any Man in the worst Condition needs to fear But the Misery of it is we are governed in all Things by Opinion and every Thing is to us as we think it to be The same Great Man tells us of one Apicius who poison'd himself for fear of starving when he had Two Hundred and Fifty Piasters in his Coffers And another more Modern Philosopher relates That a rich Man an Acquaintance of his falling mad snatcht up a Straw and complained he must perish with Hunger for he saw there was no Grain in the Empty Husks It 's said of the Emperor Galba That he was wont to weep when he saw his Table better covered than ordinary And I have read of a certain Christian Mufti who was so wretchedly covetous that he would steal privately into the Great Mosque of Rome and put out the Lamps there to save Charges But methinks I hear thee murmuring me an Answer That this was never thy Humour and these Citations make little Impression on a Man that has had his House and Goods burnt and narrowly escaped in his own Person Shall I tell thee then what hap'ned lately in these Parts which will perhaps make thee more contented and thankful for thy Life seeing what was these poor Peoples Lot might have been thine Certain considerable Merchants coming to this Town and Lodging at an Inn not far from my Quarters the House being full of Guests they were forced to be content with an upper Room where entertaining one another with pleasant Discourse to pass away the Time till Supper on a sudden the Kitchin was all in a Flame unfortunately encreased with combustible Matter lying near the Chimney Some say there was great Quantity of Oil and Gun-Powder an odd Store-House to lay such Commodities in However the Fire appeared so suddenly and violently that in a Moment all the Floor under them was seiz'd with it These Gentlemen who were Two Stories high in a Chamber towards the Street as soon as they heard the Cry of Fire began to make towards their Trunks and Port-mantles which were lock'd up in a large Coffer the Key of which hung at their Hostess's Girdle They were for going down to fetch it but the Fire had in a Manner consum'd all beneath them Whilst they were busied in trying to break open the Coffer and to take out every Man his own their Chamber became instantly so full of Smoak as was like to Choak them They could neither save themselves by going up or down the House being all over in a Flame Moreover their Neighbours seeing their own Houses in Danger were so concerned for themselves that they had no time to Pity Others So that few People attempted to succour these poor Gentlemen who on their side endeavoured with great Pieces of Wood to force a Passage but the Walls and Windows were too Strong to give Way to their Efforts being secur'd with thick Iron Barrs fastned in the Stones In this lamentable Condition having this inexorable Flame before their Eyes which had already seized on the Chamber tearing the Hair off their Heads and stamping on the Ground they sent forth such dreadful Skrieks as moved all that heard them to extream Compassion They threw their Gold and Silver into the Streets in vain crying for Help the Fire being so encreas'd that before the People could bring Ladders and other Instruments to break a Way into the Chamber these poor Wretches miserably perished in the Flames Thank God thou hast still thy Life and Senses Turn these last the Right Way and thou wilt find thou hast lost Nothing Paris 21st of the 12th Moon of the Year 1644. LETTER XXVI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire THE Spaniards are the Proudest People in the World They strut like Cranes as they go along the Streets and Walk by Rules of Geometry Here are many of them in this City since the Revolt of Catalonia and Roussilion The French accuse them of Uncomplaisance and ill Manners in that they will not change their Habit or Gate in a Country so averse from Formality They are extremely addicted to Rhodomontado's as thou wilt easily guess by this which follows Lewis XIII asking a Spanish Officer who was a Prisoner of War Why the Kings of Spain went not in Person to the Wars as the Kings of France He Answer'd If the King my Master should lead his own Army into the Field the whole Earth would tremble under him Another being ask'd Why the Spanish King in his Style boasted That the Sun was his Helmet replyed Because that Luminary never sets on all my Master's Territories But the French-man wittily retorted He will neither set nor rise on any of your Master's Dominions e'er long if the Great Lewis goes on with his Conquests Indeed to pass from Jest to Earnest this Victorious King continually pares away some Part or other of the Spanish Monarchy I have acquainted the Ministers of the Divan with the most important Passages of this War except the taking of Graveling which I did not then think so considerable a Place as I am since inform'd it is 'T is a Sea-Town lying on the Northern Shore of France and commanding the Narrow Seas between the Continent and England Some say that it is one of the strongest Towns in Europe The French King by the Conquest of this Place is in a condition to give the Law by Sea to all the Northern Nations The Great God who protects the Ottoman Empire set Limits to the Conquests of this Christian King and so continue the Wars of these Infidel Princes that neither any One of them may be in a Condition nor All of them together be agreed to make Head against the Arms of our Invincible Sultan Paris 17th of the 1st Moon of the Year 1645. LETTER XXVII To Dicheu Hussein Bassa THOU hast already in the Divan heard of the present Convulsions of the English State I communicated to the Vizir Azem what Intelligences I had received of the Troubles of that Kingdom Besides the Imperial City is full of Strangers of all Nations who maintain Correspondences with their several respective Countries Whence it comes to pass That whatsoever is done in the most remote Corners of the Earth is soon known to the Ministers of the Sublime Port which is the Sanctuary of the Whole World But I shall gratifie thee in unveiling the Interiour of those Events which have made such a Noise Thou art naturally curious in thy Researches and I shall present thee with some additional Remarks which I have made on the English Affairs since I wrote to the Supreme Minister on that Subject I acquainted him that the late Cardinal Richlieu had a hand in Embroiling that Island as he had in exciting the Tumults of Catalonia and promoting the Revolution of Portugal The part which he acted was by Proxy He had his Agents there to blow up into a Flame the Sparks which lay smothering in the Breasts of that Discontented
