and the praeferring to Benefices The whole Revenues of the Clergy are valued at six Millions of Gold yearly Rent there being 34. Cathedral Churches all richly endowed some whereof having 50. some a 100. and some 200. Millions of yearly Revenue and in particular the Metropolitan Arch-Bishop of Toledo hath more than 300. Millions Neither do the Kings of Spain care to parcel these Churches to a greater number although over-grown with their plenty for then they should with more difficulty make use of the Revenues and Notes thereof when occasion required which is very often upon any disastrous Event As he likewise layes extraordinary Taxes upon the Laity in the like Occurrence for in the Kingdom of Castile alone Philip the 2d had nigh 8. Millions of Gold in one year reckonning hereto also the Profits which his Orders of Knighthood yield him viz. 200. Millions of Crowns so that here is Revenue more than enough were it not for the Canker of Interest at the Bank of Genoa nor are the Merchants of Antwerp without their share in the partition thereof and now the Amsterdammers also This Princes Coyn notwithstanding is the best in Europe since all their Neighbours make a gain of them as a Piece of Reals or 8. Six-Pences in our Money goeth in France for 4 s. 6 6. a Doublin in Gold that which is a Pistolet with them being 13. Shillings is in France and other Places 29. Reals which is 14 s. 6 d. of our Money Most of the Coyn that passeth for Wine Bread Fruit c. is of Brass which they call Quartas and Quartillas of their Maravedies 20. make three-pence but sometime the King enhanceth the Price of this Brass Money of a sudden and with a great deal of profit to himself brings a great loss upon Trade All their Meat Fruit and Bread are sold by the Pound and not except before an Officer which they call Alcalda so that no Stranger can be deceived in price or weight As to the Interest of these Princes it hath been evidently seen what it hath been but since the French mated them under Francis the First and held them to it till Lewis the 14th was too powerful for them since the Dutch baffled them and We triumphed over them they have been put to defend their own instead of over-running others Their Designes are now to secure their Estates and to draw from them that Revenue into their Coffers which was squandred away in the War without any account and yet to be as gentle a Soveraign as possible For all the late League the Spaniard nor French will ever joyn Interests or agree together more than they do in their Humours or Fashions In fine they really hate one another but more revengefully the Spaniard frets at the French as he that first put a stop to his Career of Ambition and therefore there 's nothing but Jealousie and Suspition between them however smoothed and oyled over with Court Artifices alike understood for such on both sides nor have their late frequent Consanguinities and Marriages any influences to draw them nearer to any amicable understanding With the Dutch he firmly keeps a good Correspondence as his very good Friends since Fate would needs have it so and useth them very respectfully as his good Neighbours and as security to his Estates in Flanders for the Dutch as was said do not love the Frenchmens vicinity For the King of England he cherisheth a more than usual respect testified by those publique Honours done his Ambassador Sr. Richard Fanshaw in that Kingdom and inviolably observeth the Peace betwixt us With the Duke of Savoy he is newly reconciled and certainly that Duke who hath the Citadel of Verceil restored him by this King by vertue of the late Treaty hath no great Antipathy against Him for he hath suffered twice more from the French than from the Spaniard who is as well able to Defend Him as he is conveniently scited to Offend him upon every displeasure The Duke of Parma is allyed to him and so sure to his Interest The Florentine is stiff but is aequal between the French and Him The Mantuan will be Neutral and the Pope his secret Friend The Prince of Modena will hardly engage any more against Him for in a manner he is the Umpire of all Quarrells between those Princes He is Patron also to the Common-Wealth of Luca. And for the States of Venice ever since the Dutchy of Millain came to the possession of this Crown they have set them down with great quietness rather looking to the strengthening of their own than attempting his and good reason too for our Ancestors have seen the Spanish favouring the Venetians when their Estate was dangerously hazarded by the Turk chearfully to have entred into the Actions of Cephalonia and Lepanto when nevertheless at the same instant they had at their own Doors Algier Tunis and other African Ports their dangerous Enemies The State of Genoa must favour the King of Spain and stand