in its ashes No body would endeavour to prevent it those who were oblig'd thereto being got so drunk that lying along in the streets the vapours of the fire they had in their bodies together with the smoak of that which was then in its way to burn down the whole City choak'd them as they lay About 11. at night some strangers looking with no small astonishment on the fire in that house where they kept the Strong-water for the Great Duke's Provision perceiv'd at some distance a Monk coming towards them with a great burthen which by his blowing they conceiv'd must needs be very heavy Being come near he call'd for some desiring them they would help him to cast into the fire the body of the abominable Plesseou which he dragg'd after him it being as he said the only way to quench it But the Germans refusing to meddle with it he fell a-swearing and cursing till some Muscovites did him the good office and holp him to cast the Carcass into the fire which immediately began to abate and some time after went out ere they left the place Some dayes after this accident the Great Duke treated the Strelits with Strong-water and Hydromel and his Father-in-law Ilia Danilouits Miloslausky invited divers Citizens of several Professions to dine with him and spent several dayes together in entertainments The Patriarch also enjoyn'd the Priests and Monks to endeavour the settlement of unquiet spirits and to press unto them the respect and obedience to which their consciences oblige them All thus quieted and the Great Duke having supply'd the places of the executed with able and approved persons he took the opportunity of a Procession to speak to the people in the presence of Nikita Ieuanouits Romanou and told them that he was extremely troubled to hear of the injuries and violences done by Plesseou and Trachanistou under his name but contrary to his intention That he had put into their places persons of integrity and such as being acceptable to the people would administer Justice equally and without corruption and that they might not fail therein he would have an eye over them That he repeal'd the Edict about the imposition laid on Salt and that he would with the soonest suppress all Monopolies That they should enjoy all their Privileges which if occasion were he would augment Whereupon the people having smitten their forehead and given his Majesty thanks the Great Duke re-assumed his discourse and said That it was true indeed he had promis'd to deliver up to them the person of Boris Iuanouits Morosou and acknowledg'd that he could not absolutely justifie him but that he could not also resolve to condemn him That he hoped the people would not deny the first Request he should make to them which was that they would pardon Morosou only for that time as to what he might have displeas'd them in That he would be answerable for him and durst assure them that Morosou should so behave himself for the future as that they should have occasion to speak well of him That if they would not have him to be any longer of of his Councel he would dismiss him but that he desir'd them to look on that Lord as one who had been a Father to their Prince and one that having married the Great Dutchess's Sister must needs be extremely dear to him and consequently that it would be very hard for him to consent to his death The tears which concluded this discourse of the Great Duke's discover'd the affection he had for that Favorite and so mov'd the people that they all cry'd out God grant His Highness a long and happy life God's and the Great Duke's will be done The Czaar conceived an extraordinary joy hereat thanked the people and highly celebrated the zeal and affection they express'd for his estate and person Some few dayes after Morosou appeared in publick among those who attended the Great Duke upon occasion of a Pilgrimage which he made to the Monastery of Troitza He went uncover'd from the Castle to the City gate saluting the people on both sides with great submissions and from that time he laid hold on all occasions to gratifie and assist those who addressed themselves to him in any business they had at Court The story we have related confirms the truth of what we have said elsewhere that the Muscovites how submissive and slavish soever they may be will endeavour the recovery of their freedom when the Government becomes insupportable to them and casts them into despair I shall here add another later example which will be the less tedious in that it hath some dependence on the precedent and relates very much to what we have seen much about the same time in all the other Countries of Europe The Great Duke of Muscovy sent in the year 1649. a solemn Embassy to the Queen of Sueden the chief person whereof was the Ocolnitza Boris Iuanouits Puskin He had order among other things to accommodate the difference which seemed to threaten those two States with an inevitable War proceeding hence that the Subjects of both Crowns left their own habitations and got into the other Kingdom to avoid the payment of their debts And in regard that for 32 years that accompt had not been clear'd and that there were more Suedes in Muscovy than there were Muscovites in Sueden it was mentioned in the Treaty made by Puskin at Stockholm that for the first thirty years there should be a liquidation of all accompts and for the two other the Great Duke should pay to the Queen and Crown of Sueden 190000 Roubles that is 390000 Crowns part in mony part in Rye and that the payment should be made in the Spring of the year 1650. Accordingly Iohn de Rodes being come at that time to Moscou in the quality of Commissary for the Queen of Sueden receiv'd in Copecs and Ducats 300000. Crowns and order was sent to Foedor Amilianou a Merchant of Plescou to provide as much Rye as should amount to 90000. Crowns This interess'd man caus'd all the Rye wherever it were to be seized and permitted not private persons to buy so much as a bushel without his permission which good leave of his they were forc'd to buy at a dear rate The Inhabitants of Plescou were so impatient under this oppression that they not only quarrel'd at the avarice of the Suedes but charg'd Puskin with prevarication in his Employment and perfidiousness towards his Prince They said that Morosou held correspondence with Strangers and presuming that this negotiation was concluded contrary to the Great Duke's intention they endeavour'd to engage the City of Novogorod in their quarrel and went so far on in their work that some of the chiefest Merchants having declared for them the Weywode had much ado to prevent an insurrection of the whole City Both these and the others resolv'd that they would stop the money when it was to be transported into Sueden and that they would no
longer endure the Treaty of the Rye because it would in likelyhood starve the Country With this intention they sent three Deputies to Moscou to wit a Merchant a Cosaque and a Strelits with Order to know whether this Treaty was made and put in execution with the Great Duke's consent In the mean time without expecting the return of their Deputies they ransack'd Amilianou's house and tortur'd his Wife to make her confess where her husband who had made his escape had laid up his money The Weywode came in hope to prevent the disorder but he was forc'd out of the City and the neighbouring Nobility invited to come in and joyn with them against Monopolies and Patentees These three venerable Deputies were no sooner come to Novogorod but the Weywode caus'd them to be put into Irons and in that posture sent them to Moscou whether came at the same time the Weywode of Plescou and the Merchant Amilianou Intelligence was brought that those of Plescou had robb'd and abus'd a Suedish Merchant whereupon the Great Duke sent back the Weywode and with him a Bojar to endeavour the further prevention of these disorders Those of Plescou who at first would not receive them at length opened their Gates but it was to put the Weywode in prison and to affront the Bojare who had the imprudence at so unseasonable a time to treat them with so much severity that the people fell upon him with Cudgels and pursu'd him to a Monastery where he was so beaten that he was given over for a dead man However the Great Duke pursu'd the execution of the Treaty made with Sueden and paid money instead of the Rye sending along with the Suedish Commissary a good Convoy of Strelits who were to bring him to the Frontiers of Sueden He gave order at the same time to Iuan Nikitouits Gavensky to assemble the Nobility of the neighbouring Provinces and the foot-Regiments of Colonel Kormichel and Col. Hamilton which made up above 4000 men and to besiege the City of Plescou The Inhabitants as first pretended to stand out but their courage and strength soon fail'd them so that they were forc'd to make an accommodation at the cost of the Authors of the Sedition who were put to death or sent into Siberia These disorders have occasion'd a great change in the Affairs and Government of Muscovy For though Miloslauski and Morosou have much credit and the Patriarch himself a very great Authority about the Prince yet have the other Knez and Bojares a great hand in publick Affairs and execute their charges every one according to his Birth and Employment There are commonly some 30 Bojares about the Court though in Zuski's time there were numbred 70. In the year 1654. when the War of Smolensko was resolv'd on there were present at the deliberations of that important affair twenty nine Bojares who names were these Boris Iuanouits Morosou the Czaar ' s Fanourite Boris Nikit a Iuanouits Romanou the Czaar ' s Great Uncle Iuan Basilouits Morosou Knez Iuan Andreouits Galizin Knez Nikita Iuanouits Odouski Knez Iacob Kudenieteuits Tzerkaski Knez Alexei Nikitouits Trubetskoi Gleeb Iuanouits Morosou Wasili Petrowits Tzemeretou Knez Boris Alexandrouits Reppenin Michael Michelouits Soltikou Basili Iuanouits Stresnou Knez Vasili Simonouits Posorouski Knez Fâ—dor Simonouits Kurakin Knez Iurgi Petrouits Buynessou Rostouski Iuan Iuanouits Solikou Knez Iurgi Alexeouits Dolgoruski Gregory Basilouits Puskin Knez Foedor Federouits Volchanski Laurenti Demetriouits Soltikou Ilia Danilouits Miloslauski the Great Duke's Father-in-Law Basili Basilouits Butterlin Knez Michael Petrouits Pronski Knez Iuan Nikitouits Gavenski Knez Foedor Iurgiouits Chworosting Basili Borissouits Tzemeretou Nikita Alexouits Susin The Ocolnits or Lords out of whose number the Bojares are chosen areâ— The Ocolnitza Knez Andre Federouits Litwinou Masalskoi Knez Iuan Federouits Chilkou Mikifor Sergeouits Zabackin Knez Demetri Petrouits Lewou Knez Basili Petrouits Lewou Knez Simon Petrouits Lewou Knez Iuan Iuanouits Romadanouski Knez Steppan Gabrielouits Puskin Knez Simon Romanouits Bosarskie Bogdan Mattheouits Chytrou Peter Petrouits Gowowin Iuan Andreouits Miloslauski Knez Iuan Iuanouits Labano Rostouski Knez Demetri Alexeouits Dalgaruski Simon Lukianouits Stresnou Michael Alexeouits Artischo Precossi Federouits Sochouin Knez Boris Iuanouits Troikurou Alexei Demetriouits Collitziou Wasili Alexandriouits Zioglockou Iuan Basilouits Alferiou The persons of greatest quality next the Bojares and the Ocolnits are those whom they call Dumeny Duorainy and Simbojarski that is to say sons of Bojars and they are six in number to wit Iuan Offonassouits Gabrienou Fedor Cusmits Iellissariou Bogdan Fedrowits Narbickou Sdan Basilouits Conderou Basili Federouits Ianou Ossonassei Ossipouits Prontzissou The Chancellour and Secretaries of State are Almas Iuanouits Chancellour Simon Iuanouits Saborouski Lariouton Demetriouits Prontzissou These are the names of the Lords who at this day have the principal charges and govern the whole Kingdom of Muscovy as well in the Councel of State as for private affairs as we shall see anon The chiefest Dignity of the Kingdom was heretofore that of Sunderstreuoi Coinische that is Lord high Steward of Muscovy but this charge was suppress'd when Zuski who had it was called to the Crown The next which is now the chiefest is that of Duoretskoy or Great Master who hath the over-sight and direction of all the great Duke's houshold After him comes the Orusnitschei who hath the over-sight of the Arms and Horses which are for the Great Duke's peculiar service as also of the Harnesses and other Ornaments which are used at Entrances and publick Ceremonies These three Officers precede all the other Bojares Ocolnits Dumeni-Diaki and the Secretaries of State who in their turns precede the Postilnizei or him who makes the Great Duke's bed the Comnutnoy Klutziom that is the Chamberlain the Craftzey or Carver the Stolniki or Gentlemen Sewers the Strapsi or Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and the Duoraini or ordinary Gentlemen The Silzi or Pages the Diaki or Secretaries and the Boddiotzei or the Commissaries or Clerks who are the last in Dignity and Function All the Knez and Bojares who have Estates are oblig'd to set out their Lands and to give their personal attendance at Moscou where they are oblig'd to be every day at Court and to smite their foreheads in the Great Duke's presence who looks on this attendance of theirs as an argument of their fidelity and an assurance of his Estate being in quiet which might soon be disturb'd by the authority these Great men might assume in the Provinces were they permitted to make their aboad there Their Houses or Palaces are great and magnificent and they make great ostentation as well in their expences at their houses as in cloaths and retinue when they go abroad When they ride they have at the bow of their Saddle a little Timbrel a foot Diameter which they ever and anon touch with the handle of their Whip to make their way through the throngs which are frequent in the Markets and Streets
that they were valued at six Millions four hundred sixty three thousand seven hundred thirty one Ropias that is three Millions two hundred thirty one thousand eight hundred sixty five Crowns and a half In Artillery Powder Bullets and other Ammunition to the value of eight Millions five hundred seventy five thousand nine hundred seventy one Ropias that is four Millions two hundred eighty seven thousand nine hundred eighty five Crowns and a half In defensive and offensive Armes as Swords Bucklers Pikes Bows Arrows c. to the value of seven Millions five hundred fifty five thousand five hundred twenty five Ropias which amount to three Millions seven hundred seventy seven thousand seven hundred fifty two Crowns and a half In Saddles Bridles and Stirrups and other Harness belonging to Horses of Gold and Silver to the value of two Millions five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred forty eight Ropias or one Millions two hundred sixty two thousand eight hundred twenty four Crowns In Covering-clothes for Horses and Elephants embroidered with Gold Silver and Pearls five Millions of Ropias which amount to two Millions and five hundred thousand Crowns All these sums cast up together come to three hundred forty eight Millions two hundred twenty six thousand three hundred eighty six Ropias that is one hundred seventy four Millions a hundred and thirteen thousand seven hundred ninety three Crowns But this came not any thing near the Treasure which Scach Choram was possessed of at the time of my Travels in those Parts This Wealth is more and more augmented every day not so much out of the ordinary Revenue coming in from the great Kingdoms he hath in regard that as his ordinary Expence abates not any thing of his Treasure so is it seldom seen that he increases it by ought remaining at the years end of his Revenue as by the Presents which are made him and the Escheats falling to him at the death of great Lords and Favourites who make the Mogul Heir to what they had gotten by his Favour insomuch that the Children have no hope to enjoy ought of their Fathers Estates either Real or Personal For the Mogul's Authority is such and his Power so Absolute that the Estates of all his Subjects are at his disposal and thence it comes that only his will decides all differences arising among them they having no other Law then implicitely to submit to what he ordians He hath the absolute disposal of their Lives and Fortunes and thence it is that upon his meer Order and Command the greatest Lords are dragg'd to Execution and their Estates Charges and Governments taken away from them There is no hereditary Dignity in all his Country That of Rasgi or Raja which he bestows rather upon the account of Merit then Birth is Personal as that of Chan in Persia and is not deriv'd to Posterity but by the recommendation of Vertue Not that it is to be inferred hence that the Mogul does exclude from Charges the Children of such as have done him good service but he gives them lesser charges by which they may advance themselves to the chiefest in the Kingdom if either an extraordinary Vertue or the Princes Favour call them thereto The chiefest Offices of the Kingdom are those of principal Visir which is somewhat like that of Chancellourship elsewhere Chief of the Eunuchs who is as it were Lord High Steward the Treasurer the principal Secretary of State the General of the Elephants and the Overseer of the Houshold-stuffe Tents and precious Stones These are of the Princes Privy Council whereto is sometimes also called the Couteval who is as it were the chief Judge and commands the Mogul's Guard The Council sits in the night from seven of the clock till nine in a Hall which they call Gasalean No day almost passes but the Mogul is to be seen in the morning at Sun-rising at which time the Lords of the Court salute him with their Patschach Salammet as also about Noon when he comes to see the Beasts fight and in the Evening when he comes to a certain Window to behold the Sun-setting with whom he retires himself with the noise of a great number of Drums and Timbrels and the Acclamations of the people who wish him a long and happy life It is to be found among the Registers of the Kingdom that only the Provinces of Candahar Cabul Guzuratta Cassimer Barampour Dely Bengala Agra Orixa and some others bring in of yearly Revenue one hundred seventy four Millions and five hundred thousand Ropias which amount to fourscore and seven Millions and two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns and that the Province of Guzuratta alone is able to raise fourscore and ten thousand Horse Cambaya twelve thousand Kabul as many Orixa fourscore thousand and Dely one hundred and fifty thousand besides those which may be raised out of the other Provinces whereof I could get no certain Accompt All this Militia is divided into several Regiments whereof some are of fifteen or twelve thousand Horse which are for the Kings Sons and the principal Persons of the Kingdom who have also the Command of these Bodies which consist of but two three or four thousand Horse The Mogul Scach Choram when he went in Person in the year 1630. against Chan Chaan had an Army of one hundred forty four thousand and five hundred Horse besides Elephants Camels Mules and Horses for the Train That Army was divided into four Brigades which yet kept all together that only excepted which was about the Kings Person at Barampour The first was commanded by Schaaft-Chan the Son of Assaph-Chan and consisted of several Regiments to wit that of Schaaft-Chan which was of five thousand Horse 5000 That of his Father consisting also of five thousand Horse all Rasboutes 5000 Sadoch Chan. 3000 Myrsa Yedt Madaffer 3000 Giasar Chan. 2500 Godia Sabes 2000 Seid Iaffer 2100 Iaster Chan. 1000 Mahmud Chan. 1000 Alawerdi Chan. 2000 Safdel-Chan Badary 700 Myrsa-Scer-Seid 500 Baaker-Chan 500 Whereto were added besides four thousand six hundred Mansebdars in several loose Companies 4600 The second Body under the Command of Eradet-Chan consisted of the following Regiments That of Eradet-Chan of 4000 Rau-Donda 1000 Dorcadas 1200 Kerous 1200 Ram Tscheud Harran 1200 Mustapha-Chan 1000 Iakout-Chan 2000 Killously 3000 Sidi Fakir 1000 Ecka Berkendas 1000 Iogi-Rasgi the Son of Lala Berting 7000 Teluk-Tschaud 400 Iakoet-Beg 400 Three other Lords commanded each two hundred Horse 600 Aganour Chabonecan Babouchan Seid-Camel Sidiali and Sadaed-Chan each five hundred Horse 3000 So that this Body consisted of 28000 The third Body under the Command of Raja Gedsing consisted of the following Regiments Raja-Gedsing 3000 Raja-Bideldas 3000 Oderam 3000 Raja-Biemsor 2000 Madosing Son of Ram Rattung 1000 Raja-Ros-Assou 1000 Badouria Raja-Bhozo 1000 Raja-Kristensing 1000 Raja Sour 1000 Raja-T'Chettersing 500 Wauroup 500 Raja-Odasing 5000 And under several other Rajas 4500 That Brigade which was about the Kings Person at
he took his march with a powerful Army raised in the Kingdom of Suruga towards the City of Ozacka where Fidery lived and after a siege of three months reduced him to so great extremities that Fidery sent his Wife who as we said before was Ongosschio's daughter to intreat her Father to grant him his life and to sign him such Lands in any Province of the Kingdom as he should think fit where he might live privately But Ongosschio would not see his daughter and continuing his siege he became at last Master of the Castle The unfortunate Fidery being got with his wives and several other persons of Quality in one of the Palaces Ongosschio ordered it to be compassed about with great piles of wood which being set on fire the Pallace and all within was reduced to ashes He put to death all the Lords who had sided or held any correspondency with Fidery and by that means established himself the sole Monarch of that State as Taycko his Predecessour had done before him Ongosschio died the year following and left the Empire in quiet to his Son Combo or Combosamme the Father of Chiongon who now Reigns It is no hard matter for the Emperour of Iapan to raise and keep an Army on foot in regard all his Subjects are obliged to bring in and maintain a certain number of Soldiers proportionably to their Revenue For he who hath a thousand Kockiens or four thousand Crowns per annum is obliged to maintain twenty foot and two horse-men and according to this accompt the Lord of Firando where the Dutch made their first establishment who hath sixty thousand Kockiens of yearly Revenue was tax'd at twelve hundred foot and one hundred and twenty horse besides the servants slaves and what else is consequent thereto So that by this means according to the Revenues of the Lords we mentioned before which amount to eighteen millions and four hundred thousand Kockiens the Emperour of Iapan may raise an Army of three hundred sixty eight thousand foot and thirty eight thousand eight hundred horse not accounting the hundred thousand foot and twenty thousand horse which he is able to maintain out of his own Revenue and which he keeps as a standing Army for the defence of his Castles and strong places and for his Guards Most of these Lords find it no great trouble to make their Levies for there are few of them but ordinarily maintain twice as many Soldiers out of an humour they have to make great showes especially upon those occasions wherein they expect to give some assurances of their courage or zeal they have for the service of their Prince Their Cavalry is armed with Corselets but the Foot have only Head-pieces The offensive Arms of the Horse are a sort of Fire-locks not much longer then our Pistols half-pikes Bowes Arrows and Cimitars The foot wear every man two Cimitars and have Muskets Pikes and Nanganets or half-pikes and every man hath about him a very broad Knife Their Companies consist but of fifty Soldiers who are commanded by a Captain a Lieutenant and ten Corporals to wit a Corporal for every five Soldiers Five Companies make a Body which is commanded by another Officer and every fifty Companies have their Colonel The Emperour of Iapan hath the same course taken to know every year how many persons there is in his Kingdom For every quarter of a City or Village is divided into Cantons consisting of five houses which are commanded by a certain Officer who keeps a Register or Catalogue of all those who die or are born within the five houses under his jurisdiction and reports the same to his superiours who give an account thereof to the Prince or Lord of the Province and these last to two Counsellors of State who are appointed for that purpose The Council of State consists of several Lords who have each of them his particular function excepting only the four chiefest who are every day punctually at Court to give the Emperour an account of affairs All the rest are so powerful and rich that some among them have above two millions of yearly Revenue others three or four hundred thousand Crowns others but forty or fifty thousand They are very reserv'd in the advice they give the Emperour to whom they speak not even of affairs if they find him not in a good humour to hear them but none will presume to speak to him twice of the same thing or renew his intreaties after a refusal This Council consists of such Lords as the Emperour may be the more confident of in regard they have commonly their education at the Court These have the management of all publick affairs but with such dependance on the Soveraign's pleasure that they do not only never resolve on any things of themselves but indeed they never speak to the Prince till he gives them some occasion to do it and that they have first consulted his eyes and studied his countenance to find what his sentiments are They ever approve what he says though never so prejudicial to himself even to the loss of a whole Province for the least contestation would cost them their fortunes if not their lives From what we said before it is evident that the Reyenues of these Lords are very great but their Expences are as great For first not one of them but is obliged to live one halfe of the year at Court and during that time to keep house in the chief City of Iedo where he who lives at the highest rate is most in favour with the Emperour The first six months in the year those Lords who have their Principalities and Lordships in the Easterly and Northerly Provinces of the Kingdom continue at the Court and the other six months those that live in the Western and Southern Provinces At their coming to the Court and their departure thence they make very considerable Presents to the Emperour and great Entertainments among themselves Their Journeys and their Expences at Court whither some Lords bring a Retinue of five or six thousand persons lie very heavy on the richest and ruine the rest The Lord of Firando who as we said was one of the meanest had in his Family above three hundred men and maintain'd in the two houses he had at Iedo above a thousand persons comprehending in that number the VVomen and Concubines he kept as did also the other Lords in one of his two houses Provisions are dear enough all over Iapan but at an excessive rate about the Court by reason of the abundance consumed by so great a number of persons of quality Another way to exhaust their Estates is their magnificence in Building there being still somewhat wanting in their appartments either as to Painting or Gilding or the like Most of their Domesticks go in Silk especially their Women and those of their own sex that wait on them so that there is hardly any Lord but spends more
on one of the Lords who put to death the Heir of the Crown the Emperour of Japan raises his Armies upon the charge of his Subjects is able to raise three hundred sixty eight thousand foot and thirty eitht thousand eight hundred Horse p. 149 Their Arms their Companies and Regiments the Council of State the expence of great Lords p. 150 The magnificence of the Lords in their buildings three years requisite to provide an entertainment for the Emperour the Emperour marries all the great Lords Women kept in restraint p. 151 Women never talk of business the generosity of a Japponese Wife p. 152 An example of modesty in a Maid the reservedness of their Conversation the men jealous ibid. Adultery severely punished fornication permitted they have no devotion their Pagodes and Priests p. 153 The Ecclesiasticks divided into several sects the death they are put to for breach of Vows their opinion concerning the Soul no disputes about Religion p. 154 Thephate Christians their diabolical inventions to put them to death p. 155 Their houses their civility p. 156 No drinking houses in Japan their Musick Wine Tsia how prepared their marriages and education of children ibid. They go not to school till seven or eight years of age are not swath'd the Japonneses tender in point of honour p. 157 What Forreigners trade thither the occasion of the rupture between the Chineses and Japponeses Japan was not peopled by Chineses p. 158 No Custom paid in Japan no correspondence between the Emperour of Japan and other Princes their Arithmetick the Dayro writes the History of the Country p. 159 The money of Japan its store of Cattel and Fowl several sorts of Mineral waters p. 160 Their Physicians the riches of Japan a particular way of melting Iron the Roman Catholick Religion planted in Japan the Spaniards banish'd it the Dutch establish there the Air of Japan p. 161 The Japonneses distinguished into five Orders the principal Ministers of Japan the procession of the Dayro and the Emperour the Dayro's baggage the Ladies of Honour ibid. Twenty seven Lords of the Dayro's Retinue twenty four Gentlemen the Dayro's three Wives the chief servants of those Ladies threescore and eight Gentlemen p. 162 The Emperour and his Ward the greatest Lords of Japan the Dayro's Concubines his Secretary p. 163 His Musickâ— the Dayro himself the Emperours Presents to him p. 164 The Isle of Tayovang the Dutch settle there and call it New Zealand the Government is absolutely anarchical p. 165 The places possest there by the Dutch the Inhabitants of Fermosa are civil good-natur'd ingenious its Fruits ibid. Their Wine the Women go a fishing How the Men liveâ— their hunting p. 166 The manner of their War their Armes the Island Tugin p. 167 Their Magistracy and its authority their punishments p. 168 The Magistrate hath no power their respect for old age mens age in order to marriage p. 169 Their marriages a pleasant kind of married life the women not permitted to bear children till thirty five years of age p. 170 Divorce lawful among them their houses their sustenance have no Festivals Dogs-hair Stuffes their Funerals p. 171 They neither bury nor burn the dead a sure remedy in painful diseases their Religion their sins ibid. Their Gods women only imployed about Religious Mysteries their Devotion p. 172 The Kingdom of China its Frontiers Extent Provinces p. 173 The Province of Peking its Frontiers Cities Families Revenue Xuntien described c. p. 174 The Palaces the Provinces of Xansi and Xensi their Frontiers c. p. 175 The great Wall by whom built the Province of Xantung its Frontirrs Cities c. p. 176 The Provinces of Honan c. the Province of Suchuen c. Radix Sina the Province of Huguang c. the Province of Quangsi its Frontiers c. ibid. Porcelane made at Kiangsi the Province of â—anking c. the Prince of Checkiang c. p. 177 The City of Quinsay Mark Paulo vindicated the greatness of the City of Huncheu the Province of Fokien c. the Inhabitants of Fokien trade most out of the Kingdom p. 178 The Province of Quantung c. the industry of the Inhabitants the Province of Quangsi its Cities c. the Province of Quieucheu its Cities c. p. 179 The Province of Junan c. both black and white Chineses the difference of Fruits in China the Chineses hate idleness China Fruits better then ours Wax Honey Sugar p. 180 Flesh cheap their Fishing how they breed Ducks ibid. The Inhabitants their cloathing their women their money the provision made for the subsistance of the poor p. 181 Printing in China before we had it their way of writing their paper the dignity of Loytia the Chineses very Ceremonious p. 182 Their Feasts their Plate their New-years day the honour they do Embassadours p. 183 Their Weddings Polygamy lawful the Government of China Monarchial p. 184 Offensive war made defensive by a fundamental Law their King called Son of Heaven the Council of State Astrology requisite in Councellors of State Viceroys and Governours ibid. Other Officers of Provinces Officers of the Crown Debtors how treated an admirable Order their tortures Prisons p. 185 Their punishments the Visitours p. 186 The Religion of the Chineses their Divinities three China Saints the Fable of Quaniâ—a p. 187 The Fable of Neoma the Chineses use incantations they invoke the Devil ibid. Their belief concerning the Creation they believe the immortality of the Soul Purgatory p. 188 They believe the Metempsychosis their Religious men they use beads funeral Ceremonies their mourning the present state of China p. 189 The Tartars possess'd of China forced thence the Origine of the Royal House of Teimings the beginning of the Tartarian war Leaotung taken p. 190 Vanlie dies and is succeeded by Tayohang who forces away the Tartars but they re-enter Leagtung the Kings of China and Tartary die the Chineses betray their Country Thienâ—ung King of Tartary dies p. 191 Lizungzo enters the Province of Xansi takes the City of Peking p. 192 A Chinese calls the Tartars to his relief against the Rebels the Tartars will not depart China p. 193 They proclaim their King Emperour of China Usanguei made King the Southerly Provinces chose another Emperour the Tartars enter the Province of Nanking Hungquang strangled ibid. Several Chinese Lords retire to Hangcheu Another Emperour who is also strangled other Princes this division proves the ruine of China the Tartars reduce the Province of Fokien the treachery of a Chinese Pirate p. 194 An Emperour chosen in Quangsi the Tartars absolute Masters of China p. 195 FEBRVARY He leaves Ceylon the 20. and comes the second of July following to the Island of Madagascar where they stay six weeks The Voyage continued several sorts of Birds p. 196 Several sorts of Fish ibid. Very changeable weather near the Line p. 197 Maurice Island discover'd its Haven a prodigious Thorn-back No four-footed beasts in the said Island the story of a
flaming Mount. Joartam Gerrici Surabaia Cidaye Taboan Cajam Japara Matram or Matavam Pati and Dauma Taggal Monucaon Jacattra Bantam The Kings Palace A Drum for a Clock The Guard of the town Market places Armourers Tuban The Javians Mahumetans Fasts Divers Wives Tourg â—â—â—riages Magistrate of Bantam The Kings Councel The train and state of the Nobility The qualities of the Javians Good Souldiers Javians Sophuticate their wâ—res How they imploy their Slaves Strongers commerâ—s there The trade of China Coin of Java The Portuguez Commerce Oysters of three hundred weight Crocodiles Civet Hens Rhinocerot Ants. Areca Mangas Ananas Samaca Tamarindâ— Tabaxir Boats of Canes Duriaons Lantor Cubebs Mangosthan Talasse Jaca Wild Cinnamon Carcapuli Costus Indicus Zerumbet Galanga Benjamin Sandale Ginger Anacardium Palo de cuebro Calamba Lacque Other Drugs in Java The Dutch fortifie in Jacatra Batavia Madura place of no trading Baly It s sâ—ituation 〈◊〉 Abounds in Rice Fowl Drugs Fish Gold Mines Pulo raza The Isle of Borneo Borneo the Town Bazar The Haven The Hollanders treat with the King of Sambas Celebes Islâ— Amboyna The inhabitants The discovery The Hollanders take Amboyna Castle Religion Consult with the Devil Superstitioâ—s Circumcision Marriage Oaths Sorcerers Their qualities Iâ—dotible Profaneness The Hollanders possess it intirely Banda Arms. They live long Nutmegs Maces The Oyl of Nutmeg The Hollanders Forts in Banda Prodigioâ—â— Serpents Molucques Sagu a sort of bread How they make bread of it Wine from the same Tree The Inhabitants Partly Mahumetans A particular policy The Clove â—ade The Portuguez seize it Dispossest by the Hollanders A difference between the Castilians and the Portuguez for the Moluccaes Grounded on a false supposition Magellan finds a new passage Ternate Gamma lamma Cloves The tree grows without planting Avicenna's errour What cloves the Moluccaes yields yearly The Mountain of Ternate But one season in the Moluccaes Cusos A Wood incombustible Leaves turn'd to Butterflyes Tidor Birds of Paradise King of Bachiam Machiam Philippins Manille Hunting of Crocodiles The Commerce of the Chineses and Spaniards in the Philippins The Archbishop of Manilla is Viceroy The City of Manilla It is doubted whether it be on Island or Continent The names and revenues of the Great Lords of Japan The Revenues of the Ministers of Stâ—te The Emperour of Japan's policy The Lords have three names Slaves dye with their Masters Their mannâ—r of ripping their bellies Their Mesquites The Cities of â—apan are not wall'd No Impositions in Japan The poweâ— of Masters over their Servants Gaming a Crime All the Relations of Offenders die with them A particular Punishment for Theâ—t The Crimes for which all the Kindred are put to death A horrid execution Lying punished with death The Emperours expence Jedo Castle The Palaces of the Kings The Emperours Retinue The Dayro The Emperours magnificence His Treasures The Emperour of Japan is a vice-roy Conâ—ines hiâ— Wife to a Castle How the Emperour of Japan came to thâ— Crown Ceremonies at the choic of a Nurse for the Dayro's son A revolution in Japan A Souldier of Fortune gets to be General of the Army And Soveraign Iâ— poyson'd Bestoâ— the Regency on one of the Lords Puts to death the Heir of the Cown The Emperour of Japan raises hâ—â— Armies upon the charge of h Subjects Can raise 368000. foot and 38800. horse Their Arms. Their Companies and Regiments The Council of State The expences of great Lords Provisions dear The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 in their buildings Three years requisite to 〈◊〉 an entrance for the Emperour The Emperour marries all the great Lords The women kept in restraint Women never talk of business The generosity of a â—aponnese Wife An example of modesty in a 〈◊〉 Another example of modestie The reservedness of their conversotien They are jealous Adultery severely punished Fornication permitted They have no Devotion Their Pagodes and Priests Distinguished into several Sects A cruel kind of death Their opinion concerning the Soul No disputes about Religion They haâ—e Christians Diabolical inventions to put Christians to death Their Houses They are civil No drinking houses in Japan Their Musick Their Wine Tsia how prepared Their Marriages Their education of their Children Go not to School till seven or eight years of age Not swath'd The Japonneses tender in point of honour An Example of it Are good Friends What Forraigners trade thither The occasion of the rupture between the Chineses and the Japonneses Japan was not peopled by Chineses No Custom paid in Japan No correspondence between the Emperour of Japan and other Princes Their Arithmetick The Dayâ—ro writes the History of the Country The Money of Japan Japan well stored with Cottel and Fowl Their Physicians The riches of Japan A particular way of meltiâ—g Iron The Roman Catholâ—â—â— Religion planted in Japan The Spaniards baâ—ished it The Dutch established there The Air of Japan Have many good qualities Are distinguished into five Orders The principal Ministers of Japan The Procession of the Dayro and Emperour The Dayro's baggage The Ladies of Honour 27. Lords of the Dayro's Retinue 24. Gentlemen The Dayro's three Wives The chief Servants of those Ladies 68. Gentlemen The Emperour and his Word The greatest Lords of Japan The Dayro's Concubines He Sacretary His Musick The Dayro The Issâ— of Tayovang The Dutch settle there And 〈◊〉 new Zealand Fermosa An Anarchy The places possessed by the Dutch The Inhabitants of Fermosa Are civil and good natured Are ingenious 〈◊〉 Their Wine Their women go afishing How the 〈…〉 Their huntâ—â—g The manner of their 〈◊〉 〈…〉 The Island of Tugin Their Magistracy It s Authority Their punishments The Magistrate hath no power They have a respect for old Age. The Age of the men in order to marriage Their marriages A pleasant married life The Women bear no children till 35. years of Age. Divorce lawful among them Their houses Their sustenance Have no Festivals Dogshair-stuffs Their Funerals They neither bury nor burn the dead A mad ramedy against painful diseases Their Religion Their Sins Their Gods Women only employed about their Mysteries Their devotion 〈◊〉 Quakerisin The Kingdom of China Its Frontiers It s extent The Provinces whereof it consists The 〈◊〉 The Province of Peking Its Frontiers Its Cities The number of its Families Its Revenues Xuntien described The Palace The Province of Xansi Its Frontiers Its Cities Families Revenue The qualities of the Country The Province of Xensi Its Frontiers The number of its Families Its Revenues Gold Mines Rhubarb Musk. The great Wall By whom built The Province of Xantung Its Frontiers Silks Its Cities and Families It s Revenue The Province of Honan Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families It s Revenui The Province of Suchuen Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families It s Revenue Radix Sina The Province of Huquang Its Frontiers Its Families It s Revenue The Province of Kiangsi Its Frontiers Its Cities and Families Its Revenues Porcelane made in Kiangsi The Province of Nanking Its
quarters in the Fields We understood since that it was a Stratageme of the Inhabitants who had incens'd the Bees purposely to prevent our lodging in the Village The 8. we came to a Stage where were fresh Horses and so to Torsock a little Town situate upon the descent of a Hill not far from the High-way fortified with Ramparts and Bastions of wood Bread Beer and Hydromel were there excellent good The Ambassadors caused Huts to be made of boughs of Trees without the Town where we Supp'd and Lodg'd that night The 9. we passed over two Torrents one neer Torsock the other half a League from Miedna We came at night to the Citie of Tuere which is also on a Hill-side as Torsock but somewhat bigger These two places have each of them their Weywode or Governour The latter hath its name from the River Tuere which passes by it as well as the Wolga which continuing its course from this City through Muscovy and Tartary disembogues its self above 600 German Leagues thence which make above 1500 French in the Caspian Sea It is already so broad in those quarters that we were forc'd to make use of a Ferry-boat to cross it We were lodg'd the other side of the City in the Suburbs This was our last stage for fresh Horses till we came to Moscou August 13. we came to a Village called Nichola Nachinski two Leagues from Moscou whence our Pristaf dispatch'd an Express to give notice of our arrival The 14. the Pristaf attended by his Interpreter and Secretary came to Complement the Ambassadors giving them thanks for the kind treatment he had receiv'd from them and making an Apology for the ill they might have receiv'd from him We presented him with a Vermilion Gilt-Cup and gave some ten or twelve Crowns among the rest The same day the Messenger sent by the Pristaf return'd from Moscou and oblig'd us to prepare for our Entrance which we made the same day in the order following 1. The Strelits or Muscovian Musketiers who had convoy'd us match'd in first 2. After them Iacob Scheve our Harbinger Michael Cordes Captain of the ship and Iohn Algueyer Clark of the Kitchin all three abreast 3. Three led Horses to be presented to the Great Duke one black and two dappledgrey 4. A Trumpetter 5. Marshall or Steward 6. Three of our Gentlemen a-breast 7. Three more of our Gentlemen 8. The Secretary Physician and Controller 9. The Ambassadors attended each by a Guard of four with their Carabines having on their right hand but a little distance the Pristaf who had conducted them 10. The six Pages in two ranks 11. A Coach with four grey Horses 12. The Master of the Waggons with eight others three in a rank 13. The Presidents design'd for the Great Duke carry'd in five Litters covered with Turkie Tapistry 14. An open Waggon wherein Simon Frisins lay sick 15. Forty six Waggons loaded with baggage 16. Three Servants Having march'd in this order very slowly till we came within half a League of the City we met ten Coureiers or Messengers who came one after another with full speed towards us to acquaint the Pristaf with the place where they were whose Office it was to receive us with order one while to march on very slowly another to make more haste to the end we should be much about the same time with them at the place appointed for our reception We saw also several Muscovites very well mounted and richly clad who only rid at some distance from us and return'd having taken a view of us Within a quarter of a League of the City we pass'd through a Body of above 4000 Muscovites all excellently well mounted and sumptuously clad Most of the Suedish Ambassadors retinue came also to meet us but were not permitted to come neer us so that we could only salute them at a distance Within a Pistol shot thence we saw coming towards us two Pristafs clad in coats of Purfled Satin mounted on two gallant white Horses Instead of Bridles they had Chains of silver whereof the links were two inches broad but no thicker than the back of a knife and of such a compass as that a man might thrust in his first into them which made a strange noise as the Horses went along The Great Duke's Master of the Horse followed them with twenty led Horses all white and was accompany'd by a great number of persons both a foot and a hors-back When the Ambassadors and Pristafs were alighted the antienter of the two uncover'd himself and said The Grand Seigneur Czaar and Great Duke Michael Federouits conservator of all the Russians Prince of Vladimer Mosco Novogorod Czaar of Cassan Czarr of Astrachan Czaar of Siberia Lord of Plescou Great Duke of Tuersky Iugersky Premsky Wadsky Bolgarsky c. Lord and Great Duke of Novogorod in the Low Countries Commander of Rosansky Rostofsky Gerastafky Besolerski Vdorski Obdorski Condinski and of all the North Lord of the Countries of Iveria Czaar of Kartalmski and Ingusinski Prince of the Countries of Kabardinski Cyrcaski and Iorkski Lord and Soveraign of many other Seignenries receives you as great Ambassadors from the Duke of Sleswick Holstein Stormarie and Ditmars Count of Oldenbourg and Delmenhorst He grants you and the Gentlemen of your retinue the favour to make your entrance upon his own Horses and hath appointed us Pristafs to have a care of you and so to furnish you with all things necessary during your aboad at Mosco To which Complement when the Ambassador Crusius had made answer there were brought two very stately white Horses with Saddles after the German fashion Embroider'd with Gold and Silver with Footh-cloaths and Harness suitable As soon as the Ambassadors were mounted the Pristaf and Musketiers who had conducted us from the Frontiers were drawn off There were brought also ten other white Horses for the chiefest of our retinue with Saddles after the Muscovian fashion of Cloath of Gold and Purfled Satin The Pristafs took the Ambassadors between them though in Muscovy he is thought to have the more honourable place who hath the right hand free After them march'd the Muscovian Grooms of the stable who had the coverings of their Saddles of Leopard-skins Cloath of Gold and Scarlet The Cavalry we had seen in the fields and the other Muscovites came powring into the City with the Ambassadors and accompany'd them to their Lodgings within the white wall in that quarter which is called Czarskigorod that is to say the City of the Czaar We had assign'd us two Citizens houses built of wood the Pristaf making this excuse in the name of the Great Duke that a fire having not only consum'd the ordinary house for the entertainment of Ambassadors but also another great house appointed for our Lodgings we could not possibly be better accommodated for the present And indeed at our entrance into the City we had observed whole streets burnt down the
among others many antient Men venerable for their long snowy beards whereof some sate others stood along the walls all clad in long Coats of stript Satin and Caps of Martins skins they told us they were his Majesties Goses that is his principal Merchants or Factors who had those habits out of the Great Dukes Wardrobe that they might honour him in those kinds of Ceremonies conditionally they return'd them assoon as they were over The Ambassadors being come to the door of the Antichamber they met with two Bojares or Lords clad in Coats of Purfled Satin cover'd with an embroidery of great Pearls who were to receive them at their Entrance They told them that his Czaarick Majesty did them and the Gentlemen of their retinue the favour of admitting them into his Presence The Presents were stay'd in the Antichamber and they conducted into the Hall the Ambassadors with the Officers Gentlemen and Pages there going before them Iohn Hermes the Great Dukes principal Interpreter As soon as he had set his foot within the Hall he saluted his Majesty with a loud voice wishing him all prosperity and long life and acquainted him with the arrival of the Ambassadors The Hall was square and vaulted hang'd and floor'd with Tapestry The roof was gilt and had several Sacred Stories painted therein The Great Duke's Chair was opposite to the door against the wall rais'd from the floor three steps having at the four corners Pillars which were Vermilion Gilt about three inches about with each of them at the height of an ell and a half an Imperial Eagle of Silver near which the Canopy or upper part of the Chair rested upon the same Pillars besides which the said Chair had at the four Corners as many little Turrets of the same stuff having also at the ends Eagles after the same manner We were told there was another Chair of State a-making about which were bestow'd 1600 Marks of Silver and 120 ounces of Ducat-gold for the gilding and that it would amount to above 25000 Crowns The designer of it was a German born at Nuremberg his name Esay Zinkgraf The Great Duke sate in his Chair clad in a long Coat embroider'd with Pearls and beset with all sorts of precious Stones He had above his Cap which was of Martins-skins a Crown of Gold beset with great Diamonds and in his right hand a Scepter of the same Metall and no less rich and so weighty that he was forc'd to relieve one hand with the other On both sides of his Majesties Chair stood young Lords very handsome both as to Face and Body clad in long Coats of white Damask with Caps of a Linx's skin and white Buskins with Chains of Gold which crossing upon the breast reach'd down to their hips They had laid over their shoulders each a Silver Ax whereto they put their hands as if they had been going to give their stroke On the right side of the Chair upon a Pyramid of Silver carv'd thorough stood the Imperial Apple of massy Gold representing the World as big as a Canon-bullet of 48 pound weight and at a like distance on the same side a Basin and Ewer and a Napkin to wash and wipe the Great Dukes hands after the Ambassadors and those of their retinue had kiss'd them The principal Bojares or Lords of the Court to the number of fifty were all set upon Benches by the wall-side on one side and opposite to the Great Duke very richly clad with great Caps of a black Fox furr a good quarter of an ell high The Chancellor stood on the right hand some five paces from the chair They having made a low reverence at their Entrance were plac'd in the midst of the Hall opposite to the Great Duke and about ten paces from him having behind them the Officers and Gentlemen of their retinue on the right the two Gentlemen who carry'd the Credential Letters which they held before them and on the left the Interpreter Iohn Helmes This done the Great Duke made a sign to the Chancellor that he should tell the Ambassadors that his Majesty granted them the favour to do him reverence The Ambassadors went one after another and kiss'd his right hand which he very gracefully reachâ—d to them and with a smiling countenance taking the Scepter in the mean time in his left hand Now it is to be observed that in these ceremonies he who kisses the Great Dukes hand is not to touch it with his own and that only the Ambassadors of Christian Princes have the honour to kiss it which the Turks and Persians much less the Tartarians have not This Ceremony ended he caus'd the Chancellor to tell them that if they had ought to propose from their Prince they might do it Whereupon the Ambassador Crusius made him a complement from the Duke our Master and his condoleances for the death of the Patriarch his Father adding that his Highness hoping we should have found him living had given them Letters of Credence for him and that they had brought them along with those his Highness writ to his Majesty Whereupon he took the Letters from those that held them and was advancing to deliver them but the Great Duke made a sign to the Chancellor to take them and having commanded him to come to him he whisper'd in his ear the answer he would make the Ambassadors The Chancellor being return'd to his place said The Grand Seigneur Czaar and Great Duke c. tells thee Philip Crusius and thee Otton Brugman Ambassadors from the Duke of Holstein that he hath received the Letters of his Highness that he will order them to be translated and he will acquaint you with his intention by his Bojares and that he will make answer thereto The Chancellor who had not uncover'd himself no more than the other Lords took off his Cap when he pronounc'd the name of his Majesty or that of his Highness of Holstein This done The Ambassadors were seated on a Bench cover'd with a Turkie Carpet which was set behing them and the Chancellor told them that the Great Duke was pleas'd that their Officers and Gentlemen should have the honour of kissing his hand Which done the Great Duke rais'd himself up a little in his Chair and said to the Ambassadors Knez Frederic jescha sdorof Is Duke Frederick in good health Whereto it was answer'd that at our departure we had left him very well God grant a good life and a long and all happiness to his Majesty and Highness Then was brought in a List of the Presents which were sent in with it and stood some time before the Great Duke till the Chancellor ordered them to be taken away The said Chancellor presently after told the Ambassadors that the Czaar and Great Duke of all the Russians Lord and Soveraign of many Seignories c. was further pleas'd they should speak of their Aâ—â—airs but they desir'd that to avoid doing any thing prejudicial to the Treatise made between