their vilest Excrements They spare for no Cost to adorn their Churches and their Altars are enriched with invaluable Treasures of Silver Gold and Precious Stones and yet after all they must become the Receptacles of the Dung of Sordid Animals These wicked Wretches also walk up and down in these Sacred Places talking of their Common Affairs as though they were on the Exchange or in the Market-Place But that which is to be had in greatest Abomination is that it is common for Men to make Love to the Women in Churches They present themselves before the Altars but the Saint whom they Invocate is some beautiful Female She engrosses all their Devotions to her they make their Vows The amorous Youth adores his Mistress that kneels by him laden perhaps with more Sins than himself His Eyes may be fixed on the Altar or on the Pictures and Images but his Tongue Addresses to the more Charming Idol near him Or if his Eyes are attentive on his Prayer-Book he teaches it to speak nothing but the soft and effeminate Things of Love Thus Assignations of Lust are made in the House of Prayer and the Affairs of Cupid managed under the Masque of Religion They Fight the Battels of Venus under the Banner of their God I tell thee Venerable Interpreter of the Divine Law that the Sight of these Things has sometimes enflamed my Zeal to that Height as had it not been for an earnest Desire to do some extraordinary Service to the Grand Signior which obliged me to take Care of my self I should certainly have transfixt these prophane Mockers of God on the Spot and Sacrificed them to a Zeal which thou who art Piety it self wouldst not I believe reprehend I fold my Arms most Venerable Sovereign of Religion and wrapping my self in profound Humily I fall prostrate to the Earth begging thy effectual Blessing and Intercession that I may be admitted into the Number of the Happy in Paradise Paris 26th of the 9th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XXIV To the Vizir Azem Prime Director of the Affairs of the Ottoman Empire THE Notices I have of the Present State of England in Compliance with thy Commands are not gained without some Difficulty It is not easie for a Man that sits in his Chamber in Paris to pry into the Cabinets of Foreign Courts Yet I will communicate to thee some Intelligences which thou couldst not learn from the English Embassador at the Port nor from all the Travellours of that Nation residing at Constantinople Smyrna and Aleppo There is a Jew whom they call De Lopez a Confident and Emissary of Cardinal Richlieu whom he employs both at Home and Abroad in several private Negotiations and Intrigues I have insinuated into this Man's Familiarity and if I may so express it I have Riveted my self into his Heart He treats me with an Assurance void of Jealousie and there is no Folding or Angle in his Breast which I do not easily penetrate I make use of him as an Optick through which I peep into the Cardinal's Secrets and as a Mirrour in which I behold the true Face of many disguised Affairs transacted in the remotest Corners of Europe there being hardly any thing of moment done in the Courts of Christian Princes wherein the Cardinal has not a Finger He seems to be the Genius or Soul of Christendom communicating Motion Activity and Heat to all the Grand Intrigues now on Foot in these Western Parts of the World The Commotions of England seem to be a complicated Distemper of the State arising from several Causes drawn to a Head by the dextrous Artifice of this Busie Spirit The Present King of that Island came to the Crown with no small Disadvantages his Father having Exhausted the Treasury and left him deeply in Debt he had no small Number of the Blood-Royal to maintain which kind of Charges thou knowest our Glorious Sultans though they be Masters of infinite Riches endeavour to avoid by Marrying their Daughters and Nieces whilst yet Infants to some of the most Potent and Wealthy Bassa's that so their Port may be kept up without burdening the Royal Coffers But the Infidel Princes are wanting in this frugal Providence In the Reign of King James this King's Father England lay at Ease slumbring in the Downy Bed of Peace she wallowed in Pleasures and had no other Unhappiness but in being too Happy Her Affluence and Idleness affected the State with a Plethory The Publick Health cannot be long conserved without the moderate Exercise of War Charles after the Death of the Old King being Established in the Throne committed the Affairs of State to the Management of his Ministers never examining his Treasury nor calling to an Account his Officers but Indulged himself in the Pleasures most agreeable to his Youthful Genius He hunted in the Forests whilst the Grandees whom he entrusted with his Revenues and the Publick Conduct had another Game to pursue post-poning their Master's Interest and 〈◊〉 of the Nation to their own private Avarice The Favourite Minister held a secret Correspondence with Cardinal Richlieu and by this means the Court was filled with French Pensioners countenanced also by the Authority of the Queen who was the Daughter of France It had been before agreed in the Articles of the Marriage that the Queen of England should have a prefixed Number of French Servants But they not content with their Domestick Employments and Attendance on her Person sought the Management of that Estate which King Charles had setled on her as a Dowry This would by no means agree with the Constitutions of the English That Island is a Little World by it self and the Inhabitants boast of an Original Freedom of Birth which is not so much as dreamt of in all the Dominions of our Invincible Sultans Though the English have several Times been Invaded and Subdued by the Saxons Danes and French yet it has been rather by Composition than Extremity of War Or if it may be called a Conquest the Victors have been forced to yield to the Vanquished in assuring them their Ancient Laws Privileges and Customs There is no Nation in the World more jealous of this their pretended Birthright And therefore to avoid all Occasions of giving Offence to the Nobles and Gentry the King perceiving the insolent Demands and Carriage of the French Courtiers commanded them all save a few Creatures of the Favourite Duke to depart the Kingdom This much disgusted the Queen and Cardinal Richlieu was glad of the Opportunity to incense the King of France Lewis was netled at the Affront offered to his Sister Yet by the Dexterity of the Mareschal Bassompierre his Embassador at the English Court Things were in a way of Accommodation when all was quash'd by the Seizure which the French made of several English Ships and so a War commenced far more fatal in its Consequences to England than to France The King of England rouzed from his Pleasures and Divertisements by the Preparations