by him for he is their Protector and owes them vast summs which by any partiality of their side will be wholly lost With all the Catholique Princes of Germany he is in perfect Correspondence and how great a relation and necessity of mutual adhaerence there is between the Emperour and Him no man is ignorant confirmed now and more intimately contracted by the late Marriage of the Infanta With the King of Fez and Morocco his Catholique Majesty is in League but it is of no use or availment to him Of the Religion of Malta the King taketh a particular protection as that in like sort depends wholly upon his pleasure and doth readily execute his Royal Commandements serving him often in keeping the Coasts of Spain and the Kingdomes of Naples and Sicily from Incursions of Pyrates and that without one penny cost or charges to the King As to the Turk he maintains no intercourse nor useth any Trade with him and yet he hath neither Peace nor War with him Peace he pretends he ought not to have and the other he careth not for and the Turk is as unwilling to quarrel as he remembring what he suffered from him at Lepanto So that pivate Damages are privately made good and the Algier men do take upon themselves the Rupture if any louder Mischief happen of which the Spaniard will not complain It is thought that this King is Superiour to the Turk in Naval Furniture and Provision and the Courage and Ability of Seamen for his Biskayners and Catalonians are hardly to be paralleled for enduring of Winter weather and Tempests and the Turk is alwayes moared at home from October to March besides the convenience of his Coast for building of Ships and Gallies of which he hath a 100. in readiness and the Turk hath but two Places all along his African Coast viz. Algier and Tunis where he can build a Vessel Upon this account it was that Philip the 2d was advised to seize upon the Morea and
This Dukedom yet the first in Europe for Dignity was piece-mealed by the Venetians the Florentine Mantuan and others while it was in Contest and embroyled by Pretenders It is the Garden of Italy and for the delights and pleasures thereof so striven for by France and Spain in whose possession it now is It 's Revenue is computed worth 300. thousand Pound a Year but that never served to defray the Expence of the Government during the War by reason of the number of Garrisons that were constantly maintained but since the Peace it yields some advantage to the Crown of Spain As to the War in Hungary this Province is the ready way for the Forces of Spain to march for the relief of the Empire but instead thereof such Forces as can be made ready are bending the other way to the Sea coast to be embarqued for the War in Portugall so that the House of Austria is mainly disappointed of their great support in a very fatal Juncture And so much for Millain MANTUA IT is bounded and surrounded with Millain on the West Romandiola the Marca and Parma seized from a tyrannical Lord thereof by Lewis de Gonzaga in a tumult at Mantua and conferred upon him afterwards by the Emperour and in his Family this Dignity continues The Spantard and the Emperour Ferdinand the 2d made opposition and would not admit of the Duke of Nevers of France the next Heir to the deceased Duke but Lewis the 13th although engaged in the Rochel business by an Army sent into Italy relieved Casal distressed by the Spaniard who had spoyled Mantua and stated the Duke in quiet possession which brave and admired Enterprise was worthily reckoned as one of the great Actions of that King The Territory of this Duke is very large but his Revenue not so great as amounting to 230. thousand Pound sterling He is the next Prince in Dominion to the Florentine but more easie to his Subjects for he might improve his Exchequer by Imposts but either the danger or the uncustomariness of the thing makes him forbear it Besides he hath no Trade nor Sea-Ports as the Tuscan Duke being altogether inland but with this Intrado he lives like a Prince indeed though like the rest of the Princes of Italy they have scarce a Foot of Land of their own As to the Turkish War the Princes of this Territory were farr readier as were all the rest of the Feudatories of the Empire to assist the Germans than now they are for William one of those Dukes in Person with 2000. Foot and 500. Horse assisted the Emperour Maximilian the Second at the same time the Duke of Florence sent 3000. Foot the Duke of Savoy 600. Curasiers the Duke of Ferrara in Person led 1500. Horsemen and Henry of Lorrain Duke of Guise commanded 300. Gentlemen the Common-wealths of Genoa and Lucca assisted him with Money and at the same time being the Year 1566. and when Solyman took Zigeth several English Gentlemen served as Voluntiers for whose Families Honour I will particularize some