Ship would not touch there by which means over and above he took in a great many Passengers and Lading for India Being thus disappointed we soon weighed Anchor and steered away South South east with a very gentle Wind but were soon becalmed for many Hours then sprung up an Easterly Wind and we stood away to the South and soon had the Isle of Rischer on our Larboard which is very near the main Land and makes a little Port called Bender-Rischer which is guarded by a Fort and standing away we came up with the Island of Coucher and left it on our Larboard this Island is large and indifferent Fruitful and so Sailing on passed Cape Verdestan at 3 or 4 Leagues distance and as we Sailed we had often a faint view of the main Land of Persia especially where it lay high and Mountainous but before we came to the Island of Lar we lost our Long-Boat which was a great disappointment to us Lar is a little Desart Island bearing nothing but a few Trees at the West North-west end of it we passed by this and the next that presented was Andravia a little low Island near the main Land and passing by we had Kies another Island to the South-West it is indifferently Inhabited the Houses lying up and down in it but Coasting Paloro and leaving Mount Sennas on the Main Land to the Larboard we made Congo a little Town in the Kingdom of Persia 27 Degrees 15 Minutes North Latitude it stands on the Sea-side near the Foot of a black Rock that shelter the Town from the North Winds and behind there is a white Rock or Hill and many such along the Coast The Town lies from West North-west to East South-east and is defended by a little Castle where 3 pieces of Cannon are mounted and has a safe Road for Shipping to Ride in though they are very much tossed in high Winds about it are 5 Gardens replenished with Fruit-Trees as Figs Lemons Quinces Oranges Pears c. Large Pomgranates Mellons and Palm-Trees there are also the Indian Mangoes they have Schiras-Wine and Brandy made of Dates there are near it Hills producing Sulphur which is dug and transported to the Indies The Custom is easie half of it belonging to the King af Portugal by Agreement beside five Horses the King of Persia presents him every Year and to this end there is a Portuguese Agent residing in the Town who has the Colours of that Nation on the Tarras of his House Leaving this place after the sale of some Goods and taking in others we set Sail for Sindy being the first Town of India where the River Indus discharges it self into the Sea but here we narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Zinganes a sort of Indian Pirates who lie with their Boats behind the Rocks to surprize Vessels as they come near them and if they board a Ship in the first fury till they have mastered and secured the Prize they put all to the Sword and the rest they Lame by cutting the Sinew above the Heel and make them Slaves to keep their Cattle they so use them to prevent their running away Their Arms are only Swords and Arrows therefore our watchfulness and the fire of our great Guns made them retire again among the Rocks so soon as they prepared to attack us But having little to do here we set Sail for Surat having now on Board us by taking in many Passengers 116 Souls and passing many small Islands and some Promontories came to Queschimo a large low Island so that Sailing by it one may see the Mountains of the main Land over it it lies from East to West 20 Leagues in length but indifferent in breadth There is a Fort where Ships Anchor at 6 Fathom Water and this formerly belonged to the Portuguese On the South East of it lies Nabdgion or Pilombo a little low Desart Island and East of it Tonbo affording little beside Antelopes and Coneys but Ships have here the Advantage of many Wells to Water at yet the entrance is dangerous because of the Banks that lie under Water about it the Portuguese were once Masters of most of these Islands and exacted Tribute from Ships that Traded there but their Strength and Riches decaying at Home weakned it abroad so that now they have lost most of their footing on the Coast of Persia and the Indies Sailing from hence in a little time we had the Isle of Angom to the North east and on the South-east a Port of Arabia Foelix called Julfer to which many Indian Barks come to buy Dates and Pearl the latter being fished all along the Coast from Mascat to Babrem and bring European Money to purchase them The next that stood with us were the Isles of Salame these are four Rocks over-against Cape Mosandon one of them bigger than the rest rising a little into a point there is a dangerous Chanel passing between them all Rock at the bottom so that many adventuring to pass it have been cast away Having passed these we met with great storms of