the Crown of Sueden and his Highness concerning the Commerce of Persia they might have a private Audience together which was accordingly granted After this the Great Duke caus'd them to be asked whether they were in health and whether they wanted any thing giving them notice that that day he would do them the favour to treat them with meat from his own Table This was the first publick Audience the Ambassadors had They were brought back to the Antichamber by the same Bojares who had receiv'd them at their enâ—rance We mounted at the same place where we alighted and return'd to our Lodgings accompany'd by our Pristafs in the same order as we had gone thence We were hardly alighted ere there came in one of the Gentlemen of the Great Duke's Chamber He was of the quality of the Knez to which his countenance and behaviour was suitable being of great stature magnificently clad excellently well mounted and attended and had been sent by the Great Duke to treat the Ambassadors at Dinner Assoon as he was come in he caus'd the cloath to be laid on which were in the first place set a Salt-seller and two Vinegar-dishes of Silver and certain drinking-cups whereof three were of Gold and two others of Silver and so big that they were above a foot diameter a great Knife and some Forks This Lord seating himself at the end of the Table ordered the Ambassadors to sit down by him the Gentlemen standing before them He caus'd to be set on the Table before the Ambassadors three great vessels full of Sack Rhenish-Wine and Hydromel and caus'd the meat to be serv'd out on 38. great Silver Dishes which consisted in boil'd rosted and pastry All being serv'd the Knez rise caus'd the Ambassadors to come before the Table and told them there was the Provision which the Czaar had commanded him to entertain them withall praying them to be pleas'd with the treatment Then he took the great Cup which he caus'd to be fill'd with excellent good Hydromel made with Raspices and having drunk his Majesties health he caus'd as much to be given the Ambassadors and all their retinue obliging us to drink the Great Duke's health all at the same time Some of us would have reach'd their arms over the Table to take the Gobelet but the Muscovite would not suffer it saying that Table then represented the Great Duke's who permits none to go behind his Table and so oblig'd them to come round about and take the Cup. This health was follow'd by that of our Prince which he began to the Ambassadors saying God grant health and prosperity to his Highness and make him long to continue in a good correspondence and amity with his Majesty The third health was that of the Prince the Great Duke's son This done they sate to the Table and some Gobelets of a Wine made of Cherries and Mulberries were drunk about The Ambassadors presented him with a Vermilion-gilt cup of the weight of three Marks and a half which he caus'd to be carried before him as he return'd to the Castle Aug. 20. The Pristafs came to tell us that the Great Duke was pleas'd we should go 〈◊〉 and gave us the liberty to walk about the City and to that end Horses should be brought us from his own stables when ere we should desire it We were also permitted to visit the Suedish Ambassadors and to receive their Visits All which were thought so great favours that the Muscovites themselves were astonish'd at it for till then it had not been suffer'd that the Domesticks of strange Ambassadors should walk about the City but when their occasions oblig'd them to go abroad they were accompany'd by one or more of the Musketiers Two dayes after the Pristaf accompany'd by a Groom of the Great Duke's stables brought us six horses and conducted us to the Lodgings of the Suedish Ambassadors whom we saw several times after and held a very fair correspondence with them Aug. 23. The Ambassadors would have invited to Dinner Dr. Wendelin the Physician the Apothecary and some other servants of the Great Duke but the Chancellor would not suffer them to come and forbad them seeing us for three dayes of which rigorous treatment we could have no accompt till afterwards that we were told it was because the Presents had not yet been valu'd among which was the Cabinet made like an Apothecaries shop we spoke of before which could not be valu'd but by them The 24. Came before Moscou Arnald Spirin Farmer General of the Customs in Livonia through which he had pass'd and was sent by the Crown of Sueden to be present at the Negotiation which the Ambassadors thence were to manage for Commerce wherein he was very well vers'd The Muscovites who knew him made some difficulty to entertain him in that quality but perceiving the Suedes took it ill they were at last content to do it and sent a Pristaf to meet and receive him September 1. The Muscovites celebrated the first day of their New year for having no other Epoche than that of the Creation of the World which they believe to have been in Autumn they begin the year with the Moneth of September and they accompted then 7142 years according to the opinion of the Greeks and the Eastern Church which count 5508. from the Creation of the World to the birth of Christ whereto add 1634. you will find the number 7142. whereas we accompt from the Creation of the World to the same year 1634. but 5603 years Their Procession was hand som enough consisting of above 20000 persons of all ages who were admitted into the outer Court of the Castle The Patriarch attended by almost 400 Priests all Pontifically habited and carrying a many Banners Images and old Books open came out of the Church which is on the right hand of the second Court while the Great Duke came out on the left hand of the same Court accompany'd by his Councellours of State Knez and Bojares The Great Duke and the Patriarch advanc'd one towards the other and kiss'd the Duke having his Cap in his hand and the Patriarch who had a Mitre on his head held in his â—â—id a Golden Cross about a foot long beset with Diamonds and other precious stones which he presented to the Great Duke to kiss That done the Patriarch gave his Majesty his Benediction as also to all the people wishing them all prosperity in the New year There were many Muscovitis who held their Petitions in the air and their way of presenting them to the Great Duke was to cast them with no small noise at his feet whence certain Officers gather'd them up to be carried to his Majesties chamber that they might be answer'd This done the Processions parted and return'd to the place from whence they came Sept. 3. Gillenstiern Bureus and Spiring who were to Negotiate joyntly with us concerning the Passage into Persia were conducted to their publick audience
but the white had six Trumpets which made a wretched inharmonious noise The Knez and Lords that were sent to meet this Ambassadors were excellently well mounted upon Horses that came out of Persia Poland and Germany very richly set out having with them out of the Great Dukes Stable twenty led Horses with great silver Chains instead of Bridles such as we have mention'd before We with the Gentlemen and Officers of the Suedish Officers retinue made up a Troop of fifty Horse under the command of Wolfwolf Spar Gentleman of the Horse to the Suedish Embassy who as our Captain march'd in the head of the Troop We went a good league to meet the Ambassador who no sooner perceiv'd us but he look'd very earnestly upon us and we upon him We kept along with him a good while to take the better notice of his retinue and Cavalcade which march'd in the order following First march'd 46 Strelits having instead of Muskets Bows and Arrows and Cimitars by their sides After them came a Pristaf clad in a Coat of Brocado and follow'd by eleven Men clad in Red Branched Velvet whereof some were Grecian and Turkish Merchants some Greek Ecclesiasticks After them march'd the Ambassador's Steward alone and behind him a Guaâ—d of four with Bows and Arrows After them two Cavalliers very richly clad immediately preceding the Ambassador who march'd alone He was a middle-statur'd Man much tann'd in the face his Beard very black His under-coat was of a White-Flowr'd Satin and his upper Garment of Satin purfled with Gold lined with Martins-skins His Turbant was white as were also those of his retinue He was in a sorry Wagon of a white kind of Wood but all cover'd with rich Tapestry The rest of his Train consisted in above forty Waggons of Baggage which were every one kept by one or two Boys Being come within a quarter of a league of the City near as he imagin'd the place where the Muscovites would receive him he mounted an excellent Arabian Horse Nor indeed had he rode a Pistol-shot ere he met the two Pristafs appointed for his reception with the Great Duke's Horses according to the custom The Pristafs continued on Horsback till the Ambassador had alighted but he on the other side stirr'd not his Turbant though the Muscovites took off their Caps when they pronounc'd the Great Duks name After this first Complement the Pristafs immediately mounted the Ambassadour did what he could to be in the Saddle as soon as they or sooner but they had brought him a very high Horse with a Saddle yet much higher according to the Muscovian fashion and so skittish withal that he not only found some difficulty to get up but very narrowly scap'd being hurt by him Being got up the Pristafs took him between them and conducted him to the ordinary place for the entertainment of Ambassadors which had been built up since our coming thither As soon as he was got in the doors were shut and several Guards of Musketiers plac'd about it Our Ambassadors intended to have gone that day to those of Sueden who had invited them to dinner to shew them the Turks who were lodg'd near them the Suedes having a prospect into their Court but the Chancellor sent to desire us not to stir abroad that day for reasons he could not discover The 19. We had the second private Audience with the suedish Ambassadors The 23. The Turkish Ambassadour had his first publick Audience to which he went in this order In the Front march'd 20 Cosaques mounted on white Horses out of the Great Duke's stables after them the Turkish and Greek Merchants and then the Presents viz. Twenty pieces of Satin stript with Gold carried by so many Muscovites who march'd all in a file A Golden Cross about a fingers length beset with several large Diamonds carried by a Muscovite in a Basin A Vessel of Rock-Chrystal adorn'd with Gold and enrich'd with precious Stones A Belt or Girdle for a Cimitar enrichâ—d with Gold and beset with precious Stones A Pearl of great bigness laid on a piece of water'd Taffata in a Basin Harness for two Horses embroider'd with Gold and set with Pearls A very fair Diamond-ring in a Basin A Ruby as big as a Crown piece of Silver enchac'd in Gold in a Basin A very fair Battel-Ax which they call Bulaf form'd like a Scepter After the Presents march'd eight Turks two a-breast and after them two very handsome young men carrying upon great pieces of silk the Credential Letters which though folded were yet at least half an ell wide The Greek Ecclesiasticks were not in the Cavalcade but had their Audience by themselves the 28. following Two Muscovy Priests went to them at their Lodgings and conducted them to the Castle where they met a great number of Priests who accompany'd them to their audience Their presents were Six Basins with Relicks or a parcel of Bones whereof some were gilt Linings for a Priest's Cope embroider'd with Gold and Perls A Head-stall for a Horse beset with precious Stones Two pieces of Satin purfled with Gold One Priest's Cope One piece of silver'd Taby with flowers of Gold The Greeks march'd after the Presents clad in Violet Chamlet and had a Cross carried before them Our Ambassadors had also Letters from the Elector of Saxony to the Great Duke and thought fit to deliver them at a Publick Audience for which was appointed St. Michael's day Sept. 29. We went in the same order as the time before and the Letters were carried M. Vchterits upon black and yellow Taffata which are the Elector's Colours The Great Duke receiv'd them with much kindness enquir'd after the health of his Electoral Highness and commanded we should once more be furnish'd with meat from his own Table which indeed was brought us not ready dress'd as the former but we were left to order it as we would our selves October 1. the Muscovites keep as one of their most solemn Festivals or Prasnick the Ceremonies these The Great Duke attended by the whole Court and the Patriarch accompany'd by all the Clergy went in Procession to the Church which is in the outer Court of the Castle called by the Muscovites that of the Blessed Trinity by the Germans Ierusalem But before they went into it they turn'd aside to a place balcony'd about much after the form of a Theatre on the right hand as you go to the Church neer which place are two great pieces of Canon whereof the bore is at least half an ell diameter The Great Duke and the Patriarch being got into it not admitting any other the Patriarch presented to his Majesty an Image painted upon a piece of past-board which folded as it had been a book enrich'd with silver in the middle and at the four corners to which Image the Czaar made a most low reverence and touch'd it with his fore-head the Priests in the mean time muttering over their Prayers Which done the Patriarch approaching the
Great Duke again presented him to kiss it a Golden Cross of about a foot length beset with Diamonds He also touch'd his forehead and temples with it whereupon they all went into the Church where they concluded the service The Greeks that came along with the Turkish Ambassador went in also by a priviledge particular to them of all Christians whom the Muscovites suffer not to enter their Churches but they permit the Greeks as such as profess the same Religion with them Octob. 8. we had our third private Audience with the Suedish Ambassadors and were above two hours in conference with the Great Duke's Ministers The 12. the Great Duke went on Pilgrimage to a Church half a league from the City He rode alone on horseback with a whip in his hand and was follow'd by above 1000. horse The Knez and Bojares who attended him march'd ten a-breast which made a noble show and express'd the greatness of the Prince The Great Dutchess with the young Prince and Princess followed them in a large Chariot all of Joyners work cover'd with Scarlet the curtains of yellow Taffata drawn by sixteen white horses After the Dutchess's the Court-Ladies were carried in 22. other Chariots of wood painted green covered with Scarlet the curtains drawn close so that those within could not be seen I had the happiness the wind having blown those of the Great Dutchess a little on one side to have a glimps of her and I thought her very handsome and very richly clad On both sides march'd above a hundred Strelits having white tlaves in their hands to keep off the people who were thronging to bless their Princess for whom the Muscovites have a particular respect and devotion The 23. we had with the Suedish Ambassadors our fourth private Audience wherein we concluded our Negotiation The 28. the Suedish had their last publick Audience in order to their departure returning from which they caus'd the Answer to their Letters to be carried by two Gentlemen The 7. and 10. of November they departed from Mosco in three troops some taking the way of Livonia others that of Sueden Nov. 19. we had our fifth and last private Audience at which it was told us that his Czaarick Majesty having taken our propositions into serious consideration had at last resolv'd to gratifie his Highness the Duke of Holstein as his Friend Uncle and Ally as to what he had desir'd of him and to grant him what he had deny'd many other Princes and Potentates of Europe to wit a passage through Muscovy to go into Persia and that his Ambassadors might go thither but with this proviso that they should first return back to Holstein and bring him the ratification of the present Treaty Having so happily though with much difficulty perfected our negotiation we thought it not amiss to divert our selves for some days among our friends as we did at the Christening of a Child of the Residents of Sueden at a feast which Dr. Wendelin made at the marriage of a Kinsman of his and at the magnificent entertainment which David Ruts one of the chiefest Dutch Merchants there gave us at his own house The 22. The Muscovites made a solemn Procession to a Church near the ordinary place where the Ambassadors are entertain'd at which the Great Duke and the Patriarch were present There was a passage made with Deal-boards from the Castle to the Church along which came first several pedling Merchants who sold wax Candles after them some that swept the passage and kept it clean The Procession was thus First went a man carrying an Ewer and a Napkin Three men carrying Banners like Cornet's Colours half Red half White Sixty one Priests in their Copes Four Cherubins carried upon long poles A man carrying a Lantern at the top of a long pole Forty Priests Eight Priests carrying a great Cross fasten'd in a great piece of timber double-cross'd A hundred Priests and Monks carrying every one a painted Image A great Image cover'd carried by two men Forty Priests A great Image adorn'd with abundance of precious Stones carried by three men Another lesser Image Four Priests singing Another Image A Cross of Diamonds in a Basin Two men carrying each a lighted Taper The Patriarch in Pontificalibus very richly clad under a blew Canopy and led by the Arms by two Men having behind and on one side of him about fifty Priests and Monks The Great Duke under a red Canopy supported by two Lords of his Counsel and attended by his Knez and Bojares The Great Duke's Chair of State of red Velvet carried by two men The Great Duke's Horse His S'edge drawn by two white Horses This Procession was occasion'd upon the finding of an Image of our Lady 's in a certain place where since there is a Church built December 12. We saw a Cavalcade of seventy two Crim-Tartars who all took the quality of Ambassadors and were going to have Audience which the Great Duke gave them and whereat he had the patience to endure them for the space of three hours Being come into the Hall of Audience some sate on the ground others lay along and there was given every one a Gobelet of Hydromel to the two Chief of the Embassy Garments of Brocado to others of Scarlet and to the most inconsiderable among them Cloaths of some more common Stuff with some Furrs and Caps of Martins-skins which they had upon their other cloaths as they return'd from Audience 'T is a Nation absolutely barbarous and dreadful to look on Though they are at a great distance from Muscon towards the South yet they do the Great Duke abundance of mischief by their incursions and the robberies they incessantly commit upon his Subjects The Czaar Faedor Iuanouits the present Great Duke's Father endeavour'd to prevent their incursions by causing the Woods to be cut down and by means of a Causway and a Moat which he had caus'd to be drawn a hundred leagues together to hinder their entrance into his Country but they never rested till they had pull'd down one and fill'd the other so that to keep them at home the Great Duke is oblig'd from time to time to suffer these Embassies the design whereof is only to get Presents whereof the expence would not trouble the Great Duke if they would keep the Barbarians quiet but they continue in peace but till they perceive they can make any advantage by the breach of it The 16. we had Audience in order to our departure to which we were conducted with the same Pomp and Ceremonies as to the first save that by reason of the Ice and Snow which hinder great Lords to make use of horses they sent us two sumptuous Sledges whereof one was lin'd with a Crimson water'd Satin the other with Damask of the same colour There were within them some white Bears-skins and over head rich Turkie Tapistry to serve for a covering The Buckles of the Harness were cover'd of
all sides with Fox-tailes which is the richest Ornament that the Great Lords nay indeed the Great Duke himself can make use of The Pristafs had each his Sledge and went on the right hand of the Ambassadors At our alighting we were receiv'd by two Bojares after the accustomed manner As soon as the Ambassadors were come into the Great Duke's presence and that the Chancellor had given him an account of their health a seat was brought and they were intreated to sit down Whereupon the Chancellor said The Grand Seigneur Czaar and Great Duke Michael Federouits Conservator of all the Russes c. tells you the Lords Ambassadors that his Highness Duke Frederick of Holstein having sent you to his Czaarick Majesty with the Letters which he hath received he hath npon your intreaty caus'd your propositions to be communicated unto and examined by his Bojares and Counsellors Knez Boris Michaelouits Lukou Vasili Iuanouits Strenou and the Dumnoi Diakan Iuan Tarassouits and Iuan Gauarenow upon which all sides are agreed to a Treaty which you have signed His Majesty hath also received the Letters you brought him from Iohn-George Elector of Saxony the contents whereof he hath also considered You shall immediately receive his Majesties answer both to Duke Frederick of Holstein and to the Elector Iohn-George Whererpon he deliver'd them the Letters before the Great Duke's Chair and the Ambassadors having receiv'd them with much respect the Great Duke said When the Ambassadors shall have arriv'd at the Court of the most Serene John-George Elector of Saxony and his Highness Duke Frederick of Holstein they will salute them from me Which done they were told by the Chancellor that his Majesty was pleas'd to grant the Ambassadors and Gentlemen and Officers of their retinue the favour of kissing his hand once more That done they told us we should have meat sent from the Great Duke 's own Table The Ambassadors gave the Czaar thanks for all the favours they had receiv'd from him wishing his Majesty long life and a happy Government and to the whole house of the Czaar all prosperity Having taken their leaves they return'd to their quarters About an hour after the meat from the Great Duke's Table was brought in forty six dishes most fish boyl'd broyl'd and fry'd in Oyl some Sallets and Pastry but no flesh by reason of the Fast which the Muscovites very rigorously observe before Christmas Knez Iuan Wolf came along with them to treat us with the same ceremonies as we were treated with at our first publick audience After Dinner we were visited by the Groom of the Stables the Butler and the Pourveyer who came to demand their Presents The Knez the Groom and the Butler had each of them a drinking Cup of Vermilion-gilt The rest who were about sixteen had bestow'd among them 32. Roubles which amount to about 64. French Crowns The next day the two Pristafs accompany'd by their Interpreters Iohn Helmes and Andrew Angler of whom the former had serv'd us in our Negotiation with the Great Duke and the Bojares the other in our private affairs came to ask us how many Horses we should stand in need of for our return We demanded 80. and presented each of them with a large drinking Cup of Vermilion-gilt We did the like to the chief Secretary of the Chancery and some of the great Lords The 21. Our Pristafs presented to us another Pristaf named Bogidan Tzergeuits Gomodof who had orders to conduct us to the Frontiers of Sueden The next day were brought us the Horses appointed for our journey and at the same time came with one of our Pristafs the Lord Treasurers Secretary accompany'd by 12. Muscovites loaden with Martins-skins to be presented from the Great Duke to the Ambassadors and those of their retinue The Ambassadors had for their shares eleven Zimmers every Zimmer makes twenty pair of the best kind of Sables The Officers Gentlemen Pages Harbinger the Clerk of the Kitchin and the Master of the Wagons had each a Zimmer of Martins-skins The rest had some two some but one pair We gave the Secretary a drinking Cup of Vermilion-gilt and to the rest 30 Crowns The Great Duke sent also to tell us that if we would make a little longer stay at Moscou by reason of the approaching Festivals of Christmas and the cold weather which indeed was to extremity he should take it kindly and though we had our dispatches yet should we be furnish'd with the ordinary provisions but the desire we had to return into Germany would not permit us to accept of his favour so that we put all things in readiness for our journey To that end we bought Sledges that we might travel with more convenience they standing us in but three or four Crowns apiece But in regard we were to travel into Persia having obtain'd the Great Dukes permission to do it it was thought fit that Michael Cordes with six other persons of our retinue should be sent to Nisa which is a hundred Leagues from Moscou there to order the building of such ships as we should stand in need of as well upon the River Wolga as the Caspian Sea Decemb. 24. Was the day of our departure from Moscou in order to our return The two Pristafs came about noon accompany'd by a certain number of Musketiers who had brought with them those two Sledges which we had made use of at our last audience and conducted us in very good order a quarter of a League from the City where we took leave of them as also of those friends who had brought us so far on our way That day and the night following we made 90 Werstes or eighteen German Leagues to a Village named Klin where the next day we had a Sermon it being Christmas day In the afternoon we parted thence and kept on our way all night so that the next day in the morning Decemb 26. we arriv'd at Tuere where we took fresh Horses with which departing that night we came the next day to Tarsock Four days after viz. Decemb. 31. which was the 7th after our departure from Moscou we came to the City of Novogorod which is distant from the other 120 German Leagues Which is not to be much wondred at for that Muscovy is a plain Country and during the cold weather many times the Horses travel upon the Snow ten or twelve German Leagues together without ever drawing bit Ianuary 1. 1635. After Prayers and Sermon we left Novogorod and got forwards 36 Werstes or seven Leagues to Mokriza The 2. We came to Tuerin six leagues and a half The 3. to Orlin six Leagues the 4. to Sariza 8 Leagues and the night following vve made four Leagues to Lilienhagen belonging to Dame Mary Stop the Relict of Iohn Muller who living had been Agent from Sueden in Muscovy We were very vvell treated there and the next day we got seven Leagues and came to Narva The 6. We sent
be on the Coasts of Denmark which our Captain took for the Isle of Bornholm and we perceived that we had directed our course streight towards the Country of Schonen so that if we had not at the break of day discover'd Land and found we were at 4. fathom water which soon oblig'd us to alter our course there had been an end of both us and our Ship About 9. of the clock we discover'd the Island of Bornholm and the wind being fair made all the fail we could But about ten at night when we thought our selves most secure and made accompt to rest our selves after the precedent night's toil even while Brugman one of the Ambassadors was charging the Master's Mate to be carefull and the other answer'd there was no danger since we had Sea-room enough the Ship being then under all the sail she could make struck against a Rock which was cover'd by the water The shock made such a horrible noise that it made all start up The amazement we were in surpris'd us so that there was not any one but might easily be perswaded that the end of both his Voyage and Life were neer at hand At first we knew not where we were and in regard the Moon was but newly chang'd the night was so dark that we could not see two paces from us We put our â—antern at the Castle and caus'd some Muskets to be discharg'd to see if there were any help to be had neer us But no body made answer and the Ship beginning to lye on one side our affliction began to turn into despair so that most cast themselves on their knees begging of God with horrid cries that he would send them that relief which they could not expect from men The Master himself wept most bitterly and would meddle no further with the conduct of the Ship The Physician and my self were sitting one close by the other with a design to embrace one another and to die together as old and faithful friends in case we should be wrack'd Others took leave one of another or made vows to God which they afterwards so Religiously kept that coming to Reuel they made up a portion for a Poor but Virtuous Maid who was married there The Ambassador Crusius's Son mov'd most compassion He was but 12. years of age and he had cast himself upon the ground importuning Heaven with incessant cries and lamentations and saying Son of David have mercy on me whereto the Minister added Lord if thou wilt not hear us be pleas'd to hear this Child and consider the innocence of his age At last God was so gracious as to preserve us though the Ship struck several times with great violence against the Rock About one in the morning we saw fire whence we inferr'd that we were not far from Land The Ambassadors commanded the Boat to be cast out with design to get into it with each of them a Servant and to go streight towards the fire to see if there were any means to save the rest but no sooner had they thrown in two Cabinets in which were the Credential Letters and some Jewels ere it was full of water which had almost occasion'd the loss of two of our people who had leapt first into it thinking to save themselves in so much that they had much ado to get into the Ship ere the Boat sunk We were forc'd to continue there the rest of that night expecting to see a period of that danger At break of day we discover'd the Isle of Oleand and saw the ruins of a Danish Ship which had been cast away thereabouts a month before The wind being somewhat abated two Fishermen of the Isle came aboard us and Landed the Ambassadors having a very considerable reward for their pains and after them some of their retinue About noon we found the two Cabinets and when the Sea was a little calm'd many people of the Isle came in to our relief to get off our Ship from among those Rocks but with this misfortune that as they would have let down the Anchor which they had carried in the Boat about a hundred paces from the Ship the Boat over-turn'd so that those in it were toss'd into the Sea Our Masters Mate went immediately with one of the Isle boats to their relief and in regard as they were over-turn'd some caught hold of the Boat others of an Oar or somewhat else as also that the Wine they had drunk a little before had somewhat heightned their Courage we had the time to send twice to them and to save all but our Carpenter who was lost for want of having fasten'd on somewhat that might have kept him above water While they were getting off our Ship the waters increas'd so as that the wind coming to the North-West made our passage thence into the Sea the easier Whither we were no sooner gotten but the wind turn'd again to South-West and brought us safely through the streight of Calmer which is so much the more dangerous in that season of the year in as much as the Sea thereabouts is full of Rocks and that even in the Summer time it is ill sailing there by reason of the banks of Sand. The Ship stay'd for the Ambassadors at Calmer whither they got by Land upon the first of November and came aboard neer an old ruin'd fort called Ferstat Being come to Calmer we sent back a Page and a Lacquey to Gottorp to get other Credentials the Sea-water having spoil'd those we had at first It was there also taken into consideration whether it were not our best course to take our way by Land through Sueden or prosecute our Voyage by Sea The latter was resolv'd on and that we might do it with the less danger we laid out for a skilfull Master for the Baltick Sea but there being none to be had we took only two Pilots who conducted us half a League through the Sand banks till we were got into the main Sea The 3. we continu'd our course and pass'd by a Rock called the Suedish Lady which we left on the lar-board From Calmer thither are accounted eight Leagues About noon we spy'd the Castle of Bornholm in the Isle of Oeland At night we doubled the point of the Isle with such a Tempest from the North-East that the fore-part of the Ship was more under water than above it and ever and anon our sails were wash'd by the Waves Another misfortune was that our Pump was out of order in so much that till it could be made to do its Office all the Kettles and other Vessels were little enough to empty out the water This trouble lasted till the next day at noon with so much danger to us that if the wind had not chang'd it would have been impossible for us to escape shipwrack But the wind being somewhat better for us than it had been we kept on our course and came towards night in sight of Gotland The Isle of
a great number of Lords the Dutchess had about her 36. Ladies or Maids of honour They were all on Horse-back sitting a-stride cloath'd in red white Hats on their heads with great red bands dangling at their backs white Scarfs about their necks they were most wickedly be-painted The 17. I was sent to the Chancellor to speak to him concerning our dispatches He would do me the greatest honour I could expect and order'd I should be brought in to audience by a Pristaf That importunate civility cost me two hours attendance in the Antichamber till a Pristaf was found The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor receiv'd me kindly and dismiss'd me well satisfy'd The Table in the Audience Chamber was cover'd with a very rich Persian Carpet upon which was a silver Standish but without any Ink in it I was told afterwards that they were set there only for the time I was to stay in the room which was but poorly furnish'd without them The 20. The Pristafs came to tell us that we might take our journey for Persia when we pleas'd and that at our return thence we should have the honour to kiss his Majesties hand it being not fit they did it then since the Ambassadors were not to return into their own Country and that at the last publick audience only the Great Duke was oblig'd to answer the Credentials they had brought We accordingly prepar'd for our departure got Boats to be provided to carry us upon the River to Nisa and took into our service three Lieutenants four Serjeants and twenty three Souldiers Scots and Germans The Great Duke gave us leave to take them out of his own Guard for our security against the incursions of the Tartars which make travelling neer Wolgda very dangerous We also hir'd certain Muscovites for ordinary Employments The 24. and 25. were spent in putting our things aboard and sending away certain brass Guns we had brought out of Germany and some Cabinets we had bought at Moscou and part of our Baggage ordering the Conductor to stay for us at Nisa The 26. came in Ambassadors or as the Mvscovites call them Courriers of quality from the King of Poland We went out of the City to observe their entrance As soon as they perceiv'd us they saluted us very civilly putting off their Hats but their demeanour towards the Muscovites was much wanting of respect never offering to be uncovered They also oblig'd the Pristefs to alight and uncover themselves first saying they were not there to do the Muscovites any honour but to receive it from them There were no Horses out the Great Duke's Stables at the entrance of these Ambassadors because another Polish Ambassador had some few dayes before refus'd them and made use of his own This other Polish Ambassador had been sent to the Great Duke immediately after the defeat of the Muscovites before Smolensco which gave him occasion to be so insolent as he was during his stay at Mosco He would needs make his proposition sitting and perceiving that when he pronounc'd the name and titles of his King the Bojares were not uncover'd he stopp'd till such time as the Grand Duke had commanded them to be so The King of Poland had sent the Great Duke no Present but the Ambassador gave him as from himself a very fair Coach and yet when the Duke sent him a rich Present of Sables he refus'd them Whereupon the Great Duke sent back his Coach which the Ambassador being angry at took that occasion to tumble the Pristaf from the top of a high pair of stairs to the bottom The Great Duke was so incens'd thereat that he sent one to tell the Ambassador that he knew not whether this demeanour of his was according to his Master's order or that the rudeness proceeded from his own passion that if his King had commanded him to do so patience must be had till God enabled him to express his resentment of it that the event of War was in his hands and that another time he might be the more fortunate but that if he had done this without order and upon his own accompt complaint should be made of it to the King his Master The 26 of Iune the Pristaf brought us the Great Dukes Pass which for the odness of the stile we think fit to insert here faithfully translated out of the Muscovian language From the Grand Seigneur and Great Duke of all the Russes Michael Federouits We enjoyn all our Bojares Weiwodes and Diaken and all our Commanders from the City of Moscou to Columna and thence to Perestaf Resansky and Kasimoua to Murama and Nise-Novogorod to Casan and Astrachan to let pass Philip Crusius and Otton Brugman Ambassadors and Counsellours from Frederick Duke of Holstein whom we have permitted to go from Moscou into Persia to Schach Sefi of Persia by vertue of a Treaty made for the Passage and Commerce of the Merchants of Holstein We have also permitted them to take along with them their Germans of Holstein to the number of 85 persons and for their convoy 30 Souldiers chosen with our consent out of the Germans who serve in Muscovy which number they may augment for the safety of their Voyage of Persia at Nisa Cassan or Astrachan by eleven men Germans or Muscovites voluntiers We also permit them at Nisa to hire two Pilots who are acquainted with the course of the Wolgda We consent and in like manner permit the said Ambassadors of Holstein if at their return from Persia they stand in need of a Convoy or other people for business to take at Cassan or Astrachan or any where else they shall think fit forty men or such other number as they shall think requisite for the prosecution of their Voyage provided that those of our people who shall hire themselves to the said Ambassadors gave in their names to the Bojâ—res Weiwodes and Diaken of the place of their abode as well at their departure thence as at their return thither that there may be a Register kept thereof And if they return from Persia in the Winter it shall be lawful for them for their money to take into their service such a number of men and Sledges as they shall think requisite for the continuation of their Voyage We have also appointed Rodiuon Gabaâ—o Gentleman of Astrachan to conduct the said Ambassadors from Moscou to Asttachan Wherefore we command you our Bojares Weiwodes Diaken and Commanders to let pass the said Rodiuon with the Ambassadors of Holstein Without any lâ—t And if after their Voyage of Persia at their return thence they are desirous to to repass through the Countries in our obedience you shall permit them to take into their service for labour or for convoy upon the Wolga forty men or such other number as they shall stand in need of which they shall take by vertue of this present Pass-port at Astrachan Cassan or any other place they shall think fit And our said Subjects shall be oblig'd to
Castle-Gate but without the Walls on the South-side is a fair Church Dedicated to the B. Trinity and commonly called Ierusalem When it was finish'd the Tyrant Iohn Basilouits thought it so magnificent a structure that he caus'd the Architect's eyes to be put out that he might not afterwards do any thing that should be comparable to that Near this Church are two great pieces of Canon with the mouths towards that street by which the Tartars were wont to make their irruptions but these pieces are now dismounted and useless In the spacious place before the Castle is the chief Market of the City kept all day it is full of people but especially slaves and idle persons All the Market-place is full of Shops as also all the streets abutting upon it but every Trade hath a station by it self so as the Mercers intermingle not with the Linnen or Wollen-Drapers nor Goldsmiths with Sadlers Shoemakers Taylors Furriers and the like but every Profession and Trade hath its proper street which is so much the greater convenience in that a man does of a sudden cast his eye on all he can desire Sempstresses have their shops in the midst of the Market where there is also another sort of Women Traders who have Rings in their mouths and with their Rubies and Turquoises put off another commodity which is not seen in the Market There is a particular street where are sold the Images of their Saints 'T is true these go not under the name of Merchandise among the Muscovites who would make some difficulty to say they had bought a Saint but they say they receive them by way of Exchange or Trucking for money and so when they buy they make no bargain but lay down what the Painter demands There is yet another place in this quarter called the Hair-market because the Inhabitants go thither to be trimm'd by which means the place comes to be so cover'd with hair that a man treads as softly as if it were on a Feather-bed Most of the principal Goses or Merchants as also many Knez and Muscovian Lords have their houses in this first circuit The second quarter is called Czaargorod that is Czaar's Citie or the Citie-Royal and includes the former as it were in a Semi-circle The little River Neglina passes through the midst of it and it hath its particular Wall called Biela stenna that is the white Wall In this quarters is the Arsenal and the place where Guns and Bells are cast which is called Pogganabrut the management whereof the Great Duke hath bestow'd on a very able man one Iohn Valk born at Nuremberg whom he sent for out of Holland for this reason that he was the first who found a way to discharge a Bullet of sixteen pound weight with five pound of pouder The Muscovites who have wrought under this man have so well learnt the Mystery of founding that now they are as expert at it as the most experienc'd Germans In this quarter also there live many Knez Lords Sinbojares or Gentlemen and a great number of Merchants who drive a Trade all the Countrey over and Trades-men especially Bakers There are also some Butchers shambles and Tipling-houses which sell Beer Hydromel and Strong-water Store-Houses of Wheat Meal shops and the Great Duke's stables The third quarter is called Skoradom and includes the quarter called Czaargorod from the East along the North-side to the West The Muscovites affirm that this quarter was five German Leagues about before the City was burnt by the Tartars in the year 1571. The little River Iagusas passes through it and in its way fails into the Mosca In this quarter is the Market for Wood and Houses before mentioned where you may have Houses ready made which may be taken asunder transported thence and set up any where else in a short time and with little pains and charge since they consist only of beams and posts set one upon the other and the vacuities are fill'd up with Mosse The fourth quarter is called Strelitza Slauoda because of the Strelits or Musketiers of the Great Duke's Guard who live in it It is situated towards the South of Citarogod on the other side of the Mosca upon the Avenues of the Tartars Its Ramparts and Baltions are of Wood. The Great Duke Basili Iuanouits father of Basilouits who built this quarter design'd it for the quarters of such Soldiers as were strangers as Poles Germans and others naming that place Naeilki or the quarter of Drunkards from the word Nali which signifies powre out for these strangers being more inclin'd to drunkenness than the Muscovites he would not have his own people who were apt enought to debauch themselves to become so much the worse by the others bad example Besides the Soldiery the poorer sort of the people have their habitations in this quarter There is in the City and Suburbs of Moscou a very great number of Churches Monasteries and Chapels In the former Impression of these Travels we said there were above fifteen hundred but whereas Iohn Lewis Godefrey Author of the Archontologia Cosinica thinks that number so excessive that he sticks not to speak of it as a thing not likely to be true I must indeed needs acknowledge that I was much mistaken and now affirm for certain that where I said there were 1500. there are above 2000. No Muscovite that hath liv'd at Moscou nay no stranger any thing acquainted with that City but will confirm this truth as knowing there is no Lord but hath his private Chapel nor any Street but hath many of them 'T is true they are most of them very small ones and but fifteen foot square nay before the Patriarch commanded they should be built of Stone they were all of Wood but that hinders not but that the number of them may amount to what we have said THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY and PERSIA The Third Book THE City of Moscou which those of the Country call Moskwa derives its name to the Province wherein it is seated and to all Muscovy which was heretofore known under that of Russia or white Russia It is doubtless the greatest of all the Estates of Europe since it reaches in length near thirty degrees or 450. leagues and in breadth sixteen degrees or 240. German leagues Its Frontiers reach Northward beyond the Arctick Circle to the frozen Sea On the East it hath the River Oby towards the South the Tartars of Crim and Precop and towards the West Poland Livonia and Sueden Muscovy is divided into many great Provinces most of which we have named elsewhere with the Titles of the Great Duke That of Wolodimer or Vladimer was heretofore the chiefest It s capital City whence it hath its name was built by Prince Wolodomer who liv'd about the year 928. It is 36. leagues distant from Moscou Eastward between the Rivers of Occa and Wolga in a Country so fruitful
of tranning Ox-hides otherwise than the soles The Womens shooes are half a quarter high at the heel set on with little nails in so much that they can hardly go in them The Muscovian Women are habited much after the same fashion as the Men save that their Hongrelines or Coats are wider and of the same stuff as their Wastcoats The richer sort have them layd over very thick with Gold Silver or Silk-Lace and have buttons and loops of the same stuff or great buttons of Silver or Tinn to fasten them The sleeves are so put on as that they may thrust their hands into them or let them hang down They wear no Kaftans much less use those high collars which are thought so ornamental for the Men. Their Smock sleeves are four or five ells long and are set in little folds upon the arm They wear very wide Caps or Coifs of Damask plain or purfled Satin embroider'd with Gold and Silver and lined with Castors the hair whereof does in a manner cover all their forehead Maids that are marriageable wear cloath Caps lined with Fox-skin It is not long since that strangers whether Physicians or Merchants as the French English Hollanders and Germans went in Muscovian habits to avoid the insolence of the people who many times took occasion to affront them out of no other reason than the diversity of their cloaths But the present Patriarch having observ'd in a Procession that the Germans who had thrust in among the Muscovites to see it pass by betraid a certain irreverence at their Ceremonies especially at the Benediction he gave the people was incens'd thereat and said that those strangers being not worthy to participate of the Benediction which was given to the faithful it were fit the Great Duke put out an Ordinance obliging strangers to cloath themselves according to the fashions of their own Countries The contempt of any Law is severely punish'd in Muscovy but the observation of this was so much the more difficult in that for want of Taylors it was almost impossible for people to get other cloaths within the time limited by the Ordinance Yet were they forc'd to obey which occasion'd very good sport in that those who were servants to the Great Duke being oblig'd to be every day at the Court and not daring to appear there in Muscovian habits they were forc'd to put on what they could meet withall and to make use of those cloaths which their Grand-fathers and Great-grand-fathers had worn when the Tyrant Iohn Basilouits forc'd them out of Livonia to go and live at Moscou 'T was a strange sight to see them all in cloaths that were either too big or too little as having not been made for them besides that there was no acquaintance at all between Breeches and Doublet or any correspondence between the age wherein they had been made and that they were then worn in Ever since that time every Nation is clad according to their own modes The Muscovites never change their fashion nor can I remember any more than one Lord who took a fancy to the French mode His name is Knez Mikita Iouanouits Romanou very rich and of near kin to the Great Duke who is much taken with his humour and conversation This Lord hath a particular affection for Strangers and goes in the French and Polish modes in his cloaths especially when he goes either into the Country or a-hunting But the Patriarch who dislik'd that feedom in him and was displeased also with another which that Prince took to speak somewhat slightly of their Religion enjoy'd him not to speak any further of Religion Nothing so wretched as the cloathing of the Country people It is of a very coarse Canvase and their shooes of barks of trees which they have the art to sow and interlace like paniers with a miraculous industry There is hardly any Muscovite but is good at this Trade and does exercise it so that it may be said Muscovy hath as many Shoomakers as men or at least that there is no Family but hath its particular Shooemaker It is upon the same accompt said of the Elector of Brandenburg that he hath a Baylywick in the Dutchy of Prussia which is that of Insterbourg where there are above 15000. shooemakers for all the Peasants of that Baylywick make their own shooes If a man consider the natures and manner of life of the Muscovites he will be forc'd to avow there cannot any thing be more barbarous than that people Their boast is that they are desended from the antient Greeks but to do them no injustice there is no more comparison between the brutality of these Barbarians and the civility of the Greeks to whom all other parts of the VVorld are oblig'd for all their literature and civilization than there is between day and night They never learn any Art or Science nor apply themselves to any kind of Study on the contrary they are so ignorant as to think a man cannot make an Almanack unless he be a Sorcerer nor foretell the Revolutions of the Moon and Eclipses unless he have some communication with Devils Upon this accompt it was that the Muscovites generally grumbled when the Great Duke would have entertain'd me into his service in the quality of his Astronomer and Mathematician as we return'd from our Voyage into Persia and rais'd a report that their Prince was going to bring a Magician into his Court This aversion I discover'd in the Muscovites took off that little inclination I sometime had to embrace that employment which was offer'd me not so much upon the accompt of my abilities in Astronomy as to engage me to continue in the Countrey because they knew that I had exactly observ'd and drawn into a Map the whole course of the River Wolga whereof they were unwilling that strangers should have any knowledge When I came to Muscovy upon the affairs of the Duke of Holstein my Master in the year 1643. I shew'd them upon a Wall of an obscure Chamber through a little hole I had made in the shutter of the window by the means of a piece of glass polish'd and cut for Opticks all was done in the street and men walking upon their heads This wrought such an effect in them that they could never after be otherwise perswaded than that I held a correspondence with the Devil They esteem Physicians and Medicine but will not permit that people should make use of the same means as is done elsewhere to gain the perfection of that Science They will not suffer the body to be opened that so the causes of diseases may be found out and they have a strange aversion for Skeletons There is to this purpose a pleasant story of a Dutch Surgeon who liv'd at Moscou some years since His name was Quirin one much favour'd by the Great Duke because of his facetious humour and his experience in the Art he profess'd It happen'd one day that this good man diverting himself
and in his Shirt but meeting a friend by the way going to the Tipling-house he went back with him and came not out again till he had left his shirt behind him I call'd to him and ask'd him what he had done with his shirt and whether he had been robb'd He answer'd with the ordinary civility of the Muscovites Iabut fui matir Mind thy own business Good Wine hath put me into this posture but since the shirt hath stayd behind the Drawers shall go and keep them company which he had no sooner said but he returns to the house whence I saw him come presently afterward naked as an Adamite covering his privy parts with a handful of flowers which he had taken up at the door and so went very â—â—cundly to his own house Being in the same City of Novogorod at the time of our second Embassy I saw a Priest coming out of the Tipling-house who coming by our Lodging would needs give the benediction to the Strclits who stood Sentinel at the door but as he lifted up his hands going to make the inclination used in that Ceremony the head fraught with the vapours of the Wine was so heavy that weighing down the whole body the Pope fell down in the dirt Our Strclits took him up with much respect and receiv'd his daggled benediction it being it seems a thing very ordinary among them The Great Duke Michael Federouits who was a sober person and hated drunkenness considering with himself that it was impossible absolutely to prevent those excesses made in his time several orders for the moderating of them causing the Tipling-houses to be shut up and prohibiting the selling of strong-water or Hydromel without his permission and that those places where they were sold should sell only by the Quart and Pint and not by Cups This had some effect in that there was no more Adamites seen in the streets but hindred not their being strew'd with Drunkards the Neighbours and such of their friends as had a design to be merry sending to the Tavern for several Pottles of Strong-water which they would be sure to turn off ere they parted The women are no less given to drink than the men I saw a pleasant example of it at Narva in the house where I lodg'd whither many Muscovian women came one day to their husbands sate down with them and took off their Cups as smartly as they did The men being got drunk would have gone home but the women thought it not yet time to draw off though invited thereto by a good number of boxes o'th'ear and got their husbands to sit down again and to drink roundly as before till such time as that the men being fall'n down asleep upon the ground the women sate upon them as upon benches and drunk on till they also were forc'd to lye down by them Iames de Cologne at whose house I lodg'd at Narva told me he had seen such another Comedy at his Wedding at which the Muscovites having given their Wives good banging sate down and drunk with them till that being lay'd on the ground the Women sate upon them and grew so drunk till at last they lay down among them Tobacco was heretofore so common there that it was generally taken both in smoak and powder To prevent the mischiefs occasion'd by the use of it which were not only that the poorer sort of people ruin'd themselves thereby in as much as if they had but a penny they would rather bestow it in Tobacco than bread but also because many times it set houses on fire and those that took it presented themselves with their stinking and infectious breaths before their Images the Great Duke and the Patriarch thought fit in the year 1634. absolutely to forbid the sale and use of it Those who are convicted of having either taken or sold any are very rigorously punish'd They have their Nostrils slit or are whipp'd as we have often seen done of the manner of which punishment we shall speak when we come to treat of the administration of Justice in that Countrey The perverse disposition of the Muscovites the baseness of their education and the slavery they seem born to cause them to be treated like beasts rather than people endued with reason They are naturally so much inclin'd to â—â—leness that it were impossible to bring them to take any pains but by the Whip and the Cudgel which yet they are not much troubled at as being hardened to blows by the custom which the younger sort have to meet on Holy-dayes and to divert themselves by cuffing or fighting with staves never being angry at what happens Those who are free-born but poor do so little value that advantage that they sell themselves with their family for a small matter nay they are so mindless of their liberty that they will sell themselves a second time after they had recovered it by the death of their Master or some other occasion Their submissions to their Superiours discover the lowness of their spirits and their slavery They never come before persons of quality but they bow down to the ground which they touch and smite with their forehead nay there are some will cast themselves at their Lords feet to give them thanks after they had been sufficiently beaten by them No Muscovite what quality soever he be of but makes it his brag to be the Great Duke's Golop or Slave and to express their humility or adjection even in the least things they put their names into diminutives and neither speak nor write to him but instead of Iwan or Iohn they say Iwantske that is the diminutive and sign thus Petrusketwoy Golop Petrillo your slave The Great Duke speaking to them uses the same expression treating them in all things like slaves as far as Whips and Cudgels can do it which is but consonant to their own acknowledgement That their persons and estates are God's and the Great Duke's Those strangers who settle in Muscovy or are entertain'd into the Czaar's service must resolve to do the same submissions and be content with the same treatment For what kindness soever he may have for them it requires so small a matter to deserve the Whip that there is hardly any can brag he hath not had it Heretofore there were none more subject to the Lash than the Physicians it being the perswasion of the Muscovites that that art was infallible and that the success of it depended on their wills who profess'd the curing of diseases Hence was it that in the year 160â— Iohn Duke of Holstein brother to Christian the fourth King of Denmark who had married the Great Duke Boris Gudenous daughter falling sick the Czaar sent word to the Physicians that if they recovered him not their lives should answer for the Prince's so that they seeing the remedies apply'd were fruitless and that it was impossible to save the Prince kept out of the way and durst not come into the Great
