A DESCRIPION OF THE GRAND SIGNOUR'S SERAGLIO OR TVRKISH EMPEROURS COVRT By JOHN GREAVES late Professor of Astronomie in the University of Oxford LONDON Printed for Jo. Ridley at the Castle in Fleet street by Ram-Alley 1653. To his Honoured and truly Noble Friend George Took Esquire of Popes in the County of Hartford SIR J Dâ—…t not have presumed to a Friend of so much honor worth to present this description of the Turkish Emperours Court but that finding it to be a piece of that exactnesse as the like is not extant in any other language the argument to be so noble treating of the greatest Monarchy upon earth whose Magnificence hath much resemblance with that of the Persians in the Scriptures I thought it would not be unacceptable if under your name it were communicated to the world In which I assume nothing to my self as Authour of the discourse nor much as Polisher of it but only an humble desire of publikely expressing my obligations to You. It was freely presented to me at Constantinople and with the same freeness I recommend it to the Reader having not altered anything in the substance and but a little in the dress and elocution The name of the Author being then unknown upon inquiry I find it since to be the work of Mr. Robert Withers who by the assistance of the English Embassador procuring admittance into the Seraglio a favour unusual and by continuance many years in those parts had time and opportunity to persect his observations To him therefore are solely due the thanks of the labour from his virtuous example all generous and noble spirits will propose in their travels abroad a solid inquisition of truth and knowledge not vain garbes modes and disguised fashions the onely objects and idols of phantastick Travellers To me it is sufficient that I have faithfully discharged my trust in publishing since the Authors death the fruits of his observations and in communicating to the Reader the pleasure and satisfaction of perusing a relation full of truth and exactness which in many particulars upon experience he is able to attest who is Sir Your most obliged friend and humble servant The Contents of the Chapters Chap. 1. The description of the Place partitions and manifold conveniences of the Seraglio pag. 1. Chap. 2. Of the Divan dayes judges sessions judicature diet and giving an account to the King of whatsoever hath passed pag. 17. Chap. 3. Of the audience and entertainment given to Ambassadors pag. 28. Chap. 4. Of the persons that live in the Seraglio and chiefly of the women and virgins p. 34. Chap. 5. Of the Ajamoglans how taken distributed and imployed p. 56. Chap. 6. Of the Kings Itchoglans their severe diseipline and education in the four subordinate schools and of their after advancements p. 67. Chap. 7. Of inferiour persons and Buffons Mutes Musicians c. of White Eunuchs and of the Grand Officers of the Seraglio p. 87. Chap. 8. Of the Black Eunuchs and Black-moor girles and women of the Physicians andof the Kings children p. 100. Chap. 9. Of the Cooks kitchins diet of the King and Queen and of their other manner of service of the scullery and provision of the Seraglio p. 108. Chap. 10. Of Apparel bedding sicknesse hospitals inheritance Kings expences recreations receiving of petitions of the Kings Stables and Byram solemnities p. 128. Chap. 11. Of the old Seraglio and womens lives therein of their marriages and children slave-selling and witnesses p. 147. Chap. 12. Of their religion opinions Clergy-men times places and rites sacred and of the womens small devotion p. 158. THE GRAND SIGNORS SERAGLIO CHAP. I. A Description of the place partitions and manifold conveniences of the Seraglio THe * Seraglio wherein the Grand Signor resideth with his Court is in that place where Byzantium stood upon a point of the Continent which looketh towards the * mouth of the Black Sea and is in form triangular two sides whereof are compassed with the Thracian Bosphorus and the third joyneth to the rest of the City Constantinople It is enclosed with a very high and strong wall upon which there are divers watch-towers and is by computation about three Italian miles in compasse It hath many gates some of which open towards the sea-side and the rest into the City but the chiefest gate which indeed is a very stately one is one of those towards the City and by it they go in and out daily the others being kept shut till such times as the king or some of the principall officers of the Seraglio cause any of them to be opened either for their pleasure to sit by the sea side where they have a fair prospect and may behold the ships sailing to and fro or for any other occasion If any of the other land-gates be opened it is either when the king sendeth privately to put some great man to death or for the execution of some such secret action but they are all lockt fast in the night again