Selected quad for the lemma: land_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
land_n	east_n	south_n	southeast_n	2,434	5	13.2952	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61855	The perillous and most unhappy voyages of John Struys Through Italy, Greece, Lifeland, Muscovia, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other places in Europe, Africa and Asia. Containing, I. Most accurate remarks and observations of the distinct qualities, religion, politie, customs, laws and properties of the inhabitants: II. A due description of the several cities, towns, forts, and places of trust, as to their site and strength, fortifications by nature, or art, &c. with other things worthy of note: and, III. An exact memorial of the most disastrous calamities which befell the author in those parts (viz) by ship-wrack, robberies, slavery, hunger, tortures, with other incommodities and hardships. To which are added 2 narrativs sent from Capt. D. Butler, relating to the taking in of Astrachan by the Cosacs. Illustrated with divers curious plates, first designed and taken from the life by the author himself. Rendered out of Nether-dutch by John Morrison·; Reysen door Moscovien, Tartarijen, Oost-Indien. English	Struys, Jan Janszoon, d. 1694.; Morrison, John, 17th cent.; Butler, David, Captain.	1684 (1684)	Wing S6019; ESTC R216963	334,708	398

Kopeke the Couple and satisfyed my Chapman to the full On the 13 we came to Omula which is a Village about 40 English Leagues from Dydenof After two days Sailing we came to Pereslaf which is a small City rebuilt as I have been told out of the Ruins of Resanski which formerly was a famous Town surprized by the Tartars demolished and the Inhabitants removed to Pereslaf On the 17 we came close to Resanski where we viewed the Ruins of the City which testified the former Greatness and Strength of the Town From hence we sailed to the Eastern side of the River where we saw many famous Houses and stately Buildings with Fair Orchards and Groves On the 18 we saw many goodly Towns and Religious Houses and at night arrived at Novosolki a Place solely belonging to the Arch-Bishop Here we bought provision and all kinds of Refreshments that the place affoarded finding all things very cheap and good and from hence we sailed away passing by Schilko Tericho Tinersho Slavada Koponaw and other fair Towns On the 22 we came to Kassienie-gorod a beautifull litle City and the Residence of Prince Reskitski Our Captain and Master intended to visit the said Prince and for that end came here to Anchor but coming a shoar understood that he was departed for Moscou with the old Princess his Mother However they went to view the Palace and were magnificently entertained by the steward of whom after the Exchange of some Rarities on both sides by way of Presents they took their leaves Kassieme-gorod has been formerly a Hold of the Tartars but the present Prince at the age of 12 years surrendred it up to the great Duke of Moscovy whom he as then obtained to be his Protector On the 23 we sailed past many fair Villages Churches Monasteries and other Houses built for Religious uses coming the next morning to anchor before Leshi which is a very great Town but not walled On the 24 we came before Moruma a Town inhabited partly by Russes and partly by Mordwin-Tartars whose Countrey begins here although both the City Moruma and the Circumjacient Land-ship is at present under subjection of his Majesty of Russia On the 27 we sailed by Prewas Palo and some other lesser Towns Near this Place are two Rivers which vent themselves into the Wolga the one called Morsna Reka on the starboard and the other Klesna on the larboard-side in sailing downward which last comes from the City VVolodomur The Bank on the one side is very high Land and steep yet above level and fair Land but to the Northward the Bank is level with the Water and the Land woody and desert nether inhabited nor tilled to any purpose On the 28 we sailed past Isbuilets and Troitska dropping anchor before Slowoda On the 24 we set Sail and came that day before Dudwina where we were forced to remain 4 days and 4 nights by reason of the tempestuous weather The boistrous Winds and Rain somewhat abated we set sail and on the 3 of Iune came before Nofunki and the 8 before the great City Nisen Novogorod situate on an angle of the great River Wolga which is there conjoined with the Oka Nisen-gorod lies in the Latitude of 36 degr and 28 min. under a wholsome climat and in a fertile Countrey It is well fortified with Walls Bulwarks Towers Men and Ammunition of War About 2 English miles without the City live more Inhabitants than within being Russes and Tartars but in subjection to the great Duke The Germans had formerly built two Churches here one for the Lutherans and another for the Calvinists both which went to decay upon their leaving the Town It is here