towards the Gulf of Bengala is Contiguous to Pegu to which it hath been Subject at present to Siam this Kingdom hath many Ports frequented for Trade for besides its Grains Fruits Oyls and Medicinal Herbs it is Rich in Mines of Gold Silver Copper c. The Kingdom of Siam hath several Cities of Note but we shall for Brevity sake only treat of Siam as the Metropolis being a City of large Extent and of so great strength that in the Year 1567. they stoutly defended themselves against an Army of 1400000 Fighting Men which the King of Pegu brought against them for twenty Months together The Comodities of this City and Kingdom are Cotton Linnen of several sorts Benjamin Lacque of which they make Excellent hard Wax The Kingdom of Cambodia which lieth between the Gulfs of Siam and Couchin-China The Principal Cities Ravecca and Camboja The People in their manners and Customes Resemble those of Siam whose Subjects they have been The Kingdom of Couchin-China lieth to the Eastward of Camboja its Name signifies west China and was supposed formerly to belong to China whose Language Manners Customes Government Religion and other Ceremonies they yet retain All the Countrey is Fertile abounding in Rice Fruits and Herbs They have Gold Silver Silk Porcelain and many other valuable Commodities The Air Healthful and the Soil so Abundant in all things that the Inhabitants know nothing of Contagion or Famine They are Courteous Liberal kind to Strangers and Faithful in their dealings In the Peninsula of Malacca are diverse Kingdoms which are Tributary to Siam Except the City of Mallacca The whole Country is well Traded by Reason of its Archepelago which contains several Islands and of its Isthmus which facilitates the Transportation of Merchandise from one Sea to another and of its Ports which are Commodious Patane within few Years is grown Famous The Kingdome being frequented by diverse Nations perticularly the Chinois who bring thither Parcelain and divers Manufactures and Instruments of Husbandry The Soil is good producing Fruit every Month in the Year Their Hens Ducks and Geese often lay Eggs twice a Day Ihor is Situated on the utmost point of the Peninsula its Chief City was taken and ruined by the Portugals in 1603. who took from thence Fifteen-Hundred brass Cannons The Kingdom of Tanquin divides China from Couchin-China and hath about 150 Leagues of Sea Coast This Kingdom contains 7 Provinces The King of Tanquin Ordinarily entertaines a Militia of 50000 Men. The Land hath Beautiful Plaines and Watered with many great Rivers They have neither Asses nor Sheep but many Horses Elephants and Rhinocerotes whose Flesh Skins Bones Teeth Nails and Horns serve for Antidotes against Poyson The Catholique Religion was so Introduced some Years past that there was estimated to be more then 200000 Christned Souls Two-Hundred great Churches and great Quantities of Chapels and Oratories but since there hath hapened great Changes in those Kingdomes the Portugals have several Towns and Cities by which they have a great Revenue Of the Island of Sumatra THe Island of Sumatra lieth on the North of Java Major and a long the West-side of Mallacca the length thereof Extends from the North-West to the South-East about 800 miles and is 200 in breadth The Air is very hot and unwholsome by Reason of the gross Vapours drawn from the many Fens and Rivers which are found to be in it The Soil not Capable of such Grain as in other places except Rice and Millet it Affords great plenty of Wax and Honey store of Silks and Cottons Rich Mines not only of Tin Iron Copper Sulphur and other Minerals But of Gold such quantity that some conceive this Island to be Solomons Ophir for one of the Kings thereof wrote a Letter to King James wherein he hinted the Riches of his Country Abounding in Gold and that he had in his Dominions a Mountain of Gold King of which Golden Mountain he Intituled himself in his Regal Stile his Title is also King of Achem. His Covernment is Absolute and meerly Arbitrary executing what he hath a mind to without form of Law So Cantelous that without his Placard no Stranger can have Ingress into his Dominions nor is Admittance to his Presence granted to any whom he first sends not for by an Officer with a Gilded Staff He is conceived to be strong both by Sea and Land his Country Populous his Elephants many and well Trained Of the Island Borneo THe Island Borneo is Situate under the Aequator and is Adjudged to be more then 2200 miles in Circumference The People Generally more white then the rest of the Indians of good Wits and Aproved Integrity The Country is said to be provided Naturally with all things Necessary But unfurnished with Asses Oxen Herds of Cattel except only Horses and those but small of Stature the great Riches of it being Camphir Agarick and some Mines of Adamants The Island is divided between two Kings of two Religions The King of Borneo and his Subjects are all Mahumetans and those of Laus still Remaining in their Ancient Gentilisme These think the Sun and Moon to be Man and Wife and the Stars their Children Ascribing to each of them Divine Honours to the Sun especially whom they Salute at his first Rising with great Reverence Their Publique businesses are Treated of commonly in the Night The King of Borneo keeps the Greater State not to be spoken with but by the Mouth of some of his own Interpreters and in his Palace Served by no other Atendants than Maids or Women Of the Island Lucon THe Island of Lucon begineth at the thirteenth Degree and continueth up to the Ninteenth Degree of North Latitude lying South from China Manilla is its Chief City well Built after the Modern way and its Houses are of free Stone Built by the Spaniards this being one of the Philippine Islands So called from Philip King of Spain The Governour or Vice Roy of these Islands as also an Arch Bishop who hath a Spiritual Jurisdiction over all these Islands which he exercises by three Suffagan Bishops This City is very populous here commonly refiding 15000 Chinois besides Japoneses and Spaniards which drive a Trade in several good Commodities Of the Island Paragoa THe Island Paragoa stretcheth it self Southwest and North-East in length above 100 Leagues not having above Ten Fifteen or Twenty Five in breadth it begins almost at the Eighth Degree and ends not till the Eleventh Degree of North Latitude It is said that it bears Figs as thick as ones Arm. Its King is a Vassal to him of Borneo Of China CHina is bounded on the North with Altay and the Eastern Tartars from which Continued with a Chain of Hills part of those of Ar a at and where that Chain is broken off or interrupted with a great wall extended 400 Leagues in Length On the south part with Couchin China and partly with the Ocean on the East with the Oriental Ocean and on the West with part