The aforesaid chief and common Gate is in the day time guarded by a Company of * Capoochees which change their watch by turns and in the night likewise by others of the same rank all which Capoochees are under the Command of a * Capoochee Bashaw which Capoochee Bashaws being six in number are bound every week one of them to lie within the Seraglio for the security and safeguard of the same And without the Gate about ten or twelve paces off there stands a litle house made of boards upon wheels in which every night a Company of Janizaries do watch who upon any occasion are ready to awake those within and to give them notice of whatsoever sudden accident may happen without In the night also it is well guarded by the sea side for in the watch-towers which are upon the wall there be divers * Agiam-oglan's which are to watch and see that none come neer and lest any shipping should dare to attempt some mischief they have Ordinance ready charged and the Gunners lying close by them In this Seraglio there are many stately rooms suted to the seasons of the year the greatest part whereof are built upon plain ground some upon the hills which are there and some also upon the sea side which are called Kiosks that is rooms of fair prospect or as we term them banqueting houses into which the king sometimes goes alone but most commonly with his Concubines for his recreation Amongst the aforesaid rooms is the Chamber into which the Grand Signor repaireth when he is to give Audience to Ambassadors or to the Bashawes on the dayes of Publick Divan or to those who being to depart upon any weighty service or employment are to take their leaves of him as also to such who after the limited time of their government abroad is expired do return to Constantinople to give account to his Majestie of their carriage in
their several places This room standeth in a litle Court curiously adorned with many very delicate fountains and hath within it a * Sofa spread with very sumptuous Carpets of gold and of Crimson velvet embriodered with costly pearls upon which the Grand Signor sitteth and about the Chamber instead of Hangings the walls are covered with very fine white stones which having divers sorts of leaves and flowers artificially wrought and bak't upon them do make a glorious shew There is also a little room adjoyning unto it the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate hatch'd with gold and the floor is spread with very rich Persian carpets of silk and gold There are belonging to the said rooms and lodgings of the King very fair gardens of all sorts of flowers and fruits that are to be found in those parts with many very pleasant walks enclosed with high Cypresse-trees on each side and marble fountains in such abundance that almost every walk hath two or three of them such great delight doth the Grand-Signor and all Turks in general take in them Nor indeed doth a Turk at any time shew himself to be so truly pleased and satisfied in his senses as he doth in the summer time when he is in a pleasant garden For he is no sooner come into it if it be his own or where he thinks he may be bold but he puts off his uppermost Coat and layes it aside and upon that his Turbant then turns up his sleeves and unbuttoneth himself turning his breast to the winde if there be any if not he fans himself or his servant doth it for him Again sometimes standing upon an high bank to take the fresh air holding his arms abroad as a Cormorant sitting upon a rock doth his wings in sun-shine after a storm courting the weather and sweet air calling it his soul his life and his delight ever and anon shewing some notable signes of contentment nor shall the garden during his pleasant distraction be termed other then Paradise with whose flowers he stuffs his bosom and decks his Turbant shaking his head at their sweet savors and sometimes singing a song to some pretty flower by whose name peradventure his Mistress is called and uttering words of as great joy as if at that instant she her self were there present And one bit of meat in a garden shall do him more good in his opinion then the best fare that may be else where Besides the aforesaid rooms which are very many and serve only for the kings own person there is the womens lodging which is in a manner like a Nunnery wherin the Queen the other * Sultana's and all the kings women and slaves do dwell And it hath within it all the commodity that may be of beds chambers Dining rooms * Bagno's and all other kindes of building necessary for the use and service of the women which dwell therein There are likewise divers rooms and lodgings built apart from all those aforesaid which serve both for the principal officers and those of mean degree and also for the basest sort and are so well furnished that not any want can be discerned of ought that may be thought requisite