Hail accompanied with prodigious Thunders and Lightning insomuch that the Sea seemed to be all on Fire This made us furl our Sails and though the Air on Head of us was as dark as Night there appeared a Rainbow on our Starboard Upon the breaking of this Storm prodigious Spouts began to rise out of the Sea to our Larboard and at length encreased almost on all sides of us some being very near which put us into a considerable fright least falling on our Ship they should sink it they being extraordinary large insomuch that all affirmed they had not seen the like in their Lives so that all Hands were employed to secure the Ship as well as might be from the threatning danger for we as good as gave our selves to be lost however trusting in the Creator of all things and taking to my self more Courage than ordinary I took a view of these watery Prodigies The first that appeared was about a Musket-shot from us as we were steering North-east and before it rose the Water in that place boiled up prodigiously more than a Foot above the surface of the Sea foaming and looking whitish and over it something representing a black Smoak which the Banians foolishly said was the Devil sucking up Water to drown them This made a hurrying noise like a Torrent running in a Valley mixed with a hissing like that of Serpents or Gees A little after appeared a dark puff of steem this seemed to be a Pipe as big as ones Finger the noise continuing this tapered as it were up to the Clouds and the light put it out of our sight so that we knew that Spout was spent but then there was another to the Southward of us which began in the same manner as the former soon after another to the Westward and another to the side of the second the most remote of the three and all these appeared like so many
Wind and soon left Lindo a-stern being a little Rock at the point of the Island of Rhodes 20 Leagues from the City and on it there is a small Town with a very good Fort. The next that appeared was Scarpanto 17 Leagues distant from Lindo leaving it to the Starboard we enter'd the Gulf of Sataâ—ia where for a considerable time Sailing we had a Rowling Sea the Current there setting with Eddies and it is many times dangerous passing for Ships are often cast away there and here we were encompassed with many flashes of Lightning that glancing on the Waters made the Sea seem as on Fire looking very terrible and I plainly perceived the Master of the Ship was at a loss to stand in with the Coast so that it growing somewhat Calm we made little way that Night The Morning proving Fair the Man sent up to discover could however see no Land but the whiteishness of the Water made the Sailors conclude we must be near the Land of Aegypt which is the only Mark at a great distance that can be observed the Land lying so low that it is not made till a Ship is in a manner upon it This whiteness is occasioned by the River Nile that carries it a great way into the Sea and at this distance from the Coast we had many Flurreys accompanied with great Showers of Rain but they were in a little time over and the Wind coming about North-west we tacked and sent up again to discover but no Land appearing we kept sailing South and South-west but fearing to lose the Windward of Alexandria we stood East and by South but finding that a mistake we tacked about that we might get nearer to the Land from which we knew we could not be far distant and held on the same Course till we found our selves obliged to Tack and bear away South-west here we saw the Moon rise Ecclipsed half an hour after Sun-set which was not visible in England Holland France c. because there according to the Almanacks the Ecclips was to happen at 3 in the Afternoon Feb. 11. and the next Day we percieved the Sea very white about us and the Man that looked out cryed Land some thought it to be Damiette and others Bouquer but in the mean time that we might not Sail to Leeward we continued our Course South-west and in a few Hours we Tacked and stood North-east and about a quarter of an hour after the Wind turning North-west we bore away South and South-west and in conclusion we made the Bouquer and a little after the Farillon or Light-House of Alexandria and at 3 of the Clock in the Afternoon the same day we entered the Haven by the South One thing I found remarkable in approaching Land from Damiette to Rossetto between the two Branches of the Nile that from 40 Fathom Water it lessens every Mile till you come to Land Aegypt is bounded on the East with the Red Sea on the South with Asia on the West with Cyrene and on the North with the Mediterranean Sea CHAP. VII The Author's Arrival at Alexandria and what is observable there and his passing from thence to Caire BEING now at Land and recovered