the Bridegroom rise from the Table and six or eight young men carrying each a Torch in his hand conduct him to the Chamber As they come in they put the Torches into the barrels full of Wheat and Barley and quit the room They are each of them presented with two Martins skins The Bride perceiving the Bridegroom coming gets out of bed gets on a morning Gown lin'd with Martins skins meets him and receives him very submissively doing him reverence with a low inclination of the head and this is the first time that he sees the Bride's face They sit down together at a Table and among other Meat there is brought them a roasted fowl which the Bridegroom pulls asunder casting away over his shoulders that part which comes off first whether it be wing or leg and eating the other Having eaten the young Couple go to bed and all withdraw save only one of the old servants of the house who walks before the Chamber-door while the kindred and friends are busied about all manner of charms which they think may be advantageous to the New-married Couple This servant coming ever and anon to the door asks whether the business be done As soon as the Bridegroom answers that it is the Trumpets and Timbrels which only expect the word are plaid upon and make an excellent noise till such time as the stoves are made ready where the New-married-couple bath themselves but apart They are wash'd with water Hydromel and Wine and the Bride sends to the Bridegroom a shirt embroider'd with Gold and Pearls at the collar and extremities and a rich habit The two next dayes are spent in entertainments dancing and other divertisements the Women making their advantage of the opportunity while their husbands are drunk to the loss of their honours Citizens and persons of meaner condition are married with less Ceremonie The night before the Wedding the young Man sends to his intended Bride some cloaths a furr'd Coif a pair of Buskins a Cabinet with certain Jewels a Bag for night cloaths a Comb and a Looking-glass The next day the Priest is sent for who comes with a little Silver Cross and is brought in by two young Lads carrying Wax-candles lighted As he enters the house he gives the benediction with his Cross first to the two Lads then to those that are invited Then the young Couple are set at Table the two Lads holding a piece of Taffata between them but when the Suacha dresses the Brides head a Looking-glass is brought and the young Couple joyning their cheeks look and smile one upon the other The two Suacha's in the mean time cast hops upon them which done they are led to Church where the Ceremonies are the same as for persons of quality As soon as the Wedding is over the Women must resolve to live a retir'd life and not go out of the house but very seldom receiving the visits of their kindred and friends oftener than they give any The Daughters of great Persons and rich Merchants as they are not much brought up to house-keeping so they trouble themselves but little with it when they are married Their chief employment is sowing or embroidering handkerchers of white Taffata or cloath or making little purses or some such toies The cloaths they wear within doors are made of some common stuff of little value but when they go to Church or that their Husbands would honour a friend with their presence they are magnificently clad and forget not to paint their faces necks and arms The Wives of the Knez Bojares and great Lords in the Summer time make use of Chariots cover'd with red cloath which kind of covering they use in Winter for their Sledges having at their feet a she Sâ—ave and about them a great number of Servants and Lacquies sometimes to the number of â—0 or 40. The horse which draws them hath many Fox tails about the main and tail which disguise him after a strange manner and yet the Muscovits think it so ornamental that not only Great Lords and Ladies make use of it but many times the Great Duke himself with this difference that instead of Fox tails they some times use Martins skins The Women living thus idly making few or no visits and not medling with any thing of housewivery are forc'd to divert themselves with their Maids They lay a long plank over a block and getting up on the ends of it they are toss'd up and down and sometimes by a violent motion they are forc'd up very high in the Air. They have also ropes to swing in nay in some little Towns and Villages I have seen publick Swinging-places so contriv'd as that three or four might have their divertisement at the same time They are not asham'd to do this in the open streets giving two or three pence to little Boys who keep Swingers ready for that purpose Their husbands are very glad to give them this kind of sport and sometimes help them in their swinging It is not to be much wondred that they are so hardly treated by their husbands for they have lewd tongues are given to Wine and will not let slip the opportunity to pleasure a friend So that having all these three excellent qualities they cannot take much unkindly the cudgelings which they from time to time receive from their husbands but they take comfort from the example of their friends and neighbours who behaving themselves after the same manner are accordingly no better treated Yet can I not believe what Barclay says in his Icon Ammorum That the Muscovian Women are not perswaded their husbands love them if they are not beaten by them at least I can say this I never met with any who were glad when they were beaten They have the same passions and inclinations as other Women have They are sensible of good and bad usage and it is not likely they should take the effects of anger and displeasure for expressions of kindness and friendship It is possible some foolish Woman might tell her husband so in jest or that one distracted might desire to be beaten such as she of whom Petrejus in his Chronicle of Muscovy speaks of who having lived many years in good correspondence with her husband who was an Italian as he says though the Baron of Haberstein affirms he was a German and by profession a Black-smith named Iordan told him one day that she could not believe he loved her since he had not yet beaten her The husband willing to assure her of his real affection gave her a good cudgelling and perceiving she took a certain pleasure in it made use of that exercise so often till at last she died But were it granted that this is but a story as it seems to be no other yet ought we not to judge of all the Muscovian women by this particular example They think that Adultry is not committed but when one man marries another mans wife what ever else may
be done amounts but to fornication and when a married man is taken in it his punishment is whipping and some days imprisonment or haply he is sentenc'd to live some time on bread and water Then he is set at liberty and may resent the complaints made by his wife against him upon that occasion A husband who can convince his wife of a miscarriage of this nature may have her shav'd and put into a Monastery Those who are weary of their wives often make use of this pretence accuse their wives of Adultery and suborn false witnesses upon whose depositions they are condemn'd without being heard Religious Women are sent to her lodgings who put her into their habit shave her and carry her away by force into the Monastery whence she never comes out having once suffer'd the Razour to come upon her head The most ordinary cause of divorce at least the most plausible pretence is devotion They say they love God better than their wives when an humour takes them to go into a Monastery which they do without their consent or making any provision for the children they have had between them And yet this kind of retiring out of the World is so much approv'd among them though St. Paul says that such are worse than Heathens and Infidels that if the woman marry again they make no difficulty to conferr Priesthood on this new Proselite though before he had been but a Tayler or Shoemaker Barrenness is also another cause of divorce in Muscovy for he who hath no children by his wife may put her into a Monastery and marry again within six weeks The Great Dukes themselves make use of this freedom when they have only Daughters 'T is true the Great Duke Basili did not put his Wife Salome into a Monastery and marry Helene daughter to Michael Linski a Polander but upon his having no Children one and twenty years after marriage but it is also true that some few days after she was brought to bed of a Son and yet she was forc'd to continue there because she had been shaved We saw an example of it in a Polander who having embrac'd the Greek Religion purposely to marry a Muscovian beauty was forc'd to take a journey into Poland where he stay'd above a year The young Lady in her husband's absence made a shift to be otherwise supply'd so effectually that she augmented her family by a child but fearing her husband's displeasure she retir'd into a Monastery and was shaved The husband did all he could to get her out again promising to pardon her offence and never to reproach her with it The woman was willing to come out but would not be permitted it being according to their Theology a sinne against the Holy Ghost not to be forgiven either in this World or the next This artifice Boris Federouits Gudenou made use of who having acquired much repute in the management of the publick affairs during the minority of Foedor Iuanouits and perceiving the Muscovites were not fully resolv'd to make him Great Duke to make them the more earnest to do it pretended he would turn Monk and went into a Monastery where his Sister was a Nun. As soon as the Muscovites heard of it they came in multitudes to the Monastery cast themselves upon the ground tore their hair as being in a desperate condition intreated him not to be shaven and that he would be pleas'd to take the place of their deceased Prince He at first would not hearken to them but at last pretended himself overcome by their intreaties and his Sister's intercession by which means he came to be courted to what he had not haply got otherwise with all the subtlety he could have used The Muscovites are extremely venereous yet will not have to do with a Woman but they must first take off the little Cross which is hang'd about her neck when she is Christened nor would they do it in a place where there are any Images of their Saints till they had covered them They go not to Church the day they have dealt with a Woman till they have wash'd themselves and chang'd their shirts Those that are more devout go not into it at all but say their prayers at the door Priests are permitted to come into the Church the same day provided they have wash'd themselves above and below the navil but dare not approach the Altar The women are accompted more impure than the men and therefore they ordinarily stay at the Church-door all service time He who lies with his wife in Lent may not Communicate that year and if a Priest commit that offence he is suspended for a year but if one that pretends to Priesthood be so unhappy as to fall into it he can never recover himself but must quit his pretension Their remedy against this kind of uncleanness is rather bathing than repentance which is the reason they use the former upon all occasions Demetrius who personated the son of the Great Duke Iohn Basilouits who had been kill'd long before at Vglits never bath'd himself upon which the Muscovites suspected him to be a stranger For perceiving he would not make use of a bath made ready for him eight dayes after his marriage they conceiv'd a horror against him as a Heathen and profane person sought divers other pretences set upon him in the Castle and kill'd him the 19. day after his Wedding as we shall shew hereafter The politick Government of Muscovy is Monarchical and despotical The Great Duke is the hereditary Soveraign of it and so absolute that no Knez or Lord in all his Dominions but thinks it an honour to assume the quality of his Majesties Golop or slave No Master hath more power over his slaves than the Great Duke hath over his Subjects what condition or quality soever they be of So that Muscovy may be numbred among those States whereof Aristotle speaks when he sayes there is a kind of Monarchy among the Barbarians which comes near Tyranny For since there is no other difference between a legitimate Government and Tyranny than that in the one the welfare of the Subjects is of greatest consideration in the other the particular profit and advantage of the Prince we must allow that Muscovy inclines much to Tyranny We said before that the greatest Lords think it not below them to put their names in the diminutive nor is it long since that for a small matter they were whipt like slaves but now their lesser miscarriages are punish'd with two or three dayes imprisonment They give their Soveraign the quality of Welikoi Knez that is Great Lord as also that of Czaar and his Czaarick Majesty Since the Muscovites came to understand that we call him Kayser who is the most eminent among the Christian Princes of Europe and that that word comes from his proper name who turn'd the Popular state of Rome into a Monarchy they would have it believ'd that their word Czaar
him over the head with a staff hoop'd with iron at the end so as that within five days after he died of it He had by the last Demetrius and dy'd the 28 of March 1584. feeling at his death some part of those afflictions which an infinite number of innocent persons had suffered through his means Foedor Iuanouits now eldest by his Brother's death was crown'd the last of Iuly the same year He was 22 years of age when he succeeded his Father but had so little understanding that being not fit for affairs the administration thereof with the Regency of the whoâ—e Kingdom was conferr'd on Boris Gudenou High-Steward of Muscovy and Brother in law to the Great Duke Salomon Henning in his Chronicle of Livonia says that this Foedor was so simple that he could find himself no greater divertisement than tolling of the Bells before Service On the contrary Boris Gudenou knew so well how to answer the good opinion conceived of him and to insinuate himself into the affection of the people that some stuck not to say that if God should be pleased to dispose otherwise of the two hereditary Princes it was not to be doubred but they would call in him who gave so many demonstrations of an excellent conduct During the regency Boris perceiving that Demetrius was the more likely to stand in his way resolv'd to remove him out of it This young Prince was but nine years old brought up in the City of Vglits whither a Gentleman belonging to Boris went and kill'd him with his own hands But instead of receiving the great reward he expected for his pains Boris caus'd him and all the Complices to be kill'd as soon as they were return'd to Moscou By this execution of the Murtherers he for some time kept undiscovered the true Author of the murther but to prevent the people from conceiving him any way engag'd in it by giving them a greater cause of affliction he caus'd several houses to be set a-fire and so consum'd a great part of the City while on the other side he ordered the Castle of Vglits to be demolish'd and banish'd the Inhabitants as if they had countenanc'd the murther and sheltred the murtherers The weakness of Foedor Iuanouits sensible though of nothing else yet of his own weakness left the management of all affairs to Boris who was in effect what the other had only the name and appearance of yet did he not think it fit to be over-forward but let some years pass on after which Foedor fell suddenly sick in the year 1597. and died without children having reigned twelve years Boris was presently look'd upon He to divert the popular jealousie was so crafty as in appearance to refuse the Royal Dignity and as we have said before to fly into a Monastery while his Election to the Dukedom was according to his secret instructions press'd by some friends by whose opportunity he seem'd to be overcome and to accept the Crown In the reign of Boris happened a very remarkable thing through the imposture of a Muscovian Monk named Griska Vtropoja born at Gereslau of a Noble house but not very rich one that had been thrust into a Monastery for his debauches and lew'd life He was a very handsome person and had an excellent Wit which qualities an old Monk of the same Monastery made his advantage of to put this Impostor into the World and advance him to the Throne The better to carry on his design he made him leave the Monastery and go into Lithuania where he was entertain'd by a Great Lord named Adam Wesnewetski into whose favour he in a short insinuated himself by his ingenuity and the constancy of his services One day his Master being angry with him call'd him Bledinsin or Son of a Whore and struck him Griska making his advantage of that disgrace fell a weeping and told his Master that if he knew who he was he would not call him Son of a Whore nor treat him in that manner The curiosity of the Polish Lord was so great as to press Greska to tell him who he was The Impostor made answer that he was lawful Son to the Great Duke Iohn Basilouits that Boris Gudenou would have murther'd him but the misfortune fell upon a Priest's Son very like him whom his friends had substituted in his place while he was convey'd away He thereupon shews a golden Cross beset with precious stones which he said was hung about his neck at his Baptism Adding that the fear of falling into the hands of Boris Gudenou had kept him from discovering himself till then Upon which he casts himself at his Lords feet and intreats him to take him into his protection enlivening his relation with so many circumstances and his actions with so much shew of sincerity that his Master perswaded he spoke nothing but truth immediately furnish'd him with Cloaths Horses and attendance befitting the greatness of a Prince of that quality The noise of it spreads over all the Country finds credit every where and the presumption grows so much the stronger by reason the Great Duke Boris Gudenou proffers a great sum of mony to any that should bring in that counterfeit Demetrius alive or dead His Master not thinking him safe at his house sends him into Poland where he is receiv'd by the Weywode of Sandomira who promises him a sufficient assistance to restore him to his Throne upon condition he would tolerate the Roman Catholick Religion in Muscovy as soon as he had setled himself in the Government thereof Demetrius not only accepted of that condition but being secretly instructed chang'd his Religion and promised to marry the Weywode's Daughter as soon as he should be establish'd The hope of so advantageous an allyance and the zeal the Weywode had for his Religion engag'd him to employ his credit and friends by whose means he got together a considerable Army enter'd Muscovy and declared a War against the Great Duke He took in several Cities debauch'd and corrupted most of the Officers employ'd by Boris against him and grew so prosperous that the grief Boris conceived thereat struck him so to the heart that he died of it Apr. 13. 1605. The Knez and Bojarâ—s who were at Moscou immediately caused his Son Foedor Borissouits to be crowned though very young but reflecting on the continual success of Demetriu's Arms their minds chang'd and deriving from his victories an ill presage against the new Great Duke they concluded that he must be the true Demetrius the lawful Son of Iohn Basilouits and that they did ill to take up arms against their natural Sovereign It was no hard matter to insinuate this into the people who presently cry'd Live Demetrius true Heir of the Kingdom and may his Enemies perish Whereupon they ran to the Castle seis'd upon the young Great Duke imprison'd him ransacked misused and forc'd away all the kindred and friends of Boris Gudenou and at the same time sent to
them and to send to us those Traitors The Letters were dated the last of October 1652. after which the Great Duke sent another of the 5 of Ianuary 1653. to the same effect save that at the end of the Letter were added the lines following Since that time there came to us in the moneth of December last Peter Micklaf of Novogorod who hath informed us how that in pursuance of your Orders the said Traitor had been secured in your Ducal City of Neustat and that upon the Remonstrance made to you by the said Micklaf you had translated him to Gottorp to be there kept under a good and sure guard Wherefore we send back again unto you the said Micklaf with Letters from our Czaarick Majesty to entreat you to deliver up the said Traitor to him and Basili Spilki that he may have no further opportunity to escape and raise new troubles in the World In acknowledgement whereof our Czaarick Majesty shall serve your Highness in such occasions as shall present themselves This Robber and Traitor to our Czaarick Majesty named Timoska is of very mean Birth the son of a Linnen-Draper that dealt only in coarse cloaths named Demki Ankudina of the Suburbs of Vologda His Mother is called Salmaniska and his Son who is yet living Tereska Timoska was an under Officer in the Nova Zetvert and he hath robb'd our Treasury hath kill'd his Wife and with his own house hath burnt several other houses that were near his whereby many of our Subjects have been ruined Wherefore knowing that he could not avoid death otherwise than by flight he got away in the manner we have mentioned Given at our Czaarick residence of Moscou the third of January in the year of the Worlds Creation 7161. and of the birth of our Saviour 1653. After this he also writ a third Letter of the 17 of October the same year upon which the Prisoner was delivered up to those whom the Great Duke had appointed to receive him One of these Deputies was the same Spilki whom Timoska had cheated of his Wife's coller and Pearls To be Gossips is a great allyance in Muscovy besides they had been fellow-Officers in the same Employment wherefore Spilki desired his Highness would give him leave to see the Prisoner and to speak to him in the presence of some Officers of the Court But Timoska behaved himself as if he knew him not and would not speak the Muscovian but the Polish language purposely to gravel the other who could not speak it well Spilki asked him whether his name were not Timoska Ankudina and whether he had not robb'd the Great Duke's Treasury and committed several other enormous crimes Timoska made him answer that it might be Timoska Aukudina had robb'd the Great Duke's Treasury or converted his money to his own use but that he was not concern'd in it That his name was Iohannes Sinensis and in the Polish language Zuiski cunningly avoiding to hint at what he had said before to wit that he was Son to the Great Duke Iohn Basilouits Zuski But when Spilki ask'd him whether he remembred not his life past the other derided him gave him injurious language and added that he could not acknowledge him in the quality of a Poslanick since he was but a poor Shop-keeper and seller of Pins alluding to his name Spilki which signifies a Pin-maker Timoska would needs one day intreat his Highness of Holstein to appoint his Chancellor and some others of his Councel to receive from his own mouth the state of his affairs They askt him what house and family he was of and whether he were of kin to the Great Duke why the Great Duke persecuted him and wherein he could any way prejudice him He answer'd that it was known his name was Iohannes Sinensis and in the Polish language Zuski that at his Baptism he had been named Timotheus that he was the Son of Basili Domitian Suiski and that he had been so surnamed from a City in Muscovy called Suia That he was originally a Muscovite but born and brought up in Poland in the Province of Novogarka Severskhio and that he was hereditary Lord of Hukragina Severska upon the Frontiers of Muscovy That the Great Duke was not his Kinsman in as much as the Great Duke's Father had been but a Gentleman whereas his was a Prince born and that was the reason why the Great Duke persecuted him That the Cham of Tartary who was then ingaged in a War against the King of Poland would have employ'd him in a War against the Great Duke but he had a greater affection for the Country of his Predecessors than to trouble its quiet That it was in his power to send above a 100000 men into Muscovy but that God of his goodness had diverted his thoughts from doing any such thing He had written somewhat to that purpose to the Patriarch For the Poslanick who came from Sueden having enter'd into a Familiarity with him and advised him to write to the Patriarch as the most likely person to procure his pardon he resolv'd to do it and deliver'd his Letter to the Poslanick in which he writ to the Patriarch that he was indeed a Muscovite and at his Baptism had been named Timothy whereof the word Timoska is the diminutive That he had had a desire to enter Muscovy with an Army of 300000 men but that he had been diverted from that pernicious design by the Guardian Angel of Muscovy That thereupon he came to himself and was resolved to return into his Country whereas had he been minded to continue his wicked life it had been easie for him to get out of the prison at Neustat but that it was his intention to return into Muscovy voluntarily with those whom the Great Duke had appointed to conduct him The Poslanick who doubted not but that upon this Letter he would have made such a confession as night have convinc'd him open'd and read it in his presence But he had to do with a man whom so small a matter would not make to betray himself He would perswade them that the Poslanick was a cheat and that the Letter was counterfeited that he had never writ it and to make good what he said he writ another Letter of a Stile and Character so far different from that of the former that the Poslanick mad to see himself so abused flung it in his face Timoska took it up and tore it to pieces But the distraction of his conscience was but too apparent in the inconsistency of his depositions and the declarations he had made both by word of mouth and writing For one while he said he was Son to the Great Duke Basili Iuanouits Zuski and another he said his Fathers name was Basile Domitian though it was known that in that time there were but three Lords of the House of Zuski and not any of them was of that name Sometimes he would be thought a Polander and would confidently
thereat nor perform it with the requisite Ceremonies which are as followeth They summon to Moscou not only all the Metropolitans Archbishops Bishops Knez and Bojares but also the Principal Merchants of all the Cities in the Kingdom The day appointed for the Coronation the Patriarch attended by the Metropolitans conduct the new Great Duke to the Church within the Castle where a Scaffold is erected three steps high cover'd with rich Persian Tapistry on which are set three Brocado Chairs at an equal distance one from the other One is for the Great Duke another for the Patriarch and upon the third are set the Ducal Cap and Robe The Cap is embroider'd with Pearls and Diamonds having upon the Crown a Tassel on which hangs a little Crown set as thick as may be with Diamonds and the Robe is of a rich Brocado lined with the best kind of Sables They say the Great Duke Demetri Monomach found it at the taking of Kaffa in Tartarie and that he immediately design'd it for the Coronation of the Princes his Successors As soon as the Czaar is come within the Church the Clergy begin to sing their Hymnâ— which ended the Patriarch prays to God to St. Nicholas and the other Saints desiring their presence at that day's Solemnity The prayer ended the Chief Counsellour of State taking the Great Duke by the hand presents him to the Patriarch and sayes to him Since the Knez and Bojares acknowledge the Prince here present to be the next of Kin to the late Great Duke and lawfull Heir to the Crown they desire that as such you immediately Crown him Whereupon the Patriarch leads the Prince up to the Scaffold and having seated him in one of the three Chairs he puts to his forehead a little Cross of Diamonds and blesses him Then one of the Metropolitans reads the following Prayer O Lord our God King of Kings who didst choose thy servant David by the Prophet Samuel and who didst cause him to be anointed King over thy people Israel hearken to our prayers which though unworthy we offer up unto thee Look down from the highest Heavens upon this thy faithful servant who is here seated upon this Chair and whom thou hast exalted to be King over thy people whom thou hast redeemed by the blood of thy Son Anoint him with the Oyl of gladness protect him by thy power set upon his head a precious Diadem grant him a long and happy life put into his hand a Royal Scepter and make him sit upon the Throne of Justice Make subject to him all barbarous Languages Let his heart and his understanding alwayes continue in thy fear In all the course of his life let him be constantly obedient to thy Commandement Suffer not any Heresie or Schism to come near his Person or Government Teach him to maintain and observe whatsoever the holy Greek Church commandeth and ordaineth Iudge thy people in Iustice and be merciful to the poor that when they leave this Valley of tears they may be received into eternal joys Which Prayer the Patriarch concludes with these words For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory God the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost be with us and remain with us The Prayer ended the Patriarch commands two Metropolitans to take the Cap and Robe and having caused some of the Bojares to come upon the Scaffold he commands them to put them on the Great Duke whom he blesseth a second time by touching his forehead with the little Cross of Diamonds Then he causes to be given to them the Ducal Cap to be set upon his head while he says In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and then blesses him the third time That done the Patriarch causes all the Prelates to approach who give the Benediction to the Great Duke but it is only with their hands That Ceremony ended the Great Duke and the Patriarch sit down but they immediately rise again to give order for the singing of the Letany whereof every verse ends with Gospodi pomiluy Lord have mercy upon us putting in ever and anon the great Duke's name After the Letany they sit down again and one of the Metropolitans comes up to the Altar and says singing God preserve our Czaar and Great Duke of all the Russes whom God hath out of his love bestow'd on us in good health and grant him a long and a happy life All that are present as well Ecclesiasticks as Laicks repeat the same words which make the Church echo again with the greatness of their joy Then the Bojares come up to the Great Duke smite their foreheads in his presence and kisse his hand That done the Patriarch comes up alone before the Great Duke and tells him That since through the Providence of God all the Estates of the Kingdom as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal have establish'd and Crowned him Great Duke over all the Russes and have entrusted him with a Government and Conduct of so great importance he ought to apply all his thoughts to love God keep his Commandments administer Iustice and protect and maintain the true Greek Religion That done the Patriarch gives him the Benediction and the whole Assembly goes out of that Church into that of St. Michael the Arch-Angel which is opposite to the other where they sing over the same Letanies which is done afterwards in that also of St. Nicholas where they conclude the Ceremonies and Dine in the Great Hall of the Duke's Palace After the Coronation Alexei Michaelouits Morosou chang'd the quality of Governour into that of Favourite and Chief Minister and had the same power in Affairs as he had over the Prince's person during his fathers life He began his establishment with the great Employments which he bestow'd on the Kinred of the Great Dutchess-Mother for whom the Prince had a great Veneration but under that pretence he kept them at a distance from Court which as also the chiefest places of publick trust he in the mean time fill'd with his own Kinred and Creatures who wholly depended on his fortune He permitted not any other to come near the Prince's person whom he would often get out of the Capital City under pretence of Hunting or some other divertisement so to beget in him an aversion to business that he might have the management of all things He thought the only way to make sure of him would be to get him a Wife and to that end he brought him acquainted with a Gentlemans Daughter who was an extraordinary Beauty but of mean extraction 'T was his design to marry her Sister by that means to interesse the Great Duke more nearly in his preservation These Gentlewomens Father was one Ilia Danilouits Miloslauski very much look'd upon by the Favourite not only upon the accompt of his two fair Daughters but also in regard of his constant attendance on him So that upon the confidence he had of his affection and
all to their homes and make no further tumult But they told him that they had as much to say to him as to the other Accordingly some went immediately to his Palace which was forc'd ransack'd and demolish'd in a moment having cast out at a window one of his Servants who would have made some opposition Their animosity was such as that they spar'd not even the Images of their Saints for which they are wont to have a great veneration Yet did they shew some respect to Morosou's Wife and thought it enough to take away her Pearls and Jewels which they cast into the street and to frighten her a little by telling her that had they not look'd upon her as Sister-in-law to the Great Duke they would have cut her to pieces Among other things they broke his rich Coach which besides the expence in other things about it had all silver even about the Wheels Some got into the Cellar and knock'd out the heads of the Strong-water Barrels which taking fire consumed all those who had made themselves drunk This was the Prologue to the ransacking of several other houses afterwards as those of Plesseou and Tichonouits the Chancellors and all that had any relation to or dependance on the Favourite which afforded them such a booty as that they sold Pearls by handfuls and so cheap that for thirty Crowns a man might have bought a hat-ful a black-foxe-skin or a pair of Sables for 2 s. 6 d. and stuffs of Gold Silver and Silk in a manner for nothing Nazari Iuanouits Tzistou Chancellor of Muscovy had farm'd the imposition upon the Salt and lay sick in his bed by reason of an accident that had happened to him three days before which was that meeting with a mad Ox his Horsed started and threw him so violently that he was in some danger of his life But hearing that Morosou's house had been ransack'd and not doubting but they would come to his he hid himself under a heap of Birch which they at a certain time make provision of to serve the Stoves and to take off all suspicion he caus'd himself to be cover'd with some Flitches of Becon so that he had certainly saved his life had he not been betray'd by one of his Servants who making his advantage of his Masters misfortune took a good sum of Money and went to Nisenovogorod The enrag'd multitude took him out by the heels and dragg'd him down stairs into the Court where they cudgell'd him to death The body was thrown upon the Dung-hill and the house so pillag'd that there was not any thing left While these disorders were committed in the City they had the time to barricado themselves in the Castle against the insolences of the people who continued all night between the 6 and 7 of Iuly in arms in such a posture as shew'd they only expected day-light to begin again Whereupon Orders were sent to the German Officers and Souldiers to meet at several rendevouzes in the City and to come in to the Great Dukes relief at the Castle They march'd with Drums beating and Colours flying and the Muscovites instead of opposing them gave them way and told them that they had no quarrel against them and knew them to be persons of honour who approved not the miscarriages of the Government Being got into the Castle they took up the posts of their Guards and the Great Duke sent out Knez Nikita Iuanouits Romanow whom he knew the people much respected to endeavour the breaking up of the Assembly He came to the people cap in hand and told them that he conceiv'd they ought to be satisfy'd with the assurance which the Great Duke had made them the day before that he would remedy the disorders of which they complained That his Majesty had commanded him to tell them as much and to advise them to go every man to his home that he might the better perform what he had promised them This message was well receiv'd and the people made answer that they were not dissatisfied with the Great Duke but those who under his name abused his authority and that they would not stir till they had deliver'd up to them Boris Iuanouits Morosou Leponti Steppanouits Plesseou and Peter Tichonouits Trachanistou that they might revenge on their heads the mischief they had done the whole Kingdom Romanow gave them thanks for the kind answer they had made to his proposition and told them he would acquaint the Great Duke with the zeal and affection which they express'd towards him that he doubted not but Order would be taken for the execution of those three Lords but that he could safely take his oath that Morosou and Trachanistow had made their escape and for the third he should be immediately put to death Accordingly Romanow was no sooner return'd to the Great Duke but word was sent to the people that Plesseou was coming to be sacrific'd and that the other two should come to the same end as soon as they were found and that they should send for the Executioner to do his Office He was soon found being at the Castle-gate with his servants whence he came about a quarter of an hour after leading Plesseon to the Market-place to cut off his head But the people spar'd him the trouble falling upon him with Cudgels so outrageously that they dispatch'd him in a moment They dragg'd the Body through the dirt accompanying it with all the curses imaginable till at last a Monk whom the deceas'd had order'd to be cudgell'd cut off his head Morosou had indeed made his escape but meeting with Waggoners and some of the people searching after him he was so fortunate as to avoid them and by secret ways to get into the Castle And that it might not be thought the Great Duke had consented to the escape of the others there were some sent after Trachanistou who was taken near the Monastery 〈◊〉 Troitza twelve leagues from Moscou He was brought the 8. to Semskoy Duor that is the place where his Master had sate as Judge which the Great Duke hearing of he commanded his head to be cut off This execution wrought so much upon the people that being informed how Morosou had been met in the Country and none knew what was become of him they forbore further pressing the Great Duke to give them what he had not and about 11. in the morning went every man to his home In the afternoon several houses in the quarters of Metrossky and Twersky were set afire whither the people which had not yet clear'd the street ran not so much to quench the fire as to steal It made such havock in a short time that it consum'd the whole quarter of Zuargorod reducing to ashes all the houses within the White-Wall to the River Neglina and getting over the River into the Great Duke's Taverns it got into those of his Strong-waters and grew so violent that it was fear'd it would have buried the Castle
The Knez who have no employment at Court and have not the means to make any great appearance there retire into the Countrey where their manner of life is not much different from that of Peasants They make very great accompt of the antient Nobility not only of that of their own Countrey but also of others which they very particularly inquire into but above all are very curious in informing themselves of the extraction of those that are sent Ambassadors in Muscovy They never match but with those of an equal rank with themselves The Bojares are not only seen at publick Ceremonies and Audiences but effectively participate of the management of publick affairs and the decision of Law-sutes wherein they assume the quality of Presidents The Councels for State-affairs are ordinarily held in the night time and the Counsellors meet at one in the morning and are together till nine or ten We shall speak of the particular employment of the Bojares when we have first given a short accompt of the Great Dukes revenue who having an Estate of a very vast extent consisting of a great number of Provinces must needs be very rich and very powerfull as well in respect of his Demesn as the advantages accrewing from the Traffick made by his Factors and the Taxes Duties and Impositions paid by his Subjects In times of peace the Impositions are not great but in the time of War the Contributions are so excessive that when the Great Duke Michael Federouits was to besiege the Citie of Smolensko in the year 1632. he oblig'd the subject to pay him the Pettina or fifth part of their Estates but the present Great Duke at the beginning of the present War contented himself with the tenth The Knez Bojares and Gentlemen pay no Taxes but are oblig'd as are also the Monasteries to raise and maintain a certain number of men horse and foot proportionably to their Revenue The Customs bring in so considerable a sum that some years the Custom-house of the Citie of Archangel it self payes in above 600000. Crowns The Crucisnouduor that is to say the Taverns where the Great Duke allows the selling of Wine Beer Hydromel and Aqua-viâ—ae pay a vast sum since he receives from three Taverns of the Citie of Novogorod above 12009. Crowns and that since this duty came to belong to the Sovereign they are above a thousand houses where the Great Duke alone hath all the advantage made by the sale of Wine and Aquavirae Sables also and other Furs bring in much because he reserves the Traffick thereof wholly to himself as also that of Cavayar and several other Commodities The Revenue of the money which he lets out to his Factors is not so certain as well in regard the Merchants profit is not alwayes the same as for that the Factors sometimes break At our being there he had put 4000 Crowns in the hands of a Merchant named Savelli who instead of improving it to his advantage squander'd it away in less than three years that he lived in Persia. The Great Duke ordered the Poslanick Alexei Sawinouits Romanitsikou who went into Persia along with us to take him and bring him back into Muscovy Coming to Scamachy we had notice of his being in the City but the Poslanick's Interpreter dying he dissembled his having any order to take him and desir'd him to be his Interpreter in that Negotiation with a design under that pretence to bring him to the Frontiers and so to carry him away The other who stood upon his Guard serv'd him indeed during the Poslanick's aboad at Ispahan but when he saw him ready for his departure into Muscovy he got into the Allacapi or Sanctuary was Circumcised put himself under the protection of Mahomet and continued in Persia. The Great Duke farms out all his Demesn but the revenue arising thence goes for the most part towards the subsistence of the Strelits whereof he is obliged constantly to maintain a very great number as well in the City of Moscou where there are above 16000. of them as upon the Frontiers insomuch that the ordinary Militia makes above 100000. men In a word if his receipts are great his expences are proportionable thereto There hardly passes a year but he is forc'd to purchase a Peace with the Tartars with great sums of Money and Presents He does not carry on his Wars at so easie a rate as they do elsewhere For taking into his service a great number of Germans and other Foreiners as well Officers as Souldiers he is forc'd to pay them extraordinarily and some times before hand The Embassies he receives stand him in no less than those he sends for he defrays all publick persons and makes them very considerable Presents The expence of his Table and the rest of his Court must needs be very great there being above a thousand Persons who have meat provided for them At Dinner and Supper there is no sounding of Trumpets as there is elsewhere but one of the Officers goes to the Kitchin and Sellar-doors and cries Godusar Kuschinung that is The Grand Seigneur would be served and immediately the meat is carried up The Great Duke sits at the midst of the Table alone if he invites the Patriarch or any other great Lord to Dine with him there is another Table set at the end of his and they are serv'd with some of the meat which had been presented to the Great Duke I say presented for as much as all making up but one Course of about fifty Dishes of meat the Gentlemen set them not down upon the Table but hold them in their hands till the Carver hath shewed them to the Prince and he made choice of what he is desirous to eat If none Dine with him he sends the Dishes he hath not medled with to some Lords in the City or to his Physicians The present Great Duke hath but one who is the same that went along with us into Persia. He is no superstitious Galenist but with very good success makes use of Chymical remedies he is grown so famous that not only the Prince but the Bojares and other great Lords about the Court employ him His salary is 124 Crowns a Month besides a Pension of six hundred Crowns per an and he hath more Wheat Barly Honey and several other Provisions than he can spend in his Family The Great Duke is never purg'd nor bled but the Physician hath a present of a hundred Crowns and a piece of Satin or Velvet or a Zimmer of Sables which is worth no less The Bojares do not give their Physicians money but a certain number of Flitches or Gammons of Bacon Sables Strong-water and other Provisions They are obliged to go every day to Court and to smite their foreheads in the Great Dukes presence or at least before those who are entrusted with the care of his Cabinet of Druggs and other Apothecary's stuff There are many Interpreters for other Languages especially for the
in their accompts Sometimes the Causes of the Inhabitants of those two places are judged in this Pricas For though ordinarily there be no appealing from the Weywodes yet those who mistrust the success of their business by the partiality they observe in the Weywode may remove their Causes to Moscou The Chancellor Almas Iuanouits is the President of it The Provinces of Gallitz and Volodimer have also their particular Pricas for the same purpose it is called Galliasko-Volodimirski Pricas the President the Ocolnitza Peter Petrouits Gollowin The monies arising from all the Taverns and Kabaâ—s of Muscovy is paid in at the place called Nova Zetwert where all those who keep publick drinking houses are oblig'd to take the Wine Hydromel and Strong-water they sell by retail and to give an account of the sale of it There they also punish those who sell any without Licence as also those who sell or take Tobacco if they be Muscovites the Germans and others Strangers being permitted the Traffick and use of it The Ocolnitza Bogdan Matheowits Chitrou presides in this Pricas The Bojar and Master of the Ordinance Gregori Basilouits Puskin under whose jurisdiction are Castrom Iareslou and other Cities of those quarters receives their accompts and decides their differences in the Castromskoi Pricas as the Ocolnitza Knez Demetri Basilouits Lewou does those of Vstoga and Colmogorod in the Vstogskoi Pricas The same Gregori Basilouits Puskin keeps the Jewels of the Crown and hath the over-sight of the German Gold-smiths who make Gold and Silver Plate and sell precious Stones and hath his Office for those things in the Solotoya Almasnoy Pricas He hath also a key to the Great Duke's Magazine of Arms and administers Justice to those who are employ'd about Arms for his particular use and pays them in the Rusiannoy Pricas The Physicians Apothecaries Chirurgeons and Operators and all of that function are oblig'd to smite their fore-heads in the presence of Ilia Danilouits Miloslauski who is their Overseer and whom they are to acquaint if the Great Duke wants any thing that relates to their Professions Tamosini Pricas is for the receit of all duties of entrance into the City of Moscou which is made by one of the Goses accompany'd by two or three Assessors who give in their accompt thereof to a Chamber called Bolschoi Prichod these Goses are changed every year The payment of the tenth penny towards the War is made to the Bojar Knez Michael Petrouits Pronski and the Ocolnitza Iuan Basilouits Alferiou in the Sbora dezatti dengi Pricas The Affairs that have no peculiar Pricas have a general one called Siskoi Pricas under the superintendency of Knez Iurgi Alexowits Dolgaruskoi The Patriarch hath his particular Pricas's to wit that of Roscrad where a Register is kept of all the Church-goods and where are the Charters and Archives that of Sudny where the Patriarch hath his Spiritual Jurisdiction and that of Casaunoy where the Patriarch's Revenue and Treasure is kept He hath also his Ecclesiastical Judges and Officers who give him an account of all their actions There is no Pricas but hath its Diak or Secretary and many Clerks and Coppiers who all write very well and are skill'd in Arithmetick according to their way in which they make use of Plum-stones instead of Counters Whence it comes that there is no Officer but hath about him a certain quantity of them in a little purse They are forbidden upon pain of whipping to take Poschnl or Presents yet they venture to do it nay their avarice is such that many times they will of themselves proffer Copies of dispatches and private resolutions out of a hope to get somewhat for them But these proffers are to be mistrusted for I know by experience that those people seldom have what they put others in hope of or if they have it is so dangerous to communicate it that for the most part they put off forgeries and suppositious pieces In the year 1643. the Minister of a Forein Prince being desirous to have a Copy of my Dispatches one of the Clerks of the Counsel sold it him at a very dear rate I was shewn it afterwards but when at my return to Holstein the Letters were translated there was nothing of what I had seen in the Copy They do not keep a Register of their Acts in Books but they write them in Rolls of paper pasted together till they are 25. or 30. ells in length of which their Offices are full At our coming to Moscou we were made believe that Presents could procure any thing at Court Indeed I have known some Lords who though they would not take ought themselves were not sorry to see any thing sent to their Wives but I have also known some who made it appear they were absolutely incorruptible and that their fidelity to their Prince was Presentproof to their great regret who consider that where nothing is given nothing is thence obtain'd Justice is administred in the Pricas's we have spoken of The Bojar who presides there hath his Secretary and Assessors and finally determines whatever comes before him Heretofore the Muscâ—â—ites had but few 〈◊〉 and few Customs according to which all Cases were decided They concern'd only attemptâ—â—â—ainst the Great Duke's person Treasons against the State Adulteries Thefts and Debts bâ—â—ween private persons The decision of all other Affairs depended on the breast of the Judge 〈…〉 the year 1647. the Great Duke assembled together the most Famous Men of the Kingdom and caused to be set down in writing and to be publish'd several Laws and Ordinances whereby the Judges are to regulate themselves They were printed in folio under the Title of SOBORNA ULOSIENIA that is to say Vniversal and General Right for the direction of the Bojares Heretofore their proceedings were thus In those Causes where the parties were not agreed as to the matter of fact and had no evidence of either side the Judge asked the Defendant whether he would take his Oath that the matter was as he alleged or refer it to the Plaintiff's Oath He who proffer'd to take his Oath was once a week for three weeks one after another brought before the Judge who every time press'd unto him the importance of an Oath and the sin he would burthen his Conscience withall if he swore falsly If notwithstanding these remonstrances he still persisted in his readiness to take his Oath though he swore nothing but the truth yet people look'd on him as an infamous person would spit in his face and turn him out of the Church into which he was never receiv'd afterwards much less was he admitted to the Communion unless it were at the point of death Now they do not proceed with so much rigour but only bring him who is to take his Oath before an Image of one of their Saints where he is asked whether he will take his Oath upon the salvation of his Soul If he persist they give him a little