and convenient for them Amongst which there are two large buildings the one the Hazineh or private Treasury and the other the kings Wardrope These are two very handsome buildings and secure by reason of the thicknesse of their walls and strength of their iron windows they have each of them an iron door kept shut continually and that of the Hazineh sealed with the kings seal In the said Seraglio there are rooms for Prayer Baths Schools Butteries Kitchins Distilling rooms places to swim in places to run horses in places for wrestling butts to shoot at and to conclude all the commodity that may be had in a princes Palace for things of that nature At the first entrance into the Seraglio there is a very large and stately Gate in the Porch whereof there is alwayes a guard of about fifty men with their weapons by them as pieces bowes and swords Having passed this gate through which the Bashawes and other great men may passe on horseback there is a very spacious Court almost a quarter of an Italian mile in length and very nigh as much in breadth and on the left hand in the Court near unto the Gate there is a place to shelter the people and horses in rainie weather on the right hand there is an Hospitall for such as fall sick in the Seraglio in which there are all things necessary It is kept by an Eunuch who hath many servants under him to attend upon the diseased Again on the left hand there is a very large place in which they keep their Timber and Carts and such like things to have them near at hand for the use and service of the Seraglio over the which there is a great Hall where are hanged up many weapons of Antiquity as Cimitars Javelins Bowes Head-pieces Gauntlets c. which they keep to lend the Souldiers and others for to accompany the Grand Signor or the * Chief Vizir when they make any solemn entry into the City of Constantinople Having passed through the aforesaid Court there is a second Gate at which the Bashawes alight somewhat lesse then the former but more neat and costlie under which there is also a stately Porch where there is likewise a Guard of Capoochees provided with weapons as they at the first Gate are thence there is another Court lesser then the former but far more beautifull and pleasant by reason of the delicate fountains and rowes of Cypresse trees and the green grasse-plots in which the * Gazels do feed and bring forth young but in this Court the Grand Signor only excepted every one must go on foot On both sides of the said Gate there is an open Gallery underset with pillars without which the ‖ Chiaushes the †Janizaries and the * Spahees do use to stand in their severall ranks very well apparelled at such times as there is a great †Divan held for the coming of any Ambassador to kisse the Grand Signors hand In the said Court on the right hand are all the Kitchins being in number nine all which have their several offices and Larders belonging unto them The first and greatest is the Kings The second the Queens The third the Sultana's The fourth the ‖ Capee Agha's The fifth for the Divan The sixth for the * Agha's the Kings Gentlemen The seventh for the meaner sort of Servants The eighth for the Women The ninth for the under Officers of the Divan and such as attend there to do what belongeth unto them in their several places On the left side of the Court is the Kings stable of about thirty or thirty five very gallant horses which his Majestie keepeth
some measure let them be partakers of their good fortune besides their currant pay out of the Kings Treasury of * fifteen or twenty aspars a day for the middle sort and four or five for the bafer sort the which is paid at every three moneths end without any deferring or contradiction in this manner also are the Sultana's paid viz. quarterly having for their shares from * a thousand to a thousand five hundred aspers a piece daily besides as much clothing as they will and jewels in great abundance given to them with the Kings own hands The souldiers likewise and all such of what quality soever they be as are to receive pay from the Grand Signor are paid quarterly and they call the first quarters pay Masar the second Rejedg the third Reshen and the fourth and last Lezez The women servants have besides their pay two gowns of cloth a piece yearly and a piece of fine linnen for smocks of twenty * Pikes long and a piece more fine for handkerchiefs of ten Pikes and at the * Byram one silk gown a piece and somewhat else according to the liberality of the Grand Signor who at that time above the rest hath commonly a bountiful hand toward the women giving to the Sultana's gowns with very rich furs ear-rings brooches bodkins bracelets for their arms and legs and such like set with stones of great worth of all which the King hath continually great store by reason of the unspeakable number of presents which are given