of his Potent Neighbour began to look about him and consult the Publick Safety But when he examined his Treasury he found it empty or at least at a very low Ebb. Behold here Supreme Bassa a stroke of Destiny a Concurrence of Causes seeming remote and small in their first Appearance but in their Process uniting and involving that Kingdom in Ruine Charles could not carry on a War with France without asking Aid of the Sovereign Divan which they call the Parliament of that Nation It is a Senate composed of above Seven hundred of the Nobility and Gentry of the Land These have the Power to make Laws raise Taxes and redress the Grievances of the Kingdom It was an ill Season to ask the Assistance of his Subjects who had already conceived an Aversion for the Royal Dignity However a Mighty Fleet was order'd to be Rigg'd and Mann'd out Cardinal Richlieu from afar beheld the approaching Storm and knew not how to divert it from falling on France but by Corrupting the English Favourite De Lopez from whom I received this Intelligence was employed in the Affair he was sent to London which is the Metropolis of England and the Place where the King usually keeps his Court. It was an Expensive Negotiation and cost the Cardinal Forty Thousand Dollars which is equivalent to Three Millions and Two Hundred Thousand of our Aspers With this vast Bribe he Proselyted the Favourite Duke to the Interest of France The English Navy consisted of and Hundred and Fifty Sail having also Twelve Thousand Land-Men on Board It was agreed between them that the English Minister should procure himself to be made Admiral of these Marine Forces His Indulgent Master could deny nothing to the Man whom he had entrusted with the Sway of the Government Now the King of France might sleep at quiet since the English Ships sailed with a French Wind. They landed upon the Island of Ree but their Actions were altogether Theatrical a mere shew of War without any real Execution The English General manifestly omitting the proper Methods and favourable Opportunities of winning that Island His Conduct speaking as if he came there rather to Complement than to Fight These Things made a harsh sound in England and the Nobles resented ill the double-dealing of the Duke of Buckingham so was the English General call'd In fine the bad Success of their Forces the Expences they had been at and the Disgrace they suffered in this War Four and Forty of their Colours being carried to Paris and hung up in the Chief Temple of this City as Trophies of the French Victory incensed the Generality of the English Nation against the King and the Government they began to accuse him in their Cabals of Male-Administration and the Favourite Duke was a while after stabbed by a Ruffian whom the Malecontents had hired to execute their Revenge The Affections of the English appeared every day more and more alienated from the King And Cardinal Richlieu had there his Agents who were not wanting to foment the Publick Discontents and by divers Artifices to draw the Credulous People into Factions The French Pensioners were instructed to deport themselves in a Manner every way offensive to the Nation Black and threatning Clouds seemed to hang over the Court of England exhaled from the ill Blood of the Subjects The Royal Dignity went Retrograde and all Things tended to obscure the Lustre of the Crown Yet there passed some Years before Things came to Extremities and Matters though ripened yet were not brought to an open Rupture till Scotland lanced the Sore This Nation is subject to the Crown of England and makes one Half of the Island of Great Brittain They are a Warlike People patient of Labour accustomed to the Rigour of an Extreme Cold Climate great Travellours Subtle Proud and Inconstant After that which some call Heresie others a Reformation had begun to alienate many Kingdoms and Provinces from the Roman Church the Scots greedy of Novelties and spurred on by the Ambitious Pretexts of one of their Grandees who under the Mask of Religion sought the Crown introduced Innovations into their Church They shook off at once all their Obedience to the Pope and set up such a Form of Religious Discipline as was altogether Antimonarchical and their Preachers ceased not to instill into the Hearts of the People Democratick Principles Thus continued Affairs till King Charles not insensible of these Things and willing to new-Model that Church they took up Arms against him knowing that he would not be able to raise Forces to chastise them without calling a Parliament The Parliament of England was at that time full of Scotish Proselytes Men of Seditious and Turbulent Principles so that the King was like to find but little Favour among them However by the Assistance of some Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen he marches into Scotland at the Head of an Army Not a Blow was struck on either Side but all Differences were composed and hush'd up by a Treaty Yet soon after the Scots entred into England with an Army being underhand invited in by their Partizans in England The King is a Second Time forced to throw himself upon his Parliament for Money but they instead of granting him any fell to examining his past Conduct complaining and desiring a Redress of several Irregularities in his Administration There were those who failed not to put in Execution the Designs and Instructions of Cardinal Richlieu he had his Agents up and down the Kingdom who insinuated Jealousies and Heart-burnings into the Gentry and People of the Land The King was represented every where as a Tyrant and all his Actions were misconstrued Signior Rossetti the Pope's Nuntio at the English Court beside his Instructions from the Roman Pontiff held a strict Intelligence with the Cardinal His Business at this Court was publickly to the Queen who professed an Obedience to the See of Rome but privately he was order'd to Negotiate an Accommodation between the Roman and English Churches Cardinal Richlieu thought to strike two Marks with one Blow that is to embroil the State of England and procure himself the greater Esteem with the Roman Court He appears very Zealous for the Conversion of England and in order to it allows a Considerable Pension to Signior Rossetti Instructing him withal to shew his utmost Dexterity in gaining the Courtiers and Grandees of that Nation to his Side He knew the Genius of the English and that there was nothing so offensive to that Nation as the Papal Power and Religion Wherefore De Lopez was order'd to pay Signior Rossetti vast Sums of Money that so there might be nothing wanting to Proselyte the Courtiers knowing that they would act insolently and disgust the Protestants and so encrease the Publick Aversion for the Regal Authority There was also another Agent at the English Court who was Secretary to Cardinal Barbarini a Man no less Industrious than the other in advancing the Roman Interest He held a