house of Slick in Bohemia and that he had lost his Estate upon the accompt of Religion which the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein believing gave him Letters of recommendation to the Great Duke of Muscovy He was no sooner come to Moscou but he gave out that it was purposely to change his Religion and to be a servant to his Czaarick Majesty The Patriarch and Muscovian Lords were the more glad to receive him because he was accompted among them a person of noble extraction and great worth which yet was further heightned in him by his being vers'd in several Languages especially the Latin and Polish They receiv'd him with great joy caus'd him to be baptis'd and the Great Duke gave him with the name of Leo Alexander Slick and the quality of Knez a Pension of 200. Crowns a moneth He made his Addresses to the Princess Irene Michaelouna and was so fond as to think the Great Duke would have bestowed his own Sister on him so that hearing there were two persons of quality dispatch'd away to Negotiate the Princesse's marriage with a forein Prince he fell into such a melancholy that he came not to himself again till they had given him a Daughter of one of the greatest Bojares in the Kingdom The King of Denmark coming afterwards to hear of this man's carriage and understanding withall that far from being of the Illustrious house of Slick he was a subject of Count Gaspar's of Denhof in Poland and that he had surpriz'd him in his recommendatory Letters he sent notice thereof to the Great Duke who reproach'd him with his dissimulation and imposture but suffer'd him to enjoy what he had bestow'd on him which he does still under the name of Knez Leo Alexandrouits Slakouseskie Colonel Lesley fell into that misfortune out of weakness He had in that quality serv'd the Great Duke during the first War of Smolensko by which he had gotten a very great sum of money But those of his profession being not alwayes the best husbands he soon spent what grew every day less and less To repair the breaches of his fortune he thought it his best course to return to Moscou which he did upon occasion of an Embassy which the Queen of Sueden sent some time since to the Great Duke whereof Eric Gillenstiern a Senator of the Kingdom was the chief But for as much as there was at that time no likelyhood of any War in Muscovy and that the Great Duke was unwilling to burthen himself with Pensions Lesley sent him word that he would be content with some Lands which he would make what advantage he could of and thereupon got a noble Mannor upon the Wolga He was now in such a condition as that he might have lived like a Lord all the rest of his dayes if his Wife 's niggardly humour had not exasperated the Countrey-women against them She treated them so hardly that being not any longer able to endure it they complain'd of her alleging that she forc'd them to eat flesh on fasting dayes that she allow'd them not the time to make their inclinations before the Images much less to go to Church and what was worst of all that she had taken the Images from the Walls and cast them into the fire There needed no more to make her odious to the whole Nation They immediately sent for Lesley and his whole Family and the Countrey-women and the Colonel's Wife were brought face to face she confess'd indeed that she had forc'd them to work hard but deny'd all the rest All the Servants that were strangers took their Oaths on her behalf and yet the others proffering to make good their accusation by enduring the torture she could not so far clear herself but that the Patriarch taking cognizance of the business oblig'd the Great Duke to take those Lands out of the Strangers hands and to put out an act whereby it should not be lawful for any to be possess'd of such Mannors if they were not Muscovites either by Birth or Religion Lesley finding himself reduc'd to his extremity and having not wherewith to maintain his Children and Family declar'd that if the Great Duke would continue him in the said Mannor he and his Family would change their Religion They take him at his word and he his Wife and Children are put into a Monastery where they are instructed and re-baptized Ilia Danilouits Miloslauski and his Wife were pleas'd to answer for them at their Baptism and to be at the charge of their Wedding it being necessary they should be married a-new The Great Duke made them great Presents and among other things bestow'd on them the sum of six thousand Crowns in ready money But the Peasants hearing that by this change of Religion they were to be reduc'd to their former slavery petition'd His Majesty that they might have another Lord and pitch'd upon Monsieur Groin who had revolted at the same time and had some pretence to those Lands as having had a promise made him of some of that nature So that Lesley was forc'd to content himself with a Pension of 90. Crowns per mensem which is the ordinary pay of a Colonel in times of Peace and another somewhat less for his Son I shall here make a short digression for a Lady's sake who hath by an admirable constancy made it appear that if Men are many times subject to the weakness of Women it sometimes happens that Women have those Virtues which may be exemplary to Men. There is this to be said in commendation of the Muscovites that they never force any to profess their Religion unless that in a Family the Husband or Wife be of it in which case they suffer not the other to continue his former profession We said the Baron de Raymond was one of those that chang'd their Religion after the first War of Smolensko He was married to an English Gentleman's Daughter who had liv'd many years at Moscou and whose name was William Barnesley being the handsomest Woman of any Stranger that was in the Country and had chang'd his Religion rather out of fickleness and to comply with the Great Duke than out of any conscientious motive was re-baptised and took the name of Iuan instead of that of Peter which had been given him at his first Baptism According to the Law of the Country his Wife was to follow his Example which to effect her Husband used all means imaginable but found so great a constancy on the other side that he was forc'd to recurr to the Authority of the Great Duke and Patriarch These at first went mildly to work offering her very great advantages in their Religion but the young Gentlewoman though but 15. years of age was inflexible cast her self at the Great Duke's feet and entreated him rather to take away her life than force her to embrace a Belief which she was not satisfy'd of in her Conscience The Father us'd the same submissions but the Patriarch
put him off with kicks and told him that she was to be treated as a Child that she knew not what was for the good of her Soul and that she must be baptized whether she would or no. Accordingly she was put into the hands of certain Religious Women who violently dragg'd her to a Brook where she was re-baptized notwithstanding the protestations she made that that pretended Baptism which they then gave her against her own consent could not blot out the Character which her first true Baptism had imprinted in her Soul When they plunged her in the water she drew one of the Religious Women in along with her and when they would oblige her to detest her former Religion she spit in their faces and would never abjure After her Baptism they sent her to Stuatka where her Husband was Weywode and there she stay'd till her Husband 's three years Government was expired who dying soon after his return to Moscou she thought she might re-assume her former Habit as she was a Stranger and profess her former Religion which was the Protestant But that would not be permitted her two Sons were taken from her and she with a little Daughter was sent to the Monastery of Belossora some 10. or 12. leagues from Moscou where she liv'd five years among the Nuns and was never suffer'd to speak with any one that could give her the least account of her Friends or Children During all that time she heard from them but once by the means of a Tiler a German who under pretence of calling his Boy and shewing him the Tiles he wanted directed the disconsolate Lady to a place where she should find Letters The Patriarch dying she got out of the Monastery and his Successor allow'd her the liberty of her Conscience at her own House as also to give and receive visits but they would never permit her to go to Sermons I often visited her while she was in that condition and have heard that this Virtuous Lady died some two years since firm and constant in the profession of her Religion to the last gasp To which I may add by the way that it is not long since that her Father William Barnesley died in England having attained the age of 126. years after he had married a second Wife at 100. Those Muscovites who change their Religion in other Countries and would return to their Communion must be first re-baptized which is the more observable in that the Greek Religion though she approves not the Baptism of the Latin Church yet seems to be satisfy'd with the former which they might have receiv'd in their Church so as not to oblige Converts to re-baptization upon their change of Religion Their Festivals and Feasts are regulated and certain and they observe them very strictly Till within these few years the Muscovites thought they kept Holy-day well enough when they had been at Mass in the morning though they spent the rest of the day in their ordinary Employments insomuch that at the time of our first Embassy upon Sundayes and Holy-dayes shops were open and Merchants and Tradesmen were at work it being as they said only for great Lords to mind their enjoyments upon Holy-dayes But the present Patriarch hath ordered shops to be shut not only upon Sundayes but also on Wednesdayes and Fridayes which are their Fasting dayes not permitting the Taverns to sell Wine or Aquavitae in Service time Their great Festivals besides Sunday are thirteen and according to their year which begins the first day of September stand in this order The 8. of September Prasnick rosostua priziste bogorodice that is to say the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother of God The 14. of September Vzemirna wosdui senja Chresta The Exaltation of the Cross. The 21. of November Vedenja priziste bogorodice the Oblation of the blessed Mother of God The 25. of December Rosostua Christoua the Nativity of our Lord. The 6. of Ianuary Boje jaulenia or Creschenia the Epiphany The 2. of February Stratenia Gospoda Boga Candlemas-day The 25. of March Blagauescenia priziste bogorodice the Annunciation of our Lady Werbna Woscreschenia Palm-Sunday Welikoiden or Woscreschenia Christoua Easter-day or the Resurrection of Christ. Wosnescenia Christoua the Ascension of Christ. Schiestuie swetaga Ducha Pentechost or the sending of the Holy Ghost The 6. of August Preobrosiena gospodo Christoua the manifestation of the Glory of Iesus Christ upon the Mountain The 15. of August Vspenia priziste bogorodice the Ascension or Assumption of the Mother of God They celebrate the Feast of the Trinity the morrow after Pentecost and that of All-Saints upon the Sunday following No day in the year but is the particular Feast of some Saint sometimes of two or three but the people observe them not Only Ecclesiasticks are oblig'd to say the Offices of those dayes They have their perpetual Almanack according to the Old-stile wherein without any trouble they find all the Feasts both moveable and immoveable Upon the great Festivals and Sundayes they go thrice to Church first in the morning before day to Mattens which they call Sasterim at noon to the Obedny and in the evening to Wadschemi or Vespers The whole Service consists in the reading of certain Chapters out of the Bible Psalms and St. Athanasius's Creed whereto they sometimes add a Homily out of St. Chrysostome and certain Prayers which they sing much after the same manner as Antiphona's are sung saying ever and anon their Gospodi Pomilui Lord have mercy upon me which the people repeats three times making the sign of the Cross. This done the Priest goes up to the Altar attended by a Clerk and sayes the Office according to the Liturgy of great St. Basil He pours Claret-Wine and Water into the Chalice with some little bits of Bread consecrates them and sayes certain Prayers which ended he takes out the Bread with a spoon but gives not of it to any other unless some sick Child be brought to whom he gives the Communion If the Priest hath known his Wife that day he is not to come near the Altar but must get Mass said by another The people stand all the service time and incessantly bow themselves before the Images pronouncing the Gospodi Pomilui They read only the bare Text of the Bible and certain Homilies as we said before giving this reason for it that the Holy Spirit having grounded the Church upon the pure Word of God without any explication neither are they to trouble themselves with any since that the different interpretations of it do partly occasion the Errours and Heresies whereby the Church is divided About five years since the Protopope of Morum taking upon him to Preach and making use of God's Word to exhort the people to Piety the Patriarch deposed him together with all the other Priests that would have follow'd his example excommunicated them and banish'd them into Siberia They have made a certain Book wherein they treat the Histories
Church and the Romane which allows not the marriage of Priests For confirmation of their opinion they allege as what makes most for them the fourth Canon of the Councel which was held at Gangres in Paphlagonia not long after that of Nice which Anathemizes those who make any difficulty to receive the Communion from the hands of a married Priest But the Muscovian Priests hold this besides that they are oblig'd to be in the state of marriage before they take Orders and that they are to marry a Maid and not a Widdow or a Woman of a scandalous life in which punctilio they are so circumspect that if a Priest upon search made the the first night of his marriage find that his VVife hath been defiled before hand he must either be divorc'd from her or from the Priesthood The Priest who hath given his VVife her benevolence in the night is not to approach the Altar the next day and as soâ—â— as a Priest is a VViddower he is not to Administer the Sacraments any longer He may be present at the Offices of Fasterini and Vetzerni but is not admitted to that of Obedni at which the Communion is receiv'd and cannot give his Benediction to marriages Those who are not willing to live in that condition and are weary of a single life take up some other profession turn Merchants or Tradesmen and marry again and to do that they are only to put off their Sacerdotal habit and their Callot If they are too old to marry they retire to a Monastery and there end their lives They have a great number of Monasteries both for Men and VVomen as well in Cities as up and down the Countrey and they all in a manner follow the Rule of Great St. Basil. Indigence Age Infirmities Domestick discontents and violence fill their Convents rather than Devotion VVhen any embrace that kind of life of their own accord if they are of ability they are permitted to carry some part of their Estates along with them into the Monastery but are obliged to leave the remainder to their Heirs Heretofore the more superstitious sort made over all they had and the extravagance had so far prevail'd on many that in time the Monks would have been Masters of the best part of Muscovy if a course had not been taken to prevent it They have set hours for their service and they say most of their prayers by Beads Their Austerity of life is very great in as much as they live only on Salt-fish Honey Milk Cheese Herbs and Pulse especially Cowcumbers fresh and pickled which they mince very small and eat with a spoon in some of their Quas They have this common with all the other Muscovites that they can hardly write and read Not one in ten can say the Lord's Prayer much fewer that are acquainted with the Creed and the ten Commandments These Monks live not so retired a life but that they are seen in great numbers both in Cities and all over the Countrey where their employment is the same with that of the Peasants from whom they are distinguish'd only by their habit It is also true there are abundance of Anchorets who build Chapels upon the High-ways and live in Woods like Hermits subsisting only by the Alms given them by Travellers They fast Wednesdays and Fridays and abstain so strictly from all kind of flesh nay even from Eggs and Milk that within these few years some of the more devout would not use any Sugar because they know that there are whites of Eggs used in the clarifying of it Their year consists of more fasting days than flesh days For besides the two days of every week and the Eves of great Festivals they fast in Lent seven weeks together though in the first they eat Butter Milk and Eggs and this week is their Carnaval during which they commit incredible excesses in drinking and withall such insolences as the Patriarch hath not yet found any way to remedy The next week they eat only Honey Herbs and Pulse and drink only Quas and Water they bath and cleanse themselves from the impurities they had contracted in their excessive debauches All the rest of the Lent they live very temperately and the most devout eat no fish but on Sundays Their second Lent begins eight days after Whitsuntide and lasts till St. Peter's tide The third is from the first of August to the 16th and the fourth from the 12th of November to Christmas 'T is true there are some abate of this great Austerity but I never knew any Muscovite who did not strictly observe abstinence during the Lent But as they will not by any means be dispens'd with as to that time no not in their greatest sickness so can they not on the other side be perswaded to eat fish on Sundays and Holydays out of Lent as believing that it is of Apostolical institution that they should eat flesh on Sundays and that they are bound to observe the Rule which goes under the name of St. Clement in the Tomes of the Councels printed at Venice which says that an Ecclesiastick who fasts on Saturday or Sunday is to be degraded and if a lay person commit the same fault he is to be excommunicated The same Rule which enjoyns them to abstain from flesh in Lent forbids them also medling with their Wives during that time upon special penalties Those who are come to years of discretion are oblig'd to go to Confession before they Communicate There are very few but receive the Communion at Easter and they prepare themselves for it by extraordinary mortifications for eight days together during which they eat nothing but a hard kind of bread and drink only Water and Quas which is so sowr that it causes gripings in the belly and brings them in a manner to deaths door They make their Confession standing in the midst of the Church and before an Image on which they have their eyes fastned as long as the Confession lasts making a very particular recital of all their sins and at every sin expressing their remorse and promising amendment The Priest with the absolution gives them a certain penance to do which consists for the most part in pronouncing several times the Gospody Pomilui or in making a certain number of Reverences before the Saints abstaining from Women for a certain time standing at the Church door or if the sins be very hainous he enjoyns them to make use of a Holy-water which they Consecrate upon Twelfth-day and is kept by the Priests all the year long for that purpose and not to be had of them for nothing They make accompt that that water hath the vertue to cleanse them of their sins and to restore them into the state of Grace They receive the Communion ordinarily upon Easter-Eve at least they think it must be done upon a fasting-day and this they so strictly observe that if one should Communicate on the Sunday yet is
fasten'd in a Tree that was in the bottom the Cable broke ere it could be had up again The River is very full of those Trees which it brings down with it when it overflows and these accidents happen so frequently that the bottom of the River is so lay'd with Anchors that the Muscovites say there are as many as would purchase a Kingdom The 13. before noon we saw as we pass'd two Cabaques or Taverns and a Village named Wesoska on the right hand and came afterwards before the City of Suiatski It is seated on the ascent of a hill on the left hand having a Castle and some Churches built of stone but all the other buildings as also the Towers and Rampiers of the City are of wood We cast Anchor there by reason of a Sand-bank which we were to pass by The people in the mean time came in multitudes to the River side to see us and by reason that a little sandy Hill hindred their having a full sight of us many came in Boats to the Ship side others swam over to the Hill Having pass'd by certain white Mountains whereof some were of Chalk others of Sand we came at night before the City of Casan 20. werstes from Suiatski We there found the Caravan of Persia and Circassia and with it a Coptzi or Persian Merchant who had been sent Ambassador to Moscou There was in this place also a Tartarian Prince of Terki whose name was Mussal who had succeeded his Brother in the Principality and had then been doing homage to the Czaar at Moscou which he had left some dayes before us The City of Casan is seated in a plain 7. werstes from the Wolga upon the River Casanka which gives it the name as it does to the whole Province I found the elevation there to be 55. degrees 38. minutes It is of a considerable bigness but all its Houses as also the Towers and Rampiers are of wood Only the Castle and its Fortifications are of stone being well mounted with Canon and having a strong Garrison in it The River is instead of a Ditch to it and makes it a very considerable fortress The Castle hath its VVeywode and the City its Governour who commands and administers Justice to the Inhabitants who are Muscovites and Tartars But in the Castle they are all Muscovites and the Tartars are prohibited entring into it upon pain of death The Province of Casan lies on the left side of the River of VVolga reaching Northwards as far as Siberia and Eastward as far as the Tartars of Nagaja It was heretofore subject to the Cham of Tartary and so populous that it could send 60000 men into the Field The conquest of it cost the Muscovite much blood and the story of its reduction is so remarkable that I think fit here to make a short digression to give an accompt thereof Basili Iuanouits Father to the Tyrant Iuan Basilouits having obtain'd a famous Victory over these Tartars made Chief over them one named Scheale a Tartar by birth but one so ill shap'd as to his Person that his Subjects who soon conceiv'd an aversion for him joyning with the Tartars of Chrim who are Mahumetans as they also are made an insurrection surpriz'd him and ejected him This success gave the Chrim-Tartars who had got a considerable Army together the courage to enter Muscovy under the conduct of two Brethren Mendligeri and Sapgeri who forc'd the Muscovite with certain Troops which he had made a shift to get together and were encamped upon the River Occa to retreat to Novogorod The consequence of this was the besieging taking and plundring of the City of Moscou nay they reduc'd the Castle to that extremity that the Muscovites were forc'd to sue for a Peace The Tartars were willing to hearken to an accommodation and having got very considerable Presents from those who kept the Castle who maintain'd it with more courage than success they made a Peace whereof this was one Article That the Great Duke and all his Subjects should ever after be Tributaries to them Basili was loath to submit to such dishonourable Terms but forc'd to comply with necessity he accepted them and confirmed the agreement by his Letters Patents Mendligeri to make it appear he was Sovereign Lord of Moscou caused a Statue of his to be erected in the heart of the City and would needs oblige the Great Duke to express his subjection to smite the ground with his head before that Statue as often as he paid Tribute to the Tartars After this Victory the Brethren parted Sapgeri establish'd the Seat of his Government at Casan and Mendligeri as being the Elder-Brother his at the City of Chrim But the later desirous to add to his former conquest that of the City of Resan resolv'd to lay siege to the Castle thereof and to that end he sent word to the Weywode Iohn Kowar who commanded it that it was madness in him to think to maintain the place and that he should make no difficulty to deliver it up since the Great Duke was become his Subject The Weywode sent him answer that it was a thing so extraordinary that he could not believe it unless he sent him such assurances thereof as should put him out of all doubt Mendligeri imagining there could not any thing be more convictive in that case than the Letters Patents sent them to him by certain Officers just as he had receiv'd them from the Great Duke But the Weywode not a little glad to have the Original of those Letters in his hands sends Mendligeri word that he would keep them as safely as he would do the place he was in which he resolv'd to maintain to the last drop of blood There was in the Castle an Italian Canoneer named Iohn Iordan well known in those parts upon the accompt of his Wife who would needs have her Husband express his affection to her by beating her with a Bull 's pizzle This man did the Weywode very great services and kill'd so many Tartars that Mendligeri perceiving one day that a Canon-bullet had taken off a piece of his Garment was frighted and proffered to raise the Siege upon condition they would return the Great Duke's Letters But the Weywode would hearken to no such thing and having oblig'd Mendligeri to retreat he sent the Letters to his Prince's Court where they were received with the general joy of all the people who immediately thereupon pull'd down and broke to pieces the Statue of Mendligerâ— Nay the Great Duke himself took such courage from that Action that having rais'd an Army of 25000 men he proclaim'd open War against Sapgeri Prince of Casan sending him word that he by surprising and assaulting him without declaring any War had proceeded like a Murtherer and a Robber but that himself as Soveraign Lord and Conservator of all the Russes proceeded therein as a person of Honour should do and sent
all that it would not be fit for the Caspian Sea whereof the high and in a manner contiguous Waves would overwhelm it and there was a necessity of taking down the Masts They all affirm'd that the Culsum so they call the Caspian Sea had never born so great a ship which yet they only said in comparison of their own which are only little Barks made like our bathing-tubs in Europe so to take up but two or three foot water having neither Hatches nor Pump insomuch that they are forc'd to cast out the Water with shovels They have but one great sayl no more than the Muscovites and know not what it is to sayl with a side-wind so that when a Tempest overtakes them they are forc'd either to go with the wind or cast Anchor but commonly they go within Pistol-shot of the shore The Persians having left us the Ambassadors sent to the Chief Weywode whose name was Foedor Vasilouits a Present which was a large drinking Cup Vermilion-gilt intreating his advice for the continuation of their Voyage and to know whether we should prosecute it by Sea or by Land The Weywode desir'd a days time or two to consider of it and to take the advice of persons skill'd in Sea-affairs but we stay'd not for his answer and resolv'd for several reasons to continue our Voyage by Sea Sept. 19. The Tartar-Prince having sent us word that he would give us a Visit aboard our Ship we sent our shallop to Land to bring him aboard he brought with him another Tartar-Prince and a retinue of about 40 persons besides those who belong'd to Alexei Sauonouits the Great Duke's Poslanick He was habited after the Muscovian fashion his Vestment embroider'd with Gold and Pearls and his person and deportment was suitable to the greatness of his birth for he had a very good countenance a very clear complexion and black hair being about 28 years of age of an excellent good humour and eloquent He was receiv'd into the ship with the noise of our Trumpets and the fiering of three great Pieces and conducted to the Ambassadors Chamber through the Guards and Soldiers in their Arms. After some two hours discourse during which he was entertain'd with Musick he desir'd to see the ship He was shew'd it all and at last brought into the Hall where he found a Collation ready but he would not sit down and took leave of the Ambassadors to return to the City At his departure he had the same honour done him as at his entrance Sept. 20. The Ambassadors sent to the Lord Naurus the King of Persia's Cuptzi to entreat him to honour them with a Visit in their ship which he promis'd to do The next day he came accompany'd by another rich Merchant named Noureddin Mahomet and the Pristaf which the Weywode had sent to conduct him His reception was like that of the Tartar-Prince After the Collation at which pass'd several good discourses our Musick playing all the time they entreated us to give theirs leave to come in which consisted of Hawboyes and Timbrels Their Timbrels were made of earth and were not much unlike our Butter-pots making a very strange noise though their playing on them was very regular and well carried on The Collation had put them into so good an humour that in their return we could hear their Musick nay a good while after they were got into the City The 22. The Weywode sent his Presents to the Ambassadors which consisted in twenty Flitches of Bacon twelve large Fishes that had been hung up in the smoak a Barrel of Cavayar a Tun of Beer and another of Hydromel About noon there came aboard us two of the Polish Ambassadors Servants whom the Cuptzi had spoken of to complement the Ambassadors in their Master's name and on the behalf of the Ambassador sent from the King of Persia to the King of Poland bringing along with them a bottle of Scherab or Persian Wine The Polish Ambassador was a Iacobin Frier named Iohn de Lucca and the Persian an Armenian Archbishop named Augustinus Basecius The persons sent to us were two Capuchins one an Italian the other a French-man They told us they had been five moneths at Astrachan and complain'd much of the ill treatment they had receiv'd there in that they were detain'd as Prisoners and not permitted to go any farther The same day the Ambassadors acquainted the Weywode with their desire to Visit the Tartar-Prince entreating him to that end to accommodate them with horses for themselves and some of their retinue which he very civilly did sending the next day by his Gentleman of the horse to the River-side the number of horses we desired Being come to a Lodging prepar'd for us without the City and having acquainted the Tartar-Prince with our arrival we walk'd towards his Lodging where he expected us The Prince having notice of it met them in the Court where he receiv'd the Ambassadors very civilly and conducted them to a Chamber richly hung There were with them the Poslanick Alexei and a Tartar Ambassador of Chrim The Collation was Magnificent and of the noblest fruits in the Countrey in great plenty Our drink was Wine Beer Hydromel and Aquavitae of all enough the Trumpets which the Weywode had lent him sounding in the mean time and other Musick playing When he drunk the Great Duke's and his Highness our Master's health he stood and presented the Cup with his own hand to all the retinue even to the Pages Alexei in the mean time told us Miracles of the birth and noble endowments of Mussal endeavouring to perswade us that he was not to be ranked among the other Myrses or Princes of Tartary but that he was to be consider'd as a very great Prince and Nephew to Knez Iuan Borissouits Circaski being his brother's son one of the greatest Lords of the great Duke's Court He told us that when he did homage the Czaar had done him very particular favours and made him considerable Presents that he had a Brother at Court a great Favorite that his Sister was to marry the King of Persia and that he might serve us in both Kingdoms â— This Entertainment took us up several hours after which the Ambassadors would have gone to see the Habitations of the Tartars without the City but the Muscovites very barbarously shut the Gates against them which oblig'd us to return to the ship The 24. The Poslanick Alexei gave the Ambassadors a Visit upon his own accompt He was kindly receiv'd and after he had been Magnificently treated at Dinner we sent him back to his Lodging attended by twelve persons of our retinue who had each of them a Sable skin This Muscovite who might be about 50. years of age was an ingenious man and had a great inclination to Learning contrary to the ordinary humour of those of his Nation He had learnt some few Latine words and was a Lover of the Mathematicks whence
send us a Pilot we might confide in But the merry Companion was no sooner got to his own ship but he set sayl and left us in the lurch I think what troubled him was that we had not made him some present according to the custom of the Countrey but he regarded so little the slur he had put upon the Ambassadors that he had the impudence to come and Visit them in their ship in the company of several other Tartarian Lords after our arrival at Terki and made no other answer to the reproaches he receiv'd upon that occasion than ja wi nouat a great business indeed to be talk'd of Finding our selves thus abus'd we sent to the Master of the Persian ship to entreat his assistance He though Masâ—â—â— of the ship and owner of all the goods in it came aboard us to proffer us his service as a Pilot with more kindness and civility than we could have expected from a Christian and having recommended his own ship to his servants stay'd with us He was a very understanding man and was not only acquainted with the Navigation of those parts but also with the Compass much beyond what the Persians ordinarily are vers'd in who do not willingly venture very far into the Sea but for the most part keep in sight of Land So that finding the wind serv'd he caus'd the Anchor to be weigh'd about eleven at night taking his course towards the South with an East wind We observ'd it was the same day that we left Travemunde the year before and accordingly we had the same success in this second Voyage We had all that night but ten foot water but towards day we had eighteen The Countrey on our right hand which is called Suchator had four Hills which made a great Promontory reaching a great way into the Sea and from that Cape to Astrachan are counted 100 werstes and to Terki 200. but on both sides they are very short ones The 29. The weather fair we kept on our course in the morning Southward and with a South-East wind and in the afternoon South-west-ward having about twenty foot water and finding the bottom gravelly and full of little shells We could discover no Land that day and the night following we cast Anchor Here the Needle declin'd twenty degrees from North to West Octob. 30. We set sayl at the break of day and soon after Sun-rising we discover'd the Countrey of Circassia which lies all along the Sea-Coast from the South-West to North-East compassing it about much after the form of a Crescent and making a spacious Bay It was our design to get beyond the point of the Gulf but the wind coming to South-East had almost forc'd us into it which oblig'd us to cast Anchor about noon at the entrance of the Gulf at three fathom and a half water finding at the bottom a kind of fat earth about six Leagues from Terki We discover'd in the Bay about 20. or twenty five Boats and upon the first sight thereof it run into our imagination that they were the Cosaques but we were soon undeceiv'd and found them to be Tartarian Fisher-men belonging to Terki and were then coming to bring us fish to sell. For those we bought of them we gave them fifteen pence a piece but they were very great ones and we found in their bellies a great number of Crabs and Lobsters among which there were some alive The remainder of the day we spent in giving Almighty God solemn thanks for all his mercifull deliverances of us particularly that which happen'd on the very same day the year before when we were in so great danger amidst the Rocks and Shelves of Ocland Our Persian Pilot went that day to his own ship which was at some distance behind us to give his men Order what they should do leaving us somewhat of an opinion that he would shew us such another trirk as the Muscovite had done before but he afterwards made it appear that those of his Nation are not only made up of Complements for he return'd very betimes the next morning having sent his Boat before us to serve us for a Guide The last day of October we had in the morning a thick Mist with a great Calm The Sun having dispell'd the one about noon and the wind being come to the North we endeavour'd to get out of the Gulf and with much ado by laveering got the point near which we stayd at Anchor till after midnight and came very betimes in the morning on the first of November before the City of Terki We cast Anchor about a quarter of a League from the City because we could not come any nearer by reason of the shallowness of the water The night before the Cosaques had a design to set upon us but happily miss'd us in the dark and met with the little Fleet which brought the Tartar-Prince but the noise of the Strelits or Muscovian Muskettiers having discover'd to them that they were mistaken and imagining they should find a vigorous resistance they drew back but made it appear they were the Germans that they look'd for Intelligence coming in the morning to the City of this attempt of the Cosaques rais'd a verry hot Alarm there in regard it was known that Mussal their Prince was coming and that he might be in some danger The Inhabitants were confirm'd in that opinion when they heard the going off of our great Guns a noise they are not accustomed to in those parts insomuch that they began to get together and look on us as Enemies but they were put out of all fear by the arrival of their Prince who having given us a Volley as he pass'd by and invited us to honour him with a Visit at his Mother's satisfy'd the Inhabitants that there was no danger either to him or them The City of Terki lies somewhat above half a League from the Sea upon the little River Timenski which issues out of the great River Bustro and facilitates the correspondence there is between the Sea and the City to which there is is no other way to come by reason of the Fens which encompass it on all sides for a quarter of a League about It is seated in a spacious plain which is of such extent that the extremities thereof cannot be discover'd by the eye whence may be corrected the errour of the Map drawn by Nicholas Iansson Piscator alias Vischer though in all other things the best and most exact of any I could ever meet with who places the City of Terki upon a Mountain but by a mistake confounding the City of Tarku in the Province of Dagesthan with that of Terki in Circassia The Elevation of the Pole is here at 43. degrees 23 minutes It is distant from Astrachan sixty Leagues by Sea and seventy by Land and is the last place under the Jurisdiction of the Great Duke of Muscovy It is in length 2000. foot and in breadth 800. all
to the Persian way having not any Ornament without but within they are very well furnish'd as to Vaults Wainscoats Paintings and other Houshold-stuff The Streets are not pav'd whence it comes that upon the least wind the City is fill'd with dust It hath no other water than what is brought by aqueducts from the Mountain of Elwend into Cesterns wherein it is preserv'd No house almost but hath a particular place for the keeping of Ice and Snow for the Summer VVe were forc'd to get into these to avoid the excessive heat Heretofore the Kings of Persia had their ordinary residence at this place at least ever after Schach-Tamas transferr'd the Seat of the Empire from Tauris to this City Some attribute that translation to Schach-Ismael though the continual VVars he was engag'd in suffered him not to stay long in any one place But it is not question'd but that he built the noble Palace which stands near the Maidan which hath belonging to it a fair Garden adorn'd as well without as within with Guilding Painting and such other embellishments as are in use among the Persians There was another Garden opposite to this Palace which was above half a league in compass and had several little Structures within it This was one of the most pleasant Gardens that I ever saw not only by reason of the great number of all sorts of Trees as Apples Pears Peaches Apricocks Pomegranates Almonds and other Fruit-trees but also by reason of the fair walks of Cypress and the Trees called Tzinnar which gave us a very pleasant Prospect This City hath two great Market-places Cartwright names the bigger of the two Atmaidan and says that in the Persian Language it signifies a Horse-market I could never find that in any part of Persia there was a Market purposely for the buying and selling of Horses whereupon considering with my self that the Persians who call by the general name of Maidan all those Markets where all things are indifferently sold I imagine that Author's mistake proceeded hence that being ignorant of the Arabick he read Atmaydan for Almaidan al being the Article without which the Persians and Arabiaas never pronounce the word Maidan The greater of these Maidans or Market-places is somewhat longer but not so broad as that of Ardebil and hath on the South-side several great places built by some of the Chans and Persian Lords The most magnificent amongst them are those of Allawerdi-Chan Governour of Schiras that of Aliculi-Chan President of Justice that of Mahomet-Chan Chan or Governour of Kentze and that of Sehich-Achmed-Chan who was great Provest in the reign of Schach-Abas The other Market-place is called Senke-Maidan and is towards the West part of the City In both the Market-places as also in the Bazars or Shops and Store-houses which are in the cover'd streets there may be seen a great number of Merchants and abundance of Commodities which are to be bought there at a very reasonable rate I my self bought Turqueses there which they call Firuse and are found in great quantities near Nisabur and Firusku of about the bigness of a Pea nay some as big as little Beans for two shillings or two and six pence at the most Rubies and Granates were also very cheap there In the Evening after the shops are shut there is on the East-side another kind of Commodity exposed to sale to wit a considerable number of the Cabbeha or common Traders who there prostitute themselves to any that will take them up They all sit in a row having their faces cover'd with a Veil and behind them there stands a Bawd whom they call Delal who hath by her a bed and a quilted coverlet and holds in her hand a Candle unlighted which when any Customer comes she presently lights that he may look the Wench in the face and order her to follow him whom he likes best among them On the East-side of the City lies the Church-yard where there is to be seen in a fair Mosquey the Sepulchre of Schahesade Hossein one of the sons of Hossein at which the Oaths taken in Law-sutes are administred a custom which is also observed in all other parts of Persia at the places where there are any Sepulchres of Saints or those of any of their kinâ—ed Whence it comes that the Persians when they make some difficulty of crediting what is said to them immediately ask Scahe Sade Hussein pile Musef that is dar'st thou affirm that upon the Saints Sepulchre or upon the Alchoran Besides this Mosquey or Metzit there are about fifty more 〈…〉 whereof is that which they call Tzame Metzid where they assemble on Fridays 〈…〉 prayers There 〈…〉 the City of Caswin many Caravanseras for the convenience of foreign Merchants and a great number of publick Baths There is one behind the Garden belonging to the King's Palace which they call Haman Charabe It is now half destroy'd and there is a story told of it which I conceive pleasant enough to deserve insertion into this Relation They say that there lived heretofore at Caswin a very famous Physician named Lokman a black Arabian who had acquired so great reputation not only by the Books he had written in Medicine but also by many other excellent productions of his understanding that the Inhabitants have still a very great Veneration for his memory Nay it is to be found in their Kulusthan that they gave him the surname of Wise when in the 2. Book ch 16. they say Lokman hakimra kuftendi Aedebeski amuchti Kust es biedbahn Herstze ischan kerdend men pertis Kerdem That is that the wise Lokman being asked one day by what means he had attain'd so great Learning and Knowledge he made answer it was by means of the ignorant and uncivil for he had always done what was contrary to what he had seen them do This Lokman having attain'd a great age and being upon his death-bed sent for his Son and told him that he would leave him an inestimable Treasure and having commanded to be brought him three Glasses full of certain Medicinal waters he said they had the vertue to raise up a Dead man to Life if they were apply'd before the body began to corrupt That casting upon the Deceas'd the water which was in the first Glass the Soul would return into the Body that upon the pouring of the second the Body would stand upright and that upon the third the Person would be absolutely alive and should do all things as before that however he had very seldome made use of this Experiment out of a fear of committing a sin by undertaking to intermeddle with that which is reserv'd to God alone and that out of the same Consideration he exhorted him to be very careful how he made use of it as being a secret rather to be admir'd than put often to experience With these exhortations Lokman dying his Son was very mindful of the advice he had given him and
that end sent them forty gallant Horses out of his own Stables the Saddles and Harnesses whereof were adorn'd with great plates of Gold The Ambassadors made use only of two and also ordered the Gentlemen and the principal Officers to ride on Horse-back but the rest went a-foot in the following order First march'd three men or Horse-back two whereof were in compleat arms having Flowers and other Workmanship of Gold The third was arm'd only as a Horse-man with Back Breast and Pot yet all very rich After him march'd forty Persons having every one a Case of Pistols the best that could be had in the Low Countries with their Holsters the laps whereof were Embroider'd Next four men carrying two rich Cymitars the sheaths whereof were of yellow Amber garnish'd with Gold in very rich Cases Next two men with Walking staves done about with Amber which the Persians esteem above Gold in very rich Cases Four men carrying so many great Candlesticks of Amber Two others carrying a Cabinet of white and yellow Amber Four others carrying a Cabinet of Ebony garnish'd with Silver having within it in Golden Boxes several Druggs Essences and Magisteries and the coverings thereof beset with fine stones which signify'd what Magistery there was in every Box. And whereas it is the custom of the Country that Ambassadors are oblig'd to make some Presents from themselves and upon their own accompt the Ambassador Crusius sent in an Arquebuss the stock whereof was of Ebony which cock'd it self by letting down the Cock A vessel of Rock Chrystal done about with Gold and beset with Rubies and Turqueses a Cabinet of Amber and a small striking Clock The Ambassador Brugman presented the King with a gilt brass Candlestick that had thirty branches having a striking Watch within the body of it a pair of gilt Pistols in very rich Holsters a very fair Hour-glass a Watch in a Topaze case a Bracelet of Diamonds and Rubies and a Writing whereby were presented the two pieces of Canon which we had left at Ardebil Every one had his place assign'd him to the end that all things might be presented to the King with the observance of some Order but the Persians never observe it in any Ceremony insomuch that they were no sooner got into the street but they were all in disorder and march'd with such â—onfusion that the Ambassadors Retinue could not make the Procession they expected First there should have march'd three Sergeants with Halberds in the Head of fifteen Musketiers After them the Mashal or Steward alone in the Head of the Gentlemen who march'd three a breast Then three Trumpeters with silver Trumpets and after them march'd the Guards four a-breast immediately before the Ambassadors who had on both sides eight Halberteers and behind them the two Interpreters The eight Pages follow'd on horse-back in very rich Liveries and after them the rest of our people marching three a-breast and eight deep The Ambassadors being come in this order attended by a great number of Kisibachs and Persian Gentlemen on Horse-back whom the King had sent to them through the Maidan to the Gates of the Palace-Royal they were there received by Iesaul Senhobet who is as it were the Introductor or Master of the Ceremonies He commanded those who carried the Presents to make way for the Ambassadors whom he conducted into a Hall where the Divanbeki or Judges are wont to meet for the Administration of Justice and intreated them to rest themselves till he had acquainted the King with their arrival About half an hour after several great Lords came to give the Ambassadors notice that the King expected them We were brought through a spacious Court which was of greater length than breadth and in which there was on both sides about six paces distance from one Wall another lower Wall built close to a row of Tzinnar-Trees and all along that lower Wall stood the Musketiers and the other Guards in a file on both sides The Guards were distinguish'd from the Musketiers by the Coiffure they wore about their heads which was pointed and set out with plumes of Feathers of several Colours They call this kind of Courts or Walks Cheywan and they afford a very delightful prospect At the end of this Court there was a great Hall having light coming in of all sides which was the place design'd for our audience It is called Diwan Chane as being the place where the King administers Justice in Person there being a great difference between the Custom of Persia and that of Muscovy where the Great Duke hath a particular Hall wherein he gives audience to Ambassadors whereas the King of Persia does it in those places where he accidentally is either about other business or for his Divertisement Near the said Hall and under those Trees between the two Walls there were to be seen fifty excellent Horses with their covering-Cloaths of Brocado or Embroider'd with Gold and Silver and among those some Arabian Horses ready to be back'd with their Saddles and Harness cover'd all over with plates of Gold and beset with abundance of precious stones All the Horses stood in the open Air fasten'd by one of the hinder feet to a stake struck in the ground and they were most of them of an Isabella Colour about the Belly and Legs There stood hard by Pails of Vermilion Gilt for the watering of them Not far thence there were two great Cisterns four foot square for the cooling of Wine This Hall was rais'd three steps from the ground and was eight fathom broad and twelve in length There was at the entrance into it a Partition like an Alcove with Curtains drawn before it of red Cotton which were taken up and let down with silk strings When they were drawn up they rested upon the Chapters of certain wooden Pillars made Cylinder-wise Embellish'd with Branch-work Painted and Gilt as were also the Walls On the left hand as you came in there were some pieces of Painting done in Europe and representing certain Histories The floor was cover'd all over with Tapistry whereof the ground-work was of Gold and Silver and in the midst of the Hall there was a Fountain and in the Basin of it abundance of Flowers Citrons Orenges Apples and other Fruits which swom upon the water About the sides of the Basin there were a great number of Gold and Silver Flaggons and Bottles which either had Garlands or Flowers about them or posies in their Mouths The King sate upon the ground having a satin Cushion under him behind the Fountain with his back to the VVall. He was about seven and twenty years of Age handsome Bodied having a gracefull Aspect and of a clear and smooth Complexion somewhat Hawk-Nos'd as most of the Persians are and he had a little black Hair upon the upper lip There was nothing extraordinary in his Habit save that his Cloaths were of Brocadoe and that at his Coiffure there was a Plume of