very cheap living and all things necessary for the sustenance of Human Bodies may be procured at easy Rates The Pastures abound with Cattel the Villages with Poultry the Woods with Venison the Rivers with Fish and the Land with Corn Fruit Roots and Plants Butter we bought there for 10 gl the 100 lb. which is after the rate of 2 d per pound and yet we esteemed that the dearest Purchase we bought there We bought there a good sort of Linnen for 2 stivers the Ell which served us well for shirting and other uses aboard the Ship And by reason of the Cheapness of Provision and all necessaries we received here 6 Moneths pay and because that they had here an excellent Ropeyard the Heads of our Company thought good to leave the Lieutenant Schack with our chief Boatswain to look after some Ropes which we had given order to be made as also to fit us with new Anchors On the 21 dito we put off from Nisen and left the Wolga This is reputed one of the greatest and longest Rivers in the whole World taking it's beginning in the highest Mountains of Nova-Zembla running past Ierislaf or Ierislaw Tweer and other eminent Cities whence with many Windings and Turnings it runs through the Land till it come at Astrachan where it divides it self into several Heads like the Nile and so looses it self into the Caspian Sea receiving by the way many great and navigable Rivers and those mostly on the Northeast side from whence by reason that the River receives it's Water it is subject to rising and falling as at Iune it is at highest and in Iuly begins again suddenly to decrease insomuch that it is in all places full of Banks and Sand-beds as hereafter in the pursuit of my Journal shall more particular and ample mention be made whereas when it is increased to it's heighth one may sail over several Islands This said River is in some places more than 3 English miles broad and proving in other places very narrow makeing at each side of the River a Whirl-pool which cannot be avoided without great difficulty The course of this River from Nisen to Casan is mostly East and South-East but from Casan to Astrachan and so to the Mare Hyrcanum or Caspian Sea altogether South On each side the River you have for the most part very good Land and many fair Towns as I have already noted whose Inhabitants are sedulous in their Husbandry and are well supplyed with the particular Products of all the several Landships adjacent on this noble River as also with many sorts of excellent Fish In times past the Wolga was much incommodated by the Cosaks of Don who being very strong in small shipping would sometimes surprize assail and take the Russian Fishermen and Strougs On the 22 we passed by the Islands Tlerinski and Subsinski but towards the Evening were fain to drop anchor by reason of the many Sands and Banks On the 23 we weighed but found our Anchor fast among the Roots of the Trees which cost us some pains to get clear About mid-day we got the Island Dioploy about 3 in the afternoon Musa and about the Evening Kremonsky where we anchored On the 24 we proceeded forward and got Parmino where we took in Provision which we found

after she had been thus treated by these sensual bruits that rather than to deny their beastly appetite made a Bawdy house of our Ship was after much intreaties put ashoar and delivered to her Husband who inhumanly mangled he● till she died On the 28 we weighed anchor and set sail for Indraepoura taking by the way two Iunks more loaden with Pepper Camphi● and other Druggs and Spices On the 29 we arrived at Indrapoura where we took in some necessary Provision and Refreshments thinking by the way to meet with more small Prizes but had no● our expectation On the 2 of July we left Indrapoura and so set sail for th● Straits of Sunda When we had got the height of Toppers hook w● met 14 Sail of Ships belonging to the Dutch East-India company which were sent out by express order of the General and the Council to bring us up whether willing or unwilling So soo● as our commander had received the Message he returned answer That he was not under the command of the General and tha● if they should assail him he was resolved to fight in his ow● defence The Dutch commander was hereat in a doubt and sent ● Batavia for new Instructions It was not long before he got an Orde● from the General with a Ship of War to assist him in case of Opposition and thereupon imperiously commanded him to strike threatning to fire a whole tear of Guns in case of refusal Capt. Maas who seeing himself now in a great Strait and the uneasiness of his Ships-folk called together all the Officers to consult the matter when after mature deliberation they concluded it more safe to surrender themselves and give their Masters a true account of the business seeing they were not able to defend themselves against such a number of Ships This Resolution was very acceptable to the Ships-company