from my Sea fatigue by suitable Refreshments my curiosity lead me to take a view of this once so Renowned City Founded by Alexander the Great when after his Persian Expedition he brought Aegypt under his Subjection though it is not comparable to what it has been in its flourishing time as may appear by the Ruins about it and within its Circumference and the Venerable remains of Antiquity This Town is called by the Turks who possess all Aegypt Skenderia There are in it several Fondicks or large Houses where the English French Dutch and other Europeans have their appointed Residence paying no House Rent but on the contrary the Consuls receive Money of the Grand Signior Annually to keep them in suitable Repair they being every Evening shut up and the Keys carried to the Aga of the Castle who sends them back every Morning they are likewise shut up as is the Water-gate every Friday during Noon Prayer and this arises from an old Prophesie that the Franks for so they call all Christian Europeans shall become Masters of that place during Noon Prayer on a Friday Scarce any thing of the Ancient Town remains unruinated but the Walls and some Buildings towards the French Fondick which are almost ruined it being easie to distinguish the Ancient from the Later Buildings for the latter are low and ill-contrived This once Famous Town has three Ports one called the Old Harbour it is pretty large but the entrance difficult so that but few Vessels put in there the other two are separated by a little Island and higher up the Island was anciently called Pharos and is joyned to the main Land by a Stone Bridge and in the middle of it is a square Tower where the Powder is kept and at the end another Castle called Farillon standing where the Ancient Watch-Tower of Pharos stood which was accounted one of the Seven Wonders of the World The first of these Ports is a Harbour for the Galleys and is on one side defended by the Farillon and on the other by a slighter Castle but these Ports are encumbered with Stones and Rocks requiring a skilful Pilot to guide in Vessels of any considerable Burthen The Custom-house here is Farmed by a Turk and has a Jew for his Deputy and indeed the Receipt of Custom mostly passes through the Jew's Hands who can pleasure or displeasure many that Trade there There is also an Old Custom house but of little Note In Alexandria there is a Mount made of Ancient Ruins on which stands a square Tower and a Sentinel who puts out a Flag so soon as he descrys a Sail and every Vessel coming into the Port pays him something All Officers here depend on the Bassa of Aegypt who places and displaces them at his pleasure The Walls of this Town have Fals Brays and are flanked with great square Towers about 200 Paces distant one from another and a little Tower between every two of them in each of the great Tower there is a large square Hall the Vault of it supported by Pillars of Thebaick Stone and a great many Chambers above and over these a large Platform of 30 Foot Square and each of these anciently were able to maintain 200 Men the Walls are very thick and every where Port-holes in them these Castles have Cisterns replenished with Water but most part of those that encompassed the ancient Alexandria as it was in its Former Extent and Lustre are ruined by the length of Time and neglect of Repair but if the Turkish Officers catch an European Christian in these Towers they presently charge him as a Spy come to view the strength of the Town and then nothing but Money will release him from Punishment Near this Town is the famous Pillar of Pompey so much celebrated by Historians
though their Garments are very Rich yet they overlay them with Gold Silver-Lace or Embroidery of Gold and Silver and these sort of Wenches are allowed or wincked at to be Curtizans or Common Women to satisfie the Spaniniards Venery to which they are insatiably given and they have allways change of Apparel especially for Summer and Winter though the Winter here consists only in terrible Rains and the overflowing of Lakes and Rivers with innundations occasioning many times the Destruction of Houses People and Cattel and continues some Months They are here very Superstitious both Spaniards and Indians for at the invitation of the Priests they make excessive Offerings to the Shrines of Saints as Crowns of Gold Bracelets Precious Stones Vessels of Silver and Gold so that the Monasteries and Churches may well be said to enjoy the Profits and Pleasures of a Golden World for their Revenues or yearly Incomes are more than in any part of Europe nor do these Ecclesiasticks tie themselves to the strictness of the Rules of their Orders but pass away the time in divers Recreations They have pleasant Gardens Fountains Baths