Heron-Feathers fasten'd with a bracelet of Diamonds He had also upon his Kurdi that is a kind of Coat without Sleeves which the Persians wear upon their Garments two Sable Skins hanging at the Neck but for ought we saw afterwards other Persian Lords wore the like The Cymitar he had by his side glitter'd with Gold and Precious Stones and behind him upon the ground there lay a Bow and Arrows On his right hand there stood twenty Pages who were most of them as we were told the sons of Chans and Sulthans Governours of Provinces among whom there were some Eunuchs They were all very handsome as to their Persons but it seems they had made choice of the handsomest among them to hold the Fan wherewith he incessantly gave the King air These Fanns are made of a certain Sea-Creature which they call Maherikutas and it is like a Horse-tail Near the Pages stood the Meheter or Groom of the Chamber who hath the oversight of them Before the King stood Elschick agasi baschi or the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold having in his hand a Staff cover'd all over with Gold as was also the great Button or Apple at the top of it VVithin four paces of the King and on his left hand sat the Chancellor whom they call Ethemad Dowlet and about him the Chans and great Lords of the Privy Counsell At the entrance of the Hall on the left hand sat the Ambassadors of an Arabian Prince who had been sent to desire the King's Protection against the Turk and the Poslanick of Muscovy Alexei Savinouits and somewhat lower were placed the King's Musick The Ambassadors were receiv'd at the entrance of the Hall by the Prince Tzani-Chan Kurtzi Baschi of whom we spoke before and by Aliculi-bek Divanbeki who took them under the Arms one after the other and brought them to the King These Conductors as they led the Ambassadors along laid such fast hold on their hands that they had not the use of them themselves This Ceremony is very necessary and must now be look'd on as a particular honour done the Ambassadors though it be said and that very probably that with the same labour they secure the Prince's Life against the attempts there might be made against it But I would not have any to credit what some affirm to wit that this Ceremony hath not been observ'd in Persia but since the Reign of Schach-Abas and that it was occasion'd by the design which some Turkish Ambassadors had to kill him For this custom is also observ'd in the Seignor's Court as well as in Persia nay it is my opinion that it is for the same reason that the King does not give his Hand but his Knee to strangers to kiss to his own Subjects thinking it enough to present his foot The Ambassadors as they came near the King made a low Reverence which he civilly answered with a little Inclination of the Head and a smiling and obliging Countenance They were immediately led away and intreated to sit down on low Seats which had been plac'd near the Lords of the Councel The same honour was done to fifteen of the Retinue but they were forc'd to sit down a little more on the left hand and upon the ground The ground The Pages and the rest of the Retinue were conducted into the Court where they were seated near thirteen VVomen-Dancers who were very handsome VVomen and very richly Cloath'd and sate upon Tapistry whereof the ground-work was Gold and Silver Some of our people were perswaded they were the ordinary Dancing-women belonging to the Court and gave that accompt of them in the Relations they have made of their Travells but it is certain they were some of the handsomest Curtezans of the City who besides the Tribute they yearly pay the King are oblig'd to come to Court to divert the Prince when ever he sends for them VVe were told that a man might have had his choice of them for a Tumain The Ambassadors having rested themselves a little the King sent the Lord Chamberlain to them to know the Prince's name by whom they were sent and the occasion of their Embassy Which message oblig'd them to rise up and to go near the King with their Interpreter to deliver their Credentials which they accompany'd with a Complement which was so much the shorter in regard the Persians who are no Lovers of long Speeches would have those that approach their King to do it with respect and to express that respect by a Discourse of few words The Chancellor receiv'd the Credentials and after the Ambassadors were seated again the Wakaenuis or Secretary of the Chamber came and told them that the Schach would order their Credential letters to be Translated that as soon as it were done his Majesty would give them a second audience for their affairs and that in the mean time he desir'd them to Divert themselves as much as might be This done the Presents were brought in which were carried close by the King into an appartment design'd for the Treasury on one side of the Hall at the entrance of the Palace While the Presents were carried in the Cloath was laid that is all the floor of the Hall was cover'd with one piece of Cotton Cloath on which were set all sorts of Fruits and Conserves all in great Basins of Gold whereof there was so great a number that there was hardly place left for three hundred great Flaggons of the same Metal which were dispers'd here and there only for Ostentation sake so that which way soever a man look'd there was nothing to be sent but Gold All the Plate was plain and smooth save only the Flaggon and Cup out of which the King himself drunk which two pieces the Persians call Surhahi and Piali which were beset with Rubies and Turqueses With these conserves we had excellent Schiras-wine and they gave us the Divertisement of a fellow that shew'd tricks of Legerdemain who did beyond any thing I ever saw of that kind before About an hour after the Conserves were taken away that the Meat might be brought in The floor was laid with another Cloath which was of a Gold Brocado and there came in ten men loaden with Meat in great Vessels of Gold made like the Milk-pails in France which some carried upon their Heads some upon a kind of Barrows which were also cover'd with plates of Gold The Suffretzi that is the Carver having plac'd the Meat sate down in the midst of the Table or floor of the Hall took the Meat out of those Vessels and dispos'd it into Dishes and sent them first to the King then to the Ambassadors and afterwards to the Lords and the rest of the Company They understand not what it is to entertain with several Courses but set down all upon the Table at once and think they treat their Guests very well All the Dishes were fill'd with Rice of all sorts of Colours and the Carver put
He had been five years in the King's service and growing weary of being so long among inâ—idels he was desirous to take the opportunity of our Embassy to return into his own Country He had to that end desired his Majesties leave to depart the Kingdom and the King who had an affection for him had promis'd him a Present of four hundred Crowns to oblige him to stay two years longer in Persia but that was so far from prevailing with him that on the contrary he continu'd his importunities for his departure and to that end got the Ambassadors to intercede for him In the mean time a House-breaker coming one night into his house out of a hope to find there the four hundred Crowns the Clock-maker who perceiv'd him fell upon him got him down and having hurt him in several places thrust him out of Doors Afterwards upon second thoughts repenting himself that he had suffered him to escape so he took a Pistol run after him and kill'd him The friends of the Deceas'd went immediately to the Ecclesiastical Judge and made complaints of the Murther committed by a Stranger and an Infidel upon one of the Faithful demanded Justice of him and desir'd that the Murtherer might be put into their hands in order to his Execution The Clock-maker who little thought he should be troubled for the death of a Robber got on horse-back the next day to go to the Court but he was taken in the street and immediately put into the Palenk which is a wooden Instrument which comes about the Arms and the Neck and very cruelly handled The Ambassadors us'd much solicitation on his behalf but the animosity of the Relations and the authority of the Spiritual Judge whom they call Mufti carried it against him so that he was condemn'd to dye with this Proviso nevertheless that if he would be circumcis'd and embrace the Religion of the Mussulmans it should be in the King's power to pardon him Most of the Lords who had a great respect for him upon the account of his Profession wherein he was Excellent press'd him very much to change his Religion at least in outward shew and for a time promising him those advantages which he could not expect in Germany He was two several times conducted to the place of execution in the Maidan before the Palace-Gate that he might see the horrour of death before his eyes out of an imagination that would oblige him to renounce but he equally slighted both promises and threats his constancy could not be shaken and he wav'd all they said to him with so resolute a courage that it is not to be doubted but it was supernatural and that his death was a kind of Martyrdom He told them that the King's favour should never make him lose that which Iesus Christ had done him by redeeming him from eternal death by his blood That being entertain'd into the King's service his Majesty might dispose of his body but that he would render up his Soul to him by whom it was created that he might be therein glorify'd both in this World and the next The Augustin Monks and the Carmelites endeavour'd all they could to oblige him to make profession of the Roman Catholick Religion but he continu'd firm to his former resolution and would die in the Reform'd Religion which he profess'd and wherein he was perfectly well instructed At last the Persians finding it impossible to overcome his courage either by fair or foul means left him to the Relations of the deceas'd who had the execution of him He among them who went out to give him the first blow with the Cimitar miss'd him and wounded his next neighbour the Leg the second struck into the Palenk which they had left about his neck the third struck him upon the neck and smote down that Martyr of Christ who afterwards receiv'd three other blows ere he expir'd the first in the head and the other two in the face The Ambassador Brugman who as I said before had a great kindness for this German's sister-in-law was so enrag'd at this execution that being at a loss of all judgement and not knowing what to do for madness he would needs divert himself by running at the Ring in the presence of two or three Gentlemen and the Canonier causing in the mean time the great Guns to be fired above a hundred times The body lay all that day expos'd to the sight of those that pass'd by in the place where the execution had been done till that in the evening the Ambassador Brugman with the King's permission caus'd it to be brought to our Lodgings with an intention to have it buried the next day But the King having appointed that day to go a-hunting and invited the Ambassadors to that Divertisement it was put off so that the Ceremonies of the enterment could not be performed till the 22. The Muscovian Ambassador the Governour of Armenia and his brothers most of the Armenians and those of the Sect of Nessera of which the Widdow of the deceas'd made profession and whereof we shall discourse hereafter as also of the other Europaean Christians honour'd his Funeral with their presence The Hunting we spoke of before began the 17. The night before the Mehemandar came to acquaint the Ambassadors that his Majesty had for their sakes appointed a Hunting that should last several dayes and that it was his pleasure they should have notice of it that they might be ready against the next morning It was imagin'd this was done out of design that the Ambassadors might not be in person at the interment of the Clock-maker but that hindred not the Ambassador Brugman from giving order that the body should be kept till his return The 17. betimes in the morning there were Horses brought for the Persons and Camels for the Baggage The Ambassadors got on Horse-back with Father Ioseph and about thirty persons of their Retinue The Mehemandar conducted them into a spacious Plain whither the King came soon after attended by above three hundred Lords all excellently well mounted and sâ—mptuously cloath'd The King himself was in a Vestment of Silver Brocado with a Turbant adorn'd with most noble Heron's Feathers and having led after him four Horses whereof the Saddles Harness and covering Cloaths were beset with Gold and precious Stones The King at his coming up very civilly saluted the Ambassadors and ordered them to march near him on his left hand The other Chans and great Lords march'd after the King with so little observance of order that many times the Servants were shuffled in among their Masters There was among the rest in the King's Retinue an Astrologer who alwayes kept very close to him and ever and anon observ'd the position of the Heavens that he might prognosticate what good or ill fortune should happen These are believ'd as Oracles We rode up and down that day above three Leagues the King taking occasion often to change his
of Eunuchs When they are come into the field they get on Horse-back carry Hawks on their fists and use their Bows and Arrows as well as the men Only the King and the Eunuchs stay among the Women all the rest of the men are about half a League from them and when the sport is begun no man is to come within two Leagues of them unless the King send for him by an Eunuch The Lords of the Court in the mean time hunt some other way The King return'd from this Hunting Nov. 26. so Drunk as were also most of his Lords that they could hardly sit their horses They made a halt at the said house called Tzarbach and had engag'd themselves into that Debauch upon a great Bridge which is at the entrance of the Park where the great Lords had danc'd in his Presence and found him such excellent sport that those who did best had great Presents bestow'd on them It was observ'd to be his particular Humour that he was very liberal in his Debauches and many times gave away so much that the next day he repented him of it Some eight days after this great Hunting-match we had an example of his Liberality in that kind For one day being desirous to drink in the after-noon and most of the company having left him there being with him only the Eahtemad dowlet and some Eunuchs he caus'd a great Cup to be fill'd which he ordered to be presented to the Chancellor with a command that he should drink his health The Chancellor who was not given to those Excesses would have excus'd himself but the King drew out his Sword set it by the Cup and bid him take his choice either Drink or Dye The Chancellor finding he had the Woolf by the Ears and not knowing how to avoid drinking takes the Cup in his hand and was going to drink but perceiving the King a little turn'd about he rises and gets away The King was extremely incens'd thereat and sent for him but upon answer brought that he was not to be found he gave the Cup to an Achta or Eunuch He would also have excus'd himself pretending he had not Drunk any Wine for a good while before and that if he took off that Cup it would infallibly be the Death of him but the King was not satisfy'd with those excuses and taking up his Sword would have kill'd him if a Mehater or Gentleman belonging to his Chamber had not prevented him yet did he not do it so clearly but that he himself was hurt in the Leg and the Eunuch in the hand The King who would have his will finding all had left him address'd himself to one of his Pages theâ—â— on of Alymerdan-Chan Governour of Candahar who was a very handsom young Lad and ask'd him whether he had the courage to venture at the drinking off of that Cup. The young Lad made answer that he knew not what he might be able to do and that he would do his endeavour whereupon kneeling down before the King he took several draughts of it At last thinking it too great a task to go through and finding himself animated by the Wine and the King 's obliging expressions who still egg'd him on to Drink he rises cast his arms about the King's neck kisses him and says Patscha humse alla taala menum itzund ' Ischock jasch wersun that is I pray God grant the King a long and happy Life and the Prince was so much taken with the action that he sent to the Treasury for a Sword whereof the Handle Scabard and Belt were beset with precious stones and presented him with it and bestow'd on another Page who had help'd off with some of the Wine another very rich Sword and a great Golden Cup. But the next day he was so cast down and so Melancholy that Riding abroad into the Country he was not able to hold his Bridle They put him into a better humour by getting from the Pages the best Sword and the Golden cup giving them some Tumains in ready Money The 19. of November the Eahtemad Dowlet or Chancellor made a great Feast for the Ambassadors in a most fair Hall which as soon as a man came to the entrance of it wonderfully charm'd the Eye For in the midst of the Vestibulum there was a great Fountain out of which came several spouts of water The Hall it self had on the upper part of it towards the Roof several Pourtractures of Women cloath'd in several Modes all done after some Europaean Copies and under them the Walls were set all about with Looking-Glasses to the number of above two hundred of all sizes So that when a manstood in the midst of the Hall he might see himself of all sides We were told that in the King's Palace in the appartment of his Wives there is also a Hall done all about with Looking-Glasses but far greater and much fairer than this The entertainment which the Chancellor made us was very Magnificent all the meat being serv'd in silver Dishes We had the Divertisement of the King's Musick and Dancing-women all the time we were at Dinner during which they behav'd not themselves with the same respect and reserv'dness as they had done in the King's presence when we din'd at Court but shew'd tricks much beyond any thing they had done before one whereof I observ'd which I think almost Miraculous One of these Women having plac'd in the midst of the Hall a Vessel of Porcelane two foot high and taken several turns about it took it up between her Leggs with such slight that not any one of us perceiv'd it and kept on the Dance with the same ease and with the same slight return'd it to the same place not making one wrong step all the time These Women are calllled Kachbeha's and they are employ'd not only in this Divertisement but it any other that may be expected from Women Those who entertain their Friends what quality soever they be of will not have them want any Diversion they can desire and the Persians who are great Lovers of Women will not omit at their treatments that sport which they most delight in Whence it comes that there is no great Feast made in Persia at which these Dancing-women are not brought in as a necessary part of it The Master of the Entertainment proffers them to his Guests and he who hath a mind to any one of them rises from the Table goes into a private room with her whom he most fancies and having done his work comes to his place again and the Woman goes to the Dance without any shame on the one side or notice taken of it on the other Those who make some difficulty to venture themselves with such common Ware refuse the Master's kindness with a Complement and thank him for the honour he does them There is but one City in all Persia to wit that of Ardebil where this custom is not suffered which
would not suffer him to take his rest in the night there was a necessity either he or they should leave the City The same Ambassador engag'd himself in another unhandsom business which was of so much the more dangerous consequence that all the Christians of the Suburbs were concern'd in it The King commands every year a search to be made among the Armenians for all the handsom Maids and makes choice of those whom he likes best Our Interpreter for the Armenian Language whose name was Seran a person of a leud life addressing himself to the Ambassador Brugman told him that in that search he was like to lose a Daughter a beautiful Lass whom he tenderly lov'd and desir'd his advice and protection in that case Brugman advis'd him to oppose the Searchers and to call to his assistance the Domesticks of the Embassy and assur'd him they should be ready to relieve him This proceedure of his and several other imprudent actions had at last forc'd the King to a more severe resolution against the said Ambassador nay haply against the whole Company if the Chancellor had not moderated his passion THE TRAVELS OF THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE DUKE of HOLSTEIN INTO MUSCOVY TARTARY and PERSIA The Sixth Book ERE we leave the City of Ispahan which is now the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom of Persia it will not be amiss I gave the Reader an account of what I found therein worthy my Observation during our aboad there for the space of five moneths and to give here such a Description thereof as he must expect to be so much the more full and particular inasmuch as there is not any Author who hath hitherto written of it hath done it with exactness enough to satisfie even a mean Curiosity They say that the City of Ispahan is the same which was heretofore called Hecatonopolis and that before Tamberlane's time it was known by the name of Sipahan as well by reason of the number of its inhabitants which was so great as that out of it a considerable Army might be rais'd as in regard that in that place the Armies had their Rendezvous from the antient Persian and Vsbeque word Sipe whereof Sipahan is the plural and signifies the same thing as Lâ—sker that is to say an Army from which is derived the word Sipes-alar a term the Persians do yet sometimes make use of to signifie a chief Commander or General of an Army Tamberlane was the first who by transporting the two first Letters of that name call'd it Ispahan Ahmed ben Arebscha who hath written the Life and Actions of Tamberlane calls this City in all places Isbahan writing the word with a b and the Modern Persians always write it Isfahan with an f from an Arabian word which signifies Rank or Batallion though they pronounce it indifferently sometimes Isfahan sometimes Ispahan Ios. Barvaro alwayes calls it Spaham and Ambr. Contarini who was sent Ambassador from the Republick of Venice to Vssum Cassan King of Persia in the year 1473. calls it Spaa Spaam and Aspacham But as we said before its right name is Ispahan This City lies in the Province of Erak or Hierack which is the antient Parthia in a spacious Plain having on all sides at about three or four Leagues distance a high Mountain which compasses it like an Amphitheatre at thirty two degrees twenty six minutes Latitude and eighty six degrees forty minutes Longitude and I have observ'd that the Needle declined there seventeen degrees from the North towards the West It hath toward the South and South-west side the Mountain of Demawend and on the North-east side towards the Province of Mesanderan the Mountain of Ieilak-Perjan The Author of the French Book intituled Les Estats Empires puts it in the Province of Chuaressen but he is mistaken for Chuaressen is a Province of the Vsbeques Tartars at 43. degrees Latitude and lies at a great distance from that of Erak If you take in all its Suburbs it will be found that it is above eight German Leagues in compass in so much that it is as much as a man can do to go about it in one day The City hath twelve Gates whereof there are but nine open above eighteen thousand Houses and about five hundred thousand Inhabitants The Walls of it are of Earth low and weak being below two fathoms and above but a foot thick and its Bastions are of Brick but so poorly flanked that they do not any way fortifie the City no more than does the Ditch which is so ruin'd that both Summer and Winter a man may pass over it dry-foot F. Bizarro and some others affirm that the walls are of Chalk but I could find no such thing unless it were that in the Castle which hath its walls distinct from those of the City there are some places which look as if they were whitened or done over with Chalk or Lime The River Senderut which rises out of the adjacent Mountain of Demawend runs by its walls on the South and South-west side on which side is the Suburbs of Tzulfa Before it comes into the City it is divided into two branches one whereof falls into the Park called Hasartzerib where the King keeps all sorts of Deer and from the other there is drawn a current of water which passes by Chanels under ground into the Garden of Tzarbagh This River supplies the whole City with water there being hardly a house into which it comes not by Pipes or so near as that it is no great trouble to them to fill their Cisterns of it which they call Haws and Burke though besides this convenience of the River they have Wells the water whereof is as good as that of the River Allawerdi-Chan sometime Governour of Schiras built at his own charge the fair Stone-Bridge which is between the Garden of Tzarbagh and the City upon this River which is as broad in that place as the Thames is at London Schach-Abas had a design to bring into the River of Senderut that of Abkuren which rises on the other side of the same Mountain of Demawend and whereas to bring these two Rivers into the same Chanel there was a necessity of cutting the Mountain he employ'd for the space of fourteen years together above a thousand Pioners at that work And though they met with extraordinary difficulties not only in that they had to do with pure Rock which in some places was above two hundred foot deep but also in regard the Mountain being cover'd with Snow for near nine Months of the year they had but three to work in yet had he the work constantly carried on with such earnestness that all the Chans and Great Lords sending their Work-men thereto upon their own charges there was in a manner to doubt made of the successe of that great enterprize since there remain'd to do but the space of two hundred paces when Schach-Abas died leaving the Consummation of that imperfect work
to his Successor who hath as yet done nothing therein If Aaly the Patron and great Saint of the Persians had liv'd in that time he might have done Schach-Abas a very great kindness by opening that Rock at one blow with his Sword and so made way for the River as he sometime did according to the Relations of the Persians in the Province of Karabach where he made a passage for the River Aras through the Mountain which he opened with his Sword and which upon that occasion is to this day called Aaly deressi that is the streights of Aaly The City of Ispahan was twice destroy'd by Tamberlane once when he took it from the King of Persia and the other when the said City would have revolted from him and become Subject to its lawfull Prince Ios. Barbaro who Travell'd into Persia in the year 1471. sayes that about twenty years before Chotza whom he calls Giausa King of Persia desirous to punish this City for its Rebellion commanded his Soldiers not to come thence unless they brought with them the Heads of some of the Inhabitants of Ispahan and that the Soldiers who met not every day with Men cut off Womens heads shav'd them and so brought them to Chotza and that by this means the City was so depopulated that there were not people enough left to fill the sixth part of it It began to recover it self under Schach-Isinael 11. but indeed it was Schach-Abas by translating the seat of his Empire from Caswin to this City brought it to the height it is now in not only by adorning it with many fair both publick and private Structures but also by peopling it with a great number of Families which he brought along with him out of several other Provinces of the kingdome But what contributes most to the greatness of this City is the Metschids or their Mosqueies the Market-places the Basar the publick Baths and the Palaces of Great Lords that have some relation to the Court but especially the fair Gardens whereof there is so great a number that there are many Houses have two or three and hardly any but hath at least one The expences the Persians are at in their Gardens is that wherein they make greatest ostentation of their Wealth Not that they much mind the furnishing of them with delightful Flowers as we do in Europe but these they slight as an excessive Liberality of Nature by whom their common fields are strew'd with an infinite number of Tulips and other Flowers but they are rather desirous to have their Gardens full of all sorts of Fruit-Trees and especially to dispose them into pleasant Walks of a kind of Plane or Poplar a Tree not known in Europe which the Persians call Tzinnar These Trees grow up to the height of the Pine and have very broad Leaves not much unlike those of the Vine Their fruit hath some resemblance to the Chestnut while the outer coat is about it but there is no Kernel within it so that it is not to be eaten The wood thereof is very brown and full of Veins and the Persians use it in Doors and shutters for Windows which being rubb'd with Oyl look incomparably better than any thing made of Wall-nut Tree nay indeed than the Root of it which is now so much esteem'd All things in their Gardens are very delightful but above all their Fountains The Basins or Receptacles of them are very large and most of Marble or Free-stone There are belonging to them many Chanels of the same stone which conveigh the water from one Basin to another and serve to water the Garden Persons of Quality nay indeed many rich Merchants build in their Gardens Summer-houses or a kind of Gallery or Hall which is enclos'd with a row of Pillars whereto they add at the four corners of the main Structure so many with-drawing-rooms or Pavilions where they take the air according to the wind then reigning And this they take so much delight in that many times these Summer-houses are handsomer built and better furnish'd than those wherein they ordinarily live 'T is true their Great-mens Houses and Palaces are very Magnificent within but there is not any thing so ugly without in regard most of their Houses are built only of Earth or Brick bak'd in the Sun Their houses are in a manner square and most have four stories accounting the ground-room for one They call the Cellar and such places belonging to a house as are under ground Sirsemin the ground-rooms of the house Chane the first story Kuschk the second Tzauffe and the third Kesser and they call the open Halls Eiwan Their Windows are commonly as big as their Doors and in regard their buildings are not very high the frames ordinarily reach up to the Roof They have not yet the use of Glass but in Winter they cover the frames of their Windows which are made like Lattices with oyl'd Paper There is also little Wood in Persia I mean in most of its Provinces that not being able to keep any great fire they make use of Stoves but they are otherwise made than those of Germany In the midst of their low rooms they make a hole in the ground of about the compass of an ordinary Kettle which they fill with burning Coals or Char-coal and put over it a plank or little low Table cover'd with a large Carpet Sitting according to their custom upon the ground they thrust their feet under the Table and draw the Carpet over their Body up to the breast so as that the heat is thereby kept in Some pass away the nights also thus accommodated and so they procure a very natural heat with little fire and they imagine it to be the more wholsom in that it troubles not the head which in the mean time hath the benefit of a fresh and healthy air They call this kind of Stoves Tenuer and that the brain might not be offended by Vapours which Char-coal commonly sends up into the head they have certain Passages and Conduits under ground through which the air draws them away Persons of mean Quality and such as are saving dress their meat with these Tenuers and make use of them instead of an Oven and bake Bread and Cakes over them There is not a house in Ispahan but hath its Court which a man must cross ere he comes into the house They say that heretofore the streets of Ispahan were so broad that twenty horse might have rid a-breast in any of them But now especially since the City began to be re-peopled in the time of Schach-Abas they husbanded their ground better especially in the heart of the City near the Maidan and the Basar insomuch that the streets are become so narrow that if a man meets a Mule-driver whom they call Charbende that is a servant to look to the Asses who many times drives twenty Mules or more before him he must step into some shop and stay there
Prophet Those who say the Kings of Persia assume the quality of Choda that is God are mistaken For Chodabende is the proper name of a man as Theodosius Theodore c. and signifies oblig'd to God or a Servant of God though it must be confess'd that these Princes are Vain-Glorious enough to assume extravagant Titles which make them equal to the Sun and Moon and Companions of the Stars Ammianus Marcellinus saies of Sapor King of Persia. T is true on the other side that they are as free to give the same Titles to those Princes of Europe with whom they live in good correspondence for in the Letters which Schach Sefi writ to the Duke of Holstein he gave him the same qualities he assum'd himself They would not have inscriptions of Letters fill'd with the Titles of the Kingdoms and Provinces under their Jurisdiction nay Schach-Abas would have no other title at the head of a Petition than that of Schach and one day said to a man that had set several titles at the head of his Petition Go thy wayes friend thy titles will make me neither more powerfull nor more poor Give me that of Schach since I am so and think that enough Most Authors give the Kings of Persia of the last Race the quality of Sophi and the Kings themselves especially those who have any zeal for their Religion are much pleas'd with the addition of that quality to their titles out of the affection they bear Schich Sofi or Sefi the first Institutor of their Sect as the Kings of France take the quality of most Christian those of Spain that of most Catholick and those of England that of Defenders of the Faith Whence they say Ismael-Sofi Eider-Sofi and of this a man must taxe notice in the reading of their History inasmuch as if he do not he may confound the Names of the Kings and attribute that to one which is to be understood of another The Kingdom of Persia is Hereditary and may be enjoy'd not only by the Children lawfully begotten but also for want of such by natural Children and the Sons of Concubines who inherit the Crown as well as the others nay they are preferr'd before the nearest of the Collateral Kinred and the Nephews since the Sons of Concubines and Slaves are not accounted illegitimate in Persia as we have said elsewhere For want of Sons the Crown falls to the next of Kin by the Father's side descended from Sefi who are as it were Princes of the Blood-Royal and are called Schich Eluend They enjoy many great Privileges and Immunities but many times they are very poor and have much ado to live The Children of the Kings of Persia make the Houses where they are Born Free and they are converted into Sanctuaries insomuch that if the Queen be delivered in any other place besides the Metropolis the House is compass'd with a noble VVall to be distinguish'd from others If we may credit Q. Curtius the antient Arms of Persia were the Crescent as the Sun was that of the Greeks Now the Turks take the Crescent and the Persians the Sun which they commonly put upon the back of a Lion But upon the great Seal of the Kingdom there are only Characters It is about the bigness of a half Crown piece having within the Ring To God alone I Schich Sefi am a Slave with all my Heart and in the Circumference Aly let the World say what it please of Thee yet will I be thy Friend He who before thy Gate does not account himself dust and ashes though he were an Angel dust and ashes be upon his Head In the Letters he sends to Christian Princes he observes this respect that he does not set the Seal on the same side with the Writing but on the other side at the very bottom The Ceremonies performed at the Coronation of the Kings of Persia are not done at Babylon as some Authors would have it believ'd nor yet at Kufa as Minadous affirms but in the City of Ispahan They are not so great as those done at the Inauguration of Kings in Europe They set upon a Table about half an Ell high as many pieces of Tapistry of Gold an Silver or Embroider'd as there have been Kings of the same Family before him who is then to be Crowned so that at the Coronation of Schach Sefi there were eight inasmuch as he was the eighth King of Persia of that House accompting from Ismael the first That done the chiefest of the Chans present him with a Crown which he kisses thrice in the Name of God of Mahomet and of Aaly and having put it to his Fore-head he delivers it to the Grand Master of the Kingdom whom they call Lele who puts it on his Head and then all present make Acclamations of Long live the King God grant that during his Reign one year may be multiply'd to a thousand they kiss his Feet make him great Presents and spend the remainder of the day in Feasting and Merriment There is no such thing among them as the taking of any Oath of Allegiance or obliging the King to swear to the Conservation of the Privileges or Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom in regard their subjection is pure Slavery whereas among Christians the condition of Kings is quite otherwise for the obligation is reciprocal and the Kings are not absolute Lords but are or ought to be Fathers of their people The Kingdom is of great extent Those Provinces which lie most remote from the chief Citie and the ordinary residence of the Kings cannot be governed otherwise than by Governours or Lieutenants who in Persia are called Chans the word not signifying the imployment they have in the said Governments but a quality which all great Lords assume to themselves Of this we shall speak more at large elsewhere and here give a short accompt of the Kings of Persia who have reign'd within these hundred years with some assurance that the Reader will think this digression the less tedious when he finds me positively affirming that there is hardly any Author who hath written the History of them We said before that the Emperour of the Turks when he writes to the King of Persia give him not the quality of Schach but of Schich-Ogli in as much as he is not descended from the antient Family of the Kings of Persia but from a later as we shall now make it appear Hassan Padschach who was sirnamed Vssum Cassan that is to say Grand Signor by reason of the great Wars he managed and where in he was alwayes victorious was of the Family of the Asimbels and liv'd about the end of the fifteenth age He was Governour of Armenia Major and having gain'd several victories over the Turks he reduc'd several Poovinces by force of Arms and among others Persia whereof he made himself King Vssum Cassan had three sons Vnger Mahomed Calul and Iacup The first was strangled by the Father's order
against whom he had taken up Arms and the second was poyson'd by the third so that Vssum Cassan dying on the fifth of Ianuary 1485. Iacup succeeded him but he enjoy'd not long the Kingdom he had got with the price of his Brother's bloud for his own Wife poysoned him within a short time after his coming to the Crown After his death Schich Eider son-in-law to Vsum Cassan sirnamed Harduellis from the place of his birth pretended to the succession but it was disputed against him first by Iulaver a Persian Lord and afterwards by Baylinger and Rustan The Turks who slighted Schich Eider by reason of the meanness of his birth notwithstanding which Vssum Cassan had bestow'd on him his Daughter Martha whom he had had by Despina the Daughter of Calojean King of Trebisond and hated him particularly upon this accompt that he had quitted their Religion presuming that a man who pretended much to Devotion and Sanctity would be unexpert if not unfortunate in the business of Arms declar'd a war against him entred Persia with a powerfull Army gave him battel and defeated him in so much that falling alive into their hands they flead his head and pull'd down his skin over his ears 'T is true there is so great discrepancy among the Persian Authors concerning this story that we have been forc'd herein to follow the common opinion though there are some who affirm that Eider was not King but that Rustan King of Persia fearing he might come to be King treated him as we said before Nay some affirm that this happened in the time of Iacup the son of Vssum Cassan. But what cannot well be deny'd of the story is that about that time the Turks became Masters of most of the Provinces of Persia and that Rustan was succeeded by Agmar Carabem and Aluantes Schich Eider who first chang'd the quality of Schich that is Prophet into that of Schach or King left one son named Ismael but he was so young when his Father died that all could be done for him was to secure his person at the house of a certain Lord of the Province of Kilan a Kinsman and Friend of his Father's named Pyr Chalim who brought him up and instructed him in the same Sect his Father had been of Ismael being come to years of discretion discover'd himself to be a person of an excellent understanding and great courage and there were the greater hopes conceiv'd of him out of this respect that his Father who was well skill'd in Astrology had Predicted that his son should do wonders as being the person designed for the restauration of Persia by the reduction of many Provinces and the propagation he should make of his new Religion Accordingly he made such advantage of the opportunity he then had while the Emperour of the Turks was at Constantinople little thinking what might happen towards Persia that having by the advice of Pyr sent Deputies into the neighbouring Provinces and Cities he so far satisfy'd them of the right he had to the Crown and prevail'd with them to reflect on the interest of the State and the preservation of Religion that having got together an Army of twenty thousand men with which he left Latretzan in the Province of Kilan the Inhabitants of the other Provinces came in so fast that it was of a sudden swell'd to three hundred thousand With this Army he marched streight to Ardebil whence he forc'd away all the Turks some few onely excepted who were got into a street behind Schich Sefi's Sepulchre where they Petition'd for their lives and promised to Embrace the Persian Religion and thence it comes that the said street is to this day called Vrume Mahele It was upon this exploit that many Persians came to be sirnamed Kisilbaschs as we have shewn before Ardebil being thus reduc'd Ismael went to Tabris Scamachie and Iruan and recover'd all the Cities and Provinces which the Truks had taken from his Father and had been possess'd of ever since his death He afterwards entred into Turkey gave the Emperour battel and defeated him The particulars of that War may be seen in the Letter which Henry Penia who was then in Persia writ to Cardinal Sauli and they agree with what the Persians themselves write thereof After this Victory he took Bagdat Besre Kurdestan Diarbek Wan Esserum Ersingan Bitlis Adiltschouas Alchat Berdigk Kars Entakie As soon as he had secur'd the Frontiers against the attempts of the Turks he turn'd his Armies Eastward and took from the King of the Indies the Province of Candahar and the next adjoyning Province the same good success which he had had against the Turks still attending him 'T was after this last Conquest that he went to Caswin to be Crown'd He stay'd there but just the time requisite for that Ceremony and to refresh his Forces with which he afterwards went into Georgia Defeated the King of that Countrey whom the Histories call Simon Padschach and forc'd him to pay him yearly three hundred Bails of Silk by way of Tribute The difficulties which Schach Ismael Sofi met with in all these Wars were not so small but the Persians grew weary of them though the zeal of their Religion induc'd them to suffer the utmost extremities even death it self with resolution enough But the consequence of these Victories and the good success which Ismael had in all his designs was that they raised him to so high an esteem that all the other Princes of Asia nay several Monarchs of Europe courted his friendship by solemn Embassies which gave our Writers the first acquaintance they had with the affairs of Persia. And whereas he made a strict Profession of the Persian Religion and had a great Devotion for Aly so far as to assume the quality of Sofi thence it comes that our Historians speak of him as the principal Propagator nay indeed as the first Institutor of that Sect. He died at Caswin in the forty fifth year of his age and was buried at Ardebil He had the reputation of being a great observer of Justice but it is affirm'd of him that he made no great difficulty to drink Wine and eat Swines flesh nay that in derision of the Turkish Religion he had a Hog kept in his Court which he named Bajazeth Schach Ismael Sofi left four Sons whereof the eldest named Tamas succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Persia but not in the vertues and great endowments which had made him considerable all over the World The three others to wit Helcasi Beiram and Sor-Myrza had certain Territories assign'd them This change was perceiv'd at the very beginning of his Government For Sulthan Solyman Emperour of the Turks taking notice of the weakness of Schach Tamas in matter of Government raised a powerfull Army enters the Kingdom of Persia under the Conduct of Sulthan Murat Bascha and recover'd from the Persiaus all that Schach Ismael had taken from the Turks Bagdan and Wan onely excepted Two
own Sister thinking not her self secure thought it her best course to prevent her own destruction by attempting the King's Certain it is he dy'd a violent death on the 24. of November 1577. and that Periaconcona was the Contriver and Instrument of it but this was done so secretly that it is yet not known how Persia came to be rid of this Tyrant Ismael II. being thus remov'd out of the way they made a shift so far to satisfie Mahomet Chodabende his elder Brother of the danger whereto he expos'd his Person and the Country if he suffered the Crown to come to a strange Family that at last he resolv'd to accept of it but upon condition that before he were oblig'd to make his entrance into Caswin they should bring him the head of Periaconcona who had imbru'd her hands in the bloud of two of his Brethren and in whose power it was in some respects to dispose of the Kingdom She prostituted her self to several of the Grandees about the Court but particularly to Emeer Chan whom she had raised into some hopes of enjoying the Crown As soon as Chodabende came to the Government which was in the year â—578 he seem'd not to mind any thing so much as to imitate those among his Predecessors who had contributed most to the preservation and glory of the Kingdom of Persia. This is the Testimony given of him by F. Bizarrus but the Persian Authors affirm on the contrary that never any Prince manag'd a Scepter with greater negligence and pusillanimity in so much that finding himself not fit for the carrying on of any Military design he spent all his time within the Palace in Gaming and diverting himself with the Ladies That he was unfortunate to his Wars and that the common Enemy tasâ—ing advantage of his poorness of spirit and effeminacy made incursions into Persia to wit the Turks on one side and the Vsbeques Tartars on the other That both these Nations possess'd themselves of several Provinces belonging to that Crown and were not dispossess'd of them as long as Mahomet Chodabende liv'd Minadous observes among other passages that the Turks kill'd in one battel five thousand Persians and took three thousand prisoners whom the Turkish General ordered to have their heads cut off and having heap'd them up together he sate down upon the heap and gave audience to a young Prince of Georgia who was come to give him a Visit. Mahomed Chodabende dy'd in the year 1585. leaving three Sons Emir Hemse Ismael and Abas The former as being the eldest of the three Brethren was Crowned King of Persia but Ismael troubled to see the Crown on his Brother's head manag'd his affairs so well and insinuated himself so much into the affections of the chiefest Lords of the Kingdom that they conspir'd the death of Emir Hemse Ismael got him kill'd in the eighth moneth of his reign by a sort of people disguiz'd in VVomens Cloaths who being cover'd with Veils according to the custom of the Countrey came to the Schach's Chamber door and told the Guards that they were the VVives of some of the Chans whom the King had sent for and that they waited there in obedience to his commands The Murtherers were no sooner got into the Chamber but they fell upon the King and kill'd him But this death was soon after reveng'd upon the Contriver of it as we shall relate Abas Myrza that is to say Prince Chodabende's third Son was Governour of Herat and was come thence with an intention to see Emir Hemse his Brother but hearing in his way of the Murther committed upon him and having some reason to fear that the Murtherer might be advis'd to secure himself in the Throne by a double fratricide return'd back into his Government The year following Abas Myrsa being advanc'd as far as Caswin while the King was at Kâ—â—abach there happened such frequent differences between the people belonging to the two Brothers that they heightned the reciprocal distrust they had one of another Abas Myrsa had about him a Lord of great quality named Murschidculi-Chan who had acquir'd so great reputation by his prudence and courage that Chodabende had entrusted him with the conduct and education of that young Prince This Murschidculi knowing that Ismael who had express'd but too much animosity against his Brother would never pardon him and that his life absolutely depended on that of his Master and considering withall that if he prov'd the occasion of raising that Prince whom he had Govern'd from his youth to the Throne he would have a great share in the Government resolv'd to prevent the King who was already come into the Province of Karabach purposely to march in person against his Brother To effect this some of the great Lords of the Court who hoped to get into favour with Abas Myrsa corrupted one of Ismael's Barbers named Chudi who coming to trim him cut his Throat The Lords who were present at the execution and thought it concern'd them to justifie themselves kill'd the Barber cut his body into little bits and reduc'd it to ashes Thus dy'd Schach Ismael III. in the eighth moneth of his reign Abas Myrsa had already so for gain'd the affections of the Persians by his vivacity of spirit and the moderation they had observ'd through the whole course of his life that he ascended the Throne with the general satisfaction of all the people But the favour of Murschidculi-Chan who had most contributed to his advancement continu'd not long for assuming to himself the same authority over the King which he had had before while he was onely Myrsa or Prince he became troublesome and insupportable and that in so high a degree that one day the King desirous to give his opinion upon an affair of great importance which had been propos'd Murschidculi-Chan had the insolence to tell him before a full Council that he was not fit to speak of affairs of that nature they being such as were above the reach of his age and understanding The King dissembled for the present his Resentment thereof but considering that that Authority of Murschidculi-Chan would eclipse his own and expose him to the contempt of his Subjects he resolv'd to rid his Governour out of the way He complain'd of his Favorite's insolence to three Lords of his Council named Mehediculi-Chan Mahomed Vstadscahi and Aliculi-Chan of whom he thought he might be most confident but finding they demurr'd upon the business and being not too well assur'd what resolution the King would take in a business which to them was of the greatest consequence of any in the World that they endeavour'd to disswade him from it he told them it was his will that Murschidculi-Chan should die by their hands and that if they made any scruple to do it he should find means to be obey'd as on the contrary he should not be backward in requiting their services who upon that occasion should implicitly execute
that of Chan of Kesker but he could not avoid the punishment which so base a complyance too well deserv'd For the first journey the king made to Caswin after that we spoke of before he commanded Bebut to go and cut off with his own hands his Son's head and to bring it him He was forc'd to obey and Schach-Abas seeing him coming into the Room with his Son's head ask'd him how he did Bebut made answer Alass my Liege I think I need not tell you I have been forc'd with my own hands to kill my only Son whom I lov'd above any thing in the World the grief I shall conceive thereat will bring me to my Grave The king reply'd Go thy wayes Bebut and consider how great must have been my affliction when thou broughtst the news of my Son's death whom I had commanded thee to put to death But comfort thy self my Son and thine are no more and reflect that thou art in this equal to the King thy master Not long after this unhappy Paricide Bebut ended his life after an extraordinary manner For soon after he had taken possession of the Government of Kesker one of his servants giving him water to wash after Dinner according to the Persian custom pour'd it on so hot that it scalded his hands which incens'd him so that he threatned to have him cut to pieces but the Slave prevented him and considering that he who had been so barbarous as to murther his Prince and his own Son would make no great difficulty to rid the World of a servant he conspir'd with some of his Gamerades who expected no better treatment from their Master and kill'd him the night following in his drink Schach-Abas was not much troubled that that hatefull object was remov'd out of his sight and would not have prosecuted the Murtherers had not the other Chans represented to him that if they were not made examples no Lord could think himself secure among his servants after he had given them some theatning language But Schach-Abas's affliction and the regret he express'd for his Son's death how great soever they might be took not off the just apprehensions the Widdow conceiv'd that he had a design to put to death his Grand-Child Sain Myrsa Whence it came that she kept him a long time conceal'd and would not suffer him to be brought to Court though the King who saw his two younger Sons whose eyes he had caus'd to be put out were excluded the Government by the Laws of the Kingdom design'd that little Prince to succeed him 'T is reported he had a great tenderness for him and yet lest he should appear to soon and the vivacity of his spirit revive the affection which the people had express'd towards his Father he endeavour'd to have his senses dull'd and commanded there should be given him every day about the begness of a Pea of Opium the use whereof is very common in Persia as we have said elsewhere but that the Mother instead of giving him that Drug made him often take Treacle and several other preservatives against the poyson which she conceiv'd she had some cause to suspect might be given him While Schach Abas was in Kilan Tamaras-Chan taking advantage of his absence entred again with an Army into Georgia and recover'd all those places out of which he had been forc'd The King sent thither Aliculi-Ghan Mahumed-Chan Kasack and Mortusaculi Chan of Talisch and several other Chans who could do no good there but brought word back that they had found the Enemy so advantageously posted that they durst not set upon him The King punish'd their seeming prudence with death and went the next year in person into Georgia protesting at his departure that if he return'd victorious from that VVar he would sell the Georgians at an Abas or fifteen pence a head Upon which occasion they say it hapned that the King being Master of the Field and having taken a great number of Prisoners a Souldier came to him with two Abases in his hand and desir'd him to sell him two handsom young Maids who were among the Prisoners and that the King remembring his Oath permitted him to take his choice It was about this time that most of the Georgian Christians who liv'd at Ispahan at the time of our being there came out of their Country to settle themselves in the Metropolis of the Kingdom Much also about the same time was it that Schach-Abas receiv'd Letters from Bekirkcha who under the Grand-Seignor commanded the Garrison of Bagdat or Babylon This man dissatisfy'd with the Court upon his being deny'd the Government of that place at the Bassa's death under whom he had had the Lieutenancy proffer'd Schach-Abas to deliver up the City to him The King hearkned to that Proposition and immediately took his march with a good Army towards those parts but ere he got thither Bikirkeha's discontent was over so far that he sent Schach-Abas word that he had only Powder and Bullets at his service He was so netled at the affront that he protested not to return thence till he had taken the City though it should cost him his life Accordingly having pass'd over the Ditch after a siege of six months and having set fire to a Mine which work the Persians are very excellent at he caus'd an assault to be given entred the breach and became Master of the City without any composition Bikirkeha being found among the Prisoners was sown up in a raw Ox-Hide and in that condition plac'd near the High-way where the King order'd him to be sed till such time as the heat of the Sun having made the Hide shrink together he died a very painful death His Son cast himself at Schach-Abas's feet and satisfy'd him so far of his being wholly unconcern'd in his Father's proceeding that having begg'd his Pardon he by that submission obtain'd the Government of Schiras which Schach-Abas made no difficulty to bestow on him in regard that lying at a great distance from the Frontiers of Turkey he fear'd not his proving unfaithful to him The year following the Emperour of the Turks caus'd Bagdat to be besieg'd by the Bassa Hasis Ahmed but Abas forc'd him to raise the siege and continu'd eight moneths together in sight of the Turkish Army till such time as sickness having consum'd a great number of the Turks who were not so well able to endure the great heats as the Persians Hasis was oblig'd to retreat to Constantinople At his return from this expedition Schach-Abas began to build the Citie of Ferabath in the Province of Mesandran upon occasion of a Village named Tahona situated upon a pleasant River which not far thence falls into the Caspian Sea This Victory procur'd him but two years rest For the Turkish Emperour desirous to recover Bagdat sent Chalil Bassa with an Army of five hundred thousand men to reduce it Schach-Abas commanded Cartzschugai-Chan to march to the relief of the Citie with a small Brigade