Sea to Palus Meotis along the stream of the River Tanais to the mouth thereof and so by the River Dwina to the Bay of St. Nicholas in the white Sea Others as the Right Honourable the Earl of Castlemain in his Book of the use of the English Globe doth more Judiciously divide it thus Supposing a line drawn from the Mouth of Tanâ—â—s Runs up the stream to Tuia Scituated on the most Easterly flexure and thence going to the nearest Banks of the Riyer Oby accompanies it till it falls in the Northem Ocean my Lord doth the rather Incline to this Division than any other because it Containes almost all the Vast Dominions of the Russian Emperour and so makes him an intire European Monarch CHAP. II. Of Europe in General EVrope although it be the least of the four grand Divisions of the Earth as appears in the Mapp of the World yet it is of the most Renowne 1. For the Temperature of the Air lying in the midst of the Temperate Zone and therefore Fertile in its soil 2. The flourishing of Arts and Sciences 3. For the Purity and Sincerity of the Christian faith The language of the Europeans is Divided into several branches or Dialects but all from three Roots or stems which are 1. The Latine 2. The Tutonick or High Dutch 3. The Sclavonian tongue Those that Branch from the Latine are the Italians French Spaniards Portagalls and those from the Tutonick are the English Dutch Swedes Danes Gothes and from the Sclavonian the Crontians Hongarïans Transilounians Russians The Kingdoms and Principal Regions are as followeth as they stand in the Table of Europe viz. England Scotland Ireland Spain Portugal France Italy Germany XV II Provinces Norway Sweden Denmark Poland Lithuania Moscovia Russia lesser Tartary Turkey in Europe The most famous Rivers in Europe are nine The Thames in England Tornia in Scandinâ—â—ia Wolga in Muscovia the Loire in France the Rhine in Germany the Weyssel in Poland Tagus in Spain Po in Italy and the Danube in Germany and Turkey in Europe We Rank England Scotland and Ireland in the first place in Regard they owe obedience to the Stepter of our Gracious Soveraign We shall therefore Begin with the Desoription of the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland not affecting that Diminutive Appellation of the British Isles as if they were Gnernsey or Jursey and no way Comporting with the Renown and Grandure of those famous Kingdomes Of Great Britain GReat Britain Containes England Scotland and Wales making the most Famous Island in the whole World It was once called Albion ab Albis Rupibus from the white Rocks apearing on the South Coast towards France from whence it was first Discovered Afterwards Britain some say from Brutus of the Trojan Race who first setled a Government here or as others will have it from Prutainia signifying Mettals because of the great quantity of Tin Iron Lead c. that is found here But others say the Britaine 's had their name from the word Brith which signifieth stained or painted by reason of a Custome the Natives had to paint their Skins all over and of several Colours that they might thereby the more Terrify their Enemies whence also the Romans called the People of Scotland Pists The whole length from Strathy-head in Scotland to the Lizard-point in Cornwall is counted 624 Miles And the breadth from the lands end in Cornwall to the Isle of Thanet in Kent is about 340. It is observed in his Majesties Teritoryes about Great Britain and Ireland there are eight Several Dialects spoken by his Majesties own Subjects viz. 1. English 2. Scotch 3. Irish 4. Welch 5. Cornish in Cornwall 6. French in Garnsey and Jarsey 7. Manks in the Isle of Man and 8. Gothish in the Islands of Suhtland Of England ENgland a name taken from the Angli a people that came in with the Saxons and not chang'd by the Danish or Norman Conquerors is the chief part of the Island of Great Britain being Divided into 40 Countys and 22 Bishopricks is Accounted in length 386 miles in breadth 279. The soil is very fertile and plentifull several of its Chief Commodities and Excellencies are Contained in this verse Anglias Mons Pons Fons Ecclesia Femina Lana England is stor'd with Bridges Hills and Wooll With Churches Wells and Women Beautifull Its first known inhabitants were the Britains who being Conquered by the Romans and afterwards over-run by the Saxons were forced to Retire into that Corner of the Kingdom called Wales where their Posterity to this day Inhabite being a Province Divided into 12 Countys and 4 Bishopricks the eldest Son of our English Kings being always Entituled Prince of Wales The forementioned Saxons Divided the whole Realm into seven Kingdoms and were much oppressed for a long time by the Danes but at last being united under one King were subdued by the Normans under William the Conqueror whose Successors Continue to this day Of Wales WAles is Invironed on all sides by the Sea except towards England from which it is separated from the RIVER d ee and a line drawn to the RIVER WYE But Anciently it Extended to the RIVER SEVERNE Eastward for Offa King of the Mercians forced them to leave the Plain Countrys beyond that River which now is called the Marches of Wales and to betake themselves to the Mountaines which he caused to be separated from England by a great Ditch called Offa's Dike in Welch Claudh-Offa in many places yet to be seen The whole Country is Generally Mountanous and Barren yet affordeth several good Commodities and is not without many fertile Valleys which bear good Corn and breedeth abundance of small Cattle with which they furnish England as also with Butter Cheese woolen Cloth called Friezes Cottons Bays Calveskins Hides Honey Wax It is divided into 4 Circuits for the Admistration of Justice and is divided into 13 Counties wherein is contained 1016 Parish Churches 56 Market Towns and 40 Castles 230 Rivers 99 Bridges 32 Parks 13 Forrests 1 Chase Also these hills are famous for their height viz. Snowden Plinillimon Brechin Moylvodian Brethen Caddoridrie Rarduvaure Monuch Dennye and Penmâ—n-Maur Of Scotland SCotland is the Northern Part of Great Britain longer then England but not so broad much colder and less Fruitfull the whole Containing 35 Shires is Divided into Lowlands which speak a kind of Barbarous English and the High-lands whose language is very neer the same with the Irish This Realm upon succession of King James to the English Crown became united to that Scepter and are Joyntly stiled Great Britain It s Chief Commodities are Course Clothes Frieses Fish Hides Lead-Ore and here are four Universities Edenbrugh Glascow St. Andrews and Aberdeen two Arch-Bishops and eleven Bishops As to their Courts of Justice they are peculiar to themselves the chief of which is the Session or Colledge of Justice onsisting of a President 14 Senators 7 of the Clergy and as many of the Laity unto which was afterward joined the
and but little water there falls little raine it abounds with all things needfull for life it produceth great store of Corn and other Pulse and Grain Oyl excellent Wine Sugar and Cotten-Wool Honey Turpentine Verdigreace Brass and all Sort of Mettals Salt and Grogrames of Goats hayre the Women Lascivious This Kingdome is Divided into 11 Provinces the Chief City is Nicosia adorned with sair Churches and sumptuous Pallaces it was once in the Possession of the Venetians but now under the Turk Of Majorca and Minorca TWo Istands about 60 miles from Spain the first 300 the second is 150 Miles in Circuit and both Indifferent Fruitfull Of Cephalonia and Zant THese Islands each of them are in Compass 60 Miles or there abouts they have plenty of Currans and Oyl and Wine and are under the Venetians Of Germany GErmany is Divided into two parts High and Low High Germany is bounded on the West with France and Belgium on the North with Denmark and the Baltique Sea on the East with Prussia Poland and Hungary and on the South with the Alps and Italy The Country is almost Square each side being 650 Miles it hath one General Governour called the Emperour a Name derived from the Ancient Roman Emperours but retains very little of that Power for most of the other Princes are absolute in their Respective Dominions whence this mighty Body by Reason of Various Interests and Differences becomes nothing so formidable as it would be if firmly united under one Soveraign Monarch The Principal Regions are presented to you in the Table of Germany the whole Country abounds with most things necessary for Life Its