Musick and plenty of Provision to Excess so that this exuberiance or super abounding of this Country has corrupted the Manners of the begging Friars and rendred them as stately as petty Princes particularly their Superiors who scarcely give place to any Their Lodgings are stately and the Roofs of their Cloysters and Churches adorned with Mosaick Work and Guildings of Gold some Altars are of Massive Gold others of Silver Pillars of Brazil and Marble of little esteem among them and this Glorious shew of Pomp and Grandure draws the poor Indians to Admire and Adore them though before their Heathen Temples were very Magnificent but not comparable to these They have Tabernacles of Gold and Silver Christial and other precious things to enshrine and carry the Host about in Procession so that I may well say the Riches of the greatest King or Potentate I have yet spoken of may in some degree of Magnificence fall short of what I saw here if I take the Clergy among the Laity In the Market-Place of this City which is very Spacious there are Arched Piazza's and Shops furnished with Costly Wares and before their Shops are all manner of curious Fruits Sold that the Country affords the Arches of the Vice-Roy's Palace with the Walks of the House and the Garden belonging to it takes up almost one side of the Market at the end of it is the principal Prison strongly Built of Stone and next it the Beautiful Street called La Pateria or the Goldsmiths-street where are to be seen the value of many Millions in Plate and Jewels The Street of St. Augustin is very fair where they Trade mostly in Silks Tabuca is the longest and broadest where mostly are Shops vending Iron-ware Brass and Steel made into things fit for use and Service and this is of very stately Building In the Street Del Aquilla the Houses of the Gentry are mostly seated It is called so from an Eagle of Stone placed there upon the Conquest of the City There is a kind of a Park or void place shaded with Trees where the Gallants and Ladies with their Trains and Equipages air themselves in the Evening and here much mischief is done by quarels upon the account of Jealousie in Courtship and hundreds of Swords at a time have been drawn to Revenge or rescue a Revenger and carry him off to Sanctuary where being once Lodged he is out of the power of the Law yet after all the Lake at present much undermines the City for that the Springs permit but of few Cellars in laying in Dead Bodies the Coffins are half covered with Water and many of the stately Buildings sink so that they are forced often to repair their Foundations by laying new ones on the old that seem as it were to be swallowed up in a quick-sand This City has but 3 ways to come into it by Causey the one is from the West and that is a Mile and half long another from the North containing 3 Miles on the East there is no entrance by Land but on the South the Causey is 5 Miles in length and by this last way Cortez entred when he made his Conquest of it About this City as well as in other places are divers kinds of delicate Fruits as the Nuchili of divers Colours a Fruit which eaten stains like Black-Cherries and colours the Urine as red as Blood so that Strangers unacquainted with its quality really fancy they void Blood this put the Spaniards into great frights at their first coming and their Physicians being ignorant of the Operation applied Remedies to stanch Blood till the Indians gave them to understand better the skin of them are thick and full of small prickles which touching the Lips stick in them and make them for a time stick together so that the Voice will faulter but this skin is easily pealed off and then the Fruit appears of a Scarlet Red. There are also Apples Pears Quinces Pomegranets Musk-mellions Chess-Nuts Wall-Nuts Figs Lemons Oranges Citron and abundance of other Fruits known in Europe But one Tree more Admirable than the rest not known amongst us the Metel which they Plant and dress as they do their Vines It hath near 40 kinds of Leaves growing on it which serve for divers uses for when very tender they make Conserves of them when more grown Paper Flax Mantles Shoes Mats Girdles and Cordage on other Leaves grow Prickles so strong that placing them in Frames of Wood they make saws of them from the Root there cometh a Juice like unto Syrrup which by heat is made into Sugar they make of it also Vinegar and a sort of Wine that stupifies the Indians to Drunkenness The Rhin'd roasted heals Sores and Ulcers applying Poltisces to them and from the uppermost Branches distills a Gum which dissolved in Wine Antidotes Poyson And to conclude with this City there is nothing in or about it wanting to make it happy but the Temper of the people who are restless in a Countrey flowing