who since that division and uproar at Madagascar were still at odds continually jarring among themselves and long'd for this or the like opportunity The Company now made Masters of our Ships brought them up to Batavia where we arrived the 12 of Iuly Our Ships outsail'd the rest by far we arriving at the Haven 6 or 8 hours before them so that if we had been willing might have left them and made our escape by night On the 15 came Captain vander Meulen aboard with an Order from the Heer vander Liin then General to take possession of the Ship Assoon as he was aboard went into the great Cabin where he examin'd us one by one All the Dutch were brought abaft and afterwards committed to the Javans Corps du Garde The Italians and other Strangers remain'd aboard and in the mean while pillaged our Chests and took all the money they could come at They being now at liberty and dismissed went every man where he best liked the Italians mostly to Goa or Banthem but the Hamburgers and others imbarqu'd themselves for Europe Shortly after the Commander died and by several tokens he had on his body was supposed to be poysoned and as some conjecture was done by those which were left aboard the Ship when we were carried ashoar After we had now lain about 14 days in prison we delivered a Petition desiring Inlargement which was not only granted but by Order of the General all our Arrearages pay'd us to the utmost penny and a Choice preferr'd us Whether we would return home or List our selves in the Companies service some rather chused to go home but I with the most part of the men accepted of the latter I hired myself as Sailmaker for the Term of three years at 18 Gild. per moneth On the 15 Ianuary I was put aboard the Black Bear bound for Siam where we safely arrived and cast anchor in the Bay The Kingdom of Siam lies in the most Easterly part of East India from 7 to 8 degr Northerly Latitude There are many Cities and Towns of note in it and those very populous among which India is the chief being the Metropolis of India extra Gangem and the city where the King has his Court and Residence The land is very fertile affoarding all that may serve for the delight and sustenance of human Bodies the Fields stored with many sorts of Cattel the Rivers with Fish and the Towns with Magazines of rich Merchandizes The Inhabitants are of a tawny and yellowish complexion and superstitious Pagans in Religion as appears by their great Zeal in adorning of their Temples and strict Reverence for their Priests which are here too great and numerous for the Laity Their Government is Monarchical and the King for many ages has been absolute Sovereign over this and the neighbouring Territories and Dominions and that with as much Power Grandour and Reverence from the Subject as any Potentate or King under the canopy of Heaven In short Siam in regard of it's Fertility Wealth Number of Inhabitants and subordinat Principalities may paralel any other Empire i● the Universe Iudia which as we have already said is the Imperial Tow● of Siam lies about 16 degrees Northerly Latitude from the Aequ●tor and is seated on one of the fairest Rivers without doubt in all the Eastern World where a Ship of the greatest burthen may come up close to the Kay to load or unload without fear o● sustaining dammage The Land is for the most part level of a clay and sandy earth ●ew Hills appear or any thing else seems to surmount the Horizon ●ve the high Towers and Pyramids whereof we found an incre●ible number About 8 leagues up the River is a small City of a triangular Plat-●orm and environed with a wall called Bankok In the same City 〈◊〉 the Kings first Toll-or Custome-house which they call the Canon ●ankok and every Ship and Junk to whomsoever they belong are ●bliged to come to anchor there and give in their information upon ●hat account they come and from whence as also what Men and ●oods they have aboard Having performed that Duty they pay ●eir Toll and receive their Billet with Letters of Conduct to ●o so far up as they list till they come within a League of Iudia ●here the second Toll-house is called the Canon Bantenau and ●ere they are a second time bound to anchor and exhibit their Coc●ets which having shown they have their liberty to go further This ●cond Canon is erected only to see that the Prince have his due ●nd to examin whether that the Stranger be not defrauded by the commissioners of the first and to give Licences to enter the Town ●nd traffique It is also to be understood that when any Ship is ●utward bound they are to pay their Toll at the Canon Bantenau ●hich at coming up was the second now the first Custome-House and are to pass an Examen at the Canon Bankok as they did ●efore at the other without paying any thing if they can manifest 〈◊〉 their Cocket that they have already paid and this every