unto him The Sultana's are likewise presented at such times by the Bashawes and by the Bashaws wives that by their means they may continue in grace and favour with the Grand Signor with most stately and rich gifts and with money also which indeed is more acceptable to them then any other kinde of present whatsoever For they being very covetous do hoord up and spend but sparingly abandoning all manner of prodigality in what may concern their own private purses but warily and wittily provide against disasterous times which may come upon them unawares and especially against the Kings death for then excepting the Sultana Queen who remaineth still in the Seraglio as being mother to the succeeding King all the other poor desolate Ladies loose the title of Sultana's and are immediately sent to the old Seraglio leaving behinde them their sons and daughters if they have any living in the Kings Seraglio there to be kept and brought up under the government and care of other women appointed for that service And in this case finding themselves to be wealthy they may marry with men of reasonable good quality according to the measure of their portion or estate which they possesse and the good will and good report of the mistresse of the old Seraglio on their behalf is none of the least furtherances and helps in that businesse but the Grand Signors consent must be had thereto notwithstanding who will for the most part not only be made fully acquainted with the condition of their husbands but also will know what joynture they will be content to make them if in case they should put them away without their own consents or otherwise leave them widows Thus by reason of their being turned out of the Kings Seraglio it is often seen that though the daughter of the King be married to a Bashawe yet the mother of that daughter after the Kings decease must be content with a second husband of small account far unequal and much inferiour both in title wealth and reputation to her Son in Law The Sultan's have leave of the Grand Signor that certain Jew-women may at any time come into the Seraglio unto them who being extraordinary subtill and coming in under colour of teaching them some fine and curious needle-works or to shew them the art of making waters oils and painting for their faces having once made way with the better sort of the Eunuchs which keep the gate by often feeing them for their egresse and regresse do make themselves by their crafty insinuations so familiar and so welcome to the Kings women that in a manner they prevail with them in whatsoever they shall attempt for their own ends For these are they whom the Sultana's do imploy in their private occasions carrying out whatsoever they would have sold and bringing in unto them any thing that they have a desire to buy And hence it is that all such Jew-women as frequent the Seraglio do become very rich For what they bring in they buy it cheap and sell it dear to them but on the contrary when they have jewels or the like commodities to sell for the Sultana's which are to be conveyed out by stealth they receive a reasonable price for them of strangers and then tell the simple Ladies who know not their worth and are afraid to be discovered that they sold them peradventure for the half of that which they had for them And by this means there come things of great worth out of the Seraglio to be sold abroad at easie rates yet in the end the husbands of those Jew-women have but a bad market of it For being discovered to be rich and their wealth to be gotten by deceit they oftentimes loose both goods and life too the Bashawes and Defterdars altogether aiming at such as they are thinking by that means to restore to the Grand Signor that which hath from time to time been stollen from him and the rather for that they themselves under pretence of so good a work may easily get shares in the estates of such delinquents But notwithstanding they are generally known and accounted for fraudulent and false-hearted people yet there is scarly a man of authority or esteem among the Turks and especially the Defterdars but hath a Jew for his councellor and assistant in the managing of his affairs such a good opinion they have of their sufficiency and so ready are the Jews to entertain any manner of employment so that their wives are not so great and powerful with the Sultana's but they themselves are as intimate with the Bashawes and other great ones of that rank The women of the Seraglio are punished for their faults very severely and extreamly beaten by their overseers and if they prove disobedient incorrigible and insolent they are by the Kings order and expresse command turned out and sent into the old Seraglio as being utterly rejected and cast off and the best part of what they have is taken from them but if they shall be found culpable of witchcraft or any such like abomination then they are bound hand and foot and put into a sack and in the night cast into the sea So that by all means it behoveth them to be very careful and obedient and to contain themselves within the bounds of honesty chastity and good behaviour if they mean to prosper and come to a good end Now