Commodities are Mines of Silver an other Inferiour Metals Wines and fresh Fish Quick-Silver Allom c. The People are Honest Laborious and Sincere Stout Drinkers and Good Souldiers The Women of Indifferent Complexions but somewhat corpulent as for their Diet There is this Proverb The Germans have much meat but Sluttishly drest The French little but neatly Cookt The Spaniards neither one nor the other The Title of the Father descends to all the Children every Son of a Duke is a Duke every Daughter a Dutchess For Religion some are Papists others Protestants which latter are again divided into Lutherans and Calvinists Of the Seventeen Provinces LOwer Germany is that which is called Belgium or the Netherlands and is bounded on the East with the River Ems and part of High Germany on the West with the German Sea on the North with East Freesland and on the South with the Some Champaign and Lorrain containing in all Seventeen Provinces But we shall only speak here of the seven United Provinces or Dutch Common-Wealth The Names of which are Holland Zealand Vtrecht Over-Issel Zutphen Gronixgen and West-Friesland which was first made in the year 1581. on their Revolt from their Ancient Soveraign the King of Spain against whom by the great Assistance of the English and Princes of Orange they Waged War many years so successfully that he was at last forced to treat with them as a Free State These Countries are exceeding Populous being a People very Industrious they have attempted to Grasp the Trade of this part of the World into their hands In these Provinces the Women govern all both within doors and without and make all bargains which makes them injurious and Troublesom the Eldest Daughter is of the greatest Reputation yet hath no larger Portion then the rest they Marry Noble with Ignoble young with old Master with Servants and into strange Townes and Forreign Countrys There are within Holland also a great Number of Lakes and standing Waters They want both Corn Wine Oyl Wood Wool Hemp Flax and almost all other Commodities and yet there is not any Countrey in the North which abounds so much as Holland and Zealand in almost all the forementioned Commodities so great is the Advantages these Provinces receive by the Sea The ten Catholick Provinces or Spanish Netherlands THe ten Spanish Provinces are these Flanders Limburg Luxenburg Brabant the Marquesate of the Holy Empire Artots Henault Namurs Meckline and Gerderland The Soil is very Fruitful and mightily Peopled but exceedingly wasted and impoverished by the late Wars and Incursions made in their Country by the French King In these Countrys belonging to the King of Spain are 208. Walled Townes 150. Townes priviledged as walled Townes 6300. Villages with Parish Churches besides a great Number of Villages and Hamblets There are five principle Rivers in the seventeen Provinces The Rhine the Meuse the Scheld the Haa and Emes The Meuse affords abundance of Sturgeon so big that some of them weigh four hundred and some four hundred and twenty pounds and are twelve foot long of Antwerp Measure The Scheld doth also abound with most sorts of Fish They have divers Forrests and Woods well stored with Red and Fallow Deer Goates Wild Boares Hares Coneys Badgers Wolves Foxes c. which yeild good Furrs The Fowl in these Countries are Partridges Feasants Turtle-Doves Quailes and any sort of Birds as we have in England The two Principal Cities in these Countreys are Amsterdam in the Seven United Provinces and Antwerp in the Ten Provinces Amsterdam standeth upon the Gulf Tye and is built upon Piles under the Ground as Venice is so that the buildings under ground are more chargable then above It is very rich in Merchandise the buildings are very Sumptuous and Fair. Antwerp lyes on the right side of the Scheld it flourisheth exceedingly in the Number of Inhabitants in beautiful Buildings and in Merchandizing which is chiefly occasioned by the the Commodiousness of the Scheld it being a River of so great bredth and depth and Ebbing and Flowing so far into the Sea Of Norway Norway the Western parts of Scandanavia is a place very Barren and Mountainous so that instead of bread the People eat dried Fish which we call Stock-fish They export Furs Train-Oyl Timber Deals Clapboard It is a Kingdom of it self and divided into five Governments or Provinces 1. The Government of Bahus the chief Towns Bahus and Maerstrand 2. That of Agger the chief Towns is Agger Opslo and Frederick Stadt 3. That of Bergen the chief Town Bergen the Residence of the Vice-Roy 4. The Government of Dronthem the chief Town Dronthem the Seat of the Ancient Kings of Norway 5. Wardhuyse the chief Town Wardhuyse near the North Cape of Norway The Normegians are little given to siâ—kness and are of a strong Constitution their great inclination to Sorcery makes them have the Reputation of selling the VVinds to the Scamen Of Sweden THe Kingdom of Sweden hath on the East Muscovia On the West the Dofriae-Hills that part that side from Norway on the North the Frozen Seas and on the South the Baltick The Country is little less then Italy and France put together The People are good VVarriers and live hardly the Ayr is sharp but so salubrious that it is ordinary for men to live 100 years It aboundeth with Lead
in all Persia whose Walls are in Circumference a reasonable Days Journey containing not less then 75000 Houses The Inhabitants do all their affairs on Horse-back as well Publique as Private in the buying and vending their Comodities But the Slaves never Ride which makes the difference between them The Native Comodities of Persia are Gold and Silver Raw-Silk in such great Quantities that they furnish most part of the East The heats in these parts in the Summer season are so great especially towards the South part of the Mountains that the Inhabitants are forced to forsake the Cities and retire into the Mountains for coolness The Persians are of low Stature yet have great limbs and strong they are of an Olive Colour hawk'd Nosed and Black Hair'd which they shave every Eight Days they paint their Hands and Nails of a Reddish Colour In their Habits they follow much of the Turks their Clothes have no proportion to their Bodies hanging loose and large much in the Fashion of the Women their Garments they Gird about their Waists with a Scarf Their Turbants are Red. The Women in their streets go with white Vailes over their Faces down to their knees they are very Neat and Rich in their Clothes and Houses The Persians are very Strict Superstitious and Ceremonious in their Religion as the Turk is They Bury their Dead three hours after they are departed Except they Dye in the night They wash or bathe the Bodies of their Dead before they are interred in a great Cistern which they have for the same purpose near the Mosque to which place they are Carried on a Bier in their Clothes and after they are stript and washt they put them in clean Linnen Anoint them and so bear them to the Grave being accompanied with his Friends Relations Servants c. The King of Persia Governs by an absolute Power disposing of the Lives and Estates of his Subjects as best pleaseth him making his Will his Law not daring to Murmur though his Actions are never so unjust The Administration of Justice is decided by the King but first tryed by the Secular Judges who Examine the same and deliver up their Opinion to the King They have several Severe and strict Punishments which they inflict upon the Offenders according to the Hainousness of the Crimes for some Offences they cut off their Ears and Nose sometimes their Foot and Hands for others to be Beheaded for some again they are tyed