with all Delights Nature or Art can afford them in any degree CHAP. XXIV Travels into divers other parts of the Mexican Province describing the particulars that are Curious and worthy of Note As also in the Peruanian Province as well Islands as Continent and all that is Rare and Remarkably found in America HAving thus Travelled to Mexico and described it as particularly as Prospect and Enquiry could inform me I now undertake briefly to do the like of the Country of Americas as far as it is yet known to the Europeans or Indians I conversed with those parts The chief Division therefore of this great part of the World is two fold viz. the Mexicanian and Peruanian Provinces Mexico gives name to the greater half of America and is called Nova Hispania or New Spain from whence the Kings of Spain Style themselves Hisaniour Reges The Mexican Track
Cape of Metapan and Isle of Cerigo the Ancient Porphyrus and Citherea where formerly stood a Magnificent Temple to Venus the ruins of which as I was told are still to be seen near the Sea and meeting with a storm we were constrained to cast Anchor before the Island of Zia which in Ancient times was called Calle Ceos or Cea it is about 50 Miles in Circuit shaped like a Horse-shoe the Soil produces Wine Corn good Pasture and many other useful things the Harbour is stored with Fish the Inhabitants are very civil to Strangers the Women wear their Coats but to their Knees and their Smocks about a Foot below that with a Veil reaching their Breasts which they turn aside as they think fit when they will or will not Compliment any but lying in War's way between the Turks and Venetians they are much oppressed and impoverished otherways the plenty of the Island would inrich them Sailing from hence we made the Isle of Andra This is the Ancient Andros of the Greeks but now Inhabited by People of several Nations as Albanians Armenians Turks Jews c. and these differ in Customs as well as Languages very rude and unhospitable the Chief Towns are Arni and Amolacos The Greeks have several Churches in this Island but the People are very Superstitious and odd in their Devotions strowing Flowers and rowling in them but the Latins who have likewise Churches there are more Civilized and proceed Regular The Island is very Fruitful and here they make abundance of white wicker Baskets used all over the Archipelago Weighing Anchor we got out to Sea and stood to the Starboard passing between this Island and Negropont and having a South-west Wind Sciro and soon after Ispi Cera and some other places appeared In the Evening when we were pretty clear of Islands the Wind turned East South East and we soon made the Land where Troy stood little of whose Ruins remain for we had passed Tenedos in the Night so passing the Mouths we entered the Channel of the Helespont the place where the Turks passed from Asia into Europe to extend their Empire CHAP. II. Of the Helespont Dardanelles Places about them what is observable in Constantinople and its adjacents Containing all that is Curious and Remarkable in these Parts THE Gate or Entrance as it were to Constantinople being by the Helespont and Dardanelles I think it here convenient to say something of this fam'd Streight before I come a Land It lies in 37 Degrees 42 Minutes North Latitude and of Longitude about 55 not extending above 10 or 12 Leagues in length and at the entrance it is a large League and an half broad it divides the Country of Thrace from Troas a Province of Asia that lies to the East To the North lies the Propontis and to the South the Aegean Sea and the Archipelago and in Sailing here one has a prospect of divers fine Towns Villages c. and a curious Country on either Hand The Turks knowing the important advantage of this Streight have Fortified the Passage with two strong Castles one in Europe and the other in Asia the Castle built in Asia called the New Castle is seated on a tongue of Land pointing out into the Sea on a square Platform comprizing 4 large panes of Walls flanked at the four Corners with Towers those next the Sea square with a sort of Redoubt only on one side those toward the Land are round and defend the Walls but neither in thickness nor largeness comparable to the other the Works washed by the Sea have Port-holes level with the surface of the Water and I could number as I Sailed by about 40 Cannon mounted to prevent any Ships from forcing their way into the Harbour and to the South of this Castle stands a very fair Mosque The Castle on the European side which the Turks call Roumeli-inglu-issar is seated near to Cape Greco and in form is irregular within the compass of the Walls are Houses for the Aga and other Officers with a fair Mosque There is a Platform on which many great Guns are