the same as they two can agree between themselves either in ready money before his departure or otherwise at his return as the Aga shall think best for his profit and so forthwith he dispatches the party chosen This kinde of employment proves wonderfully beneficial For in the establishing of the Princes of Walachia * Bugdania Transilvania and of the King of Tartarie to all which Princes the Grand Signor sendeth Embassadors for confirming their possession of the said Dominions they which are sent receive great benefit it being specified in their Canon how much every one is to disburse for being honoured with that solemnity though peradventure they be * Maazold again before they be scarce warm in their places And this the King doth of Policie to the end his gentlemen may become rich laying up money to serve for their necessary expences and furnishing them by that means with divers things against such time as they shall go forth of the Seraglio which is as often as his Majesty thinks fit and that most commonly on a sudden either to be generall at Sea Bashaw of * Messur * Halep * Shawm Babylon or of some other such great cities which have whole Provinces under them The Grand Signor gives also to each of them when he sends them forth upon any the aforesaid imployments a * Musahib that is in effect a helping companion such an one as shall have liberty freely to talk with him and go out and in unto him when he pleaseth the which title and favour of being made Musahib to any of the Agas proves to be of so great reputation that it is esteemed above any other sort of imployment For as it is hard to be obtained so it is only bestowed upon such subjects as have deserved well at the Kings hands And this hath been a course used of old by the Grand Signors Progenitors that they may have some trusty subjects abroad to give notice to the Court of the carriage of the Bashawes in their several regiments or of any other if so be they should attempt any thing that might be prejudicial to the crown that so the King by cutting off their provision and the like may easily anticipate their plots and designes But if his Majestie be not pleased or the occasion do not require so highly to exalt some one of the aforesaid Agas as to be of the degrees already named he then makes him * Beglerbeg of Graecia or of Natolia Aga of the Janizaries Spaheelor Agajee which is head over all the Spahees Imrohor Bashawe which is master of the horse or at the least a Capoochee Bashawe which is head over the Capoogees The Grand Signor having bestowed any of the said places upon them they forthwith leave the Seraglio and carry with them all their estates both money and goods and oftentimes take with them other young men of the other Odas who are permitted to go through their own hastinesse and great importunity not being willing to stay out their time but losing the Kings favour are content with small pay and lesser reputation to go along with the said Agas Such as are to go out upon the greatest imployments are accompanied forth of the Kings Seraglio by the VizirAzem who also presenteth them and giveth them entertainment for three or four dayes in his house until such time as they can be provided of houses of their own whither afterwards they repair and set their families in order taking also unto them such as are come out of the Seraglio with them for assistants and ministers in the charge assigned unto them They also accept of the service of strangers who come in by gifts which likewise redounds to the benefit and advantage of the great ones They which succeed in preferment those that are gone out of the Seraglio upon the aforesaid employments are as the custom commandeth such as are next in years unto them and of the longest residence Nor can this course be altered unlesse by some sinister accident or evil behaviour they fail thereof so that it is alwayes known amongst themselves who is next capable of publick imployment nay the businesse is so orderly carried and their course so regular that even they of the third Oda do know what their future fortunes will be if they live to enjoy them And indeed all of them live in continual hope and desire that the Grand Signor would often be pleased to send them abroad that so they may the sooner be out of their hard service in the Seraglio and enter into the state of ample government It is no marvail then the Turkish officers are so often changed seeing that every Grand Signor hath so many servants of his own that seek for advancement They are most commonly