea nigh to the Chelidonian Islands and thence marcheth along through divers Countries and great Kingdoms under divers Names from the West into the East unto India and divideth all Asia into two parts one whereof which looketh to the North is called Asia within Taurus and the other which faceth the West is named Asia without Taurus It is fenced in on either side with many Companions amongst which the famous and most notable ones are the greater and the lesser Anti-Taurus which cut and divide the greater and lesser Armenia into two parts where Taurus it self passeth between Armenia and Mesopotamia it sendeth forth many Arms towards the North and South The Mountain Imaus 6. The Mountain Imaus marcheth forth in form of a Cross two ways as well towards the East and VVest as towards the North and South The Northern part is now called Alkai It is stretched out forward towards the South even to the very ends of the Indies and the fountain heads of the River Ganges in length about four hundred German Miles It divideth the Asian Scythia into two parts of which that which looketh on the west is called Scythia within the Mountain Imaus but that which beholdeth the East is named Scythia without the Mountain Imaus The Mountain Caucasus 7. The top of the Mountain Caucasus is stretched out from the North to the South towards Pontus Euxinus from the Caspian Sea to whom it is a neighbour at the breadth of fifty miles and to those that sail in the Caspian Sea it is an infallible mark to govern and steer their course by It reacheth to Mount Ararat in Armenia where Noah's Ark rested which the Turks and Persians believe to be there kept to this day But the Mountains of Ararat are neighbours to Taurus because all these Mountains are contiguous VVe will speak of the height of Caucasus in the Thirtieth Chapter The Hill of China 8. The Hill of China which embraceth and comprehends the Damasian Mountains so called by the Ancients towards the VVest and Ottoroâ—ora towards the North. This Clift or Chain of Hills consisteth of many Mountains not indeed continually yoked together but here and there affording a passage between them And the Mountains of Camboja seem to be a part of that gang of Hills The Mountains of Arabia 9. The Hills of Arabia which march forward in a triple rank of whom the Holy Mount Sinai is a part The Mount Atlas 10. The most famous Hill and which is celebrated with innumerable figments of the Greek Poets is Mount Atlas in Africa It riseth at the shore of the Western Ocean of Africa and extends it self through all Africa even to the borders of Egypt It hath the Fountains and Springs of almost all the Rivers of Africa in many places it is full of Snow and Cold although it lieth in the Torrid Zone The Mountains of the Moon 11. The Clift of Africa nigh to Monomotapa which is called the Mountains of the Moon It compasseth in almost all Monomotapa and the arms or branches thereof are many as the Hill Zeth and the Snowy Mountains There are found very many and in a manner innumerable other yoaks or chains of Mountains in Africa severed and disjoyned by a small space insomuch that they are almost all contiguous and seem to be parts of one Chain of Hills The Riphean Mountains of Europe 12. The Riphean Mountains of Europe which are also called the Obian Hills they march on forward from the White Sea or Muscovian Bay to the very mouth of the River Ob and the Muscovites call them Weliki Kameypoyas that is the great Stony Girdle because they think that the whole World is girted in with them There is here another yoak of Hills which the Russians call Joegoria It beginneth at the Southern boundary of Tartaria and extends it self unto the North Sea and very many Rivers rise and spring out of this viz. the Rivers Wissagda Neem Wissera and Petsora the greatest of all Besides a triple yoak of Hills runneth down betwen Siberia and Russia from the North towards the South One of them the Russians call Coosvinscoy Camen whose breadth or
Maffaeus relateth there is a Mountain which continually vomiteth Flames on the top of which the Evil Spirit sheweth himself to certain Persons after that they have macerated themselves for a Vow sake 10. Many Vulcanelloes are found in the Isles of Japan distant 70 miles from Ferando Also in a certain small Isle which lieth between Tanaxuma and the Isles called the Sisters a burning Mountain is discovered at other times smoaking Certain Vulcanes in the Isle Tendai 11. In Tendai one of the Philippine Isles where the Promontory of the Holy Spirit is certain Vulcans are found One also in the Isle Marindique another of the Philippine Isles 12. In Nicaragna a Province in America a lofty Mountain casteth forth flames in such great abundance that they may be seen 10 miles distant Vulcan Mountains in Cordillera 13. In the Ridge of Peru called Cordillera here and there are certain Rocks and Vulcan Mountains partly smoaking and partly burning and they are said to cast out fire Especially in the Province of Carrapa there is a Mountain from whose top when the Heaven is serene much smoak is discovered to be elevated Others in Peru 14. Near to Arequipa a City of Peru 90 miles distant from Lima a certain Sulphureous Mountain continually ejaculateth fire which is found dangerous to the City 15. In Peru near the Valley Mulahallow about 50 Leagues from Quito there is a Vulcan which once rending cast forth great Stones and terrified also the remote places with the huge noise Other Vulcans 16. In one of the Islands which they call Papoys which Le Maire discovered except peradventure it may adhere to the South Continent on the Oriental Coast of New Guiney is a Vulcan which at that time burned 17. Certain Mountains lying on the Oriental Shore of the River Jeniscea in the Country of the Tingesi beyond Ob towards the East by a journey of some weeks there are Vulcans as the Muscovites do report 18. Certain Mountains at the River Pesida beyond the Region of the Tingaesi A Vulcan in Liburnia 19. In Liburnia near the City Apollonia is a rocky Mountain from the top of which continually issueth smoak and flame In the Land adjoyning there are hot Fountains there are also certain Mountains which have now ceased to burn So the Isle Queimoda on the Coast of Brasil not far from the mouth of the Silver River in time past did burn so the Mountains in Congo or Angola which they term Vesbrande Bergen In the Isles of the Azores especially Tercera and St. Michael formerly the Earth burned in many places but now the smoak in some places is sometimes expelled hence also they have often Earthquakes The Isles of St. Helena and of the Ascension have also its Earth like unto these viz. a Dust Embers and Ashes so that in times past it is probably the Mountains of these Isles burned which is also manifest from the Sulphureous Earth and Coals which they call Smitskolen Now the cause of these Vulcans or burning Mountains is a Sulphureous bituminous Substance which is contained in such like Mountains Proposition VI. The Tanges of the Mountains some admit of no passage or opening some of many other some of one or another only Of the Tanges of the Mountains They are called Portae and also Thermopylae Of which the more noted are 1. The Thermopylae in Phocis from which this name was communicated to the rest 2. The Caspian Portae which as through a narrow passage are admitted into the Caspian Mountains 3. The Port of the Mountain Cordillera in Peru. 4. The Port of the Mountain which is extended between Abyssiue and Arabia Troglodytica through which they carry Provision and Grain from that Region unto this 5. In Caucasus the Sarmatick and Albanian Ports Proposition VII That Mountain is termed a Promontory which runneth forth in a certain Tract to the Sea or on the Shore is elevated above the adjacent places Of Promontories or Capes In Mapps they are called Capes or Heads among which the more noted are Cape of Good-hope 1. The Cape of Good-hope in Africa which must be passed by those that sail into India Cape Victoria 2. Cape Victoria in the end of the Streights of Magellan Cape Verd. 3. Cape Verd in the Angle or Point of Africa where the Shore windeth from West to East Cape Vincent 4. Cape Vincent in Spain Promontory or Cape of Atlas 5. The Promontory of Atlas so anciently called not a Cape because that Mariners some Ages past supposed that it could not be passable or that if any one had sailed beyond it yet he could not return back safe therefore this was the bound of their Navigation on the Coast of Africa Other Promontories may be seen in the Mapps Proposition VIII Vnto Mountains are opposed Caves and deep Abysses which are found in few places of the Earth Of Caves or deep Abysses In times past that Mephitick Cave in Island called the Cave of