but consisting of choice men and he follow'd him in person with the whole Army He himself got into the Citie and sent Kartzschugai-Chan to meet the Turk whom he wearied out with perpetual skirmishes for six moneths together At last he gave him battel disorder'd and defeated him forcing him to fly as far as Netzed Upon the first news of the Victory Schach-Abas left the Citie to go and meet Kartzschugai-Chan and being come neer him alighted and said to him My dearest Aga I have by thy means and conduct obtain'd so noble a Victory that I would not have desir'd a greater of God come get up on my Horse 't is fit I should be thy Lackey Kartzschugai was so surpriz'd at this discourse that he cast himself at his feet intreated his Majesty to look on him as his slave and not to expose him to the derision of all the World by doing him an honour so extraordinary as that it was impossible he could any way deserve it But notwithstanding all his intreaties he was forc'd to get up the King and the Chans following on foot onely seven paces Schach-Abas had many other Wars against the Turks but the most signal Victory he ever got over his Enemies was at the reduction of the Citie of Ormus which he recover'd from the Portuguez six years before his death Of that an account shall be given in the subsequent Travels of Mandelslo About the end of the year 1629. he took a journey to Ferabath in the Province of Mesanderan which was the place he most delighted in of any in his Kingdom but he there fell so ill that perceiving he should not escape he sent for four Lords of the chiefest of his Councel to wit Isa-Chan Kurtzibaschi Seiul-Chan Tuschmal or Councellor of State Temerbey Ouwogly or Lord High-Steward and Iusuf Aga chief Gentleman of his Chamber who being come to his Bed-side he told them That firmly believing the sickness he was then in would be his last it was his pleasure that his Grand-Child Sain Myrsa should succeed him and assume his Father's name obliging them all solemnly to promise him that after his death they would religiously execute his Last Will. The Astrologers had told Schach-Abas that Sain should reign but eight moneths at most but when these Lords would have spoke to him of that Prediction the King made answer Let him reign as long as he can though it were but three dayes it will be some satisfaction to me to be assur'd that he shall one day have on his head the Crown which was due to the Prince his Father 'T was conceiv'd he had had some poyson given him upon which presumption the Hakim Iusuf his Physician order'd him hot bathing for eight dayes together and for four dayes afterward another kind of Bath of Cows milk but all these remedies being either ineffectual or too weak he seriously prepar'd himself for death even to the appointing of the place where he would be interr'd But that the people might not certainly know it he commanded the Ceremonies of his Funeral should be Celebrated in three several places at the same time to wit at Ardebil Mesched and Babylon but the more general report is that the body was carried to Babylon and thence to the Netzef of Kufa neer the Sepulchre of Aly upon this accompt that Schach-Abas going to Kufa soon after the reduction of Babylon and looking on the Netzef said he had never seen a more delightfull place and that he should wish to be there interr'd after his death What ere became of his body certain it is that he dy'd in the year 1629. having liv'd 63. years and reign'd 45. He discover'd the strength of his memory and understanding in the order he took at his death that it might be kept secret till his Grand-Child were assur'd of the Succession commanding that they should expose his body every day in the same Hall where he was wont to administer Justice set in a Chair of State with his eyes open his back turn'd to the Hangings behind which stood Iusuf Aga who ever and anon made him lift up his Arm by means of a silk string and answer'd those things which were proposed by Temir-beg on the behalf of such as were at the other end of the Hall and who were thereby perswaded that Schach-Abas was still alive This was so well personated that his death was conceal'd for the space of six weeks While Temir-beg and Iusuf Aga expos'd at Ferabath the Carkase of Schach-Abas as we said before Seinel-Chan made all the haste he could to Ispahan whither he brought the news of the King's death to the Daruga Chofrou Myrsa and having consulted with him about the means they should use to advance Sain Myrsa to the Throne they went together to the Appartment of the Princess his Mother which is called Taberick-kale and intreated her to put the young Prince into their hands The Mother who still had before her eyes the violent death of her Husband believing it was some fiction and that they had order from Schach-Abas to Murther the Prince lock'd her self up in her Chamber and made all passages so fast that these two Lords being out of all hopes to perswade her and being afraid to let slip the opportunity of executing the deceas'd Kings last Will after they had lain three dayes at the Princesse's Chamber door sent her word that if she would not open they should be forc'd to break it Upon this message she at last opened the door and presented to them the Prince her Son but conceiving it was in order to his present execution with these words Go child to the same place where thy Father is here are the murtherers ready to dispatch thee But when she saw those Lords prostrate themselves and kissing the Prince's feet her fright was turn'd into perfect joy The Lords conducted the Prince to the Palace-Royal where they set him in the Divan-Chane upon a Table of stone on which were as many Carpets which they call Kalitse Ahdalet or Carpets of Justice as there had been Kings of Persia of his Family in as much as every King at his first coming to the Crown causes one to be made for him and having sent for all the Chans and Lords who were about Ispahan they Crown'd him kiss'd his feet and wishing him a long and happy Reign setled him in the Throne of his Ancestors Immediately after the Ceremonies of his Coronation he took the name of Sefi according to the desire of Schach-Abas and bestow'd on the Chosrou Myrsa the Dignity of Chan with the name of Rustam as desirous by that means to revive in his person the memory of the great Heroe so highly Celebrated in their Histories and Romances It is reported that Schach-Sefi came into the World with his hands all bloody and that Schach-Abas his Grand-Father hearing of it said that that Prince should often bath his hands in blood Accordingly till the time of our
bring him his head Vgurlu was coming out of the Bath and going to put on his Cloaths when Aliculi-Chan came to him Vgurlu seeing him coming in attended by two servants was a little startled at it though they were very good friends and said to him Wo is me dear friend I fear thou bringst me no good news Aliculi-Chan made answer Thou art in the right my dear Brother the king hath commanded me to bring him thy head the only way is to submit whereupon he clos'd with him cut off his head made a hole in one of the cheeks thrust his finger through it and so carry'd it to the king who looking on it touch'd it with a little Wand and said It must be confess'd thou wert a stout man it troubles me to see thee in that condition but it was thine own fault `t is pitty were it only for that goodly beard of thine This he said by reason his Mustachoes were so long that coming about his neck they met again at his mouth which is accounted a great Ornament in Persia. Mortusaculi had his charge conferr'd on him Hassan-beg who had also been at the Chancellor's Feast receiv'd the same treatment and the Poet who was afterwards fasly accus'd of having put this Execution in Verse and sung them in the Maidan was conducted to that place where they cut off his Nose Ears Tongue Feet and Hands whereof he died some few dayes after Not long after this Execution the king sent for the Sons of these Lords and said to them You see I have destroy'd your Fathers what say you of it Vgurlu-Chan's Son said very resolutely what do's a Father signifie to me I have no other than the king This unnatural answer restor'd him to the Estate of the deceas'd which otherwise would have been Confiscated to the king but the Chancellor's Son was reduc'd to great misery and had not any thing allow'd him of all his Father had enjoy'd for his expressing a greater Resentment of his death than Complyance for the king The king being come to Caswin issued out his commands that all the Lords and Governours of Provinces should come to Court They all obey'd this order save only Alymerdan-Chan Governour of Candahar and Daub-Chan Governour of Kentze who thought it enough to assure the king of their fidelity by sending him each of them one of their Wives and one of their Children as Hostages but the king thought not that submission sufficient whereupon Alymerdan-Chan absolutely revolted and put his person and the Fortress of Candahar under the Protection of the king of the Indies Daub-Chan understanding by the Achta or Groom of the king's Chamber who had been sent to him how dangerous it were for him to come to Court took the advice of his friends and resolv'd to retire into Turkey To effect his design he thought good to try how his servants stood affected towards him and having found there were fifteen among them who were unwilling to follow him he caus'd them to be cut to pieces in his presence writ a very sharp Letter to the king and carried away all his Wealth along with him to Tamaras-Chan a Prince of Georgia his Brother-in-law and went thence into Turkey where he still liv'd at the time of our Embassy and was much respected by Sulthan Ibrahim Emperour of Constantinople The king to be reveng'd of both sent their Wives to the houses of publick prostitution and expos'd the Son of Daud-Chad to the brutality of the Grooms about the Court and the common Executioners of the City but Alymerdan's Son by reason of his beauty was reserv'd for the king's own use Sometime afterwards the king sent orders to Imanculi-Chan Governour of Schiras Brother to Daud-Chan to come to Court He had notice sent him of the intention the king had to put him to death but he made answer that he could not be perswaded they would treat him so ill after he had done such considerable services to the Crown but however it might happen he would rather lose his life than be out of favour with his Prince and become a Criminal by his disobedience According to this imprudent resolution he came to Caswin where the Court then was but he was no sooner come ere the king ordered his head to be taken off Schach-Sefi intended to save the lives of Imanculi's Children and no doubt had done it had it not been for the ill Office which was rendred them by a wicked Parasite who seeing the eldest Son of them at the king's feet aged about 18. years his friends it seems having advis'd him to make that submission told his Majesty that he was not the Son of Imanculi but of Schach-Abas who had bestow'd one of his Concucines in marriage on the Father being before hand with Child by him That word occasion'd the death of that young Lord and fourteen of his Brethren who being conducted to the Maidan were all beheaded near their Father's body The Mother made a shift to get away with the sixteenth into Arabia to her own Father's who was a Prince of those parts and as we were told he was living at that time and had his Habitation at Helbise three dayes journey from Besre or Balsara The bodies of these executed persons remain'd three dayes in the Maidan in the open air till that the King fearing the lamentations which the Mother of Imanculi made there day and night would have rais'd the people into an insurrection commanded them to be taken away The Persians do still bemoan the death of this Imanculi-Chan out of a remembrance of his liberality He was the Son of Alla-Werdi-Chan who upon his own charge built the Bridge of Ispahan and who was as much look'd on as any Lord in Persia for the noble actions he had done in the Wars The King's cruelty was as great towards the Ladies as his inhumanity towards the men For about that time he kill'd one with his own hands and committed several other murthers When he intended any Execution he was ordinarily clad in Skarlet or some red stuff so that all trembled when he put on any thing of that colour These unheard of cruelties frightned all that came neer him and put some upon a resolution to shorten his dayes by poyson but that which they gave him prov'd not strong enough so that he escap'd the effects of it with a sickness of two moneths As soon as he was recover'd he caus'd and exact enquiry to be made whereby it was discover'd by means of a Woman belonging to the Seraglio who had been ill-treated by her Mistress that the poyson had been prepar'd in the appartment of the Women and that his Aunt Isa-Chan's Wife had caus'd it to be given him He reveng'd himself sufficiently the night following for the Seraglio was full of dreadfull cries and lamentations and it was found the next day that he had caus'd a great Pit to be made in the Garden wherein he had buried forty Women alive whereof some
he had quite pass'd his head and shoulders the VVoman cries out and finding a Plough-share in the Room gave him so many strokes over the head and neck therewith that he dy'd of it The Neighbours coming in at the noise and immediately after the Husband found this sad Spectacle of the Abdalla and having got open the Door the VVoman swounded in the Room Being come to her self she call'd to mind that the Rogue finding himself hurt by the first blow she had given him had begg'd his life and told her that he had wherewithall to purchase it whereupon the Husband took the pains to search him and to examine his ragged Coat which had so many pieces about it as made a shift to Lodge eight hundred Chequines whereof the Peasant made his advantage The Abdalla's body was burnt The Persians interr their Dead within three hours after the Soul is gone out of the body unless it be in the night time They wash the bodies before they are interr'd and this Ceremony is perform'd in the house to persons of quality or in a place built in the Church-yard for that purpose which they call Mordeschar Cane for the common people I had the opportunity to see these Ceremonies at Caswin in our return from Ispahan 'T was the body of a young man of about twenty years of age whom they carried in his Cloaths and before he was quite cold singing all along to the Church-yard where they stripp'd him and cast him into a Cestern built about with Free-stone about sixteen foot square The Grave-maker having wash'd the body all over they put a clean shirt about him wrapp'd him in a shrowd of Cotton Cloath and lay'd him on a Bâ—er to be carry'd to the Grave which was not far thence Persons of quality have this further Ceremony done them that at their coming out of the Bath the body is set upright and they pour Camphir water which they call Kafur upon the head whence it runs down all over the body all the Overtures whereof are stopped with Cotton Then they lay it near the Grave and the Priest having read some passages of the Alcoran raises up his head a little which he presently lets down again and then he is put into the Grave without any Coffin The Graves are made very hollow and some are vaulted and others cover'd with boards the body is laid down on the right-side with the face towards the West upon this accompt that the Persians among other things are of a perswasion that at the last Judgement the Sun and Moon shall be very sad and that the Sun coming to the West shall stand still and that both those Planets shall become as black as Coal That then the Angel Gabriel shall come and beat the Sun and Moon and force them to return from the West to the East and that the last judgement shall begin at the West Then the Priest having taken up a little earth in his hand read another passage of the Alcoran went seven paces from the Grave then return'd to it again and having read another passage retir'd with all the company After these Ceremonies persons of quality are wont to make a Feast the third day after the interrment but without any Wine and if the deceas'd hath left much Wealth behind him they make another Feast on the seventh and another on the fortieth day as also at the Naurus at the Kurban and at the Ramesan being sure to distribute some Almes among the Poor The reason why they make the Graves so hollow and stop up all the Overtures of the body is the belief they are of that when the Priest goes seven paces from the Grave two Angels named Nekir and Munkir come into it and if the Overtures were not stopped might be incommodated by some uncleanness They believe that during that time the Soul returns into the body that she raises it into a sitting posture that it may give the Angels an account of all its Members had done in this World Then he makes these questions to the deceas'd In whom hast thou believ'd whereto it answers In one onely God my Heavenly Father Who is thy Prophet Mahomet Who is thy Iman Aaly If he answers pertinently to the questions and can give any account of the use of his Members there is no doubt made but he is sav'd and that the Angels thereupon seize the soul and absolutely separate it from the body There are only persons of age who are subject to this examination Children being not oblig'd to give any account of their Faith The Persians to shew that Aly's Father is infallibly sav'd affirm that he was before named Emiram and that he dy'd before Mahomet Being buried and the Angels having ask'd him who was his Prophet he made answer it was Mahomet but when they ask'd him who was his Saint he was at a loss and knew not what to say for he knew not then that his Son Aly should become so great an Imam Whereupon the Angel Gabriel going to Mahomet bid him send Aly to Abalhalib's Sepulchre and to say to him Father I am thy Imam and shall draw thee to me at the day of Judgement and that thence it comes they gave Emiram the name of Abathalib that is the seeking Father in as much as the Father had sought and found his Imam The interrments of great Lords and persons of quality are performed with great Pomp and the body is accompany'd by a great procession We made mention in the fift book of this Relation of a Gentleman of Scamachie who had drunk so much Aquavitae that he dy'd of it the next day The Ceremonies of his interrment were as followeth In the first place in the head of the Procession there marched six men carrying Banners and great and long Poles much like those we had seen at our entrance into that place with this difference only that those at this Funeral were wreath'd Next marched four Horses the first whereof carried the Bow and Arrows of the deceas'd and the other three some part of his Cloaths After these one of his Menial servants mounted on an excellent Mule carry'd his Mendil or Turbant This man was follow'd by two men carrying on their heads certain Towers which they call Nachal adorn'd with great Plumes of Feathers who danc'd and leap'd to the sound of the Musick which came after them and consisted of Tabours and Copper basins which they struck one against another Between this Musick and the Dancers there were carried eight Dishes of Preserves having each of them a Sugar-Cake in the midst cover'd with blue paper which is the colour of their Mourning and about every Cake three Wax-Candles lighted Next marched divers of the Suffi who were distinguish'd from others by their white Turbants Then follow'd two bands of Musicians who with all their might sung the la illa illaha and the Alla Ekber accompanying their cries with such distorted Countenances and Postures as Scaramuzza himself would
word Tag or Dag which in their Language signifies a Mountain because they live between the mountains and in the plain at the foot of the mountains which are twenty or thirty leagues distant from the Caspian Sea toward the West They inhabit all along the Sea-coast Northward as far as Terki about forty leagues taking the way we came The mountain it self in some places comes within half a league of the Sea and in some it is two or three leagues from it there being in the plains very fruitful and pleasant fields unless it be towards the Sea-side where it is all heathy and barren The Inhabitants are of a yellowish and dark complexion inclining to black they are well set and have strong limbs dreadfully ugly in their faces and wear their hair which is black and greasy falling down over their shoulders They are all barbarous and savages Their cloathing is a long close Coat of a grey or black colour of a wretched coarse cloath over which they wear a Cloak as coarse or haply of Sheep-skin On their head they wear a square Cap made of several pieces of cloath and their shooes are of Sheep-skin or Horse-hide all of one piece and sow'd to their feet over the instep and at the sides They are circumcis'd and have all the other Ceremonies of the Turks professing the Mahumetan Religion but are so slenderly instructed therein that it is not to be wondred they have so little devotion They live by the Cattel they breed whereof the Women take care while the men go up and down a-robbing making no conscience to steal away the children of their nearest relations to sell them to the Persians and others Whence it comes that even among themselves they live in perpetual distrust one of another Their defensive Arms which they put on and off with their Cloaths are a Coat of Mail a Head-piece and a Buckler and the offensive are the Cymitar Bows and Arrows and the Javelin there being not any so poor among them but is furnish'd with these Arms. They put all Merchants to a ransome and sometimes rob them of all so that the Caravannes which pass that way are either so strong as to make their party good against these Tories or go by Sea to avoid them They fear neither Persians nor Muscovites in regard no Army is able to follow them into the mountains into which they retreat when they are pursu'd All this Country is not subject to one Prince on the contrary every City almost hath its particular Lord. They call him who is the chiefest among them the Schemkal He succeeds his Predecessor by an odd way of election For upon the death of the Schemkal the other Lords or Myrsas meet and sit down in a ring into which the Priest of the place casts a golden Apple and the person who is first touch'd thereby is made Schemkal Yet is not his power so absolute but that the other Lords participate thereof they having only for him a certain respect and compliance and that not very great We came into this Country as we said before on the 14. of April We travell'd that day five leagues passing through several Villages and pleasant fields and lodg'd at night in the Country of Osnun whom some call Ismin at a Village named Rustain which was also the name of the Lord of it He sent to meet us his son attended by fifteen persons on hors-back well arm'd who after the first Complement fell off on the left hand and went into a Wood and we took the right We quarter'd in the fields near a Village fortifying our selves with the Baggage and securing our selves against the surprises of those Robbers by a good number of Sentinels plac'd at all the avenues The young Prince return'd to our Quarters in the evening but visited only the Muscovian Ambassador only to learn of him who we were and what there was to be gotten of us We intended him a Present of 12. Duckats and three pieces of Persia-Satin had he honoured the Ambassadors with a visit but he thought it enough to do it by two of his Officers whereupon we only saluted him with the firing of two great Guns charg'd with bullets just at his departure from the Muscovian Ambassador's to take horse The 15. we prosecuted our journey through a hilly Country and had in our way good Hunting There started so many Hares that in a short time we took nine Having travell'd six leagues that day we came at night into the Seigneury of Boinack and lodg'd near a Village of the same name upon the ascent of a hill which was so steepy towards the Sea that we were secure as to that side and we fortify'd our Camp with the Baggage which we drew up like a half-moon well flank'd The Lord of Boinack hath not many Subjects but in recompence abundance of Cattel wherein all his Wealth consists The Ambassador Brugman was incens'd at the people's looking on us as a thing they had never seen before and would have had some Muskets discharg'd among them but without bullets only to frighten them and was enrag'd that those he spoke to would not execute so impertinent a command which no doubt had cost us all our lives For those Barbarians who were wicked and daring and discover'd that they wanted only a pretence to set upon us grumbled that any should think it much they stood there and were confident enough to tell us that the ground they were then upon was rather theirs than ours and that they had as much right to be there as we had That we might have forborn threatning them that they acknowledg'd we were too strong for them but that upon the least sign the Schemkal should give them they would come with such a force as were able to dispatch us all though we were twice as many That they car'd for neither the King of Persia nor Duke of Muscovy that they were Dagasthans and acknowledg'd no Superiour but God They would not at first suffer us to go for water without paying for it but finding that the Well where it was to be had was within the reach of our great Guns and that we set things in order to force our way to it they retreated and left us The Schemkal sent us word late over-night that we should not offer to go away the next morning till he had search'd our baggage to see whether we carried any Merchants goods The Ambassadors return'd him answer that they were not Merchants but Ambassadors and that consequently they might pass all places without paying That they would stand upon their privilege and that if the Schemkal offer'd them any violence they should do what were consonant to the law of Nature and Nations to prevent it But we heard no more of him I heard since that the Polish Ambassador whom we met in our journey out of Persia and of whom I gave some account before coming
to lodge in his return at the same place had quarrell'd with the Inhabitants of Boinak and was kill'd with all his retinue only three Servants excepted who got back to Derbent whence the Mehemandar who had conducted him thither carried them to the Court During their stay there the King allow'd each of them three Abas's a day till he found a convenience to send them home which he did afterwards upon an Embassy which the Great Duke of Muscovy had sent to him The 16. we departed betimes in the morning and came long before night into the Territories of the Prince of Tarku where I narrowly escap'd falling into the hands of those Barbarians For hearing that we were not above a quarter of a league from the Sea-side I left the Company taking along with me the Master's Mate Cornelius Nicholason to go and observe the situation thereof but we were hardly got thither ere we discover'd at a distance two Tartars follow'd within two or three hundred paces by eight more who assoon as they perceiv'd us made all the haste they could towards us but we soon recover'd the Road. The two first seeing us retreat pursu'd us in full speed with their Javelins in their hands till the other eight doubting it seems that we might not be alone in those parts got up to a hill to take a view of the Country and seeing all our Company from which we could not be above a Musket-shot distant they call'd to the other two to give them notice it was in vain to pursue us Whereupon they rode on gently and came all together to the Company saluted it admir'd our Cloaths and would needs see our Pistols but were not permitted to handle them We met that day with several parties of Tartars some appearing before us some behind us Some only pass'd by others accompany'd us a quarter of a league or better Some try'd whether we would suffer them to cross us in our march but we would not permit it Having travell'd seven leagues that day we came at night before the City of Tarku and encamped without the City near a Fountain within a quarter of a league of the Sea The next day Apr. 17. the Lord of the place sent his Brother accompany'd by three persons of quality to complement us and make proffers of his friendship and services The Chan himself being sick could not come in person which the Ambassadors understanding they sent their Physician to him as well to return their thanks for his civilities as to offer his assistance for the recovery of his health He made use of him and found such ease that some dayes after he sent to complement the Ambassadors and thank them for the care they had had of him He was a Lord of about 38. years of age named Surchou Chan and pretended himself descended from the Kings of Persia with whom he held so good correspondence that when the Dagesthans are ingag'd in a war amongst themselves he implores the assistance of the Schach who fails not to back him His authority is very considerable among them yet not so absolute but that several Myrsas of his kindred participate of the Government Nay he had a Nephew a younger Brother's son who was Lord of some part of the City The City of Tarku the Metropolis of all Dagesthan lies within the mountain between steepy rocks which are so full of shells that they seem to consist of nothing else there being not the space of a hands breadth but a man meets with five or six of them most about the bigness of a Wall-nut-shell The Rock is as hard as flint yet is there good pasture upon the top of the mountain Out of these Rocks there rise several pleasant springs which fall into the City several waies The City is not wall'd It may contain a thousand houses built according to the Persian way but not so well These Tartars as also those of Boinak and the others who live more Northerly are called Kaitack but those who live behind Tarku in the mountain towards the West are named Kamuk or Kasukumus who have most of them their particular Lords The Inhabitants of Tarku are as barbarous mischievous as those of Boinak but the women and maids were more civil They go with their faces uncover'd and are not kept in such restraint as those of the Persians The maids have their hair ty'd up in forty tresses which hang down about their heads and they were not shy of being seen nor of having their hair felt We met here with and old man named Matthias Magmar born at Ottingen in the Dutchy of Wittenberg who having left off his trade of weaving to go into the wars of Hungary fell into the hands of the Turks who had sold him to these Tarters He was circumcis'd and had almost forgot the German tongue yet he told us he was a Christian and believ'd one God and three persons He also said the Lords Prayer but with much ado The proffers of friendship and service which Surchou Chan made us had rais'd us into some confidence that we were safe under his protection but we found since that we were in greater danger there than we had been any where before For during the five weeks we were among the Tartars all their discourse was of robbing rifling killing and cutting of throats We desir'd the Mehemandar to go along with us to Terki upon the frontiers of Moscovy or at least to leave us the Camels and other conveniences for carriage considering the little likelyhood we had to get any of the Tartars and we should requite his kindness with a considerable sum of mony But he told us that he had express order to bring us only to Tarku and that if he went any further it might endanger his life That we might treat with the Camel-drivers and that he would assist us what he could do in it but instead of obliging us in that he took them all along with him that night unknown to us This sudden departure of his startled us the more in that the next day two women who sold us milk and pretended to be Muscovites born and Christians and that they had been stoln away in their yourh maried in that Country came to tell us that the Tartars intended to kill us all out of an imagination that we carried along with us a vast treasure That the Inhabitants of Osmin and Boinak had sent word to Surkou Chan that we had pass'd through their Country and that instead of paying the duties for our Merchandises and Baggage we had been so insolent as to threaten them and give them ill words That they had resolv'd to set upon us to kill all the aged persons and make the rest Slaves and to that end had sent Messengers to Surkou Chan and that there was one gone from him to the Schemkal We put the best face outward before those women and made as if we were not
they thought us so well arm'd and so resolv'd to stand upon our advantage to defend our selves that they passed by without saying ought to us yet discovering withall by their march that they were come only to take a view of us We understood afterwards how that returning by the same Village they had said that if we had been at a little further distance from it they would have disputed the way with us Fifty Leagues thence we came near a Village called Syedck which had in it a very strong Castle And whereas most of our Beasts were extreamly wearied by reason of the great dayes journeys we had made we ordered that some of the Oxen and Waggons should go before But they were hardly got into a little bottom that was in the way not above six hundred paces from us ere they were set upon by ten Rasboutes who had lain in ambush behind a little Hill and at the first onset wounded two Benjans and were driving away the Waggons which they had before turn'd out of the Road when we discovered them aftar off and sent to them some of our Souldiers who forced the Robbers to forsake what they had taken After this we met with no misfortune and came safely to Agra where I took up my quarters among the English whose Civilities to me here were consonant to what I had received from them in other places The Mogul or great King of Indosthan does often change the place of his abode insomuch that there is no City in all his Kingdom of any considerable account where he hath not his Palaces but he delights not so much in any as Agra which to do it right is indeed the noblest City in all his Dominions It lies 28. degrees on this side the Line in the Province of Indosthan upon the River Gemini which falls into the Ganges above the Kingdom of Bengala It is at least twice as big as Ispahan and it is as much as a Man can do to ride about it on horse-back in a day It is fortified with a good Wall of a kind of red Free-stone and a Ditch which is above thirty fathom broad Its Streets are fair and spacious and there are some of them vaulted which are above a quarter of a League in length where the Merchants and Tradesmen have their Shops distinguished by their Trades and the Merchandises which are there sold every Trade and every Merchant having a particular Street and Quarter assigned him There are in it fifteen Meidans and Basars whereof the most spacious is that which is before the Castle where may be seen sixty great Guns of all sizes but not kept in any order so as to be made use of There is also in that place a high Pole as at the Meidan of Ispahan where the Court Lords and sometimes the Mogul himself divert themselves with shooting at the Parrot fastned at the top of it There are in the City fourscore Caravanseras for the accommodation and convenience of Forreign Merchants most of them three Stories high with very noble Lodgings Store-houses Vaults and Stables belonging to them together with Galleries and private Passages for the correspondence and communication of the Chambers Every one of them hath a certain person whose charge it is to lock them up and to take care that the Merchandises be safely kept He does also supply the place of a Sutler and sels all sorts of Provision Forrage and Wood to those that lodge in them And whereas the Mogul and most of the greatest Lords about his Court profess the Mabumetan Religion there is also in Agra a very great number of Metschid or Mosqueys and among the rest seventy great ones of which the six principal they call Metschid-adine because that it is in them they do their Devotions of Holy-dayes In one of these last named is to be seen the Sepulchre of one of their Saints called Seander and they say he is of the Posterity of Aaly In another of them may be seen the Sepulchre of another Saint who being 30. foot in length and 16. in breadth must needs have been one of the mightiest Gyants that ever were talk'd of His Tomb was cover'd all over with little Flags and we were told he had been one of their Heroes who had sometime done wonders in the wars To this place there are great Pilgrimages made insomuch that the Devotions of the Pilgrims do by the Offerings they make very much augment the wealth of that Mosquey the Revenue whereof is very great without those advantages There are daily maintain'd in it a great number of poor people so that it may be truly said that the Devotions done there are not inferiour to those done at the Sepulchre of Schich Sefi at Ardebil These Metzids and the Courts which depend on them serve also for so many Sanctuaries to persons guilty of any capital Crimes as also to such as fear imprisonment for their Debt These are the Allacapi of the Persians and are called by the Indians Allader and the priviledges of them in the Indies are equal to those the Allacapi are endued with in Persia insomuch that the Mogul himself though his power be absolute cannot force a man out of these Sanctuaries be his crime of ever so heynous a nature by reason of the Veneration which these people have for their Saints There are numbred in the City of Agra above eight hundred Baths or Hot-houses from which there comes in yearly to the Mogul a very considerable sum of money occasioned hence that this kind of Purification making one of the principal parts of their Religion there passes not a day but that these places are frequented by an infinite number of persons The great Lords about the Court who are called Rasgi or Rajas have their Houses and Palaces in the City besides their Country-houses all magnificent both as to structure and houshold-stuffe The King hath several Gardens and Houses without the City whither he often retires himself with his Women-dancers who dance before him stark naked But there is not any thing gives a greater demonstration of the greatness of this Monarch then his Palace which stands upon the River Gemini and is near four Leagues about It is excellently well fortified according to the fortification of that Country with a Wall of Free-stone and a great Ditch having at every Gate a Draw-bridge the Avenues whereof are also very well fortified especially at the North-gate The Gate which leads to the Basar is on the West-side and is called Cistery Under this Gate is the Diwan or the place of publick Judicature and there is adjoyning to it a spacious Hall where the principal Visier dispatches and seals all Orders for the ordinary and extraordinary Levies of men whereof the Originals are kept at the said place As soon as a man is come within this Gate he finds himself in a spacious Street having Shops on both sides which leads
Barampour and to be as it were a Reserve consisted of one and forty thousand Horse to wit Haddis and Beâ—ken-Dasse 15000 Asaph-Chan 5000 Rauratti 4000 Wasir-Chan 3000 Mabot-Chan 3000 Godia Abdul Hessen 3000 Aftel-Chan 2000 Serdar-Chan 2005 Raja Iessing 2000 Feddey-Chan 1000 Ieffer 1000 Mockly-Chan 1000 Serif-Chan 1000 Seid Allem 1000 Amiral 1000 Raja Ramdas 1000 Tork Taes-Chan 1000 Mier Iemla 1000 Myrsa Abdulac 500 Mahmud-Chan 500 Myrsa Maant Cher. 500 Ghawaes-Chan 1000 Moried-Chan 1000 And under the Command of several other Lords of their quality whom they call Ommeraudes 10000 The total of the Horse 62500 The offensive Arms of the Horse are the Bow the Quiver having in it forty or fifty Arrows the Javeline of a kind of long-headed-Pike which they dart with great exactness the Cymitar on one side and the Ponyard on the other and the defensive is the Buckler which they have alwayes hanging about their necks They have no Fire-Arms with Wheels nor yet Fire-locks but their Infantry are expert enough at the Musket Those among the Foot who have no Muskets have besides their Bows and Arrows a Pike ten or twelve foot long with which they begin the fight by darting it at the Enemy instead of using it in opposition to the Horse as is done in Europe Some among them have Coats of Mail about them which come down to their knees but there are very few make use of Head-pieces in regard they would be very troublesome by reason of the excessive heats in those parts They know nothing of the distinction of Van-guard main Battle and Rear-guard and understand neither Front nor File nor make any Battalion but fight confusedly without any Order Their greatest strength consists in the Elephants which carry on their backs certain Towers of Wood wherein there are three or four Harquebuses hanging by hooks and as many Men to order that Artillery The Elephants serve them for a Trench to oppose the first attempt of the Enemy but it often comes to pass that the Artificial Fires which are made use of to frighten these Creatures put them into such a disorder that they do much more mischief among those who brought them to the Field then they do among the Enemies They have abundance of Artillery and some considerable great Pieces and such as whereof it may be said the invention of them is as ancient as that of ours They also make Gun-powder but it is not fully so good as what is made in Europe Their Timbrels and Trumpets are of Copper and the noise they make in order to some Military Action is not undelightful Their Armies do not march above five Cos or Leagues according to the measure of the Country in a day and when they encamp they take up so great a quantity of ground that they exceed the compass of our greatest Cities In this they observe an admirable Order inasmuch as there is no Officer nor Souldier but knows where he is to take up his Quarters nor can there be any City more regularly divided into Streets Markets and other publick places for the greater communication and convenience of the Quarters and for the distribution of Provisions The Mogul and the General of the Army have their Tents pitched at a certain distance from those of the rest nay as far as a Musket will carry from those of their own Guards The Mogul's ordinary Guard consists of twelve thousand men besides the six hundred who are the particular Guard of the body the Company whereof consists of so many young men whom he buyes and causes to be exercised in Armes that they may be perpetually about his Person The Rasgi Rajas or Radias are never advanced to that Dignity but upon the score of Merit The Mogul bestows it also on the Chancellour or principal Visir who is the President of his Privy Councel and as it were Vice-Roy of all his Dominions inasmuch as he it is who sends Orders into all the Provinces of the Kingdom and it is to him that all are to make their Addresses in all Affairs of importance The King permits him not to receive any Presents yet does he not forbear taking them underhand and his Secretaries and other Officers under him take them so openly that there is no ever so secret transaction but a man may have the particulars thereof if he hath money to bestow among those who have the transcription and dispatch of them These Rasgi have so great a Veneration for their King that it were impossible for a man to approach things most sacred with more submission then they express when they speak to him The discourses they entertain him with are intermingled and interrupted with continual Reverences and when they take their leave of him they bow down their heads put their hands over their eyes thence afterwards upon their breasts and at last touch the ground therewith to shew they are but dust and athes in comparison of him wishing him all prosperity and coming out of his presence backwards When the Mogul marches in Person in the head of his Army or when he comes out of the City to go a hunting or to take the Air he is attended by above ten thousand men In the head of this little Army there march above a hundred Elephants with their covering Clothes of Scarlet Velvet or Brocadoe Every Elephant carries two Men one whereof governs and guides the Creature by touching his forehead with an Iron-hook the other carries a large Banner of Silk embroidered with Gold and Silver excepting only the seven or eight foremost which carry each of them one that playes on the Timbrel The King himself is mounted on an excellent Persian Horse or goes in a Coach drawn by two white Oxen the Horns whereof which are very large are adorn'd with Gold or some times he is carried by several men in a Palanquin or kind of Sedan The Rasgi and the Officers of the Court march after him and have coming behind them five or six hundred Elephants Camels or Waggons loaded with baggage For the most part he takes up his Quarters in the Fields where he causes his Tents to be pitched which is done upon this account that as on the one side there are but few Cities where he might find necessary accommodations for the quarters and entertainment of the Court so on the other he takes a particular pleasure in encamping in the Summer time in cool places in the Winter in hot places insomuch that he is in some sort the Master of the Seasons as well as of all the other things which are subject to him He commonly leaves Agra towards the end of April and retires near Labor or some other more Northerly Province where he passes over the moneths of May Iune Iuly and August and then he returns again to the place of his ordinary residence The City of Agra is of such extent and so populous that were there a necessity there might
be rais'd out of it two hundred thousand men able to bear Arms. There is no Nation in all the East but hath some Commerce or other at this place but most of the Inhabitants are Mahumetans and all the Merchandizes that are imported into it or exported out of it pay ten in the hundred There are above forty small Cities and above three thousand five hundred Villages that depend on the jurisdiction of Agra which extends it self above sixscore Leagues about The Country is delightful and very fertile producing abundance of Indico Cotton Salt-Peter and other things wherewith the Inhabitants drive a vast Trade There are two Festivals which are celebrated in this place with extraordinary Ceremonies one whereof is that of the first day of the year which with the Persians they call Naurus Nauros or Norose which signifies nine dayes though now it last eighteen at least and it falls at the moment that the Sun enters Aries In order to the celebration of this Festival before the Derbar or Kings Palace there is erected a Theatre fourteen foot high fifty six in length and forty in breadth having all about it a row of Pillars after the manner of a Balcony cover'd with rich Tapistry Near this Theatre there is erected another building of painted wood and embellish'd with Mother of Pearl into which go some of the principal Lords about the Court who nevertheless have their Tents pitch'd in the first Court of the Palace filled with all they have that is rich and magnificent whereof they make the greatest Ostentation they can that day The Predecessors of this Prince who now reigns were wont to go into all these Tents and to take thence any thing they liked but now the Ceremony is otherwise For the King accompanied by the seven Ministers of State go up into the Theatre where he sits upon Velvet Cushions enbroidered with Gold and Pearls and stayes for the Presents which are to be made to him The Queen is in a certain Gallery whence she sees all the Ceremony yet is not seen her self Departing thence he sits upon his Ordinary Throne where he receives the Presents of the people which he continues to do for eighteen dayes together Towards the end of the Festival the King in his turn makes his Presents to the Lords which consists in Charges Employments and new Honours which he distributes among those that have given him most The Mogul's birth-day is celebrated with the Ceremonies following He begins the day with all manner of divertisements which over he goes to the Palace of the Queen his Mother if she be living and causes many Presents to be made her by the Grandees of his Kingdom After dinner he puts on the richest clothes he hath and covers himself all over with Gold and precious Stones and being thus rather loaden then adorn'd with inestimable wealth he goes into a Tent where he is expected by the Lords of the Court in which finding a pair of Scales he weighs himself These Scales are of massy Gold as are also the Chains by which they hang and are all beset with precious Stones He puts himself into one of the Scales and into the other there are put several bags of Silver one bag of Gold some precious Stones some pieces of Silk-stuffs Linnen cloath Pepper Cloves Nutmeg and Cinnamon Wheat Pulse and Herbs and there is an exact account kept of the difference of weight there may be between one year and another The King gives away with his own hands all the money among the poor and the rest are bestowed on the Benjans That done the King seats himself in his Throne and causes to be cast among the Grandees Nuts Pistachoes Almonds and several other Fruits of Gold but so finely wrought that a thousand of them weighed not thirty Crowns This some would boggle much to admit for a Truth yet certain it is that it hath been seen that the value of ten Crowns bestowed in these trifles filled a great Basin of them so that all the liberality of this powerful Monarch could not amount to a hundred Crowns The Festival is concluded with a great Feast at which the Mogul entertains the Lords of his Court with whom he passes away the night in drinking They celebrate also another Festival which they begin ten dayes after the new Moon of the moneth of Iuly much after the same manner as the Persians celebrate their Aschur The Indians observe this Festival in honour of two Brethren named Ianze and Iawze servants to Haly who being gone in Pilgrimage to a particular place of Devotion upon the Coast of Coromandel the Bramans and other Pagans of those parts set upon them and forc'd them to retreat into a Castle where they besieg'd them These holy Persons maintain'd the Siege a long time but being resolv'd not to drink of the Water which the Pagans had prophan'd by casting a Lizard into it a Creature for which the Mahumetans have an aversion because of its uncleanness they took a resolution to make a sally upon the besiegers and killed many of them but at last they were overcome by the great number of their enemies who left them dead upon the place There are carried about the City Coffins covered with Bows and Arrows Turbants Cymitars and Garments of Silk which the people accompany with sobbings and lamentations in commemoration of the death of those holy Persons Some among them dance at the Ceremony others strike their Swords one against another nay there are those who cut and slash themselves so as that the bloud comes out in several places wherewith they rub their clothes and by that means represent a very strange procession Towards night they set up several Figures of men made of Straw to personate the Murtherers of those Saints and having shot a great many Arrows at them they set them on fire and reduce them to ashes And this they do with so much fury and animosity that should there be any of the Pagans in the Streets at that time they would run the hazard of their lives whence it comes that during these Ceremonies they stir not out of their houses The Mahumetans of those parts celebrate also another Feast in the moneth of Iune in memory of the sacrifice of Abraham at which they kill He-Goats which they eat at the Entertainments they make among themselves that day Certain it is that the Mogul stands very much upon his descent in a direct and masculine I ne from Temirlanque that is to say Temir the lame who is commonly called Tamerlan who was of the Family of Chinguis-Chan King of Tartary Scach Choram who was living at my being in those parts was a younger Son of Scach Iahan's and had usurped the Crown from Prince Polagi his Nephew whom we found at Caswin at our coming into Persia. He might be then about sixty years of Age and had three Sons whereof the Elder was about 25. years of age but he had not