not the Benefit of Chronicle or Antiquity and ignorant 〈◊〉 the course of Nature the hand-maid of God do really take it for miracle effected by their Pagan Sovereign CHAP. XI Departure from Siam They take a Junk The Cambodiers put in a Ship with rudder or sails Arrival at Formosa The Junk and all the men cast awa● Description of Formosa with an account of its Products and the Nature of ● Inhabitants as also their Houses Habit and Customes OUr Ship having now taken in her whole Carga we had all o● to come aboard Our Loading was most Bucks-hides San●wood and Amrack which is a kind of Colour used by the Iapone● in their Cabinet-work for Vernishing and on the 12 of April we set S● directing our Course for Tojovan or Formosa About the Pracel banks we descried a Iunk making toward us full Sail having Dutch Colours aloft which made us suspect to be a Pyrat and thereupon our master resolved to throw s● Goods over-board and put himself in a Fighting-Posture But ● we came nearer to the said Junk we saw that it was a Merchant-● and not so well man'd and mounted as we Coming to hail him Commander bad him come aboard and show his Pass but he 〈◊〉 answer that his Champan was in pieces and unfit to put out whereu● the Commander put forth the Shallop well man'd and arm'd to aboard him and demand his Pass but found that he had none b● a Cambodier and loaden with contrabanded Goods we there took him as Prize His Loading did also mostly consist in H● Hides Sanders and Amrak as ours did The men aboard her ● mostly Cambodiers and Chineeses which Capt. Fayer for that was Commanders name put all into the Champan that notwithstand● their evasion was not leaky allowing them neither Sail nor R●der so that without all controversy they were lost it being then leagues from any coast nor could we ever hear what became of the● On the 10 th of May we arrived safely at the Island of Formosa and anchored before the Fort Zelandia where Peter over 't Water was then Governor As we sailed in at the Bay we were surprized with a great Wind insomuch that the Prize we had taken ran upon a seat of Rocks which almost conjoyn or as it were imbrace the Bay like that at Rhodes in the Levant made by Art on which was erected the Image of Apollo so that these are with a gale of Wind somewhat stiffer than ordinary almost unavoidable The Junk broke all in pieces and the men were all lost save 3 Hollanders who saved themselves upon Planks amongst those that were lost were 7 Hollanders the rest Chineezes being about 20 in number The Island Formosa lies almost directly under the Tropic of Cancer ●its nombril or Center being exactly 23 degr Northern latitude ●eaching in a stretch from it's southern Cape which is in 21 degr to the ●weel or Northen Promontory in 25 and is computed to be about 130 Dutch Leagues in circumference facing the coast of Fokien and ●ana Round about this Island are taken abundance of Fish especially Harders which are somewhat bigger than a Haddock This ●ish they salt like Cod and send it for China where it is had in great ●eem The Row of this fish is also held for a great delicacy among ● Chineezes when pickled being red and lies close and round in thin skin which naturally grows about it The Chineezes us'd here●ofore to give the Tenth Fish to the Company for their Liberty to ●sh on the Coasts of this Island Formosa is a very fruitfull Island but lies untill'd the Inhabitants ●ng for the most part a lazy People not much unlike the Spaniards ●er willing to starve than work The most fruitfull part is at present ●der the Jurisdiction of the King of Midag It abounds with Rice ●heat Barley Kaylang Masquinades as also Ginger and Sugar ●ere are many sorts of Trees and Fruit in great abundance as O●anges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranates Guigavas Perang and ●ther Fruits not known in Europe and some only Proper to this Isle which I could never see either in Europe Asia or Affrica as Moupellos and Crambrods Melons or Musk-millions are here so plentiful and delicious that I have been cloyed barely with looking at them when they were cut up besides Water-milions and Pompions which are also of a very good tast and Juycy They have besides many kinds of Plants and Herbs as CABBAGE Hartichoaks c. Sever● rich and medicinal Roots and Seeds as Ananasses China-Rock Potatos not much unlike ours Ubes Kadiang and Fakkafocas Kadj● is a litle green seed almost like that of Coriander which they boyl an● pickle for a Sauce for fresh Fish and gives it an admirable good reli● Fokkafokas has the Shape of a Pear or Quince but 3 times as big an● grows near the ground like a Pompion above it is smooth like gl● and below of a purple and whitish colour this they boil with Be● and Pork as we do Turnips in Holland There are some sheep in ● Island but not very many Harts and Roes there are abundance sometimes 2 or 3 Thousand in a Flock together Wild-goats ● Swine which are very terrible and noxious to Travellers