of their Names as Mr. Greenvile Mr. Champernoon Mr. Cotton Mr. Pudshall Mr. Smith Captain George an eminent and skillful Commander But all these Italian Aides are now quite disappeared and they think themselves scarce secure with what Force they can make for their own Defence such are the Jealousies now in Italy This Duke is very well affected to the Imperial House as being near allyed to it but except some Money it is supposed he will not supply him with any thing else unless if such be the ill Fate of the Empire things come to Extremity He hath no Piques or Feuds any where but is a Prince of very great Esteem and Reputation and allianced with the best Families in Europe and yet he is less in Demesn and perhaps Interest having lately sold to the deceased Cardinal Mazarine his Dutchy of Nevers of which before in France MONTFERRAT THis pleasant Region is seated betwixt Piedmont and Millain and belongeth to the Duke of Mantua it is the best Flower in his Garden and yields him more profit It is moreover the best security of his Estates for herein stands the famous Casal the jealousie of the French and Spaniard In former times this Marquisate suffered much by several Intruders but being finally setled by the Emperour with Mantua upon the Family of Gonzaga with which it remains combined under the same Laws and Privileges MODENA and REGGIO THese 2. little Dutchies are situate in that great and fertile Territory once called Lombardy as are all these we have mentioned hitherto and were assigned by Clement the 8th to Caesar de Este the Grand-son by a Bastard to Alphonso the last Duke of Ferrara in lieu of his claim or pretence to that Dutchy the Pope with an Army of 20000. Foot and 2000. Horse perswades the Duke to accept of these Conditions of the Exchange with this clause also that he should acknowledge the Pope as his supreme Lord and therewithall he seized the said Dutchy and City of Ferrara as an Escheat to the Church Now although this be a small Dutchy yet are the Dukes of good Renown especially the last who approved himself an excellent Captain in the late War betwixt France and Spain in Italy on the behalf of France which procured that match between the now Duke Alphonso and one of the Cardinals beloved Neeces and whom he dowried well and hath legacied her in the same manner By the late Treaty between France and Spain the Spaniard is reconciled unto him at the instance of the French King and both Kings joyntly are to use their endeavours and supplications with his Holiness the Pope for the restitution of the Valleys of Comachio to him of which such often mention hath been made in the publick week Books This Comachio is a District of Marish Ground for the most part lying in the Dutchy of Ferrara and was formerly the Title of the House of Este before they had that of Ferrara given them by the Emperour and was their proper demesne Estate and Inheritance now when Clement the 8. possessed himself of this Dutchy and agreed by Treaty that all Lands or what properly belonged to the said Family of Este he notwithstanding seized upon this Estate with the rest without any distinction and hereupon Complaints have since been made to the Apostolical Chamber reinforced by the instances of the French King in which he hath engaged the Spaniard and lately made it a Pique against his Holiness This Duke like the rest of the Princes of Italy desires to be at peace and live in quiet nor to see no Armes in Italy now enjoying a serene tranquillity after a most tedious harassing War He is fast in the embraces of his beautiful Lady and will hardly arm himself like his Predecessor in the Emperours Cause some supplyes he may chance to send him of Money and do as his Neighbours that are Feifs of the Empire like himself and some Moneys the Emperour hath
hath been one chief Policy to win them the better it seemeth reasonable that they should equally partake with them in defraying the Charge The Interest of this Kingdom requires that a good Understanding and Correspondence be maintained betwixt the King and the Nobility not to quarrel with the Turk to preserve Friendship with the Swede to make Alliance with the Persians and to keep the Tartars at home to ruine the Muscovite to have an eye upon the House of Austria and to respect France as that which can put a stop to the Imperial Armes if they should enterprize upon that Kingdom CURLAND BEfore we dismiss this Kingdom we must mention the Dutchy of Curland being one third part of Livonia the other two being called Eastland and Lettenland and a Soveraignty of it self but held in Fee of the Crown of Poland upon this account Gothardus Ketler a Noble Dane the last of the Dutch great Masters in Livonia having surrendred the Province to Sigismond Augustus in 1562 conditioned for his Investiture in