People Those of the Latin Church reflect it as a Judgment on the English Nation that they have never been free from Conspiracies Seditions and Rebellions since the Time they shook off their Obedience to the Roman Mufti which was in the Days of King Henry VIII As if that Revolt in Point of Religion had been the Source of all the following Tumults and Disorders in the State 'T is certain Religion has great Influence on Mens Morals and where a Liberty of innovating is once allow'd it makes continued Progressions Some French Antiquaries say that the English embrac'd the Roman Communion for the Space of Seven Hundred Years and that during so long a Time they never had any Civil Wars but such as were made on the Account of Succession to the Crown But that after they had chang'd their Faith they were always restless still hatching some Alteration in the Government I know not how far these Observations are justifiable Men being generally partial to their own Cause But the present Stirs in that Island seem to owe their Increase if not their Birth to the Latitude which the Subjects take in Matters of Conscience Whilst every Man carves out to himself such a Religion as best pleases him without being accountable to the State or paying any Tribute as is the Practice of the Ottoman Empire Hence it is few Mens Ambition to conform to the Religion of the Prince but every Sect endeavours to perswade both Prince and People to subscribe to their Sentiments and the most potent Party threatens all the Rest with the ill Consequences of War in Case their Tenets be not establish'd Among all the Religions which divide the Inhabitants of that Island there is none for which they have so general an Aversion as that which they call the Roman Catholick though it were once the Establish'd Religion of the Country This is now become the publick Eye-sore and the rest of the Sects though they are at immortal Difference with each other yet all join Heart and Hand to oppose this Common Bugbear The French say That the Protestants are like the English Mastiffs Two of which I remember were presented to Sultan Amurath by the French Ambassador with this Character of them That though when they quarrell'd they would fight with each other to Death yet should a Bear be let loose upon them in the Midst and Heat of their Fury they would soon become Friends and turn the Battel upon their Savage Enemy Such they say is the Humour of the English Sectaries and the Factious have improved it so far as to fasten the Odium of the Vulgar on the King himself by suggesting That he designs to introduce the Roman Religion into that Country whereas according to the Relation of Travellers and knowing Men he is a zealous Protestant This is the Pretence of taking up Arms against him An Artifice by which Rebellion is generally usher'd in whilst the Defence of Religion is made a Cloak for Sacrilege and Treason The Infidels have found out a Way to divide a Man from himself by Metaphysical Niceties a Science wherein the True Believers are happily ignorant They are actually in Arms against their Sovereign yet they declare they fight for him Maintaining their Rebellion by this Sophistry That they fight against his Natural Person to defend his Political as if they could separate one from the other Some thinking Men say 't is well if they do not divorce his Soul from his Body by the Help of these Juggling Distinctions His Viceroy in Ireland has already lost his Head for no other Crime but his Loyalty to his Master who is blam'd for giving Consent to the Execution of so faithful a Minister Yet the Curious pretend to trace the Footsteps of Justice in this Man's Destiny since he fell a Sacrifice to the fame Democratick Principles whereof he had formerly been a zealous Patron having been observed to be once a great Opposer of the Royal Prerogative If this be true it seems as if Nemesis her self had brought him to his Punishment Thou wilt wonder at the Presumption of these People in divesting the King of the Military Power by Sea and Land and assuming it themselves Especially when thou considerest that this is the Essential Prerogative of Sovereignty without which it is but an Empty Title Our Invincible Sultans are possessed of such an uncontroulable Authority as cannot be transferr'd to any Subject or to all the Subjects of so vast an Empire put together but is only communicated at the Imperial Pleasure as Rays from the Sun whose Emanations though they are immense and infinite yet do they not in the least diminish or weaken that Immortal Fountain of Light But the English have not that Veneration for their Prince as is found in the Mussulmans They esteem Him but the Trustee of the Common-Wealth the Creature of the Populace having imbib'd the Principles of Aristotle Cato and other Democratick Philosophers who teach That the Sovereign Power is Originally in the People and but transmitted from them to the Prince by way of Deputation and Credence My Letter to the Prime Vizir will inform thee what the English Parliament is At this Time as I 'm inform'd it consists for the most Part of Men of this Stamp Yet they do not openly profess these Antimonarchick Tenents but under the Mask of Loyalty amuse the credulous Multitude with specious Pretences Of making the King the most Glorious Monarch and his Subjects the Happiest People in the World But 't is thought he will rather confide in his Arms the Justice of his Cause and the Protection of God than suffer himself to be any longer cajol'd by their false Rhetorick He has given them Battel once wherein they say the Victory was in an even Balance and neither Side could claim it The Rebels have put to Death the English Mufti whom they call the Arch-bishop They struck off his Head with an Ax in the open Street on the 10th Day of the 1st Moon of the Year 1644. Before I conclude this Letter I shall relate to Thee a Passage which happen'd in this King's Infancy worthy of Remark In former Ages there were a Sort of Philosophers or Prophets in England whom they call'd Druids and Bards These instructed the People in the Belief of a God the Immortality of the Soul and other Principles of Natural Religion They foretold Things to come and had acquir'd so great a Reputation that the Kings of that Country would undertake no Affair of Moment till they had first consulted these Oracles 'T is said there are yet living some of that Prophetick Race in the Mountains of Scotland One of which a Man of great Sanctity and Wisdom being an Hundred and Twenty Years old came to visit this King's Father at which Time he saw this King being then an Infant in his Nurses Arms whilst his Elder Brother and Heir of the Crown stood by The Old Man after his Complements to the Father takes the Infant