between two boards and so sawed asunder with several other cruell Deaths too tedious to name In their Military affairs they are well Experienced their Army consisting only of Horse who have for their Armour Darts and Javelins yet have they some in the Nature of our Dragoones They have great quantity of all Sorts of Cattle Grain and Fruits amongst their Fruit Trees they have great quantities of black and white Mulberry-Trees which grow not above five or six Foot high which serves for Food for their Silk Worms which makes them great store of Silk Of the Empire of the Great Mogul THe Great Mogul is one of the greatest and most Powerful Princes of Asia whose vast Empire Comprehends the Greatest part of the Continent of India In which large Territories there are several Indian Kingdomes Tributary to him He is esteemed the Richest Prince of the World Sha Johan who Raigned 40 Years lest him behind him five Millions of Livers And the Throne that he made cost one hundred and Sixty Millions and Five-Hundred-Thousand Livers besides six other Thrones set all over with Diamonds Rubyes Emeralds and Pearles He is able to bring into the Field One-Hundred-Thousand Horse and Two-Hundred-Thousand Foot and two or three thousand Elephants The Great Moguls Ordinary Guard Consists of about twelve-Thousand Men besides Six-Hundred of his Life Guard he never stirs abroad to Hunt take the Air or the like without the Atendance of Ten-Thousand Men of all Degrees besides to make his State the Greater there are one Hundred Elephants Richly trapt and covered with Scarlet Velvet or the like on each of these Elephants there are seated two Men the one to guide him and the other Supports a large Banner of Silk richly Embroidered with Gold and Silver after these Hundred Elephants comes the Mogul either mounted on an Excellent Horse or else in a Coach or Sedan attended by his Nobles and other Courtiers After whom comes about Five-Hundred Elephants Camels and Waggons which are to Carry the Baggage For he Commonly Encamps in the Field to have the Benefit of the Coolness of the Air The Mogul Celebrates with great Pomp and State the first Day of the Year The Emperour himself is a Turkish Mahometan although the most part of his Vassals are Pagans For as there are several sorts of People so there are divers sorts of Religions amongst them The Country is very Fertile yielding great store of Corn and Rice and all Sorts of Provisions are very Cheap and the Inhabitants very Sober and Temperate It is conceived to be the largest Country of any one name in the World Except China and Tartaria The whole Countrey is Divided into two Peninsula's one Peninsula is accounted on this side the River Ganges called India Intra-Gangem and the other Peninsula beyond the Ganges called India-Extra-Gangem of each we shall take a Brief Survey Of India on this side the Ganges called India-Intra-Gangem INdia-Intra-Gangem is bounded on the East with the River Ganges till the fall thereof into the Sea And after that with that large and spacious Bay called the Gulf of Bengala On the West with the Territories of the Persian Empire and part of the Arabian Seas On the North where it is broadest with Mount Taurus On the South with the Indian Ocean ending in a sharp point or Promontory as you may see in the Map We Divide this Peninsula into ten parts or Divisions being under several Kings Governments and Religions In the Kingdom of Cuncan are Goa Visapore Dabul and Rejapore Carapatan and Mongrelia Goa is a City as fair Rich and of as great Traffick as any in the East Indies being Situated on an Island of the same name taken by the Portugals in the Year 1510 and have since that Established themselves so Powerfully there that their Vice-Roy Bishop and their Council for the East Indies have their Residence there Their streets are large their Houses fair especially their Palaces and Publick Buildings which are very Magnificent their Churches are Stately and Richly Adorned The City is 15 Miles in Compass The Portugals live here in all manner of Delight and Pleasure Here on this Coast is also Situated Surrat and Bombay two great Factoryes of the English Merchants The whole Countrey is under the Government of the Sâ—vagee who is a Tributary to the great Mogul The People bloudy and treacherous addicted much to the Art of Poysonning and do Fight commonly with Poysoned Arrows A notable Instance of their Treachery I shall give you Which was in the Year
Iron Copper Tarr Furrs Sweden Comprehends seven parts which are 1. Halland Schonen and Bleking all which goe under the name of South Gothland The Chief Towns Lunden Malmugen Landskroon and Christianstadt 2. The North part of Gothland is divided into Ostro Gothland and Westro Gothland The Chief Towns Calmar Gottenburgh and Linkopen 3. Sweden containing eight or nine Provinces The Chief Cities are Stockholme Vpsal and Nikopen 4. Lapland is Divided into five Regions or Terrâ—tories viz. Vma Piiha Lula Tormia and Lapmark with the Towns of the same name whereof Tormia is of most importance 5. The great Province of Finland subdivided into several small Provinces The Chief Towns are Abbo Wiburg and Roseburg 6. Ingria The Chief Towns Noteburg and Juanagrâ—d 7. Livania or Liffland The Chief Town Riga Derpt and Revel The Crown of Swedland is also possessed of several Islands in the Baltick Sea And in Germany the Dukedoms of Pomeren Bremen and Ferden The Town of Wismar and the Island of Rugen In the North Part of Sweden Tormia and Kimi are the most Considerable Rivers of Scandinavia The Country is full of Mountains and Woods The Commodities of the Country are Copper Buttet Tallow Hides Skins Pitch Rosin Timber and Boards There are so few sick people among them that Physitians and Apothecaries have little or no Practice The Air is so sharp and salubrious that it is ordinary for men to live an hundred years Their Religion Lutheran Of Denmark DEnmaark Consists of three Parts to wit Jutland which is a great Peninsula or Chersonesus annexed to Germany Jutland is Divided into North and South Jutland 1. North Jutland includs four Lutheran Diocesses which are 1. The Diocess of Rypen 2. Of Arhusen 3. Of Wiburg and Alburg and Schagen the North Cape of Denmark 2. South Jutland Comprehends two Dukedoms 1. The Dukedom of Holstein Included within the Circle of Lower Saxony 2. The Dukedom of Sleswick the Chief Town of the same name with the Castles of Gottorp Tonningen and Fiendsburg The most Remarkable Islands of the Baltick are 1. Zeland the Chief City Copenhagen the Residence of the King whose Brother Prince George was Marryed to the Illustrious Lady ANN Daughter to his Royal Highness the DUKE of York Anno 1683. 