this Dutchy to him and his Heirs but to be holden of that Crown Since which time the Nobility having accepted him as their Haereditary Prince the succeeding Princes have continued Feudatories unto Poland but are not reckoned as Parts or Members of the Body thereof for they come not to the Diets nor have any Voice in the Election of the King nor are lyable to any Taxes but are accounted as indeed they are Strangers and not natural Lords or Peers of that Kingdom The present Prince of the same Family of the Ketlers is neer allyed to the Marquess of Brandenburg whose Sister is his Mother so that for want of Issue all those great Estates of the Elector in the Ducall Prussia Germany and Cleve c. will come to this Duke as his next Heir During the late Danish War in 1658. the Swede expecting some Invasions of this Duke as being so interested in both his Enemies Cause and Quarrel ordered General Dowglas to secure him who surprized him in his Residence at Mittaw by some Boats full of Souldiers pretending for the Pole and carried him and his Dutchess away Prisoners in which condition they contiued till the Peace was made and concluded between all Parties so that he hath no great affection to that Nation He is a Prince of little Power as his Subjects of Trade although his Country border upon the Sea but it affords no convenient Harbour for Traffique any where in his Coast Yet so much must be said for his Honour that he supplyed our late Soveraign Charles the 1st with two Ships loading of Armes upon his own account during those unnatural Wars in England and was ready to do him any further Offices of Respect and Friendship I should next speak of the Europaean Tartars and the Circassians as confining to the Eastern parts of Poland but I will reserve the discourse of them to the succeeding Chapter of the Russians with whom they will best sute and agree RUSSIA THis spacious Empire is bounded on the East by Tartary on the West with Livonia and Finland from which divided by great Mountains and the River Poln on the North by the frozen Ocean and some part of Lapland and on the South by Lituania and the Tartars and Circassions inhabiting the Lake Maeotis and the Euxine Sea It is partly seated in Asia and Europe distinguished by the River Tanais the common Boundary of those Parts of the World It stretcheth in length 3660 English Miles from Cola in the North to Astrachan in the Caspian Sea and in breadth 3300. which is 4400. Versts to adjust which to English Miles we deduct one fourth part From the Narve in Livonia West to the Province of Severia East a vast Extent but nothing so populous as spacious especally since it was drained of so many Men by the continual Wars of Vasilowich the Great Tyrant and his Predecessor the Great Duke John who took the great Dutchyes of Severia and Smolensko Nielchess Plescovia Novogorod Jaroslaw most part or indeed all Livonia with the Kingdoms of Casan and Astrachan from the Tartars as the other from the Polanders but for want of supplyes to reinforce their Armies lost them all again except some few Places and the two Asian Kingdoms which yet they maintain The Tartars have formerly as much nay more plagued this Country than the Christian Enemies thereof for by their frequent Conquest and Invasions they made the Great Duke their Tributary with this kind of service to be performed by him to the Emperour of the Praecopenses or the Great Chrim Tartar that is to say every year the Russian on foot fed the Chrim's Horse he sitting thereon with Oats out of his Fur Cap 1140. in his Castle of Musco for commonly every year the Tartar bordering nearer to him than seven dayes journey at which distance he now stands progressed thither as in State whereas of late times he comes every other year likely like a sudden Tempest and having wasted and ruined the Country and made up the number of his Captives departs as hastily unless the Sultan in person make it an Expedition Royal or when the business comes to battel where if the Russian prevails the War and Ravage is carried as far into the Tartars Country But to prevent this danger the Russian doth all he can to be at Peace with him both by Bribes and Presents And it will not be unworthy the relation as I my self in 1654. have been particularly informed in that Country from the Deputy Governour of the Castle of Archangel how the Tartar came to lose that Claim his Hold and Soveraignty in this Kingdom which the Russians ascribe to a certain Boyar in the Reign of Basilius some a 100. years since or Nobleman intrusted with a strong Castle of the Great Dukes which the Tartar upon the last reduction and subjugation of Russia having compelled the Great Duke to sign an Instrument of Vassalage and Fealty to him his supreme Lord in his return besieged no other Place then standing