him as to the Story of Sultan Mahomet's being taken Prisoner by the Malteses X. To Dgnet Oglou p. 261 More on the same Subject XI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 263 Of the Wars between the Duke of Parma and the Barbarini's Of the Divisions among the Italian Princes XII To Lubanâ— Abufei Saâ—â— an Aegyptian Kt. p. 268 Of a Finlander at Paâ—is 8 Foot 〈◊〉 Of a Moscovite Wrastler at Constantinople Of â—ultan Amurath's Cruelty Of a Spanish Cavalier that murder'd his Wife his Servants and himself out of Jealousie XIII To the Kaimacham p. 271 Of the Parliament of Paris A Description of Paris and St. Germain en Lay. Of the King's Water-works XIV To the most Illustrious Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 278 He perswades him That it is necessary for the Sultan to abett Prince Ragotski's Quarrel against the German Emperour XV. To Afis Bassa at the Port. p. 279 He discourses of Destiny and Chance tells a Story of a Poor Man strangely enrich'd by finding of Treasures and of the Death of a Soldier in the Duke of Anguien's Army XVI To Nathan Ben Saddi a Jew at Vienna p. 282 He acquaints him That he has learnt to make Watches whereof he has sent some to his Friends at Constantinople Of the German Emperour's Sickness and of Prodigies XVII To Solyman Aga Chief Eunuch of the Women p. 285 He compares one of the Sultan's Adventures to an Accident that happened to one of the Kings of Aegypt XVIII To Dgnet Oglou p. 287 He relates how he had like to have been discover'd by his former Master at Palermo XIX To the Kaimacham p. 290 Of the Pope's Death with some choice Remarks on that Subject Of his Successor XX. To the Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 292 Of the Preparations which the Venetians are making against the Sultan The Speech of a Venetian Senator XXI To Mirza Muhammed Effendi Vicar to the Mufti p. 298 He discourses of Industry and Idleness acquaints him That he has learn'd to make Watches XXII To Halil Omri Bassa p. 301 He treats of the Qualities requisite in a Favourite of Olivarez his Disgrace and Downfal XXIII To Dgnet Oglou p. 306 He acquaints him That he has conquer'd his Passion for Daria and tells him a Story of a Man who lost his Ass XXIV To the Invincible Vizir Azem at the Port. p. 308 He Congratulates his taking on him the Office of Bassa of the Sea Describes the Arsenal of Venice with other Remarks on that City XXV To Dgnet Oglou p. 312 He exhorts him to forget the former Loss he sustain'd in the Fire at Constantinople and to rely on Providence Relates a Remarkable Story of certain Merchants who were burnt to Death in their Inn being over-greedy to save their Money XXVI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 316 A Character of the Spanish Pride and Humour of their Rhodomontado's XXVII To Dicheu Hussein Bassa p. 318 A farther Account of the Troubles in England with a Relation of a Prophecy on the English King when an Infant XXVIII To Bajazet Ali Hogia Preacher to the Seraglio p. 325 Of Atheists in General and several Infamous Ones in Particular XXIX To Egri Boinou a White Eunuch p. 332 Touching the Salvation of Pagans and of honest Men of all Religions XXX To the Selictar Aga or Sword bearer p. 337 Of Monsieur la Tuillerie the French Ambassador's deceitful Negotiation for Peace between the Suedes and Danes Of Galasso's ineffectual Assistance Cardinal Mazarini vindicated from the Guilt of these Miscarriages XXXI To the Reis Effendi Principal Secretary of the Ottoman Empire p. 339 Of the Exploits of Torstenson Coningsmark and Papenheim XXXII To Berber Mustapha Aga. p. 340 Of the bloody Battel of Jankow and of the Removal of the German Court thereupon XXXIII To Osman Adrooneth an Astrologer at Scio. p. 342 He acquaints him with an extraordinary Hurricane that happened near Paris He discourses of the Nature of Storms and Danger of Earthquakes XXXIV To the Kaimacham p. 346 Of Mahmut's Imprisonment at Paris of Eliachim's Fidelity and of a Friar's Friendship and Assistance to him XXXV To the Venerable Mufti p. 351 He acquaints him with his Release from the Bastile Discourses of the Spanish Inquisition Asks his Absolution for eating of Swines Flesh and drinking of Wine XXXVI To Mehmet an Eunuch-Page in the Seraglio p. 356 Touching his Imprisonment and how a Man ought always to be provided for Misfortunes Of Wine and his Inclination to it LETTERS Writ by A SPY at PARIS VOL. II. BOOK I. LETTER I. Mahmut the Arabian faithful Slave of Sultan Ibrahim to Bechir Bassa His Highnesses Chief Treasurer at Constantinople I Know not whether it be a Vice or a Vertue to be fearful in my Circumstances I am no Stoick nor can I pretend an Exemption from the Common Passions of Men. However 't is not for my self I am solicitous but I consult the Good of my Commission There is a Difference between Caution and Fear and Apprehension of Danger is not to be termed Pusillanimity I have written Six Letters to Carcoa at Vienna but have received no Answer these Four Moons This Neglect puts me upon Thinking and I am puzzled to find out an Excuse for him I would fain continue my good Opinion of his Honesty without forfeiting my Sense For although I am not naturally suspicious yet Experience has taught me to number Jealousie among the Cardinal Virtues Not to amuse thee I am afraid of Treachery Carcoa knows the Secret of my Commission and it lies in his Power to do much Mischief Yet I may wrong the Man perhaps he is dead And there are no Posts that bring News from the Grave If he be in the Region of Silence and expired in his Integrity the Two Black Angels shall have no Power to hurt him But I wonder I should have no Intelligence of his Death neither from the Ministers of the Port nor from Eliachim the Jew I tell thee I am uneasie till I know the Truth When I sit in my Chamber and hear any discoursing in the House I imagine 't is about me when I go along the Streets if any Man fastens his Eyes on me he arrests me with Fear and Apprehension 'T is true I am willing to undergo the worst they can inflict but it would extreamly enhaunce the Sorrows of Death to see the Secrets of the Sublime Port become the Scorn and Derision of Infidels For these Reasons I have removed my self about a League from Paris pretending it is for my Health trusting the Conveyance of my Letters and other Business to Eliachim who for ought I know may prove a Reed of Aegypt I desire thee nay I conjure thee to send a speedy Supply of Money without which 't is impossible for poor Mahmut the Vilest Slave of the Great and Invincible Ibrahim to perform what is expected of him The Great God reward thy Fidelity with unfading