2. The Island Fuinen the Chief Towns Odensee Middlefort and Niburg The Islands and Countries in the Northern Sea which depends upon the Kingdom of Denmark are a great Island of Iselandia the Chief Town Hola a Bishoprick The Islands Fezo The Kingdom of Norway c. Of Poland THe Elective Kingdom of Poland lies to the Eastward of Germany on the North of Hungary Transilvania and Moldavia and South-westward from Muscovia It Contains two Estates that of true Poland with the Provinces Annexed thereto and the great Dutchy of Lithuania with its Dependancies which is now united to the Crown of Poland The whole Kingdom is divided into twelve Provinces as may appear in the Table It is in Compass 2600 miles very fruitful in Barley and Cattle Hemp Wax Pitch Tarr and other Merchandize The Inhabitants Excellent Souldiers They are all pestered with factions that they can attempt no great matter only to defend themselves from the Turks They are much addicted to the Latine Tongue They have of all Religions amongst them but the Present King seems much to favour Popery and was Eminently service able in the late War in the relief of Vienna and the regaming of Hungary from the Turk Of Lithuania LIthuania is the Greatest Province of all those which Compose the Estates of the Crown of Poland It has the Tittle of a Grand Dukedome wherein there are as many great Officers as in the Kingdome of Poland The Country is full of Marshes and Sloughs that there is no travelling in the Winter for Ice Samogitia a Countrey in this Dukdome whose Inhabitants live very poorely Volhinia the Chief City Kiou an Ancient place having once 300 fair Churches but destroyed by the Tartars still a Bishops See acknowledging the Partriarch of Mosco and of the Communion of the Greek Church seated on the Borysthenes where the Cossacks have often had their Retreats It was lately in the hands of the Muscovite but now said to be the Turks in the year 1678. In Podolia stands the well fortified and Impregnable Caminiack which formerly withstood the Armyes of the Turkes the lesser Tartars the Transylvanians and the Walachians but at length was forced to yield to the Grand Seignior in the year 1672. since Retaken by the Poles but by the last Treaty delivered to the Turks as also Orzanthow and Dussow at the mouth of the Borysthenes Of Muscovia MVscovia is the vastest Empire in Europe 3300 miles long and 3000 broad The whole Countrey is over spread with Woods and Lakes The People for the most part fat and Corpulent strong of Body and good proportion only Great Bellyes and Broad Beards are in Fashion The Women love not their Husbands unless they beat them They only teach their Children to Write and Read They wear long Robes under which they have close coats down to their knees but they tye their Girdles under their bellyes The Religion of the Muscovite is of the Greek Church all their Images are in flat painting The Grand Duke bears the Title of Czar as much as to say Cezar The Habits which he is said to wear makes him look like a Priest The Embassadors of Forreign Princes are at the greatest trouble in the World to give him his right Titles One of his Pedeceisers was so Barbarous that he caused the Hat of a French Embassador to be nailed to his Head because he refus'd to be uncovered in his presence but Queen Elizabeth sent an Embassador thither soon after a man so Couragious that he stood also in his presence covered and undauntedly told the Czar to his Face that if he touch'd a hair of his Head his great Mistris would make his Empire to tremble and made the Titles of his Mistris the Queen of England Exceed the number of the Czars Tittles Stiling her The Mâ—st high and Mighty Monarch ELIZABETH Queen of England France and Ireland Northumberland Westmorland Cumberland York-shire Lancashire Cheshire c. Runing through all the Countyes and shires in England the length of which Titles Amazed the Czar and he acquainted the Embassador That he had a great Esteem for her Majesty and for her Subjects and declared his willingness to suffer her Subjects to trade in any part of his Empire without paying any Dutyes which great Priviledge was Continued to our English Merchants until the Martyrdome of King CHARLES the first of glorious Memory he mightely resenting that Horrid Act and that Priviledge hath not been yet regained Muscovia is Divided into two parts the Northern and the Southern Mosco it the Capital City and the Residence of the Czar There are at this present two Czars who not long since sent two Embassadors one from each to his Majesty of Great Britain 1683. Of Turky
Euphrates divides Armenia and Mesopotamia from Asia Minor Syria and Arabia Tygris descends from the Georgian Mountaines falls into divers lakes loses it self divers times in the Earth cutts through the Mountaines and divides Mesopotamia from Assyria washes the Ruines of Nineveh receives the branches of the Euphrates and disembogues it self into the Persian Gulf. Syria and Phenicia Two Adjoining Provinces wherein is Mount Libanus famous in Scripture for goodly Cedars The Chief Cities Damascus Antioch Tyre and Sidon and those now more renowned for Commerce are Aleppo and Scandaroone The Countrey abounds with Wheat Oyl Balm c. Canaan or Palestine in length but 200 miles and in breadth not above 50 yet so Fruitful that we read in Holy writ it once sustained 1300000 fighting Men besides the tribes of Levi and Benjamin but now it is nothing so plentiful 'T is now under the Turk Inhabited by mixt People pretending to Christianity shewing divers of the places mentioned in the Scripture Mesopotamia or Diarbeck lying between Euphrates and Tygris the Soil is exceeding Fertile and from hence supposed to be the place where the Garden of Eden was Upon Tygris stands Babylon now called Bagdat where happened the Confusion of Languages after the Flood and is only a great Ruinous heap near which place stood the Tower of Babel Babylon was built by Nimrod much Augmented by Nebuchadnezzar it was taken by Cyrus Darius and by Alexander the great who died there In the year 1638 when Amurath the fourth retook it from the Persians he caused three Men out of every Tent throughout his Army to be cast into the Mote and over them a vast number of Bavins and Woolsacks that he might the more easily assault the place Armenia now called Turcomania taking its name from the Turks who being a People of Schythia and too populous to get food sufficient in so Barren a Country broke through the Caspian Sea and seated themselves here in the year Anno Domini 844. Georgia not so called from St. George whom yet here they greatly reverence but from the Georgi who long ago Inhabited the Adjacent Countreys the People now though Tributaryes to the Turk Profess Christianity and agree in most points with the Greek Church It is seated between the Euxine and the Caspian Sea Of Arabia ARabia is bounded on the East with the Persian Gulph and Chaldea and on the South the Ocean and on the West the Red Sea and some part of Egypt and on the North the River Euphrates with some part of Palestine It is Commonly divided into three parts viz. Arabia the Stony Arabia the Desert and Arabia the Happy Arabia the Stony lies near the Holy-Land Arabia the Desart lies near Chaldea and the Euphrates Arabia the Happy advances it self between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulph which divides it from Persia and this part is the greatest and Richest and best Inhabited of all Arabia the Stony hath for its chief City Herat which signifies a Rock whereon it was built with an advantagious Scituation a place of great strength On the Coast of the Red Sea is the Castle Tar a Walled Town and a Port very famous and it is believed the Israelites having passed the Red Sea Entered the Desarts this way and it is likewise a Passage where the Carravans stop at their return from Mecca Arabia the Desart so called by reason of the vast Sandy Desarts and the uninhabitableness thereof of scarce offerding either food for Man or Beast So that those which travel those Countreys are forced to carry their Provisions with them and guide themselves to the place designed by the help of the Stars or Marriners Compass as they do at Sea and go in great Companies for fear of being robbed or rifled by the wild Arabs The People are much addicted to Theft by which they get their living being stout and warlike Men their Chief food being Venison Milk and Herbs they go half naked their Wives they hire for what time they please Arabia the Happy may properly be so called by Reason of the Fruitfulness and Richness of the Soil which Produceth plenty of Corn Wine Fruit