out against him This Fortress he therefore strenuously attempted withall intimating to the Governour when he saw Force would not presently do that his Master had himself yielded and submitted and that it was to no purpose for him to resist unless he had a mind to draw upon himself the Punishment of Treason and to this purpose he had such a Writing c. to produce To this the prudent noble Governour made present answer that if such a thing were real and he might see it for his Justification to his Prince upon the surrender it should bind and conclude him which the unpractised Tartar had no sooner sent into the Castle but the Governour caused it presently to be torn into pieces before the Messengers face whom he returned with a more resolute defiance than at first And in fine so long delayed him and so wasted his Army that the Great Duke resuming his Spirit was making to his relief when the
therefore uncertain Revenue 2. By his Provision and Purveyance of Rent Corn and Victual raised some years to 200000. Rubbles which Coyn makes little more than an Angel 3. The Poll Money to 200. thousand Pound Sterling 4. His Customs which arise chiefly and solely from his Ports of Archangel and Astracan to 400000 l. 5. By his own Domain Escheats and Forfeitures and Presents very considerable on this account All which may make up two Millions of Pounds Sterling or two and a half at most which were no great Sum were he to pay for the service of all his Horsemen who like the Turks Timariots have Farmes allowed them As to his Forces and the Militia of this Empire they are of a very formidable and considerable Power For first He hath of his Dworancy or the Guard of his Person 25000. Horsemen who are alwayes in readiness where ever he resides Then there are Lands let out to several of his great Men which are never aliened from that use only the present Proprietors changed at his pleasure for the Profits whereof they are bound to maintain 65000. Horse more and these likewise are alwayes to be ready at sound of Trumpet which makes a standing Body of 90000. which with Officers and other Voluntiers are effectually in the Field a hundred thousand Besides these He may raise what additional Numbers the Country will afford whish is so plentiful of Horse that it is said he is able to bring 300000. into the Campania but it is of the other side supposed he cannot find so many Riders by one half especially considering that at the same time as these Horse are in service his Foot hardly exceed the number of 40000. not only for that he confides not in his Infantry as unapt to the War but because of the thinness of his Countries Of late years he hath found out a way to supply that defect by entertaining foreign Foot chiefly Germans and once some English about the year 1633. in a Regiment transported by Collonel Sanderson amounting to near 3000. Men at which time he besieged Smolensko once a Province under the protection of the Pole distant Southwest 80. Polonian Miles from Mosco taken by Vasilowich and retaken by the Poles in 1610. with the loss of 200000. Muscovites two years together at last came the Pole when the Russian was wearied out and besieged the Besiegers and reduced them by Famine to a surrender For which the General lost his Head at Musco although Cosen of the Emperour and his Son was whipp'd to death as was the Major General the Lieutenant General escaped at the intercession of the English who had done excellent service and had taught the Russians how to stand a Shock of the Poles Lances and to break their Troops and could give a handsome Character of performance as to his part ever since which time the English Officers have been highly respected and preferred This Emperour therefore is better provided of Foot than any of his Predecessors who could never make 20000. and therefore lost that they had gained because they wanted those standing Defences to make good their ground having trained up a number of his own Subjects to the Discipline and by the example of Strangers so that he is able to bring near 50000. into the Field if necessity require He is excellently and infinitely stored as much as any Prince in Christendom with all manner of Artillery great and small with Ammunition and Provision sutable His Souldiers most patient of Cold and Hunger and sustained with little but better to maintain a Fortress than to assault it or engage in Battel Notwithstanding they will do what they are commanded in the most present dangers but it is not out of boldness or bravery of Spirit They have been twice invaded with the Turks alone not joyned with the Tartars the first time was in the Reign of Vasilowich in 1569. when Selymus the Second attempted to cut a Navigable Trench betwixt the Tanais and the River Volga and brought his Fleet out of the