St. Patrick and that Cave in Italy called Grotta del Cane was famous In the Mountain of Fessano Beni Guazeval is a Cave that vomiteth forth fire In the Island Baruch adjoynig to Wales in England near the Sea is a Rock in which there is a Cave unto which if you apply your ear a noise like stroaks of Hammers upon Iron as in a Smith's shop may be heard Not far from the City Bessa in Aquitain is a Cave vulgarly called Du Souley in which in the Summer season a noise is heard like unto Thunder In many places betwixt the midst of the Mountains there are found Valleys so profound that they strike the Beholders with horrour and cause a giddiness CHAP. XI Of Mines Woods and Desarts MInes Woods and Desarts do ennoble certain Parts or Tracts of the Earth Of Mines Woods and Desarts concerning which although little can be proposed yet for an exact knowledge of the Terrestrial Superficies it will not be unnecessary to consider those Places and to design the Tracts and Limits of them which we shall briefly perform in this Chapter Proposition I. A Mine is a place in the Earth from which Metals Minerals or other sorts of Earth are dugg But because what is dugg up out of the Earth is various therefore all these Mines receive various denominations Of Mines as Mines of Gold Silver Copper Iron Marble Mines of precious Stones and the like The most famous of the Gold and Silver Mines are those of Peru and Castella Aurea Peru and Castella Aurea and Potosi rich in Mines the richest in the world for throughout all the Provinces of Peru are found Mines abounding with Gold and Silver yet not excluding the other Metals so that the Natives of Peru and the Spaniards in times past did boast that the Ground or Soyl of this Kingdom was Gold and Silver Girava a Spanish Writer testifieth at the City Quito are Mines which yield more Gold than Earth
collect the increase or decrease of the Declination of the Sun from the Aequator or of the Points of the Ecliptick to be the Cause of this unequal increase of the days but in the places of the Aequator it self all days are equal and therefore here is no increase or decrease although the Sun seem to stand about the days of the Solstice that is a little changing the Meridian Altitude Now it is manifest that the greater inequality of this encrease and decrease of the days is to be found where the places are more remote from the Aequator if that the Pole be Elevated for the distance of the divers places from the Aequator and the Arches of the Parallels Elevated above the Horizon be considered in both scituations Proposition XXV In the places of the Torrid Zone or those scituated in the Aequator or in the midst of the Torrid Zone the Sun much sooner departeth from the Vertex than in places near the Tropick of Cancer or Capricorn Of the departure of the Sun in places of the Torrid zone Let any Degree in the Brazen Meridian of the Globe be noted for Example the Fifth Degree from the Aequator and another place in the Torrid Zone being taken for Example one whose Latitude is 18 Degrees Let this be brought to the Meridian make a sign with a Chalk in this and let 5 Degrees from this towards the Tropick be reckoned on the Brazen Meridian and here again make a sign with a Chalk We must shew that the Sun in fewer days is removed from the Vertex of the places of the Aequator 5 Degrees in the Meridies than from the Vertex of another place so many Degrees Let the Globe be turned until some Point of the Ecliptick come under some noted Point of the Meridian near to the Aequator And let the Degrees of the Ecliptick between the first of Aries and Libra and between that Point and the Arches here to be noted Then let the Globe be turned again until some Point of the Ecliptick pass through the Note made in the Meridian for the place and let this Point of the Ecliptick be noted then let the Globe be turned again until another Point of the Ecliptick pass through by that Point removed five Degrees which is noted which must again be noted and let the Arch between the two last Points of the Ecliptick be reckoned which will be found to be much bigger than that which was first noted and thence the Sun shall stay in this Arch more days than in the former and therefore he more slowly recedeth from the Vertex of the second place than from the Vertex of the place taken in the Aequator THE THIRD BOOK OF General Geography TO WIT THE COMPARATIVE PART Of the Affections from Comparing of Places CHAP. XXXI Of the Longitude of a place Definitions 1. _â—HE Circle of the Longitude of any place in the Earth Definition is a Circle passing through that place and both the Poles of the Earth It is also termed the Meridian Circle because the Meridian of a place and the Circle of the Longitude of a place are one and the same Circle But they are only rationally distinguished because the Meridian hath respect to the Motion of the Stars the Circle of the Longitude to the extension of the Earth having no respect to the Celestial Motions But the use of the term Meridian is more frequent and convenient and therefore we shall also use the word They are conspicuous in Globes and Maps passing through every Ten Degrees of the Aequator 2. The distance of a place from a certain Meridian is termed the Longitude of a place or else it is the Arch of the Aequator or Parallel intercepted between the Meridian of that place and a certain other Meridian This Meridian from which the Meridians of other places are reckoned from West towards the East is called the first Meridian The Longitude of the Earth it self is termed its extension from West to East conceived according to the Line of the Aequator The first Meridian in the Maps and Globes is notable above the rest for Magnitude and Colour and it is apparent to the eyes 3. The distance of one place from another is a very short Line intercepted between those two places in the Superficies of the Earth 4. Any Point in the Globe and Maps is truly said to represent and exhibit any place of the Earth if that it hath that Scituation and distance to the other points of the Maps such as the place of the Earth which it ought to represent hath to the other places of the Earth which are represented by the other Points of the Earth Proposition I. Nature hath put no beginning or end to the dimension of the Earth or of the extension from the West to the East or according to the Aequator but all and every one of the places may be taken for a beginning and the first Meridian may be placed in them For the better understanding of this the matter must be more fully searched into No beginning or end of the Dimension of the Earth c. because that some I know not upon what account suppose great mysterias to lâ—e herein that every Superficies as well plane as crooked as a Line â—y one and a Body by three is measured and terminated by two Dimensions or extensions as is evident from Principles of Geometry and common use of which extension one is termed the Longitude of the extension or figure and the other the Latitude and the one is conceived perpendicular to the other Neither do these extensions differ in their nature but that which we take for Longitude may also be taken for Latitude and so on the contrary but yet for the most part if these two extensions be unequal we take the longest for Longitude and the shortest for Latitude But in Ordinate Figures as in the Aequilateral Triangle a Quadrate and the like the two extensions are equal neither is there any difference between Longitude and Latitude For the Figure of the Superficies of the Earth is Spherical and Latitude doth not truly differ from Longitude which we so conceive in it for the more distinct cognition Now those two extensions in the Spherical Superficies are commodiously so conceived as in other crooked Superficies if that first the Periphery of the Semicricle be taken in it drawn from one point to the opposite point and this Line be made one extension of the Superficies then for the other extension you shall take another Periphery cutting the former Periphery in the middle at Right Angles for so Longitude and Latitude are taken in all Figures and this must be conceived to extend about the whole Superficies until it return to it self that so a crooked Superficies may be supposed to be extended into a plane Because therefore the first assumed Periphery or extension is only the Semicircle that shall be the Latitude of the Globe the