and Odoriferous Spices great increase of Cattel also abounding in Gold Pearles Balsom Myrrhe Frankinsence and several forts of Druggs These People are very Faithful and Punctual in their Promises here are great quantities of Ostriches which for the most parts abide in the Desarts In the Province of Hagiaz the Chief Cities towards the Red Sea are Medina and Mecca this last being the Birth-Place of Mahomet and the other his Burying-Place Medina though Scituated in a Barren and Desolate Place adjoyning on Arabia the Stony yet by Reason of its being the Sepulcher of Mahomet is become a fair City containing about 6000 Houses being a place of great Trading and resort by Reason of the Pilgrims which flock thither to pay their Blind Devotions This Sepulcher or Tomb wherein their Prophet lieth is Enclosed within an Iron grate and Covered with green Velvet having the supply of a new one every year from the Grand Seignior and the old one becomes the fees of the Priests which they sell in small pieces and shreds for great Reliques to the Pilgrims which brings them in great Revenues In this Temple are about 3000 Lamps of Gold and Silver wherein is Balsam and such other rich Odours Oyntments and Oyls which are Continually kept burning The People for the most part are of a mean Stature Lean Swarthy Complexioned Effeminate voices very Swist of foot and very Expert in the Bow and Dart. The Horses are also little and lean and spare in feeding yet Couragious Swift and of great Labour The People are almost all Mahometans except some Greek Christians towards the Mounts of Sinai and Horeb likewise towards the Red Sea and in the Desarts of Arabia the Stony and Arabia the Desart Arabia the Happy is the unhappiest by having the fewest Of Persia THe Kingdom or Empire of the Sophy of Persia is one of the greatest and most famous of all Asia it Extends from Tygris and Euphrates on the west almost to the River Indus in the East And from the Gulph of Persia and the Arabian and Indian Sea which bounds it on the South unto the River Gehon and to the Caspian Sea which are its Bounds of the North so Containing about 600 leagues in length and 500 in breadth The Persian Monarchy began under Ninus and lasted under 30 and odd Kings 13 or 1400 years ending in Sardanapalus It divided it self into Medes and Babylonians afterwards the Persians made themselves Masters of it Alexander the Great held this Empire but few Years and dying it was divided amongst many of his Captaines who at last took upon them the Title of Kings Hispahan the Metropolitan City of the Persian Monarchy seated in the Parthian Territory which in its Situation is pleasant and delightful and in its Soil Fruitful its air Serene and Healthful and for bigness is now become the greatest City
1683. There was three of their Ships and four Grabs man'd with 1500 of their Men which the Suvagee afterwards by way of Excuse pretended to be Arabians and took the Ship to be a Portuguese and as a token of their Resentment Imprisoned the Chief of them They set upon one of our East India Ships call'd the President Captain Jonathan Hide Commander whom they Attaqued very desperately and was as Briskly received by the English and as bravely Repulsed with a great Slaughter of the Indians And Recovered their Ship to the great Comendations of all that were there in Which brave Souls had not the Happiness to Enjoy the Honour of that Action in their own Countrey The Ship being unfortunately cast away in February following and all their Men lost but two as they were coming into the Chanel to the great grief and sorrow of the Merchants and Owners as well as their Particular Friends and Relations Malabar extends its self from the River Gangeraco to Cape Comarine 300 miles in length but is not above 50 in breadth and ending towards the Cape in a Point The Countrey is more Populous for the bigness then any in India enjoying a very Temperate Air and a Fruitful Soil well Watered and indented with many Creeks The Ground unfit for Corn but Plentiful in Rice and all manner of Spices as Ginger Cinnamon Cassia Pepper and most Excellent Fruits The People on this part of India are of a blacker Complexion then the rest of the Indians well Limbed wearing their Hair long and Curled About their Heads they wear a Hankerchief wrought with Gold and Silver and about their middle a Cloth which hangeth down to conceal their Nakedness The Natives on the whole Coast of India are of Nature Treacherous and Bloudy more properly to be termed Desperate than Stout and Valiant in their Wars they use Poysoned Arrows as they do in their Pyrating and Thieving both by Sea and Land The Kingdom of Bisnagar seated in the Bay of Bengala between twelve and fifteen Degrees of North Latitude in which Kingdom is the great Factory of our East India Company called Fort St. George almost all the People are Idolaters some Mahumetans and a sew Catholiques Amongst the Customes of those Heathens they have the Inhumane Custome for the Women to Burn themselves with the Corps of their deceased Husbands in this manner the Husband being Dead the Wife prepares her self for her Funeral Habite in Transparent Lawn Her Nose Ears and Fingers she Adorns with Precious Stones in one hand She holds a Ball and in the other a Nosegay of Flowers both as Emblems of Parâ—dise And being thus Habited She is Accompanied to the place by her Relations Friends and Acquaintance and all the way Going the Priest denotes the Joys She is to Possess together with the Assurance of Enjoying her Husband which does Excite her to Valour so that when She cometh to the Place seeth the Flame and the Carcass of her Dead Husband whom She longeth to be with and being as it were Transported with Joy She takes leave of her Friends and Relations and Jumps into the Flame in which the Corps of her Husband was first put both which is soon Reduced to Ashes during which time they have several sorts of Musick to Drown the Cryes of the poor Wretch casting in store of sweet Wood and Oil into the Fire to take away the Unsavory smell Of the Island Ceylon THe Island Ceylon lyeth to the Eastward of Cape Comarine of an Oval form divided from the Main by a shallow Chanel The Havens Refreshing it with their Dews The Air with Fragrant freshness The Land stored with whole Woods of Cinamon besides Fruits Lemons and Oranges c. Of Fowls and Beasts great Plenty both Wild and Tame It so abounding with all Contentments that the Indians hold it to be a Paradise In this Island is a mighty high Hill called Adam's Pico reputed to be seven Leagues high The People for the most part Tall and Strait of Body in matters of Religion they are generally Idolaters very Active and well Skilled in Jugling This Island is Divided into several Kingdoms as of Candâ—e c. And a City of that Name the Seat of the King This Island is memorable for the 20 Years Captivity of Captain Knox and of his Miraculous Escape which when he Returned to England he wrote a large Treatise of the Nature of this Island and the Manners and Customes of the Inhabitants to which I refer you Of the Maldive Islands NEar unto the Coast of Malabar lieth a great Number of Islands called Maldive from Mal the City of those Islands and Dive which signifies an Island They are Divided into 13 divisions divided by certain Channels From hence the King of Maldives terms himself King of 13 Provinces in which are Contained Eleven-Thousand Islands as is Reported by some that have been there here they take Multitudes of little shells called Couries which pass in many places for Money The King Resides in the Isle of Mal which is one of the greatest but not above a League and a half