strict Correspondence with some of the Chief Ministers especially with the Principal Secretary of State Whilst these were doing their Master's Business at the Court there were others no less Active in the City where they endeavoured to create a Party and raise Factions insinuating themselves into the Acquaintance of the most eminent Merchants and other Citizens representing to them the Dangerous Consequences of Signior Rosetti's Residence at the Court glancing at every Thing which look'd like a false Step in the King's Conduct alarming them with Fears and Apprehensions of being subjected to a Foreign Power and sing all their Arts to nourish Popular Dissatisfaction The Scots about this Time made another Incursion into England A Parliament was called but no Good done The King's Necessities made them grow High in their Demands and Carriage and all things tended to a General Defection A while after the Irish revolted and massacred above a Hundred Thousand English The King is accused for being Privy to it Tumults are raised who in threatning manner seem'd to besiege the Royal Palaces calling out for Justice not much unlike the Sedition of our Janizaries when they are displeased with the Conduct of our Glorious Sultans or his Prime Ministers of State In fine the Misunderstandings between the King and the Parliament grew to that Height as induced the King to withdraw from the Capital City about the Beginning of this Year And in the following Moon he sent the Queen with her Daughter into Holland that they might pass away the time in the Court of the Prince of Orange till this Storm was blown over In the Interim the King sends Letters to the Parliament perswading them to consult the Publick Peace but all was to no purpose they seize upon all the Strong Holds and Castles they could so that when the King came to one of his Garrison'd Towns the Gates were shut against him and he was denied Entrance by the Governour The Parliament lists an Army and the King set up his Royal Standard in the last Moon Since which there has been nothing of Action between them but the Armies are drawing near each other I will inform thee of all Particulars as they come to my Knowledge But the Packet-Boats from the Island come not so frequenly during the Disturbance as they have done formerly I beseech the Creator of all things to defend our Invincible Sultan from the Seditious Practices of his Subjects and make thee Instrumental to establish and aggrandize the Ottoman Empire Paris 29th of the 9th Moon of the Year 1642. LETTER XXV To Abdel Melec Muly Omar Superintendent of the College of Sciences at Fez. WHEN I write to thee 't is with a Respect equal to that which I pay to the Emirs the Descendents of our Holy Prophet since thou art sprung from the Noble Stem of the Ancient Saracens the Blood of the Celebrated Omar Successor to the Divine Law-giver streaming in thy Veins I revere the Banner carried into Aegypt by thy Renowned Progenitor before which the Grecians fled astonished as at a Sign sent from Heaven of their approaching Ruine This Sacred Piece of Antiquity I have seen at Medina where 't is reposited in the Chancel of the Babylonian Caliphs I have honour'd it with a Pious Veneration but much greater is my Regard to thee who art a Living Relique of that Illustrious House Permit me Venerable Sage to converse with thee a little after the Manner of a Pupil with thee I say who art a Fountain of Sapience For besides thy perfect Knowledge of the Divine Law thou art acomplished with all Humane Literature There is a Man in these Parts of a large Soul and elevated Speculations who stiffly maintains That the Earth moves and the Sun stands still He is not the first that broach'd this Doctrine it has had several Learned Patrons but he has highly Improved the Theory His Reasons for it have almost the Force of Mathematical Demonstrations and nothing seems to oppose him but the Authority of Moses and the Hebrew Scriptures The Christians will not approve of any Philosophy which interferes with that which they call the Bible and yet their Practice gives a perpetual Lye to the Contents of that Book Surely there is no Envy in the Deity and He that is Omniscient will not punish Men for improving their Knowledge The Study of Nature is full of Innocent Delights and he that gave to Man an Appetite of Science has not forbid him to gratifie it with its proper Objects Nor can I see how this New Philosophy contradicts any more than the bare Letter of their Bible for I have read it in several Languages And the Jews who are the Guardians of the Original Hebrew allow a Cabalistical Interpretation far different from the Literal So does the Arabian Prince and Philosopher Avicen Interpret those Versicles in our Holy Alcoran which treat of Paradise in a Sence far more refined than the Letter seems to import In reading such Mysterious Books it is necessary to practise a Learned Chymistry to sublimate the gross external Sence of the Words and to extract the Spirit and Soul of the Discourse That the Sun is the Center of this our Planetary World and that the Earth with the Rest of the Planets move round about it is a Thesis which keeps exact Touch with Humane Reason and seems naturally to square with our Intellectual Faculties It sets all the Wheels of this Great and Wonderful Machine in a regular and proportionate Circulation It gives the truest Account of the Retrograde Motions of the Planets Ptolomey's System of the World seems to Romance upon the Sun Moon and Stars in assigning them hourly such prodigious Journeys through the Heavens as are inconsistent with the Laws of Motion And Tycho Brahe was but a Botcher in patching up the Orbs with his Eccentricks Epicycles c. The former keeps the Fixed Stars in an endless and unconceivable Hurry the latter involves the Planets in a Heavenly Perplexity Both come far short of Copernicus that Excellent Astronomer who by placing the Sun in the Center of the World has solv'd all the Appearances of Nature with the most exact Analogy to Truth Nor is the Argument taken from our Sence of any force since it invalidates the Motion of the Sun as well as that of the Earth nay it is more incongruous that the Sun should move so many Hundred Thousand Miles every Hour and we not perceive him to stir a Hairs-breadth at a time But I will not intrench farther on thy Patience nor run the Risque of a Vertigo by pursuing the swift Orbicular Motions of Nature It matters not much whether the Sun stands still or the Earth provided we run the Race that is appointed us so as to gain the Prize Yet I will ask thy Judgment on another Point which Men of high Reaches have started There are some Learned Men who say the Moon and rest of the Planets are habitable as our Globe is For my part