and the Corps was set upon an Elephant to be carried through the City to serve for an example to others He who upon this Tragedy came next into play went with an undaunted courage towards a Tiger which he was to engage with in so much that his deportment was such as raised in the minds of the Spectators a certain confidence of his obtaining the Victory But the Tigre who it seems was too cunning for his Adversary fastened on his throat killed him and tore his body in pieces The third Champion that came upon the Stage instead of being any way frightned at the misfortune of his two Camrades came very chearfully and couragiously into the Garden and went straight towards the Tiger who flesh'd with the precedent success run at his Adversary with a design to make quick work with him but the Indosthan though a man of low stature and a wretched countenance struck off at one blow the two fore-paws of the Beast and having by that means got him down he soon dispatch'd him The King immediately ask'd him his name whereto he made answer that it was Geily whereupon there came in a Gentleman who presenting him from the Mogul with a Garment of Brocadoe said to him Geily receive this Garment from my hands as an assurance of the Kings favour who sends it thee as a pledge thereof Geily having made several low reverences putting the Garment to his eyes and breast and afterwards holding it in the Air and having made a short Prayer to himself he at last pronounc'd aloud to this effect My Prayers to God are that the Mogul 's glory may be equal to that of Tamerlan from whom he is descended may his Arms prosper may his Wealth be increased may he live seven hundred years and may his House be established for ever Upon this there came to him two Eunuchs who conducted him to the Kings Chamber at the entrance whereof two Chans took him between them and so brought him to the Kings feet After he had kiss'd them and was rising up the Mogul said to him It must be confessed Geily-Chan that thou hast done a very great and glorious Action I bestow on thee that name and quality which thou shalt enjoy for ever I will be thy Friend and thou shalt be my servant Thus was the doing of a single Action the Foundation of a mans Fortune who was not so much as known before but grew famous afterwards by the Charges he had in the Mogul's Armies It was my design to make a little longer stay at Agra but there happened an accident which oblig'd me to change my Resolution nay forc'd me to leave a place where I thought my life in danger For being one day fallen into discourse with the Persian servant who ran away from me at Surat I perceiv'd coming towards me an Indosthan a person of a goodly presence and as far as I could judge of quality who immediately asked me whence I came and what business I had in those parts I made him answer that I was an Europaean that I came from Germany and that the desire I had to see the Court of the most powerful Monarch in all the East had brought me thither He told me that if he were not much mistaken he had seen me at Ispaban and that questionless I was the person that had kill'd a Kinsman of his at the Engagement which had happened between the Indians and the Germans This discourse had almost put me out of countenance but upon a little recollection I told him that I had never been in Persia and that I came from England by Sea to Surat which the two English Merchants who were then in my company affirmed to be true But he who did me the greatest kindness in this extremity was my old Persian servant who swore by his Mahomed and by his Hossein that what I had told him was nothing but the truth Whereupon the Indosthan went away but discover'd by his deportment that he gave not over-much credit to what we had said and for my part I conceiv'd it but prudence to be distrustful of a man who had expressed his good will had there been occasion to do me a mischief and would no doubt have revenged his Kinsmans death of which my conscience told me I was guilty Upon these reflections I left Agra with a Caffila or Caravan that was going to the City of Lahor which lies sixty Leagues further into the Country I had the company of two Dutch Merchants and our travelling was so much the more pleasant in that our way was but one continued Alley drawn in a streight line and planted on both sides with Date-trees Palm-trees Cocos-trees and other kind of Fruit-trees which gave us a continual refreshing shade against the heat of the Sun The sumptuous Houses which were to be seen up and down the Country the Apes Peacocks Parrats and other Birds found us very much sport One day with a Pistol-shot I kill'd a great Serpent which I met with in the way and afterwards a Leopard and a Roe-buck but the Benjans of whom there were many in our company took it very ill at my hands and reproach'd me with my cruelty in that I deprived those Creatures of a life which it was not in my power to give them and which God had not bestow'd on them but that he might be thereby glorified in so much that when ever I handled my Pistol they either express'd their trouble to see me take a pleasure in violating in their presence the Laws of their Religion or they intreated me for their sakes not to kill them and when I had made them understand that I would in any thing comply with their desires they on the other side had all the kindness imaginable for me The Country about Lahor is very fertile and brings forth all sorts of Fruits as also Wheat and Rice in abundance much beyond any other Province of that great Kingdom The City is scituated at 32. degrees 30. minutes elevation upon the little River Ravy or Ravée which with four other Rivers falls into the Indus which upon that occasion is called Pangab or five-waters as we have said elsewhere It is very delightfully seated especially towards the River on which side it hath many fair Gardens The Kings Palace is within the City from which it is divided by a high Wall and hath many spacious Appartments There are also many other Palaces and great Houses for the reception of those Lords who ordinarily follow the Court And in regard most of the Inhabitants are Mahumetans there is in this City also a great number of Metzids or Mosqueys and bathing places for their ordinary Purifications I had the curiosity to go into one of their Baths to observe their way of bathing I took along with me my Interpreter who was by Profession a Broker and went into one of their Baths which was built according to the Persian
manner with a flat Roof and had several Partitions which were made all half round very narrow at the entrance and broad at the bottom having each of them a door by it self and two Receptacles or Tankes of Free-stone into which the Water was let in by brazen Cocks to such height as those who came to bathe themselves desired it After bathing I was ordered to sit down a while and then I was laid down upon a Stone seven or eight foot in length and four in breadth in which posture the Master of the Bath rubb'd me all over with a Hair-cloth He would also have rubb'd the soles of my feet with a handful of Sand but perceiving I was not able to endure it he ask'd me whether I were a Christian and having understood that I was he gave me the Hair-cloath that I might rub my feet my self though he had made no difficulty to rub all the rest of my body This done there came into the Bath a little short Fellow who laid me all along on the belly upon the same stone and rubb'd my back with his hands from the back-bone down to the sides telling me that bathing would do me but little good if I suffered not the bloud which might haply lye corrupted in that place to be by that rubbing dispersed through all the other members I found not any thing remarkable about Lahor but one of the Kings Gardens which lies two dayes journey distant from it I had as a further diversion in this short piece of my Travels this that in two dayes I rode on four several Creatures For at first I had a Mule then a Camel then an Elephant and at last an Oxe whose troting was the hardest of any beast that ever I bestrid lifting up his hoofs as high as the stirrop and carrying me between six and seven Leagues in less then four hours I should have made some longer stay at Lahor but receiving Letters from Agra I was forc'd to come away upon this account that the English President intended very suddenly to embark in order to his return for England whereupon I put my self into the company of certain Indian Merchants who were then upon their return to Amadabath At my coming to Amadabath the Director of the English Commerce told me that he had received Orders from the President to make as strong a Caffila as he could possibly and to come with all expedition to Surat I there met also with Letters from the President whereby I understood that he only expected the Caffila's of Agra and Amadabath and that he would depart as soon as they were come He writ to me further that being within a few dayes after to resign his Presidentship to another whom his Superiour had appointed to receive it and there being to be a great entertainment and feasting at that Ceremony he should be glad I were present thereat During my stay at Amadabath the Mahumetans celebrated a Feast which was concluded at night with very noble Fire-works The Windows of all the Houses that stand in the Meidan were beset with Lamps before which were placed Vessels of Glass fill'd with Waters of several colours which made a very delightful prospect Upon the same Meidan before the Kings Palace there are two low Houses of which there is little use made but at this Feast it being the place whither the Sulthan and the Lords of the Court retire themselves while fire is set to the Works which consisted of Squibs Crackers and other ingenious inventions Some had fasten'd Lamps to certain Wheels which hung on though the Wheels turn'd about perpetually with great violence As soon as the Caffila of Agra was come to Amadabath I took leave of my friends and went along with a Caravan of a hundred Waggons The first day we travell'd twelve Cos or six Leagues to the City of Mamadabath The next day I went before with the Director of the Commerce at Amadabath who with his Second was desirous to be present at the Resignation which the President was to make of his place We were four in company and we took along with us four Waggons two Horses and twenty foot Souldiers for our Guard leaving Order that the Caffila should follow us with all expedition The foot Souldiers who carried our Arms and Banners made a shift nevertheless to keep pace with us What I say concerning the Banners relates to the custom of the Indies where there are no persons of any quality but have a Banner or a kind of Colours such as Cornets use carried before them That day we cross'd the River Wasser and took up our Quarters at night in the Fort of Saselpour There we met with the Factor of Brodra whose name was Mr. Pansfield who treated us very magnificently the next day at the place of his residence We went thence in the evening and lodg'd the night following in a great Garden and the next day we prosecuted our journey In the evening we encamped hard by a Tanque called Sambord and in regard we had not met with any fair Water all that day we endeavour'd to get some out of the Tanque But the Country people fearing we might consume all the Water there coming in at the same time a Dutch Caffila of two hundred Waggons would not suffer us to come near it Whereupon we commanded out fifteen of our foot Souldiers with express order to bring some Water if not by fair means by force But coming to the Tanque they found it guarded by thirty armed Men and such as were resolv'd to maintain it and to hinder any from taking of the Water However our Men went very resolutely towards them with their Swords drawn upon which without any dispute at all the Country people ran away but while ours were drawing Water the Indians shot a certain number of Arrows and discharg'd three Muskets among them and wounded five persons Ours exasperated at that kill'd three of the Country people whom we saw afterwards carried to the Village While we were at Supper there came in to us one of the Dutch Merchants who told us that there had been seen two hundred Rasboutes upon our way who had committed several robberies for some dayes before and that the very day before they had kill'd six men within a League of the Village near which we were then lodg'd The Dutch Caffila went away about midnight and we follow'd it immediately after But we had not gone far beyond it ere we discover'd one of those Holacueurs who are wont to march in the head of the Caffilas and before Troops of Horse and serve instead of Trumpeters by sounding a certain Instrument of Brass much longer then our ordinary Trumpets As soon as he perceiv'd us he slipp'd into the Wood where he fell a sounding as loud as ever he could which we took for an assured Alarm that it would not be long ere they set upon us Accordingly almost ere we could
of those Grandees who had highly express'd their dissatisfaction with his Administration of the Government and considering with himself that he stood in need of a more powerful Protection made his Applications to Achobar the Mogul or King of Indosthan and intreated him to come in to the relief of his Ward promising to deliver up Amadabath the chief City of the Kingdom into his hands Achobar thought it no prudence to neglect so favourable an occasion and so immediately entred Guzuratta with a powerful Army but instead of contenting himself with the City of Amadabath he became absolute Master of the whole Kingdom and carried away Madofher and his Guardian Prisoners to Agra Madofher being come to thirty years of age and beginning to reflect on the misfortune of his Captivity which he saw must be perpetual combin'd with one of the most considerable Lords of Guzuratta who put him into possession of certain Cities of his Kingdom such as lay at the greatest distance from the Frontiers of the Mogul but they gave him not the time to settle himself therein For Achobar immediately sent an Army thither under the command of Chan-Channa who recovered the whole Kingdom in less then a year prevented Madofher from making his escape and took him prisoner This unfortunate Prince reflecting on the Affronts which would be put upon him at his coming to Agra and fearing that Achobar would put him to death chose rather to prevent him and being got to a certain place alone under pretence of doing some necessities of Nature cut his own throat The Mogul governs the Kingdom of Guzuratta by a Viceroy or Governour General who hath his ordinary Residence at Amadabath in such manner as that all the other Governours are oblig'd to give him an account of their Administration and to receive Orders from him His power is in a manner absolute For though in the judgment of Civil Causes as also when he consults about affairs of Importance he advises with some of the principal Lords of the Country and of his Court yet can it not be said that he hath any settled Council but takes their Proposals rather to discover their Sentiments then to follow them Insomuch that if his imployment were settled for a certain number of years he would have no cause to envy the greatness of the Mogul himself But this Government depends meerly on the Kings pleasure who takes occasion often to change the Governours as on the other side they knowing that the least Order from the Court may dispossess them let slip no occasion of making their advantages and receiving from all hands especially near the time they expect to be recall'd For then they make it their business to get excessive sums of money out of the richest Merchants in the Country especially those of the City of Amadabath who are forc'd to clear themselves of false Accusations which they had not been charged withall but to squeeze them of some part of their Estates inasmuch as the Governour being supreme Judge of all Causes as well Civil as Criminal they must either expect certain destruction or satisfie the Governours avarice There is no King in Europe hath so noble a Court as the Governour of Guzuratta nor any that appears in publick with greater magnificence He never comes abroad but he is attended by a great number of the Nobility and his Guards both Horse and Foot having marching before him a great many Elephants with their covering Cloaths of Brocadoe or Velvet embroidered Banners Drums Trumpets and Timbrels In his Palace he is served as a King and permits not any to come within his Lodgings till they have demanded audience He makes his advantages of all the Levies and Impositions which are made in his Government so that in a short time he becomes Master of incredible wealth especially by means of the third part of all the Arable Lands which belong to the King and are assign'd to the Governour for the maintenance of a body of Horse which he is oblig'd to defray but comâ—s much short of the number it should be of The Revenue of the Kingdom of Guzuratta amounted heretofore to eighteen Millions of Gold not accounting the Customs of Brodra and Broitschia which brought in yearly near eight hundred thousand Crowns This Country hath no Enemy it need stand in feâ—r of but the Mountains of those parts are the retyring places of certain Radias or petty Princes who live only upon rapine and the incursions their Subjects make upon the Mogul's Territories who with all his great power is not able to force them out of those inaccessible places Besides these there are also certain companies of Robbers or Tories who sometimes makes up a body of three or four hundred Men to rob upon the High-way insomuch that travelling cannot be without danger unless so many travel together as can in some measure make their party good against the attempts of those Villains who are so much the more easily defeated by reason of their having no fire-Armes The Couteval is he who judges of Affairs of lesser Consequence but the administration of Justice amongst them is very pleasant in as much as he who complains first most commonly gets the better of it so that it may be truly said among them according to the Proverb that who bears away the blows payes for the bloud-whip Capital crimes are judged by the Governours of the several Cities who cause their Sentences to be put in execution by the Couteval There is in a manner no crime whereof a Man may not avoid the punishment by Money so that it may be said of those parts with greater reason then of any other that Gibbets are set 〈◊〉 only for the unfortunate The Crimes punished with greatest severity are Murther and Adultery especially when it happens to have been committed with a Gentlewoman of any Quality Upon which account it is that they permit Brothel-houses all which pay a certain Tribute to the Couteval who in requital protects them so well that it is not only safe but also honourable for any man to frequent them We have already given a Catalogue of the principal Cities of Guzuratta as Amadabath Cambaya Surat Brodra Broitschia c. All which we passed through in our Travels so that it remains only that we give a short account of the other more inconsiderable places of the Kingdom Goga is a small City or rather a great Village thirty Leagues distant from Cambayâ— at a place where the Gulf is so narrow that it seems to be a kind of a River This place is sufficiently well peopled and most of the Inhabitants are Benjans and live either by their Relation to the Sea or by Weaving It hath neither Gates nor Bulwarks but only a Free-stone Wall towards the Sea-side where the Portuguez Frigats have their Rendezvous in order to the conveying of their Merchant-men to Goa Pattepatane and Mangerol are two great Towns nine
Leagues distant from Goga and there are made in them great quantities of Cottons and Linnen-cloath The City of Diu where the Portuguez have three strong Castles is seated upon the Frontiers of the Kingdom on the South-side They call it Diuê pronouncing theâ—e so gently that a man can hardly hear it The word Diuê signifies an Island and thence comes the word Agrediuê five Isles and that of Nalediuè four Isles which the Portuguez corruptly call Maldiua and Diuê Noulaka the Isle of fourscore and ten thousand which hath that name given it upon this account that the Daughter of a certain Lord of the said place having begg'd of her Father the Revenue of it for one day it brought her in fourscore and ten thousand pieces of Silver The City of Bisantagan is one of the greatest of all the Kingdom of Guzuratta as containing near twenty thousand Houses It lies almost in the midst of the Kingdom and till of late was but a simple Village The fertility of the adjacent Country hath raised it to the greatness wherein it now is for thereabouts they keep abundance of Cattle and there grow also great quantities of Rice Wheat and Cotton which is made into Yarn and Clothes The City of Pettan was heretofore six Leagues about and encompassed with a strong Wall of Free-stone which is now broken down in several places since its Commerce began to diminish The Inhabitants are for the most part Benjans and their Profession making of Stuffs of Silk for the wearing of the Country as also some Cotton-cloaths but they are very course and are of those kinds which are commonly called Dosternals Sgarderberal Longis Allegiens c. This City hath a fair Castle within it where the Sulthan of the place lives In the middest of the City there is a Mosquey which was built by the Pagans and may pass for one of the most sumptuous Temples in all the East It s Roof is sustain'd by a thousand and fifty Pillars most whereof are of Marble Those who have contributed most to the destruction of that Cities Trading are a sort of People called the Coulses who having taken any of the Inhabitants abroad in the Country force them to ransome themselves and do so pester the High-wayes that the Merchants dare not travel that way Cheytepour lies six Leagues from Pettan and twenty two from Amadabath upon a small Rivers side All the Inhabitants are Benjans who are Weavers and make great quantities of Cottâ—n-yarn There is in the City a Garrison of 150. men for the securing of the Caffilas which pass that way for Agra and Amadabath Messana is an open Town having within it an old ruin'd Castle the Governour whereof is oblig'd to maintain two hundred Horse for the safe passage of the Caffilas The Country all about produces much Cotton and some Cloaths are made there but no great quantities Nassary or Nausary Gaudui and Balsara are three small Cities under the jurisdiction of Surat from which the first is six the second nine and the third fourteen Leagues distant They lye all three about two Leagues distant from the Sea There are made in them great quantities of course Cottons and it is in these parts that they â—ell the Wood which is spent all over the Kingdom in the building of Houses and Ships The old Inhabitants of the Country are Pagans and are those whom they properly call Hindoy or Indou The Mahumetans Religion came in with the Arms of Tamerlan and those other Forreigners who have settled themselves there by the Conquests they have in those parts The Kingdom is peopled with Persians Arabians Armenians and several other Nations but you shall seldome meet there with either Chineses or Iaponeses for they are so warm and well provided at home that they seldome settle themselves elsewhere The Mahumetans of the Country professing at least by name the same Religion with the Persians occasions the Persian Language to be as common among them as the Indosthan though in the Explication of the Alchoran they follow the sentiments of Hembili and Maleki whereas the Persians accept only of the Exposition of Aly and Tzafersaduck but they both condemn that of Hanifa which is approved by the Turks It is not our design in this place to run into any discourse of the Mahumetan Religion but having premised a short account of the Inhabitants of the Country we shall afterwards treat more at large of their Religion and the Sects whereof it consists They are all of an Olive or Duskish colour but more or less such according to the Climate in which they live Those who are more towards the South are without comparison of a much higher colour then those who live more towards the North. The Men are strong and well proportioned having large Faces and black Eyes and cause their Heads and Beards to be shaven clear off excepting only the Mustachoes as the Persians do also The Mahumetans cloath themselves much after the Persian Mode only they fold their Turbants after another way There is also this difference observ'd between them that the Indosthans have the opening of their Garments under the left Arm whereas the Persians have it under the right Arm and that the former tye their Girdles before and let the ends hang down whereas the Persians do only fold it several times about the body and hide the ends within the Girdle it self It is within these Girdles that they carry their Ponyards which they call Limber and are about a foot long having the Blade much broader towards the Handle then it is towards the Point There are some have Swords of that making but the Souldiers commonly wear Cymitars Good Horses are very scarce in those parts whence it comes that they often make use of Oxen which are altogether as swift as our Horses and I have seen whole Troops consisting of this kind of Cavalry The Women are very well proportioned though of low stature They have very handsom bodies and are very sumptuous in their Attire Their Hair hangs down over their Shoulders and on their Heads they have only a thin Cap or cover them with a Crepine of Lawn wrought with Gold the ends whereof hang down on both sides as low as their Knees Those who are of ability wear in their Ears Pendants of Diamonds Pearls or other precious Stones and about their Necks Neck-laces of a kind of great round Pearl which makes no undelightful show on the brown complexion of the Ladies of those parts who sometimes also wear Rings in their Nostrils which is so much the less incommodious to them in that they never almost have any occasion to wipe their Noses They wear Breeches as well as the Men which are of Taffata or some kind of Cotton-stuffe and those of such length that were they let out they would reach over their Heads They lye close and even till they come down below the Ham where they are
forc'd it but the King awaken'd at the noise asked who was there He made answer that it was he and that he had some Letters of great consequence to communicate to him which he had just then received from some of the chief Commanders of his Army The King made answer that it was an unseasonable time of the night for the reading of Letters and bid him come again the next morning and thereupon immediately getting up he went to the Mahael or Queens Lodgings to whom he gave an account of the presumptuous demeanour of Chauas-chan in coming to his Chamber door ar such an hour The Queen who was a Woman of a solid judgment made such reflections on his procedure that it was presently resolv'd that they should with the soonest make away that pernicious Minister They employ'd to effect their design a Meldar or Gentleman of the Kings Chamber and one nam'd Chideram Grand Faulconer and Overseer of the Rams and wild Oxen which the King keeps for fighting As soon as it was day the King presented himself upon his Throne accompany'd by those two persons who were to be employ'd in the foresaid execution and having sent for Chauas-Chan he delivered him a seal'd Letter and said to him There Chauas-Chan look into that Letter which I have just now receiv'd from the Generaâ—s of my Army give me an account of the Contents of it But while Chauas was opening it in order to the reading of it the Meldar run him into the Breast with a Ponyard but with so much precipitation that not staying to see what effect the Wound he had given him would have he went presently along with the King into the Womens Lodgings Another Gentleman who was present at the blow perceiving the Wound was not mortal and pretending a kindness to Chauas run immediately to him embrac'd him ask'd him what might be the occasion of his disgrace and making as if he would have taken the Ponyard out of the Wound wherein it still stuck thrust it so much the further in that he fell to the ground The Eunuch who was with him got him convey'd to his own house But the Queen having notice of what had past as also of the disorder wherein the King and the Meldar had drawn off commanded Chideram to go and make an end of him Chauas-Chan seeing Chideram coming into his Chamber and imagining he came out of civility to give him a visit said to him Wo is me Chideram who is it that hath thus murthered me But Chideram not suffering him to fall into further discourse made answer Traytor 't is I with which word he run upon him and cut off his head There were present at this daring action Chauas-chan's Brother who was Captain of the Castle-gate three Chirurgeons two Captains friends of Chauas and some other of his Kindred who were present yet they not only made not the least opposition but suffered themselves to be all tamely kill'd not one profferring to avoid that fatal destiny Chauas-Chan had among his Domesticks a certain Caffre who coming to hear of his Masters death run immediately to the Castle with an intention to dispatch the King but he met by the way with about thirty Souldiers who stop'd him He made a shift to kill ten of them with his own hands and had dispatch'd the rest had he not been over-power'd by number which increas'd as the noise of the attempt spread more and more into the City They cat off his head and hung it up as a Trophey upon one of the Towers of the Castle One of Chauas-chans Creatures whose name was Morary was advanc'd with ten thousand Horse within five Leagues of the City of Visâ—apour in so much that the King fearing that General might assemble all the Friends of the deceased caused him to be proclaim'd a Traitor against his Prince and set his Head at a certain price His own Army seiz'd his person and receiving intelligence that another Lord named Rundelo was coming up to the relief of Chauas-chan and intended to joyn with Morary they sent him a by-way to the City whither he came about eight at night He sent a Message to the King proposing that if his Majesty would pardon him and bestow on him the Government of the Brammenes he would pay him yearly twenty thousand Pagodes but those Propositions were rejected and the King ordered him to have his hands cut off and his tongue cut out and that in that posture he should be led all about the City but he died by the way The only Action that had eclips'd the Ministry of Chauas-chan was the disgrace of Mustafa-chan This Mustafa was he who of all the Lords about the Court was most in credit with Ibrahim Schach as being the person upon whom he had cast his eye for the Guardianship of the Prince his Son But he unwilling to accept of it excus'd himself and recommended the merit of Chauas-chan who requited him with the greatest ingratitude that ever was heard of Chauas would needs have that Lord to countenance by his Authority whatever had been done during the time of the Regency and finding it impossible to corrupt him he resolved to dispatch him out of the way by perswading the King that the honest old Man had some design upon his life The young Prince implicitely crediting what was told him by his Favourite resolved to secure his person which oblig'd Mustafa-chan who had notice thereof to stand upon his guard and to fortifie himself in his house having about him 700. Horse and 2000. Foot The place was regularly besieg'd with ten Guns and after he had held out six dayes he was forc'd to render it and himself up at mercy for most of his people nay his very menial servants fell off from him Idal-Schach hearing that Chauas-chan intended either to put Mustafa-chan to death or at least to have his eyes out prevented both by representing to him that the Mogul to whom he was ally'd would concern himself in the Fortunes of Mustafa-chan and upon these considerations he was sent prisoner to the Castle of Bellagam-Chapour being allow'd of all his vast Revenues but five Pagodes to live upon Accordingly the Mogul Schach-Iahan had no sooner intelligence brought him of the disgrace of Mustafa-chan but he sent an Envoy to Idal-Schach to require that he might be set at liberty and put into possession of all his estate or that he should be oblig'd to declare a War against him Idal-Schach promis'd to do both but Chaurs-chan eluded the performance of that promise so that Mustafa got not out of prison till after Chauas his death upon which he was restored to his former dignity enjoying near ten millions of Pagodes of yearly revenue He kept ordinarily a thousand Domesticks and three thousand Horse at his own charge abroad besides those he maintained at his own Palace Chideram-chan who had been very instrumental in the death of Chauas-chan was next in credit to Mustafa
to pay the Tax imposed upon him which is by the Poll at ten Ryals a Head The same Arch-bishop hath also the Quality of Viceroy and exercises all the Functions thereof joyntly with the Kings Councel which is established in the same City as well for Affairs of general concernment as for the Appeals of such differences as may arise in the other Cities The City and Houses of Manilla are of Stone and built after the modern way and the City it self is so great that the Spaniards have been forc'd to divide some part of it from the rest to serve them for a Cittadel in case of necessity by which means they avoid the charge of keeping so great a number of Souldiers as might be requisite for the defence of the place The Haven which is called Cavite lies two leagues from the City and is defended by two wooden Forts There live within the City of Manilla and about it above fifteen thousand Chineses besides those who come thither every year from December to April and trade with above five hundred Ships The Iaponeses come thither also but not in so great a number and yet the Spaniards are much more jealous of them then they are of the Chineses IAPAN JAPAN is a collection of several Islands made there by the Sea from the one and thirtieth degree of elevation to the thirty ninth being in some places but ten leagues in breadth in others reaching to thirty This Country which was anciently called Chryses or if we may credit Mark Paulo Veneto Zipangry hath on the East New Spain on the North Tartary on the West China and on the South the Sea and that part of the World which is called Terra Australis It is divided into sixty six little Kingdoms fifty three whereof depend on that part of this great Empire which is properly called Iapon or Iapan and consists of two very powerful Kingdoms called Meaco and Amagunce under which all the rest are comprehended The other part is called Ximo and comprehends nine Kingdomes or Provinces the chiefest whereof are Bungo and Figen and the third part called Xicoum comprehends the other four Kingdoms The Iaponneses themselves acknowledge that they cannot positively affirm whether their Country be an Island or part of the Continent inasmuch as from the Province of Quanto whereof the City and Castle of Iedo is the Metropolis as it is also of the whole Territory as far as the extremities of the Province of Tzungaa it is seven and twenty dayes journey towards East and North-East Then you cross an Arm of the Sea about eleven leagues over to get into the Province of Iesso or Sesso which is so covered with Woods and checker'd up and down with Mountains that the Emperour of Iapan hath not yet been able to search what may be had out of them All they could ever learn is that there were seen in those parts a sort of people who were hairy all over their bodies and suffered the hair of their heads and beards to grow so as that they seem'd rather beasts then men Whereto they add that they make use of that passage by Sea to go into Sesso whence they bring Furs not out of this respect that the Sea divides that Province from Iapan but that it were a great way about to go over those inaccessible Mountains which joyn those two Provinces The Island which we call Iapan and the Inhabitants name Nippon is divided into six great Provinces which are called Sayecock Chickock Iamaysoirt Ietsengen Quanto and Ochio which are subdivided into several other lesser ones which are governed and possessed by Lords and Princes whose names we shall here give together with their Revenues that the Reader may thereby judge of the greatness of this Empire whereof we have hitherto had no great knowledge setting down the sums according to their way of accounting by Cockiens which are worth about four Crowns French money apiece Cangano Tzium Angon King or Prince of the Provinces of Kanga Ietcoui and Natta who lives in the Castle of Canga hath a yearly revenue one million one hundred and ninety thousand Kockiens 1190000 Surugano Daynangon Prince of the Province of Suruga Toto and Mikawa who lives in the Castle of Fuytsui seven hundred thousand Kockiens 700000 Ouwarmo Daynangan Prince of the Provinces of Ouani and Mino who lives in the Castle of Nangay seven hundred thousand Kockiens 700000 Sendaino Tsuinangon Prince of the Provinces of Massamme and Oysia who lives in the Castle of Senday which is an impregnable place six hundred and forty thousand Kockiens 640000 Sutsumana Tsuinangon Prince of the Provinces of Zatsuma Osuny Fionga and Luiâ—io who lives in the Castle of Cangasinna six hundred thousand Kockiens 600000 Kinokonny Dainangon Prince of the Provinces of Kino and Iche who lives in the Castle of Wakcjamma five hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 550000 Cotto Fingo Camy Prince of Fingo and the Neighbouring Provinces who lives in the Castle of Koumanotte five hundred and fifty four thousand Kockiens 554000 Matsendairo Ianonosk Prince of the Provinces of Tsaikisen and Faccatto who lives in the Castle of Fonckosa five hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 510000 Matsendairo Yonocami Prince or King in the Great Province of Ietsegen which lives in the Castle of Onde five hundred thousand Kockiens 50000 Catto Skibo King or Prince in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Ais four hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 420000 Matsendairo Nangato Prince in the Province of Souo who lives in the Castle of Fangi three hundred and seventy thousand Kockiens 370000 Mitono Tzuinangon Prince of the Province Fitayts who lives in the Castle of Nito three hundred and sixty thousand Kockiens 360000 Nabissima Sinano King or Prince in the Province of Fisien who lives in the City of Logioys three hundred and sixty thousand Kockiens 360000 Matsendairo Sentaro Prince of the Province of Inaba who lives in the Castle of Tackajano three hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 320000 Todo Isumi Prince of the Province of Fuga Iche who lives in the Castle of Tsou three hundred and twenty thousand Kockiens 320000 Matsendairo Kuncy Prince of the Province of Bisen who lives in the Castle of Okajamma three hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 310000 Iuno Caemman The most valiant of all the Gallant persons in the Country and Prince of the Province of Totomy who lives in the Castle of Sawajamma three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Fossocawa Ietschui Prince or King of the Province of Boysen who lives in the Castle of Cocora three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Ojesungi Daynsio King in the great Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Iany Samwa three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Matsendairo Sensio King also in the same Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Formanda three hundred thousand Kockiens 300000 Matsendairo Auwa Prince of the Province of Awa who lives in the Castle of Inots two
hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Matsendairo Ietchigenocemy Prince of the Province of Kange who lives in the Castle of Takato two hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Matsendairo Tâ—isio Prince of the Province of Ie who lives in the Castle of Matsiamma two hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 250000 Ariuma Gamba Prince of the Province of Tzickingo who lives in the Castle of Courcine two hundred and forty thousand Kockiens 240000 Morino Imasaâ—k Prince of the Province of Mymasacka who lives in the Castle of Tziamma two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Toringanocami Prince in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Immagatta two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Matsendairo Tosa Prince of the Province of Tosanocory who lives in the Castle of Tokosianna two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Satake Okion Prince in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Akia two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Matsendairo Sunosano camy Prince of the Province of Sunosa who lives in the Castle of Tattebys two hundred thousand Kockiens 200000 Forvuo Iamayssiro Prince of the Province of Iusimo who lives in the Castle of Matsdayts a hundred and eighty thousand Kockiens 180000 Ikenocamy Prince of the Province of Samke who lives in the Castle of Coquan a hundred and eighty thousand Kockiens 180000 Fondacaiuocamy Lord of the Province of Farma who lives in the Castle of Triatno a hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 150000 Sackay Connay A Lord very considerable in the great Province of Dewano who lives in the Castle of Fackeso a hundred and fifty thousand Kockiens 150000 Terasawa Simadonne a Lord in the great Province of Fisen who lives in the Castle of Carats sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Kion Gock Wackasa Lord of the Province of Wackasa who lives in the Castle of Offano sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Fori Tango a Lord in the great Province of Ietsegen who lives in the Castle of Fouckiamma sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Sackaybarra Schibon Lord of the Country of Kooske who lives in the Castle of Tattaiits sixscore thousand Kockiens 120009 Minsno Fiongo Lord of the Country of Bingo who lives in the Castle of Foukyamma sixscore thousand Kockiens 120000 Matsendairo Cawaits Governour or Captain of the Castle which the Emperour hath in the Province of Quanto hath a yearly revenue a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Ockendeyro Imasacka Lord of the Country of Simotoke who lives in the Castle of Oetsnomio a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Sammada Ins a Lord in the Province of Simago who lives in the Castle of Koska a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Toytsisibayma Finda a Lord in the Province of Tzickingo who lives in the Castle of Iannangainua a hundred and ten thousand Kockiens 110000 Ongasura Onckan a Lord in the Country of Farima who lives in the Castle of Akays a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Indatii Toutomii Lord of the Country of Iiio who lives in the Castle of Itasima a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Nambou Cinano a Lord of great quality in the Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Moriamma a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Niwa Groseiman another Lord of great quality in the said Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Siracawa a hundred thousand Kockiens 100000 Abono Bitchion Governour or Captain of the Castle of Iwatsucki which belongs to the Emperour in the Country of Mousays eighty thousand Kockiens 80000 Kiongock Onieme Lord of the Country of Tanga who lives in the Castle of Tanabe seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Makino Suruga a Lord in the great Province of Ietsengo who lives in the Castle of Nangaoecka seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Nackangamua Neysien a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the City of Nangona seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Matsendairo Tamba a Lord in the Country of Cinano who lives at a place called Matsmoutte seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Noeytosamma a Lord in the Province of Fitaiits who lives in the City of Iwayro seventy thousand Kockiens 70000 Ieckenda Bitshiou Captain of the Castle of Matsiamma in the Province of Bitshiou sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matsura Fetsennocamy a Lord in the Province of Fesen who lives in the Lordship of Firando sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Sengock Biofo a Lord in the Province of Cinano who livs in the Lordship of Oienda sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Catto Dewado a Lord in the Province of Iyo who lives in the Castle of Oets sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Tosawa Okiou a Lord in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Lordship of Cinchiro sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matsendairo Iwamy a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Seigneiory of Chisogory sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Matskonra Boungo a Lord in the Province of Fisen who lives in the Lordship of Sunabarra sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Ietschawa Tonnomon a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the Lordship of Fita sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Tzangaar Ietsiâ— a Lord in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Lordship of Tzungaa upon the Sea-side sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Ougasauwara Sinano a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Province of Sekays sixty thousand Kockiens 60000 Itho Cuiri a Lord in the Province of Fongo who lives in the Castle of Orafi fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Furtafiobo a Lord in the Province of Iwamy who lives in the Castle of Daysiro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Wakibacca Aways a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Ina fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Koncky Nargato a Lord in the Province of Ische who lives in the Lordship of Toba fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Arima Seymonose a Lord in the Province of Nicke who lives in the Lordship of Accanda fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Outafiaba a Lord in the Province of Iamatta who lives in the Lordship of Outa fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendairo Dewadonne a Lord in the great Province of Ietsenio who lives in the Lordship of Chibatta fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Minoskyts Fokey a Lord in the same great Province of Ietsenio who hath also his Habitation in the said Lordship of Chibatte fifty thousand Kockeins 50000 Inaba Minbou a Lord in the Province of Boungo who lives in the Lordship of Ousisiro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Croda Caynocomy a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Coniro fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendairo Souodonne a Lord in the Province of Isumy who hath his Residence in the Lordship of Kisnowodda fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Touda Sammon a Lord in the Province of Tsounocouny who lives in the Castle of Amangasac fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Stotsijaganni Kennots a Lord in the Province of Iche who lives in the Castle of Kangou fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Fonda Ichenochamy a Lord in the Province of Mikawa who lives in the Castle of Ockasacka fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Matsendayro Iammayssiro a Lord in the Province of Tamba who lives
in the Lordship of Sassejamma fifty thousand Kockiens Mory Cainocamy a Lord in the Province of Inga who lives in the Lordship of Sourosada fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Fonda Notanocamy a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Lordship of Fimoys fifty thousand Kockiens 50000 Akito Chionoske a Lord in the Province of Fitayts who lives in the Lordship of Cichindo the like sum 50000 Assano Oeviâ—me a Lord in the Province of Chiono who lives in the Lordship of Cassama the like sum 50000 Neyto Ceinocamy a Lord in the same Province of Chiono who lives in the Lordship of Acandate the like sum 50000 Catto Skibbodonne a Lord in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Lordship of Ains the like sum 50000 Soma Daysiennocamy a Lord in the same Province of Ochio who lives in the Castle of Soma the like sum 50000 Toyda Iamatta a Lord in the Province of Toysima who lives in the Lordship of Isâ—us the like sum 50000 Ouckobo Cangato a Lord in the Province of Mino who lives in the Castle of Canuo the like sum 50000 Neito Boysen a Lord in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Lord of Iodata the like sum 50000 Inaba Aways a Lord in the Province of Tainbo who lives in the Lordship of Foâ—ckuit Syamina fourty thousand Kockiens 40000 Cammet Deirick a Lord in the Province of Iwamy who lives in the Lordship of Mongamy the like sum 40000 Catnayngiri Ismou a Lord in the Province of Iammatta who lives in the Lordship of Tatsta the like sum 40000 Fonda Findanocamy a Lord in the great Province of Ietsegen who lives in the Lordship of Maroka the like sum 40000 Itakoura Sovodome Governour for his Majesty in the great City of Miaco hath of yearly revenue in the Province of Iamayssiro fourty thousand Kockiens 40000 Matsendairo Bongo a Lord in the Province of Iwamy who lives in the Lordship of Nacksmia the like sum 40000 Fonda Naykie a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Lordship of Fimeis the like sum 40000 Matsendairo Tango a Lord in the great Province of Ochio who lives in the Lordship of Sucki the like sum 40000 Canna morti Isoumo a Lord in the Province of Finda who lives in the Lordship of Oumory the like sum 40000 Chiongock Chiury a Lord in the Province of Tango who lives in the Lordship of Tannabe thirty six thousand Kockiens 36000 Outagiobo a Lord in the Province of Mino who lives in the Lordship of Istnoday thirty thousand Kockiens 30000 Matsendairo Ietso Governour of the Castle of Iondo in the Province of Iamayssiro thirty thousand Kockiens 30000 Matsendairo Ouckon a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Lordship of Ocko the like sum 30000 Minsonija Ichenocamy a Lord in the Province of Cooske who lives in the Lordship of Chinotayins the like sum 30000 Iammasacka Kainocami a Lord in the Province of Bitchiou who lives in the Lordship of Narse the like sum 30000 Matsendayro Iamatto a Lord in the Province of Ietsesen who lives in the Lordship of Catsiamma thirty thousand Kockiens 30000 Iunofiabo a Lord in the Province of Cooske who lives in the Lordship of Anna the like sum 30000 Matsendairo Tonnemon a Lord in the Province of Micamua who lives in the Castle of Iussimda the like sum 30000 Akysucky Nangato a Lord in the Province of Nicco who lives in the Lordship of Summino the like sum 30000 Sua Inâ—ba a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Takaboys the like sum 30000 Singamoma Ouribe a Lord in the Province of Totomy who lives in the Castle of Sese the like sum 30000 Simaas Oemanosce a Lord in the Province of Nicko who lives in the Lordship of Sandobarra the like sum 30000 Kinostay Iemon a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the Lordship of Fius the like sum 30000 Sonotsiussima Lord of the Island of Tziussina the like sum 30000 Koynde Inuano a Lord in the Province of Tonga who lives in the Lordship of Okoda the like sum 30000 Fonda Simosa one of the most valiant persons of all that Empire and Governour of the Castle of Nissewo in the Province of Micauwa the like sum 30000 Gorick Setsnocanny a Lord in the Province of Micauwa who lives at the Castle of Fammamats the like sum 30000 Chinsio Surago a Lord in the Province of Litaeits who lives in the Lordship of Tsuitoura the like sum 30000 Sakuma Fisen a Lord in the Province of Sinano who lives in the Lordship of Irajamma the like sum 30000 Todo Toyisina a Lord in the Province of Mino who lives in the Lordship of Cannajamma the like sum 30000 Fonda Isumi a Lord in the Province of Fitaeyts who lives in the Lordship of Minaâ—gaw the like sum 30000 Tongauwa Tosa a Lord in the Province of Bitchiou who lives in the Lordship of Niâ—kys the like sum 30000 Matsendayro Tosa a Lord in the Province of Ietsesen who lives in the Lordship Conamatta the like sum of thirty thousand Kockiens 30000 Sangii sarra Tokii a Lord in the Province of Fitaytes who lives in the Lordship of Oungouri hath the yearly revenue of twenty thousand Kockiens 20000 Kinostay Counay a Lord in the Province of Bitchiou who lives in the Lordship of Courosi the like sum 20000 Matsendayro Koyssiro a Lord in the Province of Farima who lives in the Lordship of Firamma the like sum 20000 Inasacka Tzounacamy Governour of a Castle belonging to the King in the Province of Onosacka the like sum 20000 Matsendaro Kennots a Lord in the Province of Iamba who lives in the Lordship of Comme-jamma the like sum 20000 Mastay Saske a Lord in the Province of Ochio who lives in the Lordship of Sanbonmaets the like sum 20000 Oumoura Minbou a Lord in the Province of Fisen who lives in the Lordship of Daymats the like sum 20000 Matsendayro Isumy a Lord in the Province of Mino who lives in the Lordship of Iwamoura the like sum 20000 Matsendayro Conocamy a Lord in the Province of Sonnocomy who lives in the Lordship of Fyannori the like sum 20000 Minsnofaito a Lord in the Province of Micauwa who lives in the Castle of Caria the like sum 20000 Nito Tatewakie a Lord in the Province of Chiono who lives in the Lordship of Iwaystowa the like sum 20000 Ongasaware Wakasa a Lord in the Province of Simosa who lives in the Lordship of Sekijada the like sum 20000 Fischicatta Cammon a Lord in the Province of Chiono who lives in the Lordship of Mauwaro the like sum 20000 Iwaky Sirrosy a Lord in the Province of Chiono who lives in the Lordship of Iedoura the like sum 20000 Reckongo Fingo a Lord in the Province of Dewano who lives in the Lordship of Iury the like sum 20000 Tackenacke Oenieme a Lord in the Province of Bongo who lives in the Lordship of Foâ—nay the like sum 20000 Mouri Ichenocamy a Lord in
making good chear they rip up their bellies cutting them cross so as that all the guts come out and if that does not dispatch them they thrust themselves into the throat and so compleat the execution Nay there are some who coming to hear that their Masters intend to build some Edifice either for himself or the Emperour will desire him to do them the honour that they may be laid under the Foundations which they think are made immoveable by that voluntary Sacrifice and if their request be granted they chearfully lay themselves down at the Foundation and have great Stones cast upon them which soon put them out of all pain But it is for the most part Despair which puts them upon this resolution in as much as these are of that kind of Slaves who are so cruelly treated that death were more supportable to them then the wretched life they lead All their Pagodes or Mesquites are of Wood rais'd three or four foot from the ground and about seven or eight fathom square They have on the outside many Turrets having lights on all sides and gilt all over but very narrow and set out with certain fantastick Figures but wretchedly done as to proportions They have also Statues in their Pagodes whereto they address their Prayers and bestow on them by way of Alms a certain number of Caxias which the Priests make their advantage of But their Castles are much better built His Majesty hath belonging to him many spacious and fair ones but the most considerable are those of Osacca and Iedo The Princes and great Lords have also very handsome Castles but those which are fortifi'd are oblig'd to receive a Garrison from the Soveraign The Cities have not any Fortifications at all for some few only excepted which lie between Firando and Iedo and have only simple walls the rest have not any at all but the Streets are streight and of the same breadth and length that is sixty Iekiens which make about fourscore and ten fathom Every Street hath two Gates which are shut up in the night and a Watch kept at them as also two Officers who are accountable for the disorders committed in their Quarter and speak to the Judge about any thing wherein the Inhabitants of the Streets whereof they have the oversight are any way concern'd there being it seems such order taken that all persons are not permitted to present themselves indifferently before the Magistrate but they would have it done by such as know what respect they owe to their Superiours The Cities or Towns have no particular Revenue nor any sums of Money in bank whereof they have the disposal for all the Demeâ—ne belongs to the Soveraign who bestows the Revenue thereof on the Princes and great Lords before mentioned and permits not the raising of any Impositions or Taxes of any nature whatsoever Nor is it to be fear'd that the mildness of the Air of that Countrey should breed any of those Grashoppers which consume where-ever they come all the Fruit which the Hail hath left on the Trees in so much that they leave not any verdure on them They only pay a small chief Rent for their Houses which the great Lords receive yearly but it amounts not to above thirty shillings for the greatest those of the middle sort ten and the ordinary ones twenty pence The Inhabitants are besides these oblig'd to certain dayes works and to find a man for their Lord to do what business he hath to put him upon but this happens not above twice or thrice a moneth and is but for an hour or two or at most but for half a day By this means the Lord lives upon his Demesâ—e the Souldier by his Pay the Merchant by his Traffick the Tradesman by his Trade and the Husbandman by his Labour One of the most considerable parts of these Lords Revenues consists in Fishing especially that of the Whale which the Emperour gives them There are taken every year about two or three hundred upon the Coasts of Iapan but they are not so big as thoâ—e taken towards the North and have at most not above seven or eight inches of fat but much flesh or meat which the Iaponneses feed upon There is no Lord nor indeed any Citizen or Merchant but may put his Vassals and Domesticks to death and that by way of Justice he himself being the Judge but to others Justice is administred all over the Country in the Emperours name Gentlemen and Souldiers have the priviledge to be their own Executioners and to rip up their bellies themselves but others are forc'd to receive their death from the hands of the common Executioner They alledge as a reason for this proceeding of theirs that Merchants are in some respect infamous in as much as they are for the most part Lyars and deceive those that trust them Tradesmen they sleight as being only but publick servants and the Peasantry is contemptible by reason of the wretched condition they live in which is little better then that of Slaves Only the Gentlemen and Souldiers are best respected and live at the charge and upon the labour of others No offence though never so small but is punish'd with death but especially Theft though it were but for a Penny Gaming whether that which depends upon chance or requires skill is capital among them if it be for money and he who kills another though innocently and in his own defence is to die without mercy with this only difference that such as kill in their own defence as also they who commit such Faults or Offences as would not here be punished with death die only themselves but other Offenders involve all their Kindred in their misfortune so that for the Crime of one single person the Father Brethren and Children are put to death the Wives and Daughters are made Slaves and the Estate of the whole Family is confiscated And this happens so frequently that there are Commissioners expresly appointed for the administration of what is so confiscated yet does not the money raised thereby go to the King but is imployed in the building of Pagodes and the repairing of High-wayes and Bridges The torture Thieves are put to for want of evidence makes rather the unfortunate then the guilty to be condemned They take a piece of Iron about a finger thick and a foot square and make it red hot and as soon as the redness is gone and the Iron return'd to its own colour they put it to the hands of the party accused upon two sheets of Paper which immediately flame and if the accused person can cast the piece of Iron upon a little Hurdle standing near him without burning himself he is dismissed but if his hands are ever so little touched by the Fire he is sentenc'd to die This Crime is punish'd with a particular kind of death The Criminal is tied with a Straw-rope by the Neck to a great Cane overthwart which