Euxine Sea but the Russian overthrew his Forces and spoyled his Navy and Design together The other was in 1598. by 70000. of them in the Winter time 40000. of whom were presently nummed and killed with the Cold not knowing the Russians preventing Chirugery which is to rub their Nose and Ears every foot with Ice or Snow to recall the motive Spirits to those parts which otherwise they might lose the remainder ran home to catch themselves a heat since which time the Turk hath never troubled this Country Nor doth the Russian think it worth his pains to invade his Southward upon the Euxine Sea being parted from all other his Territories by Poland Moldavia and Transylvania so that without their leave he can attempt nothing against him and their leave he is never like to have unless invincible necessity and calamity perswade it His continual Goads and Thorns are on the West of his Dominions the Pole and the Swede to whom he hath lost more than he hath gained of the Tartar Notwithstanding since the Empire hath been setled in this new Family whereof there have been but two Princes in the tract of near 50. years especially in the Reign of this present Great Duke they have not got much Ground nay the Pole hath lost the Dutchy of Smolensko in 1654. with some other Places which is the present Quarrel and Cause of this Polish Expedition The Peace with the Swede which the Russian prefers hath been long in agitation by reason it is clogged with so many Demands and nice Claims of both Parties but it is believed the Russian must quit many of his Pretensions and Punctilioes lest that Negotiation take no Effect and the Swede take advantage Little else can be said of this Monarch as to his Interest in Europe where he was never further concerned than these two Provinces of Lithuania and Livonia and scarce known to our Parts till almost 90. years since They maintaining Correspondence with Us in point of Commerce only and with our Nation especial Friendship and Affection particularly towards the Soveraignes of England Besides they are of very little or no Address there being not a Schollar among them for even their Priests can but read Furthermore They never made any Alliance by Marriage with any Christian or Neighbour Princes but chuse their Wives from among their own Subjects nor do they marry their Princes Children to them in this like the Grand Seigniour whose Policy they resemble and certainly this is some secret Principle of State for it is not many years agoe since Wolmar the Brother to the present King of Denmark came thither a Suitor to one of the Sisters of the Emperour and was there nuzled with a fruitless Expectation of a Match but in conclusion had much adoe to escape out of their Dominion In sum They care not for indeed abhor the Introduction of new Customes and to that purpose prohibit Communication with Strangers as the
Discourse to these modern times Of Horse besides 12. Comets of Foreigners he had in Pay 240. Troops Cavaliers of his own Nation which in all amounted to above 30. thousand Of Foot he had 210. Regiments some few of them of 30. Companies and consisting of 90. Men in a Company not reckoning in the Switzers who make 6. or 7000. besides some Scots Irish Italians and Luyckers At Sea he had 30. Ships of War and 25. Gallyes and the number is now increased and their Lord Great Admiral the Duke of Vendosme which was before a meer Titulado with great Profit and Revenue become an Officer de facto and of great service in that Kingdom The Duke of Beaufort his Son commanding the Fleet before Algier The King hath four Guards the first of French Gentlemen in Place and Attendance like our Gentlemen Pensioners they are 200. in number their Pay 20. Crowns a Month. The second consists of Scots and they Gentlemen some attending on the Kings Person others appointed to other Offices in the Court and go alwayes armed either with the Halberd or Harquebuze those which attend on the Kings Person are 24. and receive yearly 400. Franks apiece the residue 300. and a Livery The third sort is of inferiour French and their Employment is such as the service of the Yeomen and the Guard in England The fourth consisteth of Switzers and they wait at the Court Gate in warlike manner This King retaineth the Switzers more to dis-engage them from their Respects to the House of Austria and that Families service than for any other reason though the long Correspondence maintained with those Cantons hath abated of that jealousie Now notwithstanding for the number of the Gentry which is infinite almost the greatness of the Offices goodliness of Towns and multitudes of Forces and store of Ammunition this Kingdom may seem to challenge Precedence before any Court in Europe yet for Majesty of the Prince Order of the Court Provision of the Courtiers and