of the Grecians shelter'd their new acquir'd Honour under the Protection of the Emperours the Popes partly by Artifice and partly by Force made themselves Lords of Rome and the Adjacent Territories taking Advantage of the Absence of the Emperours the Pusillanimity of the Senators and Discord of the Citizens Supported with this Princely Estate they Excommunicate all the Churches which did not submit to them as the Sovereign Prelates of the Christian World publishing severe Edicts against the Greek Church and doing every Thing that might confirm the World in the Belief of their Authority and Grandeur The Potentates of Europe frightned with the Thunder which the Roman Pontifs used and induced by other Reasons did Homage to them acknowledging their Sovereign Jurisdiction in the West In this State they have continued ever since without yielding in any Thing to the Patriarchs of Constantinople There have been great Endeavours used on both Sides to gain their respective Ends and several General Councils were called that is an Assembly of the Chief Bishops and Doctors of both Churches to examine and decide the Difference And sometimes the Fathers of the Greek Church have subscribed a Submission to the Pope but as soon as they return'd home they have Recanted and the Breach render'd as wide as ever They accuse the Romans of Partiality and say That the Councils were pack'd yet both Parties seem to give an extraordinary Deference to these General Councils believing That the Holy Ghost is there present and guides them into all Truth The Councils which they esteem Infallible have contradicted each other This Repealing what That had Decreed and a Third Disannulling that Repeal The Councils believe themselves above the Pope and the Pope exalts himself above the Councils Sometimes they have Two or Three Popes together all claiming that which can be the Right but of One. In fine they have involved themselves in such a Labyrinth of Disputes and Cavils and are entangl'd in such a Circle of Absurdities that the soberer part of Christians begin to question the Authority both of Popes and Councils Insomuch as it being generally known that the last Assembly of this Kind was manifestly over-ruled by the Agents of the Court of Rome people spar'd not to pass this Jest on it and say That the Holy Ghost was sent from Rome to the Council of Trent in a Cloak-bag intimating thereby the many Instructions and Advices which were continually transmitted from Rome by the Post to the Fathers sitting in that Council whereby all things were determined according to the Pope's Pleasure and to the Advantage of the Roman Court. 'T is certain the Christians now-adays have abated much of that Blind Obedience which they formerly paid to the Roman Pontifs they begin to see with their own Eyes and not with those of their Priests There was a Time when many Kings were made to hold their Crowns in Fee of the Roman Prelate who pretended a Right to dispose of all the Kingdoms and Empires of the Earth as Vicar of God But the Kings of England Suedeland and Denmark with some Princes of the German Empire and the States of Holland have taught others the Way to stand upon their Guard so that though the Emperour of Germany Kings of France Spain and Poland with the Princes of Italy profess an Obedience to the Holy Father yet 't is rather out of a Maxim of Policy than any real Perswasion of Religion The Spaniards seem the most superstitiously Devoted to the See of Rome yet they will not endure the Excommunication which the Pope pronounces against their King above the Space of one Day It seems upon some old Difference between them it is usual for the Holy Father to Excommunicate this Sovereign once a Year that is on the Thursday before Easter which is the same as our Feast of Beiram Now as I am told the Spanish Ambassador next Day presents the Pope with a Gennet or Horse upon which the Censure is taken off This is an Ecclesiastick Juggle and the Court of Rome use a great deal of such Holy Legerdemain to keep the Sons of the Church in their Obedience The French Church though in all Things agreeing and professing an entire Obedience to the Roman yet claims to her self some Immunities and Privileges which the Court of Rome is very loath to grant Hence it comes to pass that there arise frequent Contests between the Popes and the Kings of France which are generally accommodated to the Advantage of the Latter the Pope not being willing to try the Force of THE LAST REASON OF KINGS This is a Motto engraven on the French King's Cannon which he has threatned to carry to the Walls of Rome if the Pope should entrench on the Gallican Rights But though they thus disagree in some Niceties of State yet they and all the Rest of the Nations within the Roman Communion have but one Form of Divine Service which they call the Mass and it is the same with the Grecian Liturgy On Festival Days it is solemnized with Variety of Choice Musick and Singing with Innumerable Wax-Tapers burning at Noon-day I have seen at such a Time Sixteen Priests before the Altar all Vested in most costly Silks embroidered with Gold and Pearls They have also many Chappels and Altars in the same Church and sometimes they Celebrate Mass on all the Altars together differing herein from those of the Greek Communion who have but one Altar in a Temple For which they plead Antiquity it never having been known that the Primitive Christians had any more On the other side the Romans plead Conveniency for the Multitude of their Altars that the Pope has a power to dispense with the Ancient Rites and Traditions in such Cases and that nothing was more reasonable than that their Altars should be multiplied as the Number of their Proselytes and Priests encreas'd I will not pretend to decide this Controversie permit me only to say that the Faithful Mussulmans have more reason to require several Preachers at the same time in our Magnificent Mosques where it is impossible for all the Auditors in so vast an Assembly to hear and understand the Law Expounded by one Man though it be performed in the Vulgar Tongue Whereas their Service is celebrated in a Language whereof the Multitude are utterly ignorant It matters not much whether they are near the Priest at the Altar or afar off since they understand not a Word he says and the Grecians judge it sufficient to be present at this their Daily Sacrifice tho it be at the very Porch of the Temple Another Difference there is also between these Two Churches The Roman allows not a Married Priest unless in some extraordinary Cases and then the Pope's Dispensation must be procured But Concubinage is connived at though forbidden by the Cannons of the Church Whereas thou knowest that all the Grecian Papa's marry and get Children The Spaniards among all the Nations within the Roman Pale are reckon'd the