of five and thirty or fourty yeers of age before they are sent abroad and because they come out of the Seraglio with their beards shaven they are fain to stay within doors for some dayes to let them grow that they may be fit to come amongst other great men with which staying at home they are very well contented For in that time they receive the presents which are sent them from all the Sultana's of vests shirts linnen breeches and handkerchiefs of all sorts richly wrought and of great worth and from the Bashawes and other great men horses carpets vests slaves and other things fit for the erecting and furnishing of an house and family the which presents are made the greater and richer by so much the more as the party to whom they are given is known to be favoured and beloved of the King Now so soon as their beards are grown they go abroad and begin their visits first to the chief Vizir and then in order to the other great ones till they have been with them all and last of all they offer their service to the Capee Aga in all humble manner acknowledging that their best fortunes and honours have been conferred upon them by his means and promising for ever all dutiful respect unto him for the same But this complement with the Capee Aga is performed without the gate on the Kings side which is kept by the white Eunuchs for they may not come any more within that gate unlesse they be called for by the King for to treat of things belonging to their imployments before their departure They all strive to gain the love and good will of the Capee Aga that he may be as a protector and patron unto them and that when they are absent he may possesse the Grand Signor with a good opinion of them for they know he is very powerful with him being the chiefest in the Seraglio and alwayes nearest to the King CHAP. VII Of inferior persons as Buffons Mutes Musitians of the White Eunuchs and of the Grand officers of the Seraglio BEsides the women and the Agiam oglans of this Seraglio
Naits out of office who aswel as the Emeers for money do use that detestable trade which our knights of the Post do practise here with us And hence it is that Avanias are so commonly framed for they can stoutly and that with ease outface the poor Christians and Jews Nay for a bribe they will not spare their own sect in bearing false witnesse or raising an * Eftera that is a false accusation against them For these Turks being naturally given to covetousnesse though they pretend to be lovers of honesty and altogether inclined to rapine yet without question there are some very honest men amongst them when they meet with a fit opportunity they will play fast and loose with any man be he of what condition soever for their own benefit Wherefore it proves dangerous to have any dealing with them for that they with that trick will easily free themselves from any obligation or agreement before made Judgement there consisting chiefly in the proof by witnesses so that a man had need to be wondrous circumspect and wary in his proceedings with Turks especially in matters of contract CHAP. XII Of their religion opinions Clergie-men times places and rites sacred and of the womens small devotion THe Turks believe in Almighty God and give him familiarly these Attributes 1 Hoo. 2 Alloh 3 Tangree 4 Hack 5 Hackteawlaw 6 Alloh teawlaw 7 Jehawnee awfeereen 8 Hodoy c. And that he is the Creator of the whole Universe and will be a gracious pardoner of all good men in the day of Judgement That he is in the highest Heaven served with especial angels having from the beginning cast out the disobedient ones for whom as also for wicked men he made Hell And as they affirm everlasting life to be in these two places viz. Heaven and Hell so they confesse and wait for the resurrection of the body to be reunited with the soul at such time as the fearful trumpet which they call Soor shall be sounded by Mahomet at the commandment of the great God of the judgement They believe also the life everlasting in Paradise to be such a happinesse as consists onely in delighting and pleasing of the senses and that they shall have there the use of natural things in all perfection without making any difference enjoying perfect health and free from all manner of trouble and vexation And on the contrary that in Hell the use of the foresaid things shall be in unquenchable fire and shall have a most bitter and loathsom taste and they which come there shall continually be tormented with inumerable vexations and fearful sights and this is all that they conceive of Heaven or Hell either for the reward of the righteous or the punishment of the reprobate They say moreover that the power of God is such that having at the creation of man prefixed and appointed a set time for his end it is impossible that the wit or device of mortal man should be able to divert or prevent it