Entertainment of Strangers it may no way compare with that of England and this is not mine but a Foreigners judgement of them Both. As to the Government it is Monarchical to Excess as it was said of Caesar Voluntas Caesaris pro Lege habebatur so it is as true of the French Kings Their Will is the Law For though they have now nine Parliaments in the Kingdom and that of Pau in Bern added by Lewis the 13th yet are they no more such a Constitution as Ours than Our Late High Courts of Justice which were Persons pick'd for the Usurpers purpose The main work of these Parliaments is to ratifie the Kings Edicts which are sent to them with a Command that such is Our Pleasure Nor doth this Ratification when done signifie any thing to the Validity of the Kings Acts but is meerly for shew and to personate that Authority which was in the former Parliaments even till the time of Lewis the 13th By which means the King imposeth upon his Subjects what he lists and supplyes that want of Patrimony which is mostly aliened and is the great Blemish of this Crown which commands so fair and spacious a Territory and yet hath very few Mannours or Houses of its own except about Paris And for the better support of this way of Government the Nobility are most of them employed in Offices and Commands the whole Kingdom being divided into 12. Lieutenancies as Imperious altogether as our late Major Generalls and who enjoying the sweets of their Arbitrary Power help to awe the People to a stupid Acquiescence under their Oppression And these Governours continue during life and are sometime Haereditary so that not seldom they have disputed it with the King and stood upon their Terms The Interest of this Crown is of late very perplexed and very closely carried the late League with Spain seems to be zealously regarded and many good words are given the Emperour of Assistance and Friendship Greater Respect was never given nor higher Professions of Amity ever expressed towards the Crown of England The Pope and He seem to be reconciled and the Confirmation of the Friendship between them is now in Actu by the Popes Performance of the Conclusion made at Pisa for that Cardinal Chigi the Popes Legate for the greater solemnity of this Affair is on his way with the Satisfaction agreed on The Duke Crequy is ready to return to Rome where the Pyramis is erected in memory of the Fact of the Corsi and Don Mario the Popes Nephew upon his departure But when all this is done no man conceives the Christian World more assured or freed from those jealousies which it hath long conceived of the Potency of this King He hath lately made a motion in Germany about Colmar and Slecksladt and it is suspected they are the light Trepidations of some greater Rupture thereabouts for that the French have long aimed upon the Imperial Dignity is obvious to every eye and this Prince is supposed to be more ambitiously bent upon that design than any of his Predecessors He hath to the purpose baffled and terrified the Pope the Emperours left hand and scared him before hand and for his right hand the King of Spain besides the Peace between them he will not be remiss in fomenting the War with Portugal The Princes of the Empire therefore give him fair words and will oblige him by performing his Demands about those Towns He is sure of the Duke of Savoy so long as he enterpriseth not upon Italy for then he would become a Morsel between his Grinders As to the Princes of Italy they do not care to see him there but love him well enough in France We neither suspect nor dread this Riddle of Fate nor shall want a Sword to solve it if with the Dutch and any body else he could make a threefold Cord of it and so we leave him to the Revolution of Time His Kingdom of Navarre lying in Spain we shall mention it there SPAIN SPAIN is defended towards France on the North with Confines strengthened both by Nature and Art viz. by the Natural Height of the Pyrenean Mountains which separate the one Country from the other and by the Artificial Forts of Scialon Parpignian and Pampalone the Metropolis of Navarre on all other sides it is encompass'd with the Atlantick Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea Its Empire is divided into four Parts or Members but we shall mention one only here viz. 1. The Kingdomes of Spain 2. The States of Italy Sicily c. And 3. Flanders And 4. The Dominions of India Spain is by the Spaniards for the greater grace divided into 15. Kingdomes namely Castile Aragon Murcia Granada Gallicia Guypuscoa Biscay Oviedo Leon Corduba Toledo Navarre Catalonia Majorca Valentia and lastly Portugal but it being wrested from the Spanish Dominions as it was formerly and now is a distinct Soverainty we will treat of the other 14. together and of that by it self The Country it self is very