that go a● or unarm'd some they have also tame Beasts of Prey do much an● the Inhabitants that they dare not adventure themselves far with Land as Tygres Leopards Bears c. Apes and Monkeys t● have which are generally litle There is a certain Creature on ● Island which the Hollanders call Den Duyvel van TAJO● that is The Devil of Formosa Being about 2 foot long and 5 in broad upon the back with scales all over the body it has four with sharp claws a sharp long head and a tail thick at the r● and smaller towards the end like a Crocodil This litle beast feeds ● upon Pismires which he catches by laying his Tongue upon a ● where they come to feed upon a slimy matter that runs out o● mouth and that holds them so fast that they cannot get off ag● When he thinks that he has enough he draws in his tongue and vours them It cannot do any harm unless to the Ants which a● natural food but if he see a man come towards him either runs the Earth or rolls himself in like a Hedghog so that to call Devil seems a great improperty This Great Description of a ● Creature we thought not altogether impertinent because it Creature proper only to this Island Formosa affoards all kinds of F● which other Islands in the East have except Parrots And were it● for the great annoyance of Serpents Scorpions Millipedes Lizza● and other vermin it were a very delightsom Land being in a t●rable good Climat and blessed with a most wholsom Air. As to the Frame and Stature of the Natives we cannot give any general Description since those vary according to the pl● they inhabit Their men are mostly well

told them that I had made my escape by night in a Barque which nevertheless would not pacifie them till they had dawbed the Captain in the Fist which closed his Eies and shut his Mouth effectually So soon as the Brigantines were out of sight the Greeks fearing some trouble might ensue brought me with a Barque to Embro where the Venetian Fleet lay and gave me my Provision aboard with me which I had bought for 32 Rix-dollars Upon my arrival the Commander gave them 2 Pieces of eight for their pains and glad he was to receive me so and they no less joyfull to be rid of me for the Turks had already taken a Civil Magistrate of the Greeks into custody with his Son being but a child who might upon my being found there after they had denied me have had hard mesure and they nevertheless forced to deliver me up at last which if they had the Admiral of the Venetians would have plundered the Town and taken them all for Slaves so that these poor People are in a worse and a more pitifull state under both than they would be if they were entirely under one While we lay before Embro the Fleet was divided into two parts and sent for the respective Islands to get in the Contributions the one part went for Stampalia or Astypalaea which is one of the Cyclades and from thence to Nicsia an Island about 7 Dutch leagues in length and as many in breadth for it is almost four Square the North-side is montanous but towards the South flat and arable On this Island are several Reliques of Gentilism and Idolatry and amongst those a famous Temple in times past sacred to Apollo now dedicate to S. Salvador On the South we saw the Ruins of another Temple built also to the Honour of Apollo The Inhabitants are Greeks Iews and Turks who are sedulous Planters and Cultivaters of the Vine the land answering their Industry with a fertile Soil The City which is called also by the name of Nicsia lies on the East-side of the Island having a very fair and commodious Haven presenting for all Winds and fit to contain Ships of the greatest burthen Here is found a kind of black stone which is held in great esteem not much unlike the vulgar Touch-stone called by the Italians Smeriglio In our Course through the Aegean Sea we touched at Parus Lero Embroa Psyra and visited Metellino where I had been the year before and was transported thence to the Venetian Armada in a Candian Tartan making by the way a good booty as you will find more amply related in Pag. 76 seqq but now I found better opportunity and leisure to take notice of the Island than before Metellino lies in 48 degr near the main Continent of Greece and from the nearest point hardly 3 English leagues distant The City which also bears the same name is situated on the North-west side of the Island fortified with a Castle that commands 2 Havens and is called Moliva There are besides this several strong Holds and fortified Places throughout the whole Island The South-and North-sides are Champain Land but the East and West for the most part hilly and montanous affoarding rich Quarries of white and black Marble and about the Center of the Land it is woody and mostly grown over with Cypres Trees The arable part of the Land which is tilled is of a good Soil and affoards plenty of Corn of which they make two Sorts of bread the one they call Trachana