In Circumference but it is a most Fruitful place strangers frequent it because of the Court There Grows on these Islands neither Rice nor Wheat yet all sorts of Provisions are Cheaper here then in other parts of India There are here abundance of Cocoe Nuts they have little Beef or Mutton no Dogs for they Abhor them they have great store of Fish The Inhabitants are very Industrious and Sober People Of India beyond the Ganges called India-Extra Gangem INdia Extra-Gangem is that part of the great Continent of India which lieth on the East-side of the River Ganges In this Peninsula are a great Number of Kingdomes but I shall only discourse of the Principal ones that are Contained in the Table which are Arracan Pegu Martaban Siam Cambodia Couchin China Malacca and Tanquin The Kingdom of Arracan is Situated on the East-side of the Bay of Bengala extending it self from the Tropick of Cancer to the sixteenth Degree of North Latitude it being a brave and Fruitful Country The Kingdom of Pegu when in its Splendor was so Rich and Powerful that some would equal it to China They have in many places Mines of Gold Silver and Precious Stones Besides Grains Fruits Herbs Fowl and Beasts which are here found Excellent And without doubt it is the Richest Country of all the Indies and for the same Reason one of the best Peopled and most Powerful The Chief City of this Kingdom is Pegu the Metropolis The Houses well Built The Palace-Royal is Seated in the midst of the City having its partitular Wall-Moat and other Fortifications The Habit of the Natives is but mean contenting themselves for the most part with a piece of Linnen to Cover their Nakedness They all black their Teeth because they say Dogs Teeth are white They are Generally all Pagans Those that Marry Buy their Wives of their Parents The Kingdom of Martaban
of India It is said to contain in Circuit 3000 Leagues Containing not less then Sixteen Provinces at this day The Country is very Rich and Fertile so that in some places they have two and in some three Harvests in a year The People are for the most part of a Swarthy Complexion short nosed black eyed and very thin beards they wear their Garments very long with long loose sleeves and their hair long they drink their drink hot and eat their meat with two sticks of Ivory or Ebony The Son is bound to follow his fathers occupation The People are good Artificers Ingenious and Excellent in all things they take in hand as the Purcelian Dishes curious Carvings and the fine painted works which comes over from thence doth manifest They are effeminated with ease and pleasure and are not much given to Wars Of both Sexes there is thought to be Contained in this Country not fewer then Seventy Minions In Matters of Religion are generally all Gentiles The Forces which this King is able to draw into the Field must needs be infinite Considering that incredible number of Subjects under his Command for whereas France is thought to Contain Fifteen Millions of People Italy with the Isles as many Germany with the Switzers and Belgick Provinces about that Proportion Spain not above Seven Millions and the Kingdom of England and VVales not above Five Millions which is in all 57 Millions his people is 13 Millions more then all these put together The Government of this Kingdom is Tyrannical there being no Lord but the King no Title of Dignity or Nobility known amongst them nor Toll or Duty paid to any but to him The Dignity of the Crown is Hereditary falling to the Eldest Son after his decease The King they highly reverence calling him the Son of Heaven and the Son of God c. The great City of Pequin now the Seat of the King is of a vast bigness Containing within its Walls 3300 Pogodes or Temples wherein are continually sacrificed a great number of Wild Beasts and Birds In the Walls which encompasseth this City are 360 Gates to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept as also a Register to take the names of persons that pass thereat each of the streets having its Captain and other Officers who are to look after the same and every night to shut up the Gates Here are about 120 Aquaducts and Canals upon which are near 1800 Fair Bridges sustained on Arches This City is the Residence of the King when he is in the Northern Provinces as Nanquin is in the Southern Of Tartary TArtary is seated on the most Northern part of Asia and extends it self from East to West from the River Volga and Oby that separates it from Euprope unto the streight of Jesso which separates it from America Their Neighbours are the Muscovites on the West on the North the Tartarian Sea and the Persians the Mogolls and the Chinois on the South on the East the Straits of Jesso or Anian not yet certainly known The People are of an indifferent Stature ugly Countenances thick Lips Hollow Ey'd Flat Noses broad faced very strong Stout Valiant and good Warriers very Active Vigilant exceeding quick of foot patient in all afflictions they are very Rude Barbarous and revengeful do eat their Enemies and drink their blood as Wine at Feasts Their Habit is mean made of Course stuff reaches but to their Knees yet they are very Proud and think their Cham to be the greatest Prince in the World In Matters of Religion they are generally Pagans and Mahometans The Pagan being the best Gentleman being of the Elder House Their Food is mean and sluttishly drest they eat Horses and drink Mares Milk The Government is Tyrannical their Great Cham being Lord of all in whose Breast lyeth their Laws Every man hath the liberty of having two or three Wives which they never choose but out of their own Tribe The Country is very Fertile in most places abounding in Wheat Rice Wool Hemp Silk Musk Rubarb great Herds of Camells and Horses which they vend to the Chinois Mogolls and other Indians that comes thither to Trasick A General Description OF AFRICA CHAP. I. AFRICA is a Peninsula so great that is makes the third and most southerly part of our Continent It is bounded on all sides by the Sea it is by the Latines called Africa and the Greeks Lybia It approaches so near to Spain that onely the Straights of Gibralter divides them and is joyned to Asia only by a small Isthmus of Thirty or Forty Leagues between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean It is every where Inhabited though not so well as Europe and Asia partly by reason of the unsupportable heats and partly for want of water in many dry Countryes As to its divisions In the higher part of Africa is Barbary Billedulgerid and Egypt further South is the desarts of Zaara the Country of Negroes and Guinea in the higher Ethiopia or under Egypt are Nubia Abissina and Zanguebar In the lower or Inferiour Ethiopia Congo Mono Motapa and the Cafrees Barbary extends it self along the Mediterranean-Sea from the Ocean to Egypt and is bounded on the South by Mount Atlas Billedulgerid lies along this Mountain likewise from the Ocean unto Egypt bounded by Zaara or desart Egypt is only one valley from the Cataracts of Nile unto the Mediterranean-Sea Likewise Zaara the desart the Country of the Negroes and Guinea stretch themselves from the Ocean unto the high and low Ethiopia We have divided Ethiopia into the higher and lower placing in the Higher Nubia Abissina and Zanguebar in the lower Congo Monomotapa and Cafrees The Mountains in Africa are in great number and are very remarkable for their heighth and the Mettals wherewith they abound The most famous are Mount Atlas those of the Moon and Siere Lione Atlas was the most famous amongst the Ancients who believed it bounded the world on the South The Mountains of the Moon are higher than any in Europe and are alwayes covered with Snow and Ice The largest and most famous Rivers of Africa are the Nile and the Niger The Emperors Kings and Princes which at present possess Africa are in very great number The most powerful and Considerable are the great Turk or Sultan of the Ottomans who hold all Egypâ— a great part of Barbary and almost all the Coast that touches the Red Sea The Negus of the Abissines who possesses the fairest and greatest part of the Higher Ethiopia the Xeriffs of Fez and Morocco which have held those two Kingdoms in Barbary in which Country was situated the City and Garrison of Tangier belonging to his Imperial Majesty of Great Britain which was demolished in the year 1684. managed by the prudent Conduct of the Right Honourable George Lord Dartmouth in the Ship of Grafton and several others under his Command The Religions in Africa may be reduced to four viz. Mahometism Christianity Paganism