mark with a Chalk Then let the shank applied to the quarter be moved until the other noted point of the shank applied to the quarter fall in on the Parallel of the observed Latitude For the point of the falling in is the place sought viz. the place of the Ship But if that there be no Parallel of Latitude observed on the Map let the degrees intercepted between this Latitude and the vicine Parallel be taken by the interval of the Compass on the lateral line And let the Rule in the line of the quarter and one Foot of the Compass be moved together in this Parallel until the other Foot of the Compass and the noted shank do meet the point of the meeting sheweth the place of the Ship Seamen use two pair of Compasses If that you will determine more accurately by the Calculation of the place demanded on the Map or Earth it self the Problem is this The Latitude and Longitude of one place being given and the quarter in which the Navigation is appointed to another place and the Latitude of this place given to find his Longitude for the Latitude and Longitude given is the place it self 3. The quantity of the Voyage performed from one known place to another unknown being observed and the Latitude of this other being observed to find this other on the Maps Let the quantity of the Voyage performed be taken by the interval of the Compass from the opposite Scale Then if a Parallel through the degree of Latitude be observed on the Map let one Foot of the Compass be placed on the noted place the other Foot on this Parallel This point shall be the place demanded But if the Parallel pass not through the degree of Latitude let one shank of the Rule be applied to the vicine Parallel on the other shank let the degree of Latitude be noted and let the Rule be moved until the other Foot of the Compass toucheth the noted point of the Rule The place of the Map subject to the point in this scituation shall be the sought for place of the Ship If that a more accurate invention is required by Calculation the Problem shall be this The Latitude and Longitude of one place being given and the distance of the other on the line of Navigation and the Latitude of this to find out the Latitude of this other For this being known when the Latitude is observed you have the scituation of the place it self on the Maps or Earth The 4th or 5th Method also of finding out of this place is also given viz. in which the Longitude of the other or sought for place is supposed to be observed but the Latitude is unknown But because that very seldom the Longitude can be observed on the Sea therefore this Method is omitted as unuseful See Snellius Stevens and Metius He that desireth more concerning this Method let him Read Snellius Stevens Metius and others that have treated at large of it Proposition III. To conjecture unto what quarter the Ship is moved and in what Rhombe although the signs be fallacious In the solution of the former Proposition for the finding out the place of a Ship those things as noted were taken and observed 1. The quarter unto which the Ship is moved and the Rhombe in which 2. The way made 3. The Latitude of the place unto which it hath arrived Now therefore we must shew how these three may be observed on the Sea that they may be used for the finding out of the place For if that these be not rightly known or observed the true place shall neither be found or discovered First therefore let us see concerning the quarter of the course of the Ship and the Rhombe The Pilots know the quarter from the Compass or Loadstone The Pilots know the quarter from the Compass or Loadstone For what quarter or Rhombe of the Compass agreeth with the Line of the conceived Longitude of the Ship the same is put into the quarter of the Ship to be moved and to describe its Rhombe For they seldom use the sign taken from the quarter of the apparent rising and setting of the Sun which they compute These signs may be corrupted by divers Causes so that they may deceive in shewing the Rhombe or quarter 1. If that the Declination of the Magnetick Needle be uncertain in that place and therefore the quarters of the Compass do not shew the true quarters 2. If that the Sea in that place hath a flux to a certain place for it will carry the Ship from the true Rhombe although the Ship be directed unto the same quarter the fluxes and refluxes are the frequent cause of this error And in many places of the Torrid Zone a general Motion is of force and in many places a stated and fixed Motion from stated winds 3. Winds especially storms remove the Ship from the Rhombe of their Voyage although they ply in the same quarter 4. The fluxes of the Sea which are carried towards other quarters and carry the Ship with it 5. The Rudder or Helme cannot be moved by him that steereth unto any quarter as it ought to be the waves of the Sea obstructing of it All these hinder the Ship to be moved in the same Rhombe whose quarters are shewed by the Compass But how much it is drawn aside must be learned by conjecture from the vehemency of the Flood and of its quarter and the like but the Method is very imperfect Proposition IV. To cast up the Voyage made upon the Rhombe to measure it at the given time from the given place The casting up the Voyage made upon the Rhombe c. Pilots conjecture the same 1. When they observe or know by experience what course a Ship is wont to make with such a Wind. 2. If that they have Sailed in the same Meridian or vicine Line with any Wind and have observed the Latitude of the place in the beginning of the Motion and the Latitude of the place in the following time For the difference of Latitude turned into miles sheweth the course made for so long a space of time and such a Wind. Whence for the time given and such a Wind continuing the course made is collected 3. With more industry they measure the course performed by a Boat and string one end of which is fastened to the Boat and the other with the Globe is in the Ship for the Ship remaining immovable Sailing is permitted to the Boat untill it be removed 10 or 12 Orgyas of the string and the time elapsed between is observed And from this for any time of the performed course of the Ship is found out The signs of the performed Sailing of the Ship are corrupted and rendred uncertain by divers ways yea are uncertain of themselves seeing they are mere conjectures 1. Oftentimes the Ship maketh lesser or greater way than the conjecture affordeth viz. because in many places of the Sea the flux is
value erected by the Senators which for their Grandure are fit to lodge and entertain any Prince in Christendom most of which are seated on the Grand Canal Also the Royal and proud Palace of the Duke deserves a particular description which for its largness beauty and riches as well in its fabrick without as in its Pictures and Statues within exceeds all others then the Tribunals or Courts of Justice the Senate-house or great Hall Its Arsenal or Magazine of War being about two miles in circuit encompassed with high Walls and the Sea having but one place or Gate for entrance and only one Channel for Ships to pass in and out at and here is kept always in readiness about two hundred Gallies with all things fit for a Voyage or fight also here are kept a thousand Coats of Plate garnished with Gold and covered with Velvet but above all its Church of St. Mark which for its exteriour and interiour beauty and richness of its Ornaments have deservedly made this City famous and in this Church according to report lyeth the body of St. Mark the Patron of this City which was brought hither from Alexandria In this City are seventeen rich Hospitals 56 Tribunals 67 Parish Churches 26 Monasteries of Nuns 54 Convents of Fryars 18 Chappels and six Free-Schools for the increase of Learning It s Piazza or broad place of St. Mark adorned with sumptuous Fabricks Statues c. is a place much frequented by the Gentry This City is the only place where Policy Warfare and Merchandize have embraced one another the Gentry are here held in such esteem that it is held for the greatest honour they can bestow upon the best deserver to make him a Gentleman of this City and from them the Sonatours are chosen and out of them the Duke who in a manner is only titular not having the Regal power his Salary which is paid him out of the Common Treasury is forty thousand Duccals yearly In this Estate are two Patriarchs and 34 Bishops Dukedom of Mantoua The Dukedom of MANTOVA seated Northwards of the Estates of Venice It s chief City is so called a place of good strength encompassed on the sides with Water about a quarter of a mile broad and on the other side with a Wall it is seated on a River which emptieth it self into the Po. In this City Virgil that famous Poet was born Dukedom of Modena The Dukedom of MODENA formerly joyned to that of Mantoua hath for its chief City Modena famous for the Battle between Anthony and Augustus where Hirtius and Pansa the two Consults were slain and Anthony lost the day This place is the residence of its Dukes as Mantoua is of hers Dukedoms of Parma and Placentia The Dukedom of PARMA and