and the other Bouchourt either of which is more durable than our Ship Biscake They make an excellent sort of red Wine which the Turks notwithstanding the voice of their Alchoran greatly covet and swallow when they can have it The Pastures swarm with all kinds of Cattel both great and small in which by reason of their very great abundance they hold commerce with the Islands of the Aegean Sea but especially in a breed of small Horse they have which are in good esteem abroad After we had done our affairs at Mytilene we went for great Scio but being by the way warned of some Fishermen that the Turks had landed a great number of Soldiery there we sail'd past the Island and put in at S. Giorgio di Scyro which is a small Island lying in 47 degr 23 min. being almost of a triangular form where the Inhabitants follow the Vineyard Leaving Scyro we sail'd directly for Delos which now for the most part goes by the name of Sdilly and lies in the latitude of 47 degr The Island is at present of no great note only that it is visited by the curious in Antiquities Here we found many Ruins of Temples and Altars sacred to Heathenish Deities and the Image of Apollo which is in two pieces whereof as the Greeks told us the English saw'd off the Head and carried it away But so much as remains of it I have drawn as may be seen in the Print There appear yet the Ruins of 3 Temples more to wit of Apollo Minerva and Diana besides several pieces of Marble and Alabastre in various figures of Animals as Lions Leopards and the like Here are also many Quarries of a rich sort of Marble and various kinds of Alabastre Provision may be had at very easy rates Hares and Coneys are for their plenty held in disesteem by the Inhabitants Agriculture is a thing quite out of use but the greatest profit it yields the Venetians is the conveniency of the Haven which serves them for a Rendevouz Between Delos and Andros lies the Island Tenos where there is a Castle built upon a high Hill that seems of it self sufficient enough to defend the whole Island In the year 1656 was the greatest part of this Castle blown up with its own Powder by Lightning at what time I was in the Fleet not far from Delos and saw it I beleeve also that a great part of this Island is overflown with the Inundation of the Sea as Zantorini or rather sunk for when we came to anchor at 26 fathom Water we wrought all we could to weigh but thought verily that the Cable would break before any anchor would loose at last it was resolved to try once more for the last and if it would not then come to cut the Cable but at last the anchor came bringing a great peece of a Wall with it In the Gentile age was a Bath at Tenos where every one of what rank or quality soever he was must wash himself or otherwise it was not lawfull for him to enter the Temples of Apollo Minerva or Diana Tenos is of it self fruitfull enough and would produce more grain than indeed it does if the Inhabitants were inclined to that Tillage but they find more profit in Silk having large Woods of Mulbeery Trees so that this Island is the chief place for Silk Stockings in the Levant After we had staid a few daies at Tenos we set

his Head with his Body our Countreyment at Astrachan call Dickkop Thickpate But by the Persians Nachay that is Devourer This Fish is of a more than ordinary strength and somtimes will overturn a small Boat with a stroak of his Tail CHAP. XX. A Description of Derbent it's Walls The Sultans Court. Very old Ruins Divers Watch-towers Multiplicity of Sepulchrets without Derbent Their Slave-Market The Author sold again His Patron married with a Polish Woman and runs into Danger of his Life The Intention of his Patroness in running away from her Husband and taking the Author with her Two of Mr. Struys's Companions come to Derbent How they made their escape from the Tartars The great Inclination of the Sultan of Derbent to the Hollanders A Device put in practise to set one of the Authors Companions at Liberty The Prince takes the Wife of Brak for his own Brak makes his escape DErbent the first City under the Jurisdiction of the King of Persia on the Caspian Sea lies in 41 degr 50 min. northerly Latitude This City lies longwise East and West from the Sea side to the Land and is according to computation about 2 English miles long One side thereof lies so near to the Sea that the Waves beat against the Walls and in a Storm or tempestuous Weather the Surges rise over the Walls This is also reckoned as a Barrier against the Irruption of the Tartars and other Savages being the only place on all that Coast for many miles together where they can come ashoar for the Shoar is there naturally secured with a steep Bank and wholly inaccessible Wherefore this City is not improperly called Derbent which in their Language imports as much as The Kingdoms Key Der signifying a Key and Bent a Kingdom or Countrey and so the City