wherefore in the wars and in all other occasions they are so much the more bold resolute and couragious being persuaded that their end is written in their foreheads and that it is not for them to go about to avoid it so that if they die Emmer Allohung it was Gods will it should be so Now this their opinion makes them to laugh at and scorn the Greeks who burn waxen candles at holy wells hang rags upon trees which they rend from the clothing of the sick and use divers other charms for to drive away diseases They also affirm Gods power to be such that after mens bodies are risen again he will give them such an agility that they shall be able in a moment to passe from one Heaven to another even to the farthest part of them to visit and embrace their wives mothers brothers and others of their kinred the heavens being all transparent of Diamonds Rubies and Christal As concerning Gods throne or seat of Majesty they affirm that every one cannot behold it by reason of the brightnesse of the beams which come from his eyes and by reason of the unspeakable splendor proceeding from his glorious face so that the Angels and Prophets only have the grace to enjoy that sight And of the Angels they report thus that they are continually serving and praising God and ready to obey his will but I have read in a book which they call Ahvawlee keeyawmet that is the state of the day of judgement written by a famous Sheyk amongst them a most ridiculous discourse of the Angel Gabriel For he writes that Gabriel hath a thousand six hundred wings and that he is hairy from head to foot of a saffron colour having in his forehead a sun and upon every hair a star and that he dives three hundred and sixty times a day into * Noor dengiz and ever as he riseth out of the water he shakes himself and of every drop that falls from him there is an angel made after the likenesse of Gabriel himself who until the end of the world do pray unto God and praise him upon their beads and these young angels are called Roohawneyoon Many such dicourses there are in that book but because they are vain I leave them to the Turks that believe them especially the common sort who think that whatsoever is written in their tongue must of necessity be true and that they are bound to believe it They hold that in Paradise there is a tree which they call Toobaw upon whose leaves are written the names of every living man so when Gods will is that such or such a one should die God shakes off his leaf into * Israels lap who looks upon it and reads it and having seen what Gods pleasure is he after the party hath been dead forty dayes sends an angel to carry his soul according as the leaf shall direct him either into heaven or hell for upon his leaf not only his hour of death is written but also what shall become of him after he is dead They say that Almighty God sent four Pegambers that is Prophets into the world to instruct govern and save mankinde each of them being holy pure and undefiled viz. 1 Moosaw 2 Dawood 3 Isaw 4 Muhammed and that God sent to every one of them by his angel Gabriel a book that they themselves being first perfected might the better know how to instruct the people to Moses he sent the Tevrat that is the Old Law to David the Zebur that is the Psalms to Jesus the Injeel that is the Gospel and to Mahomet the Kurawâ—… that is the Alcoran And that the three first Prophets with their people did fail somewhat in the Laws given them by God but Mahomet coming last brought a Law more true plain clear
sherbet Eight thousand pound sterl. Comsets and Cheese not used * Leiger Ambassador Order Bread of 3 sorts Meal from Bursia Quanty Constantinople Volo-wheat * Storehouses â—…uantity Pantry allowance Rice and pulse from Alexandria Spice sugar and sweet meats * Tarts Little Spice consumed Egyptian fruits Honey whence * They call them yoâ—…f ka signifying flat * The Turks call them loâ—…kma which signifieth a bit or mouthful * The Turks call it sakâ—…z Ada that is the mastick island because the mastick growes there Oil whence * Governour next in degree to a Beglerbegh Butter from Bogdania c * Boild rice * Storehouses Quantity No fresh butter Little milk eaten Yoghurd sower milk Kaymack Provision of fleâ—…h * So called because the flesh is pressed and made flat How they use it Hanged up and dried 400 Cowes great with calf spent every year to make Basturma Other flesh * Cooks Fish Fruits * Melous * Which is called yemish bazar that is the fruit market The Kings pocket-money * Agiam oglans gardiners The skullery Neatnesse Losse by piâ—…tering Wood and fuel * Ships * An officer of good account which taketh care for the cities provision The word signifieth the master of Stanboll The fashion of the Kings apparel His bedding A shash is the whole piece be it long or short of fine linnen of which the Turbant is made but the name of the