PLACENTIA Northwards of Mantoua hath for its chief place Parma seated in a fruitful Plain five miles from the Appenuines It is about four miles in circuit adorned with many rich and stately Structures is very populous and well inhabited by Gentry who are much addicted to Learning and Arms it hath a fair and spacious Campagnia which feeds abundance of Sheep and here the Duke hath his Palace which is a place of great delight and state This Country boasts of its Parmasan-Cheese so much esteemed by some The chief place of Placenza is so called it is seated on the Po comodious for Traffick and famous for its Fairs in Exchanges here quarterly kept which are much resorted unto it is about five miles in compass a place of good strength and beauty being adorned with many fair and rich Structures and Churches Bishoprick of Trent The Bishoprick of TRENT whose chief City bears its names it is seated in a Plain and surrounded with Mountains of an excessive height being always covered with Snow by reason of which it is more fit for Wines than Corn. The City is not large but indifferent strong its Houses are fair and stately its Streets large its Churches beautiful and richly adorned and its Royal Palace sumptuous and stately This City is famous for the general Council there held for the establishment of the Roman Catholick Religion ITALY particularly so called The second part of Italy according to our method will contain the Estates of the CHVRCH and TOSCANE which may again be subdivided into others which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of which in order Territory of Ferraresse The Territory of FERRARESSE about 160 miles in length and 50 in breadth had once Dukes of its own but now belongs to the Pope its chief place is Ferrara so called from the Iron-Mines about it it is seated on the Po which serves as a Rampire to defend it on the one side as doth a strong Wall well fortified with a spacious Mote on the other side it is about five miles in compass beautifully built and adorned with superb Edifices and is accounted one of the pleasantest Cities in Italy having in the midst thereof a spacious Green into which doth open about 20 Streets most of which are about half a mile in length and so even and uniform that from thence the utmost ends of each may be easily discovered It is well inhabited rich and dignified with an Vniversity Province of Bolognois The Province of BOLOGNOIS Eastwards of Modena hath for its chief place Bologna once the head of 12 Cities it is seated on the River Aposa and in a large and fertil Territory for Corn Wine Fruits and Olives it is about five miles in circuit and begirt with a Wall This City is adorned with many fair and proud Buildings in which they observe a uniformity amongst which is the Pope's Palace for his retirement which for grandure and statelyness is fit to give entertainment to any Prince in Christendom It is dignified with the chief Vniversity of Italy famous for the study of the Civil Law it is proudly built having spacious Courts Province of Romandiola ROMANDIOLA or ROMAGNE Eastwards of Bolognese hath for its chief places 1. Ravenna seated on the Adriatick and once a place of good account having one of the fairest Havens in the World which is now choaked up This City was the seat of the Emperour Honorius and his Successors then of the Gothish Kings and lastly of its Patriarch but now as its Haven is choaked up so is the Land covered with water which makes it become useless 2. Rimini seated on the mouth of the River Rubicon 3. Cervia seated on the Adriatick Sea a place where so great quantity of Salt is made that the Popes part is valued yearly at 60000 Crowns and 4. Faenza Dukedom of urbin The Dutchy or Dukedom of VRBIN not long since fallen to the Holy Seat it lying in the midst of his Territories It s chief places are 1. Vrbin seated at the bottom of the Appennine formed like a Miter 2. Belfort seated in the Midland 3. Fano a Sea-port Town to Vrbin where the English do
The Gadeni who possessed the Counties of Lothien Merches and Teifidale or Tivedale 2. The Selgovae or Counties Liddisdale Eusedale Eskedale Annadale and Nidthesdale 3. The Novantes or Shires of Galloway Carrickt Kyle Cunningham and Arran 4. The Damnii or Counties of Cludesdale Striveling Lennox Menteith and Fife 5. The Caldedonii or Shires of Stratherne Argile Cantire Lorne Albany or Bruidalbin Perch Athol and Anguis 6. The Vermines or Counties of Mernis and Marr. 7. The Talgali or County of Buquhan 8. The Vacomagi or Counties of Murray and Loquabrea 9. The Cantae or Shires of Ross and Sutherland 10. The Catini or County of Cathanes And 11. the Cornubii or County of Strathnaverne Scotland divided into Sheriffdoms These parts are again according to their Civil Government divided into Sheriffdoms Stewarties and Bailiffwicks viz. the Counties or Sheriffdoms of Edenburgh Lynlythio Selkirk Roxburgh Peblis Berwick Lanarke Renfrew Dunfreis Wighton Aire Bute Argile Tarbet Dunbarton Perch Clackmannan Kinros Fife Kincardin Forfair Aberdene Bamff Elgin Forres Narne Innerness Cromartie Orknay and Shetland The Stewarties of Menieith Stewarties Kircudbrieht Stratherne and Annandale The Bailiwicks of Kile Bailywicks Carrickt and Cunningham It s further division Again Scotland according to the scituation of its Parts Provinces or Counties may be divided into two parts to wit Southwards and on this side the Tay which made the ancient Kingdom of the Picts so called for that they painted their Bodies like the ancient Britains from whom they are said to descend which is the more confirmed for that the Northern Britains converted to the Faith by St. Colombe were called Britain Picts And Eastwards Northwards and beyond the Tay which made the ancient Kingdom of the Scots besides abundance of Isles dispersed in its Northern and Western Seas the chief of which shall be treated of Its Counties The Counties comprehended in the South-part are Lothien Merche Teifidale or Tivedale Eskdale Euskdale Liddesdule Annadale Nydthesdale Galloway Carrickt Kyle Cunningham Cludesdale Lennox Striveling Menteith Fife Stratherne Argile Lorne Cantyre and Arran And these in the North part are Albany or Badalbin Paerch Athol Anguis Mernis Buquihan Marr Muray Loquabrea Ross Sutherland Strathnaverne and Cathanes And of these in order It s name and fertility The County of Lothien in former times by the Picts called Pictland shooteth it self forth from Merche unto the Sea a Country very Hilly and but thinly clothed with Wood but for the fertility of its Earth and the civility of its Inhabitants is deservedly esteemed the flower of all Scotland The chief places are It s chief places Edenburgh or Edenborow of old Castrum Alatum the Metropolis of the Kingdom It s scituation is high in a wholsom Air and rich Soil and by reason of its commodious Haven called Leth-Haven Edenburgh not above a mile distant it is a place of good Trade and well resorted unto by Shipping This City chiefly consisteth of one Street which runneth about a mile in length which receiveth divers petty Streets and Lanes so that its circuit may be about three miles which is strongly begirt with a Wall and at the west-West-end of the City on the top of a Rock is seated a fair and powerful Castle with many Towers which commands the City and is esteemed in a manner impregnable It belonged once to the English till in Anno 960. the Scots took it from them when oppressed by the Danish Tyranies It is well watered with clear Springs and Fountains is adorned with many fair Edifices as well publick as private the principal amongst which is the Kings Palace a fair Structure and its private Houses are generally fair lofty built of Free-stone and so well inhabited that several Families have their abodes under one Roof It is also dignified with the Courts of Judicature High Courts of Parliament and with an Vniversity And being the Scale of Trade for the Kingdom it will be necessary to give an account of their Coins Weights and Measures As to their Coins Their Coins Weights and Measure note that 13 ½ d. sterling makes a Mark Scotch 6 ¼ d. sterling a Scotch Noble and 20 d. sterling a Scotch Pound Their Weight used in Merchandizes is the Pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make their Quintal or C which is found to make at London 108 l. Averdupois Their Measures for length is the Ell and is about 4 per Cent. greater than the English Ell. Their Liquid Measures are such as in England but of a double content a Pint being an English Quart and so answerable Their Dry Measures are also the same with those of England but also bigger Athelstanford so called from Athelstane a chief Commander of the English Athelstanford which was there slain with most of his Men about the year 