Gammeron on the Indian Coast is called Bender which is the same Word with transposition of the Syllables and a little variation of the Dialect This Town is very strongly munited with a Stone-Wall and as some say was built by Alexander the Great who had here his Residence for som time althô there doth not any Building remain of his save only the Wall on the South side and the Fortress but all the Fortifications on the North were built by the famous Nauschirwan King of the Medes having no other Foundation than a solid Rock The Walls both on the North and the South side are so broad that Horses and Waggons may ride all along and the Stones are of a hard rock brought hither from a Hill not far distant from the Town being all equally 6 foot Square On the Wall of Alexander for it still bears his name is an oblong Stone having an ancient Inscription in old Syriac and Arabic Characters which none now a days can read The City Derbent is divided into 3 parts The uppermost Ward or Quarter stands on a rising Ground and has a Fortress furnished with Brass-Cannon and at that time when I was there and since the Uproar of the Cosacs it has bin Strengthned with a Garrison of 1000 or 1200 Soldiers and in this Quarter is the Sultans Court. The Midle Ward is inhabited by Persians but the Buildings go mostly to decay The Lowest Ward is about 2000 paces long but this part is only tilled and used for Gardens and as they say has been heretofore inhabited by Greeks bearing still the name of Schaher Iunan or City of the Greeks Above Derbent appear the Ruins of a Wall which reached from thence to the Necropont or Euxin Sea which has been a work of an incredible Charge and Labour In som places the said Wall appears very plain and is about four Foot thick Round about this City are also divers stone Redoubts whereof Four are furnished with Ammunition and a Garrison of Soldiers suitable to the Occasion of the Times In the Countrey round about are also the Ruins of many strong Castles insomuch that it plainly appears in what esteem this Place has bin with the Median and Persian Monarchs in times past Not far from this City are also som Watch-towers of Wood which are raised exceeding high so that they can with ease descry the approachment of an Enemy in time of War On that side of the Town which faces the Countrey are many Sepulchrets or Tombs som of an oblong form and others semicircular being in breadth about a mans length and hollowed so that a Man may easily ly in them In this great Sepulchre was in times past a famous Battel fought between Cassan King of the Medes and the Dagestan Tartars where the former had a notable overthrow with the loss of several Thousand men and the principal Heros and Leaders were buried in those Tombs Between this place and the Sea is also another Plat of Ground environed with a high wall wherein are 40 Tombs under which are so many Persian and Median Princes interred and made sacred to Memory Upon the Walls are several Flags pitched and by each an old Man to beg an Alms of such as out of Devotion and a Religious Zeal come to visit this place as it is throughout all Persia held very meritorious to visit the Sepulchres and Graves of the Deceased This Superstition besides that of Bathing is all the Ceremonies and Rules which their Religion prescribes the Women who receiv their Directions and are injoined by their Parents and Husbands what to do being secluded out of the Mosquees Within Derbent live no Christians but altogether Mahometans except a few Iews who boast themselvs to be descended from the house of Benjamin these commonly follow base and dishonorable Traffic as buying of Prize-goods and Booty taken at Sea which the Dagestan Tartars bring thither to market The rest of the Inhabitants likewise trade in buying and selling of Slaves that being the main and almost only Merchandize they deal in which they buy of the Dagestan Plagiaries and send all over Persia making an incredible gain thereof Those that are brought hither for Slaves are very unhappy for they are no more looked upon than an unreasonable Animal or Bruit and when they are about buying they pull of their Cloaths and grope them all over as if it were a Swine or a Calf Besides their low esteem they have for Slaves as to their Persons they are very unkind and void of Mercy so that were it not for the Loss of so much money very few of those wretched caitiffs would die a natural Death Those people being by nature very prone to Anger and besides that too jealous to live upon Earth thinking that if a Slave do but smile or cast a friendly look toward one of their Wives that something extraordinary must be in the case althô I had never reason to complain of my Patron for any such thing but one that lived in the neighbourhood was much addicted to that inquietude and restless humour The bed where I lay was upon the Top of the house for coolness sake