Prince in his Arms and bestows his Benediction on it in these Terms Hail Royal Babe Heir of Two Crowns thou shalt Reign a long Time happily but in the End a Flower-de-luce shall be thy Bane The Nobles that were present thinking that the Extremity of Age had bereav'd him of his Reason were ready to thrust him away offering to take the Child from Him and telling Him That he mistook for this was not the Heir of the Crown but his Brother who stood by But he with a composed Look and an assured Carriage made Answer That what he spoke was Truth adding withal That the Elder Brother should die before his Father and That this should live to inherit the Kingdoms of Scotland and England The Event has made good some Part of his Prophecy for his Elder Brother dyed at Twelve Years of Age and he at this Day possesses those Two Kingdoms but how the Flower-de-luce shall be his Bane Time must evince It is thought That by it is meant the French King because that is the Arms of the Royal Blood of France It is hard to determine of future Events yet there are some who observing the Influence which this Court has had on the English Commotions and how far Cardinal Richlieu had engaged King Lewis XIII in Revenging the Affronts which were given to his Sister the Queen of England by that Inhospitable Nation make no Difficulty of interpreting this Prophecy but conclude That the Unfortunate King of England will at length fall a Victim to the French Resentments though his own Subjects be Instrumental to his Ruin I will continue my Intelligence of the English Affairs as I receive them In the mean while I pray the Great God to protect the Mussulman Empire from Sedition and Treason and keep the Subjects of Sultan Ibrahim in their due Obedience Paris 25th of the 3d. Moon of the Year 1645. LETTER XIV To Bajazet Ali Hogia Preacher to the Seraglio HERE are to be met with in these Western Parts infinite Numbers of People who not only despise and vilifie our Law but their own and openly scoff at all Religions in the World These are known by the Name of Libertines or Atheists which is to say People that profess themselves Enemies to the Belief of a God A lewd and unthinking Herd of Animals who dare not be alone lest they should come to the Remembrance of themselves and be Wiser These People are in some sort like Ninus that great Assyrian Monarch who vaunted He never saw the Stars nor desired it Worshipp'd neither Sun nor Moon never spoke to his People nor took any Account of them but was valiant in Eating and Drinking He was said to have this Inscription on his Tomb I WAS FORMERLY NINUS THE GREAT LORD OF THE WORLD AND LIVED AS THOV DOST BVT AM NOW NOTHING BVT DVST ALL THE MEAT I HAVE EATEN ALL THE HANDSOM WOMEN I HAVE ENJOY'D ALL THE WORSHIP THAT WAS PAID ME AND ALL THE RICHES I WAS POSSESS'D OF HAVE FAIL'D ME AND WHEN I SET FORWARD FROM THIS WORLD INTO THE INVISIBLE STATE I HAD NEITHER GOLD NOR HORSE NOR CHARIOT I AM NOW I SAY BVT THE DVST THOV TREADEST ON Such another was Sardanapalus one of the Successors of Ninus in that Monarchy and in the Corruption of his Manners An effeminate Prince a Slave to his Lusts and not worthy of an Imperial Crown It was not to his Vertue or Courage that Nineveh was obliged for sustaining a Siege of Eight and Twenty Moons but to the Impregnable Strength of her own Walls For so soon as he was told that the Oracle was fulfill'd and that the River Euphrates was joyn'd in League with his Enemies and had by an unusual Flood broke down a considerable Part of the Walls in which he trusted all his Bravery vanish'd he shew'd he was a Coward and kill'd himself for fear of Death Yet such was the sordid Impotence of his Spirit that even in this Way he durst not die alone but taking his Concubines and nearest Attendants with all his Gold and Jewels he forced them to accompany him into the Hollow of a Funeral Pile which he fired with his own Hands and burnt his Servants with Himself I do not esteem it an Effect of Courage to make Death a Sanctuary from the inevitable Miseries of a hated Life But to be either willing to die in the Height of humane Enjoyments or to be resolved to live and out-brave these very Calamities which would tempt any Man to die is the peculiar Mark of an Heroick Resolution However thus died Sardanapalus having desired that a Monument might be erected to his Memory with this Inscription SARDANAPALUS LIV'D MVCH IN A LITTLE TIME HAVING ALWAYS GRATIFIED HIS SENSES HE BVILT TWO CITIES ANCHIALA AND TARSUS IN ONE DAY PERFORMED THE TASK OF MANY YEARS IN FOVR AND TWENTY HOVRS ADVISES THEE READER TO IMITATE HIS EXAMPLE EAT DRINK AND ENJOY THY SELF FOR AFTER DEATH THERE IS NEITHER PLEASVRE NOR PAIN These were but Pigmies in Atheism in Comparison of others Dionysius the Sicilian Monarch was a Gyant in Infidelity He not only committed Sacrilege but made it his Pastime He droll'd upon the Gods while he robb'd their Temples into which he never enter'd without a Jest nor departed from their Altars without a Satyr He put a Woollen Garment on the Image of Jupiter Olympius instead of the Golden Robe with which King Hiero had cloath'd it and excus'd the Sacrilege by saying Exchange was no Robbery and That he consulted the Ease and Health of the God both for Summer and Winter He play'd the Barber to the Statue of Aesculapius and shav'd off his Golden Beard saying That since Apollo his Father was beardless it was but good Manners for the Son to be so too When he came into a Rich Temple in Syracusa and saw in the Hands of Mars a Sword whose Hilt was thick set with Diamonds Emeralds and Rubies he made a mock-Obeisance and took the Sword from the extended Arm of the Image saying The God of War presented him with that Sword as an Earnest of his future Victories and he should be very ungrateful and impious not to accept the Gift of the Deity It was a nasty Affront which Nero put upon the Syrian Goddess when he caused his Excrements to be thrown in her Face These were Royal Atheists and no Body durst controul their Impious Pranks The Libertines now a-days are more modest and politick They dare not violate Temples nor prophane the Altars of the Christians openly but secretly they undermine all Religion and dispute People out of their Faith Some of these Atheists maintain the World to be Eternal Others hold that it came by a fortuitous Concourse of Atoms which after an Eternal Dance in an Infinite Space at last jumbled together into that exquisite Order we now behold and contemplate They profess themselves Disciples of Epicurus yet willfully corrupt the Doctrines of that Vertuous Philosopher who though he taught That the Supreme