815. Haddington seated in a wide and broad Plain a place of good account Haddington and which the English fortified with a deep and large Ditch and other Fortifications Dunbar scituate on the Sea-shoar once defended by a strong Castle Dunbar which was the Seat of the Earls of Merch a place which hath oft-times been taken by the English and as often retaken by the Scots which was the cause of its demolishment since which it is honoured with the Title of an Earldom North-Barwick seated on Edenbrough-Frith North-Barwick a place in former Ages famous for its House of Religious Virgins Not far from this place and near the Shoar Bass-Island lieth a small Isle called Bass-Island which feemeth to be a high craggy Rock and to be almost cut through by the undermining Sea-waves It hath a Fountain of Water and fresh Pastures and above all is remarkable for the exceeding great abundance of those Geese called Scouts and Soland-Geese which here frequent and breed which as I before noted is very profitable to the Inhabitants in these parts Lyth hath a most commodious Haven being the present Port to Edenburgh Lyth Abercorne seated on the Forth or Frith Abercorne in former time of note for its famous Monastery as at present for giving Title of an Earldom unto the Duke of Hamilton Linquo Linquo or Linlithquo said to be the ancient City of Lindum mentioned by Ptolomy a place once beautified with a House of the Kings and a fair Church County of Merch described MERCH a County so called as being a March it is wholly on the German Ocean was of great note for its Earls thereof and hath for its chief places Coldingham Cadingham called by Bede the City Coldana a place of great antiquity and note for its chaft Nuns for it is said that they together with Ebba their Prioress cut off their own Noses and Lips to render themselves deformed that the Danes might not deflour them but this so exasperated them that they not only burnt their Monastery but them therein Not far from Coldingham is Fast-Castle Fast-Castle and here the Sea
the rest and beautified with two Spires or Steeples covered with a painting of Gold and Azure These Mosques by reason of 1000 Lamps which are kept burning are as light by night as by day This City for its good Wine pleafant Fruits gallant People and above all for its pritty Women may compare with the best in all Persia The Ladies here are so fair and pleasant that Mahomet passing through these quarters would not enter this City for fear lest he should lose himself in its delights The Soyl is very good and Mastick is gathered in its Forests The Arms they make here are excellent 2. Astachar was one of the greatest of these quarters as likewise in the time of the Arabian of Nubia The ruines of its Castle Chilminare shew the remains of the ancient Palace that Alexander the Great burned at the solicitation of the Curtisan Thais At the taking of which City Alexander for his share found 120000 Talents of ready money besides the Plate Images of Gold and Silver and Jewels of a vast value But its beauty did surpass it riches having its Royal Palace built on a Hill environed with a treble Wall the first in height sixteen cubits the second 30 and the third 60 All of them of Black polished Marble with stately Battlements on which were 100 Turrets Nor was the outside more stately than the inside which was built with Cyprus Wood and beautified with Gold Silver Ivory Amber and such like 3. Lar or Laar hath been the chief of a Kingdom and giveth name to the Larins Pieces of very good Silver which they coyn 4. Near Stahabonon a pritty Town the Momnaki-Koni that is the precious Momy is drawn out of a Rock but it is onely gathered for the Sophy who carefully keeps it Being a most assured counter-Poyson or Antidote and an excellent Salve against all Cuts or Ruptures even within the body Bezar comes likewise from this quarter 5. Chabonkera 6. Darabegerd and 7. Baesd are on the confines of Fars and Kerman Some esteem them under the Province of Fars others under that of Kerman others make that a particular Province which takes its name from the first of them and which certainly is the greatest and the fairest Darabegerd as I believe is the Valasegerd of the Arab and the ancient Pasagardae there where sometime resided and where was the Tomb of Cyrus who here by this place defeated Astyages the last King of the Medes And 8. Gombrone seated on the Gulph of Persia a fair Town well frequented and where the English Dutch and Portugals keep their Factories for the benefit and support of the Trade this place being now the Scale of Trade for all Persia as was formerly Ormus and Jasques being at present of little use Province of Kherman its Commodities chief places c. The Province of KHERMAN of old Caramania is one of the greatest but not one of the best of Persia yet they send forth several Commodities as Steel Tarquesses Rose-water Tutty Bourbatan Hebe or Kilworm of which they make the Confection Alkermes Sarmack which are black and shining Stones which cures sore eyes and paints black Carpets the best in Persia after those of Yesed those of Chorazan hold the third degree Arms which the Turks buy at any rates and Scimitars which will cut a Head-peece without blunting the edge The Country is somewhat uneven and Mountainous which causeth barrenness but the Vallies are very fertil and delightful every where adorned with Flowers and especially Roses of which they make a great Revenue Amongst its Cities which are many 1. Cherman which communicates its name to the Province makes a great quantity of Cloth of Gold and Silver As also those Scimitars aforementioned 2. Zirgian 3. Nahyan and others are likewise in some reputation but the Coast of Ormus is of great esteem after it Mochestan The Isle and City of Ormus with its Trade and Commodities 4. The City of Ormus is seated in an Isle at the Mouth of the Gulph of Persia being in compass about 20 miles the City well built and strongly fortified seated at one end of the Isle being in compass about two miles adorned with a fair Market place and some Churches famous throughout the World for the great Trade there negotiated but of itself exceeding barren and only composed of Salt Rocks of which their Houses and Walls are made and in the Summer is found so excessive hot that the Inhabitants are forced to ly and sleep in Wooden Cisterns made for the purpose and filled with Water where both the Men and Women ly naked up to their Chins In this Island there is no fresh Water but what they fetch from other places there adjoyning which they keep in Cisterns from whence they likewise get other Provision for their Food being seated not above 12 miles from the Continent The Commodities that are here found are the rich Gems and Spices of India The Tapistries Carpets c. of Persia the Grograms Mohairs and Chamblets of Turky the Drugs of Arabia c. The People hereof in their Religion The People of Ormus in their persons and habit have something of the Arabians in them but more of the Persians 5. Mochestan is the ordinary residence of the Kings of Ormus because it is cool its Waters excellent to drink and its Land fruitful in Corn and Fruits which is not found in the Island 6. Guadell and 7. Patanis are the most famous Ports of the Coast Province of Sablestan The Province of SABLESTAN inclosed with Mountains between Chorazan and Khermon it answers to Caramania Deserta yet it hath many Cities and inhabited places amongst others Zarany towards Khermon 2. Bost 3. Nechesaet and 4. Gisna-Cassaby towards Chorazan Some place here Balasan from whence come the Balais Rubies Province of Sigistan Sistan Candahar and Mackeran The Province of SIGISTAN SISTAN or SAGESTAN PATANES CANDAHAR and MACKERAN are the most Easterly Provinces of all Persia and nearest the mouth of the Indus Sistan is the chief City of Sigistan Mackeran of Mackeran which is seated on the Sea and also Basir which seems to keep its ancient name Parsis The River Ilmenel waters all these Provinces and falls into the Indian Ocean not far from the Gulph of Indin Also Grees is the chief of Patanes and Candahar of Candahar The Neighbors of the Persians These are the Estates of the Persians and we are to observe that his principal neighbours are the Turks on the West the Tartars on the North the Mogols on the East and the Portugals on the South in and about the Gulf of Ormus These last cannot deprive him of any great part their design being only to maintain their commerce in the Indies yet they cease not to perplex him on the Sea and have divers times taken and retaken Ormus from him The Mogols the Tartars and the Turks are troublesom neighbours unto him and oft times his Enemies because they are powerful and