and Judaism Mahometism possesses Barbary Biledulgerid Egypt Zaara the desart part of the Negroes and a good part of Zangubar Paganism holds part of the Negroes Nubia and Guinea and all the Lower Ethiopia with the Cafrees and some mixture otherwhere Christianity holds in Africa almost all the whole Empire of the Abissines and part of Egypt and by the Portugals in their several Factories and Colonies that they have upon the Coasts of Africa As for Judaism it is scattered in many Cities on the Coast of Barbary as at Morocco Fez Algier c. Likewise in Egypt and on the Confines of the Abassines CHAP. II. Of the Country of Africa in particular Of Barbary THe People in Barbary are of a duskish or blackish Complexion of Stature Tall and well proportioned they are of an Active Disposition for Horsemanship otherwise excessive idle they are very subtil close perfidious inconstant Proud much addicted to Luxury and therefore by consequence very jealous of their Wives whom they keep with great severity and that the more according to their handsomness Their Religon is Mahometism and are for the most part inclined to Literature and Arts. The Moores of Fez and Morocco are well disposed strong active and yet melancholly they may marry four Wives and as many Concubines as they can keep Here the women at the death of their friends assemble themselves together habit themselves in Sackeloath and Ashes and sing a Funeral Dirge to the praise of the deceased and at the end of every Verse howl and cry and this they do for seven days together Of Billedulgerid BIlledulgerid or Land of Dates hath Barbary on the North from whence it is separated by Mount Atlas on the south Zaara on the west the great Ocean Sea and on the East Egypt The Air is healthful they live long are deformed and are held base people ignorant of all things are addicted to Theft Murther and are very deceitful they feed grosly and are great hunters they acknowledge Mahomet Of Zaara ZAara is an Arabian name and signifie Desart The Country is generally hot and dry it hath but little water except some few wells and those salt if there falls great rains the Land is much better but besides the leanness of the soil there is sometimes such vast quantities of Grashoppers that they eat and ruine all that the earth produceth It is so barren and ill Inhabited that a man may travel a week together without seeing a tree or scarce any grass or water The People are Bereberes and Africans almost all follow Mahometism This great desart is divided into five principal parts as is shewed in the Table and Map Of the Land of Negroes THe Negroes are People about the River Niger which hath taken its name from these people and these people from their Colour In this Division are placed several Kingdoms as you will find marshall'd in the Table and what is remarkable in them we shall briefly touch Some of the Kingdoms are rich in Grain Cotton Cattle and Gold the Country of the Negroes is esteemed as fertile as those watred with the Nilo it bears twice a year and each time sufficient to furnish them with Corn for five whole years which makes them not sow the Lands but when they judge they shall have need they keep their Corn in Pits and Ditches under ground which they call Matamores The People are generally idle and ignorant but bear great respect to their Kings Of Guinea GVinea is that part of the Coast of Africa which is found between the River Niger and the Equinoctial Line This Coast from East to West is 7 or 800 Leagues long and not above 100 or 150 in breadth The Soil of Guinea very fertile and for the most part bears twice a year because they have two Summers and two winters The Comodities of the Country are Gold and Elephants Teeth in great abundance in Wax Hides Cotton and Ambergreese and for these Commodities they barter for course Cloath both Lannen and Woolen Red Caps Freez Mantles and Gowns and leather bags Guns Swords Copper Bars and Iron Knives Hammers Axes c. The Inhabitants go naked save about their Waste they tye a piece of Linnen yet very proud and stately in matters of Religion great Idolaters worshiping Beasts on this Coast are several Factories belonging to the Royal African Company Of Congo TO the southward of the Equinoctial Line and unto Cape Negroe lies the Kingdom of Congo and is said to be the fairest of the lower Ethiopia The Inhabitants are naturally very sweet and are able and strong of body but dull and idle their money is of grey shells their Grains Fruits Waters Fowl Sea and River Fish are excellent they have store of Elephants Mines of Silver Iron Chrystal Marble Jaspar Porphyre c. They know no History but by the Reigns of their Kings The most famous Rivers of this Kingdom are the Zaer the Lelunda the Zair descends from the Lane of Zair from whence also descends the Nile The Zaer hath 400 Leagues Course and is very Rapid by reason of the Cataracts or great falls which it hath from the Mountains Of Biafara BIafara is a Kingdom in the lower Ethiopia in the Gulf of St. Thomas by our English-Seamen called the Bight the people very Barbarous their habits made of Mats they adict themselves to Witchcraft and sometimes sacrificing their children to Devils Of Monomotapa THE Monomotapa that is the Emperor King or Soveraign of Motapa and possesses an Empire so great that it is 1000 Leagues Circuit this Prince deports himself with gravity and that there is no access to his person but with very great submissions he is alwayes adorned with Chains and precious stones like a woman The Inhabitants are all black of mean Stature and excellent good footmen that they are said to out-run horses The Woods have great store of Elephants as also other Beasts rich Pastures well surnished with Cattle plenty with Grains Fruits Fowl and is well watered with Rivers in which are abundance of Fish the Air temporate their summer is when we have our winter and their winter is when we have our Summer Of the Abissines THE Empire of the Abissines Heylin makes to be the Dominions of Prester John and saith he is of such great force that he is able to raise upon a sudden occasion a million of fighting men his Government is absolutely Tyrannical The people profess the Christian Religion which was first made known to them by the Eunuch of Queen Candace who was baptized by Philip the Evangelist and more generally by the Preaching of Saint Mathew the Apostle since which they have much swerved from the Purity of the true Religion by their many Corrupt Opinions they keep many of the Ceremonies of the old Law they keep the seventh day Sabbath according to the fourth Commandment they allow their Priests no yearly maintenance neither will they suffer them to beg they get their livelyhood by their own labour