stuff as we call ours lawn cambrick holland c. is Telbent whenâ—…e we falsly call that which â—…urk wears a Turbant using the â—…ame of the stuff for the thing made up whereas the true word is Saruck and the Turks themselves so call it it comes from Sarmack which signifieth to winde about or to swathe * Night-attire for the Head Two torchwomen * Breeches from the waste down to the heel Womens habit No close-stools among the men but the women ever when they go to the Haman or Bath carry them along with them No paper used at the privy * They also call it Keâ—…heh that is a Janizaries cap but Uskuf properly signisieth a hood Stipends how paid Every thrâ—… moneths Seraglio heirs Exception Beyt el mawlgee His subtilâ—…y Hospital The Kings expenses * Captains or Generals * Daggers 200000. Sultanas about 80000 pounds sterl. The Queens expenses The Vizirs gifts Mutes howling Their manner of rowing His going out by land Solacks or bowe-men Gratulations and gratifications Petitions preferred * The worlds refuge Proverb * That is the stable wharf or gate The Kings great stable * Chief master of the horse the true word is Emeer-Ahor which signifieth Lord of the stable * Horse-keepers Other stables Stallion horses His nags from Walachia Mules Publick appearing aâ—… the Byram * A Throne His honour to some His going to Sancta Sophia * Divine service * A present of the nature of a new years gift Gifts to the Grandees * Daggers * Such caps as the women wear * Girdles three dayes solemnity Fire-works and shews Presents to the King From the Bashawes From the Sultanas * Feast * Swings â—…hristians and Jews seared * In which time they drink no strong drink at all Thâ—…t iâ—… the 〈◊〉 Byram Old Seraglio Compasse Built by Mahomet the second Who are therein Woman-overseer They may marry with the Kings leave * The Mistres of the maids Conveniences thereof Hard state Jews-women Seven wives * Women-slaves Bashawes sons kept under if of royal blood Divorces What becomes of the 〈◊〉 of the divorced * To lie wiâ—…hall Slaves sold if baâ—…ren Slaves bouâ—…ht and sold in the market Manner of selling slaves Restitution if not a virgin Emeen No benefit by affinity to the king Losse by it Rites of marriage Who may be witnesses * Common prayer * New wine boiled * Aquavitae * A drink made of seed much like new mustard and is very heady â—…meers false witnesses False accusations or pretences * Or Avania Turks covetous and dangerous Force of evidence Their Religion 1 He. 2 Arab. God 3 Turk God 4 Truth 5 High Truth 6 High God 7 Creator of the world 8 Pers. God Resurrection The Trumpet Soor Seâ—…sual Paradise Hell Fate The commandment of God Charms used by the Greeks Agility in the next life Transparent Heavens Gods throne The Angels Angel Gabriel * Sea in Paradise A Tree in Paradise * This Israel they say is an angel Four Prophets and four Books 1 Moses 2 David 3 Jesus 4 Mahomet Old Law The psalms The Gospel The Alcoran Womens heaven Their opinion of Christ * Muftee This word comes from Fetha which signifieth to open in the Arab. tongue The Muftees charge * Cadees of the highest rank the word signifieth Lords â—…is disputation on the Tueâ—…day The use His power His revenue Cadeeleschers * Cadees places Cadees and their orders * Lords Naibs Books * Cadees place Priviledge Their continuanâ—…e No office during life Great Turbants Their habits * This word is derived from evel which signifieth first Sheâ—…chs Priests and Clerks Motevelee Their employment * This word is derived from Ders which signifieth a lesson Readers Prayers five times a day Upon fryday six times * Clerks Manner of calling to prayer * The words which the Muyezin useth to say in the steeple Cleannesse purifying * Unclean * Their washing before they pray is so called Awb in Persian signifieth water and Dest the hand Priest The manner of their prayers * Because Mecca is south east of Constantinople in other places it may be different Their rule in praying wheresoever they are is to direct their faces to the city Mecca and this is called by them Kibla Prayers in an unknown tongue Their gestures Their length * Friday it signifieth a day of assembling Preaching * Rebel Procession and cursing Other convocations and prayers * Holy men Sermons Sacrificing Ramazan ceremonies Lamps Priest Example of severity Puritans Beads 1 God is pure 2 God defend 3 God is great Pilgrimage Mecca Tâ—…mple Jeâ—…salem Valley of Jehoshaâ—…hat Pilgrims Circumcision The lock of Hair * True Believers Canes Hospitals Colledges Limited A ceremony at the finishing a Moschea Moscheas Magnificence Lamps No seats Mattes Sicknesse * Priest Manner of burying Garlands and boughs of oranges Women go not to burialls No Lights * Clerks Tombs of the Emperors Common tombs * Colledges * holy men professing innocency * Houses Where drink Cahve Womens Religion Women go not to church * Priests