yielding the tenth part of what the others do so great difference is there in being at the foot and on the East of a Mountain These 5 Cassilifs answer to the higher Egypt or the Thebais of the Ancients in which are a great many Cities Walled Towns and Villages as are generally found throughout all Egypt as anon I shall have occasion to treat of Those Cassilifs of Fium and Giza with the Territory of Cairo to the middle The Cassilifs of Fium and Giza have very good Earth and which is easily watred by the Nile it yields store of Grain Fruits as Raisins c. Flax Milk feeds many Cattle c. but the Cassilif or Governour of the last hath not a free sword that is hath not power of life and death as he pleases as the others have being out of the course of the Arabs and too near Cairo of which a word or two City of Cairo described This City of CAIRO hath for a long time been all the Ornament of Egypt It was the Residence of the Sultans is now of the Bassa some make it very great others much less the first compose it of 4 parts to witt Old Cairo New Cairo Boulac and Charafat there being some void places between each they say that these 4 parts together with their Suburbs may be about 10 or 12 Leagues long and 7 or 8 broad nor give they it less then 25 or 30 Leagues Circuit They count 16 or 18000 Streets 6000 Mosques and if the particular Oratories be comprised above 20000 as also they account about 200000 Houses among which are divers Bazars or Markets Canes or Magazines of certain Merchandizes many Hospitals and magnificent structures The Castle is great strong and well fortified scituate on the top of a Rock which overlooks the City and discovers the Plain on all sides even to the loss of sight The buildings paintings and other Ornaments which yet remain do testify the magnificence of the Soldans This Castle as Heylin noteth for largeness Walls and divided into many Courts in which were stately buildings but now hath lost much of its glory being in part destroyed by Selimus that which now remains serveth for the Court or habitation of the Bassa In and about this City are abundance of delicate Orchards which are places of great delight in which are excellent Fruits Walks c. and nigh to this City there is a pleasant Lake which is much frequented by the Inhabitants who for their recreation pass some time daily on this Lake in boates for their further mutual society and seeing their friends and acquaintance Coesar Lambert his description of Cairo Coesar Lambert of Marsillia in his relations of the year 1627 28 29 and 32 saith that Cairo separated from the other Cities and Towns is not so great as Paris and if an eye witness of both may be believed he speaks truth and takes for witnesses some eminent French Gentlemen then at Cairo who confesses that joyning it to the Cities and Boroughs adjacent it may with reason be called Grand Cairo but however he maintains this to be but almost the shadow of Cairo as it was 100 and odd years since so much is the trade diminished and that according to the report of the people of the Country He saith likewise that the Castle hath been much greater and more magnificent then it is at present and observes several footsteps or proud buildings now of no use and after all saith that this is not strong Sandys his description of Cairo Sandys in his book of Tavels among other remarkable things makes this description of it saying that this great City called Grand Cairo is inhabited by Moors Turks Negroes Jews Copties Greeks and Armenians who are observed to be the poorest and yet the most laborious the civillest and honestest of all others they are not subject to the Turk neither do they pay him any Tribute of Children as other Christians do and it they happen to be taken in Wars they are freed from bondage and this priviledge they gained by a certain Armenian that foretold the greatness and glory of Mahomet Here he saith they hatch Eggs by artificial heat and that in exceeding great numbers which they do in this manner In a narrow entry on each side are 2 rows of Ovens one over the other On the floors of the lower they lay Flax over those Mats and upon them Eggs. The floors of the upper Oven are as roofs to the under being grated over like kilns onely having tunnels in the middle which have covers over them These gratings are covered with mats and on them they lay dry and pulverated dung of Camels c. three or four inches thick at the farther and higher sides of these upper Ovens are trenches of Lome which are about a handful deep and two handfuls broad The hatching of Chicken and in these they burn the aforesaid dung which yieldeth a gentle heat without any fire under the mouths of the upper Ovens are conveyances for the smoak having round roofs with vents at the top to open and shut and thus ly the Eggs in the lower Ovens for the space of eight daies turning them daily and looking that the heat be gentle and moderate then they put out the fire and put the one half into the upper Ovens then they shut all close and let them alone ten daies longer at which time they become hatched Sir Henry Blunt his description of this City Cairo I shall conclude my description of this City with some observations which Sir Henry Blunt hath observed during his abode there first he saith that there are Mosques and Oratories to the number of thirty five thousand some of which are very stately and magnificent next he saith there is twenty four thousand noted Streets besides by-Streets and Lanes and some of these Streets are about two miles in length and to all these Streets at each end there is a Door which every night is lockt up and kept guarded by which means tumults robberies fire or the like is prevented and without the City to hinder the Incursions of the Arabs from abroad there doth also watch every night four Saniacks with each of them one thousand horsemen the number of men that do every night guard this City is twenty eight thousand This City is built he saith after the Egyptian manner high and of large rough stones with part of Brick the Streets are but narrow but as the Houses decay they are rebuilt after the Turkish manner mean low and made of Mud and Timber yet their Palaces are stately with spacious Courts wherein are fair Trees to keep them from the heat of the Sun also other Courts belonging to their Palaces adjoyning to curious Gardens wherein are variety of excellent fruits and watred with Fountains nor want they any state in their Edifices which are vast lofty and very magnificent This City notwithstanding its greatness he saith is so exceeding populous
that the people pass to and fro as it were in throngs near to this City are Josephs 7 Granaries now brought to ruines yet 4 of them are so repaired as they are made use of to keep the publick Corn. On the South end of this City he saith there yet remaineth a round Tower wherein Pharaohs daughter lived when she found Moses in the River which runs hard by it South West of Grand Cairo on the other side of the Nile about four Leagues distance stands the three oldest and greatest Pyramides the Jews affirming them to be built by Pharaoh who was drowned in the Red Sea the fairest for himself the next for his Wife and the least for his only Daughter The greatest of the three and chief of the Worlds Seven Wonders is made in form Quardangular lessening by equal degrees the Basis of every Square is 300 paces in length and so lessening by degrees ascending by 250 steps each being about 3 feet high the Stones are all of a bigness and hewed four square And in this as also in the others there are several Rooms There are also about 16 or 18 other Pyramides but of less note and not so ancient as these 3 aforesaid are which I shall pass by Nigh to this City in the Plain is the place where they did inter their dead in which they used such art that the bodies of their dead remain to this day perfect sound and these we call Mummies The places where these bodies ly are about ten fathom under ground in Vaults either in the Sand or upon an open stone The Earth is full of dry Sand wherein moisture never comes which together with their art of Embalming them doth thus preserve the bodies for some thousand years past In the brest of these Mummies is set a small Idol some of one shape some of another with Hieroglyphicks on the back side of them This City of Grand Cairo was formerly of a very great Trade but that which hath now ruined it as likewise that of Alexandria is the discovery of the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope by which the English Portugals and Hollanders at present go to these Indies and bring into the West all those Drugs Spices Precious Stones Pearls and a thousand other Commodities which came before by Aleppo or by Egypt but passing by Cairo let us come to the other Cassilifs The