planted lying equal with the surface of the Water Near the Castle lies a small Village noted for its Five stately Pilasters that serve to underprop the Aquaducts bringing Water to the Fortress But notwithstand-these Castles whose Guns reach from Shore to Shore the Venetians and other Maritime Nations have insulted the Harbour for the Castles lie not directly opposite least in firing they should batter each other The Castles are appointed to examine Ships that pass and re-pass and the Governors have Orders to sink such Ships as will not comply Beyond these Castles that are of Modern building are two old Castles one on each shore that on the Asian side the Turks call Natoli-jski-jsiar it is of square Building flanked at the corners with Towers and in the midst of it is a large square Tower on which some Culverin is placed and behind this Castle is a large Village of about 3000 Inhabitants Christians Turks and Jews These by us are called the Castles of the Dardanelles That on the European side is of a Regular Fortification and indeed we may esteem this narrow Passage well guarded by these Castles and Constantinople so advantageously Scituated that no great City in the World can boast of more Advantages as will by and by appear Being examined at the Castles and leave obtained to pass we arrived at Gallipoly about 35 Miles from them This Town was anciently built by one Callias Prince of the Athenians and after his Name called Callipolis but now corruptly Gallipoly it is thinly inhabited by Greeks who mostly sell a Liquor called Raki a kind of Brandy and some Oyl The Doors of their Houses are not above two Foot high and so made to prevent the proud Turks Insults who are hereby prevented riding in on Horseback In this Town there is a square Castle with a Tower joyned to it by the Pummel of a Wall to the Seaward there is an Arsenal where the old Galleys are laid up which the Turks affirm to have been taken from the Venetians when they took the Island of Cyprus but in Truth they are a part of their own shatter'd Fleet that escaped from the Battle of Lepanto and were by main strength carried over the Isthmus of Corinth and put into the Archipelago they not being able to bring them about by Sea because the Christians had possessed all the Passes After having been a-shore and pretty well refreshed in this place we weighed Anchor and with a West South West Wind passed the Isle of Marmora At this place the Sea is wide and this is properly the Propontis though now called mostly Mare de Marmora and here though we had a fair Wind the Current setting strong against us we could not make much way however Sailing on we in a little time came in sight of Constantinople which is about 125 Miles from Gallipoly and entering into the Streight of it we had
Weather it is put into a Grave in a few days but in the hard Weather when the Ground cannot be dug they pile the Bodies up in a House they call God's House and when the Season is practicable every one fetches away his Dead and buries it The Muscovites are generally very Corpulent and of a large size strong and of late grown Dexterous in the feats of Arms particularly Fire-arms they have abundance of great Ordinance some carrying Bullets two foot Diameter They are curteous to Strangers unless they get in Drink and then they are very Rude and Mischievious and this they often do for the Men and Women are excessive Drinkers so that many have been Murthered by them in their drunken Revels before Dinner they usually drink a Cup of Aquavitae which they say gets them a good Appetite and after Dinner carouse stoutly of Meath and other strong Liquors and then â—o to sleep on Benches The better sort wear exceeding Rich Garments as Scarlet or Velvet lined with Furs down to their Ancles loose like the Greeks and under them Vests or Wastcoats of Cloath of Gold or Silk Imbroidered the Scull of the 12 Caps Imbroidered with Gold Silver or precious Stones according as they are able and over it a Cap or Bordering of Sables Ermin Minever or the like the Women unless Head attire are cloathed almost like the Men with open Sleeves down to their Fingers they wear Girdles Imbroidered or Plated with Gold and Silver but with the poor Mousack or Country Peasant tho' he keeps the Fashion it is as hard as with us his Garments are course Cloath or Sheepskin with the Wool on but every one has a differently suiting to Winter and Summer for in the Latter Season it is very hot more then commonly in England yet it lasts but June July and August They much delight in Musick tho' it be but Indifferent for I heard nothing like that of other nations whilst I remained amongst them as for Learning the lower degrees affect it not addicting themselves to Husbandry and Handicrafts very