they put two other Canes much after the manner of a Lorrain-Cross whereto they fasten the Feet and the Hands and then the Executioner runs him through with a Pike from the right Side up to the left Shoulder and from the left Side to the right Shoulder so that being twice run through the heart he is soon dispatch'd Sometimes they only fasten the Malefactor with his Back to a Post and they make him stretch forth his Hands which are held out by two Men and then the Executioner standing behind him runs him in at the Neck and so into the Heart and dispatches him in a moment The Lords have such an absolute power over their menial Servants that there needs but a pretence to put them to death An example of this happened not long since a Servant had the insolence to address himself to a Gentleman to proffer his service to him but ask'd greater Wages then he knew the other was able to give purposely to abuse him The Gentleman perceiving the impudence of the Raskal was a little troubled at it but smother'd his indignation and only told him that his demands were very great but that he had so good an opinion of him that he must needs be a good Servant Accordingly he kept him a while but one day charging him with some neglect and reproaching him that when he should have been about his business he had been idling about the City he put him to death The Gentlemen and Souldiâ—rs are for the most part very poor and live miserably by being highly conceited of themselves most of them keep Servants though only to carry their Shoes after them which are indeed but as it were a pair of Soles made of Straw or Rushes having a hole towards the toe which keeps them on their feet The Crimes for which all of the Family or kindred are put to death are Extortion Coyning setting of Houses on fire ravithing of Women premeditated murther c. If a Mans Wife be guilty of any Crime her Husband is convicted of she dies with him but if she be innocent she is made a Slave Their punishments bear no proportion to the Crimes committed but are so cruel that it were not easie to express the barbarism thereof To consume with a gentle Fire or only with a Candle to crucifie with the Head downwards to boyl Men in seething Oyl or Water to quarter and draw with four Horses are very ordinary punishments among them One who had undertaken to find Timber and Stones for the building of a Palace for the King and had corrupted the Officers appointed by his Majesty to receive and register what he should send in was crucified with his head downwards The officers were condemn'd to rip up their bellies but the Merchant was put to the foresaid death He had the repute of an honest man and was one that had had occasion to obliege several Persons of Quality in so much that some resolved to petition the Emperour for his pardon though these intercessions for condemn'd persons be in some sort criminal and indeed the Emperour took it so ill that the Lords who had presented their Petition for him had no other answer thereto but the reproaches he made to them of their imprudence It happened in the year 1638. That a Gentleman on whom the King had bestowed the Government of a little Province near Iedo so oppressed the Country people that they were forc'd to make their complaints thereof to the Court where it was ordered that the said Gentleman and all his Relations should all have their bellies ripp'd up on the same day and as near as might be at the same hour He had a Brother who lived two hundred fourty and seven Leagues from Iedo in the service of the King of Fingo an Uncle who lived in Satsuma twenty Leagues further a Son who serv'd the King of Kinocuni a Grand-son who serv'd the King of Massamme a hundred and ten Leagues from Iedo and at three hundred and eighty Leagues from Satsuma another Son who serv'd the Governour of the Castle of Quanto two Brothers who were of the Regiment of the Emperours Guard and another Son who had married the only Daughter of a rich Merchant near Iedo yet were all these persons to be executed precisely at the same hour To do that they cast up what time were requisite to send the Order to the farthest place and having appointed the day for the execution there Orders were sent to the Princes of all the forementioned places that they should put to death all those persons upon the same day just at noon which was punctually done The Merchant who had bestowed his Daughter on that Gentlemans Son died of grief and the Widow starv'd her self Lying is also punished among them with death especially that which is said in the presence of the Judge The forementioned punishments are only for Gentlemen Souldiers Merchants and some other persons of mean quality but Kings Princes and great Lords are ordinarily punished more cruelly then if they were put to death For they are banished into a little Island named Faitsensima which lies fourteen Leagues from the Province of Iedo and is but a League about It hath neither Road nor Haven and it is so steepy all about that no doubt it was with the greatest danger imaginable that the first who got up to it made a shift to do it Those who first attempted to climb it up found means to fasten great Poles in certain places whereto they have tyed ropes with which they draw up those that are sent thither and make fast the boats which otherwise would split against the Rocks with the first Wind. There grows nothing in all the Island but a few Mulberry-trees so that they are obliged to send in provisions for the subsistance of the Prisoners They are relieved every moneth as is also the Garrison kept there but they are dieted very sparingly as being allow'd only a little Rice some roots and other wretched fare They hardly afford them a lodging over their heads and with all these miseries they oblige them to keep a certain number of Silk-worms and to make a certain quantity of Stuffs every year The expence which the Emperour of Iapan is at every year in his Court and what relates thereto to wit the sallaries and allowances of the Officers and Counsellours amounts yearly to four millions of Kockiens and the sallaries of Governours of places and Military persons together with the Pensions he gives amount to five millions of Kockiens They who speak of the Soveraign Prince of all Iapan give him the quality of Emperour in as much as all the other Lords of the Country on whom they bestow that of King depend on him and obey him not only as Vassals but as Subjects since it is in his power to condemn them to death to deprive them of their Dignities to dispossess them of their Territories to banish or send them
to some Island for very petty Offences The Castle of Iedo which is the place of his ordinary residence is near two Leagues in compass and is fortified with three Walls and as many Moats very deep and built of Free-stone but so irregular that it is impossible to assign it any certain Figure Within less then three hundred paces a Man must pass through eight or nine Gates not one of them standing opposite to another for being come within the first he must turn on the right hand to go to the second and being come within that on the left hand to go to the third and so alternately till he comes to the last Just within the last Gate there is a Magazine of Arms for three or four thousand men on which about all the Streets which are fair and broad having on both sides many magnificent Palaces The Gates are done over with great Iron bars and over every Gate there is a House wherein two or three hundred Souldiers may be lodg'd The Emperours Palace stands in the midst of the Castle and hath belonging to it many Appartments Halls Chambers Closets Galleries Gardens Orchards Groves Ponds Rivers Fountains Courts c. and several particular Houses for his Wives and Concubines At your coming out of the Palace you go into that quarter where the Princes of the Bloud and Counsellers of State live and thence into another quarter where are the Palaces of the Kings and great Lords of Iapan which are all gilt both within and without and the more sumptuously built out of this respect that there is a certain emulation amongst them who shall be at greatest expence to please the Emperour In the next quarter to this there live other Princes and Lords who are not so powerful as the former yet have their Palaces gilt and so richly furnish'd that a Man would think at his first coming in he met with Mountains of Gold In this quarter there live some of the Wives and eldest Sons of those Princes whom the Emperour hath brought up in the sight of the Court as so many Hostages of their Fathers fidelity so that this Castle though as big as a considerable City yet is so full of people that the Streets can hardly contain them When the Emperour goes out of his Palace he either rides on horse-back or is carried in a Palanquin open of all sides and he is accompany'd by a great number of Lords whom they call the Emperours Camarades These Lords are of great quality and very rich yet do they not think it any dishonour to apply themselves to such things as are either necessary or delightful Some are skill'd in Musick some in Physick some are excellent at Writing or Painting others study eloquence and the mannagement of Affairs Next them there goes a part of the Guard which consists altogether of persons cull'd out among the Children of younger Brothers Cousins or Kinsmen of great Lords among whom there are also some natural Children of such as either actually are in employments or may upon presumption of their Birth pretend thereto Then follow the ordinary Guard commanded by their Colonels and other Officers who so dispose thereof that two or three thousand march before the Emperour and as many after him Among so many Souldiers there is not one but there hath been some trial made of his courage nor any that hath not gone through all the necessary exercises in order to such a kind of life and whose countenance and demeanour is not answerable to the employment they are put into They leave a space between them and the Emperour for a great number of other great Lords who are about his Majesties person who must needs make a strange shew among five or six hundred Men all clad in black some on horse-back some afoot all marching with such gravity and so orderly that there is not only any one man to be seen out of his rank but a man hears not so much as a word spoken The Streets are swept and strew'd with Sand or Gravel and the doors of all the houses standing open yet is there not a person to be seen either in the shops or at the windows or if it happen there be the Guard makes them kneel till such time as the Emperour is passed by Once every five year the Emperour goes to Meaco to do reverence to the Dayro who is the true Prince of Iapan and still hath the quality but without any function There is a whole year spent in making all things ready for that journey whereof we shall hereafter give a particular description and Orders are issued out to the Lords who are to follow and who accordingly come at the day appointed to the places where they are to meet the King dividing themselves so as that some go before to relieve such as come from the Court so to prevent the disorder and confusion which were unavoidable among so great a number of Princes who are all oblig'd to make their appearance upon this occasion with all the bravery and magnificence they can From the City of Iedo to that of Meaco there are a hundred and twenty five Leagues and within every three or four Leagues there is a considerable City able to lodge the whole Court yet hath the Emperour caused to be built between those two places at an equal distance one from the other eight and twenty fair Houses of which there 〈◊〉 twenty great Castles and in every House there is a Retinue and 〈…〉 else befitting a Kings Court as Gentlemen Guards Horses Officers and Servants with Provisions necessary for the subsistance of the whole Train They who go along with the Emperour from the City of Iedo leave him to the care of those whom they find in the first House These accompany and conduct him to the second and so from one to another till he comes to the City of Meaco in his return from whence he observes the same order being attended from one House to another till he comes to Iedo The Emperours of Iapan build many of these Castles and have them finish'd in so short a time that they will have a Structure compleated in six moneths which in Europe would take up as many years We have an Instance of it in the Castle which the Emperour had built in the year 1636. in the Province of Nicko four dayes journey from the City of Iedo It is fortified with a double Moat and a double Rampier and both of Free-stone and it is so spacious and consists of so many particular Palaces for the Grandees of the Court and so many Appartments Gardens and Fountains for the Emperour himself that the best Architect in Europe would not have finish'd it in several years yet was this great building compleated in less than five months there were so many Masons Carpenters Joyners Stone-cutters Gilders Painters c. employ'd about it This Castle is so far within the Countrey that the Emperour lodges
three days they make choyce of one of these three on whom they bestow besides several other Titles the quality of the Prince's Nurse In order to her establishment in that Function she is brought into the Prince's Chamber whom she finds in the arms of one of the chiefest Ladies of the Countrey by whom he had been kept from the time of his birth and after the Nurse hath spurted a little of her milk into the Childes mouth he is delivered up to her All these Ceremonies as also those performed at the ordinary Feasts are very great and they are at this day performed with the Dayro who still enjoys a very considerable Revenue sufficient to defray all the charge and continues the same grandeur his Predecessours have been possess'd of though the force of the Empire hath been devolv'd into other hands as we shall now relate The charge of General of the Army was heretofore the greatest of any in the Kingdom as is that of Constable in France and it was invested ordinarily though contrary to the rules of good policy in the second Son of the Dayro About a hundred and twenty years since it happened there was a Dayro who having a son he exceedingly doted on would needs out of an imprudent compliance he had for the Mother consent that he should participate of the Royal Dignity and it was ordered that it should pass alternately from one to the other every three years But the son willing to make his advantage of the occasion found means so to insinuate himself into the affections of the great Lords and the Soldiery during the three years of his Reign that he resolv'd to continue it contrary to the exhortations of his Father who too late repented him of his devesting himself of an authority which indeed is not communicable This was the first disturbance that ever had been seen in Iapan inasmuch as both Father and Son being equally invested with the quality of Dayro the people conceived they might without any crime take up Arms for either However most of the Lords detesting the ingratitude of the Son joyn'd with the General whom the Father had appointed to reduce his Son to obedience who was defeated and killed in that Civil warr The General finding himself well established in his charge followed the example of the Prince and abusing the lawful power whereof he was seized made his advantage of it to settle himself in the Throne after the Dayro's death yet leaving the lawful heir with the quality of Dayro all the outward appearance of his former greatness This demeanour of the Generall 's occasioned a second Civil warre which was thought the more just out of this respect that in this the people took up Arms against an Usurper who had not the quality of Dayro nor consequently the Character for which the Iaponnesses have so great a veneration Accordingly this war had the same success with the former for the Usurper was defeated and executed But this second General took the same course as his Predecessour had done so that by this second Usurpation the Countrey was reduced to an absolute Anarchy wherein all were Masters there being no Prince nor Lord nay hardly a Village but was engaged in war against some other These disorders gave occasion to a Soldier of Fortune named Taycko to appear at first in the head only of fifty men with whom he did such exploits that he soon improved that handful to a very considerable Army His first adventures were the taking in of several Castles and small Cities but within a while after his thoughts flew much higher and he proved so fortunate in his designs that within less then three years he became absolute Master of the whole State He left the Dayro the external part of his former greatness and thought it enough to be in effect what the other was only in appearance The Dayro on the other side perceiving it was impossible for him to prevent that establishment comply'd therewith and chang'd the quality of General of the Army to that of Emperour Taycko who could not expect much quietness in his newly acquired fortune if he removed not those Lords of whom he conceived any jealousie resolved to keep them at a distance from the Court and to that end he sent the chiefest of them with an Army of sixty thousand men into the Countrey of Corea with order not to return thence till they had conquered that Province They there met with such resistance that they were near seven years reducing that Nation to obedience Taycko in the mean time feeding them with fair hopes and animating them to prosecute a design of so great concernment to the State They were forc'd to obey but being impatient to return to their own habitations they committed such exorbitances as made the Inhabitants of Corea desperate insomuch that not able any longer to endure the burning of their houses the murthers and other violences done them they sent an Embassadour to the Court who to deliver his Country out of the miseries it had suffered for so many years made a shift to poyson Taycko who some days after dyed The Army in Corea was immediately disbanded and the Lords who had the command of it return'd to their several homes Taycko being on his death-bed and considering with himself that he could not hope to derive the succession to his Son who was but six years of age if he made not some powerful Person Protector during his Minority sent to Ongosschio one of the greatest Lords of the Country desiring him to undertake the tuition of that young Prince Ongosschio accepted it and to give Taycko the greatest assurance he could expect that he would be faithful to him promised him by an act signed with his blood that he would deliver up the Crown to Fidery so was the young Prince called assoon as he were come to the fifteenth year of his age and that he should be Crown'd Emperour by the Dayro The disorders of the late Civil Warrs were yet fresh in every mans memory so that there was a general joy conceiv'd to see the Regency in the hands of a person excellently qualified for the execution thereof Ongosschio was indeed a person of very great endowments but he had withal too much spirit and ambition to be reduced to a private life after he had been possessed of the Soveraign Power for so many years He had obliged Fidery to marry his Daughter yet could not so near an alliance smother so that predominant passion in him Whence it came that he immediately gave out that Fidery was grown so distrustful of him that he was forc'd to stand upon his guard and to raise an Army to oppose that which Fidery was going to get together against him He gave out also that Fidery would needs be treated as Emperour and discharge the Functions thereof before the Dayro had acknowledged him to be such or Crown'd him in that quality Accordingly
then his Revenue amounts to But what helps to ruine them is the Order they receive from the Emperour to supply him ever and anon with men and mony to carry on the publick Buildings which he does rather to drain the Purses of these Lords then out of any necessity obliging him thereto The greatest Lords when they build a Pallace do ordinarily make two Gates thereto one for their own use and the other for the Emperours passage into it The latter is much larger then the other and made all of Joyner's work excellently varnish'd carv'd into branch-work and gilt Assoon as it is hâ—ish'd it is cover'd with boards against the injury of the weather and is not uncover'd till near the time of the Emperour intends to honour the house with his presence to dine there and assoon as he is departed thence it is shut up and so kept ever after out of this respect that having serv'd for a passage to the Emperour 's Sacred Majesty it were a profanation if any private person should pass through it after him It is also to be observ'd that the Emperour never dines above once in any house belonging to another man and that they are three whole years in making all things ready for his Entertainment Accordingly he hath notice of it three years before and in the mean time all the furniture of the house is made and marked as is also all the Plate with the Arms and Characters of the Emperour and after that time they are never more used but kept very safe as things not to be employed in any thing after they have once served the Soveraigns person So that this Expence and that which they are at in the Entertainment which the Master of that House is obliged to make for the whole Court for three months together were enough to beggar an ordinary King Another thing lies heavy on these Lords is the Presents which the Emperour makes them For upon his return from his ordinary Hunting which is that of the Crane a bird there very highly esteemed he is wont to send some of those he hath taken to such as he hath most kindness for But that Present costs him at least half a years Revenue in Feasts Presents and other publick Entertainments which he is obliged to make in acknowledgment of the favour done him by his Majesty in sending him a Bird taken by a Hawk put off from his Sacred Hands It is not long since that the Lord of Zatiuma treated the Emperour at a Dinner in a Palace which was then but newly finished but he got well by the expence he had been at For the Emperour made him a Present for his Horses so they call the Gratifications he makes his Favourites by an addition to his former Revenue of two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns per annum The Grandees never take any Wife but what they have from the Emperours hands and it is of her alone who is given by him that the Children are to be born who are to inherit their Estates Accordingly they look on her and respect her as the person from whom they expect Heirs for the propagation of their Family and upon that account recommended to them by the Emperour He who expects to have this honour done him builds a Palace purposely for her reception furnishes it very richly and allows her a Retinue consisting of a great number of Women and Maids to accompany her and wait on her Women go not abroad but once a year to give their Relations a Visit and then they are seen in the streets with a Retinue of thirty forty or fifty close Palanquins wherein are carried so many Maids of Honour accompanied each of them by their Waiting Gentlewomen and other Women marching in a File on both sides of the Palanquins which are varnished over and gilt All the remainder of the year the women stir not out of their houses into which there are not any men permitted to enter save only some of the Wives nearest Relations who sometimes have the freedom to see them but very seldom and that in their Husbands presence It is his business on the other side to make the restraint as little burthensom as may be to them by allowing them all the divertisements and recreations which honest women can take finding them Gardens and Parks for walking Ponds for fishing keeping all sorts of living Creatures for their pleasure and entertaining them every day with Musick and Plays But they must expect to end their days in this restraint and renounce the conversation of men inasmuch as the least suspition is here as unpardonably punished with death as any other manifest crime not only in the person of the Lady but also in all about her Her Attendants are commonly some of the handsomest young Gentlewomen in the Province who always stand before the Master and Mistress with such respect that they study to answer laugh and hold their peace upon the least sign made them They are ordinarily distinguished into Bands or Companies consisting of sixteen Gentlewomen who have each a Governess over them They are clad in Silk flower'd painted or embroidered of different colours or liveries For one Band is in a red livery with girdles and head-cloathes of a green colour another white with girdles and head-cloathes red another yellow with girdles and head-cloaths of a sky-colour and so of the rest The Gentlewomen who are received into the service of these Princesses at fifteen or twenty years of age oblige themselves most of them for the remainder of their lives but such as are taken into it while they are yet children are sometimes afterwards married to Gentlemen Soldiers or others of the menial Servants who have some Office about the House and whose Allowances are upon that Account augmented but such as are not married at thirty must not expect to change their condition otherwise then by being advanced to some more honourable Employments among the women It is the custom of the Countrey that Women should be instructed betimes not to meddle with any kind of business whatsoever insomuch that they never speak of any such thing to their Husbands These on the otherside make it their brag that they are enabled with such a strength of parts and understanding as to leave all serious thoughts behind them at their own Lodgings when they leave those to go into the appartment of their Wives where their discourse is altogether of mirth and divertisement If a Woman should trouble her Husband with the least discourse about business she would immediately put him out of humour make him change his countenance and oblige him to retire without so much as speaking to her But this she will be sure to avoid though out of no other motive then this that another might not have those enjoyments of him which she by her imprudence would deprive her self of For they affirm that a woman is bestow'd on man mearly to serve and
embroydered Curtains Before and behind they were made like the Front of a House as was also the Door at which they went in which was made behind at the back The Wheels were of Iron and the Coach was varnished all over with black so that the Wheels might be seen turning as it were in a Looking-glass The Roofs of them which were built Arch-wise had drawn thereon the Dayro's Arms within a great Circle of Gold The Pillars as also the inside of the Coach was inriched with Figures of beaten Gold and Mother of Pearl and all the extremities were garnished with Gold Two great black Bufflers covered with a Net-work of Crimson Silk drew each of them and they were guided by four Halberteers clad in white Every Coach was valued at seventy thousand Tayls which amount to twenty thousand pounds Sterling These Coaches had also their Foot-guard and many Pages marching on both sides of them Twenty three of the chiefest Servants belonging to these Ladies were carried next to them in so many black Norrimones adorned with Brass plate having each of them marching before him a Halbertier who carried an Umbrello on each side two Pages and behind them sixty eight Gentlement of the Dayro's clad and armed as those we mentioned before These march'd two a breast and were followed by a great number of Pages Halberteers and Slaves After them there were carried Two gilt Stools with Plates of Gold at the extremities A great Fire-work A great and very rich Sea-Compass Two great Golden Candlesticks Two Pillars of Ebony Three Cabinets of Ebony garnished with Gold plates Four other Cabinets bigger and richer then the three precedent Two great Gold Basins carv'd A pair of Pantofles varnish'd After these there followed in two Coaches of the same making as the three first the Emperour and his Ward having before them a hundred and sixty Gentlemen armed with two Cymitars and a Nanganet serving for a particular Guard about their Majesties persons These Guards they call Sambreys and they are chosen out of the most valiant and most active persons in the Kingdom Immediately before the Coaches there march'd four Men with Umbrelloes four others with great Iron Rods to make way two light Horses magnificently cover'd and with very rich Trappings accompanied each of them by eight Men arm'd with Bows and Arrows and two great Pikes The Emperours Brethren followed next on Horse-back accompanied by all the Princes and Lords of Iapan who were also on Horse-back all armed and sumptuously clad 164. in number The Chiefest of these Lords were Owaruy Camny Samma the Emperours Brother Quiney Deymangon samma another Brother of the Emperour Mittot Chonango samma a third Brother of the Emperour Massummenamoet Nocammi samma a fourth Brother of the Emperours Matsendairo Thoy quese Nocammi samma Lord of Canga Matsendairo Moutsnocammy samma Satsumadonne that is Lord of Satsuma Matsendairo Iondonne Mansendairo Symouts quedonne Matsendairo Quonenoch Wacchoo and Turoganâ— Deynangono Cammy samma These march'd all in a File having each of them a long train of Pages Lacqueys Halâ—erteers Guards and Slaves The other Lords among whom were Ouwaydonne and Woutadonne the ehiefest of the Emperous Councel march'd two a breast he of the greater quality taking the left hand which among them is accounted the more honourable After them march'd four hundred of the Guards of the body and in the same order in white Liveries Next them in six fair Coaches came the Dayro's Concubines but these Coaches were not so large as the former and were drawn each of them by a single Buffer Then followed sixty eight Gentlemen on Horse-back attended by a great number of Lacqueys and Slaves The Dayro's Secretary accompaied by thirty seven Gentlemen on Horse-back follow'd next in a Coach and immediately preceded forty six Lords of the Dayro's House who were carried in Norimonnes whereof fifteen were of Ebony beautified with Ivory thirteen varnished with black and gilt and the other eighteen were only varnished with black There were carried after them fourty six Umbrelloes suitable to their Norimonnes Then followed the Dayro's Musick which consisted of fifty four Gentlemen very odly but very richly clad who plaid on their Instruments which were only Tabours Timbrels Copper Basins Bells and that kind of Lute we spoke of before which was not heard by reason of the confused noise of the rest Yet was this distracted kind of Musick delightful to the Dayro who immediately followed it He was sate in a little wooden Structure made like a Sedan but much larger as being about seven or eight foot high and as many Diameter having windows on all sides with embroidered Curtains The Roof of that little Structure was arch'd and had in the midst upon a great Button a Cock of massie Gold with his Wings spread in a Field Azure with several Stars of beaten Gold about the Sun and Moon which appeared there with a lustre coming near the natural This Machine was carried by fifty Gentlemen of the Dayro's retinue all clad in white with Bonnets on their Heads Fourty other Gentlemen went before it and represented the Guard for the Dayro's person These were clad after a particular fashion much like that of the ancient Romans carrying each of them a gilt Nouganet The Captain of the Guard marched alone on Horse-back behind the Dayro's Chair armed with a Target stuck through with several Arrows and had carried after him fourty Umbrelloes for the Guards Next were carried thirteen varnish'd Chests and in the close of the Procession came four hundred Souldiers clad in white who marched six a breast and by that means hinder the crowds of people to interrupt that Order This Ceremony took up the whole day so that night coming on upon us at the place where we were we thought it not safe to venture home at so unseasonable a time by reason of the many Robberies Murthers and other Violences committed in the Streets during the disorder which proved so great that the next morning there were found a great number of dead persons some whereof had been kill'd and robb'd and others had been smother'd in the throng The Dayro staid three dayes at the Emperours Palace who during that time waited on him in person with his Brethren and had the charge of his Table for that time defray'd by Sugadonne chief Judge of the City of Meaco Ivocamosamma Cobâ—ritot homy Samma Macamora Mockiemon samma and Mannosa Frâ—yemon samma There were brought to his Table at every meal a hundred and fourteen dishes of meat Ouwaydonne the President of the Emperours Councel Ivemondonne one of the Counsellors of State Farimadonne Quiniem Ondonne Sioyserodonne and Chirotadonne provided for the Table of the Dayro's three chiefest Wives The Emperours Present to him were Two hundred Marks of Gold A hundred Garments of Watte of the best Two great Silver Pots full of Honey Five Catties of the Wood of Calambae Two hundred pieces of Crimson
the more inclinable to accept what was proffer'd him since there was no other choice to make for as to Lizungzo it could never be known what became of that Villain Vsanguei's declaring himself satisfied with what had been proffer'd him by the Tartars facilitated their Conquest of the Provinces of Peking Xansi and Xantung which they possessed themselves of in less then a years time and settled themselves therein allowing the Inhabitants their Laws Magistrates and manner of life and reserving only to themselves military employments and the defence of places In the interim the Southerly Provinces had raised a powerful Army which they sent to the Emperours relief but upon the first news brought them of the reduction of Peking and the death of Zungchini they remanded their Army with all the Boats which carried the yearly Provisions and Contributions to the Court and hearing of the Invasion of the Tartars they proceeded to the election of another Emperour of the House of Taiming whom they called Hungquang Nephew to Vanlie and Cousin to Zungehini This man began his Reign with a solemn Embassie which he sent to the Tartars to demand a Peace and to proffer them the Northerly Provinces of the Kingdom Amahan whom the Chineses call Amauang made answer that the Tartars never received from any one what they were already possessed of that if the Chineses had made choice of an Emperour it was their business to protect him and that for their parts they would have all or nothing During the time of this Negotiation there came into play a Prince who gave himself out to be the eldest Son of the Emperour Zungehini and was acknowledged to be the same person by several Grandees of the Court But Hungquang imprisoned him with an intention to have him strangled to the great dissatisfaction of those who thence took occasion to revolt so that the Tartars made their advantage of him to get into the Province of Nanking Hungquang sent against them a powerful Army but it ran away without ever engaging upon the first sight of the Tartars getting into the Boats to cross the River Upon that defeat all the Cities of the Province on this side the River Kiang submitted save only that of Yangcheu into which Zu Coloa was got with some Forces who made a vigorous resistance but such as prov'd the destruction of the City which was burnt purposely to bury in its ashes their bodies who had been kill'd for fear of infecting the Air. The Metropolis was yet in the power of Hungquan who kept the Tartars from crossing the Kiang by a good Fleet he had under the Command of Hoangchoang who had already gaind many advantages over the Tartars and put them out of all hope of crossing the River when he was kill'd with an Arrow by one of his own people named Thien who had been corrupted by the Tartars This may be said to have been China's fatal blow since that upon the Generals death the Army fled and the Tartars passing the River immediately pursued Hungquang and having taken him by the treachery of the said Thien they sent him to Peking where they strangled him in Iune 1644. They also put to death the young man who pretended himself Zunchini's Son whom they found in prison and with him all the other Princes of the Royal house of Tayning that fell into their hands Most of the Lords who escaped these defeats met together in the City of Hangcheu in the Province of Chekiang the greatest of any in the whole Country with a design to give the utmost expression they could of their fidelity and courage They had chosen Emperour one of the Royal Family named Louang but ere he had reign'd three dayes the Tartarian Army was come to the Gates of the City and the Garrison which was 〈◊〉 much inclined to fight demanded their pay so that Louang out of all hope to prevent the taking of the City would preserve it and the Inhabitants by a voluntary delivery of himself to the Tartars who strangled him and suffered not that noble City to be plundered They took in the same Province the great City of Xoaking and were likely to have made a powerful settlement there had they not been so imprudent as to oblige the Chineses to shave themselves but they found them so resolutely bent on the contrary that the Chineses who had taken the loss of their Country with so much indifference chose rather to lose their Lives then their Hair They beat the Tartars out of the City of Xoaking forc'd them to repass the River C'enthaeng and no doubt had retaken the City of Hangcheu had they had the courage to pursue them They thought it enough to entrench themselves on the River side and own'd the Authority of a Lord of the House of Tayming named Lu who assumed the Quality of Restaurator of the County and refused that of the Emperour About this time the Officers and Souldiers who retired out of the Province of Chekiang into that of Fokien chose another Emperour named Thang who writ to Lu that he should own him for his Soveraign in regard he was the nearer of Kin to the deceased Emperour This division brought the Tartars to be absolute Masters of all China for these two Princes refusing to joyn their Forces together against the common Enemy the Tartars set upon Lu and forc'd him to retire into the Island of Cheuxan over against the City of Ningpo which had hardly been peopled had it not been for that Defeat They found it no harder matter to conquer the Province of Fokien though it be divided from those of Quantung Kiangsi and Chekiang by Mountains which six thousand men have kept against all the Forces of Tartary The Emperour himself who had assum'd the name of Longuu that is warlike Dragon fled and was kill'd as is conceiv'd by the Tartars who pursued him They had divided their Army into two Bodies whereof one was got into Fokien as we said before the other had passed through the Provinces of Hungquang and Kiangsi so that they met much about the same time in that of Quantung where they again divided one part being commanded into Peking the other into the Province of Quangsi Their easie conquest of Fokien proceeded partly from the good success that attended their designs where-ever they went but particularly from the correspondence they held with Chincilug who had the command of Longuu's Army in that Country He had sometime been an Interpreter and a kind of Broker to the Portuguez Castilians and Dutch at Macao the Philippine Islands and that of Fermosa under the name of Iquon Giving over that employment he turned Pyrat and by that means became so powerful that having obtained or rather extorted an Act of Oblivion from the Emperour of China he forced him to suffer him to carry on the Trade of the whole Kingdom keeping the Sea with a Fleet of
ere there rose such a Tempest as not only hindred us from getting aboard but forced us to Sea the waves so filling our little Vessel that we were forced to cast out the water with our hats In the precedent part of this Relation the Reader may have observed that we had been in many great dangers ere we got to the Coasts of England but certain it is that we were then in was far greater then any we had escaped since we were in all probability to perish in fight of our dear Country and to be wrackt in the Port whereto we were already arriv'd We were above four hours in these extremities and at last we discovered a little Vessel which had lost all its Anchors but the last which was not so fastned but that the wind forc'd it towards the Sea We were in water up to the waste but that hindred us not from setting our selves to the Oares so that with much adoo we got to the said Vessel Assoon as we were got into it we found that it was as unsafe to be there as to continue in our own in regard the Anchor being not able to stay it we were in danger of being cast on a certain bank which is one of the most dangerous of any about that Coast. And indeed we should hardly have recovered our selves out of that fear had we been in a condition to reflect on the danger we were in but the cold we had endured the good chear we had made the salt water we had swallowed down in our boat and the violent and extraordinary motion of that little Vessel put us so out of order that we were better then half dead when we were brought the next day to our Ship where we were received as persons risen from the dead inasmuch as all who had seen our boat carried away by the violence of the winds had given us over for irrecoverably lost nay so far did they despair of ever seeing us again that they had already bewailed our death December 24. There rose so dreadful a Tempest that in the same Road which is accounted one of the safest and best in the World 24. Ships were forc'd to cut off their Masts We were our selves put to the same extremity but not so much by reason of the violence of the winds as to avoid the running upon us of two men of War which were got loose from their Anchors and would otherwise have run foul upon ours The 26. We got ashore and reach'd that night to Canterbury the Cathedral whereof is without doubt the noblest of any in England and may be compared with the best structures in the World The 27. We came to Gravesend the 28. to London where certain Deputies of the East-India Company expected the President in eight Coaches at Black-wall There came along with them the President 's Lady whom he had not seen in seven years before He would needs have me salute her according to the English way and obliged me to take up my lodging at his own house and to participate of all the honours done him upon his arrival December 30. I went to see the East-India House and thank'd the Overseers there for all the civilities I had receiv'd from the President They invited me to the entertainment which they made that day for him The next day and the 1. of Ianuary we were at other treatments and Ianuary 2. the Lord Major sent to invite us He was so pleased with the Presidents discourse that he prevail'd with him to come again the next day The Lord Major was indeed himself very excellent for discourse and having heard what dangers he had escaped in that great Voyage he would shew us that they were not to be compared with such as some others had been in He gave us the story of a Dutch Sea-man who being condemned for a crime his punishment was changed and he was ordered to be left in St. Helens's Island a place we have spoken of before This unhappy person representing to himself the horrour of that solitude much beyond what it really was since it came not near that we shall have occasion to speak of anon fell into a despair that made him attempt the strangest Action that ever was heard of There had that day been interr'd in the same Island an Officer of the Ship This Seaman took up the body out of the Coffin and having made a kind of rudder of the upper board ventured himself to Sea in it It hapned fortunately to him to be so great a calm that the Ship lay as it were immoveable within a League and half of the Island but his companions seeing so strange a kind of boat floating on the water imagined they saw a Spectre and were not a little startled at the resolution of the man who durst hazard himself upon that Element in three boards slightly nail'd together which a small wave might have overturned though he had no confidence to be received by those who had so lately sentenc'd him to death Accordingly it was put to the question whether he should be received or not and some would have the sentence put in execution but at last they concluded in mitiorem and he was taken aboard and came afterwards to Holland where he lived in the Town of Horn and related to many how miraculously God had delivered him Whereto the Lord Major added that it was a great mistake in the said Sea-man to take so desperate a resolution upon pure thoughts of the solitude of that Place since the Spaniards leave their sick there from year to year to recover themselves of the inconveniences of their long Voyages and that he could give them an example which condemned the fortunate temerity of that man whom fear caused to do what the most resolute courage would never have attempted In the year 1616. a Flemming named Pickman well known in England and Holland for the Art he had in getting out of the Sea the great Guns of that Spanish Fleet which was forc'd upon the Coasts of Ireland and Scotland in the year 1588. coming from Dronthem in Norway with a Vessel loaden with boards was overtaken by a calm during which the current of the Sea carried him upon a Rock or little Island towards the extremities of Scotland where he was in some danger to be cast away To avoid a wrack he commanded some of his men to go into the Shallop and to tow off the Ship These having done so would needs go up into a certain Rock to look for Eggs but assoon as they were got up into it they at some distance perceived a man whence they imagine there were others lay lurking thereabouts and that he had made his escape thither to avoid some Pirats which might surprise their Ship so that they made all the haste they could to their Shallop and returned to their Ship But the calm continuing and the current of the Sea driving the
Vessel against that Island they were forc'd to get into the long boat and tow her off again The man they had seen before was in the mean time come to the brink of the Island and made signs to them with his hands intreating them to come nearer and falling on his knees and joyning his hands together begg'd relief from them At first there was some difficulty made but coming nearer the Island they saw something which was more like a Ghost then a living person a body stark naked black and hairy a meagre and deformed countenance and hollow and distorted eyes which raised such compassion in them that they proffered to take him into the boat but the Rock being so steepy thereabouts that it was impossible to land they went about the Island and came at last to a flat shore where they took the man aboard They found nothing at all in the Island nor grass nor tree nor ought whence a man could derive any subsistance nor any shelter but the ruines of a boat wherewith he had made a kind of Hut under which he might lye down and shelter himself from the rain and injuries of the weather The Sun was set ere they got to the Ship and immediately there rose a wind which forc'd them off from the Island whence they imagined that what they had brought with them was not a man since he had not the Figure of one whereupon they would know of him who he was and how he came to that uninhabitable place He made answer He was an English-man and that about a year before being to pass in the ordinary passage boat from England to Dublin in Ireland they were taken by a French Pirate who being forced by the Tempest which immediately rose to let go the passage boat left us to the mercy of the waves which carried us between Ireland and Scotland into the main Sea expecting to be cast away every minute as at last we were For the bark being split against the Rock where you took me in I escap'd with one of my comrades into the Island in a more wretched condition then if being swallowed up by the Sea we had been delivered out of the extremities we were in for want of meat and drink Of some of the boards of our boat we made the Hut you saw and we took some Sea-mews which we set a drying in the wind and Sun and so eat them raw We found also in the erevices of the Rock upon the Sea-side some Eggs and thus had we wherewithal to subsist as much as served to keep us from starving but what we thought most insupportable was thirst in regard the place affording no fresh water but what fell from the sky and was left in certain pits which Time had made in the Rock we could not have of it at all seasons by reason the Rock being small and lying low the waves came over the Island and fill'd thâ— pits with salt-water We lived in that condition six weeks comforting one another and finding some ease in our common misfortune till that being left alone it began to grow insupportable to me For one day awaking in the morning and missing my comrade I fell into such a despair that I had some thoughts of casting my self down headlong and so putting a final period to that affliction whereof I had endured but the one half while I had a friend divided it with me I know not what became of him whither despair forc'd him to that extremity or whether getting up in the night not fully awake he fell into the Sea but I am of opinion he fell in through carelesness as he looked for Eggs in the crevices of the Rock which as you saw was very steepy on that side Inasmuch as having observed no distraction in him I cannot imagine he should of a sudden fall into that despair against which he had fortified himself by continual and earnest prayers I lost with my comrade the knife wherewith we killed the Sea-dogs and the Mews upon which we lived so that not able to kill any more I was reduced to this extremity to get out of one of the boards of my Hut a great nail which I made a shift so to sharpen upon the Rock that it served me for a knife The same necessity put me upon another invention which kept me the last winter during which I endured the greatest misery imaginable For finding the Rock and my Hut so covered with Snow that it was impossible for me to get any thing abroad I put out a little stick at the crevice of my Hut and baiting it with a little Sea-dogs fat I by that means got some Sea-mews which I took with my hand from under the Snow and so I made a shift to keep my self from starving I lived in this condition and solitude above elevon months and was resolved to end my days in it when God sent you hither to deliver me out of the greatest misery thâ—â— ever man was in The Sea-man having ended his discourse the Master of the Ship treated him so well that within a few dayes he was quite another creature He set him ashore at Derry in Ireland and saw him afterward at Dublin where such as had heard what hapned to him gave him wherewithal to return into England Thus the Lord Major made us acknowledge that in all we had suffered there was nothing extraordinary and that long Voyages are never without great dangers and inconveniences He urged it to us that as Ships are now built and considering the knowledge men have of the course taken for the Indies there is no more danger in those long Voyages then in such as are made in the sight of Land which Sea-man fear most To this purpose he related a story wherein we could no less admire the strange Resolutions of two men then the goodness of God in their deliverance beyond all expectation Four Christian slaves being in the Ship of an Algire-pirate resolved to make their escape in a boat which one of them who was a Carpenter undertook to build The Carpenter set himself on work about making on woodden Pins and other pieces necessary for the fastning of the boards whereof the boat was to consist The Turkish Captain asked him one day what he did and was satisfied with the Answer the other made him that it was only to avoid being idle and to have things in readiness to mend the long boat when need were Having appointed a time for the execution of their design they took off five boards from the room where the provision was kept whereof they used two for the bottom two others for the sides and the fifth for the prow and the poop and so made up somewhat that was more like a trough then a boat Their quilt served them for tow and having pitcht the boat well they set it into the water but when they would have got into it they found that two men loaded it so that