Cassilifs in the lower Egypt In the lower Egypt are those of Garbia Menufia and Callioubech within the Delta and between the Branches of the Nile That of Mansaura without and Eastward towards the Holy Land and Arabia Likewise without and Westward of the Nile is the Cassilif of Bonhera or Baera which stretches it self from the Nile unto the Cape of Bonandrea This last Cassilif is almost quite out of Egypt though within its Government and the length of its Sea Coast not less then that of all Egypt along the Nile But that which is distant from the Nile is subject to the Arabs and very Desart that which is near it is better worth It s Governor is obliged to Mannel a Callech or Channel of 100000 paces in length to carry water from the Nile to Alexandria and when a new Bassa arrives in Egypt this Governor hath likewise to furnish him with Horses and Camels for himself his Train and Baggage and to defray his charges from Alexandria unto Cairo But since the Wars with the Venetians the Bassa's have generally come round by Land and not adventured by Sea to Alexandria Among the Desarts of this Cassilif those of St. Macaire have had 360 and odd Monasteries And here is likewise to be seen a Lake of Mineral Water which converts into Nitre the Wood Bones or Stones that are thrown into it The Cassilifs of Callioubech Menousia and Garbia being between the Branches of the Nile and out of the course of the Arabs ought to be esteemed the best in Egypt and particularly the last which yields more abundantly Sugar Rice Milk Grains Oyl Flax Herbs Honey Fruits c. And Maala one of its principal Cities which they call the Little Medina is a place of great devotion with them where they hold yearly a famous Fair which the Governor opens with great pomp observing many Ceremonies The Cassilif of Mansoura doth produce the same Commodities but not in so great a quantity though of a greater extent then Garbia but more over it yields Cassia These four or five Cassilifs take up the whole Coast of Egypt and of its Government and on this Coast are the Cities of Alexandria Rosetto Damiata and some others The City of Alexandria Alexandria among the Turks Scanderia was built by the command of Alexander the Great and by him peopled with Greeks immediately after the conquest of Egypt and the Moddel traced by the Architect Dinocrates who for want of other matter made use of Wheat-flower to mark out the circuit which was taken for a good Augury It was afterwards beautified by many but especially by Pompey It is scituated Westward of the Delta over against the Isle of Pharos and built upon a Promontory thrusting it self into the Sea with which on the one side and on the other the Lake Mareotis It is a place of good defence its circuit is about 12000 paces adorned with many stately Edifices among which the most famous was the Serapium or the Temple of their god Serapis Which for curious workmanship and the stateliness of the Building was inferior to none but the Roman Capitol then the Library erected by Ptolomy Philadelphus in which there were 200000 Volums which Demetrius promised to augment with 300000 more And this in the War against Julius Caesar was unfortunately burnt And this is that Philadelphus who caused the Bible to be translated into Greek by the 72 Interpreters which were sent him by the High Priest Eleazar In this City in Anno 180 Gantenus read Divinity and Philosophy who as it is thought was the first institutor of Vniversities This City hath been enriched with 400 high and strong Forts and Towers and the Ptolomies or Kings of Egypt having made here their residence after the death of Alexander the Great and caused many stately and magnificent Palaces to be built Under the Houses are Gisterns sustained with Pillars of Marble as also Pavements for their refreshment being their Summer habitation their ancient custom by reason of the heat being to build their Houses as much under ground as above the upper part serving for their Winter habitation It was their custom also to erect great Pillars of Marble or Porphyry among others that of Pompey which stands upon a four square Rocky Foundation without the Walls on the South side of the City It is round and of one intire piece of Marble and of an incredible bigness being above One hundred foot high not far from the place where he was slain in a Boat at Sea and where his ashes were laid In this City are also two
with the Mono-Motapa of which he seems once to have been a part is in peace with the King of Zanguebar that he may have commerce to the Sea for he hath much Gold Silver Ivory and the same Commodities as Mono-Motapa but its People are more barbarous and brutish The chief places in the Mono-Emugi are Agag Astagoa Leuma Camur Beif Bagametro and Zembre seated on the bottom of the Lake Zaire CAFRERIA or the Land of CAFRES The Land of Cafreria described CAFRERIA or the Land of CAFRES makes the most Southern Coast of all Aethiopia winding like a Semicircle about the Cape of Good Hope some begin it from Cape Negro and continue it unto the River of Cuama this separating it from Zanguebar and the other from Congo or what we have esteemed with Congo Others begin it and end it with the Tropick of Capricorn as well on this side as beyond the Cape of Good Hope I esteem under the name of Cafres all the Coasts which environ the Mono-Motapa both towards the West South and East so that we may call these Cafres Occidental Meridional and Oriental This distinction being taken in regard of the natural scituation in which these People are from the Mono-Motapa or we may chuse rather to consider them in Occidental or Oriental as we have already done the Cape of Good Hope then keeping the one from the other It hath formerly been believed that these People had neither Kings Law nor Faith and therefore were called Cafres that is without Law But it hath since been known that they have divers Kings and Lords as those of Mataman where there are divers Metals Chrystal c. And of Melemba among the Occidentals those of Chicanga Sedanda Quiteva and Zefala among the Orientals and others we know not towards the South and Cape of Good Hope On the Coast of Cafres are these places and Isles viz. St. Nicolai Piscarius the Port of Carascalis the Cape of Good Hope St. Martins Bay and the Cape of St. Lucia Also these Isles 4 bearing the name of St. Lucia 2 of St. Christophers 5 of Crucis and 3 of Aride Many of which as likewise the Capes are well known by Sea-men especially the Cape of Good Hope All these Coasts of Cafreria are bounded within Land by a Chain of Mountains formed by the Mountains of the Moon and which inclose Mono-Motapa That part of these Mountains which advance towards the Cape of Good Hope are called by the Portugals The Cape of Good Hope Picos Fragos that is Watry Points or Rocks This Cape is the most remarkable piece in Cafreria the most Southern point of Africa and of our Continent and the most famous Promontory of the whole World Vasco de Gama knew it in 1498 and after having doubled it found the way by the East-Indies to the Great Sea and from hence the Portugals boast to have been the first that had the knowledge of this Cape But we have made appear in the general discourse of Africa that the Ancients have both known and spoke of it Near the Cape of Good Hope and farther towards the South is the Cape of Needles which should be more famous since it is more Southernly than the other by 12 or 15 Leagues But the name Cape of Good Hope is given to all that Head of Land which is the most Southern of Africa The Air Fertility Commodities c. of the Country The Air of this Country is sometimes temperate and sometimes cold by reason of the Mountains which are covered with Snow and Ice from whence descends quantity of cold Waters The Vallies and Lower Countries pleasant and fertil hath store of Woods and Forests in which are abundance of Beasts and Fowls as Deer Antilopes Baboons Foxes Hares c. Also Ostriches Herons Pelicans Pheasants Partridges Geese Ducks c. They are well supplied with good Water feed much Cattle which they truck with Strangers for Knives Scizzars Spoons and divers Toys they have likewise much Fish in their Rivers The People and their Trade The Inhabitants are Black have thick Lips flat Noses long Ears and in a word very ill-shapen They are more barbarous and brutish than the rest of Africa they are Man-eaters their chief ornaments in their Apparel are Chains of Iron Brass Beads Bells or the like and cutting and slashing their Skins in several shapes Clothing they have none only in the Cold season they wrap themselves about with Skins of Beasts Towns they have none or very few for the most part living in the Woods and Forests like brute Beasts But the Cafres on the East are much more civil