obedient they are to their Prince never disputing his Commands or Injunctions what ever they be paying their Taxes and Customs tho' somewhat heavy very chearfully If in a Law controversie the Judge cannot decide it he demands if they will kiss the Cross on their Affirmation or denial if the Defendant does it he is acquitted of his Debt or Injury done if both require it then they draw Lots and he that has the better Lot is only allowed it and concluded to be in the right But in Criminal matters they use Tortures and those very severe ones to extort confessions but if the party hold out against them he is acquitted They have one sort of Execution very odd which is by putting Criminals under the Ice to be smothered in the Waters but cannot be done at all times wherefore they have many more as Hanging and the like These are the Principal matters I observed or was Informed of in this Country worthy to be placed in a History of this Nature and now fearing to be Winter locked after my having been in so many warm Regions I bethought me of Removing nearer home because the cold Season was approaching wherein I was very sensible it would be very Incommodious for a Stranger to travel in these parts and therefore I took an opportunity of a Caravan going for Poland part of which Country I passed but had little or no time to take a survey of it only thus much I shall say in General The Borhistenes bounds it from the Muscovite Empire on the East on the West it has the Vistual on the North the Baltick Sea and Sinus Trinitus on the South Hungary and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. Luconia Lithunia Vollina Samogita Pedelia Russia Nigra Podlasia Mosovia and Poland and the Latter giving the Country it s generally accepted Name These Provinces are Branched with several Navigable Rivers as Vistua Raben Bog Mimel its Metropolis is Cracow or Craconia where usually the King has his Residence It is an Elective Kingdom and at present the Regal Lot by free choice of the Nobility and Gentry is fallen on the Vallian and Renowned Duke of Saxony who is crowned King of Poland and has received the Homage of the greater part of the Poles Cracow is Scituate on the Banks of the River Vistua Navigable 400 Miles being as it were Encompassed with distant mountains and fortified with strong Walls the Buildings are very fair This Country produces Tar Rosin Pitch Wax Honey Barly Oats Amber Tallow Hides Minerals and other Commodities and therein by Trading are found the Commodities of divers other Nations we stayed not here but passing some other Province Entred Germany by the Way of Hungary Austria c. This Famed Empire is bounded on the North with Denmark and the Danish Seas on the East with Prussia Poland and Hungary on the South with the Alps on the West with Flanders Holland c. The Cities and Towns of this Empire may be properly divided into 3 parts as first the Hans Towns that enjoy large Previledges and Immunities about 70 in Number 2. Those called Imperial Cities by reason of their great Privileges above the rest in Coining Money bargaining acknowledgement of Subjection unless to the Emperour whom they acknowledge their Protector and pay him Annual Tribute so And 3dly those under the Electoral Princes which are commonly called Principalities the chief Rivers are the Danube and Rhine the first runs about 1500 Miles and receives 58 Navigable Rivers to swell its Stream and at last falls into the Black Sea the second passes thro' Germany and Belgia 800 Miles and falls into the German Ocean This large Country produces Silver Mines Copper Lead Tin Iron Corn Wine Allum Quick Silver Linnen Woollen Linnen-Stuffs Silks store of Cattle and many other Commodities and from hence by Land and Water I reached the Low Countries and briefly I so directed my way that I cam to Amsterdam the chief trading City in the Province of Holland It is seated on the River Tay which on the North side of it flows like a large Sea when on the South the River Amster running through 3 Lakes entereth its Streets and falleth into the River Tay and by the Addition of a new City to the old it is become very Commodious and Strongly fortified and in it are to be found the Commodities of almost all Nations tho' the Country produces nothing very considerable of its own but these things come by Navigation for most of the Inhabitants are Merchants who 's Goods are brought by Vessels to their Doors and Warehouses and the People are generally Frugal Industruous and Rich. CHAP. XXI A Voyage from Amsterdam in Holland to Cales in the Spanish Dominion and Thence to America giving an Account of what happened on the Sea and in some Islands touched at c. BEing at Amsterdam I began seriously to consider of my Travels and whilst I Ruminated