than the others most of them have made a part and are yet subject to the Mono-Motapa who about 50 years ago divided his Estate into four parts giving to his eldest Son what is within Land and by much the greatest part and to his three younger Sons Zuiteva Sedanda and Chicanga towards the Sea-Coast for their Portions Cefala or Zefala seems to make its piece apart whose King pays Tribute both to the Mono-Motapa and the Portugals and these have divers Fortresses on the Coast Sena Tete Cuama c. Zefala is so abundant in Gold and Elephants that some take it for the Ophir whither Solomon sent his Fleet every three years And they give for a reason that the Gold Ivory Apes c. which that Fleet brought are here found in abundance That this Fleet parting from the Red Sea there is no likelyhood it should go to Peru which some take for this Ophir besides that there is there neither Ivory nor Apes but that it was rather to some part of Asia or Africa They add that there remains not far from Zefala some footsteps of ancient Buildings and Inscriptions left there by Strangers long time ago Nay likewise that there is some notes and Books how Solomon sent thither his Fleet. Moreover the Septuagint translate Sophira instead of Ophir and the name of Sophira is not overmuch different from Sopholo However it be there is here store of Gold both in the Mountains and Rivers and often very clean and pure as well in Powder as Sand and this Gold is esteemed the best and finest in Africa ours seeming but Brass in comparison of it The Country is healthful and pleasant seated only on the Coast the Mono-Motapa confining it within Land A part of its now Inhabitants are not the Natives but descended from that Coast which belonged to the Mono-Motapa The Natives as I said before are Black and Idolaters or Cafres the others very swarthy and for the most part Mahometans They have a great Trade on this Coast for their Gold two or three Millions being yearly brought hence and that for Toys and things of a very small value which are carried them from divers parts of Asia and Europe and some parts of Africa The ISLES of AFRICA as they lie and are found In the Mediterranean Sea And on the Coast of BARBARY as the ISLES of
West and advancing a little towards the South So that St. Anthony and Brava make the two Ends or Points towards the West Bona Vista makes the middle of the half Circle towards the East SANCTA LVCIA St. Nicholas St. NICHOLAS and St. JAGO are the greatest having each 100 or 120000 paces of length 15 20 or 30000 of breadth and 200 or 250000 paces of circuit St. Anthonio and St. Vincent are less by more then half and not of above 100000 paces in circuit the rest which are the least have not above 30 40 or 50000 paces I make no account of seven or eight others whose names have not been given us and which are rather Rocks than Isles St. JAGO is the greatest and the chief of all having a Bishops seat in the City of the same name St. Jago besides which are Ribera Grande with a good Port towards the West Praya towards the East St. Mary towards the North all with their Ports Some place likewise St. Thomas whose Port is dangerous others St. Domingo others St. Michael possibly these fall under some of the others Ribera Grande hath 500 Houses the Air is unhealthful the Land hilly but the Valleys fruitful in Grains Vines Fruits Sugar Canes Millons c. Feeding much Fowl and Cattle and particularly Goats in abundance These Beasts bringing forth young every four Moneths and three of four at a time and the Kids are very fat and delicate Sancta Lucia St. Vincent St. Anthony SANCTA LVCIA is the best peopled after that of St. Jago St. Nicholas St. Vincent and St. Anthony have been esteemed Desert yet they appear to have many Inhabitants though not so many as they could feed The Ships of the Vnited Provinces passing here in 1622. found in that of St Anthony 500 persons Men Women and Children all Aethiopians St. Vincent and St. Nicholas had no less At Mayo these Aethiopians are strong and of good stature but it is to be believed that every where are some Portugals to keep the rest in aw Salt Bona Vista The Isles of SALT of BONA VISTA of MAYO and of St. JAGO yield so great quantity of Salt which is made naturally of the Water which the Sea from time to time leaves that besides what they consume in the Countrey they laded every year more then 100 Ships which is transported into other Countreys and yet there remains six times as much which becomes useless It is reported that the Isle of Mayo could make alone lading for two thousand Sail of Ships yearly and the others not much less The other riches of the Countrey lies in the Skins of their Goats which are in so great quantity through all these Isles that many flocks are seen of 1000 Head The Skins are sent to Brasil Portugal and other places and make excellent Cordovants The Flesh is salted in the Countrey and sold to Ships going and returning from Brasil to the Indies Besides the Salt and Woats which are the principal riches of the Countrey they have many Wild Horses Oxen Apes c. also Cotton whereof they make several Manufactures Also Rice and many sorts of Grains Among their Fowl they have one kind particular to them which they call Flamencos the Feathers of their Bodies are all White and those of their Wings Red as Blood Their Tortoises are not above two or three foot long they come out of the Sea and lay their Eggs in the night covering them with Sand and the heat of the Sun hatches them Fuego Brava In Fuego and Brava they gather Wines which yield little to those of the Canaries The Sargasso Sea Between the Islands of Cape Verde and the main Land inclining towards the Canaries the Sea is called Sargasso because from the 20 to the 24 degree and for the length of 30 40 or 50 Leagues the Sea is covered with an herb like to that which is found in the bottom of Wells and which the Portugals call Sargasso This Herb except that it is more Yellow resembles Sea-Parsley bearing certain Grains or Fruit at the end but of neither taste nor substance Many have been much troubled to know from whence these Weeds come which are distant from the Isles and from the firm Land more then 60 Leagues and in a part of the Sea where there is no bottom found Nevertheless they are so close and in so great quantity that the Water seems rather a Meadow or Green Field then a Sea Ships which fall among these Weeds had need of a good Wind to disingage themselves and I believe it was these which hindred Sataspes from finishing his course about Africa and were the cause of his misfortune This Sataspes Son of Teaspes one of the Achemenides A story of Sataspes having ravished the Daughter of Zopyrus the Son of Magabises was condemned by Xerxes to be crucified His Mother the Sister of Darius caused this punishment to be changed into another to wit he was caused to make the Circumnavigation of Africa which could not be done without great difficulty and hazard He embarked in Egypt passed the Pillars of Hercules entred into the Occidental Ocean and passed far to the South along Africa but knowing that it would yet require much time and pains to end this course he returned into Egypt and thence to the Court where he said he had met with somewhat that hindred his Ship from passing farther Xerxes took him for a liar and made him suffer the death he was before condemned to But to continue The Isles of Cape Verde The Position wherein the Isles of Cape Verde are now found answers much better to the Position of the Fortunate Isles of Ptolomy then that of the Canaries Ptolomy places his Fortunate Isles between the 10 and 16 degree of Latitude the Isles of Cape Verde are between the 13 and 19 the Canaries beyond the 26. The Meridian of the Fortunate Isles of Ptolomy is at 8 degrees of Longitude from the Coast of Africa and towards the West The least Meridian of the Isles of Cape Verde is at 8 degrees of Longitude from the same Coast and towards the same side The least Meridian of the Canaries touches the Coast of Africa Ptolomy confines his Fortunate Isles under one Meridian and extends them from South to North between the tenth to the sixteenth parallel or degrees of Latitude which are five degrees of Latitude The Isles of Cape Verde are not justly under one Meridian but under two or three and extend themselves from the 13 ½ to the 19 which are five degrees of Latitude The Canaries on the contrary are all couched from West to East and almost under the same parallel or degree of Latitude which is the 27 lengthning themselves from the first to the 6 of Longitude These four Reasons are very strong to prove that the Isles of Cape Verde do rather answer to the Fortunate Isles of Ptolomy then the Canaries Their distance in regard of the Aequator is